Increasing your net worth

What are the two sure ways to increase your net worth?

There are two pretty simple guidelines...

a. Increase Inputs

-and-

b. Decrease Outputs

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I am learning to decrease my outputs. I am buying less, spending less on the things I do buy, and being a better steward of my money. (Also, it helps a heck of a lot that I have graduated from UCF and am now working full-time!) In summation, I think I am getting the hang of decreasing my outputs.

However, in our present economy (recession, instability, etc.) few people are increasing their inputs. I know of more people who are being laid off and more businesses suffering through poor revenue flow than I do people who are thriving in the current job market. Annual raises are out of the question for many people, like my friend who is in the mortgage business. All of those factors make me feel blessed to be employed! And today I am happy to report that not only am I gainfully employed, I also received a promotion and a significant raise! I am ecstatic! I work with and for wonderful people who value their employees and the work that we do. We get to help seniors live independently in their homes and we're blessed to call some of the most loving and thoughtful people our employees. My job is now officially the recruitment and retention of our dedicated Caregivers. My career goal has been to move into HR, and now I have been given the opportunity to take a step in the right direction.

Has God blessed me, or what?

Manatees, Dolphins and Cranes, oh my!

Wow, what an adventure James and I had tonight! We took our kayak out for an evening cruise and nature provided excellent entertainment. First of all, the birds were active and beautiful-pelicans swooping and diving for mullet, cranes gliding from side to side... it was wonderful! (FYI, if you are familiar with the Melbourne area, we launched out of Ballard Park.) Not very far into our trip, our kayak lifted up and then suddenly dropped into a deep pocket in the water... when we regained our composure we realized that it was a MANATEE under our kayak! We hung out in the area for a few minutes and the gentle giant rubbed itself against the side of our kayak and lifted its head out of the water several times to greet us. It was a little disconcerting at first because these guys are SO BIG, but eventually I was comfortable with it hanging around.

On our way back in to the park, we were ambushed by several manatees- we know there were at least 3 and possibly four. They appeared to be mating (we think this because there was SO much thrashing going on! Also, surprisingly manatees are known for their "group sex". James actually witnessed a "manatee orgy" last year off of one of our Causeways. People were pulling off of the road to take pictures and gawk at the spectacle- pretty interesting!) Once again, one large sea cow slid under our kayak, this time in the front, leaving a water vacuum that the tip of the kayak slammed into. Again, pretty scary! James wanted to stay and enjoy the manatees, but I had seen enough. They're peaceful creatures, but 3 or 4 thrashing about is a sure recipe for a tipped kayak. Even though I know they wouldn't harm us, it would be pretty intimidating to be in the water with creatures that weigh over 1,000 pounds.

Wild dolphins graced us with their presence as we pulled back into the park, and I laughed as I watched a man cast a net for bait fish only to have the seagulls and pelicans grab them as soon as he pulled the net from the water.

Kayaking is one of mine and James' simple pleasures. Once you make the initial investment it's good cheap fun--not to mention great exercise. We bought a used top-of-the-line kayak with a rudder system for only $300! We bought it on Craigslist from a family who just wanted to get rid of it! It would have been well over $1,200 if we had bought it brand new. Kayaking is something that we really enjoy doing together and normally we bring our dog Brian along. He's a good sport who likes water and he loves being out in the open water with us. Often we explore little islands and he tags along for the adventure. It's precious! Tonight with all the manatee action James and I kept asking each other "What if Brian had been along for this?" and "How would he react to all these manatees?" It would have been even more interesting, that's for sure--but let's just say I am glad Brian stayed at home tonight!

P.S. This picture of Brian illustrates his love of the water because that bubble bath was actually intended for me... but the little guy jumped in before I could get in myself!

Spartan Monday

"Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things. " Elise Boulding

I was thinking today about how much money I save by taking my lunch to work. Leftovers are what I normally pack, though occasionally I just grab a can of soup and some crackers. There are only a few of us in my office and for the most part we're all in the habit of brown-bagging our lunches. However, sometimes bringing lunch everyday grows boring. Occasionally I need a good restaurant lunch. A soft spot that I have is for Chinese lunch specials, and we have a great carry-out place less than a mile west of the office. I consider Chinese take-out for lunch a great value because the lunch specials contain enough food for 2-3 days worth of lunches. For $5.25 you get soup, an egg roll, a large portion of an entree, and rice. It's a great value! Also, I can get a baked potato and a cup of chili at Wendy's for $2 + tax- you can't beat that for price! It's filling, it's cheap, and it's a lot less strain on your health than a hamburger/fries/soda combo. For an afternoon pick-me-up, Sonic drive-ins offer "Happy Hour" from 2pm-4pm where select drinks are half-price. Those are my "at work" lunches/indulgences without breaking the bank.
What do you do to save money on lunch?

Sunday Savings

Did you buy a newspaper today? You need those coupons! The savings can be dramatic!

If you recall, last Thursday I got Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal for $. 07 a box! You can often get things you need for pennies or if you're lucky-for free! Clipping coupons is definitely worth the time!

Next Week's Menu

I have a confession to make-I am not posting a real menu this week. The several reasons include:

1. My dad is not staying with us. For those who don't know, my parents are making the move to Melbourne from Georgia. My Dad has been living with us for the last three weeks but he is in Georgia this week to help my mom pack up before the movers come. They will be here staying with us at the end of next week, but I am not sure which days. So, what that all means is that it's hard to accurately plan.
2. I am spending Saturday (shopping day) in St. Augustine with my in-laws and nieces. This will throw off my schedule slightly, and I prefer a Sunday afternoon nap to grocery shopping. But what a great blessing to have fun in the sun with family!
3. James is on his break between the Spring and Summer semester, so in the evenings we plan to live the way we used to when we first moved to Florida. This will include: evenings at the beach surfing and body boarding, bike rides, kayaking, and trips to the park. We really used to do something like that every night after he was done working (and that's when I was in school during the day). Goodness are we looking forward to that!

In reality, we're going to hit Publix up Sunday night after church and grab some sandwich meat and fruit and I am making some sourdough bread. It's sandwich week! We'll probably just make sandwiches and take them brown-bag style with us on our adventures!

I am so excited!

Frugal Friday

Ahh, it is finally the weekend and I am happy for that! I actually just awoke from a sound sleep with my doggie Brian on the couch. I guess it's time for bed, but first, Frugal Friday!

This article is about "voluntary simplicity"- and I loved the author's points. Check it out here. And on that note, it's off to bed for me.

You have to know where you're going.

The funniest/most coincidental thing happened this evening. James and I went to Publix to pick up a few items (I spent $15 and SAVED $10!) and went through the line of one of my favorite cashiers, Roxanne. Amidst our chatter, she called me "the organized one" and commented on the fact that I always have a list with me. James and I shared a smile, remembering yesterday's post about the importance of a list. You see folks, I really do the things I blog about!

The deal of the evening? That would definitely be the two boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch (normally $3.99 for each box) that I spent a total of 14 cents on! That's 7 cents each! I love specials, and most of all I love coupons!

Tonight I'd like to talk about the reason that I go to such trouble to save money. It's very important to have goals and to know the reason that you are changing your lifestyle. If you don't have a purpose for it, then you may not see the benefits of the work you're doing.
My primary financial goals are:

1. Most importantly, to reshape my financial mindset. I don't want to always max out my income with cost-of-living expenses. I want to live below my means so that I can have a "cushion". Living paycheck to paycheck is not for me!
2. Pay off our second mortgage in 2 years. James and I are really committed to this. My whole paycheck goes to its own separate account, and we use every paycheck of mine to pay off that loan. Why? It's money we can count on getting back if we sell the house and we're not throwing away money on interest. As soon as we finish this goal, we will be working on the other loan. Because the money goes into an account separate from our normal banking, the adage "out of sight, out of mind" really does prove true.
3. If we ever have kids I'd like to be a stay-at-home mom. I just can't imagine adding kids to the mix of working and maintaining a sane home. Even though both of us are working now, we are able to live on just one income- so we know that we can do that. However, if we continue to pay down the mortgages and reduce our monthly bills, this dream of staying home with possible kids can be realized even more easily.

You see, having defined goals makes saving money easier because you are aware of why you are doing it. So, why are you changing your habits? What are your goals?

The List

By nature I am a list-maker. I almost always have a notebook with me that I constantly jot things down in, primarily in the form of lists. I write errand lists, grocery lists, shopping lists, cleaning lists, lists of things to pack if I go somewhere, to-do lists, and well, to exhaust the phrase, the list goes on and on. Lists are a frugal person's greatest ally because they are a great tool for saving money.

Many times people only use a list when they shop for groceries-however, I think that lists are beneficial in ALL shopping situations. For instance, at Christmas time I make lists of exactly what I plan to buy for others and how much I intend to spend. I compare the list to sales ads that come out and see where I can get a good deal on my intended purchase. Even when I need new clothes, I prepare a list of what I need, which limits my spending and my overall consumer-drive. If you're like me you want to shop sales to get great deals. If you're not shopping with a list, often all you end up with is a "great deal"-not something that you need. Skirts being on sale for $8 does not justify the purchase of several skirts. The need for skirts justifies buying more skirts; not the price. This is a lesson I have taken a long time to learn. I have often bought things when they were "dirt-cheap" and then never used them! It's wasted money even though at the time I thought it was a "steal".


In summation, make a list before any shopping trip and prioritize what you actually need versus things you don't need. Remember also that shopping is never meant to be a hobby!

Make your home a coffeehouse!

Sometimes we go out for coffee with friends, but I have a better idea... Bring the coffee shop home! One whole pot of good quality coffee brewed at home is cheaper than one small coffee at a cafe. Serve the coffee in some pretty cups if you have them, set out some cream and sugar, and you've got yourself a party. To create the ambiance of a coffee shop, create a mix of upbeat but relaxing music. My suggestions: Jack Johnson, Corrine Bailey Rae, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, etc. Stack some playing cards, scrabble and other board games on your coffee table and enjoy a night of easy entertaining.

Tip: If you don't have board games, don't fear! There are lots of games you can play with a few dice or a deck of cards. One of our favorite games to play with company is called Farkle. All you need for Farkle is the instructions (just click the link) and 6 dice! I have also found many board games for a steal at garage sales! I spent only a quarter on Pictionary and also got the group game Taboo for free!

I often think that we don't entertain in our homes enough because it is often more convenient to "meet up" for dinner somewhere. Inviting others into our homes shows the warmth and hospitality we have to offer. Not only is this a frugal evening, it is also one that allows us to share our lives with others we care about.

Spartan Monday & Gratitude Challenge

"By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest." -Agesilaus

One of the greatest ways to feel blessed is to be grateful. I have read that gratitude is the most positive energy force we can use to make our lives happier. Since it's not really quantifiable, I am not sure how this is true, however, I know that feeling grateful does enrich our daily lives. Tonight, I wrote a note to one of our church members to let him know how grateful I am to have him in my life and how I am often inspired by his words. I challenge you to do the same-jot down a few lines to someone to let them know how they make a difference in your life. It'll brighten their day, and you'll reap rewards internally as well. It only takes a few minutes-ready, set, go!

Sunday Savings

Did you buy a newspaper today?

It's amazing how much money we can save if we shop smartly and stock-up when sales occur. For instance, tonight we're having lasagna that is very inexpensive because I bought the cheese, tomato sauce, and pasta over the past few weeks during sales! Clipping coupons and shopping are now like a game to me, it's a challenge that I enter into with myself...it's a hobby now, as funny as that sounds. A hobby that saves money- how wonderful!

Next Week's Menu

Publix is absolutely the greatest grocery store chain I have ever encountered. I was reminded today about why I love it so much--the people! Not only are the parking lots spic-and-span, the grocery store itself immaculate, even after the dinner rush--the people are SO nice! I have gone to many Publix stores in the state of FL, and this holds true for all of them. At "my" store, I have several cashiers that I see regularly. They smile and chat, and provide excellent service. Even the stockers and the bag boys take their time to smile and offer assistance.

This company is stellar in many ways, but one of the things I respect the most is the number of disabled people and seniors that they employ. Many of the people who are baggers have disabilities of different kinds, whether it be mental retardation or a physical impairment (like an arm that doesn't work) but they are obviously trained to do an excellent job and to provide the utmost in customer service. The good work of these employees must be rewarded because they stick around-I have lived in Melbourne for 2.5 years, and most of the store's employees have been working there the whole time! One cashier, Patty, told me one night that she was going to a Publix event to celebrate 27 years, I believe, with the company! She talked about how nice these events were and how the employees were honored for their service. I love knowing that when I buy groceries, I am also buying into a responsible and personable corporation.

But onto the real purpose--this week's menu!

Sunday: Lasagna, Salad and Homemade Sourdough Bread
Monday: Leftover Lasagna, Salad and Bread (I have a late night at work, so I planned for leftovers!)
Tuesday: Salmon Patties, Couscous, Cucumbers with dill
Wednesday: Mojo Pork Tacos
Thursday: Chicken Sates with Peanut Sauce, Coconut Rice, Fresh Pineapple and Mango
Friday: Date Night (We're going out!)

As far as the lasagna goes, I just follow a recipe from the back of the lasagna noodles-most people have a lasagna recipe they like, which is why I didn't include any specific recipe.
The Salmon Patties and Mojo Pork Tacos are my originals! I am getting better about writing down my recipes for others, so hopefully I'll improve in the area of linking recipes for the weekly menu.
The chicken sates with peanut sauce are a favorite in our house. James and his friend call it "PB & R", standing for peanut butter and rice, because they like to top their rice with the peanut sauce. I'll admit it-this is one of the BEST recipes I have ever come across, so try it!
My tips for this dish: In the peanut sauce, I substitute coconut milk for the water and I often thin it down a bit further with some chicken broth. Also, in the sate marinade I use coconut milk rather than water and shredded coconut-I just think it's better. It sounds like a lot of coconut flavor, but trust me it's very subtle. I add the remainder of the can of coconut milk to the water I cook the rice in, making it delicious, but still pretty subtle. The fresh fruit is the perfect accompaniment.

Frugal Friday

There are TONS of blogs I like to read, but my new favorite is called The Simple Dollar. On this site, I read an article that was very interesting to me offering thoughts on the questions of social responsibility and frugality.

One of the best points that Trent (the author) makes:

"Frugality isn’t about what’s cheap. It’s about finding the best value for your dollar. The catch is that the word “value” has different meanings for different people in different situations."

Although my frugality causes me to be a "best value" shopper, you will still not see me step foot in a WAL-Mart. Even if their price is the cheapest. Period. You don't have to shop at WAL-Mart to save money.

Enjoy this article, and read Trent's other postings. WARNING: You may get addicted like me!

Here it is: Saving Money Versus Saving the World.


Also, check out his guide to making laundry detergent from scratch. I am tempted to try it...

Hidden Money

A few days ago I decided that we need to have a garage sale. Why? Well, I have a lot of things around the house that I don't use (or ever intend to) and I imagine that someone can use these things at a great price. About 6 months ago, James and I cleaned out a lot of stuff from our home and donated it to Goodwill. I thought about doing this again, but I had a few objections.

To begin with, I never actually use the tax deductions. While the items are conveniently removed from my possession with one swift trip, it doesn't benefit me or others tremendously. (I know that sounds audacious, but wait, hear me out!) You see, Goodwill is making a lot of profit on the goods that I donate for free. Too much, I think. Goodwill charges about $6 for a pair of used jeans, about $4 for a skirt, $3 something for shirts, and it may sound cheap but I think it's overpriced. I like to think that I am in control of getting rid of my unused belongings while providing spectacular bargains to others! Garage sales are by far a better value than thrift stores for frugal shoppers. This is not a money-making venture for James and I, however we do plan to spend the money we earn on some wardrobe staples. He is in need of a few classic polos and I need some short-sleeved button-up shirts for my work wardrobe (we do live in Florida after all!).

Something exciting happened as I was gathering and emptying out several old purses and handbags-I found TONS of hidden money! I am going to save some of it for change on our garage sale day, and the rest will be our "petty cash". I challenge you to clean out all of your old purses and wallets, heck, even your winter coat pockets. (A ten dollar bill was left lurking in my winter coat last year-what a treat!) You're bound to find something worthwhile.

Simply Shining

One of the things that I like best about my journey toward simplicity is that it helps me to be a better Christian. Jesus really had no earthly belongings-his treasure was in heaven, as is mine. This new lifestyle of mine is much more in tune with my faith. I think for too long I focused on the earthly, and not the spiritual. Living in the here-and-now is pretty normal for a human because it reflects where we are physically. Allowing our physical lives to be simpler allows our spiritual lives to deepen.
I have noticed that my entertainment has changed--I listen to cleaner music, I read purer things because my focus is simplified. I think that Christianity is enhanced by a simple life, and I love the Apostle Paul's thoughts on this. Phillipians 4:11-

"...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of both being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Prosperity is not a sin, it is a blessing. I am prosperous, but I don't want to live with the constant selfish wants that often accompany increasingly. Slowly I see these dissipating and vanishing from my thoughts. The absence of unwarranted earthly desires leaves room for my mind to be filled with holier things. Living below your means is almost "un-American" now, and I think that living a fulfilled life with less material things and frugality reflects Christ to others. It's a new light for me to shine, that's for sure.

Great Deals!

This evening, I bought both a tube of Cover Girl Mascara and a vial of Cover Girl nail polish for a total of 20 cents! I used some store coupons and manufacturer's coupons to achieve this-pretty rad, huh? Also, I got two tubes of Colgate Total toothpaste for 32.5 cents each by simply adding some coupons to a CVS promo. Can't beat that!

The best money I have ever spent was the $350 for my dog, Brian. That is a purchase I have never regretted. I hate to call him a "purchase" though. I guess it's about the same as how families spend money to adopt children-not really a purchase as much as proof that you have the capital to support another living being. Anyhow, Brian brings so much joy and happiness to my husband and I, not to mention many many laughs on a daily basis. As he bugs me for attention as I write right now, I can't help but smile and appreciate this precious addition to our little family.

I'm like a proud mom whipping out photos from my collection! I hope you enjoyed Brian's photo gallery. If you have a pet, go give them a hug and take a moment to think of all the great ways they bless your life.

Spartan Monday

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius--and a lot of courage--to move in the opposite direction."

-E. F. Schumacker

Sunday Savings

I hope that you bought a newspaper today!

I did, and it is already saving me money! I have a few stores to visit this week so that I can get some "freebies". This week, I'll be able to get

two FREE tubes of Colgate toothpaste and two FREE Lady Speed Sticks

by combining specials and coupons! Investing a little time to peruse the sales ads pays off because you learn where your coupons can best be "spent". This week Walgreens has 28 oz. cans of Hunt's Tomato Sauce for only 29 cents! You can bet I'll be stocking up on those, and you'll see them worked into the following weeks menus. With some crafty combining, I will also be able to get 2 bottles of Dawn dish soap for 75 cents each- a steal. Hamburger Helper is BOGO at Publix this week, and although I don't use the product, I am going to take advantage of some coupons I have to get 4 boxes for a total of about 20 cents-and I plan to donate this to a local food bank.

You see, the point of being frugal and stocking up is not to "hoard"- it's to make our own lives simpler and the lives of others richer!

Next Week's Menu

Here's next week's menu! I apologize that there are not links to all of the recipes; the problem is that I really don't use recipes. I also don't really use many measurements so it's hard to explain how I cook. I have searched for recipes that are most similar to how I make certain things-the only recipe link that I actually follow is the one for the delicious sourdough pancakes. I keep promising to do things as the blog progresses, like adding links for every single recipe, and I do intend to do that. Bear with me!

Without further adieu, here's what you've been waiting for!

Sunday: Muffaletta Sandwiches (on Asiago Foccocia), Fruit and Chips
Monday: Smothered Chicken with Mushrooms over egg noodles, Steamed Broccoli, Poached Pears
Tuesday: Quick Fettuccine Bolognese, Salad, Homemade Bread
Wednesday: Corned Beef, Potatoes, and Cabbage (Crock Pot)
Thursday: Grilled Salmon and Veggies
Friday:White Chili (Crock Pot) and Mini Corn Muffins
Saturday (a.m.): Sourdough Pancakes with Blackberry Sauce, Scrambled Eggs and Bacon

You may think that we waste food because we're having something different every night. I actually pack a lunch every day before work and eat the leftovers from the night before. James often eats the leftovers for lunch as well. It's amazing to think about how much money I keep in my pocket by not "grabbing lunch" everyday. (Plus, I imagine I save myself from some unhealthy fast food choices as well!)

Frugal Friday

Here's an article with some good food for thought- Are you afraid to look poor?

My thoughts...being poor is much worse than just looking poor! What's the point of looking like you're rolling in the dough when you're drowning in debt? It's living a lie-and the worst part is that if you're living that way, you're lying to yourself.

I will post a weekly menu tomorrow--look out for it!

The Power of Suggestion

In the car this evening, James offered an idea for Spartan Living-to spite me, really. He said I should suggest using the library rather than buying books. You see, I have an abundance of books and a shortage of shelf space in our home office. He's right about taking advantage of the local offering because not only are the books free, you also don't have to store them. The library also offers books on tape, DVDs, and music! What a wonderful and free public service. (Well, it's free assuming you're not like me-I have a $16 fine to pay next time I go to the library for some overdue books! That racked up fast...)
Plus, library books always have that comforting library smell-you know what I'm talking about!

Some of my suggestions:

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy

Enjoy the library--and get those books turned in on time!

Real Simple

Something I look forward to every month is the delivery of "Real Simple" Magazine. This publication is full of home tips, articles, self-help, recipes, organization tips, etc. One of the articles I enjoy reading monthly is from the life coach Gail Blanke. She offers, in my opinion, sound advice about--well, life.

I'd like to share this article, entitled Half Full? Half Empty? You Decide. In the future, I hope to write my own articles about simplifying our thoughts and our minds, in an effort to live in a simple fashion holistically. My biggest fan (well, thus far, my only fan and sister-in-law) Angie suggested that it is important to change our "inner dialogue" in order for change to take place in our lives. I think she's right, and that will be a focus as this blog evolves. Until then, enjoy Gail Blanke's thoughts!

Saving money while dining out

Our free local newspaper recently started offering discount gift cards for restaurants in our county. Restaurants.com offers similar promotions. I was unsure of how it worked, but now I am LOVING the savings!

While we don’t go out to eat nearly as much as we used to, going out is still inevitable. Sometimes I need a break from eating my own cooking, and often we just like to “go out” with friends. The aforementioned discount websites offer gift certificates to restaurants at half-price! It’s amazing! James and I love our local (and very nearby) restaurant Long Doggers. Well, Long Doggers happened to participate in this promo, so we purchased $100 in gift certificates for only $50! Since our average bill at Long Doggers is only $20, we can go out to eat 5 times on that $50 we spent—I think that’s pretty awesome.

There are actually a lot of ways to cut spending when dining out. First of all, get take-out! James and I have realized that we spend about $15-20 extra by dining-in at some restaurants, so picking up our food to go is a way to cut costs. For instance, the Thai restaurant that we love offers take-out and all that we spend when we choose this option is the money for the entrees. We’re not buying drinks at $2.50 each, we’re not tipping a waiter (normally about $8-10) and we’re not tempted to spend $5.25 on an appetizer portion of edamame when I can buy a whole bag for $1.99 and steam it myself at home. The appeal to order one of the delicious desserts is not a problem when you order take-out; that saves both money and calories.

Also, many restaurants offer coupons in newspapers and circulars--don't feel ashamed to use these!

Knowing what your local grocery store offers in the way of “family meals” is a good alternative to going out to eat. For instance, Publix offers a family meal for 4 for $9.99! They have a bag that you can fill with your choice of a rotisserie chicken or an 8 piece carton of fried chicken, 2 deli sides of your liking, and a small pack of rolls. I have even seen promos where they have added in a ½ gallon of sweet tea for free! James and I have enjoyed this combo family meal on several occasions, and both agree that it is a great value for only ten dollars.

It’s hard to avoid spending money on restaurants—but if you think ahead and do it smartly, you won’t break the bank.

Challenge: Research how much you have spent on dining out over the last month by looking over your bank statements or receipts. Is it more that you realized? Are you spending more on going out to eat than you are on groceries? It’s not too late to pick up new dining out habits!

Spartan Monday

“If frugality were established in the state, and if our expenses were laid out to meet needs rather than superfluities of life, there might be fewer wants, and even fewer pleasures, but infinitely more happiness.” -Oliver Goldsmith

Sunday Savings

Did you buy your newspaper today?

It's chock-full of coupons that are just dying to be clipped! I actually bought two papers today because my grocery store has so many buy-one-get-one-free deals. You can use two identical coupons even though you're only actually paying for one of the products with those promotions, so it's very worthwhile to buy the extra paper.

I always set aside time on Sundays to buy a paper and to clip coupons. It takes time, but it saves money!

Next Week's Menu

I just returned home from my weekly grocery shopping. I made a huge mistake in forgetting to give the cashier my coupons--so after I loaded the groceries, I took my reciept and the coupons back to the customer service counter and was given the difference in cash! Talk about actually "seeing" your savings--today's savings are literally in my wallet!

My best deal of the day was 2 boxes of Curves Honey Crunch Cereal. They're $3.49/box, but this week they were buy one get one free. I also had a coupon for $1.10 off of each box...so some quick math shows that I got each box for $ .65! What a steal.

And on with this week's menu:

Sunday: Quiche Lorraine, salad and fruit
Monday: Chicken and dumplings, corn on the cob
Tuesday: Spinach and Cheese Manicotti, salad, and homemade sourdough bread
Wednesday: Ham and Cheese Turnovers, fruit and potato chips
Thursday: Chickpea and Sausage Stew and homemade sourdough bread
Friday: B.L.A.T. Thin Crust Pizza and fruit
Saturday: Eat in or out--our choice!

Frugal Friday

I read an article tonight that was inspiring and aided as a reminder that you can live on mere pennies if you put brain-power toward it. While I am nowhere near as frugal as this woman, I appreciate her dedication to the lifestyle. Here's the link : A Day in the (Frugal) Life .

A frugal lifestyle may seem extreme and "cheap"--but there's so much value in it. When things lose physical value, the value of the non-tangible increases exponentially. When you choose to live below your means, everything in your life feels abundant!

Enjoy!

One step to a clean room!

There is one thing that you can do to ensure a clean bedroom-it's monotonous, but very simple: MAKE YOUR BED!

When you make your bed daily, the rest of the stuff strewn about begins to look out of place and you become motivated to spend a few minutes picking up after yourself. Here's my bed--it's not perfect, but it's done!
I learned this lesson from the FlyLady. My sister-in-law Angie introduced me to the FlyLady, and much like the coupons it took me a loonnng time to come around. Now, I am in full control of my household and am always ready for surprise company (although I still appreciate fair warning!). This month, the habit that FlyLady is reinforcing is making the bed--and I thought I'd encourage others to pick up this habit.

Making my bed daily has made a huge difference in the overall appearance and cleanliness of my room. Don't stress out and be a perfectionist- just do it.

Menu Addendum

It says on the disclaimer on my fridge that "All menu items are subject to change"--and it's true. Tuesday's meatball subs yielded more than expected. (I had originally thought that my husband's cousin and friend may be joining him for dinner after their recurring Tuesday night disc golf game. However, the weather had other plans and no one played outside!) Anyhow, the abundance of meatballs called for the simple addition of some pasta and a renaissance for the hoagie rolls.

Dinner tonight ended up being Spaghetti and leftover meatballs, salad, and hoagie rolls turned into garlic bread. Simple!

Since I never defrosted the pork tenderloins intended for Wednesday and Thursday night's dinner, the menu for tomorrow needs to be changed as well. We are going to have the leftover box of spaghetti with a clam sauce. Salad and garlic bread will accompany the meal, once again. This is one of those meals I always have stuff on hand to make, so it's a breeze. I start by getting water heavily salted and starting to boil for the pasta. While it's heating up, I drain a can of chopped clams, reserving the juice. The clam juice goes into a saute pan where I let it reduce by about half. Once it reduces, I add about a half a cup of half and half. I also throw in about a half a cup of the pasta water. The pasta should be done by now, so drain it. Add the clams to the sauce and add the pasta, coating all the strands. Chopped fresh parsley is a good touch if you have it--if not, you won't miss it. Add some parmesan (freshly grated is best)right before serving.

Right now, I happen to have a package of whole clams in the freezer. It's something new my local market had in their specialty meats freezer. I haven't ever used clams this way before but I am excited to try them. They were a lot less expensive than fresh clams, and I actually like frozen seafood because it is frozen as soon as it is caught. Many people turn their noses up to frozen seafood, but it's often "fresher" in a sense than what you can buy from the seafood counter of your grocery store. I am going to steam those clams and serve them over the pasta-I think it'll look very appetizing. Yumm!

Sorry to veer away from the menu, but why let leftovers go to waste?

Facing the Facts: You can save money with coupons.

So, from a marketing standpoint, coupons are for suckers who will purchase a product they generally don't buy just for the sake of "saving money". It's also a company's way to con people into trying their new products.

I have learned, however, that coupons can save consumers (yes, even ones like me) money if used correctly. What is correctly? Before I share my advice on how to use coupons, I would first like to give credit to a few others who actually made me re-think the concept of "coupon-ing". My sis-in-law, Angie, first told me about how people save money with coupons. I wasn't interested at the time because I pretty much shopped exclusively at Whole Foods and was more concerned with organics than price. These days, I am really pinching pennies, so I have new motivation, I suppose. Also, the websites Grocery Game and Coupon Mom are helpful resources if you're trying to learn to use coupons. And yes, you do have to learn how to use coupons in order for them to actually save you money.

Ok, ok, so credit has been given where credit is due--now, on to my savings tips.

1. Buy the Sunday paper. Not only are there great comics (which I am a sucker for), crossword puzzles, and of course news--it is chock-full of coupons.
2. Only use coupons for items that you actually use, or products that you are not brand-picky about. (For instance, if there's a great deal on dishwasher detergent but it's not the one you typically use--it may be worth trying the brand that you can get a deal on. Why not?)
3. Study the ads for your local store. Truth be told, I am not interested in going from store to store in search of a deal, so I stick to just my favorite store--Publix. I know that they announce the weeks specials on Thursdays. I pull the ads up online and use my coupons in conjunction with the weeks specials.
4. Use printable online coupons. I use Coupon Bug and non-store specific coupons found on the Albertson's website of all places.
5. Use coupons with your store's promotions. For instance, this week Publix is having a buy-one-get-one-free promo on Betty Crocker muffin mixes. Score, right? But even better--I have a coupon for $1 off when you buy two! I get the two muffin mixes for the price of one, less one dollar. Ultimately, I spend $1.50 total on two Betty Crocker muffin mixes--only $ .75 each!
6. Don't feel like you're being cheap! If you can save money, save it! Think of all the other wonderful things your money can do.

Being the skeptic that I am, it took me a long time to come around. However, the first time I made out a list and shopped according to the sales at Publix, I saved $29.07! The kicker? I only actually spent $26.51! For a bill that could have added up to $55.58, I paid less than half at the small amount of $26.51!

...And I only bought staple items that I actually use and need.

*The bummer is that there are not coupons for produce or meats, which I would estimate that I generally spend 70% of my grocery money on. However, you can still significantly save on produce and meats by shopping with the specials. If broccoli is on special, incorporate it into your meals for the week. If whole chickens are on sale, roast a chicken! Shop with the specials!
Also, frequent your local farmer's markets, if they're available. Produce is much cheaper through these venues because of low overhead and minimal mark-up. And as a bonus, you can feel good about supporting the "little man" and your local economy.