We’ll after a lot of tweaking and shuffling of my website data around I finally made the move. I was getting sick of blogger’s template and needed a new change. So I officially moved frugalretiremenplan.comto a wordpress template that is more in line with my theme – being living frugal and having a plan for retirement. I hope to be posting more frequently and to get a lot of comments on the new design and how people would like me to improve upon it. Some thoughts I have are about adding more content to couponing, creating multiple streams of income, retirement living, frugal tips, and more online polls. I would appreciate any comments on things people would like to see or modifications. Thanks.
Yesterday the my check engine light went off on my 2001 Honda Civic when I pulled out of my driveway in the morning to go to work. I knew this wasn’t good at all, so I took it to Advanced Auto (love them) to give me a code reading on what was wrong and what the light error meant. They told me it was a torque converter error, which was in the transmission and recommended I take it to a Honda Dealer. So today I took it in and come to find out that in order to replace my torque convertor and flush my transmission fluid it would cost $1450. Then on top of that I have a SRS error, which is relating to my airbag and seatbelt malfunctioning. That would cost another $325. So all totally they quoted me $1800 for my repair. This is yet another reason why I hate cars. Either they depreciate like a vaccum or consume you in repair expenses.
Last year I was interviewed by US News & World Report’s Kimberly Palmer. Her interview was on retiring early and also featured one of my counterpart bloggers at Early Retirement Extreme. Her writing is really refreshing to folks like me who sometimes wonder…why am I going through the process of being frugal and earning extra income on the side? With other people featured on her column its a reminder of how blessed we are and that’s what most Americans consider essential is not so in third world countries. In myself I’m trying to divorce myself from the cultural thinking of, “I need this to be like the Jones”. Instead, people who do think like that will also be in debt up to their eyeballs like the Jones.
Last night I watched the TV show “Undercover Boss”. The CEO of 7-11 was undercover driving a delivery truck with a guy who I think was from Russia. The guy was so happy and yet working as a delivery guy. He said he came to America with $50 in his pocket. He said I’m so happy, because America has provided me everything. We live in such a great country! Most people in America don’t realize how blessed they are and yet so many people are so sad.
To me this speaks to the core of our cultures motto. “More is better and makes me feel good.” However, I want a life that is totally opposite of that. One that loves less, loves time with my family, and most importantly one that serves Christ.
Consequently, if you begin to change the premise of your thinking that focuses less on the cultures motto, then you just might be able to retire early.
Frugal Retirement Plan
Each week my wife and I have a standard list of chores that needs to be done in our house by our oldest son who is five. Those chores are his weekly responsibilities. With those responsibilities comes an allowance, but the allowance doesn’t always come every week. My wife and I are firm believers in that after certain chores are done that a wage isn’t expected, but appreciated if one follows. It is helping him to teach him to contribute to the family’s daily chores, to save for toys or activities, and also help mom and dad. He has learned so much by saving for things he wants and that things aren’t just given to him. We also recently started couponing and in order to help us out we’ve solicited his help to cut them out. Every coupon he cuts out we put his initials on the back then give him a portion of the savings. We really don’t keep tabs on how much of his we use, but during the weeks he helps us out we general give out a little more allowance.
About two months ago he saved up $25 for a buzz lightyear lego, and the expression on his face when he came home was priceless. He really proved to himself that he saved up for it and earned it. It was all his. Now he is start to save up for another buzz lightyear lego, and already has $11.
Here are a few things that I think giving a child an allowance and having chores teaches them:
- Responsibility
- Things aren’t given to you just because…
- Save up for things you want
- You need to pull your weight in the family
- Everyone relies on each other
- Your being an example to your brothers and sisters
- Gives them an opportunity to tithe a portion of their earnings to the church
- Allows them to be proud of what they bought and take care of it
Frugal Retirement Plan
Who says money can’t bring you happiness? It can buy you a jet ski. Have you ever seen anyone frown while riding a jet ski?
