Shaker Dreams

1 Reply


Creating your own personal abundance is all about living within your means, defining your priorities, and still remembering to dream.


I’ve shared about our “personal story of stuff” before, but was just reminded of this story:


When Hubby and I moved in together 10 years ago we had a futon and a card table with folding chairs for furniture. I owned more house plants than pieces of furniture. Our apartment was literally a converted 3-bay garage in Ladd’s Addition, so we didn’t have much room anyway.


Around the same time we first came across the Joinery, which makes gorgeously simple handcrafted furniture made from certified wood. So  we promised each other that we wouldn’t buy cheap/unsustainable furniture. We deepened our pact to not buy a headboard until we could afford one from the Joinery. So to this day, we still have no headboard, and one remains on our home wish list.


I have no doubt that when there will be a time when we will enjoy it’s artful functionality.  The  Shaker bed happens to be my personal favorite!  BTW  both the kids do, somehow they   do   take priority!


What are you dreaming of?
How are you going to make that dream a reality?


~*~*~*~*~*~ 
Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Much To Be Done

1 Reply

It seems every week and weekend is ongoing effort to do all I can, and hope for the best. Most projects (at home and work) are a work in progress. It’s all a matter of perspective though, and my goal lately is being happy and satisfied with my best.


Part of the reason I started this blog was to hold myself accountable. I have to admit that I’ve slacking lately on updating my own budget template and managing Mint . 


The good news is that many of our bills are now managing themselves through autopay. Despite somewhat routine setbacks of unexpected bills, we’re still managing to save money and are on track with family goals.  While it hasn’t given me a magic wand, this blog has given me a voice to share my thoughts and try to keep sight of my  long term family goals . So even when I feel know there is more work ahead, I can still see the progress better.



My question is, if you’re reaching your goals, do you still need a budget?
What do you think?


~*~*~*~*~*~ 
Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Spare Tire

Leave a reply

When we got our first all-wheel drive Subaru, my Dad was quick to give me an important piece of advice, “Buy a fifth tire now, so you won’t have to replace all four if you blow a tire!”  I passed along the words of wisdom to Hubby, and promptly forgot about it. Then when we bought our family Forrester I was quick to remind Hubby of the sage advice of buying a fifth wheel to rotate. Given the expense of purchasing a car, Hubby was reluctant to tack on the expense of an extra tire. 


Since I’ve never commuted to work by car, payments and auto  related   expenses have always been Hubby’s responsibility. Since I wasn’t paying, again I didn’t push the point.


Here’s the inevitable tragedy of the story, on a trip out to Costco my tire blew. Not sure the cause, all I know was that I had a sneaking hunch that I would soon regret not have a real spare tire. $545 later, I truly regret not having headed my Dads advice.


Here’s the kicker, when Hubby replaced the tires, he still refused to buy an extra tire! Now I guess I’m going to have to make a special trip to purchase the extra tire, even though I’m reluctant too…


Do you ever have difficulty spending more money now to save an expense later?
I’d love to hear your story.


~*~*~*~*~*~ 
Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Hapless Harvest

Leave a reply

This cute little tomato is much happier than I’ve been about my garden this summer. I’m disappointed to share that our harvest has been minimal at best. This was our second summer gardening at our “new” home, and this past spring I was prepped to make it the best harvest yet. 


I did all the right things, with a cover crop and amending my soil. I thoughtfully drafted a garden design, and planned for getting my hands dirty and an abundant harvest.


Alas, the slugs ate the majority of my starts before they were ever established. June was the second wettest on record and it seemed as if my garden growth was put on pause. By the time it ever caught up to blossom it was too late.


Sadly, I know I’m not alone and I’ve heard this summer dubbed “the year of the green tomato.” Last year I literally had daily bowls of fist sized golden taxi-cab heirlooms, and I’ve yet to harvest a single full sized tomato. Heather, from the Greenest Dollar, was also dismayed by her lack of harvest and posted several tips for fall gardening. 


Our grocery bill has certainly been the highest in years, and I’m hoping to get back in the garden business this fall. I just planted potatoes and hope to put in some cauliflower and broccoli soon.


Did you get a decent summer harvest?
Are you really for a fall/winter garden?


~*~*~*~*~*~ 
Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.