We Survived A Tornado! (Literally & Figuratively) May's Budget Recap & Family Update!

Hey, Y'all!!
May was SOOOOOOO much better! We are finding good solutions to our financial struggles and we are looking forward to June! I hope that you are doing better, too!
I know that life is hard. I am really thankful to have you in our HMS community. It makes me happy to think that we are all here to encourage one another.
I look forward to hearing your fun family activity ideas!
Thanks for watching today!
I hope you will let me know what is going on in your lives these days! I enjoy hearing from you all!!!!
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Here's a link to a menu planner - amzn.to/3KlDbnb
(Thank you for using my Amazon Associate links! It really helps our family, since we get a small commission for sending you their way)
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I hope you enjoy your new sourdough adventure!
I love you!!!
Lori

[@jennifersaylor8717]

Love your suggestions of being more mindful of grocery store spending.

[@nanar.8088]

As a senior citizen we have found the simple pleasures mean the most to us, maybe a ride in country stopping to get a 7-11 coffee or an ice cream treat. Each adult having a set spending cash is something we've always done so that when on a tight budget we still get some freedom. Enjoy and appreciate your honesty.

[@hockenberryholler3150]

absolutely , we are seniors too on a tight budget, but life is good! Hugs~ Lea

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

How sweet!!

[@deanna6483]

Lori, you are wise beyond years. Such a beautiful person. Thank you and your family for bringing great joy to others. Congrats Kelsey! 🤗

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you so much!

[@laurapaschall106]

A couple favorite budget-friendly ideas in our family: movie night w/ snacks for dinner; Family outing to play at a park and have a picnic (pizza if it’s completely spontaneous or even cheaper if you pack your own sandwiches); Game night at home. Other ideas which are more money, but frugal considering what you get- we like memberships to various places. Last year, we had a zoo membership. This year, it’s an indoor playground. Next year, may be a children’s museum. We typically give these as a gift, and even a family gift at Christmas, but then we get to go whenever we want for a whole year. We actually prefer these gifts over toys!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Fun!!!! Thanks!

[@ValerieinSC]

Good video. I make a running list of many meals I can make from ingredients in the home. Then I just cross them off when I do make them and add those ingredients back to the grocery list. Valerie in SC

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

That's a great idea!

[@shelbylynnwilliams8520]

Glad your family is safe after the tornado. Congratulations to Kelsey! What has helped me tremendously is that on the first of every month I go to Walmart and buy our non food items such as toilet paper, shampoo, tinfoil, vitamins, dishwashing detergents, feminine hygiene products, shaving cream, etc.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Great tip!

[@ashleyb6258]

As a family, we try to do free things. picnic at home or park. Game night Library to check out a movie or activities. free concerts/movies in surrounding cities Free putt putt Hiking/ trails Create a bucket list Museum have free days Star gazing Look through old pics Bowling Fireworks if date applies during year Splash pads Airport parks

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sheliapeters2082]

Glad yall are safe and no major damage prayers for you all

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you! ❤️

[@AngelaVintageVibe]

I live in downtown Rogers AR, we were hit hard. That was my first tornado, it was terrifying. Glad yall are okay

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Hope you are ok!!!! Sending love

[@lynnchristensen5510]

So glad you are all ok. Your family has had a rough patch. Gods got it. I taught preschool for almost 20 years,mostly 2’s and young 3’s. I loved it. Congratulations to the graduate! ❤️

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sherrysawyer6819]

So thankful you all are alright!❤️🙏🏼

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you so much

[@lisafromindiana1718]

As a mom for the last 30 years, the biggest piece of advice I have for you is to only shop on the 1st and the 15th. No going back to the store.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

That’s good advice! Thanks!

[@cheryldepedro7029]

Thank you for sharing your life with us. Congratulations to your family on all of your accomplishments…you were truly blessed that you didn’t have much damage and no loss of life from that tornado. They’ve been viscous this year! God is good! I started using the cash envelope system in March. Having to spend cash and not swipe a card makes you ask yourself “is this (insert thing) a need or a want and do I want to spend my cash on it?” Also shopping with a list and sticking to what’s on that list is critical…it stops impulse buying. Finally, we love having game nights, pop some popcorn, make a pizza, maybe some adult beverages and it makes for a great time. We like to play Triple Yahtzee! God bless you and your family and keep safe. ♥️🙏🏻

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you!

[@saracopley5062]

Thank you Lori . I really enjoyed your answers❤

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I'm so glad!

[@vixxcottage]

The cash envelope system has never worked for me. Meal planning is a nightmare for me. I had to resort to cooking 1-2 meals per week with sides and using that as meal planning. As far as frugal fun activities I use the library. We have a Bookmobile that will bring books to rural areas. I can order books and pick up 2 miles from my house.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Ozarkmountainoutback1]

We don't have flea problems but the ticks are AWFUL this year!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Yikes!

[@tassie32]

My husband and I like to go to the park, and have a picnic feeding ducks. If it is just your daughter and her boyfriend blanket on the living room floor with candle light dinner. Pizza night watching a DVD together is what my friend does with her kids every Friday night. So glad you all are safe. Agreed with you on having set spending budget while getting out of debt me and my husband do $50.00 as well. As Dave Ramsey says you have to do what others won't do right now, so you can have what others don't have in the future. But you can't be miserable in the process.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Sweet

[@RevBTB]

hugs friend

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hockenberryholler3150]

We spent 3.65 at tthe thrift store today, but the person in front of me spent 178.00 .. here were no large items... I was gobsmacked.... how do you spend 178 at a thrift store, my husband is disaled but turning 62 soon so he doesn't qualify for disability, I am 66 so we live off my stay at home SS plus what little I make cleaning a gym 10 days a month.... all it takes is planning... and life can still be good! HUgs~ Lea

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Yikes. That’s a lot.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I do have to admit I spent $100 on one item last week. But it was a brand new Berkey water filter system that I have wanted FOREVER, but have never bought because of the cost. I was super excited to find it, but totally asked them to reduce it (which they would not do….)

[@sheliapeters2082]

We just pack a lunch and go to the local natational parks and hike or picnic or hike lots to explore .

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Fun!

[@vixxcottage]

I make a lot of meals with my fresh milk and eggs from my chickens. Trying to find farm help if going out of town is astronomical. I have a few animals and need farm care people want $150/day for less than 2 hours work. I found someone interested in learning 😌 so will accept $20/hour.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Wow. That’s a lot

[@monicavalentine8472]

Our week trip was to library and park with picnic lunch on grocery trip day. We checked out dvds, no cable and books. I also budget $20 a week extra for building my pantry/freezer. When i was a stay home mom, i budget $25 allowance for myself, for thrifting, hobby, coffee. When we had animals, chickens, goats, ducks, pigs, rabbits, dogs and cats, it got way out of control. We had to sale goats, most chickens, ducks and rabbits. We processed our pigs and filled our freezer. We have commit to no new pets and put them on scheduled feedings.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Great tips!

[@deRose03]

The music at the beginning and the end of the video is so lovely. I was going to ask if you have a basement at your house or a shelter outside, in case a tornado is too close to you? As to the system of cash in envelopes, I think it could get easily lost or stolen or damaged somehow. I once took my phone out of the pocket of my jacket while shopping and some cash also fell out of the pocket together with it. Thankfully, a lady behind me saw it and let me know. Plus, I get rewards points when I use my credit card. It is true that you can get tempted at a store. Yesterday I did get very tempted at Aldi and bought 2 German chocolate bars which was an unplanned purchase. As to the hair salon, etc., I'm also convinced that there is nothing wrong with spending money on the things you like as long as you can afford it. Money is to spend, but wisely. I personally never visit any salons; my hair is long, and I trim it myself. My nails are always cut short just like yours. The only time I ever experimented with long nails was when I was in high school when all the other girls were doing it. It was a bad experience; I couldn't do anything practical with such nails and they made me feel like I had claws.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

We don’t have a shelter or a basement. We have a center room that is pretty sound structurally. ❤️

[@nawalal-rida1607]

Watch FRUGAL FIT MOM to help you build a stock pile .

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I like her!

[@lisas321]

Hey Lori I tried the Money budget thing but just didn’t work for me ( husband) I’ve got a cash envelope system you are welcome to. Bought it on Amazon. Just let me know and I’ll send it to you. Was just going to donate it.

[@missburr1228]

I just use regular envelopes, just label them on the front

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

How sweet! I have one that I made but I so appreciate you offering it 😍😍😍