OUCH! It Hurts!

Daughter had 2 of her wisdom teeth removed this morning.  The Orthodontist wanted all 4 removed but the uppers weren't descended enough not to cause a possible problem removing them, as they were so close to her sinus cavity.

So we are starting 2010 with a $1175.00 Oral Surgery bill. 8-(
And at some point in the future, we get to do this all over again for the other 2 teeth....sigh....

Though my checkbook is feeling a bit poorer, Daughter is feeling fine at the moment as she has a prescription for Vicodin and Strawberry milkshakes as far as the eye can see.
Needless to say I haven't done much else today besides chauffer to the dr. and back, run for meds and shakes, prepare jellos in an assortment of flavors and make appropriate "you poor thing" noises at her.

I hope she either recovers quickly and WANTS to go back to school asap or she has enough pain, she wants the Vicodin and sleeps through the next 48 hours or so.
In the nursing department I am ok but that's with a cooperative patient.  Daughter does NOT fit the profile....lolol

I'm hoping to get around to posting my 2010 Hopes and Wishes, my Shopping Reports from late last week, and some other goodies I've been working on.
But that all will have to wait until later.  I need a nap and the rest of the family needs to eat so I've got to get hopping with other stuff.

Sluggy

Meal Plan Monday.....January 4th Edition....More Eating Down the Freezer

Last Week's Menu Postmortem...

All I can say is I had a great meal plan but except for the 1st 2 days, we didn't follow it.lol
Hubby was off from work for the week, kids off from school.....  Seems like most nights the teens all had other plans with friends so I did very little cooking.  Not saying that that's a bad thing now and again to get some time off from cooking!  I made a dent in the soup supply and hubby had plenty of leftovers to work on.
  I did get rid of some meal-in-the-bag type things in the freezer that hubby and I ate. And one night he wanted fish and I didn't have it on the menu so we substituted fish from the freezer for the meatloaf.  So I have most of my Meal Plan already done for this week, as I'll just cook what I had planned last week and didn't get to and add in 2 fresh meals.

Here's what I will be serving our family of 5 this Week.....

MONDAY--Chicken Cashew Stir-Fry-this is from a kit(stockpile/freezer/using leftovers)
TUESDAY--Taco Salads or Tacos(diners choice)(freezer/stockpile)
WEDNESDAY--Date Night w/Hubby-the teens will fend for themselves
THURSDAY--Homemade Pizza(freezer/stockpile), Salad
FRIDAY--Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf for #1 son(freezer), Mashed Potatoes(stockpile), Cauliflower/Carrots/Broccoli(freezer)
SATURDAY--BBQ Chicken(freezer), homemade Mac & Cheese(stockpile/freezer), Peas(freezer)
SUNDAY--Chicken Alfredo(stockpile/freezer), Green Beans(freezer)
SNACKS/DESSERTS--Pineapple, Brownies, Cookies, Pecan Pie

Last week I spent $72.52 on food/toiletries. $38.33 was at the grocery Outlet, $24.63 was at Price Chopper(Seltzer sale/Nabisco Crackers which will end up costing $1 after rebate/$1lb. boneless pork loin), and $12.88 at Rite-Aid(which will net me $13.12 MORE than I spent after rebates). Beyond the milk/juice at the Outlet none of what I bought was necessities last week. We were almost out of seltzer and it was finally on special, the crackers were for the rebate, replenishing some spices, garlic and other grocery items, plus great deals on fish and breaded chicken strips at the Outlet and 8lbs. of pork loin for $8 at PC.  Stock up Opportunities that just popped up and I just went for it.  After the rebate money comes in my $72.52 will end up costing $36.52 OOP.  The Regular Retail Value of all these items purchases amounted to $282.72, a savings of 74.35% on the $72.52 spent or 87.08% after rebates so I feel I spent the money wisely.

Food Waste Report....no waste this week, beyond the usual veggie parings into the compost.  Hubby was working hard to eat all the leftovers before going bad....and he succeeded!lol
By next Monday I should be able to do my full Freezer DeFrost and Inventory if I cook all this week's meals.  

This week's menu doesn't require many grocery purchases, since it's last weeks menu and I have most of it already.& I'll need to pickup milk and fresh salad greens as I am almost out. Daughter had her wisdom teeth out this morning so I'll need to get a few things for her as she's on a liquid/soft food diet and needs jello/pudding/yogurt/applesauce for a couple of days.  The grocery ads this week here are pretty lame so I'm not tempted there.  I'll have to make a Rite-Aid run later today for the "SCR deals" and I might venture back to Wags and/or CVS this week.  I'll try to keep the expenditures low.

Check out ORGANIZING JUNKIE to see what other Home Cooks are serving this week.

Sluggy

$60K Savings Challenge DECEMBER Totals & The Year End TOTAL

I have posted my DECEMBER End of Month 60K $AVING$ CHALLENGE Totals.
Check out the side bar to your right(near the bottom) for the specific numbers.

We had another Excellent month growing our Savings in December!

I have to report that we finished up December in the Black again.

The amount we ended the month of December with was..........$2,104.79!
And that amount was AFTER Christmas spending so I am pretty excited for the total.

Besides Hubby salary we had a hefty amount in Rebates, some rolled Coins and I sold a few things on eBay.  While not a large sum of money, it does add up and help to beef up the savings amount.

As for the expenses in December.....
The electric bill jumped $60 from November, as December was quite a bit colder overall here and the heat was on full time.
The water bill jumped $17 from last month. No explanation for that one.
All other regular bills...Cable, Internet, Phone, etc. are the same each month. 

The Food Budget costs for December are in another post, which is located HERE.  Food/Toiletries spending in December was low after rebate income was figured in and compared to the value of the items bought we saved just over 92%.

We had some out-of-the-ordinary expenses in December.  There was Christmas & daughter's birthday spending(gifts, travel, special food, etc.), though we didn't spend all of the $800 we budget for that so we are under on that expense.
But there were unexpected bills such as--the veterinary hospital($182.90), an electrician visit($109.55), an additional car insurance fee($209.51)since the daughter got her license this month, and 2 car repairs/maintenance bills($1072.94).  If not for these $1574.90 in unusual expenses, the amount to put into savings would have been 50% larger.

The credit card bill,which is paid off EVERY MONTH,($826.58) wasn't very high considering 1/3 of that Dec. bill was Christmas gifts bought early and now are paid for already.  We only have about $170.00 in Christmas & Birthday purchases that will be on the January credit card bill.

The way things turned out, those unusual expenses I was anticipating having to pay out on in December are going to be due in January instead.  These would include Oral Surgery for both Daughter and #2 Son and Orthodontic Work for #2 Son.  It will be a very expensive month for our family's teeth. 8-(


At the end of TWELVE MONTHS of this $AVING$ Challenge, and we have a Savings Grand Total of $23,865.36  for the Year!

While it is nowhere close to the $60 THOUSAND I shot for, I am pretty pleased with the Total we were able to save.  Believe me when I tell you that every penny of that is safely snuggled into an account earning interest.

So what exactly is $23,865.36?

$23,865.36 is paying CASH for a Nice Car!
Not that I would ever spend it that way.lol

$23,865.36 is a total kitchen remodel or a bathroom addition on your home for CASH!
Ok, this is a way I might consider spending it.

$23,865.36 is sending your kid to college for a Year with NO LOANS!
Oh yeah, that's a most excellent way to use that money.

$23,865.36 is paying off a car loan, a student loan, a second mortage or line of credit, or putting on the principle on your mortgage so you are one step closer to being DEBT FREE!

$23,865.36 is a ready made CASH Emergency Fund so that the next time Life hits you with a money emergency, Life can't kick your ass and make you put that emergency on a credit card!


So how was your December financially?  Leave a comment and share with us what you did with your money, both the good and not-so good.   Do you have any tricks or tips that help you to end your month before the money runs out?  Let us know!

And what are your plans for your money in 2010?  Do you have a Budget or some kind of Plan for your Money laid out IN WRITING for 2010?  It's time to start thinking about how to get a fresh start to Financial Freedom in the new year!  You need to let your money know what you expect it to do for you.  If you don't, your money will do what it wants and just fritter away.  Don't be left standing at the end of 2010 with nothing to show for all your hard work!
Make a plan!
Do it NOW!!


Sluggy

STOCKPILE Cheers & Jeers for 2009

So how did you do with your Stockpile in 2009?
While I've always had a pantry of foodstuffs & a closet of toiletry extras, this year was the first time I had stocked and maintained an actual Stockpile of food and toiletries.

My Best Stockpile Buys for 2009....

1. Marcal Small Steps FREE Toilet Paper/Napkins/Facial Tissue
2. FREE Bags of Iams Dog Food
3. Sugardale Bacon for $1 a package
4. Free or almost free Gillette Products
5. Free Crest Toothpaste (large hauls from Weis and Wags)


My Worst Stockpile Ideas for 2009....

1. Free or almost Free Soy Joy
2. Free or Under $1 Cold Cereal
3. Free Diabetic Meters
4. Moneymaker BC Fruit Snacks
5. Almost Free Kraft Salad Dressing (good to get but just not so many at one time)


My Toiletries Stockpile went from this in March....

To this in early October.......wait for all the photos  lol......

those photos are a 2 year supply organized and put away.
There was also THIS EXCESS STUFF beyond that 2 year supply....

Those 18 Boxes and a few Bags of stuff are what ended up going to the Flea Market in October and this is ALL that came home with me from there.....

The Flea Market Report is HERE if you'd like to read about it again.

My Toiletries Stockpile multiplied faster than Bunnies in those 7 months from March to October!
It got out of hand so fast!!
And that amount of Excess Stuff is AFTER I had a Garage Sale in July too!lolol
So with what I sold at the Garage Sale added in, the overall stockpile was even larger than what you see in the photos!

And just to remind you......this is JUST THE TOILETRIES STOCKPILE!
I'm not even talking about the FOOD STOCKPILE/PANTRY.
Oh, you don't even want me to show you photos of that!!


So, what is the state of my stockpile today?
I still have my 2 year Toiletries supply organized and put away.  I've added a few things to it that we weren't stocked up on, but not more than I have room for in the organized storage.
But more excess has crept back in.
Excess meaning free stuff we don't need more of....like toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razors.....

My Toiletries Stockpile Goal in 2010 is to replenish as we use up items in the 2 year supply.
I am also going to try to only "buy" other toiletry items if they are free or $1 or less with coupons/sales.
I will collect these other toiletry items until May, at which time I'll evaluate how to dispose of them-by either donating them and/or setting up at a flea market again.

So what state is your Toiletries Stockpile in?
The new year would be a good time to take stock of what you have, what you need, organize it and see what you need to get rid of by donating, selling or passing on to neighbors or friends in need.

Sluggy

December BUDGET RESULTS-Food & Toiletries Spending

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for DECEMBER 2009.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in December.
These Totals include Food, Toiletries/HBA, Pet Supplies, Cleaning Products & tax where applicable.We are a family of 5(4 at home-all 5 home for 2/3 of this month)& 3 dogs. No kids under 13.

BIG LOTS
OOP $18.08
Qs/Ads $19.94
Value $38.02
Savings 52.45%

BOYER'S(local Independent Grocery)
OOP $13.76
Qs/Ads $15.25
Value $29.01
Savings  53%

CARONE'S(local Independent Grocery that doesn't take IP Qs)
OOP $28.06
Qs/Ads $43.34
Value $71.40
Savings   60.70%

ENTENMANN'S OUTLET
OOP $43.78
Ads/Sales $89.28
Value $133.06
Savings  67.10%

FIVE MOUNTAIN MARKET(local Independent Grocer)
OOP $6.05($26.05 spent, $20 on Gift Certificate)
Ads/Sales $14.00
Value $40.05
Savings  84.90%

PRICE CHOPPER
OOP $30.32
Qs/Ads $59.91
Value $90.23
Savings  66.40%

RITE AID
OOP $48.00 before rebates/$12.06 Moneymaker  after rebates qualified for
Qs/Ads $456.58
Value $504.58
Savings 90.50%(100%+ after rebates of $60.06 due)

TARGET
OOP $12.70
Qs/Ads $51.52
Value $64.22
Savings  80.22%

WALMART
OOP $17.97
Qs/Ads $9.79
Value $27.76
Savings  35.27%

WEIS (local chain Grocery store that doesn't take IP Qs in my town)
OOP $111.59
Qs/Ads $173.62
Value $285.21
Savings  60.87%

I've decided NOT to track CVS's ECBs & Walgreen's RRs. They will be included when used on purchases under "Coupons".   I'll keep track of what rebates are received monthly.  Rebate money/gift cards will be considered 'income' & go toward Food/Toiletries budget purchases, offsetting the Out of Pocket. Cash will go immediately into the Budget kitty, while Gift Cards will be calculated in when spent.

REBATE CHECKS RECV'D. IN DECEMBER

Kraft Back2School.....$20.00

Kraft Jingle in Your Holiday...$10.00
Olay/Pantene......$20.00
Palmolive Dish Liquid....$1.49
Perdue Chicken...$5.98
Pinecone Research....$9.00
Real Simple....$10.00
Rite-Aid SCR........$132.30
Suave Lotion/Body Wash...$4.98
Venus Razor....$7.99
Zyrtec....$7.02
Subtotal........$228.76

FREE ITEMS

Chik FilA Sandwich
Little Debbie Cupcakes (a box)
Avery/Dennison Prize Pack I won

COUPONS

None Received 8-(

GIFT CARDS and CERTIFICATES

KMart Cereal Offer $5.00
Office Depot $25(part of the prize pack I won)
Rite Aid  $10.00
Rite Aid GOS Certificate  $40.00

SubTotal...$80.00

TOTAL Value of Cash/Store Checks/Gift Card Rebates Received..$308.76

My best 3 Store Savings Totals were from Rite-Aid at 90.50%,  5 Mtn. Market at 84.90% and Target at 80.22%.

TOTAL Out of Pocket...............................$330.31
TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$953.23
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.............$1283.54
TOTAL Savings of..........74.26%

TOTAL of CASH Rebates........................$228.76
TOTAL OOP After  Rebates....................$101.55
TOTAL Savings of..................................92.08%

This closes out the December spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month-
With the high amount of income from Rebates received I was able to have a low out of pocket for this month.  While an OOP of $330.31 for food spending for a month is good, just over $100 after the rebates are applied is GREAT! 
I was able to stay our of the grocery store for almost 2 weeks total this month and we ate through quite a bit of food in the freezer...food in the stockpile?....not so much.   I made headway in my USE IT UP CHALLENGE but we have more to use up.

What's ahead for January 2010.....
Since I have #1 son home for most of this month and my Sis-In Law is coming to stay for a week mid month, I should be able to continue to eat down in the Freezer and Stockpile.  The SIL though will prove to be problematic for my food budget as she eats from a very narrow selection of foods so the challenge for that week is to come up with meals that include these few foods but are acceptable to my family's palette as well.  I am trying very hard to avoid having to cook TWO meals each night!  Two meals will mean more waste and more cost.

The January 2010 Food/Toiletries Budget is set at $200 cash out of pocket.  Any rebates received this month will offset this OOP spending.  This means that I have UP TO $200 of regular income to spend on the food budget and any rebates that are received are added to that budget.  (IE; If $150 in rebates are received in Jan. so I'll have $350 to spend on food shopping this month.)If I don't spend all the money in the budget in January, I'll carry over whatever is leftover into February's food budget.

How did you do in December with your Food Budget?  Leave a comment or link to your post and let us hear!  By sharing our struggles and efforts we can help each other stick to our budgets and learn to be better guardians of our resources.

Sluggy