Two weeks ago I shared with you some of the things we choose not to spend money on…therefore giving us the option of eating healthier.  (Because we’ve decided that eating healthier…is NOT an option….but something we must do.)

I mentioned that we do not have cable TV or pets…and that we do not eat out or go out to movies and the like except for on rare occasions (or with gift certificates).

And that is where my list stopped, because I’d been sick and had no energy left to think.

But I’ve been thinking more…and I’ve come up with a longer list.  (Now, that’s something exciting…I’ve been thinking and I came up with a long list.  Bet you’re ready to snooze already.)

Okay, more of the list of ways we save so that we can put our money toward good, real food:

*I cut our hair myself. 

That includes all four boys, Matt and myself.  I’m excited about that because that’s a lot of haircuts in one year…therefore saving us hundreds of dollars.  However, I’m no expert at it..so don’t look too close.  We aren’t fancy by any means.  (Okay, but I do think the boys are awfully cute.)

*Clothes 

Almost every bit of clothing our boys wear is a hand me down.  We’ve been blessed so much to be given some very nice clothing from friends.  The boys love this and so do we.  Matt and I don’t buy new clothes very often, and when we do, that’s when I get to have lots of fun shopping clearance sales.  I LOVE finding awesome deals! 

*Travel/Motels

We don’t travel much, but when we do we stay with family if at all possible.  It saves money, and has been wonderful for our relationships with our family members.  (And thankfully none of them so far has been afraid of us bringing four boys into their home for the night!) 

*Stuff

We just don’t buy stuff.  We try to just spend money on what we need, and that’s it. 

*Magazine Subscriptions

I’m not sure when we’d find the time to read them anyway!  And, if we really want to read one, we can go to the library.

*Gifts

Gifts for birthdays and Christmas are usually simple and almost always practical.  And guess what?  Our boys still love birthdays and Christmas.  How about that?

*Junk Food

It’s amazing how spending nothing on junk food and “snacky foods” really makes room for real food. 

Well, there must be more things that we don’t spend money on that I’m not thinking of…but since I don’t spend money on it…I don’t know what it is! 

Please join me here as I continue with the Getting Real With Food series.  You CAN afford to eat healthy!!   Coming up next in the series….Figuring out Where to Start. 

Visit Biblical Womanhood for more Frugal Fridays.

I have a few completely random subjects running around in my head.  I figured you would just love to hear all about it. 

1.  The very best part about being sick is feeling better afterward.  And being incredibly joyful simply because you can put a load of clothes into the washing machine without feeling completely worn out when you’re done.

2.  Along those same lines…because I was sick for the better part of two weeks, and then we went on a trip…I’m having a terrible time catching up on everything that needs to be done around here.  I do not have a Funky Kitchen…and my Home doesn’t look the least bit Heavenly right now. 

3.  It doesn’t help that my vacuum isn’t working.  And hasn’t been for about a month.  The last time I tried to vacuum…I felt pieces of dirt and other unknown objects HITTING my foot!  My vacuum was BLOWING AIR OUT instead of sucking stuff in.  What is THAT about?  So, my vacuum is in the shop, and my floors just keep getting dirtier.  Thankfully, most of my main floor is hard wood and we just sweep it…but upstairs is a different story. 

4.  I have weeds taller than Justus outside in my garden.  And he’s been growing like a weed.  Now that’s scary.

5.  I sent two of my boys outside yesterday to rinse out a couple of big jugs.  45 minutes later they came in soaking wet…the sidewalk had been watered very well…and the jugs were dirtier than they were to begin with.  I’m pretty sure they had fun “helping me” though. 

6.  Last week we killed our friend’s guinea pig.  Not on purpose.  We were guinea pig sitting and it just so happened that it was “Rosie’s” time to go.  I was reminded of several years ago when I was bunny sitting…and the bunny didn’t make it either.  You may not want to trust our family with your pets.  Just saying.

7.  Asa lost his last baby tooth last night.  His very last one.  I’ve got to stop being in denial about my kids getting older.

8.  As I do every July…I’m starting to get REALLY excited about the upcoming school year.  We always start in early August…and I’m excited to share more about our schedule and some of the things we do in our home school.  You should see my awesome list of books that I want to order!  Ooh, I’m getting so excited!!!

9.  I’ve heard from several of you that you’re anxious to hear more in my Getting Real With Food series!  I’m anxious to share too, now that I’m feeling better.  Sorry I haven’t posted any of those for a while.  Really and truly, I’ll get back with it next week.  What I LOVE is hearing how many of you are working to eat healthier!!!  That makes me so excited!

10.  I’m baking today for the farmer’s market.  I’m writing this as my pretzel dough is rising.  My house is about to begin smelling really, really yummy.

11.  I had a typo when I first wrote number 10 and wrote “My house is about to begin spelling really, really yummy.”  I never knew I had such a smart house.

Okay, enough randomness….I’ve got to go get back to work in the kitchen.  And, I do believe that I’ll call the vacuum place to see if my vacuum is almost ready to be picked up. 

What are you up to today?  Hope you have a great one!