Becoming Frugal

My husband told me the other day that I was the most frugal 28 year old he had ever known. And I think I have my Dad to thank for this. My dad didn't find his "dream" job until he was 30 and had two kids. My dad just retired at age 55 with a significant amount in savings and retirement income and this is after going through a nasty divorce, buying a new house, helping all three kids with college expenses (and anything else we needed) paying child support until just 2 years ago and he was still able to retire at age 55. That I find remarkable and I think it's because my dad saved every penny he could find. Not that my dad is cheap, quite the contrary, he's frugal. He shops around for the best deal instead of buying on impulse, he goes to garage sales, goes to thrift stores, and keeps stuff until it just doesn't work anymore. Just two years ago did he buy a new television because the one he had which was older than I am broke and due to the ancientness of it the manufacturer no longer repairs them because it's not worth the money. I'm trying to get my husband to understand this as we work our way towards owning a house that sometimes you need to give up your little wants to achieve your big wants. I have us on a strict budget right now but it all goes up in smoke (literally) when he's at least a pack a day smoker if not more. That's at least $35 a week down the drain and for what? Lung disease? A nasty smell? Potential cancer? My goal is to have enough money for a down payment by October or at least enough for a rent to own option. So we eat at home instead of ordering pizza or chinese or going through a drive-thru, and are attempting to only go grocery shopping either once a month and spending about $300 or twice a month spending $150 each time. To do this I clip coupons and when there is a staple that is on sale I buy more of it (like mayonnaise, I use mayo in a lot of my recipes and when it goes on sale I stock up on it. Same with crushed tomatoes). Here's to a down payment in October!!!!! Start scrimping and saving all pennies we can find!!

I grew up

This just became apparent to me the other day. I am a grown up. An adult. A mother. A wife. And I just realized this the other day. The other day when my dad sent me an email and asked what I wanted for my birthday. So I told him I had to think about it and I would get back to him. I thought and thought and thought. And couldn't come up with one single thing that I wanted. I could think up stuff that I could get for Emily, or the hubby, or the house but nothing for me. And that's when I realized, I've grown up, when other people come before me, when I think about what my daughter, husband, or house could need before I can think of something that I want for my birthday. I'm not a little kid anymore or a teen ager or even a young adult, I'm almost 29, I've become a full fledged adult with responsibilities that don't just affect me anymore. And I'm okay with it, happy even.

New Diet Fad

I have come up with a way to lose weight guaranteed*

For those of you that aren't so hot on spicy food just eat Weight Watchers Smart Ones Enchiladas Suiza for EVERY meal. I love spicy food and this is just a little too hot for my liking. Let's put it this way I'm eating one right now and am on my 4 glass of water while eating it. It's just about setting my tongue on fire.





* these are the personal opinions of me and are in no way based on fact or research. Plus anyone that thinks there is a diet that is guaranteed to make you lose weight is out of their mind unless their particular diet of choice includes healthy eating and exercise.

103, 103, 103

This was my daughters body temperature last night right after she puked up her stomachs contents all over both her and I. Then I come to find out that another little girl was brought to daycare with her parents knowing full well she had a stomach virus. In turn this drastically changed my plans of hanging out skiing this weekend with family and now we are staying home and doing nothing. If your kid is sick DON'T bring them to daycare. Especially a daycare that also has a 6 months old and a 10 month old baby not to mention the 4 one and a half year olds.

Ye of little faith.....

And I say this to all the men in my husbands family. Remember back in September when you said Eli couldn't lead his team to kindergarten? When you said Coughlin was going to have a heart attack on the side of the field? Remember when you said the "that's it game's over" with an entire quarter still left? Well remember how much you loathed watching them and I had to sit through it, only to see them work their way to the Superbowl which means I still have to watch one more football game with you yelling at the television from NY thinking they can hear you in Scottsdale. Like I've said to all of you, have some faith in your teams.

Oh happy day......

I have a new showerhead. To fully understand my enthusiasm in this new wonderful $29.99 gadget of mine, you need to understand what I have been showering under for the past two years. I don't even think what I've had can be defined as a showerhead. It was like a spray nozzle. That was always on the setting that would knock the smile right off of your face when your brother nailed you with it.





I have never been so happy to have to use a tool to install something. It makes me look forward to having to wake up and take a shower in the morning now.

Pathetic

That's what papparazzi should be feeling like right now. They crowded around Michelle Williams as she was trying to get into her house with her two year old in tow after Heath Ledgers death. Leave the woman alone. Let them mourn in peace. Let her figure out how she's going to explain to her daughter why daddy isn't going to be there anymore. Quit asking how she's feeling. How would you feel if the father of your child just died unexpectedly and it was all over the news that it's drug related before that's been proven? It's amazing what lengths these bottom feeders will go to to spin a story. Let her mourn and let her do it privately.