Many years ago, my husband and I faced what we thought was an insurmountable hurdle--six figures of non-mortgage debts. These were loans that we knowingly took on and looked great on paper, but they became a weight on our shoulders. Stressed out, we ventured into Dave Ramsey’s online … [Read More...]
Where we found money in March
Finding extra money is a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. January and February were stellar months with finding … [Read More...]
25 Ways to Find Money for Your Emergency Fund
Emergencies happen when you least expect them. My husband sent me a short text a few years ago, "truck $700." My stomach sank. He took the truck to our mechanic because a dashboard light came on. We were hoping for an easy (and inexpensive) fix, and we were certainly not expecting this news. But the truth is, we have the money. Our emergency … [Read More...]
How to Build your Emergency Fund
This post was first published in 2016. Life suddenly changed for most of us in March 2020 and this past year of the pandemic has reinforced how important an emergency fund is. If you're able, maybe use some of your stimulous money to put towards building an emergency fund. Your future self will be grateful. A few years ago, our van needed four … [Read More...]
7 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances
Take a deep breath, spring is finally here! If your winter was as long and cold as mine, then you're also looking forward to opening windows, breathing in the fresh air, and soaking up the sunshine. Springtime soothes the soul and revives our spirits. For many, it's a time to clean the house and the closets, wash the windows of their winter … [Read More...]
Where I found EXTRA money in February
Finding extra money has become a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill on a morning run at the beach! I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. In January, I found more extra money than I ever … [Read More...]
My Honest Review: I donated plasma to earn money!
I donated my plasma to earn extra money--here's my honest review. On New Year's Eve, I was loafing around and surfing Facebook when I caught a post from a good friend who shared that she had just made over $600 in one month by donating plasma. The money was going into her summer vacation fund. $600? Summer vacation money? I immediately … [Read More...]
Our Family Finances Update: January 2021
January 2021 was a month of extremes in my family's finances. On one side, it could go down as a very resourceful month. We found over $1600 in extra cash...and on the other side...well, you should scroll down for the details! Found Money in January: $1681 Found money can be found from various sources, such as rebates, refunds, online sales, or … [Read More...]
My Word for 2021
Choosing a word to focus on for the New Year has been very popular over the years. I joined the crowd many years ago only to completely forget about my word by mid-March. But 2019 was different. My word was REDUCE. I wanted to reduce our non-mortgage debt, my clutter, my distractions, my impact on the environment, and my consumption of … [Read More...]
Family Budget Spreadsheets 2021
This offer is now closed. Are you ready for a fresh start? After the year we've had, I think we all are! If your fresh start for the New Year includes improving your finances, you are not alone! Saving more money is one of the top resolutions that people make...after getting in shape and eating healthier. My mission has always been to … [Read More...]
How We Frugal-ed in November 2020
November is the start of what can be an expensive season. Here's how we frugal-ed our way through it. Frugal Wardrobe in November: I have a small bedroom closet, so I like to keep my wardrobe fairly lean, but highly functional. Also, I tend to keep pieces for a long time, as I learned years ago that buying quality clothing lasts much longer … [Read More...]
7 ALDI Soup Ideas
Are you an ALDI shopper? I pulled together a list of ALDI soup ideas using ingredients I found at the store. These family favorites are hearty, tasty, and easy on your grocery budget. A few details about this list of ALDI Soup Ideas: ** I planned these soups around my family of 4, which includes 2 adults, 1 teenager, and 1 tween--both of my … [Read More...]
My 2021 Planner
Are you looking for the perfect 2021 planner? Today, I'm sharing mine. It is highly functional, affordable, and at the moment, wide open for all the possibilities and opportunities that 2021 will bring. While I embrace the digital world, paper is the way I plan my life. I have been using a paper planner since my early college days in the … [Read More...]
How to Cook Split Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Looking for budget-friendly protein? Consider split bone-in chicken breasts. They're less expensive than boneless, skinless chicken breasts and won't dry out while cooking. What is a split bone-in chicken breast? A split chicken breast is a chicken breast with the bone and skin. Two split breasts equal one whole chicken breast. Sometimes, the … [Read More...]
How to Create a Family Balance Sheet + Get a FREE one for your family!
Need a quick snapshot of your finances? Let me show you how to create a Family Balance Sheet. I'm a firm believer that finances must be organized and neat, and a Family Balance Sheet helps you keep track of your finances in one tidy spreadsheet. If it's updated regularly, you will always know how much you OWE and how much you OWN. You'll know … [Read More...]
How We Paid off Six Figures of Debt
In September 2019, my husband and I accomplished our biggest financial goal in our almost 20 years of marriage. It was so big that I cried for two days straight--we paid off six figures in non-mortgage debts. How we got to six figures of non-mortgage debt: In the summer of 2012, we found an opportunity to purchase an office building for our … [Read More...]
7 Aldi Grilling Ideas
Are you an Aldi shopper? Do you love to grill? I used the Aldi flyer and put together a meal plan of 7 ALDI grilling ideas. Everything was DEE-LICIOUS! A few details about this list of ALDI Grilling Ideas: ** I planned these dinners around my family of 4, which includes 2 adults, 1 teenager, and 1 tween. Both of my girls eat as much as … [Read More...]
Delicious Summer Cookout Recipes
Don't heat up the kitchen! Fire up the grill! Every night is a cookout in the summer. Here are 20 delicious summer cookout recipes. Enjoy! 20+ Delicious Recipes for Your Summer Cookout Grilling Tips: How to Grill Chicken Without Drying It Out like the Sahara - Grilled chicken breast is quintessential with summer grilling. I used to serve the … [Read More...]
How our Debt Freedom Plan Prepared Us for the Pandemic
We have hit uncertain times and this pandemic has felt like a wall that is unscalable. For many households, their finances and budgets are in limbo. Businesses have shut down, manufacturers have paused production, and many people have been laid off or furloughed. Life, as we knew it came to a halt for so many of us in mid-March, and life going … [Read More...]