a little news.....

I am ENGAGED!!!

I have a lot to do now! We have started a change jar for our funds haha. We also have decided, starting August to contribute $300/ea and by February 2012, we will have enough for our wedding.

Also, i'm going to try something new, so I can contribute more change. because I never have change.

I see I budget every month for:
Car: $166 (for repairs and stuff, sometimes I dont use it)
Gas: $113
Groceries: $96
Gifts: $110 sometimes I go over around xmas, sometimes I use nothing.
Clothing: $61 (between me and Zak, same thing sometimes I use it, most times no...this month I did)
Personal: $40 (haircuts, blah blah)
Fast food: $40 (NEVER go over here)
Pharmacy: $28
Entertainment: $21
House: $300 (I give myself a big cushion here do to repairs and when we buy hay haha)

That doesn't include any bills, you know, gas, electric, cell etc. So. My plan is.

I'm going to still put all the purchases on my credit card, so we get the 3% cash back, and it syncs with mint.com to keep me on budget.

I'm then going to make envelopes for each of those categories and take money out as I use it. At the end of the month, whatever is left, will go in the jar. So, we have $975 to be frugal with. The rest is billllllls.

Now, I already know were going to go over in Pharmacy (we have drs appts this month coming) and Entertainment (for Zak's party).

Anyone have ideas on how we can cut back, but make this work well for us?

Focus Friday

Focus Friday

Well meals are going to look about the same because we went out to eat a whole lot last week!!

Meal plans for the week
Breakfasts

• Oatmeal
• Waffles
• Pancakes
• Cereal
  

Lunches

• turkey sandwiches
• egg salad sandwiches
• tuna sandwiches
• soup

Dinners

• omelets
• Chicken Skillet Vegetables Parmesan
  
• Baked Penne Florentine
  
• Parmesan crusted Stuffed Chicken
  

Snacks

• fresh fruit
• yogurt with granola
  
• granola bars
• pretzels
• sugar free jello with sugar free coolwhip
  
• raisins
• mini ricecakes
• veggies with hummus
  

Friday - Zak Daycare, laundry, gym, clean

Saturday- Frank and Pams 7pm, workout in morning (I slacked this week), grocery shop

Sunday- Caring for Kids class 7a-5:30p and then work 11p-7a, YUCK!!

Monday- Zak daycare, recover.

Tuesday- workout in am, laundry, clean car, work with zak on kindergarten stuff

Wednesday- pick up pics! Class 6-10 work 11p-7a

Thursday- zak daycare, workout, have a day free to do whatever!!

Focus Friday

Focus Friday

Well meals are going to look about the same because we went out to eat a whole lot last week!!

Meal plans for the week
Breakfasts

• Oatmeal
• Waffles
• Pancakes
• Cereal
  

Lunches

• turkey sandwiches
• egg salad sandwiches
• tuna sandwiches
• soup

Dinners

• omelets
• Garlic Skillet Chicken
• Cheesy Meat Lasagna
• Crockpot Cream Cheese chicken pasta

Snacks

• fresh fruit
• yogurt with granola
  
• granola bars
• pretzels
• sugar free jello with sugar free coolwhip
  
• raisins
• mini ricecakes
• veggies with hummus
  

Friday - Zak Daycare, go running when I get up, Metro 7pm

Saturday- Zak Daycare, do some weights, on call 7p-11p, work 11p metro

Sunday- Sunday school 9:30am, Aunt Kathie takes zak to Family Day while I sleep, wake up, workout, get zak, work 7pm

Monday- Zak daycare, Walmart 6pm family pics

Tuesday- workout in am, Metro on call 7p-11p work 11p

Wednesday- Zak Daycare, workout, Metro 11pm

Thursday- SIGN UP FOR KINDERGARTEN AHH!, work 7p metro

Anyone have easy recipes? I'm running outta ideas!

Coupon Website Review

Review on: http://www.couponchief.com

The site first when I went to it is very appealing. It has nice big bold print with very easy to find coupons.


What I really liked about this site:

• organization

I find with a lot of couponing site that they are very hard to navigate. This one has stores listed alphabetically.

• structure

I like how it easily navigates you to the "how it works" part. For the first time couponers, this is a great tool and video!
savings
If you know you want to purchase something from a particular store, they are very easy to find and most stores have coupon codes!

Will I use this site?
Most defenately when i'm looking for something to save me money with my online shopping. The stores i'm most interested in are:
Victoria's Secret
Apple Store
Aeropostle
The Children's Place
Walmart
Target

What does this site have that other sites don't?
The ability to upload your own coupons to the site!! Very cool feature if you are an online seller.

Hope you liked my review, please check out the site!

The new years goals progression...

• Family

1/10, 3/10, 5/10 then maybe camp Get Zak signed up for classes every session at the y.--We're taking a break this month due to tee ball coming up and he will be attending the daycamp at the Y

• Work

5/10 Rnc--Classes scheduled. I got put in head of the commitee :-)

• Home

1/10 2/10 3/10 Paint rooms--Kitchen is done. Bathroom ceiling needs painted and zak's room then we're done!

• Financial
  

1/10 Clear house fund to pay off windows--waiting for my paper bill and going to write a check --See ya windows!!
12/10 Max out Roth again--started my funding :)

• Self

1/10 3/10 5/10 7/10 9/10 11/10 Y classes--Taking a break this month with RNC coming. I need to study
3d wk gym--doing very well!
1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10Scrapbook zaks pics- so excited to say I just printed a book of 110 pages of the last 3 years. It was $130. I should recieve the proofs soon :-)