I've even given up shaving my legs.
Of course I'm kidding. Actually, I just looked down at my legs. Maybe I'm not kidding. But hey, I've been busy! All the kids in school! Sitting around eating Bon Bons and watching soap operas.
Seriously, after having kids around for 26 years it is TOO QUIET around here! I MISS MY BABIES!
Oh, but I digress. This post is about 30 days.
Actually, I am surprised by how well we are doing! We've had a few failures--like getting free tickets to a college football games but ya KNOW it wasn't free! Those nachos were TOO enticing. And the pop. Oh . . . and . . . the hats. Big failure! BUT, other than that, we're sweet.
Thoughts:
Groceries: Stocked up with $180. Added $59. Have $61 left. Could be interesting.
Meals: Lots of homemade yummies (including homemade pizza, chili, lasagna, stir-fry and burritoes) so my kids are happy despite no Friday night take-out or even drop-by-pick-up-a-dollar-menu-snack. Using up every little leftover by carefully surveying what's available each morning. Using substitutions whenever possible to avoid trips to the store.
Shopping: Avoiding stepping into stores if at all possible! (I know I just said that but it's worth repeating.) Too easy to spend money. When I do shop I go with a list. And no kids.
Lunches: Even Hubby is taking his lunch + five kids. It would be easy to spend a lot of money, even taking lunches. It is much cheaper eating our summer lunch fare of leftovers but taking sure beats buying at school where lunch is 2-3 bucks. Vu wants to eat cafeteria lunch at school tomorrow but I said no. Which is a lie. I said yes because he is too darned cute to say no to. I'm even going to eat with him :-)
School Supplies: Who said public school is free? One son had a list of 16 different supplies to bring. Highschoolers pay fees for classes such as art and cooking (up to $50!), parking ($30), and sports ($150 each) plus lots of other mandatory fees. I share this so my homeschooling friends will feel better about those big bucks they just spent on curriculum.
On a more positive note, we could have spent a WHOLE LOT more on school supplies and would have if we weren't doing the 30 days. At this point, I doubt my kids can even remember what those things were that they thought they absolutely MUST have. Other than Lizzy. She can tell you she is still pouting over the Incredible Hulk backpack. I told her that her boyfriend would just be too jealous.
Same for school clothes: Once we decided to do 30 Days we quit buying--and haven't missed anything. All the kids had new clothes for the first couple days even if one kid had to go with only updated shoes (nearly new hand-me-downs with new shoelaces) and he didn't care at all.
Driving: We're walking and biking more. Good for the wallet. Good for the body. Good for the environment.
Entertainment: Having fun with--movies from the library, games, family Lego building, walking to a nearby playground, laser tag, sewing.
Even a pajama day!
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