Our Life | Saving On The Essentials

Frugal Date Nights!

February 7, 2011 Leave a Comment

Since we are in the middle of packing for a move and I work at home, it can be a challenge for my husband and I to sit down and spend quality, one on one time together. This weekend, however, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful day out on Saturday. We slept in late, worked for a few hours around the house, and then headed out to spend the day together. Something we do not do enough.

We stopped by Chili’s for lunch and enjoyed a free meal that I paid for with a gift card that I earned online. Topped off with a free brownie sundae when we used this coupon. We talked for over an hour about just the two of us – our goals, our dreams, our future.

Then we headed off to play around on the piano’s and guitars at the Guitar Center. Next up was lots of browsing at Hobby Lobby (one of my favorite stores!), Target, and CVS.

We spent less that $20 total for an entire day out together. There was no guilt in sticking to our budget because we planned ahead and thought out what we wanted to do. We mostly browsed and dreamed of items we want someday. It was heavenly!

How do you plan for date nights with your hubby?

Filed Under: Our Life

January Goal Update + February 3 in 30 Goals

January 28, 2011 2 Comments

I started this year out with some specific goals in mind. I will be posting updates monthly so that you can see my progress…and to keep me accountable!

I am taking part in a 3 in 30 Challenge – choosing 3 goals to accomplish every month.

How did I do on my Goals for January?

1. Focus on beginning my Study through the Old Testament

I have 1 day left of my second week of this study. I am lovin’ it! I feel like I am getting into a routine with this new study and already learning a lot!

2. Cooking Day to restock our freezer

I cooked up a storm last week and our freezer is stocked with over 30 meals!

3. Work on Getting our Family on a Schedule

We have been doing really well getting on a schedule. I think this will always be a work in progress and a day-to-day thing to work on, but I feel like we did really well!

3 in 30 February Goals:

Finish reading a book – any of the 10 I have started!

Finish putting all of our books into an online program so that I will stop purchasing books that I already own! (if you knew how many books we have you’d know that’s quite a challenge…I’ve already done 5 bookshelves worth!)

Bump up my walking/workout routines.

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As for our general goals for this year, we are right on track!

Walk 1,000 miles in 2011

As of this morning, I have walked 81 miles in January – I anticipate getting in at least 5-10 more miles before January ends. I am down 5 pounds for this year though. Woot woot!

Eating Better

We are slowly changing our eating habits and the items we purchase. We are switching over to whole wheat and I am wanting to find something other than granulate sugar for every day things. We like our sweet tea (we are Southerner’s after all! ) which is mainly where we use our sugar on a daily basis. I am thinking of trying Turbinado as a replacement. Any thoughts?

Are you working on any Goals in 2011?

Filed Under: 3 in 30 Challenge, Goals

3 in 30 Challenge – 1/14 Update

January 14, 2011 7 Comments

I will be updating my progress on my 3 in 30 Challenges twice a month – on the second and fourth Friday of the month to let you know how I am progressing with my goals. This will help keep me accountable and to keep record of all that I have accomplished this year!

My Goals for January:

1. Focus on beginning my Study through the Old Testament

I have started my study – I am using a Kay Arthur book to help keep things a little more intense. I work better when I am pointing towards a specific goal. It will take me about 6-8 weeks in order to complete each book of the Old Testament while I am using a Kay Arthur book. I am really enjoying this study so far!

2. Cooking Day to restock our freezer

I am tentatively planning a cooking day next Monday and Tuesday. I’m not sure exactly how our schedule is going to look next week, but I have to cook or we are going to be out of meals!

3. Work on Getting our Family on a Schedule

Um, yeah, this hasn’t gone all that well. I have gotten on a schedule and I am LOVING it, but, as far as our family, we are still trying to get this down. We have had out of state trips, my husband has been working overtime, and other stuff come up to get in the way, but we are trying. I think this will be an ongoing goal.

What goals are you working on this month?

Filed Under: 3 in 30 Challenge

Snow Day

January 11, 2011 Leave a Comment

My husband and I spent this past weekend in Arkansas with family. We had this trip planned for months, but what we didn’t plan on was what we Southerner’s would call a Snow storm. Central Arkansas got almost 8 inches of snow and, for central Arkansas, that is a lot of snow! We spent most of the day travel back home to Tennessee yesterday. It took us a bit longer than planned, but we made it home safe and sound.

We still have some snow left on the ground – it’s gorgeous – but we are back to reality today. Andrew is back at work and I am sitting here with a hot cup of tea ready to post some of the best deals from around the web.

Did you get any snow?

Filed Under: Our Life

3 in 30 Challenge

January 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

After setting my 2011 Goals at the beginning of this week, I found a wonderful Facebook page with a great challenge for the new year! 3 in 30 Challenges you to create 3 goals for the month. That’s it. Easy, achievable, and you are able to base your goals on how your schedule will go for that month. I am in!

January is going to be a busy and slightly hectic month for us between traveling and work. Therefore, I have only made simple goals that are necessary for me to complete before the month is out.

My Goals for January:

1. Focus on beginning my Study through the Old Testament

2. Cooking Day to restock our freezer

3. Work on Getting our Family on a Schedule

I would love to have you join this challenge with me. You can go HERE for more information!