Home Improvements!

Oooh! This leaky faucet! Will it ever stop dripping? Drip! Drip! Drip,drop! A leaky faucet is an annoying thing, to say the least! We have an old faucet, circa 1913, in our small bathroom downstairs. This old faucet keeps dripping and dripping and dripping! I've also noticed the constant dripping has left an orange rust stain at the bottom of the sink. Now, if I scrub hard and long enough and use the right cleaner, I can get most of it out. But, unless the dripping stops, that stain begins all over again, getting bigger as each drop falls. This dripping is definitely annoying, irrtating, and troublesome!

That reminds me of a couple of verses in Proverbs about some dripping and dropping. Proverbs 19:13 says, "the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping" and Proverbs 27:15 chimes in with "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." Just what is Solomon trying to say here? Is it true that the contentions of a wife are annoying like that continual dripping of my faucet? Well, let's first take a look at what contentions are. The dictionary tells us contentions are an arguing, disputing, or quarreling over having one's own way. To be contentious is to be fond or arguing, disputing, or quarreling. When we are fond of something that means we like it a lot, in fact, we love it! So what do we have here? The constant dripping of water and a wife who loves to argue her point. These two things are likened to each other - they are similar: annoying,irritating, and troublesome!

Are we guilty of springing a leak? of dripping? If we allow this leak to go on without fixing it, we'll begin leaving some hard to scrub out stains. Bad habits are hard to eradicate. Arguing and disputing our own ways and ideas against our husband's ideas, feelings and God-given authority is not how the Bible says we, as wives, are to behave. Ephesians 5:22 tells us, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." We are to be submissive, yielding and even surrender our 'right' to be right! Sometimes, we may feel submission is stifling, constraining or even squeezing us out of our freedom. But let's think this through. What do we long for in our lives? What do we really want? To be happy!! Are we really happy when we are contentious and angry? Are we joyful after a good falling out with our spouse? Do we feel satisfied when we've argued our way into getting our way? The answer would have to be a big, resounding N-O!

God's rules and laws have always been in our best interest as Christians. His plan is always right to follow. Let's pursue His guidelines and instructions for us as wives, trusting Him for the outcome. The Bible has many warnings about striving, arguing, and dissension in the home. Proverbs 17:14 warns us, "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." Perhaps, we need to put a spiritual wrench to our leaky faucet and tighten it. Then, we ought to apply a little cleanser and get the stain out - the sin stain. I John 1:9 ought to work just fine, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Home improvements such as these will add value to your home and give you the satisfaction of a job well done!

Lori

Cleaning Day - Dust Busters

This was written when my kids were small and illustrates a "typical cleaning day"(sort of - it didn't always end this sweet way!)with children.

I sat diligently working out my strategy, planning my attack and counter-attack. I was heavily armed - weapons at my side - ready for action! My squadron had just been called to active duty. This was high alert! The activity (that is, the outside activity scheduled at our home this evening)has just been changed to an indoor event! Call out the troops! This is no ordinary job - this is a job for the "Dust Busters"! They came from all corners of the house at the sound of the trumpet (that's what my youngest son said I sounded like - I'm sure he didn't mean melodious either). The reports came in - m e s s - HUGE MESS on third floor (otherwise known as the attic.) Hmmmmmmmm....this report comes in quite often, but the culprits have yet to be located. Whenever asked, "Who did this?" it seems Ida Know and Nobody get the votes hands-down!. OK - mess in the attic - can we pinpoint the trouble areas and target them for action?...er...the WHOLE attic is a mess? But I was just up there yesterday...Okay, Joel and Annie go up first and put your toys away...where they belong, in the right places, not stuffed in corners or under the couch. I want it done right!

Next report...kitchen! Hmmmmmmmm...from the looks of it Someone has been here - perhaps baking. Bowls with chocolate somewhat scraped from the sides, spoons with ooey-gooey stuff strewn about. Ah huh! Crumbs...brownie crumbs. I am quickly writing down my detective report. Someone didn't clean up, wipe up and put away after baking...Someone was b-u-s-y. Someone needed to be located and put to work. This particular Someone was summoned to attend to "forgotten" matters and upon arrival she was handed her weapons: dish cloth, towel, broom and dustpan. Area 2 was now covered.

Third alert now coming in...b-b-bathrooms? I hate to ask. Sounds like someone small did this deed. Toilet paper all over the floor, paper from the garbage can strewn all over. Okay, got it...ooh...bubble bath...on the floor, powder? - where? Th-that's enough! Sigh! Get the mop, the rags, the disinfectant spray, the bucket and a bag. To your duty at once!

That's four "Dust Busters" at their posts...one left! I turned around - my files that I had neatly piled on the floor were now strewn in an amazing array...all over my the dining room floor. Pencils and pens lay everywhere...startled at the next crash of objects I turned around...Ah huh! The culprit is still at it..caught red-handed! Gracey!! She quickly turned around, her pudgy little hand still clutching the next barrage of things to go overboard. A nearly toothless grin spread across her little face, telling me she was having the time of her life!

Maybe it was the sight of colorful dropping objects, or the crashing, banging sounds that fanned her curiosity. Needless to say, this menace needed to be stopped! She was quickly whisked off to the corner, tearfully watching for a ...second. Another loud crash, I whirled around to watch helplessly as my pictures on the coffee table came tumbling down to the floor one after the other. A startled baby began to cry.. all she had really wanted was the lace table runner. I think it's time for a nap.

The "Dust Buster Reports" are beginning to trickle in. The 4 and 6 year old proudly proclaim, "The attic is clean!". My suspicions are mounting! It's only been a few - minutes. The Kitchen Cleaner gives her report - all's well on that front. The Bathroom Cleaner arrives - worn weapons in hand. Battle fatigue is beginning to show. It looks like...yes...the battle has been won! In record time! Our team effort has paid off!

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour" - Ecc. 4:9

Hmmmm....a good reward? See ya at the Dairy Queen!

The Pantry - coupons = cash

Wow! I've been doing a bit more research on coupons. Most people don't use coupons. They feel it isn't worth the effort. Let's check that out.

* First off, coupons are like money. If you save 50 cents on an item you were buying anyway - that's 50 cents more in your pocket.
* Manufacturers print off 318 billion dollars worth of coupons annually.
* Only 3 billion dollars in coupons are actually 'cashed in'.
* 315 billion dollars worth of coupons go into the trash each year.

What do you think? I think there's 'buried treasure' waiting to be discovered!

Why we don't use coupons:
* We feel it isn't worth the effort.
* It takes too much time.
* We just don't think of it.
* We don't plan ahead.
* We don't know how to get it all organized in order to be beneficial.
* We want to spend extra money at the store (not really, but it makes a good point).

Now, I do use coupons, but not to the extent I could. So, I am challenging myself to get more educated in using coupons and sales fliers for maximum savings. I have read the Coupon Mom's book and am currently reading her e-books online. You may want to check out the e-book on www.mygrocerydeals.com also, for extra tips.

Many years ago, a few gals from our church got together and made a price book of our local area stores. That was a large, discouraging endeavor. Today, you can download an Excel version from www.mygrocerydeals.com and fill it in with the items you normally and consistently buy. That will probably be about 20 items or so. When you get that down, you can continue to add to your book, store it in your computer, make copies when you need them and even share them with friends. Price books give you a good idea of normal prices so you will recognize great deals when they come up.

The Coupon Mom uses Sunday fliers in a very easy to use way. Just keep your Sunday coupon fliers from your local newspaper (don't cut out the coupons) and label them with the date at the top. On her site you'll find your stores' deals and the coupons that go with those items according to the fliers (our area isn't in her database, but you can still use her coupons coupled with our area's store deals from www.mygrocerydeals.com) . She does the work for us. All we have to do is keep the fliers and label them for easy use.(You can also just print off the coupons you wish to use, just be sure to check with your store's usage policy of printed coupons.)This is all nicely explained on her website, so check it out. If you don't have time to do that now, just start keeping your Sunday fliers from your local newspaper.

My next venture? to check out our area's coupon policies. This also makes a difference in the way we can save $$. So check back again.

How's the $4 meal challenge coming?

The Pantry - A penny saved...Pt. 2

Learning to save money is rewarding. The cash dividends are great and you’ll become a savvier consumer all around.


Here’s a few ways I’ve found to save on groceries:
• Cook more at home and from scratch.
• Make a list before going to the store. This saves time in the store which saves money. Surveys reveal the longer we’re in the store the more money we spend.
• Learn the average non sale price on 20 of the most common foods you purchase each week. This will help you realize a good sale when there is one and when to stock up. Just because it is a sale, doesn’t mean it is the best deal.
• Use less processed foods. Processing costs more and likewise the product.
• Buy ‘in season’ produce. You will know by the cost what is in season and what is not.
• Make a few meatless meals. Learn to use beans and lentils to make stews, soups and main dishes with high protein levels and low cost.
• Stock up on sale items. If tuna is 40 cents a can – I stock up on it, knowing it may be another 3 months before it goes that low again.
• Use coupons on items you really need or use (unless you get the items free – then give them away if you don’t want them)
• Resist temptation to buy items you won’t use or don’t need just because they are on sale.
• Shop after eating, you'll be less apt to throw high priced munchies and sweets into your cart.
• Check out the dollar store for bargains - but remember a dollar for an item may not be the lowest price. That's where knowing the lowest price for your most common items will come in handy.

Here’s what will happen:
• You’ll end up with a stocked pantry in a short time.
• It will be easier to plan meals based on what you already have as you will ‘shop’ from your pantry first. (Check out Sue Gregg’s cookbooks for this – she has an index according to ingredients.)
• It will be easier to see what you need to keep an eye out for to replace on your next shopping trip.
• You will be amazed at the savings.

To get the most mileage from sales fliers and coupons from the Sunday paper - use them together! Clip coupons or print them from coupon websites (there are many now online). Keep them and use with sale items at your store. Some stores will even give you double coupon value. I have also discovered there are ‘cycles’ for sale items. Most stores go through their sales about every three months and if one store has a sale on an item this week, most likely the other two stores in town will have one within a week or two. Just watch the fliers (I like www.mygrocerydeals.com for my area fliers. They do comparisons for you. If a store you shop at isn’t listed, email them the request, they will likely try to add it with enough requests). There are some sites that check your sales fliers and coordinate the Sunday coupons for you like www.couponmom.com and www.thegrocerygame.com . The Grocery Game costs $5 a month…I’m too cheap for that and I have found the Coupon Mom does not have our area stores in her data bank. So, I do invest about 25 – 30 minutes a week figuring out my menu plan, grocery list and coupons.

Here’s another little grocery tip, all stores have loss leaders – these are the really great buys you see advertised in their fliers each week. What they hope is you will come in for these deals and stay and buy your other groceries and non grocery items. Resist. Most likely you’ll be driving by the other store with better prices on those extra items sometime during the week.

Combine your trips to include another store, the library, music lessons, hospital visit, etc, so you don’t defeat your savings potential by spending it in gas. Most families grocery shop twice a week or even more frequently. Many shop every night on their way home from work…this isn’t the most savings minded shopping method as you might have guessed. Try to plan better and condense your trips for greater savings. I even number my stops according to the best route to take to save time and money. I know the Proverbs 31 woman “bringeth her food from afar” – but with gas prices these days…

It’s all a part of - “looking well to the ways of our households” – Prov.31:27.

Challenge for the week:
Try to make the biggest $4 meal you can and post your menu here.

Lori

The Pantry - A penny saved...

I’m sure you’ve heard the famous quote by Ben Franklin, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” But, what does it really mean? I have read about a dozen or so ideas about this…and really nothing hits the mark like my own experience. So…let’s take a look at my... pantry.

Hmmm……..standing there it looks …kind of …full and …the attempts at organization are there…sort of. No real flashy packaging and a lot of items stored in Rubbermaid containers with little labels on them. But…let me tell you - this is a treasure trove of savings!!

Did you know that the food budget is a family’s second or third major monthly expense? And it also is the easiest place to save money. Saving money can even become a fun game of challenge and strategy each week. Our family of 6 (includes two hungry teenagers and a preteen) can easily live on less than $100 a week for groceries – most of the time I spend about $360 a month or less including toiletry items. Yes, I’m talking about today – not five or even 10 years ago. (Maybe I should interject here that one of my favorite books is The Tightwad Gazette and one of my favorite interests is seeing how well we can live on less. This did come about by necessity in the early years, but now is a real full-fledged hobby!)

I don’t like sacrificing quality and you won’t have to either, but you will have to alter the way you buy your groceries. Saving time is also a great factor to me – and let’s face it – it has to be easy or I won’t stick with it. If you are an avid menu planner – this plan will shake you up a bit. I don’t plan my menus first and then shop…but that’s for later. This is about strategy…arming you with money saving techniques that will save you big $$$ at the grocery store.

Here’s something to whet your appetite for savings: Let’s say your weekly food budget is $180. Saving only $15 a week equals a yearly savings of $780 a year (maybe that new sewing machine you’ve been wanting?). Let’s say you put into practice some of my tips – and are able to save even more or half. That would net you $4680 that you didn’t have before (and no part time job for this either). I know this sounds a bit like an infomercial, but it really is biblical - and it will take some effort.

While it is God that prospers us, He does expect us to do our part. Proverbs gives us some great advice: “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread.” (Pro. 28:19).He also expects us to wisely provide for our families by watching the busy little ant. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest” (Pro. 6:6-8). In the passage found in Matthew 25:26-29, we are encouraged to be good stewards (managers) of what God has provideth for us. So....“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (II Chron.15:7).

Sound…interesting? Check back in the next few days for more.

Lori

PS. You may want to check out a few websites while waiting for the next post.
www.mygrocerydeals.com (get the latest flier prices from your local grocery store)
www.smartsource.com (get the latest coupons)
www.couponmom.com (this site has a lot of 'free offers' you have to navigate through before getting to the coupons - just so you know)

The Door

One of the first things you'll notice when you come to my home is the music box. There is an old pull string music box attached to my front service door that was there when we bought the place. It literally makes my door sing, putting a smile on everyone's face as they enter. Jesus likened himself to many things during His ministry, one of the most fascinating was a door. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..." Doors are the easiest way to enter into a home. Enter heaven through The Door and you, too, will hear some joy bells! "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth" - Luke 15:7.

Doors also allow you to let others in or keep someone out. Jesus mentioned in Revelation, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Friend, dinner's ready. He's come on time. He's knocking. Are we too busy preparing to let Him in? It's so easy to let the cares of this world interfere with seeking the Lord. We can so easily miss Him while He is right at the door. Don't let Him walk away...unnoticed.


This August 25th marks 25 years since I "entered heaven" through The Door and became a true child of God. Twenty five years ago, He searched through the slums of my heart, looking for the door and knocked. I let Him in and we've been remodeling, reorganizing and cleaning ever since! It's still a humbling thought to think the Lord of Glory would want to take up residence in my heart. Have a blessed day.

Lori