5/27 Expressions

The haggling is over - my husband will be the owner of a new to him car tomorrow. Today is the last day of the school year for my daughter. I plan to trim weeds, do a bit of grocery shopping and goof-off.

5/26 Expressions

My husband found a used car he wanted yesterday. But he made a "final offer" - and the saleman/manager countered by telephone and asked my husband to call him back. Needless to say, my husband did not call the salesman back. Guess who called this morning to "follow-up"? I played it cool - although the saleman dropped hints, I told him I would pass the message on to my husband. I did, and my husband said he'd return the call late this afternoon. So, we shall see. Also, I found a bargain on Overstock yesterday (extra 10% off sale) on a luxury King sized mattress/box spring set. Of course delivery was free too. So, on our management inspection report for this year for our beach condo, they suggested we consider upgrading the mattress (business deduction). We did it - and will be donating the replaced set - fine - but not "luxury". But my excitement was, I have always had to ask mypoints to research my purchases and credit the points - they were already credited (pending) this a.m. So, about this time next month, I will be ordering more giftcards to use or give as gifts. Also, we earned hotel points on the credit card. It looks like my husband may be offered an early retirement toward the end of the this year. Doesn't look like it will be happening for me - so, I am updating my resume today to either find a position that pays more or one that pays the same, but is less stressful, or one that has a better chance for me to be offered an early retirement.

5/25 Expressions

If you live near a Publix and printed out the Kraft coupons yesterday - run to the store. Many of the same items are BOGO making them free or very cheap - and some may cause an "overage". The 1 cent item for our local store was spagetti sauce. For today's lunch with guests, we will be having grilled burgers and brats, fresh fruit salad - mainly to use up leftovers, mashed sweet potatoes, baked beans, corn on the cob, and home made cupcakes. Also, today, we may become owners of a new to us car. My husband's car now has over 200,000 miles on it and has become increasingly unreliable. Since neither of us are mechanics, repairs will be expensive. So, with all of the "sales" today, my husband will be looking looking to trade in his heap, and write a check for the rest. If possible, he will also see if he can load some of the "cash sale" on to the credit card - might as well get a few reward points in the process and leave the cash in the account a few extra days.

5/24 Expressions

Warning - PF Rants ahead. Today, in the paper, I read how people who pay their credit cards off every month are essentially freeloaders - essentially causing credit card companies to gouge those with bad credit ratings or who are late payers and it might be a good time for credit card companies to start instituting annual fees, etc. I pay off my credit cards every month and am not a freeloader. It it my understanding that credit card companies charge companies that accept my credit card as a form of payment, a transaction fee. I use cards because I don't have an annual fee and I get rewards - either cash back, airline mileage or hotel points. But, it wouldn't bother me to pay cash, especially if it were beneficial. The post below mentioned that I got an extravagant mother's day gift - yup, we paid cash because the merchant offered me 10% - which made it worth it. So, if credit card companies think they can start charging annual fees and take away rewards - they can - but, I won't have any incentive to use them - and instead of making the transaction fees from my purchases, they'll make $0 off of me. Which leads into my other rant - this argument over not being frugal enough? Or too "cheap"? I think - to each, his own. If you have $, who am I to judge someone if they bought a gas guzzler or not (or whatever) - if it isn't against the law, they have money, probably not "frugal" by my standards - but there is no law requiring anyone to be frugal. As for cheap, that's another one that's to each his own. If someone had no money coming in, is there anything (within the law) that would be too cheap? So, they use a tea bag three times and ration their toilet paper (and get the job done)? Or, even if someone had the $, if those habits give them some of comfort/control in their life - who cares? On the flip side, why should everyone follow one person's frugal/cheapness standards - especially when no one knows another person's circumstances?

5/23 Expressions

We bought the "Mother's Day" gift yesterday, and while it was extravagant (considering these economic times), I have yet to experience buyer's remorse. Work has been a big drain and my daughter's last day of school is Tuesday. I have decided to take the week off since we get Memorial Day off anyway. We have a $10 debit card we received as a rebate that we need to use before the $ disappears. I think we will use it for stuff to grill. We will be inviting family over. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to stop at Aldi and was able to pick up a bunch of fresh fruit and veggies. As for a quick vacation get away, we may spend a few days in our beach condo for a bit of R&R and outlet shopping for some summer clothes (I've dropped some weight and we have our already planned, booked/paid for, life milestones, vacation to Hawaii coming up in late summer).

5/17 Expressions

This is the season to keep your eyes out for fun, free/cheap entertainment. Yesterday, my husband took my daughter and her friend to a fishing rodeo. They had a great time - caught no fish - but were presented with prizes. The friend, a goodie bag with fishing supplies and my daughter got a badmitton set. Both girls placed in an essay contest and will have an event to attend tomorrow. I on the other hand, have not been very "frugal". But perhaps I have been? For a long time, I skimped on "me time", "personal care" - but this month, I have been taking advantage of those types of things, especially now that they are being discounted. Perhaps I am a contrarian?

5/9 Expressions

In a couple of weeks, I am buying something I really want. So, I have asked that nothing be purchased for me for Mother's Day. In years past, sometimes my husband and daughter listen, sometimes they don't. So, to ensure no flowers were bought, before the rain this morning, I gathered the photographed flowers from the yard. Perennials really are frugal - in that they keep on giving :) Happy Mother's Day!

5/8 Expressions

Today, I met my husband for lunch at Captain D's. They sent me a coupon for a free platter or dinner for Mother's Day. They also had a deal to get a free fish sandwich if you buy a giftcard valued at $20 or more. So, my husband got the giftcard and free sandwich. Then I ordered my meal (we split the meals) and paid for our drinks with the gift card. We were going to go to KFC with the free meal coupons - but, apparently the local KFCs have been overwhelmed and have restricted hours of 1-4PM. So, we will have an early dinner tomorrow (hopefully). I received my $10 giftcard for Barnes & Noble today from Mypoints. Still waiting for the $5 Amazon card from swagbucks - but, I have been earning at least 1 Swagbuck a day - when I can play. I am hoping to have enough Amazon GC's by the end of the year to buy a decent gift. Tomorrow, I plan to start experimenting with the anti-aging creams - Revitalift - sent to me because I am a buzz agent :)

5/6 Expressions

We have had some weather related damage to our home. Our insurance company was very quick to respond. Unfortunately, we are now having trouble trying to get quotes for the work that needs to be done. Everyone we have called is "backed up", one cancelled after making an appointment - but finally, we got one that is suppose to be here Friday. We had a wonderful, frugal business trip (for my husband), awards ceremony (for my daughter), and vacation (for me :). We flew to Washingon, D.C. - paid for one roundtrip air fare. One fare was covered by "bump bonus $". Our hotel included free breakfast and two lunches were provided by organizers of various events. We enjoyed museums which were walking distance and made use of the Metro for our trip to and fro from the airport. Economically, it feels like we are slowly coming out of a funk.