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Money Saving Mom

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Looking to simplify the moving process? Try this alternative method of moving that works for many people!
Shared Feb 6, 2018 comment

Our Experimental System for Simplifying Moving (I have no idea whether this will work or not!)

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Our Experimental System for Simplifying Moving (I have no idea whether this will work or not!)

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Looking to simplify the moving process? Try this alternative method of moving that works for many people!

We’re trying a new method for moving this time around (see some of my previous methods here). Instead of moving everything over in one weekend, we’re slowly moving things over to our new house over the course of the next 3 1/2 weeks.

Our plan is to not pack any boxes — but to just slowly move things over to the new place in little loads a few times per week. We’ll organize and set up everything as we go. Then, we’ll move all of the furniture/large items one day near the end of February.

We’re starting with storage items and things we only use every few months or can easily live without for a month (books, some of our kids’ stuff, some clothes, etc.).

After that, then we’ll move on to items we can survive for a week or two without — like some of the kitchen items (we plan to use paper plates and just do Crockpot/Instant Pot meals the last week or so), most all of the books, most of the clothes, bedding, misc. items, etc.

We’ve never moved slowly like this before, but my hope is that it means we’re able to pretty well live our normal lives without having to take a big chunk of time off to pack or unpack and that almost everything will be set up and ready to go the day we move in.

 

One of the perks of this method is that we can also easily declutter things as we go along!! I decluttered part of my dresser/closet area over the weekend and it feels so nice to have it cleaned out! I’ve been needing to do this for quite some time — as evidenced by the photos! 🙂


We moved this first load over last night. Yes, I started with some of the essentials — like toilet paper and soap + my dressier clothes + some office stuff we need but only occasionally use.

I’ll keep you posted on how this moving method works and whether we end up feeling like it’s a smart idea or whether it’s a dud idea!

Related: 5 Ways to Stay Sane While Moving

Shared Feb 6, 2018 comment

Gretchen’s $76 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for 4

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Gretchen’s $76 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for 4

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

(I had to take two pictures since not everything would fit in just one picture!)

1 loaf Bread – $0.89

1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.83

3 Avocados – $0.39 each

1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $0.79

1 box Granola Bars – $1.49

1 tub Oven Roasted Turkey – $2.39

2 cans Green Beans – $0.44 each

1 Cucumber – $0.49

1 pkg Powdered Sugar – $1.29

1 pkg Oyster Crackers – $0.79

1 pkg Spinach – $1.49

1 gallon Milk – $2.08

2 pkg Shredded Cheese – $2.99 each

1 pkg Chunk Cheese – $1.69

1 dozen Eggs – $1.69

1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.49

1 pkg Tortilla Chips – $0.99

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.19

1 pkg Flour Tortillas – $0.99

1 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.99

1 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies – $0.59

1 pkg Brown Sugar – $1.29

1 Half & Half – $1.99

2 pkg Strawberries – $2.29 each

1 pkg Blueberries – $1.79

1 bag Navel Oranges – $3.69

1.81 lbs Bananas – $0.80

1 bag Frozen Strawberries – $2.09

1 Orange Juice – $1.19

1 bag Dried Apricots – $2.79

Total: $50.39

Dillons

1 Simple Truth Cream Cheese – $2.99, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce – $0.99

2.10 lbs Bananas – $1.03

1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix – $1.99, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Betty Crocker Frosting – $2.19, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

4 cans Del Monte Diced Tomatoes – $0.49 each, used $1/4 e-coupon – $0.24 each after coupon

1 Kind Bar – $1.50, used Free printable (no longer available) – Free after coupon

2 bags Kroger Frozen Chicken Breasts – $6.99 each, used 2 $1.25/1 e-coupon – $5.74 each after coupon

2 bags Kroger Frozen Veggies – $1 each, used $0.40/2 e-coupon – $0.80 each after coupon

1 bag Kroger Flour – $1.29, used $0.40/1 mailer coupon – $0.89 after coupon

1 Larabar – $1, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 bag M&M’s – $3.89, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Simple Truth Breakfast Bars – $1.50

1 Simple Truth Ketchup – $1.69, used $0.30/1 e-coupon – $1.39 after coupon

1 So Delicious Almond Milk – $2.99, used $1/1 e-coupon AND $1/1 Ibotta rebate – $0.99 after coupon and rebate

1 Stoneyfield Smoothies – $3.49, used $1/1 e-coupon AND $1/1 Ibotta rebate – $1.49 after coupon

1 Yoplait Yogurt – $1, used $0.25/1 e-coupon – $0.75 after coupon

Clicklist Fee: $4.95

Total after coupons and rebate: $26.46

Total for both stores: $76.85

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Toast & Fruit Smoothies x 3

Cereal x 3

Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists, Orange Juice

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Ricecake Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks, Oranges x 2

Cheese Quesadillas, Sliced Veggies

Turkey, Cheese, Crackers, Fruit, Veggies x 2

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Snacky Dinner (Chips & Dip, Cranberry Meatballs, Veggies, Mexican Tortilla Roll-ups)

Pancakes & Eggs

Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Spinach Salad

Lasagna, 30 Minute Rolls, Green Beans

Meat Potato Quiche (using leftover sausage from last week), Fruit Salad

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo, Steamed Peas, Banana Muffins

Homemade Cheese Pizza, Breadsticks, Steamed Cauliflower

Shared Feb 5, 2018 comment

9 Books I Read in January

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9 Books I Read in January

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I ended up reading 9 books in January — and most were from my list of 44 Books I Plan to Read This Year! And I’m definitely on track to hit my goal of reading 100 non-self-help books in 2018!

1. Destination Simple

Destination Simple was a very quick read and a good reminder of ways to slow down and simplify. It was perfect for my Year of Slow.

2. The Lucky Few

The Lucky Few was a book that the publisher sent to me back in March when it was released. It sat on my shelf untouched since then and I almost got rid of it since I didn’t know anything about the authors.

I’m SO glad that I decided to add it to my list of 44 Books I Plan to Read This Year because it was such a heart-warming read. If you’ve ever considered adoption, if you’ve struggled with infertility, or if you’ve been called to a road that you would have never planned or really thought you wanted, I think this book’s story will encourage you.

3. And It Was Beautiful

And It Was Beautiful is written by the late Kara Tippetts — a blogger who passed away from cancer a few years ago. It’s beautifully written, moving, and inspiring.

It really challenged me in how I mother. Am I embracing the everyday, ordinary moments? So much of the time, I think that I miss a lot of moments because I’m not not slowing down enough to see them.

One of Kara’s quotes really impacted me: “Keep short accounts and don’t find offenses that aren’t there.” She wrote this on her blog in a post titled, “Five Thoughts on Dying Well.” She prefaced it by saying, “Live with deep forgiveness to share and honest repentance with those you love.”

It’s so easy to harbor anger or hurt or bitterness when we’ve been wronged by others, but none of those responses will produce healthy results in our lives long term. Choose forgiveness — it’s the path to healing, freedom, and joy.

4. You Are Free

I have looked forward to reading You Are Free for a long time since its message is one God has really been working in my heart over the past few years. While it was different than what I was expecting and didn’t go as deep as I was hoping for, there were definitely some truth bombs in it.

I shared a quote here and some thoughts that were inspired by this book here.

5. Courage to Soar

Courage to Soar was an easy read (written more for teens and pre-teens), but it was pretty interesting to hear her backstory. As she appeared so confident and happy at the Olympics, it was insightful, and (dare I say?) encouraging, to read of all of the struggles she went through to get there.

It’s so easy to watch someone perform flawless routines and just assume they have natural talent and forget that there is so much hard work that has gone on behind-the-scenes to get to that place where it looks effortless.

Overall, the book was pretty well written and a fast read. It was a little “fluff-y”, but it had some good nuggets of wisdom and inspiration throughout it and I think it might be a great book to give to your daughters or a great book to read if you love gymnastics or are fascinated with Olympic athletes in general (I fit into both of those categories!)

6. Not a Fan

Our Community Group is going through the Not a Fan book together and I was supposed to read a few more chapters of it for our group discussion two weeks ago… but then I started reading and just kept reading and reading.

It really challenged me in a lot of powerful ways. I didn’t agree with all of it and I thought some of the humor was just overboard cheesy, but many of his questions really challenged me in my walk with Christ.

Here’s one quote I loved: “When we try to follow Jesus without being filled daily with the Spirit, we find ourselves frustrated by our failures and exhausted by our efforts.”

And another: “The keyword for grace is ‘done’. Our punishment was taken by Christ. He has made a way where there was no way so we live with a freedom and appreciation for what has been done. Fans are all about the ‘do’, but followers celebrate the ‘done’.” 

7. Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs is a book I’ve wanted to read for a long time since I had heard that it was similar to Dear Mr. Knightley — one of my favorite books! Well, I am sad to say that it was a big disappointment to me. Skip this book and read Dear Mr. Knightley instead.

8. A Daring Escape

I have really loved some of Tricia Goyer’s other World War II novels (The Liberator series were all ones I enjoyed), but A Daring Escape just seemed like it was lacking depth to me.

I had guessed a good deal of the plot before I was a third of the way through the book and, while it was enjoyable and had some beautiful parts, it just seemed so-so and not one of my favorites of hers.

9. Mom Set Free

Mom Set Free is my top pick from January. Y’all, this book is SO good. I slowly savored it — reading just a little bit every day — to make it last as long as I could and to really soak in the truths from it.

If you struggle with Mommy Guilt or feel like you are always failing or never doing enough or just can’t get it right as a mom, this book will encourage you in powerful ways!

I shared more how this quote impacted me on Instagram:

It’s not the perfect parenting book. Or the right chore chart. Or whether we feed our kids enough organic food. Or if we homeschool. Or if we give our kids enough opportunities. Or if we protect them enough…

We can’t save our kids, bubble wrap our kids, fix our kids, or transform their hearts.

We can sure exhaust ourselves trying, though. We can stress and worry over them. We can feel frustrated and overwhelmed by their actions. We can live in fear over their futures.

But none of that accomplishes anything worthwhile.

There is one thing we CAN do and that is to pray. And I believe it’s one of the greatest things we can do on behalf of our kids

Because — as I am learning anew — prayer changes us. One thing I try to do almost every day is to I start my day on the treadmill running & praying over the day and praying for Jesse and each of my kids.

It’s an important piece of my day… to acknowledge my need for God’s help in my parenting, to pray for specific areas where my kids are struggling, to thank God for how He’s working in their hearts, to release my stresses and frustrations in parenting to God, and to ask Him to give me grace to love each of my kids in a way that makes them feel loved.

I’ve noticed that this time in prayer for my kids not only calms me and helps me to rest in Christ’s finished work on the Cross, it also changes my heart and attitude toward my kids, too. You see, I’m much more apt to respond to them in grace and love when I’ve just prayed that I can love them well and walk with them well! ?

Here was another quote I loved that really impacted me and here was yet another quote. Suffice it to say, this was hands down my favorite book I read in January and one that I highly, highly recommend!

I’m also excited to say that I kept up with the Bible in a Year Plan! I’m using the Bible reading plan from Robert Murray M’Cheyne that is at the back of the She Reads Truth Bible.

How I Find Time to Read

People are always asking me how I find time to read. Honestly, it’s because I love to read, because I’ve chosen to prioritize it, because I don’t have a lot of other hobbies, and because I can’t not read. Also, when you love something, you usually can find ways to get creative to find time to fit it in — even if it’s in the little nooks and crannies of life.

I wrote a post on 3 ways to find more time to read — even when life is busy. And here are 7 more ways to find time to read.

What did you read in January? What book or books were your favorite?

(Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and we will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking through our links. Read our disclosure policy here.)

Shared Feb 4, 2018 comment

A Peek Into Our Lives This Past Week (we went to NYC & closed on a house!!)

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A Peek Into Our Lives This Past Week (we went to NYC & closed on a house!!)

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly post I share a peek into our lives, talk about things I’m loving, share links to interesting articles or helpful ideas I’ve collected throughout the past week, and just talk about whatever is on my heart! ? 

It was a BIG week at our house! We not only went to NYC for the New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell Ceremony with Inspire Investing (I’ll share a detailed post on our whole experience we had there later this week), but we also closed on our new house!

I also came down with a head cold in NYC and was pretty miserable the rest of the week and spent most of the time resting and reading and trying to get healthy. Gratefully, I was able to get out for an hour to go to the house closing and then I started getting my energy back this weekend and am hoping to be back to normal by tomorrow.

I got a box from Stitch Fix last week and thought it was going to be a dud… until I tried this outfit on. And I promptly fell in love. In fact, I have already worn it twice in the last five days!! It’s so comfy and fits me like a glove!

By the way, it looks like Stitch Fix may have again extended their amazing offer to get the styling fee waived on your first order. Be sure that there’s a turquoise bar at the top of the page when you go to StitchFix.com that shows this offer.

(You can also watch my latest Stitch Fix unboxing here. This was before I had tried on the above outfit and I thought I wasn’t going to like anything in my box.)

Did you see my post all about how you can get free books from My Reader Rewards? If not, be sure to check it out here.

I just thought you needed some more Quill pictures! 😉

Kaitlynn decided to teach herself a new kind of drawing yesterday. She watched some YouTube videos and then freehanded these… she constantly surprises me with the things she teaches herself!

Since we closed on our house on Friday, I started working on decluttering/packing on Saturday.

Our lease isn’t up for two more months and we were unable to get out of it, so we decided to just have a slow-paced move over the course of the month and then be all moved by the end of February/beginning of March. I’m planning to just slowly go through sections of our house over the next three weeks and decluttering… because there’s nothing like a move to motivate you to declutter!

Our plan is to not pack any boxes — but to just slowly move things over to the new place in little loads at a time and then move all of the furniture/large items one day near the end of February. We’re starting with storage items and things we only use every few months. Then we’ll move on to items we can’t survive for a week or two without.

We’ve never moved slowly like this before, but my hope is that it makes it simple and means we’re able to pretty well live our normal lives without having to take a lot of time off to pack or unpack. We’ll see how it goes!

A Word of Encouragement on Fear

At the beginning of this year, God called me to step out in faith, let go of an area in my life that I’d been holding with clenched fists trying to control, and face a big fear head on.

Y’all, I was scared. Sick scared.

But I’m here to tell you that none of my fears and worries about how this might have disastrous consequences and how I might get hurt came to fruition. In fact, the opposite happened: this thing I was terrified of has become an amazing blessing and gift to my life and to our family.

I miss out on so much when I cling tightly to what feels safe and secure, when I try to control my life and my circumstances and the outcomes.

“Lord, give me the courage to live with my hands outstretched — fully relying upon You. Let me be willing to jump from what I think feels like comfort and security and let You be my Comfort and Security — even when I’m scared and there are so many unknowns.”

2018 Goals Update

Personal Goals

1. Read 100 non-self-help books that will build me up/encourage me/inspire me/recharge me. (Fiction/story-driven/biographies/inspirational living books/devotionals.) See the list of 44 books I plan to read this year.

**Progress: I think I’ll be at 10 books read so far by tomorrow (look for a book update coming tomorrow)

2. Read through the entire Bible.

**Progress: I’m using the Robert Murray M’Cheyne plan and am on Day 28 — yay!

3. Write one handwritten note to someone every week.

**Progress: 6 notes written total this year so far

4. Run 500 miles.

**Progress: 51 miles run so far

Marriage Goal

5. Go on an overnight trip with Jesse without the kids. Jesse and I went to NYC together in January.

Family Goals

6. Read 10 books aloud with the kids.

7. Take the kids to South Africa.

8. Go on a family road trip.

Financial Goals

9. Save up to pay cash to finish off an office for me and workout room for Jesse and me in the basement in our new house.

10. Replenish our Emergency Fund (we dipped into it to replace my car when it got totaled because of the carpet beetle infestation.)

Business Goals

11. Increase our gross income from the business by 8%.

12. Launch 5 new courses.

**Progress: 4 Weeks to a More Productive Life launched in January and we’re currently working on finishing Content Creation 101 — a new YourBloggingUniversity course!

Links You Should Check Out:

Slow Day: Week 5
Shared Feb 3, 2018 comment

Slow Day: Week 5

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Slow Day: Week 5

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly Slow Day post, inspired by Monica from The Homespun Heart. My Word for 2018 is Slow and, in the spirit of that word, I’m taking one day each week (Wednesday) off — I’ll be unplugged and offline and plan to move at a slower pace, take time to do things that refresh me, and just really focus on being present and savoring the moment.

Each Saturday, I’ll be sharing a photographic peek into my Slow Day — and I’ll let the pictures almost 100% speak for themselves, instead of giving many explanations. Enjoy a little peek into our lives!

Slow Day: Week 5

This week’s Slow Day was a bit different than most since not only were Jesse and I flying back from NYC, but I was also sick with a head cold. So I did very little other than read and rest and travel back home — which I guess was the perfect way to spend a Slow Day! 😉

Gratefully, we had already pre-determined that we weren’t going to try to hit a lot of sites in NYC and that we were just going to enjoy being together. I may not have been the most romantic company since I mostly had tissues stuck up my nose and then couldn’t hear for a few hours because my ears were completely plugged up due to the air pressure (I tried every trick in the book and nothing really worked!), but we still were able to laugh about it and enjoy being together. 🙂

Books Shown:

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!
Shared Feb 3, 2018 comment

Brigette’s $65 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

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Brigette’s $65 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 box Honey Crunch Oats – $1.45

1 box Yellow Cake Mix – $0.85

1 bag Nacho Cheese Chips – $0.75

2 pkgs String Cheese – $3.98

1 pkg Turkey Lunchmeat – $2.25

2 jars Pasta Sauce – $1.98

2 cans Chicken Breast – $3.10

1 pkg American Cheese Slices – $2.29

1 64-oz carton Cashew Milk – $2.49

1 gallon Whole Milk – $1.36

2 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $3.18

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.29

2 cans Jumbo Biscuits – $1.38

1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.79

1 bag Zucchini – $1.45

1 bag Broccoli Crowns – $1.19

2 heads Cauliflower – $3.78

2 16-oz bags Mini Cucumbers – $2.38

1 3-lb bag Jazz Apples – $3.79

1 3-lb bag Gala Apples – $2.29

1 pkg Blueberries – $1.79

2 bags Romaine Hearts – $3.98

3 Avocados – $1.17

1 3-pk Multi-Colored Peppers – $1.69

1 bunch Bananas (3.10lbs @ $0.35/lb) – $1.09

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $1.89

1 pkg Milk Chocolate M&Ms – $2.95

Total: $60.58

Harris Teeter

1 bag Opal Apples, reduced – $1.00

1 large bag Shredded Cabbage, reduced – $1.00

1 carton Organic Girl Baby Kale, reduced – $1.00

3 pkgs Yakisoba Noodles – $1.50, used $1.00/3 Maruchan Yakisoba – 1-21-18 SS (exp. 03/31/18) (doubled) – FREE after coupon

1 pkg Ballpark Hotdogs – $1.99, used $0.55/1 Ball Park Hot Dog Product – 1-21-18 SS; DND (exp. 03/31/18) (doubled) – $0.89 after coupon

1 box Super Pretzel Soft Pretzels – $1.99, used $1.00/1 Super Pretzel Soft Product – 1-21-18 SS (exp. 03/04/18) (doubled), plus receive $0.75 from Checkout 51 – $0.75MM after coupon and rebate!

2 pkgs Bird’s Eye Steamfresh Broccoli/Cauliflower Mix – $2.98, used  $1.00/2 Birds Eye Varieties – 1-21-18 SS (exp. 03/31/18) (doubled) – $0.98 after coupon

1 bag Rice Works Chips – $1.84, used $1.00/1 Riceworks Gourmet Rice Snacks – 12-3-17 SS; Includes 5.5 oz or larger (exp. 03/31/18) (doubled) – FREE after coupon

2 jars Hellmans Mayonnaise – $6.00, used 2 $1.00/1 Hellmann’s Mayonnaise – 1-28-18 RP; Includes 30 jar, Squeeze 20 oz, Organic 15 oz or 24 oz Vegan (exp. 02/25/18) (doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons, PLUS receive a $1.00 catalina wyb 2, which doubles. Final price = FREE

1 bag Cooked Perfect Meatballs – $2.50, used $1.00/1 Cooked Perfect Bagged Meatballs – 12-10-17 SS (exp. 03/31/18) (doubled) – FREE after coupon

1 carton Liberte Yogurt – $1.89, used “Free” Catalina coupon – FREE after coupon

Total after Coupons, Rebate and Catalinas – $4.62

Grocery Total for the Week: $65.20

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Birthday Breakfast for my 7-yr old: Lazy Monkey Bread, Hard Boiled Eggs

Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfasts. Choices include:

Oatmeal, Fruit, Scrambled/Boiled/Fried Eggs, Cereal, Toast, Veggie Omelets

Lunches

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit, Cucumbers and Peppers x 2

Build-Your-Own-Salad-Bar (Romaine, Kale, Canned Chicken, Shredded Cheese, Raw Veggies, Craisins, Hard Boiled Eggs, Avocados, Homemade Dressing) x 2

Turkey Sandwiches, Fruit, Carrots x 2

Leftovers

Dinners

Stuffed Crust Pizza, M&M Birthday Cake

Venison Bacon Burgers, Coleslaw, Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Super Bowl Snacks Dinner – Meatballs, Soft Pretzels, Raw Veggie Platter, Fruit, Rice Works Chips and Salsa, Chocolate Chip Cookies (using a homemade mix given to us at Christmas by my brother and his wife)

Baked Chicken and Rice, Steamed Broccoli/Cauliflower, Easy Whole Wheat Bread (I’ll make up a couple of doubled batches of this so we have enough for sandwiches and toast throughout the week as well)

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Baked Potatoes, Tossed Salad

Taco Salad (using ground venison), Spanish Rice

Leftovers

Shared Feb 3, 2018 comment

Once-A-Month Walmart Grocery Shopping Haul for a Large Family

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Once-A-Month Walmart Grocery Shopping Haul for a Large Family

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jamerrill has a great post up sharing her once-a-month Walmart grocery shopping haul for a family of 10. If you have a large family, I think you’ll be inspired by her post.

Love to read? Sign up to get FREE books from My Reader Rewards Club!! This is SO easy!
Shared Feb 2, 2018 comment

How to Earn Free Books From My Reader Rewards Club

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How to Earn Free Books From My Reader Rewards Club

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Love to read? Sign up to get FREE books from My Reader Rewards Club!! This is SO easy!

Do you love to read? If so, you’ll want to check out My Reader Rewards Club, a site that gives you the opportunity to earn free books and audio by filling out surveys, referring friends, and more.

It’s very easy to earn a free book — without even having to refer a friend!

My Reader Rewards Club offers Christian books from Tyndale, including Nonfiction books, Fiction books, Parenting books, Kid’s books, Audiobooks, Ministry Resources, and more! They even have Adventures in Odyssey audios and books!

Our family has gotten a number of free books from them over the past few years and I have loved being able to get brand-new books completely free! (Here are 8 more ways to get books for free!)

How to Earn Your First Free Book:

1. Go here to sign up for My Reader Rewards.

2. Complete the following actions:

  • Share your birthday to get 15 points.
  • Sign up for the Tyndale email newsletter to get 20 points.
  • Take the gratitude quiz to get 15 points.
  • Take the My Reader Rewards Club Member Survey to get 45 points.
  • Take the What Decade Do You Belong In to get 15 points.
  • Want to earn more points? You can refer friends and earn 10 points for every friend you refer. Or, you can share on social media to earn 10 points.

3. Use these 110 points to choose one the books that are available for 110 points or less. When you choose a book, add it to your cart and go to checkout. Shipping is free. You’ll usually receive your order within 2-4 weeks.

Links You Should Check Out:

Shared Feb 1, 2018 comment

Join the FREE 4-Week Easy Meals for the New Year Challenge!

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Join the FREE 4-Week Easy Meals for the New Year Challenge!

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

(Note: This post was sponsored by Plan To Eat. All opinions are my own. Read our disclosure policy here.)

Is staying on track with a menu plan one of your goals for 2018?

If so, you’ll definitely want to sign up for the FREE Easy Meals for the New Year Challenge hosted by Plan to Eat! This 4-week challenge will help jumpstart your success in making menu planning a routine habit in your home.

When you sign up for the challenge, you’ll gain access to a FREE 30-day trial of Plan to Eat (no strings attached!) and 30 easy-to-prepare recipes for the month — including my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Butterhorn Rolls!

You can then drag those recipes — plus any of your other favorite recipes around the web — into your custom meal planning calendar and Plan to Eat will automatically make your grocery list for you. How easy is that?!

This challenge will also help you:

  • Save time at the grocery store by not aimlessly wandering the aisles.
  • Save money by eating out less.
  • Eat better food by being more strategic and less impulsive.
  • Have less stress in the kitchen because you will have a plan for dinner.
  • Eat more meals together as a household.

Note: If you love the Plan to Eat meal planning service during your 30-day trial, you can choose to continue subscribing once your trial ends (for just $4.95/month or $39.95/year). But the trial is completely FREE with NO payment info required! You get a month to explore this meal planning service while going through the challenge!

Go here to get started with the FREE Easy Meals for the New Year Challenge.

Shared Jan 30, 2018 comment

How I’m Making Over $700 Monthly as a Part-Time Teacher — Without Leaving My Home!

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How I’m Making Over $700 Monthly as a Part-Time Teacher — Without Leaving My Home!

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Note from MSM: After we posted about this unique Work-At-Home opportunity last year, we had TONS of readers send in testimonies of their great experience teaching with VIPKid! We thought it would be inspiring to hear a direct testimony from a reader who started as a new teacher with VIPKid and loved it.

Guest post from Meagan

My husband, John, graduates from chiropractic school in April, but isn’t able to practice until he finishes all of his Board Exams and gets his license in August.

As a homeschooling stay-at-home-mom of 3, I’ve done my best to bring in extra income whenever able to supplement the school loans. Throughout the 5 years that he’s been in schooling I’ve cleaned a car dealership and tutored at night, and I currently nanny a child 40 hours per week in my home.

But, the loans will run out and we’ll need to several months of expenses until John can practice — which seems daunting at best and down right scary at worst.

As John and I prayed and discussed our options, it seemed prudent for one or both of us to pick up extra part-time work in the months leading up to his graduation. Yet, for various reasons the thought of leaving home, pumping milk (as our youngest is 13 months and not yet weaned), and being spread even thinner filled me with dread.

A few days after this conversation, I opened my inbox to read the daily update from MoneySavingMom.com. The very first article listed was about a Work-From-Home opportunity with the company VIPKid — an online ESL company in China that contracts Americans, with a Bachelor’s degree, to teach English online to Chinese students.

At first, I was skeptical of VIPKid, but I’ve been a reader of MSM for the past 5 years and know Crystal would never recommend something to her readers unless she was positive about the quality. So, I jumped in and started the application the next day.

The interview process with VIPKid was intense and involved role playing to demonstrate your ability to teach English to a 4-10 year old Chinese student. But I was hired within 2 weeks of starting the interview process and had classes booked my first week of teaching!

I was also skeptical of the pay base of $14-$22/hr, but it is accurate and I personally make $20/hr. I set my own hours and teach from 5:30 – 7:30 a.m., Monday – Friday and a few odd hours on the weekend. My first month I earned $688 and my second month I earned $780. (Keep in mind this income doesn’t have taxes taken out.)

This VIPKid teaching process hasn’t been without challenges. My husband has had to step it up by helping more with the kids and other chores. It has also been a big adjustment for me to go to bed and wake up earlier (thanks to the 12 hour time difference.)

Another challenge as a VIPKid teacher was one of logistics. We live in a 2-bedroom townhouse with very few private spots to host a video-chat classroom. Some people teach in a closet, the basement, or just put up a sheet behind them. My solution was to turn our downstairs bathroom into a mini-classroom!

I decorated the walls, set up bright lights, repurposed a rolling set of drawers to house my classroom props, and set up boxes on the vanity to make a “standing desk”. The location is far enough away from the bedrooms so I don’t disturb sleeping children, and everything is easily put away when classes are done!

It has been a blessing to be able to stay at home and teach while the kids are sleeping. It feels good to know that by the time they wake up, I’ve already earned $40! VIPKid has been such a creative and unexpected answer to our prayers.

Meagan is a homeschooling mom of 3 (ages 8, 5, 1). She has an Education degree and loves crafts.

Looking for more in-depth advice on how to make money from home?

Be sure to check out my book Money-Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make A Difference, where I share creative ways to manage money, generate income and–most importantly–live a life of deeper meaning, fulfillment, and generosity than you might have ever imagined possible. This book is packed with hard-won wisdom, real-life stories, and practical tips to help inspire and motivate you!

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!
Shared Jan 30, 2018 comment

Gretchen’s $42 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for 4

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Gretchen’s $42 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for 4

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Dillons

1 can Bush’s Beans – $1, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Simple Truth Fruit & Grain Granola Bars – $1.49

2 pkg Betty Crocker Fruit by the Roll – $0.99 each, used $1/2 printable – $0.49 each after coupon

5 pkg Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $1 each, used $1/5 e-coupon – $0.80 each after coupon

1.84 lbs Bananas – $0.90

1 gallon Milk – $1.89

1 can Hunt’s Tomatoes – $1, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

2 pkg Baking Soda – $0.57 each

2 cans Kroger Beans – $0.59 each

1 can Kroger Green Beans – $0.59

2 pkg Kroger Shredded Cheese – $2.49 each, used $0.85/2 e-coupon – $2.06 each after coupon

1 pkg Kroger Rice – $0.89

1 pkg Kroger Tortillas – $1.79

1 pkg Kroger Flour – $1.29, used $0.40/1 e-coupon – $0.89 after coupon

1 lb Laura’s Lean Ground Beef – $6.99, used 50% off e-coupon – $3.50 after coupon

1 pkg Chili Seasoning – $1, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Pineapple – $0.99

2 Post Great Grains Cereal – $1.29, used $1/2 printable – $0.79 each after coupon

2 cans Red Gold Tomatoes – $0.49 each

1 loaf Bread – $2.49

1 Simple Truth Sour Cream – $1.99, used $1/1 e-coupon AND $0.25/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.74 after coupon and rebate

1 Tennesse Pride Sausage – $2.99

Used $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate for any receipt

Used $10 off order catalina I received for buying diapers last week

Total after coupons and rebates: $22.88

Aldi

1 dozen Eggs – $1.58

1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.83

1 canister Raisins – $2.79

2 pkg Strawberries – $1.49 each

1 pkg Corn Chips – $0.99

1 Baking Powder – $0.99

1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $1.29

2 Avocados – $0.49 each

2 cans Green Beans – $0.44 each

1 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.99

1 bag Potato Chips – $1.49

1 lb Butter – $2.49

1 pkg Oyster Crackers – $0.79

1 Lettuce – $0.99

Total: $20.06

Total for both stores: $42.94

Menu Plan for This Week

We all ended up getting sick for several days last week and were living on saltines and ginger ale. So we still have produce, chicken, and frozen veggies leftover from last week’s shopping trip that needs to be used up this week.

Breakfasts

Biscuits & Gravy, Fruit x 2

French Toast, Fruit

Cereal x 2

Toast, Eggs x 2

Lunches

Mac & Cheese, Carrot Sticks x 2

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Veggies x 2

Turkey, Cheese, Crackers, Fruit x 2

Leftovers

Dinners

Hamburgers, Chips, Green Beans

Sour Cream Enchiladas (using ground venison), Corn Chips, Steamed Broccoli

Hawaiian Haystacks, Sliced Avocados

Cheese Pizza, Breadsticks, Spinach Salad

Chili, Corn Chips, Fruit Salad

Venison Roast, Carrots, Potatoes

Chicken Noodle Casserole, Steamed Peas, Pineapple

Shared Jan 29, 2018 comment

What I Read & Watched This Past Week

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What I Read & Watched This Past Week

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly Book-ish post where I share what I’ve been reading and watching recently. If you missed it, you can see my Reading Goals for 2018 and 44 Books I Plan to Read This Year.

What I Read Last Week

Last week, I read Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Our Community Group is going through this book together and I was supposed to read a few more chapters of it for our group discussion… but then I started reading and just kept reading and reading.

It really challenged me in a lot of powerful ways. I didn’t agree with all of it and I thought some of the humor was just overboard cheesy, but many of his questions really challenged me in my walk with Christ.

Here’s one quote I loved: “When we try to follow Jesus without being filled daily with the Spirit, we find ourselves frustrated by our failures and exhausted by our efforts.”

And another: “The keyword for grace is ‘done’. Our punishment was taken by Christ. He has made a way where there was no way so we live with a freedom and appreciation for what has been done. Fans are all about the ‘do’, but followers celebrate the ‘done’.” 

Jesse and I are headed on a fun trip to NYC Tuesday and Wednesday (follow me on Instagram if you want to see some peeks into what we’ll be up to while we’re there!), so here’s the stack of books I’m bringing with me. Yes, I’m pretty much always over-prepared and overly-ambitious when it comes to books, but hey, at least I never have to stress about killing time if there’s a flight delay! 😉

What I Watched Last Week

Jesse and I went to see Jumanji last week. We’d heard mixed reviews from friends and wanted to see it before taking our kids. Sadly, we were disappointed with the movie. It had a lot of inappropriate lines in it and it wasn’t really even that funny. So yeah, we nixed the idea of taking the kids.

(By the way, we got MoviePasses for Christmas and we have fallen in love with them. You just can’t beat $10 per month to be able to see one movie of your choice every single day. Read my in-depth review of MoviePass here.)

This week, we continued watching Arrow. We’re really enjoying the show so far. I’ve heard that it gets darker and not as enjoyable as it goes along, but currently, we’re really enjoying it! (Note: This is definitely more of a PG-13 type of show.)

We also loved watching the next episode of This is Us — I can’t stop talking about what an amazing show that is!

Time to Read

People are always asking me how I find time to read. Honestly, it’s because I love to read, because I’ve chosen to prioritize it, because I don’t have a lot of other hobbies, and because I can’t not read. Also, when you love something, you usually can find ways to get creative to find time to fit it in — even if it’s in the little nooks and crannies of life.

I wrote a post on 3 ways to find more time to read — even when life is busy. And here are 7 more ways to find time to read.

What did you read and watch this past week? Any books or movies you really think I need to read or watch?

Shared Jan 28, 2018 comment

A Peek Into Our Lives This Past Week (+ an update on my goals for 2018)

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A Peek Into Our Lives This Past Week (+ an update on my goals for 2018)

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly post I share a peek into our lives, talk about things I’m loving, share links to interesting articles or helpful ideas I’ve collected throughout the past week, and just talk about whatever is on my heart! ? 

Kathrynne turned 13 this week! We celebrated with a fun birthday party at the trampoline park with some of her closest friends. I’m so grateful for the amazing gift she has of such good friends.

And I can’t believe that I am now the mom of a teenager! I’m excited about this new season of life. The older she gets, the closer we get and the more that I just love hanging out with her. So I think it’s only going to get better from here!

We had fun watching one of my friends 4 young kids on Saturday night so that she and her husband could go on a date. It was fun to have little ones at our house — something we don’t have very often!

We made banana muffins, played Hedbanz, the older girls made homemade slime with Kaitlynn, and we had fun banging on pots and pans with their one-year-old.

I love this photo! Some women long for flowers and chocolates from their man. I’ll take this. Because it’s almost as romantic to me as when he does the dishes!

And I also proclaimed my love for Roasted Vegetables.

Or because they decided to jump out and do it scared! And/or because they decided to believe that God was bigger than their fears and that He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies those whom He calls.

One of my heart’s desires is to raise kids who are confident in who God has made them to be and how He has gifted them. I love watching them develop their unique gifts and talents and seeing what makes them come alive.

Kaitlynn’s teacher at her new school noticed Kaitlynn has a gift for hand-lettering so she offered to pay her $5 to do some lettering on their class plate.

You guys, I have to admit that I was kind of nervous that she might mess the plate up. (I mean, the students had already all signed it and put their fingerprints on it! What if they have to re-do the whole thing because she misspelled a word??)

Yes, I may have some insecurity and people-pleasing issues! But this girl didn’t! She just sat down when she got home from school and got to work.

She never second-guessed her ability or whether she could do it. She just confidently did what she knows she’s gifted at — and had fun doing it!

This girl inspires me to live out my giftings more confidently and to not shy away from doing things because I’m afraid of failure. I want to own the gifts God has given me and use them to glorify Him and bless others.

2018 Goals Update

Personal Goals

1. Read 100 non-self-help books that will build me up/encourage me/inspire me/recharge me. (Fiction/story-driven/biographies/inspirational living books/devotionals.) See the list of 44 books I plan to read this year.

**Progress: 5 books read so far (look for a book update coming tomorrow)

2. Read through the entire Bible.

**Progress: I’m using the Robert Murray M’Cheyne plan and am on Day 28 — yay!

3. Write one handwritten note to someone every week.

**Progress: 5 notes written total this year so far

4. Run 500 miles.

**Progress: 40 miles run so far

Marriage Goal

5. Go on an overnight trip with Jesse without the kids.

Family Goals

6. Read 10 books aloud with the kids.

7. Take the kids to South Africa.

8. Go on a family road trip.

Financial Goals

9. Save up to pay cash to finish off an office for me and workout room for Jesse and me in the basement in our new house.

10. Replenish our Emergency Fund (we dipped into it to replace my car when it got totaled because of the carpet beetle infestation.)

Business Goals

11. Increase our gross income from the business by 8%.

12. Launch 5 new courses.

**Progress: 4 Weeks to a More Productive Life launched in January and we’re currently working on finishing Content Creation 101 — a new YourBloggingUniversity course!

Links You Should Check Out:

Shared Jan 27, 2018 comment

Slow Day: Week 4

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Slow Day: Week 4

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly Slow Day post, inspired by Monica from The Homespun Heart. My Word for 2018 is Slow and, in the spirit of that word, I’m taking one day each week (Wednesday) off — I’ll be unplugged and offline and plan to move at a slower pace, take time to do things that refresh me, and just really focus on being present and savoring the moment.

Each Saturday, I’ll be sharing a photographic peek into my Slow Day — and I’ll let the pictures almost 100% speak for themselves, instead of giving many explanations. Enjoy a little peek into our lives!

I didn’t end up making it into real clothes before school dropoff… it seems that’s been happening more often recently! At least I got my run in!

Mornings at our house…

Ready for Discipleship Group… I met a friend for a quick breakfast before we headed to church.

(My notes for a short talk I gave this week as part of the main session.)

Jesse picked me up from Discipleship Group and we drove to downtown Nashville for a date at ETCH (we had been given a gift card three years ago in exchange for a project I helped a friend with — we finally decided it was time to use it!)

My salad was delicious!

After school snacks… Kathrynne made a mask in one of her classes so she wore it home! 😉 Also, just to clarify, that is sparkling cider. And yes, the kids like to drink their drinks in unique glasses. We have plenty of normal cups and glasses, but they usually prefer “grown-up” glasses and I just let them go for it! 🙂

Kaitlynn always has a project she’s working on!

My current reads: Daddy Long Legs and Mom Set Free.

Shared Jan 27, 2018 comment

Brigette’s $100 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

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Brigette’s $100 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 gallon Whole Milk – $1.56

1 16-oz carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.55

1 2-lb bag Frozen Tilapia – $3.59

2 Whole Chickens (5.5lbs each) – $10.86

2 16-oz bags Egg Noodles – $2.18

2 4-lb bags Sugar – $2.18

2 1-lb boxes Butter Quarters – $3.90

1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $2.69

1 bag Zucchini – $1.45

1 bag Broccoli Crowns – $1.15

1 Pineapple – $0.89

2 bags Baby Carrots – $1.50

1 2-lb bag Carrots – $0.65

1 bunch Bananas (1.74lb @ $0.33/lb) – $0.57

1 bag Green Grapes (1.86lb @ $0.89/lb) – $1.66

1 bunch Celery – $0.85

1 Artisan Lettuce – $1.19

1 2-lb bag Yellow Onions – $0.99

1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.79

1 bag Fresh Parsley – $1.15

1 jar Pure Vanilla – $3.49

2 cans Tomato Sauce – $0.38

1 box Pure and Simple Apple Pie Bars – $3.99 (I’m so excited Aldi started carrying these – the ingredients are similar to Larabars, which we love!)

1 box Saltines – $1.19

2 loaves Bread, reduced – $0.40 (I have no idea where the other loaf is in this picture – but we came home with two, I promise!)

3 dozen Eggs – $2.64

2 cans Organic Pinto Beans – $1.78

Total: $58.02

Harris Teeter

3 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $2.97 (Great price, and these will last us for this week and next)

2 3-lb bags Fuji Apples – $4.98

2 40-ct boxes Zing Sweetener – $3.98, used 2 $1.50/1 Born Sweet Zing Organic Stevia Sweetener – 1-7-18 SS (exp. 03/10/18) – $0.98/2 boxes after coupons

2 cans Petite Diced Tomatoes – $1.00

2 cans Mild Rotel – $2.00

1 64-oz carton Almond Breeze – $1.97

2 10-ct bags Flour Tortillas – $1.98

2 5-lb bags Flour – $1.98

1 Artisan Lettuce, reduced – $1.00

1 5-lb bag Bread Flour – $3.39

Total: $22.25

Sams

I don’t have a membership to Sams, but my friend texted me earlier this week to tell me they had a whole pallet of these large boxes (each box has 30 individual sized packages) of organic cranberries reduced to $3.91 each!! I LOVE craisins, and I LOVE this brand because they are sweet and juicy, but don’t have any added sugar (they are sweetened with fruit juice only). These normally retail for $15-20 each, and I’m not sure why Sams was clearancing them since they don’t expire for over a year. I asked my friend for 5 boxes (I actually wanted more, but didn’t want to be greedy. :)) She bought 10 boxes for me, and would only let me pay her $20 for all 10. So the super great deal turned out to be super SUPER great for me! Ha! 

10 large (30-ct each) boxes Patience Organic Craisins – $20.00 (see my story above)

Grocery Total for the Week: $100.27 

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfast. Choices include:

Cereal, Oatmeal, Fruit, Toast, Scrambled/Boiled/Fried Eggs, Smoothies

Lunches

Cheese Quesadillas, Apples, Carrots

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Craisins, Baked Zucchini “Fries” x 2

Build-Your-Own-Tossed-Salad Bar (Lettuce/Spring Mix, Celery, Carrots, Apples, Hard Boiled Eggs, Shredded Cheese, Craisins, Nuts, Dressing) x 2

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Build-Your-Own-Burritos (Venison Taco Meat, Seasoned Rice, Black Beans, Shredded Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, Salsa), Fruit Salad, Green Beans

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Make-Ahead Butterhorns, Saltine Crackers, (Company for dinner – One family is bringing a relish plate and dip, the other family is bringing dessert)

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Roasted Parmesan Broccoli, Easy Whole Wheat Bread

Pearl’s Chili (recipe from Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook), Make-Ahead Butterhorns, Tossed Salad

Baked Potatoes topped with leftover Chili and Shredded Cheese, Tossed Salad, Pineapple

Oven-Blackened Tilapia, Steamed Carrots, Apple Slices, Bread Machine Buttery Rolls

Leftovers