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Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 6 Update

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4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 6 Update

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Missed this morning’s assignment? Find it here.

So, those 10 minutes I had assigned you to spend on picking up your house? Well, my house needed a whole lot more than 10 minutes.

Gulp.

That’s why this post is so late. I didn’t start on the project until later in the day — and it ended up taking me quite a bit longer than I was expecting! But better late than never, eh?

And the good news? My house is now quite clean — as is my vehicle!

Yup. That’s what the car looked like. I can’t believe I’m posting these online. But hey, you might as well see it exactly as it is so that you don’t somehow have some impression that I have my act altogether.

Ah. Much better. Oh and that tub? It’s our emergency box, packed with every thing you might ever wish you had when you’re out and about (wipes, ibuprofen, bags, hand sanitizer, etc.)

It’s been a life-saver on more than one occasion. I highly recommend everyone have a similar tub in your car. It’s a great way to use some of the freebies and samples that come in the mail, too.

How you do on Day 6? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.




Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

Focus on One Small Change At a Time

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Focus on One Small Change At a Time

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I recently guest-posted at Naturally Knocked Up on focusing on one change at time. Whether or not you’re interested in healthy living or fertility, I think the principles in this post will be applicable to anyone in any situation:

Have you ever tried to do a major overhaul in your lifestyle and your habits all at once? Were you successful?

I have never been successful at making major changes all at once. Usually, I can keep up with everything for three days, tops. Then all my honorable changes come crumbling down in a huge heap of disappointment at my feet.

I was reading through Donielle’s book, Naturally Knocked Up, and I really appreciate all of the health advice that she gives. However, I was thinking about how overwhelming the advice might seem to someone who is trying to go from a very unhealthful lifestyle to a much more wholesome and healthful lifestyle.

Transforming your life isn’t something that will happen overnight. In fact, if you try to change overnight, you’ll likely crash and burn within a few days.

Read the whole post.

By the way, have you gotten a copy of my new ebook, 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life? I’ve been so blessed to hear that so many of you have found the ebook helpful, inspiring, and even life-transforming.

photo credit

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

10 Weekly Goals

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10 Weekly Goals

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Last week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Finish three read-aloud books with the children.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

3. Go on an overnight trip as a family.

Personal Goals

4. Read Erasing Hell by Francis Chan, Anything by Jennie Allen, Pinterest Power, The Wings of the Morning, and Wrecked by Jeff Goins.

5. Listen to one hour of Made to Stick.

6. Do 5 days’ worth of the Couch to 10K program. {Only managed to run three days last week, but hey, that’s better than none at all!}

Homemaking Goals

7. Follow the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home plan & blog about it.

8. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.

9. Make at least two new recipes.

Business Goals

10. Finish all the details for a new Christmas ebook I’m launching next week.

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read three chapters of A Way Through the Sea with Kathrynne, read at least five chapters of The Imagination Station: Book 8 with Kaitlynn, and read three chapters of Cameron Townsend aloud to the children.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

3. Go on a date with Jesse.

Personal Goals

4. Finish Erasing Hell by Francis Chan, Anything by Jennie Allen, Pinterest Power, and The Wings of the Morning.

5. Listen to one hour of Made to Stick.

6. Do 5 days’ worth of the Couch to 10K program.

Homemaking Goals

7. Follow the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home plan & blog about it.

8. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.

9. Make at least two new recipes.

Business Goals

10. Launch my Christmas ebook!

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.


Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

This week’s menu

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This week’s menu

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Looking for a fantastic make-ahead roll recipe for your Thanksgiving meal? Try these Make-Ahead Butterhorns.

Breakfasts

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets, Cereal, Toast, Eggs, and/or Fruit

Lunches

Lunch out
Snack-y lunch
Mac & cheese, veggies, fruit
Cheese Quesadillas, oranges, carrot sticks
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies, fruit, veggies
Leftovers x 2

Snacks

Fruit/Veggies
Cheese/Crackers
Hard-boiled eggs
Apple Cake
Healthful Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Freezer Cooking

Apple Cake
Healthful Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Whole-Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Dinners

Leftovers for dinner on Sunday night
Breakfast for dinner: Whole-Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit
Steak, steamed veggies, fruit
Dinner with extended family: I’m bringing stuff for a salad bar and dessert.
Meatballs, steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, Bread Machine Buttery Rolls
Dinner with extended family
Dinner out

What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

Two Big Goals Crossed Off the List! (2012 Goals: October Update)

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Two Big Goals Crossed Off the List! (2012 Goals: October Update)

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We crossed off some pretty big goals past month: we signed a contact on our first rental property and I ran my first 5K! It’s so surreal that both of those things happened as I couldn’t have imagined either of them would be possible five years ago!

And you know what they show? That this whole business of setting big goals and breaking them down into bite-sized pieces really works.

When I was at the beginning of training for the 5K and when we first started our rental investment property fund, both goals seemed so distant and audacious. But little bit by little bit, all those tiny steps added up to a goal achieved.

If goal-setting scares you, can I encourage you to be brave with me and step out and set some small goals? I know it’s daunting and sometimes it’s painful.

But jumping out and challenging ourselves outside of our comfort is when you’ll feel the most alive and passionate. You’ll be living with purpose and intention and there’s so much more fulfillment in that than in just drifting along, not really knowing where you’re headed or what you’re living for.

Now, here’s this month’s update:

Personal
Read through the Bible in a year. {I’ve been keeping up with this faithfully.}
Read through the 24 books on my 2012 booklist. {Almost finished through October. I have also read quite a few other books!}
Listen to 12 audiobooks. {I’ve gotten a little behind here, but I’m plugging away at it!}
Run in at least one 5K race.  {You can see a picture and read more about my experience here.}
Complete the Couch to 10K program. {Started this in October.}
Tackle 12 Do-It-Yourself Projects. {Totally bombed this one this month.}
Focus on one habit per month. {Totally bombed this one this month.}
Learn to use my new DSLR camera (huge surprise Christmas present from Jesse!!) & improve my photography skills. {I’m excited to be seeing some improvement and progress with this! And I’m also excited that I’m beginning to feel more and more comfortable using my camera!}
Take at least one photo a day and put together a page every week for my Project Life album. {Made some progress on this one in October.}
Memorize Colossians using the plan and free download here. {I didn’t do very well on this one this past month; must make this more of a priority!}

Marriage
Go on the Love Like You Mean It Cruise. {Done–read my recap here.}
Go on two Marriage Retreats.{Went to Cincinnati together in April & Pennsylvania in October.}
Have monthly date nights. {We had a few dates in October, plus went to Pennsylvania together!}
Read four books together. {We’ve done two books so far this year and we’re working on a third.}
Read at least 3 books on marriage. 

Children/Homeschooling
Continue regular dates/outings with each of the children individually. {Done for October.}
Continue Grace and Truth memory book. {The children memorized a few verses and worked on a hymn in October.}
Ice-skating lessons for all three children.
Swimming lessons for all three children.
Finish second grade, begin third grade with Kathrynne.
Finish kindergarten, begin first grade with Kaitlynn.
Start preschool with Silas.
Go on at least one field trip every month. {We went on one field trip in October.}
Go on at least one family vacation.
Finish at least 15 read-aloud books. {We’ve finished 24 read-alouds so far this year!}

Ministry/Friendships/Extended Family
Write at least two handwritten notes every month to encourage someone. {I wrote & mailed five handwritten notes in October.}
Continue being involved in our local church, homeschool group, young couple’s group, and blogging accountability group. {Ongoing}
Continue with weekly get-togethers with both sides of our extended family. {Ongoing}

Business/Blogging
Continue to take Sundays off from blogging/business work. {Ongoing}
Continue keeping strict Office Hours for the business/blogging time each day. {Still plugging away on this!}
Switch to a paperless planning system. {This is the one goal I think I’ve officially decided to drop this year as it just wasn’t working for me. Back to the paper.}
Follow my weekly blogging plan. {I mostly stuck with my blogging plan in October!}
Plan blog posts out at least a month in advance. {I’ve been doing much better about this — yay!}
Write and schedule blog posts at least a week in advance. {I did a better job at this in October — woot!}

Financial
Continue to tithe 10% of our income. {Ongoing}
Give generously to needs in our community and around the world, as God prompts us. {Ongoing}
Pay cash for a new-to-us vehicle to replace our family’s van. {We bought a new-to-us vehicle in July — yay!}
Finish saving for and purchase a rental property with cash. {We signed a contract on a rental house and are set to close in a few weeks!}

How Are You Doing on Your Goals for 2012?

If you’ve posted goals for 2012, I’d love for you to post an update on how things are going and share your link in the comments. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to just leave your update as a comment. Let’s encourage one another to live lives of intention and purpose!

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

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Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

My new Christmas ebook releases tomorrow: Bloggers, come sign up for my Affiliate Club!

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My new Christmas ebook releases tomorrow: Bloggers, come sign up for my Affiliate Club!

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I’m excited to be releasing a brand-new Christmas ebook tomorrow!

I’ll be telling you all about the ebook and running a special $0.99 sale tomorrow. Plus, I’m going to be giving away some big prizes this week and I promise you won’t want to miss the giveaways, even if you don’t need any help with keeping Christmas simple or your family doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

Bloggers: Sign up for my Exclusive Affiliate Club!

So many of you were beyond amazing in helping to spread the word about 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life. And I’d love to have your help spread the word about Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas, as well as other ebooks and products that I’ll be releasing in the next year.

I’ve created a new private email list for those of you who are interested in getting a sneak peek at resources before I release them to the public. Those who are on this email list will have opportunities to review pre-release copies, offer giveaways of my products on your site, and more!

Sign up here to be apart of my Exclusive Affiliate Club!

Sell 50 Copies Through Your Referral Link: Get a $25 Gift Card!

We’re also offering bloggers a special incentive for this ebook: If you sell 50 copies of my ebooks during the $0.99 promotion, you’ll get a $25 gift card to Amazon.com.

To qualify, just promote the $0.99 ebook sale Tuesday through Thursday (November 13-15, 2012) using your Amazon affiliate link. Then, tally up your sales on Friday. If you made 50 or more sales, take a screenshot of your Amazon page and send it to [email protected] and she’ll send you a $25 Amazon.com gift card.

Rules: You must have proof of your 50 sales to receive the $25 gift card. The screenshot of your sales must be emailed to Ashley no later than Saturday (November 17, 2012) at midnight EST. Only one winner per affiliate ID (i.e. if you sell 100 copies of the book, you will still on receive one $25 gift card). We will have your gift card order processed by December 1, 2012.

If you have any questions about the Affiliate Club or the contest, please feel free to email Ashley at [email protected], she is there to help you!

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 12, 2012 comment

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 6

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4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 6

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified} series!

From November 5 to December 7 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), every weekday morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’ll be posting the day’s assignment and then every evening at 7 p.m. EST, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too.

Day 6 Assignment

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and create a list of weekly goals. I’ll be posting my weekly goals later today along with a link-up so you can share yours, as well.

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and run through your home and quickly pick up everything that’s out of place and put it away.

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and clean out the inside of your vehicle. Remove all trash and clutter. If you have time, use a vacuum attachment to vacuum all the seats and floors out.

Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 7 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.

Shared Nov 10, 2012 comment

How We’re Teaching Our Younger Children to Manage Money Well

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How We’re Teaching Our Younger Children to Manage Money Well

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Guest post from Hope

I recently shared a post about “Why We Let Our Teenager Manage Our Budget”. In the comments of that post, someone asked that I share a few additional tips for money and younger children.

We have four boys, ranging in age from 16 to 4. My older boys joke that they have been guinea pigs for all of our theories. I smile, thank them for their long-suffering patience, and assure them that we are, indeed, redefining our policies for the younger boys. So, here are my tips – only the best ones!

Allowances: Age 5-10

Our policy on paying children has fluctuated over the years and has mirrored changes in our own financial fortunes. When our older boys were in grammar school, we paid them an allowance.

They understood that this money was for doing specific age-appropriate chores that were assigned to them weekly. If they did not complete tasks in a timely, appropriate manner, then their “paycheck” would reflect their job performance.

They were expected to tithe 10%, save 50%, and spend 40%. We did not intervene in how they spent their money except in specific circumstances — they were not allowed to purchase any items we considered inappropriate or immoral. We would counsel them about items that were cheaply made.

We had a lot of conversations about “quality” versus “quantity”. A few times they opted to purchase an inferior item, and were sadly disappointed when it broke within a short time. This helped them consider the importance of our words.

Allowances: Age 11-15

By the time our older boys reached middle school, we had more children, more expenses, and less money. We also realized that their needs had changed. Older children need to begin to see the importance of saving and planning for long-term goals. So, we explained that they would no longer receive a weekly allowance.

Instead, they were to set their own goals and save for specific items. Then, they would need to find work from someone besides us. When they had saved up one half of the amount needed for the item, we would kick in the other half.

The boys have been ambitious. They have researched the best prices and values for each item. They have been paid for installing a barbed wire fence, cleaning a condo (remember all those early lessons I gave them in how to properly clean?), pet sitting, and lawn maintenance. They have purchased digital cameras, an electronic book reader, camcorders, and (most recently) a used Macintosh laptop.

This plan has undoubtedly cost us more over the long-run than the weekly allowance did. But, I believe it prepared them more effectively for life as they turn sixteen.

“Pay-Day” Loans

Prepare yourself! Soon, you will be standing at a garage sale and they will see something that they “just can’t live without”. They will plead with you to advance them money for the item.

The first time this happens reply, “Mom and Dad don’t spend money we don’t have and we expect that you won’t either. However, if you wish me to loan you $5 for that toy, you will need to pay me back $9 next week, not $5.”

Their face will fall, they will be aghast, they may even scream, “That’s not fair!” Simply reply, “No, THAT’S a Pay Day loan.”

I did it – once – with each of my older boys. Never did they decide that the price of the loan was equal to the worth of the toy. I recently overheard the older boys warning one of the younger ones, “If you don’t have the money for that, you’d better put it back. Never ask Mom to loan you money!”

What about you… do you have any tips for helping younger children to manage money?

Hope is the stay-at-home, homeschooling Mom of four boys and wife to Larry for 24 years. She loves to sing, write, teach history at her homeschool co-op. and speak to groups in her spare time.

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 9, 2012 comment

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 5 Update

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4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 5 Update

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

If you missed this morning’s assignment, you can find it here.

We had a very laid-back day today… and it was wonderful!

Did you spend at least 15 minutes doing something relaxing?

I had a date with Jesse in the late afternoon and that was fun. And I also put on a movie for the kids, cut up an apple, put my feet up and read some books I’m loving. {As expected, Jeff Goin’s book, Wrecked, has been a great read so far!}

Oh and there wasn’t much of anything to report under my couch cushions… no shriveled up pears, or carrots, or anything. And I’m not complaining. 🙂

How you do on Day 5? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.

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Shared Nov 9, 2012 comment

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chicken & Dumpling Soup

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Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chicken & Dumpling Soup

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Guest post from Michelle of The Willing Cook

Soups are not the easiest dish when making them allergy-friendly, at least in my opinion. You can certainly do vegetable soups and beef stews, but when you want a creamy soup like clam chowder or broccoli cheese soup, things just aren’t quite the same.

That said, I’ve come up with a pretty good soup for you today. I have sweet memories of my Granny’s delicious Chicken and Dumplings growing up. It has to be one of the best comfort foods!

A few years ago, I asked my mom for her recipe only to find out she used the Bisquick recipe. What!?! I was a little disappointed with that revelation, but oh my, they are still soooo good.

In a way, I have two versions of the same recipe for you today. Bisquick has a gluten-free variety on the shelves with the dumpling recipe on the box. I have made this recipe before and it is delicious.

However, Gluten-Free Bisquick is expensive! It’s about $5 for 16 oz. That’s only 2 cups! If you wish to go the route of the pre-packaged box, follow my directions below for the soup, but substitute in the recipe for the Bisquick dumplings. I decided to make a homemade dumpling instead to save some money and it really is just as easy as using the box mix.

While, allergy-friendly soups are not always the easiest to mimic the real thing, I think you’ll agree that this recipe is right up there with your favorite comfort foods. Enjoy!

Gluten & Dairy Free Crockpot Chicken & Dumpling Soup

Soup Ingredients

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 1 cut-up fryer chicken
  • salt & pepper
  • 7 cups chicken broth
  • additional vegetables (optional)

GF Dumplings Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup brown rice flour
  • 1/2 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2-3 Tablespoon cold shortening (I use palm shortening that is soy free.)
  • 1/2 cup allowed dairy-free milk (rice milk is good for its mild flavor)

Directions

1. Dice your vegetables and lay them in the bottom of your crockpot. Salt and pepper your chicken pieces and lay them on top of your vegetables. Pour your chicken broth into the crockpot. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours.

2. Once your chicken is cooked, remove from the crockpot to a plate and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes. Turn the crockpot up to high (leave the chicken out for now).

3. To make your dumplings: Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in the shortening, breaking it up into the flour until only crumbles remain. Pour in your milk slowly until you come to a doughy consistency.

4. Make sure your crockpot is now on high. With a tablespoon, drop the dumplings throughout the crockpot. Place the lid on the crockpot and allow to cook for 1-1 1/2 hours on high, until the dumplings are cooked through and not doughy.

5. Return to the chicken and remove all the meat from the skin and bones. About 30 minutes before the dumplings are finished, add the chicken back into the crockpot.

6. Optional: Add additional vegetables to your soup.

Here is what I did: I cooked frozen whole green beans on the stove top in olive oil. When serving the soup, I put the green beans in the bottom of the bowl and covered it with the soup. It was a great way to add some green to our soup. I will caution you about putting frozen vegetables into the crockpot with the dumplings because the dumplings need a very high temperature to cook. I recommend steaming some vegetables, then adding them to the soup right before you serve it.

7. When the dumplings are cooked, salt & pepper the soup to taste. Spoon it out into bowls and enjoy this easy traditional comfort food, made allergy-friendly!

{Disclaimer: I do not use a crockpot very often because my husband doesn’t like them. I know, can you believe it?! In order to make this recipe as easy as possible for you, I made it into a crockpot version. If you aren’t a crockpot user either, simply convert everything to a large pot, like a dutch oven, and move from the oven to the stove top using the same directions. If you want these directions, ask me in the comment section.}

Michelle is blessed to stay home with her three children (ages 10, 7, and 4), while her husband works to provide. When she’s not experimenting with allergy-friendly meals, she’s blogging about it at The Willing Cook. Through the Willing Cook, her hope is that you gain peace of mind in your kitchen (and your pocket book) and are able to serve those you love who suffer with food allergies.

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 9, 2012 comment

How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Facebook Updates

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How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Facebook Updates

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A lot of you have been emailing in and asking how you can see my Facebook Page updates now that Facebook has stopped showing them to everyone. Well, there is a way: it’s called Interest Lists.

Amy Lynn Andrews from Blogging With Amy has a very detailed post up on How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Facebook Updates. In her post, she explains step-by-step how to set up Interest Lists so you can start seeing all of the posts from any Facebook Page that you’d like to!

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 9, 2012 comment

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 5

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4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 5

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified} series!

From November 5 to December 7 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), every weekday morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’ll be posting the day’s assignment and then every evening at 7 p.m. EST, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too.

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and remove your couch cushions and clean out any crumbs, toys, or other miscellaneous items you find. Use an attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the cushions, underneath the cushions, and all crevices of your furniture. Spot clean the fabric, if needed.

::Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do something you really enjoy and that relaxes and rejuvenates you. If you need ideas, here are a few: read, write, call a friend, pray, exercise, bake, play with your children, laugh with your husband, stop by the bookstore and browse the book selection, work in the garden, or take a nap! Take some time to just stop and enjoy life today!

Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 7 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.

What you are going to do for your 15 minute rejuvenation assignment? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 8, 2012 comment

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 4 Update

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4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 4 Update

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

If you missed this morning’s assignment, you can find it here.

Today’s To Do List. Yes, it’s very similar to yesterday’s list. It seems like my weekdays often are very similar at this point in my life, especially now that I’m homeschooling all three children — which takes up a good chunk of each day.

I love the rhythm and hum of my life right now. Each day is filled with the people and things I love the most… my family, homeschooling, writing, running, reading with my children, learning together as a family in the evenings (we do some of our homeschooling in the evenings when Jesse is home as he loves to be apart of it!), and getting to share things I’m passionate about online and via radio.

Bathroom, pre-cleaning.

By the way, don’t get white hand towels in the bathroom — even if it’s the master bathroom. Just trust me on this. It’s not a smart idea.

{By the way, if you have any brilliant ideas for keeping white hand towels looking fresh and white without resorting to bleaching them every time they are washed, I’m all ears!}

Mommy’s little helper.

Bathroom, post-cleaning. I love me a shiny sink… actually, make that two shiny sinks! 🙂

I dug under all the couches and beds and this is my loot. It’s actually nothing near as bad as last time.

But after last time’s shriveled up carrot and this time’s apple and a very shriveled up pear, I need to investigate who is hiding the remnants of their lunch underneath the couch when I’m not looking. 🙂

How you do on Day 4? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.

Money Saving Mom
Shared Nov 8, 2012 comment

Q&A: How do I stock our pantry on a limited grocery budget?

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Q&A: How do I stock our pantry on a limited grocery budget?

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I’ve been reading your blog for years, and now have moved out of the college dorm phase into newly-married life. Now that I am actually responsible for a household, I’ve been following your blog more closely.

We are trying to come up with a workable grocery budget, but I’m having a hard time doing that and stocking my pantry at the same time. Most of the menu planning and money-saving tips include “shop your pantry” or “make do with what you already have,” but I find myself going to the store every few days because I don’t have basic staples.

Do you have any suggestions for me and for others who are just starting out? -Emily

Congratulations on your recent marriage, Emily! And I love your desire to wisely steward the money and resources you have. Way to go!

1. Set Aside A Small Portion of Your Grocery Budget for Stocking Up

If at all possible, set aside at least $3 to $5 each week from your grocery budget to invest in buying ahead. This will be things that are at rock bottom prices and that you’ll be storing in your pantry or freezer to use later.

Typically, since you’ll be pennies on the dollar to stock up on these items, $3 to $5 will stretch pretty far. If you don’t see any really amazing deals, just “roll” your stock-up money to the following week. If I know I’m going to be investing in a larger bulk purchase, I’ll often hold off on using my stock-up money for a month or so and just let it build up so that it can cover that larger purchase.

Tip: For those of you who are new here, you can view my Stock-Up Price List here to get an idea of what prices I aim to pay. You can also download the customizable Stock-Up Price List to track the sales and deals in your area.

2. Focus on Stocking Up on the Best Deals

Set a price-point for what you’ll pay for buying ahead. Maybe say that you won’t stock up on something unless it’s something you know you’ll use in the next 1-2 months and it’s $0.25 or less.

Creating boundaries for what you can buy with your stock-up money will help you to prioritize and not get sidetracked or sucked into buying things you don’t really need. It will also help you to maximize the mileage of your grocery money.

3. Make Some Short-Term Sacrifices To Free Up Money to Invest in Stocking Your Pantry

When you’re first getting started with buying ahead, you might feel like you don’t even have enough wiggle room to devote $3 to $5 to stocking up. In that case, I recommend talking with your husband about some short-term sacrifices you could make to free up money for stocking up.

For instance, maybe you decide that you’ll have two meatless meals each week for two months, or eat oatmeal for breakfast five days per week, or give up buying a certain treat that you love for 4 weeks.

The beauty of practicing the buy ahead principle is that the more you’re able to buy your groceries for pennies on the dollar, the farther your grocery money will stretch. Making short-term sacrifices can help you build your stockpile faster, thus freeing up money to then be able to afford the occasional treat or to invest in higher quality foods.

Tip: Check out my post on How to Survive on a $30 Weekly Grocery Budget. Also, be sure to see my sample $25 Menu and Grocery List.

4. Realize That It Takes Time to Stock a Pantry

You’re not going to stock your pantry overnight — unless you spend an arm and a leg to do so! However, if you consistently purchase 3-10 items each week at rock bottom prices to add to your stockpile, over time, you’ll really start to see a difference in your grocery budget.

Plus, it’s so nice to not have to worry about running to the store when you run out of toothpaste or shampoo. Instead, you can just get a new tube or bottle out of your stockpile closet — and be thankful that you purchased it when it was free or almost-free!

What tips and suggestions do the rest of you have for Emily?

photo courtesy of Big Stock