how we save money {on groceries}

while in college we were bringing in two incomes. He from his job and me from grants, but since graduation last year and no job for me we've gone from two incomes to one.

In all honesty, I think it's a HUGE blessing because it's allowed us to cut out a lot of spending. Hubby still has a weakness for fast food, but don't all cops?

Since we bought a house in April and with me still not being able to find a teaching job that's forced us to cut back even more. Here's my breakdown from the amount of research I've done over the last few months and what really works for us! 

{Danielle}

{Callie}

These two women have been my biggest inspiration... but I shouldn't forget this guy either!! 

{BIG DAVE}

I haven't spoken much about this, but last year we were in major debt! we were able to make our payments every month, and we weren't behind on anything, but it was such a burden on us because we could never get ahead! 

We refinanced my husband's truck (mine was paid off), we moved in with the in-laws the day after Thanksgiving   , and used our tax refund to pay off some debt. I can't tell you how much money we saved doing that. We had no rent, no power bills, a very small grocery bill... it WAS fabulous {financially}

So now that you have the short version of our financial history.. here's the meat of the post! 

The month we moved into our house I was in the middle of taking Financial Peace University. I paid $89 {hubby was NOT happy about that} and received a hardback full of worksheets to help us budget and keep track of our spending/saving and misc purchases. {along with the CD version of the class, an envelope system, and a copy of his Money Makeover}

If you are interested in taking FPU, I suggest you look at flea markets or ask friends if they've taken it, because I honestly didn't think it was worth $89. It might not be a lot for other people, but that is a lot of money for us. 

anyways, the most helpful part of the class was the envelope system. I don't really use it anymore because it was too much of a hassle... I kind of modified it to fit our needs. Instead of actually using the envelope system for spending I use it for saving.... so when we take money out for the girls' clothing it goes in the envelope so we don't have to keep up with it in our actual savings account. 

We spend about $600/month on groceries for a family of four... which roughly comes to $125 a week, which I think is pretty good, because that includes cleaning products, toiletries, and diapers for the baby.

If there is any money left over, it goes in the envelope system, but most of the time, there isn't any.

Here is my system.

1. menu plan {I'm planned up for the year}

also, while menu planning, always have a leftover night every week {ours is Thursday}

we also eat out on the Friday nights hubby get's paid

2. write down EVERY INGREDIENT you need for the week/month

3. Shop your pantry first. Maybe you bought a meal that you didn't use one night and you have leftovers

4. withdraw cash out of your checking account, that limits impulsive spending {I didn't withraw this week because I really didn't feel like going to the ATM at 8 o'clock at night}

5. buy generic

6. When you see Buy One Get One, take advantage!!!

{from what I understand, Publix's BOGO is really two items for half off and Winn Dixie is truly BOGO}
7. Go by yourself 

Here are my receipts from last week's trip! 

I always go grocery shopping before buying toiletries because I feel like I can convince hubby to extend the budget if I ever need to since toiletries aren't really groceries. My grocery bill isn't usually this much, but I took out $10 so big girl could go to the book fair.

Once again, I usually don't buy food from Wal Mart, but hubby kinda sorta snacked on the food designated for big girl's lunch for the week.

If you add everything together for the week I spent &127.70 .... and if you subtract the $10 for bookfair, I spent 117.70

$8 under budget!!! 

I know that might not be much to you, but $8 can add up quickly... maybe a date night out for "free" in a month to 6 weeks! 

and when you see this USE ITT!!!! I cannot stress that enough. I started to get into the habit of it, and I remember they didn't print one out a few weeks ago and my heart was broken, HA!

Thinking about starting a menu plan series going like Danielle, up there. Anyone interested?

Happy Homemaker Monday #8

Go check out Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

The Weather::: 

61 degrees and sunny... absolutely gorgeous!

Right now I am::: 

sittin on the couch, with the tv in the background

just put the baby down for her nappy

still in my jammies

Thinking:::

how overwhelmed I am with maintaining the house today

My favorite blogpost of the week:::

I hate this e-card by The Mrs.

Something Fun to Share:::

Went to Mom's Marketplace this weekend (my first consignment sale, EVER) and I got so many amazing play clothes for the girls for fall and winter! I'm overjoyed! I even found a few things for my nephew and his mommy for Christmas! 

On my tv:::

I was told by hubby that I needed to catch up on Revolution so we could start watching it together... don't know 'bout that

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - spaghetti and grilled cheese

Tuesday - hamburger helper and green beans

Wednesday - shepherd's pie and salad

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - salmon, wild rice, asparagus (GB for kiddos)

Saturday - BBQ pork sammiches potato rings and Green beans

Sunday - honey lime shrimp, rice and salad (I'm a little worried about this meal so if you have any suggestions to make it a little more man-pleasing that would be AWESOME MOM!)

On my to do list:::

tidy up the house

make sketti sauce for dinner tonight

laundry

bathrooms

dishes

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

I give up! I never have the time want to make the time

Homemaking Tips:::

Don't know if this is a homemaking tip, but I thought it was really interesting

Homemade Nesquik

it's so yummy, very chocolatey! 

Looking around the house:::

the toy box is knocked over and toys are everywhere

kitchen is sorta kinda picked up from breakfast

the light is streaming in from the kitchen windows and backdoor.. no need for a lamp on today :)

From the camera:::

 

my front door decorations, why yes! I'm ready for autumn!!

On my prayer list:::

always for my hubby's safety at work

Bible verse, Devotional:::

This was the scripture that Jason preached from Friday night and it still resonates with me

⁹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth.“Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

I wish we had that kind of faith.

follow me around on my fantastic friday

So I have a secret that I’ve been keeping for about two weeks now and as much as I would like to say that I’m pregnant… that’s not my secret. But it is just as awesome.  Hubby got promoted about two weeks ago and today it’s official. He’s CORPORAL Croy with a law enforcement agency that shall not be named. Here’s the only picture we got from that event, mainly because mean mug on the left over there (big girl was in school, {insert sad face here}) wanted to take a nap.

Then it was off to substitute half a day and leave hubby and baby to do as they pleased (play video games and take naps). Oh, third grade, how I love thee!!

Go pick up big girl from school

Take a short nap because, let’s face it! I knew I was going to be WAAAAY up passed my bed time tonight.

Started dinner around 8 this mornin’ (French dip sammiches) in the crock, but started the trimmins’ around 5ish. Ate, gave the girls a tubby and it was off to Awaken at 6:30.

It was amazing, y’all! For it to be our first night.. Just simply amazing! 39 people showed! The music was awesome, the message was awesome. I knew this is where I needed to be tonight! I love my church, don’t get me wrong, I love my church family. I have confided in some amazing women because of that church and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

But, alas we are human, and because we are human there will always be judgment!  And a lot of times I have left feeling judged. Tonight was the first night that I didn’t really feel judged and I felt like I could “hang out” if I wanted to. I haven’t really explained what Awaken is, because I didn’t really know what the Lord wanted it to be until tonight. I still don’t know what the Lord really wants it to be. But I can tell you that this is what I witnessed tonight. We are a worship service for college age and 20 somethings. It’s a BYOC (bring your own chair), fast food, sit on the ground Indian style, praise the Lord on the top of a parking deck a block away from the most popular bar in Downtown Montgomery worship service!

 Im a SonShiner, and I think what Jason (I don’t know if you could call him a minister, but I will) had in mind is that we are supposed to help shine His light. What that meant for us tonight was basically this: we stood out in the street, OKAY the sidewalks, and directed traffic. We got a few weird looks. Some people pretended to be on the phone. It was epic! In the next coming weeks, if there is a college age or 20 something that needs prayer, advice, or needs help finding a church home, that’s where we come in!

I shared my testimony with you guys last week and I plan on sharing it with this group a youngsters roughly around December. Yes, still outside, and on the very top of the parking deck. Outside. I don't think you are getting the full affect here so I'll say it again. Outside, in December! 

We had an film guy out there and he’s gonna work on a short vid for us so we can get in on youtube and whatnot, but until then here are a few pictures from tonight’s event! I will definitely be sharing more in the weeks to come! 

our no name band, brooke guitar and vocals
Ashley, vocals

Thanks for comin out guys!

It's hard to see him, so I put a blip near his head... but look at that view!

Until next time y'all, 

Love God Greatly!

-Whitney

{Follow Me Wednesday}

Taking part in Follow Me Wednesday for the first time! Leave a comment/follow me and I will most definitely comment/follow you back! This is such a wonderful way to grow your blog and meet some really awesome new women !!

terrible tuesday

today hasn't been a good day. at all. 

but it's been a fabulous day all in the same.

woke up late.

made breakfast.

ate breakfast.

got big girl off to school, and came home

realized I was supposed to take my dad to the airport today

so I got together everything he asked me to bring over to him before he left

got the baby ready

got her bag ready

made myself presentable

drove an our and a half to south Montgomery Co

baby threw up on the way to "gan-fathers"

had to clean up baby puke

had to spot clean a carseat

had to clean baby

had to change clothes

had to take my dad to the airport in a puke/lysol spray smelling car

had to change baby's clothes because the cleaner didn't dry and she looked like she wet her pants

baby didnt eat any lunch at all because she filled up on cheerios

now I have to wash the carseat

now I have to wash two extra sets of clothes 

already had to wash bed sheets

already had a large to do list today 

and yes, I'm hiding out

I still have dinner to cook and clean up after

I still have tubby time

I still have a husband to encourage, and be there for

God promises an abundant life

He also says that there will be trials and tribulations

It's up to me to decide what today was for me.. a blessing or a curse?

I think it's strange how the Holy Spirit works

when you carry the Holy Spirit with you, you truly have a peace about you

Instead of letting every little thing bother me and sour me I let go and let God because

I got to spend the day with my daddy nothing was going to get in the way of enjoying that time with him. 

Have you ever had a day where NOTHING seemed to go right?

Did you use that day as a blessing or did you let it curse you?

Did you make your Heavenly Father proud?

I'd love to crawl up in the bed and let my husband take care of himself and the kids but that makes for a grumpy and ungrateful husband. who wants that?

I hope this post blessed you today! 

and don't forget to thank your Heavenly Father for all the wonderful things

He's done for you today 

-Whitney

Happy Homemaker #7

hey y'all. its Monday and you know what that means! I'm following this lady right here. I'm lovin her new button :) so go check her out


The Weather:::
rainy rainy rainy.. all day long

Right now I am: 
listening to the baby pitch a terrible two's fit. poor mommy and baby (don't worry, she's in a safe place)

Thinking:
I really want to crawl back up in bed and waste away the day (whoa was me)

On my tv:::

Today Show

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - spaghetti
Tuesday - perfect chicken, ranch taters, broccoli
Wednesday - leftovers
Thursday - porkchops, rice, white peas, and baked beans
Friday - dinner out
Saturday - french dip homemade fries and green beans
Sunday - hot chicken casserole rolls salad

On my to do list:::
volunteering at the big girl's book fair
laundry
picking up bathrooms
make beds
dishes

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
thinking about making our halloween costumes this year but I can't decide :(

Homemaking Tips:::
dont have buttermilk? Add a tablespoon of white distilled vinegar to a cup of milk and let sit for 5 minutes! 

Looking around the house:::
Hubby's at work. Big girl is at school. baby is over her fit and playing in her toy corner. kitchen is clean, and I'm ready for my nap

From the camera:::

say hello to my little friend :)

On my prayer list:::
my hubby

Bible verse, Devotional:::“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” Matthew 5:11-12 NLT

Thirsty Thursday: Part 3

Hannah was born in July 2006 and my life changed forever. That little girl was born to save my life and for that, I will always be grateful to her and my God for her! I know every mother thinks their child is special, but there is truly something different about mine.

I changed for that little girl, and I haven't looked back.

She was about 2 when we started attending church again, and honestly, I did it to please my mom.

I remember listening to the preacher in awe.... and one thing caught my ear..

He started to tell a story about these three stray dogs that he and his wife took in and how they depended on him as their "master" 

I don't remember the rest of the story because as soon as he said that I started having a personal conversation with God.... and it became very overwhelming.

The next year I felt like I was really growing in my relationship with God, and I really felt He was helping me be a better mother and caregiver. Even though my husband and I had a good relationship, I knew it could be better. I just didn't know how

I was baptized May 17, 2009 and it truly was the most spiritual moment of my life. I heard a woman speak one time about how she felt like she was being scrubbed clean from the inside out, and I can totally agree with her!

What my relationship with the Lord has done for me is beyond words. I've come to learn that God doesn't use our lives before salvation to show His might. He uses us before and after salvation to show just how awesome, how powerful, how forgiving, how mighty He is.

College was great and it wasn't too much of a struggle because I took it all in stride. 

Even though I was still in college, Hannah was four I felt called to have more children so we started trying for another. In March 2010 we found out we were pregnant with our second, but 8 weeks later we miscarried. 

Still to this day I can't describe the physical pain it caused me. I was so confused because I couldn't understand why God would do this to me... Why would he take a child from me? He knew how badly I wanted another child. He knew how long I had prayed for that baby.

I found such comfort in my Lord. He used that baby to bring me closer to some amazing women and allowed us to be an encouragement to each other. I will never know why that baby was taken, but it fills my heart with joy to know that he/she never had to know the sadness of this world. That precious baby is at home with our real father. 

We kept trying and in July 2010 we were expecting again! Praise God! 

During fall of 2010 I was pregnant, student teaching, taking care of a husband and four year old, when my grandfather fell terribly ill. My precious granddaddy had always had heart trouble, but he shown his brighter than anyone I knew! 

In March 2011 baby Maddie was born! she was so teeny I was scared she would have to go to NICU, but once again it was just an opportunity for God to show His awesome power through such a little baby. She's still teeny, but has the biggest, most amazing personality of any other child her age.

Six weeks later, I graduated from Troy University with my degree in Elementary Education. 

I still haven't found a teaching job yet, but I have full confidence that my Lord will provide in His timing. It's really hard most days because I wasn't made to be a stay at home mom. I was meant to TEACH! I was meant to ENCOURAGE! 

Shouldn't I be able to encourage my family first? Shouldn't I be able to support my family first? If I can't act out my love for my family how can I do that for someone else's child?

In July 2012 my precious granddaddy passed away. I stumbled upon the Duggar show where Jim Bob's dad passed away and I called my husband in tears asking "Do you think God is trying to prepare me?" The morning he passed was such a glorious morning. I woke up about 4 and went for a walk in the rain. If you know me, then you know I don't exercise... I just had one of those FEEELINGS (in my Dave Ramsey voice)

Oh the rain, what a cleansing rain. I was at such a peace that morning. We mourn for the earthly loss of his presence and I pray for Nana everyday who lost her best friend and husband of 56 years. 

I have witnessed just as much pain before and after I accepted Jesus into my life, but there is no question that I am different person because of His love. There is no question that I see things differently.

Because I have a love like no other for Jesus, it's so much easier to forgive. It's so much easier to love. it's so much easier to serve, because He has transformed me. My husband and I will be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary in January 2013 and he is my earthly rock. He has always worked so hard to provide for this family so I could continue my education and stay at home with the girls. He truly loves me unconditionally and supports every adventure I want to be a part of. We still have our moments and we aren't perfect. Jesus was the only perfect person to walk this earth. But because we want to set a good example for our children and because we want our marriage to work, we put Him first. There is still ungratefulness in our marriage (at times), on both sides, but we made a commitment to each other before we even made our vows, before we were ever Christians, that we would never get divorced. It can be so frustrating trying to reason with a person who has a different mindset from you, but that's where patience and forgiveness can really help and heal a marriage. We have the same goals for our family, but the petty day to day decisions can get in the way. We have a long way to go, but I am so proud of how far we've come. I know that sounds hokey, but he married into my hokey-ness. so its alright. This man is such a huge part of my testimony because he saved me. If it weren't for him I wouldn't have my children, who bring me so much joy! All he expects of me is to love him unconditionally, fill his belly at dinner, and keep his house clean. I know that sounds so old fashioned, but I will gratefully support and encourage him for the rest of my life. After putting up with me for so long he deserves it. He serves people all day long (he's in law enforcement) so I know it makes him feel special to be served when he gets home. 

A man from our church is starting a college and 20 somethings worship service and I am so proud to be a part of that. I know that I have a much different college experience from everyone else, but the passed year or so my heart has felt led to inspire, encourage, and love this age group because I know how hard this season of life can be. If someone had been there for me when I was younger and truly made me feel like I wasn't damaged goods, then things might be a little different today. But then again, everything happens for a reason, don't they? ;)

Thank you so much for reading about my entire journey!! I know it was a long one! I pray my testimony can encourage you today and fill you with hope :)

Have an amazing day!

-Whitney