WASTE NOT WANT NOT

Since we started this budget thing. I feel like that is all I think about. Might be good. Might be bad. We'll see. Yesterday as I was paying bills I opened our bank statement. Usually never even open it, I just put in the file. Well, I decided to see what we had been spending on. I added up all the dining out debit charges. Oh my, from 7/25 - 8/25 we spent $352.?? on eating out. That is not counting what we spent using cash, so it is probably more like $400 or more. That might not sound like much to some people but we spend $500 a month on groceries too. That is almost a mortgage payment for some. When I think of all the things that I could use that money for, it just makes me sick that we have been wasting our money like this. Mcdonalds, Chick fila, Arbys, etc were alot of the debits from eating on the run. Not only are we wasting money, we are not eating very healthy either.

We did great this week eating at home and sticking to the menu's I had planned. We had to tweak it a little here and there. Wednesday Scott made hamburger helper and I made him a bowl for lunch the next day and before going to bed I put the taco meat that I had made on Sunday in the fridge to thaw. Well, my boy took the taco meat instead of the hamburger helper to work. He didn't realize it until lunch time. Poor guy, I felt bad for him all day because I noticed it first thing the next morning.

Since I have Monday off from work I will spend some of it cooking up things for the week again. I would like to do at least 3 meals. I could have to crock pots going and something in the oven. It is much easier when part of the meal is completed. I'm not confident on how well complete meals freeze so I need to research some good one pot meals that will freeze well. If you have any recipes, I would love to have them. Forward them to me at pamc001 at centurytel dot net.

I gotta go take my sleep aid and try to get to sleep. I have to be up at 4:45am to be at work by 6am.

Enjoy your labor day weekend.

Blessings,

Pam

QUILTY AS CHARGED!!!!!

This was me at lunch today. Not really me in the photo but you get the hint. I was off in la la land and ran through a red light. I can't believe I did that. I glanced at the car next to me because she was driving slow and then fast, kinda weird. Anyways, I glanced back up and it was red. The police were sitting at the light. Just my luck. Guess how much that is going to cost me?

One hundred thirty dollars yes $130.00! Oh my gosh, why weren't they out chasing some drug dealer or something. This is the big ticket I got.

There goes the extra money I made working a 2nd job this week. Scott and I want to get out of debt completely within the next 3-5 years so we are both taking on extra work or whatever to make extra money. My sister needed someone to cover for a employee that is out sick so I will be working for her a couple days a week until the girl comes back.

I have been researching ways to get out of debt and Dave Ramsey has a great system. We will be starting with the babysteps like getting a $1000 emergency fund set up and then we will focus on debt snowballing. Putting all extra cash towards either the lowest amount of debt or the highest interest rate. As we get 1 thing paid, that payment will be added to the next debt until everything including the house is paid in full. Every piece of financial advise I have read says if you really want to do this and see results quickly you need to get a 2nd job. I don't want to commit to a 2nd job just yet.

I was praying about this last week and asking God to guide us in this endeavor. Later the same day my sister called about needing help. Answered prayer. Isn't that awesome how he works. Some might wish he would just send a couple thousand but I am grateful that he is providing ways for us to meet our goals and honor him at the same time.

I need advice on starting a Etsy shop. Is this a good way to make money? Is it easy? I don't even have a paypal account, is this a simple procedure to start?

What works for you? If you have done it Dave Ramsey's way, I would love your tips.

Blessings,

Pam