SAVINGS

One month down...two to go. Final amount saved for first month....at least $500

Groceries...saved $150. How, you ask? Easy. (not really) See below for details:

YMCA membership...saved $50

Teaching Piano Lessons $300

Here are some things we did/learned along the way:

*we only bought fresh milk, some cheese, and a few eggs (on sale) and lived completely on our food storage.

* It's no wonder society is so fat...healthy food is way more expensive than junk food. We completely cut out fresh salads (saved us at least $20) :(

* The only fruits we bought were apples that were on sale, and bananas (including the old ones that they sell on discount)

* Thank goodness tap water is still free, that's about the only thing that's healthy and cheap (besides oxygen)

* Eating pinto beans every single day hasn't gotten old...yet

* We completely cut out cold cereal and have lived on a variety of oatmeal and pancakes

* The less we eat meat, the more we savor and enjoy it when we do. I was shocked at how good a frozen chicken taquito tasted...then I realized it had been days since I ate chicken. LOL now that's a sad story!!! haha

* Having a membership to a gym is a great thing. I'm afraid of what giving it up and eating this other stuff is going to do to my body...but we'll see.

* I love teaching piano lessons and I love my students. What a great thing! Thanks Mom for teaching me piano!!

* It's a lot easier to save money when you put a goal to work towards. Lots of temptations came along the way...but I held strong. (okay...so I broke down and bought myself something for my birthday...but it was cheap). :)

* And another thing I learned is I am surprised at how LONG it takes to really cook! sheesh. I think I took things like refried beans and boxed brownies/cakes for granted. I made lots of homemade noodles, etc. and was worn out before I could even enjoy it! haha How on earth did the pioneers do this????

***Most of all, we learned how grateful we are for a living prophet that has over and over and over counseled us to have food storage and an emergency savings supply. Both have gotten us to where we are now and instead of times like this hurting our family relations--it has actually strengthened us.