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Shared Nov 15, 2015 comment

5 Things I’m Loving This Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 15, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

1) New Coloring Books

I’m loving these new coloring books (thanks to Swagbucks for the Amazon credit to make fun purchases like this!)!

The girls are coloring one hymn per week during our read aloud time and we’re singing/learning that hymn that week, too. It’s such a great way to teach my kids some of my favorite hymns, plus, I love the encouragement I’m receiving from meditating on these rich words!

{By the way, these Prismacolor pencils are the best thing ever. If you missed my post and video on them, you can see it here.}

2) Family Game Night

After years of being told how amazing the game Ticket to Ride is, we finally broke down and got the game.
Our kids learned how to play it earlier this week (thanks, YouTube!) and they taught Jesse and me how to play it tonight.

Honestly, I’m not sure that there’s enough strategy and speed for it to be my kind of game, but our kids love it (I like games that are either really, really fast-moving, or have layer upon layer upon layer of strategy). Plus, it’s great for helping Silas learn more U.S. Geography!

And I just loved getting to have a Family Game Night — that’s something I want to do more often!

3) Baked Oatmeal

Have you tried Baked Oatmeal before? We love, love, love it!

Best of all, I love that it can be made the night before and then just popped in the oven the next morning. Or, you can make a big batch and freeze it!

4) Fun Pictures of my book, Money-Making Mom

People have been sending me pictures of my book this past week and I’ve just been loving it. It’s been spotted at bookstores, at airports, and even in a deer stand!

After spending so much time writing and editing a book, it means the world when others are so excited with you at its release!

Have you gotten your copy of Money-Making Mom yet? If not, you can grab it here. Or, if you’re not sure if it’s for you, you can read the first chapter here.

5) These Ladies

These are some of the ladies of our beloved Monday Group. We called ourselves the Girl Tribe and we just love being a part of each other’s lives. It was Tam’s birthday this week so we celebrated together and took a number of hilarious pictures.

We are all very different from each other in so many ways and yet we celebrate those differences and it brings so much beauty and depth to our relationship.

We laugh together. We pray together. We have heart-to-heart talks. We are open about our struggles. We have mad group texting skills. And they have even tried to teach me to karaoke… we’re still working on that one. 😉

We are committed to showing up and being involved in each other’s lives. Coming together at least once a week to sit around a table, share food, and share our hearts and burdens and victories together is truly a gift.

And here’s a shot of some of our kids playing together yesterday. Is this not the most precious thing ever??

Bonus: This Knit Top

Cents of Style sent me this knit top recently and I’ve fallen in love with it. It’s SO comfy, so versatile, and you can dress it up or dress it down.

It feels like the perfect mix between sweater and sweatshirt! {Psst! You can get it for just $14.95 shipped through Monday when you use coupon code MSMTUNIC at checkout.}

Speaking of shirts, I also got brave and got a flannel shirt recently. I think it is the first. time. ever. that I’ve worn flannel!

What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!

Shared Nov 14, 2015 comment

When there are no words, but silence isn’t enough

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 14, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jesse was at a softball tournament last night, so the kids sat with me and we watched the live stream online from one of the news channels of what was happening in Paris.*

Every time the death toll number went up, we all would gasp.

Kathrynne kept saying, “I’m so upset. Think about what it would be like to be them! Think about how scared they must feel!”

We talked a lot about how they must feel, about how I felt when there were so many unknowns on 9/11, and how the children there must feel.

My kids kept pointing out the kids in the footage. How scary it must be to be them. How scared their parents must feel to be there and have their kids there with them.

I agreed. And I thought about what it would feel like to be those parents. Those men and women and teens and children. Who had no idea that last night, their lives would change forever.

I wanted to post something. But there were no words I could come up with.

So instead of posting and scheduling posts on my Facebook Page like I had planned last night, we turned off the live stream and I snuggled with my kids.

I still don’t have words today. But I felt so burdened and wanted to acknowledge the situation in some way.

And then I read Lysa’s post here and it echoed my heart. But in much more eloquent ways. Go read it here.

*Just to clarify for those who may be concerned we’d allow our kids to watch this 1) I kept asking them if it was making them feel scared and they told me, “No. We want to know about what’s going on.” 2) Since it was a U.S. news channel, the footage wasn’t graphic.

{As parents, I think it’s very important to have discussions with our kids on current events — but only at a level that our kids are ready for. We don’t want to raise our kids in a bubble, but we also try to be very careful not to expose them to things that are going to cause them to be fearful, etc.}

Shared Nov 14, 2015 comment

Gretchen’s Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan + Freezer Cooking Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 14, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Homeland

1 Reeses Puffs Cereal – $2, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon

2 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls – $1 each, used $1/2 printable (no longer available, doubled) – Free after coupon

1 Eggland’s Best Eggs – $2.85, used $0.50/1 MobiSave rebate – $2.35 after rebate

3 (8 oz bags) Best Choice Cheese – $1.25 each

Total after coupons: $6.60

Dillons

1 Kroger Applesauce – $2.19

1 Flour Tortillas – $2

0.95 lbs Broccoli – $1.89

1 Kroger Frozen Orange Juice – $1.59

1 Green Bell Pepper – $0.99

1 Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $1, used $0.75/1 e-coupon – $0.25 after coupon

1 Psst Garlic Powder – $1

1 Kroger Brown Rice – $0.89, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $0.39 after coupon

1 bag Bruschetta Toasts – Marked down to $0.59

1 Kroger Rice Cakes – $1.69

1 Psst Saltines – $0.89

1 Pineapple – $0.99

1 Cucumber – $0.79

1 bag Yellow Peppers – Marked down to $0.99

1 bag Apples – Marked down to $0.99

1 gallon Milk – $1.99

2 bag Kroger Frozen Chicken Breasts – $7.99 each, used $1.45/1 e-coupon AND $3/$10 Meat e-coupon – $5.76 each after coupon

2.31 lbs Bananas – $1.36, used $0.25/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $1.11 after rebate

1 Kroger Old Fashioned Oats – $3.29

Items a part of the Mega Sale (Buy 10, Get $5 off instantly):

1 Ronzoni Pasta – $0.49, used $1/1 e-coupon – Free plus overage after coupon

1 Ken’s Salad Dressing – $1.49, used $0.75/1 MobiSave rebate – $0.74 after rebate

1 Nabisco Wheat Thins – $1.79, used $1.25/1 MobiSave rebate – $0.54 after rebate

1 Land O Lakes Butter – $1.99

4 Campbell’s canned Soup – $0.49 each, used $0.40/4 printable AND $0.20/1 Ibotta rebate – $0.34 each after coupon and rebate

1 Lender’s Bagels – $1.79, used $0.75/1 MobiSave rebate – $1.04 after coupon

1 Green Giant canned Veggies – $0.49

Total after coupons and rebates: $40.79

Dillons Trip #2

I ran into Dillons today to see if they had any meat marked down. This wasn’t the best price but I really wanted to do some freezer cooking this week and desperately needed meat for that.

1 package (3 lbs) Ground Beef – Marked down to $9.50.

Total: $9.50

Total for all stores: $56.89

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Eggs & Green Peppers, Bananas x 4

Cereal x 2

Cinnamon Rolls, Sliced Pears (My Mom gave me a big bag of pears from their pear tree!)

Lunches

Macaroni & Cheese, Veggies

Tossed Salad with Tuna

Peanut Butter & Jelly Rice Cake Sandwiches, Veggies x 2

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Veggies

Cheese, Crackers, Fruit

Leftovers

Dinners

Blueberry Pancakes, Eggs, Pineapple

Steak (from my in-laws), French Bread, Pineapple

Mexican Lasagna, Asparagus (leftover from last week), Sliced Pears

Chicken Enchiladas, Tossed Salad

Dinner with family

Chicken & Rice, Green Beans

Spaghetti Pie, Green Beans, Butterhorn Rolls

Freezer Cooking

I’m planning to do some freezer cooking this week to use on busy days coming up during the holiday season. Here’s what I’m hoping to get made:

Baked Oatmeal x 3

Double Fudge Banana Muffins x 2

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls x 2

Blueberry Pancakes x 3

Butterhorn Rolls

Mexican Lasagna (doubling dinner and freezing one)

Chicken Enchiladas (doubling dinner and freezing one)

Chicken & Rice (doubling dinner and freezing one)

Spaghetti Pie x 2 (tripling dinner and freezing two)

BBQ Meatballs x 3

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas x 2 (using the yellow peppers)

Shared Nov 14, 2015 comment

Gretchen’s Target Shopping Trip

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 14, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Target Shopping Trip

This deal on cleaner showed up just in time because we actually ran out of both windex and bathroom cleaner last week!

Buy 4 participating items, Get $5 Target gift card:

3 Windex – $3.19 each
2 Scrubbing Bubbles – $3.19 each
Used $5/5 printable

Used $5 Target gift card from previous shopping trip

Total out of pocket: $6.82, Received $5 Target gift card (Like paying $1.82!)

Shared Nov 13, 2015 comment

Make-Ahead Pancake Batter

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 13, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Save yourself a bit of time and mess in the mornings by making your pancake batter the night before and storing it in the fridge. Let me show you how I do it.

I shared the idea of make-ahead pancake batter on Instagram and people loved it… which made me think I should share a little more in-depth post on it here on the blog.

But I have to apologize in advance because you know I am the Queen of Non-Pinterest Pictures.

In fact, I posted the above photo on Instagram earlier this week and said: “I have no idea how people get those amazing magazine-worthy food prep photos. I can ooh and ahh over them, but let’s be honest: when I cook, it looks more like the cupboards threw up.” #reallife

All that aside, the tip was this: I make up pancake batter the night before and stick it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, we can have freshly-made pancakes with almost zero work or mess.

It’s so simple, but it’s one little trick I keep up my sleeve and have used over and over again.

You can also make up a huge batch of batter and then use it multiple times throughout the week.

This is the Pancake Batter recipe I always use — from my very favorite and well-loved cookbook, the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook that my mom got me as a wedding present.

I just mix up the batter and stick it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, I will sometimes add a little extra milk, stir, and cook on a griddle.

This week, I had a little helper for the actual making of the pancakes… and he decided to add some yummy chocolate chips to the batter. He’s a child after my own heart. 😉

By the way, if you can tell by his face, Silas is very meticulous about getting the pancakes “just right”. And I’m all about working myself out of a job… even if the training process requires cleaning up lots of spilled pancake batter (see floor for evidence).

Breakfast is served… and it only took me a few minutes of prep work the night before. Well, and cleaning up pancake batter off the floor after the pancakes were made. 🙂

What are your favorite quick and easy breakfast ideas?

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Shared Nov 13, 2015 comment

Brigette’s $64 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on November 13, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Harris Teeter

5 cans Del Monte Green Beans – $2.78, used $0.40/4 Del Monte Canned Vegetables, exp. 1/31/16 (SS 11/08/15 R) (doubled) – $1.98/5 after coupon

1 jar Mt. Olive Banana Peppers – $1.99, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.49 after coupon

1 2-oz jar Tabasco Sauce – $1.50, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled), plus $0.50/1 evic – FREE after coupons

3 boxes Betty Crocker Cake Mix – $3.00, used $0.75/3 printable (doubled), plus $0.75/3 evic – $0.75/3 after coupons

4 cans Carnation Evaporated Milk – $2.28, used 2 $0.55/2 Carnation Evaporated Milk Cans, exp. 12/31/15 (RP 11/08/15) (doubled) – $0.08/4 after coupons

2 McCormick Gravy Mixes – $1.00, used $0.50/2 RP 10/25 (doubled), plus $0.50/2 evic – $0.50MM after coupons

2 5-lb bag Flour – $1.94

2 boxes Horizon Macaroni and Cheese – $2.00, used $0.75/2 printable (doubled) – $0.50/2 after coupon

3 boxes Jiffy Cornbread Mix – $0.60

2 64-oz cartons Old Orchard Juice – $2.99, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.99/2 after coupons

1 21-lb Harris Teeter Premium Turkey (@$0.57/lb) – $12.07

3 bags Simply Hash Browns – $3.37, used 2 $0.55/1 printable (doubled), plus 1 $0.55/1 Simply Potatoes Hash Browns – 11-8-5 SS (exp 12/31/15) (doubled) – $0.07/3 after coupons

4 8-oz blocks Challenge Butter – $5.98, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled), plus 2 $0.55/1 (doubled) NLA – $0.78/4 after coupons

2 8-oz blocks Cream Cheese – $3.00, used 2 $1.00/1 printable – $1.00/2 after coupons

2 18-ct cartons Eggs – $3.94

10 8-oz bags Shredded Cheese – $13.54

Total: $38.23

Aldi

1 3-lb bag Golden Delicious Apples – $2.37

1 2-lb bag Bartlett Pears – $1.58

1 box Corn Flakes – $1.49

1 bunch Bananas (2.28lb @ $0.38/lb) – $0.87

1 large bag Greens Trio – $1.99

1 24-oz carton Low Fat Cottage Cheese – $2.29

3 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $ 7.77

2 16-oz bags Baby Carrots – $1.98

1 4-ct pkg Zucchini – $1.99

1 head Cauliflower – $1.99

1 Gallon Milk – $2.34

Total: $26.66

Weekly Total $64.89

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Scrambled Eggs and Veggies x 2

Oatmeal with Fruit (from the freezer) x 2

Cereal x 3

Lunches

Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Sliced Apples x 2

Rice Cakes with Almond Butter, Hard Boiled Eggs, Carrots x 2

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Carrots, Bananas x 2

Leftovers

Dinners

Mexican Lasagna (using corn tortillas), Tossed Salad

Venison Roast and Carrots in the Crockpot, Baked Potatoes, Butterhorns

Meat Potato Quiche, Roasted Cauliflower, Easy Italian Breadsticks

Crockpot Italian Chicken, Butterhorns, Steamed Broccoli

Lasagna Casserole, Easy Italian Breadsticks, Tossed Salad

Leftovers x 2

Snacks

Sliced Apples with Almond Butter, Popcorn, Freezer-Friendly Pumpkin Bars

Shared Nov 11, 2015 comment

Next Week’s Book Club Book Pick: Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 11, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Next week, we’re going to start reading through Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts.

I’ve been reading this book the past few days and gleaning so much and I wanted to share my thoughts with you as I thought it might encourage you as it had encouraged me.

If you have a friend who is going through trauma or heartbreak, this book gives very practical and wise advice on how to walk through suffering and hard times while being a blessing, not an annoyance or causing more hurt.

After trying a few different things, I decided to just stick with scoping through books. That’s very doable for me and I can be a lot more consistent and reliable with that than with trying to scope and blog through books at the same time. However, I may throw a post or two up about a book that we’re going through if I have a chance to write one. We’ll see!

So, starting Monday, I’ll be scoping through Just Show Up every weekday morning next week — sharing what I’m learning, how the book is making me think, and how I want to change my life as a result.

If you’d like to join me, you can download the Periscope app and follow me (@MoneySavingMom). I’ll do a quick 3-8 minute scope every morning after my Morning Motivation show and would love for you to tune in live or watch the replay on the Periscope app.

On a tight Christmas budget? Simplify Christmas with these 5 ideas that will save your budget!

Shared Nov 11, 2015 comment

5 Ideas to Simplify Christmas & Save Your Budget

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 11, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Crystal.

Simplifying Christmas is important to us because of our family values, but also because of our tight budget. If you’re in a position where you need to (or just want to) simplify Christmas, here are a few tips that have worked for us.

If you get nothing else from this post, know this: You can simplify your Christmas and still make it meaningful.

1. Remember the “Reason for the Season”

If you are a Christian, the reason for the season is the birth of Christ. It doesn’t have to set your budget back to celebrate Him, or even to show love and kindness to those around us.

I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, but I did grow up in poverty. Christmas to us wasn’t about gifts or fancy things. It was about family, traditions, time together, and memories — all of which are free!

2. Celebrate with Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK’s) are a great way to celebrate Christmas, and they don’t need to be expensive.

There are so many things you can do for others that are free, or very inexpensive, and this is a great way to remind ourselves and our children to focus on others. Charity work can be a great way to celebrate the season together.

3. Simplify Gift-Giving

Wishlists these days seem to have gotten out of control. If you feel the same way, here are a few great ideas to simplify gift-giving:

Model gift-giving after baby Jesus who received 3 gifts from the wise men.
Base gifts on the following: something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read. I love that little rhyme, and I think it makes for a very balanced Christmas list.
Consider purchasing classic gifts that will last and be valued for years, as opposed to trendy gifts that children will probably lose interest in quickly.
Exchange names for larger groups and parties — meaning you only need to buy 1 gift to exchange instead of multiple gifts for everyone.

4. Get Creative

You know the saying, “It’s the thought that counts”? Well, it’s true — and sometimes a handmade gift can be the best because you can give a thoughtful gift and save money at the same time.

With the plethora of handmade gift ideas available on Pinterest, you are sure to find some that fit your taste and talents.

One year, I made goodie baskets for my extended family. Each family got a basket filled with nicely packaged homemade baked goods, cookies, candies, etc. It was, in part, because we were strapped for cash. Everyone loved them and said that’s what they wanted from us every year!

5. Focus on Making Memories

One of the most important things about the holiday season is to make memories with the people you love! Baking Christmas cookies, looking at Christmas lights, watching Christmas classics as a family, reading books, making crafts, decorating ornaments… these memories will live on long after their favorite toys have “died”.

Spend time together celebrating the wonder of the season!

How will you simplify your budget this holiday season?

photo source

Shared Nov 10, 2015 comment

Why You Should Create a Stop Doing List

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 10, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I just finished reading a pre-release copy of Alli Worthington’s Breaking Busy book that comes out in January 2016. I’ve loved this book! It’s chock-full of all kinds of helpful advice, tips, and inspiration on living life more slowly with purpose.

One of the quotes that jumped out at me was this:

“Our lives have gotten so cluttered with things we think we should do, that we can’t figure out what we were meant to do. Let your life be about what you were meant to do, not full of what you think you should do. This starts with your daily decisions about how you spend your time.”

Alli then goes on to encourage you to create a Stop Doing List — a list of items you intentionally decide to not do so that you can focus your time and energy on your greatest priorities.

She says the best way to identify what you need to stop doing is by asking yourself these two questions:

What is sucking the life right out of me?
Does this activity get me closer to reaching my goals?

As someone who loves to-do lists and goals, I thought this was a really great way to create a “stop doing” list. I have found so much liberation in doing just a few things well, and I have really been working on streamlining and delegating tasks in my life to allow more free space for myself.

Three strategies that have been helping me to carve out more free space in my day and live are:

1. Waiting to check email until after 12:30 p.m.

This has made a massive difference in my life. I thought I had to be on top of email, but I realized that this was my own personal obligation, and that I can choose when I check my email.

It has been liberating to have an email-free morning without distractions.

2. Thinking three to four times before saying yes.

This is something I’ve really, really been working on. I’ve always been a “yes” girl. I want to help everyone in every way with everything. And that’s a surefire recipe for exhaustion!

Lately, I’ve made it a goal to really think about whether or not I truly have the time to commit to something. Instead of just instantly trying to figure out a way to make something happen, I instead think about the sacrifices it will require, the other responsibilities that may fall by the wayside as a result, and whether there is room on my calendar.

As an Introvert, I’ve realized I have a lot less capacity than an Extrovert might have. I can’t just go-go-go-go. Or flit from activity to activity to activity without time to breathe and rest and refuel in between. I’m trying to do a better job of reminding myself of this, as well.

This past Saturday, I asked my friend if we could push our regular coffee date back two hours and meet at 10 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. since I knew I’d be exhausted from my book launch and traveling. Giving myself grace to sleep in and have a leisurely Saturday morning before our coffee date made the day go so much better… and I wouldn’t have thought to ask about this had I not taken a few minutes to think before saying “yes” when she texted to ask if we could meet on Saturday.

3. Asking My Husband Before Making a Commitment

My husband knows me better than anyone else in the world, and I’ve found that he has such great wisdom when it comes to helping me determine what to say yes to and what to say no to. Sometimes, I’ll totally convince myself that I have the time and energy to do something, but then when I ask him, he’ll help me think more realistically about the situation.

For instance, I was asked to go out to dinner with some dear friends who were in town on Sunday night. I wanted to say yes, but we already had our community group that night and the dinner was going to be quite a ways away from our house.

As much as I would have loved to say yes to a fun dinner out with friends, my husband helped me realize I needed a quiet evening at home after a big week. As I considered things more, I knew he was right. And a quiet Sunday evening ended up being exactly what I needed!

What’s on YOUR Stop Doing List? Or what do you need to put on your Stop Doing List?

Shared Nov 9, 2015 comment

10 Goals For This Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 9, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Whew! It feels so good — and so weird! — to have my book launch behind me!

After months and months of working on and prepping for it, now that it’s over with, life feels so quiet and my to-do list seems so simple. And it’s good. So good.

While I try to enjoy the power-through sprints when there are big projects and launches happening, I 100% savor the seasons of rest. And I’m so grateful to be heading into one of those seasons after a few very, very full months!

Here are my 10 simple goals for this week:

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

1. Write a love note to Jesse.

2. Have an at-home Movie Date with Jesse.

3. Spend quality one-on-one time with each of the kids.

Personal Goals

4. Keep working on the boot cuffs I’m knitting.

5. Finish reading Just Show Up.

6. Make sleep a priority.

7. Start new weight-lifting program.

Business Goals

8. Don’t check email until after 12:30 p.m. every day.

9. Get at least 3 content pieces ready for next week (I’m trying to do a better job of working ahead instead of blogging by the seat of my pants!)

10. Do a Money-Making Mom scope each afternoon at 3 p.m. (Are you joining us for this? If not, you can download the Periscope app and search for my name or @MoneySavingMom to join in live. Or, you can watch the replays on Katch.me/MoneySavingMom)

How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives! You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.

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Click here to download!

Shared Nov 9, 2015 comment

My Interview on The 700 Club

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 9, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

It was so fun to have the chance to be on the The 700 Club on Friday morning talking about my new book, financial lessons my parents taught me, our early beans-and-rice-budget years, advice for moms who want to start a business… and more!

It was the first time I’ve done a TV interview where I’ve actually felt fairly relaxed before and during the whole thing — which is HUGE for this once shy, introverted girl who thought I’d rather poke my eyeballs out with hot steel rods than go on live TV!

It’s exciting to remember my first interview with the 700 Club from 2012 compared to this interview and to realize how much all this punching-fear-in-the-face stuff is growing me as a person!

I really want to inspire moms to step outside their comfort zone and to not live life held back by fear… and that means that I have to practice what I preach and keep putting myself out there, keep stepping outside my comfort zone, and keep doing things that scare me!

If you missed it, you can go here to watch my interview on The 700 Club.

And be sure to go here to download chapter one of my book, Money-Making Mom, if you haven’t done so already!

Shared Nov 9, 2015 comment

6 Non-Monetary Ways to Give

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 9, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Reelika Financially Wise On Heels

This time of year, we’re often hit up by сhаritаblе оrgаnizаtiоnѕ аѕking uѕ tо “give, and give gеnеrоuѕlу”. If you’re like me, you usually assume they’re referring to monetary donations.

While I’m certain anу nоnрrоfit can mаkе use of саѕh dоnаtiоnѕ, money iѕn’t thе оnlу thing thаt уоu саn givе. In fасt, it mау not even bе thе mоѕt uѕеful.

If you’re currently tight on cash, consider thеѕе non-monetary ways to give inѕtеаd:

1. Give your Timе

Hоwеvеr riсh оr рооr уоu аrе, you’ve gоt 24 hоurѕ in every dау аnd 7 dауѕ in еvеrу wееk. Cаn уоu givе аn hоur оr twо оf timе tо ѕоmеоnе whо rеаllу nееdѕ it?

Thаt might mеаn:

Tаking саrе оf a friеnd’ѕ children ѕо he or ѕhе can hаvе a brеаthеr
Vоluntееring fоr a lосаl сhаritу
Hеlрing оut аt a соmmunitу еvеnt
Viѕiting a friеnd оr nеighbоr in hоѕрitаl
Liѕtеning tо a relative whо nееdѕ tо tаlk

2. Give your Skillѕ

We all have uѕеful ѕkillѕ, whether we rеаlizе it or not.

Inѕtеаd of giving mоnеу, lооk fоr wауѕ tо givе рrасtiсаl help. In ѕоmе саѕеѕ, уоur ѕkillѕ соuld ѕаvе ѕоmеоnе a lоt оf mоnеу mаking miѕtаkеѕ оr hiring ѕоmеоnе else tо dо thingѕ fоr thеm.

Pеrhарѕ уоu соuld:

Teach a friend or relative hоw tо сооk ѕimрlе mеаlѕ
Edit a friend’s réѕumé
Dеѕign a lоgо fоr a friеnd’ѕ nеw business
Drive аn еldеrlу nеighbоr tо the ѕtоrе

3. Give Encouragement

Think оf a timе in уоur lifе when ѕоmеоnе’ѕ еnсоurаgеmеnt mаdе аll the diffеrеnсе. Pеrhарѕ уоu weren’t ѕurе whеthеr оr nоt tо аррlу for соllеgе, but a tеасhеr оr relative ѕuрроrtеd уоu. Mауbе уоu were fееling frаzzlеd as a nеw раrеnt, but friеndѕ rаlliеd arоund you to help.

Yоu dоn’t nееd аnу ѕресiаl ѕkillѕ tо еnсоurаgе ѕоmеоnе, or еvеn muсh time. A fеw kind words оr a ѕimрlе nоtе соuld mаkе a hugе diffеrеnсе.

4. Give your Stuff

Dо уоu own аnу tооlѕ оr еԛuiрmеnt thаt you соuld givе (оr lеnd) tо someone whо needs thеm? Fоr inѕtаnсе, inѕtеаd оf kеерing оld computers оr mоnitоrѕ сluttеring up уоur hоmе, trу lооking for a local сhаritу оr a nеighbоr whо’d bе glаd to have thеm.

Mоѕt аrеаѕ hаvе a lосаl Frеесусlе grоuр whеrе уоu саn liѕt аnу unwаntеd роѕѕеѕѕiоnѕ. Whеn уоu dо thаt, уоu nоt оnlу gеt tо clear some сluttеr, уоu аlѕо help someone else in the process.

5. Given Infоrmаtiоn

Pеrhарѕ уоu knоw a lоt аbоut a раrtiсulаr tорiс. Yоu might hаvе ѕhеlvеѕ full оf bооkѕ tо lеnd оut, оr a bunсh оf grеаt blоg роѕtѕ bооkmаrkеd оn уоur соmрutеr. Friеndѕ аnd rеlаtivеѕ mау bе рurѕuing big gоаlѕ – but thеу might nоt knоw whеrе tо turn fоr аdviсе аnd infоrmаtiоn.

Lооk оut fоr орроrtunitiеѕ tо ѕhаrе uѕеful infоrmаtiоn: that might bе in уоur community, in уоur wоrkрlасе, оr еvеn within your fаmilу.

6. Give а Listening Ear

How many people do you know who juѕt nееd ѕоmеоnе willing tо liѕtеn tо thе fruѕtrаtiоnѕ and diffiсultiеѕ thеу еnсоuntеr in their home, their job, with a difficult child, etc. A littlе ѕуmраthу gоеѕ a lоng way.

We can all afford to give a listening ear (and REALLY liѕtеn whеn thеу talk). Whеn thеу’rе dоnе, tеll them уоu undеrѕtаnd and уоu аdmirе аnd аррrесiаtе thеir еffоrtѕ.

These are just a few of the MANY non-monetary ways to give…

What would you add to my list?

Reelika Tiik is an entrepreneur and the founder of Financially Wise On Heels. She is a happy wife and mom, Christian, financial management lover, and passionate about coaching. She provides inspiration, tools and resources to Moms to better plan, budget and manage their finances without sacrificing the needs and dreams of their families.

photo source

Shared Nov 8, 2015 comment

5 Things I’m Loving This Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 8, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

1. This Picture of My Kids

These three got themselves up, dressed, washed their hair, fixed it, fed themselves, and got themselves out the door for early service with Jesse at church last week — all on their own! Which meant I ended up having a completely quiet morning all to myself to read and pray and then met them at church for the second service!

Moms of littles: hang in there. I know that it feels like the day will never come when you won’t be overwhelmed with changing and bathing and dressing and feeding little people, but the day will come soon when that will all be a memory of the past. And you’ll look at your kids and wonder how on earth they grew up and became so self-sufficient!

2. Fun New About My New Book

So, I kind of had a big week last week… not only did I launch my new book, Money-Making Mom, but I also got some very fun and unexpected news related to the book:

Amazon editors picked my brand-new book for their November Business & Leadership Books pick. Say what??
My book is now available in airports — the first time I’ve ever had a book sold in airports!
The audiobook is being featured on the homepage of Audible.com (you have to scroll down to See What’s New and it’s in the slider there!) I have no idea how it got chosen to featured there!

3. Thought-Provoking Books

Speaking of books, I finished two different books this past week that I just loved and that really challenged and inspired me — Rising Strong by Brene Brown and Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington. I’ll be scoping more about both of these this coming week.

You can see snippets of what I gleaned from quotes I posted on my Instagram feed recently.

4. Your Money-Making Mom Pictures on Social Media

Oh my goodness! I am just loving all of the pictures you all are posting on social media with my book. Honestly, it’s a humbling and surreal thing for others to be holding and reading a book that you wrote.

And I just cannot believe that there are already 173 reviews on Amazon!! The way you all have been cheerleading and championing me in this book launch just floors and touches me so much. Thank you for proving, once again, that I have the best readers on the planet. You mean the world to me!

5. My Husband’s Kindness to Shop for Me

I posted this on Instagram earlier this week:

How I shop…

Step 1: Make a list of what I need to buy.

Step 2: Text said list to @jessepaine with photos of ideas of what I’m sort of thinking.

Step 3: Sit at home in my comfy pants and comfy chair and get blogging work done while @jessepaine texts me pictures of Silas holding up various items that fit my list criteria.

Step 4: Have a phone call with @jessepaine to decide on the final picks.

Step 5: Try on clothes at home. Be very, very grateful that my husband loves shopping. Celebrate the fact that I stayed out of stores yet another day.

The End.

What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!

Shared Nov 7, 2015 comment

Gretchen’s $35 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan

Published: by Gretchen on November 7, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Walmart

2 lbs Asparagus – $1.69 each (Price matched to Aldi)

2 Avocados – $0.49 each (Price matched to Aldi)

Total: $4.36

Homeland

3 Best Choice Cheese – $1.25 each

1 dozen Eggs – $2.79, used Free mobile coupon – Free after coupon

2 Chocolate Cheerios – $2 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – $1 each after coupon

1 Mission Corn Tortillas – $2.19, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.69 after coupon

1 Puff Facial Tissue – $2.35, used Free mobile coupon – Free after coupon

Total after coupons: $6.44

Dillons

2 Lettuce – $0.99 each

0.58 lbs Broccoli – $1.15

1 Kroger Peanut Butter – $1.79, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

2 Cucumbers – $0.49 each

1 Ham Steak – $2.50

2 Horizon Mac & Cheese – $1 each, used $0.75/2 printable – $0.63 each after coupon

1 Kroger Lasagna Noodles – $1.79

1 Green Bell Pepper – $0.99

1.88 lbs Bananas – $1.11, used $0.25/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.86 after rebate

1 loaf Nature’s Harvest Bread – $1.99, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $1.49 after coupon

1 gallon Dillons Milk – $1.99, used $0.20/1 Ibotta rebate – $1.79 after rebate

1 Hershey’s Snacksters – $1, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

1 Danimal Smoothies – $2

1 Ragu Pasta Sauce – Marked down to $0.99, used $0.75/1 Ibotta rebate – $0.24 after rebate

Items a part of the Mega Sale (Buy 10 items, Get $5 off instantly):

1 Juicy Juice – $1.79, used $1/1 Ibotta rebate – $0.79 after rebate

2 Land O Lakes Butter – $1.99 each

1 Duncan Hines Cake Mix – $0.99 (I had a free e-coupon for this but it didn’t come off my card.) 🙁

4 Cottage Cheese – $0.79 each

1 Sour Cream – $0.79

1 Colgate Kids Toothpaste – $0.99, used $0.50/1 printable – $0.49 after coupon

Total after coupons and rebates: $24.68

Total for all stores: $35.48

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Scrambled Eggs & Toast x 3

Cereal x 2

Oatmeal, Fruit x 2

Lunches

Macaroni & Cheese, Veggies

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Tossed Salad

Tossed Salad x 2

Cheese Quesadillas, Fruit

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Lasagna, Butterhorn Rolls, Sautéed Asparagus

Hawaiian Haystacks

Homemade Cheese Pizza, Tossed Salad

Mexican Lasagna, Steamed Asparagus

Ham and Hashbrown Casserole, Steamed Broccoli

French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Applesauce (from the freezer)

Salad Bar with Grilled Chicken

Shared Nov 7, 2015 comment

How Crystal’s Blog Has Revolutionized My Life

Published: by Crystal Paine on November 7, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Testimonial from Keelie of Love Hope Adventure:

Just 7 short years ago, I was a desperate mess.

At the time, I was the momma of two young boys, frantically searching for ways to save money. My husband and I were drowning in bills and not enough income to pay for everything.

Our goal was and always has been, to stay out of debt as much as possible, but at the time, it felt like we were in a losing game.

Our Financial Problem

We moved to a new town in order for my husband to take on a job at a church. Unfortunately, we were stuck with a mortgage payment and no prospects of selling our home in the town we left.

Austin, my husband, was still in seminary. It was our goal to pay for all of his education with scholarships and cash; however, we had a lot of associated costs with him commuting to the school that we could not reduce.

I had tried several different ways to earn money from home in the years prior, but nothing I put time into produced any funds; and with two young children, the cost of childcare would take everything I could earn at a job outside of the home.

The First Revolution With Money Saving Mom

Since I was a frugal person by nature, I couldn’t find any real money saving tips. Every article said to stop eating out as much and cook from scratch. Those were no-brainers to me and not the least be helpful.

A friend sent me a message suggesting I check out Crystal’s blog. After browsing the site for a few minutes, I knew I had found a resource that would help us make it.

Crystal didn’t post the usual things I read about saving money. She outlined exactly how to coupon. Her information was astounding to me.

Without her practical helps, I wouldn’t have been able to feed my family during those years. We relied heavily on my ability to snag free and almost free items.

The couponing community she established changed the way we look at life. In addition, Crystal’s ideas on life shaped our attitude towards benevolence and we have incorporated those ideas into our jobs today.

Back In a Desperate Place

A few years later, we were on the move again. This time, we were in a better financial place as we did not have an extra mortgage payment and Austin was out of seminary.

However, we moved to an area with a huge couponing community. Rarely have I been able to make deal scenarios work because stores are always out of the products I needed and wanted to buy. We had little choice but to increase our expenditures.

It was a year into the job at the new church that I realized our days were numbered. Austin was feeling a pull to step out of pastoral ministry and I knew a major income loss was on the horizon.

The Second Revolution From Money Saving Mom

Around that time, Crystal started challenging her readers to find ways to earn an income from home. She had always had a push for that, but I think she was turning the focus even more.

Can I be honest? I was really angry with her for “pushing”. I knew she was right, but I didn’t want to keep trying make money from home. I had failed in this area so many times.

Even after I started following the Money Saving Mom blog, I would sign up for everything they suggested to earn a few extra dollars. None of those outlets brought me success. I thought earning just wasn’t something I was meant to do.

Crystal posted a series on ways to earn extra cash before Christmas. One of the days was about selling your services on a platform called Fiverr.

Reluctantly, I signed up for an account over there and created a writing gig. I didn’t expect anything to come of it since I had tried so many other ideas. However, after I created a gig, I started taking orders almost immediately!

Over the last 2 years, I have built a successful freelance writing business. I didn’t set out to do this through Fiverr, but it fell on me!

The Third Revolution From Money Saving Mom

About a year ago, I finally had the courage to start my own blog. This is a venture that my husband had been after me to do for many years as I have always wanted to be a writer.

Working on other entrepreneur’s websites gave me the confidence and skills I needed to start my own blog.

My biggest passion is to help married couples grow in intimacy with one another — healthy couples make for healthy homes. I launched Love Hope Adventure a little over a year ago and I’ve been nurturing it in my spare time.

I’m at another pivotal point in my life, and Crystal’s influence has come into play once again. With her latest book, Money Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make a Difference, I know I will get the valuable helps I need to take my blog to the next level.

Why I Trust Crystal

In the online world, it can be hard to know who to trust and who is fake. Crystal is a person that I have always identified with and trusted.

She is the same age that I am and has three kids that are all about the same age as my boys. Not only that, she is a homeschool mom that committed to putting her husband through his degree without taking on debt. I’ve watched her live out her convictions, which happen to be in line with my own.

Crystal is very transparent with her struggles and gives hope to others at every turn. She is a real person that has found ways to stay true to herself and keep her passions at the forefront of life.

Thank you Crystal for building this amazing community and bringing us all together to encourage each other!

Keelie is married to her highschool 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.

2hr Cleaning Checklist

2hr Cleaning Checklist

FREE DOWNLOAD: 2-Hour Cleaning Checklist!

1) New Coloring Books

2) Family Game Night

3) Baked Oatmeal

4) Fun Pictures of my book, Money-Making Mom

5) These Ladies

Bonus: This Knit Top

What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!

Homeland

Dillons

Dillons Trip #2

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Freezer Cooking

Target Shopping Trip

What are your favorite quick and easy breakfast ideas?

FREE 50+ Easy and Cheap Breakfast Ideas!!

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

Harris Teeter

Aldi

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Snacks

1. Remember the “Reason for the Season”

2. Celebrate with Kindness

3. Simplify Gift-Giving

4. Get Creative

5. Focus on Making Memories

How will you simplify your budget this holiday season?

1. Waiting to check email until after 12:30 p.m.

2. Thinking three to four times before saying yes.

3. Asking My Husband Before Making a Commitment

Business Goals

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

1. Give your Timе

2. Give your Skillѕ

3. Give Encouragement

4. Give your Stuff

5. Given Infоrmаtiоn

6. Give а Listening Ear

What would you add to my list?

1. This Picture of My Kids

2. Fun New About My New Book

3. Thought-Provoking Books

4. Your Money-Making Mom Pictures on Social Media

5. My Husband’s Kindness to Shop for Me

What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!

Walmart

Homeland

Dillons

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Our Financial Problem

The First Revolution With Money Saving Mom

Back In a Desperate Place

The Second Revolution From Money Saving Mom

The Third Revolution From Money Saving Mom

Why I Trust Crystal

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