January 28 - February 3
Sunday:
The most fun frugal thing of the day would be going to see Maceo perform Titus Andronicus for free. When I arrived I was pleased to see several friends there. So, in addition to seeing a great performance I got to have some great conversation and connect socially. Yay me!!!
Although the performance was free I did choose to donate some money to the theatre group as I believe that what they contribute to our community is of great value!
The most important accomplishment of the day that contributes to financial fitness was having a very good conversation about finances, priorities and the vision that we each have for our lives. He has lived alone for some quite some time and I have lived with the kiddos and we have each developed different approaches to grocery shopping and such. I buy groceries once every two weeks, he buys groceries nearly every day. This difference makes it very difficult to budget effectively. When he first came home I would go do the big grocery shopping then I would note that he would go to the store almost every morning to pick up other items and our budget would be big time blown. I have since reduced my big shopping as a way to accommodate his preference. I am still not absolutely satisfied but the talk today might help get us on the same page. We also talked about more than just groceries, such as the need to have money for Maceo's college applications. He knew we were getting ready to submit the applications but hadn't thought about the application fees. We have to work hard to have a common understanding of our financial situation.
Another frugal accomplishment would be my solution for dinner. Herb had plans to make dinner and I assumed it would be done when Maceo and I returned from his show; however, we returned and there was no dinner as Herb was not feeling well and had slept the entire time. I decided that I would make a lasagna with the meat sauce that I had in the freezer and some oven ready noodles that I had in the pantry. I had just begun assembling it when Herb awoke and wanted to go to the deli to buy some fried chicken. After he saw that I had already started dinner he opted not to go to the deli and I was pleased that that money stayed in our account and we used resources that we had on hand.
Monday:
I think conversation will be the theme of the week. I had another good conversation with the husband about our grocery budget. We haven't fully developed a plan but at least some things have been shared and illuminated.
After an evening of scouts and theatre and such the boys were hungry. I thought that the hubby was making dinner while we were gone but that didn't quite happen so I had to come up with something quickly. I found leftover taco meat in the fridge, fried up some taco shells, prepared some other fixings and the boys were content with this late dinner.
As my husband has finally come home from the army and we have tried to transition I have found meals (and our grocery budget) interesting (read: difficult) to plan. The hubby loves to cook so he wanted to be the primary meal preparer when he returned home. He is, however, accustomed to certain meals, has his own rhythm and physical limitations (and his own way of shopping). Sometimes there are meals when anticipated and sometimes there aren't, sometimes the meals work for the kiddos and sometimes they miss the mark. I have found that it is helpful to have some sort of real quick meal in mind, something that can be thrown together very quickly that will satisfy the boys. First, I had lasagna in mind because I had meat sauce in the freezer. I made that on Sunday. Then I had tacos in mind. I made that tonight. So, what next? I think breakfast burritos.
Tuesday:
I made banana bread for breakfast or lunch or a snack or whatever. The boys made omelettes to go with it. Herb made chicken croquette mix for lunch. Those of us who wanted it for lunch fried up what we wanted. We dredged the croquettes in crushed pretzels using the last of the pretzels and all the crumbs in the bottom of the bag. I ate mine with the last of the tzatzki sauce that was leftover from the slouvaki that we had a bit ago. When I did the grocery shopping last I scored a really large pork shoulder roast. Herb cut it into fourths, froze some of it and roasted some of it today. He didn't know what to serve with it and he was fatigued so I removed the roasted pork from the pan and put potatoes, carrots and apples in the drippings to roast them. Also, I got the chorizo out of the freezer. After it is thawed I will fry it up and have it ready for breakfast burritos.
Bishop managed to score a little job at the pottery studio as a teaching assistant and earned a bit of cash. SCORE!
Maceo's performance troupe had a show this evening. He was given one comp ticket. I used that ticket to watch a really fantastic show for free.
Wednesday:
I spent the morning paying the bills. I am still trying to work out a system that works well for both Herb and I. I guess we'll see if I managed it this month!
When I cleaned the freezer I put the inventory on a chalkboard in the kitchen. I usually do it on a piece of paper that I post on the freezer but I got to thinking that the chalkboard was larger and in the line of vision so it might work better for Herb. He noticed and liked it. Hopefully it will help him keep abreast of the resources that we have on hand and will reduce the amount that he goes to the grocery store. That's he said as well so that is very encouraging to me.
I ordered some boneless, skinless chicken breasts from Zaycon after my niece recommended it and gave me a coupon code. I ordered 40 lbs. of breasts and paid $39. I will pick these up next month. SCORE!
I was craving something sweet, knew there was a bit of ice cream in the freezer but wanted some chocolate syrup to top it off. I made some syrup using cocoa powder that was super yummy. I combined 1 1/2 c. sugar, 1 c. cocoa powder, and 1 c. cream and brought it to a boil. I then added 1/2 c. butter and let it to continue to boil until it thickened. Then I removed if from heat and stirred in 2 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 tsp. salt. It was so yummy. It reminded me of the chocolate sauce my Granny used to make.
Thursday:
I did the grocery shopping today. I went to Aldi and, for the most part, stuck to the list. I added a few extras like pork ribs at $1.99/lb. I also went by Walmart to pick up some items that I couldn't find at Aldi. I needed a smidge of steak to make a cheesesteak dip for the Superbowl. I found some sirloins on manager special; two big nice sirloins. I bought both of them. Even on manager special it was more than the $2/lb. that I shoot for when purchasing meat but I needed some for the dip and thought the extra would make a nice treat of a meal. While at Aldi I picked up a take and bake baguette to serve alongside the cheesesteak dip. When I got to the check out counter I found that the package was torn so, of course, I didn't purchase it. Which turned out to be a good thing as I found a baguette at Walmart for fifty-five cents. I also found sliced deli corned beef on manager special. It did fit my specifications so I bought some and tucked it into the freezer. I think corned beef sandwiches will be one of those quick dinners that I have on hand when I suddenly become responsible for putting together a meal. I also picked up some Walmart pizzas to serve for lunch when I got home. That has been something I have done for years. It simplified life for me as a geographically single parent. I didn't know if it would be needed, I didn't know if Herb had made anything but I went ahead and got it figuring it would be eaten at some point if not right away. I got home and found that it was, in fact, needed. I was grateful to have it.
When I got home I put those pizzas in the oven and got to unloading groceries, organizing the food stuffs and getting it put away properly, which now includes updating the chalkboard if something goes into the freezer. This system might just work.
Herb and I reviewed the system and he noted that it looked as though the freezer was quite well stocked. While doing that I went out on a limb (at least it felt that way) and suggested trying to cook with what was in the house, only going to the store for perishables. Surprisingly, he liked the idea and accepted the challenge.
Herb used some of that pork roast to make a really fantastic carne adovada. Everyone loved it and it utilized some of our massive stock of corn tortillas. Win.
I put together a gift for a friend that lost every material possession, excluding the clothes on their backs and their cars, in a house fire. I utilized some items that I had on hand and combined it with meaningful things that I purchased. I collected from around the house theatre memorabilia that would be relevant to her and her son (thank goodness I always pick up extras), a mouse pad that has family art printed on it (a mouse pad is something she requested), a pottery vase that Bishop made and tucked them in an extra basket that I had on hand. I also printed some photos off of her Facebook, framed them in frames that I purchased at Hobby Lobby and also included a calendar and planner that I purchased at deep discount at Hobby Lobby (again, items that she requested). I think she will find it all meaningful and I didn't break the bank.
Oh yes, I almost forgot... another great find at Walmart was three different makeup products for $3 each. I got powder, mascara and brow mascara, all Revlon. I am actually not brand loyal nor am I loyal to specific products so I look for things on sale. My all-time favorite pressed powder, which made me look as if I had been airbrushed, only cost me $1.
Friday:
I have a full evening tonight and a full day tomorrow so I felt that I really needed to focus on being organized. I made pumpkin bread. I loaf served as a snack for today and the other was saved for a quick breakfast tomorrow morning.
I put baked potatoes in the oven alongside the pumpkin bread to serve alongside the steaks that Bishop made for lunch.
Bishop was having a friend spend the night and I would be having to get out the door so I purchased some pizzas from Papa Murphy's for them to prepare when they were ready for dinner.
I ushered at our community theatre so I was able to see a production of West Side Story at no cost to me. Afterwards, my sister, who ushered with me, and I went to the improv theatre to watch Maceo perform. We paid $5 for admission but that is pretty cheap for some quality entertainment.
Saturday:
Bishop, his friend and I got up early to head to a neighboring town for a cool opportunity. We began our day with the pumpkin bread. Herb, who gets up much earlier than the rest of us, also made us bacon and scrambled eggs. It was perfect.
The boys and I took a field trip to watch a high school debate. It was sooo cool and has contributed much to our conversations. This experience cost us a little bit in the form of gas but was otherwise free. Afterwards, we hooked up with some friends who live in the area and had lunch together. Bishop and I did splurge, we had dessert and everything, so not the most frugal but it did make for a nice afternoon.
Later that evening, Bishop made some dinner after thawing some ground beef. Herb had leftovers all day long.
52-Week Challenge: The previous balance was $47 and to that I added $3 for a new balance of $50. (I have now done 25, 12, 6, 4 and 3).
Learning Jar O' Change: The previous balance was $67.91. After adding $1.55 the new balance is $69.46.
I think conversation will be the theme of the week. I had another good conversation with the husband about our grocery budget. We haven't fully developed a plan but at least some things have been shared and illuminated.
After an evening of scouts and theatre and such the boys were hungry. I thought that the hubby was making dinner while we were gone but that didn't quite happen so I had to come up with something quickly. I found leftover taco meat in the fridge, fried up some taco shells, prepared some other fixings and the boys were content with this late dinner.
As my husband has finally come home from the army and we have tried to transition I have found meals (and our grocery budget) interesting (read: difficult) to plan. The hubby loves to cook so he wanted to be the primary meal preparer when he returned home. He is, however, accustomed to certain meals, has his own rhythm and physical limitations (and his own way of shopping). Sometimes there are meals when anticipated and sometimes there aren't, sometimes the meals work for the kiddos and sometimes they miss the mark. I have found that it is helpful to have some sort of real quick meal in mind, something that can be thrown together very quickly that will satisfy the boys. First, I had lasagna in mind because I had meat sauce in the freezer. I made that on Sunday. Then I had tacos in mind. I made that tonight. So, what next? I think breakfast burritos.
Tuesday:
I made banana bread for breakfast or lunch or a snack or whatever. The boys made omelettes to go with it. Herb made chicken croquette mix for lunch. Those of us who wanted it for lunch fried up what we wanted. We dredged the croquettes in crushed pretzels using the last of the pretzels and all the crumbs in the bottom of the bag. I ate mine with the last of the tzatzki sauce that was leftover from the slouvaki that we had a bit ago. When I did the grocery shopping last I scored a really large pork shoulder roast. Herb cut it into fourths, froze some of it and roasted some of it today. He didn't know what to serve with it and he was fatigued so I removed the roasted pork from the pan and put potatoes, carrots and apples in the drippings to roast them. Also, I got the chorizo out of the freezer. After it is thawed I will fry it up and have it ready for breakfast burritos.
Bishop managed to score a little job at the pottery studio as a teaching assistant and earned a bit of cash. SCORE!
Maceo's performance troupe had a show this evening. He was given one comp ticket. I used that ticket to watch a really fantastic show for free.
Wednesday:
I spent the morning paying the bills. I am still trying to work out a system that works well for both Herb and I. I guess we'll see if I managed it this month!
When I cleaned the freezer I put the inventory on a chalkboard in the kitchen. I usually do it on a piece of paper that I post on the freezer but I got to thinking that the chalkboard was larger and in the line of vision so it might work better for Herb. He noticed and liked it. Hopefully it will help him keep abreast of the resources that we have on hand and will reduce the amount that he goes to the grocery store. That's he said as well so that is very encouraging to me.
I ordered some boneless, skinless chicken breasts from Zaycon after my niece recommended it and gave me a coupon code. I ordered 40 lbs. of breasts and paid $39. I will pick these up next month. SCORE!
I was craving something sweet, knew there was a bit of ice cream in the freezer but wanted some chocolate syrup to top it off. I made some syrup using cocoa powder that was super yummy. I combined 1 1/2 c. sugar, 1 c. cocoa powder, and 1 c. cream and brought it to a boil. I then added 1/2 c. butter and let it to continue to boil until it thickened. Then I removed if from heat and stirred in 2 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 tsp. salt. It was so yummy. It reminded me of the chocolate sauce my Granny used to make.
Thursday:
I did the grocery shopping today. I went to Aldi and, for the most part, stuck to the list. I added a few extras like pork ribs at $1.99/lb. I also went by Walmart to pick up some items that I couldn't find at Aldi. I needed a smidge of steak to make a cheesesteak dip for the Superbowl. I found some sirloins on manager special; two big nice sirloins. I bought both of them. Even on manager special it was more than the $2/lb. that I shoot for when purchasing meat but I needed some for the dip and thought the extra would make a nice treat of a meal. While at Aldi I picked up a take and bake baguette to serve alongside the cheesesteak dip. When I got to the check out counter I found that the package was torn so, of course, I didn't purchase it. Which turned out to be a good thing as I found a baguette at Walmart for fifty-five cents. I also found sliced deli corned beef on manager special. It did fit my specifications so I bought some and tucked it into the freezer. I think corned beef sandwiches will be one of those quick dinners that I have on hand when I suddenly become responsible for putting together a meal. I also picked up some Walmart pizzas to serve for lunch when I got home. That has been something I have done for years. It simplified life for me as a geographically single parent. I didn't know if it would be needed, I didn't know if Herb had made anything but I went ahead and got it figuring it would be eaten at some point if not right away. I got home and found that it was, in fact, needed. I was grateful to have it.
When I got home I put those pizzas in the oven and got to unloading groceries, organizing the food stuffs and getting it put away properly, which now includes updating the chalkboard if something goes into the freezer. This system might just work.
Herb and I reviewed the system and he noted that it looked as though the freezer was quite well stocked. While doing that I went out on a limb (at least it felt that way) and suggested trying to cook with what was in the house, only going to the store for perishables. Surprisingly, he liked the idea and accepted the challenge.
Herb used some of that pork roast to make a really fantastic carne adovada. Everyone loved it and it utilized some of our massive stock of corn tortillas. Win.
I put together a gift for a friend that lost every material possession, excluding the clothes on their backs and their cars, in a house fire. I utilized some items that I had on hand and combined it with meaningful things that I purchased. I collected from around the house theatre memorabilia that would be relevant to her and her son (thank goodness I always pick up extras), a mouse pad that has family art printed on it (a mouse pad is something she requested), a pottery vase that Bishop made and tucked them in an extra basket that I had on hand. I also printed some photos off of her Facebook, framed them in frames that I purchased at Hobby Lobby and also included a calendar and planner that I purchased at deep discount at Hobby Lobby (again, items that she requested). I think she will find it all meaningful and I didn't break the bank.
Oh yes, I almost forgot... another great find at Walmart was three different makeup products for $3 each. I got powder, mascara and brow mascara, all Revlon. I am actually not brand loyal nor am I loyal to specific products so I look for things on sale. My all-time favorite pressed powder, which made me look as if I had been airbrushed, only cost me $1.
Friday:
I have a full evening tonight and a full day tomorrow so I felt that I really needed to focus on being organized. I made pumpkin bread. I loaf served as a snack for today and the other was saved for a quick breakfast tomorrow morning.
I put baked potatoes in the oven alongside the pumpkin bread to serve alongside the steaks that Bishop made for lunch.
Bishop was having a friend spend the night and I would be having to get out the door so I purchased some pizzas from Papa Murphy's for them to prepare when they were ready for dinner.
I ushered at our community theatre so I was able to see a production of West Side Story at no cost to me. Afterwards, my sister, who ushered with me, and I went to the improv theatre to watch Maceo perform. We paid $5 for admission but that is pretty cheap for some quality entertainment.
Saturday:
Bishop, his friend and I got up early to head to a neighboring town for a cool opportunity. We began our day with the pumpkin bread. Herb, who gets up much earlier than the rest of us, also made us bacon and scrambled eggs. It was perfect.
The boys and I took a field trip to watch a high school debate. It was sooo cool and has contributed much to our conversations. This experience cost us a little bit in the form of gas but was otherwise free. Afterwards, we hooked up with some friends who live in the area and had lunch together. Bishop and I did splurge, we had dessert and everything, so not the most frugal but it did make for a nice afternoon.
Later that evening, Bishop made some dinner after thawing some ground beef. Herb had leftovers all day long.
52-Week Challenge: The previous balance was $47 and to that I added $3 for a new balance of $50. (I have now done 25, 12, 6, 4 and 3).
Learning Jar O' Change: The previous balance was $67.91. After adding $1.55 the new balance is $69.46.
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