#31daysLWSZ Day 4

Real quick,  writing this on my phone. ...
I didn't get to meal planning today.

Hubs only day off for the week, spent lounging and scrapbooking.

We went out to eat (as planned) to a restaurant we had a giftcard to & it was also kids eat free day.

Also sent hubs to get milk & eggs this morning and he did good resisting most things. ..but somehow couldn't resist also buying coconut Oreos.

And we need gas in the car.

Even with the Oreos I think we're doing really well.

I didn't want to buy anything today!

#31daysLWSZ Day 3

Day three.

Today was the day to brainstorm meal ideas (according to what you have), write down all the family's favorite meals, and start planning your meals for the month.

I do have a running list of our favorite meals. And I already have our meals for the next week planned out. So I put this off until tomorrow because tomorrow is Sunday and the new grocery store ads come out. I won't be grocery shopping until Fri so I'll have the next two weeks planned then.

I'll look at the ads online, or our building has communal recycling bins and a lot of residents throw their sunday papers away tomorrow or Monday (usually score some free coupons too!)

I had a MAJOR DIP in my mood/energy today, I don't know why. I just NEEDED A MINUTE.

The 2 year old did sleep in (we slept in until 10:30!) so that was nice, but although I might of had like 5 cups of coffee today... I felt so tired today. The weather was cloudy and chilly. But we did still get outside for a little bit.  I didn't feel as productive today as I usually do.  Which is crazy because I still managed to get 3 loads of laundry washed/dried/folded and hanged, unloaded/loaded/unloaded the dishwasher and washed 3 sinkful of dishes by hand, cooked breakfast (bacon & pancakes), lunch (leftover hashbrown & ham dish), and dinner (crock pot roast, mashed potato and green beans) and cleaned up after all.

I guess because my livingroom still looks trashed and I felt down I felt less productive.

BUT THANK GOD, my 2 year old went to bed at 8:30 tonight HALLELUJA,  I was able to soak in the bath, watch a little youtube and recharge.  It's 10pm, I'm watching a little The View and I'll be in bed soon!

Today I spent:  NOTHING!
Today I wanted to buy:  NOTHING!

I will need to get milk tomorrow. Oh and also it's Kids Eat Free day at a local restaurant tomorrow,  and I have $20 gift card, so that is dinner tomorrow! YAY!!!

#31DaysLWSZ Day 2

Woot!

Today was a good day.  Maybe more because I got to sleep in, Cannon didn't nap today (and was happy, it's a good thing) and was asleep by 10:30!  In this house that is amazing some days (epecially long weekends),  I've finished the LWSZ challenge for the day & showered all before 11:30 and will be going to bed after this post.  WOOT!

The challenge for today was to take inventory of your pantries, freezers & fridge.

Mine were all a hot mess.

Whipped up a yummy lunch with some stuff I found in the freezer.

I started the pantry earlier in the day, but it was such a BEAUTIFUL day outside I didn't want to miss it by cleaning and organizing all day so I did spend some time outside with Cannon.  Kendall went outside for a bit too and then after I dropped K off at a sleepover, took Cannon and Evan to the park in the evening before dinner.

Dang, it get's dark so early nowadays... I do miss the long days of summer, but this AMAZING COOOOOOOOL weather can stay <3

We found more leaves, and had to throw them up in the air and scream "whoohoooo!" each time!

That moment when all ducks realize you have bread!

Beautiful Nebraska sky today

Then we came home, made dinner.

One of our fam favs - Ground Beef Korean Beef

I have all our dinners still planned out for the next week (as I do every two weeks) so most of the stuff I have in the fridge/freezer will be used up by next grocery day  (next fri).  

I did finally finish the inventory & things are looking alot better!  

My fridge is so small, no matter what it looks out of order

Pantry looks better

Spice cabinet looks the best

I also found some gems I didn't remember I had:

(treats for me!)

Tomorrow I'll work on my meal plan for the rest of the month and shopping list for next Fri.

Today I spent: NOTHING

I wanted to buy: NOTHING!

#31DaysLWSZ Day 1

Day one.

My husband signed the challenge this morning!
He mumbled something about needing chew for work. I told him he didn't have to go cold turkey, just cut down as much as possible.

And filled out the "ground rules"  Where you list out any committed expenses and what you will and WILL NOT spend money on.

I realized I didn't stock up on wine (never crossed my mind) BUT it's also NOT a neccessity although sometimes I feel like it is. IT'S NOT.  Sometimes after a long day it's soooo nice to "unwind" with a glass or more of wine, but I'm not an addict (my husband may jokingly disagree) but I totally CAN and will live with out buying anymore this month.  (I'll gladly take any donated bottles sent my way though ;)) and I will remember this quote when I'm feeling agitated and like I "deserve" a glass of wine for listening to whiny children all day.


"You're lack of planning is not my emergency."

I will not take this out on my family.  I will still probably put my self in a FREE time-out with my coloring book if need be.

Mothering is maddening.

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Cannon & I did spend some time outside today, the weather was gorgeous today, the perfect temp and while not a lot of the leaves on our trees have changed colors and fallen yet we did find a few handfuls to toss up into the air and scream "It's a beautiful day!"

Today I spent money: yes :/

-I had to get a birthday gift for my daughter's friends, she's going to her party tomorrow. It was budgeted in the expenses... but we went to Justice at the mall and it was $30.  Then I had to stop and get spaghetti noodles (I somehow forgot a small chunk of items on my shopping list when I shopped last Fri, including noodles and butter. The butter can wait until next grocery shopping day (next Fri, in 8 days) but I had everything ready for dinner tonight.  And every dinner planned out for the next 8 days as well.

-Ended up also getting: a watermelon and mandarine oranges & bananas (produce also on our weekly budgeted list) Spent $15 at the grocery store.

Today I wanted to spend money on (but didn't): 

-Pink Lemonade Shop (my fav mamacloth site) sent me a 15% off coupon code good for today only in my email. DARN YOU! I cursed them, then promptly deleted the email.

- A super awesome clothing line I've been waiting to launch (geared at cute/modest clothing for tween/teen girls) just launched today :|  I will resist. (and will for now unfollow on instagram)

-The pretzels at the mall smelled really tempting! We resisted!

31 days of Living Well ,Spending Zero CHALLENGE | #31DaysLWSZ starting tomorrow!

I recently read Ruth Soukup's book Living Well, Spending Less 12 Secrets of the Good Life.
It was wonderful, simple, yet inspiring. And so cute! Full of wonderful quotes and smart insight.

I can't remember where I first heard of it but wanted to read it and my library didn't have it, I  put in a request for it and they ordered it immediately then I got it and for some reason (I think I was busy reading all-the-homeschooling-books I could get my hands on) I sat on it for a long time before I opened it. I finally started reading it like the day it was due back.  I loved it from the beginning I wanted to read it slow and savor it, and take notes.... so I returned it and bought it on Amazon to finish the rest.

I just finished it and luckily went to her website and found out she was hosting a 31 days of Living Well and Spending ZERO challenge the month of October (in two days!)  I promptly signed up (it's FREE!) and followed her on instagram.

I'm excited to do this!

I feel like I really really DO try to not spend frivolously as it is. I'm really trying to save. We just HAVE SO MANY BILLS if feels like right now.. some many monthly things coming out, so many past medical bills, two (crappy) cars, apartment rent, and I can't for the life of me get our grocery bill under $1000/month (this includes household products).

But I'm gonna try my hardest this next month.  I'm already in the mnidset of I just want to SIMPLIFY and MINIMIZE everything. I have been for a few months now, not really buying things to just buy them, and getting rid of a TON. Just dropped 4 giant bags off at Goodwill two weeks ago.

I'm not sure I'll save a a TON, since but I sure hope I gain some inspiration and tips & tricks!

We're working on building our savings for an eventual move to our homeland (IL) someday soon (no plans, just a prayer)  and to build our emergency fund.

Each day I plan on coming here and just writing a little each day on how it's going, what the challenges were -- what I wanted to buy, but didn't. And anything I've learned.

If anyone is interested in joining me, all you have to do is go to http://www.LivingWellSpendingLess.com/31-days/livingwellspendingzero/  and sign up! It's free and you'll get daily emails and printable pages (she did suggest to stock up on ink, but nothing else) groceries, bills and unavoidable events (like birthdays or pre-planned trips) will be accounted for in your budget.

I'm excited to start! Bring on October!!

Honest Company Essentials Bundle Order | + Amazing Customer Service!

CLICK HERE FOR $10 referral offer!

I really love getting my Honest bundles!  I don't get them every month, probably more like every 2.5 months, because a lot of their essential products last quite a long time, but when I need to put in a new order I get really excited and always like to add some new things I haven't tried before.

I love their fast shipping too!

I ran out of their Automatic Dishwasher detergent and I LOVE LOVE it so much, I just had to get more.  I have a really small & old dishwasher in my apartment and this stuff works the best with it, even better than Cascade or the store brands I've been trying!

So I got two bottles of that, I added them to my bundle with the 25% discount (you get when you add three extra products to your 5-product bundle) it's the best deal that way, I like to add more expensive items to my actual bundle to save the most money.  I made a $50 order and got 8 items, so in my head - I like to say each item I received  cost me around $6.25  But some less & more obvs, the most expensive item I added this time was the Organic Shave oil with retails for $15.95!!

The Shave oil was new to be this month, I bought it for my hubby actually, he has full facial hair, but does shave some so thought he might like it. I couldn't resist though and already tried some on my legs and WOW! It has a cool/minty after effect and feels nice, I'm sure he'll love it!

Other new things are Soothing Bottom Wash (to try out after diaper changes, although coconut oil has been working like a charm for us).

Fruit + Vegtable Wash - we eat alot of raw fruit & veg so thought we'd try that.

Also the Liquid laundry detergent.
Which came leaking, actually, but didn't spill too much & didn't disturb any of the other items.

I messaged them on FB and they said they really want to know when items arrived damaged and would love pictures, so I sent them some and they (within minutes) put in an order to send me another laundry soap!

I have to say, EVERY SINGLE TIME I've called/emailed/or messaged The Honest Company they've always been super NICE & HELPFUL. Excellent customer service. My only negative is calling them can be hard, I've been on hold for 30+ minutes sometimes (other times only a few minutes) but still they'll always happy.  I'd say for most things (other than canceling a susbcription) it's best to message them PRIVATELY on Facebook or though their site.

I asked them if it was cloth diaper safe & they told me it was.

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Then I picked up more Oxy Boost (I added it to loads of towels, and pool clothes, or anything extra dirty & think it really does get them EXTRA CLEAN)

Got more BUBBLE BATH (the most Bubble-y good-ingredient bubble bath I've found EVER)

And more Dishwasher detergent (x2)

Honest Mail is Happy Mail! Even the looking at the cute box makes me happy :)


Have you ever ordered anything from Honest?
I know they sell some stuff at Target (I don't have one near me) but the prices a bit more at Target than if you bundle.

What are some of your favorite products?

Do you have any awesome Honest Customer Service experiences?


{click on any of my Honest links (referal) will get you $10 off a $25 purchase!}

Father's Day Shadow Picture

I saw this cute picture on pinterest, of course, and figured it would be pretty simple & FREE and really wanted to try it out this year for Father's Day.

Father's Day 2015 is still a couple weeks away, but I'm fairly certain my hubby doesn't seek out my blogs to read them, unless I share them on my FB page, and I don't plan on doing that with this until after Father's Day.  But it's a cute concept and turns out pretty cute {if you can get your kids to co-operate} and thought I'd share the idea!!

I basicly took an old cardboard box from our move, broke it apart, free-handed the words I <3 DAD on it and cut it out!  - easy peasy!

The hardest part for us was catching the sun (for some reason whenever we had time or it was a good time to go out and try this, it was cloudy, or sunny with a few clouds... but by the time we all got situated and got the TWO YEAR OLD TO HOLD THE SIGN AND STAND STILL, we'd get a huge cloud)

It took a bunch of shots over a few different days but I finally got a shot I was HAPPY with, not exactly as perfect as I had envisioned.  But I think, still, it's adorable!

I plan on mostly using this to post online of Father's Day, but might just get a print made too and frame it! (I'll add a photo of that later, if I do!)

"practice shots", we'll call them:

Finally, moments before the sun went under a huge cloud today -

Winning shots:

The pin for my inspiration came from The Honest Company's Blog:

What pins are you trying to recreate this Father's Day?