What are YOU doing today?
It's only 2:30pm in California and my day is not nearly over. I'll post tonight when I sit down.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What are you doing today?
I've noticed a few blogs have asked what their readers were doing today. I enjoyed reading their comments. It's fun to 'peek' inside other women's homes and see life being lived out. It sparks ideas in my mind and I become encouraged. So, I was wondering...
What are YOU doing today?
It's only 2:30pm in California and my day is not nearly over. I'll post tonight when I sit down.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day!
What are YOU doing today?
It's only 2:30pm in California and my day is not nearly over. I'll post tonight when I sit down.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tiny small homes
The homes we've been looking to buy (less than 1,000 sq. ft) are HUGE in comparison to the home featured in this video. In fact, our studio is large compared to their home. I found this very encouraging that a family of 4 could live in less than 200 sq. ft.
Tiny Home
Tiny Home
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
21 Day Organizing Challenge
I'm so doing this! I found it on another website and since we are possibly facing another move this year I need to continue paring down. This list will give me a specific focus each day. What do you think about this list?
21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE
- Join the Challenge (at any time)
- Day 1 - Junk Drawer
- Day 2 - Computer Desk
- Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet
- Day 4 - Linen Closet
- Day 5 - Under kitchen sink
- Day 6 - Dresser Drawers
- Day 7 - The Pantry
- Day 8 - Coat Closet
- Day 9 - Toy organization
- Day 10 - Laundry Room
- Day 11 - The Freezer
- Day 12 - Spice Cabinet
- Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet
- Day 14 - Under bathroom sink
- Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage
- Day 16 - The Fridge
- Day 17 - The Mail
- Day 18 - Keepsakes
- Day 19 - Master Closet
- Day 20 - Photos
- Day 21 - You pick!
- I found the challenge at this website. (I'm not endorsing the website since I only quickly browsed it.) A Bowl Full of Lemons
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Free Kindle Books: Francis Chan
Do you have a Kindle? Or have you downloaded a free Kindle onto your computer from Amazon?
Try this link to download a free Kindle App for your computer. This will allow you to download any free Kindle book and read it on your computer.
https://read.amazon.com/about
Amazon is offering a 3 free Kindle Books of Francis Chan:
Crazy Love
The Forgotten God
Erasing Hell
I'm not sure how long this offer is available. Possibly only through today so hurry! I've read Crazy Love and I loved it!
Amazon Kindle Store
Try this link to download a free Kindle App for your computer. This will allow you to download any free Kindle book and read it on your computer.
https://read.amazon.com/about
Amazon is offering a 3 free Kindle Books of Francis Chan:
Crazy Love
The Forgotten God
Erasing Hell
I'm not sure how long this offer is available. Possibly only through today so hurry! I've read Crazy Love and I loved it!
Amazon Kindle Store
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Overspending and my grocery budget
Our family has gone through one of the hardest losses we could have imagined these past few months so I must be honest in admitting that keeping on budget was not in the forefront of my thinking. It's not an excuse, it's just the facts.
Actually, when I went back and averaged my grocery budget over the past year I discovered that I've been spending an average of $130 extra each month instead of the allotted $200. Yikes! I'm so thankful for my Quick Books program that helps me track expenses.
My habit has been to set aside the grocery money in envelopes. Sometimes I'll put enough grocery money in my wallet for 2 weeks. Other times, I pull it out of the envelopes when I run to the store. I think I'm getting myself into trouble when I make an unplanned stop with no money in my wallet. Instead of cash I use my debit card.
Right now I have the extra money to cover a larger food budget but when/if we buy our own home I can't fall back on that extra buffer. So, I'm going to try and pull in the reins and see if I can realistically live on $200 a month by keeping track of my receipts. If not, then I'll have to do some shuffling in other areas so I can bump up my monthly grocery allowance. Food prices are rising. Maybe it's unrealistic to think that my husband and I can live on $200 a month. I buy very few 'extras' but my 2 freezers are full so that's an inclination that I'm buying more than we need each month.
So as always, in this game of budgeting, I'll be praying for God's wisdom and guidance, evaluating my habits (and lack of self-control) and seeking new ways to be a faithful steward of the money God has entrusted me.
How do you handle this problem? I'd love to hear from you!
Actually, when I went back and averaged my grocery budget over the past year I discovered that I've been spending an average of $130 extra each month instead of the allotted $200. Yikes! I'm so thankful for my Quick Books program that helps me track expenses.
My habit has been to set aside the grocery money in envelopes. Sometimes I'll put enough grocery money in my wallet for 2 weeks. Other times, I pull it out of the envelopes when I run to the store. I think I'm getting myself into trouble when I make an unplanned stop with no money in my wallet. Instead of cash I use my debit card.
Right now I have the extra money to cover a larger food budget but when/if we buy our own home I can't fall back on that extra buffer. So, I'm going to try and pull in the reins and see if I can realistically live on $200 a month by keeping track of my receipts. If not, then I'll have to do some shuffling in other areas so I can bump up my monthly grocery allowance. Food prices are rising. Maybe it's unrealistic to think that my husband and I can live on $200 a month. I buy very few 'extras' but my 2 freezers are full so that's an inclination that I'm buying more than we need each month.
So as always, in this game of budgeting, I'll be praying for God's wisdom and guidance, evaluating my habits (and lack of self-control) and seeking new ways to be a faithful steward of the money God has entrusted me.
How do you handle this problem? I'd love to hear from you!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Oh give me a home ... where the mortgage is low....
Quite a few years ago I owned a used homeschool curriculum bookstore which I ran for nearly 10 years. I often had mother's come for curriculum counseling because they were overwhelmed with all of the choices. Should they do unit studies or The Principle Approach or a more traditional textbook? It could drive a mother to distraction. I'd always bring them back to this question, "What has your husband allowed you to spend?" That was our starting point. It was a great 'narrower', as I used to call it, because it helped to narrow their choices.
Many of you know that we sold our home(s) 2 years ago when my husband became disabled. We lived in my aunt's barn studio the first year and then took a job as caregivers in the home of a 91 year old lady this past year so we could be closer to family. My husband's Medicare will kick in April 1st and as a result we will be able to cut our $1,000 a month medical insurance payment to less than half. This will allow us to buy a small inexpensive home. There is no way we can afford rent prices which are twice as much as a mortgage these days.
The types and areas of homes we can afford on a disability income are not familiar to us. To be honest, five years ago we would have avoided these areas like the plague. This has been the catalyst for a lot of soul searching and honestly I haven't been pleased with what I've seen. I believe I have taken on society's mindset when it comes to choosing a home more than God's. Sins like 'fear of man' and 'pride' are leading the pack.
Now, back to the point of my first paragraph. God has narrowed our income substantially over the past 5 years. As a result it has limited us to certain areas where we can buy. They are not areas we would have pursued.. if given the choice... but God has narrowed our choices by our circumstances and funds. .. just as He did with my homeschool families.. He has spoken clearly through His provision.
There is a bigger part of me that gets excited thinking about where God might be moving us. Who will my neighbors be? Will there be some souls that I can point towards Christ? Will there be some that I can minister to or disciple? Will I have opportunities to serve?
I am confident that He is working out His plan in our lives through the narrowing of our home choices. YAY!
It will be small. It will be old. It will be perfect!
Many of you know that we sold our home(s) 2 years ago when my husband became disabled. We lived in my aunt's barn studio the first year and then took a job as caregivers in the home of a 91 year old lady this past year so we could be closer to family. My husband's Medicare will kick in April 1st and as a result we will be able to cut our $1,000 a month medical insurance payment to less than half. This will allow us to buy a small inexpensive home. There is no way we can afford rent prices which are twice as much as a mortgage these days.
The types and areas of homes we can afford on a disability income are not familiar to us. To be honest, five years ago we would have avoided these areas like the plague. This has been the catalyst for a lot of soul searching and honestly I haven't been pleased with what I've seen. I believe I have taken on society's mindset when it comes to choosing a home more than God's. Sins like 'fear of man' and 'pride' are leading the pack.
There is a bigger part of me that gets excited thinking about where God might be moving us. Who will my neighbors be? Will there be some souls that I can point towards Christ? Will there be some that I can minister to or disciple? Will I have opportunities to serve?
I am confident that He is working out His plan in our lives through the narrowing of our home choices. YAY!
It will be small. It will be old. It will be perfect!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Food Budget: What is the world eating?
Alice and I watch the evening news after dinner. The other night we watched a news piece about a family in Sudan that was living in a cave. They had been driven from their homes because of the governments bombing. The family that was being interviewed was quite large. I'm not sure how many children.. possibly 7 or more? The family had not eaten anything for 1 1/2 days. I read that some are eating leaves off of trees to keep them barely alive.
Suddenly, my $200 a month grocery budget (which lately I find difficult to keep) seems like a million dollars!
My husband and I like to also watch the international programs such as Bizarre Foods. I enjoy watching other cultures and how they live. The filming was in Mexico... not near the border but down deeper where there is more poverty. It was fascinating to see how they eat literally every part of the animal.. feet, ears, skin, blood... nothing was wasted.
And then here we are... America! Here I struggle to keep within a $200 budget and I'm realizing that lately I have rarely been meeting that goal. What that family wouldn't give to have the money I spend on groceries yet I struggle to stay within my budget thinking I need more and more.
It's find it very helpful to wander outside the realm of thinking as an American and compare how the rest of the world lives. It helps me not whine and helps to develop a thankful heart.
The link below compares what families eat in a week from all over the world along with what they spend. I went through the pictures and really took notice of the families living on the lowest budget. Most were eating veggies, some fruit, homemade bread or tortillas, rice and beans with little meat and rarely any packaged items. Simple food items. Take a peak. It's fascinating to compare the Americans with the poorer countries.
What the world is eating
Suddenly, my $200 a month grocery budget (which lately I find difficult to keep) seems like a million dollars!
My husband and I like to also watch the international programs such as Bizarre Foods. I enjoy watching other cultures and how they live. The filming was in Mexico... not near the border but down deeper where there is more poverty. It was fascinating to see how they eat literally every part of the animal.. feet, ears, skin, blood... nothing was wasted.
And then here we are... America! Here I struggle to keep within a $200 budget and I'm realizing that lately I have rarely been meeting that goal. What that family wouldn't give to have the money I spend on groceries yet I struggle to stay within my budget thinking I need more and more.
It's find it very helpful to wander outside the realm of thinking as an American and compare how the rest of the world lives. It helps me not whine and helps to develop a thankful heart.
The link below compares what families eat in a week from all over the world along with what they spend. I went through the pictures and really took notice of the families living on the lowest budget. Most were eating veggies, some fruit, homemade bread or tortillas, rice and beans with little meat and rarely any packaged items. Simple food items. Take a peak. It's fascinating to compare the Americans with the poorer countries.
What the world is eating
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