Keep It Simple

I went to the grocery yesterday and wow! It seems as though everything has gone up. Milk is almost 5.00 a gallon, my daughter and I use milk very little but my 16 year old son drinks quite a bit of milk. I bought some powdered milk, thinking I might try to slip some in with the real stuff when its about half gone and hopefully they wont notice, I'll use it in cooking also to try to save, but I have to say even the powdered milk was not cheap and that was the no name brand. I bought only one package of hamburger as the beef was also expensive. So I came home with 4 roasts, 2 five pound hams, 2 packages of chicken breasts, 12 cans of tomato sauce, 2 boxes of penne pasta, fresh spinach, a head of cabbage, green onions, radishes, 2 sweet potatoes, a 15 pound bag of russet potatoes, 2 cucumbers, 2 bell peppers, 12 ounce colby jack cheese, 4 cans of chicken broth, 2 packages of precooked bean and cheese burritos and a package of submarine rolls and two loaves of bread. I ended up spending $127.00. I figure this is going to make at least two weeks worth of meals, at two meals a day, not counting canned veggies that I have on hand. I also didnt count soups I can make with the potatoes etc. I do also have plenty in my freezer, we could probably get by for a month and a half without going to the grocery and eating what is on hand. Of course this wouldnt count milk, bread and fresh veggies. Maybe I should challenge myself to do that, just eat what is on hand without buying anymore. I'll have to think on that one awhile, I do not feel secure without food in the house, maybe it was the way I grew up, we had very little and usually just enough to get by, never did we get seconds, but then we were healthy, not over weight and sure didnt go hungry!

Well, this was not as easy as I thought it might be. Even with cooked food in the house I would find myself running by for a soda or tacos etc. So I compromised and bought a few things at the grocery that I could just pop into the microwave or oven and have a meal. The kids have not taken it so well either. They would want fast food also. We all have adjusted better than we did at first, it's something we are working on. I think alot of it is mindset.

Saving $5 a day isn't so bad. I usually have change in my car, drawers around the house and the bottom of my purse. I have also found change the kids have left around. Grand total now is 120.00, which is $120.00 more than I had to start with!!

It's just the small things we do for others that can make a real difference in their lives. I deliver a newspaper every day to an elderly gentleman that rarely gets out of his house. He pays for Sunday paper only and since I get a paper for free everday I give him mine. Hopefully this will brighten his day by giving him something to read and its free for him.
When I first started doing it he was concerned that he would be billed for it. He was very thankful when I told him it was on me.

Well, I have to start somewhere, so, if I can find a way to save only $5 a day it will be a start to some sort of savings. Surely it can't be that hard to scrape up, I can think of a few things I can go without and save that amount!

Today's total:
$5

I have a wonderful sister that I love so much! She is the sweetest most caring person I know. She is very giving and is always there for someone in need. She is the type of person always thinking of others such as buying them cards just because.
I know this is not financial but it's important to me to remember blessings large or small every day. It helps to get through the rough times financial or otherwise!

Income: Monthly
Paper Route: 500.00
Internet sales 1600.00

Rent: 525.00
Cable: 49.99
Water: 55.00
Electricity: 230.00
Auto INs: 189.00
Cell: 40.00

Total: 1088.99

Groceries: 298.00
Misc: 50.00 (laundry soap, etc)
Gas: Paid for by paper route

I've cut my cell bill from 100.00 to 40.00 by going to a prepaid plan with nights, weekends, and unlimited texting free.
I've also cut my cable from 100..00 to 49.99 by keeping internet only, if I want to watch something I'll find a dvd or see what I can find on the internet.

My next plan is to cut the electric bill at least in half(may not be realistic). I will hang clothing out to dry instead of using the dryer and turn all lights, items, etc off when not in use. I've replaced all lights with the new energy efficient bulbs.

Automobile is paid for and I have no credit card, or loan debts, thank goodness. I pay cash for everything but can blow through it like nobody's business!

I really want to get serious about saving some money for an emergency fund, vacation fund and try to set something aside for retirement.

Hopefully by using this blog it will help me keep track and keep myself accountable.

My grocery budget is $298.00 per month. I usually do well with this as far as groceries are concerned. Our problem is eating out, such as in fast food. We dont really go to sit down places but we get take away quite a bit and this really adds up! For three of us it's never under 12.00-14.00. I have a large chest freezer full of food as well as my pantries and cabinets are full. I've got to make myself cook.

I've made a start, last night I cooked a bag of chicken breasts and made chicken taquitos. Recipe below:

Shredded chicken (amount depends on how many you will be making)
Velveta Mexican cheese- 1 square, 1-2 inches thick.
1 tablespoon of homemade salsa
Heat vegetable oil in frying pan, take corn tortillas and put in oil for one second just to soften. Put in desired amount of chicken, roll and put end sides down in cooking oil. Cook until crisp.

This was the first time I've made these and they were really delicious, we will be having these again. Tasty, quick and easy!

I also made chicken salad with some of the chicken and still have 1/2 of it left. I will either find something to make with it or freeze for future use.

It's amazing how many meals one bag of chicken breasts can make!

I've started this blog to chart my progress and to keep me accountable.

It's a struggle being a single parent but I've come to realize that my family is happier living on less money than living on less time spent as a family. I'm much happier too. It's nice to be able to enjoy my children and being with them rather than being tired and crabby and not wanting to be around anyone.

I left my "real job" about 6 months ago to stay home and make my living by taking on odd jobs, selling online and just doing my own thing. Some months have been good and some months have been short on funds. Overall, I'm much happier this way.

I need to start saving a portion of what I make for rainy days and also need to start some sort of retirement as I currently have none.

Hopefully this blog will help and I'm committing myself to blog my progress etc.