Rewards Program

Over the last few months,
I have been doing all of our grocery shopping
on a strict budget:
$50/week maximum for weekly grocery and
food storage items.
And I love it!
Not only are we saving money from smarter decisions
and fewer trips to the grocery store,
but we are also being blessed by having
pantry shelves that are overflowing.
Every single week I am amazed at just how much
I am able to buy for our little family.
We are definitely feeling the
rewards of smart budgeting and living within our means.

Last night,
we decided to tack on our own rewards program
to this smart shopping endeavor.
I never actually hit the $50 we have set--
some weeks there is only $1 left over,
some leave us closer to $10.
So, we have decided to start
collecting all this "change."

Here is our lovely bank o' change.
When we start getting a good chunk
in our trusty change bank,
we will use it to go out to dinner
or perhaps a movie.
Maybe both if we are feeling crazy.
Every time we get to go on one of our
change dates,
it will remind us how budgeting actually
opens up opportunities
while keeping us safely within our means.



And,
to let you see it before the holiday has passed,
here is our perfect little Christmas tree!

It was love at first sight,
this cute 3 and 1/2 foot tree
with all sorts of goofy branches sticking out.

Enjoy the holidays, everyone!