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...]
Chit Chat: End of Summer 2018 Edition
The end of summer edition of Chit Chat. Here's a peek at what's going on with me, my family, and our life since my last Chit Chat. I was vacant from the blog and its social media for much of the summer. I didn't mean to be, but between working at our business, chauffeuring 2 tweeners … [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...]
What We Ate this Week 07.14.18
Here's what we ate this week on our budget. I made a huge salad to get us through the week, tried a new recipe that I found on Facebook, and whipped up a batch of Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with some ripe bananas that I had on the counter. We also ate a lot of summer fruit and corn on the cob...tis the season. This Week's … [Read More...]
Chit Chat: Date Week, Yard Salin’, and my Downsized Garden
Here's a peek at what's going on with me, my family, and our life. My husband and I had a planned date WEEK recently. Our kids spent their first week of summer vacation at the beach with their Girl Scouts troop. We sent them off on Monday morning and they came home Saturday afternoon. One thing that I didn't want to do much of on our date … [Read More...]
What We Ate This Week 06.16.18
Here's a list of what we ate this week. For the first time this summer, I grilled pizza, one of our favorite things to make on the grill. It's so easy and you'll find my method below. This week's dinners: Sunday: Spaghetti night! I also served garden salad and garlic bread. Monday: Leftover night Tuesday: Shredded pork sandwiches, wild … [Read More...]
How to Start a Budget (and be successful at it!)
Do you feel like you have more month than money? Do you look at your bank account and wonder, "where did all the money go?" We've been there too. Many years ago, our cash flow sucked, we put Christmas on a credit card, and I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for a large tax bill. During that time, I started to budget for everything. Every … [Read More...]
Ebates Review: How to Earn Cash Back
This is my honest Ebates review. All links to Ebates are to my referral link. When you join, you will also get a referral link to share with your friends to earn additional cash back. If you do any shopping online, whether it's at a department store, discount store, travel, or vacations, you are leaving money on the table if you're not shopping … [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 saving and budgeting our money. I have a lot of plans for … [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...]