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 good day yesterday. I went to the dental suite at Ro’s work for a FREE teeth cleaning. They don’t even charge you a copay, it’s totally free - ya gotta love that. They also have a car wash on campus, so I was able to wash the van for free while I was there. I didn’t have any cavities either, so that was nice. I also got a call back from my doctor regarding the thyroid testing I had done a few weeks ago. There are currently no cold nodules, which is great because they are an indicator of malignancy. I fully admit that I cried from the relief. I’ve been handling the whole thyroid thing pretty well, but it has been on my mind. Now I just have to go for ultrasounds every 6 to 12 months for the time being. Whew, so happy and feeling blessed !
I went over to my parents and brought the fixings for lunch and dinner. I had my mom make her own sandwich for lunch. It was much easier for her than it was last time. I made chicken fajitas for my family and my parents. I had my mom cut up some of the chicken and veggies. I think she was exhausted by the time I left because she got lots of exercise for her weaker hand. I also heard several words during my visit, which was very encouraging. It was great because dinner was made before the girls came home from school, so I could concentrate on their homework and so on… I made Jell-O for dessert and got a few free samples in the mail. We also got a few free samples.
I paid some bills yesterday. I paid our Discover bill in full, which was challenging because we had extra expenses with Ro’s truck and some other things in the past few months. I feel like I’m still playing catch up with the bills. I do feel blessed that at least we are able to pay our bills with all that has happened the last few months. I’ll just keep plugging away. Yesterday was the first day where the kids were in school all day and Ro was at work. I felt like I worked all day long, but when I looked around the house before Ro came home, it didn’t look like I did much - ha ha. Don’t you hate that ?
What did you do? Leave a comment We’d love to hear about it You could make 2013 your year. Who will the September winner be ? We’ll see…
I feel the same way with bills! but at least everything is being paid on time, I am on the road of fixing my credit (thank you ex) I ‘tried’ to get the free bra from Playtex but I guess lots of people had the same plan lol, no mail but that is better than getting bills right?
No mail again yesterday!! No money spent and all meals made at home. Went to the in laws house for a visit and my mother in law doesn’t like Starbucks and someone had given her a gift card, well she gave it to me plus a Olive Garden gc and a ton of coupons, score for this gal! Working a half day today and the hubs is working his 24 shift so it will be a lite dinner, I’m thinking sandwiches……
Great news, Karen! No money spent yesterday. All meals at home. Dinner was baked spaghetti I made Monday. The other half I froze for another meal. Need to buy gas today:(
Great to hear!! The only money spent yesterday was McDonald’s for dinner after soccer practice. I am still trying to figure out the best way to rework our schedule on those days so that we don’t fall into that trap very often.
I am glad to hear the news from your doctor went well. I had my yearly exam yesterday and she said that everything looked healthy. I am always relieved to hear those words. I stopped at Jimmy Johns to pick up lunch for my family on the way home. It was a little over $17 for the 4 of us, so not too bad. My husband is on vacation this week, so he has been helping with homeschooling and other things around the house. My In-laws came to visit (they live 2 hours away) and stayed at a local campground. We went there last night for dinner (hamburgers over the campfire) and s’mores. My girls love it.
Karen the target coupons came in at 1am. My phone was just being cranky. I guess!
Good. I’m so glad you got them
Now go get your free fruits and veggies 
I only feed my kids organic fruit, so it wont be free but I will get bag of apples and celery for convential price! So ill be happy! Ty
Boring mail day. Had to getvdog food, only spending. All meals at home.
Great news all around for you and yourmom; glad she is doing so well. Well spent no money yesterday and made pancakes for dinner. Thats what the kids wanted so that was nice and easy to make!! I didn’t feel good last night and didn’t even go out to get the mail. Guess I will check it tonight. My daughter andI sat and looked at old pictures for a long time; it was nice to sit with her and spend some time talking. The truck is due at my Walgreens this afternoon so I am going to head there to see if they got in any of the cereal; if not guess I will be getting some rainchecks.
Fantastic news about your thyroid! Glad, too, that your mom is doing so well and continuing to make progress.
Must have been a day for washing cars. I washed mine at a do-it-yourself place. Other than that, no money spent. I was finally back to work yesterday after an unplanned week off. Feast or famine with work. Thankfully hubby’s checks have been stable.
Thanks Yvonne. Hope work gets more steady for you. My sisters (both nurses) have been called off a lot lately too. I guess it’s a sign of the economy
Made and canned 10 quarts of spaghetti sauce and 5 pints of tomato confit. Nine pounds of cabbage are in the dehydrator right now. I am exhausted! Between work and canning, no time to go to any stores, so no spend day for me. I am dreading this weekend, when I dig up what feels like miles of potatoes—want the potatoes without the work! (Boy, I am horrified to think how many things in my life I have sometimes had that attitude about…)
Extra long work day tomorrow, so no posting I am sure. Have a good weekend everyone.
Spent at concessions for baseball. But money does go back to the team. Made payment to credit card! Did pack lunch.