Preparing for the Future: $$$

That's a wrap! In the past week, you've learned why it is important to save your money and how to budget and coupon! Whew! You have learned more valuable lessons than you might think. 

In case you ever doubt your financial decisions, here are some reasons why you need to prepare for your future (financially, that is) now:

• your future husband may loose his job right after you marry
• your parents may become unable to support you
• you may fall ill and have unplanned bills to pay
• something dear to your heart may come up that you want to financially support 

Sisters, I am not wishing these things upon you. What I want is for you to be prepared for whatever comes your way. May God bless you always!

Claire

How to Form a Budget (+ free printable!)

Hello girls! Today, I am going to be sharing with you all some of my favorite budgeting tips! Please, make sure you read until the end, because there is a FREE printable! 

Even when you are still living at home, there is no time too early to start keeping track of your expenses and putting yourself on a budget. When you are on a budget, you will find that you have more money for the things you want and need, instead of constantly having to borrow money from older family members. Keeping track of how much you spend and how you spend it can also make you a smarter shopper. Your money has more value when you are aware of how much you have been blessed monetarily. 

When you first start out, start simply. Even just keeping track of your allowance or other small income will help you greatly! As you grow more comfortable with writing down your cash flow, you will find yourself saving more and spending less.

So, let me know how budgeting works for you! Do you keep track of your money? If so, how?

Claire

P.S. Make sure you download your FREE spending log!

FREE Printable Weekly Expenses Log:

(click HERE to download)

Couponing 101

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 KJV)

Hello, sisters! Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite couponing strategies. I'm not talking about anything extreme, that's not really up my alley. Couponing is a good skill to master now, especially for us girls who are entering the "courtship age."

There are a few things that I always clip coupons for:

• disposable razors
• shampoo
• body wash
• feminine hygiene products
• cleaning products (bleach, dish soap, etc.)
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes 

The reason I am always on the lookout for these products is that people will always need them. Also, if I happen to have a surplus of products, I am able to donate them to my town's local help center. I live in a mid-sized rural community with a strong farm based income. We have a lot of poverty around here so I try to donate items whenever possible (no matter what type of community you live in, I would encourage you to do the same).

Now, I'll be sharing with you a few of my favorite couponing resources.

(coupons.com)

Print coupons up to two times per computer. In order to print the coupons, you need to download the software, but I have never experienced any problems/viruses with the software.

(couponmom.com)

This website pretty much does the thinking behind couponing for you. Coupon Mom provides you with the best stores to spend your coupons at, so you can pay as little as possible for the things you need.

(moneysavingmom.com)

Money Saving Mom is a blog and a coupon data base (+ she is open about her faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ)! Each week she also posts the best deals of the week for various stores.

So, now that you have all of these new found resources at your fingertips, are you itching to get started? Me too. But what to do with all of the coupons?! You have several options:

• envelopes: ideal for people with small families or who are new to couponing
• accordian file: "intermediate" couponers or people who just like to stock up on the basics
• ringed biner: the extremist or someone who does volunteer work/donations or with a large family

I hope this post has been helpful to at least one person. Let me know some of your couponing strategies in the comments (I always reply)!

Claire

I'm Living at Home! Why Do I Need to Save Money?!

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 

(Proverbs 13:11 KJV)

While you're still living at home (no matter how old you are), it can be tempting to slack off and rely on your parents for your every need. Newsflash: that is NOT how it is going to be when you go out into the "real" world. So while you probably aren't paying a morgage now, you still need to be saving and budgeting your money.

Some things you should consider saving for:

• used car
• gasoline
• clothing
• gifts
• items for your hope chest
• crafting supplies 

That's all for today's furgal living post! Keep checking back for more updates to this series. May God's blessings pour down on you today!

Claire

Frugal Living: SAHD Edition

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21 KJV)

Welcome, sisters! Today, I'm going to be sharing a "table of contents" of sorts with you all. I'm starting a new series on living frugally as a stay-at-home daughter (SAHD). Without further ado, here is a list of all posts in this series. Happy reading!

• I'm Living at Home! Why Do I Need to Save Money?! 
• Couponing 101
• How to Form a Budget (+ free printable!)
• Preparing for the Future: $$$

All of these posts will be published in the coming weeks and linked back here! Have a blessed day!

Claire