Come on over...

To my otherblog this week to see my "financial crisis story" and maybe get some ideas for surviving the financial crises that many are facing. I hope that it will encourage you...

Surviving the "Economic Crisis"

I know that things are tough all over the country. There are people who are out of work, short on work, and barely making ends meet. It can be disheartening. Trust me, I know how it feels to live on a month-to-month basis, wondering if you will lose it all if the breadwinner is sick a day or two.

This series that I am about to write is our financial story. This all really happened, some of it much to my embarrassment, really. But, I want you to see how we were able to make it through, and hopefully give some ideas that might help someone else.

Last July, I was still not very wise in the finance department. I was still playing games with our checkbook, and taking extreme chances that checks that I wrote wouldn't clear before the paycheck was there. Not very smart! See, what happened, was that I was already 1 week late with my house payment. I wrote the check and sent it off, believing that it would take 3-4 days to get there, and another day to get processed, and another day or two to clear. I was fine to buy groceries and gas...

Well, as you can probably guess, the post office hand delivered the house payment that same day and they personally took it to the bank that afternoon (or it seemed like). So, now fast forward two days, when the groceries check and the gas check cleared. I didn't have the money to cover it all, so when the house payment cleared, I was short. Now, add it bank charges, late payments, and NSF fees from the mortgage company, and you get TOAST! I simply didn't have the extra $100.

So, I did what others have done. I thought to myself that I could make double payments the next month or two and get all caught up. Yeah, you're right, I was dreaming. Maybe that would've worked if I had learned my lesson, but I didn't. I was still not handling the finances that well.

Then, we come up to another payment due on the house. Our mortgage company was not to thrilled when we told them we could only pay one month. They were ready to call the loan due. Simply put, if we didn't make the past due payments within 2 weeks (which would equal 46 days late) they would begin forclosure. We had to jump through several hoops to get them to agree to put us on a program, or we would lose the house.

The program stated that we would have to pay 1/6 of our house payment extra, plus late fees, and program fees PLUS our house payment each month. It came to about $300 extra each month. And we would have to do it for 6 months. If we were even 5 minutes late getting the payment to Western Union (no checks or online banking for this one), we would lose it all. And, for our budget to get streched $300 a month extra? I still shiver when I think about the tears, stress, and the sleepless nights. Didn't they know I have three growing children?

After talking it over with the spouse, we decided that we had two options. One, we could let the house go and find a place to rent. That seemed very far fetched since we would have to file bankruptcy (which seemed extreme) and we had lived in the house less than a year. Or two, we could figure a way out of our mess. We would have to make some radical changes to our money spending habits, and NOW.

The first thing we did was thank the Lord that we could even get the mortgage company to work with us. They didn't have to do anything, since the loan was less than a year old. So, we were grateful, really. Then, we had to stop blaming others for the situation we were in. No one had spent the money for us, we did it to ourselves. Then, we had to decide what was necessary and what was "splurge" expenses.

That was very, very hard to do.

The first and most obvious thing to go was the cell phones. They were $75 a month, and since we had a contract, it would later cost us almost $300 to get out of it. We tried selling our contract with one of those places, but it didn't work for us. We paid the contract and late fees off 7 months later, by the way.

The next thing to go was unnecessary trips. Gas at the time was just over $2 a gallon. I could only put in $20 a week, or 10 gallons. At the rate of 13 mpg, that meant that I could only travel 130 miles a week. Doesn't sound all that bad, until you realize that the closest grocery store is about 12 miles away. Go ahead and add up 4 trips a week for forgotten items, I'll wait.... :) I had to combine trips like crazy. If my son had TaeKwonDo class, I went to the store then. (we kept that class for him, since it was the only outlet he had for his energy at the time)

That lowered our budget about $175 (gas and cell phone). We still needed $125 a month, or we would go under. So, I began to chip away at our food budget. We went on a "survival" diet, or beans and rice at least once a week, very little eating out, and nothing way too fancy. We gave up pop, name brand cereal, and other things that we had been buying. I didn't buy too much in the way of fresh fruit, either. I just couldn't afford it. (The kids still won't eat raisins anymore...) I had to do whatever it took.


I shopped at Aldi once a week, only getting the very bare necessities. I had to spend a lot of time figuring out what to make for meals that week, and make a very detailed list. If I forgot an item, I had to do without. I read the book "Miserly Moms" by Jonni McCoy, and got many ideas from her as well. I learned to make things from scratch that I had previously bought before, and how to "make it do".

But, no, it wasn't easy.


We had (have) a 104 year old house that needed to be fixed and repaired. All that had to come to a screeching halt. We would have to live with the old windows. We couldn't afford the plastic kits at the time, and winter was coming on. So, we hung blankets in the windows to help keep the drafts out. We dressed warmer, and in layers, and turned the furnace down to 66. I put extra blankets on the kids at night as well.

Fortunately, this was the year that they still fit into their winter clothing. At least they could go outside and play. The hardest part of all this was not letting the kids in on just how bad things really were. We told them that we needed to cut back some things and really watch our spending for a while. We were making changes in our budget, that was all.

And it went okay for a month or two. Then, the holidays came...

Check back tomorrow to see how we made it through Thanksgiving on our strapped budget.

What Really Caused the Economic Crisis....

This video was taken down by youtube.com, but has been put back up again. Please take a moment to watch, and form your own opinions...

Kroger deals galore!!!

If you have a Kroger near you, you can save even more by adding clipless coupons to your card. They are automatically taken off at the register and you can combine them with paper coupons! Check out here, here and here.
Some of the great deals from Cellfire are :
Free Naturally preferred water
Free Active Lifestyle Oatmeal


Proctor and Gamble have:
BOGO Cover Girl mascara
BOGO Olay Body Wash
Buy 12.6oz Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner, get Free Styler

Check out Lizzy's post here for more great Kroger deals!

Walgreens Preview for Nov 9-15

Walgreens Nov 9 – Nov 15 Register Reward Deals



Chemistry Hair Care – Sale Price $7.99, Buy 1, Get $3RR

Select Bodywash or Bar Soap – Sale Price 3.99, Buy 2 Earn $4RR
Softsoap or Irish Spring Bodywash, 8pk Irish Spring Bars

Gillette Fusion Razor Phenom Gift Set –Sale Price $12.99, Earn $3RR

Heating Pad or Warming Throw – Sale Price $34.99 – Buy 1 Earn $5RR


Kotex Products – SalePrice 2/$6 – Buy 2, Earn $1RR
-- 14-24pk Maxi Pads
-- 18pk Tampons
-- 46 or 64pk Pantiliners

Vicks (Hand Sanitizer, Liquid, LiquiCaps) - Sale Price 2/$11.98, Earn $4RR

Vicks DayQuil or NyQuil w/ Vitamin C – Sale Price 2/$13.98, Earn $4RR

Mucinex – Sale Price $9.99, Purchase 2, Get $5rr

Protective Undergarments – Sale Price $11.99, Earn $1RR
-- Poise Pads 30-72ct.
-- Depend Guards for Men 52pk
-- Depend Underwear 14-30pk
-- Depend Briefs 16 or 20pk

Cold Medicine/Tummy Care – Buy 3 Earn $5RR
--Sudafed or Sudacare – Sale Price $3.99
--Benedryl – Sale Price $6.99
--Pepcid Acid Reducer, Lactaid, or Immodim AD – Sale Price $9.99
--Tylenol Allergy, Cold, Sinus Relief – Sale Price $4.99
--Tylenol or Motrin – Sale Price $7.49
--Zyrtec 30ct – Sale Price $18.99

Kelloggs Cereal – Sale Price 4/$10, Earn $2RR
--Raisin Bran, Special K, Frosted MiniWheats, SmartStart

Pampers Jumbo Pk Diapers or Training Pants – Sale Price $9.99, Earn $1RR
_________________
courtesy of Hot Coupon World

Hold Your Tongue

How easy is it to look at someone else and decide that you are better than they are? Your kids are more polite, smarter, cleaner. Your home is nicer, better organized, and you are more with it. You have your routine, you are eating healthy, working out, and the poor saps who are you friends are lucky to have you.

Believe it or not, that was me. There wasn't a person I wouldn't judge, and nothing was safe. And once I got on a roll, it was hard to stop. YIKES!

Reading the book of Romans is like holding a mirror up to yourself. Roamns 1:2b says

"Every time you criticize someone, you are condemning yourself"
(The Message)

When I was growing up, my 5th grade teacher taught us something that I will never forget. She said that when you point your finger at someone, there is 3 more pointing right back at you. And of course, the old saying,

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

There is life and death in our words. Today, I will try and choose life, and to only say things that are encouraging not only about people but TO people. Will you do the same?

Sorry that I have been MIA

yet again!!

I have been working CVS and Walgreens deals for friends, teaching them how to save money, and researching grocery store prices. Let me tell you how scary that was!

Anyway, exciting things are coming!!!

In the meantime, don't forget to stop by Taco Bell tonight for your free taco! Details here

.

Dont forget to "follow" the blog so that you don't miss anything!

Ugh! It's that time of year again.

With all the crazy weather that has gone on today, I realized that I needed to prepare for the winter months, clothing wise. I took on the monumental task this afternoon of cleaning out closets, dragging out coats, boots, and other gear as well as sweaters and long sleeved shirts.

Of course, in the past, I have usually bought clothing for the kids "off season"...you know, where the end of March, coats are on super clearance and such. I got my oldest son clothing galore for a $1-$3 each! It was great! Two sizes up from what he was wearing then, so I should've been in good shape, right?

Your laughing at me, aren't you?

Not only had he outgrown all that I had stored for him, he outgrew his coat, boots, and snowpants as well! If that wasn't enough, my daughter had decided to outgrow everything as well! The only saving grace is the fact that my youngest son may have a chance to fit into some of his older brother's clothes next year...

So, I am off to break the budget this week to outfit my children for winter. Coats, boots, hats, gloves, pants, sweaters, and the like....maybe I should stop feeding them so much?

Make Up Your MInd, Already!

In the last 6 hours, we have gone from sun to rain to hail to snow showers. None of the conditions have lasted more than 5 minutes at a time, and it just keeps repeating.

"If you don't like the weather here, just wait 5 minutes!

My Confessions...

I have to admit something to ya'll...
Ready? Here goes:


I am not perfect.

As a matter of fact, I am so far in the opposite direction that it stinks. I thought that I was doing fine, but a friend unknowingly held a mirror up for me to see. And it was U-G-L-Y.

I have become angry and bitter and judgemental. I have thought things like, "Lord, thank you that I am not like the other people down here. I am so glad that I have it all together and that I am living a charmed life."

Seriously.

But, the bottom fell out, as it always does. I have lost my footing. It's hard to believe that God could still want or use me, even now. Just how far is East from the West, really?

If pride is what makes one fall, then shame and disgrace are what keep you from getting back up again. So, I am confessing my sins, and resting in the knowledge that He is faithful and just to forgive me.

But, now what? How do I keep from becoming the very thing that I despise again? How do I stay focused on the eternal and what is really my goal? How do I move on and let God forgive me?

I am starting the journey over, and would love it if you would join me. I could sure use some encouragement and prayer, as well as accountability. Will you join me?

Warning... "laptop in danger"....

Before you read this, you must understand that my family loves animals. Well, my kids do, anyway. I am not fond of the budget stretching that comes from food, vet visits, and accessories and incidentals that are part of pet ownership.

Well, incidentals is quite broad, isn't it?

My wonderful hubby is a computer IT guy, head of research and development, yada, yada, at his job. He has a "top of the line" laptop that he brings back and forth since he works almost as much from home now as he does at the office. But, I digress.

Our puppy, Titus is about 5 months old now, and he weighs about 43lbs. Not exactly a tiny, dainty, creature. Not at all, really. And he is aaaaaaaalll puppy. For those of you who haven't experienced that, that means that he will chew on anything and everything in sight, no matter what it is or how much it costs.

I have the children trained that they are to put shoes, toys, and clothing away, far, far, away from the puppy or they will be gone within a nanosecond. My hubby isn't that easy to train that way.

He was working one night and decided to take a break from askterisk telephony and assist me in doing the dishes. He left his laptop on the couch where he was working and we finished cleaning the kitchen together in short order. Wonderful man, he is!

Well, we heard an unusual sound from the living room. Investigating, we discovered that our puppy had decided that the keyboard on the laptop would make a nice snack. As many of you will remember, he is still a little leary of my husband, so, when Titus saw Karl coming for him, he jumped off the couch, knocking the top of the line laptop off with him.

To say that Karl was upset is a gross understatement.

Titus had effectively broken the keyboard on the laptop, and rendered the jump drive useless. Not bad for only having been left alone for five minutes, really. Our other dog, Snowball, knew enough to run and hide in the back of her kennel and I put Titus in his. Good thing the kids were upstairs, as my hubby was very angry and barely able to control himself.

Coincidentally, the next day was Titus's trip to the vet for his neutering. No, really, I had that scheduled a while ago. But, you have to admit the timing on this....


So, after getting him back from the vet, and Karl's boss and him sharing a laugh about the computer, (hey, his boss had left his in the back of the truck during a thunderstorm...) Titus and Karl have a new relationship. Karl gets the last laugh, as it were...

I normally don't take pictures of breakfast cereal...

But, my daughter found this "mini" wheat funny and wanted me to put it here...
They came from the same box, believe it or not...

My beautiful daughter!!!!

Isn't she just an angel???

I've been sooo busy! (part 4....)

Now, we also had to tear out our bedroom window. That is the reason that we haven't framed the kitchen window on the inside. (all that's left is to make it "pretty"). This one has been the most challenging for us so far. Can you see why?

The beginnings of tearing out the old frame...


Solid oak logs made this house what it was, is, and is to come...



We found square nails here...


There was no insulation between the window and the outside...no wonder we were sooo cold!





We had to "chink" the logs by hand...we went through 3 reciprocating saw blades with this!


We had to give up for a day, since we worked on this part for nearly 12 hours! We will finish it up this weekend, and I will post the final pictures then! Keep tuned!

I've been sooo busy! (part 3....)

We also needed to reclaim our dining room. We were given a huge piano about 3 years ago, and the kids haven't touched it in about a year! Since no one has any interest whatsoever in playing it, we decided to get rid of it, and have our dining room back.





The monster piano...



Yuck! 2 years of build up can really add up, can't it???


Yuck!!!!


Cleaning it back up...


My "new" dining room...all nice and easy to move around in.

I've been sooo busy! (part 2....)

And, as we are living in a 100+ year old house, we are replacing the windows one by one to help cut heating costs.

Here's my new kitchen window getting put in:

I will post the final pictures when it's all done...hey! Hubby works about 65 hours a week :)

I've been sooo busy!

I have been getting ready for the coooooold northern winter by getting the garden produce all saved and canned.


The first 1/3 of the tomatoes


Not quite ready yet...


Cooking them down according to the recipe...


My friend and helper!!


The batch of tomatoes are canned and ready to shelve...

Geesh...It's only a game, people!!

So, I have a friend who has a daughter in public school. (I'll wait while the air pressure returns to normal... ;)

And Lindsey plays volleyball for aforementioned school. She's only in the 6th grade, mind you, and not a professional. Well, tonight they played another team from a nearby town. And the other team's coach couldn't grasp losing.

Seriously.

She was yelling at the players and saying things like, "You deserved to get beat, you really messed up out there." And when one young lady had burst into tears, she was told, "There's no crying on my team. Suck it up and get over it!"

I was so appalled! The other parents were there before I had gotten there and had heard her rip into the girls earlier. They had seen when the girls made an error look in fear at their coach. Can you believe it???? They are just 6th grade girls...

I am going to call the school that the coach was from and complain. That is just poor sportsmanship and poor leadership, in my opinion. If they aren't having fun, what's the point at this level, really?


Hang in there, girls. Volleyball season is almost over. You played a good game tonight! And coach, it's just a game.....

Slow Fade....

My CVS trip today

These were the best transactions that I have had in a while. It was a lot of fun, paying $1.48 out of pocket total!

Transaction #1

2 Sunsilk Conditioners $7.00
2 Sunsilk Shampoos $7.00
1 Cover Girl liquid foundation $5.49
1 Cover Girl True Blend Powder $7.99

minus coupons
$1/1 Any Cover Girl
$7.99 Free face product wyb foundation
$1/1 Sunsilk
3 $1.50/1 Sunsilk
$2.99, $10 ECB


Total OOP $.99

EBC's earned, $4, (sunsilk) $5.79 (covergirl)


Transaction #2

1 Gillette Fusion Razor $9.99

minus coupons

$4/1 Gillette
$5.79 ECB

Total OOP $.49

ECBs earned $5 (gillette razor)