Another month is practically toast. I can't believe it. I never even got around to posting my June budget onto the blog, and I'm working on July. As is my custom at this time in the month, I try to look and see what was a success and what wasn't quite up to custard. Overall, I've had a pretty good month, especially since we took our little vacation and stayed pretty close to our goals. But, as always, I want to do better.
One of my most successful budget months ever occurred in December of 2005. We were saving for Hoot's first trip to Disneyworld in January 2006 and it was going to be tight. It was also my first holiday season to have an active toddler in the house. I was very concerned about time and money. By mid-November, I had devised a calendar of dinners for the entire month of December. You could see what was for dinner every single night of the month, and if you switched worksheets, you could see the weekly shopping list that was attached. If a recipe was new, the notation on the date told me where to find the recipe.
Ah, it was bliss. It did take me quite some time to make my "master plan" but it was well worth it. I didn't get overly excited about making every meal budget and I didn't clip a single coupon or search a single weekly ad. I made a point of having dessert several times a week, and I made two "open in case of dinner emergency" envelopes that held a twenty dollar bill each. Heck, I even bought a bottle or two of wine. Yet, the entire month ran like clockwork and I was completely blown away by how much money we saved.
So, I am toying with doing the same thing for July of this year. I have three days off next week and I am seriously considering it. I know that when I am in a pinch for time, I hate going to the store. I also start rationalizing the drive-thu. Bad, bad Susie.
Think it sounds cool, but you don't know where to start? One of my saving graces is this website: Menus4Moms. They only list five meals each week, but it gives me some great ideas. I also like that you can pull up the shopping list for each week and their archives give endless possibilities. I find myself at this website often and there are others out there if you search around a bit.
Overheard at the bookstore:
Two patrons were playing a demo of a board game that is similar to a word search with a Scrabble board.
I am not giving you points for that.
Why? It's a word. Give me my points.
No way, that's disgusting.
Whatever, it's not like you don't have one.
Still not going to do it.
R-E-C-T-U-M, that's six letters, give me my points.
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