To relax I'd like to read, walk, craft, bake, use my camera, visit with family & friends. I haven't had enough relaxation time lately, that's for sure!!
Don't forget to include a repairs fund when calculating how much you want to afford. One way to do this is to pay your repairs fund (I use a separate savings account) when you pay your mortgage, so you just consider it part of your overall monthly housing payment. You do NOT want to be facing an unexpected layoff right after you replaced the roof, the furnace or got hit with an extra association assessment and realize that your emergency fund is gone!
Also, realize that there will be small repairs that you will need to make along the way - new sprinkler heads when the lawnmower was set too low, annual termite inspections, filters for the heating/cooling system, replanting the pots on the porch, etc. They can break your budget if you don't have something built in for them. Think about if you want to take these from your repairs fund or if you just want to build a little extra room into your budget so you can take care of them.
I read books, blogs, and a couple of magazines. I also watch streamed shows from Amazon Prime, since it is cheaper to subscribe to it rather than subscribing to streaming netflix. I also like to do some crafts, such as painting, scrapbooking and beading, drawing plans of houses, playing with my dogs and cats, and talking with my husband, family and frinds.
This is exactly what I do, and I was feeling guilty that I don't have an official "budget". I mostly use a debit card for immediate subtraction, and pay off my credit card online weekly so I know how much money is really left to play with.
I sometimes make a conscious decision to spend some time right after work doing something restful, like reading a magazine or taking a short nap. Other times I will plan some down time into my errands, to have coffee with a friend during the day or to watch an episode of TV between loads of laundry.
Find a shady spot under a tree, preferably with a breeze and read. I can read anything: magazines, books, the Internet. Just put me there with a tall glass of water and I can relax and forget about all of the troubles in the world.
I've been a SAHM for some time now, approximately 10-12 years now and I finished all schooling when our eldest was very young,(he being special needs) even at 15 needs the most minor reminders constantly his short term memory is not good, and our youngest daughter going on 11 this month, and I gotta say I would not take back a split second of choosing to stay home with our two beautiful children that God blessed us with, second to that, staying home requires ALOT of discipline, and constant dedication, just because your home doesnt mean your "effective" with that being said the last but not least is it requires an explicite amount of frugality and money saving skills whether it be couponing, or whatever your heart desires thats entirely up to you! I personally sew all of our napkins, kitchen towels, and the basics that alot of people go out and purchase on a regular basis, I creatively find ways at getting things done without spending lots of money or any money for that matter. Thats a part of the frugal part, I'd say it takes a very creative person to manage everyday tasks with due diligence and again that discipline word again you gotta love that! Lol, in kindest regards, a very CONTENT SAHM & WIFE! God bless!
Last night I rode my bike 10 miles to take photos of our town's lighthouse. Although it was vigorous work, it made my time taking photos worth it. And the whole ride home I was excited to check out how the photos turned out.
I work in my garden... water plants, trim things, just putter around. Being outside is relaxing, watching the birds, frogs, dragonflys, etc. Then I sit on the patio with a book & a cup of tea.
My family is in the process of doing this, at least temporarily. We just had our first kid and my wife will be taking off the rest of the year. For us, it was about budgeting. We were saving about 75% of her take home pay prior to her leaving, so it wasn't that big of a deal. We cut down expenses, primarily eating out, coffee shop, wants, etc to be able to live on 1 income. When she does go back, at 32 hours, we will have the additional expense of child care and reduced income. We're still in the early phases, but it seems to be working out.
I really enjoyed the article on how to plan a road trip.
Has anyone tried airbnb? I'm hesitant to try it until I hear some positive experiences.
My favorite method of relaxing is going on a camping trip and canoeing. When I home I also like to read, drink coffee and spend time outdoors.
I read a good book in the shade of the patio while sipping a nice cup of tea.
Hot chocolate and a good book at my local coffee shop, or a show from my Hulu queue and a chocolate peanut butter smoothie! :)
Read a book (from the library), watch a DVD (from the library), or listen to some MP3s (from -heh- the library).
I relax by taking pictures.
watch tv/movies and/or play games
I surf the internet! How do you think I found Wisebread?!?! :)
To relax I'd like to read, walk, craft, bake, use my camera, visit with family & friends. I haven't had enough relaxation time lately, that's for sure!!
Don't forget to include a repairs fund when calculating how much you want to afford. One way to do this is to pay your repairs fund (I use a separate savings account) when you pay your mortgage, so you just consider it part of your overall monthly housing payment. You do NOT want to be facing an unexpected layoff right after you replaced the roof, the furnace or got hit with an extra association assessment and realize that your emergency fund is gone!
Also, realize that there will be small repairs that you will need to make along the way - new sprinkler heads when the lawnmower was set too low, annual termite inspections, filters for the heating/cooling system, replanting the pots on the porch, etc. They can break your budget if you don't have something built in for them. Think about if you want to take these from your repairs fund or if you just want to build a little extra room into your budget so you can take care of them.
Work out or get a massage. Preferably the massage! :)
Usually drinking a cup of tea in the evening helps me to relax.
I love to garden. It is peaceful and I am surrounded by beauty.
I read books, blogs, and a couple of magazines. I also watch streamed shows from Amazon Prime, since it is cheaper to subscribe to it rather than subscribing to streaming netflix. I also like to do some crafts, such as painting, scrapbooking and beading, drawing plans of houses, playing with my dogs and cats, and talking with my husband, family and frinds.
i also tried it and it did not. if anything it seemed to attract them.
This is exactly what I do, and I was feeling guilty that I don't have an official "budget". I mostly use a debit card for immediate subtraction, and pay off my credit card online weekly so I know how much money is really left to play with.
I read a good book while taking a hot bubble bath to relax.
I sometimes make a conscious decision to spend some time right after work doing something restful, like reading a magazine or taking a short nap. Other times I will plan some down time into my errands, to have coffee with a friend during the day or to watch an episode of TV between loads of laundry.
Find a shady spot under a tree, preferably with a breeze and read. I can read anything: magazines, books, the Internet. Just put me there with a tall glass of water and I can relax and forget about all of the troubles in the world.
I've been a SAHM for some time now, approximately 10-12 years now and I finished all schooling when our eldest was very young,(he being special needs) even at 15 needs the most minor reminders constantly his short term memory is not good, and our youngest daughter going on 11 this month, and I gotta say I would not take back a split second of choosing to stay home with our two beautiful children that God blessed us with, second to that, staying home requires ALOT of discipline, and constant dedication, just because your home doesnt mean your "effective" with that being said the last but not least is it requires an explicite amount of frugality and money saving skills whether it be couponing, or whatever your heart desires thats entirely up to you! I personally sew all of our napkins, kitchen towels, and the basics that alot of people go out and purchase on a regular basis, I creatively find ways at getting things done without spending lots of money or any money for that matter. Thats a part of the frugal part, I'd say it takes a very creative person to manage everyday tasks with due diligence and again that discipline word again you gotta love that! Lol, in kindest regards, a very CONTENT SAHM & WIFE! God bless!
Last night I rode my bike 10 miles to take photos of our town's lighthouse. Although it was vigorous work, it made my time taking photos worth it. And the whole ride home I was excited to check out how the photos turned out.
I relax by reading a good book in a hot bath
My favorite way to relax is to head to my nearest Barnes and Noble bookstore, grab a latte and wander the aisles for an hour or so. It's my Zen-place.
I work in my garden... water plants, trim things, just putter around. Being outside is relaxing, watching the birds, frogs, dragonflys, etc. Then I sit on the patio with a book & a cup of tea.
My family is in the process of doing this, at least temporarily. We just had our first kid and my wife will be taking off the rest of the year. For us, it was about budgeting. We were saving about 75% of her take home pay prior to her leaving, so it wasn't that big of a deal. We cut down expenses, primarily eating out, coffee shop, wants, etc to be able to live on 1 income. When she does go back, at 32 hours, we will have the additional expense of child care and reduced income. We're still in the early phases, but it seems to be working out.