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Creatively Navigating the Cash Crunch

June 11th, 2010 at 03:23 pm


Our cash is minimal the next two weeks - it is a crunch of sorts which I feel we should be able to navigate without moving money from the savings account (gotten into that bad habit of revolving money). I was also inspired by Save More/Spend Less "fast". We have given every dollar a job and have a zero based budget for the next two weeks.

We do have a list of things that need to be purchased, but those items should cost no more than $30. I have been diligent about coupons and sale ads, so I'm confident I can stay within the grocery budget, etc.

The numbers look like this:
Groceries/Household: $175
Gas: $75
Misc/Enterainment: $50

I've brainstormed with the kids to come up with affordable/fun alternatives for activities (I should add that we do have calendar of lessons/activities paid for last month, so we do leave the house for organized activities). Anyhow here is what we've come up with:

* Visit to Arboretum (free with parents' membership)
* Practice tennis (great for the kids taking lessons)
* Go to library for books, DVDs, and wii games (YES, ours offers wii games)
* Movie rentals for $2.30 at Family Video
* Bake cookies
* Scrapbook
* 1,000 piece puzzle
* Board games/Zigity is our present favorite

In an effort to love the family and friends we have, this past week we:

* Wrote letters and drew pictures and mailed to my 90 year old grandmother in California.
* Taken $15 from the entertainment budget and made a contribution to the fund set up for my daughter's classmate whose mother passed away this week
* Hosted my mother over to see "Tammy and the Bachlor" her favorite movie from 1958 - found at the library and enjoyed by my girls
* I put a love letter (really a notecard with hearts scrawled on it) in DH's lunch
* DH and I walked the dog by ourselves - "alone time" - he usually has kids on bikes and scooters, etc.

I am also inspired to finally clear out the junk and donate to our parish's Rummage Sale with proceeds to go to supporting the youth group for a pilgrimage to Spain next year. My junk might be someone else's treasure.

5 Responses to “Creatively Navigating the Cash Crunch”

  1. mimipaula1 Says:
    1276272889

    Another fun/free summertime pursuit for kids is Vacation Bible School--lots of music, games, food, plus wonderful stories/instruction to impact lives in a positive way! Check with local churches to see when they will be hosting this community outreach!

  2. momcents Says:
    1276280823


    We are big VBS fans here - I volunteered to be responsible for registration for our parish's program and we have 120 participants the week of the 21-25. Because I'm a volunteer, the $45 fee for my kids has been waived - so this is a really economical activity. :-)

  3. HouseHopeful Says:
    1276298850

    I might suggest hiking at a local park, cooking 'lessons' while making dinner, art (kids can create their own crayon interpretations of famous paintings.

    I don't know how old your kids are, but maybe some of those things will work.

    Oh, and don't forget, there's always cleaning and organizing. I always found fun stuff that I'd forgotten about when I cleaned out my closet!

  4. My English Castle Says:
    1276303827

    Excellent organization and upbeat attitude! I could take a lesson from you right now!

  5. whitestripe Says:
    1276472865

    DF and I play cards when we eat our lunch on days off/weekends. We usually play 500 or poker.

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