It is almost 6pm and I can say I have not spent a dime. Now I was tempted when I stopped at work to get a drink. But I had my water bottle with me so I refilled it. Saved 62 cents or more and that is because I would have bought the Walgreens brand of soda. Cheapest one they carry.
While at the library I got 3 movies and a book. I already watched one and will watch the others either tonight or tomorrow.
Found a few jobs to apply for and will be working on that later tonight and tomorrow.
Also will be taking pictures of my Coach wallet and selling it. I don't use it as I much prefer my Coach Capacity Bleecker Wristlet.
So I have ended my Sunday Project on a positive note.
Meals today:
sandwich
small can of fruit
fiber one bar
2 bean and cheese quesadillas
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Meals to make from my Grocery stash
This morning I took out a pack of meat, consisting of one part pork and two parts ground beef. This is what I normally use when I make meatloaf.
This will be used as the following:
1. pork for sphagetti
2. one part ground beef for sloppy joes
3. one part ground beef for "taco meat"
I have tortillas and refried beans and cheese. So I can use this to make up some "mexican food"
Once I make up the sloppy joes I will use my food saver to seal them and freeze them for a later date.
I may also freeze some of the sphagetti sause for a later date.
Has anyone had success in freezing pasta and sauce together?
This will be used as the following:
1. pork for sphagetti
2. one part ground beef for sloppy joes
3. one part ground beef for "taco meat"
I have tortillas and refried beans and cheese. So I can use this to make up some "mexican food"
Once I make up the sloppy joes I will use my food saver to seal them and freeze them for a later date.
I may also freeze some of the sphagetti sause for a later date.
Has anyone had success in freezing pasta and sauce together?
Happy Second Day of Summer!
I love summer. I love being outside, sleeping with the windows open and wearing flip flops. It is the time of the year where there is a lot going on. Some of it costs money but there are so many things we can do for free either at home or at a near by venue.
The other night I saw a commerical for Kmart. The base of this commercial was "you can't afford to go anywhere so have fun at home" This of course included buying items to make home more fun. With the cost of gas and the cost of food, I am sure many families will not be taking "summer vacations" this year. So instead let's have vacation at home.
For me I do not have to entertain my son this summer. He is being entertained so to speak but I am sure there are many out there who have keep the kiddos happy at home and under budget.
Some of the small things I have thought of:
1. Go to the library and sign up for the reading program - make this a weekly or biweekly activity.
2. Have summer school at home - even if it is only 1 day a week. Help them retain what they have learned or start learning for the new year.
3. Picnic outside. If you have a pool even if it is the small plastic one. Make a beach afternoon
4. Camp outside - Sleep outdoors or just to campsite things. If you have a firepit, do hotdogs on a stick for dinner. Smores for desserts.
Which has now lead me on a tangent. Does anyone remember the ovens we made as girl scouts. We used a juice can and cut a hole in the bottom, made some vent openings on the top and used a "burner" we made from a tuna can and cardboard, with wax and a wick for a burner. We cooked our food on top.
5. Go to the beach or lakefront. Read books, pack a lunch or snacks.
6. Find free or cheap movies - Check AMC
7. Free concerts
That is just a small list I am sure there are many more ideas out there.
The other night I saw a commerical for Kmart. The base of this commercial was "you can't afford to go anywhere so have fun at home" This of course included buying items to make home more fun. With the cost of gas and the cost of food, I am sure many families will not be taking "summer vacations" this year. So instead let's have vacation at home.
For me I do not have to entertain my son this summer. He is being entertained so to speak but I am sure there are many out there who have keep the kiddos happy at home and under budget.
Some of the small things I have thought of:
1. Go to the library and sign up for the reading program - make this a weekly or biweekly activity.
2. Have summer school at home - even if it is only 1 day a week. Help them retain what they have learned or start learning for the new year.
3. Picnic outside. If you have a pool even if it is the small plastic one. Make a beach afternoon
4. Camp outside - Sleep outdoors or just to campsite things. If you have a firepit, do hotdogs on a stick for dinner. Smores for desserts.
Which has now lead me on a tangent. Does anyone remember the ovens we made as girl scouts. We used a juice can and cut a hole in the bottom, made some vent openings on the top and used a "burner" we made from a tuna can and cardboard, with wax and a wick for a burner. We cooked our food on top.
5. Go to the beach or lakefront. Read books, pack a lunch or snacks.
6. Find free or cheap movies - Check AMC
7. Free concerts
That is just a small list I am sure there are many more ideas out there.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Making my $22.04 of groceries last for 12 days or more
Here is what I bought:
1 can of sloppy joe sauce
1 can of spaghetti o's (generic)
2 20oz bottle of pepsi
1 jar of Ragu
2 cans of lemonade
3 frozen burritos
1 hershey bar
1 loaf of Italian bread
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Ham
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Turkey
1 small onion
1 pack of shredded cheese
1 quart of milk (shared with my mom)
this cost me $22.04
Here is the deal for the next 12 days (at the least) I will not buy any other food. Now I did change the list a bit as a few of the things will be my mom's. I thought for the next 12 days I will use this list and anything I have in the house to plan out my meals. Posting here as use up the food and continue to shop wisely. I would love to only spend $20.00-$25.00 every 2 weeks on food. I know it is tight but I think I can do that.
1 can of sloppy joe sauce
1 can of spaghetti o's (generic)
2 20oz bottle of pepsi
1 jar of Ragu
2 cans of lemonade
3 frozen burritos
1 hershey bar
1 loaf of Italian bread
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Ham
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Turkey
1 small onion
1 pack of shredded cheese
1 quart of milk (shared with my mom)
this cost me $22.04
Here is the deal for the next 12 days (at the least) I will not buy any other food. Now I did change the list a bit as a few of the things will be my mom's. I thought for the next 12 days I will use this list and anything I have in the house to plan out my meals. Posting here as use up the food and continue to shop wisely. I would love to only spend $20.00-$25.00 every 2 weeks on food. I know it is tight but I think I can do that.
Shocking at the prices of food these days.
Right now my finances could use a HUGE boost. So I went to the grocery store to get food to last me till I get paid again in 12 days.
Here is what I bought:
1 can of sloppy joe sauce
1 can of spaghetti o's (generic)
4 20oz bottle of pepsi
1 jar of Ragu
2 cans of lemonade
3 frozen burritos
2 hershey bars
1 loaf of Italian bread
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Ham
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Turkey
1 small onion
1 pack of shredded cheese
1 quart of milk
this cost me $22.04
I did have coupons for the 20 oz sodas
I also put back the ice cream
I saved $8.34 with my store card.
Now somethings I have here at home:
cereal
some eggs
meat for the spaghetti and sloppy joes
I am just in shock in how much food is going up. Even the trusty Ramen noodles at Walgreens on Wed. where 29 cents each or 4/$1.00 and on Thursday were changed to 39 cents each or 3/$1.
How are larger families surviving the rising gas prices, the food prices and just the all around bad situtation this country is in right now?
Here is what I bought:
1 can of sloppy joe sauce
1 can of spaghetti o's (generic)
4 20oz bottle of pepsi
1 jar of Ragu
2 cans of lemonade
3 frozen burritos
2 hershey bars
1 loaf of Italian bread
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Ham
1 pack of Oscar Mayer Turkey
1 small onion
1 pack of shredded cheese
1 quart of milk
this cost me $22.04
I did have coupons for the 20 oz sodas
I also put back the ice cream
I saved $8.34 with my store card.
Now somethings I have here at home:
cereal
some eggs
meat for the spaghetti and sloppy joes
I am just in shock in how much food is going up. Even the trusty Ramen noodles at Walgreens on Wed. where 29 cents each or 4/$1.00 and on Thursday were changed to 39 cents each or 3/$1.
How are larger families surviving the rising gas prices, the food prices and just the all around bad situtation this country is in right now?
Tuesday - Friday Spending
Have not had a chance to get back here but have been keeping track:
Tuesday:
NOTHING
Wednesday:
97.00 for storage of my stuff. Really thinking of moving this out to my mom's basement
Thursday:
$5.10
Sandwhich
Soda
Deoderant -travel size (for my purse)
Toothbrush for my purse
Friday:
$16.00 for next weeks busfare
$22.04 for food for me
I don't plan on spending anything tomorrow but if I do I will be back.
Tuesday:
NOTHING
Wednesday:
97.00 for storage of my stuff. Really thinking of moving this out to my mom's basement
Thursday:
$5.10
Sandwhich
Soda
Deoderant -travel size (for my purse)
Toothbrush for my purse
Friday:
$16.00 for next weeks busfare
$22.04 for food for me
I don't plan on spending anything tomorrow but if I do I will be back.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday Spending
Wanted to pop in and say I only spent 62 cents today. On string cheese to go with my lunch.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Weekly Blog Project: Tracking my spending
Every Sunday I am going to start a weekly Blog Project. This will be something I am working on and post about it in my blog all week.
This week's Project: Track my spending
Goal: To see where my money is going. Also track any good deals I find.
Sunday:
Walgreens:
2 Oral B Power Toothbrushes: 6.12
Actual Cost:
62 cents
(Had manf. coupon B1G1 and Walgreens offered Registered Rewards for $5.50
Walgreens:
2 Oral B Power Toothbrushes: 62 cents
Used B1G1 coupon
Used $5.50 register rewards from above
Walgreens:
12 pack of diet coke
2 soup at hands
1 bag of cotton balls
Total: 5.85
Pick N Save
Tortillas - $1.09
Bus Pass - $15.00
Saved 1.00 on bus pass had coupon.
Daily Total: 28.68
Will not be spending anymore today.
This week's Project: Track my spending
Goal: To see where my money is going. Also track any good deals I find.
Sunday:
Walgreens:
2 Oral B Power Toothbrushes: 6.12
Actual Cost:
62 cents
(Had manf. coupon B1G1 and Walgreens offered Registered Rewards for $5.50
Walgreens:
2 Oral B Power Toothbrushes: 62 cents
Used B1G1 coupon
Used $5.50 register rewards from above
Walgreens:
12 pack of diet coke
2 soup at hands
1 bag of cotton balls
Total: 5.85
Pick N Save
Tortillas - $1.09
Bus Pass - $15.00
Saved 1.00 on bus pass had coupon.
Daily Total: 28.68
Will not be spending anymore today.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Money spent and well worth it!
On Saturday my son and I went to the zoo. Now I know he went to make me happy but he did have fun. We spent the afternoon looking at animals and talking. We have not had a good time like that in a long time.
Money spent:
$4.00 bus
$19.00 to get in the zoo
$2.00 soda
$3.50 pretzel
$4.50 pizza (that made me sick)
$2.00 other snacks
Total: $35.00
We did bring some water with us. I will say it was interesting to see how many people brought food with them. It is so expensive just to get in the zoo, and to add food would be just crazy.
Our next outing I have planned is a Brewer game. Which I will be filling my cooler that I got from Mycokerewards.com (for saving caps) with drinks and food. We will still buy a few "special" foods but most will come from home.
I am very interested in how other people do outings with the family. There is only 2 of us but still it really adds up.
Money spent:
$4.00 bus
$19.00 to get in the zoo
$2.00 soda
$3.50 pretzel
$4.50 pizza (that made me sick)
$2.00 other snacks
Total: $35.00
We did bring some water with us. I will say it was interesting to see how many people brought food with them. It is so expensive just to get in the zoo, and to add food would be just crazy.
Our next outing I have planned is a Brewer game. Which I will be filling my cooler that I got from Mycokerewards.com (for saving caps) with drinks and food. We will still buy a few "special" foods but most will come from home.
I am very interested in how other people do outings with the family. There is only 2 of us but still it really adds up.
Here is a pic of my son watching the monkeys.
Of course I had to include Los Osos -- I love bears!
Baseball and Family News!
My nephew got a call from the CHICAGO CUBS! They want to draft him. This boy is just fresh out of high school and is an awesome ball player. Darn makes an Aunt Proud! I told him that is the only way this chica will ever be a CUBS fan!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Spanish Classes do pay off
Yesterday the owners of the apartment had the carpet on the stairs replaced. Well they failed to inform us. So as I was leaving I went in the hall to get my shoes. WHAT??!! Where are my shoes. The carpet people moved all our stuff. GRRRRRRRRRR.........Do not touch the girls shoes!!!
So I ask him where are my shoes. And I get this blank look and shaking his head. So I asked him "Hables ingles?" (Do you speak english?) The answer is no. Whew so then I bust out with the Donde` esta` mis zapatos? (Where are my shoes?) Well thank goodness I could speak enough to get my shoes back.
I called my mom at work and told her what happened. I also let her know that my interperter skills don't come cheap and she owes me $60.00. So she just laughed.
Before I left told the workers to lock the bottom door when they left.
Granted it was not a big deal, I could have communicated with them in other ways. But it was so nice to know that I was able to speak with them.
The next class starts on June 11. This is the half way mark of getting my certificate. I am excitied to be continuing on in a language and culture I love.
Oh and as of right now I have not spent any money today.
So I ask him where are my shoes. And I get this blank look and shaking his head. So I asked him "Hables ingles?" (Do you speak english?) The answer is no. Whew so then I bust out with the Donde` esta` mis zapatos? (Where are my shoes?) Well thank goodness I could speak enough to get my shoes back.
I called my mom at work and told her what happened. I also let her know that my interperter skills don't come cheap and she owes me $60.00. So she just laughed.
Before I left told the workers to lock the bottom door when they left.
Granted it was not a big deal, I could have communicated with them in other ways. But it was so nice to know that I was able to speak with them.
The next class starts on June 11. This is the half way mark of getting my certificate. I am excitied to be continuing on in a language and culture I love.
Oh and as of right now I have not spent any money today.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tuesday Doings!
Today my goal is to get my room cleaned up. It is a mess and when it is a mess, I can't find things which can prompt me into buying more things. Ha don't need more things.
One thing I did notice is I have no more needs in designer bags. I will admit I love my designer bags. I don't buy fakes but the real deal. So basically I have sunk some good money into my bags. Although I will admit I have not paid for $200.00 for a bag. I know many of you are thinking I am nuts and that is okay. But that is one love that I have is my bags. Right now I am on a ban. I am not allowed to buy any more bags or acceorries for my bags. I do have a coupon for 25% off any purchase at "my store". Which I will not be using. And the last bag I bought was a few months ago. So no more until my finances are in better shape. Now I know it is not frugal but I don't ever pay full price for my stuff either. So no need to make nasty comments about them.
Tomorrow is payday and I have $7.00 left in my wallet and some money in the bank. After I pay two bills in the morning. I will be taking out my "allowance" for the next 2 weeks. I will not be using my debit card or writing checks. This will make me think before I can spend any of my cash. After all when it is gone, then it is gone. I did take a sandwich to work yesterday and only bought drinks. Since I work 5 or 6 days a week, I need to start bringing water to work and filling up my bottle on my breaks and such. One I do not need to drink all that soda and it does get expensive.
When I drink soda I drink mostly coke products. I save the codes and cash them in for free soda. Also a few of the girls at work save me their caps and 12 pack codes too. If you have not seen it go to www.mycokerewards.com I have also gotten a few free magazine subscriptions, a cooler and a soda holder. Now I just use them for free soda either 20 oz bottles or 12 packs.
Goals for today:
take water bottle to work - in the freezer already
take soup at hand for dinner at work
return some shirts I bought at work - 10.56 back on my card
figure out budget for 2 weeks
finish cleaning up my room.
My classes are done for summer and now I need to save 10.00 a week to pay for one class this fall. I am going to start that tomorrow when I get paid. So that I am able to continue working towards my Spanish certificate. I want to be done by next Spring.
One thing I did notice is I have no more needs in designer bags. I will admit I love my designer bags. I don't buy fakes but the real deal. So basically I have sunk some good money into my bags. Although I will admit I have not paid for $200.00 for a bag. I know many of you are thinking I am nuts and that is okay. But that is one love that I have is my bags. Right now I am on a ban. I am not allowed to buy any more bags or acceorries for my bags. I do have a coupon for 25% off any purchase at "my store". Which I will not be using. And the last bag I bought was a few months ago. So no more until my finances are in better shape. Now I know it is not frugal but I don't ever pay full price for my stuff either. So no need to make nasty comments about them.
Tomorrow is payday and I have $7.00 left in my wallet and some money in the bank. After I pay two bills in the morning. I will be taking out my "allowance" for the next 2 weeks. I will not be using my debit card or writing checks. This will make me think before I can spend any of my cash. After all when it is gone, then it is gone. I did take a sandwich to work yesterday and only bought drinks. Since I work 5 or 6 days a week, I need to start bringing water to work and filling up my bottle on my breaks and such. One I do not need to drink all that soda and it does get expensive.
When I drink soda I drink mostly coke products. I save the codes and cash them in for free soda. Also a few of the girls at work save me their caps and 12 pack codes too. If you have not seen it go to www.mycokerewards.com I have also gotten a few free magazine subscriptions, a cooler and a soda holder. Now I just use them for free soda either 20 oz bottles or 12 packs.
Goals for today:
take water bottle to work - in the freezer already
take soup at hand for dinner at work
return some shirts I bought at work - 10.56 back on my card
figure out budget for 2 weeks
finish cleaning up my room.
My classes are done for summer and now I need to save 10.00 a week to pay for one class this fall. I am going to start that tomorrow when I get paid. So that I am able to continue working towards my Spanish certificate. I want to be done by next Spring.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Are you a Broke Ass?
Oh my gosh! This is what I needed to read today. It really put somethings in perspective for me. I am a Broke Ass. There is no shame in it but the truth must be told. So now I need to go and pull out some of my broke ass tatics to keep me sane.
Some of my broke ass tips?
1. Start hanging the wash! (for some odd reason I love doing it too)
2. Take water to work - limit spending.
3. Take lunch to work and school - again limit spending
4. Stop drinking beer out. Yes I have been doing that
5. Do not go to the mall for any reason. It only leads to trouble.
Share with me yours. I know there are others out there, but those are my top five for this point in my life.
Some of my broke ass tips?
1. Start hanging the wash! (for some odd reason I love doing it too)
2. Take water to work - limit spending.
3. Take lunch to work and school - again limit spending
4. Stop drinking beer out. Yes I have been doing that
5. Do not go to the mall for any reason. It only leads to trouble.
Share with me yours. I know there are others out there, but those are my top five for this point in my life.
Really it is time for me to start blogging again!
I have been slacking on this blog for a long time. Time for me to get back with it. One of the issues of me slacking is since I moved home with mom, I have not been very frugal. I have spent way more money than I should have. I should be saving more and paying off bills.
My life has been very stressful. I am going through a lot with my teenage son. I have decided that I really need to start improving my life and not let him run my life. So today I am!
The dryer at my mom's house is broken. So I went to the storage yesterday and got both of my dryer racks. I ended up having to go to Target and get some clothes pins. 1.29 for 50 of them. I got 2 packs. Which is more than enough. Came home and did 2 loads of wash. Put it outside to wash. What I saved by NOT going to the laundry mat today, paid for the clothes pins. I would have spent roughly 3.00 to dry those loads.
This week I am eating all the food I have in this house. I will not be buying more food until I have eaten up the stuff here. For some reason I get in this mood where I want this food or that food, then after I buy it I no longer want it.
Also Since I buy a bus pass every week to get to work and my class (last one is tomorrow) I am going to be taking the bus to the lake or to a park (we don't live to close to one) and one of the many books I have to read for entertainment, or grabbing my camera and taking pictures of the city. I really need to slow down on the money I am spending.
It is time for me to sit down and make some sort of budget. Since my hours at Walgreens vary so much it is hard to know exactly what my paychecks will be. However I am pretty certain at what my expenses are. So I need to budget for them.
Most importantly I am going to be looking for a job. Enough of this settling for working at Walgreens. I did not pay what I paid, or study as hard as I did to work at Walgreens. Next week I will also be hitting all the temp agencies and doing temp work along with Walgreens till I find a new job.
Time to catch up on old blogs and keep this one alive.
Thanks for sticking with me.
My life has been very stressful. I am going through a lot with my teenage son. I have decided that I really need to start improving my life and not let him run my life. So today I am!
The dryer at my mom's house is broken. So I went to the storage yesterday and got both of my dryer racks. I ended up having to go to Target and get some clothes pins. 1.29 for 50 of them. I got 2 packs. Which is more than enough. Came home and did 2 loads of wash. Put it outside to wash. What I saved by NOT going to the laundry mat today, paid for the clothes pins. I would have spent roughly 3.00 to dry those loads.
This week I am eating all the food I have in this house. I will not be buying more food until I have eaten up the stuff here. For some reason I get in this mood where I want this food or that food, then after I buy it I no longer want it.
Also Since I buy a bus pass every week to get to work and my class (last one is tomorrow) I am going to be taking the bus to the lake or to a park (we don't live to close to one) and one of the many books I have to read for entertainment, or grabbing my camera and taking pictures of the city. I really need to slow down on the money I am spending.
It is time for me to sit down and make some sort of budget. Since my hours at Walgreens vary so much it is hard to know exactly what my paychecks will be. However I am pretty certain at what my expenses are. So I need to budget for them.
Most importantly I am going to be looking for a job. Enough of this settling for working at Walgreens. I did not pay what I paid, or study as hard as I did to work at Walgreens. Next week I will also be hitting all the temp agencies and doing temp work along with Walgreens till I find a new job.
Time to catch up on old blogs and keep this one alive.
Thanks for sticking with me.
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