11/30 Expressions

We did not shop on Black Friday - but I heard on the news sales were better than last year? We had a nice Thanksgiving meal with family - froze left-overs, packed the car and headed for our beach condo. We took care of minor maintenance issues (used the Home Depot Gift cards I purchased earlier for the free movie tickets), took the "inventory" items in and had fun. We used 2 of the three $25 Restaurant.Com gift certificates we had - one manager stated he quit taking the certificate last month. So, I will need to call about that. We did shop at the outlet mall on Saturday - got some great bargains, but also contended with crowds and stormy weather. Tomorrow, I will be mailing off one book I sold on half.com; mailing in a rebate for a $20 grocery store gift card; and mailing in a rebate for $10 for buying the Home Depot gift cards. Oh, we saw gas prices as low as $1.59/gal. We stopped at Aldi on our way home for our groceries this week.

11/26 Expressions

I received an e-mail - in part with the following comment. We don't have a BJ's Warehouse around here - but if you do - here is a link for a 1 day pass.

I saw from your page that you're a parent on a budget and I thought the following information might be interesting to you and your readers – especially with money being tight this year - on toys for under $30, under $20 and even under $10 for the holidays.



I work with BJ’s Wholesale Club and they offer a wide assortment of toys for kids of all ages for every budget at everyday low prices. For a free shopping pass, you can go to http://www.bjs.com/join/one_day_pass.shtml

11/23 Expressions

I went in Costsco for the first time today. Wow - lots of sample stations and the food stand had excellent prices. We were tempted to buy - but walked out with a large wheel of Brie for $5.99. My name went into the "pot" for a drawing later this evening for gift cards of various values. I also stopped by and picked up a lamp and some artificial plants from a freecycler. My daughter has been wanting the lamp - right lamp wrong color - so - we will be painting it. Speaking of freecycle - I was able to fill a want for a person. I met them in a public parking lot. It felt great get rid of stuff that was going to be put to good use. Also, I received 2 refund forms. One for $15 off a turkey or ham - and I purchased our turkey today at Publix (with the $1 off coupon they gave me last week) for $15.XX. So, our turkey this year, will be free after rebate. I also received a form for $10 rebate with the purchase of a $25 gift card - which I did earlier at Home Depot. Then, I found a rebate form for a $20 Grocery Store Gift Card with a $150 purchase of groceries - I should be able to have enough receipts to equal that this month - and it will be nice to get $20 back. Then I found a form to get $2 back on a purchase of meat or seafood. So, if you are in the grocery store, keep your eyes open for refund forms and fill them out and mail them in if you are planning to buy the stuff any way. Most of these forms are sponsored by beer/wine companies. Many do not require that you buy their products.

11/21 Expressions

Frugal plans for the weekend. I am planning to use my last $5 off coupon for a one hour massage at the local massage college. Full price is $25 - this is my second visit - and the first one was wonderful. I made a charitable contribution at work. The local Costco is allowing free admission this weekend to those who contributed. Suppose to be door prizes and give aways. I have never been in one - but I have read about them, looked at their website. So, I may get some holiday items - if they are priced right.

11/18 Expressions

I have been on the receiving end of several useful items through freecycle.org. This afternoon, I was able to donate pantry items and dog food we no longer needed. We met in a public spot - and all went smoothly. Since we were meeting the freecycler outside of Sally's Beauty supply, we went in and used the $5 coupon we got last month. My daughter was able to get a $6.99 brush for $1.07 after coupon and discount. Then we walked into to Wal-mart. I was able to get 2 small purse size Tabu colognes for .98 after the $5 coupon I had. I also printed out several of the Goody's Ouchless $2 coupons and we got several packs of ponytail ties for .12 after coupon. I also got 2 bags of Streamfresh veggies free after coupon. Then we stopped at Publix. Tonight was their "Party" night. Lots of samples - enough to count as a meal. They also gave out coupons and had a local musical group playing.

11/16 Expressions

I have mapped out a shopping spree for my husband and daughter. First, Home Depot to buy 4 $25 Gift Cards because they are suppose to have 2 Fandango codes in each card. A great way for the two to go to movies more often without denting up the wallet much. Also, we can use the cards to get the stuff we would normally buy there - or give them as gifts. Then on to the mall. My daughter can use a few sweater or warmer tops. J C Penney sent me a postcard with 30% off anything after 3 PM today. I also have 2 $10 giftcards from participating in the Publix/Kraft rebate several months ago. Then, my daughter will run into Victoria's Secret for a free pair of cotton panties - very nice of them to send me that. Then into Bath & Body works for a $1 giftbag - and use the coupon for a free room fragrance spray for free. On their way home, they will stop at Publix to round out groceries - I don't need much since I went Walgreens yesterday to use the $5/$20 coupon again. But, a wonderful friend sent me a rebate form to get $10 back when I spend a minimum of $10 on pizza and salty snacks. Of course they have the coupon to get the 1 cent mystery item with a purchase of $10. Of course they will be getting a few other items too. And just to add a bit more frugalness (is that a word :) to my day, I washed and conditioned my hair with free samples and painted my nails with the free polish stick I got from Ulta a couple of months ago.

11/15 Expressions

Check your catalogs. Today, I received a Coldwater Creek catalog with a coupon for $20 off my next purchase. No minimum purchase - now, that is generous. So, I searched for a free shipping code - and found one. Then I went through mypoints, and went to the outlet. I found a very nice work jacket, after all codes, I charged $11.xx on my airline miles card (I pay my card off every month). I have noticed more and more coupons from stores and higher values at that.

11/14 Expressions

Today, I went to Walgreen's at lunch time and spent no $ out of my pocket for: Gallon of milk, 2 packages of breakfast sausage, 2 packages of cashew nuts, 2 packages of clearanced Halloween, 2 packages of Sugar-free Peeps, 2 packages of yogurt covered raisins, a pack w/500 sheets of printer paper, and a Schick Titanium Trimmer (which had a code inside to download 8 songs). The coupons I used: I printed a $5 off $20 coupon from the Walgreens website, I printed a $2 Trimmer coupon from coupons.com (although I just got my All-you magazine and there's one in there for $4 off), and I used a $3 off coupon from the Walgreens' easysaver book. Then, I used my giftcard with rebates from the previous month - plus 10% because I chose my rebate on the Walgreens' giftcard. I still have almost $4 left. Also, a very kind friend mail me a refund form for $10 off of pizza. Tonight, we will be ordering BOGO large pizzas from Papa Johns for a few bucks after rebate. Of course, we will be getting several meals out of the pizza. This has been a tough week - all I can say is TGIF!

11/10 Expressions

Today, I looked at vacation homes and prices have really dropped. It would be nice to be able to buy that could accomodate the family and perhaps a few friends. So, on a whim, I called my friendly Credit Union. Nope, they do not take applications for mortgages for vacation property/second homes. So, then I called my local/national bank - yes, if you have a good credit rating. The interest rate listed on the site was 6% for 30 years fixed and 5.75% for 15 years fixed. I asked if there would be a rate difference for vacation homes - they said slightly. Also, I wanted to know closing costs. So, I am still awaiting an e-mail. Tonight, my husband wanted to make a trip to Taco Bell for a quick dinner. But, we had all of the ingredients to make it ourselves. We did - and I seriously don't think he could have driven to and from the place any quicker - and definitely not any cheaper. I believe the home version is probably a bit healthier too.

11/09 Expressions

A few good deals I happened upon today. At Wal-mart, I was able to get 2 bags of Steam Fresh Veggies (on sale for $1/bag) free using $1 coupons printed off the internet (well actually at mypoints and I will be getting 10 points for redeeming the coupons) and I got 2 boxes of Bagelfuls for .98 a box after using 2 $1 off coupons printed from the same site. The other good deal, I had coupons from a prior Sunday paper, and a demonstrator gave me a handful of coupons, and I printed several off the internet (search for Scotch Brite Nail Saver Sponge) I believe. Anyway, they are on sale for $1 each and they count toward the buy 10 items get $5 off your order - so, I got 10 sponges free and $5 off toward my other groceries. Also, gas at Kroger was $2.19/gal - lowest octane - whoo hoo!

11/8 Expressions

My daughter will be getting her hair cut and styled today - with a gift certificate that we "won" at a silent auction. $10 is a great deal - of course we will include tip. The weather is changing rapidly. Time for home-made soup - mmmm good.

11/4 Expressions

Lot's of freebie and cheapie offers today for voters - but, I did not participate in a one. Yes, I voted - but, just did not make time to get to the freebies. I did sell my freebie DVD from the Pasta Viola deal. I also got a postcard good toward a free meal at Zaxby's. Of course a rent check came in the mail too. Not too shabby.

11/3 Expressions

Sometimes it is good to do some financial matters maintenance. I just noticed that my 401K will be maxed out about 2 pay checks early. Ahem, I think that could be a nice problem to have - however, I will miss out on some matching contribution. I think I have caught it in time - and will be lowering my contributions for the next two months. Oh, and we own a few shares of J.M. Smuckers - spun off of something, anyway, we got a nice little check which included an additional one-time dividend payment of $5 per share because they are mergin with Folgers. That was a nice surprise - of course if I was paying closer attention - I might have been expecting it. Also, tomorrow could be a good freebie day if you have the time and inclination. Many places are giving freebies and good deals to voters. I know Starbucks is giving a tall one. Ben and Jerry's - a scoop between 5-8 PM. I thought I might have seen an add for Krispie Creme for a free doughnut. I got an e-mail for Captain D's - $1.99 fish 'n chips for voters. I am sure there are more.

11/2 Expressions

Today, I have been baking up a storm. I baked 4 chess-pies, 1 batch of peanut butter cookies, 1 batch of oatmeal raisin cookies, 1 batch of biscuits, and while this stuff was baking, I had a turkey loaf - you know the one, with gravy, baking. I froze 2 of the pies, most of the cookies, and some of the biscuits. We had biscuits and gravy for breakfast this morning. Now we have sweet treats for the rest of the week and for the holidays too. Also, since it was a bit chilly today, the baking helped heat the house. I matched up coupons and shopped Kroger, CVS, and Publix. My best deal was Publix. For $4.04, I got 2 of those new Ore-Ida Steam and eat mashed sweet potatoes, 2 packages of Pet Ritz pie crust (4 total - now chess-pies), 1 package of Green Giant Steam and eat peas, and the mystery item today was a tub of quick cook oat meal - some are in the cookies. I did a bit more gift shopping yesterday on the 'net. I went through mypoints, and went to Overstock. I had a 10% off code (internet search) and found the gift I was looking for. I also went ahead and signed up for "O" Holiday Club - because, you get free shipping, an additional 5% off and $30 rebate in January if you spend $300 between now and the end of December. Of course I used my Chase Card because I am so close to being able to cash in for a $250 check.

11/1 Expressions

Normally, I shop year around for gifts. This year has been different for some reason. Anyway, just a few moments ago, I went through mypoints, armed with 3 codes, and was able to order 2 bras, 2 panties, and a purse from Victoria's Secret for $20.12. I ordered with two people in mind - so, I have started shopping. Somehow, I signed up for PSSST - and they sent me a link to get a coupon, printable twice for $1.10 off 1 can of Progresso. Hopefully, they will be on BOGO sale at Publix and I can do the buy $10 and get the 1 cent mystery item for very little. Yesterday, we used the Restaurant.Com .60 $10 Gift certificate at a local deli place.