I've been over budget lately and we have gotten a little spoiled so for the month of April we are on a grocery challenge. I have a pretty good size stockpile so it should not be hard to start but I can think of a few things that will be a issue right away:
1. I need my morning can of caffeinated pop. I mean really need it. I don't drink coffee and ice tea just does not do it for me in the morning. DH on the other hand is doing great in this area. He recently switched to ice tea and now takes it in his lunch box. I make my ice tea like this and it comes out pretty good. DH did bring home some pop today so I am OK for a little bit.
2. My kids usually eat cereal and we are out. Pancakes will be my next choice since I have a big bag of mix and I can make them ahead. DH eats oatmeal and I am not a breakfast food kind of person. The only scratch pancakes I have made that I really liked are these carrot pancakes.
3. DH is a big meat and potatoes and eat what you crave kinda guy. There are so many foods that DH just does not want to eat. However he has been stressed about the economy lately and is worried about his hours at work. He seems up for a challenge and getting involved will give him something to focus on instead of worrying.
My number one favorite frugal resource is the Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn. Next would probably be Eat well for $50 a week by Rhonda Barfield. Loved both of those books. I think I have read just about every frugal book out there and many offered great tips and ideas but those 2 are my favorites. Its been a long time since we were super strict on the budget. The last few years we have been frugal in some areas (like clothing) but not in other areas (like utilities). Now I mostly rely on the internet and www.recipezaar.com for inspiration.
So April is going to be a back to basics month. It will help me cut in areas that I have been neglecting and give DH a way to be proactive and feel more in control of expenses.
I want to share a little bit about where we have been on our frugal journey and I hope you will join in also. I am not the most frugal person but I certainly enjoy saving money.
So tell me what are your favorite books on finances or on skills that help you save money?
A few more books I liked:
Your money or your life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
The Simple Life by Larry Roth
Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover
Sunday, March 30, 2008
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11 comments:
I love your April Challenge.
I am so looking forward to hearing how it goes throughout the month. I have been trying myself to keep a close eye on our grocery budget but I know with my sister's upcoming baby shower (next Saturday) I am going to be over a bit with all of the party supplies. But for that it's worth it.
I agree about the pop. I can't live without my pepsi...well actually diet wild cherry pepsi. I normally on purchase it on sale and for no more than a $1 per 2-liter.
Oh and I love Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.
My 'can't live without it' thing is Folger's coffee. I'll do without a lot of stuff, but if you want mama to be happy, mama wants her Folger's.
As far as books: I generally find books about finances to be hard to follow. Most of what I've learned regarding being frugal comes from women like myself who blog on line and offer their good advice. I like "Frugal Friday" from Biblical Womanhood a lot. And I like my fellow bloggers, like yourself, who point out the best deals at CVS! Honestly, without the advice and encouragement of my cyber friends, I'm not sure how far above water my head would be.
I'm a soda and coffee drinker ;) I can't love without Diet Coke, locally the stores run a 3/$9.00 sale on Coca-cola or Pepsi products about every other week, so it saves a bit on the soda budget.
Maggie - I had the hardest time when I gave up my coke. Ugh! I still have to fight myself not to buy it and it's been months! I really love The Tightwad Gazette - I'm rereading it (for the umpteenth time) now. ANother one that I read when I'm trying to cut back is The Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer - not really a finance book, but it inspires me to work with what I have instead of moping around and feeling deprived.
I think lots of us are going to be cutting back and trying to save this month with gas and groceries through the roof. I can't wait to hear how y'all manage.
I'm a little ahead of you. I started last month. I knew I needed a little extra to get through Easter and birthday season.
Now, I'm going to concentrate on putting the extra money away and not just spending it on something else.
I can't live without Coffee Mate...tried milk (blech), couldn't do it. I'll go without a lot, but Coffee Mate is a must for me.
I make my iced tea like you do as well, although I like my tea week and I have to have decaf tea or I'm up allllll night.
And I love The Tightwad Gazette!!! But I'm too cheap to buy it so I just keep on checking it out of the library for inspiration LOL. A few years back we were saving for a house and that book really helped us.
I can't live without Coffee Mate...tried milk (blech), couldn't do it. I'll go without a lot, but Coffee Mate is a must for me.
I make my iced tea like you do as well, although I like my tea week and I have to have decaf tea or I'm up allllll night.
And I love The Tightwad Gazette!!! But I'm too cheap to buy it so I just keep on checking it out of the library for inspiration LOL. A few years back we were saving for a house and that book really helped us.
I can't live without Coffee Mate...tried milk (blech), couldn't do it. I'll go without a lot, but Coffee Mate is a must for me.
I make my iced tea like you do as well, although I like my tea week and I have to have decaf tea or I'm up allllll night.
And I love The Tightwad Gazette!!! But I'm too cheap to buy it so I just keep on checking it out of the library for inspiration LOL. A few years back we were saving for a house and that book really helped us.
I too love my Tightwad Gazette! My great uncle bought it for me and I am constantly inspired by it. Also, Eat well for $50 a week by Rhonda Barfield, I'd forgotten all about that one...I'll have to dig it out of my box of books. Good luck with your challenge! This is an area I'm working on as well.
I used to love pepsi now i switched to diet dr.pepper and I have lost over 20 pounds!that is not my motivation
I like to pay everything in cash and I do the envelope system at times too
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