Piles of Opportunity

There are piles of opportunity everywhere.



Five of our young men are back in action catching gophers - that perfect enterprise for little guys.

AND ... its multi-tasking!

They're:
- earning pocket money,
- helping us and a neighbor improve the pastures and hay fields,
- feeding the cats & dog
- learning business "skills"
- getting extra exercise 2x/day
- learning money & math (at least the littlest guys are)

Gotta love that!

Work From Home

I think I've stumbled upon a work-at-home opportunity that each of us can do...so I'll share it with you:

Early in April I mailed three letters to three different companies. These short letters were kindly letting the companies know my experience with their product. I used the same format for each letter - short and to the point, with a gracious tone.

Here are their responses (click on the picture to make it big enough to read the fine print):


- One diaper company sent two coupons to cover the FULL price of two packages of their new improved diapers (which they are already in the process of developing - they gave me the new product code to watch for) = approximately $25 retail savings.

- Another company sent a coupon for full retail of my choice of their products (a thank you for taking time to send them my results) = approx. $15 retail savings.

- The third company sent a $15 cheque to compensate me for their unsatisfactory product.

So, for a few minutes of my time and few cents spent on stamps I have been compensated with approx. $55.00 !! If I would consistently make that three or four a week? That could add nicely to our household expense budget -- how about yours?
Each of the above reviews were "negative" reviews, in that the product did not perform as they stated and/or I just indicated how the product could be improved upon.

Each company responded with gratefulness to me for the time I had taken to let them know my view of their product.

We are all product testers "in the field". The companies value our opinion!


Designate a time in the week to do this and see it if can benefit your family too. I've made-up sort of a form letter on my Word program so that makes it easier & even less time spent. I keep a running list of products around my home to review and then record when I've sent off a review and what the compensation is, if any. That way I can be careful to only review each product one time. In time, I may run out of products to review, however there are so many brands of each item I doubt that will be anytime soon (every chain store has their own company product) ... I guess we may well be using products that we do not like sometimes. We'll have to see if we can live with that.

I am trying "positive" reviews as well to see how well that is received by the companies. I expect they will appreciate hearing positive product reviews, but they may not "reward" the effort with product coupons?? Still a positive review can potentially brighten someone's day so it would be a good & Godly thing to do.

So, I'm thinking I can use my already budgeted dollars for cleaning, cooking or whatever to purchase items I already need and use ... in fact, I can just write up reviews of products I already have in my home -- and get "paid" for having tried them. Then next time I can buy a different label and review that item.

All of us already are product testers. Try it - Submit a review & wait to receive a reward. Work from home - for yourself & for a myriad of production companies. You be the boss. Your overhead is already in your budget except for the few cents it will take to buy stamps and send off the letters air mail.

Perhaps these reviews could be sent by email. I haven't tried, simply based on my theory that a hardcopy opinion by letter will be perceived as carrying more "weight". For now, I'm enjoying reaping the benefits of product testing this way. If you try the email route please consider sharing your experience with us here? Thanks.

Now if you're thinking you don't use diapers or whatever, think again -- you could use some of those kinds of things to give as gifts, make up gift baskets or diaper cakes. Either way, we can use what God has already blessed us with to bless others and save our family dollars.

Win, Win all around!

A dollar saved is a dollar earned!

Another Offer from Vision Forum

The folks at Vision Forum have another free gift offer - and for today & tomorrow the FREE SHIPPING is still offered as well... November 24 & 25 only.

If you're interested check out this new offer of up to $245 in FREE gifts here.

FREE--Hundreds of Dollars in Free Gifts PLUS the Free Shipping!

Maybe get some shopping done early - whether gifts or homeschool supplies!

Vision Forum is making their offer of FREE Shipping even better. Check out the additional FREE gifts that you can earn with your order this week only. Just click on the banner for further details, watch the animated banner at the Vision Forum website - the FREE gifts you earn will automatically be added to your order as you make your selections.

AND to top it all off they are also adding an additional $10.00 gift certificate when your order reaches $150 or more to be used before the end of the year - which you can use immediately after your purchase to take advantage of the FREE shipping (if that next order totals $20 or more).

And yes, I did the research: you can place more than one order to receive all the free gifts (more than once if you choose) and the additional $10 more than once if you meet all the minuimum purchases.

Hurry though - the sale is only until Saturday, November 15th and subject to "while supplies last".

Surprise Me!

It's near the end of May 15th. We already had some encouragements today, but a significant encouragement came late in the day ... well actually, it started yesterday already when Ken's folks emailed us a copy of the Daily Bread Devotional for today - Do you ever take sneak peaks? Well they did, thought of us and sent it along via email yesterday already.

As you know already, I was rather busy yesterday and only took a cursory glance at their email, but Ken has taken time to read it. So, today, when my folks stopped by for a quick visit (we love those and will seriously MISS those) with the express purpose of encouraging us with the same thing, today's devotional entitled "Surprise Me!" Ken knew right away what they were talking about and showed it to me here at the computer after putting the children to bed.

Here it is: (thanks Dad K. for copying it out - copy paste is some much easier for me then)

May 15, 2008
Surprise Me!
READ: Ephesians 3:14-21
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. —Isaiah 55:8
When our family went out for an ice cream cone, my dad would ask my mother what flavor she’d like. Often she would reply, “Surprise me!” She told me she was rarely disappointed in his choice.

Do you like surprises? Would you ever dare say, “Surprise me!” to God? A lot of us are a little scared to do that. Yes, we have faith that God is good and that He loves us. Yet we’re afraid we won’t like what He chooses for us.

Throughout the Bible we read that God delights in doing the unexpected. Sometimes it’s folding back the waters for His people to cross a sea on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22). Or forgiving and embracing those who repent of their sin (Ps. 130:1-4). Jesus’ time on earth was filled with amazing events that pointed people to His Father—He turned water into wine, calmed storms, healed the sick, and raised the dead.

What kind of God do we serve? One who is not confined by our finite imagination (Eph. 3:20). God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isa. 55:8), and He wants to bless us with far more than a special flavor of ice cream. He delights in His children who trust Him and are willing to say, “Surprise me, Lord!”

O Lord, give me the grace to be
Content with what You give to me.
No! More than that, let me rejoice
In all You send me—it’s Your choice! —Anon.

Those who let God provide will always be satisfied.

Coming from both our parents doubles the encouragement ... (I think I'll label it a "2 for 1" Deal, how's that? smile)

Pre-school Number Recognition

At four, our twins are counting to twenty, but recognizing the numbers is another matter altogether. So I found it rather interesting when Bronlin started naming the numbers as the red second hand on our kitchen clock ticked past each number.



After counting around the clock three times he quite confidently knew what the numbers were. Brother Benjamin followed suit ... simple as that, now I think they've "got it"... when they count them in order.

We'll just be sure to repeat that little exercise regularly for a bit and that will be that. Repetition will help them identify each number out of sequence also.

I wonder, somehow counting on the clock will make their learning of time that much easier too ...

Next will be writing the numbers and then writing numbers associated with objects. Sometimes their ease of learning just simply amazes me!


Whoever said homeschooling is hard? It's not.

AND where we, as parents, fail or lack - God fills the gaps.

Of course, it is still our responsibility to live righteously before God.


How is this a "2 for 1"? Learning number recognition + time.

"The Birds Came to Sing"

Spring has sprung here in the middle of Western Canada. The temperature is warming and melting the snow...AND the "birds have come to sing".

Benjamin came running into the house to tell me "Mommy, Mommy the birds have come to sing". He and his brothers had gone out to play. In the middle of their play Benjamin stopped to listen to the bird songs. I'm so glad he came to share the news with me.

Little ones often have such a pure reflection on nature. Their joy brings joy to our hearts...making the bird songs a double blessing.

"2 for 1" Deal on Shampoo

We choose to use an expensive shampoo from our local Health Food store. The expense is our decision, but I still find it hard to pay so much for shampoo.

We like it though and feel good that the ingredients in it are not as harmful to our family health as that in many other shampoos readily available for way less.

One way that I have found to make it lather and last - longer, is to divide one bottle of shampoo into two bottles.

Then fill each bottle with water.

Shake and use as usual.

The result is great. Perhaps even better than before.

And the shampoo lasts longer. I promise.

It's like getting two bottles for the price of one.


Ah, spoken like a true frugal twofer lover, don't you think?

Re-cycled Money

This may be so basic you have figured it out long ago, but just in case ...

Way back when I first began teaching money concepts to my oldest when he was little I counted the cost of purchasing a set of play money with which he could learn to count money - I realized then already that I could just change that amount of money (I think it was around $10.00 back then)into small coins and keep it in a special money jar.




Periodically now, our littles get out the money jar and learn sorting skills first, then coin values and eventually they're learning to "give change".

One frugal benefit is that when we're done with needing coins for counting we can just use them - without taking a loss. In fact, it even keeps up with inflation (that's a concept for us adults, of course).

Christmas Cards in January

If you sent a card to us this year ... or a picture ... or a letter, you can consider yourself on our prayer list. Each evening when we gather for Family Worship, all eight of us take a card and pray for the sender(s).

I've also re-used Christmas cards by:
1. making gift tags from them for next year (not from pictures though)
2. used one as a wall plaque - the words are timeless "He's really all there is, and all that really matters" - two sparrows looking towards Bethlehem.

What do you do with Christmas cards once Christmas is over?

Timesaver Tip

Most often, when we print or copy a page we need it with the three holes in it so that we can file it in a binder.

Solution: Buy the paper with the holes already punched!

Last time I purchased a case of blank white paper, I mistakenly grabbed a box with the three holes already punched. It has proven to be a welcome mistake, saving us from reaching for the three-hole punch each time we've printed a page.

Oh, there are those occasions when an unpunched page is preferable, but those are not nearly as many. A quick fill with the page or two that I need is quite a bit easier than all the punching we used to do.

Time saved at no extra cost. Whoo hoo!

I think this qualifies as a "2 for 1" Deal because not only are you buying the paper, you've also basically gotten the 3-hole-punch for "free" PLUS you've saved time (eventually a punch would wear out right? smile).

One little way to become a better steward ... of our time!

Time for Tea?

This past week our family fell ill with a flu bug. In a large household it takes time to make the rounds.

About a month ago, I tried making "Ginger Tea", steeping fresh pressed ginger for the flavor & health benefit. The adults and older sons enjoyed it sweetened with honey, but the littles found the taste unappealing and a bit too much on the "hot" side for their liking.

Even the standard gingerale was not to their liking this time around. I kept trying new liquids to offer them after each unpleasant episode, hoping that something would be palitable and stem the tide for them. Bland foods & water were not the answer either.

Finally, I tried:

Homemade "Sparkling Cheery Gell-o"
1/2 cup cold water
2 Tbsp. gelatin
1 can frozen concentrate juice (I used McCain Raspberry)
3 cups gingerale
Mix the gelatin into the 1/2 cup cold water and heat until dissolved, stirring constantly. Cool & add the juice concentrate then add the gingerale and place in fridge until set.

The sparkling gello settled stomachs, was palitable, and gave the necessary energy our littles needed to pull out of the slump.

Praise to God - Jehovah Rapha - God Who Heals!

As an after thought, some of my ginger tea was left over and cooled giving me a new idea to try ... using fresh ginger tea to add to the gell-o using mineral water as the "sparkle". Look for an edit to this post at a later date, after I've tried this out (the fresh ginger may impede the gelling of the gelatin - wait and see!)

How do you battle a flu bug?

"2 for 1 Deal": Toddlers begin Printing

One thing I do as a homeschool Mom is to help my toddlers learn printing by dotting the letters for them to trace.
We usually begin with their name. Help them sign their name to their artwork by dotting the letters for them to trace ... eventually, as they get more confident and want more, I add some numbers (1,2,3 ...) and then phrases. The best phrase we use is "Bronlin (child's name) loves Jesus" and it's variation, "Jesus loves Benjamin" (child's name)- teaching them spiritual truth along with practical fine motor skills.

Frugal Deal: Free Quaker Granola Bars

Check you local grocery store shelves for specially marked boxes of Quaker granola bars. The Quaker Crunchy, Chewy Yogurt, and Chewy Trail Mix bars have a coupon printed inside (boxes indicate a coupon inside). The coupon is a 2 for 1 deal - you buy a box and get one box free. Buy two or three boxes, then take them home and cut out the coupons. These coupons are then "proof of purchase" for having bought those 2-3 boxes. Use those three coupons to go back to the store and pick up two or three more boxes - being careful to pick the variety again that has more free coupons for more free boxes.

Storage tip: We have extra freezer space, now that our pasture-raised poultry is all sold, so I am storing these treats in the freezer to keep them fresh longer.

Variety tip: Check all local stores for the possibility of more variety of flavors. I have found that some locations only carry one ... and variety is rather nice!

"2 for 1" Deal: Spry Gum

Here is another "2 for 1" deal that I have come across: Spry gum and/or mints. Spry is sweetened with xylitol which is a 100% natural sweetner that is endorsed by the Dental Association to also be an anti-plaque agent inhibiting the formation of cavities.

The gum is in chicklet format and made without color. Therefore all the flavors are white. They use oil to add the flavors of cinnamon, spearamint, fruit flavor (much like "Juicy Fruit") and peppermint. Both the flavor and texture are lasting.

Our family has been without gum and candy for nine years - ever since one of our ds came down with Diabetes Mellitus, Type I. However, the xylitol sweetner, in small amounts at least, does not affect blood sugar levels.

So there you have it, Spry offers a treat that is good for your teeth and good for blood sugar levels - how cool is that?!

Oh, and speaking of cool ... xylitol itself has no after taste, but rather a pleasant "cool" taste/feeling in your mouth.

Spry can most often be purchased in local Health food stores.

2 for 1 Deals: In the Air

Two for ones are fun - it's like doubling your time/effort whatever. One of the best ideas we happened across was taking the boys for an introductory flight at a local flight school. They each went for their 1/2 hour turn in the little 2 seater Cessna and asked the pilot to fly them over our farm just north of the city (Saskatoon, SK.). When our eldest son, Corbyn, took his flight though he took along his favorite toy/tool - his digital camera. As he flew over the farm, he took an arial photo (see the picture posted on September 29). Two for one - for a $30 introductory flight he also got an arial photo which traditionally can cost upwards of $100. Not bad, not bad. All good, I'd say.

What about you? What are your favorite 2 for 1 deals? Care to share?

Darlene
... who checks out all 2 for 1's.