Day 25 - Amazonian

So I've been trying to save money where I can. I am in the process...not there yet, of cutting the cable cord completely. I've already switched internet companies. Now I just need to cut the cable beast in lieu of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Sling TV. I'm almost there, but not quite. There is so much good television coming on basic cable that I may have to give up.

In other news I've been using Amazon a lot. I've been using their subscribe and save feature for diapers and wipes for a while now. I just recently tried their Amazon Pantry for a flat fee of $5.99 shipping per box and I was pleasantly surprised. I managed to get a good deal and stock up on quite a few pantry items. My local UPS driver is probably not happy with me. In the meantime, I saved myself a trip the grocery store. Saving time is on my list too right?

The diet is not going as well as I had hoped. I've been sick for the past week and have not been able to exercise a lick. I will start back up on Monday. 

Day 24 - Ways to Save

I've come to the conclusion that dining out is both a diet and a budget buster. I keep getting invited to go out to eat with friends or attend functions... which is great because it means that I have wonderful friends. So in an attempt to be sociable I partake. Being social primarily involves food! I want to hang out with friends, but I'm going to try to make healthier and cheaper options.

I made a step today of changing what type of drink I get from Starbucks. I love Starbucks. On Sunday mornings I typically spend about $11 on a Chai Tea Latte, a croissant for my little one, and a bacon gouda breakfast sandwich.

Today I ordered a Chai tea with the bag in. I add the milk and sugar myself. The tea tasted the same. I may still buy the croissant for my little one, but I can save $1.40 every Sunday. This simple change will save me $72 over the course of a year. I'm also going to cancel Sirious XM Radio for a savings of $150 a year.

Day 23 - Just Another Manic Monday

I just signed up to take the GRE this week. I've been periodically studying with an online program for the last few months. My verbal scores are off the charts, but my math scores are still down in the dumps. Will I really need advanced geometry and algebra in a social sciences master's program? Me thinks not. Yet, I've spent almost $200 bucks on just the test and another $500 on the study program. I'm starting to think this is a racket, with no accurate way of predicting success in a grad program. 

Day 22 - Eh I Skipped a Few Days

Wow, I have literally skipped a week, which means I broke one of my rules by not blogging about my day. Today I went all stop all day. I had a doctor's appointment last Friday, which went well. I had actually lost some weight! Yay. All of these arduous days at the gym are finally paying off and becoming a habit. Who knew? That said, I was invited to a friend's church, who then invited me to lunch, and then I was invited to dinner with other friends. I was gone all day and all I did was eat and drop money.

I wonder why fellowship is always about food. I would love to hang out with people without having to break my diet or spend money. I'm getting back on track tomorrow. Back to the gym and back on my diet (otherwise known as "lifestyle change"). 

Day 21 - Why Do I Watch This Show?

Turned in my paper today, attended class, etc. I also worked out today and ate at Subway. I'm trying to take a page out of Jared's book!

When I got home I promptly ate some red beans and rice that my wonderful husband made. Got on the computer and watched the 'Downton Abbey' season finale on my DVR. Matthew Goode guest starred on 'Downton,' so that was pretty exciting...all 2 minutes of his screentime. Seriously, you get Matthew Goode to guest star and you don't use him? 

Day 20 - Lower My Calories?

Forgot to bring food with me so I went to the cafeteria for a grilled cheese and a vegetable soup. It was surprisingly delicious.  Had another turkey burger for dinner. I have also been working out every. Still waiting for weight loss. I've been counting my calories, but I think I may need to lower my caloric intake, in addition to exercise. 

Day 19 - Starbucks Please

Sunday is my Starbucks coffee day. I had a skinny latte and the toddler had a large croissant. I am still finding pieces of the croissant in my car. It takes about a week to disappear. 

Day 18 - School, School, School

I had to work on a paper for grad school today. It's been exhausting. I enjoy school, but I'm so busy lately. I have a full time job, a little girl, a husband, school, church, and women's club. Looks like women's club is on the chopping block. I still have several years to go before I'm done with my studies. My husband took the baby to his parent's house for the day so I could get some work done. 

Day 17 - Lunch Fiasco

Today I had a turkey burger with onion strings. I was celebrating a colleague's retirement. We've had a snow week so a lot of people have been out of the office. One of my friend's was upset with us because we thought she didn't come into the office today, so we didn't invite her to lunch. Still not doing so good on my diet. Trying...trying...trying. 

Day 16 - Snowed In Again

Snowed in again. This time without heat or water. Baby and my husband went to the in-laws house keep warm. No firewood for the fireplace. Seriously, our ancestors are probably looking down on us, like "how in the world have you managed to survive this long?" He safely drove to his parents house on the highway, not that there weren't plenty of people trying to hit him. There was a driver going way too fast on the onramp who spun out perpendicular and hit a Uhaul truck. My husband was able to avoid him, but why do drivers do this? Why would you drive at excessive speeds during inclement weather? I don't understand.

I had to go to my dad's house to keep warm. I took my pooches to keep them warm as well. My inlaws don't let our dogs go to their house. My dad is on blood thinners so the house was a toasty 80 degrees. I would normally balk at this temperature, but I was just glad to be warm. My dad later needed cigarettes and soda...essential items, So we went to the drug store. I couldn't let him drive. He would have surely ended up in a ditch. Some Popeye Chicken later, everyone is now home, warm, and safe. 

Day 15 - Snack Time

Back at work from another snow day. I didn't have any food to bring. There were no restaurants open. I ate some grapes and cheese leftover from the retirement party on Friday! I also had a handful of raisinettes and cashews. Geez.  

Day 14 - Snowed In Again

Snowed in again. Argh!!! Didn't do much today. Nothing to do. Go away snow. Darn groundhog! You lied. 

Day 13 - Same Old Sam Old

Today was ok. I didn't eat out and I went to the gym. Overall a good day. After getting my little one to bed, I'm watching an oldie, but goodie on television, "The Women of Brewster of Place." Wow, this is still a good movie and I hadn't seen it in forever. I'm trying to enjoy as much television as I can before I get rid of cable tv. Yes, I will be cutting the cord and will be using Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Sling TV. Yes, Sling TV gives you a few additional cable stations without needing cable. I'm a little nervous since I'm a television addict. Seriously, like what am I going to do...read a book? Well, maybe an ebook. 

Day 12 - Lunch Out

Had lunch with a girlfriend today and the little one. My little one threw her chicken fingers. I had a veggie omelet, not pancakes. Overall, a good day. Could have definitely spent less money on the lunch part. 

Day 11 - Movie Time

I'm going to the movies with my dad today. Saw 'Kingsman.' Ate some popcorn. Had fun. My dad paid. Oh and I did a ton of laundry today. 'Kingsman' was really good, except the ending. The ending was so piggish. Colin Firth's fight scene in a church was so awesome. "Manners maketh the man!" Not much else. 

Day 10 - Retirement Party

I helped host a retirement party for a colleague-- wall decals, fruit baskets, cheese trays, dry cake, and ham biscuits. Yeah, let's say today was a cheat day. 

Day 9 - A Good Day

Went to the gym today in the midst of the snow. I surprised myself. I didn't spend any money today, so that was a good thing too. Good day. I got home a little late when my little one decided to get upset and slap me across the face just because. What in the world? Nice hands! Nice hands!

Day 8 - Frozen Meal Time

Everything is on a delay today. The roads are still full of ice and snow melt. Finally made my way to work after dropping off the baby. My husband drove both of us in his truck, so I didn't have to drive my Prius. Yes, I have a Prius. I like my car, but I think it's one of the most hated cars in America. It's also not the best car in wintery weather. Although I think it's front-wheel drive, which is supposed better than rear-wheel drive. Anyhoo, today I was in a rush to bring something quick and easy to work. So of course I grab the first thing I can out of the freezer...bagel bites. Yep, I ate the lunch of champions. I'm calling today a slight fail. 

Day 7 - Snowed In

I live in an area of the country that has received a fair share of snow and ice. So I've been snowed in today with a stir crazy husband and young toddler. Send help. 

Day 6 - More Lunch Invites

Sometimes you have to go out for lunch for work-related reasons. Today was one of those days. I thought I did well though when I spent less than $11 for lunch, by ordering a water, instead of a delicious soft drink or tea. Drinking water also helps my diet. Two birds one stone!

Day 5 - A Friend's Baby

I finally got to see a friend's baby today. Her baby is 3 months old and I had yet to see the little tyke. I was glad to make the one and half hour round trip to see the little one. I didn't do much today. I did treat myself to a Starbucks coffee and two snacks (including a croissant for my little girl). Geez, how expensive is Starbucks? Total cost $11.50. 

Day 4 - Happy Valentine's Day!

Today was good. I couldn't find a babysitter of course! Who babysits on Valentine's Day? No one. So my husband, the baby, and myself all went out to a nice restaurant with one of our friend's who is a certified bachelor. It was fun, but unfortunately my little one liked throw her chicken nuggets on the floor. We paid about $35 for dinner, tip included. Particularly considering that I paid $30 for lunch by myself the other day. It was a little more than I had anticipated, but I suppose for 3 people, that's not too bad for Valentine's Day. We beat the crowd by arriving at 5:00 p.m. 

Day 3 - The $30 Lunch

Today's lunch was great. I had been planning to go to lunch with one person, but it was expanded to two, then to five people total, which was fine. The place chosen was a little pricier than I had anticipated. The food was delicious and healthy. I had a lovely salad, which was good, but expensive. Unfortunately, I also paired it with a lovely gourmet dessert. It wasn't large and the presentation was beautiful, but everything was much more expensive than I had hoped for. Including tip, I paid $30 for lunch today. It's a fail on the money front. I haven't spent any money on lunch at all this week, so I guess it evens out! 

Day 2 - Meetings and Brownies

Well, I had a meeting last night and of course this meeting had great food. Someone made two especially delicious double fudge brownies. Yeah, I had some. Yep. I did. I thought I was doing so well yesterday. I had a healthy lunch, exercised... and then I had two brownies. I also had to buy some food for the meeting. So not only did I spend money, but I ate brownies. This was a fail. 

Day 1 - Connecting with My Health and My Finances

I've been meaning to restart this project sooner, but I didn't get around to it. I could come up with a plethora of excuses as to why...and they would be valid, but who cares. No excuses! My husband has had a great few months. Over the past four months he's managed to lose 40 pounds (or 2.8 stones). My first goal is to lose at least 25 pounds (1.78 stones), but I'm going to start small. In the next 40 days I would like to lose at least 5 pounds (or 0.35 stones). If I lose more than that, then that's gravy.

My goal is to lessen eating out, cut down on junk food (sweets, soda, chips, etc.), and exercise at least 3 times per week. The good news, is that I've already put into practice some of these habits after the holidays. I have been going to the gym a couple of times per week (not always 3 times per week). I've also been sporadically calorie counting via Fitbit and Fatsecret.

Today I went to the gym and walked a few miles. I also received a free healthy meal from my gym for member appreciation month. Score. In one fell swoop I cut down my expenses and I exercised.