MORE MISERLY MOMS INFO....Cont. from a previous post

MISERLY GUIDELINE # 2:  Remove Little Wasters of Your Money
WEEKLY MEAL AT McDonald's = $35.00 a month or 420.00 a year. 
HUBBY BUYING LUNCH AT GAS STATION = 5x5 - 25/week or 1300/year
Vending Machine vs. bringing 24-pak = .65 x 5 = 3.25/wk  VS. cost of 24 pak on sale= 4.77 /month
Vending Machine vs. bringing 24-pak = 5 x 1.10 = 5.50/wk vs. 24-pak on sale = $5.00/month

I know there are more things...but can't think of them this moment.  Hmmm...

GUIDELINE # 3: KEEP TRACK OF FOOD PRICES

I am not doing this one currently very closely and am going to start by having a price book in my purse at all times as suggested by Jonni.   I need to know if the sale price at Cub is cheaper than the unit price at Sam's club.  Some things are cheaper at the warehouse, some aren't. 

PERSONAL GOALS:
Make more of my own items, such as snacks. 
Continue to not buy much processed food. 
Begin Making a Price Book
Avoid eating Out (doing well on this already)
Avoid Convenient mixes and premade food (could do a bit better here)

GUIDELINE # 4: Don't Buy Everything at the Same Store

Buy the Sale Items as each store and then finish your shopping list at the cheapest store.   Buy some things that you *know are cheaper at the warehouse stores.  Use coupons, this is something to be careful about.  I only use coupons for things that are on my shopping list.  Which usually isn't much since I don't buy much processed food and that is what the coupons in our Sunday paper are usually for. 

When tempted by a coupon Jonni says to ask yourself the following questions:

DO I need it?
Can I buy it cheaper in another Brand?
Can I make it cheaper?

GUIDELINE #5 Buy in Bulk Wherever Possible

This means buying numerous numbers of an item that is on a really good sale and it is something you use frequently.  Also this means buying items in larger container size to make the savings.  We buy meat in bulk and freeze in ziplock bags.  (not exactly sure I am getting the best price on freezer bags so will add that to my price book)  I have a shelf in the my laundry room that we use for extra food storage since we buy in bulk frequently. 

GUIDELINE # 6:  Make Your Own Wherever Possible

This one is hard for me at times since I work full time out side of the home.  I did recently make my own shake and bake mix and it was great!  A fraction of the cost of purchased kind.  I am definitely going to do this more for breakfast foods.  Tommy likes to have pancakes, French toast and muffins for breakfast.  I can make these and freeze them easy enough.  I do this some, but not regularly enough.  I freeze banana bread and stuff like that as well.  (I should take one out for dessert for supper).  I should make cookies more often for snacks as well.   

Ok now youare up to where I am in this book....I am off to read some more before Tommy wakes up.  Later!

I am playing some more before my SIL's come to watch Sex and The City for the evening.  Thought I would try some outside shots to see how they turn out.   

WELCOME TO OUR WINTER WONDERLAND 

 
Welcome to our home.  Yes, that is a hedge in the front.  The snow drift is almost bigger.  Our little piece of Winterland.

The Icles of Death.  YIKES!!  Don't let one of those fall
on your head. 

Our backyard - Tommy's little play area is way deep. 
You can see all the recent snow on the picnic table.
It is pretty though when your not sick of the snow!

A look down our wintery street. 

My truck...yep, I am a SUV driving Momma.   It is white,
trust me.  They use a ton of salt and sand on the roads
so you don't slip etc.  Can't get the truck washed or run the
risk of the doors freezing shut.  I will have to wait until
it gets warmer.

Lastly, I wanted to introduce you to one of my Kitties.  This
is Molly she is a little Maine Coon kitten, that really isn't
a kitten anymore.  Why hasn't she grow??  She is plenty spoiled though.

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Ok..I better go and find something else to do besides playing with my digital camera.  I beter start supper since I invited my SIL over to eat with us.  Hmmm....Hope it is ready in time!

My first attempt with my digital camera.  I hope this works...let me know if I should be doing something different. 

A Look Into the Day of a Typical 2 year Old................

LUNCHTIME....yes, I did get some food into my mouth!

FINALLY....I gave in and took my nap after over an hour. 
Yes, I suck my thumb.  Mommy and Daddy try so hard to make me stop. What could I possibly be doing for an hour, you ask yourself. 
You needed ask anymore!!!

Yep....I trashed my room!  Mommy will have to clean it when I get up!   I might help, but I doubt it!
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I think I am going to enjoy my new toy!  I think that this model which was only $99.99 will meet my needs just fine.  I have a very nice regular camera.  This one I only want to really put pictures on my xanga,etc.   It is way worth the saving I needed to do.  rangerwife2000 said in a comment "I've learned that when you reward yourself from living within a budget, you'll be more eager to stick with it!"  I so totally agree, if I avoid frivolous expenditures like snacks at the gas station etc, I can buy a new toy I really wanted!  Yeah....I am a bit excited. 

I went to Target and they were sold out of the camera I wanted.  We decided to drive over to Target GreatLand and they just got one of the Kodak 6200 ($99.99) in this morning and I purchased it.  I am off to get my chores done then I will figure out how to use the camera during nap time!    Later!!!

Ok..I am taking the plunge!  I checked my checking account this morning and my daycare reimbursement was deposited so I am going to buy the digital camera I wanted at Target.   I am going to go with the 6200, but if I don't like it I will return it and spend a bit more for the next model up.   I really don't need much of a camera for what I want to do.  I really am trying to buy only the amount of features that I need. 

Get ready so be seeing some pictures!  LOL!  I won't be getting anything done today! 

Today should be a relaxing day.  We are not going anywhere today.  I stopped at the library yesterday so we are home all day today.  I don't have much cleaning to do just a little straightening in each room and a fair amount of laundry.  I think I will spend alot of my day either reading or watching sex and the city!  I have a DVD of Sex and the City of the whole fourth season from the library.  YEAH!! 

TO DO LIST:

BEDROOM:
Make Bed
Put Clothes Away
Corner

LIVING ROOM:
Pick up a few toys

BATHROOM:
Quick wipe down

KITCHEN:
Dishes
Sweep Floor (daily thing, I have a 2 year old!)
Mail basket

DINING ROOM:
Put away clean clothes!

TOM'S ROOM:
15 minutes pick up

OFFICE:
Paper Pile rescue!

It is now 9:00, I should be able to shower and get my list all done by noon.  I don't plan in spending more than 15 minutes in any of the rooms.  Then I have the rest of the afternoon to do what I want.  I am sure you will see numerous posts from me today!   Hope everyone has a great day!

MISERLY MOM'S - Jonni McCoy

11 - Miserly Guidelines

Guideline 1:  Don't Confuse Frugality with Depriving Yourself.  - SHe says it is all about meeting your finanical goal, instead of having to do it.   I never feel deprived in our attempts to save money - to me it just means planning.   We plan for the expenses we want to incurr, such as a new washer, dryer, fridge, and digital camera....nope that wouldn't be deprived, but good planning.  Also by saving on other things we can afford the items we wish to buy in the long run.   Jonni McCoy's goal was to stay home with her children and quit working, she kept that goal in mind!

Guideline 2 : Remove LIttle Wasters of Your MOney

Don't squander money.  Those little trival purchases add up.  I have found many things in this area to cut back on.   You will rarely see me going to McDonald's for a weekly meal.  Which would add up to about $35.00 a month or almost 1/2 of the cost of my digital camera I want.   I can't really get this concept across to my hubby, but I am working on it.  If I make his lunch each day he will take it fine.  If I don't he will spend about $5 a day at the gas station for meal, snack and drink.  5x5 - 25/week or 1300/year.  That is alot of digital cameras!   I don't impose my frugal way on my hubby but do point out the cost.   I have to get better about making him lunch each day to take to work.  (should go make a sandwhich right now for tomorrow!)

Tommy is starting to wake up....argh....I am calling it a night.  I will add more to guideline 2 tomorrow.  I have more ideas!

I'm tired!!  One minute to midnight.  I am waiting for my oldest to call so I can pick him up from church.  They had a youth event tonight.  I am looking forward to a quiet weekend, though I think my SIL's might come over and watch Sex in the City with me on Saturday.   I picked up one book I am really into reading, Miserly Moms, Living on One Income in a Two Income Economy by Jonni McCoy.   I am finding a few good tips to think about.  I will share them as I finish each chapter about the 11 Miserly Guidelines and my thoughts on them.   Most of  the things she does, I am already doing. 

Hubby and I went to look at Digital Cameras.  I found one I will save my money for at Target.  If I don't win the one on Ebay I will be purchasing a Kodak EasyShare CX6200 at Target.  It is under $100 and that was my limit.   Does anyone have one of those and what do you think of them?  I might have some extra money next pay check to purchase it, unless I buy more shelves for the basement instead.   We will see how I feel about it next week.  I try not to make impulse buys.  

Though today while at 1/2 price books I bought a book on impulse.  I bought Crimson Petal and the White by Micheal Faber.  I had checked this book out from the library, but had to return it as I could never read that long of book in two weeks and I couldn't renew it.  So now I own it and can keep it for as long as it takes.   They didn't have this one on tape at the library. 

It is now 12:05, I wish Josh would call to say he is ready for me to pick him up!   I am TIRED and getting whiney!  Tommy  I am sure will be up bright and early. 

Hey...the weekend is almost here!! YEAH!!!  I plan on leaving work soon here.   I bid on a digital camera that I had looked at at Target on Ebay.  Watch out if I win the auction!  You will see way too much of my house and kids then!   

I have to run and do a few errands today.  Pick up books at library, stop at Erik's dental office to take care of bill.  I am taking my computer home to work a bit over the weekend.   Always a ton of work to do.   I'm off....later!

I am off to bed.  Tonight Families First was very good, our Faith Development minister came and talked about teaching our children to pray.  They learn from seeing us pray.   I must admit I don't pray in front of my children much.  I usually pray in the morning or evening when doing devotionals or while driving in my car.   I will have to make a point of praying with my chidren more. 

Tommy was a bit wound up tonight, but is asleep now.  I did get him in bed fairly early, but he was jsut playing in his room for the longest time.  While he played I washed dishes, scrubbed the kitchen and bathroom floors and started some laundry.   It is now nearly 10:30 and I should head to bed.  

Hope everyone has a great night!   Catch ya tomorrow.  Tomorrow is my Errands day...and I don't think I have any Errands.  They tend to be done every other week.  Usually it cooresponds with when I get paid.   No money....no errands.