Thursday, October 2, 2008

Me. On a Budget.

In the last month.. I have canned tomatoes from our garden, picked--blanched (yeah, I know what that means now)--sliced--syruped (yeah, I made it a verb) and frozen peaches from our very own peach tree, weeded and pulled up old pumpkin vines wearing real gardening gloves, mowed my 1/2 acre, joined and prepared multiple meals for a 'dinner group' AND started, (and have stuck to for a MONTH now) a budget.
All I have to ask, is WHERE the crap is Katy Rees and WHAT have you done with her??? Is this what happens to everyone when they move to Utah? I must say, of all my latest adventures-- the budget has opened my eyes the most.. (even more so than the fat grey cat that sprang outta nowhere in my shed yesterday. Oh my gosh. I have a shed.)
Though many of you may be saying, "Surely in all her 36 years, Katy has at some point followed, or at least pretended to practice the art of budgeting".. but there's where you'd be both embarrassed for me, AND wrong. Funny how now that I am.. I find pretty much everyone else in the WORLD has been the whole time.. and the tricks and tips you all have revealed are something of a wonderment! For instance.. at any given time, Kaly can give you the lowest chicken by the pound price in town-- and Marnie has a rebate plan for almost everything you need to survive. Candice has her coupons organized in such a remarkable fashion it's almost as entertaining as a scrapbook to revel in.. and a number of girls at church have secret internet codes that can take your bargain world to a whole new level. So. I've decided to blog about my new and exciting "Random Acts Of Cheap".. because after all.. like a new outfit-- what fun is it if ya can't show somebody. For instance, in Wal-Mart (everybodys favorite place to HATE being alive. Have you ever left NOT dirty?)just
yesterday.. by check-out I was OBVIOUSLY dehydrated (after all, I'd shopped BOTH sides. Who are we kidding.. that's gotta burn like, 400 calories..) but instead of grabbing the somehow accepted but outrageously overpriced chilled Dasani for a spankin' $1.33.. I opted to pitstop at the in-store Subway on my way out and asked if I could pay for a water cup. What's that he replied?? 'Oh you can have it for free.' Ch-ching! There;s $1.33 in my pocket just waiting for that next pack of starbursts Sophie demands! I know it's exciting folks.. so I'll hold back on my 'Can I speak to a Manager' move that got me my $1.69/lb chicken tonight long after the meat department had shut down for the evening.. and just let you sit back and soak in the satisfaction and delight of the first tale. There will be more. I am ON this train (for at LEAST another month..) so stay tuned.

10 comments:

Abby said...

This might be a long comment bc I have to say first and foremost how happy I was to find your little gem after the rotten day I had [that I will NOT be blogging about bc it would be way too debbie-downer]. WELCOME! You are officially on my sidebar, a permanent resident under "family blogs." Your writing makes me laugh and miss the Jollys (Jollies?) and I am proud of you for budgeting. I've been on a strict budget since we discovered that it's necessary for us to stay happily married. It's all wacky and on of a kind, but it works for us. It hurts my head a little that you know price per pound about chicken--THAT'S COMMITTMENT!

kristina said...

Yay Katy!! So glad you are a blogger. I can now be entertained daily! You make me laugh and your family pic is beautiful! Miss you-

Heidi said...

This is Kristina Golightly's sister here, and she told me you have a blog. Yay! Now I can come to know you thru your blog and not just by all the great things Kristina says about you! :) I can totally relate to the budget thing and getting good deals. I just went to a coupon class and found out I can get FREE meat, yes, I said FREE meat. How great is that?! Anyway, hope you don't mind me visting your blog and getting to know you better!
Heidi (Kristina's fav sister - I'm sure she told you that already!)

Emma Jo said...

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! This is me dancing in my office chair--now I have another totally fun totally cute cousin blog to read...I can't wait. You have already been quickly added to my favorites list so keep posting! And I love a good bargain story, it's inspiring (even if it takes place at Walmart sometimes!) Welcome to the world of brain sucking blogosphere, so glad to have you, finally!!
Don't want to overwhelm you but if you want really cute background options go here...her explanations are very simple to implement.
http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/

Suzie Petunia said...

If you can do it... perhaps so can I! I hope you do pass on the tips-o-the-trade because I'm kind of slow when it comes to bargain shopping. I need all the help I can get. Like, maybe I should have a personal shopper... oh wait, that would totally defeat the purpose and oh yah I don't have that kind of money.

LOVE that you're blogging! You're LINKED on my blog, baby!

Brynne said...

So glad you finally made a post! I was wondering when it would happen :) It's almost as fun as talking to you in real life, you are such a good writer! You already know just how impressed I am with your budgeting and newly developed Holly Homemaker skills. The canning bug has not yet bit me, although next year I'm so on board with freezing peaches with you!

Carrie Ann said...

We are now on a cash only budget... I take out a certain amount each week and that has to pay for EVERYTHING! I am blown away at how much we used to spend and how we didn't even care and how we have nothing to show for it. You go girl, can away! And do share!

Leese said...

Hey Cuz! Absolutely love this whole blogging thing! It's such a great way to keep up with everyone. Just to let you know - i've never used a budget either! Probably why I'm always broke! I try to bargain shop - but I just spend till it's gone and hope I get some more! So bad! Hope I can learn a thing or two from you! Also, your family could not possibly be any more adorable!!!

Kim Chapman said...

Katy I love that you have a blog. Good for you keeping to a budget. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two. I can't believe how big Sophie is now! Your kiddos are all so adorable. Can't wait to put you on my sidebar so I can keep up with you and the fam. - Kim

Amy Lynn said...

I hate that dirty little word. I have tried for years to "budget" and I really think I have a genetic mutation that makes it physically and emotionally impossible. For example...I go in to Target to pick up a $4.00 prescription and then sit in the car wondering how I spent $50.00. I'm so proud of you. Keep posting about it...I feel some start of inspiration starting for me!