Money Saving Mom®

Classic View

Grid View

Shared Mar 16, 2016 comment

We Paid Cash: TWO Used Vehicles!

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 16, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

A testimony from Keelie of Love Hope Adventure

At the end of 2014, our van developed the habit of leaving us on the side of the road. The first half dozen times we were in the shop, we were in denial about the situation. Once the denial wore off, we made a game plan of how to pay cash for a pre-owned van.

We Set a Goal of Saving $10,000

We felt that $10,000 would be enough for a used van. Unfortunately, we had barely been scraping by off of our salary.

We did have about $4,000 in savings… but that was due to extra money I earned back in 2013, and was originally being saved for a potential move.

In 2015, my husband and I both worked to increase our earnings. Since we don’t normally sell our old things, we had to get creative.

How We Earned More

I beat my head into the ground for years trying to find ways to earn money from home. Finally, I broke into the freelance writing market — and while the money I earned writing was meeting our basic needs, it wasn’t giving us the extra that we needed.

The number one thing we did to increase our earnings was to let other people know we wanted extra work. Over many months, we were offered money-making opportunities like:

Childcare for a MOPS group
After school care at a nearby child care center
Babysitting for different Bible studies
Babysitting at our home
Watching kids overnight
Increased writing assignments
Paid speaking engagements
I even had someone ask me to make a few scarves

Both my husband and I were offered ways to earn, because people knew we were looking for work.

Then We Had to Replace Both Vehicles Within a Few Months

After saving for 11 months, we hit vehicle crisis. We were driving home one night and ran into a deer with our van. Thankfully, we were fine, but our van wasn’t. The very next night, we were driving our second vehicle, and it started acting up — turns out that the transmission was starting to go on it.

We immediately started looking and found a used van that was under $9,000. Since we had saved up the $10,000 already, we were able to put the remaining money toward saving for something to replace our car.

Our current car was drivable for a few more months, but one day, we went out to start the car and it wouldn’t work. At that point, we had saved up a total of $5,000, and within a few days, we found a used car in our price range.

I’ve been very thankful that Crystal has done so much to push us to go beyond just spending frugally. She has encouraged us to find creative income-earning ideas, too. Earning more has made all the difference for us.

Keelie is married to her high school sweetheart and is the mom of three awesome boys. She is a creator and loves sharing with the world around her. One of her biggest passions is to help married couples fall deeper in love with one another. You can read her marriage tips at Love Hope Adventure.

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

Shared Mar 14, 2016 comment

9 Frugal Lessons from a Hoarder’s Daughter

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 14, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Erin of The No Drama Mama

Sometimes we learn what not to do from our parents…

My mother was a loving and generous person who also happened to be a hoarder with a shopping addiction. For most of my childhood, our small 1,100 square foot house was jam-packed with stuff, most of which never left the shopping bags it came home in.

I’m confident that my decision to be a frugal adult is an attempt to regain control of an out-of-control childhood home-life. And while not all of us have issues with hoarding or a shopping addiction, we are all susceptible to the symptoms.

Here are 9 frugal lessons we can learn from hoarders… in a special “what not to do” tutorial!

1. Don’t Value Stuff More Than People

People can hurt us, break promises, and disappoint us. It can seem easier to find happiness in inanimate objects which couldn’t possibly hurt us… could they?

Yes!

When we use stuff as an insulating wall to keep people out, we suffer emotionally and are left to chase the “happiness high” of new purchases to cope.

2. Don’t Value Stuff Before Space

Many times when we feel we have a space problem in our homes, what we actually have is a “stuff problem”.

Decluttering, donating, and repurposing puts stuff in its place. We need space to enjoy our lives. Don’t let your stuff render your space useless.

When we had our third child, we needed another bedroom — thankfully, decluttering our basement revealed the perfect location for a new master suite!

3. Don’t Fill The Void, Try to Understand It

My mother never recognized or understood the void she was desperately trying to fill with things… and she didn’t realize there was never going to be enough stuff to fill it.

What she really needed was peace, understanding, and resolution from her own childhood trauma.

4. Don’t Neglect to Use It Up

Two or three half empty jars of peanut butter, bottles of shampoo, and boxes full of brand new candles were always in my house growing up.

Shopping addiction is all about the purchasing… once that part is fulfilled, the item quickly loses its luster. The actual utilization became unimportant, as the purpose of stuff was to buy it, not to use it.

This hoarder’s daughter became intent on using things up and getting the most out of every container, rinsing out shampoo and laundry bottles, and cutting open toothpaste tubes and scraping the weeks’ worth that was left into small containers.

5. Don’t Assume You Know the Price

My mother never looked at price tags. Not surprisingly, she had bad credit.

I never purchase something without knowing how much it costs at multiple locations, without checking the price of new and used conditions, and without making sure it’s something we actually need and will use.

6. Don’t Try to Buy Happiness

My mother was a generous gift giver, but oftentimes, the things I really needed from her couldn’t be fulfilled by things.

When my mother and I had disagreements, she would often buy me a toy when all I needed was to hear, “I’m sorry.” That would have meant so much more than anything she could purchase for me.

She also generously took our friends on vacation with us and picked up the tab for large parties of our extended family at restaurants — all at the expense of her credit and our financial security.

I often wonder if she thought she wasn’t worthy of love on her own and that people would turn away if she wasn’t constantly giving gifts.

7. Don’t Fall Victim to Brand Blindness

When my mother suffered some vision loss and could no longer drive, I took her shopping every week. It was then that I realized she was not only legally blind, she also spent a lifetime completely blinded by brands.

She was genuinely shocked when I pointed out the generic versions of food and medicines. “Have these always been here?” she asked me.

How often are many of us blinded by brands to the exclusion of the less expensive generic equivalents?

8. Don’t Forget About Your Future

Happiness was a monster and needed to be fed daily with new things. There was no thought about what tomorrow would bring.

Paying bills didn’t yield any concrete rewards that could be touched and so they took a backseat (it was a normal for our lights or cable to be shut off!) My mother didn’t even have a retirement account!

How many of us put off saving for later because the lure of that vacation, car or shiny new possession we want to buy today?

9. Don’t Forget to Shop Your Home First

Since most shopping bags were left full on the living room floor, my mother never really knew what we had or didn’t have. We ended up with duplicates and triplicates of movies, appliances, and clothing. As a result, I learned to shop at home first before I ever hit the store.

So many times, the item I was so sure we needed was already in our home and I just didn’t know it.

There is a lot we can learn from looking at extreme behaviors like shopping addictions and hoarding. My mother inadvertently gave me some amazing frugal skills by giving me a first-hand look at what happens when you seek fulfillment in things.

Erin Johnson a.k.a. The No Drama Mama can be found blogging when she’s not caring for her three adorable kiddos. This frugal, “tell it like it is” mama loves sharing her delightfully imperfect parenting wins and fails.

photo source

Shared Mar 12, 2016 comment

Gretchen’s $59 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Gretchen on March 12, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 gallon Milk – $1.79

1 pkg Deli Cheese – $1.99

1 Cucumber – $0.49

1 bag Spinach – $1.79

1 pkg Granola Bars – $1.79

1 pkg Carrots – $0.99

1 pkg Asparagus – $1.39

1 pkg Strawberries – $1.49

1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $0.79

2 Grapefruit – $0.69 each, used $0.25/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.56 each after rebate

1 loaf Bread – $1.39

Total after rebate: $15.03

Homeland

1 Bar Keepers Friend – $1.79, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon

4 Totinos Pizza – $1 each, used $1/4 printable (no longer available; doubled) AND $1/4 SavingStar.com rebate AND $0.40 Mobisave rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebates

4 French’s Ketchup – $1.25 each, used 2 $1/2 coupon from the 1/24 SmartSource insert (first one doubled) AND $1 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.25 each after coupons

2 French’s Mustard – $1.25 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 1/24 SmartSource insert (doubled) AND $1 Checkout 51 rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate (Plus received $0.50 Checkout 51 rebate for redeeming both ketchup and mustard rebates.)

1 Herbel Essence Bodywash – $2.89, used $1/1 coupon from the 2/28 P&G insert (doubled) – $0.89 after coupon

1 Gillette Shave Gel – $2.50, used $1/1 coupon from the 2/28 P&G insert (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon

2 Clorox Bathroom Cleaner – $2.50 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – $1.50 each after coupon

1 All Laundry Detergent – $3.49, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $2.49 after coupon

1 Pine-Sol – $2.50, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $1 after coupon

1 Honey Nut Cheerios – $2, used $0.75/1 printable (no longer available; doubled) AND $0.50/1 SavingStar.com rebate – Free after coupon and rebate

1 Oscar Meyer Lunchable Uploaded – $2.39, used Free text coupon – Free after coupon

1 Oscar Meyer Lunchable – $2.69, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.69 after coupon

1 Betty Crocker Herb Potatoes – $1.09, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) AND $0.50 Ibotta rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate

1 Hinode Rice – $2.19, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.19 after coupon

1 Best Choice Eggs – $1.49

0.81 lbs Broccoli – $1.13

1 bag Halos – $2.99, used $0.50/1 coupon from the 2/28 SmartSource insert (doubled) AND $0.40 Mobisave rebate – $1.59 after coupon and rebate

-$6 for buying $20 in Spring Essentials

Used $3/$30 in-store coupon

Total after coupons and rebates: $4.95

Dillons

1 bag Goldfish – $0.99

1 bag Mini Oreos – $0.99 (We have company staying with us this weekend so I stocked up on a few snack items to put in our guest room.) 🙂

1 bag Nutter Butters – $0.99

2 pkg Wheat Thins – $1.77 each, used $1/2 Checkout 51 rebate – $1.27 each after rebate

1 Cape Cod Chips – $1.99

1 Marie Callender’s Pie – $1.68, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

1 Oscar Meyer Lunchable – $1.97, used $1/1 printable – $0.97 after coupon

1 Sargento Shredded Cheese – $1.77, used $0.75/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $1.02 after rebate

1 Thomas Cinnamon Raisin Bagels – $1.99

1 Dillons Hoagie Rolls – Marked down to $0.99

6 cans Kroger Beans – $0.50 each

1 Kroger Baking Powder – $1.19

2.67 lbs Bananas – $1.58, used $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate – $1.33 after rebate

2 Kens Salad Dressing – $1.49 each, used 2 $0.75/1 coupon from the 3/6 SmartSource insert AND $0.75 Mobisave rebate – $0.36 each after coupons and rebate

1 Elmhurst Harvest Walnut Milk – $2.79, used $1.50/1 printable AND $1.50 BerryCart rebate and $1.50 Shrink rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebates

1 Celery – $1.69

1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99

1 Kroger Flour – $1.79

1 pkg Strawberries – $2 (I bought these before I knew they were cheaper at Aldi.)

1 Cantaloupe – $1.88

1 Breyers Ice Cream – $2.99

2 Annie’s Mac and Cheese – $1 each

1 pkg Croisants – Marked down to $0.99

1 Private Selection Sliced Turkey Breast – $9.27, used $1.50 mailer coupon – $7.77 (I normally never buy this but I wanted to have stuff for sandwiches since we’ll have guests here.)

Total after coupons and rebates: $39.10

Total for all stores: $59.08

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Eggs, Spinach x 3

Cereal x 2

Cinnamon Rolls, Eggs, Fruit

Bagels, Fruit

Lunches

Macaroni and Cheese, Fruit

Cheese, Crackers, Fruit, Veggies

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks

Turkey Sandwiches, Chips, Veggies

Tossed Salad Bar

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Spaghetti, Tossed Salad

3 Bean Chili, Crackers, Grapefruit

Pizza (using a Groupon I bought with credit)

Tossed Salad with Grilled Chicken

Chicken & Rice, Steamed Broccoli

Bean Burritos, Steamed Asparagus

French Toast, Eggs, Fruit Salad

Shared Mar 11, 2016 comment

Brigette’s $50 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on March 11, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Walmart

3 cartons Strawberries – $2.97 (price matched to Aldi)

Nectarines (2.55lb @ $0.99/lb) – $2.52 (price matched to Aldi)

Peaches (2.74lb @ $0.99/lb) – $2.71 (price matched to Aldi)

3lb bag Oranges – $0.99 (price matched to Aldi)

Total: $9.19

Zaycon

I have been buying my chicken from Zaycon for the past year and have been extremely pleased with their quality and prices. If you don’t mind purchasing in bulk, I highly recommend checking to see if they offer drop-off in your area!

40lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (@$1.69/lb) – $67.60, used $63.00 in credits – $4.70

Total: $4.70

Harris Teeter

2 boxes Corn Pops – $3.99, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $1.99/2 after coupons

1 2lb bag Carrots – $0.97, plus receive $0.25 from Checkout 51 – $0.72 after rebate

3 1-lb boxes Challenge Butter – $8.53, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) and 1 $0.55/1 printable (doubled) – $4.43/3 boxes after coupons

10 bags Shredded Cheese – $13.16

1 Gallon Whole Milk – $3.49

1 Quart Heavy Whipping Cream – $4.49 (My sister did my grocery shopping since she was here visiting…I didn’t specify what size whipping cream to buy and assumed she would get the 8oz size. I will be enjoying my coffee with LOTS of cream this week! :))

2 packages Butterball Turkey Bacon – $5.00, used 2 $0.55/1 printable (doubled) – $2.80/2 after coupons

2 24-oz cartons Daisy Cottage Cheese – $7.94, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $5.94/2 after coupons (The 16oz ones were the ones on sale, so we bought the wrong size accidentally)

Total: $37.02

Grocery Total for the Week: $50.91

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal x 2

Oatmeal x 2

Eggs and Toast x 3

Lunches

Almond Butter on Rice Cakes, Strawberries, Carrot Sticks x 2

Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Peaches, Steamed Broccoli (from the freezer) x 2

Tuna Sandwiches, Nectarines, Peppers

Leftovers x 2

Dinner

Grilled Chicken, Oven Roasted French Fries, Steamed Broccoli

Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Italian Garlic Bread, Roasted Cauliflower

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Roasted Carrots, Biscuits, Oranges

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Tossed Salad (we still have fresh produce from last week that needs to be used up), Strawberries

Bacon and Eggs, Hash browns, Fruit Salad

Taco Salad, Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

Leftovers

Shared Mar 9, 2016 comment

On White Couches & Why We Should Stop Waiting for “Perfect Conditions”

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 9, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

The other day, Stacy from Humorous Homemaking did a scope on her white couches.

I know what you might be thinking, what’s the big deal about that? But I loved what she said and it really challenged me.

Stacy talked about how much she loves white couches and has decided she’s going to have them even though she has young kids.

She said, “I could have waited to get my couches that I really love until my kids are grown, or I could just start enjoying them now”. That’s a paraphrase, but the point hits home with me.

Stacy really encouraged her viewers to stop waiting until they have the perfect conditions to do things and instead start living fully now. Her words stuck in my head.

What Ideal Conditions Are You Waiting For?

Do you find yourself saying things like:

When my kids are older, I’ll decorate our home the way I like.
When things slow down, I’ll spend more time with my husband.
When I can afford a gym membership, I’ll get in shape.
When I find a better job, I’ll get a better handle on my finances.
When I have fewer commitments, I’ll make more time for nurturing friendships.

What prerequisites are you putting on living the life you want to lead? We don’t know what tomorrow holds, and we may never get to the ideal conditions.

Instead of waiting to fully live our lives until everything is neat and perfect, let’s live right now. Stop waiting for life to happen and go happen to life!

photo credit

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Mar 8, 2016 comment

Why You Should Put Your Phone Down More

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 8, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I recently read Rest Assured, by Vicki Courtney and just loved it. It was perfect for my Year of Rest.

In chapter 3 of her book, she talks about untethering from our phones and taking a break from social media. She encourages you to ask yourself, “Do I crave connecting more online than I do connecting with God or real-life relationships?”

For those that have been watching my Periscopes, you know that I stopped using Facebook personally a few years ago. With exception of Periscope and Instagram, I don’t have other social media on my phone.

Also, I’ve chosen not to have notifications from social media, email, or my blog on my phone. This helps me to not constantly have things dinging at me and distracting me from focusing on whatever is at hand — be that a writing project, spending time reading God’s Word, cleaning my house, hanging out with my husband, talking to a friend, homeschooling my kids, or just being together as a family.

Disconnect Online So You Can Connect in Real-Life

When we’re always connected to social media, it’s easy to be disconnected from our real surroundings and stop being fully present in the relationships that matter most.

Human contact cannot be replaced by a smiley face emoticon or a text message that had LOL in it. It just can’t.

Now hear me loud and clear: I think there are many, many good things about social media, particularly when it makes it easier to stay in touch with friends and family or when it allows an opportunity for us to interact with others in an encouraging manner. However, it is important that we realize it cannot replace real-life interaction.

Stop Feeling Like You’re a Victim of Your Phone

You are not a victim of your device. You don’t have to answer every phone call, email, or text message right away.

You don’t have to be online all day long. You can set your down phone down or turn off your computer for a period of time and the world is not going to collapse.

Use the “Off” Button

Get brave and courageous. Take advantage of the “off” button on your phone. Just try it. I know that it’s not an easy thing to do, especially if you’ve gotten accustomed to checking in regularly.

Start small: choose to put your phone down for just an hour. Once you have that mastered, put it down for two hours. You can slowly increase the amount of time that you walk away from it.

You can do it! I know you can! And you’ll probably discover that there’s a whole lot of life to be lived that doesn’t require you to be tethered to your phone.

P.S. Need some encouragement to put your phone down more? I highly recommend reading Hands Free Life and Hands Free Mama.

photo credit

Shared Mar 8, 2016 comment

Why People Don’t Make Money Transcribing & How YOU Can (free mini-course!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 8, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Janet Shaughnessy

Working from home as a general transcriptionist can be a lucrative and rewarding career. However, it has somehow managed to get a reputation for being an easy way to make money from home.

Except it’s not easy. At all.

In fact, many folks find it very difficult to earn enough money for it to be worth their effort — so much so that they just quit in a matter of days or weeks.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve been earning a sizeable full-time income from home as a transcriptionist for over 10 years now. With dozens of contacts and colleagues in the industry — and many years spent training my subcontractors — I’ve narrowed it down to three major reasons why so many people fail to make money in transcription.

Reason #1: Lack of Training

Lack of training and practice is the #1 reason people don’t make money as transcriptionists.

Actually, the biggest obstacle I faced when building my transcription business was finding qualified transcriptionists. Having to re-do so many transcripts eventually led to me just training all my new hires myself!

Be very cautious of websites claiming you can easily find work as a general transcriptionist without training: that is not the whole truth. You might be able to “do” transcription without training, but no one can do anything WELL without the proper training and practice.

Yes, there are certain skills you may already possess that will help greatly — the ability to type fast is a must — but transcription involves much more than typing.

Here’s just a handful of things you need to know to perform excellent work as a transcriptionist:

How to format a transcript for each type of transcription (there’s more than one!)
What “time coding” is and how to use it correctly
When to use an em dash and when to use an ellipsis
How to properly notate sections with poor audio

And then there’s knowing how to market yourself well, but I’ll get to that in a minute. Just know that marketing yourself as a transcriptionist without training will almost certainly guarantee failure. Excellent transcriptionists get hired again and again — and those who take the time to learn, earn!

Reason #2: It Doesn’t Pay Enough

This one is kind of an excuse more than a reason. Starting out as a transcriptionist, everyone makes less money (I sure did!), but if you know what you’re doing from the get-go instead of just winging it, your excellent work will move you up the ranks much faster. Plus, you’ll feel much more confident to seek your own clients — and that’s where the real money is.

Many people stick with “big box” transcription companies that pay peanuts and end up quitting, frustrated they can’t make it worth the time spent. Thing is — and almost no one talks about this — in our digital world where almost everything is audio and video, there is a lot of transcription work out there that’s not offered by the big transcription companies, but you have to be skilled and confident enough to seek it out. Otherwise, the poor pay from the bigger companies will severely restrict your earning potential — so much so, you’ll probably quit.

Reason #3: Poor Marketing Skills

To get higher-paying work, you need to seek it out. Working for big box companies doesn’t involve a lot of business-to-business marketing, though. Many people, instead of taking the bull by the horns and learning how to market, just stay with big box companies or give up altogether.

Getting training isn’t magical, either. “If you build it, they will come” only happened in the Kevin Costner movie, Field of Dreams. You can’t just complete your training and expect people to come banging on your door.

You’ve got to get the word out about your services. This involves social media, building a website, SEO tactics, applying to various job sites, transcription companies, and lots more.

Is All Hope Gone?

Not at all! Fortunately, incredibly thorough training resources now exist that can turn you into a polished, professional transcriptionist — one who not only knows how to perform excellent work, but one who also knows how to get work. You can learn the ins and outs of transcription, how to properly market on social media, build a website, pass hiring tests, and find your own clients.

You can learn the skills you need to make more money as a transcriptionist.

Just Get Started

Transcription Foundations is our free introductory mini-course. This mini-course will help you learn more about what it takes to be a transcriptionist and help you decide if transcription is the right home-based career move for you. If you decide you want to pursue it further, we offer the most complete online training available.

Sign up for the free course here.

top photo source

Establish better work-life balance with these expert techniques and suggestions! Perfect for anyone juggling a lot at once right now!

Shared Mar 7, 2016 comment

My 5 Secrets to Maintaining a Healthy Work/Life Balance

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 7, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

“What do you do as a means to step back from the business aspect? What does work, life, and personal balance look like?” -a MSM reader

First of all, is it possible to have balance? Yes, it is, but you’ll probably need to change what your definition of balance looks like.

Balance is not that you have everything in perfect order all the time. Balance is that when you look at your year as a whole, you have invested a significant amount of time in all areas that are your priorities. It’s not all lopsided. That’s what a healthy balance is.

I’m a work in progress, and I don’t want you to think I have it all figured out. That being said, I want to share some tactics, techniques, and suggestions that have helped me arrive at what I feel like is a pretty healthy balance.

1. Surround yourself with people who ground you.

Find people who will help you remember what is important — who will not let you fall off the deep end because you’re chasing after things that aren’t a priority right now.

Our Monday evening group of friends is that for me. Most of them are not bloggers or online marketers and entrepreneurs. I love it, because they help me keep things in perspective and remember what’s important.

I love spending time with people who truly love me and don’t care about who I am on the Internet or what my stats say.

2. Get Enough Sleep

This is going to make a huge difference! When you don’t get enough sleep, it affects every area of your life. I talk about this a lot, because it’s such an important factor when discussing balance.

3. Take Time For You

I’m an Introvert, and I crave quiet because of it. I love people, but after spending 3-4 hours with them, I need a break to be by myself.

Taking time for me and giving myself permission to be by myself makes a huge difference. I also take Sundays off and don’t blog, which helps tremendously.

Make sure that you’re not only taking time to replenish yourself, but that you’re making it a priority. You will fill burnt out if you keep pouring out and never pour back into yourself.

4. Outsource As Much As Possible

I feel that outsourcing is such a vital part of a business. If you don’t outsource, you will feel run over by trying to wear way too many hats.

Keep in mind this probably won’t be possible in the beginning stages of your business. As your business grows, though, you can slowly start outsourcing. Remember to let the business grow ahead of your expenses, but outsource as soon as you can, a little bit at a time. Fiverr is a great place to start to find people to help you do small side jobs.

I remember how difficult it was for me to make my very first hire. It felt extravagant or like a waste of money. I knew I didn’t have the graphic design skills needed for my blog, so I decided to hire my graphic designer, Joy. I discovered that she can do in 15 minutes what it takes me 4 hours to do (or more!) It is SO worth every penny paid to save that kind of time.

Maybe you can outsource something in your personal life, too! Have a babysitter come over once a week so you can spend two hours working on your business idea. Ask your husband to take over bedtime duties and send you to Starbucks to work once a week.

5. Unplug Regularly

Taking Sundays off is a big way I unplug each week. I also recently made the decision to take my main e-mail account off of my phone, so that I’m not distracted by my phone while I’m out or with people.

I’ve also been staying offline for most of the morning, as well. I’ve discovered that my brain is so much calmer when I don’t check my e-mail right away in the mornings and just spend the mornings focused on my family.

By doing these 5 things, I don’t have perfect balance, but I’m able to be in a much healthier place than when I’m trying to put out fires all day long, stressing myself out constantly.

How do you maintain a healthy balance? Let’s hear it!

Want some practical help with setting up your day for success? It all starts the night before! Be sure to grab a copy of my brand-new online course, Make Over Your Evenings.

This 14-day online course includes videos, a workbook, and step-by-step projects and is designed to help you maximize your evenings in order to experience more success in your life, more order in your home, and more joy in your soul.

It’s time to stop sleep-walking through life and wake up to the amazing excitement and fulfillment that comes when you follow my simple plan to Make Over Your Evenings.

Find out more about it here.

Shared Mar 5, 2016 comment

Where I’m Headed For the Next 10 Days (2 new continents!!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

And the adventure begins!!

This morning, I said goodbye to my family and left on a plane headed for Italy and Israel for the next 10 days. I’m so honored to get to spend this time learning, experiencing, and soaking up the richness of story — God’s story — woven throughout history with the wonderful folks from The Museum of the Bible.

As you know, it’s my Year of Rest, which means I’m saying “no” to almost all opportunities, but this was one that Jesse especially felt strongly I should say “yes” to. So even though it’s a really long time for me to be gone from my family, we both felt that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.

I’ve never been to Europe or Asia before, so I’m really stoked to get to go to two new continents! And I can wait to “bring you all along” and share pictures and a little peek into what I’m experiencing and learning.

I’m going to be posting daily updates on Instagram (click here to follow me there, if you’re not already) and I plan to post a few updates here on the blog about my trip, as well as possibly Periscope a few times, too (if I can get strong enough wifi!)

In case you’re wondering, my team will be running the blog like normal with deals, etc. while I’m gone. I also have some posts pre-written on various topics that we’ll be sharing, in addition to some updates from my trip!

So even though I won’t be around here as much in the comments — except for once or twice a day when I’m able to get online — you can still expect to all the usual great posts and deals and guest posts here and on social media!

Have you ever been to Italy or Israel? Any must-see attractions or things you would recommend I make a priority if I have free time while I’m there?

P.S. I was SUPER pumped that I managed to pack for 10 days in a carry-on. I’ll have to do a post on that, if it works out and isn’t a flop. (As in, if I don’t royally wish I had packed a lot more things!)

P.P.S. I’ve been reading the book, Presence, on the plane and so far, it’s SO good! Have you read it?

Shared Mar 5, 2016 comment

Gretchen’s $44 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 pkg Spinach – $1.79

2 Cucumbers – $0.49 each

1 Rice Cakes – $1.29

1 Unsweetened Applesauce – $1.89

1 can Black Beans – $0.59

1 pkg Butter – $2.40

Total: $8.94

Homeland

2 dozen Eggs – $0.99 each, used $0.50 Ibotta rebate – $0.74 each after rebate

2 pkg Oreos – $2.50 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) AND $1/2 Checkout 51 rebate – $1 each after coupon and rebate

2 Musselman’s Squeezables – $2.15 each, used 2 $1/1 printable (first one doubled) – $0.65 each after coupon

1 Lunchable with 100% Juice – $2.69, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.69 after coupon

Total after coupons and rebates: $4.73

Dillons

1 Farmland Bacon – $3.99, used $0.75/1 coupon from the 2/28 SmartSource insert AND $0.40/1 Mobisave rebate – $2.84 after coupon and rebate

3 Kraft Cheese – $1.77 each

1 Thomas English Muffins – $1.59

2 Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls – $1.99, used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 1/31 RedPlum insert – $0.99 each after coupons

1 Lindt Chocolate Egg – $0.99, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

1 Kroger Half & Half – $2.39

2 Tennessee Pride Breakfast Sandwiches – $1 each, used 2 $1/1 printable – Free after coupons

3 pkg Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies – $1.99, used 3 $1/1 printable – $0.99 after coupons (I LOVE these and this is such a great price! I was super excited.)

1 Lunchable with 100% Juice – $1.97, used $1/1 printable – $0.97 after coupon

1 Kroger Greek Yogurt – $0.70, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

1 pkg Kroger Drumsticks – $3.73

2 Lettuce – $0.99 each

1 Green Pepper – $0.99, used $0.25 Ibotta rebate – $0.74 after rebate

1.78 lbs Bananas – $1.05

0.76 lbs Broccoli Crowns – $1.44

2 gallons Dillons Milk – $1.89 each

Total after coupons and rebates: $30.77

Total for all groceries: $44.44