Gotta love the free!

I am so happy to write about a great gift one of my best friends gave me yesterday. I big bag of clothes for my daughter. I have been so fortunate, up until the size she is now, I had to buy very little for her in terms of clothing. I have been gifted so much for her.

Right now, with money tight, and both kids in the midst of a growth spurt, my friend's timing couldn't be better, precisely the right size and season, with a bit in a bigger size (and appropriate for the season when she should reach that size).

I'm a sucker for yardsales and second hand stores, I love the unpredictable nature of them, the thrill of finding things you love for little money. I don't enjoy shopping in big box stores, although I occasionally have to for the budget's sake. Getting a big bag of clothes for free is like winning a lottery for me! Each item I pull out is better than the last, everything is a mystery and it is so much fun!

My daughter is still going through all the clothes oohing, and ahhing, over everything... and feeling very special indeed that somebody loves her enough to gift her a whole bag of clothes. She couldn't care less if the "Barbie" shirt cost me $30 or nothing... I cherish that, I don't know how long I can keep her from caring about labels and price tags, but I will keep trying!

Thank you my friend, for a timely gift that is deeply and truly appreciated :)

discouraged...

Sigh.

Well it's another payday! That's the good news. The bad news is that's been weeks since I've been able to stay on budget. In theory and on paper, the budget rocks, it leaves me with plenty of cash to cover groceries and all the other essentials needed to raise a family... and a little left over for a cherished latte or two. But lately it seems that there is ALWAYS an exception. Birthday gifts to buy, unexpected visitors and invitations... uncontrollable things that pop up that are much more important than money... I need to find a way to build more savings into my budget. But that takes all the fun out of coming in "under budget". So when I am able to keep $40 to set aside to save up for something, or a special treat... it really needs to be going in to a fund for "unexpected times". Next month, my monthly " child care allowance" that comes from the government will be cut in half because my eldest is turning 6, and that is the cut off age.

I know what I need to do, but with the summer here and all the fun that comes with it (not to mention birthdays and vacations) I need to sock away more in my little jar. Which is great, but there goes the "extra" cash. I am not complaining, I will always be happy that I chose to stay home, and will forever be grateful for this opportunity. I'm just getting discouraged, things just keep getting tighter, and my ability to save seems to be lacking.

I do tend to bounce back well though... so in a few days I'm sure I'll have some fresh ideas, and creative solutions, and new resolve.

Been awhile...

I know it's been awhile since I have updated my blog, and I apologize. I have had a great deal on my mind, and it's been a struggle to be able to write about saving money when it happens so infrequently these days.

I have two great examples of "Money Not Spent" Both are related to eating supper. The first time was on Sunday after a long day of church and sunshine and working outside. I had nothing prepared for dinner and was exhausted. I desperately wanted to call for pizza. Instead, I mustered up the energy to make some rice, and a peanutty stir fry with chick peas. I was quite proud of my 10 min creation, and my hungry crew happily chowed down. Then again yesterday, an unexpected trip into town at 4:30, the time when I normally start cooking supper, forced me to delay supper by over an hour. My first reaction was to turn to takeout, but instead, I packed some bananas and that tied everybody over until my husband (bless him!) made grilled cheese sandwiches. I was going out about 20 mins after we got home, and had to get dressed up and ready.

Total saved (if we had of turned to take out both times) was over $40! I don't have a problem with eating out, or take out, but in my opinion it should be saved for times when you will really appreciate it, not just out of convenience.

Nothing to do with money...

Oh my.

Life is like the ocean. It comes and goes in waves. Waves of happiness, waves of sorrow, waves of good fortune, and waves of circumstance. Right now we are on a wave of trepidation in my circle of friends and family.

I have several friends at this very moment in time... good friends who are all praying for a miracle or resolution to their problems. The problems are all large scale and not petty in the least. These are the kinds of prayers that bring you to your knees, not the quick "under your breath - I'll-catch-up-with-you-next-time-okay-God?" kind. Yesterday I found myself collapsed in tears and on my knees begging God to bring miracles, to bring hope to a beautiful friend who has recurring breast cancer and not getting very good news lately. To bring healing to a little girl in the hospital with a terrible infection that has threatened her life. I prayed for one of the most wonderful couples that I know to receive a positive on their test results today. This couple deserves to have their biggest wish granted, and I find it so terribly ironic that at the same time they wish for a positive, somewhere at the same moment, another couple will be devastated at the same news... I prayed that God will bring answers to another friend with symptoms that are yet undiagnosed, and a future for her that is free from past hurts.

I prayed for myself, to be guided in what to do to help. I find it so frustrating that this is beyond control. All of these things are out of my control, or the person who is experiencing it's control.. The only one in control here is God. Sure we can help or hinder things, but when you are already doing all you can (as the individual with the problem) it's time to let "Jesus take the wheel".

All of the things I listed can be turned around, it is possible. There is hope for each and every one that I am praying for.

Another thing that I am praying for is for comfort for my family, as we lost a great man last weekend. He was an older man, a grandfather and great grandfather. He lived a long, productive, and happy life. He was looking forward, near the end, to his rest. But I pray for the ones left behind that grieve him.

Out of all this, I am reminded that I have it good. I am healthy, I have healthy children, I have a husband that I consider to be my soul-mate, I have family that love me, and a whole lot of friends.

Right now, we have a few moments of sunshine. We need to live in this very moment... as the old saying goes "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it's called the present." Corny? Maybe, but I like it.