The Abundant Wife

Living Abundantly on Less

Cheap Children’s Clothing

April 20th, 2011

Jessica

Oliver wearing Caleb's Hand-Me-Downs

Oliver and Naomi dress to impress. At any given time, Naomi has more clothing in her drawers than I do, and Oliver could go for three weeks without repeating an outfit. Yet, I have purchased few, if any outfits for either child. How do we do it?

Hand-Me-Downs: Many of the clothes Naomi wears are hand-me-downs from her 7-year-old cousin Becca. Brad’s sister brings the appropriate sizes with her when she comes to visit. Many of the clothes Oliver wears are hand-me-downs from a little boy named Caleb. Caleb’s mother Tiffany and I went to high school and church together for many years.

Yard-Sales: Last October, my mom went to Colorfest and returned with bags of seasonally-appropriate lightly-worn baby boy clothes for about $20. The man selling them just wanted to be rid of them!

Gifts: Both grandmothers love to shop, so we give them the more “fun” items to purchase like swimsuits, winter boots, and Easter dresses. They love to give these gifts for birthdays and holidays, and love seeing the kids wearing them!

How do you save on your children’s clothing costs?

Naomi in Becca's hand-me-downs, Oliver in yard-sale clothes

How We Save on Big Ticket Items

April 19th, 2011

Jessica

Every year our respective families approach Brad and I, asking us what we would like for Christmas. Due to our nomadic lifestyle (5 homes in 5 years), many typical items for a young couple just don’t work for us. Aside from gifts for our two children, we live with a minimal amount of possessions. This year for Christmas, I was only interested in upgrading our old computer, and Brad was only interested in a new running watch and a few hard-to-find books.

First, we told our families what we hoped to purchase. When asked what we wanted for Christmas, we explained that they could buy us an individual gift if they preferred, or contribute to a single larger group gift. (We do not harbor any ill will for those who choose not to contribute!) I was able to buy Brad’s running watch and books on-line with the gifts from our families. This is also nice because some of the older members of our families are somewhat unfamiliar with the internet and sometimes cannot locate specialty items that are not available locally. We also often save cash gifts from multiple birthdays/holidays for one larger gift.

Second, we listed and sold some of our other technology items on E-bay. We sold our old computer ($105), our old video camera ($80), and our old hard drive ($18). With the cash from our families for my birthday and Christmas gifts, we were able to upgrade our 2002 computer to a 2011 model.

Although this won’t work for all families, our families have been open to this method of group gift giving for many years. When we moved to China, they contributed to our luggage, and when we wanted to see a favorite band in concert, they all pitched in. It has been especially nice for us as we attempt to pay off our debt snowball, pay for big ticket items with cash, and reduce the amount of items we have to move from home to home.

Have you ever bought or received a group gift? What other ways have you found to save on big ticket items?

Startling Statistics: Moving In With The Parents

April 18th, 2011

Jessica

“From 2007 to 2010, American households lost $11 trillion in real estate, savings, and stocks–including a third of the value of our homes.”

Reader’s Digest

“Hard times mean record numbers of Americans–even older adults–are moving in with relatives. ‘Doubling up’ has kept nearly two million people out of poverty and resulted in over 15 million multifamily households by March 2010, the highest number since 1968.”

Reader’s Digest

11.7% increase in the number of households containing more than one family from 2008 to 2010.

U.S. Census

1/2 million people 35 and older who were forced to move back in with parents, siblings, or other kin from 2008 to 2010.

U.S. Census

8% increase in the number of kids who’ve moved in with grandparents from 2009 to 2010.

U.S. Census

1/3 of recent college grads are living with their parents & 17% are financially dependent on them. Most are in debt.

-Adecco

17 million Americans with college degrees are doing jobs that require less than the skill levels associated with a bachelor’s degree.

-New America

Refinancing? (Part 1)

April 16th, 2011

Jessica

Our “Investment Property”

I was reading Reader’s Digest this week and saw the following in an article titled, “Cents and Sensibility” by Beth Kobliner:

“If you have a mortgage, know the interest rate. And learn if, when, and how it adjusts and whether refinancing makes sense. Consider downsizing to a smaller home, a step that one in five Americans took last year.”

I was happy to read this bit of advice because I had just done that this week! Brad and I like to check on these things regularly to see if there have been any changes:

First, I called Wells Fargo, which handles the larger portion (80%) of our mortgage. The man I spoke to was very helpful and explained that our house might be eligible for a refinance through the new federal Home Affordable Refinance program because it is a Freddie Mac loan. When I informed him that the house was a rental property though, he told me that “investment properties” are ineligible for this program. (He did note the irony that we rented the house because we couldn’t sell it, and now we can’t refinance because we rent it.) So I asked if we were eligible for any other refinancing programs. Unfortunately, we are not because our home is “upside-down” (the worth of the property is less than the worth of the loan). I was able to open an on-line account where I could look at the most recent updates on the state of our mortgage.

Next, I called Citimortgage, which handles the second portion (20%) of our mortgage. Again, the gentleman I spoke to was very helpful. He explained that given our situation, the only way we could refinance would be to look for a high appraisal. (Unfortunately our house is only worth 2/3 of the price we paid for it in 2005.) He said that our current monthly payment and interest rate aren’t too bad as far as second mortgages go. They do have some programs for people who have lost their jobs, but these programs usually aren’t employed until payments are missed, and credit is bad. Even these programs only temporarily lower payments and interest rates, and then raise it again later…eventually costing the homeowner more. Again, I was able to open an on-line account, and what I liked about Citimortgage’s website is that I can do on-line bill pay directly from our current checking account.

Aside from regularly checking on the state of our mortgage and any possibilities for lowering cost, we keep an index card with a small graph on it, showing our loans, due dates, interest rates, and payoff amounts. This keeps us on the same page financially, and keeps motivating us to shrink those amounts.

You’re only a few phone calls away from knowing the details of your mortgage and possibly reducing your costs and rates. How have you saved on your mortgage payments?

April 12, 2011: My Lost Sheep

April 12th, 2011

Jessica

My parents have a brand-new front door. It is a lovely front-door with a window in it, and some birds have begun to nest in the wreath that hangs on it. It is just one of the many remodelings my parents have done to the house this past year.

I, however, am not fond of this door. Unlike the previous door, the handle for this door is not a knob, but a lever. So 21-month-old Naomi is now capable of grabbing the lever, opening the front door, and walking out on to the porch. This has resulted in more than one heart attack for her poor mother. We try to keep the door locked, but inevitably we lock someone out. It can’t be locked from the outside without a key, so when someone goes out, someone else must lock the door behind them.

Yesterday, while I was on the phone with Karilyn and nursing Oliver, Brad left the house to go running. A few minutes later, I realized that Naomi was gone. I left Karilyn (on the phone) and Oliver (screaming) on the kitchen floor while I ran through the house looking for her, growing more panicked and breathless with each step. I checked every room twice, then the garage, backyard, and front yard. I began envisioning all the horrible things that could have happened to her.

After hanging up with Karilyn, I took Oliver and walked up and down the street calling her name until I was hoarse. “Naomi…Na-Omi!…NAOMI!!!” I was sure she had followed Brad out the door when he went running, and he had not seen her behind him. Cars often coast our hill quickly without looking for small children. I wanted to yell at every driver, “Stop! My baby girl is lost! Have you seen her? Please slow down so that you don’t hit her!” I called my parents and left a panicked message on their voice-mail.

Then I saw it. The stroller on our front porch was missing. Brad must have taken Naomi on his run with him. By this point I was drenched in sweat, breathless, and hoarse. I collapsed in the living room to nurse a fretting Oliver. I was incredibly relieved to realize she was safe, and even more relieved when Brad rolled up with her in the stroller about 10 minutes later. I smothered her in hugs and kisses, holding my two children close to me in joy and thankfulness.

Luke 15 tells the parable of the lost sheep. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

When I thought that Naomi was lost, I was near tears at the thought that I might not find her. I dropped all my plans while I searched for her. Once I knew where she was, I joyfully called Karilyn and my parents to let them know that she was safe with her Dad. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God seeks us and rejoices over us in the same way?

April 11, 2011: Job Search Update

April 11th, 2011

Jessica

Family Photo: The “YMCA”

Brad began working full-time as a long-term substitute teacher at an alternative school for boys on February 9, 2011. An acquaintance from church recommended him when their P.E. teacher needed a long-term substitute while she was out for surgery. The job was initially supposed to last for 4-6 weeks. When the regular teacher returned, the staff continued to find substituting jobs for him for another week.

When they couldn’t find any more work for Brad, he accepted a long-term substituting job at a public high schoolfor 1.5 weeks. On the last day of that job, the alternative school called him again. They needed him for another 5 weeks. This will give Brad employment until May 11, 2011 when he will begin working at a day camp. He will be working there as a lifeguard and swim instructor through the summer months, until the end of August.

We could not be happier that Brad has steady employment from February 9 to August 19. We are so grateful to God for providing steady employment while we pursue another position in full-time ministry.

How have your friends helped you in your time of need? How do you see God meeting your needs today?

Daily Routines

April 6th, 2011

Jessica

My children love routines. Monday through Friday you will find little variation in our days. My daily schedule looks something like this:

Wake Up, Shower, Breakfast, Bible, Journal, Read
Brad Goes to Work
Fold Laundry
Check E-mail & Facebook, Balance Checkbook, Pay Bills
Blog
Children Wake Up & Get Dressed
Breakfast
Bath
101 Dalmations Sing-Along Video
Lunch
Get the Mail
Children Nap (I Work Around the House)
Park or Walk or Run Errands
Brad Comes Home & Goes Running
Dinner
Naomi & I Draw
Naomi & Granddad Feed the Dogs
Reading with the Children
Children’s Bed Time
Our Bed Time

Naomi especially loves our routine. With her growing vocabulary, she is quick to remind me if I delay, skip, or forget one of our activities. Both children love to sleep and become overtired when they miss out on valuable rest.

I thrive on a schedule too. When Brad accepted his long-term substitute-teaching assignment in mid-February, I decided that I would get up too. So for the first time I began getting up before the children. I now love and look forward to my quiet mornings, and the opportunity to get myself prepared to face the day before I need to meet their needs.

What routines give structure to your day? When are you most productive?

Our Federal Tax Refund is here!

April 5th, 2011

Jessica

Grad School Graduation 2007

You may chuckle at my exuberance, but I’m sure you have all been excited at some point in time with the arrival of your refund. Last January, I began to follow the blog Money Saving Mom on-line. It wasn’t long before I noticed how often Crystal and others on her blog were referring to this guy named Dave Ramsey. I started reading his thoughts on-line, and I was hooked.

Brad and I made it through 3 years in full-time ministry without missing a single payment on our truck, mortgage, or student loans. Last year we resolved that we would not be prevented from doing ministry due to personal debt. We decided to attack our debts with Dave’s Debt Snowball. In February 2010 we paid off our truck. We felt a great sense of relief, especially when half of Brad’s salary was cut the following month.

We continued to save our money, but at the end of February 2011, we were surprised when we had to replace the furnace in the home we still own (and rent out) in Maryland. The furnace cost us $3500 to replace and install. On top of that, Maryland car registration, licenses, certification, and repairs to our vehicles cost us over $2000. We were so grateful that we had the money saved to pay for these unforeseen expenditures in cash!

We reviewed our finances in February. When the dust had settled, we were still able to pay off my graduate school student loan in February 2011! In the 2 months since, we have been putting every extra penny into my undergraduate student loan. With the arrival of the Federal Tax Refund in April 2011, we will finally be able to pay off this 8 year old loan!

It is hard to believe that in the past 15 months of living on half salary, being unemployed, and receiving a substitute teaching salary, we have been able to pay off a vehicle and two student loans! We are amazed at the Lord’s provision, despite difficult circumstances, to meet our every need. We have even wondered if maybe God brought us home at this time, to allow us to serve him unhindered by the shackles of debt in the future. As Dave Ramsey often says, “You can’t have it all, but you can have more than enough.” We praise the Lord for meeting our every need!

I would love to hear your stories of God’s provision. How has God met your financial needs this month? This year?