I swear I have seasonal affectiveness disorder. I have been dragging all week but saturday was a glorious day, filled with sun and I was full of energy! So I am blaming this week’s mishaps on the SAD. Although I could say it was a successful week. As I promised I avoided TJ Maxx and Marshalls. SO back on track with that but had a little hiccup with Costco.
First let’s start with the normal grocery shopping. At Fred Meyer I spent 83.63. Since it was another no cook week I thought I would have done better . You can see how much I bought. Alot was stuff on clearance, sale and regular everyday foods. We were all out of fruit and milk and I just couldn’t pass up the sale meat for future meals.
Goldfish was a FM ecoupon and I have been using my Baker’s Joy for the last 3 months thinking it was the last squirt with every use. Finally it sprayed no more. I really love this stuff especially for baking. And I know I should have baked my own muffins, I feel guilty about that. The day I shopped this week wasn’t my normal Friday so I couldn’t pick up my FM freebie (Tostito salsa, sweet)! And the shipment of .99 chocolate milk, that was on my list, had not come in yet so I knew I would have to go back.
Fast forward to Friday….. went to pick up my freebie and choco milk and it was like a tracking beam that pulled into that awesome clearance bin. I just could not resist looking through it . I swear it’s like an Easter egg hunt. Look what all I found, sweet but not so because I spent another $19.39 and it should have only been one dollar for the milk.
And then there is Costco. I forgot to take a picture but stuck to my list and got out of there for $90.69. Since going every other week I think it was reasonable. However while walking to the checkout I noticed a collared shirt that would be perfect for the HB boy who has to wear them for school and his have really seen better days.
I resisted though and didn’t but them…. on this day. They kept calling me though after doing some laundry and noticing again how bad is school clothes looked, I decided to go back, just to get one to see if even he would like them. And then I also noticed a pair of shorts for the HB Hubby and a pair of cropped jeans for me.
Bought all three! 😉
Thankfully I didn’t like the jeans but HB boy and the Hubby liked the shirt and shorts sooooo had to go back to return my jeans and bought another pair of shorts and three more shirts for the HB boy… I am out of breath right now just writing this.
It all seemed to happen so fast! All I can hear is Ms Mavis in my ear “STAY OUT ! You have a problem.”
I know but it’s just so embedded in me to shop and seriously I AM doing so much better. You have no idea but still I have a problem. Before I forget I also have to confess that I went in to Bartels. Easter is around the corner and last year I waited till the last moment to yet these horrible Cadbury eggs, I hate them but the kids love them.
Since I waited till the last moment I couldn’t find them anywhere . The big Easter sign reminded me I should be proactive so went in and bought a couple of things for the Easter basket, $21 worth of stuff.
And I just couldn’t wait for Ms Mavis to get back from her extended vacation. As I mentioned, it was a glorious sunny day yesterday so I go busy on the new chicken pen. First I had to clean up the area where the fence will go, then mapped it out and I looked into renting a gas powered hole digger {around $100 a day}. So decided to see how hard it would be to dig them myself, I have a post hole digger. Before I knew it I had dug all but three, two of those will be for the gate and another which is blocked by a tree trunk that Western Tree Solutions will come back and move for me. That’s 13 holes!!
I was just itching to do more. Hb Hubby came home from work about that time and I convinced him to take me to Home Depot. And there I bought {15} 4×4 8ft post. Exciting! That purchase was $137.69. The nice thing was that I was able to pay cash. All these months as much as I complain about myself and my bad habits, I have managed to save a little nest egg.
Hence the ability to rebuild this chicken pen. It is empowering and makes me want to do better. I LOVE having the feeling that I know I have cash to buy things…. not on credit!!!!!! Just a note. HB boy is at a Boy Scout camp this weekend so he wasn’t helping me with the pen, I hope he is not upset.
Until next week,
~Mrs. HB
Mary Elizabeth Tait says
Good job, Mrs. H.B.! I always check the markdown meat at the market and put it in the freezer; this saves a lot of money on my grocery budget.
KC says
I love clearance bins! Two notes regarding clearance things, though:
1. sometimes they’re not actually much of a bargain off the normal price (in some cases, more expensive than the item’s normal “sale” price!)
2. it’s only a bargain if you really want/use it; if it’s going to perch in your cupboards for the rest of its natural life (or die a lingering death in the veggie crisper), then it’s not a bargain for you even if it’s 90% off. (I have done this.)
Great job working ahead on getting things for Easter! 🙂 And bonus points for getting them something that you don’t like, so it’ll definitely still be around by the time you assemble those baskets… 😉
Keep on keeping on! If you keep trying, you’ll shake up those habits and it’ll get easier and easier to do what you’re really wanting to do long-term (instead of what you want to do “in the moment” that you regret later).
Meg B. says
Agreed. While I love the Fred Meyer markdown section, some things are not a bargain. For instance, that elbow macaroni. If that is a 16 oz. size, (can’t tell from the picture) then that is a TERRIBLE price. At least three times/year Fred Meyer has their 10/$10 pasta sale. And, I have seen it as low as $0.88.
Linda says
I am so impressed that you dug all those holes in one day! You are doing well saving. One day you will have this down and be able to resist spending just to spend. When you are in a spend/buy situation, try visualizing how great it felt to pay cash for those chicken pen posts.
MeanJean says
WOW!
Impressed that you dug those fence post holes!!
Keep up the good work on sticking to a budget– it gets easier over time…trust me!
Glenda says
I m not really one to talk but it is a question I ask myself – if I had to go back to work because I buy stuff like this, do I still want it? I can do without sales often times just so I can continue to be home with my family comfortably.
Mrs HB says
Thanks I am feeling it today .
marie says
Love, love, love your holes!! Are you going to sink pre prepped post hole blocks or mix and pour the concrete yourself?
Costco is my worst ever overage! In the end, I think it does all balance out (especially clothing) as it seems they are always going the mile with quality. If not, easy returns. I just know their spring plants will be very hard for me to ignore over the next couple of months. Their plants have always been superior quality, well priced and healthy. See, I’m already talking myself into grabbing a few!!
Keep up the good work! You are becoming a convert!!
Carrie says
I spent $60 on 20 plants at Costco to fill my 6 flower planters that are around my porch. I was happy to get bigger plants that I really wanted (geraniums and calibrachoa). I decided to wait on the veggies and hope they still have a good selection in 2 weeks. I usually spend that amount on those planters once a year and spend hours planting because I usually get the small cell packs – not this year! Only took an hour and I am so happy with it!
Mrs HB says
Gonna pour . I have never seen the other type.
Carole says
Mrs. HB I always say if its on clearance or mark down and its something you use and will use get it. In the long run you save. Great job. I have set posts too this year but with a post driver. Its hard work but when you are finished you think WOW I did that and my labor is FREE. My favorite word!!
Love your stories. Please keep going!!
Vy says
Thanks for sharing all this! Just remember, changing habits isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. I think you’re doing great! Just avoid those triggers. 🙂
Sherry says
Off topic but that is such an adorable picture of your dog!
Heather says
I love the dog pic, too! Looks like a real sweetie.
Teri says
Keep up the good job on sticking to your budget. Sounds like you’ve come a LONG way in a SHORT time.
I am super impressed with your post hole digging! WOW!! You Go Girl! Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Julie says
As the wife of a Bartell Drugs employee: thanks for shopping there. 🙂
Carrie says
I am expanding my chicken run in the next month. They have “temporarily” been in a 10×10 dog pen for 1.5 years after moving to a new house. We are building a privacy fence and I plan on re-purposing the wood picket style fence for their run. I am not looking forward to digging post holes in NC clay soil!!!! I am so impressed you dug that many!
Amy says
I enjoy reading your posts, because they are so real & something many of us struggle with. You are doing great!
Your dog is so cute! Reminds me of our very loved black Lab!