The Joy of being your Own Banker

After spending over a year living off one salary, when DH went back to work, we focused a lot of effort and energy into getting some real traction on our outstanding debts.  After a year, we have been successful in getting many of these accounts paid way down. 

Knowing that a layoff or job loss can happen at any time, we didn't touch the savings we already had and continued to put a little extra away each month.  When the opportunity to purchase a great used motorcycle at a bargain price, we were able to use our extra savings to purchase it without going into debt.

What a great feeling!  No account balance, no interest, no payments.  We'll never get a collection call or worry about a late payment.  We have a new purchase, didn't touch our emergency fund AND we've made some real progress towards our debt. 

Our ultimate goal is to get all of our accounts paid off except our mortgage.  Having no debt (other than the mortgage) makes living off one salary much more manageable.  It also puts us in a better position to take advantage of other opportunities that come along.

Handy Tip of the Week

Halfway through the day Tuesday, I realized I had a dark spot on the top I was wearing.  I still don't know what it is or how I got it (I didn't spill anything on me, so it's a real mystery since the top had been freshly washed and pressed).  It had no color but on the knit material, it appeared to be a oily stain.

When I arrived home, I pulled off the top and used some dawn dish detergent diluted in a small amount of water to soak just the stained area.  I rubbed just enough to ensure that the detergent got into the area well.  I tossed the top into the washing machine along with the regular laundry detergent and the leftover dawn mixture. 

I dried the top flat (as usual) and was able to get the majority of the stain out.  Next time I wash it, I will repeat the procedure to make sure all the stain is removed.

When using this method, test a small hidden area to ensure that your garment is colorfast. 

Menu Monday

Sunday - Crockpot Ham, Mac and Cheese, Green Beans
Monday - TBD
Tuesday - Leftover Ham and sides
Wednesday - Salad
Thursday - Smoked Sausage, Savannah Red Rice, Broccoli
Friday - TBD

Second, no third trip to Publix in a week

I stopped by Publix one last time Friday.  As I mentioned previously, I wanted to pick up a couple of items they were out of earlier in the week, including Smoked Sausage, White Lily Flour and Mini Wheats.  I found all three items Friday and picked up a couple of extra things for Easter Dinner.  Again, I was able to save almost as much as I spent. 

The new Publix ad is up on their website and many blogs already have the coupon match ups available.  This will be another long sale cycle so the stores can get back on their regular schedule.  I see a few items that I may pick up.  I will be utilizing our leftover ham into our meals this week and anticipate a smaller than usual grocery list for this week.  (It may be a good time to pick up the specials and a few essentials.)

Cheap Dinner

The last couple of times we've had spaghetti, I've put the leftover sauce into the freezer.  It was just a cup or so each time.  I combined these two cups of leftover sauce with a cup of cooked beef crumbles - also from the freezer - and about 3 ounces of tomato paste to create a cheap meat sauce.  To "freshen" it up a bit, I added some olive oil and extra oregano.

Served over some of that free Ronzoni pasta, I accomplished two things:  cheap dinner and several items used from the freezer. 

Savings Galore!

I stopped by Publix on the way home from work to take advantage of the deals and some coupons I had pulled.  I was able to actually save more than I spent today and that included many items that weren't even on sale and without coupons.  I was very pleased with the savings but there were some items that I was not able to get. 

I believe that they will have another truck delivery tonight so I will be back over there bright and early on Friday.  I still want to pick up my super cheap Mini Wheats (rain check from last week's BOGOF and coupons for $1 off 1), Hillshire Farms Sausage (on sale, MQ and PQ), and White Lily Flour (on sale, they were out tonight).

You still have time to get these deals, too!

New Couponer alert

Because this is a holiday weekend coming up and Publix will be closed for Easter Sunday, their ad prices last until Saturday at close instead of the usual Tuesday or Wednesday.  You have an extra 3-4 days to get your coupons together and get shopping.

I made a quick list this afternoon, using the on-line ad as a guide.  Most of the items on sale or buy one, get one free have some kind of coupon available.  I will be gathering my coupons this evening and will report later what deals I expect to get.

Menu Monday

Monday - Wanchai Ferry Dinner
Tuesday - Cube Steak and Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday - Pancakes and Sausage
Thursday - French Dip Sandwiches and Fries
Friday - TBD

I found a brisket at Publix Sunday that is nearly four pounds.  It is currently marinading and will go in the crockpot Thursday morning.  It will be interesting to see how the little girls like this. 

Menu Monday

Sunday - Crockpot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Monday - BLTs and Potato Soup
Tuesday - leftover Roast with Hearty Noodles
Wednesday - Chef Salad
Thursday - Italian Chicken with Potatoes and Onions

$25 lamp makeover

I have these two lamps DH bought for our bedside tables years ago.  (Think 1996!)  I had two huricane lamps and one broke - I think during a move.  We needed to replace and I was undecided what to get.  He surprised me with these two lamps one day.

They were very functional - tall buffet look with a creamy two tone finish and ivory shades.  Well, the shades were cracked and it was time to do something.  Quite by accident, I ran accross two pure white shades at Walmart yesterday I were reasonably priced ($9 each).  I picked up two along with a can of glossy white paint and two new light bulbs.

Over the course of a couple of hours, I sprayed and sprayed light coats of paint.     They look like brand new lamps.  A good investment in updating something you already have versus buying something new.

Unexpected Savings Trip

I didn't really expect to save a great deal this weekend during my weekly grocery trip.  I spent a few minutes (probably not more than 20) going through the sales and comparing my coupons.  I planned to pick up a few necessities (meat, bread, veggies, and deli items) and whatever bargains I could find.

The net result was a 36.3% savings ($84 OOP with a $48 savings).  Not bad for a half a hour's work.  I was able to utilize 3 or 4 Publix coupons I received from the new baby club along with my manufacturer's coupons and a couple of competitor's coupons (Target).  Included in this total was $17 roast, $6 in deli chicken strips and $8 in deli meat.  I rarely expect my savings to top 50% since I incorporate my savings trips with my regular grocery shopping.  If I were only shopping for specials, I could probably rival those extreme couponers !!!

I'll take 36% every week.

Menu Monday

Sunday - Orange Teriyaki Chicken, Fried Rice
Monday - Manwich and Fries
Tuesday - Cubed Steak and Potatoes
Wednesday - Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Thursday - Spaghetti with Italian Sausage and Peppers
Friday - TBD

Grocery Shopping this Weekend

I just got back from the Publix.  I spent $77 but that doesn't include the extras I bought at Walmart last night (bananas, grapes, carrots, broccoli, bread, milk, eggs, hashbrowns).  After all was said and done, I saved only $23.54. 

Now, I know that what I spent for the items at Walmart was less than I would have spent elsewhere so the savings portion doesn't tell all the story.  I don't know if it's the rising grocery prices or the lack of great deals but I'm finding my grocery expenditures are continuing to rise.

To combat this problem, I'm going back on a freezer challenge.  At least one meal each week will come from the freezer and most of the meals from the last week of the month will come from the freezer. I will focus on better deals at the grocery store and make more of an effort to find those killer deals and coupons.

I also need to purge the freezer (hopefully by eating stuff) of the older items and get a better idea of what's in there.