Sunday, October 4, 2009

Spending less on groceries

L and I have decided we need to budget our grocery spending. Compared to what we make annually, our grocery spending is astronomical. This is partly due to the fact that we purchase quality organic products, but it mainly has to do with the fact that we don't plan our meals beyond a few days or use what we already have (I can be blamed for latter).

This is a list of what we've decided to implement:
  • a strict meal planning system
  • making an effort to use what food we already have
  • trying to limit ourselves to a set $ amount each month
  • a Google Calendar to assist in planning and storing instructions/recipes
You knew I'd find a way to involve Google Products.

These will be the initial efforts. I know that there are many more options like clipping coupons, buying in bulk and joining a co-op. We may be able to employ some of those tactics in the future, but we want to get comfortable with our own system and see how much that effects our bottom line.

I have also subscribed to some gluten-free recipe blogs. One of my issues is that I'm not terribly helpful when it comes to deciding on a menu. Having more recipes at my disposal, that meet L's dietary requirements, will help me in creating our weekly menu.

I'm hoping to save a few hundred dollars in this area of our budget. That money could go towards more important things, including building our emergency fund (I realize how grown up that sentence is). Time to grow up Bri Guy!

If you have any tips that might be helpful, let us know.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A treatise on the reduction of ones wardrobe or, How to let it go...

"The simple test is to look at an item in your closet and gauge your gut reaction to it: If you’re not immediately filled with fondness, get rid of it." Link

I could stand to employ this tactic.

However, I would argue that there are two types of fondness associated with getting rid of an old thrift-find, which make these decisions all the more difficult. The first is sentimental. "Oh, I remember buying that when I went to that thrift store in Columbus when I visited for an intramural soccer tournament" (GAP green corduroys, now shorts with one back pocket). The second is a fondness for the design or piece (L is going to hate that I said piece). "This Penguins shirt is a little too big on me, but it has an awesome logo and ringer sleeves!". If I am able to overcome these two emotions, I can let it go.

I recently narrowed down my dress shoe collection down to three. One black, one brown, one maroon. Obviously there are plenty of casual shoes in between, but those are actually necessary...mostly.

Over eleven years of thrifting (jesus, has it been that long?!) I have accumulated a lot of clothes. I still have some from the earlier years and those have been the hardest to get rid of. Granted, most of them are t-shirts because that was the only thing I knew how to buy. One of my best strategies is to really take a hard look at my wardrobe and decide what I can live without.

Once I've decided I can live without them, the clothes have a determined path. First, they go to Avalon to be traded in for cash/store credit. This is the first place I go, because I can replace a few nice pieces that don't fit for a great staple that helps complete my wardrobe. For example, I recently unloaded a few items I never wore (or gave me corns...fuck you, shoes!) and got a simple green/grey striped sweater that fits really well, plus some cash back. This is a win-win.

Whatever isn't taken by Avalon goes into two categories: vintage and non-vintage. Hey Beatty! and Eons get to take a look at the vintage goods (for cash) and Goodwill gets the rest.

This is always a theraputic endeavor. Coming home with a nice sweater, some extra cash (to spend on my lady) and more room in our closet for the clothes we do have is very rewarding.

Ideally, I could avoid this entire cycle by not buy this stuff in the first place! Alas, I get attached to items very easily at the thrift store. I feel that I have gotten better at making decisions at the thrift store; reasoning between price, fit, style and neccessity. I still catch myself thinking, "This is a little big...but the design is too good too pass up!". As I practice restraint, this little voice will become smaller and I will make better judgments about what to buy. Until then, I'm hanging onto to that Pens shirt.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Oh, the irony!


...not.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

One year strong!

L and I had a quiet dinner on our porch the evening of September the 13th, 2009 to celebrate our young marriage turning one. Although we had to make some last minute changes, everything turned out fantastically.

Our friend M made us a pork tenderloin roast and some grain-free carrot cake. The tenderloin came out nice and tender with all its juices remaining. The carrot cake was a nice alternative to the one year old carrot cake from our wedding, which was grain-o-riffic.

While I picked up the cake and pork, L set up our 'dining room' on the porch. Luckily we had some borrowed TV trays from a recent BBQ and they served as our tables. L even went to the point of stamping some little cards, on which we wrote messages for each other and put them in a tin for next year.

After a fabulous meal L opened her gift and quickly sported its contents. We had way too much cake and called up some friends who attended the wedding, but live in Pittsburgh to join us for the remainder of the slices (even though we still did not finish it).

The weather was gorgeous and punctuated the evening perfectly. Here's to another wonderful year!



Want.


More info here.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

An absence...

It is very weird being without the person you love.

L went camping with some friends Sat/Sun and left me to myself and the cats overnight. I noticed her absence the most when I was sleeping and getting ready in the morning for work. There was an added silence from having turned off the air conditioner, but it was more than that.

There are little signs that L was not around. I woke up realizing that all the sheets hadn't moved throughout the night. The TV wasn't on when I got up. My shower was particularly quiet. I only talked out loud about three times...and it was to the cats.

I assume we're like most couples in that we leave traces of ourselves. A few pairs of shoes strewn about, discarded clothing before a shower, crumbs on the table, hair in the sink or half-drunk glasses of water. These are the things that I noticed the most in her absence.

Maybe next time she goes somewhere I'll reproduce these traces. Get some clothes out of the laundry basket and leave them crumpled by the shower or pull some hairs from the brush and strategically place them in the sink.

Maybe it would just be better if she were around. I'm looking forward to her traces this afternoon.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Recommended

100 1_ Mazzucchelli, David.
245 _0 Asterios Polyp / $c David Mazzucchelli.
260 __ New York : $b Pantheon Books $c c2009.