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!