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Budget Categories: All monthly savings categories were updated. I’ve decided to start a monthly savings fund to replace the other appliances in our kitchen (since my new stainless microwave and oven are so shiny and pretty), so that will be a new category. I tried to increase our budget “cushion”, but it ended up having the be the same amount as previous months. I’m going to continue to work on it with our budget.
No extra shopping: This week I bought Tax Cut, but I was able to get it for $20 instead of the $50 price. I also had pay for passport photos and send in my passport renewal fee, but I will include those items in February’s budget. Yesterday I went to the Georgia Aquarium and spent $11 on a poster for my son’s room and a Christmas ornament (I know, I broke my rule, but they were on clearance). I still consider it a successful “no shopping” month, and I plan to really stick to my list for February so there will be no impulse shopping.
Go through old games, cds. This month I borrowed from the library “It’s All Too Much” by Peter Walsh. I highly recommend it if you need a game plan to tackle your stuff room by room. I wrote down some action items and his month by month plan for getting your house in shape. We went through all of our games and had a fun game night. I still have to go through the cds. I cleaned out the toys in October, but I think it’s time to go through them again and give some more away. This will be my February goal.
Spending and Meal Plan: I spent $21.61 at Kroger (saved $56, 75%) because they had a great mega savings event. This included some diapers also. I spent $26.68 at Publix ($2.68 over my goal, not bad!). I am also planning to spend $10 at Publix today to get some additional fruit for later this week, so that will be over my goal also. This week is a bit unusual, but here is my meal plan:
Saturday night: We had grilled chicken, salad, baked potatoes and cresent rolls with cream cheese and bacon inside.
Sunday lunch: Turkey sandwiches; Left town to go to Atlanta through Monday night
Monday: Dinner out on the road
Tuesday: Fish Sticks (hubby out of town Mon- Wed)
Wednesday: Lasagna from the freezer
Thursday: My birthday, so I’m not cooking!
Friday: Crispy Onion Tilapia, veggies and rolls from the Freezer
Saturday: Big Date for my birthday
It’s supposed to snow tomorrow, so I like to have one cooking project and/or one art project lined up for when we can’t get out of the house. We will probably make paper snowflakes and Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Drop cookies. Here’s the recipe, adapted from Mandy Skrove’s recipe:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Drop Cookies1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter (or margarine)
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups quick cooking oatsHeat cocoa powder, milk and sugar, bring to a boil. Add 1 stick of butter to melt and turn down the heat. Add peanut butter to melt. When mixture is ready, pour in a bowl with oats and mix well. Drop on wax paper and let cool for several hours. If you can’t wait, eat them with a spoon!
