Our budget took a hard hit this summer with temps of 105 degrees. Our current home isn’t able to maintain cool comfort at this level but it was  necessary to run our a/c unit just to keep the air flow circulating. When we would cut it off, then we couldn’t breathe. We also found out that our city air pollution was high which added to respiratory and allergy issues usually not common during the summer months. We have been maintaining, but I am looking forward to cooler weather. I am also praying for a cold, frosty winter. We haven’t had a true winter in 2 yrs, so the bugs are enormous and plentiful and the ground is in need of a good freezing.

Anyway, I realize that I must get our budget back on track so that we are prepared for the winter and to allow me to quit my part-time job outside the home. I don’t mind the idea of working from home ~ looking into several options in this area ~ but the hours spent away from home, the fatigue and feelings of frustration are starting to get to me. I realize that during all these changes, we have stopped doing what we know to do to save money and we haven’t really been eating well. Oh, the worst part ~ my pantry is almost empty. That in and of itself is almost unforgivable. With it being relatively empty though, gives me an opportunity to start over without feeling like I am wasting money or goods I don’t like or need. I can actually begin stocking it to our family needs and requirements and create order where there wasn’t any previously.

I have pulled out some of my favorite books for getting back on track with budgeting and meal planning and I have been reading Rachael Ray’s book“Express Lane Meals.” I have been re-reading Ellie Kay’s books ~ “Shop, Save and Share", "A Woman’s Guide to Family Finances”, as well as reading her website for tips. I’ve even purchased my own copy of “Dinner's in the Freezer” and borrowed “Miserly Meals” from the library.  I really am excited about getting my act together and I recently requested another Ellie Kay book, "Debt Diet". I only wish I could can some produce for our future, but I’m still learning and don’t have the necessary equipment yet. I am planning an indoor herb garden and I may add a few vegetables but with our pending move, that may have to wait. I don’t want to ruin my plants in moving them. I’ve also been reading a few of “Laine’s Letters,” they were informative and encouraging. There is several places for sources of encouragement and I am starting to tap in again and hopefully will learn how to stay connected even when its too hot.