Plastic Shopping Bags

Yesterday's trip to the store resulted in many plastic bags.  I had left my reusable bags in the car.  As I unpacked the groceries, I again thought about ways I could reuse the bags.  I must admit I only have about 4 ways I currently reuse these annoying things.

• liner for bathroom trash containers
• pick up bags for doggie droppings when walking
• bagging up items for donation (when boxes aren't readily available or amounts are too small)
• trash bag for car

In all of these ways, the bags will likely end up in the landfill.  Today, I've decided it would have been better to walk back out to the car to get my reusable bags.  Reviewing the above list, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to line the bathroom trash container.  99.9% of what goes in there is dry materials.  Those can easily be dumped and the container wiped down as needed.  It also doesn't make much sense to dispose of car trash in one when I can simply pay more attention and throw the trash in receptacles along my way (or simply quit bringing trash items into my car!).  So, I have decided to only keep some on hand for the doggie walks and small donations.  All the rest will be taken back to the store for recycling.  

Reusable shopping bags saves money (some retailers give a credit for every reusable bag used), clutter and unnecessary items going into the landfill.

Gifts on the Sly - This is almost too easy!

I just did the calculations.  With what this account of 'found money' is to cover - birthdays this year for my son, my daughter, my son-in-law and my 5 grandsons, and the budgets I have set for them this year - $100 for my son still at home, $50 each for my daughter and son-in-law, and $25 for each grandson - I only need to 'find' another $115.57 to fully fund this account - and it is only January!

Maybe it can be done...

Early during last pay period, I unexpectedly decided to pick up a second class this semester.  Since I emptied my Incidentals account in my Emergency Savings account at the end of the year, I had to absorb those fees into my regular budget or take money out of savings.  I refused to do the latter, as it wasn't what I defined as an emergency.  So, I decided to pay a bit more attention on my spending.  


Last week, I had a 'day of finances.'  I reviewed about 1/2 of my spending lines for unnecessary spending.  Since I do this about once a year, I wasn't expecting much.  However, one item was cut in half.  Not a huge savings - just under $9 a month, but why pay that $9 to someone else when I can do much more with it?  


Yesterday was pay day.  That meant it was time to review what was spent during the last pay period, shift money as needed and finalize this pay period's spending plan.  I knew I had been fairly careful, but I surprised even myself! 


Not only was I able to absorb the class expenses, but I was also able to put the allotted amounts into my Incidentals account AND pay almost $100 extra towards my credit card pay off!


Yep, I was excited!  I might actually be able to cut that 5.5 years (expected length of time to save for and finish remodeling this house) way down!


Today, in between reading 33 pages for one of my classes, I'll be working on reviewing the other 1/2 of my expenses.  Wonder what I'll find there...

Wheat FREE - Moving on along!

Just about a week and a half into the wheat free again thing and things are going well.  We aren't 100% wheat free yet - more like 80%, but I'll take that!  One night, my son really wanted Chinese.  Sesame Chicken, to be exact.  My guess is the breading on the chicken was wheat based.  Then, last night, he really wanted Wataburger.  I could have said NO either, or both times, but I've learned from the last attempts at suddenly pulling him 100% wheat free.  I have found it best to allow 'cheat days' every now and then.  It helps him realize how much and how often he can have something with processed wheat in it and how it makes him feel.  


A bonus to the change - I actually spent LESS on food!


Now, if only we can get his sleep schedule back on track!