Day 5

We are almost done with week one!

The first few days were not hard at all. I mean, how hard is it to not eat out at all, or not pick anything up from the store for a few days? Then Today came. But first, let me get to last night.

A friend of mine was in town from Portland and a bunchy of us got together to visit with her. As I predicted, this was where I would blow this weeks cash. I knew alcohol was out of the question, so I had a beer before I left the house. (Don't worry, a friend drove!) My plan was to grab a bottomless soda/tea and munch on the all you can eat chips/salsa/hot carrots.

That worked pretty well, until I decided to glance over the menu just to see if there was anything within budget on the menu. Surely a drink would only be about $2, and a taco or a side of beans, rice even could only be about $3 or so, right?

WRONG-O!

The cheapest item on the menu was a cup of soup. I had my choice (!) of either chicken tortilla, black bean, or abondagas. It was $6 for a cup! But for $1 more, I could have a bowl, and 4 tortillas - a FEAST! So I ordered the bowl. The bill came, and with tip, mine came out to $10. $10!!!! That means that we are over budget $3 for the week. (remember that sugar I needed?) Jacob insists that we agreed earlier that any pre-existing plans or outings made prior to the challenge start are exempt from the challenge. I agree, sort of. I did make these plans before I decided to do this, but I still went over the $10 mark.

Last night the family had left overs for dinner. I came home from my outing, still hungry, so I had a bowl of cereal before I went to bed.

Today Jacob forgot to take a lunch. He had an orange on his desk that he left there yesterday, so that's all the poor guy had! The kids and I had tuna and crackers for lunch. We went to the grocery store (remember, I still can use WIC and whatever else I buy is to be used AFTER the 30 day challenge is over!)

We had spaghetti, with meat sauce, and garlic toast for dinner tonight.

What am I missing the most right now? A few things, mostly the convenience of being able to run out and pick up whatever I want, where ever I want it from. Like a drink when I'm out and thirsty and my SIGG bottle is empty. Or running out to pick up more beer because I'm out. Going to pick up a dessert and coffee for Jacob and I to share after the kids go to bed. Its amazing how much we did that kind of thing, and I'm only now seeing the frequency of that in the last few days. $5 here, $18 there, $1 there. It adds up so quickly!

As for our bonus challenge of walking every night as a family. We've been really doing well on that! Jacob and the kids still went for a walk last night even though I was out. Tonight we are taking a night off and watching "Where the Wild Things Are"

Adios!