The January Quickstart: Monthly Tips Newsletter to Save More

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The January Quickstart Newsletter

a message from Kelly…

I can’t believe that this time last year I was preparing for my trip to Ecuador with Operation Christmas Child! (You can read how God answered my prayer and how that trip came about HERE.) What had once seemed like a faraway dream became a reality as I went on my first foreign mission trip and made memories and connections that will last a lifetime. I have to honestly say that 2012 was a great year, and probably because it started off with missions and ministry on my mind. My trip to Ecuador changed my perspective. Beginning my year with a life-changing experience set the tone for the following months.

Who knows what this year holds in store for each one of us: individually, within our communities, and globally? Well, the Lord knows. My prayer for you is that you will rest in Him in the days ahead, trusting the One who holds the future in His hands, and growing daily in your walk with Him.

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In This Issue:

Save Big in January: What’s On Sale Now
Money-Saving Recipes
January’s Must Reads: Information You Need Now
Coming Up This Month on FP

Save Big in January: What’s On Sale Now

January means cold weather, so several of our favorite foods celebrate the chilly temperatures with big savings. It’s National Oatmeal Month, National Hot Tea Month, and National Soup Month.

OATMEAL RECIPES
I use oatmeal in a variety of recipes, probably my favorite being the Baked Oatmeal pictured above. Here are a few more:

Oatmeal will help meat hold its shape when you stir in about a half cup when you are making meatloaf or rolling out meatballs. You can also sprinkle a handful of oatmeal into pancake or muffin batter to add a dose of fiber (and great, nutty flavor!).

FAVORITE SOUPS

I love soup! I love getting a pot of soup, chili, or stew on the stove or in the crock pot about midday so that it is ready for lunch and dinner–especially when the temperatures are dropping. Here are a few of my favorite soup recipes:

See all my Recipes for Soup HERE.

HOT TEAS
I’m a coffee drinker, as you know, but I’m also a tea lover. Watch the site for more recipes for tea coming soon! Do you have favorite blends of tea and favorite drinks? Let me know!

AVOCADO RECIPES
Avocados are on sale this month, which means it’s time to prepare those great dips that you love while watching the playoffs and of course, the Super Bowl. Here are a few of my favorite Avocado Recipes:

If you’ve never tried to make your own guacamole or use avocados in fresh recipes, you can learn how to prepare an avocado HERE.
Be sure to check for corresponding coupons in my Coupon Database. There will be tons of soup coupons this month, for brands like Campbell’s, Progresso, and more. Stacking your coupons with the sales will give you the best prices and slash your grocery bill. See everything that’s on sale during January here on my What to Buy When: January post.

Store Deals and Coupon Matchups
The biggest way to save on any food item is to use a coupon paired with a sale. Check out my STORE DEALS page. Click on your favorite store, and you’ll see available coupons matched with the current store sales.

Setting Goals and Accomplishing Them

I am not a resolution maker…I am a goal setter. The difference between the two is that with goal-setting you are required to map out a plan that enables you to reach the goal you set. My husband and I sit down every year to set our goals in several areas: personal, family, financial, spiritual, and business. Check out the articles below to learn strategies in goal-setting.

Smart Ways to Set Your Goals and Reach Them
My 2012 Goals
My 2011 Goals
Resolutions: Time to Focus (by my husband Bradford)

January’s Must Reads: Information You Need Now

DEVOTIONALS

Coming Up on FP

Coming up this month I’ll be sharing my list of recommended reads for 2013. (You can see my recommended reads for 2012 HERE.) And speaking of books, be watching for a post about the best way to get FREE (or almost free!) books.

As you take advantage of all the great deals this month, be sure to set aside items for donations to local food banks and homeless shelters. If you’re shopping after-Christmas sales, be sure to check out the toy clearance sections for items to tuck away for Operation Christmas Child. This is a great way to start off the year by keeping the needs of others in mind.

Deals and coupon matchups are just one part of learning how to save money at the grocery store. Get your copy of my book, Saving Savvy, and learn even more ways to cut your spending in half.