Days 4-11
July 9 - 16, 2014
I told you I was going to have to purchase canning supplies and gas for the car this weekend. After I give you the total, you are going to be certain that I have failed in this challenge. I have spent just shy of $200 since my last update. WHAT?! How is that spending less? With the exception of two items, everything spent fell within the guidelines set forth at the beginning of this challenge. Let me break it down for you:
I spent $3.04 at Walmart for a skein of yarn to make a gift for someone, and $2.17 for two large iced coffees at Dunkin’ Donuts (one for me, one for DH) because it was nearby, I have a coupon card that makes it super cheap, and I have a weakness. *sheepish grin*
That brings me to a grand total for the month so far of $198.10. I will still have to buy gas for the car at least two more times this month, and sometime next week I will have to buy dog food. I know it sounds like a lot of money already, but really it’s a lot better than it otherwise would have been if not for this challenge. Several times, I was too tired to cook and would rather have eaten out, but I cooked anyway. Even in the stores I did go into, I saw things I wanted to purchase but didn’t because of this challenge. I did not go to Dunkin’ Donuts the other 4 times I really wanted to this weekend. We are running low on some items that I am trying very hard not to replace right now. I am learning to conserve them, use less, be picky about what I do use them for, etc. One of those items is actually a necessity that I am going to try to make rather than purchasing - but I will leave you in suspense as to what that item is until I see how that turns out. I still have not purchased any groceries either, and we’re still eating “normal” foods (supper last night was roasted, homegrown chicken, rice, and broccoli). I think we’re doing okay so far - especially if I can manage to make what was spent this weekend, be the bulk of what gets spent for the entire month.
I’ll give ya’ll another update in a few days.
Total $ spent so far during the challenge = $198.10
July 9 - 16, 2014
I told you I was going to have to purchase canning supplies and gas for the car this weekend. After I give you the total, you are going to be certain that I have failed in this challenge. I have spent just shy of $200 since my last update. WHAT?! How is that spending less? With the exception of two items, everything spent fell within the guidelines set forth at the beginning of this challenge. Let me break it down for you:
- $84.05 at Walmart for canning supplies, which included a waterbath canner (because continuing to do 4 jars at a time in my stock pot just isn’t efficient), jars, lids for the jars I already have, spices, sugar, and pectin. I’m planning another post for what I’ve made with these things!
- $26.84 at Food City for things Walmart didn’t have (such as dill weed and canning salt - crazy that Walmart didn’t have those, right?) and some additional ingredients for canning projects.
- $42.00 to fill the car’s gas tank
- $30.00 for hay (the goats can’t go hungry, and this will last me several months)
- $10.00 - dill from Trader Joe’s - because it is cheaper there (and better quality!) than at any of my local grocery stores.
I spent $3.04 at Walmart for a skein of yarn to make a gift for someone, and $2.17 for two large iced coffees at Dunkin’ Donuts (one for me, one for DH) because it was nearby, I have a coupon card that makes it super cheap, and I have a weakness. *sheepish grin*
That brings me to a grand total for the month so far of $198.10. I will still have to buy gas for the car at least two more times this month, and sometime next week I will have to buy dog food. I know it sounds like a lot of money already, but really it’s a lot better than it otherwise would have been if not for this challenge. Several times, I was too tired to cook and would rather have eaten out, but I cooked anyway. Even in the stores I did go into, I saw things I wanted to purchase but didn’t because of this challenge. I did not go to Dunkin’ Donuts the other 4 times I really wanted to this weekend. We are running low on some items that I am trying very hard not to replace right now. I am learning to conserve them, use less, be picky about what I do use them for, etc. One of those items is actually a necessity that I am going to try to make rather than purchasing - but I will leave you in suspense as to what that item is until I see how that turns out. I still have not purchased any groceries either, and we’re still eating “normal” foods (supper last night was roasted, homegrown chicken, rice, and broccoli). I think we’re doing okay so far - especially if I can manage to make what was spent this weekend, be the bulk of what gets spent for the entire month.
I’ll give ya’ll another update in a few days.
Total $ spent so far during the challenge = $198.10
