Just say NO to giving out your email address

When trying to save money, I have found that getting the emails from Tiffany's and Coach, do not help my desire to shop.  Let's be real: I am a shopper.  I love shopping.  It could be anywhere; Target, the mall, the outlets, online..... ANYWHERE.  I do find though, that getting the emails telling me what sales are happening and promising free this or that with so and so purchase, make my task of lessening our debt more difficult.  

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind getting the emails and will probably sign up for them again when we are closer to our goal.  But right now, they make me sad.  They make me want to buy things.  Yes I am grown up enough to say no, but it's like that friend that drags you down every time you see her. You may leave that person questioning yourself or feeling inadequate in some way or feeling that your significant other is inadequate in some way....She/He is BAD NEWS.  Walk away.  Walk away quickly.  

That's how I feel about the "Retail Email".  Walk away.  Walk away quickly.  Now, I do know that sometimes there are really good coupons or other deals that come via "Retail Email".  But right now, I have to take the lesser of two evils.  Plus, there are a ton of other places that provide coupons now a days.  I still can't get all of them to quit coming to my mailbox.

So next time someone asks you for your email address, think twice.  Are you in a position to look at them objectively, or is it going to be counterproductive with where you are in your financial journey.  For me, I think I will pass........For now.  :) 

Week 4 Updates................

Two steps forward.......Four steps back.

This has been a rough week.  We have had do postpone paying some of our bills due to an issue that came up.  It is so frustrating.  I start work this week, so as of June 7th, we will be bringing in some more money.  

Next week, I will be out of town on business, but it is one of those, reimbursement situations.  I pay for the hotel, food and plane ticket up front and get reimbursed.  The ONLY reason we decided to do this at this time, is because I will make $1,000 for 4 days worth of work.  After babysitting clears, I will still have a chunk to put towards our debt.  

We also had to buy more than our normal amount of groceries this week.  We were out of every meat possible.  Meat is really expensive.  I mean seriously people----EXPENSIVE!  We were in the habit of buying a half a cow and a full hog when we lived in Iowa, which saved us a TON, but we haven't found anyone here yet that sells live stock for butcher.  We also TRY to have one day per week where we do not eat meat, {difficult to do with my Iowa born and bred husband} and one day is left overs.

But the good news is that the week finished strong!  We got an extra little bit of money--going towards debt--and the opportunity to make an extra $1,000 between the two of us on another job that came up.  It's going to require traveling a bit, but that can be exciting---aaaannnndddd, it isn't on our dime.  Yay!!!  I also had a good show with my direct sales business this week.  It won't be a ton of money, but definitely worth the effort.  It worked out to be around $42 per hour.  Not bad, people.  Not bad at all.

We have been so blessed this week.  Even though it originally started out rough, God AGAIN has provided for us.

In the last 4 weeks that leaves us with a total of:  $316,849.62   This is $1,400.00 less than we started with a month ago!  Baby Steps.  Have a great day!

Not Working.........Yet

So one of the tasks that I have been trying to check off of my list is getting a job.  We have been in Colorado now for 6 months and no luck yet. Until recently.  Don't get me wrong, working in the home is just as rewarding emotionally, if not more so, but this Momma needs to bring in some money to put towards our debt.

With our budget, if I could clear $1,000 per month, we would be golden.  I can do that in various ways and have been getting creative in doing so.  Let's be honest "bringing in" $1,000 per month, can mean many different things.  For example, I have started clipping coupons religiously. {See my coupon clipping video from 5/5/13} and we plan trips to the "city" so that we are running errands in all one trip to save on gas.  My just now 5 year old and I rarely drive anywhere during the week except to pick up the girls from school {they are too far to walk home and their school does not offer a bus}.  We save a ton on gas by planning our trips accordingly and not spending time in stores window shopping. {Can you say IMPULSE BUYING!}  So we pack a picnic and walk to the park instead.  Just as fun, so much cheaper and gets some pent up energy out of the little guy.  I calculate that this saves us at least $100 per month in gas alone. 

$900 to go..........

I started an at home business via a direct sales company in February.  This has helped some as well.  I can work around my husband's work schedule doing home parties and don't have to pay for child care.  When I do have to pay for child care, it is minimal.  I am making about $30 per month right now.  Not a ton, but at this point it is 3/4 tank of gas.  Something is better nothing, right? Plus, as I go, I book more shows and the money will follow.  

$870 to go..........

Back to the coupon clipping......... I didn't address how much this saves us per month but talked about it above.  Honestly, it varies each month.  And it's not just about clipping the coupons.  I also have to plan out meals and plan our shopping trips more carefully.  Not that I didn't do this when I was working, we owed less and were making more, but I was a bit more lax with the "rules".  When I stayed home before, I would shop once every two weeks.  I planned out meals and still used my crockpot as much as I could.  But.....if my husband was craving steak one morning, I would accomodate this craving.  Immediately. Now I am not trying to be dramatic.  And I don't mean to say that my husband would say "jump" and I would say "how high?", but I was much more accomodating to his or my, for that matter, last minute grocery requests.  Now, we do without until the next shopping trip.  For example, if we run out of milk for cereal in the mornings before I go shopping on Friday, then we run out.  It is not the end of the world.  I no longer panic.  It just is.  So then we eat something else. Our cupboards are NEVER bare.  In fact I often have a small stash of regular staples.  But we are NOT good about running to the store and buying the one thing that we need.  So now, we put it on the list and wait.  We are fine.  We are not starving.  We do not eat black and white boxes of macaroni and cheese for weeks on end.  And we are fine.  But this planning and coupon clipping saves us easily, $200 per month.  Again, some months are better than others.  Some months, I cave.  But mostly, this helps considerably.

$670 to go..........

Alright, now I am getting to the nitty gritty.  We keep our house at 68 degrees in the winter and well over 75 degrees in the summer {no air conditioning}, so I don't feel as though we are wasting a bunch of money on utilities.  Keep in mind, we do have my husband's grandmother living with us and she keeps her apartment in the basement at 75 year round.  This does cause a rise in our utility bills, but it is what it is.  She is 94 and has skin as thin as tissue paper.  We have also gone around the house and changed out all of our lightbulbs to more efficient lightbulbs.  We turn lights off when we leave the rooms {most of the time, we have three kids still at home} and don't leave things running that are not necessary.  I don't feel as though we are wasteful, but always try to be as efficient as possible with our utilities.

Still $670 to go.......

Ok....Now for the wasteful utilities.  We have decided that cable is in our budget to stay.  We are a t.v. and movie watching family.  While my husband and I disagree on whether or not cable is necessary, it is in our household expenses.  This could save us some money.  Around $100 per month, in fact.  I am still working on that.  For now, it stays.  We also have a subscription to Netflix.  Honestly, they should make us pay more.  We use the heck out of Netflix.  $7.99 per month stays too.  The other thing we have is the internet.  Since my husband has a second job teaching online, this to is a necessary wasteful expense.  I always try to get the best deals with these types of things.  For example, if I see that a particular company is offering new customers a certain deal, then I call and ask for a better deal too.  This works more often than not.  I may not get the deal that new customers will get, but often they will offer me $20-$50 off per month.  This takes effort and you have to be on top of it, but it never hurts to ask.  I do try to avoid resigning a contract to get the deal.  I think this is just a money trap and if we ever have to move, or do finally agree that cable is not a "necessity", then I do not want to have to pay a huge fee to get out of it.

Still $670 to go..........

I have been able to get a part time gig teaching, which I enjoy.  This isn't consistent however.  It depends on enrollment of students and what is currently going on with college funding and the government.  Which is a hot mess right now.........But I do get to teach some and I try to teach when my husband can be home so that I do not have to pay for child care.  I am teaching a ways from home right now and so I am having to pay out for child care this coming term.  I do make sure that I teach more than one class to make it financially feasible for our family.  This brings in around $500 per month, but only when I am teaching.

Still $670 to go.........

I NEED TO START WORKING PEOPLE!!!! It will come.  In God's timing.  

Next time, I will post more about how I am working to bring in money by decreasing our outgoing debt each month.  Thank you for reading!  

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High 5 For Friday

                            

High 5 For Friday!!

This week I have a theme; Family.  I have been reminded more than once this week that this is what is most important in life.  More important than money, bills, what people think, ANYTHING else.  My family doesn't always get along and can be stubborn when it comes to forgiving one another.  But deep down we love each other.  We would walk across hot coals for each other.....As long as it doesn't ruin our pedicure, of course. :)  Happy Friday!

1.  Our youngest Elliot.  Always ready for the camera with a smile.  Gives the best kisses. And is always willing to watch a good movie, in his pajamas, eating popcorn.  I love you sweet boy.

2.  The oldest of the Littles.  Sweet Emma is our emotional one.  She feels more deeply than all of our other children.  She is very funny and super smart.  I love you and am so proud of you my lovely daughter.

3.  This week our 3rd grandbaby was born.  Welcome to the world Saphira!  I can't wait to get to know you.

4.  Oh Addy Kathryn......This lovely, has the challenge of being just like her momma.  Spunky, funny, caring and LOUD!!  Please, dear child, become an attorney or hostage negotiator.  I wouldn't want one of your biggest talents to go to waste!  I love you.

5.  The handsome guy in the glasses is my baby brother Kit.  He is my hero.  He is also the most selfless person I know.  We are so blessed to have him.  I love you Kitter Bug.

I linked up with Lauren Elizabeth for High 5 for Friday! {My computer and I are still in couples counseling} http://www.thelaurenelizabeth.com/

H54F

This is my first High 5 For Friday post!  I am really excited about it.

1.  I had forgotten how much we love air popped pop corn. I mean LOVE it!  So thankful for my air popper this week.  Popcorn and a good movie makes for some awesome bonding time with family. 

2.  I got a nice surprise this week when my 5 year old "made" my bed.  So sweet.  It melts my heart that my sweet boy has such a kind heart and knack for housework.  

3.  We have rediscovered an area in our living room to build a tent.  Can I just say that tents in the living room ROCK.  

4.  Love my Colorado Family.  I am one blessed girl.

5.  My 7 year old baby is now in the 3rd grade.  This makes me happy beyond belief.  She had a bit of a rough year with our move and some bullies at school.  Look how beautiful she is.  I love you Emma.

Happy Friday everyone!  And Thank you to our Troops.  We owe you our continued freedom.

Since my computer and I are in "couples counseling", I will just say that I am Linking Up with Lauren Elizabeth with High Five For Friday!  When we work through our issues, I will add the button.  Happy Friday!

Week 3 update.....What a week...........

Holy smokes!  What a week this has been! I started the week with a part time job and ended the week with four jobs.  How did that happen, you ask?  Well let me tell you......

I got a full time job in my field that I will begin mid June.  I will be working three, 12 hour, 3rd shifts.  Not the best hours, but it will keep the most amount of money coming in as day care costs will be minimal. {We will only need two days of day care so that I can sleep, the other times my husband can be with the children}.  I was also offered a couple of classes to teach in the evenings at another college.  While these classes will only last 11 weeks, it will be a great way to boost the income coming into the house to pay off some serious debt over the next 2 months.  I am also a part of a direct sales company and have had several opportunities come in over the last week that will continue to make that a lucrative option to bring in extra money too.  Lastly, I was offered a position to do some program evaluations for a few technical colleges.  This will not be a regular gig, but will allow us to bring in some money a few times a year.  Either way, the extra money is really helpful.  Woo hoo!

As many of you may know, we have been selling several things that are just sitting around, with the hopes of paying off some debt.  Well, SUCCESS!  We have brought in almost $1,400 thus far and this has allowed us to pay off a debt that was costing us $600 per month.  I can not even tell you the huge weight that was lifted when I paid that debt on Tuesday of this week.  

This week was tough as far as temptations to spend money is concerned.  We did eat our 4 times; the first time in weeks.  And we did buy t-shirts for Memorial Day as we have a special American Legion event on Monday to attend.  Otherwise, we did a great job keeping our expenses at a minimum.  We continue to stay caught up on our regular bills each week.  It will become more difficult over the next several weeks as my husband's second job is on hiatus during the summer months.  It will pick back up in August, but that will mean an $1,800 deficit for the next 2 and a half months.  Not the end of the world, but definitely an adjustment.

I was in the shopping mood this week also.  I did really well and other than the t-shirts and a lipstick, did not buy anything "extra".  My sister and I did make tutu's for the girls to wear to the Memorial Day festivities as well.  I did not go over my "blow money" budget for this week and in fact have saved some money over the last few weeks.  

We continue to get calls a few last items on our garage sale and plan to put that money towards our debt as well!  

Have a great week and happy budgeting!

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Are they yours?

I get this comment.  A LOT.  Not because my children don't look like me, in fact, despite them being adopted, they look quite a bit like my husband and myself, but because people are insensitive, uncultured and stupid.  Not really.  That is my momma bear talking.  Really, I think that people are curious and just don't know how to ask the questions.  It does anger me though.  To my core.  I have thought of many answers to this question.  Most of them sassy and not very nice. 

"ARE THEY YOURS?"

"No.  I got them in aisle #3.  They are on special."

"No.  They are my neighbors kids.  I kidnapped them.  Shhh."

"{Looking in the cart/at my children} OMG!  Where did these kids come from???? SECURITY!!!"

"They are mine for the day.  I rented them to pick up guys."

I want people to know that I realize they mean well.  I really do try to be sensitive to the fact that they just want to know.  Adoption is interesting.  To those who have adopted as well as to those who have not.  But it's hurtful.  Really hurtful.  It's like asking a parent with a child that has special needs, what's WRONG with them?  Hurtful. 

People ask if I talk to their REAL mother, know their REAL mother, or any other fill in the blank question that includes the words REAL MOTHER.  Ahem.....I am not imaginary folks.  I want to shout from the rooftops when someone asks me those questions that, I AM THE ONE WHO CLEANS UP THEIR PUKE, WIPES THEIR NOSES AND MAKES SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.  I AM their real mother.  

I can only imagine the pain and aguish that the three women who gave birth to our 7 children feel knowing that I have a part in their child's lives or am raising their biological children.  I know from being a step child myself, that there is enough love to go around. In the movie, Step Mom, the biological mother is dying of cancer and comes to this realization.  This of course, is easier said than done.  

In moments of clarity, I am so grateful to the women who gave birth to my children.  I love them to pieces and would do anything for any of them.  I say I got the best of both worlds; beautiful children to love and no stretch marks.  God knew exactly the children to give us.  God knows the exact path our family needed to take.  

Our beautiful Family......How our decision to adopt came to be.

When my husband and I got together around 12 years ago, we discussed  having children together.  I had a significant back injury  10 years prior that would make being pregnant pretty difficult.  I would have to be on bed rest and in physical therapy for the majority of the pregnancy.  To further complicate matters, my husband had a vasectomy years ago.  We discussed reversing the vasectomy and the chances of paralysis with my back issues, and quickly decided on adoption.  Both of us are Social Workers and for us adopting through the U.S. foster care system, seemed like the most logical choice.

We knew we wanted a school age child so that I could continue to work.  It's funny how God has plans for your life that you are unaware, but end up being so perfect.  Needless to say, we did not get our school aged child.  We did not get anything we expected.  Our journey through adoption was difficult emotionally.  We were having a few issues in our marriage when we finally decided to go to the classes and fill out our application.  We had both been through a lot in previous marriages and so we sought couples counseling and decided to spend some time apart.  

Eventually we did get back together and have been working hard on our marriage since.  It isn't always easy and we aren't a perfect couple, but it works for us.  

Any way, enough sad stuff, now on to the fun stuff!!!  So we went to the classes, finished our paperwork and POW!  Here we sit.  7 children total.  3 from my husband's first marriage and 4 we adopted together.  I can not express to you how blessed we are to have been able to adopt.  3 of the 4 are siblings.  And 1 of them is not biologically related to the others.  But they are all ours.  Beautiful, sweet, independent, and OURS.  

I should tell you that the emotional roller coaster of wanting to have a child or children is not for the weak.  I am not the only woman on the planet who has desperately wanted a child and couldn't or shouldn't get pregnant.  In my case, I could get pregnant, but I shouldn't.  The chance of paralysiswas definitely  something to take into consideration and not lightly.  Since I had chosen the partner that I did, we also couldn't get pregnant unless we spent a ton of money to have his vasectomy reversed.  Even then, since his vasectomy had occurred 10 years prior to us getting together, the chances of the reversal being successful, were reduced significantly.  Adoption it was.

   

You have to understand, that I wanted nothing more than to be a mom.  Friends would get pregnant and I would get completely emotional.  I would tell them congratulations but really I was mad.  Mad at myself, mad at God, mad at everything.  I remember one night my husband asked me if I was ok with mothering a child that I hadn't given birth to.  That maybe God's plan for me was to mother someone else's child.  That conversation really resonated with me.  From that point forward, I was no longer angry when someone I knew got pregnant.  I knew that God's plan for my family was to be a mom, just not in the way most people were.  And you know what?  I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Stuck on the Coupon Thing.....

So I am stuck on the coupon thing.  I think that couponing has gotten a bad rap or is made to be so complicated that the average person doesn't understand how it works or how it can help.  I wantto dispel   some coupon myths.  Try to stay with me here..... I think it will clear some things up a bit.  

1.  MYTH #1:  They never have coupons for what I use

Really? Never? I'm sorry, but I don't believe you.  Maybe you prefer Hunt's Ketchup over Heinz or Skippy peanut butter over Peter Pan peanut butter, but there are ALWAYS ways to save with coupons even if your brand is represented in your pile of lovely, money saving, goodness.  I also think that it depends on how serious you are about saving money.  I am not the person who buys 952 tubes of toothpaste just because I can get them for free, but I do pay attention and only buy on sale and with a coupon.  We have tried other brands because of couponing and you know what??? We survived.  If you are really trying to save some serious money, like we are right now, some changes are necessary. Plus, if the whole couponing experience is made easier, you are more likely to find coupons that fit your family's preferences. You don't just have do clip coupons out of the Sunday paper now.  You can get online and print them at home, you can use your smart phone, heck you can even use the in store ad. Look around, check on the web and be willing to try new things.  TRUST ME!!!

2.  MYTH #2:  It takes up too much time to clip coupons

I think I've beat a dead horse on this issue.  Couponing does not have to keep you from Sunday dinner with your in laws.  Unless you want it to.  There are so many programs out there that will help you organize your grocery lists and match your local coupons with that list, there is no excuse not to.  Seriously, I have 3 of our 7 children left at home, plus my husband's 94 year old grandmother to tend to.  I DON'T HAVE SPARE TIME EITHER!!  But I make it a priority.  It's important to my family. 

3.  MYTH #3:  You don't really save that much

Um.....Uh huh!  My mom taught me to write your check for the amount that the groceries would have been had you not used coupons and put the difference in savings.  This can help you to save for a vacation, pay down debt, save for a like new car or put away a chunk of money for something else your little heart desires.  I don't write checks any more and have honestly gotten out of the habit of getting the extra money, but in the past when I have done this religiously, we have saved up a TON!  We used the money several years ago, to fund our cruise vacation.  The possibilities are endless.  You aren't going to save $300 every time you go shopping, but every little bit counts.  

4.  MYTH #4:  I don't have the room in my house to store all of that stuff

Yeah.  Me either.  I don't have a bunker in my basement of all of the items that I will never use, but just had to buy with my coupons.  Now, don't hear me say that it is a bad thing to have a ton stored or to give away items that you got for nothing or next to nothing.  I think that's fabulous.  I just don't have the space.  Plus, we move a ton.  It's not practical for my family.  We have one shelf in our pantry that has our "extra" food.  Things that I know we will use and use often, have a home on that shelf.  I've said before that I don't like to shop once a month.  Part of that is because I don't have a ton of extra room in our house.  Listen, if you have the room to store food for a small city in the event of a large meteor hitting the earth, ROCK ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF.  But don't let lack of space be a reason to not use coupons to save money.

I think those are the big one's that I hear.  What are some reason's you don't coupon? 

Week 2 Update.....We're Getting Serious People!

So the last week has been really interesting.  I applied for, interviewed and got a job!!! Yay me!  This should help considerably put real dent in our debt.

We also cleared out our garage and some other miscellaneous spots in the house, in order to sell some things on Craigslist and have a yard sale.  So far so good!  We have made enough that I will be able to pay off a debt that currently costs us $603.56 per month.  This will allow us to make our other payments on time an start to put a dent in other small debts that will add up to more savings per month.  Our plan is to then put that money towards other debt.  We paid off $362 in debt this week.  Again, this isn't anything "extra", just our normal payments.  Wish us luck!!!

We still do not have any money in savings.  This needs to change SOON!  Our plan, since we are most closely following Dave Ramsey's plan, is to quickly get $1,000 dollars in our savings accounts for emergencies.  He does say to catch up on any bills that you are behind on first.  So that is the plan for now.  CATCH UP!!!  We aren't super behind, but enough that we get a couple of calls per week.  Nothing is going over the 30 day mark, but it is really stressful none the less.

So BIG win this week with the debt!!! Got a job-CHECK; Made some extra money to go towards debt-CHECK; Didn't add any more debt-CHECK!!!

Gotta get help from the Hubster!  He's the tall one.  

My Cleaning Look.  Scary I know.  And no I will not do a tutorial on this look.  :)

Almost done!! Again, thank you HUBBY! You're the best. 

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Week 1 Update

We have been able to get rid of around $500 of debt this week.  We haven't done anything "extra" to bring in any money and have nothing in savings.  This decrease is just in regular payments we have made like we would any other month.  While the progress is small, it is still progress.  

I am currently looking for work so that I can help to bring in some money too.  This has been an ongoing battle for the last 6 months.  I am stuck between jobs that I have the experience for but not the license and jobs that I have too much experience.  Frustrating to say the least.

Anyway, I AM excited that we are chipping away, however small that chip may be at our debt.  Yay!  Freedom is on the way!!!!!

I will update you all each week as to our progress.  Thank you for reading!!

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Coupon Video

Hi! Here is the video that I promised about using coupons to save money on your food bill each month.  Enjoy!!!

Each week I use an internet program called Coupon Sense.  This program allows me to plug in my grocery list and find which stores have the items on the list at the best price.  Coupon Sense then provides reports that include which coupons I should clip, which stores have which items and an "ad match" list.  We generally shop at Walmart as they "ad match" to all of your local stores ads.  This is really convenient when you have a 4 year old that you are taking with you to shop, like I do.  :) Anyway, I go to the grocery store with only the coupons that I need for that trip, my grocery list, ad match list and my running shoes.  I prefer to get my shopping done as quickly as possible.  I always use a list because it keeps me from buying things that we already have or adding impulse purchases to my cart.  If it's not on the list, it doesn't go in the cart!

Our family shops weekly.  I know of people who shop monthly and it works out really well for them.  If you are one of those people, GREAT!  Keep it up.  I find that shopping once per month doesn't work well for our family for several reasons.  Plus, I like to get the great deals each week that you may miss out on if you are only shopping one time per month for your groceries.

Another way that we use coupons to save us money is by meal planning.  I will be doing a video on how we do our meal planning at a later time.  We use an electronic method to plan ahead for meals several weeks in advance.  I will sometimes move meals around a bit on the schedule if life happens and we find that a particular meal doesn't fit our schedule one night or we are in the mood for something in particular.  We also ALWAYS have a left over night.  While I am not a huge left over fan, this saves us a ton of money.  There is always one or two things that we have left over that even my picky eater will eat.  If not, that is the night that you can make yourself a sandwich if you want to, but that's it.  We don't make any meal that would give us left overs on that night.  We try to plan left over night on the night before our garbage goes out.  That way, whatever items we do throw out, won't be sitting in our garage stinking up the joint for a whole week.  GROSS!

When I do cook at home, which is most nights, I use a crock pot.  Since I don't particularly like to cook, this is a great way to fix a large meal for my family that includes all of the healthy things they need.  When I don't use a crockpot, I tend to lean toward the quick fixes, (insert frozen pizza here) or am more tempted to order out than if I have a meal already prepared.  Our family has three different crock pots that we use. They are all different sizes and serve different purposes.  For example, we have one that had three different crock pots in one.  This one is particularly helpful when making a meal that involves a main dish and a couple of sides.  For example, when I make beef tips, I may use this crock pot to include baked potatoes and broccoli with them.  Then all I am doing at dinner time, is making a salad or rice to finish out the meal.  Super easy!!

 I hope you enjoy the video.  Please leave comments or questions below and I will answer them as quickly as I can!  Thanks for watching.