Living Inexpensively in an Expensive World

Welcome back!

Let’s face it, in today’s economy it is an understatement to say that “living is expensive”. Just recently, my husband and I did our budget trying to determine ways to save and ways to pay down debt. The way that we worked the budget this time around, we discovered that his entire paycheck goes to “necessities”, mortgage, insurance, groceries, gasoline, propane, electricity, water, sewer, you get the point. Next to none of his paycheck is left for “extras” or for “debt reduction”. That’s where my income comes in.

That’s also where living “inexpensively” or frugally comes in. I have tried many times to be “more frugal”. Sometimes, I have succeeded, but sometimes I’ve failed miserably. I think the important thing is that I “try”. I have always been taught to be a good steward of what I have. I believe all that we have comes from God and as a result we are responsible to Him for what we do or do not do with what He gives us. As a result, I am always one to be a wise spender. I meal plan, I dabble in couponing, and I shop the clearance racks. In fact, most of my clothes have been obtained either as gifts at Christmas or my birthday, or from clearance racks or even “hand-me-downs”. Yes, I’m fortunate to receive those from close friends, both for myself and my children.

I don’t feel by doing this that I am “slighted” in life in anyway, in fact the opposite is true, I feel blessed to have the things that I do have, and I am always looking for ways to “save”. Many times, the opportunity to live inexpensively is a bit easier to do than you think. You’ll find “savings” opportunities in the strangest of places if you just take the time to see what’s already there to begin with, you may not “need” the things that you so desperately “wish” that you could have.

Living Inexpensively or at least “less expensive” is doable in this expensive world.

This post if for the contest being held here.

Frugal Pizza

My efforts in frugality are truly going well this time. I am finally beginning to see the way that the numbers add up, how every little cent matters.  This week I have been able to save big time.  One way was by using my register rewards from Walgreens.  These rewards were expiring on 3/27 so I knew I needed to use them up fast.  I had $10 in RR’s to use.  So, Monday when I took my son to the doctor in the town with a Walgreens, I stopped by with my RRs and a coupon in hand for diapers.

This week diapers were $9.99 so I had enough RRs to pay for them, but I also had a coupon for $1.50 off so I knew that’d drop me below.  To bring me up to $10 I also grabbed 2 butterfinger candy bars since I had failed to get those at the grocery and need them for 2 butterfinger cakes I am making for church on Wednesday night.

My savings were huge.

$9.99 for the diapers

+

$1.59 for the two butterfingers

- $10 RR

-$1.50 coupon

=$0.08 left to pay

+ $0.81 tax.

I paid $0.89 total for it all!  Wahoo! I’m finally seeing how this adds up.

Now on to my “frugal pizza”.  I am also attempting to be more creative in the kitchen so instead of buying pizza dough this week I used some biscuits (the refrigerated variety) that I had left over from last week’s shopping.  The 4 pack was $1.44 at Walmart.  Then I used a $0.25 cent can of tomato sauce, and a $1.50 roll of sausage (only used half, will use the other half for some breakfast or something tomorrow).  I also used some leftover mozarella cheese (about a cup) and I sprinkled on garlic salt and basil flakes (already in my pantry).

Looks yummy right? And frugal.  Because this pizza only cost me $4.63. I think I can do this just like Erin over at $5 Dinners.

Menu Plan Monday – 3/23

This week’s menu includes:

• layered sammies with coleslaw and fries
• homemade pizza
• shake and bake chicken, corn, sweet potatoes
• eat at church on Wednesday – Annie Armstrong Easter Auction I have to made 2 Butterfinger cakes
• Pork stir fry / rice
• Meatball sammies
• grilled chicken, beans, tators

I have actually planned meals through the end of the month so the rest include:

• breakfast
• Hamburger steak
• fried chicken

I will begin in April planning a monthly menu.  I’m excited about it.  It is one of my steps to being more successful with couponing and frugal living.

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