Budgeting is healthy but it hurts at the beginning!

I have been spending a lot of time looking at past expenses, averaging, projecting and writing out a monthly budget plan which will allow me to "make my dreams come true" or so I hope!  Mostly I'm trying to work in my medicines and other items that are never the same cost.  But, although grueling to sit down and spend hours pouring over financial documents, hopefully I will sleep better at night.
The book I am following is The Cheapest Family in America. and it is the best budgeting/financial book I have ever read.

In order to keep my strength up while going through this financial exercise I did some cooking and baking.....I made 15 bean soup which comes in a bag with the beans and a recipe and a flavor packet.  You can add ham or sausage and I did add ham I had in my freezer.   It is yummy,hearty and healthy too.

I soaked the beans overnight..............

perfect for these cold nights we've been having...........

I made some beer bread to go with it......

I also baked some gingersnaps form this recipe
This is their picture too compliments of Saveur...I did not have dark brown sugar or tubinado sugar to dust on top...I just dipped a glass in sugar and pressed the cookies flat....making 2 steps into 1.  Mine aren't as pretty but they taste great!  It makes 6 dozen so I froze several packages of dough so I can make a small batch whenever I feel like it. 

I figure if you're going to work on some "grueling task" you need something to look forward to!
Happy Trails!