Penny Pinching Ideas

Hi, and welcome to coffee! Or tea, or whatever happens to be your beverage of choice. Mine happens to be water right now. I've come to really enjoy Company Girl Coffee. I don't get to post all that often, so Fridays are one of the days that I allow myself a little extra time to reflect and blog. Sorry for those of you who aren't ABBA fans, I couldn't resist! Just scroll down and pause if you want. : )

What I want to share today, has come up more than once this week. Usually, when something comes up more than once, I know that there is a lesson involved. This particular lesson has to do with penny pinching. Growing up, my mom really taught me well. She taught me the importance of saving your money, and spending wisely. She is the one that showed me how to make a budget, balance my checkbook, and plan for the future. I love her for that, and I hope to pass on the "good stewardship" lesson to my children.

Here are a few things we do around our household to be good stewards...

• Make out a budget and stick to it. There are all sorts of books you can read and classes you can take to do this. Our family just made my own list of bills and money spending categories on my computer. It cost us nothing and we have it to refer to often.


• Balance your checkbook. Not just balance it, but reconcile it against your statement for anything you may have missed. It's never good to find out too late that you don't have enough money in your bank account to pay for bills. Not to mention the overdraft fees that the bank charges on top of being overdrawn.


• Plan a menu and shopping list, and stick to it. I realize that schedules can change at the last minute, but I try really hard to stick to my menu plan.


• Use coupons! I keep mine categorized so that when I go to do my shopping, I can check to see if I have any coupons that coordinate with my grocery list. I DON'T, however, buy something, just because I have a coupon for it.


• Watch for great sales on regular used items and then stock up on them. Here's where I like to use those coupons that may not be on my grocery list. For example, if cream of chicken soup is on sale (which is a staple in our house) and I have a coupon for additional savings, I will stock up my pantry so that I can then "shop" from my pantry at a later date when there might not be such a great deal out there.


• Don't eat out on a regular basis. We hardly ever eat out as a family, but save it for special occasions.


• Drink coffee at home. You'd be amazed how much "coffee dates", or "coffee with the girls" can add up. I like to invite my girlfriends over to my house and put on a pot here instead. Not only is it more cost effective, but it's more personable too.


• Plan out date nights and save up the money for them. We don't have baby sitting in our budget yet, so we like to take advantage of relatives being here, or swap babysitting with a friend. Then we do something low cost like ice cream, or dinner where we might have a gift certificate. It doesn't have to be fancy to enjoy each other's company.


• Plan family recreation that doesn't cost a dime. Go to the park. Take walks together. Play board games. (Assuming you have as many lying around as we do.) This time of year, we have fun just stepping out into the back yard and watching stars. Keep it simple, and it doesn't have to cost you anything.


• Make a list of things you need and plan to pay CASH for them. If you don't have the money now, then you don't really need it that badly. Prioritize. Pray about the things you think you really need.

I could go on and on, but I've run out of time. If you want to read more about money saving tips, I suggest you visit here. XBOX Wife has a great list of her own. : ) Thanks for visiting! I look forward to sharing coffee with all of you this weekend!

Luke 16:10-11 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

10 Things Tuesday

Boy am I glad for 10 things Tuesday. It really comes at the perfect time, after Mondays! I have a really hard time staying motivated on Mondays. I'm sure I'm not alone. It used to be that before I got married, my sister was my main encourager. When I would have a bad day, she would refer to a favorite book of mine, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Even now, I feel better just talking to her when I'm discouraged about something. So in keeping with Mrs. Brownstone's theme today, I will be listing 10 ways I am thankful for my sister. Even though you live across the mountains from me sister, I am so thankful that you are always in my heart.

1. You love me unconditionally. Nothing I say or do could keep you from loving me, even if you don't agree with it.
2. You take time to gab with me on the phone, even if we don't have anything to talk about!
3. You make time in your busy schedule to travel over the mountains to come and see me so that I don't have to spend 6 hours in a van with 5 small children!
4. You are a great teacher, and you love those kids you teach. I know they know it, and you are impacting their lives in an incredible way.
5. You help me out by saving your daughter's clothes and passing them on to your nieces.
6. Speaking of nieces, you love each of your nieces and nephews deeply and individually, even though there are a lot of them! They know that they are loved by you and look forward to your visits.
7. You came up with the saying "Always remember the magic of a smile and a happy thought." Whenever I think of you, I smile.
8. You know the importance of sometimes just vegging out, watching mindless television!
9. You make an AWESOME brunch!
10. You are everything I could ever ask for in a sister. Not only am I glad that we are sisters, I am grateful to call you friend.

I love you sis! Can't wait to see you in two weeks!

To Do, or To Love?

The other day I visited one of my favorite blogs to read, Simply My Thoughts. She had a post on September 29th that really hit home with me. As a mom of 5 children, ages 7 and under, I sometimes struggle to keep up with the whirlwind of little voices and bodies all around me. It can be very overwhelming to try and keep up with who has P.E. on what day, who is supposed to read 15 minutes a day vs. 20, and what folder/papers I've already signed to be returned to school. And of course, there's the two youngest kids who aren't in school yet, but need my attention just the same. I often feel like I need an interpreter, just to keep up when they all speak at once!

Like my friend over at Simply My Thoughts, (You can go there to read a really good interview about living life on purpose.) I sometimes find myself living moment to moment. As moms, that may be the ONLY thing we can do at times. It's easy to get caught up in the "to dos" of the day, and forget to live the "to love" part of our lives. I'm working on ways to make routine a little easier around here (more on that later) but I just wanted to take a minute and stop to reflect on what really matters in this life. To Love. Everything else will eventually fall into place.

One last thing. If you were reading this and tuning out the song, please take time to go back and listen to the words. It's Steven Curtis Chapman's "One Heartbeat at a Time." He wrote it for his wife, but when I listen to it, it speaks to my own heart as a mom.

I am Thankful...

It's 10 Things Tuesday again! The weeks just seem to be flying by at this point. I sure do have a lot to be thankful for. I don't know if I can narrow it to ten this week, but I'll give it my best shot.

1. I am so thankful that I finally got some restful sleep last night! Sleepy mom doesn't go over very well around here. : )
2. I am thankful that 45 women signed up do be in the Beth Moore Study that I am leading for Women's Ministry this fall. I can hardly believe it! God is going to do big things through this study! What an awesome privilege to be His servant!
3. I am thankful that my husband had 23 leaders show up to his Sr. High Youth team meeting! WOW! I love it when God goes above and beyond our expectations. I can't wait to see what He is going to do through Sr. High Ministry this year.
4. I am thankful that God is showing me how He answers prayer in powerful ways.
5. I am thankful for this last bit of nice weather we are having before the rain and eventually, snow comes.
6. I am thankful for my man, who was willing to spend his free time out in the garage sorting and cleaning this weekend.
7. I am thankful for the safe delivery of my friend Melodi's baby boy, George. Congratulations Mel! What a blessing!
8. I am thankful for the many ways that God blesses this family. He's always taken care of us. May I never doubt or take advantage of His faithfulness to provide what we need.
9. I am thankful for the encouragers God has put in my life.
10. I am thankful for the wonderful privilege of being a mom.

Talking Matters

Well, it's been a long week, and I'm glad it's Friday. I thought before I turn in for the night I would take a little time to have a cup of coffee with some Company Girls. I have decaf on hand for all of you out there who prefer it this late in the day!

This week my favorite small thing was "Talk to Me, Babe!" The idea was to sit down and talk to your man about what they'd like to talk about. This task wasn't too hard for me this week because there is a lot going on in our lives right now to talk about. A new job for one. My dh just got hired on as the new Worship Pastor at a local Church where we live. We also talked a lot about his current job...realty. He's closing two deals right now, while transitioning into his new job. His week was packed with meetings and phone calls. Somehow in the midst of it all though, we connected and I asked him not one question, but several. About his day, his meetings this week, and how he's handling this transition.

He shared his fears with me as well as some of his dreams, plans, and goals for the future. He talked about the difficulties of working two jobs at once, and opened up about the excitement of beginning a new chapter in our lives. What an incredibly intimate time we had together, all because I showed interest in what matters to him. It made me realize how important it is to genuinely show interest in what my loving dh has to say.

From Fantasy Football (which I now have a better understanding of) to job transitions, when my dh talks, I'm going to try harder to open my ears and heart and listen. After all, I am his wife, his helper, and his best friend.

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

10 Things Tuesday

Recently Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary started a new thing called Company Girl Coffee. It's a great way for Company Girls to connect and visit one another's blogs. This past Friday I visiting XBOX WIFE, and I came across another idea that I liked. It's called 10 Things Tuesday, and the idea is to post 10 things that you're thankful for each week. The idea of being thankful is very important to me, so I thought I would join in and share the blessings in my life.

1. We made it through our first round of colds and everyone is on their way back to full health.
   
2. Fall has arrived and the leaves right outside my kitchen window are turning beautiful shades of red and orange.
3. It rained yesterday and I love the smell in the air after a good fall rain.
   
4. Yesterday we finally purchased a much needed second car and we paid cash for it.
   
5. Women's Bible study starts this week, which means connecting with friends that I haven't seen all summer.
   
6. Star gazing in the back yard on crisp, fall nights. This time of year we head out to the trampoline and watch stars before bedtime.
   
7. Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider, and Tea. It's good to be in the warm drinks season again! I love wrapping up in a blanket with a nice mug of something warm to drink!
   
8. Fall also means that it's time for soups and stews and using my crock pot more! I love the smell of dinner filling the house with half the work it would take on the stove!
   
9. Football season! Yes, I said it. I am thankful for football season. I love to sit with my husband and watch a Seahawks game. Football makes him happy, and when he's happy, I'm happy! : )
   
10. I'm thankful for making new friends that live all over the place through blogging. I really enjoy learning about their lives and sharing mine. I'm so glad to be a part of 10 Things Tuesday.

Come on in for Special Breakfast!

I love Saturday mornings! Especially this time of year. The kids are back in school, so Saturday becomes our "lazy day". We lounge around in our pjs in the morning cuddling, and watching cartoons together. Then around 8:00am or so, I make "special breakfast." The kids have gotten to where they wake up with excitement, wondering what they're having each week. I like to mix it up with a variety of homemade items, along with french toast, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, and bacon. (Not all at the same time, of course!)

On these mornings I am often reminded of my childhood and our own "special breakfasts" Whether it was in my own childhood home, or visiting at my grandparents, there was sure to be some sort of great smelling "brunch" being thrown together in the kitchen. Some of my fondest memories of my grandparent's house are going out to dig up some potatoes, scrub them, and prepping them for fried potatoes and ham. Yep, we were a breakfast family alright. We even sometimes had breakfast for dinner!

Ok. So my breakfasts aren't quite that homemade. I get my potatoes from the store, not my garden. But I put just as much love and preparation into my cooking. And this morning, I just happen to be using a recipe handed down to me from my grandma. We call it Pull-Apart. Some people call it monkey bread. It's quick, easy, and yummmmmmy! : ) I've been helping to make it or making it myself ever since I can remember.

For Company Girl Coffee this week, (and the small thing for Tuesday) I thought I'd share this yummy recipe with all my friends. (Hope you don't mind, grandma!) I have cut it in half to work in a bread pan, but my grandma used to make it in a round bundt pan. Enjoy!

Grandma's Pull-Apart:

2 cans biscuits

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tbsps cinnamon

1 stick butter or margarine

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cinnamon and sugar. Cut biscuits into quarters and roll in cinnamon & sugar mixture. Place in bread pan in two layers. Melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining cinnamon & sugar mixture and stir until boiling. Pour over biscuits. Bake for 25 minutes. Flip upside-down on plate and enjoy!

Oh! There's my timer now! I'm off to enjoy some yummy cinnamon Pull-Apart with my kiddos! : )