Earn or Burn Money Challenge

Check out the Presley tip of the month below!

Well, here we are with a month and a half to go before the challenge is over. I am really getting nervous too! At the beginning I was saying, "Oh my goodness, this is going to be the longest year!" And now I look back and realize how time flew by!

We did accomplish a lot this year, and we owe it all to AMOCO Federal Credit Union and our wonderful coaches! If it wasn't for this opportunity to be in the challenge, who know where we would be with our debt now!!

And with Christmas right around the corner, I was starting to get stressed out. Then it sank it what people have been saying all along -- Christmas comes the same time every year. It's not like it's a surprise to us, so that's why we're being smart this year. We set a $ limit on the kids and are going to stick to it! They have so much already and Christmas is really about "FAMILY" and being together anyway.

Even if we don't win the $20,000 in the end, we're still WINNERS in our book! We've made great strides in our debt and we deserve a pat on the back for that. I give a lot of credit to Fred for all the long hard hours and overtime at work that he's put in to this challenge. It was rough having to handle everything around the house plus 4 kids by myself, but it's all worth it when I look back and realize how far we've come!

GOOD LUCK to all the other families and God Bless everyone!!

Check out the Presley tip of the month below!

One of the ways the Presley's have cut back their expenses during the challenge has been to prepare their meals at home. Codee gives some tips on how the family has saved money by following this practice in the video below!

Codee Presely gives an update as the kids get back into the swing of the school year and as the family wraps up the 7th month of the challenge. Check it out in the player below!

Hello All,

Well this monthly goal is to clip and use coupons, and I will be honest and say I have not done well at all. I find a few that we could use, but then I end up leaving them at home or just forgetting to give them to the cashier. I've never been able to do the "coupon clipping". Some people live to clip coupons, but I'm not one of them. Anyway, other than that, things are going ok I guess. We just had my babygirl's 1st birthday this weekend and everything turned out good. We may have spent a lil' more than we planned but that means I will have to sale a few extra tutus, bows or Halloween costumes to make up for it.

On that note, I have been staying really busy with my "girly business". I've gotten a lot of orders in for Halloween costumes and birthday outfits. They are really cute too! I finally got my website up and running. It's a work in progress big time. Check it out...mommyspamperedprincess.com....I'm steadily putting pictures up as I make things. Hopefully this week I can get the Halloween costumes up that I've made. If you have an idea of something you want made just let me know and we can get it made!!

Anyhow, thanks to everyone for all your support and comments that you've left here. We definitely try each and every advice given out!!

Now were gearing up and getting ready for Christmas as much as possible. We've got a limit and we're not going over no matter what. Christmas is all about family and not the gifts you get. Now if we could just get the kiddos to understand that..LOL

Well, take care and talk to you soon!!

The Presley's

Hello All! It's been way too long since I've blogged here. Life has been hectic and non-stop since school started. The boys are liking school which is great, but they don't like getting up early. As for the girls, we've been back and forth at the doctor for them being sick. I'm sick of my babies being sick. They just can't seem to get better. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I've been slacking with the challenge lately by not posting blogs and keeping in touch with our coaches.Hopefully we will get back on track and get the girls well.

Well, on another note... I feel that we did good in August. The not eating out wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was somewhat tempted a couple of times but nothing I couldn't handle. Now as far as September goes, I'm not sure how well I'm gonna do here. "cutting coupons" is the goal for this month. I haven't been very good at this lately, but hopefully I can pick up the slack and get moving. So if you have any extra coupons you're needing to get rid of, get with me and I will take them off your hands.

Well I will keep you updated more regularly from here on out.

Thanks,
Codee

The kids are headed back to school! The Presley family is on track as they stay within budget on their back to school shopping and give some tips about trimming those expenses! Check this out in the video below!

Check out the Presley tip of the month below!

Listen to the podcast in the player below as Fred gives an update and talks about the family's plans for saving money.

Hello everyone!

Another month down and 5 more to go. Things are going pretty good right now. We seem to be on track with everything. We learn something new everyday. I'm so determined to not only win this competition, but to learn new lessons in life. I now feel that we know how to save and put back for a rainy day without feeling like its the end of the world. I don't have the urge to run out and shop and that's a big accomplishment for me. I go to the grocery store and buy only what we NEED. The grocery bill will go down even more once school starts. With the kids home all day everyday, it seems to add up quicker. They get bored so they think they need to eat. They're learning that they can't just eat and eat all day long though.

I cut my hours way back at work now. It was tough juggling them and work, but when school starts back up I will add hours back in. We're putting money back to go toward school supplies and clothes for the boys that way its not a big lump sum at once. Fred has been working a lot of overtime lately so its been nice (the money that is) being able to pay more towards our debt. We were actually able to pay extra toward one bill and also put quite a bit into our savings.

***Needless to say, I'M NOT GIVING UP NOW******

I'm more headstrong about this competition now more than ever. So give us feedback on some ideas for getting back to school cheap, cutting back on electricity or any other suggestions you may have.

Thanks again for our wonderful coaches that have stood beside through this competition. We may not talk to them everyday but we know they're there for us.

Codee & Fred (and kiddos)

Hello everyone !

Well another month down and 5 more to go. Things are going pretty good right now. We seem to be on track with everything. We learn something new everyday.  I'm so determined to not only win this competition but to learn new lessons in life. I now feel that we know how to save and put back for a rainy day without feeling like its the end of the world. I don't have the urge to run out and shop and that's a big accomplishment for me. I go to the grocery store and buy only what we NEED. The grocery bill will go down even more once school starts. With the kids home all day everyday, it seems to add up quicker. They get bored so they think they need to eat. They're learning that they can't just eat and eat all day long though.

Well I cut my hours way back at work now. It was tough  juggling them and work. But when school starts back up I will add hours back in.

We're putting money back to go toward school supplies and clothes for the boys that way its not a big lump sum at once.

Fred has been working alot of overtime lately so its been nice (the money that is) being able to pay more towards our debt. We were actually able to pay extra toward one bill and also put quite a bit into our savings.

***Needless to say, I'M NOT GIVING UP NOW******

I'm more headstrong about this competition now more than ever. So give us feedback on some ideas for getting back to school cheap, cutting back on electricity or any other suggestions you may have.

Thanks again for our wonderful coaches that have stood beside through this competition. We may not talk to them everyday but we know they're there for us.

Codee & Fred (and kiddos)

Hello all! Here we are on our way to winning $20,000... well, almost. Things have gotten a little easier in the challenge. It just takes time adjusting.

We still have a lot to learn, but it's not stopping us now. We're to a point now that when the bill comes in, we just pay it right away than instead of waiting 'till the cutoff to pay it. We slowed way down in the eating out. We still on occasion will go out but very rarely. My bow selling is started to come along so that's a relief! So other than that, not a whole lot is going on. We will keep y'all updated as we keep trucking along. Take care!

As the families wrap up June, the Presley family is trying something new to bring some extra cash in. Watch the video below as we follow Codee during one of her shifts at her part-time job with Bodacious Tans in Texas City!

Hello everyone,

Here we are half way through June and things are going ok. It seems like we're just dragging for some reason. I don't know what the deal is. I've only been working a few hours a week now because it's summertime and the kids need me here. It's still bringing in a little money so every penny counts.

We're planning our first camping trip in July. I'm so excited to just get away and relax with the family. We've never been on a family vacation with all of us. It's going to be fun!

Anyway, I feel that this challenge has really changed us for the better. I will be honest though, at first it was the hardest thing ever. It's really all about "change". You just get yourself comfortable in a situation and stay that way. I'm still honored that we were chosen for this competition. I guess our coaches didn't know they had their work cut out for them. Haha!

We will update again very soon. Thanks!

The Presleys

YAY!!!!! We finally met our goal for the first time in the competition! It was actually not that hard to do, we just had to put our mind to it and we did. Now we just need to keep it up so that we can win.

We're halfway through this month, and I think it's going good so far. Not eating out all the time has really saved us a lot of money. I don't have the urge to run out and buy stuff I don't need anymore. It only took some time to get used to it.

My job is helping bring in a little extra money which is nice. And congrats to all the families that have done so well in this challenge! I look forward to hearing from everyone!

- Codee & Fred

Just wanted to update everyone. Things are going pretty good this month (I think). We've been doing good on the eating out. Every once in a while, I get the urge to go out and eat Mexican food (which is my favorite), but I haven't. That was my biggest downfall was eating out.

I think we may meet our goals this month, but I don't know for sure. The competition is kind of getting easier, you just learn to adjust to different things. I knew it wouldn't happen over night, but it's turning out OK. Hopefully the next couple of months will be like this. With the kids getting out for the summer, we are going to take advantage of the free membership at the YMCA this summer, just to keep the kids busy so were not out spending money.

I still have my part time job and it's going good. I'm fixing to start selling my hairbows at the Tanning Salon I work at. Hopefully it will bring in more money than it has so far. Well, I will update everyone soon!

- Codee

See how the Presley family is bringing in extra income in this month's edition of the Presley Family Snapshot video!

The Presley family is moving forward in the challenge. Listen to the new Earn or Burn Podcast as Codee discusses how the family has saved money through filing their taxes, what they plan on doing with the returns, and some general advice for people who are struggling to save money.

Well, I finally got my new "business" put up on Craigslist. I haven't had much luck in selling anything yet, but hopefully people will start emailing me with some orders. I'm also in the process of making my own website, when I figure out how to do it. I only have a few pictures up on Craigslist, but you can give me your email and I can send more pictures. Wish me luck that this business works out.

Come check them out at http://galveston.craigslist.org/bab/1149705640.html (baby & kid stuff)... Let me know what you think!!

I also have a Myspace page. You can look there at http://www.myspace.com/codeesbowandtutus.

On another note, April was just as hard as March. I've gotten some good advice on eating out. That seems to be my biggest habit to break. I've decided it's time to take control and start shaping up. I've been cooking at home this week which is a big step for me. We're used to eating out about 3 or 4 times a week, so it's all uphill from here.

It's actually been a little stressful about not being able to pull into Sonic and grab a soda. Instead, before I leave the house I make me a glass of tea and take it with me. I take snacks and juices for the kids if were gonna be out a while so they don't fuss and whine about getting something. It's gonna take time but from this day forward, I'm putting my foot down myself and gonna make a change for the better.

Thanks again for all the advice and also BIG SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR COACHES LORI GLENN & .TERRIE CAMBIANO!! They have the patience to put up with me and I appreciate them for that. If it wasn't for them, I don't think I could hang on... Thanks again !!

- Codee

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I blogged. Well, this challenge has been very challenging. I never realized how hard it was to save and change bad habits. We're still trying to work on our biggest challenge which is eating out. It's so much easier when you're out late due to baseball games. I just need to put my foot down and do it. No one can change us but "us".

Month 2 is almost over and its been a rough month. Only 8 more months to go. I want to thank everyone that has been helping us out also. All the encouragement is greatly appreciated! We'll talk to y'all soon.

- Codee

The numbers are in. The data is compiled. Check out the image below to see the Presley family's progress in the AMOCO Federal Credit Union Earn or Burn Money Challenge.

Hello everyone! Just wanting to let everyone know what's been going on with us. Things are actually great! We paid all our bills on time this month, which is a plus for us. I am going to have another garage sale Friday, April 3 in La Marque at my mother's house. Hopefully this one will bring as much money as my last one. I've gotten more stuff together since the last one also! I'm also looking forward to the sale at the Bay Colony branch next weekend.

I started a little side business making "girlie things" for little girls, such as tutus, hairbows, hair bow holders and other cute stuff. So I can't wait to see everyone there for this great opportunity. Come check out all 4 families and their goodies.

*** Remember: "One man's trash is another man's treasure" ***

Talk to y'all later!!

- The Presleys

Check out Day #2 of the Presley family yard sale in the video below!

Check out Day #1 of the Presley family yard sale in the video below!

Just an update for everyone. Things are actually going pretty great here. We've been doing a lot of coupon clipping (even Fred has joined in). Our finances are getting back on track more and more as the days go by. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this challenge. I have learned so much so far, and it's only two weeks into the challenge. It's still a long road ahead and we have a lot to "live and learn," but we're more than ready to do it.

I didn't get to have my garage sale this past weekend because it rained ALL weekend here in Dickinson. I'm going to shoot for next weekend and see if I can reach my goal then. If not, then I will have another one later.

Fred and I would also like to say "GOOD LUCK" from here on out to the other three families. I hope everything is working in y'alls favor with the challenge. Well, I will talk to y'all soon.

- Fred & Codee

Well I survived through my first garage sale. I did really well. I'm halfway to my goal. The first day was the best of the second. We were busy all day. The second day was a little slower, but we made money. That's all that counts.

I'm having my second garage sale this weekend so hopefully I will meet my goal with this one. It really feels good to know that it all turned out just fine. It's nice to know that I can put money into savings without wanting to run out and spend it on something that I don't need. Talk to everyone soon!

- Codee

Well today was my first of 3 yard sales. We had tons of stuff to get rid of. I actually made out like a bandit. I sold more clothes than anything. Tomorrow is Round 2 of the yard sale. Hopefully I will do as well if not better than today. We were busy all day. We only had out 3 signs and did that well. I didn't even put it in the paper. I will update y'all tomorrow evening about Round 2.

- Codee

Just touching base with everyone. After we met with our coaches last weekend, we got a plate full. They laid it all out on the line. One of my "duties" is to have two yard sales by the end of March. My first one is this weekend. I have to make enough money to pay off one of our bills. It's going to be tough, but I know we can do it! It's just going to take practice and determination. Talk to you again soon!

- Codee

Get to know the Presley family better! Watch the video below as they discuss their financial literacy and situation and their goals for the Earn or Burn contest.

Ok. So I started clipping coupons for the first time ever. I went to the store and actually saved myself $11.00, and it was easy! Now lets see if I can keep it up... The challenge officially starts in about 4 days!!

- Codee