Jeff and I have been working really hard at trying to save money and build up our savings account once more. We cut drastically in some areas, one of those being eating out. I'm proud to say that we have not eaten out in over a month and the money that normally would have been spent there is going straight into our savings. Yay!!!! Has it been easy? No, but I have a goal in mind and to be honest, most of the time, I really do like my own cooking better anyway.
That really motivated me to find even more areas to save in and the one other area that I know I can cut is the grocery budget. So, after fixing us a nice meal of meatloaf, saffron rice and a romaine salad, I approached Jeff with my idea of going to cash only for groceries. Having to part with cold hard cash is much harder for me to do than just whipping out the debit card. We agreed that any money saved from the $200 a month that I am going to be working with would go to fund either a big stock up and/or a fun trip for the two of us or with our family. It will help Jeff and I both to think through impulse buys because we both really really want to be able to get away for a weekend and this will help keep us both on track with that goal in mind. If I used the debit card on a food purchase (like my Imperfect Foods order), that will be deducted from the cash and put back into our account or shifted to the pet food and supply budget since we buy huge bags of dog and cat food along with big buckets of kitty litter every one and a half to two months.
Once the warmer weather hits, we will be able to cut our electric bill down by drying our laundry outside for the most part and that should cut that down by at least $20 per month. Plus, who does not like the smell of freshly line dried clothes...that is one of my favorite fragrances in the world!
I have great plans for this new year to help us not only save money, but also enjoy our lives to the fullest and not feel like we are missing out on anything important. I want to make our home even more inviting for friends and family and to also make it a safe haven for my husband and I to retreat to and recharge when needed.
Be blessed my friends!
Your dinner does look good, Debbie. You did great by not eating out in over a month! Paying cash for groceries is a good idea, too. I almost always pay cash, as I don't even have a debit card. Occasionally, I will write a check, but, otherwise, it is all cash.
ReplyDeleteYour food looks great and I totally agree that most of the time my own food tastes better.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!
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