Frugal Friday Instead of Thrifty Thursday

We were really thrifty this week-no unexpected spending. We did well using leftovers for meals, the usual packing of lunches or DH coming home sometimes (though not all the time to my annoyance). Despite last Saturday being my annual sisters day, spending was less than I have spent other years. Perhaps since we stayed a bit more local, when I saw cute thing in the shops, I paused before buying, knowing if I later decided to, I could come again. Much of my thriftiness was in spending less than I might otherwise spend, but I guess that is what being thrifty is-spending only what you need to for necessary and enjoyment. Here were some of my frugal successes.

• For the breakfast out Saturday morning with the girls,DD1 treated me and DD2, but I gave her the 15% off coupon I had. It was very sweet of her and it was to thank us for helping her get settled in her new place. For the cards night, I bought the Papa Murphy's, but my sister had discount coupons that I could use. 
• I resisted the craft fair's overwhelming amount of beautiful things, only buying two bars of goat milk soap for DD2 to try out for $3.00, and a plate of krumkake, her favorite, for her to take with to a friends later that afternoon..
• DD1 and I shared a glass for the wine tasting event we went to between shopping and poker night, each getting to try 8 different varieties before choosing our favorite. She got to keep the wine glass included with the tasting.
• Enjoyed a phenomenal  choir festival concert at a nearby college for free. DD2's choir was one of the featured choirs, but we also heard the  Minnesota Boy's choir, and two of the host colleges choirs. For those of you trying to watch your entertainment budgets, look and see what is out there in your communities for free or low cost. The concert really was a good way to end the weekend.
• DH wanted to go out for a burger after the concert, but I suggested just having chicken cordon bleu's and potatoes at home since we would still need dinner for our daughter once she got back. He was begrudgingly OK with that. 

It's bothering me how much DH wants to go out for dinner lately and at least twice a week he's eating out for lunch. With the holidays coming and the unknown, it is befuddling to me. If  we spend money going out to eat, I think it needs to be planned as entertainment and not just as regular meals. He seems to be enthused about my savings challenges and when extra money can be socked away in an account, but has seemed to forget what has to be done to make those financial wins happen. I'm sure he is going to suggest going out tonight or tomorrow. When he does, I'll figure out where it can fit with the $100 target for the month. I might have to humor him to keep him from going rogue! We already have dinner plans after a play at the end of the month at a nice restaurant with a large group. 

How is your November shaping up so far in the thrift area? Who has had some big wins or are you, like me, a slow and steady thrifter for the week? 

On the Frugal Front

July is whipping our buts financially. Between work stress and meetings on the go, the 4th of July holiday, and pure lack of planning on my part, our household and grocery (H&G) and food budget is quite out of whack. We have spent $301.50 on groceries and household so far, and the month is less than half over. I'm out of town Monday through Wednesday next week, so need to shop and plan easy meals both DH and DD2 can eat with little fuss, so that will take a bigger bite. I've also had more meals than I'd like purchased for work. Some months are like that. The heat will surely impact our  electric and gas bill though we may not see the impact until the new budget cycle is recalculated. Gas for the car has been all over the map, up then down, then up again. We all need new comfortable shoes before the trip and I've decided I'm going to splurge and get my feet properly fitted, and buy the exact sandals that will keep my feet happy pounding the pavements of Europe. To off set all these costs, I still am looking for frugal gems. I found five frugal things for the week.

1. Even though I bought several foods for convenience because of the hectic week, I earned $0.10 cents per gallon off on my next fill up of gas. I typically have a 5 cent coupon, and often 7 cents, but the added bit helps with fluctuating gas prices. 
2. I had a free lunch on Tuesday at work through the wellness committee. These are rare and the programs are often iffy, usually a sales job, but this one actually had a nutrition workshop. Lunch was croissant sandwiches, hummus and veggies, and a banana.
3. I took my girls out for coffee and breakfast items last Saturday, using gift cards. The girls knew the answer to the trivia question and we received a small discount. What is the name of the dragon in Disney's Mulan. No prize if you guess it, but play along. 
4. To make up for my over priced meals on Tuesday and Thursday, Monday and Friday I packed leftovers. I ate the Israeli couscous and the over cooked in the crock pot dry pasta-no complaints. I keep reminding myself, croissants in France, pretzels in Germany, and waffles in Belgium.
5. Because Pup is going to be a "guest" for two weeks, we are getting a $3 per day discount, plus she is willing to have him come super early the day we leave, saving a day. All together, this saves $68. 

It all helps. Last night DH and I had BLT's and coleslaw and ice cold beers left from the 4th of July holiday week. It cooled down enough after the rain that it was nice to be on the deck. DD2 worked, and then got right to bed. I'm dropping her off for her test instead of her driving herself as she is a little nervous going to the high school a town closer to St Paul. I suspect there will be kids from all over the south metro area, trying to fit one more round of scores in before they start applying for colleges in the fall. After that, she works again tonight at 5:00 and tomorrow at 11:00. She has really developed a good work ethic, picking up the shift today. She has a savings account, but we need to get her a checking/debit account so she is prepared to live away next year. She is going to have a good amount to start the account with as she has spent very little of her earnings and tips. It will be a worker bee weekend for me before packing and leaving on a business trip. There is a break in the heat coming, so time outside is a must for the weekend as well. Enjoy your Saturday. 

Thrift and Thievery

Have you seen this criminal?

 Long post ahead. I'm still feeling the effect in my back of an hour and half of prep on Saturday and five and half hours on my feet yesterday for the annual Palm Sunday breakfast at church. We served approximate 175 people, selling 155 tickets (the youth will just grab their breakfast in a break) much better than last year, when spring break fell the same week and so many families were traveling, but I was hoping for 200. This year, we had over $100 in additional expenses as we didn't get the donation of dairy and eggs and pancake batter. Still, we covered costs once we hit 112 tickets plus sold and additional 40 meal tickets at $3.00.  

The final net is yet unknown as the free will donation envelopes get counted by church officials. Regardless, we fed each person for approximate $1.86, and sent two bags of leftovers home with a church member that helps provide for a couple families experiencing food insecurities. I had more help than needed as the sign up lines for help were ignored, and people wrote their name after slots were filled. Some families used one line for two or three youth. While having the extra hands was helpful at cleanup, I hope they won't be disappointed that a small amount will go in their fundraising account. All proceeds, after costs, are divided by the number of hours total, each worker works, and it goes in their mission trip and camp account. I had to laugh overhearing a conversation between a son and his mom, trying to get her son to pick up the pace during cleanup. "The sooner we finish, the sooner we can leave." She said. His response, but if we take longer, that's more money earned."  She looked at me, and said, "I guess I have a lesson to teach." Really, though, these are great kids, a new crop each year as high schoolers give up their slots for younger kids.

Wow, so much on that topic, but it aligns with the Thrift part of my headline as does this. I had to do some careful timing to pick up cold items on Saturday to get them dropped off at church during a limited window when someone could unlock the kitchen for me. I had time to pop into the Salvation Army store, as I'm looking for extra queen size sheets for home and for the cabin. No luck Saturday, but did take a browse at dress pants, skirts and longer shorts. I hit the jackpot and found a perfect pair of dark gray dress pants, a black with white specks skirt, two pairs of brand new Gloria Vanderbilt cargo shorts, and a perfect condition pair of white shorts. All this for $21.97. However, when I got to the register, it turn out blue and orange tags, which all but the white shorts had, were 50% off, so my total was $12.47. I lauded my success with DD2 and DH. Neither were as excited as I was.

Yesterday, I was going through the bag to get things washed and ready for the week, and I couldn't find the skirt. It wasn't in the bag. I wondered if perhaps it had fallen out with all my car moving to make way for the groceries. Nope, not in there. I was questioning my sanity a bit when I could not find in any of the places I might have set the bag down. I gave up, and assumed it never made it's way into the bag at the store. Oh well, but I was disappointed as it was Cold Water Creek, a  good brand. I went to bring DD2 something in her room and looked down at a pile of stuff she had on her floor. Low and behold, my skirt was laying there. I exclaimed when I saw it, and pup came running. I was just about to pick it up when he moved quickly, laid down and put his paws on it. That little shyster had stolen it from the bag, either Saturday night, or earlier Sunday, and ran off with it to DD's room. What appealed to him, I have no idea. Perhaps he was just mad that I had left the house yesterday and was trying to send a message. He is a peculiar dog. A ransom of a dog treat later, and I had recovered the skirt. That was my tale of thrift and thievery. 

The stolen bargain at $2.00.

Food Photography

I know what I want my 2017 self investment to be in-learning to create the vision and then photograph lovely food art. My pictures do not do things justice. At the 2016 MN Blogger's conference, there was a session on food photography but it was so packed there wasn't even floor sitting or standing room only space. i was pretty surprised it wasn't offered again, and will suggest for next year. there must be some layman's class though that would help me out. regardless, I'll keep snapping pictures to illustrate things my words may not be able to convey, but these pictures do not do justice to the tastes behind the photo.

Candy making is a big part of Christmas celebrations in the mid west. Fudge, truffles, caramels, toffee's and peanut brittle are being made by the batch full to give away as gifts and adorn holiday desert buffets. Candy also goes on sale at ridiculously low prices compared to the rest of the year, making it easy to grab an extra box or two as filler gifts, or as I like to use them, to accompany gift cards for coffee. Is it just me, or having a really good piece of chocolate with a cup of fresh brewed coffee with a splash of cream, one of the most decadent treats imaginable. Just me? fair enough. On my list for post Christmas sales is to pick up food safe gift boxes and treat  trays. I'll still grab boxed candy for certain gifts, choir directors and violin teachers, and other gifts that need to be able to outlive a shelf life of home made goodies. For family and friends, homemade treats are perfect thank you's. If lucky, I can find season neutral versions  in just solid colors. The treat box on top is four pieces of fudge in a cute green Swiss dotted box, a gift from a coworker. 

The economics of home made treats make giving treats for your kitchen a win. This batch of Mounds, with sale priced ingredients came in at under $1.45 a dozen. I've seen similar products in chocolate stores sell for close to $2.00 a piece, or more, and slabs of fudge selling for $15.00 per pound. My coworker put her recipe inside a card along with the fudge for a special touch. Made or bought, I appreciate the indulgence. I just wish my camera would appreciate the view more. 

Still not there for presentation, but my homemade Mounds candy.

A gifting stand by, under $5.00 a box right now-everywhere.

Frugal Meets Environmental

Save more next year and stop waste. This is my mantra going into 2017. This will be good for my budget. The mantra should apply to my approach to the environment as well, decreasing my families foot prints in the earth. I can also throw in social good as part of environmental impact. There's many opportunity for natural alignments. Food waste of course jumps to mind. Less food in garbage, less resources to grow, less garbage bags to buy, etc. Cleaning with vinegar is another win win. My bathroom soap film is cut through with spritzing from a refillable spray bottle. No chemicals going down my bathroom drain and a gallon bottle is $2.69 compared to even cheapo cleaning stuff at $1.00 for 8 ounces. I need to source a bulk vinegar supplier where my gallon jugs can be refilled. Does that exist?

My weight loss is nonexistent. I've toyed with Weight Watchers. The monthly and start up fees have me second guessing as I've used before and not stuck to the plan. How about I save the fees, eat less, and walk to store more often instead of using my car? There would be triple result; money, carbon emission, and weight loss savings. Add ditching the plastic bags by bringing my own and another win. Sometimes though what's good for the environment is expensive, and what is frugal isn't a good choice for environment. I don't do the "right" thing every time, whatever that is, but strive for a frugal, social, environmental balance. Below are a few examples of where I choose the less financially frugal option.

Soaking beans for soup-frugal and earth friendly.

• Tipping the server on the bill before discounts applied. Why should a good server be penalized because the owner/corporation decided to run a two for one special or half price appetizers?I've had disagreements with others on my interpretation.
• While I prefer real plates, I buy non plastic coated paper ware for cabin (won't emit caustic fumes when burned in fire pit)
• Local lawn weed service that uses environmental friendly products (plus an old high school friend's business)

And, areas where I know I too often have gone for frugal.

• Eggs, dairy, and meat products. I want the luxury of cage free and free range, but admit, frugal wins out often with trying to stretch the budget. I hope I make up for that in part with eating more vegetarian options
• Buying inexpensive clothing. I admit I don't know where my packs of seven pairs underwear is made, but I do buy that new, and cheap. I try and make my clothes last, and am not opposed to second hand, so I am not frivolously spending at the expense of poverty wage laborers, but know I should do better.  
• I've bought cheap plastic milk bottles soda, juice, etc., instead of the costlier co-op options. I keep looking for ways to reduce my plastic because even if recycled, that's still waste.

Of all the things I lie awake thinking about at night, this balance is not one. I just try and make the best choice at the time when options present, and learn more options as they are brought to my attention. It strikes me that doing the frugal thing, if not being miserly towards others, is 90% or more of the time also socially and environmentally friendly. Buying second hand, bulk cooking from scratch, eating whole and less processed food is economical and not wasteful. Who else looks for the trifecta of frugal-social-environmental wins?  Please add  your thoughts and ideas. 

Refillable Keurig pod with free trade coffee.Trifecta.

Frugal December?

Frugal Friday posts were plenty yesterday. I didn't feel like anything about the last week was particularly frugal, knowing doctors bills were coming, medication copay receipts were on hand, and  Christmas expenditures are happening. But wait, maybe December is not or does not have to be  money suck conventional wisdom says it is. I can't help the timing of the medical expenses, but there are things to mitigate the out of pocket. Christmas is not a surprise budget item, and I've been planning for months. December is a reason that having a yearly budget, planning for the ebbs and flows of the calendar, is essential. 

I set up medical pretax, less generously than I had in 2015, because I was allowed to roll over $500. with DH's bat bite, some uncovered dental, my surgery, and a hand-knife kitchen accident for my daughter, we will suck that account dry, but now I will start doing all the paperwork and to get the money flowing. Knock on wood that next year is better, but I'm putting the money in my flex account again, so even though no roll over, we still should be covered for most out of pocket costs. Requesting reimbursement in December to early January means the reimbursement comes when my slightly higher credit card bills come. We use the credit cards for the cash back points and pay off in full. This is not free money for going out on the town, but it is money that can be tapped in to help even out cash flow that spiked at other times of the year. 

I'm sticking tight to my Christmas budget, making the decision when we didn't reach the original 2016 savings target, to scale it back by $200. I'm using any promotional tools, coupons, and any schemes I can to keep it low. A November $10 birthday promo plus 20% off at Kohls stretched my purchases the other night. Before I go into a store or sit down on line, I have a list with ideas for the recipient. I want to know what I am looking for, but have alternate if things are unavailable or more than I budgeted. I think I am a good gift giver, really thinking about the person. I won't just throw things into a cart. Still, I'm not opposed to gift cards when sometimes I'm just stuck. I also am keeping an eye out for future gift giving needs. My niece is getting married next summer and I'll need shower gifts.A  gift I have planned is to give her a set of holiday dish towels, buying them year round at clearance. I found "Fall into Love" autumn designs on clearance and with 20% off, just for $4.80 for the pair. I'll do this after Christmas, Easter, and when summer clearance starts in late June to end up with a unique, but usable gift for under $20, less than half if bought full retail These are covered in my annual gift budget, separate from Christmas. 

 In  early December, traditional holiday staples are on special, and many have been paired to match coupons in the Sunday circulars. I'm on the look out for crescent roll and pizza dough, and will snatch it up when it goes on sale. It will keep for weeks until I need for Christmas Eve and day. In the grocery store, check the dates on items, and don't worry about buying too early as my experience as the week of Christmas, the deals aren't as good. Even if you are not a super bargain shopper, December does not need to change your grocery budget. December doesn't need to be a budget buster month. Even using my few strategies helps keep my financial stress at bay, and helps my overall spending stay in comfortable levels for me and my family. 

A Few Frugal Wins in September

I've got to do some serious figuring as to where we are in savings towards my end of year challenge, compared to the output on house updating/repairs that were already saved for and in our spending plan. I perhaps should have started s separate bank account, or at least a ledger of outgoings and inputs, but I'll spend some time in October when the VISA (for floors and miscellaneous house expenses) and  garbage (for dumpster and some hauling costs) come to see what we actually added above planned spending to the bank balance. As the flooring surprised me at how expensive it was, yet didn't phase DH, something is amiss in our budgeting for the house, so we need a good sit down on that. Despite the outpouring of cash for floors, new gutters, and miscellaneous house purchases, and  assorted DD2 expenses, there were many successes on the September financial front. 

Grocery shopping and school lunches: We managed to keep spending on groceries, not counting her part to my target of $300.  I was not so careful in keeping the specif receipts, but within a 5% margin of error, I am going with a final of $286. I did put $50 in DD's lunch account, but she has been taking lunch a minimum of 2 days a week, so a reduction from last year of  $17.60 a month. There were days when we just weren't planful, or she liked what was on the menu, but still at this rate,  that's $158 more in my pocket by school years end. 

Cleaning, Health, and Beauty: A major target sale combined with manufacturers coupons stocked me up for probably all of October as well in cleaning and toiletries and personal supplies. The purging of my kitchen and bathroom under sink cupboards cabinets yielded a long term supply of women's razors plus cleaning supplies for the rest of fall. Dish cleaner and laundry soap is all I can think that we will need until November. 

Freebies: The above Target purchase also netted me $25 in Target gift cards. A coupon for a free 8 by 10 print at Walgreen's meant I could get a semi formal family picture, taken on the cruise, then cleaned up (it was quite blurry and had weird things in the back ground) by DD1, to update the last one taken over nine years ago! While not professionally done, I look at the one we had on the cruise in 2007, and quite frankly, this one isn't any poorer quality and I can imagine we paid plenty. DD1 brought a bag of picked apples home last weekend after picking more than she and her friend could use after their fall day out the previous Sunday. I think of apple orchard picking as entertainment with the bonus of fresh fruit to bring home, so with that perspective, the apples were sort of free.

Gas: We've been fortunate that gas continues to be lower than it has been in years. Add my minimum of $0.05 off per gallon and an additional three days I didn't commute to the office, I kept below the budget. 

utilities: DH negotiated an addition $5.00 off per month for our Direct TV, and got the NFL package thrown in for the duration of the season. We would never spend the money on the added package, but a happy husband, without any new toys, is a bargain!  

Home making: I wrote a few weeks back about repainting towel shelves in my bathrooms. I am happy with how they turned out, and it at least temporarily, feel more positive about the shape of my home until we can source the best deals on a real bathroom makeover upstairs. Some hand towels I bought a while back, and a new on clearance shower curtain and rug for downstairs spruced up the generic white hospital look, spending a grand total of $28 down stairs. I popped a few pictures in below.

I feel fairly content as to how September went. Income is still nothing to rave about, and with that the budget will remain tight. We had a few expenses that frustrate me, and a few such as wedding, shower, and other gifts that are just part of life.We have scrimped in areas, but I do think we could do better. I don't feel like we have done without-not in food, experiences, and home life.In fact, I am feeling loads more satisfied with every bag of clutter removed and every item donated. I really do not want any more meaningless stuff in my home. Unless basics we really will use, I feel free from buying things just because it was a good deal. Clutter and chaos are not frugal. Use it up, redo, and make do, has to become part of my actions not just a sound bite. How was your September? Were your goals, spending, saving, or others met?

What was white, chipped, and flaking got a spray of granite.

Clearanced towels and my "babies" in old glass picture frames.

Downstairs freshened with new shower curtain, rug, and hand towels.

 

Knocked Frugal Out of the Park

I am on fire this weekend on the frugality department. If this was baseball, and I was at bat, I'd say I hit that frugal all to the upper bleachers. Let me start first with the CVS finds. I noticed on their sign 90% off seasonal when running DD to a friends house. I popped in on my way home, and hit the mother load of buys on flip flops. Now I usually try and find this staple of cabin wear for every member of my family each fall, so expected at some point to find some deals to tuck away, but not like this. In all I bought nine sets of flip flops and spent $6.50, an average of $0.72 per pair. High quality they are not, but something to throw on your feet on hot sand, public showers at pools, and not care if they get left behind, I'll take it. They were out of extra large womens for DD1, and I found a neutral blue two set in the equivalent men's size, but once home, I think they were mismarked as they look huge. I'll pass on to my 6'7" nephew, for the grand sum of $1.50 for two pairs.  I am a generous aunt. 

I scored this adorable beach pillow and a sign that said "This Way to the Beach" probably as little gifts for my MIL for Mother's Day next year for the new lake cabin. Again, showing my frugality, together the two came to $1.60. then there were fun little trinkets for the summer, including these glasses that I could not pass by! Added to the glow stick necklaces I bought at 90% off, cheap fun for 4th of July 2017. I bought a gift for DD1 for her birthday-something novel I think she will like, and some summer glass charms I'll throw in my SIL's birthday gifts later this fall. I don't need glass charms as my glasses are so mismatched it doesn't matter!

On my next at bat, I clicked a link to a frugal blog I never read before and learned Walgreen's had a free 8"by10" promo, but it expired yesterday. Slightly bummed out as I wanted to get the photo DD1 cleaned up for me of our family in our nicer dinner wear on the cruise, printed in that size to replace the one from our last full family trip, nine years ago. I thought to Google Walgreen free photo, and what do you know, a new promo code FREE4FALL got me the same offer! After ordering that, I though I should have ordered a  smaller version for MIL, my desk at work, and for each of the kids, and found a promo FORTY4FALL that gave me an additional 40% of that. You can only do one promo code per order, but placing two separate, I was able to use both, spending a whole $3.95 on what would have been $15.14, a $74% savings.  (I'm picturing Sluggy beaming with pride at what she has taught me.)

I went three for three when I turned my attention towards using up food, and preventing food waster. A batch of muffins that used a $0.40 jiffy corn bread mix, 1 egg, and two expired pots of strawberry banana yogurt turned into 12, "weird, but still good" according to DD2, muffins. Three free tomatoes about to go bad, too soft to slice well for sandwiches, worked great with a can of $ .59 three bean salad, 1/2 can of olives, two string cheese sticks cut in little discs, and the remaining couple ounces in a bottle of Italian dressing, for a tasty salad. I finished the remaining third of a box of elbow macaroni. The final cost had to be under $2,00, and we will have with sandwiches for lunch, plus I'll get at least two lunches out of it this week. 

I go in waves when I feel like I am mastering my budget. This weekend is giving me a thrill. Its a reminder that anyone can whip out their credit card and throw good money at stuff they want, whether that is clothing, gifts, house decor, or meals, but creative people can achieve the same results, and not jeopardize their household budgets and future security. Any great success out there?

I'm a Restaurant and Book Junkie

There are spending triggers get many of us that are trying to retrain our spending habits in order to reap better or more important rewards down the line. I know some women it is clothes, shoes, or bags of any kind. Others it might be perfumes or cosmetics. These have not been my money sucks.  Mine continue to be books and impromptu meals/bar nights out. I have scheduled activities out with people, DH for example, and budget for what I think is a reasonable amount. It would be all fine and good but then the extra's start being layered. 

I had put what I thought was a healthy $200 in my budget for eating out in April. The two biggies were going to be taking my daughter and her friend to our favorite Mexican restaurant, and then meeting up with another couple for dinner this past week. We thought that might have left another $40 or so for an inexpensive burger or pizza meal out or the odd meal DD#2 might need. Before this April tightening of financial reins, I realize now I didn't have a clue with a) how often I or a family member eats restaurant food or drinks and appetizers in bars, and b)  how much we were very quick to just pull out the credit card to pay the tab without thinking of how much we actually spend out in a month. I've been in denial becasue we comfortably pay the Visa at the end of the month, but then wonder why our liquid savings rate is not higher. The plans got postponed with our friends, but even so, I estimate we are well past that $200 with another week of month left. 

Book buying is another vice. Say all you want about libraries, and thrift stores being free and cheap and I'll agree with you. Sometimes, too often, the allure of having my own copy, feels like getting a fix. I like the intellectual high it brings me. "I'm literate. I have an extensive library. My family read's a lot-can't you see by the amount of books of varying subject matter and topics?" Of course many of those books have not been read, and are just becoming clutter fodder. I have raised offspring of book junkies as well. There are book people in the world and I am one of them.

I combined both my vices on Thursday attending a talk and book signing by writer Mary Sharratt, who writes fascinating books about women in history. A cousin of mine is her local tour publicist and the event was in my town at a bar with a cozy side room. I had a couple short beers, and a large order of stuffed breaded mushrooms to share with my cousin and her aunt, also my cousin. Then of course, I wanted a copy of each of the books Mary had for signing, one for DD#1, one for DD#2, and one for myself. At least I didn't buy three copies of each-I have some restraint. My impromptu night came in at $82. Yesterday I added another meal out to my tab when my friend, the other S (we have the same name and are known as the S's, but in full), stopped for lunch before the wedding at a quaint place she knew about on route.

Not the hole plugging in April I was going for. While this is discouraging, it is a good wake up call to think through the question of what do I want now or what do I want more, and be honest with myself. Sometimes it is very gray, like Thursday night. I did not know anything about Mary Sharratt's work, and now, learning about her research, and the lives these women led, I am eager to read more. I haven't see my cousins in ages, probably a couple years. The place cleared out pretty quick after the talk so I was able get a good catchup for  nearly an hour. One of my sisters had joined by this point as well. Granted, I didn't have to buy any books, let alone three.

My humble, but tasty, scone coffee cake.

To support my impromptu meals and book buying habit,  I'm going to need to continue to economize elsewhere. This mornings breakfast was a baking riddle using up the last of a tub of yogurt, the last of a round box of  quick oats, and miscellaneous pantry items baked in a square pan. The result is a large coffee cake scone-tastes pretty good slathered in jam or honey, and made for pennies. I'll wash bedding, using my clothesline to dry, and won't run the dishwasher until every nook of it is full. I'll update the meal plan based on changes and the few groceries purchased in the last week. I think I can officially transition to spring clothes, but will need to do a bit of repair to unravelled skirt hems and perhaps button replacing, so will do that this weekend, and not buy new. 

I can't be complete hermit though the rest of the month.There's a community hootenanny all through the town at various bars and the performing arts center starting late afternoon. There's no cover charge other than the price of food and drink. Getting out for a nice night of music and a beer or two with friends, enjoying the simple things in life, is worth the money. So is keeping family ties connected, meeting and talking with writers, and having lunch with a lifelong friend. I want these experiences more both now and later.

No Spend and Empty the Cupboard-Two Strategies

There are lots of posts on folks doing no spend months for January.  I've also seen challenges for limiting spending to a certain amount, usually $10-$20 for the week. Sluggy over at Don't Read This, It's Boring posted a thoughtful reflection Why I Don't Do Spending Fasts. I equate her philosophy to a crash diet-all or nothing, usually resulting in no long term change of behavior. I've watched Penny Golightly empty her pantry, eliminating a lot of waste, her challenge to herself. She recapped her experience in a post from October, Empty the Store Cupboard Challenge-The Roundup, and links to the starting spot.

As in most things, I find balance works for me, with no absolutes or rules.I couldn't deny myself from spending for a certain amount of time, whether that is a week, a month, or as some are trying to do, a year, without feeling stressed and off kilter. My life just is not that orderly. Even if as Sluggy suggests people with no spend months often do, I just stockpile and spend the month preceding, resulting in no real savings, I would run out of some essential that I didn't plan well enough for, or misplace it in a long forgotten storage space. What could work for me, at least I feel determined in 2016 to make it work for me, is to modify little by little how I shop, spend, and consume, eliminating as much waste in food, clothing, utilities as I can.

I'll buy two new pairs of tights that are needed, second pair at half price so I can look presentable at work, and stay warm, but I won't buy six pairs. I'll take better care of the two new pairs, hand washing with the other items I hand wash, rather than lazily throwing in the washing machine. I'll more intentionally plan leftovers as part of the next night or two's meal, rather than treat them as an afterthought that may or may not get eaten.This is my biggest angst in the money and consumerism area-food waste is still too high in my house. I'll concentrate on the little things, the short game, in both reducing my spending on things of little to no value, and  use up and take better care of what I already have. I'll intentionally leave my money safely tucked in my wallet or better yet, at home when I go somewhere with no need to purchase anything, discouraging impulse spending, resulting in no spend days naturally. When I do spend, I'll work to stick to an overall budget over time, not passing up a good buy for a need, or to stock up reasonably. At least, this is my strategy in 2016. Where do you land on the no spend-stock-up strategies?

Frugal vs Cheap Consummerism

Sometimes I've followed a blog or a website on frugal and simple living and over time,either by content, or reader comments it moves into a direction of cheap consumerism. On the other hand, I've stopped reading a few that also have taken on a tone of arrogance and self righteousness, almost a condemnation of anyone that spends their money in ways the writer would not. I'll never dive into the comments and bash the writer with my words, but will just stop reading if I'm not finding the posts of value more. The web page is theirs to write as they wish, and the beauty of the Internet is you can just stop reading at any time.

I write a wide variety of randomness in my blog, but at the essence is my journaling about trying to reframe my life- where I spend, money, time, and energy, in order to create space and opportunity for what is more meaningful.  This is part frugality in terms of where I spend time and money, and part decluttering stuff and commitments that not only don't add to my sense of well being, but detract from it. I may have a different definition of frugality and clutter than someone else, but that's OK, because I'm not trying to define it for anyone but myself. 

My story yesterday illustrates my definition of frugality. I didn't need to run into Target and buy clothes then and there. I could have turned around and driven home to change.  The trade off of that choice would have been spending an additional 90 minutes on the road, and burning three gallons of gas.  I would have missed a 9:00 meeting, so would have had to reschedule, wasting my and a colleagues time. I would have either needed to work more hours later, or use limited vacation time for those 90 minutes that I am planning for something else. 

I didn't need to buy two new sweaters and could have just sucked it up and worn the pants with my current sweater. As I had not replaced any sweaters, a Minnesota essential, in several years, I actually had been browsing options for some time. It was good timing that both of these sweaters were in the  right style and price range. I saved time and energy later looking for the exact thing when it was right in front of me that morning. Sure, I could have continued to look at other stores, including second hand, or do without, but these purchases will extend the life of other pieces in my wardrobe through the winter season. 

Ironically, I saw multiple posts and Tweets all day under frugal sites blasting out the Target sweater sale, with responses like, "I just bought 10 and threw out all my old." For me, that moved from frugality to cheap consumerism, buying more because it's cheap, throwing out just because a new version was found. The coupon queens and kings featured with their closets and rooms of stockpiled stuff makes me queasy, not understanding how anyone needs a years supply of anything unless you live in the Alaska bush so I ignore.

In that same vein, I love the frugal living blogs that share ideas on creating delicious and more healthy alternatives to fast and chain restaurant meals, share up-cycling ideas and ways to extend the life of things instead of just throwing out and replacing, and inspiring stories of where they saved money in order to put towards their own debt, or future dreams. I am  in awe by those that  for hobby can figure out the layering of store deals, and get the two for ones on products that they and their family need such as personal care items, but also as ways to stretch what they are able to donate to food shelves. Toiletries and household supplies are not part of government food support help for families in need so these items are in dire need for donations. I'm not skilled at this kind of bargain hunting, so I write a check, hopefully stretching the amount because I have spent wisely in other areas of my budget. To me, it is "smart frugal" to watch how you spend your money, not to have more stuff, but in order to support families in your community. Healthy communities are a bargain. 

Pantry Cooking for a Cause

While hunger is a year long problem in communities, messages at Christmas time combined with increased charitable drives sheds more light on the needs of families and individuals.  For families already on the margin, add extra days home from Thanksgiving for school kids and potentially two weeks off from school in December, families not able to utilize the school lunch program will be making some meal stretching decisions. With another mouth to feed in the house in December (two more for a week), I can see that our groceries will rise pretty rapidly. 

DD#2 is a vegetarian, but she has also become a pretty creative, while being thrifty cook, blending cheap pantry staples, with a few fresh ingredients. She made a couple meals for us this week, that I feel no doubt could have been served in a hipster cafe, but for pennies on the dollar.  While the rest of us like a little meat, we can easily fill our tummies with her meals. With her home, we also have an extra cook in the house, so lessons the need, or want, for takeout or restaurant meals on the fly. I have this idea of tracking a few of her meals, and looking up comparable restaurant meals. After calculating out the difference, I want to add up the difference between the restaurant priced meals and our pantry staple home cooked meals, and add that difference to our end of year regular donation to the local family service and food shelf organization.  

I have some ideas to get into the act as well, drawing heavily upon recipes from a few recognized chefs such as Jack Monroe and assorted other talented folks, and of course will credit and link when anything is borrowed or referenced. Recommendations are greatly appreciated. I'll add recipes from myself or daughter as I can get them pulled together on the recipe page. I'll start with two this week, because one, we didn't succumb to the mid week mindset that we are too busy to cook, let's pick up take out instead, and two) we originally thought we were going to go out last night, but changed our minds when we looked at the abundance of activities ahead of us for the month.

DD's Tomato and Zucchini Risotto fed the four of us to stuffed, with a healthy leftover portion for a lunch the next day. She learned this recipe from her new found Italian brother M when they were all poor students in London.  They did not have the money for cafe or pub meals, but would pool their collective cooking resources together to make international family meals.  She has been wanting to make this for a while, but it make so much, and is best served fresh, she waited for a cold winter night with all of us home  Here is my estimate of what it cost:

 Rice $ .50

Tomato Sauce  $ .89

Canned Tomato $ .59

Two zucchini  $ .89

Medium yellow onion  $ .15

$3.03 not counting assorted garlic powder, olive oil, and Italian seasonings.  Let's put a  50 cent allowance for those, and call it $3.53 for four people (not counting leftovers), $ .86 plate. 

August Special at D'Amico and Sons was a tomato and garlic Risotto at $12,99, with bread.  I'll deduct $1, generously for the bread, and call it an even $12, for DD's coming in at a savings of $11.14. or $44.56 for the family.

My Spinach, Cheddar, and Mushroom Souffle, served with roasted Italian potatoes, and a pantry shelf box of Uncle Ben's broccoli cheddar, and our own bottle of Red Wine, made a very gourmet and chi chi Friday night meal.  

8 Eggs  $1.50

1/3 bag spinach  $ .60

Can Aldi's Cr of Mushroom $ .49

4 ounces shredded cheddar (what was left in a 1 # bag) $ .82

8 ounce sour cream  $ .50

5 small russet potatoes $ .50

Rice  $ .89

Wine from wine club, so just putting 1/3 our monthly membership fee (high estimate because we have tastings every month, with appetizers, plus other special events.) $17

Grand Total for four (no wine for DD#2-just so that is on record)  Meal only $5.30, meal per person $1.43, wine for two (DH passed) $8.50

As I couldn't find anything specifically comparable, which makes this more of a home run meal because it isn't same old, I'll use a modest Omelet plate as comparison.  I found low cost from $8,99 to up to $12.99, which included sides of potato and toast, so comparable sides. A low range bottle of red was at least $22.00 a bottle.  My savings, using $10.99, mid range for omelet comparison, was $9.56 per person, $38.24 for family plus $5.00 for wine, so $43.24.

While financially, I might not be able to do every meal, the entire family, as a donation, this will give me a nudge to forgo an extra meal out of the house, in exchange for giving more to people who need the basics so much more than I need a restaraunt meal. How about you?  I'm reading a lot of creative ways people are stretching their own means in efforts to be more generous to others, from donating the second buy one get one, to pledging donations for every pound lost between now and New Years. If you are on the receiving end, here's hoping your opportunities expand, and you feel the love and support of your community, friends, and families.  We are all in this thing called life together. 

Speaking of clever and creative shoppers, pop over to Sluggy's Site for her December Gift Box give away.  Read farther back in posts and you will see how she has mastered not just shopping for her family, but has been able to be generous to the needs of her community.  Hat's off to  you Sluggy!

Turning off the Water

Today is truing off the water day.  I mean that literally and figuratively.  DH was up and out the door early to meet his uncle a the family cabins to turn off the water for the season.  The cabins can still be used, but the outdoor privy and lugging your own water will be a requirement.  There are loads of lovely days ahead for hiking and getting the canoes out, mind you some waterproof and line boots necessary to hop out and pull theme back to shore. They could wait longer into fall, but here has already been frost just north of us and it wont be long for a hard overnight freeze.  With it spotty who will be up there, it is just safer to have the water off entirely than risking the freezing pipes. 

 Money has been pouring through our hands in the last week, and that my friends, leads me to the other faucet.  High School should;t be any ore expensive than previous grades, but the fees are higher, and the involvement DD#2 has is greater. Yearbooks were more than double the middle school years, and pre buying in the fall fall meant a 10% discount. She tried out for an made the school show choir so this comes with an activity fee, and payments for  dresses, "spirit wear", and competitions.  She also needs a $20 food fee for the full day rehearsal days. The first payment was due on her orchestra trip as well this past week. Added to these were our Renaissance Festival day yesterday (worth every penny), and pulling together our vacation spending money for mid month, and let's not forget Christmas is a mere three months away.  The faucet needs to be off today, and just a glass full at a time the rest of the month. 

There are bright spots though.  October is a three paycheck month.  For 25 years we have been living with twice monthly pay periods for both of us, not the every other week time frame that gives the twice year extra check.  We have been living the same as if twice a month is all we would see.  While not a "bonus" as my regular checks have had a significant dip from my previous job, the dollars are kicking into the checkbook at an opportune time. Additionally, I've been managing my food stocks, health and beauty needs, and clothing needs very well thanks to all the advice and guidance I've gleaned from the Internet, and going back to my own frugal and simplistic roots. 

I'm not sure what DH will do for meals. Perhaps they'll stop at a bar and catch the football game and have a beer and a burger.  He didn't join us yesterday, and it won't cost much as deals are plenty during game days, and he isn't a much of a drinker. Besides, guy bonding is good.  His uncle, being only a few years older and with us having kids that grew up together, is as much a friend as a relative. Me and DD#2 will have a quiet and productive day, though I'm still lounging under bed covers at 9:30 and she is still fast asleep. She has homework and some housework and I have housework, cooking and week planning to do.  Despite the fall temperatures being for real, the days have been so sunny and perfect for a good long hike later with pup. I've got supplies to do a big crock pot mock lasagna for supper, which will yield some leftovers for the week and lunches.  I've got beans and bacon to do up a hearty soup. Our own brunch will be simple like muffins and eggs. no money spent. 

While we won't be cold turkey on spending the rest of October, or the rest of the year for that matter, we will be pacing ourselves slowly and methodically. We have incurred more expenses than we are accustomed to with the additional activities for our daughter. She is helping to earn where she can towards these extras and some of the expense will take the place of gifts. These are experiences though that will last her a lifetime, not more stuff to clutter her bedroom, therefore fit our spending priorities. So for now, simple, frugal, minimalist living will continue to be the family motto. 

Could I Survive in Poverty?

What is poor and what is poverty?  According to the U. S. Government, this is the poverty level for various households sizes. There is an addendum chart for Alaska and Hawaii where the poverty levels are at higher incomes. There are obviously great diversity between the cost of living in the contiguous lower 48.  The cost of housing for my son living in a Los Angelos Suburb is more than twice as much as the cost of  my daughter's  living in a very small rural mid west town.  She though has much higher grocery costs, but he pays more in car fuel.  Strictly speaking, neither are in poverty according to the chart, but both are feeling very poor.  Add in their post grad student loans, and my son would probably say he is living in poverty as a significant amount of his income is out the door before it is even in. 

Still, despite the hand to mouth living, he has never, and probably will never know what it  is like to truly go without necessities in life. Maslovs hierarchy of needs will have that stable base in place. He and others in similar income brackets and above average costs in certain areas, might juggle bills, dine creatively, and make due mending or patching as needed to get to the next paycheck, but if things became truly dire, he has a safety net of family and friends. He is living the trade off  of picking a career and trying to make a go of It in a highly competitive and inconsistent paying work field of the arts. He has three roommates, no furniture and an 11 year old car that he cares for like a baby as he has no resources for a new one. If he had to, he could pack the bulk of his belongs, minus his bed, and relocate to wherever work is available. He is young, single, and has no obligations to anyone but himself. and of course Sallie Mae. 

I've been reading a lot reading a lot of blogs lately about personal financing, and stretching dollars to not just save for vacations, new houses, and retirement, but stretching dollars to survive.  Some are the result of living a more indulgent life of plenty in younger and more lucrative days, but now facing a mountain of debt. They blog about how they have now embraced the art and science of frugality, after digging themselves in pretty deep and are struggling to get out. Others are the result of health crisis or job loss or reduction when the job already barely covered the bills.They have children and spouses that they are supporting, and are looking for anyway to stretch the money coming in, and finding ways to increase those dollars if only pennies at a time. Regardless of how the blogger got to the situation they are in, it is so commendable that they are sharing their journey, giving very sound and realistic advice, even if the advice is just couched within their story. 

One thing in common amongst these bloggers is a spirit of hope. Sure, mistakes may have been made by some, and yes, children are expensive to raise, but despite the obstacles, the bad days, and the still unexpected expenses, they are not ostriches and working whatever magic they have to get to tomorrow.  I am very appreciative of the "haves' in my life, and so am striving to live in ways that will allow me to live smartly-not wasteful, give back, donate generously when I can, but also be a safety net to my love ones should it be needed. I was not smarter than any of these other bloggers, as I too made spending mistakes younger, and had unforeseen financial knocks that could have easily pushed our financial circumstances to the bottom most limits had it not been for some much needed intervention in the form of a job lead, a loan, and timely gifts. 

Poor bashing has seem to come back in style. When the recession hit, it seemed like people were in it together, sharing ways to save money, looking out for each other a bit more. That seems to have changed again, or maybe I am just more tuned to these discouraging behaviors. You only need to read a sensationalized account of a "welfare queen" to read the hateful and judgmental messages on many social media threads that suggest the most heinous of hateful "solutions" to what is portrayed as the abuse of taxpayer dollars. What the bashers often fail to take in is that  one, these are over the top anomalies cultivated without the full context to inspire anger against the poor and two, anyone of us or our family members could be in the same situation. In many cases, the difference between being poor and not poor, are the safety nets a person has in their life.  If those around you are equally struggling, there is no safety net of support, and the hole just gets wider.While this is my not so humble opinion, there are a slew of studies related to generational and geographical poverty. UC Davis has a center that studies wide causation of poverty.  What about you?  Could you survive if your income fell in the poverty range below?  What would you do, or have you done to make ends meet in the worst of times?

2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Federally facilitated marketplaces will use the 2015 guidelines to determine eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP.

Household Size	100%	133%	150%	200%	250%	300%	400%
1	$11,770	$15,654	$17,655	$23,540	$29,425	$35,310	$47,080
2	15,930	21,187	23,895	31,860	39,825	47,790	63,720
3	20,090	26,720	30,135	40,180	50,225	60,270	80,360
4	24,250	32,253	36,375	48,500	60,625	72,750	97,000
5	28,410	37,785	42,615	56,820	71,025	85,230	113,640
6	32,570	43,318	48,855	65,140	81,425	97,710	130,280
7	36,730	48,851	55,095	73,460	91,825	110,190	146,920
8	40,890	54,384	61,335	81,780	102,225	122,670	163,560

- See more at: http://familiesusa.org/product/federal-poverty-guidelines#sthash.Z77DCtA4.dpuf