“Our first child was born nine months (and fifteen minutes) after the ceremony. I set aside my career in graphic design to be a Mom. It was during this time that I discovered daytime talk shows and first heard commonly held myths expounded by intelligent audience members.
“Nowadays, a family has to have two incomes to make ends meet.”
“Nowadays, it is impossible for a young couple to get into the housing market.”
“Nowadays, families cannot afford to raise more than two children.”
As if the message could magically be shot back through the television tube, I raised my fist and shouted, “It is not true, it can be done!” And so began my quest to prove that it could be done – that it was still possible to raise a large family and buy a house without two full-time incomes….
Over the years our average income has been less than $30,000. In less than seven years we saved $49,000, made significant investment purchases (vehicles, appliances, furniture) of $38,000, and were completely debt free! That is an annual savings/investment rate of over $12,500 per year, or 43% of our gross income.”
Sometimes though, just “thinking cheaply” can help us cut corners. The secret to these budget meals was in the reduction of meat. I have found that buying packs of frozen beef patties are not only cheaper by the pound than a large pack of ground beef, but the convenience of being able to divide them into small quantities for menus helps me use less. To get really specific, it also saves me the cost and time of dividing the meat into plastic bags for freezing and is much less messy.