Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 106

Leap of Faith

Today I am in North Carolina at the She Speaks Conference, where I am speaking about using Pinterest to build a platform.  To be perfectly honest, it is sort of a full-circle moment for me, and although I had originally planned to write something completely different today, I couldn’t help but take a few minutes to reflect on how I got here.

You see, almost two years ago now, I eagerly updated my Facebook status with the following message:

By then I had been writing this blog for more than two years.  I had written hundreds of blog posts and thousands upon thousands of words.  I already was a writer, I just didn’t dare see myself that way.

But my dear friend Kasey, who has been such an inspiration and amazing prayer partner to me over the years, responded to that post with a challenge.  She said, if you really want to write, you should go to SheSpeaks.

She went on to explain that SheSpeaks was an inspirational and instructional conference for aspiring writers and speakers, and that it had been pivotal in her own writing journey.  It was there that she had met her literary agent and begun to take the steps necessary to write her book.  Then she said,  I think they have a special one coming up in January.  You should go.

I clicked on the link that she sent and saw that a.) the price to attend the conference was almost a thousand dollars and b.) the conference was almost completely sold out except for one more spot in the writer’s track.

What Kasey didn’t know, couldn’t possibly have known, was that about a week earlier, during my morning prayer time, I had very clearly heard God calling me to write, perhaps more clearly than I’ve ever heard anything in my entire life.

Just write, and I will take care of the rest.

I’m not one to say that lightly.  If you’ve read my story, you know that God and I have not always been on the best of terms.  And furthermore, I’m not that kind of Christian.   I’m not a charismatic.  I don’t raise my hands in church.  I pray and read the Bible and truly believe with all my heart that I have been saved by grace, but most of the time I am very much aware of just how much of a sinner and a disaster I really am.

I called my husband at work and said, all in one breath, there’s this conference in January that I’ve never heard of before, and it costs almost $1000, and there is only one spot left and I can’t tell you exactly why, but I feel like I really, really need to go.  Like God is telling me to go.  And I know that is totally weird but I have never felt more strongly about anything in my life.  So can I go?

I don’t really know what Chuck must have been thinking right at that moment, or even whether he could understand what I was asking, I was talking so fast.  I knew he was going to say no, that it was too expensive and that there was no one to watch the girls and that it was crazy to think that God was telling me to go.  After all, we’re not really that kind of family.  Furthermore, Chuck is not a quick decision maker.  He has to ponder and reflect and agonize over even the smallest choices.  It took us 2 months and 3 trips to Home Depot just to choose our kitchen faucet.

But he said yes.

He said, very simply, if you feel that strongly that this is what you need to do, then you should go.

And so I went.  But I have to admit that somewhere between November and January, I lost most of my nerve.  I was going, but I was scared.  Terrified, actually.  I didn’t know a single person who was going to be there.  I didn’t even know why I was going.  I wanted nothing more than to just not go.  But I went anyway.

It was a leap of faith.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but it doesn’t take all that much introspection to see how God’s hand was on that conference, orchestrating all the pieces to fall right into place.  In fact, when I look back I can see how clearly that moment was one of the biggest turning points in my life.

In the shuttle from the airport to the hotel, who happened to be seated in front of me but Crystal from Money Saving Mom.  Despite my completely spastic introduction, we became fast friends, bonding over a random plate of fries and a pile of ketchup packets.  Over the past two years, she has become one of my closest confidantes.  Few people challenge, encourage, or inspire me more, and if her friendship would have been the only thing to come out of that weekend, it would have been totally worth it.

But it wasn’t the only thing.

My small group leader, Karen Ehman, also became a good friend and mentor, and helped guide me through the process of writing my book proposal.  I met my friend Angie, who like Crystal, has been an amazing encourager and prayer partner.   I was also challenged in one of the main sessions to find an accountability partner, which inspired me to ask my friend Edie to fill that roll.

While at SheSpeaks I also met Esther Fedorkevich, who would end up becoming my literary agent.  Esther is a no-nonsense kind of gal, and quite frankly she intimidated the heck out of me.  She warned me from day one that she wasn’t the kind of agent who would hold my hand (and she hasn’t) but she did go to bat for me, ultimately securing a two-book deal with Zondervan Publishing.  My first traditionally published book, Living Well Spending Less:  12 Secrets of the Good Life, will be released at the end of the year.

All because of one leap of faith.

I think sometimes in life it is easy to stay in our comfort zone, to not act because standing still seems safer.  We stay still because we are afraid of the unknown.  We are afraid of making a mistake.  We are afraid of looking stupid.  We are afraid of failure.

We are afraid to trust God.

Because he gives us the choice.  In fact, in any potential leap of faith there are usually three important choices along the way.   All three require trust.

First, we have to make the choice to listen.   We will never hear the call to action if we don’t take the time to be quiet and just listen to what God might be telling us.  In my own prayer time, as in much of life, I generally like to be the one in control.  I have a list of prayer requests I need to address, and agenda for exactly how I’d like my devotion session to go.  But every once in a while I actually manage to Just. Stop. Talking.   And I listen.  And those are the moments where God is waiting to speak.

Second, we have to make the choice to obey.  When that whisper, that nudge, that deep conviction appears, we can’t push it away.  Our temptation is to argue, or to ignore it, or to tell ourselves we are crazy, that the whisper isn’t real.  But we know, deep down, that we have been called to obey.

And so we must say yes.

Yes without knowing what may happen.  Yes without necessarily having any actions steps in place.  Yes to the plans that he has for us.

Finally, we have to make the choice to follow through.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  We can’t just say yes and keep standing there.  There comes a moment where we have to close our eyes and jump and just trust God.  To let go of the notion that we are in control and instead open ourselves up to all the possibility that comes ahead.  We have to keep going, even when we feel like quitting, and trust that he who begins a good work in us will always, always see it through to completion.

It has been almost two years since that first leap of faith.  Looking back I can see it was the moment that changed everything, and that God has always had a plan, even if I couldn’t tell what it was.   And since taking that first leap, I’ve taken several more.  I’ve found that it is always a little scary, but it does get easier each time I make the choice to listen, obey, and follow through.

God is waiting for us to let go.

Are you ready to trust him?

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Thrifty Thursday {Week 70}

Happy Thursday!  If you follow me on Instagram you have probably already seen that this week I am in Charlotte, NC for the SheSpeaks conference, where I am giving a couple of talks about one of my very favorite subjects–Pinterest!  It should be a great weekend, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!  In the meantime, be sure to check out the AWESOME  $500 Back to School Giveaway I am hosting this week along with some other great blogs.  One lucky family will win everything they need for back to school!

Here are the most clicked links from last week:

 1. A Cultivated Nest { 13 Unique Ways to Save Money }
2. Life in the Orchard { Making Do & Pinching Pennies Update }

3. Coupon Crazy Girl { 6 Ways I Saved Money in June }

4. The Latina Homemaker { Living on One Income }

5. The Budget Mama { 5 Common Budgeting Mistakes & How to Avoid Them }

6. An Inviting Home { Creating an On-Going Rhythm to De-Clutter Your Home }

7. Midget Mama { How to Feed Your Family Healthy Meals on $70 a Week }

8. Working at Homeschool { Fill Your Freezer Without a OAMC Cooking Session! }
9. Pulling Curls { Blog CFO Update: June- 5 Months of Blog Income }
10. Mission to Save { 26 Repurposed Jeans DIY Projects }
 


Never linked up before? Here’s how:

Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
Please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too.

Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week at Weekend Wandering!

If this is your first time here I also invite you to check out my eBook, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul).  It is a fantastic resource if you are interested in building your blog, getting more traffic, or learning how to monetize.  Or, if you have read the book and are still looking to take your blog to the next level, I encourage you to check out my options for one-on-one blog consulting.

An InLinkz Link-up

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$500 Back to School Giveaway!

Guess What?!

WE’RE CELEBRATING

BACK TO SCHOOL

WITH A HUGE GIVEAWAY!

Summer is just flying by and those kiddos will be heading back to school before you know it. We all know that back to school shopping can be stressful and expensive, especially if you have more than one child, which is exactly why we have partnered with some of our favorite blogs in order to help YOU out with your back to school shopping!

Yep, that’s right! We wanted to say THANK YOU to our fabulous readers so we collaborated with nine of our VERY FAVORITE peeps in order to help one family with ALL their back to school needs!

One LUCKY Family Will WIN Our….

 

  

THIS INCLUDES

School Supplies for an Older

AND Younger Child!

 

FOR AN OLDER CHILD:

Camelbak Water Bottle

Crayola Third through Fifth Grade Supply Pack

Crayola Sixth through Eighth Grade Supply Pack

Middle School / High School Student Planner

My School Years Picture Frame

 

AND

FOR A YOUNGER CHILD:

Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Backpack- choose your own animal

Skip Hop Zoo Straw Bottle- choose your own animal

Skip Hop Zoo Insulated Lunch Bag- choose your own animal

Crayola Kindergarten Supply Pack

Crayola First and Second Grade Supply Pack

Elementary School Student Planner

School Years Memory Book

 

PLUS $200 in Amazon Gift Cards!

 

**That’s $500 in Prizes**

CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE IT?!

Let us help you get ALL your back to school shopping done! YOU could be the family excitedly awaiting ALL of the fun goodies above to be SHIPPED to YOU!

But before you enter, you should definitely…

CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE PEEPS ON PINTEREST!

These girls will seriously fill your feed with all sorts of fun and creative eye candy! Just click on the name of each site to check ‘em out…

The Dating Divas - Each Monday, the Divas offer a fabulous date idea already completely planned out for your upcoming weekend. Throughout the rest of the week, they offer FREE flirty tips, tricks, tutorials, & darling printables to keep the romance alive and the sparks flying’.
The 36th Avenue - The 36th Avenue is your number one destination for easy DIY projects, free printables, adorable handmade gifts and holiday ideas, delicious recipes and everything EXTRAORDINARY!
Somewhat Simple - Somewhat Simple is THE PLACE for creative inspiration. Get inspired by thousands of simple projects, recipes, crafts, and more!
Kara’s Party Ideas - Kara Allen is the party designer, author, dessert stylist & creator behind THE place for ALL things PARTY- KarasPartyIdeas.com. Kara’s Party Ideas holds millions of party ideas you can search, party recipes, a party supply shop, a fab party book, fun worldwide party workshops, an app & more!
Mod Podge Rocks - Mod Podge Rocks is a collection of tutorials and how-tos featuring the world’s greatest decoupage medium. Come visit Amy for tons of inspiration.
One Good Thing by Jillee - One Good Thing by Jillee is dedicated to sharing one good thing a day that makes life a little more simple, affordable, wholesome, and joyful! Millions of people look to “Jillee” each month for tips on living a more frugal and healthy life. Learn how to enrich your life while conserving time, money, and resources.
Kids Activities Blog - Kids Activities Blog is overflowing with fun crafts, art projects, games and activities for kids- most with contents from your kitchen junk drawer!
Living Well, Spending Less - Living Well, Spending Less is all about the adventure of finding the Good Life on a budget… because a life well lived is not so much about what we have as who we are.
Remodelaholic - If your goal is to make your house a home, then come to Remodelaholic.com. They will teach you the best ways to update your house and design and decorate your home on a budget. Go from builder grade to beautiful with their help.
Lil’ Luna – Lil’ Luna is the one-stop to find all things creative! Come on over to find inexpensive & unique crafts, DIY projects, recipes, gift ideas, and more for any occasion.
Craftaholics Anonymous- At Craftaholics Anonymous Linda shares all sorts of fun and creative tips & tricks, crafts, tutorials, holiday ideas, and DIY home decor.

 

JUST THINK OF THE AMAZING THINGS ALL OF THESE BLOGGERS PIN EVERY DAY!

 

What are you WAITING for?

HURRY AND ENTER…

 

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

There is just ONE step to enter the giveaway…

Back to School Giveaway

Good Luck!

 

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Hawaiian Chicken

Aloha!  This delicious Hawaiian chicken literally comes together in just minutes with just a few easy ingredients.  Better yet, it is freezer AND grill friendly.  What more do you need for a perfectly effortless summertime meal?

To make it as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the marinade & chicken into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no cooking required!  Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated at room temperature

You can use any type of chicken but my family much prefers the boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are a darker, juicier meat and also tend to be cheaper than the boneless skinless breasts.

Here is what you need:

1/2 sweet onion
3-4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups Teriyaki sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3.5-4 pounds boneless chicken
 

Step 1: Mince onion.

Step 2: Mince or crush garlic in garlic press.

Step 3: Whisk together olive oil, Teriyaki sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, onions, and garlic, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags.  (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)

Step 4: Divide chicken into two bags of marinade; let marinate for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.

Step 5: Thaw if frozen.  Grill 6-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.

    Print This!    




Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken

Summary: Bring the taste of the island home with this super easy freezer friendly chicken recipe!

Ingredients

1/2 sweet onion
3-4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups Teriyaki sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3.5 -4 pounds boneless chicken



Instructions

Mince onion.
Mince or crush garlic in garlic press.
Whisk together olive oil, Teriyaki sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, onions, and garlic, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags. (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)
Divide chicken into two bags of marinade; let marinate for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.
Thaw if frozen. Grill 6-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 12-16 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 8

 

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What’s your favorite freezer friendly recipe?

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DIY Cool-Off Kindness Fans

This is Week 8 of our 12-week Summer Fun with Kids series here at LWSL!  Today we are welcoming Courtney from Lil Light O’ Mine ,who is sharing an super cute fans for  your community . For more summer fun, check out the overview page.

*   *   *

 Happy Summer LWSL! I’m Courtney and I blog at CourtneyDeFeo.com. I love creating ideas for families that impact the heart of children. Our kids are so capable of making a difference in the world around them. We just have to invite them to the party.

We can take our ordinary moments and summer days and make incredible impressions upon their hearts.  Today, I’m sharing how to make a DIY summer fan – with purpose. You can take these fans and cool off your community with kindness. This begins as an ordinary craft and ends as a family experience in generosity. My kids learn much quicker through experiences over lectures.

 

Here is what you need:

 1 package of standard paper plates (the sturdier the better)
Tape
Glue stick
Popsicle sticks
Paper Plate Printables Style 1 , Style 2, Style 3
 
 
Style 1 Style 2

Style 3

 
 

 Step 1: Print as many copies of these files as you’d like for your fans. Or, you can have your kids color your own message onto the plates for a very personal effect. Cut the circle out to fit the inner (flat) circle of your plate and then glue the circle onto the plate.

 

Step 2: For handle, glue and tape on two popsicle sticks together.

 Step 3: Make a list before you leave.

 Step 4: Be sure to ask your kids their opinion. Who might need to cool off? Who works hard in your area outside in the summer? Get their minds and hearts engaged in the activity.

Be Prepared For All:

On our journey of doing this year-round, we have encountered tears, hugs and sometimes weird looks. People aren’t sure what to do with random kindness in our world. So don’t let them lose heart – and parents stay close to help explain why you are doing it.

 

“My kids made some fans to help cool off those working really hard outside this summer – as a way to say thanks! (Then, let kids hand them to the person).”

You can pass out 5 or 50. The number doesn’t matter. It’s really about the discussions with your family and getting their hearts focused on others.

For the rest of my Summer Light ‘Em Up – 25 Ways to Teach Generosity this Summer – head on over to my blog. I’ve got more fun downloads there from lollipop tags to ice cream wrappers and more. I’d love to get to know you and your families.

 

******GIVEAWAY TIME*****

Aren’t those kindness fans (literally) the coolest?!  And now it is time for another fun giveaway!  Today we are giving away 3 sets of Courtney’s awesome ABC Scripture Cards to three SUPER LUCKY winners!  These cards are so beautiful and such a great way to teach your kids simple scripture verses.  My girls absolutely love them!  To be entered to win, simply follow the instructions in the box below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Can’t see the box?  Click here)

Courtney DeFeo believes our kids can light up the world. As a former marketing professional, she lives in a constant brainstorm with herself and suspects it’s the route of her migraines. She wants her little light to shine so that her family knows Jesus intimately and others might see His love in the process. She is the creator of ABC Scripture Cards, Light ‘Em Up and author of In This House, We Will Giggle (Fall ’14). Her house is a wreck and she hates to cook. She adores her hot, patient husband.

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How do you teach kindness in your home?

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Weekend Wandering

Happy Sunday!  I hope you are all having a fabulous and relaxing weekend!   Does anyone else have a hard time saying no? I knew yesterday, when I was asked to help paint at our church, that I really just needed a quiet day at home, but I always hate the thought of letting people down.

Luckily my husband insisted that it would be better if I stayed home with the girls while he went to paint instead.  I had no idea how much I needed that time, but the girls and I had such a good day, first cleaning the house from top to bottom, then organizing our closets and making homemade yogurt.  They even earned enough extra money to finally reach their $75 savings goals, so we finished our day with a quick trip to Target to buy the Lego sets they have each been saving for months to buy.  Now instead of exhausted, I feel ready to tackle another week, and I am so, SO thankful for a husband who sometimes knows me better than I know myself!

But now on to our weekend wandering!  There were once again over 450 amazing posts to choose from, which always makes it SO hard to narrow it down!  In any case, here is what I loved this week:

  *   *   *

First of all, these Fish Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Slaw & Chipotle Cream from Pure Grace Farms sound like the perfect summer meal.  Seriously, I’m drooling!

 And speaking of summer meals, Flour on My Face has a Roasted Vegetable Sandwich made with all the great summer vegetables that are in abundance right now. Doesn’t this look amazing?

  Mmmmmmm……bacon! This Bacon Onion Focaccia BLT from The It Mom would be a favorite in my house!

 Made with fresh herbs and an easy to follow recipe, this Pull Apart Garlic Bread from Carmel Moments looks absolutely delicious! 

I know it is totally cliche but when I was pregnant, I literally couldn’t eat enough homemade pickles. Living Surrendered has a super easy recipe for Garlic + Spice Refrigerator Pickles. I’ve gotta try these!

Moving on to dessert……Leaving the Rut claims to have the recipe for The Best Strawberry Shortcake Ever!  I have to admit, this looks pretty yummy!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love lemon?  Of course it is the secret ingredient in Memaw Peggy’s Lemon Cake from Where’s Amanda that makes it extra special!

These 3 Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Popsicles from Roxy’s Kitchen would be a fun treat to make with the kids!

The Budget Mama has 5 Common Budgeting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. We all need to remember the fourth tip!

Want more money saving tips?  Millennial on a Budget has a great list of 8 Things to Buy Used. I had never thought of number 1!

Finally, I loved this article from Our Simple Life about  Finding Freedom in Owning Less.

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What did you love this week?

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7 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Next Car

 This is a guest post from Kalyn Brooke of Creative Savings

“No money down!”

“Zero credit needed!”

“We’ll even throw in a free laptop….and a cruise!”

As the slick car salesman shouts all sorts of promises on your big screen TV, you’re either annoyed, or intrigued. Maybe you really can afford a new car after all! But cars are definitely not (nor should they be), impulse purchases. Second to our homes, they are one of the most expensive items we can buy, not to mention a big money suck when it comes to repairs.

Even if you are only just starting to think of buying your next car, these seven questions will help you navigate the waters of high interest rates, unethical dealerships, and add-on features, as well as safety and monetary concerns:

 1. Do you really need one? 

While this first question might seem a little silly, it really depends where you live. Those closer to a metro area can take advantage of public transportation before committing to a new car. Others living in the heart of their local town can use walking or biking to their advantage.

Likewise, if you already have two cars, and want to replace that second vehicle, think about the possibility of becoming a one-car family. My husband and I downsized to one car over two years ago, and have never regretted that decision since. It takes some extra communication with our calendars, but saves so much more on insurance and extra car payments!

2. What can you afford?

While your budget may be small, understand that an older, less expensive car may require more maintenance in the long run. Set up a savings account now to stash away money for car emergencies so you’ll always be prepared to handle them, and read Ruth’s post on How to Save on Car Repairs for even more ideas.

Affordability will also depend on how much you plan to drive the car. If you commute only 10-15 minutes a day, a junker might be more reasonable, but if you live further from town, you will need a vehicle that is much more reliable and safe.

Don’t forget to check insurance quotes either. Extra safety features will make cars a bit pricier, but give you lower rates.

3. How will you pay for it?

Do you need to get a loan or will you pay everything upfront? Nothing beats paying for a car in cash, so if you’re not in the market for one just yet, I would encourage you to start a savings account for this very purpose.

If you decide a loan is the way you must go, first take a look at your budget to see what type of monthly payment you can afford, and call various banks in your area to compare interest rates. They can be vastly different than what the dealer offers you, so you’ll definitely want to check around for the absolute best price before committing to a new loan.

4. What kind of car should you buy?

With the vast information available on the Internet, it’s easy to find reviews and recommendations for every type of car, and KellyBlueBook.com is one of my favorite resources. Consumer Reports and Shop Smart Magazine also feature a car section in each issue that is very readable by those of us who don’t really understand the technical side of cars….like me!

Some items to think about are:

Safety and reliability
Drivability
Space
Gas mileage
Resale value
Invoice price vs retail price

You should always look up the invoice price of the car before you go shopping. This is what the dealer actually paid for the car before they mark it up to the consumer, and is a great starting point for negotiations.You can look up typical invoice prices online at Edmunds.com.

5. Will you buy new or used?

There seems to be a stigma with buying a completely new car, but I truly believe this only applies to certain types of cars. You really have to take the quality factor into consideration before deciding which one you will buy.

For instance, I have bought three cars in my lifetime, two of them were used — a Chevy Cavalier and a Honda Fit. During the first few years of both, we sunk more than $1,000 into each car with various repairs, upkeep, and maintenance. Three years ago, we bought a VW Golf, with only 200 miles on it and we’ve only spent $600 in maintenance to date. It’s still going strong, and has retained 60% of it’s resale value.

While used cars might be cheaper, you really don’t know the entire history of the vehicle, so sometimes it is safer to buy new. But like I said, it really depends on the type of car. Make sure it’s a super reliable and quality vehicle that is known for retaining it’s value, otherwise, you probably won’t save much money by splurging on a new purchase.  Instead, a safer bet might be to purchase an almost-new, 2-3 year old vehicle, which still gives you most of the reliability of a newer vehicle without the instant depreciation of a new car.

6. Do you have a vehicle to trade-in?

Research typical trade-in values on KellyBlueBook.com for the car you have, and come to the dealership armed with your findings. Just don’t let the salesman know about it until you’ve settled on a price for your new car!

The reason being is this — they know that if you have a trade-in, they can easily convince you to pay more for the car you were planning to buy because you are essentially giving yourself a “discount.” However, you should really negotiate for the cars separately. This will ensure you’re truly getting the best price.

7. Will you pay for any extra features?

I absolutely hate it when I get to the dealership, finally decide to buy the car after hours of research and agreeing upon a price point, only for them to give me a list of add-on options for the car. These range from a wax job, keyless entry, fabric protectant, and rust proofing, to wrap-around and extended warranties, and can cost anywhere from an extra $200 to well over $1,000!

If you’re buying a completely new car, they may already come with most of these features, but if you buy an older car and live in a salty coastal area, or travel icy Northern roads, you may want to consider adding on one or two. However don’t assume that the dealer is offering the best price for the service. Call a couple reputable repair shops and find out how much these services cost elsewhere. You can definitely save a lot of money by knowing exactly what you need and how much it should cost before heading to the dealership. 

Asking yourself these 7 questions will help you think, act, and buy smarter during the search for your next car, but remember…..you can always walk away if you don’t feel entirely comfortable about a deal. You may need to visit another lot, or do more research. You have the power to say yes or no, and you never have to commit to anything right away.

You should be confident your next car is exactly the right one for you, and planning ahead will put you in a much better position to buy one when the time comes. Think of this post as a mental checklist to complete before you go shopping!

Kalyn Brooke is a full-time writer and blogger at CreativeSavingsBlog.com. Where she gives a fresh perspective on frugal living, and the kick-in-the-pants you need to create a budget from scratch. She lives in beautiful Southwest Florida with her news-photographer husband and the most adorable bunny you’ve ever seen. She loves making to-do-lists, reading good books, eating chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and pursuing big big dreams… all carefully planned out, of course.

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Have you purchased a new or used vehicle lately?  What did you learn in the process?

 

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Thrifty Thursday {Week 69}

Happy Thursday!  I hope you are all having a fantastic week!  Those of you who follow me on Instagram may have seen that yesterday I spent all day filming for some upcoming projects I am working on.  One project in particular is one I think many of you will be very interested in, and I can’t WAIT to tell you all about it!

When I first started blogging I looked and looked for a resource that would tell me everything I needed to know, step by step.  I couldn’t find it.  Last year I wrote my book, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul), because I wanted to answer all the questions I was getting from others who wanted to know how they too could earn a living through blogging.  And while the book is very helpful, there were a lot of bloggers who still asked for more.

And so Elite Blog Academy was born.

Through a powerful combination of effective videos, practical and insightful handouts, and purposeful assignments, this life-changing course will empower, enable, and inspire you to take the specific steps necessary to transform your own blog into a successful and profitable business.  Doors will be opening soon, but enrollment is limited.  Be sure to sign up here to be notified when registration opens!

Here are the most clicked links from last week:

 1.The Budget Mama { July No Spend Challenge }
2. Sarah Titus { 10 Ways to Earn Extra Income From Home }

3. The Latina Homemaker { 5 Business Ideas for Moms }

4. An Extraordinary Day { Better Than Pinterest Home Decor }

5. Six Figures Under { The Costs of Being Disorganized }

6. Syncopated Mama { How We Cut Our Cell Phone Bill by $100 a Month! }

7. Sitting in the Pew { Are You Messing Up Your Marriage? }

8. Yesterfood { Almost Sourdough }
9. Saving the Family Money { 10 Ways to Save on Back to School Supplies }
10. Creative Home Keeper { 8 Free or Budget Friendly eBooks That You Should be Reading }
 


Never linked up before? Here’s how:

Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
Please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too.

Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week at Weekend Wandering!

If this is your first time here I also invite you to check out my eBook, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul).  It is a fantastic resource if you are interested in building your blog, getting more traffic, or learning how to monetize.  Or, if you have read the book and are still looking to take your blog to the next level, I encourage you to check out my options for one-on-one blog consulting.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Easy Freezer Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is one of those recipes that always intimidated me.  Until, that is, I actually tried it and discovered not just how ridiculously easy it is to make, but how inexpensive it is to make a delicious, hearty meal for a crowd that even the pickiest eaters in the bunch will RAVE about!

The first time I made it I had planned to use pork shoulder (also known as Boston Butt), but the butcher at Publix was inexplicably out of all pork shoulders.  When I told her I was planning to make pulled pork, she recommended I use a picnic cut instead, which is one of the cheapest cuts of meat, but works just as well.  I was a little skeptical when I saw I could get a huge chunk of meat for just five dollars, but I decided to trust the butcher.  After all, she’s never steered me wrong before!

Well.  Let me just tell you that I have now made this easy freezer pulled pork recipe for a crowd several times, and it is always a huge hit!  My $5 chunk of meat easily feeds 8 people, with enough for seconds (and even some thirds!)  It is also a nice “cheater” freezer recipe that can be prepared ahead as part of a freezer cooking day, then frozen until needed.   Seriously, this one is a winner through and through.

Here is what you need:

2 2-3 pound pork shoulder (Boston Butt) or Picnic cut 
salt & pepper
1/2 sweet onion
2 cups barbecue sauce
2 cans root beer
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
2 tablespoons liquid smoke (optional)
rolls or hamburger buns
 

Step 1:  Rub meat with salt and pepper; set aside.

Step 2: Chop onion; set aside.

Step 3: In medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, root beer, seasoned salt, and liquid smoke until smooth then add chopped onion.

Step 4: Divide meat into two gallon-size Ziploc bags.  (Be sure to label bags before using!) Divide sauce in half and pour over meat; freeze until needed.

Step 5: Thaw in refrigerator; pour contents into slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours.  Pull meat apart with fork then serve on rolls or hamburger buns.

 

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Recipe: Easy Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork

Summary: This recipe can be started in the morning and ready to hit the table for dinner with little effort but a ton of flavor!

Ingredients

2 2-3 pound pork shoulder (also called pork butt or Boston Butt)
salt & pepper
1/2 sweet onion
2 cups barbecue sauce
2 cans root beer
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
2 tablespoons liquid smoke (optional)
rolls or hamburger buns



Instructions

Rub meat with salt and pepper; set aside.
Chop onion; set aside.
In medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, root beer, seasoned salt, and liquid smoke until smooth then add chopped onion.
Divide meat into two gallon-size Ziploc bags. (Be sure to label bags before using!) Divide sauce in half and pour over meat; freeze until needed.
Thaw in refrigerator; pour contents into slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours. Pull meat apart with fork then serve on rolls or hamburger buns.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 8 hours

Number of servings (yield): 8-10

 

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What’s your favorite inexpensive way to feed a crowd?

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DIY Tree Swing

This is Week 7 of our 12-week Summer Fun with Kids series here at LWSL!  Today we are welcoming Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage,  who are sharing an easy and super fun way to make a tree swing . For more summer fun, check out the overview page.

Hi! I’m Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage. I’m so happy to share a super easy DIY idea that’s perfect for summer months! We live wayyyyy out in the country, right beside the creek, and spend tons of time outdoors, so it’s no surprise that we love swings at our house. Porch swings, anywhere, really, where we can kick back with a glass of sweet tea and enjoy an afternoon breeze. This project is one of the easiest DIY ideas I’ve had in a long time, and hopefully even if you’re not a major DIYer, you can make one, too. Even if you lack major DIY skills, this project can be done in a snap – it’s really just about a little painting and drilling – no major building action going on here.

Here is what you need:
 18 or 24 inch wooden round (found in the furniture making section at Lowes, etc.)
25ish feet of 1 inch rope (you’ll need enough to hang from a secure tree branch to the ground plus about 3 more feet)
some exterior paint in any color
a drill with a 1 inch spade bit
 a paint brush

Step 1: Paint the entire wooden round, both sides, with two or three coats of exterior paint. Any color will work, or if you want to get the kiddos in on the action then let them help you paint it. You could even get fancy and let them paint on their name or anything else they wish – it would look awesome to have a swing for multiple kids that they all designed themselves.

Step 2:Once completely dry, drill a hole right in the middle of the round with the one inch spade bit, going all the way through. You can either do it by eye or use a tape measure and get it precise (which I recommend.) Slow and steady is best when working with spade bits, let it drill in a bit and then pull it out so the chips get out of the way.

Step 3: You want to hang your rope from a good, solid tree limb (or get your husband to do it – that’s what I did.) You want to make sure that the rope goes almost all the way to the ground  and it nice and secure. We wrapped it around twice then tied it off with a really great knot to hold it all in place.

Step 4: Thread the end of the rope through the hole from top to bottom, and then tie a good secure knot in it from the bottom of the swing.

Step 5: And that’s it! It’s seriously easy to make this swing, and besides drying time it really takes less than half an hour of work. It’s just about painting, drilling, hanging – DONE. Besides just making a swing to have fun on, when you let your kids help with small projects like this it helps build memories as well as self-esteem  to let them learn they really can do things on their own. Happy Summer!

 

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And now it is time for another fun giveaway!  Today we are again giving away something EVERYONE can use–a $100 Lowes Gift Card–that you can use to create your own summer fun projects!  To enter, just follow the instructions in the box below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Gina Luker is the founder of The Shabby Creek Cottage blog & the author of How to Start a Home-Based Etsy Business. She writes daily on her DIY blog, as well as for magazines and other publications. She has been featured by Etsy, Romantic Homes, Brides Magazine, and many others all over the world. She lives in rural Tennessee, with her husband and two girls, in their shabby little cottage by the creek.

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What outdoor activities do your kids enjoy during the summer?

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