Article about Benefits of Purchasing Organic Foods

I was browsing some blogs via entrecard, when I came across this excellent article. The author goes a step beyond the usual reasons why we should purchase organic foods.

"Organic food is often considered to be safer and of a better quality than is non-organic food. According to Home Grown Foods, products that are deemed organic are those that “have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs”. When you come across a product that is organic look for a sticker that says it is Certified Organic by QAI (QAI stands for Quality Assurance International). This lets you know that the product ...

Finish reading here.

What I Plan for 2009

Did you have a good Christmas? We did - it was slow and relaxed. :) I missed being with my family in Pennsylvania, but we'll see them in January.

I honestly cannot believe that 2008 is over in less than 72 hours!

Do you set New Years' Resolutions? I usually don't. I never found them appealing simply because life evolves so much over the course of the year. I prefer to set monthly / weekly goals.

But as I'm contemplating 2009, I have three major tasks I want to accomplish, so maybe they're considered New Years' Resolutions?

• I want to strengthen my business. We need a more consistent income in that area, so that's going to be my top priority.
• I want to organize. Not that I'm not organized now, but I need a more settled routine for reading, reviewing, blogging, working, tutoring, advertising, networking, twittering etc. I'm starting to feel very scatter-brained ... and that's not a good thing! :)
• I want to write my novel! As soon as I have the monetary means, I plan to start working with a writing mentor and hopefully, get the story burdening my heart on paper!

Do you have any special resolutions or goals for 2009?

Merry Christmas!

I hope you have an amazing day celebrating Christmas with your family and friends! :) I love the story in this song and hope you will take a few minutes to listen...

Thinking of Others

Are you caught up in the busy-ness of Christmas? Take a minute to read this story about one boy's request to Make A Wish Foundation. The story is a little lengthy, but well worth the time to read.

Amazing Grace

I believe this song was written for the movie "Amazing Grace." I've not seen the movie, but Chris Tomlin's version of this timeless hymn speaks volumes.

Sunday Worship: Bow the Knee

Bow the Knee is a dramatic music video by Paula Orr that encourages true Christ-followers to trust God especially when there seems to be no immediate answers for the complexities and adversities of life.

Fall into Reading 2008 Challenge Wrap-Up

Today is the wrap-up for the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2008 over at Callapidder Days. How did I do? Not too bad.

Did you finish reading all the books on your fall reading list? If not, why not?

I did not finish reading all the books on my list. For some books, I had a hard time finding copies. The two libraries that I frequent didn't have some of the books, and finances were too tight for me to buy the books.

However, I started participating in CFBA, Thomas Nelson Book Reviewers, and FIRST Wild Card Tours so I read a lot of books not on my list.

Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?

I tried to stick to my original goals but obviously my list changed as I went along. :)

Did you learn something new because of the Fall Into Reading challenge?—something about reading, or yourself, or a topic you read about?

I haven't read biographies in quite a few years. As part of the challenge I read two - Through the Storm and Billy. Both are excellent books, and I'll probably add more biographies to my next list.

I also read quite a few new authors, many that I liked. I tend to get stuck in a rut with reading only favorite authors, so I enjoyed the exposure to new names.

What was your favorite book that you read this fall? Least favorite? Why?

Favorite book is a four-way tie - One Perfect Day, Until We Reach Home, Washington's Lady and Dark Pursuit. I have a really hard time choosing 'favorites.' :)

One Perfect Day is a reminder that life is short and one choice can change our life and those around us. It's an emotional book that draws the reader in.

Until We Reach Home follows three Swedish girls on their immigration journey. As the granddaughter of an immigrant who made a very similar journey 70 years ago, this book was special to me and will always be a favorite.

Washington's Lady is a masterpiece about the life of Martha Washington. I loved reading the details of her life with George. The writing style makes Martha jump off the page and pulls the reader into her life.

Dark Pursuit is a far cry from historical fiction and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Covering 24 hours of time, the plot is fast and full suspense. Definitely a winner!

Least favorite book - White Christmas Pie. The storyline is okay and has a lot of promise, but overall, the book just didn't do anything for me. In a way, the story seemed contrived, not realistic.

Here's my original fiction list:

• A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
• A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman
• The Bride Bargain by Kelly Eileen Hake
• Waiting for Summer's Return by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• Where the Heart Leads by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett
• Courting Miss Adelaide by Janet Dean
• John 3:16 by Nancy Moser
• Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser
• Just Jane by Nancy Moser
• That's Not Exactly Amore by Tracey Bateman
• Revealed by Tamera Alexander
• Remembered by Tamera Alexander
  
• From a Distance by Tamera Alexander
  
• An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson
  
• A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson
• Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson

I also read: (Check my book reviews for these books.)

• Love Starts with Elle by Rachel Hauck
• Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler
• Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin
• One Holy Night by J.M. Hochstetler
• White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter
• One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling
• Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins
• Quills & Promises by Amber Miller
• Canteen Dreams by Cara Putnam
• Where Do I Go by Neta Jackson
• Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake
• Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh
• She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt
  

Here's my original non-fiction list:

• The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias
• Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in the Tabloid World by Lynne Spears
  
• Write His Answer: A Bible Study for Christian Writers by Marlene Bagnull
• Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
• An Introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr
• The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel by Penelope Stokes

I also read:

• Billy: The Untold Story of Billy Graham by William Paul McKay and Ken Abraham
  
• Marketplace Memos by David Shibley and Jonathan Shibley
  

Review: Marketplace Memos

It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are David Shibley and Jonathan Shibley
and the book is Marketplace Memos.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Marketplace Memos is a powerful collection of devotionals specifically geared towards the business community. Finding fulfillment in life and work coincides with our alignment with God’s Kingdom purposes in the marketplace.

Topics include: Harnessing Your Competitive Advantage, Healthy Partnerships, Rich Advice, Doing Business by Revelation, and more!

Be personally invested in the business of His Kingdom. Unleash your talent, treasures and opportunities to maximize your impact in the marketplace.

List Price: $ 13.99
Hardcover: 173 pages
Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group (October 20, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0892216786
ISBN-13: 978-0892216789

MY REVIEW:

While I'm not involved in the corporate world anymore, I found Marketplace Memos to be a blessing. This book is attractively designed and truly is perfect for daily devotions. The pages are full of scripture references allowing for a more in-depth study of each topic if desired.

The 39 chapters cover everything from the biblical perspective of money and wealth to steps for personal integrity to the business application of the biblical warning of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers. Key points are highlighted making it easy to go back and see the main points. And each chapter concludes with a reflection on the topic, what to pray for, and an action for the day.

The writing style is easy to read, much like a regular office memo. Even the busiest entrepreneur or CEO will find nuggets of truth by devoting less than 5 minutes a day to reading.

Marketplace Memos would make a great gift for the Christian business person in your life!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

David Shibley is founder and president of Global Advance, a ministry that trains and resources thousands of church and business leaders every year in many of the world's most underserved nations. Having ministered in almost 60 nations, David has a passion to strengthen and encourage national leaders to advance God's kingdom worldwide. David and his wife, Naomi, have two married sons.

Jonathan Shibley serves as vice president of Global Advance. His primary focus is directing the Marketplace Missions program for equipping business leaders in developing nations. He also is engaged in international business. Before joining Global Advance, he earned a business degree from Baylor University and served with Promise Keepers and Teen Mania. Jonathan and his wife, Sarah, have three children.


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Giving Living

Years ago, a disgruntled man stormed up to Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse, after he heard Dr. Pierce preach. The angry man snarled, “I guess all there is to this Christianity is give, give, give.” Reflecting later on that encounter, Dr. Pierce chuckled, “It just goes to show that even with the wrong spirit a man can get some revelation and truth!”

The often-quoted maxim – “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give” – is true. Here are seven practical benefits of giving for God’s Kingdom purposes and the fulfilling of the Great Commission.

Your gift goes where you may never go. Your gift is an extension of yourself. You receive money in exchange for your investment of time and life. So when you give for Kingdom purposes, in a real sense you’re giving a part of yourself. Your gift says you want your life to count for what is eternal. Americans are generous, and Christians in America are especially so. There are many legitimate causes, but I don’t know anywhere givers can get more done for the dollar than in giving to world missions.

Giving living loosens the grip of materialism. I noticed a bumper sticker on the back of a sports car that read, “The man who dies with the most toys…wins.” But Jesus taught that the man who dies with the most “toys” is a short-sighted fool. It’s time for us to stop loving cars and clothes and start loving countries! If God so loved the world that He gave His Son, we need to so love the world that we invest in being sure everyone everywhere hears about His Son. I’ve driven through the poverty-drenched streets of Kolkata and the wealth-lined avenues of Beverly Hills. In both environments I saw desperate people. Jesus wasn’t kidding when He warned, “Beware of covetousness because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.” God calls us to embrace biblical prosperity while rejecting materialism. We can do both; we must do both.

You experience the eternal principle of sowing and reaping. Some churches in Africa practice a unique form of church discipline. If a professing Christian is living in sin, he is allowed to come to church, but he is not allowed to give! When the offering place comes to him, the usher places his hand over the plate and prevents him from giving. It is a powerful statement that the blessing of God is literally being prevented from coming to the unrepentant man’s life. It’s an eternal law woven into the very fabric of the universe. Farmers call it the law of sowing and reaping. Scientists refer to it as cause and effect. It’s reinforced throughout the Scriptures. The pattern is clear: you must sow in order to reap.

You lay up treasures in heaven. Jesus taught, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” A businessman once approached me and said, “I need more of a heart for missions. What should I do?” I replied, “Write out a $2,500 check for missions and sow it to the harvest, and I promise you, you’ll have more of a heart for missions.”

It just works that way. Where your treasure is (present tense), there your heart will be (future tense). Although “you can’t take it with you,” you can send it on ahead! This very day you can lay up treasures in heaven.

God will supply your every need. Are you ready for a jolt? Philippians 4:19 is not a promise for every Christian. It’s a great verse: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” But it is not a carte blanche to be claimed at will by anybody. No, this promise is given exclusively to those who invest in advancing the gospel.

Read the context. Paul told the Philippians they were the only church that had invested to send him on his first missionary journey. As a result of their gift to launch Paul to the nations, he promised that God would supply their every need. Yes, you can claim Philippians 4:19 if you give for the advance of the gospel.

You experience the joy of making a difference in the world. I make no apologies for challenging American Christians to tear loose from some of their money and give it to advance Kingdom causes worldwide. Jesus taught, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required.” With blessing comes accountability. There is a longing inside every true Christ-follower to make a difference for Him. We do not bear sole responsibility for world evangelization, but because of our affluence and influence, we do bear heightened responsibility.

You experience the significance of participating in God’s global purposes. A businessman thanked me for the opportunity to give to Global Advance. He tearfully said, “You give me purpose.” For this man, building his company is not the bottom line. He goes beyond the bottom line to build Christ’s Kingdom through building his company.

You move past mere success to true significance by aligning your life with God’s primary purpose. God’s primary purpose is to see His Son known, loved, and worshiped by redeemed people from every tribe and nation. And you are part of that plan. Live to give.


Remember: “Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)


Reflect: “What do your offerings say about your heart levels of gratitude and love for God? What does your spending say about what’s truly important on this earth?” – Robert Morris


Pray: That God will make you a joyful giver to His Kingdom causes.


Act: Where is the Holy Spirit directing you to invest for Christ’s Kingdom today?

Review: Where Do I Go by Neta Jackson

A story of seeking-and finding-God's will in unlikely places.

MY REVIEW:

I've read all but the last 100 pages or so of this book - holiday activities make it so hard to read at times. And I confess that I skimmed ahead to see what happens because I really wanted to know! But don't worry, I will be finishing this book - it's too good not to finish.

Where Do I Go introduces us to Gabrielle "Gabby" Fairbanks and her life in the upper tier of society. She recently moved to a high rise Chicago penthouse and has two sons in private boarding school, weekly maid service, an over-achieving husband, an ailing mother, and wealthy, aristocratic in-laws. While seemingly having it all, Gabby isn't very happy. She realizes that there are some things that money can't buy - happiness, friendship, love, appreciation.

Written in first person, this book pulls the reader into Gabby's daily struggles. Years ago, she was carefree and had a relationship with God. Now, after being thrust into a new hometown as her husband pursues his business goals, she struggles with life. She fumbles through meetings with her husband's business associates, gets caught in the rain repeatedly, stubs her tow on a homeless woman's cart, and so much more.

Her accidental meeting with the homeless woman sets the wheels in motion for Gabby to find her purpose in life. Within a couple of weeks, she's working part-time at a local women's shelter as the new program director, much to the chagrin of her husband. Little does Gabby know how much she'll need her new friends at the women's shelter.

Neta Jackson delicately exposes Gabby's inner struggles in a way that isn't over-the-top. To me, her portrayal of Gabby's life is realistic and 100% believable.

Oftentimes, I paused while reading and wondered if Gabby's struggles with fulfillment, love, and happiness were reasons why we hear of so many celebrities or "big name" society people contributing to charities and traveling overseas to third world countries. Perhaps.

To read the Prologue and first Chapter of Where Do I Go?, go HERE

And, by the way, the ending is left wide open for a sequel. (Not that I skipped ahead and read the ending or anything like that!) :)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

They're trying something new! Not just new for them, but something completely new in Christian fiction: “Parallel novels,” two stories taking place in the same time frame, same neighborhood, involving some of the same characters living through their own dramas and crises but interacting with and affecting one another … just the way it happens in real life.

It’s something that only a husband and wife writing team could pull off. While Neta has Where Do I Go?, her husband Dave has written Harry Bentley's Second Chance.

Beauty From All Your Pain and Tears

The following is an excerpt from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman.

In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are special rooms devoted to the spinning of the world's finest lace, all with the most delicate patterns. The rooms are kept completely dark except for the light that falls directly on the developing pattern, from one very small window. Only one person sits in each small room, where the narrow rays of light fall upon the threads he is weaving, for lace is always more beautifully and delicately woven when the weaver himself is in the dark, with only his work in the light.

Sometimes the darkness in our lives is worse, because we cannot even see the web we are weaving or understand what we are doing. Therefore we are unable to see any beauty or any possible good arising from our experience. Yet if we are faithful to forge ahead and "if we do not give up" (Gal. 6:9), someday we will know that the most exquisite work of our lives was done during those days when it was darkest.

If you seem to be living in deep darkness because God is working in strange and mysterious ways, do not be afraid. Simply go forward in faith and in love, never doubting Him. He is watching and will bring goodness and beauty from all your pain and tears. ~J.R. Miller

I wonder what my lace pattern will look like...

Mystery Solved! It's a Boxador!

Spot chewing on a bone

Ever since Farmer (that's my new blog name for my hubby since we live on a farm and all) brought home Spot three months ago, we've tried to figure out what his mutt mixture is.

We knew two things - he's part Labrador because he has webbed feet, and he's a GIANT puppy. So giant that at roughly 4 months of age, he's bigger than our beagle and is half the size of Honey, our full-grown Chow/Collie mix. Just look at those paws! They're whoppers!

A friend suggested maybe he had Husky in him, so Saturday night I googled "lab husky mix puppy" - not even close. But I did hit the jackpot since one of the shelters that had a lab/husky also had a lab/boxer.

The photo of the lab/boxer, also known as a Boxador, looked exactly like Spot except in a different color. I googled "Boxador," and yep, it was like looking at Spot's family tree.

So now we know that not only will we have a GIANT puppy, we'll have a GIANT dog weighing in somewhere around 70ish pounds. Of course, I had to read the special note that said some male Boxadors reach 100 pounds or more. Sheesh!

Even though we know Spot has Boxer and Labrador in him, we also think he has some type of hound dog mixed in. Why? Well, his spots are a little odd for the Boxer or Labrador, and he howls just like our beagle.

This morning I heard an awful racket outside not long after I got out of the shower. I traipsed over to the bedroom window and discovered Rusty, my father-in-law's Australian Shepherd, and Spot sitting in our yard with their noses up in the air howling. I think Rusty was giving Spot howling lessons and they were trying to sing a duet. :)

Review: Billy - The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham

To much of the world, Billy Graham is a name synonymous with Christianity and evangelism. In Billy, a biography by William Paul McKay & Ken Abraham (2008, Thomas Nelson), readers receive a glimpse of Billy Graham's life through the eyes of his best friend, Charles Templeton.

The story is built around an interview that reporter Deborah Matthews conducted with Charles Templeton in 2001, just months before Templeton died. Matthews wanted to find the "dirt" on Billy Graham so she went to the one source that she thought could help her - Templeton.

Back in the early 1940s, Templeton was a spiritual powerhouse preaching to crowds upwards of 20,000 people. In an effort to reach soldiers returning from World War II, both Templeton and Graham, a young upstart, agreed to preach at a Chicago event.

Through that meeting in Chicago, Templeton and Graham became best of friends. They traveled together throughout the United States and Europe preaching to thousands in the name of Christ.

However, Templeton began to doubt - have a crisis of faith. He expressed his questions to Graham, who privately uttered the same questions. Within a matter of months, Templeton's crisis led to a separation of the two friends.

The seeds of doubt that Templeton planted in Graham's mind led Graham down a sorrowful path where he doubted himself, his call to preach, and, in a sense, his God. While Templeton's crisis led him to academia, Graham sought answers while on his knees pleading with God.

While much of the book is told in an engaging story format, I struggled reading through the battle between Graham and his faith. The 8 pages that detailed the spiritual warfare going on in heaven over Graham, his faith and his career, seemed out of place and lengthy. In the end, as we know from history, Graham realizes that God and the Bible could only be accepted by faith.

Within weeks of Graham overcoming his "crisis," he held a series of meetings in Los Angeles. It was there that Graham's career as many of us know it took off, thanks to William Randolph Hearst, the media tycoon of the day.

Told in an engaging story format, Billy is a wonderfully written biography. Much of the story is filled with action as well as insight into Graham's life and his relationships. Personally, I found the book hard to put down once I started. :)

Just for fun

Here's a list of "what I've done... so far." This one comes from Angela Hunt.

Directions: Put an asterisk next to the things you have done in your life, and then feel free to pass it on in your blog! Feel free to add a couple at the end, if you like. Also leave a comment letting me know so I can see your list! :)

*1. Started your own blog
*2. Slept under the stars
*3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
*5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
*7. Been to Disneyworld
*8. Climbed a mountain
*9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
*12. Visited Paris
*13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
*14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
*16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
*18. Grown your own vegetables
*19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
*20. Slept on an overnight train
*21. Had a pillow fight
*22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
*24. Built a snow fort
*25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
*29. Seen a total eclipse
*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
*33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
*34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
*35. Seen an Amish community
*36. Taught yourself a new language
*37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
*40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
*45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
*50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
*52. Kissed in the rain
*53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
*57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
*63. Got flowers for no reason
*64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
*65. Gone sky diving - well, we didn't jump out of an airplane, but we did jump off a very high mountain in New Zealand. :)
*66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
*67. Bounced a check
*68. Flown in a helicopter - more than once!
*69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
*70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
*73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired/laid off from a job
*76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
*82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
*84. Had your picture in the newspaper
*85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
*87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - well, hubby does the killing part
*88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
*91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
*93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
*97. Been involved in a law suit
*98. Owned a cell phone
*99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
*101. Learned to play an instrument

102. Kissed the Blarney Stone

103. Ridden a camel

Super Savings: CVS & Krogers

Quite awhile ago I did some posts about my CVS and/or Krogers shopping trips. I thought it would be appropriate to bring these posts back again as part of the Surviving on One Income series.

First up is CVS...

I haven't shopped at CVS in a couple of months because we haven't needed anything. However our stockpile is getting low and I wanted to start again. This week was perfect because the larger ECB (CVS money) items were something I could use - chocolate and laundry detergent. :)

Because I haven't shopped at CVS in awhile, I didn't have any ECBs to use initially. I purchased the above items in 3 transactions, starting with the deal that would give me the most ECBs.

Transaction #1: Buy $20 worth of Hershey's candy, get $10 ECBs
3 bags Hershey's Miniatures (18.5 oz each)
3 bags Hershey's Bliss (9.6 oz each)
1 Reese's Christmas Tree (needed this as filler because my total came to $19.50!)
Total before coupons: $20
Coupons used:
$1.50 off 3 bags of Hershey's holiday candy
$2.50 off 2 bags of Hershey's Bliss
$1 off Hershey's Bliss (CVS coupon)
Total after coupons: $15 plus $10 ECB earned
Since this was my first transaction, I paid $15.57 out of pocket (OOP)

Transaction #2:
1 Tide original, 100 0z
1 Duracell AA battery, 4 pack
Total before coupons: $15
Coupons used:
75 cents off Duracell
I wish I had a Tide coupon, but couldn't find any. :(
Total after coupons: $14.25 plus $5 ECB earned
I paid with $10 ECB from transaction #1 and $4.55 OOP

Transaction #3:
1 Always pantiliner
1 Colgate toothpaste (6.4 oz)
1 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (8.5 oz)
Total before coupons: $7
75 cents off Colgate
$1 off Colgate (This CVS coupon printed at the bottom of my 1st transaction receipt.)
Total after coupons: $5.25
I paid with $5 ECB from transaction #2 and 27 cents OOP

I didn't think through Transaction #3 as well as I should have. I forgot to deduct my original Colgate coupon, and my total was too short to use the $5 ECB. I grabbed the bag of candy and used the extra Colgate coupon too. If I had planned better, I would have added something practical like shampoo. But chocolate is always good. :)

So all total, I spent $20.38 OOP for 7 bags of candy, laundry detergent (average retail price is $12), toothpaste, pantiliners and batteries. According to my receipt, I saved $42.17. And while the manager was ringing up my transactions, he commented that this was the smart way to shop. :) He also told me that if I didn't get back to the store before my ECBs expired, I could still use them as long as they weren't horribly out of date. (That made my day since we don't travel that way very often.)

***********

Next up is Krogers...

I love Krogers for two reasons - they double coupons and allow e-saver coupons (the kind you put on your shopper's card).

Oh, and the best reason? You can get free and really cheap food! Honest!

On this trip, I scored the following free items:

• 2 - 8 oz containers of Daisy sour cream
• 1 - Betty Crocker pouch potato (with 5 cents overage)

I scored the following really cheap items:

• 3 - Fleischman Yeast 3 packs for 10 cents each
• 1 - Swiss Miss hot chocolate 10 oz box for 45 cents
• 1 - Pillsbury Crescent roll dough for 27 cents
• 1 - Pillsbury Crescent roll dough for 77 cents

Besides some basic fruit and veggies, I purchased diet coke ($1), bread (88 cents - $1 loaf), spaghetti sauce ($1 jar), Kraft shredded cheese ($2), Creamette pasta ($1), Dole canned fruit ($1), Gatorade ($1), OJ, Velveeta, turkey lunchmeat, refrigerated pie crust, Lipton tea bags, and parmesan cheese.

(That might sound like a bizarre list but the only meat I need to purchase is chicken since our farm supplies us with beef, pork, and venison. Plus our freezer and the farm cellar house are well stocked with corn, potatoes, onions, green beans, jellies, and more.)

Before coupons were deducted, my total was $99.36. After coupons? $79.60

By purchasing sale items and using coupons, I saved $51.52.

This trip finished stocking our pantry and freezer so I probably won't return to the grocery store until mid-January except for a few basics like orange juice and a couple of fresh veggies.

A Laundry Room Visit

So I thought you'd like to see what's been happening in our laundry room. You're in for a treat!

When the temperatures started dropping low at night, we allowed the puppies (oldest is 8 months, youngest is 4 months) to come inside, but only as far as the laundry room.

Unfortunately, they loved this luxury and are now making it a habit. Not that we as their humans have anything to do with the habit! :) So here's what goes on...

Spot, the GIANT puppy, always goes to the old flannel sheet first. (By the way, I honestly think Spot's going to be as big as horse. He's only 4 months old! What a beast!)

Then Sadie, a miniature collie mix, decides she wants the sheet. And somehow, even though she's considerably smaller than Spot, he gives it to her. Spot's the "baby" (a GIANT one) of the pack so maybe that has something to do with it. That's Mandy at the bottom trying to decide if the camera was something she should howl at or not.

Isn't Sadie precious? She's my ever energetic baby who's already been through a lot in her 5 months including being run over by a car.

Mandy, the beagle, is the queen of the dog bed. Being able to spend the night inside has mellowed her temperament some...which is a good thing. :)

Innocently sleeping... They are generally very quiet at night. I love how Spot has his paw on Sadie. Sadie was sooo excited to have a playmate when Spot arrived on the farm back in September. Oh wait, Sadie gets excited about everything...

For lack of chew toys, and not wanting a hole chewed in my walls, they have an old dustpan to chew on. I think I'll give them some rawhides for Christmas, but for now, the dustpan will do. Plus it's teaching them to share - something Mandy wasn't very good at, but seems to do okay with now.

Look at that GIANT mouth! Even though Spot looks like a big dog, he still has puppy teeth, which cracks me up because he's so big with these itty bitty tiny teeth.

And occasionally, the dustpan just isn't as much fun and they must chew on each other. We laugh when we hear them squealing and yipping because we know they're having fun. Having the pups in at night also helps us learn their different barks and noises so when they're outside we know the "important" barks to respond too.

So what's going on in your laundry room?

Review: Engaging Father Christmas

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Engaging Father Christmas (FaithWords, October 30, 2008) by Robin Jones Gunn

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation.

But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost.

And yet...maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Engaging Father Christmas, go HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin grew up in Orange County, California and has lived in all kinds of interesting places, including Reno and Hawai’i.

She and her husband currently live near Portland, Oregon and have been married for 30 years. They spent their first 22 years of marriage working together in youth ministry, and enjoying life with their son and daughter who are now both grown.

As a frequent speaker at local and international events, one of Robin’s favorite topics is how God is the Relentless Lover and we are His first love. She delights in telling stories of how God uses fiction to change lives.

Robin is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Mt. Hermon Pacesetter Award, the Sherwood E. Wirt Award and is a Gold Medallion Finalist. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and the Board of Directors for Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild.

Surviving on One Income: Shopping Strategies

One of the best ways to stretch your income is to employ what I call shopping strategies. The best way to use these strategies is to choose ones that work for you and modify them for your lifestyle. Take some time and google the strategies we talk about to see how others shop.

The key to saving money through shopping strategies is to not be brand specific. Does it make sense to pay $8 for a pack of toilet paper just because you like the brand when you can get an equivalent quality brand for $5 on sale with a coupon?

For our lifestyle, shopping strategies cover 4 areas - clipping coupons, shopping sales, reducing shopping trips, and avoiding "big box" stores.

• Clipping coupons. Some people bemoan the idea of coupons - they're for processed foods, take too much time, and require the purchase of a newspaper. In my opinion, all of those excuses are invalid.

By spending one hour every couple of weeks clipping coupons, organizing them, and planning my shopping trip, I routinely save 45% on our groceries. That means if I put $200 worth of groceries in my cart, I pay $110 instead of $200. Is an hour of my time worth $90? You bet!

Purchasing a Sunday newspaper (or whatever edition for your local paper) for $1.50 will offer a lot more in coupon savings. Do you eat out? If not, would you like to? At least every other week, I find coupons for chain restaurants in the coupon fliers (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, IHOP, Chuck E Cheese, Coldstone Creamery, Baskin Robbins, McDonalds). My personal favorite is the IHOP coupons because my husband and I can both have a huge meal for a total of $8. Wouldn't it be nice to have a meal out occasionally? It's possible with coupons! (And remember that $1.50 we spent on the paper to get the coupons? Even if we use only the IHOP coupon, the savings of $8 is worth the $1.50 invested.)

Did you know that stores are now offering "electronic" coupons - the kind that you add to your shoppers card? In the last couple of months I've used $40 worth of electronic coupons on my Krogers' card (that extra $40 sure comes in handy too!). The great thing about electronic coupons? You can use the electronic coupon plus a paper manufacturers' coupon!

Coupons aren't just for processed foods. I buy all of our toiletries and household products with coupons. Do you use deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, razors, diapers, hair spray, etc.? If so, you can save money with coupons.

• Shop sale prices only. This applies to food, clothing, toiletries, pet supplies, office supplies - everything! I have a really hard time paying full price for items. In fact, many times even if I "need" whatever it is, I'll let it sit on the shelf until it goes on sale.

Food: Grocery prices have been rising over the past six months or so, but you know what? Sale prices are still the same as a year ago. I'm not paying any more for my groceries now than I did last December. The key to food shopping is stocking up. If an item that you use is on sale, don't buy just one. Buy two or three (or more).

Think of it this way - normal price is $2.50, sale price is $1. Technically, you can buy 2 on sale and still spend 50 cents less than buying 1 at normal price. Not a bad option. But let's stock up! If you buy 5 on sale, you've spent the equivalent of 2 at normal price, but saved $7.50 in the long run. (This scenario applies to items that won't expire by the time you will use them.)

Clothing: Shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army are great ways to get good clothing at decent prices. However, my personal favorite is department store sales, specifically the "end of season" sales. I love JCPenney's $1.75 racks. They offer good, quality clothing at really reasonable prices. The "end of the season" sales usually happen in the middle of the actual weather season so the clothing is completely wearable and fashionable. And, by the way, department store clothing is far superior in quality than "big box" store clothing and sometimes what you can buy at thrift stores.

Toiletries / pet supplies / office supplies: Look around for the best price on your item. If you know that the cat food is getting low, check all of the Sunday sale fliers for the best price. Don't buy a bag of food at full price just because you need it. Learning the CVS game comes in handy too for purchasing toiletries and other basic household supplies.

• Avoiding "big box" stores. Guess what? Shopping at Wal-Mart won't save you money and they don't necessarily have the lowest price. A little over a year ago, Wal-Mart was the only place I shopped other than an occasional grocery store trip. Then I learned the CVS game, how to use coupons effectively, and how to strategize. Now I save way more money than I ever did at Wal-Mart. Don't believe me? Read this post.

If you are a big Wal-Mart fan, I know I won't be able to convince you in one blog post that Wal-Mart isn't all it's cracked up to be. Their fluctuating prices drive me crazy and make it really hard to budget. Here's one example from this past week. We didn't need cat litter but I wanted to get a back-up container for when we did. About three weeks ago, I paid $6.13 for a 14 lb. jug of Tidy Cats at Wal-Mart. Last week, the same jug was $8.49. What?!?! That's an almost $3 difference! I couldn't bear the thought of paying that price even with a $1 off coupon so I left the jug on the shelf. We stopped at the local grocery store for a few items and guess what? They had the exact same container for $6.32, not on sale. Guess where I bought my cat litter?

Another area of Wal-Mart and big box stores that bothers me is the discrepancy in prices. The indiscriminate buyer may not notice, but a lot of times it is cheaper to get 2 smaller items than one big item. Not too long ago, my mother-in-law was making jelly and needed more sugar. She asked us to pick up a 10 lb bag. I don't remember the exact prices, but it went something like this... I spotted the 10 lb bag for $6, reached down to pick it up, and then realized that a 5 lb. bag was $2.50. Hmmm...interesting. $2.50 x 2 = $5 for 10 lbs., definitely cheaper than a 10 lb. bag for $6. After that episode, I pay attention to prices a little more and at least 50% of the time, 2 smaller items are cheaper than one big item.

One advantage to Wal-Mart is price matching especially if it is difficult for you to visit multiple stores. We do this frequently on weeks that we aren't grocery shopping. However, price matching only works on advertised specials. And you can use coupons on the price matched items, but remember that Wal-Mart doesn't double coupons like most grocery stores.

• Reducing shopping trips. Is it advantageous to grocery shop every week? Some think it is; some think it isn't. My personal preference is to do one large shopping trip per month. Our large trip averages about $75 per month, and then during the other weeks we might spend another $25 if there is an exceptional sale or we need an item. Having $100 to spend on a large trip makes it so much easier to buy sale items and plan a variety of meals. And there's no stress of staying under budget of a smaller amount.

Another bonus is that the less you frequent the store, the less you will spend. :)
I also try to plan our large trip around a good sale week - typically the 10 for $10 sale. With the use of coupons, I always walk away with free food during a 10 for $10. Who doesn't like free food?

What shopping strategies do you use?

Series posts: Introduction, Step One: Evaluation, Step Two: Creative Adding, Step Three: Creative Stretching, Step Four: Shopping Strategies

Review: Quills & Promises by Amber Miller

ABOUT THE BOOK

-- Separated from Madison when he leaves to fight the French and Indians, Elanna Hanssen must choose between her heart and her head, especially when Madison's integrity is questioned. --

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not until thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Innocence paired with wisdom beyond her years. With these traits, Elanna Hanssen unwittingly captures the attentions of Major Madison Scott. Her honest desire to understand the war fascinates him, and he resolves to get to know this perspicacious young lady better. When his military duty separates them, they begin a correspondence, cautiously baring their hearts to each other. Elanna has never known emotions like this before, but she is drawn to the integrity she sees in her major. When a local news reporter questions the major's credentials and activities, however, will she allow her heart or her head to rule? Can true love grow over such distance and around such obstacles?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Quills And Promises, go HERE.

MY REVIEW
I enjoyed this book not only for it being a simple love story, but also for its integrity. Amber Miller has proven that a love story can be good without the explicit details found in many of today's novels. I would not hesitate to give this book to my 16-year-old niece to read.

In fact, this would be an excellent book for teen girls as they start to explore relationships. The truths that Amber teaches are timeless. She also models character traits - obedience, consideration, integrity, honesty - that everyone should strive for.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Delaware Brides Series. :)

Surviving on One Income: Creative Stretching

When it comes to surviving on one income, we've talked about evaluating your situation and creative ways to add to your income.

The next step to creativity is figuring out how to stretch your income. Here are some ways I've stretched our income:

• Calling utilities and insurance companies. Are you getting the best rate or the best package deal? Calling your phone company, television service provider, or internet provider may yield you a small monthly savings.
  

Back in 2007 when I started my own business, we shopped around for new car insurance. We were very satisfied with the current company, but felt like we might be able to get a better rate. (When we signed on with that company, they were the best rate around.) We called every insurance company in our area and compared apples to apples (same deductibles, same coverage). We were able to save...are you ready?...over $50 per month! In fact, with the savings, we added life insurance policies (something we didn't have before) and were still paying less than at the previous company.

• Growing vegetables. A summer garden is a great way to have fresh produce for an incredibly reasonable price. Initially the cost of putting in a garden won't seem practical, but in the long run, the savings and delicious fresh vegetables are well worth it. If you eat organic vegetables, this is definitely the best alternative to paying the high prices in the grocery store. Is your space limited? Consider growing herbs and basic plants like tomato or pepper - all will do well in containers on a patio. For small garden ideas, visit the Garden Vines blog.

• Investing in meat. This option may not be possible for everyone, but consider supporting the local farming industry. Most farmers will offer half of a cow or pig for purchase. You'll pay for the butchering cost and a price per pound to the farmer, but overall the investment of $300-$600 per year for delicious roasts, t-bones, lean ground beef and more is well worth it. The selection of prime meats (the ones that cost $8+ per pound in the store) will melt in your mouth. Many times the local farmer operates organically too.

Deer hunting is really big in our area, and venison is a great addition to our freezer. For an investment of time and the cost of a shotgun shell, we have a well-stocked freezer of roasts, tenderloin, steaks, and ground venison. This year to reduce our pet food cost, we've reserved about 60-70 lbs of venison as dog food. About two or three times a week, we'll prepare a cooked meal of veggies and meat for the dogs - they love it!

• Reducing what you don't need. When it comes to living on a low income, you need to evaluate what you do and don't need for survival and happiness. Areas to consider are television channels, cell phone vs landline phone, magazine subscriptions, club memberships, and extra curricular activities. Don't go overboard and discontinue everything. Just ask what is practical for your lifestyle and location.

In our area of the Appalachians, we have to have satellite TV service because there's zero television reception. The satellite TV also provides our radio stations since we can't pick up those either. However, we don't have a monthly cell phone plan because coverage is very limited in our area. We use Tracfone mainly for emergencies and invest in minutes when necessary. We have unlimited long distance through our local phone company since many of our family and friends live out of state. It's great to pick up a phone at any hour of the day and not have to worry about the minutes ticking away or if it's after 7 or 9 p.m. We also have a great package deal with our phone (unlimited), television, and DSL internet together - $120/month.

As far as magazine subscriptions, I get about 10 magazines a month. Two are professional magazines that I pay for, but the others are all free subscriptions to quality magazines like Hallmark, Rachael Ray, Kraft Food & Family, Country Living and others.

My husband maintains his NRA membership and receives the monthly American Hunter magazine as a benefit. Yes, we pay for his membership, and it has already reaped rewards on us when we had to take an unexpected trip to Florida earlier this year. His membership gave us discounts on car rental and hotel rooms saving us over $200 for our trip. When we had car trouble a few months ago, we were able to upgrade our rental car to a larger model that was more comfortable for my husband. The cost? Less than the smallest car at regular price. Definitely worth membership dues in my opinion.

When it comes to reducing the things around you, think practically. Don't get rid of everything. You'll only make yourself miserable. Allow yourself a few "luxuries." These luxuries are possible by not only adding to your income, but also stretching it. While the above ideas will save money and stretch your hard earned dollars, the best stretching comes from shopping strategies.

In the next step, we'll go over some great shopping strategies that will save you lots of money each month - I guarantee it.

Series posts: Introduction, Step One: Evaluation, Step Two: Creative Adding, Step Three: Creative Stretching, Step Four: Shopping Strategies

The Best Christmas Gift

If my husband was in the military and overseas, I think this is the gift I'd like to receive Christmas morning...

A donation of $15 will help make a 45-minute Christmas phone call come true for a family!

Cardboard Testimony

What would your cardboard testimony be?

Review: Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins

Today the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance presents Brandilyn Collins' Dark Pursuit (Zondervan, December 1, 2008).

I absolutely loved this book. This is the first time I've read one of Brandilyn's books, but this definitely won't be the last.

If you enjoy suspense or even mysteries, I'm sure you will enjoy Dark Pursuit.

The plot covers approximately 24 hours in the life of Kaitlin Sering, the 22-year-old granddaughter of novelist Darrell Brooke. When Kaitlin discovers a dead body in her apartment, she runs to the one person she believes can help her - her grandfather.

Both Kaitlin and Darrell fear what might happen next especially since they believe the evidence points to Kaitlin's boyfriend, Craig, as the murderer. The problem? Craig is the local police chief's son and a police officer.

Darrell is known as the King of Suspense; however, an accident years before left him unable to concentrate for long periods. Can he figure out how to trap Craig and keep his wits about him long enough to help Kaitlin?

To say that this book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat is an understatement. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what was happening next.

(For those of you who enjoy books by author Dee Henderson, Dark Pursuit reminded me of the O'Malley series but without the romance storyline.)

To read the first chapter of Dark Pursuit, go HERE.

To read an article by Brandilyn Collins about how the basic plot of Dark Pursuit hatched, go HERE.

Surviving on One Income: Creative Adding

The other day we said that the first step of surviving on one income is evaluation.

Each family is unique and there's no cookie cutter solution to survival. Evaluation will show you the scope of your situation. Creativity will show you what you can do to improve the situation.

Creativity breaks down into two parts - adding and stretching.

Here are some creative ways that I've added to our income to make things easier.

• Read this article about legitimate work at home job possibilities. (These are legitimate companies.) A friend sent me this article in August 2007, which is how I found my job as a tutor with Tutor.com. I've worked for them for 14 months now and can honestly say that working at home is the best thing I've done for my family.
• Monetize your blog or website by adding advertisements. Join BlogHer, Logical Media, Google AdSense. You won't get rich quick from these places, but an extra couple of dollars each month adds up over time. Plus you didn't have those extra dollars before. :)
• Do odd jobs. Do you know people who operate their own business? Sometimes they could use an extra set of hands during a busy time. Before we moved to our farm, there was a huge ice storm. As a result our farm was filled with dead, seasoned trees. With a bit of labor, my brother-in-law started selling firewood to add to their income.
  
• Be willing to trade services. Don't always demand money for those odd jobs. A friend of mine is a hairstylist. She has another friend come to her home twice a month to clean. In exchange, she gives that friend's children haircuts as necessary. Trading services keeps your cash in the bank where you need it.
• Consider starting your own business. Have you dreamed of working for yourself? Can you offer a service that others would benefit from? If your evaluation from step one shows that you can survive a couple of months, take the leap of faith and pursue your dream. And, by the way, depending on what your dream is, you can start a business without a huge amount of money. In W.Va., I paid $125 for my licensing and was able to open for business. My work doesn't require peripheral materials so I didn't have a huge investment. What would it take to make it work for you?
  
• Use your talents. If you have the ability to make things, I know quite a few people who make a decent living selling through eBay and Etsy. If you've dreamed of being a writer, check out Associated Content, Suite 101, eHow and other sites that pay for articles. These are great sources that provide passive income (money that continually comes in even after the work is done).
  

In March 2007, I left the corporate world to start my own company. People thought I was nuts because I was our main (and only) source of income. But I wouldn't have done it differently. I had skills and talent that I wanted to make available to others.

Honestly ask yourself if you or your spouse would benefit from working at home. The dynamics of our home totally changed the day that I quit my corporate job. Are things always easy? Definitely NOT! But the ability to control my own schedule, pursue things I enjoy, keep our home clean and organized, provide healthy home-cooked meals, and work in my pajamas make it all worth it! :)

In fact, after working at home for about 3 months, I turned down a job offer. If people didn't think I was nuts before, they thought it then! The job paid in excess of $50K and was work I know I would have enjoyed. The downside? I wouldn't have been home. Like hardly at all. I would control my own schedule, but traveling large portions of the state to work with the schools meant I would leave home early and sometimes spend the night in hotels. It just wasn't worth it.

The key to surviving on a low income is to do what matters most to you. If you are performing a job that you enjoy, you will be happy. Things, including your bank account, look so much better when you're happy! :)

Do you have any ways that you've added to your income?

Series posts: Introduction, Step One: Evaluation, Step Two: Creative Adding, Step Three: Creative Stretching, Step Four: Shopping Strategies

Needing Some Recipe Help

What do you do with your recipes? If you find one that you like, do you copy it and put it in your recipe book or box?

I get three wonderful cooking magazines - Taste of Home, Kraft Food & Family, and Every Day with Rachael Ray. (Kraft is a wonderful free magazine that you can subscribe to here.)

About once a week, maybe more, I try a new recipe. Sometimes the recipe is a new twist on an old favorite. Other times it's totally new.

At least 90% of the time, my hubby says that they're keepers - meaning he likes them. But how should I keep track of these "keepers"?

I've transferred a couple of them to my recipe book, but is there a better way?

Usually when I try a new recipe, it's because I want something new. Something we haven't had before. I take a few minutes to browse my magazines for the perfect meal hoping that it satisfies my taste buds.

Oh, and in case your answer has anything to do with menu planning, I don't menu plan. I tried it before and don't like it. I can't do it. I think it has something to do with how I can't pack "lightly" for vacation. I have to take half the closet. How am I supposed to know on Sunday what I'm going to feel like wearing on Thursday? Same for cooking. What I think I want on Sunday definitely isn't the same by the time Thursday comes around. So, yeah, can't do it.

Surviving on One Income: Evaluation

Welcome to step one of my Surviving on One Income series. If you didn't read the series introduction, please go here.

The first step in surviving on one income is to evaluate your situation. When you find out that your income is being cut dramatically, totally disappearing, or just not enough, you have to evaluate.

Evaluation is the point where you prioritize and decide what is important and necessary and what isn't.

Immediately after you find out that your income is decreasing, stop spending. Pay your bills and purchase necessities like gasoline. But if it isn't necessary for survival, don't buy it.

Trust me, if that bag of potato chips isn't a necessity (which it probably isn't), don't buy it. When you need that $2.50 later, you'll kick yourself for buying that bag of potato chips for a moment of self satisfaction. A meal out isn't necessary for survival either.

Don't be tempted to sustain your life by using your savings account either. Stop all spending for now!

Creating more debt (credit cards, home loan, etc.) to get over this bump in the road is never a good option for the future because you don't know what the future holds. Did you know that you would be suddenly on one income or have a lower income? Probably not. Be prepared and don't take on more debt.

Once you freeze your spending, look at your budget. What?!? You don't have a budget? Make one immediately. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just list your income and expenses. For your expenses, list your bills - the things you are obligated to pay (phone, mortgage, electric, tuition etc.). Skip anything that you don't owe to someone else.

Making a mini-budget will tell you what money you have left over for fluctuating expenses, such as food, gasoline, toiletries, eating out.

Now that you have a budget, sit down with your spouse and determine how long you will be able to make ends meet given your current situation. Does that fluctuating expense money seem sufficient for your family?

Ask these questions of each other:

• Can we survive one month? three months? six months?
• Will our lifestyle need to change dramatically to survive? (For example, instead of eating out 3 times a week, can we eat out just once? Instead of buying lunch in the cafeteria, is it okay to take leftovers from dinner the night before? Can we carpool?)
• How long until one of us needs to obtain more income?
• Are we both willing to abide by the budget and not dip into the savings account every week?
• Can we cut any expenses? (If you have credit card debt, seek credit counseling to help eliminate this financial burden.)
• Do we need to seek temporary assistance? (food stamps, family help, etc.)

A successful evaluation now will save much heartache later. Trust me, been there, haven't evaluated, regretted it later.

Living on one income, even if temporarily until a spouse finds another job, is very possible, and it can be done successfully too.

Series posts: Introduction, Step One: Evaluation, Step Two: Creative Adding, Step Three: Creative Stretching, Step Four: Shopping Strategies

Wordless Wednesday: Buttercup again

Since Buttercup was so popular last week, I thought she should come back to visit again. :)

Here she is watching a hunting show on TV while basking in front of the fireplace. Guess she's trying to learn how to track and catch mice.

She also likes to help me clip coupons. She's secretly hoping I'll find a coupon for cat treats.

This is my favorite action shot of her jumping while playing with Mousy (look at the paw on the left). She used to like going in and out of the cardboard shoebox until my parents brought a brown paper bag with them last week. The brown paper bag beats any shoebox!

Surviving on One Income

Our current economic crisis is causing many companies to eliminate positions and placing many families in dire financial positions. Are you someone who recently found your family having one income instead of two? Or maybe your income has been slashed to the point that you don't if you'll survive? Does your future seem bleak right now?

I hope I can help. I'm starting a blogging series on how to survive on one income. This series will be practical and detail how my husband and I survive when our income is less than $1000 (and sometimes lower) a month.

The blogging world has some great mom's out there who tout living on one income. Some even say it is easy. When your income is dramatically cut, possibly down to poverty level, overnight, it isn't easy. I know. I've been there.

Over the past 5 years, my husband and I have been hit hard but also blessed immensely financially because of his on-going disability cases. At this point, there's only two of us (unless you count all our furry, four-footed children) and we've adjusted to living on a low income. Adjusting may be more traumatic for a family with children.

How do we handle the notice that our income is literally disappearing before our eyes? As soon as we know that our income has been reduced, we stop all spending. We live on what we have. Eating out of the pantry and freezer for a few days until we can evaluate the situation helps immensely.

I'm a logical person. I like knowing all my options before choosing. I think of what my choice will mean etc. My husband is the perfect opposite. If allowed, he'll choose in the heat of the moment without thinking of consequences / future.

When you are hit financially and find yourself struggling to make ends meet, don't make irrational decisions. If you tend to react without thinking, find someone who can help.

Making irrational decisions or even poor decisions may hurt you farther down the road. Choosing to put all your Christmas purchases on a credit card may seem like a good solution now. But it will only make 2009 harder. Do you really want to get a 2nd or 3rd job just to pay for Christmas? Buy within your means. Shop for the best deals. It may not be the exact gift you wanted to give, but if the price is right, buy it.

Last year, we spent $200 on Christmas for 18 immediate family members ranging in ages 2-70. That's all we could afford. No credit. Paid in cash. Do the math - that's an average of $11 / person. And we purchased quality items from Sears, JCPenney, Black and Decker, Pfaltzgraff and other top stores. No big box stores. (Only one item wasn't on sale that we bought.)

Next we'll talk in depth about the first step to surviving on one income - evaluation.

Series posts: Introduction, Step One: Evaluation, Step Two: Creative Adding, Step Three: Creative Stretching, Step Four: Shopping Strategies

Review: One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling

One Perfect Day is an A+ book that sends the reader on an emotional roller coaster and offers a glimpse into the hearts of two women. Two women pleading for miracles. One receiving her miracle, one not.

Nora wants a perfect Christmas, the last one before her 18-year-old twins head to college and begin their own lives. Jenna wants another day, just one more with her 20-year-old daughter who's slowly dying waiting for a heart transplant.

A tragic accident rips apart Nora's idea of a perfect Christmas, yet offers Jenna the perfect Christmas gift.

Author Lauraine Snelling weaves a poignant tale of grief and hope by intertwining Nora and Jenna's lives (although the two characters never meet). Alternating chapters reveal Nora's raw, personal struggle with grief and Jenna's joyous hope that things will be okay in the end.

While reading One Perfect Day, I was reminded of a phrase I heard not too long ago: "When your parents die, you're called an orphan. When your spouse dies, you're a widow(er). When your child dies, there's no word for that." Imagine being the "there's no word for that" person. Nora turns her back on God, wallows in her own grief, and starts to destroy her family. With the help of a friend, she starts her journey of healing in order to restore her faith and family.

Snelling's perfect portrayal of Nora's dog Betsy couldn't be any better in my opinion. She senses the family's emotional trauma and often brought tears to my eyes as I recognized descriptions of my own Chow/Collie's responses and efforts to comfort.

My favorite scene is when Jenna and Heather are notified of a heart transplant possibility. The action soars through this short scene leaving the reader feeling breathless as they race down the street to the airport, soar through the air, and meet strangers willing to help them beat the clock. My heart was pounding as I willed them to make it to the hospital on time.

Lauraine Snelling also sprinkles comedy and romance throughout the story creating well-rounded, believable characters and lightening the mood. When Heather goes to the hospital for her transplant, Jenna discovers love again, but I won't spoil that part for you. ;)

This book is one of few that I've finished and immediately said I want to read again (re-reading books is something I rarely do). The emotional gamut of the book is so huge that I'm afraid I missed something during the first read.

If you would like to read the first chapter of One Perfect Day, go HERE