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Shared Apr 11, 2013 comment

30 Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #11 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 11, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

I have another very embarrassing batch of pictures to show you tonight. Honestly, I considered sprucing the drawers up a little before posting them here. But then I reminded myself that I really want to keep it real.

So you just get to see all my unedited mess in all its ugly glory. And you have my permission to be astonished at how disorganized some parts of my house are. 🙂

Drawer #1

Drawer #2

Drawer #3 (Clearly, the labeling of the drawer contents ain’t working out too well for us!)

There was all sorts of icky gunk to wipe out of the drawers. Yuck!

Cleaned Drawer #1

Cleaned Drawer #2

Cleaned Drawer #3

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

Shared Apr 11, 2013 comment

52 Different Ways to Save at Least $100 Per Year: Ask for a Discount {Week 14}

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 11, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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.

A very simple way to cut your bill is to get comfortable and experienced with asking for a discount. My philosophy is that you never want to short-change someone, but it never hurts to politely ask. The worst they can say is “no”. 🙂

Here are three ways you can often get a discount just for asking:

1. Ask for a Discount If You Buy In Bulk

If you buy a lot of a particular item, you can often get a discount if you buy in bulk. If you’re going to be using a lot of something over the next four months and you can freeze or store it for an extended time period, see what kind of discount you can get if you buy enough to last you for three to six months.

For instance, if you go through a lot of organic butter, ask the health food store you typically purchase them from if they could give you a discount if you purchased a case of butter. If they say “yes”, buy the case and store it in the freezer to use as needed.

My dad did this when we were building our house when I was growing up. He went to the local lumber stores and told them he was going to be buying a lot of supplies for building our house and what kind of discount could they give him if would buy all of the items from their store. If I’m remembering correctly, one store almost immediately offered him 15% off everything he purchased from them over the next six months. That simple step of asking saved us thousands of dollars!

2. Ask for a Discount on Almost-Expired Groceries

Many stores are happy to give you a discount on almost-expiring groceries. All you have to do is ask.

One of my friends discovered that her local grocery store will give her $1-2 off each gallon of milk if it’s within 3-5 days of its expiration date. So when she shops, she looks at all the expiration dates, finds some milk that’s going to expire within 3-5 days, and asks them to mark it down. (By the way, you can freeze almost-expired milk to use in baking.)

One time, I found some bananas that were past their prime at Aldi. I went and asked if they’d give me a discount on them. They did better than that; they said I could have them for free!

3. Ask for a Discount on Memberships and Monthly Bills

If you have a membership to a local gym or other club and it’s something that you are regularly using (if you’re not regularly using it, cancel it today, okay? There’s no use in paying for something you’re not using!), ask them if they have an discount opportunities. If you volunteer once a month or help with a certain project, you might be able to get a sizable discount.

When it comes to your monthly bills, always call and try to re-negotiate fixed rate bills at least once per year. Things like internet and phone packages are often negotiable — and we’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years by asking annually if they have a better rate they can give us.

So take the time to make that simple phone call. Schedule it on your calendar or just go do it right now. It could result in savings of $100+ per year — just for taking the time to ask!

Have you asked for a discount on something before? If so, tell us about your experience(s).

photo credit

Shared Apr 11, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Homemade Paper-Bag Kite

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 11, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

FreeHomeSchoolDeals.com shows you how to make a homemade paper-bag kite.

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 Apr 11, 2013 comment

30 Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #11

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 11, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

April 11, 2013 Project

Your project for today is to clean your bathroom(s).

You can follow this list, if you find it helpful:

Set the timer for 20 minutes and put toilet cleaner in each of the toilet bowls and let it soak.

Remove any items that don’t belong in the bathroom, put away items that need to be put away in the bathroom, empty the trash.

Spray and wipe down the sink and tub.

Finish swishing and cleaning the toilet.

Shake the rugs outside (or throw them in the laundry) and mop or vacuum the floors.

Wipe down the outside of the cupboards and clean the mirror.

You’re done!

Or, you can choose a particular area in your bathroom(s) to work on. I’m planning to tackle my bathroom drawers. Because they need some serious help!

Then, come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll show you pictures of my cleaning accomplishments for today and have a linky so you can link up yours, too!

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on the daily check-ins. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

photo credit

This homemade tub and tile cleaner is SO easy to make, smells wonderfully, and works GREAT!

Shared Apr 10, 2013 comment

Homemade Tub & Tile Cleaner

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 10, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I was so, so happy with how this recipe from my friend Ruth (from Living Well, Spending Less) turned out.

It smells wonderfully. It is easy to make. And it works really well.

Just be sure that you mix it up in a larger bowl. You would think I would have learned my lesson about baking soda and vinegar! 🙂

I realized after mixing it up that I don’t have a funnel.

So I improvised and used my tea pot instead. Hey, it was a little non-conventional, but it worked!

And then I used the spilled cleaner to scrub my clean off my kitchen table.

Homemade Tub & Tile Cleaner

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Tablespoons salt
3 Tablespoons dishwashing liquid
1/2 cup vinegar
10 drops essential oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour into a plastic container with a lid. You can use a spray bottle (that’s what I had), but since the mixture is thicker, I couldn’t get it to spray out of my cheap spray bottle.

To use: Shake and pour a small amount onto a rag or directly onto the area you are cleaning. Scrub and then rinse with water and wet rag.

Recipe from Living Well, Spending Less

See more homemade cleaner recipe ideas I’ve tried here.

Head on over to Ruth’s blog to see her incredible post with 10 homemade cleaning recipes that can all be made with just the same 10 ingredients in less than 10 minutes each. She even has a free printable recipes sheet.

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Apr 10, 2013 comment

Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 10, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Not only are these cookies super quick and easy to make, they are also more nutritious than a traditional cookie… and they taste amazing!

Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

We love these healthier no-bake cookies!

The minute I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it. A healthier version of the traditional chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies? Bring it on!

Ingredients for Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup oatmeal

Ingredient Notes:

My cookies were a still rather flat, so I think you could add even more coconut, quinoa, or oats if you wanted an even heartier cookie.

You could also replace the coconut oil with butter and I think that the cookies might harden up a little more. Mine were still pretty soft. But they are perfect straight from the freezer!

How to Make No-Bake Cookies

1. In a medicum size sauce pan, bring honey, coconut oil, and cocoa to a boil.

2. Turn down heat and summer for three minutes.

3. Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, coconut, quinoa, and oatmeal.

3. Scoop cookie-sized portions onto a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.

4. Refrigerate or freeze the entire cookie sheet until cookies are set.

5. Store cookies in a ziptop bag or airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my Good For You Peanut Butter Fudge too!

Recipe

Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Author Crystal Paine

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Ingredients

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup oatmeal

Instructions

In a medicum size sauce pan, bring honey, coconut oil, and cocoa to a boil.
Turn down heat and summer for three minutes.
Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, coconut, quinoa, and oatmeal.
Scoop cookie-sized portions onto a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.
Refrigerate or freeze the entire cookie sheet until cookies are set.
Store cookies in a ziptop bag or airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

My cookies were a still rather flat, so I think you could add even more coconut, quinoa, or oats if you wanted an even heartier cookie.

You could also replace the coconut oil with butter and I think that the cookies might harden up a little more. Mine were still pretty soft. But they are perfect straight from the freezer!

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

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Shared Apr 10, 2013 comment

30 Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #10 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 10, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

How did your Project #10 go?

I was pretty excited because I woke up to a clean living room — and it didn’t even know that was on the project list for today!

Apparently, someone’s been painting in the living room. 🙂

Cleaning the living room took all of 15 minutes — and I even dusted and cleaned under the couches. I almost felt bad it was so easy, so I went and tackled the suitcase that was half unpacked in my bedroom from the trip I came home from three days ago. Because I’m all organized like that. 😉

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

Shared Apr 10, 2013 comment

Success Is Only Rented and the Rent is Due Every Day

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 10, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

While in the midst of packing for my trip last week, I was listening to my new podcast “addiction” EntreLeadership. (Now I know why my husband has been telling me over and over that I must start listening to it!)

Chris LoCurto was interviewing Rory Vaden on the topic of procrastination. Truthfully, I’m not sure what all they said about procrastination because I got so stuck on this one phrase Rory said:

“Success is not owned; it’s rented — and the rent is due every day.”

Stop and ponder that for a minute. It’s powerful.

I think we often think that once we reach a certain level of success, we’ll have “made it”. But truly, like I talked about yesterday, there is never a point in which someone has truly “arrived”.

Think of those who are celebrities or in high-profile positions. Their success could be stripped from them at any time if they stop paying rent.

If a CEO of a multi-million dollar company checks out, starts making foolish decisions, or starts spending money without accounting for it, the company is eventually going to topple. And we’ve seen this happen many times in the last decade.
If a talented basketball player stops working out, eats whatever he wants, and doesn’t show up for practice, his career is going to be over very quickly.
If a highly-acclaimed blogger with a large audience stops blogging, doesn’t respond to emails, never posts on Facebook, and just disappears from the face of the earth for awhile, people are going to eventually stop coming to the blog.

If you want to be successful at anything in life, you have to be willing to pay the rent. You have to work hard, persevere, and keep at it even when you’d rather be doing something else.

Every day you have an opportunity to pay the rent toward your current or future success. You can choose to make little steps in the right direction — not eating that piece of cake if you’re working on losing weight, getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes, making that phone call, honing a skill, reaching out to someone, and writing 500 words on your manuscript.

Or, on the flip side, you can choose to make deductions from your rent payment on your future success. You can choose to stay home from the gym, procrastinate on that phone call, say “no” to that opportunity for growth that scares you too much, eat that extra brownie, or skip working on that side project.

The choice is yours. What are you doing today to pay your rent on the future?

{By the way, if you missed yesterday’s post, be sure to go check out it. There was some very thought-provoking discussion in the comments!}

photo credit; photo credit

Shared Apr 10, 2013 comment

30 Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #10

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 10, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

April 10, 2013 Project

Your project for today is to deep clean the living room.

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

Set the timer for 20 minutes and pick up and put away all items that are out of place. (Bonus: find 7 items to get rid of.)

Dust the furniture, wall-hangings, and knick-knacks.

Wipe down the baseboards.

Vacuum/sweep the room. (Bonus: use an attachment on the vacuum to vacuum around the baseboards and vacuum the furniture.)

Clean fingerprints on the windows.

Bonus: Spot-clean the carpets and walls.

You’re done!

You can follow along with my list — or do whatever constitutes “deep cleaning the living room” to you. There is no one right way to do this.

Then, come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll show you pictures of my cleaning accomplishments for today and have a linky so you can link up yours, too!

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on the daily check-ins. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

photo credit

Shared Apr 9, 2013 comment

30 Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #9 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 9, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

How did your Project #9 go?

So, I told you I was planning to clean the girls’ room. And I totally was.

Until I walked into my closet.

Ahem.

Remember how I told you that I really need a Put-Er-Away-Er? Yes, here’s definite proof that I wasn’t joking, was I?!

After lots of reorganizing, going through stuff and finding things to get rid of and moving other things to where they are actually supposed to reside — like in the basement and elsewhere in the house! — my closet is actually fairly presentable again.

And I even vacuumed it. 🙂

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

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

Click here to download!

Shared Apr 9, 2013 comment

A Quick & Easy Method for Freezing Fresh Herbs

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 9, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Ever buy a bunch of cilantro when you only need a small bit for a recipe? Or do you plant an herb garden that always overproduces?

Here’s a very quick & easy way to freeze those fresh herbs for later use:

Wash, remove stems, and chop the herbs.

Put roughly 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon of the chopped herbs into ice cube trays (I didn’t measure; I just plopped some into each cube). Fill the ice cube tray with water and freeze.

Remove cubes and place in an airtight freezer bag for up to two months. To use in recipes, just pull out the necessary amount of cubes and add to your soup, stew, sauce, etc. If need be, thaw first and then add to your recipe.

How simple is that? It’s a great way to preserve fresh herbs — and to not let any go to waste before you have a chance to use them!

Shared Apr 9, 2013 comment

Be Discontent… With the Status Quo

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 9, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Recently, Jon Acuff shared the following on his blog:

A few months ago, Dave Ramsey celebrated 20 years on the radio. That is the equivalent of 834 regular years.

Radio is that tough, that cut throat, and that difficult. Suffice it to say, 20 years is an incredible accomplishment.

During a Q&A session, someone asked Dave a question. They said, “What was the moment you realized that you had arrived?”

Dave’s answer surprised everyone in the crowd. Without missing a beat, he said, “We haven’t arrived yet. There’s still so much we need to do. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

Dave Ramsey leads a company of hundreds. He inspires millions through his radio show, books, websites, and courses every single week.

Yet, he clearly doesn’t feel like he’s made it. And I think there’s a lesson here for all of us.

We should never, ever feel like we’ve arrived. There are always many more things we can learn, many more ways we can improve.

The day we feel like we’ve “arrived” is the day we begin to die as a person.

Always be looking for ways to grow as a person. Constantly challenge yourself to move a little bit further outside your comfort zone.

Learn new things. Try new recipes. Take a class on a new-to-you subject. Read widely. Meet new people. Ask questions. Challenge yourself to run farther or workout longer. Engage in thought-provoking discussions.

Never be content with the status quo. You were made for more.

What’s one new thing you’re trying or learning right now?

photo credit; photo credit

Shared Apr 9, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #9

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 9, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

April 9, 2013 Project

Your project for today is to surface clean your bedroom(s).

If you have multiple bedrooms in your house, you can choose whichever one most needs a good surface cleaning. I’m planning tackle the girls’ room today because it needs some work!

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

Set the timer for 20 minutes and pick up and put away all items that are out of place. (Bonus: find 7 items to get rid of.)

Pull out any items under the bed that don’t below under the bed and make the bed (wash sheets/bedding, if needed).

Vacuum/sweep the room. (Bonus: use an attachment on the vacuum to vacuum around the baseboards and vacuum under the bed.)

Clean fingerprints on the windows.

Bonus: Spot-clean the carpets and walls.

You’re done!

You can follow along with my list — or do whatever constitutes “surface cleaning the bedroom” to you. There is no one right way to do this.

Then, come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll show you pictures of my cleaning accomplishments for today and have a linky so you can link up yours, too!

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on the daily check-ins. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

photo credit

Shared Apr 8, 2013 comment

2013 Goals: March Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 8, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

While I didn’t cross off any goals in March, I did make some good headway on a number of goals. Those little bite-sized chunks that I’m tackling on a daily and weekly basis will add up over time!

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 March:

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. {We signed up for one in June — yay!}
~~Complete the Couch to 10K program.~~
Memorize Romans 1 and 2 with Jesse. {This has been slow going, but I almost have the first 10 verses from Romans 1 memorized.}
Wake up by 6 a.m. and exercise, shower, and dress by 8 a.m. every day. {Still working on this! The Early to Rise Challenge really helped!}
Read 150 books/ebooks {See my list of 48 books I’m for sure planning to read here — I’ve read 46 books/ebooks so far in 2013, so I’m on a good track to hit my goal!}

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. {Jesse & I went to the Killer Tribes conference together in March.}
Go on at least one date per month. {Done in March.}

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.
Finish at least 37 read-aloud books. {We’ve finished 16 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 March.}
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 Apr 8, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #8 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 8, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

How did your Project #8 go?

We clean our floors on a very regular basis, so today’s project wasn’t too much of a challenge — and truthfully, I skipped some of the floors because they didn’t need to be cleaned (it also helped that we were out of town all weekend and came home to a clean house!)

Each of the children are responsible for vacuuming one room of the house each day. Silas vacuums his room. Kaitlynn vacuums the girls’ room. And Kathrynne vacuums the living room.

Silas thinks that vacuuming is really cool.

He’ll often beg to vacuum more rooms… which I’m happy to let him do!

This is the typical homeschool aftermath in the kitchen every day. And actually, this was after Kathrynne had already cleaned up most of her stuff and Kaitlynn’s stuff.

At least there’s a lot of creativity and work going on… er, that’s what I try to constantly tell myself as the messes multiply during the day! 🙂

Kathrynne and I worked on the kitchen together. She’s always willing to help out whenever I’m working on a project and is my child who is a very focused, hard worker.

At 8 years old, Kathrynne is such a great girl. She loves all things related to LEGOs, spies, and adventure — and Jesse and I are thrilled to see her personality and interests blossom.

Even though many of her interests are much different than mine, she and I are really close — sharing lots of laughs and deep discussions throughout the day. I love her so much!

Kathrynne swept the dirt into piles and I went around with the dustpan and swept up the piles.

{Why yes, those are my pajama pants! I gave myself a PJ Day today after our busy weekend in Cincinnati. It’s nice to have a “down day” every now and then. :)}

The end result.

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

FREE Summer Bucket List!!

Join in the Chatter

1. Ask for a Discount If You Buy In Bulk

2. Ask for a Discount on Almost-Expired Groceries

3. Ask for a Discount on Memberships and Monthly Bills

Have you asked for a discount on something before? If so, tell us about your experience(s).

April 11, 2013 Project

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Homemade Tub & Tile Cleaner

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We love these healthier no-bake cookies!

Ingredients for Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Ingredient Notes:

How to Make No-Bake Cookies

Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

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“Success is not owned; it’s rented — and the rent is due every day.”

The choice is yours. What are you doing today to pay your rent on the future?

April 10, 2013 Project

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

The day we feel like we’ve “arrived” is the day we begin to die as a person.

What’s one new thing you’re trying or learning right now?

April 9, 2013 Project

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Personal Goals

Marriage Goals

Mothering Goals

Ministry/Friendships/Extended Family Goals

Financial Goals

Business/Blogging Goals

Did you set goals for 2013?

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Ingredients