The Perks

Okay, so when you live off of one income, and it's not a very big one, you learn to make-do a LOT.  You buy cheaper stuff because even though it doesn't last as long and may not be as comfortable, you make-do because you think about all the stuff you could buy for the cost of that one more expensive item.  My clothing definitely took a hit.  I have a lot of cheap uncomfortable shoes, $5 Target holiday t-shirts, whatever clothing item I could find on deep sale (it didn't matter that I may not have absolutely love it or it didn't fit quite right...it was the right price and I didn't have money to waste). 

But it's not just clothing, I don't think my kids know what steak tastes like.  If it's not ground meat or chicken, we don't have it in our freezer.  The occasional pork loin or roast was a splurge.  You don't go out to eat but once in a blue moon and you eat whatever is less expensive on the menu and you never order a drink because Lordy-be, they are expensive and you'd have to figure out what you could live without come the end of the pay period.  You also don't vacation unless it's going to see a family member.  We would splurge every now and then and buy a $20 pair of Reefs but when they last 5 years, it doesn't seem so big. 

I could keep going but I think you get the picture.  Our life changed drastically when we decided I would stay home and I've never regreted it.  God has always taken such good care of us and I am so thankful.  I've loved our life and I love that I know how to be frugal.  I am not tied to material items or the latest look like so many others are.

With that said, I have to admit....it's kind-of nice to have a little extra money again.  We've got a lot of saving to do after our financial crisis years ago and a lot of put-off repairs but at least we have a way to replacing the money spent again.  This might seem minor to so many but I almost felt giddy when I bought a bottle of my beloved Olay-BodyRibbons Bath Wash the other day.  I've had my eye on it for at least a year (my mom has some in her guest shower) but I wouldn't spend the $6 to buy my own.  I also have been on a quest to purge myself of cheap uncomfortable shoes.  I bought the above ones to replace some painful cheapies.  I still felt a little guilty....they weren't the cheapest, even on sale.  Oh, well, I still plan to be frugal but a little splurge every now and then is definitely a perk of the new job.

Oh, yeah, another perk...I'm on my feet so much now, I've actually lost almost 10 pounds in the last month.  Totally unexpected but totally awesome!