Creating My First Real Budget Step #1

I started this way of balancing our budget 2 years ago. Back then we were living paycheck to paycheck and living out of one bank account. We would bounce a bill payment a lot more then I want to admit. Just trying to pay for groceries and car gas … I would miss writing down one thing or my husband would forget to tell me another thing and poof NSF fees everywhere! We are still living paycheck to paycheck, but haven’t bounced a BILL payment since then (we have gone under on our spending IE groceries and gas accounts from lazy record keeping and lack of communication, but at least no bills have gone unpaid!)

OK – here is the plan. Have a “household” account separate from your spending account. The household account will be the account you write your checks from, or have your bills come out of however you are most comfortable doing it. We get paid weekly so I added up our bills and divided by 4. Each week I transfer that amount into the household checking account. I started this 2 years ago when we got our tax returns and put one MONTH of payments into the household account so that we have everything one month in advance. And always be ahead of the game. Also I round everything up to the nearest dollar amount. This way when the once a year bills come due I have extra, and usually enough to pay it. Even if I don’t it’s NOT such a big deal on the budget. One more thing that really helps is when that extra paycheck comes (the 5th week of the month happens 2 or 3 times I year) I transfer as normal to try and get ahead.

Honestly we are not as ahead as we should be. When we had things like unexpected Dr’s bills or my husband got a ticket, we had to use the stuff I saved in reserve for it – but at least it was there to use.

My long term plan with this payment system is that we keep adding to our account as we get those 5th weekends in the month as well as adding more each time we get a tax return. We can’t put all of our tax return to it, but some. We will keep adding to this account until we have 3 months worth of money in it to pay for bills and ultimately 3 months worth of food money. That way if we have some unforeseen issues, we can live for 3 months with a little less worry.

Look at this ladies savings so far this year!!

January Grocery Bill:~Spent $395.11
~Saved $672.14 w/Q's & Sales!
February Grocery Bill: ~Spent $335.75
~Saved $793.15 w/Q's & Sales!
March Grocery Bill:~Spent $283.10
~Saved $1231 w/Q's & Sales!

WOW - I was just reading the couponmom forums, trying to find more advice and ran across this ladies savings so far this month. how NEAT is that. last month she saved $1231 and spent $283.

Inspired once again. Today I spent $89, and saved $66!!!! :) not to the big legues yet, but getting there! :) I did find out something interesting. My Ralphs (Hawthorn rt next to the Galleria) only doubles the 1st coupong of multiple items. I had 4 coupons for .50 cent each on rice that was on sale for $1. If they had double each I would have gotten 4 bags of rice free! (its what I was hoping for ...) but they dont. Next time I will give a coupon to each kid and the hubby and make them pay seperatly .. LOL that way we will get them all for free! heehee where there is a will there is a way!

3 movies tickets FREE! Thank You Coupons!

How many of us DONT clip (or even notice) coupons on the items we buy? I admit I used to be one of them. Tonight I just printed up 3 free movie tickets (a $36 value) from 5 coupons!!! I bought some General Mills cereals, they had codes for every 2 boxes you could get 1 FREE movie ticket worth up to $12.00 value each. Then I was about to throw away those papers they had you at the super market this one looked like an advertisement??? ... it turned out to be my choice of 15 free download ring tons (bla) or 15 free downloads of music (also Bla) OR 1 free movie ticket WOOHOO. Another $12.00 value.

I just got 2 free movie ticket worth $36 just for reading the coupons on things I already BOUGHT! Now how convenient is that? Its like people are trying to give us money. A little attention to details and I am rewarded.

"Stacking" Coupons

Ever heard this term before? I sure hadn't. It when you can use more then one coupon on a single item. For example, you have a manufactures coupon for .50 cents off a box of cereal. Then you sign up online for e-coupons and you add a .50 cent coupon for the same item. Then you scan your weekly circular and that item is on store sale. So take that item to check out. They ring it up on sale, you hand over your coupon and they scan it (my reg store is Ralphs and they double manufactures coupons only) so another $1 comes off. Then you hand them your rewards card they scan that an another .50 cents comes off!!! You just saved $1.50 with coupons and what ever the store sale price was. For something you probably wold have paid full price for in the first place.

Now is stacking coupons NEAT or what?

Helpful tidbit!!!! - when you add coupons to your store card you can write down the item, coupon price and date expires to better help you remember its there and stack coupons to the best advantage to you! The book I am reading recommends that you look threw e coupons 2 times a month and they are updated on the first of each month and only a certain number are available .. so sign up early to get the best selection of available coupons.

Where to get free money!!!

So in my quest for saving money with coupons, I have started looking more closely at my receipts and saving them. I have noticed that sometimes there are survey codes at the bottom but I never did them. Well from now on I will be checking every receipt religiously!! It took 5 mins each, and my grocery store had a chance to win $100 for filling out a servery and Target is a chance at $5000! Now that kind of cash would be a HUGE help!

And I know that fast food does that too. But usually its for like a free drink or something on your next purchase. If you eat out there a lot its worth it. Just don't do back there and spend more then you should because you want that free drink or burger - that is actually waisting money.

Also check the restrictions - many have deadlines and by the time you are in line waiting to eat lunch and you ordered and they pointed out you cant get that free item.... you are just hungry and will pay for what was supposed to be free!

Our first true attempt at coupon shopping!

Well tonight I sent my husband out with a list and coupons. I sent them with a clipboard too, very dedicated! (and a 13 yr old and a 3 yr old .. oh the joys of shopping that he doesnt usually get to enjoy!)

Saved almost 50% on grocerys tonight! It was great! He saved $42.85 and spent $48.42. He only bought 4 items not on the list ... if he had stuck to the list (this is a HUGE rule ... DONT bye anything not on the list - eliminates alot of excess spending, but I didnt give him that rule) ... he would have only spent 36.76!!! and it WOULD have been more then 50%!! WOOHOOOOO

This was our first forte into real coupon shopping and I think we did well. I only have 2 weeks worth of sunday paper coupons, imagian what I could do with more!

AND we got a 48 oz tub of icecream FREE!!!!

Happy shopping to you!

Save 50% or MORE on your grocery bill!

Coupon Mom.com

I just was told about this site and rushed right out to buy her book. (only $15 and well worth it) I am only on chapter 8 and I have learned SO much! I am so excited. The book warns that it take at least 6 weeks of collecting weekly newspaper adds to really get going and understand the system they are teaching you. And I believe them. In the beginning it takes more time and effort. But they tell me after like 6 months it will be a lot easier.

Cutting coupons can save you money, but having a coupon system will save you A LOT of money. If you could buy approx $100 worth of grocery’s for $20, wouldn’t it be worth a few hours a week? I sure think so. And here I am trying it out.

So far I have 2 weekends worth of adds. I have started going on line and printing coupons. I am learning about coupons that you can put right onto your store card from on the internet NO paper – it just comes off your total when you check out! And did you know that you can use (in most stores – need to check your store policies) a manufactures coupon and a store coupon on the same item?? Me neither! How neat is that? And if your store doubles coupons … it will usually double a manufactures coupon and not there own. So if you use a store and a manufactures coupon – you might be able to get the equivalent of 3 coupons off? Now if you got that deal at the same time as the store had it on sale … you can get it to next to nothing! And couponmom.com has it all organized so its easier for you and takes you less time then it would figure it all out on your own! No matter where you live in the country!

I have a lot of friends who swear they haven’t paid for a toothbrush in years! And that is only the beginning.

Honestly you need to be flexible with your brands, cant be brand specific. And there is work involved – but no matter what stage of life you are in, you could always use more money right? Me too! I will keep you updated as I go ……

Flank Steak with Stuffing

This is one of my ALL TIME favorite meals. I would beg my mom for days to make this. Same with my brother and now .... its one of my husband and daughters favorite meals. Guess you really cant go wrong with this meal! I always thought it was major labor intensive, but the first time I made it I was really suprised how easy it was .... And as usual I serve with rice (the dressing and they sauce goes great over almost anything. My mother always served with canned green beans (ick) but its good with frozen veggies!

FLANK STEAK 1 flank steak, about 2 pounds

Sauce:
1 c. hot water

1 bouillion cube

1 T instant coffee

1 T red wine vinegar

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

This is what the original recipe says. I usually use 3 – 4 c. of water and increase the rest proportionally, because I like lots of juices over the rice.

Stuffing:
6 slices bread, torn up

1 tsp. poultry seasoning

1 tsp. onion salt 1 or 2 eggs, beaten

1 stick butter or margarine, melted

*our family loves the stuffing so much we usually make double (once in awhile triple) .. any extra wrap up in a cheese cloth and just pop it in the pan next to the steak cooking.

Mix ingredients together. Place the flank steak flat, with 4 pieces of string or twine UNDER it. Lay the A string down first, then the B strings on it, then the flank steak on top of that. Place the stuffing on top of the steak, roll it up from B to B', and tie the strings, the B strings first and then the A string.

Salt the bottom of a large frying pan generously, place the rolled-up steak in the pan and sear on all sides. Sprinkle the top of the steak with paprika and dried parsley flakes, if desired (I don't). Add the sauce and cook over slow heat, just at the simmer, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Serve with rice and green beans.

Diebetic Meal - (check with your doctor for your guildlines!)
Measure out your protien 1 oz cooked meat is one serving (for dinner I am allowed 3 servings of protien so that 3 oz cooked for me)
The stuffing is a starch/carb, my dietician said that I could substitue the dressing for my fruit serving. So I would be allowed 1 serving of stuffing (1/3 cup) instead of a serving of fruits for this meal.
Can't have the peas with the rice, so I would recomend keeping the rice and eating your recomended serving of rice (1/3 c is 1 serving for a startch) and bake some dark green veggies in the oven, I would choose zuciini and onions, maybe a carrot - 1/2 cup cooked veggies is one serving of veggies or 1 cup raw. (I am supposed to have 2 sservings of veggies for dinner. That means 1 cup cooked veggies or 2 cups raw veggies for me.)

These are some pictures that my mom took to help me make it the first time ... the diretions were a bit too confusing so maybe these pictures will help you too!

Turkey Time - Leftovers!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving day! (US residents!) Now what to DO with all that left over turkey?? I personally am not a fan of the turkey, growing up we had Cornish game hens every year ... but that is a recipe for a different post!

Hubby loves the turkey - so he cooks the turkey every year. I am in charge of left overs. Never having had it growing up - this was hard for me. So I asked around. Here are some of the recipes I received. If you have more, please feel free to post them in the comment section!

This is my favorite one. I don't each much soup but this has so much yummness in it ... that is more like liquid dinner. Just YUMM!

LEFTOVER TURKEY SOUP (this ones all me!)
1 or 2 carcasses with lots of meat
water (cover bones)
1-2 c. chopped celery
1-2 c. chopped carrots
1 c. white rice mostly cooked rice (or leftovers if you have them)
Use all leftover vegetables you have in your refrigerator
Use all leftover gravy and dressing (I leave this part out - but it part of the original recipe so I include it for you to try)
Break up carcass and place in a large pot. Cover with water and simmer until all meat is off the bones. Skim off fat and remove bones and skin. Now, add all the above ingredients to the pot and let simmer for an hour or so. Add salt, pepper, and favorite spices to your taste. Freeze leftovers - they're good anytime (use before 3-4 years).

TURKEY ENCHILADAS: (just like my Chicken Enchiladas - but with turkey leftovers, this is hubbys special once a year treat!)
Ingredients:
Corn tortillas
Shredded Turkey
Jack Cheese (grated – big pile)
White medium sized Onion (coarsely chopped)
Green Enchilada Sauce (I like LaVictoria best) – Big can-

Layer-
Sauce
Tortillas
Onions
Turkey
Cheese
Sauce
Tortillas
Cheese
Sauce
Tortillas
Sauce (pour the rest of the can out here)
Cheese-add sliced olives on top and maybe sliced avocados!
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins to 45 mins until cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling on the side
Let cool and serve with a side salad, vanilla ice-cream would follow this meal good if looking for a dessert.

TURKEY WRAPS- (from Leanne)
Left over turkey
Mayo
Cranberry sauce
Bacon
Lettuce
and Cheese

Throw it all in a tortilla, roll and they are yummy!

TURKEY PIZZA- (from Heather)
1 Boboli pizza crust
1 can of whole berry cranberry sauce
left over turkey
shredded Monterrey jack cheese
chopped green onions
Spread cranberry sauce on Boboli, top with turkey and green onions. Sprinkle on cheese and bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is hot and bubbly!

GRILLED TURKEY AND CHEDDAR SANDWICH (from Mairia)
I like to use a thicker whole wheat bread for this. My personal fave is Roman Mean Sungrain Bread.

Sprinkle skillet with salt of choice or even better sprinkle with Ranch Dressing Mix Powder from Hidden Valley (I cook with this a lot in place of salt)
Lightly butter one side of two pieces of bread.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the buttered side of the bread.
Lay one piece of bread in skillet butter side down.
Add a slice of cheddar cheese on the bread.
Now add your turkey either thinly sliced or in small chunks.
Add another slice of cheddar cheese to bread then lay 2nd piece of bread over it butter side up.

Cook in skillet until bread is golden brown on the bottom then turn. If you have a lid for the skillet use it for a minute to help melt the cheese.
The sand is done when both pieces of bread are browned to taste.
Serve with desired condiments! (I personally like mustard!)

- We make sandwiches, turkey noodle soup, BBQ Turkey sands, Grilled Ranch turkey sands or salads, turkey and cheese omelets.. well as you can see.. just about anything!

TURKEY LOGS (from Lanna)
Mix two cups turkey with half a package of cream cheese (or light cream cheese). Add 1 cup grated cheese (any kind) and ½ cup bacon bits. Add spices to taste (garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, basil, oregano, rosemary, etc.).

In Pillsbury crescent roll dough, place 1/3 cup scoop in each triangle and roll into a ball, sealing the openings so the turkey mixture is entirely encased in the dough. Bake according to crescent package directions (about 425 for 13-15 minutes, I think). Top with melted cheese sauce, if desired. Serve with pilaf or wild rice.

Do NOT put lemon pepper in it. It doesn’t taste good. And, don’t add all the above-mentioned spices. Taste as you go and remember the flavors will get stronger as it sits and melds.

TURKEY SLIDERS (from Tracy)
Left over rolls (I had Hawaiian sweet rolls and regular white)
Left over turkey
Left over cranberry sauce
Dijon mustard (I used honey dijon)

Cut the rolls in half add some turkey and mix cranberry sauce with dijon mustard to taste and spead it on the roll. YUMMMM!

TURKEY QUICHE (from Louise)
4 eggs
1 ¼ half & half or heavy cream
Chopped turkey meat
½ cup cheese of your choice
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Small can of diced green chilis (optional)
Chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)
¼ of a medium onion finely chopped (optional)

You can even use some frozen vegetables if you have them on hand. Quiche is so versatile.
Also you can make your own pie crust, buy a frozen pie crust, I prefer the homemade but the Pillsbury roll out ones in the refrigerator section of the grocery store are good too.
Bake at 400 for 40 minutes, yum!!

Protecting You and Your Family from the Swine Flu

Ok these are just general things you can do to keep healthy and protect against most sicknesses. Its also just a lesson in good old plain hygiene But the Swine Flu also know as the H1M1 virus is deadly and killing healthy people, not just attacking the weak.

#1 – Don’t touch your face! Teach your kids not to touch there faces.
#2 – Use a hand sanitizer, send one to school with your kids (if the school permits it) and carry one in your car, purse and at your work place.
#3 – Disinfect high traffic surfaces in your home, cars and your work places.
#4 – In the pubic restrooms … dry your hands with a paper towel and then use the paper towel to grab the door handle and open the door and then take that paper towel and throw it out at the nearest trash can.
#5 – When you come home from a place with a lot of people – baths or showers for everyone, wash all those strangers germs off. This includes daily bath’s/showers for the kids as they come home from school! Remember there are parents there who send there kids to school sick cause that cant afford to take the time off work!
#6 – Have the whole family take there vitamins daily.
#7 – Find a preventative medicine or something like it to start giving your family. (Make sure its ok for there age rang.) Examples are: Echinacea, Vitamin C, colloidal silver, extracts with high amounts of antioxidants in them, or just a glass of OJ or grapefruit juice in the morning (I can’t stand straight grapefruit juice – so we buy Ruby Pomegranate – YUM!)

I am sure there is more – but these are the basic’s for you to think and about and to get you going. If you know of anything else, please feel free to comment.

And if all that fails and someone in your family gets flu symptoms take them to the doctors immediately and stop contact with everyone you know! Please don’t spread this virus!

Interesting tidbit!!! I got an email about how a doctor had hear that you put an onion, cut in half, in the bedroom of a person with the flu and in the morning the onion was brawn/black and he took it in and tested it the onion had soaked up the flu germs! The person was feeling better by the morning (not cured but better). I haven’t tried it – but what do you have to loose to try it, just the cost of the onion!?