Ask Lynnae from BeingFrugal a question (Women of Personal Finance Spotlight)

[angelsong214]

Found the link for Wise Bread on your blog. As usual, Wise Bread is a solid keeper (I've gotten several other "keepers" via links you've shared. My question: How do you keep from getting discouraged and losing momentum? I've just started an emergency fund, and it is oh-so-tiny right now...but I don't plan to stop adding to it, because I believe "everything counts" when it comes to frugality, personal finance and just plain getting organized. I know I've come a long way from where I was a year ago, but there's still a long way to go...any advice is welcome.

[Lynnae]

Originally Posted by angelsong214

Found the link for Wise Bread on your blog. As usual, Wise Bread is a solid keeper (I've gotten several other "keepers" via links you've shared. My question: How do you keep from getting discouraged and losing momentum? I've just started an emergency fund, and it is oh-so-tiny right now...but I don't plan to stop adding to it, because I believe "everything counts" when it comes to frugality, personal finance and just plain getting organized. I know I've come a long way from where I was a year ago, but there's still a long way to go...any advice is welcome.

I do get discouraged at times, and I also lose momentum from time to time. I think everyone does. For example, this month I totally lost track of my budget, because I'm really distracted with other things.

I think the key is to be forgiving of yourself and to learn from your mistakes. Everyone will blow it from time to time. You just have to get back on the proverbial horse and try to fix it. In time, keeping a budget, being frugal, and any other habit starts to become automatic and much easier. It amazes me how far I've come in a year and a half. Sometimes when I think I'm not doing really well, I look back over my first blog posts and realize that I'm doing better than I thought, because I've come a long way.

So take baby steps and keep plugging along, even when you blow it. And find a good support system!

[Jenni]

I read on GRS, about people willing to give up their house payments, and to leave their dream of owning a house, but would not put ties, donations, to their churches on hold, what do you think about that? I would think if they talked to their church, they would understand that at that time they couldn't, but would when they got back on their feet again. Or that the church would do something to help them in their time of need, which would be a time like this. What do you think?

[Lynnae]

Originally Posted by Jenni

I read on GRS, about people willing to give up their house payments, and to leave their dream of owning a house, but would not put ties, donations, to their churches on hold, what do you think about that? I would think if they talked to their church, they would understand that at that time they couldn't, but would when they got back on their feet again. Or that the church would do something to help them in their time of need, which would be a time like this. What do you think?

I read that same article, and it's very thought provoking. As a Christian, I believe God calls me to give to the church. Personally, my husband and I feel called to give 10%, but I don't believe that's a hard and fast number for all Christians...it's between you and God. I do believe that all Christians should give something, even if it's just a little bit, as it causes us to remember that our money and possessions are gifts from the Lord. My belief on tithing is that it's for the benefit of the giver, not God or the church. God uses the tithe or gift to work on our hearts.

That said, I also believe the church is responsible for providing for families in need. And if a person is in need of help for a house payment, through no negligence on their own part (such as losing a house due to excess money spent on luxury items or something like that), the church should help them out. I'm fortunate to go to a church that takes this responsibility seriously, and I've seen our church help many of it's needy members in very practical ways, whether it be food, rent money, or other needs.

I would never tell someone that they have to tithe in the midst of financial difficulty. That decision is between the person and God. I personally have continued to tithe in difficult times, and I've never regretted it. I've seen God provide for my family in some pretty amazing ways, and I wouldn't give that experience up. However, I have also never been in danger of losing my house, so I can't pretend to know what I'd do in that situation. I'm sure I'd continue to give. I'm not sure I'd continue to give 10%. But I am sure our church would help us out if it came to that.

Very good question.

[broomadier]

Saw your name in my RSS feed earlier this week and thought to myself--hmmmm... that names rings a bell but I can't place it.

I finally remembered now I heard about you on NPR!

The explosion of bloggers in the media is very interesting. You are obviously a great writer but I think you might have a good future in tv and radio as well. Any plans for doing more non-blogging media stints in the future? Do you enjoy being on tv and the radio?

As they say, I'll take my answers off the air.

p.s. subscribed to your blog.

[Julie Rains]

Hi Lynnae!
Glad to have you here! I know that there are PF/frugality/mom bloggers (as I am) but how do you find time to keep up with the blogosphere, stay frugal, etc.?

btw I found the story about tithing vs. foreclosure interesting also. The reference case about the woman who tithed $200/month was about walking away from a co-signed loan that her daughter defaulted on, rather than the woman's own house -- just for those that missed the story.

[Lynnae]

Originally Posted by broomadier

Saw your name in my RSS feed earlier this week and thought to myself--hmmmm... that names rings a bell but I can't place it.

I finally remembered now I heard about you on NPR!

The explosion of bloggers in the media is very interesting. You are obviously a great writer but I think you might have a good future in tv and radio as well. Any plans for doing more non-blogging media stints in the future? Do you enjoy being on tv and the radio?

As they say, I'll take my answers off the air.

p.s. subscribed to your blog.

Thanks for subscribing to my blog!

I still prefer writing to radio, and I haven't done any TV yet. I'm warming up to the idea though. So far I haven't been one to turn down media opportunities, so I'm definitely not ruling out a future on TV or radio, though I fully plan to maintain blogging as my main form of media presence.

The thing I like about blogging is that I can take enough time with each post to make sure I'm presenting my thoughts and opinion well. Since radio and TV are so immediate and are somewhat beholden to editors, it's hard to make sure that I'm getting my point across exactly the way I'd like to. Still, I have fun doing radio spots. The people at Marketplace Money are great to work with, and Steve (Brip Blap) and Jim (PF Blueprint) are great as well. It's fun being on a panel with them.

[Lynnae]

Originally Posted by Julie Rains

Hi Lynnae!
Glad to have you here! I know that there are PF/frugality/mom bloggers (as I am) but how do you find time to keep up with the blogosphere, stay frugal, etc.?

btw I found the story about tithing vs. foreclosure interesting also. The reference case about the woman who tithed $200/month was about walking away from a co-signed loan that her daughter defaulted on, rather than the woman's own house -- just for those that missed the story.

I think there are times where I'm more up to date with the blogosphere and better with my frugality than others. Having just moved, I'm having a really hard time keeping up with anything at the moment.

Before we moved, and hopefully after we're settled in, I keep up with what's going on in blog world during the times my kids are in school. I know that I have the most energy in the morning, the least in the afternoon, and I'm most creative at night, so I try to schedule my day keeping that in mind.

I tend to keep up with my house and do all of my little frugal things in the morning right after the kids leave for school. By 11:00 I'm getting hungry and winding down, so I usually grab lunch in front of the computer and work on blog stuff until the kids get home...I mostly do the technical stuff at this time. I tweak themes, answer e-mails, participate in social media. When the kids come home until they go to bed, I try to reserve for family time. Fortunately my husband and kids all get home around the same time. And in the evening after the kids are in bed is when I write.

Having a schedule keeps me focused, and since I really enjoy all aspects of blogging, I don't mind the hours I put into it. I'll admit that it helps having both kids in school.

Thanks for clarifying the tithing story. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, I think people should give. On the other hand, I also feel that Christians are to fulfill their obligations, too, and the woman did co-sign the loan. If it were me, I'd probably cut back the tithe quite a bit, but not completely and pay on the loan until I could sell the house.

[Julie Rains]

Thanks for sharing your schedule. So now I know one reason I don't have as much time to blog -- my kids (a tween and teen) usually go to bed after I do. I guess they don't need as much supervision but they often want to talk.

Good point about obligations and temporary changes that could be made for longer term benefits. I think a bigger, better story might be how tithing or giving can instill financial discipline and to an extent, a sense of humility (as one purposely doesn't keep up with the Joneses but does not receive any direct financial benefit, as an increase in net worth through savings).

Are your kids starting to ask what they want for Christmas (my youngest is!) and do you have any strategies for controlling holiday costs?

[Myscha Theriault]

Moving! Something near and dear to my heart at the moment. How far did you have to move? We are looking at strategies for a fairly long distance, but I definitely agree with your point on those hidden costs we don't think about like curtain rods, extra toilet brushes, and a second set of nearly everything for that second bathroom.

Also, any thoughts or tips for frugal family food harmony? I'm really lucky in that my husband will eat nearly anything I put down in front of him, but not every family is blessed with non-picky eaters. How do you maintain structure and budget while allowing at least minimal individuality on the food front?