1.  Touch base at Frugal Families as much as possible.

2.  Take time to organize my life and plan ahead even if it means I have to say No to some activities.

3.  Set up a budget and follow it as closely as we can.

4.  Start a separate savings account that is not currently attached to my checking so that I can start saving my emergency fund.

 5.  Consolidate some of my debt and cut up the cards again!

6.  Air dry my laundry

7.  Give up renting movies out or going to the movies

8.  Eat out only once a week (Don’t laugh some of us have to take baby steps!)

9.  Continue to cut coupons as I need to stick to a grocery goal of $600 amonth, I know many people can go lower but this seems to be our threshold.

10.  Do not renew any subscriptions except for Mother Earth magazine which I just cannot seem to give up at the moment.

11.  Think about giving up my cable.  (Yes I am still mulling it over!)

I will check back in soon and let you know how its going.  Even though I have been a Frugal Family member for so long there is always something new to learn!

We had to figure out a few things before I made the final decision.  My husband has ample vacation time AND has the ability to work from home if we have a sick child.  My mom comes over after she goes to the gym to keep an eye on the boys for us (she offered).  My new office doesn’t want to work school vacation weeks and holidays because they have children as well.  As for summer vacation, I’ve got several contacts who could watch the boys for me. 

I’m also trying to get myself back into the more advanced menu planning.  While I’ve been home full-time, menu planning was a generalized thing and was finalized the morning of the meal, for the most part.  I’ve had to think ahead more.  I cleared the dry erase board off and it now tells everyone what the menu is for the week. 

Laundry has taken a slightly less frugal turn.  It’s harder to hang laundry on the racks on work days, so the dryer is happily working again.  NOT my ideal, but I’m only working 2-3 days/wk, so it’s not an all time thing. 

Grocery shopping has also become a tad less frugal only because it’s harder for me to shop 3 stores for just loss leaders.  I have done a bit  more OAMC (Once A Month Cooking).  I have put 4 pre-baked pizza shells into the freezer.  I made 4 loaves of unrisen bread dough and placed those in the freezer as well (for no bread, no time days).  I’ve made up huge batches of meatballs for meatball grinders.  My menu has basically stayed the same EXCEPT that I’ve separated the meals into easy prep or “mom” prep.  LOL.  Easy prep things are the pizza, meatball grinders, grilled cheese sandwiches and soup or anything else the guys can prepare easily, before I get home.  I’ve also dusted off the crockpot which hasn’t seen as much action since I became a SAHM.  I just LOVED how the crock pot had a beautiful roasting chicken just falling off the bone when we got home.  A quick batch of couscous and steamed broccoli (loss-leader broccoli I had blanched and thrown into the freezer) and dinner was on!

I figure my adventures will keep me busy blogging for a bit.  It’s definately a challenge to juggle family and work again.  I’m very dedicated to both.  It’s definately easier with the boys being older now, too.  The boys understand that my paycheck is paying off the last of the non-mortgage debt (see Dave Ramsey) and that my paychecks will help us put them through college.  They’re eager to contribute to our family’s financial future. 

So, like I said, maybe you can learn a few things from my working mom adventures.

 http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/money/time-to-set-ben-bernanke-up-with-suze-orman-153194/

I mentioned to her that I’ve hit a frugal funk.  I’ve been hardcore frugal for 6 years now and I don’t think about it anymore.  I guess I don’t think about saving the pennies anymore because I’m always saving the pennies.  I guess it’s hard to remember when I wasn’t frugal so it’s hard to share my frugality because to me it’s old hat but to many of you, it isn’t. 

How do the two points come together you ask?  Well, it’s that hardcore, pennies-do-add-up mentality that has allowed us to “find” more money in our budget to apply to our debt.  How can the pennies add up?  Well, adding just $10 extra/month on a $129,500 mortage will save you $5270 in interest over the life of a 30 year loan.  $10/month doesn’t seem like alot does it?  One less lunch out.  Two less trips to the expensive coffee shop.  $10 seems like “pennies” but it’s all those pennies that add up!

Finding those pennies goes back to having a budget, tracking your spending and thinking about wants and needs.  It can be about compromise to meet the needs and the wants.  We LOVE camping.  I NEED to camp! (okay it MIGHT be a want but I really NEED it, too)  LOL!  BUT this year, we’re realizing that we can still enjoy lots of camping but stay hardcore on our debt payoff by camping more locally and saving gas money.  It’s compromising THIS year so next year we’ll be DEBT FREE!!!  You might NEED a nice wardrobe for work but you can find great nearly new clothes at consignment shops.  You might NEED to furnish a new apartment but you can do it nicely with tag sale finds, consignment shop finds and inexpensive throws and covers.  It’s about compromising what you perceive as a need so you can throw more money to debt.  In all honesty, you NEED to be DEBT FREE!

Play a mind game:  reflect on your circumstances.  There’s every chance you COULD choose not to be frugal in some areas.  Of course that shorts other areas and could lead to disaster quick.   If you blow a large sum on entertainment, the house payment might not be paid.  So, find those areas you can control.  Food, entertainment, travel, heat and electricity.  (you’ll have to look at your own budget to see what you can tweak)   Make choices about where to cut.  We found we could save money by reducing our land line phone to just minimal service.  No long distance, no caller ID.  Tax refund coming?  Figure out how it can best be used to reduce monthly expenses and give you breathing room.
Being proactive in choosing where to cut costs gives a feeling of power, a sense of control… much less frustrating than feeling forced.

I heard a quote once and can’t remember the author but it goes “I’ve never heard of any calamity in life that whining wouldn’t make it worse”.  

Chin up!  Put on a smile… we’ve got what it takes to make a difference!

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/02/18/scratch-beginnings-an-interview-with-adam-shepard/#more-1625

Adam’s attitude and determination were impressive.  We often talk about how attitude is everything!  Adam’s opinion on Barbara Enrenreich’s book, “Nickle and Dimed” were right on in my opinion as well.  Barbara went into her project almost ready to fail and she knew that she could go back to her regular life at any time!  Adam had no choice, no fallback life to go to.  His attitude made the difference!  His determination to make positive changes in his life made the difference. 

As I write this, you can download his book for free (I saved it right to my computer).  This might change down the road so grab it while you can!

http://www.getrichslowly.org/files/shepard0221/Scratch%20Beginnings%20Text.pdf

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again.  Attitude makes all the difference!  When we say we can’t do something, we’re setting ourselves up for failure.  Yep, the road might not be easy but most good things don’t come easily.  Paying off debt, improving your job skills with college, saving for a home or any other goal will only be met if you say, “I CAN!”

So back to why you shouldn’t necessarily spend that check.   Americans have stimulated the economy alot over the past few years but unfortunately, they did it on credit!  Have you noticed that the credit card companies have doubled your minimum payments?  Many have started bumping up interest rates as well to increase their bottom line (especially since the subprime crash).  They’re changing due dates to sneak in late fees AND if you’re late, they bump up you interest rate again!  Credit card companies make their money with interest and late fees!! 

Americans have saved less and less money BUT spent more and more (thanks to credit cards).  It’s not all our fault.  Credit card companies have inundated you with an average of 68 credit card offers per year.  Advertisers have told you that not only do you want something, you NEED something and you need it NOW!  One Superbowl ad showed a couple going out, credit card in hand, because they wanted and needed a new TV.  The music screamed in the background about needing it and wanting it NOW, too!  I sat there and shook my head.  Wanting it NOW and not saving money for it is why so many people are up to their ears in debt!  Sooner or later, you have to pay that debt!

Now some of you will say you’ve got credit card debt because you had an emergency and had to use your charge card to pay for the emergency.  Well, if you’re comfortable paying off the credit card in a short amount of time, how about using that check to create an emergency fund then.  Dave Ramsey, author of “Total Money Makeover” (www.daveramsey.com) would tell you to create a $1000.00 emergency fund, then pay off those credit cards (smallest to largest).  This is your chance!  Things happen!  It’s a fact of life that emergencies happen.  NOT planning for them is just plain silly-pull your head out of the sand and face reality!  Sounds harsh, I know, but it’s the truth.  You know it.  Here’s your chance to start making changes that will really add money to your monthly budget.  If you’re not spending money for non-mortgage payments, then you could be putting that money into a savings account and paying CASH for those fun things in life.  You won’t be held captive to the rules laid down by lenders!

Now, if you have set aside your first emergency fund and still want to spend a bit of money, please think about how you’re going to spend it.  Congress is hoping you’ll stimulate OUR economy.  Try to focus on services provided by local businesses or goods made in the United States.   Think about taking care of the practical things in life.  This might be a great time to stock up the pantry (for any lean paychecks down the road).  Did the car need new tires?  When was the last time the furnace was cleaned (remember, a clean furnace uses less fuel)?  Needs versus wants is the attitude to remember. 

I hopefully have given you food for thought. I know that personally, we’ll be setting the money aside in our ING account.  Our furnace is living on borrowed time and we’ve set most of the cash we need for replacing it aside but this will complete the fund.  Yep, it’s an American made furnace and we’ll be using our local contractor to do the work. Just food for thought. 

Put a little LOVE into breakfast! - Try adding a little red or pink food coloring to your milk. (you can also just use strawberry milk, but that adds more sugar to the already overloaded day!)  Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to shape toast.  Make heart shaped pancakes.

Loveable treats! - bake a batch of brownies in a larger pan to make a thinner layer… when cooled, cut with heart shaped cookie cutters.  Sugar Cookies are always popular - make a template and cut out a plate sized cookie for your sweetheart.  How about making rice crispy treats and adding red food coloring to the melted marshmallow.

Dinner! - Think red & pink….  spaghetti, lasagna, salsa chicken, any main dish with a red theme.  You COULD color an Alfredo sauce pink.  Red or pink Jello, Tomatoes, raspberries or strawberries.  Try shaping pats of butter into heart shapes for rolls.

Chocolate! - If chocolate is your love, a simple chocolate fondue is wonderful.  Melt a few Hershey Bars or a bag of chocolate chips in a microwave or in the oven on a low setting… dip sliced banana’s, strawberries, marshmallows, apples, pretzels, cookies, etc.  If you’d like a thinner chocolate, stir in a spoonful of shortening or oil.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

But the fact remains, it’s February, and I live in Wisconsin - where we have gotten measurable snow as late as May.  It’s not snowing today (rare for this winter) but it’s -5 degrees and incredibly windy.  Reminds me that it’s going to be a while before I even start my (indoor) plantings, and harvest time?  A far and distant time in the future.

My husband and I eat lots of veggies and fruits, for many reasons - the main ones being it’s good for us, AND we love most fruits and veggies.  And, as I said, it’s pretty frugal when I can just step outside and pick a cloth bag (or several) of tomatoes, cukes, peppers, lettuce - salads at the blink of an eye.  Pico de gallo superfresh when I want - for free, or just about. 

If I go out in my garden today, the only thing I can bring in the house is snow.

Obviously, the garden’s out of the question.  So it’s time to get creative and come up with less expensive ways to get fresh produce (and preferably organic). 

I’ve previously talked about my favorite high-end grocery store.  And wowee, that continues to be a great source!   Both for sales on regular produce (NONE of the other grocery stores can beat some of the loss leader prices) and for markdowns on slightly older stuff.  I buy whatever I think we’ll use, and freeze the excess.

There’s a great newer healthy foods market that we’ve recently discovered.  And I’ve found occasional great sale prices there.  For example, organic portabella mushrooms for cheaper than regular mushrooms at any grocery store around me.  I may not have needed mushrooms that day, but hey - cooked up in a bit of olive oil with a little garlic and flash-frozen, they will be a great frugal deal when I need mushrooms.  Point being, when you see a great bargain - grab it!

Now, on the topic of eating healthy - while at first glance it may seem that eating healthier comes at a high price, does it really?  We don’t buy junk food anymore.  So, the previous junk food money goes for fresh, healthy food.  That can free up a lot of money, because some junk foods are anything but cheap.  Cooking from scratch, rather than buying processed foods, can also be a big money saver.  I’ve already mentioned - again and again - loss leaders, other sales, etc.  And here’s something else - eating LESS.  I’m not talking starvation, I’m not talking going hungry, I’m just talking common sense portion size.  Sure does make food last longer in our house!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank any time or season.  Although as I sit here and listen to the wind howl, I most definitely am missing summer!