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Happy Saturday!

January 9th, 2016 at 03:27 pm

Yesterday I ran out of the small garbage bags I use to clean the litter pan. I used to get plastic bags free from many stores, but now that my city has banned them, I have to buy them! So I decided that a grocery store run was necessary, and while I was at it, I would get everything on my list. With a snowstorm and arctic blast looming, I don't want to have to go out.

I went to Aldi first. And maybe I just shouldn't go to Aldi, because I get into this mindset -- oh, I'd better grab this, who knows when I'll be back. I ended up spending $52 at Aldi, which wasn't the idea at all. Then I went on to Jewel, to buy the things I can't get at Aldi, and I spent $32 more. This is supposed to be a no-spend month, and so far I've overspent my grocery allowance by $50! Of course, hosting a brunch for a group is mostly to blame, but I think I'm also doing this nesting thing, hunkering down for winter.

Well, I'm staying at home for at least the next couple of days, so I won't be able to spend anything.

I did finish up organizing the treasurer papers yesterday and texted the new treasurer about meeting.

I got my electricity bill, which went up for the second time in a row. I think I'm using it a lot more, now that I'm home most days. I adjusted my variables budget. I do want to be sure that I take enough out of it to cover the "fixed" expenses. I put that in quotes, because they aren't really fixed; they do vary. But they vary slightly. My variables are food, clothing, gas, gifts, household stuff, pet expenses, fees, parking, entertainment and travel.

I've spent 36% of my variables budget. Ridiculous -- it's only been nine days! Yes, it's a leaner budget this year, now that I'm saving $100 more, but I need to get more serious about cutting back, and groceries are the major culprit.

On the good news front, I found .11 yesterday. My first found change in 2016! My $208.85 in snowflakes includes rollover from last year (I pulled out $1200 before Christmas for grandkids' college funds, and I earned a little more after that), as well as my savings interest from 2015. This is a nice start for 2016.

I still have that Saturday feeling, even though I'm retired! But it's even better, because now I don't have to fill it up with the chores I couldn't do all week. Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: English muffin, stewed apples
Lunch: Carrot soup, grilled cheese
Supper: Turkey-rice casserole, mixed veggies, clementines

3 Responses to “Happy Saturday!”

  1. Carol Says:
    1452365801

    I have bee n running amuck at the grocery store too! I think I will join you in a no spend month; certainly in an eat out of the pantry month. Stay warm!

  2. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1452373341

    I do recall my Inlaws telling me that when they retired their gas and electricity usage increased, so perhaps that's something to look at, ways to keep your place warm/retain heat (although this sounds hard with the Arctic blast).

  3. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1452383111

    I was thinking about going to Aldi's here tonight - $.29 bananas HELLO! But it is just too darn cold to venture out.

    We have two Aldi's here - but I haven't been to either of them yet. They had a really good price on sweet potatoes about a month ago, and I almost went - but kept putting it off.

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