Spartan Monday

"We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs."

-Gloria Steinem

I did my weekly grocery shopping tonight since I was unable to do it this weekend. James went with me and we had a great time together, and we had some GREAT savings! Let me preface my savings by reminding you that we only purchased things that we use and need.

Tonight we spent $36.26...

and SAVED $65.73!

• We spent $. 97/box on Lucky Charms that normally costs $4.79.

• We spent $1.74/16 oz. bottle on Olive oil that normally costs $5.49.

• We spent $. 99/Lysol Mold & Mildew bathroom cleaner that normally costs $3.49.

• We spent $. 98/50 count Advil that normally costs $6.49.

• We spent $. 99/bottle of Pert Plus that normally costs $3.39. (There's also a mail-in rebate I will send in!)

• We spent $ .45/bottle of A1 Steak Sauce marinade.

• We spent $ .29 on Cover Girl nail polish that normally costs $3.29.

All of these great deals were combinations of coupons and BOGO sales, except for the nail polish.

See what you can accomplish with a little work each week?

I sure hope you're inspired! Please share your great deals... I'd love to hear about them!

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?

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!

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

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

Spartan Monday

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be
simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor
weakness weakness.”

-Henry David Thoreau