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Shared Sep 2, 2017 comment

Brigette’s $60 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on September 2, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

(Sorry about the blurry picture – it was pouring rain/very humid while we unloaded groceries, and the camera lens on my phone was wet and cloudy even though I tried wiping it many times. I didn’t realize I hadn’t gotten a clear picture until I went to upload it today.)

Aldi

1 canister Quick Oats – $2.39

2 dozen large Eggs – $1.38

Seedless Watermelon – $2.39 (This may be the cheapest price I have ever seen advertised! Anyone else have them cheaper?!)

Cantaloupe – $0.99

1 pkg Mushrooms – $1.29

1 Cabbage – $1.29

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99

1 16-oz bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.99

1 bag Zucchini – $1.79

1 tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.49

3 4-ct pkgs Sweet Corn – $2.37

3 (huge!!) Cauliflower – $5.97

1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.79

2 pkgs Blueberries – $2.98

1 bunch Bananas (2.95lbs @$0.29/lb) – $0.86

2 1-lb bags Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $4.98

1 loaf Bread – $0.50

1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $4.39

2 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $3.38

1 bag Cheddar Cheese Rice Snacks – $1.49

1 gallon Whole Milk – $2.05

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.29

1 16-oz carton Egg Whites – $1.89

1 32-oz tub Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.49

1 64-oz carton Unsweetened Almond Milk – $1.99

Grocery Total for the Week: $60.40

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible for choosing, making, and cleaning up their own breakfast. Choices include:

Fruit, Yogurt, Boiled or Fried Eggs, Zucchini Bread, Veggie Omelets, Cereal, Oatmeal

Lunches

PB and J Sandwiches, Cantaloupe, Cheese Sticks and Carrots (both leftover from last week) x 2

Leftovers x 5

Dinners

Cabbage Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Twisted Parmesan Breadsticks

Homemade Corn Dogs (My first time attempting this – my 10-yr old chose it for her night to make dinner. I’ll supervise and we’ll see how it turns out! :)), Baked French Fries, Tossed Salad

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Roasted Cauliflower, Baked Potatoes, Easy Whole Wheat Bread

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs on the Grill, Watermelon, Corn on the Cob, President Reagan’s Favorite Macaroni and Cheese (Labor Day Cookout with Friends – other people are bringing additional sides and dessert)

Herbed Slow Cooker Chicken (I’ll use boneless chicken breasts), Roasted Cauliflower, Tossed Salad, Butterhorns

Homemade Cheese Pizza, Raw Veggies with Dip, Watermelon

Leftovers

Shared Sep 2, 2017 comment

25 Fall Activities for Families on a Tight Budget

Published: by crystal on September 2, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Looking for frugal fall family activities? Check out this great list of 25 Fall Activities for Families on a Tight Budget.

Shared Sep 1, 2017 comment

This week, I did something scary…

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 1, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Yesterday, I launched my brand-new Say Goodbye to Survival Mode course. And I have to tell you that I was really scared to put it out to the world.

My husband and team and close friends will tell you that this week was hard for me. I struggled with doubt, with insecurity, and with angst.

I’ve made huge strides over the past few years to be more authentic and vulnerable and less of a people-pleaser. But this course is so different than anything I’ve ever written or produced or created before and I was worried about how it would be received.

Would people be surprised? Was I too vulnerable? Did I share too much of my story? Should I have just stuck to practical advice and strategies?

These questions have swirled around and around in my head this past week.

Yes, I Still Struggle with a Lot of Fear

I know that many times, people look at someone like me who has a lot of followers and who has been blogging for a long time and you’ll think that I wouldn’t struggle with these thoughts. That I should be immune to fear and self-doubt. But I’m here to tell you that that’s just not true.

I’ve gotten more courageous and confident in recent years, but fear is still a regular visitor in my life — especially during a week like this week where I was launching something new and different and very outside my usual safe spaces.

As I was talking with a friend about this earlier this week, he wisely said to me, “Do you believe this is the course you were supposed to write? Do you believe that this was the message God gave you to share? If so, then you need to own it and share it and not worry if a lot of people don’t like it.”

You see, for the past year, so many people have begged me to talk about the journey I’ve been on. You’ve noticed the changes. You’ve seen a difference in my writing. You’ve sensed a lightness and a joy in me that you’ve not seen before.

You’ve written in and asked me to share more about it. But I wasn’t ready to share. Because I wanted to live it quietly. I wanted to process it all privately. And I just didn’t feel ready to share.

This Wasn’t the Course I Planned to Write

When I set out to write this course, I didn’t plan to share personal journey over the past two years of breaking free from being addicted to productivity, of no longer finding my worth in my work, of the untethering from busyness and discovering the joy of a restful pace of life.

I actually had outlined a course that was more about systems and strategies and steps. That’s what I had envisioned it would be. That’s what I told other people I was going to write about.

Then, I sat down to write and create and record the course…and what flowed out completely surprised me. It wasn’t a simple step-by-step plan or a 3-point strategy for getting your life more in order.

It was raw. It was gut-honest. And it was an in-depth look of the journey I’ve been on the last two years to break free from burnout. I didn’t even really realize how all of these pieces fit together and how my story had transpired like it did until I started writing this course.

And it took me by surprise.

But I Believe It’s the Course I Was Supposed to Write

After mulling over it and asking close friends for counsel, I decided that the time was right to share my journey. To open up about the last two years and to bring you into the journey I’ve been on and let you get a peek into the heart transformation that has happened and how it has come about.

Yes, the Say Goodbye to Survival Mode course is much different than I thought it was going to be. It’s a huge departure from what most people would expect from me. But it’s the course I was supposed to write.

And so, with fear and trepidation, I’m launching it out into the world trusting that it is going to help and impact and encourage and bless those who need it. I’d love for you to check it out over here (it’s $10 off through Tuesday!)

Oh and thank you so very much for the way that you all continue to cheer me on in this journey. I feel eternally indebted to you all for how you constantly encourage me, bless me, and inspire me to be brave.

P.S. If you would love to purchase the course but you are in serious financial need right now, I’d love to gift you a copy of the course. Just email me (moneysavingmom @ gmail.com) and I’ll send you access!

Shared Aug 31, 2017 comment

Introducing My Brand-New Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Course!

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 31, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Five years ago, I wrote a book called Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.

The book chronicled my journey of hitting rock bottom and the steps I took to climb out of the pit of survival mode and start thriving again.

This book landed on the New York Times List, it sold thousands and thousands of copies, and it impacted many women’s lives in a profound way.

I’m so humbled and grateful and, honestly, blown away.

But here’s the thing you need to know: In 2015 (about a year and a half after my book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, was published), I found myself completely exhausted, spent, and burnt out again.

Only this time, the burnout had crept in so slowly that I didn’t even realize it. I was the proverbial frog in the boiling water. The heat had been turned up so slowly that I hadn’t even noticed — until I was almost dead.

Okay, the word dead might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s truly how my soul felt.

My inspiration was completely dried up. My motivation was zapped. And my zest for life had grown legs and walked out and left.

The Question That Changed My Life

Then one day in the middle of 2015, a friend invited me to go out for coffee. Over coffee, my friend asked me a question that changed my life.

“What are you excited about right now?”

I sat there and realized I had no response. Because, the truth was, I wasn’t excited about anything.

For real.

I was completely overwhelmed, overworked, and over-committed.

And I didn’t think there was a way out. This was just my life. This was just how it had to be.

Or did it?

My 18-Month Journey of Transformation

That question sent me on an 18-month journey of deep soul-digging and life transformation.

It wasn’t easy. In fact, it required me to make a long series of difficult decisions. It meant shifting my mindset. It was only the result of many, many tears and much struggle.

Since that pivotal day in 2015 when I had coffee with my friend, I’ve made massive changes in my life. Changes that have affected every area of my life — my emotional health, my energy levels, my overall outlook on life, and even my physical appearance!

These changes didn’t start with overhauling my whole life. I was too exhausted and spent and BUSY to even have time to consider doing something like that.

It started with tiny steps that turned into bigger shifts that ended up with me being here — over two years later — in an entirely different space and place.

Introducing… The Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Course!

For the past two years, many people who have watched this transformation online. They asked me if I’d share more details of this journey and what led to this complete shift they’ve witnessed in me.

In this course I open up about my journey in a very real, authentic, and vulnerable way. You could say this course is the sequel to my book, Say Goodbye to Survival. It shares what has transpired and what I’ve learned since I wrote that book.

It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever written before, but my desire is that exposing my heart and soul through this course, my story will give you hope and help. That it will encourage you that you can also break free from living stuck in survival mode.

When you purchase this course, you’ll get immediate access to all of the following:

7 video lessons with me sharing my 18-month journey — one for each day of the course.
Daily personal reflection questions to help you process well on your own journey to break free from burnout.
Some of my favorite recommended resources (links, books, podcasts) to go along with each day’s lesson.
A PDF workbook including the entire course lessons that you can download and print.
Plus! You’ll get 3 free exclusive bonuses!

The course videos and materials can be accessed via any desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or mobile device. You can choose to print the workbook or download it to your computer or phone.

This course is self-paced and you have lifetime access to all course downloads. You can begin it at any time and go at your own pace!

Hurry! Get $10 Off for the Next 5 Days!

This course is regularly priced at $37, but to celebrate launch week, we’re offering it for just $27 for the next five days only (through September 5, 2017).

So, what are you waiting for? Click below to enroll for just $27 today!

Shared Aug 30, 2017 comment

13 Easy Homemade Bread Recipes {Freezer & Budget Friendly!}

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 30, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

There’s something about the smell of homemade bread wafting through your house. Not only does it smell SO welcoming, but fresh-from-the-oven bread is beyond delicious!

Our family loves bread, and one way that I’ve always stretched our grocery budget is by making our own bread at home. You can buy the ingredients for homemade bread and it will last for many, many bread recipes of all kinds.

During the lean law school years earlier on in our marriage, this was one of my favorite ways to save money but also enjoy something delicious! In fact, I often saved us $100-$200 per year by making our own homemade bread!

I know making bread can seem time consuming and requires planning ahead, and that’s why I love to make bread ahead of time and freeze it for later!

Here are 13 of my very favorite homemade bread recipes that are frugal, easy to make, and freezer-friendly…

1. Homemade Freezer Biscuits — Say goodbye forever to canned biscuits. This recipe is a winner. It’s quick, easy, inexpensive, and so practical. Best of all, you control what ingredients go in it, unlike canned biscuits that you buy at the store.

2. Easy Freezer-Friendly Homemade Pizza Dough — This pizza crust recipe has been my go-to recipe for years. It’s so easy to make — and it’s really hard to ruin. In fact, I’ve made it dozens upon dozens of times and I don’t think I’ve ever messed it up.

3. Homemade Breadsticks in the Bread Machine — These are SO easy to make — and absolutely delicious, too! To make these freezer-friendly, just wait until you reheat them to add the melted butter, parmesan, and garlic.

4. 30 Minute Rolls — This recipe has been a favorite in our family for many years. We’ve made so many batches of these rolls that I have the recipe memorized. They are so yummy and a hit with everyone who eats them. And you’ll be shocked by how easy and FAST they are to whip up!

5. Pull Apart Oat Rolls — The addition of oatmeal and whole wheat flour gives these tall, fluffy rolls a hearty boost! You can even substitute wheat germ or wheat bran in place of some of the whole wheat flour for a little different twist. If you can’t eat them all at once, they freeze well and reheat beautifully.

6. Easy Whole Wheat Muffins — These consist of only a few staple ingredients, making them extremely frugal and easy to make. They are also a lifesaver for those day-before-grocery-shopping emergencies where you really need something else to serve with dinner, but your cupboards are almost empty! These muffins are surprisingly moist, even though they don’t have any oil or butter in them. So for those of you trying to watch your fat intake, use low-fat buttermilk, and this recipe can be your new best friend.

7. Easy and Delicious Homemade English Muffin Bread — I made this recipe back in 2012 for the first time as a DIY project one month. I’m so glad I tried the recipe, because it’s an ongoing winner in our house. It’s so easy to make, so frugal, and SO good. It also freezes beautifully! I make the loaves, slice them, package them in freezer bags, and freeze them. Then, we just take out however many slices we want at a time!

8. Make-Ahead Butterhorn Rolls — These are pretty much hands-down the most-delicious dinner rolls you’ll ever eat. And best of all? You can make up a batch or a double-batch ahead of time and then just pull out, thaw, and bake as many as you need for dinner.

9. Bread Machine Buttery Rolls — This is a recipe from my brother, it uses basic ingredients you usually will always have on hand, and it literally takes about 5 minutes of labor! These rolls always turn out beautifully and my whole family loves them. This is a winner recipe you’ll make over and over again.

10. Chocolate Banana Bread — It’s hard to go wrong with anything that has bananas, chocolate, and chocolate chips. Seriously, though. Chocolate on chocolate. Enough said! 😉

11. Pumpkin Crescent Rolls — When it comes to homemade rolls, it doesn’t get much better than these. You can’t taste the pumpkin in these at all, but the pumpkin is there for a reason. It makes these rolls tender, soft and absolutely delicious! The finished rolls are a beautiful golden fall color – although the color varies depending on what kind of pumpkin you are using.

12. Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists — This recipe is one of our family’s very favorite recipes. I originally adapted it from an old, falling-apart Better Homes and Gardens bread cookbook my mom had when we were growing up. I’ve made these countless times and they are so easy to do and so yummy!

13. Freezer-Friendly Banana Bread — This banana bread recipe freezes so well, and you can add all kinds of fun mix-ins to it if you want! Our favorite is chocolate chips (of course!). We make this whole wheat chocolate chip version frequently!

Bonus Tip: You can also try making your own homemade baking mixes to save money and time!

Looking for other freezer-friendly recipe ideas? Try these:

What are some of your family’s favorite bread recipes? I’d love to hear!

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Aug 29, 2017 comment

Gretchen’s $63 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan

Published: by Gretchen on August 29, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Dillons

I skipped grocery shopping last week and instead opted to try and use up as much stuff in our freezer and pantry as I could. It was a fun challenge, but I had to get pretty creative by the end of the week to come up with meals!

2 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Cereal – $1.79 each, used $1/2 e-coupon – $1.29 each after coupon

1 Nabsico Crackers – $1.49

1 Kroger Flour – $1.29

2 Nature Valley Granola Cups – $1.79 each, used $1/2 e-coupon AND $1/2 SavingStar.com rebate – $0.79 each after coupon and rebate

2 Kroger Peanut Butter – $0.88 each, used 2 $0.40/1 e-coupons – $0.48 each after coupons

2 Mott Fruit Snacks – $0.99 each, used $1/2 e-coupon AND $1/2 SavingStar.com rebate – Free after coupon and rebate

2 Annie’s Bunny Crackers – $1.89 each, used 2 $1/1 printable – $0.89 each after coupons

1 Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $1, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) AND $0.50/1 SavingStar.com rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate

1 Romaine Lettuce – $1.29

2.13 lbs Bananas – $1.04

1.84 lbs Apples – $2.74

3 Enjoy Life Chocolate – $1.50 each, used $4/3 e-coupon AND $3/3 Ibotta rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate

2 Welch’s Fruit Snacks – $1.29 each, used $1/2 printable AND $1/2 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.29 each after coupon and rebate

2 Hormel Natural Snacks – $1.50 each, used $1/1 printable AND $1.75/1 e-coupon (no longer available) – $0.12 each after coupons

And used $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate (for any receipt)

Total after coupons and rebates: $12.32

Aldi

2 dozen Eggs – $0.43 each

1 loaf Bread – $0.89

1 gallon Milk – $1.76 (not pictured)

1 canister Raisins – $2.79

1 bag (5 lbs) Potatoes – $2.49

1 bag Frozen Tilapia Fillets – $3.39

1 bag Spinach – $1.49

1 lb Butter – $2.46

2 lbs Ground Beef – $3.19 each

1 jar Dill Pickles – $1.29

1 Baking Powder – $0.99

1 bag Frozen Blueberries – $2.29

1 Butterscotch Chips – $1.79

1 Chocolate Chips – $1.79

1 bag Frozen Strawberries – $2.09

1 bag M&M’s – $2.95 (We needed these for a school project.)

1 pkg Cheddar Cheese – $1.79

1 pkg Summer Sausage – $3.79

1 pkg Yeast – $0.89

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $0.99

1 bag Red Grapes – $1.58

1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.49

1 pkg Pita Bread – $1.49

2 pint Grape Tomatoes – $0.79 each

2 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.69 each

Total: $50.68

Total for both stores: $63

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Toast & Eggs x 4

Cereal x 2

Quick 45 Minute Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks, Grapes x 2

Mac & Cheese, Fruit, Sliced Cucumbers

Salad Bar, No Bake Peanut Butter Bites

Potato Bar

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Biscuits, Green Beans

Summer Sausage, Crackers, Cheese, Sliced Veggies

Soft Tacos, Rice

Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros, Tossed Salad

Grilled Tilapia, Amish White Bread, Spinach Salad

Spaghetti, 30 Minute Rolls, Steamed Carrots

Out to eat

Shared Aug 27, 2017 comment

A Peek Into My Life This Past Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 27, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.

What I Read This Week

Kaitlynn and I finished reading this book this week as part of her Sonlight curriculum in homeschool and really enjoyed it! Have you read it before? I’d never heard of it but it was such a fun read-aloud — especially since we’re studying ancient Egypt history right now.

{See my Reading Goals for 2017. Also, see the 62 books I’ve read so far in 2017 here.}

What We Did This Past Week

On the way to school one morning this past week, I asked the question I try to ask daily: “What are you excited about today?”

“We get to paint our salt dough maps today!” Was his eager reply.

You guys. This boy! I just love how much he loves learning!

He has been studying about ancient Egypt in school the past few weeks. They made salt dough maps last week in Humanities and then painted them today to practically demonstrate their understanding of what they had learned.

My mama heart may have just swelled to bursting when he went over it in great detail with me all about the flood zones, the crops, the Sphinx, the pyramids, the Nile river, and the Delta.

Since Kaitlynn and I are studying the same thing in our curriculum (which I chose to coincide with what Silas would be doing at school), we’re having so much fun comparing notes and sharing fun facts and tidbits with each other!

I love that we are doing this hybrid educational thing this year based upon what we felt would be best for each child. They each seem to be thriving where they are at and I’m so very grateful!

We also enjoyed watching the solar eclipse on Monday. It was incredible — even though we didn’t have complete totality (it was about 99% where we live).

Had I known how cool it was going to be and how awestruck my kids (and I!) were going to be with it, we totally would have driven a little ways to see totality. Now we know for 2024!

While it didn’t get completely dark, we did get to see the sunset for about a minute — which was incredible!

What I’m Learning as a Parent

Lean in. Listen. Love.

These have become my guiding words in my parenting — especially as my kids are getting older, spreading their wings, and attempting to fly a little.

A few days ago, one child failed to follow through and do something they were asked to do. As a result, they lost a privilege of getting to do another thing they were really looking forward to.

This child was very upset and angry. And honestly? I wanted to be all, “I told you if you didn’t do X, you wouldn’t get Y. It’s your own stinkin’ fault.” Which would just anger and shame the child.

But instead, I stopped and resolved to lean in, listen, and love.

So, I sat with them while they cried about losing this privilege. I told them gently how I knew it was hard for them and how I was sad, too. I asked what was the hardest thing about it and let them express their frustration.

Once they stopped crying, I shared with them quietly about why we had made the decision we had. I told them how much we loved them and how much we wanted to spare them pain in the future by teaching them now that following through and doing the right thing is so important.

I then asked, “Do you want me to tell you about a time when I didn’t do the right thing and the consequences that came from that?”

They sat up and excitedly said, “Yes!”

So we snuggled together while I told them the story of a time when I had made a very bad choice and how I’d experienced *six months* of hard consequences as a result of that one choice.

When I got done with my story, this child had a look of deep understanding on their face. I could tell that they felt seen, heard, and loved.

It turned into such a beautiful time together. And it was all because instead of reacting or shaming or being frustrated, I leaned in, listened, and loved.

What I’ve Been Pondering + An Exciting Announcement

I’ve spent the last two years of my life untethering myself from being chained to a worth based on productivity…

I’ve shut out a lot of noise. I’ve said “no” probably a few hundred times every single month.

I’ve slept more. I’ve laughed more. I’ve developed a few new deep friendships.

I’ve stopped obsessing so much over things I can’t change.

I’ve tried new foods, new styles, new drinks, and new experiences.

I’ve started volunteering at church in the children’s ministry. I signed up to co-lead a women’s small group.

I’ve even given myself freedom to spend money on things “just because” — like discounted flowers and new shoes.

I’ve become a lot more spontaneous. I’ve stopped waking up so early. I’ve started getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

I loved deeper. I’ve trusted more wholeheartedly.

I’ve given myself space to feel instead of stuffing things. I’ve ugly cried.

I’ve let other people see the under-belly of who I really am without pretending. I’ve welcomed people into my messy.

And I’m happier and healthier and braver and more confident and more fulfilled than I’ve ever been in my life.

Many of you have asked me to share more about this journey and the specifics of how I’ve actually walked it. I wasn’t ready until now. Because I needed to quietly live it first.

But the past two months, I’ve been working on a course where I open up and share really vulnerably about my journey.

It’s called Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: A 7-Day Journey to Break Free from Burnout & it launches this coming week!

Instead of doing a big launch promotion, this time around, I’m offering a free webinar where I’ll share more about my journey, share some of the most important lessons I learned, do a live Q&A, and offer a special discount on the course for those who sign up.

I’m offering the webinar LIVE 3 times this coming week and I’d love for you to join me for it. Go sign up for it here (and look for more details on the webinar tomorrow!)

Links You Should Check Out

Easy Individual Mini Meat Lasagnas — This is such a great freezer-friendly recipe idea from my younger sister, Olivia!
Had a bad morning this morning? This might encourage you.
Want to see a little peek into our mornings? Check this out.
I have a new mantra for business and life. You can read all about it here.

Shared Aug 26, 2017 comment

We Paid Cash: A School Bus!

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 26, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

A testimony from Harmony of Creating My Kaleidoscope:

We’ve been trying to get out of debt for a long time. Every year our tax return went towards the credit cards, giving us a false sense of achievement… and it would never take long for the balances to climb back up again.

We were finally able to make real progress on our debt over the past couple of years thanks to a lot of hard work and a genuine change in our attitude towards money.

2017 was the first year we were able to use our tax return towards an investment, instead of just paying back money already spent, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. We had been planning to have one more child to add to our set of three. Neither one of our vehicles would carry the whole family after the newest addition, so we decided to use our tax return towards purchasing a used minivan.

It felt incredibly empowering that we were going to be able to buy another vehicle without needing any financing. Then, we got the surprise of a lifetime. Our final, fourth baby, was going to be number four and five!

We were shocked to find out that twins were on their way. The standard minivan no longer seemed like a practical choice and three-row vehicles were too expensive for us to buy, at least with cash.

We were at a loss, searching through listings on Craigslist every night and very close to conceding that we would have to resort to a car loan. That was, until we starting thinking outside of the box and came up with an idea: our new family vehicle could be a used school bus!

We had just happened to see a used school bus for sale and ended up learning about a whole community of people who transform them into campers and RV’s. If they could do that with an old bus, why couldn’t we use one to cart our big family around town? We would be able to fit the whole family, plus friends, strollers, wagons, coolers, sports equipment, and all sorts of other things.

We started doing research on whether buying a short school bus would be a feasible option. The DMV informed us that we would not need a commercial driver’s license and told us about the registration requirements. Our insurance company gave us some reasonable quotes. Mr. Smith spent a bunch of time on “Schoolie” forums and watching YouTube videos to learn about what to look for when choosing our bus.

We decided to look for a short bus with a 7.3 Liter diesel engine, because it should get better gas mileage and last longer. We looked in locations that don’t use salt in the winter. It also needed to have seat belts that would work with the car seats.

There are quite a few dealers who specialize in school buses across the United States. However, we found that most of their vehicles had at least 200,000 or 300,000 miles on them. We’re hopeful that our bus will last at least that long, but we wanted to start off with less miles on the engine. We ended up focusing on Craigslist postings across the eastern half of the United States. There are a surprising amount of buses for sale out there, but not so many that met all of our requirements.

Our time line was a bit troublesome. We had to wait until we had our tax refund, but we were unsure exactly when the twins would arrive. It became clear that some travel would be involved to get a bus that met all of our criteria, and there was no way that Mr. Smith was going to leave me home by myself with three young children and newborn twins. We found one bus in Virginia, but it sold before we had our tax refund. We were pretty worried that our plan wasn’t going to work.

Then, we found our bus down in Tennessee. We had many phone conversations with the seller (who happened to be a small used car lot) to get answers to all of our questions and obtain lots of pictures of the bus. We did some research on the seller, sent a cashier’s check as a deposit, and had it added to our insurance policy. Mr. Smith flew down to Tennessee with a second cashier’s check with him for the remainder of the price of the bus and drove it back home. The seller provided him with a temporary dealer’s plate, but we did learn that you can purchase temporary plates from the DMV for a pretty small charge.

We now have a 20-passenger school bus in our driveway, completely paid for in cash. It is a 2003 Ford E-450, with a Powerstroke Turbo 7.3 Liter diesel engine and 136,000 miles. The bus cost us a total of $4,500, plus airfare, and tolls and gas to drive it back up North.

The bus needs a little bit of work before it can be driven around town. We removed the stop sign and “School Bus” decals. The main issue right now is that it cannot be yellow and we need to remove two bench seats (weight requirement) before it can be registered at the DMV. Mr. Smith has been working hard cleaning and sanding down the bus, and then he’ll start painting it. We were quoted a price of approximately $1,500 to have someone paint it for us. Fortunately, Mr. Smith was able to borrow a compressor and paint gun from a friend, so we can do it ourselves.

Our family, friends, and the neighbors think we’re a little strange. The kids are really excited. I’m looking forward to lots of adventures in the bus . . . and extremely thankful that our fun won’t be ruined by having to worry about making any loan payments.

Harmony Smith is a working mom of five who is fighting to pay off debt so she can escape from her 9-5 job and spend more time with her family. Harmony blogs about saving money, increasing her income with side hustles, DIY projects, and other adventures at Creating My Kaleidoscope.

Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.

Shared Aug 25, 2017 comment

Brigette’s $69 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on August 25, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

4 dozen Eggs – $2.56

1 32-oz carton Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.49

2 large packages White House Rolls, reduced – $0.50

1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.83

1 gallon Whole Milk – $2.05

2 64-oz cartons Premium Orange Juice – $4.18

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $1.79

2 pkgs String Cheese – $5.58

3 1-lb pkgs Butter – $7.35

1 pkg Pepperoni – $2.19

1 16-oz pkg Shredded Cheese – $1.99 (I didn’t realize this was the price until I checked my receipt. Great price, and I would have bought more had I realized!)

1 3-lb bag Mandarin Oranges – $2.49

1 pkg Strawberries – $1.49

1 bunch Bananas (2.11 lbs@$0.29/lb) – $0.61

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.29

2 pkgs Red Grapes (6.12lbs @ $0.79/lb) – $4.84

1 bag Lemons – $2.99

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99

2 pkgs Baby Carrots – $0.98

1 head Cauliflower – $2.29

1 Artisan Lettuce – $1.99

2 pints Grape Tomatoes – $1.98

1 10-lb bag Potatoes – $3.49

2 24-oz jars Spaghetti Sauce – $1.98

Total: $60.83

Harris Teeter

2 pkgs Lance Crackers – $2.74, used $1.00/2 Lance Sandwich Cracker Variety – 7-23-17 RP; Includes 8.4 – 30.3 oz Only (exp. 08/27/17), plus receive $1.00 rebate from Checkout 51, and $1.00 rebate from Ibotta – $0.26 MM after coupon and rebates!

1 Rev Hormel Wrap – $1.00, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled), plus receive $0.75 rebate from Checkout 51 – $0.75 MM after coupon!

1 Almond Breeze Cashew Milk – $2.50

3 pkgs Bumble Bee Seasoned Tuna Pouches – $3.00, used $1.00/3 Bumble Bee Seasoned Tuna Pouches – 8-20-17 SS; Includes 2.5 oz Only (exp. 09/30/17) – $2.00/3 (I had thought there was an Ibotta rebate for these as well – which is one reason why I bought them – but I’m not finding it).

2 Soleil Razors – $11.98, used 2 $3.00/1 BIC Disposable Razor Pack – 8-6-17 SS (exp. 09/02/17), plus receive 2 $3.00/1 rebates from Checkout 51 – FREE after coupons and rebates

2 Garnier Fructis Shampoo – $4.00, used $4.00/2 Garnier Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styling Product – 7/30/17 RP (exp. 8/26/17) – FREE after coupon

2 5-lb bags Flour – $1.94 (used a rain check from last week)

1 Polaner All-Fruit Jam – $2.00

Total after Tax, Coupons and Rebates – $8.50

Grocery Total for the Week: $69.33

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible to make their own breakfast and clean up after themselves. Choices include:

Cereal, Oatmeal, Toast, Fried or Hard Boiled Eggs, Zucchini Bread, Fruit, Muffin-Sized Quiches (I pre-made these and they are in the freezer – a recipe from the Trim, Healthy Mama Cookbook)

Lunches

Tuna, Rolls, Cheese Sticks, Carrots, Grapes

Peanut Butter Crackers, Cheese Sticks, Carrots/Tomatoes, Bananas x 2

Baked Potatoes with Cheese and Broccoli

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Hamburgers on the Grill, Grilled Veggies (Potatoes, Cauliflower, and Zucchini), Grapes

Cabbage Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Tossed Salad

Homemade Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Fruit Salad, Carrots

Grilled Chicken, Rolls (the $0.25 ones from Aldi!), Tossed Salad, Green Beans

Hobo Packets (I had these on my Menu Plan last week, but I didn’t end up making them), Apples

Shepherd’s Pie, Butterhorns, Tossed Salad

Leftovers

Shared Aug 23, 2017 comment

Mini Freezable Lasagna Recipe

Published: by Olivia on August 23, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Mini lasagnas are fantastic for those of you who need single-serving recipes or easy on-the-go lunches! This is also a great freezer lasagna recipe to prep ahead of time and have on hand in the freezer for those chaotic weeknights!

Why you’ll love this Make Ahead Lasagna

Looking for an easy freezer dinner idea?

These individually-sized mini lasagnas are the perfect go-to lunch or dinner! They work amazingly well for single people, busy schedules, and hungry boys. 🙂

Take them to work (you might make all your co-workers jealous!), send them in your older kids’ lunches, or even bring them as a frozen meal to someone else!

Ingredients for Mini Make Ahead Freezer Lasagna

3 pounds ground beef
2 Tbs. minced dried onion
2 tsp. salt (divided)
1/2 tsp. black pepper (divided)
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
3 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
3 jars (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
24 ounces cottage cheese (about 2 3/4 cups)
30 ounces ricotta cheese (about 3 1/4 cups)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs
18 ounces oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken in half
2 pounds mozzarella cheese (1 pound thinly sliced, 1 pound shredded)
Mini Foil Pans

ingredients for mini freezer-friendly lasagnas

Freezer Lasagna substitutions and variations

There are so many ways to tweak this recipe to fit your taste preferences… or just whatever you have in the pantry!

Here are a few ideas:

swap ground turkey or ground sausage for some of the ground beef (it’s great with a mixture of meat)
make your own sauce
mix diced tomatoes (drain them first) in with the sauce for a chunkier lasagna
mix up the spices and seasonings a bit (oregano adds a nice Italian punch)
use multiple types of cheese — Parmesan is great with Mozzarella, and cheddar pairs well too

How to Make a Mini Freezer Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Grease several mini lasagna pans and set them aside.

3. Brown ground beef with minced onions in a large pan. When meat is cooked, drain off the fat.

4. Stir in spaghetti sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, basil, 2 tsp. parsley, and Italian seasoning.

cooked meat in a pan with Classico sauce

5. In a medium-sized bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon parsley, and eggs.

layering mini lasagnas in aluminium foil pans

6. Spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the mini foil pans.

7. Layer uncooked noodles, sliced cheese, cottage cheese mixture, and meat mixture as desired, ending with meat mixture.

8. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.

9. Place mini pans on a large sheet pan and bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is somewhat crispy.

NOTE: At this point, they are not 100% fully cooked yet. If you plan to freeze them, this is when you should pull them out of the oven, let them cool to room temperature, cover them, and put them in the freezer.

However, if you plan to eat them immediately, cover the hot lasagna with foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes.

cooked mini lasagnas fresh out of the oven

How to layer Lasagna

There is no perfect way to layer lasagna — simply keep adding layers of sauce, noodles, and cheese until you run out of ingredients or until you reach the top of your pan… and always end with cheese!

We like to start with a layer of sauce — just to keep things from sticking to the bottom of the pan. And, as mentioned above, we always end with cheese!

Another helpful tip is to keep the layers quite thin. Spread just enough sauce and cheese to cover the previous layer. This will help assure you don’t run out of ingredients before you’re finished layering, and it also makes the finished product look really pretty!

How to freeze uncooked Lasagna in aluminum pans

If you prefer to freeze your mini lasagna before you bake them, simply let the layered ingredients cool to room temperature (the sauce will be warm yet) and cover each individual pan with aluminum foil.

Label the top of the foil so you know what’s inside (be sure to include the baking instructions), and then pop them in the freezer.

They should last in the freezer for months — just make sure you leave a little extra time to defrost the pans before you bake them (follow the baking instructions in the recipe after they are defrosted.)

Make Ahead Lasagna tips

Since these are tiny, we like to make as many as possible — more bang for your buck! This recipe makes roughly 18 mini lasagna pans, so make sure you have plenty of small disposable pans on hand, in case you end up with extra ingredients.

Also, make sure you have extra freezer space available before you make a big batch of mini lasagna!

And of course, make sure you label your pans as to what’s inside, if it’s already baked or not, and what the cooking/reheating instructions are.

How to serve Make Ahead Freezer Lasagna

Lasagna is one of those recipes that goes with almost anything!

Fresh bread or rolls
Garlic breadsticks
Your favorite grilled, steamed, or roasted veggies
Ceasar salad
Any of your favorite salad kits or lettuce salad recipes
Fresh fruit
Applesauce

How long to cook Frozen Lasagna

Since these lasagnas are so teeny-tiny, they won’t take as long to bake as a full pan of lasagna.

We suggest letting the frozen lasagna defrost at room temperature for a few hours before baking. Then, depending on how defrosted they are, you’ll need to bake them, uncovered, at 350º for anywhere from 35 minutes to 60 minutes (check for doneness as they cook).

You can also prepare the lasagnas in the microwave — just pop them out of the foil pans, place them on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes. (You may need to thaw them slightly in order to be able to remove them from the pans.)

mini lasagnas cooked and ready to be frozen

Storing this Freezer Lasagna Recipe

We recommend storing the lasagna tightly covered, either refrigerated or frozen.

Can you make lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, lasagna is an excellent meal to make ahead of time as it can easily sit in the fridge for a few days or be frozen for later.

Just make sure you keep it tightly covered and put a date on it so you know how long it’s been sitting around.

How far ahead can you make lasagna?

Lasagna is such a wonderful make-ahead meal. I honestly think it tastes better as leftovers!

That said, cooked lasagna can easily last a week in the fridge (if you don’t eat it as leftovers first!)

And, as we mentioned above, you can freeze it months in advance!

How long can you keep unbaked lasagna in the fridge?

Unbaked lasagna does have raw eggs in it. With that in mind, you should be able to leave it in the fridge for 2-3 days before baking.

Freezer Lasagna Recipe FAQs

Is lasagna better with ricotta or cottage cheese?

This depends on your taste preferences (and maybe what you already have in the house! )
We love the combination of ricotta and cottage cheese, as Ricotta brings a rich creaminess while cottage cheese lightens things up a bit. That said, if you only have one on hand, just use that in place of both cheeses.

What are the mini lasagna noodles called?

They aren’t anything unique or special — we simply use regular lasagna noodles and break them in half.
We prefer oven-ready noodles as they are easier to break (and require much less prep time).

Are 2 layers enough for lasagna?

The taste is roughly the same no matter how many layers you create. Ideally, lasagna would be at least 3 layers, but in these small pans, 2 is sufficient.

Recipe

Freezer Lasagna Recipe (Mini size)

Author Olivia

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Equipment

Mini Foil Pans

Ingredients

3 lbs ground beef
2 Tbsp. minced dried onion
2 tsp. salt divided
½ tsp. black pepper divided
2 Tbsp. fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried
3 tsp. fresh parsley (divided) or 1/2 tsp. dried
1 ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
72 oz. spaghetti sauce 3 24-ounce jars
24 oz. cottage cheese
30 oz. ricotta cheese
¼ cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs
18 ounces oven-ready lasagna noodles break them in half
1 lb. mossarella cheese thinly sliced
1 lb. mozzerella cheese shredded

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Grease mini lasagna pans and set aside.
Brown ground beef with minced onions in a large pan. When meat is cooked, drain off the fat.
Stir in spaghetti sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, basil, 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, and Italian seasoning.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon parsley, and eggs.
Spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the mini foil pans
Layer uncooked noodles, sliced cheese, cottage cheese mixture, and meat mixture as desired, ending with meat mixture.
Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Place mini pans on a large sheet pan and bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is somewhat crispy.
At this point, you can let the lasagna cool, then cover and freezer for later.
OR, if you plan to eat them immediately, cover with foil and continue baking an additional 20-25 minutes.

Notes

To reheat frozen lasagnas, bake them uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

You can also prepare the lasagnas in the microwave. Pop them out of the foil pans, place on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes. (You may need to thaw them slightly in order to be able to remove them from the pans.)

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Shared Aug 20, 2017 comment

A Peek Into My Life This Past Week (+ our current daily schedule)

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 20, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.

What I Read Recently

Books read this week:

Life After — a great read suggested to me by Anne Bogel (You know it was good because I stayed up until 1 am to finish it!)
The Unhurried Homeschooler — some of this book felt a little too legalistic for me and some of her suggestions/principles would not work well for certain of my kids because of their personality types, but I still thought there was some valuable information in this book and would recommend it if you are a homeschooler or are seriously considering homeschooling. (However, as always, remember there are no one-size-fits-all plans! Do what works best for your own family!)

{See my Reading Goals for 2017. Also, see the 61 books I’ve read so far in 2017 here.}

What Our Schedule Looks Like Right Now

So many of you have asked for details on our current schedule. Because you’ve begged, I’m going to share it, but with this caveat: even though this has been working for us, I reserve the right to change it anytime if it stops working!

6-7:40 am — Up, ready for the day, breakfast, and family time.

7:40 am-1 pm — Drop kids off at school & go to work on blog/business stuff at my employee’s house while Jesse homeschools Kaitlynn (they usually make dinner together during this time, too).

1-2:30 pm — Homeschool Kaitlynn (Jesse leaves to spend the afternoon working/running errands/going to Crossfit, etc.)

2:30-4 pm — Pick kids up from school, cleaning/laundry/chore time.

4-6 pm — Free time (I usually hang with the kids, finish a few tasks, and have time to chill or take a nap).

6 pm — Dinner and family Bible time.

6:30-8 pm — Jesse hang out with the kids and I finish blogging work OR family time/evening activities.

8-9 pm — Kids to bed, hang out with Jesse.

9-10:30 pm — Exercise, shower, reading, to bed.

There you have it! Remember: this is what is working for our family, right now in this season. It’s subject to change when it stops working! ?

What I’m Celebrating

Almost exactly one year ago, I gave up coffee.

I never thought I could do it. It was excruciating for the first few weeks and I actually cried during my detox because I missed it so much.

But one year later, I don’t even miss it. I still love the smell, but I have discovered I’m so much calmer and less anxious without it. Plus, I sleep so much better!

You guys. I never thought I could survive and THRIVE without my daily doses of caffeine in a cup.

But I did. I have. And I AM! And it makes me feel so empowered to try other things that I never thought I could do!

What I’ve Been Pondering

No matter what I say or do or don’t say or don’t do, someone is bothered, upset, offended, or disappointed. I’m sure you’ve experienced that, too, in your life!

Someone asked me the other day how I deal with negative comments. Here’s what has helped me:

1) Don’t be surprised or offended. Part of the nature of putting out words on the internet means that not everyone is going to like or agree with you. Accept this.

2) Look for the nuggets of truth. Ask myself, “Is there truth in their words that I need to pay attention to?”

3) Don’t defend myself. I have a policy to never defend myself on the internet. Sometimes, things need to be clarified or responded to — but I commit to wait to respond until I can do it with grace and love for the person.

4) Believe the best. Always assume someone is using a kind tone of voice when they write and have your best interests at heart. Don’t make up stories or read into things.

5) Remember the truth. When I stay focused on my identity in Christ and how much I am loved and forgiven by Him, I don’t have to feel stressed, upset, or hurt by negative comments from others. I can rest in His finished work on the Cross and the fact that I am enough in Him!

What I’m Learning as a Mom

The knock came on our bedroom door and I was instantly annoyed. It was after bedtime, it had been a long day, and I was really, really ready for the kids to be asleep.

I opened the door in a bit of a huff and almost said gruffly, “What are you doing?!? Don’t you know it’s bedtime? Get in bed!!”

But before those words could come out of my mouth, I stopped myself and looked into my child’s eyes. And I saw sadness and hurt written all over their face.

“Can I come in?” They asked sheepishly. All of my annoyance melted away as my child shared their heart with me while cuddled up on my bed.

About 20 minutes later, they headed back to their bed with a smile on their face. You guys. I almost missed this beautiful conversation and opportunity to love on my child!

Motherhood is exhausting, I get that. As an introvert, it’s easy to feel people-d out and just want space. And I think it’s important to take time to refuel and recharge — but not at the expense of our kid’s hearts.

Here’s what I’m reminding myself: really look into their eyes. Really pay attention to what’s going on in their hearts. And be willing to bend the bedtime rules a little sometimes in favor of communicating to a child how much they are loved.

What’s Been on My Heart Recently

You guys. I’ve waited to say anything because I didn’t want to just add noise to the online space. But after a very heartfelt conversation with our kids about the events of last weekend, the words came and they were this…

Ultimately, I can’t fix or change anything or anyone else but me. The racial divides and hatred and anger… I can’t magically take it away.

But here’s what I CAN do: I can look for those who are lonely, left out, and hurting. I can look into their eyes, let them know that they matter, and offer my friendship.

I can raise my kids to know that ALL people are worthy of kindness and love. That ostracizing and marginalizing is not okay. That it only hurts.

I can pursue peace, believe the best, love wholeheartedly, give generously, and extend grace willingly.

I can’t change the world, but I CAN go out and love my neighbor and encourage my kids to do the same. Will you join me?

Links You Should Check Out:

I loved this beautiful podcast episode from Emily P. Freeman on becoming a soul minimalist.
Like freebies? We posted a HUGE list of 50 legitimate freebies you can sign up for right now.
Missed my FREE blogging class? I’m offering it again here. Sign up for the date & time that works for your schedule!
Ever wonder how I deal with negative comments? I share my philosophy & honest thoughts on it here.

Shared Aug 19, 2017 comment

Brigette’s $39 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on August 19, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

After looking through my refrigerator, pantry and freezers – I realized we have lots of food that needs to be used up, and not much food we needed to buy at the grocery store this week. My youngest had his tonsils out this week, so we’ve had people show up unexpectedly with food gifts. It felt weird to have so little in my grocery cart this week. 🙂

Aldi

4 dozen Eggs – $2.68

1 8-oz pkg Cream Cheese – $0.79

2 1-lb pkgs Butter – $4.90

1 16-oz carton Egg Whites – $1.89

1 32-oz carton Greek Yogurt – $3.49

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $1.79

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.29

2 pkgs String Cheese – $4.58

1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.99

1 bag Potatoes – $2.69

1 bag Green Grapes (2.88lb @ $0.79/lb) – $2.28

3 large Zucchini (from a friend’s garden)

Total: $28.37

Harris Teeter

1 box Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.84, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.84 after coupon

2 boxes Annie’s Organic Cereal – $5.00, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled), plus $1.00/1 evic – $2.00/2 after coupons

1 box Cascadian Farm Organic Granola – $2.50, used $1.00/1 printable, plus $1.00/1 evic – $0.50 after coupon

2 boxes Lance’s Peanut Butter Crackers – $3.48, used $1.00/2 Lance Sandwich Cracker Variety – 7-23-17 RP; Includes 8.4 – 30.3 oz Only (exp. 08/27/17), plus $1.00/2 Ibotta rebate – $1.48/2 after coupon and rebate

2 Arnold’s Sandwich Thins – $3.98, used 2 $0.55/1 Arnold Bread Products – 6-11-17 SS or SS 8/13 (exp. 09/11/17) (doubled), plus receive 2 $0.75/1 Ibotta rebates -$0.28/2 after coupon and rebate

4 Larabars – $4.00, used 2 $0.50/2 printable (doubled), plus $0.50/2 evic – $2.50/4 after coupons

1 Butterball Turkey Bacon – $2.50, used $0.55/1 Butterball Turkey Bacon – 6-25-17 SS (exp. 08/20/17) (doubled) – $1.40 after coupon

1 Butterball Dinner Sausage – $2.50, used $0.55/1 Butterball Dinner Sausage – 6-25-17 SS (exp. 08/20/17) (doubled) – $1.40 after coupon

1 Sargento Balanced Breaks – $3.00, used $0.75/1 Sargento Balanced Breaks – 8-13-17 SS; DND (exp. 10/14/17) (doubled), plus $0.75/1 evic – $0.75 after coupons

Total after Coupons and Rebates – $11.15

Grocery Total for the Week: $39.52

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

(My older 3 children are all old enough now to make and clean up their own breakfast. We are starting school this week, and it’s easier for me to let them do this, rather than me making the same breakfast for everyone.)

Choices include:

Cereal, Fruit, Yogurt, Hard Boiled or Fried Eggs, Oatmeal, Zucchini Bread

Lunches

Baked Potato Bar, Grapes x 2

Peanut Butter Crackers, Cheese Sticks, Carrots, Apples x 2

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Pizza Bierocks, Green Beans

Best Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad, Fruit

Hamburgers on the Grill with Homemade Buns, Roasted Broccoli, Baked Potato Wedges

Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Homemade French Bread, Tossed Salad

Grilled Hobo Packets, Peaches

Cabbage Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade French Bread

Leftovers

Shared Aug 15, 2017 comment

Gretchen’s $58 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan

Published: by Gretchen on August 15, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Dillons

I used ClickList again this week because I had several coupons I wanted to use that were valid only if using ClickList.

2.49 lbs Bananas – $1.47

1 Del Monte Fruit Bowls – $2, used Free ClickList e-coupon AND $0.75/1 Checkout 51 rebate AND $0.75/1 Ibotta rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebates

1 Dillons Buns – $1.99

1 Organic Gatorade – $1.25, used Free ClickList e-coupon AND $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate

1 pkg Kroger Drumsticks – $4.67, used $1/1 e-coupon – $3.67 after coupon

1 Hillshire Farms Naturals Turkey Breast – $3.79, used $1/1 mailer coupon – $2.79 after coupon

1 International Delight One-Touch Latte – $3.99, used $1.50/1 printable – $2.49 after coupon

1 Jello Pudding – $2, used Free ClickList e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats – $2.50, used Free ClickList e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Kind Bar – $1, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Kroger Cottage Cheese – $2, used $0.55/1 mailer coupon – $1.45 after coupon

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

2 Kroger Sliced Cheese – $1.99 each, used 2 $1/1 e-coupon – $0.99 each after coupons

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

3 Larabars – $1 each, used 3 Free ClickList e-coupons – Free after coupons

1 Romaine Lettuce – $1.29

1 Moms Best Cereal – $1.67

1 Nature Valley Granola Cups – $3.99, used Free ClickList e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars – $2.50, used Free ClickList e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Ragu Sauce – $1.89, used $1/1 ClickList e-coupon – $0.89 after coupon

1 Ruffles Chips – $2.49, used Free ClickList e-coupon – Free after coupon

4 Welch’s Grape Jam – $1.49 each, used 4 $0.50/1 e-coupons – $0.99 each after coupons

5 Kroger Natural Peanut Butter – $1.49 each (I had $0.50/1 e-coupons for this but they didn’t come off at checkout. However, $1.49 is still not a bad price for this kind of peanut butter!)

1 Aussie Conditioner – $3.49, used Free ClickList e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Lay’s Kettle Chips – $1.39, used $1/1 ClickList e-coupon – $0.39 after coupon

Used $5 off catalina coupon (This covered the $4.95 ClickList fee plus gave me $0.05 extra!)

Total after coupons and rebates: $32.18

Aldi

2 pkg Strawberries – $1.29 each

2 pints Blueberries – $1.59 each

2 can Tuna – $0.65 each

2 dozen Eggs – $0.43 each, used $0.25/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.30 each after rebate

1 pkg Cheddar Cheese – $2.49

1 lb Ground Beef – $2.99

1 gallon Milk – $1.76

1 Half & Half – $1.79

2 Avocados – $0.88 each

1 bag Spinach – $1.49

2 Cucumbers – $0.29 each

1 bag Red Grapes – $1.58

1 lb Butter – $2.40

1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $1.09

1 loaf Bread – $0.89

Total after rebate: $26.48

Total for both stores: $58.66

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Eggs & Toast x 4

Cereal x 3

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks, Cucumbers x 2

Salad Bar x 2

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, Tortilla Chips, Veggies

Hoagie Sandwiches, Chips

Spaghetti, Biscuits, Steamed Broccoli

Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Peas

Soft Tacos, Fruit Salad

Easy Cheesy Tex-Mex Skillet, Tossed Salad, Fruit

Out to eat

Shared Aug 14, 2017 comment

This Week’s $65 ALDI Grocery Shopping Trip + Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 14, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Since I’m following an online slow cooker menu plan that I found, I bought ingredients to make those meals + get our food for the rest of the meals this week. I decided to only shop at ALDI this week for the groceries to see if I could get everything for the Slow Cooker Menu Plan at ALDI.

I had to make one or two substitutions, but I was able to get everything we needed! We still need to stop by Kroger to get eggs and some more milk, but otherwise, we should be good for the week!

(In case you are wondering why on earth I did two different transactions… well, that was because I realized I didn’t have a quarter when I got to ALDI. Which meant that I couldn’t get a cart. I was going to go in and get a quarter from the cashier, but there was a long line at checkout. So I just decided to get a box and fill it up and check out when it was almost too heavy for me to carry and then do a second transaction. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that as the most comfortable or efficient way to do things, but hey, it worked! ;))

Watch my live video for details on what I bought, why I bought it, the prices I paid, plus some real-life commentary on ALDI!

Here’s what’s on our menu plan this week:

This Week’s Menu Plan

Breakfast — Cereal, Oatmeal, Toast, Eggs, Fruit

Lunches — Chicken Hot Dogs, Cheese Quesadillas, Caeser Salad, Fruit/Veggies, Leftovers, Snack-y Lunches, PB&J

Dinners — Leftovers, Easy Shredded Taco Beef, Chicken & Broccoli “Stirfry” in the Slow Cooker, Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Sandwiches, Beef & Bean Topped Potatoes, Whole Herb Roast Chicken in the Slow Cooker, Dinner Out

New to shopping at ALDI? Read how we save close to $1,000 per year by shopping at ALDI. Also, check out my post with my 25 Favorite Things to Buy at ALDI.

Shared Aug 12, 2017 comment

A Peek Into My Life This Past Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on August 12, 2017 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.

What’s Going On At Our House This Week

It was a summer of adventure for us. Filled with lots of spontaneity, memories, late nights, family togetherness, and a really, really relaxed routine.

It was good. So good. An amazing change of pace! And soul-filling for all of us.

But I’ll be the first to admit that my organized and structured personality is ready for a good schedule for everyone again! And I’m pretty sure the kids are, too.

So I was okay that this past week marked “Back to School Week” for us — even though there were a lot of mixed emotions along with it!

Kathrynne started 7th grade by heading to camp with all the 7-12th graders from her school (see below for more on that!), Kaitlynn started her homeschool year (Jesse’s homeschooling her in the morning and I’m homeschooling her in the afternoon), and Silas started 2nd grade.

I can already tell that this working full-time, homeschooling part-time, plus being a wife and mom and friend, and trying to get enough sleep + exercise + breathing room is going to be an interesting adventure! But this first week went really well!

I’m still tweaking our schedule somewhat and experimenting with a few things and I think it will be a few more weeks before I land on the right routine for this season, but I’m very hopeful based upon how this first week went that this year is going to be much smoother and less exhausting than I expected.

One of the biggest changes I’ve made is to get my focused work done from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — I’m finding that’s when I’m freshest and most inspired and I get so much more done to work during my most ideal time versus waiting to start in on business work later in the day. Then, I’m focusing on homeschooling, time with the kids, and homemaking stuff in the afternoons. And then the evenings are reserved for chill time, hanging out as a family, exercise and reading.

What I Read Recently

I recently finished reading Ordering Your Private World (I savored a chapter every morning for the last few weeks. Highly recommended!) and A Long Way Home (fascinating story!)

{See my Reading Goals for 2017. Also, see the 60 books I’ve read so far in 2017 here.}

What’s Been Saving My Sanity

Systems are the key to a mom’s sanity! One of our systems: having the kids pack their lunches, pack their backpacks, and lay out their outfits (including shoes) for the next day — before dinner.

It makes mornings SO much easier and laid back. No scrambling to find missing shoes or clean uniforms and no stressing over discovering we’re out of sandwich ingredients.

Plus, having the kids do it themselves and me just checking on it gives them a sense of responsibility and ownership — and saves me time and effort! What are one of YOUR systems that save your sanity?

What I’m Pondering

Kathrynne went to camp for 4 days this past week (her school kicks off 7th-12th grades with 4 days at camp).

This is the first time she’s ever done something like this (we’ve never done sleepovers) and I found that I was constantly wondering about her… Is she sleeping okay? Is she doing okay? Is her introverted self feeling people-d out? And on and on it went.

The point of parenting is to raise adults to be sent out into the world to make a difference. But sometimes, I’m not so fond of thinking of that whole “sending out” thing. I want to keep my babes close to me forever!

But this slow letting go and letting them experience the world and learning how to function without my help for a few days is a good thing for both of us. And it reminds me that ultimately, I’m not in control of my kids’ lives and decisions.

I can do my best to make sure they are loved and cared for and nurtured, but I need to release them and their lives to God. My babes are His first, not mine.

There is so much more joy and less stress in parenting when I rest in that.

What I’ve Been Thinking About

“Crystal, I feel like you’re getting more done than you ever have before and yet you’re working less.” This remark from one of my employees last week caught me off guard.

I hadn’t really stopped to think about it, but after he said that, I mulled it over and realized it was true. The more I thought about it, the more I realized why I’m so much more productive these days than I ever used to be.

It’s two things, actually: 1) I stopped finding my worth in what I did and accomplished and checked off my list. 2) I’ve given myself permission to make REST a big priority in my life.

And by rest, I don’t just mean getting enough sleep. I also mean taking time to do things that restore, recharge, and refresh me. Not just once a week, but (usually) every single day!

I’ve stopped waiting until I was exhausted to take time to rest and recharge. I’ve started making it a part of my regular lifestyle.

Yes, it takes time — time that I used to think I didn’t really have! But now I realize that taking time to rest and refuel is some of BEST spent time!

What I’m Learning

See those flowers? No, not the colorful roses. I’m talking about the white tissue paper flowers. They represent something really transformative in my heart.

You see, my Kaitlynn (10) painstakingly made them and splattered them with gold paint for an extra special touch. They are absolutely beautiful.

But for years, I didn’t see much beauty in her creations. I only saw the “messes” she made in her wake. (Which to creative hearts aren’t messes at all but spaces where beauty and life is being birthed!)

I missed out on so much beauty because I only saw the mess. I didn’t appreciate the way God had wired my daughter because I tried to stuff her into my neat and tidy box. All the while, I was inadvertently crushing her spirit.

Her soul needs to be creating. She can’t not create. It’s in her DNA. Just like I am fulfilled by crossing things off a to do list and by having my kitchen clean, she feels fulfilled from creating.

It’s so different than me, but instead of being frustrated by it like I was for so long, I’m slowly learning to really savor and embrace it.
God knew that I needed a jolt out of my utilitarian, minimalist, INTJ, Type 8 world, so He sent me Kaitlynn.

And the more I fully accept and embrace her for who she is and how she is wired, the more I realize how much she adds to our home and to my life.

I don’t want to try to stuff her into that little box anymore! I want our home to be a canvas for her soul to breathe. So I’m proudly displaying these tissue paper flowers crafted with joy and sprinkled with gold!

They serve as a reminder to me to embrace everyone in my life for exactly who they are, instead of trying to make them into who I think they should be.

Links You Should Check Out:

Looking for a work-at-home job? I highly recommend checking out this course! It’s an extremely well done, very encouraging course packed with advice, and offers a great listing of 100+ companies that hire at-home workers! (Read my review here.)
If you wish you had more time for creative projects, be sure to read this post on Pocket Time.
Need some parenting encouragement & inspiration? Check out this offer to get a HUGE bundle of parenting resources for just $29.97!
Are you a mompreneur? Do you live within driving distance of Nashville, TN? If so, I’d love to invite you to join me on August 17, 2017 for a FREE Dream + Do event.
I finally finished blogging about our East Coast Road Trip! You can read all the posts by following the links at the top of this post here .
Are you in the middle of Back-to-School Shopping? Be sure to check out all the best deals we’ve been sharing .

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

FREE Summer Bucket List!!

Aldi

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Yes, I Still Struggle with a Lot of Fear

This Wasn’t the Course I Planned to Write

But I Believe It’s the Course I Was Supposed to Write

The Question That Changed My Life

My 18-Month Journey of Transformation

Introducing… The Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Course!

Hurry! Get $10 Off for the Next 5 Days!

So, what are you waiting for? Click below to enroll for just $27 today!

Looking for other freezer-friendly recipe ideas? Try these:

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

Dillons

Aldi

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

What I Read This Week

What We Did This Past Week

What I’m Learning as a Parent

What I’ve Been Pondering + An Exciting Announcement

Links You Should Check Out

Aldi

Harris Teeter

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Why you’ll love this Make Ahead Lasagna

Ingredients for Mini Make Ahead Freezer Lasagna

Freezer Lasagna substitutions and variations

How to Make a Mini Freezer Lasagna

How to layer Lasagna

How to freeze uncooked Lasagna in aluminum pans

Make Ahead Lasagna tips

How to serve Make Ahead Freezer Lasagna

How long to cook Frozen Lasagna

Storing this Freezer Lasagna Recipe

Can you make lasagna ahead of time?

How far ahead can you make lasagna?

How long can you keep unbaked lasagna in the fridge?

Freezer Lasagna Recipe FAQs

Freezer Lasagna Recipe (Mini size)

Equipment

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Instructions

Notes

Love this recipe?

Looking for other freezer recipes? Try these:

FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout!

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

What I Read Recently

What Our Schedule Looks Like Right Now

What I’m Celebrating

What I’ve Been Pondering

What I’m Learning as a Mom

What’s Been on My Heart Recently

Links You Should Check Out:

Aldi

Harris Teeter

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Dillons

Aldi

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

This Week’s Menu Plan

New to shopping at ALDI? Read how we save close to $1,000 per year by shopping at ALDI. Also, check out my post with my 25 Favorite Things to Buy at ALDI.

What’s Going On At Our House This Week

Ingredients