I'll never forget the first time a friend of mine said, "You are so lucky you don't have to work!"

At the time, I didn't know how to respond but when someone says that to me now, I know exactly what to say.  "You know what? I work very hard to be this lucky."

The "behind the scenes" work is what keeps us in our budget. We stretch and scrimp.  We make do and do without.  We have a happy attitude and we feel blessed.  Perhaps our positive outlook conceals how little we actually spend.

The truth is:  It's a beans and potatoes life for us but goodness, we are enjoying it!  

Some of the "work" that keeps me out of work:

Hand Soap Savings

That's Not Good Enough

Christmas Gift Giving

Ask and it will be given unto you.  Seek and you will find. 

(Judah playing with his $6 wooden train set and tracks from the thrift store.)

My girls and I make a list of items we want and need.  We keep it in our wallets along with a few dollars.  We shop around at yard sales (Nanny, you taught us well.) and thrift stores and we almost always find the item or decide we didn't really want it anyway.  Just recently the girls wanted roller skates and blue jean skirts.  They found both at the thrift store for less than $4 total. 

Now, I'm just praying they don't break their arms on those skates! 

This is an honest to goodness, anybody can do it method to have free cars for the rest of your life!   Everybody needs to know about this!  I love y'all so much that I wanna see you have FREE CARS!   

We all need new ideas and encouragement as we pursue our debt free dream!

I strongly recommend reading books to help with frugal and debt free living.  Books are a great way to change my mind and my ways.  I need influence.  Books influence my thinking.  

The internet is a great resource for do-it-yourself projects and maintenance.  

The library and internet save me big dollars on homeschool curriculum.  Most all of the literature books and recommended reading can be found at the library.   Thrift stores and yard sales are another great source for books.  I recently found The Tightwad Gazette at a thrift store for 65 cents.

Books that have influenced my thinking financially,

Websites that rock,

Dave Ramsey

Crown Financial

Money Saving Mom

I'm always on the look out for new ways to cut our budget and save us money.  I make it my goal to try one new tip, recipe, or method each week.  If I don't mind it, I keep it.  If I hate it, I keep looking.  Over time, I've implemented enough of the "don't hate it's" to save us some significant money. 

I didn't wake up one day and make our laundry detergent, fabric softener, cleaning products, baby wipes...  I gradually, little by little added these into my normal routine.   

The recipes are fairly simple and quick to make.  It doesn't help me to do homemade if I have to go buy that item at full price to last me until I make more.  When for instance my laundry detergent gets low, I pour the remainder in a jar.  I know I have two or three days to make more.  To help me remember, I bring the container to the kitchen.  I'll see it often there and make more when it's convenient for me. 

The most important thing, is to find a method and system that works.  If buying these items on sale vs. making them homemade works better for you, then do it!  Be good at it!  Find the best coupons and the best sales. 

If you hate it DON'T DO IT!  This homemade dishwasher detergent recipe was a disaster!  No matter how cheap it is to make, it's not worth it to me!  So, I'm always looking for coupons and sales.  Recently I purchased two large dishwasher powders and 20 diswasher tablets at Rite Aid for a total of $3.60.  That was a great deal! 

New tips, recipes, and methods + little by little - the "hate it's" = money saved = debt paid = peace of mind!

Lighthouse Church is currently in a message series titled, "Life's a Roller Coaster!"  This Sunday's topic is "Finances".  In anticipation of our topic, I wanted to repost one of the very first posts I wrote for my blog.  This was originially posted April 6, 2008.  Lots of details have changed in my life since then but I'm still clipping those coupons! 

Did you know that the Sunday paper comes with money inserted!  Yes, money.  Okay, coupons aka "money"! I love clipping those coupons and looking at the weekly ads!  Seriously, it is my Sunday hobby. 

Before you think I'm out of my mind let me explain.  Brian and I are committed to debt-free living.  We are working very hard to be completely debt free!  Most people know that Brian works in Insurance and Investments.  He has taken college classes and has all these certifications and licenses.  Because I stay home with the kiddos and homeschool, they probably don't know that my degree is in Business Admin. with minors in Accounting and Economics.  We have taught classes and seminars on money management.  We will be teaching a class this fall to homeschooled teens.  We are really excited! 

We want people to know how much freedom comes from being debt free and storing up for the future!  We also want Christians to know what an impact we can have for Christ when we are debt free.  Our debts consume our ability to give and steal our ability to serve (because of lack of time from working extra jobs or overtime - not to say that either of those are bad.  They're not.  Especially if they help you get out of debt.)  The number one reason for divorce is money problems.  I hate divorce!  I am about to cry just thinking about people divorcing over money problems.  Let me get back to the coupons so I don't cry.  

I am at home with four dear children who need to be educated.  Since we have chosen to home educate them, I am unable to bring home the bacon.  All of my work is done for free (even at the gymnastics, it is a work of the heart).  So, my job is to find ways to save money.  I cut coupons, shop sales . . . 

At first I wasn't sure it was something I liked.  It was necessary to achieve our debt free goals.  Brian and I made a budget for groceries, clothes and such.  The only way I could stay in the budget was to find ways to get items cheaper.  I think I started liking it when I was able to purchase my oldest daughter two new winter coats and one cute new pair of shoes for $11.22! Now, it is so exciting that I can't wait to brag to Brian how much money we saved.  Sometimes it is hard to throw the receipt away because I'm so proud of my savings.  Just last week, I spent $18.32 at Krogers and saved $36.87!  Sometimes I just happen across the deals.  I have a list of items my family needs and I patiently wait (like with the coats for Katie).  Most of my savings, though comes from clipping coupons and shopping weekly ads.  I always check out the sale items and buy the ones that I have coupons for.  If it is on sale and I have a coupon, I get an awesome deal. 

Think this might be a hobby for you?  Pray.  Not kidding.  Remember the "ask and it shall be given unto you"?  Ask God to lead you to the best buys, to stretch your dollars and provide for your family's needs.  Stock your pantry really well with the basics and then start clipping and shopping those ads. 

To get you started, check out www.moneysavingmom.com.  She's awesome!  Don't get discouraged if you don't get it all right away.  It takes about three months of practice to get good at it.  It is so much fun.  If you need help or have questions, I'll be glad to help you.  People don't mind talking about their hobbies.  I don't think I can ever go back to paying full price for anything.  If you know this hobby is not for you, can I have your coupons?  Seriously. 

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

(Hebrews 10:35-36) 

Never give up on the dreams God has placed in your heart. 

Money Saving Mom didn't. 

Their dream came true.  They paid cash for their first home!

Today is Day 4 of Dave Ramsey's Christmas 09: Give Like No One Else.  Visit his website everyday to win some awesome stuff.

Today?  $2000 to get your emergency fund started or bless someone else.  Enter the giveaway here.

Gotta love Dave's giveaways! 

As my family grows, so does the amount of groceries in my cart.  I'm learning little tricks along the way to make grocery shopping easier. 

For instance, at the checkout unload the large stuff first!  Getting the heavy items in the cart first keeps from crushing fragile foods like bread or grapes. 

Store layouts vary, but the fresh foods are on the perimeter of the store.  The packaged goods are in the center.  I write my list by category (produce, bread, frozen, canned...)  If I'm using a coupon, I'll mark a C next to the item.  If it's a sale item, I'll mark S next to the item.  This bit of list planning saves me from backtracking.

Another cool tip I picked up along the way is to use the stores' Web sites.  Many store sites let you print coupons or even download coupons to your savings card.  It's also a great way to get freebies.  Check to see if they have kid clubs or baby clubs.  They usually send you something special each month for your babe or for the bigger kids birthdays. 

A little extra planning makes for a successful grocery trip!  It saves me time and money.  This mom of four can always use more of both!

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life As Mom.