Encouragement as You Walk Towards Focus

Just like that. There it was. The comment. The statement. The false perception.

“You are so organized.”

My first inclination is to turn around and look behind me.

No. No one there. They are talking to me.

My second inclination is to laugh. I refrain myself because I wouldn’t be laughing with them. I would be laughing at them. Laughing at this misconstrued fantasy. So, it would be rude to laugh.

Let’s be honest. I’m a mess. A complete mess. And no. Not just in the physical sense.

I love to live in the moment. Dream of the future. On my down spirited days, I enjoy pounding myself with the failures of my day, week, life.

I am also a blogger. I communicate inspiration, tips and nuggets of information. I do not emulate perfection nor do I ever want to inspire others to perfection. Striving towards perfection is an endless sea that swallows one with emptiness when it is realized it is infinite. Never to be obtained.

I simply want to remind you and encourage you that as we are working towards improving

our menu planning

our focus

our cooking

our cash based spending

our grocery budget

our household management

that it will never be fully in balance. We can perfect our menu system only to have our plans collapse when life collides. We can cook it all from scratch, but we will have a messy kitchen.

Yes. I made a batch of homemade bread. Yes. I soaked my beans and froze an extra batch of chili.

However, at bedtime my kitchen looks like this:

And it will stay that way until tomorrow morning. Ok. Tomorrow night. With the success, comes the mess.

So, no my friends. I have not achieved “it” nor have I perfected “it”. I am simply working towards improving my areas of weakness, so that I can focus on my strengths.

I am not leading you. I am walking with you.

…I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13b

^{I am linking to Women Living Well}

The Stuff Life is Made of

Tonight I share no money saving tips with you.  In fact, I offer you no encouragement.  Instead, I just offer you the real stuff that life is made of.  One of  my hesitancies in blogging is that I would ever be portrayed as having it “all together”.  Or even just half together.  I don’t.  Not even close.

So, I decided to share my Saturday night with you.  I could write that we all sat down to feast on our traditional homemade pizza while laughing as we watched a favorite movie.  Instead it went something like this: 

After arriving home later than desired from a grocery trip with 4 kids in tow, I quickly threw together pizza dough.  That could sound impressive, but I was grumbling at the kids the entire time since we had an exhausting trip.  You know, the kind of trip where the boys pick foam swords off the shelf and continue to joust each other through the aisles of Target.

The pizza seemed to be coming together nicely.  My oldest son helped me make the sauce and it was made it record time. 

He decided to “taste” the sauce.  He quickly ran over to the sink to drink some water.  I should have known something was wrong.  However, being that 

A)kids are odd

B)I was exhausted

I didn’t ask.  We continued to construct our first pizza to perfection.  As we slid the pizza into the oven, I licked sauce off my finger.  Fire alarms went off in my mouth.  The sauce was the spiciest sauce I had ever tasted!  Did we add chili powder instead of paprika?  No.   Definitely paprika.

I took another lick and my eyes watered.  I grabbed the can of tomato sauce.  There it was in small print.  Mexican style tomato sauce.

The tomato sauce that I excitedly bought at Amelia’s Grocery a few weeks ago.  The deal I thought was awesome.

Everyone was starving, but only two could down the “hot” pizza.  The second pizza was made normal.  That is until I went to sprinkle oregano on it and the top flew off. 

Two pizzas only half edible.

As the pizzas were finishing, Flamingo Husband realized that he was completely out of deodorant.  He ran to buy some at the store I just returned from.  He paid full price as I had no coupon to give him.

Definitely not the night I envisioned.  However, my husband surprised me with these.

So yes, I mess up deals, have kitchen disasters, and pay full price for items that I didn’t realize I needed.  Perhaps this is an encouraging post for you after all.

Relevant Encouragement

This past weekend I had the blessed opportunity to attend the Relevant Conference again.   I love blogging and it is a gift to be able to spend the weekend with other women of faith who are passionate about blogging too.  I walked away refreshed and inspired. 

You and I are different.  We are all unique.  Yet, I suspect that the majority of us struggle with the same thing.  Comparison.

Our Friday night speaker Joy really spoke to my spirit.  She reminded us to “not allow comparisons to steal our joy.”  The joy in embracing the abilities that God gave each of us.  How often do we spend our time and energy looking at the talents and gifts of other people?  It drains us.  It  robs us of seeing  the beautiful abilities that we each have been individually given. 

That each of you have been given.

Maybe you have no idea how to save money at the grocery store.  You know what?  That is ok.  Allow others to share that gift with you.   Your gift is different. Appreciate it.  Be thankful for it.  Embrace it.  Use it.

I do not have the vision for design as my friend Darlene.  If I become enslaved to that fact, it paralyzes me from doing what I do.  Then, instead of sharing my gifts, I do nothing.  Nothing, but feel like everyone else has “it” together, but me.

Crystal Paine, aka Money Saving Mom, is my frugality hero, after all she is the pioneer of frugal blogging.  She has awesome gifts that go beyond saving money.  It is easy for me to compare myself to her.  However, I am not her.  I have not been given the same abilities, mine are different.

So many other amazing women that I admire and am blessed to know.  If I compare myself to any one of them, I feel inadequate.

Good Deal Mama.  A new sweet friend. 

Sally Clarkson, my motherhood & homeschool inspiration.

Homeschool superheroes Jolanthe, Stacie and Carisa &  lil’ol’ me

Stacie was a wonderful support to me & now new friend

Another longtime blogging inspiration for me, JenYou must go visit Logan. She is contagiously enthusiastic.

I am easily ensnarled with comparison.  Holding that thought captive prohibits me in sharing with you what I know and love.  It causes me to feel disappointed that this is all I have to give you.

And you?   I encourage you to stop the silent comparisons that may haunt you.  You are unique.  You are gifted.  You have something to share.  No gift is to small.  Do you have the gift of cleaning?  Share that with me.  Please.  I implore you. 

Do not allow comparison to prevent you from doing what you do.  After all, in the wise words of Ann Voskamp,

There are no “rockstars” in heaven.

Around the bend....

Who is burnt out? Pick me!

Who is dragging their feet with menu planning, scheduling, or any planning of the sort? Ooh pick me! Pick me!!

Who is dreading the end of summer because you know it means the "show" is on? That's me! That's me!

Who needs inspiration and motivation? Hand waving here! Frantically waving.

The summer is nearing its end. No more swinging from the trees and pulling life together when you feel like it.

I need a good jump start to get my game on again! I suspect some of you do too!

Hang on!! The Frugal Flamingo is around the bend! Not that this or ever will be the answer to life's problems.

So let's take a deep breath! The fall is a new time for focus and renewal.

I just hope someone picks me!

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Keepin’ it real

Today I….

started preparing for my yard sale.

snagged a few good deals at Giant.

enjoyed the sun on an incredible spring day.

watched my baby boy turn 5.

and then I realized I still have snowflakes, pinecones, wreaths and snowmen decorating my home. 

We all fall short.

Just keepin’ it real. 

 

My motivation

I wholeheartedly believe that we all need goals to motivate us.  Although, I do enjoy living “frugally”, it does not always come easy to me.  I have days, even weeks where I question if it is all worth it.  Is it really worth it to run to 3 stores today instead of 1?  Is it really worth it to clip a few coupons?  Is it really worth it to plan my menus? 

When I find myself in this lull, I have to refocus on ground zero.  Ground zero being the primary reason I work hard at doing this. 

For me, my primary drive in doing this is that it allows me to be at home full time.

For, 6 years I worked part time.  Though it was only 1 or 2 days a week, it was still an additional stress to me.  When business changes and personal reasons forced me to decrease my hours, we lost several $100 dollars a month in income.  Our income dropped when we had just started an international adoption.

With our grocery bill rising, our expenses climbing and our income decreasing, I decided to focus more on our food expenditures.  I researched and absorbed as much information as I possibly could.  I took more time creating menus and clipping coupons.  I found that the harder I worked, the more I saved.

During this time I was constantly brainstorming on what type of extra income I could produce?  Should I start babysitting? Should I substitute teach?  Should I work at Target?

The reality was that it was stressful making a job work for me with my husband’s nursing schedule.

Then the light bulb glowed brightly regarding this grocery “thing”.  It took time, but I saved money.  I realized that I could recoup on grocery expenditures the amount of  income I recently lost.

So, I began approaching grocery savings as a job.  A part time job that allowed me to work whenever I wanted, even with kids in tow.  Even my math deficient brain quickly calculated this flexible part time “job” paid nicely.  If I spent 2 hours and saved even just $50, it was like making $25 per hour. I couldn’t make that at Target, babysitting or substituting.

The rest is history.  I threw myself full fledge into saving money on groceries.

When I have those days that buying chicken broth  seems easier than making it….I simply tell myself, “this is your job”.

Overall, it is a job I love.  Besides, I can do the majority of it in my jammies.  Most days, that is all the motivation I need.

Something’s are more important than Slow Cooking

Planning is not a natural “forte” of mine. When I planned Slow Cooker week, I pulled out the calendar and looked to make sure that I had a “simple” week.  Although I have yet to define the definition of a “simple” week.

I have been preoccupied with 3 things…making soccer practice happen each night, a 3rd grade school project, and of course Slow Cooker week. 

At lunch time, I threw together the ingredients for tonight’s slow cooker meal, Angel Chicken.  I felt good about life.

A quick glimpse at the calendar brought an audible “oh no!”  Our youngest daughter is adopted from China.  Tomorrow is her Forever Family Day (or Gotcha Day)!  It will have been 2 years since the day we met! I totally forgot.  It was null and void in my mind.  It is a very important day to an adoptive family!

In an instant a change of plans were made.   Last year, we started the tradition of celebrating with Chinese takeout.  Not that creative, but it works.

So, the slow cooker was turned off.  The meal is now in the refrigerator for tomorrow.  Chinese food awaits.

I apologize for slow cooker recipe procrastination.  However, life collided with my plans. Actually, my plans collided with life. 

Something’s are even more important than  slow cooker week.

If you are new to this blog or my other blog 1Crazy Journey, you may not have seen our "Sparkles” Adoption video. To see our video, go the Frugal Flamingo Facebook page and click on the video icon to the left hand side.  You can also read part of our adoption story at 1 Crazy Journey.

 

What is YOUR Motivation?

There are 2 groups of people.  The first group of people will do anything  to “save money”.  It is a phrase that makes some of you giggle with glee.  Just the idea of saving money motivates you to do whatever it takes.

What about the rest of us in “the other” group?  What about us that are not “natural” savers?  What about us that stutter and stumble over the words “frugal”?  What about us that get a headache just looking at budgets, unit prices and numbers?

I have used the words “saving” on your groceries throughout many of my posts.  If you are in the first group, I had you at “saving” so no more motivation is needed. 

For group number 2, it is going to take more than a “pie in the sky” idea of saving money.  It is going to take something bigger to motivate you.  That is what I want to present to you today.

I personally believe that we are much more motivated by goals.  Choosing to diet is because you have a goal in mind.  Perhaps it is that you are going on a cruise this summer.  Perhaps it is because you have a 20th year class reunion.  Perhaps it is because you can’t breathe while walking.  You get the picture.  You diet because you WANT to achieve something in the end.

So, why do we not approach “saving money on our groceries” the same way?  Don’t think about it as: “I am going to 2 stores so that I can spend $10 this week instead of $20”.  Instead think about it as, “I need money so that I can join the pool this summer.”  When you spend $100 instead of $120, put the $20 in your “pool fund”.  Your fund will climb quickly each week which will motivate you more!  It gives “the grocery thing” a whole new feel. 

Tomorrow I am going to share what motivates me.  Trust me.  I have to constantly re-gear my mind to stay motivated.  In the meantime, what would motivate you to get more serious about saving money on groceries?  For each of you it is different.  Think about it. 

Determining what you are working towards is more than half the battle.

Flexibility

I am currently in the midst of doing coupon match ups for this weeks sales at Weis and CVS.  OK. I MYSELF am not actually doing matchups.  I use what other people tell me is a good deal.   I use as little brain power as necessary on a daily basis.

This week I only see 3 or 4 things I’m going to buy at Weis.   

On the other hand, I may just skip Weis altogether.  If time and energy allows, I may check out another grocery store instead. 

Learn to be flexible.  You need a routine and a game plan. However, part of the game plan is learning to do what makes sense.  Is it worth it to run to Grocery Store A for just 1 item?  I don’t know. That depends on the item and your schedule.

Just remember.  Even the most seasoned grocery shoppers switch things up.  Sometimes because of the deals. Sometimes because of life.

A little encouragement

The past few days have left me short on time and focus for a new blog post. I hope to post again later today.  You may or may not excited be to know that I've gotten 2 talk with 2 different Flamingo Families.  I hope to share more on them soon.

Just like the rest of this week, this post is spontaneous.  Why?  Because it's been on my heart and mind to share this reminder.

I want to encourage you. If you are really wanting or needing to lower your grocery spending, it can get discouraging. You can pour through frugal blogs and books and glean so much information.  So,quickly we can create the false image in your mind that everyone else is doing it "perfect". You may incorrectly believe that if they share it, they ALWAYs do it.

I know that I can fall into the comparison game quickly.  I also know that I often feel the need to be perfect at what I encourage others to do. 

However, the fact is that we are all living this thing called life.  There are times that we still may have to bring home takeout or buy something not on sale or not menu plan. 

I hear so many people beating theirselves up about this.  I even beat myself up sometimes! 

I have even said to myself, "money saving mom" would NEVER buy this without a coupon:)   I would feel lousy about myself. However,the fact is that even money saving mom has days or weeks where it is just not going to happen the way it should in frugal utopia.

This week I still have not clipped coupons.  I have not matched up deals. I am not running to CVS.  I have juggled meals without a menu plan.  I bought a "processed dinner". I am running to the store to buy bedsheets with no coupon.

I felt bad about this. However, the reality is that the slogan of my blog is called where frugal, faith, and LIFE collide.  There will be weeks you do this whole thing wrong because of plain ol' life. If that happens, you just have to pick yourself up and dust yourself off.  It is ok. 

Do NOT allow being frugal to become your God or idol. It should not define you.

And for heavens sake, do not fall into the trap that I do this perfectly all of the time.

I know someone today needs to hear this. 

Just keep working at it...you are doing great!

New Year, New Attitude

I will be honest.  I wrote and brainstormed for this blog with enthusiasm before the holidays.  Now?  Now I am in a post holiday slump.  Actually, I typically get slumped in meal planning and frugal grocery spending during the holiday season and especially when it is all over. 



However, it is a New Year.  It is a time for new attitudes and new goals.  My goals are to pull myself out of the slump and to share tidbits with you.  Perhaps your goal is to lower your grocery budget or to get out of the slump with me.

So now what?  First, let's take a deep breath.  Let's forget if we overspent or over ate in 2010.

Next, let's be honest.  It's easy to be overwhelmed.  In 2006, when I first got into this "grocery game", I would stare at my grocery list and think, "How?!  How am I going to do this for less?”

Perhaps you are in that place right now. You feel slightly excited, but mostly overwhelmed.  If truth be told, you have NO idea where to start.

Do not panic!  I fully believe that anyone can lower their grocery bill.  It will take patience and a willingness to learn.  However, you can do it! 

Perhaps you have already made some changes, but want to take it one step further.  You want to lower your grocery bill even more. 

Tomorrow I will share with you the number one place to start.  Hands down, it is the most effective 1^st step to take.  Join me tomorrow as we discuss the ever so lovely topic of Menu Planning.


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