I've been working behind the scenes on a tool that I personally use to track and organize our finances: Family Budget Spreadsheets This package of 9 Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is designed to help you organize your finances, plan for major purchases, create a budget, understand your … [Read More...]
Family Budgeters Unite!
On Facebook? I started a closed Facebook group, Family Budgeters Unite! I envision the group to be a place to find and share tips, motivation, encouragement, and inspiration about family finances and budgeting. We'll talk about what works for us and doesn't work for us when it comes to … [Read More...]
Introducing: Family Budget Spreadsheets
I've been working behind the scenes on a tool that I personally use to track and organize our finances: Family Budget Spreadsheets This package of 9 Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is designed to help you organize your finances, plan for major purchases, create a budget, understand your cash flow, and track your net worth. Many years ago, we … [Read More...]
Medi-Share Update: One Year Later
This is NOT a sponsored post. However, links to Medi-Share's website are referral links. I only suggest products that I believe in, and this is my honest experience and opinion of our first year with Medi-Share. Health insurance is a struggle for many people, and for us it became a big source of anxiety at the end of 2015 when our insurance … [Read More...]
Our 2018 Financial Goals
Did you make 2018 financial goals? My husband and I discussed some ideas over our holiday break and we decided on 2 solid must-achieve financial goals for the year. If we complete them early, we'll move on to 2 additional goals that are on our radar. Our 2 Main Financial Goals for 2018: 1 - Finish the will. Shame on us for dragging our … [Read More...]
My Personal Goals for 2018
2017 was a great year, but for some reason I did not create personal goals for myself last January. I had every intention of doing so, but I blew it off and now I feel like I've paid the consequences of missed opportunities...and my favorite jeans no longer fit. Everyone who rocks goals talks about accountability, so this year I'm sharing a few … [Read More...]
My 2018 Planner
Are you looking for the perfect 2018 planner? I'm pretty excited about the one that I found for the new year. It is highly functional, affordable, and at the moment, wide open for all the possibilities and opportunities that 2018 will bring. While I embrace the digital world, paper is the way I plan my life. I have been using a paper planner … [Read More...]
Tips for Shopping After-Holiday Clearance Sales
Want to score big deals on items that you use everyday? Want to pay pennies on the dollar for next year's holiday decor, gift wrap, and other holiday miscellany? Then keep reading my top tips for shopping the after-holiday clearance sales and you'll save big on everyday items. I am not much of a coupon shopper, but I LOVE a good clearance … [Read More...]
The Christmas Gift Exchange Game
Have a large extended family that buys gifts for everyone? Does it cause stress and overwhelm to your sanity and your budget? The Gift Exchange Game will eliminate that stress, but add loads of laughs, smiles, and memories to your next holiday gathering. I belong to many frugal living Facebook groups and so often people rant about how … [Read More...]
Ways to Save Money in December
December can be a very expensive month. There's gifts to buy, parties to attend, festive dinners to whip up, dozens of cookies to bake, Christmas cards to order, AND let's not forget the cost of postage! I'm not advocating anyone to over-spend or buy things that we wouldn't normally spend money on this month and holiday season, especially if we … [Read More...]
Considering buying an Instant Pot? Here’s my review!
The Instant Pot has taken the home cooking community by storm. Have you considered buying one too? Or maybe, you're wondering what exactly is everyone talking about? We are extremely busy with activities and homework during the week, so I took the plunge, because I need to simplify my meal planning and prep. Here's my experience so … [Read More...]
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
Wondering how to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot? It's so easy! Let me show you how! How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot These directions are based on MY experience and what worked for me with my 8 quart Instant Pot. I've cooked whole chickens regularly since owning my Instant Pot and I use this method every time. One thing … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 10.20.17
Welcome to my weekly series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget. Grocery spending can get out of hand quickly, so I post our weekly menu to ensure that I am planning it weekly. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably recently, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in … [Read More...]
Get your FREE Family Balance Sheet Excel Spreadsheet
October is a big month for me. I met my husband in October. We married in October. Family Balance Sheet, the website, turns 9 in October 2017, but Family Balance Sheet, the spreadsheet, turns 14. Back in October 2003, I left a corporate career as a department store buyer with a nice reliable paycheck and benefits--including health insurance --to … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 10.13.17
Welcome to my weekly series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget. Grocery spending can get out of hand quickly, so I post our weekly menu to ensure that I am planning it weekly. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably recently, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 10.06.17
Welcome to my weekly series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget. Grocery spending can get out of hand quickly, so I post our weekly menu to ensure that I am planning it weekly. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably recently, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09.29.17
I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget, because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably over the summer, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line. This … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09.22.2017
I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget, because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably over the summer, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line. This … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09.15.17
I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget, because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably over the summer, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line. This … [Read More...]
An Update on Medi-Share – September 2017
As open enrollment nears for many health insurance plans, I thought this would be a great time to give you an update on Medi-Share, the health sharing ministry that we are using in place of traditional health insurance. This is our first year and we unexpectedly put it to the test over the summer. So far, the ministry has been working … [Read More...]