I am not sure what to do here. It looks like the bulk of my money these days goes straight to the grocery store. $83.00! for two people? Insanity. Insanity.
I need to fix this though I am not sure how.
I did have fast food yesterday, alone. I paid cash. I think the wallet can handle every once and a while, though I do believe my waist cannot. I need to be a little more careful.
I have spent nothing.
Yay me.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Food is breaking my wallet and my waist line
So the silly silly suggestion that I made to myself that I should only spend $50 a week on food has officially been blown out of the water. Can you say doubled and then some? Obviously I was being a tad unreasonable with my estimations. First I forgot a few things, like baby food and hello? lunches and then we had people stop for fun and darn it if we didn't want to show them a good time too. I think as far as this food budget goes, sometimes it will be cheaper and sometimes more expensive. I do not ever want to skimp on a good time or a heart felt gift.
That being said, I would like to revise my gift getting, in that I would like to spend what I need to in order to feel like I have done a good turn but as always, within reason.
And...we got some chairs for the house. Some chairs that will withstand the tests of times and children. Hopefully.
Also, there are the sundry household items that we need. Wood glue, who knew?
And as far as fast food goes, I had some with the husband today. But it was necessary in order to get done what we needed to get done, so I feel fine about it. I just don't think I want to ever eat it alone. That seems like a problem. Otherwise, eating at home has been both easy and difficult. Relatively easy to execute, but hard to emotionally wrap my head around. What a dork.
When did I start this? What do I get? satisfaction...
That being said, I would like to revise my gift getting, in that I would like to spend what I need to in order to feel like I have done a good turn but as always, within reason.
And...we got some chairs for the house. Some chairs that will withstand the tests of times and children. Hopefully.
Also, there are the sundry household items that we need. Wood glue, who knew?
And as far as fast food goes, I had some with the husband today. But it was necessary in order to get done what we needed to get done, so I feel fine about it. I just don't think I want to ever eat it alone. That seems like a problem. Otherwise, eating at home has been both easy and difficult. Relatively easy to execute, but hard to emotionally wrap my head around. What a dork.
When did I start this? What do I get? satisfaction...
Friday, February 17, 2012
One problem solved...
MIL found a vacuum on discount for $45. It was one of the ones that I was looking at on amazon. Pet hair on my floor, you better watch your back. Also, she picked us up a dog hair brush too. If you wait long enough sometimes the solution shows itself to you.
Now for dinners and food in general.
Oh, and all of that furniture stuff too...
Now for dinners and food in general.
Oh, and all of that furniture stuff too...
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Purchases laying heavy on my mind...
So there comes a time in a challenge, when you are challenged and you need some reflection on your situation. I have realized that I will come to need somethings and these things may be unavoidable.
1st
We need a vacuum for our hardwood floors. We live in a two-story home now and it's all carpeting upstairs and all hardwood downstairs. Our current vacuum works just fine for carpeting, it being upright and all, but it is lame lame lame for hardwood. The hose is too short. There is no attachment for hard surface floors. The lowest setting still just blows the dog hair around and oh the dog hair. I am surprised Archie not bald with all the shedding he has done. So I researched some hard surface vacuums on amazon and I was still confused. Then I was given the advice to just go and get the cheapest one at Walmart. Still not sure what I am going to do. Does cheap mean broken all the time? Does expensive automatically mean it's worth it? Decisions to be made before the cleaning lady comes next week.
2nd
Furniture for our home. We have exactly 2 places to sit down in our new house and virtually no seating to offer guests. I am taking a very relaxed approach to decorating, being that this will likely be the last place that we plan on living ever. I have time. That being said, when you find something, you find something and you must get it or risk not finding another. Or will another one come along? Oh the joys of vintage shopping.
3rd
Food shopping still baffles me. I feel like I cannot possibly get away with spending only $50 a week. I know I need to try harder, it is just looking rather grim at this point. I think it's even harder when you are trying to make food for only two people. AND the stuff you make from scratch, that is supposed to be cheaper takes time, a lot of time. What is the trade off. I cannot live on frozen pizzas.
There.
1st
We need a vacuum for our hardwood floors. We live in a two-story home now and it's all carpeting upstairs and all hardwood downstairs. Our current vacuum works just fine for carpeting, it being upright and all, but it is lame lame lame for hardwood. The hose is too short. There is no attachment for hard surface floors. The lowest setting still just blows the dog hair around and oh the dog hair. I am surprised Archie not bald with all the shedding he has done. So I researched some hard surface vacuums on amazon and I was still confused. Then I was given the advice to just go and get the cheapest one at Walmart. Still not sure what I am going to do. Does cheap mean broken all the time? Does expensive automatically mean it's worth it? Decisions to be made before the cleaning lady comes next week.
2nd
Furniture for our home. We have exactly 2 places to sit down in our new house and virtually no seating to offer guests. I am taking a very relaxed approach to decorating, being that this will likely be the last place that we plan on living ever. I have time. That being said, when you find something, you find something and you must get it or risk not finding another. Or will another one come along? Oh the joys of vintage shopping.
3rd
Food shopping still baffles me. I feel like I cannot possibly get away with spending only $50 a week. I know I need to try harder, it is just looking rather grim at this point. I think it's even harder when you are trying to make food for only two people. AND the stuff you make from scratch, that is supposed to be cheaper takes time, a lot of time. What is the trade off. I cannot live on frozen pizzas.
There.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
No fastfood = Harder than I thought
I grocery shopped on Monday. The total was around $56. $6 over what I intended to spend and I forgot/couldn't find my $10 off coupon. Bummer. Also, I forgot to buy baby food but I went back later and it was 79 cents. Since I have decided to not buy fast food I have found it a smidge more difficult to find food/snacks to eat at home. I thought that I got enough stuff, or the right stuff, but apparently I did not. I think I'll have to get some sandwich stuff next week. Something easy to slap together in a pinch. I do, however have enough to drink. This I have covered.
We did have our annual Valentine's MacDonald's trip and it was around $10. Cheap, delicious and just enough bad to do my mind good. I love this tradition. It keeps us away from all of the badness year round.
Also, I brought Ryan lunch at Panera for a special treat. I need to get better at planning both of our lunches I guess. That will be next week's challenge. He gets bored with the same old, same old stuff. What will I do?
To be continued...
We did have our annual Valentine's MacDonald's trip and it was around $10. Cheap, delicious and just enough bad to do my mind good. I love this tradition. It keeps us away from all of the badness year round.
Also, I brought Ryan lunch at Panera for a special treat. I need to get better at planning both of our lunches I guess. That will be next week's challenge. He gets bored with the same old, same old stuff. What will I do?
To be continued...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The very next day after Monday...
Home pedicures and such.
So, come to find out that I have several people in my life that give themselves home pedicures and manicures. I am sorry to say that this seemed ridiculous to me. Why would I do that? It is not that expensive and it's sort of relaxing. But there, right there, that 'sort of' is where my mind was changed. I guess I have been lying to myself. I hate sitting down for an indeterminate amount of time and letting some stranger tickle my feet...I'll just go on from here, but that last sentence made me cringe a little. It is also, very expensive. $40 sometimes! So I decided to try it. Here is how it went.
Baby is on the floor rolling around eating the tv remote. I am sitting on a towel trying to get started but I have to get up at least 4 times to find all of my supplies. Most important of these supplies are my glasses. I cannot see my toenails. This is both disturbing and comical, but mostly disturbing. I proceed to cut and shape my nails. This proves more difficult than I thought, but way easier than having someone else do it for money and far less ticklish. Baby rolls away toward a pair of daddy's shoes and tries to taste the laces. I have to retrieve her but this is before wet polish is involved. I give her a pile of toys to last the duration of polish drying time. I polish and polish and viola! It actually looks quite nice. I am proud of the job I've done. I will do this. Money and time saved in that it only took about 10 minutes. Hurray.
No babies were harmed during this home pedicure experiment.
Oh, and I will not have my eyebrows waxed ever EVER again. That's $15 in my pocket.
Win.
So, come to find out that I have several people in my life that give themselves home pedicures and manicures. I am sorry to say that this seemed ridiculous to me. Why would I do that? It is not that expensive and it's sort of relaxing. But there, right there, that 'sort of' is where my mind was changed. I guess I have been lying to myself. I hate sitting down for an indeterminate amount of time and letting some stranger tickle my feet...I'll just go on from here, but that last sentence made me cringe a little. It is also, very expensive. $40 sometimes! So I decided to try it. Here is how it went.
Baby is on the floor rolling around eating the tv remote. I am sitting on a towel trying to get started but I have to get up at least 4 times to find all of my supplies. Most important of these supplies are my glasses. I cannot see my toenails. This is both disturbing and comical, but mostly disturbing. I proceed to cut and shape my nails. This proves more difficult than I thought, but way easier than having someone else do it for money and far less ticklish. Baby rolls away toward a pair of daddy's shoes and tries to taste the laces. I have to retrieve her but this is before wet polish is involved. I give her a pile of toys to last the duration of polish drying time. I polish and polish and viola! It actually looks quite nice. I am proud of the job I've done. I will do this. Money and time saved in that it only took about 10 minutes. Hurray.
No babies were harmed during this home pedicure experiment.
Oh, and I will not have my eyebrows waxed ever EVER again. That's $15 in my pocket.
Win.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday
Hello -
Looks like it's Monday again. Funny how that happens.
So, this project would be totally unnecessary if I did not learn something, right? Well, it turns out that a big chunk of my spending is wasted on fast food. Who knew?
So, as not to go off the deep end or anything, I have decided not to have fast food for a while. Exceptions? Of course, and I'll deal with those as they come, but for right now, I'll just have to go shopping and eat that food. Agreed? Agreed.
What will be hard will be giving up the fast food cokes. I love coke. Coke loves to make me fat. I do not like being fat. The choice seems simple, but for me and Coke, it is complicated. I think I need a restraining order or something.
Looks like it's Monday again. Funny how that happens.
So, this project would be totally unnecessary if I did not learn something, right? Well, it turns out that a big chunk of my spending is wasted on fast food. Who knew?
So, as not to go off the deep end or anything, I have decided not to have fast food for a while. Exceptions? Of course, and I'll deal with those as they come, but for right now, I'll just have to go shopping and eat that food. Agreed? Agreed.
What will be hard will be giving up the fast food cokes. I love coke. Coke loves to make me fat. I do not like being fat. The choice seems simple, but for me and Coke, it is complicated. I think I need a restraining order or something.
Another Weekly Savings
Monday -
Had to go out in search of foam on rubber bands for husband. This was like a $3 purchase. But before that I took beloved Archibald to the vet for his past due shots. $77 later, he is barred from the rabies. Also, that K9 weighs 89 lbs now! Gosh! I also broke down and got myself $14.00 worth of drive through Chinese. I need to not do this anymore. Also, the cokes girl, are the worst. Knock it off, would you?
Tuesday -
Went to Dland for birthdays sans gifts. I cannot get my stuff together sometimes. Well you win some and you lose some. Spent nothing! But... got husband $6 worth of Alberto's on the way home. Nothing for me... Made another 'fabulous' dinner out of what was in the fridge.
Wednesday -
Del Taco for breakfast. Weinerschinzel for lunch and Chinese for dinner. This is glaringly awful. I need to have an intervention on myself for togo food. This all probably cost around...$30!!!? See me next week for a post about stopping the fast food madness.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Traveling...
Had to go out in search of foam on rubber bands for husband. This was like a $3 purchase. But before that I took beloved Archibald to the vet for his past due shots. $77 later, he is barred from the rabies. Also, that K9 weighs 89 lbs now! Gosh! I also broke down and got myself $14.00 worth of drive through Chinese. I need to not do this anymore. Also, the cokes girl, are the worst. Knock it off, would you?
Tuesday -
Went to Dland for birthdays sans gifts. I cannot get my stuff together sometimes. Well you win some and you lose some. Spent nothing! But... got husband $6 worth of Alberto's on the way home. Nothing for me... Made another 'fabulous' dinner out of what was in the fridge.
Wednesday -
Del Taco for breakfast. Weinerschinzel for lunch and Chinese for dinner. This is glaringly awful. I need to have an intervention on myself for togo food. This all probably cost around...$30!!!? See me next week for a post about stopping the fast food madness.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Traveling...
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
So How's this going so far?
Well, I have to say that it has been pretty satisfying. I know there will be future bumps, or maybe not, but I will do the best I can to move forward. I think the best thing that I have done is tell my husband about this whole deal. He is on board. I knew he would be. I need a cheerleader sometimes and no one looks better in a short skirt than my husband...haha, no. But sincerely, it is really nice to have him on board. We made the collective decision to no go to our favorite vintage store while in Utah because:
a. we don't need anymore clothes right now
b. we can go back next time we visit Utah, probably next year
c. I have no 'c'
For this trip. I borrowed snow boots and scoured my closet for a coat for the cold cold weather.
Also, I did not grocery shop this week because we are leaving town and there will be food spoiling. So dinners this week are as follows.
Monday - Mini homemade pizzas and salad
Tuesday - Garlic Spaghetti and bread
Wednesday - Chicken Noodles and salad
Thus-Sun UTAH
Until next recap - Carole
a. we don't need anymore clothes right now
b. we can go back next time we visit Utah, probably next year
c. I have no 'c'
For this trip. I borrowed snow boots and scoured my closet for a coat for the cold cold weather.
Also, I did not grocery shop this week because we are leaving town and there will be food spoiling. So dinners this week are as follows.
Monday - Mini homemade pizzas and salad
Tuesday - Garlic Spaghetti and bread
Wednesday - Chicken Noodles and salad
Thus-Sun UTAH
Until next recap - Carole
Birthdays...The recap
So. I am not wonder woman. Did you know this? You did? Why didn't you tell me? I was not able to make the gifts that I wanted for the Dland birthdays. I think that I have more time than I do. I need to be better at this. I feel bad when I skip birthday gifts. I was able to do Christmas pretty well, but I had amazon on my side. I think planning is the key.
So, let's try again for the next birthday/holiday shall we?
So, let's try again for the next birthday/holiday shall we?
Weekly Savings
Ok, so in order to make this more satisfying, I have decided to make a weekly savings post. But, since I did not start until late in the week last week, I am going to do one now, and then one each Sunday night to reflect on monies spent and hopefully, not spent as the weeks progress. I hope that I learn a little something or at least that I have evidence of my bad behavior for the future. Obviously, I am going to list things that I did not buy as savings, but I will not for instance, get crazy and list a pair of Louboutin's as a $995 savings because I'm going to lie and say I didn't buy them, haha, no. I would not make this purchase in real life so there it is and here I go.
Friday - Started contemplating gifts for upcoming birthday's and decided to bake! This would have theoretically saved me $10, 2 times the $5 spending limit (which may have to be revised and revisited, but it is a good goal to aim for)
Saturday - Had breakfast at home - $10 savings. But when out for lunch using a 20% of coupon =) which came out to be about $16. Lot's of food though. Dinner at home $20 savings.
Bought a camera bag and a gift online. Shipping was free on at least one item saved $6 or so. Also, remember, I went to that Jewelry party and spent $38. Total $93. Whew!
Sunday - Breakfast out with coupon. Lunch out with coupon and dinner out, sadly, no coupon. This was like a $100 day. Plus we had to buy paint to fix the paint debacle at the other house. Make that nearly a $200 day. Sheesh. I need to be better at this.
So next week the recap will be a little more precise.
xo Carole
Friday - Started contemplating gifts for upcoming birthday's and decided to bake! This would have theoretically saved me $10, 2 times the $5 spending limit (which may have to be revised and revisited, but it is a good goal to aim for)
Saturday - Had breakfast at home - $10 savings. But when out for lunch using a 20% of coupon =) which came out to be about $16. Lot's of food though. Dinner at home $20 savings.
Bought a camera bag and a gift online. Shipping was free on at least one item saved $6 or so. Also, remember, I went to that Jewelry party and spent $38. Total $93. Whew!
Sunday - Breakfast out with coupon. Lunch out with coupon and dinner out, sadly, no coupon. This was like a $100 day. Plus we had to buy paint to fix the paint debacle at the other house. Make that nearly a $200 day. Sheesh. I need to be better at this.
So next week the recap will be a little more precise.
xo Carole
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Moving on....
It's funny how this is evolving. I didn't think that there would be so much thinking involved. I really need an expense log, like the ones that men carried around at the turn of the century and noted all of their daily expenses in but my would be for a woman and more modern.
So husband needed a camera case for upcoming trip to Utah for our fancy new camera. Plus a screen protector for said camera. And we both needed to send a gift to some friends that just had a baby. Having just had a baby, well 6 months ago really, I wanted to get them something useful. So I racked my brain. I remembered that she had asked for organic baby clothes and while I don't think this is something that she will stick to once the baby starts, and probably already has, to poop all over everything, I decided to go with her request. I did not have a price limit, though, I did not want to spend a lot. So I scoured amazon for some inexpensive/cute/organic girly jammies. I got away with spending around $38, what is with that number lately. I signed up for Amazon prime, though I am not sure that I am really going to use it or that it is worth it, but the first month is free, so no harm done yet. The catch is that not all items are eligible for the shipping savings, so there is that. I think out of the items that we purchased only one of the baby items was free. Diapers are eligible, but does that cover the $6.50 a month you spent to have amazon prime? The answer is that you probably break even. So I'll have to buy other things on there to make it worth it. Perhaps I can cut out Target trips all together. Target is Dangerous for me anyway.
So today or tomorrow, I must make some birthday gifts.
Until then,
xxoo
So husband needed a camera case for upcoming trip to Utah for our fancy new camera. Plus a screen protector for said camera. And we both needed to send a gift to some friends that just had a baby. Having just had a baby, well 6 months ago really, I wanted to get them something useful. So I racked my brain. I remembered that she had asked for organic baby clothes and while I don't think this is something that she will stick to once the baby starts, and probably already has, to poop all over everything, I decided to go with her request. I did not have a price limit, though, I did not want to spend a lot. So I scoured amazon for some inexpensive/cute/organic girly jammies. I got away with spending around $38, what is with that number lately. I signed up for Amazon prime, though I am not sure that I am really going to use it or that it is worth it, but the first month is free, so no harm done yet. The catch is that not all items are eligible for the shipping savings, so there is that. I think out of the items that we purchased only one of the baby items was free. Diapers are eligible, but does that cover the $6.50 a month you spent to have amazon prime? The answer is that you probably break even. So I'll have to buy other things on there to make it worth it. Perhaps I can cut out Target trips all together. Target is Dangerous for me anyway.
So today or tomorrow, I must make some birthday gifts.
Until then,
xxoo
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Previous Obligations and other reasons why this will be hard
So, a week or so ago I was invited to a jewelry party. I have been to this party before and I actually got a thing or two that I gave away as gifts that were really appreciated by the recipients and as far as birthdays go, I guess I have a few people to buy for, etc. etc. Long story short, I got my mom a necklace and a pair of earrings and a necklace for my sister for a total of $38.00. This is well over my $5 limit imposed in the last post but I think that this is one of those situations that I did not account for that happened before my declaration. So, let's just chalk this up to an unavoidable expense. You really do have to buy something at these parties, or I feel like I do, so done and done.
Next, my husband wants a camera case for our new camera. Cue cash register jingle. AND he wants me to sign up for the membership on amazon for free shipping because I will be buying diapers and other things on there. Cue more cash register noises. I guess that is fine as long as I do not use it for evil.
Now it's off my chest. I did not get a thing for myself at the jewelry party, though I wanted to.
yay me.
xxoo
Next, my husband wants a camera case for our new camera. Cue cash register jingle. AND he wants me to sign up for the membership on amazon for free shipping because I will be buying diapers and other things on there. Cue more cash register noises. I guess that is fine as long as I do not use it for evil.
Now it's off my chest. I did not get a thing for myself at the jewelry party, though I wanted to.
yay me.
xxoo
Friday, February 3, 2012
Birthdays...
Hello February
What's that you say?
You have 3 birthdays AND a holiday!?
Well, goodness, I'll just have to get crackin'
Yes, I have to figure out how to do this whole birthday thing and keep it within the realm of the 'no-shopping' declaration. I can make something or have rigid spending limit. I think I'll do both and take it on a case by case basis.
This month brings two nephew's and one niece's birthday and Valentines Day. Ideally, I would like to make something... out of something that I already own... this is possible because I do own a lot of stuff. Wherein this problem began. SO... by making something out of what I already have will alleviate a small portion of the problem? Please keep up.
I have to get my brain juices flowing. So off to the internet I go. But wait, if I fail to make something out of something I already own, I can only spend let's say $5.00 on a gift. Will this work? For one year? YES.
xo
What's that you say?
You have 3 birthdays AND a holiday!?
Well, goodness, I'll just have to get crackin'
Yes, I have to figure out how to do this whole birthday thing and keep it within the realm of the 'no-shopping' declaration. I can make something or have rigid spending limit. I think I'll do both and take it on a case by case basis.
This month brings two nephew's and one niece's birthday and Valentines Day. Ideally, I would like to make something... out of something that I already own... this is possible because I do own a lot of stuff. Wherein this problem began. SO... by making something out of what I already have will alleviate a small portion of the problem? Please keep up.
I have to get my brain juices flowing. So off to the internet I go. But wait, if I fail to make something out of something I already own, I can only spend let's say $5.00 on a gift. Will this work? For one year? YES.
xo
Stop the Shop
I shopped yesterday.
I shopped yesterday, and while I needed to shop for an upcoming trip to a colder region of these United States, I had no joy.
I found little to nothing that I really felt good about buying, which is a fleeting feeling anyway and I wondered just what would have happened if I did not, or could not shop. Well, I would just have to wear or use something that I already owned or borrow. Then I got to thinking, why don't I do this more often? Why do I always buy?
Because I love love love to shop. Which is hard on the pocketbook.
So here I go. I hesitate to even type these last words but....
I will not shop for a year.
I will use/wear what I have or borrow.
I will have to plan ahead and make do.
So until Feb 3, 2012, I WILL NOT SHOP.
Obviously there will be a few small exceptions. Haircuts? I don't know where these fall in the shopping realm but I only get one about every six months anyway and if my hair weren't already almost to my waist, I'd skip it. But there is no need to let it go to mermaid proportions. Also, I have a growing child. She is 6 months and growing like a weed. I will need to cloth her. But I will not let my shopping habit rear it's ugly head in the name of her wardrobe. Also, birthdays and holidays etc. but I will have to cross those bridges when I come to them.
It is hard for me to have any exceptions. I am an all or nothing kind of gal, but I realize that I need to make way for life and all of it's curveballs.
So, wish me luck. Here I go.
I shopped yesterday, and while I needed to shop for an upcoming trip to a colder region of these United States, I had no joy.
I found little to nothing that I really felt good about buying, which is a fleeting feeling anyway and I wondered just what would have happened if I did not, or could not shop. Well, I would just have to wear or use something that I already owned or borrow. Then I got to thinking, why don't I do this more often? Why do I always buy?
Because I love love love to shop. Which is hard on the pocketbook.
So here I go. I hesitate to even type these last words but....
I will not shop for a year.
I will use/wear what I have or borrow.
I will have to plan ahead and make do.
So until Feb 3, 2012, I WILL NOT SHOP.
Obviously there will be a few small exceptions. Haircuts? I don't know where these fall in the shopping realm but I only get one about every six months anyway and if my hair weren't already almost to my waist, I'd skip it. But there is no need to let it go to mermaid proportions. Also, I have a growing child. She is 6 months and growing like a weed. I will need to cloth her. But I will not let my shopping habit rear it's ugly head in the name of her wardrobe. Also, birthdays and holidays etc. but I will have to cross those bridges when I come to them.
It is hard for me to have any exceptions. I am an all or nothing kind of gal, but I realize that I need to make way for life and all of it's curveballs.
So, wish me luck. Here I go.
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