A Productive Day!

Whoa, am I tired! But I've gotten a lot done today, and it's only 4:30. David started his motorcycle safety course today, and since he wasn't going to be working out before work, I made him breakfast. So my day started about 5:30am! My normal wake up isn't until about 7-ish. But I love days when I get up early, I seem to get a lot done. Then later in the morning I called my mom, who told me that she and my sister are coming to stay with me Sunday-Wednesday for Lane's Fall Break!!! I am thrilled. I haven't seen them since the 2nd, and I didn't think I'd get to see them again until Thanksgiving so I am super excited about that. Daddy can't come, he has to work and stay there to take care of the animals.

That sent me into a cleaning frenzy! Now, mind you, I stay home all day and clean regularly but when I know someone is coming over I kick it up a few notches. Today I managed to vacuum all the baseboards, air vents, window sills, closets, mattresses, dryer vent, and floors upstairs. I also cleaned 2 bathrooms, and the laundry room. I still have lots to do, but dang! my arms are tired for dragging that vacuum cleaner all over. That was all in addition to my normal cleaning-I did a load of dishes, laundry (which still need to be put away), and general straightening downstairs. Can I just say I will be thrilled to death when we move into a 1 story house. Luckily, my laundry room is on the 2nd story, where all the bedrooms are. But still! I hate stairs, and I especially hate vacuuming them.

All this cleaning did make for a good day budget wise, although I did leave the house to go to Sonic. But since it was Happy Hour, and I got a large Coke for less then a dollar, I'm totally not even counting that. I paid for it out the change in my truck's ash try! And I think I deserved it!

Also, David's motorcycle jacket came in today. I am so happy. He's ecstatic about how "cool" it is. And I am loving that it's armored with back, elbow, shoulder, and neck padding "just in case". I am getting used to the idea of him driving it, but I can't really say I'm loving it. He's at the Marine Corps motorcycle safety course today and tomorrow, so that also makes me feel better. And I have to say I am loving the $8 a week it takes him to drive back and forth to work. (Verses the $40 a week on the truck!) And the cheap insurance. It's still a little nerve wracking though!

I think that's enough rambling for today. Time to go cook some dinner! Y'all take care.

No Spend Challenge

Back at the beginning of the year I did them a lot, but slacked off once I got the budget down. Lately we've really been able to save and it's been nice. But sometimes I feel like even though I use cash, and stick to my budget, I still waste money. For example, I get $20 a week as Blow Money (money just to spend as I want/need). If on Saturday, I still have $10 I'll go to Target and buy whatever I want, or I'll go out to lunch. And I have a problem with that. Just because I HAVE the cash, doesn't mean I need to SPEND that cash. Even if it is within my budget! I seriously need to reign in the spending a little. Even though it is just $5 here, $3 there. If I don't need it, it's still WASTE. Not that I think we don't all need a little wiggle room, but I've taken a lot lately!

Today is Monday, and I've already done all the grocery/household shopping for the week. I also have enough gas in my truck, and DH's spending doesn't count (since he rarely spends anything). I can't think of anything Tuesday-Saturday that I'll need. The only thing I have coming up is a birthday party on Saturday, but I've got the "Gift Envelope" for that. If you saw my "To Do" post, you know I have plenty to keep me busy. Plus I just started a series of books, and I've finished 1 out of 6 so I want to read those as well. With the weather being SO nice (mid 60's) Bear and I have been taking lots of long walks. So I have lots and lots to keep me busy and have no need to spend a dime! I'll check back in periodically!

May 17-23 Summary

Because we'll be out of town our week is pretty much over. This week was pretty simple. David was out of the country, so with it just being me there wasn't much I needed, but here's the numbers:

Food: $0/$0
Gas: $20/$20
Cash; $20/20
Misc: $20/$3

Total spent this week: $43, $17 under budget.
I had 4 No Spend Days this week.

This was a VERY good week, I wish they could all be this good!

Don't Leave the House.

David is out of the country on business this week, and I had planned on visiting family. At the last minute I had to stay here because we had to have some A/C repair done. Luckily, it's government housing, so we aren't responsible. On top of that, this house is only 6 months old, so it's still under warranty. Apparently when they were nailing in the baseboards, someone nailed through the A/C line and it's been leaking slowly ever since. So I'm stuck here while they fix it and won't be going to my parents house. Without someone to cook for or clean up after, I am extremely bored. I really, really want to go shopping today. I know I can find some great deals, but I have to keep reminding myself that no matter how great the deal is (unless it's free!) that if we don't need it, it's still a waste. And frankly...WE DON'T NEED IT. I decided the best way to combat my shopping urge was to reorganize my stock pile. It worked really well because not only did it get something accomplished that need to be done, (my stockpile was looking like a stock mountain) but it made me realize all the stuff we had, and that no, I didn't need to leave the house and bring MORE stuff in. I also found some things I had laying around that my sister would love, so I'm taking them to her next week.
I have tons of stuff to keep my busy this week when I really put my mind to it. My truck needs to be washed, the grass could be cut, my garden should be weeded, and my microwave needs a good scrub down. Plenty to do and no time to shop=a No Spend Day!!!!!
What are you up to this fine spring day?

No Spend Week 1

With today being Monday I thought it's be a good time to start a "No Spend Week". There are a few things I'm going to have to buy this week, but I'm going to list them and try to stick with the list for the rest of week and limit "extra" spending. Tomorrow I'm working a couple hours in the morning, and since I work in the town with a commissary I'm planning on going there to buy what few groceries I need for the week, and to gather more coupons. The commissary is a wonderful place to get coupons. They have P&G, and Military Money, as well as blinkies on tons of items. I've budgeted $30 for that. It won't take that much because my list is extra short this week since we are still having leftovers from Thanksgiving, but I have some Commissary coupons I need to use before the expire, and I could use a few things I know will be much cheaper at the Com. like frozen meals for work. I also have to buy an Ornament for an Exchange I'm having with some friends, and mail that out. I'm budgeting $10 for the ornament and have a coupon for $2 off a $10 purchase at Hallmark. I also budgeted $10 for shipping, so $20 should cover that. I also need to fill up my car, that should be $25.

$30 grocery

$20 Gift, plus shipping

$25 gas

Total: $75

Now, this isn't counting what David might spend, but he generally doesn't spend as much as me because he doesn't by grocery or household needs. This is just my personal challenge, to spend only the $75 or less, and only on the items posted above. I do have a $20 bill in my purse that I'll use for random trips to CVS, and to have in case I really do need something. But NO swiping of the debit card, unless it's as budgeted above. I'll be checking back in nightly.