Dear Saving Diary,

I know I use to write to a more negative broke diary once, but I thought I'd try a more positive, upbeat idea and write about how GOOD I am at saving and not spending money. Well, saving diary I was VERY good today. I didn't spend a penny. Nope, not a red cent. OK, OK I also confess I was at a party last night and don't feel like going out (or getting dressed for that matter :blush: ) but it all counts. I didn't spend any money.

I am also very proud saving diary to report I have now paid off all my credit cards after a long struggle for the last year. :angel: Now, I am going to take the extra money that I would have normally put onto my credit cards and make an extra payment into the very exciting and elite----EMERGENCY FUND CHALLENGE! Some people have slacked off diary this last month. I wouldn't name names not even to you diary cause I know they're going to get right back on that saving horse and ride. :toothy:

Now, I am going to plan my day tomorrow so that I am also frugal and don't spend all my hard earned money. Diary I am going to make sure that I bring my lunch to work tomorrow. I know it doesn't sound like much but it really adds up. Could you imagine spending just $5.00 a day at work and you worked 20 days in a month? You easily spend an extra $100.00 a month. That adds up to $1,200 a year. Not to mention all the special coffee's I rarely buy anymore. Like I said I am not even going to mention those. I could have sent my daughter to college on that.

Oh diary, my g/f gave me a book for my birthday, "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Was it a little hint of my former life? Oh, I was never that bad. Talk about queen of denial. :rolleyes: Bill after bill ignored. Calls at home and work about past due credit card bills. Rather then opening one of her bills she throws it away and goes shopping to calm her nerves. Yikes!:eek:

Dear Shell's Broke Diary,
You should be very proud of our Shell! She's doing great!!!!:toothy:

Dear Diary,
I'm saving hard now that a certain person who shall (or is it shell) remain nameless has scared the daylights outta me wit dis Mafia tone!!!!:toothy:

I am using up the freezer stuff as much as possible right now, ditto the pantry. Money to go to the card paying off the bathtub and into the furnace fund.

Goal get them paid off by fall.

So far since I came home only bought veggies, fruit, milk, bread and a bit of fresh fish.

35$ left in the account.

Seriously Shell you are doing GREAT!!!!! (and you are very inspiring!!!!):toothy:

Oh thanks. I am happy I can share my struggles with everyone and repressed anger so that others can have money for a rainy day. :angry:

Be afraid canadian gardener. Be very afraid! :D

:toothy:

dis lady is tremblin wit da fear!!! (or it could be repressed snorts of laughter)

Mmmm. Repressed snorts of laughter that sounds sexy!!! LOL!!

oh I sound awful when I really laugh. I do snort. So embarrassing and decidedly NOT sexy. But dh doesn't mind.

Dear Saving Diary,

I am such a good girl today. I brought my lunch and didn't spend a penny.

Yours truly,

the save-a-holic

Dear Saving Diary,

Yesterday, while I was getting dressed I noticed my old tattered bra. Normally, I would have tossed it out and ran out and bought a new one. Not now saving diary. I am going to make do. I'm going to dust off the old sewing kit and try to fix my bra. I've already mended a lot of my undies (good thing you just read this diary.) :eek: I couldn't imagine having hundreds of people I don't know reading about my tattered knickers!


I am NOT going shopping. I have to stay out of the mall because that is my weak spot. Am I the only person I know that has dreams of going shopping? That is so sick.

The only money I will spend is for mailing a card today. I do remember having a gift cert. for a free coffee. I think I will do that and then get back to that laundry. Oh nothing makes a woman feel complete then doing hours and hours of laundry, cleaning toilets, changing diapers and making her hubby dinner and taking care of the baby 'til she is so tired she can't move.
:toilet: Oh that was sarcasm diary. Sorry. It slips out now and again.

Love you like crazy,

Shell

Dear Shells diary, even though I have the car, I am not going shopping.

I am using a home technique to deal with nasal allergies rather than flonase which is much pricier. Shared it, and may have grossed people out but others may find relief from high prices and pollen season too.:D

Canadian gardener it is the high prices that gross me out!

Dear Saving Diary,

Today I will only buy milk for the baby. I don't think social services would let me cut back in this dept.

Thought of the day saving diary----using less. Less soap in the dishwasher, less soap to wash clothes, less toothpaste, less dish soap, less conditioner. Yes, even less dental floss. I really don't need to pull out that much floss when I am flossing each day. Oh here is a good one saving diary. Why don't I try eating less food? :pig:

So, I am going to try to use less. Really think about what I am doing. If I use 50% less it will last twice as long. We are such a wasteful society.
:rolleyes:

well today I'm vacuuming the house thoroughly. Going nowhere, but

I'm planning my grocery safari for payday which is coming up this friday

so today when resting from vacuuming (I take lots of breaks) I will putter away at menus and look at the sale flyers.

I want to try Lori's (capn clearance) chicken recipe that frugalmel wrote about yesterday. Looks good and I have everything I need except for the lime juice and limes were on sale somewhere.

Menu planning
grocery list building
staying out of stores

that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.:D

Canadian gardener that sounds like a good saving day to me! Us British Columbia chicks are so good.

:cool:

Hello Saving Diary,

Today will be a tough saving day. I am going to the Mall to register for our wedding. :bride: I am also going to buy my Mother's day gift for Mom. Will I be able to control myself? Not sure really.

Yesterday, I was only going to the store to buy milk for the baby . . . $40.00 later. :( Does is count that I found $16.00 in my pocket that I forgot there?

My thought for the day? Try to use up what you already have rather then going out to buy something new. For example, your freezer and pantry. USE IT UP! I read once if you normally go grocery shopping once a week, try cutting back by one trip and make due with what you have in the fridge and cupboard. That will cut back your costs by 25% for the month.

Why not try turning your left-overs into something new? Have a look in all your cookbooks and on the internet for ideas. You would be surprised. :D Some of those left over veggies in the fridge would make a great soup or quiche.

Hmmm dear Shell's saving diary, well another day not spending money around here, blinds up, sucking up sun to heat our furnace less house which is doing fine this way.

planned menus yesterday, got to double check flyers today

dejunking planned, letting go the stuff to the youth at church who are doing a fundraiser.

Less clutter always feels nicer to live in, feels richer somehow.

Going to thaw something for dinner, haven't figured out what yet.

I agree about the using up what you got in the freezer. I've got to work down to the bottom right now, in order to make room for the summer bargains on berries, and the veggie patch excess.

A friend phoned, gas just went up another 20 cents a litre to 96 cents. Which is just under 4$ a gallon. EEEEE

it's enough to give one the frugal shakes!

Oh I know I am not eating enough when you said "frugal shakes" I pictured a big strawberry frugal milkshake. I am hungry. :bang:

Dear Saving Diary,

I didn't buy any clothes at the mall yesterday. :toothy: I am also being so good today and not spending one penny. I brought my lunch to work. Great feeling!

Hi Saving Diary,

Today, I am also not going to spend any money. I was thinking of the old saying, "small leaks sink big ships." Isn't that true though. If we don't pay attention to the little bits we spend here and there they really add up. Suddenly, we wonder where did all our money go? A coffee here, a lipstick there. We can easily piddle away our paycheques on very small things and not even be aware of it.

The solution? Well, some people keep a journal of everything that they spend. So that they are really aware of where the money is going. Other people, work on the envelope system and when their cash is gone it is gone. Or are you an emotional spender? You've had a bad day and head to the mall. Something to really think about. :confused:

I was just talking to someone about one very frugal and loving word . . . sharing. Sharing what you have and your friends sharing with you. You save a lot of money plus it makes a lot less junk at the dump.

For example, when I had my baby my g/f brought over bags of clothes and shoes. Co-workers gave us a tricycle, books and videos for our baby. What thoughtful people. And now I am boxing up my mat clothes and baby clothes for my niece for "one day." Clothes that I don't use anymore are donated. Sharing. It is a very frugal and thoughtful word.

Originally posted by Shell
Hi Saving Diary,

I was thinking of the old saying, "small leaks sink big ships." Isn't that true though. If we don't pay attention to the little bits we spend here and there they really add up. Suddenly, we wonder where did all our money go? A coffee here, a lipstick there. We can easily piddle away our paycheques on very small things and not even be aware of it.



That is so true, I find myself spending a little here and little more there, then I wonder where all my $$ went. I'm trying to stay away from the mall to help with this problem!

Dear Saving Diary,

I am happy to report I haven't spent any money today. Darn rights I shouldn't on Mother's Day! :D I am planning on being good tomorrow as well. I will bring my lunch to work. Summer is coming and I am trying to make do with what I have. With all this money I am not spending it looks like I will be able to easily make double payments into my emergency fund.

Canadian Gardener...what was your allergy solution...dh has HORRIBLE hayfever but is unable to swallow pills! I don't care how gross you may think it is...TELL ME please!!!

Oh Graci it's washing out the nasal passages with a warm water solution (tiny tiny pinch of baking soda and salt added). I did a thread over in Apothecary on it with exact directions.

After washing out the mucous (sorry) which is loaded with pollen, you swab a little vaseline on the inner nasal membranes and kind of squish it around a bit.

It isn't 100% but it sure helps.

What it does is remove a ton of pollen out of the nasal mucosa where it's trapped against the "skin" on the inside which is a mucous membrane. The allergic rhinitis is happening right there.

When the pollen is washed out, and you put a PROTECTIVE LAYER OF VASELINE on, what happens is the vaseline sits at least a few hours between your dd's nasal mucous membranes and the pollen grains.

Giving a chance to recover.

The other things that help are extra doses of Vit C. DD and I take a 500 mg tablet (or two depending on how bad it is) with each meal till we hit the happy point before the excess Vit C gives the runs (some people it's as low as 2 grams a day) and just enough to help.

In spite of that, dd needs Allegra to help but this works a lot like Flonase, at a MUCH lower price.

REPEAT washings twice or more a day. AS needed when the itchy feeling startes to rev up again. Morning and night work really well when the pollen season is on.

HTH

Well it has been days and days frugal mama's and I haven't spent any money. I don't even have the shakes. I am also planning on staying home tomorrow to do laundry so I should behave myself tomorrow as well. How are all the savin' mama's doing out there? :cool:

This saving mamma (another Canadian you'll notice) is saving her little heart out. I'm using up, wearing out, making do or going without.

I'm finding areas that I never thought were possible in saving and I'm finding ways to also make money. Thats even better because as I make the money, I know that it won't be spent on frivilous things.

Now tomorrow is going to be interesting Shell's diary, because were suppose to get snow. So out will come those heavy sweaters again, because this canuck refuses to turn the furnace on in May.

Thats about all for my savings report. Diary, that Shell sure is doing great.

Dear Saving Diary,

Poor homesteadmamma, she is going to get more snow. I have another friend who lives in Alberta who is also talking about snow. I won't mention what it is like in British Columbia right now. :angel: (Oh, that was hard not to mention our weather.)


Today diary, I am not going to spend any money and I am going to dust off my old, "Tightwad Gazette" book and brush up on some frugal ideas. She originally inspired me to take better care of my money. I will confess I don't want to go as far as she does in a lot of areas but she also has a lot of wonderful ideas on stretching your dollar and I enjoy her great sense of humor. We work very hard for our money and we should learn to be wiser with our purchases.

Chat with you later diary,

Shell

Dear Saving Diary,

I've been re-reading my "Tightwad Gazette" book and in just a couple of pages I feel re-inspired. Here are some of the ideas that I really like:

-When you make more money don't spend more money, you are used to living without it. Take that raise or promotion that you got and save it! I am doing that, I am putting my extra money into my emergency fund account. Good girl Shell! :angel:

-Re-use what you already have. Now she re-uses baggies and tin foil etc. I am working on digging out my old clothes this summer instead of buying a new wardrobe and I am trying to use my tupperware instead of disposable saranwrap or baggies.

-Bring your lunch to work and remember it is also what you put in your lunch that determines the price. Prepackaged food is very expensive. Try more homemade food. Egg salad sandwich and veggies with homemade cookies etc. OK, I've been bringing my lunch to work but I could make my lunch for a lot less. I'll work on that.

-"Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants." Great saying. I think I have a lot better control on emotional spending.

-Dryer sheets. In the old days when I was single I gave up dryer sheets. DH insists on them. OK I use them but I now re-use them over a few loads of laundry.

-Laundry. Well, I go to the drycleaners a lot less and I hand wash a lot of my clothes now. I could air-dry some of my laundry though. Hmmmm.

Love ya,

Shell :paw:

Dear Saving Diary,

Well today I have to go grocery shopping. What did I do? I got organized. I went through the fridge, freezer and pantry and made a mental note of what I already have. Hmmm beef in the freezer, ginger, snap peas in the fridge and rice in the pantry. There's one dinner. I'll make a great low-fat stir fry. What else? Ground beef, onions, beans and potatoes oh I'll make dh a nice meatloaf. Well I did this a few times and it really kept my my grocery list quite small this week. USE IT UP AND BE
CREATIVE. :D

I was checking out the "Tightwad Gazette" again. Here is an idea I was talking about earlier . . . seeking the minimum level. This is also known as, how low can you go? When I first learned to do laundry I read the laundry detergent box and put in a full cup into my washer. :mad: Yuck! It sometimes left little spots of detergent here and there plus that was a lot of soap. I kept using less and less soap and now use HALF of what the box said and the clothes are just as clean and no soap spots. Please also note my laundry detergent was bought for buy one get one free as well. So my point? Try using less. A lot of times we just do things out of habit when using a lot less works just as well and will save you tons.

Also, as mentioned before learn the art of leftover wizardry. Some people put an ice cream bucket in their freezer and throw in leftover remnants like sauces, bits of meat and veggies and make a great soup out of it. Try taking your left-over to work for lunch. Have a smorgasbord night. You just thaw a variety of left-overs and line them up and let your family choose. Now my fav, leftover wizardry. You perform a feat of magic, transforming leftovers into a completely new dish. The more skilled you become at this craft, the more types of leftovers you combine to make a single culinary sensation. Have you seen "The use it up cook book?"

Well have a great saving day,

Shell

Good news saving diary,

I went to the grocery store and after carefully checking what I already had in the kitchen and looking for sales my groceries came to half of what I normally spend. :curtain:

See you later,

Shell

Morning saving diary,

Something I was thinking about this morning, "know your weakness." For example I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry." That is so true. I have a weakness for clothes, shoes, books and dishes. Phewwww. That's a lot. What works the best for me? Stay out of the mall. Plan other things.

I also find going through my closet once in a while and seeing if I can do more mixing and matching. I like it when I take diff. items and think of a new outfit or look. The basics really go a long way. Black blazer, pants and skirt. White blouse and t-shirt. Add a couple of sweaters and voila a whole bunch of diff. combinations to wear. And let's not forget jeans.

So, what is your weakness when it comes to shopping? What do you do to avoid this? :confused:

Howdy saving diary,

I am going to work the late shift tomorrow. I am going to bring my lunch, snacks and dinner so I don't spend any money other then paying a bill.

I did spend some money on diapers and flowers for the garden. I made sure I brought my coupons. :toothy:

Savin' like crazy,

Shell

Good morning saving diary,

What a beautiful day!!! I love spring.

I was looking through my TW Gazette again last night for ideas for being more frugal and came across this:

-Getting clothes for your children years ahead of time. Your friend might give you some hand-me-downs or you go through the thrift shops. Divide them up by size and label them. I do have about three boxes already saved for Madison. Boy, will this save me a lot of money. A lot of her hand-me-downs look brand new. A couple had spots but I managed to get out most of them. :angel: Oh btw, the TW Gazette has a recipe for spot removal has anyone tried it?

-I think it is great how she has slashed her food bill. Everything doesn't come from the grocery store. She gardens, preserves, keeps a price book, bulk buys, eliminates nonnutritious foods like pop (dh would kill me), eliminates convenience foods, chooses less expensive food like the cheaper tuna etc, buys generic, marked down foods, coupons (she seldom uses these), cuts back on meat dishes, portion comparison, free food (garden surplus from neighbours, wild berries etc.), food from scratch, maintaining an optimum weight, waste nothing. She doesn't buy toothpaste and tp at the grocery store usually she looks for sales a dept store etc.

I was looking over her weekly menu and noticed her dinners are just nice and simple. Some of the food she grew or she uses her homemade shake and bake recipe. She also makes homemade granola and homemade pizza. Wow! Where does she find the time? :toothy:

Does anyone out there want to share with us how they slash their grocery bill?

Ta ta for now,

Shell

Oh hi saving diary,

I forgot to mention, I got a clothes cataloge last night. Oh I was so tempted to order a couple of outfits. I was brave this morning and threw it in the garbage.

Ok got to go,

Shell

I went to the bank this morning to double check my account and whoa :eek: I had money in my account for a change plus I also put $200 away in my emergency account. This saving diary is really working for me. If anyone wants to join right in with me please feel free. I am glad to have some company. :toothy:

Good morning saving diary,

Great start to my day, I lost another 5 lbs! :angel: I am working half a day so I will bring my lunch with me. I have to pick up milk but that is about it.

Bye!

Guess what saving diary?

I checked out 3 garage sales today. Spent three dollars and got some nice things for my daughter.

Three whole dollars!

Morning saving diary,

I was looking at the TW Gazette again last night and was looking at the article about cheaper breakfast food. Now, keep in mind that this book was written a few years ago, but here are some prices for different breakfasts:

cornmeal mush 4 cents
bulk oatmeal 5 cents
2-4 inch scratch pancakes 6 cents
2 scratch muffins 7 cents
1 egg & 1 slice of toast 11 cents
cream of wheat 21 cents
2 ounces of fruit loops 42 cents (and who only has 2 ounces---not at this house!)
2 pop tarts 82 cents

I didn't include all her prices but it gives you an idea of how much costs go up.

I know I've been talking about using up what you already have . . . don't forget the old trick about extending your lipsticks. Add some petroleum jelly. It makes a great lipgloss. Some people nuke it for a minute after stirring it.

Here is a quote you might like:

That most of us are considered poor is no disgrace, but does us credit; for, as the mind is weakened by luxurious living, so it is strengthened by a frugal life.

Minucius Felix.

Ta for now,

Shell

Hi saving diary,

Just to let you know, I am being a good girl again and not spending any money. I brought my lunch and my snacks to work.

Chow,

Shell

Hi saving diary,

Today will be a tough day. I have to go to the mall and buy my Mom a gift and pay a bill. I WON'T use my credit cards! I WON'T!

edited: I DID NOT use my credit cards at the mall today! :angel:

Good morning saving diary,

Today will be another non-spending day. Next month, I should keep track how many days I didn't spend any money. Today is my laundry day, so that will take up most of my time and I won't go shopping. I like the old saying (I think it was Ben Franklin) "the best way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket." :angel2: So that is what I'll do!

So today, I will not spend any money.

Dear saving diary,

I've been bad the last couple of days. :ache: I've spent too much money and now this weekend we are fixing up the yard. :bang: I need a spanking or maybe Guido could over to my house and have a talk with me. :box:

The good news is I haven't used my credit cards. :angel: I will smarten up.

Heavy sigh.

Hi saving diary,

I wasn't as frugal this last week or watched my diet very well this week but I am not going to give up. Just start a new day watching my diet and watching what I am spending.

Never, ever, ever give up. :angel:

Hi there saving diary, (she said sheepishly)

I've been writing to you for almost a month now and I was doing great the first couple of weeks but . . . this last week I blew it. :(
But, today is a new day and I am staying in the house cooking, cleaning and doing laundry so I should be able to behave myself.

My plan was to write to you saving diary for a month to help me keep on track. I also re-read the TW Gazette. My credit cards are paid off and now I am making double payments into my emergency fund. So even though I had one bad week, over all I am doing very well.

Well, back to laundry. :paw:

Morning saving diary,

DH took the car so no spending today. It is almost payday and I am excited about putting another deposit into the emergency fund. I am excited about saving. Wow!

I read if you do something for long enough it becomes a habit. I am glad that I have tried to focus on positive things and having the habit of:

-paying off my credit cards every month
-putting money into an emergency fund now TWICE a month
-staying out of the malls (most of the time)
-bring my lunch to work
-putting money every month into my retirement fund
-stocking up when things are on sale
-keeping the heat down or turned off
-hand washing instead of drycleaning
-hand-me-down's (for me too!)
-borrowing and lending to the neighbours rather than buying something you might use once or twice.
-take care of your things so they last longer
-mending your clothes

Some new ideas I've been thinking about is getting to the library or at least the used book store. Going to the thrift store. Keep telling myself use it up, make do or do without! Make more food from scratch.

Here is something else I've been thinking. I send a lot of birthday cards to people. Now I do e-mail the free ones but I have a coloured printer I should make some on the computer. Does anyone else do this and where do you go? I also need to cut down on how much I spend on gifts. :(