Watching the signs of the changing times

A moment WOW! Few of them these days.

Over the last few months my efforts are split between home school and the economy.

We have been on a long term financial goal. This spring we have entered into the next phase of it with successful results. Maybe this just might inspire others to watch out and get out of the way of the changes coming to our nation.

We sold the camper this spring and were able to enter into phase one. Getting rid of property that is a liability. It is a liability in that the time will come when you will not be able to sell. No one will be able to buy much cash will be strapped so tight. For us we owned it free and clear but the cost of travel and the efforts of doing camp trips had become an issue. With our forest being fuel for fire season the thought of the selling was at issue. With decidedly open palms I let go of my cabin on wheels. I spent the day detailing it and even putting new elastic in the valences to make it look prettier than it ever had.

It was a choice with benefits. 

We met the  most wonderful little family who now have the camper and will use it well. 

We used the funds to purchase a little Saturn car. It gets 23 miles per gallon.

Here it is...

a 1996! Yes 1996!

We woke up at 4a.m. and drove 50 miles away to a retirement community to get it. We had been searching for a Honda Accord or a Civic. The Honda cars on Creigs list were being flipped, purchased on day and resold the next. Over and over we were there to buy a car and it was sold out from under us.

We knew somewhere inside that it was for our good, but it was very frustrating.

Then we saw the add for this one. The owner had just passed away and the heir was in town to sell and close out the estate. We met him just before sunrise.

 This car had been garaged, use very little. Reported to be a good investment in all the research I had done. It was said to be right up there with the Honda Accord except not as lush inside.

 Our Accord is a nicer car for long trips. The Saturn is more of a basic car. So easy to park compared to the Pick up truck.

 Now look at this! 50,000! original miles, remember it is a 1996! It cost $35. to register for 2 years. The insurance is less than half of the truck. No longer is the trailer costing us the $50 a year to insure and $40 a year to register. We got the Saturn for $3600. The left over change from the camper registered it, insured it for a year and took us all out to dinner. It also purchased me some much needed new clothing.

 Next up on the list.

The Silverado was sold to a wonderful young man who with the help of his father earned and purchased his first vehicle. It was a wonderful experience. The mom knowing that her son was wrapped in a tank of a truck felt so happy to see him get it.

The truck had grown hard for me to drive for the rotators cuff issues and my wrist. It is a relief not to have to fill that tank anymore. Thus $$$ big savings in fuel. Big savings in INSURANCE, REGISTRATION cost as well. No more vehicles in the driveway either. The Saturn is now garaged, cool for us to get into.

With the proceeds of the truck we replaced our 25 year old refrigerator with this high end, best rated by consumer reports unit. I love it! It is so much easier for me to use. No more pain in my back from having to bend at the hip (remember the total knee replacement).

 

It has 2 ice makers, a special Loyalls exclusive.

We have never had an ice maker before what a wonderful new tool!

The other old one from the garage was picked up and we were sent a $30 check in the mail. My other kitchen one replaced the side by side in the garage.

We moved the shelving and freezer down. Now the garage is next up. With the camper out of it we will be fixing it up for a shop for Steve and a place for a future men's group perhaps. The only down side is the loss of a truck. We decided we could always rent one or even borrow if need be. It is the first time in our married life we do not have a four wheel drive truck. We will be fixing up the other side of the garage, continuing to sell or give away excess possessions. The little Saturn fits nicely.

Letting go we were able:

• to cut our auto insurance in half
• cut our auto registration by 2/3
• save and set aside one months income
• reduce our fuel budget by over $100 a month
• replace our old refrigerator for a low energy use unit that is 5 cubic feet larger than the old one
• open up our space for a useable work shop
• gain peace in the goal one step closer to it
• a garaged vehicle come 100*+ summer
• easier to drive car
• two ice makers! :) We use a lot of ice here. Every day we would fill the trays. It was the topic of much annoyance for the Daddy man.

Zero balance budgeting and the cost of electricity

What a difference a few changes made

With the year and a half of zero balance budgeting focus on costs that could be reduced. We began Dave Ramsey's program 18 months ago or so.
Utilities are our only other monthly after the mortgage. I began to focus on what numbers could be whittled down. On our budget we use % based categories. Depending on misc quarterly and yearly bills (that are saved up for on each monthly cycle) some months those %'s alter.

25-35%  mortgage
5-15 %   utilities (Electric, water, phone, internet. We have a pay as you go cell for emergency us only)
5-15%    groceries (people and pets)
5-15%    personal (includes, life insurance, computer, allowance,school supplies, holiday gifts and pet care, mag subscriptions)
2-7 %     clothing (adults, kids)
5-10%    savings (major fund to cover 3 months wage is the goal, kids education)
10-15%  charity
10-15 % transportation (includes auto ins. broken into months and set aside as well as a line if we were to have to pay a deductible, fuel and repair, registration)
5-10%   recreation (movie purchase, restaurants, travel fund, admissions)
5-10%   medical/health (co-pay, Rx, durable medical, dental)

There is  a column for actual and one for the estimates. After studying the estimates the budget is set. Fudge room is added. One upon a time I did not have a line for recreation and learned that it is a very necessary thing that gives muscle to the goal. Something to shoot for.
One day I will do gross instead of net and add a line of all the payroll deduction such as medical ins., taxes, and the like.

This has worked well for us and we were actually able to get a vacation to Disney this year.

We are on a payment plan of the balanced budget with the electric company so we pay the same every month. It is reviewed every four months. Recently it came down $25! a month with a bit of hard work
Hanging out laundry
window awnings
shade screen (came with the house)
duel pane windows ( came with the house)
time of use plan (1-8pm in summer to reduce electric use) run machines at morning of evening hour
Kids training :)
Watch the sun open West windows in a.m., East windows in p.m. Closing east in a.m. and closing West in afternoon.
Run fans and AC is set a bit higher
Chill house during overnight hours
AC is on a timer set to the time of use schedule
as is the water heater
Calking is the last thing yet needed to be done now.

Well now that we....

Brought the freezer 

and refrigerator in from the garage. 

The opening of the laundry room door to the garage every time we needed to fetch something, plus the garage being 120+ during summer gave us pause. It was the last thing on my list. A list that has been a year long goal. It is said that it can save at the least $15-20 a month per unit.

We are now testing the inside temps on each unit.
The freezer of one was set too low.

We extended the light blue valence for the counter was a bit inset of center to the window.

By adding a plant the wall is hidden. I'll miss the window a bit, however the ease of all of the units within a reach is really amazing. It will really make life easy with this knee thing too. It was hard to think of the house looking strange, I let that go. By pulling some tricks out of my hat I think in no time it will look much better.

 Never mind the mess :) a work in progress. The studio was also rearranged last month and has yet to get all ordered. I have done a great deal of fung shui around the house. These areas once organized will really serve us so much better. Making meals is already a lot easier not making trips to the garage.

 The old side by side really looks nice here. 

It is the drinks, everything baking (next to bread counter) and everything sandwiches/lunches.All nuts, yeast, and the like. Right next to the place that they will be made use of. I will wash the lettuce and the kids are able to begin making more things for themselves. This will also keep the snacks like fruit.

This will make mornings of making lunches all in a few steps span. The juice travel cups will be kept here as they were in the garage.

 The fourth of July weekend gave way to soda at $.20 cents a can.

 The old in house refer moved over next  to the dish washer is now the 'meal making center' everything for meal preparations are here. It is also the Ice chest next to the RO water outlet. It is so convenient.

Kept at 40*

 The deep freeze is for long term storage of grains and seeds. 

The meats are also kept here.

this is deep freeze to be kept at 10*

 Fall garden seeds are in the jars for this years planting.

 The white refer's freezer is far too cold.

By testing your units you can fine tune what energy your using.

 The freezer can be 0-30

Refer 30-45 better under 40

See the range of temp for each purpose?

There is no sense in cooling more than you need.

It is imperative however not to let your refer be above 40*

That is what started this whole post. We have been working hard on this job all weekend. It was a concern that the house would look bad. I actually LOVE it!

Well this week as you see will be full of cleaning and clearing up clutter.

Bulging capacitors in monitor

There are many things we are thankful for...

The skills our elders shared with us gave us invaluable knowledge.

Recently my monitor began to succumb to failure. Slowly over the last month the screen would dim and be noisy like a bad fan motor. Well monitors do not have fans...we were puzzled. My husband had looked into a purchase of a new one for me and had called around to find it in store for same as on line prices. With budget I knew we should not buy one at this time and just figured I could do without it for a while. Then realizing what an absence it would be thought better of that. We had each prayed on it. I saw (within me) Steve fix it  knowing it would be so. Telling Him of this he set to it.

Always unplug things
(I know, but it should be said)

 Steve is unafraid of an adventure and took on the challenge. He is that way. If this monitor would have to have been replaced why not give it a shot. Now he knows how to use a soldering iron, and has one here. Having tools that are basic to life is imperative. If your going to buy tools get the best you can afford and buy them once. Take good care of them as well. Tools can be found at yard sales as well for this generation lost the ability to use their own hands. Now, everything is just replaced, tossed into landfills so the man can gain more money to get more.  Oh that must stop for our dear earth is in such disregard.

 Center image there is a vertical black capacitor looks like a little battery. Look at the bottom of it, it is risen up and not level to the surface of itself.

click to enlarge

Three capacitors to the bottom right and center right of the image had pooched out. Like a swollen battery. Steve took Dash to the electronics store. It was so cool because it was Dash who located the particular part, a high temp Radial cap. Times three...monitor fixed for $5.54 and a bit of daddy son time.

Now speaking of Daddy/Son time. It was Steve's father who raised this man of mine with the thought of his future in mind. Watching to see the way or inclination he might be guided toward. His wisdom educated my man to have basic understandings of elements and science of materials. Steve is not an electrician but he was raised to know the basics of electrical principals. He was raised to understand how to use a tool, bolt or washer. Just not the clothing kind (harhar). My FILove taught his sons watched his sons and supplied all he could to prepare them with vocational skills. He watched for their talents and guided them with knowledge.

Direct your children in the way they should go. My FILove did and we have kept great wealth over the years because of it. Thanks Mr FIL if your reading this. It is something we have never nor ever intend too take for granted. 

Teach yourself basic skills. If something needs done without knowledge study it to show yourself approved lacking nothing. Better to study than to work for money to have someone else do it. The money is drying up. Gain knowledge, it is the beginning of wisdom.

Time to turn your gold into grocery's

 As important as it is to have good liquid assets it is more so to mind the times. In the days of Egypt's famine there came a dreamer. He knew how to interpret the times. So should we interpret the times wisely. 

We took out some of our savings yesterday to bulk up the staples in the pantry. It was once upon a time that my pantry was always full. This last year with all the health stuff the bulk ran low. It is good to run out the bulk once a year or so however now is NOT the time to do so.

 The hard freezes, flooding in the mid west and the inter national scope of food sources is in crisis.

We in the states are about to see something we have not had to deal with for many decades. Our food stores are dwindling in comparison to years gone by. We have yet to see the full scope of what is coming our way.

Rising fuel cost is also effecting food costs.

Your savings accounts have a very low yield of return in compare to the percentage the food costs are increasing. The wage is not increasing yet the foods are at least 30% higher over a year or so. This is going to continue and spike very soon. the wise steward considers these things.

Even though most things here are homemade the basic short order items need to be kept on hand.

• what is it you use on a month in month out basis
• Imported spices and such items that we depend on from imports
• staples, flour and any grain items will increase rapidly
• pasta
• rice will get harder to get soon, my favorite basmati is now gone on market. I have kept my eye on the horizon and saw that the rice was increasing fast. I purchased 2 twenty pound bags now no longer available. Yes some other types are on market but of lower quality.
• cereals (we only use two main ones)
• bacon or anything related to your breakfast table
• sauce or condiments (glass containers are best)
• canned fruit (fresh is best but canned is better than non) imports will reduce rapidly very soon.
• orange juice (fresh is best yes) will sky rocket so get several frozen concentrates to have on stock. Florida lost a good percentage of crop this year to freeze
• pet foods
• feminine items
• dish washing soap
• vinegar (many uses)

 Keep your eye on the times by observing the world around you.

People freak out and that is because of a 'sudden panic'

there is no need to panic when you prepare and observe.

This is not a panic it is a proactive action.

Invest your earnings wisely.

The hardest part of a full pantry is keeping it secure with good containers. NEVER leave things in boxed packages if you can help it. Ration things out as well teaching the children that a full pantry is not a 'pig out' it is a resource. Teach the way of the grain stores to others. Joesph of old rose to great heights of honor by saving a nation. You can do the same for your family.

It is wisdom.

Each day as food rises your capital decreases. By filling up your pantry you reserve a greater percentage of your income. Use good shopping techniques. Couponing is a good thing too if you only get what you would normally use. Lead in adds are very helpful. Buying in a bulk fashion is costly at first yet saves so much more than your savings account yield. Remember to keep an eye on the expiration dates. Never get more than you can use before the expire date. The good years, the years of plenty are coming to a slowing. See the times at hand and be relaxed in your proactive stance.

World Water Day

learn more at  World Water Day site

—According to the World Economic Forum, nearly 60% of the world’s population will be living in cities causing a shortage of clean water for people and business in the urban environment worldwide.
—A third of humanity will have only half the water required to meet basic needs, which is likely to impact food production because agriculture accounts for more than 70% of water usage.

All things living are due the respect to sustain the life there in. 

Water is living and life sustaining. 

There is an old saying...

walk softly upon the earth.

Preserve what is here so it will not all be gone tomorrow.

Plug the tub. Then use the hot side to fill the tub while the cool water clears the line. As it gets hot then turn hot off. Then fill up with cold. The result is warm water. No water down the drain.

 

When doing dishes fill your washing sink up only 1/3 of the way. Rinse first load over the  washing sink until it is half full. Then fill up the rinse sink, that is what it is made for. Running water down the drain is just silly.

Keep a low sink of warm water in the kitchen sink and wash your hands in it through out the day (rinsing over it) . When just a few dishes need to be tended water is there simply add a little hot to it. If your using water that is set to boil pour it in the dish water after it has served it's use. Heats up the sink water and washes the last of the supper dishes. The rinse water in the other sink clears off all soap and such.

At the end of the dishes when it is time to rinse off the oils or muck off pots and pans use a measure or large bowl and simply transferred rinse water over to main wash sink.  Use paper toweling or newsprint to wipe off oils/grease. Run VERY hot water over the oily pans. Set water in a pot or pan that is caked on turn the burner on and let it boil. When soft shut it off. Pour off of soiled water a hot pan then will reheat the washing water.

This is just the method I have always used. 

Growing up poor has a way of instilling a healthy humility.

This all sounds complicated but it is not. Just makes good sense. Think of the souls in history...who would just walk on over to the well? They would never think of using so much water as now? Water is so very heavy to carry. I seriously doubt it would be wasted so. It would just ware your legs and shoulders so.
The cost of heating it (cutting a log) would also cause one to think twice. That is another story in itself however.

Hand Washing is the single most important means of preventing

the spread of infection but turn the water off while you soap up. 

Lower the flow as well.

 Do not just let the water run full blast.

Walk softly respecting this life sustaining gift.

Offer up to the future a cool drink of water.

Also consider rain water harvesting.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It would be against all I am to disregard this provision. 

Financial fraud, God is watching

Many years ago we were refereed to

this accountant to do our taxes. 

This a referral coming from my BIL he as well as his kids and my in laws all used this mans services for tax preparation. We were just laid off with a severance package and for the first time I needed help doing our taxes. Thank God I only used him one time. Thank God that we did not accept his advise or accept his suggestions. Given as if it were a honorable thing. He spoke of how many church going folks he has helped set up trust funds for their wills. We had had a trust set up when we went back to Russia to get our son. Leaving Dove here we had to protect her. He wanted his hands on our trust to 'help' us. We did not go there for we were just doing taxes and were far to busy to even think about his offer.

We just learned that the man is now serving 18 months in prison for fraud and tax evasion setting up off shore accounts for his wealthy clients. I remember him telling us something about how he was protecting those incomes of a woman who had a special needs adult. Wow to learn now that perhaps those poor folks were harmed...to think of the ploy against us being older with special needs kids that "would one day need someone to 'watch' over them if we were to die" Holy cow!

We never used his services again. Strange I remember being uncomfortable. Taxes ONLY was my use for his services but I remember him suggesting helping us with our severance package.

Now folks that is twice that we have been protected by my instincts.

We once had a financial adviser who worked for a prominent large company. I never felt right with him. He was even in a prayer group of our men's retreat. I was called by his wife as the police left his office him in handcuffs. She had found our paperwork in his brief case. We would of been his next victim. This fellow who was sitting beside me in prayer ? was in fact getting ready to steal us blind.
She protected us. He had also been charged with sexually stalking his wife's grown daughter. I was always uncomfortable with him for he had a strange tick and could not look me in the eye for long. I just thought I was making too much out of it. I even warned Steve several times that something was wrong. I had to call the company to report it and protect what ever he was doing from our harm.
 One only one time we allowed his offer for he and his wife to watch the kids so we could have a mental health break (date). She never left their side thank God I am so suspicious of folk. We do not let our kids out on a very long lead. We hold tight and let the length out a bit but never let go of it.

We have since had a wonderful woman who is tops in the company be our help. She normally only helps high profile clients who I assure you we are not. Again though God protected us.

Listen to your instincts ladies.

God is watching us.

IRS Processing Delays

Due to Congress passing new tax laws late in 2010.

If you are an early filer you will have to delay until mid-February

This will apply to you if...

1. You Itemize

2. You take the Educator expense

3. if you take the tuition deduction.

They apologetically say that they need time to update their systems with the new laws. 

$$$$ REALLY $$$$

?

Think about it...with the tight times that folks are having more will choose to just take the standard deduction out of expediency. Cash is in desperate need by so many Americans that the IRS will enjoy the benefit of the people who are so very desperate, not wanting or able to delay refunds.

Now I itemize, had I not gone on U-tube to further my education I would not have known this. Now I must wait another 3 weeks before I can mail it in. To me this is all but criminal. The IRS will gain not only interest on my money but they will also have scores of people letting go of what is rightfully due to them through itemization. Desperate people take desperate measures. I suppose that can be also said of the IRS.

Taxes January's Project

Yes all day yesterday documents were sorted into recipes, mileage as well for all medical.

A spread sheet with all the deductions set to totals

Charity

medical bills/co pays/pharmacy co-pays/non Rx medical

list all doctors then the find out the mileage to get there and back. Run a tick of how many visits each and compute the totals of mileage. Do this while sorting the bills. Use the instructions in the book and add it to your medical deductions.

medical insurance costs on pay stubs

dental bills/co-pays

dental insurance

vision insurance

home interest paid

property taxes

dog licenses

vehicle registrations

This done one can quickly tell if itemizing deductions will be worth it.
By running a spread sheet in excel as a part of your monthly budget this can be done quickly. Then a listing of all bills that have been sorted into months can be cross checked to see it anything was missed. At this time the hard copies are filed into the years receipts in monthly order.

Next the income
income interest

Federals to be done first

Turning two old ovens into one new one.

Time stopped!
Oh yes it did. 

While redecorating the kitchen wall time dropped from the sky and hit the stove top dead on to corner of the wall clock. It shattered the control panel. After much searching the panel is not only $250+ but is not even made any more. Feeling so sheepish that I would hammer a nail in leaving the clock on the other nail so as not to have to climb up and down a ladder any more than necessary the clock fell off of the nail. Now I knew the clock had broken hands. How that thing did not break the glass I do not know. I did not even realize the stove top shattered until lunch time and the face of it looked strange. Then after looking closer at it oh I realized quite clearly what had happened. I just felt sick about it.

Knowing me as many of you do you understand how beloved this convection oven is to me.

Shattered the integrated control was spent. No way to just remove the glass.

Funny thing is that we really sorta disliked this interface from day one.

Steve searched and searched and then found the same make, year model with the back splash knobs and a touch control without the integrated glass.

I was so sick to think of the loss of my beloved stove.

When we purchased the stove the kids were little and the idea of the burners set back was ideal.

The face however when leaned against would beep or turn on.

Many a time Steve would express disdain over the design.

The other day I wished that the left front burner might be smaller. For the small burner was all the way in the back. Note the new one. The double burner was to the back right on the old one.

Old One

New One

The new one has a double burner on the left front. Perfect!

It has a center warmer, and a simmer control to make precise the temp of the right front.

The old oven had this lower element for the self cleaning feature. We never use self cleaning for household safety reasons. It is just too hot of a technique to use. The lower element was also what made the oven hard to clean. The oven racks are exactly the same! Now I have 5 of them!

The new to me oven had a badly dented handle and the door was damaged.

We simply swapped the doors!

Our old one the exact as the new to me one!  

Look at that new gasket!

It is very apparent that this oven was not used.

 The old door on the new to me oven will need cleaning but it is a real sturdy door. Steve said that the other door broke when he took it out to the garage.

Note how used my old one is the gasket is in pretty bad shape. The oven is pretty dirty too...lol

 

All of the things I did not like about my old one was on the new to me one. 

Amazing thing is that it was only $229. no tax!

So the other funny thing is that the clock on the new oven does NOT work!

The timer does for the kids however.

Now is that just the strangest thing?

All in all the time I spent tormented over the dumb mistake I made...well it turned out to really be a good thing . The old oven was very well used. The new to me one was rarely even turned on I think. 

All the parts were interchangeable and between the old and new to me one well it is all fixed up.

Here I was belittling myself for being such a princess when it looked like I was about to down grade my favorite stove/oven.

I love how well cared for this princess of the living loving king of kings is tendered.

Who knows maybe
time did stand still 
long enough for the desires of our hearts to come into place.

The heart of the home is the oven.

At least this home.

Spay/Neuter Assistance Program

Today is my Labs 5th birthday and I was 4th in line and able to get the voucher. I drove there and was forth in line 15 minutes before the door was to open. The officer came out 10 minutes early...I got the voucher! There were easily 15 folks 5 minutes later. With a limited number of vouches we are thrilled!

Upon coming home (gone only 10 minutes at most) the forms to fill out...then I saw it.

Today is my big dogs birthday!

Happy birthday boy...snip,snip,snip.

Loud laughter as I was on the phone with Steve when I looked down and saw the DOB on the license.

We laughed so hard!

God Gave the dog a gift

:)

In addition the vet that told me about it was going to charge me the $80 with it

without voucher $260.

The officer said all the cost of the neuter is paid!

Pain pills is all I should pay for.

Boy oh boy that saved us big!

Maricopa County’s Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) provides free spay/neuter surgeries for your dog(s) and cat(s) at participating veterinarians throughout the valley. Here are a few basic points about the process:

• Simply fill out an application and return with payment (if applicable)
• Approximate 2-6 week turn-around time
• You choose from a list of participating veterinarians
• You will have 90 days to use the voucher

Unfortunately, we have had to remove the application from the web site. You can still get one by coming by one of our Animal Care Centers We receive a

limited amount of vouchers 

and run out quickly. 

You must come down on the 1st of every month, as we usually run out by the end of that day..

2500 S. 27th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85009

2630 W. 8th Street Mesa, Az 85201

Tackle it Tuesday

join us over here

Dear friends today it is I who feel tackled by this fine Tuesday morn. If my body could even begin to keep up with all of the many many tackles that address my attention. Well It is a great motivator to try to focus and accomplish at least one today. That is what I have always loved about TIT. Today I really want to give it good effort and simply accept it if an outcome occurs.

It is Tuesday time to IRON out this mess.

At the first of the year after all the tax was accomplished and mailed an idea came to me to make a file of each years tax information in separate envelopes. That was it would all be in one place in a nice file box accessible if there were ever need. Starting the project was as far as it got and it has (like many other little piles) longed to be finished and put away off of my studio floor. With the summer and school out few things are really getting done in the house.

It is the time of souls, minds and spirits of the young ones I tend to everyday. Here goes though perhaps by days end I will have this done.

The other thing is to have the kids tend to a tackle just in order to keep them from the "FAT" of too much ease. Not the fat of body but of abundance and idol body with piles of their own.

With the challenges of terrible fatigue life is different for me these days. Like the wind has been pulled out of me. So very very tired almost all the time. This ol' hamster is all but seized upon my wheel. This has lasted a long while now. I am told that after the infusions I will feel much better. There is a pleasant peace here at our uncommon home. All is well with our souls. As of now it is more the body that gives challenge.

When life gets tough...

Well it is an amazing thing when the tough get going. We had a wonderful service last Sunday despite the ear cracking volume of the service, no joke. There was an Epiphany for my darlin' and I. The Pastures story went like this...

He was in his car with a growing teenage boy who could eat his house his appetite was so intense. Not uncommon for the age spurt that gives them inches a day on their height. So every hour practically the child was STARVING! So Dad (the Pasture) pulls into a McD. to get the boy some (2) burger meals.

The father (pasture) reaches over for a french fry and the boy clutches the lunch and declares MINE!

Now the father could still of gotten the boy more if needed not a big deal understanding the calorie demand of the boy, yet the boy clutched to it as if it were HIS!

Like we do with our pile. Everyone has a pile called MINE> We do all we can to hold onto it. We figure it is up to us to maintain and micro manage it. MINE! my house,car, life.

Ya, but whose is it really? Who has the power over the elements really? Who is it that holds all of our PILES together and is responsible for it? This is where the choice comes in.

I can KEEP my pile and have all the burden of it or I can entrust God with it. This the epiphany that it is GOD who we will give charge over our pile. Everything we own is his. Every breadth. Not out of fear but out of release. Who really wants the stress and anxiety of clutching onto all with white knuckle desperation. Wondering where every dime and every need is going to come from.

Lately every time I turn around a dime and a penny appear. A whimsical game God and I have played for a good 20+ years. We have given our lives to Christ but have we ever given him our pile. A long time ago I lived in fear that the pile would be taken away. We had a differing belief between us in our finance over the tithe. The DREADED TITHE...so finally trusting I let go and kept an attitude of generosity for years. I came about after years of this fear that the pile would be taken for the lack of the practice of the tithe that I became fearful so much so that white knuckled I changed. ME! the girl with the trunk full of clothes and things we no longer needed and every visit to a friend to the trunk they were taken and we saw the amazing provisions shared and there was never a lack. There is still never a lack.

8 years ago we went down 2/3's in income at the same time adopting our second international adoption. A very scary time for we had began the adoption as the plant that Steve worked at shut down and he was not absorbed a 27 year career gone.  Low man on the pole he began again. It was then that the trunk dried up. " better hold onto the things for never know I may just need them." The pile grew. Stagnant oppressively grew. We began a budget a year or so ago. We became out of debt. WE DID IT  har har...Who? OH WE>>> Who? who? made us able when bills hit unexpectedly? Who?

Our intentions blessed and efforts made yes. For the first time this message has changed hearts so...hands open we are now budgeted for the tithe just as the house payment or utility a priority.
Somehow all the slack in the budget will be covered I know this from a life time of seeing the measure met. The jar of oil never dry or flour pot never empty.

OH THE Peace! of this being out of recognizing that we no longer control but have given control over our pile to God. We will continue to do due diligence. From there?   It will be so fun to see how it will all come around and the pile will balance out to a blessing and not a big old oppressive mess to deal with. I am so happy, so proud of the unity that is now provided on this topic in our marriage and it being out of release and not fear.The leader leading. Put a fire under me that warms me to get a few things sold on Creigs list and clear out some of this accumulation. A warmth to bake bread and set menu, to cut out the fat of the excess.

Tackle it Tuesday Yearly projection of budget

My Sweet Girl gets her braces off today

 We (bless God) with a lot of hard work will be paying it off in full today!

 A freezer and deep freeze inventory as well as pantry sets me to know what lead in adds to keep watch for in order to use the grocery budget most wisely.

an inventory on all medications was also accomplished this week

By utilizing our insurance mail order plan we are able to get three months  (90 day with three refills) benefit. It is important to keep an eye here. I have over purchased before when a refill was made prematurely.

The over flow was also inventoried.

These are the lead ins that with coupons were pennies on the dollar.

We will not need any shampoo that's for sure for the rest of the year.

 Last night four hours were invested into our budget for the full year. In order to fully know where we will stand. On months with extra months that were lean or under the funds were held to cover the following month. The grocery budget reduced (a real discipline here to cook more and more) a menu weekly does truly make a difference.
I have tried to make a copy of the type of spreed sheet I use being a bit computer knowledge limited I did my best
Our budget has now been projected out through December. This way we have placed every cent to a designed place. If one month is short we use the prior month to cover it by cutting out expenses or cutting them down asap.This my friends is a great discipline and it has great rewards.

We are out of debt!

Except the mortgage.

This year we tightened the boot strings even more by taking a 22 year mortage down to a 15 year.

We are forced to find an extra $150 to cover the increased pmt.

Rather than adding $150 to the principal we were able to refinance for almost 1% point under (in our case for free). With a refund due to escrow overage.

	PLAN	Goals / Due by	actual/debit	actual/cash	Date pd. / Chk #
cash on hand	#DIV/0!		#DIV/0!
child one savings
child two savings
Pay Pal chking online purchases	$                    -		$                   -
Total			$                                -
TOTALS
TOTAL ALL CATEGORIES			$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING
	PLAN INCOME		ACTUAL INCOME		Deposit Date
Paycheck 1		Paycheck 1			lowest average
Paycheck 2		Paycheck 2
Paycheck 3		(May, Oct) Paycheck 3
Non taxed - Other pay 1		Other pay 1
Non taxed - Other pay 2		Other pay 2
Deposits from envelopes		Deposits from envelopes
overage from prio month to cover shortfall		Deposits from envelopes
Pay pal Checking (Auto deposit from paychk)		Pay pal Checking
Refunds / reimbursements		Refunds / reimbursements
Federal Tax Refund		Federal Tax Refund
State Tax Refund		State Tax Refund
TOTAL INCOME	$                    -	TOTAL INCOME	$                   -
CHARITABLE GIFTS (10-15%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	$                   -
SAVINGS (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	$                   -
HOUSING (25-35%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
UTILITIES (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
TRANSPORTATION (10-15%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
MEDICAL / HEALTH (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
FOOD (5-15%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
PERSONAL (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
CLOTHING (2-7%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	$                   -
RECREATION (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0
cash on hand			$                   -
		TOTAL	$                   -
Investments
401K
two
three
four
five
remainder end of month goal? 3 mo. Fund					Lay off fund expences for 3 months
HOUSING (25-35%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Mortgage
Mortgage Late Fees
Additional Principle
Repairs to house / Furnishings
Home maintenance
Replace Furn/Appliances/Decor
Yard / Garden Maintenance
Yard / Garden Purchase
Bedroom Carpet / kitchen flooring
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
UTILITIES (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
SRP electricity
City of Mesa Water / Trash
Cox Phone / Internet
Easy news		Auto debit
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
FOOD (5-15%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Grocery ($200 cash on hand)
Week1
Week2
Week3
Week4
Week5
Stockpile
Birthdays/celebrations
Holidays/parties/vacation		thanksgiving
Restaurants
Dog Food
Chicken Food
School Lunches
Steve's Lunches		petty cash
Supplements
Memberships
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
PERSONAL (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Life Ins -wife chk $? yr. due 00/00/10		to envelope $/12		???	To Envelopes
LIFE Ins Co. Pmt					To Envelopes
Life Ins - husbands yr. due ?00/00/10		to envelope $?/12 = $?		???
Life Ins Co. pmt
IRA National Finance annual fee (retirement mgmt)		?/yr, due Dec
Allowance 4x$5 -child 1					when fund are able
Allowance 4x$5 -child 2					when fund are able
Pocket Cash (Petty Cash)
Educational Expenses
School Supplies & Expenses
School Photos / Field Trips
Adult Education
Library fines
Gifts (Aniv,Hol,Christmas)		SAVE FOR CHRISTMAS
Gifts (our birthdays,adopt day)
Gifts (to give, bday,wedding,etc)		make gifts
Hobby / Crafts / Sewing
Postage / Shipping & Handling
Computer fund hrdwr/sftwr
Hair Care / Cosmetics
Toiletries
Pet Supplies
Chicken (pine shavings)		Wal mart $7 lg bag
Dogs (license)		Chk $52 yrly due Aug '10
Miscellaneous
Subscriptions - Magazines
Financial Purchases
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
CLOTHING (2-7%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Adults
Children
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
SAVINGS (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Emergency Fund (12k/3mo)		savings (cush) in bank			NO TOUCH!
Emergency Fund ($1000)
child 1 Savings					education
child 2 Savings					education
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
CHARITABLE GIFTS (10-15%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Cash
Non deductible
Non-cash
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
TRANSPORTATION (10-15%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Car Ins ($? yr $? Qty) / monthly		to env
auto ins Pmt		due Oct, Jan, Apr, Jul
Deductible ($1000)					in case of acciden have enough to cover it
License and Registration
vehicle one ?/ 12)		due Apr 2011
Vehicle two ?/12		due Jan
Trailer		due Jun 2010
Emissions Test		Chk $30 yr approx
vehicle one ?/ 12)
Vehicle two ?/12
Gas
wk1 Honda		debit
wk2 Honda		debit
wk3 Honda		debit
wk4 Honda		debit
wk5 Honda
wk1 Chevy		debit
wk2 Chevy		debit
wk3 Chevy		debit
wk4 Chevy		debit
wk5 Chevy		debit
Travel
Trip 1
Trip 2
Oil
Tires
Repairs
Honda
Chevy
Camper
Additional Purchase for
Honda
Chevy
Camper
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
RECREATION (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Entertainment
Admissions
Media, Movies, Games
Vacation
Pet / Estate care
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
MEDICAL / HEALTH (5-10%)	#DIV/0!	Range:$0 - $0	#DIV/0!
Doctor		copay for an er visit
1 husband		debit
2 wife		debit
3 child one		debit
4 child two		debit
Dentist
1 husband		debit
2 wife		debit
3 child one		debit
4 child two		debit
Optometrist		$15 copay?
1 husband		debit
2 wife		debit
3 child one		debit
4 child two		debit
Drugs
husband rx		debit $? every 3 mo.
wife rx		debit $? every 3 mo.
child one rx		mail ord $? every 3 mo.
child two rx		mail ord$?every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord$?every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord $? every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord $? Every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord $? every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord$?every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord$?every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord$?every 3 mo.
RX		mail ord$?every 3 mo.
RX		monthly
Non-mail order		debit
Non-prescription		Tylenol, cold misc
Vet Exams		exams
Shots/med, nail trim $15 ea
shots ($18 ea, due 12/9,rabies due 8/9)		shots due Nov,rabies 3yr
TOTAL	$                    -		$                   -
ALLOCATION REMAINING	$                                 -		$                                -
MEDICAL DEBT / EXPECTED DEBTS	#DIV/0!		#DIV/0!
(braces)
unpaid medical
I can not get rid of this color!