“Parties” Archive

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Pay to Party With Me?

We had our 3rd annual Pig Roast party yesterday. My husband and my brother invited family and friends over to celebrate the new year while enjoying an excessive amount of pork, appetizers, and outdoor fun.

They charge $10 per adult to attend the party and I always feel a little weird about it. The money goes to cover the cost of all the food you can eat and all the adult beverages you can drink. The total cost to throw the party is around $600 – which we split with my brother. When people chip in, we still pay around $100. Without people chipping in, we could never afford to do it.

I considered asking hubby if he’d think about cancelling the shindig this year – not because the expense to us, because I hate asking folks to chip in – but decided it’s best to let hubby have his fun and let guests decide how they want to spend their money.

Judging by the turnout, there are lots of folks who don’t mind pitching in 10 bucks.

All day, guests came up and said how much they look forward to the ‘pig party’ each year. Each guest left with a full tummy and a goody bag filled with leftovers. I would upload photos, but I have a feeling I’d tick off lots of vegetarians out there.

It’s definitely the most awkward party of the year for me since I’m so sensitive about money, but hubby (and his guests) love it so I have a feeling we’ll be welcoming in 2013 with a giant pig again.

Posted by Beks on January 2, 2012 at 10:27 PM in Parties | 10 Comments »
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Happy Halloween…

So what’d I dress up as?

Um. Nothing.

We got home from dinner with my husband’s family too late (and by late, I mean 9:00 p.m.) to dress up for the party at my brother’s house. Baby boy was sleeping in his car seat and we didn’t have the heart to wake him, dress him, and go out.

Oh how times have changed in the last 3 months.

What were we going as? Baby boy was dressing as Winnie the Pooh. Hubby was going to wear some old too small golf shorts, high socks, and hat as Christopher Robin. I was going to be … uh.. Judge Judy. I’m a HUGE Judge Judy fan and we have Chris’ college graduation robe, doilies, and a wig from my grandma. Free, free, free is the theme I was going for.

Oh well. There’s always next year. Maybe I can get hubby to sport the outfit for photos anyway.

Posted by Beks on October 31, 2011 at 5:00 AM in Parties | Comment First »
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Halloween Costume Ideas…

Each year, my brother throws a Halloween party. It’s always a small fun gathering of close friends playing silly games and passing out candy to the neighborhood kids. Hence my dilemma…

I’ve never been one to purchase a costume for Halloween. #1 – They are too expensive and more importantly #2 – they never seem to have enough fabric for my taste. I prefer my…um… lady parts to be properly covered and Halloween costumes at the stores generally… uh… make ladies look like prostitutes.

In the past, I’ve thrown together costumes by combining my wardrobe and a few cheap items.

The year the film 300 was released, I made a toga from off-white fabric on the clearance rack.

One year, I was a kickboxer. I was training in a boxing gym so I wore my kickboxing shorts, a tank top, and my hand wraps. I blacked out a tooth for good measure.

When my mom and I took cooking classes that required uniforms, I went as a professional baker.

I’m not the most creative person.

This year, I’m all out of ideas. I could go as a frumpy, harried, broke mom – but I’d prefer to at least have to change my clothes.

Share your good adult (and kid) costume ideas. Let’s help each other save some money on costumes!

Posted by Beks on October 5, 2011 at 5:42 PM in Parties | 20 Comments »
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New Years!!

Despite some interesting ups and downs, 2010 was a good year to us. We did more than just ‘survive another year’. I feel like we really lived this year. We grabbed every moment and squeezed out every drop.

We had some amazing trips, we reduced our debt, and our families are healthy. What more could we ask for?!?

I’m excited about the coming year. I really think 2011 is going to be big for us.

Shoot. Did I just become an optimist? Please don’t tell anyone.

Tomorrow, we will be celebrating at our annual new year’s party. We invite our families, friends, and neighbors over for a ‘culinary experience’. The food this year? (Vegetarians should stop reading) Roast pig. Everyone chipped in for a whole pig to roast over an open fire. Mix in a salad, some baked beans, and conversations with the folks I love and I’d call it a great day.

Have a GREAT new year!!

Posted by Beks on December 31, 2010 at 12:37 PM in Parties | 9 Comments »
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This party funded by the State of California…

My husband wanted to throw a party at our house to celebrate the fourth of July. We can see two fireworks shows from our backyard and we’ve enjoyed watching them from our home for the last three years.

Problem? I was so anxious to pay down the truck, I didn’t leave any money in our account. Yes, we received two extra paychecks in July but… I but somehow I forgot to budget silly, unimportant things like food and gasoline from those checks.

I was starting to panic until I opened the mail to find a check from the State of California. It has been so long since I submitted my claim to the California unclaimed property division that I completely forgot about it.

I ran to the bank, cashed the check, set aside money for groceries and gasoline, and gave $60 to my husband for Sunday’s event.

I’m not sure how he pulled it off, but he kept his food and bbq supply bill under $60 – which leads me to believe that given a goal, my husband can do pretty much anything.

How was your fourth? Did you stay safe? Did you stay away from ATM machines and credit cards?

Posted by Beks on July 5, 2010 at 5:00 AM in Parties | 7 Comments »
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Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend…

My husband decided to throw a Memorial Day potluck at our home on Sunday. He’s not the kind of guy to barbeque hot dogs and burgers – his food is generally cooked non-traditionally. On Sunday, he and my brother prepared rotisserie pork over hickory chips in a brick fire in our backyard. Three huge slabs of pork were on sale and we were able to split the cost with my brother. Our half was only $22!

Far more people showed up than expected and throughout the day, about 35 people passed through our front door. I guess when you slow roast pork drenched in seasoning and sauces for six hours, you attract the neighbors as guests.

It was one of those days where I didn’t think about how much I hate my crummy couches, the little patch of peeling stucco, or the square of brown lawn I can’t afford to water in my backyard. All I could think was how blessed I am to have such a wonderful group of friends in my life. All those bodies with smiling faces covered the crummy couch, the friends sitting in chairs on the patio playing Phase 10 hid the patch of peeling stucco, and the square of brown lawn was the perfect place to play a competitive game of horseshoes.

When Dave Ramsey is asked how he is, he always responds, ‘Better than I deserve.’

I know the feeling.

How was your weekend? Did you spend or save?

Posted by Beks on June 1, 2010 at 8:40 PM in Parties, Saving Money | 4 Comments »
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A test of my financial willpower…

This weekend is the bachelorette/bachelor party for wedding number one. My husband is heading to Lake Havasu with the guys and we ladies are opting for a weekend on the town.

My husband did an odd job fixing a sink and earned a crisp one hundred dollar bill. We decided to split the cash and use it this weekend. A ‘fair’ split would have been closer to 80 for him and 20 for me but he smiled and said, ‘Have fun’ while handing me a fifty (And that ladies…. is one of the millions of reasons why I love my man).

So, I’ve got to survive this weekend on $50…
$35 of which goes to a shared hotel with the bride to be.

It’s like going to the Cheesecake Factory and limiting yourself to 25 calories.

Should be interesting.

Posted by Beks on August 7, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Life Experiences, Living Frugal, Money & Relationships, Parties, Spending Money | 6 Comments »
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