How I Did This Week (12/31-1/3)

BI-LO
Total: $11.06
Savings: $7.61
My Cost: $3.45
Percentage of Savings: 69%

FOOD LION
Total: $85.74
Savings: $70.88
My Cost: $14.86
Percentage of Savings: 83%

INGLES
Total: $45.26
Savings: $25.29
My Cost: $19.97
Percentage of Savings: 56%

TARGET
Total: $34.26
Savings: $19.70
My Cost: $14.56
Percentage of Savings: 58%

Smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Just wanted to share another great way to get freebies and be the first to try new products. Click on the link and sign up. They don't spam you, and your first mission right now is to try out a 50ct bottle of gummy vitamins which my kids are super excited about. You can also link to the Proctor and Gamble brandsaver site from there and get some great samples of new cleaning products. Just thought I'd share!

How I Did This Week... Sorta

So things have been insane with Christmas break happening and Allen working constantly, so I haven't really done any regular grocery shopping.  I did an impromptu Publix trip today which was very profitable, and I may hit CVS later because I can shop there for free now with my ECBs... but other than that, I may do a little here a little there throughout the week when I can.  It's really neat though that there's nothing that I really have to have right now in order to make it through the week.  That's a huge blessing.

As a side note:  My apologies to anyone who read my last blog post.  I wasn't feeling well and really should learn to just wallow in misery on my own instead of indulging in a public tirade.  Sorry.

So here it is!

PUBLIX (12/27)
Total: $92.06
Savings: $71.01
My Cost: $21.05
Percentage of Savings: 77%

CVS (12/27)
Total: $43.20
Savings: $41.75 (plus $5 ECBs to spend next week)
My Cost: $1.45
Percentage of Savings: 97%

Why am I writing?

There's really no point to me writing.  I'm afraid to open my Bible just now, which is what I really want (and need) to do, because if I do, the 2 remaining children awake will surely need me for something mid-verse.  I am in desperate need of a deserted island right about now.  Or an evening away.  Or a 5 minute shower by myself... without someone banging on the door or fighting in the background.  SIGH.  I know I'm whining.  I started getting sick last week.  I knew it was coming.  But I had so much to do.  Maybe it is really stress-induced.  Which makes me even less inclined to go back to the doctor.  I'm tired.  In a way that I can't even describe.  100% drained.  I really want everybody to be happy and get along.  But I don't know how to make that happen.  And my moodiness and lack of energy isn't helping any.  We made Christmas crafts today and now the house is trashed.  The kids fought.  And I yelled.  And I know I said I hate Christmas more than once.  I suck.  I remember Christmas being magical.  Why can't I do that for my kids? It really seems unfair.  I just can't keep up and I end up screwing everything up for everybody.  With the rest of Christmas "break" looming over my head, I am completely overwhelmed and exhausted.  I hate that I feel that way.  I want to be so different than I am.  Argh.

How I Did This Week

This is a "so-far" post... I still have to go to Publix tomorrow, but wanted to get a start on my post and sum up how I did today!  Got some great deals, including some freebies using shoptxt (mailed me some coupons for free stuff at Food Lion), 2 bottles of ALL laundry detergent for $0.99 a piece, free batteries and some nearly free John Freida shampoo/conditioner... amongst lots of other super steals.  I am really really excited because I am getting closer and closer to the $50 per week spending limit I would like to ultimately achieve in the coming weeks... And I am saving a much larger percentage as well, thereby actually getting more groceries, with much much less money.  I am also excited that I now have remaining ECBs and RRs to start my week off at Walgreens and CVS next week... with a potential for shopping with little/no out of pocket expense!  This is what I've been working up to this past month and I am so happy to see it coming to fruit!  It's been totally worth some long hours and much effort.  The process is getting simpler and because I have a surplus now of necessities, I can shop only for the extra wonderful deals that end up being free or nearly free... I didn't think it could be done... All the glory to God for putting me on hold where I am in life, introducing the needed resources and giving me the patience and courage to try new things and stick with something!  Thanks!


FOOD LION:
Total: $29.44
Savings: $27.44
My Cost: $2.20
Percentage of Savings: 93%


BI-LO:
Total: $15.31
Savings: $12.23
My Cost: $3.08
Percentage of Savings: 80%


CVS: (notice~ I actually MADE $8 shopping at CVS today!)
Total: $28.41
Savings: $23.68 (plus $13 in ECBs to use on my next trip)
My Cost: $4.73  
Percentage of Savings: 83%


CVS: (2nd trip!)--I had to add this... gotta love free shopping trips!  : )
Total: $34.21
Savings: $33.41 (plus $13 in ECBs AGAIN!)
My Cost: $0.80 (tax)
Percentage of Savings: 98%




WALGREENS: (with my earnings, it's like spending $9 for over $40 in merchandise!)
Total: $42.04
Savings: $28.60 (plus $4 in RRs to use on my next trip)
My Cost: $13.44
Percentage of Savings: 68%


INGLES:
Total: $44.22
Savings: $20.60
My Cost: $23.62
Percentage of Savings: 47%


PUBLIX:
Total: $130.99
Savings: $84.44
My Cost: $46.55
Percentage of Savings: 64%


TOTALS: (updated, including Publix and 2nd "free trip" to CVS)
Total: $324.62
Savings: $230.40
My Cost: $94.42
Percentage of Savings: 71%

A Different Kind of Resolution.

So now is the time of year where we start feeling bad about all the money we're spending so frivolously on Christmas presents we don't need, all the cookies we're eating in honor of having "holiday spirit," the busyness and time-crunching acrobatics we're performing in order to make our own way... And so we swear to these things called "resolutions."  We resolve to get rich (stop spending frivolously), get skinny (quit eating cookies and get up off our butts), and prioritize (stop running around like chickens with our heads cut off).  It's all out of guilt.  And it fails every time.  I mean seriously... if I had succeeded at keeping these resolutions last year, would I be pledging to lose the same 10 pounds this year?  Would I be swearing I'm going to get up at the butt crack of dawn every day and read my Bible?  If I had succeeded at last year's resolutions, I could just sit back and take it easy (laughing at everyone else) because obviously if out of sheer will power, I was able to accomplish really anything at all, I must be perfect.


I want to challenge you to make a different kind of resolution.  A resolution to start your year depending on the favor of God to make it through til next year.  And not just make it through, but accomplish something for Him.  Make a difference.  Be used.


I have a favorite way of making this kind of resolution.  Maybe it won't be for you.  But perhaps after the initial reluctance and excuses fade... perhaps you could consider joining me.  


It's called a Daniel fast.  (read the story of Daniel.  it's... well... it's in Daniel.  In the Bible.)


Hear me out.  This is not about rules and strict adherence to some sort of impossible expectation.  Remember, it's about starting your year off depending on God, not yourself or your circumstances.  You can modify it how you like.  I have done it many different ways.  One year, in addition to eating only vegetables and fruit, I cut out coffee (BAD IDEA).  Another year, was just no animal products.  Alot of people will just include plant based, plain foods and no alcohol.  Talk to God about it.  Get a plan and then depend on Him to see you through.  And during that time, really seek His will.  Seek out opportunities to serve.  Try out some new directions.  Step outside your comfort zone.  Be brave.  Remember you're not doing anything on your own.  You're learning to live in His strength.


My suggestion: make a list of things you are seeking God's will on.  Each morning (or evening, whatever works for you) after you spend some time in your Bible and do your regular prayer or journaling or whatever you normally do... cover these topics with God.  You don't have to whine and fuss and be frantic.  You're laying everything down and giving it over to him.  By doing the fast, you're giving him control of these situations and waiting to see how he will handle them. 


It's 21 days.  I've read that a habit takes 21 days to secure.  So this is a good time frame to learn dependence and followership (no, I don't think that is an actual word, but that's ok).  We are so used to leading.  Sometimes it takes a deliberate act of the will to take that step back and acknowledge that No, I am not God and I'm not going to try to do His job.  I start on the 1st of January and go to the 21st.  But you could start on the 2nd if you have some huge family function to go to or whatever.  


What have you got to lose right?  I think the Daniel fast is one of the best disciplines for going deeper in your relationship with God... Why not give it a shot?


In a few days, I'll be posting a list of some of the things I'll be seeking God for this new year.  Maybe you will join me in some of them.  But be thinking about your own list in the coming days.  This is a resolution worth making!

E.T.A.  If you decide this is how you want to start your new year, let me know!  That way, I can be praying for you too, that God will use that time to speak to you loud and clear.  Thanks for reading.

2 Peter 1:

^5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
 ^10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Haven~ How You Can Help

I just got back from visiting The Haven Homeless Shelter's new home!  It is amazing... They can now house 35 people, 3 months at a time... They house them, feed them 3 meals a day and teach practical classes on job skills, life skills... everything from how to interview to grocery shopping on a budget.  There are some really wonderful people living and working there.  People who have a lot to offer our community.  And it is so exciting to get to be a small part of what is going on there, and the transformations that are being made.


For those of you from Hub City Church and elsewhere who so generously gave the Gift of Toys this last week... THANK YOU!  It was a huge gift and greatly appreciated.  How beautiful to give above NEED this time of year.  The kids at The Haven are going to be super blessed this Christmas.


Now as you know, The Haven has a new home, more rooms, and therefore more potential to give a home to families in Spartanburg without a place to call their own.  And just in time for the cold winter weather to set in.  HOWEVER in order to be able to do that, there are some needs that must be met quickly or some rooms will be open and available, but empty because of a few technicalities.  Here is a list of needs.  If you have any of these items and are not using them, or if you feel led and are able to purchase them used or new... Now is the time :-)  And again... If you don't have the time to shop, I would be happy to shop for you if you prefer to donate money.


HOUSEHOLD GOODS
*2 Dressers
*2 twin bed frames OR 1 queen frame (to put 2 twin mattresses on)
*1 set of bunk beds and mattresses
*Bookcases
*Shelving (they have linens stacked on the floor right now)
*Cabinets (this is for extra pantry use as there is less main floor storage at this house... The large Rubbermaid type cabinets would be excellent!)
*Clothes racks (they now have a storage building in the back where they accept donations, and would like to hang clothing donations on racks so the residents can more easily do their "shopping" there)


FOOD (while they will eventually be eligible for a food grant through the state, this is going to take some time and probably training to keep up with the paperwork, so they continue to need donations of food, especially perishables at the moment)
*Eggs
*Milk (5-7 gallons per day)
*Bread


Thanks for whatever you can do!  Spread the word.  Let's get The Haven through this winter as a community who cares about the people who are ultimately going to make Spartanburg a better place to live.


P.S.  I am so so excited!  I am getting my own class!  Like an actual calendar of topics on a rotating schedule!  You just can have no idea how pumped up about this I am... ALSO... I am getting a guitar student after Christmas... a PAYING one!  Woohoo!  


God is awesome.  I can't even begin to understand how He works.  I am just amazed and super grateful.