makin' it single income style

Even before Jeff died, I was home with the kids and we were a 'single income family'. It was often ridiculously tight and there were spots that financially were frightening.

Since he's died, we just squeeze through each month. There are small pockets of money delivered in the mail such as widow's pension, baby bonus, etc. But it just covers the housing and a few bills. So providing childcare to some kiddos whom I love has been how I've been putting the food on the table and keeping the wolf from the door. I consider myself lucky that I am able to do this 'job' while staying home with my little ones, homeschooling Liv and spending time with some of my favourite little friends as well.

But, unfortunately, it doesn't loosen the belt as much as I had hoped. After paying for increases in insurance for having a business in the house, fuel for driving to schools, extra food, etc. there isn't much left in the 'black'. SO I am challenging myself to a contest. I am going to see how little I can spend in one month. We will use what we have. We will clean out the freezer. We will get creative with activities. We will only drive when absolutely necessary. We'll drop off our outgrown clothes at the consignment store. We'll sell our 'extras' and tidy up our 'haves'. If you'd like to come along and try as well, I'd love to have you along. We can compare our scores!

Also, in the spirit of trying to create a less tight budget, I have one more thing I am going to attempt.....I'll give you one clue and then you'll have to wait until I get all the ducks in a row (p.s. it is something that I have mulled over before...)