Money, Money, Money...

Do you know that song?

I just tallied up, for funsies, how much I spent on groceries in May. It was about what I thought it should be, not too much. I won't post the actual amount because I haven't asked the boss' permission(wink) and I don't think it's cool to do that without some prior communication. Anyway, I think I am a pretty smart shopper and budgeter and I thought I would share some of my money philosophies for you today.

Grocery Shoppers 101:

-stock up on nonperishables and get them CHEAP. Do not run down to the convenience store for a can of soup, because you will pay $5 for a $.50 can of soup. It adds up.

-If they put a limit on it, it is usually a great bargain and you should get the limit if you can freeze or store it.

-Figure out what you can go generic on(almost everything, trust me!) and find coupons for the name brands you can't live without. (Or stock up when there are sales)

-It is better to go with a huge list twice a month than go twice a list for a couple things. When I only have a couple things to get, I find I am more likely to throw random things in the basket. When I know I have a giant list to get, I am trying to focus on the list and do not make as namy impulse buys.

-When in doubt, look closely at the store price label. It will break down the price to cents per ounce(or unit) for you so you can see which deal is better. The "economy size" doesn't always work out better if the smaller one is on sale.

-the displays in the center of the aisle and the endcaps are not always the best deals. Take the time to go to the home aisle and compare.

-If I have an "I'm in a hurry, I don't care what it costs" attitude, things add up FAST!

General Money Philosophies:

If it ain't broke, don't replace it 'til it is...save up and watch so you know a good deal when you see one. If you fear your dishwasher is on its last legs(as I fear mine is), start watching and acquainting yourself with the brands and prices. Save up a little each week toward your clean dish fund. If you don't prepare yourself, you'll end up having to pay more than you should or not getting the one you really like for lack of funding. Or worse, having to CHARRRRGE IT!!!!!(shudder) If you have two appliances(or more-yikes) nearing retirement, breathe, save, and cross your fingers that they cross over one at a time(or at least, that's what I am currently doing.)

If you really want something, do without forever and ever and ever...(just kidding) but do wait until a birthday or holiday. Or the after Thanksgiving blowout sale. Or the Memorial Day sale. Or 4th of July...you get the picture. There is always a holiday sale coming around. Take the time to price(and brand) compare and wait for the next sale. The few big-ish purchases I regret are because I did not take the time to research them enough.

What else....? I reuse everything I can before I run out to the store. I make things and get creative because I can make something exactly the size and function I want, the things in the store seem to cost so much for what you get. And they just don't seem to fit with the ideas I have in my head. Not only am I recycling, but I am living c.h.e.a.p. See picture...explanation later. This item cost me nothing but my time to make.

(Please excuse the terrible photograpy, L is working today.)

Graduation

Son graduated preschool last week. His last day wasn't until today, however, so here are the highlights:


One, Two, Buckle My Shoe..........Nine, Ten, A BIG, FAT HEN!!!


That is his diploma...he is looking toward the future with it.....
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine....you are my love shine....you are my star shine.....(picture one beautiful, solitary tear running down my mommy cheek.)

And a picnic today to top it all off.

Son said in the car on the ride home, "Mom, we accidentally brought my pencil box home! We have to return it!" "No, Son," I say. "You aren't going back there." Ever. Again. {sniff} "You are going to be in a new school for kindergarten next year."

And I had to throw in a particularly beautiful picture of my girl. Just for you.

Question of the Day

Potty training question: how many pairs of panties do you go through a day?

Answer: Some days one, other days this many...


P.S. It's nine, by the way, and they're all dry. And she put them all on herself. Skirt-style. I helped with the last one so her little cheeks would be covered.

Titanic, part one...

I am a detail oriented person. Very detail oriented. More than anyone else you will probably ever meet. I could make a living proofreading the phonebook if there was good money in it. I'm not kidding. So when I start a project, I have many detailed questions. Many. Detailed. Questions....

I started an "easy" sewing project a long time ago. So long that I refuse to write down how long I have stared at it and wished I could finish it. It started out as a rag quilt, now it is a King size bedspread. I have tripped myself up on every phase of this project. I tend to think of ways to make projects "different" or "better" and usually that just means "compl-i-ca-ted." I asked L to help me and promptly confused the heck out of him. We finally configured the thing to where we "wouldn't hate it for eternity" and it is almost finished. It is now dubbed the Titanic...the no-fail, dummy sewing project that hit many innocent-looking snags that nearly sank it. It now proudly rests on the water(bed) because although I am not done with the "rag" part, it is assembled and we are sleeping with it, darnit! So I will undress my bed daily and work on the ragging part faithfully, and when Titanic sails I will proudly post pictures!

P.S. Too many details?

today...

Is my anniversary. The official wedding one. We have lots of anniversaries, but when you have been together as long as we have, eventually you stop celebrating all but the biggie. I remember when L and I, accompanied by a tiny baby-food eating Son, went out to eat for the ten-year anniversary of our first date. We went to our favorite restaurant(may it rest in peace) and were seated at a little private table. The waiter so graciously closed the curtains to enclose us in privacy. That was a very special anniversary dinner for me.

I have to tell you something special about my husband. He never forgets a special day. Never. When I get up to go to the bathroom at 12:30am on my birthday, he remembers to say "Happy Birthday!" even though it barely is. So this morning, we woke up to cuddle around 4:30 before he got up to go to work, and the first thing he said to me was "Happy Anniversary." I barely remembered my own name at 4:30am, but he remembered right away that it was a special day. He got up and got all dressed up for our date tonight, since he is picking me up on his way home from work and wouldn't have time to change. (Thanks, sis, by the way, for watching the kiddos.) These are just a couple of tiny reasons why I love him. So much. Like a ton. (sigh of bliss.)

obligatory Mother's Day post

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Ok, got that out of the way...

The best gift I got for Mother's day was a couple hours when both kids napped and I had some time to spend with my husband during the day, just the two of us. We usually don't see each other in the daylight hours, and when we do, it seems we are always rushing here or there, having things to do. But for this one day, we spent it just together. No honey-do, no chores, just time together. Bliss. To top it off, he got me some sweet and thoughtful gifts.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention my kids' gifts. Son worked really hard at preschool to make a bouquet of flowers that will never die, and a recycled vase to hold them in(see picture above.) Daughter gave me a gift no money could buy: a whole day accident free! Clean, dry panties all day are more than a laundry-hating mom could ask for.

Here is my Mother's Day vow: I promise to be one deep breath more patient each day. I promise to remember that my kids are four and(almost) 2 and allow them to be the ages they are. I promise to teach with just enough words to fit their attention span, and just enough information to last them until they get older. I promise to forgive quickly, hug quickly and anger(more) slowly. I can't promise not to make mistakes, but I will promise to ask forgiveness from my children when I do. I promise to laugh, love and be the best mom I can be.
Because I can't be anyone else. And wouldn't want to be.