Family living on one income might be a decision made because of values or a situation thrust upon you because of circumstance. Either way, these tips will help you live well on less.

Be thoughtful - Think about the family's real needs. If you consider earlier generations and how people in other countries live you'll realize that cable is not a necessity. Convenience foods, some paper products, downloaded music and frequent movie rentals may need to be eliminated from the budget. How many cell phones are really needed and is texting really necessary? Homemade lunches are yummy!

Proud to be frugal- Not proud because you are superior to others, but don't be ashamed to simplify life so that owning and maintaining stuff has become your reason to go work every morning.

Be organized- With someone staying home as their new job, make time to plan menus, make homemade meals and get to the library for the movies and magazines available for free. Make-ahead meals cooked in bulk saves energy but to do that you need to plan.

Be creative- Involve the whole family by letting the kids in on the cost cutting. As it gets darker earlier, help them make a game of shutting off lights in rooms when no one is using them. Make homemade pizza and have game night instead of more costly pursuits. Maybe other families will have a game swap so that you can pass along games that you have played and trade those for 'new' games. have the kids help cutting cost at the grocery store by unit shopping and coming up with healthy snacks ideas. Get involved volunteering in the community to help families who may be worse off than you so you can foster a selfless attitude in everyone.

Marion R. Syversen, MBA - President
NorumbegaFinancial
207.862.2952

Marion@NorumbegaFinancial.com
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