Look What I Found!

So yesterday was quite a day, and here I am up at 3am with my knee hurting today. (I didn't wake up due to my knee, but due to a husband who goes to work un-Godly early.)  Yesterday, I crawled out of bed and took the kids to school, then a trip to Walmart and Costco.  I want to start a price book, but it seems really intimidating to do, I'm not sure why.  I started with Costco since they don't have too big of selection, and a lot of good deals.  It took me about 2.5 hours to write down everything I would buy from that store, and I'm sure I got some looks with my empty cart and piece of paper.  I was starving when done even with my two free samples, but I spent a lot of money at Walmart and $40 at Costco (not hard to do).  So I raced home since I wanted to see what I could do to start dinner.  I wanted to use my Mom's bread maker, but it didn't want me to apparently because it wouldn't start mixing.  After picking up the kids I went to buy store bought cinnamon rolls since I wasn't able to make dough in the bread maker, and I found the above dead spider in my bread pan.  I'm not sure when was the last time I used this pan but apparently where I store it is a nice spot for little creatures.

I also wanted to post about breakfast and I know this picture below doesn't look appetizing, which it really wasn't, but here is the story:

I've been trying to eat more fiber because it is good for you, and I found a generic brand of fiber full cereal at Hy-Vee with no sugar.  My daughter is learning about nutrition in class, so I'm trying to show her what I know about label and nutrition too.  So the other day we both tried this cereal, and she couldn't eat more than a spoonful.  I had to resist the urge to put sugar on mine.  So this is the solution I came up with so it is more edible and it's not going to waste.  I combined it with my Cheerios, and it was better, not the best, but better.

Progress and Juice Diet

So this week has been busy, and I'm sure next week will be too.  It seems like a lot is going on next weekend in my town and I won't even be here.  Yesterday I went to Costco and stuck to the plan except I bought some apples since my sister requested them and I buy her food to watch my kids two days a week.  I ended up spending $45.94. Not too bad.  Next I went to the mall to get my wedding ring checked, and my daughter talked about how she had never had chocolate dipped strawberries.  We passed by Godiva and they had them in their display so I splurged and got them.  5 for $10 plus $.60 tax.  Ouch.  Next stop Target to get mouthwash and more cotton candy for the ugly cake which cost $4.76.  Not too bad.  After the fair we stopped and bought a juicer for $83.94 ( I'll explain this), and also my husband was sad that ice cream in our freezer melted so I bought sonic for $8.15.  If I wouldn't have really thought about this I would have said I spent about $80 to $100 today.

Total for Saturday: $153.39, yeah this is more of my typical weekend routine of spending money.  So my total spending for last week was $262.16.  Over $151.86 for the three weeks.  That is a lot and I'm not sure if I'll be able to make that up.

I might have to rethink my strategy.  They other day I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  It was an Australian guy with an Australian juicer going around just drinking juice.  He lost weight and helped get himself  off medication.  He also had a few others try it and got them hooked on it too.  Now I like drinks so I thought "What an idea".  I'm not sure how it really works but I also found this website: Juicer Recipes.  The movie also has a Facebook page and a website to help you get started on juicing.  The whole problem is they said it cost $14 a day.  For us that could be times 2, plus I don't plan on putting my kids on this diet or giving them crap, easy food while we do it, so I'm not sure how  this will work out.  My plan for now is to start with food to help clear my skin, then do a two week detox, and then repeat again in 3 months.  I'm not sure what my husband plans to do, but he wants to lose weight.  If you don't want to invest in a juicer there is also this website: Green Monster Movement.

So I need a new plan.  I think this week I will just keep blogging about what I am spending.  It is my daughter's birthday so I want to buy her gifts and also it is my nephew's birthday and I still need to get him gifts.  I'm also still in need of 5 more window treatments and decorative hardware.  I think I will keep dwelling on these things till I buy them.  I have been doing well on my saving money on the side so I do feel good about that aspect of life.  Maybe by next week I'll have a good plan.

Putting Together My Menu

I really started menu planning this year and it gets easier every time I do it.  It makes it easier on my food budget, and it especially prevents me from getting fast food all the time.  I first start with looking at the ads for my local grocery stores. In my area I have: Hy-Vee, Fareway, Dahl's, Aldi's, Trader Joe's, Costco, and Sam's Club.  I mainly just look at Hy-Vee and Fareway ads online.  I plan around what meat they have on sale. I look for less than $1.99/lb.  I then search around the internet for recipes that I would be able to use these meats on, keeping in mind the ingredients I have on hand.  I figure the less complicated ingredients the better.  On weeks that I feel a little overspent, I try for more meatless dishes and to use what's in my freezer and cupboards.  I then make out a grocery list and make sure to check my cupboards for any items I have on hand.  If you have time you can also look for substitutes to save money as well.  I start out by shopping at Aldi's because they have a lot of items for less.  On my grocery list I note prices for any items that were advertised at any of the other stores, this way when I'm at Aldi's I can try to make sure I'm getting the most bang for my buck.  What I can't find at Aldi's I buy at Hy-Vee or Fareway.  There is a Hy-Vee across from the Aldi's so I can hit these two up at the same time.  I work near a Fareway so I can go there right after work.  I make sure to check ads on Wednesday just in case Hy-Vee is having a big sale, which could be Thursday one day, or a two day Friday and Saturday sale.

  I rarely shop at Dahl's because I find them over priced.  I have been to Trader Joe's a few times but it is a little out of my way.  I don't have a Sam's Club membership, but my mom made me a second on her Costco membership so I get in there for free.  I find the best deals are when they have their coupons.

 I am trying to keep a price list going by Shoppee,  an application on my i-touch. You log prices by store and then by category. Then you can log the item name, item price, units/item, units, and notes.  It is easiest to keep the item name broad like eggs instead of large grade A eggs.  Then you can write this part in the notes, and I also include if this is a sale item, if I used a coupon, and the date I was in the store.  After you log these prices in, you can push the shop button and it will show you buy category and item name where you found the best deal.

 I think if I start keeping track of exactly what I buy over a month's period of time, it would help me to be able to buy things a month in advance.  The less shopping trips, the less gas you use, the less impulsive buys, and the more you might make use of something out of your pantry/freezer.  I could also buy things at Costco for a month in advance.  I try to  shop there only once a month so I don't overload on bulk purchases. As always, saving money is a work in progress.

Wow, What a Day! Planning a Kids Birthday Party

It was my day off today, but I sure didn't rest very much.  It was my daughter's 7th birthday party tonight.  Her real birthday is on Saturday, but since I work I thought it might be a good night to have a party.  Everyone is so busy on the weekends especially in the summer.  I started out shopping at about 12:30pm and stopped at 4:00pm. I set a budget of $100 for her birthday.

Here is the breakdown:
park shelter rental: $20 (cheaper since it was a weekday)
present: $27.64
decorations: $49.99
craft: $24.99
food: $82.69
misc: $24.29
Total: $229.60

Now we still have plenty of food leftover which you can't really prepare for, but I did buy it at Costco so I could have just gone to Aldi and picked up the cheap hot dogs.  In the misc is charcoal for the cooking at the park and afterwards my husband said we could have cooked them at home and brought them. Doh! Why didn't I think of that? The other misc amount is also for camera batteries, my camera seems to be sucking the life out of batteries lately because I just replaced them a couple weeks ago.  I should have just skipped the craft because after hours of deciding what for them to make, they were more interested in playing on the playground equipment anyways.  I am going to return $5.44 of decorations. This category included my cups, plates, and utensils. I ended up getting juice boxes so I didn't need cups. I think I could have just gotten table cloths, which only cost me $2.99 each, but next year I will just go to the dollar store. It was a little windy for balloons, and streamers anyways. I should have made some decorations at home. I went to Hobby Lobby this year because I needed scrapbook supplies, and didn't have too much time.  My mom and my sister bought face paint which we should have waited till the end because a lot of the kids ran around and got it on their arms and clothes, but its washable.  They do love the pinata so that is a keeper. I didn't include this in my total because I had a stuffed one from my son's party that we never used.  I really learned my lesson and could have been more dedicated to sticking to my budget.  When you are just rushing around and buying it is hard to keep a balance, then I also sent my husband to the store while I set up for things that I had forgotten.  All and all, it was the perfect night for an outdoor party and the kids had a lot of fun. It is best to have as many adults as you can get. It was my husband and I, along with my sister and her husband help watch kids and coordinating all the party.  I first let them play and get their face painted while we cooked, then we took a group picture, did the craft, pinata, cake, opened presents and played till the parents picked them up.  Clean up was quick and easy.  I didn't get a chance to eat at the party, so I also recommend if you are the adult host to eat ahead of time.  When it comes to kids parties I think it is best to not over think it, because kids have an easy time having fun.

Here is my list of items for a kid's birthday party at the park, edit to your hearts desire:

Food:
hot dogs (will need charcoal, lighter fluid, matches, tongs, tin foil and serving platter if cooking at the park, or a crock pot with water would work too if shelter has electricity, or cook at home and wrap in aluminum foil)
buns
ketchup, mustard, etc.
chips
cake
juice boxes
bottled water
ice for cooler
candy
Decorations
candles for cake
Happy Birthday Banner
streamers
table cloths
balloons
plates, napkins, and forks
masking or clear tape (for taping down table cloths and decorations)
Misc.:
camera
batteries for camera
sanitizing gel
pinata
bat or stick (for beating pinata
plastic cloth (for beneath pinata)
rope (for pinata)
cooler
game and/or supplies
bug repellent
lighter for candles
treat bags
first aide kit
list of parents phone number who leave
pen and paper for writing down gifts given
helpful adults
baby wipes

Did I forgot anything? I hope this might help someone plan ahead for their party.

I Need Some Motivation

Yesterday and today I did make my bed. Yesterday I also emptied the dishwasher and cleared the clutter of papers from my paper basket, my end table and my computer desk. After that, it wasn't much progress in the straightening of the house.  I ran around getting errands done for the trip and preparing for my daughter's birthday party. Before every birthday I try to update the scrapbooks for people to browse through for fun while the kids are getting entertained. You really don't know how much your kids grow until you see pictures.

I got up this morning and really didn't have much motivation to do anything except that I needed to use the bathroom. It makes me think what kinds of things would motivate me to really do things in the morning? Sometimes I get up just because my dog needs let out or I have to go to work, the kids need something or it might be the fact that something smells horrible.  I would say the thing that motivates me the most right now would be my kids. I try to teach them to do most things on their own but my son is only 3 so he needs help.  I keep the milk on the top shelf of the frig so even my 6 year old can't reach that on her own.  When I get up to do things for the kids, I end up picking up garbage off the floor or emptying the dishwasher. I worry that when they are able to take care of themselves what will be my motivation? I think I need to start finding it now.

I will be gone until at least Monday, so until then..............

Christmas Overspending

So I was reading Moneysavingmom.com with her post about "how do you track your money." There were more then a few people commenting about overspending at Christmas, mostly do to keeping up with your relatives.

I work at a retail store and cannot tell you how many ungrateful people love to return your gifts. First of all if you do give them a gift receipt, they will want cash back. It clearly states you will get a gift card (because we do not know how you paid for it in the first place). It would be a great scam to steal some one's credit card, use it, get a gift receipt and then return it for cash. If they don't have a receipt they get a store credit for the price we would resell it for. I have had people try to argue with us on not wanting a store credit. I have always wanted to say: "Why don't you stop being so ungrateful? Someone was nice enough to try and give you something you might like. If you don't want it or the store credit, give the item back to that person. Then they will stop overspending on your ungrateful a$$, or find some other way to appease you because they might like you but I sure don't right now."

I had a mother in with her daughter returning clothes that they received for her daughter's birthday. She proceeded to say that she hates our store and couldn't believe we wouldn't give her cash back. Then she told her daughter that she has to spend the money at this crappy store because they have no choice. What a way to show  your child to be ungrateful and throw a fit to try and get your way. Mom of the year.

Food for Thought: Power Outage

Here is the problem with technology: it is about as reliable as a person. I woke up this morning with no power. I wasn't sure if it was just me or if it was the neighborhood. I threw away my phone books because I never used them and they took up space. I figured I would just look up the number on the Internet if needed or through my GPS. So I don't happen to have the electric company's number memorized since remembering things isn't really my thing. I couldn't look on any bills because I have e-bills, and with no electricity there is no modem and no Internet. The electricity didn't take too long to come back on so I didn't check my GPS for a number. I don't know if I could of counted on the GPS anyways since it relies on satellite and the rain and thunder bring a lot of blocking clouds. This just brings about a lesson to have utility and emergency numbers posted on the fridge. I also only have a cell phone for a phone, but thinking about those phones that run through the Internet, those wouldn't be to helpful in a lot of emergency situations either.