Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thrifty Thursday...A mindset + an action = savings

Someone nominated my blog for the 2010 Homeschool Blog Awards. The category is Best Thrifty Homeschool Blogs. I was surprised. I read the list of other nominees. The list has some serious thrifty blogs. My posts about thrift reflect more of my philosophy. It is a lifestyle started from a necessity, as a former single mom and turned into a conviction. It's a deeply held conviction as a homeschooling Mom. My time committed to homeschooling, keeps me out of the workforce. I do not bring in a paycheck. How can I earn money? I earn money by parting with it carefully. 


I am thankful that I met the criteria for the blog awards: [Blog doesn't have to be exclusively about frugality.]

Join Me at The Homeschool Post!


I can't resist begging asking for your vote. If you haven't voted yet, don't procrastinate, voting ends November 17. All you have to do is click the button above, it will bring you to the Best Thrifty Homeschooling Blog page. My blog is listed at the top of the list, thanks to alphabetical order. Click the dot next to it, scroll down and click vote. Easy!!!


Thrifty people, reuse and recycle. In honor of my cool nomination, this calls for a repost. Here is one of my earlier posts about thrift when my blog had about 4 readers. Most of those readers happen to be included in this post. 



Thrifty Thursday or Passive Aggressive Actions

I spoke with my firstborn, statue man, last night and told him what I planned on blogging about today. There was silence on the other end of the phone. Thank you son, you have years of blogging experience, I take your opinions of blogging very serious. I will save 
that one for a later date, perhaps when pigs fly or when H-E-double hockey sticks freezes over.

New thought...
Passive Aggressive Thriftiness.

Passive Thriftiness is doing effortless things that help keep more money in your pocket. It is a sort of behavior that isn't profound and noticeable. You don't brag about this.

Aggressive Thrift requires much effort. It's a coupon cutting marathon. It's driving to 3 stores to get the best deals. It's humbling yourself and whittling down the price at a yard sale. This you will boast to your friends: "I bought this pair of Gap jeans for $2.00."

For today, I have been thinking about Passive Thriftiness.

Here is one of my super top secret secrets, not really secret but it is news to some folks .....

The most effective tool I use in trying to live a thrifty life is
:

WAITING

Ooohhh, that word is so challenging to me.

I do not like to wait. Lizzie doesn't like it. In fact I don't really know anyone that does.

I admit that I am a gullible consumer. It's a good thing I don't watch television. I would be one of those couch potatoes that orders everything 
as seen on t.v.. ORDER NOW! and get free shipping and handling. Urgency is the ultimate marketing tool. I am so susceptible to this.

I remember being over my friend's house, she's one of my buddies that has a face for t.v. She was showing me this really cool mop. It was like a live commercial. What really hooked me on this product and convinced me I NEED one right now was the 'sudden miracle'.

While we were in her kitchen, her five year old boy, yes boy, asks, "Mommy can I mop the floor?" My fantasies began. My three youngest boys at home fighting over whose turn it is to mop. Me, never mopping a floor ever again. Don't wake me up, I am watching myself in my recliner, supervising my children mopping my floors.


I created my mental note: to get over to that web site, as soon as I get home and order one for $79.95 plus $16.95 shipping and handling. Hey, $96.90 for a mop, I know it is a little pricey. But hey, I'm worth it. Money spending excuse(a.k.a. lie) #1. I'm worth it.

Wait a minute...what's wrong here? The steaming has ceased, the dirt is still there. The wonder mop is making me wonder. My pretty friend is scowling, her boy has left the room and returned to the computer. The floor is not shiny yet. She is flipping it over and trying to figure out why the button is jammed. My dreams are shattered.

Hey! Patience is paying off. I just saved myself $96.90. That doesn't even include the replacement heads, which are $19.95 plus $6.95 for shipping and handling. I am feeling richer already, $123.80 richer. My floors are not mopped, but whew, I was not sucked into believing that mop could change my life.

Back to thrift. If I practiced aggressive thrift, I would quit the gym membership, and get down on my hands and knees.
 I would mop my own floor using old towels. As I do it I would hold my gut in, just like those killer workouts. I don't have a gym membership, oh good, I am already thrifty.

Waiting can save so much money:
  • Wait until the bestselling book, video game or DVD is in the library system.
  • Wait to see if you really need the item.
  • Wait on the God, yes, pray about it. So many times, I have been blessed with an item I really wanted and didn't buy impulsively. Or ask God if you really should have it.
  • Wait for it to go on sale, if you really need it.
  • Wait until spring and check for it at the dump's transfer station's swap shop. I found my favorite kitchen tool there, but I can't talk about that, yet.
  • Wait until one of your friends buys it and then borrow it. This only works for some things. No, you cannot borrow her Coach bag, unless she really loves you.
  • Wait long enough and you will forget about it. Gman's only contribution to my blog: "forgetaboutit!"
  • Wait until a major holiday and drop hints to your family.
Aggressive thrift...now I'll save that for another Thursday.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in 
glory by Christ Jesus."
Bible KJV




I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

4 comments:

Adamant Academy said...

of course I will boost your self esteem LOL. Your blog is great you DO NOT need blogging for dummies and of course I will go vote for you!!!

Rey Abisan said...

I'm a single mom of 2 and I find your site very interesting. I hope I have much time each day to drop by and check your site for recent post.

3G=Growing Godly Girlz said...

I found you thru the weekly wrap up. Great blog post! I hope you will stop by our blog. we'd love to have you!
http://growing3godlygirlz.blogspot.com
Blessings
Aria

capecodsookie said...

I loved your blog...great sense of humor, which is amazing as you are a single mom AND homeschooling...I'm a single mom as well but was unable to home school. I have been "thrifty" all my life..I always thought it was because I am part Scottish. My motto is "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do or Do without" ...except for when I pass a thrift store, yard sale, or "everything must go" sale. God Bless
BTW I voted for your blog.