We deserve it!

Thank you for those who attended the Sanger Library tonight. I always love the frugal class because I learn a few  things too!

When Randy and I were first married we had the bad habit of thinking and saying when we wanted something, We deserve it! I know when we had that attitude it was easier for us to get into debt. Now that we are getting older and have been down that road I am seeing a change.

  • We are really talking about purchases and saving for them.
  • We ask ourselves if we really need the purchase or if we just want it.
  • Our debt is going down because we are working together and we are on the same team!
  • By simplifying your life, less is best- easier to clean, manage and live with. In today’s society we think stuff makes us who we are, people are more important then stuff.

By having a “We deserve it” attitude you may find:

  • You are in debt not enjoying your life. Working to pay off all you deserve.
  • Life filled with stuff and unappreciated.
  • Trying to keep up with the Jones; You may find the Jones’ are more in debt then you.

It is OK to dream of things you may want and it doesn’t mean you have to go into debt to get it.  My dear friend Robin told me once “tell God your dreams” I said to her I thought God already knew my dreams? She said to just talk it out with God and see what happens. You know what? It does help.

Living a more simple life is like money in the bank. We don’t need all the stuff to be fulfilled. I am not killing myself anymore to have what I think I need and I am finally starting to enjoy my life. Just some food for thought today.

Have a great day you deserve it! Candy


Pure Craziness…

In our home we are in the midst of pure craziness! Each night there is someplace we need to be with our children. End of the year concert, award ceremonies, baseball, orchestra and lessons, it is pure Craziness! What is a mother to do…..about Dinner?

I have been making our dinner early in the day and then reheat when we get home or using the crock pot…it is too easy to say when I hear “what’s for dinner?” Reservations!

Last night we had tacos: I browned the meat and seasoned it in the morning. My honey cut up all my ingredients and placed them in individual bowls. The leftover rice from the night before I reheated it and added taco seasoning to it (what a great way to use leftovers and is a great cheap stretcher for a family of 6. Last night when we got home  we reheated the meat and rice. Some of us had taco salad and some made tacos. The boys thought it was great and that makes my heart sing!

The key to pure craziness is to have a plan or your budget will not.

Have a blessed day, Candy

The Simple Things in life!

My husband, Randy and I sometimes like to go and sit by the Maumee River. Across the street is a big white birch tree. I always seem to say “Boy, I love that tree” It just seems to glow no matter the season. Last night I took a picture of it to share.

This morning I am thinking about the simple things….things that don’t cost a dime to enjoy, things that seem  unnoticed….The beauty around. When we are frugal doesn’t mean we are deprived. The simple things in life are sometimes free and there for all to enjoy if we just look!

Maybe the beauty is in helping your daughter brush her hair or helping your son look for his gym shorts….living in the moment is priceless….mental pictures are my simple things in life.

Enjoy the simple things today! God’s blessings, Candy

We derserve attitude

When Randy and I were first married we had the bad habit of thinking and saying when we wanted something, We deserve it! I know when we had that attitude it was easier for us to get into debt. Now that we are getting older and have been down that road I am seeing a change.

  • We are really talking about purchases and saving for them.
  • We ask ourselves if we really need the purchase or if we just want it.
  • Our debt is going down because we are working together and we are on the same team!
  • By simplifying your life, less is best- easier to clean, manage and live with. In today’s society we think stuff makes us who we are, people are more important than stuff.

Even advertisers market to us saying you deserve it…… One that comes to mind is “you deserve a break today……at McDonald’s”

By having a “We deserve it” attitude you may find:

  • You are in debt not enjoying your life. Working to pay off all you deserve.
  • Life filled with stuff and unappreciated.
  • Trying to keep up with the Jones; You may find the Jones’ are more in debt then you.

It is OK to dream of things you may want and it doesn’t mean you have to go into debt to get it.  My dear friend Robin told me once “tell God your dreams” I said to her I thought God already knew my dreams? She said to just talk it out with God and see what happens. You know what? It does help.

Living a more simple life is like money in the bank. We don’t need all the stuff to be fulfilled. I am not killing myself anymore to have what I think I need and I am finally starting to enjoy my life. Just some food for thought today.

Have a great day you deserve it! Candy

I read this today on a church sign and thought it was fitting for all who are struggling.

Trying times are not the time to stop trying.

Don’t give up and as my grandma Young would  say “better days are coming!”

I feel like they are just around the corner. Have a blessed day, Candy

Beginning Genealogy

I have always been interested in my family genealogy. My mom and sister have been really finding the information lately and they are  finding treasures. There is a new show called “Who do you think you are” on NBC Friday nights by: Ancestry.com. I am amazed the information they uncover for each of the celebrities.

Have you always wanted to research your Family Tree, but weren’t sure where to begin?

If you are interested and you  live in my area the Rossford Library is hosting a Beginning Genealogy Session on Saturday, March 27, 2010.

Beginning Genealogy

Saturday, March 27th

10:00-11:30 a.m.

Presented by Becky Hill

from the Rutherford B. Hayes Obituary Index

In the library’s community room

Have a blessed day,


Boot strap pulling….and Organizing

Paper work all the piles of paperwork. It can get a little overwhelming…ok very overwhelming. add 4 kids, your own business and life in general and you are in paperwork hell! Lately, I feel I am always looking for something and wasting what precious time I have at home with my family. I am a pile maker and am tired of paperwork!

I am thinking of how to organize better then I am at this time. Here are a few of the things that have worked.

  • We have 4 children and they have school paperwork and at the beginning of the year I make a copy of their schedules and put them in a notebook. The notebook has a tab for each child and any important papers for them gets hole punched and place in the notebook. I have it named Hunertime and it sit on my “out of control center” It was great last week when Jake and Lyndsey asked me what their new trimester schedule was and I could let them know. This idea is thanks to my dear friend Sue and it has worked well for over a year so far.
  • This is from my mom. She has a box that she starts January 1st of every year and when she gets a receipt it goes in the box and then she can find the receipt she is looking for.
  • When you get mail open it right away. Junk mail throw it out right away. Bills throw away the sent envelope and place the bill and the return envelope in your bill location… mine is a pending file.

I would love to hear what organizing system works for you! Thanks and God’s Blessings,

Frugal and Busy….can they Coexist?

Have you ever felt like a hamster on a tread mill? I have been busy working long days and have kid activities in the evening, I haven’t been my frugal self. I have only made quick trips to the store and my pantry was depleted, Sunday I finally got to the store. I went to Aldi’s so I would feel bad I didn’t have coupons.  Today, I sat down to finally clip my coupon and some have already expired…Darn!  How can you find a balance between all?

Here are a few ideas I need to start:

  • Take my coupons with me and clip in the car while I am waiting for my child to get out of practice.
  • Make my menu plan so I am sure to have all the ingredients I need for our meals. Keep a pad of paper in my car or purse to start making my running list.
  • Keep my coupon binder in the car for my quick trips to the store and save! If I see a sale I can even get it cheaper.

One thing I am learning is it is harder for me to be frugal when I am busy and tired. I need to make the time to save. If you have any tips please do share  I would love to hear.

Have a blessed day!

Boot strap pulling!

I wrote a post last week about pulling up your boot straps. It is not always an easy thing to do, but when you persevere through a tough time it is wonderful! When you live frugal it is hard work I am not going to lie, but it can help you through those boot strap pulling times.

  • Learn something that you can pass on to others when times are tough for them.

I can’t say I am always frugal.The hardest time for me to be frugal is when our family schedule is packed and to coin a phase from my honey “We are frugal frauds!”  This is when I forget the a leftover roast in the bottom of the fridge or we order pizza instead of making from scratch.

  • Organize and your frugal life will run smoother. Make plans for the leftovers and plan your menu. When you make a menu plan you will have all the ingredients you need and are less likely to eat out.

When I was a kid my Dad would say “what do you think money grows on trees?” Now that I am the parent I can see what he was talking about. The kids always need something and don’t think twice about it. For example Jacob “Mom, I forgot to tell you I need $65 today for My debate team” I wonder how Dave Ramsey handles that when he said “If it’s not on the budget…you don’t do it!” Kids really change the equation.

  • Have a line and fund on the budget labeled Kids activities. What I am finding is when they are older it isn’t $10 or $15 anymore it is $50 – $100.

When Randy and I first thought about starting an emergency fund we thought “How the hack can we do that…we can’t ever save!” Well I am here to tell you can if you add a little at a time it does build and you will have your $500 – $1000.

  • When you have an emergency fund then an emergency doesn’t seem as bad. Don’t keep the money at home because you will use it. Put it in an account and watch it grow!

We are pulling up the boot straps. Comment me and let me know how you are pulling up yours. God’s Blessings on you day, Candy

Pulling up the boot straps…

When you are facing unemployment or maybe even in the midst you may feel overwhelmed. A friend once told me “Don’t let your net worth, more important then your self worth!”

I know when My husband closed his business we were distraught not knowing what to do. There wasn’t unemployment because we were owners and didn’t pay unemployment for ourselves. By living our American dream and starting a business which unfortunately failed after 2 years. We had added to our own budget  2 van payments, 3 credit card payments, Ohio workman’s compensation Insurance payment, $30,000 home equity loan and the many stupid tax (to steal a phase from Dave Ramsey) things. Plus the added knowledge we let 15 wonderful people go at that time to the unemployment lines.

When you are in the midst of it you want to go to sleep and pull the covers over you head and never wake up. I was depressed, but I had to pull up my boot straps and went on.   My husband was depressed and couldn’t function. I was afraid to leave him alone and that is why he started cleaning with me everyday. He since has come out of the depression and I am grateful.

I use that line “you need to pull up your boot straps!” I remember Randy getting mad and saying “I am tired of pulling up my boot straps…I don’t even wear boots!”  I now know why it is called it living in a depression because everyone is depressed.

I heard on the news Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning was the lone hold up for extending unemployment …Why because he doesn’t think there is the money to do it! Live within your means, No the senate passed the extension with no plans on how to fund it, now generations to come will be on the hook. I am not a political expert but if unemployment gives you only two – thirds of you normal pay, maybe we need to drop our senators pay down to two – thirds of their normal salary and pay a little forward on that debt!

Tomorrow we are going to be pulling up boot straps and learn to live with in our means!

God’s Blessings on you day,

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