Back on the Wagon

**AmyBoz** · 11-26-2011, 05:53 PM

...and just gave the boys their haircuts, here at home, like always. Not a huge money saver, but a money saver, nonetheless!

**AmyBoz** · 12-17-2011, 01:26 PM

Whoops! I realize it may seem like I took December off from frugality, but I didn't!

I usually get sucked into lots of last minute spending in December, but I'm not doing it this year. The kids two gifts have been bought and hidden for awhile. My parents lists were given and I need to pick up their gifts this week. I think we are going in on a gift for my father-in-law.

I went to Party City and used the credit I had from a Halloween costume return to buy the kids stocking stuffers, which was great. 3 stockings filled for free? Can't beat that!

Dh and I aren't exchanging, but we are doing stockings, so I'll pick up a few little things for that, but otherwise, I think we're good! Still doing great on the groceries and the other spending seems to be under control. There were a few emergencies, but I don't think they broke the bank.

**mauimagic** · 12-17-2011, 02:42 PM

Very impressive Amy!!

**AmyBoz** · 01-07-2012, 08:56 AM

Been awhile, but we're still on the wagon.

The Amex was a bit higher than last month, and that is the result of getting the Christmas presents for my parents and DH's father. We stuck with the gifts we had for the kids and then didn't exchange gifts with each other, so we were proud of that. I also bought gift cards to Walmart for our school secretaries and custodians, without whom, every teacher knows, the school would collapse, and DH bought the people who work for him Best Buy gift cards, and when you add the grandparent gifts with all of these, hence the higher bill for December.

January is looking good, though. I received some gift cards for my birthday, so although the idea was to spend them on myself, I'll probably use them in case we need anything here at home. I did a large grocery shop for the first week in January and am hoping to just have to supplement with fresh produce and milk and cereal for the rest of the month.

I picked up a new piano lessons who will be coming for an hour every other week, which will mean an extra $100 a month for me. This is very good news. I also sold another box of baby clothes on eBay and made $51.00. I have two suits listed on eBay with auctions ending today, but no one is really looking at those.

Anyway, still working hard at the frugality and I'm feeling pretty good about it.

**bee9984** · 01-07-2012, 11:43 AM

Your doing A-W-E-S-O-M-E! WTG

You always were a go getter when you put your mind to it. I love reading your posts, always have.

**Buckeye5** · 01-07-2012, 12:26 PM

I love reading about your journey, gives me encouragement!! Thanks and keep up the good work.

**hmcart** · 01-07-2012, 08:43 PM

I just read this post for the first time. I so need to make an accountability post! You have done well! WTG!

**AmyBoz** · 01-07-2012, 08:51 PM

Feeling great about today.

Took DD to play rehearsal at church, and while she was there, I ran to the library and returned 17 books and 7 movies and took out 15 new books and 6 new movies. On the way home, we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts and used a gift card I got from the student to get a treat for everyone.

Came home, ate and then she and I took the baby for a walk. It's unseasonably warm here, and when we got back, DH and the older two boys were playing football in the front yard. She got a book, I got a book and we read, with the baby, on the front porch while they played.

Came inside when it started getting windy and played Wii sports with DS7, then made dinner. I had leftover chicken breast from a few nights ago that I was pretty sure no one was going to eat. So, I re-purposed it into a chicken casserole. We ate, then DD and I went back to reading and the boys went to the basement to play with toys and the baby played with his toys and DH fooled around on the computer. Around 7, the kids went to the basement to watch one of the movies from the library and I made them popcorn and then put the baby to bed.

I'm now checking in at the village, writing a new blog post, and waiting to put the kids to bed and then DH and I are going to watch a movie.

It's been a fantastic, frugal, fun day. Just feeling really good about life tonight.

**AmyBoz** · 01-16-2012, 12:08 PM

Well, the grocery challenge is just about kaput. I'm almost to my January goal, and I know we'll go over next week.

Still, there are some things I won't compromise on, like fresh fruit. Not sure how else to cut it back.

I listed two lots of baby boy clothes and am hoping to do well with those. Last lot of baby clothes netted my $59.00. So, fingers crossed!

**hmcart** · 01-16-2012, 01:02 PM

We are almost to our grocery limit as well but I kind of figured we would be. Dont give up! Your doing great!

**Cricketlegs** · 01-16-2012, 01:59 PM

I'm all out of grocery money but then I only shop once a month so I do it like that on purpose.

**AmyBoz** · 01-22-2012, 09:23 AM

I sold two more boxes of baby clothes on eBay. Didn't do quite as well as I did with the last bunch, but it was also a bigger bunch last time. After everything is shipped, tomorrow, I'll make $41.71. Love that!