Update

I haven’t spent any money, but I am spent.

My dog ran away. I ran over my iphone. I tripped holding the baby and hurt my wrist. A lizard got in my electric panel and broke a breaker which messed up my a/c, so no a/c for 2 days. I just feel like all of my good efforts are being overshadowed. I rely on this

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:7 NLT

Please pray for me.

Some good things we have done:
Rejoined our church- long story
Continue our finance class
Our pre-schooler is a great tee-ball player
Went to the ballet at the outdoor theatre *FREE*
I have gotten pretty organized and really good at packing snacks, drinks, and just the “stuff” we need.

I do miss shopping, it was my stress releaf, even if I bought nothing.

Shout out to my Hubby

I know that he doesn’t read this, but he has definately been a huge contributor to not spending any money.

At first, he was scheptical. Then excited as the money flowed in. Then irritaded and deprived that I spent money on tee- ball. I think it is starting to get to him.

We had a great talk this morning about how often we would have stopped for little things like drinks, snacks, stuff before. Yoiu really see where your money goes. We also discussed finding a balance between deprivation and indulging.

My sweet hubby ate his sad PB&J sandwich when everyone around him was offering to buy his lunch. He did it for me, because I don’t have someone buying me lunch. I love that he supports

Day 9 & 10 Tee Ball

My wonderful, amazing Dad and sweet grandmother gave my son money for sporting equipment. We spent 2 days trying to find all of the things he needed. No money out of my pocket and I have one happy boy.

I volunteered at the High School football game in the concession stand. I was so hungry serving all of that food. Luckily I took water and snacks (new habit- never would have even crossed my mind before) and in the end it paid off and I got a drink and some leftovers.

Day 8. I spent money on my son, shoot me.

Yes $95 tee-ball registration. Spent the money, wrote them a check. I am guilty.

So here are my excuses:
1. I tried to pay in August, they were busy being in the world series. No response till September on registration
2. He is my baby and he has been begging to play sports
3. Isn’t this a reoccuring expense like dance? (I paid dance in August)
4. I collected an old debt of $140.00, so at least more went in than out

Day 7- Profitable Banking

Day 7 Spending $0
Day 7 Savings $250

Total Spending $0
Total Savings $2207 in 7 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

We opened 2 business accounts in which we got $100 x 2 $200, we had 2 referrals @$25 each= $250

I have been MIA because I have been working, listed a lease house and showing lease houses. Also had to get 53 wedding invites in the mail. I made them with $6 worth of paper and sister-in-law brought me some stamps

Day 6- Labor Day

PROFIT $2.11

I made $2.11 to buy all of this

Day 6 Spending $0
Day 6 Savings $0

Total Spending $0
Total Savings $1957 in 6 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had such an amazing day. I made a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon.
Hubby, yes Hubby made lunch and Dinner- if you only knew how big this was.

No spending, I did have to drive a lot, but my company will give me $.50 a mile.

and… I went deal shopping.

I have Register Rewards to Walgreens and Extra Care Bucks to CVS to use before they expired. There was some change OOP (Out Of Pocket)

Walgreens:
Trip #1
Zegerid OTC $10-$3Q(coupon)
John Freida Shampoo $5-$3Q
John Freida Shampoo $5-$3Q
John Freida Shampoo $5-$3Q
Cracker Jacks $.33 filler
Cracker Jacks $.33 filler
-$10 RR (register Reward)
-$2 RR
= $1.67 OOP

Recieved $5RR and $10 mail in rebate form actually $1.33 PROFIT

Trip #2
Zegerid OTC $10-$3Q(coupon)
John Freida Shampoo $5-$3Q
John Freida Shampoo $5-$3Q
John Freida Shampoo $5-$3Q
Cracker Jacks $.33 filler
Cracker Jacks $.33 filler
Cracker Jacks $.33 filler
Cracker Jacks $.33 filler
-$4 RR (register Reward)
-$2 RR
-$2 RR
-$2 RR
-$2 RR
= $.67 OOP don’t ask me why this was cheaper

Recieved $5RR and $10 mail in rebate form actually $2.33 PROFIT

WALGREENS PROFIT $3.66

CVS
I scanned my card at the coupon printer and it was like winning the jackpot
Trip #1
Zegrid OTC $9.99 with Rain check-$3Q-4CVS Q
PUREX 3-1 $5.99 with rain check – $3Q
Stride gum $.99
Stride gum $.99- $.99 BOGO Q
Gallon of milk $2.99
6 Gatorades @1.99 each, BOGO
2 Mentos @$.99 each
-$4/20 CVS labor day Q
-$4/20 CVS Q
-$3/10 Grocery CVS Q
-$6.99 ECB (Extra Care Bucks)
$.53 OOP

Recieved $2ECB for Purex, $9.99ECB for Zegrid, $.99ECB for Stride Total PROFIT $5.46

TRIP #2
8 SOBE @ $1.59 EACH BOGO- 4xBOGO Q
6 pack Scott paper towels $4.99
Gallon of milk $2.99
Butter $2.99
Stride gum $.99
Stride gum $.99- $.99 BOGO Q
Double pack of Cheese-its $5
-$4/20 CVS labor day Q
-$3/10 Grocery CVS Q
-$9.99 ECB (Extra Care Bucks)
$3.33 OOP

Recieved $3 from Mom for milk and $.99ECB for Stride, $2 cheese its cost $7

Total cost at CVS $1.54

Total Deal shopping PROFIT $2.11!!!

Day 5! The value of a stay at home wife!

Day 5 Spending $0
Day 5 Savings $350

Total Spending $0
Total Savings $1957 in 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are taking a Financial Freedom Class at another church. It is a program by Dr. Morgan from Sagemont Church. We have taken lots of classes before like Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace” and “I was broke but now I’m not”. This is the first time, I think, that anyone has come right out and said that the “Husband” should not ask the “Wife” to work. After it is all said and done, you really don’t contribute financially and the family suffers. I know working makes some women happy, but being the one that provides the love and little things, brings me joy. *I do “work”, but I will never let my life suffer for it. I do what I can while they are away and try to entrust them to people when I have to be with clients.

I often feel looked down upon, that I do not have a career. I have 2 bachelors degrees from a good private university, I have a teaching certificate, a Real Estate Broker’s License, but I choose to stay home and do laundry, lol. I was a good teacher and I think I am a pretty good Realtor, I would trade it all to be with my babies for the next 50 years.

For the first real time, my husband said he loves that I can be home and that I add to our savings when I can. OMG, that means more to me than anything, evr, praise heaven, that is all I ever needed to hear.

So… Back to savings…
Hubby is really starting to get into this. He spent all day Saturday doing the yard, usually we pay a helper to do it. We put our pop up truck camper up for sale and sold it after 1 day! for $350

Hubby offered to deliver it, it was rocking so much that it bent the little trailer. SO we had to get neighbors invloved in putting it on another trailer.

Poor camper

And as usual- we ate at home