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 : Well, it was a no spend day yesterday. I spent the WHOLE day sorting, packing and moving boxes over to the new house. I was able to completely clean out the girl’s closet and most of the kitchen. I left enough food for the week, but moved the rest of the pantry/cabinet items over and actually unpacked them and put them away at the new house. Whew~ that was exhausting. This moving this is actually starting to feel real. I can’t believe how much more cabinet space there is at the new house. We are going to do more packing today too, but I will be fitting in the drugstore deals as I have $47 ecbs that are literally burnin’ a hole in my pocket (I didn’t like the deals last week).
We found out that our new neighbor across the street is an expert at all things electrical (including mounting flat screen TVs). My husband went over to talk to him last night about helping us out on moving day so we’ll see. I’m sure he will charge less than having someone come out and he said he knows how do it the right/hi tech way). I pray everything works out with the move. I hope the girls don’t feel nervous about it. I’m sure it will take awhile for it to feel like home. The neighbors are all very welcoming though.
We ate all meals at home while packing. I am trying to empty out our chest freezer a bit before we move. There is still so much to do (sigh).
What did you do ? I hope you had a blessed day. Leave a comment You could be the December winner. I will announce the November winner (on Monday I promise).
So exciting about the move! I know moving is exhausting, but it sounds like it’s going to be so nice at your new place.
It’s been an interesting week. I did spend money on a little Christmas tree. It’s potted (a “living” tree). So, provided I manage to keep it alive, it should save money in the long run. I know part of the fun is the tradition of picking out the tree each year, but I don’t have kids yet so doesn’t really feel like a huge sacrifice at this point in time (plus I get to enjoy it outside the rest of the year).
I didn’t make it to the grocery store in time to use my November coupons before they expired, but the plus side was I haven’t spent any money at all on groceries the last couple weeks as a result. I was able to contribute to the weekly potluck from things already in the pantry and was blessed to carpool there with a friend again (it’s about 45 min away from where I’m currently living). Also able to snag the Vitacost Groupon deal – which I love cause they have great deals on so many natural products that rarely seem to go on sale in the stores.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Awww, before I had kids I had a little $5 tree that sat on top of my television. I used to think it was cool that I could look at the tree and watch TV at the same time he he! Your tree sounds lovely! Great job on eating from the pantry and the Groupon deals. I love the daily deal sites
Just prior to getting on the “get debt free bandwagon” I donated a perfectly good tree to the Goodwill. My thought at the time was that I would buy an even better tree the next year. Dumb, dumb, dumb! Not willing to shell over big bucks to replace the donated tree, I found one at a garage sale for a dollar. While the tree does look a bit pathetic, I am bound and determined not to spend those big bucks on another one until we are debt free. Our goal is 12/12/12, so hopefully this will be the last year for this tree! Then again, as frugal as I have become, I might still want to wait for the after Christmas sales to replace it!
The family was sick yesterday so didn’t do much but did list a bunch of stuff on craigslist and sold one thing so far.
Trying for a no spend day, today. Yesterday made a free project @ Home Depot w/ one son, today is a movie w/ my younger son(1 free gift card to Fandango from swagbucks & Disney Reward free ticket)
Today is a no spend day for us. We finished putting up Christmas decoration, I have all the gifts wrapped and under the tree, and dinner is cooking now from items we had in the freezer and panty. Pulled out the cookie dough I made a few weeks ago and after we eat dinner will start planning items to take for lunch this week. Did make a few baskets for the elder from items I already had just waiting for a few more good sales before we drop them off at their houses.
I have no plans on spending money today. I made some cash today without trying to, my neighbor went out of town for 2 days last wk. and she asked me to feed and walk her dog at least 2 times a day. So I did when we ate I would run over and feed him then after finishing I would walk him. Today she gave me $50. I feel kind of bad taking it my plan was not to get anything from it but she insisted she was saving money having me do it than to take the dog to a animal hotel.
You sound like you are on the right track with your move. Cross town moves are always easier as you can set up little but important things in advance. A few tips from experience, install the shower curtain after along day moving a hot shower is the best! Also make sure you have minor first aid stuff and paper towels, tp at both houses! I also try to set up enough dishes at both houses for a meal and drinks. Have the girls pack a small box with their things to be waiting for them in their new room. It will make them more comfortable and give you a little time to organize your thoughts once you get there! If you are having other people help you LABEL everything, put signs on each room , put a sign where you want any big items placed in case you are unavailable when they come off the truck. ex. Label the wall for the couch tv, label the floor where you want dining table and if needs to face one direction or another. Set up your Christmas tree ahead of time and let the girls know, you made sure Santa has the new address, as well as other special people in their life. My only other tip is tackle the areas no one wants to pack early in the move. like the garage, junk closet, shed etc. Good Luck!
It will all work out!
WOW Leslie,
We are thinking of getting the tree this week so that it’s all set. I am impressed with all of your awesome advice. I think you’ve moved alot 
Fabulous advice. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. I’m going to do everything on your list
Sounds like your move is going pretty well. Ours last move had to be completed in 2 days! Our landlord gave us the option to buy the house but then he notified us that someone else had purchased the house and they were going to be moving in the next month. We hadn’t even been looking because we thought we would be staying there longer. Luckily we found something but it is not permanent as it is a bit small for our fur next mily. But for now it works and it is in a nice neighborhood. Did a little grocery shopping this morning to get a few things we needd for this week. Other than than did not spend any money. Trying to save more for the holdiays as we have family coming to stay with us.
Well we are almost done moving. The garage at the old house will be empty by late tonight and we turn the keys in tomorrow. Thank you God for seeing us through. We are tired and ready to get settled into the new house. I am ready to set up my tree for the grandbaby. I have spent only what I have had too. Stuck to my list and havent even been grocery shopping. I am eating out of the freezer and trying to be creative with what is in there and in the pantry. Money is really tight. I want to teach myself to learn to cook and shop from a menu and I will only do that it I get myself to the point of trimming down the choices, so for now creativity is my dinner theme. I did earn enought from inbox for a $30 check yipee!. Still doing my daily surveys and still have a few small presents to buy. I wont grocery shop till my coupons are in order. I just refuse too. Still working on the new household budget and learning to be “satisfied” with what I have. If I cant pay cash for it and if I dont have the cash without sacrificing the budget then it doesnt get bought. Even my husband is on board. That in itself is fantastic.