31 Days of Living on Less

As I mentioned recently, my husband just lost his job. He’s got work until the end of this month, and I’m so grateful for that mercy. He’s already started looking for another job, and we’re praying he’ll be able to find something that will allow him to begin right after his current job ends.
However, we’ve dealt with unemployment before. Years ago, the company my husband was working for decided to downsize, and my husband’s department was one of the ones that got deleted. Even though he diligently searched for a job, it took months before he finally found something. That was a very scary and difficult time (with three small children and one on the way), and one that I do not wish to repeat.
Thinking through all the potential outcomes in our situation, I realized that we need to be as frugal as we can, and spend as little as possible. Instead of feeling fear and despair, I decided to embrace the challenge.

My challenge to myself for this month in particular is to spend nothing or as little as possible for necessities and whatever life brings. I do know that we have 3 birthdays and a wedding coming up, so I’ll have to be creative there. I’m looking forward to it!

Part of the way I decided to motivate myself is by writing about living on less for 31 days. My plan is to write every weekday and then take off for the weekends. So it may take me longer to reach 31 posts, but I hope to get there eventually! And to make them easy to find, I’ll have all of the posts linked at the bottom of this page.

I hope you’ll join me, and I hope you won’t mind the extra posts this month. I do plan to cut way back for the months of November and December, so it won’t be long before I return to just two or three posts per week. See you tomorrow with my first money-saving idea!

Here’s a list of all the posts in this series:

Day 1:   You’re Here (this post is day 1)!
Day 2:   Take Inventory
Day 3:   Organize Your Pantry
Day 4:   Make a Meal Plan
Day 5:   Cook From Scratch
Day 6:   Save Money on Groceries
Day 7:   Make Your Own Bread
Day 8:   Enjoy a Free Date Night
Day 9:   Find Beauty in the Ordinary
Day 10: Make Your Bedroom a Haven
Day 11: Organize Your Closet
Day 12: Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Day 13: Organize Everything
Day 14: Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Day 15: Cultivate Contentment
Day 16: Cut Your Own Hair
Day 17: Make Your Own Beauty Products

Day 18: Consider Cloth
Day 19: Get Free Stuff
Day 20: Have a Tea Party
Day 21: Have a Craft Day
Day 22: Take Your Own Family Photo
Day 23: Make a Holiday Binder
Day 24: Give From the Heart
Day 25: Make Memories
Day 26: Save Your Change
Day 27: Make Simple Meals
Day 28: Homeschool for Less
Day 29: Sell Your Stuff
Day 30: Turn it Off
Day 31: Count Your Blessings

41 Comments

  1. G E N I U S ! ! I love that you created a series based on empowerment instead of fear. Now I want to read ALL The posts! Thank you for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist. -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  3. Joy,
    Your list of post looks great. Many I do, some I haven't tried and others I need to make a priority. Especially the organizing. I meal plan, but not as good as I could and that is another aspect I need to re-introduce into our life. It is both a cost and time saving option. Praying your husband will find a job soon!
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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    1. Thank you, Serena! I'm really beginning to embrace simplicity and even a bit of minimalism. It seems to make life better not to want too much, have too much, and do too much.

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  5. Your attitude towards your situation is very encouraging! Good on you for embracing the challenge, I know God will bless you abundantly for staying positive and honoring the last of your husbands hard-earned income at his present job. God will provide another job, at just the right time. He never forsakes His children or sees us begging bread. Much love to you, thanks again for your positive attitude, it's inspiring! Have a wonderful week!

    Reply

  7. I will be featuring this series tomorrow on the Art of Home-Making Mondays. Thank you for sharing at our link up and have a lovely week Joy!

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  8. This sounds like a very timely practice and challenge for your family! I hope he gets a new job asap, but it sounds like you are handling this season with grace!

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  9. I love your attitude, Joy! I'll be praying that your husband finds a job before his current one ends. I know what it is like to be in your situation and I think that attitude is half of the battle. Saving money can be challenging in a fun way, if that's how we choose to see it. Looking forward to this series.

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  10. What an encouragement you will be to your husband! A source of strength as his best cheerleader during this discouraging time for him. Your cheerful disposition and willingness to meet the challenge head on with joy will speak volumes to your children! I am praying for your sweet family – for provision (of job and other needs) and for joy. 🙂

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  12. Looking forward to your money saving ideas! We are farmers over here and the winter months are always dry so frugality has become a way of life… Thanks for sharing your ideas with us! 🙂

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  13. Hi Joy! Hopping over from 31 Days – We're actually going through a similar situation…one that's been 3 years in the making. It's been so amazing to watch God work miracles in our circumstances and usually it's in the most unexpected of ways 😉 We will be praying for you, your family and your husband as he searches for employment. This series will be such a comfort and encouragement to so many who are going through the exact same thing. Thank you for being willing to share your journey. Can't wait to come back for the upcoming posts!! xoxo

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    1. So glad to see you here, Michele, and thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's such a comfort to know others have gone through this and made it through. Thank you so much for praying for us! ♥

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  15. I wish your husband all the best in his job search. I love you attitude and taking this situation on as a challenge. We will also learn along with you and pray for your family too.

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  17. Thanks for this post! It really hits home for me that my family finances may not be in the best of shape right now should a job loss happen. We had a recent scare where we thought it might, and it caused us to really take stock on where we are. You've inspired me to get busy right now, today, on making sure the holidays are covered with handmade gifts. You inspired a whole month of blog posts about sewn gifts over on my blog! Thanks!

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    1. I'm so glad you'll be joining us! I took a look at your blog, and your quilts and table runners are beautiful! I'm hoping to make some handmade gifts this year, too. Thankfully, I bought fabric and supplies in advance, so it won't cost me anything now!

      Reply

  18. I love your attitude and look forward to this series you are starting! My husbands job is not stable and I am trying to live as frugal as possible in case we find ourselves dealing with a job loss. You are an inspiration and I really enjoy your blog . I'm still praying for your family as you go through this season.

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  19. I'm looking forward to seeing your posts! My husband's taking classes right now, and I still have school loans, so we are always looking for creative ways to cut back!

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  20. Joy, I will be praying that your husband finds a job SOON! I will join you in the 31 days of living on less. I will be keeping notes as I am definitely not a great blogger. I have one, but have let it go by the wayside. I've always wanted to write, but, alas, I do not have what it takes. I will be anxious to read your blog!!!

    Reply

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