Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

Couponing for Community May 2-8: Will You Join Me?

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How’s your stockpile doing?  If it’s like mine, it’s growing quite nicely.  I think it’s time to give some away.

I am inviting you to join me in giving a portion of your stockpile away during the week of May 2-8.

In fact, I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this next bit of news.

Ever since that whole Nightline thing went down, I have become more convinced than ever of one thing: we as couponers have the abilities and resources to impact our communities in a BIG way.

And then it hit me–what if we made a united effort to give? The impact could be amazing.

So I’ve been busy, busy, busy behind the scenes inviting my fellow coupon bloggers to join me in asking our readers to GIVE during the week of May 2-8.

And I’ve been thrilled with their response.  I’ve created a Facebook Event page where you can check out the other blogs participating in the event.  Check it out! They just keep coming.

NOTE:  If YOU are a blogger that would like to participate in this event, let me know!

Here is where YOU all come in:

  • Second, start thinking now about what you would like to give and where. Next week is the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive as well, so giving will be as easy as putting a bag of non-perishable items out by your mailbox on Saturday, May 8.  If you are like me and have a lot of health and beauty items to give away, then you may want to plan on giving to a friend in need or to a local homeless shelter.
  • Third, TELL US ALL ABOUT IT!! What will make this event fun is seeing how much everyone has given!  Upload pictures on the Facebook page and share in the comments what you have been able to give.  Yep–it’s ok to brag!
  • Finally, on Saturday May 8, I will have a Mr. Linky up where bloggers can leave links to posts or you can leave a comment sharing how you were able to give. We all can celebrate together!

WHO’S IN?!

A very special thanks goes to Sharon from Good, True, and Beautiful for designing the ‘Couponing for Community’ button.  Thanks, Sharon!

A Time of Giving

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goat and chickens

We just bought a goat.  And a couple of chickens.

Now before any of our family members start worrying about finding them under the tree this year, I’ll fill you in.  They aren’t for me or anyone on my Christmas shopping list.

They are for someone I have not met, but sure would like to.

I purchased them through World Vision.  They will be given to someone who needs them deeply.

You see, in impoverished countries goats nourish hungry children and families with healthy milk, cheese, and yogurt.  Chickens provide fresh eggs that are rich in protein and nutrients, and extra eggs and chicks can be sold to pay for basics.

With all of the saving that goes on around here, we’re finding more room to give.  Isn’t that what it’s all about, anyway?

I know each of you have different stories when it comes to finances.  Some of you have already given generously this year.  But if you have some extra money because you’ve saved a little more this year, why not consider making a donation to an organization like World Vision?  They have the coolest gift catalag.  You can choose to give anything from 1 chicken ($13) to a home for an orphaned child ($5100).  How cool is that?!

I plan on fully enjoying our beautiful Christmas this year.  And I am trusting that someone on the other side of the world will have a new reason to enjoy theirs as well.

Living Large Starts by Living Small

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Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

-Beautiful Boy

IMG_0068bSometimes I have to laugh at myself.

I tend to be an idea girl.  A bit of a dreamer.  In fact, my brain often wears me out.

So when I shared with you all that I wanted to start a new segment called “Living Large”, my brain went into action thinking of all sorts of BIG things we could do on a limited budget if we worked hard enough:

Exotic Vacations.

International Vacations.

Cross-country Vacations.

Beach Vacations.

Cruises.

Like I said.  I’m a bit of a dreamer.

It wasn’t long, however, before I recognized that old familiar feeling of discontent. Let’s face it.  Exotic vacations are not at the top of the list of things to save for right now.  I may not be willing to erase them completely from the list–but definitely not at the top.

And then I started to realize how easy it would be for me to be so focused on ‘Living Large’ that I miss what is right in front of my face.

Such as:

  • Those first wobbling and *very proud* steps taken by my one year old  over the past couple of weeks.
  • The way my incredibly independent four year old takes great delight in helping Mommy and Daddy (even when we may not need to be helped.)
  • The intense pride I felt as my one year old took my hand and bowed his head as we began to pray at dinner time the other night.
  • Feeling cherished as my husband 1) let me sleep in this morning and 2) brought me breakfast in bed.  And it’s not even my birthday!
  • The hundreds of ways we’ve felt welcomed into our new community by our new friends.

Life is a little unsettled for us right now as we continue to transition into a new house, new job, new friends, new budget.  It would be easy to allow discontent to creep in and become focused on ways to improve our current situation.

I want to soak up our current situation. I don’t want to become so focused on improving our lives that we miss out on this moment. I want to savor this time that will never come again.

After all, I think living large starts by living small.

Living Large and Loving Fall!

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My Fall-ish Decorations on my Front Porch

I did a lot of thinking this weekend.

I’ve been blogging at Cha-Ching on a Shoestring for a little over 5 months now (doesn’t it seem like it’s been forever?!).  I love sharing money saving tips with you all and helping you to make the most of a limited budget.

But when we started this venture, our goal was to help our readers to not simply live on a limited budget…but to live LARGE.  I think we’ve done pretty well at helping you find the deals and make wise choices with your money.  But what does it mean to live large?

I realized that I really want to be intentional with this goal and I’d love to bring you all along for the ride.

So, I’m starting a new segment this week.  It’s called Living Large (title subject to change, but that’s the best I could come up with for now!)  Each week I intend to highlight ways that I intend to make the most of life that week.

This week I am choosing to live large by appreciating the beauty of friendships and soaking up this crispy, delightful time of year called Fall.

Today I sat on my front porch with my cousin and childhood best friend.  We are delighted that we only live about half an hour away from each other since our move to PA.  We got caught up on each other’s lives, shared the joys and struggles of motherhood and watched our boys play together like we used to do at their age.

Taking time to value friendships like this is one of the best ways that I know to live large, no matter what your budget may be.

But it gets better.  We also sipped hot coffee and munched on some of the most delightful fall cookies known to man.  And yes–you can have the recipe.  Just promise to share them with someone you love.

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As you can see, it’s a well-loved recipe.

NOTE:  You may want to bake them longer than 10 minutes.  They come our pretty gooey that way.  I’m a 10-11 minute kind of girl, while Wes is more of a 13-14 minute fan.  It’s all in your preference!

p.s.  Let me know if you need help deciphering my handwriting!