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Last fall, our family moved from the Southwest to the Upper Midwest. We love the climate, the people, and the cultural offerings. We hate the new (to us) viruses and bacteria that made last winter miserable for all of us, especially mom.
No, I'm not a total wimp. I'm just not used to getting sick very often. The real challenge was having continually sick kids, which was a new experience for me. Our doctor assures us that new locations have new germs, which is one of life's little irritants. So, we've been eating well, staying hydrated, sleeping late, exercising, and taking our vitamins.
But autumn is near, and lurking in the back of my brain are memories of bad nights when my husband brought home takeout because mom was passed out on the couch, the various over-the-counter medicines we tried at premium prices, and the endless boxes of Kleenex. You get the picture. When mom got sick, a lot of frugal practices went by the wayside. Dear husband tried valiantly to keep up, but the kids and some house chores were about all he had time for after work (he stayed pretty healthy).
This year, I am preparing for the worst case scenario (mom gets colds a lot) and hoping for the best (the whole family stays healthy). Here are the steps I've taken to reduce wasted time and money when mom gets sick:
If I do get sick a lot, I will feel better because I'm not compounding my colds with outlays of cold hard cash. If I don't get sick, I'll have a stocked freezer, some extra stocking stuffers, and a warm and cozy house. I'm ready for you, Winter!
Amy Burns is a stay-at-home mother of two young children. Having recently survived a move from the Southwest to the much more expensive Windy City, she is enjoying applying frugal living techniques in a new environment.
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