In Saving World

At ATWS we’re interested in challenging the norm of debt and spending. That’s why once a month we talk to people who have gone to (what some would say) extreme means with their living situations to get out of debt, save money and live a simpler life. Today we have a tiny house tour with Tammy Strobel. Tammy is a writer, photographer, and teacher in Northern California. Take it away, Tammy! My name is Tammy Strobel, and I’m a writer, photographer, and teacher. I live in northern California with my husband, Logan, and my two cats, Christie and Elaina. Why did you decide to move into a tiny house? There were a lot of reasons we decided to move into our little house. Some reasons were financial, while others had to do with freedom. More than anything, we wanted to experience what it would be like to live in a tiny house on wheels. It’s been a great experiment and experience. With that being said, our tiny house isn’t our forever home. Did you build or buy your tiny hous...

No two couples are alike and no two individuals are the same. When it comes to couple topics, money is often high on the list because everyone differs in their thinking and beliefs where finances are concerned. People often cite money woes as a reason for a relationship disconnect, so it is important from the get-go to understand where your mate is coming from when it comes to money. The old adage about mixing family and money is often sage advice for many people, but when it comes to money matters for couples, it’s nearly impossible to avoid a mixture. Couples need to come together and stick together for present and future financial planning. Starting the Money Talk Ideally, you’ll want to have your financial talk before you tie the knot. By coming into the marriage with an understanding of your soon-to-be spouse’s ideas and values about money, you can actually strengthen your connection. You are about to deal with money matters as a pair, and it will be a part of your everyday l...

(Note from Anna: Hiring a doula was one of the absolute best things we did for the birth of our son, Henry. Our doula was technically, “in training” so we we able to benefit from her services without paying a fee. [We did end up giving her a family portrait session for free in exchange for all the help she gave us during Henry’s birth since we were so thankful for all she did for us]. We highly, highly recommend hiring a doula. In case you were wondering;) None of the information provided below is meant to take the place of your own research. Act based on what is best for you and your family and your individual situation and needs! One of the most frequent questions I encounter as a childbirth doula is how to cut back on birthing expenses. Most women who contact me already know that I am a doula-in-certification (or doula-in-training), so with this knowledge I am aware that my potential client is working within her budget, which I love! I don’t mind providing my services at a dis...

The ability of one half of a couple to stay home and parent children while the other goes to work to earn a living indeed has many benefits. Some benefits include: avoiding the costs of childcare, commuting time and expense, and other work-related expenses. Additionally, the spouse who works outside of the home is usually given more flexibility in his or her career – perhaps allowing the spouse to earn additional cash for overtime, or a deserved raise. However, there are also some potential drawbacks for single-income families. When it comes to money and family, conflicts can quickly come to the surface. In a single-income family situation, there may be feelings of resentment and frustration when the income-earner takes total control of the family’s finances. As the stay-at-home parent does not bring home his or her own paycheck, he or she becomes financially dependent on the working spouse, and if he or she feels that they have no say in family money matters, issues can quickly a...

If you are living the frugal life by choice or by necessity, it doesn’t mean you have to totally cut off celebrations and fun during the holidays. There are plenty of ways to cut corners and still throw a memorable party with your friends and loved ones. In fact, having your friends and loved ones around you during the holidays is the most important thing regardless of what kind of food you serve or what type of decorations you hang. Here are 17 ways to throw a holiday party on the cheap… 1. Get Menu-Specific  Food is usually the most expensive part of planning a holiday party so nip this expense in the bud by tailoring your party to a specific type of food. Only serve hors d’oeuvres and drinks for a few hours or make the party menu dedicated only to desserts. You can also warm up a cold afternoon party with several types of soups and breads. 2. Stick with Finger Foods and Carbs  If you plan to do a more extensive menu or plan on having a larger group of people, con...