Since we’ve had a bad experience with ads on YouTube, I was excited to see this post from Jenae on How to Watch YouTube Videos Safely With Kids.
Summer Bucket List
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4 Books You Should Read This Summer (June edition)
{Read the story behind this picture here.}
So, I know I’ve not been posting much about books recently. It’s mostly because I’ve kind of been up to my eyeballs in this thing called launching a course and, oh yeah, finishing up my own book.
I’ve still been reading, but I’ve been reading a lot more of my own words a lot while doing edits for the course and my new book and that’s been keeping me from voraciously being able to read as many of other peoples’ words as I’d love to.
But, the good news is that MY NEW BOOK IS ALMOST DONE!!
Yes, for real. Let’s pause for a moment of silence for that. Because, y’all, writing my third book has sort of gutted me. In a good way.
I feel like some of my lifeblood was shed in the writing of it. And while it may have aged me by a few years, it may have caused my eyesight to go down a little, and it may be the cause of why I now have arthritis in my hands, but it was worth it because I’m thrilled with how the final product is turning out.
(When my chiropractor broke the news to me that the pain in the joints of my hands is actually arthritis I wanted to holler out, “But wait, how can that be? I’m only 17!” And then I remember while I might still think I’m 17, I’m actually almost twice that age!! Yikes!)
At any rate, I have the next-to-the-last proof right now and am reading every single word to make sure it’s exactly just so. It is incredibly gratifying to be so close to the finish line with this manuscript.
We’re now in the middle of all of the fun stuff — planning out the marketing campaign, lining up media opportunities, and planning some exciting things for the launch. I can’t wait to share more once September and October roll around (the book hits stores November 3, 2015!)
So all that said, I’m finally coming up for air again and back to reading a lot more of other peoples’ books… and oh how I have missed it!
When I read Lisa-Jo’s Summer Reading List a few days ago, I was inspired to write one of my own. However, I thought maybe it’d be fun to break it up into a few different installments. So for the next few months, I’ll be sharing a post each month with 4 books you should read this summer.
These will be some of my very favorite recent reads, including read alouds our family has enjoyed. I hope it inspires you and gives you some new titles to request from the library this summer. And maybe you’ll even fall in love with them as much as I have. 🙂
4 Books You Should Read This Summer
Hands Free Life
Okay, so I’m sort of jumping the gun on this one since you can’t read this one this summer (unless you got a pre-release copy to review like I did!). But I just couldn’t help myself!
This book spoke to me at a deep, heart level. It challenged me to stop hurrying through life, quit worrying about what other people think, and start savoring the ordinary, everyday moments. I smiled through parts, cried through other sections, and came away from the book with fresh resolve to make each day count — not in more efficient productivity but in more meaningful relationships with others. Highly, highly recommended!
Note: Hands Free Life doesn’t come out until September, but I encourage you to go pre-order it or ask your library to order a copy. And while you’re waiting, be sure to read Hands Free Mama, if you haven’t already.
Me Before You
This book made it in my Top 10 Books I Read in 2014 list, but I had to share it here, too. This was one of the most heart-breaking, compelling, and thought-provoking books I’ve read in a long time. I thought it was very well-written and found it hard to put down. In fact, I read the entire book in one day!
Caveat: This book is not written from a Christian perspective, has quite a bit of language, and the plot line deals with suicide in a very raw form. I didn’t agree with the outcome of the book, but it made me dig deep and think hard… and books that do that are ones I feel are very worth my time.
Dear Mr. Knightley
Ever read a book that you just don’t want to end and when you finish it, you want to meet the characters in real-life? That was this book for me.
The first part of the book starts out slowly, but once I got to about page 40, I couldn’t put it down. Lisa-Jo highly, highly recommended it and now I know why!
It delves into some deeper issues of how past hurts and rejection can wound people so deeply that they hide their real self for fear of further pain and rejection. It’s a beautiful story of healing and redemption and of how to love and reach out to hurting people.
The Cricket in Times Square
This book was a huge hit at our house with all the kids. It starts out a little slowly but quickly picks up into a fast-paced adventure that all of our kids loved.
They would beg me to read extra every day because they enjoyed it so much. And we were very sad when we finished the last chapter.
What I’m Reading Right Now
- Stepping Heavenward
- 31 Days to a Happy Husband
- Parenting the Wholehearted Child
- Nobody’s Cuter Than You
The Rosie Project— Update: I got 15 pages into this book and decided not to read it as it had some things in it that were turn offs for me and it just didn’t seem like my type of book nor something I’d want to invest my time in when there are so many other good books to read!
What are YOU reading right now? What would be on your list of 2-4 books someone must-read this summer? Tell us in the comments!
5 Things I’m Loving This Week
It was another full week, but such a good week! Here are 5 things I’m loving this week:
1. Getting To Meet My Readers & Hear Their Stories
I spoke at a homeschool conference in Virginia yesterday and was so, so blessed to get to meet so many wonderful readers! Thank you to those of you who came to my sessions and came up to meet me afterward. Your kind comments and words of encouragement truly uplifted me.
The woman on the left in the picture above came up to me with tears in her eyes and told me that she’d met me at a conference a few years ago, bought my book, and 4 days later, their house burned to the ground. The only books that survived the fire? Their wedding album and my book! She wanted me to sign the somewhat charred copy… How cool is that?
The little girl on the right was utterly precious and came up to me after a talk (where I shared about teaching our kids to be givers) and said she was going to give all the money in her piggy bank away to people who need it!
Both of these stories were incredibly touching to me! Being away from my family at least a few days each month for speaking is always hard, but it’s oh so worth it for the chance to get to meet amazing readers and hear their stories!
2. Comfy Pants
I flew home from Virginia this morning and the above picture is what my afternoon looked like. The first thing I did after hugs and kisses? Change into my comfy pants. I would likely live in these all the time if I could! 🙂
3. Baked Oatmeal
Jesse made Baked Oatmeal while I was gone and brought me a bowl of it warmed up and topped with berries and whipped. Pure deliciousness! That man knows how to woo his woman!
{No, my suitcase was not unpacked yet in the picture above… Curling up with a good book took precedence this afternoon.}
4. Heart-to-Heart Talks With Our Kids
Recently, we’ve been having such good conversations with our kids. Oftentimes, they are the result of hard issues and situations — all part of the growing up process.
I’m grateful to have the opportunity to teach, nurture, train, and pour into them. To have these heart-to-heart talks and discussions. Being a part is a big job and sometimes it feels exhausting and overwhelming, but when you get to have deep and meaningful conversations and see your kids soak it up, it makes all the effort worth it.
5. Friends Who Allow Me to Be 100% Honest
This week, I had a conversation with a good friend that was really hard. I’d honestly been dreading it for days. I knew I needed to address a situation and bring up a tough subject and I was almost sick to my stomach about it (I avoid confrontation if at all possible!)
I’m so humbly grateful that this friend received my words with grace, listened and accepted the honesty and heard my heart behind it. And it opened up the door for a restored relationship as well as a deepening of our honesty in our friendship.
What about YOU? What 5 things are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments.
Gretchen’s $60 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan
Aldi
1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $0.99
1 Cauliflower – $1.69
1 loaf Bread – $0.99
1 pkg Tortillas – $1.19
1 Half & Half – $1.89
1 dozen Eggs – $1.84
1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.29
1 canister Raisins – $2.89
3 cans Green Beans – $0.48 each
Total with tax ($1.02): $15.23
Homeland
1 Old Orchard Juice – $1.35, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.35 after coupon
1 pkg Blue Bunny Ice Cream Bars – $2.85 – used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.85 after coupon
2 Hershey’s Chocolate Caramels – $2.09, used $1/1 coupon from the 5/31 SmartSource insert (doubled) and $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.09 each after coupons
1 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.89
1 Dannon Activia Yogurt – $1.59, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – Free after coupon
1 Suave Bodywash – $1.50, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon
1 Old El Paso Refried Beans – $1.79, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.79 after coupon
2 Hormel Bacon – $2.49 each, used 2 $1/1 printable (first one doubled) – $0.99 each after coupons
Total with tax ($1.03): $6.19
Dillons
1 gallon Milk – $2.50, used $0.20 Ibotta rebate – $2.30 after rebate
1.41 lbs Organic Broccoli – $2.66
1 Lettuce – $0.99
1 Kroger Mouthwash – $1.59, used Free coupon that was mailed to me – Free after coupon
2 pkg Tyson Chicken Drumsticks – Marked down to $2.38 and $2.40
2 KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce – $1.25 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 5/17 SmartSource insert – $0.75 each after coupon
2.11 lbs Bananas – $1.24, used $0.20 Ibotta rebate – $1.04 after rebate
2 pkg Strawberries – $1.25 each
1 pkg Raspberries – $1.25
1 pkg Kroger American Cheese – $1
2 Larabars – $1 each, used 2 $0.40/1 printable – $0.60 each after coupons
8 Clif Bars – Marked down to $0.25 each, used 2 $1/4 coupon from Mambo Sprouts Spring Savings booklet – Free after coupons
Items a part of the Mega Sale (Buy 5, Save $5):
2 Clorox Bleach Toilet Cleaner – $0.99, used $1/2 printable AND $0.50 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.24 each after coupon and rebate
3 Oxiclean Laundry Detergent – $3.99, used 3 $3/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupons
2 U by Kotex – $1.99 each, used 2 $1/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupon (Plus received $2 catalina)
2 Edy’s Ice Cream – $2.49, used $1.50/2 coupon from the 5/17 SmartSource insert – $1.74 each after coupon
2 Barbara’s Puffins Cereal – $1.99 each, used 2 $1/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupons
1 Kashi Cereal – $1.99, used $1/1 mailer coupon – $0.99 after coupon
2 Shout Stain Remover – $1.99 each, used 2 $1/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupon (Plus received $1 catalina and $1.50 catalina)
1 Gogurt Yogurt – $1.49
Total with tax ($4.42) after coupons and rebates: $38.99 (and received $4.50 in catalinas)
Total for all grocery items: $60.41
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfast
Cereal & Juice x 3
Toast & Eggs x 2
Oatmeal x 2
Lunches
Cheese, Crackers, Fruit, Veggies x 2
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrots
Tuna Sandwiches, Fruit
Macaroni & Cheese, Fruit Salad
Baked Potatoes with Steamed Broccoli
Leftovers
Dinners
Chicken Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
Hamburgers, Corn
Chicken & Rice Casserole, Broccoli
Salad Bar, Homemade Bread
Venison Roast, Carrots, Potatoes
Leftovers
Out to eat
I’d love to meet you in Atlanta next Saturday!
Our team is so excited to be putting on a special one-night Say Goodbye to Survival Mode event next Saturday (June 20, 2015), in Acworth, GA (near Atlanta)!
This evening will be encouraging, inspirational, and actionable. I’ll be sharing from my heart and giving you practical steps to take to:
- Stop living life feeling stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed
- Determine your most important priorities & find time to invest in what really matters
- Break free from the lie that whispers “I’m not good enough”
- Move past loneliness and build authentic friendships with other women
If you could use a boost to live with more intention, joy, and purpose, you won’t want to miss this special one-night event!
Find out more information about this event and purchase tickets here. We have a discounted group rate for those who’d like to invite a group of women to come.
And if you’re planning to attend, be sure to RSVP on the Facebook Page here and then share the link with others you think would love to attend, as well.
P.S. Want to have us bring this one-night Say Goodbye to Survival Mode event to your church or women’s group in late 2015 or 2016? We’d love to chat with you about that! Just fill out this form here and we’ll be in touch with more information on dates we have available and how we can serve your church or women’s group.
How Budgeting Allowed Me to Say “Yes”
Guest post from Leah
As a longtime reader of MoneySavingMom.com, I have learned the importance of wisely budgeting to mitigate emergencies. In fact we know that using money wisely can turn an emergency to an inconvenience.
What I didn’t realize is that sticking to a budget also allows me to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Earlier this year, the opportunity arose to take a trip to Greece, with a longtime mentor. Now I’d never been out of North America before, let alone to Europe; but I’ve been trying to say “yes” to life’s opportunities. So I considered.
Unfortunately, it was $2,000 for a 10-day trip!
Gulp. Big decision. To make it worse, I had only about two days to decide.
This was not something to be considered lightly, but after some deliberation and counsel, the answer was clear – YES. I said yes to Greece!
It may seem like an impulsive decision to spend $2,000 with only two days to think about it, but honestly, this decision is the fruit of years worth of budgeted living.
I would have never been able to say “yes” to this trip if I hadn’t:
- Worked my way through college, staying debt-free
- Paid for a used car with cash instead of purchasing new
- Shopped almost exclusively at thrift stores for clothes
- Minimized eating out expenses
- Used the library for all book / entertainment needs
- Made the commitment to save reasonably and always live beneath my means
Now I did sell some items on Amazon.com, and I also dedicated some money from my tax return to offset the cost of the trip, but I know that if it hadn’t been for many years of faithful budgeting, this decision never would have been possible.
Seven cities and two countries later, and I caught the travel bug. I can’t wait to go back!
So when you cancel that subscription, or pass by that department store in favor of the thrift store, or choose to purchase your furniture from Craigslist, or check that book out of the library instead of purchasing it new, or when you say “no” once again to something that others consider necessary, just remember that it is for a purpose.
We choose to live intentionally so that we can not only handle life’s catastrophes, but also so that we can live a full life on our OWN terms, not just surviving, but thriving. Taking advantage of every opportunity!
What have you said “yes” to because of budgeted living?
Leah is the oldest of four girls, works in the restaurant development world with a degree in Business Management, and enjoys exploring intentional living. This includes meaningful relationships, CrossFit, long-distance running, good books, and maybe the occasional piece of dark chocolate.
Brigette’s $66 Weekly Grocery Trip and Menu Plan for 6
Zaycon Update: I promised you last week that I would let you know what I thought of my Zaycon order, and I have to tell you – I am HOOKED! 🙂 The chicken is so much fresher and better-tasting than what we have gotten used to, and the whole ordering online/picking up experience was super easy, quick and painless (I didn’t even have to get out of my car!).
Obviously, the main attraction for me was the price – it’s hard to beat $1.69/lb for boneless, skinless chicken breasts! You do have to purchase 40lbs minimum, and since it is fresh, it needs to be packaged/frozen/taken care of pretty soon after you pick it up – so it does require a little bit of work. 🙂
If you have a pick-up location in your area, I would definitely recommend it. I know I plan on buying all my chicken this way from now on!
Aldi
1 16-oz pkg Baby Carrots – $0.99, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $0.74 after rebate
1 8-oz carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.89
1 24-oz container Cottage Cheese – $2.29
2 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $3.98
1 2-lb bag Carrots – $1.19
1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $1.99
2 containers Baby Artisan Lettuce – $3.98
2 Avocados – $1.38
1 32-oz tub Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.69
1 5.75-oz jar Green Olives – $1.19
2 1-lb pkgs Ground Turkey – $3.88
1 1-lb bag Tilapia Filets – $3.39
1 jar Kosher Baby Dills – $1.29
1 24-oz pkg Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $1.29
2 cans Green Beans – $0.98
1 4-ct pkg Sweet Corn – $1.49
1 head Cabbage – $1.29
Total: $35.83
Harris Teeter
10 8-oz pkgs Shredded Cheese (B2G3) – $13.00
1 18-ct carton Extra-Large Eggs – $2.95 (YIKES! And this was the cheapest I could get them anywhere this week. Have your egg prices gone up as much as ours have? And does anyone know when the bird flu is going to be over?!)
2 16-oz pkgs Butterball Turkey Bacon – $5.58, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $2.58/2 after coupons
1 16-oz can Mama Francesca Parmesan Cheese (B1G1) – $2.15
2 16-oz pkgs Butterball Turkey Rope Sausage – $5.58, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $2.58/2 after coupons
1 16-oz can Old El Paso Refried Beans – $1.69, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled), plus $0.50/1 Harris Teeter evic, plus receive $0.50 back from SavingStar – $0.31 MM after coupons and rebate
1 gallon Milk – $2.99
Total after coupons and rebate: $26.93
Flower Foods Bakery
8 assorted pkgs of Bread, Buns, and Bagels, reduced – $4.00
Total: $4.00
Weekly Grocery Total: $66.76
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Oatmeal and Strawberries (from the freezer) x 2
Homemade Granola x 3
Yogurt (leftover from last week), Toast x 2
Lunches
(My goal for lunches this week is to finish up all the oranges and apples that we have accumulated in our fridge over the last few weeks! :))
Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Oranges, Mini Peppers x 2
Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches, Apples, Carrot Sticks x 2
Hard Boiled Eggs, Oranges, Toast
Leftovers x 2
Dinners
Pan Fried Tilapia, Oven Baked French Fries, Corn on the Cob, Tossed Salad
Grilled Hobo Packets, Oranges, Italian Cheese Bread
Homemade Cheese Pizza, Raw Veggie Plate with Ranch Dressing Dip
Sweet and Sour Chicken Over Rice, Cooked Carrots, Apple Slices
Spaghetti Carbonara, French Bread, Green Beans, Tossed Salad
Dinner Out with Friends
Leftovers
Snacks
Smoothies (using frozen fruit from the freezer and fresh oranges), Popcorn, Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars
Shared Jun 12, 2015
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How I Saved Another $200+ By Cashing in on Manufacturer’s Warranties!
How I Saved Another $200+ By Cashing in on Manufacturer’s Warranties!
The following testimony is from Bethany:
Back in 2012, I shared how I saved $275 by digging out my tire receipt, to utilize the manufacturer’s warranty that had come with the tires, when they didn’t last as long as they should have. Today, I thought it was time to share how those manufacturer warranties (not extended or purchased) continue to help me save.
I had purchased a pair of dress shoes back in May of 2014, and as I walked into work 5 months after purchasing the shoes, I suddenly felt a bit unsteady. I lifted my foot and found the heel had started to separate from the shoe.
When I got home that night I sent an e-mail to the shoe company’s customer service group and they advised that I could ship the shoes back to them and they would send me a gift card for the current value of the shoe (I had lost my receipt). Within a couple weeks, I had a $40 gift card in my mail box to the store I had purchased the shoes from!
Worse than a broken heel though, is eggs stuck to my non-stick $52 & $108 sauté pans. I was so disappointed when my sauté pans stopped functioning as they should, and the coating on the $108 pan had started to chip.
We started to look at new pans one day, but then I remembered that these pans came with a lifetime guarantee. Again, a simple email to the customer service department, they validated my purchase (they were able to look it up by my name), I shipped the faulty pans back to them, and within a couple weeks I had a brand new product. $160 saved – thank you lifetime guarantee!
Finally just a month ago my husband purchased a new watch – but every time he put his hand in a wall (he’s an electrician) he would bump the side button and the watch would reset to EST – we are on CST. This was extremely frustrating for him, so he went and bought a different one. However, I remembered that the store we purchased the watch from had a 60-day satisfaction guarantee – and he wasn’t satisfied so I returned it and they accepted it with no issue. This ended up saving us about $35!
Often times, when a product isn’t working anymore, we tend to simply toss it in a junk drawer or throw it out – but I encourage you to think twice before tossing that broken item.
Consider taking a few minutes to write the manufacturer or look up the return policy for where you bought the item. Even if you don’t have the receipt they may give you an in-store credit.
Companies only know a product isn’t working if consumers tell them. I believe that companies who back their product with a lifetime guarantee truly expect their product to last and would want to correct the issue if it hadn’t lasted.
“The path to failure is paved with good intentions.”
Y’all. I continue to be utterly blown away by your kind comments and emails about my new Make Over Your Mornings course. Truly. We’ve never, ever seen the kind of response and excitement to anything we’ve launched as we’re seeing with this product.
Thank you for your sweet words, for believing in the message of this product, and for spreading the word. I am so grateful to hear how it is changing lives!
Here’s a post that Cara from The Home Learner wrote. You’ll want to click through and read the whole thing — I think you’ll be very inspired!
I’ve been circling. Imagine toilet bowl with me. Yes, it’s felt that bad.
Stress mounting to the point of spiraling out of control, and no matter the amount of know-betters and best-intentions I’ve truly been in constant conflict with myself.
I was going through one of the roughest days I’ve had in a very long time. And no matter how much I could pray through and ask for more faith to trust, at the bottom of everything I was feeling was this demand to know the source – was this a test to make me stronger? Or a temptation to see me fail? Should I beg for mercy, wait, and endure? Or should I fight back, get tough, and push through?
I felt like I was at the fever pitch of what my self-control could handle and yet there was more coming at me than I felt like I could bear. I couldn’t see clearly to the end of the day, let alone the end of the problems.
Three Tips for Setting Great Summer Goals
Guest post from Beth of BethDemme.com
As this school year winds down, I found myself more eager for summer than ever. I celebrated the end of this school year with unprecedented glee.
I love summer because it means more family time, more traveling, and no homework. To avoid wasting the golden opportunity that is summer, we start the summer with specific goals.
Here are my top three tips for setting great summer goals:
1. Ask Your Children What Interests Them
Children spend the school year learning what teachers tell them they have to learn. Summer is an opportunity for them to choose their subjects.
For example, last summer my son wanted to learn magic. At the beginning of the summer, he used some his own savings to buy a few magic tricks. He worked on those illusions any time summer boredom threatened. At the end of the summer, his dad and I got a free show!
2. Try to Serve Others
Service is important throughout the year, but the free-time offered over the summer makes it even easier to schedule family service projects.
Here are some great summer service projects you can do with your children:
- Volunteer with an organization that makes summer lunches for children who receive free lunch during the school year. Talk to your children about what life is like for these children who often go hungry during the summer.
- Ask a nearby school or church if they have a closet or classroom that needs cleaning. When you’re done, decorate the bulletin board or let your children draw an amazing mural on the dry erase board.
- Find an older neighbor who would like help with their yard work. When you’re finished, go home and run through the hose or jump in the pool with all your dirty yard work clothes on.
3. Don’t Forget Yourself
Remember to set a learning goal for yourself, too. You’ll probably be in your minivan less and, hopefully, sitting by the pool more. You can use that time to explore your own interests.
I have a few topics I’m interested in so I’ve made a “Learning Plan List.” For me they’re all Bible related, but your list could be anything — a time period you want to learn about, a new genre of books you’re interested in, or even a set of recipes you want to try.
Here’s a great tip — don’t forget about audiobooks! There are amazing books and lectures available in audio formats (check Audible and iTunes). You can put in your earbuds and absorb an incredible amount of information this summer.
By the end of this Summer, your whole family will feel energized and ready for the Fall.
Beth Demme is a mom, public speaker, and sometimes lawyer. She’s all about Learning to Live Loved. You can read more at BethDemme.com.
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12 Goals for 2015: My May Update (Wow! What a month it was!)
After a difficult April, May was much, much better. And it was full of adventures and excitement and new things…
I got stuck in the Dallas airport for 14 hours!
We started our new summer homeschool curriculum and schedule (we homeschool year-round).
Jesse and I ran our first Tough Mudder.
Kaitlynn started taking intensive all-day figure skating lessons/coaching on Mondays and Wednesdays and the ice rink has become my home away from home.
Silas finished out his season of baseball and is already looking forward to next season!
We celebrated the beginning of summer with $0.25 Corn Dogs from Sonic.
We launched my first-ever online video course — Make Over Your Mornings — and have been blown away by your response, enthusiasm, and amazing comments! If you’ve not purchased it yet, you can grab your copy here. (Photo from tshogue on Instagram.)
Silas and I went to San Francisco for a quick business trip. The highlight for him was definitely seeing the Golden Gate Bridge!
Here’s an update on my goals for 2015:
My 12 Goals for 2015
Marriage
- Read 1 book per month on marriage.
- Read in January: 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband
- Read in February: From This Day Forward
- Read in March: For Married Women Only
- Read in April: 50 Frugal Dates
- Read in May: Red Hot Romance Tips
- Write at least 1 love note to Jesse each week.
- Done in January
- Done in February
- Done in March
- Done in April
- Done in May.
Motherhood
- Read at least 1 book aloud to the kids per month.
- Read in January: James and the Giant Peach
- Read in February: The Imagination Station Book 15
- Read in March: The Imagination Station Book 16, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing
- Read in April: Caleb’s Story
- Read in May: Pedro’s Journal
- Write 1 love note to each child every month.
- Done in January.
- Done in February.
- Done in March.
- Done in April.
- Done in May.
Myself
- Complete all She Reads Truth 2015 Bible Studies + memory work.
- Done in January — I absolutely loved the John study.
- Done in February — I really enjoyed the Esther study.
- Done in March — I’m finished the Lent study — so, so good!
- Done in April — I loved the Timothy study!
- Done in May — I’m so enjoying the Women in the Word study.
- Read 1 fiction book per month.
- Read in January: What Alice Forgot
- Read in February: The Cricket in Times Square (read aloud to the kids)
- Read in March: Lizzy & Jane
- Read in April: Dear Mr. Knightley
- Read in May: Walk the World’s Rim (read aloud to the kids)
MoneySavingMom.com
Hire a local personal assistant.
- Done! And I’m so grateful! My new assistant, Ashley, is amazing!
- Launch 2 courses (we’re planning one for spring and one for fall — stay tuned!)
- Woot! Woot! We launched Make Over Your Mornings last week!
- Launch our new product line (slated to soft launch in the summer).
- Release my third book (slated to come out November 2015).
- We’re in the middle of gearing up for marketing and publicity and are in the midst of the final edits. Can’t wait to tell you more about this book in the coming months!
Money
Increase last year’s overall giving totals by 10% in 2015.
- Part of my going to South Africa was to investigate the possibility of our family personally supporting the work of Take Action. After coming home, we both felt this was the direction we were supposed to take and our partnership with them will allow us to meet this goal. We’re so thrilled with what God is doing there in South Africa and, for those who have joined us in this through the #TenDollarTribe.
- Finish funding our Rental House #3 Savings Account.
- We’re still at 60%. We didn’t make any headway here as it was a very low month for us income-wise last month — which is very typical for us at this time of year, especially since we’re in the process of investing a lot of money back into the business right now.
How are you doing on YOUR goals for 2015?
If you set goals for this year, I’d love to hear how you are doing on them! Leave a comment telling us about your progress on them or leave the link to your blog post about them. Here’s to a year of living with purpose, intentional, impact, and meaning!
We Paid Cash: A Debt-Free Summer
A testimony from Sarah
Each summer, our family’s income drops dramatically. My husband is a graduate student, and his funding stops during the summer months. While I am still earning money, it is simply not enough to pay all of our bills and living expenses.
In the past, we have used credit cards to help us through the summer. This year, however, we have committed to paying off our debt, and we refuse to add any more to our credit card bill.
Back in October, we sat down together and examined our finances. We decided that we would need $700 for each summer month (June, July, and August) to be able to pay all bills and live comfortably. That is $2100! That number seemed almost unreachable at the time, but we committed to trying.
Imagine our excitement when we had saved that much by the end of March!
Here’s how we did it:
We Saved All “Bonus” Money
We decided to view any “bonus” money as money earmarked for our summer fund. This included:
- $500 end-of-the-year bonus from my employer for having an advanced degree
- $200 gift at Christmas from family
- $500 from our tax refund
It was tempting to view this money as fun spending money. However, since we were committed to our financial goal, we immediately put it in our summer account.
I Picked Up Extra Work
I am a full-time teacher, and my school asks for staff to tutor in the afterschool program. This program pays $25 an hour, so I decided to work two hours a week.
From this relatively small time commitment, I ended up earning $700!
There were many days when I was exhausted by the end of the school day, but I knew our goal of a debt-free summer was worth the effort.
We Saved Money Leftover from our Budget
Our family has a written weekly budget that we keep a close eye on. We have decided how much we will spend each week on groceries, household items, gas, fun, etc.
We actually have a chart on our refrigerator where we record everything that we spend in those categories each day. Therefore, it is easy to know if we are over or under our budget at the end of the week.
My husband and I decided to take any money leftover from our budget and transfer it to our summer fund. For example, we budget $70 per week on groceries for our family of five. If I spent $65 one week, we moved $5 into our summer account.
I wasn’t sure if it was worth it to save a few dollars here and there, but I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I listened to my husband, because we saved $200 this way!
It was an amazing feeling when we realized that we had reached our goal. We are looking forward to our stress-free, debt-free summer. We’ll be able to enjoy it much more knowing that we will not be paying for it for years to come.
Sarah is an Orthodox Christian, wife, mother of three small children, full-time teacher, and writer. She blogs about faith, family, and frugal living over at The Orthodox Mama.
Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.
5 of My Top Tips for Successful Blogging
I was honored (and surprised!) to be featured on Success Magazine’s site yesterday with an incredibly generous write-up, as well as some of my top tips for successful blogging.
If you’ve been thinking of starting a blog or just want a peek at the behind-the-scenes on how this blog got started, be sure to read the article here on My Top 5 Tips for Successful Blogging.
For more helpful ideas, read my post on How to Make Money Blogging.
Do It Yourself: Baby Shower on a Budget
MissMaesDays.com shows you how to plan a super cute baby shower via the dollar store!
Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
My 10 Goals For This Week (& whew! I survived last week!)
Whew! So I survived a very big week last week — Monday I spent all day at the ice rink with Kaitlynn and then we got together with our Monday Group that evening.
Monday evening, around 9:30 p.m., we went into full-on Make Over Your Mornings Launch mode and kept going strong through 8 p.m. Tuesday evening — except for a short 5-hour break to sleep.
photo from YaySugarCrumbs
I went to bed by 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening and slept in a little on Wednesday morning and then headed to spend all day at the ice rink again with Kaitlynn.
Wednesday evening, I finished some laundry, packed Silas’s stuff and my stuff for our trip to San Francisco, and went to bed by 11 p.m. — which was later than I’d hoped to, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!
We had to get up by 4 a.m. to get out the door for our early-morning flight. We spent all morning Thursday on planes and in airports to make it to San Francisco by noon. And then we stopped quickly by our hotel and then spent all afternoon in meetings with ePantry.
We took an hour break to go on the Harbor Cruise and then went out to dinner with the ePantry team, and then crashed at our hotel around 10 p.m. (12 a.m. our time).
Silas and I both got a good night’s rest and then headed to the airport around 9 a.m. for more airports and plane rides — making it back to TN around 7 p.m. We got home, unpacked, hung out with the family, and then went straight to bed and slept in until 8 a.m. the next morning.
Saturday and Sunday were quiet days at our house — and it was such a nice break! I got caught up on laundry, went grocery shopping, went to Silas’ last baseball game with friends, went to church, served at church, cleaned up the house, and read for about 5 hours. It was bliss!
And today, I was back at the ice rink again all day and then we had dinner with our Monday Group — some of my favorite people on the planet and we laughed until we cried tonight recounting all sorts of stories and anecdotes from our lives. We’re so blessed to know these families and have the opportunity to do life with them! 
{By the way, you can see a little video here of one of Kaitlynn’s current off-ice skating exercises, if you’re interested. I’m learning SO much about how much work goes into figure skating — and how much of the work doesn’t even happen on the ice!}
This week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Finish one read aloud book with the kids
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Go through and declutter at least two rooms in our house.
Personal Goals
4. Exercise at least 3 times.
5. Finish reading at least one book.
Local Ministry/Hospitality/Friendship Goals
6. Help the kids write notes to Grandma for her birthday.
7. Write notes to our Compassion-sponsored kids.
Business Goals
8. Prep for speaking at the Virginia Homeschool Conference this weekend.
9. Finish writing a chapter I’m contributing to an ebook compilation project.
10. Read through the entire manuscript of my new book (psst! You can see the cover and read more about it here.)
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.