Budget Re-Do...

I pulled out my Dave Ramsey Book 

"A Total Money Makeover"

again this past weekend.

We are slowly

working our way through 

his debt snowball plan

And I needed a little extra motivation.

It is EXHILARATING

to pay something off.

The high and uphoria of 

the payoff,

for me,

is more exciting than the purchase itself!

I started quoting from the book

to my husband

"Dave says, blah blah"

"Dave also said, blah blah"

My sweet hubs decided to remind me

that although Dave might be a good resource,

his book was not the gospel.

I know, I know...

Everyone does not fit perfectly

into his mold.

BUT,

his plan is a great one

and

after reading his books,

you get a swift kick in the BUTT!

And MOTIVATION!

I have been attempting to follow a budget

for a few months.

But haven't quite mastered it.

I am still figuring out what works

best for our family.

I seemed to be chasing our money

instead of "telling it where to go".

I would also try to budget for everything

that "might" happen that month:

Doctor's visits

pharmacy visits

haircuts

sports equipment purchases

dinners out

birthday/gifts

etc...

Not all of these things happened

each month,

so I found myself constantly 

and almost daily

making adjustments to our "budget"

in Quicken.

I also had our groceries & household

separate.

But I would sometimes buy household stuff

at the grocery store

but didn't have any desire to go through

the receipts and separate out the purchases

into the correct category.

So I have gotten rid of all but 5 categories:

Bills

Groceries/Household

Laundry

Gas

Blow Money

This is my first month attempting this plan.

Based on what we were doing,

I feel this will work well.

The blow money will include EVERYTHING

not listed under the other categories.

As I have said many times before,

we have NEVER had a budget.

But I really got tired of not knowing 

where our money went each month.

I would constantly sit down 

with a spreadsheet

and the bank statement

and categorize every purchase

then go into shock at how much we spent

at certain places.

When I started the budget,

it was really just for my benefit.

The hubs and I would talk about it

a little

but he really didn't seem to show much

interest in it,

so I wasn't going to force it...

can't make him be interested, right?

I am guessing he was just letting me

figure it out and sort through it all.

Cause now,

he is really encouraging me

and we do discuss it,

Every 2 weeks...

Where do we want our money to go?

What do we have going on the next two weeks?

Any major purchases needed/wanted?

Oil changes - got it.

Missions baseball game - got it.

Now we have it planned out.

And with any luck - 

I will know where almost every penny is going

before it goes!

Another headache with this budgeting 

is the grocery shopping!

I have been racking my brain

trying to figure out how to budget for groceries.

As mentioned before,

back home in NC,

I could sit down at the computer,

do my grocery shopping on-line

and flip through my coupon binder

and match up sales with coupons.

Then I would print off my grocery list

complete with prices

and mark which ones had coupons.

Then I knew within about $10 how

much I would be spending 

when I actually went in

and did my shopping.

That service is not offered down here.

So I have resorted to making my own

database.

I shop at the same store

every 2 week.

And their prices are pretty consistent.

They don't have major sales,

but offer coupons regularly

in the store.

I don't get screaming deals on meat

like I did back home,

I would wait til meats went on 

B1G1

or 

B2G3

or

B1G2

and just do big meat purchases

and stock our freezer.

It worked!!!

Can't do that here.

Even the Costcos &

Sam's Clubs

have similar prices to those

offered at our

ONLY

grocery store chain.

So I sat down with receipts from my 

past 3 shopping trips

and started creating a database

with prices.

Now as I create my two week menu

and then my grocery list,

I can add prices

and get a better idea of what I am going to spend.

This is the best way I know how to 

get a grasp on my grocery budget

and possibly find ways to trim it.

I have already started my menu planning 

for the next two weeks.

I am anxious to put this idea into 

action and see how it works.

Any other ideas 

on how to manage & foreshadow

 grocery spending?

What's For Dinner??

I try my hardest to feed my family on a budget,

sort of,

we have a budget,

but I really have NO idea how to use it!

I have the nifty Quicken software

and I have put what we normally spend on groceries

under the grocery category.

Then what? 

I have no idea of knowing how much groceries are

going to actually cost when I check out

at the store.

I usually stay within a certain range.

But how in the world am I supposed to know how

much I am actually going to spend

until I am there?

I am sure there are ways to do this,

but I already spend about 6 hours (at least)

on the entire shopping experience:

menu planning

list making

actual shopping

post shopping prep:

fresh greens

snack packs

I already carry around a big ole binder with me

do I really need/want to add a calculator into the mix?

And walk around the store with a calculator

adding things up as I go?

Not really!

When we lived in NC, I could budget by doing my

shopping on-line first.

I would make my list,

then I would sit with my coupon binder

and do my menu planning based on what

was on sale that week.

Then I printed it off

took it into the store and did my shopping.

I knew EXACTLY how much I was going to spend.

Now - not so much...

due to this monopoly that this ONE grocery store has down

here and they have mega stores here.

I have had to change things a bit.

I could do our menu more simply,

more processed foods,

more cheaply 

and

more bland...

BUT - 

I choose to be a little creative.

This past shopping experience 

I shopped for:

Taco Salad with homemade tortilla bowls (see below)

Sausage & Kale Pasta (we love!!)

Mel's Sweet & Sour Chicken*

Mel's Stuffed Manicotti*
Burgers
Stroganoff
Kielbasa, Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage
Mel's Beef with Broccoli*

(we have not tried the ones with the * beside them -
I will let you know what we think)

these will hopefully produce enough leftovers

to cover a couple of dinners too...

However,

as these kids get bigger, 

they are definitely eating more.

Every once in a while I will get a glimpse
into our future...
and there will be no leftovers
when I thought there should be PLENTY leftover!!

Side note on the Sausage & Kale Pasta -
this is a HUGE hit in our house!  HUGE!
So much so that apparently daddy and I are
now fighting over the leftovers!
There was 1 serving left,
I was so looking forward to those for lunch
the next day.
Things were crazy and I didn't get around to making
daddy's lunch for him.
So he made it himself and took MY leftovers
Yes, MY!  (haha)
What a disappointment when I went to the
fridge at lunchtime the next day
and couldn't find them.
I already use an entire box of pasta,
and entire bunch of kale
and a pound of sausage.
I don't think I have a big enough pot
to double this recipe!

So far this week we have tried two new things:

Homemade tortilla shell bowls
and
Scratch made blueberry muffins

Homemade tortilla bowls

They were ADORABLE,

but kinda hard to eat

for everyone!

I popped the corn tortillas in the microwave
to soften them up and make them pliable.
Then pressed them in between an upside down muffin pan.

Bake at 325° for about 10 minutes (check often though)

And this is what you get.

Unfortunately while Mr. T was trying to figure out 

exactly how he was supposed to eat this thing...

he dumped the entire contents of his bowl

in his lap!

 That morning I decided to try some homemade
blueberry muffins, with whole blueberries.
These were VERY time consuming and somewhat
labor intensive.
But I really like them!
So did J,
the rest of the family, not so much.
I did not use the sugar topping it recommended.

But they looked pretty!

Mel's Best Blueberry Muffins

How Do I Feed This Crew???

I took my typical grocery store trip,

but I did it on a Tuesday evening

(instead of my Sunday afternoon norm).

Before I left, I did my meal planning

and grocery list.

On the Menu for the next two weeks:

But this time, I added in "planning" for 

breakfast and lunch too.

I typically just wing those.

And doing a better job of having snacks available.

The menu is put on the fridge for all to see...
I used it for helping keep track of breakfast
and lunch this past week and it worked
well!

I have found a LOT of inspiration

on a new found blog called

"I Heart Organizing"

With a little inspiration from her,

I took all of the snacky foods

I just bought

and put them

in individual servings!

(yes the wine was necessary for this task)

And found a couple of relatively neat homes
for them in our pantry.

But they are not nearly as organized and cute as her's
- yet!!

So now, 

when we are running out the door

for practice,

errands,

or the kids want a snack...

I send them to the snack basket.

Aside from the snacks,

I always take the time to do a few more
little bits of prep before I finish up
my shopping process:

* Put large purchases of meat in smaller,

meal size portions for the freezer.

* Cut 16 oz hunks of cheese into

16 - 1oz sticks

* Pull apart and clean grapes and put 

them in a bowl for easy picking

* wash fresh greens (cilantro, kale)

and put in a zipper bag with a wet paper towel
(thank you Rachel Ray)

My entire grocery shopping process is 

rather time consuming between:

menu planning,

grocery list making,

shopping,

putting away

&

organizing...

I think I spend at least 5 hours

every 2 weeks.
But it makes the rest of the time a lot

easier
and the ONLY thing we will have to get
is milk...our garage fridge died shortly
before we made the move from NC
and we haven't found a $35 replacement yet.

What are some of your time saving

& 

money saving tips for your grocery shopping process??

Couponing and Cooking and Recycling

*Disclaimer - no kid pics this time and just a little randomness*

I am NOT one of those 

mega-couponers

but I use them when I can.

I used to be a lot better at it than I am now.

But also used to get a lot more unnecessary items

than I do now.

I got tired of my unorganized accordion coupon file folder thingie.

So I joined the ranks of the women walking the 

grocery store aisles with those huge

3 ring binders full of coupons

in those clear pocket thingies.

I joined those ranks months ago while

we were still in NC, 

then proceeded to lose it during the move.

Finally found it again and revamped it.

(along with my meal planning and grocery shopping)

Down here - this coupon binder is not

as widely seen as it was back home.

I get stopped multiple times when 

I am in the store and asked about my

coupon binder

and complimented on my organization.
(hahahah!!)

So I figured I would share.

Here is my handy dandy zipper closed 3 ring binder:



(yes its red, go Pack! - that and they didn't
have purple)

I *highly* recommend the zipper kind.
That way you can shove stuff in there and zip it in
and not risk it falling out everywhere.

I also recommend lots of pockets,
to put more stuff in:
pens, scissors,
unfiled coupons
(that you can file during dance class -
not that I ever have time to actually do it then)

(note on the scissors - make sure you keep
the whole thing out of reach of your 3 year old,
otherwise, she helps you cut out coupons
and decorates the outside of your binder
with a few cuts to the pocket and zipper,
leaving on of your zippered pockets
USELESS!)


(that is not funk on the left side, its the flash - promise)

I found trading card holders at Staples.
You can use the business card ones
but these were a little bigger and
I could see the coupons better
and didn't have to fold them
as small..

Back home, I would go to the store

once a week.

Buy stuff that was on sale

and plan around that.

There were no real meals

"planned".

I tried it but didn't stick with it 

and was ALWAYS making changes

based on what we did or didn't have on hand.
And did the typical 5pm
what's for dinner tonight
dance around the kitchen,
pantry fridge freezer, pantry fridge freezer
what do I have all the ingredients for??

Down here I plan out a full 2 week menu

and I buy accordingly.

While I am creating the menu

(in an excel file),  

I fill in a shopping list

on the same worksheet 

and have it categorized

and organized by how my store is laid out.

Then I keep a spiral notebook at the front of my coupon book

and hand write my grocery list on that.



I also have a paperclip attached at the top of the
grocery list page in the spiral
notebook.
This is where I put my coupons as I
put the product in my cart.
Then when its time to pay...all of them are stacked right there.



I also make my list in one color
and mark it off in another.
Makes is easy to see the items I am missing,
cause even though I am shopping by myself,
I still somehow manage to skip items!

It takes an hour (at least)

to prep for my trips to the store.

The whole process takes up the majority of every other

Sunday afternoon.

BUT,

it works!!!

On this week's menu:

Sun : Burgers, Carrots & Fruit
Mon: Fiesta Chicken & Rice
Tues: Honey Jalapeno Chicken with Soba Noodles
Wed: Leftovers
Thurs: Sizzling Korean Beef, Rice & Sesame Broccoli
Fri: Taquitos
Sat: Early Birthday Dinner for R
Sun: Mini Vacation
Mon: Mini Vacation
Tues: Mini Vacation
Wed: Mexican Confetti Casserole
Thurs: Coconut Ginger Chicken
Fri: Leftovers
Sat: Burgers, Carrots & Fruit
Sun: Rotisserie Chicken

So I will shop for the ingredients I don't have.
I overdid it a few weeks ago, so I have all
the chicken I need (except for the rotisserie).

And here it is Wednesday and I have rearranged
the list twice already,
BUT
not a big deal,
I have all the ingredients!

And when we go on our mini vacation,
I will take whatever I can to prevent us from
eating out for EVERY meal.
Cheese sticks (cheddar block cut into ~ 1oz sticks)
Cut up fruit
Muffins for breakfast
yogurt
nuts
crackers
and probably a couple
pb&js
parfait ingredients
(a total hit in this house now!!! -
we made pear/plum ones a couple of days ago)

This is the plan anyhow...
we will be back and forth
attending 3 different sporting games
on Saturday,
so we will see how much of the above I actually
get done before we leave.

Then, as crazy as this is...
I have to share.
I am a little ridiculous when it comes to recycling.
I am not the worst (er, best) at recycling,
but I try, really hard!

We have been using those little green bins for YEARS,
then I saw that some towns
have started using those bigger rolling containers.
I was so excited and wanted one!
My hubby was getting tired of the overflowing one
he had to put at the curb once a week.
So it arrived and I was SO excited!!!
The absolute best part...
it tells you on the lid
EXACTLY what they take!!!
Each city is different,
but this one gives pictures,
and descriptions
and numbers!

Last week,
we filled ours 3/4 of the way up!!
I was so excited!

And hubby likes it too,
he doesn't have to fight with the overflowing bin.
After the big thing was delivered,
he informed me that he
had been throwing the overflow in the trash.
AAAHHHH!!
The horror!!
I would have rather lived in the land of the
ignorant than known that.
Oh well...
I got my big ole rolling container now,
I am happy!

Recommendation, Warning & Let the Games Begin!!!

Recommendation:

We have ALL seen the 

rotisserie chickens

that the local grocery stores 

have for sale every day.

And if you have ever tried them, 

you know that they are scrumptious!

BUT - unless you found somewhere 

that has them for $3.50 each...

its hard to pay $7/chicken.

(well for me anyways).

Back at my favorite grocery store chain in NC,

they would occasionally run these super specials

on chickens and you could get them for $0.59/lb.

So me being the frugal person I have always been,

I would buy as many as they would let me and

load my freezer.  I was known to have 12

chickens in my freezer at once.

(outside, garage freezer)

Then I had to come up with ways to cook all those

silly chickens!!

I decided to bite the bullet and buy a rotisserie.

We did NOT buy one new.

(remember the frugal statement above)

I wasn't convinced we would love it and use it,

so I wasn't forking out the dough for a new

kitchen toy.

So we found on on Craigslist for $40.

It had ALL the pieces and the lady

said she had only used it a handful of times.

That was the BEST $40 we have EVER spent.

I have learned how to truss the birds,

without those goofy strings they sell specifically 

for trussing.

(I just use cotton thread!)

And after some trial and error -

if you have never brined a bird...

oh good heavens,

you MUST!

There is NO other way to do a chicken!

You have to play with the seasonings in your brine.

But your loved ones,

will be asking for you to make

"one of your rotisserie chickens".

(oh and a little Lawry's seasoning on top is the kicker)

You gotta try it!!

Warning:

Along with the frugalness,

referred to above,

I do my best,

and always have,

to know where our money is going.

When we sign a contract to buy a house,

I want to know where all of those 

costs are coming from on that 

"good faith estimate" 

they present you with.

When we buy a car,

why aren't these numbers adding up?

I ask questions...

Tax documentation,

double check it!

Most of the time,

they are correct

and legit,

but occasionally,

by you asking questions

and double checking,

you can find errors

that could cost you 

literally 

HUNDREDS of dollars.

The past two days, 

I have spent crunching numbers

only to discover an error

significantly to our disadvantage.

So now we have to get it fixed...

let the fun begin!

It doesn't take long,

just give it a shot.

Trust me,

you will thank me one day!

The Usual:

Nothing too exciting this week.

I actually got ALL four of the kids

at the table and occupied this week

(once)

it was beautiful!

(albeit fleeting - I'll take it)

A few years ago,

I discovered dried beans

as a sensory item!

My kids have LOVED them.  

Its easier than rice and sand inside.

But give them: 

different color beans

funnels

bowls

measuring spoons

measuring cups

aluminum pie pans

and 

watch them go!

They will spend quite a while occupying themselves that way.

Just stay close, cause when the beans start flying...

or TOO many are hitting the ground...

they are DONE!  

haha!

Let the Games Begin!!!

Our new sports season is officially in full swing and

we had our first Saturday FULL of games today.

MERCY!!!

10am - A's soccer game

2pm - J's soccer game

4:15 - R's baseball game

This is about what our Saturday's look like

for the next 8 weeks.

OY!

And, of course, the field is too far from the house

to justify going home between games

(most of the time).

Which makes for a VERY long day

with an 18 mo old in tow!

Below are a few pics from our day...

Soccer Girl!!!

Home Sweet Home

(we had to get something but that thing had NO airflow and it was HOT!)

Camera man, videoing his brother's soccer game.

T's perch most of the day.

(poor thing)

Action shot, after a throw in.

J's is doing AMAZING this year in soccer!!

Luckily the camera snapped when it did - cause the ball went

right through his legs.

I would have HATED to get that on camera!

Haha!!

Team M!

Accountability Check In:

1) Getting up before the kids...

not every day.

2) Working out before the kids get up...

NOPE, not at all,

but I have been getting my workout in 

before they get up from their newly 

implemented rest time,

does that count?

3) Dave Ramsey/Budget - 

Done, let me just say, I have NEVER 

looked so forward to the first day of the month

in my LIFE!

Brand new squeaky clean budget to work with!!

The Latest & Greatest

This has been a busy week 

and I have lots to share - 

so bare with me!!

First,

fresh from my sister's blog...

I am going to be an AUNT!!!!

I am so excited and most of the people who read

this know already.

But I am super excited and 

so happy I can finally share!

School is going well.  

We are starting to research next year's curriculum.

But otherwise, seem to be doing pretty well at this

homeschooling thing.  

The meal planning and shopping two weeks

at a time is going well.

I am still getting used to the sticker shock of

grocery shopping for 6 people

every two weeks.

OUCH!!

But the good news is

I manage to feed each 

person in this house for

about $4/day.

Yes, this is breakfast,lunch & dinner

for everyone - including daddy!

Not bad.

It is really nice to stay 

on top of this meal planning thing.

Feels good!

We also had to implement a new

energy saving plan 

around this house.

The boys were getting

REALLY bad at

leaving lights on or

TVs on and leaving the room.

So they are now charged $0.10

everytime I find a light or TV left on.

We are putting it into a jar and will

figure out what to do with the funds 

once we break the cycle.

But so far...it is adding up QUICK!

On another note - 

We have finally found a church!

We have been hunting and going back and forth

to different churches for the past few months.

Today, we finally decided on one.

I mixed up start times.  

We thought we were doing good, got to mass

and walked in.

Then started to realize that they were 

further along in the service than they should have been.

Come to find out - I was 30 min off with the start time!

So, with this in mind, we figured we needed to 

select one and stick with it.

We are joining the scout group 

at this church.

BOTH boys get to join.

Daddy will be J's den leader

I guess I will be den mom.  :)

I am relieved and happy!

We are already finding ways to get involved.

I know it is going to take some time,

but both of us are ready to get a little settled

and this is a HUGE step toward that direction.

Here is the past 10 days in pictures:

Here is a picture of a frog that A made at Co-op.

It was in honor of Leap Day.

Daddy went on an overnight fishing trip 

(this one didn't end with a bunch of stories about

the one that got away...)

So the kids and I grabbed dinner

and then they climbed in my bed

to watch a movie while I cleaned up a little.

We found some Skylander activities at 

1+1+1=1

J really enjoyed using these 

(once I got them printed and laminated)

A replenished her candy stash with some

Valentine candy we found in her bookbag from Co-op.

A is working HARD on her first big kid puzzle.

S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!

She did it with MINIMAL 

help from mommy!!

T LOVES being outside...

I thought this was a cute picture.

We did an art project. 

T really wanted to help...

and I am very proud of how well the kids

did and how they turned out!

We splurged one night and went out to dinner.

We introduced T to sushi, chopsticks and tofu...

A like the tofu too.

T literally drinking the tofu out of the bowl.

Daddy told J to be quiet...

haha!

We decided to tell them that we were celebrating a birthday.

We figured they would just bring out a little bowl of sherbet

or ice cream and sing a quick song...

oh no.  They brought out a HUGE desert

and charged us $7.00 for it!

But the kids enjoyed it.

T wasn't so sure about the fried plantain

but loved the tofu??

The next day, we cleaned up and reorganized a little

and let A decorate a mirror that one of her aunts

sent her for Christmas.

Then I caught her sharing chocolate chips with her brother.

At least she was sharing...

sneaky girl!!

And R cooked lunch for us Saturday!

Then J had to vacuum cause he made a mess.  

And apparently he liked it - 

cause I caught him doing it again today!

T was hungry and decided to help himself to the

first part of dinner that was put on the table.

A is "helping".

Got one cooking, one cleaning...

and one babysitting!

Time for another one!

(JUST KIDDING!!!!)