The great depression

There is a big article today in the paper on the great depression. For lots of people I think it's sometimes a fantasy. Something that happened centuries ago or something like that. In truth it really wasn't that long ago and you would think after how devastating it was that lesson would have lasted far longer than it did. I talk to people about downsizing, but it seems to be something that is impossible for most. I know there have been many times I've thought I'm not going to go back to living like that. Lot's of people have said that it can't last, but I think the fact that they dropped the prime rate to almost nothing is an indication that not only can it last, but it will for far longer than we want to imagine. I mentioned the other day to a friend of mine that it's time to get rid of luxuries and start living a simpler lifestyle. She said there isn't that many to get rid of, but I think there are. I started paying more attention to my mom lately and her stories. Stories of eating conrmeal mush, and watered down potato soup. I remember my grandmother talking about buying bologna and grinding it up and adding mayo and pimento to stretch it out farther. Can you imagine? I never had cable until about 10 years ago. We just watched the regular channels. There are many things we take for granted as normal when in reality they are luxuries.
Now I'm not saying to get rid of everything. That way of living always leads to binge spending. But I do think we all need to look at what we can truly do without or do ourselves rather than paying someone else to do it, because I do think it's going to get worse, a lot worse than it is already. My goal for starting this blog was to truly work on the crown principals to financial freedom. So far I have never made it past step one. I'm determined to do better next year. It's not a resolution, just a determination to change the way I am living and start moving in the direction I want to be, which is financially free. I will be posting starting next month on my progress on my money map. You can find more details on the money map at www.crown.org
It changed a lot of the way we were doing things but we still have a lot to work on. My friend Maureen once said that people do not want to change until the pain of not changing is greater. I think that's true. The debt causes me great pain, and I want to be free of it. For my friends that are reading this, I hope you will encourage me next year as I struggle and pray for my success.

amazon toy sale

Amazon.com is having a really impressive toy sale with as much as 70% off. The sales change daily so don't wait if you want something. This includes arts and craft stuff great for homeschooling with a pretty neat microscope for the young beginner. Check the toy outlet section.

Spices/Seasonings

I was looking through my spices today to see what I have on hand as I begin the christmas cookie baking. I got a little irritated when I found 4 duplicates on the shelves. One of them I will use as I use it a lot but the rest no way. I don't even know what I bought coriander for let alone two of them! So I gave one to my mom and started organizing them. I then decided to find out how old they were and how long they are supposed to last. Here is what I discovered.
Ground spices last 2-3 years
Whole spices 3-4 years
seasoning blends 1-2 years
Herbs 1-3 years
Extracts 4 years.

If you have anything in a tin can it's at least 15 years old. (Had one of those)
If it is from Baltimore it is at least 15 years old. (Had one of those)

Shows how often I look through my spices. The good news is, the stores usually do half price sales around this time, not to mention you can get a lot of stuff at Dollar tree or the 99cent store.

Btw, you know you have too much time on your hands if you are organizing your spices!

Freebies

Walgreens

Scotch Magic or gift wrap tape 2 for $2
$2 easy saver rebate
Final price free

Reynolds wrap .99 with ad coupon
$1 coupon
Final price free

Kelloggs cereals $1.99
$1 coupon
Final price .99

Both Rite Aid and Walgreens have the Bayer countour glucose monitor for free.

That's it for this week

Update:
Walgreens has tons of in ad coupons for christmas stuff. Looks good.

help GI's phone home

Purchase phone cards for GI's to phone home during the holidays. Or you can puchase care packages also.
www.uso.org

We are not freezing!

Well I have had no work for 3 going on 4 weeks now. It has been very stressful to say the least. The good news is we are not freezing! My awesome husband got our fireplace insert that was given to us going tonight. It is downright hot in my house right now and we are using no pg&e we can't afford. HaHa. It feels good to not worry about that right now. Not to mention, thanks to the grant we were given by the county, they are coming in the morning to trim the trees and take a couple of dead ones down so that will give us some more firewood. God is continuing to provide for our needs in so many ways. I don't know how we are going to pay for our medical insurance yet, but I'm feeling confident that God will provide. I don't think my house has ever been this warm in the entire time I have lived in it. Wow, it feels good!

Matthew 6:25-27
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or
about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or
reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not
much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to
his life?

This weeks freebies

Walgreens
Colgate toothbrush or total toothpaste $2.99
$2 register rewards
$1.50 coupon www.colgate.com
Final price .49 profit

Reach ultra clean dental care 2/$6
$6 register rewards
Final price free or a profit if you have coupons

Rite Aid:
24 hour timer or 6 outlet surge protector $5
$5 rebate
Final price Free

Phillips ear buds $4.99
$4.99 rebate
Final price Free

Gillette Fusion razor $9
$5 rebate
$4 coupon in last sundays paper
Final price Free

There are also 2 diabetic meters you can get for free and donate.