Well, I thought, I might as well. Seeing, that this new year starts on a Sunday, when I have more time, than during a week, I thought, I might try to write every Sunday. This Blog-Writing may be old-fashioned and Vlogging the thing to do, but: my abilities in the technical field are very, very low-key.
I can however write and so I stay with what I know. Though, if I do manage somewhere in the future to improve my technical skills, I actually might turn to Vlogging. This isn't a promise though.
This year I decided to try some new things out. Like switching off W-Lan and my computer, when I go to work as really nobody needs it at those times. So why waste the money? Also I pull every plug, that is not absolutely needed, until it is. I am not using as much lamps as I used to, I am not using electrical appliances as often as I used to. This includes Computer-Usage. That will now happen mostly on Weekends and on days off, but since I am working with computer-progrs all day at my job, I give myself a rest. Except for my i-Pod and my e-reader, which I will use.
Then I have decided on a spending freeze, after reading about it and hearing about it and thinking, this might be something I'd like to try out. Last year I have been spending a lot of money and though I am not broke, I want put myself a little more ahead in that area. So I thought, that I might as well start on January.
Spending Freeze means, that one only spends money for the things really needed, like food, means to get to work and other things to keep going or things that have already been planned and calculated for the month in question.
In my case have some expenses already fixed in my budget. Now I should say, that my budget, living in Germany is in Euro. If you live anywhere else, just turn it into Dollars or whatever your currency is. Also keep in mind, that food costs in Germany are very low.
So: fixed already are:
the money for my parents christmas present, that I have to give to my sister,
46 € (it was a tablet with cover)
an English Afternoon Tea with a friend, a birthday present for last year, but she had an accident and so we couldn't do that for a very long time, 45 € with tip included (15%, more I can't afford)
the birthday presents for my sister and my older brother, which are 15 € each so 30 € all in all
an evening out with my colleagues, as we don't have a christmas-party, but a party at the beginning of the year. It is only food though and I calculated 20 €.
a donation for the new organ in my congregation = 10 €.
finally about 6 € for my walking group: 4 € for drinks and 2 € for the flowers we give to every birthday girl (we are only women, no men).
That comes up to? You there, in the last row, talking to your neighbour: add up.
157 €. Now I gave myself a budget of 200 €, so I am left with 43 € for 31 days.
So, 1,39 € a day. Does not sound much?
Well: I usually only go shopping for one time in the week. This month obviously only twice. For that I calculate 15 € at most. I do not get softdrinks or convineance (? probably writtten wrong) food and I buy not a lot of meat or fish. Not, because I don't like it, but because that really is expensive, because when I buy meat and fish, I buy good quality at a butcher or fishmonger. My veggies and fruit I buy seasonal and regional. For January however that highly depends on wether our local farmers market is already open or still in winter break.
This month I have the help of some shop-card-points that I can use up, so that would be about 20 €, that I can add all in all.
I do not use coupons, that is due to the coupon-system here in Germany. Mostly the coupons on offer are for stuff, that is more expensive than the products I buy and I don't like them as much. So I wouldn't really save. Sometimes I do use a coupon, when it is something that I want to try out, but in general, I just don't.
My lunch I take to work and when I cook, I make two or three meals at once, so that I can freeze up the rest. Starting this year though, we can not have fridges and microwaves in our offices, but have to put them in the communal kitchen. I really wouldn't want to use these appliances there, they are often looking disgusting and who wants that? Exactly. So I have decided to take a sandwich or things that do not have to be kept cool or heated and eat my main meal at home.
I will also not buy water from the Water-Merchants, only return the empties I have. That will give at least about 6,60 € in return, so I can add them to my expenses. I am winning... :)
I also have a giftcard from christmas for our local mall, that I can turn into a giftcard for my grocery-store. saved again, though I think, that I will do that next month or in march perhaps. Next month will be an easier month: no birthdays, no parties, actually only the drinks (tea or water) for walking. And then it is of course the short month. I might even get through with one shopping trip. Well, we'll see.
Anyway, I have one particular stand on the farmers market, that has good quality produce and not so high prices. I buy there and get something tasty to eat. Also we have a good butcher nearby, where I can get quality meat at not too high prices and I know, that the meat is from either his own farm or a friends farm, living nearby.
I do not have the proverbial green thumb, rather the (very dark) grey index-finger, so planting my own veggies is rather a no go for me. But since I have
access to a good market, it is not all that bad.
Due to some health issues, I am also restricted in what I can eat and comfortably digest. So fried is a no go for me, pork does not work, spinach, but most other veggies. Too much sugar is not good for me, bubbles in water or softdrinks cause me to well, the not so nice word is belch, I think and I am sorry, I do just now not know the nicer word.
Anyways, those are my spending freeze-month plans. Tomorrow I will do my first shopping. Since I just found out, that Saturdays Market will not happen, I shall buy my veggies in the grocery store. I will not buy meat, because I do not feel like it. Also: I need eggs and some other things, that I can get on my way home. I have made some sort of plan for my meals in this coming week, but not for the next and since I am buying for two weeks, I shall have to make a plan for two weeks. Shouldn't be all that hard, though I shall have to be inventive for tomorrow. No eggs, no potatoes, no pasta in any form. Since I plan on making sushi for Tuesday (we will then still have the fridge) I do not want to have rice tomorrow. That pretty much limits tomorrows choices. I might make a sandwich with Avocado-Cream though, I still have the Avocado from last week.
So this week:
Monday Avocado-Cream-Sandwich and an Apple for dessert
Tuesday Sushi and a Muffin for dessert
Wednesday pancake with a Pizza-Seasoning and an apple or a yoghurt for after
Thursday potatoe-Salad and a Muffin
Friday I eat at home and that will be baked fish with brokkoli
Saturday is my lazy day, so manly sandwiches, I think. Sunday I am invited to brunch.
Monday is the day of the Afternoon-Tea, so I will only have a sandwich or a Muffin or something of the kind
From Tuesday on, it will be something light for lunch, since I only work until 3.30 pm, I shall eat in the evening. That'll be a red beet soup
Wednesday I'll have a brokkoli-potatoe-stew
Thursday I shall have Tortilla wraps, so maybe I will buy some chicken after all. I can bake it, slice it and then put it in the wrap
Friday I think I will eat the last of my baked fish, I have to pieces left to bake in the freezer. I can have that with rice.
Saturday will be glas-day, means things out of glasses, I do not eat tinned food, because I have an allergy and it also not good for the environment.
Sunday I may have a brussels-sprouts-Soup or something I bought on Saturday on the market. We'll see. And for the following Monday I shall have to make up a new meal plan.
So now you have read enough ranting, I should say, remains to write:
have a good and peaceful, happy, healthy, lovely 2017!!
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