Category: Saving Money

Chronicles of a SAHM, Lavender Fields Creations, Saving Money

Unexpected Surprises

Sonja Hollis

I have been struggling to find the perfect fit when it comes to finding part-time, work from home employment.  For me, it is much easier to find employment in a brick and mortar business and just as easy to find part time, but looking for a flexible, permanent, part-time, work-from-home job – has not proven an easy task for me.

I need flexibility because I invest so much of my time into my children and their activities.  In addition, I have to make accommodations due to my disability.  I can’t lift heavy things or sit/stand for long periods. I also cannot be outside in extreme weather- so yeah – my opportunities are limited.

I have continued to focus on growing my own business during my job search however, by making jewelry, painting, and writing.  It can be so disheartening when the money just doesn’t come in fast enough.  I try not to get discouraged, because I still get a pension check and of course, my husband – but it’s nothing like working to get what you want. Sometimes, I break down and allow myself to cry but then I pick myself right back up and pray and work as hard as I can.  I am researching new ways to “enlarge my territory”  and finding new networking opportunities to increase the traffic to my store, Lfieldscreations.etsy.com.

My husband, having seen me trying as hard as I could for additional employment and working hard every day to create items for my store, did something I was not expecting.  It happened on the day where I was about to break down again but instead prayed and asked the Lord for guidance because I wanted to make sure that what I was doing was what God wanted me to do.  Then, I received an email copy from my husband:

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Cricut Maker -Everything Rose Bundle

It was letting me know that “my” Cricut Maker was on the way!  I cried like a baby! I mean – ugly cried.  To have someone believe in me and support me in the ways that he has shown me – setting up both my business and crafting offices, installing a landline, and now buying a Cricut! I am so grateful and excited! This is confirmation for me.  I have been watching Youtube videos and writing notes preparing myself for the day that I could afford it.  I wanted to be ready to go whenever I got it.  My friend Sarah and I talked about it all the time about what we would do when one of us got one…and now I do.  I can’t wait to start our craft days.

God is so good and His goodness knows no limits. I give Him all the glory.   Love yall.

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Chronicles of a SAHM, Saving Money

Amazon Wins Again

Sonja Hollis

First things first.  I recently became an Amazon Affiliate because my husband and I buy something from Amazon at least once a week and I figured – I might as well get paid. I don’t really get out much to shop unless it’s for groceries so, I do most of my shopping via Amazon. It’s so much easier to point and click and receive what I ordered in two days than it is to find a parking spot at the local mall.

Anyway,  I was in Target last week looking for t-shirts for my daughter.  They only have miniature bras now for little girls.  My daughter is five so…no.  I opened up my trusty dusty laptop and headed to Amazon.  I was initially going to purchase some Hanes tanks for girls as usual, but then ran across some great reviews for Feathers . 71LHisSYO0L._UX679_.jpg

I had NEVER heard of Feathers camis for girls, but decided to try them.  (Amazon Prime provides a great return policy.) I received them two days later as guaranteed and let me tell you…  They are amazing!  My daughter has a long torso and they fit her to a “t.” (See what I did there?)  I bought the butterfly printed ones and the plain whites.  They are super soft – my daughter calls them “snuggly.”  I’m hooked.  So, if you’re shopping around for little girls camisoles – just check out Feathers.

I’d take a pic of her in her cami – but that’s weird, so no. LOL

 

Chronicles of a SAHM, Lavender Fields Creations, Saving Money

Multiple Streams of Income

Sonja Hollis

For the last few weeks, my goal has been to acquire multiple streams of income.  I’ve already had my Lavender Fields Creations  store up and running for the last four years, which has brought me so much creative (and financial) joy.  To be able to create something that someone else not only likes, but wants to purchase, is incredible. However, I’d like to pay off my school loans within the next couple of years. My one income is not going to make that happen. 0D692A54-578A-464B-A51F-558FDBCB89AC

I began my journey looking for a “work from home” job.  I’ve taken numerous assessment tests and applied to just as many jobs – probably more.  I’m currently hired at three different companies doing jobs such as; a resourcer, a proofreader, and data entry clerk.  The only downside to being hired to those positions is that there are so many other people who have also gotten hired for those same positions.  Unless you have seniority at their company, it’s really hard to find regular work.  I told my husband that it’s like playing double dutch with my eyes closed – I never know when it is a good time to jump in.  For one company, I have to sit in a queue and wait for work to be assigned to me.  Then, I have only twenty seconds to approve it or it will be assigned to someone else.  For three days, I sat and waited for eight hours in front of this computer and was never assigned.  Thankfully, I have a large monitor so I was able to use my split screen to  continue doing other work while I waited.  I’m not so sure how that will work out, but I won’t quit.

For another job, I get an email nightly to let me know if work will be available for the next day.  I’m on day three with that and no luck.  I see that there are people whose seniority is definitely a benefit.  I get it.  I just need the opportunity to hone my skills by working and get my seniority.

So until something comes along,  I will continue making jewelry, blogging, and writing my book.  I’m even thinking about a YouTube channel for jewelry making.  In any case, I will keep the faith. God didn’t bring me this far to leave me.

Check out my jewelry store while you’re here.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Chronicles of a SAHM, Lupus, Saving Money

Lupus said “Chill”

Sonja Hollis

So, I had every intention on blogging Saturday but I had a lupus flare and it completely zapped my energy.  After grocery shopping and hanging out with my sisters,  I was supposed to come home and brag about how much I saved at the store, but I crashed and burned.  I think I was asleep before my head touched the pillow.  I had that “I’m so angry that if I don’t go to bed NOW, somebody is going to get hurt” type of sleepiness.

Then, at 2:30am, I woke up in pain in my side, in my back and I had a migraine. I didn’t even get sleepy until a half hour before I had to take my daughter to swim class – ten hours later. I couldn’t take any meds because they just make me sleepy or woozy and I never like feeling like that.  Sure, my body would’ve felt better, but it’s like walking in a fog. I decided to just drink some coffee.  LOL Yes, I have tea and I know that would’ve been a better choice, but I have a serious coffee addiction.  Thankfully, it doesn’t keep me awake. It totally relaxes me.

Having said all of that, I didn’t save a lot of money. I did okay, but I recognize that I needed more help with couponing.  I’ve signed up to a few of the Facebook couponing groups to get tips and tricks.  I’ll go tomorrow to see how well I do on buying school supplies at Target using their ideas.  Either I need more coupons or I need to make a list and travel to different stores instead of getting everything at one.  I did end up going to Kroger to get my free eggs and free Ragu pasta sauce using the coupons they sent me though.  Love those!   Here are my savings: IMG-6003.JPG

I’ll post my savings from Target tomorrow – God willing. Good night!

Chronicles of a SAHM, organization, Saving Money

Saving Money…by any means necessary!

Sonja Hollis

Today, I woke up on a mission to save more money.  I’ve already been clipping coupons, using my store rewards and shopping apps. So, I decided to go to the website of some of my favorite brands, such as Snuggle, Ziploc, Proctor & Gamble and Kelloggs to see if they have any additional savings.  I recognized that I spend more money on these brands than anything else.

What I found were pretty good coupons on Kelloggs (plus points),  P&G and Ziploc – very nice!! I didn’t find any coupons on Snuggle, but I did join the Snuggle Bear Den, so hopefully they will send some soon! It’s also really convenient to be able to link my store cards so that the savings go right onto the rewards.  I don’t have to fumble through so many coupons when I’m shopping when I’m able to do that.

I’ll post my total savings tomorrow!! Here are the links:  www.ziploc.com www.pgeveryday.com, www.snuggle.com, and www.kelloggsfamilyreward.com

Chronicles of a SAHM, Journaling, organization, Saving Money

Stay-at-Home-Mom (SAHM) Stuff

Sonja Hollis

So… my husband purchased a “Life & Apples” growth planner and I’ve decided that today would be the day to start logging in my affirmations, tasks and goals for my life.   I actually started brainstorming and writing small notes a week prior so that when I opened my planner, I would be ready…hopefully.

What I soon realized however, is that what I thought were just small, attainable goals actually required many steps to achieve.  For example, under the “Career and Finances” category – I wrote that I wanted to stop using my credit cards as much as I have been in the last three months.  To do that, requires me to cut down on spending.  Therefore, I checked my bank and credit card accounts to see where the bulk of my spending was and it was *insert drum roll* grocery shopping.  Ridiculous!  I used to coupon and check the weekly ads for sales, but I’d stopped that and just started shopping every week all willy nilly. (It doesn’t help that I live within five miles of Target, two Meijer stores, Walmart and Kroger) – so my spending has definitely increased.  I realized that I would have to become more organized with my shopping lists and spending habits.

I started by writing down and numbering every meal that I like to make for the family complete with sides. I wrote down the corresponding numbers to days of the week.

Monday – #1 – Meatballs with gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Tuesday – #5 – Tacos, etc…

Then, I wrote down all the necessary ingredients that I would need for each meal.

On a separate sheet of paper, I began writing down the items that I didn’t have available in my fridge or pantry and I started clipping coupons.  I then went to my Ibotta app and my Checkout 51 app to see what would be eligible for rebates later and wrote that down.    My next step was to go to each store’s website to see what was on sale, clip my rewards and go shopping.  I decided on Meijer for this shopping trip. (I also use the Shopkick app while in the store which is why I can’t shop with my kids – I need to concentrate). It seems like a lot of work but gets easier over time.   I ended up saving over $50 – with an additional $7.50 in eligible rebates!

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At least now I can start the week off with savings!  I knocked off a couple of tasks in pursuit of the goal of cutting down on my spending and that felt great.  I’m also going to look around to find out other ways to save today.

I think this planner is the way to go!  I can look at my goals at the beginning of the week and see much I’ve achieved at the end.  I just have to be consistent…in everything.  Wish me luck!