We got snowed in today with a foot of snow and some freezing rain. Where I grew up the only thing that stopped you was the cold. In Alberta, it's only after about -32 degrees Celsius that the school buses stop running. But on the west coast, life is different.
We have spent the day in the house and yard (the yard was abandoned after a frustrating attempt to convince my daughter that snow isn't 'dirt' and it's ok to get it on your clothing.). I sewed a bit. Napped a bit. Ate a bit.
But frankly, being indoors with a beautiful 2 year old and a snowed in husband has been less idylic that one would imagine.
And my whole wheat flour seems to have gone stale. For the last little while it has had a 'dusty' sort of flavor. And because I am currently a gypsie, we are still eating it. But what I REALLY want is MCDONALDS!! So when I would normally bake something filthily rich and fatty to distract myself from the trappedness, not so much today.
Ohhhhhhh.....
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day Eleven - The First Actual Self Denial
Okay.
We are out of raisins. Chocolate chips. ALL Fruits and Veggies, except for 5 (count em) radishes and 3 bananas. No crackers. Ran out of recycling bags. No soup stock. A half a cup of yogurt in the fridge with about 27 different condiments. And then last night we realized that we had only 4 diapers left. Four. That's a days worth, at best. And a grocery list as long as my forearm.
And only 17 dollars in the ole' bankaroni.
True dilemma. Food? Diapers? Yikes.
How much did I want to avoid using my credit cards? How much do I mean this Challenge? Erp.
So I, not sure what else to do other than go into more debt, prayed.
And then, I found a 10 gift card in my living room.
My husband got a $20 check.
And I hit a diaper sale.
So for just over $37, I got a bag of spinach, a bag of onions and some Asian Pears. I got a box of diapers, some molasses (for making bread) and bulk soup stock.
I have never been so grateful to come in under my limit. I have a $1.97 in the bank and $1.12 on my gift card left over and I am SO HAPPY THAT I DIDN"T USE MY CREDIT CARD!!!!!!!!!!!
Spending Status: $104 (All necessary)
Unexpected Income: $156
Amount Paid to date on that Beastly Credit Card: $470
PS - Never make pea soup without soup stock, using old dried out carrots. Trust me on this one.
We are out of raisins. Chocolate chips. ALL Fruits and Veggies, except for 5 (count em) radishes and 3 bananas. No crackers. Ran out of recycling bags. No soup stock. A half a cup of yogurt in the fridge with about 27 different condiments. And then last night we realized that we had only 4 diapers left. Four. That's a days worth, at best. And a grocery list as long as my forearm.
And only 17 dollars in the ole' bankaroni.
True dilemma. Food? Diapers? Yikes.
How much did I want to avoid using my credit cards? How much do I mean this Challenge? Erp.
So I, not sure what else to do other than go into more debt, prayed.
And then, I found a 10 gift card in my living room.
My husband got a $20 check.
And I hit a diaper sale.
So for just over $37, I got a bag of spinach, a bag of onions and some Asian Pears. I got a box of diapers, some molasses (for making bread) and bulk soup stock.
I have never been so grateful to come in under my limit. I have a $1.97 in the bank and $1.12 on my gift card left over and I am SO HAPPY THAT I DIDN"T USE MY CREDIT CARD!!!!!!!!!!!
Spending Status: $104 (All necessary)
Unexpected Income: $156
Amount Paid to date on that Beastly Credit Card: $470
PS - Never make pea soup without soup stock, using old dried out carrots. Trust me on this one.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Day Nine - The Sweet Stench of Temptation
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
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
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!
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