The hubby and I recorded another episode of Rebound yesterday about a huge blessing that has happened in our lives, and although I’m thrilled that we get to share the story, I’m starting to realize that as we reach a wider audience, we open ourselves up more and more to judgement from others. The thought almost made me freeze up yesterday as being judged by others is a pretty scary place for me on a personal level. Surprisingly, all of this didn’t hit me until we posted this episode, and it’s probably because the story is so special to me.

When I told the hubby about my concern of others’ judging me, his response was, “And what if they do? They don’t have to live our lives or pay our bills.” And he’s right.

When you start on the path to your extraordinary, towards the one thing you really want or really believe in, you’ll encounter all sorts of emotions and reactions from others about what it is that you do. Sometimes, it will feel personal. You have to be willing to accept it all – the good, the bad, and the scary – to move forward. Otherwise, you’ll never live the life you dream of living.

So, I’ve decided that I’ll just get over it instead of allowing  this fear to stop me in my tracks. I’m too passionate about this little podcast to let anything get in my way.

What fears threaten your ability to achieve more? How do you overcome them?

Image Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

I’ve mentioned Into the Wild before. Into the Wild is the true story of Chris McCandless, a guy who gives up his entire life savings after graduation to escape into the Alaskan wilderness. His story is a tragic one, but that’s not why I’m drawn to it. Chris had a disdain for American materialism and opted instead for a nomadic life, an idyllic life in some regards.

As a person that had always had a negative relationship with money, this sort of life was appealing to me after a selfish life of spending more than I earn. Sure, that might sound extreme but really, why not? How many of us have dreamed of escaping the hamster wheel of work, bills, debt, and more work?

When the hubby and I started on Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, it was a long while before we started to see any progress. But once we saw progress, something changed. Money started working for us instead of the other way around. And when money starts working for you, you no longer feel a slave to it.

We still have a long way to go. Everything could change tomorrow. But for now, I’m taking comfort in the fact that my relationship with money is changing, and therefore my whole life is changing.

I’m excited about the road ahead.

How about you? Are you working Dave Ramsey’s program? How is it changing you?

In this episode:
When we first started working our way out of debt, we naively thought that just because we had a desire to become debt-free, we would be successful in our endeavors. However, to get out of debt, you have to be disciplined. Unfortunately for us, if we were disciplined people, we wouldn’t be in debt in the first place. In this episode, we talk about how to create discipline in your life to help you achieve your goals.

Starting next week, we’ll be going through the Total Money Makeover book together. If you haven’t read it yet, now’s a great time to get started! If you have read it, this will be a great refresher for you. Hope you’ll join us!

You guessed it. Dishwasher detergent.

I hate buying it at the store because I know I’ll go through it quickly and for what you get, it’s certainly not cheap. But it’s either that or I force the rest of my family to scrub their dishes with a toothbrush, and we all know that’s not going to happen.

So, I started experimenting.

The hubby found dishwasher detergent at the dollar store, and one box of granulated dishwasher detergent is one dollar. We washed a few loads using the amount recommended on the box and low and behold, our dishes were just as clean as they were with the more expensive cleaner. So, I took it a step further and ran a load using only 2 tablespoons of cleaner. To my surprise, there was no change in the cleanliness of our dishes.

Using this method, we now do a load of dishes for just about the same cost as the homemade cleaner, and no one has to scrub or eat leftovers… off their “clean” fork. Try it – you’ll be surprised at how much cleaner you don’t need to do a load of dishes effectively.

The dollar store boxes are on the smallish side, so if you do the grocery game or couponmom, grab the detergent when the sale price beats the dollar store price. You can still use just 2 tablespoons per load, and your dishes will still be sparkly.

Clean on!

I woke up early in the morning so that the family and I could make it to church for a special event. As I got ready, I found myself getting angry because I don’t have any casual clothing currently that I really like. In fact, clothing has become one of those things that we are now buying exclusively second hand and the boys come first, so that leaves a small clothing budget for me and the hubby.  Long story short, I was just really feeling sorry for myself that morning.

Now girls, I know you can understand my plight. As wives and mothers, we will happily go without so our family does not have to, but sometimes we just want to feel beautiful and splurge. And well, if you’re doing a Total Money Makeover, chances are you’re doing very little of that nowadays. This morning, I just wanted to feel beautiful. In reality, I felt miles from it.

I was still feeling a twinge of self-pity through the church service. It just wouldn’t go away. Top this with the daily worries about bills and income and savings that accompany getting out of debt and I was just feeling… blah.

On the way home, the hubby made a quick stop for gas so while the boys and I waited, I picked up his Bible and started randomly reading. In less than a minute, I happened upon these verses from Matthew 6:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Matthew 6:25-34

This passage gave me unexplainable peace. If you’re in a similar situation, perhaps this scripture will help you as well.

Image Credit: Schwa242

When I found this set on The Pioneer Woman, my heart skipped a beat. I have been searching for dinnerware with these colors and a bird design for ages with no luck. This is exactly what I imagined they would look like.

The design is adorable, and I can imagine a kitchen decorated entirely around these plates. Seriously.

So, I visited the Lenox website and discovered that these beauties cost $100 per setting, and that’s the sale price. I’d easily need at least 8 place settings plus bowls, mugs, salad plates, and dessert plates. When you do the math, it’s not pretty.

Surely Target will be making a knock-off soon, right?

My generous family all pitched in on this one. My aunt offered up her home and back yard pool for us and the guests, and Gram offered to purchase dinner items like hot dogs, buns, and drinks. We purchased plates, cups, chips, and made the ice cream cake. Our invitations were sent via MyPunchbowl,  so all in all, it was very inexpensive and lots of fun.

For starters, we let everyone swim for about an hour and a half. Everyone was having a great time just hanging out with one another, and it was very laid back and relaxed.

We then had a cannonball contest. I think that the hubby pretty much beat everyone out with his huge tidal wave jumps. The pool lost about 5 gallons of water with each one.

Next up, the limbo! Gram brought over an old broomstick and I downloaded the Chubby Checker limbo song so the kids could do the limbo. Some of them took it very seriously!

We ate dinner, then sang Happy Birthday and served the ice cream cake. I made it with this recipe and it was a total hit. It will definitely go into birthday-party-cake rotation for many, many years. Much cheaper than a store-bought cake, and tastier, too!

Everyone then gathered around to watch the birthday boy open his presents. He was spoiled rotten, and after we counted up all of the money he was given for his birthday along with his savings, he discovered that he now has enough money for a Class Republic Attack Cruiser. He’s been eyeing this for at least a year, and he’s so happy that he can finally own one.

Friends and family are so important, and it was really great to get everyone together. In fact, this group isn’t able to get together often. My aunt happened to be in from Panama, so she was able to be with us for the party. My dad was able to make the trip down from Franklinville, and the boys were very happy to see their Papa.

The birthday boy said it was one of his best birthday parties, and I would have to agree. If you’re being frugal, consider doing something similar for your little one. They’ll probably appreciate it even more than a conventional party.

I posted earlier about the best bread machine bread, and this is a definite staple in our house. In addition to this, I experimented with made-from-scratch bagels and yogurt this weekend with fantastic results.

BREAD MACHINE BAGELS
9 servings

INGREDIENTS
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 cups bread flour
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 quarts boiling water
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 egg white
3 tablespoons poppy seeds (or your topping of choice)

DIRECTIONS

1. Place water, salt, sugar, flour and yeast in the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting.
2. When cycle is complete, let dough rest on a lightly floured surface. Meanwhile, in a large pot bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar.
3. Cut dough into 9 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a small ball. Flatten balls. Poke a hole in the middle of each with your thumb. Twirl the dough on your finger or thumb to enlarge the hole, and to even out the dough around the hole. Cover bagels with a clean cloth, and let rest for 10 minutes.
4. Sprinkle an ungreased baking sheet with cornmeal. Carefully transfer bagels to boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, turning half way through. Drain briefly on clean towel. Arrange boiled bagels on baking sheet. Glaze tops with egg white, and sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
5. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until well browned.

Original recipe is here at AllRecipes.com.

These bagels were better than store-bought, much cheaper to make, and such a hit with the family that we will be making these again and again. The recipe is versatile as well. When making the dough, you can easily sprinkle in cinnamon and raisin for a sweet bagel, or add garlic and onion powder and top with sesame seeds for a bagel fit for the coffeehouse.

CROCK POT YOGURT

INGREDIENTS
Half gallon of milk
Half cup of yogurt with active cultures

DIRECTIONS

1. Turn your crock pot to low and pour in 1/2 gallon of milk.
2. Heat on low for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
3. Once 2 hours and 30 minutes have elapsed turn your crock pot off and unplug it. Let the milk cool in the crock with the lid on for 3 hours.
4. After 3 hours remove 1-2 cups of the warmed milk and place in a bowl. To that add 1/2 cup of yogurt with live active cultures and mix very well.
5. Pour the yogurt-milk mixture back into the milk and whisk thoroughly.
6. Place the cover back on the crock and wrap the entire crock pot in a thick bath towel or two.
7. Let it culture overnight, 8-12 hours.
8. In the morning stir yogurt (if desired) and store in glass quart jars or a container of your choice.
9. For optimum texture, refrigerate for at least 8 hours before using.

Original recipe is here.

This was fun because I really had no idea what to expect. Anytime bacteria is involved, I get a little nervous. However, when I lifted the lid to the crock pot this morning, I felt a bit like a sorceress. I had made yogurt, and it was tasty and wholesome. The family likes their yogurt on the sweet side, so we put splenda in it along with frozen strawberries for breakfast. Total yum.

This article is interesting if you’re thinking about making some pantry staples from scratch. They have taken the cost for a few staples and determined whether or not it’s more cost-efficient to make it or buy it.

If you make some of these recipes, let me know how they turn out!

If you like reading financial news, try Tip’d. It’s awesome.

Image Credit: Roby

In an effort to save money, Spence and I have started baking our own bread and this recipe is PERFECT. It literally takes 15 minutes of actual work, totally beats store-bought bread in texture and taste, and is least 50% cheaper than store-bought. If you have a bread machine, whip it out. Now.

BEST BREAD MACHINE RECIPE
12 servings

INGREDIENTS
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package bread machine yeast (I use Fleischman’s)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups bread flour (I use Better For Bread flour)
1.5 teaspoon salt (I use sea salt)

DIRECTIONS
Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast. Select Basic or White Bread setting, Regular size loaf, and press Start.

I’ve modified the original recipe just a bit.

Enjoy!

I’m uploading the 2nd episode of Rebound as I write,  and this episode was an interesting one. Spence and I have not really sat and reflected on all of the things we have been through until now, and it’s amazing the things that are happening in our lives today. We have been to hell and back, and we survived intact to tell the story together. In fact, we have more love for one another than we ever did during that time. How incredible is that? How lucky am I?

When this episode goes live in less than 30 minutes, all of my friends and family will know of my failures which is scary and liberating all at the same time. We have been very secretive about our financial lives, and this is letting people in to a place that I have only opened to a select few. I could count on one hand the people that knew about our past and current financial issues, and that included me and Spence. Now the people that are the closest to me are being let in, and that allows people to make judgements about me and my family.

Caring too much about what other people think is a personal characteristic of mine that I struggle with daily. I’m opening up the flood gates here.

Still, I believe that there are others out there hurting in the same way that we hurt, and I hope to reach them. I hope that they know that things will get better. I hope that they know that with a lot of hard work and a lot of faith, things will change.

There is hope.

Image Credit: Ashley Rose

During the service and outside of the normal routine, prayer leaders were called to the front of the church to pray for anyone that needed prayer. Spence brazenly asked me if I wanted to go with him up there, and I was so thankful he asked because I never would have gone alone or asked him the same. The two people that were open to pray with us were the only two people that could understand us perfectly in that moment, although they probably had absolutely no clue that that was the case. I walked back to my seat feeling God move in me for the first time. It was amazing.

Lifepoint is participating in One Prayer, and Pastor Jeff talked about how God is ridiculous. Laughable at first, but really think about it.

“A ridiculous God makes ridiculous people do ridiculous things.”

When you’re called to do something absolutely ridiculous, do you follow God or do you laugh it off because it just sounds too crazy? Do you take that step of faith and trust that God will make it happen?

I’ve been praying a lot about what I am supposed to be doing in my life, and I feel called to be closer with my family and to be there for my boys by being in the home more than I am today. I also feel called to share my financial experiences with others because Spence and I have been down a long road of hurt financially and we are still together and stronger than ever.

Imagine… two people who know very little about finances, that have been greedy and unfulfilled in our past, that are just clawing their way out of the pit as I write, called to speak with others about finances and debt. Absolutely ridiculous.

We recorded our first episode of Rebound today.

It’s incredible how God works. I’m excited to see what else He has in store for us.

Creativity is in my bones. If you summed me up in one word, “creative” would be right on. Yet gradually over the last ten years, I’ve given up on the hope that I could spend the rest of my life doing anything creative. As a hobby? Sure. But as a primary means of income? No way.

Because of this, I have become unhappy. It’s hard to find joy when you feel stuck.

I feel stuck because I have to make a certain amount of money on a regular basis. You would think that I have to do this because I have a family to feed, but really it’s because I have an enormous amount of debt that my husband and I have racked up by making uninformed and just plain bad choices in our lives. If it was just about feeding my family, it wouldn’t take much. But the car payments, loan payments, and credit card bills are what send me to work everyday just to make ends meet. I prayed for guidance because I needed it desperately, and my prayers were answered.

I realized that being happy with less is more important than being unhappy with more. And because what I do for work is important to me because it’s part of who I am, working without joy is just not worth it.

To persue my passions I have to eliminate my debt. But once that’s done, I can explore my creativity and spend more time with my family. I can go to work because I want to, not because I need to. There is a freedom in that, so becoming debt-free is the first part of the plan.

Many people wake up each day and do things they’d rather not do just to pay the bills. Are you one of them?

Image Credit: Jade M. Sheldon