Not Much is Happening...

I haven't posted, but since I haven't had any earth shattering events going on, and that's a good thing, its probably just as good that I haven't bored everyone. I didn't go long with the budget idea, but I started it again this month. I found a $2 app for my Nook that is just for budgeting and another free app for keeping a ongoing list of expenses. It seems to be working good for me so hopefully this time I'll follow through with it. I really want to see where my money is going so I can make a budget I can live with.
I decided to try going back to work, but first I thought it would be wise to do some volunteer work just to see if I was physically ready for a job. I wasn't. In 2 months time I was so exhausted I felt like I was sleep deprived all day long. It only makes my resolve to be wise with my money and make it stretch all that much more important. I still do some volunteering, but only two days a week for a total of 6 hours a week. I volunteer at a thrift shop that gives its proceeds to low income military families. It goes right along with my attempts to be frugal because I can scope out things that I need and get them used for a fraction of the cost of buying them in a store for full price.
Here's my plan: I don't plan to buy any more clothing new. If I get something new, it'll be from my sewing machine. Everything else I'll get from yard sales and thrift shops. I can even get fabric there for sewing. I also plan to keep reducing and simplifying by getting rid of high priced items around the house. As they wear out, I find less expensive options to replace them. We have really hard water so I find a water filter is needed. Randy had installed one on the faucet, but the filters were outrageously priced. I found a water filter pitcher that has filters that are half the price and bought it. The belt on the vacuum cleaner broke once again and the filter needs to be replaced again. Both items are way more expensive then they are worth. They are more costly to replace than the vacuum is worth since its an older model and obsolete. I chucked the vacuum and bought an inexpensive carpet sweeper that doesn't use electricity and has no parts that need replacing (it helps that I have area rugs and no carpeting). I have a throw rug that I made out of fabric scraps at my front door and in front of my sink now and refuse to buy any more rugs from the store. I found some used plastic chairs that were going to be trashed, cleaned them up, added cushions made from fabric scraps at the thrift shop and made a table cloth to match and now I have a cute table set in the house. I made a budget and plan to stick to it so I know where my money is going and can live within my means. I used some old stained t-shirts from the thrift shop to make rags to replace paper towels. I can wash them, soak them, and use them over and over. I also used some of the old shirts to make tote bags for grocery shopping. My intention is to eventually get to a point where I don't spend any money except on rare occasions and for rent, utilities, bus fare, and food, and that will be sparingly since I grow my own veggies in my garden.
I highly recommend the book, "The Scavenger's Manifesto" It gives some great ideas on how to live comfortably without spending money.

 Rag rug made from old clothing

 Table cloth from scrap fabric found at a thrift shop

 shopping bag made from an old t-shirt