New Price Book

 

 

With the economy the way that it is, it has become necessary for me to use a price book once again.  When Amy Dacyzn began the Tightwad Gazette as a newsletter, I followed her in starting a price book and cutting corners wherever possible.  After a while, I had the prices of most things memorized and need my price book less frequently and eventually gave it up altogether.  Today, I made a new one.  As you can see from the photos above, the front section has a small calculator, a necessary evil for middle-aged brains like mine, and a pocket divider labeled "Today."  This pocket will hold the day's shopping list and any coupons I use.  The subsequent sections of the notebook are divided by category, much like a coupon holder would.  Each divider has a pocket for that category's coupons and each section holds a columned sheet for pricing.  I decided to make a separate page for items that I purchase on a regular basis, like milk.  Each sheet has the date purchased, the brand (if applicable), the store that the item where the item was purchased, the size (how many ounces, etc.), the unit price, the comparable generic price available at that store, if I had a coupon & the value of it, and the final price.  It may seem like a lot of work or too much (or too little) detail, but these are the questions that run through my brain when determining whether or not something is a good deal.  I think this or any other price book would be a good project for a lady in waiting or newly married.  If you have a price book, please comment below how yours is different, as I'm always open to new ideas.

Creative Storage

I was looking at creative storage ideas and stumbled across this photo....I want one! :)

Planning Menus

For the past 25 years, my husband & I have had discussions about what's for dinner.  Haven't we all?

"What's for dinner?"
"Chicken breast & vegetables with rice"
"I don't want a lot of stuff.  Let's just have chicken and mac & cheese."  Or  "I've had a rough day; can we eat something fun" translation: "I want something unhealthy that's qualifies as comfort food.

These conversations are now coming to an end.  I have his word on it.   This past week, my husband's blood work and EKG all came back with telltale naughty signs that we need to make some changes for the better and soon.  We had a little conversation about our daily "dinner" conversations, and he has agreed to not change my menu provided that I plan a weekly menu and post it for him at the beginning of the week.  I agreed to do so and not compromise on veggies.  We're both happy with this arrangement, but the ball is now in my court to plan ahead a little bit more.  If you've never planned out a menu there is a good weekly menu printout available HERE.  (Be sure to check out the rest of her blog as well; it's worth your time.)  So, here I am, winding up this week and definitely thinking about next week's menu.  This is going to be fun!

New Twist on Chore Charts

Chore charts have always seemed to have the potential for becoming messy and haven't seemed to work well for us in the past. Today, I started working on chore baskets. You need two baskets; one for chores to be done and another for chores already finished. Since I love retro ads, I decided to make each chore card using retro ads found on the Internet. Not every chore will have a good ad, so some improvisation will be necessary. It's a work in progress, but here are my cards so far. Enjoy!

Closets

Our daughter is in the process of switching bedrooms, and the whole moving process is taking a lot longer than I would like. I've been working on her closet today, mainly putting together and filling a large (holds 50 pairs) shoe rack. I also have put in three small laundry baskets instead of the traditional clothes hamper so that dirty clothes will already be sorted. Hanging clothes are sorted according to season, sleve length and color. Next, I will add hats, purses, and belts. I was going to take before and after photos, but she has my camera. Instead, I have posted a fantasy closet picture. Break time is over, so it's back into the closet for me! :)

Wash Days

I am always looking for new ways to save time and/or money and be better organized; I seem to thrive on it. Recently, I grew so tired of emptying our laundry hamper in order to sort the clothes to see which load was most urgent, and I disposed of our 20 year old hamper. Instead, I took 3 medium laundry baskets and placed them neatly underneath the shirts hanging in our closet. We have a separate basket for whites, darks, and light colors. I can now see at a glance which load needs to be done first. So far, this system has worked great. :)

Time Saver?

Yesterday, I wanted to do something on the computer that should have taken only five minutes, but the computer had something else in mind. I found myself spending two hours "fixing" the computer; time I would have rather spent otherwise engaged. It made me wonder how much time this "time saver" actually eats up. What would I be doing if there were not a computer in my life (besides hopelessly trying to balance my checkbook because I stink at math)? Does this little box connected to an unreal world really make my life easier, or is it just something else to maintain? Something to think about... 

July is officially a fat month for my family. In it, we have two birthdays and a wedding anniversary. These events are accompanied by celebratory foods and added weight to our bodies. This year I reached the birthday milestone where I should now know the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything (please refer to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for my age).

What I can tell you (for those of you who have not reached this magnificent age) is that life is like a roller coaster hill. Once you finally get to a place in your life where you feel like you "have a grip on life" and can see clearly (usually your 30's), you look ahead and see that things will very soon begin to go downhill rapidly and you no longer "have a gripe on life."

I am at an age where I should be more organized than I am, because I know better. Long ago, I described my age as young enough to get away with it, but old enough to know better. Now, I just know better. So, with this in mind, I will try regain my "grip" and focus on organization in my life before this coaster starts to go any faster. :)
 

Colored Towels

Mrs. Calla Lilly always knew that watching TV could cause one to develop a nasty case of envy, but it has now become an apparent by product of blog reading. *eek!* I love reading about other people's lives, their routines, and their thoughts. I love looking for ways to improve my own life, routine, etc. But today, at WalMart, the green-eyed monster had a showdown with Mrs. Calla Lilly. I found myself buying white finger tip towels for my daughter's bathroom to replace her blue and yellow ones - which are perfectly good. Also hopping into Mrs. Calla Lilly's basket were white dish cloths that can be bleached to replace her usable green ones that match the kitchen. These near purchases were the direct result of reading various blogs regarding said products. *oy!* Mrs. Calla Lilly places the blame solely on herself. I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit nudged me before I actually purchased these items, asking me if I really wanted to drive my husband to an early grave by causing him to have to work more hours. :) I can only hope to partially blame this lapse of budget awareness on a sugar low as it was around 10:30 am, and I had no protein for breakfast. Please if you are reading my blog, do not let it lead you astray from your budget. :)

The Clutter Fairy

Yesterday, the Clutter Fairy visited our daughter's desk. Oh, what joy! She did a marvelous job of filing away papers and putting up discs,etc. She also left a little note behind that even Mrs. Calla Lilly could benefit from. It read: "If it's not picked up, it's not finished." What have you left unfinished today? 

Seasonal Shopping

If you have cash on hand (please don't use the credit cards) seasonal shopping can save you money if you are able to plan ahead. Here is a list of what is typically on sale each month.

January
Small appliances
Blankets
Quilts
Bedding
Towels
Computers
Holiday decorations

February
Housewares
Bedding
Floor Coverings
Furniture
Coats


March
China
Glassware
Washers
Storm windows
Dryers
Houses
Air conditioners
Corned beef (Just before
St Patrick's Day)
Frozen foods


April
Eggs
Paint
Women's and girl's dresses and finery (after Easter)
Wallpaper
Kitchen stove


May
Towels, linens
Radios
Televisions


June
Bedding
Floor Coverings
Furniture
Pianos


July
Hotdogs, ground beef
Washers
Dryers
Craft supplies
Fabric
Paper goods

August
Fresh vegetables
Rugs
Towels, linens
Bathing suits
Summer footwear
Pens, pencils, paper
Kid's clothing
Patio and lawn furniture
Air conditioners


September
Root vegetables
Housewares
China
Glassware
Paper, pencils, pens
Garden tools


October
Fabrics
Rugs
Houses
Cars
Fishing gear


November
Autumn decorations
Ham
Turkey
Houses
Flour
Sugar
Quilts and blankets
Space heaters


December
Houses
Flour
Sugar
Turkey
Seasonal decorations (after the
holiday)

Help for the Overwhelmed

Does your life seem like a never ending "to do" list? Do you feel like you're exceptionally busy, but you're still not getting anywhere? Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate what you are doing. As this week begins, I find myself asking whether or not what I have planned for the week has any Kingdom relevance. Yes, yes, taking care of the family and home does have Kingdom relevance, but I find that when I am overwhelmed and harried, the things that I do become worldly relevant rather than Kingdom relevant. I lose my focus & sight of the main goal. Am I doing what God requires? Am I walking humbly with God? (Micah 6:8) I find that often I am running circles around God in a panic to get things done. Suddenly, the sacrificial life that I seek to lead before God turns into my sacrifice of God and family for the sake of a "to do" list. So, as I begin this week and this day, I ask myself, "Why am I doing this, how can I glorify God through this, or is this what God wants me to do right now?" Slow down. Pray & think.

Am I Ready For Worship?

Hebrews 10:19-22

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Saturdays should be typically spent in preparation for the Sabbath, but I wonder if we really prepare rightly - or even at all. It has been said that we only prepare for what is truly important, so I often wonder how much we truly value our Sundays. Sure, most of us show up for church on Sunday with the assumption that we are ready for worship, but somehow I doubt that most of us are truly prepared.

I chose to post the above passage because it covers both the inward and outward aspects of readying ourselves to approach God aright. I have always been taught that it was important to put on our best clothes on Sunday, always having our shoes polished and our hair neatly arranged out of respect and reverence for a holy God, but what about our hearts?

Heart preparation is so much harder. Yes, most of us would agree that having a quiet time before church is a good idea, but there is so much more to it than that. Do I have one holy passion when I enter God's presence? Am I resting in His sovereignty, or is my mind wandering to the many duties of the week that lie before me, or am I noticing what someone else is wearing (or not wearing, as the case may be)? Am I harboring some small sin in my heart, unwilling to give it up just yet? Or have I strayed so far that attending church is just another thing to check off of my list of duties and I do not even think of preparation?

Perhaps our lives seem so frazzled that we believe we do not have time to prepare for worship and that God should just be happy that we made it to Sunday morning services. If we are honest with ourselves and with God, there is time, and God's plan of the Sabbath rhythm for our lives is restful and joyful. Yes, it does require sacrifice - the sacrifice of sin in our lives. Am I so far gone that I do not want to present myself holy and blameless before God? God forbid! I know in my heart that I have much to answer for before God where my heart is concerned; how about you?

Saturday's Jobs

 


As far back as I can remember, Saturday was (and still is) the day for changing sheets. It's one of the rhythms of my childhood that has stayed with me. To some, living life with a schedule is boring, but for me it is most often a source of stability and rest. I don't have to wonder what is first on my chore list on Saturday mornings because changing the sheets on that day is part of my natural rhythm just as trash day is Thursday and watering the plants is on Wednesday. Most household chores such as dishes and laundry need to be done daily, but there are those things which need to be done only weekly. One thing that needs to be done weekly but is not a chore at all is the Sabbath rest.

Proper rest on Sunday must always begin the day before. Are your clothes ready for tomorrow? Does anything need to be ironed or polished? Is your table set for breakfast and do you have a plan for dinner? Is your home neat and picked up to free your mind of the worries of household duties? It is very hard to prepare to worship God if we are scurrying about with things that should have been done the night before. I have begun Sundays both prepared and unprepared, so I know which is most conducive to worship. :) If you do not have preparing for Sunday on your Saturday schedule, give it a whirl and discover what a delight Sunday can become.

Too Much Stuff

I'm currently developing a new philosophy. While going into my daughter's closet to hang up one of her blouses that I had just ironed, I found a pair of jeans on the floor. This is not the first time I have seen this (understatement of the year), but this is the first time that it dawned on me that perhaps it's because she has too much, and she's not able to take care of it all. I then informed her of my idea, and let her know that I would be happy to alleviate her of her burdens by giving away what she was unable to care for (books, clothes, CD's, etc. lying around). The jeans were quickly hung up. While it sounds as though this was a "tongue in cheek" conversation, I was and am quite serious. Perhaps we are so overburdened with duties because we have too much stuff and try to do too much. My husband used to have a sign in his study that said, "Do less. Do it better." I believe there is a lot of truth in that. So, I will be examining my life and weeding out what I am unable to do or take care of. No, Mom, I'm not getting rid of our two dogs who delight in muddying up the carpet. :)