Saving Money

This is something I know we are all worrying about, all of the time. I don't claim that L and I have it all figured out, but with me being out of a steady job for a month and a half now, we've been pinching extra pennies knowing that my last paycheck from Sweet Briar is about to run out.

I thought I'd share a few tips for how we save money and are able to balance our finances with all of you!

1. Coupons - I picked up a coupon organizer in Target's Dollar Spot about a year ago, and keep coupons in it, and the coupons in my purse. I only clip ones I know I'll use, and tend to only clip ones you can redeem on one item (rather than $1 off 3 boxes of chips, etc.). I maybe use 5 or 6 each week when I shop, but they save me about $5 or so, which is nice! My other two favorite things? Target's new Cartwheel App (Thanks, B for that tip!) and the fact that Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons do not expire, no matter what they say.

2. Meal Planning - there are few things that make me cringe more than going out to eat and dropping $35-$40 just for two entrees and a Coke. (Heaven forbid we buy an adult beverage!) So, we meal plan. I map out our meals for 6 nights a week, knowing we'll treat ourselves to one date night. We also eat basically the same thing for breakfast and lunch (and snacks) every day. (My poor husband has had a banana, apple, carrots, granola bars, string cheese, yogurt, and sandwich in his lunch every day for the last 9 months...) Our meals for this week? 

Monday: Balsamic Chicken Salad inspired by this recipe 

Tuesday: Spaghetti with marinara sauce (I was babysitting so L was solo)

Wednesday: Frozen Pizza (I have girls night out!)

Thursday: Tilapia Fish Tacos

Friday: Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs

Saturday: Cheese Quesadillas

Sunday: Old Bay Salmon

Monday: Eating everything in the fridge that will go bad while we're on our honeymoon

I can get a weeks worth of food for about $60 - this includes what we need for all our meals (scaled down to feed 2, neither of us love leftovers) and lots of fresh produce for snacks.

3. Free Activities with Friends - I love the movies more than anyone - I'd live there if I could. (And if a job there wouldn't require me to stay awake past 10 I'd apply!) But they're so darn expensive. So is bowling. And just about anything else in this town that is half fun to do. So, we've made our own fun - like game nights or Cookout Club. It's amazing how much money you save and how much more use you get out of your board games and corn hole sets. 

One thing we're not skimping out on? Saving and investing money. No matter how many pennies we're pinching right now, we know that squirreling away that money NOW will have tremendous benefits down the road. If you don't have an IRA or Certificate of Deposit, or other forms of investment, visit your local bank today and ask about your options. It's important to start those funds early so we can all retire early and spoil our grandkids :)

What do you do to save a few bucks? 

Weekend Wrap-Up

What a weekend, folks! I tell you what - I think the usual Case of the Mondays sets in even worse when you parents leave and head back to their home 9 hours away. But, we had the best weekend - I couldn't have asked for better weather, food, or company.

I borrowed Dad's camera to play around a little bit, but of course, I forgot to get them off before giving the camera back :) But, Mom and I kicked off the weekend at the Commissary (the grocery store on post) and the Class 6 (the liquor store on post). We made a baked ziti Friday night and played Blokus (my parents are way too good and L kept ganging up on me!) and watched "Guilt Trip".

I had the lowest of expectations (the bar isn't set very high for Mr. Rogen) but it was surprisingly sweet! We really enjoyed it - and it's on Netflix!

Saturday we made cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker (oh my goodness - this was dynamite! - a definite Pinterest win) and went to post. We checked out L's office and Mom and I walked through the PX (Post exchange... it's like the Army Target) and Dad and L went to the post museum. We came back for lunch, and Mom and I went to Miss Lucille's. Mom found a great milk glass hobnail ice bucket and a small gift for my sister, while I came out empty handed. But, we stopped at Target on the way home and I found our bar! I got it all gussied up that night and will post photos soon! We grabbed dinner downtown, and settled in for movie #2 - this time it was "Stripes" in honor of the Army.

Sunday we took them to church then went to lunch with our "Best Army Friends" C and K. It was still such a beautiful day, so we decided to take Loola and head to Dunbar Cave State Park for a small hike. Loola did find on the trail, but was so excited to see all the people and other dogs, which got to be a little much. Not to mention when she noticed the ducks in the lake... (that's the black lab in her I guess!)

We made honey jalapeno chicken tenders (recipe adapted from The Splendid Table) on the grill for dinner with a pre-made salad and grilled zucchini and our friends C and M came over with their puppy Bailey to hang out for a while. And, because my family loves a good movie, we wrapped things up with "Mirror, Mirror."

Mom and Dad left this morning and I miss them already! But, it's back to the grind for me and L - including getting ready for a trip to Louisville this weekend! Hope you have a great Monday!

Thanksgiving 2013

Like I said in earlier posts, we weren't able to make the road trip we had been hoping for this week due to flight schedules and guard shifts at work - but, you won't hear me complain. My small sacrifice was well worth the chance for other families to be whole on this holiday.

We had a "Misfit" Thanksgiving - and I'm beginning to understand how military friends can quickly become family. I always saw it - my Dad is still in touch with Navy friends - and was anticipating it, but I'm thankful it's happening for us now. We've been in Tennessee for about 3 months now, and I was beginning to fret that we had NO friends. L has a few buddies he's working with day in and day out, but with my work schedule, I hadn't had a chance to get real involved anywhere here to make friends. Working from home also inhibits friend making, and we haven't had time to find a church we really like.

But, we met up with another couple to see "The Hunger Games" last week and decided to do Thanksgiving together, and we had a blast. I think we have our first two friends!

My family always made sausage balls to snack on during brunch/lunch until we were ready for dinner (around 4 PM.) So, I made some to contribute to the meal. The same recipe my family uses can be found here. But it's so easy!

• Mix together 1 lb mild sausage (or spicy if you're brave!), 1 1/4 c. Bisquick, 2 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 block of cream cheese. (I tried to use my mixer, but found it was easier just to get those hands dirty and mix it the old-fashioned way)
• Roll them into 1 in. balls and line on a cookie sheet - bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes - or until golden brown

In the past, we've made them with soy-sage (for my vegetarian cousin), and added jalapenos for variety. There are many ways to mix it up, and they're always an easy treat! They're great warm, they're great cold, and they keep for days.

So today, we went out to get our Christmas tree. $30 at Home Depot and $12 for a tree stand - not too shabby! We bought our lights there as well, but on Wednesday, so they were $5 a pop, and we got 3. (We also had a major disagreement about what kind - he was raised on white lights, I was raised on color. We settled on white, but what do you prefer?) I've had lots of my ornaments for several years, and many are too feminine for my husband's taste, but we'll phase out some of the older, homemade ones, and start to collect some of our own. 

Here's a glance at the set up (as seen on my Instagram):

Hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying a lazy day!

XO - Catherine