OK, so the van repair today was over $400.  Yikes.  Didn't have that money.  But, at Homeschool Freebie of the Day I downloaded "Savvy Money Management for Families."   I'm looking forward to reading that, and even today, after signing up for the free newsletter from "Living of a Dime", I already found some tips that will work for me.  When you sign up for the newsletter, you get a free mini e-course entitled "Five Simple Steps To Save $500 A Month On Your Grocery Budget". I read the first installment of the e-course before going to Aldi today, and instead of getting juice or other drinks (besides milk), I bought two stackable containers to put in the fridge with spouts, and I'm going to fill them with water.  Now, I'm not a water drinker.  I LOVE my Diet Coke, and even more, my Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper. But lately I've been hearing this nagging voice that I need to drink more water.  You know it's bad when you feel you HAVE TO HAVE IT or you can't get through the day.  I know I've once again become addicted to caffeine.  I don't do coffee, or hot tea in the mornings, so often, especially this summer as I'm out early taking ds to his volunteer job, I'm stopping at McD's for that large diet coke to keep me going.

I also know we need to get a handle on the occasional eating out.  We don't do it that often -- though it has been more often this summer as we've been on the go so much.  It takes more work, and more planning, to pack a lunch.  But I just need to be disciplined and do that.

So, check out the above resources.  Perhaps we'll be able to save enough for that trip to California early next year for a family wedding after all! :-)

Blessings,

Barb