Makin' money

Garry is always on the lookout for some extra cash. Currently he's saving up for an i-phone (next year). So I offered to pay him, Shelby and a buddy if they would rake the yard. Shelby has recently started getting an allowance and is saving up also for a DS game. Watch out, both will take your change and ask for more! Anyway, one of the boys got the ingenious idea to use the blower. An hr later I went out there and although there was a lot of blowing going on, most of the leaves were still in their original positions. As the sun was making it's way to the other side of the world, I reminded them that they would not get paid unless the job was done today. In the end, the blower got ditched, and they finished in time (under the glow of the porch light). The three happily pocketed their cash, although Shelby was very upset that the boys got 5 and she only got 2--we had agreed upon this before, but seeing that she was almost to her goal of $10 made her much happier. Oh, yeah, in spite of the 9 bags they filled the yard is full again. The neighbors must be blowing theirs over:)

Kyle and Garry working hard!

Shelby's baggin' them up (1 leaf at a time!)

How Frugal can I be?

My mom was in town this weekend and she asked me if I was interested in trying a 6 month frugal challenge. I agreed, and we are going to be putting any spare cash in a savings fund. Why do this? Well, we, like most Americans spend wayyy too much on food and other "necessities". No, this doesn't mean we can't do anything anymore, it just means we are going to try and do it a little more imaginatively. So, the challenge begins. The ticker to the right will show how we are doing. Hey mom, I think I want to start saving up for our property:)
Let the savings begin!

Squash Muffins

OK, with the money we spend on groceries (and most of our children are little), I am really trying hard not to throw anything away. Unfortunately I usually don't remember to eat the leftovers in the fridge. So, I try to recycle my food-wait---it's not as bad as you think!
Tonight we had butternut squash. Not my favorite, mind you, but I know it's healthier than that pizza I really wanted to order:) My family doesn't quite finish one large squash, usually I have about a 1/4 of the squash left over. Publix's winter magazine had several recipes for squash. So I tried one of their recipes and made Squash muffins. They really aren't too bad--- although I probably will add a little more brown sugar and spices next time. Breakfast is served!!!
Try it for yourself:

2 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. sugar
(I added 1/4 c. brown sugar as well, next time I will add about 1/3 c. brown)
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. ginger (more next time)
1/2 t. ground cinnamon (more next time)
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c. soymilk (I don't keep soymilk, so I used reg milk)
1 c. mashed cooked squash (butternut or acorn)
1/4. c canola oil
1/2 c. cranberries (I love cranberries, will probably add more next time)

Lightly coat muffin pans or use liners.
Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and spices.
In separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients except for cranberries. Add wet mixture & cranberries to flour mixture; stir just until moistened.
Bake @400 degrees about 15 min or until golden brown.

Debt Goal

How do you like my debt reducing graph? It will be staring at me in the face from now on....might keep me on track.
This is actually our second goal, over the past year and half we've paid off over $20,000 (WooHoo!). This is the last of our debt except for car/house. Of those 2, we should have car paid off by early 2010. It's a Honda, so I'm betting it to last at least another 100,000 miles. No, this goal is for my hubby's 2nd (?) love, a Harley. Now, it's not a new fad he's got in mind, we've had bikes around here for many years. His last bike was sold several years ago since we were having lots more kids, and he had a lack of time to ride! So here we go again, our goal to pay off this old debt before we purchase the bike. If all goes ok, debt should be paid off and the bike paid for. I'm trying, really! Today I did NOT go out to dinner as I would normally would on shopping day. I went to the grocery store and then came home to eat dinner. It was a struggle! I'm pretty sure Sonny's was calling my name! On the plus side, I received a check in the mail from a mystery shop I did. www.shopperscritique.com is one of my faves, and they pay on time! Check them out when you get a chance.

Welcome to June!

It's June already! How did that happen? I really should get started in putting some money back for Christmas. It will be there before I know it! (ugh). Not that I don't love Christmas, it is my fave time of year. However, with 4 kids (and 1 large adult kid), numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and whatnot, the tab for Christmas adds up quickly. And we even play the white elephant game on my side of the family so it cuts down dramatically on my wallet. I did read somewhere that the average family spends about 800 at Christmas. I would be estatic to spend that! I actually don't know of anybody that spends that amount!?!
Anyway, it's a new month, and a new chance to stay on budget, on course, this month. I was all excited to get the paper today (new coupons, woo hoo!), and check out the new ads. I'm on the search for low cost drinks and snacks for an upcoming reunion. I'm still trying to figure out how many drinks I need for 55-60 people for 2 days!
I think I found my first good deal. Walgreens has their sodas on sale for 4/11, and you get 3 register rewards back. If I go back and use my 3 rewards, it will be $2 ea. That's better than most I've seen yet. If you've got any good deals, would you pass it on?
BTW-for great CVS deals, check out Money Saving Mom. Get the most bang for your buck!