Budget
Book: “Money Savings Mom’s Budget” by Crystal Paine
I had the privilege of reading a preview copy of Crystal Paine’s first book “The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year” which will be released on January 10, 2012! I have been following Crystal’s blog Money Saving Mom for several years now and was thrilled to receive a copy of her new book to review. As I expected the book was full of practical advice on life, home management, and finances. Crystal discusses tips and resources that have worked well for her family as well as some of the challenges she has experienced along the way.
In the book Crystal shares a step by step process to financial success through seven rules:
- Rule #1 – SET BIG GOALS AND BREAK THEM DOWN INTO BITE-SIZED PIECES
- Rule #2 – STREAMLINE YOUR LIFE AND CUT THE CLUTTER
- Rule #3 – SET UP A REALISTIC, WORKABLE BUDGET
- Rule #4 – TAKE THE CASH-ONLY CHALLENGE
- Rule #5 – USE COUPONS
- Rule #6 – NEVER PAY RETAIL
- Rule #7 – CHOOSE CONTENTMENT
She has these rules broken out over 12 months so you can focus on one at a time and within a year you may see amazing results in your personal life as well as with your family finances. I like that Crystal gives manageable steps for someone starting out and challenges to those who are already practicing some of the principles in her book. In the back of the book she gives worksheets to help get you started on your goals, priorities, budget, and more. By making just a few changes you may start seeing positive results in your life right away.
I wear many hats throughout the week, however, if my priorities and life are a mess I will not have any time or resources leftover to help others. This book helps you streamline your life, household, and finances so you can be a blessing to your family, friends and to the people around you. Her quote “Stop trying to do it all” rang loud and clear when I read it. As women for some reason we feel like we have to be SuperMom or Superwoman yet we often fail because we cannot do everything. When our priorities are in order we will have the time to focus on things that truly are important.
Crystal wraps up the book perfectly by addressing her final rule, “Choose Contentment”. This chapter was my favorite, it is a good reminder to practice contentment in all areas of our lives. No matter what the circumstances are there is ALWAYS much to be thankful for in my life. “Choose to bloom where you’re planted – even if it seems like it’s among thorns.”
I am super excited to see how implementing a few key rules can make a positive impact in my family and hope to share them with you along the way. The Money Saving Mom’s Budget is a practical, encouraging, and motivating book. It would be a perfect gift for your Mom friends, graduates, or as a wedding gift.
The best part…..is that all the profit for the sale of this book are going to Compassion International. Compassion International is an organization that helps to feed and clothe needy children around the world. You can pre-order The Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine now at Amazon it’s $11.09 right now, with a price-guarantee that if the price goes down any between when you order and the release date, you’ll get the lowest price. Plus you can get free shipping with your Amazon Mom account.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
I didn’t get a post up last week with birthday celebrations and Thanksgiving taking up extra time. I sent Jake to the store with a list of items to pick up and he came home with a few “extras” and I was told that they were for my birthday so they shouldn’t count in the normal weekly budget. He did get everything on the list and the few extra items were delicious (shrimp, corn on the cob, etc….) . I am back to a more regular routine this week. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Walmart and Ingles Walmart Groceries:
- $21.40 at Walmart for 2 packs Yeast, 1 gallon of milk, 1 bag Purple Grapes, 1 bag Apples, 2 bottles Ocean Spray Juice, 2 bags Bread, and 1 bag Chicken.
Ingles Groceries:
- $7.74 at Ingles for 2 containers Strawberries, 1 box Wholly Guacamole, 1 container Mushrooms (Everything I bought this week at Ingles was on sale, marked down, or on clearance except the strawberries because they were for a new Mom’s dinner I was delivering this week.)
Groceries from BiLo and Walgreens BiLo Groceries:
- $3.27 at BiLo for 1 gallon of milk. (Somehow my family managed to drink a whole gallon in a day this week so I had to go back and get some more!)
Walgreens Groceries:
- $0.18 at Walgreens for 2 boxes of Brown Sugar after coupons.
This week I spent $32.59 on groceries. Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on some items and to recover a little bit from last weeks birthday and Thanksgiving celebrations. This week I had the privilege of taking meals to two new Moms and meet their little ones, what a blessing children are in our lives! I hope that next week is better week and 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.
Family Recipe: Cream Cheese Candies
My cousin Rachel shared this recipe with me many years ago. These are perfect for holidays, weddings, showers, birthdays, or any special celebrations. You can make them any color to match the theme of the party.
Cream Cheese Candies:
- 1 package Cream Cheese, softened (8 oz)
- 1/3 teaspoon Peppermint or Almond Extract
- 3 cups Confectioners Sugar
- Food Coloring
- Colored Sugar, optional
In a small mixing bowl combine cream cheese and extract. Beat in 1 1/2 cup Confectioner’s Sugar. Knead in remaining Confectioner’s Sugar until smooth. Shape into 1/2 inch balls. Roll in colored sugar if desired. Place in ungreased baking sheets and flatten with a fork or form into the shape you want. Let stand 1 hour to harden and store in airtight container in the refrigerator. Yields – 6 dozen
Photo by Jo Naylor
New Upromise eCoupons for December 2011
Upromise has posted their new eCoupons for the month of December 2011. 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 29 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.
Living on a Budget: Creative Cash (November Update)
November is my tenth month tracking my Creative Cash. What is Creative Cash? Creative Cash is finding ways to come up with extra cash to share with others as well as work on our current goal. 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 important not only to save money for our family by using coupons and buying items on sale but to earn a little money to help with the extra expenses and to share with others. The extra amount I bring in on top of the work is what I call “Creative Cash” which means finding ways to make money creatively or with items and talents I have already. I have tested this goal over the last couple months as I am challenging myself to make my life more simplified. I plan to continue this goal for the remaining months of the year. Despite the many financial obstacles that we have faced as a family we have been blessed with so much. We believe it is important to be accountable with our finances and give to others.Explanation: The creative cash will be made throughout the entire month through various endeavors. As it comes in the money is placed into our savings account and withdrawn at the end of the month so it can be split. It is my goal to make at least $100 extra a month to help with our goals as well as share with others. At the end of the month the money will be split 50 / 50 with half going towards our current goal we are working on (which at the moment is paying down debt) and the other half going to charity.
November was a pretty good month even though it was extremely active in many other areas of my life. Thankfully I was able to save some extra cash however, I did not reach my my goal of $100. I want to share with you the ways we did it so if you are looking for ways to make a little extra creative cash for your family hopefully we can be an inspiration in getting your creative juices flowing:
- $8.96– Items sold on Ebay (after fees): The all the items sold were coupons. I encourage you to look around at some of the coupons you get the mail, newspapers, magazines, in your stockpile, or other places and if you will not have the opportunity to use them then consider selling them for a little extra creative cash
- $44.08 – Other miscellaneous amounts earned (rebates, returns, cash back, extra money, etc…) that was added to my stash for the month.
November’s “Creative Cash” total was $53.04 which means $26.52 extra that goes towards our current goal (paying down debt) and $26.52 goes towards charity. I have plan of action on ways to earn creative cash in December so stayed tuned, hopefully, it will be another month where we can get closer to our goal and share with others. Each month I do a variety activities to accomplish this goal, the items above are just the ones I did specifically in November. 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 our family as well as invest in the lives of others is important to us. I hope that we 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! Do you know of another way to earn creative cash? I would love to hear your idea!
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.
Photo by StopNLook
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of November 30 – December 6, 2011
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. You can start stocking up on some great deals for upcoming Holiday cooking. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Sugardale Bone In Hank Potion Ham – $1.19 per lb
Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.49 per lb
Beef Eye of Round Roast – $3.99 per lb
Cooked Cocktail Shrimp (41 to 50 count) – $4.99
Hickory Springs Sliced Bacon (12 oz) – $1.99
Farmington Pork Sausage, Hot or Mild (16 oz) – $1.99
Fairgrounds Sliced Lunchmeats, Assorted Varieties (16 oz) – $2.99
Fairgrounds Jumbo Hot Dogs (16 oz) – $0.99
Portside Fish Fillets, Tilapia, Perch or Flounder (16 oz) – $3.99
Matlaw’s Shrimp Ring with Sauce (10 oz) – $4.99
Portside Imitation Crabmeat (16 oz) – $1.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Coburn Farms Cream Cheese – $1.00
Land O’ Lakes Spreadable Butter (8 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
Use $0.30/1 coupon from insert 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
As low as $1.49 each after couponBanquet Family Size Entrees (26 to 28 oz) – $2.00
Tropicana Orange Juice (59 oz) – $2.99
Chef Antonio Rising Crust Pizza, Pepperoni or Cheese – $3.49
Eggo Waffles (10 count) – $1.79
World’s Fair Vanilla Ice Cream (56 oz) – $2.79
Mrs. Smith’s Pies, Pumpkin, Apple or Cherry – $2.99
Use $1.00/2 coupon from pamphlet Target booklet (Expires 12/30/11)
$2.49 each after couponGold Leaf Deep Dish Pie Shells – $2.33
Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.59
Morning Delight Crescent Rolls – $1.69
Save A Lot Today Orange Juice (59 oz) – $1.99
Curly’s Pulled Pork or Beef (18 oz) – $3.99
Produce
California Navel Oranges (4 lbs) – $2.99
Mixed Bag of Fruit (4 lbs) – $2.99
Idaho Potatoes (10 lbs) – $2.99
Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99
Red Grapefruit (3 lbs) – $1.50
Sunburst Tangerines (3 lbs) – $1.50
Household
Tide Powder Laundry Detergent (20 oz) – $3.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon from Ebony magazine (Expires 12/31/11)
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 10/23 Red Plum (Expires 11/30/11)
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 11/27 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 12/31/11)
As low as $2.99 each after couponWrightware Foam Plates (40 count) – $1.39
Poly Steel Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil (37.5 sq ft) – $1.99
Wrightware Napkins (250 count) – $1.69
Chenard Plastic Cutlery, Knife, Fork, Spoon Assortment (48 count) – $1.69
Max Force Alkaline Batteries, Assorted Varieties – $1.99
Grocery
Folgers Classic Roast Ground Coffee (22.6 oz) – $6.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 11/6 Red Plum (Expires 12/3/11)
$5.99 each after couponCrisco Vegetable or Canola Oil (48 oz) – $2.99
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 11/6 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/12)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 11/6 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/12)
$2.49 each after couponCap ‘N Crunch Cereal, Assorted Varieties (12 to 14 oz) – $1.99
Kraft Deluxe or Velveeta Dinners (9 to 14 oz) – $1.79
Use $1.00/2 coupon from tearpad found in some stores (Expires 11/30/11)
$1.29 each after couponRitz Crackers, Assorted Varieties (14 to 15 oz) – $2.50
Prego Pasta Sauce, Assorted Varieties (24 oz) – $1.50
Use $0.75/2 coupon from 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
Use $1.00/3 coupon from 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
As low as $1.13 each after couponPregresso Traditional Soups, Assorted Varieties – $1.50
Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Assorted Varieties – $2.49
Welch’s Chillers Juice Drinks, Assorted Varieties (64 oz) – $1.99
On the Border Tortilla Chips (12 oz) – $2.00
Grissom’s Brown ‘n Serve Rolls ( 12 count) – $1.19
Monet Entertainment Crackers (8 oz) – $1.69
Lofthouse Snickerdoodle Cookies – $2.79
Cafe Valley Fudge Bundt Cake – $3.39
Portmann’s Mayonnaise – $2.49
J Higgs Saltines – $1.19
Wylwood Chili Beans – $0.75
Hargis House Beef Stew (24 oz) – $2.39
Hargis House Sloppy Joe Sauce (15.5 oz) – $0.99
Mantia’s Alfredo Sauce (15 oz) – $1.99
Crisp Cranberry Lemon Lime Soda (2 liter) – $0.79
Coburn Farms Evaporated Milk (15 oz) – $0.79
Ginger Evans Cake Mix – $1.35
Ginger Evans Ready to Spread Frosting – $1.49
Ginger Evans Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (12 oz) – $2.29
Morning Gem’s Frosted Flakes Cereal (17 oz) – $2.29
Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89
Morning Delight Country Style or Buttery Syrup (24 oz) – $1.89
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.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Our family had a blast spending some time together for Thanksgiving last week. I was beginning to wonder what kind of week it would be when we started the week tired and with a little one throwing up. Thankfully we didn’t have any big travel plans and have gotten past that little spurt of sickness now everyone seems to be on the mend. Over the Thanksgiving week together we laughed, snuggled, read books, worked on projects, ate delicious food, went shopping, put up the Christmas tree, and just had fun relaxing as well as doing stuff around the house. I am thankful for a wonderful family and an opportunity to spend some extra time together.
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everydayRead a book to the girls everyday- Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week – didn’t make do it 5 days
- Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed) – not quite every night
Spend extra time with my family over the Thanksgiving Holiday
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – the first half of the week went well
Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Tuesday
Home Management Goals
Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by MondaySpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the houseDinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Wednesday)All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayPut up the Christmas Tree
Business Goals
- Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk – my desk was buried by the end of the weekend, time with the family took priority
Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
Ministry Goals
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – ahem….this one didn’t happen with birthday and Holidays, my sweet husband did a trip for me which brought it up as well.
- Pay off remaining debt – working on it
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – on hold until the debt is paid off
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
- Read a book to the girls everyday
- Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week
- Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed)
- Get the girls passport pictures taken
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Tuesday
- Finish reading The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year by Crystal Paine who has a blog called Money Saving Mom (VERY excited about the opportunity to preview this book by a blogger I have been following for years and thankful to be featured on her blog weekly with the Save A Lot Deals!)
- Listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (I am going through this book with my Community Group)
Home Management Goals
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
- Dinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- File the receipts and coupons for the last couple of months.
Business Goals
- Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
- Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Review my 2011 Business Goals and start planning ones for 2012
Ministry Goals
- Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Make at least $25 towards my Creative Cash goal this week so I can give more to others.
- Deliver a meal to a new Mom.
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Pay off remaining debt
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
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
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of November 23 – 29, 2011
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. You can start stocking up on some great deals for upcoming Holiday cooking. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Sugardale Bone In Hank Potion Ham – $1.19 per lb
Chuck Wagon or Old Farm Bacon (16 oz) – $1.78
Farmington Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $1.99
Fresh Whole Chicken – $0.79 per lb
Portside Cooked Shrimp (60 to 70 count) – $3.99
Matlaw’s Shrimp Ring with Cocktail Sauce (10 oz) – $4.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Home Churned Butter Quarters (16 oz) – $1.99
Buyers Best Shoestring French Fries (12 oz) – $0.79
Imperial Spread (45 oz) – $2.50
Coburn Farms Cream Cheese – $1.00
Cool Whip (8 oz) – $1.00
Totino’s Pizza (9 to 10 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 9/11 General Mills (Expires 12/3/11)
Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 10/2 General Mills (Expires 12/24/11)
Use $1.00/4 coupon from pamphlet Kroger’s My Magazine Giving Hope a Hand (Expires 12/4/11)
Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 10/2 General Mills (Expires 12/24/11)
As low as $0.75 each after couponResers Salads (16 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/1 printable coupon from Coupon Web
Use $0.75/1 coupon found on a tearpad in some stores (Expires 12/30/11)
As low as FREE each after couponMrs Smith’s Pumpkin, Apple or Cherry Pies (27 oz) – $2.99
Use $1.00/2 coupon from pamphlet Target booklet (Expires 12/30/11)
$2.49 each after couponCoburn Farms Aerosol Whipped Cream – $1.79
Ginger Evans Ready to Bake Chocolate Chips or Sugar Cookies – $2.29
Take and Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49
Take and Bake Supreme or Pepperoni Pizza (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99
Wylwood Broccoli Normandy (16 oz) – $1.29
Morning Delight Buttermilk Biscuits – $0.59
Wylwood Shredded Hashbrowns (24 oz) – $2.39
Produce
Celery – $0.79
Sweet Potatoes – $0.49 per lb
Idaho Potato (5 pounds) – $1.89
Mini Carrots (1 pound) – $1.00
Household
Poly Steel Heavy Duty Aluminum (32 sF) – $1.79
Starware Food Storage (assorted variety) – $1.49
Wrightware Napkins (250 count) – $1.69
Ajax Dish Liquid (16 oz) – $0.99
Luster Facial Tissues (85 count) – $0.79
Grocery
Stuffing on the Side – $0.89
Coburn Farms Evaporated Milk – $0.79
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.45
Kool-Aid Jammers (10 count) – $1.88
Harvest Select Grape or Cranberry Cocktails (64 oz) – $1.69
Musselman’s Apple Sauce (46 to 48 oz) – $2.50
Velveta Cheesy Potatoes – $1.79
T.G.I. Friday Snacks (5 oz) – $1.00
Progresso Bread Crumbs (15 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 11/13 General Mills (Expires 1/5/12)
$0.50 each after couponSwiss Miss Hot Chocolate (6 count) – $1.00
Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 11/13 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 11/13 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
As low as $0.66 each after couponKaskey’s Chicken Broth (14 oz) – $0.69
Ginger Evans Cake Mix – $1.35
Ginger Evans Ready to Spread Frosting – $1.49
Ginger Evans Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix – $0.89
Tipton Grove Cranberry Sauce – $0.99
Crisp Cranberry Lemon Lime or Save A Lot Exclusive Soda (2 liter) – $0.79
Grissom’s Brown and Serve Rolls (12 count) – $1.19
Theodoro Dollar Rolls (12 oz) – $1.99
Mantia’s Elbow Macaroni (16 oz) – $0.99
Rapid Rice on the Side Instant White Rice (28 oz) – $2.79
Kaskey’s Onion Soup Mix (2 pack) – $0.89
Westcott Cooking Spray (6 oz) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Big or Mini Marshmallows (10 oz) – $0.99
Libby’s Pineapple (20 oz) – $0.99
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 8/28 Red Plum (Expires 12/30/11)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 11/13 Red Plum (Expires 3/31/12)
$0.49 each after couponPortmann’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce (12 oz) – $1.29
Kurtz Worcestershire Sauce (10 oz) – $0.99
Nature’s Grain Cinnamon Raisin Swirl (16 oz) – $2.49
Bakery
Bakery Fresh Pumpkin Pies – $2.99
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.
Organized Chaos: Organizing Our Stockpile
I LOVE getting a great deal but over the last couple of years when I find a good deal the more I find myself asking “Do I really need this?” Yes, using coupons are wonderful and getting a great deal is amazing only if you are going to use those items or plan on giving them away. A friend introduced me to the show “Extreme Couponing” and after a few episodes I could no longer watch it. The amount that some people had stuffed in various places in their home was too much for me to even watch. After some thought I decided to come up with a plan to organize my stockpile in a way that would give me a visual indication that our family’s stockpile is full plus keep the items organized in a way that anyone in my family can find an item, including the kids.
Here is what I did:
- Reorganized our Linen Closet to make room for the stockpile bins.
- Purchased inexpensive containers from the Dollar Store.
- Used the Label Maker to put the description on the front of each container.
- Filled the containers with items from the stockpile.
- Once a bin is full then I know it is time to stop buying that item
- Any extras items that I get for free I put into a separate box to be given away.
The new system had to be practical for our family. I think it is wise to be good stewards of what we have been given and find opportunities to share what you have with others. I decided that if I had enough of a certain item to last our family for 6 months to a year our stockpile is considered full and I didn’t need to purchase any more of those items. If I did get a couple items for free they would be put in a special box to give to others (charities, school, church, people in need, friends, family, and anyone else that may need an item from it).
I have been using this system for several months now and I am really pleased with how it works. It is easy to know when the stockpile is full enough for your family and it is more efficient when someone needs to locate an item. The majority of the items in this closet are office supplies, school supplies and miscellaneous household items. I love having the freedom to take a few weeks off from using coupons, shopping, or getting deals in general because I know exactly what I have on hand and when I have enough for my family.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was packed full of a lot of extra activities, appointments, refinance closing, and travel some of the events were on the calendar and others we squeezed in because it was necessary. The biggest blessing was being able to cross off our Refinance Closing. The paperwork was submitted back in September and several of the documents re-submitted over the last couple of months because the lender couldn’t find the paperwork we gave them or one person didn’t give the next person the right information and so forth. Now we can breathe a little sigh of relief to get that completed.
Even though I didn’t get everything done the good news is I am at least taking small steps in the right direction. This week will not be a huge goal driven week because of the Thanksgiving Holiday. My biggest “goal” is to spend quality time with my family. Hopefully, as we spend time together I will get some necessary items accomplished but if not that is okay too because life needs to be fun every once in awhile, right!? Jake and I have several joint projects that we are hoping to work on over the next few weeks and the girls want to put up the tree. Some of my goals will be on “hold” during this week, you’ll see it pick back up again after Thanksgiving! 🙂
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everydayRead a book to the girls everydayHave the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week- Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed) – really need to do better on this one, we spent extra time before bed one night talking on the phone to Daddy since he was traveling this week instead.
- Get the girls passport pictures taken – did not get their pictures done
- Finish filing the last several weeks of coupons in my File Folder and Binder – didn’t get this done, other priorities popped up
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – did much better (4 days) but missed one day so can’t cross this one off
- Finish reading The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year by Crystal Paine who has a blog called Money Saving Mom (VERY excited about the opportunity to preview this book by a blogger I have been following for years and thankful to be featured on her blog weekly with the Save A Lot Deals!) – still reading other activities took priority this week
Listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (I am going through this book with my Community Group)- Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday through Thursday – I was really bad at the beginning of the week getting to bed on time because I was trying to finish a project but I paid for it the next day.
Home Management Goals
Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by MondaySpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the houseDinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – Jake was traveling this week so I had to move my laundry day up 2 days to help with packing and since we were only home for a couple hours that day I wasn’t able to get it done in 1 day, it took me 2 days this week.
- File the receipts for the last couple of months and organize the table in the office. – still waiting to be done
Business Goals
- Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk – it was a wild week with Jake being gone, long doctor appointments, phone calls, refinance, and I didn’t do this really important task and now feel the side effects of it
Pay all bills that come in the mail this weekWork on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Research ways to create more residual income – didn’t get to it
- Review my 2011 Business Goals and start planning ones for 2012 – I did write down a couple thoughts but didn’t get really in depth in this one so don’t feel right about crossing it off
Ministry Goals
- Make at least $25 towards my Creative Cash goal this week so I can give more to others. – wasn’t able to do this one.
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch– I got to have lunch with Jake and his co-workers while supporting a local charity!
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4Close on our Refinance – Our plan is to go from the 30 year mortgage that we have been paying off to a 10 year mortgage with a lower interest rate.Sooooo THRILLED to have this one done! 🙂 We knocked 11 years off what we were currently paying by switching to a 10 year and the best part is we are now paying about $20 less every month with the new mortgage!
- Pay off remaining debt – almost there
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – on hold until the debt is paid off
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
- Read a book to the girls everyday
- Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week
- Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed)
- Spend extra time with my family over the Thanksgiving Holiday
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Tuesday
Home Management Goals
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
- Dinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Wednesday)
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Put up the Christmas Tree
Business Goals
- Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
- Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
Ministry Goals
- Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Pay off remaining debt
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
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
