Tuesday, June 9, 2015

May Goals Update



May was another crazy month!  I do feel as though I have accomplished a LOT this month, even if it was small things that only got crossed off the daily goal list and not this one.  Progress was definitely made though!  Here's how May went, goal-wise...
Household:
  1. De-clutter the whole house in January, February, and March -- Done!
  2. Do a Deep-Spring, and Deep-Fall Clean in March and November  As well as keep up with my weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cleaning chores. -- I managed to stay caught up on all of my cleaning tasks, as well as the laundry!
  3. Paint the Windows/Sills/Trim in the Kitchen and Nursery. -- Still hasn't happen yet.  Unless we get a cool day this month, it probably won't happen until Fall, when I can open the windows and not cook for the heat.
Family:
  1. Write a 'love letter' to Joe each month -- Done, and he loved it!
  2. Take a trip to Maine in June with the hubby, and Howard. -- N/A
  3. Take a Trip to Ocean City in August -- N/A
  4. Get together with family at least once a month --  We got together with a few of  our friends in May, but we didn't get together with either of our families.  It seemed like everytime we had something planned, things would come up here at the museum, or I'd have to work, or someone was sick.  But hopefully June will allow some extended family time!
  5. Plan and Execute Howard's 1st Birthday Party -- Done!
Blogging:
  1. Have 2 Freezer/Pantry Challenges (January and July), post updates on the blog, and defrost the chest freezer -- N/A
  2. Post my Menu Plan, and Weekly Spending Report every week, along with at least 1 other post per week.  This may be an update, a reveal, a recipe, a shopping trip, some Aldi Deals, or a frugal find. -- This month I did a great job with posting my Weekly Spending Reports, and my Menu Plans every week.  However, I didn't really post much else.  I did post one ALDI Deals post, but that was it.  I do have some things planned for June, so hopefully that will help in actually getting the posts posted.
  3. Plan and execute a 31 days post for October. -- N/A
Health:
  1. Lose at least 20 lbs -- We won't discuss this again this month.  I've enlisted the help of my Dr, so hopefully by next month I will have lost some more weight!
  2. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy, and do exercise of some kind everyday. -- I have been doing this every day, which makes not meeting the previous goal even more upsetting.  But I will continue to trudge along, and hopefully June will show me some progress!
Budget/Income:
  1. Do at least 5 Flea Markets throughout the year, and list at least bi-monthly on Amazon/Facebook Yard Sale. -- Joe set up at a tool show in May!  Finally we can add another flea market to our total!  We won't be setting up again until August, so I have 2 months to prep for that.  2 Flea Market done to date.  
  2. Earn Swagbucks everyday by completing the daily poll, toolbar log-in, and NOSO offers daily.  (Try to earn $10 a month) -- I'm up to 1,506 swagbucks, only 694 more and I can cash in for the $25 reward! I am hoping that June will be the month!
  3. Set a monthly budget, and coupon and deal shop as needed to stay within our budget. --I did an excellent job staying under budget for the month!  I found some great deals, as well as got the things we needed for a good price.  I posted my budget update here.
  4. Put at least an extra $100 a month on Joe's Credit Card starting in May -- I did do this, I actually put an extra $200 on the credit card because I wasn't sure I would have the money in June to do it.  So I'm looking at it like I'm a month ahead, in case the extra money just isn't there one month.  
Hobby-Related:
  1. Scan the huge-a** box of photos we have had since my mom died two and a half years ago, and get them sorted to give to people, as well as put the ones I decide to keep in albums. -- I'm not even planning to work in this until later in the year, July maybe, or possibly not until Fall, we'll see.
  2. Continue to work on Howard's baby book 
  3. Try something new at least once a month and blog about it.  I have a LOT of new recipes and crafts I want to try --Yeah, this didn't happen again.  I just lack time, and energy!  I have 2 new recipes planned for this week, so hopefully I'll get to make them and get a post written about them!  :-)
How was your May?
Linked to Money Saving Mom!

Monday, June 8, 2015

Weekly Spending Report: 05/31-06/06/2015

This week was another great week for spending and saving.  It was the beginning of the month, which always brings a whole list of needed items.  Plus, Howard is eating us out of house and home, and he's only 1!  I thought I had until the teenage years to worry about that, but nope, he can eat huge portions of cheese, yogurt, and meats.  Also, some fruits, and a few vegetables, so typical kid fare :-)  Here's how the weekend went...
  • Sunday's CVS Trip: $9.48 oop, Earned $4.75 ECB's
  • Sunday's ALDI Trip: $38.17 oop
  • Sunday's Staples Trip (no picture, just a small bin and a 2-pk pk ink): $2.96 oop
  • Sunday's Giant Trip: $26.34 oop
  • Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $7.12 oop
Total OOP: $84.07
Total Earned: $4.75
Total Remaining: $222

Linked to Couponaholic!

Monday, June 1, 2015

May Budget update

May was a good spending month, mainly because I came out under budget!  I love it when that happens, especially when I can look back over the month and know that I got a LOT of great deals and needed items.  It reminds me that I can provide for my family very well, even on our strict budget.  Here's how May panned out...
  • Week #1: $2.12  oop, Earned $0  (This week came out of the last of the April money after the budget fiasco)
  • Week #2: $8.95 oop, Earned $0
  • Week #3: $120.05  oop, Earned $7.19 Check from Ebates, and $0.50 Rebate from Saving Star
  • Week #4: $82.61 oop, Earned $12 ECB's, and $1.75 Rebate from Saving Star
  • Week #5: $82.32 oop, Earned $9 ECB's
Total OOP: $274.73
Total Earned: $30.44
Total Remaining: $6.07
 

Weekly Spending Report: 05/24-30/2015

This week was a great week for shopping.  There weren't a large amount of deals to be had, but the ones I got were good!  We also needed quite a few things for meals and snacks this week, so that's mostly what I purchased.  Here's how the week looked...
  • Sunday's CVS Trip: $5.15 oop, Earned $9 ECB's (not pictured 3-24 pk cases of Water)
  • Sunday's ALDI Trip: $23.98 oop
  • Sunday's Giant Trip: $29.75 oop (not pictured 2-35 pk cases of Water)
  • Friday's Amish Market Trip (no picture, 2 large bags raw sugar): approximately $19.20 oop
  • Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, just 2 newspapers, a package of labels, and some candy for my husband): $4.24 oop
Total OOP: $82.32
Total Earned: $9
Total Remaining: $6.07

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Menu Plan Monday: June 1st 2015!

My Menu Plan for the week of June 1/15.  Recipes and menu inspiration at I'm an Organizing Junkie blog 

This week starts a new month full of all sorts of fun and demanding things. There is work, and teas, shopping, and cooking, packing, and a vacation.  So needless to say, things are a little crazy right now, but so far, things have also been manageable.  The weather has heated up here in Maryland, and I think that the summertime humidity is here to stay!  I decided to keep things cool and simple in the kitchen this week, here's what's cookin'...

Breakfasts: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, and Toast; Fruit, Yogurt, and Granola

Lunches: Leftovers, Frozen Diet Meals, PBJ Waffle Sandwiches

Dinners:
Sunday - Mac and Cheese, Hot Dogs
Monday - Tacos, Queso Rice, Corn
Tuesday - Leftover Tacos/Gusella's/Taco Dip
Wednesday - Cheesy Baked Pork Chops, Butter Herb Noodles, Asparagus
Thursday - Chicken, Broccoli, Alfredo Pasta, Garlic Bread
Friday - Leftovers/Pizza
Saturday - Leftovers/Take out 
 
For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Menu Plan Monday: 05/25/2015

 
This week is going to be a HOT one, so I tried to limit my actually time in the kitchen as much as possible.  I also have to work most of the week, so the less time I spend cooking, the more I get to spend with my hubby and little one!  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Eggs, Bacon, Toast, Yogurt with Granola, Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Pizza, Diet Frozen Meals (me)

Dinner: 
Sunday - Turkey Family Meal from Bob Evans
Monday - Crock-pot Mexican Chicken, Mexican Rice, Corn
Tuesday - Tacos, leftover Corn
Wednesday - Hot Dogs, Mac and Cheese
Thursday - Leftovers/Pizza
Friday - BBQ Sandwiches, Baked French Fries
Saturday - Baked Fish/Chicken, Onion Rings

Snacks: Watermelon, Strawberry Shortcake

Linked to Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 05/17-23/2015

This week I was able to stock up on a LOT of great deals, as well as get some fresh fruit - I LOVE Summer!  Here's what I ended up with...
  • Sunday's CVS Trip (not pictured 5 - 12 pks Coke/Coke Zero): $13.09 oop, Earned $12 ECB's, and $1.50 from Savingstar
  • Sunday's ALDI Trip (not pictured 1-24 pk Water): $32.09 oop
  • Sunday's Giant Trip: $24.98 oop, Earned $0.25 from Savingstar
  • Wednesday's Wal-mart Trip: Zero oop, used Gift Card to Pay (sorry the picture is sideways, but the computer won't let me fix it!?)
  • Wednesday's Giant Trip (no picture, just Spreadable Butter, Granola, Mayo, BBQ Sauce, and Watermelon): $12.45 oop
  • Friday's Dollar Tree Trip: Zero oop, used Gift Card to Pay
Total OOP: $82.61
Total Earned: $13.75
Total Remaining for May: $88.39

Linked to I heart Publix! 

Monday, May 18, 2015

Weekly Spending Report: 05/10-16/2015

Even with all the work and stuff going on this week, I still did a LOT of shopping.  I was able to stock up on a LOT of great deals, and needed items!  Here's what we ended up with...
  • Sunday's CVS Trip: $1.54 oop
  • Sunday's ALDI Trip: $38.83 oop
  • Sunday's Giant Trip: $57.25 oop, Earned $0.50 Saving Star Rebate for the Suddenly Salads
 Forgot the cold items, whoops...
  • Wednesday's ALDI Trip: $22.43 oop
  • Wednesday's Wal-mart Trip: Zero oop (used gift card from a bunch of returns)
  • Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: Zero OOP, used a gift card
  • Earned $7.19 Rebate Check from Ebates
Total OOP: $120.05
Total Earned: $7.69
Total Remaining: $171
Linked to Couponaholic! 

Menu Plan Monday: 05/18/2015

 
This week I am hoping to be able to get some things done around the house.  I have an ever growing to-do list that needs to start getting things crossed off of it!  I kept the menu simple since I also have to work a few days this week.  Here's what cooking...

Breakfasts: Eggs, Bacon, Bagels, Yogurt

Lunches: Leftovers, Lean Cuisine Meals

Dinners:
Sunday - Subs
Monday - Take out!
Tuesday - Crock-pot Meatball Sandwiches, Onion Rings
Wednesday - Crock-pot Creamy Taco Chicken, Mexican Rice, Corn
Thursday -  Leftovers
Friday - Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Hot dogs with Mac and Cheese

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Menu Plan Monday: 05/11/2015


Happy belated Mother's day to all the mom's out there!  I celebrated Mother's day by doing a little shopping and not having to cook, which is always a plus!  This week I work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, as well as Saturday, and I have a meeting I have to attend on Friday.  Plus we are loading up for a show on Thursday, so things are little nutsy around here.  But all is good!  I kept the menu fairly simple, since it has been super hot here for the past week or so, and I haven't felt like cooking much.  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Bagels, Yogurt/Granola, Fruit, Eggs

Lunches: Leftovers, Ham Sandwiches

Dinners
Sunday - Leftovers (from Friday)
Monday - Leftovers (from Friday)
Tuesday - BBQ Sandwiches with Leftover Coleslaw and Taco Dip (from Friday)
Wednesday - Dinner with a Friend (pizza or subs)
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Vegetable, Garlic Bread
Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Desserts: Strawberry Shortcake!

Linked to Org Junkie!