Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well on the ways of her household...

I just came back from an amazing night. I was asked by some of my best friends to come back to my old ward and talk about managing your household. I really enjoyed looking back on things I have done to get my finances, meal planning and family in order. I had such a great time and really feel like this is something I want to do "when I grow up".
I am posting my lesson and will post additional information that was requested tonight.
Thank you to those that came to to the meeting. I really enjoyed learning from you!


She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

“The Happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.”

Most valuable resource is TIME!
We don’t make the same amount of money, have the same size house, or same number of kids, but we all have the same amount of time. How we manage our time is where you will find the value.

How do you spend your time? ie, work, hobbies, facebook, pintrest, tv, sleeping, reading, shopping…

I want to talk about 4 ways that can help you manage your time more efficiently.

1-Manageing your money

Do you have or use a budget? What negative thoughts come to mind when you think of the word budget? Restriction, no fun, …
A budget is really nothing more than a plan for your money. If you don’t plan where your money will go or how it is spent, it will find ways to get spent. A budget is a way to take control of your finances and can really be a fun tool to help you.

Simple Budget
The easiest way to do a budget is to take your income and subtract your expenses.
Start with the necessities; shelter (utilities included, HOA fee) food, and transportation (gas, car payment, insurance, services), loans and other debt and tithes and offerings. Then move on to your “adjustable” expenses, the things that can be flexible. Phone (home and cell), tv, life insurance, clothing, haircuts, date money, preschool, music lessons, …
If you get to the end of your list and you are out of money or in the negative, you now that you need to reevaluate your budget and perhaps your priorities.
There are many ways that you can cut back.
Cut back on cable (this will also give you back TIME),
Check your phone bills, are you paying hidden charges, check your minute usage, can you cut back?
Use more energy efficient lighting, Turn out lights when you leave, use timers
Cut coupons (but be careful that you are not buying things just because you have a coupon. Buy what you use and use what you buy. Many times the store brand item is cheaper than the name brand, even with the coupon. Also, be careful that you are not spending more time than the savings is worth. Remember, your time is valuable, if you are not getting to the papers and they are piling up, take a break for a while and start back up when you feel you can.)
Do you need to down grade on your cars? Lower car insurance.
Never pay full price, and always ask if that is the best deal. Many times you will be surprised that there is something cheaper, you just have to ask. If you just have to have the name brand or the clothes from a certain store, find out when they do markdowns, what is their policy on getting a price adjustment? Get on their friends and family list or email list.
Limit the number of clothes you buy. This will save time and money on washing and if your kids are like mine, they wear the same things over and over anyway!
Look into refinancing. If you established or refinanced your loan before July 2009, you may be eligible to refinance at a lower rate and not pay mortgage insurance, even if your house is not at the 80/20 value.
Use cash! This is the best way to help you curb your spending. If you don’t have the money, you don’t need it!
The Microwave story
If you find you need more money, sell!!! KSL and eBay are fantastic was to make more money on the things you no longer need. My husband and I have decided that my time is better spent in our home managing our finances, and family. He makes the money, but I make sure it lasts and goes as far as it can.
Payoff debt, start with the smallest and pay it off first. Then “roll” that payment into your next debt and continue until you a debt free!!!

2-Managing a Meaningful meal time!

“When you fail to plan, you plan to fail”
Again, it starts with a plan.

1-Start by making a list of everything you make
2-Place a star by the meals you have everything you need on hand, all the time.
3-Place a checkmark next to the meals that require only buying one or two items.
4-Evaluate your month one day at a time, ie; kids activities, scouts, YM/YW, work meetings, school activities, music lessons, family parties, etc.
5-Now make a “Master Month”. You can categorize your days, Chicken night, Mexican, quick or no brainer meals (Pizza night, pancakes, freezer meal) double up (these are great for last minute meals, meals for neighbors or when you just don’t feel like cooking), leftovers, Special day dinners, free for all, teach your kids to cook night and then give them a night to cook, Mom’s night off, try something new.
You can start out simple, use the school menu as a guide. Use the same menu each month, just modified for that month until you feel like you can branch out.

Start a food inventory binder- keep track of what you have and what you need.

Gather your year supply using your meal plan.

Bottom line-Make a plan and stick with it!

3-Manageing your family-KIDS!

Are we over scheduling our kids? Are we supplying them with more than they need? Are we giving them time with themselves?
1-limit media/screen time to 30 min a day - “Unplug” as we tell our older kids.
2-limit activities- there can be too much of a good thing. What toll is it taking on you and the rest of the family?
3-limit time outside the home. Make your kids get along! Are we making our homes a Haven?
4-Monitor your kids, “Friend” them.
5-Say “Yes” more. Answer your kids by saying “Yes” not “what or huh?”
6-Teach them to work. Don’t take away their chance to learn. Remember, we are raising future missionaries, students, husbands and wives. 4 steps to learning,; show, help, watch, know!
7-Give them responsibilities, not money. Teach them the value of money. Give them an income that they earn, not an allowance. (Find out what is of value to them, money, time with you, extra media time, etc.) *Find the charts in an older post in March 2009
8-Teach them to save for their future.
9-Kids do best with structure! Make a schedule, chore chart and a list of boredom busters! Also make a snack list or basket.

4-Manage to have FUN!!!

As President Gordon B Hinkeley said, “In all of living have much JOY and LAUGHTER. Life should be enjoyed, not just endured.”

Spend time, not money!

Play games together, watch movies together, eat meals together.
Set family goals together, Challenge yourselves! You never know what you are capable of until your try.
No spending month (February) *see how my family did the first time in 2009
No sugar month *see how my family did the first time in 2009
No tv

Have your kids help you find ways to save and make money! Maybe it can be used to go on a family vacation!

Is our stuff taking our time and money?

FHE- Needs vs. Wants, budget, If I had a hundred dollars…(teach the value of a dollar).

*Check out previous posts for time cards, and see how we did on our no spending and no sugar month! It's fun to look back.