Last night, we had my mother in law, brother in law, and mom over for dinner. I fixed some great Chicken enchiladas . I tried a new recipe from 400 Best Comfort Foods (the recipe can be found here, but it's a download :( ). I actually don't have to review this cookbook. I just picked it up for $2 used for fun. But, this recipe is a keeper. If I find more that I really like, I will write a post about it...
But, back to last night and "time". As we were cleaning up from dinner, there was some leftover corn to put away. My mom asked me if I wanted the corn and suggested cutting it off the cob. But, I have discovered that I run out of time when it comes to leftover corn. My family does not like leftover corn on the cob left on the cob. If I cut it off the cob, then they will eat it when it is reheated.
I looked at her and encouraged to take it. I knew I would run out of time. She replied, "Good for you." She smiled and I knew she understands me well. I always take on more than I can handle. I squeeze things in. I almost always say yes to my family and friends. I love to help people.
But, sometimes it's the little things that can push me over the edge of how much I can handle. They're good things. Like not wasting corn and cutting it off the cob so it will get eaten and not discarded. So, I need to say no when I can.
I also knew it wouldn't get wasted if I sent it home with my mom. She has the time to cut it off the cob and enjoy it.
Saving money can become a heavy burden if it consumes time one doesn't have. I always remember the advice I read in a financial advice for moms several years ago... Choose what you do with your time based on what saves you the most money. There are little money savers that end up saving you only a few pennies. But, there are other activities (like ironing) that save many dollars in the same amount of time. When one only has a little time, we have to choose wisely what we'll do with it.
Showing posts with label Saving Money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saving Money. Show all posts
Monday, September 2, 2013
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
A funny thing happened at BJs a few weeks ago...
A few weeks ago, it was time for the monthly change of our air conditioning filter. I'd run out, so I headed over to BJs. There were 2 packages left but no price tag up on the rack. I picked up both packages and headed to the checkout lane. After checking out all of my other items, the checker called over the supervisor for help.
It turns out that the 2 pk of filters rang up for 3 cents. Really. It rang up for 3 cents! He thought it was a fluke as did the checkout supervisor, so they called the store manager. Nope. 3 cents it was. I went back to see if there were anymore. There was--1 more package. It was a little bent, but for 3 cents I was willing to try them. It was only the cardboard frame that was a little bent.
So, that day I left BJs with 6 air conditioning filters for a 11 cents. Normally, a 2 pk is $15. So, instead of being $45 plus tax, it was only 11 cents.
The lesson I learned that day... it never hurts to ask how much something is! You may just find an extra good deal!
It turns out that the 2 pk of filters rang up for 3 cents. Really. It rang up for 3 cents! He thought it was a fluke as did the checkout supervisor, so they called the store manager. Nope. 3 cents it was. I went back to see if there were anymore. There was--1 more package. It was a little bent, but for 3 cents I was willing to try them. It was only the cardboard frame that was a little bent.
So, that day I left BJs with 6 air conditioning filters for a 11 cents. Normally, a 2 pk is $15. So, instead of being $45 plus tax, it was only 11 cents.
The lesson I learned that day... it never hurts to ask how much something is! You may just find an extra good deal!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
To See God Provide
One of the things that brings me such sweet joy is to see how God works things out. My younger daughter's tennis shoes started coming apart yesterday. They needed to be replaced ASAP.
At the beginning of the summer, I had bought there the cheapest--yes, literally the cheapest tennis shoes Target had for $10/pr for each of the girls. It was summer and I knew that their sandals would be what they'd wear most of the time and that they'd probably grow some more over the summer. I anticipated buying new tennis shoes in the fall. The girls were happy with them because they liked the colors of the shoes (pink and white) and I was thankful that they didn't mind the cheap construction of them (the price was justified).
Well, fall is here.
The girls are getting to an age where they need better athletic shoes. I want them to have some support for their feet. So, we've been going to the Stride Rite outlet when we can for tennis shoes. But, that takes planning and time. Neither of which I have in the immediate future. So, I went by the Stride Rite store in the mall. The tennis shoes were all very flashy except for some Saucony's that were $49/pr. They did have a buy one get one half off sale, but that would have made two pairs of shoes $75 plus tax. It felt a bit steep to me and the shoe colors were flashier than I'd like. So, we left without any new shoes.
We traveled onward.
I thought we'd stop by Dick's Sporting Goods on the way home just to check to see if they had any. They only had 1 style. It happened to be on sale! They were $30/pr but they only had 1 pair of 12s and my girls both wear size 12. So, the sales associate checked the online store and found the same price online. I learned that if you order them from the store, you won't pay shipping. Yahoo! So, Sami left the store wearing new shoes (I had the cashier throw the old ones away) and Autumn has a package on its way in the mail with her new shoes. Both girls are happy, though Autumn is already pining for her package to arrive. I can't blame her. She was a great sport about it.
It was interesting at the Stride Rite when Sami told me she liked the flashy shoes and I explained that I didn't. I shared with her that I would choose what I thought might be some good choices and ask them if they like them. After this summer's experience with Sami, I know this is important. I bought her some sandals that she only thought were so-so and wouldn't wear them until her old ones were literally falling apart. Thankfully, this one pair came in white/teal/light yellow and the girls both loved the colors!
The total came to $60 plus tax for the two pairs.
I was very thankful to save some money on the shoes and see God provide a pair of shoes that Sami, Autumn, and I all like. It was a little blessing that made me smile.
At the beginning of the summer, I had bought there the cheapest--yes, literally the cheapest tennis shoes Target had for $10/pr for each of the girls. It was summer and I knew that their sandals would be what they'd wear most of the time and that they'd probably grow some more over the summer. I anticipated buying new tennis shoes in the fall. The girls were happy with them because they liked the colors of the shoes (pink and white) and I was thankful that they didn't mind the cheap construction of them (the price was justified).
Well, fall is here.
The girls are getting to an age where they need better athletic shoes. I want them to have some support for their feet. So, we've been going to the Stride Rite outlet when we can for tennis shoes. But, that takes planning and time. Neither of which I have in the immediate future. So, I went by the Stride Rite store in the mall. The tennis shoes were all very flashy except for some Saucony's that were $49/pr. They did have a buy one get one half off sale, but that would have made two pairs of shoes $75 plus tax. It felt a bit steep to me and the shoe colors were flashier than I'd like. So, we left without any new shoes.
We traveled onward.
It was interesting at the Stride Rite when Sami told me she liked the flashy shoes and I explained that I didn't. I shared with her that I would choose what I thought might be some good choices and ask them if they like them. After this summer's experience with Sami, I know this is important. I bought her some sandals that she only thought were so-so and wouldn't wear them until her old ones were literally falling apart. Thankfully, this one pair came in white/teal/light yellow and the girls both loved the colors!
The total came to $60 plus tax for the two pairs.
I was very thankful to save some money on the shoes and see God provide a pair of shoes that Sami, Autumn, and I all like. It was a little blessing that made me smile.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thoughts on Netflix
Yesterday, I received the mass email that Netflix sent out about raising their monthly rates for current subscribers come September 1, 2011. When Blockbuster closed most of their stores and discontinued their monthly watching service, I knew Netflix didn't have much competition. So, when I got the email about the increased prices, citing of course increased costs, I just wasn't surprised. When Hulu changed their movie service to a fee for service, I also wasn't surprised. Everybody wants a bigger profit.
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
Thoughts on Netflix
Yesterday, I received the mass email that Netflix sent out about raising their monthly rates for current subscribers come September 1, 2011. When Blockbuster closed most of their stores and discontinued their monthly watching service, I knew Netflix didn't have much competition. So, when I got the email about the increased prices, citing of course increased costs, I just wasn't surprised. When Hulu changed their movie service to a fee for service, I also wasn't surprised. Everybody wants a bigger profit.
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Grocery Prices
It's one of those interesting things in these times. On Sunday, the article on the front page of the Baltimore Sun's business section was about the expected inflation estimates for food this year.
My first thought was, "Okay. Tighten the belt a little more before I have to."
But, what really goes?
When you go to the grocery store, how do you cut? I learned this strategy from my mom. It's okay to put something in your cart that you're considering, but before you check out ask yourself if it's a need or a want. It's okay to hand something to the checker if you decide that you don't want it or can't afford to get it. Even if something is on sale or on clearance, if it's not in your budget, it's wiser not to get it. At least that's what I've come to believe.
This week, I reminded myself of this when I was at Kohl's this week. I bought three sets of sheets for my kids. Eli really needed two sets. But, I bought one. That was what was in the budget. His birthday is coming up and I can buy a second fun set then as a birthday gift.
The girls got new bunk beds in January that I posted about. I would love to get them matching comforters, but I haven't. I've decided to save that idea for their birthdays in the fall. A few weeks ago, I saw the perfect sheets for them, but they were $25 for one set, which would have been $50 for two sets plus tax. I told myself not to get them. They aren't a need.
The reason I bought the sheets at Kohls, because though they technically weren't a need (they each have one set of sheets), I had $30 Kohls cash which almost covered the cost of all three sets.
But, back to groceries...
How can we cut if we need to this year?
This is my plan:
1) I'm going to start a file of especially inexpensive meals. This week I made minestrone soup and my whole family loved it. Minestrone is very inexpensive. Soup and bread--vegetables, protein, and the bread group in and easy, quick meal.
2) Stick with the milk one meal, water one meal, and juice one meal with the kids. And water for all three for the adults.
3) Sweets are my weakness. Make Izzes really a treat. Sometimes I have them more often. Keep frozen cookies and treats around instead of buying Ghiradelli as a treat.
4) Use my allowance to buy gum (always using coupons) rather than the grocery budget. I don't spend much on it, but if I really would like to have it, I should spend my allowance on it.
5) Cut in other places...
If it came down to it, Molly's grooming every three months can go to twice a year or once a year with more frequent brushings.
Get better at cutting my husband's hair.
6) Work on letting less produce go to waste and only buy the produce I really need--even if it means shopping a little more often at first.
My first thought was, "Okay. Tighten the belt a little more before I have to."
But, what really goes?
When you go to the grocery store, how do you cut? I learned this strategy from my mom. It's okay to put something in your cart that you're considering, but before you check out ask yourself if it's a need or a want. It's okay to hand something to the checker if you decide that you don't want it or can't afford to get it. Even if something is on sale or on clearance, if it's not in your budget, it's wiser not to get it. At least that's what I've come to believe.
This week, I reminded myself of this when I was at Kohl's this week. I bought three sets of sheets for my kids. Eli really needed two sets. But, I bought one. That was what was in the budget. His birthday is coming up and I can buy a second fun set then as a birthday gift.
The girls got new bunk beds in January that I posted about. I would love to get them matching comforters, but I haven't. I've decided to save that idea for their birthdays in the fall. A few weeks ago, I saw the perfect sheets for them, but they were $25 for one set, which would have been $50 for two sets plus tax. I told myself not to get them. They aren't a need.
The reason I bought the sheets at Kohls, because though they technically weren't a need (they each have one set of sheets), I had $30 Kohls cash which almost covered the cost of all three sets.
But, back to groceries...
How can we cut if we need to this year?
This is my plan:
1) I'm going to start a file of especially inexpensive meals. This week I made minestrone soup and my whole family loved it. Minestrone is very inexpensive. Soup and bread--vegetables, protein, and the bread group in and easy, quick meal.
2) Stick with the milk one meal, water one meal, and juice one meal with the kids. And water for all three for the adults.
3) Sweets are my weakness. Make Izzes really a treat. Sometimes I have them more often. Keep frozen cookies and treats around instead of buying Ghiradelli as a treat.
4) Use my allowance to buy gum (always using coupons) rather than the grocery budget. I don't spend much on it, but if I really would like to have it, I should spend my allowance on it.
5) Cut in other places...
If it came down to it, Molly's grooming every three months can go to twice a year or once a year with more frequent brushings.
Get better at cutting my husband's hair.
6) Work on letting less produce go to waste and only buy the produce I really need--even if it means shopping a little more often at first.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Birthday Parties, Holidays and Saving Money
Saving money with the holidays has been on my mind this week. I've decided that I'm going to send as many emails with our Christmas letter as possible this year. After watching two episodes of hoarders a few weeks ago (which I still need to write about), I am very reticent to send too many letters out. I am one of those people who keeps the letters everyone mails out, but I know most people don't keep them. Not because they don't care, but because they don't have the room =)
The holidays in our house are always coupled with the girls birthdays. I've ended up planning multiple gatherings for them this year because only a few kids could come on the original day I'd planned. I try to be simple about their parties and be creative about the planning. After all is said and done, I'll post what I did and how it all went =) It is interesting to me, though, how something we purchase for convenience really can quickly suck up all the money for the party. On Monday, I bought two bags of chips and a package of Capri Sun 100% juice pouches. In all, the two items cost $16. I got home and realized that I needed to be much more careful this month, so on Tuesday I took them back. Two bottles of apple juice costs $2.50 and 2 bags of chips from Aldis will only cost $2.50-$3. Total: $5-$6 which is a lot less than $16. Yes, it is a birthday party, but it isn't the juice and chips that will make the party =) it's the fun that the kids will have being together and playing games.
The holidays in our house are always coupled with the girls birthdays. I've ended up planning multiple gatherings for them this year because only a few kids could come on the original day I'd planned. I try to be simple about their parties and be creative about the planning. After all is said and done, I'll post what I did and how it all went =) It is interesting to me, though, how something we purchase for convenience really can quickly suck up all the money for the party. On Monday, I bought two bags of chips and a package of Capri Sun 100% juice pouches. In all, the two items cost $16. I got home and realized that I needed to be much more careful this month, so on Tuesday I took them back. Two bottles of apple juice costs $2.50 and 2 bags of chips from Aldis will only cost $2.50-$3. Total: $5-$6 which is a lot less than $16. Yes, it is a birthday party, but it isn't the juice and chips that will make the party =) it's the fun that the kids will have being together and playing games.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saving Money
This weekend I went to the Basic Rider Course to learn how to ride a motorcycle. I sat at the "girls table". There were 4 of us. The gal who sat next to me was single and in her late 40s. The gal across from her was married and about the same age. At one point, I mentioned my blogs and reading a lot of books. I mentioned that I write posts about saving money. The gal next to me looked at me like I had two horns on my head and a big red nose. She said to me, "What's there to say about saving money? You just pay yourself first." She essentially meant that before you spend anything, you should make sure you save some money and set it aside. She was a bit more hard core about it, I think than the way I've phrased it, though.
When I was a teenager, a friend of my dad's gave me similar advice. "First, give 10% to God. Then, give to yourself and save 10%". Though my dad wasn't a Christian, his friend was. I always thought his advice was good advice.
I don't think the gal I spoke with on Saturday was a Christian. I say that because of the general gist of our conversations and when I asked her if she went to a particular church--she simply said no. She didn't say that she went to another one instead. Her priorities with her finances were different from mine as they also were different in her whole life which was reflected to me in many things she said. I want to share some vagaries about her life. She is a single mom who was married for over 10 years. She has several children. I asked at one point if she had ever stayed home with her kids while she was married or if she had always worked. She responded with a quick "I've always worked" in a tone that said "of course". I responded by saying that I post about little ways I find to save money since I stay home and homeschool while my husband works. So, we're a single income family.
There are many ways for families to approach money and finances. One way is for both parents to work so that you have enough money to purchase whatever you want and need. Another way is for parents to choose to live more frugally on one income so that one parent can stay home with their children--whether for homeschooling or to take care of their children and get them where they need to go. I appreciated the book, Miserly Moms, because Jonni McCoy and her husband went from being a 2 income family to 1 so that she could stay home with their kids. When you choose the second route, sometimes the one income earner does make a lot of money and there isn't a great deal of need to be very frugal. But, I think that more often than not, living on one income requires all involved to be frugal and fiscally responsible.
I don't think that "saving money" is as simple as giving to yourself and making sure you save. We all have habits that guide how we live and how we spend every day. It is those habits and daily choices that we make that determine whether we are really saving money and being good stewards of what our families have.
One of the things I love actually about saving money is the good feeling that I get from it--the satisfaction that comes from the feeling I am honoring my husband's hard work at his job and that I am making the most of what my family has by shopping and using/consuming things wisely.
When I was a teenager, a friend of my dad's gave me similar advice. "First, give 10% to God. Then, give to yourself and save 10%". Though my dad wasn't a Christian, his friend was. I always thought his advice was good advice.
I don't think the gal I spoke with on Saturday was a Christian. I say that because of the general gist of our conversations and when I asked her if she went to a particular church--she simply said no. She didn't say that she went to another one instead. Her priorities with her finances were different from mine as they also were different in her whole life which was reflected to me in many things she said. I want to share some vagaries about her life. She is a single mom who was married for over 10 years. She has several children. I asked at one point if she had ever stayed home with her kids while she was married or if she had always worked. She responded with a quick "I've always worked" in a tone that said "of course". I responded by saying that I post about little ways I find to save money since I stay home and homeschool while my husband works. So, we're a single income family.
There are many ways for families to approach money and finances. One way is for both parents to work so that you have enough money to purchase whatever you want and need. Another way is for parents to choose to live more frugally on one income so that one parent can stay home with their children--whether for homeschooling or to take care of their children and get them where they need to go. I appreciated the book, Miserly Moms, because Jonni McCoy and her husband went from being a 2 income family to 1 so that she could stay home with their kids. When you choose the second route, sometimes the one income earner does make a lot of money and there isn't a great deal of need to be very frugal. But, I think that more often than not, living on one income requires all involved to be frugal and fiscally responsible.
I don't think that "saving money" is as simple as giving to yourself and making sure you save. We all have habits that guide how we live and how we spend every day. It is those habits and daily choices that we make that determine whether we are really saving money and being good stewards of what our families have.
One of the things I love actually about saving money is the good feeling that I get from it--the satisfaction that comes from the feeling I am honoring my husband's hard work at his job and that I am making the most of what my family has by shopping and using/consuming things wisely.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Laughing at myself
Sometimes it dawns on me that there are things I do unconsciously to save money. One of them is that we only buy cheese pizza or we buy pizza with one topping if there's a special. I think if I absolutely loved pizza, I would want to pay for extra toppings, but the kids love cheese pizza. So, if we get extra toppings, then it just means that I will have to take them off for the kids =) I suppose I got used to buying cheese pizza and foregoing the toppings.
But, now that I think about it, my mom never got many toppings for pizza when I was growing up. She is a very frugal woman. And as she told me this weekend--frugal to a fault =) We didn't get pizza very often and when we did it was a big treat.
I wonder if it would be more of a treat for my kids if we didn't eat it as regularly as we do (probably 1-2x a month). =)
But, now that I think about it, my mom never got many toppings for pizza when I was growing up. She is a very frugal woman. And as she told me this weekend--frugal to a fault =) We didn't get pizza very often and when we did it was a big treat.
I wonder if it would be more of a treat for my kids if we didn't eat it as regularly as we do (probably 1-2x a month). =)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Time vs. Money
This week has been crazy busy for me. I've had to spend more money on things than I've wanted to at times because I didn't have time to go to the shop that I knew had it for less or I didn't have time to shop around. Not being able to shop around has been something I've been having to let go of this year as our time needed for homeschooling has increased and so has time for the kids activities and running around.
Here's the choices I made this week. I had time Friday afternoon to go to Target and look at nightgowns and pajamas for the kids. The Circo nightgowns were $8 and the princess ones were $12, I think. I didn't like any of them. The princess ones felt skimpy to me and there weren't any designs I really liked for the girls. For Eli, the pajamas were $12 or $15 depending on the set. I thought I would go look at Kohl's later.
Yesterday, we went to Payless to look for shoes for all 3 kids. No sale, so the sandals were $15 and there were only plain white in the girls' size (both wear a 10). I did find a pair of shoes for Eli that come on and off easily though for $10 and I was thankful for that. So, then we went on to Kohl's hoping to find what we needed.
And we did...but for a little more. The nightgowns for the girls were really cute. I bought them a Kohl's brand nightgown for $9.30 after discount and 2 Carter's nightgowns that were $12.60 after discount. Eli's shorts pajamas were 2 sets for $13 and 1 3pc for the same price after the discount. So, Eli's were the same price as at Target =) Yay! But, the girls cost a little more for each one. In the end, I knew I didn't have time to run around and that both my husband and I liked these nightgowns--they were cute and would wear well over time for the girls this summer. I thought it was worth the extra few dollars.
Then, I took them over to the shoe department. I don't know what it is about Kohl's and shoes, but it is one of the hardest places for me to find shoes! They are always in disarray and there's rarely the size I'm looking for. I finally found one pair that was the right style for Sami and one for Autumn. Different styles for the first time. They've always had the same in the past, but their feet are just a little different in size and so they need different sized 10s. So funny. Autumn's Sandals were $15.30 after discount--almost the same as Payless. Sami's though were $17 =( I know I could have gotten less expensive sandals at Target, but I liked the soles on these and felt they were the right ones for each of my girls. In the end, I think the amount that I spent more at Kohls' vs. Target and Payless was $16 for everything.
I guess the good thing in all of this is that I don't have to stress next week about trying to fit all of this in or trying to shop around. I know that having to spend a little more means that I will end up spending a little less on other things, but that's okay =)
So, I'm trying to learn to accept this and not feel guilty that I don't have the time to shop around more right now =)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Honesty is the best policy, right?
So, a matter of honesty and a matter of discipline...
I always tally our budget halfway through the month and often I find that we load up our big purchases in the first half of the month--which always makes for more of a stretch the second half. It's a cycle. Anyways, I did our budget this week and realized that there isn't much left in it for the last week. There's enough, but not a lot. So, I realized that the best thing is for me to do is to...
Stay home =) Literally, stay home and enjoy all the things I have to do at home with the kids. Go for a walk in the neighborhood after naps.
DON'T go into Target and look at the clearance racks. DON'T let myself look even if I have to run in for something small. DON'T surf the internet.
Stay home... and make the most of what God has blessed us with. And enjoy the time with my kids! I think that's the best solution for me this weekend.
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