My gas bill came in today. I have gotten it down to
$15.66. I’m hoping I can get it a little lower, but don’t think I can
lower it much more than that.
We went to
the store and to my amazement my daughter did not buy a single toy.
Instead she bought a little candy, and chipped in by buying her burger at
McDonald’s. We got chips and drinks at the store, and got us a sandwich
apiece off of the dollar menu for dinner. Nice, inexpensive meal – and a
cheap way to eat out on occasion!
As I
walked through the store and looked at all the things they had for sale I
reminded myself that all my needs have been provided for, that there was really
nothing in the store that I needed, only a couple of things that I wanted.
I picked up a few things, like some tomato plants, a box of borax, some
sulfodene medication for the dog, a bag of chips on clearance and a pack of
capri-sun for dinner, then it dawned on me: we really honestly truly
don’t eat that many tomatoes, so instead of paying money for the plants,
transplanting them, caring for them, dehydrating the excess why not just
buy the couple I want to eat green, or better yet bum a couple off a friend of
mine who has several plants in the ground already?
I also
reminded myself that I still had a little bit of borax at home, and considering
how little I use I could safely let the store keep their box of borax for a
little while longer. So I put the tomato plants and the box of borax back
on their shelves, double checked our purchases, and left the store happier
because I managed to put things back than I was going there thinking I needed
all of these things!
Every time
I buy less, every time I reduce our consumption will make the next time easier.
Yes we did not have to eat out, but it cost us just a couple of dollars
at the restaurant, and a couple of dollars at the store for additions to the
meal that will actually last us for days. The chips will still be around
for snacking next week, though the drinks will be gone with the weekend.
Considering that I could have spent that amount and only had a single
meal but instead have a little more makes me feel better, especially since we
have drastically reduced the amount we eat out anymore. We used to eat
out once or twice a week depending upon my schedule, but now we may eat out
once a week tops. It has been two weeks or so since last we ate out, so I
am content with how well we are doing.
I mean, I
want us to save money but I don’t want us to be totally deprived.
I have
managed to pick up some hours to make up for the hours lost these last couple
weeks. I am having to give up my weekend, but such is life. You do what
is necessary to pay the bills. Once I saw they were drastically reducing
our hours at work I hoarded my last paycheck, so I have enough for rent and
stuff next month, but every single hour I can squeeze in at work will keep me
from getting in the hole.
Besides
that, when they send me home early I try to submit more articles at Associated
Content. Every advance payment, every single page view helps me to pay
bills that much better. My content producer page is here. Will you
please read my articles and leave a comment on them, for good or bad?
Every article you read helps me better support my daughter. You can
subscribe for free as well. Thank you!
I wish
that I had enough articles, enough page views every month that I could just
write full time instead of worrying about a day job, but I am thankful that I
have made it to clout Level 4 in less than six months! Then I would never have
to worry about my schedule or my daughter’s schedule. But it will come in
time.
A long
time ago I got a fortune in a cookie. It says, “Whoever wants to reach a
distant goal must take small steps.” I am making those steps.
Peace.
