5/18 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  we sold some stuff at the yard sale and made some $.  We had a nice lunch with my dad - home made by me.  Although I made fresh pineapple/strawberry crepes - my dad brought over a nice German chocolate cake.  Too tired to do much more today.  My daughter and I did do some shopping.  We went to Sephora and used some of our bonus points for 2 products - no money out.  Then to Anthropologie where my daughter used the rest of her gift card.  Then to Victoria 's Secret for 2 free pairs of underwear and 2 pair of yoga paints - after sale and coupon - came out to $10 a pair.  My husband is at Home Depot with my discounted gift card to buy faucets for our bathroom sinks as we will have granite installed this week.  Note to self:  next time my home needs to be updated - do it sooner - rather than later so that I can enjoy the fruits of my labor - rather than just the new buyer.  Hopefully my house will sell quickly.  One around the block sold in 3 weeks.

5/17 Expresssions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Tomorrow is the community yard sale - and the weather is not really cooperating - so, we have set up our wares in the garage.  Our point is to get rid of things - hope they move quickly.  Then, instead of eating out, I am making a nice meal for the family and my dad.  I have a nice job offer - waiting for the paper work to catch-up.  I will be in the same state as my husband.  We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Woot on the stock market :)

5/16 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  It doesn't hurt to ask the grocer if you can still have the sale a day after it ends.  Lobster tails were on sale for $5/each.  Today, the price was $7.99 - I asked if I could get them for $5 - sure enough I could - and the lady behind me ask for a couple herself :)  My daughter and I finally have been going to the community gym - part of our HOA fees.  Today, while out and about running errands - I used my sticker card for a free large McCafe - not healthy, but sure yummy for a warm day - and free :)

5/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Happy Mother's Day!  My husband made breakfast - and I have agreed to go to a Chinese Buffet for lunch - w/10% off coupon :)  Otherwise, I will spend the rest of the day painting and do other chores around the house to keep our maintenance/decorating bill low when we move.  DH is going to the Dollar Tree to see if they have painter's tape and sand paper for a $1 a pack.  If not, he will get them at Wal-Mart which is right next door.   I took a vacation day tomorrow.  Although the lady that writes estimates for the granite counter tops for the bathrooms won't be here until Friday morning - I will be checking out the 3 $29/sqft granite at the store.  I just need to keep moving to make sure we get as much stuff that we can done DIY, before starting to fork out cash.  But, I have a plan in place that is reasonable.

5/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I got my hair cut/styled, eye brows waxed and a French manicure at the beauty school.  Then to Aldi - I picked up several things - but the .99 strawberries were the hit of the day.  I just made crepes for dessert - used the recipe in my old Betty Crocker cookbook - and used whipped topping from Aldi also.  I "won" a sticker filled card for a free McCafe at McDonalds, and a $5 Best Buy card on Listia.  Then, I took a few broken pieces of jewelry to be repaired.  I "won" some Mikimoto pearls - necklace was broken - but there were 31 pearls and 1 on the clasp - just in eye balling the pearls - the jeweler stated they were worth about $200.  I am paying $38 to get them re-strung into a bracelet for my daughter.  My husband bought me ruby earrings ages ago - he said he didn't pay more then $100 - one earring needed repair - cost $20 - she estimated the earring by itself was worth $300.  My husband was shocked.  I found a few more items to put into the yardsale.

5/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  The rain is not cooperating - but the hedge trimming, house trimming work is suppose to start today.  Since the work is being done/managed by a tenant in another house, my husband was will to pay a higher price - based on his reputation.  However, the other bidder offered to paint the front door - and this one didn't - so, my husband is going to ask if he can throw that in.  I am "off" from my day job today - so, I have an appointment at the beauty school to get my hair cut - $15 plus tip - and a free manicure since I booked in advance.  Not too shabby for a pre-mother's day pampering.  So, since we are probably moving - instead of eating out, I asked if we could just get some work done around the house - and have breakfast in bed :)  This weekend, I will work on getting "stuff" together for the community yard sale next week and go from there.  Lots of stuff to do.  I have already started submitting change of address forms - those freebie postage stamps I get from being a "mail decoy" sure come in handy.

5/5 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  To get ready for a move, I have cleaned out all recycled items out of my kitchen cabinet - like aluminum pie tins, butter tubs, etc.  They are now all in the recycling bin.  I have started cooking out the fridge/freezer/pantry in earnest.  I sold a few items on ebay.  I have slowly started filling out change of address forms.  Freebie for the day:  while at Books-a-Million - I received a sample of the their new Sea Salt Caramel Frappe - yum - and sample size was enough.  So much to do, I just need to keeping putting one foot in front of the other.  I realize I could always pay someone to do some of the things around the house - and we will hire professional help where needed - but being a frugal sort - I'd like to save myself a bit of $.