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Shared Jul 5, 2013 comment

4 Ways We’re Going Green on a Budget

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 5, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jessi emailed in the following recently:

Over the last few months, my family has been working tirelessly in attempts to become more “Green” — which often means higher price tags. Since we’re on a budget and a one-income family we’ve had to learn (through trial and error) ways to live healthier without moving to the poor house.

Here are four ways that we’ve managed to stay within budget while becoming more “Green”:

1. Changing Household Cleaners: we use vinegar and baking soda to clean with. It works wonders on everything! If you can’t stand the smell just add a few drops of essential oils or if you have a lemon hanging around squeeze some juice into the mix.

2. Making Homemade Laundry Detergent: we’ve been able to not only save money by making our own laundry detergent {it’s much easier than you think!} but we’ve also been able to reduce the amount of recycling we have every week.

3. Buying Fewer Processed Foods: we’ve slowly been changing what we buy at the grocery store — cutting out the artificial dyes and slowly bringing less processed food in the house. Don’t get me wrong, we still buy some packaged food but it has to meet these requirements: no artificial dyes, no more than 9 ingredients, and we must be able to pronounce all the ingredients.

4. Eating Organic Produce: We have been slowly working our way down the list Dirty Dozen list. We decided that the first produce that we were going to switch solely to organic were potatoes and carrots. They seem to be the ones at higher risk for pesticides (and it freaks me out that you can’t get a ‘normal’ potato to spud… seriously try it. It will not spud even if it’s completely rotten).

These are just a few of the ways that we have been able to start living greener, healthier lives all while maintaining a budget. It may take you a while to get the hang of change, but it will definitely be worth it in the end!

What are ways that you’ve managed to go green without breaking the bank?

photo source

Shared Jul 5, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s $36 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 5, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Local Health Food Store

1.42 lbs Apples @ $0.99/lb – $1.41

4 Oranges – $0.25 each (I was so excited to see they had their oranges back in stock!)

Total with tax (7.3%): $2.59

Aldi

1 Tortillas – $0.99

1 Butter – $2.39

1 Raisins – $2.79

1 gallon Milk – $1.99

1 Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.29

1 Cucumber – $0.49

1 pint Blueberries – $1.69

Total with tax (7.3%) – $12.57

Dillons

Items part of the Mega Event (Buy 10, Get $5 off instantly):

1 Cheerios – $1.99, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.99 after coupon

1 Multigrain Cheerios – $1.99, used $0.75/1 printable (no longer available) (doubled to $1) – $0.99 after coupon

1 Oatmeal Crisp – $1.99, used $0.75/1 printable (no longer available) (doubled to $1) – $0.99 after coupon (I haven’t seen a deal on this cereal in forever!)

4 Hefty Slider Bags – $0.99, used 2 $1/2 printable – $0.49 each after coupons (I love being able to stock up on things like this!)

1 Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper (12 double rolls) – $5.99, used $3/1 coupon from recent sample mailer – $2.99 after coupon

2 Schick Xtreme3 Razor – $4.49, used Buy One Get One Free coupon from the 6/30 SmartSource insert (took off $6.69) AND $3/1 coupon from the 6/9 SmartSource insert – Free after coupons

Other items:

1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99

1 Tai Pei Frozen Meal – $2.50, used Free coupon from recent promotion – Free after coupon

1 Tostitos Salsa – $3, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

2 Larabar – Marked down to $0.25 each, used $0.50/2 coupon from Dillons mailer – Free after coupon

3 Larabar – Marked down to $0.50 each, used $0.75/3 printable (doubled to $1) – $0.17 each after coupon

1 Lemon – $0.50

0.56 lbs Broccoli @ $0.99/lb – $0.55

1 Kroger Tortilla Chips – $1 (My Mom gave us some of her delicious homemade dip, so I had to get chips. Yum!)

1 Nature’s Harvest Bread – $2, used $0.55/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $1 after coupon

1 Silk Soy Milk (1/2 gallon) – $2.99, used $0.50/1 coupon from Dillons mailer – $1.99 after coupon

1 Almond Breeze Milk (1/2 gallon) – $2.99, used $0.50/1 coupon from Dillons mailer – $1.99 after coupon (I’m still trying to find a good substitute for milk. I thought I’d try Soy milk and this brand of Almond milk this week.)

1 Jello Pudding – Marked down to $1 (I love surprising my hubby with stuff like this!)

1 Organic Eggs (1 dozen) – $2.89

1 Vlasic Farmer’s Garden Pickles – $3.99, used Free printable (no longer available) – Free after coupon

Total before sales and coupons: $77.08

Total with tax (7.3%) after sales and coupons: $21.61
Total for all grocery items: $36.77

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake (for July 4th), Toast, Bananas

Lunches

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Leftovers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Rice, Baked Potatoes

Dinners

I only needed to plan 5 dinners this week as one night we have a work/party event and the other is July 4th. 🙂

Southwestern Rollups, Chips & Dip, Tossed Salad

German Pancake, Eggs, Fruit

CrockPot Black Bean Chicken, 30 Minute Rolls, Steamed Broccoli and Carrots

Homemade Cheese Pizza (I will make a huge batch of dough and make up individual pizza crusts, bake and then freeze them to use over the next few weeks for lunches.), Tossed Salad

BBQ Meatballs, Homemade Bread, Green Beans, Fruit

Shared Jul 4, 2013 comment

2013 Goals: June Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 4, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

If you’re brand-new to goal-setting, be sure to read my post on How to Change Your Life By Setting Goals.

Here’s my list of 25 Goals for 2013 and an update on how I did in June:

Personal Goals

Read through the Bible in a year using this plan. {I’m on track with this so far.}
Run in at least one 5K race.
~~Complete the Couch to 10K program.~~
Memorize Romans 1 and 2 with Jesse. {This has been slow going, but I have the first half of Romans 1 almost all memorized.}
Wake up by 6 a.m. and exercise, shower, and dress by 8 a.m. every day. {Still working on this!}
Read 150 books/ebooks {See my list of 48 books I’m for sure planning to read here — I’ve read 65 books/ebooks so far in 2013, so I’m a little behind, but I’m hoping to catch up this summer. We’ll see!}

Marriage Goals

Read 3 marriage books.
Finish reading through the Psalms together as a couple.
Have overnight stay (sans children) at least every other month. {Done in May.}
Go on at least one date per month. {This didn’t happen in June, but hopefully it will in July!}

Mothering Goals

Continue memorizing together from the Grace and Truth memory book.
~~Ice-skating lessons for all three children during the first quarter of 2013.~~
~~Swimming lessons for all three children during the summer.~~ {We’re gearing up to start our third round of lessons!}
Finish at least 37 read-aloud books. {We’ve finished 22 books so far this year, so we’re on a good track here.}

Ministry/Friendships/Extended Family Goals

Weekly accountability meetings with a friend.
Get together with friends for a playdate or lunch at least once a month. {Done once in June.}
Continue being involved in our local church, couple’s group, and blogging accountability group.
Continue with weekly get-togethers with both sides of our extended family.

Financial Goals

Use a portion of the proceeds from my next book project to fund a well project.
~~Fund our Child Survival Program for 2013.~~ {Done — yay!}
~~Buy a new bedroom set.~~
Invest in another rental property.

Business/Blogging Goals

Release two new ebooks.
~~Attend one speaking conference.~~ {I attended the She Speaks Intensive in January.}
~~Finish and submit the manuscript for my next book.~~

photo credit

Did you set goals for 2013?

If so, tell us how you’re doing in the comments or leave a link to your blog post update below. Let’s encourage one another to live lives of intention and purpose!

Shared Jul 4, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Homemade Snow Cone Syrup

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 4, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Nothing If Not Intentional shows you how to make homemade snow cone syrup.

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 Jul 3, 2013 comment

We Paid Cash: An Anniversary Getaway

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 3, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

A testimony from Victoria who blogs at Snail Pace Transformations

Back in March, it dawned on my husband and I that both our boys would be in church camp for a week at the same time — within two weeks of our wedding anniversary! My daughter told us that she was more than willing to stay with friends for the week if we wanted to getaway just the two of us, and so a special anniversary getaway was born.

The next obstacle was paying for the getaway. We had already put away a small sum for a night out for two for our anniversary but it was not going to be enough to stretch into a 3-night, 4-day event.

I immediately suggested we go camping to keep costs down. At first, my husband was less than thrilled. But he soon warmed up to the idea.

We decided to stay at the Sand Dunes State Park in Indiana, located just a few hours away from us. We booked the spot in advance with some of the original money marked for our anniversary.

With the spot booked, we made an agreement that the rest of the funds for the trip would come from selling things we already owned and no longer needed. Here are some of the things we sold:

First, I listed all the items we wanted to get rid of in an album on Facebook. I sold an iPod to a friend, some children’s clothes to another friend and a no-longer-working (but still in great shape) mower to a friend with a handy husband who was up to a challenge.
I then used a local Facebook buy and sell group to sell a bike and an air conditioner.
Using Craigslist, I sold a plumber’s snake and a reel style mower.

After the sales, we were just a bit short of the amount of money we thought we would need, so I held an Eat From the Pantry Week, and added the grocery money saved to our anniversary trip envelope. This gave us exactly the amount we wanted.

With our cash in hand, we set out on our trip and had a very relaxing time. We rented Redbox movies to watch in our travel trailer together, read side by side for hours, enjoyed bike rides and long hikes. In fact, except for dinners, we didn’t leave the park — which saved us a lot of money.

Both of us arrived home feeling well rested, and my once-reluctant-to-camp husband said he didn’t know camping alone would be so much fun. (Of course, having a travel trailer helps!)

We also came home with $184 left in our Getaway Envelope, which we have agreed to use to take the children camping soon.

Victoria is a homeschooling mom of three who writes at Snail Pace Transformations with the mission of helping moms find the time and money they need to pursue their passions while maintaining harmony in their homes. Her own passions include running, biking and knitting.

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

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Shared Jul 3, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s Target Shopping Trip: $14 worth of groceries for FREE!

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 3, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Target Shopping Trip

0.75 lbs Tomatoes @ $1.39/lb – $1.04, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon – $0.04 after coupon

1.75 lbs Organic Bananas @ $0.72/lb – $1.26, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon – $0.26 after coupon

2 Market Pantry Pasta Sauce – $1.32 each, used $1/2 Target mobile coupon – $0.82 each after coupon

4 Jell-O Pudding @ $1.52 each – On Sale Buy 3 Get 1 Free, used 2 $0.80/2 coupon from the 6/9 SmartSource insert – $0.74 each after coupons

1 Dove Ice Cream Bars – $3.04, used $2/1 printable (no longer available) AND $1/1 Target mobile coupon – $0.04 after coupons

Used $5 gift card from last week’s shopping trip

Total before coupons and gift card: $14.06

Total after coupons and gift card: Free!

See the full list of deals at Target this week.

Shared Jul 3, 2013 comment

Reader testimonial: “I’m so glad we prioritized life insurance!”

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 3, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I was really touched by this email from Jenica and think you will be, too (she gave me permission to share it):

Six weeks ago my husband died in an accident. We were 36 and have three kids under six. I’m a stay-at-home mom and made it my job to cut costs and live frugally.

We lived by the pay cash principle and therefore have no debt but our house. We also had life insurance, term as suggested. Because of our choices I’m able to pay off the house and still stay home with our kids.

I am so glad that we prioritized the life insurance, even though we didn’t have a lot of money. I’m also so glad we lived the financial lifestyle we did.

I just thought this might be something your readers would also be interested in. It is a big relief to not have to worry about finances when I’m dealing with this huge loss. -Jenica

Shared Jul 2, 2013 comment

My Attempt At Making No-Knead Rolls {Ahem}

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

So, I can make some great bread. And usually I don’t have trouble with yeast bread. (Well, except for French Bread!)

But I got adventurous and decided to try making these two different No Knead Make Ahead Dinner Rolls and No Knead Dinner Rolls gluten-free since I only had gluten-free flour on hand. And um, that wasn’t a brilliant idea. 🙂

I’m positive that with regular flour, these rolls would be fantastic… just learn from my mistakes and don’t try experimenting with the flours. 🙂

See some of my favorite tried and true bread recipes here.

Shared Jul 2, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s Walgreen’s Shopping Trip: $18.57 worth of products, for $4.40 out of pocket

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Walgreen’s Shopping Trip

Transaction #1

1 Re-Nu Contact Solution – $7.99
Used $2/1 printable

1 Starbucks Refresher – $1
Used $4 Register Rewards from last week’s transaction

Paid $3.64 out of pocket, Received 5,000 (like $5) Bonus Reward points (for buying Re-Nu), $1 Register Rewards (for buying Starbucks Refresher) and $1/2 Starbucks Refresher catalina

Transaction #2

2 Simply Lemonade – $1.99 each
Used 2 $0.75/1 printable
And 2 $0.50/1 Walgreens coupon from the July Coupon Booklet

2 Starbucks Refresher – $1 each
Used $1/2 catalina from Transaction #1

1 Buy 1 GUM Toothbrushes – $2.49
Used $1/1 coupon from the 5/19 SmartSource insert

1 Penway Folder – Marked down to $0.37 (filler item)

1 Spot On Energy – Marked down to $0.74 (I bought this so my total would be high enough to redeem 5,000 points. I will just give it away.)

Redeemed 5,000 Bonus Reward points (like $5)

Paid $0.76 out of pocket, Received $2.50 Register Rewards (for buying GUM toothbrush) and $1 Register Rewards (for buying Starbucks Refresher)

Total before coupons, Register Rewards and Bonus points for both transactions: $18.57

Total with tax (7.3% pre-coupons) after coupons, Register Rewards and Bonus points: $4.40 plus $4.50 Register Rewards leftover

Shared Jul 2, 2013 comment

“I Stayed Out of Debt in College By Living in My Van (for real!)”

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Victoria from Snail Pace Transformations emailed me this story yesterday about a guy who stayed out of debt during college by living in his van. It definitely ranks up there as one of the more creative and original ways to pay cash for college.

Here’s a snippet of the story:

On the first night I tried to sleep in my van, I was lying in my sleeping bag sprawled out on the backseat, parked in a mostly empty Walmart parking lot. I’d wake up every 15 minutes because I was nervous that the security guard driving past my van would knock on my door and make me leave.

My new home had 60 square feet and four wheels. While most people would consider living in a van an embarrassment, a low point, or even a “rock bottom,” it would — though I didn’t realize it then — turn out to be the greatest financial decision I’d ever made.

No one would end up waking me up in the Walmart lot, and, over the next two years, almost all of my other fears would prove to be entirely unfounded.

Debt-free; Dirt Poor

In January 2009, when I’d decided to move into the van, I was nearly broke. I had just $4,000 in the bank and no possessions other than a laptop, camera, cellphone and a suitcase full of clothes and a backpack full of camping gear.

I had next to nothing because I’d just finished paying off my $32,000 undergraduate school debt. Still, after two-and-a-half years of working, I wanted nothing more than to go back to school and get my master’s degree in liberal studies at Duke University. But how could I afford tuition and not go back into debt?

My answer: a $1,500 ’94 Ford Econoline.

I’d cook in it, sleep in it, study in it, and live in it. I’d do whatever it would take not to go into debt again.

Read the full story and details on how much he saved here.

What do you think? Is this a creative and amazing? Or just plain ridiculous? Would you consider something like this in order to save money? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

Click here to download!

Shared Jul 2, 2013 comment

Swagbucks Paid for our Google Nexus Tablet

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Laura:

I’m a stay-at-home mom to three precious, busy boys under age five. My husband works hard to provide financially for our family. He does not buy things for himself very often, so I really wanted to surprise him with something special last Christmas.

I knew that he would love to have a tablet, but there was no room for such a large purchase in our gift budget. I could not do any work outside of the home while caring for our boys, so I had to get creative.

I’ve enjoyed using Swagbucks for several years, but I normally just earned a small gift card every month for using the search engine and occasionally entering codes. My brother started using Swagbucks surveys, and he was raving about the ability to earn lots of extra Swagbucks through the program. Several months before Christmas, I decided to give it a try.

I completed surveys during naptime or while my husband and I were relaxing and watching television in the evenings. I chose to cash out my Swagbucks for Paypal deposits, and by Christmas, I had earned enough to purchase a 32 GB Google Nexus tablet from eBay!

My husband was completely surprised and thrilled with his gift. He is now active on Swagbucks, too, and he uses his tablet to complete surveys and earn extra gift cards and Paypal cash for our family.

Have you saved up and purchased something using your Swagbucks? If so, you could get a $50 gift card just for sharing your Swagbucks success stories with MoneySavingMom.com readers!

Note: Last month’s Swagbucks gift card winner was mdschlote — congratulations! You’ll be receiving your gift card from Swagbucks today.

Shared Jul 2, 2013 comment

Reader Tip: How to Get Your Kids to Eat Broccoli Stalks

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

A reader emailed me a few days ago with this pretty creative tip:

I wanted to share my money saving tip! My kids like to bite the tops off the broccoli and leave the rest. I got tired of WASTING the stems, so I peel them and use them for dips now.

Once you peel the skin off, they are surprisingly tender! The kids go nuts for them! -a reader

Shared Jul 2, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: 4th of July Table Lanterns

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

CreativeGreenLiving.com shows you how to make homemade table lanterns.

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 Jul 1, 2013 comment

This Week’s Menu {and 5 new recipes from Pinterest I’m planning to try this week!}

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 1, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Last week, I told you I was going to experiment with five new Pinterest recipes. I already shared my major success with the Best Ever Chocolate Oatmeal Bars. And I didn’t get a chance to make the Homemade Bath Bombs yet — hopefully this week!

I also made the three other recipes and can’t wait to tell you more how the Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup, No Knead Make Ahead Dinner Rolls, and the No Knead Dinner Rolls turned out. Let’s just say that there was one big success and two pretty severe failures. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to post pictures and details tomorrow afternoon.

But for tonight, here’s this week’s menu, plus some more Pinterest recipes I’m planning to try:

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Cereal, Eggs, Peanut Butter Toast, and/or Fruit

Lunches

Mac & cheese, fruit
Snack-y lunch
PB&J, carrot sticks, apples
Cheese quesadillas, carrot sticks
Leftovers x 3

Snacks

Fruit/veggies
Popcorn
Chocolate Chip Monkey Muffins
30 Minute Homemade Pretzels
Boiled eggs

Pinterest Recipes to Try (I’ll report on how these work!)

Homemade Bath Bombs (not exactly a “recipe” since these aren’t edible, but a DIY project I’m hoping to try this week!)
Double Chocolate Muffins
Vegan Coconut Oil Banana Muffins
Chocolate Chip Monkey Muffins
30 Minute Homemade Pretzels

Dinners

Build Your Own Haystacks
Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit
Simple Vegetable Frittata, fruit salad, Vegan Coconut Oil Banana Muffins
Fourth of July Celebration (I’m bringing something, but haven’t decided what yet. If you have a great suggestion of an amazing July 4th themed dish, I’ll take all the inspiration I can get!)
Meatballs, steamed veggies, grapefruit, Chocolate Chip Monkey Muffins
Dinner out
Dinner with extended family x 2

What’s on your menu this week? Tell us in the comments or leave a link to your menu plan post.

Shared Jul 1, 2013 comment

8 Goals For This Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on July 1, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Last week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read three chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to the children. Read three chapters of Number the Stars with Kathrynne, read three chapters of A Nest for Celeste with Kaitlynn, read a few picture books with Silas.

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

Personal Goals

~~3. Review Romans 1:1-16.~~

4. Exercise six times. Run 12 miles. (I did exercise 6 different days, but most of those were really short sessions on the treadmill so I only ended up totaling 8 miles this past week.)

5. Finish The Charge, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The Resolution for Women, Hidden Places, and I Still Believe. (I’ve been reading a little out of a few books almost every single day, but I didn’t actually finish any books this week. Oh well, hopefully this next week!)

~~6. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.~~

Homemaking Goals

~~7. Work for 30 minutes on my embroidery project.~~

Business Goals

~~8. Finish making the edits to the recipes for the new recipes page.~~ (Yay! I finally got this done!! I’ll be rolling out the new page design as soon as my designer gets it up and running!)

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read three chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to the children. Read three chapters of Number the Stars with Kathrynne, read five chapters of A Nest for Celeste with Kaitlynn, read a few picture books with Silas.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

3. Spend intentional time just playing and having fun with the kids everyday.

Personal Goals

4. Work on memorizing & reviewing Romans 1:1-17.

5. Exercise six times. Run 10 miles total.

6. Finish The Charge, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The Resolution for Women, Hidden Places, and I Still Believe. {Hopefully I’ll finish at least one book this next week!}

7. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

Homemaking Goals

8. Work for 30 minutes on my embroidery project.

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.

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

FREE Summer Bucket List!!

Local Health Food Store

Aldi

Dillons