The Coupon Clutch winner is:

1) Jenni (comment #1)

Planning for a baby is a special and exciting time, but it can also be stressful. One of the areas in which my husband Britt and I felt this stress was with financial planning. We are both teachers, which means a tight budget, and we knew that adding a baby to our family would bring additional expenses. We also made the decision that I would take six weeks of maternity leave at the beginning of next school year (baby girl is due this summer), and it will unfortunately be unpaid. Now we really had some budgeting concerns!

We knew it was time to start saving like crazy. With the recommendation of several friends, we looked into Dave Ramsey’s money management system. I went onto his website and reviewed the free articles and information there, and then Britt and I sat down to create a budget system that worked for us.

Reevaluating how we were paying off our debt

Dave Ramsey recommends that you start by paying off your smallest debt first. By putting all of your extra assets toward your smallest debt, you are setting an attainable goal that will be realized more quickly. The immense feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment will motivate you to attack the next largest bill.

This seems so logical, but it was the exact opposite of what we were doing. Our debt consists of my student loans and each of our car payments. We were paying a little extra on all three of these bills each month, trying to knock them all down at once and not making any noticeable progress. By instead focusing all of the extra money each month onto my student loans, I am excited to say that  they will be paid off within the year.

Saving for my unpaid maternity leave

We implemented Dave Ramsey’s monthly budgeting system, which is based on using cash only. For each category in your budget, you withdraw a set amount of cash for the month, and that is all you are allowed to spend. For example, if it is the end of the month, and you only have $30 left in your grocery fund, then your challenge is to raid your pantry and see what you can do with what you have on hand plus $30. It seems harsh, but by following this method, you will be amazed at how your spending and saving patterns can change.

This was something very new for us, as we never carried cash and were very used to swiping the debit card. The unfortunate result was never really being accountable for how we were spending our money, as long as we knew we had plenty left for the month. We were surprised at how much we were spending and on what we were spending it.

Here are the steps we took to get started:

1. We logged onto our online banking and brought up the previous month’s statement.
2. We categorized and totaled up where our money was being spent (bills, groceries, eating out, Sarah spending, Britt spending, household maintenance, etc.)
3. After looking at these figures, we decided how much we thought we should be spending in each area.
4. We created five categories for our monthly budget after bills (yours may be different): groceries, eating out, Sarah spending, Britt spending, and household maintenance. We decided on an amount for each category that does not change much from month to month.
5. We did not budget in for bills since they can fluctuate each month (ex. power bill changes, water bill does not come every month, etc.). We put our gas on a cash rewards credit card and pay that off at the end of the month, so we count it as a fluctuating monthly bill.

Working our monthly budget:

1. After pay day (once a month at the end of the month), we pay all of our bills.
2. We look at what we have left in checking and subtract out the total for the bills we have just paid.
3. From the remaining amount, we subtract out the money for our monthly budget categories (mentioned above). We go to the bank and get this money out in cash.
4. From the remaining money in checking, we subtract out additional savings for our baby nest egg.
5. Anything that is left in checking is our safety net for the month. Dave Ramsey teaches that every dollar has a purpose, and that you should never just have extra money sitting in your checking account. We leave ours in the bank until the end of the month as our safety net, but we do not use it unless there is an emergency or unexpected (and unavoidable) expense.
6. At the end of the month, whatever remains in checking that we have not had to use (which is hopefully everything since no swiping is allowed unless there is an emergency!) is also transferred into savings as a second payment into our baby nest egg.
7. Each month when you sit down to pay bills and figure out your budget, you may have to make changes based on what is coming in the month ahead (ex. a car is due for an oil change, a birthday or anniversary, etc.) Money for these expenses should be taken out in cash also.
8. You should decide how you will handle the cash that is left over in one or more categories at the end of the month. If we were really strict, we would deposit that cash into savings, but we often end up using it to go out to dinner or get a little treat. We work so hard to live by such a strict budget that the extra treat is nice.

Results we have seen

We have been using this system for a few months now, and it has made a huge difference in our spending and saving. It does take time to figure out how to make the system work for your family, and each month we have made adjustments to our plan. Although it is hard when we want go out to dinner or do some shopping and the money is not there, it feels so good to be accountable for our spending and to know we are doing what is financially right for our family.

Every family’s budget will look different, and it will take time to figure out what works for you. Be patient and stick to it and you will see great results. Happy budgeting!

Coupon Clutch Giveaway

*** This contest is over. Congratulations to the winner! ***

The Coupon Clutch winner is:

1) Jenni (comment #1)

We started out using envelopes for the cash in each of our categories, but have found that they are bulky to carry around and harder to keep track of. We will be moving to an organizer that will hold the cash for each category all in one place. Here is what we will be using:

This coupon clutch from Thirty-One Gifts has five interior pockets, each with its own tab and label — perfect for keeping track of your categories and keeping cash organized.

Here is how you can win:

• Prize: Coupon Clutch
• To enter: Leave a comment on this post with the words “Time to save!” and…
• Bonus question: Tell us your favorite money saving tip.
• Number of winners: 1
• Shipping: This prize can only be shipped to the U.S. (Sorry, we’re working on getting some giveaways that are available outside the United States.)
• Deadline: Wednesday April 3 at 11PM EST.
• Problems? email help [at] whatsinmybelly [dot] com
• Other Details: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Wednesday as an update to this post. So, head back here on Wednesday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
• Prize courtesy of Dory Doyle, Thirty-One Independent Consultant
  email: dorydoyle [at] gmail [dot] com
  website: www.mythirtyone.com/dorydoyle/
  blog: timanddory.wordpress.com

Sarah and her husband, Britt, live in Glen Allen, Virginia, and are expecting their first baby (a sweet girl!) in June 2013. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher and has a home-based business, both of which keep her very busy. She unwinds by sharing her adventures in cooking, decorating and life on her blog, A T-Shirt and Pearls.

The Journal winners are:

1) Susan Smoaks
2)  Michelle (comment #17)
3) Valerie Taylor Mabrey

One of the best routines I began early on in my pregnancy is journaling. I am not someone who normally writes in a journal, but I wanted a way to remember all of the experiences I was about to have, and a journal seemed like the best option.

At a little over halfway through my pregnancy, my journal is already a treasure. It is amazing to look back through my journey so far and dream about what is yet to come. I am so thankful that I started journaling right away; although it is not too late for you, no matter where you are in your pregnancy.

For someone like myself who is not typically into journaling, starting a journal was intimidating. The first time I opened up my journal and saw hundreds of blank pages staring back at me, I wasn’t sure where to begin, and I honestly felt a little awkward writing down my feelings and thoughts.

I started my journal right after I had a positive pregnancy test. Not sure where to begin, I decided to just jump in and start writing to see what I came up with.

Using a blank journal has allowed me the freedom to write as much or as little as I would like. I have been able to organize it in a way that works for me as I reflect on my pregnancy.

The basic format I follow in my journal is to create a new section for each week of my pregnancy. I label the page with the day of the week, date, and the number of weeks pregnant that I am. Underneath of that I write a variety of things.

Topics about which I write include:

• Physical symptoms
• Emotions
• Cravings
• Pregnancy milestones (getting my bump, wearing maternity clothes for the first time, finding out the gender of our baby, feeling baby kick for the first time, etc.)
• Doctor’s appointments
• Feelings and experiences happening in my life that are not pregnancy related
• Questions for my doctor which I mark with a sticky tab for easy reference at my appointments (This has been so helpful!)

If you would like to try using a blank journal, here are some beautiful blank notebook journals:

1) C.R. Gibson’s Penny Lane Bound Personal Journal
2) You Are My Sunshine Handprinted Leather Journal
3) Lined Spiral Journal Notebook in Teal Floral Pattern
4) Lined Spiral Journal Notebook in Colourful Bird Pattern

If you prefer more of a guided journaling approach, there are some wonderful options for pre-made pregnancy journals. These journals include prompts with space for recording your answers. Some journals have space for pictures and mementos. Here are some great choices:

1) “Anticipating Baby” Pregnancy Journal Book
2) Pregnancy Journal Planner or Binder
3) Pregnancy Journal in Gender Neutral Cover Design — Heart
4) The Nine: A Pregnancy Countdown Journal 

No matter how you decide to do it — a blank journal or a pre-made pregnancy journal — I encourage you to start a pregnancy journal as soon as possible. Whether you are five weeks pregnant or 25, it is not too late to record your memories. There is no right or wrong way to organize and use your journal. Do what feels right for you and record anything and everything that comes to mind. What seems silly or trivial now will most likely be a treasured memory down the road. Make sure to leave space for adding sonogram pictures, weekly/monthly bump pictures, and any other keepsakes you have.

Maybe it’s the “pregnancy brain,” but I already feel like it’s hard to remember my exact thoughts and feelings during those early weeks of pregnancy. It is so wonderful to be able to turn back the pages in my journal and relive them. I can only imagine how meaningful this journal will be to me in the years to come.

How about a free journal to get started?

If you’re reading this article, I’m guessing you are interested in starting a journal of your own. (Or, maybe you know someone who might want one.) Well, we are lucky enough to have three different journals to give away!

1) C.R. Gibson’s Pregnancy Journal — Expectant Stripes
2) Pregnancy Journal/Planner by Stephanie Adams (PDF to self-print)
3) Leather Pregnancy Journal by Mary Lynn Schroeder

Here is how you can win:

• Prizes: The 3 different pregnancy journals featured above.
• To enter: Leave a comment on this post with the words “Get my journal started!” and…
• Bonus question: Tell us if you’re new to journaling or need another journal to continue recording your memeories. If the book isn’t for you, feel free to share that. Also, we’d love to know what you’ll record in your journal.
• Number of winners: 3
• Shipping: This prize can only be shipped to the U.S. (Sorry, we’re working on getting some giveaways that are available outside the United States.)
• Deadline: Tuesday, March 12 at 8PM EST.
• Problems? email morgan@whatsinmybelly.com
• Other Details: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Tuesday as an update to this post. So, head back here on Tuesday for the announcement of our winners. Since we have three different items to giveaway, the first winner gets first pick, the second winner gets to pick from what’s left, and the third winner gets the remaining journal. Good luck…

Sarah and her husband, Britt, live in Glen Allen, Virginia, and are expecting their first baby (a sweet girl!) in June 2013. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher and has a home-based business, both of which keep her very busy. She unwinds by sharing her adventures in cooking, decorating and life on her blog, A T-Shirt and Pearls.

I knew that if it got too bad, I could call my doctor, and she would recommend some safe medications to take during pregnancy, but I really wanted to try and stick to natural remedies to keep my body clear of any medicine.

Here is what worked for me:

1) Lemon Ginger Honey Cold Remedy “Tea” (serves 1)
The best natural cold remedy that I found was this amazing lemon ginger honey tea recipe. It tastes surprisingly delicious and has some natural health benefits too.

There is something wonderful about a steaming cup of tea when you have a sore throat and stuffy nose. The lemon provides a boost of Vitamin C, the honey soothes a sore throat helping to act as a cough suppressant, and both the honey and ginger are thought to have immune-boosting properties. Plus, ginger is a natural antidote to an upset stomach, so if you are still stuck in the all-day morning sickness phase, this tea may offer some relief of those symptoms as well!

Ingredients
Fresh peeled and diced ginger root
Lemon
Honey
Boiling water

Directions
Dice the ginger into medium-sized chunks, and add five or six pieces to the bottom of a tea cup. Pour boiling water over and let steep for about five minutes. Squeeze in the juice from one wedge of lemon. Add approximately one teaspoon of honey and stir well.

Note: I left the ginger in my cup to continue steeping as I drank. It is heavy enough that it mostly stayed at the bottom of my cup. If you prefer, you can remove the ginger pieces after it steeps.

2) Rest, drink a ton of water, rest, drink a ton of water, rest…
You get the idea. These things are recommended when you are sick — pregnant or not — and for good reason. Rest and fluids can do wonders for a tired, sick body.

3) Chicken Noodle Soup
Okay, it’s a little cliché, but chicken noodle soup provides an additional serving of clear liquids from the broth, protein from the chicken, and vitamins from the veggies. Hey, it can’t hurt!

This particular bowl of delicious chicken noodle soup came from Costco. They sell containers of homemade soup made with their fresh rotisserie chicken. Yummy!

4) Vitamin C
After looking into this, it seems that research shows that Vitamin C might not be very effective in treating colds. But in my mind, it’s another case of “it can’t hurt.” Making sure you are getting plenty of vitamins and minerals when you are under the weather can only be helpful. My favorite way to get Vitamin C is by enjoying this yummy citrus salad:

To make your own, segment an orange and a grapefruit. Place in a bowl with some canned diced pineapple and a diced apple. Enjoy!

5) Take a warm (not hot!) bath or shower
Although you have to be careful about enjoying a very hot shower or bath during pregnancy, you can still get the benefits of steam in dealing with cold-related congestion. I like to let the shower run hot for a few minutes to steam up the bathroom, and then turn the water temperature down before getting into the shower or filling up the bath. That way, I can breathe in the steam to help clear out my congestion without putting my body into the hot, steaming water.

For baths, my favorite products are from Lush. Their bath bombs and bath melts are fabulous, and there are even a few bath bombs that are perfect for a stuffy nose: the Big Blue Bath Bomb and the Geo Phyzz Bath Bomb. The fresh herbal scents are lovely for a stuffed-up nose.

Remember to listen to your body. If the water or steam feels too hot, it probably is. Let things cool down before you enjoy.

6) When All Else Fails…
Get a Frosty or other milkshake deliciousness. The icy coldness will feel amazing on your throat, and it does count as a serving of calcium, you know…

Hopefully you will not have a need for any of these cold remedies, but if you do, I hope that they provide you some comfort and relief. I know they made things more manageable for me. Here’s to the end of cold and flu season!

Note: I do not have any medical training. Please check with your doctor before beginning any course of treatment. Any products shared in this post were not sponsored, and reviews are my own opinions.

Sarah and her husband, Britt, live in Glen Allen, Virginia, and are expecting their first baby (a sweet girl!) in June 2013. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher and has a home-based business, both of which keep her very busy. She unwinds by sharing her adventures in cooking, decorating and life on her blog, A T-Shirt and Pearls.