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Shared May 29, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s $50 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 Gallon Milk – $1.99

1 Strawberries – $0.99

1 Blueberries – $1.69

1 Flour Tortillas – $0.99

Total with tax: $6.07

Local Health Food Store:

6 Oranges @ 3/$1 – $2 total

3 Fruit/Veggie Shredz Snacks – Marked down to $0.99 each

1 Cheese Puffs – Marked down to $0.99

Total with tax: $6.40

Dillons

Transaction #1

2 Carefree Liners – $1 each, used 2 $0.50/1 printable – Free after coupons

2 Huggies Diapers – $9.49 each, used 2 $3/1 printable (no longer available) – $6.49 each after coupons

Total with tax: $14.44, Received $4 catalina and $5 catalina (for buying Huggies diapers)

Transaction #2

2 Huggies Diapers – $9.49 each, used 2 $3/1 printable (no longer available) – $6.49 each after coupons

Used $9 catalinas from Transaction #1

Total with tax: $5, Received $4 catalina and $5 catalina (for buying Huggies diapers)

Transaction #3

1 Bolillo Rolls – Marked down to $0.49 (will use this for sub sandwiches)

1.5 lbs Sweet Potatoes @ $1.09/lb – $1.64

2 VanCamp’s Beans – $0.50, used 2 $0.35/1 coupon from the 5/5 SmartSource insert (doubled) – Free after coupons

1 Lemon – $0.39

1 Dillons Hamburger Buns – $1, used $0.40/1 store coupon (from mailer) – $0.60 after coupon

1 Kellogg’s Cinnabon Cereal – Marked down to $1.21, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $0.21 after coupon

1 Kroger Natural Peanut Butter – $2

1 Nestle Drumstick Cones – $2.99, used $1/1 printable – $1.99 after coupon

1 Smart Balance Butter – $1.50, used $0.50/1 coupon from the 5/12 SmartSource insert – $0.50 after coupon

2 Ramen Noodles – $0.20 (My hubby loves it when I make sure we always have a few of these on hand.)

2 Scotch-Brite Sponges – $1 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 5/19 SmartSource insert – $0.50 each after coupon

1 Muir Glen Tomato Paste – $1.29, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $0.29 after coupon

1 Muir Glen Tomato Sauce – $1.49, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $0.49 after coupon

4 BeechNut Fruities – $1 each, used 2 $1/1 printable and 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled to $1) – Free after coupons

1 Heinz Ketchup – $1, used $0.25/1 coupon from the 5/19 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon

1 King Hawaiian Rolls (4 ct) – $1.29, used $1/1 coupon from the 5/12 RedPlum insert – $0.29 after coupon

1 Kroger Cheese – $1.67

1 Kroger Applesauce – $2.19

1 Cucumber – $0.59

1.5 lbs Organic Bananas @ $0.59/lb – $0.89

1.26 lbs Broccoli @ $0.99/lb – $1.25

1 Kroger Lemon Juice – $2.05

1 Kroger Canola Spray – $2.18

Smoked Sliced Turkey Breast – $3.89

Used $9 catalinas from Transaction #2

Total before coupons and sales: $49.59

Total with tax after coupons: $18.70

Total for all grocery items: $50.61

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Applesauce, Cereal, Toast, Fruit

Lunches

Sub Sandwiches, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs (I get Farm Fresh eggs from my younger brother each week – yum!)

Dinners

Hamburgers (Crystal gave us a variety of frozen meats over the weekend – yes, I’m pretty spoiled to have her for my sister!), Baked Beans, Chips, Fruit

Chicken Spaghetti in Garlic Gravy, Rolls, Tossed Salad (Our garden is overflowing with lettuce right now!)

Lemon Salmon, Steamed Broccoli

Pancakes, Eggs, Hashbrowns

Lemon Chicken Fajitas, Strawberries (I just discovered today that our garden is bursting with strawberries, too!)

Date Night (we ended up getting sick last week so we had to postpone our date night to this week)

Dinner with my parents

Shared May 29, 2013 comment

Clutter-Busting Challenge Day #21: I cleaned up the backyard!

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Every week day in May, I’m challenging my readers to try to find at least 7 things to get rid of. These can be big or small things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually throw them out, sell them, donate them, recycle them, or find someone else who can use them. Think you’re up for the challenge?

I cleaned up the backyard today and found two items to get rid of, plus a few more kids’ books on our bookshelves we aren’t using anymore (I loved one of your comments that recommended getting rid of books you can easily get from the library and I think I’m going to slowly move more toward that direction with our kids’ books — especially when it comes to paperbacks).

4 kids’ books
1 marker that doesn’t work anymore
2 misc. items I found lying in the backyard

How did your clutter-busting go today? Link up your blog post and/or Instagram pictures below. Or, leave a comment telling us how many things you got rid of. Let’s clear our homes of clutter so we can be more productive and efficient!

Shared May 29, 2013 comment

We Paid Cash: Rental Vehicle Repairs

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

We paid cash! A testimony from Teresa

My husband and I have long struggled with debt (a struggle we continue to this day). But recently, we decided to try not to put anything on credit cards. This was a big step, as our “emergency fund” had always been a credit card. Now, we are carrying a $1,000 emergency fund.

A couple months ago, our car was in the shop, and we rented a vehicle. While the rental was in our possession, the bumper got scratched. We had declined all the “additional insurance coverage” offered by the rental company, as it was extremely expensive, and our regular car insurance covers rentals.

When we returned the vehicle, we were required to pay a $500 down-payment toward the repair. We decided to wait until we got the estimate to decide whether to pay for the damage out of pocket or submit it to our insurance company. We did not want a small claim driving our insurance prices up.

Boy, am I glad we waited as the repair cost less than $300! We actually got $200 of our down-payment back — and it went right back into our emergency fund. Because of our emergency fund, we had the luxury of paying for the repair without having to pay higher insurance premiums or high interest in the long run.

We built our emergency fund slowly, over several months. We did not have the “wiggle room” in our budget to set aside any money for savings.

When we committed to building the emergency fund, however, we began to reevaluate. Here are my tips:

1. Call your service providers.

My husband was not willing to cut out our cell phone service or cable completely, but he was willing to negotiate lower prices. He got our cable cost cut in half and our cell phone bill cut by one-third, all without losing any of the channels or services we use. Save first.

2. Save first.

Even if there is no money in the budget for savings, do it anyway. It is more difficult to avoid paying a creditor than to avoid putting money in the savings account.

The savings account does not make collections calls! Basically, if there’s more month than money, I will find a way to pay the power bill, even if I have to sell something on Craigslist to make it happen. Likely, I would not be so vigilant about my savings.

3. Be proactive.

Use sites like MoneySavingMom.com to find ways to save on everyday things.

4. Most importantly, find a way to save.

It’s terribly difficult for most of us, but even if you can only save your change in a coffee can, it’s worth the effort. The savings will eventually stack up, and even if you only have $60 in savings when your next emergency arises, that will be $60 that doesn’t have to go on credit!

Teresa is a Christ follower, a wife to Steve, and a mom to Elijah, Grace, and two dogs. She has a full-time job outside the home. She is a Florida girl with a love for the beach, chocolate, and a good book.

Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.

Shared May 29, 2013 comment

Ask The Readers: How can I stock my classroom for less?

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s question is from Melissa:

After a year of job searching, I was just offered a position as an interventionist at an elementary school. I am starting from scratch. I do not have anything to set up my room for the fall.

In my district, we get $200 to buy our supplies, however that will not be nearly enough to make my classroom. Classroom rugs cost nearly $400 and then I have to buy books for my classroom library, totes to store supplies, the supplies itself (pencils, paper, crayons, etc).

Is there a way I can somehow buy the necessary supplies for my classroom for less? -Melissa

Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Shared May 29, 2013 comment

Free stuff in my mailbox

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Here are the freebies I’ve gotten in my mailbox in the past week:

::Coupon for a free bottle of International Delight

::Free Suave haircare samples

::Free Gain Fireworks sample

::Coupon for a free Tai Pei entree

What freebies have arrived in your mailbox this week?

By the way, if you want to start getting great freebies in your mailbox, just start signing up for the freebies I post every day that interest you. Within 4-6 weeks, your mailbox will start filling up with great freebies!

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared May 28, 2013 comment

52 Different Ways to Save $100 This Year: Ditch Your Landline {Week 21}

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Every week in 2013, I’ll be sharing a different way you can save $100 this year. If you do all of these things, you’ll be able to save over $5,000 this year alone! Many of these things will likely be things you’re already doing, but hopefully all of you will pick up at least a few new ideas or some inspiration from this series.

In July of 2010, we ditched our landline for a year. It saved us $15 per month — and countless minutes of dealing with telemarketers! 🙂

It was really freeing to do it, although I readily admit it was also a little weird since we’d always had a landline. But it was a worthwhile experiment — and the $180 we saved that year was great, too.

Here Are Three Things We Learned

1. Calculate the Savings

When we dropped our landline, it was because our phone/internet company finally started offering a la carte packages. Up until that point, we’d priced things and it was actually less expensive to go with an internet, cell phone, and landline deal versus just an internet and cell phone package.

So if you’re thinking of ditching the landline, be sure that it’s actually going to save you something each month — and not end up raising your rates.

2. Check Your Options

When you’re calculating your savings, also check into your options. If you ditch your landline, how much will it cost you if you decide to add it back on? Would it be a better alternative to just cut back on the bells and whistles? There are so many things offered along with landlines that most of us don’t need.

Consider stripping down to the barebones instead of ditching the landline altogether. Many times, the call waiting, caller ID, and other features can cost as much as $10 extra per month, if not more. If you don’t really need these options, don’t pay for them!

Is it Worth the Savings to Ditch Your Landline?

3. Count the Costs

I really didn’t seriously consider some of the risks involved with dropping our landline until I blogged about it back in 2010. And so many people shared their concerns and reasons as to why they wouldn’t ever drop their landline (read the comments on that post here).

The biggest concern raised was that you need to always have very, very easy access to a phone to dial 911 in case of an emergency. Cell phones can sometimes be hard to find (or maybe that’s just a problem we have at our house sometimes! :)) and they also have to be regularly charged.

The last thing you want to have to do in an emergency is be running all over trying to locate a phone or trying to charge up a phone. In a life or death situation, those minutes spent could be devastating. It’s never worth it to risk safety just for the sake of saving money.

However, there are options out there for calling 911. For instance, Mary from OwlHaven commented on my post and said:

We solved at least part of this issue by keeping a cheap Tracfone plugged in AT ALL TIMES on the kitchen counter so it will be charged and easily located. My teens use this phone when I am gone or when my unlimited-minutes phone is otherwise unavailable. The cord is long enough to stand next to the outlet to talk, and unplugging it is against the rules. I think I’ll also type our street address on a card taped to that phone, so the address can easily be read off to dispatchers if my teens were ever too stressed to remember our address.

Why We Ended Up Paying For a Landline Again

We thought we wouldn’t end up bringing our landline back, but after a year of being landline-less and having a few times when I couldn’t find my phone and Jesse had no way of getting ahold of me nor me him, we decided it was worth the $15 per month to add the landline back in. In addition, because I do a fair number of radio interviews that require a landline, this gave us another reason to make it worth the expense.

But we don’t regret the year we went without a landline and if our budget is strapped sometime down the future, we know we could always cut the landline and just go with the Tracfone idea.

Do you have a landline? Why or why not?

Shared May 28, 2013 comment

Good Reads: Start by Jon Acuff

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jon Acuff is one of the most inspirational people I follow online. Not only does he make me laugh, think, and ponder, but he challenges me to action. It’s not enough to know what I’m about, Jon motivates me to do something about it — like going out and punching fear in the face.

Jon’s latest book, Start, is an amazing book. And I don’t say that lightly.

It’s easy to read since Jon has a way of drawing you in with his words and stories. But it’s not an “easy read” since Jon won’t let you lounge in your recliner and ponder your world-changing ideas for years on end. No, he makes you want to jump up and go make something happen.

My hands down favorite part of Start was Jon’s vulnerability. His candid stories of his own insecurity and failure will help you to know that you’re not alone in your crazy fears or mistakes. He’s been there, too. He gets you. And his stories will give you courage and hope.

I had high expectations for Start because I knew that Jon and the Dave Ramsey team had poured days, weeks, months, and years into it. But it far exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t just good; it was great.

Now, I do want to mention that if you’re looking for a clearly laid out game plan for launching a business or idea, this book is probably not the best one to pick up. It’s more an inspirational message than a step-by-step how-to. That said, I truly believe everyone can learn from and be inspired by Jon’s message.

Have you read any good books recently? Tell us about them in the comments.

Shared May 28, 2013 comment

May Giveaway Extravaganza: $100 Visa gift card, $25 Red Robin gift card, $10 iTunes gift card, books, food, plus more!

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

It’s time for another Reader Giveaway Extravaganza! This is just a little way for me to show my appreciation to you all for reading here.

This month’s prize pack contains a few books I’ve enjoyed recently, some of the read-aloud books we’ve been enjoying as a family, some other goodies, plus some gift cards!

One reader will win the following prize pack:

Journal
Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic
Paddington at Large by Michael Bond
Adventures in Odyssey Whit’s End Mealtime Family Devotions
The Chance by Karen Kingsbury
While We’re Far Apart by Lynn Austin
Start by Jon Acuff
Tazo Wild Sweet Orange tea
Plum Kids Organic Fruit Straws
Plum Kids Organic Greek Yogurt Mashups
Purex laundry detergent sample
Eden Organic Wild Berry Mix (Nuts, Seeds & Berries)
Himalania Dark Chocolate Goji Berries
Organic Lemongrass hand soap
Almond Hand & Body Massage lotion
Melissa & Doug Dry-Erase markers
Folgers Classic Roast single-serve packets
$100 Visa gift card
$10 iTunes gift card
$25 Red Robin giftcard
3 Microfiber sponges
Minted flat note-cards
Blue Bird French press
Prayers for Your Children keychain from MomLife

To enter to win this prize package, just click on the graphic below and type in your name and email address. One winner will be chosen and posted on Tuesday. This giveaway ends Thursday, May 30, at 11:59pm, CST.

Shared May 28, 2013 comment

Clutter-Busting Challenge Day #20: 7 more things

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Every week day in May, I’m challenging my readers to try to find at least 7 things to get rid of. These can be big or small things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually throw them out, sell them, donate them, recycle them, or find someone else who can use them. Think you’re up for the challenge?

Just when I think I can’t find anything more, I keep finding stuff!

1 vase
1 plastic container
1 plastic tube
2 pairs of beauty gloves that are really worn
2 kids’ books

How did your clutter-busting go today? Link up your blog post and/or Instagram pictures below. Or, leave a comment telling us how many things you got rid of. Let’s clear our homes of clutter so we can be more productive and efficient!

Shared May 28, 2013 comment

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Kaitlynn found this rag yesterday that was on its last leg — even as far as rags go. But instead of seeing it as something destined for the trash can, she immediately realized she could design a purse out of it as the ripped off fabric section would work perfectly as a handle.

She got to work at once sewing it and then using marker to “paint” it. Once it was finished, she’s been proudly using it as a purse.

While her creativity never ceases to inspire me, but that wasn’t all that I took away from her rag purse project. It made me think how often in our lives there are messy broken pieces. Hard things. Struggles. Hurts. Failures.

We see these things and we want to just get rid of them and pretend they never existed. But often, it’s those very things that can shape us into a person of character.

I don’t know what the hard things in your life might be right now. But I know each of you has at least a few really difficult things you’re dealing with.

Don’t give up! You never know what those hardships might be preparing you for. But it might be something more beautiful than what you can imagine.

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

Click here to download!

Shared May 28, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Father’s Day Fishing Lures

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

CreativeGreenLiving.com shows you how to make homemade fishing lures out of dollar store materials.

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.

Shared May 27, 2013 comment

Freedom Isn’t Free: A Big Heartfelt Thank You to Our Military Families

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 27, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

As we celebrate Memorial Day today, I am humbly grateful to the many men and women who have risked and given so much for the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

Thank you — from the bottom of my heart — to the many military families who are readers here. We so appreciate the sacrifices you make on a daily basis to protect and defend our freedoms. We don’t say it enough, but thank you!

photo credit

Shared May 27, 2013 comment

10 Goals For This Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 27, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

We had a quiet week last week and we stayed home most of the week. It was wonderful and it allowed me the time and energy to get all of my goals crossed off (something that hasn’t happened in quite awhile!).

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Start reading The Trumpet of the Swan to the children. Read three chapters of The Hardy Boys Book #1 with Kathrynne, read three chapters of Life With Lily with Kaitlynn, read a few picture books with Silas.

~~2. Go on a date with Jesse.~~

~~3. Start Library Reading Program with kids.~~

Personal Goals

~~4. Memorize Romans 1:14. Review Romans 1:1-13.~~

~~5. Exercise five times — start Pilates program.~~

~~6. Finish reading: 24/6, Unstoppable, Operation Dinner,Candle in the Darkness, and When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box.~~

~~7. Get at least 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night.~~

Homemaking Goals

~~8. Continue on with the Clutter-Busting Challenge.~~

~~9. Work on my embroidery project for at least 30 minutes.~~

Business Goals

~~10. Photo shoot for book cover.~~

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read three chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to the children. Read two chapters of The Hardy Boys Book #1 with Kathrynne, read two chapters of Carolina’s Courage with Kaitlynn, read a few picture books with Silas.

2. Attend the homeschool conference here and buy our homeschool curriculum for next year.

3. Go to the circus as a family.

Personal Goals

4. Memorize Romans 1:15. Review Romans 1:1-14.

5. Exercise five times.

6. Read One Thousand Gifts, The Charge, Surprised By Oxford, and The Things We Cherished.

7. Get at least 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night.

Homemaking Goals

8. Finish the Clutter-Busting Challenge.

9. Work on my embroidery project for at least 30 minutes.

Business Goals

10. Finish tweaking recipes for the new recipes page.

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.

Shared May 25, 2013 comment

How to Have a TV-Free Summer

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 25, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Rhoda

As summer approaches, I am thinking of my yearly “TV-Free Summer Pledge”.

As a high school literacy coach, I am blessed that I get to spend a lot of time with my own children, but there are days when I look at a sea of teenage faces and think, “Someone else is getting to hold and love and teach my children.” This sense of helplessness led to my yearly “TV-Free Summer Pledge”. I have nine weeks of mostly uninterrupted time with my very own children, and I do not want a minute squandered on cartoons.

Two summers ago when I first made this pledge, it was a disaster because while I had planned for what we would not do (no TV), I hadn’t given much thought to what we would do. So the TV was turned off, and I had two little faces looking at me like, “Entertain me! Entertain me!” I was overwhelmed — nothing seemed to hold their attention for more than five minutes and there was no plan.

Now I have a plan and since that first crazy summer, my promise of television-free summers is much easier to keep.

1. Make a schedule for your days.

This sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? It’s summer. Kids and adults are supposed to be free to enjoy the sunshine, chlorinated water, and daily naps without worrying about a silly schedule.

Well, if your goal is a TV-free summer, then this free flow of time will inevitably suck you and your children back into the world of animated cartoon characters and commercials. With no structure, you won’t have a plan for what you or your children will be doing on Tuesday at 10 a.m., so when that day and time come and you don’t know what to do, you will turn on the tube.

To combat this, I have divided my day into 30-minute to 1.5-hour segments. The shorter segments are for learning activities like summer bridge workbook pages, multiplication flashcards, and art projects. The longer segments are for outside play, free play, and naps.

2. Have a list of free-play ideas.

I have made a list of go-to activities for when my son and daughter look at me like, “Entertain me!” This list has mostly free activities for them to do that require very little prep or supplies. The value here is having a ready resource for fun activities.

My list is very long but here are a few ideas:

• Run in a sprinkler.
• Play bean bag toss.
• Build a fort out of sheets.
• Draw with sidewalk chalk.
• Assemble a puzzle.

3. Visit your library.

Libraries have free access to books, videos, and other resources. More importantly, libraries have free air-conditioning!

My children love the story time offered by our library every Wednesday morning. We arrive a little early to choose books for the week and to get a good seat. The programs are educational and fun-filled. We usually go to the park for a picnic afterward.

4. Create a busy box or bag.

I have created a busy box for each of my two children. For my younger child who is four, I have a collection of busy bags and small toys such as a travel Magna Doodle and magnetic dolls. My older child is ten. In his busy box, there are word searches, puzzles, and coloring sheets.

This is another set of go-to activities for the kids to do; they are also portable and work well for long car trips or waiting rooms.

5. Be flexible.

While I must admit that we have never actually had a totally television-free summer, we have made great strides in limiting our time in front of the TV and in increasing our time spent together as a family. I try not to stress out, and I look at being television free like I look at working out.

Instead of focusing on the times I fell off the wagon, I think about all the time we spent together without TV in the background. Even if you only have TV-free summer mornings, it is still better than being plugged in all summer long.

Have you ever done a TV-Free week, month, summer, or year? How did it work for you?

Rhoda has two children and teaches high school. She loves summer break because it gives her the chance to be a stay-at-home mom. She’s a fan of reading, thrift shops, spending less, living simply, and being creative.

Shared May 24, 2013 comment

Quick & Easy Honey-Sweetened Truffles

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 24, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I am so stoked about this recipe! It’s by far one of the best healthy recipes I’ve discovered to date. And it’s easy, too!

Karen from Abundance on a Dime emailed me her version of my tweaked recipe for Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies — and I took her version and tweaked it again.

The end result? These Honey-Sweetened Truffles.

You’ve got to try them. Even my husband said they were really good. 🙂

Quick & Easy Honey-Sweetened Truffles

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup coconut
3/4 cup uncooked oats
1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
coconut for coating (you could also use oats or ground flax seed)

Combine the honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and peanut butter together in a saucepan. Heat on medium-low until melted together.

Remove from heat and add in coconut, oats, cranberries, and cinnamon. Chill for 30 minutes until mixture firms up enough to roll into balls (I just let it cool on the countertop for an hour).

Shape into balls, roll in coconut, and store in the fridge. These should firm up more when they are refrigerated.

Makes 15-20 truffles.

Recipe adapted from Abundance on a Dime.

2hr Cleaning Checklist

2hr Cleaning Checklist

FREE DOWNLOAD: 2-Hour Cleaning Checklist!

Aldi

Local Health Food Store:

Dillons

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

1. Call your service providers.

2. Save first.

3. Be proactive.

4. Most importantly, find a way to save.

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

Here Are Three Things We Learned

1. Calculate the Savings

2. Check Your Options

3. Count the Costs

Why We Ended Up Paying For a Landline Again

Do you have a landline? Why or why not?

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

1. Make a schedule for your days.

2. Have a list of free-play ideas.

3. Visit your library.

4. Create a busy box or bag.

5. Be flexible.

Quick & Easy Honey-Sweetened Truffles

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