“The most guaranteed way to live a miserable life is to try and please everyone.”
{Artistic lettering done by my wonderful and creative assistant, Erika.}
2hr Cleaning Checklist
Classic View
Grid View
6 Things That Will Help You Have a More Positive Attitude
I really admire your commitment to a positive attitude that I see comes through in your blog. Cultivating a positive attitude is something I’m currently working on, as I’ve recently seen how destructive my negative thoughts and attitudes have been in my goal-setting attempts in the past. I’ve also become aware of how clearly a negative attitude does not line up with my Christian faith.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how to develop a positive attitude, especially for someone who is working to transform poor habits that perpetuate a negative attitude. Thanks for all you do and the inspiration you provide! -Anna
Hi, Anna!
First off, I need to set the record straight. I don’t always have a positive attitude. In fact, there are definitely some days “positive” would probably be the last thing my husband would describe me as. 🙂
However, I do try to focus on the positive and keep an upbeat attitude about life. Because truly, life is so much more enjoyable when you look at the bright side, anyway!
1) Abide in Christ
As a Christian, I have a deep contentment that comes from my relationship with Christ. He gives me strength and joy in the midst of whatever circumstances I’m facing.
Beginning my day reading Scripture and meditating on God’s goodness really helps me to have Him as my focal point. I also am constantly praying throughout the day as I need wisdom, direction, guidance, and peace.
2) Bloom Where You Are Planted
We can’t always change our circumstances, but we can always change our attitude. Choose to make the most of wherever you find yourself. Embrace the moments. Live with zest. Find joy in the little things.
For more ideas, read my article on 16 Ways to Become More Content.
3) Surround Yourself With Positive People
Joy is infectious and contagious. Find some upbeat friends and people to spend time with on a regular basis and I can almost guarantee that their attitude will rub off on you.
4) Choose Gratitude
There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Challenge yourself to find three things to be thankful for
Last week, when I was on day four of being in bed with the flu, I was really starting to feel discouraged. It’s hard for me to be sick, especially since I love to be busy doing… and I also knew I had a trip coming up at the end of the week that I needed to be well for.
As I was lying there in bed feeling really tempted to feel sorry for myself, I decided to choose gratitude instead. I made myself start listing off everything I could think of to be grateful for.
You know what? Within minutes — literally! — I had a whole change of perspective. Yes, maybe I still felt feverish and achy, but I realized that I had so much to be thankful for — a warm house, a comfortable bed, food to eat, pain relievers I could take, friends and family who care so much about me… and on and on the list went.
5) Laugh Often
Almost all of us need to lighten up more about life. Find the funny and silly and goofy and comical in the everyday and laugh about it. Call your husband at work to tell him that hilarious thing your child did or said. Share a funny photo you find with a friend. Or gather around the laptop and watch funny movies on YouTube before you head to bed at night.
Laughter is good for the soul.
6) Live a Life With Outstretched Arms
You know one quick way to help change your attitude, especially if you’re feeling down? Do something for someone else.
When you take the focus off of yourself and start reaching out to other people, all of a sudden you’ll forget about your problems and worries. And you’ll probably find you have a lot more joy and fulfillment, too!
What about the rest of you? What helps you to have a more positive attitude and outlook on life?
Shared Jan 16, 2013
comment
Pinterest Experiments: Two-Ingredient Bread & Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
Pinterest Experiments: Two-Ingredient Bread & Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
I find a lot of great ideas on Pinterest… but pinning something doesn’t do anything unless I actually, you know, try the idea. So I thought it’d be fun to challenge myself to do at least one Pinterest experiment every week — and blog my results.
I can’t promise that I’ll always have a Pinterest Experiment post up each week, because you know how I sometimes get distracted or on blog tangents. But I’m at least going to try. By the way, you can follow my Pinterest account here, if you’re interested.
So, I guess you could say I have a thing for carbs… or at least it certainly seems like it since that’s what I’m usually pinning on my Recipes I Want to Try Board.
This week, I tried two recipe ideas I found on Pinterest and, believe it or not, both were successful. Yes, I know, that just might be a first! 🙂
I was intrigued by this Two-Ingredient Bread and just had to try it out. {Yes, I used pineapple yogurt. That’s what I had, so I figured it was worth a shot. Surprisingly, you couldn’t even taste the pineapple in the finished dough!}
While I wouldn’t say that it’s easier than my Bread Machine Bread recipe since it requires kneading, it was quite simple and it worked. I ended up using it as a pizza crust, since I had some extra cheese from the dinner I was making that night.
And I made the Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread yesterday. It was easy and so yummy. My family raved about it and the loaf didn’t last long at all. 🙂
Want to see what ideas I’m thinking of trying next? Check out my Recipes I Want to Try board and my Do It Yourself board for things I’m considering trying next.
Have you tried any ideas or recipes you’ve found on Pinterest this week? If so, how did they turn out for you?
We Paid Cash: A Family Vacation to SeaWorld
A testimony from Nancy who blogs at Saving for a Dream
When I quit my job to become a stay-at-home-mom (over three years ago) we knew money would be tight. We had to make a lot of changes to our budget and our spending habits.
One thing we did not want to sacrifice, though, was our annual family vacation. I have great memories of family trips when I was a kid, and I wanted my kids to be able to have similar experiences. Through careful budgeting and a ridiculously low monthly entertainment budget, we are able to set aside money for an annual vacation.
For a few years now, we’ve wanted to take our kids to San Antonio to visit the River Walk, SeaWorld, and a few other attractions. We are within 6 hours driving distance from San Antonio, so it sounded doable. But we had already gone on our big vacation this year, and every time I added up the expenses of making a separate trip to San Antonio, the costs started adding up to another “big” vacation.
As Thanksgiving approached and we prepared to visit family who live just two hours outside of San Antonio, we got the idea to do a quick stop-over in San Antonio since we would be closer. My mom also gave me money to spend on the kids’ Christmas presents since she is unable to shop for them, and I asked her if she minded if I spent part of her money on SeaWorld tickets for the kids. Grandma thought that was a great idea!
We drove to San Antonio on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and spent a night on the River Walk and a full day at SeaWorld. The weather was cool, the crowds were light, and the kids had a blast!
Here is a recap of all the ways we saved money on our mini-trip:
- We combined our trip to San Antonio with our annual Thanksgiving trip to visit family in a town 2 hours away from San Antonio instead of making a separate trip at a different time. Gas savings: $60
- We used hotel points accumulated through my husband’s travel for work. Savings for two nights at our hotel: $200
- We made sure to book a hotel with a free breakfast. Savings: $40
- We bought SeaWorld tickets and parking pass online at a discount. Savings: $41
- We brought a cooler of food with us in our car and ate two meals on the road and in our hotel. Savings: $50
- We brought our own water bottles and snacks into SeaWorld. Savings: $30
Total savings: $421
By saving money on the above things, we were able to pay cash for our trip expenses and enjoy ourselves without going into debt!
Nancy is a stay-at-home-mom of 3 kids in McKinney, Texas. You can read more about her trip to San Antonio on her blog, Saving for a Dream.
Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.
Shared Jan 16, 2013
comment
Postage going up on January 27: Now’s the time to buy Forever Stamps!
Postage going up on January 27: Now’s the time to buy Forever Stamps!
Just a quick reminder that postage is going up by a penny for first-class mail on January 27, 2013. So instead of paying $0.45 per piece of mail, you’ll pay $0.46.
Now’s a great time to invest in Forever Stamps as they currently only cost $0.45 (until January 27, 2013), but they allow you to mail letters to anywhere in the U.S. indefinitely, no matter how much the price of a stamp increases.
Find more details here.
Tip: you can often get Forever Stamps for a few cents less per stamp by purchasing them on eBay.
Thanks, Rachel!
Shared Jan 16, 2013
comment
Ask The Readers: What is an average clothing budget per person?
Ask The Readers: What is an average clothing budget per person?
Today’s question is from Stephanie:
I am curious what an “average” clothing budget might be per person. Is there a figure of how much one should allot for clothing on a per-person basis? For example, I have a figure for food ($40/per person/per week) but what about clothes?
Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
When the going gets tough… don’t give up!
Q&A: Do you think multi-tasking is productive?
I’ve been reading your book, 21 Day to a More Disciplined Life, and am loving it! It’s full of great advice for anyone looking to make more of their time. As I’m reading Day 12 I wondered if you had any thoughts about 100% focus vs. multi-tasking.
This chapter focuses on 100% focus, without distractions and I can see how distractions can be death to a goal. On the other hand, as a busy mom, I find that multi-tasking is important and even necessary at times. Do you have any thoughts as to when to multi-task and when to focus? -Rebecca
Great question! I’m a big believer in focused intensity when it comes to comes to many projects.
In fact, I was participating in the BEECH Retreat weekly Thursday night Twitter chat last week when the question came up: “Have you ever sat down to write a blog post & got distracted by social media or email?”
My response? Yes. However, I usually make myself shut down distractions while blogging — otherwise I’ll never get posts written!
If you want to get anything worthwhile done in life, you’ve got to have FOCUS. And I like to take that one step further and make it focused intensity.
What Is Focused Intensity?
Focused Intensity is zeroing in on one specific project and giving it your entire concentration and energy for a determined length of time. I like to set a time limit on it and then challenge myself to see how much I can get done in that timeframe.
For instance, if I’m working on writing a blog post, an article, or a chapter in my next book, I’ll usually shut everything down on my computer, shut my office door, set the timer for 10 or 15 minutes, and work as hard as I can until the timer goes off.
When I work with this kind of focused intensity, I can get a lot done in a short amount of time. Whereas, if I’m all scattered all over the place — trying to write a post while checking and answering emails, keeping up with what’s going on on my Facebook Page, and refreshing my comments page, it will take me a very long time to get any writing done — and I probably won’t do a great job of it.
When Should You Work With Focused Intensity?
Everyone is different, but I’ve found that I cannot write well when there are a dozen distractions going on at once. I also find that I’m not able to think and process ideas and post outlines well if I’m constantly interrupted.
I’ve found it typically takes me three to five times longer to finish a post or writing project when I’m constantly interrupted than it does when I can work with focused intensity. So writing is one area where I always choose times of day when I know I can work with minimal interruptions (during the early morning hours, during afternoon quiet times, or on Saturdays.).
Are There Times When It’s Good to Multi-Task?
There are many, many other things I do that don’t require that same level of focus that writing does. And I’m all about multi-tasking if the end result means greater productivity.
I read while I do my walking warm-up and cool-down on the treadmill. I knit while I’m watching a movie with the family. I scrub my kitchen floor while I talk on the phone. Or, I put bread in the bread machine to mix while I’m chatting with a friend who is over.
There’s no point in just doing one thing, when you can as easily do two things well. I intentionally plan ahead for these opportunities — often even writing them on my daily to-do list. If I know I’m going to be heading to an appointment, I’ll make a note to bring a certain book or writing project, depending upon the appointment. If I know that we’re going to be having a family movie night or I’m having a friend over, I’ll make a note to make sure and get out my knitting or other handwork project.
By planning ahead like this, I’m able to use the time more productively, and in turn, I’m able to chip away at my weekly goal list — all while multi-tasking. So before I know it, projects are getting done without me putting a whole lot of extra effort into them.
That said, make sure when you are multi-tasking that you are actually being more productive. Sometimes, in trying to multi-task, you end up getting less done and just making a mess of multiple things.
What about the rest of you? Do you find that there are certain things you have to focus on without interruption to be productive? What are your favorite ways to multi-task that truly work?
Reader tip: Aldi is testing a new line of organic products!
Erin from The Humbled Homemaker emailed in and said:
Most Aldi stores have now released a temporary organic line to test whether there is a demand for these items! I was excited to see this announcement in their weekly flier.
I visited the store on Saturday and sure enough, our Aldi currently had raw milk organic cheese, organic string cheese, organic yogurt, organic frozen berries, organic canned tomatoes, organic jarred pasta sauce, and more! I always shop at Aldi first because their prices are so good. If they keep the organic line, I will be shopping there even more!
I am hoping that if enough people shop while they are testing the line or write to request that they keep it that Aldi will decide to keep it around–and expand on it! Please encourage people to write to Aldi on their Facebook page or email them through their contact form and ask that they continue offering this line of organic products. -Erin
Reader Tip: Free Christian Books for Bloggers
Lindsey emailed in the following tip:
Did you know that there are many Christian publishers who offer free books to bloggers in exchange for a review on the book? I have personally done this and gotten countless children’s books and DVDs, marriage books, cookbooks, devotions, and Bibles from well-known authors such as Mark Driscoll, Max Lucado, Randy Alcorn, Joshua Harris, and countless others.
The companies that I use are:
I think that last year, we received well over $1,000 worth of books completely free. The companies pay for the shipping to your home and you get to keep the book! Some of them I love and end up keeping, but with most of the books, I end up donating to a church library and passing on a good read to someone else or giving them as a special gift to someone who I know will enjoy them.
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
Shared Jan 14, 2013
comment
52 Ways to Save at Least $100 This Year: Make Your Own Coffee at Home (Week #2)
52 Ways to Save at Least $100 This Year: Make Your Own Coffee at Home (Week #2)
Every Monday 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.
Make Your Own Coffee at Home (Week #2)
This week’s way to save $100 per year is a no-brainer for many of you. In fact, some of you probably haven’t seen the inside of a coffeeshop in years.
But I have a pretty good idea that a number of you are regularly frequenting your local coffeeshop — and it’s probably making a fairly big dent in your wallet.
Relax! You Don’t Have to Give Up the Coffeeshop Habit Completely!
Don’t worry! I’m not going to say that you can’t ever step foot in a coffeeshop. I think it can be a fun treat on occasion, but you’ll save a whole lot of money if you can learn to make the stops at the coffeeshop an occasional treat rather than an almost-daily habit.
How Much Can You Save By Making Coffee At Home?
The Simple Dollar estimates that the cost of a 16-oz. brewed at home cup of coffee will cost you no more than $0.50 to $0.60 each, including the cost of energy, cream, sugar, etc. When I calculated it myself, I was coming up with the same costs for high-quality coffee. If you get a good deal on the coffee beans, your savings is going to be even higher.
So, if you’re typically paying $1.50 per cup of coffee, that’s a savings of around $1 per cup five times per week — or $20 per month or $240 per year. If you typically pay $4 for a fancy cup, you’re saving at least $17.50 per week, $70 per month, or $840 per year! Crazy, eh?
How to Make a Fantastic Cup of Coffee at Home
After lots of practice, I’ve learned how to make coffee at home just exactly how Jesse and I love it. In fact, we both agree that I can brew a better cup of coffee than any coffee shop we’ve visited.
Here are some of my tips:
1. Invest in Good Coffee Beans
I personally love Starbucks Breakfast Blend, Starbucks Pike Roast, or Avodah Mocha Java. Experiment and try different blends and kinds until you find one you love. Or, just purchase what you typically drink at your local coffeeshop.
It’s probably going to cost quite a bit more than some off-brand at the grocery store, but it’s worth the extra cost if it means you’ll actually make coffee at home!
2. Grind Your Beans Fresh and Coarse
There is a huge difference in taste and freshness when you grind your own beans. And coffee bean grinders are very inexpensive to purchase (you can pick one up on Amazon for around $20) and so worth it.
3. Use a French Press
The French Press makes coffee much more flavorful. It’s totally worth the investment (you can pick one up at Target or Walmart for around $20 to $30) — especially compared to a regular coffeemaker.
However, don’t go invest in a coffee bean grinder and French Press unless you are sure you will actually use them on a very regular basis. Consider borrowing these items from a friend, if you know someone who has these on hand and isn’t using them. Or, you might check your local thrift stores.
4. Use a Coffee Cup You Love
I know it’s a little silly, but I find it’s so much more enjoyable to enjoy a good cup of coffee when you are drinking it from a cup you love. So reward yourself for two weeks of drinking coffee from home by purchasing yourself a coffee cup you love. (By the way, if you’re looking for a good to-go cup, we love the Copco cups.)
Coffee Recipes: How to Make Your Own Homemade Latte Without an Espresso Machine and Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
Do you make coffee at home? If so, what tricks and tips do you have for making a really amazing cup of coffee?
This week’s menu
No-Flour Banana Muffins from last week’s Freezer Cooking in an Hour session
Breakfasts
Oatmeal, Cereal, Eggs, and/or Fruit
Lunches
Mac & Cheese, fruit
Chicken Noodle Soup, crackers, veggies
Snack-y lunch
Cheese quesadillas, carrot sticks
Leftovers x 2
Ham & Cheese swirls, fruitSnacks
Fruit/veggies
Popcorn
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip MuffinsFreezer Cooking in an Hour (stay tuned on Thursday when I’ll share a play-by-play on how this goes!)
Homemade Freezer Biscuits
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
Twice Baked Taco PotatoesDinners
Oven Baked Tacos, fruit, veggies
Chicken Noodle Soup, Pull Apart Bread Machine Bread, fruit/veggies
Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas, fruit
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup, fruit, veggies,
Chili Tortilla Bake, fruit
Twice Baked Taco Potatoes, green salad, broccoli, fruit
Dinner out
What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.
Registration is open for the FREE (in)RealLife meet-up
The internet is a wonderful place to find all sorts of fascinating, uplifting, and educational stuff. I’ve been blessed beyond words by the things I’ve read online and by the people I’ve met online.
But while online relationships can be great, face-to-face friendships are so important. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that they are vital and necessary to living a thriving and rich life. Talking through a computer screen is just never the same as sitting down over a cup of coffee with someone.
And that’s why I’m thrilled that one of my favorite sites is hosting their second annual meet-up. I attended this last year and was so blessed — and I’m excited they are doing it again!
Instead of having to pay airfare and hotel and conference fees, instead of having to figure out how to work out the logistics of leaving your family behind, and instead of having to worry about packing your bags, you can save your money, stay home, and enjoy a fun meet-up in your local area with other women who are craving deep, rich, close friendships and local community.
Details About the (in)RL Event:
What’s it called: (in)RL {short for “IRL” or “in real life”}
When is it: A couple hours each on Friday & Saturday April 26 & 27, 2013.
What’s it about: Creating a catalyst for women to connect in real life, right where they are.
Why’s it special: It’s the un-conference that comes to your doorstep; just meet up with girl friends and tune in to our online webcast.
Who’s it for: Last year we explored the nitty gritty of community. This year we’re taking a closer look at what it takes to stay rooted in community when sometimes just walking away would be so much easier and tons more convenient. Women share stories of how they’ve chosen to stay through hard marriages, challenging parenting, worthwhile friendships. How choosing to stay has freed them more fully and unexpectedly than if they’d cut and run.
Find more details here.
Want to participate in this exciting event happening in cities and towns all around the world? Visit the (in)RL website for more details and find a meet-up in your local area (or sign-up to host one).
5 Ways to Afford Music Lessons
Guest post from Jamie of From His Presence
You’ve probably heard that playing a musical instrument can do wonders for your child’s education. It’s true, music builds math and reading skills, confidence, and self-discipline; it provides an avenue for your child to make friends with other musicians and it can open doors for college scholarships.
However, music lessons can cost $60-$100 or more each month, and that can be tough on a family’s budget. Here are 5 practical ways afford music lessons, even when money is tight:
1. Group lessons
Stringed instruments in particular (violin, viola, cello, upright bass) are well-suited for group lessons. Popular string method books for beginners contain exercises that all the instruments can play together, so nobody gets bored.
Group lessons are more fun than playing alone, and playing music with others helps a new string player train his ear to hear correct pitch. Combining funds with other parents to pay for one weekly group lesson is a frugal way to grow young musicians.
2. Outreach programs through The Salvation Army (SA)
The SA is renowned for its ability to train musicians—particularly brass players. The SA community center in my city offers an after-school music program to low-income and high-risk students. Students learn brass, guitar, percussion, and piano.
Not every SA chapter offers music programs, but if yours does and you meet the requirements, you’re not likely to find better instructors anywhere. (Note: I am not affiliated with the SA.)
3. Music instruction programs at city-owned recreation centers
Check with your local government to see if the city recreation centers offer music/arts programs. If they do, these programs will usually be affordable or even free. Common programs include drum/percussion instruction, dance instruction, etc.
4. Music outreach non-profits
The Joy of Music School in Knoxville, Tennessee, offers free music lessons to disadvantaged youth. If you have a similar school in your area, you’re likely to find excellent teachers and help obtaining an instrument there.
5. Local churches with mentoring programs
I play in the orchestra at my church, and we have players of all instruments — drums, guitars, bass, strings, brass, woodwinds, and keys — who are ready and willing to mentor.
If you are involved in a local church, ask your worship pastor if he knows any church musicians who would mentor your child. Even if there is no formal program, you still may find someone who is willing to help. Some churches also will have instruments that you child may be able to borrow.
If your child wants to play an instrument, don’t despair! Try one or more of these options and keep your ears open. You may find music lessons are easier to arrange than you dreamed. (Then, you will just have to put up with the noise of practice!)
Do you have any other ideas for how to find affordable music lessons? Leave a comment so everyone can benefit!
Jamie Rohrbaugh is a wife, financial analyst, blogger, musician, and unlikely worship leader from Chattanooga, Tennessee. She plays piano, viola, percussion, and the Amazon Cloud Player. She blogs at From His Presence about how to live ordinary life in God’s manifest presence.
10 Goals for This Week
I’ve been working on not procrastinating and getting things done early — and I’ve been amazed at how this has increased my productivity, enabled me to do a better job on chipping away at my goals, and has given me more margin time. I know I should already know this by now, but I’m still surprised — and delighted! 🙂
Here’s my list of goals for last week:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Play a game with the girls.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Weekend trip with Jesse for our 10 year anniversary!Personal Goals
4. Memorize Romans 1:1-4.
5. Extra rest and liquids to help me recover from the flu.
6. Finish reading For the Children’s Sake, Lead Your Family Like Jesus, A Woman’s Place: A Noveland 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now.
Homemaking Goals
7. Do the Freezer Cooking in an Hour session.
8. Finish 25 rows of the scarf for Kathrynne (I finish Kaitlynn’s scarf a few weeks ago and am now working on a matching scarf for Kathrynne.)Business Goals
9. Work on the second round of edits for chapters 4, 5, and 6 of my next book.
10. Finish two guest posts for other sites.
Here’s my list of goals for this week:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Read five chapters of Vinegar Boy: Encounter Christ Through the Dramatic Story of Vinegar Boy
2. Play at least one game of Scrabble together as a family.
Personal Goals
3. Memorize Romans 1:5-6.
4. Finish writing all Christmas thank yous.
5. Exercise 5 times.
6. Finish reading You Can Raise a Well-Mannered Child, The Shelter of God’s Promises, The Duck Commander Family, and The Good Life for Less.
Homemaking Goals
7. Do a Freezer Cooking in an Hour session.
8. Finish 30 rows of the scarf for Kathrynne.
Business Goals
9. Work on the second round of edits for three chapters of my next book.
10. Finish two guest posts for other sites.
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.