::Frugal Fodder ~17~ After the NO Spend Month is Over--

If February was a No Spend month...then March must be All or Nothing! Month. 
I feel like we've gone back to our spending ways. 

So I sat down and began looking at our spending-- We've done the necessary spending and are continuing with most of what we learned in February. 

Our biggest set back...eating out!  Old habits die hard. 

• Gas and Groceries. 
• Gas this month so far about  $95. That is UP^ from last month about $35. We've had two long trips to the V.A.Hosp. so, that was $50 in gas alone. Like I said necessary.
• Groceries (and household) about $90- and most of that was stocking up; toilet paper and sale items. (I found Johnsonville Brats marked $1.59 ea. pack; due to 'sell by date') They had 8 packs lying there with my name on them. They're in the freezer! :)  
• Continuing to make a conscious effort to save at home. 
• I didn't post this in my last post but---by switching the bathroom heater off during the day when the Littles are here and at night while we are sleep (we had been just turning it to a lower setting) Our electric bill dropped about $20...so it is under $100! We don't get many of those!
• Unplugging--  Continue Taking the extra step to unplug appliances that are not in use. Including electronics; picture frames (used for transferring photos from my camera),printers, heaters, lamps and outdoor lights, and small appliances.  
• Savings and Cash System- I included this in the spend catagory because it is money that comes out of our monthly income. 
• Saving $$$ for propane and ALL $5 bills. We save $10 /wk back for propane. I've NEVER SAVED for this expense and it has Always been a last minute scramble to get the money or just plain hard to come up with it. THIS HAS BEEN AN EASY THING FOR US. I'm looking forward to having the money when the time comes. 
•  The $5 bills are something we started doing in 2012 and did pretty well into the mid part of the year and quit. We spent it and never went back to doing it. This year, it seems harder to make it home with FIVES for some reason. But the ones, that make it back here-- go into the jug. 
• Cash- I STILL NEED TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO CASH SYSTEM. I find using cash makes it harder to let go of the money. I did not pay with cash for groceries this month-- Here's why:   Because I would have had to go to the ATM first!  I went to the grocery store without a plan. Bad move! 
• DON'T GO TO THE ATM!  You will always draw out more than you need. There are hidden fees...and it becomes a bad habit. When  you use a cash system and have your pay direct deposited;  I think it is best to figure out your expense categories for the duration of time you need the cash, come up with a total and then go to the bank get the cash and divide it up into separate envelopes. (and you can even have the teller divide it up for you, but you need to get into the habit of doing this!) 

I saved money shopping this month by using gift cards. NO O.O.P.(out of pocket)

At Tractor Supply we bought: 

• baby chicks to increase the egg supply
• seed for more veggies
• 2 Apple trees 
• 2 Concord Grape vines
• 20# chick starter and drink mix 
• heat lamp bulb
• a rain gauge and 
• 2 metal wheels for the smoker. (had to spend some money on the wheels and rain gauge- they exceeded the card amount, forgot about that) $29. Everything else there was free! 

At Amazon:

I used a gift card to purchase a card reader for the camera to PC transfer; it does not need it's own power supply! 

At Ace Hardware:  

I used a coupon and got a free qt. of Clark and Kensington  paint called Honey Pot (yellow). I was totally excited about getting to choose my own color. You can't do that with Ooops! Paint. You can ask my daughter...it took me a LONG TIME TO CHOOSE! 

So after sitting down and calculating and looking at all we've spent. Over all... we haven't done too badly. I think eating out is our worst offense. We had a lunch on the road coming back home from Central Texas on Monday and on Friday night we went out to eat at a near by diner. The Honey likes Liver and Onions... NOT ME! They serve it with your choice of veggies and roll for $5... I thought that was a bargain since I didn't have to touch the stuff! 
I had the chicken fried steak...it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. :) 

Long post-- I should have warned you at the beginning...but if your eyes haven't glazed over... why don't share with us what you're doing to save money these days?! 
I'd love to read all about it! 

Thanks for hanging in there. ;)

Therefore be careful how you walk not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. ~Ephesians 5:15-16~

 

::Frugal Fodder ~15~ NO SPEND Summary

This is the last week in  NO SPEND February's Challenge -and. the. crowd. goes. wild!!!
I don't know if other's of you took it upon yourselves to do this or not; but I found it to be quite telling in how we spend our money!

 Meaning:  I learned something!

Just let me stress --- it takes two, to be successful; especially if there are two in the household.
All or nothing!

When the two of us discussed how we wanted to implement this. We agreed it would be ...

(my WORD for 2013) 

• Cash Only --No ATM 
• Necessary Gas and Groceries ONLY.
• No eating out. 

 NO ATM rule:    

That rule got broken. I'd like to say "I made no purchases with a debit card."

Didn't happen like that. 

We used the debit card for Gas only. We spent $60 for gas this month.
I used the ATM card to withdraw CASH for an etsy shipment, a FEED Store run and Fire wood. (Some of this will be replaced) 



Necessary Foods vs. UnNecessary Eating Out: 

I'm happy to report we did pretty well. 

• The only necessary spending for groceries was geared toward restocking the pantry AND...any essentials that were on sale. 

For instance, I was able to buy Sugar on sale early in the month for $1.99 for 4/lbs. (not great...but pretty good around here)  I was also able to buy ULTRAGRAIN GROUND HARD WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR for $.70/ lb.  (10 /lbs = $7.00)

• Also when the month of February started-- Eating out was off the table. Wasn't going to happen. Nope.

We ate out. But...I have a good reason!

My Dad turned 70 years old this month...both brothers and I agreed-- we decided we HAD TO DO SOMETHING for Dad. Party at my house wasn't going to happen.  Long story short we made reservations and have the whole family (those that could make it) surprise him at Carmona's Mexican Grill and Cantina! 
I split Fajita's for One with my Aunt.  Oh man! they were good too! We paid with Cash for our dinner and Dad's gift and  I saved a little bit on my meal  :) 

We even got Dad to wear the Sombrero and let us sing Happy Birthday to him and he ate his Birthday Sopapillas!  
Happy Birthday Dad!

Money Saved: $190.00 

Over-all we saved- $10 / week  for propane.  Our total for the year (by Thursday this week) is $80.00 ($40 for February)

We had $100 left when our monthly check was direct deposited.  Doesn't sound like much...but believe me it is!!! 

We saved $50 toward an Emergency Fund. 

My brutally honest keeping it real statement~ 

• Our POTENTIAL for MONEY SAVED: $428.00 total. That is what we could have saved had we not had to buy more firewood, eaten out at the birthday dinner, plus tip, plus gift! 

What did I learn?! 

1.  It can be done if you're both on board. 
2.  Debit Cards can be habit forming (enabling,even!) unless used wisely.
3.  A well stocked pantry is essential when CURBING EATING OUT. 
4.  We can continue to tweak the budget and tame the beast! 
5.  My Dad is Priceless! 

How about you?  Are you changing things up with your household budget?  Are you over OR under in your spending?  I'm not a finance blog...so I'd love to hear your take on some of these matters?  You can leave your comments below!  

Let us not grow weary in well-doing; for in due season we will reap,  if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

::Frugal Fodder~ 14~ Prudent Pinning::

Well, there is one week left in my February challenge to NOT SPEND if we don't have to. 

So, when we ran out of Mozzarella Cheese the week before last and I made an unplanned trip to town and bought junk food AND bread---I decided right there and then; I need to learn how to make bread. 
Now don't get me wrong-- I HAVE A BREAD MACHINE. But, I've been wanting to make bread without the use of it for years; and never have. I thought this was the perfect time to do it. 

I looked through my Pinterest Boards   and found this recipe-- 

Homemade One Hour White Bread

It really took no time at all. Actually, it would have probably went a lot quicker had I not put it on the wood burning stove to rise; because I panicked when I went to get it and the bottom was toasted!  
Then I may have left it in the oven a tad longer than necessary...I get addle-brained when I cook. Really.  I don't cook because it's fun and I have nothing else better to do...no, I cook to eat, folks. It's just how it is. 

The next item I Pinned and used this month was for a CITRUS CLEANER. 
I buy limes and make lime-aid...mainly because when I go to the grocery store, they're always marked down! 
So, what to do with all the rinds, right? 

I've been wanting to try this... 
You can see her tutorial I didn't photograph my process. 

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner: Lemon Lime Vinegar


It is great for degreasing and I've used it to wash down the refrigerator and deep freeze on the outside and the stove, too. Plus it's non-toxic!

I was surprised too, when I brought this dressing table out to make-over, I sprayed the veneer with the lime-vinegar solution; and the veneer came right off,with a little scraping!  

                                                                                                                                           



It took about 4 hours, not continuous, but over all-- you just have to let it soak into the veneer and use a little elbow power. 

I am so visual when it comes to finding things, it helps me to visualize where something was last time I saw it, or to get a mental image. That is why I LOVE Pinterest. I can easily find what it is I'm looking for. I tend to be an organized messy-- so Pinterest helps me with this. I spent the better part of an evening last week,  'pinning' most of my bookmarks and deleting any that have a dead link. I'd much rather look for something with an image, than to read the titles, and find the folder (which I don't usually make) for the link. Pinning is much simpler! 

Occasionally, I see things on Pinterest that I like and I RE-PIN them-- I don't just get on there and Pin like crazy.  "Ain't Nobody got time for that!"

I generally, just use it for a bookmark page. :) 

How about you? Do you pin prudently?  Do you copy what you pin? 

Do you pin for fun or convenience? 

Bless the LORD ,O my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His holy name! 

~Psalm 103:1

 

::Frugal Fodder--13~ JUNK FOOD TAKE OVER!

Honestly...

I only drove to town for a few things. 

Mail etsy orders.

Get gas in the car. 

Coffee and Mozzarella Cheese. 

::But here's what really happened::

Went to Dollar General and the Bakery-- 

• DG: 

Chips-$2.00
Bread- $1.25
Saltines- $1.00
Coffee-$7.00
Pint IC- $2.15

Total --$13.40

• Heritage Market: (Mennonite Bakery) 

Peanut Butter cookies: $4.00 (marked down)
Spell Binder cookies: $2.00 (marked down)
Dinner Rolls: $1.70 (marked down)
Mozzarella cheese: $5.00 (?)

Total-- $12.70 (estimated)

• I paid cash both places but didn't get a receipt here I know the total was just over $12.00 --I don't think there was tax on the cookies, not  for sure though. After this trip which was initially for MOZZARELLA CHEESE and COFFEE...let's not forget the coffee. I had buyers remorse.  

I sooooo didn't want to tell you all this...because you DO keep me accountable. I'm just keeping it real!!!  

This is more difficult than it seems!! whine. 

I think I had more resolve when I was younger and had the kids at home.  I used to challenge myself all the time to spend less than the weeks before. That is NOT happening right now.  

So originally in my 1st post I outlined my own rules for our home and our budget...

I allowed for spending on necessary groceries and gas (oh, yeah, I put gas in the car too...$30.) A NECESSARY expense. We don't like being so far out in the country away from town and gas stations and NOT have gas in the car; in the event of an emergency. So while I was in town I put gas in the tank. 

On Saturday-- 

• David's Foods Today: I shopped with purpose. 

Sugar was on sale  4# -- $1.99 x 4 (stocking the pantry)
So were Red Potatoes  3# --$1.29 x2 = $2.58
I also bought the following:
Canned Chili x2 -- $3.00
Hot Dogs x2-- $2.00
Buns -- $1.00
Swiss cheese-- $2.29  6oz.
Cheddar (shedded)-- $1.50
Velveeta block --$4.99 w/coupon for $1- (reg $5.99)

Total--25.32

Couple of things I've noticed--

• We eat more DAIRY than I realized.
• Velveeta isn't DAIRY...(I knew this already ...but I'm just saying...) 
• The Honey likes his ice cream and made the pint last for 3 servings! (he should get points for that!)
• Even though the cookies were huge and baked in a specialty shop-- AND MARKED DOWN... I still could have made Peanut Butter cookies cheaper and had fun with the Littles while they are here. 
• Had planned on making bread---but bought a loaf instead. Hmmph! 
• Junk FOOD is EXPENSIVE! No different from eating out... do you think so? 
• Sometimes you just want a CHILI DOG! 

 How will I stick with the other aspects of NO Spend February?

• Will stick with the plan to be making bread the rest of the month (want to learn to do this WITHOUT  a bread machine -  PINNED THIS RECIPE TO TRY
• 
  Source: cottagesweetcottage.blogspot.com via P on Pinterest
   
• and I've never made ROLLS before... I would love to do that too.) 
• Crackers will be used for meals like *Salmon Patties and *Chili bowls  (2 things The Honey likes to make and eat on his own!)
• Red Potatoes will be stored in a cool dry place! (last time I bought potatoes...they ruined, What a waste!)
• Car-pooled to the grocery today with Daughter--- will do this when I can.
• Was able to put some $5/ bills back since I used CASH! 
• Used Cash! :) except for the Gas-- I paid with a bank card at the pump. 
• Put $10 away for the Propane Fund! (remember, I've set a budget for $40 a month to be saved for PROPANE-- with January's total- I'm at $50 ) 

How will I do the rest of the month? 

There are  16 days left! 

 

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ~Proverbs 31:27 

 

::Frugal Fodder ~13~ NO Spend February

February 1st was the start of our first NO SPEND month. I outlined here what it means for us, in our home.


I'm going to enlist the UP-DOWN method---to keep you informed.

UP:   It's just The Honey and Myself. 

DOWN: You would think this would make it easier; 2 adults NOT spending money.  hmph!  

UP: We're both more conscientious of our MONEY!

• On the savings side--- I mentioned here about saving our $5 bills and putting money back for propane... 
• My goal for propane was $40 a month. √ check
• My goal for Savings-- was ALL $5 BILLS.  big fat ZERO!  (that is one of the things we're more conscientious of-- We both noticed that we've only gotten 3 of them and we've not made it home with ANY!)  

DOWN: Eating out is not only a drain on our budget; I'll be honest I like a Chinese buffet on occasion. Also  it's A TEMPTATION when you're out driving!  

UP: We are not out driving as much.

DOWN: Cheapest LOCAL Gas prices  --a farce! (unless you've been under a rock then you know... there are no CHEAP gas prices) 

UP:  We're six days into the month so far and we've NOT spent any money!
I'm a little bit surprised--because if we have money we spend it.  Don't we all? 

UP: I shopped the sales in January on the weeks of the 16th and 31st ; to restock the pantry.

DOWN: I FORGOT COFFEE!!!!

UP:  I left it open for NECESSARY SPENDING  in the Gas and Food category - COFFEE IS NECESSARY,right? 

DOWN: ALL A.T.M.'s are OUT--- so that would mean an extra trip to the bank for cash. It' out of the way. 

UP: I'll be getting cash at the end of the week and I can buy coffee then!

UP:  There are only 21 and HALF DAYS of February Left!


I love ending on an UP!


Perhaps you're having a NO SPEND MONTH, or you've had one in the past... leave us a link in the comments below--So we can all read about your success or your fail...OR we can cheer you onward in your quest to NOT SPEND! ;) 

 

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Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you. ~Ephesians 4:32 

 

::Frugal Fodder ~11~

::NO SPEND FEBRUARY:: 

I was hoping to have a NO SPEND month  this year and my target month was January --but we never really finalized it between us. If you're going to have a NO SPEND MONTH  it helps if both Hubby and Wife are on the same page. 

So it didn't happen. 

You just can't go all WILLY-NILLY...and NOT spend money. You have to plan these things out.

Like most of you-- there was Christmas last month...and before that Thanksgiving...blah, blah, blah... all the extra cooking and baking through the holidays had my pantry looking pretty sparse. I had to re-stock that; and we had some unexpected things that needed replacing or repaired. 

It almost sounds like I'm cheating already by planning ahead. But I don't think so; you have to gear up for this. The idea is to NOT spend money for a month, especially on extras...it's simple really, but looks different for each household. 

For us it means:  

• (we) ONLY spend on NECESSARY Gas and Groceries. Ideally, if you've planned for this and stocked your pantry--that eliminates extra trips to the store; so less gas is needed too! 
• Already-- you're going to save money. 

• NO A.T.M's...The other thing in a NO Spend month--besides BILLS; whatever does get spent-- SHOULD YOU FAIL...you ONLY SPEND CASH. 

• NO EATING OUT! ... Absolutely,NONE. 
• "Did Somebody say Mc-No-Eating-Out?
• (this one hopefully will be easier for us, since we've ALMOST completely stopped this)...and we DON'T DO McD'S. (honest) 

 I'm hoping February will be a better choice for us and a success! We can put that money back-- because of course, if we're not spending; we can be eliminating some debt or save it, right?  

I'll be tracking it all and ...well, blogging about it too! 

In the mean time; I've read a couple of other blogs where the blog author's households were having NO SPEND MONTHS-- I can't think of them right off hand, except for Laura @ WhiteSprayPaint... You can read her posts here: NO SPEND JANUARY

Perhaps you're having a NO SPEND MONTH, or you've had one in the past... leave us a link in the comments below--So we can all read about your success or your fail...OR we can cheer you onward in your quest to NOT SPEND! ;) 




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I've added a few new things to the shop and have renewed some older things-- be sure stop by and check it out!

The eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 6:19a