I've been thinking a lot about the end of 2015 and my goals for 2016. I usually make some half hearted resolutions but this year I'd like some solid goals to accomplish! I've also recently been reading some finance blogs and stumbled across this post. A shopping ban!?!? What a great idea! I find myself thinking all the time that I don't NEED anything but still buy things. I think it's the novelty of "something new". So, starting January first I am going to try my own very loose shopping ban. It's a one two punch for my goals; to save more money (especially for home projects) and to be more aware of my consumption (and cut down on it as well). I have been bad lately with buying pretty yarns (my downfall!) and it kills me because I HAVE PLENTY!!!! Again, the novelty of something new. I have so many unfinished crochet projects to finish.
I just want to clarify that I am not a shopper by any means. I just am digusted after a pre-Christmas declutter by how many small things I spent money on that ended up being donated. The things I treasure and enjoy most in my home quite often are things I was given for free. Shopping is a past time in this country which is quite alarming when there are people living without food or clean water. It'll be a good change of perspective.
Of course, this is AFTER I made an order on Amazon to use a giftcard...
Starting fresh in January will be nice. :)
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday spent with friends and family! My husband and I had a fantastic Christmas this year. My in-laws got me a great cube shelf and I've been organizing all my yarny things in there. Today I've got nothing on the agenda other than that, actually. :) I'm also wishing for snow now since we got snowshoes as well. I can't wait to try them out! We got so many great gifts, but it ends up stressing me out trying to find a place to put them all. This week I'm going to go through my closets and try to find some extra room.
We got SO MANY food gifts this year that I was hard pressed to buy much other than fresh veg and fruits and to restock some pantry staples. My husband's grandfather gave us a milk crate full of delicata squash he grew this year so I'm excited for that. I found a great recipe using it in my new Thug Kitchen cookbook!
I just tidied up my fridge a bit and ended up making a quick vinegrette by pouring leftover greek olive juice into a jar of leftover oil from my husband's stuffed sweet peppers. A nice save! I also peeled and refrigerated what clementines we had left on the counter. My husband hardly eats them because he bites his fingernails and has a hard time peeling them. Now I figure they will get eaten before they go bad! I also have leftover homemade foccacia from Christmas Eve and leftover fruit salad from Christmas day, so that helped with the budget as well. We ran out of toothpaste Christmas Eve night (oops...I almost never let that happen!) so we've been using baking soda mixed with peppermint extract instead. We both like how clean it makes our teeth feel so we think we'll stick with it awhile. Our shower gel ran out so we are back to the neverending Irish Spring bars. I bought a 30pk I believe at the warehouse club and we both didn't end up liking the bars much but I'm determined to use them up!! House taxes are due, plus we want to buy a new sink for our bathroom and replace the skirting in the spring so I am trying to save as much money as possible over the winter. I'm glad we're having a mild one so far because it helps our oil last! Anyway, onto the meal plan and budget.
This week at the grocery I spent 37.53$ out of my 50$ budget. We may need coffee later in the week (they didn't really have much for deals this week) so I've got some extra if I need to pick some up. I bought;
1x canned organic pumpkin
4 pk canned tuna
1 x canister of raisins
10 pk tortillas
1 pk shredded cheddar
1 pk meatless breakfast patties (okay, that might've been a splurge...)
2 x pineapples
1 pk mushrooms
1 pk organic greens
2 x cucumbers
1 big ol' cabbage
1 red onion
2 x avocado
1 pt grape tomatoes
1 bunch bananas
I also had enough stamps on my card to get a free knife and I picked the 7 inch santoku. I didn't need any but I figured it would make a nice gift, so into the gift box it went. Some of our gifts from this year went in there too, to be regifted.
And here is the menu for the week (the days are different from the last plan because of the holiday)
Sun - a big salad (needed after all the treats this week)
Mon - vegetable barley soup with leftover foccacia
Tues - huevos rancheros bowls
Wed - roasted delicata squash with couscous
Thurs - (NYE) not quite sure. most years we go to my parents and play board games. I have some spring roll wrappers in the pantry so I may try to make those.
Fri - pineapple fried rice
Sat - english muffin pizzas (Saturday is always pizza!)
I guess I bought the cabbage on a whim as well. It stores well and I was just craving veggies after a week of overinduldgence.
Now, off to put on sweatpants on this dreary rainy day and spend some time with my yarn. :)
We got SO MANY food gifts this year that I was hard pressed to buy much other than fresh veg and fruits and to restock some pantry staples. My husband's grandfather gave us a milk crate full of delicata squash he grew this year so I'm excited for that. I found a great recipe using it in my new Thug Kitchen cookbook!
I just tidied up my fridge a bit and ended up making a quick vinegrette by pouring leftover greek olive juice into a jar of leftover oil from my husband's stuffed sweet peppers. A nice save! I also peeled and refrigerated what clementines we had left on the counter. My husband hardly eats them because he bites his fingernails and has a hard time peeling them. Now I figure they will get eaten before they go bad! I also have leftover homemade foccacia from Christmas Eve and leftover fruit salad from Christmas day, so that helped with the budget as well. We ran out of toothpaste Christmas Eve night (oops...I almost never let that happen!) so we've been using baking soda mixed with peppermint extract instead. We both like how clean it makes our teeth feel so we think we'll stick with it awhile. Our shower gel ran out so we are back to the neverending Irish Spring bars. I bought a 30pk I believe at the warehouse club and we both didn't end up liking the bars much but I'm determined to use them up!! House taxes are due, plus we want to buy a new sink for our bathroom and replace the skirting in the spring so I am trying to save as much money as possible over the winter. I'm glad we're having a mild one so far because it helps our oil last! Anyway, onto the meal plan and budget.
This week at the grocery I spent 37.53$ out of my 50$ budget. We may need coffee later in the week (they didn't really have much for deals this week) so I've got some extra if I need to pick some up. I bought;
1x canned organic pumpkin
4 pk canned tuna
1 x canister of raisins
10 pk tortillas
1 pk shredded cheddar
1 pk meatless breakfast patties (okay, that might've been a splurge...)
2 x pineapples
1 pk mushrooms
1 pk organic greens
2 x cucumbers
1 big ol' cabbage
1 red onion
2 x avocado
1 pt grape tomatoes
1 bunch bananas
I also had enough stamps on my card to get a free knife and I picked the 7 inch santoku. I didn't need any but I figured it would make a nice gift, so into the gift box it went. Some of our gifts from this year went in there too, to be regifted.
And here is the menu for the week (the days are different from the last plan because of the holiday)
Sun - a big salad (needed after all the treats this week)
Mon - vegetable barley soup with leftover foccacia
Tues - huevos rancheros bowls
Wed - roasted delicata squash with couscous
Thurs - (NYE) not quite sure. most years we go to my parents and play board games. I have some spring roll wrappers in the pantry so I may try to make those.
Fri - pineapple fried rice
Sat - english muffin pizzas (Saturday is always pizza!)
I guess I bought the cabbage on a whim as well. It stores well and I was just craving veggies after a week of overinduldgence.
Now, off to put on sweatpants on this dreary rainy day and spend some time with my yarn. :)
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Christmastime is here
I am so, SO, SO glad this year to not be rushing at the last minute to finish up shopping or making gifts. Christmastime is my favorite time of year and it's so hard to enjoy when we make it so stressful! I've pared down a lot this year, spent way less, bought much less and I just feel like this is the best Christmas in a long time!
Yesterday I went over to my Mom's house and we spent the afternoon making a huge batch of cinnamon rolls (using Pioneer Woman's recipe). She rolled the dough while I made icing and wrote directions on the pan covers. We had our little assembly line going and ended up with 7 pans worth. Next year I think we'll do a double batch so I can have a bunch to give away too. She gifted me two pans, which was so generous. She made them last year and it was nice to pull them out to thaw on Christmas Eve and to have a yummy breakfast while opening gifts on Christmas Day. It was fun and I believe we've started a new Christmas tradition!
Today my husband is going to finish up his shopping (he is a procrastinator every year...he does so hate to shop) and I've got plans to putter around, do some laundry and all that. I'm also going to make some butterscotch haystacks for our neighbor across the street. I also made him fingerless gloves. He is the best neighbor and lives all alone with his cat and dog. This time of year I think he must be so lonely so I make sure to have my husband bring him something sweet over. He is such a nice man, and always helpful. He loves to come see the critters and will oftentimes save wilty lettuce or stale bread so he can come over and give it to them. Plus, he always is keeping an eye on our place when we are out (or even if I'm home alone) and I like that a lot. He is fantastic! So of course we have to share some Christmas cheer! :) I also made his cat (who I catch oftentimes on our rock wall catching mice or chipmunks) a catnip mouse for all his hard work hunting pests.
On the grocery front I spent 55.05$ this week. So close to the budget!!! I'm hoping next week I can keep it lower since we'll most likely have lots of leftovers. Our meal plan is as follows;
sat - salad and pizza (the last frozen one in the freezer, bought in a big box with a coupon at the warehouse club)
sun - pinto beans with rice (served with salsa, cheese, sour cream)
mon - either fried rice or stir fry with leftover rice (I'll make a double batch of rice on Sunday for extras)
tues - mushroom/veggie stew
wed - sweet potato quesadillas with frozen corn on the side
thurs - dinner at a party ; bringing cookies ; sandwiches or leftovers if we are hungry
fri - brunch at mom and dad's; bringing fruit salad
Breakfasts are ; toast or oatmeal
Lunches are ; leftovers, baked potatoes, sandwiches
Snacks are ; fruits or baked goods
A pretty simple meal week! That seems to be my weeks lately, though! I do have to make a run to Wal-Mart this week (but I have a gift card I got for Christmas!). I want to make sure we don't have to run and get dog food in the Christmas craziness. My husband ran out of both wrapping paper and tape this weekend (you should see the banana box wrapped in old feed bags under the tree...) so I'm debating about getting more. Seems like a waste with after Christmas sales being so close!
I suppose that's all for now. I'm off to make blueberry pancakes for Sunday breakfast (YUM!)
Yesterday I went over to my Mom's house and we spent the afternoon making a huge batch of cinnamon rolls (using Pioneer Woman's recipe). She rolled the dough while I made icing and wrote directions on the pan covers. We had our little assembly line going and ended up with 7 pans worth. Next year I think we'll do a double batch so I can have a bunch to give away too. She gifted me two pans, which was so generous. She made them last year and it was nice to pull them out to thaw on Christmas Eve and to have a yummy breakfast while opening gifts on Christmas Day. It was fun and I believe we've started a new Christmas tradition!
Today my husband is going to finish up his shopping (he is a procrastinator every year...he does so hate to shop) and I've got plans to putter around, do some laundry and all that. I'm also going to make some butterscotch haystacks for our neighbor across the street. I also made him fingerless gloves. He is the best neighbor and lives all alone with his cat and dog. This time of year I think he must be so lonely so I make sure to have my husband bring him something sweet over. He is such a nice man, and always helpful. He loves to come see the critters and will oftentimes save wilty lettuce or stale bread so he can come over and give it to them. Plus, he always is keeping an eye on our place when we are out (or even if I'm home alone) and I like that a lot. He is fantastic! So of course we have to share some Christmas cheer! :) I also made his cat (who I catch oftentimes on our rock wall catching mice or chipmunks) a catnip mouse for all his hard work hunting pests.
On the grocery front I spent 55.05$ this week. So close to the budget!!! I'm hoping next week I can keep it lower since we'll most likely have lots of leftovers. Our meal plan is as follows;
sat - salad and pizza (the last frozen one in the freezer, bought in a big box with a coupon at the warehouse club)
sun - pinto beans with rice (served with salsa, cheese, sour cream)
mon - either fried rice or stir fry with leftover rice (I'll make a double batch of rice on Sunday for extras)
tues - mushroom/veggie stew
wed - sweet potato quesadillas with frozen corn on the side
thurs - dinner at a party ; bringing cookies ; sandwiches or leftovers if we are hungry
fri - brunch at mom and dad's; bringing fruit salad
Breakfasts are ; toast or oatmeal
Lunches are ; leftovers, baked potatoes, sandwiches
Snacks are ; fruits or baked goods
A pretty simple meal week! That seems to be my weeks lately, though! I do have to make a run to Wal-Mart this week (but I have a gift card I got for Christmas!). I want to make sure we don't have to run and get dog food in the Christmas craziness. My husband ran out of both wrapping paper and tape this weekend (you should see the banana box wrapped in old feed bags under the tree...) so I'm debating about getting more. Seems like a waste with after Christmas sales being so close!
I suppose that's all for now. I'm off to make blueberry pancakes for Sunday breakfast (YUM!)
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Using it up and making do
Well, I've had to make do with a small grocery budget the last week since I had to buy some extras for gifts. It was worth it, though, to give some handmade fudge! I've just got to pick up some potato sticks this week to make butterscotch haystacks for our neighbor. I've also got to make another batch of something-or-other, which will probably end up being zucchini (from the garden, in the freezer) chocolate chip cookies. This year I've really been trying to stick with our 50$ a week grocery budget regardless of holidays, birthdays, or entertaining. Anyway, onto some successes from this week.
One day we had a big salad for dinner and I dug out some bread ends I had been saving in the freezer and made croutons with them. They tasted so yummy and made space in the freezer as well. I'm on a kick to use up older things from the larder so I can refill over the new year. Tonight we had leek and potato soup which used a leek from last week that was looking dry and I also threw in the last of some wilted parsley. Tomorrow is market day and all I've got left in the crisper drawer are carrots, celery, and enough cranberries to make another loaf of cranberry bread. I'd call this week a no waste success!
I do have to be diligent this week with my budget as well since I am in charge of a big fruit salad for Christmas brunch. I figure I will probably pick fruit up at the produce stand on Wed or Thurs, so I'll need to save extra from my trip tomorrow to make up for it.
As far as Christmas crafting goes I am just about done! I've got to sew together slippers for my mother-in-law, finish one last piece for my mom's organizer, and make a handmade gift for my husband to open Christmas Eve. I found a crochet pattern on Ravelry for a little facehugger from Alien (my husband's favorite movie) I can whip up quickly. If my aunt and grandmother end up coming up from Massachusetts the day after Christmas, I'll have to quickly throw together some foot soak and sugar scrub. I wasn't sure how the sugar scrub would hold up if I made it early so I promise I procrastinated on purpose ;) . It has been so nice this season not working and having time to make lots of things and not having to rush to finish things. The whole holiday has just been so much more enjoyable! It has been a little awkward to explain at the holiday parties. So many people think that your worth in life is tied to your job, you know? My husband has been good at changing the subject when he can tell I'm getting uncomfortable. He is sweet and I love him very much!
Well, I hope now that I will remember to post again before two months go by! If not, I hope that you have a very merry Christmas!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)