Welcome October

Welcome October - the smell of apple crisp baking in the oven (with an easy mix apple crisp packet, just add apples & butter). Fall is here! I love using my crock-pot, but find that I mostly use in the fall and winter months. Butternut squash soup, kale soup and pea soup! Pork roasts in the crock pot with radishes, carrots & onion. And I got to figure out how to use my instant pot! Haven't used it yet.

As I always say, a new month.. new financial goals. I opened an ABLE account at the end of September for Grace. This is an account that I can start depositing and saving money now for her future (that won't hurt her financially if she has to get on social security earlier with her disability). My goal is to put in $25/week.. we'll see how that grows in a year, and further... I opened it up through Fidelity (and it does accrue interest).

I find myself spending way to much time closing out my budget at the end of them month.. so I'm definitely going to minimize my categories for October (one way to do that is not to spend money! LOL). I know it's only 3 days in, but I want to continue to be intentional with my money - and have less categories!

Do you realize I have been using 'cash' only now for Groceries for the last two months.. and I love it! So.. i'm going cash only for dining out in October (*unless the restaurant won't take it.. like last night's dinner), but that will be included on my cash dining out envelope, so I can track that we are ONLY going to spend $250 for the month of October in eating out!

We have lots of meats/chicken in our freezer.. will go to grocery store today for some salad, fruit and canned tomatoes.. not much needed... meal planning ideas is underway! One night a pasta dinner, meatballs another night, chicken something or other, tacos (can't forget taco night) & a meatless/vegeterian night.. And I have a meal out with the ladies this week.

Personally - I'm hoping to lose 5-7 lbs this month! I need to get under that 230 mark !! My weight is going up and down like a roller coaster! I need it to go down..

New month - new goals.. what are your some of yours??

Happy October!

pattie