Sacrifices=Success

We went from this.... :)

To this!
The picture doesn't do justice. The truck looks way worse than this picture captures. :)

Never in a million years would I think we could pay off $14,000 in debt in a year, let alone 6 weeks. But we did it. We took all of our tax return and pd things off. 2 credit cards and 1 tire place, to be exact. We also decided to sell the Tahoe which kicked us over our goal. We haven't even had the paycheck this month where we get to roll our snowball, that is coming. SO this is very exciting. With 6 weeks under our belt and the big chunks being paid we know that our snowball will surely slow, but we made our goal for 2009 to pay off $14,000. RJ and I are in shock and so happy. We get to sit down this coming Tuesday and reevaluate our goal. Lovin it. Who would have thought that a little soul searching, faith, and following would have had this much benefit. We choose to "live like no one else, so later we can live like no one else".
These things are material anyway. We have been so blessed with money from God and it feels even more of a blessing to serve God with that money. To do as we are, be responsible and keep ourselves from living out of our means. Not from borrowing from companies, or worse yet family. I know that we are on the right track and I pray that we will keep on pressing towards the goal. I cannot wait to live like no one else.

I know I asked a few weeks ago what you are doing to help reduce debt or save money. Gym memberships and cable was a big one. Anything else?

Keep me posted. And remember you can comment anonymously. Would love to hear from you and be encouraged by you as well.

**My links are not working for some reason. Hope to resolve this soon.**

Monday Madness and Meal Planning

SO, this week is a tough one. I have plenty of food but money is very scarce until the 24th when hubbies next paycheck rolls in. Not much left, well nothing at all. Not even for gas. RJ is going to donate plasma twice this week just to get us gas money. I guess there is the "E-Fund" but hate to touch that. We still need to pay that back on the 24th. Sad I know but we do what we gotta do. We will survive......

Monday- Shredded Chicken, Rice and Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.

Tuesday- Quesedillas with Cheese and leftover Chicken, with salsa/sour cream, and green beans

Wednesday- Leftovers

Thursday- Salmon (DH will be gone) He grew up on fish in AK so he will be happy to miss out. Green beans and possibly rice again.

Friday-Sweet and Sour Chicken (will link this recipe after I try it out.) Wouldn't want to post something gross. ;) And going to attempt Chinese Rice.

Saturday/Sunday- Homemade pizza. Crust and sauce from scratch.

Sack Lunch tidbit:
I have finally found a Wheat Bread recipe that I love. The kids and RJ and I ALL love it! I am hoping to replace store bought bread with a bread we love that is soft enough for sandwiches for the kids and DH lunches. This will save me close to or about $1.25 a LOAF (takes a loaf and half to equal store bought loaf. Although home made is much more dense which means using less). We go through about 2 loaves of bread for lunches alone. Not to mention if we have toast, or use bread for dinners (grilled cheese, french toast, sandwiches, etc..)

**ATTENTION**
I have tried a few recipe's and am still wanting to try new ones. Any ideas? I figure since we are all following one another for specific reasons, we can continue to share the wealth with one another. Please send me your recipe so I can find an award winning one. I have no prize for you; just the credit that it is yours and sending more veiwers your way. I will list it on my other blog as well.( http://bestoftheworsts.blogspot.com/ ) Can't wait to hear from you with your ideas and recipes. And thanks for your help in finding the best recipe to suit my family!!

My new #1 bread recipe:

Wheat Bread

1 cup warm water (I microwave 1 C water for 1 minute.)
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1.Mix the all-purpose flour, wheat flour and yeast in bowl.
2. Add the warm water, milk, oil, brown sugar, honey and salt.
3. Mix together with a wooden spoon as much as you can. When it gets into a ball form put onto a flat surface to knead.
4. Knead for a good 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface. Adding dusting's of flour as needed to keep it from sticking to your hands or mat. Knead until smooth and elastic. (If you knead for at least ten minutes it should be fine.
5. Place in bowl that is lightly greased (sprayed) and turn over. Both sides should have a light greasing on them. Cover with a clean towel.
6. Let rise in a warm place 45-60 minutes. Should be about doubled in size. What works for me is placing the dough bowl on top rack of stove with warm bowl of water under on lower rack. The warm water makes oven just warm enough without the draft of the air. Lightly grease (sprayed) loaf pan.
7. Punch dough and turn out onto kneading surface. Knead a few times and form into a loaf shape. place in greased loaf pan. Place back into oven to rise in warm place for about 45 minutes or until about doubled in size again.
8. Bake bread for 30 minutes on 350, covering with foil if getting too brown half way through. I personally like my loaf very light in color. I covered at 15 minutes. Ovens vary so keep eye on it for your top color liking. (My oven cooked this loaf in about 20-25 minutes total.
9. Cool in pan for few minutes then remove and cool on wire rack covered with a towel.
Last but not least..... Enjoy!!!!

My personal review: "Incredibly soft, dense and moist. I was very surprised. It tastes good toasted although I personally felt it made it more dry, but add a little butter and jam and it was good. MY FAVORITE is the PB and J sandwich I am shoving in my mouth as I type this out. Unbelievable and for sure the best PB&J I have ever, EVER had!!!!" (And I am not even using our homeamade jam).

** If you like homemade bread give this a try. I am determined to save money on things I can bake at home for a fraction of the cost. This loaf, roughly 69 cents. Maybe even less.It hasn't lasted long. I have to make another loaf today. May have to make 2 at a time. ;) **

Penny Pinching Rewards...

Day 7 No Television
Oh, how I miss my shows. Well, I have access to them via the Internet, however, they are not as easily accessible. AND if we want to catch up on a show then I don't get to have the computer on my lap. Ahhh! The price you pay to save. We were paying $60 a month for Dish. We called to cancelled and for no reason at all they were able to knock off $20. Just for calling and trying to cancel. We took the deal and hung up with intentions of still cancelling. Fast forward 2 weeks..... I called to cancel. She offered to take an additional $10 off our price. So, same package for half the price, Hmmm! I questioned her on how she could do that. Then I gave a her a few thoughts of my own. I made it clear that if they were able to screw me out of $30 a month this long that I have NO intention of keeping our service. She made it clear that I was responsible for returning ALL of the remotes, the receiver and even the little round thingies UP ON THE ROOF on the satellite things. REALLY?? They refused to send someone to come take those down. And to make it worse, if we break either one of the two that are out there then we are responsible for the cost. Wow! After all this and her not being very kind they can have all their crud back. We are happy using the Internet, commercial free, to watch our shows for free.

Long story short, I got it cancelled. About 3 minutes after we hung up I had no local channels, no pkg channels and a whole lot of shopping networks.



I must admit that in the 7 days we have not had TV the girls are playing and interacting more with one another. Hubby and I are having great conversations and I have a lot more time for my Bible. So, it is a great thing to get rid of it. Good choice and in a matter of one month we have now freed up $60 additional to roll into our snowball. Yahoo!!



What do you have that you have/can get rid of, lower, or downgrade?? I'm curious.....

*I changed my settings so now anyone can leave a comment.*