My sister is one of those extreme couponer types. Seriously. She clips those suckers, peruses the weekly grocery circulars, and saves like a madwoman. I wouldn't say she's at TLC show status just yet, but give her time.
I, unfortunately, did not get this gene. Even MORE unfortunate is the fact that my husband didn't either. If you show my beloved two items that are exactly the same in every way except price, he will instinctively choose the more expensive thing. Always.
So when the two of us went grocery shopping today with the goal of spending as little as possible (while still buying healthy-ish things), we didn't exactly rock it. I counted up what we were spending in my head, and came within a few dollars at the actual check-out, but other than that, we didn't have any rules in mind. Still, I think we did a pretty good job.
Money spent: $61.10 (cash!)
Which means I have $14 left for the week. Which means that when Natalie and I go out for drinks on Thursday, it's going to be more like going out for drink. ;) But that's ok.
In the meantime, it may be time to go take a few couponing lessons from my financially intelligent sister.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Commencing Operation Pay Off Credit Cards
Money Spent Today:
$5.00- Optometrist co-pay
$1.20- Redbox rental
Total Spent:
$6.20
Pretty darn good for my first day of watching what I spend, huh?
What I Did Instead Of Buying Crap I Didn't Need:
-Knitted. I found this Martha Stewart magazine at the doctor's office, and it had directions for fingerless gloves (easy enough that I could figure it out at home without the instructions... yay me!)
-Cleaned. While watching HGTV, because nothing motivates me to clean like a bunch of perfect houses.
-Played Yahtzee with the kids. I won. ;)
$5.00- Optometrist co-pay
$1.20- Redbox rental
Total Spent:
$6.20
Pretty darn good for my first day of watching what I spend, huh?
What I Did Instead Of Buying Crap I Didn't Need:
-Knitted. I found this Martha Stewart magazine at the doctor's office, and it had directions for fingerless gloves (easy enough that I could figure it out at home without the instructions... yay me!)
-Cleaned. While watching HGTV, because nothing motivates me to clean like a bunch of perfect houses.
-Played Yahtzee with the kids. I won. ;)
Going Lean
Credit cards are bad.
It should probably go without saying that spending money you don't actually have is never a good idea, but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing it since I got my first card one my first day in college either. (What? I got a free t-shirt in the deal... you can't go wrong with a free t-shirt, right?)
So now, here I sit, two husbands later (I've had a longer relationship with my Discover card than I have with any man), with many thousands in debt, and it's time to correct that.
Last night, hubby and I went over our finances, and realized that we have $20,000 in credit card debt. Granted, that includes a MAJOR house renovation, but still... 20 THOUSAND dollars? It stresses me out like you wouldn't believe. And so, we decided to do something about it, starting with NO MORE CREDIT CARDS. Well, ok, I don't think we'll actually go cold turkey. I actually get a discount for using my Visa card when I get gas (that's the only thing I use my Visa card for, and I pay it off every month), but other than that, I'm tired of being dependent on my credit cards, so I'm ready to try leaving them at home. My little experiment: If You Don't Have Cash For It, Don't Buy It.
Sounds pretty simple, actually. I just wish I had thought of it a little sooner.
And speaking of not having cash, the second part of our plan is to try to spend as little as possible. No more impulsive buying. No more going out shopping for clothes/jewelry/purses I don't need. I sat at our dining room table last night and looked around our large, open downstairs and thoughts, "We don't just have everything we need... we have far MORE than we need." We have a basement full of things that need to be gone through (and for the most part, donated), kids who have everything they could possibly want, a close and a bureau full of clothes that fit and look nice, enough food to live on for weeks. I have two large baskets filled to the brim with yarn, and yet every time I get a coupon from Joann Fabrics in the mail, I go buy more. Why? Because it's cheap, that's why. But I don't NEED it.
So, I'm attempting to keep myself motivated by updating this blog with what I spend each day, to see if I can spend as little as possible, and get rid of that credit card debt once and for all (yes, I am aware that I sound like a tv commercial. I'm ok with that.)
It should probably go without saying that spending money you don't actually have is never a good idea, but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing it since I got my first card one my first day in college either. (What? I got a free t-shirt in the deal... you can't go wrong with a free t-shirt, right?)
So now, here I sit, two husbands later (I've had a longer relationship with my Discover card than I have with any man), with many thousands in debt, and it's time to correct that.
Last night, hubby and I went over our finances, and realized that we have $20,000 in credit card debt. Granted, that includes a MAJOR house renovation, but still... 20 THOUSAND dollars? It stresses me out like you wouldn't believe. And so, we decided to do something about it, starting with NO MORE CREDIT CARDS. Well, ok, I don't think we'll actually go cold turkey. I actually get a discount for using my Visa card when I get gas (that's the only thing I use my Visa card for, and I pay it off every month), but other than that, I'm tired of being dependent on my credit cards, so I'm ready to try leaving them at home. My little experiment: If You Don't Have Cash For It, Don't Buy It.
Sounds pretty simple, actually. I just wish I had thought of it a little sooner.
And speaking of not having cash, the second part of our plan is to try to spend as little as possible. No more impulsive buying. No more going out shopping for clothes/jewelry/purses I don't need. I sat at our dining room table last night and looked around our large, open downstairs and thoughts, "We don't just have everything we need... we have far MORE than we need." We have a basement full of things that need to be gone through (and for the most part, donated), kids who have everything they could possibly want, a close and a bureau full of clothes that fit and look nice, enough food to live on for weeks. I have two large baskets filled to the brim with yarn, and yet every time I get a coupon from Joann Fabrics in the mail, I go buy more. Why? Because it's cheap, that's why. But I don't NEED it.
So, I'm attempting to keep myself motivated by updating this blog with what I spend each day, to see if I can spend as little as possible, and get rid of that credit card debt once and for all (yes, I am aware that I sound like a tv commercial. I'm ok with that.)
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