The economy is not improving, I don't care which paper you are reading or which expert is in your ear. There may be a few real estate deals to be had for those with spare funds, but rents are remaining the same in my area. Gas, groceries, insurance, and many other living expenses are inching up each month yet everyone lucky enough to still have a job has the same wage as before.
My son is weighed down by student loans, an uncompleted education, and the stresses of retail management. Eldest daughter is balancing full time work and motherhood. Youngest daughter has returned home stressed after a failed attempt to share a home with friends. It seems a perfect time to revisit an old post.
Handy Hints For Communal Living
When you are on a frugal path with a goal you have to stay the course until your goals are met. If you jump too soon any small setback can put you right back where you were before. Keep your skills fresh, remember these times will not last forever, celebrate small victories, and plan out your future without losing sight of your goals.
Things are working out so far here, everyone is pitching in to help out, and someone is always here to entertain Grandbaby. Side note: every time I try to write a post, or do any reading on my computer Grandbaby comes into the room, gives me a kiss, smiles, sits next to me, and says, "I watch," next thing I know I'm clapping along to "Yo Gabba Gabba."
Realistically I will be here for up to two years until everyones goals are met. I'm reworking my room a bit now and turning it into more of a retreat for my husband and I. This doesn't involve money as I am just deep cleaning and moving furniture about. I'm getting rid of some furniture that just takes up too much of the limited space. Next I will tackle the common rooms, before attempting a massive garage clear out. Reorganization of our small house will make it easier for all to get along.
My one remaining debt is shrinking, and my savings are growing gradually. We'll just be that much further ahead when everyone else catches up. If you are paddling toward shore and feeling discouraged don't stop and try to stay on the lilly pad. The lilly pad will crash, keep on paddling all the way until you reach shore, you'll be glad you did. Plan, and be ready for the better times ahead.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
My daughter just moved back in from finishing college. She'll be here until January, then finish her grad program in May. She will then be moving back in to save some money and pay us back for the car we bought her two years ago AND she will be paying rent. Still a sweet deal for her. Thankfully, we are used to her being home so there will be no shuffling around.
ReplyDeleteThe economy is still suffering, our paychecks seem to be shrinking, but I'm VERY grateful that both my husband and I are still employed. Even so, it's time to up the savings. A little more security doesn't hurt.
Love your advice to "keep your skills fresh...and celebrate small victories." Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI really think this should be the norm--much better use of space and resources.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a lot of patience and it's so nice the way your family is able to work together. Decluttering is a good feeling.
ReplyDeleteI am concerned about the unfinished education! He can get relief from the student loans if he is not making much money or goes to school half time. Could he use the money he is spending paying back loans to go back to school? Can he get a grant? I am sure you may have posted this before, but I have forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI read the former post. About rules--they should be set before trouble starts. You would not want a child going to school not knowing the classroom rules, then have the child getting in trouble for something she did not know was against the rules. When I have extended guests, they sometimes were responsible for the excess in the utilities only. That way, they were careful even if they usually were not in their own space. Of course, utilities split other ways could encourage frugality, also.
ReplyDeleteThe economy ISN'T improving!?! Are you sure about that? Maybe you're doing something wrong? ;oD
ReplyDeleteIn other words, ain't that the truth!
Reorganizing things and reducing your debt? I am totally impressed young one.
ReplyDeleteI sounded mean about "extended guests" but these friends where going to be long-time "guests," especially one. Both were basically homeless. One was here for one year. Another was here for two months. I had a huge house but was barely surviving, paying my own bills. Both could afford what little I asked in return for a safe, very comfortable home, and little else asked of them in the way of financial outlay. Both "visits" turned out badly in the end. But, those are two whole new stories...lol.
ReplyDeleteHey, IATWP, I hope you're doing okay!
ReplyDeleteJust stopped by to say hi kiddo. I'm so sick of this economy I could just barf. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, well it appears we all have to work harder, work longer, and save more because the economy, the stock market, Congress and world markets aren't cooperating.
ReplyDeleteI'm just a month shy of my 2-year anniversary since my layoff. I haven't worked a perm job since but I have scrambled for contract jobs (the longest stint was 3.5 months f/t) and freelance work.
My biggest regret is not being able to continue saving for retirement, and knowing that I also have two years less of earnings that would boost my average income that's used to determine my monthly Social Security income.
I'm just 52 and supposed to be at the peak of my earning years, but I wonder if I will ever work (f/t) again.
Hi iamtwp: just wanted to say hello & miss hearing from you. Hope all is well w/you & family. You ARE the voice of reason.
ReplyDeleteEveryone thank you for reading and commenting even during my silences. I appreciate all of you.
ReplyDeletePractical Parsimony, My son is considering going back to school with a grant. He will go back one day most likely, he just needs to decide when and how. It's not a permenant situation. And yikes on your house guests. Maybe I should set a move out date now, and let everyone know. :)
Connecticut Blogger, my heart goes out to you. I wish I had some words of wisdom or encouragement. I don't understand how they want to increase the retirement age but not have jobs available for those nearing retirement. It doesn't make sense to me at all.
Zoe, thanks for the big laugh. I was riding in my sisters van once when she was vacationing down here. She and her husband got into an arguement over a parking space or something when she said, "I wish you'd listen to the voice of reason." I fell into an unctrollable fit of giggles and for the rest of the day kept introducing her to everyone as "My sister, the voice of reason." Just wait til I tell my family that I am also "The Voice of Reason."
Update coming soon everyone, thanks for reading!
Oh so glad to hear from you. I am a "sneaky reader" :-) Been reading for a long while but dont really comment. Can't wait for the update.
ReplyDelete