Take a moment. Think about the past nine months and how the economic downturn has changed your life. What have you had to give up? What were the changes, the goodbyes and the endings?

A year ago Holly and Craig Hunter were loving life. They both had jobs, a roof over their heads, and two beautiful daughters, Casey (2 years) and Rowan (4 years). Life was good. When the economy started to go sour in the fall, Craig lost his job at Jiffy Lube. As with thousands of others in his same situation, finding employment elsewhere became difficult. Holly was able to keep the family above water as she had been employed with Washington Mutual for 4 years. Although the banking system was shaky, she still had an income. When Washington Mutual was taken over by Chase, financially things began to slide further for Holly and Craig. More hours worked…less income.

The economic pressures took a toll both emotionally and financially on the family. Holly knew a change needed to happen. With the limited time and finances they had Holly went back to school and began the training to become and Emergency Medical Technician. One July 9th she passed the National Registry Exam and became a certified EMT.

Holly and Craig had a plan, and although financially strapped they were beginning to move forward and pick themselves back up. It would take months, maybe even years to build up their nest egg but they were on the right track. Until the bottom of their world fell out.

Their youngest daughter, Casey, was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome in June. Nephrotic Syndrome is a condition that effects kidney function. They spent many hours this winter and spring in and out of doctors’ offices. Toward the end of July, Casey was admitted to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital with a kidney infection. Under special medical care and observation, Casey fought the infection and was cleared to go home. While getting Casey bathed and dressed to go home the family’s real nightmare began. Casey ‘coded’…her body went limp. A team of doctors and nurses descended on two-year-old Casey, but it was too late. Casey died. Cured of her kidney infection, and excited to go home to play with her big sister Rowan, Casey was dead. A pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lung, killed her. The condition is not even related to Nephrotic Syndrome.

Holly and Craig have had to make some hard choices this past week. Never could they imagine that with this economy and their lack of funds they would have to ‘bargain’ shop for a cemetery plot for their precious little angel. Never could Holly and Craig have imagined they would have to make a ‘financially responsible’ option between the cheaper cremation over a traditional burial with casket, although Holly’s heart has chosen the option for her. Holly could not choose cremation, she could not fathom that for her baby girl. Never could Holly and Craig imagine they would have to ask the question, “What can we afford?” when it came to the funeral plans of their youngest child. To make matters worse, when Chase Bank was approached to set up a special account for Casey’s family to offset the cost of funeral expenses, the family was denied on grounds of a “confilict of interest.”

A year ago Holly and Craig would never have imagined the nightmare they are facing today. The loss of an income or the downsizing of a position seems small in comparison to the nightmare of how to afford a proper good-bye for their sweet happy little girl.

CASEY CHRISTEEN HUNTER
8/24/2006 ~ 7/30/2009

Casey Christeen Hunter passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, OR. She was born on August 24, 2006 in Vancouver, WA.

Even though she was only on this earth for a short time, she touched many people. She had a special way about her that made people smile. Casey enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and trying to keep up with her big sister, Rowan. Casey was always such a happy little girl. She enjoyed being outdoors, and also really loved dogs especially her stuffed dog “Pepper.” Everyone who knew her appreciated how she was so “Casey.” She was very polite and continued to be her adorable, loving self, even during her recent hospital visits. Although diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in June, Casey’s death was sudden and unexpected. She will be missed forever by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived at home by her parents, Holly (Gillespie) Hunter and Craig Hunter II; and her older sister, Rowan Hunter. Casey is also survived by her grandparents, Joy and Vern Earhart; grandfather, Craig Hunter; aunt, Kendall Freeman; aunt, Cristi (Rick) Dahlstrom; and cousins, Jordan, Jocelyn, Austin, Zach, and Brandon. She is also survived by her Papa and Nana, Al and Sundii Gillespie; uncle, Geoff Gillespie; uncle, Ryan J. Gillespie; as well as cousins, Elliott, Celia, Samantha, and Allie. Casey also is survived by her great-grandmother, Wilma Gillespie; as well as numerous other well loved family members and friends.

If you would like to provide additional support to the Hunter Family in their time of need, Casey’s parents have established an educational needs account for Casey’s sister, Rowan, at www.caseyhunter.com.

Take a moment. Think about the past nine months and how the economic downturn has changed your life. What have you had to give up? What have you had to say good-bye too?

This post was a guest post from writer and mommy-friend Julie Barclay. This darling little girl is almost the same age as my youngest daughter, and I was eager to allow Julie to spread the word–not just for the Hunter family, but also for a reminder to all readers to treasure what we hold dearest. I don’t doubt that the Hunter family would do anything to have even a few hours with Casey back–in your struggles with employment, money, debt or stress, please take a moment to put yourself in the Hunter’s shoes and ask if you’re prioritizing your stressors appropriately. If you are spending your time and energy within your values structure. Ultimately, you may also need to be asking if you are prepared. I’ll be posting soon as a semi-follow-up about economical and respectful funerals–as I’ve recently experienced a loss in my family, I’ve noticed a few stories and ideas in the news that might be of value to others.

Take a moment. Think about the past nine months and how the economic downturn has changed your life. What have you had to give up? What were the changes, the goodbyes and the endings?

A year ago Holly and Craig Hunter were loving life. They both had jobs, a roof over their heads, and two beautiful daughters, Casey (2 years) and Rowan (4 years). Life was good. When the economy started to go sour in the fall, Craig lost his job at Jiffy Lube. As with thousands of others in his same situation, finding employment elsewhere became difficult. Holly was able to keep the family above water as she had been employed with Washington Mutual for 4 years. Although the banking system was shaky, she still had an income. When Washington Mutual was taken over by Chase, financially things began to slide further for Holly and Craig. More hours worked…less income.

The economic pressures took a toll both emotionally and financially on the family. Holly knew a change needed to happen. With the limited time and finances they had Holly went back to school and began the training to become and Emergency Medical Technician. One July 9th she passed the National Registry Exam and became a certified EMT.

Holly and Craig had a plan, and although financially strapped they were beginning to move forward and pick themselves back up. It would take months, maybe even years to build up their nest egg but they were on the right track. Until the bottom of their world fell out.

Their youngest daughter, Casey, was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome in June. Nephrotic Syndrome is a condition that effects kidney function. They spent many hours this winter and spring in and out of doctors’ offices. Toward the end of July, Casey was admitted to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital with a kidney infection. Under special medical care and observation, Casey fought the infection and was cleared to go home. While getting Casey bathed and dressed to go home the family’s real nightmare began. Casey ‘coded’…her body went limp. A team of doctors and nurses descended on two-year-old Casey, but it was too late. Casey died. Cured of her kidney infection, and excited to go home to play with her big sister Rowan, Casey was dead. A pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lung, killed her. The condition is not even related to Nephrotic Syndrome.

Holly and Craig have had to make some hard choices this past week. Never could they imagine that with this economy and their lack of funds they would have to ‘bargain’ shop for a cemetery plot for their precious little angel. Never could Holly and Craig have imagined they would have to make a ‘financially responsible’ option between the cheaper cremation over a traditional burial with casket, although Holly’s heart has chosen the option for her. Holly could not choose cremation, she could not fathom that for her baby girl. Never could Holly and Craig imagine they would have to ask the question, “What can we afford?” when it came to the funeral plans of their youngest child. To make matters worse, when Chase Bank was approached to set up a special account for Casey’s family to offset the cost of funeral expenses, the family was denied on grounds of a “confilict of interest.”

A year ago Holly and Craig would never have imagined the nightmare they are facing today. The loss of an income or the downsizing of a position seems small in comparison to the nightmare of how to afford a proper good-bye for their sweet happy little girl.

CASEY CHRISTEEN HUNTER
8/24/2006 ~ 7/30/2009

Casey Christeen Hunter passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, OR. She was born on August 24, 2006 in Vancouver, WA.

Even though she was only on this earth for a short time, she touched many people. She had a special way about her that made people smile. Casey enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and trying to keep up with her big sister, Rowan. Casey was always such a happy little girl. She enjoyed being outdoors, and also really loved dogs especially her stuffed dog “Pepper.” Everyone who knew her appreciated how she was so “Casey.” She was very polite and continued to be her adorable, loving self, even during her recent hospital visits. Although diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in June, Casey’s death was sudden and unexpected. She will be missed forever by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived at home by her parents, Holly (Gillespie) Hunter and Craig Hunter II; and her older sister, Rowan Hunter. Casey is also survived by her grandparents, Joy and Vern Earhart; grandfather, Craig Hunter; aunt, Kendall Freeman; aunt, Cristi (Rick) Dahlstrom; and cousins, Jordan, Jocelyn, Austin, Zach, and Brandon. She is also survived by her Papa and Nana, Al and Sundii Gillespie; uncle, Geoff Gillespie; uncle, Ryan J. Gillespie; as well as cousins, Elliott, Celia, Samantha, and Allie. Casey also is survived by her great-grandmother, Wilma Gillespie; as well as numerous other well loved family members and friends.

If you would like to provide additional support to the Hunter Family in their time of need, Casey’s parents have established an educational needs account for Casey’s sister, Rowan, at www.caseyhunter.com.

Take a moment. Think about the past nine months and how the economic downturn has changed your life. What have you had to give up? What have you had to say good-bye too?

This post was a guest post from writer and mommy-friend Julie Barclay. This darling little girl is almost the same age as my youngest daughter, and I was eager to allow Julie to spread the word–not just for the Hunter family, but also for a reminder to all readers to treasure what we hold dearest. I don’t doubt that the Hunter family would do anything to have even a few hours with Casey back–in your struggles with employment, money, debt or stress, please take a moment to put yourself in the Hunter’s shoes and ask if you’re prioritizing your stressors appropriately. If you are spending your time and energy within your values structure. Ultimately, you may also need to be asking if you are prepared. I’ll be posting soon as a semi-follow-up about economical and respectful funerals–as I’ve recently experienced a loss in my family, I’ve noticed a few stories and ideas in the news that might be of value to others.

I found Gazelle, which will PAY ME for the gadgets, and also, they’ll manage the shipping, and even send me a box. (So I do NOTHING, Literally).

Oh, and I get $53 (varies depending on the make/model of your equipment. Give it a try–the link is below.

Get Cash For Your Gadgets at gazelle.com!

“One Hen” is a story that I picked up at the library to read to my girls about microlending. It plays strongly on our family theme of using what we have to lift up others. My oldest daughter, Destiny, has been involved in making our Kiva loan to Isabelle in Peru to start her clothing store. Destiny has been watching her payments come in and seeing that we can use our small amount to build up Isabelle’s wealth and her children’s health, and her community’s well-being. That’s a huge influence for $25.

Likewise, I do similarly in my Lending Club accounts. While we prefer not to borrow money in our family, we don’t see harm in using what we have to lift others around us.

One Hen is a story of Kojo, a little boy who lives in Ghana. He borrows a tiny amount of money to buy a chicken and with that chicken he makes his family stronger by giving himself and his mother an egg every week. The chicken lays five eggs per week, so that leaves a few for Kojo to sell. Selling his eggs each week gives Kojo enough money to pay back his loan, and after a few more months of diligent savings he can buy some more hens, and then some more. Kojo’s microinvestments into his tiny egg business grow his community by leaps and bounds.

The story follows Kojo and his egg business and the many people it touches through until Kojo is teaching his grandchildren about stewardship of their resources.

It’s a delightful story and easy for all ages to understand, though it has a lot of words, so readers should be 3rd grade and up. I think it’s a great book for families to read and discuss together.

The illustrations are also beautiful in the book. The animals, and colorful market scenes and happy children. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Also, I’m contemplating a redesign for Pennywise Family. If you think it needs a fresh face, would you email or comment with your ideas for improvement? A wish-list will be created and prioritized.

OK, now on to the main event for today. I recieved an email this week about this clothing swap site, for “occasions” clothing. Think Easter dresses, Prom, and holiday duds. This would be great for those families with multiple kids especially. If you’ve got a teenage daughter with a prom dress, but then four little boys not needing the hand-me-down, what about swapping the prom dress for a few pairs of slacks? I’ve seen similar swaps elsewhere, but I thought this was really innovative, especially since if your kids are like mine, they have already grown out of their Easter outfits.

This also works great for moms and dads for that Company party formalwear you don’t need hanging around. I’ve got a few things I was thinking about consigning, but may swap for kids Xmas dresses.

Here’s the site: www.PriorAttire.com

**************************
Dear Jessie,

Got our utility bill today, and in it was a recipe for a cleaning liquid you might be interested in.

Mix the following ingredients in a bowl or bucket:

1/4 c. baking soda
1/2 c. borax
1/2 c. vinegar
1 gallon of water

Stir vigorously to dissolve the baking soda and borax. To make a spray cleaner, recuce the recipe and fully dissolve the ingredients to avoid clogging the spray bottle This recipe works great on countertops, floors and walls. Use with a mop, reusable sponge or rag.

I hope it will work out serendipitiously. (Sp.!!!) whew! Big word!
Lots of love, Gram xoxoxoxoxoxo
**************************************

Hope my gram decides to post again sometime. I wish my great-grandmother was still around, she had some amazing thrifty tips that I still use today. She would also be a great contributor here. For instance, speaking of utility bills–I save the carrier envelopes that my bills come in and I write my grocery lists on the outside and stick the coupons inside.

I do at least four loads of wash per week. This week laundry detergent was on the list and I was dreading buying it. I don’t budget separately for this but lump it in with our “food” budget in Mint since it comes from the grocery store.

I found a recipe in Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s new book “The Duggars, 20 and Counting” about how they manage their very large family. The recipe will last my family two years, assuming 4 loads per week, and cost about $3.18 to make. I made it this morning and it took me about 20 minutes. Not too bad.

The book is great, with many cost-effective meal recipes and some great stories about living in a large family, being efficient and living without debt. They even built their 7,000 sq ft custom home cash. I’m impressed and inspired.

Here’s the laundry detergent recipe:

1 bar fels-namptha soap (grated) $2.12 at Winco
1 cup washing soda (not baking soda, which is different)$5.34 at Winco
1/2 cup borax $2.12 at Winco.

Mix the soap with about two cups of water in a saucepan and melt it completely (it will look like clarified butter and will make a sticky mess of your pan, so don’t use an hairloom pan. I’m going to pick one up at goodwill expressly for this purpose).

Pour the melted soap over the borax and washing soada in a five-gallon container (I got mine surplus via the Industrial Materials Exchange which is a service of King County here in Washington State, but maybe your county has something similar?)

Then mix the three ingredients completely and fill the container to the top with hot water and mix again. This will make a liquid concentrate which you have to cut in half one more time to use. Use a smaller container (I’m using a canning jar) and put one cup of concentrate to one cup of water and stir or shake.

For top-loading machines, use one cup. For front-loaders, use 1/3 cup.

I’ll make a note after we’ve done some loads of wash with this method. I’ll also give some to friends and get their opinions on the stuff and ask them to post back about it. Finally, if I like it in my washer, I’m going to try the concentrate in my dishwasher.

Image courtsey: en.red-dot.org

How does one go about finding a good CPA? I’ve always done my own taxes, and I have a broker and a financial planner, but they aren’t CPAs and don’t have experience with small business.

If you have tips for what I should look for in a CPA, please let me know. I’ll summarize what I learn in the process of selecting someone, and post it here.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to learning more about selecting the right CPA for my business.

I had read that for every degree you turn down your thermostat you save 3% off your total bill. We tried it this winter (last years Dec/Jan power bill was through the roof) Turned down our thermostat from 70 to 65 during the day and from 65 down to 60 @ night. We just got our power bill last this week and saved a total of 15% compared to our last year Dec/Jan bill.

Julie–what are you going to do with your savings? Way to go–helping your budget and the environment!

With this we paid off two credit cards, made a substantial payment on another and have a little left over for savings.

When I heard this week that many families who adopted from our agency are being turned down for their interest-free revolving loan program due to lack of funds (apparently many families have stopped paying due to hardship) I was sad.

I wrote a check for our balance $2,500 and drove it to the office the same day. Our loan had been $4,500 and we’d been paying back at $150 per month steadily.

This means I’ll be able to snowball the $150 per month in the future towards our remaining credit card debt, and that other families can benefit from the money we had outstanding on the loan. This is how real credit should work in my opinion.

I know I paid off an interest-free loan before an interest-laden credit card, which is rather foolish, but to me on this matter, it’s about principle, not principal.

Just my $.02 for today… or $2,500 as the case may be.

PS! it feels so good to be free of a debt like this that I’m actually thinking of paying off my student loan early too. Just $2,000 left to go on that one.