by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 21, 2017 | Goals
Inside: Blogging is a ton of work, but over time you’ll learn what’s worth it and what you need to stop worrying about. Get advice from a 2nd year blogger!
August marks the birth month of Medium Sized Family! I love to spend a little time reflecting on how far the blog has come, and this year I have 2 years under my belt as a blogger.
When I wanted to be a music teacher, I went to college and studied the subjects they told me to. Blogging is a whole different beast! Sure, you can take classes to learn how to be a better blogger. But it’s tough to figure out what’s valuable… and what’s just noise.
While I have no intention of becoming a blogger who blogs about blogging, I would like to share some of my experiences this year. Maybe this will give other bloggers an aha moment. Or maybe you’ll decide that you’d like to try blogging yourself! Or…not. 😉
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 18, 2017 | Ways We Saved This Week
When I agreed to help build a brand new non-profit PTO from scratch with a few other enthusiastic parents, I had no idea what I was getting myself into! We’ve been working hard to get everything ready for back to school on a very limited budget.
At least I knew a little about dealing with a budget anyway!
Needless to say, I’m a little fried from all of that busyness, so I apologize for not getting a new 5 Ways post up last week. I’m glad you didn’t give up on me!
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 16, 2017 | Debt
Money worries feel like they control your whole life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Learn four steps that can change everything.
The cart was nearly full as I turned down the last aisle at the grocery store. I eyeballed the foods I had selected to feed our family.
Money worries were always on my mind, and I carefully chose foods that would keep our budget down.
But prices had been rising steadily for months.
In fact, the cost of food seemed higher this trip than they were just a week ago.
Gas prices were through the roof and everyone I knew was struggling in one way or another. There was a recession. Plus I had just quit my job, lowering our income just as our third child was born.
The timing wasn’t perfect.
As I pushed the cart along, I couldn’t help but wonder if the cost of food would continue to climb until we’d find ourselves unable to feed our small family.
A terrible feeling washed over me, and I frantically dug through my purse, looking for my phone.
As I called my sister, I knew I was having a heart attack.
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 14, 2017 | Grocery Tips, Recipe
Last minute dinner ideas can save you from another night of pizza deliveries. Get recipes that use ingredients you probably have on hand!
That clock is a sneaky fellow. How often have you looked up to discover that it’s practically dinner time…and you have no plan at all?
It happens even to the best meal planners!
No family can survive on pizza delivery every night (especially when you’re trying to save money!).
So keeping a list of last minute dinner ideas on hand is a great idea. You need ideas for meals you can create using the foods you probably have on hand in your pantry and freezer.
But if you’re exhausted after a long day and the last thing you want to do is get creative about what to make, don’t worry. It’s as simple as scrolling through this list of delicious recipes!
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 7, 2017 | Goals
July was kinda rough. There were moments (hours) (days?) that I was just doggone tired of paying off debt. For a while, I wondered if I could even see it through to the end.
Paying off debt ain’t for the weak, and after some reflection I wrote about it. And as I wrote, I realized that the only way around these problems was to go straight through them.
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 4, 2017 | Ways We Saved This Week
Piles, piles everywhere! School hasn’t even started yet, and I already feel behind. The house is full of piles of half finished projects, school supplies, things that are usually in our minivan, and (of course) laundry mountain.
It’s been another super busy week, but we’ve managed to save throughout the week, too! Our credit card debt is dropping, and every week gets us that much closer to the freedom that comes with escaping credit card debt.
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 2, 2017 | Parenting Tips, Saving Money
Your child wants to join the band, but you’re wondering how much this is going to cost you! Learn when to rent and when to buy that school band instrument.
Your kid runs in from the school bus and throws a paper at you. She got to see the band teacher today and he brought some neat instruments with him! Now she’s got her heart set on playing the flute.
But the first thing you think is “How much is this going to cost me??”
Playing in the band is a wonderful opportunity for students! It’s a great way to feed their right brain, and provides them with lifelong benefits.
But the cost of joining the band can give pause to most parents. Let’s figure out whether you’d be better off renting or buying a school band instrument, and how you can keep the cost affordable.
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by Jamie Jeffers | Aug 2, 2017 | Meal Plans
August! You gotta love all the choices for fresh produce we get this time of year.
I’m a summertime gal, so life right now is all about barbecues and fresh salads. Even better if you can grow some of the ingredients yourself!
Why not try growing something in the kitchen window or the back porch?
Today I’m sharing our family weekly meal plan. This is everything we’ll be eating for the first two weeks of August. I’ve got plans for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
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I'm Jamie, and I want to help you afford a beautiful life with your family. 
