Guest Post

"Work Smarter, Not Harder" and would look like this.

Wages used to the best of our ability.
Own outright as much as we can.
Rely on God
Keep finances and financial goals in perspective.
Save what we can honestly set aside each pay.
Measure of our earnings for others.
Advice from the Bible, books, websites, trusted people.
Remember past dollar mistakes and learn from them.
Tithe always.
Extra money save half and/or put extra on a bill.
Record what you spend.
Never give up. You may have to regroup, but NEVER give up.
Organization saves $$$ and time.
Thankful for my job and God's provision
Happy with what we have.
Ask before we buy - something else to use? Do we really need?
Realistic goals, set 'em!
Discover what motivates you to save.
Energize and stay focused with short term goals.
Reap the benefits of finances in order.

By Sheryl from Columbus, OH

Eat out your Pantry!

I had recently been told that the average American household could live off it's stored food for seven years! Well, I don't think a person could do that in our household but it does raise a good point: We should eat out our pantries!

Or at least eat them down every once in while.  Or at least eat the food before it goes bad. You know, that one can of whatever that never makes it to the front or the one box of something that is left on the self unused.

I like to do this periodically throughout the year. I dispise having to throw away food and yet I don't like to be without some food stored up either. So quarterly (or when the grocerry budget seems tighter than usual) we eat our freezer and pantry stores down.

The added benefit is that we usually rediscover a favorite, or this Omma learns to cook something new and we have a new favorite, or this Omma just has to get plain old creative with what she has on hand.

Frugal Omma Shout Out!

I am addicted to Homestead Survival. They are on Facebook: Homestead-Survival and blogger: http://homesteadsurvival.blogspot.com/

There is quite a bit of random stuff in there, but if you garden or are a do it yourself kind of person, you need to check it out!

Friendly Reminder

Just a little public service post here.

There were times in my life where things have been tough. There were times in my childhood where things were extremely tough where money was concerned. In fact, it wasn't until years later when I was helping my mom with some financials that I was shocked by just how bad things were.  (And my parents never ever asked for government assistance!)  You see, my parents didn't go around advertising their problems. They didn't argue about money in front of us kids. (And were horrified when others would do so.)  Sure we could tell that our parents were stressed at times and knew that were weren't getting the latest and greatest things, but we were never "in the loop."  In fact, we often felt so very blessed by what we did have because that was the focus we had. We regularly gave to others who had (or we perceived to have) less than us.  Which is really, in my humble opinion, how it should be. Children internalize things and feel responsible when they are not. Take divorces for instance, most often the child feels that they have somehow caused this.  When a child hears about how much their clothes cost, their schooling costs, etc. they feel guilty. They feel like they should do something. That they need to help their parents. And really, unless we are talking about a high school or college aged child working a part time job to help with their own hobbies and college funding, it's not the child's job!

So my point is, please please please remember not to argue about money (or anything really) in front of your children.  Even if you think they are not paying attention, they are. And they are learning more than you may realize.

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

This is to be used for your automatic dishwasher. It works just as well if not better than store bought brands, in my opinion.

1 cup borax (found in the laundry aisle)
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
2 packets of Kool Aid (or 1/4 cup citric acid, found at brew stores...I find the Kool Aid easier and cheaper)

Put 1 Tbl in the the wash compartment and 1/2 Tbl in the pre-wash.

Put 1 Tbl vinegar in the "jet dry" compartment. (Be careful not to spill the vinegar into the wash compartments.)

Vinegar

I know I've probably posted about vinegar before, but I'm adding some more uses for it.

I clean my floors with a little bit of vinegar in a bucket of water (c. 1/4 cup to 1 gallon).

I clean my bathroom and kitchen with a vinegar blend. Take a mason jar and fill it with orange peels, add vinegar to top, let sit 10 days and then it's ready to use.

I clean my coffee maker and pot with vinegar. Take 1 Tbl of vinegar and fill the rest up with water. Run through the maker. Run just water through the maker afterwards as a rinse. Works great!

Vanilla

Oh vanilla, you are wonderful. How I love how you flavor the foods I bake. How I love the way you take the stink out. Huh? Yeah, you read that right, vanilla de-stinks!

Add 1 tsp to a gallon of paint, stir it up, and voila! The excessive stench is gone!

Put a little cup (1/8 cup) of vanilla in the bathroom to help mask the diaper pail smell.

Or put a little cup of vanilla anywhere you'd like a fresh vanilla sent. Yum!