Okay I admit it… I’m not good at coupon cutting, finding deals or saving money. In fact when asked by someone at a gathering to pick up the phone and order pizza for the group, I jokingly said, “Sure, if you want it to cost twice as much as you’d normally pay.” She thought I was kidding, but a quick phone call proved I was correct and the pizza she ordered for $7.99 delivered was going to cost me $20.00 plus tip.
I think I’m just missing the discount-saving gene.
But, then I don’t need to have the gene when you have someone like the “Money Saving Mom,” Crystal Paine. I knew Crystal when she was just beginning her blog and loved to hear her heart as she wanted to create a website for moms to save money. I applauded her efforts and was part of a larger yahoo group that she belonged to for self-published, Christian authors. I was always impressed with anyone who could find deals! And, find them she did.
What I love the best about her site is that I don’t need to know about the deals, they come to me and her articles are amazing. Most of the times deal sites can be overwhelming with things flashing and popping up at me so that I can’t make any sense about what I want, or let me rephrase that … what I really need. Not here. The site is well laid out and very easy to navigate. I can quickly locate what I need and be on my way.
Best of all, Crystal agreed to speak to all of you, not on money saving mom ideas but from the heart. Her Mommy Jammies Night session has a topic I’m sure we can all relate to at one time or another, “I’d Throw in the Towel If I Could Find a Clean One.” She’ll encourage us as moms! She knows first hand how a busy work-at-home mom, who also homeschools her children can, at times, be so overwhelmed! Yes, even her (and shhhh, even me!).
Restoring balance is what we all strive to attain but if we are honest some days it is just not going to happen! I wish we could all get together for a real life Mommy Jammies Night where we shared our hearts with one another. But, this is the next best thing. Please join us at Mommy Jammies Night and hear Crystal’s talk first-hand. The session is on November 12, at 9PM EST on our Mommy Jammies Night page. If you miss it the archives will be available here – MommyJammiesNight.com.
Is there something that has worked incredibly well for you in striving to find balance, household chores, or dealing with your children? Please share your great tips with all of us! Or, if there is an area you struggle with, how can we pray for you? I do hope you join us for this and our many live events, and hope to meet you soon!
I am so excited for Mommy Jammies Night! I am now the mom of a tween and a teen. It’s a difficult time for all of us! Puberty, sex questions, friends, potential boyfriends and girlfriends, popularity, fitting in, being a “cool” kid and a Christian, etc. I look forward to spending time with others going through some of the same things.
I can’t wait for the Mommy Jammies Party!
I can not stay balanced without my daily time with God. I find that my whole day is completely different when I go to HIM first. It really helps me in everything that I try to do as a wife and mom. It reminds me who I really am, not what my head and Satan are telling me. This will be a great show! Thank you for all that you do.
Having four children, homeschooling, attending online college classes, teaching at church and coop and of course taking care of the house and husband can indeed wear a girl down. Premium organization and being prepared AHEAD of time are the only ways to keep my head straight. When I forget to do something or procrastinate (a very bad habit of mine), it is obvious. Having charts, lists and notebooks definitely help this girl. One thing that I keep in mind is that our God is a God of order- not chaos. So, if I am doing my best to be organized and productive, then I know my end efforts will glorify Him. 🙂
Oh, I love that – God is a God of order! Yes, Jennifer that hits home.
Consistently being the person I am growing them to be – paying attention to them, listening, answering, helping. I can’t expect them to do what they are not having modeled for them. But, this – this comes after spending time in prayer, reading God’s word and worshiping Him with music.
Spending time in prayer – that is indeed the KEY Rebecca!
I can never seem to find enough hours in a day to do both lessons and the fun crafty stuff, so I’m always having to pick one or the other.
To be honest? I’ve lost all bits of organization I once had in place and just can’t get it back. I had a sudden illness over the summer and it just took my routine and well laid out plans and threw them out the window. Every week I say I’m going to sit down and get back to our “regular routine” this weekend, and it never happens. Praying that soon I can get a grip!
I’m very excited for the Jammie night tonight. I feel like throwing in the towel a lot! I love Crystal!
I’m just entering the season of life with a 1 1/2 year old and a 2nd on the way. We just moved and we just bought a house. And of course, the car broke down. Right now we are just surviving and enjoying the little things. We continue to learn how to work together and work as a new family.
Joining from the jammie party!! Sometimes mommyhood is a very tiring job and I love how you seem to be able to balance it all.
I have been working hard on finding a balance. I hope to learn something and have it work!!
I keep my home in order. I feel like when my surroundings are in better order, my whole mindset is better and free from clutter. I also second Karen in that when I don’t spend enough time in prayer, I can definitely tell a difference in the level of chaos surrounding me. Without God as my main focus, there simply is NO balance.
Jammie Night is awesome! Woohooo!
The towel is lost, I’m so far behind. lol Thank you for this series. 🙂
I’m hoping to learn!
The one thing I am doing right is getting up and trying again each day. I continue to fail at this whole homemaker thing but my kids know I love them and we manage to make it through each day with them fed and in one piece.
I think at least once a day I feel like throwing in the towel. I keep having to remind myself; the housekeeping can wait – the kids CANT. <3
Michele – you are right, kids grow up so fast!
LOL I’m missing the gene, too!!
I’ve learned that I need to take things one day at a time, one chore at a time. Setting priorities has really made things better for us. I really appreciated Crystal’s insights into creating balance and peace in the home.
That is so important, Heather! Great to see you here. Glad you were blessed by Crystal’s talk – she is amazing!
I loved how transparent and honest Crystal was on the show! I took copious notes and plan on reviewing them every day. I had never heard of her site and love to save money at the stores. Thank you for this free show!
Thanks so much for coming, Jackie! Loved your feedback and Crystal Paine is the real deal, beautiful inside and out! 🙂
I can deal with the laundry, the dishes, etc. (Mostly the teen and tween do their own ;-)) It’s sorting through the years of accumulation that we recently got out of storage that’s driving me up the wall. Our days are full enough with school, scouts, and regular activities. It’s hard to find the time to sort and get rid of boxes of stuff we no longer need, even though I know it will make our home a more pleasant place to be. Definitely searching for balance and motivation.
So bummed I missed the show! Off to the archives I go!
Finding balance is always a struggle
Annette – I am the wrong person to talk about balance because I’m all over the place. I do make lists and plans and then life happens. I’m not a big list maker but I create a master list and go from there. Sometimes I don’t look at it, however it is there regardless in case I need it. Sometimes I feel balance is a myth! In this season of my life anyway.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some
of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking
and checking back often!