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Our Debt Free Family

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If You Want to Save More in 2023, Try This 12-Week Savings Challenge

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Saving is a huge part of becoming (and remaining) debt free. If you don’t have an emergency fund things can pop up and cause you to rack up some serious debt. Similarly, you can go into debt buying things if you don’t save money for big events like birthdays and Christmas. But, saving money is hard. Really hard.

Thankfully, the internet has come up with fun, catchy challenges to make you more financially aware and help you save money. After looking at some of the different challenges, I’ve decided to create my own 12-week challenge for savings.

Savings Challenges

About five years ago savings challenges began popping up on the internet. First, it started with the 365-Day Money Challenge. This challenge lasts throughout the year, as the name suggests, and helps you put aside small sums of money each day. The first day starts out with you saving just $0.01.

Next, is the 52-Week Money Challenge. Like the 365-day challenge, it lasts the entire year. However, this challenge ends with a larger amount in savings and focuses on putting money away weekly. The first week, people participating in the challenge put $1 into savings and work their way up to $52 by the end of the year.

Both of these are easy and help people who aren’t so great at managing their money or saving get some cash put away (even if it is only a penny at a time). Many people have been wildly successful at saving this way. So much so that they’ve put other twists on it, like the Bi-Weekly Money Challenge, Reverse 52-Week Money Challenge, and the Mega Money Challenge.

My 12-Week Challenge

For the most part, each of these challenges takes an entire year. If you’re also actively trying to pay off debt it can be overwhelming trying to put money into savings while effectively snowballing what you owe. That’s what got me thinking about a savings challenge with a shorter timeframe: 3 months.

Here is what I got figured out for a 12-week challenge…

  • Week 1: $100 total
  • Week 2: $250 total
  • Week 3: $350 total
  • Week 4: $500 total
  • Week 5: $600 total
  • Week 6: $750 total
  • Week 7: $850 total
  • Week 8: $1,000 total
  • Week 9: $1,150 total
  • Week 10: $1,250 total
  • Week 11: $1,400 total
  • Week 12: $1,550 total

For the first week, we will start by putting $100 into savings. Then, the second week, we will increase our contribution to $150 (making our total savings $250). Throughout the 12 weeks, we will alternate between putting $100 and $150 into savings. The fluctuation will account for the weeks we have “additional” expenses like health/beauty supplies or cleaning items around the house.

 

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The Quest for Cheaper Housing

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<p>As I’ve been talking about for a few weeks, we are looking at moving… again. If you have been following the blog for a while, you know we started our financial journey while living in a motel (that is just a step above being homeless). We got moved into our apartment after that, then shortly after got the offer to move down to Atlanta. Since being in Atlanta, we’ve moved twice, and now we are just ready to move away from Georgia altogether. So, we started looking for cheaper housing to start saving more but questioned if it was the right decision.</p>::Pexels

As I’ve been talking about for a few weeks, we are looking at moving… again. If you have been following the blog for a while, you know we started our financial journey while living in a motel (that is just a step above being homeless). We got moved into our apartment after that, then shortly after got the offer to move down to Atlanta. Since being in Atlanta, we’ve moved twice, and now we are just ready to move away from Georgia altogether. So, we started looking for cheaper housing to start saving more but questioned if it was the right decision.

Cheaper Housing vs. Quality of Living

The first thing you really need to decide is how much of your quality of living you’re willing to give up for cheaper housing. Cheaper is almost always going to mean giving up something. You may find it means shared laundry space, small living quarters, or heavily used appliances.

Consider how much money you would be able to save and how that would help the progress of your financial goals. Would that be worth giving up your quality of living for a short period of time? As a family, we’ve done this. We have been in a studio apartment for going on two years now and it wasn’t worth the discomfort we saved moving here. It has sent us running away from apartment living altogether. Giving up space was not the right decision on our part.

Which brings me to my next point, what are your limits when it comes to pursuing cheaper housing? Is it space, is it amenities, is it location? For us, being able to stay the next place we land for a while is important. We want to have a yard for our dog, extra room for expanding our family, and a home office. This way, we can stay put until we are either debt-free or ready to buy a home.

Should You Relocate to Save Money?

Another thing people often think of doing to help them financially is relocating. Especially now, when many people are working from home, relocating may be a good option. For instance, if you are self-employed, you may consider moving to a state with a lower income tax or if you are starting a family you may want to move somewhere with good schools and low property tax.

You may also find some rural areas have cheaper rent prices and even cheaper real estate. Those moves seem enticing when you look at the large savings, but you should also consider how it will impact your day-to-day life. How far will you have to drive to the store? Will you have to pay more for an internet connection?

Bottom-line

There is more to making decisions about your life than how much money you’ll save making that move. You should consider your entire life, happiness, and long-term goals when you are making any big decision in your life, even if it is something as small as seeking cheaper housing.

When it comes down to it, making decisions about your everyday life should take more thought and consideration. For us, our next step will be to find reasonably priced housing that our family can grow into and stay in for a while. Somewhere we can reach debt freedom and start saving for our first home. To me, this will be the perfect find over saving (insert amount here) each month.

Readers, what things do you place more importance on when making decisions in your life? Have you ever made a similar choice about housing? 

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What Are The Biggest Things People Struggle With Paying Off Debt?

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<p>Upon entering the debt-free (or rather the debt freedom-seeking) community, I realized there are a lot more people who struggle with paying off debt than you may realize. There are thousands of personal finance influencers online and Instagram profiles documenting financial success. Seeing all of this success made me start thinking, do people really have a hard time paying the debt off, or are we each struggling to find the right path for our own family?</p>::Pexels

Upon entering the debt-free (or rather the debt freedom-seeking) community, I realized there are a lot more people who struggle with paying off debt than you may realize. There are thousands of personal finance influencers online and Instagram profiles documenting financial success. Seeing all of this success made me start thinking, do people really have a hard time paying the debt off, or are we each struggling to find the right path for our own family?

Do You Really Struggle With Paying Off Debt?

First and foremost, there is no doubt paying off debt is a struggle. There are so many things that stand in your way of being debt-free in this consumer-driven society. However, if you are paying off your credit card in full each month, but still holding on to auto loan debt, your focus may be misinformed. What most people are struggling with isn’t making the payments themselves but lacking a plan.

So, the thing to ask yourself is do you struggle with paying off debt or do you struggle with one of the following?

  • Organization and/or planning: You struggle with putting together an attack plan for truly changing your finances.
  • Resolve: You struggle with setting your mind to the idea of being debt-free. You have to set yourself up for success by making up your mind.
  • Impulse: You struggle with controlling impulses that impact your finances (i.e. shopping, addiction).

It seems that oftentimes before people face their debt they need to face the above issues. Really, people don’t struggle to pay off their debt. They struggle with rehabilitating the behavior that got them there in the first place.

Things to Do

So, that is really where you start if you want to get off on the right foot on your debt freedom journey. You take a look at your actions, bad habits, and a sincere look at your finances. Consider some of the following tips to help you get started.

  • Redefine your relationship with finance. Make sure you know what your goals are and remember money isn’t everything. Talk to your friends and family about your financial situation and what you are doing to improve.
  • Get help. There are debt counseling services available. If you struggle with impulse-control or shopping addiction, therapy is also something to consider to rehabilitate your relationship with money.
  • Continue doing things that make you happy. If there is one thing I have learned throughout my own journey it’s that if you are not happy day to day you will not meet your goals. You need to budget some money for fun things and things you enjoy to stay on track.

When it comes down to it, there are families with a single income paying off six-figure amounts of debt on Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, and just about any other social site out there. How? They have made the decision to really do it. They made a plan, resolved to stick to it and work through any issues along the way.

So, readers, do you really struggle with paying off debt, or are you struggling with something else?

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Homemade Dog Food

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<p>When you talk about feeding people food to dogs there is always a debate. While dogs certainly shouldn't eat grain-heavy foods (and neither should you), they can actually benefit from eating people food. Providing your pooch with homemade dog food could potentially even lengthen their lives, not to mention save you a ton of cash.</p>::Pexels
When you talk about feeding people food to dogs there is always a debate. While dogs certainly shouldn’t eat grain-heavy foods (and neither should you), they can actually benefit from eating people food. Providing your pooch with homemade dog food could potentially even lengthen their lives, not to mention save you a ton of cash.

The Cost of Dog Food

<p>The Cost of Dog Food</p>::PexelsIf your dog is eating a 30-pound bag of dry food every month to two months, you’ll spend about $250 a year on dog food. Upgrade that to “holistic” dry food and you’ll be spending nearly $400 a year on dog food. Some dogs can’t eat dry food and require canned or raw frozen food. If that is the case you may spend up to $1,000 a year on dog food alone.

One way to trim down on that cost is to simply feed your pup what you are eating at home.

Homemade Dog Food

Yes! You can feed the dog table food and it is absolutely fine. In some cases, it can actually improve their health. For instance, my pup has a scrambled egg a couple times a week as a treat. This not only helps his coat come in nicely, it can also help me trim down on my overall food cost for my pup.

Similarly, after dinner, he also gets a portion of whatever meat and veggie we had (and sometimes a little potato or brown rice if he’s had no grain that day). This “extra” bit isn’t costing me anything. In fact, it is normally the leftovers that would have gotten left in the fridge for five days and tossed out anyway.

Ingredients to Avoid

If you want to make your own homemade dog food you’ll want to know what foods you should avoid. While dogs are omnivorous, meaning they enjoy meat, fruits, veggies, and grains, there are some foods we can have that they cannot. For example, grapes can be poisonous for pups. Chocolate is also a well-known no-no for dogs. Here is a list of other foods to avoid giving your pup if you’re thinking about switching to a homemade diet:<p>If you want to make your own homemade dog food you'll want to know what foods you should avoid. While dogs are omnivorous, meaning they enjoy meat, fruits, veggies, and grains, there are some foods we can have that they cannot. For example, grapes can be poisonous for pups. Chocolate is also a well-known no-no for dogs. Here is a list of other foods to avoid giving your pup if you're thinking about switching to a homemade diet:</p>::Pexels

  • Fats and fatty meats (this includes bacon). While bacon is delicious and your dog may even enjoy it, it is bad for them. They can actually cause pancreatitis in your dog. So, avoid feeding your dog fat from your food or bacon.
  • Similarly, salty foods should be avoided as well. This is the reason popcorn and pretzels have always been on the no-no list. The salt can cause sodium ion poisoning in your dog and it can also cause excessive thirst and urination. If you’re going to make homemade dog food, be sure to separate your dog’s portion before adding salt and other seasonings.
  • Skip the garlic and onions, too. Even though it will spice your meal up significantly, your pup doesn’t need the extra flavor. In dogs, onions and garlic can destroy red blood cells and, ultimately, lead to anemia.
  • Dairy. Although you may slip your dog a piece of cheese here and there, you should not allow mass amounts of dairy into their diets. Many dogs are actually lactose intolerant so placing dairy into their diet can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
  • Raw meat. IF YOU WOULDN’T EAT IT, NEITHER SHOULD YOUR DOG. Don’t feed your pet raw pet. Even though their bodies are more able to process it than yours, they are still prone to E.coli and other diseases transferred through raw meat.
  • Candy and some peanut butter. Many baked goods, candies and some peanut butter have an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol causes an insane insulin surge in dogs that leads to a drop in blood sugar. If you want to share a cookie, baked treat or even peanut butter with your pooch check and make sure it is xylitol-free. (You should avoid most sugary foods with your pets.)
  • Avocado. In large amounts, avocado can be poisonous to dogs. Avoid using it in any food you are preparing for them.

In addition to some of these larger mentions, you should also avoid sharing the following with your dog: uncooked yeast dough, seeds/pits from fruit, raw potato, bones, apple cores, alcohol, caffeine, and human medicine.

Start Slow

If you’re thinking about switching to a homemade dog food plan, great! It saved me a ton of money. We buy dog food every once in a while (when we go out of town and when he needs a new bag, which is not very often).

It is recommended anytime you change your dog’s diet that you start slowly. So, continue to feed your dog their dry food with some of your food (plain meat and veggies) on top. Then, each night, put a little less dry food and more of the homemade food into his/her bowl.

It should also be noted that you should not try to convert a very young or very old dog into a completely homemade diet. Many times, dogs that are not healthy adults have different dietary needs. Of course, if you have any trouble with your dog’s diet you can always reach out to your veterinarian for advice.

Have you switched your dog to a homemade dog food plan? Have you saved? 

How Alice and Scott Paid Off $200,000 of Student Loans in Less Than 7 Years

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Today I have the honor to share with you the debt free journey of one of my closest friends!

Alice and I met during our sophomore year in college back in the year 2000.

Even back then I saw how determined and focused Alice was when she set her mind on accomplishing a goal.

I am so excited to share with you how she and her husband paid off almost $200,000 of student loans in less than 7 years!

In this interview, Alice shares why they worked so hard to pay off their student loan debt and how they remained focused on their goal for so long.

Here is the interview:

ME: Thank you for sharing your story with Our Debt Free Family! Please introduce yourself so our readers can get to know you.

My name is Alice, and I’m 33 years old. I’m happily married to my best friend, Scott.  We have one son, and we just celebrated his first birthday. We live in Oregon. 

ME: Thanks, Alice! What made you decide to focus on becoming debt free?

I came from a poor upbringing, and my family never taught me how to manage my finances.

During college I opened up a credit card and ended up with about $10,000 in credit card debt. The only way I could pay the minimum balance was by doing cash advances from that same credit card.  It was the most awful feeling in the world, and I felt like I didn’t have any control over my life.

Fortunately, after my first summer internship in grad school, I was able to pay off that debt. I never wanted to put myself in that situation again.  

The only debt I felt was justified were school loans and a mortgage. I didn’t initially plan to pay off my school loans so quickly. However, when I found out that my husband and I were unable to write off the interest on our school loans for taxes, we made it our goal to pay them off quickly.

We also wanted to make sure we were debt free (besides our mortgage) by the time we had kids. <p>We also wanted to make sure we were debt free (besides our mortgage) by the time we had kids.</p>::Pexels

ME: How much debt did you pay off, and how long did it take you?

Our student loans totaled about $200,000, and we paid them off in about 6.5 years.

ME: That’s awesome! What did you do for work while you were paying off your debt and about how much did you earn during that time?

My husband and I are both pharmacists. Our total annual income is over $100,000.

ME: What sacrifices did you make to reach your goal?

I don’t feel like we really made any sacrifices.  I never had much growing up, and I’ve kept that mentality to live a more minimalistic lifestyle. We never felt the need to buy luxuries like expensive cars, jewelry, or electronics.

ME: What are your best money-saving tips?

Max out your retirement if you can.

In addition to that, automatically put a percentage of your paycheck into a separate account that you know you won’t touch so you never see that money to begin with. Then you won’t have the urge to spend it, and you can use it for your next financial goal. 

ME: That’s a smart strategy! What would you say to someone considering starting their own debt free journey?

The journey is tough, but once you’re debt free, the feeling is so rewarding – this huge weight is lifted. Also, when you get your paycheck, that money is truly yours.

ME: Mike and I can’t wait to experience that feeling! Have you made any big purchases with cash? If so, how long did it take you to save for those items?

We saved for about half a year for the car. For our vacations, it usually just took us a few months to save. For our wedding, we saved for about half a year. For our down payment for our house, it took us about two years to save.

ME: Amazing! You did all of that while you were paying off your debt! What has been the best part about your debt free journey?

Both my husband and I have the same mindset when it comes to finances, which has made our journey so much easier.

We never felt like we weren’t able to enjoy what we loved doing, which was to travel. To ensure we were still able to do that and pay off our debt simultaneously, we just reprioritized where our money went.

You can be frugal and still have fun.<p>I want to thank Alice and Scott for agreeing to share their story with us.</p>::Pexels

I want to thank Alice and Scott for agreeing to share their story with us.

While they are both pharmacists and they earn a healthy living now, that wasn’t always the case.

Alice and I spoke after the interview, and she agreed to let me share a little more about her story.

She mentioned her poor upbringing, but Alice had more challenges during her childhood than her family’s financial situation.

When she was little, she was part of a family of five that included her grandma, her younger brother, and her parents. Her dad was the sole income-producer for the family, working as a cook at a Chinese restaurant.

Her mother never worked because she had mental disabilities so Alice took on the cooking and the cleaning for the family.

When her mother’s disabilities grew worse, she became violent, and eventually, Alice’s little brother and her grandma moved to live with her uncle in another state.

Alice decided to stay with her parents and lied to avoid being placed in foster care. Her dad tried to escape from the problems at home and developed a gambling addiction, losing most of the little money that he earned for the family.

Alice started bussing tables at the age of 14 because she constantly feared that she and her parents would be out on the street at any moment.

Throughout all this, she clung to the idea that if she worked hard in school, she could create a better life for herself and her family.

She earned straight As in high school and college and put herself through graduate school (where she met Scott) so that she could provide financial stability for her own family one day.

So this is more than just a story of how two pharmacists paid off their student loans.

This is a story of how Alice chose to overcome the challenges in her childhood through consistent focus, determination, and hard work, and now, she and Scott are well on their way to achieving true financial freedom.

Where To Go From Here

If you are struggling with your student loans, know that there are options available to help you out.  One thing that a lot of people with large debts often don’t consider is balancing their payoff planning with refinancing.  If you do owe a ton, consider going with an outfit like Social Finance (SoFi) and refinancing.  If you owe more than 10% interest it might be worth your time.  Click the link here or go with the banner below to contact them.

<p>get personal loan rates</p>::Pexels

More Loan Options

If you have federal student loans, you can look into income-driven repayment plans that can limit your monthly payments to a percentage of your income. If you have a good job and credit score, you may be eligible for student loan refinancing. In this case, a lender will pay off your old loans and issue you a new one with either a lower interest rate or lower monthly payment. To learn more about refinancing, check out this resource.

For more of our great articles, consider reading these:

How To Pay Off Debt When You’re Behind On Your Bills
How Lauren Greutman, The Recovering Spender, Paid Off $40,000 of Debt
Learn About How Ron and Thu Paid Off 137,000 in 7 Years
Easily Save Money With Paribus
Frustrated With Great Lakes
Walmart Savings Catcher Phone Number

Get Community to Get out of Debt

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Everyone that has ever been on the road of becoming debt free, knows that you have to be “weird,” like Dave Ramsey says. There are a lot of sacrifices you and your family must make in order to live a frugal lifestyle so you can throw every penny toward your debt. We’ve all experienced that moment when [Read more…]

One Week Aldi Meal Plan

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<p>It sounds crazy but I’ve been put-off of Aldi for some time. While I know it has been PROVEN to save families money, it has been hard for me to depart with my local grocer. This isn’t because I am snobby or think I’m too good for Aldi. I’ve truly come to enjoy going to the grocery store near my house. The same people are there, they are friendly and helpful, and it’s less than a mile from my home. However, this week, I took the plunge and headed to Aldi for our weekly grocery trip.</p>::Pexels

It sounds crazy but I’ve been put-off of Aldi for some time. While I know it has been PROVEN to save families money, it has been hard for me to depart with my local grocer. This isn’t because I am snobby or think I’m too good for Aldi. I’ve truly come to enjoy going to the grocery store near my house. The same people are there, they are friendly and helpful, and it’s less than a mile from my home. However, this week, I took the plunge and headed to Aldi for our weekly grocery trip.

Pros of Aldi

The number one perk of shopping at Aldi is obviously saving money. It has been reported that switching to Aldi can save shoppers up to 40% of their grocery bill, and maybe more in some cases. For instance, if you are willing to cut things from your diet or change up your weekly meal plan, you may be able to save even more by heading to Aldi instead of your traditional grocer.

Another Aldi perk is the fact that you’re minimizing your biological footprint a little bit. Aldi requires you to purchase bags or bring your own reusable bags. Oftentimes, people just put the loose food right into their car. Getting rid of bags reduces the environmental impact a bit and it also helps Aldi offer the low prices it does.

Cons of Aldi

Not everything about Aldi is great though. In some cases, Aldi may be difficult to find. The traditional grocery store is only one mile away, while Aldi is 5+ miles away. Most people find the drive to be worth it though. And, with Aldi opening new stores every year, there are likely to be new stores popping up in your area.

Additionally, it can be a bit of a pain to shop at Aldi. There are extra things you wouldn’t normally think about. Most people have a hard enough time remembering to bring their grocery shopping list, never mind your own bags and a quarter for the cart. However, if you’re going to become an Aldi regular, you can always keep these things in your car for last-minute shopping or “just in case.”

My One Week Aldi Meal Plan

Not everyone will be able to pull off a $50/week meal plan. The following items and meals are meant to feed two people for seven days.

<p>Not everyone will be able to pull off a $50/week meal plan. The following items and meals are meant to feed two people for seven days.</p>::Pexels

  • Eggs (12) $2.49
  • Milk (we use skim) $2.79
  • Bread (white loaf) $0.89
  • Shredded cheese (larger bags than in the traditional grocer) $1.89
  • Ground beef $6.42
  • Bacon $4.19
  • Fresh chicken breast $6.60
  • Canned chicken breast (4) $1.69 each
  • Stuffing Mix (2) $0.79 each
  • Cream of chicken soup (2) $0.49 each
  • Salad Mix (2) $1.99 each
  • Peppers (3) $1.19 for 3
  • BBQ sauce $2.19
  • Seasonings (2, based on need) $1.19 each
  • Sugar-Free Fudge Pops $1.49
  • Coffee $2.89

Total: $48.68 before tax

Some of these items get switched out, depending on need. Next week, for example, we probably won’t need new seasonings but we will need butter. Thankfully, the prices are so low that little swaps like that barely make a difference and you’re able to manage to keep your grocery budget low (ours is about $50 per week).

Obviously having a grocery list with no planned meals is kind of useless. So, what did we make with these ingredients?

Breakfast Options (with coffee and milk):

  • Eggs and bacon
  • Breakfast sandwiches
  • Omelette with cheese and peppers
  • Eggs and toast

Lunch Options:

  • Salad (we get the remade Caesar Salad kit)
  • Chicken salad sandwich (you’ll need mayo, which is less than $1 at Aldi if you don’t already have some)
  • Grilled cheese
  • Leftovers

Dinner:

  • Bacon cheeseburgers
  • Shredded BBQ chicken (crockpot)
  • Chicken Stuffing Casserole
  • Meatloaf

With this meal plan, you will have some repeat meals. For instance, we ate all of our dinners twice, except for meatloaf. However, it is something that has helped us save money ($200 a month is a ton).

The plan is to use the additional savings to put towards my student loan repayment and savings. I can’t wait to see how much we are able to save!

Want one of the recipes mentioned above? Reach out to [email protected].

8 Ways to Donate Your Stuff to Help Those in Need

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You’re on a mission.

You’ve searched your house from top to bottom, closet to garage, storage box to storage shed. You pulled out everything that you wouldn’t mind parting with so that you could make some extra money.

You’re motivated to declutter and simplify your finances… and your stuff.
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My Guilty Pleasure (Plus How Much I Spend on It Every Month)

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<p>Every girl has her “thing.” Some ladies like to get their nails done every week or every other week. Others like to have their hair professional cut and dyed. Me? I really just like books. Like every “guilty pleasure” though, it costs us money. So, I decided to sit down and see exactly how much I spend on books every month.</p>::Pexels

Every girl has her “thing.” Some ladies like to get their nails done every week or every other week. Others like to have their hair professional cut and dyed. Me? I really just like books. Like every “guilty pleasure” though, it costs us money. So, I decided to sit down and see exactly how much I spend on books every month.

My “Clever” Husband Noted My Books in a Recent Post

If you didn’t know, my husband is the Clever Dude. Recently, he posted a blog about how much hobbies cost and mentioned my “book habit.” Here’s what he had to say…

She’d happily run away with the beast from Beauty and the Beast just for a chance to get a minute in that library.

Folks, he’s not wrong. I really do love books. There is a line in my budget for Audible/Amazon/books. However, as with anyone trying to improve their finances, I read my husband’s post and decided to take a look at how much my book addiction costs me annually. Drew estimated the cost to be about $100 total, which would mean I’m spending $1,200 per year on books.

As great as that sounds, I don’t have a book collection surrounding me in my office right now. So, how much am I really spending on books?

So, How Much Does My Book Habit Really Cost?

Honestly, it varies from month to month so much. Sure, there have been months where I spent more than others. I’ll come home with a stack of books from the store one month and only use my Audible credit the next. When it comes to solid monthly costs I spend $25 monthly on Amazon book services (Audible and Kindle Unlimited). That equates to about $300 per year on digital books alone.

When it comes to physical books on my shelf, I have plenty. But, as Ariel from The Little Mermaid sang at the top of her lungs, I WANT MORE! Most of my collection is paperback, so they don’t cost as much as their hardcover counterparts. I also buy all of my books secondhand using ThriftBooks or the fantastic used bookstores around me. There are people that will buy a book new, read it once, and sell it back to the store. Most of the reads on my shelf cost between $3 and $25.

At the end of the day, my annual spending on books probably lands closer to $1,000 in total. Of course, I have others hobbies, but most of them are relatively frugal. I have a lot of plants in my home, but most were gifts and caring for them isn’t too expensive. Yoga, hiking, and kayaking are all things I’m passionate about too. Each of these things doesn’t cost a ton of money though.

When you combine all of those activities, I probably am spending about $900 annually. There are some folks in the debt-free community that wouldn’t spend a penny on new books until their debt is paid off. I think life is worth living, experiencing, and enjoying though. So, there will always be a line in my budget for my hobbies.

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