With This $100.00

Back when I was a college student, I used to know how to make....money....stretch.

I can still remember, quite vividly, the crafty techniques my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I used to get us through those tricky days following the payment of rent. Some, of the many,frugal ways we cut costs were:

*Volunteering to bring deviled eggs to every party. We reasoned we could buy them for $1.27 and we always had all the "fixin's" at home in our cupboard.
*Wholeheartedly spreading last-night's casserole left-overs on sandwiches as a spread. This was due to the fact that we literally...had nothing else.
*Clipping coupons for 0.99 bowling games. This was the equivalent of a "romantic date" for us at this time.
*Taking "nature walks" almost every Saturday and Sunday. We did not have a dime to our names, yet this prevented us from being stuck inside on beautiful, sunny days.
*Date nights in. Jon and I used to get all dressed up, then meet at our kitchen and share a $3.00 bottle of wine and whatever else we could afford as a meal.

Pictured above an example of our usual table set for two on Friday night "dates"

At that time, I had not a single cent to my name. Yet, having nothing forced me to get so creative that I could provide an excellent meal with only $10.00 in my pocket. I don't know where that creativity went when I graduated and got a job. Maybe it flew out the window with my daily allotted freedom to do whatever I like. But, like most people, having a job, a husband, friends, and a household to juggle left me with little to no desire to get back into the thrifty zone.

However, as previously mentioned, the last three months have really alerted me to the fact that I have GOT to start paying attention to my finances. If you want to achieve your goals as an adult, it is so very important to work towards your financial goals while starting out.

So I have begun to challenge myself, each pay week, to see just how far I can make my $100.00 go. This week, I needed some new work clothes, some household items, and gas. However, I also wanted to work in some fun outer-wear for Fall if I could afford to. And so it was that I set out with my hundred dollars.

I like to carry cash, when only shopping with an allotted amount, because it helps make the money seem more tangible than simply scanning a card.

My first visit was to Big Lots to see their collection of Fall items for the house-hold. I love Big Lots because they acquire overstock retail from finer, name-brand stores and sell it at a much less costly price. For example, I recently purchased a Pier One Imports rug, from Big Lots, for $99.00. The original cost of this rug, at Pier One, had been $299.00.

Big Lots did not possess many fun, festive Fall items. However, I was able to purchase a really big, Fall-inspired candle for $2.50.

Also, I was able to locate a set of 4 tag-along rubbermaid containers for $2.50. I was totally stoked to find these because Jon and I have started taking our lunches to work each day. These containers will allow me to take left-overs to work without stinking up the office fridge. And, for $2.50 for a set of 4, you can't even beat that price at the Dollar Tree.

The next stop on my list was Ross. Of all the stores in all of the Universe, Ross is probably my favorite. I think they're deals are simply unbeatable and the clothing they have keeps very well with the current trends. Do you have to scour the merchandise sometimes? Sure. But the thrill of the chase can be fun and the spoils are so wooorrtthhh ittt!!!

At Ross, I purchased a really pretty cobalt top for work for $10.99, a beautiful charcoal grey pencil skirt (that came with a free belt WOOHOO) for $12.99, a really sunny yellow, grey, and lavender scarf for $7.99, and a beautiful pair of amber boots for $19.99.

I was super obsessed with these boots before I finally bought them. In short...these boots were made for stalkin'. Haha..hahahahahah

I moved on, then, to Marshalls where I purchased a Mustard-yellow cardigan (very in color for Fall this year) for $19.99. This was a little steep for one piece. However, when you consider spending close to twenty dollars on anything, consider how many times it will get used? For me, this cardigan can be worn in the office or at home and I can think of one million ways to wear it. So...I spent the money and I'm pretty happy with my purchase.

My last stop was to Shell Gas. I know that doesn't sound so exciting but hear me out! In affiliation with my neighborhood grocery store, I am allotted a rewards card that doubles as a fuel-perks card. You heard me correctly. My grocery store provides a card that discount not only your shopping purchases, but your fuel as well. So, at Shell, you simply run your grocers card to get money discounted per gallon. I think paid the remainder of money for gas in cash. It came out to approximately $12.89. With the fuel perks card that assisted me in getting almost a half-tank of gas!!!!

So, to re-cap, here is the list of items I was able to get for my $100.00 this week.

*Big candle ($2.50)
*4 Rubbermaid Containers ($2.50)
*Cobalt Blouse ($10.99)
*Charcoal Skirt ($12.99)
*Belt (Free came with skirt)
*Scarf ($7.99)
*Mustard yellow cardigan ($19.99)
*Half tank of gas($13.89)

So that was 8 items for 100.00. Two house-hold items, five pieces of clothing, and a half a tank of gas. Not....too....shabby. However, the challenge continues to get even better at this fun little game. Can you beat my results? Give it a try and see what happens.