So my husband and I have been following Dave Ramsey plan to get out of debt. One piece of advice we have been working on is using a cash only system. We are starting slowly with this. I have made separate envelopes for different categories. At this point I am becoming overwhelmed with the amount of money flowing out of my house. Every day I feel there is a new category that needs an envelope. Tonight it is milk money for the kids' school. I guess I should start an envelope for that too. Plus the older two boys just started cub scouts. New envelope. What about new paint and curtains for my bedroom that I was hoping to get in the next month or so? New envelope for that too. At the rate I am going I am going to need to create an envelope to purchase envelopes for this cash system!
Anyways, for those who are unfamiliar with this cash only system let me break it down for you. Step one figure out how much you spend a year on different categories. Let's take birthdays as our example. Say you have four people in your family and you budget $100 per person for their birthday(this has to include gifts as well as any party expense involved) The total figure would be $400 a year. The next step is to break it down by month - $400 divided by 12 is $34 a month(rounding up). So each month you would put that amount in your birthday envelope. Sounds good until you get to the stage I am at. New envelopes I am thinking of creating are: school expenses, cub scout expenses, home decorating(not to be confused with my home maintenance envelope), my work expenses, and husband's work expenses. Hopefully I will get the hang of this cash only system!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
CVS trip
I made a CVS trip today. I had skipped the last week because the deals weren't that good for my family. CVS had some good deals for some items we were running low on. For more CVS deals this week go here. For more information on how CVS works go here.
I spent a total of $24.49 plus tax for everything pictured. Here's how it went down.
Transaction #1
Bounty Paper Towels 6 big rolls(still need to wean myself off of these!) $6.00
Batteries AA 10 pack $10.00
Tide 2X $6.00
6 boxes of Puff Tissues $6.00
Bounty Paper Towels 6 big rolls(still need to wean myself off of these!) $6.00
Batteries AA 10 pack $10.00
Tide 2X $6.00
6 boxes of Puff Tissues $6.00
Total: $28.00
Used CVS coupon - $5.00 of a purchase of $25 or more
Used Tide Coupon - $1.00 off
Used Puff coupon - $1.00 6 single boxes off
Used Duracell Battery coupon - $1.00 off
Used Bounty coupon - $1.00 off
Total Spent - $19.00 plus tax
Get $10.00 in Extra Care Bucks
Transaction #2
Miralax - 18.99
Used Miralax Coupon - $5.00 off
Total - $13.99
Minus $10.00 ECB earned from transaction #1
Total Spent $3.99 plus tax
Get $2.00 in ECB
Transaction # 3
2 Colgate toothpastes - $5.50
Used 2 Colgate Coupons - $1.00 off each
Minus $2.00 ECB earned from transaction #2
Total Spent - 1.50 plus tax
Get $1.50 in ECB to use next CVS trip!
I had to think about buying the Tide detergent- if you read my Grocery Shopping trip Part II you will remember I bought 2 bottles of Arm and Hammer detergent. I am trying to work on my stockpile and I was getting low on detergent. A friend just told me about a homemade recipe for laundry detergent that I am thinking about making but I just couldn't pass up this deal. I also had to think about the paper towel purchase. I am trying to wean my family off of paper towels (an extra expense plus not the greatest for the environment). We did have a situation this week were the dog got an entire batch of sugar cookie dough. I arrived home Friday to three huge messes and the paper towels can in handy. I certain was not going to use my cleaning rags on those messes and then wash and reuse them - too disgusting! So for the time being I will try to limit my family's use of paper towels to the before mentioned type of messes, otherwise I have a nice stack of cleaning rags.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Menu Plan
Here is our menu for the week of 9/27-10/1. For more menus check out here
Since I am still new at this menu planning, I have only included the main dishes for lunch and dinner. as I get better at it, I will have a more detailed account of each meal! Each dinner usually has a vegetable, fruit and some sort of carb. Lunches usually involve yogurt, fruit, and something crunchy (pretzels), and a dessert (cookie or granola bar)
Sunday
muffin tops or mini bagels
pasta
Chicken thighs in crockpot, potatoes
Monday
Cereal or mini bagels
The boys and I have the day off so I don't have to pack lunches but I am stuck. Maybe we will eat out.
Leftovers from Sunday
Hubby teaches at local college so he will not be in attendance for dinner
Tuesday
cereal or mini bagels
Turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
London broil
Wednesday
cereal or mini bagels
turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
Pasta
Soccer practice so dinner must be quick
Thursday
Toast or Mini bagels
Turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
Leftovers from Tuesday
Friday
Cereal or toast
Turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
No me tonight - I am going to the Warrensburgh, NY garage sale! - I am thinking Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese for the boys!
Sat - depends on what I end up buying at the grocery store Thursday.
Since I am still new at this menu planning, I have only included the main dishes for lunch and dinner. as I get better at it, I will have a more detailed account of each meal! Each dinner usually has a vegetable, fruit and some sort of carb. Lunches usually involve yogurt, fruit, and something crunchy (pretzels), and a dessert (cookie or granola bar)
Sunday
muffin tops or mini bagels
pasta
Chicken thighs in crockpot, potatoes
Monday
Cereal or mini bagels
The boys and I have the day off so I don't have to pack lunches but I am stuck. Maybe we will eat out.
Leftovers from Sunday
Hubby teaches at local college so he will not be in attendance for dinner
Tuesday
cereal or mini bagels
Turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
London broil
Wednesday
cereal or mini bagels
turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
Pasta
Soccer practice so dinner must be quick
Thursday
Toast or Mini bagels
Turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
Leftovers from Tuesday
Friday
Cereal or toast
Turkey or PB sandwiches for kids
No me tonight - I am going to the Warrensburgh, NY garage sale! - I am thinking Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese for the boys!
Sat - depends on what I end up buying at the grocery store Thursday.
Grocery Shopping Trip Part II
Price Chopper
Here is what I purchased at Price Chopper for this week:
2 Arm and Hammer Detergent - B1G1 Free
13 Yoplait yogurts
4 Friehoefers hearty breads - B1G1 Free
2 Betty Crocker Chocolate chip muffin mixes
3 lbs Bananas
3 Lean Cuisines frozen entrees
Price Chopper brand nuts
Price Chopper brand animal crackers
Price Chopper brand chocolate animal crackers
2 Price Chopper brand ice cream cones - B1G1 free
12 pack Capri Sun juice boxes
3 Birds Eye stream frozen vegetables
4 pack of Yo crunch yogurt
1 gallon Clear value milk
1 gallon Price Chopper brand milk
Price Chopper brand pretzel rods
Purina One dog food- 18 lb bag
Yoplait gogurt
Trix yogurt 6 pack
6 Campbell Select Harvest canned soups
Price Chopper brand flour
Sunmaid raisins
Price Chopper brand 6 individual applesauce
Colgate toothpaste for kids
Price Chopper brand oatmeal
Deli Cut Turkey lunch meat
2 lbs granny smith apples
2 pack vacuum cleaner bags
Total before Member advantage savings: 155.37
Coupons: -$12.04
Advantage savings: -$35.91
Total out of pocket spent: $107.42
This brings my weekly grocery bill to $131.57 but I did earn .30c off my next gas fill up! I now have $39.28 left for the month with only a few days left. I did budget $150 a week; the first 2 weeks I was over budget and the last two weeks I was under budget so I guess I am still on average at $150 a week. I definitely am going to shoot for $125 a week next month!
Here is what I purchased at Price Chopper for this week:
2 Arm and Hammer Detergent - B1G1 Free
13 Yoplait yogurts
4 Friehoefers hearty breads - B1G1 Free
2 Betty Crocker Chocolate chip muffin mixes
3 lbs Bananas
3 Lean Cuisines frozen entrees
Price Chopper brand nuts
Price Chopper brand animal crackers
Price Chopper brand chocolate animal crackers
2 Price Chopper brand ice cream cones - B1G1 free
12 pack Capri Sun juice boxes
3 Birds Eye stream frozen vegetables
4 pack of Yo crunch yogurt
1 gallon Clear value milk
1 gallon Price Chopper brand milk
Price Chopper brand pretzel rods
Purina One dog food- 18 lb bag
Yoplait gogurt
Trix yogurt 6 pack
6 Campbell Select Harvest canned soups
Price Chopper brand flour
Sunmaid raisins
Price Chopper brand 6 individual applesauce
Colgate toothpaste for kids
Price Chopper brand oatmeal
Deli Cut Turkey lunch meat
2 lbs granny smith apples
2 pack vacuum cleaner bags
Total before Member advantage savings: 155.37
Coupons: -$12.04
Advantage savings: -$35.91
Total out of pocket spent: $107.42
This brings my weekly grocery bill to $131.57 but I did earn .30c off my next gas fill up! I now have $39.28 left for the month with only a few days left. I did budget $150 a week; the first 2 weeks I was over budget and the last two weeks I was under budget so I guess I am still on average at $150 a week. I definitely am going to shoot for $125 a week next month!
Grocery Shopping
I have been trying to keep my weekly grocery bill for a family of five plus 3 cats and 1 dog, to $125. I have $150 alloted in my monthly budget but I am trying to shave it down. This week I went to Price Chopper and Walmart. Here is a a breakdown of what I purchased at Walmart:
Eggo Muffin Tops - 1 box $2.26
Daminal Crush cups - 3 4-packs $2.00 each
Kellogg's Fruit Loops - 1 box 2.98
Kellogg's Apple Jacks - 1 box $2.98
Flinstone Vitamins - $6.74
Country Time Pink Lemonade Mix - 1 container $2.28
Goldfish Crackers - $1.65
Package of Budget Saver brand 18 pack popsicles - $1.64
Thomas' mini bagels - $2.28
Walmart brand cottage cheese - $1.34
Total before coupons: $30.15
Coupons used -
$2.00 off two Kelloggs cereal
3 $1.00 off Danimal Crush cups
$1.00 Flintstone Vitamins
Total after coupons: 24.15
This brings my monthly total to: $456.30 I have 143.70 left for the month so I am totally going to come under budget this month. I will post my Price Chopper shopping trip later - I did get some great deals there!
Eggo Muffin Tops - 1 box $2.26
Daminal Crush cups - 3 4-packs $2.00 each
Kellogg's Fruit Loops - 1 box 2.98
Kellogg's Apple Jacks - 1 box $2.98
Flinstone Vitamins - $6.74
Country Time Pink Lemonade Mix - 1 container $2.28
Goldfish Crackers - $1.65
Package of Budget Saver brand 18 pack popsicles - $1.64
Thomas' mini bagels - $2.28
Walmart brand cottage cheese - $1.34
Total before coupons: $30.15
Coupons used -
$2.00 off two Kelloggs cereal
3 $1.00 off Danimal Crush cups
$1.00 Flintstone Vitamins
Total after coupons: 24.15
This brings my monthly total to: $456.30 I have 143.70 left for the month so I am totally going to come under budget this month. I will post my Price Chopper shopping trip later - I did get some great deals there!
PARENT - Job Description
This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!
POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long-term team players needed for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers..
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required, unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left..
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
AND A FOOTNOTE - THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!
This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!
POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long-term team players needed for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers..
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required, unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left..
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
AND A FOOTNOTE - THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!
The Sometimes Mom intro
I am the sometimes mom.. I get to be a working mom most of the year, a stay at home mom during the summer and school vacations. I sometimes am crafty and creative. I am trying to be more frugal but sometimes I am not always. I started this blog to follow my progress as I try and become more frugal, save money and get my family out of debt. Join me for this journey!
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