Budgeting 101 for Beginners

 Run the race and then go the extra mile.

If all of your commitment bills are $2,000/month and your household brings home $2,300 then allow yourself a little cash, maybe $50 to $100 for eating out or some entertainment and then make that extra $200 per month a bill. Have your bank transfer it automatically from your checking to your savings so you can’t fail to do so. 

Now, keep in mind this is after, hopefully, things like health insurance and retirement savings is already taken out of your check. If not, you need to save a little for retirement. Again start small but start. Compounding interest at a young age is a beautiful thing but if you never start, even if you’re older, you will never get to witness those benefits. 

Each raise you get add a little to retirement and a little to your emergency savings account. Eventually, you’ll be able to start a fun account. 

And don’t rule out side gigs. We did them for years.  Extra jobs doing anything we were capable or doing. It really helped to pay for those emergency things like a broke down car or appliance while we were trying to get our emergency savings started. 

Don’t forget to coupon clip. Even Amazon items have coupons. Try coupons.com.  Great for everyday items, in store.  Use Rakuten to get money back on things you need. Always Google for discount codes when buying online. 

Don’t set a goal so big it makes you feel like you’ll never get there and then you quit. DON’T QUIT!

I promise you all of this hard work, sacrifice and being careful with your money will pay off and then you’ll be in such a habit you’ll continue and really get ahead. 

Almost 30 years of marriage, 5 kids, multiple medical emergencies and we are finally starting to see these benefits. We started with  nothing and refused to give up. 

Follow me in Instagram and here for how to save on things in life, how to budget and share.  I promise I’ll cheer you on!

 #makesavingsapriority #moneysavingtips #payyourselffirst #gettoretire #savingisabill #saveeffortlessly #moveforward #startnow #retirementplanning #moneygoals

Great kitchen drawer organization

 These inexpensive freezer bins are actually perfect for storing hot pads and dish rags.  I took two drawers and got all of the items into one.  This gave me more uncluttered space in my kitchen making things easier, more efficient and me a happy girl. 

Check out my Pinterest saves  and other affiliate faves  or click on Fridge organizer bins

Put yourself in your budget

 👀SERIOUSLY!!👀

💰💸Do you want to save some money or not?

You have to start somewhere, so why not start today?  

You have 11 months to get this started. 

If you’re struggling at all to pull any amount together by June, August, December for insurance, taxes, Christmas etc then this is for you.  I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years and it’s a great start to budgeting if you don’t already budget. 

You just have to have the bank set up a separate account (my credit union does this for free) and have them automatically deposit the amount you need by the end of the year divided by 12. So if you needed $10,500 to pay these bills then you would have them transfer $875/month to that savings on what we date you select.  This becomes a monthly bill. 

Can you pay insurance monthly?  Of course you can. But they charge you more. Did you know you can get a pretty steep discount to pay semi annually or annually?  This is HOW you do it!

You’re paying YOU first AND earning a little interest on the money AND not accidentally spending it and then accumulating credit card debt because you don’t have all this cash by these dates. 

Try it today. Call the bank today. You will never look back once you start. 

Lid drawer madness

 Our lid drawer is always a mess.  I think most people have one if you have leftovers. I, so often, have to toss every single lid out onto the floor to find one single, smaller, lid.  So when I saw this item on Amazon I had to try it. It’s now been a bit of time and our drawer still looks neat. The larger kids in the back and the smaller ones in the organizer where we can FIND them!  Success.  You can find this awesome, inexpensive, product here

#affiliate

Cleaning is your peace

 

Cleaning gives me a sense of control and peace. 

Cleaning and reorganizing is a FREE way to make you feel better. It always makes me feel better. And you can do little bits at a time. One cabinet at a time. 

I found one container I had leftover after cleaning out another zone and used it to help organize the small things in this one. 

Let’s face it. Everyone’s cabinet above the fridge is where things go to hide and you to forget. 

Cleaning it out gave me the opportunity to throw things away, sell things and make it look neat again. And now I know exactly what’s up there again. And, well, it gave me a reason to wipe the top of the fridge off. 

Try it. Just one zone at a time

🔥declutter

🔥sell

🔥clean 

🔥repurpose

On sale now…pantry organization

 These are an awesome deal right now. Click here for vertical pantry storage containers  Check these contained out at the link or via my Pinterest saves. I have had these for several months and really love them and I paid $10 more than the sale price right now. Grab things when they go down in price for once!!

#affiliate

Real deal in tax filing

 I officially dumped TaxAct. I switched all of us over to FreeTaxUSA. My daughters both filed for free, my middle son filed for free and we paid $14.99 total to file our state and federal taxes with all of the education credit documentation etc. The free version even allowed for my daughter to file a 1099B and my son filed his federal and two different states for nothing.  All because their incomes are under $41,000.  

Remember to use the link in last nights post to the MO Department of Revenue and then link from there. It will not be totally free without that link. 

File taxes for FREE in Missouri

 If you’re on a budget or just money conscious you’re always looking for a coupon or deal, right?  Taxes are no different. 

I have used TaxAct for years, religiously.  I’ve even had my kids use it. Now, I generally have to pay a fee but they give out discounts every December via email and you just have to log in to get them and they will be effective at tax time.  If something goes wrong and it doesn’t get applied simply call them and they will refund you the difference.  The kids’ taxes have mostly been simple enough to qualify for the free versions.

But this year my 17 year old had to file since she made just enough earned income and unearned (from an old custodial account) combined that she was required to. Last year she didn’t pay any taxes and didn’t make enough at her job so we did not have her file. This year, we knew she wouldn’t owe and she only stood to get $4 back between state and federal but she was required to file and filing the forms required for a 1099B for her investments, though small, meant TaxAct would charge her about $70. Umm what?  No. 

I set out to either do her taxes manually or find somewhere to file for free. Low and behold when I looked for a way to file the state side for free Missouri had links. Please keep in mind if you don’t use these links you could be charged for the state filing even though they all do federal for free. 

I chose FreeTaxUSA and it took all of 15 minutes to fill out her employee info, 1099B gains and 1099INT info. It even allowed us to e-file for her for free. It literally didn’t cost a dime. And she paid the state what she owed electronically. 

Now, I think it would cost us because of HSA and other things but I’m going to seriously look into using them before I file. I mean if they’re less expensive than TaxAct and they have a fixed state return fee really could be worth it. 

On a side note:  Even if your child only has earned income of less than the requirement to file, if they paid taxes from their checks they will get it all back. HAVE THEM FILE 

👇🏼Here’s the link to those free tax filing web sites:

https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/individual/tax-types/income/vendors.html

Save money….eat leftovers

 We try to make really large anoints of food that we can reinvent into something else when we have 3 or more of the kids home.  And barbecue beef sandwiches with coleslaw are a hit and then the next day we make homemade queso (real cheese etc) and finish the beef. And we need lots for that because they eat DO much!!  

But today, I ate a leftover sandwich but wasn’t feeling the slaw.  I found a half an avocado that was going to go bad and some tzatziki sauce that I actually made over the weekend with leftover cucumber kimchi.  This was an AWESOME sandwich  as in I’m going to have to introduce the whole family to this one and tzatziki sauce goes so far!

Enjoy and save money.

#moneysavingtips #savemoneywithleftovers #savemoney #eatathome

Small cleanings

My husband hates it when I get sidetracked while doing one project for another.  No matter what or how small. I guess it’s because I do it often. I call it squirrel syndrome.  But for me, these little “extra” projects make me happy. When I’m done with all of it I can walk by and we what I did and feel productive. Little cleanings are good. They’re not overwhelming and they make you feel good and you can check one thing off that mental list. Do you do small cleanings?

 

Our spoiled baby

 Aka Loki the kitten. He’s approximately 10 months old. We’ve had him almost 7. He’s a mouse and vole killing machine so he’s great. But he is so spoiled for an outside cat. He loves to sit by the door and snuggle with whoever will do it. He’s very affectionate but he’s hungry 100% of time.  Even if he’s just eaten he runs through the house to the door where his food is because he wants more. If we eat dinner he jumps at the door handle because he understands how that door opens.  And I cannot keep his paw prints off the glass.  This is killing my OCD. He is a purring machine and if someone has him in the house for even a second you can hear him in other rooms. He loves to show his love by cleaning you so he licks everyone. Such a sweet baby but a little dramatic sometimes. 

Small cleanings

 Small cleanings over time have a big impact. You can really get a deep clean over the course of days instead of hours. When I get rid of junk, things that are no longer any good or things we don’t want, need or use I make space. And empty space makes me feel better. Less anxious. Try it. 

Link to cleaning brushes

#affiliate

Free stuff and how to "luck" into it

Want to be a Walmart Spark Reviewer??

@mindful_frugalista

It’s not a guarantee but I’ll share what I read before I was invited to the program. 

• Take the time to review items you bought on Walmart.com
• Be honest 
• Include photos or videos
• Include details of what you like and dislike
• Help consumers with your reviews

I know of others personally who have gotten invited so it’s not exactly a lottery. It is pretty awesome though. Once you get in be sure to abide by the rules. Don’t sell any of your items or give them away. They’re for your household to use and give an honest review of. Review the item timely including photos and details. It doesn’t take long and is fully worth being in the program

My biggest advice, if you get in, is to only accept items that you would really like to use and have. Things you can give an honest review of. 

Good luck!

#walmartsparkreviewer  #freestuff #reviews #savemoneywithfreethings #getthingsfree  #moneysavingtips  #getstufffree #freethings

Here's what makes me feel better when I get stressed

Yeah, sometimes it's just streaming something and eating, but menopause is catching up with me and I can't do too much snacking anymore.  Not to mention those steroids the pulmonologist put me on years ago did a number on my weight and I have finally lost 15 of the 30 pounds I put on and trying for more.  But cleaning, organizing and rearranging, these are generally free to do, help you exercise and feel good when you're done.  I do a little here and there and it makes it not so daunting, but has HUGE gains in how I feel when I'm done.

Here's my latest clean/organize.  I moved the trash bags from a different cabinet so they'd be with all of the other like items (plastic wrap, baggies, etc.).  Then, I cleaned where the pans, cutting boards etc were and arranged them with like items and in the process you toss anything you do not use, give it away or sell it.  Things now fit and all of the kids know where it goes because it makes sense and is easy to see.  I felt so accomplished that night!

Bringing it back almost 7 years later....wow!

 I haven't posted since May 2016.  I just needed a break.  I actually quit taking so many photos, focused on being present and just tried to enjoy life when it wasn't being crazy.  I'll do a fill in post later because, obviously, a ton has changed in this period of time.  The kids have GROWN!  I'm focusing on trying help people more than diary entry our lives.  I have a new Instagram @mindful_frugalista.  This is dedicated to some parenting tips and tricks (so throwback to the chaostimes5 blog) and some money saving and financial tips.  As most, original, followers know while we still don't make a lot of money we are more secure than we were when I quit writing.  All of my adult life has been avoiding living paycheck to paycheck and finding ways to save money, make money and put money in the bank.  I'll try to share more of these things here now and help others who are in the low to low-middle class (or anyone else who just doesn't like to waste money) keep some of their hard-earned green in their own possession. I'll also share some of my Amazon likes/dislikes that are both useful or found to be a waste.  

Welcome back if you were here before.  I hope to make this a positive place to put some information out there and make a difference to someone.  So leave a comment, find me on insta for some fun reels with the information and I'll talk to you soon.

Lisa

2 more months

have passed.....


Volleyball and track are over.  Chase's foot, hopefully has healed.  Almost a month in the boot, finally got his new orthotics Monday.  Hopefully, they will provide enough support for all the running he does on his growing body.  He did get to run 2 regular meets and somehow got into districts.  That's all the further he made it, but pretty proud of him for going to every practice hurt not knowing if he'd really get to run.  He's turned 16 and gotten his license. He has a job interview in June, so hopefully, this goes well.  I'd like to see him work as much as possible this summer and save up so he won't have to work much during the school year and focus on his grades.  He is still dating the girl that asked him to the school dance.  We all like her.  She's very smart and very friendly.  They seem to get along great.  She may be changing schools, so who knows.  Kaelin did very well in track.  She ended up getting a track medal from the coach (in addition to the medals from the meets) for being the most improved.  This was mostly because she is the only 7th grade girl who volunteered to run hurdles and she improved her time every singe time even though she's never done anything like that and at 5'1" I doubt it's easy for her.  She also got a hustle medal for volleyball at the school banquet.  She put it all out there at every practice and every game.  She always got there.  She finished the semester just 3 percentage points from getting a 4.0.  I'm extremely proud of her for her grades.  She's never been my kid with the highest grades, but this year she pulled it all out and worked SO hard.  I know she can do anything she wants.  Chelsi finished 2 points away from a 4.0 for the semester and got a 4.0 for the 1st semester.  She graduated from elementary and is onto middle school.  Her teachers and little brother will miss her.  She has introduced me to a lot of parents as she's very popular with the parents.  I hope she continues to be a good girl.  Jaemin improved all of his grades.  He continues to read at almost 3rd grade level.  Chelsi comprehends post secondary!  Jaemin however has continued to make great strides.  His teacher sent me a very kind, end of year, email to say how much she has enjoyed him and though his flapping began to get worse she can see how hard he works and how much progress he has made.  He is really getting his words and thoughts out now.  It's so amazing sometimes to hear him speak.  He's understanding better without always having to watch others.  His therapies are doing good so hopefully they allow them to continue with his IEP.  We've been lucky to have a district that does this for him so willingly.  He doesn't actually qualify, but they've seen what's done so far and continue on a professional opinion.

We had the last day of school and afterward I took them out to eat, to the movies and for ice cream.  They're tired and it was good.  I hope they have a great summer.  They've had a really good year.

So fast

The older your kids get, the faster the time goes.  Every mother ahead of me in the parent stage told me this, but until you get there you don't believe it.  CRAZY!  It's been a good couple of months.  We had a little rough time when my grandma passed away suddenly and I was sick for a month and when I got better and went to work I made it a whole day before I got a stomach bug.    Our house has been started and is already under roof.  I can't believe we're leaving this house after 20 years!  But, the new one is looking so nice and the smaller lot, appealing.  Chase and Kaelin have started track.  Chelsi wrapped up gymnastics and as bad as she wanted to do another session because they hired such a fantastic instructor, we decided that we can't handle one additional thing with the house.  Kaelin is overlapping track with volleyball.  She's not playing with her school, but the coach she landed last year who is just phenomenal.  She's always so impressed by Kaelin and continues to teach her new things step-by-step.  We're spending every weekend cleaning ours house, working weekends at our jobs, grocery shopping, catching up from the busy week and cleaning up and doing work at the new house to save money.  Once we sell our current house we'll be in great shape.  We've had so many lookers but only 1 couple actually had their house already listed, so no one has been looking that seriously yet.  Good feedback so far, so we just wait.  Cole continues to work full-time, Chase with track and football in the mornings (weights).  I think Cole finally stopped growing which he should be thankful for since he now has to buy his own clothes.  Chase has hit 6'2" and is not 16 yet.  Chelsi is down to just concentrating on school since gymnastics ended and Jaemin continues to work on his deficits with all 4 therapies 150 minutes/week.  She gave up candy for Lent and Jaemin gave up electronics and candy.  He's not going into tablet withdrawal yet, so I'm impressed.

I don't have lake view pics yet, but Chase spent some time fishing when we were working on it last week.  I love that him and Jaemin just sat quietly down by the lake together.

Out of order Christmas

I really did get out of sorts this year.  I didn't even do our annual Christmas photo, so no cards this year.  But, I mentioned doing a Christmas video card and the girls wanted to do that....SOOOOO....the choreography is totally them.  I just bought the music and Jaemin was in charge of operating the tablet while I video taped.  They had such a great time!  Christmas was good and I got to have some time with my sweet new nephew (Godchild).  Love him too!

Christmas card 2016!

K and Aunt M

 C and Aunt M

 C and Aunt M (She got 3 of the 5 with her)

 She's so good with the baby!

J's Christmas Party.

 More Christmas Pics

My Christmas Elf (2016 Program)

So busy and behind

This has just gotten so last thought to me.  I've been so bad about a lot of things I used to be so good about. I haven't even written the foster moms in 1 1/2 years.  I used to do that every single year without fail.  Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Jun, if you ever read this, I'm sorry.

The activities have become so busy.  Not that we're over-extending the kids, but by the time you multiply an activity by 4 and then try to work; it's crazy.  We're a little laid back at this point with Chelsi only having gymnastics, but Chase is still weight lifting for football, so we just need to make sure he always has rides and track and volleyball are soon to be starting back up.  Then, the real fun begins with swim lessons....I think we'll try to break Kaelin from volleyball from the summer since we'll start back in with volleyball for her and football for Chase and possibly Jaemin when school starts back up.  That will be a crazy we've never attempted before.  If Chase could sell enough lures to make a few bucks a month for gas and then clean his aunt's house like he does now, that could suffice for a job.  Hoping that works out for him.  Football is hard to work during AND keep A averages in school.

Our house will start as soon as the weather cooperates, so hopefully, we can move in before school starts.  That alone will be enough for summer activities.

But, tonight was about Chelsi.  I don't know what happened to the invite, but apparently school mailed it on 1/6/16 and we just got it tonight (1/12/16) and the awards ceremony for high performance on a state exam was tonight.  Brian had to hurry up and get her there and then take her to gymnastics.  Chelsi does NOT like to miss awards.  She definitely lives for those.  I hope that continues.  I usually do the gymnastics run, but it's been so crazy with trying to sell the house, build the house and just keep up that I haven't gotten to spend time with Jaemin, so that was mine tonight.  We hadn't read all month yet, so we read for an hour and then worked on the easy times tables.  He's ahead in math since he's already finished the subtraction and additional goals for 1st grade.  I hope he always continues to be this smart about math.  That's great!  But, Chelsi got her award.  I know lots of 4th graders get these at this age, but as high as she scored....it should be a occur every year.