Gramma Ray's Blog

My mom made two strawberry pies yesterday. One for her house and one for ours...

Fresh strawberries in strawberry glaze...on chocolate grahm crust with vanilla cool whip on top....

I love this season!!!

Today will be a full day.

DH and I take our trash and my parents trash to the dump every three-four weeks.Today is trash day.

Cost: $13 for all- which my father insists on paying...why are parents so stubborn???
If we paid for trash pick-up, it would cost us each $40 bi-monthly so we save $27 each month taking it ourselves. The dump station is on our way to town so we don't use any extra gas for doing it since we plan a town trip that day anyways.

We were given $50 in walmart gift cards (DD2 wins them (and lots of other g/cs)all the time at her job and gives the walmart ones to me because she doesn't like shopping at walmart)So DH and i are going to stop at walmart today to pick up dog food and a few other household items.

Then we are going to 'splurge' and stop by Blockbuster to see if there is a movie we can agree on for tonight...he likes bloody war-type movies and I like pretty much anything that isn't bloody...so we shall see.

Lunch is chicken ceasar's. I pre-cooked the chicken yesterday and made enough to eat off of for a few days yet...can't wait to have some in teryaki rice bowls tomorrow! yum

Dinner will be bar-b-qued london broil that I got a great two for one sale on a while back (a large one feeds us + my parents for under $5)

So meals today are about $7 for 4 adults.

We already have popcorn for the movie...but I would really love some M&Ms...so those will find a way into the cart at walmart too! (2nd indulgence for the day)

The sun is shining today and I think it is warm enough to hang some clothes...so I am off to do that. (Took my mom a dozen daffodils for her table this morning...she loves flowers!)

GS will most likely spend part of the afternoon here pulling his beloved wagon...

Have a good one!

Phyllis was a single mom who lived across the street from my parents. Her daughter and I were good friends and we spent alot of time at each others homes.

When I was 26 I was going through a divorce (abusive marriage, got the heck out thank God) and had 3 children. I lived about 2 1/2 hours from my parents.

It was 1988. The night of my DD2s third birthday...my brother died in a motorcycle accident. I can not even begin to explain how painful this event was or the impact it had on us for years to come.

My ex was not too forthcoming with support and I was struggling. I went to staywith my parents for a week...and made the funeral arrangements. Although taking the time from work was not something I could afford to do, it is not something that crosses your mind at a time like this.

The day of the funeral I was in one of the bedrooms with my childhood friend recalling memories of my brother when Phyllis knocked on the door. She hugged me and handed me money...and said she wanted me to be able to spend more time with my family...it was $200 and I know this was very tough for Phyllis to come up with.

I was so grateful to her...I spent an extra week with my parents...and have NEVER forgot that gift.

In her honor, each year I find a struggling single mom and anonymously send her money...some years it is only $50, other years it is more... Phyllis's gift has turned into over $1500 now...and it is something I will do for the rest of my life.

Ive been asked so many times how we were able to give up my income to stay home.
I made the larger of our two incomes...so by staying home, our income would go to less than half...and we usually found a way to spend most of that each month. (needless to say, there was not alot in savings outside of our 401Ks)

My journey to being at home started at least 3 years prior, when I began reading every frugal-type book out there. I also visited the Dollar Stretcher website weekly (they update every monday)

When I got to the point that I found myself saying that I would do "whatever it takes" and I seriously meant it- felt it to my soul...I knew I was ready.

My first thought was to cash out on the 401k, pay everything but the house off and then start resaving for retirement...but thankfully, talked myself out of that one. (My 401K has grown over $1000 per month by just leaving it alone...)

We decided the best strategy for us (and I am not recommending this to anyone else) was to refinance our home and roll our few debts into that payment. This saves us alot every month...and made the SAH possible.

I had also quit using my vacation for that last year and between my sick time (which I never used) and my vacation time, I had a cushion to fall back on.

We started a firewood business to earn a little extra...and I decided to re-enter the world of dog breeding (which I have always loved) My son also started a small businesss that I run the 'office' of. The office is here in my home and I get a small salary for answering phones and doing the bookwork.

"whatever it takes" was a very scary territory for me. My family was used to a lifestyle of spending. How could I get them to change?

Well, many discussions later and making sure they understood my reasons and how important this was to me.... they agreed to give it a go.

"Whatever it takes" meant no more eating out(and picking up the tab for the whole family)...and now we don't even miss it. It meant no more spur of the moment weekend jaunts in expensive hotels...it meant challenging every line item on the budget- but it meant MORE QUALITY for our family. (Mom stayed WAY STRESSED for too many of those 10+ years)

A year later, "Whatever it Takes" isn't scary at all. It is actually fun to come up with new ideas- and very exciting when those ideas work. My family has adjusted quite well to the simpler lifestyle. 'Whatever it Takes' is my mantra...and it is working for me!

Growing up, we lived a feast or famine life...there were some years we ate alot of beans...and others we could afford pretty much anything we wanted.

In my teens, we lived mostly feast years...both parents worked long hours and they were able to afford nice cars, Christmas was usually sprinkled with tiny boxes with diamonds or gold...mom collected crystal, antiques and chinaware...dad had his guns...he built a huge shop and it was filled with tools and gadgets...

They had lots of beautiful 'stuff'.

My dad was a heavy equipment truck driver...and can still recall his busy work days, and his many, many proud moments at his job...but he can't recall being at any of our school or extra-curricular activities (cause he wasn't) nor could he tell you any of our friends names...

Mom tried to be there, but she was pretty tired most of the time...and I never really got the feeling that she enjoyed it..

Don't get me wrong, our parents loved us dearly...and we were a very close family.

One day, they decided to sale all of their stuff because they were tired of it and wanted to become RV gypsies....so they had an estate sale. Their lifetime of hard work for stuff boiled down to $18,000 at the end of the day. $18,000 doesn't last very long when you travel...

I guess all my rambling amounts to this:

The cost of all that 'stuff' was too much. My parents worked themselves to death to accumulate it...and then sold it for enough money to travel and live on for about a year.

I learned the most FRUGAL lesson that day. Stuff sucks...(just kidding)
I decided then and there that we were going to do it differently. Time with our family is our goal...not stuff.

We don't have alot of stuff ~however~ We go to the extra-curricular things, our DDs friends practically live here on the weekends, if you've read any of my blogs, you know about the grandbabies... and life is good.

Well, today turned out to be just as enjoyable as I'd hoped.

DD1, GD(6mo) and GS(23mo) all showed up. We romped and played. GS helped 'Papa' and I load a cord of wood onto the truck..then he pulled his wagon at least a mile circling the property (we are on 2 acres)...he fell asleep singing his 'abc's' to gramma (he cant say all the letters, but gramma knows what he's trying to say )

...DD1 and I ran to Costco and stocked up on some pizza supplies and a few other things we needed....oh, and found an adorable outfit for GD ($6.49)

Made 6 large pizza for 4 families to dine on tonight (cost of all, under $10)

And now I am home alone...enjoying some P&Q before I start on my last 10 round trips on the staircase....ugh.

All in all...a great family kinda day!

Today is sure to be a busy, fun day. DD1 is coming out with her baby (6mo dd) and bringing my other grandbaby (23 mo GS)...DD3 is out of school for spring break...

All us girls are going to make homemade pizzas for dinner tonight...this will feed my family, DD1s family and my parents for about $7...and I will have plenty of leftovers for lunch/dinner tomorrow...and we have so much fun doing it!

GS always loves coming out here so he can pull his wagon all over the property.

I better go get dressed and ready...Everyone have a great day...

As I mentioned earlier, I needed to come up with a formal, dark green dress for DD3 by tomorrow night....

The first store we went to had the most beautiful dresses...in just about every pastel shade you could imagine...PASTEL...I need DARK GREEN

So we go to the back of the store..and find a clearance rack...and what do I see??? a beautiful dark emerald green dress...but what size...I quickly look...size 8 PERFECT...and DD3 is not saying 'yew" with that look all teenagers have perfected (you know the look)...

So I look at the price....gulp $120...
oh boy...well, let's try it anyways...after all, it's on sale...must be around $50-60...she tries it on...with her red hair she is GORGEOUS...

We get to the register and the grand total....$20.39 OMG!!!!!!

Well, the dress is strapless and she has to have something on her shoulders (youth group rules) and so we look at a simple black shawl...$14.99....on sale for $12.74.... Shoes...$14.99 (and she can wear both the shawl and shoes with her pink and black 8th grade graduation dress that we got on clearance long before I knew we would need a dark green one.)

Grand total.....$48.12!!!! I am smiling here!!!

My 14 yo daughter is going on a youth function this weekend and I just learned that she needs a dark green formal to wear....egads. Today is an early out day for her school, so as soon as she's out we are off to the stores to try to find this dress....She will also need $30 spending $ for food/gas/etc. (There goes my allowance for this week and next)

I have a litle money saved ($50)in our clothing fund...unfortunately, the miscellaneous fund is -$3 because I just got eye glasses that I hadn't planned on...

So, my goal is to find an appropriate 'dark green' dress for under $50 by tomorrow night...

We have a Ross and a TJ Maxx in town...and hopefully dark green dresses are off season (and on clearance) right now. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

I will be updating my Stair Challenge money weekly- since I am setting it up to transfer once a week.(but I am at $4 for the week so far!!!)

I used to rebate years ago when I was newly out on my own. I did pretty good...then after a twist in the road of life..I became a single mom (with 3 babies) and between work and home and no time, the rebating became a thing of the past....until today.

Thanks to this site- I am sending off my first two rebates in 20 years!!! I am doing the Colgate rebate and the Venus Razor rebate (about $12 between the two).

My 14 yo daughter was baffled how we could get them for free...so we had a nice chat about it. Hopefully, she will experience LOTS more of this and become a frugal/rebating young woman too.

I have to say, I am feeling 'bit' by the rebate bug....

I made it 25 times up and down those steps...which means $2 towards my $20 challenge!

MI Clason has joined us too...so we are looking forward to hearing her progress!

66 + 2= 68 in my challenge $


Ima saver- great job on hitting 28!! Im going to try to keeo up with you!!!

Did you have a chance to catch Oprah today? Her show was about poverty in America....and the differing circumstances that put folks into poverty. I was really touched by those stories...and It made me think how wonderful it is that a site like this was created for all to share and keep our families from suffering the fates like those on the show.

Clearly, we have all different income levels and spending habits...but we share a common goal of wanting to do it a little differently...for the better of our families.

Sure was an eye opener...I appreciate even more the tips you all share- Thank you!

Ima Saver...Im at 20...5 more to go before bedtime!

Can I just share a great day with you all?

Today I am watching my GS (23 months)- The sun has actually popped out from the clouds a few times...and my daffodils are all in bloom. DH, GS and I took a nice long walk while GS pulled his wagon. GS splashed in puddles, petted the kitty, pointed out an airplane and thoroughly enjoyed his self.

While DH (aka PAPA) bar-b-qued, GS and I went up to the 'big bed' and layed down til GS fell asleep- where he is right now.

DH had to go to work...and stopped to have taxes done on his way - He just called and we are actually GETTING A REFUND this year (as opposed to paying through the nose when I was working outside the home) WOO HOO!!!

Now the house is all quiet...GS is soundly napping and I am so relieved about the tax news...

This, indeed, is a good....no GREAT day. Happy St. Paddies!!!

In my past life (work outside the home mom) I thought nothing of picking up a mocha an my way to work, eating lunch out everyday, going out to dinner almost nightly, etc.

But now... I went to dinner with two friends last night ~ one of them had picked the location. I planned to spend $11 tops, but there was nothing on the menu that was under $10.

I got there early and the restaraunt was cold so I ordered coffee ($2.60!!) For dinner I had a half order chicken fetuccini($11) and the 3 of us decided to split a dessert...but since I asked the waiter for it, he put it on my bill ($6) gulp... with tip I spent as much on that ONE MEAL as I can feed my family for 4-5 nights (with leftovers!!) (My goal is to keep the cost of dinner with left overs under $5)

We had a great visit- but I am struggling with the cost of the meal...I guess somewhere in the past year that Ive been home, Ive made a transition 'cause there was a time I wouldn't have thought twice about it.

I referred my son to ING and he opened his account last night...I received a $10 bonus in the account today!! This will go towards my $20 challenge money.

$56 + 10 = 66!!!

I hit the enter button earlier today on my $20 challenge...so proud that I had started to save....and a nano-sec later my washer started making this horrible noise....and then stopped working.

Egads...stressed all afternoon until DH got home from work.

He pulled out the water pump and found, of all things, a KEY lodged in the pump. Once he got the key out and put it all back together...my washer works like new!! (Hooray) However, we have NO IDEA where this mystery key came from-

I am breathing a heavy sigh of relief tonight that we did not have a huge repair bill on my 1 year old washer!!!

but this darn key is baffling me...

oh well...off to do laundry!

My DH and I spent the day cutting (he)and splitting (me) a cord of madrone firewood that we are delivering on Wednesday. This is one of our little side businesses that we use to suplement his income now that I am not working outside the home. (I just have to chuckle when I compare wood splitting to sitting in the board room in a business suit last year...what a difference!)

We made homemade dough for pizza's last night and had enough left over to make more for a late lunch today...so eating was really cheap this weekend. (I made sure he assembled them, so he could see how much fun home cooking can be....he had a blast!)

We live 13 miles outside of town on 2 acres. To earn extra money, we do the firewood and I breed labradors. To stretch the money, I cook from scratch as much as possible ~ quite a feat for someone whose daughter once said "mommy, sometimes I like to eat with a fork" (obviously too many burger pitstops! when I was working those long hours)

Keep smiling!

I found this site about a week ago and have read so many helpful blogs!

I became a WAH wife and mom after making a tough decision to leave a well-paying (but stressful) job in 2005. The primary reason for the transition was that my elderly parents, who live in a small home on our land, needed more assistance than I could give while working/commuting 50+ hrs a week. My DH supported the decision and the serious lifestyle changes needed- and the reward for giving up the 'things and stuff' has been a much richer, fulfilling life.

I am enjoying your blogs and knowing that there are others out there who have made the hurdles we struggle with regularly.

Ray