6
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 3 Comments
“The discussions and lessons we got in return were worth a lot more…”
The kids and I had such a ball the other day that I want to share it with you. Specifically with those of you who, like me, have never taken part in that great American past-time: garage sale-ing.
Like it or not, the kids are along for this ride.
The kids have been living the get-out-of-debt dream with us for almost a year and a half now. They have adapted beautifully to our family’s new financial values.
They earn their own money each week and we coach them through saving, spending and giving. Very rarely is there any drama or whining about buying something. If you don’t have the money, you can’t buy it. If mom and dad don’t have the money, they don’t buy it either. …continue reading
16
Jul
Posted by The Wife in Climbing Out. 4 Comments
Being on a budget and working with cash has made things easier for me at the register.
Daughter A is finally agreeing to wear some other clothes besides the “zoo shirt” she’s been living in and fleecey pants. It could be the 100F+ temperatures we’ve been having, but whatever! It’s so nice to see her legs.
A Surprise Shopping Trip
So, the other day I got a $10 off coupon from Kohl’s, a local big-box department store. I decided that I would pitch in a couple of bucks and take the girls shopping and get a couple items of clothing as a treat. Something Summer-y. We spent over half an hour trying on different clothes: pajamas, dresses, shorts… I only pulled things from the clearance rack to stay in the budget I had set for myself. We finally narrowed it down to four items that would only ask about $6 from my pocket.
As we stood at the register …continue reading
22
Apr
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 11 Comments
if you too are thinking about ditching your big bank and finding a local bank with a soul, I encourage you to give it a try
This post is an example of what happens when companies put customer service last and the customer realizes there are other choices after all. Everyone who engages with customers (which pretty much means everyone) should be reading Seth Godin’s blog. That really is the sidebar to this post, but I think it’s so important I’m putting it right at the top.
I am consistently amazed by businesses that seem to go out of their way to make things more difficult for their clients. Not just slow, awkward or boring but down right more difficult. …continue reading
7
Oct
Posted by The Wife in Climbing Out. 6 Comments
I need to remember that it is our money and we have control
There is an FPU class on negotiating. I should take it again.
I’m not very good at negotiating, getting the deal or walking away. That last one you would think would be easier for me. If you don’t have the money then walk away. The problem is I don’t use the power of walking away when the monetary difference seems manageable.
Today I signed the kids up for gymnastics class. I told the Dad that the classes would be $70 a month. When I went to sign the papers, I was surprised by the $35 per child registration fee! That was double what I expected to pay. That was double what we had budgeted for. Eek!
I should not have written the check, but I did. …continue reading
13
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 6 Comments
[L]iving on a budget, on purpose, with spending limits and control over your impulses is not only mature, it saves you money
One of my favorite teachers in college was a creative genius. He taught us to shift our thinking, to “get out of the box” and be original. But he wasn’t the most pragmatic person when it came to the nuts and bolts of life.
This was a man who traded his car in and bought a new one because the headlight went out. I am not kidding.
Over the years The Wife and I have become a fairly competent man and woman. We do not balk at things like garbage disposals, international airport travel, or Los Angeles freeways. Table saws, sergers, and home electrical systems are old hat. …continue reading
