The great purge of 2011

I have taken 375 hangers of clothes to the consignment sale that starts tonight. The bulk of it was imaginary DD2's wardrobe, 10 sizes, 2 seasons. I kept special pieces and a small quantity of basic items but the rest went. I also purged some of Natalie's clothes in bigger sizes because it didn't match her style. Instead of 14 totes holding baby gear, I have 4, 2 for toys, 2 for clothes. I'm good with that.

I purged Natalie's baby toys. I had a lot of fisher price stuff that I collected from yard sales that I choose to keep. Most everything else is gone. I also took in a ton of action figures that have been sealed up for 10 years.

I've walked through the house with a basket and have added things left and right. We use so little of our stuff. My office, which was the holding cell, echos! How awesome is that? This is the room that I'm remodeling this year by knocking out a wall. Now that stuff is out of the way, I can do that.

Anything leftover from the sale is going into my Mom's garage for the next consignment sale. I made my tags so it could go to one of two local sales. So worse case, I'll be storing some stuff until Sept. Then after the 2 Sept sales, the rest is off to Salvation Army.

Here are my bows, aren't they cute? These are just some of the solids (my fav are the solids). I don't have more than 6 of any pattern so I have at least 65 different solids/patterns. My etsy store and blog for bows will be up and running very soon :)

Weekly Spending Week Thirteen (March 26-April 1)

Sat 26 - Burger King 7.33
Sunday 27 - 61.26 groceries (I bought $25 of chicken breast for 88 cents again), burger king $3.13 (good grief we eat a lot of BK)
Monday 28 - zero
Tuesday 29 - $7.51 eating at work
Wednesday - burger king again, $4.20ish
Thursday - fluffy dress for Natalie toy for future baby - $12
Friday - 6 leotards for dance or gymnastics in like new condition woot! $15. Ballerina lightplate switch for Christmas, $2. Gymboree dress, $4. Velour ballerina hoodie, $2. McDonalds breakfast, I need the recipt. Also chinese for lunch for $7.25 with friends.

Spending - Week Twelve (Mar 19-25)

19 Saturday - chinese $2o (date w/boy)
20 Sunday - zero
21 Monday - 3.56 mcdonalds 23.15 ribbon sally 29.51 gas - 34.67 gas 12.98 groceries
22 Tuesday - 37.89 walmart dollar tree 43.80 (most of the stuff bought today is going back, I had a grand idea that I decided not to do.)
23 Wednesday - 22.77 ribbon
24 Thursday - zero
25 Friday - 63.35 for more bow making supplies. I totally underestimated what it was going to cost to set up a good inventory.

Spending - Week Eleven (Mar 12-18)

This week wasn't that bad. I spent a lot on groceries because Kroger was doing a deal. I am on a diet and trying to eat more fish. They had albacore tuna packets for 49 cents and whiting, 5 pounds for $9. Then we tried the annie's organic all natural mac and cheese (because seriously, I can't keep up with everything), and it was GOOD! So I bought a years worth at 49 cents a box.

18 - zero
17 - $35.65 Kroger, $8.18 target. $15 fish restaurant, $25ish hobby lobby again
16 - $43.65 Kroger, $65.52 hobby lobby, $10 gas
15- zero
14 - zero
13 - zero
12 - zero

Meal Plan March 2011

As I update, I am bumping this to the top. I did change beef stew for chili because I had all the ingredients. Why buy new stuff if you already have other stuff right? I also changed the Japanese meal to soup. My Mom told me about a TV cooking show where they basically made cream of carrot soup Japanese style. I am going to try that, I have TONS of carrots to use up! (and isn't this a pretty color? I'd like to have a tshirt this color!)

I really struggle with meal portions and getting overall volumes correct. This month I am aiming for 10 meals that are completely eaten, leftovers and all. Usually a meal lasts us 3 days (so tired of it after 3 days too).

- Chicken fajitas/tacos - done! YAY ME!
- chicken stir fry
- Some sort of red bell pepper cream pasta (I just bought 15 red peppers) with either chicken or pureed navy beans
- Spaghetti (beef)
- home made cream of mushroom soup (epic fail, my milk separated and I made disgusting mushroom cottage cheese)
- veggie plate, red lentils & cider potato/brussel sprout medley & carrots - Done! yay me!
- breakfast casserole (turkey sausage, cheese, grits, eggs) - done!
- chili - done!
- japanese carrot soup
- chicken hominy soup

Breakfasts - I'd like to use up every last bit of flavored oatmeal, regular oatmeal and some of the kashi cereal so I feel comfortable in ordering our bulk steel cut oats. I got some awesome fruit and nuts for it.

Lunch - hummus, egg sandwiches, PB sandwiches, fruit, maybe some soups, cold pastas etc

Spending - Week Ten (Mar 5-11)

You know, this week wasn't that bad. I did try to think before I bought stuff. And yes, we ate out again (a lot) but I wasted a lot less grocery wise that I normally do. I beat myself up over that all the time. But before I made my trek to Walmart, I went and collected my returns that had been sitting for 2 months and used that store credit on things we needed. Yay!

So here is how it broke down....

Saturday - zero
Sunday - bought a pizza for my boy 10.95
Monday - returned a bunch of stuff to walmart and bought groceries, some bath stuff, cat food, a small globe for Natalie, a coffee press for me (NYC trip woot woot) and ate out Chinese. But it all equaled out so I'm not going to mess with my numbers. Also $43 for ballet.
Tuesday - 47 cents for a coffee cup and sinus pills from the vending machine.
Wednesday- play date chick fil a 16.18 - yikes. Chickfila is good but that was really expensive. I also spent 3.11 at the bread store.
Thursday - tacos with work friend 6.50 plus 22 cents for a coffee cup (forgot my mug again!)
Friday - safety pins, chips, dirt, seeds - find receipt, about $12.

Just think how low my numbers could be if we could stop the eating out. I'd have enough for the car I've been wanting (want to see it? blogs are better with pictures!)

I can get the base model for 19,124 with a corporate discount and 2.84% financing. If I pay tax out of pocket then my payments are about $400 when you include insurance.

So ask me if I'm getting it. That's a big fat no. Unless you can see a way to squeeze $4800 out of my budget without reducing my 401K contribution. sigh

Garden Fun

beans, (4)	beans, (4)	beans, (4)	beans, (4)	beans, (4)	Beans, (4)
cucumbers, (2)	cucumbers, (2)	okra, (1)	okra, (1)	Cauliflower, (1)	Cauliflower, (1)
Tomatoes, (1)	Tomatoes, (1)	Tomatoes, (1)	summer squash, (1)	summer squash, (1)	summer squash, (1)

	Beans Sow seeds 1″ deep directly in garden after all danger of frost. Spacing: four plants per sq. ft. for bush beans, six to eight plants per sq. ft. for pole beans Plant second crop of bush beans (if needed) two weeks after first planting Days to harvest: 50-80 days from seed, depending on variety. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Add a legume inoculant when planting to increase vigor and yield. Learn more about Beans in our vegetable encyclopedia
	Cucumbers Plant seeds indoors 1/2″ deep three weeks before last frost, or seed in garden after frost. Transplant into garden after frost and when soil is 65 to 70 degrees F. Spacing one per sq. ft. for bush type; two per sq. ft. for vining type. Extend harvest with a second crop, planted two weeks later. Days to harvest: 50 to 60 days after transplanting. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Use row covers until flowering to keep off insects. Learn more about Cucumbers in our vegetable encyclopedia
	Okra Start seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost. Transplant into garden after soil reaches 65 degrees F. and nighttime temperatures stay above 60. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 50 to 70 days, depending on weather. Hint: Use black plastic to warm soil and intensify heat around the plant. Learn more about Okra in our vegetable encyclopedia
	Cauliflower Start seedlings indoors ¼ to 1/2″ deep five to six weeks before last spring frost. Transplant into garden after frost. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 50 to 80 days from transplant. Somewhat frost-hardy. Hints: Don't disturb roots when transplanting; keep evenly moist. Learn more about Cauliflower in our vegetable encyclopedia
	Tomatoes Plant seeds 1/4″ deep indoors, six to eight weeks before last frost Transplant into garden one to two weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 65 degrees F. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Grow early season crops nearby to allow more room later. Days to harvest: 55 to 100 days from transplanting, depending on variety. Not frost-hardy Hint: Remove lower leaves before planting and bury extra stem. Learn more about Tomatoes in our vegetable encyclopedia
	Summer Squash Plant seeds 3/4″ deep indoors or outdoors three weeks after last frost, or when soil is 70 degrees F. Transplant three weeks after last frost, or when soil is 70 degrees F. When picked frequently, plants will produce continuously until frost. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. for bush varieties; two plants per sq. ft. for vining types growing on trellis. Days to harvest: 30 to 40 days from transplant; 40 to 50 from seed. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Start under garden fabric (row covers) to protect from insects. Learn more about Summer Squash in our vegetable encyclopedia

When cooking is fun again.....

It is very easy to resist going out :)

Trader Joe's organic whole wheat pasta with 6 cheese sauce with sliced off corn on the cob (we "put this up" last May) plus red and yellow bell peppers.

Cheap & Yummy breakfast

Trader Joe's whole wheat pancake mix, I think it was about 2 bucks. There are 4 batches per box.

I added dried raisins, mangos, pineapple, walnuts and a fresh banana to the mix and made these:

It made two breakfasts. I used water instead of milk, added an egg and a splash of EVOO along with the fruit and nuts. 50 + 10 + 10 + 25 + 25 = $1.10. Not too shabby.

Spending - Week Nine (Feb 26- Mar 4)

I'm quickly losing enthusiasm for these posts lol

Saturday - I bought gas (40.62), lunch (2.75), dinner (11) and drinks at a comedy club (25)
Sunday - I went to Trader Joes (75.14), Whole Food (16.84), bought dinner (11.78), group drinks at a party (48), kroger (18.47)
Monday - I bought gas (22.51), lunch (10.23), coffee (1.90), went to the asian market (61.05) & costco (255.36).
Tuesday - 5.27 groceries, 5.48 birthday flowers
Wed - gas, $21.43
Thurs - $22.35 on groceries for Natalie (she was sick, I got bland things and I bought stuff for mom)
Friday - zero

I was going to break stuff down my HBA and grocery, then presents and such but I just don't have that kind of time lol. I can guesstimate that I bought $50 worth of food gift items from various places (coffees, cooking oils, spices, jerky) so I'll knock that off of my mad money. This trip also drained a lot of gas from that fund but such is life. The main point is I'm tracking where my money is going, right? (right? lol)

Veggie-licious

Tonight was a no meat night for us. We had two dishes...

Rice, red lentils, tabasco and cheddar cheese. Simple, easy and tasty.

Dish two - fancy dish!
1 fresh head of cauliflower
2 pounds of fresh brussel sprouts
1 pound red potatoes
2 large shallots
1 apple (med size)
a cup of chicken broth
2-3 splashes of vinegar
butter

Shred the apple into the butter. Add the shallots, add vinegar, add chicken broth as needed. Caramelize. Trim brussel sprouts and cut the big ones in half. Cut the cauliflower into large hunks. Cut potatoes into wedge sizes. Cook until tender. Drain and toss in the caramelized mixture and coat. Add more chicken broth if needed.

It's not a cheap dish, I probably had $8 in it. But it makes a TON of food so we'll be having it with lunch and dinner over the next few days.

The leftover rice/lentils? I am getting ready to puree some fresh aldi tomatoes, my 2 cent jalapeno pepper (its so little lol, 99 cents a pound) and some onion to make salsa to add to the leftovers. Then I'll fry the corn shells and drape them over a glass while they are hot to make little taco cups and fill them. DD will love that :)

Tacos

What fun it is to cook now! I look at my stockpile and I'm like hmmm what today?

tacos!

The best corn tortillas in the world are at the stinky asian market in Nashville. They almost have a floral scent to them. They are FANTASTIC crisped up in pan before eating (which I learned tonight - the ones in my pic were not crisped and I scraped off the toppings and tried again).

In my food processor I threw in a handful of cilantro stems, half an onion, chili power, cumin, garlic, lemon and a roma tomato. I added about a pound of sliced raw chicken breast and let it rest for 2 days in the fridge. Cooking was a breeze, I just dumped it in a skillet.

And because I fed my boy and my Mom, there is just one taco left. That is SO exciting. With one adult, and one little kid in the house, we have a LOT of leftovers. I get so tired of them. Instead of ten meals this month - shoot - we might have eleven! lol

(I also cooked bell peppers and onions and added a ton of fresh cilantro.)

Planning our NYC Adventure

I normally vacation for 2 weeks in May. It's the perfect travel month, spring break is over and school isn't out yet. It is CHEAP! This is the last school-free year for us, so we are going out with a bang.

Towards the end of May is a week beach trip with my Mom. The first week of May is NYC with my boy. It's hard to balance 2 different people who want to travel!

I've been researching hotels like constantly for a month now. 2 beds, non smoking, under $200 a night....its been a little hard to locate! Especially the 2 bed part without having to pay a large 3rd person surcharge.

So we went over to Long Island City. There is a Sheratan opening just a few days before we arrive in NYC. It is a basic room with 2 beds, then entire hotel is non smoking and there won't be any bed bugs. It is also $1010 for 6 nights including taxes :) We will be 500 feet from a subway connection and the ride into Manhattan is an extra 5 minutes. I am pleased :)

Our train tickets are free because we signed up for Amtrak rewards. I bought theater tickets like last Sept, so those aren't included in this year's budget.

Want to see what we'll be doing? (Remember, Stephen pays for his own stuff.)
Statue of Liberty - $17
Top of Rock - $21
Central park Zoo - $19
Natural History Museum - Free (corporate passes - yay!)
Guggenheim Museum - Free (corporate passes - yay!)
NYC Aquarium - Free (corporate passes - yay!)
Met Art Museum - Free (corporate passes - yay!)
Modern Art Museum - Free (corporate passes - yay!)
NY Science Museum - Free (corporate passes - yay!)
Chinatown - dinner and walking around
Little Italy - we will grab lunch here since it's been reduced to a city block
Brooklyn Bridge - gonna walk it and take pictures
Wall Street - this is my thing - makes my little daytrading soul happy. I hope we are there on a day when C is doing well so I can take a pic of it on the ticker.
Wicked - bought last year
Manhattan Beach (sooooo excited, the aquarium is practically on the beach!)

All this, plus my share of the room, a subway pass and a train ticket for Natalie is a mere $657. That leaves $543 for food for 6 days and some small souvies.

I know big city folks are going to groan now but here goes - I think I'm taking some food with us.

Breakfast is not included. I've google mapped the area and I do not see fast food for breakfast anywhere. I am *this* close to buying a hot water pot to take, like what was in my rooms in China. I can take rolled oats and run them through the food processor to make them instant oats. I just bought tons of awesome dried fruit and nuts for it. A little hot water and tada! breakfast. The little pot is also something I can take on other roadtrips.

Another quandary....where are all the coffee pots in NYC? Why don't rooms have them? I've looked and looked and maybe I'm just missing them but I don't see any. I am *this* close to making some little coffee "tea" bags and bringing them along with our travel mugs.

Anyway, I am hunting down tasty cheap places to eat while we are there. If you have any suggestions please let me know :)