I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey. Recently he hosted the Town Hall for Hope. He is running a special in his store where you can buy most of his books (even on CD) for $10. We will be stocking up to give them as gifts.
Eric and I have been doing Dave's Financial Peace University Online. It really is changing the way we think and the way we live.
Dave is also on lifechurch.tv. I am hoping to watch tonight while I cook dinner.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Homemade vs Store Bought
In my attempts to cut back our grocery bill I am looking and trying new ways to make familiar foods. For instance did you know that if you have an electric mixer you can make delicious whipped cream for 1/3 the cost of Cool-Whip, AND it tastes MUCH MUCH better! We had some strawberries to have for dessert, and I started thinking how good some strawberries and whipped cream would be. So I pulled out my heavy cream (that I had on hand thanks to my low-carb diet) and in five minutes I had whipped cream with sugar for the girls, and whipped cream with splenda for dh and me! Yum! I was the super duper wonderful mom tonight.
Here's how to make homemade whipped cream.
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 tsp of vanilla
1-2 tbsp of sugar or splenda
Whip with an electric mixer or by hand if you really are superwoman!
I read this post on making homemade vs store bought. She compares taste along with price.
I think I will have to try making homemade yogurt next. The girls just go crazy with yogurt. Better tasting and cheaper sounds good to me.
Here's how to make homemade whipped cream.
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 tsp of vanilla
1-2 tbsp of sugar or splenda
Whip with an electric mixer or by hand if you really are superwoman!
I read this post on making homemade vs store bought. She compares taste along with price.
I think I will have to try making homemade yogurt next. The girls just go crazy with yogurt. Better tasting and cheaper sounds good to me.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Money Saving Ideas NOT to Try
With my ideas to save money we have found some that just have NOT worked for me. I have been using Cascade complete tablets. They work great. I have to clean the dishwasher strainer in the bottom (most dishwashers do this automatically). Using the cascade complete the strainer was really clean. I run the dishwasher roughly three times a day. I put everything through the dishwasher. I have put really dirty skillets, and my dishwasher does a great job. My dishwasher is one tool that I LOVE!! And I don't say love lightly either. So I tried the Member's Mark detergent from Sam's Club. It runs about half the price of the Cascade complete tablets. They totally did not work for me! I kept thinking that the strainer needed to be cleaned. If there were greasy dishes (and I have a LOT of greasy dishes) then the plastic cups and bowls would be covered in grease. When I started running the dishwasher twice to get them clean I realized that it was time to change back. The good news is that if you are not satisfied with a Member's Mark product you can take it back to the store. So off to Sam's I went. The exchange was so easy! I might even be convinced to try their laundry detergent!
I have also tried cheap store brand trash bags. We stuff our bags really really full. The cheap ones would just keep breaking.
Other things to keep in mind if you want to save money. Libraries charge late fees! If you rack up enough fees on DVD's being late just get Netflix!
I have also tried cheap store brand trash bags. We stuff our bags really really full. The cheap ones would just keep breaking.
Other things to keep in mind if you want to save money. Libraries charge late fees! If you rack up enough fees on DVD's being late just get Netflix!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Green Savings
We got our electric bill yesterday. This bill was for the first full month that we have been really trying to save money. Our bill took a big jump in the cost per KWH in Febuary so I really wanted to decrease our electric usage. I have been comparing our KWH usuage to the same month last year. This month we came down roughly 25% from the same month last year. We even had snow during the month.
How did we bring it down? First we traded some of our light for CFL's. Mainly the ones in the kitchen and playroom. Changing the bulbs in an ongoing project for us because the CFL's cost so much.
I think the biggest change is putting in cellular blinds and then keeping them closed when it is dark or cloudy outside. When it is winter and a sunny day I open the blinds up to let the light and heat in.
We also changed the temperature on the heat pump. It was not much of a change because we keep it cool anyway in the winter.
We started insulating the hot water lines. That is something we will keep doing as time and money permits.
This month we are working on our garden. We are trying the Square Foot Gardening. It took a long time to find the vermiculite. This afternoon we should get our very first plants started! It should be good for our budget and tummies!
Also this month we will be getting more blinds. We have a half circle window that lets in great sunlight. In the summer that room bakes though! At Lowe's they sell cellular blinds at the best price we can find both locally and online.
How did we bring it down? First we traded some of our light for CFL's. Mainly the ones in the kitchen and playroom. Changing the bulbs in an ongoing project for us because the CFL's cost so much.
I think the biggest change is putting in cellular blinds and then keeping them closed when it is dark or cloudy outside. When it is winter and a sunny day I open the blinds up to let the light and heat in.
We also changed the temperature on the heat pump. It was not much of a change because we keep it cool anyway in the winter.
We started insulating the hot water lines. That is something we will keep doing as time and money permits.
This month we are working on our garden. We are trying the Square Foot Gardening. It took a long time to find the vermiculite. This afternoon we should get our very first plants started! It should be good for our budget and tummies!
Also this month we will be getting more blinds. We have a half circle window that lets in great sunlight. In the summer that room bakes though! At Lowe's they sell cellular blinds at the best price we can find both locally and online.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
My Spending Choices
The process of how to spend money for each category in our budget has been a slow painful process.
First I was shocked to discover we spend well over $1000 a month on food, paper, diapers, formula, and eating out. We are a family of 7, but still! So this became my first priority to spend less. We have almost completely stopped eating out. That was a huge money saver. I started trying to keep more cooked and ready food in the frig and freezer. I really don't want to look up and discover it is 6 PM and supper is not ready. I have also changed it so that I have only $150 a week for groceries. That may seem like a lot for some. Hopefully I am on my way to spending less.
We also decided to cancel our TV and landlines. Those two changes alone have saved us roughly $100 a month. I live within view of the cell tower. My cell coverage at home could not be better. My phone also has a 911 GPS locator. So if I call 911 they can find me. I recommend the GPS locator if you give up your landline.
We also have decided to go green. Most environmentally friendly choices also save money. We have cut down the heat, changed over to CFL bulbs, put up drapes and shades, and started insulating more. Those decisions are individual, but spending a little on insulation or CFL's can really save you money long term.
We are also putting in a big garden this year. We'll see how that goes!
First I was shocked to discover we spend well over $1000 a month on food, paper, diapers, formula, and eating out. We are a family of 7, but still! So this became my first priority to spend less. We have almost completely stopped eating out. That was a huge money saver. I started trying to keep more cooked and ready food in the frig and freezer. I really don't want to look up and discover it is 6 PM and supper is not ready. I have also changed it so that I have only $150 a week for groceries. That may seem like a lot for some. Hopefully I am on my way to spending less.
We also decided to cancel our TV and landlines. Those two changes alone have saved us roughly $100 a month. I live within view of the cell tower. My cell coverage at home could not be better. My phone also has a 911 GPS locator. So if I call 911 they can find me. I recommend the GPS locator if you give up your landline.
We also have decided to go green. Most environmentally friendly choices also save money. We have cut down the heat, changed over to CFL bulbs, put up drapes and shades, and started insulating more. Those decisions are individual, but spending a little on insulation or CFL's can really save you money long term.
We are also putting in a big garden this year. We'll see how that goes!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Budgeting Part 3
Budgeting is important to controlling your finances. Part 1 and 2 are about finding where your money is going or not going.
We now had all of our expenses coming from our checking account, and we had stopped using our credit card and overdraft loan. So we got to really feel our choices. Because that is all that a budget really is. What are your choices? Our choices were to spend a ton on food. I mean a ton!!! It was nothing to pick up fast food or convenience foods at the grocery store.
We decided that we wanted to pay off our debt as much as possible as fast as possible. So we choose to put more of our money toward debt and less toward other things like food and stuff. Since WE were making the decisions it actually has been empowering. We make the decisions, and we are not just watching our money do whatever.
Making a budget is not that hard. Just decide what is important to you. List all of the categories you spend your money on. Put them in order of imporance (like food and housing first!) Then spend your money on paper from most important to least. When you run out of money you are done. Either spend less on the more important things or none on the less important.
For us it is taking us months and months to refine our choices. Like can I really spend X amount on groceries each month. Can I spend less here? And only after I prove I can spend less is that money given up to another catagory.
We now had all of our expenses coming from our checking account, and we had stopped using our credit card and overdraft loan. So we got to really feel our choices. Because that is all that a budget really is. What are your choices? Our choices were to spend a ton on food. I mean a ton!!! It was nothing to pick up fast food or convenience foods at the grocery store.
We decided that we wanted to pay off our debt as much as possible as fast as possible. So we choose to put more of our money toward debt and less toward other things like food and stuff. Since WE were making the decisions it actually has been empowering. We make the decisions, and we are not just watching our money do whatever.
Making a budget is not that hard. Just decide what is important to you. List all of the categories you spend your money on. Put them in order of imporance (like food and housing first!) Then spend your money on paper from most important to least. When you run out of money you are done. Either spend less on the more important things or none on the less important.
For us it is taking us months and months to refine our choices. Like can I really spend X amount on groceries each month. Can I spend less here? And only after I prove I can spend less is that money given up to another catagory.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Budgeting Part 2
Budgeting has been a huge part of controlling our finances instead of letting them control us! Part 1 was about finding out where you are actually spending your money. It may not be where you think.
Once we had a good idea of where our money was going we got to decide where we WANTED it to go. I actually was tired of running up more credit cards bills because I had prescriptions automatically going to a credit card through a mail order pharmacy. That money just disappeared each month. So my balance was actually going up even though I was making payments each month.
We stopped all automatic payments that had been going to our credit card. We sell on ebay so all of our FedEx shipments were getting charged. Nothing regular, but just enough to throw off things for me. Also our paper and Netflix was getting charged. So I transfered all of those charges to my debit card. At first that was painful, because I was not actually changing my spending habits. I was just tracking them.
I also had a loan that I was using like an overdraft account. If I thought we were running low I would transfer money. When payday came I would transfer the money back. It cost less than a dollar or two, far less than a bounced check. However it showed that I was not really in control of my money.
More to come...
Once we had a good idea of where our money was going we got to decide where we WANTED it to go. I actually was tired of running up more credit cards bills because I had prescriptions automatically going to a credit card through a mail order pharmacy. That money just disappeared each month. So my balance was actually going up even though I was making payments each month.
We stopped all automatic payments that had been going to our credit card. We sell on ebay so all of our FedEx shipments were getting charged. Nothing regular, but just enough to throw off things for me. Also our paper and Netflix was getting charged. So I transfered all of those charges to my debit card. At first that was painful, because I was not actually changing my spending habits. I was just tracking them.
I also had a loan that I was using like an overdraft account. If I thought we were running low I would transfer money. When payday came I would transfer the money back. It cost less than a dollar or two, far less than a bounced check. However it showed that I was not really in control of my money.
More to come...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Budgeting Part 1
For us getting control of our finances meant that we needed to find out exactly where we were spending our money. So we started tracking our money better. We use Quicken, which I do like. It allows you to categorize your spending for easier tracking. However you have to actually set the categories when you spend the money. My bank allows me to download my transactions into Quicken so I often skipped that step. We also had problems when I would buy from more than one category at a store. For instance at Sam's Club we get food (groceries), pizza (eating out), paper goods (groceries), books (entertainment or education), pants (clothes), and gas (auto:fuel). Not really that complicated, but it took just a little more effort than I put forth.
It actually took us between 2 and 3 months to really get a good idea where our money was going. This was really an important step. Because our idea of where our money was going was far different from where it actually was going.
It actually took us between 2 and 3 months to really get a good idea where our money was going. This was really an important step. Because our idea of where our money was going was far different from where it actually was going.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Finances
This year dh and I decided to really get control of our finances. Last year was difficult for us financially, mainly because of medical problems. We both have started feel like our money was controlling us instead of us controlling our money.
For several years I have been a fan of Dave Ramsey, however being a fan did not really mean that I did what he said. I get his emails and in January he did a special on Financial Peace University Online. The class is great. You can also do the class at a local church. For us doing it online has worked best.
Our mindset about money has really changed. We are willing to spend less in some areas so that we get to choose where to spend that money. For instance we are spending less on food so we get to pay off medical bills. We are also spending less on stuff. Stuff? Yes, stuff things we buy and then barely use or let just sit.
More later...
For several years I have been a fan of Dave Ramsey, however being a fan did not really mean that I did what he said. I get his emails and in January he did a special on Financial Peace University Online. The class is great. You can also do the class at a local church. For us doing it online has worked best.
Our mindset about money has really changed. We are willing to spend less in some areas so that we get to choose where to spend that money. For instance we are spending less on food so we get to pay off medical bills. We are also spending less on stuff. Stuff? Yes, stuff things we buy and then barely use or let just sit.
More later...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Like a Baby
My 13 month old is such a joy. In fact I hear her saying ma ma right now. She smiles at me, and reaches for me even when others are holding her. She is always excited to see me.
Once of the first lessons I learned as a mother is how the mother child relationship mirrors the God child relationship. Yes I know they are far far apart, but I think of how much of the nature of God I have learned as a mother. I love my children in a way that they will not know unless they become parents.
When I walk in the room my daughter is so excited to see me. Her eyes light up, and she smiles so big. Is that how I am about God? Do I really get that excited about being with Him? And if I don't what do I need to change so that I do?
Once of the first lessons I learned as a mother is how the mother child relationship mirrors the God child relationship. Yes I know they are far far apart, but I think of how much of the nature of God I have learned as a mother. I love my children in a way that they will not know unless they become parents.
When I walk in the room my daughter is so excited to see me. Her eyes light up, and she smiles so big. Is that how I am about God? Do I really get that excited about being with Him? And if I don't what do I need to change so that I do?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Dessert
Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. I made a cake, and they loved it. This morning we had our traditional day after a birthday breakfast. Yup birthday cake. I am just trying to ruin my reputation as a mean mom. My other daughter asked me to pull out my recipe books and make some desserts "like ice cream, chocolate chocolate chip cake, popsicles, and fruit cake". See I ruined them.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Pulling Weeds
Over the years I have enjoyed gardening, both flowers and vegetables. I am terrible at getting to weeds though. I would think today would be a good day to get those weeds except it is raining. OH WELL!
Lately I have been reading lots of reminders to get those weeds before they fully emerge and start to seed. Guess what? It is raining.
Well, it was just a little misty. So I decided to take advantage of the impulse and pull some weeds. I got started, and it was so much easier! I got on a roll. I was only going to do a small area. Instead I got the whole front of the house, and down one side. I pulled a ton of weeds. It started really raining, but I was so happy with my progress I did not care. I got an old dust pan out of the garage and carried my weeds to the trash. It took me 5 or 6 trips to dump the weeds.
Wow. I feel great if a little wet. I got a lot of pesky weeds that took over last year.
I find I have several other weeds in my life. Things that really aren't that hard to do, but I just get lazy and imagine the task to be so big. Hmm, I think I will go find some more "weeds" to take care of today.
Lately I have been reading lots of reminders to get those weeds before they fully emerge and start to seed. Guess what? It is raining.
Well, it was just a little misty. So I decided to take advantage of the impulse and pull some weeds. I got started, and it was so much easier! I got on a roll. I was only going to do a small area. Instead I got the whole front of the house, and down one side. I pulled a ton of weeds. It started really raining, but I was so happy with my progress I did not care. I got an old dust pan out of the garage and carried my weeds to the trash. It took me 5 or 6 trips to dump the weeds.
Wow. I feel great if a little wet. I got a lot of pesky weeds that took over last year.
I find I have several other weeds in my life. Things that really aren't that hard to do, but I just get lazy and imagine the task to be so big. Hmm, I think I will go find some more "weeds" to take care of today.
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