Photo: Great grandparents at their farm in Blandinsville, IL, with five of their six children .. my grandpa was yet a twinkle in grandma's eye. Stable boy and governess also pictured. Hodges farm, circa 1903-4

Monday, March 29, 2010

Mr. Mac(Frugal)'s Thoughts

... about a financial diet:  What started the whole topic of becoming debt free in approximately twenty-one months ... there's a possibility that his job will be absorbed by a larger city entity (in 2012) and he'd have to be retrained as a police officer all over again.  His current gig is just a filler job since his official retirement from another dept. two years ago after a twenty-plus year career.  Our original goal was to be mortgage free in four years and he'd retire once again with another small pension.  But this is probably not going to happen.  We have a monthly pension ... plus his 'gravy' job.  Now at the age of fifty-nine, he's just not going to go through anymore field or physical training to be 'absorbed' in a bigger city's PD.  With that said ... a financial diet will be in order.  We can live comfortably on his pension ... even with a mortgage payment ... but how much the better would it be to be financially free.  Scrimp and save for the next year and a half ... to be rid of any debt.  Now with that said and 'out there' ... he and I will be working out a strategy to remain financially sound AND debt free.  He actually brought up the subject of a budget when he got home from work last night.  Here are a few steps we will make this week:

  • pray about our situation
  • discuss what expenses will be 'cut out' with our adult kids
  • write out a monthly budget (clean start each month)
  • use cash or debit card for purchases
  • use our old envelope system for cash purchases
  • review what household expenses will be axed
Stay tuned for a monthly progress report.  

Image:  Free.Foto.com


    5 comments:

    Maria Stahl said...

    Well, I'm excited for you! It's much more fun to do this together.

    I recommend Debtproofliving.com if you are not already a reader there.

    FlowerLady Lorraine said...

    Bless your hearts Mr and Mrs. Mac. You can do it! Yes you can.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

    Ruth Trowbridge said...

    Thinking like this will secure your future. I don't think people, relying on money to take care of their lives, in the future, will fare too well. You save so much in your kitchen and your yard. For a while along with the money budget I kept a diary of all the money I saved by doing things by scratch. It really made me feel strong and positive. I really think God will sustain us without money, I don't think He thinks money is that great. You are doing such a great job taking care of your family! Peace

    Morgan said...

    A great goal amd I am sure that with love and prayer together you will make it.

    LynnS said...

    There must be something-in-the-air because we are on the same page, although our mortgage is paid off. Every couple of months, I start thinking "what else can we cut back on?". Sometimes, it may be nothing more than a few very inexpensive dinners doing as you have done. Whatever it takes, though!

    Your husband has worked long enough! Second time around, he puts those feet up and REALLY retires. Time to enjoy the next and best part of life!