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Grocery savings/Closet update

Closet Update

And now my closet looks like this...

:)



Grocery Savings

I realized just how much food I actually have in this house when a visiting friend yesterday needed to put some groceries in my freezer. It was not easy!

And that's just my freezer. The bottom shelf of my lazy susan is sagging because of all the food sitting on it.

It's the saver in me that wants to keep a good stockpile of food around. I mean what would happen if we were stranded in the house during a snow storm for a month? Okay, that probably will never happen.

My biggest downfall is figuring out what to do with all this stuff. I do use it occasionally, but not enough to make a dent. Then I buy more stuff when it's on sale, and again, I get the pileup like my closet.

My goal for this week (and one week every month) is to plan as many meals as I can using my stockpile. I'll cut my grocery allowance (I give myself $75 a week for groceries) down to $30 for that week to buy fresh produce and things for Ben's lunch. I know I'll never deplete my stores because I'm always picking up stuff when it's a good deal.

I'll post this week's menu when I figure it out. I have a feeling we'll be eating a lot of beans this week!

Closet of Horror

Storage space is somewhat limited in this house. It's there, but most of it has been in use since we moved in. My main storage areas include this closet, a little crawl space also in this room, and the space under the basement steps.

This is my junk closet. Anything that doesn't need urgent attention gets thrown in here. When I need to quickly straighten up the house, the pile grows.

It usually gets cleaned once a year when I'm doing my taxes. Well, I'm about 6 months behind on that project now, so now is the time.

This week is pretty busy with fun plans and work, but I think I can get it done by next weekend. I hope the next picture will be prettier :)

Happy Anniversary, Blog!

So it's been a year on what I thought I would type in weekly. I seem to recall a technical difficulty with my account that turned me off of this thing. But thanks to Lori's blog, I've rediscovered my account!

Let's start again with an update on my declutter mission:

Cell phones -- Yep, still have them. Just saw that Wegmans is accepting old phones for the military.

Wireless router -- Sold for about $50 on Amazon!

Really old wirless router/PCI card -- Gave to a freecycler in Nanticoke who donates his time to help families obtain a computer and/or Internet from donated computer systems and hardware.

Glass baby food jars -- Most went to a glass artist in Wilkes Barre who melts them down to use for projects. Another freecycler! A bunch more were recycled.

Car stereo/cd player -- Still have that, too.

Harsh chemicals -- Ack! Still have these sitting in the cupboard!

Books -- Goodwill.

50% success. Not bad!

One goal I did achieve 100% is getting rid of a lingering credit card balance. With a clean slate, I really have to implement and stick to my not going over my grocery and gas budget each week. Such a tough one. Recent purchases are getting me like always shopping over lunch time. And hey, a toddler and pregnant mama have to eat! Can easily be avoided by packing a lunch more often.

Next week, it's back to withdrawing the cash for groceries and gas each week. When it's gone, it's gone. This really cuts down on the impulse buys and excessive driving.

That's all for now. Good night!
Leanne

First task for the week

I think most of us can agree that a cluttered house equals a cluttered mind. Selling some of those things will help to buy you the items you really do need and want, and giving away some of it can make someone else's day.

I have a few items that I've been meaning to rid my house of for some time. I have a box jammed behind the closet door in Marin's room, which actually serves as a constant reminder that I need to take care of them. Here's what I have:

• Two old cell phones to donate to this cell phone drive.
• Wireless router system -- list on Amazon.
• Used car stereo/cd player -- list on Amazon.
• Books -- list on Amazon or half.com
  
• Harsh chemical cleaning supplies -- they've been with me since NY and they need to go! I'm switching to homemade solutions using what I have on hand -- water, vinegar, tea tree oil, baking soda, Dr. Bronner's soap, etc. Probably put on freecycle.
• Extra baby food jars -- The leftovers of the stock provided by Becky (thanks Becky!). Will go on freecycle.

That's the stuff that I KNOW needs to find a new home. I hope to discover more items as I declutter.

Cheers!
Leanne

My first day of serious blogging.

I've decided to start blogging about my attempt to live on less without sacrificing health or feeling deprived of the things I need and want. I'm doing this not only for myself, but also for the sake of the household.

I've been trying over the past year or so to make small changes in how I view what I buy and what I need. Generally, I'm not an overspender, but I would often feel guilty about buying things that I maybe wanted, but didn't really need. Then I start thinking that maybe I have too much "stuff." Just like most other Americans, we LOVE to buy STUFF. Over consuming can become a bad habit, and a very stressful one at that. But, it's a way of life that will take some time to change.

So now's the time to start reevaluating the way I live to see where I could do a little better. I hope that ultimately I can surround myself with only the things that I really love, be patient as I try to get the big things I need, and not feel sorry for myself for not having everything right now. There. That's my own pep talk for the day!

I found a great deal of inspiration from an article in Mother Earth News called, "Live on Less and Love It! Try these 75 inspiring ideas and enjoy life more while spending and consuming less."

I plan on posting specifics on what I cut back on, how I've saved, new menu items, and any other facts that are worth sharing. It may be a slow process, but a worthwhile one! Keep checking back to see how it goes!


Leanne