I have had five no spend days last week tho two of them were because I was under the weather. Adding $25.00 to the challenge for that. NSD's are quite a feat for me.
Also adding $37.50 for coupon savings. Challenge total is $602.50

Funny story... I was shopping at Wally World today and was doing my price matching and coupons and I could feel the lady behind me getting impatient. I tend to ignore people if they're pissy and just act oblivious. After a few minutes her husband told her to calm down and be patient. haha. Most times people are nice and even will ask what I'm doing or how much I save, but not today.

I'm seeing more and more people with coupon binders and such. Being organised is the key. It does take a lot of time but so worth it in savings. With PMing and coupons, I went from a total of $137 to a total of $76. Not too shabby.

That's whats for dinner tonight. Frugal and nutritious. On the stove as I type. Recipe follows...

3/4 cup dry lentils
3/4 cup brown rice
4 chicken bouillon cubes (didn't use that much. not a big fan of salt)
2 tablespoons dry onion ( didn't have any so use fresh)
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon basil
4 cups water
2 tablespoons oil

Bring water and oil t a boil. Add everything else. bring to boil again. reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 45 - 50 minutes. The water will mostly be absorbed. Top with a little shreaded cheese and serve!



On another note a family member was in a car accident last week. Not their fault. They are fine but car isn't. Dealing with insurance people presently. Smooth sailing so far. Adjuster is supposed to call today so we can get the ball rolling with the repairs.

Money is tight until payday so I am making a grocery list from my More with Less cookbook. Many great recipes with whole grains, beans, and vegetables. Meat and dairy are used in moderation so will be healthier also. I hope my two youngest kids will eat it. My oldest will as he likes the healtier things.

My printer went out on me so I am in the market for a lazer printer. Anyone have any sugestions on what I should look for? We have only had ink jet up til now so I know nothing about lazer printers.

Adding $30.00 to the challenge for using an online coupon code, $11.00 for store coupons, and $10.00 for not eating out (2 times) when we wanted to but came home to eat instead.
Total challenge money is $540.00

This past week I saved $6.50 with grocery coupons and $30.00 with coupons Christmas shopping.

Also found a reimbursement check in my glove box for $15.00. I had forgotten it was there....that is so not like me. Anyway it was void after 180 days. Luckily it was day 177.

My challenge total is now $489.00

On another note, my 14 yerar old daughter made a delicious hamburger stew today for lunch. It was a crockpot recipe but she adapted it to stovetop. It was a success. Everyone loved it and that is hard to do in this family. If anyone wants the recipe let me know.

I was checking my savings accounts today and noticed I have $151.44 in my vacation fund left over from last year. I am adding that to my challenge money as that is what my challenge is for.

Also adding $10.95 that I will be saving today with grocery coupons and $112.00 for coins that I rolled today and will be depositing.

Challenge total....$349.39

It has been over three months since I have been here.

I'm going 2 start my $20 challenge now and carry it til summertime. Hopefully it will pay for most of our vacation.

I saved $20 on a prescription for my son using a coupon I found in a magizine. I was deducted from my copay leaving me paying only $10.00 for 100 glucose strips. Yay!

I saved $25.75 at WM with price-matching and coupons, and $9.25 at CVS with coupons and ECB's.

I feel as if money is slipping through my fingers lately so hopefully logging my savings will help keep me more accountable.


Challenge total including the $20 to start with is $75.00. Not too bad for one day....