Finally, the last day of our challenge. It's been a good month doing it together with the Hubby.
Here is a breakdown of what we spent for the whole month.
Gasoline: $61.39 (40.93%) One really can't survive in L.A. without a car.Food: $42.09 (28.06%) Thanks to the free employee meals, we saved a lot.
Cosmetics: $24.57 (16.38%) I was so glad even with these purchases, we still made it!
Others: $11.00 (7.33%) which include:
Medicine: $5.00 (3.33%)
Entertainment and fun: $3.25 (2.17%)
Laundry: $2.75 (1.83%)
Money remaining: $10.95 (7.3%)
The challenge has been fun with the Hubby doing it with me. He has been coorperative.
We will bring forward the remaining money into our eating out fund, which will start in November. From now on, we will limit $100 per month for eating out from January to August and October, September another $150 Challenge month, $300 for November and December for $200. We need to do this because sometimes we ended up spending more than $500 per month for eating out only, which is definitely very unhealthy practise.
And thank you to all of you who have been patiently supporting us this month. ^_^ I hope you had fun together "with us".
XOXO, Fish Fish
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Minggu, 31 Oktober 2010
$150 Challenge: Day 30
We are almost there. 1 more day, and we can conquer our challenge this month.
Worked 10.5 hrs today. But I am not feeling tired, except for my legs. The sales at dinner was double lunch time.
A lot of people dressed in a fancy way, since there was a Halloween party 5 shops away. We had a greedy group of customers (three of them) who spent $50 on food, yet only tipped $3, and took two-hand full of trick or treat candy each person (which only meant for the little kids). So shameless!
Seriously, these people need to work in a restaurant to know how the business operates. Ok, better turn off my waiter's rant mode again. I need to finish this and enjoy my mask and shower time.
Remaining fund: $10.95.
No money spent!
So proud of ourselves. Halloween party tomorrow!! Just 5 min away from our house.
XOXO, Fish Fish
Worked 10.5 hrs today. But I am not feeling tired, except for my legs. The sales at dinner was double lunch time.
A lot of people dressed in a fancy way, since there was a Halloween party 5 shops away. We had a greedy group of customers (three of them) who spent $50 on food, yet only tipped $3, and took two-hand full of trick or treat candy each person (which only meant for the little kids). So shameless!
Seriously, these people need to work in a restaurant to know how the business operates. Ok, better turn off my waiter's rant mode again. I need to finish this and enjoy my mask and shower time.
Remaining fund: $10.95.
No money spent!
So proud of ourselves. Halloween party tomorrow!! Just 5 min away from our house.
XOXO, Fish Fish
Sabtu, 30 Oktober 2010
$150 Challenge: Day 29
Lalala~~~ two more days and we can accomplish our mission.
But we spent a lot on food today. It is better this way, since the Hubby has a strong tendency to eat snack. With bread, peanut butter and Cheetos at home, no excuse for him to buy some small portion overpriced snacks!
We bought 5 items.
The Hubby's mini M&M and mini Snickers $0.40
Sara Lee 100% Whole wheat bread $2.29 (Saved $1.70)
Skippy Extra Chunky Peanut Butter $2.50 (Saved $1.19)
Cheetos Limited Edition Mighty Zingers $0.99 (Saved $2.00)
Barilla Spaghetti Rigati $1.00 (Saved 1.19).
Total spent: $7.18 (Saved $6.08)
With that, we only have $10.95 remain. I forbid the Hubby and me to spend anymore money for tomorrow and Sunday. He wants to buy coffee tomorrow, I suggested he just go to World's Market and Sprout for his free coffee, like he did today. :P Better, make his own at home. An excuse for him to use his expresso machine.
Lunch picture: Handmade noodle. :P It was ok. The gluten network was not good. But edible. The soup and the other ingredients were yummy though.
Dinner. Love this one. My first time trying a Spaghetti Rigati, I actually prefer this over normal round spaghetti. Sugar cured country ham was browned with olive oil. Frozen zucchini and tomato were shimmered to soft. The fluid from these vege was added with Marsala wine, flour, powdered white pepper and garlic chips. Our patio basil leaves for garnishing.
It was awesome. The salty and sweet ham added such a good flavor to the whole plate.
Weekends with a lot of Halloween fun is coming. ^_^
XOXO, Fish Fish
But we spent a lot on food today. It is better this way, since the Hubby has a strong tendency to eat snack. With bread, peanut butter and Cheetos at home, no excuse for him to buy some small portion overpriced snacks!
We bought 5 items.
The Hubby's mini M&M and mini Snickers $0.40
Sara Lee 100% Whole wheat bread $2.29 (Saved $1.70)
Skippy Extra Chunky Peanut Butter $2.50 (Saved $1.19)
Cheetos Limited Edition Mighty Zingers $0.99 (Saved $2.00)
Barilla Spaghetti Rigati $1.00 (Saved 1.19).
Total spent: $7.18 (Saved $6.08)
With that, we only have $10.95 remain. I forbid the Hubby and me to spend anymore money for tomorrow and Sunday. He wants to buy coffee tomorrow, I suggested he just go to World's Market and Sprout for his free coffee, like he did today. :P Better, make his own at home. An excuse for him to use his expresso machine.
Lunch picture: Handmade noodle. :P It was ok. The gluten network was not good. But edible. The soup and the other ingredients were yummy though.
Dinner. Love this one. My first time trying a Spaghetti Rigati, I actually prefer this over normal round spaghetti. Sugar cured country ham was browned with olive oil. Frozen zucchini and tomato were shimmered to soft. The fluid from these vege was added with Marsala wine, flour, powdered white pepper and garlic chips. Our patio basil leaves for garnishing.
It was awesome. The salty and sweet ham added such a good flavor to the whole plate.
Weekends with a lot of Halloween fun is coming. ^_^
XOXO, Fish Fish
Jumat, 29 Oktober 2010
IHCC: Cinnamon-Chocolate Fudge
This week's theme over at I Heart Cooking Clubs is "Chocolate Cravings." Oh yes, I have chocolate cravings. Often. But, I have to admit, it was hard for me to find a chocolate Giada recipe that was crave-worthy. So many of hers are combined with espresso, and, while I can tolerate it sometimes, I am not a coffee fan. So, I finally settled on this one chocolate recipe that I had bookmarked back when I had cable and would watch Giada's show almost every day. I wanted to save it for the holiday season, but I guess testing it out beforehand is a good idea.
I made the Cinnamon-Chocolate Fudge recipe, which is available on Food Network's website. It's easy to make. Very easy to make. Dangerously easy to make. Why is it dangerous? Because this stuff is GOOD! I would venture to say that the sea salt is NOT optional. It completely takes this fudge and elevates it to something special, something out of the ordinary, and something totally addictive. Sweet from the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, warming from the cinnamon, and salty from the sea salt. The flavors all pop in your mouth, and before you know it, you're reaching for a second piece. My advice: Cut them in very very small squares so you won't feel so bad about going back for more.
Be sure to hop over to I Heart Cooking Clubs to see what other folks made for their chocolate craving week.
Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge
from FoodNetwork.com
Butter, for greasing the pan
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound (about 2 cups) bittersweet (60 percent cacao) chocolate chips (recommended: Ghiradelli) see Cook's Note
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
Kosher or flake salt, optional
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound (about 2 cups) bittersweet (60 percent cacao) chocolate chips (recommended: Ghiradelli) see Cook's Note
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
Kosher or flake salt, optional
Butter the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch baking pan. Line the pan with a sheet of parchment paper, about 14-inches long and 7-inches wide, allowing the excess to overhang the sides. Set aside.
In a medium glass or stainless steel bowl, combine the condensed milk,
cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir in the chocolate chips and butter. Put the bowl on a saucepan of barely simmering water and mix until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 6 to 8 minutes (mixture will be thick). Using a spatula, scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with salt, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
Run a warm knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the fudge.
Run a warm knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the fudge.
Remove the fudge to a cutting board. Peel off the parchment paper and cut the fudge into 1-inch pieces. Store refrigerated in an airtight container or freeze.
IHCC: Cinnamon-Chocolate Fudge
This week's theme over at I Heart Cooking Clubs is "Chocolate Cravings." Oh yes, I have chocolate cravings. Often. But, I have to admit, it was hard for me to find a chocolate Giada recipe that was crave-worthy. So many of hers are combined with espresso, and, while I can tolerate it sometimes, I am not a coffee fan. So, I finally settled on this one chocolate recipe that I had bookmarked back when I had cable and would watch Giada's show almost every day. I wanted to save it for the holiday season, but I guess testing it out beforehand is a good idea.
I made the Cinnamon-Chocolate Fudge recipe, which is available on Food Network's website. It's easy to make. Very easy to make. Dangerously easy to make. Why is it dangerous? Because this stuff is GOOD! I would venture to say that the sea salt is NOT optional. It completely takes this fudge and elevates it to something special, something out of the ordinary, and something totally addictive. Sweet from the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, warming from the cinnamon, and salty from the sea salt. The flavors all pop in your mouth, and before you know it, you're reaching for a second piece. My advice: Cut them in very very small squares so you won't feel so bad about going back for more.
Be sure to hop over to I Heart Cooking Clubs to see what other folks made for their chocolate craving week.
Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge
from FoodNetwork.com
Butter, for greasing the pan
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound (about 2 cups) bittersweet (60 percent cacao) chocolate chips (recommended: Ghiradelli) see Cook's Note
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
Kosher or flake salt, optional
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound (about 2 cups) bittersweet (60 percent cacao) chocolate chips (recommended: Ghiradelli) see Cook's Note
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
Kosher or flake salt, optional
Butter the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch baking pan. Line the pan with a sheet of parchment paper, about 14-inches long and 7-inches wide, allowing the excess to overhang the sides. Set aside.
In a medium glass or stainless steel bowl, combine the condensed milk,
cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir in the chocolate chips and butter. Put the bowl on a saucepan of barely simmering water and mix until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 6 to 8 minutes (mixture will be thick). Using a spatula, scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with salt, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
Run a warm knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the fudge.
Run a warm knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the fudge.
Remove the fudge to a cutting board. Peel off the parchment paper and cut the fudge into 1-inch pieces. Store refrigerated in an airtight container or freeze.
$150 Challenge: Day 28
The Hubby spent money again today on foods. Hmmm... I should have bought another loaf of bread, that would have saved us more money.
He spent $1 on burrito and 40 cents on a pack of cheese cracker.
Ok, I'll just go to get some bread and peanut butter tomorrow. All I am asking now is we have at least $10 remaining at the end of our challenge.
Dear Hubby, can you make it happen?
Anyway, I am happy that today I got a free deluxe sample on skincare. ;) Thank you Origins. Hop over to my beauty blog if you are interested with the details.
I went to deposit my paycheck and tips. ^_^ Watching the figure in my bank account increasing is great for mind peace. I am the type of person the more I work, the less I spend. When I am jobless, I tend to spend a lot to release the stress. And eating a lot too.
Here is our fund update.
Day starts: $19.53
Day ends: $18.13
3 more days!
XOXO, Fish Fish
He spent $1 on burrito and 40 cents on a pack of cheese cracker.
Ok, I'll just go to get some bread and peanut butter tomorrow. All I am asking now is we have at least $10 remaining at the end of our challenge.
Dear Hubby, can you make it happen?
Anyway, I am happy that today I got a free deluxe sample on skincare. ;) Thank you Origins. Hop over to my beauty blog if you are interested with the details.
I went to deposit my paycheck and tips. ^_^ Watching the figure in my bank account increasing is great for mind peace. I am the type of person the more I work, the less I spend. When I am jobless, I tend to spend a lot to release the stress. And eating a lot too.
Here is our fund update.
Day starts: $19.53
Day ends: $18.13
3 more days!
XOXO, Fish Fish
Kamis, 28 Oktober 2010
$150 Challenge: Day 27
Update: Just got to know the Hubby spent $1 on Hawaiian Bread. So yeah, our fund is $1 less. Yike!
Woolala~~~ I am excited for my challenge to come to an end soon.
Another day of not too good tips. Got to know the tips that we earn for a week is equal to what they earn in another branch. *sigh*
Oh well, I am taking this place as my means to get training.
I was not really in a good mood this morning, quite a lot of things happened. But by the end of the day, when I decided not to care for these things, I felt more relax.
On a good note, my face condition is recovering. I love love love my well-trust skincare. It is expensive, but seeing how fast they heals my face, I guess it worth the money. I almost forgot how smooth my skin was during the days I used them in a daily basis.
We did not spend a single cent again today. I promise myself to focus on job applications for tomorrow and Friday. And, a proper beauty post in my beauty blog. :P
Here is an update of our fund.
Day starts: $20.53
Day ends:$20.53 $19.53
XOXO, Fish Fish
Woolala~~~ I am excited for my challenge to come to an end soon.
Another day of not too good tips. Got to know the tips that we earn for a week is equal to what they earn in another branch. *sigh*
Oh well, I am taking this place as my means to get training.
I was not really in a good mood this morning, quite a lot of things happened. But by the end of the day, when I decided not to care for these things, I felt more relax.
On a good note, my face condition is recovering. I love love love my well-trust skincare. It is expensive, but seeing how fast they heals my face, I guess it worth the money. I almost forgot how smooth my skin was during the days I used them in a daily basis.
We did not spend a single cent again today. I promise myself to focus on job applications for tomorrow and Friday. And, a proper beauty post in my beauty blog. :P
Here is an update of our fund.
Day starts: $20.53
Day ends:
XOXO, Fish Fish
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