When you’re organized you don’t have to worry about misplacing bills, missing a due date, losing your to-do lists or menu plans or forgetting what time your appointments are.  Your home tends to run smoother, and everyone will thank you for that!

I never really realized just how much organization affected our debt freedom journey, until we started it back in 2007.  I attribute a lot of our success to keeping everything all in one spot.  And lots of hard work!

Let’s face it, times are tough.  It doesn’t appear as if they’re going to get any easier any time soon.  There is no time like the present and it’s time to get control!  Whether you’re looking to gain control of  your grocery spending, your finances as a whole or just want to become more organized and more efficient in the managing of your home.   

The Home Management Binder:: Finding Freedom Through Organization is THE solution.  It was created to help families keep track of it all–without it being a terrible task! It comes packed with everything from a To-Do List to Financial Planning Sheets to Master Grocery Lists to Goal Worksheets.  It even includes calendar pages so you know what’s going on with just a glance!  You can find more in-depth information about what is included and how to use each sheet here.

This project has been in the works since the beginning of 2010.  Many life circumstances have happened that have prevented this project from being released when I originally intended, so you can imagine my excitement for finally getting to my goal! 

To celebrate finally being able to launch my dream, you can enter to win one of 3 copies!

Want a peek inside?  Download the Weekly Menu Plan Form.

To enter::

• Comment and share what you hope to accomplish this year.
• “Like” GettingFreedom on Facebook
• Subscribe to our updates.
• {Just leave a separate comment for each, please.}
• Giveaway will end Monday, January 16th at midnight.

Don’t want to wait?  Use code GETFREE at checkout and bring the price to $5 {original price of $8.95}! 

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Finding Freedom Through Organization is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

Another great Gold Box Deal from Amazon today!

Today Only Amazon is offering the Scotch Thermal Laminator for only $16.99 {that’s 79% off the original price of $80.49!}. 

Laminators make it easy to reuse papers time and time again and help to protect your favorite pages and keep them looking new.  You are even able to mark on the front with a marker, and just wipe off with a damp towel.

If you’ve ever been on the fence about purchasing one now is the time!  At this price, their a great Christmas Gift, too.

15 Creative Ways to Use a Laminator

• Homeschooling:: Laminate practice worksheets, create flash cards.
• Checklists/To-Do Lists:: Cleaning Lists that you use regularly {like this Spring Cleaning List and Daily/Month to Month Cleaning} kids chore charts, babysitter lists.
• Recipes:: Keep those family recipes clean. 
• DIY Photo Books
• Magnets:: Laminate a momento from a special trip or event and attach a magnet.  Great for gifts!
• Create your Own Bookmarks
• Personalized Placemats
• Preserve Special Awards
• Laminate your Child’s Artwork or Handwritten Papers:: Create a book at the end of the year for a keepsake.
• Luggage Tags
• Portable Reusable Drawing Board:: Laminate a blank sheet, and use to occupy your children on long trips. They could even use it to make good travel games like Dot to Dot and Tick Tack Toe!
• Keep those 4 Leaf Clovers Looking New:: You don want to lose those!
• Newspaper Clippings
• Reusable Calendars
• Label Your Seedlings It’s about that time again!

What other uses are there?

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Scotch Thermal Laminator $16.99 {Today Only} is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

I think it’s safe to say that I am the world’s messiest cook. {This is why I have yet to do a cooking/canning vlog, even though it’d sure make more sense sometimes!} Seriously, I am.  On top of that, I am also the world’s most impatient cook.  Those two together is a dangerous combination, since my impatientness leads to even bigger messes!

One of my most hated things to clean up has always been stuck on dough.  No matter how much flour I add to my counter top it always seems as if I miss a spot and dough gets stuck when I’m rolling it out.  The other day as I was cleaning up my monster mess from making rolls for Easter Sunday, I found the solution.  My trusty scraper, which I usually use to scrape veggies or meat off of the cutting board and into another dish.

Now I just use my scraper and push everything into a pile with ease.  It’s super quick, and doesn’t create a bigger mess in the process.  Then I just push it all into a bowl and toss it out with all the other scraps.

Rolling out dough for Crescent Rolls, Cheddar Bay Biscuits and Cinnamon Rolls just got a lot more enjoyable.

This post is linking up to Kitchen Tip Tuesday, hosted over at Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures while Tammy is out of town and is also part of Works For Me Wednesday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Cleaning Stuck on Dough is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

It’s easy to get caught up in deal shopping.  Bringing home a buggy full of cleaning supplies, makeup products, toiletries, and prepackaged food for pennies on the dollar is a thrill.

As most of you know, in 2007 we found ourselves knee-deep in about $40,000 of debt.  I became a homemaker in 2004, and we apparently hadn’t made the mind-set adjustment. After toying with the idea of going back to work {and realizing just how much that COSTS!}, we decided that I would take on the job of “Budget Cutter”.  My first jump:  Extreme Couponing!

We saved a lot of money this way shopping at Walgreen’s.  I loved it, and I would talk the heads off of anyone who would listen.  I began in June of 2008 and by December I had built up a big enough stockpile that I stopped.  Initially it was just to use up of  my stockpile, and I had full-intent on getting back at it after the busy holiday season.  Except, I’ve never been back.

This is where I lose most people.

Rethink Frugal.

My frugal choices may not look like your frugal choices.  What works for me, may not even be an option for you.

Rethink your Frugality.

{Photo Source}

For us, while I loved having shelves and shelves of commercial products, and being able to run in my pantry and grab another {aerosol} can of Scrubbing Bubbles or plastic container of {insert product here}.  I realized something.

I had to dispose of these same containers I was hoarding storing . That right there is costing me money.  Instead,  I’ll make my own and control the ingredients. Important side note here:  We live in a very rural area, and trash service does not come to our home.  Instead we have to haul it up our county road, and they still charge us a fuel surcharge {eyeroll}.  Instead we’ve chosen to take our trash directly into town and pay per bag, instead of for “the service”.  Now we have to be more conscience of what we throw away–so we recycle the aluminum cans, and plastic bottles-which we get paid for.  We burn the cardboard in our wood furnace,  and we shred the papers for mulch, and I reuse most of our glass. This leaves us with very little trash and saves us approximately $20/month or $240 over a year. In turn, I’m helping the environment by contributing less trash and keeping my family away from {some} harsh chemicals.

My frugal also includes making most of our foods at home using frugal recipes, gardening during the summer months and canning our harvests. I absolutely enjoy doing those things.  Really good grocery deals are few and far between here.  That, and I have a passion for controlling our ingredients and increasing our real foods. To me, spending more money on wholesome, nutritious food, is more frugal than buying a box of wheat thins or cookies on sale.  My family stays full longer, making the end product greater.

My frugal tends to lean on the side of getting back to our basics.  Our great-grandparents and grandparents took full advantage of their everyday resources.  They used every bit of what they could, so they didn’t have to shell out additional funds or use up any additional resources.  I want that!  You, on the other hand, may have no interest in that whatsoever.  And that is just fine–you pick what your frugal looks like.

Now, having said all of that–it’s important for everyone to know that sometimes you can’t do it all, and that is okay!

My frugal won’t look like your frugal.  We each are unique and we each have different circumstances.

When was the last time you took a moment to rethink your frugal? What does frugal look like to you?

Linking up to Frugal Friday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Rethinking Frugal is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

As women, we’re people pleasers.  As wives and mothers, we want to have it all together.  We have expectations for ourselves, and most of the time we can’t even attain it.

Some time ago, I was able to give up on the thought that I could do it all, all the time.  That didn’t stop me from dreaming of the day that I possibly could, though! Instead I had narrowed down what I was able to do on a regular basis.  Those things included: making my own cleaners, making most of our foods/meals from scratch using frugal recipes, gardening and canning what I could.

{Photo Source}

But, our world went crazy 9 months ago.  There’s not enough space to include everything that happened–but here’s the short version:

• May: Vacation to Florida end of the month.  Van breaks down in Mississippi on the way home.  Rented Vehicle for drive back. {there’s SO much more to this mess!}
• June: Home for roughly a week, and go into {very} unexpected labor with Blake at 2am.  Come to find out, my placenta abrupted.  Blake is in the NICU for 18 days, while our big kids stay with family part of the time, we’re in the City at the Ronald McDonald House.
• July: Project Major Home Addition began April 12th, and was supposed to be finished no later than August.  Except, our rooms are barely framed in, the roof is on, and the siding is going up.  Very.Little.Progress.  Stress, Stress, and more Stress.
• August: Grandmother passes away from Cancer.  We realize PMHA is not progressing as it should and we fire contractor.  Contractor takes us for thousands of dollars.  Father-in-Law steps in as new contractor, and we finally begin to see progress on the inside of the home. Oh, and school starts, as well as soccer!
• September: We move out into the garage because our home is gutted, thinking it’ll only be until beginning of October. More soccer.
• October: Continued work on the house, still no kitchen, and chaos is in full swing.  I’m the employee, the mother, the wife, and the maniac. Trying to keep normalcy for school and soccer.
• November: We’re back into the house, but everything isn’t done yet.  Finally get a stove/oven by the end of the month.  Let’s throw in Thanksgiving, thankfully not at our home.
• December: Right before Christmas, find out my mom has swelling and bleeding on the brain–she spends Christmas in the hospital.
• January: Mid month, Mom has brain surgery to remove a tumor.  Find out it is indeed Stage 4 cancer, and it’s spread to her brain from her lung.
• February: Mom develops an infection in her brain, and they preform another surgery to remove it, and part of her skull.  Rigorous chemo/radiation schedule begins at the end of the month and continues…..

During those times I had to accept Survival Mode.  I had to take a step back, and look at what was really important, and what absolutely had to be done. It wasn’t easy giving up on my day to day tasks.  I no longer needed my Home Management Binder because there was no time,  no home, and no schedule.  I couldn’t make meals without a kitchen, let alone make them from scratch.  Although, I was getting pretty good at using a microwave! {You have to read the post linked, if you haven’t already, to find the amount of humor in that statement!} Instead, our dinners were spent boosting the local economy.

When life gets crazy, step back and realize that it’s just a short season of your whole life.  You have the rest of your days to perfect your cleaning and cooking schedules and dreams.  During these times of upheaval your family needs you, not your bread and natural cleaners.

Accept Survival Mode.

Your family will thank you.  And in the end, you’ll be happy you did!

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Accepting Survival Mode is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

The grass is greening up, and the birds are beginning to chirp.  It’s almost warm enough to open the windows and let the cool breeze flow through.  Ah! Oh how I love Spring!

Spring is a season full of new beginnings, all the way from the grass, to the flowers, to your garden, to the animals, to your relationships, to your home.  If there is something you’ve always wanted to do differently or more efficiently, now is the time to take control and make good on that dream! I for one, having many things that I need to re-gain control of after living in Survival Mode for 9 months.

And what better time to start than with Spring Cleaning? Oh, I know!  Spring Cleaning?  Do I have to? No, but it sure does make for a relaxing home.  Not only that, but I’ve found that when I do take the time to do a thourough Spring Cleaning, it’s easier for me to keep up with my day to day tasks.

If that alone doesn’t make you excited, maybe this will::

As a reader, I’m offering you a FREE Download of my Spring Cleaning Checklist! This will be the first in a series of downloads that will go perfectly in your Home Management Binder!  Make sure you subscribe for free email updates so you don’t miss them!

This post is linked up to

• I’m Lovin’ It Friday
• Works For Me Wednesday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Spring Cleaning Checklist is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

I’m always on the look out for new things to make my duties as Doctor Mom and Housekeeper a bit easier. Tea Tree Oil is one of those things that should be included in everyone’s arsenal.  Not only is it natural, it’s also cost effective, and can take the place of many things you currently have in your home.  In turn–reducing waste, and returning those hard earned dollars back into your bank account!

Tea tree oil has a fresh, camphor-like scent which can come off strong. It is loaded with anti-microbial properties that are effective fighting a number of viruses and bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and candida {think yeast infection}–among others.

A Small Bottle with Lots of Uses!

Everyday Uses for Tea Tree Oil

• Cold sores, Canker sores and Acne– At the first onset, apply oil directly to the affected spot.  Use can also add a few drops to your facial wash.
• Dental Hygiene and Mouthwash-Add a couple of drops to a glass of  water for a refreshing mouthwash. It can also be used to temporarily relive toothache pain. Make sure not to swallow, a little won’t hurt, but use caution.  Can also add one drop directly to toothbrush.
• Cuts, Scrapes, Abrasions and Insect Bites- Rub a few drops of Tea Tree Oil directly on the wound.  Tea Tree Oil’s anti-microbial properties will aid in killing the germs.
• Athlete’s foot – You can apply oil directly to the feet {if you are sensitive, add to a carrier oil such as olive oil}, or add into a foot bath and allow your feet to soak.  Continue treatment until affected area is gone.
• Dandruff – Add a few drops to your shampoo.  This same approach works for killing head lice, as well.  For a “bad case” of head lice, apply directly to hair roots.
• Dust mites-Add tea tree oil to a damp cloth and rub over your mattress to ward off dust mites and to keep the mattress fresh.
• Congestion-Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
• All-Purpose Disinfecting Cleaner- In a spray bottle  combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water You can use this same solution to help kill mold and germs {perfect for using on kitchen counters and high chairs}.
• Laundry-A few drops added to a load of laundry to disinfect and leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
• Flea/Tick/Insect Repellant–I found this solution a few years back, and it’s still a favorite.  We not only use it on our dogs, but on our pant legs, shoes and socks in the summer months to keep the ticks at bay.  It’s also good for treating ear mites in dogs.
• Diaper Rash – Apply 2-3 drops of oil mixed in your palm with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Apply to affected area as you normally would.
• Sinus & Bronchial Congestion - The vapors may be inhaled by adding five drops of the oil to a bowl of steaming hot water or to a vaporizor.
• Sunburn-Combine one part Tea Tree Oil with ten parts of  coconut oil and spread freely over the affected areas. Relieves the pain, and prevents peeling.

******For sensitive skins/areas add more water until you reach the solution that works for you.  Never take essential oils internally and discontinue use if you develop a rash.  This information is for educational purposes only. For persistent problems see your physician. I am far from a doctor/veterinarian, although I play one in day to day life! ******

This post is part of Frugal Friday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Tea Tree Oil: A Must Have! is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

When we were designing our addition for Project Major Home Addition, we knew one thing for certain–we wanted lots of natural light.  Which in turn translates to lots of windows, and glass.  Considering that our old windows were almost impossible to clean {old single panes that didn’t allow for the outsides to be cleaned thouroughly}–I knew I was in for a fun treat learning to keep up with all the new glass!

Thankfully, I’ve found a couple of tricks that have allowed me to have streak free glass, without breaking the bank, or my elbow.

First up I use this Homemade Window Cleaning Solution:

½ cup Ammonia

1 gallon water

If you’re feeling fancy, add a couple drops of essential oil of your choice.  This will also help in taking away the harsh ammonia smell (although, the ammonia smell dissipates once dry).

Only mixing a spray bottle at a time??  Add about 1 ½ Tbsp. Ammonia to the bottom of an empty spray bottle, and fill with water.

When you need to clean your window, spray away as normal, but instead of using a paper towel to wipe–Grab the Sunday Paper. Wad up one sheet, and wipe away as usual.  You’ll have sparkly, streak free windows, without the waste!

This post is participating in Works For Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Streak Free Windows! is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

My house is absolute chaos.  Project Major Home Addition is still in full swing, which makes it quite hard to have any form of normalcy.  Windows and doors are being changed out–some are being done away with so there is plywood in their place (for now).  Walls are coming down, and my decor consists of insulation walls.

My floors–well we won’t go there.

The one thing that remains the same:  A Sparkling Sink.

Without it, my house would feel even more chaotic than what it really is.  I must have a sparkling sink every night before I go to bed.  It just starts my morning out right.

What makes your morning/day go smoothly?

This post is linking to Works For Me Wednesday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
A Sparkling Sink is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

I really don’t mind cleaning my shower, as long as I do it weekly as my Home Management Binder tells me to do.  Just like with everything else, though, sometimes I get behind and the ever dreaded soap scum builds up.  Hours of elbow grease seemed to be no match to soap scum.

But now, I have found a new weapon–which laughs in the face of  Mr. Soap Scum.

All I have to do now when procrastination and a busy life get the best of my shower, is wipe down the shower door and walls with a Magic Eraser. Say goodbye to Soap Scum.

It sparkles and looks just like new!  If you’ve never tried one before, do yourself, your shower, and your home a favor and try one.

Do you have a secret cleaning weapon?

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Cleaning Off Soap Scum is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt