Schönen Valentinstag!

Germany hasn't fully yet adopted Valentine's Day. In the stores there is chocolate and cards for your loved ones, but the practice of giving out valentines at school hasn't yet crossed the pond. However, Eliza wasn't hearing it! She wanted to make valentines for her class. So, we did! She personally cut and decorated all the valentines. I did draw the patterns to help her. I also wrote on the backs. But otherwise, she did everything!

**I bought the candy before February. In full disclosure, it took one bag of mini Chupa Chups that I bought off the clearance rack for 1.69 Euro. Shout out to Tamsyn for finding the paper! She is really the best!!! We had the other supplies on hand.

Spending Fast: Week 2

As I've already given myself away... Yes, this week was WAY more of a challenge. Last week, I was 24 Euro under, which may have contributed* to this week's overage (of exactly 24 Euro including the snow pants!) So, if you are a good mathematician, this week's total was:

74.06 Euro

But, the accountant in me wants to reconcile. So, let's take out the snow pants. That leaves 62.06 Euro, and then roll the previous week's surplus of -24 Euro. That gives us 38.06 Euro, and we allotted 50 Euro for the week; therefore, we have -12 Euro to roll to next week. So, for the month, we are still under.

*I say that last week may have contributed because when Monday came, we were out of everything!

**In full disclosure, I also bought a stroller, car seat and bassinet this week. I am not counting it because 1) It was a previously budgeted item that was WAY under budget (by 450 Euros!) 2) I've been searching for these items for months, and when the deal came up, it could not be resisted.

***Claron also bought a new hose for the shower this week. It broke and had to be fixed in the interest of hygiene and water spraying all over my bathroom. It was 15 Euros. But, do spending fasts extend to husbands fixing necessities?

Cheater!

I was bad. I cheated yesterday... well, kinda!

It is COLD here. Like -20 C cold and windy. As I was walking to church on Sunday, I swore to myself that I was going to buy a pair of snow pants... and soon!

Monday, I walk into our grocery store, and there among the clearance items.... only one pair of snow pants... the right color... in my size.... with room for a pregnancy belly... 70% off!!! So, I put them in my cart. They were a whopping 12 Euros! Considering I was under budget last week, I thought it might be okay. I felt guilty that I didn't put them on to retrieve Eliza yesterday. But today, I woke up to this:

I don't feel so guilty now... (By the way, it is still snowing out there and is supposed to continue until possibly tomorrow!)

Spending Fast: Week 1

I know many of you are curious to know how the spending fast is faring.

I would be lying if I said that there hasn't been temptation this week. I've had many times that I've had to close Amazon (and other websites) with a cart full of stuff. But....

Here are the results:
Amount Spent Week 1: 26 Euro (all grocery)

Also, I did our US Federal taxes and scored us over $1000. I'm trying to decide whether it is worth it to file our California Non-Resident taxes. They owe us a cool $52. Normally, those 52 big ones would already be in process of transferring to my bank account, BUT I have to file on paper or pay one of the stupid services. I'm sure I'll file, but for now a break. I still also have to file our German taxes on Elster (translates to Magpie... you know... the bird who likes shiny things. Clever, no?).

One thing that is exempt from the spending fast is the search for a car. It continues. Especially as temperatures have been hovering around -20 C, a car is needed. Also, no big deal, but the doctor has put me on "regular activities only." My cervix is measuring a little thin. As I said, no big deal, but she said I need to be careful with the walking. It would be really nice if we could find a nice car...

Spending Fast

I'm joining my friend, Jeannie (who is awesome, BTW) on a Spending Fast for February!

Here are the rules from her friend, Cammie:
"You don't buy anything for the month of February. Okay, there are a few exceptions. You can pay your rent and other bills and you can buy gas. You can also buy food, but you should limit and stretch in this area. For my family of three I spend $50 a week during the Spending Fast. You can choose what works for your family."

We are doing 50 Euros, of course. I'll keep you updated and let you know how we do.