My Journey Through Debt: Part 7: Reacquainting Myself with the Library

After stopping my spending cold, I went into a major pouting stage. I missed going to the movies. I missed buying the latest CD. I missed renting movies. I missed going to the bookstore and walking out with the new best seller. I missed the Internet. I. Missed. My. Life.

I wallowed in my self-pity for quite awhile. I am sure that it was very attractive to all that lived and worked around me. For some reason, knowing that every paycheck was spent before I received it bothered me. A lot.

 In reality, it had always been spent before I received it, at least since my debt had started piling up. However, now I knew that there was no “vacation from reality” coming my way. No “payday splurges.” No “I worked hard all week so I deserve a night out.” Nothing.

Once I realized this, I felt that my going to work was rather pointless. Although I had indeed signed my name to all of those little charge slips that had created the debt pit I was living in, I somehow still was trying to defend my actions. Since I knew that my paycheck was going to essentials and debt repayment, I knew that “fun” activities were long gone.

Or so I thought. Enter, the local library. I had had library cards for all of the local libraries because I had been a teacher before Little Bug came along. Once in awhile I would check out a few books to use with whatever unit I was presenting to my students. That was the extent of my library usage. Things were about to change.

My first encounter with the library as a vacation destination was a bit surreal. Sure, I knew they had books. All libraries have books. I wanted to read the latest book in a series by my favorite author. Of course since there was no money allotted in my new budget for such frivolities, I headed to the library.

Yes, the local library had the book for which I was searching. However, I found so much more. I found shelves and shelves of newly released books, as well as reference materials and older books.

I found a vast collection of movies, documentaries, TV series, and more in their DVD section. I found CD’s, current newspapers, and my favorite magazines (remember, the ones I had to cancel my subscription to because of all my debt?). I even found artwork available for check out. Yes. Art work.

Y’all, it was like an entire world opened up to me. The longer I stayed, the more I discovered. Programs for children. Classes on crocheting, card making, gardening, etc. Lectures. Book groups. Tax help. Internet and computer usage. Wi-Fi. All for free.

FREE. As in there was zero charge to do any of it. I was as happy as a pig in mud. I checked out an armful of books, three movies, 2 CD’s and a painting. I signed up for a lecture. I surfed the Internet. Then I went home. The desire to go out and obtain “things” had been satiated, and I had not even spent a penny.

After that day, I became a regular at my local library. I enter every contest, go to many lectures, peruse their new release section. When I enter the library, I am greeted by name. I am made to feel welcome, and I love it.

Over the years, my local library has become more than just a place of entertainment. As I worked through obtaining my Master’s of Education, the library staff was with me every step of the way. While I live in a small town in rural Indiana, that would never be known from viewing our library’s capabilities.

Whenever I needed a book, article, of movie, they found a way to get it for me. Through inter-library loan, they were able to get me the two most rare books I have ever read. One came from the rare books vault at Indiana University. The other came from The Library of Congress. The Library of Congress, y’all. Yep, our little local library went all the way to the Library of Congress to find the book I needed for my research.

The inter-library loan feature is available to anyone. If there is something you would like to read, listen to, or view and you cannot find it at your library, just ask if it is available on inter-library loan. Yes, you may have to wait a while to get it, but you do not have to pay a thing.

Another great feature of the library is that usually there are funds set aside for purchasing items to add to the library’s inventory. If there is a book that I would love to read but do not find it in our system, I will sometimes ask if the library is willing to purchase it. If the funds are available, the library readily agrees, and I am put first on waiting list to read it.

As you climb out of your debt pit, one step at a time, do not do as I did. Do not wallow in self-pity for months on end, looking back with longing to the days of concerts and shopping. Embrace the now. Enjoy the free things in life for a while. Check out your local library and all of the services it has to offer. I believe that if given the chance, you will learn to cherish it as I have.

As William Shakespeare said, “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”

Never doubt yourself. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. I have heard from several readers regarding their journey through debt. You can do this. We are in this together. All of us.

~Annie

My Journey Through Debt: Part 6: The Necessity of a Humidifier

To read my debt story, click here. To begin your own journey towards financial freedom, click here.

Throughout the winter months, JP and I run three warm-steam humidifiers non-stop in our home. By doing this, we have found a much lower occurrence of illnesses, headaches, bloody noses, and sore throats.  We have also found that it saves us money on the heating of our home.

Humidifiers replace the moisture in the air that is taken out during the heating process of your home. Air that is heated by a woodstove or furnace is dry. Any moisture that was once in the air is wisked away. This also holds true for our bodies.

Moisture is quickly wisked away from our bodies as we breathe in the dry air. This dries out the mucus membranes in our noses and nasal cavities. Once dry, our mucus membranes have a very difficult time catching the germs and foreign objects that are in the air that we breathe.

The drier the air, the drier the membranes. The drier the membranes, the greater chance we have at catching the latest virus running amuck in our little corner of the world. Dry membranes also lead to sore throats and headaches. By returning moisture to the air, many sore throats, headaches, and illnesses can be averted.

Not only is this a wonderful thing for your health, it is also a wonderful thing for your pocket book. Doctor visits, medications, and days off of school or work add up to major money spent, or lost, to illness each year.

Humidifiers also help save money on heating costs. Moist air seems warmer to our skin. Therefore, you are able to turn down the thermostat a few degrees more than normal, and still be comfortable. Running a humidifier in much cheaper than running the furnace.

By making the initial investment of a humidifier, you can possibly save yourself several times the starting costs within one year. That money can be used to pay down the principle of your debt. This will take you one step closer to getting out of your debt pit.

If you simply cannot afford the initial investment of a humidifier, there are other options available to you. If you have a woodstove, set a pot of water on top of it. Make sure to fill it everyday. You will be amazed at how quickly the water will be gone.

When you take a shower or bath, do not turn on the fan. Open the bathroom door and let the moisture stay in the house.

If you have a dishwasher (I do not, by choice,) do not run the dry cycle. Open the door and let the steam escape into the house, while the dishes air dry. Not only will you put moisture into the house, you will also save money by not drying the dishes in the dishwasher.

While these are not the optimum ways to get moisture back into your home, they are better than doing nothing.

JP and I started out with just one humidifier, but over the years we have added two more to our 800 square foot home. We use one in each bedroom and one in the living room. We prefer the warm-steam type, but cool-mist humidifiers work just as well.

Humidifiers can be found at garage sales, resale shops, or in someone’s basement, usually for just a few dollars. I have also found them on sale quite often in stores. Many stores will sell you the display model at the end of season for a fraction of the original price. All you have to do is ask.

While it may seem odd that a post on humidifiers is part of the debt series, stay with me. We are trying to get you out of the debt pit. When you are driven enough, you will find all sorts of creative ways to save money that are not part of the mainstream financial wisdom.

I leave you with this, “Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Keep going. You can do it. I know you can.

~Annie

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Annie’s Gravy

Whenever I make Annie’s Pot Roast, I also enjoy making Annie’s Gravy to ladle over the meat, potatoes and carrots. While the food is already moist, I do love the enhanced flavor that comes from adding the gravy to the meal.

Annie’s Gravy

• Place desired juices or bouillon in pot.   I normally use the leftover juices from my roast to make the gravy. They are nutritional and flavorful. If you do not have leftover juices, you may use the bouillon or meat base of your choice, adding liquid as per directions on container.
• Turn pot to high on stovetop.
• Place ¼ cup of flour in a container that you are able to seal. Add one cup of water. Shake well.
• Add flour and water mixture to pot, stirring with whisk. If you need more gravy, add more flour/water mixture at this time.
• Add 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard. (Yes this sounds weird, but it gives your gravy a taste that is heavenly. Just try it once. Please.)
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir mixture until it begins to boil. Turn off heat.
• Gravy should be thick and smooth.
• Serve.

Enjoy your day, my friends. Enjoy your family. Make the most out of every day, every minute that God has given you. Live your life to the fullest, and never forget to CHOOSE JOY!

~Annie

Annie’s Pot Roast

Sunday afternoons were traditionally known for pot roast throughout my childhood. I suppose this was because a pot roast could be put into the oven (or crock-pot) in the early Sunday morning hours, then taken out when we got home from church, ready to eat.

I now make pot roast whenever the mood strikes me. I know that once made, I will be able to use it for much more than just one meal. So does my family. Once they see the roast on the table, they know that they will soon be having sandwiches for lunch and stew for a future supper (This stew will be a future blog post).

A pot roast can be prepared almost anywhere. I even prepared pot roast for 25 hungry men while we were missionaries in Russia. No one except JP believed me when I told them of my plan. They saw no way for me to pull off pot roast for that many people, using the extremely limited resources at hand in the tiny village where we were located. However, it worked. The pot roast turned out lovely. And, for those hungry Americans, it was a little taste of home, brought to them in the form of meat, carrots and potatoes.

Annie’s Pot Roast

• Place roast (beef, pork, venison, or your choice of meat) into a pot that has a lid. If you do not have a lidded pot, you may use tinfoil. I use my 6-quart cast-iron enamel pot. Roast may be fresh, thawed, or frozen.
• Pour ¼ cup of vinegar over roast, making sure to cover roast completely. The vinegar will begin to break down the enzymes in the meat, leaving you with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness to your roast. Trust me on this. Please.
• Shake on the following spices, making sure to completely cover the roast:
• Garlic powder
• Onion salt
• Montreal steak seasoning
• Dehydrated onions

• Place desired amount of washed, whole potatoes around roast in pot.
• Place desired amount of washed, whole carrots on top of roast in pot. (I never peel my potatoes or carrots for this meal since most of the nutrient value is in the peel.)
• Fill pot with water until it is three inches from the top.
• Place lid on pot.
• Place in oven at 250 degrees for at least 5 hours. I usually go longer, sometimes up to 8 or 9 hours, depending on how tender I want my roast. During the last hour, increase the heat of the oven to 350 degrees. (Note: The meat must be cooked slowly, at a very low heat in order to get the optimum tenderness.)
• Remove pot from oven.
• Place potatoes and carrots in respective bowls.
• Place roast on platter.
• Allow roast to rest for at least 10 minutes.
• Roast may be separated with forks if desired. The meat will literally fall apart.
• Serve.

And there you have it. Very easy. Very yummy. Stay tuned for Annie’s gravy recipe in a future post!

As Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

~Annie

My Journey Through Debt: Part 5: Cutting the Budget: Unplug

Once I had cut out spending money on entertainment, I took a look through other bills that were for essentials, hoping to find places that I could stretch my dollars. I found the first in my electric bill.

Seemingly little items, left plugged in, use electricity. Those little charges add up to quite a hefty sum of money over a month’s time. They add up to an even more significant charge over a year’s time.

Not one of the items on the list are hard to do, per se, however, they do require a bit of extra time. Whenever you get frustrated or tired of spending time doing items on the list, just remember that you are doing this to pay down your debt and get out of your debt pit.

• Unplug the following between uses:
• Electronics. Examples include TV, DVD player, Stereo, VCR (yes we still have, and use a VCR,) game systems, charger cords, etc. To make this easy for us, JP and I use outlet strips. Not only does it make it easy and convenient, we have also found that it somewhat protects our electronics in case of a power surge.  Yes, I understand that the clock might blink at you when you go to plug it back in. However, it’s ok. Either set it every time or ignore. Your choice.
• Appliances: Examples include coffee pot, toaster, coffee bean grinder, toaster oven, mixer, food processor, and, if you are hardcore, your microwave.

• Use a clothesline. Yes, it is easier and less time consuming to throw the clothes into the dryer. However, it is much more cost effective to use a clothesline. You might be thinking, “I don’t have a clothes line, Annie, so shove it!” (I do recognize that I did not have the most positive attitude during this time of my life, so I am willing to extend grace to you if you are mentally calling me names as we journey down the debt road together.)You do not need to own a clothesline. While a clothesline is helpful, you may also use laundry racks, the shower curtain bar, etc. The initial investment of my clothesline was $80. I am positive that I have saved several times over that amount by using my line from March through November.
• Turn lights off when you leave a room. I do realize this sounds elementary, but most people just do not take the time to shut off lights. Now, if you are going right back into the room, just leave it on. Otherwise, if you are finished in that room, flip the switch.

You will be amazed at how much money you can save just by being diligent in these areas. At the end of the month, take your savings on the electric bill, and apply it towards paying down the principle of your debt.

 I know there is probably some other very tempting use for that money, but remember, the entire point of all of this sacrificing is to get yourself out of your debt pit. I promise it is worth the sacrifice. As the debt slowly goes away, the huge weight upon your life will lessen. The worry will slowly melt away. The creditors will stop calling. You can do it.

As Robert Cushing said, “The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.”

~Annie

Annie's Baked Ham

With the approach of Easter, I see more and more sales on hams at the grocery. I find this time of year to be a good time to take advantage of the sales, stocking up on hams for the entire year.

I find ham to be one of the absolute easiest meats to prepare for my family.  I also believe that it is meat that, once fixed, can be stretched to several meals for my family. After the initial meal of ham, the troops know that they will soon be seeing Annie's Ham and Bean Soup, ham sandwiches, and any other recipe involving ham that I may stumble upon.

Annie’s Baked Ham

• Select appropriate sized oven-safe pot. Make sure that ham will fit in pot with lid on. If you do not have a large enough pot, you may use tinfoil for the top. I use an enamel coated, cast-iron, 6-quart pot.
• Place ham, flat side down, in pot.
• Fill pot half way with water.
• Place in a 250-degree oven for 7 hours.
• Remove from oven. Let sit for 15-30 minutes.
• Remove ham from pot, placing on platter.
• Serve.

That is it. Seriously. It is really that simple. If you would rather not use your oven, place your ham in a crock-pot, fill halfway with water, set to low, and walk away for 8-10 hours.

Remember, meats do best when cooked slowly, on a low heat. If cooked correctly, your ham will literally fall apart and melt in your mouth. 

Have  wonderful day and remember, “People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.” ~George Matthew Allen.

~Annie

My Journey Through Debt: Part 4: Cutting the Budget: Entertainment

For all of you that are new to this series, you may want to head back to the beginning of my debt journey by clicking here . We will wait.

After stopping the outflow of money through bad spending, I knew I still needed more accessible money if I ever wanted to be free of the albatross of debt around my neck. I had to cut the budget.

I am dividing up this segment of my journey for two reasons. First off, it will be easier for me to write because there is so much ground to cover. The second reason is that it will be easier for y’all to digest if it is given in little doses.

I say it will be easier to digest because this stuff is painful y’all. There is no fun, whatsoever, in not only denying yourself new possessions and activities, but getting rid of those you have already.

In the world of paying down debt, the first line item to be cut is entertainment. While it is the first to be cut, it is also one of the hardest for us to do. We rationalize with ourselves that we need those moments of fun. To perk us up after a long day. To reward ourselves for dealing with a horrid boss all week. To have something to do over a weekend.

But listen. We do not need those things. We want those things. And right now, you cannot afford to obtain those things.

The following list is painful, but bear with me. Remember, I have been were you are. In order to speed up the process of getting out of debt you are going to have to truly and honestly consider taking the following steps.

• Cancel your cable/satellite TV. Now I know your immediate thought is that there is a huge charge for canceling before the contract is over. HOWEVER, is that charge more than the monthly bill times the amount of months left in the contract? No? then cancel it and put that money towards your debt. Yes, you may be out of the loop as to what the latest reality show stars are doing, or you might miss a sports game or two, but as of now, you have more important, life changing things to do with your funds.
• Stop Netflix or video/game rental. Your local library had a vast collection of movies for your viewing pleasure, and they are free.
• Stop going to the movies. Once again, the local library has new releases almost as soon as the video stores. Get put on the waiting list to borrow the newest flick.
• Cancel, or scale back your cell phone. I know that you are already thinking, “but I need my cell phone.” However, actually, no, you don’t. No one needs Internet on his or her phone. No one needs texting (unless you are hearing impaired.) Most people do not need a cell phone, period. For those that must have one, a pay as you go, track phone is the best option. It will allow you to have the security of a cell phone while paying down debt, yet a much smaller bill at the end of each month.
• Stop going out to eat. While food will have its own post at a later date, this is a very simple, and quick method of saving money. Make your food at home. More on this at a later time.
• Stop going to places that you know will be a money pit. Examples: amusement parks, concerts, fairs, rodeos, car shows, bike shows, malls, and the list goes on. If you know you will spend money if you attend, don’t go.

I know this is a painful list. I know you probably want to kick me right now. I know that you have a laundry list of reasons that you simply cannot abide by this list. I know, because I have said them all before. I railed against this list. I yelled. I pouted. I sulked. However, once I finally bit the bullet and started to actually do the items on this list, I saw a huge increase in the amount of money available to me for paying down the principle of my debt.

As the principle of the loans went down, my attitude got better. Remember, this is not a forever situation. You do have an end goal. There will be a time that you may reinstate the entire list. However, as of now, your main concern is climbing out of your debt pit.

You can do it. I know you can, because I did. Set your goals and set out to attain them. As Bryan Tracy said, “Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.”

~Annie

The Mommy Quilt

When I was growing up, there was little money to be found in our home. My father had a very bad habit of quitting much-needed jobs. He also had the habit of spending every thin dime he had, as well as several he did not have. This made for a very tight existence, money-wise.

Christmas, the year that I was seven years old, was like many others in my then short life. No money to pay all of the bills let alone any extras. No money for Christmas presents. Period.

This fact did not stop my sweet mama. My mama is a survivor, tough as they come. She got up at dark-thirty every morning, worked all day in a hot kitchen, and came home, meeting us with a smile on her face, as we got off of the school bus. She would not allow a little thing like not having money deter her from giving her children presents on Christmas.

Someone had given my sweet mama some material sometime over the years. She drug it out, cut it into squares, and started making us quilts with an ancient sewing machine that was quite cantankerous at best.

But here’s the thing. My mama didn’t even know how to make a quilt; she just started, figuring it out as she went. And not only did she make one. She made TWO. One for my brother, and one for me.

I loved my quilt. LOVED it. It kept me warm on those frigid nights in the little trailer with only wood stove heat. It was so pretty. Reds, pinks, blues…all combined in different patterns…all so wonderful. I promptly named it my “Mommy Quilt.”

Thirty years (and two patch jobs) later, this quilt, the Mommy Quilt, still graces my bed. It is much more than a quilt to me now. It is a symbol. A symbol of a mother’s love against adversity. A symbol of home when I first moved oh so far away to Purdue. A symbol of family when I set up a home of my own. A symbol of strength and power that against all odds, I was able to overcome my environment because of my sweet mama’s unfailing belief that I would rise above our situation.

My mama was right, you know. I was able to rise above the enormous poverty of my youth. So was my mama. We now live in comfortable homes, enjoying and living life to the fullest. We are now able to get each other wonderful, somewhat costly, gifts. However the cost of the gift doesn’t matter. The best reminder of my sweet mama’s love for me is my Mommy Quilt.

Every night, as I pull the Mommy Quilt up, over my ear (as my mama did for me oh so many nights throughout my childhood,) I thank the Lord for giving me a mother with such strength, such tenacity, such stick-to-itiveness, and such love.

My mother is my hero. She always has been, and always will be. Plain and simple.  The following quote personifies my sweet mama…

'She broke the bread into two fragments and gave them to her children, who ate with eagerness. 'She hath kept none for herself,' grumbled the sergeant.' 'Because she is not hungry,' said a soldier. 'No,' said the sergeant, 'because she is a mother.' ~ Victor Hugo

I love you, mom.

~Annie

Onions and Celery and Peppers, Oh My!

Good morning lovelies! As we start to wrap up winter, I see more and more deals on produce at the grocery. Some of these deals can be wonderful, money-saving opportunities!

I have found that there are three items that freeze especially nicely in my freezer for use at a later date in soups, stews, and other recipes.

Celery, onions and peppers can be chopped or diced, placed in the freezer in gallon or quart Ziploc bags, then pulled out at a moments notice. The prep time for all three is a very short 2-5 minutes.

• If you need to wash your produce, do so, and then allow time for it to dry. I wash my peppers. Since I am peeling the onion, I do not wash it. Depending on the celery stalk, I may or may not wash it.
• Using a sharp knife, dice your selected produce into small pieces. I put all left over scraps into the chicken bowl for the animals. As I have said before, we try not to ever waste what God has given to us.
• Label your bag with the date and contents, using a permanent marker.
• Place diced produce in bag, leaving the top 2-3 inches of the bag empty.
• Squeeze out air and close bag.
• Place in freezer.
• When ready to use produce from bag, loosen the contents by hitting it against the counter a few times. Produce should be loose and ready for you to measure out for whatever delicious food you are making for your family or yourself!

I have found that I love to do this anytime throughout the year, but especially when I find great deals at the grocery or farmers’ market.

When I go to the grocery, I always look through the mark down to see if there is any older produce that may not look great, but will be just fine for freezing and cooking at a later date.

My favorite spot for these deals is my farmer’s market a few miles from my house. I visit there once a week, always asking if there is any old produce. Linda, the owner, always has a box of items that she has taken out of bins because she cannot sell them at full price. We usually strike a great deal on the boxes of slightly aged produce, a win-win situation. She can sell and get rid of the older produce, and I can take it all home to put into my freezer so I am able to enjoy it year round.

This method also works great for overflow from the garden, or produce that is starting to turn in your fridge.

Stay tuned for more money-saving food ideas in future posts!

Today I leave you with this….”The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” ~Arthur C. Clarke.

~Annie

My Journey Through Debt: Part 3: Paying Down the Principle

This is part three of a series about my journey through debt and how I climbed out of the debt trap. If you are new to this blog, you will find my debt story here, and also be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2 before reading today’s post.

Once I stopped my out-of-control spending habits and started writing down every penny I spent, I started to see a little money left over at the end of each paycheck. This money went towards paying down the principle of my loans.

Minimum payments on credit cards pay mainly the accrued interest and a few cents (if any) of the principle of the loan. That must-have deal on your favorite brand, quickly becomes quite pricey once the balance is on the credit card, and you are stuck paying for it (with interest) for the next decade.

By paying down the principle of the loan, you are lessening the amount of the original loan. Do not be discouraged if you only have 87 cents to pay towards the principle. I have been there. 87 cents is exactly what I had left in my pocket book at the end of the pay period. That is exactly what I added onto my minimum balance due and sent in to the credit card company.

Never let yourself be tricked into believing that whatever money amount you have available is too little. No matter WHAT it is, it will help pay down your debt. As you pay down the principle, you will slowly see a shift in how much of the money you pay the credit card company goes to interest, and how much goes to the principle balance.

I have been asked which card I paid down first. After paying all the minimum payments to each card, I put the extra money for the principle towards the card with the highest interest rate. In this way, I was getting the worst load off of myself the fastest way possible.

This is NOT an overnight quick fix. It took quite a while for me to get myself into the amount of debt I had on credit cards, and it took me quite awhile to get out. The difference was, I actually came to the point of looking forward to receiving the credit card statements in the mail and sending my payment in.

I knew that everytime I sent in a payment, I was inching closer to getting out of my debt pit. Sometimes it was 87 cents. Sometimes, it was $100. whatever it was, it was a step closer to my goal of paying off my credit card balances.

In order to make extra money so that my principle was paid down faster, I took on extra jobs. I cleaned homes, tutored, and did any other odd jobs that were available. I also sold items that I did not need and put the cash earned towards principle. Every Christmas and birthday gift that was given to me as cash went towards my debt. No it was not what I WANTED to do with it, but it was what I NEEDED to do.

I came very close to rationalizing that it was my BIRTHDAY present. I DESERVED to splurge on something with that money. But you know what? No, I didn’t. I had put myself into slavery of the credit card debt, and I was slowly, little by little, getting my freedom back. Out of all of the things I was doing, turning over my birthday and Christmas present money to those credit card companies was the hardest.

Ok, so I have shared with you how I got into debt, my realization that I was debt, my immediate actions, how I started to keep track of my money, how we changed our food habits, and why it is important to always pay towards the principle. In a future post I shall delve into how I started the very necessary, yet very painful process of making cuts in our budget so that more money was freed up to pay down the principle of the loans.

Thank you for staying with me on this topic. While debt, and money in general, seem to be a taboo subject in our society, it is one that needs to be discussed and shared. Remember, this is MY story. I have been there. Do NOT give up. No matter how deep your debt pit is, there is ALWAYS a way out.

As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

~Annie

Annie’s Sweet Mama’s 1940’s Diner Meatloaf

Today, by popular demand, I bring you my sweet mama’s 1940’s diner meatloaf recipe. Y’all this is a pretty special event. My sweet mama doesn’t just give out recipes to all that ask. She is a cook by profession, and has perfected the art.

As most cooks are, she is very secretive about her recipes. However, for some reason, unknown to common man, or me, she has decided to share a few with the world.

 This recipe was first published publicly (and by publicly I mean somewhere other than her recipe box or mine,) in her church cookbook. Seeing as her church would not sell their cookbook to outsiders, the meatloaf recipe has, until this very moment, remained a very closely guarded secret.

This is the meal I ask my sweet mama to make me for Christmas, for workdays at her house, for any time I have an excuse to get her to make it. It is absolutely scrumptious.

Annie’s Sweet Mama’s 1940’s Diner Meatloaf

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (or venison, turkey, etc.)
• ½ c soda cracker crumbs. (as in the dregs of the saltines bag) Place in Ziploc bag and smash with rolling pin. If you do not have a rolling pin, use a can of veggies or soda.
• ½ c milk
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt (I use kosher or sea salt. You may use whatever you have on hand.)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten (meaning, poke the yolk and stir it around a bit until it looks like you are about to make scrambled eggs.)

Mix the above ingredients. Find a shallow baking dish (I use a cake pan.) Spray the dish, then dump meat mixture into pan, forming it into a loaf. Smooth the top, then add a crease down the center of the loaf….sort of like a little valley, about 1 inch deep.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from oven, drain off grease.

While meat mixture is baking, mix the sauce together.

Sauce:

• 1/3 c dark brown sugar (or light brown if that is what you enjoy)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

Once loaf has been drained, spread the sauce over the top of the loaf as a glaze. Be sure to get plenty in the little valley you made on the top of the meatloaf.

Throw the meatloaf back in the oven for 10 minutes, and voila! You are finished!

My sweet mama serves her meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, and applesauce, with a side of chopped onion, but you serve it as you wish.

If you have leftovers, they make for great meatloaf sandwiches the next day.

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into my mama’s kitchen. We shall be visiting here again from time to time.

Enjoy your day, lovelies. As Democritus said, "Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul."

~Annie

My Journey Through Debt: Part 2: Writing It Down and Changing Our Food Habits

Although I was now willing to recognize my problem with credit and do something about it, life still went on around me. There were still bills. Still vehicles that needed to be fueled. Still a mortgage to pay. Still money that needed to be spent.

Notice I said needed. As in it is an absolute necessity to spend a set amount of money on a particular bill. For times like that, I carried with me a pen and tablet of paper. I wrote down every single purchase. Every bill paid. Every quarter loaned. I wrote it down to the penny.

I found that by writing it down, I was able to take a semblance of control over my money. No longer was it ruling me, I was ruling it. No longer would I live in fear of the total balance due vs. the total balance available. No longer would I remain purposefully ignorant of my money.

I kept a running total in my notebook of how much CASH I had on hand. I paid everything in cash that I possibly could. If I had to mail the bill, I used check or money order to get it there. Charging it to the card was NOT an option.

I also started to get creative at home. I found that the less I left the house, the less money I spent in gasoline or trips to the store. I found that if I thought I needed something, I could write it down on a list and wait until Friday, my errand day, to purchase it. Usually by then, I found I no longer “needed” it. I also found that although I may have run out of certain types of food, I could make other dishes that worked just fine. By NOT buying more food, I was able to put more money towards paying off the principle of my credit card debts.

If I DID buy food at the grocery, I spent more time figuring out the cheapest way to go. This was not a time in my life for steaks, pork chops, soda, chips, or the like.  During my climb out of the debt pit was not the time to be picky about brands, either. I learned to buy in bulk more, breaking it down myself when I returned home.

By shopping the outer edges of the grocery, I was able to select the healthiest options for my family, while saving money by NOT buying the convenience, pre-packaged foods that seem to gravitate towards the middle of the store. This time in my life was NOT about convenience. It was about paying down debt. Yes it was hard. Yes it was time consuming. Yes it was worth it.

Although it was a struggle at first, I soon found that our family did just fine with only adding half the meat (usually the most expensive part of a food budget) called for in a recipe. I also found that some of my creative ways to stretch the food budget and the meals became family favorites (potatoes in tacos, rice in stews).

You may say, “Sure Annie, easy for you to say, there were just two of you.” That simply wasn’t true. While we did not have Little Bug yet, we did have several mentor children that lived with us or were in and out of our house on an almost daily basis. While we loved them and were blessed to have had them here, extra people do cost money to have in your home, plain and simple.

The way we dealt with that was simple. We were honest with them. No I didn’t tell them every little thing, however, if they asked why things had changed, I did inform them that we were in the process of saving money to pay down debt.

If you have family members that may rebel at the idea of changing spending habits and food habits, you may want to talk to them about why you are doing so and how they can help you.

I realize that this path is not easy. I do understand. I walked it and experienced it. It is HARD to tell yourself “no.” It is time consuming to write every penny down. It is frustrating to have a teenager or spouse questioning you as to why there is no soda in the house. I get it. However, stick with it. It will be worth it. I promise.

“Who recalls when folks got along without something if it cost too much?”  ~Kin Hubbard.

~Annie

My Journey through Debt: Part 1: The Realization and Immediate Action

I have shared with you my debt story in a previous post. If you missed it, you can go here to catch up. Go ahead. I will wait.

Ok, now that we are all on the same page, I would like to begin to share with you my journey through debt. It will take several posts, but I hope that my story, and my slow climb out of debt, will help others.

The day that I confessed to JP that I had thousands of dollars charged to hidden credit cards, I was filled with dread as well as relief. I had spent so many years hiding this secret, that I was relived that he now knew.

Once the secret was out, the realization of my debt became very real to both of us. I realized that I had not only lied to JP, but had sinned against God as well. I sought forgiveness from both, and it was immediately granted.

While forgiven, I still had the debt looming over me. While JP was forgiving, he did tell me that it was my responsibility to pay it off. I did as any good wife would do. I freaked. As in full blown panic attack.

With percentage rates as high as 22%, I saw no way to EVER pay off my debt. I was hardly able to pay the minimum balance, let alone pay off the principal. I knew I had to act, and act immediately.

My very first course of action was to call the credit card companies and ask for a lower rate on the loans. Yes, I called them loans, for that is what they are. Those companies that give you a little, seemingly harmless, plastic card, are LOANING you money at an EXTREMELY high interest rate.

Most of the companies said they would lower the rate a few points since I was a valued customer. (Of COURSE I was valued! Those guys were making a LOAD of money off of me!)

I then asked if they would forgive any portion of my interest debt. This is a bold move, but they cannot say no unless you ask. Two companies forgave half of my interest debt. That saved me $2000 off the bat.

After getting off the phone with the credit card companies, I found a new credit card. While this seems to be the reverse of what I should have done, stay with me. I found a card with 0% interest on transfer of balances from other cards to their card for a year. A YEAR y’all. So I did it. I transferred as much of my balances to that card as possible. I had a year to pay it off, which gave me a time limit. I also saved thousands of dollars in interest.

As I transferred the cards to the 0% interest card, I closed the accounts. As in, I called them and CLOSED the accounts. They tried to talk me into all sorts of options, but I held firm and closed them. I also cut up every card I still had.

For years I justified why I kept them. “For emergencies. For gasoline. For groceries.” Y’all, if you need to put your gasoline and groceries on a credit card, there is a problem. I know, because I was there. More on that in a later post.

The last thing I immediately did was to STOP SPENDING. Yes, it hurt. Yes, it was hard. Yes, I wanted the new gizmo,the newest fashion, the latest CD, a cup of coffee, a stick of gum. I will not lie to you, I cried. A LOT. I wanted things and I wanted them NOW. I rationalized in my head that I DESERVED things. I worked hard. I owed it to myself. It was my money and I should be able to spend it how I wanted to.  I mean, seriously, that is what the world of marketing tells us, so it must be true, right? RIGHT?!? Wrong.

It wasn’t MY money. It was OUR money, JP’s and mine, and ultimately GOD’S. And I was a dismal failure at being a good steward of it. Every time I failed or pouted, I would seek forgiveness and try again. Everyday that I didn’t spend money was a victory for me. As each day passed, it got easier and easier as I overcame my credit addiction.

My story has many parts. I am not here to judge anyone. I am here to share with you my journey through debt, and how I overcame it to come out victorious.

I invite you to journey with me.

As Thomas Fuller said, “Debt is the worst poverty.”

~Annie

Annie’s Ham and Bean Soup

As the pioneers traveled across the Great Plains towards fortunes untold, a staple meal in their diets was ham and bean soup. This may have been because the beans could soak all day as the wagons lurched over the miles. Or maybe it was because the addition of a little salt pork made the beans a bit tastier. Whatever the reason, the pioneers loved ham and bean soup, and so does my family.

Ham and bean soup is a relatively easy meal to put together. It can even be fixed in a crock-pot, although I choose to fix it early in the morning on the stovetop, and then let it sit and simmer all day.

Annie’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Grab 1 to 2 pounds of pinto beans (depending on how many people will be there for supper- as a reference, I use 2 pounds for 5 people) , throw them in a pot, fill it with water, and leave it set over night. The beans will re-hydrate themselves by morning and you will be good to go. Make sure to rinse your beans and pull out any foreign objects (dried beans are notorious for having little pieces of rocks, dirt, or hulls in them. If you forget to do the first step the night before, or you just have a hankering to fix them for supper tonight, never fear! Just bring the beans to a boil for 10 minutes, and then let them sit for an hour. You may need to add water as the beans soak it up.
• I like to start out with ham broth from cooking a ham. Since I try to never waste anything, I freeze the juices from a ham that I have fixed for my family, just for this purpose. If you have the broth in the pot as the beans are soaking, more of the ham flavor will infuse the beans and you will be in ham and bean heaven. Trust me. It’s true.
• Once the beans have soaked, if you have a hambone with ham on it, leftover from a previous meal, add this to the pot. If not, just dice up the ham you have on hand. It does not have to be a lot. I have added 1-4 cups of ham, depending on how much I have, how the budget looks for the week, and how many people will be eating the soup.
• Chop an onion, add.
• Chop ½ cup celery, add.
• Chop 3 carrots, add.
• Throw in the following:
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt (or whatever salt you have on hand.)
• ½ tsp white pepper (black will do just fine as well)
• 1 tsp ham base. If you do not have this, do not fret. While it does make for a tastier pot of soup, it is not essential. I get mine at the Amish bulk food store.
• 2 tsp of chicken base. Or chicken bouillon. Yes. I did just tell you to add chicken bouillon to the ham and bean soup. I know it doesn’t make sense, but do it anyway. Most of the things I say don’t make sense at first, but eventually most of them do. Go ahead. Just put it in. You will love it. I promise.

• Bring to boil, and then simmer for at least 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. If using a crock-pot, just dump it all in (after beans have soaked,) set it on low, and walk away.
• Remove hambone, if used, trim off meat and add back to pot.

There you have it. Annie’s Ham and Bean Soup. My family begs me to make  Annie's Cornbread with it as well. I usually need at least 2 pie plates of cornbread for my crew.

*This soup freezes nicely if you want to make it ahead of time or divide it into smaller servings.

*If you have no ham on hand, you may also substitute bacon (1/4 to ½ pound).

*It also can be made into a vegetarian dish by omitting the ham and bouillon.

I leave you today with a bit of advice from Julia Child, “Always start out with a larger pot than what you think you need.”

Enjoy your soup, lovelies!

~Annie

My Kitchen is for Dancing

Dancing through the joy. Dancing through the pain. Dancing through the laughter. Dancing through the tears. Dancing through the praise. Dancing through the worship.

Dancing has been a part of the human existence since biblical times. It is used to express joy, grief, excitement, love, and much, much more.

Growing up in a strict, fundamental Baptist home, dancing was prohibited. All dancing. Period. The problem was, I loved to dance. LOVED it. I danced all over my room. All over my friend’s basement. Anywhere I was able to find strong dancing music, I danced.

In high school, I discovered a country music dance hall. I learned every country line dance, two-step and ten step this side of the Mississippi, and then some. I learned to break dance. I learned to do the American Bunny Hop. Whatever the dance, I absorbed it like a sponge, my feet begging to do and re-do the new steps until they came to me as second nature.

By college, I had joined the ballroom dance club. During this bit of Heaven every Saturday night, I learned the Swing, the Foxtrot, the Tango, the Waltz, and many more.

My dancing bliss came to a stop when I graduated college, got married, and started a new job. All of a sudden there was no reason to dance. No place to dance. No one with whom to dance. It just stopped. And I was sad.

Although I still enjoyed the thought of dancing, I had no place to go. Unless you are into the club scene (which I am not,) adults are severely limited on dance hall options. The best I could hope for was a wedding (non Baptist of course,) and someone to ask me to dance (JP does NOT like to dance.)

Once I had my own classroom, I taught my students the Swing and the Waltz. I explained that with those two dances, they would be able to dance at any function, and look great while doing it. I have had several come back to me, thanking me for the lessons. They have used them at school dances, weddings, balls, and many more functions. Although I taught my students to dance, I still had found no outlet for myself.

One day, while listening to the radio, it happened. I started dancing. Alone. And it was okay. I danced my little self all over the house while I cleaned. I used moves I had not done in years. Since I was alone, no one commented, smirked or laughed. I became Ginger Rogers in my very own home.

From that day on, I danced. I found that my kitchen was especially good for my dancing steps. Whether they be line dance steps or waltzes, my kitchen was perfect.

Now, everyday, I dance. I dance while I make meals. I dance while I wash dishes. I dance while I help Little Bug with her homework. I dance while we play Trivial Pursuit. I dance with Little Bug. I dance with L1. I dance with TC. I dance with CJ. And yes, finally, I dance with JP.

This man, who cannot STAND dancing, will now dance with me. As we sway back and forth in the kitchen to one of my favorite songs, my husband will smile down at me, knowing that I am in an utterly joyous state.

My love of dancing has been passed down to Little Bug, who begs her daddy to dance with her, and he obliges. JP takes Little Bug’s hands in his, holds her closely, and dances around our kitchen while she looks trustingly and adoringly up into his eyes.

Yes, my kitchen is made for dancing.  But more importantly, it is made for all the living that is done in it each day.

May you never stop dancing. If you do not dance, it is never too late to start. Go ahead; give it a try in your kitchen. Free yourself from constraints. Live your life to the fullest, and dance.

“You can dance anywhere, if only in your heart” ~Unknown

~Annie

A Respite

Merriam-Webster defines the word “respite” as being an interval of rest. We each need a time of respite from our daily lives. God took this time on the seventh day, after He had created our world.

A respite may come in several forms. Perhaps a long relaxing cruise….a getaway to a relatives home for a week….five minutes locked in the bathroom away from the demands of your family while you consume a stashed candy bar. Whatever your situation, there is always a time and a place for a respite.

Our family works very hard. Everyday. JP drives a three hour round trip to work a nine-hour day as an engineer. CJ walks miles a day delivering mail. TC gets up and is on the air before most of the world is even conscious. L1 attends school fulltime as well as holding down a regular job and several side jobs taking care of children. Little Bug tries her best everyday at school. I keep our home running, preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry, taking care of our family, homestead and animals, and working part time as an agronomist.

Each one of us works hard. Each of us has a good work ethic. Each one of us needs a break. Our break comes in the form of a weekend getaway to a local state park inn. The big feature of the state park is its toboggan run. The big feature of the inn is the pool. While pricey if JP and I were to take Little Bug alone, it is much more manageable by traveling with our eclectic family.

We are able to afford the costs by sharing our getaway with our family. We add up the room, food, and gasoline costs, splitting them by five (the number of adults on the trip- Little Bug Does not count.) In that way, we are able to save money, while at the same time, having the opportunity to have a mini vacation.

I encourage you to take a respite. If possible, plan some time away with your family or good friends. If not possible, take a little bit longer than needed stroll through the grocery. Whatever your situation, find some time to take a break from the everyday.

As Etty Hillesum said, “Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths, or the turning inwards in prayer for five short minutes.”

Enjoy your weekend, my friends.

~Annie