About

I was in my mid-twenties when I realized I had become frugal. More or less, it was a coming of age. A realization that money does not, as the saying goes, “grow on trees.” An understanding that if you actually do your homework and spend your money wisely, you can enjoy the good life AND still have some saved up for the future.

Now, as a mother of two young children, I understand the importance of planning and prioritizing time and spending even more than I did before. For three years I chose to stay at home full-time to nurture our young family, which translated into more conscientious decision-making for all of us. Dropping back to one salary meant learning how to tighten the purse strings. The catch: Father Miser and I did not want to compromise the quality of life we wanted to provide for ourselves and our children. Having returned to work now, I still maintain the frugal habits I developed while at home.

Over time, I have learned to adapt our budget, our priorities and am slowly mastering the balancing act of it all. Sometimes, time (in all its preciousness) outweighs the cost, while in other instances the lower price tag is worth the research and travel.

I live in Ottawa, Canada but consider my musings and tips to be much more broad-reaching. By writing this blog I hope to engage readers, to entice them to reconsider their finances, draw out their own advice and experiences and, in the process, help other families live the good life on a budget.