Have you been in the kids department lately?  Have you seen the adorable cape and mask set?  They come in red & blue or black & white and they are under $6 bucks!  What a frugal way to be an awesome superhero! Anyways, those are made by moms like you and me.  And when I was in Dallas a while back, I saw some honey sitting on an end-cap, thinking how authentic the label and name was,  I asked about it and you guessed it….it was from a local beekeeper who had already been selling it to the locals.  Walmart took notice and got his product on the shelf!

Maybe you can be their next story!  Here’s how:

1. Create a video of your product.
2. Submit it to the ‘Get On the Shelf‘ website. (until February 22nd)

-The 1st round of voting begins March 7th – April 3rd.  10 finalists will be announced.

-Of those finalists, the 2nd round of voting will be April 11th – April 24th.  The Top 3 finalists will be announced.

Contest is open to participants in the United States only. Walmart employees are not eligible for the contest. Products already carried by Walmart or Walmart.com are not eligible for entry either.

This could be someone’s big break so I encourage you to at least try!  I know y’all have some creative product ideas that can help folks out!

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms as we share our experiences, Walmart news, and ideas! Walmart has provided me with compensation in return for my time & efforts to create this post. My participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.

• Seeing my son be crowned football king and fall festival king
• all their sports moments from football to basketball
• being their for my son during his knee surgery and therapy
• silly moments in the car with my husband
• birthdays
• seeing my son in his play
• being with my son as tossed the glasses and got contacts
• watching my boys with their horses
• helping decorate players lockers
• my son’s first day of pre-k
• watching my son coach peewee football
• taking my son to the park
• mother and son moments
• father and son moments

and my favorite……watching my boys just be together.  No music, just reflections.

Personal Finance is 80 percent Behavior and Only 20 percent Head Knowledge

January 1st marks our first day on the Dave Ramsey Financial plan.  After seeing where we spent our money in 2011, we knew we needed to make some changes if we were gonna survive in this economy with 3 kids, 2 of which will be attending college in the next 1-3 years.  We needed a plan and we made a plan.

Our first DR action was to combine accounts.  After 18+years of having separate accounts, we decided to merge into one.  One of our biggest arguments with each-other is the whole “I paid for this” crap.   It was a very scary decision to be quite honest and while I’m sure we could have made it work with different accounts, I felt like we needed to be united much more in our future, especially with our finances.

Now we really don’t have much debt, maybe $17000 which includes our car, so the DR plan was to get out of debt but also to learn our spending habits and secure our future.   We had to create a budget which proved difficult.  Folks with a set income will find it fairly easy but when you are self-employed, it becomes a guessing game much of the time.  We did get the budget done though based on his income and my LOWEST projected income. That way, if I made more, it could be used as a ‘snowball’.  <– That’s DR terminology.

Having a budget means cutting costs and one of our biggest money wasters, aside from fuel, is food.  If you’re anything like  me, you buy a ton of food and end up never even using half of it.  Meal planning is not something I am good at. In fact, I’m down right horrible at it but I’m determined to learn and make it work for us.  Creating a meal plan is essential and I decided to make it part of my food blog for accountability.    This way I can reflect on how I spent our grocery money, if we actually made the food, and changes we can make to improve.  It’s also a fun way to engage my audience!

There are many steps to the DR plan and as the year goes on, I’ll share them with you and how we are progressing.  So to recap what we’ve done and our steps so far…….

*Create a budget and give EVERY dollar a name. 

DR’s Baby Step #1

• $1000 in an emergency fund – We currently have $2500 in ours that we will not touch unless it is an absolute emergency.

DR’s Baby Step #2

• Pay off all debt (except the house) by utilizing the “Debt Snowball” – Some folks will be on this step for a while depending on their debt size.  What I love about using the Dave Ramsey software (I use the online one), is that once you have put in your debts, it will calculate when you should be out of debt assuming you follow the program accordingly.  It’s very cool to see your debt free date.  It gives you a visual and some hope.

We will be on this step for a little bit but I’ll still be updating you with tips and ideas on things you can do to help achieve your financial goals.    Do you have any finance goals?

Also, I’m happy to share a book that is an easy read and great overview of how the DR plan works; The Money Answer Book.  It’s mine, I’ve read it several times but have moved on to his other books and dvds.  If you’re interested, leave me a comment below on why you’d like to have it and I’ll draw someone on Thursday, January 5th.  Just a small way to pay it forward….

PR reach out daily but I turn most everything down.  While I didn’t have a nervous break down, I was revived spiritually, and I have never gotten tons of traffic.

The fact is, I have removed myself from much of the online space because being a Mom is more important to me.  Professional blogging is not a hobby, it is a full time job and in most cases require much more than 40 hours per week.   It can quickly become overwhelming and take over every breathing moment.  I simply had enough and said, no.more.  My time with my family had been reduced and the constant reminder from my boys that I’m on the computer all the time, quickly burned a hole in my head and I began to feel guilty.  I had forgotten how to enjoy my kids and I wanted to again.

While I understand that both problogging and being a Mom can be done (and God bless all of you who DO do it), I choose to be a Mom first without interruptions.  It has always, and will continue to take priority over everything else in my life.  So if you see a lack of posts or zero status updates, it’s not because I was rejected by the blogosphere in any way but because, well, I guess I’m rejecting it, to do what I have always been called to do……..being a Mom.

When I got the email asking me to share this, it brought up a memory.  I have pictures of my brother teaching me how to ride and I was older, 7 almost 8, and it was the only bike I ever owned.  It got stolen soon after.  I was sad of course but I’m more sad now when I think about it because my Mom worked so hard to be able to afford that bike for me. :(   I talked to my Mom earlier about it and she said she remembers us not being able to afford to get my flat fixed and how Kathy our neighbor, who is now my AUNT KATHY, would fix it for me since we didn’t have the money.  OMG, these memories are making me sad. GAH!   I happen to find a photo of me and Jeremy on my Black and Gold BMX Huffy Bike!!!!  I was 7, almost 8!

So this is why I’m writing about it.  We were fairly poor.  I was one of those kids who had the necessities but not much else and was completely thrilled to get something.  I know  how valuable the Toys for Tots program is and how awesome it is for Huffy to donate the money.   So I’m asking you to ‘Like’ and share with others for the cause.  They….I would appreciate it.

Pay close attention to the different times things are on sale!!!

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS

Wow, check out that Emerson 40″ LCD TV for only $248. Holy cow I bet those go fast!!

The hot I noticed on here is the Canon Rebel T3 with Bonus for $479. Not too shabby at all.  That’s also an Amazon Kindle for $79 bucks!

PS3 Bundle for only $199. DANG!!! That’s a GREAT buy y’all.  Also tons of movies on sale!

Tons of kid board games for only $3.88. These are always a hit and awesome on the pocketbook! The Leapfrog Tag Reader is only $20.  We love our Leapfrog products!  And check out those Jeeps, cars and motorcycles for $99. WOW!

This has me excited!  600 Thread Count Canopy Sheets for ONLY $19.96.  OH.MY.GOSH.  That’s insane!! Canopy is an awesome brand too!  Bath towels are $1.28 Those are crazy prices. I bought tons last year on Black Friday and they are still in awesome shape!  So worth the money and the staying up late to get them.

Trampoline WITH enclosure for $158. GAH!! I also love the $69 basketball goal, the $49.97 Sewing machine and the AWESOME Cricut for $187!!!!

 Be sure to check out your local ad.  Print it and prepare your shopping list y’all!! I’d love to know what you plan on getting!! 

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms as we share our experiences and ideas! Walmart has provided me with compensation in return for my time & efforts to create this post. My participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.

I have to admit, I sometimes wondered what kind of young man you’d turn out to be.  Between carving your name into everything, cutting holes in your clothes, and holding Toby down ALL the time to spit on him (all at the age of 5)…I really did wonder.  But look at you now….

Your athleticism, dedication, and respect for the game on and off the field will only be an inspiration to the upcoming Highland Hornets.  While you’ve struggled academically just a tad throughout the years, you have so many other qualities that will carry you far in life that are just as, if not more important.  I think it’s our hardships that have made you appreciative and grateful for everything that comes your way.  I’ve said it many times but you have this incredible work ethic and mannerism that would make any parent proud.

We love you more than you can possibly imagine Tyler.  From the moment you were born and your dad was counting every single toe and finger, to now, to wherever life takes you…we’ll always be proud of who you are and what you stand for.  Enjoy every second of the game tonight, play your heart out, and beat those cardinals!!!!!! 

Tyler Falcon and Megan Thompson WOOHOO! Sorry, my camera was out of focus I guess.

Highland Hornets, Senior Boys 2012

Tyler and Toby Falcon (Senior & Sophomore)

Tyler and his mama:)

Tyler and Kara, the gal that has broken him out of his shell, makes him smile, and keeps him in line!

What are you hoping will be on sale at Walmart during Black Friday?  Electronics is always hot and I’m sure there’s bound to be plenty of those.  I did great last year with the toys, clothes, and towels.  As always, I plan to go shopping during Black Friday and take advantage of as many savings as possible.

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms as we share our experiences and ideas! Walmart has provided me with compensation in return for my time & efforts to create this post. My participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.

I had the chance to see these first hand and know the quality that they are.  There are so many styles too that you are sure to find one that suits your taste!  Some things you should know:

• Safe, clean heat source.  (25 watt lightbulb)
• No flame
• No residue
• Lovely fragrances!!!

At under $16 bucks, you’ll be able to afford to give these as gifts to more than one person.

If you find the “Love, Live, and Laugh” wax warmer, you should get it. It’s so pretty and the message rocks! This is probably my most favorite gift idea for this holiday season.

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms as we share our experiences and ideas! Walmart has provided me with compensation in return for my time & efforts to create this post. My participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.

One of my favorite things to keep on hand are the Clorox Wipes.  These are great for the bathrooms and kitchen.  I know that my boys won’t ‘deep clean’ their bathroom and that I’m much more likely to get them to grab a wipe and sweep it across the sink or toilet.   I make sure to keep some in the kitchen too.  I usually use them after my counters have been cleaned with a washcloth.  It’s like a quick swipe across the counters, with the Clorox wipes, gives me a sanitized clean feeling all over!  Some other favorite uses are for the door knobs, refrigerator doors, and remotes.

I also love Pine-Sol.  Not only is it great for your floors, it’s also great in your sink. Yes, in your sink y’all.  Clean your sink with it and poor a little extra down the drain right before company arrives.  It smells great!!

Some more things you should have done before the hoards of friends & family start coming:

• Clean the microwave!  Someone will want to use at some point, I guarantee it!
• Sharpen your knives.  You’ll be using them for all that cooking and will save you time by having it done ahead of time.
• Safety check your home.   Who knows what could happen during the hustle & bustle of cooking in the kitchen!
• Clean out your fridge!  Make room for the food!

Aside from your regular cleaning, I recommend washing your bedding and towels so that they’ll be clean for your guests.   Stock up on paper goods; plates, towels, and toilet paper.  Be sure to clean all rooms of your home because you never know who will go where, looking for what.

What are some things you do to prepare your home for the holidays and what are some of your favorite products to use? Mine include the two above, Dixie plates, Glad trash bags, Angel Soft toilet paper, and Brawny paper towels. Has anyone ever used Surf detergent??

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms as we share our experiences and ideas! Walmart has provided me with compensation in return for my time & efforts to create this post. I also received several products mentioned in this post, all of which I use on a regular basis (except for the Surf). My participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.