~Don't Overextend Your Raise!~

*photo credit-Ron Niebrugge*

A very common mistake...

Did you get a raise or are you expecting a raise for your household?
Do you have big plans for that money already?
Will you be playing catch-up due to living outside your current income?

I've found that raises (usually minimal) really don't help most people that much. It is almost as if people get a false sense of security and go overboard, but in little ways. Example: You typically spend $100 per month eating out. Now that you have a raise you don't think twice about eating out a couple more times per month. At the end of the month you have spent $200-$300, when you really only had $100 to spend still.
Or
Your hubby gets a $200 raise per month and decides he needs new truck. The new truck payment is $450. Technically, he is getting a $250 pay cut now that he has a payment instead of driving the car that is paid for. Ouch!
Or
You get a somewhat substantial raise and decide that you need to upgrade your home by doubling in size & payment. Most people forget to budget for the utilities and other expenses that come with a larger home. Being home poor is no fun! Trust me!

I've seen this mistake in almost everyone I know. No joke! I can say this because we have made the same mistakes too. Not proud, just honest.

It is really hard to get ahead when you don't budget every cent. I'm not saying to not enjoy the raise. Go out for a special meal, but then get back on track. Don't go out and get crazy. Plan out that raise to truly work for you and for your family. As always, give your first fruits to the One who gave it all.

Be blessed~
SHO

~2012 Financial Goals!~

Well, it's that time of the year to set those money goals. This is an exciting time for me as I challenge myself more each year. It is amazing what you can accomplish with a plan.

Now that you have had a week to come up with some goals...what are they? Here are a few of my 2012 financial goals:

*Save 25% of our income
*Tithe to our church (We've done this for over 10 years. I always like to include it.)
*Give to a ministry (more to come on that at a later date)
*Give $$ to a family in need
*Save $$ for a mission trip
*Save $$ for our island trip
*Save $$ for family camp
*Give supplies to a family in need
*Stay within budget in every category
*Use what I have on hand. This may not sound like a financial goal, but it will save me money to use up some supplies instead of replenishing.

Most importantly, my goal is to be thankful for what God has given me. I want to use our resources to the best of my ability. My goal is to be the best steward possible with GOD'S money.

Monday Blessings~
SHO

~January Spending FREEZE!~

Spending freeze in January!

Sorry, I meant to mention this to you all earlier this week. (No sugar or caffeine has made me NOT on my "A game" this week.) My household is on a "spending freeze" for the month of January.

What does "spending freeze" mean?
We don't spend any money on anything other than groceries & gas (aside from regular bills). This cuts out small purchases that add up, meaningless shopping, eating out, etc.

Why?
Starting a new year off by saving a chunk of money dramatically increases your ability to keep the momentum going throughout the year. I try to always make January one of my big savings months.

Is it too late to start?
Absolutely not! Start today!

Can't wait to hear how you all do. It is a new year and this is the time to make some changes in your financial forecast. You can do it!

Friday Blessings~
SHO

~2011 Savings Goals?!~

2011 Savings Goal?!

Well, I'm checking in and asking if you hit your savings goal for 2011? Did you budget, set goals and succeed? I pray that you did and that you feel beyond accomplished!

Did I hit my savings goal?
Yes and no. We had an unexpected event happen with my car which led to us purchasing a newer car. So, we paid cash for it! It was a feeling like we've never felt before. We have always paid cars off early, but never have we paid CASH for one. It was awesome! I got a big smooch in the office from the hunkiest boy in Texas ;)

Even though it made me a bit sick to see the money leave the account, I felt good about knowing that we had saved up for this event. We had just hoped it would be a little further down the road. Oh well. Life happens. Learning to roll with it.

Did you all have a good financial year? Did you pay some things off? Are you living debt free? Have you experienced financial freedom for the first time in 2011? I'd love to hear from you!

In His Grace~
SHO

~A Woman Who Inspires Me!~

Someone who inspires me...

I met someone that has truly inspired me. She asked that I not mention her name, so I will respect that. We started talking about saving money and finances one day and I was just AMAZED! Very few people knock my "financial socks" off, but she did! The more she spoke, the more I wanted to know. Finally, I said "can I blog about you?" Of course, I wrote everything down and then lost the tiny piece of paper. Then today it just appeared out of nowhere. So, here is part of her story and secrets to financial success!

She purchased a home when she was single. She put 20% down and took out a 30 year note. Shortly after, she married and then they paid it off in 6 years!!!

A few years later they decided to upgrade to a nicer and more expensive home. This home was more than double the price of their first home. They were down to only 1 income as she had become a stay-at-home mother of 2 at this point. They lost 1/2 of their income when she became a full-time mom. They got on a budget, she took on a few extra jobs bringing in a little money here and there. . They took out a 15 year note and paid it off in 5 years!!!

Are you inspired yet?

During this time they also paid cash for a pre-owned suburban. Can you imagine having 2 small children with no car payment and no house payment? To be completely financially independent??? Imagine just how amazing that would be!

How did they do it?
They put all of their extra money towards the house payment. They didn't over buy or overspend on anything. They paid cash for everything purchased.
The biggest secret...they TITHE! She said that God truly blessed their money and made it multiply.

What is next for them?
They are currently saving for retirement and 2 college educations for their children.

I'm so proud to know a woman of such financial integrity. I'm inspired! Are you?

Blessings~
SHO

~3 Principles We Live By~

Hello Sassy Savers!

Hope everyone is having a great Friday! Boy, has this been a crazy busy week. All of my freezer cooking meals paid off big time this week. I didn't spend more than 20 minutes on any meal and we ate at home. I've found that if I have something that I can whip up in around 20-30 minutes, we will eat at home. After all, it takes about that long to go get takeout. Plus, you have to spend your precious money on fuel. No fun! Anytime we eat at home my hunky hubs calls it a "prepaid meal". In our house those meals are wonderful! Especially, since we are saving for Disney World!!!


Part of the reason that I started this blog was to encourage people. I'm asked all the time how we live off a teacher's salary. People are beyond curious. My answer is that we don't just "live", but we live in the "overflow blessings". Honestly, we live better now than we did with 2 full-time salaries. Part of the reason is that I'm not constantly worrying about money. Now that we live on such a strict budget, I know where the money is going. It is amazing the peace that I have felt since living on a written budget (of course, sticking to it is key).


3 principles we live by:

1) We are good stewards with our money (started using coupons). Started to think and plan ahead before every purchase. We were amazed at what we can talk ourselves out of! (Example: BMW 3 series...yes, it is my dream car...yes, we test drove several of them...yes, we put in offers...THEN we came back to a normal state of mind and decided that we have other goals that come before us driving a pretty BMW. After all, it will be even prettier when we get it AFTER we pay CASH for our home!)

2) We live within a budget. A very detailed budget is key for us! I keep track of where every dollar goes each month on a spreadsheet. That has really kept us on track. We have a game plan every month to make sure that we stay focused and are able to hit our savings goal.

3) Most importantly we HONOR GOD with our TITHE. We believe that God blesses the 90% that we keep and multiplies it. We have seen it in our finances!
Another thing is giving to those in need. I encourage you to pray and see if God is leading you to help someone. I promise, it is the BEST feeling knowing that you are truly helping someone in need. You will be so rewarded.


When we started combining those 3 things we were amazed at how God truly blessed us.
I want to encourage you today that whatever your financial situation is, you can start making changes today. You can get out of debt. You can live in the "overflow blessings". You can leave your children a legacy of financial freedom! Get excited! Change can be a wonderful thing. Change is uncomfortable, but so is living with debt looming over your head. Look forward to the finish line and never lose sight of your goals!

Be Blessed~
SHO

~My Savings Goals Explained~

The savings goal...


Several of you have asked me to explain my savings goal that we hit in 2010. My goal was to save 25% of our income. We ended up saving 35%! This was all done by having a plan, saying NO to unnecessary things, sticking to our budget and being creative. We still did many fun things including: island vacation, several little trips over the summer, a weekend retreat this fall and traveled to a BIG 12 football game. We were able to do those things because we did not over spend on our groceries, eating out or anything else that was not in our budget. If a bill was less than we budgeted for (praise God!), we would not go out and spend that money. Instead we would put that extra money straight into savings. Putting the money into savings at the start of the month (or whenever you get paid) is KEY! If you wait until the end, it won't be there (as we all know too well). It is the same as tithing, you give your tithe first and then live on the rest.
In 2011 our goal is to save 25% again. We refinanced our home to a 10 year mortgage, which made our payment go up considerably. So, I'm going to be happy with the 25% saved in 2011.

Stop for a moment and think about how much 25% of your income would be. Think about what you could do to achieve financial FREEDOM in 2011 if you were able to save it! Many of you could pay off all of your debt, pay CASH for a car, pay off student loans, pay off medical bills, create a true 6-9 month emergency fund, take a vacation, etc. One year could change your entire financial forecast!

January is a perfect month to get started. You can do it! If you think 25% is out of the question, aim for 15% or even 5%. I encourage you to aim high. Set your goals high. Great success takes great determination and discipline. If you cut out some of the extras, I promise you will be able to save and reach your goal in 2011! I can't wait to hear about your success!

Have a blessed weekend Sassy Savers!

Financial Blessings~
SHO

~2011 Preview!~

I'm pondering what we are wanting to accomplish for 2011. We are setting the same savings goal as 2010. Now that we know we can achieve it, I don't think it will seem like such a tall mountain to climb. We have been looking into a newer, more fuel efficient vehicle also. Never fun to have to purchase a car! After much looking and discussion, my cute hubs decided he would like to wait it out. He likes having money in the bank and isn't ready to drop a large sum of cash on a car when his is working just fine. Gotta love a sensible man! I LOVE that I'm married to man that is not defined by the car that he drives! A man that is not afraid to be who he is in any situation, even if that means being different. I wanted to marry someone who believes in himself and in me and I did just that. I'm constantly saying (singing) to him "When God made you, He must have been thinking about me".

Whatever 2011 holds for us, I'm believing it is going to be wonderful! We started 2011 with the Daniel Fast and boy is this stretch for us. Whew! I usually give up sugar for this, but this year we are trying to modify everything. I've spent hours researching recipes to make within the guidelines. I've almost got my 21 day menu finalized. We are on day #3 and are feeling it! It is a hurt like no other. Sort of "hurts so good". The more my body aches and detoxifies from the junk I've been polluting it with, the better my spirit feels. Make sense?

It felt so good to go to the grocery store and not purchase chips, soda, snack bars, candy bars, sugary cereal, etc. I have been treating my body more like the TX State Fair than a temple as of late!
We are excited to see what God has planned for us over the next 3 weeks!
More to come on that later.

2011 Blessings~
SHO

~Savings Goal Update!~

Is anyone else in shock that it is already December 1st??? Literally, I can't believe my eyes. This year has flown by! It seems like yesterday that I was setting goals for 2010. I haven't mentioned it in a while, but I have some very exciting news....I HIT MY SAVINGS GOAL FOR 2010!!! It was not easy to do, but I stuck with my plan and accomplished it. Let me tell you that it feels good to set a goal, work toward it and then to see it through. Love it!

Reaching my savings goal, however fulfilling, was NOT the best feeling. Helping out families in need by giving money, food and supplies is what I will remember most about this year. Helping others and doing God's work is the most amazing feeling. I want to thank those of you who helped a particular family that I posted about on here. You all blessed me by blessing that family. Thank you.

In January I will start posting about setting goals for 2011. It is never too early to start thinking about it. Dream it, Believe it and Make it happen!

Wednesday Blessings~
SHO

~Set Goals!~

We spent this weekend on a Couples Retreat with some friends from church. We had a blast! It was a time of reflection, fellowship and most of all fun! We climbed up mountains (that was a stretch for this beach girl!). I was a team player and managed to not hurt myself.

We climbed all the way up there! It was so beautiful!

I had previously written about spending money on life experiences, rather than stuff. Spending our money on experiences that bring us closer, make us laugh and that make memories forever is worth every penny. I love traveling and doing new things. This trip came at a perfect time as football season is coming to a close.


Life is super busy for everyone. Most people are overbooked and stressed. This weekend was a great reminder of how important is it to take time out from the daily schedules to relax and enjoy God's beautiful creations. We are able to go on trips like this due to the money that I'm saving my family by using coupons.


If you are just starting couponing, don't be discouraged. Couponing can be overwhelming at first. Honestly, it can be overwhelming after you have been doing it a while if you don't have a system in place. Stick with it! It is worth all of the effort put into it. I have been feeling overwhelmed the past month or so. This trip was a wonderful reward and reminder of why I love saving money!


Your family will be blessed by you saving so much money. Go ahead, start dreaming of where you want to go once you reach your savings goal. I believe that setting goals and having dreams are an important part of achieving success. Dream it, believe it and make it happen!

Happy Monday!
SHO