The whole point of me writing this blog is to share with everyone the ups and downs of trying to save money and get out of debt. The idea to blog originally came to my mind when I read about a couple who had decided to eat for only $1 a day for 30 days and blog about their experience. I wanted to not only take on their challenge, but to take it many steps further. As many of you know, Paul and I are a young couple in our late 20s, with a 14 month old son. We also are like many other Americans and have what seems like a massive amount of debt related to our college years. Not to mention, we have student loan debt, a mortgage, and a car payment! We have talked for the last few years about getting out of debt, but we never knew where to start. So after reading about eating for $1 a day, I decided to see if that was possible in order to save money that can be applied towards our debt!
We are now on day 9 of the $1 a day challenge and I have to say that it has not been as hard as I thought it would be. I am definitely relying heavily on coupons and the fruits that we saved last Summer in my mother's freezer. This challenge has not however been without a few wake up calls. I noticed about day 4 that I probably was not feeding my son as many fruits and vegetables as he should be getting for a growing child. I also realized how poorly I eat myself due to always feeling like I am in a rush. I immediately decided I was going to try and make a more conscious effort to provide healthier more well balanced meals.
The other emotions that this challenge has brought out, is having to be less prideful! What I mean by this, is that after typing each day what foods we eat and where they come from, I saw just how much my Mom and Stepdad give us in terms of food. Paul and I both pride ourselves on the fact that everything we have we have done or earned ourselves, so when you see just how much others really do contribute to your life you come to the realization that no matter how rough times get there are always those who love you to get you through, both physically and mentally. We are both blessed with families who are always there to support us and try to lend a helping hand where ever they can!
And lastly, after a week of eating for $1 a day, I can report that I have already lost 5lbs. Who would have thought that saving money and trying to get out of debt would be a great diet? I sure wouldn't have believed you if you told me this was going to happen. The impression that many people get is that eating on a budget makes you fat and I can tell you this is NOT TRUE! Like many others, Paul and I definitely have some weight to lose. We both love eating seconds and enjoying going out to eat a couple days a week. Now we can no longer do either of those, nor can we snack all day long! Maybe after a year of this diet, I will be thinner and more financially stable!!!
Day 9: January 15, 2009
Breakfast
Paul:
Buttermilk Biscuit: .10
1 egg: .10
Jackie:
Buttermilk Biscuit: .10
1 egg: .10
Water
Jackson:
1/2 Buttermilk Biscuit: .10
Strawberries and Blueberries: Free
1/2 Banana: .12
Apple Juice/Water: .05
Snack
Jackie:
1/4 Homemade Smoothie: .22
Jackson:
1/4 Homemade Smoothie: .22
8oz Milk
Lunch
Paul:
Client Lunch: Free
Jackie:
Leftover Wacky Mac and Marinara Sauce: Free
Water
Jackson:
Leftover Wacky Mac and Marinara Sauce: Free
8oz Milk
Snacks
Jackie:
1 Kashi Bars: .11
Jackson:
1/4 Homemade Smoothie: .22
Dinner
All of Us:
Baked Potato with Chili
Baked Potatoes: .60
Meat: 1.00
Tomato Sauce .40
Kidney Beans .57
=Chili per Serving: .32
Chili Serves 6: Will add serving cost to lunchs tomorrow instead of all cost to the dinner tonight.
Jackson:
8oz Milk
Snack:
Paul:
Peanut Butter Cookie: Free (Betty Crocker Coupon)
Hershey Kisses: Free (After Christmas Sale + Coupon)
Total Spent for the Day: $3.00
We are now on day 9 of the $1 a day challenge and I have to say that it has not been as hard as I thought it would be. I am definitely relying heavily on coupons and the fruits that we saved last Summer in my mother's freezer. This challenge has not however been without a few wake up calls. I noticed about day 4 that I probably was not feeding my son as many fruits and vegetables as he should be getting for a growing child. I also realized how poorly I eat myself due to always feeling like I am in a rush. I immediately decided I was going to try and make a more conscious effort to provide healthier more well balanced meals.
The other emotions that this challenge has brought out, is having to be less prideful! What I mean by this, is that after typing each day what foods we eat and where they come from, I saw just how much my Mom and Stepdad give us in terms of food. Paul and I both pride ourselves on the fact that everything we have we have done or earned ourselves, so when you see just how much others really do contribute to your life you come to the realization that no matter how rough times get there are always those who love you to get you through, both physically and mentally. We are both blessed with families who are always there to support us and try to lend a helping hand where ever they can!
And lastly, after a week of eating for $1 a day, I can report that I have already lost 5lbs. Who would have thought that saving money and trying to get out of debt would be a great diet? I sure wouldn't have believed you if you told me this was going to happen. The impression that many people get is that eating on a budget makes you fat and I can tell you this is NOT TRUE! Like many others, Paul and I definitely have some weight to lose. We both love eating seconds and enjoying going out to eat a couple days a week. Now we can no longer do either of those, nor can we snack all day long! Maybe after a year of this diet, I will be thinner and more financially stable!!!
Day 9: January 15, 2009
Breakfast
Paul:
Buttermilk Biscuit: .10
1 egg: .10
Jackie:
Buttermilk Biscuit: .10
1 egg: .10
Water
Jackson:
1/2 Buttermilk Biscuit: .10
Strawberries and Blueberries: Free
1/2 Banana: .12
Apple Juice/Water: .05
Snack
Jackie:
1/4 Homemade Smoothie: .22
Jackson:
1/4 Homemade Smoothie: .22
8oz Milk
Lunch
Paul:
Client Lunch: Free
Jackie:
Leftover Wacky Mac and Marinara Sauce: Free
Water
Jackson:
Leftover Wacky Mac and Marinara Sauce: Free
8oz Milk
Snacks
Jackie:
1 Kashi Bars: .11
Jackson:
1/4 Homemade Smoothie: .22
Dinner
All of Us:
Baked Potato with Chili
Baked Potatoes: .60
Meat: 1.00
Tomato Sauce .40
Kidney Beans .57
=Chili per Serving: .32
Chili Serves 6: Will add serving cost to lunchs tomorrow instead of all cost to the dinner tonight.
Jackson:
8oz Milk
Snack:
Paul:
Peanut Butter Cookie: Free (Betty Crocker Coupon)
Hershey Kisses: Free (After Christmas Sale + Coupon)
Total Spent for the Day: $3.00
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