Consider Your $$ Monday

Everyone and their brother seems to be doing this in the past few days -- is it the result of a hang-free weekend that's now bringing remorse?


Trent's mailbag comments on The Simple Dollar are probably the best overall, but I enjoyed this MSN article on people who live on $18,000 or less a year. Another post lists ten (fairly easy) ways to cut your expenses. Lots of excellent links, including one on summer jobs for kids, here. And so you can keep your bucks a little longer -- 5 overseas spots that let you live comfortably for $1200 a month -- or less.

Then, of course, there are the things that money can't buy!
(Like this amazing commercial from Nike.)

We kept to a pretty frugal Father's Day. Husband and I are still not sure what's going on about his job. So far, he's had extra hours these past weeks, thanks to a new project he's been working on. It seems as if it will continue...but so far, no guarantees. That makes us both want to pull our belts in a little tighter.

So, for Father's Day, we:
*ate steak -- but cooked it ourselves. Menu: twice-baked potatoes, steak with sauteed mushrooms, corn on the cob, cheesecake with whipped cream and a bottle of white wine. Much appreciated by all -- and except for the steak ($3.99 a pound), it was ok, price-wise.
*went and saw Iron Man 2 (which wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped) at one of the discount theatres. Even had a coupon for a free bag of popcorn!

The Father's Day boy will get his choice of grill off Denver's Craigslist. (I did some extra quilt work to be able to afford it, and Daughters chipped in, too.) The last two gas grills we've had both came from the curb, and were fixed by Husband. For once, he can get one that works from the getgo!

Quote of the Week: "I have failed over and over in my life. And that is why I succeed."
                                                     Michael Jordan