I wonder...

I woke up very early this morning with one thought on my mind. Could Donald and I save enough money to buy a smaller, less expensive home outright and reduce our current debt? So I started perusing real estate sites and most homes that are super affordable are in terrible neighborhoods, however I think I am going to start saving my pennies in hopes that we find something safe and super affordable. The worse that could happen is that we have a chunk to put on our current mortgage, reducing that expense. I no longer want to be driven by consumerism, life is about much more than what we own. So with this new mindset I am planning on holding a yard sale to reduce the amount of things we own. We really need to simplify and this will start the saving process. Wish me luck!

Day 8

This is getting easier and easier. I find that the longer I go without spending the more intentional I am when I do have to part with my money. Yesterday I had to do a protein and small toiletry run. I stayed focused and only bought what we needed. It also dawned on me that if I don't take money with me, I can't spend it. So I made me a grocery money can and will not take money with me unless I am going to pick up things we NEED. Yesterday this kept me from blowing money on gum and a drink. I have started keeping a water bottle in my van and just filled it up at a water fountain. Saved me $1.45 and didn't take any extra effort on my part really.

Day 5 of no spending.

Today things get interesting. We are nearing the end of our Stevia reserve, dish detergent is running low and veggies are getting thin. However I am committed to not running out and buying more just because I can. In Sunday School we were talking about Daily Bread, and I do believe that lesson has prepared me for this week, it helped give me the proper perspective needed. Here in America we have more than we even realize. Even though things are running low (things we enjoy rather than need) I know we can and will make it to the end of the week with no problem. God has already met our needs over and above what we need. So I will not spend until I have to and we will be thankful for what God has provided. After all water is better than artificially colored fruit drinks and even tea sweetened with Stevia. There is nothing wrong with not spending and just enjoying what is.

Days 3 & 4

Saturday was dinner night with my sister in law and niece. I made a pork loin and ribs with seasoned green beans and bbq rice (rice made with bbq sauce and the broth from the meat). We watched the first Harry Potter and visited for Drew's upcoming birthday and to celebrate his finishing the first Harry Potter book.

Sunday was church and then home to enjoy a baked chicken, creamed spinach and baked sweet potato for lunch. Donald had a hard time, he wanted to go eat out since he is only off 2 Sundays a month. But he was a trooper and enjoyed an afternoon of lunch and football while the kiddos played outside enjoying our nice fallish weather.

Day 2...Grocery Run and Cupcake Wars

Today entailed a trip to the doctor's office to buy my protein shakes and a trip to the grocery store for milk, grits, noodles and green peas. Donald did treat us to a Sonic Unsweetened Tea (it was happy hour) while we were out running errands. So all in all a fun day.

Since the kiddos have a long weekend we did Cupcake Wars Home Version, complete with Judges Narration and every thing. The cupcake mixes and toppings were already in the pantry. We all had so much fun. How are you being frugal this weekend and still enjoying the finer things in life?

Day 1 (of our days of nothingness)

So today is our official kick-off of our indefinite days of nothing. We started the day with a breakfast of homemade pancakes and bacon. I walked the littles to school, and hung out my first load of laundry, all the while praying our forcasted rain holds off until they are dry. Tonight is movie and junk food night since the kids are out of school tomorrow. We do have cable since we get a better rate having all services bundled so we will watch a free movie from the on-demand menu. So all in all I would say we are off to a great start.

Days of nothing....planning for 2014

Well, we have been given a glimpse into 2014. And we are batting down the hatches financially. So we are starting days of nothing (you may remember my 31 days of nothing a year ago, it is that but indefinitely). I am convinced that as a family we spend way more than we need to, even though I do it frugally, it is still too much. So we are going to only spend what is absolutely necessary from now on.

Thanksgiving will either be a potluck at our home or a coffee and dessert time that evening if our family has other plans already. This is my favorite holiday because the focus is on what we already have and what is most precious to us on this earth. The people God has given us to share our lives with. Simply precious!

And we have a plan in place since CHRISTmas is coming up, we have decided to give 4 gifts for each of our children.
1. Some thing to read.
2. Some thing to wear.
3. Some thing you need.
4. Some thing you want.

This will keep spending down but will give them a good variety of gifts. After all the holidays are about celebrating the gift of Our Savior and our family, things should not be the main focus. I know this is an ambitious, crazy thing to start right before the holidays but it is a necessity for our family. So pray for us as we strive to become better stewards of what God has entrusted us with.

My after surgery regiment.

3 UpCalD Packets daily 500mg of Calcium Citrate, 500IU of Vitamin D
2 Celebrate Bariatric Multvitamin w/iron (I take one in the morning and one at night)
1 Sublingual B-12 tablet (I get these from Walmart for 1.97)

Breakfast is usually a protein shake made with Whey Protein Isolate (Unjury is my favorite) with 8oz of FF milk. Lunch and Dinner is protein and a little bit of a low carb vegetable. Not to exceed 1 cup. I also sip, sip, sip Powerade 0, Hawaiian Punch Sugar Free Drink Packs and water all through out the day to stay hydrated. The key is to get in your protein first and foremost.

My fave sources of protein:
Low Fat Cottage Cheese, Deli Meats, Poached Chicken Breast, Eggs, 1.00 Ribeyes from the dollar store, Low Fat Cheeses, Hamburger Meat (seasoned), Unjury Protein Powder.

I cannot tolerate fish at all but that would be a great source of lowfat protein if you can tolerate it.

***Make sure you take your Multi-vitamin with iron at least 2 hours apart from your calcium supplement and do not take it with any dairy products. Calcium binds iron and prevents it from absorbing so you have to separate the doses.*****