by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 28, 2017 | Ways We Saved This Week
It’s fair week, and for the first time in years we aren’t showing any animals. It’s an odd mix of wishing we had our goats and lambs over there and relief that I don’t have to deal with all that stress!
Showing animals is an expensive adventure, and it takes up a lot of time. By taking a year off, we are getting debt free faster and enjoying a slower pace in between baseball season and band camp.
Have you ever made a big change? Just stopped doing something you’ve always done? We have parts of our lives that seem permanent and we don’t give them much thought. But remember that you can stop doing things that become more stress than they’re worth.
(We’ll probably show animals again, but it will be simplified! Two goats rather than five…)
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by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 21, 2017 | Ways We Saved This Week
The 5 Ways We’ve Saved Money This Week series is getting a little face lift! What do you think of the new photo? Design is definitely not my strong suit, but I’m trying to make my graphics easier to read. So let me know what you think of this and other pictures you’re seeing around the blog.
I’m doing all of this for you guys, after all. If you can’t read it or don’t like it, I will change it all! 🙂
Every Friday I celebrate the small wins that have led us closer to our big hairy goal of paying off thousands in credit card debt. We’ve been working on this goal for 19 months now. We have times that it’s easier, and times when it’s just plain hard.
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by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 14, 2017 | Ways We Saved This Week
Summer vacation isn’t complete without a week at Vacation Bible School. So the kids are enjoying that this week. It’s a free way for them to grow closer to God (not to mention others in our community).
I love to get there a little before pick up time and listen to them sing. The first day I thought there was a choir! It feeds my soul, and they come home more relaxed (so I suspect it’s the same for them).
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by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 12, 2017 | Debt, Saving Money
Why use a monthly budget when you get paid every other week? This Google Sheets bi-weekly budget template is just what you need. But watch out for 3 mistakes that will bust it!
You get paid every other week…but all of the budgets out there are broken up by months.
I mean, even if you squish two paychecks together, that’s 28 days of pay…
and you’re going to try to budget that into a 30 or 31 day month?
Does this make sense?
No!
Then why does everyone insist you make a monthly budget when you get paid bi-weekly?
And heaven forbid we compare those months when you get 3 paychecks instead of 2. Sure, they call that a “bonus” paycheck. But the last time I checked, we still need at least food and gas for those “extra” 14 days.
There must be a better way!
Well of course there is! It’s called the bi-weekly budget template, which I’ve created just for you.
As a bonus, it also makes those 3 paycheck months easier to factor into your money saving plan!
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by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 10, 2017 | Recipe
These pickle dip roll ups are a quick lunch or appetizer, perfect for days when it’s just too hot to cook.
It will probably come as no surprise that the idea for these Pickle Roll Ups Appetizer recipe came to me when I was pregnant.
(This is coming from the same gal who thought mixing green olives in with mashed potatoes was the ultimate treat. You’re welcome for that idea.)
Well, roll ups aren’t just for pregnant women. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy lunch, an appetizer for a party, or a simple snack on a hot day.
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by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 7, 2017 | Ways We Saved This Week
The rain was pouring down and the kids joked about going outside to play. They could hardly believe it when I said, “Sure. Why not?”
There’s a creek that runs right through our backyard. Usually in a downpour like this, it swells and takes over much of our playing space. Or it rushes so quickly that I can’t risk the kids being near it. Too many horrible stories on the news makes that not worth the risk. (shiver)
It’s just another reminder that the simple things in life bring a lot of joy. Me? I’m not going to run in the rain, but I’ll take this moment to appreciate a quiet cup of coffee.
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I'm Jamie, and I want to help you afford a beautiful life with your family. 
