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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

No Spend April


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I recently joined a new Facebook group and while reading through the comments I saw someone mention their "no spend month" and how they didn't make it because they had to buy new materials. The materials, by the way, were for scrap booking. So "had" to buy was more like "wanted" to buy. Her comment brought out more people talking about their own "no spend month" and I got to thinking...what in the world is that?


Now...I know what you're thinking, it's not rocket science. Obviously it means that you don't spend any money for the month. But it's something I've never heard of doing before, or wanted to do before for that matter. I mean...shopping. Do I even need to say anything else? How can one go an ENTIRE MONTH and not buy anything?! It's not possible. Right?

Well I like a challenge. Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you if I have the option between "easy" and "hard"...I end up picking the hard. It doesn't even matter the topic. Cake; Boxed or From Scratch? Nope...There's a 3rd option people! It's the one where you have to buy special organic whole wheat flower that was cultivated in the forest of Never Never Land and the only way there is by a special unicorn. But to get the unicorn there you have to make them a treat. There are two options for the treat...easy or hard...nope there's a 3rd option for that too................

Do you see where I'm going here. I don't.

Anyway. I'm up for a challenge and this is coming at a really good time too. With D just getting back into a new job (and actually may be leaving that now too but that's another day's post) and the months on end we went without an income, we have a LOT Of catching up to do. So not spending any money for a whole month can and will do us a world of good!

Did I mention that the Facebook group I joined is for planners....planners...this stupid planner is now costing me an arm and a leg. An arm and a leg that I can't afford to give up. And not only because I have 2 young children that require me to have 6 arms and 6 legs but I'm really fond of my appendages. Or is it limbs? both? Wait...we're talking about money.

Between wanting all the Tulas, LuLaRoe, Happy Planner stuff, washi tape (yes...it's a thing, don't ask) and donuts (I have a problem) I'm spending WAY TOO MUCH MONEY!!!!!

So here's my plan;

Don't. Spend. Any. Money.

For April. At least. I Googled this concept and really it's not that crazy but when you have a shopping habit, and not the money to support it, it's a problem. Not to mention it's not needed. The things I've bought in the last 2 months could ALLLLL be returned to the store and I wouldn't be all that affected by it. It's just a habit.

Tomorrow I'll lay out the details of what I plan on doing but for tonight I'm going to sort through my ridiculous stash of washi and find a way to organize it...that won't cost me any more money.

Monday, March 21, 2016

What's on your mind?

Sometimes I walk into a room to get something. And can't remember what it was. 
I know why. Because I usually have about 8 things on my mind at once. Apparently it's more than one. 

Spring cleaning
Purging
Bills
Blogging
YouTube
Money
Playing
Date night
Sleep training
Planning
SPRING
Debt
Moving
Education
Exercise 
Nursing
Sugar
10k training
Video editing
Safety
Yard space
Babies/kids
Family
Donations
Running
Minimizing
Clutter
Joining rooms 
Laundry
Clothes too small too big 
Organizing 
Shopping 
Friends
😯

Monday, January 25, 2016

Meal Plan; Week of 1/25

This week is more of a cleaning out the fridge and cabinets! Not many new recipes this week!

Monday 
B- Pumpkin Waffles from Trader Joes
L- Veggie wraps (cucumber, carrots, tomato)
D- Cheese burgers, avocado

Tuesday
B- Cheerios w/ banana
L- Almond butter and jelly sandwiches, carrots
D- Spaghetti and meatballs

Wednesday
B- Moosli
L- Left overs
D- Rice, beans, egg, tomato, avocado bowl

Thursday
B- Cheerios with raisins
L- Left overs
D- Shrimp, muscles, roasted potaotes

Friday
B- Moosli, blueberries
L- Almond butter and banana sandwiches, cuties
D- Lemon Garlic Chicken (Crock pot) Recipe
    
Saturday
B- Oatmeal with raisins
L- Left overs
D- Shredded chicken tacos, avocado, tomatoes

Sunday
B- Waffles
L- Veggie and lunch meat wrap
D- Homemade pizza

Monday, January 18, 2016

Meal Plan; Week of 1/18

Better late than never. Juliana's first birthday party was yesterday so I didn't have a chance to plan our meals out. We also have a TON of left over chicken, beef and fruits so that will be the theme this week!

Monday
B- Mommy Moosli Website (the girls eat this too)
L- Goat cheese and apple butter sandwich with raisins
D- Ground beef quesadillas, avocado

Tuesday
B- Cheerios w/ banana
L- Elbow pasta with roasted broccoli
D- Mini pot pies Recipe

Wednesday
B- Eggs and turkey bacon
L- Pita pocket w/ turkey and cucumber
D- Spaghetti w/ meatballs, mixed veggies

Thursday (nanny)
B- Mommy Moosli
L- Left overs, EVOL frozen burrito (me)
D- Black beans, rice, egg and tomatoes

Friday (nanny)
B- Double Protein English muffin with goal cheese, eggs
L- Almond butter and banana sandwich
D- Chicken Chili (possibly done in the slow cooker)

Saturday
B- Cheerios with Raisins
L- Left overs
D- Oatmeal with banana and raisins

Sunday
B- Eggs with English muffins
L- Lunch meat (turkey) sandwiches
D- Steak and roasted veggies (potatoes/carrots/asparagus) Handy Guide for roasting veggies

Snacks throughout the week will be; avocado, cuties, apple, pear (a ton of fruit left over), veggie tray (also left over), mixed nuts, healthy banana muffins.


Thursday A will be with Dustin all day so he'll be taking care of her breakfast and lunch. I'll have J with me and she'll have what I'm having. Friday I'll likely need to make breakfast at my friends house while taking care of the children. It's too much of a rush to get out of the door after feeding both girls and my self, getting us all dressed and to my friend's house by 7:45/8am. (I'm even thinking I'll leave little J in her jammies and dress her there!)
Thursday and Sunday Dustin is off so he'll be having dinners with us then. And I'm still planning on sticking with my slow cooker meals every Friday. (Though I just broke my BRAND NEW crock pot after using it only once so there is that...)



Sunday, January 10, 2016

This weeks meals

Monday
Lunch - Turkey burgers and mixed veggies
Dinner - Spaghetti and bell peppers

Tuesday
Lunch - Almond butter and banana sandwiches
Dinner - Steak and roasted veggies

Wednesday
Lunch - Humus pinwheels
Dinner - Black beans with rice and over-easy eggs

Thursday
Lunch - Left Overs
Dinner - Pasta Salad with cucumbers and tomatoes Recipe

Friday
Lunch - Almond butter and jelly sandwiches
Dinner - (Crock Pot Day) Basic Pot Roast Recipe

Saturday
Lunch - Left Overs
Dinner - Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe

Sunday
Lunch - Lunch meat and cucumber pitas
Dinner - Juliana's 1st birthday party - Taco Bar!

Snacks throughout the week will include - 
Avocados, hard boiled eggs, sliced bell peppers, baby carrots with humus, mixed nuts, home made healthy muffins Recipe

About my meal planning;
For the next several months I am babysitting my best friends 2 children, at her home, as well as my 2 little ones. I'll be at her house Thursday's and Friday's. I kept that in mind while making my meal plan. Friday's will be a longer day as all 4 children will be with me so I'll be making crock pot meals on Fridays. Being that we'll be at their house I need to bring lunches that are easy to assemble while taking care of two 1 year old's, a 3 year old and a 4 year old.

Sunday's my husband is home so I'll be cleaning out the fridge and meal planning while he is here to occupy the girls long enough for me to get that done! I plan to do my shopping on Monday's and preparing our Thursday/Friday meals on Wednesday.

Wish me luck!