Pennies From Heaven
How was last week for you? I hope it was good! After large expenses for several weeks in a row, I was grateful for last week being “normal” with nothing breaking! We needed that reprieve, as two things THIS week have already happened—but more about that next time. . . Regardless, I was thankful for a week with no large expenses. Of course, saving our pennies, so to speak, on a regular basis IS preparation for the times when we have large expenses. While we may not be happy about having to purchase a new oven, or have a car repair—isn’t it a huge blessing when that DOES happen and we have the finances in the to cover the needed expense?
I remember years ago when my husband was working at a school in a different state, I was talking with a friend who’s husband also worked at the same school. This friend also lived in the same mobile home park that we lived in, so I knew her husband would be paid something similar to what mine was being paid, and their housing expenses would also be somewhat the same. They also had just one child, same as us at the time. AND her husband also had a different part time job for the state on the side, so actually made quite a bit more than we did. I was shocked when we were chatting one day and the topic of budgeting came up, and she commented to me that she could just “never live on a budget.” She also went on to ask me “Well don’t you ever have a bill such as an electric bill that you just don’t have the money to pay?” I had to bite my tongue not to blurt out “No! Of course not!” That doesn’t mean that emergencies don’t happen—I understand! Something could happen to us tomorrow that we did not have the funds to cover, but for regular monthly bills, we know approximately how much they will be, and some months something may be less and some months it might be more if it is an electric bill. And so we take the average amount and save that every month. Yes, if you have a job that varies in what you are paid, this can be more difficult to do. I have a dear friend who is self employed, and their income varies wildly! But overall, their monthly expenses are still going to average about the same each month, so they know what they need to aim for saving.
Well enough rambling. I just wanted to say that while I am not happy for our collection of larger expenses recently, I am grateful and thankful that we have learned how to budget. Truly, living on a budget is not stressful as my friend years ago thought, but rather it relieves stress in my opinion!
So what did you find to do to save your pennies this past week? Following is what I wrote on my list:
1. I gave my husband a hair cut. How grateful I am that years ago I checked out a book from the library and followed the pictures, learning how to cut his hair. Yes, this was in “pre-Google” days! So the library it was! I have used this skill to give him hair cuts for probably the past 32 years at least, not only for his hair but also for about 25 years for my son. Even if you were only paying $10 a hair cut, that would sure add up over time! In addition, I have cut my daughter’s hair though for her long hair it is just trimming across the bottom, and for a long time I actually cut my own hair as well! Now that is my splurge, and every six months I have a friend cut and highlight it for me. At least I know if things were tight I “could” cut my own!”
2. I cooked beans from dry in the instant pot, and froze them in amounts similar to what one can holds. I had this down for another week as well (it is a regular for me) and a friend asked me what containers I used to freeze them in, so I took a picture to share. I got these pretty inexpensively at our Walmart.
3. Our Aldi’s had three pound bags of Gala apples on sale at a price that equaled the farther away apple orchard price for “seconds,” so I bought some for a small batch of applesauce and a batch or two of apple butter. So far we have simply been eating them though, so I better make that apple butter up soon or we will eat those apples all up! I don’t really care, though—we are enjoying them, one way or another!
4. I have been helping a semi-disabled friend with soothing through her extra things. This week she gave me several bags of things to take to the consignment shop, and insisted that I keep any proceeds from when they sell.
5. I found a weekly calendar white board on clearance at Walmart, and bought it to go above my desk. I absolutely am loving having it! I am using it primarily for a menu planning board, and it is easy to see at a glance what is coming up and what days I still need to plan for. On the website, this board is listed for $25, but it was on clearance at my Walmart for just $7.00. It was with the back to school things that were also on clearance.
6. I found a book that I wanted at a Free Little Library and have been reading it. It is excellent, and has been a blessing!
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