3/31 Expressions

The last day of March - where has the time gone?  Today's mail - $10 Rewards Check from Staples for bringing in empty ink cartridges.  Publix sent a booklet of coupons - can't wait to match them up with a sale and manufacturer's coupon.  I am "off" tomorrow - will take lasagna and a whole grain loaf of Italian bread (paid .49 after sale and coupon) to the family member recuperating from surgery and have lunch with them.  I will also be taking my daughter to school early for a meeting - and since it is on the way - I will stop at the "Y" on my way back home.  Tomorrow, I hope to cull through our kitchen cabinet contents and rearrange, repurpose or recycle containers.

3/30 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I purchased a NWT spring/summer dress for my daughter on shopgoodwill.com - for just over $6 - plus $5 for shipping.  I found a boutique NWT dress MSRP $190 on the same site and got it for just under $30 and almost $10 for shipping.  The boutique dress - I hope to tailor myself for any kind of formal event my daughter may want to attend in the next couple of years.  Tomorrow is a short day for me and then I am "off" on Friday.  This weekend, I need to concentrate on sorting through our kitchen stuff so that I only put essentials back into the kitchen cabinets when we finally get them sanded and re-stained.  I also need to get my tiny garden started.

3/29 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I rolled $10 in quarters and $5 in dimes.  I will deposit them on my next trip to the bank - along with my .30 Tim Horton's check.  We finally got an inquiry from the bank about our offer.  They want documentation as to what our funding source(s) is/are.  So, that will be provided tomorrow.  The rental mgmt said they rental property has shown quite well - now all she is waiting for is an application and deposit.  I hope we get someone to move in by April 1 (no fooling :) .  And, instead of going to the "Y", I am going to do some heavy duty cleaning this evening - frugal exercise :)  Oh, in the mail, I got 2 samples of surface wipes from Costco's.  Maybe I will use them in my cleaning this evening.

3/28 Expressions

My first day back to the grind went smoothly.  Just as I was complaining about boring mail - Target out-did (is this a word) themselves!  I signed up for their health and beauty aid freebie - and it was a nice freebie - small make-up bag with travel sized products (Fekkai, Revlon, etc.) and coupons.  Tim Horton's kindly sent me a dividend check for .30.  Still too cold to get outside to plant.  Hopefully I can do that Friday.  Still waiting to hear about our Short sale offer and how the showing of our vacant rental went.

3/27 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  This afternoon, I took my daughter to a make-up guitar lesson.  Right afterwards, we stopped at a bakery/cafe and picked up lunches for ourselves and a family member who just had surgery - we used a 1/2 priced gift certificate and enjoyed ourselves.  After the meal, we went to Lowes with the intentions of spending the "Tax Refund" of $50 - but, I only managed to spend $37 - 4 bags of potting soil, 2 grape plants, and a dozen seeds packs (perennials, herbs, and a few vegetables).  The weather has turned unseasonably cold again, so, the planting will have to wait a few days.  Yesterday, I signed up for a few freebies - my mailbox has been quite boring lately.

3/26 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the day:  Today, my daughter and I tried out the new beauty school in town.  They are a bit faster and cheaper - so, most likely, we will be returning there.  I also cashed in for a $25 check from one credit card and a $25 gift card on the other.  Please note, we pay our credit cards off each month and do not carry a balance.  We stopped at Costco's and got some groceries and tried a few of the samples.  Got my gas there too - cents cheaper than where I normally get gas - but not worth it to go just for gas.  Oh, and yesterday, I noticed that I had not been credited 500 points for buying a $5 Starbucks e-card through mypoints.  So, I e-mailed them, and the points were credited today - but pending until 1 April.  Where upon, I plan to cash some points in for another $10 Panera gift card.  It pays to keep track of these things.

3/25 Expressions

Hoping to get our rental property rented by 1 Apr.  We called the management company and they are showing it Monday.  Still waiting to hear word on the short-sale.  Sadly, my staycation is coming to an end.  I sure have enjoyed practicing retirement :)  Tomorrow, my daughter and I will get our hair cut and dyed at the new new beauty school.  Yesterday, the other one we used to go to called and said if we booked, they would give a new manicure - sadly - they had no openings for tomorrow.  The newer school charges slightly less too.  I am glad I was lazy and did not start my garden - we had a frost last night.  I am hoping to get it started tomorrow with the "tax" refund added to my Lowes Gift Card for buying it earlier this month.

3/24 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I just logged into my share builders account and my daughter's (custodial) account - I had a phone message - log-in or we will be charged an inactivity fee of $25 and our accounts will be turned over to the state as an abandoned account.  These were open in the hey day of freebies - so, most of the money was "free" anyway.  So, just by paying attention to my messages, I saved us some hassle and some $.  We stopped by Bath and Body Works for this month's I LUV BBW freebies - two of the small scented candles.

3/23 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today, I took time to take care of myself.  Went to the dentist and he changed 2 amalgum fillings to a resin ones and is replacing a crown that somehow lost it's seal and was starting to have problems.  Money out of pocket - but, a lot less since the insurance covers a majority and he "writes" some off.  Then to the acupuncturist - not sure yet what portion insurance will cover, but if I become healthier in the long run, it will be well worth it.  Stopped at Publix and mainly used competitor's coupons - saved $17, spent $14.  Used a competitor's coupon to save $5 on meat, .75 on Publix brand salad, and a free Publix brand cereal.  Sadly the penny item was pecan sandies - which I won't be enjoying = but I am sure someone will.  Also Fiber One cereal was .25 per package w/BOGO and .50 doubled coupons.  This afternoon, I will do some additional grocery maintenance - still have lots of fruits and veggies from the farmer's market to take care of and I want to cook ahead so we won't be so tempted to eat out this weekend.  Nothing exciting in the mail. 

3/22 Expressions

Today, I stopped by Brueggers and got a free bagel and cream cheese.  Lunch was free at Red Robin's - the other night, only the coupon for a free appetizer deducted.  She said only one e-coupon per purchase.  Then to ULTA to get my brows arched for free (except tip).  Then to Bath and Body Works for a free travel sized body spray.  I stopped at Victoria's Secret for a fragrance spray and lip gloss and used a 30% off coupon - spent just over $10 and got the Secret Angel card - worth a minimum of $10.  Oh, I gassed the car up at Wal-mart and ran in to buy 20 12 packs of Cottonnelle TP, used a .50/2 - which came out to just over $12 - and will send in the "ALL YOU" rebate form for a $10 Wal-mart gift card.  At this moment, my daughter and I are making the butternut squash soup.  Smells great - but it sure is labor intensive with the chopping, pureeing, etc.  But, I am sure it will be worth it.  I also redeemed some Coke Reward points for another 20 oz Coke coupon for the soda addict in the family.  Oh, and my daughter asked me today if so-and-so, who lives in a "big" house is rich and such-and-such, who lives in a mobile home poor?  At first I tried to explain it could be what it appears to be, or it could be something else.  I started with the old - if "so" makes a million and spends it all on junk and has nothing left at the end of the year and "such" makes $30K and spends their money wisely and at the end of the year has $10K left, who is rich?  Finally, I said it doesn't matter to us because we shouldn't judge/define people by "rich" or "poor" - everyone has their own definition and it should have nothing to do with friendships. 

3/21 Expressions

Today I had a facial and it was wonderful.  What made it wonderful - it was more than I expected.  I was told I could use the facilities - whirlpool, sauna, etc. the rest of the day.  Use the "Serenity Room", drink all the tea I wanted.  The facial included a neck massage.  It was very relaxing - and even though I am frugal - I did not take them up on the rest of the stuff - I did have a cup of tea while waiting though.  After that, I hit the "Y" and then headed to Publix.  I purchased a bunch of veggies, honey and fig preserves from a farmer's market on the way home from the beach yesterday.  Wanted to make some butternut soup and was missing some of the ingredients.  I purchased $26 worth of groceries/hba and after rebate, will have spent just over $5.  Tomorrow, I may go get some soil to mix with my compost and get the raised bed planted.

3/20 Expressions

We just returned from our vacation to the beach.  The weather was perfect.  We used one restaurant.com gift certificate and the meal was excellent.  We mainly relaxed and watched the waves and people watched.  Mail was not too exciting.  I thought about retiring to the beach.  I was thinking we could start withdrawals out of our 401K equivalents and live a simple life.  Since the place is paid for, we could live quite well on $1,000 per month.  But alas, we want to make sure our daughter's education is paid for first.  But I sure enjoyed day dreaming and I find the waves calming.  Tomorrow I am getting a facial at a local spa.  Are any in your area having specials for "Wellness Week"?  You may want to do a search.

3/15 Expressions

This is my birthday month and I can't believe how many freebies, discounts I have received.  I don't know if it is that I signed up for more or if companies are sending out enticements/creating goodwill so that they can generate business.  But so far, Maggie Moos sent me an e-mail coupon for a free kids sized cone.  Jason's Deli sent me an e-mail for $5.  Victoria's Secret sent me a $10 gift certificate.  Other restaurants have sent me discounts via e-mail, O'Charleys, Red Lobster, Logan's Steak House, LongHorn Steakhouse to name a few.  Plus ULTA gives  free brow shaping at the brow bar.  Oh, Sephora sent me a gift certificate for a free product as did Bath and Body Works.  Very nice of them.  Tonight I will skip the "Y" and continue sanding on the cabinets.  Thankfully, my husband will take over this weekend and hopefully I can stain them next week and be done with them.  We are still waiting to hear if our offer was accepted on a short-sale.  Rental property should be rent ready tomorrow - don't let me get started about the property management.  I think they have a large inventory and not enough "staff".  The weather has turned chilly around here again.  And this day light savings time of Springing Forward has me tired.  I need a good nights rest to make up for the hour I "lost".

3/13 Espressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I took the dog to Petsmart and got her the extra-special grooming with the gift card we got for buying our car.   I guess I am looser with the purse strings when the money is "free".  Anyway, she still has enough on the card for 1/2 of another "regular" grooming.  They gave her a toothbrush to take home and a biscuit.  I did pay the groomer a tip out of my purse and before picking the dog up, stopped at the Dollar Tree (in the same complex) for a box of tea.  I sure was tempted to buy a few other things, but really, since I have the house mostly to myself this week, I really don't need much.  This Dollar Tree added a frozen food section - I was tempted by the Luigi's Italian Ice - but decided against it.  So, although I saw a few good deals in today's paper, I have decided to forgo them and use up what I have.  I moved a few concrete borders around to make my raised bed.  I added the compost.  Now, I just need some soil and won't be buying any plants or seeds.  I am just going to plant what I "won" on Listia and whatever seeds I had leftover from years past.  Sure hope they all sprout and provide a plentiful bounty :)  Now, I am going to sand some more of the cabinets and try to get staining by the middle of the week.  I hit the "Y" today and hope to get there every day this week.

3/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today at Publix, I spent $8.92 and saved over $62.  Vosko's yogurt is $1 and Kroger had blinkies for .75 off and there were printable coupons too.  Phillips Premium crab cakes were BOGO and there are $2 printable coupons and although I did not find the Dove's Men's Deoderant at my CVS - I got 2 at Publix - using the $2 off coupon and $1 Target printable - they were on sale for 2/$7 - so, I paid .50 each.  That should last my beloved for the rest of the year.  Mail was good - rent check.

3/11 Expressions

Mail call:  Got a coupon for a free Philly Cooking Creme and also a coupon for $1.50 off the same.  That stuff is pretty good.  Tonight  for dinner, Red Robin!  It is my birthday month and I just signed up for their loyalty card - so a free appetizer as well.  My husband can have my birthday dinner (they used to give ice cream sundaes too - not sure if they are doing that?) and I will have a salad - my acupuncture to lose 20 lbs is going well - I've lost 4 and hope to lose 1 more by the end of the week. 

3/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I gave blood at work and they gave us all t-shirts, snacks and coupons (which I gave away - for places I don't want to eat at, paintball, etc.).  So, those who didn't give blood got to enjoy a few goodies to.  I purchased a sander on my Lowes Tax Refund Gift Card - the "tax refund" part should hit on 3/18.  Today, Red Robin sent me their loyalty card - already I am entitled to a free appetizer and meal for my birthday.  Also got in on the Restaurant.Com 80% gift certificate deal and got a certificate to eat out while we are at the beach and one locally - the 80% off code is SAVE and got through mypoints for a few extra points - and I get a few cents back on my credit card too.  I tried the sander out and sanded one cabinet door.  My husband left a few hardware pieces on - so, I started to take them out when I ran into one that is giving me trouble.  I think I will leave that for him.  My main focus for the next few weeks is to get the cabinets in order and get one raised bed finished/planted. 

3/8 Expressions

Mailbag:  In today's mail, we got a free pair of colorful Orbit Gum flip-flops - neat as can be :)  Great for our short beach vacation.  Also got 3 coupons from Coke Rewards for free 20 oz Coke product - great for the soda drinker in the family.  Coupons from the recycle site for $1 off Honest Tea.  Coupons from Kroger.  I got in on a coupon for a Free Loreal Foam hair color coupon.  Bummer, I called the closest Dairy Queen to find out if they are participating in tomorrow's mini Blizzard freebie - they don't know anything about it :(  I was notified yesterday that I will be getting a bonus from my customer in appreciation of some work I did for them.  Still waiting to hear on our Short-Sale offer . . .

3/6 Expressions

Here's a great freebie (to try the Cheese Fondue for 2 at The Melting Pot) and I hope you can get in on it too:  http://www.411iscoming.com/locations.php  I made a reservation for my daughter and myself to eat a free cheese fondue at The Melting Pot.  My daughter has always wanted to try the place - and now we have a reason.  She's had friends who have eaten there and gave it rave reviews.  Only April 11-14 and limited reservations.   When I called for reservations, they reservationist was very pleasant.  I also booked a couple of days at our condo for my daughter, her friend, and I to have a short vacation.  My husband will be baby sitting the dog and keeping the home fires burning.  I need to print out a few Restraurant.Com gift certificates.  I am hoping an 80 % off code pops up soon.   Yesterday I cashed in some Swagbucks for a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate.  My husband removed all of the hardware on the kitchen cabinets - so, now I need to get on it and stain them.  I love the new hardware - will give the kitchen a much "sleeker" look.  Oh, we made a sale on Craigslist yesterday.  So, I will need to go ahead and  hire a handyman to fix the item I had listed on Craigslist.  My Maggie Moo's e-mail for a free child's cone for my birthday expires shortly - so, my daughter and I may make a quick trip - she can have the cone since I had my first accupunture treatment yesterday - seems to be defeating the purpose if I went ahead and ate.  I love the stuff - but so far, I really don't have an appetite - so, I think I can stand watching my daughter eat it.  We will also stop at Victoria's Secret and each use a $10 gift card.  We hope we get a free secret Angel Card with lot's of $$ on them in return.  My daughter tends to spend more than the "freebie" amount - and she has her own allowance.  I generally stick to the freebie - I am hoping for some luxurious bubble bath :)

3/4 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I did not know that my health insurance paid for acupuncture treatments.  My co-worker lost 65 lbs in 10 months and told me our health insurance covers part of the treatment.  I have an appointment tomorrow.  I have gained and lost the same 10 lbs over the last couple of years - I hope to lose it plus more :)  It will be interesting to see if the HSA lets me file what is not "picked-up".  I shall find out.  My counter work turned out great - although the plumber did not leave until almost 10 PM last night - he came at 8 PM and then had to "run out" and get a part.  I may stroll to Lowes and get some stain and hardware since I am "off" today and have most of the weekend.  I think it will make a huge impact - especially since the labor will be cheap - myself and some help from the family :)  I plan to do some mega cooking today so there will be less temptation to eat out.  Although we may order take-out since we still have a few more 1/2 priced gift certificates.  I plan to stop at the gocery store and get fruit/produce and will stop at CVS and use my ECBs to get paper products - the plumber used up the last of my paper towels.  I may also prepare a raised bed - use the stuff I have in the yard - but buy some soil as I "won" some vegetable seed on Listia.  My few daffodils have bloomed - giving me inspiration to plant something.  May take a picture later and upload them - they are "sunny" looking and sure to bring a smile :)

More 3/3 Expressions

The counters are installed (just waiting for the plumber to install the faucet - which I didn't know I needed to supply until the counter guys went on lunch break - I ran to Home Depot and got one).  Now I will stain the cabinets myself and change out the hardware and that will be the extent of my re-model.  The kitchen looks lovely.  Oh, and I need to do some heavy duty cleaning - they got dust, etc. on the cabinets.  Also, dinged the paint - which they did inform me of and I said it was okay.  My daughter told me I should have asked for a discount :)  Stock market made my heart pitter-patter today.  My husband called the realtor and let her know that if we do not hear back on our offer within 2 weeks, we will withdraw it and he will move into a rental - and he is not looking any more.  We feel we gave a reasonable offer.  The house is in the location we would like - but it was built in the 60's and it doesn't look much updating went on since then.  Oh, and went clearing out the drawers over the cabinets - I found a bunch of change - I will be rolling those and taking them to the bank.  It is amazine how much junk drawers can hold - and how easily you can forget things - and I "found" a few things too - like a spatula.

3/3 Expressions

Want a coupon for Purex Crystal Laundry softener/fragrance?  Here is a link:  http://www.purex.com/MXTQEPZOXYOMU2518AXODMQMFIYLHZ  Disclosure:  This is a referral link - I may possibly win a prize.  Thanks!

3/2 Expressions

Wow - a new month already!  I have a potential craigslist person for a minor repair in exchange for one of the items we no longer want.  Oh, and I won mascara from Clinque.  On listia, I won a $10 Victoria's Secret gift card and some vegetable seeds and Gerbera Daisy seeds.  In the mal, I got a $10 Victoria's Secret gift card for my birthday - nice company :)  I am going to make sure I make it to ULTA this month for a free eye brow shaping :)  Tomorrow is the day for counter-tops to be installed.