Joyfully Thriving

Simplify Life at Home

How to Save Money on School Uniforms

Uniform shopping doesn't have to be expensive. Learn how to get school uniforms for cheap with these simple and effective tips.  Last year, my son started Kindergarten at our Lutheran grade school. They have a school uniform policy which I greatly appreciate. However, as a frugal mom who was new to the uniform scene, I was determined to figure out how to buy school uniforms for cheap. I wanted quality but I also didn't want to pay full retail for our uniforms. It was a bit of trial and error last year as I had to figure out what brands and sizes fit my son the best, but this year? Uniform … Read More...

$1000 Savings Challenge

These past couple months have reminded me of the importance of savings. It is important to have money in savings - all the time. You may not have 20 savings accounts like my husband and I do, but you need to have at least one savings account. Having money in savings allows you to plan and prepare for future purposes and expenses and goals. I also believe everyone should have an emergency fund with 3 to 6 months of expenses. An emergency fund is that special savings account that gives you peace of mind since you always have access to some money when an unexpected emergency … Read More...

Church Quiet Bag Ideas

Church is important. Church with little ones is definitely challenging at times, but it is important. I grew up in the church (with a Pastor dad and organist mom). I was a church worker teacher (before I began staying at home) who is married to a church worker teacher. We firmly believe that we need to be in church, training our children, from the time they are small. Yes, there are many Sundays that I miss large parts of the sermon but we are there, by God's grace. (Here is some encouragement for when going to church with kids feels pointless.) I believe in modeling and … Read More...

Easy Kitchen Bingo

Looking for a fun kitchen idea? Print this free kitchen bingo game and have fun trying different things in the kitchen! It's an easy kitchen idea to do with kids, too.  It's going to be a different summer this year with so many things closed still. I don't know about you but all of our travel plans have been cancelled. The friends' college reunion. A cousins' wedding. Even the extended family reunion. We're disappointed but understand that this is just what this summer will bring. Instead of regretting it all, I am determined to make the most of it. I started looking for easy and free … Read More...

15 Easy Dump and Go Crock Pot Dinner Recipes

Looking for dinner time help? Check out these easy dump and go crock pot recipes to give you less kitchen prep tonight!  I don't know about you but at my house? Dinner time is often one of the most hectic times of day. Everyone is getting hungry and the kids are often in and out of the kitchen, asking when dinner is going to be ready. When I'm organized and plan ahead, dinner comes together much quicker - and that makes everyone happy. Especially a busy mom! Even when we are all at home, easy dump and go recipes give me one less thing to think about. It is nice to cross dinner off my list … Read More...

March & April Quarantine Grocery Shopping

What a crazy past two months it has been! I went into labor a month early, and then things started quickly shutting down. Schools closed and we were under a stay at home order for almost 6 weeks. We are in phase 2 of opening things back up in Indiana which menas we can go out again! I haven't gone grocery shopping in over 2 months - since March 3! Andy's been doing the grocery shopping and we've been taking advantage of Walmart's grocery pick up. More on that below. I asked about this on Facebook and it seems that most of us had higher than normal grocery totals in March. With everyone … Read More...

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