Battening down the hatches

That is what has been going on around here lately. We have scaled back on everything, and not spending any more than we absolutely have to. We cut our cell phones to the minimum (can't cancel because of hefty penalties for exiting the contract), turning down the heat, not turning on the air, (yes, we had a couple of days in the 80's and the inside temp was 80) etc, etc. Secretly, I think this gives Nate great pleasure. He has always been an oddly frugal person, in most cases.

When we were newly married (year 1 or 2), he came into the bathroom when I was going #1, he happened to notice that I sort of slapped at the toilet paper dispenser and made a strand come off that almost touched the floor. I wadded it up, used it and then flushed. He looked at me and said "what are you doing?", "three people could have used that much paper." I rolled my eyes and left the bathroom. He followed me out with 3 squares of toilet paper and proceeded to show me how to use it, fold it, as to get the most use of it. Needless to say that story has followed him around our married life, and lest you think I exaggerated, there is video proof that a friend has when we all went on vacation together. 4 or 5 couples went with us to the Outer Banks one year and somehow the conversation came up, Nate quickly demonstrated to all us wasteful ladies how to only use 3 squares, while one of the husbands videotaped him.

I said all that to say that Nathan enjoys saving the nickels, dimes and pennies. (he never leaves one on the ground) Well since we have been spending a lot more time together, he has had the opportunity to come with me on more shopping trips. They have been going well, until this past week. He has never paid much attention to food, since he doesn't cook, and really doesn't like eating all that much. He can be a big eater (he is 6"5) it's just that he doesn't have a developed palette, and eating is to get full, not enjoy the process. Anyway, he started questioning me on cheap meals, and bulk foods like the giant cereal bags, huge cans of baked beans, spoiling produce, and old bread. Some of these things are fine for me to do, but it is much harder to get healthy foods. I try to never buy cereal with hydrogenated oils, same with crackers and other what naughts. I am not crazy organic, but I definitely pay attention and if the price is a little higher I will go for the organic. I also make homemade Mac and cheese rather than box, etc, etc. Well as you know it costs way more to make homemade Mac and cheese, and other items like cookies, Lasagna, etc. This week Nathan was eyeballing the 5lb can of baked beans because we were having them over the weekend with hot dogs. I had to convince him that in the long run that wasn't a bargain, considering, he, Amanda and I are the only ones who like them. He really put me over the edge when he saw the jumbo packs of PINK hot dogs and wanted to get them. I would never want to eat those strange looking meat substitute things with food coloring added to them. I actually had to tell him, "You are depressing me, and trying to kill me all at once."

I am really not mocking him, I actually really respect him for his frugality. I know that this can sound domineering and tyrannical but that is not who he is. He is a very nice guy. He has a good sense of humor and we do get some laughs over it once in a while. Like the other day when I was in the shower and he came into the bathroom, and when he was leaving turned off the light. I yelled, "Hello, I am in here," to which he replied, "Are you doing anything like shave your legs that you need the light for?" I had to admit that I was not, so I enjoyed a shower in relative darkness. (we have no window in the bathroom) There was indirect light from the vanity area window. Amanda is on a one shower a day restriction, and her time limit is 10 minutes. Many a day she hears a pounding on the staircase wall if she is exceeding her time. I am waiting for the day when he suggest wearing our underwear inside out to get an extra day out of them. He complied to that once when we went camping and he forgot enough extras. It didn't bother him in the slightest.

All of this battening in our lives has helped us prepare for this period, because we had saved a hefty amount in our "emergency fund", and that has made all the difference right now. When we do get a treat, we appreciate it so much more. I got invited out for coffee this morning with 2 of my friends and since I'm not a big coffee drinker and didn't want to pay almost $4 for the fancy stuff, I got the cheap house coffee, but splurged on a pastry, and boy did I savor and enjoy it.

P.S. I have to be completely honest and say that even though we are trying to save money, I still am employing the tutor. We have 2 more months of school, and with all the stress we are under I didn't think I could take over all 4 of them. I know that I could do the boys, but Amanda needs a lot of assistance and preparation. I have never (thus far) had to plan out her work, even on the days when the tutor doesn't come, she makes lesson plans, worksheets, and then grades her work. So even though we are pinching pennies elsewhere, bigger bucks are spent in this area. So far we feel this is the wiser path at this time, so that I can keep my stress level down and be there for Nate.