Christmas ideas to boost each other!

This is worth reading, some of this I already do, but there was more great ideas for me and maybe for you!!!

We are all worth helping each other!!!

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificate from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Please share this with others.

This is a revolution of caring about each other and isn't that what Christmas is about?

Don't spend what you don't have!

Seems simple doesn't it?

However, just hink of all the things we are used to buying with plastic or signing up to buy ahead of time. Girl Scouts, school fundraisers, boosters, campaign pledges..... all with the NO PAYMENT NOW temptation. The payment in the future. What happens as the economy here is still sinking and we owe bills but the income has lessened? I am coaching myself on not giving in until certain bills are completely paid off. It is difficult to say no to a little kid with a 5 to 10 dollar goal from each customer... It takes admitting with humility that it isn't a wise decision right now.

Humility is a virtue not very valued / promoted in today's culture. Be aware that being careful is more a wise choice than being proud of the ability to spend money.

Eventually this helps our savings plan more than the immediate gratification and is way more fulfilling! Good luck!

So thankful today! Be Well!

I laugh and I cry at the same time when I think of where one and a half years of getting the toxins out of our home has brought us to.
My husband is over 100 pounds lighter and Type 2 Diabetes free! His then increasing blood pressure is  now normal. This started with Vitality4 and Fiberwise, Proflex and Access products. WAY less expensive than the medically recommended products over the years!! My dad who has RA has replaced expensive scary meds w/REPLENEX  and does activities he couldn’t do for years. We save monthly dollars on our whole household needs. I bring home a reliable income every month since the first month! My excema/ psoriasis is gone - RENEW! My daughter's allergies are gone! My other daughter's asthma tendencies gone! We will begin to feel a cold but don’t succumb as a family to the crud and flu. I can wipe permanent marker off of photographs without damaging the photos - SOLUMEL!!!  Our laundry has never been this clean and no ants in our old house due to TOUGH AND TENDER. My kids clean safely and my headaches and lack of voice aren't worsened by cleaning.  I SAVE so much gas, money and time!! This U. S. manufacturer of natural safe but EFFECTIVE AFFORDABLE VALUE we are proud to support has bent over backwards for my biz builders and paid us far beyond my expectations for sharing them with others. WOW!

Freezer getting full, autumn has definitely arrived

Have you inventoried your freezer contents?
Do you make a monthly meal plan chart?   (Be ready to bend with it, of course.)

I have the pantry and freezers content listed and am working on the meal chart. I have been for awhile now.
 It makes it so much easier to stay within a minimal food budget when you know what you have, what you need and knowing what to make each day SAVES YOU TIME.  Unless you are a specially blessed person with ample time on your hands, money trees and nothing to do I highly encourage a meal plan.

Include necessary nutrition supplements into your food budget. This was a new idea for me. If the nutrients in our modern food is as limited as scientists are telling us we need those extra vitamins and antioxidants in addition to our food. Fresh IS best, but not always possible.

 Be aware of research on many different vitamin brands before you waste money on those that don't work and can even harm your system. Mine give us more energy, clear skin and nail growth - sure signs we are being fed and absorbing what we need. I know over the years I didn't always get value out of the supplements I bought, so be smart with your funds.
Money does not grow on trees! So use yours wisely and be open to better ways everyday!

Have a beautiful October day today!
Gail

Summer ending.... (sigh)

Time flies by! I have a sadness as I feel the chill in the air and the evenings darken sooner. Yet, I have an anticipation of a new page of ORGANIZATION in my household.

I am SO excited to schedule the heck out of family. Revising the chorelist! To suit the ever growing expanding family. Writing out the monthly Meal Planner and Grocery Guide! To assist me in shortening the meal prep time and be thoughtful of our grocery budget. Calendaring my own work hours! WAHU! This is my favorite part of becoming a part of the school year again. I get to set some hours for me and work my own business to give myself a raise. Inventory going on in the pantry and freezer, also. Two butcher hogs are being processed now for my family, and lazy me, this year they are at the actual butcher shop!!! I know, frivolous, because I am capable; however - it is too hot and I am feeling just busy enough to beg off - 1/2 hog is sold and will pay for most of that bill.

My oldest two are in Junior High Football  - how amazed I am at their growth as they turn into actual teenagers (13 and 15 soon). They are such good kids, or so I am told. But as is normal, not always perfect! I am learning to let them be people but draw my lines firmly as I AM THE MOM! Love it when I sound like my own dear Mom who, bless her heart, always cared.

What is your fall like? Are you harvesting? Are you schooling? Canning? Freezing? Looking at the pantry and freezer contents? Share with us what your autumn is like and give us tips... if you please.

Our economy is pretty tight.... so my hardworking hubby just furthered his licensing so he can go away to work and make more $$ soon as he is done coaching peewee football next month.
YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!!
Never feel helpless to change your situation because inside of you God gave you just what you need to make your life what He wants it to be!

Home Biz Rocks!

Fall is almost here! Are you ready to make a new commitment to your business? Take a moment to think about what your goals are.

If you could increase your income right now, what would you be able to do?

Would you take a vacation?

Fix up your home?

Get a new car?

Quit your full-time job?

The amazing thing about a home-based business is that there are so many opportunities available to you, and you can start making it happen right now! There is no reason why you can't have it all.

It is important to realize that your Purpose, Passion, and Plan will mean absolutely nothing without total dedication and commitment. To me there is a real difference between what I call the "Wannabe" attitude and the "totally dedicated and committed to do whatever it takes"attitude. I have always wanted to exercise and lower my cholesterol in order to be healthier. Was wanting it good enough? Absolutely not!

My own "Wannabe" attitude didn't help me get on the treadmill or avoid unhealthy food. Very recently, I decided I had better apply the principles I follow in my business to my own health. Now, I make time to exercise. I eat a low-fat diet. I make the choices I know will lead me to the results I want to have. Unfortunately, wishing, hoping, and wanting do not cause anything to happen. Doing what is necessary does!

How do you determine the strength of your commitment? Are you willing to do those things that will make you a successful businessperson when you don't feel like doing them? (Getting up and exercising at 5:30 AM is a commitment.) What are you committed to doing to help your business? Would you like to join my get healthier group? We are going to talk about all the choices we can make to become healthier.

Do you say, "I'll try to see if this will work," or do you say, "I am going to find a way to make it work."?

Do you say, "When it happens, it will happen," or do you say, "I will make it happen."?

Do you say, "I'll start tomorrow," or do you say, "I can't wait to get started right away."?

It is very important to be sure that you are honest with yourself about your business. I hear people say all the time, "I can't." When I hear that, an alarm goes off in my head, and I wonder how seriously they take their business. When you find yourself saying that, STOP - THINK! Remember that you can do it, and say to yourself, "I will do it." Just think, if you have children, would you accept an "I can't" from them?

Do you really treat your business like a business?

Do you avoid doing things you would have to do if you were employed in another occupation - you know the kinds of things nobody wants to do?

Would you ignore them or go to your boss and say, "I don't like these things - they bore me, so I won't do them. Okay?"

Obviously, you wouldn't think of doing that - you would do what you had to do to complete the job and perhaps, more importantly, be able to look in the mirror and say, "I'm doing the best job I can." And, that's exactly the attitude I want to see you have in your own business because I know with that attitude you can be a success.

Don't let fears keep you from doing the things you have to do in your business, either. For example, a new nurse would not tell the doctor for whom she is working, "Sorry, I don't feel comfortable giving people shots. I only know how to do it on oranges." A teacher would not tell the principal, "Sorry, I don't mind talking to the children, but I can't do a back-to-school night presentation to parents." It is important that you overcome any fears that you encounter as you grow your business.

(Author Confidential)

I am so pleased with this content that I am sharing a tip!

Hmmm.... GRIZZLIES and dentists Where summer?

Update for August here. So we are paying off bills one by one. Smallest (easiest) first then onto bigger badder ones. I encourage you to look at ways to save a bit or pay off one bill completely. Feels good!

Some hiccups in the summer caused us to pause. We had a Grizzly bear encounter in our 4H pig pen. YUCK! A lot of emotional and financial stress to work through, but always a learning experience is hovering on our doorstep, right. So, the kids are restarted and getting to know their new animals. Three weeks to complete all projects now! Countdown begins for them to learn some skills of completing projects they have chosen!

I am expecting our 7th child! Wow! We feel truly blessed. My dear husband has lost 100 pounds since last spring and he is feeling so good. He is diabetes free and his bp, and pulse are in the better than normal range! WE ARE SO THANKFUL for natural affordable value and safe elimination of all the toxins out of our home. All six kids had dentist appointments today and got rave reviews on their dental health. One needs an orthodontist consult for so little space for his teeth, and they will get sealants next month. Not 6 cavities between all of them, very minor work he raved! I do attribute that to our Toothpolish with Xylitol... WOW!

Have a great night, ALL!

WoW! Happy 4th of July!

Where does that time go?

Be sure you are taking time with family and friends to breathe in the fresh air and think about what is truly important. We are starting Step 1 on our 'regroup' to financial freedom from ALL debt. We are also as a family getting rid of clutter - including some material attachments we have for sentimental reasons. I am a card hoarder. I enjoy going through special moments in the cards our dear friends/ grandparents gave us through the years.... but I am determined to de-paper my life... and I am NOT going to scan it to files. I am simply going to get rid of the excess in my life, all areas. Of course, I will keep some irreplaceables, but it has to fit in my one trunk. The kids have the same challenge - it fits in a reasonable container drawer or it goes! I feel better already.

Spring is Summer already!

WOW! Can you see school is almost over except for some of us maniacal moms who love to give some summer school homework. It is beautiful fishing weather and I am ready to go pitch a tent out away from society. Dream big and plan something that is inexpensive to do with those you love. Make a date to spend some enjoyable time with friends. Life is too short to hold grudges or to work non stop without smelling the flowers.
Write out every activity in your week or two on the calendar and see if you are wasting time that you could be working productively and then take a long look at when you could pause and breathe in and out for one FULL day!
Stop and look at the spring beauty around us!

Wise thoughts - not my own.

Aristotle once said, "To avoid criticsm say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing."
It is always much easier to do nothing about the issues we see challenging our conscience. I would much rather be criticized if I am praying and trying to walk humbly while maintaining a spine over issues important to myself and others. I have a truly hard time confronting issues except where my children are involved. I have found when my children except or need more from me I am capable of being very strong! Amazing what gifts motherhood gives you as you learn through the years.
May we all be strong for good, so that never will we regret that we said or did nothing!!

What a joyful day!

Despite the overcast weather after two beautiful days, my spirits are uplifted and light! To be a mom home with the loves of my heart, my children...and also working to raise our monthly residual income. What a blessed life I enjoy! So very thankful for the people I have been blessed with, family and friends alike. If you know of anyone who desires a responsible, frugal, healthy or natural minded lifestyle who is searching for tips of any kind, please direct them my way, Lord, I am ready to offer help if I can. If we can interact and point out tips to each other in a positive manner what a purpose we are fulfilling here!
I wish I could exude my joy here in typing that we are SO very blessed and would like to share that with others! Work hard and MAKE it a great day for you today! Carpe Diem!

A beautiful spring rainy day to all of you! Today I am working on organizing more of my household, minimizing from stuff what we don't need, and working my fun at home business!! I love the freedom of being a mostly stay at home mom, along with being thankful for flexible work that brings in a consistent income! Thank you, Lord, what a life!

I found some learning curves this past month while watching my kids grow up a bit. Discussion within your family is so crucial to knowing your young teenagers. I know that mine are good kids growing up way too fast in an odd world. So it is good to reconnect and share that we are all human and that we, as parents, really do the best we can to help them out.

I am taking some odd comfort in the fact that if the news media misrepresents you it must be that you are doing something right in this backwards age. A culture that doesn't celebrate a correct right to free speech and ideas, a culture that is very much socialized in that right is only right if it agrees with a left way of thinking. This doesn't even concern actual politics, but the politics that surround our school children... I would love to hear all the difficulties you have dealt with in a politically correct world that is biased against stepping outside of the normal box. Blessings to You for the best of days this May 9th!!

Thought for the day

"In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing." T. Roosevelt Have a blessed and beautiful day!

April is here!

April means Easter! April means green grass! April means chicks, bunnies and butterflies. My crocuses are blooming and my daffodils are ready to! ! ! YAY!! Sping cannot get warm enough fast enough for me.... Have a blessed beginning of April!

Healthful Asian Soup

One of my favorite restaraunt style soup recipes!! Is actually a Doctor recommended 'diet' soup. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! I adjust as I need to, today I omitted tofu and cilantro, although the diet exchange will vary a bit then. Great w/beef broth and sirloin steak pieces in place of shrimp. 1 TBS. peanut oil (today I used Mandarin Olive oil) 1/4c. chopped fresh ginger (keeps well in the freezer) 1/4c. garlic 2 cont. (32oz ea) plus 2 cups fat free chicken broth 1/2 c. cornstarch 1 pkg. (10.5oz) extra firm Tofu, cut into 1/4" pieces 1 can (8oz) sliced bamboo shoots, drained 1 can (8oz) straw mushrooms, drained (may be in some stir fry mixes already) 1/2 c. soy sauce 1/4 c. rice wine vinegar (or more :)) 1 TBS. sugar 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 2 bags (16 oz ea) Oriental style frozen veggies (Costco 5.5 lb bag 3 x recipes & has mushrooms) 1lb. fresh peeled, deveined or canned or frozen shrimp 1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro 1 pkg. (10 oz) spinach, trimmed and coarsely chopped In a large pot heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic & ginger, cook until tender about 3-4 mins. Combine 1 c. broth w/ the cornstarch until smooth. To pot add cornstarch mix and remaining broth, tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, & crushed red pepper; bring to a boil and cook unti thickened. Add frozen veggies, shrimp & cilantro. Simmer until shrimp is just opaque, about 10 mins. Stir in spinach just until wilted. Makes 20 cups. Per cup: 87 cal's, 9 g. protein, 2 g. fat, 35 mg. chol, 9 g. carbs, 751 mg. sodium, 2 g. fiber. Red Pepper, Ginger, Garlic all have protective effects against heart disease & certain cancers. Tofu helps lower cholesterol and relieve hot flashes. Shrimp is super lean protein w/1g. fat per serving, contains Omega-3's as well. 1) Have up to 8 cups a day 2) Enjoy one mini meal a day 3) Take a multivitamin mineral supplement ( a good one) 4) Sip 8 (8oz) glasses of water a day Stay on plan no longer than one week at a time. ENJOY!!!!!

Budget Tip 2

So this takes , of course, going back to Step 1 and listing all of your bills.
You need a chart. Some use a spreadsheet (wish I could remember how).... :)
it could be a calendar specifically for this.
Mine is a small poster board because it is noticeable; 1 and 1/4 inch wide columns x 1/2 inch rows. It has the months of the year across the top, one for each column. Along the left side going down it has my main consumer debt....credit cards, specialty like JCPenneys. A space or two in case more come up and then my mortgage and household utilities in the next several spaces going down the left side. (Remember it is all rows and columns.) I leave a couple spaces and then have my business bills in a row. I will try to draw this out one day soon.
So ...for example under January one spot down there is a space and to the left the first bill was Capital One....in this box it has balance owed to this account and maybe minimun payment.
Left upper corner is triangled off w/ a line - I write the payment I am paying. The right lower corner is an opposite triangle and I mark it off red to show payment paid for January when I pay it. Right in front of me I pick out the bill I want to go away quickly or that I know I can pay off easily soon. I put as much as I can spare into that payment!! When that bill is paid off in the next few months, I have x amount of money to add to the next bill I am targeting. Some bills of course are rotating monthly but I pay and mark them as soon as they come in or as soon as I sit down to pay several. I know what has been paid and is not by glancing at those red corners. I am prepared for what is still due. March is almost all marked although I have a couple that don't come due until the end of the month. Some April bills get paid in March so that looks good in front of you and just feels secure because you are facing what can be overwhelming. Carpe Diem!

Hi All! One neat thing I found today! Something new to try...

Amanda Haas is a cookbook author, teacher, cooking video host, and the founder of One Family One Meal, a website that helps families menu plan, grocery shop, and cook on a budget. Find her on Twitter at @amandahaascooks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/onefamilyonemeal.

"Lasagna can take so long to prepare, but everyone loves it and my kids love to help me assemble it. So one day, I decided to see if I could make an edible one in 10 minutes for less than $15. I caved and bought jarred pasta sauce. (The “365” Brand of organic pasta sauce from Whole Foods was delicious and low in sugar.) And I used the “no-boil” lasagna noodles that would probably get me arrested in Italy. But truly, it turned out to be an amazing weeknight meal. As for the 10 minute assembly, I had 7 seconds left on the clock when I put it in the oven!
Ingredients
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups grated mozzarella
15 oz cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
25 oz. jar tomato sauce
18 “No-Boil” lasagna noodles, 3” x 7”
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350˚F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, 3 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the cottage cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.

Assemble the lasagna: In the bottom of a 9”X13” baking pan, spread cup of the tomato sauce over the bottom. Use 6 lasagna noodles (or 3 if using larger noodles) to cover the bottom of the pan, allowing them to overlap a tad if you need. Spread of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with a third of the remaining tomato sauce. Add another layer of noodles and cover with the other of the cheese mixture. Pour another third of the sauce over the cheese. Top with the last 6 small noodles (or 3 large), then spread the remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover with aluminum foil. (You can refrigerate it for up to 8 hours if you’re not cooking it right away.)

Bake the lasagna covered for 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue to bake until it’s bubbly and the noodles have softened, about 10-20 minutes longer. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting."


Lydie - commented on Mar 14, 2011
Just another thought - My mom (who was a public school teacher for many years and never had much time to prepare meals during the school year) sort of "invented" a new way to make "lasagna" - some will think it's crazy, but MAN - it is GOOD! (I've served it on youth mission trips and the teens LOVE IT!) Do whatever you want sauce, meat, spinach, etc-wise but instead of ANY kind of noodles, my mom used plain ole sliced bread! She would put a layer of bread (you can use white or wheat), then sauce (with or without meat), then a layer of cheese (she used shredded cheddar and shredded mozerella) - then another layer of bread, sauce, cheese, etc. Let it sit on the counter for 45 minutes or so - then pop it in the oven until the cheese is melted. UMMMMM it is AWESOME! Try it before you knock it!

RICE...one of the healthiest, easiest most cost effective foods you can use in your menu. A very low to non allergenic food it goes a long way and can be fixed into almost any flavor of meal or soup. Check out your rice options and think of flavors you like. Google the flavor of meal you like with rice as a key word...see what you can come up with! Have a great day!

Woohoo! Monday is here again~ I am so happy that I could go to Costco this week but I DO NOT HAVE TO! I am looking at what I have on the shelf and planning my meals this week. Now, I rarely do this because we are so busy that it is easier for me to cook on the fly. This week I want to look at what we have and not write any checks that are not NEEDS. My one week committment to myself is to spend nothing.... that is not neccessary for us to make it through the week. On Saturday it is a wrestling tournament all day... I am packing all we need for the day. Water will be the only allowed concession stand purchase - for health and money savings!

Another saving tip

I had a fun Signature Homestyles Party! We agreed these are just such good 'girl' times to visit and the having to slow down is worth it.
I was spraying oil in my pan this morning and realized I have neglected to share one of my biggest savers! The Pampered Chef Oil Spritzer (no, I am not a consultant ) is amazing. When you buy Pam or any pan spray it contains propellers, usually air but sometimes butanes....additives to keep it thin and is an aerosol normally.
In case you have not looked at the oil spritzer... you fill it up halfway with the oil you commonly use. So now you have eliminated buying Pam from your budget and I believe that spritzer is around $10.00. Pump it up and spray! So simple. Every once in awhile you have to wash the pump part with straw in boiling soapy water. Letting the air pressure off after each use does help. I have had mine about 5 years.

I also purchased one for my homemade bug repellant mix, less spendy and no harsh poisins, especially NO DEET! That's a whole 'nother blog...

May you sleep restfully and be blessed with sunshine in your heart on the 'morrow!

Savings you can see!

I was reflecting on boneless, skinless, chicken breasts this morning. Now, I had a dear who raised our chickens this last year...but we needed just a bit more. I have come to the wise (heehee) conclusion that it is better to buy meat with as little bone and fat as possible so that you are only buying meat. Here are the deals my local butcher offers.. All natural, no hormones or genetic modifications. Chicken breasts boneless, skinless at 2.99 a pound. 1pound ground beef tubes 1.99. This burger doesn't melt away in your pan - Less than 5% fat - extremely lean. Goes way farther than an 80/20 or 70/30 mix (which leaves you with one third meat). I found chicken breast from Great Value (yes, all natural with natural chicken broth) at our Grocery Surplus outlet for 10 pound bag for 8.99! Two dollars less than the 10 pound bag at Costco for 19.99/ Costco is your best value unlesss you have a 'ding and dent' store. Those breasts are huge! I can cook and slice one for a taco salad for this family of 8! I can bake up 3 to have generous servings for the family, (yes,we WOULD eat more if I cooked it.) Nobody goes hungry here! So BUY YOUR MEAT LEAN! Always check what you are actually getting. And don't be afraid to use a little less ground in the recipe - we will get to money saving recipes soon! Have a great day!

I'm sure you had time to start looking at receipts and adding up that meat bill! HAHA! The work of a mom is never done....so for now.

The key to being frugal is knowing what is a necessity and what is a want. If you have a roof over your head, your bills paid, and a little bit to savings then you are NEED free!
If you are struggling look at your list of bills. I have a chart with every bill, when it is due and the balance if applicable. Which one can you see paying off? Is one under $100 ? Sacrifice going out to eat and the movie and pay that bill off! One down. How many to go. Now you have that payment to apply next time around!

May you be blessed with the satisfaction of knowing your bills are paid for February!

Tip done, vent time!

We spent Saturday at a wrestling tournament. Very proud of my boys, as always. My youngest and oldest lost two and were out. My middle took a respectable third and should not have lost the match that he did. He was the better wrestler but he stalled too much time out and was scoring his points to win as the last towel flew in! So it was a very good learning experience for him ( he's a bit cocky) and his coaches...very good times. I am so impressed, FINALLY, with the latest coaching adjustments in Little Guy Wrestling. I actually wrote Thank You notes to the volunteering wonders we have been blessed with! Hopefully they will be more than volunteers soon. Just neat to see an upswing after so many years.

So, I was the ranting mom last night after the school board meeting about our football program but I found some possible support in the ranks, which makes me very hopeful. Even if the results I desire are not achieved I am so relieved to have vented away!! And my wonderful and beautiful friend just cracks me up with her shame at honestly pointing out the flaws in our 'opposing' leader's philosophy! She felt so bad and I feel the honest points were incredible, if in his face....
Do you ever feel like this:
"As an adult ( wait , yah I am one, right?) why do some insist on treating me like I don't know anything? Why would someone speak down to another adult like they don't know what they are about?"

I truly feel that we have a school administration here and TIGHT 'good ole boys club' who feel they are above the rest! No one can touch them and they know best because they hold the administrative, teaching, and coaching positions. Which makes no sense to me when our kids and taxes pay their wages. Do you know our school board has nothing to say about personnel? They aren't allowed to listen or comment on personnel during a school board meeting. You have to go talk to the offending party, then supervisor of, then the Principal, then the Superintendent: if it isn't resolved. The only way that an issue with an employee can come before the board is if you can prove they have violated District policy. Or in the case of sexual harrassment it goes a little higher.
I am beginning to think that tenure and job security is a very bad thing. Where is the accountability factor? If they were worried for their position maybe they would be a much better competitor in the teaching/coaching world. I am not knocking teachers, I know some incredible ones and they have one of the hardest jobs out there. I am complaining about a system that enables the sub par leaders to be above reproach. Thank you for letting me share my ramblings.

Someday when I am over it and full of forgiveness I will share a comical freezer story with you, too! My Saturday, Sunday and Monday were an absolute blur. Here I go to work again and hope you all have a blessed day. Yes, even those above mentioned, I hope they have a blessed day!

Wow! What a weekend!

So, dear friends and others...I have been sadly remiss in tips. My next was ....ADD up your meat bill. I know this is a very painful thought when you feed a family, but please don't take lightly this 3.00+ a pound expense. For a family of four that is a serving. Over $3 a day then goes to meat. If you only eat one meat meal a day and inexpensive cuts that is a $90 a month bill....probably not truly reflective of how we use that protein so crucial to our diets. At this very low figure I would estimate a bit over $1000.00 a year. Now my family of 8 is just under that this last year and we bbq rib steak when we want. We have pork that cost us between $2 and $2.50 a pound to raise and have butchered. ( YAY! One I didn't do!) Our personally butchered hog costs us $1.50 a pound and that's a LOT of meat at that price. So we spent about $600.00 last year on our main meat, because we had a beef done the year before. Had a tiny chicken expense as my lovely sister raised them. All our meat is fresh, home grown, not genetically modified and I feel good letting my kids eat! Now that we are looking at a beef again, I decided to really track ever penny in my meat bill. If you would like tips on this let me know!!

Budget Tip 1

Tip of the Day! Ok, Tip of the Evening, you caught me!
Always be aware of your debt to income ratio...
Seems simple enough but I constantly talk to others who really don't know where they have come from financially or where they are going??? WHAT? You might say...

Start with a notebook. List every bill and what day it is due for the month. Some of you might have to wait until the bill comes in the mail to remember it. Write it down.

Step number 2 is as simple as a note of your income at the top right. Is it set? Does it vary?

Deduct your bills last month from your income. Are you looking at a number you can work with? Let's discuss ways to chart this next time. What do you currently use to budget your household?

Carpe Diem! (Sieze the day!)

I might have some tips that can help others out. Or so I started the morning out thinking this fine snowy Montana day. This blog will be hopefully a constructive work in progress that can help others. I have learned so much in my short journey and would like nothing more than to help others learn ways to improve their quality of life. For my friends who know me well, we all could offer tips here which would blend together. Since we are all blessed with our own strengths to share I hope to have many contributors! Carpe Diem -Sieze the Day!!!