Well, I went through about 2 weeks at work where I was BORED TO DEATH!!!! Nothing to really do, outside of the daily activites that needed to be done - that did not take very long to do. Come 11-11:30, I was finished with my work, and really didn't have much to do the rest of the day. Most of my days were spent searching for things on Etsy, and buying a lot of the things I found......Which, I have had to STOP since JAN 1! Things have started to pick up speed since mid-last week, and I really have not had time for much of anything, other than to do these reports and things for work.
We are doing REALLY well on our "new budget." I check our credit card statment for mid month, and we are have spent less than 1/2 of what we normally do by mid month. I tell you what, those lunches out, and drive thru dinners really do add up!
I am so excited about this week. Tomorrow, my sister-in-law is throwing me a baby shower. I can't wait! We also have Monday off, so the work week will be short. I have a dr. appt at my Primary Care - which I may end up canceling. The only reason I was going to go is because we switched to an HMO insurance so we would not have an OUTRAGEOUS bill from the hospital when we have Alexis. Now, just a small deductible payment, and we will be set. BUT, now that we are on an HMO, I have to have referrals for EVERYTHING! I was going to the chiropractor for massage every now and then, but now I have to have a referral for that. The only way the dr. will give me one, is to come see her - since I have not been there in over a year. Debating on whether or not it's worth the $25 co-pay to go. Under the new insurance, I can no longer get my massage for $13.41, I have to pay $35, but that is still not bad for 1 hour. I only have 5 weeks left, maybe I can stick it out.
Anyway, Thursday, I have lunch plans with Angela, and I'm definately looking forward to that. I have been staying at the office EVERYDAY since we started our new plan of saving money. Once or twice I may wonder out for about 15-20 min, just to get away, but I have pretty much been taking 10 min to eat my lunch in the break room, then going back to my desk. Thursday will be a nice change.
Next saturday, my sister is throwing me another shower. This one is supposed to be fairly big - about 25-35 people will be at my house. Hope I have enough room!! :) I'm so excited. Never thought I would get a baby shower for my 3rd child, let alone 2! I truly am blessed with some great family and friends.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
An Inspiration........
Well, our family New Year's Resolution was to spend less money. We have made this a "monthly" goal, but have not quite succeeded YET. We really talked about it over Christmas, since we will be having our 3rd child soon. Something that is sort of a MUST, and not optional anymore.....
So, with that, I decided that I will no longer BUY my lunch, unless I have some cash, or if I sold some Pampered Chef...as long as it does not go on any credit card, or out of our checking account.....
With that goal in mind, I cooked dinner Monday night, with some left over, so I could bring it to work (Monday I ordered Chinese for lunch, but had cash), and did the same everynight thereafter, so I could bring my lunch. My 4 yr old tried to ask if we could have Taco Bell Tuesday night, but I resisted the urge, and she was fine with me making her "Taco Bell Fav." at home :).....
My biggest problem is that I run out of ideas of things to make.....so I started searching the Food Network website for meal ideas. They actually have some "30 min" ideas, and crock pot ideas. Those tweaked my interest 1st, because my 2nd biggest problem is that I am PREGNANT! :) Which, makes me tired. Not to mention, I have 2 other children and work full time. Excuses, I know....My home ec teacher in highschool would be VERY disappointed.
After searching the website and printing some recipes that would be easy and could cook most of the day with minimal effort, I set out on a plan.... My plan was to PLAN meals for the next few weeks, then go grocery shopping this weekend...... I incorporated a few of the new recipes into some of our old traditional favorites, and went to the grocery store. I had a "mental" budget of what I wanted to spend, and made sure to not get too many things outside of that... (a bad habit I often have). I did get some breakfast things for the kids, a few easy snacks and easy quick meals for them, for when my husband has to watch them (like Thursday night when I go get my hair done!)
The other key is to take a pen and piece of paper with you and put little hash marks for every $ spend, making the 5th mark across so that you can keep them grouped in 5's. Anything over $.50 will count as a $1. It will all even out in the end. If you stick to that, then you will know before you start putting things in the basket that you REALLY don't need, and can stick much better to budget. Also, buying store brand for things that don't really matter.
After posting on Facebook that I planned the meals, went to the grocery store, was within $.08 of my "mental" budget - and was able to get a new crock pot as well - since I broke our....LITERALLY, like dropped it and it shattered into pieces.....others started commenting on my facebook. My sister (1/2 sister from Dad's side), who is ALWAYS a great cook - even had her own catering company, emailed me to find out what I was making, how I did my shopping, and asked for pointers. I was THRILLED! She is the one that ALWAYS has the "good stuff" - even food sometimes I don't know what it is. My other sister also sent me a message this morning that I "inspired" her to cook more at home too. The "inspirations" are such an encouragement, because I am one to get tired easily. Knowing that someone else has decided to try the same thing really keeps my spirits going......Hopefully it will last....
My newest obsession - which I have haulted since after Christmas (trying to save $$) is ETSY. You probably know what it is and have probably see all the cute stuff they have on there. Let me tell you...I have bought hairbows, and dresses, and all kinds of stuff on there. Some of the last bit of stuff is coming in now - since they didn't have enough time to make during the holidays. One of the girls here at work can sew, and she also told me that showing her some of the stuff I have bought has "inspired" her to maybe start making things again and selling them on Etsy. I wish I was that talented, and for now, I think Alexis and Kaitlyn have PLENTY of stuff from there. I even got some stuff for my sister and another friend. It's just SO cute, I can't help myself!
Here is a dress that I bought for Alexis that came in today......Isn't it ADORABLE??? It's MUCH tinier than the one shown below, but SO cute! I have to stop looking at stuff online so I don't buy it.........
Well, to anyone that reads my blog, I hope you have a great day, and let me know if I even "inspire" you. It really does boost my spirits and help me to stay on track.....
So, with that, I decided that I will no longer BUY my lunch, unless I have some cash, or if I sold some Pampered Chef...as long as it does not go on any credit card, or out of our checking account.....
With that goal in mind, I cooked dinner Monday night, with some left over, so I could bring it to work (Monday I ordered Chinese for lunch, but had cash), and did the same everynight thereafter, so I could bring my lunch. My 4 yr old tried to ask if we could have Taco Bell Tuesday night, but I resisted the urge, and she was fine with me making her "Taco Bell Fav." at home :).....
My biggest problem is that I run out of ideas of things to make.....so I started searching the Food Network website for meal ideas. They actually have some "30 min" ideas, and crock pot ideas. Those tweaked my interest 1st, because my 2nd biggest problem is that I am PREGNANT! :) Which, makes me tired. Not to mention, I have 2 other children and work full time. Excuses, I know....My home ec teacher in highschool would be VERY disappointed.
After searching the website and printing some recipes that would be easy and could cook most of the day with minimal effort, I set out on a plan.... My plan was to PLAN meals for the next few weeks, then go grocery shopping this weekend...... I incorporated a few of the new recipes into some of our old traditional favorites, and went to the grocery store. I had a "mental" budget of what I wanted to spend, and made sure to not get too many things outside of that... (a bad habit I often have). I did get some breakfast things for the kids, a few easy snacks and easy quick meals for them, for when my husband has to watch them (like Thursday night when I go get my hair done!)
The other key is to take a pen and piece of paper with you and put little hash marks for every $ spend, making the 5th mark across so that you can keep them grouped in 5's. Anything over $.50 will count as a $1. It will all even out in the end. If you stick to that, then you will know before you start putting things in the basket that you REALLY don't need, and can stick much better to budget. Also, buying store brand for things that don't really matter.
After posting on Facebook that I planned the meals, went to the grocery store, was within $.08 of my "mental" budget - and was able to get a new crock pot as well - since I broke our....LITERALLY, like dropped it and it shattered into pieces.....others started commenting on my facebook. My sister (1/2 sister from Dad's side), who is ALWAYS a great cook - even had her own catering company, emailed me to find out what I was making, how I did my shopping, and asked for pointers. I was THRILLED! She is the one that ALWAYS has the "good stuff" - even food sometimes I don't know what it is. My other sister also sent me a message this morning that I "inspired" her to cook more at home too. The "inspirations" are such an encouragement, because I am one to get tired easily. Knowing that someone else has decided to try the same thing really keeps my spirits going......Hopefully it will last....
My newest obsession - which I have haulted since after Christmas (trying to save $$) is ETSY. You probably know what it is and have probably see all the cute stuff they have on there. Let me tell you...I have bought hairbows, and dresses, and all kinds of stuff on there. Some of the last bit of stuff is coming in now - since they didn't have enough time to make during the holidays. One of the girls here at work can sew, and she also told me that showing her some of the stuff I have bought has "inspired" her to maybe start making things again and selling them on Etsy. I wish I was that talented, and for now, I think Alexis and Kaitlyn have PLENTY of stuff from there. I even got some stuff for my sister and another friend. It's just SO cute, I can't help myself!
Here is a dress that I bought for Alexis that came in today......Isn't it ADORABLE??? It's MUCH tinier than the one shown below, but SO cute! I have to stop looking at stuff online so I don't buy it.........
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Annoying people make me mad.......
Why would someone stop by my cubicle at work and ask me why I picked out the curtain I did?? (I have a curtain hanging so I can shut it when I'm really busy, so people won't bother me - it's actually a shower curtain, but still). Then, after I state that I picked it out because I liked it (why else would I have picked it??), they respond "really?" Some people just need to be slapped!!!!!!! This is the same person that I wish my curtain would automatically shut when they come by.......YES, THAT ANNOYING!!!
It's also VERY annoying that the people here CAN NOT COUNT!!!!...... SERIOUSLY....You know how many hours each week you are allowed to work, but it never fails that they still go over..... Always someone. What worse, is not only did they go over their "allowed" hours, but they went WAY OVER in OVERTIME!!!!!!!! Almost 10 hours....ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Is it really that difficult?? Being the Operations Manager, it is my job to check up on them, but when they pick up some last minute hours, and are asked "how are your hours?" I can only be responsible for so much.....and yet, in the end, I will be the one that gets in trouble for it.....How does that work??? Guess I have to get my calculator out EVERYDAY and add......uggggg.....
Sorry, don't mean to complain so much - actually, yes I do! :)
On a brighter note, this morning, another one of my employees sent my Co-worker (their boss), and email saying how wonderful I am. The funny part is, I have never physically met this employee; she was working here before I started, and only works weekends (while I am off). We exchange emails often and correspond that way......
My co-worker proceeded to forward it to her boss and mine, who sent it all the way up to Regional Management, who sent me back a nice sweet email...(can I get some $$ with that??? :) )
I am looking forward to my dr. appt today. It's at the specialist, and I get to see my little girl! :) Can't wait for her to get here....6 1/2 weeks left. I want to see how big she is now, and see if they can give me a "guesstamate" on how big they think she will be. I am counting down until maternity leave!!!!!! :)
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