Savings and Goals Journal #35
We didn’t have any remarkable savings this week. We stayed home more, so that helped. And we are to the point in our kitchen makeover that it shouldn’t cost much more money to finish. Just lots and lots of time. We’ve had some nice weather and I am ready for spring and flowers.
In the Kitchen
We didn’t need much at the store. Besides dairy and produce, I bought some pork ribs that were on sale for Grampy to barbecue one weekend. Having something a little different on the menu once in a while reduces the temptation to visit a restaurant. Pork ribs are one of our favorites things to barbecue.
As part of the kitchen makeover, I am going to redo the pantry. My goal is to have everything stored there and in the cabinet under the coffee bar. Currently, I have several canned items in boxes under our extra bed. I’d like to have everything in the kitchen. I think with good organization, the pantry and coffee bar will be able to hold enough of everything we need.
I found some Valentine’s Day kitchen towels on clearance. I will tuck them away for next year. I haven’t bothered with decorating for any holidays or seasons other than Christmas for years. It is something I used to enjoy, but between health problems and other things, I had lost interest in it for a while. Now I am starting to be inspired to create beauty in our home again, little by little (and on a budget.) 🙂
This week’s meal plan:
- Sunday: Leftovers
- Monday: Pinto beans and ham, Cornbread
- Tuesday: Leftovers
- Wednesday: Salisbury Steak, brown rice, green beans
- Thursday: Leftovers
- Friday: Italian Pork Chops, roasted veggies
- Saturday: Leftovers
In the Garden
We had some very pretty weather this week, but with my injured wrist, I did not do any outdoor work. By next week, I should be able to do some tidying up in the flowerbeds. I also want to clean up the area near where we park our cars. That area tends to collect clutter and look messy. The vegetable gardens are currently too muddy to work in.
Home and Family
Grampy’s little commuter car needed new tires. He called a couple of places and got prices. The first place (where we usually buy our tires) matched the price of the second place he called, and took a few extra dollars off. This is the car we bought new just before we were married in 1996. It isn’t very pretty, but it still runs fine and does great on gas. It works well for Grampy’s short drive to work and back, and keeps us from putting extra miles on his pickup.
I like to play the “cleaning motivation” videos on YouTube while I work around the house. I watched one today where the person went through her clothing. So I went in and tackled my closet and dresser. I’d never thought the KonMari method of folding clothing in a drawer would be something I would like, but I tried it and it is actually pretty neat! Now I can see all the clothes I have. I don’t wear some things very often because they migrate to the bottom of the drawer, so maybe this will help.
I think keeping things well-organized is one of the best ways to save money in many areas of our home, as it helps us use what we have rather than getting something new.
Because Grampy is a much better painter than I am, I’ve asked him to paint and seal the kitchen backsplash over the weekend. He will get it finished much faster than I would.
I think the next project in the kitchen is going to be organizing my baking items (measuring cups and spoons, potholders, etc.) and finally organizing the drawers where I keep my spices. I am thinking of using this idea. I have all the jars and lids I will need (bought at a yard sale.) I have chalkboard paint left from another project.
Have a wonderful week!
