Saving $$$ Things That Work, Things That Don't.

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Yesterday I posted about my written budget.

I listed the categories that I use.

You have to personalize your budget to your own lifestyle.

My biggest expenses are my equity loan payment and my horse's board.

I can't do much about either one of those.

I don't have a house payment.

The things I could think about changing are these:

I could get rid of my land phone which I think I will do.

My cable is my mobile phone and my computer service also so I can't get rid of cable.

My TV is satellite. 

I have very minimum basic so I don't want to get rid of TV altogether if I don't have to.

I cannot get rid of my lawn care or snow plowing because I can't do those myself.

My handyman is also a necessity now as he does things or helps me do things around outside in the summer that I cannot do myself.

I can possibly get rid of my cleaning service.  I only have them come once a month mostly to clean my hardwood floors.  But I could cut that if necessary, which would save about $80./mo.

I was getting a massage twice a month and foot reflexology every week but I have cut those for the past 2 months which is a savings of $177./mo.

I decided not to buy or lease a new car so I am keeping my 2003 Honda.

So I have no car payment.

Maintenance has been minimal so far.

I don't drive far so gas is also minimal even when the price was higher.

As I've gotten older, especially the last couple years, my medical expenses have been higher.

I have good coverage and drug coverage but there's still things that you have to pay out yourself.

I have upped the deductible on all my insurances.

I have unsubscribed to all magazines and newspaper.

I have no automatic payments going out to charities anymore.

I will always have vet bills because I will always have pets!

Unfortunately, I am still over budget every month!

A lot of it is from those expenses that come once or twice a year that I haven't set aside a fund for.

I have to figure out how to do that.

I think I will try to call my utility, cable and satellite companies and try to get my fees reduced.  

I heard you should try that!

I also know I can get my grocery bill for the month down.

That's something I can work on right now.

How?

Cook at home.  Don't eat out.

When possible use what you already have in your freezer and pantry.  

Be creative.

Menu plan and buy only things from the list you take to the store.

Don't ever forget your list and try to wing it!

Don't shop when you're hungry.

If you have Aldi, shop there!  

It's amazing how much less you'll pay and their brands are just as good.

Buy fruits and vegetables in season.

Don't scrimp on quality.

I buy organic when possible and I won't stop that.  So look for sales and the best prices elsewhere if Aldi doesn't have it.

Go meatless at least twice a week.

These are the things I know will work.

The thing I am having trouble with is my willingness to give up some things 

and 

how I am distributing the money in my envelopes at the beginning of the month.

I don't think the answer is robbing from other envelopes to buy groceries I want.

The answer has to be to reduce the money in the other envelopes because obviously I've put too much in them!

And CUT DOWN MY GROCERY SHOPPING!!

How will I do that????

The first thing I am trying is menu planning.

Also, ONLY SHOPPING AT ALDI!

I'll let you know how that goes.

PLEASE,

if any of you have any ideas about any of this, please leave me a comment!

HELP!

Shirley

Finally, a Good Find at GoodWill!

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I go scope out GoodWill every couple weeks.

I used to find a lot more there than I have in this past year.

I mean I get some barn clothes there but I'm always looking for dishes,
neat old chairs, outer-wear etc.

Today, I got lucky.
Not a huge amount but something that made me happy!
All six pieces together were only $3.00!

Blue Willow pattern from Staffordshire, England.

The cups are very delicate.

I have some of this pattern already but these are really nice.

Especially the cups and saucers; they're perfect.

The two plates have a couple little dings.

My other find was this nice dark gray fleece top.  

I love these and it will be great for fall and winter.

This was half price and was only $1.99!

Hope you had a great day too.

Shirley

Keeping Busy

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My sister, Sue, is here visiting for a couple weeks.  We are keeping busy.  I planned some places to go that we haven't been too and wrote them on my black board in the kitchen so I wouldn't forget!

We're going out to eat often as always but to places we have never been to before.

Here's my sister.  We were eating supper at Quaker Steak and Lube.  It's new in Medina.  I had never eaten in one before and really liked the food and fun atmosphere.

We also did some thrifty shopping at Volunteers of America and GoodWill.

 I finally found a purse I like.  It has a lot of compartments but isn't real big.  I think it's cute.

Especially cute when the price tag was $1.91!!!!

I also got this pretty quilt for $13.00.

At my favorite little antique store I got these things.

I always love these wooden carry boxes for flowers in the summer.

I have one almost like this tea pot already but couldn't pass up this English Sadler one for $15.00.

and a pretty new little tea cup and saucer.

We stopped at Target and Marshalls also.

I'm babysitting my grandchildren one day a week this summer so I got them both little garden gloves to help me in the garden and I got myself a new pair too!!

I know this isn't the most interesting or verbal post but I'm just trying to keep busy.  Tomorrow it's either shopping or going to the barn to ride with Michele.

Rocky had pretty good days yesterday and today although today his appetite isn't very good.  At least the Pepcid has kept him from vomiting anymore.
Please if you all think of it would you say a little prayer for Rocky.
His Hct is already dropping so he doesn't have much energy but he is a senior and sleeps a lot anyway.

I love you Rocky.


Shirley

It Snowed So I Went Shopping!

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It snowed AGAIN!!!

The only one that likes it is my St. Bernard!!!

He'd sprawl out there in the snow all day if I'd let him!

Well

I'm tired of the cold and the snow like everyone here in the north!

I'm starting to get a LITTLE DEPRESSED!!!!!

So, what to do??

I say:

Go shopping  : ))

I went to a favorite little antique place in town.

I always find something there.

Like this pretty little tea cup and saucer.

Staffordshire

And this cute little chicken egg basket!  

Love it.

If you put the handles down they're shaped like wings!

Now, see, those 2 little things just brightened my whole day!

I then went to Walmart to pick up some groceries and I found a good pair of loppers.   

(Someone had borrowed mine last year and never returned them!!)

Of course my bill was about $100. for it all!

But I won't think about that!

So then I took myself out to lunch at Panera!

(On a gift card  : ))

So that was free.

I do feel better now!

Shirley

Bargains and Buys

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I went shopping at a couple of my favorite places this past Sunday.

First, my biggest bargain was from Good Will.

This cute, light weight, quilted jacket cost me $3.00!!!!!

It's a wedgwood blue color and looks like it's never been worn!

I then went to the Medina Antique Mall.  It's very big and I didn't really expect to find any huge bargains.  However I got these two cute tea pots for very reasonable prices.  The little one cupper was $6.99 and the taller rose bud one was $9.99.   

Now this blue and white one I won on Ebay.  It will go well with my Blue Willow type dishes.

The silver plate tea stainers are something I've wanted for awhile for loose tea leaves.

Prices weren't too high but then there's that darn shipping.  

I think I'd do better just going to the antique mall.

Of course flea markets and garage sales will be starting up soon.

Spring, where are you???

Shirley

New Quilt Find and Tea

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New Quilt Find

I've been searching for some pretty tea pots lately and went into a little antique store I frequent.

I didn't find a tea pot but found this pretty quilt with tea pots on it!!!

It isn't an old quilt but I thought it was unique and was a fabulous price.  (under $20!!!)

It has a couple little problems but still a good buy.

What do you think?

Here's the problem.  I have tried everything to remove this mark.  (Shout, Oxy-clean,Peroxide)

It looks like highlighter marker or maybe paint!

Does anyone have any ideas???

It's right near the top so I can turn it down to hide it.  (Or put some pillows over it.)

It may look cute as a table cover too!

Tea Today In The Dining Room

Have a nice week everyone and stay warm.  Brutal temps coming here. 

I'll be making a fire in my fireplace.

Shirley

Tea For Me (and some bargains)

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Like I said a couple posts back, I was going to start to have afternoon tea every day that I'm home. Here's today's tea with some biscuit cookies.

Yesterday I had this Biscotti but they are pretty crispy!!  (Hard!)  And I don't know if it's good "tea etiquette" to dunk.

This is what I had today.  I got them on sale at Marshalls and they are very good.

I have to show you a couple recent bargains.

Yesterday I went to Good Will and found these two scarves cheap and this pair I barely worn Sketchers!  I mean the sole doesn't look like they've been worn more than once.  It's what I wear and they fit perfectly.  Guess how much!!!!  $3.00!!!!!!!!!  These are $55.00 shoes!!

I'm happy!

I found this ceramic egg holder for the counter at Marshalls for $2.99.  They are much more on line.

Works great for when your going to use some eggs so they don't roll away!!

Have a happy weekend!

We're supposed to get frigid weather coming in Sunday night.

Shirley

My Bargain of the Day!

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If you remember my post of last week or so about my new western boots; well, they are really nice but also cost quite a bit.

Today I stopped in Kohls because I had a 30% off coupon and also a $10. off card.

I was wandering the store for something I needed as I had bought 2 pair of jeans at 30% off yesterday!

In the shoe department I spotted a couple "fashion" cowboy boots.  They were reduced from $69.95 to $29.95 and $39.95.  I found ones that fit and with my coupons in my hot little hand I ran to the cash register!

Here's what I got.

I know they probably aren't made as good as the real western Tony Lama boots from the tack shop but, hey, if they last a year or two it's well worth what I paid and they'll work for riding!!!

$44.70 for 2 pair of boots!

Of course no boot will be worth to me what my MUCK boots are in the winter!

Although I no longer ever, EVER have to muck out horse stalls, they are the warmest boots I've ever had for anything you do in the winter in the snow and cold!!!

Shirley

This and That

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No, I haven't fallen off the earth!  I've just been too pooped to post!  It's my own fault as I plan too much for everyday and then wait till the evening to get on the computer and just don't have any more brain cells that are willing to be active!

This week I did find something I've been going to buy for over $20 and I found it for $8 at my favorite little 2nd hand shop.  I wanted to get all my knives out of my drawer and into a block.  Makes it so much easier! 

Well, it's finally Monk's turn to learn about the Invisible Fence.  His training just started yesterday.  It will take about 3-4 weeks.  I've trained 4 other dogs to it and I've never had an escapee!!  It's the most wonderful invention!!

Monk doesn't seem all that enthused about it but he'll be glad to get off that rope and be free to wander about the yard.

I have bluebirds in my bluebird house.  This is their neat little nest and so far there's one beautiful blue egg in there.  I'll keep you posted.

Shirley