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Shared Jan 17, 2015 comment

5 Healthy Habits of Frugal People

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 17, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Missy of Graceful Little Honey Bee

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on weight loss and fitness products, but being healthy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Frugal and healthy aren’t words that are put together very often, but in a lot of ways, they go hand in hand.

Here are 5 habits healthy habits of frugal people that will help you stay fit and keep your wallet full at the same time:

1. Cook From Scratch

Cooking from scratch is almost always going to be healthier than buying convenience food or eating out. Fast food is filled with just the right combination of salt, fat, sugar and chemicals to make us feel happy, satisfied and completely addicted.

Even if you’re craving an unhealthy food such as fried chicken, it’s going to be better for you if you make it at home from scratch because you are in control of what what goes into it. Every time you choose to stay home and cook from scratch instead of eating out, your wallet and your waistline will be happy.

2. Go Outside for Entertainment

I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather spend my time hiking, running, gardening, swimming, going to the park, than shopping or going to the movies. Besides, taking your dog for a walk is going to do you and your wallet more good than eating a bucket of popcorn while watching a movie.

3. Use Fewer Chemicals

The next time you run out of a product — whether it be window cleaner, cooking spray, or moisturizer — do some research and see if you can find a frugal and more natural alternative.

I basically clean my whole house with baking soda and vinegar — eliminating the need for harsh and expensive chemicals. I also use coconut oil for many things such as lip balm and lotion. I get to save money and feel at peace about the amount of toxins I use in my home.

4. Live Within Your Means

People who spend above their means are also stressed beyond their means. Living a simple and frugal life is not only smart, but also secure and peaceful.

There is a huge freedom in knowing you have enough (and then some) each month. Plus, your marriage and other relationships will be stronger because they aren’t strained by financial pressures. In turn, you will probably sleep better at night.

5. Practice Gratitude

Frugal people tend to appreciate what they have because they know they’ve worked hard and carefully thought through each purchase. Plus, frugal people are prone to focus more on the relational side of life rather than on the material side.

Practicing gratitude and contentment goes a long way in keeping a person healthy — we would all do well to remember that.

Do you agree with this list? What would you add?

Missy is a stay-at-home mom of two kids who is passionate about encouraging woman to live a simple and Godly life. She shares easy recipes, frugal living tips, and spiritual encouragement over at Graceful Little Honey Bee. Stop by and say hello!

Shared Jan 16, 2015 comment

It’s Official: I’m in Love With South Africa

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Y’all. My heart feels like it just might burst right in two. I have fallen madly in love with South Africa.

So many people asked me why I was going on this trip. Part of me knew why: so Lisa-Jo and I could meet with some of the local leaders here and see the work that Take Action Ministries is doing in partnership with Help One Now.

For many months, we’ve been talking and dreaming and praying and planning about how we can come alongside and help in a long-term capacity. I wanted to go and see first before we started any long-term commitment. It was important for me to get to know the people behind the ministry, to get to see the work in person, and to really have a better grasp of the needs in South Africa.

So that was one part of why I said yes to this trip.

But there was another part of me that felt like there were more reasons why I was going on this trip. That God had bigger plans and purposes — that He wanted to do something through this trip that couldn’t be accomplished by me just sending money from afar or reading about a ministry or even seeing pictures or Skyping with those involved in the ministry.

I knew I was supposed to step outside my safe Americanized bubble and go.

And if today was the only day we had on this whole trip, it was every bit worth me coming.

It was worth the time spent preparing.

It was worth a long drive to DC with my family and getting in at 3:30 a.m. in the morning only to discover there had been some miscommunication and our hotel was completely booked (and it was quite the adventure to find another hotel with an open room at 3:30 a.m.!)

It was worth leaving my family in DC and braving an 18-hour flight.

It was worth working through the what ifs.

It was worth every one of those things and so much more.

You see, because today I saw one of the beautiful examples of hope I’ve ever witnessed. Hope in the middle of what many would consider a hopeless situation. Hope where many would have long ago given up.

And not just hope, but joy, and life, and amazing impact.

But before I tell you about that hope, I want to first back up and contrast it with telling you about a woman we met with this morning who lacked hope.

We pulled up to her two-room shack this morning and you could immediately tell that she was tired, exhausted, worn out, and feeling completely overwhelmed with life. She lives in the shack with 3 other adults and 9 children. She spends her days taking care of her two young children and her neighbor’s children, as well as her nieces and nephews.

We tried to encourage her. We brought fruit for the children. We asked about her needs. But the whole time, her eyes just had this glazed over look. From what she told us, she’s been living like this for a long time and she doesn’t see a way out.

She’s lost any drive or motivation she once had. And she’s just barely making it through each day.

Her facial expressions and tone of voice just exuded lifelessness and hopelessness. Take Action Ministries has been checking in on her and doing what they can to help her. They’ve encouraged her to do what she can to take some baby steps toward progress in her life. But she’s lost her drive and motivation.

As I watched her, my heart hurt for her. This is the only life she knows. She’s probably never had any good examples or models in her life. But at the same time, if she doesn’t want to take tiny steps to climb out of the hole she’s in, she’s never going to make any progress.

Take Action is going to continue encouraging her and making sure her children have food to eat and clothes to wear and they also want to do all they can to encourage her children to break free from this vicious cycle of hopelessness.

When we left her house, we had many discussions about what we could do to spark even a drop of hope in the lives of women like this. There are so many women who feel just like this mom does and it’s an epidemic that’s sweeping so many countries — including America.

For the next few hours, as we had meetings with the amazing folks from the Take Action Team. We talked more about the pressing needs, the greatest struggles, and how we can partner with them in the most effective manner.

(Side note: We’ve bonded so quickly with the Take Action Team — Annelien, Wanda, Jonna, Peter, Darrin, and Morne — that we feel like we’ve known them for years. These are truly some of the most selfless, warm, gracious, and giving people I’ve ever. They’ve opened their homes and hearts to us and we are already dreading having to say goodbye to them in a few days!)

All the while, my brain was in fast-forward strategy and analyst mode thinking of how we can actually spark hope for these women who are struggling with so much hopelessness. The need is staggering and there are no quick fixes or pat answers.

As I was contemplating this, we drove up to our next destination, the Reagoboka Drop-in Centre and Early Childhood Development Centre, and sparks of hope came hitting at us from all directions. Elizabeth, the beaming leader of these centers came running out to greet us.

She was excitedly laughing and exclaiming over and over again about all of the wonderful things happening in their centers. She was the epitome of hope.

But here’s the thing: in many people’s eyes, she shouldn’t have hope. In fact, she should be exhausted, overwhelmed, and discouraged. She’s worked incredibly hard, managed what little she has well, and has poured out herself for her community.

In the process, she’s hit roadblock after roadblock after roadblock. Lisa-Jo shared more of her story tonight and you must go read it right now.

Because Elizabeth has chosen to persevere in spite of the odds, because she’s chosen to make the most of the little she has, because she’s chosen to do all she can to make an impact in her community, literally hundreds of children have been fed, cared for, loved on, and invested in over these past years she’s been running the home.

And we got to meet these children and we were blown away by the joy in their faces, the spark in their eyes, and zest they all have for life.

We played with the children, held the little ones, met the incredible team of Care Givers, asked lots of questions, saw their tiny facilities and how they are making the most of them for the 100+ children they currently help, and ate lunch with them.

My lunch today: a traditional South African lunch — samp (a kind of maize porridge) Morogo (spinach), and Mealies (corn).

The children were all smiles and hugs and the Care Givers were laughing and playing with the kids and exclaiming to us how much they loved working with the children and helping the community. All around, we saw hope bursting forth. I was contagious and inspiring.

And it was all because one woman chose to not be overwhelmed by her limited circumstances, but to do what she could, with what she had.

She has not only inspired and impacted countless families in this community, but her life will forever impact mine.

The Care Givers — don’t these look like such a fun group? They were so full of life and energy!

—–

A big thank you to Anthony Churchyard for donating his time and skills to capture hundreds of pictures and videos for us today! There will be many more stories and pictures to come in the weeks and months ahead! I have dozens of blog posts percolating in my brain right now. 🙂

Shared Jan 16, 2015 comment

Reader Tip: Make Money From Home With MTurk

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jason of Home Life Organized emailed the following tip:

If you’re looking to make a little extra spending money, I recommend looking into Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk).

MTurk is a site for taking surveys and doing small tasks (like verifying information on a receipt, or copying text from an image) that only a human can do. You get paid for each task that you complete, ranging anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars.

When you first sign up for MTurk you have to wait for approval.

NOTE: Set up your payment and complete your tax information as soon as possible after you’re approved. (I’ve read about people having issues with getting payment and tax info squared away so make sure you complete this step before you invest too much time and effort.)

After your setup is done you can log into the HITS tab and start looking for tasks to work on.

At the beginning you’re limited to the kinds of tasks you can do, and for the first 10 days you’re limited to the number of tasks you can complete. In a nutshell, the longer you stick with it, the more tasks you’ll be eligible for and the higher paying they’ll be.

Which Tasks Should You Focus On?

On one hand, you can find tasks that have many HIT’s available, like transcribing information from a receipt. You can complete a HIT and stay within the same listing and transcribe a second or third receipt. These types of tasks are usually low paying, but help to increase your total approved HIT’s number.

I didn’t want to burn myself out by doing only monotonous tasks and find a few pennies in my account at the end of the day, so to keep up my motivation, I looked for surveys, tasks with bonuses, and searched for tasks that had ‘fun’ in the description. I interspersed the quick but low paying HIT’s for higher numbers.

To date I’ve completed over 500 tasks and have earned over $400 (including a month I took off because life got busy). Overall I’ve had a great experience with MTurk and plan to continue using it. -Jason

Shared Jan 16, 2015 comment

My 3 Go-To “Grocery Budget Rescue” Foods

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Kristie of Table-Talk

We all have those weeks: Low on cash and high on unexpected bills. We pilfer around like “Old Mother Hubbard,” searching for enough food to keep the family happy until the next pay check comes in.

As a mom of six, I know about those Mother Hubbard days. Over the years, my strategy has come to include a few “rescue foods” that help us get through the lean times when a broken-down vehicle steals from the grocery cash, or when a prescription takes precedence over food.

Although some of these ideas may not work for every family (especially those with special dietary needs or allergies) I hope my suggestions can help some of you get through bill-paying-seasons without feeling deprived.

Here are my go-to “Grocery Budget Rescue” foods:

1. Beans.

Beans are a blessing to a lean budget. You remember the food pyramids from 4th grade Health Class? Well, beans manage to fill up three of the four tiers!

As a vegetable, they are also high in protein (able to sub in as a meat in your menu), carbs, and fiber. There is probably no food more versatile on the planet!

Dry beans make the most budget-friendly purchase of anything in your grocery cart, but remember: they do have to be pre-soaked. Once they are soaked and cooked, you can make them into hummus, soup, burritos, or a main meal.

Black beans are delicious and hearty — especially with some salt and a serving of rice. If you are fortunate enough to have sour cream or vegetables on hand, go for it.

My “cheat” recipe for hummus involves lentils and seasonings, since they do not require any soaking. It’s a great way to sneak in a vegetarian lunch on unsuspecting children. Use corn chips to go gluten-free. And best of all, they really are filling!

Just one word of caution: old beans don’t cook well. The outer shell remains hard while the inner bean cooks, resulting in a very unpleasant and barely edible mess. Eat beans within a few months of purchase, and be wary of dry beans from food banks where they may have been sitting too long.

2. Soup.

Unless you live in the Sahara, you can’t go wrong with a food whose first ingredient is “water.” Right now, my monthly dinner menu includes 20 different soups (all dinner meals). And soup made with beans? It’s a win-win for the budget, and your family’s health will be the biggest winner of all.

My strategy with soup is simple: Variety!

Soup recipes abound on the web, and I’ve surveyed my friends for their favorite recipes. Not every soup recipe will be a family favorite, but eating the same recipe once a month isn’t so bad.

Again, the flexibility of soup is that you can throw in whatever you have on hand. Canned veggies you got half off because they were dented; last year’s peppers from the freezer; and those beans we’ve just been raving about.

Most soup recipes are not “set in stone” like other recipes that must be followed to the letter. It’s even possible to swap out meats — lower-priced bulk sausage in place of that $4.49/lb. hamburger, for example.

3. Oats.

Whether they are steel-cut, old-fashioned, or rolled, oats are generally less expensive (and much more filling) than cereals, instant oatmeal, and all the sugary pop tarts that our kids would love to see us tossing into the grocery cart.

If you are fortunate enough (as I am) to live within driving distance of a store that sells oats in bulk, you are twice blessed. Our Mennonite shop sells them for $0.50 a pound! That’s about as close to “free” as it comes.

Oatmeal often has a reputation for being gooey and glumpy. Ick. Baked oatmeal can be made crispier (we like it “just this side” of burned), even without nuts.

For the weeks when the cash is low and the bills are high, there’s your menu. Soup, beans, and oats to the rescue! And a cheerful attitude to wash it all down.

What are your favorite “Grocery Budget Rescue” foods?

Kristie is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mom of 6, living in rural Carrollton, Illinois. She blogs at Table-Talk, a practical blog to encourage women.

photo source

Shared Jan 16, 2015 comment

Free Printable $1 Per Person Shopping List & Meal Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Need some ideas for inexpensive meals for your family? Check out this $1 Per Person Shopping List & Meal Plan from Moms by Heart.

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Jan 15, 2015 comment

We Made It to South Africa!!!

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

Before the flight

After 18 hours on a plane, we made it to South Africa this afternoon!!!! This was my first time to be on another continent, so it was quite surreal.

The flight went far better than I could have imagined. The first few hours we chatted, ate the yummy dinner they served on the plane, and I read a short book.

I was starting to feel really tired, so I decided to go ahead and try to sleep. Well, after tossing and turning for awhile and struggling to find a comfortable position, I then started feeling sick to my stomach.

“Oh, great! We’re only a few hours into the flight and I’m already feeling pretty miserable!” I thought.

I decided to ask Lisa-Jo for some Dramamine since she had gone out and bought extra just in case any of us needed some. Let me just say: I’m so, so grateful she did.

I’ve never taken Dramamine before, but within 30 minutes of taking it, I was in love with the stuff! Not only did they end up calming my queasy stomach, but they also put me into a deep sleep. And I slept soundly for 7-8 hours total!!

I woke up feeling refreshed and rested — which was a huge blessing! I spent the rest of the flight watching a movie and getting caught up on my She Reads Truth study of John. Then it was breakfast time on the plane and then we landed!

While I was initially really dreading the 18-hour flight, it turned out going by quite quickly! Thank you so much for your prayers that I could sleep on the flight — God definitely answered them. And I also have become a firm believer in bringing Dramamine on long flights. 🙂

After the flight — with some of Lisa-Jo’s family

We’ve only been here a few hours and I’m already head over heels in love with the people, the climate, the food, and the hospitality! The weather is amazing — it was a little rainy and overcast but just so refreshing.

Lisa-Jo’s family is just so, so dear. They’ve already bent over backwards to host us.

We had dinner with them tonight and then sat around the table and talked for a long time while Lisa-Jo’s dad brought out different kinds of fruits, cut them up, and passed them around for us to eat.

I’ve tried two new-to-me foods so far: Beef Biltong and Lychee. Plus, we had some of the best fresh peaches and mango I’ve ever had!

Tomorrow, we’re headed out to meet a lot of the locals and see some of the different ministries here that Lisa-Jo’s parents are involved in. I feel so grateful to have this opportunity and am excited for what the next few days will hold.

Thank you for praying for us, sending such encouraging notes, emails, texts, and comments, and for being our cheerleaders on this adventure. We appreciate you all so much!

Shared Jan 15, 2015 comment

How Amazon Subscribe & Save Helped Me Take Charge of My Budget

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

Guest post from Alison of Experimental Wifery

Call me naïve, but in almost six years of running a household for my family, I have never come in under budget for household goods.

It’s a conundrum. A good budgeter doesn’t spend money she doesn’t have… right? But laundry detergent and Band-Aids are staples, the things I need to keep my home clean and family life running smoothly. How can I not buy them when I need them?

I chock my problem up to optimism. After all, who wants to admit that their family of four — one of whom isn’t even potty trained — really goes through more than ten rolls of toilet paper a month?

I knew that I needed to find a way to keep track of what I actually needed each month (and how much that actually cost) if I wanted to get control of my budget.

I’ve known about Amazon Subscribe & Save for a while now, but it is only in the last few months that I’ve used it to take charge of my spending on staple household goods. Believe it or not, I’m spending less than 75% of what I used to spend on these items each month!

Here’s how:

1. No More Budget Surprises

Before I started using Subscribe & Save, I consistently under-budgeted for staples like diapers, toothpaste, and hand soap.

Now I know exactly how much I pay for those things every month so I can easily budget for them in advance. For bigger purchases, like our once-every-three-months case of toilet paper, I can break the amount down into monthly installments that I set aside for later.

2. No More Blind Eyes to How Much We Actually Use

When I pick up a refill on dishwasher soap here and a box of diaper wipes there, it’s easy to lose track of how much I’m actually buying.

By buying most of household staples in advance and in bulk, I have to face the reality that our daughter really does go through about 150 diapers a month! Because I see the cold-hard facts, I have to budget pragmatically instead of optimistically.

3. No More Big-Box Runs

Every woman knows that it is almost impossible to walk into a Target to buy one thing without coming out with a full shopping cart. By making my normal big-box purchases online, I keep myself out of budget-busting temptation.

4. No More Wasted Gas

Even though gas is surprisingly inexpensive these days, last-minute trips to the store really add up. The pre-scheduled deliveries from Amazon save me from unplanned shopping trips.

5. More Fun Time with My Children

No, time with my children isn’t really a money-saving advantage. But that time is priceless. Shopping with a toddler is stressful for everyone — at least in our family.

Because I shop online, we get to spend our time together doing things we both want to do!

This are just a few of the many reasons I love using Amazon Subscribe & Save to… SAVE! If you’re a Subscribe & Save user, I’d love to hear your thoughts as well.

Alison blogs about learning to be a better woman and wife at Experimental Wifery. She’s a wife, mommy, and high school English teacher. She signs for her Amazon.com packages near Washington, DC.

Shared Jan 14, 2015 comment

The Big Day Is Finally Here (and we’d love your prayers!)

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

Today’s the big day! In just a few hours, I’ll be boarding a plane for an 18-hour flight to South Africa.

I’m going with Lisa-Jo and her 9-year-old son, Jackson (both who were born in South Africa), and my friend and business manager, Joy.

The past two weeks, I experienced quite a few moments where I felt anxious — anxious over the unknowns, anxious over how I would survive such a long flight, anxious over stepping outside my comfort zone, anxious over flying internationally without my husband, anxious about jet lag, anxious about cultural differences.

Overwhelmed By the What Ifs

I had a few nights where I struggled to sleep because I pictured myself cooped up on an airplane for 18 hours and I started to consider all the what ifs.

What if I start feeling claustrophobic just a few hours into the flight?

What if I can’t sleep at all on the flight and arrive in South Africa an exhausted, irritable mess?

What if the airplane has mechanical failure?

What if I get terribly sick from something I eat or drink in South Africa?

What if…? What if…? What if…?

Some people people crave adventure and adrenaline rush; I prefer familiarity and sameness. I have irrational fears involving meeting new people, being in new situations, and not having a set plan in place. What ifs and unknowns can make me stressed and anxious. Enough to feel like I might hyperventilate.

So I’ve had many moments where I’ve wondered what I was thinking when I signed up for this trip. But I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I’m supposed to go on this trip. And I really feel like it’s going to impact my life in big ways for years to come.

From Fear To Excitement

Also, in the last few days, I’ve felt such a peace about the whole trip. In fact, I’ve started to get really excited about it.

I’m excited about the opportunity to experience a new culture, learn about the struggles South Africans face, see the hope they have, hear about their victories, and get a better grasp on their needs and how we can come alongside and partner with them.

I’m also really thrilled to get to update you in person about the community center, veggie garden, playground, and laundry center many of you helped build in Maubane!

Thank You So Much For Being Our Cheerleaders

So many of you have mentioned that you are praying for me and I just want to tell you thank you so much. I truly feel your prayers. I feel such peace and calmness and excitement about this trip — and I know that that is every bit a result of your prayers and the grace of God.

I have to tell you, I woke up this morning to an outpouring of texts and emails and tweets and Instagram messages from you all with words of encouragement. With so many needs and to-do’s, the fact that you all would care enough to take time to pray and share words of encouragement is a very humbling thing for me.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for praying and cheering for us in this. We feel so loved and supported.

Meet Our 4-Person Team

We wanted to introduce you to our little team and share some specific prayer requests for those of you who want to be praying for us. Here are some of the specific prayer requests from each of the four members of our team who will be spending 18 hours together in row 58 seats D, E, F, & G:

Lisa-Jo

Been doing this trip between continents for two decades now
Will be staying at her parents’ house
Her brother and sister-in-law in South Africa are expecting their first baby the same week

You can follow her here on Instagram this week.

Lisa-Jo’s Prayer Requests:

That I would be a generous host, conscious of the needs of my fellow travelers and quick to encourage them.
That even though we have so few days in country it would be enough time for South Africa to burrow deep into the hearts of our team
For safety and for courage and for hope in the midst of what others might see as poverty and despair. That we would find the joy and be faithful tellers of those stories for each of you.
For special times of bonding with my first born, my South African son, Jackson
For peace and health and hopefully managing just fine without us for my husband Peter and precious Micah and Zoe.

Jackson

Been doing this trip since he was born
On his second passport
Seasoned traveler who is most excited about watching movies for 18 hours straight.

(this is him hugging Lisa-Jo’s little brother good-bye last time they were home –a year ago).

Jackson’s Prayer Requests:

That we would be safe on the long flight.
That I have lots of time to catch up with my big brother, Karabo.
That me and my mom have fun.
That my brother and little sister are OK without me.

Crystal

First time flying longer than a 5-hour trip
Her 3 kids and husband will spend the week doing historical trips in DC while she’s away
Nervous but excited to get another stamp in her passport!

You can follow me here on Instagram this week.

My Prayer Requests:

A calm spirit during both flights and the ability to sleep on both flights so that I can arrive in South Africa and then back home to my family feeling rested, cheerful, and energetic instead of exhausted and drained.
An open heart to whatever God wants to teach me through this trip — that my heart would never be the same as a result of this trip.
That I would be a blessing and an encouragement to each person I am with on the trip.

Joy

Fly by the seat of her pants extrovert
Helps Crystal manage her blog and business
Mom to 4 kiddos
Bringing her Go-Pro camera with her so we can document the trip for you all!

You can follow her here on Instagram this week.

Joy’s Prayer Requests:

Pray for my husband and four kiddos at home. Eight nights is a long time for mama to be gone and Africa is a long way away.
Pray for my mind to settle and for any anxiousness to be gone, so that I can focus on this experience and soak up every bit of it without being distracted.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to be unleashed to do a mighty mighty work through this team and in my own heart. God is up to something and it’s a HUGE blessing to get to be a small part of it.

And now I’m off to wash my hair, double-check all my luggage to make sure I have everything on my list, and head to the airport!

Next time you hear from me, I’ll be in sunny and hot South Africa! I can hardly believe it!

Shared Jan 14, 2015 comment

What Your Craving For Change Might Really Mean

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

Guest post from Ashley of Lies About Parenting

Do you ever get one of those thoughts that just won’t go away? Like a kid with a loud new toy, the thought pops up, over and over again. Totally exhausting, and completely irritating.

Here’s one I’ve been having: I should chop all my hair off. Right now.

It’s become an obsession, over the last week. Lob or bob? Layered or blunt? Dark or light? My Pinterest peeps must be sick of me, and the dizzying variety of new hairstyle pins I’ve added to my board.

That’s why Crystal’s recent post about making fewer decisions, came at the perfect time. It reminded me why change — disguised as decisions, variety, and choice — is not always a good thing.

The last time a big urge like this came over me, I chopped off over a foot and a half of length, well into pixie crop territory. About that time, I was diagnosed with severe depression, which taught me something important about how my need for change relates to my mental health status.

When the craving for change surfaces, it’s usually because there’s something else going on. Something I can’t control. Work, home, or life has thrown too much at me, and giving myself a choice is like giving myself control.

So, when I find myself obsessing (especially about hair) it’s time to put down the scissors and take a deep breath. Obsessive thoughts about change are a warning sign, flashing, “Slow down. Now.”

Okay, okay. I hear you!

As stress levels rise, our need to control something (anything!) increases, too. Control manifests itself as choice. So, the more choice we have, the happier we should be, right?

Umm…no. Sorry.

The next time you find yourself obsessing over a change, big or small, stop and ask, “Why?”

The real reason might surprise you.

Ashley Trexler loves honest talk about parenting and life choices. She blogs about the good, the bad, and the funny at Lies About Parenting. She is known for debunking popular parenting advice that just doesn’t work, and is a passionate believer that clean homes create clean minds. She’ll consider herself a parenting success if she can, somehow, manage to raise kind and compassionate kids.

photo source

Shared Jan 12, 2015 comment

Why I’m Not Setting Any Goals This Week (& Why I Might be MIA for the Next Week)

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 12, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

So, after anticipating it few many, many weeks…

After spending the last few weeks researching online what I should bring (oh yes, I totally Googled “best pillows for international flights” and “best sleeping pills for long flights” and “does South African Airlines have wi-fi?” — yes, I totally did. And quite a few other such crazy searches!)…

After making some purchases — like some summer clothes (I resorted to buying them from Amazon since most local stores didn’t have clothes for hot summer days!) and special outlet adapters…

After making a detailed packing list — a lot of it based upon your experienced advice and Lisa-Jo’s years of experience (see her post here with great tips on International Travel With Kids — she’s a pro!)…

After a few weeks of collecting a pile of stuff that I thought I’d want to bring…

It was finally time to pack for my trip to South Africa last night!

Packing for long trips is always a tug-o-war between my inner Boy Scout packing tendencies (you know, the “always be prepared” motto) and my minimalist personality.

I was excited that I managed to get everything into a backpack and my carry-on luggage with some room to spare!

On the one hand, it doesn’t look like much for a 7-day international trip. On the other hand, I feel like I “over-packed” and prepared for multiple possibilities. I brought a few extra outfits, I brought extra medicine, I brought extra snacks, I brought multiples of things like tissue packs and hand sanitizer.

Since this is my first time to be on an airplane for longer than 5 hours (our flight is 18-hours straight!), I kind of want to be over-prepared because I’m not sure how it will be for me to be cooped up in a plane for that long! 🙂

{And yes, all those of you who regularly go on international flights can get a good chuckle over how green I am about all of this!}

Our secret to traveling often with younger kids is to teach them how to pack themselves in an organized fashion. My kids all have their own system — some more detailed than others — and they have it down to almost a science.

They packed for the 10-day trip to DC in less than an hour last night! All we had to do was double check their work and pack ourselves.

When I had 3 kids under 6 I could have never imagined the day that my kids would be doing all of their own packing — and doing a great job of it. Moms of littles: your hard work and all that time you spend teaching and training your kids does pay off!!

{We left around noon today for DC and have been driving ever since. We’re almost there! We plan to visit a few sites tomorrow and then I’ll fly out of DC to South Africa on Wednesday. Jesse is staying in DC with the kids while I’m gone and they’re planning go to the museums and visit as many surrounding states and historic sites as they can while I’m gone. They are so stoked about it!}

Last Week’s Goals Update

Since I’m flying to South Africa on Wednesday and won’t be back in the states until next Tuesday (the 20th), I’m not going to set my usual list of goals for this week or next week. My goals, instead, are to soak in everything from the trip, learn all I can learn from those we’ll be with in South Africa, and let the lessons impact me and sink in deep.

Here’s an update on how I did on last week’s goals:

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

~~1. Start our Morning Time routine. Read aloud for at least 20 minutes every day.~~

~~2. Write a love note to Jesse.~~

~~3. Help the kids write thank you notes for Christmas gifts.~~

~~4. Write notes to the children we sponsor through Compassion.~~

Personal Goals

~~5. Exercise at least 4 times (I’m trying out these BeFit in 30 workouts this week.)~~

~~6. Finish at least two books.~~

7. Knit a Cosy Posy Ear Warmer. (I worked on this for at least an hour, but was having trouble getting the seed stitch to look consistent. I know, I know, it’s such a simple stitch, but I’m also such a beginner level knitter and not a naturally crafty person so this kind of stuff requires a lot more effort and concentration for me. However, it’s really a good way to stretch myself in a different creative direction and I find it so invigorating when I actually am able to finish a project and be proud of it! I found some YouTube videos on how to do the seed stitch and found those to be helpful so I’m going to try again and am hoping that I can have a finished project to show you in the next few weeks!)

~~8. Clean out our bathroom closet.~~

~~9. Try a new DIY project & recipe: Fixing Our Hardwood Floor Scratches & Trim Healthy Mama Chocolate Cupcakes.~~

Business Goals

~~10. Finish writing 3 articles for Mandi’s Live course.~~

What You Can Expect While I’m Gone

I’ve been told that we will have limited access to internet while we’re in South Africa. I’ve pre-scheduled some great guest posts to run here and I’m hoping to be able to share at least a few great deals every day plus write a few blog posts while I’m gone sharing pictures and telling you about what I’m experiencing.

However, I’m expecting that I’ll be offline much of the time. So if things are a little quiet here on the blog for the next week and a half, you’ll know why.

I know we’re only just beginning the new year, but we’re going to take a two-week hiatus from all of our 2015 weekly features. I promise we will pick those back up again starting January 26, 2015.

I will be posting pictures on Instagram when I’m able to get a wi-fi connection during the day, so if you’re not following me on Instagram yet, you can click here to do so. That will be the best way to keep up-to-date with the South Africa trip. In addition, follow Joy and Lisa-Jo who will both be traveling with me.

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Wondering how to raise a baby on a budget? It's easier than you think! Check out this helpful list of 20 ways to save -- even with growing babies in the house!

Shared Jan 12, 2015 comment

20 Ways to Raise a Baby on a Budget

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 12, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post by Sarah of Saving Money Never Goes Out of Style

When most parents find out they are expecting, they are so excited; but after that, comes the panic.

You wonder how you will be able to afford a baby, with all that he or she needs, and not go bankrupt doing so. The good news is that you can rest easy.

As a now-single SAHM, it’s important for me to raise my kids on a budget. Thankfully, there are many ways to achieve this. Here are 20 ideas:

20 Ways to Raise a Baby on a Budget

1. Breastfeed if you can. Formula is extremely expensive, and while there are programs out there to help you pay for it and coupons galore, breastfeeding is the cheapest option for most people.

2. Borrow a breast-pump. If you choose to breast feed, the pump can often cost more than you can afford. Look for programs in your area that allow you to borrow them.

3. Make your own wipes. Baby wipes can add up and making your own just takes a few minutes.

4. Use cloth diapers. The initial investment may seem steep, but the savings will add up very quickly. {For some creative ways to save money on cloth diapers, check out this post on How to Cloth Diaper for Practically Free.}

5. Make your own baby food. It’s better for baby, anyway, and it’s so simple.

6. Trade babysitting time. Instead of pay for a sitter, trade babysitting time with other parents.

7. Buy used clothing. Babies grow so fast in the first year or two that it makes more sense to do so. Also, skip shoes. They don’t need them until they walk, anyway!

8. Keep baby in a bassinet with you the first few months. This will give you time to save for setting up a nursery!

9. Create your nursery with a budget in mind. Don’t spend too much on building your own nursery. You can find many things gently used in this area as well.

10. Ask for freebies. Companies love to give new parents freebies. Just do a quick hunt online and don’t forget to also ask your child’s pediatrician for some, too.

11. Buy items that convert. There are many things (from beds to car seats) that convert as the child grows. They may seem costly at first, but they save you money down the road when it comes time to replace things.

12. Use coupons. Diapers, formula, wipes, and even baby furniture can be bought with coupons, Just sign up on the manufacturer’s websites and they will usually flood you with them.

13. Keep your baby’s products simple. Babies have sensitive skin, it’s true. However, you don’t need to spend all your money on special baby products when you can use simple, natural things like coconut oil, Aloe Vera, unscented lotions, and so on.

14. Have a friend be your photographer. Many new parents spend so much money on baby pictures and newborn photos. You can take some lovely ones right at home with just a little practice and some good lighting. If you do go pro, sign up for newsletters to places like Sears and JcPenney’s as they have a lot of promotions that cost as little as $10 in and out the door.

15. Make your own baby-wearing wrap. This can often be done even if you don’t know how to sew. Baby wraps can by costly, but making your own doesn’t have to be.

16. Change your mind. The culture we have here is very consumer driven. One of the biggest targets is new moms and dads. Be aware of this and you may find that you spend less.

17. If you need new, shop at discount stores. Places like Burlington Coat Factory, TJ Maxx, or Tuesday Morning offer an entire section that is devoted to department store baby products. These items are 20-60% off the prices at other stores.

18. Skip bibs. Instead buy shirts that are too big for your child. They can be washed easier and they grow into them for messy toddler play later.

19. Borrow things you don’t need for long. If the item is something you only need for a couple of months, such as a baby bath, neck rest for the car seat or Moses basket, see if you know anyone you can borrow it from.

20. Get creative. Sometimes, we can avoid buying something if we get creative. Just think of things you have around the house and see if they will double for what you need them for. {Note from Crystal: Here is my list of the only 6 things I think you truly need for your baby.}

Raising a baby does not have to put you into dire straits. With a little creative thinking, you can save a lot of money!

What ideas would you add to this list? Do you agree with everything on this list?

Sarah is a stay-at-home mom of two wonderful children with a mission to prove that you don’t have to have a lot of money to live a quality life. Sarah loves encouraging others through her blog: Saving Money Never Goes Out of Style.

Shared Jan 12, 2015 comment

How to Save Time, Money, and Space on Kid’s Clothing

Published: by Crystal Paine on January 12, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Andrea Dekker has a great post up on How to Save Time, Money, and Space on Kid’s Clothing.

If you need some ideas for cutting costs and cutting down on the amount of kid’s clothing you have at your house, head on over here to read it.

What ideas would you add to her list?

Shared Jan 10, 2015 comment

A Peek Into Our Week: A new homeschooling routine, fort-building, celebrating our 12th anniversary, and She Reads Truth

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

After a few weeks of Christmas break, traveling, and sickness, we were back to homeschooling and a regular schedule this week. And I was shocked at how well the week went.

Usually, easing back into a routine after a few weeks off is hard. But this week everything felt so smooth and calm.

I really attribute it to the grace of God, giving the kids a clear picture of how our tweaked schedule was going to look, getting them excited about how we had changed things up a little bit, writing out a to-do list for each child every day (they loved this and were highly motivated by it), and instituting Morning Time as part of our homeschooling schedule.

They loved Morning Time so much that they asked if we could please do it on Saturday, too! I am so grateful for this excitement and new life breathed into our homeschooling and am hoping this momentum continues!

I am loving the She Reads Truth John study this month. Jesse surprised me with the Yearly Membership to She Reads Truth as my Christmas gift and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was!

These studies have challenged me, encouraged me, and inspired me to dig deep into God’s Word. If you are looking for a great Bible study/devotion, definitely check it out. You can get the daily Scripture reading/devotional for free online and just use a notebook to record what you’re learning/studying/praying.

We also started using The Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner this week. I’m divvying up the daily chores amongst myself and the kids and that seems to be working well.

I’m curious to see if this is a good fit for us long-term… we’re committed to try it out for a few months to see how it goes!

I’ve been doing a LOT of reading recently. It’s been so soul-filling for me to get back to making reading a regular part of my every day after a few months of not being so intentional about it. And I’m just loving the variety of books I’m reading.

You can see what I read last week and what I’m reading this week here.

12 years ago today, I married my childhood sweetheart. We were full of big dreams, completely idealistic, and incredibly naive.

We’ve experienced a lot, moved a lot, failed a lot, fought a lot, and grown a lot in these last 12 years. While the years and struggles have made us quite a bit more realistic about life (and maybe a wee bit cynical!), two things haven’t changed: we’re more madly in love than the day we got married and we still want to spend our lives doing all we can to make a difference in this world.

Only God knows what the next 12 years will hold, but we are grateful to be following a God who is always faithful and never changing.

{Thank you, Jesse, for the beautiful anniversary flowers, thank you for 12 amazing (and eventful!) years, and thank you for loving me and believing in me — even on those many days when it’s the last thing I’ve deserved. I love you with all of my heart!}

Today’s frugal fun: Fort-building in the dining room. We don’t have a table in there yet, so I’m happy to see the area be put to good use!

The kids had a blast setting it up with me and then had popcorn and watched a movie in their tent so Jesse and I could enjoy an at-home anniversary date!

How was YOUR week? Anything exciting or interesting happen? Tell us about it in the comments.

Shared Jan 10, 2015 comment

The 6 Most Popular Posts This Week

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

Small House Living: Could You Downsize in House?

How To Get a Free Washer or Refrigerator From Your Utility Company

Trim Healthy Mama Chocolate Cupcakes

Want To Get More Done? Stop Making So Many Decisions.

A Day In My Life

Finally, I announced details of an exciting secret I’ve been keeping for a few months. Read all about it here.

Shared Jan 10, 2015 comment

DIY Experiment: A quick fix for scratched hardwood floors

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

When I saw this post on an Easy Fix for Scratched Hardwood Floors, I knew I had to try it. Our floors in our rental are very scratched up and I’ve been on a mission ever since we moved to figure out ways to improve how they look.

I bought some of the Howard Restor-A-Finish on Amazon with my Swagbucks credit and was excited to try it out this week.

I chose a spot that was pretty bad but also in a fairly inconspicuous place. See above for the scratches before I tried Restor-a-Finish on them.

And here is how they look after using Restor-a-Finish on them. I can’t tell that much of a difference up close, but I think it looks somewhat better from a distance.

I think this would work even better on wood with darker finish. I also would recommend starting out pouring on less of the Restor-a-Finish to make sure you’re happy with the results in a small area before you dump a bunch on a larger area. 🙂

Do you have any suggestions for how to improve scratched hardwood floors? Did you try an do-it-yourself projects this week? If so, how did they turn out for you?

2hr Cleaning Checklist

2hr Cleaning Checklist

FREE DOWNLOAD: 2-Hour Cleaning Checklist!

1. Cook From Scratch

2. Go Outside for Entertainment

3. Use Fewer Chemicals

4. Live Within Your Means

5. Practice Gratitude

Which Tasks Should You Focus On?

1. Beans.

2. Soup.

3. Oats.

What are your favorite “Grocery Budget Rescue” foods?

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

1. No More Budget Surprises

2. No More Blind Eyes to How Much We Actually Use

3. No More Big-Box Runs

4. No More Wasted Gas

5. More Fun Time with My Children

Overwhelmed By the What Ifs

From Fear To Excitement

Thank You So Much For Being Our Cheerleaders

Meet Our 4-Person Team

Lisa-Jo

Jackson

Crystal

Joy

Last Week’s Goals Update

What You Can Expect While I’m Gone

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

20 Ways to Raise a Baby on a Budget

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