I feel just a bit uneasy suggesting to cicy33 that she needs to change her attitude to one of sacrifice rather than one of deprivation. It is possible she needs to do that, but I don't think there is anything she has said that makes it sound like she is not already sacrificing. The one thing she mentioned as a luxury which gives her plenty of entertainment pleasure is her cable and internet. Maat, you say you spent only $7 in two weeks for books. Well, maybe that is all cicy33 has spent on her cable-internet. I don't know, I don't know what cable goes for in southern Illinois, but I certainly have seen references in this forum for $11 a month cable, which would amount to less than $7 every two weeks for books.
Congrats on the new grandchild, cicy33!
You must have been a young Mom, yourself. I hope, you'll be able to help ease the way for this next generation of your family. I hope you will read the blogs. And if you yourself will choose to blog, it could help yourself and others. Sometimes we get ideas from others. Sometimes it just keeps us energized to be a part of the savings trend. Are we an online support group? Maybe so.