Time to Stock Up!

Like alot of people, if something you use alot of goes on sale, you stock up.  My problem is that this week the stores have decided to have a ton of stuff we use on sale!!

While we get paid on Monday, and technically will have money, we will have MORE money later in the month.  I am going to have to put off paying a few things (not late, just later than planned) to free up the cash for the groceries.

(and on an unrelated note, G-man will have 16 hrs of OT coming up, which means I get to update his progress bar AND put the OT money in the newly formed OT account!  No spending it until the end of the quarter, and it will go towards debt.)

I will make my list, and go in with a plan.  As much as I hate paying a few things later in the month, it is necessary.  I am not just going to put groceries on a CC because things didn't go the way I wanted in the grocery cycle!

Food planning

Flat out....I suck at it.  Half the time it is just me and the kids, and they have gotten UBER picky.  HE will only eat chicken....SHE won't touch it with a ten-foot pole.  SHE wants steak with pink in the middle....don't you DARE try and serve her.....GASP.....something cooked through!

SHE doesn't like food that is cooked together (think crock pot, casserole, stew).  HE would live on hot dogs, pizza, and pasta if we let him.  Oh, and chicken.

We have gotten into some bad habits of high processed foods....high in fat and salt, and high in price. 

I tried this week to plan a little better in general.  Last night was beef stew, with leftovers tonight (which by the way neither child ate yesterday, and will have grilled cheese tonight).  I am watching my friend's kids tomorrow morning, and then she and I have PTA stuff to work on, so they are having lunch with us.  I have a chicken in the crock pot as we speak, and will make chicken salad.  Tomorrow night we are having jambalaya....which makes a ton and lasts for days.

So there you are...my feeble attempt at planning meals.  I am trying to get better about this, especially if I end up getting this job and I am working full time!

So THAT is why we aren't getting anywhere!!!

I have really been racking my brain (which, is full of holes at this point....) on why we aren't making more progress.  If others can do it...so can we!  So what about our plan isn't working.....Then it finally came to me.  The reason we aren't making more progress....is we are PLANNING.

I can hear you all now.....Huh?  Mysti....you really are off your rocker.  Since when is planning the reason that something doesn't work?  That is so counter intuitive.

Oh, but listen, my little grasshoppas....

I looked at our budget and where all the moola is going, and it dawned on me.  We are SAVING for PLANNED expenses.  In the past...we would hope that we could use our three paycheck months to cover the shortfall.  There were some things we would put on a credit card, and then we really didn't think about them as expenses, because they just fell into the abyss known as DEBT.

Last April, I opened our first ING account, and have since opened several more.  These have allowed us to save for planned expenses, and to actually visually see where it all is.  And we are now paying CASH for things that either previously went on a credit card, or we shuffled around to make ends meet.

• We saved $1,000 CASH for the kids' camp.  They didn't take credit cards, so that wasn't even an option.  Last year, Nannie paid for camp (which was great, because we hadn't saved enough.....).  This year, we had it, no problem.

• The kids' birthday is coming up at the end of August.  They will each have a party (their first one since they were 4, and they will be 9).  I researched the cost (she is having a spa party, he is having a bowling party), and saved up.  I saved $700 for their parties, gifts, cakes, and their special dinner on their birthday.  Probably more than I need, but the left over will roll into the Christmas account.   Now, I realize that is ALOT for a birthday....but this is for 2 kids' parties, and they haven't had one in 5 years. 

ETA:  Please remember....I have a child with Autism.  He simply will not tolerate having people in the house for a party.  Kids "touching" his stuff....will set him over the edge and he will not even attend his own party.  We can't do parties the way the rest of the world does.  He likes bowling....he understands what happens there.  We can do a party for him and have him have FUN...and that is important to us. 

Sassy....her party will be for her and 3 friends.  She doesn't have friends.  She doesn't get invited to parties.  She doesn't have playdates.  She is the kid that has "that brother."  If she has a friend over, Bossy goes into hysterics, and it is a mess. 

No one has to agree with us on this one.  But if you take a 9 year old kid who has had ONE party in their life......I don't think we are being over indulgent.

(I should add that originally this was going to be for G-man's 40th birthday bash....but after this year of issues, I decided against holding it, and decided that it would go to the kids).

• The boat.  My nemesis.  It needs some repairs.  We are now saving $40 a month toward that.

• The cars.  Having a car maintenance fund has saved our tushies a few times.  It has covered oil changes, wiper blades, a few smaller repairs.  Granted, it didn't do squat when we had the $2,000 transmission bill.  But over the past year, I guarantee ever last one of those expenses would have been on a credit card if we didn't have an account for this.  We save $140 a month for insurance and maintenance.

• Christmas!!!  We are all guilty of charging up Christmas.  And last year I planned to not do it....and then did.  Not this year.  We have a Christmas fund.  We are saving $230 a month for Christmas right now (this fund is still small....we had to save for camp and birthdays first).  And we decided that the kids really don't need alot of fancy stuff...she is really happy with books.  He is harder, but again, fancy doesn't do it for him.  We budgeted for gifts, cards, postage, the tree....and when the money is gone, it is gone.  I am not going into more debt for this. 

• Irregular expenses.  These are things like the 2x a year car tax bill, 2x a year water bill, quarterly trash bill.  Those things you know exist...but sort of ignore until you have to deal with them.  Not anymore.  I save for them, to the tune of $80 a month.

After I thought about all of this.....THERE is where my debt repayment money is.  I used to think I should have at least $500 more a month to repay debt.  NO....we were living above our means, and now that $500 is being saved for REAL expenses.

I can beat myself up for not slashing through our debt in Gazelle style.  But I am not going to.  We are living a more realistic budget now.  (Even if the food budget is STILL crazy, and gas prices aren't helping either).  Baby steps.

Dave Ramsey might not be proud per se....but he at least wouldn't call us an idiot.

Are you saving money this summer?

This is a guest post by Andreas from moneysupermarket.com; who writes about all things finance including savings, loans and credit cards.

The economic climate during the last couple of years has caused people to be a bit more frugal during the months when we’re normally most likely to spend more money.

Many people get carried away with their spending during the summer months, but I see it as a great time to save money. The sun is shining during the summer months (depending on where you’re based) and you can use the hot weather to your advantage to save some money. 

Hang Your Clothes Outside  
Whilst the sun is shining during the summer period you should hang your clothes outside instead of using the conventional dryer. 

Hanging your clothes outside should help you to save money on electricity, and if you’re green minded you’ll be happy to know that you’re doing your bit for the environment too. 

Go on a Holiday Closer to Home 

I normally go abroad once a year but last year I decided to vacation at home in the UK and I did save a lot of money. Often referred to as a “staycation”, going on vacation locally is becoming much more popular as it’s a cheaper alternative to going abroad.  

As long as you feel like you’ve traveled far enough away from home then you will still feel like you’ve had a holiday experience. Do some research and see what areas you could travel to where you have never been before and try something new.

 

Try Not to Use Air Conditioners 

Using air conditioners during the summer can seriously inflate your electric bill; try to circulate the air around your home more effectively. You can use portable or ceiling fans and you can open all of your windows to try and generate a breeze. If you really feel like you need an air conditioner, make sure the one you choose has an energy star rating for being energy efficient.

 

Try to Avoid Using Your Car 

Instead of jumping in your car and heading off to enjoy the summer weather somewhere, why not consider jumping on the train and taking your bicycle with you? You’ll save money on petrol and do your bit for the environment too.

 

Grow Your Own Fruit and Veg or Visit a Farmers Market 

Take advantage of the hot weather and grow your own fruit and veg during the summer, you may be surprised by how green fingered you actually are. Foods like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and even corn grow fantastically well so try them out. 

One other thing you could do is pay a visit to any local farmers markets in your area; they can be a great resource for fresh produce at great prices so see what they have to offer.

I hope I’ve outlined some ways in which you can save money during the summer period, if you have anything that you think I’ve missed be sure to let me know in the comments section.

Mysti's Note:  Thanks to Andreas for this post.  The thing I love about this post is that despite the fact that Andreas lives "across the pond" from me, in the UK, the ideas are still the same!

Another Rainy Day here....

It seriously needs to stop raining.....

The pool liner is STILL on hold until the weather clears.  Not like it really matters....the temperature is no where near pool weather.  Considering that we are approaching July, and by the end of August we are done with the pool....the $700 we are spending on this seems comical.

Sassy Girl has been having a rough go of it.  She is a sensitive kid, and is just needing a little extra time.  She and I are supposed to have a "girl date" tonight.  I am feeling much better, but she is a little under the weather.  Hopefully she will be better later.  She wanted to go to mini golf, but the rain put an end to that.  So we will go to the movies (Mr. Popper's Penguins....her choice). 

The rain makes me very introspective.  And overwhelmed.  Like....we still have over 64 THOUSAND in debt.  That number makes me sad, and scared, and anxious.  I know we are working at it...maybe not Dave Ramsey Gazelle Intense....but I just don't think that level is practical for us. 

We are missing goals left and right....I doubt we will make the under 60k goal by August 6.  I had wanted to pay off 10k this year (really 12.....), that one will be close.  Food budget is still wanky (although our no eating out challenge is going ok...minus one $4.97 slip up).

I wish I had figured out this stuff sooo much sooner.  What a different life we would have.....

Welcome to the June Challenge!

This month is our "no eating out" month.  We have gotten a little lazy in this area, and it needs to stop.  I asked the family over the weekend what kind of things they would like to eat in the coming weeks.  Apparently my family doesn't realize it is JUNE, because the answers I got were:

Meatloaf
Thanksgiving (aka, turkey with trimmings)
Brats (ok...this one I will let go)
Ribs

Whining......this was from Bossy

and I added

Green Pork Chili
Thai noodles

Most of the meals mentioned will have left overs, so it will be a 2 for 1 deal.  I am planning a few nights of "ligher" fare when G-man is at work (he won't eat salad), but the kids and I will have salad with fruit and maybe some diced meat.

We have never fully completed this challenge when I have tried it before.  Last July, we made it 18 days, and the power went out, and it was late....so I took the kids to Friendly's (but kids eat for $1.99 on Wednesdays, so it wasn't bad).  And I think there was one more slip up.

I did make the one concession about Father's Day that if G-man wanted to go out, we could.  But he said he was fine grilling some steaks and calling it a day.

The challenges within this challenge include:

1)  Bossy has occupational therapy from 5:30-6:30pm every Wednesday.  We get home about 7pm.  So I will have to pack something for them to eat (vs stopping at McD on our way there).

2)  We are having a yard sale (or a tag sale in this neck of the woods) on June 18, and I know we aren't going to want to cook that night.  Need to make sure that we have something ready to go.

3)  As the weather continues to warm up....I won't want to use the oven.  So meals need to be stove-top or grilled.  I am sure I will use the oven some...but sparingly (especially since it may be on it's last leg.....yesterday was a bullet dodged).

and

4)  Staying on budget!!!!!


I am frustrated at the recent lack of progress.  The expenses of the pool and a few other things have thrown a curve ball at debt reduction.  But I am trying to take the reigns back and hit it hard and heavy in June!!!!

Messy Mind = Messy Purse

photo by factwoman@photobucket

Things are very rough right now....and in the past 48 hours have escalated.  My purse is a MESS.  I couldn't find my debit card in that big mess, so I ended up using my CC to put gas in my car.  I transferred the money from my checking account to the pay the charge, but it was an extra step I was forced to do because I needed gas, and dumping out my purse all over my car wasn't going to help at the moment.

I have loose change, paper money, receipts.  It kind of looks like my wallet drank too much and barfed in my purse.  Meanwhile, my wallet is disorganized too.  I usually keep certain things in certain places (like our insurance card).  Up is down, down is up....dogs and cats, living together!

I have NOT tracked a single thing in 6 weeks.  Bills are paid, checkbook is balanced.  But don't ask me what I have spent on food.....no clue.  And I probably don't wanna know at this point.  I am sure I could figure it out if I added up all the receipts floating around in my purse though!

So tonight, I hold my purse's hair back, and let it puke all over the kitchen table and then clean it up.  It might be nice to know how much cash I have.  Or where my debit card is......