If it's free, then it's for me! - Money Fights #1

Find this ebook and more free at
MoneySavingMom.com
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/06/free-childrens-bible-story-ebooks.html

Today, I wanted to begin this short series about some of my personal pitfalls and the issues that my wonderfully wise husband and I go round and round about. I am hoping that you can learn from my mistakes.

I say, "If it's free (or on sale) then it's for me!"
He says, "If you were not planning on buying it already this month, then you should wait. You probably don't need it."

I love bargains, but I am tempted to buy things I don't need just because they are on sale. I am even worse at resisting a freebie - which by the way is not really free if you are required to use your time, effort, or gas money to go to an extra store, fill out a form on the internet, bend over backwords, etc. for it!  I should have seen a red flag when me getting my tubes tied seemed more appealing to me just because it was going to cost less than birth control:). I think my Groupon intervention is scheduled for next week. Maybe if I hide under all the junkie free stuff that is piled in my closet taking up my space and energy to organize, they won't find me.

P.S. By the way if you love free stuff too, you just haaaaaaave to go to MoneySavingMom.com - my new favorite blog about being a better economist. I just got four free Christian ebooks there yesterday!

This week and part of next we are focusing on money management, so I would looooooooooove for you to post any of your insight or ideas in the comment area about stewardship anytime the rest of this month.

Give Away!

AFTER

To the right is the picture of my closet after it has been cleaned out. I know it is not perfect and I still need to give away more, but would you believe that I gave away almost 50 items?!!! Does a pair of shoes count for one or two items? I have been very blessed, so I have much to share.
Luke 12:48b, "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required...."

Speaking of giving away items. I have an announcement to make. Congratulations, Diane N. you have won the Easter give away - Making Family Traditions by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson! Contact me to claim your prize. Thanks for commenting on my blog. I love to hear everyone's input, ideas, and encouragement for other moms. Keep it coming!

Free Book for Easter Ideas

We only have about a week left before Easter, so you just have a few days to win this free book - Creating Family Traditions by Shirley Dobson and Gloria Gaither that just happens to include my very favorite simple Easter Tradition – Resurrection Rolls! Yummy! For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment. I would love to hear how you teach your children about the joy of Christ's Resurrection at Easter.

Resurrection Rolls 

Ingredients -

1 package of frozen dinner rolls (My favorites are Rhoades Rolls)
1 package of large marshmallows (24)
1/2 stick of melted butter
1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions -

1. Thaw Rolls.
2. Flatten roll and wrap it around one marshmallow pinching dough to seal it inside.
3. Dip in melted butter, and then roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.
4. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
4. Let rolls rise until they double in size (30-60 minutes).
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden.

Your family will devour these rolls Easter morning. The hollow center will remind them of the empty tomb. Talk to them about how empty your lives would be without Christ.

I am looking forward to hearing about your meaningful Easter ideas.

Free Book! and Fun with Scriptures - Fun Friday

      Pick one of the 'one-another' verses we talked about on Wednesday and take some time this weekend to have fun with your kids and the Scriptures. There are whole books on the idea of teaching your children the Scriptures in fun ways, my favorite one is Hide It in Your Heart by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson.  Here are some basic ideas you can run with:
   1. Word Games - Write out Scripture verses and then make a puzzle out of it - crossword puzzle, word find, etc. There are computer programs for all of these online.
   2. Hide and Seek Game - Hide each word of the verse in a different location, making the children repeat the verse every time someone finds a word.
   3. Acting - Have your kids write and act out a play that demonstrates a verse.
   4. Crafts - Illustrating a verse helps them understand it better. Make any kind of framed art, markers on a pillowcase, playdo sculpture, etc.  Or you can just write the words to a verse in a decorative way - stencil project, cross-stitch, bubble letters, etc.
   5. Music - make up your own song, find one on itunes, or download a Christian artist. Steve Green and the Hide 'Em in Your Heart series are my favorites.

******Important Announcement! On that note;) Congratulations Julie Wenning! You are the winner of the drawing for the Steve Green CD/DVD combo!  Contact me to claim your prize! There will be another drawing this month.  All you have to do is comment on my blog anytime in the month of March to be entered in the drawing that will be announced on the first of April!)

    I would love to hear about any of your fun ideas for Hiding God's Word in Your Child's Heart.