Even when it is just with your hairstylist. I really like my hairstylist. She first cut my hair when I took off a mega-ton of inches to donate to Locks of Love. (Why can't I write that donation off my taxes?) She's kept it in shape all summer and fall.
But, I have no money. And when I have no money, one of the first things to go is the regular haircuts. That's actually one reason I grew my hair out in the first place. I couldn't afford the upkeep. I mean, sure, I use a lot more conditioner when I have long hair, but really that is it. I don't use more shampoo. I don't even use the blow drier more. In fact, I probably dry my hair more now than when I had long hair and just threw it in a ponytail wet. (Everyday, because I care about what my co-workers think of my hair.)
Sidebar: I really don't like sitting in a chair that long to get my hair cut. I'll gladly be immobile for any number of reasons (reading, tv, staring off into the middle distance, getting a cavity drilled) but a haircut isn't one of them. I think it's from all the time I spent in rollers as a child. I sported a perm from 3rd grade until 9th. I want my youth back, but not the Little Orphan Annie hair-do.
So getting a haircut just feels too indulgent right now. But I still need at least one paying cut. (My stylist shapes up the back and thins out the sides for free. I guess stylists consider "preventing mullets" a worthy cause.) So I'm trying to be very strategic about my last $40 haircut.
Sidebar: My husband cuts his own hair. I was tempted to try it. But I won't, the results would probably cost more than $40 to fix.
I think I'll go in and ask for her opinion. But first, I'll say, "It's not you, it's me."
____________________________________________
Breakfast: Tortilla, Banana, Peanut Butter 31 cents
Snack: Granola Bar 47 cents
Lunch: Taco Soup 86 cents
Dinner: Grilled Cheese and Turkey 83 cents
Movies: Popcorn $7! SEVEN dollars. I could eat for two days on seven dollars! What was I thinking?
Total: $9.47
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Taco Soup
Last weekend My Office Space and I ran a 5 mile trail race. At the end of the race, there's soup, which is the perfect thing to warm up with after a long slog through the woods. Out of the many options, I chose taco soup. It was so good. I knew that most of the ingredients it would take were on sale at the grocery store that week and that I had some ground turkey patties in the freezer, so I went home and found a recipe online.
This if very chili-esque, but a nice change from chili. And it's very quick to make, but could simmer all day in the crock pot if you wanted.
I don't remember where I got this recipe from. Most of them were very similar, just with tiny variations. I made some variations of my own.
Taco Soup
3/4 pounds ground turkey. It called for 2 pounds of ground beef. In my opinion, 2 pounds would be too meaty. $2.25
1 package taco seasoning. 50 cents
1 1/2 cups water. I know water isn't free but I'm considering it like salt and pepper and herbs. It would take more time to figure out than it is worth.
1 can mild chili beans. 50 cents
1 1/2 cans pinto beans. I used more pinto beans because of the less meat. I used dried pinto beans but I don't know what that would cost, so canned would cost 75 cents
1 can stewed tomatoes. 80 cents
1 can diced tomatoes. 80 cents
1 small can diced green chilies. 98 cents
1 package ranch mix. $1.47
1 can corn. I used frozen corn but canned would cost 50 cents.
In a large pot, cook the turkey. Add all ingredients.Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Everything together costs $8.55. It makes about 10 cups so about 86 cents a cup.
____________________________
Breakfast: Banana and peanut butter on a tortilla 31 cents
Lunch: Working lunch on the road! (Chicken fried steak, if you must know.)
Snack: Free doughnut!
Dinner: Taco soup and crackers 89 cents
Total: $1.20
This if very chili-esque, but a nice change from chili. And it's very quick to make, but could simmer all day in the crock pot if you wanted.
I don't remember where I got this recipe from. Most of them were very similar, just with tiny variations. I made some variations of my own.
Taco Soup
3/4 pounds ground turkey. It called for 2 pounds of ground beef. In my opinion, 2 pounds would be too meaty. $2.25
1 package taco seasoning. 50 cents
1 1/2 cups water. I know water isn't free but I'm considering it like salt and pepper and herbs. It would take more time to figure out than it is worth.
1 can mild chili beans. 50 cents
1 1/2 cans pinto beans. I used more pinto beans because of the less meat. I used dried pinto beans but I don't know what that would cost, so canned would cost 75 cents
1 can stewed tomatoes. 80 cents
1 can diced tomatoes. 80 cents
1 small can diced green chilies. 98 cents
1 package ranch mix. $1.47
1 can corn. I used frozen corn but canned would cost 50 cents.
In a large pot, cook the turkey. Add all ingredients.Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Everything together costs $8.55. It makes about 10 cups so about 86 cents a cup.
____________________________
Breakfast: Banana and peanut butter on a tortilla 31 cents
Lunch: Working lunch on the road! (Chicken fried steak, if you must know.)
Snack: Free doughnut!
Dinner: Taco soup and crackers 89 cents
Total: $1.20
Monday, November 15, 2010
Compressing the Work Week
Have you guys seen gas prices lately? Have they gone up as much in your town as they have here? They're something like $2.73.
Sidebar: Liberal Ideology Alert! Please skip down the the un-italic section if you do not wish to think me a "dirty liberal." I dare say there also may be Conservative Ideology Alerts in the future of this blog. I can't be expected to fit into one neat label. I think our (the US's) gas is too cheap. Artificially so--it doesn't take into account the "real cost" of this very useful, very limited, not-very-clean, non-renewable resource. Just because it's there, doesn't mean we have to suck every reserve dry. That's the smug, washed hippie in me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a sanctimonious hypocrite, I drive a lot more than I should or than I want to. My commute is 45 miles one way. I cringe every time I think about it. I even tried to figure out how to take public transportation. But that involved either driving 26 miles in worse traffic to catch the right bus, or spending a minimum of 3 hours and 48 minutes on public transportation, one way, every day. That is unpossible. It would take less time for me to bike to work. I actually did the math on that, too.
I used to try to predict when gas would go up. I tried to fill up when I thought it was cheapest, only to see it for less the next time I drove by the gas station. It is, as Whatever and Ever Amen has been know to say, like pulling the lever on a slot machine in Vegas--you can hope for the best but never know what you're going to get.
This summer, I talked to my boss about working four long days a week instead of five. I had a feeling gas was going no where but up and wanted to have a back-up plan in case it did. Then the Deepwater Horizon exploded. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I truly believe big oil decided to keep gas prices low to distract the American public from thinking long and hard about our gas-guzzling culture. I mean, an ecological disaster (and an economic disaster for the Gulf region) on top of sky-rocketing gas prices on top of the already existing detractors of big oil could have created big problems for oil, not just BP. So, I continued, like the rest of America, to drive.
I'm glad, though, I designed a escape plan for driving 5 days a week and had floated it past my non-committal, though receptive, boss. The first thing I did Monday morning after the husband was made redundant, was to re-institute Project 4-Day-Week. (After checking on the devilish health insurance, that is.) The deal is, I'll work 4 long days and be available from home on the other. There isn't one day that is set in stone as my "day off." I'm flexible.
I hope this current rise in prices recedes or at least levels off. I know I still may have some options left to economize. I mean, I'm not planning on picking up an unwashed hippie sitting at the entrance to the turnpike and trying to get some gas money out of him any time soon. But I could try to find a fellow commuter. I used to say confidently, "My next car will be a hybrid," just because I so dislike the act of putting gas into my car. And maybe if I keep this car for 75 years, I'll be able to afford a hybrid! In the mean time, we try to keep my tires properly inflated and not drag around too much recycling in my trunk. I try to drive the speed limit or a little under. But usually I'm guilty of hitting the accelerate button on my cruise control a few too many times. I wonder how slow I could drive on the Interstate before I would piss off the other drivers and trick them into thinking I'm a really young looking 97-year-old woman.
As far as trying to get cheaper gas, I know there are places online like gasbuddy.com that are supposed to compare prices of gas in your area. But gasbuddy.com relies on users to report gas prices and there don't seem to be many users in my area. My grocery store uses some confusing algorithm for giving you a discount on your gas if you bought groceries that day. So I usually try to buy gas on the days I buy groceries. I never know how much I should get back, so I just pull that lever and hope for a win.
Sidebar: I wish gas pumps were more like slot machines. It would make getting gas a lot more fun.
__________________
Breakfast: egg on English Muffin 27 cents
Snack: granola bar 47 cents
Lunch: taco soup 86 cents
Snacks: celery 7 cents
Fake Dinner: Free McD's French Fries
Dinner: sausage sandwich and sweet potato patties 89 cents
Total: $2.56
Sidebar: Liberal Ideology Alert! Please skip down the the un-italic section if you do not wish to think me a "dirty liberal." I dare say there also may be Conservative Ideology Alerts in the future of this blog. I can't be expected to fit into one neat label. I think our (the US's) gas is too cheap. Artificially so--it doesn't take into account the "real cost" of this very useful, very limited, not-very-clean, non-renewable resource. Just because it's there, doesn't mean we have to suck every reserve dry. That's the smug, washed hippie in me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a sanctimonious hypocrite, I drive a lot more than I should or than I want to. My commute is 45 miles one way. I cringe every time I think about it. I even tried to figure out how to take public transportation. But that involved either driving 26 miles in worse traffic to catch the right bus, or spending a minimum of 3 hours and 48 minutes on public transportation, one way, every day. That is unpossible. It would take less time for me to bike to work. I actually did the math on that, too.
I used to try to predict when gas would go up. I tried to fill up when I thought it was cheapest, only to see it for less the next time I drove by the gas station. It is, as Whatever and Ever Amen has been know to say, like pulling the lever on a slot machine in Vegas--you can hope for the best but never know what you're going to get.
This summer, I talked to my boss about working four long days a week instead of five. I had a feeling gas was going no where but up and wanted to have a back-up plan in case it did. Then the Deepwater Horizon exploded. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I truly believe big oil decided to keep gas prices low to distract the American public from thinking long and hard about our gas-guzzling culture. I mean, an ecological disaster (and an economic disaster for the Gulf region) on top of sky-rocketing gas prices on top of the already existing detractors of big oil could have created big problems for oil, not just BP. So, I continued, like the rest of America, to drive.
I'm glad, though, I designed a escape plan for driving 5 days a week and had floated it past my non-committal, though receptive, boss. The first thing I did Monday morning after the husband was made redundant, was to re-institute Project 4-Day-Week. (After checking on the devilish health insurance, that is.) The deal is, I'll work 4 long days and be available from home on the other. There isn't one day that is set in stone as my "day off." I'm flexible.
I hope this current rise in prices recedes or at least levels off. I know I still may have some options left to economize. I mean, I'm not planning on picking up an unwashed hippie sitting at the entrance to the turnpike and trying to get some gas money out of him any time soon. But I could try to find a fellow commuter. I used to say confidently, "My next car will be a hybrid," just because I so dislike the act of putting gas into my car. And maybe if I keep this car for 75 years, I'll be able to afford a hybrid! In the mean time, we try to keep my tires properly inflated and not drag around too much recycling in my trunk. I try to drive the speed limit or a little under. But usually I'm guilty of hitting the accelerate button on my cruise control a few too many times. I wonder how slow I could drive on the Interstate before I would piss off the other drivers and trick them into thinking I'm a really young looking 97-year-old woman.
As far as trying to get cheaper gas, I know there are places online like gasbuddy.com that are supposed to compare prices of gas in your area. But gasbuddy.com relies on users to report gas prices and there don't seem to be many users in my area. My grocery store uses some confusing algorithm for giving you a discount on your gas if you bought groceries that day. So I usually try to buy gas on the days I buy groceries. I never know how much I should get back, so I just pull that lever and hope for a win.
Sidebar: I wish gas pumps were more like slot machines. It would make getting gas a lot more fun.
__________________
Breakfast: egg on English Muffin 27 cents
Snack: granola bar 47 cents
Lunch: taco soup 86 cents
Snacks: celery 7 cents
Fake Dinner: Free McD's French Fries
Dinner: sausage sandwich and sweet potato patties 89 cents
Total: $2.56
Sunday, November 14, 2010
This Week's Lessons
So what did we learn this week?
1. "If you don't stop crying, I'll give you something to cry about." --My Dad, and maybe, God.
2. If your husband tells you your cooking stinks (as in literally smells bad), you've probably just made a delicious dinner. At least he's never said something I cooked smelled like a vagina. Oh, wait, yes he has.
3. Health insurance is the devil. If only our skin was so strong.
4. Sweet potatoes deserve better than to be covered in marshmallows. And if you need me to do something for you, free food is a good bribe.
5. J'adore Grocery Store. In case you're wondering, the clothes I wear that I wore in high school are: a short gray wool skirt with two rows of buttons down the front and my Charlotte's Web t-shirt. I think that's all.
6. I probably ate a moldy muffin. But then again, who hasn't.
_________
Breakfast: Bacon, egg & cheese sandwich 52 cents
Snack: Banana 11 cents
Lunch: Taco soup 86 cents
Snack: Free brownie at a work function
Dinner: Free Taco Bell courtesy of the in-laws and a granola bar 47 cents
Total: $1.96
1. "If you don't stop crying, I'll give you something to cry about." --My Dad, and maybe, God.
2. If your husband tells you your cooking stinks (as in literally smells bad), you've probably just made a delicious dinner. At least he's never said something I cooked smelled like a vagina. Oh, wait, yes he has.
3. Health insurance is the devil. If only our skin was so strong.
4. Sweet potatoes deserve better than to be covered in marshmallows. And if you need me to do something for you, free food is a good bribe.
5. J'adore Grocery Store. In case you're wondering, the clothes I wear that I wore in high school are: a short gray wool skirt with two rows of buttons down the front and my Charlotte's Web t-shirt. I think that's all.
6. I probably ate a moldy muffin. But then again, who hasn't.
_________
Breakfast: Bacon, egg & cheese sandwich 52 cents
Snack: Banana 11 cents
Lunch: Taco soup 86 cents
Snack: Free brownie at a work function
Dinner: Free Taco Bell courtesy of the in-laws and a granola bar 47 cents
Total: $1.96
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Waste Not...
If you're going to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs. Also? If you're going to store two cartons of eggs in the refrigerator door, you're going to make an omelet.
This week I broke five eggs by opening the refrigerator door. The first time, I had half an omelet for dinner and half for breakfast. Before I'd even gotten the breakfast half eaten, I broke four eggs in one fell swoop. So, I picked up the carton, and threw the broken eggs (sans shells, of course) into the frying pan. Quick egg muffins, I figured.
In the past, I've been really bad about throwing food away. But guess what, we can't afford it anymore. Plus, it is kind of an asshole-y thing to do, if you think about it. It seems these days that nothing is more American than throwing half an apple pie in the garbage. And what kind of an asshole throws away apple pie?
I've seen other bloggers posting pictures of the food they throw out in an attempt to make themselves accountable. It was a big thing there for awhile, I think. Food Waste Fridays or some such. Well, good on them. As usual, I'm still tightrolling my pants while everyone else is onto fraying cuffs. So here is what I wasted this week. But no pictures, I don't need to subject you to moldy muffins, plus I don't want to get a flickr account for moldy muffins...yet.
I made some pumpkin muffins. They didn't turn out so well. But they tasted ok. Then I noticed they were moldy. I ate some the day before I noticed the mold. I'm pretty sure I have an iron stomach.
Ginger. I don't know how long I had this ginger. I didn't even know it could go bad. I planned to use it in my sweet potato patties. I used the dried kind instead.
And now for the non-edible consumables. (See, all you trendy bloggers, I just took your idea and did one better. Frayed cuffs and flannel shirts!)
Once upon a time, I was really concerned not just with what I put in my body, but what I put on in. I still am, really, but I can't afford it. (Tom's deodorant for $4 or Suave for 50 cents. That math is easy, although justifying the potential risks is much more difficult.) So I had purchased this olive oil soap. It was Kiss My Face and it scored a 0 on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. That's the best score and I felt very much like a smug, washed hippie. I bought and used two or three bars and then developed some allergy. I broke out all over the inside of my arms in little, itchy bumps. It sat on my side of the shower. I'd try to use it every now and then but always with the same results. I just tried again this week. So I'm giving up and tossing it. At least I know it won't poison the landfill?
You know what I would gladly waste, though? My step-baby's-momma is making her go to her gymnastics meet today. The one I paid for her to enter. In case you forgot, my step-daughter was diagnosed with pneumonia on Monday. She hasn't been to gymnastics practice for two weeks. I would gladly waste the entry fee for her to have more time to recover and feel better before trying to compete. Despite this, she did ok in the meet. But she was really tired.
_____________________________________
Breakfast: English Muffin, Laughing Cow Cheese, Pear 81 cents
Snack: Granola Bar 47 cents
Lunch: Smoked sausage sandwich and free french fries 42 cents
Dinner: taco soup, crackers, cream cheese stuffed peppers $2.15
Total: $3.85
This week I broke five eggs by opening the refrigerator door. The first time, I had half an omelet for dinner and half for breakfast. Before I'd even gotten the breakfast half eaten, I broke four eggs in one fell swoop. So, I picked up the carton, and threw the broken eggs (sans shells, of course) into the frying pan. Quick egg muffins, I figured.
In the past, I've been really bad about throwing food away. But guess what, we can't afford it anymore. Plus, it is kind of an asshole-y thing to do, if you think about it. It seems these days that nothing is more American than throwing half an apple pie in the garbage. And what kind of an asshole throws away apple pie?
I've seen other bloggers posting pictures of the food they throw out in an attempt to make themselves accountable. It was a big thing there for awhile, I think. Food Waste Fridays or some such. Well, good on them. As usual, I'm still tightrolling my pants while everyone else is onto fraying cuffs. So here is what I wasted this week. But no pictures, I don't need to subject you to moldy muffins, plus I don't want to get a flickr account for moldy muffins...yet.
I made some pumpkin muffins. They didn't turn out so well. But they tasted ok. Then I noticed they were moldy. I ate some the day before I noticed the mold. I'm pretty sure I have an iron stomach.
Ginger. I don't know how long I had this ginger. I didn't even know it could go bad. I planned to use it in my sweet potato patties. I used the dried kind instead.
And now for the non-edible consumables. (See, all you trendy bloggers, I just took your idea and did one better. Frayed cuffs and flannel shirts!)
Once upon a time, I was really concerned not just with what I put in my body, but what I put on in. I still am, really, but I can't afford it. (Tom's deodorant for $4 or Suave for 50 cents. That math is easy, although justifying the potential risks is much more difficult.) So I had purchased this olive oil soap. It was Kiss My Face and it scored a 0 on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. That's the best score and I felt very much like a smug, washed hippie. I bought and used two or three bars and then developed some allergy. I broke out all over the inside of my arms in little, itchy bumps. It sat on my side of the shower. I'd try to use it every now and then but always with the same results. I just tried again this week. So I'm giving up and tossing it. At least I know it won't poison the landfill?
You know what I would gladly waste, though? My step-baby's-momma is making her go to her gymnastics meet today. The one I paid for her to enter. In case you forgot, my step-daughter was diagnosed with pneumonia on Monday. She hasn't been to gymnastics practice for two weeks. I would gladly waste the entry fee for her to have more time to recover and feel better before trying to compete. Despite this, she did ok in the meet. But she was really tired.
_____________________________________
Breakfast: English Muffin, Laughing Cow Cheese, Pear 81 cents
Snack: Granola Bar 47 cents
Lunch: Smoked sausage sandwich and free french fries 42 cents
Dinner: taco soup, crackers, cream cheese stuffed peppers $2.15
Total: $3.85
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