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!

Join me on facebook!

Since I'm trying to create more videos on my Youtube channel and to start checking in here more, I have created a new facebook account to keep up with them all.  

I would love for you to join me there as well as I hope to let that be the in between journal for all.  

Currently on my Youtube channel, I am sharing about our homeschool, our grocery budget and hauls, and weekly weigh-ins.  

Coming up very soon here will be more review items so stay tuned!

Monthly Menu Planning & Budget

For the last half of this year, I have been monthly menu planning. When Groupon had their Costco deal earlier in the year, we signed up.  Our Costco is about an hour away so I knew to make it work, I would need to try monthly menu planning.  Well, it has really worked out great for us!  For June - October, we set our grocery budget to $400 and did well staying within that range going over occasionally.  In November, we raised the budget amount to $500 because we have been focusing on eating at home more and eating out less.  So, that budget includes 3 meals a day for the kids and I and at least 2 meals a day for my husband.  He also eats 3 meals a day for at least 4 days a week.

At first, I kept our menus very simple. Pretty much, we had the same thing every week for the 4 weeks.  I've started to branch out a little the past few months and I'm trying to try out all those pinterest recipe pins.  :)

Here is our menu plan for November - I do not assign a meal to a particular meal unless I know for sure that's what I need to do.  I just write out a list of meals in my monthly calendar and then sit down weekly to finalize the menu plan. 

Spaghetti x 4
ham x 2
tacos x 2
taco soup x 2
chicken and rice
rotisserie chicken
chicken pastry
loaded potato and chicken casserole
creamy chicken chili
meatloaf
cowboy casserole
veggie beef soup x 3
beefaroni
buffalo chicken
taco ring
cheesy chicken and broccoli over rice
salisbury steak

This is not a list of 30 meals because I knew Thanksgiving was in this month and I host it but we all pitch in with the food.  I also leave room for leftovers.  You can also see that I don't really make a plan for breakfast, lunch, or side items usually.  There are a list of staple items that I always have on hand for those keeping our menu plan even simpler. 

Weekly Grocery Haul Videos.

Missing Weekly Updates - Catching Up!

I've been so slack in updating here!!  Yikes, the weeks just keep going and going and I forget to update and say I'll wait until next week and then full circle again!

So, here we are just wrapping up Week 10 and about to head into Holiday mode!  So without further ado - let's jump back in!  


In my life this week…

Well of course the big thing that sticks out is Halloween! We had fun putting together a costume for Sarah and the boys went digging for their costumes as well. The boys just had a social with friends and Sarah attended our church's trunk or treat.

In our homeschool this week…

Plugging along on Week 9 of MFW-RTR, Week 10 of MFW-WHL, Week 7 of CC and week 10 of school!  Phew, so thankful for Lesson Plans to keep up!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

High School Service Projects for Teens

• help out at church - my children have filled the pews with new envelopes and sharpened pencils, cut grass for the elderly, helped out with VBS and other younger youth events
• Help in the community - our local theatre was in need of ushers during their school performance - homeschoolers fill that need!
• cutting grass or yard work for elderly neighbors
• We have a teen club in our support group who does projects such as cleaning the local pregnancy center, small repairs, sorting donations for a local shelter, filling backpacks for local schools

I’m cooking…

I didn't cook this meal this week but it was so good!  You can check out my video here for all the details.

I'm hoping to add a new recipe a week to our repertoire and share it here too!

I’m grateful for…

Fall and the beautiful fall foilage!

A photo that needs no words…

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

Field Trip - Family Camping Trip

Fun and education can coincide!

Video

Weekly Wrap - Week 5

The weeks are flying by!  Here's a sneak peak of some of our week last week.

Video

Women Living Well - Pre-Order - You don't want to miss this!

I'm only on chapter 3 so far but I can already tell you that this is one book that you are going to want to add to your shelf if you are interested in....Walking with The King in all areas of your life.  So far, I've seen great and realistic advice on marriage, parenting, and homemaking.  

  

Courtney is offering her readers a chance to pre-order this new book before it comes out on October 1st and if you do you will also get a 10 ebook download as well from some other great authors.  To find out more and pre-order yours today go here!