Faith, Family, Frugalness..

How would you like to save thousands on groceries and have so much food in your home that you could live 5 months or more without leaving the house?? This is a question that I believe we need to ponder and take very seriously especially with a fallen economy in today's society. Last year, the Lord brought it to my attention that when the fruit is plentiful, you need to take advantage, instead of taking it for granted. Proverbs 31:10 -28 speaks of a virtuous wife..just a little of these passages.."She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works wih her hands, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household, she extends her hand to the poor and the needy..she opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness..her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." These are just some of the passages, but especially since I am a SAHM, I have been trying to respect my husband to the point of strategizing my spending in order to stay home and the goal this year is to completely get out of debt!! Yes, at the end of this year, the only payment other than groceries that this family will obtain is a mortgage, and then to get rid of that!! That is our goal and we are striving hard to obtain it!! We feel especially in these times, we need to own everything we have..we need to own our homes..One way that we can accomplish this is limiting our spending in other areas..

Last year I had a dear friend of mine, who I like to call my 2nd mommy, taught me one of the most amazing money saving strategies that I have and will ever encounter. The wonderful world of couponing..The most often heard myths that people have given to me are 1. I don't get coupons for items that I use..2. My kids are picky eaters 3. I don't have time...These are only excuses and if you're willing to learn, I can save you up to 95 percent in the grocery store..that was not a typo, yes, up to 95%.

First, you need to start getting 2 sunday papers a week, if you have 3 children or more, I recommend getting 3 papers..

Purchase a 3 ring notebook, I started out with a 3 inch, but now I have a 5 inch!!!

You need to cut EVERY coupon you get! You never know when something is going to be FREE and you can bless someone else with it!

I shop at Kroger and Meijer b/c they double coupons..Kroger up to 99 cents and meijer up to 50 cents..I also do CVS and Walgreens now and do take advantage of Rite Aid single check rebates..My goal weekly is to not spend over $30 and you should see the amount of food that I can get for that price!! This includes, food, toiletries, everything you will need other than clothing! EVERYTHING!! The most that I ever spend on groceries in a month is what most families spend weekly!! This has been an awesome thing for our family's debt snowball plan!! Then you can take what used to be your weekly budget and take the rest and apply it to your car payment!

You need to first, change your way of thinking..which is pantry method vs. meal planning..
For the first month you will have to buy other food, but once you've done it over a month, you only buy what's on sale in the flyer and you have coupons for..you stock up on these items and then you cook according to what is in your pantry! IT DOES WORK! If you don't know what to have..go to http://www.allrecipes.com/ and put in your ingredients you have in the kitchen and they will give you this nice little meal to make! Some helpful websites are http://www.couponmom.com/, http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/, (that one will tell you what's on sale with correlating coupons..she also does cvs, walgreens, scenarios!)

CVS and Walgreens that is like a game! Go to thriftyandchicmom for info on that since she does it every week!

This has been an awesome opportunity for our family and I hope it inspires others to start as well! No joke I got 15 4 packs of angel soft for FREE last week! You need to try this! Nice $12.00 razors for .99 cents after coupons and extra bucks and rebates! This is a wonderful way to be frugal and to be able to GIVE to others! When you get food and toiletries for FREE, then you can afford to BLESS others with it!!