Living on Less Than $28,000 A Year: How our family of six survives (and even thrives) on an income that is less than half the national median income, and what the government calls “below the poverty line” (less than $29,990 annually) for our family size. [Read other posts in this series here.]

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Join me on Twitter or Facebook for instant updates or subscribe to my FREE e-newsletter to get posts right in your inbox!
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I have had an overwhelming response to the Living on Less Than $28,000 A Year Series, but many of you have asked for specific help in getting started on a plan to spend less and save more.

To help, I am sharing videos over the next few weeks with a specific step by step plan to get your money on track. If you’d like to join us, just jump in and take the weekly challenge!

[Click here to see last week's video. Click here to see all the videos in this series.]

If you’re having trouble viewing the video on this page, click here.

Click here to subscribe to my You Tube Channel! 

 Click to print a $2.00 off any 4 Dial Liquid Hand Soap coupon. Use this coupon at Target for the following deal:

Dial Hand Soap – $1.29
Buy (4) Dial Hand Soaps
Use $2.00 off any 4 Dial Liquid Hand Soap coupon
Plus use (2) $1/2 Target store coupons
$.29 each after coupons!

Please Note: Some Target stores may only allow you to use 1 Target coupon–still a good deal!

Thanks, Passion For Savings!

*Remember all proceeds from coupons printed in the month of May through ThePeacefulMom.com will go directly to feed poor children in Guatemala (read more here). So far we have raised $72. Thank you!

Click here for more great COUPONS!

New Gluten Free Coupons and Deals including $2/1 Organic Girl produce item, $.75/2 Luigi’s Products and $1.00/1 Glutino Product. You can still get lots of Gluten Free Deals on Amazon including Chebe All Purpose Mix for just $2.48 per box! PLEASE see the note at the bottom of the post concerning the gluten free status of these foods.

(Please do not copy this entire list to another blog, but feel free to link back to ThePeacefulMom.com as long as you give credit. Thanks!)

NEW! Check out my GLUTEN FREE Pinterest Boards!

If you need meal planning help, Emeals  offers a weekly Gluten Free Menu Plan based on your local store sales. Click here to sign up and use promo code: CLEAN to get 10% off!

It’s gluten free month at Amazon! Here are some of the best deals available right now:

(Please note: Amazon prices change quickly so you may want to take advantage of these soon. Check your local prices to make sure these are a good deal for you.) 

NEW

8 bag pack of Chebe Gluten Free All Purpose Bread Mix from Amazon for $19.84 with Subscribe and Save, or just $2.48 per bag. We use this in our gluten free pizza crust (recipe here).

STILL AVAILABLE

The 12 pack box of Road’s End Organics Gluten Free Gravy Mixes (1 oz. Packets) are $12.75 with Subscribe and Save or Amazon Prime Accounts (only a few left in stock).

The KIND Minis Variety Pack, 12-Count is just $10.38 and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $25 or more.

The 3 pack of Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix (16-Ounce Boxes) is $12.42 with Subscribe and Save or $4.14 per box  

The 24 pack of Popchips 6-Flavor Variety Pack, 0.8-Ounce Single Serve Bags are $17.42 with Subscribe and Save or just $.73 per bag ($.85 a bag without Subscribe and Save)!

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) for only $18.24 (makes it only $3.04 a box rather than $4.99 which is the regular store price)

The 4 pack of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix, 20-Ounce Units is $9.42 with Subscribe and Save, or just $2.36 each.

Skippy Peanut Butter, Natural Creamy, 15-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6) for $3.17 each. (This is up from $2.60 last week, but may still be a good deal for you.)

KIND Fruit & Nut, Nut Delight, All Natural, Gluten Free Bars (Pack of 12) for $14.26 with Subscribe & Save, or just $1.19 per bar!

The 4 pack of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Grain Quinoa (26-Ounce Packages) is just $33.08, or $8.27 with Subscribe & Save. Great gluten free grain to use in salads or as a breakfast cereal. Make sure this is a good price for your area.

You can also get the 6 pack of Glutino Gluten Free Breakfast Bars, Blueberry (5-Count Boxes) for just $20.28 with Subscribe and Save. That makes each box just $3.38 (normally around $6.00 in the store)!

Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Cocoa & Vanilla Bunny Cookies  ( 6.75-Ounce Boxes-Pack of 6) for $14.23 with Subscribe and Save (reg. price $47.88)! Just $2.37 per box. Read our review here.

The 12 pack of BumbleBar Gluten Free Junior Original Peanut (0.65-Ounce Bars) are $7.59 with Subscribe and Save (reg. price $12.00).

Annie’s Homegrown Berry Patch Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks (5-Count Pouches -Pack of 4) for $13.94 with Subscribe and Save, or $.70 per pack!

Annie’s Berry Patch Organic Fruit Snacks, 18-Count Pouch for $13.34 with Subscribe & Save, or just $.74 per bag.

The 48 pouch packs of GoGo SqueeZ applepeach are just $23.87 or $.50 per pouch with Subscribe and Save. The packs of GoGo SqueeZ applebanana are just $24.49 or $.51 per pouch with Subscribe and Save. These are great for an on-the-go kid’s snack.

Get the 6 pack (6 count boxes) of EnviroKidz Organic Koala Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars for $16.68, or just $2.78 per box! This is a great deal if your kids like these bars.

*Remember that you can cancel Subscribe & Save at any time.

Click here to see all the gluten free products available at Amazon.

NEW COUPONS

$1.00/1 Glutino Gluten Free Item (some zipcodes–search in foods)

$.75/1 Minute Maid 12-pk cans, any variety

$.55 off Hillshire Farm Deli Carvers™ Lunchmeat

$.75 off any ONE Welch’s Juice

$.75/2 Luigi’s products and $.50/2 StarKist® Tuna Pouch products

$.55 off any Florida Crystals Sugar product

 Buy One (any) 64oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, Get 1 Cherry Juice FREE  (FREE juice at CVS with this coupon starting May 20th)

$.50/1 Annie Chun’s Product (see Annie Chun’s gf products here)

$.55/1 Eckrich Smoked Sausage (“like” on Facebook–check labels for gf status)

$.75/1 Wasa product (Facebook-gluten free varieties available in some areas)

$2/1 any Organic Girl brand fresh produce coupon on Facebook

$1/2 Garden of Eatin’ Tortilla Chips 3 oz. or larger. ($1.42 at Walmart with coupon!)

Common Kindness Coupons:  $.75/1 package of Gold N Plump Chicken, $.50/1 package of Gold N Plump Ground Chicken, $.50/1 Food For Life Product. Still available: $.50/1 Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Cookie Dough, $.75/1 Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Stevia, $1.00/1 Numi Tea , $1.00/1 Udi’s GF Pizza coupon plus more (look in all 3 galleries)!

New Mambo Sprouts Coupons: $.55/1 San J Gluten Free Sauce, $1.00/1 Rudi’s GF product (another one here), $1.00/1 Crunchmaster Crackers (read our review here). Still available: $.65 Florida Crystals Product, $1.00/1 Zevia Soda, $1.00/1 Earth Balance Organic Spread

STILL AVAILABLE

$1/1 R. W. Garcia Tortilla Chips (Facebook)

$1.00 off any Welch’s Sparkling Juice Cocktail

Red Plum: $1.00/2 Land O Frost Deli Meat [some zipcodes: $.75/1 Alexia Frozen Product (read gf info here), $1.00/1 Egg Beaters]

$.75 off 2 Yoplait Kid products

$1.00 off one Silk Fruit&Protein

$.55 off PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE Cream Cheese (see ingredients here)

$2/2 any Silk product (register-good on single serves, 4-packs, quarts or half gallons)

$1/1 any Planters Peanut Butter (available again)

$2/2 Bags of Eight O’Clock Coffee (register)

$1/3 Cans of Red Pack Tomatoes (register)

$2/1 POM Juice (48 oz.)

$.75/1 Earthbound Farms Arugula

$.50/1 Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt (register)

$.50/1 ALO Drink

$.50/2 Extra Gum 15 stick packs

Mambo Sprouts has a new $1.00/1 Rudi’s Gluten Free Bread 

$1.00 off ONE 36 oz. V8 V-Fusion Smoothie

$1.00 off 4-Pack of Welch’s Fruit Fizz

$1.00 off 2 General Mills Cereals (including Chex)

$1/1 box of Dreyer’s Fruit Bars (Facebook)

$1.00 off any Country Crock Spread 

Some zipcodes: $1/1 Schar Gluten-Free product coupon and $.75/1 Snikiddy Snacks coupon

$2 off any International Delight Iced Coffee (Vocalpoint members, selected zipcodes)

$1/1 Lipton Pure Leaf Iced Tea

$.75/2 Starkist Tuna Pouches

$.55/5 11.5oz cans of Kern’s Juice or $50/1 Kern’s 64oz Carton

$1/1 Applegate Farms Product (See gluten free info here.)

$.55/1 Real California Cheese Printable

$1/4 Libby’s single fruit cups and $1/4 cans of Libby’s vegetables  (Get Back to the Table site–left hand side)  

Whole Foods Coupons Still Available:

$.50/1 16oz. 365 Everyday Value Organic Salsa

$.50/1 Organic Valley Eggs, 6pk.

$1.00/2 32oz. Brown Cow Yogurt, or 5 6oz. Brown Cow Yogurt

$.50/1 Organic Valley Sour Cream

$.75/1 Earth Balance Soymilk

$.55/1 San-J Gluten Free Asian Cooking Sauce or 8oz. Salad Dressing

$3.00/1 Glaceau Smartwater 1 liter case

$1.50/2 Gluten Free Nature’s Path or EnviroKidz Organic Cereals or Bars

$1.00/1 IZZE 4pk. 12oz. glass (I really love this stuff!)

$1.00/2 Cartons Shelf Stable Blue Diamond Almond Breeze

$1.00/2 Crofter’s Organic Fruit Spreads

$.50/1 Glaceau Vitamin Water

$1.00/1 Yogi Tea

$1.00/1 Think Thin Crunch or Think Thin Crunch Fruit and Nut

$5.00/1 Garden of Life Perfect Food or Perfect Food Raw Formula

$1.00/1 Celestial Seasonings Kombucha Energy Drink

$5.00/1 Garden of Life Raw Meal or Raw Protein Powder

$5.00/1 Garden of Life Vitamin Code 120ct. or 240ct.

$1.00/1 16-24oz. 365 Everyday Value Organic Flax Oil

ALSO STILL AVAILABLE

$.50/2 DOVE Chocolate Singles Bars   

$1.00 off any Alexia sweet potato item  (please read updated gluten free information here)

$1.00/2 Pure Protein Bars 

Buy 1, Get 1 Pure Bar

 $1/1 Frank’s RedHot product 

$2/3 Stonyfield Yogurts (register)

$2/1 Rice Select product 28 ounces + (Facebook–plain rice products are naturally gluten free, but not labeled gluten free)

$.50/1 Pure Via Sweetener, any size  

$.55/1 package of Mann’s Fresh-Cut Vegetable

$1.25/1 Barbara’s Cereal ($1.75 if you like them on Facebook. See gluten free info here.)

$1.00/1 Organic Girl product   

$1.00/1 Rudi’s gluten free product. (“Like” them on Facebook)

$1.50/1 Wholly Guacamole Product

$1.50/1 Silk Product coupon (register)

$1/1 Snikiddy product (register)

$1.00/2 San J Gluten Free Asian Salad Dressings Coupon (like them on Facebook)

$1/2 Cabot Creamery products

$.50/1 Heinz Original Cocktail Sauce or Heinz Zesty Cocktail Sauce (register)

$1/1 thinkThin Crunch or Fruit & Nut Bar

$.55/1 Florida Crystals Organic Sugar

$1/1 BOLD Organics product (gluten free pizzas-click here for nutritional information)

$.50/1 Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce

Lots of Dole Coupons

$1/1 8.5 oz Bottle or One 4-Pack of Wolfgang Puck Iced Coffee (Facebook)

$1.00/1 Bakery On Main Product (don’t forget about the $1.50/1 Any Bakery on Main Product coupon here–click “Join the Club” on the right hand side.)

$.50/3 Stonyfield Organic Yogurt Cups and $.50/1 Stonyfield Organic Yogurt (click coupon tab at top and register)

$.75/1 Lundberg Brown Rice Chips

$1.00/1 Blue Diamond Nut Chips

$1/2 46oz V8 V-Fusion Tea Beverages

$.55/1 Heartland Pasta (Facebook)

$1/1 Odwalla Juice (Recyclebank-Sign up here for FREE!)

Target coupons

$1/1 Rudi’s GF product

$1/1 package Wonderful Pistachios

$.55/1 Horizons Organic Milk Half Gallon (register)

$.55 off on NEW Almond Plus almond milk

$.55/1 Mann’s Freshcut Vegetables (IE) (FF)

$5.00 in Hormel Coupons here and $7.00 in Hormel Coupons (see Hormel GF info here)

$1.00/1 Sambazon Organic Juice Drink

$.75/1 bag of 1 oz Funky Monkey Snacks

Various French’s Coupons (register or log in to print)

$1/1 Ella’s Kitchen Baby Food Product (Facebook)

YoKids Organic Yogurt coupon (Facebook)

$.55/1 Friendship Dairies Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream

$1.00/1 Canyon Bakehouse Product (Facebook)

$1/1 Blue Diamond Nut Thins

$1/1 Pacific Natural Foods Soups (register)

$1/1 Celestial Seasoning Wellness Tea

$.50/1 Dr Praeger’s product (like on Facebook)

$1.00/2 Cracker Barrel Cheese Products (Facebook)

Garden of Life Raw Food Products

$.75/1 Wasa Crispbread (Wasa Gluten & Lactose Free Crackers and rice cakes are gluten free)

Save $.55/1 Nature’s Greens product (Facebook)

Brown Cow Yogurt coupons

$2.00/1 Woodstock Farms product (Facebook–use for frozen vegetables)

$1.00/2 Simply Organic Spices and $.50/1 Simply Organic Extract

$1.00/1 Kettle Chips (gf statement here)

$1.00/1 Glutino Genius Gluten Free Bread (Facebook coupon)

$1.00/1 Rice Works GF Product (Record a video and upload to Facebook)

ALSO STILL AVAILABLE

$1/1 Rustic Crust Product (gluten free pizza crust)

$.55/1 Enjoy Life Product plus $.75/1 Boom Choco Boom Chocolate Bar (Facebook coupon reset-plus Canadian coupon!)

$1.00/2 Apple & Eve 8 packs or 64 oz. bottles

Sign up for these one time offers if you haven’t yet:

$1/2 Lifeway Products

$1.00/1 Arrowhead Mills Product (register–gf list here)

$1.00/1 Udi’s Gluten Free Bread (register for emails)

$1.00/1 Schar product (Sign up for the FREE Schar Club on Facebook.)

$1.00/1 Cascadian Farms Product

$1.00/1 Alexia Foods (please read updated gluten free information here)

$1.00/1 So Delicious Coconut Product Coupon

$1.00/1 Crunch Master Crackers box or bag (register for email updates). Read our review here.

$1.00/1 French Meadow Bread Product

$1.00/1 SnikiddyProduct (register)

$1.50/1 Wholly Guacamole product

Click here for more great coupons!

*Please Note: This information is provided as a service, but is not intended as medical advice. Products which are certified “gluten-free” must be manufactured in a plant dedicated to allergy free production. Some products are included in this list which are not labeled “gluten-free”, but which will be acceptable for most people. As always, check labels for information which pertains to your personal situation.

You May Also Enjoy:

GF Recipes

GF Info

Weekly GF Menus

I recently read another blogger’s post about some books that she enjoyed, and I started thinking about books that really and truly changed me. The names of the books came to mind almost instantly because they have had a profound effect on the way I live my life, and I thought that perhaps by sharing them I might be able to help some of you as well.

I will make a small percentage of the purchase price if you buy these books through my links (which I really appreciate if you choose to do so), but I’m sharing because they are great books, not because I might make a few dollars.

The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger

In this book Dr. Schwarzbein explains in detail the scientific reasons why our bodies need fat and protein, contrary to what you hear in the popular media. I can tell you that eating the way she suggests has helped me to feel better physically and emotionally. (Please see note at the bottom of the post.)

Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection

I have suffered from back pain throughout my life starting at age 9 when I fell while roller skating and cracked my tail bone. About 5 years ago, I bent over to pick up something and experienced intense, excruciating pain. I could not straighten my back and my husband had to help me into bed where I stayed for 3 days getting up only to use the bathroom (and believe me, I considered the option of not doing that!).

After staying in the bed and taking lots of ibuprofen, I was able to move a little bit and I made an appointment with a chiropracter. I had some relief, but I had another episode later. I tried an orthopedic doctor and physical therapy, but still had issues.

Finally a friend recommended this book to me. He had been scheduled for back surgery, but after reading this book he has had no more back problems and ended up not needing the surgery. I have had a couple of minor back issues since reading it, but I quickly address them according to what Dr. Sarno lays out in the book, and I am able to continue functioning without pain. It’s an interesting read, but please note that I am not giving you medical advice or promising that it will help your situation.

Dreaming with God: Secrets to Redesigning Your World Through God’s Creative Flow

If I had one message to share with you I would tell you that we best reveal God to others by being the unique, creative individuals that God created us to be. He has placed the seed of a dream inside of you and given you the raw talent to fulfill that dream, but it will succeed best when you walk with God along the way and seek His guidance, inspiration and revelation. Life is best lived in relationship with God.

Bill Johnson’s book amplifies this truth. He gives specific examples of individuals who followed God’s path for their lives and who ended up not only being successful financially, but changing their world as a result.

If you choose to read these, I would like to know what you think. As always, I welcome the discourse of differing opinions, but I ask you to be kind and respectful in your comments. Thanks!

PLEASE NOTE: None of the information in this post is intended as medical or professional advice, just a mom sharing her personal experiences. You should seek the advice of medical or other professionals if your circumstances require it. (In other words, I’m sharing my personal experience and you should do your own research and make your own choices. )

Click to print a Buy One (any) 64oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, Get 1 Cherry Juice FREE coupon. Use this coupon at CVS starting May 20th for this deal:

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice B1G1 FREE  
Buy One (any) 64oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, Get 1 Cherry Juice FREE coupon
FREE after coupon and store sale!

You may want to print now. Also, not all CVS locations carry the Cherry variety, so be sure to call ahead.

(Thanks, For The Mommas!)

*Remember all proceeds from coupons printed in the month of May through ThePeacefulMom.com will go directly to feed poor children in Guatemala (read more here). So far we have raised $72. Thank you!

Click here for more great COUPONS!

This seems to be the week for reposts, but I found this article from February 2010 and thought it had some good points to ponder.

“But I want it!”

How many times have you heard this refrain? Children seem to want everything and then some!

It’s tempting to give in to our children’s desires because we love them, and let’s be honest, sometimes we just want them to be quiet. But is it possible to give them too much?

I believe it is, so I engage in what Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced “decision”), author of the Tightwad Gazette calls “Creative Deprivation.”

Amy’s theory is that by giving our children everything they want, they become immune to the thrill of receiving a gift, and they require more impressive gifts and/or entertainment to feel the same appreciation. To avoid this “immunity” she carefully chooses the activities in which her family participates.

For example, she doesn’t take her children out for ice cream every week, but saves that treat for a special occasion. Her children are therefore much more grateful and whine less because they know the answer is going to be “no”.

One of my concerns in training my own children is developing their character rather than feeding their self-esteem at all costs. Yes, I enjoy giving them things, but I  don’t give them everything they want.

What kind of employee or spouse will they be if I allow them to have everything they ask for and they never have to work for anything? Adults who believe that everything should be given to them tend not to be successful in life, or pleasant to be around.

The next time your child whines for something think about this: Is my child’s character more important or their immediate happiness? It may be tough to say no, but it’s so worth it. Their future is at stake.

For more help with whining, check out Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days by Dr. Kevin Leman.

You might also enjoy reading this article from Simple Kids.net.

What do you think–can you give your child too much?

You May Also Enjoy:

More Parenting Posts

Get a FREE Customized Rubber Stamp right now at Vistaprint and pay only $7.72 for shipping and handling! There are 18 Designs to choose from, and you can customize up to 3 lines!

Create an Address Stamp, a Name Stamp for your child, or a stamp with your name, phone number and e-mail address to stamp books or other belongings you loan out! You could also make a Thank You stamp, or a stamp for gift tags.

Click here to create your stamp!

You can also get 250 business cards for just $10 shipped! This is a great deal and you can use these for “Mommy” cards with your contact info to hand out at play dates at the park or other get togethers or check out this great idea:

Pre-made customized gift tags!

 Just hole punch these, tie a colorful ribbon through it and attach to your gift bag.

Click here to check out all the design options.

Members of EatBetterAmerica can click here to request a FREE Nature Valley Granola Bar (first 10,000 only!). Fill out the form and allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.

If you’re not a member, be sure to sign up so you can get next month’s freebie!

Click here for more FREEBIES!

Show and Tell Saturday is the place to check out my creativity for the week and to link up yours!

This past week:

My Slice of Sky shared her Cinnamon Roll Pizza!

Sapphire from My Pollitos shared her tips on consignment shopping for kids.

The Common Room shared her Charlotte Mason Computer Banner.

You can see all the links from last week here. See previous Show & Tell Saturdays here.

Be sure to check back this Saturday for more fun and creativity, and be ready to link up YOUR project!

Cake reviews Glutino’s Gluten Free Pretzel Twists.   

What I Think:

“There’s pretty much nothing to say except that they taste exactly like pretzels!”

Tips:

Try them with ranch dressing.

Overall Rating:

5 out of 5

You can find Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Twists (Pack of 12) at Amazon.com and at Vitacost (Click here for a FREE $10 credit on your first order!).

You May Also Enjoy:

Easy GF Recipes

More GF Posts

More GF Product Reviews

$.55 off Hillshire Farm Deli Carvers™ Lunchmeat

$.75 off any ONE Welch’s Juice

*Remember all proceeds from coupons printed in the month of May through ThePeacefulMom.com will go directly to feed poor children in Guatemala (read more here). So far we have raised $70. Thank you!

[Personal friends of our family run the program which feeds several hundred children from the very poorest section of Guatemala city every weekend. I know they really appreciate any money we can give them, so thank you for printing the coupons you need through The Peaceful Mom!]

Click here for more great COUPONS!

If you’ve been around ThePeacefulMom.com for long, then you know that I am a HUGE fan of meal planning! I’ve been doing it for years and I am convinced it is one of the main reasons we are able to live on so little.

Meal planning not only saves money, but enables you to be less stressed. It’s great knowing what’s for dinner, rather than trying to decide at 5:00 p.m. when you’re tired and hungry.

If you struggle to get dinner on the table, I would encourage you to try e-Meals. For around $5.00 a month you can get a weekly menu of dinner meals based on the sales at your local store. The menus include all the recipes for the meals AND a grocery list. e-Meals truly makes meal planning a no-brainer, and they even have specific diet plans like their Gluten Free and new Clean Eating Plans.

One thing that I love about e-Meals is the fact that it was started by two moms. I am all for mom-preneurs!

If you would like to try an E-Meals plan for yourself, click here and use promo code CLEAN to get an additional 10% off their already low prices!

You can also print this FREE Printable Cooking Conversion Chart.

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Customizable Menu Planners

*affiliate link

[I originally posted this in July of 2010, but God brought it to my attention again this morning when I (once again) needed to take my own advice! ]

Anxiety, worry, stress–an experience common to everyone, but what do you DO about it? 

People handle stress and anxiety in different ways. Some take the healthier route through exercise, journaling or talking to friends or professionals. Some choose other alternatives like pills, alcohol, shopping or gambling. Others just eat chocolate (guilty!).

It seems that we are quite proficient in dealing with the results of stress, but are we dealing with the source?

Much of our anxiety results from fear– fear that we won’t succeed, fear that something terrible will happen, fear that we will never have enough. These fears are grounded in false beliefs such as the belief that everything is in our control, that every outcome in our lives is our responsibility or that the world chocolate supply is in danger (okay, maybe not that one ).

For many of us, the fear began in childhood when our needs were not met by the people who should have met them. Perhaps we saw terrible things happen in our own families. These events left us with a belief that we have to take care of ourselves because no one else will.

The truth is that you were not designed to carry that weight and God has given you a way out.

In John 14:27 of the Bible, Jesus says,”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus gives us a different kind of peace, a kind of peace that can’t be found in pills or yoga or psychologists.

I Peter 5:7 says,”Cast (throw) all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you.” In the past I interpreted this verse to mean that I shouldn’t worry because Jesus cares about me. The truth is that He cares in my place so that I don’t have to. He is much more capable to take care of all the details of my life. The Bible even says that Christ is sitting at the right hand of God interceeding (praying) for us (Romans 8:34).

Maybe you have heard these verses before, but have you experienced them?

Philippians 4: 6-7 says,”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Take a few minutes right now to talk to God about your anxiety and to ask God to reveal the root of it. Once you know, turn that worry into a prayer. Thank God for all He has done in your life, thank Him for caring about every detail and ask Him for His solution to your troubles.

As you truly trust God to care for you, and as you allow Him to guard your heart and mind you will experience a true, deep inner peace. You can’t find that in chocolate!

©2010 The Peaceful Mom-If you would like to share this article, please give credit and a link back to ThePeacefulMom.com. Please note that this post is not intended as professional advice but simply the author’s personal opinion. You should seek professional advice if your circumstances require it.

Two New Gluten Free Coupons just came out:

Click to print a $.75 off any 18.5 oz. Gold Peak Tea coupon. I am pretty sure these go on sale for $1.00 at Target and other stores, so just $.25 after coupon!

You can also print a $.55 off any Florida Crystals Sugar product coupon.

*Please Note: This information is provided as a service, but is not intended as medical advice. Products which are certified “gluten-free” must be manufactured in a plant dedicated to allergy free production. Some products are included in this list which are not labeled “gluten-free”, but which will be acceptable for most people. As always, check labels for information which pertains to your personal situation.

*Remember all proceeds from coupons printed in the month of May through ThePeacefulMom.com will go directly to feed poor children in Guatemala (read more here).

]]> http://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/05/15/2-new-gluten-free-coupons/feed/ 0 http://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/05/15/tuesday-frugal-tip-shaving-savings/ http://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/05/15/tuesday-frugal-tip-shaving-savings/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 14:23:09 +0000 Kimberlee http://thepeacefulmom.com/?p=63470

Tuesday Tips-Make life easier (and cheaper)!

Saving money is not just about big money strategies, but about the little things too. Saving a few dollars and cents in several areas can really add up. One area you can save on is shaving.

Shop Smart- The easiest way to save on shaving cream and razors is to buy them on sale with a coupon. Many times you can get razors for free using drugstore reward programs (like CVS extra care bucks). Check websites like Hip2Save for the weekly deal matchups.

Dry Your Razor- Keep your razor blade sharp longer by drying it after each use and keeping it away from the shower spray. Water causes oxidation which dulls the blade faster*.

Use Less-If you wet your legs or face first, you can use much less shaving cream–a thin layer is all you need and by using less, you need to buy it less often!

Use Soap- Skip the shaving cream all together and use soap. Just wet the bar and use the lather on your legs or beard. Ivory soap is around $.35 per bar and can last for quite a while if you keep it in a dry place when not in use.

Go Electric- Although you have the initial investment in the razor, over time an electric shaver can save on the expense of razors, blades and shaving cream. I have heard that it doesn’t give a close enough shave for some men though.

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How do you save on shaving? Leave a comment.

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* for more info read this article from the Chicago Tribune