Taking Advantage of Homeownships - www.Blackenterprise.com - April/May 2013 Edited by Latoya M. Smith@LATOYAReports

This post is not a reprint of the mention article, but I wanted to provide as much information as I could so that you can located the article to read for yourself.  In this post I would like to provide a summary of the information I have found to be most helpful to me at this stage of my life.

The article was about Rufus and Jenny Triplett the smart moves they made that has set them on a good financial footing.  Rufus took advantage of the VA loan to purchased a home has some problems with refinancing but they stuck it out until they found a bank that would help them.  The couple also has a home base business and use the federal tax law and they were able to debut 28 percent of their mortgage payment, depreciation, property taxes, insurance, utilities and expenses for household maintenance, repairs, or improvements. ( See the irs.gov website for more information or take an income tax preparing course. To take a Income Tax Preparing training at HR Block is about $200 I believe it will give me a clear understanding of the Federal Income Tax Laws. Maybe I can find a course that is online this maybe easier in my not car situation. (LOL!)  The couple has some problems along the way but were able to refinance and payoff their home loan and payoff credit card bill too.  Now that's what I'm talking about!

"How they did it..."

1. Consider using your home to operate a business.  They started their business in a spare bedroom not knowing if it the business would succeed or fail. As mention above it is possible to save over 28% on your over all mortgage.

2. Take advantage of homeownership programs.  They were able to cut $200 off the mortgage though persistent research and by contacting a federal agency via www.Helpwithmybank.gov  . Although the bank told us we were ineligible, we persisted and got their loan refinanced.  Discount programs such as homestead exemptions are out there for homeowners, as are programs that specifically target minorities. Organizations such as NACA, or the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, assist trouble homeowners.

3. Read your statements.  Don't just get a bill and pay it.  Take time to look through it. and don't be afraid to question anything out of the ordinary or you don't understand. If you stop miscellaneous charges or corporate fees on your statement, send a registered certified letter to your lender asking for an explanation.  The couple was charged excessive and unnecessary service fees.  It was just plain fraudulent.  Being proactive and persistent saved them a lot of money.


Here are their 10 Wealth for Life Principles - This is what I really wanted to share as this is the key to the whole article!


1. I will live within my means.
2. I will maximize my income potential through education and training.
3. I will effectively manage my budget, credit, debt, and tax obligations.
4. I will save at least 10 percent of my income. ( From each check!)
5. I will use homeownership as a foundation for building wealth by starting a home business.
6. I will devise an investment plan for my retirement needs and children's education.
7. I will ensure that my entire family adheres to sensible money management principles.
8.  I will support the creation and growth of minority-owned businesses.
9. I will guarantee my wealth is passed on to future generations through proper insurance and estate planning.
10.  I will strengthen my community through philanthropy.

Looking For Just The Right Country Home.......

Above are photos of a country home currently for sale on Zillow.com on an acre of land  located down a dirt road in Southern Maryland.  It’s a foreclosure that is in of needs some work.  When I first saw these pictures I knew that this was the type of home I have been looking for, as I looked at these pictures I began to dream how I would improve the home and land to make it my own.

I have put together a vision book of how I would like my country home to be inside and outside; included in my vision book is  information about where items can be purchase either new or from a reuse/salvage stores.  While the deco and a garden is important there are some other items that needs some thought such as crime rate in the area, home security, home loans, grants to assist with home renovations.  Also deciding whether the area I wish to live will meet my needs, to make this decision I will need to get a map of the area and then making several visits to get the lay of the land.  This will help me to visualize where the stores, hospital, police and fire station, library, schools, community college, churches are located.

All of that’s the easy part I feel, but what am having a hard time is to prepare the old house for sale. Currently there are over 400 homes for sale and 11 rental homes.  The market for selling a home in my current area is not the best.  I continue making repairs and small updates as funds are available to do so. By God’s grace, I hope to be able to sell my current home in the near future as I am ready for a new adventure in my life!

 

 

Sprouting Seeds

I have read how seed sprouts are easy to grow as well as rich in vitamins and proteins. After doing a little research I found out that it would only take a little less than a week a ¼ cup of sprouting seeds would produce 1 to 2 cups of sprouts which is about 4 servings. I decided to use lentil seeds for my sprouting seeds project. From the local health food store in my area I purchase as package of “Hand Pantry’s” 8 oz bag of Curnchy Lentil Fest Salad Mix along with a large wide mouth jar with wire mesh screw on lid.  Here are the directions for sprouting seeds.

      1.       Place ¼ cup of lentil seeds in the jar, place wire mess lid back on the jar.

2.      Add cool water to thoroughly rinse the seeds and invert the jar (without removing the lid) to drain the water out. 

3.       Next add 4 cups of cool water to cover the seeds in the jar to soak overnight.

4.      In the morning, drain water out of the jar.  The seeds should be kept moist not wet or the seeds will rot.

5.     Place the sprouting jar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees inside a large bowl to allow excess moisture to drain from sprouts between each daily rinse.  The sprouts will need to be kept damp wet and allow air to reach the seeds to grow.

According the directions if sprouts are kept at room temperature 60 to 80 degrees and moist.  By the end of the week I will be eating sprouts on my salad and sandwiches.

                                                 Look at those sprouts they are growing so fast!

Our Journey Down Life's Road

There are people that you met on your journey in life that add value to  your life. 

Then over time as our lives move in different directions you lose touch with these special people. 

But you don't forget them just keep them in your heart and prayers. 

As you too move on.

A Little Taste Of Off-grid To Self-Reliance

If you have questions about living off-grid as I do then you may enjoy reading "A Widow's Walk Off-Grid To Self-Reliance" by Annie Dodds; you can order a copy from www.Amazon.com.   Annie's story begins with the passing of her beloved husband which open the door for her to live her dream of a little home in the country living off-grid and self-reliance skills.

This experience off-grid seem to shape Annie for other future situations she was soon to face. I found Annie's story frank and to the point that provided me with much to think about. For one thing I'm more of a Cottage Girl - I like everything to look cute like what you would find in the pages of  Country Living. LOL!  Lastly, just because one has moved to the country to seek a peaceful life doesn't mean that the problems found in the suburbs and cities can also be found in the country too!

This book held my attention to the point I stop reading another book so I could find out what was to happen next in the story. I hope you will take some time out to give this book a good read!

Homemade Cherokee Succotash

Succotash is a Cherokee side dish that was made with lima beans, corn cut fresh from the cob, dry lima beans, wild onions, bacon fat, smoked ham hock and other time pumpkin or bell peppers or okra.   Here is my meatless version of Succotash.

 Here is what you need:

1 Bag of frozen lima beans (cook according to direction on bag.)
2 Large ears of corn on cob (cooked and cut off cob)
1 Small onion finely chopped
1 Small Can cut tomato and green Chile
To taste fresh garlic and non-salt or herbs and butter (New Balance) or olive oil[

Here is what you do:
In a serving bowl mix all of the ingredients together. Service this dish hot with corn bread.

Saving Money: Making Meals at Home

In this post I'll share some of my recipes that that I have learn or in the process of learning how to make.  Hope you will enjoy these recipes too.

This pass December I attended a cooking class and Health Seminar the presenter was Donna James. She has practiced health reform for the past four years and received training in health at the Hartland College in VA.  Donna James believes that cooking should be easy and not a time consuming chore.  The session was interactive and informative and fun!

Below are 3 receipts that I liked the most!

 French Toast

 1 Cup Vanilla Flavored Soy Milk (can use Almond)

2 TBS. Flour

1 TBS. Sugar

1 TBS. Nutritional Yeast

1 TBS. Cinnamon

Olive Oil

 Mix all ingredients together.  Dip bread and fry in skillet, let both sides brown. 

(This was delicious taste like French toast made with eggs!)

 

Parmesan Cheese

 3   TBS. Nutritional Yeast

3/4 Cup raw cashews

1/4 TSP. Garlic Powder

3/4 TSP. Sea Salt

In food processor mix all ingredients, pulse until a fine meal is achieved. Store in refrigerator to keep fresh.  Last for several weeks.

 Kale Salad

 Kale

Purple Cabbage

Shredded Cabbage

Red Onion

Mix all ingredients together. Service with your favor a non-dairy dressing.

Donna explained that pour a little olive oil over the kale salad would brighten the color and for me it add a little more flavor. I now use this on all of my salads.  When I go to salad bars I have try use their salad oil but have end up getting sick.   


On my Salads I like croutons but the ones you buy in the store are supper hard to chew and may have items add that I can't even pronounce.  So here is my personal recipe for making fresh croutons.

Making Croutons

Instead of going out to the store to buy store croutons use day-old bread  to make your own croutons. 

Croutons are great in a salad or pasta dishes or soups.

What you need:

Left over bread

Olive Oil

Parmesan Cheese

Italian Season

Here is what you do:

Cut up bread into small pieces and place in blow.  Then cover with olive oil and sprinkle on the Parmesan Cheese and Italian Season.  Next place the croutons in the oven on parchment-line baking sheet for 15 minutes until golden brown.   Now they are ready for your to be added to your salad or soup.


Here is one more that I recipe I would like share, but have not try yet.  I came across it in the www.wherewhatwhen.com magazine pass summer.

Canned Salmon Loaf

3 Cans of Salmon (remove the skin and bones)

4 Tbs. mayonnaise

1/2 Cup non-dairy milk

1 Cup oat bran or oatmeal or leftover rice or breadcrumbs (use what you have on hand)

1 Tbs. onion power

2-3 tsp. dried dill

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1 egg

Mash salmon with mayo add non-dairy milk. Next add oat bran, onion power, dill, lemon juice and egg.  Mix well and put into an 8 x8 loaf or cake pan.  Bake 45 minutes at 350.

While the Salmon Loaf bakes fix some frozen broccoli or cauliflower with your favor seasonings placed in the oven on parchment-line baking sheet.  When both dishes are ready serve and enjoy.

 

Crock Pot Chicken Soup

 

1 Can of Cream of Chicken

1 Can of Water

1 Can of Mix Vegall

2 Cups of dice chicken

½ cups of dice celery

1 Tbs. fresh mince fresh garlic

1 Tbs.  dry onions

2 Tbs. dry vegetable flakes

 Using what I already have on hand in the kitchen cupboards, dump all the items listed above in the Crock Pot and cook on low setting for about 2 hours.  In the meantime cook noodles or rice/Quinto in a separate cookpot.  Warm the bowls by placing them in the oven for 15 minutes.  After removing the warm bowl place a small amount of noodles or rice/Quinto and pour the soup on top. Enjoy with cornbread.

 

 

 

 

Eat Healthy And Economically

 

 

To eat healthy and economically will take some planning and organization.  I can’t afford to just chuck out all the food I have on hand, but I can being by making healthy meals and watching my portion size.  I’m also cutting back on my intake of  chicken, fish, veggie meats, cheese, eggs, sodas and fructose juices.  I would like to eat a more vegetarian diet that will help improve my overall wellbeing.

What can I do right now to cut my food budget? Making home cooked meals and next, stop using or buying disposable paper goods such as plates, cups, cutlery and paper napkins.  I have set the table with a nice tablecloth, candles and flowers for the center piece. And laid out nice dishes, glasses, cutlery and cloth napkins. By not using disposable dishes, cutlery and napkins keeps dollars in my pocket and helps the environment too. Breaking  bread together giving thanks to God and we talk and share our days experience with each other will help to strength family relationship.  

Next, I pull all of the food items from the kitchen cupboards and found out I had spices and herbs more than 10 years old, 10 boxes of cake mixes, 2 cake meal mix, 3 large boxes of oat meal, way too many can goods!   In the upright freezer there were a lot of frozen vegetables, fruits, veggie meats and chicken. After sorting and throwing way expired food items.  I then made a short list of additional nonperishable food items along with getting a few perishable items every 2 weeks I would be able to make about 2 months of meals. Wow! That was surprising!

I will need to use Saturday evenings and Sunday to take time to cook several meals for the upcoming week.  Then I have food that I take with me to work for breakfast and lunch.  Meaning I will not need to buy a meal out. I have budget a $100 each month February and April.

Here is my action list:

1.      Plan out menus of breakfast and lunch/dinner meals;

2.      List the ingredients needed meal and check the cupboards, freezer to see what have on hand already;

3.      Then make the list;

4.      Use coupons on the items that we use the most,

5.      House and personal items can be bought in bulk and also consider making household cleaners,

 

6.      Don’t go shopping without a list and stick to the list!

 

By starting with tiny steps and modest goals to help reducing your food spending by $10 or $20  dollars per week will help to lower the food budget and still maintain a healthy diet.

Pioneers Everywhere - By De Witt S. Williams

In this post I would like to share De Witt S. Williams article Pioneers Everywhere because; for whatever the reason it is hard to find any information about African Americans who made a positive impact within their environment.  When I turn on the news or other media there always seems to be negative images which feeds into to the sub-conscious and shows up in our actions in the way we treat each other.  I hope by sharing this article that the reader will come to know a positive image about  people of color.  Lastly, African American history seems to be hidden way on the back burner and it should be available to all.  Enjoy the article!


De Witt S. William  is directed health ministries for the North American  Seventh-day Adventist Division from 1990 until he retired in 2010 after 46 years of service.  He served as a pastor and missionary in African.  This article was publish in Adventist World -NAD/October 2015 Page 38 and 39.


Link to the Article is:
http://www.adventistworld.org/2015/october/pioneers-everywhere/1926-pioneers-everywhere.html?tmpl=component&print=1


Pioneers Everywhere

Adventism’s first African American missionary family in Africa

By De Witt S. Williams

Independent-minded Englishman Joseph Booth had a missionary idea for W. A. Spicer, secretary of Adventism’s Foreign Mission Board. As he listened, Spicer became convinced that it would be a great blessing to the work in central Africa. The region, Booth insisted, would benefit dramatically from “colored” workers. As Spicer wrote, they would be able to “render special service, where the white face could not get access.”1 Besides, Booth had at his disposal an estate of 2,000 acres, with buildings, that could serve as the mission compound, and much more. Seventh Day Baptists, owners of the US$25,000 property, had agreed to transfer it to the Adventists for just $4,000. But somebody had to run the mission outpost, manage the compound, and develop its potential.
PIONEER FAMILY: Henrietta and Thomas Branch (seated); behind them: Mabel (center), Robert (extreme left), and Paul (extreme right).
Thomas and Henrietta Branch
The Colorado Conference recommended a “colored” family. If the General Conference would pay their transportation, the Colorado Conference would sponsor them by paying their salary while in Africa. Thomas H. Branch was born in Jefferson County, Missouri, December 24, 1856. Henrietta Paterson was born March 12, 1858, at Roanoke, Missouri, the youngest in a large family. They met and married on December 7, 1876, in Kansas City, Kansas. Their first child, Mabel, was born in 1878. They joined the Adventist church in 1892. By that time Mabel had been joined by Thomas (June 1887) and Paul (March 1891). Robert would come later (January 1896).


Colorado Pioneers
When the Colorado Conference chose them, the Branch family were already pioneers. Henrietta had received some training as a nurse and would gain extra training to be able to serve as a missionary doctor. Thomas was an able speaker, a diligent Bible student, and enthusiastic lay worker in Pueblo, Colorado. Today the seeds he planted a century ago have borne ample fruit in four large African American churches in Pueblo and Denver.
The Branches were older than most missionaries sent out by the church: Thomas was 46; Henrietta, 44. Their unmarried daughter, Mabel, had just turned 24. The three boys were 15, 11, and 6, and eager for the new experience. We find no evidence that the oldest son, Thomas, accompanied his parents and the rest of the family on their adventurous expedition.


Since no other Black person from the Adventist Church had been sent to Africa, the Branches were again going to be pioneers. They had no role models to copy. It took courage, bravery, and great faith in the providence of God to accept this Macedonian call. But they were glad to go. The Colorado Conference ordained Thomas Branch on May 22 and the account of their departure is recorded. “Immediately taking leave of brethren and fellow laborers, and of those for whom we labored, we went to Denver, our former home, to make ready for the journey. . . . We packed a few necessary articles, and bidding our friends goodbye, we left for Chicago. Elder Spicer met us there, and gave us all needed instructions for our journey.”2


Off to Africa
The Branches sailed for London, England, Wednesday morning, June 4, 1902, arriving June 12. Their first Sabbath in England they were guests of the Duncombe Hall church, where they were “given a hearty welcome by all the brethren.”3
A fortnight after arriving in London they sailed again, in the company of the single-minded Joseph Booth, whose initiative and ideas had started them on this journey. Before them was a seven-week voyage from Southampton to East Africa and service for the Lord in a new field of labor. They had left the world behind, but could say with assurance, “We know there is a great harvest field to which the dear Lord is taking us and we are glad for a place in His vineyard.”4


Booth the Maverick
At the mouth of the Zambezi River the British Consul detained them for nine days, which apparently allowed the Branches to find out who Joseph Booth really was and what he had got them into. Booth, it turns out, was an enthusiastic advocate for highly pro-African political and social ideas. Officials already worried that the teachings of some Black Americans induced a spirit of independence, even insubordination among Africans: Ethiopianism, a movement of African nationalism, began in South Africa around 1890 when independent African churches started forming, based on their reading of the biblical promise that Ethiopia would one day “stretch out her hands unto God” (Ps. 68:31, KJV). Colonialists equated Ethiopianism with educated American Negros, though it was Joseph Booth the Englishman, not Thomas Branch the African American, whose ideas and action were to be associated with this thinking.


Booth had written Africa for the African, in which he outlined a program for abolishing British colonialism. Booth believed in complete racial equality, and felt called by God to speak against inequalities. His industrial mission was a way to develop financial and educational independence for Africans. Spicer and the Adventists knew nothing of this when Booth first charmed them with his estate initiative. Booth had mentioned nothing of it. It took some effort to convince the authorities that the Branches were not involved in


Ethiopianism.
Plainfield Mission, the estate outpost, involved great problems between Branch and Booth. The Branches were not interested in Booth’s proposals, but in teaching and preaching the gospel. Booth was always involved in some project and never had enough money to pay the mission bills or the Branches’ salary. After just six months the Foreign Mission Board recalled Booth and asked him to become a colporteur in England.


Leading at Plainfield
With Booth gone, Branch labored alone as the director of Plainfield Mission until the Mission Board sent Joseph H. Watson with his wife and son to join Branch. But in less than a year the climate had ravaged Watson. He passed away at age 33, was buried on the grounds of the mission station, and his wife and son returned home. Branch continued as director, and on July 14, 1906, organized the first Adventist church in Malawi.
Branch continued to direct the mission until another missionary, Joel C. Rogers, renamed the mission Malamulo (meaning “commandments”), and the Branches went to South Africa in 1907 seeking a better climate and to put their boys in school. To their great disappointment, their boys could not attend White Adventist schools. This, along with challenges to Henrietta’s health, led them to return to the United States the next year. Thomas was placed once again in charge of the colored work in Denver.


Branch left at least one more pioneering mark on the work when he was called to the East Pennsylvania Conference in 1911. There he organized and pastored the First African Seventh-day Adventist church of Philadelphia. Later the church was renamed Ebenezer, and it became the mother of nearly a dozen African American churches that exist in the Philadelphia area today. Henrietta Branch died in Philadelphia on April 4, 1913.


The Branches were pioneers, in Colorado, Malawi, and Philadelphia. Rather than focus on politics and prejudice, they proclaimed the gospel and brought true liberation to many. Their amazing legacy to the Adventist Church stands as an inspiration and path-breaking model of the church’s international mission by everyone, from everywhere, to everywhere, until the whole world knows.


1-W. A. Spicer, “The New Missionary Enterprise: Nyassaland,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 27, 1902,
 p. 17.
2-Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Branch, “Called to Africa,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 15, 1902, p. 20.
3-Ibid.
4-Thomas Branch and Family, “On the Ocean,” Echoes From the Field, Sept. 3, 1902, p. 2.

 

 

Happy New Year Everyone! Hope you had a wonderful holiday too! As we moved forward into the New Year and the next chapter of our lives, I would like to share in this post the Handbook for Successful Living put together by a wise woman within my circle. Now each year I review this helpful guide and now I will share it with you too.

Health

Drink plenty of water.

Eat Breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess and dinner like a beggar.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat lest food that is manufactured in plants.

Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

Make time to pray.

Play more games.

Read more books than you did last year.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

Sleep for 7 to 8 hours.

Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily and while you walk and smile.

 

Personality

Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Don’t have negative thoughts on things you cannot control.  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Don’t overdo. Keep your limits.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

Dream more while you are awake.

Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.

Forget issues of the past.  Don’t remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past.  That will ruin your present happiness.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Don’t hate others.

Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Smile and laugh more.

You don’t have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree…

 

Society

Call your family often.

Each day give something good to others.

Forgive everyone for everything….

Spend time with people over age of 70 and under the age of 6.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends with. Stay in touch.

 

Life

Do the right thing!

Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful

God heals everything.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change…

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

The best is yet to come.

When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it!

Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

  

Last but not least, remember:

Believe in yourself,

Consider things from every angle,

Don’t give up and don’t give in

Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.

Family and friends are hidden treasures.

The Holiday Season - Christmas

As I write this post it’s the Christmas season and my family is celebrating the joy of this season by spending time together.  We read the Bible and stories about the African American life and culture in days gone by.  Also having weekend family home cook meals together at the table; where we of our share our adventures of the past week and plans for the new week ahead.  Later we listen to gospel, Motown music and dance like David dance celebrating our love for the Lord and for each other. Let's not forget making cookies and coco together.   The main event the Christmas dinner all hands are needed here!  For the past few years I have begun having the grown adults help out with the cooking of the main holiday meal, and to my surprise this has worked out well!

As I have begun to change to a healthier diet and share these new dishes with my family they have also begun to change their eating habits too.  The same is true with their spiritual life. There is a verse in the Bible that I have taken to heart it tells Mothers and Fathers to share God's Word with your children in all that we do with them. By God's grace they will do the same with their own families. I always include my adult children and my granddaughter in my prayers as Job did with his family. The prayers of a mother are a powerful and I know our Lord hears and answer a mother's prayers.

This evening after closing the Sabbath, I made Mango Smoothies for everyone as we listen to music and talked. This recipe makes about 3 to 4small glasses.

Here is my easy Mango Smoothie recipe:

1 cup of Almond milk  (can get at Wal-Mart for about $2 half gallon)
1 teaspoon of brown sugar
1 banana
1 small bag of frozen mango ( you can get this at Dollar Store)

Place all the items listed above in the blender or Ninja and blend until smooth, serve and enjoy!


I hope that you will take time out to enjoy the season and family!

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Hey!  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you got some really good deal on Black Friday!

This is year I had a quite Thanksgiving with my closest family members.  Both of my adult children help-out with the cooking and set-up for the feast. By not have my own wheels was not able to get out on Thursday evening to get some of the door busters.  Early on Friday, I was able to get out to Ollie's, Big Lot!  I was able to get some really good deals!

My strategy is for Black Friday shopping is to prepare my wish list at the same time I open the Christmas account last year.  My wish list for are for items I would like to have but are not a necessity that I have.  So with that list I check out the adds and decide if I will buy directly from the store or go online. I must say some of the online deals beat out what you will find in the store.

While most folks went to the big name discount and box stores I try to shop at the less popular spots that may not have a line 2 to 3 blocks long to get into the store such as Ollie's, Big Lot, Home Depot, Lowes, Sears.  There was also some good pre-Black Friday sales that I was able to get a few things. 
I also keep my receipts in case I need for return as stores are not so willing to take returns with out receipts but also to gauge how much I should save in my Christmas club for next year.  

Saving Money on Your Monthly Food Bill - Part 2

In this post we will continue to look at ways to save money on our monthly food bill.  How are you doing?  Are you making lists of what you need and then taking it with you to the market?  I like to also use the sales papers as my shopping list.  Reviewing the sale papers and circling items in the paper I plan to purchase.  Then figuring out how much all the items will cost. Another thing I do is keep labels or packaging of items that I don't buy on a regular bases along with any coupons in a Ziploc and items at my next visit to the market.

I have also notice that when Family Dollar, Ollie's, Big Lots have a sale you can't way around otherwise you may not get the sale item you want! The Dollar Store and Wal-Mart allow you to shop and pay for items online then pick it up at the store closest to you. Many times the items you will find online is cheaper than in the store. Let’s not forget about Sam Club, BJs for bulk items that you use all the time.

Also consider using the free information provided by many stores like Giant, ALDI's and discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and IKEA and other store magazines that offer coupons, recipes, and tips on how to displace food items, set a beautiful table.

The Comforts of Home

 

 

 

Well it has been a little while sent my last post.  With my life keeping me busy I just couldn't seem to find a quiet moment were I could sit and get all of my thoughts down on paper.  I know that you can write post from your Smart phone, tablet and the new lite weight laptop, but I enjoy using my old Dell laptop with my wireless mouse.  It’s a comfort thing.

I have decided that this will be a Pajama day.  This doesn’t mean you walk around the house with smelly and in old pajamas- it’s a time to pamper yourself.  Taking a nice candle light bubble bath using your favorite scented soaps.  Then slip into a nice caftan style lounge dress and don’t forget to put on a dash of your favor perfume and comfortable slippers.  Now you are ready for a cup of herbal tea and to plan out your day of what you will do around the house or you just may wish to catch up on some reading. 

While we are on the subject of comforts of home, have you ever gone on away for home for few days and missed some of your “creature comforts”.  The time to get these items together is not when you about to go away, but now when you have time to plan and be in a rush.  Frist, find a toiletry case my choice is the vintage skyway train case luggage suitcase make-up case for trips long trips.  You can find these vintage cases at thrift stores and online.  I also have a Vera Bradley toiletry bag that I can easily fit into my overnight bag.  When packing your toiletry bag think about your favor products you really enjoy using, make a list of these items and the next time you are in
Wal-Mart or CVS/Rite-Aide pick up the travel size items.  Also at the Dollar Store or Dollar Deals you can pick up toiletry bottles, soap dish and toothbrush holders. In a small Ziplocs bag place the softest face towel you can find and a the softest bath towel to wrap yourself in after a nice shower or bath.  I know that hotels and BB’s supplies towels, but it’s about comfort.  Travel Slippers the flat fold up kind you can get from just about anywhere pack those away too. 

Now in the age of Smart phones and all the technology all around us I still like to having my travel clock and portable CD/radio headphones and soon to be added is a Bose speaker.  Lastly, a suite case, overnight bags I should reflex your style.

 

 

   

 

 

Count Your Blessing Every Evening Before You Go To Sleep....

 

 

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.  And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.

Maya Angelou
Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer

Saving Money on Your Monthly Food Bill

 

 

 

 

I am looking for ways to save money by cutting my food budget by $10 to $20 a month. At the same time it is also important to eat healthy.  In this post and the next few posts I will share tips for saving money. Hope you find this information useful.

What are my monthly spending habits?

• Keep all receipts for food purchase to find the cost.
• This include the food that I eat at work and home for breakfast, lunch and snack.

After gathering the above information then analyze it to find out what are items can be cut out or substitute a least expensive?

• Create menus to use for weekly meals and what you will need for each meal. The menu is a guide for your convenience as you make out the shopping list.  It is important to stick to the list and don’t leave home without it.

What to look out for at the food store?

o      When shopping at your local food stores to buy staple items such as bread, fresh/frozen fruits, and vegetables are usually stocked around the outer perimeter of a store. The inner aisles mostly have more package goods that are less healthy. Many time the local foods stores are not always the cost effective place to get your grocery.  Shopping for food at the Dollar, drug stores, local retailers such as Target and Kmart, ethnic outlets inexpensively; and local farm market, CSA, local community garden or start your own small garden.  

o       Keep a price book to use as a tool for tracking prices, products and sales in your area. From this information you will notice three month cycle. Prepare food yourself rather than buying prepared foods that are less healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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