Family Finances

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    The girls have a four day weekend so I am enjoying a little extra time with them. YAY!  Jake was on-call all weekend so we stayed close to home but were able to get some items done around the house.  Glad we stayed close to home because he had a lot of calls and work items that needed his attention.   Hopefully this week I will be able to tackle more items on my list!

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily- we missed Halloween night because we were out celebrating
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Celebrate Halloween with the Family

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – missed a couple of days
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith – working on it
    4. Reading / listening through my Bible – doing the 90 day plan through YouVersion – faithfully reading through it

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Tackle Fall Cleaning & Organization Project (Focus – Office / Garage) – made some headway, both were big projects!
    4. Pay all upcoming bills
    5. Finishing cleaning up from Community Group Camp out
    6. Put away all the Halloween Items – have everything picked up just need to put them in the container & into the attic

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming (November) blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Schedule November work dates – have a couple days left to put on the calendar

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van – was able to put a little extra on it this month
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – working on it (with paying off the van this isn’t our first priority but we are moving forward slowly).

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Spend extra time with the Girls since they have a couple days off school

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
    4. Reading / listening through my Bible – doing the 90 day plan through YouVersion
    5. Vote in the 2012 Election

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Tackle Fall Cleaning & Organization Projects (Focus – Office / Garage)
    4. Pay all upcoming bills
    5. Winterize the Garden
    6. Put printed pictures in the photo album
    7. Clean Out Fridge
    8. Recycle old Magazines & update with November editions

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Send out invoices
    4. Finish scheduling November work dates

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email
    3. Re-organize the Alms & Legs Food Pantry

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)

    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.

  • New Upromise eCoupons for November 2012

    Upromise has posted their new eCoupons for the month of November 2012. Remember to activate your eCoupons to get additional savings. If you have not yet signed up for Upromise you can get more information regarding on our experience or directly at the Upromise website.

    This month they have 26 coupons you can activate for bonus savings. Once you activate your eCoupons all you have to do is scan your rewards card or purchase the items at the store and the cash will be added to your account. You don’t even have to carry any coupons to get the rewards!

    You can go to their website for more information on the Upromise program, it’s free to join.

  • Family Activities: 3 Big Pumpkins with 6 Different Faces!

    One side of the pumpkins had a Mr. Potato Head type face on it! Karlie’s “serious” pumpkin, Grandma Penny & Great Grandma Willa’s “silly” pumpkin, and Brina’s “puppy dog” pumpkin! This side of the pumpkin took a lot less time to do.  It was super easy and if you don’t want to mess with carving or cleaning out a pumpkin this is a great alternative. The girls loved picking out the pieces for their pumpkins and designing a face.

    We were super excited to have Grandma Penny and Great Grandma Willa come visit us for a few days in October.  During their visit we were able to squeeze in a lot of fun activities.  One of the activities was carving pumpkins!  The girls had a blast hanging out with both Grandmas and have a lot of great memories of their time with us.  Thankful that they were able to come visit us.  🙂

    The other side of the pumpkins had the carved version on it which was perfect for the evening.  Karlie’s “scary” pumpkin, Grandma Penny & Great Grandma Willa’s “cat” pumpkin, and Brina’s “happy” pumpkin sitting on the front porch.

    The PROCESS……

    Scooping out the pumpkin seeds

    Gross……slimy pumpkin hands!

    Karlie designed her own “scary” pumpkin face complete with eyelashes!  She drew her face on a piece of paper and Jake helped her transfer it to her pumpkin.  So proud of her scary pumpkin!

    Brina wanted a “happy” pumpkin!

    Trying to get Skip-A-Doo to pose with them in front of the pumpkins…..ha!  Skipper wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but I have to give them credit for trying to get her to cooperate for the picture!

    The girls had a lot of fun doing the pumpkins with Grandma Penny and Great Grandma Willa.  They thought it was neat having a “2 sided” pumpkin with different faces on each side.  The jack-o-lantern that they carved was their night pumpkin and the silly faces were their day pumpkins.  We used the pumpkins seeds to make 3 Seasoned Pumpkin Seed recipes.  Did you carve or decorate pumpkins?  I would love to see your pumpkins, feel free to post a link to your pictures in the comment section below!

  • Giveaway & Review: “21 Days to a More Disciplined Life” ebook by Crystal Paine (5 WINNERS – Today Only)

    21-days-3d1-200x308

    Do you have ideas, hopes, goals, and dreams for what you want to accomplish in your life, but you feel like you’re being held back by a lack of personal discipline?  I am excited to introduce you to Crystal Paine’s new ebook 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life!   Crystal is the author of the popular Money Saving Mom blog.  This is a positive, practical, and motivating ebook that will encourage you to make progress, in the right direction, on those areas of your life that need extra attention! 

    TODAY ONLY 5 lucky readers will win a FREE copy of the 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine!  ENTER NOW for a chance to win a copy of this great ebook (it only takes a couple seconds to leave a comment and be entered into the giveaway, please see all the giveaway details below)! 

    You can get started reading 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine or through Amazon for only $0.99 for the next 3 days only (October 23-25, 2012)!

    Who is This Book For?

    21 Days to a More Disciplined Life (or through Amazon) is for you if:

    • You have trouble following through.
    • You get overwhelmed by huge projects.
    • You start strong, but your passion fizzles out.
    • You are super-disciplined in a few areas of your life, but you have one or two pet areas that you just can’t get under control.
    • You check out 10 different books on discipline and organization from the library, but return all of them late.

    Why I love this book:

    There are specific areas in my life (physically, spiritually, and more) that I need to focus on because I haven’t given them the extra attention they need and it is mainly due to a lack of discipline on my part.  I am looking forward to implementing several of the great ideas Crystal shared in this book.  She has help inspire me to get “back on track” and tackle those many goals / projects that I keep putting on the back burner for several weeks, months, and yes (although it’s embarrassing to admit) even some goals that I have been delaying for several years now. 

    After reading 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life I think it will help inspire you to make positive steps in the right direction as well.  I know many of you will enjoy this ebook and find it to be a wonderful resource!  It is a great time of year to re-evaluate our lives, goals, and priorities.

    • Are you easily overwhelmed by your big ideas or projects, and you just don’t know where to start and how to make real progress?
    • Do you find yourself making “all-or-nothing” plans for transforming your life, and then three days later you crash and burn under the weight of your plan?

    Giveaway Details

    As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Crystal Paine’s ebook I am hosting a giveaway!  5 WINNERS will receive a free copy of 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine!

    How to Enter:

    1. Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied.  You can sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
    2. You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing your best tip that helps you stay on track with your projects and goals!

    All comments must be made by Tuesday, October 23, 2012 11:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.

    I encourage you to check out more information on 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine if you are interested in finding ways to help you to tackle all those projects and goals you have been putting on hold for days, weeks, months, maybe even years!  This ebook book may give you the just right dose of motivation to get you on the road to a more disciplined life!  What are you waiting for…….get a copy and start reading today!

    More information about  21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine can be found:

    The 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine is currently available for $0.99 for the next 3 days ONLY (Tuesday, October 23 to Thursday, October 25, 2012) after that it will go up to $4.99.  You can also order it through Amazon for the same great price!

    I was given this ebook for free to write an informed review.  The ebook, specific product information, and pictures were provided by Crystal Paine, however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.   I was not paid to write this post.  A special thanks to Crystal Paine for providing me a copy of her 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook to review as well as five to giveaway to my readers!
     

  • Guest “Welcome” Basket

    Welcome Basket

    Occasionally we have missionaries, family, or friends staying with us that have been or will be traveling.  When they stop by for a few days or weeks we try to make sure to have a “welcome” letter and basket full of goodies for them to use.  They can go through the basket and pick out any items that their family can use or take with them.  If there are some items that they won’t use they can give them away or leave them.

    One of the best parts about shopping the sales and using coupons is you have an opportunity to be a blessing to people that you meet.  I love being able to pack a basket full of products for our guests to pick out what they want or need.  It saves them a little cash plus they don’t need to make that extra trip to the store.

    Here are some of the items in the basket pictured above that was beside the guest bed for a family earlier this year:

    • Women’s Deodorant
    • Men’s Deodorant
    • Breathe Right Strips
    • Finger Nail Polish
    • Trident Gum
    • Adult Mouthwash
    • Kids Mouthwash
    • Floss – Adult & Kids
    • Sheets Energy Strips
    • Men’s Shaving Foam
    • Men’s Razors
    • Women’s Shaving Cream
    • Women’s Razors
    • Hand Sanitizer
    • New Toothbrushes (for adults & kids)
    • Antibacterial Bandaids
    • Eye Drops
    • Women’s Body Wash
    • Men’s Body Wash
    • Kids Kool Fever Busters
    • Chapstick
    • Lotion
    • Cologne
    • Perfume
    • Women’s Body Spray
    • Men’s Body Spray
    • Feminine Products
    • Adult Toothpaste
    • Kids Toothpaste
    • Contact Cleaning & Rinse Solution
    • Pens / Pencils
    • Paper
    • Kid’s Medicine
    • Adult Medicine
    • And More!!!!!

    Our family doesn’t have everything money can buy, but we have been richly blessed with many items so it is a real treat being able to share what we have with others.  If there is something specific I know a guest enjoys (food, products, or other items) I do my best to make sure it is available for them when they arrive.  I don’t always remember (or get it right) but I think it helps make your guests feel welcome when you have something to welcome them into your home.  If I don’t have a basket ready for them I try to put out a note or something little on the bed or in the guest bathroom for them.  How do you make your guests feel welcome when they come to stay in your home?

  • FREE Military stay at Bed & Breakfasts in North America on November 11, 2012

    Inns and Bed & Breakfast’s throughout North America will open their doors to active and retired military and vets plus one guest on Sunday, November 11, 2012.  As a way to say thank you for your service 217 (and counting) Inns and Bed & Breakfast’s are offering a free room to those who’ve served in the military.

    The rooms are offered on a space available basis, and there are far more deserving vets than B&B space allows.   Offers are updated daily and may be sorted by state (or province), so check back often and scroll down for participating inns and Bed &Breakfast’s.

    Click here to learn more about how to find a participating inn or B&B and more details about the requirements to participate.

    Click here to learn about Canadian B&Bs for Vets offers from BBCanada. Look what’s in store.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    One of the best parts about writing down my goals is it gives me a chance to review them weekly, however, it can be quite convicting if it is a rough week.  I was able to get some of the items on my list done this week.  Hopefully this week I will be able to tackle more items on my list!

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily – there were a couple nights late nights that I didn’t have a chance to read to the girls
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Go on a Field Trip with the Girls Classes – went with Karlie’s class to the Fire Station

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – almost made it, did 4 days out of the 5
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (I got a pre-release copy to read) – working on it
    4. Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith – reading through it

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule – making some progress on it
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on 5 blog items – got caught up some items
    4. Complete the Website Blog Update

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email
    3. Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure – need to work out the last few details
    4. A Friend Challenged me to read through my Bible – since I am already through the majority of the year I am working on a plan where you can read through the Bible in 90 days by YouVersion – working faithfully through it

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over this week
    2. Payoff the Van – working on it
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – moving forward slowly

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Spend extra time with Grandma, Great Grandma, and extended family

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (I got a pre-release copy to read)
    4. Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on 5 blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email
    3. Write and Send Out Alms & Legs Ministry Team Email
    4. Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure
    5. A Friend Challenged me to read through my Bible – since I am already through the majority of the year I am working on a plan where you can read through the Bible in 90 days by YouVersion

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)

    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.

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    Groceries from Walmart &  Ingles

    It was a whirlwind of a week.  Jake had to head to Charleston for some work meetings, but we are thankful to have him back home with us again.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Walmart Groceries:

    • $8.96 at Walmart for 1 bag of Great Value Splenda Sugar Substitute, 1 bag Lindt Assorted Chocolate Truffles (FREE after coupon), and 1 jar Hellman’s Mayonnaise.

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $38.66 at Ingles for 6 boxes Jiffy Corn Bread Mix, 2 packs McCormick  Enchilada Mix, 2 packs McCormick Chicken, 2 packs McCormick Burrito Mix, 2 packs McCormick Fajitas Marinade, 2 packs McCormick Taco Seasoning, 2 packs McCormick Chili Mix, 2 packs Chili-O Seasoning, 2 packs Chicken Marinade, 2 packs Meatball Seasoning, 1 bag Laura Lynn Potato Chips, 1 bag Laura Lynn Tortilla Chips, 2 bags Laura Lynn Sandwich Bread, 2 gallons Laura Lynn 2% Milk, 1 bag Sorrento String Cheese (sale plus coupon), 1 container Chocolate Cool Whip (marked down), 2 packs Laura Lynn English Muffins, 1 bag Rhodes Dinner Rolls, 1 box Tai Pei Orange Chicken (FREE product coupon), 1 bag Broccoli Coleslaw (marked down), 1 bag mixed Vegetables (marked down), 1 bag Yellow Delicious Apples (marked down), 1 tube All World Garlic (marked down), and 1 tube All World Sweet Basil (marked down).  (Everything I purchased at Ingles was either on sale or marked down or I had a free product coupon.  All the produce was marked down to 99 cents as you can see from the bright green stickers.)

    This week I spent $47.62  on groceries.   I went over on the budget this week.   I was happy to get some produce deals and stock back up on a few items we were needing to replenish in our fridge and pantry.  Hopefully next week we can come under budget and October will be a better month for us!

    It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  :) As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    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, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    Groceries from Walmart, BiLo, & Ingles

    I didn’t have my act together enough last week to post pictures of my grocery shopping trip so I made a point even though this week was crazy to squeeze it in again.  When I stay on track with posting my grocery budget tends to do better too.  Earlier this week my husband informed me that we no longer had any bacon in the house so I picked up a couple packs for him.  🙂  This week I mainly stocked up on some fresh produce and bacon.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Walmart Groceries:

    • $2.61 at Walmart for 1 pack of Carolina Pride Bacon

    BiLo Groceries:

    • $6.46 at BiLo for 1 pack Smoked Sausage, 1 pack Southern Home Bacon, and 1 container Southern Home Spread (everything purchased at BiLo was on sale this week.)

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $18.93 at Ingles for 1bag Laura Lynn Tortilla Corn Chips (sale), 1 bag Laura Lynn Potato Chips (sale), 1 pack Laura Lynn Hamburger Buns , 1 loaf Laura Lynn Sandwich Bread, 1.25 pounds White Grapes, 1.55 pounds Red Grapes, 1 bag Yellow Apples (5 pounds), 1 container fresh Mushrooms, 1 container Idaho Bleu Cheese, 1 container Avocado Dip, 1 container fresh Strawberries, 1 container fresh Tomatoes, and 1 bag Fresh Express Caesar Salad. (Everything I purchased at Ingles was either on sale or marked down.  All the produce was marked down to 99 cents to $1.49 as you can see from the bright green stickers.)

    This week I spent $28.00  on groceries.   I went under on the budget this week.  I am not sure how I did it but somehow I managed to spend money at three stores and end up with an even amount (that doesn’t happen very often).  Hopefully that is a sign that it will be a good grocery month for us.  I was happy to get some produce deals and stock back up on bacon for my hubby.  Hopefully next week we can come under budget and September will be a better month for us!

    It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  :) As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    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, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

     Last week we packed in a lot of regular as well as fun activities.  As I look over my goals for last week there were a lot of items that didn’t get done or weren’t done on time.  We had a family member get sick the first half of last week and that set me back a couple of days on top of all the other little things that pop up from day to day.  Hopefully next week I will be able to tackle more items on my list!

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily – the girls read to me every day last week but after school, activities, homework, dinner, baths, etc…..there wasn’t enough time left for me to read to them every night last week.
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family – we did a bonfire at the house and went to the fair
    6. Go on a Date Night with my Handsome Man – YAY!  We were able to go out and celebrate our 12th anniversary together (a little delayed since it was in July, ha). We had a blast together and the girls had fun too! 🙂

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – had a few extra items put on my plate so didn’t get it done this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day – almost did it
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center) – only a couple chapters remaining

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I washed & folded in one day but put it away the following day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule – getting closer
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items – not sure if I will ever get completely caught up

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over this week
    2. Payoff the Van – working on it, sold our 200 bushels of wheat so that will help pay down the van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Attend Back to School Night Event
    7. Schedule a Meet & Greet with 1 of the girls teachers

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on 5 blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email
    3. Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)

    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.