New floors

Shay and I just finished tiling two of our 3 bathrooms. It has been hard but very rewarding. They look so good. I almost can't believe we did them. I was able to tile both for around 40$. I was so excited when I found tile that I loved for .34 each 12x12. They are awesome and for a small space like a bathroom relatively fast. I would have to say it is an inexpensive way to spruce up your house. I am so glad we did it. If you have questions, give me a ring!

No more Credit Cards

So today, Shay and I are officially out of Credit card debt. It is very exciting to think of the possibilities that come with this. What next? (there are plenty of options of what to pay off next) Will we finally have money in savings? Will we get an air conditioner? Since we just got out, we haven't had a month without paying them. We hope to finally visit our family, but not on Credit cards. It is exciting!

Free Cheese

So we are trying to get the coupons working magic for us and thanks to a tip from a friend we got 36 bags of cheese for free. Well we paid the tax, so for mere pennies. It felt so good. I am gonna keep trying to make this thing work. So far I have gotten Free dental floss, doritos, soap, deodorant, granola bars and others for just 30-50 cents. It feels good. These are the two sites that are recommended by friends, www.couponmom.com and www.southernsavers.com. Check them out and let me know if they work for you. Happy couponing.

I need to learn coupons

So I do have some ways I like to save money, but I have never been able to/taken the time to learn coupons. I just wonder how hard is it? What are the best sites? Does anyone have pointers they can give? I just know with a baby in diapers and seven people eating, I should really put some energy into figuring this thing out. I need your help!

SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY

I have asked myself, why do we feel the need to spend money, especially when we don't have it? I come to different conclusions at different times. Here are a few...

We are hungry.

We are trying to fill a void.

We are lonely.

We feel that we NEED something.

We feel entitled.

We are bored.

We are running away from something

(like a messy house)

So here are some solutions that don't cost anything, but will make you feel better, and keep a buck in your pocket.

Serve somebody.

Eat something you already have.

Play a game with your kids.

Make a craft with stuff you already have.

(I know you have all kinds of crafting treasures)

Call a friend, or someone you want to be your friend.

Visit a Nursing home.

Clean your Kitchen.

Turn Up the Radio and DANCE.

Go Running.

Read a book you've been meaning to read.

Write your spouse a love note.

Organize your pantry.

Paint a Picture.

Tell yourself you are amazing 10 times.

Think about what you REALLY NEED.

I know these things will bring happiness, where spending money that you don't have just makes those feelings worse. Give it a try for yourself, tell me how it turns out.

Ice Cream Party only moments away

Shay and I haven't been buying ice cream for about a year now. We decided that until the Credit Cards are paid off we won't buy ice cream. We decided to have an ice cream party with the kids and celebrate every time one was paid off. Thanks to tax returns we are soon to be rid of ALL our CC debt. In the last 12 months we have paid over 17k in CC. It just feels good. Now to cut the little devils up and never use them again. They are like black goo that will take over way too quickly if you let them. I hope we can learn to just do with out. We sometimes feel entitled, when really all we are entitled to is paying off all that debt we've incurred. I feel so good about this. I know it is possible if you can just focus your energies on it. THAT is why we did with out ice cream, not because it would save us a lot of money, but because it would make us focus on paying the cards off. So I challenge you to find something to do without that will remind you to get those cards paid off. Also don't forget to pray. That REALLY works too!

Earring holders from repurposed materials

My friend Tasha and I have been doing craft night. I have loved it. The only rules are to use what we have or we can get free. As you can see these are made from old frames, junk mail and soda cans. Tasha made the pink and brown one which I love and I had coke and mountain dew cans. I decided to make the flower one because I didn't love the green and red together like I did the pink and brown. I think it is fun for my 8 year old to put her earrings on, which are scattered all over the place. It was pretty quick and simple, just be careful not to cut yourself. There are small holes to put your earrings in. I will let you know how they work out.

Use what you have

I would like to make a suggestion, before you buy something new, try using something you already have.

For example, tonight for dinner, I wanted to go to the grocery store and buy new food to cook, but I decided I would use what I had and see how much I could save. It made me feel so good.

Another example, I REALLY want a new cute skirt, but tomorrow I am going to see what I have to make myself one or to freshen up what I already own. (Will post what I do)

Also, before you go out and buy more craft stuff, look through what you have, I am sure you can make do with what you have.

I think it could end up saving you lots if you will use what you have before you buy something new!