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Last week, my husband and I were blessed to be surrounded by some incredibly talented thinkers and doers at the Launch Conference. Truly, my mind felt like it was about ready to blow up most of the conference.
There was so much collective wisdom to capture. So much combined experience to soak up. And so many amazing people to converse with.
But you know one of the things that stuck out to me most about the entire conference? It wasn’t the wisdom, or experience, or knowledge… it was that many of these amazingly talented people struggle with fear and insecurity.
In fact, two of the people I would consider to be some of the most accomplished individuals at the conference both confided in me that they felt so out of place.
And I totally got it, because I felt the exact same way. At each meal or round table discussion, we’d meet someone else who had done so much with their lives — and I’d want to sink smaller and smaller into my chair.
At one point in the Q&A discussion, I’m not sure what possessed me, but I raised my hand to share something. As soon as they gave me the microphone, I literally froze up with fear.
In that split second, terror registered in my brain: Who was I to think I should have anything worthwhile to add to the discussion? Why on earth did I raise my hand? Could the floor please open up underneath me and swallow me up?
I somehow managed to say something semi-coherent, handed back the mic, sat down, and felt like a colossal failure. More thoughts flooded through my head: Why am I at a conference on launching a speaking business? I can’t even stand up and say four sentences without failing. Why am I saying “yes” to these speaking opportunities? There are millions of people out there who could do a thousand times better of a job than me.
In that moment, I realized I had a choice: I could sit and sulk over my inadequacies and shortcomings. Or I could choose to focus on the truth.
The Truth: I Am Enough
I am a child of God. He loves me. I don’t have to do anything to earn His love. I am complete in Him.
The Truth: I Have a Story
My story is different than every single other person on the planet. This gives me unique perspective and insight that can bless and impact others in a way that someone else with a different story might not be able to.
The Truth: I Have a Purpose
I might not ever be as amazing of a speaker as some of the people I’ve met are, but that doesn’t mean I should stop talking about the things I’m passionate about.
I want to improve. I want to challenge myself to grow. But I don’t have to wait until I’m polished and perfect to start sharing the message God has put on my heart — otherwise, I’ll be waiting forever! 🙂
These three truths pulled me out of a pit of insecurity and gave me confidence to keep going. And I share them with you in hopes they might encourage you, too.
You are enough. You have a story. You have a purpose.
Camp on those truths and it will change your life!
Guest post from Rachael of Thriving on Thrifty
Sometimes my child can teach me important lessons just as much as I can teach him.
The other day, my son and I were eating lunch together. He had blueberry pancakes (one of his favorites) and I was having a tomato and avocado sandwich (one of his least favorites). Even though he had something that he loved more than the food on my plate, he was still so focused on my food that he couldn’t eat his. He threw a royal tantrum knowing that he couldn’t have my food, even though I knew he wouldn’t like it and very likely wouldn’t eat it.
As I sat there perplexed as to why he would act this way, I realized that many times, we as adults act the same way. We are so focused on what others have that we fail to miss the blessings in our own lives. We continue to want what others have even though we may have something even greater sitting right in front of us.
I wrote the following three concepts as an encouragement to myself and to others:
This doesn’t mean that we can’t strive for more or find ways to improve our situation, but I feel we should enjoy each step along the way. I say this as an encouragement to myself as well, we shouldn’t miss the blessings sitting in front of us because we are so focused on the future or someone else’s situation or belongings.
Looking for ways to improve yourself and situation can certainly be a positive thing, just don’t miss the blessings at each step of the journey.
I’m making it a goal to try to focus on the blessings presented to me each day — even in the little things.
Even though I may not be able to eat at a five-star restaurant each day, I can be thankful for the time spent with my husband and son eating a homemade sandwich (or pancakes). Instead of complaining about cleaning my house, I can be thankful for having a home.
Try to find at least one thing to be thankful for in each situation during your day.
Sometimes we think others may have the perfect life or situation, but we may not always realize what may be going on in other hidden areas of their lives.
Realize that just because you may not have it all in one area, doesn’t mean you don’t have just as great or greater blessings in other areas.
Focus on these areas of your life rather than contemplating the things that others have greater than you.
Rachael Lachniet is a stay at home mom who enjoys learning ways to save money for her family and tries to share these ideas with others on her blog, Thriving on Thrifty.
Jesse and I spent most of last week with some of our team at the Launch Conference. It was a wonderful time of planning, learning, and brainstorming. We’re stoked about what the future holds and I can’t wait to share some of the exciting new developments in the months to come.
I skipped my usual 10 Goals post last week because of our trip, but I’m back and at it this week!
Goals from two weeks ago:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1.Read 3 chapters of The Borrowers and 4 chapters of The Tanglewoods’ Secret to the children. Read 3 chapters of Caddie Woodlawn with Kaitlynn. Read a few picture books with Silas.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.Personal Goals
3. Work on memorizing & reviewing Romans 1:1-23.
4. Run 12 miles.5. Read Daring Greatly, Leaving Yesterday, Bread & Wine, and Wild Goose Chase.
Homemaking Goals
6. Work for 30 minutes on my embroidery project.
7. Try five new recipes for the Make It From Scratch Challenge.Business Goals
8. Work on updating 10 more posts for Pinterest.
9. Work on two new upcoming talks.
10. Write one post for the 52 Ways to Save $100 a Year series.
This week’s goals:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
Personal Goals
3. Work on memorizing & reviewing Romans 1:1-23.
4. Run 10 miles.
5. Read Daring Greatly, Leaving Yesterday, Bread & Wine, and Wild Goose Chase.
Homemaking Goals
6. Work for 30 minutes on my embroidery project.
7. Try at least two new recipes.
Business Goals
8. Work on updating 10 more posts for Pinterest.
9. Work on two new upcoming talks.
10. Write one post for the 52 Ways to Save $100 a Year series.
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.
Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Tiara:
My husband and I have been on a pretty tight budget ever since I quit my job to stay at home with our dog when she was diagnosed with diabetes (who sadly passed away recently.) She was like our “child” so it was and still is a pretty rough patch in our lives.
We didn’t have enough money saved up to take a nice vacation this summer, but with Swagbucks, I was able to get us tickets to see our favorite Major League Baseball team, the Kansas City Royals, for a night of getting away and having some fun. Baseball, hotdogs, fireworks… and it was all “free” thanks to Swagbucks!
I had never heard of Swagbucks until following MoneySavingMom.com. One day I was reading a Swagbucks Success Story and thought, if they can get free stuff, then why can’t I?
I signed up immediately and started doing surveys, getting search wins, and doing anything extra on the site that I could to reach the daily goal each day. The Encrave and Jun videos on there are a really fast way to earn extra points on the side.
Even if you only get one single point for doing something, I tell myself every point counts! I also read through their Facebook page to watch for codes and special offers. Before I knew it, I had enough points for my first Paypal reward of $25 cash!
I’m so thankful that through MoneySavingMom.com I found a way to help us still enjoy the “extras” in life.
Tiara: Could you email me so I can send you your $50 Amazon gift card for submitting your story? Thanks so much!
Guest post from Annie
For my family, Christmas shopping is a leisurely year-long event. We are always on the lookout for gift ideas and bargains, and usually have most of our presents purchased by the end of October.
We have found this to be advantageous for several reasons:
I’m excited to share how MoneySavingMom.com helped me to purchase some very nice gifts this year without actually spending any of our income:
1. After about two years of clicking on emails and taking surveys, I earned a $45.51 check from Inbox Dollars in March.
2. When Crystal posted the Cents of Style Chevron scarf in June, I purchased it for $7.95.
3. I created a beautiful Shutterfly photo album of our daughter in August and paid only the shipping cost of $7.99.
4. I started using Viggle earlier this year, and just recently began shopping through Ebates – both thanks to MSM’s recommendations. Today I used a $25 JCPenney gift card that I earned through Viggle to buy nice sweater and a shirt to match the Chevron scarf. Shipping to the store was free. I spent nothing out-of-pocket, Ebates gave me $1.49 cash back, and I’ll receive a $10 Target gift card from Ebates as my sign-up bonus.
5. When I receive my $10 Target gift card from Ebates, I’ll browse the dollar bins and combine sales, Cartwheel discounts, and coupons to purchase stocking-stuffers such as toiletries, candy, nail polish, and note cards. (Okay, so I’m not QUITE done yet)!
6. Recyclebank is currently offering a digital subscription to All You for 400 points and a subscription to Real Simple for 475 points. I have more than enough points from completing free activities to order both of these.
In summary, we’re giving my mom a scarf, a shirt, a sweater, a photo album, two magazine subscriptions, and a stocking full of stuffers without even scratching the surface of our budget.
Between our year-long bargain hunting, leftover Inbox Dollars earnings, and gift cards from Viggle, Recyclebank, Swagbucks, and MyPoints, we may not need to spend any of our income on gifts this season! And that means more money in our savings account to meet our long-term financial goals. Thank you Crystal, for sharing the information that has enabled our family to do this!
Annie is a wife and stay-at-home mom who enjoys watching football, volunteering through her church and local ministries, and spending time with her family.
Testimonial from Caroline of The Modest Mom Blog
For a variety of reasons, my husband dropped out of college when we married, almost 11 years ago. We became entrepreneurs, owning a cabinet shop and a lawn care company, we had five children, and we started homeschooling.
Then, one day, he came home and said he had been thinking about going back to college and finishing the graphic design degree he had originally started. I was excited and supportive of that decision — but actually making it all work seemed a bit overwhelming!
So how have we made this work financially?
We advertised his lawn care company on Craigslist and found the perfect buyers for it.
We also put our house up for sale, and while it didn’t sell before he started college, it sold after his first semester. We moved into a small rental house that some friends of ours have graciously given us a good deal on.
About five years ago I started an online clothing company called Deborah & Co. I also started The Modest Mom Blog, and signed up as a consultant with Lilla Rose (beautiful yet practical hair clips) and L’BRI (all natural skincare products).
Those four income sources have provided for our family of seven while Sean finishes college. We don’t live on student loans for our monthly bills, and we made sure we had plenty of money in savings for emergencies before he started the four year college.
Sean started attending some classes at a local community college, getting some basic requirements done before he went back to the 4-year college. He was able to fit those classes into his schedule while he still owned and operated his lawn care company. Plus, those classes (including books) were totally covered by the Pell Grant.
We do have one small college loan we have had to take each year, but most of his college is paid through grants and scholarships. He is attending a private college that is not cheap, but it was the best fit for what he is needing.
We were told to apply for the Pell Grant, and each year have received the full amount possible. We don’t use any other forms of government assistance, and feel grateful that this is there.
Sean received a large transfer scholarship, since he was coming from a different four year college. Then he applied for the art grant and received the full amount, plus a Missouri grant.
Those grants and scholarships cover most of his tuition; and we took out a no-interest loan for the remainder. We have enough money sitting in savings to pay off loan if need be; but our plan is for him to graduate in May, find a job, use his first few months of salary to pay off the loan, and for us to continue on my “online income”.
It is not easy being a work-at-home, homeschooling mom. I get asked all the time how I do it all. My answer is that I keep things very simple! I can’t over-commit myself, and we don’t do lots of extra-curricular homeschooling type things right now.
We have told our children that we are in a unique season of life, and we are all looking forward to Sean’s graduation this May!
While we wouldn’t suggest every family in our season of life do the same thing, we feel that Sean has been blessed with a gift in art, and we wanted to see him use that talent instead of sitting on a lawnmower. 🙂 We feel incredibly blessed that the Lord is providing for our family through our online businesses and given Sean this opportunity!
Caroline has been married to the only love of her life for almost 11 years. Together they have five children, ages 9 and under, which keeps them busy! In her late night moments, she blogs at The Modest Mom Blog.
Guest post by Carrie of CarrieWillard.com
Last Sunday, at 6:30 A.M, hubby and I stumbled out of bed, trudged to the kitchen to start the coffee, then started our weekly budget meeting. Why would we choose to do this, of all the other activities we could be doing while the kids are sleeping (such as sleeping in ourselves!)?
Good question.
The answer? Because budget meetings make our marriage and our family life, to say nothing of our finances, better.
Here’s why…
My husband and I began weekly budget meetings four years ago, after attending Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes. At first, we really didn’t know what we were doing. We just knew that “Dave said” we should do this. We made a budget, made a list of debt (very painful for my husband to face), and began developing a plan for our money.
Those first budget meetings weren’t easy. While we never got into a fight during one — which is very common — there were definitely tense moments. Talking about money forces you to address your deeply held beliefs. It makes you confront issues in your marriage. And it really helped us get to know one another more deeply.
We quickly learned about one another’s values, fears, and dreams in a way that may have taken years to discern otherwise. Talking about our money is like a lamp that lights up the path to good communication. It makes it easier to really work together more to meet goals.
On a practical level, budget meetings have provided instant feedback into our financial health. We get to celebrate together each time a debt is paid, or when our income jumps. We find places where we can save.
Example: Determined to lower our “fixed” monthly expenses, we recently negotiated with our internet provider to lower our bill from $70 to $30. That’s $480 a year for one phone call!
After tallying up the grocery spending for last month, we found that we spent $120 less in that category. At first I scratched my head to figure out why. Then I remembered that I created a menu plan based on what I had in my freezer and pantry. That explained the savings, and motivated me to do that each month!
In preparation for this article, I asked my husband what he appreciated most about budget meetings. He said, “It really helps me to know where our money is going. I feel more in control of things. Since I’m the free spirit, I’m not as likely to take time to do this. But since we do budget meeting, the organization is happening in my life, and that gives me a feeling of contentment and ease.”
Budget meeting has become an important priority to us. We see so much value in it that we’re willing to forgo Sunday morning snoozing to hold it at a time when we won’t be interrupted.
My husband and I, like many couples, have different money styles. He’s good at earning money and is the primary income earner… and the free spirit.
I’m definitely the nerd! I love tracking things, creating documents, and crunching numbers. We’ve learned to leverage our strengths to make budget meeting work.
1. Create a quiet environment.
While we have held plenty of money discussions around the kids (we feel it’s good to be somewhat open about these things so the kids will learn good lessons, both about money and about healthy communication), we generally hold budget meeting at a time when we won’t be interrupted.
2. Set a definite time.
If you leave it for “whenever it’s convenient”, it’s not as likely to happen. If you set a specific time and day of the week or month, you’ll stick to it more. If you’re working towards an important goal such as getting out of debt, you may want to meet weekly to keep each other informed and encouraged.
3. Come prepared.
When we meet, my husband gives me the totals he’s tabulated for his income and his spending so we can update our records. It’s also good to have your statements and bills handy. We also have “homework” assignments that we’ve completed.
4. Be organized.
Have one place where you store what you need for budget meeting. We use the box that came with our Financial Peace University supplies. Inside the box are the forms we use for our budget, a notebook, pencil (so we don’t have to hunt these things down each time), and other materials related to finances.
5. Create a new budget every month.
This is one thing that we didn’t figure out until we had been doing budget meetings for a very long time, and it would have saved us so much frustration if we had understood this principle of budgeting from the get-go.
Each month brings about different needs. In August, you’ll have back-to-school shopping. In summer, you may have vacation. In April, taxes need to be paid. And your income likely changes a little each month, as well. Your budget is a tool that serves you, not the other way around!
Do you do budget meetings with your spouse? What benefits have you enjoyed?
Carrie Willard is a blogger, writer, wife and homeschooling mom of seven curious kiddos. You can find her writing about books, self-publishing, happiness and money at CarrieWillard.com
BrownSugarToast.com shows you how to make a baggy shirt into a fitted shirt.
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.
Health Food Store
6 Navel Oranges @ $0.39 each – $2.34
4 Organic Fuji Apples – $2.59
1 Brown Cow Vanilla Yogurt – Marked down to $1.49
Total with tax ($0.46): $6.88
Dillons
1 Kroger Tortilla Chips – $1
1 gallon Dillons Milk – $2.98
1 Kroger Frozen Peas – $1, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon
3 Beech Nut Fruities – $1 each, used 3 $1/1 printable – Free after coupon (Only 2 are pictured above because my little guy devoured one of them before we even got home!)
Emerald Breakfast On the Go – $2.89, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
1 Kroger Just Fruit Jelly – $2.45
1.09 lbs Broccoli @ $0.99/lb – $1.08
1.03 lbs Roma Tomatoes @ $0.99/lb – $1.02
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
1 Kroger Shredded Cheese (16 oz) – $2.99 (Dillons consistently has the Kroger brand of cheese cheaper than I can get it at our local Aldi which is why I almost always buy cheese at Dillons.)
1 Kroger Value Sugar – $2.07
1 Kroger Flour – $1.64, used $0.40/1 e-coupon – $1.24 after coupon
2 Kroger canned Green Beans – $0.69 each
1 Nature’s Harvest – $2.49, used $0.75/1 printable – $1.74 after coupon
1 Kroger Baking Powder – $1.29
1.14 lbs Pears @ $0.99/lb – $1.13
Items Part of the Mega Sale (Buy 5, Save $5 at checkout):
1 Edy’s Ice Cream – $2.49
2 Kettle Chips – $1.49, used 2 $1/1 printable – $0.49 each after coupons
1 Gillette Shave Gel – $0.99, used $0.75/1 coupon from the 9/8 RedPlum insert – $0.24 after coupon
1 Kraft Italian Dressing – $1.19, used $0.55/1 coupon from the September All You magazine – $0.64 after coupon
Total before sales and coupons: $51.97
Total with tax ($2.34) after sales and coupons: $28.05
Total for all grocery items: $34.93
Oatmeal, Cereal, Toast, Applesauce (We picked a bunch of apples a few weeks ago and canned them so now we have lots of yummy homemade applesauce in our pantry!)
Macaroni & Cheese, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Cheese/Fruit/Veggies, Cheese Quesadillas, Leftovers
Build-Your-Own Haystacks, Cornbread
Italian Chicken Drumsticks, Quick French Bread, Green Beans
French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit
Salad Bar, Biscuits, Steamed Broccoli
Crockpot Chicken & Noodles, Tossed Salad, Pumpkin Bread
Tin Foil Hobo Dinner, Chips
Dinner with friends
Debi emailed in the following tip:
We have two Type 1 diabetics in our home: my husband and now our son.We have insurance, but since my husband is self-employed and diabetic, it’s very expensive.
Our prescriptions are also expensive and I noticed the price kept going up at Walgreens — and they couldn’t explain it. So after years of filling our prescriptions with Walgreens, I have been researching everything.
Someone mentioned Sam’s Club and Costco, so I decided to check into it. We have a Costco membership, but only go maybe one time a month. I never even thought to check into the pharmacy.
Long story short… after several phone calls and checking into it all, we opened a Sam’s Club business membership for $45 per year which we calculated will save about $700 PER YEAR just on one of our prescriptions!
And today, as I was in there getting our prescriptions, I noticed they also carry a product called Zanfel, which is an amazing poison ivy product and it’s $13 cheaper than Walgreens!
I had no idea how much it would save us to switch our pharmacy needs to Sam’s Club Pharmacy, but it’s been so worth it! -Debi
Today’s question is from Michelle:
I have been easing into couponing slowly, but the drugstores have intimidated me. It just seems so much more complex than couponing at other stores. I think I am ready to try one of them. Which drugstore has the best deals? Which is easiest to figure out? -Michelle
Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
Transaction #1
2 Pantene Hair Products – $4.99
1 Pantene Hair Product – $3.99Used Buy One Get One Free coupon from the 9/15 SmartSource insert (took off $4.99)
And used $1/1 printableTotal with tax ($0.64): $7.96, Received $10 Target gift card
Transaction #2
6 Gerber Baby Food – $0.64 each, used 3 $1/2 coupon from the 9/8 RedPlum insert – $0.14 each after coupons
1 Green Giant Baby Carrots – $1.49, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon (Text LUNCHBOX to 827438) – $0.49 after coupon
1 SunSweet Prunes – $1.99, used $1.50/1 printable (no longer available) – $0.49 after coupon
2.23 lbs Bananas @ $0.54/lb – $1.20, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon (Text LUNCHBOX to 827438) – $0.20 after coupon
1 lb Ground Beef – $3.49, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon (Text LUNCHBOX to 827438) – $2.49 after coupon
2 GE Reveal Light Bulbs – $2.79, used 2 $2/1 Target printable AND 2 $1/1 coupon from the 9/15 SmartSource insert – Free after coupons
3 Right Guard Men’s Bodywash – $3.49 (On Sale Buy 2 Get 1 Free), used 3 $1.50/1 coupon from the 9/15 RedPlum insert – $0.83 each after coupons
Total with tax ($1.33): $7.90, Used gift card from Transaction #1
Free after gift card
Total for both transactions before coupons, sales and gift card: $44
Total for both transactions after coupons, sales and gift card: $7.96
Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Danielle
What if I told you that you could walk into Walmart, put $50 worth of groceries in your cart, go through the checkout and not part with one single penny? Would you believe me?
You should, because on June 24 that’s exactly what I did!
A major part of our income comes from my husband’s monthly commissions and the last few months have been lean. After an anemic commission check in May, I was feeling very discouraged. How were we going to have groceries for June?
I logged onto my computer that morning and for the first time I noticed a Walmart gift card option on the side bar of the Swagbucks homepage. I have always cashed in my Swagbucks for Amazon gift cards, but now I had an idea. What if I could earn enough Swagbucks to help supplement our grocery budget using Walmart gift cards?
Here’s what I did every day to earn 5000 Swagbucks in 45 days:
1. Complete Toolbar, Daily Poll, and NOSO first.
2. Do a search.
3. Answer surveys. There were good and bad survey days. Sometimes I could qualify for two or three surveys in one day. Some days I couldn’t qualify for one. After I received my five Swagbucks for failing to qualify for five different surveys, I moved on.
4. Do a search.
5. Complete Special Offers. Just like with surveys, there were good and bad days. I did my very best for that day and then moved on.
6. Do a search.
7. Start SBTV on the computer. While SBTV on my computer played, I would pull up SBTV on my smartphone and start it. Then I would put my phone on the kitchen counter and check in periodically to make sure it was still going.
8. Do a search.
9. Pull up another window on my browser and complete tasks (under the Answer tab on Swagbucks main page.)
10. Do a search… for anything
I had a daily goal of 50 Swagbucks, knowing that the Daily Bonuses would help push me over the goal line. The day we paid for $50 of groceries with free gift cards was wonderful.
It wasn’t easy, but I was able to help supplement our grocery budget, all while keeping up with my homemaking and homeschooling responsibilities.
Danielle is married to her best friend, blessed with three fantastic children, and fulfilling her dream of living in Big Sky Country.
