Hello frugal friends! It’s been a bit since I posted a life update. I know I’ve teased one in the weekly newsletter for a bit. I was hoping for one more thing to happen before posting, but it hasn’t happened yet and I’m getting impatient! So here’s a little fall catch-up with a Life on a Dime.
This post will serve as a rundown of what’s been happening since the last life update I posted.
One of the big changes is that we have a kindergartener in the house. I am happy to report that he is doing great in school! I was a little worried since he missed out on traditional Pre-K, but he’s doing just fine.
A LITTLE FALL CATCH-UP
The same week we walked our little man into kindergarten I started a part-time job! It was unexpected, but a very welcome blessing. I am now working at our church during its office hours four mornings a week. Not only do I get to help out more, but I’m now paid for the volunteer duties I took on as Treasurer.
Our pastor truly spoke to my minimalist heart the very first day when she gave me carte-blanche to clean out the mail room. I took a carload to the charity shop that afternoon! So some days I am literally paid to declutter. It couldn’t feel like a better fit.
Some days I’m handling accounts payable, others I help organize or recruit volunteers, print out weekly bulletins, answer the phones, and keep up with a tot so their adult can enjoy a weekday morning class… every day is different and every day is rewarding.
And it works so well with the kids’ school schedule, no after-school care is required! I have backed off my freelancing gigs and budget coaching efforts in order to keep a healthy(ish) balance.
This leads me to my second part-time gig; the one I told you about before. I’ve started substitute teaching in our district, and let me tell you, it is an experience! Most days I really enjoy it.
So far I’ve subbed a few times at the junior high, and once each at the lower elementary, middle, and high schools. It’s never the same thing twice. I also loved getting to have lunch with my 4th grader when I was at her school.
The money I earn as a substitute now funds all the things it takes to keep the blog running. I haven’t had quite as much time to dedicate to it, but it’s still running optimally.
WE’RE GOING SOLAR!
I had hoped we’d be in business a week or two ago and could post this update saying we’re operational. Bu,t we’re still waiting on the electric company to give us a thumbs up on the installation job. Then we’ll get a new meter.
This was quite the investment, and definitely knocks our garage plans a few years off target, but we believe it’s worth it. We were able to lock in our financing before interest rates increased (again) and lock it in below 2%. We will definitely pay the loan off early.
Our house is all electric, so we are very excited about having battery backup. Then we won’t have to worry about power outages. Rolling blackouts aren’t a thing in our area (knock on wood), but we want to be sure we’d be set in case of a longer outage.
A LITTLE FALL CATCH-UP: OUR NINE-YEAR-OLD NOW HAS BRACES
It may sound like we’ve been spending money right and left lately, and some days it certainly feels that way! But girly’s permanent teeth have no room to come in, so she started phase one of braces in October.
The first orthodontist we were referred to wanted to charge so much money and used scare tactics that just stressed me out, and seemed too expensive.
I called the kids’ dentist back and asked for a second referral. My instincts were proven correct, and we will be spending about half the money, are more comfortable with the second orthodontist, her treatment plan, and the cost. So that’s another monthly payment we can add to the budget after this month. Good thing I have a job.
GEARING UP FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS OF THE YEAR
It’s hard to believe that Halloween is now just a week away, Thanksgiving a month away, and Christmas… Well, I’m not thinking much about Christmas until our holiday savings account check arrives.
We’re keeping it simple again this Christmas with name exchanges on both sides of the family. I don’t want to spoil any surprises for relatives who read the blog, but they should know to expect fewer things and more experiences by this point. I am a minimalist after all!
That reminds me of a post I am really looking forward to preparing and sharing; a minimalist’s gift list! I have a short list of Minimalist Gift Ideas that Don’t Require a Box available now. But, I’m digging in more this year and getting specific with items I want and/or recommend.
I’m also on the lookout for the perfect 2023 planner. I’m looking for something without animal print or gold embellishments,or too many stickers… Needless to say, it’s kind of hard to find a great planner that doesn’t have millions of stickers. But I feel better about keeping track of my life on paper if I can recycle the pages after the first of the year.
I hope this post finds you and yours doing well. I’ve got a few more fun posts planned before I get too far into the holiday posts and ideas. Until the next one, stay frugal and healthy my friends!