Pretty up my Grocery Binder

So am I the only one that ALWAYS feels broke shortly after payday?? Yes? Anyone?

Well because I am sick of being broke I am (finally) taking charge. I have gone over our finances and made a budget for our family to stick to; one of the biggest things we needed to cut back on was food.

The hubster would buy lunch every day because we are too lazy to make it which is about $6-$10/day… no no boo boo, and of course I would go to the grocery store and spend way more than I should on stuff we didn't need.  

I have finally figure this out: I go to the grocery store, most likely Wal-Mart with both of my boys. They are chaotic. Lovebug can’t handle being in stores, his body freaks out. Turbo takes advantage of my attention being on shopping and keeping Lovebug contained in the cart while he is climbing out/throwing stuff/kicking me/whining and he in turns acts out by messing with his brother/jumping around/running into things/begging for everything. So now I have these two wonderful darlings creating chaos and instead of high-tailing it out of there, I subject myself to this torture by prolonging my shopping and go down every aisle looking at needless stuff thinking how much I could use that item to organize my chaotic life. Purchase said items and leave with $200 worth of junk, one night’s dinner and some snacks. THIS IS MY LIFE!! Still the only one?? Yes? 

So I am vowing to do better. And doing better is only fun if it looks CUTE! J

I made up my budget and gave myself $200 for groceries a week. Yes, I know that’s still a lot but I've got to work myself down. I also allotted $100/month for beauty and cleaning items.

I made this cute binder to make my grocery shopping easier. (I bought this really cute purple binder at Walmart for a couple of dollars and I had everything else on hand) I used 12x12 scrapbook paper of my picking, made up the labels on Word and glued it on, then stuck it inside the binders clear sleeve. So pretty now! 

The first thing in my binder is a clear zipper bag to hold my stuff:

•           highlighters (I buy most of my food at Walmart-yellow highlighter, and my fruits/veggies/chicken/deli meat at Publix-pink highlighter)
•   calculator
•             pens

The sheet directly behind that is a copy of my weekly dinner plan so I remember what I am making in case I forgot to add a side to the meal in my shopping list or something. I just made the dinner plan on Word. I wanted to add color to it so it was pretty but the hubster accidentally printed off a million papers and used all of my colored ink. waaa 

I added tabs to the next couple of sections.

The first tab is my grocery list. I got this from Organized Meg. She has some really cute AND free lists so go check her out! I love that it is sectioned off for me and most of it is written in already- who has time to write all of that EVERY time?! I highlight everything I need and then as I get it, I check it off the list. Here is where my highlighters come in handy. I highlight the stuff I am getting from each store in a different color. This makes it easier than writing stuff separately or forgetting what I already got! 

The Second tab is Notes. I just have some loose leaf paper in there. I write down items in a store ad to see if it’s a better deal than Wal-Mart. They price match and you don’t need the ad. So writing it down helps me remember so I can tell the cashier! Nothing fancy, just a quick note. J

                                 

  The third tab is a price book. Most of the time things are cheaper at Wal-Mart. But not always. I have not started my price book but I am going to. I will keep a list of the stuff I buy regularly and the price from Publix, Wal-Mart, Target, and Winn Dixie. That way when there is a sale, I will know the best price for it and where. This will also help with price match. I downloaded this price book sheet from here.            

                                                                   The last tab in my binder is Coupons. I do not do a lot of couponing. I don’t find a lot of coupons for the things I am buying and it is pointless to buy something just because I have a coupon for it. For me anyways. But I do find coupons I will use sometimes so I store them in these plastic baseball card sleeves. Pretty handy to see and flip through to find what I need.

    

So now that I have a cute binder to tote with me to the store, I KNOW I will be able to stay on budget! J

Oh yea, the hubster is off one weekend day a week so I have been getting up early and heading to Wal-Mart ALONE! Earphones in, binder with me, I ROCK these shopping trips now! And I come in each week under budget!! WooHoo!!!

 

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Life always gets in the way....

As is the story of my life, money creates problems.

I have been going back and forth about homeschooling the boys since April.

I finally made the decision to do it. With much excitement, I started piecing   together our curriculum. Some from eBay, some downloaded and printed off. I follow a ton of blogs and got so many great ideas. I've bought storage containers, markers, whiteboards, folders. 

Then my husband and I started talking money. We made a budget. We realized we can't do it without my income. And even then we would be scraping by. 

So I put an ad on Craigslist for babysitting. I got a couple emails. After hearing my prices they find someone else cheaper. I can't lower my prices unless I take in more kids. I can't take in more kids and realistically give my kids the one on one attention I want to give. 

So now it feels like the decision to homeschool has been ripped out from under me. Both the boys are so excited to homeschool. They did well in PS but it definitely is not where we want to be. 

I am putting my trust in God's decision and I know he will provide us what we need if we are meant to homeschool. But sometimes what we think is best and what is God's will are different so we will have to see how this plans out. 

But I am definitely preparing my boys for the possibility of going back to school in a month. And I am secretly sad that I may not be getting the chance to do this because of money. 

Leap of Faith

I am taking the plunge after so much stress, deciding, praying, discussing, and worrying. I have finally made a decision. We are going to homeschool our boys! Love bug will be going into kindergarten and Turbo will be going into 2^nd. 

I took this summer and slowly introduced some school work and routine to see how they would take to it and they love it! There are days when I have not done anything with school and Lovebug comes begging to do something!

That is my hope with homeschool, that they love it! That they love learning! My oldest loved going to school at first, then began to hate going at too young of an age. I think it sucks the life from them in a since. It sucks their love of learning, their creativity, their desire and curiosity that is innate to childhood.

So the decision has been made. Now on to the how’s and what’s of homeschool…

How will we set up the classroom? We will be using our dining room table for worksheets and writing, our couch or the floor or the trampoline or where ever else the kids are comfortable for reading. We are going to try the workbox system followed by so many http://workboxsystem.com/ and we have a bookshelf to store puzzles, games, manipulates, and of course books… lots of books!   

What curriculum will we be using? First, let me say I have researched a ton on this subject! I am a perfectionist to a point and I do NOT want to buy a bunch of stuff and then hate it and have to buy more. So I have been researching. I will not be using a box curriculum. Meaning you find one site that you like and use their whole grade level boxed set for Language Art, Math, Bible, Science, History, etc. I think there are certain companies that have wonderful curriculum for Math and another for Language Arts etc. So I have an eccentric idea for our homeschool. I have also decided on and then changed my mind a couple times so this may be a changing list J

Kindergarten:

Math- I am back and forth with this. I think I can print out my own worksheets from pinterest.com and teacherspayteachers.com and of course use a lot of play and manipulatives, but I also like what MathUsee has to offer.

Phonics/Reading- All about Reading level 1. I have heard so many great things about this company. I have checked out every sample they have and also joined their mailing list to get freebies and LOVE them! Definitely have not changed my mind on this one!

Handwriting- Again this one is unsure, I think I can just do printables and used sensory things (play doh and shaving cream) to practice his handwriting, but if you have any ideas of great curriculum that works let me know! I personally work best when I have a hands on guide of what to do. I do like Zaner Boser handwriting though.

2^nd Grade:

Math- I love Math Mammoth. Turbo is very excelled in most areas, math being one of them. I love How Math Mammoth teaches. We are starting with 2^nd grade workbook B.

Language Arts: I was back and forth on this one but finally found and love Learning Language Arts through Literature. We are using 3^rd grade as this is another area Turbo excels. This is another reason we love homeschooling. Last year Turbo just mainly read a lot because he was above what they were learning in class but the teacher (although I loved her) couldn’t teach to his level, had to stay at class level. So he would go in the back and read or get on the computer. At home I can just move to a level that challenges him!

Science, History, and Art will be taught together and we will be using Story of the World volume 1 for History and Home Art Studio Kindergarten level for art. Science is still up in the air. I was originally going to go with Apologia but then I found A Reason for Science and liked that it was more catered to the younger mind and had a lot of hands on science, Noeo Science was also brought to my attention for the same reason. So Science is still up in the air.

I would love to hear what you all are using and if you have any suggestions for this newbie please share! J

Note: I am not affiliated with ANY of these companies and have never used any of them before. This is just our journey though this life.

HOME SCHOOL DILEMA

I haven’t had a lot of time by myself to get on and blog… but I do miss it and the sanity it brought me.

I started working part time as a substitute teacher and I realized how much I absolutely LOVE it! I can only sub at the school my boys are in because my youngest doesn't qualify for the extended day program offered by his school. That doesn't leave me with many days to sub in our small school. I usually get in 1-2 days a week but have had the occasional teacher that needed to be out for longer. It is such a rewarding (and yes I am going to say it, FUN!) time. I love scouring the web, Pinterest and TPT to find fun stuff to bring. I have bought my own treasure box items and used it alongside the teacher’s behavioral plan. I created (going off of the idea of others on TPT) a fill in the area note to leave for the teacher of our day, and I have gotten to know so many amazing students and teachers!

So now to my dilemma...

The school we are in now is not our zoned school. We are there on a variance for both my boys because my Lovebug is in the ESE pre-k program. Next year he will be starting kindergarten and we will be moving to our zoned school. My middle has been at this school for kindergarten and first and will be switching to a new school for second. On top of this, we will be moving within the next year or two and may have to switch schools again! The idea of it breaks my heart! My oldest is in middle school, and although she is a great student. Ok she is a little too social at times and slacks on her school work, but for the most part she is wonderful. Her school and the high school she will be attending in 2 years scares the CRAP out of me! There are the usual fights that constantly break out everywhere, the make-out sessions and worse in the bathrooms, the drugs and cussing and bullies, then there’s the gun that two high school students brought on campus, the knife that was pulled out during a fight, and so much more that scares me.

So what should a mom do? I can’t protect my kids from everything, I have to let them experience life, I can’t shield them from all dangers… right? I love teaching and my kids would most likely benefit more from being homeschooled so I am contemplating doing that. I am weighing the pros and cons, trying to get all of the facts and opinions from as many sides as I can.

So far here is what I have:

PRO

CON

o   Home as a family to spend more time together o   More 1:1 learning than in a full classroom o   I love teaching so I think I will be good at it and not get burnt out quickly o   Without the social scene being a major influence in my eldest’s day I think she will learn and progress further o   SAFETY (They will not be exposed to the amount of bullies and hormonal kids walking around on campus)

o   Together ALWAYS o   Finding the right curriculum can take time and Waste Money on ones we don’t like or use o   Can get expensive between school supplies (I am a Supply junkie) and books, equipment, furniture, etc. o   I tend to start some projects and not finish (so What if this is one of them) o   Even though I know we can find other means of Socialization I worry that they won’t get enough. I will have to quit my part-time job and lose that income

So my question is: Do you home school? If yes, can you give me some pros/cons, If no, would you? If not, why?

Also I would love to gather as much info to make an informed decision, so if you do home school what are your top must-haves, how did you decide on the curriculum (what do you use) Do you plan on doing it through high school? What have been your biggest issues with home schooling?

Please leave answers in comments! :D

Thanks guys!!!

XOXO Angela

This is another reason why I am a little skeptical of home schooling... My kids are umm, little monsters sometimes. In the short time I was writing this my lovebug wrote on the wall (and his brother’s neck) my middle has been up and down picking fights with the youngest. SIGH...

Making the Change

I am a stay @home mama, that's what I've been for most of my adult life. But with 3 kids, one with autism that requires speech, OT, and ABA therapy money is tight. All 3 kids will be in school full time soon so I am looking for a part time job to help supplement some income. And let's face it, I'm a girl so I like to shop, duh! So it would be nice to help lessen my husbands burden of bringing in the bacon.

I've also gone over our spending habits to find ways to save. Our biggest spender. The grocery store! There are so many little ways I am trying to save with this so I am hoping it adds up to big bucks! I shop at 2 places, sometimes 3... Walmart and Publix and occasionally Target. I started shopping at Walmart to save money but end up spending a ton more on things not on my list. Cool new toys, that art project I saw on pinterest, some yummy new shampoo or make-up. Next thing I know, I've spent $200 and I only got 2 nights worth of dinner!

So day 4 I forgot to get dinner, I'm exhausted and fast food/ordering pizza seems quick and easy, there goes another $20, the next day is a repeat because let's face it, I'm a procrastinator so there is another $20.

I finally make it to Publix for a quick easy in easy out and spend another $60-$80 on 2 more nights worth of dinner. Another quick fix fast food or going out to a restaurant and there is anywhere from $20-$80 dollars. I will also run to Target to pick up some snacks for the kids lunches and another dinner and come out spending another $100 on I really don't remember what. So all this adds up to me spending roughly $900-$1000. On food a month. We are a family of 5 but my 4 yr old is super picky and won't eat much. So really a family of 4 is eating for about $1000.

Yes, I agree, something has to change! That is hard earned money that could be going to new clothes. Ok fine, the savings account!

So I am making the change! I have done extensive drooling, I mean searching for dinner ideas. I wrote out a full 2 week meal plan that will also give leftovers for my husband's lunches (which cost us another $150 every two weeks.) Making the meal plan keeps me from spending extra at Walmart and Target on stuff we don't need too.

I am in the process of making a food price log so I can compare store prices for the cheapest. In the past I've relied on my memory, which lets face it, is withering into the abyss! This is taking some time so it's not quite saving me yet.

I made my grocery list today and ventured out to Walmart. I bought two weeks worth of dinners, breakfast staples, lunch foods and snacks. I didn't roam around Walmart. I went straight to the grocery and got my stuff and left! I did use a couple of coupons but nothing to be excited about. I walked out spending $203 on JUST food! I patted myself on the back! I don't usually shop at Winn Dixie but most of my dinners call for chicken and its Bogo at WD right now. So after dropping off my Walmart food, I left for WD. I spent $33 and got 8 packs of chicken breasts.

My wonderful, super amazing, darling dearest (in case he reads this later) husband cut up all the chicken while I wrote each meal on its own freezer bag. We then divided up the chicken accordingly. Some of the meals I could add all or some of the ingredients with the chicken.

So now i have almost 2 weeks worth of dinners in my freezer ready to be cooked! Another pat on the back is deserved!

I will have to go back and research where I found my meals so I can place correct credit to the person. So that will be for another day.

Do you have any extra savings at the grocery store ideas that you can offer? I'd love to hear it!

Yummy Goodness Baked Into a Cake

Today is my husband and his twin brother’s birthday! And birthdays mean CAKE! I am not a chef, cook, baker, or anything else that does anything in a kitchen. I mean I can follow a recipe and it will taste good. Sometimes I get crazy and will add some different spices. WHAT? I know, I warned you…crazy!

Well my in-laws love this certain pistachio pudding recipe that is more mousse-y than pudding-y (I know those are words) and of course I made this one night while my wonderful friend was over. She had the brilliant idea of turning it into a cake frosting…. So viola, birthday cake idea was made!

It was super easy and super yummy! Here’s what ya need:

     1.   1 box cake (I told you I wasn’t a baker!) I used Duncan Hines

     2.   The ingredients for the cake(3 eggs, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup oil)

     3.   3 boxes of pistachio pudding

     4.   2 cups of milk

     5.   Container of cool whip

     6.   Mini chocolate chips (if you want extra goodness, of course)

I mixed the cake according to box, adding one pack of the pudding mix to the cake mix.

Note: my cake was a little too thick so I added about a Tbs more water and a little more oil. Only if your mix is too thick.

I blended and baked the cake in two 8x8 round pans (or they were 9x9, I am not positive)

Because I wasn't sure what size they were exactly, I put the timer on for a couple mindless than the called for time. The toothpick was still messy so I cooked them for 5 more mins. Took them out and let them cool in the pans on a wire rack.Left for a couple hours to go play with my friend and then came home.

Time to make the mousse-y pudding-y frosting!

Dump the remaining two boxes of pudding mix in a bowl, add 2 cups of milk and a container of cool whip. Mix together and stick in fridge to chill. After a bout 15 mins, about the length of time it took me to get dressed for dinner, I took it out of the fridge and dumped in a handful of mini chocolate chips. OK fiiiine, two heaping handfuls! Then fold the chips into the pistachio pudding mix.

Now frost the heck out of your cake, layer your second cake on top, frost the heck out of that one and then it’s go time!

You should also have a heaping pile of pudding left in the bowl. Save that for when hubby is working late, kids are in bed, and you decide you want a yummy snack; suddenly remember the pistachio mousse pudding hiding in the secret part of the fridge (wait that should be invented! Secret compartments) and do your happy dance! 

If you make this I hope you enjoy it! Please leave me nice comments telling me so! If you don’t like it you can leave me nice comments telling me I smell nice and I’m pretty but you don’t care for the cake! ;-)

Love Always,

Angela xoxo

Have you seen my mojo?

I have lost my mojo. You know, that thing that carries you through this world a little happier, a little easier. I don’t know when it left, where it went, or how to get it back. I am a mother to 3. I stay at home and take care of them. That is what my life is.

Trust me, I am not complaining about that! I love that I have the ability to stay home. I am not “whining” about that because I know there are a lot of people who would love to stay home with their family but have to work.

It’s just somewhere along the way I lost who I was. I lost what made me feel special.

I get up every morning and my life is immediately “mom” I jump into doing for them. For the rest of the day it’s making their food, cleaning up their mess, keeping them from yanking each other’s heads off, taking them to the store, keeping them from climbing the walls at the store, coming home and trying to clean while having my 4 year old chew on the lamp cord, my 6 year old punching him the back of the head. My 12 year old laughing at me when I tell her if she doesn’t stop talking back to me she is going to be in trouble. Fighting bedtime routines, having my 4 year old clench his teeth shut while I brush his teeth, spitting on me because he is mad. Having my 6 year old slam the door shut because he pushed his sister as she walked past so she pushed him back and then he got in trouble. Finally getting them into bed, exhausted but not wanting to sleep because I NEED some time to myself. But using that time to veg out instead of reminding me what I loved about me. Doing something that I loved, that is just for me.

I have a 4 year old son, Lovebug who has autism, my 6 year old, monkey-boy has ADHD and my beautiful 12 year old daughter, Trouble is a pre-teen! That equals CRAZY in my house! It also means mom is all I have time for.

But it’s turning me into a grouchy, moody, don’t wanna go anywhere or do anything with anyone kind of mom. I am tired. Tired of having to fight to get my kids to listen and tired of breaking up the fights between them. (Yes I get the irony of that, but I can only fix one problem at a time)

For now I am fixing me. I love photography! My whole life I have always wanted a DSLR and finally got one. I am teaching myself, very slowly, how to take it off Auto and I’m exploring life through the lens. I am finding myself wanting to take the kids out and have fun so I can see what magic appears on my LCD screen. I am trying to make my kids smile so I can capture it. I am finally getting my “happy” back! 

This is my Lovebug                      

These are my attempts at taking my camera off auto J