Posted in Austerity Program 2008

I realize I am slacking re: austerity.  So here is how things are going.

We moved nearly all of our balance from one credit card to another.  So, yesterday I paid off the first card.  That makes 3 down in the last 2 years and 3 to go.  Our tax refund is earmarked for debt payoff.  I really believe that if we can get the debt paid off that we will feel rich!  Though we won't be allowed to live like it.

This month I am making a real effort to stay home.  As a result, I have saved one tank of gas, which saves us about $50.  That is huge!

I have been really being stingy with snacks.  I did go to Aldis and buy some snacks.  I spent about $7 on crackers and chips and such.  Most of them are in the basement for future months.  Believe me, my kids are not starving.  They just can't resist vanilla wafers if they see them.  And I admit my mom brought me some cheese the other day,  2 lbs. of american.  So that is a nice gift!  It saves me money and makes her happy.  I won't let her buy my kids clothes but she can buy them cheese!  I don't ever turn down free food.  I have a couple friends who give me things their families have rejected.  Most of the free items below are items that are rejected by other families.  Thank you!

So, a sample menu... Here is what we've had today:

Breakfast--cereal (free) with milk (traded for coffee)

Lunch--grilled cheese (cheese free and bread from Wonder outlet (about $1.25 but only used half)), apricot halves (free), baked beans (free), jello (40 cents) with chopped apricots (free)

Dinner--spaghetti ($1.50 lb for the kind I buy), homemade sauce (about a dollar), garlic bread (Wonder outlet (about $1.25)) with butter (50 cents for the amount I use) and garlic powder & parsley (minimal cost), broccoli ($1 for half a bag organic)

Today's beverages consisted of milk (see above) with strawberry syrup (free) and iced tea (practically free) and water (feels free)

That adds up to $6.40 spent on food today.  That is a little bit better than usual as I do not always have an abundance of freebies like I do right now.  But it isn't too far off the mark.  I will try to be better about posting our meals so you can see our cheapness in action.

So for those wondering how I do it, there it is.