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 $111,500 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: I got a lot accomplished yesterday.  I started out by going for my 2nd Thyroid ultrasound.  In November I had 5 nodules and they want to see if they got bigger to see if I need a needle biopsy.  My baby sister recently had thyroid cancer and it’s a genetic kind, so I’m thinking I’ll need the biopsy, but we’ll see.  The technician was pretty busy measuring stuff, so that can’t be great.  Plus, she was a little cold until after my test and then she was super sweet, which makes me think I must be pretty bad off – ha ha.  I  fully cleaned the kitchen, which included totally cleaning out and wiping down the fridge.  It was sorely needed.  I watered the garden before it got too hot.  I think it was in the upper 80′s here yesterday.  I am NOT a big fan of the hot, humid weather.  I know most of you probably are, but I hate being hot. 

I went to the grocery store to get some things for a BBQ for dinner.  I spent $23.42 for dinner for 2 nights.  I used the $50 pre-paid Visa card from the Buick test drive, so $0 out of pocket.  I made all meals at home including dinner, which was marinated, grilled chicken on the grill with mac ‘n cheese and a salad.  The mail was pretty awesome.  I got a bunch of FREE samples of Gold Emblem products from CVS.  That was cool.  I also got chosen to do a Seventh Generation party to showcase some of their items. I love their stuff, so I can’t wait. I posted that opportunity, so I hope some of you got it too.

We took a ride after dinner and Ro must have been distracted by the girls being silly in the backseat because he ran a red light.  We instantly heard the sirens.  Right away I thought of how much the ticket would be and whether or not our insurance rates would jump up.  I was a little irritated at Ro… until I heard the crying.  The girls (especially Olivia) got hysterical about it and instantly I wasn’t worried about anything financial.  I didn’t want them to be upset.  I kept saying that it was okay and that we did something wrong and that it would be fine.  I found out later that Olivia thought we were going to jail (so cute).  The officer came to the window and asked if there as a reason why we didn’t stop at the light – and then he heard the sobbing.  He asked us to put the back window down and then he went on to console the girls and tell them that it was okay.  He asked if they were twins (he is one), he asked how old (he has a 6 year old), he explained that we did something wrong, but that it wasn’t too bad and that we were fine.  He stood there for 5 -10 minutes or so trying to get them to smile by asking about favorite TV shows, if they shared a room etc… Olivia finally gave him a smile before he handed Ro’s license back and said you guys take care.  I was so amazed. No ticket, no warning – just compassion from a father (and a twin).  I am so grateful.  Sure, it’s nice to not have to pay a ticket, but it was so much more important for the girls to see that police officers are good people who care about helping people. 

After our traumatic trip, we stopped at Walgreens to get something and Olivia asked Ro if I could just drive from now on When he said no she just proceeded to “remind” him at EVERY light to stop.  Of course Kayla can’t wait to get to school today to tell EVERYONE – Ugghhh!

What did you do? Leave a comment We’d love to hear about it You could make 2013 your year. Who will the May winner be ? We’ll see…