If you want to simplify your Thanksgiving meal prep this year, check out these great tips to make all your Thanksgiving foods in advance!
Make-Ahead and Freeze Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Summer Bucket List
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How Do I Decide Which Business Idea is Right for Me?
“My mind is buzzing with online income ideas. How do I quiet the info overload and focus, so that I can just start already?!” -a reader from Twitter
This is such a great question! When you have SO many business ideas, it can be very difficult to figure out which one to settle on. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself before starting a business:
1. How much time to do you have to invest?
Running a business is going to take a lot of time, especially if you want to be successful! Look at your calendar, and figure out how many time blocks you have throughout the week to dedicate to running a business.
You can choose how much time you invest in your business, but you’ll also need to choose a business based on how much time you truly have. (For example, if you only have a couple hours each week, you won’t want to choose a business that will immediately require your attention all day every day.)
Find time blocks in your calendar and make an appointment with yourself during those time blocks to use them to focus on building your business. Maybe it’s a 15-minute block each day, an hour a few times per week, or maybe it’s a few hours each Saturday afternoon. Whatever it is, commit to put that time aside to invest in your business.
2. How much money do you have to invest?
Don’t go into debt to start a business. Starting a business requires taking some risk, but you can set yourself up for a lot of financial struggle longterm if you bank on the future and take out loans to funds to your business venture.
I am a big believer with starting out small, starting with what you have and where you are, and working up from there. If you sign up for my FREE How To Make A Full-Time Income From Home 5-day course, you will learn about my first business idea (and how it failed).
We invested $2,000 in that initial business idea to get a computer, office equipment, and a website design. Since then, we have never invested any personal money into any online business we’ve had. We’ve just took the money from that initial investment, and then grew that to start another business, and then grew that again and so on. It’s amazing to see how that money grew over time!
Don’t feel like what you have won’t be enough. Just start somewhere — even if it’s very small.
3. How much passion do you have?
You have to have an enormous amount of passion if you want to be successful at a business. If it’s just a subject that you might be interested in, or it might be a good idea, or it might work…it’s not the right idea.
You need to be able to feel like you can talk about this until you’re blue in the face. This idea should make you come alive. It should be something you’ve been excited about for a very long time.
Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, take all of the business ideas that you come up with. Pick one idea and run with it.
Don’t stress so much about picking the perfect idea. More than likely, your first idea will not be the one that is successful and that you stick with. I know this is difficult to hear, but it’s the truth. I went through SO many blogs and business ideas before landing on MoneySavingMom.com.
Once you have your business idea, figure out how much time you have to invest and start making goals based off of that. Break your goals into bite-sized pieces that you can work on during dedicated blocks of scheduled appointments with yourself.
Quieting the Noise In Your Head
As far as quieting the noise in your head, this might be a good indicator that it’s time to take a break from collecting information and start focusing on what you know you’re supposed to do. Sometimes you have to turn off the information overload that is leading to paralysis by shutting down the podcasts, periscopes, and videos.
Start working on the goals you already have, rather than becoming overwhelmed with all the things you feel you should be doing. It is so easy to stretch yourself too thin, and it’s not worth it.
It is better to set those small goals and chip away little by little over time. Moving forward — even at a microscopic rate — is still better than doing nothing at all!
What advice do the rest of you have for this reader? Let us know in the comments.
photo credit
10 Goals For This Week
My good friend, Tam, turned 45 last week. That was reason for us to celebrate. And for me to post this picture of both of us on Instagram. I still cannot believe that she’s 45. She doesn’t look it at all!
Also, I bought and wore a flannel shirt last week. Considering I can’t remember ever, ever wearing flannel before, this was sort of a big deal. 🙂
Here are my 10 simple goals from last 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. (I didn’t do this perfectly, but I’m doing SO, SO much better on not letting email overwhelm me and spill into so many other parts of my life.)
9. Get at least 3 content pieces ready for next week .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 — well, I didn’t get to this every day last week, but I did get a few Money-Making Mom scopes done. You can view them here, if you’re interested.)
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. Get my hair cut/re-highlighted.
5. Finish reading one book.
6. Continue on with new weight-lifting program.
Business Goals
7. Work on getting a better Periscope page/call-to-action plan in place.
8. Don’t check email until after 12:30 p.m. every day.
9. Get at least 3 content pieces ready for next week .
10. Launch our Choose Love Journals and Bracelets!!!! (Stay tuned for more details and a super-special launch sale!)
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.
5 Things I’m Loving This Week
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!
When there are no words, but silence isn’t enough
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
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Gretchen’s Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan + Freezer Cooking Plan
Gretchen’s Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan + Freezer Cooking Plan
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
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)
Gretchen’s Target Shopping Trip
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 printableUsed $5 Target gift card from previous shopping trip
Total out of pocket: $6.82, Received $5 Target gift card (Like paying $1.82!)
Make-Ahead Pancake Batter
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
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Brigette’s $64 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $64 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
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
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Next Week’s Book Club Book Pick: Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts
Next Week’s Book Club Book Pick: Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts
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.
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
5 Ideas to Simplify Christmas & Save Your Budget
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?
Why You Should Create a Stop Doing List
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?
10 Goals For This Week
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.
My Interview on The 700 Club
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!
6 Non-Monetary Ways to Give
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.