Introduce Yourself

[jeffrey]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Welcome to all the new members. It's great to see more and more people finding their way to us.

[SeeAPenny]

Re: Introduce Yourself

(Tap, tap on the microphone) This thing on? (clears throat....) Greetings, all. SeeAPenny, here (waves) -- SAHM to two homeschooling kids, artist, hausfrau of 13 years to DH. Being as that we're actively trying to stre-e-e-e-tch our family dollars, I'm always on the lookout for tips and ideas and have been enjoying this community very much. I especially appreciate the savings journals here, and was inspired to start my own several weeks ago. It's fun and helps me keep on track of our savings goals. Anyway, good luck and good frugality to everyone here on SavingAdvice.com...!

[jeffrey]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Both Nate and I are extremely happy with the success of the saving journals. When we came up with the idea, we weren't sure if it would be embraced by the community here, but we knew that if people started to write them, it would be a great focus on where theit money was going and what they were doing to reach their financial goals. A big welcome and we hope that the journal continues to be a positive asset in your money management routine.

[KarenSue]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Go Jeffrey! Go Nate! I really enjoy your site and have picked up some good information already. My name is Karen (obviously) and I live in Michigan. I am married and have 2 children - a 15 y.o. daughter and a 10 y.o. son.

My parents were good with money, and tried their best to teach us kids the value of a buck. While their friends were buying new cars every few years or putting a pool in they were busily paying down their mortgage. When I was 12 dad started his own company. Things went well and although he worked long hours, we became quite well off. They invested their money and taught us to do the same. Dad had a rough & tumble childhood and security was important to him. He finally sold his business about 10 years ago and retired. Those same guys with the pools and nice cars are still working because they can't afford to retire.

When DH and I first married, we split the bills 50/50 and had separate bank accounts. We worked at the same place and he made a little more than me. We lived in a small apartment. With the birth of Stephanie it was time to save for a house. For the next two years we saved, again separately. In the end I had $8,000 in my account and he had several hundred. Oops! I took over the bills and it's been that way ever since.

We moved to a typical blue-collar suburban neighborhood - small yard and lots of barking dogs. In the years to follow I became a true tightwad. I worked part time at a daycare and money was tight. I have no idea how but we came up with $200 a month to invest. Well, I do know how. Thrift stores and meatless meals, among other things.

Sometimes we took a drive to "the country" to admire the nice houses. New ones with acerage. It was depressing. There we were in our little un-airconditioned car, envious. We lived that way for eight years.

Fast forward... in 2000 we moved into our new home. The difference is unreal. There's a lake across the street and the backyard is all woods. When we were building the house, you have to give the builder "draws" as time goes by. I was able to just take out the checkbook and pay cash. We only got a loan for the very last payment. With the investment money and funds from selling our first house, we started out right away with 40% equity.

I took complete leave of my senses in 2002 and opened a toy store. Nick was in 1st grade and was in school all day. So far it brings in very little income and I'm still struggling to establish myself. Word is spreading and I get new customers every week. On the bright side, I love my boss! I hope to have enough income to supplement Stephanie's college education in 2 years.

Right now we have a mortgage, an equity loan, and credit card debt up the wazoo. My goal is to go back to the tightwad ways that I have neglected.

Can you tell that I like to write? Check out my journal if you doubt this!

I look forward to getting to know my fellow members.

Hugs,
Karen

[jeffrey]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Karen,

Welcome The site has seemed to really start to take off over the last couple months and we are thrilled to welcome all the new members.

[Armywife]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hi all,

I'm Barb and as the screenname suggests, I am an Army wife (hooah!). I go to school full time, work part time and spend wayy too much time on the internet (more than I care to admit actually!) . Saving money is the essence of survival... especially since living in New York City with children and a mortgage has become such a nightmare! A friend sent me the link to this site and i've been hooked ever since. Keep up the good work around here!! And thanks ever so kindly for letting me be a part of this community!

Barb

[jeffrey]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Barb,

Welcome While I try to keep the site updated and nate keeps the site working, we both know that it's the members here that make the site worth coming back to. We're glad to have you here and hope you continue to enjoy what everyone has to offer.

[csaville]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Howdy! My name is Christine and I'm in the DFW area in Texas. I'm quitting my job in December (we'll be debt free this month - yay!) and we're looking for ways to save money to make that transition as smooth as possible. It looks like a fantastic site. Thanks!

[terry1156]

Re: Introduce Yourself

It's nice seeing so amnt new faces recently. Welcome one and all!

[gakline]

Re: Introduce Yourself

I'm Georgia and I happened by chance to find this site. So far so good and I'm still learning. I graduated from college almost 3 years ago. I bought a townhouse 8 months ago and work in Chicago, IL. My cost of living has increase quite a bit, and I'm still adjusting and trying to save wherever I can.

[gypzye]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hi all! I'm Rebekkah, I'm 22 and I want to be debt-free (or danged close to it!) by the time I get married (September 2006). I get such inspiration from being around other people with the same goals, so I'm hoping to stay accountable here and pick up some motivation.

[leewill72]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hi all!
My name is Lee and i am currently a SAHM of 4, ages almost 4 thru 13. We are having a tough time financially at the moment and am hoping to exchange ideas with others here.

[Momof3grls]

Re: Introduce Yourself

I am a SAHM of 3 girls I do odd jobs for extra cash I do demos & merchandising & some babysitting I try though to concentrate on getting as much stuff we need for free

[baselle]

Re: Introduce Yourself

I live in Seattle and work at a large non-profit in the area. I finished paying off student loans in May of 2002, when I realized, looking at my credit card debt, that I just traded good debt for bad debt. Ugh. I paid off all of the evil $15,000 credit card debt this last October.

Now I'm concentrating on a 6-8 month emergency fund, getting some savings for a little more investing, and maybe some bucks for a down payment on a house, although with Seattle bubble prices, the real estate guy laughed in my face. Heh, I might not get that house, but I will be free and sitting on a pile of savings. How bad could that be?

I'm a volunteer tax preparer, and I'm finding that its an amazing amount of fun, and I've learned a lot about taxes.

I like the frugal and saver sites; I've gotten a lot of support and advice from them, and I hope to give a little back. Frugal people are generally more interesting because they're working towards a goal bigger than mindless american consumerism. Spenders all say, "look what I got"...and they all sound alike.

[jeffrey]

Re: Introduce Yourself

It's great seeing more and more people making their way to the site! I'm happy to welcome you all aboard and hope we can continue to provide information that is both useful and entertaining - and most of all will save you some money.