Finding harmony in family, finance & military life

Do you budget those drive thru runs?  After we paid off our last debt and had wiggle room in our budget we would mark $100 every month for eating out (Restaurant on our budget form). For a family of 7 $100 really does not go far and we meaning Brent and I thought it would curb our fast food runs to a minimum. Well it really didn't. We wanted to eat less junk yet I somehow found myself justifying a happy meal or a coffee because we still had money in the Restaurant budget to buy it.  So we made a change.  We cut back our Restaurant budget to $50 and agreed it was to be spent on a meal out for the entire family. With coupons we can hit one sit down restaurant as a family for $50 including tip or we break it into two pizza nights per month. If we wanted fast food it was coming out of our personal money. Brent and I each get personal blow money to spend on whatever we want. Since making that change our eating fast food has cut way back.  I love it! Maybe o...

I am not cooking for Thanksgiving! So this menu will not include a Thanksgiving/ Turkey Day meal. If you are following my menu's at all this is probably a great one to just tuck away and pull out any old time just like the rest. I hope you enjoy it. We are currently on Day 5 of this menu plan so you know I am running late getting this posted as usual. Salmon Cakes, homemade mac n cheese, sliced apples Homemade Pizza  Spaghetti with salad and homemade french bread Baked chicken, corn bread muffins and salad Slow Cooker French Toast with sausage links and homemade hash browns Broiled Fish, Rice and broccoli Date night ( The kiddo's will be served either left overs if there are any or Tuna/Hamburger Helper) Spaghetti with salad and French bread Baked Pork Chops, Corn bread muffins and cauliflower/carrots Chili with beans and rice Meatloaf, mashed Potatoes and string beans Spaghetti with salad and french bread

Communication.  Man, I can not stress just how important communication is when trying to win in life and in finances. As a married couple trying to get your financial house in order communication is the key to success. I am not talking about the communication you have with your girl friend, male pal, bank teller, parents or even your financial adviser although that one is important. I am talking about you t alking to your spouse.  Encourage each other, hold each other accountable, share your dreams for the future you will share together. The more you communicate the easier it will become to accomplish your goals. Work together as a team, create your budget as a team, set goals as a team, dream together as a team and your team will WIN!!  Take 30 minutes tonight to talk to your spouse about where the money you will make in December is going. Write your budget together putting it on paper on purpose that's your game plan, your goals, your strategy to win! You c...

I am so behind guys! I was finally able to write up a quick 11 day menu to at least get us through the 18th. We have been living off of left overs and quick thinking! Let me just say the chipotle shredded beef and simple chicken burritos were a huge hit at my house! Ok the menu. This is all based on stuff I already have stocked up in my pantry and freezer and yes we finally stocked up on some meat in my deep freezer. Fried Catfish Nuggets (cornmeal, salt, pepper deep fry in oil just a couple minutes and yum) Cornbread muffins and carrots both raw and steamed to suit the entire family Meatloaf and Mashed potatoes served with String beans Chili with beans served over rice or tortillas Restaurant Night!! For us this is November 11th if you are a member of the Armed Forces check to see which restaurants in your area are honoring you with a free meal! Spaghetti with Salad and hopefully home made bread Homemade Pizza Baked Chicken bone in, sticky rice and broccoli again some raw som...

Cleaning up the kitchen today Justice came running in dressed as Batman's sidekick Robin "Mom I am going to play super hero". So cute! I helped my little super hero finish putting on his costume. Then he was off not to fight crime but to read a book in his bed for quiet time. Later I got to read with him enjoying one of those rare one on one moments. It was so nice. Brent was promoted yesterday. He had the entire family get up on stage with him! We all got to punch him in the arm right on that new stripe. Even Kady gave him a good punch with that sweet baby fist. She had the Colonel cracking up as she danced across the stage holding my hand as we made our way to daddy's side. It was wonderful and I am so proud of him. I have been enjoying all of the hilarious faces Kadynce has been making. Her personality is really shining through and she is so much fun. Her favorite thing to say is "Your so funny!" Laughing as she says it. She is the silliest child we h...

Saturday was wonderful. I finally got the break my overworked, stressed out, exhausted self needed. I love my children and my husband so much more then anything else in this world actually, but sometimes I just need to get away. I did just that this past Saturday. Brent had to go in to work for just a little bit on Saturday morning and as soon as he got home I packed up my big old purse and ran out the door. Ha more like unpacked it since I had to pull out all the diapers, wipes and snacks I usually tote around with me. First I went to WalMart leaving all preconceived notions of a budget behind me and carrying my list in my head. Two big no no's! I especially know this having taught both FPU and coupon classes not to mention the couples we have counseled on budgeting but Saturday was my day to rebel and so I did. I grabbed some supplies for my coupon binder, note books to keep track of prices at different grocery stores and a book (fiction of all things) for myself.  No coupons...

You get the picture right? I am sure you have seen it too. Someone thinking of no one but themselves compromises someone else putting them in a bad, uncomfortable or dangerous situation. Two days in a row now I have seen just that. Yesterday I went with my entire crew to immunizations on base. It was an early release day and the place was packed with parents taking their children to get the flu vaccine. As we were getting closer to front of the line I overheard a conversation that really made me feel uneasy. A mother was at the desk with her two daughters waiting their turn to be called back. She asked if they were getting the shot or the mist. The immunization tech explained the the shot was reserved for people who had health conditions such as asthma or pregnancy because they had a very limited supply come in. Everyone else was supposed to get the flu mist vaccine which is actually stronger then the shot. Well the mother started to throw a fit saying her daughters would not get the...