March Challenge ...

This year, 2011, is my year for getting organized.  One of the things on my list was making a Household Binder.  A binder that contains all kinds of information that we need on a daily, weekly and/or monthly basis. 

One of my favorite blogs - iHeart Organizing - is doing a March Challenge.  Guess what it is?  To get a binder done.  Now .. here we go.  I am up for the challenge.  There are several that I want to work on for this month and look forward to getting it done.  Jen .. is great at getting things organized.  Of how I wish she could come to my house.  She is also offering her templates FREE for the month of March ONLY!!  Go check it out .....

Financial Binder - iHeart Organizing

Here is a list of binders to get your started.  I got this list from that I have taken from different places.  This is a few ideas to help get you and me started.  The bold ones are the ones that I want to really work on this month.

• Freezer Inventory
• Fridge Inventory
• Pantry Inventory
• Storage Inventory
• Important School Information/Schedules
• Movie Inventory
• Cleaning Checklist
• Menu Planning
• Finances/Bill Payment Checklist
• Product Warranty Information
• Important Contact Numbers {Contractor, Plumber, Electrician, Yard Maintenance, Financial Advisor, Home and Auto Insurance, Poison Control, Neighbors, etc…}
• Travel Checklist
• Idea Lists/To Do Lists
• Home Inspiration/Paint Swatches/Fabric Swatches etc…
• Blog Posts
• Credit Card and ID Information
• “Weekend Wish List”
• Important Dates to Remember
• CPR Instructions
• Emergency Pack List
• Business Cards/Vendors
• Take Out Menus
• Local Produce Availability
• Personal Goals/Resolutions
• Parenting Resources
• Family Sizes and Measurements
• Computer Log Names/Passwords
• Calendar
• Kid’s Daily Schedule/Routine
• Kid’s Wish Lists
• Greeting Card Checklist
• Medical History
• Auto Maintenance Log
• Financial
• Family Binder

Binder Ideas - iHeart Organizing

Are you up for the challenge???   Do you already have Home Management Binders?  What do yours look like?  I would love to see and hear about your ideas. Can't wait to get started on mine ... will post pictures of my work in progress and when done. 

Lisa 

Super Saturday Shopping ...

Well, my sister and I went to Publix today instead of this coming Monday.  I have a bus meeting on Monday, when we usually go.  We had another great day of shopping, even though it is raining outside.  It didnt' stop us from getting what deals are out there.

This week at Publix you can get bags of Kibbles & Bits for free or as low as .49 cents.  They have them BOGO and you can print a couple from Coupons for $2.50 off ONE bag.  This is definitely a STOCK UP!!

My total purchase was $218.86 -- I paid $85.43 and SAVED $133.43!!! 

Can't wait to see what next week holds ... What good deals are you finding???

Relaxation .... Taking care of ME

Do you take time to take care of yourself?  Do you feel selfish when you do take time to relax? 

I think as mom's we all have, at one time or other, not taken time to take care of ourselves.   However, it is really important to take time out of our busy lives to tend to the mom, in the family.  How do we, mom, take time out of our hectic schedule to take time to take care of ourselves?  This is a simple question, but can be a hard one.  How much time do we take?  What should we do?

There are times in my life that I am taking care of everyone else and forget to take care of me.  What with the kids needing me to do something for them and then there is the husband.  Oh and don't forget the dog .. lol. Even they need me to take care of them.  Then there is the laundry, house to be cleaned, meals to be cooked, errands to be ran and then the part time jobs I am doing.  Shoot I hardly have time to work in my exercise and God time.  Now, I am needing to find more time to make sure I am taken care of.

Well, I did just that today.  I love to take nice long, hot baths and I usually take them at night, but today I decided to take one this morning.  Oh how nice!!   Everyone is gone either to school or work .. just me and the dog.  I ran a HOT bath .. fixed me some hot tea .. got my Bible and set off for the spa (my bathroom).  Oh I wish I could tell you just how nice it was ... no kids to come and knock on my door to just ask a question that could have waited.   After reading my scripture of the day .. I just cleared my mine and listened to the stillness.  Then Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God .." came to my mind and it made me think about how God wants us to be still so we can listen to Him. 

I like to do different things to relax and try to un-wind from my busy schedule.  Of course, hot bath is at the top, but some other things are .. sitting in a rocker chair on my back porch .. taking a leisure walk by myself ... or just going to bed early.  It doesn't matter what you chose to do, you just have to do it.  It can be as simple as 5 minutes, but sometimes we have to take more, just depends on your life.

So here is a challenge for you and for me.  To find sometime for yourself.  Some really relaxing and quiet time.   I am making an appointment with myself at least twice a month to take care of myself.  If I don't .. who will be around to take care of everyone else?     

Shopping day at Publix ...

My sister and I go to Publix's on Monday.  We go with out list and coupons in hand.  It makes it easier to go with each other, because if one doesn't have a coupon for something, the other one will.  We help each other out. 

Today was a good day.  I got to stock up on a few things .. love when you can do that.  I will start posting my shopping trips and how much I saved.  I haven't learned everything, but I am getting there. 

I spent $99 out of pocket and saved $132!!!!

Household Monday ...

In thinking about my post today ... about the big picture of getting out of debt.  I thought about all the little steps we can do to get to the bigger picture.  I think it is the smaller things we can do to get out of debt faster.  Things like; making coffee at home, instead of  stopping at Starbucks - that along could save you hundreds.  What about taking your lunch to work or school instead of eating out?  I know from experience, when I use to work, could save you anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00 per day.  That could quickly add up. 

I am already doing a lot of the smaller things to help my family get out of debt.  But one area that I am really working on is in my grocery bill.  I have always done a budget amount for groceries but most months have gone over it.  I can remember months charging my groceries.  (I know .. not smart .. if I had only known then what i know now!!)  Thank goodness I have finally learned.  So for the past month or so I have really been trying hard to stay in my grocery budget. 

I have always done coupons, and for the most part, thought I was doing good.  I mean, I was saving about $20 to $30 per shopping visit.  Thanks good, right?  Well, I thought so .. until my sister and I went to  coupon workshop.  OH MY GOODNESS!!   I learned that I can save much much more, just by changing a few simple things.   Here are a couple of things that I learned: 

1 - Don't go to the store with your "Need list" -- you need to go to the store with your "Use list".  This was an eye opener for me.   You want to look through the sales papers and find what is on sale that you use and stock up!!  For example:  mayonaise, ketchup, laundry detergent, etc.  These are the things that we use alot of, so when the items are at rock bottom prices, I stock up.   You want to buy enough for 10 to 12 weeks.  That is usually how long it takes for an item to go back on sale. 

2 - Never ever buy anything at full price.  You wait until the items goes on sale.  That is why you stock up.  If you have to keep going to the store to buy items that you "need" you are paying full price.  Take cereal for example -- if you get it when you run out you will be paying anywhere from $4.50 and up per box.  They will put it on sale for under $2.00

Tune in next week for more tips on "How to cut your grocery bill".  You dont' want to miss it.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I can't tell you how much I love the WII fit plus!!  Way too much fun!!  Some of those games are really fun and some of them are really hard.  Heck, my daughter is better at some of them.  I already have my favorites and the ones I really don't like.  I love the steps, boxing and getting to like the kung fu. 

In just a week .. I am already done 2 pounds!!!  I am so excited!!!  

Did you watch the Biggest Loser last night?  Man, I just cried.  Marci, is a great person, but she has lost so much weight and there are others there that need to lose much much more.   Each time I watch it just makes me want to lose so much more.   I just love the show ... my favorite right now is Hannah.  I have made a connection to her.  Who is your favorite?

Let's get moving .... make the right choices!!!  We can do this!!!

Thoughts for today ...

Ok .. I am totally in love with the WII fit Plus!!  It is great!!  It makes exercising fun and entertaining.  You can chose all different kinds of things to do.  That is what I like.  You dont' have to do the same thing over and over. 

I have already lost 1.5 pounds!!!  WHOOO!! HOOOO!!!  That sure does make me feel good and keeps me motivated to keep getting on that WII!! 

I am still reading the book by Joyce Meyer  "Power Thoughts".  I just haven't had a lot of time to do much reading.  Hopefully things will slow down in the next couple of weeks and I can get back to reading.  I did want to share something that I read the other day. 

Throw away your excuse bag!  Go get a 'can-do bag' and fill it with biblical, faith-filled reasons you can do what you need to do.  Stop making excuses and start doing what God is telling you to do.  Stop looking at all your weaknesses because His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.  It is through our weaknesses and inability that God shows His strength.  God actually chooses people on purpose who absolutely cannot do what He is asking them to do unless they allow Him to do it through them.  You don't need ability, you need availability and a 'can-do' attitude.

God gives you strength.  Nothing is too much for you when He is on your side.