When I have a really expensive week I always feel like sort of a failure. It’s then that I have to remind myself there is an ebb and flow to budgets and that when you go over budget one week you just need to take a deep breath and rein in your spending the next.
My phone camera vs The HH’s phone camera
Yesterday afternoon the HH and I went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for our first “date night” of the year to watch the Superbowl. We got rid of our cable last fall and it has saved us nearly $100 a month for something we weren’t really using in the first place. Our bill came to $50 and after the tip we were left with $60 less in our pockets. Going out to eat has got to be one of the simplest ways to cut back on your food budget. And yet there we were happily spending $60.
Funny huh?
Something that would seem like an extravagance to our grandparents generation has become such a common thing in today’s society. It’s kind of weird. But then I remind myself that like many of my friends, I don’t spend $800 a month on groceries. Nor do I spend the extra $100+ a month for cable.
I should STOP STRESSING OUT. And honestly, yesterday at the restaurant, I was happy to be there. Happy to be spending time with my husband doing something different and eating yummy food. LIVE a LITTLE Mavis. That’s what I have to tell myself. Seriously. It’s okay. I am my worst own enemy. I don’t buy expensive clothes or accessories {I’ve spent less than $20 in the last 14 month} I don’t spend frivolously. I should stop beating myself up about it.
Also, I feel like I need a new phone. My iPhone 4 is limping along with it’s broken camera, busted case and outdated software. I’ve been thinking a lot about our grandparents generation lately and if they were alive, what would they think about all this technology. Or more importantly, would they feel the need to spend their paychecks on it. Cell phones, take out, coffee shops, fancy cars, electronic devices, cable, music, e subscriptions to everything under the moon.
The good, easy, simple stuff is cheap. And we all know it. So why are we spending money on it? Is it really enhancing our lives?
Yada yada yada….
Winco $35.03
Even though shopping at Winco is a totally different experience than shopping at one my regular stores here in high maintenance suburbia town, I LOVE Winco’s everyday prices on basic supplies. And that’s why I keep going back when I’m in the Tacoma area. Which I happen to find myself about one day a week these days.
Some of last weeks deals: Green peppers $0.48, avocados $0.78, cucumbers $0.48, pears and apples $0.98 lb, yeast $3.55 lb, almond flour $3.55 lb, dried apricots $2.91 lb, a giant jar of dill pickles $2.98.
Bakery Nouveau $13
I seriously think I could live on tea and pastries.
Albertsons $13.96
And ice cream too. 😉
One of the lunches I packed for the HH last week: Salami, cheese, dried fruit, peanuts and crackers.
Fred Meyer $6.07 after iBotta rebates and Greek Gods coupon
Discounted bread and guacamole… score!
Fred Meyer Shopping with Mrs. HB $7.50
More yougurt {the expiration date it March 23rd} and a free can of soup.
Qdoba $8.46
I talked Mrs. HB into letting me get baby chicks {and her raising them after 6 weeks}, and she talked me into stopping for lunch. 😉 Peer pressure at it’s best. With only $105.98 left to spend for the month… I hope I can keep it together.
~Mavis
- Total Spent This Week $144.02 {Weeeeee!}
- Total Spent in Janaury on Groceries $202.99
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $62.56
- Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
- Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $81.46
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