Category: Family

DIY How To Make a Floor Length Mirror Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig

The Devil Is a Liar! Battling Spiritual Warfare With the Word of God

If you want to learn how to create a blog like this, check out Bluehost and read my post where I walk you through step by step on How To Start a Blog.

Perfectly Imperfect Momma - Start a Blog Today - I Host My Blog On Bluehost And Why You Should Too — Perfectly Imperfect Momma – Start a Blog Today – I Host My Blog On Bluehost And Why You Should Too

Here are some awesome parenting books that I actually have on my nightstand and refer to frequently!

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is one of the best parenting books out there! It really breaks things down into very digestible bites and gives you great ways to implement what you learn! This book was a game-changer in helping me figure my kids out!

How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7. This book is similar to the original, but tailors things to little ones. Was a great addition to the original!

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is very well written and gives you a terrific game plan for helping your teen build a strong foundation for success!

Brenda Cataldo + Perfectly Imperfect Momma + Inspiring Mommas to Build Stronger Lives With Practical Parenting Tips and the Word of God.

Thanks so much for visiting my site!

Until Next Time, Let’s Be Perfectly Imperfect Together!

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January 16, 2019January 28, 2019

Creating a Family Budget & Getting Your Finances Under Control

Get Control of Your Finances! Make a Family Budget Today! You'll be so happy when you finally do it!

Financial health is just as important as keeping your body, mind and spirit healthy. All you have to do is keep your expenses lower than the money you have coming in monthly. It sounds easy, and in fact it is easy if you can set up some basic guidelines to adhere to. “How am I supposed to do that?” you are asking yourself. By creating a Family Budget that’s how!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

First Things First – Make a Family Budget

Your budget is not always going to be exact, but it gives you a benchmark of what you can expect. This will be a living, breathing document because life happens. Sometimes unexpected expenses come up, or you may have a great sales month and make more money than expected. Either way, if you have a starting point, you will be better able to gauge your success, or setback if you have a budget set in place. Also, come up with some reasons that you want to create a budget. It’s good to have motivation to know why you are doing what you are doing.

Reasons For Making a Family Budget

There are several reasons that we needed to get our finances back on track.
1. Pay off our credit card debt
2. Pay off medical bills
3. Save money for a new SUV or Van
4. Keep setting aside money for college for the kids
5. Save money to do some home updates & renovations
6. Pay off our mortgage sooner
7. Save money to buy more investment properties
8. Grow our savings account so we have a larger safety net

What are some reasons that you want to get a Family Budget established for your home? Are some of them the same as ours? Here are a few other reasons some of our readers have suggested.
1. Pay off student loans
2. Get out of debt
3. Save up money for a vacation
4. Buy new furniture & appliances
5. Pay off vehicle

Make a List of All Money Coming In

You want to list all the money that you earn. This includes any salaries, commissions, rental income, child support, social security benefits, etc.. basically any money that you can deposit into your bank account. Start by listing any and everything you can think of. Just like it will be important to list your debts, it is also important to list your money coming in. The more accurate you are, the better idea you will have of your financial health.

Make a List of All Expenses

Sit down and tally up all of the expenses that you have. It’s important that you write everything down! Go through your receipts, bank statements, credit card statements and any other unpaid bills to get an accurate tally. The more precise that you are the better. It may even help to keep a spending journal or calendar with you so that you get the full picture of all money that is being spent.

Don’t Forget Periodic or Annual Expenses

Periodic expenses such as insurance payments and dental visits can be easy to forget and leave off the list since they only come around annually or bi-annually. Don’t leave yourself scrambling to cover these expenses. Allocate a portion of each paycheck towards your “Annual Expenses Fund” that way you have it covered when the time rolls around.

Categorize Expenses

Once you have everything written down, start organizing them into categories. The 3 basic categories that you will be able to start putting your expenses into are Fixed Expenses, Variable Expenses & Periodic Expenses. Some examples of expenses that are fixed expenses are mortgage payments, car payments, life insurance premiums.
Other expenses, like entertainment expenses, travel expenses, groceries, are Variable Expenses. While things like Dental Cleaning Payments, Home Maintenance and Auto Insurance Premiums are Periodic Expenses.

Prioritize Expenses

After you have put all of your expenses into categories start prioritizing them. There are almost always expenses that are just completely ridiculous that you can completely cut out.

Embarrassing But True:

When my husband and I finally sat down and went through all of our yearly expenses one year, we tallied up over $2700 spent at Dunkin Donuts! Being Real Estate Agents, it had just become part of our routine to swing through the drive through after dropping the kids off to school. We would each get a cup of coffee and a sandwich then start our day. It sounds crazy to me when I think back on it! What are some things you spend money on that you can scale back?

“Once you realize you have a problem, you can take the steps necessary to remedy the situation.”

Having a budget is such a great tool for financial stability because it gives you a benchmark. You can do a tally every week or every month to see where you are doing a good job saving and also where there are opportunities to reign in your spending. If you don’t measure what you are doing, it is difficult to tell if what you are doing is working or not.

If what you are earning isn’t enough to cover the bills that you have, some drastic changes need to happen. Either you need to really adjust your spending, or you need to earn more money. If you want to learn how I started a blog as a side hustle to earn extra money, click here to read my post on
How To Start Your Own Blog in 2019

What are some ways that you make extra money on the side? I would love to hear your ideas! Leave me a comment below.

Set Realistic Goals

Give yourself a timeline of when you want to achieve your objectives, but try to be realistic. This will take time. It doesn’t happen overnight. If you owe 100,000 on your mortgage for example, setting a goal of paying it off in a year is not realistic if you only earn $50,000 per year. (Unless one of your objectives is to earn a significant amount more per year) You get my drift.

So lets say you owe $500 on a credit card. Set a budget for yourself on how much you can afford per month to get that card paid off. Maybe give yourself 3-5 months to get it paid off. If you give yourself a timeline, it is easier to see how much progress you are making towards achieving your goal!

In Conclusion

While going through our expenses was painful and uncomfortable, it forced us to really be honest with how irresponsible our spending habits had become. With the daily craziness that was our life, work, kids, church, school, sports, marriage, house duties, family, endless activities and obligations, we had traded responsibility for convenience. We gave freely and recklessly of both our time, energy, effort and money.
The road we were going down was a road to disaster and burn out. It was time to slow things down!
We were spending money as quickly as it came in because we were not being conservative or responsible with our spending. Instead of meal prepping, we were eating out more often or ordering more take out dinners.

For my husband and I, making a Family Budget was absolutely essential in getting our life organized and back on track! With time and effort you can do it too! I’d love to know some of the things that have held you back from putting a budget together? Leave me a comment below and let me know.

Please note that I am not a certified financial advisor and the information shared on my site is from my own personal experiences. It is important that you consult with the proper legal, tax or financial professional to assist you with your particular financial situation.

Here are some other posts you may like. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Mom Hacks For The New And Not So New Momma

DIY How To Make a Floor Length Mirror Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig

The Devil Is a Liar! Battling Spiritual Warfare With the Word of God

Thanks so much for visiting my site!

If you like what you read, leave us a comment and SUBSCRIBE below:

Until Next Time, Let’s Be Perfectly Imperfect Together!

January 10, 2019January 30, 2019

Mom Hacks For The New And Not So New Momma

There is not one perfect way to parent. Parenting has to work for you and your kids. If you have found a system that fits with your style, keep at it! I have 5 kids ranging in age from 21 months to 21 years old! Every single one of them has been different in their own ways. Here are some helpful Mom Hacks that I have used in my 21 plus years of being a momma. I hope that they can bless you and make things just a little bit easier for you in your daily life.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Mom Hack #1 – Prep Before Each Diaper Change

ALWAYS prepare your diaper, wipes, powder (and change of clothes if needed) before you do a diaper change. This includes for after bath time. When changing your baby’s diaper, the faster you work the better. Getting peed on & pooped on are more easily avoided if you act swiftly. Also the possibility of your little one becoming wiggly and jiggly increase the longer it takes to get him/her changed.

Mom Hack #2 – USE an EXTRA Baby Wipe Folks!

HUGGIES Simply Clean Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes Soft Pack, 704 Count

I know that you are trying to save money in these frugal times, but believe me when I say that you do not want to skimp on using an extra wipe to clean up your baby’s bottom. That poop can get pretty acidic and not cleaning thoroughly can cause diaper rashes. You don’t want your baby to suffer through that. USE an EXTRA baby wipe!! Your baby’s bottom will thank you! I like to use Huggies Baby Wipes. They are nice and thick and don’t break through when wiping up your baby’s business!

Mom Hack #3 – Use Cornstarch Powder After Each Diaper Change

Always put PURE CORNSTARCH baby powder on your baby’s front and back side after each diaper change. This will keep them dry and help to prevent diaper rash.
*DO NOT use talcum powder. There are studies to suggest that talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer.

Mom Hack #4 – Spend the $2.00 Extra For The Name Brand Powder

Johnson’s Lavender Baby Powder with Naturally Derived Cornstarch, Hypoallergenic and Paraben Free, 15 oz, Packaging May Vary (pack of 6)

I’m all for being thrifty and saving a buck where I can, but when it affects the quality, it’s better to spend a little extra. My husband has bought the generic store brand powder a couple times so I can tell you from experience that it gets very frustrating when you can’t twist the lid open. These bottles of powder are going to last you for probably at least 6 weeks. That extra $2.00 breaks down to an extra $0.04 a day. Go For It! SPLURGE! Click Here to buy it from Amazon.

Mom Hack #5- Wrap Up Those Dirty Diapers

Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser with Bags, Lavender Scent, Colors May Vary 1 ea

ALWAYS wrap dirty diapers in plastic bags. I even go so far as to wrap number two diapers in not one, but two sandwich size ziploc bags. I also have a handy bag dispenser attached to my diaper bag that has plastic bags in it for when I am on the go. There is nothing worse than smelling several dirty diapers in your inside trash can, or several days old dirty diapers in your outside trash bin. Your neighbors and trash collectors will also thank you!

Mom Hack #6 – Pack a Change of Clothes and Keep on Hand

ALWAYS Pack a change of clothes for you and baby. If you have older kids that are between 3-6 years old even if they are potty trained, pack them extra clothes too. Sometimes having a new little one can cause kids to regress a bit. Competing for mommy’s and daddy’s attention when there is a newborn can be difficult.

Mom Hack #7 Use Ziploc Bags to Organize Your Diaper Bag

Using Ziploc Bags can keep all your baby supplies easily compartmentalized.

Mom Hack #8 – Order Groceries & Supplies Online

Amazon Prime is my Best Friend!! As often as possible, order groceries and supplies online and have them delivered, or pick them up at the store. It’s a lot easier to drive up to the pickup zone and have a team member load your groceries than it is to drag your kids through the aisles of the store. Several stores offer outside pick up for your groceries and supplies. Walmart and Target are a couple of stores that offer this service. This will save you so much time and probably money as well! It will certainly save your sanity.

Mom Hack #9 – Use NoseFrida When Baby Gets Stuffed Up

NoseFrida the Snotsucker Baby Nasal Aspirator and Saline Nasal Spray Kit with 10 Hygiene filters by Fridababy – Sinus Congestion Relief for newborns up to toddlers

It’s not if, but when your baby gets stuffed up and congested, you will do everything you can to find relief for your little one. The best and fastest way that I have found in my 21 years of motherhood to get fast relief for congestion is to use a genius invention called The NoseFrida. Click this link to purchase it from Amazon. Seriously guys, this is the best thing ever. Now the concept of it grosses some people out, because you put a tube in your baby’s nose and basically suck the boogies out. I know I know it sounds disgusting, but rest assured that no snot will make it into your mouth. There is a filter that is attached to the tube that prevents this from happening. TRUST ME when your baby can breathe you will be thanking me for turning you on to this little gadget! You’re welcome

Mom Hack #10 – Use Saline Spray/Drops BEFORE You Use The NoseFrida

Little Remedies Saline Spray and Dropper | 0.5 oz | Pack of 1 | For Noses to Breathe Easily | Gently Wash Away Mucus | Newborn Safe

Using saline spray before you use the NoseFrida nasal aspirator will help loosen baby’s mucous and get you better results. I use Little Remedies brand Saline Spray / Drops. My kids always hate getting drops put in their nose, and they will fight me every step of the way. It feels like you are being so mean to them, but when you see how much better they can breathe afterwards, all the fuss will be worth it!

Mom Hack #11 – Self Care is a MUST

I will be completely honest. Of all the Mom Hacks, this is probably the one that I struggle with the most. It is so easy to get caught up in your day that you find little time to take care of yourself. But TRUST ME, Self Care is so important not only to your physical health, but also to your mental health! Take a shower, wash your face, brush your teeth, put on clean clothes, do your hair and makeup if you can. You will feel so much better and be so much more productive!

Mom Hack #12 – Invest In a Good Baby Cradle n’ Swing

Baby swings are pure magic! My kids pretty much lived/slept in their swing for the first 6 months. It was the only way I was able to get time to take a shower, or get anything done. Invest the money and buy a swing that has some good features. It’s great if it is battery powered, but make sure that it also has an A/C power cord as a backup! You don’t want to have to always buy batteries to keep this baby going. Also get one that has multiple positions and speeds available. A mobile and mirror to keep baby distracted is also a big plus. This is definitely an item you want to put on your registration!

Fisher-Price My Little Snugabear Cradle ‘n Swing

Mom Hack #13 – Sleep When Baby Is Sleeping

Seriously. Maybe not always, but in the early days and weeks, sleep when your baby is sleeping. This isn’t necessary once you have establish a sleep routine that works for you, but in the beginning, it is better to conserve as much energy as possible. Being a sleep deprived momma is not fun!

Mom Hack #14 – Keep Extra Plastic Bags In The Car

You know all those grocery store bags that you always have too many of? Keep like 5-10 of them in your car. You never know when you might need one. I’ve used them to put garbage in when I quickly do a trash sweep..cuz you know our cars get trashed with little ones. They have also come in handy for a dirty diaper, or dirty/wet clothes. The possibilities are endless.

Mom Hack #15 – Keep an Empty Wide Rimmed Bottle Handy

Now this Mom Hack is for when baby gets older, but my husband insisted that I needed to share this because it has saved us so many times! Haha! If you have boys and you are potty training, always keep an empty wide rimmed bottle on hand especially in the car. What are you going to use a wide rimmed bottle for you ask? Yup you guessed it, a portable toilet! When faced with the choice of pee all over the car seat, or pee into a bottle, my choice is the bottle every time. (Washing your car seat is a pain in the butt!) You gotta do what you gotta do. I like bottles from Bai or Gatorade. Sometimes you just can’t make it to the toilet in time and there is no bush in site for your little guy to discreetly pee into.

I hope that you have enjoyed these Mom Hacks and that you can use some in your day to day. What are some of your favorite Mom Hacks or Tips & Advice? I would love to know! Leave me a comment below. Even though I have been doing this mom thing for quite a while, I am always learning new little things to make my house and life run smoother.

Here are some other posts you may like. Check them out.

Creating a Family Budget & Getting Your Finances Under Control

DIY How To Make a Floor Length Mirror Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig

The Devil Is a Liar! Battling Spiritual Warfare With the Word of God

Thank you so much for visiting my site!

If you like what you read, leave us a comment and SUBSCRIBE below:

Until Next Time, Let’s Be Perfectly Imperfect Together!

December 21, 2018January 28, 2019

Bible Scriptures on Humbleness & Humility

What does being humble mean to you?

This is what the Word of God has to say about it.

James 4:10 (NIV) New International Version

¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) New International Version

²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Colossians 3:12 (NIV) New International Version

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

James 4:6 (NIV) New International Version

⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 (NIV) New International Version

⁵In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) New International Version

¹⁴if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Luke 14:11 (NIV) New International Version

¹¹For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Micah 6:8 (NIV) New International Version

⁸He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Proverbs 3:34 (NIV) New International Version

³⁴He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) New International Version

²When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 12:15 (NIV) New International Version

¹⁵The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 15:33 (NIV) New International Version

³³Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12 (NIV) New International Version

¹²Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4 (NIV) New International Version

⁴Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 27:2 (NIV) New International Version

²Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.

Psalm 25:9 (NIV) New International Version

⁹He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

Psalm 149:4 (NIV) New International Version

⁴For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.

Romans 12:3 (NIV) New International Version

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12:16 (NIV) New International Version

¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) New International Version

⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) New International Version

³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Matthew 23:10-12 (NIV) New International Version

¹⁰Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

James 4:14-16 (NIV) New International Version

¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) New International Version

⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Here are some other posts you may like. Check them out.

Creating a Family Budget & Getting Your Finances Under Control

Mom Hacks For The New And Not So New Momma

DIY How To Make a Floor Length Mirror Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig