Move Along Little Shopper

It's been almost a month since I last posted an update to my journey. I have been to the commissary twice in the last month. The first time, I spent $20 (found some great items to stock up on at a great price, so I went for it).

The second time, I left my pen in my father's car. He dropped me off and ran an errand, so I shopped along, penless, adding and subtrscting in my head as I went.

If something was $1.39, I'd simply round it up to $2 to factor in surcharge and panic mathmatics.

I ran my grocery bill $39 into the negative. They paid me $39.

Oops.

So, for the year, I'm ahead, or in the negative, depending on your perspective.

I also have decided to keep the bank account we use for eBay and use it to deposit rebate checks. Medsurveys has been asking me to do surveys with increasing frequency and that $125 for thirty minute survey check is a nice way to fluff up that account.

We had a windfall last week as my husband was hired for a GREAT paying job that will increase our yearly income by another $40,000 in addition to what the two of us were bringing in.

Our Dave Ramsey journey is kicking into overdrive. If all goes as planned, we'll be through with Baby Step 3 in August.

I now have enough toilet paper to last 6 months, paper towels for 6 months, razors for longer than I'll be on this planet, and enough lotion to soothe an elephant's itch..... make that enough for a whole herd!

We're still trying to use up all that meat in the freezer. My challenge is to come up with new, delicious meals using what we have.

At the end of June, we'll have a biannual family budget meeting to see if we're on track and vote to see what changes we need to make.

I want an inground swimming pool with raised attached jacuzzi and AMAZING outdoor living area.

I also want to renovate the master suite/great room/patio area, which might make sense as they are all on the back of the house too.

So we need to get some contractors in to figure out which we do first and how much it will cost.

Becoming debt free has been a spiritual journey and the freedom it has generated in our family has been powerful.

I'll keep at it! And I'll keep writing about it!

More than Enough?

   Dave Ramsey has a book out titled More than Enough. It makes me wonder "how much do I need?"

   Tough question. While I often joke about gluttony, there is a fine line between shopping the way I do and out right gluttony.

SO how much do I need?

I reorganized my pantry, freezers, storeroom, even household cleaners, bathrooms, refrigerators, and spice cabinet. Yes, refrigerator is supposed to be plural.

I tossed out items that were expired, loaded a box of unexpired items I KNOW we would never use. I cleaned and organized. I even made an inventory.

Do I really want to clutter things again after my hard work?

No. So I'm determined to use http://www.allrecipes.com/, enter ingredients I have on hand, and create menus from that.

Any perishables I need during this time, I willo get using overage coupons.

At the end of December 2010, if I've succeeded, then I will take the $400 per month we have budgeted for food, and I will book a GREAT family vacation with it.

Thank you coupons. I'm inspired and excited to see if I can do this for a whole year. I've managed two weeks so far!