Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Survival Savings

Been awhile since I last posted to Penny Pinscher and a lot has changed in my life.

I went through a sudden divorce, moved out on my own and have been figuring out how a divorced writer that stayed at home with her kids for the past 17 years is supposed to make it in a job poor economy. I thought I was frugal before.... I wasn't even close. I'm getting a crash course in survival economics.

The past year has been an interesting one. I cringe when I think of some of the money I wasted and I have learned many new things. The whole last year of my life seems a little unreal, like an overly dramatized movie. I can see it now...

~Crouching Pinscher - Hidden Pennies~

A acolyte of frugality climbs up the mountain to see the wise man at the top who could give her the secret she yearned for. After a long montage rich with scenes of suffering and struggle she reaches the top to stumble and fall at his feet.

"How do I save more?" she gasps. He looks down at her now lean from long months of eating tuna and walking to save gas.

"If you want to learn to be a truly frugal saver you must first learn to save frugally." His voice creaks as his bushy eyebrows knit together like hairy caterpillars having a smooch. She looks at him imploringly.

"Can you teach me this knowledge?" The only sound is the wind blowing through her empty change purse, whistling mournfully. Their eyes meet, and from somewhere in the cave music from Rocky starts playing.

"I can teach you, but it will be hard. You will save like you have never saved before, eat things you never thought you would eat and learn new skills. You will want to quit, you will fail and have to try again but if you persist you will succeed and become a master like me."

"And live rent free in a cave?" She asks hopefully.

"If you are lucky and learn well, Grasshopper." (fade to black)

Well, I am learning. Necessity is a great teacher and I have already learned so many new things I look forward to sharing. At the moment I am making a move that saves me $500 a month which I will be discussing at length here. And no, I am not moving back in with my mother.

I'll be dishing out the details later today and redesigning a few things. Penny Pinscher has grown up a bit and is entering a whole new arena of savings.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about the divorce. I once was a stay at home mom who went through a sudden divorce myself. I made it a daily challenge to survive with a part time job. The Lord went one to provide during my time of struggle but we made it! Have faith and know that you will survive through this tough economic time!!

Melissa said...

I'm sorry to hear about the divorce, too. I'm glad that you've landed on your feet, and I'm looking forward to reading more of what you've learned!

2 Tramps said...

Wow, you are back! Your post on rubber roast was one of the first blogs I ever read. Then you disappeared... I kept checking back - am glad I did.

I am sorry for all that you have been through and hope that you are headed up and out to the sunny side.

Tramp #2

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your divorce. Although times are hard, don't give up. I'm also a frugal shopper and visit www.deals2buy.com and www.cheapstingybargains.com daily for great deals on a variety of products and stores. There are printable coupon and coupon codes available for the online shoppers. Chin up!