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Once a month cooking and other spending updates

Last Updated: October 1, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 7 Comments

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Has anyone ever done once a month cooking? Do you know of any good links for beginners?

I’m thinking about doing this because the BF wants more snacks and quick meals that he can make really quick for when I’m not home or for when we are both really lazy to make anything that night. I plan on going grocery shopping tonight for things on my list that I don’t have but I need. But I’m not sure on how I should be freezing everything and storing it all? I’m completely clueless, so please HELP!

Also, I went out to eat again. My friends will be the death of me but at least we have fun.

Another thing, I got a Northface sweater that was originally $150 for only $40 at the Plato’s near my house. It had the tags on it and everything, and I sold stuff when I went in so I didn’t pay a dime! I need winter clothes and I’m sure I’ll wear this Northface all the time.

Also, I caved, I went to JCrew and bought clothes, but that’s just a sad story of my shopping habit so I’ll save that for another day. I didn’t spend too much, but I needed work clothes and just more casual stuff also.

What are your top money rules?

Last Updated: December 8, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 13 Comments

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Yahoo the other day had a great article on top money rules.

Pay Yourself First. Many people (I hope you are included in this) budget their money every month. A certain percentage or amount goes towards housing, food, entertainment, bills and so on. And also what many people do is just throw whatever is left over to savings and retirement. However, what you should be doing is putting money towards savings and retirement FIRST.
- Paying yourself first helps you budget better since you know how much you have left.

I should be paying myself first, but I am not. Hopefully I can change this once I feel more comfortable in my situation.

Practice Mindful Spending. Watch what you buy, no matter what the cost is. Whether the purchase is $10 or $1,000.

I definitely watch what I buy and I’m very critical of myself afterwards if I bought something that I don’t need.

What are your top money rules?

Working Out

Last Updated: December 19, 2015 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 10 Comments

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As most of you know, I’m trying to work out more. This goal isn’t going the greatest since I’m super lazy. I DID workout 2 times last week though! Better than nothing right?

I am trying to do crunches and other ab stuff every night though since I can do that at home, and this morning, finally my stomach started to hurt. I obviously was not pushing myself hard enough before. I don’t really know what I should do in order to push myself harder. I just hate driving to the gym. I could just run around my neighborhood, but then of course I feel like I wasted my money at the gym so then I just do nothing instead (that seems logical right? NO!)

Here is the list that I made around 2 weeks ago:

50 situps a day – Kind of a success.
50 pushups a day – FAIL
Run 3 miles at least twice a week – Success!
Take my big dog for a loooonnnngg run at least once a week – FAIL (I feel horrible about this also. I take her for walks, but I don’t take her on enough runs)
Do all sorts of lifting, lunges and the like – FAIL

Does anyone else have a fitness goal? How’s it going?

What are things that you don’t skimp on?

Last Updated: December 19, 2015 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 11 Comments

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Getting Ahead has recently been posting a series about most frugal options. Sometimes the most frugal things you can do are not the best things for you in the long run.

DailyWorth made a list on 5 things you shouldn’t skimp on. I’m not necessarily saying I agree with these, but here are some.

Paint. Cheaper paint will most likely need more coats of paint.
Refrigerators and freezers. Energy efficient fridges and freezers will save you money in the long run.
Canister vacuums.
Fire protection.
Gas grills. So that you can make the best burgers on your block!

I try not to skimp on work clothes and nice clothes in general. Just because I usually want and expect these items to last awhile. I’m cheap when it comes to going out and bar clothes though. I also try not to skimp on dog food, dog toys, electronics, hair care and some other things that I can’t think of right now.

What are 5 things that you don’t skimp on?

Goals for the Week

Last Updated: December 8, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 9 Comments

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I know it’s already Tuesday, but I figured posting my goals is better than having no goals.

Make dinner everyday this week.
Bring lunch to work everyday.
Do not go grocery shopping except for milk and bread this week.
Spend no more than $40 this weekend on going out.
Leave the air conditioning or heat off no matter what. I’m really starting to hate that it’s getting to 95 degrees during the day and 35 degrees in the mornings. I think this should be done now but last week it was annoying.
No more vending machine purchases before/between/after classes after I get off work.
Do lots of ab stuff!

We did OK this past weekend with eating out. We made meals as much as we can. I had credit in my Groupon account (not sure why?) so I bought a Chevys Groupon, $10 for $20, and we used it on Saturday. Our meal after the Groupon was only $6.77 (with tip), so I would say that’s quite a deal. Then on Sunday we were wanting Mexican again and we spent $20.31. We really want to eat in and save our money because we were still hungry both times after we ate out.

Also, I wasn’t feeling good on Saturday, so after Chevys, I let the BF run inside Walgreens to get me medicine. He bought $38 worth of Mucinex and sinus medicine! Never again will I let him go inside while I sit in the car.

YAY Exciting News! (well exciting for me at least)

Last Updated: December 8, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 6 Comments

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The BF was told that the holiday rush is starting this week! So starting this week he’ll be getting around 10 extra hours a week and it will gradually go up from there, until around Christmas time when it’ll be around 20 extra hours a week.

So for around the next 3 weeks, he’ll be making around $300 extra PER WEEK! Finally!

This means that he’ll be on track to make around $3,000 extra for the month of December. If only Christmas was every month!

How long should your items last?

Last Updated: December 19, 2015 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 9 Comments

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I’m not sure if all of this is correct (because I haven’t had my house for as long as some of the items on this list), but here’s an article from Kiplingers. If you have any insight on any of this, share please!

Washing machine. 12 years.”You can extend the life by cleaning it once a month, emptying your dryer’s lint screen after each use, and avoiding covering the dryer’s outside exhaust.” We clean our lint screen after each use, but I don’t think we’ve ever actually cleaned the washer or dryer.
Standard incandescent light bulb. 1,000 hours.
Furnace. 20 years. Our furnace is at 16 years and I’m starting to get really nervous. Our friend had to replace her furnace and her air conditioning system this summer and it cost her $6,000!
Mattress. Around 5 to 7 years. I have definitely kept a mattress longer than this though. “Rotating and flipping your mattress every six months is another great way to get the most out of it.”
Dishwasher. 13 years.
Water heater. 10 years. Ours is at 12 years, so I’m hoping it doesn’t fail either. However, my mom bought a brand new house around 3 years ago, and the water heater already had to be replaced last year.

Do your items last this long? How long do you think they should last?

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