no money, no monay

Ok. so I admit, I cheated a bit this week. I spent 14 bucks on fonts for the computer (which admittedly support my goal of blogging more and developing a nicer looking blog) and 1.30 for two cokes on Friday at work. (I had forgotten my cup and had a heck of a day). I also spent money for books at a marriage conference that I went to. I spent some money on paint for my girl, a skein of yarn and some new knitting needles, and money to let my senior son apply for Wazzu! Go Cougs!

I also started a new monthly bill, which wasn't my favorite thing to do but it also supports one of my goals of being sufficiently supplied in case of an emergency. And it was something that I have been thinking of, for well, maybe two years. So, I bit the bullet and went for it.

But other than that, I have not spent any money this month. I am pretty impressed with that. I still haven't spent any money for groceries either, haven't been in a store since the 31st actually. But my family members have, for things like cheese and milk and cumin (the spice of life:).

We are getting low on bread and so I made some. I have found the most awesome artisan bread recipe ever. It is a slow rise, dutch oven recipe. I don't have a dutch oven, but I do have a pyrex casserole that I use.  http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-12-01/Easy-No-Knead-Dutch-Oven-Crusty-Bread.aspx

But the lesson learned this week is that eating out for us, is more based on habit and opportunity than real need.  And even my kids, who like to eat out, like most teens, have been good about eating at home. After dance, my daughter was hungry. We have to pass by a couple of favorite restaurants, but she said we would go home and she'd be happy to eat there. And it took a bit longer, but we had dinner at home. Honestly, now, I don't miss eating out. It doesn't have the same appeal that it used to.

So, I've saved a ton of money, and it is three weeks in. I'm more conscious of what I am spending and I have learned that we spend way more money on just meaningless, thoughtless stuff than what I thought. Best of all, we have money in savings for our vacation. I haven't spent a dime on my credit cards, and we have had enough of everything.

I have learned to knit, to bake artisan bread and I've been entertained by the systems that I already have in place and that I don't use nearly as much as I should. I've read some books that I wanted to, and I have been as busy as I ever have been.

I've got a pretty great life.

I'm going to keep going with no money month! This week, my goal is to spend absolutely no money and to make sure that I have everything prepped for meals so that I don't end up short in any way for meals or for any other reason.

have a great week