A friend of mine posted this article on her blog and I had to post it as well, since I the truth of the article rings so true to me each day. This is the place I live in (or close to it) and the people I interact with every day. True we've now officially moved out of Boulder County but since J still works in Boulder and I'm doing MOPS and other things there, we always seem to find ourselves back there. We're actually thinking of trying to get farther away sometime soon, but that's a post for another day. Right now I'm still loving the beautiful uniqueness that is Boulder. Here's the article.
Best Outside Towns
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Week Three
It's weird to me how fast money can just disappear. I somehow convinced myself that this challenge was no big deal and that we'd reach the end of the month with like $100 to spare or something. I think it is my innocence when it comes to purchasing gas. It costs a lot to go anywhere, and that's been the big lesson to me. The transportation for J to get to work, even if on the bus, is like just another tax to his income, it amazes me. This week as of the 23rd (I'm late writing this up) we spent $63.95, the cars needed some gas and the kitties needed food, that was a big one, almost half the expense. Granted it will last them through the next month an a half, but still.
I feel like food has been the easiest thing to alter/scale back on. And I have had a lot of fun getting a bit more creative in the kitchen. We always cook from scratch anyway, but I wonder why we haven't been doing some of this stuff before now. I have come to realize that I always have something soaking, and the crock pot is an indispensable tool. I've been experimenting with sprouting things (this is going to take more practice - I'm not good about changing water/rinsing), have continued to make granola, bread, and lots of other goodies. But the most fun one is making our own yogurt. We've done keifer before, with a starter, but the yogurt is a new one, and it's fun. No, I'm not eating it so I have no clue how it actually tastes, but J says it's good and since he goes through a lot of the stuff it's a huge savings to do it ourselves vs buying it. Next month we try making miso and experiment with other fermenting things... I just have to buy something to put it in.
I feel like food has been the easiest thing to alter/scale back on. And I have had a lot of fun getting a bit more creative in the kitchen. We always cook from scratch anyway, but I wonder why we haven't been doing some of this stuff before now. I have come to realize that I always have something soaking, and the crock pot is an indispensable tool. I've been experimenting with sprouting things (this is going to take more practice - I'm not good about changing water/rinsing), have continued to make granola, bread, and lots of other goodies. But the most fun one is making our own yogurt. We've done keifer before, with a starter, but the yogurt is a new one, and it's fun. No, I'm not eating it so I have no clue how it actually tastes, but J says it's good and since he goes through a lot of the stuff it's a huge savings to do it ourselves vs buying it. Next month we try making miso and experiment with other fermenting things... I just have to buy something to put it in.
The move you know...
Well, I was attempting to post something and have discovered more limitations of the blogger ap. But there are ways around everything so I've put my information in a link on my website, the lines in the tables still disappeared but oh well. You can read it there. I'm sorry to send you on a goose chase to read what I have to say but formatting issues prevent tables at all, such is life. So on with what I was writing about in the first place...
Forgive me for a brief political interlude, but I felt that I had to share this. The more we know about things, the more we can make informed decisions. I hope that this information and the links at the bottom help you make an informed decision in this years election.
2008 Presidential Candidate Comparison Talking Points
Forgive me for a brief political interlude, but I felt that I had to share this. The more we know about things, the more we can make informed decisions. I hope that this information and the links at the bottom help you make an informed decision in this years election.
2008 Presidential Candidate Comparison Talking Points
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Week two totals
This week was not too huge of an impact on our budget. We made it through the week with a grand total of $27.65. Jereriah took the bus to work almost every day, so we only had the 12 miles a day to the bus stop in gas cost; in addition to my one trip into town and one trip to Louisville. We will have to fill up some gas tanks next week but I feel pretty confident as of today that we'll make it through the end of the month within our budget. We were immensely blessed this week by a generous gift of a meal out by my father, as a late anniversary gift. He also gave us a musk melon and bottle of maple syrup... so sweet of him! It was definately a treat to eat out this month, and to spend some time with him. We also came across a few awesome deals from the dollar bags at VC; we got about 10 mangoes definately in need of immediate love, so I made some puree that will go to make some mango coconut frozen pudding and grace our smoothies. And today we made an amazing GF mango upside down cake. Here's a picture.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Updates
Financial Fasting - Week 1: This may sound totally crazy, but I'm really kind of loving this. Yes, it is really difficult and yes, I am feeling like there are many things I am going without. But oh how freeing it is to know that for once I'm not accumulating more junk in my house, and that I'm not lugging a ton of plastic in my wallet. We are kicking ourself for not filling up the cars on the 31st, but we're also learning that because of that we may have to be a bit more creative the rest of the month. Transportation is definitely the biggest challenge for us. Living at least 6 miles from town and 21 from J's office make it tough. Plus being on the highway, with a baby make bicycles impractical and walking not even an option.
So the first week, (actually through today, so the first 10 days) we spent $54.17, most of that went towards water and groceries, but also $9 to gas. It is amazing how fast it adds up. I just hope that Kaylee's blueberry addiction ends soon, or at least she learns to function a bit better with the rationing that I've had to enforce, because it is definitely making things a bit difficult, those juicy organic gems aren't exactly cheap, at least not here. And yes, we're still eating all GF, organic and locally as much as possible, I'm not compromising my standards just because money is more of an issue. I honestly don't see it as much of a problem, but I guess I don't eat the same way most people do. I actually think we're eating a bit healthier as I'm really forced to soak my beans and make grains if I want to eat at all rather than just grab something 'convenient' (can't remember or think of what that would be right now - fruit maybe? or open a can of beans?) Anyway, the $1 bags of 'questionable' produce have been awesome for fresh fruits/veggies. We have actually had 2 pies, and a few fruit salad's because of them, and some awesome red swiss chard.
EC update- I have put off writing this because I didn't want to jinx myself and have things change. But, Kaylee is amazing. She has been so consistant in telling us when she has to go and going when she is given the opportunity that I have only had one almost full load of diapers each week for the past three weeks. She has been a huge fan of the 'big potty' and hasn't been too keen on using her little ones, which I guess is fine. She still grabs them and carries them around when she has to go and I didn't take notice that she was tapping her diaper. Or if she's diaper free she'll sit on it and go without even being prompted. She's so amazing! I'm just blown away at how much we as humans grow and accomplish just within the first year of life here on earth.
So the first week, (actually through today, so the first 10 days) we spent $54.17, most of that went towards water and groceries, but also $9 to gas. It is amazing how fast it adds up. I just hope that Kaylee's blueberry addiction ends soon, or at least she learns to function a bit better with the rationing that I've had to enforce, because it is definitely making things a bit difficult, those juicy organic gems aren't exactly cheap, at least not here. And yes, we're still eating all GF, organic and locally as much as possible, I'm not compromising my standards just because money is more of an issue. I honestly don't see it as much of a problem, but I guess I don't eat the same way most people do. I actually think we're eating a bit healthier as I'm really forced to soak my beans and make grains if I want to eat at all rather than just grab something 'convenient' (can't remember or think of what that would be right now - fruit maybe? or open a can of beans?) Anyway, the $1 bags of 'questionable' produce have been awesome for fresh fruits/veggies. We have actually had 2 pies, and a few fruit salad's because of them, and some awesome red swiss chard.
EC update- I have put off writing this because I didn't want to jinx myself and have things change. But, Kaylee is amazing. She has been so consistant in telling us when she has to go and going when she is given the opportunity that I have only had one almost full load of diapers each week for the past three weeks. She has been a huge fan of the 'big potty' and hasn't been too keen on using her little ones, which I guess is fine. She still grabs them and carries them around when she has to go and I didn't take notice that she was tapping her diaper. Or if she's diaper free she'll sit on it and go without even being prompted. She's so amazing! I'm just blown away at how much we as humans grow and accomplish just within the first year of life here on earth.
Friday, August 1, 2008
No Spend Month
Inspired by the family that blogs at smallnotebook.org we have decided to embark upon a no spend month ourselves. We've decided to make August our no spend month this year (although if we continue next year it may become a July or September thing as it's tough to not take advantage of some type of celebration for your anniversary). It may also become a more than once yearly deal depending on how it goes, I have high hopes though.
So here's the plan: for the next 31 days we have a budget of $250 dollars to spend on ourselves and the things we 'need' for the month. This includes gas, food, personal and household stuff, and entertainment. Not included will be the necessary bills as I'm sure our mortgage holder and utility company wouldn't be so understanding if we just decided not to pay them this month, and reimbursable business expenses, gifts, and hopefully this won't apply but emerengcy health expences.
I'm tired of having tons of stuff and tons of bills and wondering where all of the money goes each month. We've been living month to month, the past year or two and it is really hard. I'd love to see us put more towards savings as well as become less consumed by this consumeristic society we live in.
I'm hoping that through this experience we can learn to save, conserve, be more creative and plan things out a little better. I really don't anticipate much changing except I'm sure that J will ride the motorcycle to work more often or take the bus, and I'll probably stay home a bit more, which with the heat like it is now I don't think I'll mind all that much. It's also going to teach me how to use cash again which is something that I have become unaccustomed to anymore. So into the 'storage cabinet' go the debit/credit cards for the month and the adventure begins.
I am a little nervous as I'm not sure we can do it with the gas prices being so high, and us living so far from town, but I looked through our spending of the last few months and came up with the $250 number as one that isn't unrealistic considering what we have been spending on those things. I'm going to have to make J go to the farmers market for me instead of making the trip myself if we want fresh veggies at all but that's alright. It's going to be hard, but things, including experiences aren't worth half as much if you don't have to work for them; it'll be worth it I'm sure.
So here's the plan: for the next 31 days we have a budget of $250 dollars to spend on ourselves and the things we 'need' for the month. This includes gas, food, personal and household stuff, and entertainment. Not included will be the necessary bills as I'm sure our mortgage holder and utility company wouldn't be so understanding if we just decided not to pay them this month, and reimbursable business expenses, gifts, and hopefully this won't apply but emerengcy health expences.
I'm tired of having tons of stuff and tons of bills and wondering where all of the money goes each month. We've been living month to month, the past year or two and it is really hard. I'd love to see us put more towards savings as well as become less consumed by this consumeristic society we live in.
I'm hoping that through this experience we can learn to save, conserve, be more creative and plan things out a little better. I really don't anticipate much changing except I'm sure that J will ride the motorcycle to work more often or take the bus, and I'll probably stay home a bit more, which with the heat like it is now I don't think I'll mind all that much. It's also going to teach me how to use cash again which is something that I have become unaccustomed to anymore. So into the 'storage cabinet' go the debit/credit cards for the month and the adventure begins.
I am a little nervous as I'm not sure we can do it with the gas prices being so high, and us living so far from town, but I looked through our spending of the last few months and came up with the $250 number as one that isn't unrealistic considering what we have been spending on those things. I'm going to have to make J go to the farmers market for me instead of making the trip myself if we want fresh veggies at all but that's alright. It's going to be hard, but things, including experiences aren't worth half as much if you don't have to work for them; it'll be worth it I'm sure.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
We have a walker!
Tuesday was an exciting day for our little girl, at least in my eyes. Not only did she get to go on her first fishing trip with Grandpa, eat pine needles, and come back reeking of fish; she also started walking! She's been cruising for a long time, and I knew it was coming but I was still pretty surprised when she stood up from the middle of the floor and walked across the room to me. I guess I'm really in trouble now.
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