Things I have learned while Larry in in between jobs Part 2

Monday, March 9, 2015

Things I have leaned while Larry is in between jobs Part 2

Hey Folks,

Here is my continuation of "tightening my budget" thoughts.

5.  CLEANING PRODUCTS!   I have always been a fan of quick and easy cleaning products.  I want to get to it and get through it fast and furiously.  After realizing how much more these quick clean products cost as opposed to the old faithful comet and toilet brush or the old school sponge....I have taken inventory of my piled up products and have begun to whittle the excess away.  Yes....it does take a little longer ...but I feel better knowing I have a clean house without wasting any money on the instant products. ( clorox wipes/toilet bowl disposable cleaners/etc)

6.   SHOPPING/GROCERIES!   As I stated earlier....I rarely go shopping anymore just for the fun of it.  Not really fun when I don't feel I can purchase free and clear.  So....Kohl's and Old Navy will just have to wait. Unless I have my 10% survey coupon for Old Navy and it's about to expire and  we really need something like a replacement shirt....or a gift for someone....

As for groceries:  I have really cut my weekly bill down.  I try to only buy what is needed for the next week and not stock up....unless it is something I KNOW for sure I will absolutely need soon.  But one thing that ticks me off is that the healthier food options sure do cost more than the junky food.  We do try to eat healthy....but it is not fair that it costs you more to do what is better for your body.  That is like a penalty for eating right.  I am committed to staying on the healthy track though.  

And...I try to shop where I will get good bargains for that week:  Kroger gets me fuel points/Target gets me 5% off everyday due to my rewards card, and Walmart has the savings catcher Gift Cards.  So...each week I decide where I will get the best benefit and shop there.  And...Kroger and Target help my granddaughters' schools....so there is an added bonus.  

7.  HAIR PRODUCTS!   I stated earlier that I really have persnickety hair and it takes a "village" of products to make my hair look feminine and not like a boy cut.  I loved the line of Big Sexy hair products because they added so much volume to my hair and made it manageable.  I had stocked up on some of the products before the belt tightening....so some is better than none.  I have found all of my travel sized products and begun to use them up.  Cleaning out all of my travel bags/gym bags of these products has helped me not have to buy anything.  In fact....I was so elated to find a travel set from last Christmas of my Big Sexy  stuff....and I used them with so much excitement....like a little girl on Christmas morning.  Funny how the little things we normally take for granted become so huge!   Just last week....I had to buy some finishing spray....went to Walmart and bought the cheapest volumizer pump I could find.  So far...my hair is adapting pretty well.  

8.  BUBBLE BATH!   I had really become accustomed to Bath and Body Works bubble bath and shower gel....and always looked for sales and just had to use the latest coupons.  I loved ordering them online and I always found a buy- 2- get- one- free offer.  I kept pretty stocked up too on that and the travel size versions.  I haven't even been to one of those stores since last July 2014.  I did order online some Christmas products for gifts....but that is it.  My stock has just about been depleted....so I am now using Village Naturals Bubble Bath....easily bought from Walmart or Walgreens.  

When I was first married....I used dishwashing liquid as my bubbles.....I grew up using Palmolive....as Madge always used for manicures......so I thought everyone did.  And...I was on a budget then...so it made sense to share with the kitchen suppplies.   

I still have a travel size of shower gel....guess I will have to start using the kiddie's stuff.....this is what I have on hand....should be fun using Dora/Jake/Disney Princess/Spongebob all in one.  hahaha  

To be continued........ 

Things I have learned while Larry is in between jobs PART 3

Okay folks....now we are in month 8 of our new adventure.  Larry has been quite busy this month.....lots of contacts/interviews/connections.  Praying for an offer soon.

But....to continue my list ....here we go.

9.  Face products!   I had been using a medical regimen of facial products to help get rid of my sun damaged skin and to make it more healthy.  This started back in 2012.  After we started cutting back I realized that I couldn't really justify the expense of those products.  So....I was able to find comparable items here at home and at Walmart.  Been using those since Jan as I used up the medical ones.  And honestly:   I don't really see a difference at all!   hahaha.  I am also raiding my workout bags and trying to use up those personal items before buying more.

10. My clothes shopping days are on a suspension for now.  I don't even bother to look at ads anymore.  And....those coupons are NOT calling my name anymore.  I have had to just toss em and move on.  I do have a closet full of clothes....so no sense in adding to that.  If we do need something...right now Walmart is the go-to store.  I can get 5% off at Target but sometimes the prices are not good enough for even the 5% part.

11. I love to find surprises!   I have recently found some Gift Cards for eating out.  Yes....they were tucked away in a drawer and I forgot about them.  I think God had me forget about them because He knew I would want to eat out some during the budget time.  This way....we can eat and not tax our budget.  AND....we found out about El Porton's $1 taco Thursdays!   Shut up!   Its a fantastic way to get my Mexican craves without an expensive ticket.  Chips and Salsa are free and the tacos are only $1....crunchy or soft.  I drink water....so last time we ate there my cost of the ticket was $1!   Can't beat that.  Total ticket was 5.25 ish cause Larry had a diet coke.  Of course we do add a tip....so our total bill was $7.  Still that was a huge treat.  I LOVE TACO THURSDAY!..

12. Another way to eat out and not go against the budget is to use birthday money.  I had been saving mine for several years....so this sorta gives me options.  If I want to eat out lunch with a friend (which I rarely do now) I will spend bd money.  Believe me....you learn to make wise choices on eating when you limit your resources.

Well...enough about that....you get the point.  Next blog will be about the praises and benefits of being in between jobs.  Stay tuned.

Things I have learned while Larry is in between jobs.

Hey ...I know it has been awhile...I have a hard time just sitting down and composing my thoughts.  Quick posts on FB/Twitter are easier to do on my phone.
But this idea....I needed a keyboard to capture all of my new found knowledge.
Here goes:

Larry resigned his job April 2014 due to many reasons including stress/health/company changes/relocation/etc.   He worked until July 3 2014 training his replacement and wrapping up his over 20 + years with this company.  From July - Dec we had a partial income since he was doing some contract work.  We quickly got on a tighter budget starting in July.  Sort of reminds me of when we first were married.....we had to LIVE on a budget for many years.

In Jan 2015, the income ceased.  We reassessed and found ways to tighten the budget even more.  Yes....Larry is ACTIVELY looking for a job and has had numerous interviews and sent out a boatload of resumes.  We are confident that God is in control and has everything in His timing.  He has sustained us in every area and our finances are holding pretty good.  Praise the Lord for our savings.

So....here are the biggest things I miss being able to do without thinking a 2nd thought:   treating our children/grands out to eat and buying for the grands when I see something cute.  I have had to restrain myself and just not go mindless shopping.  I am so thankful that my kids/grand kids love me and Pepaw for who we are and not for what we buy them.

So....here are the funny things I have done to help tighten our budget.  It was probably a good idea  to do these things....get rid of surplus and do some cleaning out.  Mind you....I have always been a careful shopper but in the last 10 years I never had to be on a budget.  I will break up my musings into several posts so you won't get bored.

1.  NO STOCKING UP!  I was the kind that always had spares of alot of essentials.  When snow predictions came I was prepared with the TP/paper products/etc.  Not now....I keep on hand just what we need for the week.

2.  REGULAR HAIR PRODUCTS:  My hair is so thin and hard to style that I started using volumizing products to help me get "that look".  That became costly so I scoured the house and found all bottle of shampoo/conditioner/etc and started using them.  I figure that my hair will have to suffer along with the rest of us.

3.  DETERGENT!   Laundry detergent is expensive when you are watching your pennies.  So....I found that I had excess of that on hand and between my home and the townhome I started using it up instead of purchasing the kind I really like.  We survived....and our clothes did have that BABY FRESH smell....since I had a surplus of Dreft and Baby Downy.

4.  DINING OUT!  Our eating out habits were one of the first things to change.  We were used to eating out whenever/wherever we wanted.  Now......it is only because of a coupon to keep our total meal under $10 or if someone else is paying.  Totally different for us....and a little humbling.  We really don't eat out more that once or twice a month maybe.  I have worked towards trying to cook more and keep ahead so that temptation to default to a restaurant is not there.

Well....that is enough for this post.  Stay tuned....there is more to come.
Thanks for tracking with me.