Keeping Frugal When Exhaustion Sets In

by a.b.

I have to say I have hit a wall. Between studying for my state licensing exam, my job, spending time with family, and my general responsibilities, I'm exhausted.

The first thing to fall apart when I'm tired isn't my body or my schedule; it's my patience, quickly followed by our budget. I forget to pull the chicken out of the freezer, or to put the pork in the crockpot. I get distracted by some memory training device and I forget to eat until I'm ready to chew through my own arm, and end up at McDonald's instead.

I have found certain things help me during this time:

1. Write everything down. - From my weekly to-do list to general reminders, if I don't write it down, it doesn't get done. I'm actually preferential to post-it notes; I stick them on walls at eye level in relevant places.
2. Take the time to create a flexible plan. - If I have an actual menu plan, I have a much better chance of remembering to pull out the chicken. So I planned on cooking Pork Chili Verde on Friday, but I slept in...there was no way the PCV was going to be ready for us to eat considering it's eight-hour cook time, so I switched the chicken chopped salad to Friday, and the PCV to Saturday. Having a plan offered me the flexibility I needed to feed my family without having to go out.
3. Don't kick yourself for being human. - That's not to say in the past few weeks we haven't gone out. We go out on happy hour and to conveyor belt sushi so that we keep our costs down, but I'm not going to berate myself for being imperfect. I'm tired of doing that.
4. Ask for help. - One of the truly wonderful things about my husband is he checks up on me. He makes sure I take study breaks, takes me to work when he can so I don't have to deal with the stress of driving, and more (he even cooks!). Even so, I sometimes have to ask for help. He's awesome, not a mind reader. The downside is I have to be self-aware enough to know what I need, but if I ask for a bit of help to begin with, things don't immediately get out of hand.

On top of everything my laptop decided to poop out on me yesterday. It appears to just be the AC Adaptor (keep your fingers crossed), but I honestly did not need to drive around town trying to find that. In all honesty, I immediately started looking at ibooks on craigslist, but I know that's not the frugal solution. So sue me, I'm tired.

Envelope System Harder Than It Looks

by a.b.

So after my first "envelope outing" I have to say I already have serious concerns on the effectiveness of the envelope system. As I previously mentioned, Mr. B and I are trying a modified envelope system, using the paper enforcers only for food and gas. It's a lot harder than I thought.

First of all, I have allotted $120 every two weeks for us, including any paper goods. I started this at the worst possible time; the cupboards were bare. I spent $75 dollars for this week's foodstuffs, which in my opinion isn't bad. (I can certainly do better, and will.) We were out of cheese, milk, olive oil, meat, butter, pretty much every staple outside of flour.

The hard thing for me is to decide how to allot monthly items. Obviously we won't go through two pounds of cheese in a week, but I'm not going to weigh the cheese at the end of the week to see how much was used.

I've decided to try this for at least eight weeks to give it a fair try. The main deficiencies I've determined are all mine: hesitance, confusion, lack of planning. I'm pretty sure if I can get on the ball, the envelope system will cut our food bills substantially and allow us to track our car bills better. Like everything else though, it is work.

Experimenting With A Modified Envelope System

by a.b.

The envelope system has garnered high praise in the pf blogiverse for reining in spending and helping people to get out of debt. The Cliff's notes version of the system is:

• Figure out your budgeted amount for each category.
• Write the category on the envelope.
• Put the money allotted for the week/two weeks/month in the envelope.
• If any money is left over at the end of the allotted time, either cycle it into the next period of time or transfer it into a goal envelope (debt repayment, trip to Hawaii, Chanel Coat).
• When you run out of cash in the envelope, you are out...period.

I think the envelope system has a lot of advantages, but haven't tried it. Why not? First, I love my automated bill pay. Secondly, our income fluctuates (sometimes wildly), so I don't want to move everything at the end of the month into a goal, because that income might be desperately needed in the bank for the next month.

However, our food budget has taken on a life of its own. Out of everything I try to keep control over, I have had the least success in the groceries and eating out categories. I talked with my husband today, and we are going to try a modified envelope system.

Every budget category except for groceries and gas are on automatic billpay, so we are only creating envelopes for those two categories and my new job pays every two weeks, so our envelopes are going to be bi-weekly. My goal is to cut down on groceries enough to cover a monthly meal out for us.

How will this work? Well, I'll let you know.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/reneesilverman/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Boy the Flu Takes It Out of You!

I apologize to my readers, I got a nasty bug this week and have been remiss about posting. I especially would like to thank:

1. Moolanomy.com for posting my piece on 8 Ways To Reduce Pet Care Costs. Did you know that 500,000 to 1,000,000 pets are estimated to be abandoned due to the economy? Maybe finding ways to cut back can help people keep their entire family in tact.
2. Mighty Bargain Hunter for including my article on "Deprioritizing Our Debt Payoff" in the Carnival of Debt Reduction.
3. Cheapskate Sandy at Yes, I Am Cheap for including my article "I'm Not Poor, I'm Not Cheap, I'm Frugal" in the Festival of Frugality.
4. My Journey to Millions for including my article on The Importance of Gratitude in the Money Stories Carnival, even though it apparently wasn't much of a money story. (I apologize; it won't happen again.

Thank you to all.

The Great Water Heater Debacle: Rent or Buy?

by a.b.

Yesterday, Mr. B and I woke up and tried to get ready as usual. Unfortunately, the water heater was not cooperating and our showers were a little tepid. Apparently the element is going out on the water heater in our apartment. I'm not surprised, as a friend of ours who actually works repairing water heaters told us it was 19 years old.

The great water heater debacle actually has become a bigger question regarding renting vs. buying for us. It was wonderful to go to the apartment manager and let her know, and know that they had to take care of it (somewhat) promptly. However, since it happened later in the day, the maintenance man wasn't able to start the project because it would've gone too late for his schedule. It will be taken care of tomorrow morning, and I get to shower in the clubhouse this morning. (At this point I'm grateful I have a place to shower.)

While I may have had to take care of it myself, and run down people to call, I could've secured someone who would've fixed our water heater by tonight, and I wouldn't have had to boil water to wash my dishes, and I wouldn't be waking up an extra half hour early to shower in a public shower.

Of course, there is also a financial concern. Since I package a home warranty into necessary home expenses, items like a hot water heater would be covered. Maintaining a home is expensive, but I crave control over my own domain. I know I'm completely out of my mind, and that owning a home is a money pit, but at this point I'd rather be beholden to subcontractors I can yell at, rather than an absolutely wonderful apartment manager who can still evict me (not that she ever would).

I'm craving a grown up life....or maybe just a hot shower.

MT Tip: Utilize Your Lifetime Warranties

by a.b.

Mr. B and I were in desperate need of entertainment today. We've watched every DVD we own 10,000,000 times, and the Netflix DVDs were in transit. So I drove on over to Hollywood Video. Just to be clear, I do not rent movies from Hollywood Video or Blockbuster, and Redbox only on rare occasions. Why? Because I am movie returning incompetent. It's cheaper for me to purchase DVDs than it is for me to rent them with late fees.

Every so often, Hollywood Video runs ridiculously awesome sales on their Previously Viewed movies. Today was buy 2, get 2 free. Not ridiculously awesome, but so much better than retail. As I checked out with our new (to us) entertainment, the customer service agent reminded me to keep my receipt, as they offer a lifetime warranty on my purchase.

I love lifetime warranties! My kitchen knives have the same privilege, so when a blade broke, I took it to the manufacturer's warehouse and they replaced it for me. I had a friend who used to go to garage sales looking for "broken" tools that she knew carried lifetime warranties. She'd buy it for a song, then trade it in for a brand new version.

Sometimes you may have to fill out a warranty card, or something similar, and many companies will only allow you to replace an item once, but it's still worth it.

I Might've Seriously Goofed

by a.b.

So my husband has a great new BofA credit card with 0% interest for the next seven months, hopefully. Since it was a new card, I hadn't put it in automated billpay yet. Unfortunately, this particular bill is due on the Columbus Day holiday. I set it up so that it would pay by today, but at last check it's been pulled from my checking account, and not applied to the credit card.

After having a minor panic attack, I tried to cover my bases by setting up a transfer to the credit card as well. According to the bank, no matter how long it takes for the transfer to occur, it will post effective today.

I know that I'm panicking, but I don't want to pay the ridiculous interest rate because of this mistake, that isn't even a mistake. When I enter a request into BofA BillPay and it says it will deliver by today, I expect that to happen. I really only expect it to happen because it's a BofA credit card. I know it's not as simple as someone walking down the hall and saying, "Hi George, here's a payment from Mrs. B," but since the money is never leaving the BofA system, it darn well better be handled or I'm going to be severely peeved.

Even though they declare the Deliver By date an "estimate," I did feel better when I read this:

If we fail to process a payment in accordance with your properly completed instructions, we will reimburse you any late-payment-related fees. Please contact Online Banking Customer Service to request that the fees be reversed.

So there is something that can be done in house to make it all come together. I will continue to panic until I see the payment post on the credit card bill. Something similar happened once before, and when the payment posted it did have the correct effective date, but a balance transfer wasn't on the line. I just can't see BofA wasting an opportunity to jack our interest rates up to 20%.

So I have learned my lesson, I'm just praying it doesn't turn out to be an expensive one.

Update: It appears my payments posted as advertised, and two days before my due date. I'm grateful my mistake did not become bigger.

Moolanomy Post: How To Slice Your Budget Wisely

My first post as a staff writer is up at Moolanomy.com entitled How To Slice Your Budget Wisely, it focuses on easy ways to cut your standard budget, without feeling the pain. I want to thank my MT readers for all of their support. I promise my new endeavors will not keep me away from here.

I'm Not Poor, I'm Not Cheap, I'm Frugal!

by a.b.

Because I have debt, it's been a long journey to get my responsibilities under control, to the point where I can choose where my money goes. Because I make choices that are not mainstream, I constantly subject myself to the oddest assumptions and inquiries.

For instance, my mother-in-law (who is the sweetest, most wonderful person, and could probably make Harriet Nelson, Patty Duke, and Donna Reed feel inadequate) was very worried that we weren't doing well financially. They are currently saving for an international trip, literally a once in a lifetime experience, but were willing to sacrifice their trip for us, because she worried we were in financial danger. Why do people think these things of us?

The Studio: Mr. B, B-dog, and I live in a 484 s.f. studio. We don't take up a lot of space, so we didn't want to pay for square feet we wouldn't use. When we lived in a 2 bedroom apartment, we used the second bedroom as storage, and ended up selling everything in it when we moved.

Going Out: We don't like to go out all of the time; it's more of a personal decision than a financial one. Mr. B and I work conflicting schedules, so time that we get to spend together is precious, and alone time is even better. Our friends like to go out a lot. When we do make it, they try and pick up the tab because they assume the reason we didn't go out before was based on affordability. The truth is I am an old fart in a late 20s body.

Happy Hour: Happy hour has been one of the greatest pleasures and debacles of my life. I simply don't see the benefit in paying more for the same food to come in later, or earlier. My penchant for happy hour became so well known, that people started to wonder if I had a drinking problem. When I explained that it was because I don't want to pay extra, they confused desire with ability, and we're back at tab wars.

Clothes: I hate to shop with a passion. I don't even like to shop online; I despise everything about the process. I'm not anti-consumerist in any way. I just hate shopping for clothes. They never fit, I hate standing in customer service lines for returns. I really can't find anything good about the shopping process. I buy classic pieces that last a long time and take care of what I have. When my friends or family ask me where I got a tank top, I have to explain I have no idea because it's six years old, and they stare at me in stunned silence. I can afford newer clothes, but I don't need anything new, so why should I shop? More stunned silence.

Honesty: I don't shy away from financial questions. Our friends and family know we are paying off student loans, credit card debt, and an auto loan. I think that media hype has them more concerned than they need to be. When my mother-in-law starts to get that concerned look in her eye, I turn on a big smile and let her know that it's okay, we should be debt free in about three years without any major strain. Debt also isn't keeping us from living any part of our lives. We spend time with friends, and are even looking at houses. But darnit, you can't keep a mother, or mother-in-law from worrying.

The truth is, I know I am very lucky to have so many concerned citizens in my life, and I wouldn't trade any one of them....maybe one or two. I understand that my choices aren't the mainstream. I also understand that many of the ways I choose to live, are ways other people live when they have no other choice.

To me, frugality is about choosing where my dollars go. I like the notion that my pennies have thought behind them. I would rather go to a Happy Hour special and leave a larger tip for the waitress, than feel my pocket pinched at dinner hour. I would rather take care of what I have than go buy new. I believe in using, not abusing my possessions. I also believe in slipping the waiter an extra $20, so I don't have to keep fighting my friends for the tab.

Luxe Dessert - Budget Style

by a.b.

It's been ages since I posted a recipe, so I thought I would share the divine dessert we had the other night. I started with a box of Ghiradelli Hot Fudge Brownie Mix ($2.19 at Target, $3.69 at Safeway) and baked hot fresh brownies. I also picked up a raspberry sorbet on sale for $2.50. After I let the brownie cool just a bit, you spoon a couple tablespoons of sorbet on the side. The hot fudge plays off of the raspberry sorbet beautifully.

To bring it up a notch, there's a recipe on the box to change your brownies into a chocolate torte. While it calls for a little orange zest, I also like to substitute the 1/4 cup of water with Grand Marnier or another orange liquor.

For health considerations, portion a smaller brownie and larger sorbet.

This can be a truly gourmet presentation, for about $5.50 and 30 minutes.

Serves 4-8

I Spent Too Much Money Yesterday

by a.b.

Gee whiz, I'm glad we keep a cushion. Yesterday was one of those days where you get too many offers you can't refuse. A family whose company we really enjoy invited us to lunch with a friend they had visiting. No big deal....$22.

Then our friend called to let us know he was in town this weekend on his way up to Seattle. He's getting married in November, so we wanted to take the opportunity to take him out for one of his last "bachelor beers." We did use a gift certificate, but still....another $30.

Lastly, our friend is moving up to Seattle to start a new job and get things ready for him and his new bride. Seriously though, he's a 22-year-old guy. I knew he forgot everything important. I took him to Target and got him an early wedding present:

• All-Purpose Cleaner
• Paper Towels
• Cleanser
• Toilet Cleaner Brush
  
• Laundry Detergent
• Dish Soap
• Dishwasher Soap
• .....and most importantly, a PLUNGER! (Don't ask.)

Since it was Target I picked up a couple of actual necessities for me, too. At least they were necessities, though. That's a change for me and Target. There goes another $50.

So it was an expensive day, but it was worthwhile; now, I don't have to be sociable for a couple weeks. :)

The Importance of Gratitude

by a.b.

I received the best gift this week. Several months ago, I was talking with my grandmother about how my husband and I don't really have or take photos because we don't have a digital camera, and we always forget to develop film. I would also really like to take digital pictures for this blog, because I think it's so much better than pulling other people's creativity off flickr. My grandma told me since she had just bought a new one, she had an old digital camera I could have if I wanted. Being in the middle of a crazy out of state move, I completely forgot about her offer.

A few weeks ago, I e-mailed her saying how much I appreciated her offer, and that I would love to have it if she hadn't offered it to anyone else. My wonderful grandma put her old camera in the mail.

Winding back nearly 15 years (ugh), I was a photography student in high school. I love camera work and I still have a great old school single lens reflex that was given to me by my uncle (who is truly one of the most generous men I know). I still use this camera, but since I don't develop my own film or prints anymore, it has become more of a greatly treasured relic. I have never owned a digital camera before; when digital first came out, it was crappy, and I could take infinitely better pictures with my professional setup. My grandma remembered this.

Fast forward to Thursday. I went to pick up the camera that came in the mail, but something wasn't right; the package read eight pounds! Unbeknownst to me, my grandmother had two old digital cameras. I opened the box to find a Nikon Coolpix 8700 8MP digital camera with filters, optics, and every bell and whistle I could hope for. I called my grandmother in utter disbelief, thinking she sent the wrong camera.

I told her how amazing it was, that it was an incredible gift, and if she ever wanted it back she could have it in the same condition it is in right now. I told her I had no idea she would send me this nice of a camera.

She said, "I wasn't going to send you the piece of sh** camera. You like photography, and you will take beautiful pictures with it, instead of it just sitting here."

"Yes, I will, but you know I would've been happy with the piece of sh** camera, right?"

"I know, sweetie."

The best gift I received wasn't the camera; it was the trust and, maybe even respect, of my grandma. Over the years I've left behind my reputation as someone frivolous and unthankful, and earned the acknowledgement of my friends and family as someone who takes care of my things, and is deeply appreciative for my blessings.

Some of my family even laughed at me because it took me over three years to send out our wedding "thank yous." Between three out of state moves, and a major car accident, I actually wrote them three times, but they kept getting lost, or postage kept going up. I kept a note from Miss Manners during that time, where a gentle reader had asked Miss Manners when it was too late to send a thank you. The reply was something to the effect of, when the person has passed away, and you have to live with the guilt of your ingratitude. I was so proud when all of those were sent out.

Gratitude and appreciation is one of the many things that separates frugal from cheap. I can never repay the generosity I've experienced in my life, but I can say thank you, and remember, and pay it forward when I can. In fact, although I called her, I think I'll go write a thank you note right now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hryckowian/ / CC BY 2.0