Frugal In Florida

So, I've tried various ways to track my spending and announce it to the world without much success. Then I came across this site called Give Me Back My Five Bucks and really liked the way she does her weekly tallies. So guess what? I'm hopping on board. *I just realized, this morning, that this was still sitting in my draft box!!! Sorry for the delay! Monday $70.32 Publix. Tuesday $ No Spend Day Wednesday $400.00 (surprise bonus!) $ No Spend Day – amazing as I walked around Winn Dixie looking for some great dairy/meat/produce deals and walked out empty handed! Thursday $ No Spend Day Friday $ No Spend Day . We were hosting a 6 month old, 17 year old and 24 year old for the night. Which of course, led to more 17 year olds, my girlfriend, Princess and her friends. Thank God for well stocked freezers and pantry! $140.38 weekly pay Saturday $30.00 even at Boo Rileys (hubby and I went for a drink and dinner, late) Sunday $59.71 – Target Totals: $540.

Seeing how I sort of blew my budget last month, it’s a new month starting (holiday weekend ahead too!) and my new budget that I’ve set up to try and get myself in to the real groove of things, I need to plan and STICK to it! Sunday – Salisbury steak & egg noodles, dinner rolls and salad with my favorite honey mustard dressing, courtesy of Hubby (of course, he ended up running out to pick up a few things because he is not one to just make do with what you have!) We now have leftovers to last us all week long for lunches Monday – grilled chicken and rice pilaf (providing the weather is ok) - Rice pilaf recipe to be posted soon! Tuesday – baked tater bar Wednesday – Sandwiches and soup Thursday - tacos Friday – pizzas Saturday – big bbq for the kids and their friends (and a few adults!) … burgers, dogs, brats, pasta salad, oriental salad , brownies, chips and dip, bean dip, etc. Recipes? Oh yeah, here you go: French Onion Soup ... the simple version: 1/2 stic

Uh, yes, I DID go to Costco this week. It's been 2 weeks, so I think it was ok to do so :) Here's the plan: I had $225 cash in my wallet.  Took out the debit card and left it at home. Also stashed the AE in the purse, just in CASE.  Made a detailed list and a rough breakdown of what I thought the cost was. Grabbed the little coupons from the booklet (which FYI, not necessary as they see your coupon and they scan a barcode on register automatically AND I asked if I could keep in case I wanted to come back for some more stuff). Total estimated $167. Total spent? $162.74. Not so bad !! 4 pack tropicana (64 oz each) $9.99 Downey (costco size!) $12.49 Clif Bars $19.89 2 pk apple juice $6.45 2 lb sliced cheddar cheese $6.79 x 2 large tomatoes (5 lbs) $5.49 mini peppers $4.29 (hmmm...I think these went up) Parm shredded cheese $13.45 honey roasted turkey $7.47 romaine lettuce $4.29 (again, I think this went up) 3 pk cucumbers $3.29 2% milk $2.39 x 2 2 pk nutella $8.89

It’s back to school Monday. Hubby is traveling Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Princess is working something like 50 hours this week AND starting her first class of semester on Thursday. And I will continue being busy at work. Ahhh…I think it’s time for a menu plan! (Recipes follow below) Sunday – baked spaghetti with garlic bread and garden salad Monday – Chicken and black bean quesidiallas Tuesday – hehe…frozen pizzas and garden salad (hey, I’m utilizing what I have in the freezer) Wednesday – pressed sandwiches and salad or soup Thursday – Hubby comes in late late, like plane lands at 11pm…thinking of burgers and chicken on the grill with some leftovers Friday – pork chops (I really need to do something with this pork tenderloin!) I need to do a costco run for a few things this week, but will try to hold out til like Thursday so I can stock up on milk, salad stuff and energy/protein bars for the Teens. Baked Spaghetti There are lots of different ways to do this but here

We have a cat, his name is Kitty. He sort of came about as I thought he was Kiki (see side bar on right for his “Have you seen Me?” picture) and I ended up going back 3 days later and adopting him. Funny, his temperament was “sweet”. Yeah right. Uh huh. Nice ploy there, Kitty … Anyways, it’s been over a year. He’s adapted quite well and we’ve all become one big happy family … Then, a girlfriend of mine, whom I have not really associated with since the holidays (Christmas) due to circumstances and things that I wanted nothing to do with, well, she calls me the other day. I know things are tough for her at the moment, and wasn't so sure I was ready to hear the latest story. But, as a friend, I did return her call. Long story short, I know have her Cat, G (who is 13 years old!!) temporarily, until she finds him a new home. Hubby said 6 months and I just looked at him and said no, 6 days. Uggg. G is adapting well, although he seems to be quite the nibbler of food and is freaking

So, I've tried various ways to track my spending and announce it to the world without much success. Then I came across this site called Give Me Back My Five Bucks and really liked the way she does her weekly tallies. So guess what? I'm hopping on board. *Yeah, I know, it's a little late this week, things have been happening!* Monday $10.53 Publix Tuesday $28.36 Sweet Tomatoes Wednesday $No Spend Day Thursday $220.74 Costco $22.43 Publix $22.02 Mobile Gas Friday $140.38 weekly pay $1081.76 bi weekly pay $109.80 refund from insurance company $29.38 Winn Dixie Saturday (Back to School Shopping with the Animals) $58.00 JCPenney $51.00 JCPenney $49.00 JCPenney $54.00 JCPenney $40.00 JCPenney Sunday $No Spend Day Total for week: $585.46 Spent $1331.94 Income Notes/Comments:  The JCPenney day...there were some great sales going on and then $10 and $15 off of $50 and $75 which is why you see the numerous transactions.  Still spent more than I w

We made this recipe from Tammys Recipes a few weeks back, and well, I guess I didn't follow the directions 100% and the taters were burnt and just not all that. Plus, the potatoes in the fridge were old. As in, seriously, on their last leg. If you've never had OLD potatoes (no, I don't mean the ones that are soft, smelly and fuzzy!), don't worry, they aren't that great! Anyways, its scalloped potatoes on the grill. Wrapped in TWO foil packets, not one, so you can seal it well and flip. Oh. Ok. I see what the problem may have been. So I decide to try it again with the chicken thighs. And wow! They were awesome! Definitely recommend fresh potatoes too (20 lb bag from Costco last week and each one of the spuds is the size of my hand if not larger!) 3 cups of thin sliced potatoes (I used one Coscto size spud and used the mandolin to slice it thin) 1 cup of thin sliced onions (again, Costco sized sweet onion, sliced on the mandolin) 3/4 cup of mayo or sour cre

Sonny boy goes back to school in, oh, 10 days? Princess starts her next semester in oh, 2 weeks? And Hubby? Well, he decided to F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. put the Seadoo in the water and let it sit on the lift at the dock. Oh gee. We are all thrilled to be able to have 5 full days left to play (best to play in the intracostal waterways Monday through Thursday when boat traffic is minimal). Sonny Boy, the G/F and Hubby put the Doo in the water last night and Sonny Boy and G/F brought it back home. They actually beat Hubby home which means they were flying. Sonny Boy said oh, about 59 mph peaked. Uhhh...Dude. G/F never been on anything like this before soooooooo..... They asked if they could go play some more and of course we said absolutely, off with you! Good to see them having some fun besides sitting around watching tv, playing games and talking/texting on the phones. Well, they do float in the pool, go to the beach, cook, eat, clean. Ok never mind. Good to see them doing something NEW!

For days now, (well, since Sunday!) I've been searching for a favorite recipe of ours that uses canned chicken, black beans and corn with cilantro, lime juice and cayenne pepper. See? I know exactly whats in it. I just can't find the recipe that I KNOW I've posted on line somewhere, at sometime, in my life! Uggg. Now I am afraid that I'm going to have to go through my STACK of recipes...something that looks like a recycle pile of paper. Seriously.  I so need to get refocused on being organized. Anyways, when I find it, I will definitely be posting it!

So, I've tried various ways to track my spending and announce it to the world without much success. Then I came across this site called Give Me Back My Five Bucks and really liked the way she does her weekly tallies. So guess what? I'm hopping on board! I have to tell you, I am tooting my horn! Monday $No Spend Day Tuesday $No Spend Day Wednesday $No Spend Day Thursday $No Spend Day Friday $No Spend Day $140.38 weekly pay Saturday $11.62 at the Produce Store $18.02 Thrift Store (hey, got 5 dresses, one leather jacket, a pair of jeans and a 2 cup glass Fire King measuring cup! Sunday $No Spend Day Total for the week: $140.38 to checking $29.64 spent Comments/Remarks of Note: I feel empowered knowing that I did 6 of the 7 as No Spend Days! Woohoo. Of course this week coming up will be a big fork out of money for the car insurance. Ahhh, life interferes!  It's good to be eating out of hte freezers and pantry too as I really need to clean ou

Here it is, the beginning of a new month. I love new months. It's a chance to re-evaluate. To start anew. Budgets. Goals. Workouts. And so on. Over here , I shared my motivation for this morning, and I stuck with it and brought it home. Yes. I worked out. H.A.R.D. And I feel good. I feel so good. Both physically and most importantly, mentally.  That I said I was going to do it and I did it. Now if I could just continue the week ahead. And thru the rest of the month ... Crystal over at Money Saving Mom has apparently been doing the P90X stuff too. She's only posted a little about it but I'm anxious to hear how it's going in more detail.  I've had the program for over a year and have started and dropped it 3 times so far. Hopefully the 4th time will be it.  I am still working on getting Hubby to start with me ... I keep saying if only I had a partner... By the way, you can buy the program from Ebay and Amazon or even Craigslist. BUT make sure

So, I've tried various ways to track my spending and announce it to the world without much success. Then I came across this site called Give Me Back My Five Bucks and really liked the way she does her weekly tallies. So guess what? I'm hopping on board! Monday $ No Spend Day Tuesday $24.47 Publix. I really didn't intend to spend this much. 2 stouffers frozen family meals, 2 garlic bread, 4 pks soda, 2 bags chips. Wednesday $12.01 Publix (this was a great stop: 7 protein bars, 2 1/2 gallons milk, 4 bags donuts, 2 lbs peanuts) I also got a rain check on the Pizzas to use my excellent coupons on :) Thursday $4.18 Publix, banans and coffee cream for office Friday $140.38 weekly pay $1488.31 which includes my monthly bonus which really needs to go into my no touch savings account, but I've got a large payment to put towards car insurance so I don't know. $136.29 Publix. I'm starting to think I should buy stock in them. Oh wait. They are privatel