We don't have a Whole foods near us so that isn't an option. We shop at Kroger and I keep an eye out for sales. I stock up with things are low. I don't do many middle isles either and if we do bread I make it myself. My biggest money saving tip for meats is to find someone local and buy a pig, cow, sheep, chickens from a farmer. It may seem like a lot up front, but in the long run saves money. Also if you can do a garden that keeps cost down in the spring/summer/fall and I can a lot of food so I don't have to buy a lot later on.

So this is outside of normal bills? I think minus our chicken food we can do it.

And I should say she doesn't make more than us, but she thinks she does. It is just the way she goes on and how she talks down to everyone. She is a constant competitor in everything. I'm friends with her step daughters mom so I'm sure that is why she is even more pleasant around me. They way she treats her step daughter makes me want to scream. It's all about how you treat other people, not about the money you have or don't have...

We have a family member always going on about how much she has. But, they don't pay for anything aside for her car payment and her gas. It has all been given and set up so that they pay little child support (rigged by his family). She only has to work to shop. She is annoying and I ignore her. The only time I went off was when she spanked and yelled at my oldest without permission. I think just not going near the person helps and keeping the conversation to small talk and then walking away. I guess the thing that bothers me is that I'm friends with people that make three times what she does and do not act like her, and yet she felt the need to go on Christmas day about how much she spent on presents for her kids and how she knew kids were going without food, but she was just glad she was able to spoil her kids and she always would and shouldn't have to feel bad for them. Yeah, that left a bad taste in my mouth because we've always taught our kids the act of giving and we do not spoil our kids because I don't see the benefit. They don't want for anything, but I don't overindulge them. She is just a venomous person I hate being around. If I had to be around her an extended amount of time (like more than 2 hours) I wouldn't go honestly. Not without starting a big big fight

I live a few hours away and probably will just go for the day because I have goats and sheep breed and that is the first weekend we can start getting then. But, if I do stay I have a family member I will be staying with. I know many of the families in my homeschool group make a family vacation of it and stay at the great wolf lodge as well.

My children all sleep in undies so they always get dressed. I feel it is important to always be dressed, I don't even go out in public with the kids in yoga pants. I think for me it is because I am younger with 4 young children and people make comments to those that do wear things like that. It has become routine and we always dress each morning for school. If we know we will be in for the evening we then strip down and I put on sweats/yoga pants.

I think I will try it on Tuna night! Sounds good and stuff everyone already likes :) So yes, meal planning saves me a ton of money. Plus we are unable to go out to eat. We may have lunch one day at a fast food place, but that is not even always happening. I do have a husband that hunts so that helps with some meats and we raise our own. We are hoping to have beef in the freezer very soon and some more pork. Streatching the lamb until next fall is hard!!

1- family dinner of corned beef and cabbage 2- chicken enchilladas 3- lasagna 4- Shrimp stir fry, rice, eggrolls 5- home made pizza 6- beef roast, green beans, potatoes 7- lamb chops, baked beans, pasta salad 8- sati babis, rice, peas 9- Chicken pot pie 10- beef stew and rolls 11- shrimp scampi, red lobster rolls and birthday cake 12- squirrel and dumplings, greens 13- dinner with family 14- quiche and fruit 15- spinach stuffed shells, salad 16- pallea 17- Salisbury steak, potatoes, peas 18- tuna casserole 19- deer chili 20- chicken Marsala, potatoes, broccoli 21- beef tips with mushrooms and egg noodles 22- Talapia, rice, asparagus 23- Green chicken pitas 24- pork roast, sweet potatoes 25- beef drip sandwiches, salad 26- baked potato soup and chessecake factory bread 27- bacon wrapped meatloaf 28- chicken spaghetti 29- lamb ribs, scalloped potatoes, cauliflower 30- biscuits and gravy, eggs 31- chicken and dumplings I make almost all breads we have and do rotate around meals, but just so I know I have enough for a month :)

What is the pea wiggle?? Sounds yummy, I love peas lol

That's ok too :)

I am trying to figure out where to get a formal diagnosis. I talked to the school and she seemed to dismiss me :( I am going to look into it more after we start vision therapy. I know that is part of his problem, but not the full extent.

I was thinking we could do a meal planning thread. Share what our meal plan for the month is and help others out that are starting :) I've seen discussion about it in other threads and have seen a few "resolutions" to try this. So let's chat, share, and learn! I am finishing up mine and will post as soon as it is finished :)

Wonderful gift! I love them :)

And we weren't even able to buy our own children Christmas presents, my husband was so torn up over it. But it was heat or gifts. Luckily a church and my aunt brought over a few things to put under the tree and they were still happy with that. So yes it was hard seeing everything under everyone else's trees this year, but we made it and things will get better. We are always learning how to become more responsible and trying to make it out of the financial pit fall our parents are still stuck in... you have to look beyond the excuses because that is what they are, excuses as to why you can't do xyz.

Is your husband working a consistent enough schedual to get a part time job when he's home outside of what your degree is in? My DH was laid off recently so we aren't even able to pay all our very basic bills and I was spending $450 a month on food for a family of 6. So yeah, we can't cut out some things. His unemployment pays our rent and electricty and that is it. Not the auto, internet, and a few other small bills we have that can not go. We cut down to one basic cell because we do not have home phones and that is for job calls. We dont have cable, or any other fluff. We just can not make it no matter what. So I've put in applications everywhere for something. I guess in your spot even a part time job at McDonalds would be better than nothing. Otherwise I'm not sure what to change... sometimes you have to suck up your pride and just work for less to have those extra things... Also have you tried swapping out in exchange for lessons? I clean the place my daughter tumbles and cheers, it pays for it (thankfully). I cleaned the building so my kids could take music classes. Just another idea.

I buy bulks of things for the freezer when on sale and keep a well stock and then plan. I was able to feed a family of 6 on a $450 budget per month three full meals a day. I plan to make enough to have leftovers some of the days to help as well. Breakfast casseroles are great and not buying fluff frozen foods cut down costs. I found cutting out bread was a big savings. If I want bread, cresents, pizza crust, etc. I have to make them. Snack were limited to hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits or vegis, and if I made crackers or made cookies. I didnt buy these things. My kids become used to it and aren't nearly as whiny as when we "ran" out of a snack...

I am avoid antiboitoics at all costs for most things. Strep would be a reason for abx with no questions asked. It can lead to heart trouble. HOpe you get better!

The Valium will help :hugs: It is a small area, they give you headphones with music. You also get a warm cozy blanket. So if you can relax enough to take a nap that is by far your best bet! I would suggest bathroom right before you go in because more than normal breathing you aren't supposed to move. It sounds like a jackhammer, and a butch of banging noises. Nothing too bad, just boring!!

Christmas eve we are having: Panell ( Roast pork) Rice & beans, scalloped potatoes, spaghetti squash, broccoli bake, corn, cranberry jello salad, homemade bread & tossed salad. Also some wine and a cheese ball :) Christmas all I know for sure is chicken and noodles, potatos, Waldorf Salad, Red Velvet dessert, and I'm not sure what everyone else is briging!

I'm going to still stick to my guns. I was the same way growing up and would not have been ready looking back despite what I thought. My kids are young. We are avid hunters for our food and live on a farm. They have seen way more animal death than most. I am still cautious, but they dove into a pile of deer guts with gusto recently and rather than draw what squirrel tracks looked like on a sheet decided to grab a stamp pad and use the foot that was cut off. Many children are drawn to these things. A human exhibit is still not the real thing notated how real it looks. My kids helped have helped butcher and process chickens, turkeys, deer, rabbits, squirrel, cows, and pigs. Most we've raised. It still just isn't the same. I know firsthand.

I was going to suggest Christian Liberty Press as well, some great books. Science we loved Evan Moore science workbook and REAL Science Odyssey Life- I would go slower pace and not do it all in one year.

Evan Moore geography?

We used a hundereds chart to visually see the numbers and abacus. In hindsight I pushed too much in A for perfection when it should be exposure and learning :blush: I wouldn't let her use the manipulatives until oder, it will not hold her back but give confidence. (coming from the burnt my son out on math mommy).

I have feelings on this based on a few friends that have been through medical school. While you may think he's ready, it is very different in person. I had a close friend go through medical school and was at the end of residency in pathology that ended up leaving a month before the end of his 4th year in residency to pursue something different based off a cadavar brought in :( Mentally I would never suggest this to a child, no matter how well you think he would do.

I need that message next year. DH and I are talking about taking a portion of the tax check and starting a savings so we aren't left with nothing next year. It's been stressful and not as enjoyable as I hoped. I also wanted to make things and do not have the urg to do it after moving this fall and getting settled. I still can't find everything.