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About Frugal Trenches

I love the sweet nectar of life!

Goals and Lessons Learned

Posted on February 11, 2012

Motherhood has taught me many things, two of perhaps the most useful are that organization saves time, stress and money and having realistic small goals for each day keep me moving in the right direction without being overwhelmed. Motherhood is … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Ma Famille, Meal Planning, Motherhood, My Chlidren, Oh so Blessed | 2 Comments

Encouragement From Afar

Posted on January 21, 2012

It is Saturday morning and it has been a long week. A week where I’ve wondered when my children’s needs will reduce, how to make certain rules/boundaries easier to follow, how to keep a house clean when no one else … Continue reading →

Posted in About Me, Adoption, Anxiety, Balance, Being Gentle and Kind, Home Management, Journeying, Motherhood, My Chlidren | 12 Comments

He Has Been Good To Us

Posted on January 14, 2012

I often forget. If I were being honest, I’d say I forget most of the time. I don’t remember as I encourage children to quickly eat their breakfasts, or stay focused as they are getting dressed. I certainly don’t remember … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Lessons Learned, Letters To Myself, Ma Famille, My Chlidren, Parenting, Perpective | 6 Comments

Spending Diary January 1-7th

Posted on January 7, 2012

This month I think one of my toughest goals will be sticking to a $250 food budget! January is a loooooong month! January 1st  – No Spending Day – We went for a lovely homemade Chinese food lunch at a … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Budget | 6 Comments

Preparing

Posted on January 7, 2012

Today is our last Saturday before the rush of school starts, once again there will be less time for relaxing strolls in parks, finding fun creatures and just being still. My daughter has already lost a lot of sleep worrying … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Ma Famille, Parenting, Weekending

Help A Family Friday: It’s OK When It’s “Small”

Posted on January 6, 2012

Having recently adopted two fabulously wonderful children on one very average charity worker income, with no assistance, no free childcare and special needs which mean extra resources are needed, it can be challenging to think about how to help others. When … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Giving, Help A Family Friday, Ma Famille, Orphan Care, Parenting, Personal Responsibility | 11 Comments

Still Figuring Out The Budget

Posted on January 5, 2012

Busy, busy, busy, busy. Minor car accident + increased school costs + PA Day childcare costs + sick child + car battery dead + physiotherapy = budget not balancing at all. Pure joy I tell you, pure joy !

Posted in 2012 Goals, Budget | 10 Comments

Food Costs & Goals

Posted on January 3, 2012

Thank you for all the great suggestions on yesterday’s post, I’ll reply soon! Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about food costs, mostly because I’m trying to balance budgeting with making sure we eat healthy, local, fairtrade food as much as … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Budget, Home Management, Parenting | 11 Comments

I Need Three Solutions

Posted on January 2, 2012

1. How do I make my 2012 budget balance? So far I’m somewhere between 300-500 short! Second income, or free childcare {aka stay at home parent} where are you? 2. How do I stop my children from running in our … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Budget, Ma Famille, My Chlidren, Parenting | 21 Comments

Goals For 2012!

Posted on January 1, 2012

I’ve written my thoughts about 2011, sharing them helped me see that becoming a mother twice, moving and changing jobs pretty much took all my physical and emotional energy. As a result I’m in horrific physical shape & low in … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Goals, Adoption | 12 Comments