Frugal Friday: Pay With Cash?

Ever since I started working with a budget (basically my whole life!) I've heard that it is best to pay with cold hard cash. For someone who writes checks and usually uses my debit card, it's a hard rule to follow. And I wonder, is it is a rule that must be followed?

Maybe for those who are just starting with a budget and have no idea where their money is going, that could be the way to start. It is recommended to sit down and figure out how much you will need monthly for groceries, gas, and fun money and withdraw the cash each payday and stick it in envelopes that are labeled and only use that money for what it is intended for. Once that envelopes are empty, no more groceries, eating out, or fun stuff until the next payday. Okay, I can see how that works. You know where your money is going and how much left you have to spend that week.

I've never done it that way. I have sat down and created a budget. I know how much I have to budget for the electric, gas, phone, insurance, and city bill. I know how much I need to budget for the mortgage. I try to always aim for $100 or under at the store, so know how much to allot for groceries. I typically know how much we spend in a month and when to stop spending. But my husband and I rarely carry cash with us. It is so convenient to whip out the debit card (which automatically comes out of checking) or write a check if it is local. I balance the checkbook with the receipts and online banking info every few days and can see how we are doing that way.

Quite honestly, I get confused when I use the cash system. I've tried it, I really have, and I always screw it up. For example, last week I tried it again...I took $100 cash out for groceries and went shopping at Super Target. But we didn't just pick up groceries, we picked up some cookware and odds and ends. So when it came to pay and it was $55, I payed it with cash. But then I thought, do I subtract the $12.56 that I paid for other items and put that amount back into my grocery budget? Where do I get the $12.56 even, since I have no other cash on me, especially not in that exact amount. Do I need to run to the bank and withdraw $12.56 to stick back into the grocery envelope? It's confusing! My way would have been to log the $55 into my checkbook and realized I spent $12.56 on "other items" and $42.44 on groceries...giving me $57.56 left for groceries for the week. THAT logic is much easier for me to grasp.

I realize that the cash system will never work for me, unless I only use it for certain things such as the "fun category" or the gas budget (though I love using my debit card at the gas pump instead of having to take the kids out of the car seats and run into the gas station to pay cash). I also don't like having a lot of cash on me. I'm a bit careless with my purse and leave it lying in carts and sometimes in the car and I just don't want a huge chunk of cash with me.

I do just fine by keeping track in my head and by looking through my checkbook to see if we are keeping on track with the budget each week. I find it a much easier system for myself than trying to deal with different envelopes of cash. I think we need to find a system that works for ourselves and then stick to it. As long as we know how much we are spending each week and staying within our guidelines I don't think a cash only rule is the only one which can be used.

Are you a cash only, check, or debit card person? What works the best for you?

P.S. While my grocery budget is currently $100 weekly, I do hope to cut that down to $75 or less. I know once my garden is producing that will help. Shall I give myself a $75 grocery challenge for this coming week? I think I will try just that and check in here with updates!

Pretzels Make Everything Yummy

My kids like to dip pretzels in lots of stuff - peanut butter, ranch vegetable dip, and...
Can anyone guess what they are eating in these pictures? Ding, Ding, Ding! Amy guessed corectly that they are sardines (in mustard). The kids love them!

They ate the entire thing, as they have many times before. Being creative when it comes to serving strange things makes it an experience that they are willing to try!

Wholesome Wednesday: Deodorant

While researching natural products several years ago, the one product I became the most concerned about was deodorant. Aluminum is one of the ingredients that I am most concerned about, as it is linked to brain disorders, Alzheimers, and possibly cancer.

The problem with deodorants and antiperspirants is not only the aluminum, but how it works to reduce sweat and odors. Aluminum compounds are key ingredients in almost all antiperspirants and most deodorants. They are powerful astringents that close pores, stopping sweat and odor from escaping the body. Antiperspirants may leave the outside of the body smelling fresh and clean – but inside, the toxins that would have escaped the body in the sweat have nowhere to go. For this reason, antiperspirants have been linked to problems with the sweat glands and lymph glands in and around the underarms. What's more, antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed; which means that the aluminum and many other chemicals are taken into the body and may affect the lymphatic systems, as well as being a potential risk factor in breast cancer.

I am especially concerned about deodorants right after shaving the underarms as you are exposing any small nicks and cuts to the chemicals and while breastfeeding, as the chemicals may enter your breast milk in one way or another (milk glands run right up into your underarms). I don't feel comfortable putting that into my body, or my baby's body.

Several years ago I switched to natural deodorants that use more herbs and oils than chemicals. I especially make sure that they contain no aluminum. The two brands that I have liked best are "Kiss My Face" deodorants and "Tom's Of Maine". I stick mainly to Tom's of Maine because it is more cost effective and I can find it at most stores, including Walgreens and Walmart. My favorite is the Tom's of Maine Original Care in Calendula. It smells like fresh linens and works all day! Sometimes at the very end of the day I will start to smell a slight odor (TMI?!) but I used to have that issue with regular deodorant as well, especially in summer. So I can say that it really does work just as well as regular deodorant. It costs around $4.50 depending on where you purchase it but one deodorant will last around 6 months so I find it to be very cost effective.

There are other ways to battle the odors without using antiperspirants and deodorants but I haven't tried them. Some just apply a bit of dry baking soda under their arms and swear it keeps them dry and odor free. I read recently of someone who cuts a very thin slice of lemon each day and rubs it underneath her arm and says that it works. It sounds like too much work for me (keeping the lemon in the fridge, slicing it each day) and more expensive (lemons cost a lot and a six month supply would have to cost more than $4.50). But it is probably a more natural approach because it is just one ingredient...lemons! There are crystal rocks that are supposed to work when wet and rubbed under the arms. None have been tested by me but it goes to show that there are several options when it comes to switching to a better way to stay fresh and clean...and safe and natural.

Any comments or questions?

A Yummy Treat and Frugal Find

If you read my Not Me! Monday post yesterday you would have read that we ate a whole pan of peanut butter chocolate chip bars in one evening. They are just that good!

I first tasted them at a party that my aunt hosted. I craved them ever since and finally pried the recipe from her (okay, she actually willingly gave it to me!). I just had to share!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. white sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. flour

1/2 c. quick oats

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. chocolate chips

Icing:

1/2 c. powdered sugar

2 T. peanut butter

2 T. milk

In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugars, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt; gradually put into the creamed mixture and mix well. Spread into a greased 13 x 9 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 10 minutes and drizzle with icing. Cool before cutting into bars.

And now for the frugal find! I love consignment stores, but hate shopping with children. I recently found an online consignment store called Criss Cross Kidsignment.

The prices are great and the shipping is a flat fee which is very reasonable. I found my boys several pajamas and got Joe a few shirts as well. I received the order today in the mail and everything is nice quality. If you have children (or grandchildren!) I recommend checking out their website. And if you happen to place an order, on the payment page in the notes section can you put "Referred by babys_mama1 "at" yahoo.com" They have a referral program where if you refer your family or friends you earn $1 credit. The prices are far better than ebay and it is such fun shopping from your desk chair and having your clothing delivered to your front door.

Paperback Swap Winner

Winner of the three credits from Paperback Swap is Sharon, #2 in the comment section. E-mail me with the e-mail address that you used when registering at Paperback Swap and I'll get those credits sent to your account!

Not Me! Monday

Last week my family did not go through three packages of Oreos and a whole pan of peanut butter chocolate chip bars. That would just mean that we are pigs and I would never admit to that.

I did not get the whole kitchen clean (well, I skipped the floor, I'll mop later this week) and then go to take a relaxing bath only to come out of the bathroom to a pile of floor mats piled in the middle of the room and candle wax all over the stove, which I had just scrubbed within an inch of its life.

I did not give the boys a bath while I was cleaning up (again) and give them two cups to play with, only to hear a pouring noise and finding water all over the bathroom floor. The bathroom is right off the kitchen and I leave the door open and can see them at all times when I glance in the door or look at the mirror which is on the door...but it did not take me a moment to realize that the splashing noise was water hitting the floor, not the tub. I realized just in time...to find a small wadding pool. I just washed towels and now will be doing another load.

I did not run to Walmart for some needed items, only to come home without half the items because I just plain forgot that I needed them. I really do not need to stick to lists because my mommy brain is fried.

Have a happy Not Me! Monday! And don't forget to sign up for the drawing here
which ends at noon today.

Marriage, revisited

I am planning on doing away with Sunday postings as I would love one day of total rest, but wanted to revisit my post from last week on marriage. Things are much better this week. Hubby and I sat down and discussed all of our issues and we are working on them.

I think sometimes we get too complacent in our relationships and ignore little problems until the molehill really does become a mountain. It isn't a bad thing to get to a place in your marriage where things have to change, as long as you are willing to change. Marriages evolve through the years and things do change as you grow up, have children, have more children, have a stressful job or situation, and more. And that is what I am learning...our marriage is evolving and will become even stronger because of it.

I appreciate all your kind words and the wonderful and encouraging notes (thank you so much, Dee and Kathy). As I stated last week, I do contemplate where to draw the line at personal stuff on my blog. I don't want to air all my dirty laundry. But at the same time, I want to be real. I want all my readers to know that my marriage isn't perfect and that my children aren't perfect and that I am not the perfect mom, but that it is okay as long as we continue to strive to do our best. As Robin mentioned in my comment section under last weeks post, sometimes it is a good thing to let others (or even your own children) know that your marriage has it's ups and downs. It shows that it is a normal part of marriage and that you can disagree but still be a team. And we are still a team.

Edited to add: Check out the comments for an interesting discussion.

P.S. This will be my last Sunday post (unless I have something really important to say). I will continue my other regular scheduled posting though!