Uncertainty

The last few months have been such a tumultuous season for our family.  Now, another curve ball has been thrown our way.  As you may know, my husband works for the State government.  Apparently, there is a measure before the State House of Representatives that would eliminate several positions within his department - including his.  Nothing is certain at this point as voting and such still needs to take place.  But, by the end of June, it's possible Dave would be out of a job.  We've walked this path before.  Even though I find myself fighting to hold back tears, I know we will persevere.

While this was completely unexpected, looking back over the last few weeks, I can see God's hand moving behind the scenes.  When my Mother was first hospitalized back in April with internal bleeding, we went into financial emergency mode.  Dave cut back some budget categories and directed the surplus to our emergency fund.  The thinking at the time was to have extra on hand should we need to find last minute summer care for the children.  So, we're already in financial storm cloud/bare budget/savings mode.  Just now, it's a different storm cloud!  And recently, I began feeling the need (call) to pray for my husband.  I've always prayed for my husband, my kids and our families.  But, this calling is different.  It's a call to pray with more intention specifically for my husband.  I'm constantly amazed at how God knows all our needs even before we become aware of them!

Mary Ellen

Before & After - Trash to Treasure Dresser

Introducing NADIA!

So named for my latest cooking show obsession Nadia G's B------ Kitchen

Nadia G

Image

BEFORE

Much to my husband's delight, I finally finished this trash to treasure dresser project and cleared up some needed space underneath our garage!  Before it was just a your average three drawer wooden dresser.

AFTER

But this ordinary dresser was transformed with a coat (several actually!) of eye-poppin', high gloss cherry RED!

I also replaced the original hardware with these cute black drawer pulls from Michael's (found on clearance!).

Since we're not currently in need of a dresser, I listed it on Craigslist to see if there would be any interest.  After a "just looking" visit and several emails expressing interest but with no follow up, we finally found Nadia a new home!  I love color, so I think it just took a little time to find another kindred spirit that appreciated bold colors too.  Though for my next project, I will probably go with something more neutral.

Dave and I have painted numerous pieces of furniture for our home.  But, it's been only recently that I've given thought to turning this hobby into a viable income generating stream.  It would certainly be nice to earn a little extra for savings without having to take on more work outside of the home.  And since any income would be extra, there wouldn't be much pressure or risk of turning something I love to do into to something I hate!

To refine my painting skills, I've been reading the informative ebook offered at Altar'd - Paint Your Furniture.  I can't wait to apply what I've learned to my next project! 

       

Mary Ellen

Disclosure

Living On A Dime Summer Print Book Sale!

Happy Friday Eve y'all!  Apologies for the recent blog silence.  I've just returned to work after spending time at home with the children.  So, I've been catching up on some tasks around the office.  However, I did want to inform you of the Living On A Dime Summer Print Book Sale.  Now through Monday, July 30th at midnight, you can get print books for up to 50% off!  Living On A Dime offers wonderful resources for cutting your grocery budget, saving money and getting out of debt.  I've personally found Dining On A Dime to be an invaluable resource and refer to it constantly!  In fact just last night, I prepared one of its many great recipes for dinner.  The recipes are always a hit with the Dave and the kids, especially the Double Chocolate Cake recipe I made over the weekend!  So, don't miss out on this great sale!

Mary Ellen

Disclosure 

6 Months Till Christmas!

Christmas Morning 2011

Guess what?  Christmas is less than 6 months away!  Are you ready?  No, I don't mean gifts!  Rather how you're going to pay for those presents.  When Dave implemented cash based budgeting for our family several years ago, we started setting aside a small amount of cash each month specifically for Christmas.  As simple as the concept sounds, we never considered saving for Christmas prior to reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover!  We always bought gifts on credit and stressed over the bill in January.  But now, our holidays are free of financial stress.  We get to fully enjoy the season with our family and friends without worry.  It's also a comfort knowing that if something were to happen today, like the loss of a job, we've already got Christmas covered (at least for the kids).   Just a small amount set aside each month now, will make a big difference come December!

Make it a GREEN Christmas this year.  Save and pay cash!

Budgeting resources we've found helpful:



The Total Money Makeover:  A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
by Dave Ramsey



The Money Saving Mom's Budget
by Crystal Paine (The Money Saving Mom)

Dig Out of Debt
by Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam




Disclosure

The Money Saving Mom's Budget - Book Review

Recently, I was selected to review Crystal Paine’s upcoming book, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget. As a working mother and home keeper, its crucial for me to make the best use our family’s resources. Crystal’s website has been a valuable money saving tool, and her book delivers the same sage advice.

In The Money Saving Mom’s Budget, Crystal covers the basics of budgeting and adopting a cash only spending plan. The book walks you through a three month plan for establishing a workable budget, and gives suggestions for reducing expenses. Crystal also challenges readers to go “plastic-free” (credit cards and debit cards), at least temporarily. This is usually a radical change for most families. When my husband and I started a cash-based budget several years ago, letting go of our credit card was the most apprehensive step for me. In the book, Crystal addresses concerns about switching to cash, from traveling to online shopping. By taking a budgeting approach similar to the one outlined in the book, my husband and I were able to pay off approximately $16,000 in debt in 11 months.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget also covers one of my favorite subjects, couponing! Crystal dispels the myth coupons are only for junk food. She then gives detailed information on how to obtain coupons (for free!), organize them, and how to use them effectively for reducing one’s grocery budget. If you are a seasoned couponer, you will probably already be versed in the strategies outlined in the book. But someone new to couponing or the “drug-store game” will definitely find this section helpful. And for those who do not use coupons, Crystal provides suggestions for lowering your grocery budget without them.

Other topics covered in The Money Saving Mom’s Budget include goal setting, frugal family entertainment and embracing an attitude of contentment. All in all, this book is a comprehensive guide to streamlining your life and your finances!

*********

The Money Saving Mom's Budget is set to be released on January 10th.  You can pre-order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Mary Ellen

(Disclosure:  I received an advanced copy of the book in order to write this review.  All thoughts expressed are mine.  This post also contains an affiliate link.  See my disclosure policy here).

A "Green" Christmas - Paying Cash for Christmas

Green Christmas 2010

This year, we'll be celebrating another "green" Christmas.  And by green, I mean cash only!  Back in 2008, after reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, we changed to a cash-based budget.  As part of the budget change, we started setting aside a little bit of cash each month in an envelope marked Christmas.  As simple as the concept sounds, it had never really dawned on us to save towards Christmas prior to reading the book!  We always bought Christmas gifts using our credit card and paid off the entire balance at the end of the month.  Except in December 2007, when our spending got out of control.  We didn't have enough money available at the end of the month to pay the bill off in its entirety.  At that point, we knew it was time for us to get our financial house in order!   

Saving for Christmas throughout the year has made the holidays much less stressful for us.  We're not waiting on a bonus or overtime that may or may not come.  The year Dave lost his job, I took comfort in knowing that no matter what else happened, we had Christmas covered for the kids.  The money was already there from what we'd saved up in the envelope prior to his job loss.  Paying cash for Christmas has even made gift shopping more enjoyable for us!  To borrow a term from Dave Ramsey's book, I'm a "free spirit" when it comes to spending.  I enjoy shopping and get pleasure from buying gifts for others (and myself!).  Dave, on the other hand, is a "nerd" (saver).  When we were buying Christmas on credit, Dave's anxiety level would rise along with the balances!  All he could foresee was the big bill coming at the end of the month.  But now, Christmas shopping is enjoyable for both of us.  Dave doesn't stress because the money has already been set aside for the specific purpose of being spent for Christmas.  We even make a special day of our Christmas shopping together.  We leave the kids with my Momma, spend the morning shopping and then have lunch together.  And of course, having the cash on hand makes it easy to pick up gifts anytime during the year when we come across a good deal.

 Now, I know what you're saying.  Christmas is only a few weeks away, how can any of this help me now?  Well, the wonderful thing about Christmas is it comes around at the same time each year!  If you are not where you want to be financially, resolve to make changes in the New Year.  Create a budget with a line item for monthly Christmas savings.  And by next year at this time, you'll be able to enjoy the fullness of the holidays without the financial stress!

Mary Ellen 

(Note:  The Barnes & Noble.com links in this post are affiliate links.  Read my disclosure policy here).     

The Great Recovery Starts With You!

Join the movement to recover the economy one family at a time.  Watch Dave Ramsey's message here.