Many of you have written expressing your same concern for the recent downturn in the economy and are looking for some practical advice. We as parents have also begun to revisit a lost art form of clipping coupons to offset rising food costs. But what about these links we come across out on the net and emails in our inbox with promises of “free gift cards”, “free grocery coupons”, free “gas” cards? Well, watch out! We set out to get the skinny and test out what we “receive”.

Many of these links will instantly take you to a page with a simple email address fill-in promising that your “free gift card” is just a click away. From there you visit the next page in which you are asked to fill in your full name, address, telephone number, maybe even a birth date. Next click brings you to a “survey page” in which you evaluate maybe 10 offers such as “10 dvds for just $9.99″ or a special introductory credit card offer that you might be interested in.

For our research, we decided to take the arduous journey through one of these sites and see just what we would receive. During our journey, we were assured that just around the next click…  We read over and over again through out the survey that in order for these sites to offer these great deals, such as a $250 shopping card,  completing a few of the offers was necessary. After nearly two hours of wading through their “special offers” and even choosing 6 special offers, 4 of which required a credit card for either “shipping and handling” or “processing fees” we arrived at the end… an abrupt end in which there were 2 more offers to complete. One of which you could skip if you were a non smoker or yet another credit card offer. And that was it. It was the end. No confirmation that our gift card had been sent and no confirmation at another site that we would receive our grocery coupons. We are still waiting.

Unfortunately, there are many (too many) websites that unscrupulously delve into your personal information with promises of “free”. Private information that all too often is the same information we are continually warned against giving out due to rampant identity theft and the same information that plays a role in bombarding our physical mailboxes with the dreaded junk mail.

The lesson here is to guard your personal information tightly. In a down economy, the lure of “free” is magnetic at times but more often than not subscribes to the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”! Just so we aren’t ending this watchdog experiment on a sour note, we did compile some useful information for parents as you navigate these difficult financial times. Below are a few helpful articles pertaining to money saving ideas and sites that can get you onto the safe path of saving money honey

Best to you and your family,

Michele Shepherd

{ Helpful Articles }

• 7 Ways to Get Organized on a Budget

• Debt Reduction - A Program To Do It Yourself

• Four Simple Ways to Make a Difference With Your Dollars

• Getting More Miles Per Gallon

• Nine Ways to Stretch Your Income

• Why Changing Out Your Light Bulbs Is A Smart Move

{ Sites We LOVE }

• MsMoney
• My Savings.com
• Mommy Savers

There are not many material possessions that my grip is white-knuckle tight. I like stylish, hip clothes just like the next girly, I have enjoyed 2 summers in the comfort of a trailer while wildernessing , I even like new computer gadgets. Coveting lavish homes or salivating over a girlfriend’s “new rock” — I never engage. I do not seem to struggle much on this front. Not sure if that is a result of growing up in the 80’s / 90’s … or if it just doesn’t happen to be “my thing”. That was until gas spiked ~ OUCH!

Then I saw the white knuckles.

“You want me to drive a WHAT?”

… and so the snob in me emerged. Like a tiny little creep lurking in the dark corner of my self-image, she moved out of the darkest shadows, just enough to become the Elephant in the room every time my husband and I had a conversation about money. Oh you better believe I tried to cover her up! I shoved her around within the confines of my mind, I sternly told her to get back into the closet never to return to view. Within those private recesses, deep in our hearts that we all have in which no one is ever allowed to enter, I had a good long look at her and then I slammed the door to that closet.

After stuffing that snob into a box, shoving her into a closet, locking the door and then emerging from those “private recesses” I busied myself. I changed out all the lights to the energy saving bulbs, unplugged all appliances using “phantom energy”(even the alarm clock–I began using my cell phone alarm instead…), I even started clipping coupons! I was frantic to cut back in every possible way, I even lowered our heat by 4 degrees at night!

With each visit to the “saving-money-honey” conversation, THERE SHE WAS!

“Didn’t I tell you to disappear?”, I would bark at her.

Each time my husband and I discussed oil reaching record numbers, she became an Elephant in the room. “But…I changed the bulbs… But I put an extra blankets on the beds… But I only had one coffee this week…” Why couldn’t she just have stayed where I put her??

It was a truth I was appalled to have to admit. I was a snob when it came to my truck–and my knuckles were white; not wanting to let go. So I had to face her, that little snob. Yes, I like my truck. I enjoy being a “Truck Chick” with a sweet ride. I like my lift kit, the tinted windows, the step-side style and the sea-blue paint job. I like the monster tires and side pipes. My truck had become my BMW.

As is the custom in this life, I had to face reality…life changes. It moves and we move on. This week I will be saying “bye-bye, baby” to my truck– and to a phase of my life. Next week, I will become a Mini-Van Mom. The only thing I dislike more than that little snob is the fact that I said I would never drive a minivan. Now I’ll eat those words in a pie called humble and it won’t be sweet, guaranteed.

But I thank the Lord everyday for his blessings he bestows… for another day to know Him better, another day with my family… and yes, a vehicle to drive because it is better than not having one at all

Do you have a similar story? I’d love to hear about it…

Best to you,

Michele Shepherd

I am honored to be writing you after such a long period of time. I have missed offering my take on the parenting journey, sharing with you struggles and triumphs and yet … sometimes the longest roads in life produce the most lasting life lessons and peace. I have first hand knowledge of just how long and bumpy a road can be; the toll it can take and the emptiness that waits…if you don’t instead choose the peace that can come.

With our world changing so dramatically, day by day; from dealing with high gas prices, to an uncertain ecomomy, and a war half a world away, it can be difficult to find a place of rest in our hectic days. When I lay my head on my pillow come Friday night I have to wonder what happened to Tuesday through Thursday!

I want to offer some thoughts of encouragement to you and your family. Time is short and our kids grow so quickly. Take some time this week to read a book together, watch a DVD or simply lounge around and talk about whatever. Play a good old fashioned board game, like Sorry®. Make some chocolate chip cookies together.

Try, just for one day, not to worry about tomorrow for we all know that tomorrow has enough worries of its own. There is peace to be found, joy to be had…it’s just time to change how it is brought about in our lives and that begins with each one of us.It’s a choice we make; a yearning that wells somewhere deep inside…a yearning for something just a little different than status quo…

One of my favorite lines for life is from Ferris Beuller’s Days Off (did I just date myself?? ) :: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Life is life. The pace only picks up the more our families grow up but if we carve out time to slow down and spend the time, the memories will last a life time.

I hope with the waning winter weather, you and your family can find rest in lazy weekend afternoons. Relax with some hot cocoa and don’t miss this moment.

Best To You,
Michele Shepherd