We are a homeschooling family of 14. We have graduated our two oldest kids and more coming along. We've been homeschooling since 1989 and it appears we will be doing this for another 18 years. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:32:00 -0500 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:32:00 -0500 This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use. I wanted to share with you know about my new spot on the web, <a href="http://www.ButFirstWeHaveCoffee.com">But First We Have Coffee</a> I'd love to have you join me for a cup of coffee. <br /> <br /> I have downloads, coupons, lots of photos, and we plan on having some fun videos shortly. See you there!<br /> <br /> <br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/uploads/c/cofeeiv/16813.gif" style="display: block;" alt="" /></div> http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/591302/ Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/591302/ <div align="center"><img height="233" width="350" alt="A bowlful of peaches" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/peach7.jpg" /> <p><br /> <img height="305" width="350" alt="Paring peaches" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/peach5a.jpg" /></p> <p> <img height="233" width="350" alt="Lemon Meningue Pies!" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/meringue.jpg" /><br /> </p> <p> <img height="321" width="350" alt="Birthday girl!" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/kate1.jpg" /></p> <p> <img height="525" width="350" alt="Great job!" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/kate3.jpg" /><br /> </p> <p> <img height="233" width="350" alt="Tiger Salamander" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/TigerSalamander.jpg" /></p> <p> <img height="367" width="350" alt="Emily" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/Emily.jpg" /></p> <p> <img height="233" width="350" alt="Tessila" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/Tessila.jpg" /></p> <p> <img height="305" width="350" alt="Curious deer" src="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/wp-content/plugins/random-image/deer1.jpg" /><br /> </p> </div> <br /> <div align="center"> <img src="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/uploads/c/cofeeiv/16813.gif" style="display: block;" alt="" /></div> http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/586502/ Sun, 7 Sep 2008 17:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/586502/ The "P" word! And you are wondering... oh no, is she going to start talk politics? Is it going to be more talk about Sarah Palin? Nahhh! I want to talk to you about <em>price books</em>. Yup... price books. What? You don't know what a price book is? Get yourself a fresh cup of java and I'll tell you all about it. It's not too difficult, but I always like a good excuse to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend.<br /> <br /> A price book is a notebook of sorts, in which you write down each item you purchase and at what store. I also like to write down the cost per ounce so I can compare easily. You can categorize the book by store, product, or categories, such as cleaning items, canned foods, etc. <br /> <br /> Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced Da cision), author of the Tightwad Gazette, gave me this idea and it has worked well. <br /> <br /> The idea behind the price book is that you can accumulate the cost for each of your most common items, thus determining where the best prices can be found. When something is on sale, you will know if it really is a good deal. You eventually get a sense of what is good and what is not.&nbsp; I have used it to create goals for how much I spend on meals. My goals might be $3 for each breakfast and $3 for each lunch and $9 for each dinner. Your mileage may vary. At least with a price sheet, you will know where your money is going.<br /> <br /> Another aspect of using this price book is that you can see seasonal trends for items. Produce are not the only items that fluctuate in price for the season. Turkey, ham, potatoes are just a few items that fluctuate according to the season or time of year.&nbsp; You will learn when the best time is to purchase these items. Stock up! Plan ahead!<br /> <br /> I have provided <a href="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/freedownloads/PriceBook.pdf">this price book</a> for you in a .pdf format for your own use. If you prefer it in Excel, which can also be opened in Open Office, <a href="http://www.butfirstwehavecoffee.com/freedownloads/PriceBook.xls">click here</a>. Feel free to print, copy, distribute. I simply as that you not remove the copyright information and website at the bottom of the page.<br /> <br /> Other reading on the topic can be found at the following:<br /> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.stretcher.com/stories/05/05mar14c.cfm">The Dollar Stretcher</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/05/02/use-a-grocery-price-book-to-slash-your-food-spending/">Get Rich Slowly</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ncnblog.com/2006/01/04/grocery-price-book/">No Credit Needed</a></li> </ul> Wait, I'm not quite done, yet. There's another part of this picture. I have found a great little free program, which installs quite easily, wherein I can take all my data and set it up on the computer. The program can is simply called Shopping List and can be found <a href="http://www.homeplansoftware.com/shoplist.htm">here</a>. <br /> <br /> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.homeplansoftware.com/images/shlstscr.gif"><img height="248" width="350" alt="Click here to see enlargement" style="display: block;" src="http://www.homeplansoftware.com/images/shlstscr.gif" /></a><br /> <br /> <div align="left">The program is optional. It depends on what you would like to do and if you prefer to use the paper notebook solely. I like lists. I like options. I know that if something happened to my notebook, I have a back up.<br /> </div> </div> <div align="center"><img border="0" alt="" style="display: block;" src="http://electricchurch.net/Ruth/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/fruit-line.gif" /></div> http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/586483/ Sun, 7 Sep 2008 08:35:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/586483/ <a href="http://aholyexperience.com/2008/08/what-mother-must-sacrifice.html">This blog post</a> at Holy Experience blessed me today. I am happy to share it with you. Lord bless your day as you serve your family.<br /> <br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/uploads/c/cofeeiv/16813.gif" style="display: block;" alt="" /></div> <div align="center" /> http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/584377/ Wed, 3 Sep 2008 08:14:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/584377/