Making Cents of Debt

Good Bye Bank Of America

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Some may call it the "Golden Ticket" and others will call it stupidity, but I am happy and relieved to have dropped off my final payments to Bank of America. Now before you get all excited for me, all I did was transfer the balances to another card. The good news is I went from 27% to 3.99% which will save an incredible amount of money. Essentially, I will be paying less than $40 per month in finance charges compared to ever $300. The bad news is this is not my credit card that I transferred it to; it's my mothers and I have 23 months to pay it off.

I'm not worried about paying it off in time. The payments equal what I'm currently paying every month. Any follower of Dave Ramsey knows that you should never lend money to family unless you're prepared to gift it or accept that you won't see it again. I took over a month to accept my mother's offer because of my concern on how it would affect her credit rating and the fine print her bank would put into such an offer. To guarantee that my actions will to adversely affect my mom's good credit, I am giving her an extra payment up front to act as a cushion. I will also roll over the payments I've been making towards my LASIK surgery as soon as that's paid off in October.

It's Harvest Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:10:00 +0000

I have been enjoying a fantastic bounty! As you may or may not know, I have been working with my mother on her garden and enjoying part of the bounty. This weekend I picked another 4 cups of raspberries which are set to become jam, lettuce, peppers, snow peas, and the first tomatoes of the season. Through a bit of swapping with the neighbor, I also have some wonderfully sweet yellow cherry tomatoes.

No reason to let excess go to waste. Now is a great time to pickle, freeze, and make preserves for later in the year. Check your local paper for recipes or the local extension office for classes. Better yet, spend some time with an older relative or friend to learn techniques, split the work load, and share to rewards. Do you have a bounty to share? Consider swapping with neighbors or co-workers. (I picked up a big zucchini for zucchini bread from a co-worker.)

Goal Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:56:00 +0000

After 6 deliveries in one day last week, I'm happy to report an extra $100 payment to one of my credit cards as well as an extra $100 payment for my LASIK. I realize I should have put all $200 towards the LASIK, but the balance on the credit card is so small it will be easy to snowball once its out of the way.

The "Free" Box Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:36:00 +0000

I've been noticing more and more "Free" Boxes out on curbs as I walk around my neighborhood. Its a relatively new phenomenon around here even though I know it has been commonplace in other areas of the US. People are taking advantage of this recession as an opportunity to purge excess. Garage sales take a lot of energy and work often yielding an extra $20-$50 (more if you have big ticket items or items in high demand), but at the end of the day you still have all of this stuff leftover that needs to go somewhere. "Free" boxes allow people with just a few items to get rid of things without a lot of effort. I'm amazed at some of the things I've seen on the curb including nice chairs, a new bag of batting, a guitar, even plants. Take advantage of these opportunities and take a peek. You never know what kind of treasure is waiting for you.

Do you already look? What is your favorite find?

Goal Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:07:00 +0000

I took back pop cans for the $.05 refund and earned a nifty $4.00. It may seem like a waste, but every bit helps! On a more positive note, I am set up for deliveries next Saturday. Wahoo!

Announcing My Newest Goal!

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:59:00 +0000

Dave Ramsey has coined a term the "Idiot Tax." Basically, the Idiot Tax is the true cost of an item after all of the interest you've paid is added into the original cost. One example is a$400 sweater that was originally on sale for $14. Another example is the $70 dinner that ends up being $568. All of this because many people do not pay off their credit cards every month.

While I don't follow Dave Ramsey's program and I disagree with him on some of the advice he provides to his audience, I do tune into his radio program in the evenings when I'm driving and you can't argue with the numbers. Families following his program are successfully getting out of debt and learning about fiscal responsibility.

So how does this all tie into announcing my newest goal? First, most articles you read on setting goals say that you are more likely to succeed if you let people know what your goals are. Telling people what you are working towards holds you accountable. If you let your support network know, they will even help you work towards those goals, cheering you on in victory or supporting you in getting back on the horse.

My personal Idiot Tax has not occurred yet... but the deadline is coming quickly. I had LASIK surgery done a little over a year ago. I signed up for my flexible spending medical savings account through work, but could not pay it all in one year. I was offered financing at 0% interest if I paid it within 18 months. After 18 months, all of the interest will be tacked onto the bill. Unfortunately, things always come up when your emergency fund isn't adequately funded. I have been making payments faithfully every month, but I'm coming up short by about $1,600. Essentially, I have to earn an extra $400 per month for the next four months in order to avoid $1,200 in interest. It's not as difficult to do as it sounds. During the summer I have a delivery job that brought in an extra $2,300 last year. My challenge is, thanks to the recession, this year is slower. I will be working on my creativity in order to meet the challenge, but I'm determined to do it. I'll be posting updates regularly and feel free to post any challenges you may be working on.

My Field Trip to the Convenience Store

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:22:00 +0000

Anyone with any frugal sense knows know not to shop at a convenience store. However, there are some times when the convenience is worth the extra money. I was pleasantly surprised on two counts today although one of them was bitter sweet.

First, I have another confession. Occasionally I crave junk food, usually in the form of frozen pizza or chips. On my field trip, I discovered my secret treat to be on sale. My frozen pizza was $1, which is a rare price in the grocery store let alone the high priced convenience store. The lesson here is... always keep an eye out for bargains no matter where you are. There may be a diamond in the rough just waiting to be discovered.

My second surprise was to discover that the receipt coming out of the Debit/Credit card machine had a space for the clerk to initial that they checked ID. I've never seen that before and commented to the clerk with glee in my voice. Unfortunately, the clerk replied that most people don't actually follow those directions. She then tore off her receipt from mine and stuffed it into the till... without asking to check my ID. Bittersweet frustration.

Cutting the Food Bill and Enjoying the Season's Bounty

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:21:00 +0000

For those who don't know, I live in an apartment with no deck or patio, which is a first for me. I've always had space to plant a couple of pots for fresh tomatoes, but I chose to give that up for the convenience of location. The first growing season I lived here I really missed the taste of home grown tomatoes. I got spoiled and just couldn't find the same interest in bland store bought tomatoes. The farmers' markets in my area are great, but I was looking for something a bit more economical and a way to satisfy my green thumb.

A little creativity, a bit of negotiation, and I'm set. I'm swapping weed pulling and gardening skills for produce and home cooked meals. My first victim, err gardening partner is mom. She has great vision, but volunteers with a lot of groups so her time is limited. So far I've been able to harvest some English peas that were so sweet I couldn't cook them. I split the pods and ate them right out of the shell. Next, I pulled some rhubarb that I'm freezing for crumbles later in the season. Last week, I picked raspberries and lettuce. Yum!

After visiting a friend to see her chickens and her raised beds, we were commiserating about all of the work a yard takes. Her environmentally conscious son is home from college and has kitchen duties, but while he and his friends visit the chickens, they're not particularly in love with weeding. My wheels started turning again and we agreed to swap produce and some homemade Carbonara for help taming her front beds. I think she's getting the short end of the stick.

Finally, last weekend I was having a girls weekend and again yard work came up as a topic of conversation. Cher is an IT guru and is raising two children so her time is stretched already without adding the chores on top. This time negotiations included Phillipino home cooking and hopefully some homemade egg rolls. I think I'm going to have to work harder in the yards just to work off these fantastic meals!

Do have some spare time to swap chores with a friend? Gardening, painting, computer work, start the conversation and see where you can take it.

The Cost of Convenience

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Anyone who's read this blog for awhile knows that I struggle from time to time with keeping my eye on the prize; to get out of debt. Occasionally, it's because I get frustrated, go out on a splurge, and do some serious damage. These are the easiest to see but its actually the convenience factor that does the most damage.

If you live on your own or even if you're cooking for two, it's difficult to keep up the enthusiasm for preparing meals from scratch (or even just preparing meals.) There are tons of new products coming out every year to make our lives "simpler," but do they really?

First, lets take a look at the cost break between some comfort foods.

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
From Scratch Conveniently Prepackaged Nuke It
$.69 - Can of tomato paste $2.00 (on sale) Jar of Marinara Sauce $2.50 Stouffer's
$.89 - Can of tomatoes $1.00 (on sale) Spaghetti Noodles ($5.00 for two)
$.25 - Basil, Oregano, Bay Leaf $3.00 TOTAL
$.10 - Clove of Garlic
$1.00 - (on sale) Spaghetti Noodles
$2.93

The cost isn't that different between these two examples and I did choose to use sale prices for the prepared ingredients because honestly, I probably wouldn't buy it at any higher rate. You'll notice I also kept this to the bare minimum, no salad, bread, Parmesan, etc. I also didn't take into account that during the growing season I have access to free oregano and bay leaves in the yard (I can't get rid of them even when I try) and I grow tomatoes and garlic in the garden.

Mac and Cheese
From Scratch Conveniently Prepackaged Nuke It
$.25 - Margarine $3.00 - 2 boxes Annie's Mac and Cheese $2.50 Stouffer's
$.50 - Milk or Half n Half $.25 - Margarine ($5.00 for two)
$1.00 - Cheddar Cheese $.20 - Milk
$1.00 - Mozzarella $3.45 - TOTAL
$.05 - Flour
$1.00 - Elbow Noodles
$.05 - Homemade Breadcrumbs
$3.85 - TOTAL

This one is cheating a bit. I know I'll have leftovers from the scratch dish.

While the homemade always sounds more appetizing than the frozen dinner or even the "conveniently prepackaged," I have to argue for both sides. There are those nights that you get home late after a hard day and the last thing you want to do is cook. Be prepared for those nights just make sure its an exception to the rule rather than the norm. My great aunt taught me to always keep a box of Mac and Cheese in the cupboard just in case.

Did I Make A Mistake?

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:50:00 +0000

A month ago I took a good hard look at my credit cards. (Okay, it was actually the bills since I cut up the cards almost a year ago.) I realized that due to a couple of stupid mistakes over the holidays, I've been spending close to $300 a month on interest alone. Fed up I went into my credit union and inquired about options for a consolidation loan. The customer service person told me they don't do consolidation loans, but I could either apply for a new credit card at a low introductory rate of 3.99% or I could apply for an increase in my line of credit at 14%.

Honestly, I didn't think I would get approved because my debt to income ratio is high, but I thought "What the heck?" Its not going to be any worse than paying 26% on the credit card I have now and its cut up so I won't be tempted to use it. Amazingly enough, I was accepted for an amount that was almost enough to cover it.

When I got the card, I was still a bit unsure if I was making the right choice. After all, I've transferred balances before and I'm still struggling with debt. After much debate and a month later, I made the call. Sure enough, it couldn't be that easy. The woman I spoke with today said the interest would be 11%. I asked her about the introductory rate and she said it ended March 15th. Funny, that was about 5 days after I received it. I decided to do it anyway. After all, that is 15% less than what I am currently paying.

So, have I learned from my past? I hope so. To help guarantee my success I've arranged for automatic payments from my account to make sure I don't miss a pay date. I'm closing the other account as soon as its paid off.

Mother's Day is One Week Away... Are You Prepared?

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:51:00 +0000

Ahhh... Mother's Day... it's just around the corner and time for a bit of planning. I've been a bit lax lately on putting a lot of thought into gifts. Call it frustration on my financial situation or
attempting to put as much towards my debt repayment as possible. Either way, I have been feeling really guilty about it.

There are certain holidays that I have mixed emotions about... Valentine's Day, Father's Day, and Mother's Day. This is primarily because I believe that we should be celebrating the people we love throughout the year. So with concerted effort, I am looking for a compromise to the greeting card and candy holidays and am looking for meaningful ways to let mom know how much she means to me without spending more than $5-$10, staying environmentally friendly, and ensuring my efforts are memorable rather than put into the next Goodwill donation bag.

I made a pledge some years ago that I will only give gifts that are usable. (No singing trout, Chia pets, or other last minute panic gifts.) Gift wrap must also be reusable or recycled. I work in an office that receives lots of gift baskets during the holidays and I'm known for grabbing seltzer and unwanted baskets for reuse.

So how do I meet my self imposed guidelines and feel good about the gift I give? Here are some ideas:

While reading through some blogs I stumbled upon this idea, (as soon as I find it again, I promise to give the well deserved credit) take a number of slips of paper and write down things you are grateful to mom for, special memories, or favorite mom sayings. Fold them up and put them in an attractive container. She will enjoy reading them over and over and the cost is next to nothing.
Go to the local farmers' market to pick up seasonal flowers. Put them in a mason jar or vase picked up at Goodwill for a $1 and tie a ribbon on it. The money paid helps support the local economy and is much more reasonable than the traditional $50 bouquet from a florist.
Create a coupon book for mom with gifts of your time. Mow the lawn, weed the garden, a home cooked meal that she doesn't have to cook, hugs, etc. anything goes and you are giving her time spent together as well.
Create a CD of her favorite songs from her collection, yours, or even the library's.
Scan the newspaper or web for free events in your area and take her. Bump it up a notch and pack a picnic lunch.

Falling Off The Wagon

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:22:00 +0000

In my journey to financial independence, I've struggled, stumbled, rededicated myself, and persevered. Like kicking addictions, financial health is all about identifying destructive behavior and building new habits. Unfortunately, like kicking addictions there are stumbling blocks. Do you run for your favorite department store to combat depression? Pick up the last round of drinks because it's "the thing to do?" Buy the expensive gift to impress the giftee? Or, lend that friend or family member your savings because you feel responsible for them? These are all unhealthy habits that keep us in debt, but forgetting to budget for basics like food, gas, or that emergency savings. I think, "If I can just pay off that bill quicker, I'll be free." What really happens is that emergency comes up or there are no groceries left for that last day before payday.
So how do we change these habits? First, identify the triggers. Next, make baby steps until the changes become what feels normal. Then, build in a cushion for those slips. Make sure you also build in rewards along the way so you don't feel deprived and "binge." Most importantly, don't beat yourself up. Acknowledge the set back and get back on track.

The "B" Word... Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:22:00 +0000

A few years ago, I created a full spreadsheet budget. This baby has everything down to formulas for income to expense ratio (a truly scary experience when you realize what that is.) Every year I faithfully sit down and figure changes to the budget while trying to tweak it to get the optimal debt repayment plan. And then life happens... the gift you've got to pick up... the dish you're supposed to bring to the potluck but unexpectedly ran out of a crucial ingredient... the long distance drive that brought the gas tank down to empty.

My budgets never give me enough elbow room to deal with the little things. As a result, my progress on debt repayment is more like two steps forward and one step back. Tonight I took two very big steps forward. I cut up all of my credit cards. I haven't abused them like I did when I started this mess, but I still fall back on them when my budget didn't make it. I just solved that problem with a couple of snips. That safety net doesn't exist anymore. The second step was evaluating just how short my budget really is. I figured out that I need to increase my income by $150 per month because I don't have any give until I can pay off two minor debts. Those two are my focus with a plan of taking them off the board in the next two weeks.

Moral of the story... BE REALISTIC.

Alternative Transportation

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:06:00 +0000

There was a time when I received assistance with my parking, but after my '84 Olds meet her untimely death, I never asked to have that assistance reinstated. I've been paying my parking ever since. For a time, I had a carpool buddy. Granted we never discussed how much he was going to contribute and I took his age and lack of income into consideration I didn't push the question. When I lost my carpool buddy, I bit the bullet and started taking mass transit. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner except that I was concerned about loosing my parking spot. I knew it would be impossible to get it back.

Confession... I live within walking distance of Fareless Square, an area of town where you don't have to pay for a ticket as long as you stay within "Fareless Square." The walk is about 10 blocks, but I'm enjoying to peace and quiet. It helps me relax before sitting down to my desk. The time on the bus has given me a chance to read, something I haven't had time for in quite awhile. I will have to reevaluate this choice if they get rid of this zone as the rumors have been suggesting.

On the really nice days, I've been walking all the way to work, which is about 2 miles. If they do get rid of Fareless Square, that's always an option and finally have no fear, I have a backup. My bike is tuned and ready to be put into action. I live in a very bike friendly city and am practicing on the weekends.

Finally, when the season changes and the rains come in, I have started networking for a new carpool buddy. I think I've got a good one lined up for the rainy season.

Bottom line, I'm saving $8 per day or $140 per month and I'm happy to say that I've already lost 15 pounds. Consider alternatives. Its good for the earth. Its good for your body. Its good for the pocketbook.

How Many Meals Can You Make Out of 1 Chicken Breast?

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:51:00 +0000

As a single person, its difficult to be inspired to cook a meal for one. One of my favorite ways to combat this boredom is to cook chicken breasts to leave in the freezer and fridge to pull out when I don't want to cook. Below are a few suggestions for the simple chicken breast.

Chicken Quesadilla - Take chicken slices and spread out in a tortilla. Add shredded cheese (any kind will do.) Then get wild with all the choices. Italian: Use mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes. Club: Add bacon and blue cheese. Mexican: Sour cream, salsa, and olives.

Chicken and Pasta - Add Parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, olive oil, and a bit of cream. (I cheat with a touch of sour cream for thickness.)

Chicken Shepard's Pie/Pot Pie - Use left over mashed potatoes, biscuits, croissant, etc., gravy or cream of mushroom soup, carrots, peas, and mushrooms.

Chicken Bento - Leftover rice (I tend to make a big batch over the weekend and keep it in the fridge to warm up.) and vegetables with a touch of teriyaki sauce. Heat in microwave.

Chicken Salad - Get creative. Anything goes.

What ideas can you come up with?

September Goals

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:36:00 +0000

The journey to debt repayment isn't always an easy one. For me there have been many trips and stumbling blocks along the way, but my determination still stands. I look at the stock market and think, "Now is a great time to scoop up some of those bargains." I'm looking at the housing market and think, "If I hadn't gotten myself into this mess, I could be purchasing a home now." Its difficult to keep the enthusiasm up when you deprive yourself even if the goals in sight are what you really desire.

During this quiet period, I've picked up a second job to help pay down my debt quicker. While my determination to get on top of my debt is strong, I took a look at my spending lately and realized that I haven't gotten very far and its because I've been taking care of those things I put on the back burner. You may think you remember where your at in your plans, but it often takes a look at the hard copy to get the real picture. So, with that said...

My Goals for September ~
- Take parking down to $40 for the month (If I get reimbursed for it, that's even better.)
So far I've only driven once this month and my mom paid for it because I was her taxi.
- Take my lunch four times a week. Limit dining out to 1 lunch per week.
- Pay off 401k loan. I know, I know, BIG MISTAKE to take a loan out against your 401k!
- Create Christmas list so I can take advantage of sales over the next 3 months.
- Add $50 to Emergency Fund
- Add $50 to Roth IRA

Updates and Evaluations

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:34:00 +0000

I've been reevaluating my ability to save money and taking a hard look at my decisions. Its easy to say I'm paying off debt, but a completely different reality when I realized I was only partially committed. I'm happy to say that I've started to use public transportation and even walking to work. It's saving me at least $8 a day in parking. I've been working at packing my lunch and breakfast which is saving me $5 for breakfast and $12 for lunch. I'm making sure I get my money's worth out of my gym membership frequently making workout dates with friends rather than going out for dinner or coffee. Finally, I've picked up some side work on the weekends which is bringing in some much needed extra cash.

Inexpensive Birthday Celebrations

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:56:00 +0000

When you're on a budget and looking for an inexpensive way to host a party, consider a bit of nostalgia. Bowling offers the opportunity to talk with everyone and yet provides an activity. For a rental fee of about $3 for shoes and $2 per game after 8pm, you just can't miss.

Today was a close friend's birthday. Inspired by a recent trip she took to Hawaii, I went to the party store and spent $15 in decorations and favors. I know I could have saved quite a bit, but it was worth it and I can reuse most of it for another island themed party. I purchased silk flower leis, a posable cardboard dancer, tropical fish bendy straws (because its not a party without fun straws!), and a crown for the party princess. Dinner consisted of 1 pizza for $14.75 and atomic cheese nachos as a joke for the birthday girl ($3.75).

Now, I have to admit that I could have done this for less, but there was no clean up and I was able to participate as much as everyone else because I didn't have to do anything.

As for the the party itself, I think everyone enjoyed the music from the 80s, neon setting, and of course, those fashionable shoes!

Debt Repayment Update

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:54:00 +0000

After struggling for some time with my repayment plan, I've been pushing forward with efforts to increase my income. My first step was to call a bakery I used to work for. Knowing June is a huge wedding season, I asked if they needed help with delivery. I've now completed two weekends and earned $250. Helping a friend rent her apartment I've scored another $100. Best of all, my $600 kicker check should be here by the end of the week.

All of this will ensure I reach my goal of paying off a 401k loan.

Knowing When Food Is Freshest Will Save Money!

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:30:00 +0000

Shopping at Farmers' Markets is becoming the "In" thing to do. Stopping by a road side stand to pick up fresh berries while on a road trip adds to the flavor of travel. Going out to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin is all part of the fall experience. What may not be as obvious is the money we save by participating. Eating food that is in season and at its freshest helps the local economy by supporting farmers; it saves fuel because fruits and vegetables don't have to be flown in from other countries; and it limits the amount of chemicals that have to be used to force fruits and vegetables to ripen.

Not sure when fruits and vegetables are in season? Check out the Center for Urban Educations Sustainable Agriculture site where they have a chart for Fruits and Vegetables.

While you're at it, consider picking up extra and saving it for later. Most Fruits and Vegetables can be frozen or canned for later use. My family also makes a batch of apple sauce and jam to store for the year. I can't tell you the last time we purchased either item at a store.

Apartment Living Doesn't Limit Your Ability To Grow Your Own Food

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:35:00 +0000

Between the price of food skyrocketing, the interest in fresh food that actually tastes like I expect it should, and continuing scares of salmonella in tomatoes, I have been looking into gardening options. For those that live in a house, it may be a challenge if you're not into yard work, but for those of us that live in apartments it provides a lot more challenges.

Inspired by a posting on Wisebread by Linsey Knerl called "The Ultimate Green Workout," I began to examine ways to supplement my food budget. When I had a deck it was easy. I'd invest in large planters and grow cherry tomatoes, herbs, and peas. Hanging baskets are great for cucumbers and zucchini.

Today, I have a bigger challenge. I have no outside space and no deck or patio. So with determination I began to brainstorm ideas.

Look into Community Gardens. For a small fee you can "rent" a small plot to plant.
Family members and friends are often in need of help in the yard. Consider a labor swap for gardening benefits.
Talk to landlord about planting an edible landscape. It's environmentally friendly to utilize garden space for food rather than high maintenance lawns or shrubbery.
Check out Gleaning. Gleaning has a long tradition in farming communities where groups go out into fields after the crop has been picked to pick remaining produce that was missed. You can find information on Gleaning groups on-line, at local food banks, and Granges.

Cooking For One Versus A Family

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:37:00 +0000

If you are cooking for one or even two, you know how frustrating it can be. It's difficult to keep a variety of fresh meals in the house and eat everything before it goes bad. I have another confession to make to those that don't have to struggle through those daily frustrations of singlehood, we tend not to cook because its just as easy to graze on throw together food like a bowl of popcorn, peanut butter sandwich, or cheese and crackers. So when an opportunity to share cooking responsibilities comes up we jump at it.

I work at an office with a group of people that often eats lunch together. Today we discussed and decided to purchase groceries and prepare group lunches. This has great potential, but it also has the ability to get a bit expensive. I've agreed to participate in a moderate fashion at first. Tomorrow's big experiment will be salmon with asparagus. I'm going to keep track of cost and compare to both buying lunch and packing lunch.

If Its Not A Recession Why Is It So Difficult To Pay The Expenses

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:03:00 +0000

Forgive me for taking two months off, but my frustration level with my financial situation reached new heights. Its during those periods, when I go "off the wagon," that I get into lots of trouble. The good news is I didn't go out and spend lots of money. I did get the LASIK surgery so that's made a dent in my repayment plan. I also took a small vacation to Kauai, Hawaii, but thanks to generous parent of a friend and a flight certificate from United for a botched trip in December I only spent about $500.

So it looks like I've got a fresh start or at least that's what I'm focusing on to counter the frustration factor. During my two month hiatus I've been checking into green alternatives to everyday living. I'm most interested in those things that save money which includes trying to eliminate prepared foods and cooking more from scratch. I also remember an article I read some time ago that discussed the cost of clutter. In an effort to cut costs I'm evaluating all the things I own. The first step was to donate an old mattress, box springs, and frame to a local non-profit that gives household items to low income families getting back on their feet either because of leaving everything behind in a domestic abuse environment, getting a first apartment after living on the streets, or helping fire victims. To keep up momentum I took a few clothes to a consignment store. Tomorrow I'll be pulling things out for eBay and a yard sale. It's also time to start menu planning again. I've been guilty of living at restaurants lately and not shopping enough.

In reading through my blog roll I ran across a posting that introduced me to www.lovefoodhatewaste.com. Its a website that addresses the problem of throwing away an average of 1/3 of all groceries purchased. That's a huge waste of money as well as resources. The site provides suggestions on stocking a pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. It then provides dining suggestions and has a great tool that suggests recipes when you click on foods that you need to use up before it goes bad.

Goals for June:

Hold garage sale
Pay off 401k loan
Catch up on expenses
Earn an extra $200 to snowflake

You Never Know When Money May Knock On Your Door

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:18:00 +0000

I participated in the taste test today and discovered they are looking for more people next week. It looks like I will have another opportunity to make $20. It usually takes less than 30 minutes and I try to schedule it during my lunch hour so I get lunch as well. I also got a confirmation from the Mock Jury project. Yeah!

Take Advantage of Holiday Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Making Cents of Debt) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:28:00 +0000

Holidays are a great time to save money on groceries. Ham, pineapple, asparagus, strawberries, butter, breakfast sweets, eggs, and entertainment items, now is the time to push your grocery budget and stock up.

Unfortunately, I've never had any success freezing ham. It oozes water, becomes mushy and just doesn't freeze well. Instead, I'm looking for smaller portions to use in sandwiches, omelettes, casseroles, and soup. My favorite dish is an adapted spaghetti carbonara, a pasta with a parmesan, cream sauce, peas, and panchetta. Panchetta is an italian style bacon.

This is also the beginning of the growing season. California strawberries are at their best, big, juicy, and flavorful. Not only am I picking some up for breakfast and snacks, but I'm also getting some to freeze for smoothies later in the year. Stawberries also bring homemade jam to mind, but I admit I'd rather just eat them fresh.

Other items to think about picking up include:
For the freezer ~ butter. rolls, baked goods, and fish.
For next easter ~ baskets, easter grass, plastic eggs, and paper goods.