A Review: Becoming 2011 – Creative, Purposeful, Frugal

A Review: Becoming 2011 – Creative, Purposeful, Frugal

We have shared together the blessings of God.  Philippians 1:7 TLB  

I was fortunate to attend the “Becoming 2011 – Creative, Purposeful, Frugal” 

 

Conference August 12 and 13 near Ashville, NC at Ridgecrest Conference Center.  The speakers were Jenny Martin of SouthernSavers.com; Jen Schmidt of Balancing Beauty and Bedlam; The Nester; Angela Statzer of Button Bird Designs; and, Rachel Van Erden, mother of eleven.  The conference was well planned and offered an abundance of information in three areas to Becoming our best. 

The first area: “Becoming Creative” offered sessions 1 and 5, “The Philosophy of a Home” with the Nester; sessions 2 and 5, “Find, Create, Redo” with Angela; session 3, “Real Decorating for Real Women with Real Budgets” with The Nester; and session 4, “Creative Inspiration and Easy Trash to Treasure Projects” with Angela.

The second area: “Becoming Purposeful” offered sessions 2 and 3, “Creating Purposeful Moments in our Mothering: Casting a Long Term Vision” with Rachel; sessions 1 and 5, “Live the 80% off Lifestyle and Love It!” with Jen.

The third area: “Becoming Frugal” offered session 1, “The Art of Saving on Groceries” with Jenny; session 4, “Putting it All Together: The Important Stuff” with Jen; session 2, “Playing the Drugstore Game” with Jenny; and session 4, “Tricks and Tips to Saving Money Online” with Jenny.

As you can see there were five sessions throughout the day with several topics offered more than once, even then it was impossible to attend all eleven presentations.  A suggestion for next year’s conference September, 20212 at Ridgecrest in NC – have handouts for each presentation at the Registration table that allows all attendees to have all the wonderful information from each topic and helps attention to remain a speaker and not on note taking!  Moreover, all participating will feel they received full value for the conference.

The sponsors: Savings.com, coinstar, and Day Springs’ Blessings Unlimited provided an assortment of great items in a beautiful canvas tote from Blessings Unlimited. Also, drawings for cash prizes; 10 Kits with DVD, book, online access for        ; and 15 items from Blessings Unlimited.  All winners were smiling as they collected their prizes!  I was not familiar with the sponsors before the conference; however, I am a firm supporter of all three NOW. 

The conference was at Ridgecrest Conference Center, a secluded tranquil retreat center nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Ashville, NC.  It was peaceful with rocking chairs, cool breezes, and a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  A wonderful time to coupon, organize binders, learn home decor tricks, savings tips, and meet new friends!  The food served by the dining hall was excellent – served cafeteria style with round dining tables to chat easily with new friends.

The time passed quickly and the conference ended with dessert, a delicious cheesecake.  Saying good-bye to new friends is hard, but taking the memories and contact information was a blessing!

Mark your calendar for “Becoming 2012” September 21-22, 2012, Ridgecrest Conference Center, Ashville, NC.  See you there!

“By the grace of God, I am what I am.”  1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV

Hot and Humid

At our house we are trying to recycle, practice conservation while helping the environment and saving money on our power bill. So far, we are uncomfortable in our own home and not saving much money. Needless to say we are FRUSTRATED.

Okay we live in the south and summers are hot and humid, but temps in the high 90s to low 100s with a heat index of 100 to 112 degrees is not bearable for this  senior-stay-at-home-mom! My hormones are raging, my internal thermostat is out of whack, and I want to move to Alaska!

Yes, I know - I am whining, but I am HOT! I want relief from the heat without a $500+ power bill! Cold showers help, wearing little or nothing helps, too - glad we live  in the country and no one is around to see that! LOL!

OK, my rant is over. Thanks for letting me vent. Stay cool. Be blessed today and every day...

"The sun rising... flowers blooming... rain falling... God says 'I love you' in a thousand different ways."

The Lord bless you and keep you.  Numbers 6:24 NIV

Until next time,

Critch

Coupons are taking over the Pee Dee!

Couponing is taking over the Pee Dee! Florence is fortunate to have Coupon Keri, who is sharing her knowledge with all who wish to learn the art of couponing and reap the benefits of tremendous savings for their families. She is a Master of everything about coupons... AND she practices what she teaches! Most of us are novices, but we get credit for trying! Several weeks ago, the local Harris Teeter offered to triple any coupon $.75 or less. This was a first for many and I jumped on the band wagon with the other newbies and veterans. As I entered HT armed with my coupon binder and shopping list, it was a scene from "The Stepford Wives"! Women, carts, and binders filled every aisle - searching for items on their lists - serious, intense, focused; however, no one was smiling or making eye contact! It was very apparent this was not a fun experience; yet, they continued up and down each aisle searching for bargains.                                                        

The concept of saving appeals due to the uncertain economy, but is it saving money? Couponing is time consuming! They must be found, clipped, categorized, and filed... then, matched to the store offering the best price for the item, pulled from binder, placed with shopping list and given to cashier at checkout. Most cashiers will scrutinize each coupon making sure all requirements are met; if not, the coupon will be declined, returned to you, and then the decision of whether to purchase item anyway or remove from your cart. This can be very time consuming, frustrating and for a novice will almost certainly cause a migraine!

My first attempt was not successful. I found most items on my list were gone, and the items I did find did not always match the coupon requirements - so I spent $107 and saved $34. I hoped for a better result...

My thoughts on triples: 1) the stores raise the price, 2) they under-stock, 3) the entire process takes too long and 4) the staff and the shoppers are not happy. Yes, I will continue to coupon. However, it will be on a smaller scale until I get the hang of it and only with stores where I routinely shop. Knowing the store, their layout and the staff does make the experience a better one. Oh, and remember if everyone stays on the right side of the aisle as you navigate up the aisle there will be less traffic jams  and traffic will flow at a steady pace... all the best to each shopper... and remember to SMILE!

May you have a blessed day!

Critch


"He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever."  Psalm 111:5

Awwwwww...

Mothers... Yours, Mine, Ours

Mothers are "Angels"

 

 

 

 

As you know, this past weekend honored  all  mothers - living and deceased; young and old; all races; all ages; with one, two, three chldren or more, twins, triplettes, etc. How blessed to have such a wonderful gift from above in our MOTHERS. 

SPRING means SWINGING!

 

  
Spring is quickly moving into summer in my native South Carolina. The winter was cold; everyone complained, and longed for warmer weather. Now, it is warmer and the complaints have begun about the heat and hurricane season - oh well - humans are hard to please, aren't we?

Be sure to enjoy this time before the heat becomes unbearable and the tourists (we really love y'all) take over our coastline bringing...  traffic, long lines, over-worked employees, and time passing much to fast. Take a deep breath, stop and listen... as God whispers in your ear, "Rejoice!"

Now, go fetch yourself a fresh picked tomato, wash and peel it, add mayo, salt & pepper, fresh baked bread and be glad you were raised in the South!

Be blessed today and everyday,

Pamela