Day 191 - Getting Promoted

I was scheduled to interview last Friday (15th) at a job I had applied for.  After much consideration, I called the CEO on Friday morning and told him I had decided to withdraw my application.  He seemed annoyed, which I can understand - I was scheduled to interview with the Board that day.  I called him at around 10ish.  I was called into my boss' office at 11:00ish and he had me close the door.  I was a little paranoid, I thought he knew about me applying for the job. 

Turns out I was freaking out about nothing - my boss offered me a PROMOTION!!  I told him I would think about it and get back to him on Monday (18th). 

So I decided to take the job. If I can structure this correctly and hit the ground running I should be able to get my work hours down to the 50-55 hours a week mark.  A promotion, raise and fewer hours - can't beat that!

Day 190 - January Goals Update

More than half of January is gone...here is our progress.

1. Pay off Macy's, Dell and New York and Company Card.
• Done - all have cleared except for Dell.
2. Generate $300 of extra income.
• Done - the Hubby has a side job that he works at 16 hours a month.  We got his paycheck and that put us over.  I also sold a few books on Amazon.
3. Apply for community college teaching positions.
• Almost done - I just need to type a cover letter and get a letter of reference.  I am hoping I can get this done this week.
4. Study at least 10 hours a week for certification exam.
• Have not started.  I have so busy at work...I know excuses, excuses.
5. Run at least 3 times a week and select 1st half-marathon date.
• The first half-marathon that I signed up for is in April.  I have not done any running though. 
6. Clean out pantry and start "shopping" for canning jars and items for the garden.
• Haven't started.
7. Post at least once a week.
• I have averaged at least one a week; however, I have not been consistently posting. 
8. Stick to the budget.
• We had some unexpected expenses this month. Our cat got sick, pre-paid cell phone costs, education, vehicle repairs.  I cashed out some of my PTO last paycheck and so we were able to get by. 

Day 189 - Shopping Trip

Last week I only spent $10.90 on grocery since I had spent way to much the week before.

Total Spent this week $56.96.

Albertsons
Total Spent = $12.59
Total Saved = $41.53
$12.59 Shopping Trip with 77% savings

Safeway
Total Spent = $27.51
Total Saved = $57.54
$27.51 Shopping Trip with 68% savings

I love shopping at Rite Aid and Walgreens!

Rite Aid
Total Spent= $31.09
Total Saved = $45.98
Will receive $22.00 in Rebates
$9.09 Shopping Trip with 88% savings

Walgreens
Total Spent = $12.73
Total Saved = $20.98
Received $5.00 RR back
$7.73 Shopping Trip with 77% savings

Day 189 - Weekly Menu

Here is the menu for the week:

Sunday:
Jambalaya

Monday:
Steak & Corn

Tuesday:
Chicken Pitas with Fruit Salad

Wednesday:
Shrimp Salad

Thursday:
Lemon Pepper Chicken and Green Beans

Friday:
Sphagetti and Garlic Bread

Saturday:
Chicken Quesadillas

Day 178 - Looking for another job (I forgot to post this one)

I am not actively searching, but I am looking.  I am on salary and make a decent salary; however, I work way to many hours that my decent salary does not equate to a whole lot when I calculate it on an hourly basis.  I had a meeting with a CEO of a company today and I will be interviewing with the Board next week.  The pay will be the same; however, the benefit package is much better as it pertains to retirement and I will probably only work 40 hours a week (compared to my 60 -70+ hours a week).  I love where I am at - I am challenged everyday and I NEVER run out of work.  This job that I am interviewing for is about 1/8 of the size and will probably not provide me with the professional growth I need.  I am not sure what I want to do.

Day 175 - Grocery Shopping

Total BUST!!!

I shop once a week on Sundays.  I make one trip and stop at 4 stores - Albertson's, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Safeway.  I try to spend no more than $50 a week.

This week was a different story - I spent over $100 and that was with coupons!!!

I never spend this much money on food/household in one trip.  It does not look like I will not be doing a shopping trip next Sunday unless I see great deals. 

Safeway and Albertsons Shopping = $99.74

Albertsons
Total Spent - $27.96
Total Saved - $37.69
$27.96 shopping trip 57% savings

Safeway
Total Spent - $71.78
Total Saved - $58.28
$71.78 shopping trip with 45% savings

I got all of this for $.96!!!

Rite Aid

Total Spent - $2.99

Total Saved - $34.46

Will Receive $3.00 Rebate for the Listerine

FREE shopping trip

Walgreens

Total Spent - $1.96

Total Saved - $18.59

Received a RR for the Electosol

$.96 shopping Trip

 

Day 175 - Weekly Menu

The hubby and I have done a 180 when it comes to eating out, we use to eat out at least twice a week - now eating out is a special treat.  Every Saturday night we sit down and create the menu - our menu runs from Sunday through Saturday.  I do all my shopping every Sunday.  I purchased a few cookbooks and try to cook at least one meal a week from the cookbooks.   It is always exciting to try something new.


Here is the menu for the week:

Sunday:
Smoked Chicken Breast & Salad

Monday:
Slow-Baked Macaroni & Cheese (Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Recipes for Two, page 82)

Tuesday:
Sauteéd Tequila Lime Shrimp Tacos w/Mango and Pineapple Salsa and Spicy Black Means (Cook Yourself Thin, page 140)

Wednesday:
Chicken & Sugar Snap Peas Stir Fry

Thursday:
Spinach & feta Chicken Breast & Salad (Pick up the recipe card at Safeway a few months ago)

Friday:
Chicken Fettuccini

Saturday:
Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

I will admit this was not easy for us to get use to, but we have been doing this since September. 

Do any of you plan weekly menus?  How often to you go shopping for food?  What is a reasonable budget for 2 people?