Where there's a will, there's a way

I've been thinking on and praying about what direction to take this blog.  I don't want it to just be "me, me, me" and what I save on groceries, necessities,  etc.  I actually really like to read blogs exactly like that, but I want for me personally, I would feel like I was bragging.  I want this blog to be about helping.  We can all learn from each other and make our lives more simple and more worry free by just taking a few simple steps.

I'd love feedback and if there is ANYTHING you have found works for you, please add it in the comments.  I also want to put out there that EVERY one of the things I'm listing here, I am personally working to make happen.  It's things that God has personally dealt with me on lately to make our own lives as a family better, more efficient and cost effective.

1. Get organized! - This includes pretty much any area of your life that you could imagine.  For now, I'll focus on those that actually save you money.
• Make a list of what you need - I keep either a magnetized pad of paper or a wipe off board near my refrigerator so that as soon as I am out of something that's a regularly needed item, I can write it down.  No forgetting when it's time to make the list for the week/biweekly trip.
• Couponing - If you choose to use coupons (and REALLY, who wouldn't? It's free money!), start out by cutting EVERY coupon you find.  Now, if you aren't a denture wearer, I wouldn't go clipping coupons for denture paste, but what I'm getting at is to not just clip the coupons for the brands you "usually get".  Many times some amazing sale will come up on an equally phenomenal brand and if you have a coupon for it, all the better!  
• Get the coupons themselves organized.  Get a 3-ring binder, some dividers, and some baseball card holders and get separated and organized what you have to use.  A fantastic template for a coupon organizer can be found here on TheKrazyCouponLady.com
• Read the ads for the stores you regularly shop in WEEKLY - I think this kind of goes without saying, but stores put out weekly ads for a reason.  The things that they feature change with the time of year and with demand.  Be sure to pay attention to the dates as well.  Some go simply from Sunday to Sunday, whereas others, such as a local grocery store here, go from Tuesday to Tuesday.  You don't want to risk missing out on some amazing deal (or even FREE stuff) by going one day too late!  Make sure to make your grocery list FROM the ads you have in front of you and go for the sale items.  Then check to see if you currently hold a coupon for that item.  If so, fantastic!!!  ALWAYS REMEMBER - Off-brand items are NOT bad.  If going even with your sale and coupon isn't going to get you the price of the off-brand comparative, go for the off-brand.
• Keep your current stock organized - I know I can't be the only one guilty of going out and buying a new "something" because I can't find the one I KNOW I have at home.  (Case in point - I'm currently using up 5 or 6 half used deodorants).  Make sure if you keep an overstock of items at home so that you always have them on hand that you know EXACTLY where you have them and where to go for them.  There's a difference in stocking up to be prepared and in being wasteful because of disorganization.
• Understand what you have and keep a clear perspective of it - I am notorious for getting sucked in by "pretty lipstick" or lip balm that "smells SO good".  The same thing goes for lotions.  Oh...lotions.  That is another post in and of itself.  My point is, keep a clear vision of what you already have and what would be ENTIRELY unnecessary to repurchase.  Again, stocking up isn't a bad thing if it's something you REGULARLY use, but hoarding is an entirely different monster.
• Balance your checkbook REGULARLY - Again, I'm raising my hand as a guilty party.  Since we typically only use debit cards and rarely if ever use checks, I've gotten HORRIBLE about writing down our income and outgo.  Granted if you log in to your bank account multiple times a day to check and make sure that you know exactly the amount in the account it's not AS problematic, but can still really trip you up if you aren't careful.  Taking the time to ledger every penny going out (and coming in) even if you only take 10 minutes at the end of the day to sit down and work with any receipts from the day can take a big load off of the mind and save a load of heartache down the road.

I know that more things will come to me, and as they do, I'll add them here and re-post.  However, at this point in time, the main things that have been heavy on my heart are listed here.  Let's do them together and start seeing results!!!