 | | | |
Here's What's New 
So, this week’s menu plan post is a little bit different than usual because I’m doing P90X again… which means I’ve somewhat altered my diet to go along with the program.  If you're interested in seeing the menu plan I came up with, you can download it here. My husband and kids are eating a similar diet, but I'm throwing in extra fruits and veggies and carbs for them. And since the exercise plan is only six days per week, I planned the menu accordingly. I'm taking Sundays off and will eat similar to the plan, but give myself a little breathing room and not adhere to it so strictly. The menu plan is very quick and easy — and I'm sure some of you might find it way too simple and boring. However, I knew that if I planned meals that required hours of work, thought and effort, I'd be setting myself up for failure. My goal is to do all food prep for the entire day in less than one hour. I also incorporated our weekly dinner out into the plan as well as a once-a-week treat of a smoothie from Starbucks. If you wanted to follow a similar menu but reduce the costs, you could substitute these items for homemade foods. Last week, I followed this menu plan and it went really well. In fact, I felt a lot more energetic — though that may have just been because of exercising more and getting back to getting up early again. But regardless, I’m hoping for another successful week! And don’t forget to join us for the 12 Months to a Healthier You Challenge check-ins every Friday. I’m so inspired by all of you and your commitment to getting more exercise this month! What's on your menu this week? Tell us in the comments or leave a link to your menu plan post.
The post This Week’s Menu Plan (the P90X edition) appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.    Related Stories 
Guest post from Jamie of From His Presence Have you had something happen recently that has derailed you? Maybe it was a bad diagnosis, the death of a loved one, or even a divorce? Unexpected disasters can wreak havoc on your plans, and sometimes… it's hard to recover. I had one of those unexpected events happen in 2013. Before "it" happened, I was so motivated! I felt like I had direction and vision for each part of my life. I was writing goals every week (and achieving some of them). I was working hard and was "in the zone." Then "it" struck, and I got punched in the gut. It wasn't anything I could have anticipated or prepared for, but it impacted a huge part of my life. Suddenly, many things that had been important no longer were. All I could do was hang on. I clung to my faith in God, and made it through one day at a time, one breath at a time, and some days, one crying spell at a time. This thing derailed me. That situation happened awhile ago, but I'm only now starting to recover. When I realized recently that New Year's (my favorite time of year) was almost here, I began to think about setting goals for the year. Honestly, at first I could not think of even one thing that I wanted to set as a goal for 2014. But, over the course of about three days, I was able to get out of that rut and think of some inspiring goals. As a result, I am actually feeling motivated again for the first time in months! Have you been derailed by a heavy blow? Would you like to get your mojo back too? If so, how about trying the same things that helped me? Here's what I did: 1. Brainstorm a few possibilities before you commit to any specific thing. When I couldn't think of any specific goals that inspired me for 2014, I started to ask myself, "What are some things I could just consider doing in 2014?" There was no pressure in asking myself that question, so it opened the doors of creativity again. I wrote down several things that might be good options. Then, before I knew it, a couple of those ideas grabbed hold of my imagination and sparked excitement in me. I took that newfound excitement and set specific goals around those ideas. Will you allow yourself to dream a little? Forget about the hard times you’ve been through recently. What kinds of things would change your 2014 from average to amazing? After you let yourself dream, think about those amazing ideas awhile. Then, why not set some goals around the specific things that excite you? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 2. Start with a manageable time period. Does thinking about the whole year make you feel overwhelmed? If so, then start with a time period you feel comfortable with — whether that’s one week, one month, or one quarter. I started with just goals for the week I was in. That was all I felt I could handle! However, a funny thing happened. My goals for the week inspired me to write goals for January. January’s goals gave me the courage to set goals all the way out through March 31. Then, after that, I was so motivated that the whole year no longer seemed overwhelming. Now I have a list of exciting, challenging, and reachable goals for the whole year! 3. Celebrate the little wins. Motivation breeds motivation. Everything you accomplish is important. Whether your goal is to clean your bathroom, do your laundry, or exercise three times, let yourself celebrate as you achieve each thing! Even writing down your goals is a little win. So reward yourself. Congratulate yourself. Enjoy the feeling of taking your life back. One of the first weekly goals I set was to make and upload five YouTube videos. I only got two of them done, but I celebrated those two. Those two videos were evidence of more motivation than I had had in a long time! I was taking my life back, and am thrilled about it–even though it was just a little win! This year can be a new beginning for you. Even if an unexpected disaster has derailed you, you can get back on track! Dream a little. Start with a manageable time period. Celebrate the smallest accomplishments! If you will do these things, then I believe that you too can find your “zone” again. What steps can you take today to get back on track? Jamie Rohrbaugh is a wife, financial analyst, Sunday School teacher, musician, and unlikely worship leader from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her passion is to encourage and equip people to live powerful lives and to function in their gifts. She blogs at From His Presence about how to live ordinary life in God's manifest presence.
The post Regaining Momentum When Life Strikes a Blow appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories 
Please note that the price of these ebooks is currently $0.00, but that could change at any time. Be sure to verify before checking out that it is still free. Unless otherwise noted, these ebooks are specifically for Kindles, but you can go here to download a free application that enables you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
 Download a free copy of Live for Him: A Grace-Filled Look at Planning. [Email newsletter subscription.] (Thanks, Leigh Ann!)
 Download a free copy of 1,001 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes: The Only Slow-Cooker Cookbook You’ll Ever Need.
 Download a free copy of Natural Cleaning Recipes: Essential Oils Recipes to Safely Clean Your Home, Save Money, and Protect Your Family.
 Download a free copy of Confused About Gluten-Free?
 Download a free copy of 40 Days to Better Living–Weight Management.
 Download a free copy of The Wind in the Willows.
 Download a free copy of Inexpensive Meals – The Ultimate Recipe Guide.
 Download a free copy of Breaking Free Day by Day.
Thanks, eReaderGirl, and My Frugal Adventures! The post Free ebooks: Live for Him, Confused About Gluten Free, The Wind in the Willows, and more appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories 
The Children’s Place has a hot deal on Kids Jeans today for as low as $6.99 shipped! Use the coupon code V5H30HP to get 30% off your entire purchase—including sale and clearance items.
This makes kids jeans up to size 5T just $6.99 after coupon code. Larger sizes cost more. You’ll also get free shipping on any size order today only! Don’t forget, use the coupon code V5H30HP at checkout to take 30% off your order. Thanks, Moms by Heart! The post The Children’s Place: Kids Jeans $6.99 shipped! appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories 
Many of Beth Moore’s ebooks are available free from different ebook retailers, though some retailers may have a larger selection than others. If you use a Kindle, Nook, or Apple iBooks, look below to see what’s available for your device. Books on Amazon: iBooks on iTunes Eight Free Beth Moore books are also available in the Barnes & Noble nook store are listed here as free. Make sure you sort the price from low to high to find the free books. Thanks, Coupon Cravings! The post More Free Beth Moore Books! appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories 
Welcome to the 7-Day Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge. Each day this week, I’ll be blogging through the 7-Day Challenge. If you’ve not signed up yet, enter your name and email in the orange sign-up box at the top of the page here and you’ll get the daily emails and challenge in your inbox.
Just Say No Today’s topic is a hard one. And it’s one that almost wrecked my health, marriage, and home. It’s about that little word “no”. Confession time: I want people to like me. I want people to think I have it together. I don’t like being viewed as the girl who is a mess, is always behind, and can’t ever seem to get with the program. So for years, I hid my messes and struggles. I pretended I was WonderWoman. And I said yes. A lot. Sure, I’ll help you with that project. Sure, I’ll join your group. Sure, I’ll volunteer for that. Sure, I’ll meet with you. Sure, I’ll babysit for you. And on and on it went. Until I couldn’t keep going on any longer because I was completely exhausted, utterly maxed out, and totally overwhelmed. What I didn’t seem to realize was that when I was saying yes to one thing, I was in essence saying no to something else. That something else was often sleep, my health, my marriage, my kids, and my sanity. As I chronicle in my new book, it took me hitting rock bottom before I had the wake-up call that changed my life and gave me the courage to admit I couldn’t do it all. As a result, I started saying no. A lot. At first, it was so hard for me. But I quickly realized that the world wouldn’t fall apart if I didn’t say yes to everything. Plus, I’ve found I have so much more breathing room and peace in my life as a result of saying no. This gave me more resolve to continue to say no! How would it feel for you to say no more often? To set boundaries and give yourself much-needed breathing room? Here are a few tips to help you get started: 1. Count the Costs. Before committing to anything, count the costs. What are you going to have to give up in order to do this thing or attend this event or write this post or participate in this series? Is it worth what you're giving up? If you're not 100% sure that it is, then say "no." 2. Give Yourself Grace. Don't beat yourself up over what you're not doing. Don't compare yourself to other seeming "supermoms." Don't stress over what's being left undone. Stick with the basics and lower your expectations. Maybe it's not the time for tackling big projects, volunteering for ministry opportunities, or doing detailed, in-depth cleaning. If your family has clean laundry and food in their bellies, most of the other stuff can wait. 3. Practice Saying No. Get in the habit of saying no more often than you say yes. Stop letting people manipulate you into a miserable existence. Stop doing things just because you feel obligated or because you're afraid of what people might think of you if you don't do them. Focus on your list of priorities. If saying no to something means your attention is drawn to what matters most—trust me, it's a good thing.
{My to-do list for today.} Today's Challenge Sit down somewhere quiet and compose a to-do list for tomorrow. Include everything on your plate, from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. When you're finished, force yourself to immediately eliminate three items from your list. Just cross them out. This is not a mind trick to make you feel more productive than you really are. Instead, it's a way to help you start learning to evaluate your activities and commitments. Choose three items and get rid of them. Let them go—no justification, no guilt. Today’s Project Leave a comment telling me what three things you’re eliminating from your to-do list today. I can’t wait to hear — and I hope that this frees up some breathing room in your day! My 3 things I’m saying no to today: 1) Time-consuming dinner prep. I’m making a really simple dinner tonight — hamburgers, steamed veggies, and fruit. 2) Leaving the house. After a busy weekend, we’re staying home all day today. We find it’s so good to stay home all day at least a few days each week. And while I have some errands I was thinking of doing this afternoon, I’m going to bump them to later this week to give some breathing room for today. 3) Being on the computer after 6 p.m. I’ve been doing my best to stay off the computer in the evenings and keeping that reserved for family time, knitting, and reading. I’m committing to shut the computer off by 6 p.m. tonight — and if I have more work to do, I can save it for tomorrow.
The post Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge: Day 1 appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories 
Here are some of the best educational deals and freebies available right now from Katie who writes at Cincinnati Cents: Jesus Storybook Bible e-Book for $1.99: Amazon has The Jesus Storybook Bible e-Book on sale for $1.99. This 352-page e-book includes 44 beautifully illustrated stories, and is ideal for young readers. If you prefer a hard copy of this book, Amazon has the hardcover version of The Jesus Storybook Bible on sale for $10.90. Free Kindle e-Books for Kids: There are several free Kindle e-Books for kids available for download including Henry the Hedgehog, Colors, Tales of the Friendly Forest, What is STEM?, Starlight Animal Rescue: Runaway, Coolest Chapter Books for Kids Sampler, Killer Whales, Solar System, and 25 Most Awesome Sharks. K’NEX Intro to Structures Bridges Set $23.99: Amazon has their K’NEX Intro to Structures Bridges Set on sale for $23.99. This 207-piece set introduces students to the history, function, structural design, geometry, and strength of bridges. The set will enable children to build 13 fully-functioning replicas of real-world structures, and the set includes building instructions and a comprehensive teacher's guide CD as well. Melissa & Doug Polished Petals Bead Set for $6.69: Purchase the Melissa & Doug Polished Petals Bead Set for just $6.69. This set includes over 150 beads, 3 colors of plastic cord for lacing, and a handy purse-shaped storage case with handle, and it is ideal for developing fine motor skills, patterning, and creativity. Free New Year’s Printable Pack: 2 Teaching Mommies has a free New Year's Printable Pack available for download. This pack includes goals for the new year, 100 chart art, magnet page, my favorite memories of 2013, and a design your own poster page. You’ve Been Sentenced Game for $19.72: Purchase the You’ve Been Sentenced Game for just $19.72. This sentence-building game utilizes unique five-sided cards with a multiple variations of a base word. With a hand of 10 cards, players scramble to score the most points each round by building the longest, grammatically correct, and sensible sentence. If two players disagree on the validity of a sentence, they plead their case to the remaining players who comprise the game's jury. Learning Resources Candy Construction Set for $24.71: Amazon has their Learning Resources Candy Construction Set on sale for $24.71. This 92-piece set includes giant gumdrops, swirled candy sticks, big block connectors, and jumbo candy pieces to build such creations as the Yummy Buggy, Sweet Swing, Candy-Go-Round, and the Candy Cottage. Free Winter Bucket List: 3 Dinosaurs has a free Blank Winter Bucket List available for download. This is a fun way to help children plan their goals and hopes for the upcoming year. Safari Rainforest TOOB for $9.85: Amazon has their Safari Rainforest TOOB on sale for $9.85. This set typically retails for $12.65, and it includes a Caiman, Red Eye Tree Frog, Emerald Tree Boa, Iguana, Poison Dart Frog, Human, Tapirs, Toco Toucan, Jaguar, Anteater, Spider Monkey and Red & Blue Macaw. There are several other TOOB sets on sale as well – Safari Wild TOOB – $9.89, Safari Zoo Babies TOOB – $9.52, Safari Arctic TOOB – $9.85, Safari Pets TOOB – $9.86, Safari The Land Down Under TOOB – $9.95, Safari Desert TOOB – $8.64, Safari Ocean TOOB – $10.66, Safari Dogs TOOB – $12.19, Safari Coral Reef TOOB – $8.36, Safari Trees TOOB – $9.24, and Safari River TOOB – $9.02. Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes for $12.96: Amazon has their Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes on sale for $12.96. This book presents step-by-step instructions for building ten unique airplanes, and comes complete with 40 sheets of flight-tested, ready-to-fold paper, printed on both sides in a variety of colorful patterns. Or if you have a Star Wars fan, you can also pick up the Klutz Star Wars Folded Flyers Book for $16.97 as well. Free January Writing Prompts: This Reading Mama has a free set of January Writing Prompts available for download. These fun prompts are all related to winter and snow. Straws & Connectors Set for $38.30 Shipped: Amazon has their Straws & Connectors Set on sale for $38.30. This 705-piece set received a 4.5-star rating from over 50 reviews, and it is ideal for building up fine motor skills. Plus, this item includes free shipping. 50% Off Magnetic Blocks for Tegu: Eversave is featuring 50% off magnetic blocks from Tegu. Tegu blocks are magnetic wooden building blocks with endless possibilities for fostering creativity and imagination. There are two different options to choose from – a $50 voucher for $25 or a $100 voucher for $50. This offer does not include shipping which starts at $5. Free Goal Writing Printables: Download a free set of Goal Writing Printables from 3 Dinosaurs. This is a great way to encourage children to plan ahead and learn time management skills. $10 Off Your First Educents Order: Become an Educents member, and you’ll receive $10 off your first order. If you're unfamiliar with Educents, they offer deals on curriculum and educational products. The voucher is valid for new members only, and it cannot be combined with any other offer or used towards shipping. As an added bonus, you can earn $1 for every friend who signs up through your referral link. Once you sign up, you can go into your account, find your referral link, and share it with your friends to earn Educents credit. Zoobooks Magazine Subscription for $10: Purchase a one-year subscription to Zoobooks , Zoobies, or Zootles Magazine for just $10. You can also purchase a 2-year subscription to any of these magazines for $19. Free Fill-in-the-Blank Thank You Cards: Royal Baloo has a free set of Fill-In-the-Blank Thank You Cards available for download. These are a fun option for younger children. Magic Tree House Boxed Set for $10.48: Amazon has their Magic Tree House Boxed Set Books 1-4 on sale for $10.48. These books chronicle the journeys of Jack and Annie, and the set includes the following four titles – Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, and Pirates Past Noon. LeapFrog LeapPad2 Disney Princess Bundle for $69.99: Amazon has their LeapFrog LeapPad2 Explorer Disney Princess Learning Tablet Bundle on sale for $69.99. This bundle typically retails for $129.99, and it features a custom-decorated Disney Princess LeapPad2 tablet, protective Disney Princess carrying case, 7 exclusive Disney Princess wallpapers, 2 Disney Princess sticker sheets, and 5 included apps. Plus, this set includes free shipping. Katie is a wife and homeschooling mother of four who writes at Cincinnati Cents about saving money and having fun as a family without breaking the bank. She enjoys sharing new recipes, ideas for frugal family fun, and tips for spending less at the grocery store.
The post Educational Deals & Freebies Round-Up appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories 
Are you signed up to receive text alerts and mobile coupons from Target? If you’d like to receive mobile baby coupons, text the word BABY to 827438. Mobile coupons can be stacked with Target Cartwheel and manufacturer coupons! Current Target Mobile Baby Coupons - $3 off Seventh Generation Diapers (36-ct or larger)
- $3 off Circo bedding item
- $1.50 off four Earth's Best baby food pouches
- $2.50 off Huggies diapers AND wipes (34-ct/56-ct and up)
- $1 off three Happy Baby or Happy Tot pouches
- $4 off Gerber Good Start powder formula (12-oz+)
- $3 off Similac powder formula (16-oz+)
- $3 off Enfamil ready-to-use bottles (premium or gentelease, 15-ct 8-oz)
- $3 off BabyGanics diaper bag or box
To use your mobile coupons, show your phone at checkout and have the associate scan the bar code to receive your discounts. The coupons listed above expire January 18, 2014. Thanks, The Savvy Bump! The post New Target Mobile Baby Coupons appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories York Photo is offering 60 4×6 Prints for FREE to new customers when you use the coupon code FREESIXTY at checkout. All you’ll pay is shipping, which should come out to less than $4. Offer details: This offer valid for 60 free 4×6/4xD prints. Must be used on the first order. Ordered online only. Does not include shipping and handling. One time use. New customers only. All free print credits must be used on new customer’s first order. Can be combined with other coupon codes at checkout, but not for the same items on the order. Thanks, The Savvy Bump! The post York Photo: 60 Free 4×6 Prints (new customers only) appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories  Here’s a magazine deal that we don’t see too often! Right now, you can get a one-year subscription to Entrepreneur Magazine for only $4.50 per year when you use coupon code MONEYSAVING at checkout. You can order up to four years at this price!
Enterpreneur magazine: Entrepreneur is the leading authority in small business news. Each issue is packed with advice from experts, business opportunities, advertising tips, and inspiring stories from successful people. This magazine subscription will show you how to create a name for your business, offer guidance on being an expert manager, help you with internet questions, and more.
This offer expires tonight 1/6/14 at 11:59 PM EST. Are you looking for other magazine titles? You can use coupon code MONEYSAVING to save 20% off of most titles at DiscountMags! (Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.) The post Entrepreneur magazine for only $4.50 per year appeared first on Money Saving Mom®.  Related Stories | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment