January Challenge to Save Money Post 2

Be Sure To Go To Scroll Down For Something Cute

Well 2012 is off to a somewhat good start - I've been working a lot of hours - this is a good thing... I have finished gathering my business tax information for our accountant this is also good. My goal is to get more organized... and PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE MY MONEY IS GOING!!!! With that said - Here are a couple of things I am doing...

I am keeping receipts of all money I spend.. Grocery - gas - whatever... I have also created an accounting program/process for our home spending - Household (groceries) Credit card, Ebay (my husband's addiction clothes shopping, gas, mortgage, insurance, and everything in between...

The Menu plan is always good - Sunday was Chicken Fried steak - always a winner with the family.. Monday was a complete FAIL - Crockpot Chicken and Rice - with broccoli, and salad - smelled good but very bland, Wednesday (Just me and the kids) Spaghetti, and tonight Thursday (Just me and the kids) cheese burgers and fruit... Tomorrow the plan is Grilled pork chops, rice, green beans, and apple sauce.

The chicken - looks good, doesn't it? Scroll to the bottom - you'll find a cute video of my kids and their young cousins with Nana - dancing on Christmas - so sweet and a good memory...




Christmas Musical

Ways I Save Money

The First thing I did when Dusty was laid off a few weeks ago was go back to the basics... What I mean by that is this: Pay attention to monies going out vs monies coming in.....

The First thing I do is access what is in my fridge and pantry.....

Next I do a weekly menu planner (thanks to 5 Dollar Dinners) - when I do this it helps me shop for exactly what I need - there is NO guess work or buying unnecessary items....

I pay very close attention to the weekly grocery ads... Recently Albertson's had a buy one get one free in their meats - I bought two (2) pot roasts, four (4) whole chickens, six (6) pounds of lean ground meat, and two (2) packs of pork chops... There some great deals to be had on certain days... You just have to keep your eye out for them..

I have the Sunday paper delivered just for their coupons - I have to say - I honestly save about $30-50 a month just on the basic coupons alone.... I also buy many of my paper, beauty, boxed items, and dog food at Target... Their prices are much lower than the regular super markets and many times better priced than the warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club..

We always pay off our credit cards off each month - I use the cards because I get great discounts by using them but it only works if you pay them off and never ever have a balance.. We live under the rule - that if you can't pay for it then you can't buy it.... A lesson I learned growing up - watching my parents struggle with finances...

This week's grocery bill about $50.... milk, bread, buns, lettuce, tomato, and avocado....



** On a positive note - the job search is going very well and we hope to have an offer soon...