When our family was over $ 500k in debt ( included mortgage) and over 6-figures in medical bills- this was after I finally got well, we had to trim the excess out of our budget. Being the organic mommy who eats and treats her family well- let me just say I didn’t feed the junk from Sav A Lot.
My questions:
Do you know how to feed a family of 5 people on $ 50?
Do you know how to stretch a food budget and STILL eat healthy?
Do you know how to trim $ 500 out of your current budget?
What would you do if tomorrow, your income went from $ 15,000 per month to $ 2500? Could you survive or would you crash?
Some of you are at $ 2500 and believe (falsely!) that making $ 15,000 per month would solve all of your problems. NO it wouldn’t because your spending habits would follow you. I know millionaires who are in debt over $3 million dollars and I know people who earn $ 35,000 per year who have a net worth over $ 1 million dollars.
Can you help me out some? I am truly curious how I might be able to help the market with this…. without alot of negative condemnation and illogical expectations.
We’ve been debt free now for 18 months and my monthly expenses are $ 3,000. 
I can spend whatever I want, whenever I want- but that is what it costs me to provide for our family of 4…. well my husband is the provider ( wink) I am the cream maker… and lets just say, I make ALOT of cream each month!
I’d love your input!
Sandi
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow…great stuff! That article fits me to a “T”. I went from making about $20,000 a month owning a mortgage brokerage, to bankruptcy. After hitting rock bottom, I had a good job that paid me well, only to get laid off due to the economy. At this point, we have no clue how we’re going to pay the mortgage this month.
Tom, walk by faith… as well unplug, disconnect and go without everything that doesn’t bring in a profit for the family. Be willing to work anywhere until you can find work that is better. Sell your services, write an ebook about what you did in Mortgages and how to apply it to other online businesses. Don’t lose hope, when you least expect it, the answer will come. But SHOW your intention by being willing to live on pancakes, beans, smoothies, potatoes, oatmeal, without TV, phones, etc that are unnecessary. We were there- when I made the shift the profits started coming, and so did the belief! Blessings!
LOVE this!!! This is an area I am seriously working on as we have had our income cut dramatically and with the upcoming budget cuts, I foresee my husband’s income being cut even further! I would love to hear ideas/input! I am working to provide that CREAM as you stated but getting through this middle ground is taking a TON of belief and faith. Thank you for all you so willingly give to us all. Love and blessings to you my friend. Enjoy this Easter weekend…He has risen and lives in my heart and mind.
This is a fantastic topic. I would love to know how people feel their families in a healthy way (not revert to pasta and ramen meals-our family doesn’t eat pasta or bread-y foods) on an extreme budget of $50/month. Is that even possible? We can cut out almost everything else, but when it comes to food we still end up spending WAY too much montlhly. We never eat out, but enjoy healthy home cooking every night. There has to be a way to have both. How did you do that part?
Hi Julie,
I talk about that right here.. http://www.arealchange.com/blog/what-the-secret-millionaire-should-have-bought-at-the-grocery-store
Enjoy!
Sandi
Hi Sandi!
First, i just began following you, and I love you!! I read everything that you put out and am planning to join your coaching group this summer.
Second, this is such an important topic for women entrepreneurs. We spend so much time working on our minds and our visions that, the money part, well…it’s safe to say…. that it lacks; not for everyone, but for most. And you are absolutely right that as income increases so does spending.
Perhaps a class on “The Secret” behind how to manage money…..which also includes a component on gifting/tithing. Or, another name could be “Eat, Pray, SAVE”. As a matter of fact….i like that better:)
Thanks for all of your help and feel free to message me at anytime.
With love and blessings,
Dona Lyman, “The Motivational Guru” for Women Entrepreneurs
For any looking to get on the right track, I extremely recommend Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Class. A definite must for anyone trying to get out of debt, and make sure you stay debt free!!
Thanks so much for this! We are struggling right now, as I know several people are. My husband is the sole breadwinner in the family. I’m a full-time student and a substitute teacher and we have 2 teenage daughters living at home. It is sooo difficult to make ends meet and we are in that viscous cycle of overdraft charges and payday loans that make it almost impossible to keep up. I don’t qualify for unemployment and finding a job has been almost impossible.
Thanks for letting me vent!
I need to know HOW to do that. I have a family of 5 and don’t have a clue how to feed them for $50 how many meals is that? HELP!
I absolutely love this!
Thanks to Dave Ramsey (his books, radio program and FP University), my husband & I have been debt free and “acting our wage” for two years! But we’re always looking for ways to live on less. It would be cool to be able to live large on $36,000 per year. I also know plenty others who could use that too!
Have you ever seen this site? It’s a great start for you!! http://www.5dollardinners.
I had not heard of that website, Sandi. Many thanks for the link!!
Sandi, I believe everything you say there. My life has changed so much in the past four years, I would be happy to make anything a month or a year. Working hard to do so. I am stingy with money when I have it. If I could get my sweetie to quit smoking, that money could go toward more veggies and fruits and our own apartment one day!
My husband is in sales & since the economy has tanked, so has our budget! I would love tips on saving money in ALL areas! We have already used some savings & desperately hanging on to the rest of it.
I would love to learn how to do this. Thanks for any resources you can provide.