Believe And Budget
Money Talk with The Maloneys
How to Organize your Budget Emotionally
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Write these down because you will want to remember them, and we want to help you!
Do you feel like your emotions get the best of you and adding money on top of it does not help? Emotions happen everyday and it is a choice to either live negatively or live positively. We do not want money to cause you stress, anxiety, worry, or feeling like you will never win. However, when you are on the journey of life there is always a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning is so exciting, and everyone celebrates you. The middle takes faith, patience, and sometimes it is hard, which is why these tips will help you even in the middle. And of course the end is exciting too! We are going to help you with your finances and emotions with ten tips to organize your budget emotionally! These have helped us feel more uplifted in the darkest times with money and know they will help you as well!
1. Small Changes
Small changes help you deep dive into big goals.
We would never recommend cutting out something 100% well unless you experienced the pandemic and the world of 2020 and you were quarantined. During that time, we had to completely cut out eating out and going anywhere! Everything was closed expect grocery stores and the essential businesses. You were on lock down and stayed at home, which bam really helped your budget! With everything closed down, people had different expenses for a few months such as buying higher speed internet, more food at the grocery store because everyone is at home and people were mindless eating! But you are not in 2020 right now, and you will and can make small changes.
Have no fear!
Small changes!
You can do it.
Small changes make you feel better emotionally.
Just like when you change your diet. Not eating fast food for a month helps you feel better. Working out helps you feel better. Organizing your kitchen makes you want to cook at home. Same thing with budgeting.
Small changes for your budget would be like starting a $5 automatic transfer from checking to savings. This is mindless and you set it up once and it makes you feel good! Then when you check that account you feel good because hey “I saved $260 a year without even doing anything!” I bet you would not notice the $5 either so win-win emotionally! We talk more about setting up automatic savings in debt free skills you need to know.
Another one is increasing a percentage or two in your 401k with your employer.
This is a small change.
You won’t notice it out of your paycheck really. This small change makes a game changer in your future when you are not working. You will think later in life — yes!
I am financially prepared to retire!
2. Change your Focus
Changing your focus. You do not like to talk about budgets? That is okay. You do not have to. Focus on meal planning and making a grocery list.
Meal planning automatically, I swear on this helps you do three things. Spend less, lose weight, and feel better!
Want help with beating inflation with your groceries? Join us here.
Try it for a few weeks!
Want to stop spending out of emotions? Turn to exercising outside at a park. Go to enjoy a lake. Go to have a cup of homemade coffee and take it to the park. This helps you in three ways too. Spend less, breathe/meditate, and feel better!
3. See your Finish Line
Just like running a race. You need to see your goals. Write them down because you usually write down goals when you feel good. And let me tell you sometimes that goal is miles away. You need to remind yourself where your finish line is.
Write it down! Do not lose it. Reach your goals.
Dang! You got it. You are almost there.
We write down goals all the times and when we need a lift me up because we are feeling down or the budget is not going our way. We take out our goals and bammmmm we are almost to our networth goal for the year OR we paid cash for this, this, and this! We reached something on our list and it makes your feelings go from “I cannot do this” I feel anxiety.””I feel overwhelmed” to “dang, I am making progress!” “I am doing good!” “I feel better.”
Other articles you will enjoy:
How I paid off $32k worth of student loans
5 Ways to Save for an Emergency
5 Ways to Increase your Income
4. Do not make a perfect budget (there is no such thing)
Yes, I said it. Do not make it a perfect budget. Throw those expectations out girl or… dude!
Budgets get messed up. If you are a perfectionist. This is for you! It is okay to change the budget! It is good to move categories around.
A budget can be 100% failure for a month and then you can pick it up the next month or week. You want it to be a fluke once or twice but try not to let it happen more than 3 times. Because the third time is a habit and that needs a change.
So do with what you have and make a budget. Write down what you want to pay yourself first. (Hint: this is a millionaire mindset) Yes, pay you! Pay yourself because you worked to darn hard for that money.
Do not let that money pass you by!
Plus it will make you feel on top of the world later on!
5. Goal to get to mindless budgeting
Mindless budgeting is the key.
Where you know all your bills because you have and it is very few of them.
Your savings is automatic, which means each week, biweekly, and/or monthly the money comes from your paycheck straight to your savings, 401k, retirement accounts to save.
This makes you feel satisfaction and accomplishment because you can still live life and not matter about every single dollar. You save even more by driving in auto drive and mindless.
6. Season do change and that’s okay!
Seasons from childhood to your first job, from your first job to college to your first “big kid” job, then to on your own adulthood to being married, to married with kids from the kids out of the house.
These season are meant to happen it is the journey.
It is a new life.
It is what we believe the “dream” is and you know what money will change with it.
Your budget will need to change with your life.
I remember the moment when I went from student loan debt to debt free adulthood. It was the most exciting experience ever!!! The feeling was astounding!
I still budgeted every single dollar, but it was mostly on auto drive. I did not have many bills and I lived in the city where I could walk to everywhere and I paid $1200 per month for rent for a 1 bedroom 1 bath that was like a studio! WOW! When I transformed from college student sophomore year to senior year I was living at my own apartment for $600 and thought that was expensive. Little did I know! I am sure you have had the same thoughts in your life.
You learn from them and do not let the lifestyle creep happen to you.
Now from adulthood to married with kids, we will tiny in an RV. Paying $360 for rent on property. Why because we want to travel and live for adventure.
Remember the seasons change, you want different things, and that’s okay!
There is no distance too far especially with God on your side!
Keep going!
You matter.
Your season does not define you.
Season can also be like this…
Debt pile. Foreclosure. Credit card debt. Debt free. Divorce. Debt pile. Bankruptcy. Debt free.
It happens to people, but it does not have to happen.
You make your seasons happen.
You pray and God will make them happen.
Seasons will change. Say, “I have nothing to lose because God is always with me.” “I am giving my all to him and he will always provide.”
Be positive in your season. Feel good by relying on God on each season. In the shattered season and the picture perfect season.
Rainbow Cash Envelopes
What you get? ✓ Give, save, spend rainbow printable envelopes. ✓ Designed for an easy to cut and fold together process. ✓ Instant digital download. ✓Digital download emailed from believeandbudget@gmail.com within 24 – 48 hours ✓Everything is ready when you download it instantly.
$2.99
7. Start with one small easy goals
Start over.
Step into one small easy goal. We had to do this to when I went from rising high on my own to having a family. It is alright. I love my life and the people God has surrounded me with.
Look at what you have around you. If you need to step back. Do it!
You do not live where you used to be. You are not there in the sunshine season anymore.
Find love. Find grace. Find peace. In this moment, start with one small goal.
Whether money or fitness or family. Money start with just getting your budget started by writing down your expenses. Fitness start by going and walking at lunch time around the neighborhood. Family start with you first. Understand you. Love you. Then go to the next step! If it is faith, get yourself a devotional or my favorite is Joyce Meyer online. She has a daily devotional every day.
8. Easy meal planning – it can save your grocery budget
Just like our budget. We sit down as a family and decide what we are going to eat for the week. What we have going on for the week. We work as a team together.
Our meal planning can be as easy as meals that do not take very long for you. Tacos, Spaghetti, Rice Bowls, Beans and Rice, etc. These are frugal too and will help you lose weight too. I went from 170 to 135 by meal planning and not going out to eat. Look and feel good plus save money!
Touch down!
9. Make savings accounts for known expenses sets you up for success
These are called sinking funds in the #debtfreecommunity.
These are mindless.
It is easier for me to pay 6 months for service than each month. I love watching my savings increase rather than paying a bill each month. Take advantage of it for your brain.
We do this with our car insurance, taxes, certain fees, amazon prime, etc.
This way you do not dread opening the mail. You feel less anxiety because you don’t know what bill will be coming.
If you did paperless billing, which is popular. You do not get stuck with a late fee. This will give you a feeling of satisfaction. It will show you promotion in your life.
10. Talk it out with your spouse
Get it all out on the table.
Start it off with a dream.
Do not have surprises.
Be open. Be a team.
Know each other’s credit score. As the mortgage lender told us, “the wife always likes to be better than their spouse”. But we think it’s better to be both excellent! It does not really matter about the score unless you want to take out more debt.
Remember we are trying to get out of the habit of taking on more debt. We are trying to gain debt free freedom! A freedom of financial independence. One mistake can break your success, so be sure you know what your team is doing.
Sometimes when you are off your game. Your spouse is on their game! It helps you progress.
Not married? That’s okay — check out this blog post.
Feel a wealth worthy.
Be the light.
Feel the amazingness.
We hope you feel encouraged and better than you did before about your money because remember you can be set free. You just need God on your side. Look at how far you’ve come. Tell yourself positive money talk. Tell yourself and your family that you can do it! The journey of life happens with a beginning, middle, and end. Keep fighting in the middle because you will financially be free and feel better!
Like the post, if you are going to take one of these organization tips and do it!
Pin to share with someone who needs this article to help with their emotions.
Pin to show friends how to win with money.
Sharing is caring:
5 Ways to Shoot for Progress
- Write down your expenses weekly.
To shoot for progress in your finances, write down your expenses weekly. This will give you a great guide on where your money is already going. It is a roadmap – it is like google maps – you need it on your phone to get from point A to point B and especially in a new city. We are shooting for progress on our money not perfection!
To get ourselves out of student loan debt of 36k, we wrote down our expenses.
Personally, I was a Starbucks drinker. Anyone else? Send some love to me for my mistake and lesson learned.
In college, I spent $300 in a MONTH on coffee at Starbucks! Yes, I did. I will admit to it. I used the spending tracker to get myself to calm down on the Starbucks coffee. The first month I only cut $50, the second month I cut $100, and the third month was down to $100 in my budget (ONLY ONE COFFEE A DAY). It is not magic – it takes time to break a habit.
Do you think you could swim like Michael Phelps without practicing every day? Or shoot a hoop and be like 32 like Magic!
Or in high school, when they determined English was going to be in Math Class aka algebra! Let me guess you were a genius and knew A + B = C and could figure out what B equaled? That was not me sadly!
If you want to change for the better and shoot for progress, don’t miss out on the spending tracker.
Beat Inflation: Grocery Budget Course
All you need to know to help you with your grocery budget and beat inflation at the grocery store. Do at your own pace. Complete it all in one day or over several days. 8 Lessons 2 Video Series Meal Planning 101 Bundle (INCLUDED FOR FREE) You will improve your grocery budget or your money back guaranteed
$40.00
2. Biggest mistake is not starting
A professor once told me, the biggest mistake I could do in my career is by not starting to apply for jobs early in college. My friend, I thank that professor because now I am in the District office at the job I started at in high school at age 15. Little did I know, I would be where I am at today. When you start a little, you will see the growth.
Money will not rain down to you. I wish it would, but it will not.
We wish that money would grow on trees. My dad always told me it did!
Consider this…
You are NOT the only one who has curled up and cried because you received your student loan bill, the utility bill, the unpaid credit card, the unpaid insurance payment, and don’t forget the doctor bill that was missed last month.
You are NOT the only one who wanted to hand over all the bills back to Mom and Dad because this adulting thing is hard. You are NOT the only one to say please help me with these bills. Hand the bills over to them and say, “I wish I could just live back at home with mom and dad.”
Building up wealth is not glamorous. You have to start though. Life before Christ has been about money and trading. It is not going away.
We have made it simple for you to start – download our freebie.
3. Review your expenses.
If it is painful looking over your expenses, and think you should not. That is not TRUE.
Please, please, please – review them. Find out where you can improve.
If I did not look at my expenses in college and kept spending $300 a month on coffee…I would have made Kevin Johnson wealthier then he already is.
Spent $3,600 on coffee in a year!
If I continued that and did not review my expenses, I would have spent a total of $36,000 hence why I was able to PAY OFF my student loans.
If you do not like looking at your expenses, I can help you. Reach out to us and I would be more than happy to do this.
My sister was my accountability in college.
Early in my career, it was myself and I could have done way better if I had someone else because after debt free life, I was FREE and I spent a lot on stupid material things not of value.
Now, I am lucky to say my other half and I work really well together on our dreams and goals in life. We are living tiny!
4. It will get easier
Shoot for progress — it does get easier.
It is like a pioneer right, it used to be hard to get water or food. Now, it is simple we have water or something to drink on every corner and same with food. There is a McDonalds, Kroger, CVS, and etc. on every street. Well unless you come from the boonies in Nebraska like I did!
When you build up a little savings account. It gets easier because you do not feel like everything is going to break down and you have to put it back on a Credit Card or ask mom and dad for money.
But when I say this, you must first build a savings account. You will probably have to use it because it’s the worlds way of saying…let me put a trial in your life.
Then you go back to square one and build it up again. Hopefully this time you are set for a few more months, and if life happens again. (which it will) You have that security you need.
5. Create a savings account for you.
In the midst of the storm, you are going to be thankful you did this. If it feels uncomfortable for you to save, because you spend. Just know it is good to save a little for you and not just spend it on something. This is hard for some people, and I know…I felt it when I had to let go of my 3 – 4 cups of coffee a day in college. The end of the equation is letting go of some of the stress, some of the unknown, the overwhelming piece.
Start small. Create savings for you! Change the perspective.
If this creates the valley of tears, reach out to me – believeandbudget@gmail.com
Sharing is caring:
How to spend less on your groceries per week
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Groceries can be expensive. Raise your hand if you have ever spent more than $200 a week for groceries and thought what did I buy? Raise your hand if you have ever gone to the grocery store and bought a car full of groceries, and got home and your kids said “We have no food!”. Yes, it happens to us all, but I know you can spend less on your groceries by learning how we shop and put a hard stop on both of those questions even with inflation.
1. Stretch Meals
Are a game changer and you can add a few of them a week!
You should know the items that can stretch your dollar for meals. These are simple items such as noodles, beans, potatoes, rice, and only cooking or using what you need.
It is simple to add a vegetable to every meal, and plus it is healthy for us to do so. We always add a potato someway to meals. We will buy a 5 lb bag of potatoes and this will last us at least 2 to 3 weeks. What can you make out of potatoes? You can make baked potato in the microwave. Use a folk place holes in it, put plastic wrap around it, and put in the microwave for 5 minutes. Bang, you have a baked potato! You can cut them up and make them fries. Make mashed potatoes by boiling them. Make garlic sliced potatoes. There are so many ways to make potatoes different and have them stretch your meal.
Noodles is another way to stretch your dollar for meals. A box of spaghetti easily can cost only .49 cents on sale and you can make this go far by splitting it up for 3 meals instead of only one and throwing out half of it later on the week because no one ate the left overs. We use noodles to make spaghetti with red sauce, white sauce, add butter for butter noodles, we also make them for a pasta salad, and other pasta side dishes. This is an easy way to stretch your meal!
2. Meal Planning 101
Everyone always asks us how we do it? How we only spend $350 on groceries each month, and it is easy to say a plan!
We created a plan for you to help you do the same thing!
This is where we created meal planning 101 with our expertise from working at the grocery store for over 10+ years. We went from spending over $600+ a month on our groceries to spending only $350 a month and we still eat like a champ with healthy meals and not beans and rice every day!
Today, we had corn beef and cabbage! Did you know those things are expensive! A way to save is to stock up during St. Patricks week while they are on sale and freeze them! You can have corn beef and cabbage all year round instead of just once a year! If you didn’t know corn beef can easily be $20 – $40 per package in off season.
3. Deals
You must search for deals, and luckily technology has made this even easier to do. You can search ads before you go to the store.
Looking at the ad helps save you money, but it can also be a way to get you to spend more of what you do not need!
We follow people who find deals too. I love following themoneysavingmom because she often shops Kroger too and we learn from her deals.
Personally, I learned best how to find deals from my father though. My dad is a guru on finding deals at the grocery store!
You can self-teach yourself too!
Make sure you buy meat in the bulk or buy it at a mark down price, but be careful if you buy at Wal-Mart lately on the markdown meat. It’s not a very good markdown deal! Saving .50 cents on meat is not a deal!
I usually go buy less than $5 for meat and think about how many meals I can make out of it. For example, if I find chicken for $2 and they are wings. We can easily make this a $4 meal by having wings, salad, and a veggie.
To stretch it for more people add a side of cilantro lime rice or broccoli cheddar rice.
Here are some dreams we have accomplished so far read them to inspire you:
4. Learn your Store
This is the best advice for everyone. I used to be a coordinator at several Krogers in a highly populated area. You have to know your store because every store is different. Though big grocery retailers try to make everything similar; they also make it a great shopping experience for cliental in that area. For example, people who have money will more likely have organics and focus on all-natural products and people who are wanting a good deal will be more focused on name brand and giving you the biggest bang for the buck. They will do more $10 for 10 sales.
You need to know where to go to find your mark downs.
Know what it means when you walk into your store, I know if we walk into Food Lion by our home that if it is a Tuesday or Wednesday I will find bargains on the meat. I will find meat that is amazing in price and good quality. Then at Aldi, I shift my mindset. I usually will not buy meat because I cannot never find the great deal for meat prices, but I do find good deals on produce, snacks like chips, find good deals on bars, and frozen items.
5. Shop Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Find time to shop during these days to benefit your budget. Why? Everyone else is shopping Friday – Sunday. Friday and Monday are for pick up planners parents. Saturday and Sunday are for those who work Monday thru Friday. Even if you work Monday thru Friday, find time to go to the store whether it is during your lunch hour or late after work.
Look here, I am telling you grocery store secrets! I have worked in the grocery retail business for 12 years, and have perfected my shopping and deal finding to get the best bang for our buck. Trust the process and shop these days!
Groceries do not have to be expensive! Do not try to be someone else, but find your own way of doing things to help you and your family save in this area. If you feel like you are far from it, learn and make mistakes, but keep going and get up. You can do it! You can spend less than $350 per month!
Want to make your grocery budget the best year yet? Start today!
Like if you want to save money on groceries.
Like if you need a plan for groceries.
Pin if you think someone else will benefit and learn too.
Sharing is caring:
What to do when you lose your job?
Losing a job is hard especially when it is not your choice, but for some reason this is the path you have come across. You will not see the big picture until this hard storm passes by.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.- Genesis 50:20
I have come across many people who have lost their jobs, and I want to share this one uplifting story with you that happened to someone I knew! She told me this story when I was in a hard time for myself and my job was eliminated.
Please keep reading to give yourself hope during this difficult time —
This friend of mine who was a dedicated employee, always gave it their all, and was an employee their company relied on– she was let go. It was the hardest thing at the moment for my friend to gather and understand why she was let go. She prayed, prayed, and prayed more. She told me she found God during this time and grew a closer relationship with him. Then it happened, her mom needed her. Her mom had a serious health problem and needed her daughter to take care of her. At this time, her daughter, was the only one who had time to take care of her mom because she had lost her job. Her daughter took care of her for 6 months before her mom passed away. At this time, she was sad she had lost her mom, but thankful that she was the one who had time to take care of her and spend the last moments with her mom. After a little grieving and having peace that her mom was in a good spot now and not suffering, the daughter applied for a dream job and got it! Looking back on life, my friend was let go not because she was a horrible employee, but because God had a bigger plan. A path that we do not understand in the midst of it, but looking back made perfect sense. It was so her daughter could spend the last moments with her mom before her passing.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.- Jeremiah 29:11
What a blessing! So I tell you this story not to give you a worry that you are going to lose someone of importance, but of hope there is a bigger blessing in this storm and you will understand more when you can look back. But for now…
We want to share some tips with you on what to do when you lose your job:
- Breathe – It is stressful. You feel like your world is crashing down. You feel like a failure. You feel a bunch of emotions. It is hard — it is not easy. We understand. Sometimes people even think why is God doing this to me, but I promise you can get back up. You can bounce back 2X better than you were before. Sometimes we have to get kicked down to get back up even faster. Here are some of my favorite songs during a storm:
- Praise you in this storm – Casting Crown
- Just be held – casting crown
- When answers seem so far away...You are not alone. Your world is not falling apart its falling into place…just be held.
- Hope for the best – Write daily. Be thankful find something to be thankful for. I know it is hard. You are an amazing person and I know you can find something to be hopeful for, something to be thankful for. Find strength. I remember when I did not have a job I wrote daily in my journal the smallest hope.
- “I will find a job”
- “God will provide all my needs”
- “I am here for a purpose”
- “Thank you for giving me a time to reflect and slow down.”
- “Thank you for people around me to help me through this time.”
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.- Romans 8:28
- Review your budget or spending plan – It can be on a scrap piece of paper found in the junk cabinet. Include just the necessities. Yes, you pry already read this. You pry already know this, but I cannot stress it enough. Call the companies if you are having a hard time paying your bills. See if the companies will lower your interest, lower your bill for a few months until you have a job. Negotiate. You got this! Even if you feel like you are the only one who is in the spot…you are NOT! Go and call now. You got this! I believe in you! You are not broken. You are building skills right now and will become strong on the back end. When you get done calling and maybe it did not cut as much as you needed, remember God will supply your need. Maybe a miracle will happen like someone will give you the need you are short — we had this happen to us! We budgeted and was short no joke $25 on our food budget and received $50 for food — it was a miracle and let us not be over our budget! I have so much hope for you!
Yearly Bullet Journal Budget Tracker
On sale for ONLY $19.99 with this post no coupon necessary! Purchase today before it goes back up to the original price $24.99! The tracker will help you get a head start on your yearly budgeting. Planning for Christmas, start today with this budget tracker! Planning for a fall vacation? We know you planners will love this budget tracker! You will be able to change your life with it! All formulas are already included! You will feel financially free. You will feel a sense of worth! You will find it is easier to budget with this yearly template all put together for you!
$19.99
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 4:19
- File for unemployment – Contact your state’s unemployment program. If you do not know the website or the phone number…there is our friend Google…google it. Be patient when applying because it is a process, and some times a headache, but it will be a little bit to help you get by while you get another employment opportunity. Do not be afraid. You are not alone in applying for unemployment!
- Update your information – LinkedIn — update it. Your resume — update it. Google your name — make sure your grandma would not be embarrassed by what she saw. If so, delete it. Clean up your facebook, instagram, etc especially if it is not private.
- Start the job search – It is your life, but I recommend to go find a part time job for now and get some kind of income to pay your necessities. Dress professionally (no jeans — please!) and walk into a grocery store, more than likely they will interview you on the spot and hire you! If they do not, do not get discouraged. It was not meant to be, but keep trying! The choices you make now will help you and your family. Use job sites to find a job — Linkedin, indeed, Glassdoor, simplyhired, zip recruiter are just a few. Also search by companies in your area because sometimes jobs only get posted on their site.
- Sell things at home to make cash quick – I am a pro at this, but you might not be. Here are my little tips: have a good photo of it. If its still in the stores, use their photo too to make the ad. People buy off of a photo. Price it good by researching the items on the site to see what others are selling the item for, allow there to still be room for negotiating. Facebook marketplace is what we use. Craigslist is a little sketchy now, so we hardly use this.
- Insurance — you need it! The number one reason of bankruptcy is medical bills! If you do not have it because it was with your employer, apply for COBRA or another plan with an agent. It could be costly, but you only have 60 days to apply. You need health insurance whether you are healthy or not. It will save you if an accident happens. Please do not risk not having health insurance.
- Be courageous and network – This is probably the last thing you want to do which is why it is almost last thing I put here. Because who including me wants to say, “I do not have a job or I am unemployed.” Not me — not you! I know, but we have to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to people. It can be as easy as sending a message on linked in. “Hello, I saw you work for a X company and that X job was open. I would love to talk to you about why you love your job and why you like working at X company. Do you have a moment? Thank you! Look forward to hearing from you.” People love talking about themselves so it gives you an in before you break the I need a job sad story. Then once you’ve chatted about the company and what they do. You can relate and then ask them to put a good word in for you or if they know who you should contact to apply for the job.
- Put the past behind you. Lastly, do not go back and think about what you could have done differently. Just move forward. Get plenty of sleep and exercise. It will help you. Let your new light shine! You got this! It may not be perfect, and some days are harder than others, but I have no doubt you can get thru this storm. You got this — you have a talent to shine in another chapter of life!! Here is a song to give you some uplift — it does for me at least.
- Here for a Reason – Ashes Remain
I hope this article has given you some fire and uplifted you to move forward. If you need anything, during this time please do not hesitate to reach out to a friend, family member or someone to just listen to you.
Learned something from this post? Pin it — over million people do not have a job right now and need advice.
Liked it? Pin it for someone else.
Motivate someone else. Pin It.
We send out freebies each month and would love for you to subscribe and join our family! When you need it most, we are here for you with freebies sent to your inbox!
Want a free calendar to help with budgeting? You will receive the current year! Get it here!
Sharing is caring:
Tips to help you save money on your rent when you are in a bind!
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Discover the ways we have got out of student loan debt, moved across the country without an income for 3 months, able to be a 1 income household, and still love a life of traveling! Here you will find tips and tricks to reduce your rent or mortgage to afford a life you want!
1. Look into living with someone else
What are you crazy? This is your first tip? I know what you are thinking, but I am seriously this helped me pay off $32,000 worth of student loans while still traveling, spending money, and creating memories. It helped me save up enough money to buy my dream car with cash, 2015 Chevy Cruze, it’s not a Chevy Camaro but still! I even moved across the country without an income for 3 months! Most of these dreams happened because I had faith.
I remember when I quit my job and moved across country. God showed me in the clouds I was to go and not wait. My sister told me the worst thing that could happen was to have to move back home, and you guys it’s been 5 years! I’m still on the east coast!
You can start by either placing an ad out there for yourself asking for a roommate in your certain home.
We have a friend who has a 3 bedroom home and they have an extra room they rent out. They even have a family! They loved the people they had rented to because they treated them like their own family.
You can also start asking around within your friend circle or family or other network. I did this when I was moving across the country so I knew I would be okay living with this family I had never met. It was a leap of faith here you guys!
Look for an ad on facebook marketplace or craigslist. This is common too and easy to do if you are going to be picky, but it does work out. I was not picky and found great roommates this way when I had to make a fast decision, and with the pandemic a lot of people are looking for unique ways to increase their income.
2. Have a family? Move somewhere you can afford for a short term.
When you get out of debt or on your path to financial freedom, you have to do it step by step. You need to do it little by little and continue to push through even if you need to move your family somewhere else.
We moved our family into a tiny living. We have a baby, 2 big dogs, and my husband and I. We live in a 32 foot Thor Four Winds RV on about 40 acres of property for only $360 for rent. We know it is only a phase for our lives, but move somewhere where you can afford. If you do not want to live tiny. Think about living in a house with family or friends. Ask to help with food cost or something. Look for a cheaper home to rent for a year or two. Remember it is not forever just a step or like I like to say it is only for a season. A good stepping stone for your future. You may even end up loving it!
3. Ask your landlord if you are able to work to reduce rent
Surprisingly this is a common one to do, and it works! We did this with our utilities. We told our landlord I was staying home with Ember and looking to move to work camp. Told him what work camping entailed and you work to park your RV for free. He told us, “I would love for you to help me around the property and I will pay you/reduce your utilities. We took this offer up! A few months ago, he even surprised us and let us go on paying rent for October! Win, win! He is getting his lawn mowed by me 3 times a month, work on the drive way, gardening work, and storm clean up. We are getting reduce rent and utilities!
Articles we think you will also like:
- What To Do When You Lose Your Job
- We all received the stimulus check — see how we would budget the money received
- 3 Debt Free Skills You Should Know
4. Always give more and you will receive more in the end
This is the biggest advice that really does set you up for success.
There is so much freedom when you give more than you think you should give.
It first makes you feel good! I cannot say it enough – giving makes you feel so good!
Just as we were helping our landlord on a 90 degree day because the storm washed out the drive way. Let me tell you it was hot and long, and we were tired. We were sure he was going to reduce our utilities, but we did not even think he would ever reduce our rent or give us a free month! God was on the move and we did not even know it! We received more than we could ever even think of! Especially, because that month we had expenses come up that were not on our budget and I was stressing. I was stressing because we had to take out of our emergency fund. This little reminder to me and I hope you take it too. Even when you do not know how a miracle is going to happen and you feel heavy and stressed and overwhelmed. Give. Find someone to give to whether it is time, $20 dollars, $50 dollars, or heck even bake something for someone! God will show up in crazy ways! He will be moving mountains you did not even know could be moved!
5. Look into buying a home that is less than you are paying for rent.
In a case that you are still renting, say you are paying $1,200.
You know you can afford this each month. Do not look for a house that the mortgage equals exactly $1,200, but instead look for a home that will cost you $700 each month instead.
This way, you can still pay extra on your mortgage, and pay $1,200 or save the extra $500 in a home emergency fund. Once you have dominated that home emergency fund. Go back to your mortgage and automatically set your mortgage payment at $700 and the extra toward principal with the $500. You will be able to pay off your mortgage even faster and not feel overwhelmed or stressed. You will be on top of the mountain! Stand up and be proud!
6. Pray for a door to open and a door to shut
When we have waves coming at us higher than we know, we always look to God and pray.
We were looking for work camping jobs all over Louisiana, Texas, and Utah. God shut every single door for us. We were so confused at the time, but looking back 9 months. He was shutting those doors because there were hurricanes and fires. I am so thankful he shut these doors! He then opened doors to great friendships to keep us knowing that he loves us!
You can do the same thing! Be honest. Tell God everything. Do not be afraid! He already knows it all. If you have so much debt, tell him! Say, “Lord, help me not be a slave to the lender.” “Change my life! Where do you want me to go? I will follow you!”
You are not too young or too old to do these things that you have discovered today. You can do anything. We want you to be unstoppable and be able to reduce your rent or mortgage to love the life you live! It is a journey and you are only here for a short time! Do not let anything hold you back. Positive Thoughts!
If you had a “oh yes!” moment, like it.
Thousands of people are needing assistance on rent due to the pandemic, pin it and share with your tribe.
Don’t know someone who needs this? I bet you do, they just have not told you, pin it and share it anyways.
Like these idea on how to reduce rent or bring in extra income, like it.
Want help?
Check out our back to basic class!
Get on the wait list!!
Sharing is caring:
How To Change your Language about Money!
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Have you had disappointments in your life lately? It could be the way you are talking about money in your life. We will share with you 6 ways on how to change your language about money to win positively with money and make progress in the world to have purpose!
1. Choose to talk positively about money
I hate to break it to you, but no one goes anywhere in life if they talk negative about things. If you tell yourself you are going to fail a test. You probably will fail it. So it is the same with money!
I promise you! Change how you talk about money like this.
“I hate budgeting.” to “Budgeting gives me permission to spend!”
“I feel trapped when I budget.” to “Nothing steals my happiness when I budget.”
“I cannot do this.” to “I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me!”
“I will always be in debt.” to “I will be a millionaire.”
When you change your negativity language you will find yourself in better situations time and time again. You will amaze yourself, and when positive money habits start to form. Write them down and celebrate them! Do not lose hope!
2. Do not let your joy be stolen by money
Money is a tool to use in our society. Just like how a basketball is a tool to have fun and learn how to have a little bit of fun while also exercising.
Money allows you to learn and also have fun too.
When you are going through a valley or a hard time. Think of it as a lesson and that you will be two hops forward in no time. Do not be hard on yourself. Give yourself a little grace and favor. Valley’s are just lessons it is probably because the devil knows you are doing good and he wants to stop you. (Hint: he will win if you don’t change your language about money!)
Drowning in debt?
Get yourself out just like you got yourself in it. I love this because I got myself in student loan debt, but I did not allow me being in student loan debt to steal my joy. I learned to get up and go. I mean I even moved all the way across the country without a job while I still had student loan debt. This is crazy I know, but it was a good move! People always say, “step out to find out.” Sometimes you will find so much joy you did not even know! I mean I did, I became a stay at home mom because I financially could! You can too if that is your dream!
You just need to look at your positivity. What is positive in your life? It does not even have to deal with money at all.
- Do you have a family who loves you?
- Do you have friends who loves you?
- Do you have a God who loves you?
Yes, yes you do! God loves us all!
3. Look at your last big purchase
Adapt to how this influenced your life. It is not always the bigger and better lifestyle that you want. A bigger home comes with bigger house payment. A bigger home comes with a bigger tax payment. A bigger home comes with more to clean. Plus the bigger home pry in the end will not make you even happier. Learn what we love about living tiny.
Same with a car. You want a bigger car or a newer car. That new car feeling will come off soon. It will have garbage in it. It will have empty drink bottles in it. Pry dirty masks now just laying on the floor (Pandemic joke!)
When you make a big purchase or are in the midst of saving up for a big purchase. Ask yourself. Is it going to make me happier?
Are you going to rise as a person or will it set you back?
Do not overthink about it. You got this!
4. Be together about goals
Take responsibility together.
Marriage is hard, but so is divorce. So choose your hard.
Debt is hard, but so is staying out of debt. Choose your hard. Would you rather have people calling you to give you their money for the things you already bought? And have no clue what you even spent it on? Or would you rather save up to buy something that you dreamed of having?
“I cannot do this.” Let’s not say this remember…
We need to change our language to “We can do this together.”
“I am not happy with you.” to “We have each other to bring us happiness!”
He wants a boat and you want a new pair of shoes. Place them on your wish list and save up for them.
Wish List Printable
Wish List printable to help your dream vacations come to reality! You will receive the printable via a PDF for you to print at home! It is less than $5 to change your life in your next big purchase! Spend less than $5 to save you hundreds down the line!
$2.99
Anything over $100 you need to be together on the decision about purchasing it.
My mom always told me to put a pros and cons list together and this is so true and it works!
Try it together set up a pros and cons list about the boat.
Boat pros
- Have fun as a family
- Be able to get outside instead of staying inside all the time
Boat cons
- Take more money to gas it up
- More headaches
- Require maintenance
- Cost of title and tags
- Cost of the truck to pull it
Maybe with these expensive cons, there is a better way to spend time with your family and go outside. Like staying in a campground and going to a campground with a lake to go swimming. Going hiking at a national park.
Shoes pros
- She gets to enjoy them
- They will keep her feet healthy
Shoes cons
- Only she benefits from the purchase
- Shoes can be replaced easily
- It is not on sale right now
There are both more cons than pros to the shoes too, so you have agreed to both wait on the purchases and come back to them.
5. Be willing to fight for the right thing
We all have responsibilities in life. It is our right to take action on the correct things we should do. Do not focus on the bad things in life, but focus on the good things.
Agree to disagree. It is okay. We all have our opinions.
Agree to disgree. Are you really going to be happier if you fight over money? Probably not.
Agree to disagree. Are you going to be any happier if you stay angry because you choose to be angry? No.
It is the same with fighting over money. Agree with somethings like spending less than you make. Agree with savings up for big purchases and paying cash. Agree about getting out of debt to not be a slave to the lender.
Disagree about how much one spends on each other? That is okay. That can be normal. If it hurts you to see what your spouse spends money on. You might want to take out enough blow money (money that each other get to spend — it’s in the budget!) for each other and agree on how much it should be. Compromise.
Yes, compromise and make sure it fits in the budget. Maybe it is $75 each person or maybe you are really on a slim budget for the month and it is $25, but make that decision together. That way the other person can spend their $25 on coffee if they choose coffee or a stop at the gas station for a drink.
Let me say this again fighting over money? Try not to.
Bring your mind to something else. Compromise. Give and take.
Make things right by finding peace in the things that you have.
Train yourself. Look back and find little pieces that started the love and happiness.
Here are other posts to inspire you:
- 7 Lessons to Learn from Us
- Take Advantage of your Employer Benefits
- 5 Ways to Be Thankful Where you are Financially
6. Change the right thing
Be intentional in your life. It is easy to get off track if you do not make a plan and stick to it. Maybe your plan is not the right thing. Do you have a vision and are you changing the right thing in your life to move forward in a positive direction? Or are you changing something that is not really moving yourself forward? Find that “thing” in your life you need to change to be different than who you are right now!
Also, do not try to change the person you are trying to be into something negative, but positively change you to grow your networth. Change what you can do to make you grow and blossom into a flower. Flowers are pretty, flowers are good, flowers, they are just happy! They are given to people who want to be happy, they are décor in happy moments like weddings, and they spread a beautiful smell that makes us happy! Be a flower! Lets go!
Let’s learn from these 6 ways to change your language about money. It won’t be easy, but I know you can do it and I have faith in you! It is ALL possible! God makes all things possible with him.
Like if you agree you can make it possible.
Like if you needed this positivity.
Pin if you know someone else needs this positive language in their life.
Pin if you want to help others and be giving.
For a limited time, we are offering this to help change your life. We are offering the yearly bullet budget journal to positively grow your money in ways you did not know were possible. It is originally $24.99, but today we are offering you to give a donation for it. Know that you want to give an amount that is called upon your life. When you are able to give more do give more to allow people who really need this in their life to get it for what they can afford. $24.99 is a great deal as it is less than $2.50 per month! If you choose to give more, you will be blessing to someone else! We appreciate your support for our small business!
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated to support others in improving their budget!
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Sharing is caring:
Preparing for a Baby on a Budget
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Surprise! You’re pregnant and now you need to figure out how you are going to afford this baby. I know the feeling of both being surprised and having a plan around when a baby is coming aboard your family. We want to show you that you can have a baby on a budget and be able to enjoy your baby when they come. Let’s jump in a prepare for a baby on a budget!
1. Only 9 Months to Save
When we were surprised with Ember, our baby number 1, we had to figure out how to save for 9 months. Luckily, both my husband and I were making money. We looked at our budget and figured out ways to cut costs fast. We removed an entire rent payment of over $1,000+ because well before we were married we were living in two different places. This helped a lot! You will have to figure out in your own personal budget where you will need to budget cut for 9 months. Maybe you are trying to live a bigger, better, and more lifestyle and we have just want you need to read to cut that out.
Maybe, you work more and increase your income.
We were able to both contribute to our health savings accounts (HSA) of the maximum $3,600 in 2019. Then we also saved up $2,800 worth of cash in our savings account by a few different side hustles and money we received from gifts — you know birthday money, surprise money that we weren’t expecting.
2. Make Date Night a Priority
You might be thinking, but I am suppose to be saving for this baby and not spending a bunch of money. I am telling you this from experience once the baby comes you will have no sleep. You will not be fully engaged with your spouse. You will be a different person.
Since you are able to without a kid or you can handle it with one kid.
Put it in your budget each week. $50 per week and do not feel guilty! You will thank us later!
We can even do your budget together in one of our 1:1 Remote Budget Coaching. Tell me you have a priority to save for a baby coming and we will help you get there!
1:1 Remote Budget Coaching
1:1 Budget Coaching Session – 45 minute budget sessions – Set up one budget – Follow up with one budget
$159.00
3. Look on for Deals
Facebook marketplace and asking our family was the best money saving deal we could do. We personally bought our pack and play for $40 off of Facebook Marketplace. We received all our clothes for the baby as hand-me-downs. We received more than enough toys and items we needed from the baby shower.
Baby’s do not need as much as you think they do — we did it living tiny!
Wish I Wouldn’t Have
1. Bought Bows
We, well mostly me, bought so many bows and Ember did not even wear them. I was obsessed. I seriously followed every boutique online because I was supporting a small business and bought so many bows. Now they just sit there and collect dust.
2. Infant/Baby Bath
We bought an infant baby bath, and we used it once. My husband was there to help me give the baby a bath in the sink and no you do not need an infant baby bath especially if your spouse is hands on like mine. He helped me give Ember a bath every single time.
3. Baby Wrap
During my first baby, I did not use the baby wrap. I did not really find a need for it because it was just as easy to hold Ember and do the cleaning or the dishes or anything else I needed to do. I figured how to maximize the time she was sleeping and do things like get dinner ready while she was in her afternoon nap.
These helped me stay on a budget and I hope they help you stay on a budget to prepare for your baby whether it is a surprise or not. Congratulations! It is an exciting time! We pray you have an easy, smooth, boring pregnancy and birth! I prayed this prayer for months and I had Ember in 4 hours of my water breaking and all natural. Not because I choose to, but because she came too fast! I hope your birth experience is like that too because it is so amazing what our bodies can do!
More articles you will enjoy:
- 5 Ways to Create a New Life for You
- How to Stop Emotional Shopping
- Refresh Yourself. Create Better Goals.
Like if you found this helpful.
Like if you are excited for your baby.
Share if you want to help someone else in the millennial baby boom.
Sharing is caring:
What to do in Zion National Park while on a Budget?
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Zion National Park — you think it is said “Ziii-on, but it is really said “Ziiin” trust me! The locals will know you are not from there is you say it out it looks. Say, “Ziiin” it is like the O is not even there. But let’s get to what to do in Zion National Park on a budget. We travel frugal, tiny, and love to show others how to do it too!
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE TO BUDGET FOR YOUR TRIP!
1. Stay at Watchman Campground
If you want to frugally go to Zion National Park, you need to stay at this campground. It is only $30 per night and it has electric. This is a plus because most national parks do not have any and they are just boon-docking. We enjoy at least having electric since in our RV we have a fresh water tank that we can easily use.
We stayed for 2 nights and it cost us only $30 because we used our national park pass. We learned this trip though that we should not have received the 1/2 discount, but hey! We enjoyed it while we could.
We stayed in site 54, and it was perfect, level and the door went out to the river! It was in the back of the campground off the Virgin River and we did not have horrible neighbors either. It was a pull-thru site for easy ability to take our car with us and we did not have to unhook the tow dolly.
We would stay here again and stay in this site!
Another positive about Watchman campground, is that it is right at the front of the first gate to get into Zion National Park. So if you have a National Park Pass, do not forget it if you just go to get coffee in the morning to support a local business.
2. Springdale, Utah: Support a local coffee shop LOVECOFFEE
The town close to Zion National Park is Springdale, Utah, and in the busy season this place is hopping. Luckily we went during off season so it was not too busy for us. One morning, we support LOVECOFFEE shop to be able to experience what the locals do.
We traveled from St. George, Utah so we learned that it is a local Utah coffee, but it was good. My opinion it was even better than Starbucks coffee!!
We did not want to do dishes before we left for the day — lazy I know, but it was in our budget. We did end up spending $20 there. We had 2 scones and 2 coffee and a tip. Well worth it!
3. Plan to hike through the Emerald Pools
The emerald pools were recommended to us by a local friend, and we have to say the middle pool was beautiful even during the winter. The lower pools were closed for us, and we made it about half way to the upper pool and turned around due to how icy it was. Plus our two year old was hiking the entire trip and I was 32 weeks pregnant hiking.
This is a great hike for the kids!
Here are our favorite hiking boots. I have the grey ones of this brand and love them! They are comfy and great for hiking!
4. Take a drive past the Zion National Park Entrance
If you want something free to do that is breathe taking in the car, drive a little further. You will be able to go through a tunnel in the canyon, which was really cool. We only drove this way because we were trying to get our 2 year old to nap, but it did not work. She loved the views from the drive too!
Let us help you budget for your next trip with our remote budget coaching.
1:1 Remote Budget Coaching
1:1 Budget Coaching Session – 45 minute budget sessions – Set up one budget – Follow up with one budget
$159.00
5. Go to Zion National Park during the winter
Take the scenic drive and experience the beauty without the crowd and heat.
We went there the first part of January right after winter break for most kids. It was a perfect time the weather was not too cold, and there was just a dusting of snow. It was really amazing to be able to see the red rock, green trees, and the snow.
This photo was taking at the top of the middle pool.
6. Bus Shuttle
If you do go during the season, plan on taking the bus shuttle. I am sure it is just as easy and really since the emerald lower pool was closed we took a different trail. It would have been nice to take the shuttle back to our car, but they were not running.
We have had experience with shuttles in national parks before like when we traveled to Acadia National Park, and it was really nice especially with a kid and a one way trail.
For our entire trip, 3 days and 2 nights we spent less than $100. $30 for the campground, $20 for coffee, $0 to get in since we had a national park pass, $50 for one night out to dinner. Overall, we were very please to be on budget and seeing some wonderful sights the Lord created!
Like if you want to go to Zion National Park.
Like if you love hiking and adventure on a budget.
Pin for a friend to show them they can travel on a budget.
Sharing is caring:
10 Ways We Grew Our Net Worth by $99,000 in a Year with One Income and then Zero Income!
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
If you want to grow your net worth, but don’t know how I would stick around and read below. It is pretty incredible feeling to be able to live off a small income and then zero income. We went from being a family that made $150,000 per year for a year to a family who made $60,000 to a family who made had zero income. We downsized our life and traveled the country and still grew our net worth by $99,000 in 2021. We want to show you 10 ways we grew our net worth so it can inspire you too!
Download for free the budget calendar to you this year!
1. Prayed for God to Provide
When we quit our jobs, I really did not know what the year was going to bring us. I knew that God would provide because he did it for me before during the 3 months I did not have a job when I moved to Raleigh, NC. I did not know how he would do it for us though. I prayed consistently. I had huge faith. My journal probably has in it a million times – God please provide for us. Please make our budget work. Please have us bless others along our journey.
God provided in ways like this throughout the year:
- We received free jewelry cases to create more income
- We received fresh breads from other campers
- We received jams and honeys from people we met along the way
- We received free show fees
- We received rent for free by volunteering our time
I will tell you God provides in ways you do not know is possible. Try him. He will provide for you too!
2. Focused at the beginning of the year
Yearly Bullet Budget Journal
With this yearly bullet budget journal, we have seen people… Boost their savings Pay down debt fast Increase their networth Have one place for their finances Customize their budget, which means no messy budget Accomplish their money goals faster Reduce the worry about finances
$24.99
When we did have a steady income, we were focused on paying off the remaining debt of our home to make us debt free. We also focused on maxing out our Health Saving Account to capitalize on tax free money. We focused on savings and really maximizing our investments as well. This included our retirement Roth IRA, IRA, 401(k), and our child’s 529 Plan too.
When you have a big plan like us to quit your jobs and travel the country, you must come financially prepared too.
It cannot be a let’s just do it and hope it works kind of thing.
3. Budgeted each month
We budgeted our months out that we did not have an income and tried to figure out how long we could make our savings work for us. We did not go overboard with our budget. We reduced little things like tv, cell phones, rent, utilities, subscriptions, and all. By cutting these costs it made us be able to go further with the money we had saved up.
Our main expenses in our budget were food, gas, insurance, and travel. To reduce these, like food, we created meal planning 101. This helped us stay flat with our food budget even though inflation killed most people. From 2020 to 2021, we only spent $100 more from year to year. This helped us a lot!
You can easily find out that food is the easiest way to bust a budget.
For gas, we used gas apps to help where we needed and places like food shopping to save on gas. This was our biggest expense as we traveled more than 3,500 miles total.
Insurance, we pay in 6 months so we reduce this cost and it is very important to have in case of an accident. We also have our life insurance with this cost.
4. Followed up on our budget
Every month we followed up on our budget even when it was scary! There were months where we did not keep track closely of what was going out of our budget and we were living like we were on a 6 month vacation. Woooah! Those months I look back on and think, how did I allow us to buy 2 lobster meals in a week! That is $200 you guys if you were wondering. That is 2 weeks’ worth of meals for us.
Let me tell you a little secret, no matter how scary it is to follow up on your budget. This will be where you win the most to increase your net worth! You will be able to see where your money is going and not be wondering where it went.
5. Invested our money
Invest your money in a retirement account – early and often! You will be glad you did and if you start late start putting a little extra in it! Invest your money in your health savings account. Invest your money in a Roth IRA. Every single bucket you can invest your money do it! Your money will grow and grow and you will be glad you did.
When the market crashed because it will again. Leave your money there and do not touch it! Do not touch your money to take it out as a loan.
Watch that money grow and invest it!
Look at our dividends grow over the past few years:
6. Paid off all our debts
We had our home that we needed to pay off. That was the only remaining debt we had. We paid off all our cars already. We paid off all our student loans. When you pay off your home that frees up $800+ payment that is now yours to do whatever you want! It is such an AMAZING feeling.
I wish more people were able to do this, and let me tell you. You can!
When you get around the right people to motivate you and encourage you. You can become debt free. I wish more people talked about being debt free, but in our society, it is not talked about enough.
Yearly Bullet Budget Journal
With this yearly bullet budget journal, we have seen people… Boost their savings Pay down debt fast Increase their networth Have one place for their finances Customize their budget, which means no messy budget Accomplish their money goals faster Reduce the worry about finances
$24.99
7. Focused on Fun Free Things To Do
While we were traveling the country, we focused on fun free things to do rather than all the tourist spots. Yes, we did do a few touristy stuff like Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls and Mount Rush Moore, but you can still see so much of the country without buying stuff.
Funny story, we went to the crazyhorse and turned around because they were going to make us pay for a rock that is not finished yet. We could see it from our car and we snapped a photo and went on our way.
If you do not know how to find free things to do while you are traveling, please read this. We have been to over 46 states and lived in 6 states because we have chosen to live this lifestyle. We always know how to stretch our dollar for our family.
8. Gave a car away
They always say to give and it will be given in ten folds back to you, and I have to tell you this is definitely true. I love doing #8. It is actually not the first car I have given away, but yes in 2021 we gave a car away.
We had two cars and did not need two cars while we traveled to Utah. We only could tow one car, so we gave the car away to someone who needed it more than we did. It felt so good too! God provided in ways we did not know was possible because we gave first and we gave the goodness from our hearts.
If you need a reminder of how God provided for us, go back to number 1.
Other Articles You Will Love:
9. Increased our Income
We focused on how to increase our income with our side hustles. We found things that we love to do and figured out how to make money from them. There is so much that you can do to turn your hobby into an income.
My husband set up shop at craft shows and other shows to sell his rocks and wire wrap jewelry. His business he created, Unrivaled Wire Wraps.
I help people with their budget and created a remote business to help more people with how to navigate through their money.
10. Communicated to each other
The most important for last point on how we grew our net worth by $99k we communicated as a team. We are a married couple who consistently keeps each other in the loop of our spending. In anything in life, it is key to be on the same page and communicate.
There are many ways to do money, but I truly believe to keep your money together and to do a budget together at the beginning of the month. One person can do the numbers and the other person can come up with the suggestions. One person can be the dreamer and the other person can bring the other person back to reality.
You can do this as a team together, and if you are reading this and your spouse is not on par with you. One way to get them on the same page as you is find out what their dream is. Do they not want to work anymore? Do they want to travel the country? Do they want to buy a super fancy car? Buy a huge lot of land? Find out the reason they would care about money and talk about and love that dream too. You can save together. You can pay off debt together. You can be each other’s accountability partner, because you will need it during your money journey and to build your net worth.
I hope these 10 ways to build your net worth encouraged you. These are the true ways we built our net worth this year. It is slow and steady who wins the race, so if you have not started to build your net worth. I want you to start today. Make a commitment today to make a budget, track your spending, communicate, and all those other ways to build your net worth as mentioned above. You can do it and I fully believe in you. You are blessed in everything you do.
Like if you want to grow your net worth!
Like if you are inspired to grow your net worth!
Share with others to spread news that others can grow their net worth too!
Pin to make a difference in someone else’s finances.
Sharing is caring:
3 Ways to Adjust Your Meal Menu to Adjust to Inflation and a Higher Cost of Living.
This post may contain affiliate links, and they are no cost to you!
Most people have only been hit by one of these items, but if you are like us. We moved from the east coast to the west coast this year. We have been hit by both inflation and a higher cost of living, but I am not allowing it to affect my attitude. Okay, maybe for about two months and then I realized I am going back to what I know and getting the best deals I know how from my real experience from working in grocery retail for 10 + years.
Download for free the budget calendar to help your budget and help your grocery budget.
[Meal planning on each month!]
Use Foods that Inflation has not Hit
Most common food currently as of 2022 is produce and mainly fresh veggies their true inflation was at 2.4% unlike meat where that is at +18% to +10% inflation.
With beef in particular that has hit +18% inflation, we change up our meal menu. Instead of my famous lasagna with ground beef. I have been cooking the same meal with yellow squash and zucchini.
Why?
It is on sale for .88 cents a pound at Kroger. We can get our great tasting lasagna for a better prices per serving plus we always have left overs so it is a great meal to have on the menu.
Another one we have switched up is chicken meals. Since chicken parts are up +11.5% inflation. We have had less chicken meals, so what have we been substituting instead of that?
Breakfast for dinner. I was never a believer in this, but eggs have been on sale every single week at a grocery store. One week they were as cheap as .79 cents for 18 count! We loaded up! We made a quiche and a breakfast casserole. Guess what? They both had veggies in them too, but had enough protein that my husband was satisfied.
Yearly Bullet Budget Journal
With this yearly bullet budget journal, we have seen people… Boost their savings Pay down debt fast Increase their networth Have one place for their finances Customize their budget, which means no messy budget Accomplish their money goals faster Reduce the worry about finances
$24.99
Shop Sales Ad Hard
What to buy on the sales ad? The items on the front page are the items that the store is losing money on that are bringing you into the stores. If it is a holiday, look about 4 to 3 weeks ahead and that is usually when you will find the best deals. Kroger is known for this to get you thinking about buying at there store, but then the week of they put all the prices back to normal price and place them in the middle of their ad for you to think they are on sale.
I have been learning how to shop at a new store with there ad. Hello Albertson’s! I am actually getting really good at it, though the first couple of times I failed hard core. We budgeted $100, and we spent $150+. I used to only spend $70 a week on groceries. Hey, but I like to share my weaknesses with you all because I am only as strong as them too.
When I am weak, God is strong for me.
But hey, Albertson’s had half galloon milk for .97 cents! We were not planning on doing our full shopping there this week but it was on the way to Kroger. We bought it to save money!
Plus we bought these other loss items from Albertsons:
Yogurt .17 cents
Oatmeal $1.47 for name brand
Life cereal $1.47
This will all last us a couple of weeks for breakfast for our family of 3. All less than $10!
Get a job at the grocery store for an additional discount
As mentioned in point two when we budget, we track our spending. Our main focus in 2019 was paying cash for a wedding and then came Ember in early 2020. So then our focus was saving up for Ember to have her without any hospital bills. Our 2021 goal was to pay off our our home. We successfully have had a great 3 years of accomplishing goals with this tip! I highly suggest it if you do not do it.
We always knew we received grocery discounts because my husband and I both worked for Kroger for so long. We received 10% off Kroger brand items.
While we traveled across the country though, we lost the discount because we quit our jobs like the Lord told us to. He wanted us to rely fully on him more and less on ourselves. He wanted us to sacrifice and know that he would provide for our family. (Which he did and did even more than we could have imagined!)
My husband, however, was ready to get back to work when we hit Utah for 6 months. He got a job at Albertsons while we are here in Utah to receive 10% off Albertsons brand and 5% off of national brands. This little bit does help! Once I learned how to really shop their ad too!
And if you do not want to work at a grocery store, if you have a kid who is 16, have them work at a grocery store! My mom and dad both took advantage of my Kroger discount while I worked at Kroger in high school, college, and past college! They are my immediate family who get the benefit!
Meal Planning 101
Cut your grocery bill by $50! Use the meal planning 101 printable to help you SAVE so much money! What you get? ✓ Pantry List ✓ Grocery List ✓ Monthly Meal Menu ✓ Weekly Meal Menu ✓ Yearly Meal Tracker ✓ How to Steps ✓ Tips ✓ Digital download emailed from believeandbudget@gmail.com within 24 – 48 hours ✓ Everything is ready for you to start savings on your groceries from the experts!
$9.99
Hope these 3 tips helps you during this crazy time of grocery inflation. Remember you are not alone in this situation and if you even want us to help you with your grocery budget we can do that too! We mostly help with your entire budget, but we can break it down to just your grocery budget to help you! You matter and the food you provide for your family matters.
Like if you learned how to adjust your food budget.
Like if you are going to shop differently next week.
Pin to share with someone else you know who’s being affected by inflation.
Sharing is caring:
We are the Maloneys!
We are here to help you live a better life by believing, budgeting, and growing your networth!
We paid off 112k worth of debt in 6.5 years, cash funded our $10k wedding, saved $10k for our baby, paid for 2 cars with cash, and grew our networth to six figures!
We travel the US in our RV and create handmade jewelry!
GET YOURS TODAY!
1:1 Grocery Budget Coaching
Set up a 1:1 grocery budget coaching session to get a personalized plan on how to save at the grocery store!
$159.00
Free 15 Day Money Inspiration Devotional
Believe And Budget 
