Before doing Financial Peace and living on an exact budget, these money-saving ideas would have seemed not worth the time and like they wouldn't have made much difference. I've been on all sides of the money issue, from paying off student debt quickly, to living rather free with plenty, to living tighter for important goals. I'm now at the point that these ideas are helping achieve my goals. I hope they help you, too, if you are trying to pay off debt or just want to have more money to give away.
-switch to cloth napkins and save paper napkins for rare occasions. I stack cloth napkins on top of the paper and the rule is, if there is cloth available, use it first.
-buy the reusable paper towels that last far longer than paper towels. These are great for keeping germs contained--for example, one of these cloths has about 20 or so uses, so if one is dedicated to a toilet and only to be used on that one toilet, it will last months and months if you clean weekly.
-make homemade cleaners. I love Norwex, but the cost is prohibitive. I've made a good-sized bottle of shower spray out of vinegar and Dawn dish soap, and it works great. Sure, the smell isn't awesome, but no shower spray that works has a good smell in my opinion, including Norwex's descaler (which I L.O.V.E.)
-You can get a bottle of Spic n Span liquid antibacterial spray cleaner for the best price of any spray cleaners at Wal-mart. Use it, then afterward you have a bottle for the same price as an empty spray bottle at Wal-mart.
-In teaching the kids how to properly clean, we realized a need to have different rags for each job and specific cleansers for the right job. Having one container of antibacterial wipes lasts a long, long time if they are only for doing the final wipe of a toilet or are just for handles all around the house. Effective, easy to explain to kids, and it helps reinforce the idea of not cross-contaminating germs.
-make more of your own food. There is a terrific 3 ingredient ice cream recipe on Pinterest. It has been cheaper for us to make our own, but like a budget, doing this has a way of changing our perspective on special treats. Less is more when you realize and appreciate that treats don't come in giant-sized servings. Our family of five can have a double batch of the homemade twice, so that is good for a week or two since we make other desserts through the week.
-speaking of dessert...having one night that you definitely make dessert is a great way to incorporate a feeling of specialness and high living even when you are making big budget cuts. Our night is Monday. I make a nice dinner and dessert every Monday, and it isn't the ice cream mentioned above! This dessert is freshly made: tapioca pudding, rice pudding, cake, eclairs...something I can't whip up last-minute usually, and it isn't made in advance. I feel good doing this once a week and the family can count on it and look forward to it.
-learn to cook something special you would normally only order 'out'. I did this with calzones, now when we eat out we never feel like we need to have those since I make them. This just adds to the feeling of not really missing out even though you are doing something far less. We are all feeling fine eating out far less than we once did.
-switch to powder dishwasher compound and put it in a container to use with a measuring scoop. This may seem ridiculous, but wasting a bit here or there is just costly...and those pennies add up. If you have soft water, you don't need to fill the dishwasher soap dispenser to the top. Find out what size spoon/scoop fills yours to the right spot. I've got a Tablespoon sized scoop on top of our rectangular container with a locking lid (the kind that is easy to open and close, the lid completely comes off and little handles flip-up to lock it in place) and I'm certain this box is lasting longer. Pre-made tabs are the most expensive, and it is easy to squeeze in more liquid detergent than is needed. Measuring is also a daily reminder to be careful about what God has given us to use for our well-being-- not wasting or having unneeded extravagance.
These may seem like small changes, but you will save anywhere from $5-$10 per month on just these items. A big pack of napkins is $4 and the measured powdered dishwasher compound change easily saves several dollars. Finish powder works great, just as well as the Powerballs I used to use.
~Ann
God Sees Our Needs, and Meets Them
Recently one of my children was playing with another child that has been a part of our lives for many years. The situation quickly changed, and my child was suddenly outcast for not joining the crowd in gossiping. Hurtful things were said, and the silence which came from some was also painful. Alone, my child left the group and went back to where the others were.
Friendship is hard. It is particularly tough when you've left the church you attended for many years because it had left its first love. This makes staying in touch with those who still go there awkward and difficult. Add to that leaving the homeschool group you were in for years, and the concept of walking the narrow path is before you often.
Amid this difficult night, a friend of our family bestowed some amazing gifts on us. One item is a direct blessing to the child I was speaking of earlier. It isn't something that really anyone would ever give us, but this man did and it is huge. Huge because of thoughtfulness, cost, the helpful nature of it, and most importantly because it was an immediate, tangible way for my child to see that while life does what it does, God does what HE does. He sees our needs, He meets our needs, and He lets us know He cares. I'm so proud of my child for standing for what is right in the face of multiple adversaries, yet nothing compares to my gratitude to God for using this friend of ours to bless us during a sad night.
Friendship is hard. It is particularly tough when you've left the church you attended for many years because it had left its first love. This makes staying in touch with those who still go there awkward and difficult. Add to that leaving the homeschool group you were in for years, and the concept of walking the narrow path is before you often.
Amid this difficult night, a friend of our family bestowed some amazing gifts on us. One item is a direct blessing to the child I was speaking of earlier. It isn't something that really anyone would ever give us, but this man did and it is huge. Huge because of thoughtfulness, cost, the helpful nature of it, and most importantly because it was an immediate, tangible way for my child to see that while life does what it does, God does what HE does. He sees our needs, He meets our needs, and He lets us know He cares. I'm so proud of my child for standing for what is right in the face of multiple adversaries, yet nothing compares to my gratitude to God for using this friend of ours to bless us during a sad night.
Will I Ever Stop Missing the Past?
I decided to look up one of our former homes tonight to see if it was on the market; I just wanted to see what I could find. It is many hours and states from where we currently live, and just seeing the aerial photo stirred up feelings forgotten. I could make out the back porch, which was such a project to have built...the spot where the big pine was which we had removed...all the gorgeous stone garden beds, which no one who hasn't been there would recognize...and 'the back 40'...a thick berm of forest that all the homes had in common in the lower back portion of their yard. Suddenly I thought of Jakey and how happy he was running around that yard, killing mice and squirrels. Toby took care of the front yard, even producing a large rat outside by our front door one time. This area was heavily vegetated and apparently rats live in the wild, not just cities!
All of my babies were born in this particular town, and my sweet mother-in-law often visited for extended stays. It was a quiet time in my life, before the Internet was as big as it is now. Facebook didn't exist, nor did all the newer Internet social sites. I was active in a MOPS group and attended a breast-feeding support group a few times. Our church had a small school, and we were the only homeschooling-minded family in the entire congregation. I was also the only stay-at-home mom.
It sounds lonely, but it was such a busy time of having babies, gardening, learning to can what I'd grown, hanging laundry on the line that extended from my porch to a massive oak tree, and basking in the fullness of early parenting. God provided enough people for me to care about and for me to be cared for by.
When we left, my oldest had just turned 4 and my youngest was 2 months old. I was so young and had endless energy and determination! The world felt like a continual open opportunity to do new things, explore fresh places, and as though it would never run out of excitement or I the willingness to embark on a fresh journey. I loved change and welcomed the opportunities to meet new people and learn a new area. It was the beginning of my life in many ways.
Now, I am older. My kids are, too. I smell of Ben Gay from shoveling yesterday, and while part of me still loves adventure, after so many years where we are and the fuller understanding of how hard it is to make new, bosom friends, moving on no longer has the luster it used to have. Forming new relationships with doctors, dentists, the postman, the grocery store bagger...none of it feels fun and exciting any more. I don't want a new church or route to take to get to the shops. I've figured out the back roads where we live. We are home. It isn't the state either of us was raised in, and it isn't a short ride to see our families, but it is where we belong. It is what my kids know, and while I'm saddened to think of all that has happened over the last 9+ years and how it can't be redone, somehow it is alright.
If only young mothers could cherish the time in the way hindsight affords. It just isn't possible, else we'd never be able to do the hard work required to raise our kids~
Ann
All of my babies were born in this particular town, and my sweet mother-in-law often visited for extended stays. It was a quiet time in my life, before the Internet was as big as it is now. Facebook didn't exist, nor did all the newer Internet social sites. I was active in a MOPS group and attended a breast-feeding support group a few times. Our church had a small school, and we were the only homeschooling-minded family in the entire congregation. I was also the only stay-at-home mom.
It sounds lonely, but it was such a busy time of having babies, gardening, learning to can what I'd grown, hanging laundry on the line that extended from my porch to a massive oak tree, and basking in the fullness of early parenting. God provided enough people for me to care about and for me to be cared for by.
When we left, my oldest had just turned 4 and my youngest was 2 months old. I was so young and had endless energy and determination! The world felt like a continual open opportunity to do new things, explore fresh places, and as though it would never run out of excitement or I the willingness to embark on a fresh journey. I loved change and welcomed the opportunities to meet new people and learn a new area. It was the beginning of my life in many ways.
Now, I am older. My kids are, too. I smell of Ben Gay from shoveling yesterday, and while part of me still loves adventure, after so many years where we are and the fuller understanding of how hard it is to make new, bosom friends, moving on no longer has the luster it used to have. Forming new relationships with doctors, dentists, the postman, the grocery store bagger...none of it feels fun and exciting any more. I don't want a new church or route to take to get to the shops. I've figured out the back roads where we live. We are home. It isn't the state either of us was raised in, and it isn't a short ride to see our families, but it is where we belong. It is what my kids know, and while I'm saddened to think of all that has happened over the last 9+ years and how it can't be redone, somehow it is alright.
If only young mothers could cherish the time in the way hindsight affords. It just isn't possible, else we'd never be able to do the hard work required to raise our kids~
Ann
1 Peter 1
I believe godly men who were qualified for the task of Bible translating set out to do the best job they could do, given the manuscripts available to them at the time of their translating. The Scriptures have been preserved better, far better, than the works of Socrates, Plato or Aristotle. Shouldn't we pay attention to them then?
Do you think it helps the cause of Christ to split hairs within the body on which translation of the Bible we use, or is this a tool of the devil used to divide us and keep us from uniting better to spread the saving message of the gospel?
Here is a passage that was improved when Hebrew and Greek documents, which had not be available when the prestigious (and I say that sincerely) King James Version of the Bible, was put together.
Since we all want to Christ clearly portrayed as Diety in the Bible, is this done more or less when Personal Pronouns are capitalized or lower case? Is this a preference, or is one way most accurate? I really don't know, but I like seeing clearly when the pronoun is referring to God. All this to say, I will not complain if someone searching for truth uses the NIV, NASB, KJV or NKJV.
The Holy Spirit will work.
New King James Version Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ
New American Standard Version
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
King James Version
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Truth
When you approach an issue with a predetermined position, by definition you are not objectively looking at the information. You see what you want to see, and you ignore what conflicts with the belief you already have.
Hand picking, or cherry picking, is not a safe way to approach most issues. A Bible verse out of context often says something different from when it is 'in' context.
On another note, I love to capitalize the pronouns for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. Some translations don't do it, but the one I generally read does. I'm uncomfortable when God's name isn't set apart with a capital letter. Funny, isn't it? Preferences...as long as we trust a translation that aligns as much as possible with trusted manuscripts. Praise God for godly, qualified men who took the task of translating seriously.
16For God so loved the world, that He gave His [e]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [f]only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:16-21
Hand picking, or cherry picking, is not a safe way to approach most issues. A Bible verse out of context often says something different from when it is 'in' context.
On another note, I love to capitalize the pronouns for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. Some translations don't do it, but the one I generally read does. I'm uncomfortable when God's name isn't set apart with a capital letter. Funny, isn't it? Preferences...as long as we trust a translation that aligns as much as possible with trusted manuscripts. Praise God for godly, qualified men who took the task of translating seriously.
16For God so loved the world, that He gave His [e]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [f]only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:16-21
The fiddling with temperature data is the biggest science scandal ever - Telegraph
The fiddling with temperature data is the biggest science scandal ever - Telegraph.
This is not new to many of us. Hopefully all of the deceived Christians who have bought in to this lie will see the truth finally.
This is not new to many of us. Hopefully all of the deceived Christians who have bought in to this lie will see the truth finally.
Are you Dabbling with Mysticism?
It is a sad reality that many who think they are sound in Christ employ mysticism as an ancient Christian practice. Mysticism is not a part of biblical soundness and wise doctrine, it is something that has been around for a long time and is rearing it's head today, repackaged within the Christian community. It aids in selling a counterfeit Christianity that focuses on experiencing God rather than studying and obeying His word. "Hearing" His voice reveals more intimacy with Him than doctrine, for instance.
Today there are many counseling centers that endorse contemplative prayer, which can be an indicator that the center leans in the direction of mysticism. We need to take the time to research what people believe...where is the line drawn? Is Yoga OK? How about labyrinth walking? Spiritual retreats where silence is focused on? In my view, these practices should ring bells of warning to a believer. If feeling better and being happy is the goal of counseling or Christianity, we are missing what God designed us for. The Bible does not tell us to do breath prayers or to meditate on one word while breathing deeply, even if that word is 'Christ'; it isn't how we are taught to pray. In sum, positive psychology or secular wisdom should not be a part of Christian counseling.
Soft-selling these issues as a matter of opinion is very dangerous, yet we all tend to struggle in this culture with wanting to have our own beliefs and act like there is not absolute truth. All beliefs and views are not equal, in other words, all messages are not the truth. The message of the Gospel and who God is gets easily blurred, and if people do not understand the Truth, they can miss being truly 'set free'. As Christians, we should love God enough to defend Him.
May the Holy Spirit work in the hearts and minds of those reading, revealing the warning and Gospel according to God Almighty.
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/61-1/facing-the-modern-deceivers
http://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/spiritual-formation-or-biblical-sanctification/
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/search/site/mysticism
How is contemplative spirituality entering the church?
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/othercategories.htm
Today there are many counseling centers that endorse contemplative prayer, which can be an indicator that the center leans in the direction of mysticism. We need to take the time to research what people believe...where is the line drawn? Is Yoga OK? How about labyrinth walking? Spiritual retreats where silence is focused on? In my view, these practices should ring bells of warning to a believer. If feeling better and being happy is the goal of counseling or Christianity, we are missing what God designed us for. The Bible does not tell us to do breath prayers or to meditate on one word while breathing deeply, even if that word is 'Christ'; it isn't how we are taught to pray. In sum, positive psychology or secular wisdom should not be a part of Christian counseling.
Soft-selling these issues as a matter of opinion is very dangerous, yet we all tend to struggle in this culture with wanting to have our own beliefs and act like there is not absolute truth. All beliefs and views are not equal, in other words, all messages are not the truth. The message of the Gospel and who God is gets easily blurred, and if people do not understand the Truth, they can miss being truly 'set free'. As Christians, we should love God enough to defend Him.
May the Holy Spirit work in the hearts and minds of those reading, revealing the warning and Gospel according to God Almighty.
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/61-1/facing-the-modern-deceivers
http://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/spiritual-formation-or-biblical-sanctification/
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/search/site/mysticism
How is contemplative spirituality entering the church?
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/othercategories.htm
Melissa Harris-Perry
Melissa Harris-Perry... She is simply not good at her job. We all came from the same parents, Adam and Eve, so what does race matter?
https://youtu.be/KbODW6XO8zY (Ken Ham's, One Race, One Blood can be viewed here)
I am not surprised that Ms. Harris-Perry won't be fired because the liberal media has made it clear that conservatives are the enemy and they aren't interested in rightness or equality. Harris-Perry has shown herself to be a person more concerned with racial division and politics than the needs of a baby.
I'm just sickened, and sickened her apology will allow her to keep her job.
But let's all remember, including me, that our enemy is Satan, the ruler of this present darkness, but God will not be mocked and one day every knee will bow to Him, whether by those headed for Heaven or Hell.
http://www.businessinsider.com/melissa-harris-perry-romney-family-black-grandchild-apology-2013-12
https://youtu.be/KbODW6XO8zY (Ken Ham's, One Race, One Blood can be viewed here)
I am not surprised that Ms. Harris-Perry won't be fired because the liberal media has made it clear that conservatives are the enemy and they aren't interested in rightness or equality. Harris-Perry has shown herself to be a person more concerned with racial division and politics than the needs of a baby.
I'm just sickened, and sickened her apology will allow her to keep her job.
But let's all remember, including me, that our enemy is Satan, the ruler of this present darkness, but God will not be mocked and one day every knee will bow to Him, whether by those headed for Heaven or Hell.
http://www.businessinsider.com/melissa-harris-perry-romney-family-black-grandchild-apology-2013-12
How is the Time Spent?
I've been thinking about something I've written about before, and that is the reality that merely being really busy with school does not equal getting a good education. Some endeavors are more akin to busywork than solid intellectual exercises. When dealing with an educational option that is heavily marketed, it is important to realize the goal is a great number of customers, and so it needs to be presented in a way to reach the greatest number. If you feel you are educating in a 'select few' manner, but something rather large is pushed as being for the 'select few'...stop and dig deeper. How many 'select fews' can there be? Enough to fund a million dollar company??
Something I've seen in homeschooling during high school is that often the student goes one way while the family goes another. A pastor's wife I knew would complain that the route they chose for their oldest daughter didn't allow her any time for ministry. Others I know complain that their student is 'always doing schoolwork'.
This begs the question: does a high school student need to be swamped with schoolwork all the time to be getting a meaningful education?
Before I go further, let me say that if a homeschool is rather lax during the grammar stage, the ramp up in to the rhetorical and dialectic stages is going to be painful. It takes a couple of years to be able to manage one's time well for the necessary increase in work as students age if a careful plan of increase hasn't been applied.
It is just something to think about as our students get to the point of leaving the grammar stage of learning. What do we want our kids to have time for? Do we want them to only have time for people they are in classes with or do we want them to have a varied group of friends? Are there certain skills we want them to have time to learn as they move toward moving out of our homes? Do we want to foster close family friendships and if so, is our educational route going to promote that?
I absolutely believe school needs to take longer as our kids get older, and I think it should increase in the level of them being challenged, but a plan helps it to not crush them. It also helps Mom handle the necessary increase. There is no reason to drown during middle and high school. Who you are influenced by in your homeschool journey really plays in to what you believe it should be like. It is similar to overall parenting expectations: spend time with people who have teens with attitude problems and then think that is how it HAS to be...so you accept it in your own children.
How do you get a plan? Look at where you want your child to end with math and science in high school for one thing. A benchmark for math is that most good public schools and Classical schools have kids taking Algebra I in 8th grade. Kids who are very good with math and plan to be engineers or doctors are sometimes taking Algebra I in 7th grade. Governor's school will not have Algebra I past 8th grade. This an easy starting point to back down from. Algebra I in 8th grade means your student can have Calculus in 12th grade, which is very good. It is not the end of the world to have Algebra I in 9th grade by any stretch, but for students who are going into a math or science field, that is not really the way to go to have them on the best footing for starting college amid their peers.
Science--again, see where you want your student to end up. This matters in 6th grade because if you don't do General Science in 7th, and Physical in 8th, you won't be set to take Biology in 9th, which could mean not having time to take sciences beyond the basics for college entrance. College isn't the end all, be all, but there is a general level of knowledge our students should have and those standards for classes help achieve that.
I hope this helps you make a plan. :)
Something I've seen in homeschooling during high school is that often the student goes one way while the family goes another. A pastor's wife I knew would complain that the route they chose for their oldest daughter didn't allow her any time for ministry. Others I know complain that their student is 'always doing schoolwork'.
This begs the question: does a high school student need to be swamped with schoolwork all the time to be getting a meaningful education?
Before I go further, let me say that if a homeschool is rather lax during the grammar stage, the ramp up in to the rhetorical and dialectic stages is going to be painful. It takes a couple of years to be able to manage one's time well for the necessary increase in work as students age if a careful plan of increase hasn't been applied.
It is just something to think about as our students get to the point of leaving the grammar stage of learning. What do we want our kids to have time for? Do we want them to only have time for people they are in classes with or do we want them to have a varied group of friends? Are there certain skills we want them to have time to learn as they move toward moving out of our homes? Do we want to foster close family friendships and if so, is our educational route going to promote that?
I absolutely believe school needs to take longer as our kids get older, and I think it should increase in the level of them being challenged, but a plan helps it to not crush them. It also helps Mom handle the necessary increase. There is no reason to drown during middle and high school. Who you are influenced by in your homeschool journey really plays in to what you believe it should be like. It is similar to overall parenting expectations: spend time with people who have teens with attitude problems and then think that is how it HAS to be...so you accept it in your own children.
How do you get a plan? Look at where you want your child to end with math and science in high school for one thing. A benchmark for math is that most good public schools and Classical schools have kids taking Algebra I in 8th grade. Kids who are very good with math and plan to be engineers or doctors are sometimes taking Algebra I in 7th grade. Governor's school will not have Algebra I past 8th grade. This an easy starting point to back down from. Algebra I in 8th grade means your student can have Calculus in 12th grade, which is very good. It is not the end of the world to have Algebra I in 9th grade by any stretch, but for students who are going into a math or science field, that is not really the way to go to have them on the best footing for starting college amid their peers.
Science--again, see where you want your student to end up. This matters in 6th grade because if you don't do General Science in 7th, and Physical in 8th, you won't be set to take Biology in 9th, which could mean not having time to take sciences beyond the basics for college entrance. College isn't the end all, be all, but there is a general level of knowledge our students should have and those standards for classes help achieve that.
I hope this helps you make a plan. :)
Mini Caprese Skewers
Mini Caprese Skewers.
This is a really great post. I wish I'd written it...or could write it!
Do you ever want to be someone other than yourself? Those are days I wish I didn't come in contact with anyone outside my four walls. Today was such a day, and I interacted with others way too much. This is why I have a small circle of friends, because of the days of saying more than I ought...
Sigh.
This is a really great post. I wish I'd written it...or could write it!
Do you ever want to be someone other than yourself? Those are days I wish I didn't come in contact with anyone outside my four walls. Today was such a day, and I interacted with others way too much. This is why I have a small circle of friends, because of the days of saying more than I ought...
Sigh.
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