November 25 - December 1
Sunday: Well, it wasn't a no spend day but I didn't spend on anything that wasn't necessary. I did make a trip to Lowe's to by some things that were needed for Bishop to finish a couple of Boy Scout merit badges. This isn't something that could even be delayed. Bishop has his Eagle Scout Board of Review in a week and he really needs to have his merit badges completed for his Eagle Palms. That being said, I made the best choices possible. I went cheap!
I am also making significant progress on developing a plan for a side hustle.
I can do this!
Monday: I splurged a tiny bit. For our Boy Scout meeting this evening I had planned an art walk through part of our city. It has turned quite cold here so I thought it would be delightful to have hot chocolate available for the boys to take with them on the walk or to have after the walk or both. So I did swing by Aldi and score some hot chocolate and disposable coffee cups with lids. A friend, who is a caterer, brought a big pump thermos filled with hot water and some leftover flavored whipped creams that she wanted out of her refrigerator. I grabbed a bag of marshmallows that I had on hand. Altogether it was a fabulous treat to go along with a fabulous evening and was totally worth the $10.
Our meals were a win today. We successfully used some leftovers. I made some more rolls using the bread dough in the freezer. Than we used the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers and white cheddar leftover from the Thanksgiving grazing table to make sliders. For dessert we had leftover cranberry sauce. Yum!
Tuesday: OK, I had a fail today. Sigh. I had my keys stolen and this will cost me. Tomorrow I will pay about $36 to have the computer adjusted in the car so that it will not recognize the stolen key fob. Then at some point in the future I will have to buy a new fob and those things are NOT cheap. Ugh. On the other hand, I also had a frugal success and made significant progress on my Christmas giving. There is a project that I have long had in mind and I have now completed the project. I will be sharing it with many members of my family. Because of that fact, I must remain a bit cryptic on my blog but I can say that I am really proud of it. When I completed the first one I actually cried a smidge and each one cost less than $6!
On Sunday Herb had made chili for hot dogs, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Today, for lunch, we utilized that chili to make chili mac and then, for dinner, we had chili dogs again. A little redundant but a stellar use of our leftovers and of what we have in the freezer. During the summer we stocked up on really good hot dogs and shoved them in the freezer. And by stocked up, I mean that we could probably feed our family lunch and dinner for a month on those hot dogs alone. It feels good to be using what we have on hand.
Last week the hubby and I had a good conversation about our finances. He agreed to a budgeted amount for our groceries. That amount is really generous in my opinion as it is the same amount that I used for the groceries when all six members of our family were home. But I felt that he needed that little bit extra so that is what I suggested and that is what he agreed to. He also agreed to the envelope system for the groceries. Yet after we got paid today he went by the grocery store for no real reason at all. He came home with $42 worth of groceries. I deducted that amount from the budgeted amount and reminded him of the agreement. He took it well. I hope this works. I will consider it a win for today!
Wednesday: Bishop and I had science group today which usually means that we also go out to eat (we call this lunch club :)). Today we didn't eat out but each family brought food for a fantastic smorgasbord. I used items leftover from Thanksgiving to create a grazing board. After lunch we went to our local science center. They actually had a sale on annual memberships. So I paid just a smidge more than what was necessary for today's admission but I know have a full years membership. We already have plans for our science group to return. Money well spent.
I also took the vehicle in to the shop to deal with the key issue. It didn't get taken care of. I spent two hours of time only to find out that they couldn't do what they said they could. At least I didn't have to pay any money out on this situation just yet.
I met a friend for dinner and decided to treat her. We only ordered soup and an appetizer. Good food and great company for a low price. Score!
The ornaments that I purchased at buy one get one free came in today. I also sorted through my gift stash. With the gifts that I made yesterday and the ones that I found and received today I have a total of 27 gifts. I spent an average of $4.83 on each gift. I am feeling pretty good right now. I still have some presents to go and I have to get some things shipped but I am doing pretty well thus far.
Thursday: A no spend day!!! Love it!! Although the hubby really wanted to go to the store to pick up a couple of items for a recipe he wanted to try, we avoided the grocery store using what we had on hand to prepare meals. I promised him I would do bigger shopping tomorrow. In preparation for that shopping trip I made a tentative menu and shopping list. (Tentative because I am not the only one that prepares meals and things don't always go as I planned). In the freezer, I have a corned beef so I added cabbage to the shopping list. With the leftover corned beef I will make reubens, so I added rye bread to the shopping list. We have a ton of hot dogs in the freezer. We will probably have a meal of hot dogs but I also want to come up with something different so that we aren't too bored. I have puff pastry in the freezer so I can make puffy pig in a blankets. I might use them in a grilled cheese sandwich or in corn muffins for a corn dog type meal. I have leftover spaghetti noodles from this evenings meal that I will either try in a frittata or make a pan fried noodle dish with. Herb wants to make sweet and sour pork and a pork belly bacon sandwich (I think, that's what he said). That gives us a week of main meals. We can use leftovers, ramen and tuna for other meals and, of course, eggs and oatmeal for breakfasts. I even gave thought to what to send with Bishop for his lunch tomorrow. Bishop has history classes on Friday's. The classes run back to back and they just eat lunch during class so we pack a lunch. I admit that I usually pick up something for him at Panera. I was prepared to do that again tomorrow then realized that if I got around properly in the morning I could make him something delicious. I thawed some chicken today. I thought that it was a couple of thighs that I could make a chicken noodle soup with but it turned out that it was chicken wings. I am thinking that I can cook those up in the morning before class. Buffalo wings or even fried chicken would make a great lunch. Another option would be pizza. I have a can of pizza dough in the fridge that could quickly be prepared. Planning ahead is the key to making wise choices.
Other successes for the day include putting together a box of 46 homeschool resources to take to the consignment shop tomorrow. I also put together a bag of stuff to take to the thrift store. I will remember to get a receipt for my donation.
Friday: I failed to mention some things yesterday that I will take liberty and put on today's record. We have been doing better on utility usage as of late. For years the hubby lived in housing where utilities were included in his rent and became accustomed to leaving lights on and running the a/c on high non-stop, etc. To be honest, I think he also kept lights and music on because he was alone and it felt less lonely to him to have it all on. His habit has continued now that he has returned home. He will turn on nearly every light in the house and leave them on. I have been gently trying to get him to be more conscious of just how much that habit costs us. My thought is that if it increases the quality of his life significantly than it is worth the output in funds, assuming we have the funds, but if it doesn't than that money could be better spent. Unfortunately, I don't think that he thinks that much about such things so it has been difficult to ascertain whether this expenditure serves any real purpose or not. All of that to say, for whatever reason he has begun turning lights off with more regularity. I hope that this continues. Additionally, I have been working on a habit of mine. I don't like to be cold and, unfortunately, I get cold rather easily so I tend to keep the heater higher than most might. I evaluated the cost of my preference and wondered if I would rather spend that money in a different way. The truth is, it is more important to me that Maceo's tuition be paid and that Bishop's college application fees are met. For that, I can adjust my habit and I have. I sleep in the coldest room in the house but I have piled on wonderfully warm blankets and have stayed rather toasty...mostly. When I get a little nippy I play a little game. It is my dream to live in a campervan for a while and tour the country. There will be cold evenings during that venture so I try to look at this moment in this cold room as training. I think about how I will address a similar situation in the campervan and I try out ideas. So, yes, sometimes I find myself sleeping with a stocking cap on in my own home. It doesn't feel like deprivation because of the goals that I have set for myself and the dreams that I have.
Saturday: I took that bag of donations to the thrift store. I remembered to grab a receipt so that we can deduct it on our taxes. I also took the time to look at the children's books. I needed two more gifts and thought that it was worth looking since I was already there. I found two like new books that are just classics! I am delighted with them and I only paid $1.50 for them. I now only have to get gifts for two more people... oh, and wrap gifts... and get gifts shipped... and plan when the extended family will come over for hot chocolate and their little gifts... and plan and set up the hot chocolate bar!!!
I worked some on the little business that I hope to get going very soon - a little cottage industry. I have a bit of a timeline in place and did significant research and planning today. I am feeling very positive about the venture. I am feeling like it is a good fit for me - that it works with my strengths and interests and time. I will be sharing more very soon! (There is a hint contained in this post!!)
And I have a HUGE blessing to report - I found my vehicle keys!!! I am now so thankful that the auto shop was unsuccessful on Wednesday! My keys were in another bag that I had in the vehicle. I'm not certain how the vehicle locked with the key fob in the car. That has happened one other time although it is not supposed to happen. Curious! I am sooo happy to have my keys - to know that the vehicle is secure and to not have to put out hundreds of dollars for a new fob!!!
It has been a good week financially. We have been focused and deliberate. It has felt very good. I hope the success continues next week.
See you then!
Our meals were a win today. We successfully used some leftovers. I made some more rolls using the bread dough in the freezer. Than we used the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers and white cheddar leftover from the Thanksgiving grazing table to make sliders. For dessert we had leftover cranberry sauce. Yum!
Tuesday: OK, I had a fail today. Sigh. I had my keys stolen and this will cost me. Tomorrow I will pay about $36 to have the computer adjusted in the car so that it will not recognize the stolen key fob. Then at some point in the future I will have to buy a new fob and those things are NOT cheap. Ugh. On the other hand, I also had a frugal success and made significant progress on my Christmas giving. There is a project that I have long had in mind and I have now completed the project. I will be sharing it with many members of my family. Because of that fact, I must remain a bit cryptic on my blog but I can say that I am really proud of it. When I completed the first one I actually cried a smidge and each one cost less than $6!
On Sunday Herb had made chili for hot dogs, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Today, for lunch, we utilized that chili to make chili mac and then, for dinner, we had chili dogs again. A little redundant but a stellar use of our leftovers and of what we have in the freezer. During the summer we stocked up on really good hot dogs and shoved them in the freezer. And by stocked up, I mean that we could probably feed our family lunch and dinner for a month on those hot dogs alone. It feels good to be using what we have on hand.
Last week the hubby and I had a good conversation about our finances. He agreed to a budgeted amount for our groceries. That amount is really generous in my opinion as it is the same amount that I used for the groceries when all six members of our family were home. But I felt that he needed that little bit extra so that is what I suggested and that is what he agreed to. He also agreed to the envelope system for the groceries. Yet after we got paid today he went by the grocery store for no real reason at all. He came home with $42 worth of groceries. I deducted that amount from the budgeted amount and reminded him of the agreement. He took it well. I hope this works. I will consider it a win for today!
Wednesday: Bishop and I had science group today which usually means that we also go out to eat (we call this lunch club :)). Today we didn't eat out but each family brought food for a fantastic smorgasbord. I used items leftover from Thanksgiving to create a grazing board. After lunch we went to our local science center. They actually had a sale on annual memberships. So I paid just a smidge more than what was necessary for today's admission but I know have a full years membership. We already have plans for our science group to return. Money well spent.
I also took the vehicle in to the shop to deal with the key issue. It didn't get taken care of. I spent two hours of time only to find out that they couldn't do what they said they could. At least I didn't have to pay any money out on this situation just yet.
I met a friend for dinner and decided to treat her. We only ordered soup and an appetizer. Good food and great company for a low price. Score!
The ornaments that I purchased at buy one get one free came in today. I also sorted through my gift stash. With the gifts that I made yesterday and the ones that I found and received today I have a total of 27 gifts. I spent an average of $4.83 on each gift. I am feeling pretty good right now. I still have some presents to go and I have to get some things shipped but I am doing pretty well thus far.
Thursday: A no spend day!!! Love it!! Although the hubby really wanted to go to the store to pick up a couple of items for a recipe he wanted to try, we avoided the grocery store using what we had on hand to prepare meals. I promised him I would do bigger shopping tomorrow. In preparation for that shopping trip I made a tentative menu and shopping list. (Tentative because I am not the only one that prepares meals and things don't always go as I planned). In the freezer, I have a corned beef so I added cabbage to the shopping list. With the leftover corned beef I will make reubens, so I added rye bread to the shopping list. We have a ton of hot dogs in the freezer. We will probably have a meal of hot dogs but I also want to come up with something different so that we aren't too bored. I have puff pastry in the freezer so I can make puffy pig in a blankets. I might use them in a grilled cheese sandwich or in corn muffins for a corn dog type meal. I have leftover spaghetti noodles from this evenings meal that I will either try in a frittata or make a pan fried noodle dish with. Herb wants to make sweet and sour pork and a pork belly bacon sandwich (I think, that's what he said). That gives us a week of main meals. We can use leftovers, ramen and tuna for other meals and, of course, eggs and oatmeal for breakfasts. I even gave thought to what to send with Bishop for his lunch tomorrow. Bishop has history classes on Friday's. The classes run back to back and they just eat lunch during class so we pack a lunch. I admit that I usually pick up something for him at Panera. I was prepared to do that again tomorrow then realized that if I got around properly in the morning I could make him something delicious. I thawed some chicken today. I thought that it was a couple of thighs that I could make a chicken noodle soup with but it turned out that it was chicken wings. I am thinking that I can cook those up in the morning before class. Buffalo wings or even fried chicken would make a great lunch. Another option would be pizza. I have a can of pizza dough in the fridge that could quickly be prepared. Planning ahead is the key to making wise choices.
Other successes for the day include putting together a box of 46 homeschool resources to take to the consignment shop tomorrow. I also put together a bag of stuff to take to the thrift store. I will remember to get a receipt for my donation.
Friday: I failed to mention some things yesterday that I will take liberty and put on today's record. We have been doing better on utility usage as of late. For years the hubby lived in housing where utilities were included in his rent and became accustomed to leaving lights on and running the a/c on high non-stop, etc. To be honest, I think he also kept lights and music on because he was alone and it felt less lonely to him to have it all on. His habit has continued now that he has returned home. He will turn on nearly every light in the house and leave them on. I have been gently trying to get him to be more conscious of just how much that habit costs us. My thought is that if it increases the quality of his life significantly than it is worth the output in funds, assuming we have the funds, but if it doesn't than that money could be better spent. Unfortunately, I don't think that he thinks that much about such things so it has been difficult to ascertain whether this expenditure serves any real purpose or not. All of that to say, for whatever reason he has begun turning lights off with more regularity. I hope that this continues. Additionally, I have been working on a habit of mine. I don't like to be cold and, unfortunately, I get cold rather easily so I tend to keep the heater higher than most might. I evaluated the cost of my preference and wondered if I would rather spend that money in a different way. The truth is, it is more important to me that Maceo's tuition be paid and that Bishop's college application fees are met. For that, I can adjust my habit and I have. I sleep in the coldest room in the house but I have piled on wonderfully warm blankets and have stayed rather toasty...mostly. When I get a little nippy I play a little game. It is my dream to live in a campervan for a while and tour the country. There will be cold evenings during that venture so I try to look at this moment in this cold room as training. I think about how I will address a similar situation in the campervan and I try out ideas. So, yes, sometimes I find myself sleeping with a stocking cap on in my own home. It doesn't feel like deprivation because of the goals that I have set for myself and the dreams that I have.
Saturday: I took that bag of donations to the thrift store. I remembered to grab a receipt so that we can deduct it on our taxes. I also took the time to look at the children's books. I needed two more gifts and thought that it was worth looking since I was already there. I found two like new books that are just classics! I am delighted with them and I only paid $1.50 for them. I now only have to get gifts for two more people... oh, and wrap gifts... and get gifts shipped... and plan when the extended family will come over for hot chocolate and their little gifts... and plan and set up the hot chocolate bar!!!
I worked some on the little business that I hope to get going very soon - a little cottage industry. I have a bit of a timeline in place and did significant research and planning today. I am feeling very positive about the venture. I am feeling like it is a good fit for me - that it works with my strengths and interests and time. I will be sharing more very soon! (There is a hint contained in this post!!)
And I have a HUGE blessing to report - I found my vehicle keys!!! I am now so thankful that the auto shop was unsuccessful on Wednesday! My keys were in another bag that I had in the vehicle. I'm not certain how the vehicle locked with the key fob in the car. That has happened one other time although it is not supposed to happen. Curious! I am sooo happy to have my keys - to know that the vehicle is secure and to not have to put out hundreds of dollars for a new fob!!!
It has been a good week financially. We have been focused and deliberate. It has felt very good. I hope the success continues next week.
See you then!
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