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 had an okay day yesterday. Actually I’m still not feeling well, so everything that I had to do required such effort. I actually typed this post once and finished it only to somehow delete it, so this is “take 2″. Hopefully I won’t forget anything. We ate up party leftovers yesterday, so no money was spent on food. We have enough food and snacks from the party to pack the girls lunches for the week too, so that’s good.
I took the girls to JCPenney for free haircuts yesterday afternoon. We use a nice detangling solution that they sell and I was able to get that for free too using a nice $10/$10 coupon that came in the mail early last week. The bottle will last us a few months, so it was a good way to use the coupon. I am hoping to get away with minimal grocery shopping this week. I’m thinking we need milk and fruit and that may be it. I’m going to run over to an Aldi store that was just built here. My mom was telling me that she got some great fruit deals there.
Our awesome neighbor across the street came over and installed surround system in our family room. I used a discount site that his company uses to get the speakers we needed. We bought them late last year, so the money had already been spent and it was a fraction of the normal cost. There is still one small part of the job to be completed, so it will be functional laster in the week. It’s a super cheap home improvement and Ro really wanted it, so Happy Valentine’s Day ~ ha ha.
What did you do? Leave a comment We’d love to hear about it You could make 2013 your year. Who will the February winner be ? We’ll see…
Aldi’s is SOOOO awesome. They have really cheap items there. It is so much cheaper then our local grocery who does not double coupons! We went to the dollar store to buy a few items and that was it!!!! My husband and I are doing a great job at not spending a ton of extra money. I am so proud of us!
Yesterday was my birthday so my husband and kids took me out to Olive Garden. I kinda wish now they would’ve just bought me something instead because the food wasn’t that great. No other money spent.
Happy belated birthday!
We slept through breakfast, used a gift card for lunch out, and got our free Super Bowl pizza for dinner. Added 18 points to my coke rewards account. Earned a few swagbucks and inbox dollars.
Sorry you are still under the weather Karen. Never any fun being sick. Glad you were able to push through and still get a few deals. Wish we had an Aldi’s close by. I’ve gone there a few times and they do have good prices. If you do go, don’t forget to bring your own bags.
Yesterday all I spent was money for papers. I earned 132 swagbucks. Planning on a very low spend week. I’ll roll my “drugstore money” and need to buy some produce but that should be about all. Prayed for the finances of all ML2S readers.
So sorry you still aren’t feeling well, Karen. I hope you will be able to get some rest today with the girls back at school. Yesterday was a NO SPEND day around here. Have a great week!
It snowed again, and it was the first time in my life i wasn’t happy to see it. Guess its just been such a cold winter and we are moving to a warmer climate soon. Im grateful for living in 4 seasons all these years, but my skiis are already listed on Craigslist!!
Got the Alexia sweet potato fry deal you posted. Actually, I paid 51c for 2 bags, since I couldnt get the Target coupons to print. Mac is having a problem with Java. Grr.
Clipped coupons from the Sunday paper. Picked up my free Superbowl pizza from Papa Johns
Got the granola bar deal @ Rite Aid and have 2 up rewards to use there.
Made chicken enchiladas for dinner, and an extra casserole we took to a sick friend.
Well I wish I could say no spend day but I can’t. Oh well there’s always today. On a good note I have not smoked since Friday!!!!!!!! I’m so very proud of myself. Please keep me all in your prayers, I don’t want to ever smoke again. Hope you all have a great day.
I’m proud of you Jennifer. I quit almost 7 years ago and I can’t believe how much better I feel. The first few weeks are the hardest, so keep on going even though it’s hard. I think I even went through withdrawal. I don’t even miss smoking anymore. Oh, and I quit cold turkey, which I recommend. Just be done with it. You’ll save money and your health
I’ll be praying for you.
Go Jennifer! Aside from all the obvious health benefits, think of the money you’ll save, too! Win win. I’ll keep you in my prayers- you can do it!
No money on groceries but spent a small amount on Shoe Goo, to glue the bottoms back on a perfectly good pair of shoes.
You just reminded me of a memory of my frugal grandfather cutting out cardboard inserts to place in his shoes to extend their life. I guess frugality is in my genes ha ha. Congrats on fixing shoes instead of running out to get a new pair !
I must be pmsing because I had to have chocolate yesterday. I ran out to walmart to get a small thing of cookies from the bakery. I also picked up banana’s for C with the last of my $ for the week. I have to get to rite aid before thurs because I have $20 in up+ rewards to use and I definitely don’t want to lose that much $. I have to pick up my sunday paper tomorrow from MIL’s where we have it delivered.
Sat. I did grocery shopping–actually twice. A friend wanted to go late so I went with her. Spent $64 the first time & got a ton of meat. 2nd trip was $22 & got mostly just clearance stuff hamburger, salad, donuts (huge treat) free poise & more salad dressing. Ken’s 16 oz sale $1.84-$1 q, so $.84 so I got Ranch & Blue Cheese. The $64 was actually last wks budget so I am setting good. Made hamburgers with grilled onions for dinner & cooked up taco meat & sloppy joes that both went into the freezer. Made chocolate covered peanut butter balls for Valentine’s day. Used the free Nutritious PB & $1 clearance chocolate dip. Cheap gifts for bus drivers, & teachers.
Made a quick stop to Walgreens got 2 Mitchum deod. crest mouthwash, 12 pk TP, eye liner, & 4 Valentine’s bags for $4.xx oop & got back $6 RR.
I have been slacking in getting the kiddos some Valentines so I ran to Kohls on my lunch and found a shirt for my daughter that matches her shorts she just bought (for gym class) and 2 pairs of underwear for only $11…I thought that was an awesome deal! I am going to pair that with a $5 gift card to Starbucks I got for free threw Disney Rewards; I think that will be an awesome gift for a almost 15 year old. The little man is getting the Crayola color wonder deal that Walmart just had for $7; I am going to pick that up today.