Stranded for summer

This is how I feel with the debt reduction. Stranded!!! With RJ not working money it tight. There is not one ounce of debt reduction except minimum payments. We have however done a few great things to help us out in the financial area.

We had a very successful garage sale. We made over $350+. We are on a cell phone plan with my parents which saves us all a little money. We usually pay my parents but gave them our tv that was less than a year old and hardly used. They agreed to take the nice tv in trade for cell payments for the summer. Woohoo. Another area we saved. At the price of a silly material item, as much as we liked it.

We are learning more than ever that we have had way too much stuff. I always knew this but the reality hit when my cousin and his wife sold everything they own to go into missions. They will be leaving in a month for training. They also have lived the last few years following the Dave Ramsey book to get themselves debt free. Check out their story here. It's truly inspiring!!

I am still loving blogging and have missed doing it. Check out my other blog to follow the next book I am going to start. The Power of a Praying Wife. Wowzers is it ever a great book. I have started it twice but have never finished it. Follow along and pick up your own copy. It's better than the Love Dare. :)

Untill next time, buy only what you have cash for, only what you NEED, and conitnue to make great choices and talk to your children about money from an early age. It is rewarding as we are learning. And keep praying for your spouse!!!

Finding Freedom Friday: Frugal Flops

Over at Finding Freedom Friday, Phoebe asks what, if any, frugal flops we have had in our journey to becoming debt free. Make sure after reading mine that you head over to hers and read her flops along with others.



SO here I am wondering what my frugal flops have been. I know that I have flopped many times just at being plain frugal. Does that make sense? We try, we make it a way of life, we stumble, get back on track and it is this cycle that keeps going round and round.



Flop #1- seedlings. They died 4 weeks after seeing them pop up through the dirt. I worked hard to take care of them indoors, taking them out for sun on sunny days. Well, long story short, we didn't get a garden area done when they really needed to be planted. Before I knew it none were able to be salvaged. They are gone and we have done away with the garden due to the small backyard we have plus a dog that is living back there too. :(



Flop #2- Homemade laundry soap. Argh!!! I haven't done this yet. I am disappointed that I haven't tried it yet. Why is this a flop, because you can't save money while NOT trying frugal ideas and ways of living. I think I am procrastinating because I love the really smelly smell of my Tide.



Flop #3- Homemade cream soups. Way too much work at the moment. I have a super small kitchen that has little counter space. I found it too much to make when I do not use them very often at all. However, I would really like to give cream of chicken a shot again since it is the one I use if at all.



Flop #4-Couponing at Walgreens. Truthfully I still don't get it, understand it and now don't care about it. :( Sad I know. I found myself using a few products that I wasn't sure I liked. By the time I was driving into town I wasn't saving at all. Instead I am now going to the brand sites I like and seeing who has coupons to offer. I am also using coupons out of the local paper I snag from the families house. I don't buy a paper. SO although I feel like I'm giving up on Walgreens, I am still couponing.



Flop #5- Wholesale shopping. Sometimes shopping at the larger wholesale places like Costco hurts the budget, especially if you do not take cash. There are many products that are WAY better per oz to get there but I buy too many items which means I then have spent too much money. We have reevaluated this shopping trip and the hubby will be helping more. He does a way better job of sticking to the exact list and not adding something here or there.



So there are my flops. They are a bit different due to our journey to be debt free only starting three and a half months ago. We are excited for our progress although our debt reduction slows for the summer.



Happy frugal living to all of you out there in this journey. I am proud of all the blogs I read and with that said proud of what we are doing. There is always room for more frugal living. Excited to read your stories too.

Blog Hiatus

Yep! That's what I've been doing. I have realized a few things in the past month. I have been needing to focus on a few other, should I say, more important things. I have had 3 friends suffer significant losses, the ones we as mothers can't hardly bare to imagine. One whose baby made it to just a few weeks shy of his due date, by the grace of God. He was diagnosed with a lethal genetic disorder and behind praying for ultimate healing, they prayed that God would give him some life outside of the womb. He answered that prayer and my dear friend had an hour and a half with their sweet Logan before he entered into the arms of Jesus.
Another friend just three days after sharing the news with me that they were expecting went in for her 20 week ultrasound, ecstatic to find out the sex of their baby, instead found that their little son had no heart beat. She was and still is devastated!
And the most recent, just a week ago a friend was pregnant with twins, her first children, was not feeling well for a few days. After terrible back pain that kept her from going to work for several days she finally got in to the dr who discovered in her ultrasound that one of the baby girls was taking most of the fluid/nutrients while the other was much smaller. The very next day she ended up in labor and delivery giving birth to one stillborn and one that breathed life for a short time before going to be with the Lord.
My heart is still so heavy for these mothers. I think of them and begin to pray for peace and strength and I just want to fall apart. If I could only take their pain, even if just for a moment so they can feel happy again. I know that it will come in due time but it still stinks. I have done meals, prayed and tried to offer help. I know that is well but still doesn't feel like enough. I decided to bag the blogging and just "be" for this past few weeks. Just focus on me and my family. To read my Bible. I have enjoyed it!
So I am back and feeling good. Summer is right around the corner. It is actually here for my hubby who just finished his last day of work today for the summer. This is exciting and good, however, as far as the budget it stinks. We hit a dead stand still. We will hurt just to make enough to pay the bills. But we will survive, we will make it. We are blessed that God has brought a few kids into the picture for me to watch, and maybe even share God's Word with. I see a wonderful summer ahead of us.
If you get a brief moment to pause I ask that you pray for my friends, my sisters in Christ who are hurting tremendously over the loss of their babies. Their names are Lisa (and Logan), Amanda (and Gracelynn and Madilynn), and Carla (and her baby boy). Thanks for the prayers.

I am excited to be back blogging. And by the way...... I still haven't bought bread from a bakery or store. I have made my own for 2 months now. Yahoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! That is bread, french bread, rolls, bagels, muffins, english muffins, etc.... Loving it! Especially the bread maker that does all the kneading for me.

Have a great weekend. I know that we will as we are getting the sun and some mid to high 80 degree weather. See you next week with Monday Madness!!

Being more Green AND Saving Money

Tupperware!!

So for those of you that know me know that I LOVE TUPPERWARE! I thought that if there is anyone else who does as well I'd drop you the website of the gal we go to for ours. I know many of you are thinking it is too expensive or don't want to go to a party for it. First, you can order through the website or from the book. No need to have a party to order. Second, is it really more expensive than all the sandwich/freezer baggies and Ziploc, glad ware and plastic containers that you use but you throw those away after a few uses if not after the first?

For those of you that are trying to "go green" consider this:

~Tupperware products are safe. The microwavable ware has NO harsh chemicals that seep out and into your food.They are environmentally friendly because you will reuse them a thousand times over.

~They are 100% lifetime, yes I said LIFETIME guarantee on chips, breaks, etc....If you have some old brown pc of Tupperware from 1973 and it is cracked or thrown at the bottom of the drawer, consider getting it replaced, for free. They have so many amazing products that I use in lunches alone. I DO NOT use sandwich baggies, I use sandwich keepers. I do not buy water bottles anymore or Capri suns, I use lids with cups, their travel tumblers, etc.. I don't use snack baggies for their snackies, I use the snack cups with lids.

~I use the Fridgesmart (The orange rectangle container in top photo) to save me A LOT of money with fruits and veggies. As soon as I get home from the store I throw my fruits and veggies right into the Fridgesmart. I have had lettuce last at least a month, strawberries for a good two weeks, peppers and carrots for longer! They save money because I have not thrown away a fruit or veggie since using them. MONEY SAVER!

~I use the modular mates and/or the cereal storer for all my cereal once opened. I have an overstock of cereal and we go in spurts with eating it. I have NEVER thrown cereal away, because it never gets stale. Also if you have any trouble with bugs, ants or any other critter (thanks goodness I haven't yet) then Tupperware is crucial to have.

Again, why is it better than all the other plastics at the stores?

~Because you purchase the item once and never have to again. The warranty is enough for me.

Sound like a sales woman?? I don't mean to be but I do have this secret obsession with Tupperware. They have great stuff for the freezer, storage, baking, cooking, serving and for kids. I am not having a party, just blogging on something that I have become passionate about due to trying to save money. Buying storage baggies and plastic containers to use once are not on the list, plus, half of the time they are not safe for the microwave.

Check out Melissa's website for the latest colors for summer. And GO GREEN/er and use Tupperware, not baggies and bottle and throw aways.
http://www.my.tupperware.com/melissavohland

I'm going to have a college graduate tonight

We are getting ready, as I type this, for a college graduation that is probably the most special one I will ever attend. So I am only 31, well Monday I will be 32, so it is obvious this college graduate is not my child. IT IS MY HUSBAND!!!

With all he has endured over the past 16 month I am so proud of him. You can check out my personal blog. It's a short post, check it out here. Praise God for getting us though this journey, providing energy, strength, patience, endurance, and the ability for RJ to stay awake while driving late night or needing to finish a paper and for still giving us time with him. God is good. Again we "praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

Lots and lots!!

So this week marks a lot of things that have been happening. We celebrated our daughters 7th bday,(which we spend a whopping $5 for sidewalk chalk for her as her gift) Only because we bought the food for two meals for family. That was WAY more than we thought it would be but there are a lot of us between both families. My cousin got engaged, someone close to me is pregnant, (Can't say who yet), my daughter was asked to be a flower girl in my cousins wedding, my sweet hubby is graduating from college with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in management. We are smitten about this. (God has been good to us during this journey)! I am feeling better from my cold, my sister and I are beginning a journey to lose weight, and I am down 4 pounds in 36 hours. Just by cutting back.

The meals in this house will change drastically. No more fatty, greasy, and unhealthy cooking. Maybe a splurge every so often but come on, being this big isn't fun. My knee hurts, I'm tired all the time, no desire to get out in the sun in shorts (my favorite thing to wear) and tired of not treating my body like a temple. God has blessed me with working parts and I ought to make use of them to my best potential. So my meal plans will look different. I will include recipes if anything spectacular. And cost effective of course.

Meal plan:
Monday-Hot Dogs
Tuesday- Rice-a-roni, apples, and bread
Wednesday-hot dogs at church (mmm, kids aren't tired of em yet)Pinewood Derby night!
Thursday- Roast, veggies and homemade rolls or french bread
Friday- ?? Up in the air. If home then Mac and cheese, from a box. ;) Salmon for me!
Saturday- RJ graduation, something quick, not sure
Sunday- Dinner at in-laws ?

We are living scarcely this next few weeks. Doing the zero balance budget is a great way to be accountable to the extra spendy but makes for being bummed when you want to splurge but there isn't enough $ to do so. We have about 30 bucks for emergency food buying. We will live on what is here, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, etc... The freezer will be empty like the fridge is now. We are resorting to what is in the freezer and cupboards. But it will be enough. Just gotta get creative.

My weakness: I love Tupperware. I use it for everything and rarely use baggies. Saves me unnecessary $ on lunch Baggies that get tossed just to put bread or a sandwich in one time. I could spend on Tupperware like mad. It is lifetime guarantee. For life. They will literally replace anything that breaks. As long as you didn't put it in the microwave when it says not to. ;)

SO I am smitten this week with a lot of great things happening. God is good and remains faithful in our home, family, schools, friends, and even in our budget.

Have a great week and continue to find changes you can make to save money and not charge on credit cards. Summer is coming. Are you having a garage sale? If you haven't used it in the past year or worn in in the last 6 months, it must go. I'm having one soon. :)

March Madness

March madness in this house wasn't being consumed by basketball for several weeks. It was the sad reality that when you DO NOT live on a ZERO BALANCE budget you spend, aka blow, money you wouldn't have otherwise, it is TOTAL MADNESS! We learned. I never claimed nor believed that we would do this journey and never screw up, have regrets, or even wake up calls. We had a minor stumble block and made some seriously stupid choices. WAY overspent at the grocery store. Did not take cash, killer one. We got selfish and got too much fast food. A dollar here and dollar there. Killer two (and not one nice sit down dinner in that mix) Not worth it! I am not even going to say how much in four weeks we blew. Hmmm! Maybe a huge part of the reason we are where we're at. Totally sucks! We cut cable BUT bought stuff to set up an antenna. Free tv now but money went out first to have it.

So enough complaining. The reality is we made some cruddy choices. SO much that for two paychecks we did no snowball growth. :( We sat down last night and wrote out our budget for the next two weeks. Here's the rundown:
*Vehicles just filled up, so we think $160 will get us till then.(2 fills ea.)
*$100 for food/groceries. I have plenty in the cupboards and freezer, we will have to make it work. We have lots of Mac and Cheese if needed. ;)
*We had several dr bills that were slightly overlooked previously due to insurance not having pd their part yet so we didn't get the bill. We are out $600 in just the deductibles. Of course it has taken a few months for them to get their end pd, now we are getting the bills.
* Along with deductibles, we had 2 visits to Urgent Care, and MANY visits to the dr in the month of March. A few pretty pennies went/going here.
*RJ has worked some major OT this last pay period which helped us be able to pay $800 towards a mattress we had on a no intrest no payments option. It is up in June. We have to have it pd, plus it's next on the list anyhow.
*I have not bought bread in 5 weeks, the kids and hubby (oh yeah, and myself too) are eating up the homemade like crazy.
This is a blessing.

So there is more I am sure but April is almost over. Sad, sad! I know. See you back here soon. (Not doing a meal plan this week since I am making some meals I didn't get to from last week and we have a graduation dinner for RJ (YAYYYYYY!!!!!!) this week as well. No need to rewrite what I already have written down just last week. Hope you enjoyed my monthly wrap up of March, in April. Owell. I am a mom of four. Is that good enough reason???? ;)

Have a wonderful last 11 days of April!!