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The Spender’s Guide to Saving Money (& kick your habit to the curb!)

9 sure ways to overcome & cut your spending habit!

Are you a spender? An impulse shopper? Shopaholic? Maybe your finances are out of whack, or maybe you’re budgeting and saving for that house…whatever it be, you can overcome your shopping addiction. How can I be so sure? Because you’re [virtually] looking at a recovering shopaholic. There I said it. [phew]

I can count on one hand how many times I’ve admitted that out loud. You see, for about the past 15 years, I’ve battled with bouts of depression and just unsteady emotional issues. Just like any girl, I’ve dealt with feelings of guilt, anger, insecurity…and for many years I found a temporary bandage for this….shopping…

Each and every time I went shopping [mostly alone] it allowed me to ‘zone out’ and push aside the negative emotions I was feeling. I was able to just be and focus only on the merchandise…the products, the sales, the displays, the fashion, the look. It was my escape.

But, fast forward time, and now I stand before you a wife, a mother, the backbone of my family. And this behavior simply won’t do. How can I trash our finances this way? Be so frivolous? How will my shopping decisions impact my family and me 3 months or 3 years from now? Most importantly, don’t I want to set a healthy example for my children?

A resounding YES for me please…and if its a HELL YES for you too, can we make a promise and commitment right now? Lets BOLDLY proclaim that we will persevere in this situation and have a positive testimony to share-not a never-ending trial!

Here are 9 different things that have helped me shop less and shop more intentionally:

Set a budget:

So important, if this isn’t set…you’ll feel as if you have no limits and won’t be cautious with how much is being spent

Carry cash:

Simple- you can’t overspend what you don’t have! This’ll surely help with budgeting as you shop

Make a list:

This one is crucial- shop. search. leave. Find what you’re purchasing, nothing more…pay and leave. Period!

Unsubscribe from emails:

Such a huge one, if you aren’t aware of ‘sales’ and ‘discounts’ you won’t feel the urge or impulse to ‘save’ and shop!

Avoid impulse sections:

You know what I mean, those sections that shops strategically place with HUGE sale signs [we used to call them end-caps] and truly just any section that’s a ‘button pusher’ for you…be it the jewelry section, the clearance aisle, or ‘snacks’ section. AVOID IT! [The latter two ~~are~~ were my weaknesses]

Give yourself a time limit:

This one is super helpful because it truly doesn’t give you the option to just ‘take a quick look’. When you’re on the clock, you’re on a mission!

Get accountability:

There’s just nothing like having someone check on you. Someone to hold you accountable to your word. Find someone you admire and ask them to hold you accountable with this journey to freedom!

Question yourself:

Always ask yourself, whether you truly need this item or merely want it…are you buying this because you can use it now or just because it’s a ‘good sale”? Can this wait? Will you get buyers’ remorse?

Avoid clearance racks and sections:

MY OH MY, just walk away!…….

What are your BEST tips to avoid overspending?
9 Things You Absolutely Don’t Need to Buy Your Toddler

Having children can be quite a financial burden if we allow it to be…

Here are 8 things you really don’t need to buy your toddler!

I’m no expert as I only have two children, but I’ll say there are wayyy to many products marketed for kids to the parents that are simply NOT needed!

Pull ups

I know every mama won’t agree with me on this here…I feel like the pull-ups always incite a HUGE unwarranted war LOL…But, in my opinion, Potty training in normal underwear may be more work with a lot more mess, but those training days will be shorter, I promise you!

Toddler ‘milk’ formula

Move along on this one…this is simply a marketing tactic for companies to get into your pockets! Give your sweet baby a healthy varied diet and they will be well. It’s not a necessity that your kiddos drink this ‘special’ toddler milk. If your kids drink milk, any normal type will do.

Candy/Sweets

I know I don’t need to explain this one! Resist the urge to introduce these sweets and/or use them as bribes…It’s the worst thing ever LOL. Candy is simply full of artificial sugars that contribute to soooo many ‘deficiencies’ and ‘disabilities’ Avoid at all costs.

Juice

Unless you’re giving fresh-squeezed juice this is almost packed with unnecessary sugars and nasty ingredients. Does your bottle or carton read: ‘fresh’ ‘natural’ ‘100% juice’? It may be….but after the pasteurization process takes over…we are left with a carton of unhealthy sugar 🙁

Sugar

Your little one doesn’t need any more help with energy! Try only using natural sugars…use fruits to sweeten meals and cravings or opt for honey, stevia, or xylitol.

Extravagant toys

It can be quite tough choosing toys that our kids will love, without buying everything on the market. My personal rule of thumb when toy shopping is simple: I ask myself 3 questions-
1. Is this priced right? Can I afford this right now? Or can it wait?
2. Is this toy durable? Can it take the rough treatment of use by a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old?
3. Will this spark creativity? Does this toy inspire my children to create?
If you can answer a yes to these questions, that toy may be a good fit!

Shoes with laces- straps only!

I had to throw this in here! Is it just me or do we have enough things on our to-do list as we are getting ready to run out that door? LOL. When I buy my girls those velcro strap shoes- I like to think I’m helping them grow in their independence! 🙂

Boogie/face wipes

Mamas- normal, plain ‘ol wipes or a wet cloth will do!

Hope you enjoyed this list 🙂

How else can we stretch our budgets?
how to live out of a hotel (even if you have a family!)

How to live out of a hotel (even if you have a family!)

Are you wondering why anyone would ever want to live out of a hotel? I know it sounds crazy, strange, and perhaps unstable. But, as a traveling family, this is one of the joys I’ve had to learn.

How I live out of a hotel with kids:

First things first, introduce yourself to reception and most hotel staff if you can. People love to help those they like. So, stay friendly, flexible, and approachable. Share your situation, how long your family with live out of the hotel, and ask for recommendations! Most hotel staff are locals that are eager to help you explore their cities.

If there is a courtyard available or garden, go ahead and bring a ball for a game of catch or football (soccer).

Is there a gym available?

Use it! Bring along a car seat (more compact) or a stroller for the little ones. Depending on ages. For me, this would mean putting my 7-month-old in the car seat and occupying my 3-year-old with games, a movie, or safely monitoring her “workouts.”

I’m sure people would have many different opinions on this, but I sometimes allow my oldest to use the bikes available. I also, only with my help and presence, allow her to walk on the treadmill slowly.

If there is a pool/jacuzzi or sauna available

Have fun with that! Although, be sure you understand hotel regulations on age limits, etc.

Use the hotel services to your advantage

Is there a computer room/business center?

Use this too! Go online and play online preschool games (many hotels offer free printing) and use these services to your advantage. Do they offer a shuttle bus to any nearby attractions or establishments? Take an entire day to browse the city you’re in.

Inquire about special rates/ discounts being offered to guests at nearby stores or restaurants

Always grab those free brochures/magazines sitting in the hotel lobby…they ALWAYS have some sort of helpful information or attractive discounts!

What are the pros of living out of a hotel?
- Fresh, clean sheets every day
- Never have to clean
- Room service
- Did I mention you will NEVER have to clean?! lol
What are the cons of living out of a hotel?
- No privacy
- Small area
- Limited to hotel food/no home-cooked meals (unless you resort to nearby restaurants or have access to a kitchen, etc.)
- On a final note, some hotels offer a childcare service, which can be a helpful resource to parents.
What do you think? Could you manage? Have you ever had to live out of a hotel?

PIN it FOR LATER-
How to pray with your children (because praying warriors aren’t built in a day!)

How to pray with your children

Everything we do in life brings an opportunity for prayer and falling at His feet. And it’s okay if prayer looks different for each child and each family. As a new Christian, I’ve always wondered, how can I pray with my children? Here are a few ways I’ve used, and you can try as well:

Pray from books:

At different seasons of life, it can be beneficial to read and savor prayers from books, devotionals and of course, the Bible.

Pray spontaneously:

This is exactly as it sounds! Praying in the moment, from the heart. It’s one of my favorite ways because there’s no planning or stress. LOL. Just plain ‘ol good worship. This is extremely powerful!

Pray with dance/movement:

When I had my first child, I knew that I wanted and needed to teach her the Word, but I had no idea how to do that. All I did *know, was that prayer was quiet and on your knees. [*based on observations as a child in a mostly Roman Catholic area] But, for our energetic, holy-spirit filled daughter, this didn’t seem like the best option for an infant-toddler. And one day, my husband just started singing rhymes and coordinating dance movements that I’d never heard or seen before. They were catchy, easy to learn, and most importantly, they taught her, US, God’s truth!

Silent prayer

I think this option may suit older children better [since they can understand the concept more], but there’s just something about teaching our kids that at any moment, they can quiet their spirits and speak to Him. Although this may or may not be an option for your family, it’s worth a try. I personally appreciate this type of prayer during certain times of the day, and when I opt for silent prayer, I tell my littles of 1 and 4 years, that ‘mommy is going to pray quietly now, so no loud noises. Only whispering. Time for quiet time.’

When family prayer doesn’t go as planned

Take 1. Take 2…Take 37!

Have you been there? Are you there right now?

In the midst of the ever chaotic, not going as planned, blue-faced moments of frustration… Yea.

You’re replaying everything in your head, wondering, how and where the heck it all fell apart. Everything was going according to plan. You see, hungry and easily distracted littles[squirrel!] don’t particularly care for detailed plans.

We plan everything ahead, and we expect family prayer to go according to plan. BUT, we aren’t praying with our priest, father, reverend or a nun. That would be picture perfect. Instead, we’re praying with children, a jungle of family members that’s far from quiet or peaceful.

Be prepared for tiredness, irritability, siblings bickering, and never-ending requests [potty or drinks anyone?!] Simply put, you will have loads of moans, giggles, and yawns, and that’s okay! I know its hard. It is. Really!

Not many of us are prepared for the darts across the room like an action hero cartoon character, when we’ve envisioned little well-behaved, eager to listen- angels. Or those mid-sentence interruptions with ever so important demands while reading Proverbs 8:33.

These are some of the ways I pray with our children and always eager for new ideas. Don’t hold any high expectations and certainly don’t stress over changed plans. Its normal mama. Hang in there and strive for progress, not perfection.

How about you? How do you pray for your children?

9 sure ways to overcome & cut your spending habit!

Here are 9 different things that have helped me shop less and shop more intentionally:

Set a budget:

Carry cash:

Make a list:

Unsubscribe from emails:

Avoid impulse sections:

Give yourself a time limit:

Get accountability:

Question yourself:

Avoid clearance racks and sections:

What are your BEST tips to avoid overspending?

Here are 8 things you really don’t need to buy your toddler!

Pull ups

Toddler ‘milk’ formula

Candy/Sweets

Juice

Sugar

Extravagant toys

Shoes with laces- straps only!

Boogie/face wipes

How else can we stretch our budgets?

How to live out of a hotel (even if you have a family!)

How I live out of a hotel with kids:

Is there a gym available?

If there is a pool/jacuzzi or sauna available

Use the hotel services to your advantage

Is there a computer room/business center?

Inquire about special rates/ discounts being offered to guests at nearby stores or restaurants

What are the pros of living out of a hotel?

What are the cons of living out of a hotel?

What do you think? Could you manage? Have you ever had to live out of a hotel?

How to pray with your children

Pray from books:

Pray spontaneously:

Pray with dance/movement:

Silent prayer

When family prayer doesn’t go as planned

How about you? How do you pray for your children?

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