No Spend November Update and Bucket List

I meant to put our November Bucket List up last week but never got around to it. So far, our "No Spend November" is going well. We've stayed within budget (thanks to AMAZING sales on meat at the Commissary) and the only spending we've done is buying a few Christmas gifts and Matt bought dinner for a friend one day (even though he didn't get himself anything *love*). I've seen how easy it is to want to pick up something because it's on sale. It seems like everything is on sale right now! And while it may be something we want/have been meaning to buy, I'm liking the self control it takes to pass it up. I know that in the future we won't always need to pass something up when it's on sale, because we'll have the extra money for it but having the self control right now will, I hope, give me better judgment on what is a need and what is a want. I think I'm learning the difference between impulse wants and lasting wants, also. I don't want to get my "Oh, that's a cute shirt, I want that" confused with "I want a cast iron skillet" because while I don't really need either, the shirt would be nice but if I didn't see it, I wouldn't miss it. But I can guarantee you I say, to myself or to my husband, "I want a cast iron skillet" a few times a week. The skillet is a want because I have skillets and I can certainly live without but I also know that I'll use it regularly, it will last me years, it will make certain foods taste DELICIOUS, and my want for it hasn't gone away. I tend to have the mindset that spending less on small things is better than spending more on big things but sometimes those small things add up and keep you from buying the big things. If I bought three shirts for $20 in a month, I would spend $60. Or, I could save up that money for a month and buy my cast iron skillet I've been putting off for three years. WHY HAVE I NOT BOUGHT THE SKILLET!?!!!  I'm just sayin.

Now, on to the bucket list.
I'm so thankful we're not spending money this month because I'm really getting a chance to spend quality creative time with my little guy. We've already started so I'll cross off what we've done.

No Spend November Bucket List

Make and decorate “Fall Leaf Cookies” with Isaac

Take Cookies to Wounded Warriors

Go on a nature walk

Make Turkey clips

Make my own pumpkin spice creamer

Paint “Handprint Turkeys”

Go see "Wreck it Ralph" at the free Theater We're so blessed they give free admission for military!

Help Isaac get rid of toys to donate

Donate clothes/household things we don’t use

Teach Isaac how to “Gobble, Gobble”

Make a leaf pile and jump in!

Make a pumpkin roll

Make “Leaf artwork” in frames we already have

Make Turkey Cupcakes

Go see Breaking Dawn part II at free theater

Let Isaac help make this year’s Advent Calendar

Take Thanksgiving dinner (or parts of it) to Matt and his co-workers

Start sewing/making Christmas decor (with fabric I didn't use last year)

Pray specifically for one person we’re thankful for, per day

No Spend November

Matt and I were recently discussing money and how we were spending on things we didn't need. The little things (what can I say, the Target dollar spot gets me every time) have been adding up and it's been frustrating to see ourselves spend money we know we shouldn't. So one day I was thinking about ways to cut out some spending and to help us gain some perspective. I didn't want to create a budget that we stuck to for a few weeks, then fell into old habits. I wanted to change how we view money. November is a month we talk about how thankful we are and we wanted to dedicate this month to that in a way we hadn't before. I had seen this blog quite a few times via pinterest and other blogs and it jumped to mind one night.

Matt and I have committed to a "No Spend Month" for the month of November. We haven't cut our budget down as significantly as they did on this blog but here's what we are doing.

We will:
pay our bills.
have a grocery budget we will stick to.
have a gas budget.
be mindful of how much time we spend wanting and spend more time thanking God for what we have.

We will not:
Buy coffee (EEK!) or any sort of food/snack item while out. (Not even from a vending machine)
Spend money going out, no matter how much peer pressure. (Matt went to listen to jazz with friends last night and didn't spend any money!)
Spend extra money on gas (when it's gone, it's gone).
Spend outside of our grocery budget (see above).
Buy iTunes/Amazon music,books, etc. (Bye, bye new kindle books )
Focus on all the things we are missing.

We want to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us. This certainly includes money and we both realize we haven't committed to spending it as well as we should have. After this month is over, we won't be blowing the money we've saved on things we've been wanting all month. We will start December with a fresh budget that will include less spending money and we will continue to be mindful of how we use our funds. Our hope is that starting fresh will give us a new outlook on what we want/need. We will be enforcing a no spend without discussion rule. If anything goes outside of our budget, we will be forced to call the other person to see if it truly is a purchase we should make. We don't want to be slaves to our checking account. We want to be able to afford the things we need when we need them and we want to be able to know that we didn't waste money on things we forgot about soon after the purchase.

After all this, I don't want you to think we're going to be hermits sitting around with nothing to do. I'll post our "No Spend November Bucket List" tomorrow! I'm really excited about the month ahead. There will be lots of time spent with family and enjoying one another!

In Christ,
Marie

It's Fall, Y'all!

Fall is definitely here! I know this because I have my annual "sickness" and this year, Isaac decided to partake as well. Isaac is on the mend and today is my worst day so I'm hoping I'll be feeling better tomorrow. :) 

I also know Fall is here because I have a craving for all things pumpkiny. I think this is a very good thing!

Matt and I are eating "real food" (well, minus the past 2 days) so last week, I made some oatmeal pumpkin bread and I was soooooo not impressed. It didn't have any sugar in them and it tasted like it, too. My heart broke a little bit. And so, my mission for non-sugary, wonderfully delicious pumpkin muffins began.

I made some sweet little Pumpkin mini-muffins last night and they were just delicious! Isaac had 4 at breakfast, little piglet! I adapted a few recipes that originally used white flour, sugar, vegetable oil and less pumpkin.  It's a bit runnier than most muffin recipes using whole wheat flour but I liked that about it. I used a ziploc bag with a hole in the corner to fill the muffin tins, so that made it less messy. Also, the muffins didn't turn out dry at all which I find to be the case more often than not when using whole wheat flour. So, here's the recipe, go, make, and partake!

WHOLE WHEAT PUMPKIN MINI MUFFINS

1/2 c. melted butter
2 eggs
1 2/3 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 - 1 c raw organic honey
1 1/2  c. canned or homemade pumpkin puree
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350°F

Combine eggs, butter, and pumpkin puree (use straight pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix). Sift dry ingredients together and gradually stir into first mixture.

Pour into greased mini muffin pans. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 36 mini muffins.

Why do I take so long to update my blog?!

It's been too long (again). So, here's what's going on with the Shutts.

Isaac is a big huge two year old. He keeps me SO busy but I love it. I want to remember some of the things he's doing right now so here are a few things...
- He loves playing with his big cars/vehicles (aka loudly pushing them all around the house and running them into things).
- He falls/hits his head A LOT! Sometimes on purpose.
- He won't eat anything but carbs. Really though, he likes muffins, apples, cheerios, apples, pb sandwhiches, pb tortilla roll ups, apples, and sometimes pasta. Thank God for apples though!
- He is super active and loves to "Go pway" and "side" at the park.
- If he sees someone in the house wearing shoes or putting on their shoes, he immediately runs to find his and comes back with them, yelling "SHOES! SHOES!" and insists you put his on too.
- His favorite books are "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" by Dr. Seuss and "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" (it has little plastic things you pop and count with and he loves it).
- He will count to 10 while going up or down the stairs (with a little prompting). He always omits 1 and sometimes goes from 6 to 8 to 10.
- He likes to sing and dance.
- He still doesn't talk as much as we think he should but he is learning new words and the Dr. says he's doing fine. Parental instinct to protect and push our children has kicked in and I think Matt and I both sometimes find ourselves comparing him to other kids his age. I'm just trying to remember that each child is different and he is happy, healthy, and growing and we're doing what we're supposed to be doing to help him learn more each day.

In other news, as a family, we have started a "Real Food" challenge. I've been doing this for a week and Matt has been doing it for 5 days. I've already lost some weight and I'm really enjoying the challenges that go along with it. I love that we're not only eating good food but that I'm forced to focus on what I'm eating/cooking all day. Before we had Isaac, I prepared full meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but since then I kind of whip up whatever I can for breakfast and lunch and focus my energies on dinner. Obviously it's harder to spend time in the kitchen with a little one running around but I've been making crockpot foods and prepping ahead of time and the food just comes together. I'm falling in love with cooking again and that makes me happy. I've pretty much emptied our house of foods that aren't allowed so I don't have the urge to go and cheat. The only time it's really tough is when I'm out and about and I want a soda or candy. Eventually we'll allow ourselves a cheat every once in a while but for now, I like knowing that I can resist. Matt seems to be enjoying this too, apart from when he's at work or out and can't partake in what's being eaten. He's shown amazing restraint! I'm impressed, dear :)

I started going to the PWOC at Fort Meade. It's about a 45 minute drive with traffic in the morning but it's so worth it! I've needed this time to fellowship with other women. I'm doing a study called "Made to Crave" and it has already blessed me so much. It focuses on our cravings for things (mostly food but it addresses other cravings as well) and how to transform those into cravings for Christ. I love that it doesn't say "just focus on God and you won't crave food anymore". It recognizes the hardships of trying to lose weight and offers real tools to help with the physical and so much help for the spiritual. I think I'll be sharing more about how God is using this book to speak to me in the future because He's definitely doing some talking. :)

So that is what's happening in the Shutt house. We are alive. We are well. We are enjoying this fall weather!

Marie

Eating Better While Spending Less

Since I've been married, I've been pretty good about making meals that aren't full of really processed foods but I'm always looking for the better way to eat. Our meals and foods have evolved over the 4 1/2 years we've been married and I've recently made a big effort to eat mostly fresh food. One of the big arguments for not eating fresh foods is that it's too expensive. I'd say that it can definitely be more expensive but there are tricks you can use to minimize the hurt at the grocery store. Here are a few things I've learned. I'm not an expert and I know some of this is old news but it's what works for my family. (In no particular order)

1. Menu plan and make a shopping list. It's tedious and sometimes boring but totally worth it. First, go to your freezer, fridge and pantry and write down what you have and how much. Then start planning your meals by day, using up what you have first, and taking into account work schedules and such. This is the BEST printable I've found. I love that I write down ingredients needed per day then I can go through and write my grocery list. As I go, I put tally marks to add more of something I've already written. I also like that it plans breakfast and lunch. Just remember to write down snacks so you don't end up buying more than you need. Stick to your list!

2. Eat less meat. I'm not saying cut it out, because we like our chicken. Buy thin sliced chicken breast (usually 3-4 oz per breast) rather than whole breast. Bulk it up with extra veggies. A 4 oz serving of any meat is a good amount, especially if you make the effort to add a fresh salad next to your meal.

3. Separate meats out by meals, then freeze. When you buy a package of thin sliced chicken breast, it will usually have 4-6 breasts in it. When I was first married, I threw the entire package into the freezer, thawed it out and cooked the whole thing for dinner. Waste much? YES! I use ziplock air tight freezer bags (I seriously need a food saver), putting 2 breasts/bag (for my husband and I).

I also use chicken breast tenderloin for lunches. I roast a package the day I go grocery shopping and use it for salads, toasted sandwiches, and wraps for my husband and I. One package runs about $3.50 and will last us a week.

We also eat a lot of pork tenderloin. I had been buying the medium sized ones that run about $6.99 a piece. I recently learned that buying the large package that runs about $10 will feed our family four meals. WHAT?! We never finish off one pork tenderloin package but the large one is actually two pork tenderloins that I cut in half and still end up with 4 oz per person. That works out to $2.50/meal rather than $6.99. Awesome.

4. Don't be afraid to buy produce in bulk. Costco is my friend! I originally had issues with my produce going bad so it wasn't cost effective. But that's all changed :)
Here's the trick. To save things like strawberries, blueberries, other random berries, broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, and snap peas, DO NOT TOSS THEM IN A BAGGIE AND TRY TO FREEZE THEM! They will turn to mush. Instead, put wax paper on a cookie sheet and spread out your fruit or veggie on the cookie sheet, trying not to let them touch. Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes then transfer the produce to a baggie and place back in freezer. Simple and not mushy.

5. If one product can replace 3, do it. I buy Greek yogurt in bulk at Costco. I use it to make popsicles for Isaac, to replace sour cream, cream cheese, buttermilk, and mayonnaise. That works out to $6 for 2 large tubs (that last us 2 weeks) in comparison to $3 Popsicle,  $2 sour cream, $2 cream cheese, $3 buttermilk, and $2 mayo plus the $4 greek yogurt I would end up getting for snacks. That's a $9.50 savings.

6. Don't be scared of off brands. Not all products are created equal but often enough, the off brand is just as good as a name brand. I recently read in my "Cooking Light" magazine that the walmart brand pickles had the better taste and lower sodium out of about 5 different brands. Who knew, right?

So those are my top 6 tips for saving money without giving up good food. I know it may take a little more time but it's been worth it for my family.  Hope it's been helpful :)

Choices

I've been working on a post about cutting costs on grocery bills but today, I was struck by a few verses in my quiet time and I just needed to share. We'll talk about saving money a different day :)

I believe there is a right and a wrong in every situation.
I believe something about homosexuality and something about abortion and something about the death penalty.
I support business that support causes I believe in.
I have stopped financially supporting businesses that support causes I don't believe in.
I believe people have the right to choose what they believe even if I know, based on my belief in what the word says about that subject, that it is wrong.
I believe that calling someone closed minded and stupid because they disagree with you is simply closed minded and stupid.
I choose to respect others beliefs even when they are not the same as mine.
I choose to be a light that won't be darkened by hurt pride and bitterness over disagreements.

If Christ can give use the freedom to choose right and wrong, who am I to take that away. But I certainly pray that, just as he called me up out of my pit of wrong choices, he'll do the same for those still in theirs.

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil." 1 Peter 3:15-17

Coming Back!

Hello Hello! I'm going to pick up the blog again. I've been meaning to pick this back up but I feel like I never have the words to say. I guess I have them now ;)

Here's an update on the Shutts:
We moved from Washington state to Maryland (near D.C.) on the first of December. We have a really large and nice apartment that we're so thankful for. We're living in a pretty busy area and we aren't big fans of the immediate area but we like that we're close enough to everything that we're happy with it.

Isaac is HUGE! He's a big almost 20 month old! He's picking up talking a little slower than typically expected but he got stuck on "this" and "that" for a while. He parrots what we say really well but he doesn't always produce words on his own. He's getting there though and we love hearing him grow and learn more everyday. He counts to 3 now. He eats really well with his fork and spoon. His favorite foods are pineapple, chicken enchiladas, scrambled eggs, pears, apple sauce, rice, pancakes, breakfast sausage, greek yogurt, fruit snacks, and chocolate chips. He despises broccoli... he literally gags. He loves to color and finger paint. We go to the park everyday, weather permitting. When he watches tv, it's usually Barney or Backyardigans. He is totally into playing ball. He gets super excited when he says dog and he knows that the doggie barks. He likes to sing Baby Shark, Patty Cake, Ring Around the Rosie, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and Bingo. And he loves to do the movements to all the songs. He plays with Nani(5) and Cassandra(almost 4) regularly as their mothers are my close friends. Isaac is a sweet and playful little boy! I love spending time with him and seeing him do bigger and better things everyday. It seems like each day he's doing something new and surprising that makes me stand back and say "Wow! He's growing up so fast!". I'm so thankful to have him in my life.

Matt is working nights at the hospital. It's been an adjustment but we're not doing too bad. He works 3 nights on, 2 off, then 2 on and 3 off. He's leaving for the Warrior Leadership Course at Fort Bragg on June 2. He'll be gone until the 21st. The course is a necessary one for E4 and E5 soldiers moving up or wanting to move up in rank. We should still be able to talk to him in the evenings. He's made a few friends here. He spends his spare time (when he's not with us) riding his motorcycle, playing xbox, and playing racquetball. We like to go on date nights to the movies or exploring areas like Georgetown and D.C.

I keep busy with Isaac. I've made two great friends here that I spend at least a few days a week with. We tag team the kids at the park, costco, the mall (where there's a play area), the zoo and just about anywhere we can get the kids out of the house while our husbands are sleeping (because they work nightshift).
I'm taking a cake decorating course at Michaels right now and I'm enjoying the night out once a week to get my creative juices flowing. I've also been sewing when I can and when I'm not wanting to just relax in the evenings. I'm steadily working on the house and decorating. I'm really enjoying the area and like to get Isaac out to explore with me.

All in all, life is good. We've found a church that is really large. We're struggling to get really involved but we're trying. I'm looking forward to opening up the blog again and being able to share our lives with friends. This was long but if you stuck it out, see you next time.

Marie