Made a trip to Aldi today after work. It is pretty convenient from work and I am thinking this is a new habit I would like to start, stopping by every Sunday after work to shop for the week. It just depends on what we will be needing. Sometimes I have to go to Walmart.

I am still also exploring the coupon usage and using coupon mom and Clipping with Carie for Missouri users. Still haven't made the time to do this yet, but I am collecting coupons and checking things online.

Here is a list of what I picked up from Aldi. Thought you might like a price comparison. Since it has been a while since I have been to Aldi, I bought one of a few items for kids and Dh to try.

10 lb russett potato 3.29
18 ct. double roll toilet tissue 6.99
Hoagie rolls 1.69
Whole Grain White Wheat bread 1.19
Skim Milk Gallon 2.21
Shredded Cheddar 12 oz 2.79
Celery 1.19
200ct facial tissue 1.19
Green grapes 2.99
Fudge brownie mix .99
Light Sour Cream .99
Banana's .77
Cinn Crunch cereal 1.69
Corn Muffin Mix .35
6pk light butter microwave popcorn 1.49
Jumbo Flaky biscuits 1.19
Cookie Dough ice cream 2.49
Baked potato chips 1.99
Strawberry light yougart .35
Sour cream and onion potato chips 1.29
Extra virgin olive oil 3.49

They don't list ounces and counts and I am too tired to go fetch them.

Made a lovely roast for dinner tonight with mashed potatoes, biscuits and corn.
Pre made the hamburger to put in my chili for tomorrow night. Going to serve that with corn biscuits. Will leave the chili in the crock pot for the day.

Any advice?? Dealing with DD3, who is about to turn 13. She is a SSPENDER!! Give her $10 and she will immediately run to the store and buy $10 in candy!! She begs constantly for fast food. I have no problem saying no, but it is a CONSTANT thing! DD1 is cheap and frugal, DD2 has expensive tastes, but generally uses her own money by saving it and spending for what she wants. DD3 is a train wreck and I am afraid she is on a bad track. I try to be firm about putting some of her money in savings, and she has about $80 in her savings and does not ask to touch or spend it. Out of sight out of mind works with her. I feel bad that she is generally the one that is left at home with dad every day and does not have any friends that live around us. She is bored.
Sooo, besides trying to teach her to cook (so that she feels more enabled to feed herself, lessening the I want fast food pleas) any other suggestions? She is short on patience, she needs some kind of "baby step" program and some kind of mission or project for the rest of the summer.

Did pretty good this weekend. Stayed at home Saturday and Sunday and cooked dinner both nights! Lasagna and chicken kebobs and rice. Gave at church, but I put that in "regular bills" and not "spending".

7/17
QT gas 30.00
Dierbergs $54.60

7/18
Laundermat 4.75 (dog got sick on comforter!)

7/19 No spender!!

Today should be a no spender too!

Well, we just got DD1 back from Germany and DD3 back from my sisters farm, and now we send DD2 off on a mission trip. Man, it is expensive doing charity work! We spent lots on Off, suntan lotion, and other goodies to try to keep her cool. She will be working on an elderly ladies home, clearing the property and sprucing it up. Supposedly it is covered by weeds and bushes. That mixed with 100 temps and bugs is going to be icky!! They also have "Guardian Angels", like secret santas and we had to buy something to give everyday.

Once this trip is over, we can concentrate on back to school. Luckily, since my kids are older, we do not have to buy many.

7/12
McDonalds 23.46 (Took bbsitting kids)
7/13
Dierbergs 21.72 Groceries
7/14
Target 182.83 Trip/home goods
Walgreens 19.12 more trip
Walgreens 30.00 perscriptions
7/15
Arbys 12.87 pay day lunch treat
JINB 4.07 for DD3 (says she will pay me back >( We'll see.

She was tired!! She had a great time and didn't want to come home! So glad she had this experience. She said she did drink when she was over there, but I told her that was okay to do. She did it responsibly, and she didn't like it! Her souvenirs were simple and nice. Going over to my moms tonight for a little welcome home dinner. Glad I don't have to cook!

Worked both days this weekend at the real estate company. SIL that is living with us is out of town and I am taking care of the 12 cats in the basement. One is diabetic and needs shots twice a day, four others have various medical issues that they must be medicated for. Will have to get up 45 mins. early each day to medicate them before work. She watched our pets for us when we were out of town.

Spending:
7/09
Shop n Save: 29.48 (Getting $20 cash back)
Bunko: $5
Church raffle: $10
7/10
Walgreens: 24.26 (Again, getting $20 cash back)
QT: Lunch/lotto tickets: $18.00
QT: Gas 58.95
Parking garage: 2.50
7/11:
QT: Lunch: $10

Michaels: $12.33 bday gift
Hobby Lobby: $12.68
Petco: $36.03
Shop n Save: $24.00 DD1 prescription

So next up to share is my JCPenny credit card. This is only in my name and I use it for clothes for the family. Of course, first I try hand me downs and garage sales, but it is hard to find the right jeans to fit my DD2 and 3. I am in the rewards club, so I get an occasional free $10 reward. (Based on what I spend).
The total on this card is $1200. It has an astronomical interest rate of around 19.99%. I try to pay around $75 per month and do not anticipate having to use it again for another couple of months.

Spending for 7/7
Chuck E Cheese for bbsitting kids $17.40
Doctor co pay $25.00

That we owe. I thought I would list our debt so you could see what we are paying, whether you want to follow along or say "Wow! She has way more debt than me!" Because of the extensive list, I am breaking it down into categories.

Today I will share our most recent debt, medical bills! Our insurance is 80/20, so with the recent surgery, we have lots!!

Hospital 1: $1458.20 (This one is in limbo as I have requested financial assistance. When I last talked to the lady, she said they are working on Aprils request. I turned mine in the beginning of June, so this one is sitting on the back burner.)

Hospital 2: Current $550.00 Made payment arrangements of $50 per month.

Doctor 1: 227.12. Will pay $50 a month til complete.

Doctor 2: $120.00 currently. Will pay $50 per month.

Hospital for surgeon: $170.00. Paying $50 a month.

Orthodontist: 1034.29, paying $67.50 per month.

Total medical debt: $3509.61 Monthly: $267.50

Feel really nickel/dimed by this, but once some of these get paid off, it will really free up some cash!! I think DD2 will have one more doctor bill coming in.

Spending today 7/6:
Dierbergs: $49.28
Saved $4.75 in coupons!

So for the first few months of the year, I reported what I spent and then set some goals.
Now that the surgery is over and life is back to normal, I am back in business!! So I will start counting as of today 7/5!

Went to Aldi to try to save some money! Just thought you might be interested in some random prices:

Hamburger buns: .79
12 pk of double roll tp: 4.69
Whole grain white bread: 1.29
Tomato juice: 1.29
16 oz shredded cheddar: 2.99
iceberg lettuce: .99
Sour cream: .99
32oz ketchup: .99
Pretzel sticks: 1.29
Olive oil 16.9 oz extra virgin: 3.29
Skim milk: 2.35
Vegtable oil: 1.89

How about the cost in your area?

After I finished at Aldi, I went to Walmart. The egg prices were comparable, but I was able to get an 18 count instead of a 12 count. I like that I can use coupons at Walmart too! Saved $5.10 in coupons. I had to buy some big dollar items like dog food, cat litter, a toilet scrubber and some new dish towels.


Aldi: $73.09
Walmart: 109.41

Already slacking on my New Years resolution by not posting every day!! I will get back on it!

Not too much going on. Very busy getting everything ready so I can go have my surgery!

Will post Febs. totals on Wednesday since I will be out of action starting on Thursday.

2/14
Deals - 5.00 (donation)

2/15
NSD

2/16
Walmart - 26.86 - tolietries
Walmart - 34.22 - donations to GS event

2/17
ALDI - 44.45 - groceries
McD - 9.98 - dinner
Arbys - 7.76 - lunch
QT - 47.14 - gas

2/18
NSD

2/19
Taco Bell - 16.99 - dinner
Walgreens - 15.93 (daughters passport photo and some other misc junk)

2/20
Bread Co. - 15.47 - lunch with DD2

2/21
QT - 23.19 - gas
QT - 6.51 - lunch

Hope everyone has a terrific day! We have lots of snow!

2/14 - 34.00 Shop n Save meds
- 3.54 Shop n Save
- 35.00 Pizza for girls
- 15.00 Outback (We had a $25 GC too)

Lets just say that now it is something that involved the police, but wasn't her fault. I need a shot of something!!! ;p


2/12 - 10.00 Valentines gift for hubby
2/13 - 5.00 Deals for GS project
- 20.89 Pizza Street

So a week or so ago, I posted that I was thinking. I was thinking about two things the doctor told me. 1) I have high blood pressure. I used to have very low blood pressure. Any way, he put me on meds and we will see what happens. 2) I am finally going to get my hysterectomy. I have needed/wanted this for some time. I have fybroid tumors. But I also have extensive adhesions from previous surgeries. Sooo, on Feb. 25th I will go in for the laporscopic (sp?) surgery and if he is unable to do it that way, he will have to open me up then and there. So I won't know until I wake up, which way it went. If you pray or are into sending good karma, all would be appreciated that day!

Still moving very slowly on the car thing. Letting DD1 get a dose of being at the mercy of others for a while!

2/8 - NSD
2/9 - 136.42 Shop n Save
- 48.20 Dollar General
- 18.03 McD
2/10 - 52.93 Gas
2/11 - 54.52 Shop n Save
2/12 - 7.76 Arbys
- 2.77 Taco Bell

Hope everyone has a relaxing fun day whether you are celebrating the Superbowl or not! I decided to take pulled chicken and chicken wing dip. If my vegetarian daughter comes, I will bring rotel dip too. Can't wait to chow down!

Our hotel room only ended up costing $44.61. It was a gorgeous suite and we had an awesome view of the snowstorm! We did'nt really need to go, but it was nice to "get away" and have the whole bed to ourselves minus the pets!!

2/5 - Dierbergs - 11.60
- Arbys - 7.76

2/6 - Gaffneys - 37.61 - DD3 soccer stuff
- Jimmy Johns - 18.68
- Dierbergs - 31.21

2/7 - will be a NSD!!

I made a little over $40 dollars in ebay sales and had my second NSD in a row!

2/4 - NSD!

So I have slacked off the last couple days due to the anniversary!

Now for accountability!

2/1
Walgreens - 3.21 + 20 back for goddaughters bday card and cash to go in it.
Mobil - 53.31 - Gas
Mobil - 11.17 - candy for DH for anniversary
Arbys - 15.24 - lunch after orthodontist

2/2
Walgreens - 9.66 - balloon for DH
Shop n Save - 4.09 + $20 back for casino
Tonys on Main - 60.00 dinner out with DH for anniversary. He put it on his business card, so it did not come out of our account.

2/3 NSD
(I did take daughter to the doctor, but I am not counting in these expenses)

Ready for some pee your pants fun! I am totaling the numbers for January. I have done as instructed by all the money guru's and kept track of all my spending. I have NOT included regular bills, medical (except for medicine) or DH's spending. Here we go:

Eating Out - $262.30
Entertainment - 7.08
Walgreens - 160.75
Gasoline - 158.31 (I drive a lot for my job)
Walmart/Target - 217.56 (This is usually for toilet paper, beauty products, some groceries, pet items, etc.
Misc. - 249.95 (This included stamps, car inspection, lottery, fundraisers, car wash, Petco)
Groceries - 812.63 (Holy crap! That is $203 a week for a family of five!!)

SOOOOOOO...... GOALS
Eating Out - $200
Entertainment - $10
Walgreens - $100
Gasoline - $150
Walmart/Target - $150
Misc. - $150
Groceries - $700

I am not going for miracles here, I am going for accountability and baby steps. Maybe I will beat my goals and maybe I will fail! We have our anniversary and Valentines this month, Superbowl, plus DD3 will start soccer, etc. so misc will be up $100 already! Wish me luck!

running through my head that I still have to chew on before I talk about them!!

So just a report of my spending the last few days. I managed some more NSD's and I have been driving as little as possible to see if I can save on some gas money. Trying to make one tank last two weeks. I don't think I can do it, but I will get as close as I can

1/23 - Pizza 43.36
1/24 - NSD! (Stayed at home!)
1/25 - NSD
1/26 - Arbys 11.85
Walgreens 34.86
1/27 - Walgreens 26.74
1/28 - Dierbergs 159.67
1/29 - Fridays 39.45
- Walmart 61.90
- Taco Bell 7.69

Seems when I have NSD's I don't blog because I don't have to log anything! I had two!

I now have $24.49 to last me till next week, but DH and I both have gas and we have groceries.

My plan is to list a few things on ebay on one day listings to make some quick money.

DH and I have our 20th anniversary coming up. I would like to buy him a gold necklace for it, so I am going to collect up all my old gold and sell the ebay stuff and see what I get.

1/19 NSD
1/20 NSD
1/21 - 12.05 for dinner meeting
66.35 at Walgreens
1/22 - 58.14 gas
120.95 groceries
9.30 book of stamps
5.00 lottery
8.72 McD's

The van passed inspection! Missouri requires safety and emissions and with a ten year old car with well over 100,000, you never know what will happen. We are good for another 2 years!

We bid and won a care car package at the chili dinner the other day. I paid $35 for $100 in car maintenence and a free oil change, plus various other car care items (bucket, sponges, etc.)

1/15 - $35 car care basket
1/16 - $8 gave to girls for pizza
1/17 - $74.31 Petco
$84.23 Shop n Save groceries
1/18 - $10.00 car wash
$36.00 inspection

Whew! Glad that is over. I woke up this morning just wishing I was back in bed and the day was over!

Chili dinner went well, good time had by all. Massive work on my part, all of us busted our booties working it and we made about $150. Don't think I'll do a big food event as a fundraiser again. The trivia nights went well, but again, as the leader, I end up with the major brunt of the work. Our next event will be a Sweetheart Dance the weekend after Valentines Day. For dads or other special guys and their daughters. Since we are getting a DJ hopefully we will have less hassle, just decorations and snacks.

Poor DD3! She was the 6th grade spelling champ and the "bee off" with the 7th and 8th graders was today. She woke up at 3:30am with a headache and 4:00am was getting sick. She was also supposed to go to an overnight sleepover at a hotel with some girlfriends for swimming and movies. (Big thing with the young tweens). She had to miss it all. Not sure if it was the stomach flu or a migraine. Ugh!


1/15
Shop n Save - ice for fundraiser and change $56.37
McD's - 19.49
Gas - 50.00

We have a brand new Aldi (they tore down the old one and built the new one in the same place!!) that I went to check out when purchasing the items for the chili dinner. I know the cost of things has gone up, but HOLY COW! I am amazed! The hot dog buns used to be 39 cents. Then they went up to 59 cents. Today they were 89 cents a pack of 8. Geeze, I can get them on sale at the regular grocery store for 99cents, so big deal! The canned goods are still a bargain, but the salad dressing was no big steal either. The economy has even gotten Aldi. Where now??

1/14
Arbys - 11.59
Walmart - 7.18

Yikes! I hope this lasts a while, although it never does with a hungry DH, three kids, two dogs, a cat, hamster, guinea pig, fish, etc, etc

Also, still getting ready for the fundraising chili dinner Friday night. I am sooo nervous because I have no idea how many people are coming or how much to cook. :x Bought the facepainting stuff for DD1. That is the "booth" she is running. Pray for me, I have bitten off more than I can chew!

1/12
Factory Card Outlet - 39.30
Dierbergs - 224.05

I am remembering to list my expenses, so I am doing good so far this month. I am spending too much, but I am being honest about it at least. Small steps!

1/11
Sonic - 1.14
Taco Bell - 5.05

1/12
Redbox - 1.08

Worked today at the real estate office, then held a fundraiser for my oldest daughters Girl Scout trip to New York. Really a bummer, we only made about $6.50. Won't get us far!

1/10

Skating fundraiser - $18.00
Milk, etc - $5.00

So I was remiss on Thurs and Fri! :-) So I am catching you up on my ever so exciting life (cough, cough)!

Thurs was a snow day and a No Spend DAY!! Woo hoo. We did pay an enterprising teenager to snow blow our driveway, but DH paid out of "his money", so I don't count that for me. DH can not shovel because of his heart and I HATE it as do the girls, so it was easier and faster to give Logan $10!

Friday was back to work. We took DD1 to work and picked her up and then I chauffeured her out because we didn't want her driving in this weather. Bought dinner for her and her friend before dropping them at the movies.

Saturday has been fun. Went to DD2 and DD3's piano recital, then the whole extended family went to Fridays (my moms treat) and then to church. I did run to the store for a few items and flowers for the recital.

1/7 NSD!
1/8 TGIFridays 34.83
1/9 Dierbergs 61.68
Gas fill up 50.17

Not sure we will get all that is predicted, but the kids are tickled. Maybe they will get Friday off too!

I am hoping I get off work too! I don't know if I would get lucky enough for two days off, but fingers crossed!!

I went ahead and did my shopping today, just in case we don't get out for a few days.

1/6
Shop n Save - $100.68
Arbys - $26.00

We're supposed to get a blizzard at the end of the week! We'll see. I don't live in the "Show Me State" for nuthin'!

When they predict these things, everyone runs to the store for bread, milk and eggs. I guess everyones in the mood for french toast! ;p Will keep you posted!

I am going to start doing those feedback surveys on the bottom of cash register receipts whenever I find one. Since I gather my receipts each day to input here, I will just do it at the same time!

1/5
McDonalds - $10.08
Once Upon a Child - $11.83
Walgreens - $28.90 ($20.00 cash back)

Well, it was back to work in subzero degree temperatures. Ugh! The girls go back to school tomorrow. DD1 drives DD2 and I drive DD3, so we eliminate the bus stop.

I am so mad at the bank. When we cashed in the 401K they said there would be a hold on the check. I talked to the bank manager and she waived the hold and I saw the money in there. Now sometime yesterday or today, a hold was put in again, so half my payments are waiting to go out, accuring more interest!! GRRRRR!

Lots of spending today:
1/4
Target - $119.58
Holiday Gift Center - $2.66
Bath and Body works - $8.55

And one return to Macy's for $34.40. What a score. We did a buy one, get one on bras the day after Christmas. I bought two of the same and brought them home and wore one. I did'nt like it, its uncomfortable, so I went to return the other one and she said I would have to return both. Haha. So I told her I would go take it off in the dressing room and give it to her, but she said never mind and refunded me for both any way! Sorry if that is TMI for the dudes!

Worked at the real estate company today. Forgot to turn in my hours last time I worked too, so I turned them both in for this pay period. Only 8 hours at $9 an hour, but its better than nothing.

Stopped by Walgreens on the way to work to pick up some meds for my daughter. Got some clearance candy and chips for lunches this week.

Taking in DH's car for new tires. They are bald. Not sure what the amount will be as he took care of this.

1/3 $32.80 at Walgreens

Saw this movie for date night with DH last night. The tickets were FREE! Did buy a popcorn.

Good movie, kind of depressing. Lots of it was shot here in St. Louis, so fun to look for familiar landmarks. They used real laid off people in the movie too. George Clooney still looks good, but he played the "older guy". Considering he is only a couple years older than me...ouch!

"De-Christmased" the house today. House looks naked! I try to keep it really organized by room. The younger girls helped a lot. Bought dinner for me and the kids after church.

1/1 $6.00 popcorn

1/2 $23.00 dinner out