Keep your filthy paws off my ruby slippers!

The economy has finally flattened us like a falling house. Yes, those are my cool stripey stockings and ruby slippers sticking out from underneath. Dorothy, you bitch, keep your paws off my slippers! I may have to hock those!!

Hubby (aka Satan) works in the auto industry. Not the big 3. He works for a Japanese company that makes the majority of its parts here in the U.S. However, they are also feeling the pinch of the economy and have, as a result, cut back production. Which, of course, means we are taking a beating financially. Satan will work only three days a week. We aren't sure for how long.

I was pretty freaked out at the news. I have our budget on a spreadsheet. I can tell you how spending $20 today will affect me in six months. Plugging in the new numbers left me in shock.

I tend to internalize stress. That means I don't whine, but I get sick. My hands shake and I feel like throwing up. That's pretty much how I spent the entire day yesterday.

Then I talked to Satan. He was completely positive about the whole situation. I really didn't give him enough credit there. After all, he makes the money and I manage it. I thought he really had no idea the dire straights we were facing.

So I talked to Biggest Brother. He also reminded me that this can be an opportunity. He's a firm believer in the laws of attraction and positive thinking. He always impresses me with his positive attitude.

I was reminded by Big Sis that she has a job, no bills, and would be happy to help out if need be.

I was reminded by Little Sis that I am, after all, Country Wife, and what the heck is out there that I can't kick its butt?

And here I am now, looking at the 'setback' from a whole new perspective. Yes, it'll be tight. We are, essentially, a single income family (meaning only one parent works), and have been for many years. We've lived on a tight budget for a long time, just so that one of us could be home with the kids. We will get by.

I have skills. I know, you don't see a chainsaw wielding writer very often, but there's a demand. I swear! lol I was, not too long ago, offered a position I could perhaps pursue from home, so I may look into that.

Satan will take this opportunity to help me restock the firewood we've used, as well as get ahead on his inventory of items soon to be available on Etsy.com. We'd planned to set up our own website, but at this point, Etsy will be the most affordable option. Look for those items coming soon to your local Country Wife blog. :)

We will learn to live on even less, and hopefully take that with us as Satan returns to full time work. That will mean more money in savings.

How will my life change? How will the new, uber tight budget affect us? Well, for one, we will have to switch to less expensive brands of toiletries. Some of them, anyway.

I will be cooking all of our meals. We've gotten lax lately, or I should say, I have gotten lax, and I've been buying a few convenience items. I know..how awful. But Satan loves frozen pizza, so who I am to tell the man no when it leaves me with the bonus of free time and a clean kitchen? lol

In the future, you can expect to find a few frugal recipes, some frugal tips, and hopefully lots of positive thinking at my country life blog. And if you see Dorothy, kick her butt and get my shoes back, will you?