OHhhhhh, the angst.
I forgot about Sundays.
It is our busiest morning; stressful and hectic - which is ironic because it's 'the LORDS DAY' which would imply serenity. My daughter wakes around 6, my husband needs to leave around 8, I make a communal family pancake & coffee breakfast, the boys leave around 9 and then I need to get us womens beautified, ready and out the door by 9:45 to make it to church on time (hit and miss on that part).
Long ago I learned that if I do not make a slow cooked lunch on Sunday morning, we go out for Wendy's or McDeath-to-your-bowels by default, because by the time we get out of church, it's usually around 1pm, and we are WAY too hungry to go home and select a recipe-thaw some meat-wait for it to cook.
But due to the chaos of the holiday season, I was totally out of my groove this morning and COMPLETELY forgot about lunch. Until about 12:30, when my stomach started cramping.
OHhhhhhhhhh, the angst.
I passed 3 of you on my way out of the front doors, wrestling intense temptation. Sure it's gypsie challenge month, I rationalized, but last night we got supper for free. Surely that would release me from my vow for one measly meal? Surely everyone would understand.
And I am sure you would've. But, dang it - I wouldn't. And I wrestled that beastly french fry craving to the ground and kicked it's cussing cuss cusssity cuss cuss (gotta love Fantastic Mr. Fox). We came home and made pizza. And I ate more than half of it.
I am frugal. Hear me ROOOOOOOAAAAARRRRRRR!
Cuss.
Spending Status: $67 (All necessary)
Unexpected Income: $156
Amount Paid this afternoon on that Beastly Credit Card: $470
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Day Seven - Pantry Challenge Begins!
Penny Pinchers UNITE! Rah!
Okay, this is my first official week of pantry challenge (I just accidentally typed 'panty challenge' there and had a decent chuckle. Had to share.) We purchased the essentials yesterday for a grand total of $26 dollars, and I am now going to rock the pant(r)y (har, har, har).
This goal will actually be a bit more challenging than last years was for me, because I have been using stuff up from my pantry more often, but I still am starting with 3 shelves of a large pantry, one double shelved cupboard and a sizable drawer loaded with dry goods. Let the games begin.
Obviously the first few days are going to be super easy because there's alot to select from, but as the ingredients get stranger, the difficulty will increase. Also, I have an added twist to my personal challenge, because I have two male boarders living here - so beans'n'toast isn't super acceptable when someone is paying you for groceries.
Tonight will be pot roast and potatoes and mixed veggies. Nothing unusual there, except I am out of beef stock and am planning on seasoning my roast with HP sauce and Montreal Steak Spice (I am actually giggling out loud at my culinary audacity. You don't mess with Mama's Pot Roast. That is, unless you are on a pantry challenge....)
Now I realize that perhaps I should define Pantry Challenge for those of you who haven't heard of it before. I looked for a decent definition on line to no avail, so here's my personal definition:
For a predetermined length of time, for the purpose of saving money and using up existing resources, with the added benefit of freeing up cupboard space, you use the food stuffs you have on hand, purchasing as little as possible from the grocery store.
If you need help turning unusual ingredients into a meal, use the 'ingredient search' function over at 'all recipes'. Hot resource.
Have a Frugal Day!
Victoria
Spending Status: $28
Unexpected Income: $156
Okay, this is my first official week of pantry challenge (I just accidentally typed 'panty challenge' there and had a decent chuckle. Had to share.) We purchased the essentials yesterday for a grand total of $26 dollars, and I am now going to rock the pant(r)y (har, har, har).
This goal will actually be a bit more challenging than last years was for me, because I have been using stuff up from my pantry more often, but I still am starting with 3 shelves of a large pantry, one double shelved cupboard and a sizable drawer loaded with dry goods. Let the games begin.
Obviously the first few days are going to be super easy because there's alot to select from, but as the ingredients get stranger, the difficulty will increase. Also, I have an added twist to my personal challenge, because I have two male boarders living here - so beans'n'toast isn't super acceptable when someone is paying you for groceries.
Tonight will be pot roast and potatoes and mixed veggies. Nothing unusual there, except I am out of beef stock and am planning on seasoning my roast with HP sauce and Montreal Steak Spice (I am actually giggling out loud at my culinary audacity. You don't mess with Mama's Pot Roast. That is, unless you are on a pantry challenge....)
Now I realize that perhaps I should define Pantry Challenge for those of you who haven't heard of it before. I looked for a decent definition on line to no avail, so here's my personal definition:
For a predetermined length of time, for the purpose of saving money and using up existing resources, with the added benefit of freeing up cupboard space, you use the food stuffs you have on hand, purchasing as little as possible from the grocery store.
If you need help turning unusual ingredients into a meal, use the 'ingredient search' function over at 'all recipes'. Hot resource.
Have a Frugal Day!
Victoria
Spending Status: $28
Unexpected Income: $156
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day Four!!!
Hello Gypsies!!
I am LOVING this challenge STILL! So far I am $104.50 up and have only spent $1.67 (on rubbing alcohol. So boring!)
I have talked to a few of you in the last couple of days and the common thread I am hearing is one of fear of failure. So I have to give you guys a pep talk:
THERE IS NO PRESSURE FROM ANYONE! You make this fabulous month of gypsie-ness what ever you want it to be. If you want to just pick one area in your life to be a gypsie in (ie: not buying coffee out) that is exactly what you should do!
Don't set impossible goals that will make you feel like a failure!
Set yourself up for success, and when you succeed you'll want to do it again.
Okay?
No judgement. No pressure. No one-size-fits-all plan. Just a bunch of people trying to change one little thing at a time.
YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!
Now go make yourself a cup of tea and have a great day!
Love Victoria
I am LOVING this challenge STILL! So far I am $104.50 up and have only spent $1.67 (on rubbing alcohol. So boring!)
I have talked to a few of you in the last couple of days and the common thread I am hearing is one of fear of failure. So I have to give you guys a pep talk:
THERE IS NO PRESSURE FROM ANYONE! You make this fabulous month of gypsie-ness what ever you want it to be. If you want to just pick one area in your life to be a gypsie in (ie: not buying coffee out) that is exactly what you should do!
Don't set impossible goals that will make you feel like a failure!
Set yourself up for success, and when you succeed you'll want to do it again.
Okay?
No judgement. No pressure. No one-size-fits-all plan. Just a bunch of people trying to change one little thing at a time.
YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!
Now go make yourself a cup of tea and have a great day!
Love Victoria
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Day Two
Hello Again Friends! Just a quick entry:
I don't mean to brag, because I know that the hardest part is the last part, but so far this Gypsie Challenge is ROCKING! I am already $75 up into the challenge and have not spent a PENNY!
My family went for lunch to our friends house today, and they talked a lot about how generosity is one of the biggest parts of being financially successful.
So maybe we should do some good deeds this week... but they'll have to be secret. Otherwise it doesn't count.
:0)
I don't mean to brag, because I know that the hardest part is the last part, but so far this Gypsie Challenge is ROCKING! I am already $75 up into the challenge and have not spent a PENNY!
My family went for lunch to our friends house today, and they talked a lot about how generosity is one of the biggest parts of being financially successful.
So maybe we should do some good deeds this week... but they'll have to be secret. Otherwise it doesn't count.
:0)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The First Day is the Easiest
Hello You Fierce Frugal Women (I assume no men are reading this because I don't know of any who are)!
Today is January 1! Happy New Year!
And happy first day of gypsie-ing (so not a word). This day should be fabulously easy. I myself have spent absolutely nothing AND gotten free breakfast. That's hot. Then I slept for three hours (which is really awesome. Also ridiculously cheap.) And then ate left overs (more free food). Now I am going to go do my cleaning job and earn some money. Not very new years - ish, but very frugal.
Make sure to finish your goals today, if you haven't already! Reviewing your goals regularly is a huge key to success!
Today is January 1! Happy New Year!
And happy first day of gypsie-ing (so not a word). This day should be fabulously easy. I myself have spent absolutely nothing AND gotten free breakfast. That's hot. Then I slept for three hours (which is really awesome. Also ridiculously cheap.) And then ate left overs (more free food). Now I am going to go do my cleaning job and earn some money. Not very new years - ish, but very frugal.
Make sure to finish your goals today, if you haven't already! Reviewing your goals regularly is a huge key to success!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Setting A Gypsie Up For Success
The Gypsie Challenge is a simple concept. Spend as little as possible for one month. After the gluttony of December, we are ready for a bit of self denial. But as ALL of us know, good intentions pave the way to Hell.
A dream without a plan is only a wish.
So, in amongst the Auld Lang Syne New Years Preparations, your very first Gypsie Assignment is this:
1.) Set a simple, achievable goal.
2.) Make a detailed plan for how to get there.
3.) Post your plan in a place you will look at AT LEAST twice a day.
For example:
I, Victoria, will pay off my MasterCard by February 1, 2011.
I will do this by:
a.) Not eating out in January (unless I don't have to pay - ie. gift cards).
b.) I will complete a pantry challenge in January (more to come on this).
c.) I will have a sale in my Etsy shop (on now, free shipping & 25% off. Coupon Code: WinterBlowout2010 ) to raise funds.
d.) I will not purchase any clothing (again, gift cards are exempt).
e.) I will use my car less to save money on gas.
NOTE: I know that there are at least four of us, but come ON! We need a bit more momentum! Leave a comment or shoot me an email to join the Gypsie Challenge!!!! Latecomers WELCOME!
A dream without a plan is only a wish.
So, in amongst the Auld Lang Syne New Years Preparations, your very first Gypsie Assignment is this:
1.) Set a simple, achievable goal.
2.) Make a detailed plan for how to get there.
3.) Post your plan in a place you will look at AT LEAST twice a day.
For example:
I, Victoria, will pay off my MasterCard by February 1, 2011.
I will do this by:
a.) Not eating out in January (unless I don't have to pay - ie. gift cards).
b.) I will complete a pantry challenge in January (more to come on this).
c.) I will have a sale in my Etsy shop (on now, free shipping & 25% off. Coupon Code: WinterBlowout2010 ) to raise funds.
d.) I will not purchase any clothing (again, gift cards are exempt).
e.) I will use my car less to save money on gas.
NOTE: I know that there are at least four of us, but come ON! We need a bit more momentum! Leave a comment or shoot me an email to join the Gypsie Challenge!!!! Latecomers WELCOME!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
A New Year of GYPSIE CHALLENGE!!!!
Hello All,
I have fallen sadly behind in my frugality blogging. Reasons? Many. Debt? Yes. Frugal? Trying.
And so, with the approach of the new year, and all things new, I have decided to pay off my credit card in one month. Yes. And to the horror of all people out there who are private about their finances, I will disclose the amount I plan to save/pay off this month.
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! MUah, ah, ah!!!!
This is my first financial goal of 2011, and I am totally going to rock it!!!
For those of you who were gypsies with me last year, you will remember the pain and glory of the GYPSIE CHALLENGE!
The premise is simple: spend as little as possible for the month of January.
What ever you do after that is a matter of personal preference.
I, for one, am going to embrace a pantry challenge, no eating out, and gas conservation.
If you would like to follow, and I really hope you would, just leave a comment below (you need to have a blog profile to do so, but don't worry - it's painless and quick) and let the frugality begin!!!!
I have fallen sadly behind in my frugality blogging. Reasons? Many. Debt? Yes. Frugal? Trying.
And so, with the approach of the new year, and all things new, I have decided to pay off my credit card in one month. Yes. And to the horror of all people out there who are private about their finances, I will disclose the amount I plan to save/pay off this month.
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! MUah, ah, ah!!!!
This is my first financial goal of 2011, and I am totally going to rock it!!!
For those of you who were gypsies with me last year, you will remember the pain and glory of the GYPSIE CHALLENGE!
The premise is simple: spend as little as possible for the month of January.
What ever you do after that is a matter of personal preference.
I, for one, am going to embrace a pantry challenge, no eating out, and gas conservation.
If you would like to follow, and I really hope you would, just leave a comment below (you need to have a blog profile to do so, but don't worry - it's painless and quick) and let the frugality begin!!!!
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