Making do - yet again...

There is a spur of the moment New Year's Eve party that we're having with two other couples.

Instead of a progressive dinner party with food, this is a progressive dinner party with games. We have a foos ball table, another couple has a shuffle board and the other couple has a Wii. Not sure what game we'll play at their house. The rule is whoever loses has to buy the pizza.

We're not going to the store to buy goodies, we're going to our fridge, freezer and cupboards! So far we're having popcorn and peanuts that I'm going to saute in taco seasoning and a bit of oil. They are so good! I think we'll drag out the shrimp we have leftover from Christmas Eve!

In previous years I would have gone to the store to buy what I needed. Making do with what you have (even if it is shrimp) is a challenge and definitely the frugal way!

Homemaking - Your job today

My kids are home from school this week so I feel like I'm on vacation! No rushing around in the mornings making breakfast and lunch, no practices, no schedules, etc.

Unfortunately my house is really getting the bad end of the deal! I need to get some of this extra "stuff" put away. So today, along with everything else I need to do, I'm going to focus on that "stuff" and get rid of it, 15 minutes at a time. I think it'll only take 2-3 15 minute sessions and it'll be MUCH MUCH better!

Ready, set, GO!

By the way, if you haven't heard of this system, it's the FLYLADY way!

Maintain your Weight part 2

So how did yesterday go? Did you write down everything you ate?

I avoided soooo much food! First thing in the morning I was going to have a chocolate covered cinnamon bear, but I didn't because I didn't want to write it down.

I'll be doing this today as well to try and get back into the swing of not eating all.day.long!

New Years Resolution: Maintain your Weight

We've had a lot of food around our house this Christmas holiday as well as a lot of people and more work today.

Your job today is to take care of yourself. Don't wait for Jan. 2nd to start your resolution of weight loss or more exercise.

Starting today, you need to write down everything, yes EVERYTHING you put into your mouth. Don't focus on losing weight or anything else, just write down everything you eat. It's kind of like when you write down where you spend your money you naturally don't want to spend money because you don't want to write it down.

It's the same thing with the food you are putting in your body. If you have to write it down when you eat it, you won't eat as much.

It's okay to get caught up in the holiday spirit and eat more goodies. Unfortunately it's hard to get out of the habit of nibbling on goodies all day long.

Get out a notebook and write down everything! If you feel like getting bonus points write down how many glasses of water you've had. Start your New Year Resolutions TODAY!

Join in at Works-For-Me-Wednesday for more wonderful ideas!!!

Frugal - right or wrong?

I read on the web somewhere that "being frugal is the right thing to do". I have been pondering this statement for a few days. Is frugality really a moral issue? When I wasn't practicing frugality was I being immoral?

Dictionary.com shows the definition of FRUGAL as this:

1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager.
2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.

Antonyms: generous, lavish, spend thrifty, uneconomical, wasteful

Notes: frugal refers more directly to practicing economy in the course of shopping for goods or services, whereas thrifty applies more to the preservation of funds

Frugality itself is a very subjective word. In real life I only know one other person is who as frugal or more frugal than I am. That doesn't mean I'm a spend thrift! On the flip side, almost everyone else I know is not concerned about being frugal. Does this make one of us right and one of us wrong? Isn't frugality just supposed to be the vehicle used in some circumstances in order to our achieve goals?

I agree that we are supposed to be wise with our money, however I don't think frugality is a moral issue.

I had to laugh when I saw that one of the antonyms of frugal is "generous". In our situation I can be generous only if I'm frugal with my money. Funny how that works.

Cute gift for next year

Yes, I'm thinking of next year already! I've found that I go a bit crazy after the holidays buying all of the items I didn't NEED prior to Dec. 25th, but I suddenly NEED them when they are 50% off. So I have to have a PLAN!!! If I don't plan, then I just spend spend spend!!!

I just read about a really cute idea in a book. Buy the mini stockings and put the silverware for each place setting in the stockings. I think it'd be cute to attach a name tag to the stocking as well. I think I'll pick up some of these for my sister's families when I'm out and about next week!

Cash for Christmas!

I'm so excited to get our Credit Card bill in January. One year ago I would have been dreading it! It's nice to know that we budgeted a certain amount, got it all in cash and we still have some extra!

When I went to the ATM to get our cash, my son asked me "don't stores take credit cards anymore?" I explained to him that we overspend when we use our credit card and with cash we don't. I hope he'll remember this and never be drawn into the "rewards" that you get when you use your credit cards.

The freedom I have now completely overrides any monetary rewards from a credit card company. I now know exactly where we stand every month...every month I use this month's income to pay for this month's bills.

By the way my sister's husband had a wonderful idea. If you still want to use your credit cards to get the "rewards" then you can still use the envelope system using monopoly or play money. You'll be able to see how much money you have spent when you have to take the play money out of the grocery envelope and put it in the credit card bill envelope.

Frugal Kids

My daughter understands that I am trying to be as frugal as possible lately.

I had no idea she was learning from me until we ran out of green sprinkles for cookies. My daughter's comment was, "Can't we just make colored sprinkles by mixing food coloring and sugar?"

Frugal to me, means thinking outside the box. I'm so grateful she's learning to be frugal!

Menu Plan Monday 12/21-12/26

Check out what's cooking at my house this week at Groceries101.

Cheesy Crab Dip - the frugal way!

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c mayo
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 c shredded Colby/Jack cheese
1/2 c onions
1 T lemon juice
1 t. Tabasco sauce

Combine cream cheese and mayo. Add remaining ingredients. Serve warm with bread or crackers. I usually put this in my mini crock pot, but it's supposed to be baked at 350 for 25-30 minutes (it's better baked).

PS. The original recipe calls for 1 cup swiss cheese, 1/4 c. red bell pepper, 8 oz crabmeat. All that stuff makes it taste a bit different, but much more expensive!

Find other recipes at Grocery Cart Challenge.

Grocery store ramblings - what not to do!

I'm really excited to have my in-laws come over the Christmas holiday. It's a lot more planning for food, but I think it's easier than than packing and driving four hours. Especially with the dog.

I made the mistake of asking my family what they wanted to eat on Christmas Eve. Believe me this is NOT the frugal way! Looking back though, it's not a mistake. We rarely decide what we want to eat - we just eat whatever is on sale. We each got to pick appetizer or dessert that we wanted to eat. For the main dish we'll have turkey ala king which I made last night and froze. Dinner will be a easy that way!

I have a few things to pick up before our company arrives on Christmas Eve, but I will say that I'm thankful that I won't be out shopping this weekend.

I'm so grateful that we used CASH to pay for our holiday meals! No "surprises" in January!
Over the next few days, I'll be baking up a storm I can relax and enjoy our time with our family.

Just Do It!

Actually DON'T DO IT!!!

Whatever "it" is that is completely totally stressing you out this holiday season. A few years ago I decided to make Christmas cards. My kids were in school full time and I felt like I had no excuse anymore. I enjoy stamping and scrapbooking so why wouldn't I enjoy making 50-60 handmade cards for people?

STUPID STUPID STUPID! I hated every minute of it! I don't like sending Christmas cards out anyway so why on Earth did I think I should do this?

The following year I didn't send out any Christmas cards (I still don't). I can't describe the relief I felt when I stopped doing something that I disliked so much. I have cards, pictures, and stamps available so my husband can send out any cards that he wants to, but I don't do it anymore at all. I make a list of everyone that I would have sent a Christmas card to and some time throughout the year I will send them a handmade card.

If something is taking the joy from your Christmas season then stop doing whatever that thing is!

Find out what works for others at We Are That Family!

Frugal & Cute Centerpiece!

I love this idea! My son made it during Sunday School at church. It's 4 candy canes used as a candle holder tied together with a bow. They used masking tape to hold the candy canes to the candle, but glue dots or something else might look a bit better.

This post is linked to Life as a Mom.

Menu Plan Monday 12/14 - 12/20

Check out Groceries101 for my menu plan for this week.

Fried Cabbage

When I make this cole slaw, I always have a half of a head of cabbage left. Unfortunately it usually ends up in the garbage because we don't want cole slaw again and I can't ever think of anything to do with it.

This time when I made cole slaw I cut up all of the cabbage, used half for the slaw and then a few days later I fried the rest of the cabbage in a bit of oil/butter and added onions. YUMMY! I make this just for me! If I was to serve this to my husband I'd have to add some sausage or something, but I like it without.

I love frugal recipes!

Check out more recipe ideas at Grocery Cart Challenge!

It's only $1.00

Yet again, I have to post this to REMIND myself that it's not "only $1.00". It's my ATTITUDE that is the issue, not the money.

I walked into Walmart - which I avoid like the plague - if you want to save money most people need to shop elsewhere!

Anyway, I needed to print out 6 pictures and buy green sprinkles. I decided I should look for an ornament with a camper on it for our Christmas tree since we bought a camper this year. I wouldn't have wandered through the Christmas stuff at WM if I wasn't looking for this ornament.

I found the cutest little Santa straws that were only a $1.00. I picked them up and carried them around the entire store wondering if I should buy them. Back and forth in my mind - they're only a $1.00 - but they aren't on the list.....back and forth a few more times...

When I went to check out I paid for my 6 pictures (can you believe it they were out of green sprinkles) and gave the checkout lady the straws and told her I changed my mind.

$1.00 a day times 365 days in the year is $365.00 that I could have in my pocket if I made wise choices each day. But it's not just $1.00. It's stuff, it's junk I don't need. If I wouldn't have gone to WM, then I wouldn't have bought them. When I do my Christmas shopping and I'm looking for things to fill in for my kids' Christmas gifts, then it's FINE to spend the money because it would be a planned purchase. My kids would love them!

It's fine to spend money as long as it's PLANNED SPENDING! The way to save money is to PLAN PLAN PLAN!!!

Clutter Free Christmas Gifts!

Food! I love giving food at Christmas time because I struggle so much with clutter!

I don't give many homemade sweets to people, but I like to give our family and friends homemade bread, beef jerky and junk food that I won't usually buy.

There is a butcher shop here in town that makes awesome beef jerky and buffalo jerky. This is a great gift for the hard to buy men on your list. It's kind of pricey, so this year, we'll put it in a basket with some homemade spicy peanuts, girl scouts mixed nuts, some taffy as well as a little photo album that has pictures of our family throughout the year.

Last year I made Challah Bread to give away to a couple of friends.

Junk food I buy often times will include: pudding snack packs, little cheese & crackers packs, suckers and chocolates. I buy a big bag or box of these and then split them up between my family members.

Find out what works for others at We are THAT Family! Check out other gifts for under $10 at Life as a Mom.

Tightwad Tuesday Tip - Frugal Lifestyle

I was reading in The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn (on page 574) the article titled Wealth, Poverty and Frugality.

This article intrigues me because often times I am embarrassed by my frugal lifestyle. I do NOT like confrontation and it's easier to go along with the crowd than it is for me to speak up and do something different than what everyone else is doing. Amy D. wrote "What I do see is that many people are ashamed of being frugal."

Am I really ashamed of being frugal? I don't know that I would go that far. The definition of ashamed is feeling shame, guilt or disgrace. Okay, maybe I am ashamed.

I often feel guilty if I don't spend very much money on presents for others, or I think others might think I'm being "cheap" when I offer my "measly" handmade gift. I really need to change this attitude problem! I spend a LOT of time trying to come up with unique handmade items that can be used and not add clutter to others' homes. This handmade gift is given with as much love as the gift my loved one gives me. It doesn't matter if the gift was purchased at a mall or the cost of it!

Amy D. went on to say "To be successful and happy in the frugal lifestyle, we have to be proud and confident in our choices." She ends with this "If we do this, we'll feel no shame about being frugal. It really is about choices isn't it?

Everyone should read or re-read a few articles from The Complete Tightwad Gazette this holiday season!

Menu Plan Monday 12/7- 12/13

Check out Groceries101 to see what's cooking this week!

Dave Ramsey - Financial Peace University

Last night was our last class. I'm sad to see it over, but thankful that we decided to make the 13 week commitment. I'm also thankful to have our Thursday nights back again and to see that our spending is in alignment with our family goals.

How do we motivate ourselves to stay "weird"? That will be the biggest challenge!

Saving Money by Asking!

You hear the phrase "it doesn't hurt to ask" all the time. In this case it saved me a bit of money and no it didn't hurt at all!

Today when I was doing my grocery shopping, I wanted to find some old bananas so I could make banana bread. I didn't see any out so I asked the lady that worked in produce if they had any in the back.

When they sell them as old bananas then they only cost $.10 per pound (instead of $.59 per pound) and more importantly, I can make banana bread right away. She said a few days ago they had a whole cart full, but no, they didn't have anymore.

I continued my shopping and happened to come back for one more thing in the produce section. She held up some bananas and asked if they would work - she checked the organic bananas and had found them for me.

I see banana bread in our future!

Menu plan revisited

Check out Groceries101 for the changes I've made. I wonder if I'll ever make up my mind?

Gift Ideas for Grandpa

While I was at Walgreens yesterday, I ran into a friend who was buying toilet paper and paper towels. Nothing odd about that. However, when she told me that she was buying them for a neighbor because a loved one just passed away, I thought it was a WONDERFUL idea! She said that when her Dad passed away they had a ton of visitors and kept running out of toilet paper. The other thing she got that was so useful was a sympathy card with a book of stamps.

I always struggle with what to buy my 80+ year old Grandpa. He's living on a fixed income and doesn't need much of anything. I think he'd get a kick out of it if I bought him toilet paper! The stamps would be useful as well.

One more idea - for my polite "quiet" Grandma I once gave her Cowboy Bubble Bath. It was a bag of pinto beans with instructions to cook and eat one hour before bathing. She was 80 years old at the time - apparently it was the hit of the night!

Find other gift ideas at WFMW!

The "$100" vacation

For YEARS I've assumed that the trip to see my family in Denver cost $100. While we haven't actually added up how much money we spend, we just assumed it would cost that much.

Well, $210 later, I'm now realizing that it's not a $100 trip. We didn't do anything major this trip either, my sister and her family always spoil us rotten! The biggest expense was the gas and the doggie daycare. We had a couple of meals that we ate out, but other than that we stayed at her house.

While the actual trip cost $210, the time spent with family was PRICELESS. Once I have this budgeting thing down, the trip will definitely be something we PLAN for in the future!

NEVER ASSUME!!!