My Thrifty January In 2022

 

I was excited to begin 2022 with $20 in my wallet, $65 in my checking account, a full tank of fuel in my car and a nearly full tank in my truck.  My pantry was full, my chest freezer was full, our prepper pantry was well stocked, we had leftovers in the refrigerator and lots of things in the freezer to use up as well.  Our needs were covered, our wants were few and my family healthy, with all of us gainfully employed.  To say I am blessed beyond measure would be a complete understatement.  I greeted 2022 feeling on top of the world with loads of goals and plans in mind.  I was ready to get started!

 

I get paid twice per month, usually on the 5th and the 20th.  My goal this year is to carefully live off of one paycheck so I can funnel the other one directly into savings.  Each payday I contribute to my 401(k) as well as to my HSA and all of our health insurance is paid before the remainder lands in my checking account.  Right now I am trying to save 65% of my current income and live off of 35%.

 

I had paid the power bill that was due on the 8th of January in December because I had the extra funds available to do so.  On the 5th, I paid all remaining bills, the mortgage a month early, set aside funds for our February grocery budget (I am always planning ahead), set aside funds for any miscellaneous expenses and still had over $300 left.  On the 20th I transferred my entire paycheck into my savings account along with all of the proceeds from my Etsy shop I had earned so far.  Then on the 26th of January I was able to use part of the remaining money from my first paycheck to pay the power bill (our highest one this winter) that isn't due until February 9th.

All spending was tracked
This is my pile of receipts for the month

I used funds I had set aside in December to buy our groceries and even some items for the prepper pantry.  I only shopped twice this past month, but it was definitely enough to meet our needs.  I was extremely happy with how that all worked out, even with shortages and rising costs.

 

It feels really good to have been able to pay all of our living expenses well ahead of their due dates, the mortgage an entire month early, meet all of my savings goals, keep our cupboards full and eat well, be able to live very comfortably with just one paycheck and still have money left, which will be pushed into savings after the 1st of next month.  Now, let's see how well I do in February.  I'm super excited about it.

 

Health & Wellbeing

 

As you can well imagine, my health and wellbeing is a high priority to me at the moment.  Last year was a rough one, but I'm on the road to recovery and looking forward to the one year mark.  I'm not where I was, but I'm getting closer.  Will I get back to where I was before?  Not likely, but that is completely okay.  Instead of Go-Go-Go I'll just Go.

 

I'm taking a huge step back this year to focus on myself more than I ever have in my life.  My children are all adults now so it is time for ME.  And I have their complete support on this.  They know my struggle first hand and that I've always put them ahead of myself.  I've put a lot of things ahead of myself, but this year will be different and I almost feel guilty about it.  Must be a "Mom Thing".

 

I'm running at a much slower pace these days, but I still find I'm adequately productive.  I'm moving forward with a positive and grateful mindset.  I'm embracing a slower, simpler lifestyle.  I will be eating delicious, nutritious food and drinking plenty of water.  I'll be getting plenty of fresh air and exercise.  I'll be making more time for fun and relaxation.

 

I will share more of the things I'm doing as the year goes on here and on the new blog too.  So if you are interested I hope you'll be checking back.  It is going to be a good year this year.

 

$100 A Month Grocery Budget For 2022

 

I was so happy with how my 2021 grocery budget worked out last year that I decided to repeat it again this year.  Back in 1989 I had a $10 dollar a week budget, occasionally $15, to purchase all of my food and nonfood essentials.  At the time there was just two of us in my little family (which is where I'm at once again and you can read more about that if you click here).  We did amazingly well with that little budget and I even managed to stock up our cupboards with a few extras as time went on.  I loved the challenge and how creative it forced me to be in order to put nutritious meals on the table and provide us with everything we needed.

 

I looked up the rate of inflation and I'm about on par with my old grocery budget

Fortunately, I ended 2021 with a fully stocked pantry, a full chest freezer in our garage, and a decent amount of items in our refrigerator and freezer in the kitchen.  With that in mind I have no doubts that I can stick to this same budget of $100 per month for groceries and $25 a month for nonfood items again this year.  I am really looking forward to the challenge.

 

I purchase most items on sale, with coupons and/or on markdown

You might be wondering why I am being so frugal with our grocery spending.  The simple answer is because I can.  Right now I don't need to spend more money on groceries and because of that I'd rather use the extra money I don't spend to meet a very important savings goal I'm working on - early retirement.  It is a very important goal to me so I want to throw everything I have at it this year.

 

Italian sausage with gnocchi, green beans & homemade dinner roll
I don't let a minimal budget keep us from eating remarkably well

The other reason is because I really love the challenge an extreme budget presents.  To me, this is a lot of fun and I get to strategize, plot and plan, and really tap into my creativity.  It's a game and I'm pretty darn good at it.  I should be since I've been doing it for so long.  So!  Let the fun begin!

 

Savings Goals 2022

 

I have set a HUGE savings goal for myself this year and it will be quite the challenge.  My plan this year is to live off only half of my net income.  I get paid twice a month so my plan is to use the first paycheck of each month to cover my monthly expenses, groceries and fuel for my vehicles and deposit my second paycheck each month directly into my savings account.

 

Along with that plan I have increased my pre tax savings contributions to my HSA for medical expenses and will still have my 401(k) contribution that will be coming out of each paycheck as well.  I have a total amount in mind for my HSA account that I would like to reach prior to retirement so I have a nice cushion to cover any expenses not covered by my insurance.  Plus, any bonuses I receive and tax refunds will also go directly into my savings account.

 

I'm doing this for two reasons.  One, a final push to stockpile as much cash as I possibly can for an extra bit of cushion.  And second.  This will be a great test for me in that, if I can live well and comfortably on just one paycheck then early retirement will not only be attainable, but a piece of cake!  I will have a clear idea of the minimum amount I will need to live on in retirement and that is a vital piece of information I will need.  It is one thing to think that is all I will need and a whole other thing to put it into practice.  I'd like to know for sure what my minimum is.  So, that is my savings plan and I'm sticking to it!  It looks like it will work out well on paper, but now we are going to find out for real.  Wish me luck!

 

 

Purpose & Intent

 

The events of the past two years have been beyond crazy for most of us.  Pandemics, face masks, lockdowns, job losses, shortages, supply issues, health concerns, vaccines, politics, riots, shootings, protests, sensational news reports, the list goes on and on.  While I personally can't makes sense of most of this it has helped me in an odd way.  If nothing else, it has cemented in me the desire to live the remainder of my life with purpose and intent.

 

I've had a much stronger desire to approach all aspects of my life with more clarity and a sense of purpose.  Asking myself, "Why am I doing this?" and then approaching that task or event with a purpose rather than just mindlessly going about.  Something as simple as doing the laundry or going to work.  I put much more thought into what I am doing and I am really present in the moment.  Whether I'm folding towels or arranging medical care for a patient I'm focused and aware of what I am doing.  And as a result I'm feeling much more fulfilled.

 

I am much more intentional about the things I do.  I put more thought into things and I plan more.  I feel like I have more control of the things I can control and more peace with the things I can't.  I'm not responsible for other people's thoughts or actions, only my own, and that is a big responsibility all in itself.  I'm approaching that responsibility with a new sense of purpose.  While I can't single handedly save the world, I can be a better person.  I can be kind, positive, happy, helpful and patient.  If I focus on being those things I think I make the world better.  I can do that.

 

I can give way and allow someone to change lanes in front of me or exit a parking lot onto a busy street.  I can bake cookies to share with our neighbors or my co-workers.  I can send a card in the mail to my friend for no particular reason.  I can make my cat extremely happy, and myself in the process, by simply giving him some lap time.  I can slow down and quite literally smell the roses.  I can appreciate the snow falling or the rain.  I relish the simple things in life - drink a glass of wine, listen to some music, read a book, learn something new, make a gift, crochet a scarf, prepare a nice meal and really taste my food, whatever feels good and gives me that sense of quiet accomplishment, I'm all for it.

 

I am no longer racing my way through life.  I'm no longer questioning myself about what I am doing or feeling as if I have wasted the day.  Life is more meaningful now.  I approach my days with purpose and intent.  I feel good.

 

Making My Goals For 2022

 

I have a lot of goals mapped out for the new year, too many to put into one post actually.  I think I will be breaking them down and sharing them in smaller increments.  But, what I do want to share with you right now is how I came up with those goals.

 

Last month I grabbed a pad of paper and a pencil and did a huge brain dump.  I listed out all of the things I would like to accomplish.  Then I went back to each item and wrote out in more detail what each goal would entail.  The next day I went back over that list and fine tuned it.  Then I gave it a few days and went back over the list removing things that no longer seemed important and adding in more details on the ones that were.  By the time I was done I had it all written out on one sheet of paper and I am ready to get to work.

 

When it comes to setting goals I make sure they are reasonable, attainable and important enough for me to spend my time on.  My goals need to enhance my life adding value and quality.  Otherwise, I don't see the need to do them.  Some of my goals are things I need to do and others are things I wish to do, but at the end of the process what is actually on the paper needs to be important.  Now that my list is complete I'm excited to get working on it.  Stay tuned to hear more details about the goals I've set for myself, either here or on my new blog.  I'm super excited about my plans.

 

Have you set any goals to complete this year?  I'd sure love to hear about them.

 

A New Blog!

I have something exciting to share.  I've started a new blog and it launched this weekend on New Year's Day!  Rather than spill the beans here I want to encourage you to check it out.  I'm about to embark on a whole new chapter in my life and the new year seemed like the best time to start something new.  I'm super excited about it.

I will continue to post here this year as I prepare to transition over to the new blog.  I do hope you will follow along with me onto my next adventure.  It has been a boatload of fun having all of you tag along with me.  Happy New Year everyone!