Wednesday, February 23, 2011

CHIPPING AWAY AT DEBT

So, I don't know if you've noticed the litte "debt" bar on the right hand side of this blog, but I just updated it:  As of January, we have only $1,300 left to pay on it.  I probably won't be able to make a big dent in it for a little while, since hubby is off of work due to his shoulder injury, but little by little, I will chisel away at it, dollar by dollar, until it is GONE!  And, that will give me a sigh of relief. 

But, no sooner will that debt be gone, then a new debt will appear.  For some reason, this is just how life goes.  I just can't seem to save enough to cover life's ups and downs.  But, I do my best to spend frugally and wisely and to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my money as far as I can. 

One way that I am cutting back on our expenses is by "shopping" from my stockpiled pantry and freezer and using only those items to cook/bake with.  It is amazing what a person can do when they put their mind to it.  Like today, for instance.  I wanted to make some mashed potatoes to thicken my cheeseburger soup.  (I don't like to make a roux...call me lazy!) HA!  But, I didn't have any milk.  DRATS!

Since I did not want to go to the store, because of my new way of "shopping from myself," I decided to scour around my pantry shelves to see what miracle I might find in there!  And, I found it!  Two cans of evaporated milk that I had bought on sale at Walgreens quite awhile ago and since then pushed to the back of the shelf.  That milk made those potatoes taste wonderful, and it was just the trick to thicken my soup.

And, I figure I saved at least $20, because you know as well as I do that once a person enters the grocery store, there is ALWAYS something else to purchase.

So I now have a very frugal supper simmering on the stove and cash still in my wallet.

What are you doing to save a few $$ and free up some more $$ in your budget??

Come on, talk to me....you know you want to!!!  LOL

**A.Marie**

7 comments:

  1. I'm trying to use up odds and ends in the fridge, freezers and cabinets. Tonight I made a "sauce" for a broccoli casserole from a bit of salsa, a bit of pasta sauce, a bit of nacho cheese sauce and a couple of slices of Havarti cheese. Shane and I liked it just fine and I didn't have to run to the store for anything.

    I think you're doing great on debt reduction! And I agree. It's hard, if not impossible at times, to not have to turn right around and get back in debt.

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  2. Annie Jones...that sauce sounds amazing! YUMMY! I am finding that the less I spend on ingredients, the more creative I am becoming!

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  3. I suppose kick a few kids out of the house to fend for themselves is out of the question... hmmm... I got nothing.

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  4. Just making do with the canned goods or whatever is in the freezer is a great way to save. Joe likes to stock up on everything and that is a battle for me to get him to actually use up things before we go and get more. He's bad about that.

    I'm glad you are back to blogging!! I have missed ya!

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  5. I've missed you too, Lin!

    I'm usually like Joe...I like to stock up and keep stocking up, but then I have to start using from my stockpile because I run out of room!!!! ;)

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  6. I call that "shopping your pantry," and it's a great time to clean out and organize your pantry, refrigerator & freezer...who knows what else you might find in there! Also, when I find an ingredient hiding in my pantry, and I just don't know what to do with it - google "recipes with _____", & then you'll know what to do with it!

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