Living on a Dime

Achieve Your New Year's Goals With Help From Living On A Dime!
January 1, 2011

Hello everyone!

Are you determined to get out of debt, get organized and make
healthier meals for your family?

In an effort to give you a jump start and help you stay on course
with your New Year's goals, our friends at Living On A Dime have
offered their 13 e-book extravaganza to our readers at a
ridiculously low price this week only!

The Living On A Dime Extravaganza e-book package will help you
learn new strategies to stretch your paycheck and fight high
prices! The great news is that Tawra is offering this package of 13
e-books to our readers at $13, an 85% discount off of the value of
these e-books. With the rising price of gas and groceries, it's
good to know that some prices are actually going down!

This is the lowest price Tawra has ever offered for these e-books,
but it's only good until this Monday, January 10th, so don't delay!

Dirty Dishes Causes Debt

Dirty Dishes Cause Debt!
by Jill Cooper
http://www.LivingOnADime.com


The other day I was asked one of the most common questions that people ask me: "Where do I start if I want to get out of debt?" After telling me of her huge credit card debt and how they eat out almost every night, the lady took a deep breath and said, "How do I save on laundry detergent and cleaning supplies?" Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.

Even though saving money on cleaning supplies does help and should be part of your plan, that usually isn't where the biggest problem with the debt lies. This woman never once thought to ask me how to stop eating out so much. Most people don't want to face the real causes of their debt because their biggest problems are the things they like the most. Going out to eat is one of the top five causes of debt.



Get those dirty dishes out of the sink!!

We go out to eat because we can't face a dirty kitchen. Keeping your kitchen empty of dirty dishes is the key to saving money. This is probably the #1 way to start getting out of debt. Most people are so overwhelmed with piled counter tops and dirty dishes that they would rather go out to eat than face a dirty kitchen.

Do the dishes after every meal and keep hot soapy water in the sink while you are baking or cooking. Clean as you go. If your sink is empty and the dishes are washed, your kitchen always looks good. This helps you save money because you have the time and space to cook.


To get in and out of the kitchen quickly, try these easy steps:

Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and put the hand washables in it to soak.

Wipe off counter tops and tables with hot soapy water. (This way, if you have unexpected company, at least your table and counters will be clean.)

Sweep the floor and shake throw rugs if needed.

Wash the dishes that have been soaking.

Wipe down the faucets and dry with a towel. (Be sure to wipe any sticky appliances, too.)

Put out a clean dish rag and towel.

Take out the trash.

These simple steps can help you start climbing your way out of debt. You will be amazed how much better you will feel just having the kitchen clean.



Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt, by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Christmas Blessing

Shepherds on hills on green,

A chorus of angles seen.

Praises of worship they did sing,

Of the newborn infant king.

Out they ran in the night,
To see the most wondrous sight.

Down on knee they worshiped Him,
Joy in their hearts never to dim.

Listen, and you can hear ,
He still calls all men near.

Answer His call and you will be,
A precious member of His family.

~Marni Raney 2006

Book Review

A Girl's Guide to Life: The Truth on Growing Up, Being Real, and Making Your Teen Years Fabulous! by Katie Meier

My fifteen year old daughter has devoured this book, in fact she has read it several times. My soon to be 13 year old daughter has read parts of it as well. Both give it 5 stars.

The practical advice is from a Christian perspective, I like that it doesn't gloss over the sin and temptations that young people are facing these days. This book addresses peer pressure, friendships, boy/girl relationships, beauty/ fashion and a whole lot more.

Katie Meier shares some experiences from her own life, that really helps young people know they are not alone, that all grown ups have experienced this thing called "adolescence", even their parents. The book addresses misconceptions that young women face and what the truth is really is all about. Lots of relevant information, good for mom daughter discussions.

My oldest daughter did think that the title sounded too young, but after she looked at the table of contents she was interested in reading it.

This book was supplied by Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

Menu and other plans

Beef Stroganoff

Garlic/Herb Chicken

something chicken

Steak

Last night we had our Faithgirls party. We had chocolate fondue (yummy), and made fleece blankets instead of a gift exchange. I'll be taking the blankets down to Austin for the Children Blessing Children ministry.

Lindy's birthday is Sunday (12) so we will be celebrating it early, on Thursday (9) with steak and cookies.

The girls and I are leaving Friday(10) for Austin to visit my mom, and bring my gramma back home. Saturday (11) the girls and I will be serving cookies and goodies at Lone Star. We will be coming home on Wednesday(15), just in time for AWANA. Bella doesn't want to miss the AWANA store, she has been doing great with her memory work.

Thursday(16) and Friday(17) of next week will be Christmas School for Olivia and Bella. We will be reading about Christmas around the world, or Christmas Symbols and baking cookies and other yummies.

Bella and I are in the church Christmas program, which will be on the 19th.

Sometime soon I need to do some shopping!

30 Days of Praise & Thanksgiving

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name." Ps 100:4

30. “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” Psa 148:13 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” Phl 2:10 “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise yethe LORD.” Psa 150:6

29. I’m thankful that it is not my perfection that will get me to heaven but it is Christ’s prefect sacrifice. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in [fn] Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hbr 10:10, 12, 14

28. “ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” IICr 9:15

27. I'm thankful that God supplies all my needs. "

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

26. Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. I CH. 16:8

25. I'm thankful to be surrounded by my family. Mom and Gramma here for Thanksgiving.

24. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

Psa 135:3

23. I am thankful for the good future God promises us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

22. I am thankful of the abundance of food that blesses my family’s table.

21. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19

20. For health and strength and daily food we praise Thy name of Lord.

19. I am thankful for my household servants- their names are washing machine, drier, dishwasher, water heater, microwave, stove, & oven, just to name a few.

18. "While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being." Psalm 146:2

17. I am thankful for my friends. Their sharing laughter and tears, prayers and support have enriched my life. "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

16. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!” I Chronicles 16:8

15. I am thankful for the health of my family.

14. “Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” Psalm 30:4

13. I am thankful for my church family. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hbr 10:25

12. “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

11. I am thankful for my creative, loving, precious daughters. They are a truly wonderful gift. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Psa 127:3

10. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Cor. 15:57

9. I am thankful for my warm home. "The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just." Pro 3:33

8. "Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." Psalm 97:12

7. I'm thankful for the deep and rich Godly heritage I have in my family. Many generations have put their faith and trust in Lord. I love my family so very much. "So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Act 16:31

6. "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14 Today is my birthday. So I am also thankful that I had so many wonderful birthday blessings today.

5. I am thankful that my brother is cancer free. Today is his birthday! "He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions."Psa 107:20

4. "I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high." Psa 7:17

3. I'm thankful that I live in America, where I can participate in free elections. "He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:" Dan 2:21

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."Romans 13:1

2. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

1. I am thankful for my faithful husband.

"Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." 1Cr 7:2-3

Candy Wreath

Great Christmas idea from Living on a Dime How to Make a Candy Wreath

1. First, buy your candy. You need to use wrapped candy like Tootsie Rolls, Jolly Ranchers, peppermints, bubble gum, butterscotch candies, etc. How much candy you need depends on the size of wreath you make. Usually for a 12 to 15 inch wreath, I buy enough candy to fill a large mixing bowl to the top.

I make mine with lots of mixed candy but you can make it with all peppermints, all green and red Jolly Ranchers, or whatever you like. Whatever you decide, first place it all into a large mixing bowl.

2. Cut string into about 3 inch pieces. The lengths don’t have to be exact. Just make them long enough so that they are easy to handle while you tie them around the ends of the candy and then to the ring for the wreath. You need one string for each piece of candy. I don’t sit and count how many I need. I just cut a pile and then make more when I need them.

3. Take a heavy wire clothes hanger and form it into the size wreath you would like. Cut off the hook part at the top then slightly bend the 2 ends to form small hooks that you can hook together to make a circle. I haven’t checked lately but you might be able to buy a metal circle in the wreath section at your craft store.

4. After you have made your ring, tie each string to one end of a piece of candy. This is why candy like Toostie Rolls work so well. The little flags of paper on each end make it easy to tie the string to them. Then tie the other end to the wreath ring. Keep pushing the candy together as you go so you have a nice full ring of candy.

5. When you can’t squeeze one more piece of candy onto the wreath, make or buy a large red bow to place at the top, which will cover the section where you hooked it together.

6. Tie one end of a ribbon or string to a child’s pair of scissors and then tie the other end to the bottom of the wreath. This pair of scissors is for people to use to cut their own candy.

As you can see this is an easy project for kids. I mean what kid wouldn’t love to handle mounds of candy, especially it they get to sneak a piece every once in awhile?

Hang it on your door. Adults and children alike love cutting a piece when they are coming or going or both!

Jill

30 Days of Praise & Thanksgiving

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name." Ps 100:4

29. I’m thankful that it is not my perfection that will get me to heaven but it is Christ’s perfect sacrifice. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hbr 10:10, 12, 14

28. “ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” IICr 9:15

27. I'm thankful that God supplies all my needs. "

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

26. "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." I CH. 16:8

25. I'm thankful to be surrounded by my family. Mom and Gramma here for Thanksgiving.

24. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

Psa 135:3

23. I am thankful for the good future God promises us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

22. I am thankful of the abundance of food that blesses my family’s table.

21. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19

20. For health and strength and daily food we praise Thy name of Lord.

19. I am thankful for my household servants- their names are washing machine, drier, dishwasher, water heater, microwave, stove, & oven, just to name a few.

18. "While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being." Psalm 146:2

17. I am thankful for my friends. Their sharing laughter and tears, prayers and support have enriched my life. "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

16. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!” I Chronicles 16:8

15. I am thankful for the health of my family.

14. “Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” Psalm 30:4

13. I am thankful for my church family. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hbr 10:25

12. “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

11. I am thankful for my creative, loving, precious daughters. They are a truly wonderful gift. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Psa 127:3

10. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Cor. 15:57

9. I am thankful for my warm home. "The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just." Pro 3:33

8. "Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." Psalm 97:12

7. I'm thankful for the deep and rich Godly heritage I have in my family. Many generations have put their faith and trust in Lord. I love my family so very much. "So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Act 16:31

6. "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14 Today is my birthday. So I am also thankful that I had so many wonderful birthday blessings today.

5. I am thankful that my brother is cancer free. Today is his birthday! "He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions."Psa 107:20

4. "I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high." Psa 7:17

3. I'm thankful that I live in America, where I can participate in free elections. "He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:" Dan 2:21

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."Romans 13:1

2. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

1. I am thankful for my faithful husband.

"Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." 1Cr 7:2-3