New Year's Resolution!!

For my new year's resolution I am going to keep track of all the $$ I spend and all the $$ I save and keep this blog up to date with all of the information. Also I will be starting my plans for Christmas... in January. I always find tons of things I want to make for my loved ones instead of buying things but don't seem to have enough time to make them (you know in the crazy three weeks before Christmas.) Furthermore I will start homeschooling H 5 days a week (maybe 7 if she wants that) and I will keep to my cleaning schedule that I have made. So quick recap
1) Track Spending and Saving on Blog
2) Christmas crafts start in Jan threw Dec.
3) Homeschooling H 5 days a week
4) Stick to cleaning Schedule

My Husband Rocks Friday!!

My husband had a Snow Day from work, I know unheard of right? His boss called him at 7 a.m. this morning and told him no one was going to the office today he didn't want anyone getting hurt on the roads and to stay home and play with his kids!!! I don't know the man personally but I have love for him for caring for my husband. Also I am so happy that my husband is such a good provider for our family. Turned out for the best that he was home today since I was sick!! My doctor started me on a new anti-depressent and it made me super dizzy, so dizzy I was motion sick. Man was I ever happy to have my husband home to help with the kids and take care of me, all with very little complaining lol. But at least the complaining was him teasing me.

USA MADE TOYS!!!!

Now I know most of us are really starting to think about where our things, and especially our kid's things come from. Both for safety reasons and also to support American jobs. Well I found a great site for some toys.

http://www.holgatetoy.com/

Hope this helps someone.

This is a post I've been wanting to do for a while I got it from I'm not super mom's blog, so starting today I am going to do this every friday I can.
My husband rocks, because he is my husband. He loves me for me and accepts me for who I am even though I drive him crazy sometimes. He works very hard to take care of and support our family and I really appreciate that he works so hard so I can stay home with our children. He is a true gem and I am ever so blessed to have him.

Thank GOD!!!!

I got a phone call from my mother in law today asking if I had spoken to my DH (I thought she was talking about an outing she had asked us to go on with her tomorrow) I said yes we decided we are not gong to go. She said "Jenn (very firm tone) NO, listen to me. He has been in a car accident, he was hit by another driver" At this point my heart hit's the floor and my stomach ties into knots. She had to let me go after that to talk to someone else but she just wanted to let me know. Now I have to wait for a phone call to find out what is happening with my husband finally I can't wait any longer and I call him (what seems like forever was only 20mins) THANK GOD, he is ok his work truck is not but that is just a thing that can be replaced. He is sore and has tomorrow off work, and of coarse he says he is fine so he won't go to the e.r. but says he will go to the doctors tomorrow.

Menu Plan Monday

Go to Organizing Junkie to join in on the great organizational fun and also to join in on menu plan monday. This idea is her's but I love joining in on the fun. It is certainly helping me get myself in line more. Normally the idea is to do a menu for this week, but because of the holidays i wanted to plan my menu for the next month so that is simply one less thing to be concerned with.

This Week:
Monday: Taco's
Tuesday: Crock Pot Pizza
Wednesday: Stew
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Hamburger helper (I hate it but the kids and hubby like it), salad for me tonight
Saturday: Chicken Alfredo w/ ceaser salad and fresh bread (company is coming over)
Sunday: We don't plan this day because of church and we don't know where we will be for dinner

Next Week:
Monday: Baked Chicken, potatoes and salad
Tuesday: Meatloaf volcano's (I will be having ceaser salad)
Wednesday:Spaghetti and garlic/cheese bread
Thursday: Leftover's
Friday: Enchilada's and Rice
Saturday: Pasty's (or calizone's) with mashed potatoes
Sunday: We don't plan this day because of church and we don't know where we will be for dinner

Week #3
Monday: Chicken Potpie
Tuesday: Taco's
Wednesday: Baked Ziti and garlic bread with salad
Thursday: It's my birthday, so I feel I should not have to make dinner!!!
Friday: Chicken and fries
Saturday: Leftover's
Sunday: We don't plan this day because of church and we don't know where we will be for dinner

Christmas Week
Monday: Beef Stew
Tuesday: Chicken Potpie
Wednesday: Jet's PIZZA!!
Thursday: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Ham, cheesey potatoes, bread and im sure more
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Cheesy Chicken and Rice
Sunday: We don't plan this day because of church and we don't know where we will be for dinner

Christmas shopping, again

I went to cvs and earned ECB's for buying stuff with my ECB's and made $$ off of doing it because I had lots of coupons to go with the sales plus a few 10/50 cvs q's. So I walked in with $45 ECB's and walked out with $80 in ECB's and then went back in (doing a few transactions) and got toys for my kids, I got for my DD 2-my little pony's, 2-dora play sets, dora learn to sew pillow, DR.'s kit, tea set for her kit, and for my DS he got 2-set's of balls (stop thinking that, the little peak-a balls, like the blocks) playskool "flashlight" and a shape sorter. Also I just remember that I got my nepfew a game from there for christmas also. After everything I still have ECB's left and I spent $6 oop.
Also last week I went to Target and got some games they had on sale and used a coupon for one too, I spent $14oop there for 3 games one for DH($6) and two for DD(2-$4) but they are nice games, I also got a raincheck for two games that they did not have. One of which is a preschool cranium that was $4 and I have a $5 coupon for so I am dieing for them to get that in.

I am so very TIRED!!!

I have been on a emotinoal roller coaster latly (no im not pregnant) because I went off my med's for a couple weeks and now am back on them grr I hate the inbetween I feel tired all the time right now and I do not get anything done like I should... therefore also explaing my lack of bloggging latly I know I should be trying to think about meal plan monday but I am thinking tacos and then??? lot's of leftover tacos??? lol yeah I'm sure the family would love that. I did NOT go black friday shopping on friday, I went to cvs on thanksgiving but that was it. I enjoyed being blissfully lost in my own little world this weekend and not worrying about sales. This was because number one I don't have money to shop with, number two my DH had to work and didn't want to take kids to that kind of mess, and number 3 I am terribly lazy and hate getting up in the morning. Now I am later especially glade I didn't go because I heard of all sorts of terrible things that happend on black friday. The following all happend at Walmart's close to my home(according to my neighbor) 1) 8month pregnancy was lost 2) toddler was rushed away in ambulance for medical treatment (mind you personally i don't know why this child was there but come on stepping on a kid???) and #3) A employee died trying to open the door for the crowds and several others were injuried trying to get him out of the way to save him... I can't beleave people can be this crude over sales. Yes there were good sales, but if you have to hurt someone to get them they are not worth it. If sales are more important to you then human life??? well to say the least I dont know how you found my blog if it is. On a sad note, goodnight.

Meal Planning Monday

Well for some strange reason I have just been putting off doing this all day today, BUT!! I will admit I've had a very lazy day. So here it is

Monday: Taco Bell
Tuesday: Hamburger Helper (I very much dislike this but DH and kids love it)
Wednesday: Homemade Mac & Cheese with dinner rolls and maybe some ham
Thursday: THANKSGIVING!!!! at family's house just have to make sweet potatoes
Friday: Crockpot Pizza
Saturday: UGG, I have been here ten minutes and I still don't know!!!!
Sunday: um,um,um, grr I don't know

What's holding you up???

What is holding you up in life?? Is your BUT too BIG!!!! Please read the following blog and give it some thought there are plenty of us (including myself) that have a BUT being too BIG!!!



http://millionairemommynextdoor.com/2008/11/is-your-but-too-big/

More money saving idea's for Christmas

A long time ago I found a really cool website called ETSY.COM it's like a arts and crafts ebay without the auctions, but with the stores. There are many different craters with all sorts of cool different things, kind of like an online craft bazaar. There were certain project's that I just loved for my little ones, and instead of buying used the site to inspire myself to create several things for the kids from home for christmas. My favorite toy that I saw (that is already sold out til after Christmas) was the card table playhouse's/tents. These are the coolest things I have EVER seen, they are the material (decorated to theme) to fit over your folding card table to make a tent or playhouse for the kids. I was amazed to find that these were not only sold out but that they were $75!!! But I have confidence (from someone learning to sew) that for much cheaper I could make my own, it might not look as cute but my kids will love it!!

Saving $$ for Christmas

My ideal budget for Christmas this year is going to be $250 dollars and that includes what we are spending on our children and each other, and the other 50 people (not sure on the # that is just what popped out of my head) and (Yes I am certifiable) I would like to donate a few things to a church that helps people in need. So I will be posting what I have spent on Christmas and what I got, but not who these things are for since my family does read this lol. Last night I made a trade with someone from HCW she is sending me 3 hand-made orniments personalized for Christmas gifts. I am sending her $80 worth of coupons in the mail so my cost is .59 cents for shipping. I am hoping that after Christmas that I will be able to post a picture of everything that I got for what I spent.

FREE MILK!!!

Like the rest of us, I'm broke too that is what has been the inspiration to me to save money. Kroger has a mega deal this week where if you buy 10 of certain products then you get $5 off your total. This make the carnation condensed milk .50 a can then there was a coupon out for .50/2 of which I had 17 (so I did one order of 15 coupons and saved the other two for later) since kroger doubles my coupons with no limits my condensed milk was absolutely free. Now take one can of condensed milk and one can of water and you have yourself some 2% milk, you can also use as it for creamer in your coffee.
Besides the coupons that were in the paper I know there are also some of the internet I believe at http://www.verybestbaking.com

Oh so many things that I do online

I am always on the lookout for a great deal or something fun today, many sites can be fun and you earn gift cards and/or free products. Please check this one out

Thankful Tuesday

Today is thankful tuesday, start by thinking about the toughest part weather it be 5 o'clock rush hour or the 5 o'clock dinner hour. When your getting mad sitting in your car on the way home from work, be thankful that you have a job, be thankful that you have a car, the clothing on your body. What about the moms that are dealing with cranky kids, while trying to make dinner and quickly getting frustrated and trying to not loose their tempers. Now be thankful, be thankful for your husband (for those of whom this apply's), for your children, for the food your cooking, for your home, when your child screams out for attention be thankful that your child is able to scream (currently annoying the daylights out of you however, they can communicate and are not a mute) So go out there and BE THANKFUL for your everything.
Now I have been taught this by two special people, the first was a wonderful women from my church that was helping me to get through very bad postpardom despression after my 2nd child was born. She told me when I start to notice or feel sad, and depressed, and mean stop myself as best I could and start thanking God for all it is that I have. Thank him for your everything from obvious to little things, thanks for pillows, blankets, comfy pajama's, and EVERYTHING you can think of or see. On another occasion I was highly annoyed with my kid's out in public they were both being terrible, they were done and wanted to go home. I told my daughter to stop yelling, a women looked at me and said "Remember to be thankful that she can talk, and communicate to you, that she is healthy and alive" I thanked her for her kind reminder and went on my way. This past week I've been working very hard to stay calm when my kids are driving me up the wall, and remind myself to be thankful for them I sighlently thank god for my children and all their ability's and i can feel myself settle down. Remember when mama's happy, everyone is happy. So go out there and be thankful, thank God for all he has bestowed upon us.

Menu Plan Monday

Part of saving money is planning, planning your meal menu's ahead of time mean's that you get all that you need ahead of time and there is not extra money spent on eating out or high priced convince grocery's. So from now on each Monday I will be posting my menu plan.

Monday: Mama's day off!!! So whatever you can find, cereal being my choice.
Tuesday: Spaghetti with cheese bread
Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Thursday: Roast with potatoes and veggies
Friday: Home-made mac and cheese w/ sausage
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Pot pie

Procrastenation payed off for me!!

Well I wanted to make a costume for my 3 year old for Halloween however just haven't found the inspiration or time. However I just went to kmart yesturday and all of their Halloween costumes are 50% off so tonight we will be going to pick up costumes for 1 or both of the kids and we will already be getting a great discount. Also I noticed a lot of their Halloween candy is on sale, and don't forget it is Super Doubles week. Super doubles K-mart will double coupons up to $2 so a $2 coupon becomes a $4 coupon, it's a wonderful week. Also this week at VG's grocery they have land o lakes spreadable butter on sale for $1 each so with my $.50 cent coupons being doubled these will be free to me. :D

Thinking of others

Part of being a good christian person is thinking of others, did you ever hear the phrase "It takes a village" I truly believe this. It is amazing how much people have an effect on your children, as I was thinking of those that had lasting effects on me. My Aunt that I was very close to once said to me as we were driving down the road and saw an accident on the side of the road, she prayed, and then said to me; "Whenever I hear or see an ambulance siren, I pray for the people involved - the victims of the incident as well as the workers trying to provide service to them." Now as an adult I have taught my husband this, and plan to teach this to our children. It is a wonderful way to think of others and help them pray when they are not always able to. It goes back to some of the basic rules of life; Treat others as you would like to be treated. I would hope that someone was praying for myself or my family if we were in need. So today think of someone that needs your prayers and pray for them, you don't even have to know their name. You could just pray for someone you see a lot.

GET ORGANIZED!!!

Most of you that know me and are reading this are laughing, probably uncontrollably on the floor. Well I found this website that I absolutely love and it really does help to me my a.d.d. behind somewhat organized. Here is the site:

www.organizedhome.com

They have a household notebook that helps you have a place for EVERYTHING to go. Address book, personal information, family information, rental list's, cleaning list's, menu's, and so much more great stuff. They have a sister site (I believe it is ran by the same person) that site is called:

www.organizedchristmas.com

This site has a grand plan countdown to get you all ready for Christmas everything from what you are going to wear to what you will serve or bring for dinner partys, decorations to buying/making gifts. It is a great Christmas planner, I always get over whelmed at this time of year (having to do with my a.d.d.) and never know what to do/buy/make/wear lol I can't think straight, which is usually because I am so excited that I simply can't focus. This give's a countdown that has you ready for Christmas by Thanksgiving so you can enjoy your hoildays and all the little extra gatherings that come with them.

Most of you are probably thinking how on earth does this have to do with savings??? For most that do not plan ahead they end up spending much more money, time (time is money), and stress. So if you have everythning planned out you won't have to spend as much money, time, or get so stressed. Sad to say that the coming hoildays are the most stressful time of year for a lot of people. For me it is my favorite time of year and this planner helps to make it much more so, and far less stress. I have found that by sitting down and thinking everything out I don't over buy and keep it all within a healthy limit. Merry Christmas to all!!! Never too soon to celebrate :D

Sorry it's been so long

Ok I have taken forever since I last wrote in my blog first I will admit that I couldn't figure out my password, lol, and then things just got crazy with life in general. Recently we sold our $850 car that is in my first post we sold it for a little more then 4 times what we bought it for. This money will be going towards my new (well new to me :D ) mini van, that I am very excited about. Sad to say but I have figured out it is just a must have for me, I just didn't have enough room in the car with all the stuff I tote along normally. So this week I will start posting regularlly again.

CVS Shopping

Alright I went to cvs with $17 of ECB's (extra care bucks) that had expired a month ago, but did call and ask if they would accept them and they said yes. Here is what I got:
6-2pk D Energizer Batteries 2.99 each (used 5-$1/1 Q's and 1-.75/1 Q)
6-30spf CVS brand Sunblock **on sale $2 off all cvs brand sunblock** only .29 cents each
1-CVS Aloe Vera Gel **included in sale** .59cents
1-CVS Kids 50spf fast cover clear spray sunscreen ** had cvs Q for $1/1 and wine Q for $1/1
1-Off smooth and dry bug repelliant $3.99 also used coupon for .75/1
3-Life Lite Flashlights clearanced for $.87 cents

Total Saved 70.66
Total Spent 3.38 (spent on gift card for perscription so not really even paying "real money")

In the Begining

We often have friends and family how we do it all on our budget so I decided I wanted to start this blog to share with others how to live great on a frugal budget and still live happy. Recently we decided that I needed to get a evening job to help pay down our credit debt because as soon as we can we want to be debt free. As of right now I can't even remember how much our debt is but we owe $20,000 (at least) in credit card debt and $99,000 on our house. We just bought our first family car, we will be turning in our leased mini van next month. My husband, Joe, found us a 2004 Stratus that has a few transmission problems for only $850 dollars. We figured out that by leasing another mini van that we would be paying about $6000 after 2 years and that just wasn't a wise decision for our family that is 10% of our yearly income and we just think we can find better ways to spend our money. I use coupons to make our grocery budget stretch to the limit and then some, our weekly grocery budget is $40 a week (7% of our annual income) and its definitly not much money to go on but we make it. Until January this year the money was always left up to my husband everything from earning it to spending it to paying bills (lol no, not in a crazy way) just I didn't have any worries and didn't realize how much in debt we were I mean he told me we owed a lot of money but I didn't realize until we sat down and he showed me our bills. So now we are a team, more of a team then before becuase now we are working together as a couple to take on our debt and our life's. Our family goal is to become debt free, and live not within our means but under them. This way we can save money for everything from cars, college, retirment, and anything else life might throw at us. We hope that by sharing our journey we help a few others out.