I’m nonetheless right here! I took an unplanned (and due to this fact unannounced) break from writing the weblog, which was supposed to be for every week, however expanded to a month after which two months… WHOOPS. I confess I wanted a while off from ye olde Frugalwoods after persistently posting for 9.5 years. That’s the longest I’ve ever achieved anybody job and I spotted throughout this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. Typically one should have some absence to ensure that one to appreciate what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let you recognize that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m attempting to discern how usually I’ll write going ahead. The times of thrice weekly posts are definitively over, however on the opposite excessive, I don’t notably need to take full months off once more both. Thanks to your endurance as I–as soon as once more–determine what I need to do with my life. I like writing and I like serving to folks with their cash and I’m very grateful that I get to do exactly that.

My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to put up a brand new Reader Case Research every month.

The Reader Case Research are the clearest distillation of what my work is evolving into: extra serving to different folks with their cash; much less speaking about moi-self. As longtime readers know, my writing on Frugalwoods started primarily as a cash diary. A manner for me to grasp my very own emotions about my cash and the way I wished to create a unique form of life, one divorced from the rampant consumerism and hectic oneupmanship that dominates a big share of media in America. I’m humbled by what number of of us have adopted alongside these 9+ years and in awe of the deeply inspiring conversations, friendships and self-exploration this work has prompted for me. The opposite cause for my supposed new deal with Reader Case Research is the undeniable fact that…

I’m Drained Of Writing About Myself

What I realized throughout this unplanned sabbatical is that, frankly, I’m bored with writing about myself. I’ve spilled a number of digital ink delving into my very own funds, my monetary psyche, and my strategy to every part from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my children become old, I’m much less snug mining my life for content material and fewer snug sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally suppose I’ve most likely mentioned nearly every part I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my ebook.

That being mentioned, I need to proceed our Frugalwoods neighborhood and proceed serving as a useful resource for folks at each stage of the monetary journey. I envision that taking place in a number of methods going ahead:

1. By a month-to-month Reader Case Research right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by a reader’s actual stay funds and provide compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search device for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that lets you seek for particular Case Research based mostly on age vary, revenue degree, retirement plan, marital standing, career, location and extra! I hope this may assist of us discover Case Research that mirror their very own monetary conditions and questions.
2. By the archives of this weblog. There are 737 revealed posts on Frugalwoods along with my ebook, Meet the Frugalwoods. When you’re inquisitive about my ideas on any given matter, try the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my finest to re-organize outdated posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 completely different classes :).
3. By my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. When you’d like my assist along with your cash, you may learn extra about what I provide and rent me right here. I’ll assist you to perceive your whole monetary scenario, set clear targets, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
4. By being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I take pleasure in being on different folks’s podcasts and, should you’re a podcast listener, you may sustain with the exhibits I’m on through this web page.
5. By my free Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM). As most of you already know, you may take the Uber Frugal Month by yourself at any outdated time. As you may additionally know, we take the UFM collectively each single January. This January shall be our seventh annual UFM Group Problem. Signal-up within the field under to hitch me!

Does This Imply You’ll By no means Write About Your Life Ever Once more?

Nope! I’ve realized to “by no means say by no means” since I usually apply the artwork of fixing my thoughts. I very nicely may come throughout a brand new problem or discovery about myself sooner or later that’ll warrant new posts (or one other ebook) or… who is aware of! However at current, I’m settled and content material on my peaceable rural homestead with my husband of 15 years and our two daughters, now ages 5 and eight. I’m in a part of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to write down about versus once we had been within the striving-for-this-goal part. We’re contentedly boring at this level, with no main information or monetary revelations to share. Life’s good and I’m grateful. However, as all my fellow writers know, boring and pleased usually doesn’t translate into attention-grabbing content material for readers. Life is lengthy and unpredictable, so I could but shock myself and return to full-time running a blog. Or not. Time will inform! However, I wished you all to concentrate on the place I’m at on this journey with the intention to proceed to stroll alongside me–if you wish to–on this new iteration of Frugalwoods.

It’s Time To Signal-Up for the January 2024 UFM Group Problem!

The UFM is a convention I need to proceed because it outlines the method my husband and I adopted to kick-start our personal frugal journey. It’s additionally the roadmap we used to achieve monetary independence. I additionally need to proceed the UFM as a result of I’ve heard from hundreds of parents that the Problem modified their monetary lives for the higher. When you haven’t taken the UFM earlier than, try my FAQs:

Q: What’s the UFM?

To not be confused with Underwear Fang Monkeys or Common Folks-dancing Moths, the Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM) is my FREE, 31-day, holistic, emailed-based cash re-vamp program. You possibly can sign-up to take it at any time, however we take the UFM as a bunch each January.

From January 1-31, I’ll ship you an e-mail a day with particular steps on find out how to enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the major goal of the UFM is to offer you detailed, easy, easy-to-follow monetary motion gadgets. Woohoo!

Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single 12 months as a refresher course to assist get again on monitor or to substantiate that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different folks come to it as cash novices and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at professional degree and take the course as a strategy to join with the broader Frugalwoods neighborhood and provide encouragement and recommendation to newer neighborhood members.

It’s enjoyable (I imply, on the very least, it’s not painful), it’s free (completely free), and it’s written in plain English (no monetary jargon allowed).

The Uber Frugal Month isn’t nearly saving cash. It’s a holistic re-evaluation and re-structuring of our human relationship with one of the polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t must be any of these issues. Cash is usually a beast you tame, perceive, and make be just right for you–not towards you. You possibly can both grasp your cash or it may grasp you. Be a part of me and take cost.

A number of years in the past I launched a personal Fb group for UFM individuals to share concepts, focus on challenges and be in neighborhood collectively, which suggests your subsequent query very nicely may be…

Q: How do I be part of the personal Uber Frugal Month Fb group?

You’ll obtain a hyperlink to hitch after you sign-up for the UFM. When you’re already on this personal Fb group–which hundreds of you’re–don’t fear, you don’t have to do something. Simply maintain being superior and supportive within the group!

Q: Do I would like to make use of Fb (or different social media) in an effort to take part?

Nope! The Problem is performed totally through e-mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an elective bonus. No have to sign-up for Fb in an effort to take part within the UFM. All you must do is sign-up along with your e-mail tackle within the field under.

Q: If I’ve already taken the UFM, can I take it once more?

Completely! I had my tech man (AKA Mr. Frugalwoods) arrange the e-mail thing-y such that you may sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical e-mail tackle you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nevertheless, have to sign-up once more in an effort to be part of us beginning January 1st.

Actual Stay Individuals Love The UFM!!!

Enjoyable as it’s to learn what I write (proper?!), it’s even MORE enjoyable to learn what different folks (actual, stay folks!) have mentioned about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem individuals who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their funds and in the end, their lives. Listed here are however a number of chosen to your enjoyment and revealed with permission.

“I’ve loved finishing this month with you. You’re completely proper concerning the significance of cooking at dwelling and never consuming out usually. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we have now management over what we put in our meals. Our cash exhibits our priorities. Right this moment is my payday for January and with some sudden bills having cropped up in November and December I’m well-positioned to have all of it paid off with the self-discipline from January. Thanks for the motivation!” -SK

“I wished to answer virtually each single morning with stable reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to see such a complete information by the frugal mindset. It bolstered that I’m on the fitting path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in test. I believe anybody who hasn’t adopted it may not perceive the very actual happiness you report. They need to perceive that you just aren’t uniquely suited to this, your recommendation is extraordinarily sensible!I’ll be right here subsequent 12 months as a self check-up. Thanks a lot!” -Adam

“Thanks a lot to your day by day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain centered, to be taught, and to implement new concepts and methods of considering.” -Donna

“It was a delight to learn all of the emails from you. It made clear sense to not spend extra on the issues I’d of spent my cash on, however it was liberating to not do this….I’ve been on a frugal journey already, however to learn your emails was such a delight to see all of the options that you just gave. I’ve saved some to return and browse them once more. It gave me goal to maintain proper on going” -Arthur

“What was clear from the beginning was what number of occasions I needed to say no. It felt like each weekend there have been simply so some ways to spend cash, however nothing was actually wanted. Saying no to frivolous expenditures was stunning at first, however half-way by the month it grew to become my mission. Now I see that what I’d have spent cash on was simply issues, not wanted issues, simply locations to go, time to waste, and so on. I saved some cash, however that cash will snowball if I proceed subsequent month, which I’ll! Thanks for this guided lesson, I realized a lot” -Mary

“This UFM was surprisingly simple! It’s additionally my…third or fourth time attempting it?- and none of these went nicely. I began out sturdy however fizzled out, falling again into outdated spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve achieved an UFM as a working mum or dad (my son is sort of 2), so I believe the acute lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m enthusiastic about frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the longer term we wish. This month has been a great reset. It hasn’t felt restrictive, it’s felt empowering.” -Meredith

“I’m very grateful to your writing and insights, particularly this month’s frugality mindset sequence. It was an awesome re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal durations of life however have gotten away from it. This sequence was an awesome reminder, renewer, instructor for a way I need to stay shifting ahead.” -Sarah

“I’ve in contrast our month’s spending for this problem month, as in comparison with November (as December I had some irregularities and bookkeeping variances). We have now saved a bit over $1,600 on our general spending. We have now additionally reduce our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha

“I believed I knew every part about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and lowered consumption is essential to me. ” -L.P.

“I managed to save lots of much more cash this time round, I believe doing this problem greater than as soon as helps to refocus on targets.” -Ashley

“That is my second 12 months finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our neighborhood. I’m on my strategy to dwelling this as a way of life not simply months.” -Maxine

“I simply completed the Uber Frugal Month (once more!) and it’s all the time good to get again to fundamentals and reevaluate what and why I’m doing what I’m doing. Being frugal is my default setting, however it’s nonetheless good to reset and provides some uncared for areas a bit of consideration.” -Vanessa

“This month was enlightening for me. It was primarily due to the fantastic emails. The very factor I objected to on the problem, I discovered to be nice! Your messages about in-sourcing resonated with me.  These emails got here after I noticed the ability of in-sourcing in my very own life.  I’ve additionally shocked myself at discovering issues I take pleasure in at low cost or without spending a dime! Frugality helps us quiet a lot of the noise that takes us away from one another.” -D.S.

“It has shocked me how simple it was to not purchase something however meals. I do have an extended strategy to go on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I really feel it is a life-style to work towards & that’s the reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb neighborhood you will have created additionally. Makes me really feel heat & fuzzy!” -Jamie

“My month was nice! I didn’t miss a lot and was in a position to make use of my financial savings to snowball more money in direction of my daughter’s scholar loans. Win-win! Thanks to your inspiration!” -Christie

“This frugal problem has been nice for my pockets, my well being and with my time administration. I’m now additionally beginning to consider my targets, what do I would like on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing model and I’ve regarded ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne

I hope you’ll be part of me subsequent month on this journey to monetary wellness!