Family Finances

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    It has been a wonderful, crazy, and memory packed few weeks since I last updated my weekly goals.  Recently I have had the opportunity to travel to several amazing places both in the USA and overseas including Qatar, India, Charleston and more!  Plus we have had family and friends visiting with us from around the world too.  Life has been a bundle of adventures and memories.  There is so much to catch up on….  It has been several weeks since I had a “normal” week I am not sure what it looks like anymore, nevertheless, I need to re-focus and stay on top of the goals I have set for myself this year.  Thanks for hanging in there with me during this time of travel and a house full of guests!  I have started posting some pictures and tidbits on my adventures these last few weeks and will have more to share soon!  Since I have family guests from Indonesia staying with me this week I tried to make the list short so I can spend the extra time with family.

    Here is the update on last “months” goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day – there were a few days that I was not able to Skype with the girls when I was overseas
    2. Write and mail cards
    3. Spend quality time with Jake – I had an amazing time catching up, exploring, and traveling with my man overseas
    4. Date Night with Jake
    5. Visit extended Family – we had the opportunity to go visit Jake’s cousin Matt and his family while we were in India, we had a BLAST!

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – ummmm….I did a lot of walking and sightseeing but never really kept track of it
    2. Finish reading Who Got Peanut Butter on My Daily Planner by Cindy Sigler Dagnam – finished reading it on the airplane
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week – I took a lot of pictures, but I didn’t stay on top of the writing piece

    Business Goals

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

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
    3. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week – I probably could have done even more, there were so many little things that I enjoyed doing for others during my travels.  Here’s one example – I gave out several disposable toothbrushes to several fellow travelers on my journeys.  A couple times while I was using the Colgate Wisps someone would ask me, “where did you get that?” and after telling them I brought it with me from home I would offer them one, it was amazing how many people appreciated this simple gesture.

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week – need to get our budget back up-to-date and back on track

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Spend quality time with our Guests
    3. Spend quality time with Jake
    4. Date Night with Jake
    5. Participate in a fun kid activity (go to the park, play, or explore)
    6. Do a creative craft with the kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Finish reading  How We Love Our Kids by Milan & Kay Yerkovich

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
    3. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week

    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

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    School Lunch Box Meal

    The girls have a lot of fun helping put together their lunches for school.  Often they will pick out their favorite drink, containers, baggies and other goodies.  They enjoy eating homemade applesauce, jello, and more items that we make together.  The best part about making the fruits, cookies, and other food from scratch at home is you know exactly what goes into it.  You can make it with whole wheat, no sugar as well as adding other healthy ingredients.  Each meal the girls get a protein, fruit, vegetable, diary, drink and snack.  Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.

    Lunch Box Meal:

    • Peanut Butter & Homemade Strawberry Jam Sandwich
    • Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
    • Peach or Vanilla Yogurt
    • Lemon or Raspberry Jello
    • Broccoli, Cabbage, & Carrots “Straws” (Broccoli Coleslaw Mix that the girls have renamed broccoli straws)
    • Chocolate Milk
    • BBQ Chips
    • Mint Solo Granola Bar
    • Homemade Cookies

    The rainbow sandwich container, candy corn baggie and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.

     

  • Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals

    Brina’s lunch

    Last year for their birthday a friend gave the girls monogram lunch boxes.  Both of the girls still pick those lunchboxes to use almost everyday.  Occasionally they will change it up a little bit but they love having a lunch box with their name on it.  They know it is theirs and are responsible for cleaning it out everyday after they get home from school.  Every once in awhile if they start smelling I will go through and give it a more thorough cleaning.  I always find a good stash of “love notes” from me in each of their bags which makes me smile and confirms that taking the time to write the sweet notes for the girls really does mean a lot to them.

    • Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich
    • Fresh Green Pepper Slices
    • Fresh Green Grapes or Fresh Apple Slices
    • Strawberry Jello
    • Vanilla Yogurt
    • Chocolate Covered Cherries
    • Goldfish
    • Mrs. Field’s Oatmeal Cookie
    • Bottle of Water

    Karlie’s school lunch

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was week of firsts for me.  I did items a little more out of my typical comfort zone, the good news is that not only did I survive but I rather enjoyed some of it.  This week I want to focus more of my attention on catching up and reconnecting with Jake since we have been half a world apart for three weeks (I hope to share more about that adventure soon).

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Distribute the girls “I Love You” Surprises
    3. Write and mail cards
    4. Put together items for Jake
    5. Print off the Family Calendar, Event List and Information
    6. Meet the girls for lunch at school
    7. Finish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls – I finished The Secret Garden and started Swiss Family Robinson, my Mom finished reading it with the girls (thanks Mom!)

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – with all the travel and craziness I didn’t get this one done
    2. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week – not quite daily but did most days!

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. House cleaned and ready for company – well company arrived & it was presentable, ha!
    4. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – a couple items fell through the cracks
    3. Finish 2011 Business Taxes

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week – could do a lot better at this one…..
    4. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – week was off with traveling, didn’t keep up to date records this week
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
    3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on business taxes to be finished by accountant
    4. Put money aside for upcoming trips – getting closer
    5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Write and mail cards
    3. Spend quality time with Jake
    4. Date Night with Jake
    5. Visit extended Family

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Finish reading 
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week

    Business Goals

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

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
    3. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week

    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

  • Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals

    School Lunchbox Meals

    Part of the problem with doing lunchbox meals everyday is making sure you have a variety of ways to not only keep it appealing but also healthy for your family.  The girls love getting “surprises” in their lunchboxes.  Every once in awhile I will stick something special in their lunches that I find to keep it healthy and fun.

    • Peanut Butter and Homemade Strawberry Jam
    • Fresh Pepper Strips
    • Fresh Green Grapes
    • Gold Fish
    • Cherry Jello
    • Vanilla Yogurt
    • Chocolate Covered Cherries
    • Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Cookie & Chocolate Covered Raisins
    • Pink Lemonade

    Packing lunches for the kids

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was a tough one in many ways.  I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions all at the same time.  Several unexpected things came up throughout the week and this week is going to be a big one with all the extra activities going on.  I am hoping this week will still be productive even though I need to cut it back a little with everything that is going on.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
    4. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    5. Put together a Schedule / Reference Worksheet for Mom – almost done

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – getting in a habit of staying up too late again
    3. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
    4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together). – finished the entire book

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    4. Spend 1 hour a day de-cluttering and organizing the house

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    4. Finish 2011 Business Taxes – still at the accountants office

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Write and Email the meeting notes for our Alms & Legs Ministry Team Meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
    3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on the business taxes to be complete
    4. Put money aside for upcoming trips – put a little aside
    5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Distribute the girls “I Love You” Surprises
    3. Write and mail cards
    4. Put together items for Jake
    5. Print off the Family Calendar, Event List and Information
    6. Meet the girls for lunch at school
    7. Finish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. House cleaned and ready for company
    4. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Finish 2011 Business Taxes

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
    4. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
    3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes
    4. Put money aside for upcoming trips
    5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes

    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

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    I thought maybe this week would a little calmer, but it has yet to slow down.  In between appointments I was able to make a quick stop at the grocery store.  Nothing fancy or amazing this week just picking up a few items before the next wave of crazy begins, ha!  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Ingles and Dollar Tree

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $35.02 at Ingels for 2 loaves Bread, 1 container Cottage Cheese, 2 jars Planters Peanut Butter (on sale), 1 package Ground Beef (on clearance), 1 box Danimals Yogurt Sticks, 1 container Philadelphia Italian Cream Cheese Spread (on clearance $0.99), 1 container Strawberry Cream Cheese, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 bag fresh Oranges (on clearance for $0.99), 1 can Biscuits ( on clearance $0.50), 1 bag Blueberry Bagels. (everything was marked down, on sale, or clearance today at Ingles).

    Dollar Tree Groceries:

    • $1.00 for 1 box Toast’em Poptarts

    We were able to get a few items this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we’ll need over the next couple of weeks.  Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season!

    This week I spent $36.02 on groceries.  I was under on my budgeted amount for the week, yay!  I was happy to find a few items marked down on clearance.  I hope that next week we can come under budget!

    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.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 7 – 13, 2012

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals.  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Bone In Pork Sirloin Roast – $1.39 lb

    Beef Sirloin Tip Roast – $2.99 lb

    Split Chicken Breast – $0.99 lb

    Schooner Fish Fillets (12 oz) – $2.99

    Cooked Cocktail Shrimp (40 to 60 count) – $4.99

    Portside Popcorn Shrimp (8 oz) – $1.99

    Family Pack Cube Steak – $3.49 lb

    Family Pack Stew Meat – $2.99 lb

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.  Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):

    Redi-Serve Chicken Patties (35 oz)

    Redi-Serve Chicken Nibblers, Original or Chicken & Cheddar (30 to 36 oz)

    Redi-Serve Chicken Strips, Original or Hot ‘n Spicy (36 oz)

    Redi-Serve Charbroiled Rib Patties (26 oz)

    Signature Pick 5 Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (26 to 28 oz)

    Signature Pick 5 Seasoned Potato Wedges (2.5 pounds)

    Signature Pick 5 Sausage & Biscuits (12 count)

    Signature Pick 5 Onion Rings (2 pounds)

    Signature Pick 5 Corn on the Cob (3 pounds)

    Signature Pick 5 Corn Dogs (25.6 oz)

    Signature Pick 5 Shrimp Poppers (24 oz)

    Extra Value Boneless Pork Patties (22.4 oz)

    Extra Value Country Fried Steak (20 oz)

    Extra Value Breakfast Fritters (24 oz)

    Extra Value Pork Chop Fritters (24 oz)

    Extra Value Chuckwagon Patties (24 oz)

    Extra Value Boneless Pork Patty Rib (24 oz)

    Extra Value Beef Meatloaf Patties (22 oz)

    Extra Value Beef Salisbury Patties (22 oz)

    Extra Value Beef Pepper Patties (22 oz)

    Farmland Pork Roll Sausage (2 pounds)

    Sugardale Smoked or Polish Sausage (3 pounds)

    Smithfield Thick Sliced Bacon (20 oz)

    Sugardale Jumbo Hotdogs (3 pounds)

    Fridge and Freezer

     Tortino Pizza Rolls, Combo or Pepperoni (40 count) – $2.50

    Freshchetta Pizza – $4.99

    Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice (58 oz) – $2.99

    Produce

    Russet Potatoes (10 pounds) – $2.99

    Navel Oranges (8 pounds) – $4.99

    Mixed Apples & Oranges (4 pounds) – $2.99

    Red or Gold Delicious Apples (3 pounds) – $1.99

    Green Cabbage – $0.25 lb

    Fresh Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99

    Broccoli – $1.50

    Cauliflower – $1.50

    Household

     Pert Paper Towels (8 count) – $4.99

    Pert Toilet Paper (24 rolls) – $4.99

    Save A Lot Today Paper Towels (1 roll) – $0.50

    Save A Lot Today Glass Cleaner – $1.00

    Save A Lot Today Cleaner with Beach – $1.00

    Save A Lot Today Pine Cleaner Spray – $1.00

    Save A Lot Today Soap Scum Remover – $1.00

    Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $2.39
    Use $0.50/1 printable coupon from Lysol
    $1.89 each after coupon

    Clorox Kitchen Cleaner – $3.89

    Go Ultra Liquid Dish Detergent (24 oz) – $1.99

    Grocery

    Folgers Country Roast Coffee (34.5 oz) – $6.99

    Wesson Vegetable Oil (48 oz) – $2.99

    Kelloggs Cereal, Assorted Varieties (17 to 23 oz) – $2.99
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from Kelloggs
    $2.66 each after coupon

    Starkist Chunk Light Tuna (5 oz) – $0.79

    Betty Crocker Tuna Helper, Assorted Varieties (5 to 6 oz) – $1.00

    Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, Assorted Varieties (64 oz) – $1.98

    Hunt’s Pasta Sauce (24 oz) – $0.88

    Cheez-Its (7 to 9 oz) – $1.79
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/29 Red Plum (Expires 3/25/12)
    $1.29 each after coupon

    So Cheezy Family Size Shells & Cheddar (24 oz) – $1.99

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Lunch box meals for the kids school lunch.

    Our girls are starting to get more efficient in packing their lunches.  Yes, they are a little more generous with the peanut butter or meat on their sandwiches (but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing).  It works best for us if we pre-pack the majority of the items for the girls lunches (and any work lunches) the evening before.  After packing the next days lunches we put them into the refrigerator so we can grab them, pop in an ice pack and go the next day.

    • Ham &  Cheese Sandwich
    • Fresh Green Beans
    • Pita Chips
    • Vanilla or Peach Yogurt
    • Strawberry or Lemon Jello
    • Homemade Applesauce
    • Reduced Sugar Fruit Juice
    • Homemade Cookies

    Homemade applesauce and fresh green beans are one of the girls favorites to take to school.