I am really happy
with my thrifty endeavors last month. I
worked really hard to minimize expenses and make wise purchases. Our month was super busy and very hectic, but
I managed to remain focused and it all worked out quite well.
I paid all of our
monthly bills and the mortgage ahead of their due dates as I try to do every
month. I feel really good when I can do
that, especially with the mortgage as I can see how much it directly impacts
the amount that goes to the principal each time I make that payment. You wouldn't think that it would, but it
really does. And the closer you get to
the end the more dramatic the effect. So
cool!
I shared with you my
goal to "pay off" Laverne and I am plucking right along on that
endeavor. I was able to make two hefty "payments"
on that goal and make quite a good sized dent.
Always feels good when I can do that!
I made some serious
thrifty progress and preparing for some upcoming birthdays as well as
Thanksgiving and Christmas. I used a $10 OFF $10 Purchase coupon to buy my
oldest daughter a gift for only $4 out of pocket! I used another coupon for a free item at Bath
& Body Works to give to my youngest.
I set aside $25 to
purchase craft supplies to make several gifts for friends, family, teachers and
co-workers. We were really careful about
where we shopped and selective with what we bought and managed to stay in
budget quite nicely. We'll even have
extra stuff leftover for next year.
Bonus!
Because our printer
is old and I'm having trouble finding ink toner cartridges for it I made the
decision to buy a box of Christmas cards at Dollar Tree this year rather than
to make our own like I had originally planned.
I plan to replace the printer next year.
I picked up a turkey
breast on sale for Thanksgiving. I also
bought most of what we'll need for that meal by picking up items a little each
week. We also have a huge head start on
our Christmas meals and baking by doing the same thing. I shouldn't have any big outlays of cash to
buy extra groceries in the coming months.
Unfortunately with
all of the busyness around here lately something had to give and I chose tracking
the grocery budget. Early on I had
misplaced one of my receipts and couldn't find it and rather than make myself
crazy over it I decided to just let it go.
And so I did. I do plan to pick
it up again this month so you should see a grocery budget post for November
near the end of the month. Even without
tracking every penny I was super careful again with spending and kept those
purchase fairly minimal each week. I
used coupons and mostly bought sales items.
The last two weeks my totals were under $25! I was quite pleased with that.
Now onward into
November. Let's see how Uber Thrifty I
end up being!
I am really enjoying reading about your Thanksgiving and Christmas prep. I also know you struggle with anxiety and I am having a really hard day myself with it - lots of physical symptoms - sometimes it just comes over me with no apparent reason. I hope you have a good day today - and thanks for posting! I think I would like to try to make the snowman you made with my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear you are having a hard day. They suck. I had one myself last week and it hit me from out of nowhere while I was at work. Pretty crazy how that happens, isn't it? Take deep breaths and hang in there. Remember what you are feeling will go away, it's only temporary.
DeleteI think a day with your granddaughter making snowmen sounds like a great idea!
Take care my friend.
You are doing so well. You are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You are so kind. :)
DeleteI just wanted to let you know I am feeling much better today - I am focusing on making my day less stressful today and slowing down some....thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that. Let's have a great weekend! :)
DeleteYou really are doing well and have a great jump on Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie. It is a huge load off my shoulders when I feel like I've got a plan and am on top of things.
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