Okay, you caught me.  I am a day late and also a dollar short.  Such is the way of life.  I will be trying to make do for a little longer without a huge grocery bill.  Here lies the challenge.  Let's see if I can do it.

Monday

B: Oatmeal

L: Sandwiches/ Chips/ Cake

S: Beef Tips/ Rice/ Green Beans

Tuesday

B: Pancakes

L: Sandwich/ Yogurt/ Peanut Butter Cookies

S: Taco Salad

Wednesday

B: Cinnamon Toast/ eggs

L: Deer Sausage/ Cheese/ Crackers

S: Pork Chops/ Cabbage/ Sweet Potatoes

Thursday

B: Pancakes

L: Bean Burritos/ Tortilla Chips/ Brownies

S: Cajun Black Beans and Rice

Friday

B: Breakfast Cookies

L: Peanut Butter & Jelly/ Chips/ Fruit

S: Leftover Beef Tips and Rice/ Carrots

Saturday

B: Muffins

L: Grilled Cheese/ Chips

S: Spaghetti w/ French Bread/ Green Beans

Sunday

B: French Toast

L: Peanut Butter w/ Jelly Sandwiches/ Chips

S: Eggs/ Sausage/ Grits

I will be linking this up at Monday Menus at Organized Junkie.  Come and join the gals to see this week's meals.

Thrifty Tip

Thrifty Tip 

With four little ones, I have a ton of laundry to do.  When I looked at my grocery receipts recently, I realized that I was going through several things of Shout each month.  I decided to see if I could find an inexpensive solution.

This recipe was the winner.  I have been using it for several months and have found it to be as effective as Shout.

1 part rubbing alcohol to 2 parts water

Put in spray bottle and spritz.  

Folks, it is really that simple.  I like to keep my kids' clothes looking nice so that I can resale them so I really attempt to get out each and every stain.  This stuff has worked like a miracle and totally eliminated another item from my shopping list.

Now, some folks might say that you still had to buy something to make it.  Yes, I did.  This item typically retails for $1.00 as compared to $3.00 (avg. for Shout).  I will be able to use my 16 oz. bottle of rubbing alcohol at least 4x in my spray bottle so I am getting 4 versions of Shout for $1.00.  I am not a mathematical genius but I do believe that is a significant savings.  

Book Review

The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Crystal Paine

One of my goals this year was to finish one fiction and one non-fiction book each month.  Yea!  I have already finished my first.  I recently read The Money Saving Mom's Budget, and I must say I did enjoy it.  To be clear, I gained the most from the first two chapters.  The first two chapters address what you need to do to really gain momentum and keep it going.

The first chapter has you establish three of your most prized financial goals.  Make it as wild and zany as possible.  After that, you should establish a time frame with realistic sums that you can expect to save each month.  Break it down monthly to weekly and even daily if you want to be truly daring.  Look at your current budget and see how you can manage to save that amount of money.  If it doesn't look possible, then adjust your time frame to meet your goals.

The second chapter is about putting first things first.  Establish order in your house and then tackle any financial chaos.  Crystal basically says that making a plan to organize your house and keeping it organized will assure that you will not be late on bills or lose rebates or misplace coupons.  I recently did this to my desk area in our home.  What a difference it has made?  Bills are dealt with on a daily basis because I need my desk space to be clear at night.  This organizational spree has overtaken the house and now beds are made daily, meals are planned, dishes are done, and laundry is sorted, washed, and put away.  This chapter is not an entirely new concept but in a book that one would presume to be about financial matters the chapter was unexpected.

The other chapters dealt with groceries, date nights, and going credit-card free.  If you have ever visited her blog, you know that these are topics that are dealt with daily on her site.  I am a frequent visitor so none of this was entirely new.  I was pleasantly surprised though by the last chapter titled "Embrace Today".  This chapter is about contentment for what you do have and where you are today.  How many of us get caught up in our financial goals and lose sight of what is right in front of us?  I have four lovely children who are happy and loving.  I have a husband who loves me and whom I love.  We are warm in the cold winters and cool in the summers in our home.  Yes, the home is not paid for but we are able to make the payments while still eating.  In this economic climate, that is quite the statement to make and we are truly blessed.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book.  Just on a side note, Crystal is also donating the proceeds of her book to charity.  This is one book you can feel great about buying. 

Menu Monday

Breakfast:  Oatmeal w/ Juice

Supper: Chili w/ Fritos and Cheese

Breakfast:  Biscuits w/ Cheese/ Fruit

Supper: Sausage, Green Peppers and Onion/ Brown Rice/ Green Beans

Breakfast: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Supper: Fried Potatoes/ Cabbage/ Corn for kiddos/ Brussel Sprouts for Me

Breakfast:  Eggs w/ Toast

Supper: Chicken and Rice Casserole w/ Salad and Rolls

Breakfast: Toast w/ Peanut Butter and Honey

Supper: Pancakes for Kiddos/ Hubbie and I enjoy Popcorn and Raisinets at Movie

Breakfast: Breakfast Cookies from Heavenly Homemakers

Lunch: Eat- Out after Pinewood Derby

Supper: Deer Steak/ Mashed Potatoes/ Carrots

Breakfast: Pancakes

Lunch: PB & Jelly Sandwiches/ Chips

Supper: Eggs/ Grits/ Deer Sausage

I will be attempting some recipes this week such as: new bread recipe, new pear muffins, new cheese and rice casserole, and new breakfast cookies.  I am a little overwhelmed but excited to try some new things.  I will give updates this week as it progresses.

This has been submitted a http://orgjunkie.com/2012/01/menu-plan-monday-jan-2312-menu-planning-with-picky-eaters.html.

Thrifty Thursday

Sometimes in life we need a real kick in the pants.  We need to step out of our comfort zone.  By doing this, we grow as individuals and are able to enrich others' lives.  Lofty statement for sure.  

Unfortunately, this isn't easy.

How does this relate to being thrifty?  Lately, I have been doing activities that normally I would have paid someone to do.  For instance, my little girl began to have an aversion to getting dressed.  I tried taking her to the store to buy clothes and that ended in disaster.  My mom suggested the fabric store, and she instantly loved picking out fabrics.  I happened to find a tutorial on the internet for a simple three seams skirt, and my mornings have become much easier.  Sewing is not in my skill set.  I do not know anyone who sews and by the time I pay for the material, I do not want to add to price of the garment.  I am making sewing a priority and trying to stretch myself and learn.

My boys had broken a spindle on my staircase of my home.  Now my home is from 1932, and my chances of finding a replacement are small and none.  My husband nailed it back in but that was it.  It was ugly!  One day I took some wood putty and applied it.  I then let spindle dry and tried to shape it by sanding it until it looked like the others.  Guess what?  It did.  I applied paint and voila, a spindle is born.  Honestly, I would have bought one if I could, but boy, I sure did feel good when I could fix it myself.  

I would challenge you to see what new skills you can pick up this week.  Step out of that comfort zone and see what you can accomplish.  I bet you will surprise yourself.

Just a note.  If you can see on my small counter, I have yet to have any followers.  If you enjoy what you are reading, how about following me to see what other frugal skills I pick up.  Thanks so much.

Works for Me Wednesday

When I decided to stay home with my kids, I assumed that the day would be filled with lots of learning activities, fun crafts, and minimal housework.  Right?  After all, how much could my two year old do to the house?  Four kids later I will tell you there is a lot that kids can do to a house.

This weekend I rested and rested and oh, rested some more.  Today, I looked around and realized that I can never do this again.  I like to do a little each day so I am not overwhelmed.  This is what I do to make my life manageable.

1.) Plan for housework - For me, I begin my day with an allotment of time to chores that for me have to be done everyday.  I like my bed to be made, dishwasher  unloaded and loaded, and meals planned.  I also see to it that the kids pick up their toys.  If this is done, I feel like I can manage the day.

2.) Plan for a one-time activity each day - This is an activity that should only occur once in your schedule.  For instance, yesterday I sewed a skirt for my little girl.  Today, I will go through old VHS tapes in the attic and donate to the thrift store.  By doing this, I get to see something accomplished each and every day.  Let's face it- beds will be undone at night, dishes will be dirtied before the end of the day, and tomorrow is another day to feed the crew.  Do this one step and it will make you feel much better about your day.

3.) Schedule maintenance chores for the week into a calendar - Plan to clean bathrooms or mop floors.  Plan when to do laundry.  Plan, plan, and plan.  Make this an appointment to keep unless an emergency arises.  A television show is not an emergency.

4.) Enlist help - Little ones can help and should help.  Kids thrive when they know you need them.  Give them age appropriate chores and challenge them to help.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what they can do.

5.)  Enjoy today- Sometimes, I can get so caught up in what I have on my to-do list I forget about me.  Moms need down time too.  You can only run so much until you collapse.  Take a break and enjoy the quietness of nap time.  Set a timer and read for thirty minutes.  Run a warm bath and relax.  Do what makes you happy and you will be a better mom and wife.

I hope these tips help someone. I know that I often get overwhelmed by kids' activities and social responsibilities that housework seems unmanageable.  I have used the tips above and found that life didn't seem so out of control.  Good luck and happy cleaning!

Preventing Frugal Burnout

Preventing Frugal Burnout

I felt that this post was needed based on how I feel today.  I have shopped bargain groceries this week, sat home to avoid putting gasoline in the car, sewed a skirt for my little girl and have given my little boy a haircut.  I have cooked every meal and cleaned up every dish.  Ladies and gentlemen, I am tired.

In the midst of this chaos, my husband has spotted an excellent deal on a rental property,  I was told my son needed about $2500.00 in dental work at the end of this year, and I put $750.00 in my business to meet payroll.  This at the same time I am desperately saving for a much needed vacation.  How do you keep from screaming?

1.) Goals - Keep in mind your goal.  What is it you would like to accomplish?  For me, a short term goal is the trip.  For the rest of today, I will continue to think about the memories that will be created there.  Hopefully, this will motivate me to get my items ready for the consignment sales starting soon.

2.) Check Progress - I spent the morning going over my finances for the month.  The little things I am doing are making a significant difference in what we are saving.  We are gaining traction and I project that next month will be even better.  Progress made!

3.) Keep the End in Sight - For long term goals, it is harder to stay motivated.  Create a chart to keep you on track.  If it is paying down debt, pay a little something each time you save with one of your frugal endeavors.  Put this on the chart.  For me, I am working on paying down the mortgage.  I keep a chart that tells me exactly how adding any additional principal lowers the total.  I LOVE IT!  It really keeps me motivated.

4.) Indulge Yourself - Tonight, I will go to the movies with my husband with our Costco discount tickets.  We will splurge and have popcorn and soda as we watch the movie.  I will feel truly pampered by the time I leave.  We do this each week that Grandfather sits with the kids.  Is it an additional expense?  It sure is.  In my book, it is definitely worth the added expense.  Our mortgage is large so if I waited until I had it paid off to do things I enjoy, I would have missed out on the best part of my life. 

Remember- don't get discouraged.  The end is in sight.  Just keep plugging away and eventually you will be singing the happy dance when the debt is paid.