I’m nonetheless right here! I took an unplanned (and subsequently unannounced) break from writing the weblog, which was meant to be for per week, however expanded to a month after which two months… WHOOPS. I confess I wanted a while off from ye olde Frugalwoods after constantly posting for 9.5 years. That’s the longest I’ve ever carried out anyone job and I spotted throughout this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. Typically one will need to have some absence to ensure that one to appreciate what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let you recognize that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m making an attempt to discern how typically I’ll write going ahead. The times of thrice weekly posts are definitively over, however on the opposite excessive, I don’t significantly need to take full months off once more both. Thanks on your endurance as I–as soon as once more–work out what I need to do with my life. I like writing and I like serving to individuals with their cash and I’m very grateful that I get to do exactly that.
My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to put up a brand new Reader Case Examine every month.
The Reader Case Research are the clearest distillation of what my work is evolving into: extra serving to different individuals with their cash; much less speaking about moi-self. As longtime readers know, my writing on Frugalwoods started primarily as a cash diary. A method for me to grasp my very own emotions about my cash and the way I wished to create a special type of life, one divorced from the rampant consumerism and hectic oneupmanship that dominates a big share of media in America. I’m humbled by what number of people have adopted alongside these 9+ years and in awe of the deeply inspiring conversations, friendships and self-exploration this work has prompted for me. The opposite cause for my meant new deal with Reader Case Research is the undeniable fact that…
I’m Drained Of Writing About Myself
What I discovered throughout this unplanned sabbatical is that, frankly, I’m uninterested in writing about myself. I’ve spilled lots of digital ink delving into my very own funds, my monetary psyche, and my strategy to all the things from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my children become old, I’m much less comfy mining my life for content material and fewer comfy sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally assume I’ve most likely mentioned nearly all the things I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my e book.
That being mentioned, I need to proceed our Frugalwoods neighborhood and proceed serving as a useful resource for individuals at each stage of the monetary journey. I envision that occuring in a number of methods going ahead:
- By a month-to-month Reader Case Examine right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by means of a reader’s actual stay funds and provide compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search software for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that allows you to seek for particular Case Research based mostly on age vary, earnings stage, retirement plan, marital standing, occupation, location and extra! I hope it will assist people discover Case Research that mirror their very own monetary conditions and questions.
- By the archives of this weblog. There are 737 revealed posts on Frugalwoods along with my e book, Meet the Frugalwoods. Should you’re interested in my ideas on any given matter, take a look at the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my finest to re-organize previous posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking out. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 totally different classes :).
- By my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. Should you’d like my assist along with your cash, you’ll be able to learn extra about what I provide and rent me right here. I’ll show you how to perceive your whole monetary state of affairs, set clear targets, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- By being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I take pleasure in being on different individuals’s podcasts and, when you’re a podcast listener, you’ll be able to sustain with the exhibits I’m on through this web page.
- By my free Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM). As most of you already know, you’ll be able to take the Uber Frugal Month by yourself at any previous time. As you may additionally know, we take the UFM collectively each single January. This January might be our seventh annual UFM Group Problem. Signal-up within the field under to hitch me!
Does This Imply You’ll By no means Write About Your Life Ever Once more?
Nope! I’ve discovered to “by no means say by no means” since I typically observe the artwork of adjusting my thoughts. I very properly would possibly come throughout a brand new problem or discovery about myself sooner or later that’ll warrant new posts (or one other e book) or… who is aware of! However at current, I’m settled and content material on my peaceable rural homestead with my husband of 15 years and our two daughters, now ages 5 and eight. I’m in a section of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to write down about versus after we had been within the striving-for-this-goal section. We’re contentedly boring at this level, with no main information or monetary revelations to share. Life’s good and I’m grateful. However, as all my fellow writers know, boring and pleased typically doesn’t translate into fascinating content material for readers. Life is lengthy and unpredictable, so I could but shock myself and return to full-time running a blog. Or not. Time will inform! However, I wished you all to concentrate on the place I’m at on this journey so that you could proceed to stroll alongside me–if you wish to–on this new iteration of Frugalwoods.
It’s Time To Signal-Up for the January 2024 UFM Group Problem!
The UFM is a practice I need to proceed because it outlines the method my husband and I adopted to kick-start our personal frugal journey. It’s additionally the roadmap we used to achieve monetary independence. I additionally need to proceed the UFM as a result of I’ve heard from 1000’s of oldsters that the Problem modified their monetary lives for the higher. Should you haven’t taken the UFM earlier than, take a look at my FAQs:
Q: What’s the UFM?
To not be confused with Underwear Fang Monkeys or Common Folks-dancing Moths, the Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM) is my FREE, 31-day, holistic, emailed-based cash re-vamp program. You may sign-up to take it at any time, however we take the UFM as a gaggle each January.
From January 1-31, I’ll ship you an e mail a day with particular steps on methods to enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the major goal of the UFM is to provide you detailed, easy, easy-to-follow monetary motion objects. Woohoo!
Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single 12 months as a refresher course to assist get again on monitor or to verify that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different individuals come to it as cash novices and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at skilled stage and take the course as a option to join with the broader Frugalwoods neighborhood and provide encouragement and recommendation to newer neighborhood members.
It’s enjoyable (I imply, on the very least, it’s not painful), it’s free (completely free), and it’s written in plain English (no monetary jargon allowed).
The Uber Frugal Month isn’t nearly saving cash. It’s a holistic re-evaluation and re-structuring of our human relationship with one of the polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t should be any of these issues. Cash is usually a beast you tame, perceive, and make give you the results you want–not towards you. You may both grasp your cash or it will possibly grasp you. Be a part of me and take cost.
A couple of years in the past I launched a personal Fb group for UFM members to share concepts, talk about challenges and be in neighborhood collectively, which suggests your subsequent query very properly is likely to be…
Q: How do I be a part of the non-public Uber Frugal Month Fb group?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to hitch after you sign-up for the UFM. Should you’re already on this non-public Fb group–which 1000’s of you’re–don’t fear, you don’t have to do something. Simply maintain being superior and supportive within the group!
Q: Do I would like to make use of Fb (or different social media) in an effort to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out solely through e mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an non-compulsory bonus. No have to sign-up for Fb in an effort to take part within the UFM. All it’s a must to do is sign-up along with your e mail handle within the field under.
Q: If I’ve already taken the UFM, can I take it once more?
Completely! I had my tech man (AKA Mr. Frugalwoods) arrange the e-mail thing-y such that you would be able to sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical e mail handle you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nonetheless, have to sign-up once more in an effort to be a part of us beginning January 1st.
Actual Dwell Folks Love The UFM!!!
Enjoyable as it’s to learn what I write (proper?!), it’s even MORE enjoyable to learn what different individuals (actual, stay individuals!) have mentioned about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem members who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their funds and finally, their lives. Listed below are however a number of chosen on your enjoyment and revealed with permission.
“I’ve loved finishing this month with you. You’re completely proper in regards to the significance of cooking at residence and never consuming out typically. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we’ve got management over what we put in our meals. Our cash exhibits our priorities. Right this moment is my payday for January and with some sudden bills having cropped up in November and December I’m well-positioned to have all of it paid off with the self-discipline from January. Thanks for the motivation!” -SK
“I wished to answer nearly each single morning with stable reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to see such a complete information by means of the frugal mindset. It strengthened that I’m on the proper path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in examine. I feel anybody who hasn’t adopted it may not perceive the very actual happiness you report. They need to perceive that you just aren’t uniquely suited to this, your recommendation is extraordinarily sensible!I’ll be right here subsequent 12 months as a self check-up. Thanks a lot!” -Adam
“Thanks a lot on your day by day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain targeted, to study, and to implement new concepts and methods of considering.” -Donna
“It was a delight to learn all of the emails from you. It made clear sense to not spend extra on the issues I might of spent my cash on, nevertheless it was releasing to not do this….I’ve been on a frugal journey already, however to learn your emails was such a delight to see all of the solutions that you just gave. I’ve saved some to return and skim them once more. It gave me goal to maintain proper on going” -Arthur
“What was clear from the beginning was what number of occasions I needed to say no. It felt like each weekend there have been simply so some ways to spend cash, however nothing was actually wanted. Saying no to frivolous expenditures was surprising at first, however half-way by means of the month it turned my mission. Now I see that what I might have spent cash on was simply issues, not wanted issues, simply locations to go, time to waste, and so forth. I saved some cash, however that cash will snowball if I proceed subsequent month, which I’ll! Thanks for this guided lesson, I discovered a lot” -Mary
“This UFM was surprisingly simple! It’s additionally my…third or fourth time making an attempt it?- and none of these went properly. I began out robust however fizzled out, falling again into previous spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve carried out an UFM as a working guardian (my son is nearly 2), so I feel the intense lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m concerned about frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the long run we would like. This month has been a superb reset. It hasn’t felt restrictive, it’s felt empowering.” -Meredith
“I’m very grateful on your writing and insights, particularly this month’s frugality mindset collection. It was a terrific re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal durations of life however have gotten away from it. This collection was a terrific reminder, renewer, instructor for a way I need to stay transferring ahead.” -Sarah
“I’ve in contrast our month’s spending for this problem month, as in comparison with November (as December I had some irregularities and bookkeeping variances). We now have saved a bit over $1,600 on our total spending. We now have additionally minimize our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha
“I assumed I knew all the things about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and lowered consumption is vital to me. ” -L.P.
“I managed to avoid wasting much more cash this time round, I feel doing this problem greater than as soon as helps to refocus on targets.” -Ashley
“That is my second 12 months finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our neighborhood. I’m on my option to residing this as a way of life not simply months.” -Maxine
“I simply completed the Uber Frugal Month (once more!) and it’s all the time good to get again to fundamentals and reevaluate what and why I’m doing what I’m doing. Being frugal is my default setting, however it’s nonetheless good to reset and provides some uncared for areas a little bit consideration.” -Vanessa
“This month was enlightening for me. It was primarily due to the fantastic emails. The very factor I objected to on the problem, I discovered to be nice! Your messages about in-sourcing resonated with me. These emails got here after I noticed the ability of in-sourcing in my very own life. I’ve additionally stunned myself at discovering issues I take pleasure in at low cost or without spending a dime! Frugality helps us quiet a lot of the noise that takes us away from one another.” -D.S.
“It has stunned me how simple it was to not purchase something however meals. I do have a protracted option to go on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I really feel it is a life-style to work towards & that’s the reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb neighborhood you might have created additionally. Makes me really feel heat & fuzzy!” -Jamie
“My month was nice! I didn’t miss a lot and was in a position to make use of my financial savings to snowball more money in direction of my daughter’s pupil loans. Win-win! Thanks on your inspiration!” -Christie
“This frugal problem has been nice for my pockets, my well being and with my time administration. I’m now additionally beginning to consider my targets, what do I would like on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing model and I’ve seemed ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
