FREE 2017 Budget Calendars

It's that time of year again! Can you believe it is already November? The budget calendars that I have used and created for the past 4 years are complete and ready to download. Download yours today and be sure to share them with anyone you think would be interested. They are very simple to make and easy on the printer ink so I enjoy making and sharing them! Thank you so much for your feedback and support with these over the years as well. You guys are awesome!

Download your Free 2017 Budget Calendars and be ready to tackle a new year!

Below you will find a look at the updated version. This version is also free but you do have to be a subscriber to download these. By subscribing you will receive our weekly update and be the first to know when the new calendars are ready along with any other free printables available through out the year.

The only difference in these and the originals are that I added in a space for budgeted and actual amounts with a check off area. I also added in an interest section to the debt snowball category. Subscribe here to download these for FREE too!

Happy budgeting in 2017!

FREE 2016 Budget Calendars!

The budget calendars that I have used and created for the past 3 years are complete.  Download yours today and be sure to share them with anyone you think would be interested.  They are very simple to make and easy on the printer ink so I enjoy sharing them!

Download your Free 2016 Budget Calendars and be ready to tackle a new year!

I am also working on an updated version that you can see a sneak peak of below.  I added in a space for budgeted and actual amounts with a checkoff area.  I also added in an interest section to the debt snowball category.  I plan to make these as a gift for subscribers only but subscribing is free too! Subscribe here.  

Book Review: Money Making Mom by Crystal Paine

This posts contains affiliate links.

I am so excited to share today's review with you.  I have been an avid reader of Crystal Paine and Money Saving Mom blog for many years now.  Her wisdom and advice at such a young age inspired me immediately when I began reading.  I remember the beginning days when she would share of her modest menus and grocery budgets - always inspiring!

I own all of her books and can easily say that this one is the best one yet.  In Money-Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make a Difference, she shares not only her successes but her failures. Her encouragement that each one of us has something to offer will inspire women everywhere to keep reaching for their dreams.  Those dreams will look different for each of us and Crystal walks you through the process of deciding what makes you you.

The book is written as if Crystal has come right into my living room, sat down with me, and mentored me over a cup of coffee.  Her sweet honest spirit comes alive on the 200+ pages of Money Making Mom .  Not only does she share her wisdom but the book is also full of testimonies from others as well. 

Here is the Table of Contents with the chapters you will be reading:

You can also see read a sample of the book by clicking the image below: 

Currently available on Amazon you can purchase the hardback edition for $15.92 with prime shipping or pick up the Kindle version for $10.99.  If growing a business of any kind is on your radar, I would highly suggest reading this book first!

To kick off launch day whether this book is in your budget to buy or not, Crystal is giving away $1500 for you to use to fund a new business, expand your business, pay down debt, invest in something, or use it in some way that will make a big impact on your family and others.  So, don't forget to enter this awesome giveaway!

Last but not least I'll leave you with more great nugget of wisdom from Money-Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make a Difference.

About the Author



Crystal Paine is a speaker and author of the New York Times bestseller Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life.  In 2007, she founded MoneySavingMom.com, a site that has since grown to become one of the most popular blogs on the we, currently averaging close to two million readers per month.  She lives with her husband and three children in Franklin, Tennessee.

**Disclaimer:  I received a free ebook copy of this book as a part of the Money Making Mom launch team in exchange for my review. All opinions are my honest thoughts.  I also purchased my own hardback edition to read through again!

50% off Grocery University Today!

*This post does contain affiliate links.

Saving money on our grocery budget is a subject I am super passionate about!  I have read many articles and books to help in this area but it is always a work in progress.  

Today only, Grocery University is on sale for 50% off, making the cost only $4.97 for a full course on groceries!

The Grocery University course includes:

• 139 minutes of audio MP3 files - makes it simple to listen while your doing household tasks.
• 40-page student workbook (PDF) - helps with my need for visual aids.
• BONUS! The Grocery University Rock Bottom Price Database PDF ($10 value on its own!)

All information is delivered digitally so you can start learning right away! 

My only wish would be that it would be done in video format since I'm such a visual person!  The student workbook does help with that so it's not totally auditory.  It's not all about coupons either but menu planning, shopping from your pantry,  saving wherever you can, and lots more so I think everyone can learn from Grocery University! 

But hurry,this sale only lasts today!  

Free 2015 Budget Calendars!

The budget calendars that I have used and created for the past 2 years are complete.  Download yours today and be sure to share them with anyone you think would be interested.  They are very simple to make and easy on the printer ink so I enjoy sharing them!

Download your Free Budget Calendars and be ready to tackle a new year!

September Grocery Budget Update

A little late in updating the budget but better late than never!


September Monthly Budget Amount - $500

Spent:

Costco - $319.63
Food Lion - $10.76
Target - $22.02
Target - $19.46
Food Lion - $15.27
Target - $39.98
Target - $54.93
Walmart - $71.62

Total Spent - $553.67  
Over/Under - $53.67  (ouch)

I knew we were spending over and I really didn't stay on top of what I was purchasing like I normally would.  Some of this included a few items for our vacation trip.  It's already not looking so good for October either...ugh.  
             

August Grocery Budget Update

Where do the days? months? years? go?  Oh my, I did get out big Grocery Haul filmed which is with Costco and we picked up more of our hygeine items there this time too so we didn't need too many trips to the local grocery store.  Here is how August wrapped up for us...

August Budget:  $500.00

Costco  -     $374.94
Food Lion - $52.88
Food Lion - $10.76
Food Lion - $19.28
Food Lion - $82.98

Over Budget:  $40.84

Budgeting 101 - Our Family's Story

Come read a little about our family's Budgeting system over on The Schoolhouse Review Crew's Spotlight. If you have any questions, let me know!

May Grocery Budget Update

Well, we are over again.  Not by much though and it was kind of planned so that's counts for something, right?!

Monthly Budget - $500.00
Amount Spent -   $546.34
Over By -             $46.34

So, on to a new month!  I can't believe it is so close to June! Since we homeschool, our monthly grocery budget stays the same because nothing changes.  :)



Click here if you can't see the video.

Weekly Wrap Up 26 & 27

Sometimes, it's a bi-weekly wrap up.  This would be one of those.  :)

In my life this week…

Spring has sprung!!  YAY!!

Update on Jonathan:  This was week 3 in the cast so he was able to remove it (so stinky!!) and stretch his hand.  He said it feels a little stiff and tingly but overall well.  We go Monday for the official x-ray and hopefully the release for back to normal!

On our way home from our Costco trip, we heard a loud sound that sounded like a tire busting.  Hubby got out and saw nothing. We made it home safe and sound.  The next morning, we see this.  God is so good - glad that didn't happen on the side of the busy highway!

I'm still reading Smart Money Smart Kids.  This week, we have the opportunity to ask Rachel and Dave questions and right now I'm drawing a blank!!

In our homeschool this week…

Stephen and Sarah only have about 7 weeks of school left before summer break!  Jonathan will be going through the summer.  We are planning to take a spring break week at the end of April. We have our anniversary and a 16th birthday to celebrate so that's a perfect week to do it!  

We are in full swing with reviews as well!  So, you should see some fun reviews coming up.  As always, several of them came at the perfect time and were items I would have never even knew that I needed until they were in our hands.

Here is a video of math in our homeschool.

Weigh In

For the first time in 15 years at least, I am in Onederland!!! Onederland is a Biggest Loser phrase that I loved.  Now, to stay there!!

As happy as I am to achieve that goal, I hold this truth in my heart from Made To Crave.

I’m cooking…

Linking up with The Homeschool Mother's Journal,  Collage Friday, and Weekly Wrap-Up!.

April Menus and Grocery Budget

Budget - $500 - So, I had to raise it.  Prices just keep going up and I can't be in denial any longer.

Our breakfast and lunch menus stay pretty much the same and breakfast foods are always available as a backup dinner option too!

I don't elaborately plan but like to have an idea of what is on hand and what is needed. 

Here is my list of April Meals.  

ham steaks 2
pasta x 4
oven bbq chicken x 2
rotisserie chicken
taco ring
pork roast x 2

sloppy joes
chicken and rice
chicken pot pie
tilapia
buffalo chicken salads
2 pinterest choices

I'll add in the videos as I make them and update the budget overage/shortage.

Budget - $500
Spent - $361

Smart Money, Smart Kids

I am currently participating in the launch team for a new book coming out, Smart Money Smart Kids by #1 New York Times Best Selling Author, Dave Ramsey, and his daughter, Rachel Cruze.  I have been a HUGE Dave Ramsey fan for years and my goal is to teach my children what I was never taught!

We are currently on the dreaded Baby Step number 2 and it feels like it lasts FOREVER!!  My high school student is also taking the Foundations In Personal Finance course by Dave Ramsey and I'm taking it right along with him!  I want my children to skip Baby step 2 all together!  That's where this book will help!  I'm currently on Chapter 3 and already find myself shaking my head in relation and learning so much to share with my family!  

The book will not be available until April 22, but you can pre-order it now and get an additional $50 worth of free extras!  Check out the Smart Money Smart Kids website for more information.

Currently, Amazon has the best deal at $18.62 and free shipping for Prime Members.

Stay tuned to hear more from me on this wonderful book!

March Menu Plan and Budget

Budget - $400 - I think we can, I think we can! 

Our family monthly budget is $500 (just raised this in December to allow a little more freedom in our groceries for hungry teenagers) but I am going to try my best to stick with $400 each month.  So far, for December, January, and February I haven't been able to do that.  

Our breakfast and lunch menus stay pretty much the same and breakfast foods are always available as a backup dinner option too!

I don't elaborately plan but like to have an idea of what is on hand and what is needed. 

Here is my list of March Meals.  

ham steaks
pasta x 4
oven bbq chicken x 2
rotisserie chicken
enchiladas
tacos
pork roast

eMeals ideas x 4
cubed steak
beef roast
pizza
sloppy joes
breakfast x 2

I'll add in the videos as I make them and update the budget overage/shortage.

February Meal Plan, Groceries, and Budget

**update - We spent $470.42 for the month of February.

Budget - $500 

Here is my list of February Meals.  

Our family monthly budget is $500 (just raised this in December to allow a little more freedom in our groceries for hungry teenagers) but I am going to try my best to stick with $400 each month.  So far, for December and January I haven't been able to do that.  

Our breakfast and lunch menus stay pretty much the same and breakfast foods are always available as a backup dinner option too!

I don't elaborately plan but like to have an idea of what is on hand and what is needed. 

ham steaks x 3
pasta x 4
oven bbq chicken
rotisserie chicken
chicken and rice
chicken pot pie
veggie beef soup x 2
enchiladas
tostadas
pork roast x 2

eMeals ideas x 4

I'll add in the videos as I make them and update the budget overage/shortage.

January Meal Plan, Budget, and Grocery Hauls

Budget Update - $500 
Spent - $490.04
Total Under - $9.96

Here is my list of January Meals.  

Our family monthly budget is $500 (just raised this last month to allow a little more freedom in our groceries for hungry teenagers) but I am going to try my best to stick with $400 this month.  

Our breakfast and lunch menus stay pretty much the same and breakfast foods are always available as a backup dinner option too!

I don't elaborately plan but like to have an idea of what is on hand and what is needed. 

ham steaks x 3
pasta x 4
taco soup
oven bbq chicken
rotisserie chicken
veggie beef soup x 2
chili x 2
tacos x 2
pork chops
beans and rice
enchiladas

homemade nuggets and fries

muffin meatloaf

I'll add in the videos as I make them and update the budget overage/shortage.

2014 Budget Calendars are ready! Download for FREE!

I have completed the budget calendars for 2014.  They are the exact same as last year - simple and easy on the ink.  :)  They worked out perfectly for our family for 2013.



If you would like to download them for your family free of charge, go here.  If you find any errors, please let me know! Thanks!

Budget and Bills Binder

*****update:  2016 Budget Sheets are now ready!*****

One of my goals for the New Year is to stay on top of our budget.  Inspired by what else - Pinterest.  So, after being inspired I picked the one that would fit our needs the best.

Here is out Bills Binder.

Inside - I purchased 2 of these folders from Staples.  In the clear one is where I place our bills when they come in until it is time to pay them. The blue one will be for deposit receipts and things that can't easily be hole punched.

Tabbed sections include our budget, monthly calendar, and tabs to file the bills once they are paid.

I couldn't find a calendar that had what I wanted on it so I made my own.  Here is where I will list the bills and mark them off when they are paid.  I can also keep up with balances and watch them go down!

Free Printable Budget Calendars - click here.  Here's to 2013!