I have a pretty careless attitude about money and half the time I don’t know how much I even have. I KNOW I need to get better at this. I remember telling a friend one time that I had a $200 check that I forgot to cash. She said to me ‘I wish I had so much money I could FORGET to cash a check!’. Well it wasn’t that I had so much, I just don’t really even pay attention to where it is. Bad I know.

Good for you for being frugal and good with money — I admire those qualities in a person

But as you mentioned, I started to take pride in not spending money, rather than pride in saving money, buying only what I need or planning for our future. I found myself concentrating on not having instead of my real goal of having all I need. My emphais has been on what I don’t have instead of what I CHOOSE to have.

Love the new category!

I’m glad to read that so many mom’s here have a good understanding with their partners so that together they can arrive at budgets that are in keeping with how they want to live their lives. My husband and I have different approaches when it comes to what the kids need (he likes to give them what they want, ipods, etc., and I’m opposed to it). This is one of the biggest sources of contention in our marriage. I was raised by very budget conscious parents, he wasn’t. I look forward to the dialogue here as I believe we can certainly learn and be inspired by each other. Thanks Carrie!

My husband and I made a very focused effort to get completely out of debt about 10 years ago and we actually did it… house and all! Talk about a feeling of freedom.

The discipline has made us much better now too. We probably still spend too much eating out and are working on cutting that back down again, but like Latara I feel like we’re always growing and maturing in that area. That’s a good thing!

I was born in Romania, and we got paid cash, not checks. To this day, I can still see my mother kneeling by her bed on the day she got paid, and making little piles of money: the first one was always for Tithe, and after that, there were electricity, phone, food, etc.

I am sure that seeing her do that, instilled in me the knowledge that if you are careful with your money, you’ll be OK.

We are just coming out a very serious financial situation and we are paying bills from 6 months ago. It have been rough….really rough.

This past weekend my husband gave me some money to shop with because I was in desperate need of some items. I felt so guilty taking it because I kept thinking that there must be something more we need to do with the money. I keep thinking someone else is going to stiff us out of $12,000 so we need to hold on to it. He looked at me and told me that it was time to let go of that stigma and know that it is ok to take care of what I need.

Money has always been an issue for me. At first I did not know how to handle it. And then once I became a single mom, I lived off of $490 per month and learned how to hoard it. That was my style for over 14 years.

Just last year, I took a proactive step and said here and no further.

I still got some stuff to learn in this area, but I am grateful that I am growing and maturing where money in concerned.

I know the thought of only three pairs of shoes sends some women into a faint LOL!

I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts about money

I absolutely love going to garage sales and thrift stores. I have bought a lot of my boys’ clothes at garage sales.

I only have two pair of shorts – but I suppose my excuse of saying they are maternity ones don’t count huh. I do wonder when I should get rid of clothes I’ve had in my closet for YEARS (like six). I should probably do it today but have some weird attachment to them.

I’m really looking forward to this new category on your blog!

As a financial planner, I talk about money a lot, but I’m a number cruncher, so I usually talk about the how-to aspect (how to get out of debt, how to save for college, etc.).

I’m looking forward to reading a blog that talks about the feeling aspect of money. I’ll be checking back often!

As it is now there are no price tags shocking to me and therefore I am disgusted by the amount of money we (hubby and I) do not managed well…. we blow it all. I regret not being taught about money management and I want my kids to learn it. And since natural to me is in large part being “green” I need to get my consumerism in check and make smarter choices to reduce “stuff” in my life and save money instead spending it all.

I try to spend in the right places…aka organic, fair trade, wahm, etc…but I still spend too much.

Jen, *exactly* (about your sling friend). That is the same conversation I’ve had with quite a few women! If that Mom were just to stop and think for a moment… if she started charging for her slings, then she could afford to give them away on scholarship to a truly needy Mom.

I think so much of that stems from the fact that natural moms are afraid to make money from their pet topics. I had the same issue with breastfeeding

Growing up my parents really didn’t manage money that good and I am bound and determined to do totally opposite. Which I think I am doing pretty good right now. I am really frugal with our spending and it kills Scott that I will not pay over 10.00 for a pair of jeans. I mean come on why does people feel the need to spend 50.00 on a pair of jeans?

So being a natural mom, does that have to mean I am going to be broke all the time and HAVE to live my frugal lifestyle (which by the way even if I won the lottery I would still live my frugal lifestyle) NO it doesn’t. Listen embrace your natural talents and take them to the next step and set-up business.

This brings me to the time I found this lady that made beautiful slings. She just did it for the fun of it, but she would talk about needing money as well. I suggested that she set-up a website to sell the slings and I would help her with it. She said thanks but no thanks. Why leave an offer like that on the table, when she could have a successful business selling her great talents? No it may not make you rich but it can help out in the personal finance department.

The term money is root of all evil. That is only if you let it be. Money can be your best friend if you work it just that way and not make it take over your life

Good topic Carrie!

I’ve also had issues with being paid what I’m worth, charging what a product is worth, and I’m sad that I’ve felt that way in the past.

It’s important to value your talent, your time, your knoweldge. It’s a process with many people and sometimes it takes a friend to awaken you to the topic.

When you have others tell you you’re worth the money sometimes it opens your eyes.

Very well said, Carrie. Looking forward to what you have to share.