Family Finances
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Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was a little better this week. Still healing, but continue to have pain, numbness, and my stomach hasn’t reset itself yet. Had another doctors appointment and hoping to have a better report soon. I was able to get up and move around more this week, but still haven’t been able to get to all of the items on my lists. At least some progress is being made.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – still reading to the girls (we had a week of heavy homework)
- Plan one special activity with the family – had another family event come up on the calendar on that day
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips – waiting on approval from my doctors
Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
Dr. Appointments for Kids– had an ENT appointment for one of the girls and picked out new glasses for both
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – my stomach hasn’t been happy with drinking water this week so this one has been a challenge
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – took me 3 partial days to get it done
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekDo at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & FreezerClean House (Focus – Basement Floors)– my amazing husband helped get this accomplished for me (thanks, Babe!)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – didn’t get it done
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – still needs done
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin) – still needs done
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – making some headway
Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – didn’t have a lot of extra curricular activities this week
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – making preparations
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – paid an little extra this week
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – the girls helped me at the grocery store this week and we had to go by more than one store because of the items that we needed this week
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Dr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean House (Focus – Bathrooms)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Dog & Goat Food Bin)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Free Ebooks: Myth of the Garage, Favorite Christmas Cookies, Clean Food Diet, Prayer Changes Things, How to Ace Your Phone Interview, Genealogy, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of The Myth of the Garage by Chip Heath
Download a free copy of Favorite Christmas Cookies by Ruth Cardello, Nina Bruhns, Donna Fasano, Rebecca York, Helen Scott Taylor, Patrice Wilton, Mona Risk, Annie Jones, Alicia Street, Mimi Barbour
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Download a free copy of How To Ace Your Phone Interview by Peggy McKee
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Download a free copy of Genealogy – Family Tree Research Made Easy by Poppy Sure
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Download a free copy of Happiness 365: One-a-Day Inspirational Quotes for a Happy You (The Happiness 365 Inspirational Series Book 1) by Deena B. Chopra and KC Harry
Free Ebooks: Smart School Time Recipes, 9 Types of Copycat Girl Scout Cookies, Baking with Kids, Just Desserts, and more
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of Smart School Time Recipes: The Breakfast, Snack, and Lunchbox Cookbook for Healthy Kids and Adults by Alisa Marie Fleming
Download a free copy of 9 Types of Copycat Girl Scout Cookies: Your Favorite Copycat Girl Scout Cookie Flavors by Prime Publishing
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Download a free copy of Just Desserts by Kemberlee Shortland
Download a free copy of Easy Recipes for Back to School: A Short Collection of Recipes from the Cookbook Wholesome – Feed Your Family for Less by Caitriona Redmond
Download a free copy of Best Homemade Bread Recipes: Delicious Bread Recipes in Quick & Easy Ways by Olivia
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Download a free copy of Slow Cooker Recipes: 30 Of The Most Healthy and Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes by Stacey Turner
Download a free copy of Baking in Your Skillet: A Collection of Skillet Recipes by Dennis Weaver
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was a challenging week and it didn’t go exactly as I planned. Early in the week I had to go into the hospital for an epidural steroid shot for the herniated disc in my neck that has been giving me problems. I happen to be one of those “rare” people who reacted uniquely to the epidural steroid shot with nausea and vomiting. Thankfully, we got that under control and now just waiting for about two plus weeks to see if this shot worked. Although, the doctor did mention that it at times takes more than one shot to get the body to repair the disc, but it is better then the more evasive solution of surgery that would remove the disc and fuse the bones together with metal plates. Needless to say I spent more time recovering this week than I initially planned. I did get some things accomplished and praying for a much better week coming up even if it means trying to tackle the same items that were on my list last week!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read the book Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School Activities- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before – the girls packed most of their lunches this week (my girls are the best)
- Play a Game with the Kids – the week did not go as planned
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – this did not get done
ENT and Eye Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – the nausea did not help with this one as I was having problems keeping water down
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – it took more than one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week – dinner was planned but do to Doctors orders we could not eat what I had on the menu, my husband was super sweet and pitched in to make our family meals. Plus my sister-in-law delivered a meal one night this past week too. Thankful for family!
Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer – still needs done
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors) – no progress with this either, ugh!
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – storage room continues to wait as well
Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic– my amazing husband did this for me- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – pools still waiting for take down
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin) – needs to be done
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – made a little progress
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – fell behind on the day to day items
- Work completed for clients – had to put on hold this week
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – house bound this week
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – got it started
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt – working on it
- Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – my husband did the grocery errands this week for me, thanks Babe!
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Dr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was busy week full of many extra appointments that were added into the schedule, some of them last minute, like doctor’s appointments. The hot water heater decided to pick this week to stop working too. Thankfully, it stopped on an evening when Jake was home, not traveling for work. Jake and my brother Lee were able to get a new one back up and working in one evening!
I was finally able to get an MRI and figure out specifically what is going on to cause all the pain and numbness. It has been over three weeks since I have been able to sleep in my own bed, the recliner has been the only comfortable spot to sleep lately! The doctors have found out that I have a severely herniated disc in my neck which is also clamping down on nerves causing the shooting pains down my neck, back, arm, and causing numbness in my fingers. The doctors are going to try and do a steroid shot directly into that specific disc this week and if that does not work than they want to do surgery. Praying that the shot will work because the surgery is much more evasive and permanent. Surgery would require a hospital stay not to mention recovery and effects on my future with mobility, movement, and other issues (obviously not my first choice).
It is getting old not sleeping well, taking medicines that me feel foggy and not myself, the pain is at times very intense and has limited me in a lot of areas, and numbness in my fingers can eventually lead to permanent damage if we don’t get that fixed as well. It hurts getting older! I am ready to be back to my normal self soon. Praying that they can fix it with the simple solution and without surgery. There are some areas I did okay with this week on my goals and others not so well. Either way I plan on proceeding forward with all my goals, activities, and tasks as much as possible!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Pick another book to read to the kids– I picked out Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the girlsJake finish reading Last of the Mohicans to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Ride Bikes with the kids – I was not able to ride bikes this week due to my neck, back, and arm issues
- Go for a Walk with the Kids – we did not go on walks this week because I was limited in extra moving around on top of my normal activities
Play a Game with the Kids– played Halloween BingoAttend School Board Meeting– Jake attended for me because I was not able to go due to health issues- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – was not able to get to this one
Plan Family Halloween Dinner & Celebration– enjoyed a relaxing Halloween evening and weekend with my familyOrthodontic Appointment for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Exercise at least 5 times this week – doctor did not want me doing any additional exercises at this time
Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I got it done, but it took more than one day due to me moving slower and needing help carrying items
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekDo at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer – didn’t get it done
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors) – didn’t get the basement floors clean, but I did a more “deep” clean of the laundry room due to hot water heater dying on us this week!
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – was not able to get this done
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – need help to get these in the attic so was unable to finish it
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – thanks to my brother letting us borrow his mower Jake was able to get the yard mowed, but we still need to get the pool put away
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin & Make Homemade Treats with the kids for Skipper) – we made homemade treats for the dog, but still need to refill the goat food bin
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – still have some that need my attention and a response
Keep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – got started on it
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkMake an extra payment on Outstanding Debt– we were able to make an extra payment this week which helps us inch forward in the right direction!- Earn some Creative Cash – I wasn’t able to get any extra creative cash completed this week
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – I did go grocery shopping for the first time in THREE weeks, but I did go to more than one store and I went a little over our budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- ENT and Eye Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Free Audio Book: “The Attributes Of God V1: A Journey Into The Father’s Heart” by A. W. Tozer
For the month of November Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book. This month the audio book is The Attributes of God V1: A Journey Into The Father’s Heart by A. W. Tozer and narrated by Michael Kramer.
In this first volume on the nature and attributes of God, Tozer defines God’s infinitude, immensity, goodness, justice, mercy, grace, omnipresence, immanence, holiness, and perfection. This classic is sure to deepen your understanding and comprehension of God. (information from Christian Audio)
If you have been wanting to a book to listen to throughout the day or while driving this is a great opportunity to get a book for free when you download it from Christian Audio in November. Make sure to submit your order by November 30, 2014 to get your free audio book. Thanks Christian Audio!
Living on a Budget: Creative Cash (October Update)
October was a super busy month with me being gone for part of the month and out of commission with neck and back issues for several weeks. Thankful for my husband who pitched extra hours to take care of the kids while I was out helping my family in Kansas and out of commission health wise. It is nice to be back home and with Jake and the girls once again. Now that October is behind us it is time to give you an update on my Creative Cash and our special highlight.
What is Creative Cash? My definition of Creative Cash means finding a variety of ways to make extra cash each month to put towards my family’s current financial goal as well as having a little extra to share with others.
Why do it? I am working part time, a stay at home Mom, and wear many other hats from day to day, however, I feel that it is not only important to save money for my family by using coupons and buying items on sale, but to earn a little money to help with the family finances and to share with others. The extra amount I bring in on top of work is what I call “Creative Cash” and it is made by finding ways to make money creatively or with items and talents I have already. As I continue to challenge myself to make my life more simplified as well as find ways to bless others I have made it my goal to remain accountable for the Creative Cash I bring in month to month. My family has faced many obstacles over the years, however, we are blessed and have a multitude of reasons to be grateful.
How it Works: The creative cash will be made throughout the entire calendar month through various endeavors. As Creative Cash arrives the money, gift cards, and other extras are entered into my Creative Cash worksheet. The cash, gift cards, and other items are stored in a specific Creative Cash folder or marked in the account as Creative Cash. At the end of the month the money will be split with part of it going towards the current financial goal my family is working on and the other part will be donated to someone or a group of people such as a charity. It is important for me to find ways to be a blessing to people outside of our immediate family. In order to keep me accountable I will be reporting my monthly total and who I will be sharing the Creative Cash with that month. If it is a specific family or cause I may or may not be able to give all the details due to the amount of privacy they may want, but I promise share any details I can.
Monthly Goal: It is my goal to make at least $100 extra Creative Cash a month to help with my family goals as well as share with others.
Despite being gone and not feeling well the month October was still a wonderful month. I was able to accumulate more than anticipated during the time I was at home! I will share with you the ways I did it so if you are looking for ways to make a little extra creative cash for your family hopefully it will be an inspiration in getting your creative juices flowing:
- $100.00 – 20|20 Research for doing a Panel Discussion
- $24.32 – Credit Card Bonus Rewards (if you are looking to earn interest both on your savings and checking accounts as well as rewards I recommend checking out Capital One 360)
- $5.00 – Amazon Gift Card earned through Swagbucks
- $5.00 – Survey Cash
- $15.00 – Walmart Gift Card from SheSpeaks
October Creative Cash Total: $149.32
Our October Creative Cash Highlight: Our Creative Cash Highlight this month will be Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child!
Every year during this time we try to set aside money and special items to put together some Operation Christmas Child boxes. The boxes need to be ready by mid-November so October is the perfect month to focus on this ministry. Our whole family looks forward to doing this every year. We feel that it is important to share what we have been given with others and Operation Christmas Child is a great ministry. The kids get really excited about picking out special treats and goodies to go into their boxes. We pray specifically for the kids who will be receiving our boxes. We want to make sure that our boxes are filled with items that are perfect for each child and a blessing to those that receive them. There is so much joy in giving and sharing with others. In October I was able to earn extra creative cash along with some gift cards that will come in very handy when purchasing items for Operation Christmas Child. Your family can get involved too, check out the Samaritan’s Purse website for more information about Operation Christmas Child!
Current Family Goal: We are currently working to stay within our written budget and pay down debt! We recently had to purchase a new microwave and refrigerator. Plus, we had some additional expenses and emergencies that have caused us to have a little extra debt that we would like to get paid off!
- $24.32 Credit Card Bonus was applied towards a debt on a credit card.
- Any remaining money that is not going to our Creative Cash Highlight that’s listed above will be applied towards paying down additional debt!
It was exciting to go past the $100 goal!!! I know this will help us get a little closer to our goals as well as helps others along the way! A hundred dollars extra a month may not seem like a lot to some people, but every little bit helps! If I find that I am going over my goal every month (which would be awesome) I will make an adjustment. I have plan of action on ways to earn creative cash next month so stayed tuned, hopefully, it will be another great month of sharing. Each month I will do a variety activities to accomplish this goal, the items above are just the ones I did specifically this month. I look forward to sharing more of the things that work well for our family as I do them in the upcoming months.
I will share with you the challenges, successes, and updates as I go through this journey so you can keep me accountable or even go through it with me by participating and sharing your story. Taking the extra time to find ways to help my family as well as invest in the lives of others is important to me. I hope that I have been able to encourage you to find ways to come up with some creative cash for your household as well. Obviously, each situation and family is unique so decide what works for you and go for it! If you know of another way to earn creative cash I would love to hear it! Feel free to comment on how you earned creative cash this month or post a picture or link to what you did!
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff! We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, wear clothes we find at garage sales, etc…however, if our family is taken care of and has love in our hearts for others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week I was able to some items crossed off my list, but not as many as I hoped due to a painful pinched nerve. This week will be a little different because I will not be spending the week with my immediate family. I know I will miss them terribly, but I hope to be able to help out extended family and be a blessing to the people I will be spending time with this week. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with everyone and get a lot accomplished throughout the week. You will notice my weekly goals will be altered a little too since I will not be available to help with the normal activities around my immediate family.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read A Horse Called Wonder by Joanna Campbell (Book #1 of the Thoroughbred Series) to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Ride Bikes with the kids – it didn’t get done with my pinched nerve
- Go for a Walk with the Kids – a couple of days it was all I could do to get through the day
Attend School Board MeetingGive Jake a haircut-
Make Toffee per girls requests -
Cook up Ground Hamburger and Freeze for future meals -
Make and freeze Spinach Cubes for Smoothies
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – I did not do a good job of drinking my water while traveling this past weekend
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)- Exercise at least 5 times this week – it didn’t happen
Pedicure – my toenails could use a fresh coat of polish
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekFreezer Meals Prepped for future meal- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator / Freezer – had to let this one go with a the stuff going on this week
- Clean House including all 3 bathrooms, dusting, floors, and bedrooms – only basic cleaning was done
- Put Fall/Winter Clothes in Closets and dressers and put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – put away in closets but the still haven’t gotten the clothes back in the attic
Refill kids vitamin containerRefill Baggie Drawer and Lunch Box Container- Pool taken down and put away – pools drained, but not put away
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (new microwave, refrigerator, and other debt) – working on it
Pay October BillsRecent Receipts Basket Cleaned Out, Organized, & Receipts FiledFile Paperwork- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – didn’t even make it to the grocery store with my pinched nerve
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Mail at least one note to Jake and the girls
- Speak to my husband and kids at least once a day
- Send at least one Text, Picture, Instant Message, or Email a day to let them know I am thinking about them
- Have Hangout chat with the entire family at least once this week
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Keep up with my laundry
- Update Evernote with any home / yard / pets activities for Jake and the girls
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (microwave and refrigerator)
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
FREE Kellogg’s Family Rewards Codes
Here are some October Free Kellogg’s Family Rewards Codes you can add to your account! All these free codes are one-time-use codes per account. You can also earn points by entering codes from most Kellogg’s brand boxes. With your points you can earn gift cards, games, books, magazine subscriptions, toys, coupons, sweepstakes entries, donate to a school or charity, and many more great rewards. Sometimes you can get free rewards from their email newsletters and facebook page too.
The codes listed below are worth anywhere from 20 to 100 points each which should help you rack up some points on your account and get you closer to earning your next reward! Enter the following Free Kellogg’s Family Rewards Codes:
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FREEPOINTSFRENZY (100 points)
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UGOTTALOVEABONUS (100 points)
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WEHEARTSURPRISES (100 points)
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3CHEERS4BONUSPTS (100 points)
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HOORAYFORFREEPTS (100 points)
- KFRSHARETHANKS20 (100 points)
- Like their Facebook page (100 points – you should immediately receive a code at the top of the page after clicking the like button)
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ELVESLOVEBONUSES (50 points)
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BACKTOSCHOOL2014 (50 points)
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NUTRITIONINABOWL (50 points)
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EARNSWEETREWARDS (50 points)
- CEREALANDMILKABC (50 points)
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EARNGREATREWARDS (20 points)
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MAGICOFBREAKFAST (20 points)
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GETFUELFORSCHOOL (20 points)
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SPIDEYEXCITEMENT (20 points)
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HOWITWORKS20PNTS (20 points)
Please comment and let me know if any of the above Free Kellogg’s Family Rewards Codes have expired or if you find new ones so I can update the list! Thanks! The only time you may lose any points is if you allow your account to go inactive for 90 consecutive days. Sign up today and start earning rewards now!
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