Quaint: fun : a few favorites

Hi Everyone -

When it comes to my $99 monthly budget, I'm glad January is done. I went over budget by $51 with Stephanie's fabric feather and a cassette player. So, I can either go with a budget of $48 for February (yikes!) or take a reduction in my cash allowance. I have an easier time saving cash, so reduction, please! I can always go to the Rainy Day fund, but there are a few things I can do to stay in the black and you can, too -

Coffee: We have a 4-cup Mr. Coffee and make a pot each morning - savings $3.
Breakfast: The most important meal of the day is also the easiest to make at home - savings $3.
Lunch: Scott makes a sandwich for each of us every day and I bring my favorite Teany drink. Not only does it save $$, it's also convenient - savings $9.

That's already a conservative savings of $15 for each day times the usual work week of 5 = $75 a week! Do you have any tips for saving money in your daily routine? Let me know because I'd love to sink it into some of these favorites. Have a nice weekend!

xo, Cindy

Art : Jennifer of Scissor Paper Glue can make her Polaroid sing in ways I can only imagine. Her photos are just wonderful. I love the fluttering butterflies.

Craft : I've been collecting hankies for years. The screen printed versions from Bird and Banner couldn't be prettier.

Music : I purchased a new Sony Walkman so we could listen to our cassettes through our Tivoli radio and it definitely helped put my budget into the red. At $30, I thought it was a better deal vs. replacing our dozens of cassettes, which include the sweet sounds of Freedy Johnston.

Videos : Unless you're up at the crack of dawn, you'll rarely see a video on MTV these days. Why do they give awards? You can see videos on Fuse. The countdowns are diverse and I always learn about a new artist like alternative-rock band Anberlin.

Yums : I'm not a big fan of bananas, but they are very high in potassium, an essential nutrient. I do love Zico Coconut Water. It's got lots of potassium, too.

9 comments:

please sirFebruary 05, 2009
Great saving advice. I always eat breakfast in and I'm trying very hard to bring my lunch on more days. It's difficult because at work lunch is a social thing, and if you don't go out you are looked down on. Who can afford it?!
AnonymousFebruary 05, 2009
I have started to make coffee at home and it's really helped. Because, of course, going out to get coffee usually means I'm getting a bagel, too!

P.S. I have a hanky from Bird and Banner, too! Love.
Melissa de la FuenteFebruary 05, 2009
Oh, you are good my dear! I think I need your help in making my monthly budget stick! :) And I do love those screenprinted hankies, just divine.
xo
Melis
Michelle Engel BencskoFebruary 06, 2009
Making my own coffee was a huge thing for me. I was addicted to the routine as much as the coffee. Then, of course, I had to buy me a special travel mug ($), and good coffee press ($), and good coffee ($). I figure by the time I quit work, I'd probably broken even, but if I stayed on, it surely would've paid off by now.
aimeeFebruary 06, 2009
if drinking coffee counts as staying in the black then i am indeed wealthy. this was a great (and funny) post and a good reminder to stick to a budget.
Bonbon OiseauFebruary 06, 2009
hmmmm....you're doing quite well! very proud of you!
what further savings await you! i am excited to find out...
(ooh-you know i'm giving away a little something tomorrow to my bloggy friends in dumbo! that would be saving something right? as in not spending but getting a little "loving you" gift for free?--and if you walk there even better:)
xoxo,deb
Bonbon OiseauFebruary 06, 2009
oh and yes to zico! i love it (and buy it with my coffee savings ;)
julie kingFebruary 06, 2009
what a fun post, cindy! to save money, i gave up buying bottled water at work. it was $1.25 from the machine. yikes! instead i make a cup of hot tea as the tea bags are complimentary where i work! that saves $6.25 a week. my hubbie had been buying a bagel at his work cafeteria every morning but now buys a refrigerated bag full and heats it in the work toaster,a big savings of $6.10 a week. my breakfast each day is a banana and a piece of toast. cheap!! i gave up one of my redken hair care products and also did not renew any of my magazine subscriptions this year. i figure every little bit helps!
i.d.February 07, 2009
I walk whenever possible (instead of taking public transport or driving), I bring all my food from home (even snacks) and I don't eat out much. It's hard though because any kind of social activity - even catching up with friends - involves spending money. Maybe host some potluck dinner parties, that would be fun!

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. We love every one of them!