Oops! Already off track

So I did NOT get the meal plan done as I should have Sunday. I have tossed one together in my head, something like this:

Monday: pan-fried cod, potatoes (it was delish. thanks, hubs!)
Tuesday: Last of the roasted chicken (great deal at Sam's), mashed potatoes, something green
Wednesday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, possibly corn.
Thursday: Pot roast, potatoes, carrots
Friday: either pizza night or leftovers.

I know. None of this is too exciting. I am on a mission to beef up my recipe box and find a few more things that my picky boys will enjoy, something to keep me from having to fix several dinners per night.

Breakfast has been bagels or cereal, and lunch has been sandwiches for the boys and leftovers for hubs. i keep forgetting my lunch. Clearly, I need some help. Think I'll slide over to lifeasmom for some inspiration ...

Time to keep the budget

With family life so fantastically chaotic and work life a little on the shaky side, hubs and I have been talking more and actually keeping to a budget. I know; most adults do this already, right?

With that in mind, I started saving my grocery receipts (today) so I can stay honest in my challenge to keep our grocery bill for a family of 5 to 400 per month. That's what the budget has said for a while but I am sure I haven't come close.

Today was a Sam's Club day, to stock up a bit on things I don't usually find good deals on in my couponing double life. I got baby food for J, chips and yogurt for the boys, some clearance outfits for the little guy and even found some great all-natural whole chickens marked to 60 cents a pound. All told, I spent $69.

My plan is to spend $100 or less per month at Sam's/Costco and $75 per week on the essentials through my couponing. We'll see how it goes.

Target usually leads me astray, with all those great clearance and couponing deals. But I must be strong! At least just to say I can actually do it ...

One of the biggest things I've learned from lifeasmom.com (a fabulous blog all around) is the necessity of meal planning. I am terrible at this and it really makes for a grumpy and hungry bunch. So, I will be pondering the plan tonight and posting tomorrow about that baby step to a happier family.

And then there were three

We have a new Gonzo boy! Well not really new. Julian's almost 9 months old. With the oldest being 10, middle boy 7 and the new addition, I am a busy woman. Which is why it has been 2 and a half years since I've posted.

No more of that! I have been craving a place to organize my thoughts on family, frugality and keeping my head above water. Then I remembered I already had that place here.

So, I'll be using this to keep myself honest about budgeting, sharing personal and retail triumphs and who knows what else?