KooKooNoodle

My baby is all grown up.  Today was Chloe’s first day at nursery school and it was amazing to watch her go.  There was no trepidation, no nervousness, and there were definitely no tears.  In fact, the minute we got to school, she ran inside, never looking back.  Eventually, I had to find her so I could say goodbye.  “Honey, I’m leaving now.” “Ok, bye.” And with that, she ran off into a whole new world.

When I came to collect her, she was covered with paint, barefoot, and had her pants rolled up and sandy from playing in a giant wet sandbox.  “Mama, I had a good day!”  Ah, music to my ears.  I was proud as can be of my little adventurer.   She was exhausted tonight and painted a single picture at the kitchen table for 45 minutes.  I’ve never seen her concentrate on something for that long.   The first of many new facets, I’m sure.

Oh, my little girl, I love you so.

Posted on March 4th, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Kids | 2 Comments »

I’ve been looking for positive quotes about greed. Gordon Gekko of the movie, “Wall Street” said “greed is good.” But in the quote world, that’s about it in the greed department. There aren’t many upbeat greed quotes out there. In fact, most talk about avarice, greed as a mortal or deadly sin, greed leading to “badness of spirit,” tyranny, stealing, lustfulness, and the list goes on and on.

But I’m going to make my own personal case for the joys of greed.

As my No-Spending month comes to a close, I’ve come to discover that my greatest incentive for not spending is greed, pure and simple. Ah, money, how happy I am to see you. How happy I am that money in the bank means possibility, future, protection, and achieving my goals. Cha-ching, show me the money!

The happiness I find in my savings spreadsheet cannot be overstated. As I see my savings account grow week by week, it puts a giant grin on my face. I review my spreadsheet almost every day. It’s my best reminder that I really want cash in the bank (or working for me), not more stuff.
If you haven’t created a savings spreadsheet for yourself, I highly recommend it.  I’ve created columns on mine with date, beginning savings balance, regular deposits, additional deposits, interest, withdrawals, and  end balance. If you extend your spreadsheet for the entire year, you can project your year-end savings amount.

The more you save, the more you’ll have at the end of the year.  Sure, we all know that, but seeing it in black and white makes a HUGE difference in my will to save and my desire to avoid spending.

Avarice, covetousness and meanness are rotten things, yes, but a little greed has gone a long way in improving the state of my bank account. Long may it last!

Posted on February 27th, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Saving Money, Money, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

I’ve been baking bread. First it was a homey, cosy, wintery thing to do, then it was a way to save money on buying bread, and now it’s a cause-it’s-yummy thing to do. This is a honey wheat bread I made the other day, and it’s delicious for sandwiches and french toast.

Chloe is an awesome helper. She pours the flours into the bowl, sprinkles the yeast, adds the salt and punches down the dough. I tried to get her to do some kneading, but it’s “too messy.” She practically made the french toast on her own, cracking the eggs, mixing the eggs and milk, sprinkling on some cinnamon and with my help, flipping the toast on the griddle. I would say she takes after daddy, the trained chef, but with all the cooking I’ve been doing lately, I’ll say she takes after both of us.

Posted on February 23rd, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Food | 1 Comment »

I’ve been reading many “frugal-living” websites, some with coupons, some with strategies, and some with musings. But what’s most entertaining is the underlying competition between these sites for the title of Frugal Queen/King. There are veiled references to “that other frugal mom,” and criticisms of her way of spending, and how those who live frugally are somehow smarter and better than the rest of us mere mortals. Everyone is competing with Money Saving Mom’s unrealistic gold standard of feeding a family of 4 for $35 a week. I’m finding it really hilarious.

But I’ve gotten some good tips from some of these sites. I’m learning about how the super markets structure sales and bonuses. I now read the weekly deals of my grocery store online before going shopping. That helps me to plan meals and keep to a list. But some weeks have deeper discounts than other, and now I’m more attuned to how low the prices can go. How low can you go?! how low can you go?!

So far this month, I’ve only bought food, some household supplies, and gasoline (plus $3 for the carousel at the mall). I was brave enough to go to the mall and totally proud of myself for not buying a thing. I’m also keeping a spending spreadsheet so I can keep track of my progress. I’m tempted to buy the downloadable budget spreadsheet from You On a Budget, but it seems counter productive to spend money on something to help you save money.

(JANUARY RECEIPT)

I’ve also learned something about myself. Yesterday, I was all disappointed because CVS didn’t have any of the products in stock that were on special, and I spent much more than I had planned at the grocery store. I flirted with feeling like a failure. Absurd, I know, but the feelings were interesting to note. I learned that I have to go to CVS on the weekends because they receive their new stock on Fridays, and that I should be proud of myself for spending less than usual at the market instead of trying to live up to too-ambitious standards for myself right out of the gate. But I’m still a little disappointed for overspending.

(YESTERDAY’S RECEIPT)
I just dug out a receipt from last month to compare to my grocery trip yesterday, and I’m pleased with the before and after savings results. As I learn more, I’m sure it will only get easier to save at the market.

Posted on February 22nd, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Saving Money, Uncategorized | No Comments »

I’ve been doing a lot of research online about how to save money, and I’ve found a bunch of cool sites and articles. Here are the highlights:

Money Saving Mom - This mom offers very detailed and user-friendly tips for saving at the grocery store, CVS, Walgreens and other stores. She feeds her family of 4 on $35 per week (they eat wonderful food, not a whole lot of canned tuna!). She’s able to do this by working store savings, coupons, CVS Bucks, sales, and other deals. She has two great podcasts on Supermarket Savings and Smart Coupon Strategies.

The Frugal Duchess - Creative money saving tips with attitude.  I’ve enjoyed her tips for cutting down on energy bills, make-it-yourself grapefruit skin care, and recession-proof money saving strategies.

Flylady - This is not a money-saving website but a site dedicated to helping users develop routines that will help them get organized and de-cluttered.  I’ve found that by doing the baby steps they recommend, I’m becoming more self-disciplined and am developing habits that add structure to my day.  That’s the key to saving money.

How to Cope with Frugality Burnout - some good suggestions on the Get Rich Slowly blog.

Could You Stop Spending for a Month? - There are some good articles on MSN Money about saving.  I got some good suggestions here.

Posted on February 12th, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Saving Money, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

I’ve been hand quilting a bed quilt for Chloe for the last 4 months. It’s looking really cute, but has been taking FOREVER. I don’t know how to machine quilt, so I’ve been doing it all by hand. You should see the little callus on my left index finger. But I needed to FINISH something, since I’m months away from being done with the quilt. So I decided this week will be a finish-my-projects week I’ve been putting the finishing touches on random, half-completed, projects that have been collecting dust in the closet. This morning, I tidied up this little cardigan, knitted last summer but in need of buttons, a crocheted edge, and the addition of these little baubles. It turned out so cute.

Next up… buttons on a yellow sweater and a crocheted neck around a navy pullover.

This has all been part of the no-spending experiment. Instead of buying new yarn for new projects, I’m only using what I have on hand. It’ll force me to be more creative (in theory). So far, so good!

Posted on February 8th, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Crafts | 1 Comment »

So far, it’s been smooth sailing in my world of no-spending, (until this morning, at least). While I haven’t spent any money today, I am trapped in the house because I can feel that spendy urge bubbling up within me. I know that if I go out into the world, I will spend like a fiend. The money will just float out of my wallet.

The trouble started when I woke up this morning not knowing what to do with my day. My first thought, as I lay in bed, was of a trip to the mall, or Michael’s, or Cost Plus, or a shopping trip to Trader Joe’s. Uh oh, all my thoughts went to spendy spendy places. Danger! Danger! To prevent a budget disaster, I think it’s safer for me to stay closer to home and run some errands when I’m in a more guarded mood.

I’ve been trying to keep a running total of my savings, but I think I need to wait until the end of the month to see where we are. Instead, I’m keeping track of all my spending in catagories, including food, gas, household, etc. Because I use my ATM for everything, I can access all my spending averages online at my bank’s website and can compare at the end of the month how I’ve been doing.

Posted on February 6th, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Saving Money | 2 Comments »

I decided to inaugurate my no-spending month with earning some cash. So, I took all my change to the Coinstar at the grocery store and cashed in all my coins. I’m $50.51 richer, and I promptly left the market after redeeming my moolah (no money spent there!). An auspicious start, I think!

TOTAL SAVED: $50.51

Posted on February 1st, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Saving Money, Tags | 2 Comments »

It feels as though my wallet has wings these days - opening and shutting with the wind, soaring high and ending up light and empty. I think it’s been a case of retail therapy gone mad, and it has extending over the last few months. Fifty dollars here, a hundred there, and suddenly it’s all frittered away.

We’re in the happy position of having long since dug ourselves out of debt (though let’s face it, most of that was MY debt, that I brought into our marriage, not my husband’s debt), and we’ve been trying to save for the down payment on a house. This is not an easy proposition in Southern California, where a tiny bungalow on a busy street runs $650,000.

So how is this gazillion-dollar down payment with another zillion-dollar mortgage payment every month going to appear?

It’s not. Not if I keep spending money.

So, my wallet is staying at home. For the month of February, I will not spend money on anything except gasoline, diapers, and food. Nothing. No books, no clothes, no craft stuff, no toys for Chloe, nothing. As for food, I will spend money only on perishables, such as fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese. The rest of my food will come from my already well stocked pantry and freezer. If I want bread, I’ll have to bake it myself.

My hope is that a whole month of not spending will become something of a new habit. A leaner way of living. A way to be more creative about how I spend my time, my money, and my energy. I hope to spend more time at the park, and less at the market, more time doing crafts with Chloe and less time at Target.

Simply making this declaration isn’t going to be enough to break my spending habits. I’m going to need to work on the reasons for my spending if I want to make this project last longer than a month.

I already know what it’s about - isolation.  I’m totally alone with a 2 year old all day.  I can go literally days without talking face to face with another adult between 7am and 7pm.  Sometimes my only conversations with adults are with the checkout people at the grocery store.  I have wonderful friends, but they work during the day and don’t have children.

I’ve been trying to get out more.  I joined MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers), and go to the park and library a couple of times a week.  Occasionally, I’ll find someone to talk to, and it’s WONDERFUL, like I’m almost a human person.  But on those lonely days, I find myself spending my cares away.  Trips to Target, the mall, Trader Joe’s and Cost Plus become much too regular.  A hundred here, fifty there, and there goes our down payment.

So there it is - my NO-Spending Project.  I’ll write throughout the month with updates.  Wish me luck, and join in if you’re feeling motivated to save.  February is the shortest month of the year, so it’s the perfect time to start.

Posted on January 28th, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Saving Money, Money, Friends, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Shayne and I went to a fun, funky, potluckish dinner party last night at my friend Vanessa’s house. She’s got supercool friends and it was a great evening. One of my favorite moments was when talking to her new neighbors, a twenty-something newly-married couple with very white teeth and friendly smiles.

My good friend asked how Chloe was doing and this young couple said, “Oh, how great, is Chloe your dog?!”

“Um, no, she’s our daughter.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s so great, I mean Chloe is a great name for a kid too, not just a dog. ”

Oh dear. I’ve been chuckling all day.

Posted on January 21st, 2008 by Stephanie
Filed under: Life, Kids, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »