What are Your Top 5 Skills? (Carole)

Early in our marriage, David and I had a lively conversation about the Five Most Valuable Skills each of us possessed.  I don't remember why this topic came up or how come we settled on the number 5.  However, the subject still comes up every once in awhile, and it's interesting to see how some of our answers have changed over the years, but amazingly not too many -- those valuable skills have remained valuable!

Our definition of "valuable" is very loose.  It could mean that you earn money with this skill, it could mean that you save money with this skill, it can mean that this skill brings you pleasure, or that you just find this skill to be extremely useful.  The following lists are not in any particular order.

David's Top 5 Skills List:
1.  Writing an outline
2.  Writing a thesis statement
3.  Typing
4.  Public speaking
5.  Wood working

Carole's Top 5 Skills List:
1.  Playing the piano
2.  Knitting/Crocheting/Sewing
3.  Reading
4.  How to paint a room
5.  Typing

As we raised our children, we tried to keep this idea of Valuable Skills in mind as we signed them up for school courses, extra curricular activities, lessons, sports and also as we passed on the skills we personally had.  What experiences and/or skills might turn out to bless their future lives?  These will be among their most important assets and should not be ignored.

Take a few minutes and think about what you've learned through your life that has turned out to be valuable to you.  I'd love to hear what some of your answers are.

Living On One Income (Merrick)

Since Janssen and I both recently became stay at home moms, and consequently went from a two income family to a one income family, we both decided to respond this week to Aleta's email about preparing to live on one income.

Janssen covered a lot of the important and basic things to think about before the switch to a one income family, so I want to talk about a few specific things that I have done to contribute to the finances now that I'm a stay at home mom.

In January of this year, I was laid off from my job, so we unexpectedly became a one-income family a few months before we planned to (I was already planning to quit when the baby was born). However, it wasn't too much of a concern because one of the years of our marriage I was in school and Philip was able to cover all our expenses with just his income, and now two years later he was making significant more money. However, our "extra" money (my income) that was all going straight to savings, was suddenly gone. So although I didn't need to financially contribute, I still wanted to. And as a stay at home mom, so can you.

Here are a few things that I do to contribute to the family finances:

1. Babysit my neighbor's little girl four days a week
2. Make homemade shirts, headbands, and other crafts to sell
3. Sell commissioned drawings and paintings
4. Teach children's art lessons out of my home once a week

Now, each of these are pretty small things that don't really bring in a ton of money. But all of them combined add up and contribute a significant amount to our finances each month. So although I don't need to do these, it gives me something to do, gives us more of a financial cushion, and adds a tiny bit to our savings account each month.

And all the while I can stay home with my baby and feel good about that.

Eating On a Dollar A Day (Carole & Janssen)

I'm out in Boston with Janssen and her sweet new baby.  Plus her little family is days away from a move across the country.  We're a bit busy, to say the least!  So, rather than writing a post today, we're sharing a very interesting Time Magazine article, and the accompanying  blog, about 2 people who are feeding themselves on $1 per day.  Maybe a bit extreme, but it will get you thinking about your own food budget in a whole new way!

You'll quickly notice that they eat vegan.  

Time Magazine Article
http://www.dollaradaybook.com/blog 


Hope you're having a happy, happy day!!

Multiple Streams of Income

For the first year and a half of our marriage, I was still in school finishing up my bachelor's degree. Although Philip was working full time, his starting salary was somewhat small, and with the cost of school, plus a mortgage, our savings was doing anything but increasing.

Once I graduated, I immediately began a full time job. The difference in our bank account was unbelievable. With both of us working, we were suddenly saving a huge amount of money, and happily watching our bank account grow for the first time in months.

But we didn't stop there. We realized the value of multiple streams of income, and since then we have continually been on the lookout for extra income opportunities. For example, last summer I made and sold many embellished t-shirts. We frequently go through our house and find unwanted or duplicate items that we can sell on craigslist or at Plato's Closet. I have also made and sold headbands, clips, and hair ties.

Now, since I no longer have a job because I stay at home with my baby, I do commission artwork, and recently began teaching children's art lessons, which brings in quite a bit of extra cash.

Already having a job, or being a full-time mom shouldn't stop you from finding other methods of income, because every bit makes a difference.

If you sit down and think about it, I'm sure you can come up with something simple and not too time consuming that you could do to earn extra money. You'll be amazed at the difference even $10 a week can make to your bank account.

Any great ideas??