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From Cath's Desk - May 2018
It's 23 years this month since I began Cheapskating, and frankly it's the best thing I've ever done for myself and my family. It took me a few months after Disaster Struck to get my act together and work out what we were going to do to survive. At that stage I wasn't even thinking of thriving. It was all I could do to get out of bed each morning and look after my little boys.
Thankfully that funk lifted and I started thinking outside the square. I have no idea where we would be today if I hadn't changed my attitude. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be sitting here, at my lovely desk, in our cosy home, typing a message to a great bunch of fantastic people who inspire me every day.
It wasn't easy learning to live on almost nothing. We had bills to pay and a mortgage, and we didn't get out of debt overnight. Nor did I change my money attitude overnight. But, little by little, one baby step at a time, I learned new ways of dealing with living on a very, very limited income until one day I realised they were habits.
It was about that time our friends, family and neighbours started to realise that while we had obvious signs of a greatly reduced income, our standard of living and lifestyle had barely changed; we still took holidays, our children still went to playgroup and preschool, we still entertained, we even went out occasionally. And they wanted to know what I was doing. It was those early days in 1995 that planted the seeds for what was to become my dream - the Cheapskates Club, a place where ordinary Australians could come to find out how to save money, time and energy every day, stress free.
A place where they could learn the tricks I used to live debt free, build up cash reserves and do it all while enjoying life.
It took a few years for me to realise my dream, and I am so glad I never gave up.
Because if I had, I wouldn't have met you, the Cheapskates Club members who share your success stories with me. From Dawn, who has saved $89,000 to Kellie who is saving $250 a month and using it to pay down her credit card debt, you are all the reason for the Cheapskates Club.
I hope you enjoy this month's Journal.
Thankfully that funk lifted and I started thinking outside the square. I have no idea where we would be today if I hadn't changed my attitude. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be sitting here, at my lovely desk, in our cosy home, typing a message to a great bunch of fantastic people who inspire me every day.
It wasn't easy learning to live on almost nothing. We had bills to pay and a mortgage, and we didn't get out of debt overnight. Nor did I change my money attitude overnight. But, little by little, one baby step at a time, I learned new ways of dealing with living on a very, very limited income until one day I realised they were habits.
It was about that time our friends, family and neighbours started to realise that while we had obvious signs of a greatly reduced income, our standard of living and lifestyle had barely changed; we still took holidays, our children still went to playgroup and preschool, we still entertained, we even went out occasionally. And they wanted to know what I was doing. It was those early days in 1995 that planted the seeds for what was to become my dream - the Cheapskates Club, a place where ordinary Australians could come to find out how to save money, time and energy every day, stress free.
A place where they could learn the tricks I used to live debt free, build up cash reserves and do it all while enjoying life.
It took a few years for me to realise my dream, and I am so glad I never gave up.
Because if I had, I wouldn't have met you, the Cheapskates Club members who share your success stories with me. From Dawn, who has saved $89,000 to Kellie who is saving $250 a month and using it to pay down her credit card debt, you are all the reason for the Cheapskates Club.
I hope you enjoy this month's Journal.
