| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2010 : 07:03:08 AM
Hey all! I just had an idea. A pretty rare thing for me nowadays. It's kind of a borrowed one, but I think it's still a good one.
There are a lot of us girls tryin to simplify and budget now that weren't before. I don't know about everyone, but I do know there is some of us that need help in both of those departments. I am one of those who do.
I thought that maybe we could start a virtual support group. Maybe those that know what they're doing can encourage and offer advice to those needing it. Also, those that need encouragement and advice would have somewhere to turn for it.
We would also have somewhere to come and talk about what we've done right and where we've messed up. We could network with each other for support. We could rage when we're feeling angry at life. We could cry when we're feeling frustrated. We can celebrate when we're feeling happy. And all with ones beside us who totally understand.
I know that I could really use some help. I only hear from those around me how my ideas only seem like taking away, not like it's making anything better. I am starting slowly and only cutting back not cutting out. At least not completely. If there are others interested in doing this I will list out exactly what I am doing and see if there are any other ideas I could get.
So girls... You all let me know what you want to do.
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| meggy2 |
Posted - Jan 15 2011 : 06:52:54 AM
My husband and I carpool, but he gets off an hour or so later than me. I have been bringing hand sewing with me and it keeps me busy, plus I have been selling some hand-embroidered floursack towels too. We also clip coupons and make lists. Anything we need we buy on the way home and try not to go to the store more than once a week. I always buy more than I need when I go more often. I make menus up every Wed when the sale ads come out and buy only what I need for meals and lunches. |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 10:37:31 PM
I forgot to mention something. I had to get very honest and sit down with my 2 older girls to discuss money and our situation. I showed them all our utility bills, medical bills, and other bills. I showed them the filled in budget sheets I had. I showed them a calander I had been keepin to help them understand with all the hours my DH was spendin in odd jobs and scrap huntin and the totals earned from each venture. It was sobering to all of us and it made my 16y/o almost panic.
After the intitial paniced questions of 'are we gonna lose the house', 'are we gonna be able to buy groceries', 'are we gonna make it and be able to stay together', we settled into a discussion of solvin the problem. We discussed them gettin jobs to earn their own money for their things. They became responsible for their own shampoo, toothpaste, clothes, shoes, and whatever they wanted. I helped them list out age appropriate jobs and discussed transport to those jobs. The girls did really well and have learned that work isn't that bad.
My 16y/o is keepin her babysittin job and my 10y/o is keepin her cleanin jobs for both her grandmas, but is droppin her aunt mutually. It was weekly cleanin of the dog kennel, which her aunt is gettin rid of and is down to just 2 dogs now. The pay wasn't worth the travel since she was only makin $5 after gas now. When there was 12 dogs at $5 a dog it was a good job to only cost $10 in gas. Her aunt upped her to $15 for the 2 so she could make something for comin out. The last 2 dogs will be gone next month, so will the job. She is now workin for me at set prices for each job around the house that she picks up above her set chores. It works nicely for both of us.
She is gettin really excited about spring. I told her I would pay her by the bucket load for weedin, by the row for waterin, and by the basket for harvestin. She will also earn 25cents per jar filled to help me can the produce and the same per bag filled for the freezer. She wants to learn to can and make jelly anyhow, so this works well as a motivater to keep her at the table cuttin and at the sink washin all day. I told her if she learns what needs done and gets good at it I will let her have a garden of her own next year to sell roadside style out front. She is readin all my gardenin books and has been helpin me with our indoor salad bed in the livin room this winter.
I hope to teach my girls enough that they can pull through tough times if they need to. Although I hope they never need to!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 9:39:16 PM
I have been 'under the gun', so to speak, for the last couple of months. My DH lost his job and unemployment refused him durin the months he spent huntin for a new job. We were livin on what we could scrounge. Litterally! He walked the backroads collectin cans, climbed the ravines for miles around us behind peoples houses collectin metal that had been thrown down them, and scrapped out anything he could get his hands on. We both searched craigslist and advertised on freecycle for scrap. We sold anything we didn't need.
It was horrible, but we made it! He has started gettin paychecks from a new job. One that pays more than he's ever made before!
We have gone without everything for so long we are now rethinkin what we really need. We have already saved up about $300 in this first months worth of checks!
We actually stop everytime we pick something up at the store and ask ourselves, 'Do I really need this?' and take a minute to evaluate our decisions. I even have my 2 older girls doin that as well. My 16y/o will take half her money from babysittin and put it back for 'later' and then she buys what she needs. If anything is leftover, it is spluge money for whatever. I have seen her look at stuff at department stores and then put it back, she figures she can find something just as good at the thrift store for less!
We are loosening our budget a bit for a twice a month dinner out, but we have decided to stick to our budget until we have enough for a new truck and a new van. Well...Not new, used, but new to us. We want vehicles my DH can work on, but that don't have as many problems as our current ones do.
We have added makin our own biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, sweets, and even caramel and butterscotch sauces from scratch to our plan. It cost half as much to make a cake from scratch with homemade icing as to buy it. My DH is wonderful at german chocolate! We have even been paid to make cakes for family members for parties. We have learned how to cut back on the sugar and still maintain the flavor of the cake, cookie, brownies, pie, or sweet quick breads. I have learned how to make dinner rolls and pizza crust from scratch as well.
With buyin flour in bulk it has saved us a bunch and made dinner a lot more fun and healthy!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| LucyMae |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 7:56:36 PM
I have lived in the "have" and the "have not" I have found that my fondest memories were the lean times when we spent time together because we couldnt afford to do anything else. I am at that stage in life that I am tired of trading time for money. I would like to learn to live without the frills in life so I have more time. Time is a shortage for me right now. Never enough time for working so much. Oh why couldnt we all have been born beautiful and rich? You guys are great with wonderful ideas.
Thanks for sharing. |
| pnickols |
Posted - Dec 23 2010 : 3:59:04 PM
I just feel really stupid sometimes especially when my budgeting falls apart and I have to say I don't have enough to pay the bills. my parents were never good with their finances, we never did without but they always argued over money. hubby's parents did everything right, it occurred to me that of all my siblings I am the only one who does not have my own home. that was sobering, I am trying to get it right but it takes time and is very hard, if it was just me and hubby it would be much easier cuz teens don't understand money at all
so all your comments and tips and support are so helpful to me :) |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 7:52:12 PM
Patricia - that's funny you say that about the whole world knowing something you don't - I feel like such a doofus for not being in better financial shape because I come from a really frugal family - my parents are like the poster parents for financial responsibility and so were my grandparents, then there's me.....
Amanda - it is awesome to have some moral support, really makes things a lot easier.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
|
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 4:28:17 PM
Awesome! Yes, I do all of the finances, too. I made a printout based on one by Dave Ramsey...a budget sheet specifically designed for our family. Every month my husband and I had a sit-down and I showed him exactly where the money went. It's easy for men to understand when they have the numbers right in front of their eyes! He, just like myself, was shocked at the money we blew through in a month.
I usually spent about 75-100 on groceries a month. I could really trim that back, but I have allowed more for organic foods. When we first started this journey, I bought food from Angel Food Ministries, which is sponsored by churches all across the country. It is basically a nationwide food co-op. Granted, a lot of the food is processed, but they do offer a fruit and veggie box, which I think was a great deal: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
I don't order from them now, but if I got into a bind again and had to nix the organic stuff, I would definitely do it again.
that's so funny, because I really need constant support to keep doing 'good'. I just ordered Financial Peace University book (used, of course!) to boost my willpower. I am glad this thread is here! :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| pnickols |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 4:21:04 PM
thanks for answering Amanda, I cannot find a job other than seasonal work, have gone back to school to finish my degree. I think I have cut as much as I can, we went to one car, used car we paid cash for, basic insurance, some things the family will revolt over though,like no TV, the TV is our only entertainment I just hate paying $60 a month for cable TV, the internet is free from the apt complex, we don't pay gas or water but the rent is too much, $1027/month. I am trying to buy healthier , cook from scratch more and watch how much I spend on groceries. My husband pays little attention he just expects me to take care of it all. a bit stressful on my part. trying now to figure out how to save some money, finish paying off debts and stop living pay to pay....I have days where I feel like the whole world knows something I don't |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 11:39:12 AM
We are headed the same direction Amanda. I have always been the one who pays the bills, as my husband is not good with money/details etc. As a result, however, he has no idea what I am dealing with as far as juggling things - just this last week though, I finally got through to him on needing to budget/pay debts etc. I don't think he was really getting it - we are both 41 and we need to get it together now, not in some distant mythical future. So we are going to carpool 3 days a week - that should save $75 per week (we live out of town).
Anyway - the little stuff does add up. I have a bunch of stuff in my pantry so have only been making things that I already have ingredients for, so have only spent about $60 per week for the last month for a family of 4.
My willpower comes and goes too - mostly on books but I'm using the library a lot more.
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
|
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 10:23:28 AM
Patricia, yes, you will definitely see an increase in your workable budget.
I have been doing the Dave Ramsey 'thing' since May of 09, which is essentially paying off your debts starting from small to large and budgeting. I had never really officially budgeted before and I could never figure out where all of the money was going. Well, after a few weeks of saving every single receipt and tracking every bill and purchase, I realized how much I was squandering on...absolute crap! Mostly it was on restaurants. So, I began an official budget and tracked everything. I also started implementing a lot of the ideas here. When I go to the grocery (or wherever), I ask myself: Can I make this at home? BEFORE I buy, and if I can, I don't buy 'it'. I make my own cleaners and can my own food and such. I don't give in to most impulse buys, and really think about most purchases before I make them. I give myself 'mad money' allowance each week which is money that I can spend however I want to. It keeps me sane.
It definitely frees up money into your budget! Which, because I am currently paying off debts, goes mostly to those debts that I owe for right now. I even sold my car (eliminating a SIX HUNDRED dollar a month payment as well as 85 for insurance). I have sold a lot of things around the house that I don't need/don't really want. I cut off our TV service, and now we just watch Netflix. I make our laundry detergent. Every penny counts! It really does add up.
My willpower waxes and wanes, and sometimes I spend more than I should, but all in all, I am heading in the right direction. It's hard for me to stick with a plan for long, but I've been doing this for almost 2 years and I can honestly say that I always have enough in my accounts to where I am never sweating it out on bill paying days! It's totally worth in in every way to save where you can so that you can get rid of debts and be FREE.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| pnickols |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 09:36:52 AM
I've been reading all your ideas and things you do to save but I have to ask, do you really see a monetary increase in your budgets ? does it really help free up more money to save or pay the bills ? just wondering |
| kiminca |
Posted - Oct 08 2010 : 07:25:36 AM
I love this too. This is really helpful, and encouraging! A few things that have helped me-- I use only cloth napkins, the longer you use them the softer they get...no need to iron them--we use napkin rings so we can use them for several meals and know whose is whose. I am a book buying addict and have really tried to use the library instead, even for CDs.
With a bunch of kids simplifying has been important because it helps keep the house in better order. I have tried to clear out and give away any duplicates to a local charity thrift shop. I have cleared out a lot of gadgets that really I can do without. Unfortunately, I gave away all of my duplicate bread pans just before I started to bake my own bread --a good way to save a little more--but now they are blobs instead of loaves!
I have found sometimes simplicity/frugality means investing in quality to see me through the long haul. Because I have to go to work once a week I have invested in some nice, timeless, monochromatic clothes to dress up in. Some I have worn for years and they have really paid for themselves. My red cowboy boots get more beautiful every year--going on 17! |
| DebbieSue |
Posted - Oct 07 2010 : 10:59:56 AM
There are so many great ideas here! I have enjoyed reading this entire thread! |
| Cherime |
Posted - Sep 02 2010 : 12:22:56 PM
Hi neighbor! Well you can always put on a sweater if it is just a tad chilly. I understand that you guys up in FNB have had a bit more sun than sloggin through the mud Mat-Su. Last night as I was laying in bed in the loft after what had been a lovely afternoon, God opened the sluice box and a deluge hit. I usually walk the dog in the am before leaving to catch the share a ride van about 4:15 am, and it was foggy but no rain. Weird weather! But if it wants to rain at night and be clear in the PM fine.
CMF |
| Butterscotch Grove |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 09:44:13 AM
Hi Cherime! Nice to have a farmgirl "neighbor." We keep the thermostat at 60-65 in winter, too. My east coast family thinks we're nuts, but when it's -20 outside, 62 feels pretty cozy!
This is a great thread...gotta remember it's here.
Melissa
My blog:
http://ButterscotchGrove.wordpress.com |
| Cherime |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 12:33:35 PM
I carry a printout of the Xcell spreadsheet that I keep my budget on in my wallet. that keeps me on track as I know what has to go out when. I do two months at a time and can just copy over the first one to a new column for the next month. When I pay a bill I change the color to red to let me know that it is a done deal for that month. I know that I have to have a bit of float money or I will go bonkers. But after having cancer and all the bills that went with and no insurance, it has been a real chore to keep on top of it all. I managed to settle with a couple of doctors for a lesser amount for a one time cash out settlement and cut back on a lot of stuff to scrape together the money to pay them off for the lesser figure. I put in for and qualified for hardship write off of a couple of bills the worst being $11K. That one was a big load off stress wise. I also use the bank's pay on line system as that allows me to send the checks out electronically all at once and I don't have to worry about stamps. I look at the marked down meat section every time I shop. Marked down beef that is dark is fine by me and usually a lot more tender for the poor cuts. Since it is just me I freeze broth in small jars for use in soup and stew. Chop and freeze peppers, onions and such so that I can just pop them into a pot and let them thaw as it cooks. I hardly ever buy new clothing but will buy new shoes on sale. I keep the heat off in the summer up here and keep it down to 60 or 63 in the winter. I use wood when I am home in the little stove but let it go out when I am not home as the stove does not hold much and needs to be babysat. I take king size sheets from the thrift stores and whack a foot off one side and hem it for use on my queen size mattress. I have made crochet rag rugs for the house from old sheets torn into strips. They wash up great and are easy to do.
CMF |
| patchworkpeace |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 07:17:42 AM
Elizabeth, more great ideas! I've never been to a church sale before, will have to keep that in mind. My sister is able to buy from a local Amish store. There products are so much nicer than "store bought". She gets her flour, sugar, etc in bulk and its more pure, fresh, etc.
Also, buying grass fed beef isn't more expensive than buying organic meat such as Laura's lean beef at the grocery store. It saves, also, if you can buy a 1/4 or 1/2 of a beef at a time. Our local grass-fed Highlander beef farmer sells his ground beef at $4.50/lb which comes out the same as Laura's Lean Beef at our local Kroger store. His is local and not shipped across the country. His steaks, roasts etc are much cheaper than LLB's. Also, the meat tastes better and is more tender, nicer cuts than the mass-produced LLB. Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
| momdrinkstea |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 1:57:26 PM
We buy yeast in bulk (1 lb for $3.39) at a local mennonite bulk food store,
and I make all of our bread at night. We also purchase discount cheese, cereal,
flours, spices and sugar there. There are sources online, too, just search under
bulk foods - most have free shipping with a minimum purchase.
We buy meat from a local small farmer who raises pigs and cows, he lets us purchase
smaller quantities, and sells us beef for $2.25 a lb. Friends buy eggs there for
$1.00 a dozen, as well. You can look around for smaller sized, mixed herds you see,
and stop and talk with the farmer. If you buy right at the farm it's cheaper, and
less hassles for the farmer. Also, check out www.localharvest.org, it lists
all the farmers, farm stands, meat producers, etc. and they will be the CHEAPEST food
sources in your area!
www.craigslist.com is a great source for buying local chickens and animals cheaply -
just search your closest town listings, and look under "farm and garden" in the
"for sale" section, I check ours almost every day. Never know what you'll find!
I got Barred Rock chicks there for $1 a piece, and I saw laying hens listed recently
for $2 each. Fall is a great time for this, as farmers are reducing stock for winter.
We line dry to save, I buy classic Purex at Dollar General for $3 a big box,
it smells great, and cleans well, and doesn't bother my allergies.
I buy classic Scott 1000 sheet toilet paper, cuz it lasts SO MUCH longer than anything else,
and is good for our septic tank. I get microfiber cloths at the dollar stores,
and reuse them and rags for cleaning.
I buy foil pans at Dollar Tree, foil them over and freeze leftovers in them, and pre-prep meals
for busy/crazy nights. I use colored electrical tape to color code them for quicker
spotting! (Red = meat, Green = veggies, Yellow = sides, Blue = dessert!) You can
write the contents on the tape with a black Sharpie marker!
Sometimes it's hard to find local thrift stores. Check with local churches!
It took me a while to find a good nearby thrift store, I finally saw a "sandwich
board" out in front of a church on a Thursday, and it's great! All of their clothing
is $2 a bag. Most church thrift stores are on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday,
close to paydays. And they're MUCH cheaper than even Goodwill or Salvation Army!
(You KNOW I'm cheap when I find the bigger thrift stores expensive! LOL)
It's best to drive around on those days, and watch for signs.
Craiglist also posts free items under the "for sale" section, and
"curb alerts" there for free, often leftover garage sale items.
Upcoming local garage sales are posted under "community".
I shop thrifts out-of-town, when we're visiting, to get items
for the kids, that won't be something a friend may have "donated"!
We joined a local "CSA" this year, $20 a week gets us TONS of fruits
and veggies. Every week there are "unlimited" picking items. We joined one listed on
localharvest.org. I freeze what we don't use weekly.
Hope these tips help!
We all need to be more frugal!
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein |
| harmonyfarm |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 11:31:58 AM
My budget plan is simple enough. It has worked for me for years. I have a three ring binder that all our bills go in. I use a page of Wilson's Columnar ruled paper and reprinted them on cardstock so they would last for an entire year of page turning. At the top of the pages, I wrote the name, address, phone number and account number of everyone we pays bills to and put them in the binder in alphabetical order. I even have a Miscellaneous page and 1 page each for every member of our family. These pages have 6 columns on the front and 6 on the back. I write the name of the months in the columns and then make entries down the left side. I can see at a glance which months we're spending more on groceries by just looking. When a bill comes in the mail, I punch holes in it and insert it in the binder and paperclip the envelope to the back of the bill and then enter the information on the lines where it belongs. I also write the check number on a line also. I keep track of farm expenses, groceries, everything!! This probably sounds incredibly difficult but after suffering from 2 computer crashes and not having this information available, I went back to paper and pencil for my bookkeeping.
Two of our local grocery stores have incredible sales every week and lots of 10 for 10 deals. I always stock up on things I always use. This week for example, 64oz. fabric softener for $1.79 a bottle and 49 cents a pound for chicken leg quarters. Last week it was Starkist Tuna for 39 cents a can and 24 oz. Peanut Butter was 10 for 10. Just keeping your eyes open is the best way to save. Once I found carrots on sale for 39 cents for a two pound bag and bought enough to can and they lasted us for a year.
We never eat out anymore. Just costs too much and the food out there isn't that great anymore either. I've given up paper towels too. I bought a muslin cone coffee filter for my coffee maker so no more paper coffee filters. I mend clothes like a demon and love making new clothes using castoffs from the Goodwill. Hand dishwashing for me too! We unplugged all our appliances and only plugged them in when they were being used and we saved a whopping $49.00 a month on our electric bill. I consider it a challenge to see what I can come up with next!
Debbie
"If you can't find the time to do it right...how will you find the time to do it over" |
| JennyJKerr |
Posted - Aug 05 2010 : 9:14:36 PM
Hubby and I have always kept ourselves on very strict budgets. When we married he was just starting out in the Navy so money was tight, we've adjusted our budget slightly as his pay has increased, but we still live WELL within our means. We buy almost everything used! It's really rather fun, it's like a hunt, we love auctions and thrift stores. We end up with more unique and better quality for far less than our peers are spending on new items. Everyone who comes over LOVES everything until they find out it was from a flea market or yard sale, then they turn up their noses at it... LOL... maybe that is why we don't have a TON of friends. It is important to us not to owe money if we don't have to. We try to pay everything off immediately. We paid our car off 2.5 years early. What I'm not spending on iPhones and Coach purses like everyone else (it seems) that we know, we are putting to hubby's student loans or to pay for our house in Indiana. Once those are paid down the money will start to go to the "dream farm" fund. lol. We haven't found it hard to restrict what we spend and like I said it's an adventure. I sew and that really helps a lot I always tell people who ask me how we live so cheaply to learn how to sew. The money I've saved in draperies ALONE is astounding. We learned how to upholster, rebuild wooden furniture, etc. Our newest venture is the organic garden which is just now starting to pay for itself. There are so many little things that you can do.
My Blog ~ http://www.travisandjennykerr.com/kerrfect
My Etsy ~ http://www.etsy.com/shop/beletvieux |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 1:58:41 PM
Hi Sherone :)
Here is a link to the website:
http://www.cardblanks.com/usa/shop.php?category=Cards_&_Envelopes
There is a minimum order. The cards seemed reasonably priced to me in comparison to what store bought costs. we don't have any craft shops (michael's etc.) near us so I look for places online :)
I hope this helps :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| sherone_13 |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 1:48:34 PM
Sharon...what is your source for the cards? I would like to try your idea of homemade cards for birthdays.
Sherone
Farmgirl Sister #1682
My Blog - www.annapearlsattic.blogspot.com
Etsy Store - www.annapearlsattic.etsy.com
Women are angels. When someone breaks our wings, we just jump on our broomsticks and fly! We are flexible that way! |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 08:33:24 AM
Hi Angela :)
Good for you! What a neat idea with the checkbook, I think I may have to try that.
Let's see, a budget. That is a hard one for me because my husband doesn't have a particular pay day. His customers pay sporadically, I make sure that our bills are paid and we are on our way of paying off a couple of small bills and hopefully our truck this year. We use online billing too, saves a stamp :)
Since we only have one vehicle and my husband needs it every day in the week, I map out my errands for Saturdays. I try to keep a running list on the fridge and in the medicine cabinet in the bath for when things are getting low. I can't stand having to make numerous trips because I forgot something.
We ordered half a cow from the butcher. It's a BIG expense initially but will save us money per pound rather than buying at the store and save on trips to the store.
We are actually learning soap making! I also found a recipe for laundry soap (bars) to grate for the homemade detergent recipe. So I am going to try that soon too. I could not have found the recipe at a more perfect time. Our local stores stopped selling Zote and only sells Fels-Naptha. I have a hard time with the scent of Fels-Naptha.
We didn't get to garden this year but our apple trees actually have some apples. I'm hoping to make some pies for the freezer and some apple butters and syrups. Gleaining should begin soon once the fruits are producing. We ask neighbors (and even strangers) if they plan on harvesting from their fruit trees, usually it's a no. So we pick and freeze or can.
I have started making my own cards for Birthdays, etc. (still working on them :)) but that to me makes a more special card and cheaper too! I found a source that sells blank cards and envelopes pretty reasonable.
That is so cool that you are making your own bread Angela! I love making bread. I have a lot of recipes if you need any :) We don't have anywhere nearby to buy yeast in bulk so I bought some from this place last year and just kept it in the freezer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Instant-Dry-YEAST-Fleischmanns-bread-baking-bulk-lot-/370401030825?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item9503416ba5
I know it's not as cheap as Sam's or Costco but it ends up being cheaper than purchasing smaller jars or packs at the store.
Your daughter's Birthday Cake sounds delicious!!! Homemade is always better.
I have been saving old t-shirts and have them cut into strips to make a rag rug.
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 7:22:41 PM
Hey all. I thought I'd do a little update kinda thing here. I have finally learned how to budget and stick a whole lot closer to it. I am also trying a new trick I learned with our checkbook. I am writing down everything as normal till the last box in the line. I then round the debits up to the next dollar and round down the credits to the next dollar. Then I write it in the ongoing total column. It allows me to hang on to the change from every transaction in an invisble savings. I am also keeping an accurate book at the house, so I always know how much is there in my savings. Once I have enough to open one, I will open an actual savings account and be puttin the money in there each month.
I have nearly caught up on all my bills and am learning to bake bread. I just wish I could find yeast in bulk somewhere around here. I am still looking for it and will order it if I have to. I am almost solely on vinegar for cleaning with a little bleach for the really bad stuff. I also am reworking how often we drive all the time. I have us down to one trip to the city a week, sometimes two if it's a really bad week, and one trip to each of the small towns on either side of us each week, with one week not going to the southern town. I will have it down to a once a month trip south next month as all our bills to be paid down there will be caught up by then. I am trying to do as much online bill ppaying as possible, since most of that is no fee and saves gas and postage. I have one bill that isn't online and one that charges $3.00 to pay online, which they are my south town trip and will be down to once a month next month.
I did manage to make a cake for my daughters birthday for about $4.50 and it was peanut butter cake with homemade chocolate frosting and the store bought version cost $15.00 with no decoration on it. We decorated it with a happy birthday sign from last year that didn't get used and some candles and sprinkles that we had on hand. It was nice.
Well, that's what I've been doin. How bout you other girls?
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| Butterscotch Grove |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 10:55:29 AM
Hey Everyone! If you haven't seen it, there's a thread in the "Make it Easy" section called "What do you barter?" Lots of interesting ideas there!
Melissa
My blog:
http://ButterscotchGrove.wordpress.com |
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