No-spend December?

We’re continuing on with our “n0-spend” mentality. For us this does not mean that we will not spend any money in December, just like we did spend some in November. But rather, we have the mentality of not spending anything that isn’t necessary. In November, we did spend a little bit of money- we did 2 operation Christmas child boxes like we do every year and purchased one Christmas gift. In December we will renew our Home Warrenty (fun, fun), pay for gas to go on vacation to the in-laws, and find/make a little something for our parents for Christmas, and stamps, because we’re almost out! Other than that, and perhaps one date night while we are out of town, we’re not going to buy anything else. Very exciting. I’ve got a great menu planned for this next week and I’m very excited to eat it!

Beef brisket with rice tonight. Then Turkey Cordon Bleu casserole, Ham hash skillet, slow cooker jumbalaya, beef & barley soup with crusty bread, cheesey veggie chowder with bread, homemade pizza, lasanga soup, and taco corn bread casserole.

No-spend November

My friend Jennifer (and our sad little bank account) has inspired me to have a “no-spend november.” It all started with her idea of use what you have food wise for the month- excellent but I’m going to take it a step further… because I’m all or nothing y’all.

Confession first: I just went to Sam’s club (spent too much to, though some were for diapers and pull ups since we’re in the midst of potty training!), so I already spent most some of my grocery money for november.

We also have a freezer full of meat from part of a cow we bought. This seems like very good savings, but we go through the ground beef like crazy and then I have no idea what to do with the rest. My goal is to make cooking and clean up as easy as possible so one pot meals or casseroles are my favorite. So I’ve got to get creative with the meat. Luckily it’s the season for roasts (yum!) and soups (beef and barley anyone!) so maybe it won’t be too hard. My goal is to clear most of it out by february (not all!) and then I’m going to stock that puppy up with precooked meals. I have a feeling that transitioning to 3 kids will be quite the ordeal considering how much more my husband works now than at any other transition time in our lives.

Okay, moving on to no-spend november. Except for grandparents, I am done Christmas shopping (and I’m pretty sure my husband’s birthday gift as well guessing by all of the unexpected expenses that have come along with it!) So, other than our bills and gasoline we’re not going to spend anything. It will be an exercise of self-control! No stopping for food or ordering books online (which you shouldn’t do this close to Christmas anyways!) Plus, it’s a good mentality to carry over to December, and January, and so on. 🙂

So, I have 65 dollars to spend on the grocery necessities (milk, eggs, fruit, and veggies).

Also, an update with getting organized. I found my copy of “Totally Organized” by Bonnie McCoullough and I’ve rediscovered MM (minimum maintenance). I’m making more of an effort to just do it. If I just unload the dishwasher then it’s so easy to load the dishes through the day and the kitchen is clean every morning. I’m so happy I could hug myself! If I just get up and walk 1 mile with my Leslie Sansone dvd every morning at least I am moving! and getting out of bed! I’ve also been trying to do 1 mile at nap. Also, just put the laundry away after I fold it. It’s much easier in smaller sections.

I got a ton done on saturday and I credit this to my children actually playing well together. I’m glad I got that one afternoon because we’re back to normal (i.e. fighting over pretend cookies).

So today I got up early, exercised, did everything on my to do list, and still had a ton of time it seemed. Fantastic! I want to keep this up!

My actual goals

Because I have it so together (not!) I made a list about goals but never actually listed any. At least I’m not surprising myself. Here are some goals- real goals. These aren’t things I want to get someday with a dreamy look on my face- these are things that actually need to happen by a certain deadline.

This week:

– Figure out some HSA stuff

– Figure out what clothing needs this little boy has

In the next 2 months (mid-december):

– Work with my 4 year old on “teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons”

– Make some cute Christmas decorations

– Get gifts for everyone on our list in a budget friendly way

– Snap some pictures of the kids

– Send out Christmas cards

– I would love a new dining room light that actually works.

In the next 4 months (mid-february):

– Set up baby room and all of baby’s things (I’ll be asking for an early induction at 38/39 weeks since my last baby was 9 pounds 6 ounces and 15 whole ounces bigger than my first. I would like to not repeat that pattern 🙂 And at the ultrasound the tech asked if our other children were big too? (phrased like this boy is on his way to largeness)

– Choose a name for our baby boy. I think this will be the hardest of them all! We are totally not agreeing.

– Make and freeze dozens of meals to perhaps make the transition to 3 kids a tiny bit earlier- not expecting more than a few days off for my husband.

– Have a plan made up for the craziness of having a newborn… i.e. pay bills on time, feed my children, etc.

In the next six months (mid-April):

-Be in a routine with the children.

– Have lost a substantial amount of weight 🙂

– More to come, I’m sure…

Get it together!

I’m following Amy of Amy’s Finer Things for a month of “getting things together.” Boy, do I need this. I feel as if we do fine now… but I am home all day with the children… but next year life will change when the eldest child goes to school. And I will most likely be responsible with getting him there… on time… with lunch… dressed in his uniform… with his backpack and the rest of what he needs… on time… with 2 other small children in tow… in the morning… & on time (did I mention being on time? :).

I’m already shaking in my boots. This will also coincide with the baby starting solid foods. I pray already that this child will give me the blessing of sleep! #2 didn’t sleep through the night until he was 18/19 months. I remember so little of his infancy it makes me sad. I’d wake up in the middle of the night afraid that I didn’t feed him that day. I don’t remember always waiting 4 days inbetween foods, and I’m sure I fed him things he wasn’t supposed to have yet. I don’t know what it was about that kid but my brain barely survived. Apparently, things improved after he started sleeping through the night because now here I am almost halfway through my 3rd pregnancy. Before him I wanted oodles of kids… after him I tottered between “let’s just adopt” and “I might be able to do 1-2 more.” Anyways, I can’t do that again. Even if my brain goes we need to have things in order where the rest of the family can eat, be clothed, and get to where they need to get at the time they need to get there.

Day 1-Goals- I’ve made some goals. I might come back and make a separate post about it.

Day 2-Meal planning- I actually do well with meal planning. Lately I’ve had to start planning out breakfast and lunches for things to run even more smoothly and that is working well so far.

Day 3- 10 time savers-

1. Go to bed early. This has not been an issue. I day dream of my bed most of the day. 🙂

2. Get up early. Not working out too well. I’m still have some morning sickness and it’s way worse if I wake up earlier. So for this season, I’m okay with not waking up uber early to get things done at this season.

3. Budget minutes- need to work on.

4. plan meals- check

5. eat your frog aka just do it. i’m slowly getting better at this. Have seen a big change in the dishes situation.

6. set a timer. i don’t really do this. I don’t feel time pressed, but it’s an excellent motivation tool and I think we could incorporate this as a family.

7. establish routines. we’re getting pretty good at this. Always room for improvement 🙂

8. turn off computer… or limit certain social medias. Every season is different and there are some seasons where I just use the internet to stay connect with certain people and church announcements.

9. clear the clutter- as I sit at a cluttered desk. I’ve seen improvement in this area but still have lots to go!

10. find my groove. I used to do a laundry day which worked well for us but now it’s getting harder to carry up heavy loads from the basement so I think I’m going to switch over to a daily laundry- 1 load per day. Fold and put away. Putting away is the bane of my existance- it often doesn’t happen! I’m going to start making it a chore for my kids to put their clothes away.

Feeling crafty…

It was a crafty week around here… I’m not sure what came over me!

blue jars

Just in case it's a girl =)

Flower Wreath

Coffee filter wreaths

Not happy w/ this one. Aged my own maps.

can't turn around 🙂

Most of these ideas and tutorials can be found on my pinterest boards.