Ok, back to the store we went. 1/8/07 WalMart
Food: $28.28
Household: $5.24
Kids: $16.21
Kids was training pants & wipes. She needs to get into big girl pants, but then the 7 year old needs to get dressed for school in less than 20 minutes... Parenting dilema, I can only be in one place at a time & the bathroom and ds's bedroom are too far apart to yell!
Household - dishwasher soap, comet, & yarn (had to fix dh's slippers, somehow the Princess managed to chew through the lacing??? Guess that could be a blog in itself...)
Food - milk x 2
cheese slices & brick
juice
reduced bakery items (french bread, was Oven baked french toast last night.)
bologna (the $1/pound stuff)
waffles
"pop tarts"
granola bars
salsa
oatmeal
yogurt sticks
tube buscuits (I buy the cheap ones - usually $0.25/tube)the kids like to cook with them, so a 4 pack will last us a while
So total 2007:
Grocery: $106.58
Household: $62.73
Sales Tax: $3.98
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Me, coupons & shopping
In reading The Simple Dollar Synergizing the shopping list and the coupon box to save big money at the grocery store - I have come to realize that there probably aren't that many money site out there that don't mention the above.
My shopping experiences are a tad different, we have an Aldi & a Wal-Mart Super Center, so while it is sad to say, I have only been in one of our local grocery stores since October. We also go to a local meat market convenience store for in between shopping trips & if I only need a few things.
Needless to say, I don't use a lot of coupons, Aldi doesn't take them & if they did, there wouldn't be very many brand name items anyways. Frequently (9 times out of 10) I am buying something at the Wal-Mart that wouldn't have a coupon (store brand) & is usually priced cheaper than the brand name minus the coupon. Of course I do check the coupons, since my Mother In Law still sends them. I'll cut out something I think I'll use (shampoo, batteries, toothpaste, dishwasher soap), otherwise I'm sorting through a ton of coupons to find what I need.
I don't shop ads, since Aldi doesn't have any & Walmart doesn't run real loss leaders that often. If our local grocery stores send out the coupons for free stuff again, I'll go, use those coupons & try to match with manufactures coupons (for freebies, I'll play the game!)
I do a lot of buying in bulk (Sam's Club), free samples online, etc.
My best weapon in the war over my $1 is my price list. I update it everytime I go to the store (you'd be suprised how much the price of 12 egss fluctuates over a year). It is an excel file, all I have to do is enter the quanity needed of each item, when I'm done I sort by quantity & print out the list from 1 & up. It even totals it for me, so all I have to do is grab the list & my money (I try to remember to add 20% to my total, for that just in case scenario.)
I also try to shop with a plan in mind, a menu plan that is. I know my kids could eat grilled cheese or eggs & toast daily, but I like a little variety. So I try to have some meals in mind when I make my list. Then I don't have to run back the evening I am cooking for something I don't have. It does make it hard, when you buy chips to serve with sandwiches on Wed, but since you shopped Monday they were gone by Tuesday evening....grrr.
I guess the key to my successful shopping trips is to know what I am getting. I have a core list of things I always keep on hand & I get the best price I can on those, giving me a little wiggle room when dh grabs the wrong bologna & costs us $3 extra or we need to go to the meat market for that extra bag of chips!!!
My shopping experiences are a tad different, we have an Aldi & a Wal-Mart Super Center, so while it is sad to say, I have only been in one of our local grocery stores since October. We also go to a local meat market convenience store for in between shopping trips & if I only need a few things.
Needless to say, I don't use a lot of coupons, Aldi doesn't take them & if they did, there wouldn't be very many brand name items anyways. Frequently (9 times out of 10) I am buying something at the Wal-Mart that wouldn't have a coupon (store brand) & is usually priced cheaper than the brand name minus the coupon. Of course I do check the coupons, since my Mother In Law still sends them. I'll cut out something I think I'll use (shampoo, batteries, toothpaste, dishwasher soap), otherwise I'm sorting through a ton of coupons to find what I need.
I don't shop ads, since Aldi doesn't have any & Walmart doesn't run real loss leaders that often. If our local grocery stores send out the coupons for free stuff again, I'll go, use those coupons & try to match with manufactures coupons (for freebies, I'll play the game!)
I do a lot of buying in bulk (Sam's Club), free samples online, etc.
My best weapon in the war over my $1 is my price list. I update it everytime I go to the store (you'd be suprised how much the price of 12 egss fluctuates over a year). It is an excel file, all I have to do is enter the quanity needed of each item, when I'm done I sort by quantity & print out the list from 1 & up. It even totals it for me, so all I have to do is grab the list & my money (I try to remember to add 20% to my total, for that just in case scenario.)
I also try to shop with a plan in mind, a menu plan that is. I know my kids could eat grilled cheese or eggs & toast daily, but I like a little variety. So I try to have some meals in mind when I make my list. Then I don't have to run back the evening I am cooking for something I don't have. It does make it hard, when you buy chips to serve with sandwiches on Wed, but since you shopped Monday they were gone by Tuesday evening....grrr.
I guess the key to my successful shopping trips is to know what I am getting. I have a core list of things I always keep on hand & I get the best price I can on those, giving me a little wiggle room when dh grabs the wrong bologna & costs us $3 extra or we need to go to the meat market for that extra bag of chips!!!
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Festival of Frugality #56 is up!
http://www.harvestsb.org/savvysteward/2007/01/festival-of-frugaltiy-56-the-ten-commandments-of-frugality/
Head on over & check it out, there are some fantastic submissions!!!
Head on over & check it out, there are some fantastic submissions!!!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Day 6 & where are we???
Well how are you doing on your 2007 goals???
I can update you with my current stats!
1. Kids money - we are still deciding on what they are to do for what amount of money. Obviously The Prince (7) should get more than the Princess (3), but we don't know how much $. I have read $1/per, I also think that some things they do are just because they ARE, ya know. Like I am not paying them to brush their teeth...or pick up their dirty laundry from the floor, or pick up their own toys. I am not sure about rewarding them for acts that happen just because they are part of a family, but then isn't setting the table, they do eat??? And no one paid me to cook it~
Oh, well I digress!!!
2. Save money - We have worked out what we need to save every week to get to where we need to be by Dec 31st & still manage to eat. I have made a few individual goals here as well, like having money in the kids 529s by Dec 31st & money in my own account, on top of the emergency fund. I am using The Simple Dollar's 31 days plan. So far I am through day 5 & I feel a lot better knowing what I know now!!!
3. Exercise & eat right - Well I have logged 45 minutes of walk time. The week just got away from us. It was nice to walk outside though, the weather is unseasonable here. Guess we are getting our snow soon though, we'll go back to walking at the highschool.
4. Clothes that fit, well, I haven't exactly spent the hour a day doing UFO's in the sewing room. I am, in January, spending 1 hour a day organizing the room. I need to get the holiday stuff put away & organized, then I can start putting the materials I still have out away.
5. Managing my time better - well it's a work in progress! I have found that a notebook, by the laptop is a great help. I can note things I need to do later & keep on the task at hand with out getting sidetracked.
6. Potty training & bed training - We will increase our push to the potty, I don't think her brother was this resistant....
7. Emergency Kit - I have the tote, 2 blankets, & 3 mini bottles of water (all I had at the time!). I will try to pick up 1 thing everytime I shop. My Mom thinks I'm nuts, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, her house isn't 140 years old.
8. Routine - well I'm dressed (to the shoes), the Princess is dressed (didn't want shoes on, she is wearing my walking sneakers), the laundry is running, I cannot say that the sink is shiny, but it will be soon!
I can update you with my current stats!
1. Kids money - we are still deciding on what they are to do for what amount of money. Obviously The Prince (7) should get more than the Princess (3), but we don't know how much $. I have read $1/per, I also think that some things they do are just because they ARE, ya know. Like I am not paying them to brush their teeth...or pick up their dirty laundry from the floor, or pick up their own toys. I am not sure about rewarding them for acts that happen just because they are part of a family, but then isn't setting the table, they do eat??? And no one paid me to cook it~
Oh, well I digress!!!
2. Save money - We have worked out what we need to save every week to get to where we need to be by Dec 31st & still manage to eat. I have made a few individual goals here as well, like having money in the kids 529s by Dec 31st & money in my own account, on top of the emergency fund. I am using The Simple Dollar's 31 days plan. So far I am through day 5 & I feel a lot better knowing what I know now!!!
3. Exercise & eat right - Well I have logged 45 minutes of walk time. The week just got away from us. It was nice to walk outside though, the weather is unseasonable here. Guess we are getting our snow soon though, we'll go back to walking at the highschool.
4. Clothes that fit, well, I haven't exactly spent the hour a day doing UFO's in the sewing room. I am, in January, spending 1 hour a day organizing the room. I need to get the holiday stuff put away & organized, then I can start putting the materials I still have out away.
5. Managing my time better - well it's a work in progress! I have found that a notebook, by the laptop is a great help. I can note things I need to do later & keep on the task at hand with out getting sidetracked.
6. Potty training & bed training - We will increase our push to the potty, I don't think her brother was this resistant....
7. Emergency Kit - I have the tote, 2 blankets, & 3 mini bottles of water (all I had at the time!). I will try to pick up 1 thing everytime I shop. My Mom thinks I'm nuts, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, her house isn't 140 years old.
8. Routine - well I'm dressed (to the shoes), the Princess is dressed (didn't want shoes on, she is wearing my walking sneakers), the laundry is running, I cannot say that the sink is shiny, but it will be soon!
Friday, January 5, 2007
Party Bingo
Thanks for reading!!!
I visited our sponsor Party Bingo how fun! I downloaded the free software & had a blast! No smoker sitting two people over from me (sorry smokers!), I'm in my PJS & fuzzy slippers, the snacks are cheaper, WooHoo.
Party Bingo is one of several Party Gaming sites. You can play in "play" money mode or real money mode (not accessible to those in the US, thanks to recent act of Congress).
Their games are tested by iTech Labs to ensure fairness and correct operation, for those outside the USA. They are traded on the London Stock Exchange under PRTY if you follow markets.
Party Bingo is accessible to play in free mode to US residents. The real money aspects of the Party gaming group are not accessible by US residents due to an act of Congress, concerning Internet gambling.
I liked the set up of the free bingo games & I can see myself playing often!!!
I visited our sponsor Party Bingo how fun! I downloaded the free software & had a blast! No smoker sitting two people over from me (sorry smokers!), I'm in my PJS & fuzzy slippers, the snacks are cheaper, WooHoo.
Party Bingo is one of several Party Gaming sites. You can play in "play" money mode or real money mode (not accessible to those in the US, thanks to recent act of Congress).
Their games are tested by iTech Labs to ensure fairness and correct operation, for those outside the USA. They are traded on the London Stock Exchange under PRTY if you follow markets.
Party Bingo is accessible to play in free mode to US residents. The real money aspects of the Party gaming group are not accessible by US residents due to an act of Congress, concerning Internet gambling.
I liked the set up of the free bingo games & I can see myself playing often!!!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Pay Jr. Allowance helper
This is an interactive way for parents and kids to learn that hard work pays off. As a parent, you assign chores, the kids get their assignments and complete them. Parents can get a prepaid PayJr. Mastercard that they can load money onto as kids complete their chores. The kids can use their new debit Master Card for purchases anywhere Master Card Debit is accepted. The bonus here is that you as the parent get to track their spending as well.
This is an affordable teen prepaid solution to add organization to your family life and teach children the rewards of doing work assigned, giving them a tangible way to track their progress.
There are Chore Tracking Charts and Allowance Fee Tables for those not interested in the Prepaid card or for parents of younger children.
There is also an Education Center with links to TONS of advice on kids & money.
There is a lot of set up in this, you can't just pop on over & bam you have everything worked out, so I'd have a chore schedule & allowance amounts ready ahead of time. But once it's set up it seems to be easy to adapt or change.
For example, the Prince is WAY to young to have a debit card, so I am starting a chore chart for him. Example: Put away laundry MWF for $1 a week, Set Table MTWTF for $1 a week, etc.... He is only 7 & we don't have a set amount for his allowance yet (I am thinking $5 a week, in $1 bills so we can teach him to save, give & spend wisely).
I'm not sure if this will work the best for me right now, since I have such young children, but I can see the benefit of the prepaid debit card for older teens. I would have liked a little more experience with "plastic" before I started college, Ya know!!!
Frugal Weirdness ~
I found this article at Frugal Living @ about.comabout some of the odd things we do to be frugal. Some are things I do, found a couple good ideas & some others are a little extreme for me!!!
Ok, so I do recycle elastic (not from underwear though), I re use dryer sheets (not as toilet paper), I tried to use cloth diapers, I burn all our papers in our furnace, I do lots of weird little things that I never considered weird (until you think about how different it is...)
Ok, so I do recycle elastic (not from underwear though), I re use dryer sheets (not as toilet paper), I tried to use cloth diapers, I burn all our papers in our furnace, I do lots of weird little things that I never considered weird (until you think about how different it is...)
New look!
I found I wasn't really liking the dots, I was starting to feel a little Jack Sparrow-ish after looking at the screen to long!!! I like the wider format, still not perfect, but we'll get there!!!
"Free" Money for Education
Box Tops For Education is a great way to help out your local school. The site has coupons, recipes, activities for the kids, and links to shopping where you can earn a % of your purchases for your school.
You can set up an account online & choose where your online earnings go. Paper Box Tops get sent to the school directly. I stick mine in a small sandwich bag & send in with the Prince every month.
My favorite part about this is that they are gaining from something I'd have anyways. The only time I specifically buy an item because of the box top is if they are equal in value & price (like fruit snacks, old el paso stuff). If you watch your sales flyer you can find bunches of qualifying items on sale. The website has coupons to print out. So if your grocery stores aren't stuck in the middle ages, like mine are, you can use them to save more off the sale prices. Very often I have had newspaper coupons & hit sales where I was getting the items 75% off regular price or better.
Labels for Education is another way to get money for your local schools. They did change some of their redeeming rules so check that out, if you didn't get a notice from your school about it. Instead of the whole label, now you only need the UPC code or the jar lid (Prego & V8).
Upromise: Register your grocery card and save when you shop!
It is a way for you to save for your children's further education. You can register your grocery cards, credit cards for additional savings & your 529 accounts. You can allocate the money to more than one child for even distribution. They even have started a program where you can earn money for your current school through additional programs or your earnings.
There are only 2 restaurants that participate that are anywhere near me. But, if you are lucky enough to have a bunch, and you are going to eat out anyways...All you have to do is use a registered credit card to pay for it.
I think I only have one grocery card registered right now. I'll have to fix that (I have 3!).
They give you a little money when you use McDonald's gift certificates (it doesn't work with the new gift card, so it still has to be the books). It wasn't much, I think $0.10 each book or something. But, then if you go there a lot (or even occasionally) it makes sense to purchase the books (if you can). Then you just enter the codes online
There are participating grocery products here too, so you aren't getting $ on everything you buy all the time, just what is participating... The biggest one I can remember is Nestle. There are over 7000 products, so there is an alphabetical list on the website.
You can set up an account online & choose where your online earnings go. Paper Box Tops get sent to the school directly. I stick mine in a small sandwich bag & send in with the Prince every month.
My favorite part about this is that they are gaining from something I'd have anyways. The only time I specifically buy an item because of the box top is if they are equal in value & price (like fruit snacks, old el paso stuff). If you watch your sales flyer you can find bunches of qualifying items on sale. The website has coupons to print out. So if your grocery stores aren't stuck in the middle ages, like mine are, you can use them to save more off the sale prices. Very often I have had newspaper coupons & hit sales where I was getting the items 75% off regular price or better.
Labels for Education is another way to get money for your local schools. They did change some of their redeeming rules so check that out, if you didn't get a notice from your school about it. Instead of the whole label, now you only need the UPC code or the jar lid (Prego & V8).
Upromise: Register your grocery card and save when you shop!
There are only 2 restaurants that participate that are anywhere near me. But, if you are lucky enough to have a bunch, and you are going to eat out anyways...All you have to do is use a registered credit card to pay for it.
I think I only have one grocery card registered right now. I'll have to fix that (I have 3!).
They give you a little money when you use McDonald's gift certificates (it doesn't work with the new gift card, so it still has to be the books). It wasn't much, I think $0.10 each book or something. But, then if you go there a lot (or even occasionally) it makes sense to purchase the books (if you can). Then you just enter the codes online
There are participating grocery products here too, so you aren't getting $ on everything you buy all the time, just what is participating... The biggest one I can remember is Nestle. There are over 7000 products, so there is an alphabetical list on the website.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
What to do today -
Trent at the Simple Dollar has an interesting list up of what can I do today to make me rich in the future.
Loved the list.
Drink cheaper coffee - I already drink cheaper coffee (I don't work outside the home, so while I think I am at least a half a pot a day I'm not ordering double shot grande mocha lattes).
Make your own fast food - Do bologna sandwiches count??? I do cook a lot of meals at home, but then there are 4 of us, eating out is just too expensive, even if we eat off the value menu!
Read a book - Ok, so we have TV & we already cut it back as far as we are willing too, guess it's a luxury expense. But, the kids watch a lot of the educational stuff & if we cut it back to the basics we'd lose dh's hockey!
Get cheaper hobbies, well..... I just don't think so! I sew, dh golfs, the Prince even has clubs... It's not like I spend more than $10 a week over the course of a year... well, dh got new clubs & I got the serger last year (his terms, grrrr), we do watch for coupons for golf & it's not like they go every week. They only went 2x last summer.
Air up your tires - we don't have a vehicle on the road at the moment, not an issue
Use free software - we already use free antivirus & spyware. We did have to buy a spyware when dh's work software got a nasty bug.
Buy in bulk - well I love Sam's Club, I just can't seem to get out of there cheaply... plus as I noticed at the store on the 3rd, sometimes more doesn't mean less$ in fact in most cases it actually cost more. IE sugar, usually I buy 10 pounds at Sam's but we haven't been & I needed it, so I was going to go for the 10 pound bag, it actually cost $0.02/pound MORE than the 5 pound??? go figure
Plan careful road trips - well not having a vehicle of ones own you do that anyways...
Check the library - while I love the library as a resource ours basically stinks, so occaisionally you find what you want, but sometimes it's far less frustrating to go to Amazon.com
Drink lots of water - One I should have put under my health & fitness 2007 goal, I know I need to drink more than I do.
Keep a list of what you spend - don't do this, maybe I should, but then I need to have a notebook & remember to keep it with me & not lose it...
Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents done! The Finance Journey has a post about these lights & Wal-Mart
Write a grocery list. Usually I do a little beyond that & plan my menu. I got out of the habit, once I stopped shopping sales (Wal-Mart & Aldi have the best general prices & usually less than sales in the other chain grocery stores around here) Now when we were getting coupons in the mail for the new grocery store for free stuff & $5 off any order over $10, well I was all over that, but now I need to get back to it, since our Wal-Mart has started raising prices on some items already.
Invite friedns over - sure, except they are both single guys (at least the friends we get together with) I really don't want to eat anything they cook! So I either cook, or we order out for pizza & wings.
Programmable thermostat was the first real improvement we made to the house! The first winter we had it was nice, I got to see just how cold we really were! Now I'm not so sure it is a relevant piece of electronics! The coal furnace while tied into the thermostat, will not kick down if it's over, the damper will close but if it's windy it will not stop & we will be stripping down to shorts & Ts!
Turn your computer off - well that would make it really hard for dh to work since he's on the puter 3rd shift. We do turn the desktop off, that thing is an energy hog & runs so loudly that it will keep you up if you don't!
The 10 second rule - I guess I do this without thinking. I usually edit the cart before or at the checkout. I can usually pull a couple things out that are just not necessary after I've walked around with them for a while. And when I shop online I have done my research, so I'm not making spontaneous purchases.
According to Trent if you do all of these things you could potentially save $4600 a year, not bad if you have it to put into an account on Dec 31st! Woohoo. Unfortunately that isn't what happens here... I don't get to see the money I save as it all goes into the house or debt reduction, so I can at least feel good about the fact that $4600 of that is from my efforts!!! Gooooo Meeeee!
Loved the list.
Drink cheaper coffee - I already drink cheaper coffee (I don't work outside the home, so while I think I am at least a half a pot a day I'm not ordering double shot grande mocha lattes).
Make your own fast food - Do bologna sandwiches count??? I do cook a lot of meals at home, but then there are 4 of us, eating out is just too expensive, even if we eat off the value menu!
Read a book - Ok, so we have TV & we already cut it back as far as we are willing too, guess it's a luxury expense. But, the kids watch a lot of the educational stuff & if we cut it back to the basics we'd lose dh's hockey!
Get cheaper hobbies, well..... I just don't think so! I sew, dh golfs, the Prince even has clubs... It's not like I spend more than $10 a week over the course of a year... well, dh got new clubs & I got the serger last year (his terms, grrrr), we do watch for coupons for golf & it's not like they go every week. They only went 2x last summer.
Air up your tires - we don't have a vehicle on the road at the moment, not an issue
Use free software - we already use free antivirus & spyware. We did have to buy a spyware when dh's work software got a nasty bug.
Buy in bulk - well I love Sam's Club, I just can't seem to get out of there cheaply... plus as I noticed at the store on the 3rd, sometimes more doesn't mean less$ in fact in most cases it actually cost more. IE sugar, usually I buy 10 pounds at Sam's but we haven't been & I needed it, so I was going to go for the 10 pound bag, it actually cost $0.02/pound MORE than the 5 pound??? go figure
Plan careful road trips - well not having a vehicle of ones own you do that anyways...
Check the library - while I love the library as a resource ours basically stinks, so occaisionally you find what you want, but sometimes it's far less frustrating to go to Amazon.com
Drink lots of water - One I should have put under my health & fitness 2007 goal, I know I need to drink more than I do.
Keep a list of what you spend - don't do this, maybe I should, but then I need to have a notebook & remember to keep it with me & not lose it...
Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents done! The Finance Journey has a post about these lights & Wal-Mart
Write a grocery list. Usually I do a little beyond that & plan my menu. I got out of the habit, once I stopped shopping sales (Wal-Mart & Aldi have the best general prices & usually less than sales in the other chain grocery stores around here) Now when we were getting coupons in the mail for the new grocery store for free stuff & $5 off any order over $10, well I was all over that, but now I need to get back to it, since our Wal-Mart has started raising prices on some items already.
Invite friedns over - sure, except they are both single guys (at least the friends we get together with) I really don't want to eat anything they cook! So I either cook, or we order out for pizza & wings.
Programmable thermostat was the first real improvement we made to the house! The first winter we had it was nice, I got to see just how cold we really were! Now I'm not so sure it is a relevant piece of electronics! The coal furnace while tied into the thermostat, will not kick down if it's over, the damper will close but if it's windy it will not stop & we will be stripping down to shorts & Ts!
Turn your computer off - well that would make it really hard for dh to work since he's on the puter 3rd shift. We do turn the desktop off, that thing is an energy hog & runs so loudly that it will keep you up if you don't!
The 10 second rule - I guess I do this without thinking. I usually edit the cart before or at the checkout. I can usually pull a couple things out that are just not necessary after I've walked around with them for a while. And when I shop online I have done my research, so I'm not making spontaneous purchases.
According to Trent if you do all of these things you could potentially save $4600 a year, not bad if you have it to put into an account on Dec 31st! Woohoo. Unfortunately that isn't what happens here... I don't get to see the money I save as it all goes into the house or debt reduction, so I can at least feel good about the fact that $4600 of that is from my efforts!!! Gooooo Meeeee!
Shopping trip
Ok, so I know I need to be accountable in what I spend & where, so I'm gonna do it here.
Today was our first shopping trip in 2007 so at least I'm starting at the beginning!!!
We went to Wal-Mart. Of course with dh & the Princess, so there are always extras...
I picked up a 50 gallon wheeled tote for my emergency kit. It is a lovely tan & looks like it will hold all the items I want in it comfortably. $16.97
I also grabbed a clear 53 qt box for some fabric $4.82 (I had $25 from a gc for Christmas, for myself), so I also got a new pair of sneakers. After working in the ice cream shop all summer mine have no tread. So Merry Christmas & thank you MOM!!! $15.72
The Prince got a pack of hangers, he is getting so big that the toddler hangers he has don't hold the clothes anymore. $0.97
The Princess had to walk after I picked up the tote & got a couple small toys off a clearance rack, she managed to get 3 on the belt at checkout, which is good cuz she had an armful. $1.88
We picked up a couple of pizzas for dinner tonight, an unexpected expense but cheaper than delivery! So 2x $3.98
We also bought a rack of ribs that was marked down & a picnic that was $1.08/pound.
All in all we spent $138.90 I didn't think that was sooooo bad, until I am sitting here looking at the reciept realizing that dh spent $3.83 on bologna, ok that's only 2.90 more than I usually spend....~rolling my eyes~
I didn't think we did too bad considering I stocked up on a few items & we were out of honey (while I can understand the danger of the job & sheer massiveness of the process, $3.98 for the medium jar???).
THE SUMMARY:
The Princess spent $1.88
DH spent $5.54
I spent $20.54
8% Sales Tax $3.11
Household $29.53
Grocery $78.30
Today was our first shopping trip in 2007 so at least I'm starting at the beginning!!!
We went to Wal-Mart. Of course with dh & the Princess, so there are always extras...
I picked up a 50 gallon wheeled tote for my emergency kit. It is a lovely tan & looks like it will hold all the items I want in it comfortably. $16.97
I also grabbed a clear 53 qt box for some fabric $4.82 (I had $25 from a gc for Christmas, for myself), so I also got a new pair of sneakers. After working in the ice cream shop all summer mine have no tread. So Merry Christmas & thank you MOM!!! $15.72
The Prince got a pack of hangers, he is getting so big that the toddler hangers he has don't hold the clothes anymore. $0.97
The Princess had to walk after I picked up the tote & got a couple small toys off a clearance rack, she managed to get 3 on the belt at checkout, which is good cuz she had an armful. $1.88
We picked up a couple of pizzas for dinner tonight, an unexpected expense but cheaper than delivery! So 2x $3.98
We also bought a rack of ribs that was marked down & a picnic that was $1.08/pound.
All in all we spent $138.90 I didn't think that was sooooo bad, until I am sitting here looking at the reciept realizing that dh spent $3.83 on bologna, ok that's only 2.90 more than I usually spend....~rolling my eyes~
I didn't think we did too bad considering I stocked up on a few items & we were out of honey (while I can understand the danger of the job & sheer massiveness of the process, $3.98 for the medium jar???).
THE SUMMARY:
The Princess spent $1.88
DH spent $5.54
I spent $20.54
8% Sales Tax $3.11
Household $29.53
Grocery $78.30
The House Fairy
The House Fairy is a new website created to help you get your kids to want to be neat & tidy! It was developed by Pamela Young of Sidetracked Home Exectutive and The Brat Factor. If you subscribe now (before Feb 28, 2007) you get 2 years for $10, regular price will be $20. I know that their hosts were overwhelmed by the initial response, but things seem to be moving along fine now. I will definately be signing us up. FlyLady is a ton of fun for us grown ups & has some fantastic ideas for getting the kids involved, but my 2 are web junkies. They will love the videos & fun activities. I really like how they tie it in with Santa (so if you don't do Santa, this may not work for you), guess they'll have to come up with a multi denominational House Fairy in the future!
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Emergency Prep - One of my 2007 goals
In my neck of the woods my biggest emergency concerns are fire & blizzard so I am setting up my emergency kits appropriately.
Flying Lessons - Preparedness for Emergency Evacuation from FlyLady.net is a good place to start setting priorities.
I am going to set up emergency kits for everyone in the family. I am unsure of where to store & what to store them in, I am thinking our covered side porch in a very large tote. I'd like to have bags for each of us inside filled with stuff that we'd need to grab in case of fire or other emergency. I try to keep a well stocked pantry of canned goods & other non perishable goods. In case of a blizzard or long term power outage we will need to have food on hand. (since there won't be any at the stores & couldn't get to them if there were!!!) We have a BBQ grill, outdoor fireplace & at the present time we have an extra stove converted to propane, so all I need to cook for the family is a good supply of propane! We converted to all electric major appliances (including the hot water heater) so if the power goes out we need alternatives!
It is good to know that most gas stoves can be converted to use propane, just follow directions in your manual. So if you are like me & all electric don't pass up that super cheap (free) gas stove... Obviously the electric pilot won't work, but you can light it carefully with matches or a lighter. If you aren't up to it, lots of us have BBQ grills that are propane, you can cook anything on them!!!
Emergency kits:
Individual
4 Bottles of Water
$20
matches/lighter
Change of Clothes - rotate for season & size changes, don't forget socks & undies
Photocopies of ID & medical cards
couple Snack Bars (granola, fruit, cereal, etc.)
Extra shoes (great place for your worn out sneakers)
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Soap
Contact Case/Glasses Case/Cleaners etc
Prescriptions (If you have to have them)
Family Kit
Household Inventory List
Photo CDs
fire extinguisher
Emergency Numbers (Insurance Agent, Dr., Vet, pharmacy)
4 Gallons Water (I did 1 per person)
1 blanket per person
Box of granola bars/snack bars
stuffed animal for the kiddos 1 each
First Aid Kit Inventory - I keep a tool box in my bathroom area & one in my car
1 Box of medium size medical gloves (or whatever size you need)-for cleaning up messes (i.e. puke, poop, blood)
1 Thermometer - whatever kind you already have, unless it doesn't work. -this one is obvious, but a working temp taker is crucial
1 bottle of Alcohol Gel -for hand washing especially if you use this for travel, but even at home it's good
1 bottle of Normal Saline (please get NS, not contact solution) a 500 ml size is best.-for washing out eyes and wounds
1 bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide -for disinfecting wounds (and if you're like me, then ears too)
1 bottle of Rubbing Alcohol (optional)-for sterilizing tweezers to get out splinter
1 tube of Neosporin or generic equivalent-for applying to wounds to help healing
3-6 boxes of Band-Aids depending on size of family and accident prone members
1-3 regular size - for fingers & such 2-4 inches long and 1 or so inches wide.
1-2 large size - for larger areas elbows, knees 3-4" long 2-3" wide
1 X-Large -for really large areas 3-4" square or bigger
1 box of 4"x 4" gauze pads -for cleaning or bandaging
1 36'x36' square of muslin or cotton or bandanna-for slinging arms or emergency use as a tourniquet or cleaning rag
or whatever
1 roll of 1" or 2" medical tape -for taping down gauze or whatever you use
1 travel size box of cotton swabs -for applying ointments
1 tube of Activated Charcoal (To be used in lieu of IPECAC) -for ingestion of substances like pills, cleaners, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Act. Charcoal is better for accidental ingestion since it neutralizes whatever was swallowed. IPECAC will make the substance come back up and if the stuff was caustic like bleach or most household cleaners it can burn the lining of the throat very badly. You can find Act. charcoal at pharmacies and home health stores.
1 pair of bandage or All-purpose scissors-for cutting off clothes or bandages
1 pair of tweezers-for splinter removal, removal of ingrown hairs
1 can or bottle of Burn spray or gel-for 1st degree burns (sunburns, burning hand on stove)
1 bottle of Caladryl or whatever poison ivy/oak/sumac remedy you like -for relief of poison ivy/oak/sumac
Several travel packs of Over-The-Counter medicine like Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer, Immodium, etc
1 bag, briefcase, tote or container to put all these things in. I have a red tool box for the house & a purchased kit in the car.
Ziploc bags for some of the items and some empty to save specimens for doctor
A list of contents so you can replace used items and keep track of usage
I think this is a good place to start, I'll update it if I add anything else!!!
Flying Lessons - Preparedness for Emergency Evacuation from FlyLady.net is a good place to start setting priorities.
I am going to set up emergency kits for everyone in the family. I am unsure of where to store & what to store them in, I am thinking our covered side porch in a very large tote. I'd like to have bags for each of us inside filled with stuff that we'd need to grab in case of fire or other emergency. I try to keep a well stocked pantry of canned goods & other non perishable goods. In case of a blizzard or long term power outage we will need to have food on hand. (since there won't be any at the stores & couldn't get to them if there were!!!) We have a BBQ grill, outdoor fireplace & at the present time we have an extra stove converted to propane, so all I need to cook for the family is a good supply of propane! We converted to all electric major appliances (including the hot water heater) so if the power goes out we need alternatives!
It is good to know that most gas stoves can be converted to use propane, just follow directions in your manual. So if you are like me & all electric don't pass up that super cheap (free) gas stove... Obviously the electric pilot won't work, but you can light it carefully with matches or a lighter. If you aren't up to it, lots of us have BBQ grills that are propane, you can cook anything on them!!!
Emergency kits:
Individual
4 Bottles of Water
$20
matches/lighter
Change of Clothes - rotate for season & size changes, don't forget socks & undies
Photocopies of ID & medical cards
couple Snack Bars (granola, fruit, cereal, etc.)
Extra shoes (great place for your worn out sneakers)
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Soap
Contact Case/Glasses Case/Cleaners etc
Prescriptions (If you have to have them)
Family Kit
Household Inventory List
Photo CDs
fire extinguisher
Emergency Numbers (Insurance Agent, Dr., Vet, pharmacy)
4 Gallons Water (I did 1 per person)
1 blanket per person
Box of granola bars/snack bars
stuffed animal for the kiddos 1 each
First Aid Kit Inventory - I keep a tool box in my bathroom area & one in my car
1 Box of medium size medical gloves (or whatever size you need)-for cleaning up messes (i.e. puke, poop, blood)
1 Thermometer - whatever kind you already have, unless it doesn't work. -this one is obvious, but a working temp taker is crucial
1 bottle of Alcohol Gel -for hand washing especially if you use this for travel, but even at home it's good
1 bottle of Normal Saline (please get NS, not contact solution) a 500 ml size is best.-for washing out eyes and wounds
1 bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide -for disinfecting wounds (and if you're like me, then ears too)
1 bottle of Rubbing Alcohol (optional)-for sterilizing tweezers to get out splinter
1 tube of Neosporin or generic equivalent-for applying to wounds to help healing
3-6 boxes of Band-Aids depending on size of family and accident prone members
1-3 regular size - for fingers & such 2-4 inches long and 1 or so inches wide.
1-2 large size - for larger areas elbows, knees 3-4" long 2-3" wide
1 X-Large -for really large areas 3-4" square or bigger
1 box of 4"x 4" gauze pads -for cleaning or bandaging
1 36'x36' square of muslin or cotton or bandanna-for slinging arms or emergency use as a tourniquet or cleaning rag
or whatever
1 roll of 1" or 2" medical tape -for taping down gauze or whatever you use
1 travel size box of cotton swabs -for applying ointments
1 tube of Activated Charcoal (To be used in lieu of IPECAC) -for ingestion of substances like pills, cleaners, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Act. Charcoal is better for accidental ingestion since it neutralizes whatever was swallowed. IPECAC will make the substance come back up and if the stuff was caustic like bleach or most household cleaners it can burn the lining of the throat very badly. You can find Act. charcoal at pharmacies and home health stores.
1 pair of bandage or All-purpose scissors-for cutting off clothes or bandages
1 pair of tweezers-for splinter removal, removal of ingrown hairs
1 can or bottle of Burn spray or gel-for 1st degree burns (sunburns, burning hand on stove)
1 bottle of Caladryl or whatever poison ivy/oak/sumac remedy you like -for relief of poison ivy/oak/sumac
Several travel packs of Over-The-Counter medicine like Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer, Immodium, etc
1 bag, briefcase, tote or container to put all these things in. I have a red tool box for the house & a purchased kit in the car.
Ziploc bags for some of the items and some empty to save specimens for doctor
A list of contents so you can replace used items and keep track of usage
I think this is a good place to start, I'll update it if I add anything else!!!
Monday, January 1, 2007
Happy New Year!
Wish I could say I went out & had a wild & crazy time last night, but I spent it on the couch watching commercials. We were trying to watch the ball drop, but I swear there were more commercials than party...
My sister already called me this AM to chew me out for chumping her. Not my fault (DH, grrr)! I was almost ready to walk down to the party...of course it was rainy & very windy, I wasn't sure I'd actually make it there!
So I had lots of time to think about my "Resolutions"
Ok, so lets lay out the finalized goals for 2007...
1. Teach my children respect for money.How to save, budget, spend wisely, plan for the future, what really is rich, etc….
2. Save money, we need to have an emergency fund in place.
3. ORGANIZE!!! I have decluttered lots of stuff, now it's time to get what I have into a home!
4. Continue to exercise & do healthy things. Drink lots of water, keep walking, eat as many healthy meals a week as possible.
5. Work creative time & organized computer time into my daily routine.
6. Get the Princess Potty Trained & sleeping in her own bed
7. Create Emergency Kits for the family & update the first aid kit.
8. Continue with my daily routine & habit building (www.flylady.net) I will be fully flying this year!
My sister already called me this AM to chew me out for chumping her. Not my fault (DH, grrr)! I was almost ready to walk down to the party...of course it was rainy & very windy, I wasn't sure I'd actually make it there!
So I had lots of time to think about my "Resolutions"
Ok, so lets lay out the finalized goals for 2007...
1. Teach my children respect for money.How to save, budget, spend wisely, plan for the future, what really is rich, etc….
2. Save money, we need to have an emergency fund in place.
3. ORGANIZE!!! I have decluttered lots of stuff, now it's time to get what I have into a home!
4. Continue to exercise & do healthy things. Drink lots of water, keep walking, eat as many healthy meals a week as possible.
5. Work creative time & organized computer time into my daily routine.
6. Get the Princess Potty Trained & sleeping in her own bed
7. Create Emergency Kits for the family & update the first aid kit.
8. Continue with my daily routine & habit building (www.flylady.net) I will be fully flying this year!
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