The Powells

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Gear-up Wish List

Our mission trip this year is to Costa Rica! First, we head to Wisconsin for training camp (tent camping for 5 weeks), and then to Costa Rica (for 4.5 weeks). Our team will be sharing Jesus and growing in their faith through soccer matches, relationships, and street performances. We are very excited to see how God will move in Costa Rica!

Help us gear-up for the summer. If you would like to bless us with any of these, email Rainer or just send them our way. Thank you!!! rpowell@reignministries.org

Until May 21st:

Rainer and Lindsey Powell

324 Bobo Street

PO Box 251

Lyon, MS 38645

We can get mail at training camp, starting June 1st:

Royal Servants

Rainer and Lindsey Powell

W4797 State Rd 33
Pardeeville, WI 53954

Thank you for being a part of our ministry! Click the link in red

~~Amazon gift card~~ ~~Soccer gear for Rainer – Cleats, shinguards, etc.~~
Camping highchair “Ciao! Baby Go Anywhere High Chair” blue or red
Walmart gift cards For everything we buy in Wisconsin and for Costa
Pack-n-Play (any brand, or used) To leave at training camp- Alice’s bed in our tent
Gas gift cards (Shell) Trip to Wisconsin & home from Chicago after Costa
Rain boots for Alice Size 5-6
Hiking baby backpack For Costa
Travel noise machine For Alice's naps

Friday, April 3, 2015

Groceries on a budget: Lindsey's 5 tips

I believe that being a good steward of the money the Lord has given to us extends beyond tithing, giving and saving, but also in spending. That is why with almost everything I purchase, I try to find the best price, the best value and hopefully a good quality. I love to see a dollar stretch as far as possible. As for grocery shopping, I really enjoy it. I like to cook and eat good food, so going to the grocery store is a part of that. Groceries can really add up, so here are a few ways I try to save.

1. Plan ahead
Plan meals for 1-3 weeks. Make a list of everything you need for those meals and staples. Stick to the list. Never go grocery shopping without a list. Also, organize the list by areas of the store. It makes it faster and cheaper because you will be less tempted to just grab things up. Have a budget for the month for groceries.

2. Where to shop
There are lots of options. Even in my small town there are 4+ places to buy groceries. Find the store that overall has the best prices and products (including store brands, coupons, sales, etc.).

3. What to buy
I buy the store brand whenever possible (most things that are made with a store brand are basically the same thing). I buy the discounted meat and freeze it.

4. Coupons, but be careful
I do use coupons, but only for things I normally buy anyways. Also, I check prices on name-brand coupons vs. the store brand, because sometimes using the coupon ends up costing more.

5. Walmart savings catcher
Since I shop at Walmart for most things, I started using their app for Walmart Savings Catcher. I've gotten back over $40 in just 4 months... for doing nothing but scanning my receipt... that's $10 a month.... every dollar counts! That could be a free grocery trip every year.

If anyone else have tips, leave them in the comments, I'm always interested in learning ways to spend wisely!