We had a couple of goals in mind when we began concocting this crazy scheme to sell our house and move into a more affordable apartment. We wanted to easily afford to travel more, and we wanted to be able to treat our friends and family to dinner, movies, or other activities. Within the past week we have begun to realize these goals.
Last week, we went to Tennessee with Dream’s family. We split the cost of a cabin among us, the grandparents, and Dream’s three brothers. It ended up being $170 per family for four nights in the cabin. The cabin was really nice, had plenty of room for everyone, and even had a hot tub and pool table.
This is a trip that we would have taken anyway and was planned before we sold the house, but we would have been cash strapped and worried the entire time. The money from the house sale hit our bank account on Monday morning while we were in Tennessee. It’s a bit of a cheat to use house money for our vacation, but it’s a nice taste of the things to come. We paid for as much as the family would let us, buying meals or groceries. It was nice to be able to take some of the financial sting out of their vacation.
One day, while sitting at the kitchen table, I looked around the cabin and noticed a large sign hanging high on the wall that read:
The most important things in life… aren’t things.
I smiled as I sat looking at that sign and thinking about the truth of that statement. The truth to that is apparent to me now more than ever.
A few days after we got back from vacation, we went to the movies with three of Faith’s cousins, grandmother, and one of Dream’s cousins. Before we went, we decided to use CoinStar to convert some of our coins into a movie gift card so that we could pay for everyone’s ticket. This was our first time using a CoinStar machine, because I always thought they took a big percentage to convert the coins into dollars. And they do if you want cash, but you can convert coins to gift cards for no extra fee. We converted about $80 worth of coins into a movie gift card and used that to buy all the tickets.
Using our stash of coins is kind of a cheat also, but it felt really good and we’re looking forward to the coming months when our reduced expenses start adding up in our bank account so we can do things like this more often.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so great, and not just because you now have the wherewithal to share and be generous. You also have the kind of family that will allow you to do this without creating weird feelings, power struggles, misplaced chauvinism, etc. Congratulations!!!
Meg´s last [type] ..A New Book of Fiction: Spirits of Place
Hi Meg,
Plus we don’t do it every time we go out, so it’s like a nice treat when it happens.
It feels really great to share things. I’ve been on the receiving end of a number of paid for dinners, and I really want to be able to pass that on to others. We have to get tricky sometimes with buying for the family, that’s why we went the gift card route at the movies. It’s hard to argue against footing the bill when someone has a gift card.
We love treating our family to a special meal or a cup of coffee. You have the added benefit of teaching Faith how wonderful it is to be generous. That will be an important lesson for her to observe and learn.
Willow´s last [type] ..Knitting, Spinning, Picking
what an inspiring story and brave move you are taking. Thanks for sharing this experience with u. I just happened to stumble across your blog and loving what I’m reading. You are right, the most important thing in life, is not things…
Noch Noch
Noch Noch | be me. be natural.´s last [type] ..today I laughed: how is business done in China?
Thanks for sharing your inspiring blog, For me it express an attitude of sharing love.. to one another.. I learn so much about it. Thanks!
This is a good article to read and i really enjoy reading this inspiring story. Thanks for sharing this to us and i learn so much on you. And you really inspire me to help those in need. Keep up the good work Freedom!
Ynna´s last [type] ..Happy New Year To All Of You And Hope You Like The Aquarium Fish Photos Here …
I can understand you wanting to have the freedom to travel, but is now a good time to try and sell your home with the market being so depressed.
Tyler´s last [type] ..does yeastrol work
Hi Tyler,
Yes, financially it is a bad time to sell, but it is the right time for us. I think I’ll expand on this in a future post, so stay tuned and I’ll discuss this in more detail.
We put our house up for sale 2 months ago and Have not received an offer at even one third the price.
Shannon´s last [type] ..Bladder control