In society many people are suffering by the lost of jobs or cut back in their hours. With these cut backs, one can really struggle to make ends meet. I will show/tell you want David and I are and have been doing to make ends meet.
1. Make a budget! The most important is to make a budget and stick to it. Also, make sure that your spouse, if you are married, is on board with you. Both of you must sit down together and make up a budget together. Making a budget together is so important as it allows each of you to see what is needed for the month and especially just what bills there are and just how much money is coming and going. It is the communication between you two that will keep your marriage a happy one.
2. After making a budget, make a plan to get out of dept. Look to see what item you can pay off first, get it paid off. Maye a high interested credit card? Then don’t go back into dept with that item. Example: David and I had a truck payment. Once we paid off his truck, we then put the truck payment toward another dept like our house payment. We were putting our truck payment toward our principal on our house payment then I lost my job. We did not go out and buy another car or truck.
3. When David gets paid, we take out $80 cash for the grocery money. We only pay for groceries by cash, so when our cash is gone no more groceries until the next paycheck. This causes for some preparing, making a list for those items that you need and at times, I have even made out menu s of what we will be eating for the week.
4. We now turn off our hot water heater during the day. It was reported that a hot water heater takes up about 30% of your electric bill. We turn it off at fuse box and then turn it back on 15 minutes before we use it. We did notice a drop in our electric bill.
5. During the day, I turn our AC unit up to 80 degrees. There is no since in cooling the whole house, when I will only be in one or two rooms. When I am in those rooms I turn on the ceiling fan, the turn the fan off when I leave. When I leave the house, the AC unit goes up to 88, that way it does not run a lot when I am gone.
God doesn't want His people to suffer. But I also believe, that when we abuse or not use what He has given us correctly, then we suffer at our own hands.
On Thursday, I will post some of my cleaning tips. I hope that these little tidbits were helpful.
Blessings
Sherry
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Weeds
Ever wonder why God gave us weeds?
I can honestly say that David and I have the true Florida yard, a yard that has been taken over by weeds with very little grass. We even had an invasion of cinch bugs that ate what good grass we did have. We even get those signs in our yard from companies like True Green to let ‘us’ treat’ your yard...for a price. We decided that we would look into having a company to treat our yard, maybe we can get the grass to come back one day. Right now we are just getting estimates.
As I was watching David and this guy walk around our yard last week, a whisper came from God. I was reminded of Matthew chapter 13. The first part of the chapter, Jesus talks about the farmer throwing out seeds and how some of the seeds falling on good soil, rocky soil, thorns and paths. This chapter also talks about the seeds among the weeds and how the weeds choked them out.
Like our grass, David and I allowed the weeds to take over our back yard. The weeds have almost destroyed our yard. God whisper to me that many Christians are just like these weeds. They are not rooted in God’s word, they are not doing God’s work; instead, Christians are allowing the weeds to choke them out.
I have allowed weeds to destroy my study life. I have allowed those who caused me great pain this past year to cause me not to pick up my bible as much as I used to. I don’t study the bible like I used to. I allowed the weeds to take over my life…but like the weeds in the bible, I am throwing these weeds away. I am going to get back into the word of God. I hope that you will read Matthew 13 and ask yourself, have you allowed the weeds to come in and destroy your life?
Blessings
I can honestly say that David and I have the true Florida yard, a yard that has been taken over by weeds with very little grass. We even had an invasion of cinch bugs that ate what good grass we did have. We even get those signs in our yard from companies like True Green to let ‘us’ treat’ your yard...for a price. We decided that we would look into having a company to treat our yard, maybe we can get the grass to come back one day. Right now we are just getting estimates.
As I was watching David and this guy walk around our yard last week, a whisper came from God. I was reminded of Matthew chapter 13. The first part of the chapter, Jesus talks about the farmer throwing out seeds and how some of the seeds falling on good soil, rocky soil, thorns and paths. This chapter also talks about the seeds among the weeds and how the weeds choked them out.
Like our grass, David and I allowed the weeds to take over our back yard. The weeds have almost destroyed our yard. God whisper to me that many Christians are just like these weeds. They are not rooted in God’s word, they are not doing God’s work; instead, Christians are allowing the weeds to choke them out.
I have allowed weeds to destroy my study life. I have allowed those who caused me great pain this past year to cause me not to pick up my bible as much as I used to. I don’t study the bible like I used to. I allowed the weeds to take over my life…but like the weeds in the bible, I am throwing these weeds away. I am going to get back into the word of God. I hope that you will read Matthew 13 and ask yourself, have you allowed the weeds to come in and destroy your life?
Blessings
Thursday, October 8, 2009
What is couponing? Couponing is where you take coupons from the Sunday newspaper, magazines, or internet and use them on the items that your purchase. I have heard many times, “I don’t have time to use coupons.” I know that this is true, as when I was working, I really did not have time to do couponing. I would use them, but I would not shop like I do now that I am unemployed. I would challenge you to try to make the time to save. Many people take the time to read, work out, go the beach, and etc, but very few are willing to take the time to save $$... so I will challenge you to give it 21 days and see what you can save using coupons. I like to think that coupons are like money that many people through away each week.
One of the first steps in couponing is prepare yourself for your shopping trip. I spend at least 4-5 hours a week preparing for my shopping trip. On Sunday, I look at that ads that are in the paper, plus cut out any coupons that I will use in the near future. I take an envelope, (I use an envelope from any old mail that I received). I write down the store name and what that store has on sale that I want or can use. I then go through my coupons, pulling out those coupons that will match the sale ads. I also comparison shop. If one store has the same item for sale for less, then I will buy that product at that store. I have two types of envelopes, one for the grocery stores, Publix, Sweetbay, and Winn Dixie and another one for the drug stores, CVS, Walgreens and Target. I also go to the stores web site to see if there are any store coupons that I can use. When you use a store coupon with a manufacter’s coupon, it is called stacking. I do this a lot at Publix and Target.
Some helpful hints: Target is now starting to give back 5 cents for each ‘green’ bag that you use in their store. I take my Publix and Walgreens 'green' bags. You can use any ‘green’ bags that you have.
Also, depending on your Publix store manager, they will take other store coupons. I had a Walgreen’s coupon and of course Walgreen was out of the item.. so I went to my Publix store and they accepted it. Please ask the store manager before trying this at your Publix..from what I was told each store manager is different and might or might not take other store coupons.
Also Wal-mart will honor Publix, Target, and Sweetbay store ads. (Wal-mart will NOT honor the BOGO free deals). I put the ad with the product and Wal-mart will match the sale price and take your coupon(s) for that product.
Now for the great finds on my shopping trip yesterday.
Walgreens:
Nabisco cookies in the 4oz boxes on sale for $1. I have $1 coupon when you buy 2 boxes, plus a register reward for $1. I was able to get 6 boxes of Oreo Double stuff for only $2.00. I paid .33 cents a box. I did go to another Walgreens and got 6 more boxes and paid $3, cost me .50 cents a box. (Ree, I can hear you now!! I promise not to eat many)
CVS:
Dove Body Wash on sale for $7. CVS also had that when you bought $20 worth of Dove products you would receive a $10 Extra Bonus buck for next purchase. I had three $2 coupon off of when you bought one Dove body wash, so I got 3 bottles of Dove body wash for $5 each. I also had Extra bonus buck $4 off when your spent $20 and a $10 extra bonus buck. Extra bonus bucks are printed at the end of your cash register recipe to use on your next shopping trip. They are just like cash.. and CVS will let you use as many as you want as long as they don't have to give you cash back.
Total order : $21 - $4 of $20 purchase order = $17 - $6 in coupons = $11 - $10 Extra Bonus bucks = $1… Yes, I spent $1 for 3 of these Dove body wash!! I did have to pay sales tax so my total was $2.02 and I got a $10 Extra Bonus buck to use next time I go shopping.. This is what is so great about couponing!! Getting these three bottles, that normally sells for $8 for only .67 cents a bottle. Gotta love it..
Publix:
Publix had their Old El Paso products on sale for $1.25. I bought two products and had a coupon for .60 off of two. What makes this deal great is that on the products that I bought there was a coupon that when you bought two Old El Paso products, you will get a free taco sauce mix.
2 x 1.25 = 2.50 - .60 = $1.90.. plus a free Taco sauce mix… so I got three items for $1.90 or .63 cents each…
If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will respond… I do plan another couponing class sometime soon at Faith church… I will let you know the date once it has been decided. I am wiling to go to other churches or organizations teaching about couponing. Just let me drop me a note in the comments or e-mail me to let me know if your group would be interested and the small details of having me come.
Blessings!
Sherry
One of the first steps in couponing is prepare yourself for your shopping trip. I spend at least 4-5 hours a week preparing for my shopping trip. On Sunday, I look at that ads that are in the paper, plus cut out any coupons that I will use in the near future. I take an envelope, (I use an envelope from any old mail that I received). I write down the store name and what that store has on sale that I want or can use. I then go through my coupons, pulling out those coupons that will match the sale ads. I also comparison shop. If one store has the same item for sale for less, then I will buy that product at that store. I have two types of envelopes, one for the grocery stores, Publix, Sweetbay, and Winn Dixie and another one for the drug stores, CVS, Walgreens and Target. I also go to the stores web site to see if there are any store coupons that I can use. When you use a store coupon with a manufacter’s coupon, it is called stacking. I do this a lot at Publix and Target.
Some helpful hints: Target is now starting to give back 5 cents for each ‘green’ bag that you use in their store. I take my Publix and Walgreens 'green' bags. You can use any ‘green’ bags that you have.
Also, depending on your Publix store manager, they will take other store coupons. I had a Walgreen’s coupon and of course Walgreen was out of the item.. so I went to my Publix store and they accepted it. Please ask the store manager before trying this at your Publix..from what I was told each store manager is different and might or might not take other store coupons.
Also Wal-mart will honor Publix, Target, and Sweetbay store ads. (Wal-mart will NOT honor the BOGO free deals). I put the ad with the product and Wal-mart will match the sale price and take your coupon(s) for that product.
Now for the great finds on my shopping trip yesterday.
Walgreens:
Nabisco cookies in the 4oz boxes on sale for $1. I have $1 coupon when you buy 2 boxes, plus a register reward for $1. I was able to get 6 boxes of Oreo Double stuff for only $2.00. I paid .33 cents a box. I did go to another Walgreens and got 6 more boxes and paid $3, cost me .50 cents a box. (Ree, I can hear you now!! I promise not to eat many)
CVS:
Dove Body Wash on sale for $7. CVS also had that when you bought $20 worth of Dove products you would receive a $10 Extra Bonus buck for next purchase. I had three $2 coupon off of when you bought one Dove body wash, so I got 3 bottles of Dove body wash for $5 each. I also had Extra bonus buck $4 off when your spent $20 and a $10 extra bonus buck. Extra bonus bucks are printed at the end of your cash register recipe to use on your next shopping trip. They are just like cash.. and CVS will let you use as many as you want as long as they don't have to give you cash back.
Total order : $21 - $4 of $20 purchase order = $17 - $6 in coupons = $11 - $10 Extra Bonus bucks = $1… Yes, I spent $1 for 3 of these Dove body wash!! I did have to pay sales tax so my total was $2.02 and I got a $10 Extra Bonus buck to use next time I go shopping.. This is what is so great about couponing!! Getting these three bottles, that normally sells for $8 for only .67 cents a bottle. Gotta love it..
Publix:
Publix had their Old El Paso products on sale for $1.25. I bought two products and had a coupon for .60 off of two. What makes this deal great is that on the products that I bought there was a coupon that when you bought two Old El Paso products, you will get a free taco sauce mix.
2 x 1.25 = 2.50 - .60 = $1.90.. plus a free Taco sauce mix… so I got three items for $1.90 or .63 cents each…
If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will respond… I do plan another couponing class sometime soon at Faith church… I will let you know the date once it has been decided. I am wiling to go to other churches or organizations teaching about couponing. Just let me drop me a note in the comments or e-mail me to let me know if your group would be interested and the small details of having me come.
Blessings!
Sherry
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Distractions
On Sunday morning, I had all intention to sit down and read my bible before doing anything else. But instead , I turned on my computer. I might need to harvest my crops on Farmville or Farm Town. I also might need to check my e-mail to see if anyone sent me one.
I did get an e-mail from my daughter asking for a family favorite recipe, “Yorkshire Pudding.” So I hunted for the recipe for about 30- 40 minutes. As I hunted, I thought back to when she was little and how I would ask her to come watch me cook so she would know how to when she was gone. Her reply was ‘That is what cookbooks are for. When I need to know who to cook something, then I will use a cookbook. ’
Interesting how she was not interested in learning how I cook and that is when God said to me. “ More interesting in how you have become so distracted to hearing me.” I had become so distracted to finding that recipe that I did not have time to listen to God.
Isn’t it interesting at how we become so distracted when we need to take the time to listen to God’s voice. Sometimes we allow our hurts and pains to prevent us from hearing God, or we become too busy with every day life that we don’t take the time to listen to His whisper. Take the time today, to sit and concentrate on Him. Ask him to talk to you…what do you have to say Lord? Sometimes God is only going to whisper to us and if we are too busy we are going to miss that whisper - we are going to miss the joys that God has for us. Take the time and menatate on Him… see what He has to say.
Also, listen to Mercy Me: Word of God Speak..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsoiI8Xhpm
Blessings
Sherry
Dt. 30:20 “and that you may love the Lord you God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.
Dt. 28:1 “If you fully obey God and carefully follow all His commands I give your today, the Lord your God will set you high above all nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
I did get an e-mail from my daughter asking for a family favorite recipe, “Yorkshire Pudding.” So I hunted for the recipe for about 30- 40 minutes. As I hunted, I thought back to when she was little and how I would ask her to come watch me cook so she would know how to when she was gone. Her reply was ‘That is what cookbooks are for. When I need to know who to cook something, then I will use a cookbook. ’
Interesting how she was not interested in learning how I cook and that is when God said to me. “ More interesting in how you have become so distracted to hearing me.” I had become so distracted to finding that recipe that I did not have time to listen to God.
Isn’t it interesting at how we become so distracted when we need to take the time to listen to God’s voice. Sometimes we allow our hurts and pains to prevent us from hearing God, or we become too busy with every day life that we don’t take the time to listen to His whisper. Take the time today, to sit and concentrate on Him. Ask him to talk to you…what do you have to say Lord? Sometimes God is only going to whisper to us and if we are too busy we are going to miss that whisper - we are going to miss the joys that God has for us. Take the time and menatate on Him… see what He has to say.
Also, listen to Mercy Me: Word of God Speak..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsoiI8Xhpm
Blessings
Sherry
Dt. 30:20 “and that you may love the Lord you God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.
Dt. 28:1 “If you fully obey God and carefully follow all His commands I give your today, the Lord your God will set you high above all nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
Friday, October 2, 2009
Last night when I came home from my WAG meeting, David had the TV on the show 'Touch by An Angel', and it was one of my favorite episode Psalm 151. The story is about a boy, Petey, who is on the waiting list for a lung transplant. When he overhears some nurses talking about the next time he is hostipalize he would die, the boy makes out a list of what he wants to accomplish. You can say this was the first Buckle List movie. He only has about 9 items on his list, one is for his mom to finish the song that she started to write when he was born. Since he was sickly, she never finished it. This song is one of my favorites songs, Testify to Love.
Below is a web site for the words and at the top of the page, you can click on listen now..Listen to the song... it is a great song... then ask yourself do you testify to love? Testifying to Love can be a challenge when life becomes a struggle, but then that is what God expects his people to do... testify to His love even when we have struggles and heart breaks... sometimes when we testify, we might realize that our life struggles are not as bad as we think they are or that God is there with you, holding you and comforting you as you cry...(I often think that God is crying with us. I don't think that He likes it when we are hurting.)
As my mentor, Carolyn Shields, use to tell me... praise God in everything...the rough times and the good times... Testify to His Love... and He will bless you in more ways than you will know...
http://www.metrolyrics.com/testify-to-love-lyrics-
Some of items on Petey's list:
A flag so the angels could find him..
A special gift for his friend...
to be able to die at home
#5 for his mom to finish her song
and
#9 To go to Heaven..
Maybe we all should have #9 on our bucket list.. for us to go to heaven and sit at the right hand of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed weekend..
Sherry
Below is a web site for the words and at the top of the page, you can click on listen now..Listen to the song... it is a great song... then ask yourself do you testify to love? Testifying to Love can be a challenge when life becomes a struggle, but then that is what God expects his people to do... testify to His love even when we have struggles and heart breaks... sometimes when we testify, we might realize that our life struggles are not as bad as we think they are or that God is there with you, holding you and comforting you as you cry...(I often think that God is crying with us. I don't think that He likes it when we are hurting.)
As my mentor, Carolyn Shields, use to tell me... praise God in everything...the rough times and the good times... Testify to His Love... and He will bless you in more ways than you will know...
http://www.metrolyrics.com/testify-to-love-lyrics-
Some of items on Petey's list:
A flag so the angels could find him..
A special gift for his friend...
to be able to die at home
#5 for his mom to finish her song
and
#9 To go to Heaven..
Maybe we all should have #9 on our bucket list.. for us to go to heaven and sit at the right hand of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed weekend..
Sherry
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Shopping for A New Creation
Today I went shopping.
My best buy was a Glad Candle holder was on sale for $1.50 and I had a $2.00 coupon... I did buy other items, this store had some scrapbooking pages, albums and stickers on the 75% clearance rack. I love this type of sale!! I had a $17 order, with the use of a gift card and coupons; I only had to pay $4.14...
God talking thoughts:
I have been working on my daughter's wedding album on and off for the last 6 months now; I want this scrapbook to be special and perfect for her. A scrapbook is a photo album use to tell a story about ones life - it is way to remember the great moments that one had. While I was thinking about how to create the next pages in her book, God showed / told me that is what He does to our lives. He takes our lives just as they are and changes us into a new creation. As a scrapbooker, I take one sheet of paper, add stickers, ribbons, other pieces of different color paper, die cuts, stamps, and etc to create a colorful creative page for the pictures. This does take time, for me I usually spend about 4 -5 hours on one page!!!
God wants to do the same for our lives. He takes our lives, (the first sheet) and gives us His love, mercy and grace,(the stickers, color paper, die cuts, stamps, and etc) to create in us a new life. A life that includes being more like Christ; God is willing to wait on us. He wants our lives and names to be a perfect page in his book of life. A page that tells our story of what God has done for us. In the scrapbook of life, what would your page look like? A new creation with a story to tell or just a piece of paper?
Blessings
Sherry
My best buy was a Glad Candle holder was on sale for $1.50 and I had a $2.00 coupon... I did buy other items, this store had some scrapbooking pages, albums and stickers on the 75% clearance rack. I love this type of sale!! I had a $17 order, with the use of a gift card and coupons; I only had to pay $4.14...
God talking thoughts:
I have been working on my daughter's wedding album on and off for the last 6 months now; I want this scrapbook to be special and perfect for her. A scrapbook is a photo album use to tell a story about ones life - it is way to remember the great moments that one had. While I was thinking about how to create the next pages in her book, God showed / told me that is what He does to our lives. He takes our lives just as they are and changes us into a new creation. As a scrapbooker, I take one sheet of paper, add stickers, ribbons, other pieces of different color paper, die cuts, stamps, and etc to create a colorful creative page for the pictures. This does take time, for me I usually spend about 4 -5 hours on one page!!!
God wants to do the same for our lives. He takes our lives, (the first sheet) and gives us His love, mercy and grace,(the stickers, color paper, die cuts, stamps, and etc) to create in us a new life. A life that includes being more like Christ; God is willing to wait on us. He wants our lives and names to be a perfect page in his book of life. A page that tells our story of what God has done for us. In the scrapbook of life, what would your page look like? A new creation with a story to tell or just a piece of paper?
Blessings
Sherry
Sunday, September 27, 2009
This is the day that the Lord has made...
This morning as I was thinking about my new blog site and how much fun it will be to brag about my shopping trips, the Lord started to talk to me. He does not want this blog to be all about my bragging about shopping, but also bragging about what He has done and is doing for me.... so here is what He said to me this morning....
This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us be glad and rejoice in it.
Ever wonder about how to rejoice? As I wonder what I had to rejoice about, the Lord started talking and told me to rejoice in what I have...
I am blessed to have a faithful husband of 27 years. Yes, we had our struggles and our trials but we stood beside each other and worked through our struggles...and because of this we have become extremely strong in our marriage. As a dear friend, Shirley, once told me, "I love my husband more now than the day I married him" I can honestly say that I do love David more today than the day that I married him....
I have two beautiful daughters who are the joy of my life. A mother could not ask for better than what I have. They bring me such joy. I miss them dearly since our move to Fort Myers, but I know that I have trained them well....at least I think I have. Just the other day, someone was breaking my daughter's heart. I wanted to be like the lady on Mr. Cooper! "WHO's messing with my baby... I am a natural disaster waiting to happen" It is so hard at times to allow our children to stand on their own feet and I was finding it hard not to become a natural disaster when my baby was hurting so much... but she told me that she could handle it and she did. I can't be more proud of both of my lovely girls...
I have family and dear friends. Just look at facebook. I have so many friends and family who have touched my life. Each has left a footprint on my heart and I can only hope that I have done the same. Even if I don't stay in contact, each of my friends are very special to me. I love looking at some of my photo albums and remembering the great times that I have had. Meeting the ABCer's, yes, you know who you are. Who would of known what the internet would do for us. After all isn't that how we met? My special church friends, (really you are more family than friends) you all have watched and taught David and I about God's true love.
I had a dad who taught me how to squeeze a dollar bill to death. I have done this so much with my shopping. I have a mom who taught me the how to coupon, yard sale, and just how to raise kids. She had to raise 7 kids on her own. She taught me how to pick my fights with my kids…sometimes it is ok to allow our children to make their mistakes so that they can learn from them. She was the one that told me that I must work it out and even if I don’t agree, then I must find a way to make it work.
I had been blessed with great co-workers. I have worked with some of the best people during my work life... you all were wonderful and taught me much.
I am blessed to have a house over my head. I could be homeless and living on the streets. Instead we have a large house, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths for only 2 people. Why we now have something so big I don't know, only God has blessed with David and I with much more than what we deserve.
So this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. For the Lord has made another wonderful day full of blessings: blessings of family, friends and life.
This week, if you want, blog what do you have to rejoice about. What is the Lord doing for you this week? May you realize that you have much to rejoice about...
God Blessings
Sherry Lynne
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