I am loving Pay Per Post!!!

Making money while being home doing something fun--I am doing it!!! Don't listen to me if you are looking for a get rich quick scheme...but I have done my 4th blog....and you get to pick what you blog on....you don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to! I think it is fun to read about things I didn't know about--so it is fun to write....but again only things I am OK with writing about! I just got my first deposit!!! Check it out!!! Your first approved post is $20!!! Check out the site....
I just don't want to be selfish and keep it to myself!!! The customer service has been great to answer any questions I have had!!!

Is it too early to think about Christmas shopping?

It is never to early to think about Christmas shopping, is it? I love a good deal, who doesn't! What I don't like are the crowds, getting up early and waiting in long lines!!! Do you ever shop on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving? What if I told you there is a website that lets you buy Black Friday items without all the hassle of those long lines, getting up early and crowds??? Well this site exists!!! Get a jump on your Christmas shopping by checking out black-friday.net!!!! The site also offers email updates to let you know when new black Friday ads are posted!

I am sure you can find your favorite store--I found several! Target, Kohl's, Circuit City is always good for dh and Tommy Hilfiger is always a hit!! So check it out for toys, sporting goods, home goods, office goods, books.....it is endless and it will help you get a great list started for Christmas!!!! If you are a planner and love to save money this is perfect for you!!!! So why are you still here....hurry go check it out!!!!

Gas is making everything higher

In case you didn't know....how could you not.....the prices at the grocery store are effected....my friend's lawn mowing service has a gas surcharge....and now I just noticed my electric bill is higher--depends on how much you use but I did the math and we are paying 10-11 dollars more this month!!! So...what am I doing...continuing to look at the store ads for the good deals, and working on getting even better at coupons! I saved about $25 between coupons and BOGOs and store sales yesterday.....but I know I can do better....I am working on stockpiling up what I can when it is on sale....next week, I want to see if I can not go to the grocery store at all and use things on our shelves....it is a shame to say we have nothing to eat....when there are people who really don't.....so looking over the pantry and freezer, I will make my menu for next week.....other than a few staples....I think I can spend almost nothing on groceries this week.

Since we bought that car in March, I am on a mission to pay it off in 18 months or less...preferably less!!! Debt free--that includes the house is less than 4 years away!!!

Lap Band surgery

Not sure what your opinion is on lap-band surgery but I do know in some cases it can be helpful. Many people have tried--and it is not always easy to lose weight....if you are not in that position or have not been in that position--don't judge. It can be a life saving and life changing procedure. If you are seeking this type of treatment, check out Dr. Collier's site, lapband houston , for more information. The site can tell you if you qualify with a BMI calculator, there are success stories and free seminar information!!!

Dr. Richard Collier is a Lap-Band Surgery Specialist, who provides a comprehensive Lap-Band©, weight loss surgery program as an alternative to the more invasive Gastric Bypass Surgery in The Woodlands, Conroe, Houston, Kingwood, and Spring, Texas areas. His premier weight loss program combines his well respected 30 year level of surgical experience with a highly-praised after care team program approach for patients following their surgery.

FREE sandwich at McDonald's--just today May 15th

McDonald's is giving away a free Southern Chicken sandwich today, with the purchase of a medium or large soft drink. If you go in the morning/breakfast hours(7am-10:30), you must purchase a large coffee or a medium to large soft drink & you will get the Southern chicken biscuit free. Dinner time hours(10:30am-7:00pm), purchase requirement is a medium or large soft drink & you get the Southern chicken sandwich.

Money..what can we do with it!

5 things you can do with your money:
1. Spend it
2. pay back debt
3. taxes
4. save it
5. give it
(HOW MOST OF US DO IT)

or consider this order:
1. give
2. save
3. taxes
4. reduce debt
5. spend

It becomes more important to me to see where the dollars are going as gas has continued to climb!!! $.46 in one month and still climbing....I just wanted to share a few points from a lesson a few Sundays back.....

Lust of the eye--you didn't NEED it until you saw it! Set boundaries!!! (I am good at this in most areas except I love to buy for my girls!! So I need to NOT buy clothes just because they are cute or on sale....how many clothes do they really need, seriously!)

Everyone lives that way....well so what...it is NOT OK....I do not want to be a slave to debt!!!

God loves a cheerful giver....give anyway--you can become cheerful later! Break the cycle of greed....and watch how you get money back...an unexpected check in the mail, a cheaper bill, a free prescription, the thing you need is on sale for super cheap.....it is kind of fun to see where the blessings show up!!

Create a budget!
1. find you annual income (net)
2. Debts (home, utilities, clothes) how much you spend!

One big point that was made that stuck with me follows. We are a nation of gratify now--Parents and grandparents delayed and saved until they could pay--and they appreciated it much more. We rush out and borrow money to have it done NOW not when we can pay cash. So what are you teaching your kids--something to think about! Think of what you can do for your children and your grandchildren if you were debt free!
Ending with 2 verses:

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your plans to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Q-Ray Bracelet....check it out!!!!

Do you like jewelry? Well, you should check out the Q-Ray bracelet. I love things that are practical--not all the bangles type jewelry....so this is perfect!! It is worn by professional athletes, celebrities and people with an active life style! Why...because it is fashionable and not in the way!! It holds 3 patent designs....you can hear what others that have the Q-Ray bracelets have to say about it at QRay Bracelets !!!!



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If you don't set goals, you will NEVER reach them!

I can't wait until our activities wind down this month! My goal is to set goals! I want to make out my budget and get to My Total Money Makeover!!! Jennifer at All Things Frugal is always reminding me I can do better! So, I added up what we spent on eating out in the last 30 days--and remember we are limited in that area--and I was sick at what we spent! So with Dave and his cash system at the grocery store, using more coupons and cutting back in the just plain wasteful spending.....I am excited to see what we will do!!!!

So, I checked out Aldi's and was not disappointed!! I spend $53 and was amazed at all that I got! I have been told that most of the things people have bought there are as good as name brands and they do carry some name brands. As gas and grocery costs keep creeping higher, I am finding I am not such a brand name snob on my food! I have been slowly venturing into store brands here and there over the last year or so but am cranking it up as my check out prices keep getting higher! I am finding my taste buds are OK with everything I have tried to date! The pictures at the top are of all the things I bought for $53!!! Fresh fruits and Veggies, bread, eggs, pizzas, ground turkey, french toast sticks, cereal, spaghetti and sauce, salsa, cookies, ham, shredded cheese, sliced cheese, cinnamon rolls.....ooohhhh...I can't wait to go back and save more money!

Setting goals and achieving them....

I just read a post from a couple of homeschool families that really inspired me in a few ways. I hear people complain that they have no money yet they always have the latest clothes and toys. I hear people complain that they can't afford to take vacations....

Well, I just read one Mom that homeschools and is a single MOM. Then I read about a family with a limited budget--the kids want to go on vacation--guess what--they are earning it!! I am so independent and I am teaching my kids that--we don't do it if we can't afford it....we don't borrow or have someone else pay for anything...sometimes I think it would be nice to have someone to pay for things--but then I realize the lessons my kids see.....and they are priceless! They know the value of a dollar--yes they still ask for toys but no they don't get them. They see us save to buy things and plan our vacations...do they get all the budgeting--not yet but it will rub off....and we will raise good money managers--they will be the lender NOT the borrower!!! The head and not the tail...the first...not the last!

This last paragraph is from the family that is earning their vacation:

Our philosophy on 'I don't have the money" is "go to work". Our kids want to go on vacation this year, but we have a limited budget for that. They want to have some "spending money" while there so they are taking 3 weeks while Daddy is off and doing lawn care. You can easily make money during the summer cutting grass and cleaning up lawns and in the fall by raking leaves. If people truly want something they will find a way to get it...sell something or don't buy that big screen TV! hahahaha