This weekend as I was turning my compost pile (cue banjo music), I realized how completely different my life is now. Everything I do now is new to me. Five years ago I was a career-driven professional living in San Francisco and working in Silicon Valley for a large technology company. Now I’m an aspiring entrepreneur and soon to be stay at home mom living in the rural Sierra Foothills of Northern California…a world away from San Francisco.
Five years ago:
- I made six figures…and spent every dime
- Eating in meant getting take out or picking something up from the prepared section of Whole Foods
- I indulged myself – if I wanted it I bought it.
Now:
- We live on one salary (not six figures) and save well over 20% of our income.
- I cook everything from scratch. I make compost, grow my own vegetables and bake my own bread. Later this year I plan to start canning/preserving and making wine. And I’m toying with the idea of raising chickens. (Do you still hear the banjos?)
- I don’t spend much on myself, not because I’ve become a total tightwad, but because I find myself content with what I have. I find greater satisfaction in growing and creating things than I do in buying and accumulating.
When I left my career in Silicon Valley I had no vision of the life I lead now. It’s a complete departure from how I was raised and what I thought I aspired to be. Everything is new and different…and I like it that way.
Hi, I’m Cathy! I’m a former career-driven professional turned stay-at-home mom. Living on one salary has its challenges, but it is possible to live the good life while spending less. Cool to be Frugal is all about how we’re thriving, not just surviving, on a single income.
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Which world do you recommend? Please say the later! Isn’t it amazing what you can do when you find out what you love and put a plan in place?
On a side note, I am new to the Yakezie Challenge. I am looking forward to reading more and supporting your blog. Keep up the excellent work!
Thanks! Definitely the latter. My former life looked good on paper but it was pretty empty. Success at work came at a great expense. Now I’m living life on my terms and it’s exciting.
Thanks for visiting and and welcome to the challenge!
Wow that really is a world of difference. I would be interested in reading a more detailed account of your story, sounds like a good one.
Good question BibleDebt, which world did you prefer? It does indeed sound like the latter.
You know I started to write that but then thought it would be too boring. I can sum it up by saying that my ambition and passion for my work lead to a lot of success but I failed miserably at setting boundaries between career and my personal life. I burnt out in a big way and needed to exit the industry completely to go find that fire again. I’ve had major setbacks along the way, but it’s still the best decision I’ve made and I have no regrets. I am so much happier and fulfilled now.
Thanks for the response. I fear that the same will happen to me someday. I love what I am doing and intend on succeeding to great heights within the industry. GGlad to see you were able to pull away, and eventaulyl end up much happier, even with a few bumps in the road! This gives me an idea for a post….:)
Thanks for posting this. I have gone through a similar process myself (and am still going through it, actually). I’m always excited to hear about similar stories. . .also–the Sierra Foothills, that must be beautiful.
Hi SIF! Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It is nice to read about other people making significant life changes in order to live happier lives. Makes me feel like we’re all in this together.
Wow that sounds like a cool story! I can’t wait to read more about it. I have a buddy that has a compost heap seems like a hell of a lot of work!
Visiting from Yakezie List
P.S. Install Subscribe to Comments Plug in
Wow, didn’t really think there would be much interest in that story. I guess I’ll start working on that post.
I installed the plug in, thanks for the tip!
What a change! Sounds like you really had a total turnaround!
“Everything is New” sounds like a rewarding change of pace!
Five years ago I was also working outside the home…had two daughters in high school. Fast forward I am working from home, making more $$ than I did at my former job, and have 5-yr-old twin boys and a 1-yr-old son. Yes, life is very different now. We are earning more money now instead of less, but we are trying very hard to change our lifestyle to save more instead of spending all of our income. Finally have our evil credit cards paid off, working on the cars and our daughter’s college student loan next. Really need to start saving for retirement. Going to plant our first garden this year!
If you are thinking about raising chickens, you may also wish to raise rabbits in a cage above the chickens. I haven’t tried it myself, but I have seen several articles recommending it as a great way to get more for your investment. Since you mentioned your compost, another great dollar stretcher is square foot gardening.
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