FebruaryHabit: Balance before Breakfast

There's a theory that we can never successfully break bad habits unless we trade them out for a good one. So in that spirit, each month, we Foulmouths are going to focus on a new financial habit.

January's habit is simple, but not necessarily easy.  It's like stepping on the scale after the holidays. You don't want to, I don't want to, but we can't really expect to go somewhere if we don't know where we're starting.  Since you probably check your email and you Facebook first thing in the morning anyway, starting today, you're going to  Check Your Damn Balance. 

I know, we'd all rather ignore it.  We'd rather assume we're fine until we're not- but we're making changes here, and we have to face the reality that we weren't fine to begin with,  Suck it up, Buttercup, head to your bank's website, and go check it out.  I'll wait right here.

All right then.  How are you holding up?  It probably wasn't fun, but you did it, and now you know. That number isn't your personal worth.  It's just the money you have to work with.  It's almost certainly less than you'd like it to be.  That's okay. We're here to start getting our shit together.

Some Frugal Crap I Did : February, Week 1

I planned meals using items I got paid back for using the ibotta app.  Little smokies and eggs get a rebate?  Awesome, breakfast for dinner! Are you using the ibotta app yet?  Sign up under my referral and we both get bonuses.  Don't forget to save your receipts- if a new bonus pops up for something you've already bought, you can use the old receipt within ten days.  I'm saving my refunds for a movie theater gift certificate.

I signed my family up for a free event at a community college over the weekend.  We got an hour of free entertainment and science-based educational activities for them.  We ended up winning the door prize as well!

I hung several items to dry.  This not only saves energy, but it extends the life of sweaters, t-shirts, etc.  You don't need special equipment,  Pop it on a hanger over the back of a chair, and you're good to go.

Wednesday was a no-spend-stay-home day.  Having a sick kid at home is really crappy so, it's tempting to want to escape and get out for some retail therapy, but staying home kept my change in my pocket and gas in my tank.

The Overdrive app for my library is one of my greatest frugal tools.  I saw a book referred online, and was able to download the audiobook right away.  Not only did I get the audiobook for free, but it saved gas money and potential late fees, since that's a frugal failing I struggle with.

Titles in my Overdrive app right now

What about you?  What frugal crap did you do this week?

This weekend's challenge:  Since we're working together to get our shit together, here's what I'm working on this week:   I want you to make a list of five things you do you for fun without spending a damn penny.  Need inspiration? Check out this list over at And Then We Saved.   Then, I want you to pick one and do it!  I'll share my list on Wednesday.