I joined frugal moms way back in 1999. At the time I had one kid, one husband, a job and lived in Texas.
Flash forward:
Different Husband
all kids grown and gone now-5 kids between dh and me---8 grandkids.
we snowbird in Chautauqua NY in summer and Orlando FL in the winter.
retirement is my happy place. :)
I got divorced in 2007, remarried in 2010, and had two more kids. My older three, who were small when I started the original FMs, are all grown. Oldest is 32 and in the Air Force, middle one is a Marine and will be 30 next year and youngest of that batch is 25. Hard to believe!
I also have two grandkids I haven't met yet. One was born in Okinawa and then my son and daughter in law migrated back in the middle of COVID restrictions, ending up far away. Hopefully we can see them soon.
I've lived in my 100 year old farmhouse for 10 years now. We're on our second flock of chickens, and have way too many cats. I've written 12 books - 1 small town romance, 6 superhero urban fantasy novels, 4 children's books, and an anthology which I may launch on a Kickstarter next year. Trying to learn all the things that go along with indie publishing. There are many hats.
I was an IT professional for 15 years and came home last year. I've been homeschooling my youngest boys (now 12 and 9) since 2020, tag teaming with my husband. One is gifted, the other is autistic, like one of my older boys.
2022 was difficult, but we got through it. My husband went through four jobs and four cars (he's a master mechanic and drives REALLY old ones.) I didn't have a car during the week for most of the year, because hubs kept having to take it. I was recently gifted my grandparents' minivan (their estate has finally been settled, took forever.) It's 20 years old, but looks brand new and only has 40k miles on it. I love it! And now that I can go places, it's either too cold or I really don't want to spend the money, lol. Funny how that works!
Joined back in 1999, I think. Divorced, remarried, kids grown now and living in Tulsa!
I joined in 2000, when my second child was almost a year old. My third child, who just turned 21, was my frugal baby. Then I had two more. I was a SAHM until last year. I'm a cafeteria worker now. Same husband, same house.
I joined the Fractured Frugal Forum in 2009 and have loved being a part of the family. I look forward to continuing our conversations and sharing our daily lives here.
Hi, all!
I joined probably in 2002 or so. I was the ultimate lurker on Fractured; I maybe posted twice? Don't ask me why—I guess I thought I was too boring. I will try to actually jump in now, because I love reading about everyone's lives and ideas!
Anyway, I'm divorced with an adult daughter and I retired in June after 34 years with my company (so I really need to be frugal now!).
I love theater, music, and saving money!
Whoa! Hey Gals!
I joined back in 1998 or 99 maybe?? As ClaysMom. Then I became just Michelle on Fractured, which is what I still am. 24 years later and 4 kids total! Seriously needing to get back to frugality and saving money!
Quote from: Jersette on Dec 30, 2022, 11:17 AMHi, all!
I joined probably in 2002 or so. I was the ultimate lurker on Fractured; I maybe posted twice? Don't ask me why—I guess I thought I was too boring. I will try to actually jump in now, because I love reading about everyone's lives and ideas!
Anyway, I'm divorced with an adult daughter and I retired in June after 34 years with my company (so I really need to be frugal now!).
I love theater, music, and saving money!
Welcome! I look forward to getting to know you.
34 years...wow...that's a lonnnng time. What do you do with your days now? I keep saying I'm much busier in retirement than i was when I worked.
QuoteWhat do you do with your days now? I keep saying I'm much busier in retirement than i was when I worked
.
I'm still working on that, DD! It's a big adjustment. I am trying a lot of new recipes, reading more, and I do volunteer usher at one of the larger theaters in the are. I definitely need to be more busier, though.
i was afraid that david would be lost when he retired but he has really taken to it well, even in the midst of a pandemic. He swims daily if he can, reads...i've just started sending him off to NYC to attend performances of the Met. He buys 2 tickets and invites one or another of our kids. He's going Jan 25 and he'll also take a grandson to Lion King on Broadway. It's working out well...and I get a few days of alone time which i love.
He feels like he should be volunteering in some capacity but we travel so much that it's hard.
Welcome back, everyone! This feels like a family reunion. It's wonderful to "see" you all again here after so long!
I was part of Frugal Moms and then Fractured. Just jumped over here.
Married to hubby for 35 years. Three adult children. Grammy to two grandsons.
Hi all!
I got my first PC in 1999 and joined Frugal Moms shortly after, either 1999 or 2000. I live in Ohio.
I am married for 33 years. I have one daughter who is almost 29 yrs old. She was in kindergarten when I got our first PC! She is an Art Director and is working remote after working a few years for a local agency as a graphic designer. She is engaged to be married in 2024.
ahmom- I have no clue when I joined the group. fm's.
2 dd's. 36 and 31. They both are doing good. We have a 4 m/o grandson.
DH is retired.
We live in the same house as we did since 1988.
Quote from: davidsdesire on Dec 29, 2022, 05:17 PMI joined frugal moms way back in 1999. At the time I had one kid, one husband, a job and lived in Texas.
actually...that is wrong. I had one kid at home...I had 2 others but they were grown and gone. In the intervening years, I've lost my oldest boy--lymphoma. Worst heartbreak of my life. Worst.
I joined FMs around 2000 or so after my third son was born. I've been with F3 since the beginning, but I have not been active the last few years. My three guys are all grown up, no grandchildren, but the oldest, 28, is getting married in June. I have been single again for almost 8 years now. Happier than I was married. Who knew? I own my own home, paid off my car last March and am still saving money towards the next one. The only thing I owe on is my house. I have learned so much from you ladies through the year (and a few men). I will work on being more active as well. ;D
Quote from: threeguysmom on Jan 02, 2023, 01:00 PMI have been single again for almost 8 years now. Happier than I was married. Who knew?
those of us who have been divorced. We knew. :P
Joined FMs in 1998. I'm actually still on most of the groups that split off, although the rest are all on Facebook. I am COVID forced retired, which left me just short of 50 years of working in the professional arts, primarily at the Kennedy Center. I still do props for regional and community theater. Still work with various dance groups. My oldest is divorced, one soon to be 8 granddaughter. The younger dd has an 18 month old, and they are living with us. And that part is good. Dealing with baby daddy is NOT.
We have a cabin --I guess log home would better describe it -- in West VA. DH spends a lot of time there. I'm just more of a city girl. So we go back and forth.
I joined back in 1998. Got a divorce in 2004. Still in the same home; love my neighborhood and my neighbors. Met GC in 2007, and we're still going strong after fifteen years. We know how lucky we are. I retired in 2020 (Covid); first year was tough because of the pandemic; now I'm fine with it. I volunteered at lots of Covid clinics, work very part-time with the Unitarian church in Greenfield MA, just recently trained to substitute at our local library. I usher at church, I'm on the scholarship committee, I'm the Church Clerk, help at receptions, volunteer at the local fuel assistance program - I like to keep busy.
I must have joined Frugal Moms in 1998. I've been married for 33 years to the bestest man. We have 2 kids, one who is 31 and another who will be 29 later in the month. We've lived in the same house for 32 years, still our "starter" home. Ds is married and lives in Singapore, soon to be Korea. Love my ddil. Dd is still living with us. I let my weight get up far too high and had vertical sleeve bariatric surgery in December of 2021. I've lost 103 lbs so far and have 50 or 60 more pounds to lose. I say I am retired now. Dh will retire in December of 2023. I've been approved to be on the local library's board of trustees which will start in 2 weeks. First volunteer job I've had since ds was in Boy Scouts.
Glad to see you doing things markie!
Quote from: markie on Jan 04, 2023, 11:01 PMDs is married and lives in Singapore, soon to be Korea.
Hahaha... for a moment I read this as Singapore was becoming part of Korea... LOL ROFL
markie, 103 pounds! wow! like having a whole new life, isn't it??
Yes, it does DD.
Not really sure when I joined FM, but I joined FFF in 2003.
Married (to the same guy, for better or worse) for 32 years. We built our own house and are still living in it. It's about 25 years old now. Still work for the same hospital, on the same unit for 32 years also.
Two dks. Dd is 26, graduated with a music education degree but that didn't work out too well and she's currently working at a chiropractic office. Ds is 24 and graduated with an engineering degree and is working as an electrical engineer in Austin. Dd is in Dallas. Ds is engaged (for the past 5-ish years but no time frame for the actual wedding). Home base is Quinlan, TX, which is about 45 miles due east of Dallas.
Hi, I joined here not long after you all moved over from another group, but goodness knows when that was or what the other group was called :)
I'm a Brit living in the East of the UK, and when all the other Brits slowly left F3 I hung around because I really liked you all, and because my life circumstances forced me to get more and more frugal.
Over the years we found out that all three of our sons are on the autistic spectrum, with Hamish our beloved youngest also having learning difficulties(and other health problems) and he will probably live with us for a very long time. Just before the pandemic our oldest son also came back to live with us and we form a slightly strange but very happy family unit.
Welcome, LilySue! So glad to have a Brit among us!
Two of my five boys are also on the autism spectrum. Connor is grown now, Jamie is school-aged with developmental delays and sensory issues. I've been homeschooling both of my school-aged kids since 2020. Best decision I ever made. Jamie is learning at his own pace and doing very well.
I joined FM's, F3 so many years ago I can't remember - my girls were quite young and I am now a grandmother !!!
I haven't been around much but have lost my way a bit and wanted to reconnect ... was a bit confused when I tried to get on F3, I have obviously missed a lot - nice to see lots of familiar faces though.
Good seeing you again!
Nice to see you again! I think most of us have gotten a little lost as life situations changed. I'm a grandmother now as well AND dd2 and toddler are living with us. The life changes present new frugality challenges.
Happy to see you again!