11/26 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I received a rebate check in the mail.  That was a nice surprise.  I did NO cyber-Monday shopping.  A first for me.  This year I will probably give gift cards from my credit card points.  Oh, we are doing a gift swap at work - and I have the perfect gift in the closet :)  My daughter made an appointment to take a few more items to the consignment store.  Dog's Petsmart appointment has been made.  Only rocky news, 2 tenants have given their 30 day notice - both leases expired.  Hope they fill soon after they vacate.

11/25 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Eventually we plan to sell the house we live in.  We have a lot of stuff.  For some reason, the older I get, the less stuff excites me.  So, I found 5 things and listed them on ebay.  I found something to list on listia also.  When my daughter and I went to the consignment store, we noticed they opened a "home good" section - so, the pictures that are prefectly good from the condo will be cleaned up and taken during the next appointment.  Also, we have used the vet at Petsmart a few times.  She is really good with the dog - albeit a bit busy - but a lot cheaper than our regular vet.  So, the regular vet sent a post with routine stuff that needs to get done.  We have never walked out of her office for under $150.  So, we will give Petsmart a whirl - and hopefully save a few bucks and get great service - at a more convenient location. 

Added:  Speaking of Petsmart, late in the afternoon, ABC Giftcards sent me an e-mail stating they were part of the American Express Small Business Saturday Deal.  I guess I cold have registered both of my Amex cards, but I only registered one, and purchased a Petsmart gift card that was discounted 15% - as close to the $25 as possible - I think I spent $32.XX - and hopefully, I will get a $25 statement credit.  Hows that for saving on pet expenses?

11/24 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  My daughter and I made a quick run to CVS to use a $4 off $20 coupon and the ecbs I had earned earlier in the week.  Black Friday - I did not leave the house; tried to order a freebie on-line - the site was slammed - and I gave-up.  I did sell an item on half.com.  Today, my daugher and I took some items to the consignment store and found articles of clothing that we will upcycle for her.  She and a group of friends did go to some Black Friday sales.  She ended up buying one pair of boots for $19.99.  I am glad she did not get caught up buying things just for the sake of a sale.  We still have leftovers - so, we bought minimal items are Kroger and Aldi to get us through the week. 

Added:  I did stop at Aldi to pick-up a few items to round out the leftovers.  There was a clearance bin and I got a .25 jar of all natural butternut squash pasta sauce and a .25 box of ingredients to make pumpkin whoopie pies.  And, in the spirit of not going overboard, although there was plenty - and a few other pumpkin themed items, I only purchased 1 of each in addition to the items I had on my list.

11/20 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  AMVETS picked up 4 bags of clothes, some stuffed animals, and a cork board.  That's a start toward decluttering and I they left a tax receipt.  My husband received his cookware from the Proctor and Gamble offer I did several months ago.  It was buy $XX worth of P&G products and get the cookware.  I got a rebate check and sold a DVD on half.com - which I will mail out tomorrow.  And to use up some of the first class stamps I earned as a mail decoy, I have placed some stamps on the recycled envelope and will pay the difference with the change in my purse.

11/18 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  I got my 2 $10 CVS gift cards - cashed in credit card points - and printed out 2 .50 coupons for Scott Toilet Tissue - and stocked-up.  I should now have enough to last through the end of the year and still have some $ left on my CVS gift card.  After a run to Costco and Aldi today to do the minimum stock-up, we are going to spend some time decluttinger to find stuff for the consignment store and donate to AMVETS who will be doing pick-ups this week.  Not so frugal, some unexpected expenses have messed with my savings goals.  So, I may have to lower my target - but will continue to try to make it until the end of the year.

11/13 Expressions

Pictured are the plants I repotted/brought in before the cold, dreary weather hit.  We had a frost warning last night - of course the plants have been in place since Saturday.  So far, they look pretty happy.  I hope I get lemons/oranges next year - I can dream can't I.  I hope I get a few leaves of lettuce - and my rosemary seems to be going strong.  Hard to see, but, my Aldi Aloe Vera is doing pretty well too.  I have yet to use it for anything - soothe a burn, etc. - but maybe that is a good thing.  Yesterday, my daughter decided to spend some of her clothing budget at Alter'd State.  She took in 3 cans for 20%  of regular priced items and 40% off clearanced/sale items.  She got a nice assortment of clothing and was very discerning since she was spending her own $. 

11/11 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Last night, I spent a few minutes cashing in . . . my husband cashed in his Chase Sapphire bonus and points for a $432.23 direct deposit.  I cashed in points on 2 of my Chase cards for $10 CVS cards.  Today, my daughter and went to Michaels with coupon (25% off everything) and gift card and I bought supplies for 2 bracelets - used just under $10 on the gift card.  Then we headed to Target - same shopping complex and she used her Shopkick app and we got 2 Venti Lattes for $0 - she had a BOGO coupon and I had a free drink loaded on my card.  Then I headed to Dollar Tree and purchased laundry detergent and cinnamon.  When we went to the beach last weekend, I purchased an orange tree and and meyer's lemon tree for $9.99 each.  So, I found a washtub in the garage and a bit cooking pot - and now have the plants plus some herbs and lettuce/tomato plant growing inside on my 1960's end tables.  Tonight, my daughter and I plant get a few free underwear at Victoria's Secret - use the $10 off bras - and get a free Secret Angel card - worth at least $10 at the "Pink Party" tonight.  We will also stopped at Bed, Bath, and Beyond in the same complex to see if they sell the Nescaffe Dolce Grande pods - and I am hoping to use a $5 off $15 coupon to get at least 2 boxes of 8 or 16 count.  I am dying my hair with box color in a few minutes and giving myself a french manicure before leaving for the event.

11/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Mailbag - got paid in stamps for being a mail decoy.  My husband earned his 40,000 points from Chase Sapphire - which can be redeemed for $400 cash or giftcards.  We went to a matinee and then shopped a few stores.  My daughter got a nice pair of flats at DSW on clearance and $10 off coupon; we got a free small candle from Bath and Body Works with purchase - purchased a $1.50 giftbag.  I am going to use a coupon and a giftcard to buy supplies from Michael's tomorrow to make bracelet.  I am hoping it will be a great lunch time craft.

11/8 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I donated blood and am home early.  Freebies from the blood donation, a t-shirt, bottled h20, crackers and a couple of BOGO restaurant coupons.  Then a health fair was going one in conjunction with the blood drive - so, I received a reusable shopping bag, eye glasses repair kit, toothbrush, and a couple of other goodies.  Now that I am home - I have big batch of free tilapia I plan to bake with herbs/tangerines, etc. that I already have on hand - and of course, I have a small bag of sweet potatoes to bake wih the fish.  The heat will be nice since it is a cold day.  I plan to do some light housekeeping.  I have a very long "weekend" ahead of me since I am "off" anyway tomorrow and Monday is Veterans Day.  Tomorrow, we are planning to redecorate my daughter's bedroom with things we already have - mainly things we have decided not to use in the condo.

11/6 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  We made a trip to the beach condo this weekend.  Since our condo was booked, we stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott for free - got that bonus for being approved for the Marriott credit card.  They had a nice breakfast - and I forgot my toothbrush and paste - and they provided those at the front desk.  Then to our condo meeting - and they served a nice seafood buffet - free - but not really since it comes out of the budget.  We spruced up a bit, shopped at the Tanger Outlet mall - I used 4 20% off coupons and 20% off at Tommy Hilfiger store for jeans for my husband.  The prices were great.  On the way down, we stopped at a casino - and ate at their buffet - the food was fantastic.  I played $10 - and cashed out $10.XX.  My husband lost a few $.  But while at the beach, I thumbed through a freebie magazine - and found a $5 free play coupon - so, grabbed another for my husband.  We stopped on the way home - and each got a vanilla milkshake for tip and I "lost" my free $5 - and my husband cashed his $5.XX out.  We are probably not the clientelle they are looking for.  We decided not to use the new bed cover set - so, this weekend, we will spruce up my daughter's room.  I just put some veggies in the crockpot - and hope to puree them tomorrow for a creamy soup.  The weather is cooler - and the hot soup will make an easy dinner.

11/1 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Last night, I "won" a coupon for a free Wholly Guacamole product using my listia credits.  This morning, I won 20 cokereward points.  This week I received my $78 in Staple rewards - and was thinking it would be great to use them to buy gift cards?  At lunch, I finished a crochet project.  I got invited to a buffet and a limo-ride to see a local builders homes.  Hmm, would it be bad just to tour the home for informational purposes - with no intent to buy?  Omaha Steaks sent me a nice deal - and I took them up on it.  Wow - never had them try so hard to up-sell me.  Must have gotten a great deal?  I was shocked at so many Trick or Treaters that showed up.  All the chocolates are gone - as were most of the suckers.