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What I spent today and Christmas musings

November 3rd, 2008 at 02:12 am

Can of pop at work: 60 cents

That's it!
Tomorrow I am voluntering for my "guy" and knocking on doors/putting fliers on doors. On Tuesday, I'm helping people get to the polls. When I get home each day I plan to tackle the medical bills. All the bills are up to date until Thursday when I'll sit down and pay some.

My husband and I were talking about Christmas this year. C. and E. want clothes,books, makeup, "girlie" gifts, and E. wants a designer purse which I don't think is going to happen. I have never owned a purse that cost more than $50 my entire life so the idea of my 12 year old carrying around a $150-$200 handbag seems ludicrous. C. the eldest daughter is the more rational and thrifty one. Much less inclined to want designer. She loves thrift stores!

Speaking of the girls, E. (the 12 year old) has been a vegeterian since the end of July. I have to give her credit, I didn't think she would stick with it but she has. The only problem, which shouldn't be, is that we spend a little more in groceries. She eats a lot of boca burgers and food in that line which is quite pricey. I need to learn how to deal with tofu and such but I have not the slightest clue at this moment...another goal for December perhaps.

I will probably hit the thrift stores for Christmas pretty hard to find unique gifts. Our Christmas budget will be very limited with the bulk of it going toward C. and E.

I deal with this every year. Somehow the meaning of Christmas eludes our family and we get sucked into the materialistic consumerism that leaves me feeling shallow and spiritually empty. I would like this Christmas to be different. Perhaps that will be my goal.

My first pay for November is Friday. I will break down exactly what each cent is going toward later this week.

Sleep tight all!

6 Responses to “What I spent today and Christmas musings”

  1. baselle Says:
    1225679097

    Check out some of Mollie Katzen's cookbooks - the Enchanted Broccoli Forest and the Moosewood cookbook. With tofu, remember that its a little sponge and soaks up seasonings and sauces, so hit it hard with those. Smile

  2. Ms. Pearl Says:
    1225679405

    Thanks, I will do that!

  3. thriftorama Says:
    1225684306

    Yep. The beautiful thing about tofu is you can make it taste like anything. An easy one is veggie stir fry with teriyaki sauce. That makes for a good veggie dish.

  4. campfrugal Says:
    1225716548

    As for designer purses. I have gotten my daughter a Coach i-pod holder last year off for Christmas for $7.00 shipped from E-bay. It still had the tags on it (Orig. $67.00) and the "Coach" fob. This year I found her a beautiful purple "Franco Sarto" designer purse off craigslist.com. It is originally around $78.00 - $98.00, but I got it for $14.00 shipped. You can find beautiful deals for beautiful items by searching around; and it will save you lots of money, plus give those on your list what they ask for. Good Luck

  5. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    1225744404

    Beans! A great vege item, as in Nachos, burritos, and side dish.

    I use my slow cooker to make split pea and potato soup often. Another very good vege main meal.

    RE: the gifting. Don't cave in to the fashion diva! My 8 y.o. girl is a sweet happy thing, but a trip to the mall is a TREAT. She loves shopping the thrift with me still (last summer we found several dress up ball gowns to DIE for costing only $1 - $6 ea. You would flip).

    And if you want to find the unique, the handmade market place at Etsy is still fiercely competitive. I have a shop there. Go to any category of your choice or do a search and enter your price range. If anything, there is TOO much to sift through on the site.

    Text is http://www.etsy.com and Link is
    http://www.etsy.com
    If you have any question, don't hesitate to message me here or click on my blog and make a comment on my latest entry.

  6. Ms. Pearl Says:
    1225917810

    Thanks everyone for some great advice!

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