One of the biggest reasons for creating MommyLuvs2save was to create a community of moms and dads who want to help their family save money when buying essentials in order to free up money for debt repayment. My own family has paid off over $205,500 in consumer debt including credit cards, student loan debt and 2 vehicles. I am a teacher at heart. I want to use the skills that I have learned to help YOU ditch debt. I want to encourage each of you in your efforts so that one day you can feel the freedom of being debt free. I’m not quite there yet either (we still have a mortgage) so I need encouragement as well !
It can be very difficult to pay down debt. There are many temptations to spend money. We live in a culture that encourages debt and spending. In addition, expenses come up and there never seems to be any extra money for paying down debt.
I want to urge each of you to participate in a challenge. Just leave a comment about one positive step you’ve taken for your family each day. Did you eat in instead of going out? Did you save money at the grocery store? Did you pay extra on your credit card? Leave a comment below and we will cheer one another on every day and every step of the way.
The challenge is to leave a comment about what YOU have done to work on getting debt free each day. One winner will be chosen to win a $50 Amazon gift card at the end of each month. To participate in the challenge you must comment on at least 10 posts during the month.
* I will also be sharing my progress from the day prior.
My Progress: Well, today could have gone much worse. We did do a lot of running around errands to help us get ready for the week. Sunday around here is laundry/drugstore/grocery shopping day. It’s a busy day and it always goes so darn fast. We ate breakfast and lunch at home. We did venture out for dinner at the diner because the girls were begging for pancakes and they have a GREAT deal on them. For $3.99 I can get enough pancakes for both of them. Usually I make pancakes in bulk at home, but we just felt like going out.
We’ve gotten the itch to start comparison shopping for appliances. We’ve probably needed appliances since we moved into the new house. The appliances are 11-12 years old and starting to give out. I don’t think the dish washer even cleans the dishes anymore. I end up washing most of the dishes by hand for fear of them not being clean enough. The fridge still keeps things cold, but the drawers are giving out and the water/ice maker hasn’t worked since move in day. We looked at Best Buy and H&H Gregg. I didn’t think they were really having any groundbreaking deals, so we will continue looking. I also want to pay for them in CASH, so I need to take a little more time to build up the rest of the cash.
I entered 60 points on MyCokeRewards and ordered another coupon for a FREE order of Spicy McBites from McDonalds. Ro really likes spicy chicken, so I figure it will save us some money having some coupons for FREE food. I also earned 39 Swagbucks today and did 2 surveys while watching TV last night. I didn’t make it to the drugstores yesterday, but I will get to at least 1 or 2 of them today.
What did you do ? I hope you had a blessed day. Leave a comment You could be the July winner. You could make 2012 your year !
I am a mom who has paid off $111,500 in debt in less than 4 years by saving money at the stores and putting all of our extra $ on debt. Subscribe to my FREE Daily Newsletter so that you can get my free updates and NEVER miss a deal. Thanks for visiting!
Amy L says
Yesterday we spent some money for my son’s birthday party but we did stay within budget. I completed 1 survey and also earned 63 Swagbucks. Karen, I am wondering how do you earn mycokerewards. I signed up for them last week when you had the 3 codes, but was unsure how I could earn more. Have a great day everyone.
Beth says
There are codes printed under coke product caps. For 12 pack cans, look for the code on the inside of the box on the part you pull off the box to open. Just log into your account and enter!
Amy L says
Thank you!
Beth says
I am on vacation, and I made all our dinners at home and froze them for the week. We are taking the kids to Chickfila one day for lunch, but will eat all other meals in. On budget! Yay!
Well I planned on today being a no spend day but it doesn’t look like it is going to happen. I am making all meals at home and packed lunches but while printing my month end coupons I ran out off ink. Bummer cause I had plan on waiting until my staples rewards were ready to buy some but now I have no choice. I did try but I guess three days in a row of no spend is my limit…..:)
Angela W says
I love coke rewards - especially since that is the drink of choice at home and in my office. I put out a cup for coke lids in the break room and collect more that way as well!
It was a blah drugstore deals day but thats ok - less running around!
Also - just a heads up that Olive Garden is offering a promo (at least at our OH restaurant!) - pick 1 of 5 meal options for $12.95 and the package you up another meal from the list to go with heating instructions. We had a Olive Garden gift card we used on saturday and stumbled on the promo so we had 2 (albeit unhealthy!) days worth of meals from there for $27. Not a bad option!
Janet says
No spend day yesterday. My daughter wanted salty snacks last night, and we were tempted to go and buy some, but I helped her make some garlic bread with cheese with what we had in the house, and she was happy with that!
By the way, for those of you asking, the daughter that left to go to her dad’s is 13, the one staying with me is 15 and will turn 16 the middle of August. She wants to join a gym that is close to our house because they are offering free summer memberships for teens. I am taking her there to sign her up today.
I earned a few swagbucks yesterday. I’m still doing the profiles. No luck selling the roller blades, but maybe this week……
I also found a couponing site for Canadians (www.challengershop.com), which is helpful for me since I can’t get a lot of the deals that you get. Of course, Mommyluvs2save is still number one!
kirsten says
We spent some money yesterday at the grocery store - got some milk, 2 newspapers and a couple other odds / ends. Other than that, we didn’t spend anything else. All meals were made at home. I did earn 19 Swagbucks as well.
Karen,
Ha e you looked at Sears for appliances? They do great sales, carry most brands. I have always been happy with Kenmore (store brand) as well. Most of their sales people will tell you of upcomi
Upcoming sales and even call you when things on your list will be on special.
Another little tip, really think about how you use your appliances, so you don’t get lured in by all the fancy new stuff!
I like Home Depot or Lowes for appliances.Thanks, I got the Target cereal deal and the Walmart ziploc deal. paying $40 plus tip for a massage today, my shoulder hurts so much from holding up this cast
linda R says
I have been reading your e-mail update for a long time but this is the first time I am commenting!! I enjoy hearing how you and Ro and the twins spend your days and your money-lol Yesterday was a no spend day as is EVERY Sunday. I am Catholic and we are taught to not work or shop on sundays. It took me a long time to get used to it, but now it is like second nature. Not working, I mean no uncessary housework, of course you can cook meals and clean up after. But as far as laundry, I get it all done by Saturday and if not, it waits until Monday. I can only go to the store on Sunday if I ran out our a necessity, like diapers or milk…but I have been at this so long, that I make sure I have enough ahead of time. I also gas up my car on Saturday if needed. With living like this, truly Sunday is a day of rest or play for me and my family of 10!!! Yup we have 10 children. Thanks for letting me add my 2 cents. Blessings
Welcome (officially) to ML2S Linda. WOW 10 children. I can only imagine how busy you are. Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Welcome Linda, great having you and thanks for sharing with us. We hope you will become a part of our family.
About 3 weeks ago we had a picnic at work, for not just employees but clients, too. At the end, there were 2 boxes of Boca burgers, the vegetarian burgers. No one would take them, so I finally did and they have been sitting in the freezer ever since. Today I made a vat of chili, enough for dinner and then a few work day lunches. I added the usual hamburger and then a half a box of the veggie burgers. My husband did not even notice the difference, so that is how I am going to use the other Boca burgers. It makes the chili cheaper, healthier and I don’t feel guilty about throwing away perfectly good food just because we are too picky to eat it.
No money spent, so we started another 2 week no spend stretch, figuring we might as well. AND, I sold a set of pots on Craigslist. Made $20, so just need $880 more conjured up by the end of August and we can pay the rest of our property taxes without dipping into savings. I am feeling hopeful!
Jaime says
We had a no spend day. We have family in from Florida and spent the day hanging out with them. We had lunch together and then pulled leftovers out for dinner. I was able to earn 45 Swagbucks.