Guest Posting for Frugal Friday at I Choose Joy!

It's been awhile since I've posted a Financial Friday post, and I'm sorry about that. Life seems to have gotten in the way a little bit, but I'm hoping to bring the series back to the blog soon.

Today I'm doing a Frugal Friday post over at my friend Sara's blog, I Choose Joy! I'm giving some tips on how to cut back your budget when things are tight; be sure to check it out, as it's not your typical budget cutting list (you know, the stop eating out and get rid of cable lists). You can find the post here.

While you're over there, don't forget to follow Sara's blog! She brings you new frugal tips every Friday, and lots of encouragement the rest of the week as well :)


What are some unique ways you cut your budget?

Guest Post: The Focused Homemaker

A month or so ago my friend Sara said that a blog called The Focused Homemaker was looking for guest posters for January. They were looking to do a month on Proverbs 31, and if I was interested, they'd get me set up with a verse and a day. No problem, right?

Well, I wasn't sure I wanted to do it. With Christmas quickly approaching and an already overflowing list of things to do, did I really need something else on my plate? Plus, what if I got stuck with the proverb on dog vomit?!?!? Who wants to talk about that?! I told Sara I'd think about it, and left it at that.

That afternoon, I felt God prodding at me to say yes. I ignored him.

The next morning, I felt a 2x4 upside the head, telling me to do the post. I still ignored it.

Later that afternoon, it was an anvil dropped on my head telling me DO THE POST! Still ignored it.

Then on Facebook one of my friends posted Proverbs 26:11 and a little note -

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly....if only we took it as literal as it says!

Ew. Wow. Okay, I got it, Lord. I finally conceded and got in touch with Jennifer, and she had a list of verses for me to choose from.

And wouldn't you know it, Proverbs 26 was taken!

So I was grumbling and complaining about it. I was going back and forth between a few of the proverbs, and Pete told me I should do the 18th. I read it, and said no.

Nate came in, looked at them, and without hearing what his daddy said a moment before, also said to do the 18th. I told him no.

Then when I asked Paige which number I should do (she had been in her room the whole time), she also said the 18th.

Okay, God! I get the point! Apparently I had a lesson to learn...

I spent over a week studying and absorbing Proverbs 18. It's about taming the tongue, something I struggle with. Finally I got the post how I wanted, and submitted it.

Come to find out, I did it wrong...I wrote about Proverbs chapter 18, not Proverbs 31 verse 18. Silly, silly me.

I rewrote the post, and resubmitted it.

Yesterday I got an email from Jennifer if I had submitted the post for today, and if I had, if I could send it to her again. Not a problem, right?

Well, yes, it is a problem, if somehow it goes missing from your computer...and you had just gone through your email and deleted a whole bunch of inbox and outbox messages.

Guess who had to rewrite her post yesterday?

So here's the final post! You can also check out Sara's post on verse 16 here as well :)

Giving credit where credit is due

I'm really excited about the response I've gotten so far, even just from the first post! I wasn't sure anyone would ever want to read what I'd write, so thank you all for your kind words.

I'd like to give a shout out to my friend, Sara Evanchick. I've known her for years, but I think motherhood has really drawn us closer. It's funny how having a kids can change people and relationships for the better! She mentioned to me a while ago I should start a blog, and well, here I am.

You may not have noticed, but my header has changed today. I know, I know, I've only had one post, so it's easy to miss something like that. (You're forgiven...but don't let it happen again! I kid!) Sara designed the new header for me, and I don't know about you, but I love it! It's so much better than the plain font that had been there. That little something special just makes me smile!

If you're looking for something a little different for yourself or as a gift, head over to Sara's design gallery to see some things she's done. You may just recognize a little family in her Mother's Day gifts! I can't wait to get it printed off and framed. The way she works with her designs is, in my opinion, genius. Here, in Sara's words from her blog, is how she does things:
 
"When you place an order, you’re only paying for the design.  No printing costs, no shipping costs.  I send you the file and you can print your items yourself. Or you can shop around to find the best deal on printing. The best part is, since you have the file, you can always print more at another time!"

While you're there, check out her blog. She's always inspiring and encouraging me, and her 1 year old son Xander is just the cutest thing ever!


So thank you, Sara, for taking time out of your busy schedule to make my blog a little prettier! <3