Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 90

5 Habits of Successful Debt Slayers

 Today I am absolutely honored to welcome the Queen of Free herself, Cherie Lowe.  Cherie shares her wisdom and frugal adventures daily on her blog, Queen of Free, and she is also the author of the incredibly inspiring book, Slaying the Debt Dragon, which chronicles Cherie and her husband’s journey of knocking out more than $127,000 in debt.

In her book she shares practical tips and heartfelt encouragement for anyone facing a similar mountain of seeming unsurmountable debt. Cherie doesn’t just talk the talk, she has lived it and seen her way through the other side. Even if you’ve been feeling hopeless about your situation, she will show you that there is a way out!  If you are struggling with a similar mountain, I can honestly say that it this book a must-read.  In the meantime, I am thrilled to have her sharing these 5 habits of Successful Debt Slayers!

   xoxo, Ruth

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This is a guest post from Cherie Lowe of Queen of Free

This week, I had the most unusual dream. In a flurried rush, I flew into my parents’ house and ran up the stairs. I opened their refrigerator and spied the most beautiful curvy bottle of Coca-Cola chilled at the perfect temperature. Hastily, I popped the cap and guzzled the sweet nectar of heaven down my throat.

It. was. delicious.

But the glorious moment shattered within seconds. I suddenly realized I just broke my decade long streak of not drinking pop (soda for all of my friends from other regions of the country). I woke up in a cold sweat, wondering why I had had such a bizarre dream.

Habits are powerful. Ten plus years after giving up a very compulsive habit, I can still vividly dream about a precise taste. Biting our nails, overeating, criticizing others and ourselves, overspending – all of these habits can rule our lives in negative ways. However, the good, redemptive news is that positive habits can also reign supreme.

During our journey of paying off $127K in debt, we discovered that positive habits were the gas that kept our motor running. They motivated us toward the finish line when we felt like giving up, prevented us from wrecking our marriage, and provided structure when life got crazy. In particular, these five debt slaying habits kept us focused on our purpose.

Habit 1: Believe in the Goal

 I’m a nuts and bolts sort of gal. I love blog posts that contain “10 Simple Ways” and “5 Fail Proof Methods.” However, to slay a debt dragon as enormous as ours, there was a first step that makes no sense to my practical nature. We had to believe that paying off debt was actually possible.

One of my favorite quotes is a paraphrase of G.K. Chesterton:

 “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”

 Effective debt slayers believe they can actually pay off debt, that their dragons can be beaten. If you enter into an epic financial journey with the outlook that you will be defeated, odds are your dragons will eat you alive. However, if you believe that victory is possible, your rates of success increase.

My faith compels me to believe that if Jesus was born to a virgin, turned water into wine, healed the sick and broken-hearted, walked on water, and was resurrected from the dead, then He is more than capable of working a miracle in our finances. Habitually returning to this belief will give your debt slaying journey more success than any spreadsheet or strategy.

Habit 2: Stay Organized

Believing in the impossible is crucial, but debt slaying requires legwork, too. You have to intentionally organize your life to be successful. No one runs a marathon without a training schedule or navigates the skies without a flight plan. You too need a written plan to pay off debt and manage your money well.

Financial organization begins with simply tracking your income and outflow of money. After you get a good handle upon how much you earn, what you spend, and what you owe, you can build a budget to help manage your finances. Again, your outlook on this process is vital. A budget is not the other “b” word or a cruel and unusual torture device. Instead, it allows you room to breathe, knowing you can actually afford your groceries when you check out.

Your method of organization will vary depending on your natural gifts and inclinations. Whether you use pencil and paper, a piece of software, or an online app or program doesn’t matter. Begin with the simple practice of gathering your receipts and bills into one place and go from there.

 

Habit 3: Communicate Regularly

My husband often quips, “The death of communication is the birth of resentment.” When we quit talking, we begin to begrudge or even dislike one another. This maxim rings out loud and clear when it comes to your finances, especially if you are married. Constant financial communication is a habit that every successful debt slayer I have ever known has practiced on a daily basis.

I’ll be honest. At first talking about your money can be incredibly uncomfortable. However, like any new habit, it becomes easier the more you engage in regular practice. A weekly budget meeting might be a good first step for you and your spouse. Or you could even daily begin looking over the bank account at breakfast, contemplating upcoming expenses and reconciling yesterday’s purchases.

The more you communicate, the clearer your objectives will become and your hearts will unify in a cemented shared vision. Even if you’re not married, you need to speak your financial goals out loud to another human being. This routine will solidify your commitment.

Word of caution: communication and nagging are not the same thing. I more easily see the things that my husband is doing wrong with money than what I am doing. Instead of gearing up for budget meetings with a “you should have” attitude, come teachable and most importantly dream big together. Ask the questions, “What would we do if we weren’t making so many payments? Where would we go? How would our family look different? How could we change the world?”

 

Habit 4: Plan Your Meals

This habit might seem a bit out of place; however, I find more people go off budget when it comes to feeding their faces than any other area of their money. From expired food to overspending at the grocery store to restaurant expenses that would make you blush if you posted them on Facebook, your eating and food preparation patterns can cripple your debt slaying efforts.

Weekly meal planning ensures that you actually use the items you already have, purchase only what you truly need, and avoid harried trips through the drive-through on busy nights.

The ability to manage your money in this one isolated area of your life overflows into other categories of spending in a domino effect. Planning meals keeps you out of the store, reducing your impulse purchases. You can work longer hours to bring in more income if you aren’t haphazardly scurrying to the vending machine. Regular meals eaten together as a family provide a platform for communication. Meal planning benefits your wallet, body, and heart.

Habit 5: Read More Books

Newsflash: you and I are not the smartest people on the planet. I know it might be difficult to absorb but we both have plenty to learn (and will until the day we die). Luckily, there are loads of other folks who have life experience and wisdom, outpacing our own and by some miracle they have written these things down to share with you and me!

While paying off $127K in debt, we read voraciously. In particular, we chased after books that would foster growth in our faith, increase our financial knowledge, and leave our hearts encouraged.

Added Bonus: The more we read, the less we watched television. The less we watched television, the fewer commercials we saw. The fewer commercials we saw, the less we wanted. And the cycle of contentment continued over and over again.

In the back of Slaying the Debt Dragon, I included a reading list of some of our favorites, most of which were checked out from our local library.

Habits are built over time due to gradual changes made and sustained. We must feed and reward healthy habits to slay the debt dragon. This fluid practice of beginning again and again to reach toward intentionality moves us into a place of financial health and well-being.

Lean in close and don’t miss these final words of wisdom and grace. You will never perfectly hold all of these habits in balance. There will be many mistakes and course corrects as you slay your debt dragon. We failed on our journey more times than I can remember. However, returning to these habits always brought peace and success.

Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that perfecting a practice is the starting line for your financial happily ever after. There is no good time to begin paying off debt. There is only today.

Step into these habits to begin your own epic debt slaying battle, friends. That dragon will never know what hit him.

Cherie Lowe is an author, speaker and hope bringer. Her book Slaying the Debt Dragon details her family’s quest to eliminate over $127K in debt in just under four years. As her alter ego the Queen of Free, Cherie provides offbeat money saving tips and debt slaying inspiration on a daily basis.

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Have you paid off debt?  What habits helped you be successful?

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Weekend Wandering

Happy Weekend!  I’m not quite sure what I am going to do with myself this weekend, what with my garden all taken care of again and no football to watch! (Did anyone else almost have a heart attack watching that Seahawks-Packers game?  Oh. My. Gosh!)  But I’m sure I’ll think of something….this might just be a good day to tackle my kids’ room!  What are your plans for the weekend?

In case you missed it, our Secret 13 Essay Contest Finalist for week three was Amy from AmyDalke.com  You can read her  journey here. Be sure to check it out- it is both inspiring and hilarious !  There is still time to submit your own entry for a chance to win an all expenses paid cruise for four on the Carnival Sunshine, so be sure to check out all the details HERE!

And now, without further ado, here is what I loved this week:

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First of all, These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes from Aria’s Kitchen sound like the perfect way to start the day. Yum!

 These Easy Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos from Flour on My Face come together with just a few ingredients and sound absolutely delicious!  A Superbowl Sunday meal perhaps?

These Cheddar Meatball Poppers from Spend With Pennies would also be a great recipe for game day!

These Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites from Kleinworth & Co. take less than 30 minutes to prepare!

Practical Stewardship has a great Guacamole Recipe that also comes together in minutes!

Onto some sweeter recipes….these Copycat Girl Scout Samoa Cookies from Raining Hot Coupons look so good!

These Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies from This Silly Girl’s Life look absolutely AMAZING!

On the party front, Army Wife to Suburban Life has 4 Easy DIY Football Party Ideas that are budget friendly and so cute!

 These Yarn Pom Poms from Home Made Interest add such a whimsical addition to any game day table scape!

This Valentine’s Day Word Scramble  printable from Mortiz Fine Designs is a fun activity for kids!

Overwhelmed with debt? The Budget Mama reminds us Debt is Not Forever!

These 4 Ways to Save Money on Food from Single Moms Income are all practical tips that can be implemented right away! Plan includes a free menu planning printable!

Creating My Happiness shares 6 tips on How to Save Money on Groceries Without Using Coupons. I totally agree with tip number 5!

These 7 Ways to Start Saving Money Now from Finding Morgan are great for those who have a hard time sticking to a budget!

Finally, these 8 Free Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around from Retired by 40 will turn your frown upside down in no time!

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What did you love this week?

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5 Things to do Right Now to Prepare for a Catastrophe

I’m not really one for conspiracy theories, and I don’t generally tend to panic or automatically assume the worst.  I wouldn’t call myself a “prepper,” and we don’t have a secret bunker built in our basement, an arsenal of supplies on hand in the event of a zombie apocalypse, or plans to go off the grid.

But I do know what it’s like to experience a catastrophe.  In 2004 our home and town took a direct hit from Hurricane Charley.  It was a strong Category 4 storm that demolished almost everything in its path and killed more than 20 people.  And while the storm itself was terrifying, it was the aftermath that made my husband and I realize how woefully unprepared we were for a widespread emergency situation.

You see, Charley, in grand scheme of things, was pretty small.  Within hours, the National Guard was on hand to help out, along with volunteers from the Red Cross and Salvation Army.  For weeks they delivered meals and water door-to-door, provided shelter and generators, and helped clean up the mess.

But it was a sobering reminder of what could have happened if there were a bigger catastrophe.  One that affected the whole state or region, or even the whole country, instead of just one small town.  What if it had been a pandemic that suddenly swept the country like what has happened in Africa this past year?  What if there were some sort of solar flare that caused an extended power outage?   Would we be ready?  Would we be able to survive and take care of our family and protect ourselves if necessary?

I certainly don’t wish for something like this to happen!  I don’t even think it is very likely.  But I do know that if something terrible were to happen, I would want to know I was at least somewhat prepared.  Maybe that makes me a little nutty.  I guess there are worse things.  In any case, here are the 5 things I am doing—and that you can do too—right now to prepare for any number of major emergencies or natural disasters.

 

Stockpile Food

If you already use coupons or follow my strategy for cutting your grocery bill in half, then stockpiling food is probably something you already do to some extent.  We try to keep at least several months worth of non-perishable food in our pantry, including lots of high-protein items like peanut butter and tuna.  We also recently purchased a few buckets of emergency freeze-dried meals, which have a shelf-life of more than 20 years.  We hope that we will never have to use them, but I feel better knowing that they are there just in case!

Secure Access to Clean Water

In the event of a catastrophe, water is the first thing you will miss.  At the very least, it is important to keep a few cases plus several gallons of bottled water on hand in the event clean water is suddenly not available.  (After Charley we didn’t have water for several weeks.)  It is also a good idea to keep a few of these emergency reservoirs on hand.  These collapsible water tanks don’t take much storage space but expand to hold 100 gallons of clean water right in your bathtub.  You might also want to consider setting up a couple of rain barrels around your house or stocking up on some water purification tablets just in case.

Plan for Medical Emergencies

After Hurricane Charley we heard several stories of people right in our own neighborhood who were cut by broken glass during the storm and died waiting for the paramedics to arrive.  Would you have the wherewithal to deal with a serious medical emergency in the event no one was around to help?  Or, in the event of an extended disaster situation, would you be able to care for your family without access to regular medicine, doctors, or hospitals?

At the very least, make sure you have some sort of emergency medical kit on hand.  It is also not a bad idea to research alternative medical treatments for your family’s most common issues.  My husband and I have begun researching and using essential oils for a variety of ailments and have consistently been amazed by the results.  (You can read more about that here.)  We also bought a book called Surviving When Modern Medicine Fails that explains how to use oils for a variety of illnesses.

Know How to Protect Yourself

Preparing for an emergency situation mostly just means knowing how to take care of your family even in a worst-case scenario.  Food, water, and medical supplies are important, but equally important is the ability to protect and defend yourself against outside threats.

The sad truth is that looting is all too common during emergencies, and the bigger the catastrophe, the more unsavory people there are around to take advantage of the situation.  If nothing else, knowing you can defend yourself and your family will bring you peace of mind and the confidence to deal with scary situations.

Learn to Garden

Learning how to grow our own food is something my husband and I have been working on for quite a while, with limited success.  While it makes a nice hobby and it is something we genuinely enjoy, our main motivation for mastering this garden thing is so that we would know how to do it if at some point we really needed to.  I’d much rather learn now, while it is fun, then wait until my survival is at stake.

And so we are learning, slowly, what it really takes to grow our food.  This, our fourth year, is our first year attempting Square Foot Gardening.  We are fertilizing more, testing the soil on a regular basis, and tending to our little patch like our life depends on it.  Because some day it might.   (You can follow our progress on Instagram using hashtag #SoukupGarden)

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I’ve mulled this post over for months now, wondering if I really should push the publish button, wondering if saying all this stuff out loud really does make me sound crazy.  I know I can’t prepare for everything, and I certainly don’t want to live my life in fear of the unknown.  That said, knowing there are a few things I can do right now, just in case, without much effort, makes me think I’d be a little crazy not to.

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Have you done anything to prepare your family for a catastrophe?  Why or why not?

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Thrifty Thursday {Week 93}

Happy Thursday! I hope you are all having a great week and staying warm and healthy in what can be an icky time of year!  After I was sick almost constantly last year, this year I have been a little fanatical about taking care of myself.  I have been a lot more careful about getting enough sleep, and I have also been using essential oils to boost my immune system.  The difference has been incredible!  I am so much more productive when I am not constantly battling a cold or the flu or strep throat or bronchitis or pneumonia!

In other news, our Secret 13 Essay Contest finalist this week was Amy from www.amydalke.com You can read her  journey here.  Be sure to check it out–it is both inspiring and hilarious!  There is still plenty of time to submit your own entry for a chance to win an all expenses paid cruise for four on the Carnival Sunshine, so be sure to check out all the details HERE!

Also, be sure you don’t miss out on this year’s Ultimate DIY Bundle!  There are some really great books included this year!  You can see all my picks HERE.

Here are the most clicked links from last week:

1. Faith Filled Food for Moms  { 50 Guaranteed Ways to Save Money This Year }
2. All in All { 15 Tips to Save Money Painlessly }

3. Live Like Your Rich { How to Make Money as a Stay at Home Mom }

4. Graceful Little Honey Bee {18 Easy Ways to Become More Self-Sufficient}

5. Money Saving Sisters {The Toilet Paper Price Trick }

6. Snail Pace Transformations {My Ten Commandments of Grocery Shopping}

7. Vickie’s Kitchen and Garden {6 Things I’ve Learned so Far on Our No Spend January}
8. Equipping Godly Woman { 101 Ways to Save Money on Just About Everything }
9. Frugal Fanatic {15 Budget Hacks & Methods of Saving Money}
10. Early Bird Mom {3 Dangerous Words That can Sabotage Decluttering}
 
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 blogging guide, 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, and the expanded 2nd edition is now available in paperback!  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 Elite Blog Academy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Don’t Miss the Ultimate DIY Bundle (5 Days Only!)

Do you ever look around your home at all the projects that should or could be done, and feel absolutely overwhelmed by the thought of tackling any of them?  Which one do you start with? And then once you’ve decided, how do you know which steps, instructions or advice to follow? Just getting to the point where you’re ready to start can often take so much time and effort!

It’s frustrating, because you know just how satisfying it can be to create something of your own – that sense of accomplishment and fulfillment can’t be beaten! What you need is for someone to pull together everything that you need to get started, to make it as easy and painless as possible.

But there is good news, because when the Ultimate Bundles team created The Ultimate DIY Bundle, they had you in mind! The Ultimate DIY Bundle is your instant go-to library for a whole range of carefully curated DIY and crafting eBooks and eCourses.

No surfing Pinterest looking for good-quality, easy-to-follow information and advice: it’s all right here! For the crazy low price of just $34.95, you get access to a carefully curated library of over 76 eBooks and eCourses from the world’s leading DIY and crafting bloggers – enabling you to pick a project and jump straight into it with confidence. It’s the perfect tool to skip the information overload and throw yourself straight into a new activity.

Now I know what you are thinking, because I thought the same thing: “Sure, it sounds like a great deal, but what on earth would I do with that many books all at once? I would be overwhelmed just by the thought of reading them all!”

In fact, it is that exact thought that has held me back in the past from purchasing a previous bundle. But that was before I found out that you are allowed to gift the books you don’t plan to read! Say what? It’s a game changer!   Now I can focus on the books that really interest me, and share with friends and family the books that I know I probably won’t get to. Talk about a win-win!

And after taking a peek at what this particular bundle has to offer, I can tell you that there are several books—and even an online course—that I am super interested in. These few alone make the bundle well worth the price:

Handmade Gifts for Every Occasion will inspire you to give beautiful, thoughtful gifts all year long with ideas from Kim Layton, founder of Everything Etsy. From beauty gifts and crochet patterns to jewelry tutorials and felt projects, you’ll find easy-to-follow tutorials and beautiful pictures on every page. (Regular price: $10)

The Infarrantly Creative Printable Collection includes 20 printable crafts – including treat bag toppers, guest room canvases, and New Year’s Day treats. Beckie does the hard work for you so you can print, cut, and assemble great looking crafts.  (Regular price: $10)

Craft up a handmade holiday with your kids! In Gifts Kids Can Make, Cindy Hopper shows you and your kids how to make a work of art necklace/key holder, masterpiece notecards, photo magnets, brownie mix, artistic wooden paper towel holder, and more. Plus, get editable, printable gift tags to attach to your handmade gifts! (Regular price: $4.99)

If you’ve ever been interested in making all natural personal care products in your own home, A Beginner’s Guide to Homemade Personal Care Products will help you get started. This book provides 30 easy-to-follow recipes for some of your most-used personal care items. Soon you’ll be mixing together your toiletries at home. Recipes include lotion bars, shaving cream, deodorant, lip gloss, and sugar scrubs. (Regular price: $10)

Do you know the most important information for safely home canning? Do you have the assurance that you won’t poison your children? Simply Canning will lead you step by step through the most important safety information for both pressure canning and water bath canning. Learn how to can tomatoes, green beans, meat, and fruit. Then have fun and create jam and jelly, marmalade, and fruit butters to stock your own pantry and give as gifts. (Regular price: $12.99)

DIY Herbs At Home shows you how to grow and use 10 basic herbs and create over 50 great recipes – everything from infused oils and vinegars to home fragrance, bathing goodies, sleep aids, and even lavender and strawberry gin. A must have book for any aspiring kitchen crafter. (Regular price $12.00)

Are you intimidated by DIY projects like creating custom window trim, installing new door knobs, or removing the carpet from your stairs? Thrifty Decor Chick’s DIY Guide is a practical, down-to-earth handbook offering step-by-step tutorials for more than two dozen projects to give you the confidence you need to tackle DIY projects at home! (Regular price: $10.00)

Geared specifically toward Nikon and Canon owners, The Spaghetti Shots is packed with information and humor from an award-winning children and family photographer and mom of 2 to teach you the basics of using your DSLR camera to capture everyday moments of your children – from birthday parties to play-doh creations – without anything extra to confuse you. (Regular price: $4.99)

For children to develop a productive view of themselves as writers they must engage in meaningful writing experiences. The writing activities in the Family Writer’s Club workshop are meant to help young authors develop their sense of voice and enthusiasm for writing. Participants will learn a variety of strategies and techniques for generating ideas and producing meaningful writing. (Regular price: $27.00)

If you have always wanted to learn to sew but are intimidated by the sewing machine collecting dust in your closet, you’re not alone. Sewing School 101 starts at the beginning, coaching readers in a friendly way through easy lessons in learning the basics of sewing, along with inspiration and tutorials for using those new skills to tackle simple projects.

And that is just a HANDFUL of the awesome books and courses that are included with this bundle.  Don’t wait though! The Ultimate DIY Bundle will only be on sale for 5 more days until 11.59pm EST on Monday, January 26. You can buy with complete confidence because you’re covered by the Ultimate Bundles 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you have a full 30 days to enjoy all the eBooks and eCourses in the bundle, and if you don’t think they provided enough value, you’ll get a full refund.

Not only that, but The Ultimate DIY Bundle comes with 4 awesome bonuses, worth over $118. That’s 3x the price of the bundle alone! These include…

A free $15 Store Credit PLUS 8×10 Art Print from Hope Ink ($43 Value), a free online class OF YOUR CHOICE from Craftsy (up to $60 Value), free $15 store credit to Fawnsberg.com, a free sewing pattern PLUS a Premium Video Class from UpCraft Club ($19.99 Value), and free, full digital copies of Where Women Create Magazine and Greencraft Magazine ($20 value) from Stampington and Co.

Seriously guys, don’t miss your chance to grab The Ultimate DIY Bundle, and get 76 incredible eBooks and eCourses for just $34.95. All you need to do is take action by midnight on Monday, January 26!

Pick up your copy right now, before it’s too late. Or, learn more here.

Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

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Flourless Chocolate Cookies

A few weeks ago I was at Starbucks and, craving something sweet, I ordered a flourless chocolate cookie.  It was actually my second choice–they were all out of my favorite, Cranberry Bliss Bars–and my expectations were low.  After all, I am a carb-loving girl and flour has always struck me as a pretty key cookie ingredient.  How good could one without flour really be?

INSANELY good, as it turns out.

Rich, dense, chewy, and chocolaty…..in other words, perfection.  And, after doing a little research, I also discovered that they are not only delicious, but relatively low in calories (compared to other cookies) AND gluten free. And, as if that weren’t enough, they require just seven easy ingredients. Seriously, what more do you need?  I decided it was my duty to figure out how to make them so that I could share them with you all.  You know, because Starbucks is off limits this month.

You’re welcome!

 

Here is what you need:

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt until well-blended.

Step 2: Separate 2 of the eggs, saving whites in a bowl and discarding yolks.  Whisk egg whites.

Step 3: Add remaining egg to egg whites.  Whisk well.

Step 4: Add vanilla to egg mixture.  Whisk well.

Step 5: Add egg mixture to dry ingredients.  Mix until blended.

Step 6: Add chocolate chips to dough; mix until blended.

Step 7: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes, rotating cookie sheets once during baking.

Step 8: Remove cookies from oven.  Let cool for a few minutes on cookie sheet, then cool completely on wire rack.  Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies. (110 calories apiece)

    Print This!    




Recipe: Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Summary: This Starbucks copycat recipe is low in calories AND gluten free!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)



Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt until well-blended.
Separate 2 of the eggs, saving whites in a bowl and discarding yolks. Whisk egg whites.
Add remaining egg to egg whites. Whisk well..
Add vanilla to egg mixture. Whisk well.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Mix until blended.
Add chocolate chips to dough; mix until blended.
Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes, rotating cookie sheets once during baking.
Remove cookies from oven. Let cool for a few minutes on cookie sheet, then cool completely on wire rack. Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies. (110 calories apiece)

Preparation time: 5-7 minutes

Cooking time: 12-14 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 24

 

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Redefining the Good Life (Secret 13 Essay Contest Finalist)

 Living Well Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life shares 12 secrets for seeking—and finding—the Good Life in our day to day lives. From time management and goal-setting to managing our homes and finances, these practical and concrete strategies can help each of us discover a life rich with purpose. Even so, a life well lived is not so much about what we have as who we are, and ultimately each one of us holds the key to our own secrets. Secret 13 is the truth that YOU have uncovered as you discover your own Good Life. 

Each week for 12 weeks we will select one finalist’s essay to feature here at Living Well Spending Less. At the end of the 12 weeks, Living Well Spending Less readers will vote on their favorite #Secret13 story, and the essay with the most votes will win a 7 day cruise for 4 on the Carnival Sunshine! Today’s post is our second finalist in the Secret 13 Essay Contest. For more inspiring Secret 13 stories, be sure to check out our Blog Tour!

Hi there!  My name is Amy, and I blog at www.amydalke.com. I live in Houston with my husband, and our 9 year old son. I’m a baseball mom and Sunday school teacher. (Which is an interesting combination since I’m often tempted to be a heckler at the Little League ball field.)

When I heard about this essay contest, I was All Over It. Because, seriously: the opportunity to be featured on LivingWellSpendingLess.com doesn’t come around every day.

But every time I sat down to write the World’s Most Awesome Post, my mind decided to be lame instead of creatively brilliant. So yeah, the superficial motives didn’t really work in my favor.

But one afternoon, I grabbed a journal I wrote in last spring. Smack dab in the middle of May’s pages, I came across an entry, where I questioned the Good Life. I realized that Ruth’s book was part of an answered prayer that God would change my heart about money and possessions.

As I began to process my thoughts on the changes my husband and I had decided to make based on the 12 Secrets, this blog post happened.

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What is the Good Life anyway?

That’s what I asked myself about seven months ago. So I’m not even exaggerating when I say that Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets to the Good Life landed in my lap as part of an answered prayer.

My husband and I are coming up on the one year anniversary of our consolidation down to one income. What I mean by this is that last February, I left an amazing career and healthy income, to focus on writing full time (which included starting a blog). Because I’m the Big Idea/Dreamer kind of person, and taking big leaps (for free!) is what I do for fun.

Which is awesome, unless you’re my husband.

Larry (my husband) is my opposite. He’s the Big Logic/Realist half of our marriage, and he saw absolutely no logic whatsoever in cutting our income in half to follow crazy dreams.  Especially because his Big Dreamer Wife is also a Big Spender, who operates in direct opposition to his thrifty, analytical bent.

Yeah, we never disagree about money. (<<

 

To say the last year has been an adjustment is grossly understated. It has been painful. Frankly, the only thing that kept me moving forward was the unrelenting belief that there was a greater purpose in our new family situation.  During the first eight months of this new endeavor, I would often day dream about ditching the whole thing to go back to my money-making life.

But I kept going, persistently asking God to line my heart up with his purpose. (Because, hello, it would take an act of God to change this money-loving, shopaholic heart of mine.)

On one particularly difficult day in May, 2014, I wrote this in my journal:

I’m mad, scared, and tossed back and forth. Angry at the unknown. Terrified of being uncomfortable….terrified because I don’t know what life looks like without money to burn. Money is my security blanket. What does life look like on a budget?? Can I do that? God help me… it’s easy for me to trust you, when I can make it on my own if you don’t come through. 

When I can buy what I want, I’m okay. Except, really, that’s not it at all.

That was just a snapshot of my thought process during a much-needed refining period in my life. Sure, I knew that leaving my job wouldn’t be the easiest thing I had ever done, but how hard could this really be, right?

Right.

I hadn’t realized how deeply my worth was rooted in my career. Not to mention the bank account that my career afforded me.  Now both those things were scattered on the winds of my Big Dreamer decisions, and all of a sudden, I was frequently faced with the question, “WHO IN THE WORLD AM I….REALLY?”

A question that was often followed by my husband’s own questions that went something like, “What exactly did you need at J.Crew?”  (Unfortunately, the matchstick denim pant never registered as a “need” on his radar.)  I was caught on a treadmill, chasing my worth in things that eventually went out of style, and in a bank account that had just flatlined.

More excerpts from May 23, 2014:

The world is filled with distractions….bright lights, trophies, and trinkets…and other shiny things pointing to the ‘Good Life’

What is the good life anyway? I have two choices:

(1) I can walk according to the world, and trust in riches, possessions, and independence…and cling to pride…and seek “glory” for myself. I can scramble and struggle to stockpile earthly wealth and treasures so that I can hold two fistfuls of all that I need and want, according to the world’s measure.

-OR-

(2) I can abandon my definition of the “Good Life”. Instead of depending on my finite ability to perform, achieve, and acquire, I can hand over my life fully to God…relinquish my need to control…and believe his way is far better than mine. (Didn’t he make this world after all?) (Yeah, he did.) I can believe that life according to his word is far richer than anything the world offers. I can choose to be done with my own idea of “plenty” – and trust him to redefine my perspective.”

So when I received my copy of Ruth’s book, I devoured it. It confirmed over and over again to me that my Big Dreamer decision wasn’t crazy after all.  From the very first chapter, The Good Life Is Not What We Think It Is, I was hooked. Because it affirmed once more that my tax bracket, the square footage of my house, and what I do for a living doesn’t define me after all.

It reminded me that the pursuit of more is an endless pursuit…because there will always be one more rung to reach.

But when we set aside the chase for more, we gain what really matters: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

My family is still in the process of untangling from the lies that choke us. And Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets to the Good Life has helped us to put feet to our faith. (And much to my husband’s delight, it’s also helped to reign in The Spending.)

We are stepping out of the chaos to re-orient our lives toward the only pursuit that matters, determined to create a new family culture of enough. We’re exchanging the lie that we need to acquire more, be more, and do more….with the truth that there is only one thing that truly satisfies, and that is Jesus.  This is my #Secret13.

(I understand if that’s a little too much Jesus for you. Believe me, we aren’t poster children for Christians-Aren’t-Any-Fun.) (I like the Bachelor, and red wine.) (Just saying.)

It’s just that I’ve been there and done that. I’ve tried to find the Good Life the world’s way. And with my arms full of stuff, I still came up empty.  Yet the year that the world would consider devastating (with half the cash flow gone from the income statement), I can describe as the year I started really living the Good Life.

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Want to enter for a chance to win an all-expenses paid cruise for four on the Carnival Sunshine?  In 750-1200 words, please share your own Living Well Spending Less® story. It could be a challenge you faced in your own life and the lesson you learned as you overcame it, or a personal story about how something within one of the chapters of Living Well Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life personally affected or changed you.

Next, send a copy of your essay to secret13@livingwellspendingless.com. Be sure to also include your name and blog name (if you have a blog), as well as a photo of yourself and any other photos you’d like to include.  For more details about the contest and how to enter, please check out our Secret 13 Contest Page!

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3 Ways to Let Go of Mom Guilt

Today I am so happy to welcome my sweet (and very wise) friends, Kathy Helgemo & Melinda Means, from Mothering from Scratch.  Not only do they live right here in my same small town of Punta Gorda, Florida, they are bloggers and moms who love to share their insight, struggles and parenting wins.  Last year we commiserated together as we each were writing our books at the same time, and this year I am SO excited to celebrate with them the release of their new book Mothering from Scratch: Finding the Best Parenting Style for You and Your Family.

As moms it is so easy to doubt ourselves and assume that everyone else knows what they are doing, while we are just struggling to get by, but Kathy and Melinda, with honesty, humility, biblical truth, and even a little humor, offer the real encouragement that most of us are looking for.  I was deeply touched by this book and especially loved that it didn’t feel AT ALL condescending, as so many parenting books tend to be, but instead offered practical solutions and a whole lot of grace.  I highly recommend it!

                                                                                                        xoxo, Ruth

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This is a guest post from Kathy Helgemo & Melinda Means of Mothering from Scratch

We all know the feeling — that sinking, mom guilt feeling.

A tidal wave of guilt comes flooding in, threatening to consume our every thought and action. It literally knocks us off of our feet. We feel unstable, overwhelmed and helpless.

Our kid is struggling in school and we just know it’s because we didn’t read to them enough when they were little. Or, surely it’s because we stopped breastfeeding them too soon.

Our strong-willed child is acting out and we believe it’s because we haven’t set appropriate, consistent boundaries every single minute of every single day.

Maybe we find ourselves chronically yelling at our kids. We know it’s hurting them, but we don’t know how to stop.

We start making ridiculous excuses or enabling our kids just to make it stop. After all, if only we’d done things differently, they wouldn’t be acting this way, right?

Mom guilt usually falls into two main categories:

The things we wish we would’ve done
The things we wish we wouldn’t have done.

Either way, the effect is the same. It robs our joy, clouds our thinking and often paralyzes us.

Where’s the life-preserver? What do we do? How do we gain control over our minds and emotions? Overcoming mom guilt isn’t easy, but it is possible. We promise.

Here are three practical ways to let go of the mom guilt that is eating at you….once and for all!

Decide what’s really true.

Who is this really about? Is the child truly suffering from my perceived mistakes – or is it only me?  These are important questions to ask because our feelings and emotions can overtake the truth. Mom guilt acts like a very sophisticated liar. It seems like the truth at first, then reveals its true nature later. What a con artist! Yet, we fall for it all the time.

As moms, we’re all too quick to take responsibility for our children’s shortcomings. But how many times have you heard a mom say, “Johnny is so caring and such a hard worker. It’s all because of me! Aren’t I fabulous?”

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Yet we often have this misguided notion that all negative outcomes are a direct result of our action or inaction.

Mom guilt stems from an illusion that we’re ultimately in control. Yes, we can guide and influence our children. But they’re unique and independent little people, with their own wills, giftings and opinions.

We’re not responsible for all of their successes. And we haven’t contributed to all of their failures.

We’re human. We do mess up as moms — often. And, yes, sometimes our kids truly do suffer because of it. But we have to be careful that we don’t allow internal punishment to replace heartfelt, God-given change.

So many of us only hear the voice of condemnation. It’s a mind trick. That voice tells us there is no hope for change. That our shortcomings can’t be redeemed. It’s the one that encourages us to wallow in our guilt, regret and misery.

Conviction is the opposite of condemnation. It causes us to feel remorse, but then spurs us to change and move forward. It’s from the heart and our God-given conscience — a conscience that has been surrendered to the Holy Spirit. (Kathy) I went through terrible bouts of postpartum depression which fogged up my mind with hopelessness. Later, after I  received treatment and I sought help, I had a lot of guilt about how it may have affected my children. Eventually, I made peace with knowing that I could only deal with any aftereffects as they occur. I couldn’t go back to the past. I had to move forward.

 

Determine an Action Plan.

Alright, so we feel like we’re always falling short in a certain area of mothering. For example, we’ve determined that our ineffective approach to discipline is contributing to our child’s poor behavior. Now what do we do?

We can start by asking ourselves, “What can I do about it right now?” If we’re not sure, we can ask another mom whom we trust and know will provide some wisdom. A little objectivity can help us come up with the rest of our action plan should look like. This allows us to step back from our emotions and gain a little perspective on the problem.

Next, we can ask, “How can I avoid this mistake in the future?” If we’re chronically losing our temper with our kids, maybe we can make a plan to walk out of the room when we start to feel our temperature rising — at least until we can take a few deep breaths and regain control. Or, perhaps we haven’t been requiring our kids to help around the house and they’ve become a bit spoiled and entitled. We can come up with a plan to have them start helping with small tasks and build from there.

(Melinda) I was definitely guilty of this. As a recovering people pleaser, I spent too many years enabling my kids. And then one day, I looked around and realized I was the only one doing any work! I was resentful and exhausted. Worse, I wasn’t properly equipping my kids for the future. And one day they would pay a price. So, I simply started with asking the kids to bring their dishes to the sink. Then, emptying the dishwasher which led to cleaning the whole kitchen. I got plenty of pushback at first. Their level of helpfulness is still not ideal, but we are making progress.

When we’re moving in a positive direction toward change, it helps mom guilt stay at bay. We may continue to have some negative thoughts and emotions, but we can have confidence that progress is being made — even if it’s incredibly slow or we experience temporary setbacks.

 

Execute the plan with accountability.

Being vulnerable feels risky. But we weren’t designed to do motherhood alone. We need other voices of objectivity and support. When we share these issues with caring, trustworthy people, we gain voices who can help us determine if our guilt is truly legitimate.

Who can keep us accountable with the action plans that we have made to control mom guilt? Our primary guide is the Holy Spirit. We can ask Him to convict our hearts if we lose our resolve or focus. Asking wise, caring people in our lives to help keep us on track has also been valuable for both of us.

A final word of encouragement

Our imperfection breeds humility. What we feel mom guilt about today can often spur us to positive change if controlled and channeled properly. Our kids get the benefit of watching us be proactive. When they watch us mess up and seek forgiveness from Him it helps them understand that God’s grace is easily accessible. They will know that mistakes are part of our journey and that change is possible.

In what areas of mothering do you feel the most guilt?

What plan of action has helped you reign it in best?

Who has encouraged you to seek the truth behind your feelings?

 

Between the two of them, Kathy Helgemo and Melinda Means have been mothering six kids for almost 40 years! They blog over at Mothering From Scratch where they encourage and support mothers in finding their unique mothering style. Their book Mothering From Scratch: Finding the Best Parenting Style that Works for You and Your Family is available January 20th from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Christian Book Distributors.

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Weekend Wandering

Happy Saturday!  Bring ON the weekend!  My plans for the next couple of days include tending to my somewhat neglected little garden (you can follow our progress, or lack thereof, on Instagram using hashtag #SoukupGarden), doing a few deep cleaning/decluttering projects, and cheering on my hometown football team in the NFC Championship tomorrow! (Go Hawks!)  What have you got planned?

In other news, I was pretty pumped (and shocked) to learn that Living Well Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life was named to The New York Times Best Seller List this week!  How crazy is that?!!! I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you for believing in the message of the book and for sharing it with your friends and family!!  You guys seriously rock, and I am so, so grateful!

In other book new, our Secret 13 Essay Contest Finalist for week two was Claire from A Little CLAIREification. You can read her  heart-wrenching story here. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, be sure to check it out–it is so inspiring!  There is still time to submit your own entry for a chance to win an all expenses paid cruise for four on the Carnival Sunshine, so be sure to check out all the details HERE!

And now, without further ado, here is what I loved this week:

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First of all, since I am ALL ABOUT football right now, this Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip from Cincy Shopper would make a perfect appetizer to add to your Super Bowl menu!

Of course these Slow Cooker Chicken Nachos from The Seasoned Mom sound like perfect football fare as well!

If you are more of a purist, these Cheddar Cheese Bread Twists from Carmel Moments look delicious!

This Tortellini and Kale Soup from A Mind Full Mom can be made in less than 30 minutes and looks SO good.  I was just looking at the kale in my garden yesterday wondering what to do with it…..

 Moving onto some sweet treats. These semi-homemade Nutella Crescent Rolls from Luv a Bargain are made with only 3 ingredients and can be enjoyed for breakfast, dessert or a special snack!  Yum!

 These Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies from Three Kids and a Fish look sooooo good!!

Say what? Double the Batch has a recipe for Homemade Oreos! Now these I HAVE to try!

 Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!  I am seriously in love with these  “You’re AwesomeSauce” Valentine Printables from View From the Fridge!  So clever!

 This Valentine’s Applique Design from The Seasoned Homemaker turns a simple white dish cloth into a work of art!  So pretty!

This Vanilla & Coconut DIY Lip Scrub from LW Vogue exfoliates and moisturizes your dry winter lips.

Moving on to some helpful tips…. Creating My Happiness shares  Why She’s Giving Up Couponing!

 Working Mom Magic  gives you the inside scoop to  The Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe’s.

These 10 Tips to Get Out of Debt from Saving Cent by Cent can help you keep more money in your wallet! I totally agree with tip #8!

Finally, These 15 Rules to Help you Declutter from Early Bird Mom gives you easy to follow steps and tips to get you started.

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What did you love this week?

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10 Freezer Meals in One Hour: Part 4

 

Here at Living Well Spending Less we are 100% committed to bring you easy recipes that taste great and don’t take a lot of time, effort, or expensive ingredients to throw together.  As a busy mom, I also want meals that can be made and frozen ahead of time to save time on hectic weeknights, especially as part of a Sunday Prep plan.  My goal is to spend less time in the kitchen, not more, but I still want to be able to provide tasty meals that my family loves!

Over the past year we have shared three different 10 Meals in One Hour plans, which have each included 5 great freezer recipes that can be prepared together in about sixty minutes. (You can find those plans HERE , HERE and HERE.)  They have been a huge hit, not only with our own families, but with many of your families as well, and we’ve absolutely loved hearing how much you all are enjoying these tasty recipes!

Today I am super excited to share this Winter Classics Edition of 10 Freezer Meals in One Hour, which includes five delicious home-cooked meals that are the perfect remedy to the chill!

As usual, in order to make the cut, each recipe must meet ALL of the following criteria:

Deemed delicious by both my kids and husband (plus additional testers!)
No pre-cooking required (aside from browning ground beef)
Freezer friendly
Easy to cook
Uses budget-friendly ingredients and pantry staples

In this one post you will find everything you need to prep 10 awesome freezer meals in about an hour of hands-on time (not including grocery shopping.)   Just think, in just one quick weekend session you could have almost two weeks worth of absolutely delicious, family-friendly meals all ready to go!

Before you begin, you will need to gather your tools & supplies and also make sure that you have all your groceries on hand. I find it is easiest to go grocery shopping the day before I do my cooking.  To save time unloading, only put away the items that need to be refrigerated.  Finally, make sure your kitchen counters are cleared of clutter and sanitized and empty your dishwasher and sink of any dishes.  (Check out this post for more tips on freezer cooking like a pro!)

Here are the five recipes we will be making:

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
Easy Freezer Ham & Bean Soup
Simple Cranberry Chicken
Balsamic Roast Beef
Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken

Here are the supplies you will need:

10 gallon size zipper freezer bags
labels or permanent marker
large mixing bowl
cutting board
sharp knife
garlic press
can opener
dry measuring cups
liquid measuring cups
dry measuring spoons
liquid measuring spoons
12 inch frying pan
stand or hand mixer

  

Here are the ingredients you will need:

Produce
2 bunches green onions
4 large carrrots
4 large celery ribs
3 large sweet onions
2 16oz bags baby carrots (optional; only needed for cooking day, not for prep)
4 pounds baby red potatoes (optional; only needed for cooking day, not for prep)
 
Pantry Staples
Olive oil
Brown sugar
Soy sauce
Apple cider vinegar
Minced Garlic (the kind in a jar)
Rice (optional; only needed for cooking day, not for prep)
Black pepper
Salt
Chili Powder
Bay Leaf
Seasoned salt
Garlic powder
Worcestershire sauce
Honey
Cayenne pepper
 
Canned/Dry Goods
2 cups pineapple juice
Chili garlic sauce
3 15oz cans great northern beans
3 15oz cans navy beans
12 cups chicken broth
4 cans condensed cream of broccoli soup
2 10oz packages yellow rice
2 cans whole cranberry sauce
1 8oz bottle French dressing or Raspberry Vinaigrette
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup balsamic vinegar
2 cups beef broth
 
Dairy
2 cups milk
1 16oz container sour cream
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
 
Meat
6-8 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
2 pounds fully cooked ham (enough to make 4 cups cubed)
2-3-4 pound chuck roasts
 
Deli
1 rotisserie chicken
 
Frozen
1 16oz bag frozen broccoli

PRINT

Be sure to print the following pages before getting started:

Printable labels (designed to work with Avery 8163 shipping labels)
Printable Shopping List
Printable Prep & Prepare Instructions

Be sure to also print the following recipes:

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
Easy Freezer Ham & Bean Soup
Simple Cranberry Chicken
Balsamic Roast Beef
Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken

PREP

Prep your bags—either print labels using these ready-made printable labels or use a permanent marker to label each bag with the name of the recipe, date prepared, and cooking instructions.  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  While you might think that you’ll remember what is in every bag, I promise you will forget!
Chop ham and set aside
Chop rotisserie chicken and set aside
Chop onion and set aside
Chop 4 whole carrots and set aside
Chop 4 celery ribs and set aside
Prep raw chicken if necessary

PREPARE

Prep Chicken & Rice Casserole using instructions found here .  Divide mixture into 2 freezer bags, press out excess air, and seal well.  Place bags in refrigerator.
Prep Ham & Bean Soup using instructions found here . Divide mixture into 2 freezer bags, press out excess air, and seal well.  Place bags in refrigerator.
Prep Balsamic Roast Beef using instructions found here . Place meat into 2 freezer bags and cover with marinade, then press out excess air and seal well.  Place bags in refrigerator.
Prep Simple Cranberry Chicken using instructions found here . Place chicken into 2 freezer bags and cover with marinade, then press out excess air and seal well.  Place bags in refrigerator.
Prep Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken using instructions found here .  Place chicken into 2 freezer bags and cover with marinade, then press out excess air and seal well.  Place bags in refrigerator.
Once all prep is complete, place all bags in freezer until needed.  After you’ve made your meal plan for the coming week, consider setting an alert on your phone to remind you to take your bag out to thaw the day before you plan to make it!

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Have you tried making 10 meals in an hour yet?  What tricks or tips can you share?

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