Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 21, 2020

Need a quick snapshot of your finances? Let me show you how to create a Family Balance Sheet. I’m a firm believer that finances must be organized and neat, and a Family Balance Sheet helps you keep track of your finances in one tidy spreadsheet. If it’s updated regularly, you will always know how much you OWE and how much you OWN. You’ll know how much is in your checking and savings accounts and your retirement accounts.

Family 241

Family Debt Finance Kids and Family 241

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Kids create a lot of paper during their childhood. They create a lot of other stuff too, but that’s for another post. Today, I’m sharing how I have handled ALL of the paper, artwork, mementos, and miscellany over the last 14+ years that I’ve been a mother. For starters, both of our girls are sentimental. They like to hear stories, especially of their birth through toddler years.

Organic 246

Organic Organization Kids Daughter 246

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 25, 2019

Welcome to the 2019 Christmas Savings Club. The club is open to anyone who wants monthly accountability to save for a cash Christmas. On the 25th of every month from January to November in 2019, I will hold a virtual meeting on the blog to give updates on our progress, motivate one another, and help all of us save for a cash Christmas. My monthly goal is $100.

2019 100

2019 October Club Christmas 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 18, 2019

Our Debt Freedom Plan has been a long winding road. The journey started in 2012 when we bought an office building for our business and then found ourselves with a lot of debt and not enough cash flow. We were trying to be responsible. We ran the numbers of the purchase and they looked great on paper, but paper doesn’t account for a new server, a roof leak, unexpected medical bills, and other calamities.

Debt 100

Debt 2019 Financial Goals Emergency Fund 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 25, 2019

Welcome to the 2019 Christmas Savings Club. The club is open to anyone who wants monthly accountability to save for a cash Christmas. On the 25th of every month from January to November in 2019, I will hold a virtual meeting on the blog to give updates on our progress, motivate one another, and help all of us save for a cash Christmas. My monthly goal is $100.

2019 100

2019 June Club Christmas 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

Looking for ways to save money on groceries? Groceries is one budget category that can get out of control very quickly. However, groceries is also an easy budget category to control, but it takes some planning, skill, and organization. Personally, if I don’t make a shopping list and plan my meals, my grocery budget is toast. If you need to find some wiggle room in your budget, or combat the rising grocery prices, or maybe make room for your family’s growing appetites, take a look at

Saving Money 113

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 113

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

One month down for 2019. How did you do with your financial goals in January? We have only one financial goal for 2019 and we made some progress in January. For the first time in 9 months, we made an extra payment to our last remaining non-mortgage loan. It was a great feeling to make that payment, and to continue the momentum I want to double down on our financial goal.

February 100

February Frugal Financial Goals Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Whether you’re an avid Aldi shopper or new to the store, I’ve pulled together 7 Aldi Dinner Ideas for $70 to make your next meal plan easier. I bought all the main ingredients for these 7 dinners at Aldi and the cost was around $70–AND there were leftovers for additional meals. Nice work, Aldi! A few details about this list of Aldi Dinner Ideas: ** I planned these dinners around my family of 4, which includes 2 adults, 1 teenager, and 1 tween.

Dinner 100

Dinner Baking Cooking Microwaveable 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 7, 2018

This is not a sponsored post, however, any direct links to Blue Apron are my referral links. You will receive dollars off your first order and I will earn a credit. I only write my honest opinion on products that I have tried. Thanks for your support. My daughter has been begging me for several months to try Blue Apron subscription meal kit service.

Delivery Service 113

Delivery Service Meals Daughter Kids and Family 113

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 19, 2018

Looking for ways to use leftover Halloween Candy? I’ve got you covered! I’m a big fan of all things sweet and chocolate, so I look forward to Halloween candy. As a child, I grew up on a road that didn’t have a lot of houses, so while trick or treat was fun for me and my brother, we only came home with a handful of candy. My favorite memory of trick or treat was that my great Aunt Alice who lived 2 houses down from us gave out FULL sized Clark bars.

Leftovers 100

Leftovers Halloween Used Cookies 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 23, 2017

Are you looking for the perfect 2018 planner? I’m pretty excited about the one that I found for the new year. It is highly functional, affordable, and at the moment, wide open for all the possibilities and opportunities that 2018 will bring. While I embrace the digital world, paper is the way I plan my life. I have been using a paper planner since my early college days in the late 80’s.

2018 100

2018 Video College Gratitude 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 18, 2017

Want to score big deals on items that you use everyday? Want to pay pennies on the dollar for next year’s holiday decor, gift wrap, and other holiday miscellany? Then keep reading my top tips for shopping the after-holiday clearance sales and you’ll save big on everyday items. I am not much of a coupon shopper, but I LOVE a good clearance sale, and after holiday clearance sales make me feel like I’ve won the lottery!

Clearance Sales 100

Clearance Sales Clearance Holiday Shopping 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 11, 2017

Have a large extended family that buys gifts f or everyone ? Does it cause stress and overwhelm to your sanity and your budget? The Gift Exchange Game will eliminate that stress, but add loads of laughs, smiles, and memories to your next holiday gathering. I belong to many frugal living Facebook groups and so often people rant about how expensive and overwhelming gift giving can be for the extended family.

Games 100

Games Christmas Gifts Family 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 1, 2017

December can be a very expensive month. There’s gifts to buy, parties to attend, festive dinners to whip up, dozens of cookies to bake, Christmas cards to order, AND let’s not forget the cost of postage! I’m not advocating anyone to over-spend or buy things that we wouldn’t normally spend money on this month and holiday season, especially if we don’t have the funds.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money December Money Friends And Family Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably over the summer, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line. This Week in my Kitchen: School may have started back in late August, but this week our schedule gets into full swing as my girls swim team practice was back

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Freezers Kids and Family 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

As open enrollment nears for many health insurance plans, I thought this would be a great time to give you an update on Medi-Share, the health sharing ministry that we are using in place of traditional health insurance. This is our first year and we unexpectedly put it to the test over the summer. So far, the ministry has been working seemlessly. Health insurance has been a long winding road for us over the last few years.

2017 100

2017 Health Insurance September Insurance 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

It’s been a long time since I’ve shared the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , but I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably over the summer, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget 2017 Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 7, 2017

Camping is one of my family’s favorite hobbies. I’ve pulled together 30 creative camping recipes that I plan to add to our next trip’s menu. Choose from burgers and kabobs to hearty breakfast ideas and sweet treats. You’ll find a delicious variety for your next camping trip. Save time by prepping ingredients, such as cleaning and chopping the vegetables or marinating chicken breasts before your trip.

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Recipes Banana Boat Dinner Breakfast 133

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 19, 2017

Take your next Taco Tuesday up a notch with this list of 30 creative Taco Tuesday Recipes. From sandwiches and salads to casseroles and skillet dinners, you’ll transform your next Taco Tuesday from a plain taco night into a festive and delicious event. Taco Meat is a staple ingredient at my house. I make a big batch of Turkey & Black Bean Taco Meat to store in the freezer and then I always have a protein available.

Tacos 189

Tacos Recipes Taco Bell Homemade 189

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 12, 2017

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Turkey & Black Bean Taco Meat: A hearty dish for your next Taco Tuesday. Serve as a side or a main course. Layer on your favorite taco toppings and serve with a garden salad, fresh fruit, and guacamole. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Turkey & Black Bean Taco Meat. Twice Baked Sweet Potato with Turkey & Black Bean Taco Meat Print Author: Kristia Ludwick Ingredients 4 sweet potatoes, washed and dried, poke a few holes with a fork 3 cups of Turkey &

Tacos 100

Tacos Baking Ovens Freezers 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 5, 2017

I love tacos and they are a regular on my menu. To save money, I always buy ground meat in 3 lbs or larger packs. The larger the pack, the lower the price per pound, and I can get make at least 3 meals from the 3 lbs of meat. To save time, I turn those large packs of ground meat into a big batch of Turkey & Black Bean Taco Meat. I store the taco meat in the freezer and then I always have a tasty protein ready for a quick dinner. .

Tacos 100

Tacos Cooking Freezers Homemade 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Wonder what sets you apart from the people that seem to crush their financial goals? They seem to be everywhere on Facebook, blogs, radio shows, and websites. They pay off mountains of debt and scream about debt freedom, or maybe they save gobs of money in a record amount of time, or they have considerable success with their new small business. And it seems like it’s so easy for them…almost annoyingly easy.

Financial Goals 100

Financial Goals Goals Debt Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 20, 2017

Meet Krystal. She is the co-founder of the website, Little Light on a Hill , where she writes about faith, family, and finances. I love her passion for helping others along their debt free journey. Be sure to check out her website where she is offering a free finance workbook if you subscribe to her newsletter. Krystal & Josh’s Debt Free Story. 1.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Friends And Family Sale Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All opinions are 100% mine. Nationwide provided me with information regarding its In The Nation blog post. Your home will most likely be the largest purchase in your lifetime. So it makes sense to stay organized with all of the paperwork involved in every aspect of your home.

Home 145

Home Heaters Insurance Renovation 145

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 29, 2016

This post and giveaway are sponsored by GIANT Food Stores. Fall is truly my favorite season of the year. My birthday is in the fall. My husband and I were married in the fall. My husband and one daughter also both celebrate their birthdays in the fall. We also look forward to the cooler weather, football games, and APPLE season. This apple season, GIANT Food Stores has launched about 30 Apple Limited Time Originals throughout the store including in dairy, bakery, deli, floral, prepared foods, ho

Gift Cards 160

Gift Cards Giveaway Food Storing 160

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 11, 2016

I’m a proud member of the over 40…+… club! And by over 40, I mean I’m on the down slide to 5……nope, can’t quite type that number just yet. I really am enjoying this decade though. I’m busy raising my daughters with my 50-something husband, managing our small business, and writing my blog. After I hit 40, I took up long distance running to stay fit, something I never considered in my 20’s or 30’s.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finance Debt 100

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 10, 2016

This post and giveaway are sponsored by GIANT Food Stores. The kids are heading Back to School! YAY!! Reading, writing, arithmetic…and the school lunch. My kids have a love/hate relationship with their school’s cafeteria. What sounds good on the school menu, doesn’t always look or taste so good, so they end up packing their lunch about 4 days a week.

Lunch 100

Lunch Lunches Gift Cards Building 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 31, 2016

Need to find some wiggle room in your budget? Is an unexpected expense threatening your bank account? Or maybe you’re trying to build your emergency savings account, or save for a vehicle? There is one place to look for extra money that maybe you haven’t considered–your groceries. If you don’t know what you spend each month on groceries, I encourage you to keep a tally for a month to give you an idea.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Groceries Grocery Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 15, 2016

31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Today is Day 15 and your assignment: Plan this week’s meals and shopping trip. Meal planning is really the cornerstone of smart grocery spending. If you do just one challenge this month, make it meal planning. When you walk in the grocery store with a plan, you will avoid duplicate and impulsive purchases, but walk away with enough food to get you through until your next planned trip.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Meals Groceries Grocery 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 14, 2016

Today is Day 14 and I’m recapping the week’s menu and my shopping trips. This Week’s Dinners: Sunday: We went to our favorite local pizza/sub shop for lunch with my parents and grandmother. We all brought home leftovers and that’s what we ate for dinner. Monday: I had Ham & Bean soup in the freezer and I served it with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Groceries Grocery Raisin Bran 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 13, 2016

This is day 13 of 31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Meat is one of the more expensive items on my grocery list, so when I stumble on a great deal or markdown , I stock up. Larger packages of meat (3-5+ lbs) tend to cost less per pound than smaller packs, so I do one of two things with the larger packs: Separate and freeze raw in 1 lb portions.

Cooking 100

Cooking Grocery Spending Freezers Bulk 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 12, 2016

This post is Day 12 of 31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Pinterest! What’s your opinion of this popular social media platform? I have caught myself spending way too much time perusing the pins and boards in awe the laundry room as big as my living room and the Frozen birthday party ideas that must have taken 4 months to plan, but for the most part it has been a huge asset in my money-saving tool box.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 10, 2016

Today is Day 10 and your assignment: Plan a Freezer Cooking Session. What is a Freezer Cooking Session? Freezer cooking is wildly popular right now and it involves prepping meals to be stored in the freezer. I bit the bullet and had my very first freezer cooking session a few years ago. It was a huge success, both with time and money. We are in a very busy season of life right now with my kids’ activities and running a business.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Freezers Cooking Groceries 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 8, 2016

31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Today is Day 8 and your assignment: Plan this week’s meals and shopping trip. Meal planning is really the cornerstone of smart grocery spending. If you do just one challenge this month, make it meal planning. When you walk in the grocery store with a plan, you will avoid duplicate and impulsive purchases, but walk away with enough food to get you through until your next planned trip.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Meals Groceries Grocery 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 7, 2016

31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Today is Day 7 and I’m recapping the week’s menu and my two shopping trips. This week’s dinners: Sunday: Pork chops, roasted potatoes , and Brussels sprouts. My plan was to put all three on one sheet pan to roast, but I had too much food for the pan. Instead, I just put the pork chops and potatoes on the sheet pan and drizzled with olive oil and seasonings.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Groceries Grocery Lunch 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2016

31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Today is Day 6 and your assignment: Shop the clearance section. Yep, you read that assignment correctly! Don’t be afraid of the clearance section at the grocery store. Stores will mark down foods and other products when they are close to the “use by” date or the store has too much of a product and it needs to be cleared out.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Clearance Groceries Grocery 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 4, 2016

31 Days to Slash your Grocery Spending. Today is Day 4 and your assignment: Pantry Challenge. If you’ve been following along, you should have a neat and tidy pantry and your refrigerator and freezer should be spick-and-span. Along with your orderly kitchen, you should also have an inventory of the food that you have on hand. Taking an inventory was part of the Day 2 & Day 3 assignments.

Groceries 100

Groceries Grocery Budgeting Budget 100