2021

Good Morning ALL. I hope that this post finds you well and enjoying your Saturday whether you are doing things around the house, in the yard, at your job or maybe even at school. Saturdays are my day to get laundry and housework done. With only having Alvin (my dog) and myself in our home – there really isn’t too much to do. I have always made a point of putting things away after I have used them. Quite often I go through drawers and cupboards and the pantry to see what is what. The pantry is so important to go through on a regular basis. I would say once a month or two. Then you know exactly what you have and do not over buy/purchase. My pantry is like actually a cupboard that was once a piece of office furniture from prior to the renovations at my place of employment. It had shelves and has doors and fit perfectly in the back cubby area by the back door. I also keep small appliances, supplies of garbage bags as we have for kitchen, recycling and black heavy duty ones. I buy them at COSTCO as I have found that to be the most economical for me. I keep my canned goods, a small wooden crate of sorts for onions and sweet potatoes and miscellaneous food/dry goods. I like things in order within the pantry and that is likely why I clean it on a regular basis which is likely due for a clean/rearrange now. Also I decide if between what is in the pantry and freezer of the fridge what can be used for meals and then I stop buying groceries other than fresh produce for as long as I can. Might as well use up what you have before you have so much on hand that you lose track of best before / expiry dates. That has happened to me in the past and I do not like to be frivolous with that kind of thing. Also I vacuum and wash the floors on Saturday. Clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. Sundays are for less labor intensive chores. This Sunday, tomorrow I am going to video chat with my one of my girl friends from the neighbourhood. Our other pal’s husband is coming home from working in another province so she wants to spend time with him. We totally understand. Looks like Mr. Alvin is starting to lose his patience with his Momma. Also tomorrow is continue to work on Income Tax. We were issued our T4’s from our employer so I now have everything to complete my taxes.

The bright sunny blue morning sky with wisps of white clouds awaits us this day. The temperatures are rising so walking can happen once again for me and Alvin. We went for a walk at my lunch break yesterday but only went half way as it was snowing and raining. Always fun. I don’t like Alvin to get his ears wet as he can end up with an infection which he has had in the past. Looks like there is a breeze out there. The snow will be melting.

Well time to go and start the laundry and put on some coffee. I always look forward to coffee on the weekends.

We wish you a wonderful Saturday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Both Alvin and I are working on patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 2nd day of October, 2018.

Well here we are October 2018.

My how the time flies.

No snow on the ground this morning which is always a good thing.

On our way home from a walk last night it started to snow.

Luckily they all melted upon touchdown.

 

Yesterday I read something about budgeting.

You know how they say do not spend more than 30% of your income on rent/mortgage.

You know how they say to save 10% of your earnings.

The new thing now was “budget for food.”

One said $200.00 per person per month including the extras like hygiene products and toiletries.

I am pretty sure that I spend over $200.00.

A few years ago when money was a lot tighter than now, I spent $50.00 per week, maximum.

It was not easy to buy fresh fruit and veggies on that budget.

Some items were just out of my league.

Both of those items have increased substantially since that time.

So I have decided as we just started October, that I am going to be super mindful of what I spend.

I am going to keep the $200.00 monthly amount in my head and see if I can do it.

It will be hard as I have to pick up laundry soap soon.

I spent $30.25 last night at the grocery store, so now I am down to $169.75 (did not even use a calculator).

Thankfully the $200.00 does not include Alvin.

I will keep posting on my progress.

Will see how I do.

I quite honestly do not know how large families do it.

If you are budget conscience and have some tips, please let me know.

Also I guess it depends if that report came out of the U.S. or Canada?

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

 

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk with the leaves and the geese.

Love FALL.

So nice to see the water fountain still going.

I love the sound.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who budget and are successful.