This month's financial progress report

I finally got my numbers together to give you this month's progress report. In last month's report , we were 59% to our goal. I told you in this post that I didn't think we had done so well this month, with all the additional "summer expenses" we took on. I'm here to report that God is a good and faithful God! We are now at 64% to our goal!


I also told you in this post that we were planning to participate in the No Spend Month Challenge in the month of July. After evaluating all the traveling we will be doing in that month, we decided that is not feasible for us to do for that month. So, my goal is to dramatically reduce the amount of money I am spending in groceries and personal/household categories in our budget for the remainder of the summer. We'll see what we can do with that...I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully we can have a No Spend Month another time. I'd aim for August, but with "back to school", there are certain to be expenses along with that.

So, we continue...with hearts and eyes upward...moving forward. Even if we're crawling.

Couponing....and financial update to come

I've been asked by a couple of people to consider giving a small "course" on couponing and how we save so much money around here with grocery shopping. First of all, let me reiterate....I still have so much to learn myself. There are many who do this so effortlessly and I am in awe of them.

But, if you are interested, and would like to know how to use coupons and how it all works, there is a crash course offered in how to maximize your savings with grocery shopping.

It's a FREE coupon e-course offered by ChoysterCash.com and you'll get ten short lessons delivered to your inbox--one each Monday--which will walk you through simple step-by-step instructions on how to save hundreds of dollars each year by using coupons. Go here to sign up.

Secondly, if you ever wonder where you can get great coupons from...Gina, from Moneywise Moms, re-ran an old post today about all the places to find them. It's a great, thorough resource. Go check it out.

And finally, for my own personal disclosure....I need to give you a financial update for this month. But first... I need to have a budget meeting with my sweet guy to see exactly where we are. It's been a rough month with traveling out of state, a birthday party and miscellaneous summer activity expenses (like swimming lessons). I don't think we've had as productive a month as I had hoped. I'm not feeling great about it, but I'll update you shortly.

We're running off to a toddler pajama/pancake party now! That should get my mind right.

Progress Report and a High Five!

I told you I would start documenting our debt payoff woes...oops, I mean adventures. Well, here is the beginning....

I wanted to share, first of all, that we are 59% to our goal. We have a good long way to go, but we are FINALLY making great strides! It will now be fun to share the progress, as I know we will be moving forward in bigger steps each month.

I have so enjoyed the encouragement I receive from other family blogs out there. There are many like-minded women, walking the same tightrope. Some of my favorites are:
http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
http://www.mommyswishlist.blogspot.com/
http://www.freebies4mom.com/
http://www.goodtrueandbeautiful.com/
www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/
http://www.moneywisemoms.com/
http://www.couponsavinggame.com/
http://www.grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/
http://www.smallnotebook.org/
http://www.econobusters.com/

There are many, many more out there, but these have given me guidance and inspiration for grocery shopping for next-to-nothing; inspiraton to "keep on keepin' on" (one example is being motivated by Chrystal who gives a savings update each month of progress made towards buying their next house with 100% cash!); many frugal entertainment and family ideas; etc. Thank you, ladies!

I look forward to sharing with you specific ways that we are saving each month, but I wanted to let you know that my sweet husband and I have decided to take the No Spend Month Challenge in July. This is following along with what Rachel's family does each July. This is a challenge to cut their spending down to the bare essentials. After paying bills, they allow themselves $250 for anything personal, which includes food, clothing, gas, coffee, and anything else their family wants during the month. They do this challenge to help take their eyes off stuff and spending for one month and to refresh their outlook. We're looking forward to taking this challenge for July as well. Our goals are to help us use any and all extra money we would spend that month...and throw it towards debt.

Lastly, I wanted to share with you Laura's High Five Recipes. I'm excited about trying these. These are healthy recipes, using 5 ingredients or less. Also, she has an Italian Roast Wrap that is featured today on Money Saving Mom . Let me know if you try any of these.

So,what do you think about the No Spend Month? Does it sound crazy? Does it sound do-able? Let me know your thoughts, if you'd like. I'd love to hear them!