Well, today I did it. I began looking at the sale prices on groceries as if I would be eating, washing my hair, blowing my nose, etc. for a long period of time.
What do you do when the sign says 10 for $10? Do you buy 10? Do you think you must buy 10 to get the sale price? Do you check to see if a $1 for the item is the best deal?
In the past, I did not buy 10 items, I don't believe I must buy 10 of the items although my husband does, and, I just assumed that the $1 was the best deal. Not anymore.
I found some items on sale that were actually more expensive than the larger sized item. I decided to go ahead and fill my cupboards with the sale priced items. Tonight I spent $117 at Krogers, applied for a discount card since my husband has ours, when I checked out at the register my receipt indicated that I had saved $53.00! That's pretty amazing considering that each item I purchased was something that we either eat on a regular basis, or we will be using for our personal hygiene.
Since I've been shopping weekly at an arabic grocery store, I haven't been to the larger stores in over a month. I love that I don't have to go to the larger stores every week now. My husband and I have a fairly consistent eating plan that I believe we both really enjoy. My problem are the additional trips that I've been making to drugstores so I can get my m&m fix. When I say m&m fix, I'm saying a large, 21 ounce bag of them. Definately an addiciton that I'm going to have to deal with.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Financial Blogs
Reading financial blogs is changing the way I think about money.
When I was younger, a single mom, a full time college student and always struggling to have enough money for my families survival, I was creative regarding money. I'm now older, own a couple of homes, a new car, and more and I've been less creative. Its as if I set my sites on creating a situation of wealth, attained it, and eliminated the tools and techniques I used to get me here.
What I've discovered by revisiting being financially conservative is that I actually enjoyed the process of creativity that was required when I had little money. Certainly having little money was not fun, it was frightening at times when I didn't know where the rent money would come from, however, just add a few more dollars on the amount of rent due and the feeling of fear is still there for me. It may just not be as obvious because its hidden behind a big home on a large piece of land.
I'm looking for that creative spark again. Finding ways to cut back our expenses actually seemed to enliven both my husband and I and woke up our minds. I'm wanting to reduce my debts! I intend on owning at least one home in my life that is paid for. I'm looking forward to knowing what it's like to live a financially responsible and orgainized life again.
The past several years I haven't been paying attention too much to my bills, I've put them all on automatic and wasn't even aware of them. I don't know how much I pay for my electricity, heat, water, auto insurance, etc each month. I don't recognize when a bill has gone up without my being aware of the increase.
My goal is to know where my money is going and then to consciously make the decision if that is where I want my resources to go. I'm willing to learn how much I'm paying for these services and to keep track of how I can reduce the amount I'm currently paying. After all I could certainly use the money more than AT&T or the electric company right now.
When I was younger, a single mom, a full time college student and always struggling to have enough money for my families survival, I was creative regarding money. I'm now older, own a couple of homes, a new car, and more and I've been less creative. Its as if I set my sites on creating a situation of wealth, attained it, and eliminated the tools and techniques I used to get me here.
What I've discovered by revisiting being financially conservative is that I actually enjoyed the process of creativity that was required when I had little money. Certainly having little money was not fun, it was frightening at times when I didn't know where the rent money would come from, however, just add a few more dollars on the amount of rent due and the feeling of fear is still there for me. It may just not be as obvious because its hidden behind a big home on a large piece of land.
I'm looking for that creative spark again. Finding ways to cut back our expenses actually seemed to enliven both my husband and I and woke up our minds. I'm wanting to reduce my debts! I intend on owning at least one home in my life that is paid for. I'm looking forward to knowing what it's like to live a financially responsible and orgainized life again.
The past several years I haven't been paying attention too much to my bills, I've put them all on automatic and wasn't even aware of them. I don't know how much I pay for my electricity, heat, water, auto insurance, etc each month. I don't recognize when a bill has gone up without my being aware of the increase.
My goal is to know where my money is going and then to consciously make the decision if that is where I want my resources to go. I'm willing to learn how much I'm paying for these services and to keep track of how I can reduce the amount I'm currently paying. After all I could certainly use the money more than AT&T or the electric company right now.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Reducing our Debts
My husband and I are working on getting our monthly expenses reduced and increasing our income. We're preparing to post our condo for rent, looking at used small cars, putting an art collection up for sale, etc.
Amazingly, this past month, we cut our expenses in several areas and so far are saving over $21,000 per year! Now if I could only get this low enough so I can retire LOL.
Here's a breakdown of how we achieved this:
Cleaning People $ 2400 per year
Gym Membership $ 2400 per year
Refinance Home $12000 per year
New Grocery Market $ 2400 per year
Clippers for Haircuts $ 840 per year
Manicures/Pedicures at Home $ 540 per year
Dye own hair $ 900 per year
Fairly minor expenses will be incurred in order to eliminate the expense completely , ie. purchase clippers $34, purchase used gym equipment for a home gym (currently in process), etc.
Amazingly, this past month, we cut our expenses in several areas and so far are saving over $21,000 per year! Now if I could only get this low enough so I can retire LOL.
Here's a breakdown of how we achieved this:
Cleaning People $ 2400 per year
Gym Membership $ 2400 per year
Refinance Home $12000 per year
New Grocery Market $ 2400 per year
Clippers for Haircuts $ 840 per year
Manicures/Pedicures at Home $ 540 per year
Dye own hair $ 900 per year
Fairly minor expenses will be incurred in order to eliminate the expense completely , ie. purchase clippers $34, purchase used gym equipment for a home gym (currently in process), etc.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Change of Plans
Well, I've dropped my architectural classes and taken the steps I need to take to arrange to have the hysterectomy.
I don't really want to write because I'm feeling pretty let down by this. I realize that it'll all work out in the end, I even realize that something good is going to come out of this, however, my hopes were so high that I need to accept that I had a long way to fall.
A difference that I see in my behavior that I may, actually, would not have done in the past, is that I am eating healthy and exercising daily. So, while I do feel down, I am committed to taking care of myself too. Because of these choices that's I'm making it'll be easier for me to get through the emotions that I'm feeling and then be able to spring back up (rather than crawl).
One important change I have made recently is that I have eliminated a medication that I've been on for the past three years. My doctor has had my on two anti-depressants, one for depression and another for anxiety. I recently weened myself off of one of the them and I'm doing really well. Yes, I feel down about school, but its a more natural down rather than a deep depression, nor am I feeling much anxiety. Hmmmm. . . .
I don't really want to write because I'm feeling pretty let down by this. I realize that it'll all work out in the end, I even realize that something good is going to come out of this, however, my hopes were so high that I need to accept that I had a long way to fall.
A difference that I see in my behavior that I may, actually, would not have done in the past, is that I am eating healthy and exercising daily. So, while I do feel down, I am committed to taking care of myself too. Because of these choices that's I'm making it'll be easier for me to get through the emotions that I'm feeling and then be able to spring back up (rather than crawl).
One important change I have made recently is that I have eliminated a medication that I've been on for the past three years. My doctor has had my on two anti-depressants, one for depression and another for anxiety. I recently weened myself off of one of the them and I'm doing really well. Yes, I feel down about school, but its a more natural down rather than a deep depression, nor am I feeling much anxiety. Hmmmm. . . .
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Alcoholic Relapse
Yesterday my son came over and informed me that his father had relapsed on alcohol and smoking. He was, of course, very upset. First his dad offered him a beer, and when he said "sure", his dad ordered one for himself also. My son was stunned. Twenty years ago my ex husband stopped drinking, six years ago he stopped smoking. His drinking stopped when he lost his job and was given the ultimatum of rehab to get his job back. His smoking stopped when he was hospitalized with a collapsed lung. It's taken an awful lot to get this man to respond.
Personally, I believe Rick, my ex, has been given his warnings. I believe he's choosing to ignore those warnings. Finally, I believe that he's not going to get any more warnings but that he is going to kill himself.
I have never seen a worse drunk than my ex husband and I have been in AA and sober for sixteen years myself. I just don't think he's gonna make it back.
I'm sure there are going to be blessings from this experience for my two sons, but right now its difficult to see. My youngest has the tendency to become addicted to mood altering vices. Hopefully, he will witness why it's important to take care of yourself and not become attached to things that are destructive.
My very best right now is to pray for all of them and hope that their father really can find recovery, and/or my youngest will find it also. My oldest son has belonged to alanon for a couple years now and has changed his life.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate my relationship with my family as an 8. In order for it to be a 10 I, myself would be going to alanon meetings, and I would be making an effort to have family dinners.
Personally, I believe Rick, my ex, has been given his warnings. I believe he's choosing to ignore those warnings. Finally, I believe that he's not going to get any more warnings but that he is going to kill himself.
I have never seen a worse drunk than my ex husband and I have been in AA and sober for sixteen years myself. I just don't think he's gonna make it back.
I'm sure there are going to be blessings from this experience for my two sons, but right now its difficult to see. My youngest has the tendency to become addicted to mood altering vices. Hopefully, he will witness why it's important to take care of yourself and not become attached to things that are destructive.
My very best right now is to pray for all of them and hope that their father really can find recovery, and/or my youngest will find it also. My oldest son has belonged to alanon for a couple years now and has changed his life.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate my relationship with my family as an 8. In order for it to be a 10 I, myself would be going to alanon meetings, and I would be making an effort to have family dinners.
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