The No-Spend Month: Week 2

So, week two of NSM is coming to a close.  K has been sick this whole week, which means we have been laying extra low.  This weekend, unusually low temps, an air quality warning, and no spend month combined to equal a Harry Potter marathon.  I'm looking forward to the 25th more than ever.  And they say it's the third week that is the hardest.  Sigh.

But, this No Spend Month is doing its job, and that is to make us take a good, hard look at our finances.  I started a google spreadsheet of grocery prices to help us have a good idea of where we can get the best deals, and so that I can know when  coupon deal is cheaper than Costco (or wherever we normally buy it). We made some budget goals and strategies for the WHOLE YEAR.  This is the first time I have ever done anything like that.  It feels ambitious, but it also feels like it might be more effective than what we were doing before.  We also have been able to keep the grocery bill pretty low while still buying everything we need - I don't really feel like I'm skimping.  This is showing me that when we are no longer in a "no spend month" we should be able to keep a reasonable grocery budget.

Also, in the spirit of No Spend Month, I ventured to the local library and got myself a library card.  I was pleasantly surprised by how nice and functional the library here is.  It has all the bells and whistles that the Portland Library had, with the online hold system and everything.  It even has a huge wall of windows facing out on what looks like wetlands.  I wonder if they dry up in the summer.  I got myself three books that I will probably not be able to read before their due date.

Spent this week:
Groceries - $54
What we have left: $103

What we ate (dinners only)
(Posted links to recipes that are online)

Tuesday: Roasted shrimp and broccoli with Rice
Wednesday: Leftover Lentil Stew ( that I made last week.  I made this a stew instead of a soup when I accidentally added one cup of uncooked quinoa instead of cooked.  Whoops!)
Thursday: Sesame Peanut Tofu with Spaghetti Squash ( I adapted the recipe to use tofu instead of chicken and spaghetti squash instead of pasta)
Friday: Chicken Cacciatore (stovetop instead of crockpot, and again with spaghetti squash instead of pasta)
Saturday: Golden Vegetable Lasagna 
Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: Veggie stir fry with rice

I'm participating in the No Spend Month link up with Growing Slower