Pages

Thursday, March 31, 2011

First Blog Post of 2011!

I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a blogger. I often think to myself that I should post about something particular that has happened in my life, but then life gets in the way and I forget..and it never gets posted. I struggle with consistency in my life BIG TIME. And it is sooooooo frustrating! I start out exercising and then I get bored with it and quit for a week. I decide to count calories and do so for breakfast and my midmorning snack, but then forget for the rest of the day. Consistency is just not something that comes naturally to me. I guess I'm what you could call a "fly by night" (or the seat of my pants) sort of gal. I like spontenaity and variety! Lately God has been convicting me of some things in the area of consistency. One of the areas is in my finances. I have always had a budget, but could never figure out how to follow it. Even at the beginning of this year I was determined to have a buget into place and follow it to the T. Even if it is boring. Well, I good for about a week and then it fell by the wayside and I eventually forgot about it. Just recently I decided to recommit to a budget. I even went so far as to track our expenses from the previous month...and was so shocked to find that I had spent $586 on food! And I had budgeted $300 for the month! I had even shopped for good deals and clipped coupons! I was really embarrassed and convicted to get our finances in order once and for all. I researched different software, made numerous spreadsheets, and even asked a frugal friend how she stuck to her budget, trying to find something that I could stick with long-term. I also prayed that God would reveal a plan (His plan) to me. And He did. So as of last week I started using the envelope system for some of our buget accounts like food, clothing, gifts, etc. and it's working! I don't feel overwhelmed about it, but excited because I know that we are being good stewards of what God has given to us, and that we are actively working towards our financial goals. It's amazing that I will spend 3 months struggling with setting up a budget and asking advice from friends and all I needed to do was ask for advice from my Heavenly Father and voila! I have a plan. When will I learn? lol So in order to stick with my grocery budget of $300/month, I am still clipping coupons. But this time I make sure I'm choosing great deals and I'm constantly on the lookout for rock bottom prices. And since I'm working with cash instead of using my debit card, I have to be cost-conscious and make decisions more wisely. For example, I have about 10 deodorants in my stockpile right now...so I will not run out for at least another year...or two! However if I find deodorant for FREE (like I will tomorrow at Walmart) with a coupon, then I will buy it. But if it's costs money, then I won't because that money could be used for something that we need more. With that being said, I plan to start posting my deals on here so that you can also benefit from my findings! I also want to start posting recipes that I find that are quick and easy, but also healthy and uses items that I find for a great price! So stay tuned...this may just make a blogger out of me after all! :)