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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 11:35am | IP Logged
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Background: We are in a slowly declining income situation due to the economic problems (salary was cut 40%) plus the rising costs of everything else (food and insurance). Recently, our health insurance increased by $22 a week which equates to a 2.3% decrease in salary. I'm currently looking for part-time work at night to help supplement our finances.
I tell you this so you will understand the epiphany that I had in the shower this morning.
It's not the lack of money to purchase whatever I want that is bothering me, it's not that we can't afford any extras for the kids (no sports, no classes), it's not any of this that is truly bothering me. I finally figured out that I'm scared of BOREDOM. Yep, boredom. Due to finances, I have to stay home. I can't distract us by going out to eat. I can't waste time by purchasing things that we don't truly need but that are fun to have. Not that we did these things all the time, but we could treat ourselves to a night out or to a new shirt or something. The kids could go to events that cost a few dollars, where as now we cannot afford those extras that make for an interesting life.
So, I'm terrified of what we will do? I have to learn how to be at home, all day, everyday (well most days) and not go stir crazy. I have to find ways to keep us active, but without money. It almost feels as if we are standing still, with only the same things to do each and every day. Nothing new coming into the house to change up the routine or the environment. I do utilize the library for free events and books, so that's a huge outlet for us.
So I'm scared, but also somewhat calm knowing that this is for my own good. I'm learning so much by being deprived of distractions. It's giving me time to really focus on my Faith (or lack thereof) and my life. To open my eyes to things that were put on the back burner by our busyness.
I realize this is a first world problem, and not so terrible in the grand scheme of things, but how do we keep life interesting and fun without spending any money (or spending hours in front of the TV)? I also feel like I've asked this before  , and I should go search it out, but........Maybe I just needed to vent it out again!
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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Only have a moment but my first thought was.. if you take your free things and give them particular days then you make those days exciting because you only go on that day.. if Wednesday is Library day.. then it's not an option on other days and so Wednesday is exciting because you get to go to the library.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 1:13pm | IP Logged
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Also fun things you do at home. anything that you cant' do just any ol' time.. even if it's just a mom rule about it.. keeps it fresh and exciting. And have some things that are even more random.. like make playdough.. or have some set of toys put up for a special occation (I had puppets put up for years that I would only pull down when we just desperately needed something new for that day or for a rare occation of having baby sitters).
I also find it really really helps to have something.. whatever works for your family (for us it was cookies) that I could make up once a week or so to relieve the strictness of meals on a tight budget. It really makes a difference in your mood to know that on Sunday night you get a treat (even if it's home made, even if it's the same every Sunday, even if it's the cheapest treat you can come up with)
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Bridget
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 1:34pm | IP Logged
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Don't forget parks. Even in winter! Meet up with friends there and it's even better!
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God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 2:21pm | IP Logged
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Bridget wrote:
| Don't forget parks. Even in winter! Meet up with friends there and it's even better! |
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I second parks! But I'm not sure what your weather is like this time of year.
Can you go outside?
Wherever we live I try to dig deep into what's available as far as free parks, gardens, nature trails for hiking, etc. I'm always amazed when we are enjoying a great outdoor place that people who have lived here for years have never heard of... 
I also have to say that I feel your pain- a lot of minimalist bloggers talk about not having a lot of possessions at home, but instead of owning something like an ice cream maker, they will go out for ice cream. Instead of owning a dvd player, they will go out to see a show. That's all well and good- great even- if you are not on a budget.
Library- always good.
Parks, etc
Check on line to see if there are any Marian shrines in your area- or historic churches. Sometimes they have lovely gardens or prayer paths.
Fishing- some states don't require kids to have a license, and you can fish with a homemade drop line, hook and white bread for bait. My dc do this quite often.
Daily mass more often or programs at church. Last month we went to a great potluck dinner and free concert at our church 
This time of year there are many free Christmas concerts going on.
My town has a free Parents magazine that lists all the different activities and programs going on each month. Many are free.
Drive around or walk around your neighborhood to see the holiday decor, do a nature scavenger hunt, look for signs of spring, etc. This week we spotted daffodils already coming up in our neighborhood.
Hold cooking class once a week in your house. Make that special treat that Jodie talked about. Let each kid have a turn picking the recipe.
More art projects- you are at home more, so you have the time. There are some really neat art blogs with fun ideas. I like That Artist Woman and Deep Space Sparkle the best. hey- you might have been the one who recommended the nativity scene project from That Artist Woman. We tried it- so cool. They turned out great.
Have a special audiobook hour (or half hour) every day... maybe right after lunch? Or after dinner when it is too dark to go outside.
Brush off the board games... or puzzles.
If you have a Paperback Swap account, you can get fun Klutz books to try out. There is a scavenger hunt book that has several different fun hunts to do at home.
Tray a new hobby- knitting, quilting, making nice cards with all your art supplies. The library and Youtube have all the directions you need.
After Christmas gingerbread kits get really, really cheap. Make a few houses...
All of these ideas are mom-intensive, I know. But they can be really fun... and full of surprises.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 2:36pm | IP Logged
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If the gas money isn't there for a lot of things.. maybe you could combine an errand day with going somewhere different while you're out and hopefully closer so that it doesn't use as much gas.. even if the whole day is outing and errands.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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pumpkinmom
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
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Your epiphany is huge! Realizing this will help so much in your economic condition. It will take time and there will be bad days. You've got some great ideas all ready! We live the way you described and it works. It takes a lot of work too. Great faith is a must and lots of prayer. Oh, creativity is a must too. 
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Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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Betsy
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 2:54pm | IP Logged
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The GREAT news is that there are so many wonderful FREE events to go to. What I have found hard and needs to be monitored to avoid burn out is organizing all of the free events or the planning that goes into being frugal.
I think for me, that is one of the advantages (and disadvantages) of money. If money is no object you can just plow through a lot of situations. However, if you need to be frugal you need to be well prepared. Try to find ways to keep track of free events so you don't miss them and plan ahead so that you have food and other things with you that really add to the cost of events.
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Keeping it Fresh - life with little money
