October Budget Update

October was a FULL month - full of work, family fun, and shopping!  We stocked up on a LOT of great things that we use often, like soup, diapers, body wash, contact solution, and toilet paper.  Plus we even came in under budget; I LOVE it when that happens.  I hope that I can do as well in November even with hosting our families for Thanksgiving.  Here's how October played out...

• Week #1: $78.94 oop, Earned $11 ECB's
• Week #2: $81.13 oop, Earned $5 ECB's and $0.50 Saving Star Rebate
• Week #3: $89.86 oop, Earned $18 ECB's
• Week #4: $48.61 oop, Earned $2 ECB's

Total OOP: $298.54
Total Earned: $36.50
Total Remaining from October: $1.46!!!!

Weekly Spending Report: 10/25-31/2015

This week was hard, but I managed to make it with $3.80 to spare!  I LOVE it when we come in under budget!  I picked up some needed snack and breakfast items, as well as stocked up on some great deals, including soup for less than $1 a can, and cake mixes for around 60 cents each, which will make a nice treat sometime.  Overall it was a good week; here's how it turned out budget-wise...

• Monday's CVS Trip (no picture, just a 2 liter of Pepsi, and 4-12 pks of Coke Products): $0.60 oop, Earned $2 ECB's
• Monday's ALDI Trip: $18.58 oop

• Monday's Giant Trip: $24.13 oop

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $5.30 oop (no picture, just 2 newspapers, 2 books for Howard for Christmas, and 1 journal for me)

Total OOP: $48.61 
Total Earned: $2
Total Remaining from October: $3.80!

Linked to Couponaholic and I heart Publix! 

31 Days of Thankfulness: October 31st 2015

Well, I made it, I posted everyday for 31 days!  I am also much more aware of the things I am thankful for in my life.  I won't say this series has been life changing, but it has encouraged me to try and be thankful and content with where I am and what I have.
Today I am thankful for blogs.  Without blogs, you would not be reading this right now.  I discovered the blog community in 2008 when I was just starting to coupon.  So, at that point I was reading every coupon and deal site that I could find.  I started following them, and then thought, you know, maybe I can share my journey too, and so I did, and do.  Now I follow a multitude of blogs on everything from couponing to crafting, organizing, cooking, menu planning, DIY'ing, and so much more.  Blogs are a wonderful thing, they share information, but also experiences, and feelings, opinions, and research.  So, today I am thankful for blogs, and all they allow us to share!

31 Days of Thankfulness: October 30th 2015

Today I am thankful for pistachios. Oh, pistachios, how I love thee, let me count the ways...  It has taken me years to find a snack that is healthy, and that I actually like.  I crave salty things, so I usually end up with popcorn, not great, but high in fiber at least.  Pistachios on the other hand give me some much needed protein, which fills me up and keeps me that way, plus it can lend a little energy boost as well.  So, when the 3 o'clock blues hit, I am so thankful for my pistachios!

31 Days of Thankfulness: October 29th 2015

Today I am thankful for water pitchers with filters.  The house we live in is over 150 years old.  The water pipes aren't that old obviously, but they aren't very new either.  Our water isn't brown, but it can get a little rusty at times, plus it's city water, so it can sometimes have a not so great taste.  Enter the purifying water pitcher, who saves the day!  Without one, I would have to buy gallons and gallons of water to last just one week for my family's eating and drinking needs.  Not only does it save me money, but it helps keep us healthy, and saves a lot of bottles from going into the recycling.  So, for all these things, I am thankful for my filtering water pitcher!

31 Days of Thankfulness: October 28th 2015

Today I am thankful for days off from work.  Today is my first day off in quite a few, and I am celebrating with a trip to the thrift store, and Sonic!  I don't think this needs much explanation, regardless of whether you have a job or not, a day off from anything you regularly do is always a welcomed break.  So, today I am thankful for my days off -- when I get them.

Frugal Finds: October 2015 Edition

While yardsaling this past month.  I was able to score some AWESOME deals....

Mint Green Lamp for Howard's Room = $0.50

Bubbles and Magnets for Howard $0.25 each = $0.50

Ipod Charging Dock with Speakers for the kitchen (I am so looking forward to using this during my day-long cookie baking sessions in the coming months) = $3
Window Alarm Lock (we are going to use this for Howard on a door that opens to stairs) = $1
Gun Lock = $2
Metal Cow Boy Boot Salt Shaker (for Howard's Nursery shelf) = $0.25
1 bundle of Magazines for Joe = $2
1 Puzzle Card (Christmas gift) = $0.25
4 Books for Howard $0.50 each = $2
3 Heavy Duty Baby Wash Cloths for Howard = $1
1 Package of Washers for Joe = $0.25
Total Spent: $12.75

31 Days of Thankfulness: October 27th 2015

Today I am thankful for indoor plumbing.  I had a preschool group today at work.  During the tour, I was explaining the chamber pot to them, and they were disgusted, but at the same time thought it was the coolest thing ever.  Go figure.  It reminded me that it is so nice to have a bathroom ten steps away, and in a nice heated house, where I can use the toilet, or take a bath, anytime I want.  People of the 1800's wouldn't have known what to do with such a luxury, I on the other hand, wouldn't know what to do without it!  So today, I am immensely thankful for the luxury that is indoor plumbing, and all the benefits that come with it.

31 Days of Thankfulness: October 26th 2015

Today I am thankful for crock-pots.  I love that I can prep something for dinner, throw it in a crock-pot, and then not think about it for 8 hours.  With my new busy work schedule, plus taking care of Joe and Howard, and the house, dinner is usually the last thing on my mind, until we're all starving and ready to eat that is.  So, I am now in the process of devising a 14-day menu plan which will include quite a few crock-pot meals that I can set and forget.  It should help streamline my shopping as well.  Whoever invented the crock-pot is a genius, and I am so thankful to own 3!

Menu Plan Monday: 10/26/2015

This week I am trying a few more new crock-pot recipes before I finalize my 14-day menu plan I want to institute.  It's going to be a pretty busy week; I am working most of it, and we have a tea to serve as well.  We're also gearing up for Christmas here at the museum, so things are fairly hectic behind the scenes where I work.  With all of that in mind, I kept things fairly simple on the menu, and tried to plan things that could be prepped ahead of time.  Here's what's cooking in the Rogers' household this week...

Breakfasts -  Waffles, Yogurt, Eggs, and Sausage

Lunches - Leftovers, Salads, Soups

Dinners:
Sunday - Crock-pot Meatloaf, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli
Monday - Running errands tonight after work, so I'll just grab some take-out on the way home
Tuesday - Crock-pot Pork and Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday - Beef Mac and Cheese (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
Thursday - Frozen Pizza
Friday - Crock-pot Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice
Saturday - Leftovers

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!