The Abundant Wife

Living Abundantly on Less

Grandma’s Chocolate & Butter Cream Easter Eggs

April 4th, 2012

Jessica

As a child, my favorite Easter treat was a slice of one of my grandmother’s chocolate and butter cream Easter eggs. Years after she passed away, I asked my parents for the recipe and I was so glad that they were able to find it! It has become an annual favorite for my family as well. Today I had fun sharing it with Naomi and Oliver for the first time. I hope you’ll try it too!

You’ll Need:

1 lb. of Confectioner’s Sugar
1/4 lb. of Softened Butter (1 Stick)
2 Tbsp. of Milk
1 tsp. of Vanilla
8 oz. of Baker’s Unsweetened Chocolate
8 oz. of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, alternate adding milk and sugar to softened butter. Add Vanilla. Mix until it can be molded into eggs.

Put the shaped eggs into the refrigerator to cool.

Melt all of the chocolates in a double boiler and spoon over the chilled eggs.

Spoon the chocolate over the top of the eggs and then chill again.

Spoon the chocolate over the bottom and chill again.

As you can see, Naomi enjoyed licking the chocolate-covered spoon.

We usually leave our eggs as is, but you can get more creative with colored sprinkles or icing decorations. Enjoy!

What special Easter foods does your family enjoy?

5 Inexpensive Ways to Create A Cozy Master Bedroom

April 3rd, 2012

Jessica

After 6 months in our new rental, it is finally beginning to feel less like a house and more like a home. Here are few ways I’ve been able to make our master bedroom more cozy:

1. Colors: Choose colors for your master bedroom that make you feel cozy and comfortable. Whether you like warm tones or cool tones, select a palette that allows you to relax.

2. Window Coverings & Lighting: Choose window coverings that allow for sufficient privacy. We chose inexpensive black-out blinds until we can afford (or create) curtains. If you’re unsure of the privacy of your window coverings, walk outside at night to see if you can see through them. Choose low lighting to allow for illumination, in a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

3. Wall Hangings: Choose wall hangings that are in good condition and are, again, relaxing and pleasant to behold. Remember, this is your sleep space, not your work space (unless you have chosen to combine the two). I chose to hang three photos from our wedding over the bed, and a photo of us when we were engaged.

4. Pillows, Sheets, & Comforters: Did you know that you will sleep better in a made bed? I read this fact all the time. Choose pillows, sheets, and comforters with a pleasing texture and enough warmth for your needs. Then wash them regularly, and make your bed daily.

5. Floors & Storage Spaces: Again, you will feed more like resting and relaxing in your bedroom if it is neat and clean. I recently unpacked most of the boxes we still had in our bedroom, or moved them out to the garage. I went through my drawers and closets, folding clothing, or setting aside items to give away that I never wore.

Our bedroom is not the perfect master bedroom, by any means, nor is this list meant to be exhaustive. What are some inexpensive ways you would suggest for creating a cozy master bedroom?

Book Review: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America

March 31st, 2012

Jessica

A year and a half ago, my husband Brad was laid off from his job in Minnesota. We had only lived in Minnesota for a year, so we had no other job prospects in the area or history of family, friends, and church to support us. So we reluctantly packed up our apartment and storage shed, and moved 1100 miles back to Maryland.

When we arrived back in Maryland, we didn’t know where to begin rebuilding our life. We had just received our tax refund, and thankfully hadn’t spent any of it yet. We had a giant yard sale in Minnesota that covered the cost of moving back to Maryland. We moved in with my parents, not realizing that a few months would become a full year in their basement. It took a month to become certified as substitute teachers, and five months before Brad was offered his first long-term substitute position. I took care of the kids, and looked for any way possible to save or make money. It was the hardest year of our marriage, and we still don’t know how we would have survived without the emotional and financial support of family and friends who cared for us through those dark months.

I tell you all of this because I really enjoyed “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich. Ehrenreich decided to join the working poor as an investigative reporter, revealing the lives of low-wage America. I was pleased to see that she noted the importance of family and friendships in sustaining the working poor, sharing burdens, housing, childcare, and groceries. I was also pleased that she noted the unique gererosity of the poor, as Brad and I were so often the recipients of the generosity of those who had as little as we did. I was also glad to see that she did not generalize the working poor as lazy, incapable, or unwilling to find work. The economy and housing market plummeted, while unemployment, food costs, and fuel costs rose. We were daily encouraged to realize that our circumstances were not unique, and did not have to define us.

Thankfully, Brad was hired to begin his new full-time job this past September, and we have continued to pay off our debts one by one. But we will always remember the year in my parents basement, and the lessons we learned. Our situation could have been far, far worse. In fact, I am sure there are many whose struggles would make ours look like a walk in the park. Nickel and Dimed illuminates the lives of the invisible working poor, their struggles and heartaches. If, like us, you grew up in the middle or upper class, it will provide a glimpse into a world you may have never imagined. I hope you will not only learn about the poor and their struggles, but determine to do something to help them.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

5 Inexpensive Ways I’ve Updated Our Bathroom

March 29th, 2012

Jessica

We’ve been living in our rental for 6 months now, and our house is finally beginning to look more like a home. One of the places that shows marked improvement is our bathroom. Here are a few ways I was able to update the bathroom cheaply:

1. Window Treatments: I was able to get inexpensive blinds on clearance from JCPenney, and with a coupon code, and discounts for signing up for their credit card, I was able to get the price even lower.

2. Wall Hangings: I found an old painting from college in my closet, and hung it over the toilet. For Christmas, my sister Kerri made me the cute “Laundry” sign below.

3. Step Stools: My friend Katie just moved into a new home, and had a lot of things she was giving away. I was excited when I spotted two step stools, since Naomi had just potty-trained.

4. Floor Coverings: I found the red rug in a box of bath items we had in storage. Thankfully, it matched the colors in the painting hanging over the toilet!

5. Countertops: I found the toothbrush holder, soap dishes, tissue box holders, and more in storage. They were gifts from our wedding, over six years ago. The candles have quotations on the back of them, and were a Christmas gift from my sister Karilyn years ago.

Finally, I’ve been more diligent about keeping our bathroom clean. I’ve instituted a Saturday cleaning day in our home, so that once a week our home receives a good cleaning. I sweep, mop, vacuum, and clean the bathroom. It’s amazing how much better the bathroom looks when it’s been cleaned within the last week!

What inexpensive strategies have you found for updating your bathroom?

Dear Naomi: March 27, 2012

March 27th, 2012

Jessica

Dear Naomi,

As I sat down to write to you, I checked to see when I had last written to you. I was shocked to see it was 8 months ago! I am sorry for waiting so long to write to you. But you already know what a forgetful Mommy I am. Where would I be without my “big helper” reminding me all day, every day what I should be doing?

Naomi, you are my little mother. Your daddy and I love to overhear you or talk to you. You “read” books to Oliver and your babies, you sing songs to them, and you boss them around. You mimic adult activities from cooking, to office work, to nursing and putting your babies down for a nap. You lecture and discipline your little charges, buckle them in their seat belts in the truck, and allow them to watch you use the potty. You also mother your daddy and me, making sure that we go where we should go, bring what we need to bring, and do all that we should do to care for you and Oliver.

Your love for music is one of your most notable traits. We love to hear you singing throughout the house, even when you frequently mess up the words or repeat the same line over and over again. You sing, “Jesus loves me,” the “ABC Song,” Barney’s “Clean-Up Song,” “B-I-N-G-O,” “The More We Get Together,” “In the Secret,” “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Old MacDonald,” “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” the “Hokey-Pokey,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “How He Loves Us,” and more. We laugh when you turn a cord with a plug into a microphone, or a bent piece of metal into a guitar. And as always, you love to dance. You were dancing before you could walk, and even now you begin dancing at the first notes of any song. It is not hard to imagine that someday you might want to pursue a career in music like your Aunt Kristy, or dance like Miss Katie.

Your daddy and I are so impressed with your intelligence. You love to “remember” things, and to remind us of things we are planning to do in the future. Your language and humor improve daily. On the other hand, as your understanding grows, so does your stubbornness and independence. You insist on making your own choices, voicing your own opinions, and demonstrating your strong will. We are learning to pick our battles, give you choices, and guide you toward smart decisions. It’s not always easy, but we are all learning to be patient with one another.

In 3 1/2 months you will be 3 years old. My, how time flies! Sometimes I wish you could stay this age forever. You are my favorite little girl, and will always hold a special place in my heart, no matter how old you are.

Love,

Mommy

Getting to the Wedding (Or How We’re Trying to Raise $1200 in 5 Months)

March 24th, 2012

Jessica

If you know a little about me, then you know that I am the oldest of six children. Four girls and two boys, to be exact. My sister Kristy is the fourth child in our family, and the third to get married. Below is a photograph of Kristy, and her fiancee Zach (taken by my youngest sister, Karilyn). Zach proposed in January, and the pair are getting married in Maryland on June 10. (By the way, Kristy is also a big fan of Dave Ramsey, and just polished off one of the debts on her snowball today!) Kristy invited me to be a bridesmaid, and Naomi to be her flower girl on the big day. In order to be at the wedding, we will have to fly from Northern California to Maryland.

As you can imagine, their wedding has posed a financial challenge for this penny-pinching Abundant Wife:

How can I raise more than $1200 in 5 months without sacrificing our other financial goals in the process?

Here are some of the ways I am raising the money for our airplane tickets:

While in Maryland, I substitute-taught in the local schools for as many days as I could.
Back in California, I am going through the substitute-teacher certification process, and should be certified by April 18.
I wrote 4 days of curriculum for our friends who teach in China.
In lieu of birthday gifts, my parents and siblings agreed to cover the costs of my bridesmaid dress, Naomi’s flower girl dress, Oliver’s dress clothes, and a manicure for the wedding.

Here are some of the other ways I am thinking of trying to raise the money:

Direct Sales (Being a Consultant/Throwing Parties)
Selling on Craigslist
Having a Yard Sale
Writing Freelance Articles (Krazy Coupon Lady offers $50 per article)

I do have other ideas for raising money, but at the moment many of those ideas do not fit the time constraints of this project.

Now it’s your turn:

Do you have any suggestions for how I can raise the rest of the $1200 in the next 3 months?

5 Cheap Date Ideas for You and Your Spouse

March 22nd, 2012

Jessica

If you’re anything like Brad and I, you and your spouse are trying to live abundantly on less, without shortchanging your relationship with one another. We all know that dating one’s spouse is healthy for any marriage, but it’s difficult to find the money for dinners, movies, and babysitters on a tight budget. So here are some ideas for a cheap date with your spouse:

Dinner in Langfang, China: May 2008

Babysitting: Brad and I do most of our “dating” at home after the kids have gone to bed (around 8pm). We have also arranged babysitting trades with other parents, or relied on doting grandparents for free babysitting. Some churches also offer “Parents Night Out” babysitting for a small donation.
Movies: With the advent of Redbox, the cost of renting a movie has dropped significantly. In comparison to the rising price of movie tickets, you’re far better off just staying at home. Popping your own popcorn and preparing your own drinks is also far more affordable at home.
Dinner: Even if you’re not a gourmet chef, you can still have a special meal with your spouse. Get out your best dishes, cloth napkins, silverware, wine glasses, and candles for a nice romantic meal for two. Or arrange to have a glass of wine by the fireplace. Remember, it’s all about presentation. Even grilled cheese looks great by candlelight.
Exchange Favors: Offer to exchange back rubs with your spouse, or something else special. I love when Brad rubs my feet as we watch a movie, and I know he loves when I massage his achey feet and legs after he runs. You can also surprise your spouse by doing one of their chores for them, or helping them with something important to them.
Think Outside the Box: Going for a walk with your spouse costs nothing, and is a great way to talk to your spouse away from distractions. You could also try playing a two-person game, reading a book together, learning a new skill together, or working on a project together.

The list above isn’t meant to be exhaustive. What are some cheap date ideas you and your spouse enjoy?

(Keep them G-rated, please!)

Toddler Tuesday: Orange Tree Painting (Thank You Note)

March 20th, 2012

Jessica

Recently our next door neighbor, Mr. Parker, showed up at our door with a very large bag full of oranges. The vast amount of fresh fruit (citrus and otherwise) and vegetables is one of our favorite things about living in Northern California. I decided that as a thank you, Naomi and I would revisit the Autumn Tree Painting project we did back in October, with a few small variations.

We began as we did before, with Naomi in her apron, and a marker-sketch of a tree trunk. Naomi speckled the paper with light green leaves.

Next she speckled the paper with dark green leaves. This time she got a bit more creative and added dark green swirls.

Finally, she added the bright orange fruit. You can see the finished product below. I think she’s already an accomplished artist!

The final product reads: “Dear Mr. Parker, Thank you for the delicious oranges from your tree! You are very thoughtful! Love, Brad, Jess, Naomi, & Oliver.”

What fun things have you been doing with your toddler recently?

The CVS Drugstore Game: 3 items for $3.13!

March 16th, 2012

Jessica

Oliver was sick earlier in the week, so on Tuesday night I had to make a late night run to CVS for medicine. Thankfully I had noticed that CVS had a great deal this week! While I was there I picked up the ever-popular Zyrtec, and some toothpaste which we also needed.

I didn’t have any CVS Bucks, so for my first transaction, I bought a $5.99 Zyrtec, and got $5.99 back in ECBs.

I used the $5.99 ECBs to help pay for my second transaction. I bought a $5.99 Pedia Care, and got $5.00 back in ECBs. I also bought a $3.99 Colgate Optic White using a $1/1 Coupon from this week’s Smart Source, and got $2.00 back in ECBs.

So I spent $10.13 OOP (out of pocket) and got $7.00 ECBs back, for a grand total of $3.13 for 3 items!

Swagbucks Special Offer: How I Made $20 By Signing Up for eMusic

March 14th, 2012

Jessica

Last week I was studying my Swag Bucks home page in hopes of finding a way to earn a few more Swag Bucks. I spotted a Swag Bucks special offer with a reward of 450 Swagbucks just for signing up for a 7-day Free Trial to eMusic.

This sounded like a great deal to me because 450 Swagbucks will buy you a $5 Amazon gift card, which I then use to buy gifts for my family.

In addition, the 7-day Free Trial included a $10 credit to eMusic, good for 20 songs ($0.49 each) or one audio book.

So I signed up for my account, bought my $5 Amazon gift card, downloaded my 18 songs (some were more expensive than others), and then began the process of canceling my account before the Free Trial ended.

But eMusic did not want me to cancel my account. Indeed, they offered me another $5 credit on my account just to stick around.

So tomorrow I’ll cancel my account as planned, having made $20 off of one Swag Bucks transaction. SWEET!!!

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