Yep – it’s your cousin, Laura! So glad to see you’ve got a blog site now. I’ve always gotten a kick out of reading your Facebook posts that deal with life when everything goes a little screwy.
I wish you lots of luck with your writing.
Hope all is well underneath your family’s big top!
This is such a wonderful blog. My parents came over last night to help with bedtime routines with kiddos while Brandon was away on business, and we ended up hovering over my computer laughing and smiling at your stories. You are a wonderful and witty writer who’s stories resonate with some of the very thoughts that go through my head as I try, and feel that I am often failing at, being a parent. Now I have two kids. (one and one…and DONE) You have 5! But as I always believe, God gives you only what you can handle:-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I especially appreciate them at 3 am after an hour of getting Miles back to sleep after a bad dream and Mira proficiently fed.
Ugh. Those newborn days are brutal! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my little corner of the blogosphere in the midst of all that!
And YOU ARE NOT FAILING. You are simply growing. Much love.
I was wondering what you spend on the other non food items such as toilet paper, detergent, shampoo, personal care, etc. That is where the money goes a lot and that is one area I also use coupons. Do you have any pets?
Lynda, that’s a great question. We spend somewhere between $70- $100 on those per month. A solid $40 of that is pull ups (we used to use cloth diapers, but now that our girls are almost potty trained those are too hard to get off and on in a hurry) most of the rest is toilet paper and dishwasher detergent. We don’t use paper towels much and we buy the cheapest shampoo – though I’ll upgrade if I ever get a raise!
Oh, and yes, we have a cat named Sherlock, but he’s only been around a couple weeks, so I have no data on his cost yet. But my kids adore him, so I guess he’s priceless.
My circus has left town…actually, one clown stayed in Atlanta after college and two are in college right now so my husband and I are enjoying the quiet here in the middle of Connecticut. During the midst of “those” years, I too was depressed, not sure how my faith figured into all of it, broke and overwhelmed. Now, looking back, I know I did the best I could at the time, and my prayers and support today will spackle any holes that may have been left in my children’s lives. And your children have the perfect mom — perfect for them!
I love your transparency…and consider me one of those moms in the checkout line who is mouthing to you that bedtime will come, your husband will find another job, and those boots will always fit you. God bless!
I stumbled across your blog while doing a google search on ” how to feed a family of 6 on a budget”. I am SO glad that your blog turned up in the search. I have spent the past few nights reading through all your posts. I have laughed, cried, smiled, but most of all I have felt relief. I too, have an unemployed husband, and we have 4 little ones. We struggle monthly to make sure our rent and bills are paid, we have enough food to feed 6 people, and that we can give our kids a good childhood. During the holiday season, I always feel like the main character from ” It’s a wonderful life”, the walls are crashing down and there is no way out. I hate when my kids ask Santa for the popular toys( the expensive ones) and I know we simply can’t afford them. I hate that this year I spent too much money on ingredients for 4 different desserts for christmas dinner, will we make it to next month on what’s left of our food budget? I hate that we cannot afford to buy gifts for our extended family, but I know they will be stopping by with gifts they have bought for us. Instead of enjoying the season, I end up wishing it would go by faster. The point of my rambling is this, thank you for giving me few hours of relief from my crazy life. Sitting in bed with a glass of wine, reading your posts has really helped me. I always knew that I wasn’t the only mother of a struggling family, but to have someone post online about their lifes stuggles makes me realize that it’s ok. I look forward to your future posts, Thanks again.
I stumbled across your blog while doing a google search on how to feed your family on a budget. I am so glad that your blog popped up. I have spent the past few nights reading through your posts, and I wanna say Thank You. I am a wife to an unemployed husband, and a mother to 4 kids. Our struggles are similar in that they deal with financial problems. During this time of year, I can barely enjoy the season. I feel like a failure because my kids have asked for the more popular items and I know we can’t afford them. On Christmas morning they will run to the tree filled with hope and excitement, only to have to settle for what “Santa” could bring them. Last night I had a panic attack when I realized that I overspent while buying ingredients for the 4 desserts I plan on making for Christmas. Will we make it to next month on whats left of our food budget? But i know that, as my mother says, ” this too shall pass”. Thank you for being so honest and making feel like I am just one in a world full of stressed out moms. I look forward to your future posts.
Hi. My family of 7 and I recently moved to Tucson AZ from Minnesota. I searched the web for budget friendly meals and grocery lists. I was wondering if you have any advice. I think I will start with your post from a while back too.
I love your website. I am going to use your menu and grocery list for my family of 7 tomorrow but I have just one questions…Where is the recipe for the banana muffins, Roasted Whole Chicken with carrots, onions and potatoes, spaghetti with roasted tomatoes, sunbutter sandwiches, black beans and rice, homemade syrup, lemon pepper tilapia, black bean soup,salmon croquets with egg noodles? Sorry I have so many questions I just want this menu and budget to work perfectly, Thank you for your time!!
Hi Jen!
Yep – it’s your cousin, Laura! So glad to see you’ve got a blog site now. I’ve always gotten a kick out of reading your Facebook posts that deal with life when everything goes a little screwy.
I wish you lots of luck with your writing.
Hope all is well underneath your family’s big top!
Hugs and Loves to you from one writer to another.
What we cherish reflects our soul. I love your reflection. Dad.
Hi Jen
This is such a wonderful blog. My parents came over last night to help with bedtime routines with kiddos while Brandon was away on business, and we ended up hovering over my computer laughing and smiling at your stories. You are a wonderful and witty writer who’s stories resonate with some of the very thoughts that go through my head as I try, and feel that I am often failing at, being a parent. Now I have two kids. (one and one…and DONE) You have 5! But as I always believe, God gives you only what you can handle:-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I especially appreciate them at 3 am after an hour of getting Miles back to sleep after a bad dream and Mira proficiently fed.
Ugh. Those newborn days are brutal! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my little corner of the blogosphere in the midst of all that!
And YOU ARE NOT FAILING. You are simply growing. Much love.
Hello, I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! Please go to the link and read the rules! I can’t wait to read your answers! Becky @ My Becktacular Life
http://www.mybecktacularlife.com/id-like-thank-academy/
I was wondering what you spend on the other non food items such as toilet paper, detergent, shampoo, personal care, etc. That is where the money goes a lot and that is one area I also use coupons. Do you have any pets?
Lynda, that’s a great question. We spend somewhere between $70- $100 on those per month. A solid $40 of that is pull ups (we used to use cloth diapers, but now that our girls are almost potty trained those are too hard to get off and on in a hurry) most of the rest is toilet paper and dishwasher detergent. We don’t use paper towels much and we buy the cheapest shampoo – though I’ll upgrade if I ever get a raise!
Another great way to get things you need is to see if your area has a buy nothing group on Facebook. It is a local sharing and giving group.
Thanks! I’ll look.
Oh, and yes, we have a cat named Sherlock, but he’s only been around a couple weeks, so I have no data on his cost yet. But my kids adore him, so I guess he’s priceless.
I loved the post about feeding the family of 7 on $300/month! May I ask the recipe for homemade syrup? Thanks!!!!
My circus has left town…actually, one clown stayed in Atlanta after college and two are in college right now so my husband and I are enjoying the quiet here in the middle of Connecticut. During the midst of “those” years, I too was depressed, not sure how my faith figured into all of it, broke and overwhelmed. Now, looking back, I know I did the best I could at the time, and my prayers and support today will spackle any holes that may have been left in my children’s lives. And your children have the perfect mom — perfect for them!
I love your transparency…and consider me one of those moms in the checkout line who is mouthing to you that bedtime will come, your husband will find another job, and those boots will always fit you. God bless!
Thank you Loretta!
Hello Jen,
I stumbled across your blog while doing a google search on ” how to feed a family of 6 on a budget”. I am SO glad that your blog turned up in the search. I have spent the past few nights reading through all your posts. I have laughed, cried, smiled, but most of all I have felt relief. I too, have an unemployed husband, and we have 4 little ones. We struggle monthly to make sure our rent and bills are paid, we have enough food to feed 6 people, and that we can give our kids a good childhood. During the holiday season, I always feel like the main character from ” It’s a wonderful life”, the walls are crashing down and there is no way out. I hate when my kids ask Santa for the popular toys( the expensive ones) and I know we simply can’t afford them. I hate that this year I spent too much money on ingredients for 4 different desserts for christmas dinner, will we make it to next month on what’s left of our food budget? I hate that we cannot afford to buy gifts for our extended family, but I know they will be stopping by with gifts they have bought for us. Instead of enjoying the season, I end up wishing it would go by faster. The point of my rambling is this, thank you for giving me few hours of relief from my crazy life. Sitting in bed with a glass of wine, reading your posts has really helped me. I always knew that I wasn’t the only mother of a struggling family, but to have someone post online about their lifes stuggles makes me realize that it’s ok. I look forward to your future posts, Thanks again.
Hello Jen,
I stumbled across your blog while doing a google search on how to feed your family on a budget. I am so glad that your blog popped up. I have spent the past few nights reading through your posts, and I wanna say Thank You. I am a wife to an unemployed husband, and a mother to 4 kids. Our struggles are similar in that they deal with financial problems. During this time of year, I can barely enjoy the season. I feel like a failure because my kids have asked for the more popular items and I know we can’t afford them. On Christmas morning they will run to the tree filled with hope and excitement, only to have to settle for what “Santa” could bring them. Last night I had a panic attack when I realized that I overspent while buying ingredients for the 4 desserts I plan on making for Christmas. Will we make it to next month on whats left of our food budget? But i know that, as my mother says, ” this too shall pass”. Thank you for being so honest and making feel like I am just one in a world full of stressed out moms. I look forward to your future posts.
Hi. My family of 7 and I recently moved to Tucson AZ from Minnesota. I searched the web for budget friendly meals and grocery lists. I was wondering if you have any advice. I think I will start with your post from a while back too.
I love your website. I am going to use your menu and grocery list for my family of 7 tomorrow but I have just one questions…Where is the recipe for the banana muffins, Roasted Whole Chicken with carrots, onions and potatoes, spaghetti with roasted tomatoes, sunbutter sandwiches, black beans and rice, homemade syrup, lemon pepper tilapia, black bean soup,salmon croquets with egg noodles? Sorry I have so many questions I just want this menu and budget to work perfectly, Thank you for your time!!
Kelly, I’ll be posting a PDF of all the recipes, etc. in the next week or so. Thank you so much for reaching out.
Hi Jen, stumbled on your blog through Pinterest. I’ve read a handful of your posts in matter of minutes, and loved your witty and insightful thoughts.