As I've talked to people just considering the idea of adopting, one of the first things that comes up in the conversation is how expensive it is and how they just plain can't afford it. Perhaps they've just come out of fertility treatments that have left them thousands of dollars in debt. The thought of spending that kind of money for an adoption adds more sting to their already hurting hearts.

Boy, can we relate. We sat in that frame of mind for a good few years before we finally made the decision to proceed with our adoption plans. Though John and I never pursued expensive fertility treatments, it was still scary to make that financial decision.

Probably the very best thing that has come out of our adoption adventure (aside from the obvious: CHILDREN!), is the lesson of learning to consciously consider what is important to us as far as our material "things." We have learned to do without a LOT of things. We've learned to enjoy each other's company by playing Monopoly or reading books out loud to each other - not expensive nights out. But we are not unhappy or deprived because of our new lifestyle. On the contrary, we are probably a lot happier because of it. There is no doubt that we are doing "the right thing." It is engrained in our American thinking that if we want something, then we deserve it and are entitled to it. Frugal living says, "No, that's wrong. We can live within our means."

Here are some ideas for YOU to consider as you attempt to save money for your adoption:

  • Drop call waiting on your phone... and caller ID.
  • McDonald's. You don't need to stop there once a week. Maybe once a month. Or less! *Gasp!*
  • Credit card debt. Get out of it. Cut up your cards - all but one. Pay off the balance Every Month.
  • You don't need a $30,000 car. Get a car you don't need a loan to buy.
  • Satelite or cable TV. You don't need more than a hand-ful of channels. There isn't much besides junk on tv anyway.
  • Turn down your furnace a few degrees. Wear a sweater instead.
  • John and I only have one car. That's one insurance bill. One car to fuel up. No debt on it. It might be difficult at times, but it is do-able!
  • Are you getting the newspaper delivered? Read it on-line instead!
  • Haircuts: Cost cutters, NOT Penneys. Better yet, "Mom's house."
  • More than likely there are several grocery stores in your town. You don't have to shop at the "pretty" store with the smoothe-riding carts.
  • Speaking of grocery stores: Think hamburger, not steak.
  • Ever heard of coupons? (Ouch, I know!)
  • Your closet probably has over a hundred items of clothing (that's a low estimate for American closets!) You don't need any more. If your nylons get a hole in them, go get another pair, but otherwise, you don't need any more clothes unless they just plain don't fit. Balk if you want, but be honest with yourself. Are you going out naked? Don't you already have a warm coat? Don't let yourself shop where you'll be tempted. (I only let myself shop at Walmart, Good Will and the grocery store. (OK, and Michael's craft store when I've cut out their 40% off coupon). Oh, and rummage sales in the summer. No, I'm not kidding.)
  • Gift-giving. Can you make something yourself? Do you *really* need to give a gift to your third cousin's best friend? Probably not. A nice card and a heart-felt note go a long way.
  • Pack your lunch instead of buying it. You'll eat healthier that way anyway. Just set your alarm a few minutes earlier. You won't die.
  • ALWAYS bring a shopping list with you. ALWAYS.
  • Pay at the pump when you buy gas. As soon as you step foot inside the gas station you'll need a Twinkie and a Coke. You know you will. Don't tempt yourself.
  • Plan your dinner menus. You'll eat healthier and you won't waste money at the grocery store buying things you'll never wind up making.
  • Magazine subscriptions... Go to the library instead. Better yet, get it through your mind that you don't NEED the stuff inside the magazines and refuse to enslave yourself with them in the first place. If you subscribe to House Beautiful, you'll be constantly coveting new "pretties" for your bathroom. You don't need them.
  • New cd's: You already have 400. Listen to what you already have.
  • Soda: Drink water instead. Buy off-brands if you must.
  • Shop at Good Will. You can get all kinds of things there. John and I have bought a hundred or more childrens' books there for a dollar or less apiece. Barnes and Noble? $8-10 easy.

    • Yahoo has an online discussion board called Frugal Living you can join that also gives hundreds of hints on how to save money by trimming down expenses. Great resource and support.

    There are obviously countless other ways to save money just by "trimming down." This is the United States. If you want to save money, you CAN. You just have to be convinced that it is the right thing to do, and very convinced that the reason for the lifestyle change - be it temporary or permanent, is worth it. John and I happen to think that having children IS worth it... so, we sacrifice...