Family Finances
Free Ebooks: Time Management Guide, Organize Your Home, 25 Cheap and Wholesome Family Meal Recipes for Chicken, Cleaning And Home Organization, The Pocket Budget Bible, 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 Time Management Guide: Discover How To Eliminate Procrastination, Be More Productive, Manage Your Time More Effectively, and Get Things Done by Lisa Johnson
Download a free copy of DIY Cleaning and Organizing: Amazing Tips on How to Clean and Organize Your Entire Home Fast And Effective by Olivia Gray
Download a free copy of Organize Your Home: Declutter Your Home Destress Your Life by Kimberly Sutton
Download a free copy of The Pocket Budget Bible: 10 Commandments of Managing Your Money by David Knoxworth
Download a free copy of Cleaning And Home Organization Box Set #1 – Clutter Free In 3 Days + Minimalist Organization-Secrets To Organize And Clean: Declutter Your Life by Lisa Johnson, Cleaning Hacks, DIY, DIY Household Hacks, DIY Cleaning And Organizing
Download a free copy of 25 Cheap and Wholesome Family Meal Recipes for Chicken by C M Mitchell-Harris
Download a free copy of Teen Success in Career & Life Skills by Carl Sommer
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
We are wrapping up February this week. How is that possible!? This past week we celebrated the girls 10th Birthday. It is hard to believe that they are already 10 years old. We had a couple of snow and ice days so the girls got out of some school this past week so I was thankful for the extra time I had with them. Unfortunately, Jake had to go on a work trip so he missed out on some of the snow and ice adventures, but made it back to celebrate the girls birthday together! I have a lot of projects that I want to get accomplished this week as we gear up for a very busy March! Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Finish reading Ashleigh’s Dream (Thoroughbred Series #5) by Joanna Campbell to the kids– finished reading during the days off schoolPlan one special activity with the family– celebrated the girls BirthdayPlay a Game with the Kids– played games during the kids snow days, the girls and I played their new Destination USA game from Grandpa and GrandmaPrepare for Upcoming Winter Events– have another fun family adventure to plan- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework – they got out of school early on Monday, no school Tuesday and Wednesday, and started late on Thursday so our homework schedule was altered this week!
Attend After School Activities- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before – only had to pack lunches Sunday night, Wed, & Thursday nights this week
Plan a Fun Birthday Activity for the KidsCelebrate Kid’s Birthday
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – got behind a couple days with the kids home and spending time with them
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 a little more time
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer – working on it
- Clean House (Focus – Laundry Room) – spent time with the kids with them being off instead of tackling the laundry room
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Linens Cabinet) – spent extra time with the kids instead
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pick Up Down Sticks) – we picked up sticks, but there are more with all the wind we’ve been having
Pet Care (Focus – Pick Up Hay for Goats)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep 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 – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, medical, and other debt) – made an extra payment again this week
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget- Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay – put on hold with the ice and snow this week
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Wonder’s Yearling (Thoroughbred Series #6) by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Prep for upcoming Family Adventure
- Pull out our Spring / Summer Clothes
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
- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Laundry Room)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Linens Cabinet)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pick Up Down Sticks)
- Pet Care (Focus – Pick Up Sweet Hay)
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
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Medical Bills
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Attend “Financial Peace University” Class & Become More Accountable with our Finances
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
- Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay
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: 22 Cheap Date Ideas, Saving Money on Utilities, Home Organization, Make Ahead Freezer Meals, The Ultimate Guide To Couponing, Prepper’s Survival Pantry, Easy and Fast Low Budget Crockpot Recipes, Organic Eating On A Budget, 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 Don Coupon: 22 Cheap Date Ideas That Won’t Kick You In The Wallet by Jack Toleman
Download a free copy of Saving Money on Utilities (Money Saving Madness Book 3) by Jan Royston
Download a free copy of Home Organization Ideas: Awesome Organizing Tips On A budget by LunaEarth
Download a free copy of Make Ahead Freezer Meals & Slow Cooker Cookbook Box Set: Creative and delicious recipes you can make ahead of time by Amber Brooks
Download a free copy of The Best Homemade Mix Recipes In The World: Delicious, Easy & Homemade Recipes For Your Mixes by Sonia Maxwell
Download a free copy of The Ultimate Guide To Couponing: Learn The Secrets And Powerful Strategies To Save Big Money by Kathy Stanton
Download a free copy of Gluten-free Casserole Cookbook: Easy and Delicious Casserole Recipes for the Gluten-free Diet by Vesela Tabakova
Download a free copy of Prepper’s Survival Pantry: The Ultimate SHTF Preparedness Guide To Canning, Dehydrating And Emergency Water And Food Storage by Henry Hill
Download a free copy of Easy and Fast Low Budget Crockpot Recipes for the Busy Home Cook by T.J. Mercer
Download a free copy of Couponing For Beginners: Live Luxuriously By Saving On Food by Briana Blacksmith
Download a free copy of Organic Eating On A Budget: How To Buy Affordable Organic Foods To Achieve A Healthier Diet And Lifestyle by Kathy Stanton
Download a free copy of 50 Things to Know Before Going On a Road Trip: How to Create a Relaxing and Memorable Experience by Amy Dresser, 50 Things To Know
Free Ebooks: Budgeting Simplified, Coping with Chronic Pain, Tomato Container Gardening, 500 Things to Know About Travel, Survival Seeds, Protecting Your Privacy, Pinch Like You Mean It, Top 150+ Kindle Fire HD Apps, Grandma’s Secret 52 Sunday Recipes, 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 Budgeting Simplified: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Budget and Dominating Your Financial Life by Rocco Cozza
Download a free copy of Coping with Chronic Pain, a Team Effort! For You and Your Family & Friends by Anna Raymann
Download a free copy of 500 Things to Know About Travel: Tips for Budget Planning, Packing, Backpacking Though Europe, Cruise Travel, Car Travel, All-Inclusive Resorts, Traveling with a Baby, and Traveling to WDW by Lisa Rusczyk, Amanda Walton, Amy Dresser, Manidipa Bhattacharyya, Sneha Agrawal, Mehreen Khan, 50 Things To Know
Download a free copy of Tomato Container Gardening Tips by Kaye Dennan
Download a free copy of Healthy Eating on a Dime: Eat Clean, Lose Weight, and Live Healthier Even If You Are On A Tight Budget by Arthur Renzi
Download a free copy of How to Grow Long Hair with Herbs, Vitamins and Gentle Care by Vesela Tabakova
Download a free copy of The Minimalist Budget: A Guide to Help You Save More, Spend Less and Reduce Stress by Jesse Jacobs
Download a free copy of Survival Seeds: The Emergency Heirloom Seed Saving Guide by M. Anderson
Download a free copy of Why You Don’t Need A Record Label: DIY-Musician.com’s Guide To Free Exposure, Making Money, Touring & Performing by Connor Purington
Download a free copy of 11 Things Every Photographer Should Know About HDR Photography by Blake Rudis
Download a free copy of Protecting Your Privacy: A Guide to Keeping Prying Eyes from Your Computer and Online Activities by Jeff Blum
Download a free copy of Pinch Like You Mean It! 101 Ways to Spend Less Money Now by Dr. Penny Pincher
Download a free copy of Top 150+ Kindle Fire HD Apps. Categorized for Simplicity by Steve Taylor
Download a free copy of Grandma’s Secret 52 Sunday Recipes. Nans Perfection by Kath Collins
Download a free copy of Tricks & Tips! (Finely Focused Photography Books – Book 9) by Al Judge
Download a free copy of Homesteading Handbook vol. 3: The Heirloom Seed Saving Guide by Michelle Grande
Free Ebooks: Recipes from the Southern Heart, Who Needs Teeth, Japanese Recipes, The Circle of Profit, Easy Retirement Planning Guide, 9 to Thrive, 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 EASY Retirement Planning Guide by M. T. Anderson
Download a free copy of Bird’s Eye and Other Stories: Beautifully Illustrated Childrens Bedtime Story Book by D. R. Tara
Download a free copy of Children’s Books: WHO NEEDS TEETH? (Adorable Rhyming bedtime Story/Picture Book About Caring for Your Teeth by Sally Huss
Download a free copy of Japanese Recipes: Your Favorite Japanese Recipe Book! by Pamela James
Download a free copy of Recipes from the Southern Heart: Volume 3 by Inez Lott Berry
Download a free copy of 627 Challenging Science & Nature Trivia Questions by Seven Phoenix
Download a free copy of The Circle of Profit: How To Turn Your Passion Into $1 Million by Anik Singal
Download a free copy of 9 to Thrive: How to Find a Career that Actually Makes You Happy & Still Pays the Bills by Richard Glenn
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Our first priority is eating up the leftovers from the previous weekend with my parents and brothers family visiting. We have several items I want to incorporate into our menu and finish up so we don’t waste them. Thankfully my family enjoys leftovers and it is a great way to help fill in the menu while making sure not to waste the food already in our fridge. It will be a simple menu this week and may not be exactly on target with our usual schedule, but hopefully we can catch up on items. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pork Entree): Smashed Baked Potatoes with Bacon Crumbles, Fresh Lettuce Salad
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Ham Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit Salad, Green Bean Casserole
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Special Event – Kids Birthday Celebration
- Thursday (Pasta or Seafood Entree): Roast, Mashed Potatoes
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Thankful for a fun time with my parents and brothers family last weekend. The weekend went by quickly, but we packed in a lot of fun. We celebrated the girls birthday, played games, read books, went on adventures, ate good food, and so much more. Grateful for my parents and their willingness to come visit so they can spend time with our family. The girls were thrilled to have some time with their grandparents. Quality time together means so much to kids and memories are precious treasures during their growing up years! Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Finish reading Ashleigh’s Dream (Thoroughbred Series #5) by Joanna Campbell to the kids – didn’t read as much of the chapter book with all the extra activities this past week
Plan one special activity with the family– spent several days with Grandparents and Brother’s family, even made a trip to downtown GreenvillePlay a Game with the Kids– played a couple old and new games with the kids this week! Grandpa Russell taught them a simple version of 7 up & 7 down. Grandpa & Grandma played their new “Herd Your Houses” game with them!- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events – some preparation items were put on hold briefly while my parents were visiting
Spend time Monday – Thursday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlan a Fun Birthday Activity for the Kids– had a birthday party Friday night with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Lee, Aunt Becky, and the boys!Confirm my parents plans and activities for their upcoming visitCelebrate Valentine’s Day– glad to spend time with my parents, we packed a lot of fun into the day!Spend Extra Time with Extended Family– we split out time with our house and my brother’s house so it was nice to have some time together. The kids enjoyed a lot of extra play time together too.
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t keep up with it a couple days this past week and pretty sure I was low a couple days
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 more than 1 day
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer – working through some of the items that need used
Clean House (Focus – Overall House Cleaning)– it wasn’t completely done, but thankful for Jake and the girls pitching in to help. It wasn’t perfect, but nobody seemed to mind.Organize Chaos (Focus – Game Closet)– got it cleaned out!Yard Cleanup (Focus – Yard Clean Up)– we got some things cleaned up than had another wind storm over the weekend now have more branches and other items blown into the yard that need to be picked up nowPet Care (Focus – Pick Up Salt Block for Goats)– we have a mineral bucket for them
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – have some extra “catch-up” work to do this week
Work 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 – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, medical, and other debt) – working on it, made a small extra payment on it last week
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – went to more than 1 store and went over budget this week (really need to work on this one)
Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay– sold a couple items which we applied towards an extra payment on our debt
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Ashleigh’s Dream (Thoroughbred Series #5) by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Plan a Fun Birthday Activity for the Kids
- Celebrate Kid’s Birthday
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
- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Laundry Room)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Linens Cabinet)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pick Up Down Sticks)
- Pet Care (Focus – Pick Up Hay for Goats)
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
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, medical, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
- Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay
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: The Miracle Journey of Apollo 13, Hippos, Hydrogen Peroxide Secrets, To Wheat or Not to Wheat, How to Create the BEST of You in Your Home, Public Speaking, Self Defense, 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 #Houston70: The Miracle Journey of Apollo 13 by Philip Gibson
Download a free copy of Hippos (Safari Kids) by Jenny Hall
Download a free copy of Hydrogen Peroxide: Proven Secrets to Optimum Health, Quick Healing, Illness Prevention and Natural Beauty by Jesse Jacobs
Download a free copy of To Wheat or Not to Wheat by Shashank Jain and Ankit Pandey
Download a free copy of Food for Thought – 365 Christian Quotes to Start Your Day by Nicholas Appleyard
Download a free copy of How to Create the BEST of You in Your Home by Alexa Keating
Download a free copy of Terrified of Public Speaking? Top 20 Techniques to Help You Take Control and Master Public Speaking! by Online Business Buddy
Download a free copy of Self Defense: Proven Strategies and Tips For Protecting Yourself With Martial Arts by Ken Matthews
Free Ebooks: America’s 50 Favorite Barbecue Recipes, Feeding Success, Parenting and Relationships, Accelerated Learning, Household Hacks, Math Made Easy, 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 America’s 50 Favorite Barbecue Recipes by Buford Moore
Download a free copy of Feeding Success: A Nutrition Blueprint To Fuel Busy Professionals and Business Travelers by Emmanuelle Galland
Download a free copy of Parenting and Relationships by Samuel K. Taylor
Download a free copy of Romantic Lovers for Life: Keeping the Flames Burning for a Passionate Marriage by Laura Beckder
Download a free copy of Accelerated Learning – Advanced Technique for Fast Learning: Become a Super Learner – Learn Speed Reading and Advanced Memorization by Thomas Abreu
Download a free copy of HOUSEHOLD HACKS: Super Simple Ways to Clean Your Home Effortlessly Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Other Cleaning Secrets by Alynda Carroll
Download a free copy of MATH MADE EASY: A quick and easy guide to mental math and faster calculation. (Intellectible Math Book 1) by Reed Lerner, Brett Moses
Amazon Student – FREE 6 Month Trial
Students can sign up for a FREE 6 Month Trial of Amazon Student and receive unlimited FREE 2 Day Shipping! This is the perfect time for students to join! You will get free shipping on millions of items which can come in handy! Also, you will receive exclusive deals, referral credits, and eligible for a variety of sweepstakes, giveaways, and contests.
Amazon Student Benefits:
- Unlimited FREE 2 Day Shipping on Million of items on Amazon.com (with no minimum order size)
- Exclusive Deals & Promotions
- Receive a $10 Credit for referring friends via email and social networks (no limit on the number of referrals)
- Eligible for sweepstakes, giveaways, and contests
Hope you enjoy the benefits of joining Amazon Student!