Sam Squared

     Between August and mid-October, I have so, so many big ticket bills coming due and then it's rolling into the holidays. While cash is there, I'll still release a silent gasp when paying. I'm tracking my variable, discretionary spending to get a better grip. This will be boring navel gazing blog content, but you're welcome to gaze along. This will not include the regular bills required to maintain my life and home like utilities, insurance, and taxes.      After my Sam's Club run, I've minimally shopped since July 21st, and plan to keep this up; short of loss leaders or exceptionally low deals, I'll buy just what's needed each week. I'm putting this plan to other discretionary spending too. If not already planned, I'm going to clutch my purse closed ( as best I can in the moment.)      I got off to a frugal bang for this accountability starting on the first. Sunday, I did a meal planning possibility list and a calendar/ activity review fo...

                                                                          For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, July 31 to Thursday, August 6. I just sort of list things as they come up. Use it Up/Avoid Waste  My neighbors sadly lost their beloved 17 year old dog last week. He was pups buddy. She gave me the rest of a fairly large bag of FreshPet food, one of pup and grand pups favorites. I miss seeing that little guy across the street.  Used up frozen refried beans, deboned chicken thighs, and remnants of salsa, cheese dip, and last of the cheese tray that I hadn't froze to make two quesadillas. Made two batches of (vegan) zuchini bread both Friday when it was co...

      When I cook, I tend to get 3-6 portions. My pattern might be eat one night, leftovers for lunch or dinner the next, freeze remaining portions. My meal prep/freezer containers generally hold two portions. This works good for me as I can pull out in a week or two and have a meal two days in a row without thinking. It's also a nice amount to send to my son ( though he'll eat in one meal) or my younger daughter that will either provide her two meals, or she shares with her roommate.       I've been trying to avoid much time grocery shopping and use up things so they don't linger. Recently through both Googling for ideas and my adaptation, I made a few successful meals. It's been nice having easy heat and eat options the following day.  Vegetable au gratin Bag of Stir-fry fresh veggies* 1/2 crown broccoli florets* 1 can cream mushroom soup or your own white sauce blend 1/2  can milk Remnants from sour cream tub, estimate 1/4 cup 1 cup shredd...

                                                                        For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, July 24 to Thursday, July 30. I just sort of list things as they come up. Use it Up/Avoid Waste  To say I had leftovers from book club is an understatement. I sent leftovers of fresh things home with siblings, froze what I could, and brought care packages to son and youngest. I sealed up chips or brought to kids. Miscellaneous leftovers were my weekend meals at home.   Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs   Enjoyed leftover beer and canned cocktails with a couple neighbors Saturday night for a pleasant, if warm night. Free entertainment since drinks were ...

    Photo by Polina Chistyakova at Pexels.com    Eating out is definitely an occasional splurge, but in July I had several outings. I try not to overthink and just enjoy the company, but it felt like my wallet was much lighter than anticipated. When looking at the online menu for a lunch gathering, there was a couple photos patrons posted a year ago of the menu. Sure enough, costs across the menu have increased between 15 and 23%. A Rheuben a year ago was $13.99, now $16.99. The burger I was considering went from $12.99 to $14.99. I don't fault the owners, but it does make me think hard before automatically accepting an invite for a meal out or suggesting it. I'm just one person, but imagine if 25% of folks reduced their outings by just 25%, that's a hard result loss to owners and staff of 7% revenue/gratuities. I come from a long line of restaurant workers, myself included. I put myself through college as a server so I know the hurt wait staff might feel.   ...

       I used to think this might be my mindset post retirement, but there's a different feel come late Friday afternoon. Bookclub and cards were Fridays plan, with leisurely coffee Saturday morning with one sister who stayed over. Despite the heat, enjoyed a drink with neighbors Saturday night, then much of Sunday with my youngest.      We had a good book club discussion of Sue Garrett's The Spy Coast . Theres other's in a series and a couple sisters started reading those too. Yes, I had too much food and sent home leftover chicken salad and croissants with three and buns and croissant with two others. My son got a big plate of meat and cheese and more buns plus the huge bag of gardettos. I don't need them around! I've been picking at other leftovers for meals and froze some too.      My daughter volunteers at the University Raptor Center. I finally took a tour and then took her out for lunch. I just snapped a couple quick photos....