One of my ongoing goals is to have no spend days. Days where I don't even buy postage. I've been feeling a bit under the weather the past few days, so straight after work I'm heading home, by-passing my usual stops of grocery store, liquor store, coffee shop, etc. I've been coming home, making dinner,dealing with the animals and trying to get to bed early.
I've had three no spend days! Which is a good thing. It sort of makes up (well not really) for the spending I did last month (that post did not save or post to blogger last night, but I do have it saved at home and will try to upload tonight).
Not stopping at the grocery store also has means I'm cooking at home and using up the pantry staples. Probably the only thing my brain has been able to process the past few days has been fixing food. I did some grocery shopping last week and actually have food items in the house for multiple meals. I've made the following items: Basic pasta sauce that can be turned into a variety of sauces (with sausage, with extra veggies, with cream and vodka, used on pizza), cole slaw (a ton of cole slaw to be exact), salads, good old fashioned macaroni salad, potatoes-turned in to mashed potatoes, potato salad, home fries, sausages-grilled, in pasta sauce, etc. Ground beef which I've split between patties to stick in the freezer for grilling later and some in bulk for when I'm in a meatloaf mood. Well you get the picture.
Having options in the pantry means I'm less likely to wander aimlessly around the grocery store, list or no list, I somehow manage to pick up items I "think" I'll need instead of items I really need and want.
Maybe I can make it until Thursday when I take off for my weekend job!
Showing posts with label no spend days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label no spend days. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Two More No Spend Days
I somehow managed to add two more no spend days to my total. It's amazing what one can do without even trying!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Two No Spend Days!
It's just totally amazing how easy it is to have a no spend day when one PLANS a head-ie-getting all the shopping and errand running done on one day and not spread out over 3 days.
AND to really make my weekend, I had just enough spare time at the weekend job to give the interior of my car a good cleaning-all the "stuff" came out, I threw out a ton of stuff (old maps, junk I've been saving-why? in a car?), cleaned the interior windows, cleaned the mats, vacuumed everywhere, fixed my rear view mirror and organized the glove compartment, etc. I'm due for an oil change this week and I also get a complimentary car wash with each oil change. So I'll have a spiffy car inside and out by the end of the week.
I also need to update my side bars, I've had some changes to my account balances, on the good side. I'll get to that shortly!
AND to really make my weekend, I had just enough spare time at the weekend job to give the interior of my car a good cleaning-all the "stuff" came out, I threw out a ton of stuff (old maps, junk I've been saving-why? in a car?), cleaned the interior windows, cleaned the mats, vacuumed everywhere, fixed my rear view mirror and organized the glove compartment, etc. I'm due for an oil change this week and I also get a complimentary car wash with each oil change. So I'll have a spiffy car inside and out by the end of the week.
I also need to update my side bars, I've had some changes to my account balances, on the good side. I'll get to that shortly!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
No Spend Day Again and Pricing Out Gyms
Yesterday was a no spend day and if I play my cards right, today will be a no spend day as well. Easy to do IF I plan my spending carefully and not forget things like lunch, stamps, etc.
I looked in to a couple local gyms, the closest one to me is a bit pricey, but close to home and work. The less expensive gym and the closest YMCA are not close to either home or work and I can't see myself driving 10 miles to use the gym 3-4 x a week. I'm going to ask for a week or two week guest pass and see if I like the place close to home. Bankrupt Betty's doctor has mandated weight loss and an exercise program. Since my favorite clothes are getting a bit tight, I see a need for the new exercise regime. I have been enjoying my new stretching program (lots of stretching some Yoga,etc). at home, but I know I need the use of cardio machines. It's still too dark when I get home from work to walk and the roads are not safe at night in my area. I belonged to a gym a number of years ago and I liked the gym atmosphere, despite adding this to my budget, I am looking forward to going back to the gym.
I looked in to a couple local gyms, the closest one to me is a bit pricey, but close to home and work. The less expensive gym and the closest YMCA are not close to either home or work and I can't see myself driving 10 miles to use the gym 3-4 x a week. I'm going to ask for a week or two week guest pass and see if I like the place close to home. Bankrupt Betty's doctor has mandated weight loss and an exercise program. Since my favorite clothes are getting a bit tight, I see a need for the new exercise regime. I have been enjoying my new stretching program (lots of stretching some Yoga,etc). at home, but I know I need the use of cardio machines. It's still too dark when I get home from work to walk and the roads are not safe at night in my area. I belonged to a gym a number of years ago and I liked the gym atmosphere, despite adding this to my budget, I am looking forward to going back to the gym.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
No Spend Day and How to Have More
Yee Ha, another no spend day. It's the little things that get me (postage for a letter because I forgot my stamps, an extra drink at lunch, a craving for potato chips/crisps).
I've taken over the snack buying for the office. I am now in charge of ordering coffee and tea making supplies (I volunteered for this, my boss was doing it and not doing it well, he's not a shopper). I also picked up some salty and savoury snacks for our kitchen and ice tea mix. My office is small, but we do like to have a small assortment of drinks and snacks and now that this is one of my weekly chores, I'm buying a few treats that I like and won't be tempted to buy each time I run out. My fellow office mates are happy (we seem to have similar snack tastes), my boss is happy (he does not have to deal with the grocery store ) and best of all, it's no money out of my budget.
I've taken over the snack buying for the office. I am now in charge of ordering coffee and tea making supplies (I volunteered for this, my boss was doing it and not doing it well, he's not a shopper). I also picked up some salty and savoury snacks for our kitchen and ice tea mix. My office is small, but we do like to have a small assortment of drinks and snacks and now that this is one of my weekly chores, I'm buying a few treats that I like and won't be tempted to buy each time I run out. My fellow office mates are happy (we seem to have similar snack tastes), my boss is happy (he does not have to deal with the grocery store ) and best of all, it's no money out of my budget.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
No Spend Day #3
Yesterday was a no spend day #3, which is good. I'd like to make today no spend day #4, but forgot to pack my lunch again this am. My kitchen repainting is just about complete (and I really like the way it all turned out). I will be putting my shelves back up this evening, getting everything back in it's proper place and reclaiming my counter space. The disarray in my kitchen is my, ah hem, excuse, (no just utter laziness) for slacking off on the home packed lunch. I normally keep a couple cans of soup or a frozen ready meal or two in the office kitchen, but I'm out of those as well both here and at home. The lunch selections around the office are limited and a bit pricey ($4 for a container of soup, $5.25 for a sandwich, $4.95 for a medium garden salad) and there is no one around the office today who wants to split a pizza.
Oh well, I'm planning a medium sized grocery shop this week and I will make sure these items are on my list and in the office because to keep spending money on lunches is silly when I have the food at home.
Oh well, I'm planning a medium sized grocery shop this week and I will make sure these items are on my list and in the office because to keep spending money on lunches is silly when I have the food at home.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
No Spend Day #2 and Grocery Shopping
Yesterday was No Spend Day #2, I brought lunch to work, had enough gas in the car, and had no reason to buy anything. Life is good!
I find I tend to blow my no spend days by grocery shopping or forgetting my lunch. The grocery store is on my way home and I usually get to the traffic light, decide I need something and then turn in and end up buying more than I need.
I will say I did my first shop of the New Year on Saturday and only spent $21. Most of this was due to the fact I have enough groceries in my cupboard (lots of staples left over from last month and all my re-stocking of various and assorted goods). I have a bunch of food in the freezer that can be eaten, so it's going to be a thaw-out-the-food-in-the-freezer week. I have burger, chicken, frozen veg, a couple containers of soup, some great pesto and pasta sauce. I've not been thrilled with my soups recently, so time to search a couple cookbooks for new soup recipes.
I'll plan a Costco shop for mid-month and figure out the protein product of the month (chicken, beef, pork), shop for the bulk items I'll need and plan an ALDI shopping for my frozen veg and other items. Even though I have not posted my January budget (I know, lazy of me), I'm planning on a budget of $150 (including alcohol) and making better use of the food stuffs I have in the house.
I will say I love my bread machine. I use it at least once a week. I just have to remember to start it as soon as I come home, it can take up to 4 hours to make a loaf of bread. I am also going to budget and search for a variety of flours so I can make something other than a typical white bread loaf.
I find I tend to blow my no spend days by grocery shopping or forgetting my lunch. The grocery store is on my way home and I usually get to the traffic light, decide I need something and then turn in and end up buying more than I need.
I will say I did my first shop of the New Year on Saturday and only spent $21. Most of this was due to the fact I have enough groceries in my cupboard (lots of staples left over from last month and all my re-stocking of various and assorted goods). I have a bunch of food in the freezer that can be eaten, so it's going to be a thaw-out-the-food-in-the-freezer week. I have burger, chicken, frozen veg, a couple containers of soup, some great pesto and pasta sauce. I've not been thrilled with my soups recently, so time to search a couple cookbooks for new soup recipes.
I'll plan a Costco shop for mid-month and figure out the protein product of the month (chicken, beef, pork), shop for the bulk items I'll need and plan an ALDI shopping for my frozen veg and other items. Even though I have not posted my January budget (I know, lazy of me), I'm planning on a budget of $150 (including alcohol) and making better use of the food stuffs I have in the house.
I will say I love my bread machine. I use it at least once a week. I just have to remember to start it as soon as I come home, it can take up to 4 hours to make a loaf of bread. I am also going to budget and search for a variety of flours so I can make something other than a typical white bread loaf.
Friday, December 28, 2007
No Spend Day #6
Yesterday was no spend day #6 and I had hoped to make today no spend #7, but I just realized I left my lunch at home on the kitchen table, so out to buy my lunch!
It's the little things that are killing the no spend days......
It's the little things that are killing the no spend days......
Sunday, December 16, 2007
No Spend Day 3 & 4~Six More to Go
Just an update, Thursday was another no spend day (helped out by the fact I went home from work early because of the snow storm). Today is another no spend day as well.
It's frightful weather outside and the animals and I are all enjoying a quiet day by the gas fire, reading, doing a little on line surfing, and listening to the wind howl outside.
I could have had a couple more no spend days earlier this week, but I was too lazy in the bring my lunch to work department and bought some soup both Monday and Tuesday. I'll see if I can get enough energy later this afternoon to put a pot of soup on the stove. Probably after my nap.
It's frightful weather outside and the animals and I are all enjoying a quiet day by the gas fire, reading, doing a little on line surfing, and listening to the wind howl outside.
I could have had a couple more no spend days earlier this week, but I was too lazy in the bring my lunch to work department and bought some soup both Monday and Tuesday. I'll see if I can get enough energy later this afternoon to put a pot of soup on the stove. Probably after my nap.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
No Spend Day #1
Sunday was my first no spend any money day-easy enough to do when I was home in bed most of the day feeling sick. I never even got out of my PJ's........
9 more to go.
9 more to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)