Keeping up with the Jones

You know.....I am so tired of keeping up with the Jones. First off, why do I think I need to be a Jones? I am only 28 years old, and have more than a lot of people my age. We are in the military, and I am a stay at home mom, and we still seem to live a privileged life!! I listened to a gal last night on a blog talk about how we always want more. No matter how much money we have, we think we need the NEXT best thing. We are always searching for things out of our grasp. Maybe we should try finding that value in something other than monetary things. Does Savannah need to be the best dressed girl at school? Do I need to have the coolest car in pick up line? Does our family need to take big extravagant vacations? HECK NO! What is that going to accomplish? What is that going to teach our children? I need to teach them how to give back. I want my children/family to be known for being giving and selfless and lovers of Christ. I want people to look at us and say, "Man, they have it together. They are truly blessed." And when they say "blessed," they mean blessed by the riches we have gained through loving Christ and giving back to others, not because of a big house or huge diamond on my finger. How do I accomplish that goal? How do I find peace with what we have and not feel the need to live up to someone else's standards? I mean, the real answer is, if these Jones families or friends do not like us because we cannot keep up with them, then they are not the kind of friends we need anyway. I want to find ways to give more of myself and my money. The more I save, the more I have to do that.

Hold me accountable friends....hold me accountable....

Wowzer....

So it has been a long time since I have posted on this website. I am not sure anyone even reads this thing, but I am going to start (at least try to) this thing back up.

So..I have meal planned for the next two weeks. Here is my plan:

Jan. 31-Chimichangas/Nachos

Feb.1-Small group-bringing mashed potatoes

Feb.2-Chili/Hotdogs

Feb. 3-Left over Chili/Hotdogs

Feb. 4-Awards Banquet

Feb. 5-Home made pizza

Feb. 6-Chicken Stew

Feb. 7-Super Bowl snacks

Feb. 8-Chicken Parmesan

Feb. 9-Feb. 11-Scrounge/Leftovers/Soups/Sandwiches--Brent will be gone

Feb. 12-Chicken Parmesan

Feb. 13-Seafood

Feb. 14-Valentines Dinner

So...there you have it. I am hoping not to have to go back to the store for anything except bread and milk. We should be able to make it!!! I spent $118 on food for breakfast, lunches, and dinners, which totals out to $9.80 a day (this does not include the cost of the banquet food or the Valentines Day dinner). I am still struggling to save more than 10% in coupons, but since I get the commissary discount and the prices of a discounted grocery store (Aldi), I guess it is ok.

I tried out a new place today...I am sure you have heard about it. It is called Aldi. I have heard you can save LOTS of money by shopping there and I SURE did! They have LOTS of staple items, which i stocked up on. They have lots of vegetables for me to use in my recipes for dirt cheap. I was very impressed with what they had. They even had a few brand names. Most of it was just off brand, but I saw several brands that I recognized. I am not too proud to shop there. Heck no...I left with THREE bags full of groceries for only $23!! The rest of the stuff I bought at the commissary. I still haven't decided if I can get better deals at Walmart or the commissary. It seems like I can get more canned goods or anything that has a Walmart brand cheaper at Walmart, because the commissary doesn't have a brand...but if I have to by an actual brand name or meat, the commissary is cheaper.

I will pass on my knowledge as I find it :)

For now....