The hardest struggle right now about starting out on my budget journey is I am finding a lot of wants. I am trying to really think about purchases now and moreover, is it a want or a need. Do I want it because I think everyone else has one or do I really need it to survive? If I really want an item, can I find an alternative that is within a lesser price range that will satisfy that want? How will I use this item and how long do I think I will be "happy" with it? That is usually a tough one for me. Once I buy something, will I be happy with it a year from now, six months from now and when will I want a new one to replace this one? I am really starting to think about purchases and why I think I want it.
There are some simple needs that I do not question as much - food, gas in the vehicle so I can get to work and back, truck payment, student loan payments, vehicle insurance and some clothes/shoes/vitamins/even makeup. Most of these items need to be obtained or paid and I have no question on "Do I need or want this?" Some items like clothing and shoes I may delay so that I can save up for them or may even know if they are going on sale so that I can get them at a better price.
I think that because I am trying to think more of why I am purchasing something I can think about saving for it or do I really need that item at that price. Is this a "growing pain" in my budget planning? Am I thinking more and trying to make better decisions or am I just over thinking myself to death? At least I am thinking where as before, I would just make impulse buys and then later regret them. I am seeing some growth in some areas and need to grow more in others. It is a start, no matter the "growing pains."
Jennifer
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Meal Planning and Money
I have been asking some friends on Facebook about whether or not they do meal planning, the reasons why and how do they do it. Some seem to be focused around buying food to last between paydays for the families, some probably buy a little extra of what is on sale at that time to last a bit longer to help plan meals and then there is me, who did the quick easy fast food dinner. I am to the point that I cannot keep doing that and really need to change my habits. That means cooking at home. Even cooking some extra so that I can take for lunch the next day at work. Will this mean I start saving some money though?
For example, tonight I did a version of "Hamburger Helper" for dinner. I had one pound of buffalo meat, one can of pasta sauce, some spices and some wheat elbow macaroni. Smells really good. For the three people here in the house, it is surely enough for dinner tonight and some tomorrow for lunch. So, it is about $12.00 for all this food. For that much, we would not have gotten our money's worth at the local drive through. Certainly not enough for three to eat tonight and for tomorrow as well. Is it worth it? Yes, I think it might be. No waiting in lines, I know who made my food and what was put in it and the taste? It is good.
I am sure that by eating a little healthier is gonna cost a tad bit more. I had bison meat instead of regular hamburger. There is the reason the the cost is a little more. Bison is not as cheap as hamburger meat but I like the taste and it is a bit leaner. Husband does not like wheat pasta so much but this elbow pasta made from wheat is pretty good. I like the taste and it is a bit healthier for us. The spices helped make it a bit better by adding some flavor but not so hot.
"Hamburger Helper" it is not. Homemade it is. I can change the flavors next time if I want - add alfredo sauce, use spiral noodles instead of elbow noodles.
Okay, back to the menu planning. If I buy enough of some things on sale, can I plan meals at home and save money? I think I might be able to do this. Here is to hoping that I can get started on this little way to save money.
Do you have any tips, hints or helpful things you do to meal planning at home? Let me know!!
Jennifer
For example, tonight I did a version of "Hamburger Helper" for dinner. I had one pound of buffalo meat, one can of pasta sauce, some spices and some wheat elbow macaroni. Smells really good. For the three people here in the house, it is surely enough for dinner tonight and some tomorrow for lunch. So, it is about $12.00 for all this food. For that much, we would not have gotten our money's worth at the local drive through. Certainly not enough for three to eat tonight and for tomorrow as well. Is it worth it? Yes, I think it might be. No waiting in lines, I know who made my food and what was put in it and the taste? It is good.
I am sure that by eating a little healthier is gonna cost a tad bit more. I had bison meat instead of regular hamburger. There is the reason the the cost is a little more. Bison is not as cheap as hamburger meat but I like the taste and it is a bit leaner. Husband does not like wheat pasta so much but this elbow pasta made from wheat is pretty good. I like the taste and it is a bit healthier for us. The spices helped make it a bit better by adding some flavor but not so hot.
"Hamburger Helper" it is not. Homemade it is. I can change the flavors next time if I want - add alfredo sauce, use spiral noodles instead of elbow noodles.
Okay, back to the menu planning. If I buy enough of some things on sale, can I plan meals at home and save money? I think I might be able to do this. Here is to hoping that I can get started on this little way to save money.
Do you have any tips, hints or helpful things you do to meal planning at home? Let me know!!
Jennifer
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hurricanes and Debt
This past weekend Hurricane Irene made her way through the East Coast. Since I live on the East Coast, it was a big deal. The normal things during such events happened - batteries, water and some food was scarce at the local stores, gas stations were getting REALLY low on gas and people were just in sort of a heightened state of awareness. Panic for some people did set in.
Being in debt and having a hurricane come near where you live can almost be similar. Just follow my logic here. Someone will understand me out there!! When you finally realize that you just cannot stay in your current financial state, you may start to feel a lot of things. Panic may be one of them. "Oh my gosh!! What do we do?! We have to do something!! Now!! We have to do it now!!" You may even start doing some research on how to prepare yourself for getting out of debt. You will probably find that you get so many different ways to start reducing your debt, get on a budget, eat less meat, shop on a budget and so on. It will seem like watching the different local channels during the hurricane - they all have advice, predictions and updates and all of them are slightly different. Where do you start?!
It has been a little overwhelming on my end, to tell you the truth. I have found different websites, books, authors and every day people who will give you advice for getting out of debt, getting on a budget and getting back on track with your life. The one thing that is helping me is cutting back on who I get my information from and how often. I check about three different websites/blogs on being frugal. I also am reading a book but I am going to limit the authors that I read to about three. One of those authors is Suze Orman and I am currently reading her book "The Money Class." I will try to post some on this book but so far, I am just getting into the book. I also want to learn a bit more from Dave Ramsey. He seems to have some success dealing with money. I have not gotten a book of his yet but I do plan to read some of his books. If you have a suggestion on which to start with, let me know.
So, in giving some advice on this one, find people you trust, people who tell you the truth and people who are honest with you about everything. Do not worry yourself crazy if you are not following different people and how they have dealt with money. Find a plan that works for you and your life. You may even want to include your family in on it. Have a clear plan and maybe even some wiggle room if things do not go exactly how you planned it. Also remember that this is new to you. It is new to me!! If you fall down or stumble on this journey, get back up, learn, really learn from why you stumble or fell and keep going. We will be okay. Just go and do not let others stop you!! Take control of this!! We will win. I am determined to do this!!
Being in debt and having a hurricane come near where you live can almost be similar. Just follow my logic here. Someone will understand me out there!! When you finally realize that you just cannot stay in your current financial state, you may start to feel a lot of things. Panic may be one of them. "Oh my gosh!! What do we do?! We have to do something!! Now!! We have to do it now!!" You may even start doing some research on how to prepare yourself for getting out of debt. You will probably find that you get so many different ways to start reducing your debt, get on a budget, eat less meat, shop on a budget and so on. It will seem like watching the different local channels during the hurricane - they all have advice, predictions and updates and all of them are slightly different. Where do you start?!
It has been a little overwhelming on my end, to tell you the truth. I have found different websites, books, authors and every day people who will give you advice for getting out of debt, getting on a budget and getting back on track with your life. The one thing that is helping me is cutting back on who I get my information from and how often. I check about three different websites/blogs on being frugal. I also am reading a book but I am going to limit the authors that I read to about three. One of those authors is Suze Orman and I am currently reading her book "The Money Class." I will try to post some on this book but so far, I am just getting into the book. I also want to learn a bit more from Dave Ramsey. He seems to have some success dealing with money. I have not gotten a book of his yet but I do plan to read some of his books. If you have a suggestion on which to start with, let me know.
So, in giving some advice on this one, find people you trust, people who tell you the truth and people who are honest with you about everything. Do not worry yourself crazy if you are not following different people and how they have dealt with money. Find a plan that works for you and your life. You may even want to include your family in on it. Have a clear plan and maybe even some wiggle room if things do not go exactly how you planned it. Also remember that this is new to you. It is new to me!! If you fall down or stumble on this journey, get back up, learn, really learn from why you stumble or fell and keep going. We will be okay. Just go and do not let others stop you!! Take control of this!! We will win. I am determined to do this!!
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