There's always a first time...

It seems as if life is full of firsts. Lots of them actually. First steps. First words. First kiss. First dates. First online dating profile. First time I tried Guinness. First speeding ticket. Most first times are awkward and uncomfortable and you have absolutely no clue what you are doing! Hence, my first blog post.

I always sort of wanted to start a blog but I couldn't figure out what I would blog about. I read a lot of blogs and I'm always like... "Wow! That is such a great idea! That person is so smart!" I wasn't sure if I wanted to blog about teaching, life, or what... I'm not an expert in anything. So whether by accident (lots of blog names are already taken..surprise, surprise) or simple fate,  I decided to blog about living on a shoe string budget. My bank account is never very full. It's definitely a pessimist and verges on the glass is always empty motto. However, I've found a way to live on a shoe string. It's a balancing act for sure. Sometimes you get to do something fun, sometimes you have to create your own fun. Lots of time you can't afford a vacation but you learn to make compromises. I've heard horror stories of frugal gone wild...from "olive and soup bone stew" to dumpster diving for coupons. I'm not a crazy extreme couponer but I do read blogs and try to match up things to get the best deal I can. I recently upgraded to the coupon binder...something I swore I would NEVER be caught doing! (Amazing how approaching 30 and still being broke can change someone) But, I've learned from some of the savviest shoppers around. I feel like my friends and family members are always on the hunt for a great deal. I try my best. I'm not someone who will buy something just because I have a coupon. However, if it's something I actually buy...then why wouldn't you?

This week's shoe string lesson: set a budget and stick to it.

Sounds easy enough... but I'm a marketer's dream! I love "NEW" and food. I've found that meal planning and printing out a list really help me decide how much to spend and help me from over shopping. I usually read Money Saving Mom and match up all the Target and Kroger deals for the week, check the cabinets/freezer, and then record my meals and grocery list here.... (Thanks to KamleyLane.com!)

Having a plan of attack really helps, plus it helps midweek when my boyfriends asks, "What's for dinner?" This is a new strategy for me and we'll see how it goes as the months go on. Our joint resolutation is to try and eat out less. We get two meals out a week. This week, I went through my cabinets and only spent under 40 dollars for entire week's worth of groceries for me and my boyfriend which will include breakfast and dinners. Laura's Beef and pork chops were on sale so those two proteins were a no brainier! I was also able to get some Silk Iced Coffee for a dollar off thanks to the Sunday insert (you can visit Silk's website to get .75cents off here) which proves you don't have to eat store brand on a budget. Hopefully, this first time wasn't too awkward and you'll want to come back for seconds.