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 a busy day yesterday getting ready for Olivia and Kayla’s birthday party later tonight. Their birthday isn’t until Wednesday, but we’re celebrating with family today. I ran to the grocery store to get all of the food. I used coupons, but it still cost around $80. We had a party at Bounce U last year and it cost way more than that, so I’m okay with it. I think we will have lots of leftovers. The mail was decent. I got a few free magazines and a few free samples.
I also ran to CVS and did a few deals. I made up goody bags for all of the kids, wrapped the presents, made a couple of dishes, made all meals at home, gave the girls a bath, did a few surveys, took care of a naughty puppy and promptly fell into bed at around 10:30, which is WAY early for me.
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…
Bought a little salad at work for $1.46 and enjoyed the free apples and infused water they are giving us every day. Made dinner at home. Returning a few things today for credit and going to goodwill.
Enjoy your party today!
I spent money on gas and parking at The Children’s Museum ($4). I did not have to pay for admission since we have a year pass. I made all meals at home!
I spent a little money at the grocery store, picking up a few things. Also grabbed Valentine’s Day cards for my kids to pass out…they are Scooby Doo ones and come with pencils. I’m sure my son’s Kindergarten classmates will love that.
Stayed home all day. Work called and told me not to come in d/t the weather. I was relieved and since it was going to be an extra day for me, it didn’t cut into my usual earnings. The 16 year old nephew of the farmer that leases land from us came and plowed our driveway. They never ask for any payment, but I’ll give him a gift card to McDonalds or Subway. At that age they love that sort of thing and I was relieved not to have to spend 2 hours plowing the driveway with our tractor! Well worth it to me. Prayed for the finances of all ML2S readers.
Only spent money on lunch yesterday with some friends. Made all other meals at home. Hope you have a wonderful party!
Yesterday my budget was blown to pieces because I left my house at around 7:30 am and got home around 11:30 pm. Needless to say I spent money on food while we were gone. Basketball season is over woohoo! I am so relieved. As much as we enjoy it, it about did me in this year. I really have to set some kind of budget when it comes to sports from now on.
Have fun at the girls party.
Prayed over finances of families on this site.
After dropping my youngest off at school, I darted into Target to get the 5 boxes of “Zone Perfect” bars for $8.48(2 b1g1 coupons and Target b4g1 deal combined) Also the mayo deal, used a gc to pay.
Stopped by Kroger for the free liter of soda. My daughter was having a sleepover so I added this to some other teenage munchies.
Got a reimbursement check for $483.86 Ran to the bank and applied it to a credit card.
Good for you for putting it straight toward debt!
Not much snow here but enough that we will take C out to our neighbors driveway later to play. I’m headed to the gym later but other than dog food, which is already set aside it will be a no spend day
No spend day on groceries, did fill the oil tank to the tune of $657.30 so that took a bite out of the budget. One more week and we will have gone six weeks purchasing only $35 worth of food, $20 of that on a meat deal that will feed us for 99 cents a meal.
THanks, Yvonne, for keeping us in your prayers.
You bet! I appreciate all the other Prayer Warriors here as well.
Oh I forgot we picked up a 1/2 deer from DH’s “step brothers” who hunt. The meat should be enough to keep us fed the rest of the winter without having to buy ground meat. We will probably still get a little bit of chicken when its on sale.
Crazy busy week, so I will report the wk since I haven’t been around much. I bought a ham on clearance–I got the biggest one. I baked it on Mon. & made potato salad, deviled eggs & all the sides. Tyler peaked in the oven & said “Early Easter” it was funny. Tues. morning I made hubby & I scrambled egg burritos (free egg beaters) with ham, cheese & salsa. We had brats (on sale & with q) & leftover potato salad, & lettuce salad for dinner. Wed. I was gone all day so I made ham & scalloped potatoes in the crockpot. Boys got immunizations no oop. (They had 1/2 day of school). Thurs were Digiorno pizza’s on sale & b2g1 free q, with salads. Fri the 3
kids had zatarains pasta ($.79 on clear.) with yes, you guessed ham chunks, & black beans (bzz kit). There are even leftovers. (Hubby & I went to Subway, just to get out. I got a $5 footlong, ate 1/2 for dinner & 1/2 for lunch today.) There was still a big chunk of ham so I chopped it up & put in the freezer for egg burritos or salads. We ate good this week but very little oop. Yeah!
I got another bzz kit Garnier skin renew dark spot overnight peel. I tried it lastnight & it left nice. I am hoping for a smoother texture.
Picked up free deodorant at CVS. I got a good deal on the energy strips at Walgreens. They were on clearance for $2.45 & I used a $1.50 RR so $1.xx oop after tax & got back a $4 RR. I did that deal twice. Picked up Totino’s pizzas at Target 4/$5 used a $1.10 off q & they had the rebate form for buy 5 get $5. I have to remember to turn that in.
Yesterday was crazy! I got called into work on Thurs night and then woke up at the time I’m supposed to leave my house–Woops! I literally threw on some clothes, tossed the kids in the car, and drove off, only to realize I’d completely forgotten all their food. Drove through McDonalds and was reminded why I don’t go there—ever. Worked then took my son to Chick-Fil-A for his lunch and got my free sandwich for completing a survey. Headed to DD to use my free birthday drink. Lunch only cost us $3.95, so I can’t complain. Had so many errands to do, I couldn’t even think of going home. Used my $10 JCP certificate on 2 towels. I wanted to find a necklace or something, but our JCP is crazy small (probably not even a third of our WalMart) and only had 3 racks of jewelry. Did that and then grabbed some groceries at BiLo, earning myself 40 cents/gallon off my gas–helpful for filling hubs car this coming week!
Today I spent $25 at Belks on 2 sweaters and a shirt. It was their Red Dot sale. I saved $153. Its been a long time since I bought anything for myself so I am ok with the expense. I had breakfast with my sister after my nieces basketball game (she paid) and then we went to Belks. I fixed Pork Loin for dinner. We continue to pinch and save. I am excited to see what we pay off on the 15th. Cant wait to report it here. I think I love paying off debt. It is so exciting. I hope the girls have a great party. Tell them Happy Birthday.
Hang in there with the puppy, it will get better!