Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Oct 21, 2011 17:10:47 GMT -5
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Oct 21, 2011 17:58:29 GMT -5
WOOHOO! YAY HONEY!!!
I should go get myself a bottle of wine- it might help this headache. I adjusted the computer screen earlier when I was working on fundraising letters and got a splitting headache because now I can't get it back to where I usually have it. Figures.
Everyone pray for my cake I am working on. I will be a rockstar among rockstars if I get this to turn out.
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MittenKitten
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Home of the Circus
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Post by MittenKitten on Oct 21, 2011 18:52:27 GMT -5
YIPPEE Honey! This calls for Champagne! I'm pouring and Honey gets a WHOLE bottle!
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Oct 21, 2011 19:17:20 GMT -5
Congrats Honey!
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Oct 21, 2011 21:19:15 GMT -5
Update: 13 NS day & 5 CS days
Sorry I have been missing in action but life/work have been busy. Managed to scan but cannot remember what I wanted to comment on for most it. My first craft show was fun and I have one more coming up next month. I managed to get the majority of all the school work corrected and am currently up to date. We had several school functions also but those are now over for another year.
On a positive note, I have started taking a yoga class once a week. Now to get me to the gym more often.
Honey -- I am really glad that the girls are gone. You are too good a person to have to deal with individuals like that. I hope that with them gone that your house will return to the peaceful abode that you love. I do pity the family(ies) that gets the girls.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Oct 21, 2011 22:08:46 GMT -5
Congrats Honey!!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Oct 21, 2011 22:42:49 GMT -5
a solemn day... let us be in prayer and supplication for the families in the Northeast who are suffering with the arrival of two horrid exchange students.... I can see it now a celebrate Honeylioness regaining her home!!! woooo hoooo! So happy that you've survived this setback, it's the last thing you need this year. Maybe this year off will be just what you needed.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Oct 22, 2011 13:17:36 GMT -5
So I talked to my mom for the first time since our disastrous dinner and now I'm slightly annoyed again.
If you give someone a gift hastily thrown into a bag and then say, "I want the bag back" don't be surprised if they take out the gift and give you the bag.
She tells me "oh I had a card and some other things in the bag for you" which may or may not have been the case last week but really? let's not blame this on me not seeing a card when you've demanded the bag back. Ug.
This is actually reminiscent of about half of the Christmases I had growing up when we would open presents as a family and then when we were "done" Mom and Dad would argue 'I thought you wrapped that thing that we got.. you know... then it's still in my closet!' and one of them would pick up an empty gift bag, rush to the bedroom and come back and hand me something with that same 'here.'
It's ridiculous. About halfway convinced to cancel Christmas gifts this year as well as my birthday in the future.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Oct 22, 2011 13:32:34 GMT -5
Oh Startsmart, aren't parent's great? It could be worse. A couple of years ago for Christmas the only thing I got from my parents was a paper bag full of the junk mail addressed to me at their address. Nevermind that it had been several years since I moved out and I had told Mom repeatedly that anything arriving at their house for me was junk mail and could be used as tinder to start the fireplace.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Oct 22, 2011 15:02:57 GMT -5
rene- I hear ya! I'd be fine if I got mail from my parents, the only real mail that came in the last 5 years was a letter from my elementary school pen pal. Mom opened it and read it before giving it to me I decided that I should probably sell a set of china that I'm not using and can't easily find replacements for and HOLY CRAP I priced it out on two sites and 55 pieces are worth $561-649 if sold individually. Really there are very few pieces for sale so I might try listing it as a complete set for $350 or $400 and see if it will sell.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Oct 22, 2011 15:47:31 GMT -5
Startsmart - Hugs. How frustrating.
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midjd
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Your Money Admin
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Post by midjd on Oct 22, 2011 19:52:49 GMT -5
Update - 6/10 NSDs, 13/15 CSDs, 5 EODI think this is the first day this month that I haven't had to go somewhere or do something! This last week was especially busy. Yesterday I drove 320 miles - had to go to a conference across the state and then back to Kentucky for my dad's wedding. Was dreading the wedding but it was actually really nice, and I got to hang out with my brother for the first time in probably 6 months. Still, I do not want to be in a car again until Monday! Haven't been doing too badly on spending - finally closed on our refinance, which should save us almost $300/month. Also have some good news - DH's new job is going really well and he started his Chrysler certification training today! He has 3.5 hours finished, needs 62.5 hours until he can move up to Level II (and get a raise). It's just great to have him working again, even if he has to spend his first few months' salary on tools. (Back story for those who don't lurk on YM - he has been going to community college since January to become a mechanic, was offered a job (and free Ford/Chrysler certification training) at a dealership, is finishing out this semester but plans to go full-time in late December. He's still registered for an online course at the CC for the Spring semester... right now the plan is to finish out the 12 or so credits he needs for an AAS, even if it takes another year or two). It's just been a relief... he was glad to go back to school but at the same time is one of those people who is really stressed out by not working - he always talked about how he felt like he wasn't "contributing" (even though he did 90% of the housework) and I think he was starting to be a little depressed. It's like a load has been taken off his shoulders now that he has a job again - especially a job he enjoys. He's happy, I'm happy ;D
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Oct 22, 2011 22:03:28 GMT -5
Despite my parental annoyance, I did have a productive, non spendy day. I mowed the lawn and then did the edging, emptied and touched up paint on my china cabinet, then refilled it. Also painted the baseboards in the kitchen and touched up the wall paint. Finally, I organized and boxed my china, put away some spring decorations and refilled my china cabinet and it looks great! I also cleaned the kitchen fan and wow, it was disgusting!
I need to get the dogs out so I can vacuum and put the kitchen table back together but them I'm done for the night. Didn't even leave the house today and hope to stay home in non spend mode tomorrow too.
when I get the table back together I can clean off the kitchen counters and check a few more items off the old to do list.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Oct 22, 2011 22:25:36 GMT -5
| NSD | NS Goal | CSD | CS Goal | mizbear | 7 | 23 | | 5 | 3catslady | 16 | 24 | 4 | 7 | redruby | 6 | 20 | | | reeneejune | 10 | 18 | | | mittenkitten | 11 | 20 | | | dakota4600 | 10 | 15 | | | sheilaincali | 14 | 20 | | | startsmart | 1 | | 1 | | shanendoah | 8 | | 9 | 26 | midwesternjd | 6 | 10 | 13 | 15 | sbcalimom | 9 | 23 | | | moneysquirrel | 13 | 15 | 5 | 10 | ses | 14 | 27 | | | singlemomky | | | | 13 | financialpeace | 7 | 15 | | | pointy | 12 | 23 | | | redwagon | | 10 | | | |
Honeylioness 11/20 Reenee- You have PM.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Oct 22, 2011 23:58:13 GMT -5
mizbear - fixed!
startsmart - yay for non-spendy productive days!
Honey - I'm glad peace has returned to your part of the universe.
midwestern - good for DH! Free training is always a great thing to have. And if you'd like to send him my direction, I've got an un-diagnosable electrical gremlin that makes me hate my car.
Grumble - One of my planned major spends for next month is to replace the tires on my car. I'm trying to price it out so I can budget enough money. But the two major tire places in town, both part of major chains, don't have prices on their websites. Grrr! I'm off to see if Sears, Wally World (though I'd rather not shop there), or any other place I can think of actually lets you shop.
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redruby
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Post by redruby on Oct 23, 2011 7:01:08 GMT -5
Groceries are killing me EVERY month. I am tired of not having any food in the house. I am couponing as much as my small time and big family allows me to. I have a budget of $500 for groceries. This includes food, meat, and all house hold items, paper items, and dog food. Is this toooo little?? I have spent $900 in that department already. Should I split it up? We are a family of 6. OH, I also count anytime I stop at Mc D or other fast food because kids are hungry. It is food. Is my budget just not reasonable???
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kcgal
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Post by kcgal on Oct 23, 2011 8:50:38 GMT -5
You need to coupon. I just spend $15>00 at Price Chopper and got the Halloween candy, healthy choice soups, and tooth brushes for 25 cent each after coupons. I get the best deals on non food items, tooth paste, deodrant, paper items ect. Check out CVS if you have one. I love their extra bucks. I didn't have a big cash flow when the kids were little so I used to pack PB & J instead of eating out. I am sure it would be a healthier meal if you packed it. Don't know the age of your kids but feeding as teen age boy alone at McD could make you go broke. What's your zip code maybe some of the couponers could find you some deals and help you get started. I have a Goodwill stasMitten Kitten and Miz Bear used to coupon. I don't know if they still do.h I am about to get rid of if I had paid full price it would have be about $180.00 with coupons and sales $83.00. Got to go church
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pointy
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Post by pointy on Oct 23, 2011 9:27:47 GMT -5
Update: 16/23 NS and 21/28 No QVC
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kcgal
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Post by kcgal on Oct 23, 2011 11:20:28 GMT -5
Back from church Honeylioness-You have such a wonderful giving soul. I was praying for you when your "challenge children" came to live with you. My guess is they will soon realize your requests were for their best interests.
Completely unrelated but having to do with saving money, did everyone out there know that Bed Bath and Beyond honors any of their 20% off coupon even if it is expired? Did you also know if you have 3 items and three 20% coupons you could get a discount on each item? I didn't know you could use multiple coupons with multiple purchases. Man the money I've wasted. Chalk me up to smarter now. 3 Cats Did you see the MSN article about the cute little sweaters they made for Penguins who had been in an oil spill. The sweater stopped them from messing with their feather and getting sick. Made me think of you and your knitting.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Oct 23, 2011 12:50:50 GMT -5
redruby- Come join us on the Grocery Challenge thread. The girls there can definitely help you. One thing you are definitely doing right is counting your fast food money- particularly if you don't buy food for the days you know you are eating out. That is a big money saver. I am not as active on anything right now with everything going on but am trying to get everything done by December 1- if not then- then by Jan 1 so I can get back on track.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Oct 23, 2011 14:40:05 GMT -5
redruby: Definately check out the grocery thread. They were a huge help when I read them. I don't have time any more and a lot of the stores they have are not in my area. I also have a large family. We have 4 kids, 3 with us fulltime and 1 with us parttime. In addition I often feed my sister, niece and mother. We also have 1 dog and 2 cats. I would say my budget runs around $500 a month for every thing except monthly bills and we buy a portion of beef once a year. Dog and cat food run me around $60 a month. We don't go out to eat. I hit McDonalds or a fast food place once maybe twice a month. I also have my 5 YO and 3 YO split a might kids meal.
So here are my tips on saving money on monthly supplies:
1. Use Coupons, purchase the ones you need in bulk from E-bay or get friends to give you their inserts.
2. Find sales and only buy the things on sale. Stock up when it is a really good deal.
3. Figure out what prices are at what stores for the items you use most. I don't keep a price book but know the appromate price of most things I need at most stores. Then I know if I am getting a good deal if something is on sale.
4. Use Walgreens and CVS to purchase things, especially HBA items. If it is free or I have overage then I save the stuff up for gifts it they are not items I use or have too much of.
5. Don't be brand specific for most things. If I need something I look to see what is cheapest between prices and with coupons. Sometimes this is private label sometimes it is a national brand.
6. Use warehouse clubs ifyou have them or go with a friend that has one. Again know your prices, I can often find things cheaper with coupons at the local stores. For example we go through a lot of cheese and I can't stop up enough when it is on sale so I can purchase it here for slightly more then my rock bottom price. Some pet supplies are pretty good quality for the price like dog food and cat litter. I also use them for over the counter drugs like ibuprephen and Exedrin.
7. Find a local website that lists all the weekly sales and coupons. I also use iheartcvs.com and iheartwags.com
As a side note we don't have stores that double coupons here. There is one 15 miles away but they only do it twice a week, you have to purchase at least $25 before coupons, they will only double 5 coupon with a max of doubling up to $2.00 I do go here occassionally but find the limitations too much a hassle to deal with.
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kcgal
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Post by kcgal on Oct 23, 2011 16:02:41 GMT -5
I think a big key to sucess is to plan the weekly budget around the sales and the coupons you can tack on.
I love CVS and the Extra Bucks. Support CVS keep my hubby emplolyed. :-) I just don't have as much sucess as Wal Greens. I think that is a regional thing.
Also I used to go to the bread outlet stores when everyone was living at home. Usually bought the after school snacks there dirt cheap.
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Oct 23, 2011 17:25:13 GMT -5
Update: 14/15 no spend days
Woohoo!!! I'm going to reach my goal.
I have been MIA lately due to my work schedule shifting from 4-10s to 6-10s as we try to wrap up a project before our final day. Only two more weeks and then I am done. I should be a more regular participant in November.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Oct 23, 2011 18:59:19 GMT -5
I need to go back and look at everything so I can update.
Everyone cross your paws- DGM has said she is going to pay me for the over 130 hours I have put in at her house so far. She wanted to pay me $8/hr. I told her she didn't have to do that- but a couple $100 that I could use to buy some clothes and buy some business supplies (and treat myself to a steak or chinese) would be great. My aunt said I should take what she pays me and shut up. I told my aunt- you write the checks- you do the math- she can't AFFORD to pay me $8/hr.
I am doing the chili cookoff again this year! I am hoping to win the vegetarian category again.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Oct 23, 2011 19:13:59 GMT -5
Update: 13 NS day & 6 CS days
Another busy weekend. Got lots of errands run, managed to stock up on groceries and just relaxed. Also managed to get a little beading done with hopes to do a little more tonight.
SES-- you should have a package arriving soon. Honey -- Hope you had a stress free weekend with time to yourself. mizbear-- hope things calm down for you as well this coming week. redruby -- I don't have much to add to what the others have said. I do shop the sales and stock up on items that are good buys that I know are my staples.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Oct 23, 2011 22:28:17 GMT -5
update; 21 NSD, 5 CSD, 1 EOD. I am only going to have 6 controlled spend days because I combined 2 days into one. I am going to work on next month's budget and see what I can do there. In a pissy mood today even though I went to church. I have got to change my life style.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Oct 24, 2011 9:05:52 GMT -5
Update: 16/20 $0
Doing pretty well on the NS front. Took my nephews to the movies on Saturday but my mom insisted on giving me money to take them. We did pick up DS and DH each a pair of dress shoes. DH needed them for his interview today (he wanted black shoes and only had brown ones). DS is doing Youth in Government Model UN and he has to dress up in "Business Casual" for all of the regular meetings and for the big conference. $45 total for two pairs of dress shoes isn't too bad.
DH's truck is a total loss. Rather than mess with insurance we just sold it to a mechanic friend of ours. He is going to scrap it out for parts. The frame is pretty bent. So shopping for a different vehicle for DH. He is looking in the "pay cash" price range obviously. He did sell several of his dad's guns to be able to pay for a new to him vehicle. I felt bad but they weren't guns he had any emotional attachment too. Proud of him for stepping up and doing what he had to do.
Hoping for a quiet week this week. Very anxious about DH's interview this afternoon. Curious to see what direction it goes in. They have never mentioned a specific job- just that they have several "opportunities" that might be a good fit for him. Fingers officially crossed.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Oct 24, 2011 9:14:47 GMT -5
red ruby: I would track everything under a "food" heading and then if possible break it down into fast food, pet food, etc. Just so you can really see where your money is going. Couponing can be good- we don't use many here because like MK said no one here doubles. Plus most of the coupons are for things we don't buy in the first place. Stockpiling when on sale helps- we usually do this with meat. Kcgal metioned the bread store. We have a Sara Lee bread store and shopping there saves us quite a bit. Again we stock up when our favorite bread is 5 for $5 (at the regular store it's around $3.69 a loaf normally) I read the grocery thread some a few years ago. Interesting but its hard to keep up with and again- like MK said we don't have any of the stores in my town that they would discuss the most.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Oct 24, 2011 10:11:08 GMT -5
No change we spent and ate out everyday this weekend.
Today will be a spend too!!! But I am so excited about it. I noticed this AM on facebook that Alton Brown (aka my boyfriend according to DH) is going to be in town doing a book signing tonight. I just double checked with DH & he is fine putting mini-D to bed, so I am going! I am still going to the gym and then home to shower, and have dinner then back out to hear Alton talk and get my book signed.
Redruby- I second or third the bread store suggestion. I usually spend $5-6 bucks every 3 or 4 weeks and get enough bread for my family (Just 3 of us). Usually 2 loafs of a nice high fiber whole grain, a couple packs of sandwich thins and a free bonus item for spending the minimum amount, usually an extra loaf of bread. I haven't been in a while because we have 4 or 5 loaves in the freezer still.
I also do CVS deal for my HBA stuff. I use the blog penny pinching mom and she does coupon matches for things on sale. I got some $9 razors last week for $0.29 after EB and coupons. I'll use the EB to get the Halloween candy later this week. I live in a test market for Walgreens so I don't go there since the new program that they are testing is not worth my time.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Oct 24, 2011 11:27:31 GMT -5
red ruby- thanks for bringing up this question! I don't have a large family but do feed 3 dogs that eat more than I do - or at least more regularly. Here's what I would suggest: 1. Track your categories (food, cleaning, pet, eating out, alcohol/drinks) and see where that $900 is really going. With the next two months you may also want to add a category for holiday (pie filling, halloween candy, yams, fudge ) 2. Make it a priority to never throw away food or let it go bad. Schedule one night/week for fridge clean up and make a game out of eating the last bits of food from previous meals. 3. Get creative with substituting, when I stopped grocery shopping for 6 weeks I used stale hard shell tortillas when I ran out of chips. Worked fine! 4. Let yourself run out of things like cookies, favorites and drinks. They'll start to use up the less favorite choices and you'll save money 5. Go longer between shopping trips - 1 week minimum - and be clear that "this is all we have until next week" to discouraging over eating one thing. Teach them to budget food, in other words. 6. Find places where you can easily substitute homemade instead of buying convenience. Have the kids peel and cut large carrots instead of buying baby carrots. Get waffle mix and make large batches to freeze instead of Eggos. 7. Have a meal plan that will help you use up the items that linger - like soups, canned or frozen veggies and boxed goods. 8. Focus on thankfulness, my coach asks her family every night "what's new and good?" to get the conversation started and I love that positive focus. Ask your family to be thankful for the slightly freezer burned peas in the recipe, ask them to be thankful for a nutritious, healthy meal even if there's no grape jelly. 9. Have one fallback meal - like spaghetti - so if your plans go haywire you'll have something quick and easy to cook at home. 10. Make eating out a budget item and stick to it. azmom has some fabulous tips on this with her family and traveling with them. Take along food in a cooler, remind yourself that there is better food waiting at home and repeat 'not in the budget' until you pass every drive thru on your way home (they seem to multiply, don't they?) 11. Get the kids involved in the process - have them stir, cook, clean and set the table and use the time to talk. The family I nannied for now has their 6 kids doing dinner most nights. The 14 year old twins will brown meat, mix up casseroles and cut vegetables. It's awesome to see and lets the parents interact more. 12. Start tracking your favorite meals and stock items so you can be on the lookout for more coupons and deals. I think this has to come later because if you don't know what your family will eat or overstock then you're really just wasting money. Sure, you can donate the excess but you'll want to preserve your time too. Know what you'll eat, know the prices and then look for ways to save. But, if you're not letting food go to waste, buying whole foods instead of convenience and not going to the store every other day to pick up 'one more thing' (all common problems, maybe not yours necessarily) then you'll be saving money right away, without spending more. ~ ~ ~ My update - Sunday was another NSD and I'm working on updating my calendar so I can do a real update. I'm heading back to the gym tonight to swim and need to give the manager there a call. Got a lot done personally over the weekend and the quiet time was good. I finally rearranged my living room in a format that I LOVE. I can see the TV without glare from the kitchen or couch, there's plenty of room for yoga and Wii without killing myself moving furniture and I can walk a straight line from the hallway to the kitchen! It's a small room... Now I'm off to feed the dogs and then write for a few hours. Need to get a whole lot done today!
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