I got off track.. ;(

**Syn D** · 06-10-2011, 04:13 PM

I have been in a frugal slip...

For the last 2 months things have kinda been hectic (a high school graduation, company, etc.)... Not spending money has been on my mind, but sadly not in my ability.. It cost us $400 to have my inlaws down here for daughters graduation, more if you include the food and utilities and I do... Son moved back from AZ and I gotta work on re-budgeting that in to my budget.. We have our grandson here for our summer visit with him till the end of this month and have (worth the money) done things with him..

Come the beginning of July, I really need to bounce back, cos' it is really frustrating me...

Just a little vent... Thank you for looking...

I did go to St. Louis with our oldest daughter, grandson, and daughters bf.. Only money I spent there was change I turned in that I had been saving sense January, YAY me on that..

**bumplett** · 06-10-2011, 04:32 PM

I think we all know the feeling of slipping off the frugal wagon.

maybe you can find some free/cheap summer things to do with grandson. How old is he?

we have reading clubs at our local library and they have free storytimes all summer. best for ages 2-8ish.

we also have a free movie, free popcorn with a food donation to the food bank, we carry water bottles in my purse - so total cost is only the cost of the donated food.

it's older movies, like megamind, or nanny mcphee, but it's still the great "movie" experience.

**Syn D** · 06-10-2011, 04:52 PM

Thank you!

He is 8.. I am going to check with the discount movie theater here after hubby gets paid and see what they're showing..

I did take grandson to the higher priced theater to see Johnny Depp,, ooooops that was for me

, he went to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean..

Our library doesn't do much and what they do is more for toddler age..

**Russ** · 06-10-2011, 06:15 PM

I honestly think we all have times were we are a bit hand tied and can't be as cheap as we'd like.

**bonnotsm9** · 06-10-2011, 06:56 PM

Here are the bargain movies for the Mid-MO area:
Kids Summer Movies - $1 All Seats!

**shoiji** · 06-10-2011, 07:02 PM

See if there are any free festivals around that your grandson might enjoy. As for another movie night, if you have a redbox near you, you could let him pick out the movie. Then make a big bowl of popcorn at home and enjoy the movie.

Do you have a tent or borrow a neighbors tent and let him camp out in the back yard, maybe your son would be willing to "camp" with him. I know it is hot now but even a small barbeque going and for dessert you can roast some marshmallows.

Even something like a water ballon toss/fight would be fun. Fortuantely 8 year olds can still have fun just with their imagination and a stick. lol

**bumplett** · 06-10-2011, 08:07 PM

I totally agree that 8 yr olds are still young enough to have a blast on their own. Camping in the yard with a fire to roast marshmellows!

Fishing.
hiking any trails in the woods.
playing in the sprinkler.

**Debbie-cat** · 06-10-2011, 08:56 PM

We all slip once in a while, just glad to see you are getting back on the wagon.

**NikoSan999** · 06-10-2011, 10:06 PM

Life happens...and we only have one.

Come July, pick yourself up, dust off your jeans and get off and running again. You're also making some memories there so don't kick yourself to hard.

**Syn D** · 06-10-2011, 10:28 PM

Thank you all!!!

All post are much appreciated...

**Palooka** · 06-10-2011, 11:25 PM

Just wanted to say it's good to see you back!

**Dutchie** · 06-12-2011, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Just wanted to say it's good to see you back!

Me too.

Nice to see you again!!

**Cricketlegs** · 06-13-2011, 02:54 PM

This may sound dull and boring but when my kiddos were younger I would pull out a huge puzzle. My neice would come over and my dds best friend. We had ages 4- 17 and me(I am not saying my age!) working that puzzle and laughing.

The kids talk about how fun that summer was and you know what we need to do that again!!

We also would have movie marathons with virgin mixers lol and lots of dollar store cookies, candy chips and rotel!

All the kids would just sack out.

SO much fun.

One night at 2am we snuck out of the house and went to buy another movie from Walmart and sneaking back in I stepped on one of those huge slug worms. My dds still rib me about that one but my dh never caught us.

Now we have the dang alarm system! LOL!

Such great fun and memories lol!

**nodmicks** · 06-13-2011, 03:22 PM

Syn I'm right with you! Maybe we need a back on track thread

We did tons of spiffing up to the house, had out of state company,replaced a rotted floor, had a few emergencies and had a grad party over the last few weeks.

I am seriously appalled how much we spent! Now the rotted floor, the lawn mower repairs and the car issue couldnt be helped but the lack of time had us seriously spending on convenience. We drained the EF almost!

Here is to us both getting back on track in July!

**Syn D** · 06-13-2011, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by nodmicks

Here is to us both getting back on track in July!

Fingers crossed...

My back on track actually will semi start this Wednesday, by readjusting my food budget back to 2 months ago when I was doing good.. My hubby only gets paid once a month, so this check is the start of my beginning of July.. The rest has to wait till July 15, due to having to take grandson home at the end of this month, all spare money will go to that..