Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 24, 2021

Not sure how to budget for your once-a-year bills? They can cause a panic, especially when just one bill is into the four figures, like our property taxes or auto insurance! But let me show you how to budget (and pay) for yearly bills with a strategy I’ve used for years. I built a monthly system to set aside money specifically for our yearly bills and while I still dread writing those large checks, I am no longer paralyzed by it.

Bills 130

Bills Budgeting Budget Emergency Fund 130

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 4, 2021

Finding extra money is a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. Through May of 2021, I have found over $6800 for the year! Scroll down to the bottom to see the previous months’ totals and links.

Money 130

Money May Donation 2020 130

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 9, 2021

Many years ago, my husband and I faced what we thought was an insurmountable hurdle– six figures of non-mortgage debts. These were loans that we knowingly took on and looked great on paper, but they became a weight on our shoulders. Stressed out, we ventured into Dave Ramsey’s online Financial Peace University home course for help. Prior to FPU, we thought we were doing well financially and never considered that we had too much debt.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2019 Debt Free 130

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

January 2021 was a month of extremes in my family’s finances. On one side, it could go down as a very resourceful month. We found over $1600 in extra cash…and on the other side…well, you should scroll down for the details! Found Money in January: $1681. Found money can be found from various sources, such as rebates, refunds, online sales, or even the ground.

Finance 130

Finance January Family 2020 130

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

JUNE 5, 2020

Are you an Aldi shopper? Do you love to grill? I used the Aldi flyer and put together a meal plan of 7 ALDI grilling ideas. Everything was DEE-LICIOUS! A few details about this list of ALDI Grilling Ideas: ** I planned these dinners around my family of 4, which includes 2 adults, 1 teenager, and 1 tween. Both of my girls eat as much as adults. In a few meals, I used the cook once, eat multiple times method.

Leftovers 130

Leftovers Dinner Package Cooking 130

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

We have hit uncertain times and this pandemic has felt like a wall that is unscalable. For many households, their finances and budgets are in limbo. Businesses have shut down, manufacturers have paused production, and many people have been laid off or furloughed. Life, as we knew it came to a halt for so many of us in mid-March, and life going forward will forever be known as pre-pandemic or post-pandemic.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 21, 2020

Looking for an easy meal, but short on ingredients? A frittata is a quick and hearty meal that is a great way to use up any leftovers or food that you already have in your refrigerator or freezer. . Basic Frittata Recipe. I love the ease and flexibility of a frittata. It makes a great dinner, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and snack. The ingredient and flavor combinations are endless, so create your own version with your favorite ingredients.

Recipes 130

Recipes Leftovers Ovens Milk 130

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 29, 2020

Frugal living is NOT about feeling deprived. Frugal living is being intentional with our money and creative with our resources, so we have more to put towards the things that are important to us. We want to live WELL on LESS Money. Frugal Kitchen in February: Curbside Pick-up: I continued my new grocery routine in February. I cannot stress enough how much this has saved me time and I really think money too.

February 208

February 2020 Frugal Thrift Stores 208

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 5, 2019

If you guessed this girl, you would be correct! If you’re a long time reader, you’ll remember that I turned 40 once. That birthday was surreal too, but back then I was in a mommy fog with my 3 and 1 1/2 year olds. Now, those squirts are 13 and 11, and I’m in a middle school fog…prayers are much appreciated…lol. Over the past year, I’ve been watching my high school and college class mates turn 50…thank you Facebook, and in September, I joined the club.

Gratitude 100

Gratitude Birthday September College 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 25, 2019

On January 25, you might not want to even think about Christmas. It’s 20 degrees outside and all you want to focus on is warmer weather and summer vacation. I promise I won’t start reciting Christmas carols, but while the holidays are still somewhat fresh in our minds, I think it would be a good idea to start planning for Christmas 2019.

2019 100

2019 Club Christmas 2018 100

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

OCTOBER 12, 2018

Frugal Friday: A recap of how we frugal-ed our way through the week. so that we have more money to put towards our financial goals. Our mission: Live WELL On LESS Money. What We Ate this Week: I make an effort each week to serve my family delicious food but still stick to the budget. Every Sunday afternoon, I plan the meals and do my grocery shopping for the week.

Frugal 100

Frugal Freezers Friends And Family Sale Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 8, 2018

It happened. I turned 49 last month. I survived…but my mom’s homemade birthday cake had a lot to do with it. Now I’m on the road to the big 5-0! Half of me is in such denial that I want to hide in bed under my covers. The other half of me wants to punch 50 in the face and show it who’s boss. This is 49! It’s an odd place to be.

Birthday 100

Birthday Kids and Family Homemade Cake 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 14, 2018

Here’s what we ate this week on our budget. I made a huge salad to get us through the week, tried a new recipe that I found on Facebook, and whipped up a batch of Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with some ripe bananas that I had on the counter. We also ate a lot of summer fruit and corn on the cob…tis the season. This Week’s Dinners: Monday: grilled chicken, pasta salad.

Friends And Family Sale 100

Friends And Family Sale Gardening Garden Lunch 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 17, 2018

Here’s a peek at what’s going on with me, my family, and our life. Date night! My husband and I had a planned date WEEK recently. Our kids spent their first week of summer vacation at the beach with their Girl Scouts troop. We sent them off on Monday morning and they came home Saturday afternoon. One thing that I didn’t want to do much of on our date week was COOK, but I didn’t want blow our budget.

Home and Garden 100

Home and Garden Financial Goals Friends And Family Sale Gardening 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 16, 2018

Here’s a list of what we ate this week. For the first time this summer, I grilled pizza, one of our favorite things to make on the grill. It’s so easy and you’ll find my method below. This week’s dinners: Sunday: Spaghetti night! I also served garden salad and garlic bread. Monday: Leftover night. Tuesday: Shredded pork sandwiches, wild rice, garden salad, homemade applesauce.

Homemade 100

Homemade Gardening Garden Leftovers 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 5, 2018

On Facebook? I started a closed Facebook group, Family Budgeters Unite! I envision the group to be a place to find and share tips, motivation, encouragement, and inspiration about family finances and budgeting. We’ll talk about what works for us and doesn’t work for us when it comes to saving and budgeting our money. I have a lot of plans for the group and I hope you’ll join me.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Family Motivation 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 17, 2017

The Instant Pot has taken the home cooking community by storm. Have you considered buying one too? Or maybe, you’re wondering what exactly is everyone talking about? . We are extremely busy with activities and homework during the week, so I took the plunge, because I need to simplify my meal planning and prep. Here’s my experience so far!

Buy 150

Buy Buying Cooking Appliances 150

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 30, 2017

Wondering how to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot? It’s so easy! Let me show you how! How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot. These directions are based on MY experience and what worked for me with my 8 quart Instant Pot. I’ve cooked whole chickens regularly since owning my Instant Pot and I use this method every time. One thing I’m finding about Instant Pot recipes is that everyone seems to have different techniques and outcomes.

Cooking 100

Cooking Freezers Ovens Homemade 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 13, 2017

Welcome to my weekly series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget. Grocery spending can get out of hand quickly, so I post our weekly menu to ensure that I am planning it weekly. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably recently, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 2, 2017

Popsicles aren’t just for kids! In fact, this list of 40 creative homemade Popsicle recipes offers ideas for everyone’s taste buds. From fruit and yogurt to fudge and coffee, you’ll find unique flavors and ingredients that turn an ordinary ice pop into a fun dessert. Looking for a unique dessert for your next cook out, birthday party, or summer celebration?

Homemade 113

Homemade Recipes Desserts Jello 113

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 12, 2017

Love to camp? My family does! We bought a used pop up camper about 4 years ago and have been enjoying it ever since. One of our most favorite camping trips is to Avalon Campground in New Jersey. Avalon Campground is family friendly, full of amenities, and very close to the beach. Avalon and the neighboring beach, Stone Harbor, are my two favorite beaches on the east coast.

Family 100

Family Kids and Family Daughter New Jersey 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 28, 2016

I’ve been working on an exciting project over the last few months and I finally have all of the details! If you’re thinking about some resolutions for 2017 that have to do with YOUR finances, then I’m inviting you to join me in January for the New Year New You Financial Summit. This summit runs January 9-13, 2017 and consists of 15 workshops over those 5 days.

New Year's 100

New Year's Debt Personal Finance Real Estate 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 6, 2016

This post and giveaway are sponsored by GIANT Food Stores. Tis the season for parties and entertaining. To make your life easier, GIANT Food Stores has launched their Limited Time Originals Holiday Inspired Collection in time for your first holiday celebration or to just add some holiday flavor to your day. Inspired by the spirit of the season, there are over 30 products on the shelves in 3 new flavors: Peppermint, Gingerbread, and Holiday Spice.

Gift Cards 100

Gift Cards Collectibles Giveaway Holiday 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 4, 2016

It’s Frugal Friday: A recap of how we frugal-ed our way through the week so that we have more money to put towards our financial goals. Our mission: Live WELL, On LESS Money. What We Ate this Week: Monday: We went out for dinner to celebrate my oldest daughter’s 11th birthday. The tween years are upon us, so any advice to help us navigate the waters are much appreciated.

Frugal 100

Frugal Fridays Ebates Credit Cards 100

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

APRIL 19, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Anna. She is on a mission to help others become debt free. She writes at her personal finance website, And Then We Saved. 1. Tell us about you and your family. Where are you from? What do you and your spouse do for a living? . I grew up in Newport News, Virginia. My family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska before my Junior year in high school.

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Debt Free College Debt 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 15, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. This Week’s Dinners: Saturday: I cooked a large spiral ham that I bought during the Pre-Easter sale. I also made potatoes and a steamed vegetable. We used the ham to make sandwiches a few days this week and I chopped up enough for two more dinners, along with Sunday’s nights soup.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Kids and Family 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 12, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Jessica. She owns Every Single Dollar , an online financial resource dedicated to helping single women make informed financial decisions and set themselves up for financial success. 1. Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What do you for a living? What are your hobbies? I was born in West Palm Beach, FL. My childhood was split between Florida, Ohio and Minnesota.

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Debt Debt Free Student 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 8, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. I’m sorry that I missed last week’s recap, so this week’s post will include the last two weeks. Dinners: Sunday, 3/27: Easter Sunday – we ate Easter dinner at my parents house. Monday, 3/28: My mom sent us home on Sunday with Easter dinner leftovers.

Leftovers 100

Leftovers Easter Dinner Daughter 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 6, 2016

This post and giveaway are sponsored by GIANT Food Stores. April 22 marks Earth Day, the one day a year that we set aside to celebrate what’s best for our planet. However, there are simple things we can do every day that help Mother Earth by using less energy, sending less trash to the land fills, and conserving our natural resources. And the bonus to starting these new habits is that you can save quite a bit of money too.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Gift Cards Money Giveaway 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 11, 2016

This Week’s Dinners: Saturday: Easy Lasagna , garden salad, bread. Sunday: Leftover lasagna from Saturday. Monday: Meatloaf, smashed potatoes, summer corn, and cantaloupe. I had the meatloaf in the freezer from a few weeks ago. I love prep once, cook twice meals. Tuesday: Easy Sausage Skillet. I found this recipe as I was flipping through a magazine and I had some sausage in the freezer.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Freezers 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 5, 2016

Have you ever blown your budget in four days? Last weekend, my girls had a two day swim meet. My oldest daughter had to be in the pool for warm up at 7 am on Saturday morning. She raced all morning and qualified for the finals in one event. Yay, her! The finals started at 5:30 pm. My other daughter swims in a different age group and they raced in the afternoon.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Home and Garden Daughter 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 4, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is a guest post from Chris Peach. He and his wife paid off $52,000 in just 7 months. That’s crazy, right? How is that even possible? Keep reading… We Were Normal. In 2011, Andrea and I were normal. We had been married for 3 years and we both had great jobs. She’s a television news anchor, I’m a firefighter, and together we made great money.

Debt 100

Debt Finds Debt Free Television 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 11, 2015

How I Saved this Week: I stumbled on this markdown at Giant on a whole turkey. We’re a little tired of turkey, but it was marked to.63/lb. I couldn’t pass it up, since I paid.79/lb before Thanksgiving. I roasted the turkey as soon as I got home from the store. We’ll eat some for sandwiches this week, but I’ll put the rest in the freezer along with the stock that I made from the bones.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Costco 100