Getting Out Of Debt Series Part 1

Debt is it weighing you down? Do you know how you even got this debt on your back? Do you know how to get out of debt? If you answered yes to any of these question you are in the same boat as most folks these days.

So what do you and I do to get out of debt, I myself have been researching many different ways to get out of debt.

1  1.   Figuring out where our money is going is the first step.

Track all your expenses for 30-90 days

   2.   Look for ways to cut your expenses.   

Cut anything you don’t need examples any memberships

3  3.   Call your accounts and negotiate

Ask to lower your monthly payment        

Pick a different plan that meets your budget

See if you can get a lower interest rate

4  4.   Don’t Waste

Make a meal plan buy only what’s on the menu for the week

Shop smart use coupons

Watch your utilities

Turn off the lights, don’t run the water

Keep your car maintained so you don’t waste gas

So now that you read my tips, you thinking to yourself I already do all that and I am still BROKE! OK, so guess what so am I but remember you’re not alone. We just have to do some more work and with my series we will learn how to follow the Dave Ramsey program. 

My Family aka The Village

My Family aka The Village

With more than half of marriages ending in divorce you are seeing more “Mine, Your, and Ours” type families or better known as a “Modern Family”. We here are no different we have a modern family.

I was divorced in 2006 and was remarried in 2008 to man that did not have any children so my transition was much more smoother my children really liked my current husband and he fell in love with them as well. My current husband is a very laid back don't get stressed out about things and a really easy to get along with kinda of guy.

So I just assumed it would be easy for my ex to move on and find happiness but boy was I wrong my ex who met and fell in love with someone that had four children had the complications of the children getting along with each other not sure if it was the green eye monster that appeared but I can tell you it has been a struggle and I feel for them both.

It's hard when you have to decide that your marriage is over and what that will mean to your children's future and deep down all you wish for is that your family will come out OK in the end. My ex and I have a great relationship now, it started out because we were always told we need to be for the sake of our children and then as the years passed and we learned to let go of the past we began to be friends again we built back our relationship based on friendship not just because of the children.

This year was big changes for my children, their father moved in with his girlfriend and her children and it has not been an easy transition. Most people would think that it would be the hardest for the adults to co parent but in my family its seems to be the children not being able to play well in the sand box with each other.

So how does a mother help her children move on when the parents have moved on? This is a question that I have been asking myself more times then I would like to admit, I want my ex to be happy because I believe in my heart that in the long run that will make my children happy.

This year we the parents have tried to accommodate all the children and their feelings but I am starting to think after spending Christmas the way the children wanted it we as parents might be doing more harm then good. I mean if we are always walking on egg shells and accommodating them how will they ever learn to play well with each other?

So this Mom is going to set a good example by getting along with everyone but I am no longer going to be so accommodating in 2014, I mean we as parents have to teach our children no matter what age our children are right? What kind of parent would I be if I allow my children to act this way and accept that they will always be accommodated in this world?

So I encourage you if you are facing a “Modern Family” situation that you first work on your relationship with your ex, be open to a relationship with their new partner, and work together to get your children on board with a blended family because the sooner you do this step the happier everyone will be.

Urban Girl With A Country Heart

Goodbye 2013

This is the last week of 2013, and like most I am sitting here reflecting back on my year. Most of us reflect back on a year to so that we can be grateful for what we have or the lessons we learned and I guess I am no different. I think it's actually healthy to reflect back it's good for the soul.

I thought I would take a few minutes to reflect back share with you.

1. I maintained my work at home job by the skin of my teeth. I love my job but I have always had issues with attendance but by the grace of God I was able to make it for a whole year. Jason had some issues with employment but he maintained his work at home job and went back to an old faithful job at the newspaper.

2. I welcomed new friendships and maintained old ones. Some are local and some are on social media. Friendships come in many forms and I enjoy all the support that I get from all my friends near and far.

3. I welcomed a new family member my nephew John Garrett and we said goodbye to some loved ones on my Mother's side. There is something to be said when a new life comes in this world it seems there is so much hope for our future then there is something to be said when an elder passes away, they take away all that wisdom that this generation will never truly know.

4. Kiddo had many first this year, she is growing into a very sweet young lady turning 14, my oh my where did the time go. She is now in the 7^th grade and going to dances, having a boyfriend, being a very active pre teen. I am so grateful for God bringing her in my life. She teaches me so many things each and every day.

5. My older children had big changes this year, they moved out each into their own apartments. I know there is a lesson for me to learn here which is letting go and letting them grow up and all I can say to this is I am trying.

6. In 2013, I started paying more attention to the political world and all the happenings that are going on in this country. My eyes have been opened for sure.

7. Also, a goal I was working on this year is out with the un-used this has been a goal that I have not been able to complete but will continue in 2014

8. I am grateful for the blessing of learning how to use coupons this year, this have been a real money saver for my family.

All in all 2013 was a good year for me to learn new things I encourage each and everyone of you to reflect back on your 2013 so that you can be grateful for the lessons you learned and the blessings you have.

Urban Girl With A Country Heart

Homemade Laundry Soap

Urban Girl with a Country Heart

Homemade Laundry Soap

With trying to get back to a more simple life & save money I have been researching making my own laundry soap on You Tube, Facebook Mom’s groups, and Pinterest. So after reading the many reviews, getting first hand insight I am going to make my own.

I am hearing this recipe can last upwards to a year for about $25. So I will buy everything and post the final cost and also I will date the container so I know how long it lasted. So look for a review of this recipe soon.

Here is the recipe: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)

• Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
• Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load. 

Just think you can make up batches to give away to your family and friends for the holidays, or someone going off to college, house warming gifts. Just fill a jar with a cute label with instructions add a bow and there you have a great gift idea for a fraction of the cost.

TIP: To save money sometimes you have to break a habit, mine was spending money on name brand laundry soap. Just because I had a coupon or it was on sale did not mean that I was getting a great deal. Plus buy making this as a gift for someone not only was I saving money but I was teaching someone else how to save money. 

Merge Purge Organizing Part 3

Urban Girl with a Country

Merge Purge Organizing

Part 3

When I am taking a break from life’s happenings, I always catch myself thinking about the fact that I am in the wrong era; I long to live the “Little House” life style. Think about it back then they lived in small cabins which meant less stuff. You only have what you used, a trunk of the most absolute family treasures for each person in the family that they stuffed under the beds, kitchens were not over loaded with electrical bulky appliances that only get used a few times a year, foods were cooked were more simple and did not require a lot of  extra kitchen gadgets, cabins were not over run by knickknacks they did not have collections like apples, cows, chickens, and sunflowers that took over the whole house that had to be dusted all the time and took up room, bathrooms were not decorated to the nines it was just a place to do your business and get out, they did not build on extra rooms for offices and crafts which is just one more room we store crap in and have to clean on regular basis. They did not put stuff in totes so it’s out of sight out of mind to the point you never even take it out of the tote to use it.

Let me just say, with trying to work on one of my goals of merge, purge, and organize in the past few weeks, I keep asking myself with every pile I clear, box I unpack and closet I clean out one question,” Why do I have so much stuff”? I am starting to think that I am a borderline hoarder?  Boy oh boy does that scare the crap out of me, can you imagine if something happened to you and someone else had to come in to help your partner get rid of your stuff? Let’s just say that I would so not want to be a fly on the wall when dear hubby blames me for all the hoarding so in a true fashion on an obsessive compulsive person I am on my merge, purge, and organizing quest.

I know that I will still be holding on to stuff that I will not use for the just because & what ifs. But I gotta tell you that I am and will be getting rid of far more than anyone or even I thought I would. I need to be clear I want to get back to basics. I want to live with the less is more theory. Cause if dreams do come true one day I will have my small little cabin in a nice wooded area that has a pond for fishing, I can grow my own food in my garden, and have few farm animals that will help supplement my food source. I am not naïve, I know that having a homestead is a lot of work but at least it’s rewarding work that I am using my energy for.

In closing keep this in mind, do you want someone else to come into your home and clean out your stuff? Do you want to be known as the family hoarder? Do you use the stuff you have? If you answered NO to these question? Then you need to join in on my merge, purge, and organize quest. I promise you will not be sorry you did.

*For help & support on learning how to clean & be organized I recommend the following website www.flylady.com

Never Too Old To Learn Something

Urban Girl with a Country Heart

 Never Too Old To Learn Something

Everyday I am amazed at all the things I learn, I guess its true what they say,” You’re Never Too Old To Learn”. With everything going on in our everyday lives we tend to not stop and think about all the things we have actually learned. Then all of the sudden something will come up and you know what to do “Bam” that’s because you learned something on something somewhere.

Over the past 13 years, I have been blessed with a daughter that makes me think of new ways for her to learn. In the process of my research for her I am learning more things myself. Discovering there is so many things out there I did not know.

So you maybe asking yourself, “Where all this rambling going”? Well, I think that any time you are trying to make changes in your life, big life changes like I am trying to do. You need to research on the subject; you need to rely on knowledgeable people, and the most important thing is to allow yourself to go outside your comfort zone.

Tips:

1. Use your thinking cap

2. Talk to knowledgeable people on the subject

3. Read Books- Free books on Amazon & Local Library

4. Watch You Tube Videos

5. Try it – Yes, you will make mistakes but you will also learn from them.  

Goals 1st Update

Urban Girl with a Country Heart

Goals 1st Update

It’s been a few weeks sense I sat down and come up with my goals to work on to get me from an urban girl to be more self reliant. I have tried to keep my goals in mind each day but more than that I am trying to work towards meeting my goals. Did you set your goals yet?

Just to recap my goals & progress:

Goal# 1 Get Out Of Debt- Well, this is the goal that seems like I will never be able to meet. However, when I meet some of my other goals I think this goal will see much progress.

Goal # 2 Start A Start Pile- I am making pretty good progress on this one, I would say that my family has at least a 30 day supply of food, medical, personal items, and water supply.

Goal # 3 Start A Garden- This was a goal that Hubby & I felt was going to have to wait till we were more educated and had more money towards starting a garden. After much research it was going to be a pretty penny to get started with having to buy the supplies to make our raised garden beds, heirloom seeds, and composting worms.

Goal # 4 Start Composting- After some research, I found some classes on Compost, Water-Wise, & Rainwater Harvesting through my county service extension center, the class is free and they will give you a free composting bin, thermometer, and 55 gallon rain barrel. So I am signed up and I am so looking forward to learning new skills.

Goal # 5 Learning Different Ways To Store Food- I have learned and I must say getting much use out of my Food Saver, if you don’t have one I would suggest you get one. Also, I am using mason jars and Mylar bags. My biggest is food dehydration. I am up to about 18 quart jars for of food that is for long term storage.

Goal # 6 Learn Different Ways To Cook- I have been educating myself of different types of cooking; solar cooking is the one that I have been working on. I am in the middle of building a solar box oven where you cook with the sun. I will be doing a whole blog with pictures on this.

Goal # 7 De-clutter My Home- This one I knew was a big project, but I am happy to report I have been making great progress with the merge, purge, and organization of my home. I have to take baby steps on this because other wise I would get overwhelmed and give up.

Goal # 8 Learn Ways to Save Money- Saving money depends on how you look at this one, for me I have been couponing and stock piling things I need I have saved a great deal of money using coupons. If you wanna learn how to coupon I recommend www.southernsaver.com  She has some great videos that walk you through step by step on how to coupon to learn how to coupon effectively. So I feel like I am making great gains on this goal.

Goal # 9 Secure & Repair My Home Hubby and I have not made any progress in this area. We do have a list of things we would like to do and once again I think some of these things will fall into place once I get the home organized.

Goal # 10 Get Healthier We are trying to eat healthier and we will be making eye doctor appointments soon.

So in closing, I have some tips for those that want to make changes I say that you sit down and write down your goals. Understand that to meet your goals you will have to make baby steps and most importantly remember to be accountable but also rejoice in your progress no matter how small or big