Cash Only Update #2

We are now at May 11--about 1/3 the way through May.  And I am at $222.  I think I'm beginning to see how quickly money can slip through your fingers.  I took out $300 on Thursday, and am down $78 in less than a week.  And that's mostly from just going out to eat, so I don't have much to show for my money spending.  Let's see how long I can make it without reaching for the debit card.  Wish me luck!

Freschetta Simply Inspired Review & GIVEAWAY!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FRESCHETTA®. All opinions are 100% mine.
This week, I was given an awesome opportunity by the amazing people at FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™.  My absolute favorite frozen pizza brand picked me to review their new line of pizzas called "Simply inspired."  Here's the funny part: I had already bought one a week before!  This gave me a chance to eat it twice, and enjoy it twice!
Freschetta Simply Inspired pizzas come in eight different flavors, but the one that stood out to me was their Harvest Supreme.  This one has Italian Sausage, black olives, spinach, sundried tomatoes, roasted red onions, mozzarella and feta cheese, with a red sauce & basil.  All of that on a crispy thin crust YUM!
So here's what I think:

• The first thing you notice is the packaging.  This is a completely new style: plastic box with a plastic airtight wrap.  No more gross cardboard box that doesn't fit in your trashcan.  This box just looks fresher and nicer.  It's actually why I picked it out when I bought the first pie.  Not only is this more visually appealing, it also uses 30% less packaging material AND locks in the freshness better.
• The next thing is the variety of veggies that you get on this pizza.  It's like going to a pizza restaurant, without paying $1.50 per topping.  And veggie pizzas are my favorite kind!  The price is great at being under $5 a pie
• Okay okay, so how does it taste?  Well, let's just say I was planning on eating half, and instead ate 5 out of the 6 slices I cut.  As embarrassing as that may be, it says a lot about how good it was.  VERY good.
• Overall? I loved it, and pretty much ate it all up (while watching Sex & the City and drinking half a bottle of wine!)

Here are some other flavors you may be interested in:

• Classic Bruschetta
• Hawaiian Style
• Chicken Bianco
• Farmers Market Veggie
• Rustic Pepporoni Pomodoro
• Southern BBQ Recipe Chicken
• Tuscan Farmhouse

With that ridiculous variety, you'll never get bored of pizza!  If you want to give it a try, Freschetta has a $2 off coupon on their Facebook, so make SURE you friend them!
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GIVEAWAY!!!

(ends May 31, using random.org, and must live in contiguous US)

And here's the part you're all waiting for...the GIVEAWAY!  I have one coupon for a FREE Freschetta pizza and a really FANCY bamboo cutting board courtesy Freschetta to give away to one of you awesome readers.  Here are the entry methods:

• MANDATORY ENTRY: Follow me on GFC

Extra Entries:

1. Follow Freschetta on Facebook
2. Comment with the pizza you would like to get if you won! 
3. Like FBNC on Facebook (or click "Like" on my sidebar)
4. Follow FBNC on Twitter

Gas Prices are Ridiculous

I'm sure it's no new concept that gas prices have been outrageous lately.  I just wanted to vent that I just spent over $50 to not even fill my entire gas tank...it was about 13 gallons while my Jeep has a 17 gallon tank.  It angers me that I can't even fill my gas tank with $50 of my hard-earned money.  There is no logical reason for this, especially since gas companies have been more profitable than ever lately.  Need proof?

This just makes me sick, and I don't see any sign of relief.  Oil is a necessity for the majority of people who need to get around, go to work, make a living...why aren't there any regulations on cost of oil?  Food stamps are provided to those who need food, why not the same for those who need gas to get to work so they can actually make the money they need to live?

JustFab! 50% Off First Purchase!

I just ran across a new awesome shoe website for frugalistas and recessionistas.  It's called Just Fabulous!

The idea behind this website is that you take a survey, pick your favorite styles, and the shoe "stylists" behind JustFabulous work to find shoes perfect for you.  And they are all only $39.95, with FREE SHIPPING!  And the best part of all is that on your first day, you get 50% off your first pair of shoes or handbag. 

I'm planning on getting a handbag today.  And it'll be less than $20--that's better than Target or Walmart!  What are you going to get?

Boot Camp!

I wanted to drift from my usual "frugal" schedule to talk about something I've been doing a lot lately.  On Monday April 25, I started going to boot camp.  Thanks to Groupon, I only paid $59 (when it is usually about $160/month) to join.  This particular boot camp is called Camp Gladiator, and is located in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Shreveport.  

I go Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 6:30-7:30AM.  I have to wake up at 5:45 instead of my usual 8:00.  That's not easy! And neither is Camp Gladiator.  Signature workouts include planks, Johnny-C's, burpees, squats, lunges, running, and more.  We also do a lot of buddy and team work which is great for motivation.  The image below is one of the games we've played, up-cone/down-cone.  One team tries to knock down all the cones, while the other picks them up.  You can see me below circled in red.

And here I am again, probably doing some kind of plank hold or pushup.  CG is kind enough to take pictures of us while we look our absolute worst, but I posted these for your enjoyment.  

Unfortunately, I had to miss CG last Wed and Fri due to an ankle-twisting incident, but I'm better now and am really happy to have gone back today.  I actually missed it, even though it kicks my butt every time.  I feel a lot better the rest of the day after working out.  Last week I actually felt kind of gross and lazy.  Only down side?  I am ravenously hungry on workout days.

I'm on week 3, and after 4 weeks I will report back on if I decide to continue paying for this.  I'm actually afraid for my frugal self that I may like it too much to quit!

Cash-Only May Challenge Update

So it's been about a week into May, and I altered my plan just a little bit.  I ended up not being able to hit up the ATM until yesterday, so until then I used my check card.  I spent about $70 on my check card ($40 of which went to Mother's Day present).  Then, I took out $300 yesterday in cash to start my cash-only challenge.

• I spent $11 on cupcakes (buy 1 get 4 free so I got 15 total and paid for 3)
• I spent $10 at Chuy's today for lunch (Seis de Mayo?)
• $5 on Mother's Day card

I also plan on going to a bar tonight, so my money may run away again.  Looks like I'm now down to $274 for the rest of the month.  Think I can do it?  I hope so!