Organizing

A lot of folks over on the Pound have been talking about organizing pantries, cabinets and closets in order to fit all their goodies in. So far I have been purging as I declared I would in my resolutions, albiet slowly. I do have a before and after picture of one of my kitchen cabinets though.

Here is the before picture. As you can see, I was just stuffing things in! I could not really even find anything. Now the after:

I totally did not have as much as I thought I did! Of course this is one cabinet. I did not remember to take pics of other cabinets, but with all of my purging, I now have two - count 'em- two empty cabinets. That is a lot to get rid of.



I also cleaned my furnace last night. I vaccuumed all the dust bunnies around the outside, pulled out the filters to clean and vaccuumed the inside as well. I pulled the deep freezer out of the bathroom and put it back in the kithchen (I don't like it in the kitchen as the only place it fits is right in front of the door where I come in and out. I like it less in the bathroom though I guess!).

I moved my two sets of plastic drawers into the bathroom in the freezers place. This makes more sense to me as the drawers are where I keep my stockpile of toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, bandaids, you get the idea...

I will hopefully remember to take more pictures as I clean and organize my house and stockpile.

Challenge Update

For Wednesday:

I will have my car greased tonight. My mechanic says it will only take him a few minutes. I asked him what he would charge and he did not answer me. I will probably give him $10 for his time and grease even if he says no charge. I do not want to be greedy and take advantage of him.

I gave my cats a treat this morning of a can of tuna. I can usually get tuna cheaper than cat food. I use only one can of tuna and two cans of cat food. The only time I get canned cat food is when Kmart is doing their doubles. Then I can get the food for cheaper than the cheap-o tuna.

I made my lunch for today. I made tuna salad, found some leftover taco soup ( not really sure how long it has been in there, but it smelled all right!), and brought some green beans. If I need a snack of some sort later, I have some popcorn that I keep at work.

Tonight, I am going to meet up with a friend of my dad's. She is a single mom(I think), and she has four kids. She wants to learn how to coupon! Hopefully another new face on The Pound!

I have been turning the heat down to 58 or 60 degrees. The heat does still come on occasionally. I did turn it up yesterday morning and this morning while I was getting ready for work and I was cold. I just turn it down before I leave for work.

I keep the lights off in the rooms I am not in. In fact, the two upstairs rooms have no items plugged in at all. The storage room downstairs only has a lamp plugged in, the kitchen has only the fridge and stove that stays plugged in because I unplug all appliances when not in use. The living room only has one lamp and one "nightlight" plugged in to timers to come on at some point in the evening. The lamp goes out fairly early, and the "nightlight" goes out in the morning when it starts getting light outside. I do not even have the t.v. on a power strip, it is just not plugged into anything!

I will try to find something to fix for dinner if I get home early enough to have for lunches and freezer meals. I had several errands to run last night and did not get home early enough. I ended up being at my sister's house until around 11:30!

I ordered a windshield for my van at the car recycling center yesterday, and they have a guy that will put it in on Saturday's for a discounted rate. It will save me about $100 going through these folks. The crack in my windshield is now pretty large and you can definitely tell it is there. I want to get it fixed before I get a ticket. Then I would have to pay for the ticket and to repair the windshield anyway. I had to get the money from my dad though. I did not have enough money to pay for it right now.

I do not plan any shopping today. I have no money right now. Thank goodness Friday is payday!

Challenge Update

I did spend money Monday. I got $50 worth of gas. I cannot say I filled the gas tank because as gas prices creep back up again, $50 does not fill my tank. I really hope prices do not keep going up again for the summer.
Other than that I spent no money. I did however cost myself some money for Tuesday. I stopped by to see my dad. I ended up staying longer than I meant to and did not have time to cook anything before I dropped into bed. I was really tired from my trip home and by 8:30 I was ready to fall asleep standing up. I managed to get some q's clipped and that was all. Since I was not able to stay up longer, I did not cook any food for my lunch on Tuesday. I did not have anything in my freezer ready for lunch either. I have apparently used all my pre-made meals up and did not realize it. So I will get a pizza from the pizza dude at lunch today, and will make sure that I make food tonight for lunches this week. And extras for days like this. I will also batch cook this weekend again.
Since I was not home for very long before I went to bed, I used next to no electricity last night. Lights were only on for about an hour. I also did not eat dinner last night, so no food costs.
For Tuesday, I am going to buy pizza for lunch. They are $5. I am not going to any stores so I will not spend any money there. I do plan to swing by my mechanic's house and have him grease the front end of my van. When the "other guy" fixed it, I don't believe he greased it very much or at all. It has started creaking and groaning as I am driving. It did that just a bit for the first couple of weeks, but in the last week or so, it has gotten substantially worse (louder). I am not sure what he will charge for that, but am certain he will not charge too much. He may tell me nothing, but at that point I would insist on paying him a little bit. I do not want to take advantage of him. He has a family too( a S/O and four kids!).
Tuesday night I will do a load of laundry in cold water and hang the clothes to dry.
I also plan to go to my sister's house for a bit to get a couple of wipe tubs to repurpose for my q's. This saves them from going to the landfill, and saves me from buying another container for my q's since the one I am using is now too small. I am taking some magazines to her that I think she will like which saves her money from buying magazines to read (they are freebies that I receive).

How are doing on your challenge?

Happy Mother's Day

Now I do realize that yesterday was Mother's Day, but as I was visiting my son, I was not able to get to any computers. No offense to any of you, but I would much rather spend the day with my son! And what a day it was! We had a blast.

I went down for my visit and on Saturday my son had a ball game. I watched him play and then we went to the campgrounds. Just about the time we pulled into the park it started raining. Since it is quite a-ways back into the park to the campgrounds, I was hoping it was not raining there. It was not raining as we checked in for our site, but my son wanted to play a game of pool. We played a game pretty quickly, and by the time we were done it was raining. No surprise. I hoped it would stop quickly, but the van is plenty big enough to crawl into the back and play. We opened the windows to let the breeze come through and played Pokemon, bakugan, and watched a bit of a movie. Then I realized it was no longer raining. I have no idea how long it had not been raining, but we got out to play my son's version of laser tag and set up the gazebo. My son's version of laser tag is basically what we used to call cops and robbers and the previous generation called cowboys and indians. It is so interesting how the names of games change but the actual game stays the same? I made him change his clothes to get out of his ball uniform. He put on some clothes that I bring for him. A good thing too! My son wanted to ride his bike and me walk with him. And he found the only mud puddle in the whole park! So he played in it. He had tons of fun and got totally soaked! After a while I made him go back up to the camp site as it looked like another storm was rolling in. We then played in the water more by dumping water on each other. It was really too cold for that, though. I told him I was cold and done playing in the water and I was going to change my clothes. He was not done. He was not cold, he was going to keep playing in the water. I told him that he could wash the dishes that we had if he wanted to keep playing in the water. So he did, and served me food with bubbles (which he called the good tasting chemicals!) So I had a chemical lunch! Before we knew it our time was almost up, and I had planned on taking him to McDonalds for dinner. We packed up and drove to the restaurant and got our happy meals. They did not have the KidzBop cd that my son wanted, but he got two more, one from each happy meal and the staff was kind enough to let us have two different ones. Then it was time to take him back. That is one crappy time of day. At least when it is Saturday, I know that we have another day.
Then here comes Sunday morning. Yea! Time for the next visit. I go and get him and we drive in to get gas and ice for the cooler. He tells me he is still hungry even though he already ate breakfast, can he have eggs. My son love hard boiled eggs, but only the egg white. So we boil some eggs, I make scrambled eggs and toast for me, adding a hot dog. My son ate a hot dog and jelly beans while waiting for the eggs. Then he is not hungry anymore when the eggs are done. That is fine, I can stick them in the cooler. He changes into some play clothes that I have for him while I put away the dishes and food. Then off to the ball field to practice some ball. We go back cuz we are tired. I was so happy that my knee is feeling better because I was actually able to run the bases some and chase him to try to get him out! Back up to the camp site to get drinks and play laser tag again. Now it was time to get out the bike and race back down to the mud puddle. I took my camera with me this time so that I could get a few pictures of our visit and the mud puddle adventure. After a pit stop in the bathrooms, we play at the playground. I take several pictures again because my little man tells me he wants more pictures of the day because he wants to make a cd and call it the best times of his childhood, his days with his mom! I wanted to cry, but I managed to hold my tears. He said that he was not happy down there but he sure had fun on our weekends together. They were the best times ever since he was down there. So we talk a bit while swinging of what he wants to put on his cd, how he wants to title them and store them on the disc. Then we take a few more pictures and then go sit under a tree to look at them. He was really pleased with his idea. I think it was the best Mother's day present EVER! To hear that my son cherishes our time together just as much as me....That is the best. After looking at the pictures and talking a bit more on his disc ideas, we go play a little more. Finally I tell him he is going to have to push my up the hill on his bike if we don't go pretty soon, I will be too tired to walk. We go, except I end up pushing him and his bike up the hill! He was too tired! It is a pretty steep hill though. We played some more, laid around and watched more t.v., played more Pokemon, and ate lunch until it was time to pack up. My son and I both hate that part of the visit. Sunday afternoon when it is time to pack up and go. He does however like to help take the gazebo down, he pretty much took the whole thing down by himself! We load everything into the van, make one last potty break, and start the awful drive. I try hard not to, but invariably I get crabby, and he gets whiny. We try not to, but it happens, then we say we are sorry and try to hold in the tears. I don't linger while dropping him off, because the longer I linger saying bye, the harder it is on both of us. As I back out of the driveway, he stands on the porch and we wave at each other, I flash the headlights and honk the horn. We do this until we can no longer see each other.
When I call him later Sunday evening, and I ask how he is, he tells me he is being strong. That is what we tell each other to do until we make it through this. Be strong. We talk for a bit, but his dog starts coughing, and he wants to get off the phone to keep an eye on her. Then she hacks up whatever she was choking on and he changed his mind and wants to stay on the phone. We talk for a bit until our time is up. We say our bye's and hang up. I finish my drive home.
The only other exciting thing is that I stop to get a couple of papers in Indy. I stop at a couple of truck stops and get the paper. While I was there this time, I took the coupon inserts out of the papers that were still in the machine. I am not sure if this is something that I should do or not, but it is usually after one a.m. when I stop and I figure if anyone wanted the Sunday paper, they would have gotten it on Sunday, not go looking for it on Monday morning. I was just pleased to get a couple of extra coupons! Especially since the ones in my area are so crappy. Now to wait for the sales so I can use my q's.

Challenge Update

I have sort of saved money for yesterday. I ened up having to take my van to the mechanic to get the spark plugs changed and put the new fuel filter on. I drop it off on Thursday morning. My mom takes me back to my car on Thursday evening, and the guy tells me I need more parts. He says he can put everything back together, but it will still probably not run very well. So off we go to get more parts. My mom is babysitting the girls, but they were being pretty agreeable. We get to the parts store and it is another $66.02 for the new parts. I had already spent about $30 on the first set of parts. So we take them back to the mechanic and he says he can be done in about an hour. I tell mom to leave me there, I will just wait. Then Drama Girl wants to stay and get all pouty when we tell her no. I tell her I will come over when he is all done with my van. She still pouts but says okay. I stay and help a bit on the van to hurry things along, and then pay my mechanic $40 (what a super deal- he really is cheap). I go to see Drama Girl, but she already fell asleep on the couch. Mom and I get her ready for bed, and I take her upstairs and tuck her in. She was a happy camper that I came back and tucked her in. Then on to home so I could start getting the last few things done at home before I leave tonight.
I also went with my mom to cvs. I do not have my reciept with me, but can give a recount as best as I can here. For some reason, I thought that the cereal deal was limit of two. I read the ad, and saw it in the store but was just confused. I am going to claim that it was the heat. It was really hot in my office and also the store. I got 6 boxes cereal, 3 dry idea deo that were clearanced out to $1.12, one bottle of excedrin at $6.99 because I can never have too much excedrin. I spent $1.52 (I think), used $10 EB, 6*$1 for cereal, 3*$2 for dry idea-I got the whole amount they did not change it down, $1 excedrin, $1 cvs excedrin, and a $5 off $30. No picture today as I was too busy getting my stuff ready for my trip. Not too shabby, even if I did only get back $5 in EB. I was confused all the way out to mom's car.....I think I was a bit slow yesterday!

How are you all doing on the Challenge?

Challenge Update

Wow, I feel remiss. I have not posted anything on here for days.
- did not purchase anything on Friday.
-I did get gas on Saturday. I got $2.50 worth for the lawn mower to mow my yard. Then I spent $50 to fill the tank on my van. On Saturday afternoon, I went with my sister to CVS to help her and spend a few EB. I spent $2.60 of my cash and got back $7 in EB. According to my receipt, I saved $18.69.
-I did not spend any money on Sunday. I did drive to a small town in the next state (IN) about 20 minutes away because I was told that I could get the Indy Star at the IGA there. I was out of luck. They did not carry it. But my mom and I drove past a flower stand. We definitely had to stop. Mom got a plant called a straw flower. I bought nothing, just looked and enjoyed all the beautiful plants. I think that was kind of a waste of gas because I wanted to see about getting the newspaper so that I could get the q's and came home with nothing.
-On Monday morning on the way to work I stopped at Advance Auto to get some gas treatment for my van as it is not running smoothly right now, it seems to be missing. Actually ever since my trip last time. And here I am almost ready to go again. I hope it smooths out before I have to drive down.
-Also on Monday, I took a half a day off work to go with my mom to her doctor appointment in Champaign and to go to Meijer. I found out once we were over there that mom wanted to go to Target first. I spent $1.84 there. I got a camp flashlight for my son that has interchangeable lenses with different creatures on them. It has a spider, snake, frog, lizard, and a moon. I also got a tub of betty crocker frosting for 75 cents. Then we went to meijer. I did not need a lot of groceries, just a few things. I spent $46.05 and saved $32.77. I took advantage of their buy 2 of "x" products and get a free gallon of milk. I got two boxes of wheat thins and used a bogo free q and got a free gallon of milk. I also got 2 oreo cookies and got a free gallon of milk. I planned on buying oreos already for my son and me to eat on this next trip, so I got two and a bonus gallon of milk! I love free!
-On Tuesday, I spent no money again.
-On Wednesday, I am going to buy spark plugs for my van and go to my dad's to see if he can help me change them. If we can do it, that will save me the cost of paying someone else. Hopefully that will fix the missing problem with my van. If this does not fix it, I will be having the fuel filter changed when I get back (and get paid..).

Tuesday night I talked with my friend. She was telling me some of the financial difficulties her family is having right now. They own a farm. They have crops from last year that they have not sold yet. She is happy that her husband is no longer working a full time job on top of running the farm, but now they do not have as much money. She told me that they did shop around and found that they can save a little over $200 a month by bundling some of their services for internet, cells, and satellite. Her big expense that she did not know how to lower was groceries and household and health items. I am going over there next week to hang out for a while, have dinner and borrow some books. I did not tell her but I put a bag together for her and the family with some items out of my stockpile. I put in all kinds of stuff for her. I am so glad to be able to help her like this. I also told her the same thing I told my sister (who did not do it), which was to make a list of the most commonly eaten foods, the items for HBA that they can use if they have preferences. If they don't have specifics that have to be used to let me know that. I will then make a list for her the same time I make mine and get all the corresponding sale ads and then go to the store with her. We would go to walmart so they can price match. She does not go alone as she has three kids and it is too much to try and match sales to coupons, and keep an eye on three kids. I offered that I would go with her to cvs as well to get the really good deals there as well. She was really excited and told me she would most definitely do that. She would really appreciate all the help. I think it would be lots of fun, and I would be helping a friend that has helped me alot in the past. I hope this works out for all of us.

Monthly Totals

Now I have my totals!

I am actually posting my monthly totals two months in a row. This month is no where as good as last month. I am including the two times I ate out and the time I got donuts (this is me embarassed now) and they are counted as 1 item each. I am also including the postage I spent this month. I got the forever stamps which come in a book of 20 and I got 5, so I counted them as 5 separate items, and the packages I mailed each count as one, which was a total of 3. I did not count anything from my trips, and I did not count the items I bought for maintenance on my car.
Without further ado:
Number of Items: 199
Total Spent: $327.42
Total Saved: $352.41
Total Value: $679.83
Percent Saved: 52%
A little better than half, I'll take that.

Not up to par with last month, but that was a really good month for me, and I may not do that good again, unless there are some kick ass sales.