What a strange title for a savings blog. This is more of a what is really important entry. My darling mom is trying to recover from a stroke which will be one week tomorrow. She had moved from her home of 54 years to an apartment the end of November in order to be closer to my 100 year old grandmother and so I could check in on her more. She was doing great and very content in her new place when the stroke occurred. While in the hospital and eating only pureed foods, I was sitting by her bed and was eating my lunch of carrots, celery and ranch dressing when she looked me in the eye and said "I want some celery and ranch dressing". The way she said it, made me realize that to her at that moment that was all that was important in her life. Wouldn't that be nice if we could be content with simple vegetables. Would I give up my large home, big screen TV and other expensive treats for a more simple life? That is what my Dh and I are working on now. Will have to wait for home sales to change to put our home on the market but our future is going to be a simple one. I guess I could call it the celery plan.

God Bless my dear momma.

Lola
D

My plan this year is to track every dime that I spend. In the past, I always felt that I had a good understanding of where our money was going. Eating out was Killng us financially and health wise. I did eat out today with a very good friend that I was unable to dine with during the holidays. Even though I ate out, I feel I still made progress. I ordered from the lunch menu - soup and salad, I had water instead of a soft drink and still stayed within my eating guidelines for my health changes. I know how important it is for me to leave a tip and I always do tip but it sure makes me want to eat at home - perhaps serving myself, I should tip me and put that money aside Besides the eating out, I also found a pair of hard soled slippers for my 100 yearold grandmother. I ordered them online from Cabela's and the tota cost was $19.83. I have been looking for a deal on them for a few weeks. I am going to have a no spend day tomorrow for sure.