MOMS: Why You Need to Give Yourself a “Time-Out”
Why I Can Never Complain About Doing Dishes or Cooking Again
One Book I Read This Week & How It Surprised Me
2hr Cleaning Checklist
Classic View
Grid View
How We Improved Our Finances by Living In A Bus
Guest post from Katherine:
The Dream:
When we were first married, my husband and I dreamed of living a self-sufficient life in a yurt on a couple acres. However, property values in our area were too high for us to buy at the time.
We spent a year begrudgingly paying rent. Then we found a converted school bus on Craigslist. We adjusted our dream to fit the opportunity and bought the bus with plans to live in it full-time — and no long term place to park!
Fortunately, friends offered to host us within a month. We’ve lived happily in our bus full-time for 3 1/2 of the last 5 years.
The Reality:
1. Tiny living has helped our financial situation.
We paid cash for our bus. Once we moved in, we put our rent money towards starting a successful business, building an emergency fund, and saving for a down payment.
We even went to Ireland for six weeks… and this summer we will be building a small, but not tiny, home.
2. Some traditional money saving activities are harder, but not impossible.
Buying in bulk? Preserving food? Gardening? They’re tricky, but we manage.
Our kitchen takes up a third of our square footage and when we stock up, we pack our cabinets full.
Dehydrating food is a space-efficient way to preserve. As for gardening and freezing, they depend on where you park your house.
3. We have an amazing host family.
Unless you have your own land or intend to move from RV park to RV park, you will need a host. Our hosts are happy for us to grow a vegetable garden and raise chickens on their property. We also have storage in their garage and attic.
In exchange for the space, we help them out in various ways like plowing the road in the winter and digging and fertilizing garden beds.
4. Mess builds up fast in a small space.
No matter how tidy I get the bus, everything explodes again within 24 hours. I am not a naturally organized person, so it’s hard to maintain order. However, I have learned to stay sane by blocking out part of every day for organizing and cleaning.
5. Contentment is the key to tiny living.
Tiny living is a great way to curb impulse spending as fun, new purchases quickly turn into annoying clutter in a small space!
I have to admit that our space does feel smaller now that we have a baby. As I seek to be content in our converted bus, I remember these words from Saint John Chrysostom, “If you see someone greedy for many things, you should consider him the poorest of all, even if he has acquired everyone’s money. If, on the other hand, you see someone with few needs, you should count him the richest of all, even if he has acquired nothing.”
Through living in our bus, we’ve created wonderful memories, developed better spending habits, and prepared for a financially sound future.
We have also skirted a number of pitfalls.
The Nightmares:
1. Stereotypes and Public Opinion
Some people assume that if you don’t live in a modern single family home you must be a drug addict, a hippie who’s forgotten what decade it is, or a loafer who can’t hold down a job. It’s not true, especially with the rise of the tiny home movement, but the idea lingers in many people’s minds. Be ready to prove them wrong.
2. Insurance Issues
It is possible to insure tiny homes and converted buses, but insurance may not be available in all states. RVs are obviously easier to insure. Although we did insure our bus (as an unfinished RV) for the 3 hour drive home, we don’t have insurance on it now because we don’t drive it.
The bus itself, a 1978 International with a bad transmission, doesn’t have much monetary value, so we have an emergency fund rather than insurance.
3. Legal Issues
From what I understand, living full-time in a tiny home, converted bus, or RV is often a legal grey area. If you are considering tiny living, you should look into zoning regulations, building codes, and covenants.
Most importantly, make sure your potential neighbors are fine with your plans.
In spite of these issues, I believe that tiny living can be a viable option for the right people at the right time.
Would living in a bus be a dream or a nightmare for you?
Katherine has worked as a whitewater rafting guide, ski instructor, and wilderness trip leader, but she embarked on her biggest adventure yet when she gave birth to her daughter last August. She is passionate about tiny living, outdoor adventure with kids, and micro-homesteading.
Gretchen’s $46 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan
Dillons
1 Nature Valley Loaf Bread – $2
1.01 lbs Asparagus – $3.02
1 Sara Lee Cake – $2.99, Used $1/1 printable – $1.99 after coupon (The sale sign said B1G1 Free but it didn’t ring up as that. I’m guessing it was a sign they needed to take down from a previous sale.) 🙁
1 Thomas English Muffins – $1.59, used $0.40/1 coupon from the 1/11 SmartSource insert – $1.19 after coupon
2 Cucumbers – $0.79 each
1 gallon Dillons Milk – $2.50
1 bag Kroger Spinach – $2.50
1 dozen Eggs – $1.88
1 Simple Truth Almonds – Marked down to $2.79
2 Kroger Cottage Cheese – $1 each
1 Kraft Tarter Sauce – $2
0.59 lbs Broccoli – $1.12
2 Tofuti Cuties – Marked down to $0.95 each (I had never tried these before but thought it would be fun. They aren’t too bad!)
1 Kroger Sour Cream – $1
1.94 lbs Bananas – $1.14
2 bunches Lettuce – $0.99 each
2 Pineapple – $1 each
1 Celery – $1.49
I also used a $2/$10 produce coupon Dillons mailed to me.
1 pkg Kroger Chicken Drumsticks – Marked down to $4.43
Mega Sale Items (Buy 6, Get $3 off):
1 Trix Cereal – $1.79, used $1/1 printable (no longer available) – $0.79 after coupon
1 Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.79, used $0.75/1 printable – $1.04 after coupon
3 pkg Motts Fruit Snacks – $1.49 each, used 3 $0.50/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupons
1 Kraft Cheese – $1.99, used $0.75/1 printable – $1.24 after coupon
Total with tax ($3.04): $45.57
I also picked up a box of Fisher Boy Fish Sticks from Homeland this week for $0.99 but don’t have a picture of it.
Total for all grocery items: $46.56
Menu Plan for this Week
Breakfasts
Cereal
Toast & Eggs x 2
Oatmeal
Homemade Granola
Lunches
Fruit/Veggies/Cheese/Crackers x 2
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches and Oranges x 2
Cheese Quesadillas & Carrot Sticks
Baked Potatoes, Cottage Cheese, Fruit
Spinach Smoothies/Tossed Salad
Dinners
Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Steamed Asparagus
Dinner with family
Church Valentine’s Banquet
Salad Bar, Pumpkin Muffins
Fish Sticks, Tossed Salad, Steamed Peas, Pineapple
Chicken Enchiladas, Steamed Asparagus, Fruit Salad
Spaghetti Pie, Tossed Salad, Green Beans, Double Fudge Banana Muffins
Shared Feb 20, 2015
comment
One book I read this week & how it surprised me (+ what I plan to read next week)
One book I read this week & how it surprised me (+ what I plan to read next week)
This book wasn’t even on my list to read last week but after reading Erin’s post on Adrenal Fatigue, I was so intrigued by it and the changes she’s made that I used some of my Swagbucks to buy a Kindle copy of The Adrenal Reset Diet.
I’m such a paper/hardcover book girl so you know I was anxious to read this book if I bought a Kindle version and read it on my phone. Because I basically never do that!
However, I’m so glad I did because this book challenged and inspired me in some fairly significant ways. I was surprised to realize that some different symptoms I’ve been experiencing recently are likely the result of too much stress in my life and not enough sleep.
I’ve made getting an average of 7 hours of sleep per night a priority for quite a long time now, but reading the book and going through the Adrenal Fatigue quiz opened my eyes to some different things — namely that I haven’t been functioning at my best capacity for awhile now. Based upon what I read, I’m pretty sure sleep and stress are the culprits. And they kind of work in a vicious cycle.
I’m so much healthier and rested and sane than I was five years ago when I was completely run down, exhausted, and stretched way, way too thin. (If you’re interested, I wrote about my journey of hitting rock bottom and the steps I took to recovery in my book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.)
After reading The Adrenal Reset Diet, my eyes were opened to the fact that I’m not thriving as much as I’d like to be or should be. The book gave a lot of different recommendations, but the three that I decided to try for the next 4-6 weeks are: 1) Going to bed by 10 p.m. or earlier every night and shooting to get 8+ hours of sleep every single night. 2) Eating a high-protein breakfast every morning. 3) Not drinking coffee after noon (the book suggestions 9 a.m., but I’m starting with noon since I’m all about babysteps!)
We’ll see how it goes. So far, I’ve already been able to tell a marked improvement in just a few days. That’s exciting and encouraging!
9 Books I’m Reading This Week:
Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear! — I heard the author speak at a conference not too long ago and loved her suggestions and tips for dressing well. I was so inspired, in fact, that I went and bought her book and had her do my color analysis at the end of her session. Can’t wait to dive into this book.
Parenting the Wholehearted Child — Can I be really honest with you? Parenting books aren’t my favorite genre. In fact, I typically steer clear of them.
I was raised in an age and culture where many families followed parenting books and discipline plans to a tee and, well, much of the fruit from all that didn’t turn out so great. It left a bad taste in my mouth for the whole “follow steps A, B, and C as a parent and you’ll be a Godly family/good parent” etc.
So yes, I kinda prefer to stay far away from anything that remotely resembles a system or method of parenting. Because I truly have come to believe that there are no one-size-fits-all plans.
At any rate, I was hesitant to start this book because it fell under the “parenting book” genre. But I’m so glad that I did. I’m two chapters in and it is honestly turning out to be one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read in a long time.
I just want to sit and read the whole thing in one sitting. But on the other hand, I want to process it slowly so that I can take it all in!
Unstoppable — I’m about halfway through this book and being challenged and convicted by it.
She Reads Truth Lent Study/Bible — I am loving the Lent study so far… as I have loved all the She Reads Truth studies. Seriously, one of the best things I’ve invested in for my personal spiritual development and relationship with God ever.
Stepping Heavenward — My new friend, Allison Burr, (who is not only been a huge blessing to my life by helping me with some business projects but is also just a week away from moving from Minnesota to just 15 minutes away from me — I’m so excited!) sent me this book and said it was one of her very favorites ever. Can you believe I’ve never read it? I’m working on remedying that stat.
Lizzy & Jane — So far, I’ve found this to be really engaging!
The Cricket in Times Square — I’m reading this to the kids right now and we’re about halfway through it. They’ve all enjoyed it and beg for me to read more chapters each — which is always a good sign!
Long Walk to Freedom & Kaffir Boy — I’m working through these as I seek to understand more about South African history.
What did you read this past week? Any must-read book recommendations?
Shared Feb 20, 2015
comment
Brigette’s $51 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $51 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Last week I didn’t go grocery shopping as our children were in various stages of the most aggressive and longest stomach virus that has ever hit our family. 🙁 My husband made a couple of “emergency” trips to the store for a few things, sweet friends stopped by with food, and we survived! I didn’t need to buy as much this week since we still have things to use up, but it felt great to get out of the house again. 🙂
Aldi
1 16-oz bag Frozen Tilapia Fillets – $3.49
2 16-oz bags Frozen Strawberries – $4.38
2 16-oz packages Frozen Ground Turkey – $3.78
2 3-ct packages Romaine Hearts – $3.98
1 bunch Bananas (3.33lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.47, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $1.22
1 bag Tortilla Chips – $0.99
2 3-ct packages Zucchini – $1.98
1 32-oz container Greek Yogurt – $3.89, plus receive $0.50 back from Checkout 51 – $3.39
1 3-ct package Green Peppers – $1.19
1 Dijon Mustard – $0.99
1 8-oz Swiss Cheese – $1.79
1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.29
3 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $5.97
2 jars Kosher Baby Dills – $2.58
1 Gallon Milk – $2.99
Total after Rebates: $41.01
Harris Teeter
I bag Bananas, reduced – $1.00
1 box Honey Nut Cheerios Medley – $2.50, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $1.00 after coupons
2 boxes Gorton’s Grilled Fish Fillets (B1G1) – $4.29, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $1.29/2 after coupons
1 32-oz bag Frozen Broccoli – $2.00
1 32-oz bag Frozen Spinach – $2.00
2 8-oz blocks Kraft Pepper Jack Cheese – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (NLA, doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons
2 packages Trans Ocean Crab Classic (B1G1) – $2.99, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.99/2 after coupons
Total: $10.28
Weekly Total: $51.29
Weekly Menu
Breakfasts
Cereal
Trim Healthy Mama Pancakes (I use pumpkin puree in place of the cottage cheese)
Baby Shower Brunch – I am bringing French Breakfast Puffs
Steel Cut Oatmeal and Bananas x 2
Veggie Omelettes for me, Scrambled Eggs and Toast for the Family x 2
Lunches
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches, Mini Sweet Peppers x 2
Potluck Lunch at Church – I am bringing Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes and Upside Down Praline Apple Pie
Build-Your-Own-Tossed-Salad x 2
Baked Potatoes with Pepper Jack Cheese and Steamed Spinach, Bananas
Leftovers
Dinners
Spaghizza, Homemade French Bread, Sautéed Zucchini
Dinner at a Friend’s House
Baked Parmesan Tilapia, Steamed Broccoli, Creamy Milk Rice, Tossed Salad
Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Oranges
Taco Salad, Brown Rice, Apple Slices
Chicken Noodle Soup (with homemade noodles), Fresh Veggie Plate, Sliced Cheese and Crackers
Leftovers
Snacks
Greek Yogurt and Strawberries, Smoothies, Popcorn, French Breakfast Puffs
MOMS: Why You Need to Give Yourself a “Time-Out”
Not too long ago, I was talking with a mom and I was saying something about the books I was reading. She immediately shot back, “Oh, I love to read but I don’t have time to read because of my kids.”
My heart wanted to break right in two. Having kids is a lot of work. Trust me, I get that.
And it takes a lot of time and effort and work and sacrifice. Motherhood is no walk in the park.
Having your first child flips your world upside down and means that your schedule is no longer your own. You have a whole new set of responsibilities and to-do’s. Not only that, but you have a person who is now depending upon you and your spouse for their sole survival.
It’s a BIG thing. It’s nothing to shirk at. And it can suck the life right out of you — if you let it.
Which is why I’m about to say something that just might step on some toes…
Are you ready? Buckle your seat belts and hold onto your hats, because in the last few years, I’ve become pretty passionate about what I’m about to say:
Motherhood is a lot of work and responsibility, but it is NOT an excuse to stop using your brain and intellect, to stop enjoying life, and to stop taking time for things you love.
There, I said it.
It’s high time we quit using motherhood as a reason to no longer live life to the fullest, no longer feed our soul and intellect, to no longer enjoy hobbies and relationships like we once did.
Because here’s the truth: one of the BEST things you can do for yourself, your marriage, and your kids is to take time to refuel and refresh yourself. To stop and savor life. To make time for things you love.
Think about it. If you’re just constantly giving and giving and giving out to others, if you’re just pouring and pouring and pouring into your family, if you’re just wringing yourself dry to meet the needs of others and you’re never taking time to replenish, refresh, and refuel, no wonder you feel exhausted and spent!
No wonder you have nothing left to give. No wonder you’re so tired. No wonder you feel brain-fried.
No wonder you feel like you might just snap right in two if one more person asks you to do something or if one more child hollers “MOOOOOMMMMYYYYY!”
As women, we are capable of a lot. We can multi-task. We have “eyes in the back of our head”. We can pull all-nighters when our child is really sick. We can juggle a lot of balls.
But at some point, when a rubber band is stretched out too far for too long, it’s going to snap. At some point, when you keep running on empty, you are truly going to run out of gas and be stranded on the side of the road. At some point, the lack of sleep and running around like a chicken with your head cut off will catch up with you and knock you flat.
And that’s why I cannot say it strongly enough: Moms, give yourself permission to take time for YOU.
To do things you love.
To have coffee with that friend.
To work on that hobby.
To read that book.
To update your scrapbooks.
To work in the garden.
To S-L-E-E-P!
To piddle around in the kitchen.
To engage in stimulating discussions.
To study new things.
To try new things.
What fills you up? What refreshes you? What makes you come alive? What gets you really excited about life?
Set aside some things you think you “have” to do or “must” do or feel obligated to do to carve out some space to invest time into some of those things you truly love.
Investing in yourself is not selfish. Instead, it gives you more energy to be able to pour more into your relationships, your marriage, your job, and your kids.
P.S. If you wish you could find time to do things you love but you just don’t think you have any extra time at all in your schedule right now, I encourage you to check out Jessica Turner’s book, The Fringe Hours.
I got to read a pre-release copy of the book a few months ago and highly recommend it. It’s a must-read for all busy moms!
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.
Why I Can Never Complain About Doing Dishes or Cooking Again
{These children usually just have pap to eat. We brought them some fruit and they were so excited to gobble it down!}
Of all the new and different things I experienced in South Africa, I think the thing that will stick with me for a very long time was seeing first hand just how significant the hunger problems there are in the world.
And I know they are not isolated to communities in Africa — or even in third world countries. Right here in America, there are children and adults who go hungry. There are children who go home from school and have no food at all over the weekends.
{This JAM porridge is much more nutritionally dense than the pap that most South African children in the poorest communities eat. You can read more about it here. Take Action Ministries in partnership with Help One Now makes and feeds this porridge to hundreds of children every day in an effort to help fill children’s bellies with something that provides nutritional value.}
We want to change the world and make an impact, but sometimes, that starts with offering a bowl of porridge. When you have an empty belly, it’s hard to think of anything else. It’s hard to dream or imagine a life outside of the confines of poverty.
Those of us who have choices in what we eat each day are tremendously blessed. We worry about whether we’re giving our kids enough variety. We stress over whether we should buy more organic produce.
We wonder whether we should give our kids a different kind of vitamin or whether they should be eating more meat or drinking more milk or going off dairy or gluten…
{Samp and beans — this was what they fed to around 100 kids at the Reagoboka Drop-In Centre the day we visited. It made me so happy for the kids to get something other than pap to eat. We got to eat it for lunch, too, and I thought it was quite tasty!}
And none of these things we worry about as parents are wrong. We should want to do our best to nurture our children and encourage them to develop healthy habits from a young age.
However, going to South Africa gave me a completely different perspective on life, including things like making food and washing dishes. I realized that there are many things that I’ve complained about in the past that seem so silly and inconsequential now when you think of them in the grand scheme of things.
Here are two things I will never be able to complain about again:
1. I can never complain about having to do dishes.
I’ve often grumbled over a heap of dirty dishes… wishing cooking and eating didn’t make such a mess, wishing there weren’t burned pans to scrub, wishing I could just go to bed instead of staying up conquering that mountain of plates and cups and bowls.
But how can I complain when I realize that those same dishes represent the blessing of food? Food that is readily available in our fridge and cupboards to cook and eat and, yes, dirty our dishes.
Dirty dishes mean that little people at my house have food in their bellies. That none of us know the ache and pain of a seriously empty stomach or the fear that must come when there is nothing to eat and no money to buy food.
{The kitchen where the Reagoboka Drop-In Centre cooks food for over 100 children every day. And you thought your kitchen was too small for your family!}
2. I can never complain about how much time it takes to plan & prepare meals.
So many times, I’ve thought how easy it would be if we could just skip eating — or at least stick with really simple meals. I’ve sometimes dreaded the fact that it’s getting close to dinner and I need to make yet another meal.
I’ve had times when I’ve wished my kids weren’t hungry yet again. (Didn’t they just eat a few hours ago??)
But here’s the thing: I’ve never known what it is like to see my kids go hungry. To desperately wish I could give them something to eat and have nothing to give them. To see them suffer from hunger and be literally helpless to do anything about it.
{Visiting the Maubane Community. While we were there, Take Action Ministries arranged a special treat — lunch for all the kids in the community! They had pap and Walkie Talkies — which are chicken feet and chicken beaks!}
Yes, we’ve had very lean years, but we always had food to eat — even if it meant eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches almost every day. We’ve always had a roof over our heads, blankets to cover up with at night, enough clothes to wear, coats to keep us warm in the winter time, enough money to buy gas to drive where we needed to go, clean water to drink and bathe with.
How can I complain about things like “having to cook yet again” when there are mothers all around the world who would give anything just to have something to cook for their starving child? To have even one small bit of food once a day to quell their baby’s empty stomach?
From here on out, I hope that I look at that pile of dirty dishes, that messy kitchen, that refrigerator needing to be cleaned out, and the meal that needs to be made with completely new appreciation. Truly, we have so much more to be grateful for than we often realize.
P.S. If you feel called to help the children in some of the poorest communities in South Africa, we’d love to have you join us and over 100 others as part of the Ten Dollar Tribe. You can read all about this group and how you can get involved here. And thank you, thank you to each of you who have already joined. We are incredibly humbled and grateful that you’d join us in this!
How a 9-year-old girl is making a big difference
Parents, I want you to gather up your kiddos and go read this post with them about a 9-year-old girl who has such a heart for giving and making a difference.
I was touched and motivated by reading it, and I think you will be, too!
How I Made $1,230 This Past Week By Selling Items on Facebook
Heather from Queen Bee Coupons is doing a Project Downsize series on her blog.
Head on over to see what she got rid of this week and how she made $1230 by selling items on Facebook this past week.
Sign up for AdsMoi and earn money watching videos
Abby emailed in the following tip:
I am writing about a mobile website called AdsMoi that allows users to watch advertisements and get paid. It isn’t much (like a $1 day) but it adds up.
I have used it for almost a month and was able to cash out to an Amazon gift card for about $25. Anyone can sign up for free. My 16-year-old son also uses it. -Abby
Have any of you used AdsMoi before? If so, I’d love to hear your experiences with it.
To earn more Amazon gift cards, check out Swagbucks.
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
Shared Feb 14, 2015
comment
When Valentine’s Day Just Hurts… A word of hope for the heartbroken
When Valentine’s Day Just Hurts… A word of hope for the heartbroken
As I’ve been scrolling through all the Valentine’s Day posts online the past few days — the posts on marriage, the pictures of the flowers he bought for her, the details of the surprise date they went on — I can’t help but think about all of the people out there that are hurting this Valentine’s Day…
The mom of two whose husband recently walked out on her.
The gal whose heart was broken in pieces when she discovered the love of her life was cheating on her.
The husband whose wife suffered a traumatic brain injury a few years ago and has never recovered.
The wife of twenty years whose marriage is crumbling.
The single girl in her thirties who desperately longs to be married.
The woman who is in an abusive relationship and scared for her life.
The elderly man who lost his wife to cancer ten years ago and misses her more than words can express.
For many, Valentine’s Day is not a day of romantic gestures and beautiful flowers and heartfelt love notes. It’s a day of pain. A day of mourning what was lost — or what one never had in the first place. A day of sadness and loneliness. A day that dredges up old wounds and past hurts.
I don’t know all your stories or struggles or past. But I just felt today like I was supposed to write something for those of you who are hurting this Valentine’s Day. Who are feeling sad, neglected, heartbroken, and/or rejected.
Here’s what I want to tell you:
1. You Are Not a Failure
Despite how someone else has made you feel, despite what the voices in your head are telling you, you are not a failure.
You may have failed in some areas, but falling down and making mistakes does not make you a failure. It just means that you are human.
2. You Matter
You have worth. You have immense value. Do not believe the lies that others or your own head tells you that says you are worthless or are good for nothing.
Note: If you feel this way, I strongly encourage you to read Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly.
3. You Have a Purpose
You have a story. You have unique life experience. You have gifts and talents.
You are the only YOU.
Own the gifts you have been given. They might seem small and insignificant. It might feel like you don’t have much to offer. But offer whatever it is you have to give.
Look for ways to make a difference and bless others. Often, it’s the seemingly small and insignificant things that make the greatest impact.
The world needs your gifts, your talent, your passions, your abilities. Be you, bravely.
The 6 Most Popular Posts From This Past Week
Shared Feb 14, 2015
comment
How I save money on greeting cards — and actually guarantee that I send them out!
How I save money on greeting cards — and actually guarantee that I send them out!
Rachel from OrdinaryHomemaker emailed in the following tip:
I love sending greeting cards to people. It’s such a great way to encourage and stay in touch with family and friends. Unfortunately, it can also be very expensive and many simple birthday cards are around $5 each!
Also, it can be hard to keep track of all the birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. I recently got married, so adding in my husband’s side of the family made things even more expensive and complex!
I want to share with you a simple two-step system that will save you money, keep you organized, and help you never forget to send another card.
STEP 1: Purchase all the cards you plan to send in a year at one time.
Buying all your cards at once saves you a lot of time and money in the long run. I usually purchase my cards in the 2/$1.00 section at Dollar Tree, so I end up paying just $0.50 per card!
Bring a list to the store of all the friends and family members you plan to send cards to throughout the year so you don’t forget anyone. I often buy a few extra “generic” cards so I have some spares on hand in case there’s anyone I forgot.
You could save even more money buying pre-packaged boxed cards, although they are often not as specific to the occasion.
STEP 2: Organize your cards by month in a hanging file system.
I have 12 hanging files in my file box – one for each month of the year. I use my monthly files to store anything specific to that month (for example, if we have tickets to a concert in March, the tickets would go in the “March” folder). You could also use an accordion file, or a binder with divider pockets for this purpose.
After my trip to stock up on all my cards, I put a sticky-note on each card with the name and date of the birthday (for example “Dad – July 21”), and drop it into the correct monthly folder.
At the beginning of each month, I pull out the stack of cards for that month and get them ready to go.
Using this method is so simple and easy. It cuts out all those last-minute trips to the store when I suddenly realize Grandma’s birthday is in two days!
You can easily purchase and file all your greeting cards for the year in just a few hours, and it makes the rest of the year so convenient.
Rachel is a stay-at-home wife who enjoys reading, playing the piano, and spending time with her husband. She blogs about finances, devotional ideas, organizing, recipes, and more at OrdinaryHomemaker.
5 Frugal Ways to Show Love on Valentine’s Day
Guest post by Abby Winstead Wandering
Valentine’s Day is a polarizing holiday. On one side, you have Team “every day should be a celebration of love.” Those people argue that February 14, is a “Hallmark holiday”, a day manufactured by greeting card companies and chocolate makers to boost sales. They say that, if you really love someone, you’ll spend all 365 days each year showing it.
On the other side, you have Team “Valentine’s Day is a day for you to lavish me with all the presents I didn’t get at Christmas”. That team asserts that… well, I’m not sure what their reasoning is.
I fall somewhere in the middle. In no way do I think V-Day should consist only of the obligatory exchange of gifts. I also don’t think it’s necessary to skip the day altogether. I think that, like Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day should serve as a reminder to treasure the things and people we should be grateful for every day.
For those of us who want to find a way to our love to the special people in our lives without breaking the bank or giving into the commercialization of the holiday, I have 5 ideas to help you out!
1. Write a love letter.
There are a hundred little things about my husband that I’m thankful for each day. From his patience with the kids during bath time to his enviable laundry skills, I’m constantly reminded of why I love him.
While we both say “I love you” on a daily basis, we rarely expound on the reasons why. Annual birthday and anniversary cards are about it. I know both of us would be thrilled to receive a handwritten letter from the other identifying all the reasons we’re still so happy to be a part of this marriage.
2. Do something they love.
My husband and I have divergent interests. He loves playing golf and watching futuristic TV shows, and I love spending time in the kitchen and watching cheesy dramas. Shock your spouse this year by planning a day dedicated to something he or she loves!
3. Give the gift of alone time.
I love my husband. I love our children. But from the time I was young, I’ve occasionally needed time alone to recharge. I’d guess that many parents are the same way. As much I love being with the ones I love, sometimes it’s necessary to have a break from questions and diapers and being “on”.
I never want or need much time to myself; I usually only last a few hours before I begin to miss the noise and the sloppy kisses.
This Valentine’s Day, giving the gift of alone time can be a thoughtful no-cost or low-cost gift. Consider allowing your spouse to get out and about alone, or maybe with a friend. A few hours sipping fancy coffee or browsing a favorite store might be the perfect gift. Or, if possible, take the kids out or to visit family while the other parent hangs at home, napping or catching up on a favorite show.
4. Take a walk down memory lane.
If your relationship is anything like mine, it has evolved over the years. The new and exciting affection of the early years has been replaced by a deep, steady love born out of confronting the raw realities of life together. That transition is natural and necessary.
I wouldn’t trade the lessons we’ve learned or the way we’ve grown with each other for anything, but it’s easy to get caught up in the details of day-to-day life. Sometimes it’s nice to remember the people we were when we fell in love nearly ten years ago (or more!) This February 14, dig out those old photo albums and love notes. Remind yourselves of the reasons you fell in love.
5. Prepare a special meal.
Tastes and smells have the power to take us back in time the same way sights and sounds do. Think back over the course of your relationship, particularly the beginning, and focus on the meals you enjoyed together.
What stands out in your mind? Maybe it’s the cuisine you enjoyed on your first date, or the first time he made you breakfast in bed. For dinner on Valentine’s Day, recreate that special meal in your own kitchen.
What are your favorite frugal ways to show your love?
Abby is the wife of a patient man, mom to their two baby bears, and teacher of some cool kids. She loves dark chocolate and pretty napkins; the kitchen is her happy place. She lives in Mississippi and blogs at Winstead Wandering, where she shares the wandering thoughts of one who is not lost.
Gretchen’s $53 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan
Aldi
1 bag Halo Oranges – $1.98
1 bag Spinach – $1.79
2 Cucumbers – $0.49 each
1 bunch Celery – $1.29
1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $1.19
1 carton Blueberries – $1.69, received $0.25 back from Checkout 51
1 frozen Apple Juice – $0.95
1 Half & Half – $1.89
2 pkg Strawberries – $1.29 each
1 gallon Milk – $2.43
1 pkg Arugula – $0.99
Total with tax ($1.27): $18.78
Dillons
3 Yoplait Greek Yogurt – Marked down to $0.25 each
1 Yoplait Greek Yogurt – $1, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
1 bag Frozen Peas – $1, used Free e-coupon (was in my Customer Best folder) and received $0.25 back from Ibotta – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate
1 Kroger Frozen Ice Cream Bars – Marked down to $1
2.13 lbs Bananas – $0.59, Received $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $0.34 after rebate
0.68 lbs Broccoli – $1.29
1 dozen Eggs – $1.34, Received $0.25 back from Ibotta – $1.09 after rebate
2 Horizon Mac & Cheese – $1 each, used 2 $0.55/1 printable – $0.45 after coupons
1 Charmin Toilet Paper – $6.49, used $0.55/1 mailer coupon and received $1 back from Ibotta – $4.94 after coupon
Mega Sale Items (Buy 6, Get $3 off instantly):
2 Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.79 each, used $1/2 printable – $1.29 each after coupon
1 Cocoa Puffs – $1.79, used $1/1 printable (no longer available) and received $0.25 back from Ibotta – $0.54 after coupon and rebate
1 Nutella – $2.99, used $2/1 coupon from the 2/1 SmartSource insert – $0.99 after coupon
6 Kraft Shredded Cheese – $1.99 each, used 3 $1/2 printable and received $0.25 back from Ibotta – $1.44 each after coupon and rebate
2 American Beauty Pasta – $0.69, used $1/2 mailer coupon – $0.19 each after coupon
Total before coupons and sales: $61.02
Total with tax ($2.63) after coupons, rebates and sales: $27.78
Homeland
1 Dole Peaches – $2, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon
2 Halls Cough Drops – $1.25 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – $0.25 each after coupon
Items a part of Mega Sale (Buy 10, Save $2 instantly):
4 cans Rotel Tomatoes & Green Chilies – $0.80 each, used $0.40/2 printable (doubled) and $0.40/2 coupon from the 1/18 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $0.40 each after coupons
2 Rosarita Refried Beans – $0.80 each, used $0.40/2 printable (doubled) – $0.40 each after coupon
1 Swiss Miss Cocoa – $0.80, used $0.40/1 printable (doubled) – Free after coupon
3 Hunts Diced Tomatoes – $0.80 each, used $0.50/3 printable (doubled) – $0.47 each after coupon
Total before coupons and sales: $28.43
Total with tax ($0.87) after coupons and sales: $6.98
Total for all grocery items: $53.54
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Cereal x 2, Toast & Eggs x 2, Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit & Yogurt
Lunches
Macaroni & Cheese x 2, Cheese/Crackers/Veggies, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Leftovers, Spinach Smoothies x 5 (I will be eating this every day.)
Dinners
Ground Beef Stroganoff, Tossed Salad
Chicken Fajitas, Fruit
Bean Burritos, Steamed Peas
Oven Fried Chicken, Potatoes, Rolls, Steamed Broccoli
Venison Roast, Carrots, Potatoes, Tossed Salad
Spaghetti, Green Beans
Dinner with family