Holidays

The holidays have almost gone, phew. It seems hard to save money during the holidays. We didn't do too bad I had a coupon for a free meal one night we just added a couple salads and made in dinner for five with drinks around 7.00, just goes to show you it pays to read your receipts clearly. :o)

My daughters 18th bday is fast approaching, I know she wants a laptop or a car but we just can't afford those items. I will have to come up with something.

I got a job and will start on Monday just in time seeing how the hubby's job ends this Friday. It will be over $800 less a month then we get now. I am scared out of my mind he thinks we will be fine but I just don't see how. I have cut all the bills back, deferred all student loans. I try to buy cheap meals and we don't drive unless we have too. Hopefully the job will keep me busy and the hubby will control the books well.

I am going to challenge myself to write a letter/post card a week for 52 weeks. Wish me luck. In case I am not back Happy New Year!

dining out

So we usually eat Pizza (Carry Out) 1 or 2 a week. We had some last Thursday 9 Dec for my youngest bday, grandpa and uncle Allen came up. And we didn't have any until today. My husband coach's a U10 soccer team and it was the end of season party so we went and ate.

Let me tell you what a struggle it was for me to not pick up the phone and call in an order, but we made it everyone except Nick the youngest took a turn cooking. I think we are getting better at being frugal,

Christmas sure throws a wrench into things. I guess if i was prepared I could have found things at second hand stores, but to be honest the blog is called looking for the Simple life and it is simple to go to Target and Walmart to shop.

I need to do better my husband will be losing his job at the end of the month we have some savings but not enough.

5 days until Christmas are you ready?

A reader plans 12 freebies on his birthday

A reader plans 12 freebies on his birthday

So my birthday, my husbands and my 17 yo daughter all have are bdays next month. So let me see what I can do.

best way to save!

Stay home! LOL!

You think that's funny but it is true. If I stay home and make do with the food we have then I save money and use up what we have in the cabinets.

cutting back

So I feel bad we really haven't cut back much this week it was Nick's birthday so I bought a cake for $20. and pizza another $20. and of course the $89 DS lite.

I called the cellphone company and cut back on my bill some more I reduced the minutes $20 saved and lowered the data plan to $15 that is a $35. savings. I wish I could cancel it all together but that is a hefty fee.

need to find a way to stop spending as much

I hate grocery shopping to being with but then I try to find ways to save money and it's hard. People say use coupons, buy what's on sale, and get the no name brand.

I try to use coupon but since I usually buy the no name brand it is cheaper that way the items I want aren't always on sale so then what?

It can be so frustrating trying to save money.

Still looking

So for the last 2 weeks, we have been discussing a move to Ecuador (EC). Christina our 17yo will be going to college next fall, that leaves Nick our 12yo. He is pretty laid back and easy going so I think he can handle the move, but can I. I already feel isolated here in ATL and I didn't think I would. I love the idea of having time together to enjoy our lives, but I fear being in a foreign country and leaving the other 4 adult children in the US without us.

All the blogs that I read about EC seem to make me believe this could be the simple life we are looking for. So many things to consider...

1 Can Nick adjust well to a foreign country

2 Can I

3 Will it be easy to find a home as the blogs seem to make it

4 do we keep our dental insurance for Chrissy

5 the pets, what about them

and the list goes on and on

Freebies

This week so far I have received a coupon for free Energizer rechargeable batteries, free trial size Oxy facial cleaner and True Lemon samples. I was really excited about the batteries. LOL

I have decided to start a home business. I hope it works.

Deffered Student loan

Alright so I went to my student loans website and complete an online form to deffer our most expensive student loan $235.00 it has been granted and now we have the extra $235. to use for important things like food. LOL

Saving money is great!

Lowering bills Part II

Alright I got the cable/phone/internet lowered from $120 to $60. YAY! Well I didn't the hubby did.

I want to deffer the student loans but I still have research to do.

Watched one of the shows I miss from cable on line for FREE. Can't beat that. Need to find a way to hook the laptop to the TV.

Lowering bills

Alright I've been gone for a while and really haven't written much but I am back and I am trying to find ways to lower my bills.

I called my car insurance today and got it lowered $75.00 a month how great is that? I think it is pretty good!

I just tried to talk to Cable/phone/internet company and they really aren't willing to budge much. I must find a way to lower that bill. I think I can get rid of my home phone and the cable but I am not sure what the hubby will think.

First day of my new life

So, today I find myself unemployed, I have no where to be at a specific time. I can actually work on the house, where do I start? how do I begin?

I can have the simple life now but I have to learn some new things how to discount grocery shop, how to make things last and how NOT to give into temptation.

Summer break is fast upon us and that means the kids will want to do things. How can I do things on a tight budget? Can I still make summer break fun?

Alright I need to stop delaying, I need to get up, I need to get motivated because today is the first day of my simple life.

Watch I Love Trash | Watch Free Documentaries Online | SnagFilms

Watch I Love Trash Watch Free Documentaries Online SnagFilms

Buying lunch meals vs going out

I figure on average I spend around $6. a day for lunch when I go out to eat. So today I went to the store and bought 3 frozen meals, 2 non frozen, 4 single serve diced peaches, peanut butter crackers, and 5 yogurts. This cost me around $20. So, this week I maybe save $30., but now that I look at all the things I bought this isn't very Eco friendly. All of these items are individually packaged that means lots of trash. I must do better and bring food from home. Any ideas?
BTW I am a vegetarian, more challenges.