Coupon Seekers

If you came to my blog to begin or enhance your coupon journey, start with these tips:
• Not a member of Swagbucks? Scroll to the bottom of my blog and sign up! Earn points for searches you would do on the internet anyway and more!
• Print your coupons here! Click the “Print Coupons HERE!” tab. Make sure to come back at the beginning of each month when the coupons are new again! Remember: it takes a few weeks to get going and the goal is always to SAVE more than you SPEND.

Monday, May 31, 2010

When I Say...

"When I say... 'I am a Christian, I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin.'
I'm whispering 'I was lost; now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow."


Carol Wimmer

 ChristinaLynn }i{

Friday, May 28, 2010

What God Has Promised

God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives thro’;
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
God has not promised
We shall not know
Toil and temptation,
Trouble and woe;
He has not told us
We shall not bear
Many a burden,
Many a care.
But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the laborer,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
Annie Johnson Flint

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Summer is coming!

Preschool has ended, speech therapy has ended and the public school calendar is nearing its end as well.  It is long past time to have planned what to do with four kids for 10 weeks, so why haven't I?  Normally, by this time of year, I would have a detailed schedule of daily activities planned with alternate options for rainy days and a budget down to the penny.  So what happened?  Well, everything...life...so many things have taken priority. 

The biggest roadblock this year is that my creativity for summer activities has taken a back seat to my limited budget.  Last year, we were blessed to be able to fund our summer activities and our vacation without the use of credit cards.  Through some lack of self-control, we got ourselves into some debt since then and have determined that we are going to pay that off before we have any "luxury" expenses. 

So, I'm taking your suggestions for free and low-cost* activities to keep my kids busy this summer.  Just leave a comment here, feel free to include links.

*Let's say under $10 total or $2 per person
 
ChristinaLynn }i{

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

When You Want to Give, But...

While sitting in church on Sunday, reading the bulletin, I noticed two particular donation opportunities that weighed heavily on my heart.  Several thoughts went through my head.  If the economy were doing better.  If only money wasn't so tight right now.  If we were just debt-free, I would have the money to support these.  If I could just find some of those "freebies" I hear so much about on the coupon websites.  I had to fight back the tears.

There is a need, and yes, we could "make do" with a lot less - a lot of families in other countries have much less than we do.  God has blessed us to live in this country with the privileges and the technology to reach so many.  He expects us to use our resources for His glory.  If we hadn't allowed ourselves to get into debt in the first place, we would probably be able to help others more often.  We will be able to help others again very soon.  God never expects us to go into debt in order to help others.

I will have faith that if God's plan is 
for me to help these causes, 
He will provide the funds.

What do you do when you want to help or give to others on a very tight budget?


ChristinaLynn }i{

Monday, May 24, 2010

What Can You Buy With $27 At Publix?

Quite a bit if you don't mind spending 30 minutes to an hour preparing and stick to the list!

Actually, it only cost me $19.34 OOP (out of pocket) due to $7 in ECB (extra care bucks) from CVS.  Twenty-two items for an average of $0.88 each!  And a total savings of 76%!!  Here's the run down:
  • Kleenex Cottonelle Toilet Paper - 12 roll pkg
  • 4 Oscar Meyer Beef Bologna
  • 2 Jose Ole Taquito
  • 2 Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats
  • 2 Kraft chunk cheese
  • 2 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest pasta
  • 2 pints grape tomatoes
  • 4 A-1 sauce
  • 2 Vigo yellow rice (rain check from last week)
  • 1/4 watermelon
The websites I use to make this possible:  http://www.frugalfunfortune.com and http://www.iheartpublix.com

Share your savings!!



ChristinaLynn }i{

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Why?

Ever want to ask God, "Why?"

Whether because of a lost loved one, or an illness or injury you or a family member are facing, or maybe it's financial troubles.  In reality, it could be just about anything that we just don't understand.

I don't think He condemns us for asking or for feeling so helpless.  But maybe it is like Mary when the angel visited her to tell her she was going to have our Lord.  She asked, "How?" 

"How is this going to come to be?"  With a little bit of encouragement from the angel she realized that with God, all things are possible.  Our faith is being tested, made stronger. 

Lord, I need Your encouragement now.  I feel so helpless, so confused.  How am I going to get through this?  What is this going to do to me?  To my family?  Although, I know that I may not have these answers this side of Glory, help me to believe that You would not put anything in my path that isn't for my best for Your Kingdom.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Thursday, May 13, 2010

In Memory Of...

A special thank you to Joanne who wrote this beautiful obituary for our mother.  Although names and locations have been removed for privacy, I know that you can feel the love and loss.

Mom has peacefully left this Earthly world and entered into the Kingdom of Heaven freeing her from the pain and suffering she fought over the last year in a very brave, determined and almost regal fight.

Mom, born in New York, was the only child of loving parents and was the light of their lives. She brought light into someone else’s life at a very young age. At 15, she met a handsome 17 year old boy with beautiful wavy hair. They would marry some four years later and she waited for him while he was stationed in the Navy during the Korean War.

They welcomed a son and four years later, another son. Since the house was a little too quiet with only two boys, they decided to have three – and thirteen years after the first birth, came their last. Her (and his) greatest source of pride was and always has been her sons and as they grew, their families. Her house was always filled with unconditional love and awesome Mother Love. Even all these years later, all of her children have lived no more than minutes from her.

She worked part-time for a local community college all while her boys were growing up, so that she could still be there for them when they needed her. She and her husband provided an idyllic childhood for their boys – vacationing every summer, boating every weekend, neighborhood parties and barbecues. Family was always first and foremost with her.

She opened up her good heart to the women that her sons brought home to be their wives. And never liked the word “daughter-in-law”. It was always DAUGHTER. And she ALWAYS made her sons’ wives feel like her daughters and the “daughters” always felt like she was their “other” mother.

Nothing could make her face light up faster than a grandchild. Recently she found out that her youngest son and his wife were expecting their fifth blessing. She probably had a smile on her face for days with that news. One of her grandson’s visited his Nana on the day that she passed. He brought up a special lunch that he’d made for her. When she told us of his visit later that night, you could see the love and light in her face as she spoke of her second grandchild. She was like that with ALL her grandchildren.

This past March, our family got together to celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our parents. All the family was there. It was a beautiful day with lots of smiles and laughing and good memories and many, many hugs. All of us will be forever grateful for that day and for the love and life of Mom. We will always miss you and you will always be in our hearts and in our lives. And we know that although our family chain is now broken, one day, we will all be together and the link will rejoin. We love you Mom and Nana.
 
ChristinaLynn }i{

It's Me Again

Well, I have been so out of the loop lately.  I usually don't post very much personal/family information here, but I feel I owe you all an explanation as to my recent absence.

It has been quite a roller coaster ride these past few weeks.  Shortly before Easter, we found out we are expecting another child!  Our fifth!  And, it was quite a surprise.  We all know that God works in mysterious ways and the mysteries are still unfolding for us all.  Besides the usual morning sickness (which lasts all day!) and afternoon exhaustion, I was hospitalized for an overnight stay due to a severe migraine with complications.  Then, near the end of April, my dear sweet mother-in-law went home to be with Jesus.  Although she has been ill, we wanted so many more years with her and miss her terribly.  I will make a separate post with the beautiful obituary my sister (in-law) Joanne wrote.  Very touching.  Currently, I'm taking care of one of my little ones who has a fever.

That being said, our family would really appreciate all of your prayers as we go through these difficult times.

Although I missed several posts, Blogtipping, 10 on the 10th, etc for this month, I hope to get back on track now and keep up through the summer even with all of the kids home from school.  I don't expect to post too many more of my shopping trips unless there are just some awesome deals.  I think you all get the idea of how that works and there are so many great websites that you can go to for that information.  If you really like those posts, just let me know and I can determine if they are worth putting back into the rotation. 

I struggle regularly with schedules and keeping on task, so that is always a challenge for me.  Wish me luck!

ChristinaLynn }i{