Finding My Rhythm

I'm trying to get a rhythm going with my $300 cash budget for food, clothing and entertainment. Okay, mostly food. I started using cash in September and I took $75.00 at the beginning of each week. I went shopping the first day, but somehow we were always short by the end of the week. I would have a meltdown if we were out of laundry soap or toilet paper. That just didn't work. Then this month I took money only when I needed it. That worked a little better because I still have $43.53 left for this week and enough gas for the week. I think it was because I took a big chunk before the last week and I liked seeing the twenties still in my purse. 
     

So in November I think I will possibly take all of the money for the month on the first and keep it in big bills and see if that makes it last longer. I am less likely to break a twenty and more likely to search around the store to find something for my five dollar bill to eat for the week.
     
With grocery shopping for cleaning supplies I have tried to become creative too. I looked up some chemical free websites and found some ideas of how to replace my favorite things. Comet can now be baking soda. My bleach wipes are now replaced by bleach and water, imagine that! I also like to use swiffers to clean my faux hardwood floors. Instead I use a skinny washrag that I rubberband on to my swiffer dipped in hot water.
      
I do miss my lemon-scented pledge, but since we found out that Dylan is allergic to dust I have been using hot water rags and a towel which the doctor suggested. I think we have become a chemically free family without even trying. Summit is teaching us to go green!
     
I also have been trying to find recipes that stretch so I can take leftovers to work. But the sad thing is that all of the things that are the cheapest and that makes your meals stretch are filled with the most carbs. Rice, pasta, bread and potatoes. And they wonder why poverty stricken people are also obese!!!
    
I work at a bank on Monday mornings so after I leave the bank I can go home and grab a quick microwave warm-up, but that takes about an hour of pay away. So I usually head for a quick sandwich or a salad that is in my budget. But sometimes I feel like I am cheating on Dylan. I think about what I could buy with that five dollars for us as a meal. It really makes you think. I should/could have brought a pb & j.
     
My daughter Katie and my grandsons came over this weekend. One of them wrapped up in my quilt and took a little nap and had a little accident in it. I had to drop off Dylan somewhere and I came back and the washer and dryer were running. And a lot of the lights were on in every room.
      
I was like ATTENTION EVERYONE! Please come up to speed on Project Money Penny rules. We wash clothes and use the dishwasher before 7 in the morning and after 8 at night. We don't leave on any lights or TV's in any rooms that we are not using. If we leave the building or we go to sleep all of the power strips filled with cords are turned off! Thank You!
     
I took the quilt out of the dryer and hung it on my ironing board. It was perfectly dry the next day. I think Katie thinks I'm old fashioned. I think I like that. It reminds me of my grandma. She lived through food rationing and I asked her how she did it and she said you just managed. I hope she is looking down and helping me 'manage' my food budget!