2016

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Sheila

We are in full summer mood around here even though school still officially has 2 and half more days. We have swim team practice Monday- Thursday nights. Last Saturday, we ended up spending around 7 hours just hanging out in the sun.
I had the day off yesterday to attend Kendall’s play at school and both Kendall and Zach’s award day. Both got recognized for basically “student of the month”. Kendall was very upset because she did not get a certificate on Monday.
Both the girls are going to continue with piano this summer, but Lily has asked to stop in the fall so she can learn to play the clarinet at school. I am kinda torn on if this is the best thing or not for her.
Lily is going to a camp away from home this summer. She will be gone a total of 5 days. We both are nervous and excited at the same time.
Both Matt and I have decided that we prefer the “patty” squash over yellow squash for taste. I may get brave and attempt to save some of the seeds to plant next year.
I am very relieved that our sweet potatoes have finally begun to grow and spread.
We are starting to get some cucumbers and squash in from the garden. I hope we planted enough to restock the freezer.

Saving on Saturday 6/4/2016

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Sheila

This morning we are trying to make good use of this beautiful day. I am washing all the sheets and comforters. This is a total of 6 loads that are drying on the line. That is a minimum of 8 hours in the dryer. So not only do the sheet smell amazing we are saving 8 or more hours of electricity.

Matt is working on installing a solar power fan in the building to reduce the temperature, protect the freezer and prevent us from using the window unit unless absolutely necessary.

While the sheets and comforters are drying, I am working on preparing several meals ahead of time to help make the next month a little bit less crazy. Currently on the menu is shepherd pie for lunch tomorrow, a cheeseburger pie to be frozen and potato salad to use as a side for pork chops this week.

We will spend the rest of the day hanging at the pool. No extra money spent today!

5 Things Friday

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Sheila

Tonight, while the kids watched Toy Store, I was able to spend a couple of hours with our budget. I am relieved to say that I have developed a plan that should get us back on track for the year by August. We had several big set backs in May including a contract for Matt that fell through and the freezer. I have been avoiding looking at the accounts but made some realistic decisions and have a plan. I know that continues to provide for us but I also realize that I have to work with the income we are given.
Matt is on board with planning a Disney trip in November 2017. My current goal is to use Swagbucks to place the deposit in September or October. This trip will be paid for entirely from outside my income. It is a huge challenge but something I want to prove I can do.
Our new freezer is AWESOME. We still need to install the solar powered fan in the building to help protect it but yesterday I was able to re-organize all the freezer in preparation for the summer harvest and chicken delivery.
I officially have a three day weekend starting today. I am off work on Monday so that I can attend several different events at the school for the end of the year.
We have four and half day of school left. I am probably more excited about this than the kids. Tonight was also the first official pay out for chores. I know at least one of the kids was upset. I am hoping they will pick up and do more chores with ice cream at the pool as the goal.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Sheila

Matt has been working on cleaning out the building and I ordered a new stand up freezer today. I went ahead and purchased the largest one available. It is suppose to be delivered next Thursday which gives us a week before the chicken arrives. We are also planning on getting some wireless thermostats to use to monitor the temperature in the building and both freezers.
I received my first Disney gift card today. I need to earn another $150 not from our budget in order to book our next trip.
The kids have 2 and half weeks of school left. Thankfully I was able to take a couple of days off in order to attend most of the special events at the end of the year.
We have a swim team meeting on Thursday and Zach is planning to swim. I am so excited!!! I LOVE watching swim team meets!
Amanda is hosting a yard sale on Saturday and I am hoping to make $100. I have already made $45 this weekend on furniture. This is a much needed boost in income to help cover summer expenses like swim team.
We have now not used heat or air for 6 weeks with only 2 days used in the four weeks before that. Our electric bill was $161 for last month! This is the lowest it has been in around 18 months! Huge win!
I have started a new diet/ work out program this week so I am hopefully for good results even by the end of the month.
We have been able to harvest basil and dill. Yesterday I got a squash that is small but it is a start!

Savings With Only 2 Coupons

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Sheila

I apologize upfront because I had ever intention of getting this post up last week but life happens. I do use coupons as much as possible but it is not just the coupon that makes a great deal. A great deal is sometimes finding the right sale.

This week we were able to find the right sale at Harris Teeter. I will continue to wish that another grocery store moves in our area but until then I will plan and drive 30 minutes each way for sales like this.

Harris Teeter is having a “stock up sale” The one big catch to this sale is that you must Buy 2 and get 3 Free. This week we spent $170.60 and saved 228.75 which is 57%. All the items we purchased are things we normally use so this is a good deal for us. I did use 2 $1.00 off coupons for Ken’s Salad dressing. Unfortunately these did not double. I was also able to grab a raincheck for 10 additional packs of cheese which I will use when needed. Things we purchased included 10 12 packs of soda, 6 bottles of Salad Dressing, 7 small containers of yogurt. 10 pounds of potatoes, 5 packs of Provolone cheese, 3 blocks of cheese for Matt and the kids, 10 containers of ice cream, 7 bags of chips and 5 bags of frozen shrimp. As you can tell this was a huge trip but it is likely that this will last us through the summer.

5 Things Friday-5/13/2016

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Sheila

The garden is doing the best EVER! We have corn growing, cucumber and squash with huge blooms and we are already picking dill and basil to use! I am hoping this continues and we get to enjoy the benefits for the entire year.
In checking the freezers, I realized that we were out of beef stock. Between yesterday and today, we have made and frozen 3 gallon that should last for a while.
The air conditioning in the house is still off. I am so excited as this is definitely the longest time in May we have been able to keep it off. I have already checked the forecast for the next week and with temperatures in the 60s till Wednesday, May 20th is now my goal date!
I am going to head out tomorrow night with some friend from work to Dinner and a Movie. I am excited as this is the first time in years, I have been able to do something like this.
I am planning to add a goal to my financial side to earn a $25 gift card each month from Swagbucks. This will help to boost my saving significantly.

Saving on Saturday- 5/7/2016

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Sheila

This project actually took us two days to complete but mainly because we had lot of other things going on at the same time. One side of the “addition” has an area of 6 inches or so from the wall that we have been attempting to grow grass in for the past three years. Last year, we bought specific “shade” grass and it still did not work. So after so talk and planning we decided to make it a flower bed. We decided not to attempt to grow vegetables in this area because it is in the shade for the majority of the day and would have a huge expense associated with it attempting to buy dirt to make sure things could grow.

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning and head out to the local “plant sale” that is by the master gardeners in the area. In the past, I have not arrived early enough to find as much as I have wanted. This year, I arrived at 7:50am for the sale that was scheduled to start at 8. I did miss out of a couple of specific things I was looking for but was successful over all. I focused on purchasing plants that were known to grow in the shade. I purchased 6 different shade plants for a total of $18. As I have been looking at the front flower bed which touches this new bed, I realized that at least one of the hosta plants was too close to other plants so I decided to dig it up. I was able to spread this one plant into 5 different sections which saved at least $20. I know this plants spread and grow very quickly so by next year they should be back to the right size. After coming home and going to Zach’s soccer game, we stopped at Lowes to purchase brick blocks to line the bed and some mulch. We ended up spending $100 total for this new bed. I am so pleased and excited about this huge accomplishment.

This is an attempt to view the entire side.

April In Review

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Sheila

To be honestly this has seemed like an extremely long month. We are struggling in many areas so that may explain some of the reason, it feels like a long long month. But May is coming along with warm weather and sunshine! So bring it home. I did also find and start using Swagbucks this month. My current goal is to earn enough money via this site and a couple of other to book our next Disney vacation. So here is the rest of the update.

Personal-
1. Blogging– Post 20 per month. Fail. This is post number 18, which is at least an improvement over the past two months so I am moving in the right direction.

2.Weight Loss– 175#. Struggling with time for this.

3. Spiritual– Spend at least 5 days a week, reading and studying The Bible. Goal Met. So proud to say that I am continuing with this goal and it is becoming more and more important each day.

1/3 personal goals met. With improvements made so I am going to move forward on a positive note.

Financial-

1. Set aside money each month in every budget category. Fail

2. Establish and maintain Emergency Fund- Fail.
3. Groceries: Goal is for $700. Fail – Total spending for the month is $966.47 However looking at the year so far I have spent $530 a month which is still way less than my $700. We ended up purchasing both chicken and meat this month for the summer. I would anticipate that the next couple months will again be under budget.

4. Gas: Spend $400 a month- Goal Met! I am excited to start making a dent in the car debit we have accumulated this year.

5. Pay off all Credit Card debit by December 2016- Fail. I am meeting bare minimal payments on everything but really was hoping to begin to get control and reduce this number.

As you can tell financially this was a rough month but I am seeing God provide in ways we would not expect so I am going to stand firm and trust!

Miscellaneous Monday

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Sheila

Our menu plan is very simple for this week. Leftovers for Monday and Wednesday and Pulled Pork on Tuesday. I want to try and clean out as much of the refrigerator as possible before our trip.
I am working hard to achieve a good work/life balance. I am finding it impossible. Work is crazy busy and the kids are crazy busy as well.
I am really looking forward to this trip just to have some down time without feeling rushed or like I should be doing something else.
The weather is starting and predicted to start warming up, I still do not have a plan for the square foot garden so I need to get this down on paper soon.
The heat is back on in our house. I am hoping that once we leave on Thursday, that will be the end of the heat for the year.
I have given myself a goal to earn $200 from Swagbucks by December of this year. I am so close to cashing out my first $25 that it is tempting to purchase an item that is 100% back but I don’t want to spend any money. So I will patiently or not so patient wait till closer to the end of the month to achieve this.
Zach is continuing to make huge improvement in soccer. He was able to score 2 goals this weekend and made 2 stops as goalie.
Lily has found her backhand spring at cheerleading! It is so nice to watch her tumble!

Custom – Kitchen

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Sheila

The factor that started our kitchen remodel was seating for our growing family. At Christmas, I was disappointed that not only could we not all eat in the same room but I was limited in what I could actually prepare because I simply did not have the counter space.

When we made the decision to replace all the cabinets, I knew that we would not be able to afford high end cabinets with all the cool features. I am very pleased to say that we have achieved some really cool features and I honestly feel that we are utilizing every each of space in the kitchen currently.

Today, I want to share the special touches that make our kitchen one of a kind. First is the custom tile work.

This area is behind our stove and I forgot to get a picture after the gout was placed but just look at how cool it looks. Matt and I talked and we really did not want to place full tiles behind the stove. We did go ahead and place the sticky mat until we decided what to do. Zach was watching us work and the idea came to me that he could finish this section of tile using the pieces that we had cut off of other tiles. Zach completed about 3/4 of the area before Lily decided he needed help. The only guidance I gave him was not to place two of the same tile together. This is an awesome custom feature that I am assured will not be repeated anywhere else in the world.

I have already shared about my favorite cabinet. Which is also very custom, here is a reminder picture.

Another feature that is very unique is the electric outlets that are part of the counter top. These were Matt’s suggestion and after a bit of rewiring that we still need to complete, we will be able to plug up and use ALL of my crockpots at that same time as my Kitchen-Aid mixer.

The final custom cabinet is probably the one that took the most time and effort to figure out. It also ended up costing around $50 to complete. But in reality is saves a ton of space and actually allows me to have all the utensils I need within reach. This cabinet is directly beside the stove and is actually a double sided pegboard.

Currently we still need to do some touch up painting and add quarter round to both the back splash and floor. But we are very close to being at a finishing point with this project.

Here is the progress we have made.

Teens Tots and Everything In Between

Life, Love and Coupons

Category Archives: Budgeting