Contests to enter during the month of December:

I am usually somewhat skeptical of my chances of winning an online contest - how many hundreds of thousands of people actually enter these things??  But, last year I won a $50 starbucks card (WHICH I LOVE LOVE LOVE coffee) from the Dr. Oz Christmas giveaway.  So, given the fact that I have won before - I am hopeful that I might win a contest again.  You never know & the way I look at it - I am blessed either way.

This is a running list for me to keep organized of the various contests that are going on right now...

12.12.12 :  giveaway ends 12.12

Blue  Nile Jewelry Giveaway:  giveaway is through Facebook and it ends 12.7

Lara Bar:  Giveaway ends on 12/31

People's Choice:  Ends 12/13

Creamy White Cheddar Cheese Mac

Creamy White Cheddar Cheese Mac:

16oz box of Pasta of choice
8 oz Vermont White Cheddar shredded (equals over 2 cups shredded)
10 oz of Velveeta Queso Blanco
2 - 3 T butter
1/3 c whole milk
2/3 c chicken stock
1/2 c sour cream
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
Dash of Parsley for top

Boil the pasta for 6 minutes and then drain.

Melt the butter on med. high heat and then add cheese and Velveeta.  When the mixture has thickened into a sauce, add the milk and the stock to the mixture.  Put the pasta into the crockpot container and add the melted cheese mixture and then put the cream cheese on top of this.  Mix this well.  Sprinkle a dash of Parsley over the top and then place in crockpot on low for 2 1/2 hours. 

Great savings...

I am all about getting a good deal.  One of the best places that I have found to be a good deal for my children's clothes is when there is a sale at the local clothing resale shop (that is if you aren't opposed to your children wearing previously owned clothing). 

Our local shop - Once Upon a Child has a sale a few times a year.  It starts off as 50% off... which isn't bad, but honestly I can still get stuff on occasion at Gymboree with a coupon and a sale for that price.  I wait until it dips lower.  When they have their $1 sale, I head in. 

Also, there is a company online that is now selling children's clothing on the cheap...  It is called Thred Up, and you can get a $10 credit for using the link that I supplied. 

Happy Shopping... and more later on how I get $3 shirts at Gymboree :)

Being in debt sucks.

Being in debt really stinks... I have this horrible feeling hanging over me all the time.  Even when I am spending money on something that I need for our family, I feel guilty.  Anyone else feel that way?

And, people who say that school loans are not bad debt to have... I disagree, debt is debt and it sucks.

Pay off my loans in a year?

Just a quick note to say that I could make 2011 the year that I pay off my school loans with my writing. Currently, I am writing about 4 articles per day. I figured out that if I write 7-8 articles per day or 10 articles during the week until the end of 2011... then this could pay off the loans. That entails stepping it up significantly!

Writing Fingers...

My little finger have been typing a lot today. I wrote three articles and I recipe. The articles, assuming they are accepted will be a net profit of $45... all written when my toddler was sleeping. Over the past two days, I have written five articles... for a total of $75. Praise God for this opportunity.

Goal tomorrow: 4 more articles.

I have one column about Paris and maybe I will write a few educational ehow articles.

It's really very exciting to get paid for something I enjoy doing and can do while my girls are at home with me. Here's to hoping that I don't get burned out!

Saving = not so much fun!

So, I started this goal to save money...

...it really isn't as much fun as spending. Like... I want another new pair of boots, so I can conserve my Uggs that I got as a gift.

So far for the month, we have spent around $150 on groceries. I really wanted to stay around $100 for the month; but my kids eat A LOT of food. I think that if I make it under $200, that will still be great. We usually are at $400 for the month.

I also added a new venture to making money. I have been paid $30 and have done some more work, so I will likely be paid sometime next week for it. I am writing articles as a freelance writer. It is going okay so far, only time will tell. It is work, that is for sure.