The Web Log of Amy Hudelson

One of my favorite Bible verses is Matt 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves."

I was born in Fort Wayne, IN, raised Jehovah's Witness. The Lord got a hold of me at 20, married a wonderful spirit-filled man at 24. The Lord allowed me to be a Pastors wife and have 9 blessings (4 are now with the perfect parent, the remaining 5 are suffering thru us on earth!) and another, Micah, on the way. I take seriously the CALLING of wife and mother and search out ways to be as well rounded as possible.

My favorite Books in the Bible are Ruth and James.

Aside from Jesus, my favorite Bible characters are Ruth, and the Proverb 31 woman.

My favorite foods are... most all, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, ice cream!

I have an occupation, that being the Keeper of the Home with side jobs of secretary, doctor, dentist, advisor, chef, financial accountant, vice-president, decorator, theologian, landscaper, gardener, and professor to name just a few!

My hobbies consist of all crafts and arts of wifery and motherhood, while learning any area of life I have not yet tried! In other words, taking dominion of all I can while on this earth. There is no task too small!!!

My favorite music consists of any music that glorifies the Lord, esp. Paul Wilbur, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and classical

My favorite movies are Scarlet Pimpernel, Cyrano de Bergerac, It's a Wonderful Life, National Treasure, The Hunt for Red October, Bourne series

November 2008

July 2008

May 2008

April 2008

Vision Forum

Craigslist

Kids Eat Free

Visionary Daughters

Vegsource


Our church website may be reached by clicking on 'Our Church' on the menu.

E-Patterns!

11/8/08

Jennie Chauncey has finally invented the e-pattern, an easy way to get your hands (or thimbles) on great patterns. Here is the link. We are so excited to have these! Enjoy!

Leave a comment
View comments

Frugality

7/7/08

Hello ladies,
I have been asked this several times and I always tell myself to save it…this time I will and it will probably cover things you already know, but it is everything so I don’t have to change it when someone else asks me later. It is quite lengthy but I hope it gives you some ideas. This has always been a favorite study topic of mine and I have read several books, etc. on frugality, so here are things we have found useful and either are implementing or have in the past. I am also listing verses that guide us in our stewardship and worldview. So here goes and hang on to your hat (because you don’t want to have to spend $ to buy another one :)!!!
First and above all, before we even get to spending:
Trust the Lord Phil. 4:19 “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”
Righteous Provided For Ps. 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”
Do Not Rob God Malachi 3:7-10 “Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from MY ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” ---The Lord says to test Him in this promise WOW!!
Gods Condition for Prosperity Prov 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits (tithe on all income) of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Be Faithful Luke 16:10a “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.”
Don’t Be Too Proud Ruth 2:16-17 “And also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” So she gleaned in the field until evening. ---The Lord provides for us, even in things left behind by others. Don’t be too proud to accept it.
Parable of the Servants and Minas Luke 19:11-26 esp. verse 15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.”
Prov 31:10-31 The virtuous wife is shown to help her husbands increase by being industrious, frugal, a wise business woman, and actively searching for what is needed for the family.
Christians Dealing In a Pagan World Matt 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Gleaning
I often start with prayer that the Lord would provide what we need or WILL need at a very low price. I make it my goal to rarely pay full price for anything, if possible. Many times I will wait until the Lord makes it available at a reduced price, although that means you have to wait and look around. It is worth it, esp. the bigger the item.
Now that we have our minds renewed to be prepared to use the Lord’s $ wisely, here are some items that will be good tools in your family’s budget:
Resources: Miserly Moms (I and II) by J. McCoy-this book compares prices on everything, has recipes to make your own cleaners, and what time of year to buy what you need. Tightwad Gazette – she is no longer putting out the newsletter but you can get several book compilations at the library or used sources. Tiptionary by Mary Hunt-similar to those above. Tightwad Living Magazine-PO Box 629, Burgin, KY 40310-0629
Home: Windows-Heat reducing film for windows, found at Home Depot or Lowes, very easy to put on and can be removed. Will reduce up to 90% of heat. About $50 a roll that covers several windows. This helped our old windows and suns heat tremendously!!
Home building discount supply stores are Stardust (used items), web site is stardustbuilding.org. We have gotten cabinets, countertops, paint, ect for $15 or less. Construction Lots (wholesale), web site constructionlots.com.
Home Phone has no Long Distance, we use cell when free min. or to those who are free.
Water- Installing a Reverse Osmosis system will pay for itself VS. Purchasing water (also from many reports I have seen, is much more reliable for impurities being removed). Around $150 depending on size and is easy enough to install yourself.
Left over water in cups or water bottles? Don’t throw it down the drain. Use the water for plants, pets, fish tank, freeze to use in a cooler. You did pay for the water!
Printers-purchase a refill kit at any office store and refill the cartridge yourself. Very simple…just don’t wait until it is out completely. The kit is around $20 for 3+ refills verses $50 for our type cartridges.
Socks-save old sports socks for rags. They fit on the hand well and can just be thrown away when messy.
Air Filters-An A/C installer said to only use the cheap blue air vent filters. He said here you just need to filter out the large particles, the others don’t let enough air through and it overworks the unit. He also said the others that claim to purify the air are a hoax. The air being filtered is for the out take NOT the air coming into the house (buy the little ones for your little vents if you want to filter those). The Cheapies are around $2+ each vs. the $4+ and up others. Change once a month.
A/C-An A/C installer told us how to clean our own coils: outside coils, just hose off well. Inside coils: unscrew the top, lift lid and prop open with a long stick, spray off with “A/C coil cleaner made for inside coils”. He said this will remove odors also.
Washer/Dishwasher-make sure loads are FULL. A cost analysis was done with the energy saver models like most have, as to whether it were cheaper to hand wash or use the machine. The author determined it came out the same or cheaper to use the dishwasher when factoring in your time as well. Don’t use the drying cycle, let them air dry.
Cleaners-there are many safe and effective cleaners you can use from everyday items. They will cost less than $1 compared to triple or more, esp. for the healthy kind. Many of these are in the book Miserly Moms. Here is one: Window cleaner-1/4 of the spray bottle white vinegar the rest water. I have found this to do a much better job than Windex. Baking soda can be used in place of Comet and whitens also.
Candles-set candle jar in freezer long enough to get cold, use a butter knife to pop out the remaining wax and wick stub. Rub wax on drawer/doors and other items that stick or don’t slide smoothly
Fish: Fish ONLY Store said NOT to feed the fish as often as the container says. Only 1x every other day. If you feed them more, you are buying food more often and you will have to clean the tank more from all of the waste buildup. Tanks should also be away from a window and in a cool place to reduce algae growth. Change filter 1x a month (we do it at the beginning of the month along with the air filter). Having the light on only in the evening will reduce algae as well. Also, Reverse Osmosis water can be put in the tank without any additive needed.
Food: Refrigeration: Always let food cool B4 putting in fridge, so unit won’t have to work to cool down again. A full freezer works less. If you don’t have enough for it to be fairly full, freeze water. If you take it out don’t throw it out. Use it in a cooler, to water plants or add to a fish tank (if R/O only). Keep outside coils free of dust.
Potato peels, wash potatoes well, pat dry skins, mix on cookie sheet with a little olive oil and salt or other spices and bake or broil till desired crispiness. Top with ketchup and enjoy. Leftover potatoes/grain and a meat with veggies are great fried in a pan with eggs and cheese. We call it garbage. Everyone loves it.
Leftovers-Keep all leftovers to eat the next day or put in a container in the freezer. When you have enough make a soup or a casserole. I save all the broth or juice from meats as well to serve as a base for soups/beans. Boil the bones of your organic meats, cool strain and you have a very nutritious broth. For as much as they cost, why buy Organic broth when you can make your own free?
Save the juices/oils from those expensive organic products. Pickle juice is perfect for slaw or potato salad, it already has all of the spices in it. I use sundried Tomato oil for pasta salad, it adds great flavor.
Dilute juice with 1/3 water. They are expensive and have a very HIGH concentration of sugar and most people drink enough for 2-3 servings of fruit in one glass. It is also cost effective to make your own popsicles with 100% juice. You can do this in purchased popsicle molds or just use paper cups and sticks.
We have saved by making these items ourselves…when not found at an equal price: kefir, yogurt, granola cereal, power bars, and bread.
When it is hot out, cook in a crock pot or confection oven out side. Not only will it keep the house cooler, it uses less power vs. the large oven.
Dogs: Trim nails yourself, can find the clippers in any pet section. Also, cut hair yourself, recommend electric clippers unless your pet will stay very still. Just watch a groomer a few times if needing to know how.
Clothes: Dresses getting short-add lace or ruffle. Or wear Capris under them when the weather gets cooler.
Like denim? Purchase shorter dress styles or mini-skirts at Goodwill or Savers and gather a coordinating material at the bottom to the length you desire. This is a very cute, cheap way to have durable clothes and you can make them all to match others in the family by using the same pattern material for everyone.
T-shirts getting short? Same as above only make the material long enough to be a dress. You won’t need nearly as much material. I did 5 of them in just 2 days. They are VERY quick and easy.
Where to purchase-I buy most of our clothes at Goodwill or Savers. Even when I go to these stores, I am sure to go on a 50% off day (held once a month), look for what tags are 50% off that day, and take in a few items for a donation. Goodwill will give you a 20% off your total purchase coupon, and Savers gives a Buy one item at $5 get one free. You do have to ask for them when you donate. The coupons are attached to a donation receipt you should keep and write how much your donation was worth and use it for your charity deduction on your taxes. I have just read that using these stores for donations would be today’s equivalent to leaving a portion of your field for the poor to glean…and at the same time I am able to glean from there (for a low price). Otherwise I check all clearance racks and wait for what I am looking for to go on clearance at Wal-Mart and Target. I use the same for shoes, linens, toys, décor, books, furniture, material, craft items.
Gifts: It is always more cost effective to make or purchase a gift (clearance or Thrift store) than to give $. Keep a drawer or container for gift items found at bargain prices. That way you aren’t caught without a gift and are forced to buy something more expensive.
Material/Yarn/crafting items: I don’t buy material from the big fabric stores. I feel they are overpriced, even with a coupon or sale. I have found what I need at Goodwill, Savers, and the Wal-Mart $1-$2 racks. There have been several times I have gotten nice fabric on Craigslist, once was .50 a yard the other time it was several boxes on the free page. I also look through the sheets for nice patterns, big and close weave for $2-4. Every time I go to GW or Savers, I check the craft/material section. There are usually several bags of yarn with 3-4 skeins in them for $1.99-$2.99 (plus coupon or sale color). We have gotten bags of thread, patterns, knitting needles and more at a fraction of the normal cost.
Baby: The Wal-mart and Target brand diapers are a little less than half the price of the name brands and seem to be of the same general quality. I do get the huggies wipes when on sale with a coupon (you can request to be put on the mailing list for coupons from the co.), because I can tear them in half when the baby is just wet and they go a lot further. Or, I have made my own in the past and it came out to .80 vs. $4.25 (after sale and coupon) for the Huggies. *If you want the recipe e-mail me*
Many of the baby items are like new at GW and Savers and watch the clearance racks. Garage sales are good too.
Other baby items are in abundance on Craigslist or at thrift stores. These items also sell well at both places.
Misc tips: *Ask a neighbor to save you the Sunday paper adds and coupons if they don’t use them. That saved us $30 every 8 weeks. *Share magazine subscriptions with others *Be careful to compare the prices at the big club stores with the sales in the Sunday adds. I have found many items are not cheaper even though they are in bulk, like Toilet Paper etc. Even at Wal-mart, some of the bulk size was the same or even a little more than the smaller sizes. *Learn to cut hair for your family. I added up how much we have saved since we were married 15 years ago. Using $10 for the men’s at once a month and $15 for the ladies (many places are higher than these and some have it done more than once a month); we saved a total of $11,220!!! WOW, what a savings plan! Of course the more people you have, the more you save. *Cut off the front of used greeting cards to use as postcards or gift tags.
Credit Cards: If you have a hard time sticking to needs only, don’t use these! If you are pretty disciplined, they can be a great tool to get a little back. The one rule is you MUST pay it off EVERY month or you pay more for the things you are wanting to save $ on. We have been diligent to do this. I only have one card with payback rewards, just for the rewards. We have no add’l costs with the card also. The rewards are 1 pt per dollar put on the card. After you have accumulated a good amount of points you can turn it in for gift cards to stores or items they list on the site (I found the cards were a much more wise way to get back). The biggest bang for your buck is to wait till you have 10,000 points, and redeem them for a $100 gift card. I usually get Sears, Target or Home Depot. It really doesn’t take long to get that many points. I put everything on it from gas to grocery to medical…just DON’T overspend. The perks of a card is it tracks all transactions for you and they will not charge you if someone steals your identity. They also cover purchases for certain amounts of insurance, such as life ins is included for airline travel.
Stores: *Find where the clearance areas are in the stores you go to, quickly check through them when you are there. *Being flexible with the brands you will use is important. *Use coupons for those things you NEED *Take a list *Combine store trips that are near each other. *We get our appliances at scratch and dent outlets that Sears and Maytag have. They are usually a 1/3 or more off, usually with little noticeable damage. We then purchase the extended warrantee for around $150. Sears will send someone to even change a light bulb under this and they have a lemon guarantee: if it is repaired for same thing 3 times, they will give you a new appliance. That way you don’t have to worry if it were badly damaged in some way that you don’t see. *Take your Sunday paper adds or grocery adds to Wal-Mart. They have a price match guarantee on everything except meat and milk. That way you don’t have to go to so many places to get what you need. E.g. Grapes were .69 lb at Sprouts, they were $1.87 at Wal-mart, and they changed the price. It worked the same with a Toilet paper add for K-Mart, and I had a coupon. *I get most of my produce and meat at Sprouts and Sunflower farmers markets. Wednesdays are their double add days where the sale prices for the previous and coming weeks are both good. If you don’t get the ads, here are their websites: sprouts.com, sfmarkets.com. I stock up when things we use often are on sale. Also, if you get a whole case of a sale item, you get an add’l 10% off. This has proved to be quite a bit cheaper than the big club stores or even Azure and co-ops. *There are many Discount stores around the area as well. They carry most of what the grocery stores do, even vitamins, batteries (name brand for .45 each), kitchen utensils, pet food, toiletries, and light bulbs. Their prices are at least 1/3 less than others. These items are either near the expiration or the package has been damaged, or maybe the original store is changing its stock. These are the names of 2 near me: Dave’s Discount (only non perishables) on the corner of Dobson and Broadway and American Discount near Extension and Broadway. American carries everything. I have found organic items that I can’t usually afford at the healthy stores, things like organic free range meat ($1.99-$2.99 lb), organic peanut butter ($2), gluten free soy sauce ($1.25), organic salads, and many other items. They also carry a large stock of the 5-7lb cans for $3-4 that really helps our budget for entertaining and church potlucks. For a while they had a special on the 7lb cans of black beans for $1 each because they had so many. These stores do not have the same thing all of the time or a lot of every item, so going fairly often and stocking up on the items found is the best way to save the most. American also has a wheel to spin if you spend $50 or more. You can win the free product of the day or $’s off future purchases (last time Brianna spun us $25 off our next visit!). Here is their website to see what they are currently carrying: adfaz.com. I know there are others out there, check around. *I get items free every month at CVS and Walgreens. Walgreens has a rebate book at the front of the store with all of the free with rebate items (they are in the Sunday ads as well). It is very simple and you only send one rebate in for all of the items. They will give you an add’l 10% back if you check the box to receive it on a gift card and pay you extra for any coupons you use. CVS prints out a BUCKS reward coupon at the time you purchase the item with a few weeks to use the bucks. You do have to sign up at the counter for the reward program and get a little keychain card to show every time. Their items are also in the Sunday paper and in a booklet at the front of the store. I love these 2 programs. I haven’t had to pay much out-of-pocket for toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors or hair care in years. Even if you don’t use all of the items, they can be used for gift bags, left for guests, orphan bags, etc. *Back to school supplies are often free with rebate at Walgreens, and office stores or very cheap. Watch the Sunday paper adds.
Medical: *If you do not have insurance, talk with the billing office about a reduced rate for paying cash. They have lower rates for ins co’s and will give you a lower rate as well IF YOU ASK. Most also offer a payment plan of some sort. I believe hospitals and doctors are required to let you make payments as long as it is $5 or more a month (Dr.s will try to have you pay bigger chunks) *We have reduced our monthly medical ins costs from $582 to $288 while increasing the amount covered for medical. We switched to Samaritan Share Ministry. It is just Christians agreeing to pay each others bills with their agreed monthly payment. They have been around for 10 years and are growing. They also send out a prayer guide for those having claims and you send a card with each payment to your assigned person. It is a wonderful ministry and plan.
Entertainment: We purchase the entertainment book every year. With one date night of buy one meal get one free; we have paid for the book. It is filled with BOGO for restaurants, sports events, arts, amusement park, and auto repair, travel etc. This is cheaper online.
We use kids eat free nights: Tuesdays at Chick-fil-a, Tues and Sat at Denny’s, Monday and Tuesday at IHOP, Wed at Manuel’s, Tues at Lone Star. There are more on the website: kidseatfree.com
There are also many places to get a free meal on or around your birthday. Some with birthday programs are: Joes’ BBQ-free meal on the day, Denny’s-card sent to use anytime, Sweet Tomatoes-card sent to use anytime. Cold stone has a free ice cream on your birthday with their club.
Free concert for dress rehearsals. I think all the philharmonics may do this, but I know at least one does. Check their websites.
Here are websites that I regularly use to buy and sell items:
Craigslist.org-they have a free page, wanted, and barter, as well as the for sale items. We always check here first. We have had a couple good barters. I just posted what we had and what I needed. We have also located cabins and vacation spots. You will have better listing response if you have lots of pic’s and details with a # to call. There is a large viewing on this site and you can look up any location in the US.
Vegsource.com-go to the homeschooling chat boards. There are boards for buying and selling curriculum, misc, and clothes. There seems to be a large viewing on this site.
Ebay.com-auction site. Have bought lots here but not sold. There is a fee when you sell, so far I have been able to sell fine on craigslist and other free places.
Half.com-part of Ebay. It is free to sell here. They carry books, CD’s, software, DVD’s. I find the prices generally less than Amazon.com, but you can check there as well.
Freecycle.org-all items are free. I have not found anything great here, but a friend loves it, so try it and see what you think.
Local place to buy and sell books, movies, CD’s, software, games, educational. Bookman’s, several locations in the area. They also have a birthday club for kids. Bookman’s sends a card for a free $5 for them to use. You don’t get much for your things here, but a little more if you use the $ to buy items they have. There is also Half Priced Books. I like Bookman’s better.
If you want more details on anything, please feel free to contact me. If I put all the details on here, I would need another hard drive…and they aren’t free with rebate right now !!
God bless your stewardship, Amy

Leave a comment
View comments

Inspiring Quotes

5/27/08

Here are some good quotes with regards to homemaking, taken from the book "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald.

Of course, much of the world would agree that being a housekeeper is acceptable as long as you are not caring for your own home; treating men with attentive devotion would also be right as long as the man is the boss in the office and not your husband; caring for children would even be deemed heroic servise for which presidential awards could be given as long as the children are someone else's and not your own.

- Dorothy Patterson, homemaker and adjunct faculty member of the Criswell College, describing her frustration with society's disdain for the home-working woman and its insistence on the replaceability of the wife and mother.

He that is blessed with a good wife is as happy as if he were upon the throne, for she is no less than a crown to him. A virtuous woman, that is pious and prudent, ingenious and industrious, that is active for the good of her family and looks well to the ways of her household, that makes conscience of her duty in every relation, a woman of spirit, that can bear crosses without disturbance, such a one owns her husband for her head, and therefore she is a crown to him, not only a credit and honour to him, as a crown is an ornament, but supports and keeps up his authority in his family, as a crown is an ensign of power. She is submissive and faithful to him, and by her example teaches his children and servants to be so too.

- Matthew Henry, speaking on Proverbs 12:4, "a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband."

Leave a comment
View comments

All of Scripture for all of Life

Amy Hudelson

4/29/08

We’re Christians my family and I
We will follow Christ till we die.
He is Lord, or at least I thought,
Till later His advice I sought.
“What you wear and what you speak,
Is it not my heart you seek?
Think about your children’s schooling,
Am I really ruling?

Are you indeed loving your wife?
I see between you both this strife!
Does she follow you as head?
Just as in my Word I’ve said.
Family planning and TV,
Is it all thru Christ you see?”
Did my dearest see this too?
God said, “This must start with YOU.”

So we kneeled and cried while we prayed,
Not knowing how far that we had strayed.
The Lord revealed so much to us
That we’d inadvertently failed to trust.
With repentance we vowed anew,
Father we now are sure what to do.
I the head of house and wife,
All of Scripture for all of life.

Leave a comment
View comments