I don't think matching tees are crazy at all. That's probably what I'll do when (if) Zoe and I go again before she thinks she's too old for even that.
No TV - there are lots of options that don't cost much money, like game nights, movie nights (can't beat $1 DVDs from Redbox), etc. Also without TV hopefully he'll help out more with the cleaning and yard work. BTW - I have to admit I've been considering cutting out our satellite service because I know Zoe and I watch too much TV. However, since I'm home most days alone while she's in school, it's more that I'd miss it than that she would.
Less eating out - this will be better for your health as well as your budget. Also, since you won't have TV as a distraction, I bet you and the kids will have fun trying new recipes.
No new fabric - maybe you can get a revision to this in the future that you won't buy more until you've used up X percent. Also, maybe you could tell family & friends you'd like gift cards that would work for fabric stores for birthday, Christmas, etc.
I think we will still have netflix for movies, really the biggest drag is that DD wont be able to watch her shows on PBS in the morning, Im hoping this will help her want to read/listen to more books and help our bond both for DH and me and DD and me. Im not a tv person at all- unless Im sick.
Are you married to my dh???? The "only one adult who cleans" and the lack of landscaping hit home with me. My dh doesn't mow though. I have to do that. I did break down and hire a company to fertilize the front lawn though b/c I can't do everything. Anyway, I think just cutting out eating out will make a huge differnece in your budget. I cringe when we eat out -- it's soooo expensive. And dh often goes out for lunch which irks me too, but he earns the vast majority of our money so I just keep to myself and keep my mouth shut. I also loved Lisa's idea of asking for gift cards to fabric stores for gifts. That should help replenish your fabric stash.
Exactly- I mowed all last year because he was always too tired on the weekends. But with a new baby I knew I wouldnt be able to this summer so I hired them and put them on a schedule. His suggestion is that he can do it and it doesnt have to look all prim and proper anyway" THOSE comments are what send me through the roof. Man! Take pride in your home! Or cancelling my monthly cleaning service- he's not jumping to help, he has always been lazy like this and he can walk into a cluttered room and put his feet up and ignore it. So i know the lion's share will fall to me. I want to be proud of my home, but its hard with a little baby and DD- but I know I can find a way. If we didnt have all the pets it wouldnt feel so dirty, but Im going to create a chore chart to keep me on track, and assign some simple tasks to DH. I dont think he really knows how to clean and refuses to make much effort in doing things correctly. WARNING to parents who dont include their kids in making their bed or helping out- they grow up they are NOT fun to live with LOL. Lucky I love him so much.
.
You know, I have an aunt who always states, "Don't ever tell anyone your faults....they don't notice them until you tell them exactly where to look!" I should not have said anything about the khaki shorts or the FAT. I usually refer to myself as Pooh sized
But I must say there is a lot that stands out to me in those pictures. But I did want to share the fun of "coordinating" dressing at Disney!
and this is the very reason I rarely post photos of me hee hee, well you can see me on FB. But I like your Aunt's adage. To me, you look like a happy family at WDW, and that really is the priority in it all, isn't it. Will you look back and say your weight or hairdo or color of your shorts affected your trip? No, but I bet you remember lots of other great things. I thought they were great family trips.
I haven't been following along this week at all and skipped lots of pages but had a couple of things I wanted to say about the 1 page I did read.
I LOVE not having cable. In the 8 years we have lived in our house we have had cable/dish network maybe 3 of it. At first cable wasn't available and I just didn't worry about it. We got PBS and NBC on good days (if you like fuzzy tv). I finally caved at one point and got dish but it was just too expensive. I would rather save the money. With this lastest tv thing I went with basic cable which gives us the main stations. I hate that I am paying for it but what can I do. We get the main 4 a PBS and a few other stations. If and when we have tv Dallas will plop his butt in front of it until I tell him to get up (unless he can go outside). It drives me bonkers.
We also hardly eat out! The cost is just too much for me! I prefer to sit at home and eat dinner as a family around the table. Just seems like home to me that way.
I think that it sounds like alot but you'll adjust quickly and find that it is enjoyable to spend less and save more! I also am the only one who cleans the house and I mow the lawn (but I LOVE it). In fact all the yard work falls on my plate. It is enjoyable to get outside though and relax.
Im looking forward to hearing and seeing how our cutting back really helps the bottom line!
Quick question. A friend of mine has asked me to make a laptop sleeve for her new computer. Seems most ready made sleeves don't fit. So.....has anyone made one of these before? Obviously I haven't. lol It is just a big pouch with a zipper? Special lining? Help!
I think your key item will be what you use for padding, you will need more than quilt batting, and I might consider an apolstry type fabric- strong and tougher than cotton.
I hate those conversations...but at least you got one. When we first moved in together DH took out the cable box one day and didn't tell me...I came home for lunch and couldn't find the remote anywhere and then realized the box was gone! I was sure we had been robbed! I called him in a panic and he said we had to save money so he took the box and cancelled the cable. I was cool with it, but he could have talked to me about it.
Good luck. We don't eat out either...just pizza night for the kids once a week. And as far a s eating at home, we eat lots of cereal and sandwiches. For me, being a southern cook...that is hard but much cheaper!
.
Oooh, wow, thats not nice, Id have flipped out on that-but really the tv is more DH sacrifice despite that he is only here evenings and weekends- he has a tv addiction problem. I hope your DH talks to you most of the time, lol, I mean, what if your car disappeared or something. Men crack me up.
My hubby and I had this conversation about 6 months ago, he loves to spend and I have to rein him in. Early in our marriage we had a lot of credit card debt, so we worked really hard and paid everything down, but it was starting to creep up again, so we went to our local Consumer Credit Counseling Center. They offer help, guidance and budget counseling. So we took a course that really helped us keep our "eye on the prize", which is saving money each month. It really helped us see where we were overspending. Like the 3-4 times a week we would stop at the grocery store for one thing and end up with a 10-12 things that we really did not need. So it is good that you are talking about it and really see where you can cut back. Believe I know how hard it is, but worth it in the end.
Yup, this is a 6 month thing, and then we will reevaluate. I actually think I will not want tv back then! LOL. And I agree totally worth it in the long run. I think its good to be doing this while our kids are little and DD will get over it and she still has her movies if I really need to put the tv on.
I told Dh I thought God wanted us to get to this point because it was the only way we would get rid of the tv, and it will force DH to get better sleep, and have better quality time. I hope. He still has his iphone (company paid) and laptop. I see so much opportunity for more of good stuff, and less of non essentials and it will give us a better appreciation of what we have.
On a seperate note..............
DD3 woke up sick today. Throwing up whatever she consumes- water, etc. So she is laying on floor and not doing much, cat is sleeping next to her. She had a freeze pop and threw it up. But they said give her something once and hour and Ill pray Hannah doesnt get sick.
I so appreciate everyones support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really!
I forget who said it- but amex gift cards would be great- so I can buy fabric anywhere-online, etc. but Christmas is a long way from now and my family doesnt like giving money-or gift cards, so I dont know if Ill get them, but it cant hurt to ask!
Our anniversary is the 23rd, maybe I should suggest that as my present- if he does anything. But I might be okay without fabric for a while, I do have a decent amount right now.
(please dont tell)!!!!
See my FIL and his wife stayed there in June and so they earned a few free nights. We did not. But if we don't stay near them they will sleep until noon and go to bed at six. We don't expect them to go, go, go like we do, but DH said we aren't spending that kind of money and driving that far to sit in a hotel room. We were going to Ohio next week but we changed it since his dad wouldn't be there. (Plus...and this is nothing against VAB...my husband really doesn't want to go there anyway...it's were he eloped to with his first wife!
eyebrow raised to The Husband) Hey, YOU were the one who said we'd only take boys.
