Frugal Friday

Well, I am done with my paid work for today and can finally do some bloggin'!

This has been a good week: my paycheck was slightly early, the busiest time of the month is behind me, and I can begin setting priorities (both work and personal) for October.

The highest personal priority for me this month is to practice frugality on a higher level. I'm taking it up a notch, folks!

One of the ways I can be more frugal is to make use of things I have on hand when planning meals this week. I just checked the freezer and found an unopened bag of frozen chicken breasts. In the pantry, I have some canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, and in the refrigerator I have some white wine and grated parmesan cheese.

This means all I have to buy are some onions and a box of whole wheat spaghetti and I'll be ready to fire up the crock pot and make Chicken Cacciatore for our weekend dinners. Yippee! We'll have leftovers for the week, too, and all for the price of some onions and spaghetti.

Any money I save this month on groceries will be put towards paying down debts. This is another step I'm taking to improve my finances and help fund my escape from the paycheck economy. What are some of your steps?

It's Friday, and you know what that means--I get to celebrate!!! I've got a bag of microwave popcorn with my name on it and a book I bought with a gift certificate back in May and I plan to thoroughly enjoy kicking back and reading for the remainder of the afternoon!

Happy Friday, paycheckers!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday often reminds me of what I am thankful for, especially in the fall. I think that's because Thanksgiving is in the fall and it is always on Thursday. At any rate, here are some of the things I am thankful for today:

• Family and friends, of course!
  
• Being born in what is still (arguably) the best country on the face of the earth.
  
• Interesting work to do and wonderful people to do it with.
  
• Credit that is available to me in case of emergencies.
  
• My beautiful dog, Tiny Chalupa, "The Best Little Dog in the Whole Wide World."
  

There are many more things for which I am thankful, but those are the things that came to mind right now. What are you thankful for? Let me know.

Happy Thursday, Paycheckers. The picture of Tiny Chalupa is to brighten up your day!