We’ve been talking about getting more stuff for your money. Today we’re going to talk about getting more time in your day! Who doesn’t want that? Everyone needs a little help getting more out of their day!

I’ve really found that the key to having more time in your day is found in one word…

Before you run away in screaming horror, think with me for a second.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “A [woman] without self control is like a city that is broken into and left without walls.”

Do you ever feel like your day to day life is a city with crumbling walls? People with crumbling city walls might be:

• Habitually late to work 
• Frequently behind in their homeschooling curriculum
• Always running on “[insert last name] time”
• Frazzled after getting the children/family/yourself out the door in the morning
• Peering from behind their “to do” pile at work

That’s not the way I want to live my life….I imagine you agree. How about this thought:

Want to add a little success along with the extra time in your day? Let’s do it!

So let’s talk about a practical way to exercise discipline:

1. Begin the day with a list

This applies to a day of cleaning, homeschooling, college, or a day at your job outside the home.

Cleaning: Make a reasonable list of the cleaning tasks that need to be accomplished. Work through them one at a time. I always find this keeps me from spending the day on the couch – which is a real temptation for me! When cleaning my apartment, I start in the bathroom and work through the house until I am done. Sometimes on a Saturday morning, I’ve got an unmade bed, dirty laundry, dishes in the sink, dirty floors and a dirty bathroom. I find that it’s always faster to get everything clean if I stick to my cleaning pattern.

Homeschooling: On Sunday night, sketch out the things you want to cover in the coming week. (If you’re really looking for help with homeschooling, get advice from the author of this blog. My mom was very successful in keeping her children on task in homeschooling!)

Work: Before you leave work in the evening, write a list of the tasks you need to accomplish the next day. It’s easy to come in and take your time getting your coffee, greeting all your coworkers, etc. Right? I know! Having a list of tasks already outlined will get you motivated to cut the chatter and get to work!

College: My sister is a life long list maker. Now that she’s a seasoned college student, she makes it a habit to write down all the assignments that are due for the upcoming days so she’s not caught by surprise. Smart kid. =)

So what kind of list do you need to make? Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Come back next Thursday for another tip to give you more time in your day!

Whitney

I love it because it really is my heart.  With each passing birthday I realize how quickly life flies by, and there’s only one life in which we have to serve our wonderful Savior.  I so want my life to count for Him – to allow Him to use me in any way in which He would choose.

Tomorrow morning I will head to Louisiana to Southland Chrisitan Camp to speak at their ladies’ retreat.  I’m so unworthy of such a calling, but I thank the Lord for the opportunities He gives.  I know that the greatest reason He allows this is all the sweet things He teaches me as I prepare.  I learn far more than anyone else.  There is always a stripping away of myself which reminds me how dependent I am on Him; of how much I need Him!

What will the parson do while I’m gone?  He’ll be praying for me!  I love knowing that! Though he hates for me to be away, he’s my biggest support as I serve the Lord in this way.  He’ll be checking in on me as I travel, as well as each day while I’m gone.  He’ll eat the foods I’ve carefully marked out for him in my absence.  Lastly, he’ll be waiting for me at the airport with all smiles when I fly back home Saturday evening.  Love those reunions! 

Sometimes we get to serve God together, and sometimes we serve Him apart, but it really is the longing of our hearts to be used of Him – no matter what or how!

Whether at home, in the grocery store, or at work, God gives each of us opportunities to serve Him.  In what way will you serve the Lord today? 

From the parsonage windows,

Years ago my family, including my young four year-old daughter, were invited to have dinner with a church family.  Our hostess served what I would call a “Sunday roast.”  By that I mean, it was a round roast that typically gets dry when cooked.  My innocent little one looked at me and said, “Mommy this is hard meat!”  I don’t remember how red my face got, or how I covered for my child’s honest (though blunt) summation of the meal, but not only was I afraid to ever take this child to another person’s home, I was also afraid to cook that kind of roast, for fear I would get the same results (which I usually did)!

 I recently found a Beef Bottom Round Roast on sale at Sam’s Club.  When I got it home, I knew I had to find a recipe that would help me get something less than “hard meat” from it!  I think I’ve found the answer!  The trick is in cooking it for a short period of time at a high temperature, then turning the oven off while the roast continues to cook in the closed oven!

Directions

It’s amazing how much a simple accessory can add to an otherwise bland outfit.  Find a belt or scarf you love and freshen up your wardrobe this weekend!

See you in church Sunday.  What will the Lord do in our midst?  I’m excited to see!

Be refreshed,

Top 10 things I always purchase with coupons 

These are things I never buy without pairing a coupon and a sale. They are easy to get at a reasonable price, sometimes even FREE. =) 

1. Cereal
2. Salad dressing
3. Pasta sauce
4. Fruit snacks
5. Juice
6. Condiments: BBQ sauce, mustard, relish
7. Campbells soup
8. Dish detergent
9. Toothpaste
10. Laundry detergent/fabric softener

Using coupons with a sale, I got these boxes of cereal for $1.25 each!

Additionally, these are things that we use in larger quantities than other groceries. The key is to get coupons for things you buy often! If you need help finding coupons for something, let me know!

Top 5 things I buy at Aldi

These are things that I either cannot find coupons for, or that I need more often than I can afford to stock up when they are on sale. 

1. Fresh Produce and Vegetables
2. Juice – sometimes juice is just over $1 at Aldi, which is a great price. 
3. Mexican food (tortillas, taco seasoning, nacho cheese)
4. Cereal Bars/Granola Bars
5. Soups for cooking (cream of mushroom, etc.)

If there is not an Aldi in your area, you may find that Sam’s, Costco or a place like SaveMore foods works well for your needs. Be careful though, sometimes things are much more expensive at “discount” stores. 

Top 5 things I can’t buy with coupons

Let’s face it – there are just some products for which you cannot find coupons! 

1. Meat 
2. Produce
3. Bread
4. Milk
5. Ice cream! *Disclaimer – you CAN find coupons for ice cream, but I rarely use them. I do choose the brand that is the best deal, but still… my need for ice cream supersedes my need to be thrifty.