Cutting Grass and Saving Scratch

Since the Summer we’ve signed both our kids up with Gracie Barra Jiujitsu, AND piano lessons. We also got Bingo the dog. The added cost of about $400 a month with no additional income is quickly catching up to us. On top of that we spent a few thousand on vision therapy for Micah. He had focusing issues or something. Now he has super vision (no joke). It’s eating into our savings, and more importantly into our vacation fund! Here’s what we’ve done:

1. Re-focused my shopping addiction (ie. bike, surf, electronics gear, tshirts…). I’ve canceled targeted advertising sites like steepandcheap, chainlove, and woot. I still browse some deal sites to “have a taste”. I’ve refocused my online shopping addiction towards items that will cut back on recurring expenses. This refocusing has also caused me to think twice about how I spend money in general.

2. Capitalized on my geekiness. I canceled our home phone & DSL, and then purchased cable internet. I then set up skype as a VOIP solution. I already had a nice skype phone (the Linksys iphone, named such before Apple stole the name), and I bought another wifi phone to be always on, even when the computer isn’t. There is no 911 support, but our cell phones are always at hand. This solution saves around $20 a month and the internet connection is easily ten times faster.

3. Doing my own gardening. I’ve tried this before and failed miserably. This time, I’m playing toward my strengths (online research, short term project management, and laziness). I researched for the right tools that I didn’t already have – going green with human powered tools! I searched for low water, low maintenance plants to make it as easy as possible. And I mapped out weekly projects to get my plans in motion. I’m rather stoked about it! I just hope I don’t cut a toe off while using the scary looking lawn mower.

4. Cut back on charitable giving. I researched that giving around 3-4% at my income bracket is more than generous. We’re at 5% now, which is a good place for us. Giving 10%, aka “a tithe”, is too lofty a goal. It would cut way too far into my family’s standard of living. As an ex-pastor, I’ll ask this, “Pastors have theology degrees NOT finance degrees, so why go to them to learn how to manage your money?” Research what financial experts say about charitable giving, and give generously and freely to meet goals that make sense to you and your family!