Pinching Pennies (Again)

I am embarrassed to say I haven't thought about this kind of stuff since my early days at Headline News and living on Ramen noodles.
Anyone who knew me back in high school or college would laugh at my present condition-- I used to be so cheap that friends once gave me a coin separator as a present-- surely they wouldn't believe that I am having to relearn how to scrimp and save. But after nearly ten years with my husband who's theory for living is "if you have money you should spend it!" I have made the conscious decision to start over so my kids can learn what I learned from my Dad about saving money.

First week of frugality:

Monday

8AM
Made breakfast from the fridge with family (instead of Jittery Joes, Big City Bread or Waffle House-- and don't get me wrong, I LOVE all three and have spent most of my retirement brunching and having coffee there).
9AM
Packed pic nic for toddler and baby
915AM
Got in car to go to Library (free!) for story time.
Checked out books (free instead of the weekly $50+ at Borders)
1045
took my coffee card to the Jittery Joes for my last free one (for now-- the drive thru guys are like my best friends-- but as I calculated, the double latte with flavor is costing me approximately a grand a year? how can that even be possible. Just changing my drink to an iced coffee will save 50%). Frannie convinced me to get her a tiny milk
$1
11-2
Pic Nic at Memorial Park with friends. Shared food. Kids swing and run and see animals (Free instead of lunching somewhere)
2-4
nap
430 ice cream at Hortons. $1 per cone, three cones for family
$3
530
make dinner at home (free)
read stories
8-12 am
work on web design stuff
go to bed

total spent today
$4

reduced carbon footprint by (okay don't laugh at me, we have to start somewhere):

turning off car at drive thru bank and coffee shop
turned up thermostat to 78 at home
rinsed a few cups quickly instead of putting them in dishwasher
recycled bits of paper/tin foil and other little things that usually get dumped

free stuff:

checked out books for kids, self
free entertainment at library and park

Tuesday:

spent $1.50 on an iced coffee (actual cost is $1.75 but I only had six quarters with me and had to convince the salesgirl to give me more ice and less coffee for a smaller fee. I have to find her to give her a tip and the extra quarter next week. Jason asks if I will become a coffee whore.

Wednesday:

Took coupons to Target for diapers, wipes, baby food and paper towels.
Saved $15

Made AWESOME stir fry with vegetables from the farmers market, stir fry sauce from Moosewood vegetarian cookbook and Udon noodles mom gave us for Christmas. Totally delicious. Frannie even ate squash and zucchini which she's never liked before (when we used to buy it at the grocery store)

Thursday:

Walked to Earthfare for dinner necessities. Took my baggu bags so I wouldn't need any more plastic bags.

Saturday:

Went to incredible local farmer's market for the first time (see earlier post).


Sunday:
fought urge to go to brunch with the family;
made farmers market feast instead
spent day painting and playing in the yard
Savings $35