tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52429206492513589902024-03-12T19:29:58.215-07:00A Frugal Mom's Financial ExpressionsWe are a family of three in transition. We spent years being frugal and are now at a crossroad. We'd like to retire from our day jobs in two years or less. Our retirement goals are to provide our daughter with the best education she desires; travel; and find new careers - perhaps part-time that we really enjoy. I hope to post both "frugal" and "personal finance" information. NOTE: I am not a professional on either subject. My posts are purely entertainment :)A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.comBlogger1135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-61549974377580511552013-05-25T18:04:00.004-07:002013-05-25T18:04:59.927-07:005/25 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: Got lots of chores done. My husband fixed 2 electrical problems, painted, mowed, etc. I power-washed the front entry/sidewalk - and then my husband tried to turn the outside faucet off - and the handle broke off? Emergency plumber? $160 - ouch. Oh well, I feel like we saved more than that doing all the DIY we did today. Then my daughter - after getting her hair done at the beauty school came home - and we hit the Guitar Center because she had a gift card from her uncle - and boy was he generous. Anyway, I found a 12 percent off $99 coupon and my daughter got Memorial Day sale special on the item she was looking for. She got $100 off the retail price with the coupon and discount. Then we went to Best Buy - with my $5 gift card that I got on Listia - she used it to buy a charger for her "free" Kindle Fire HD. Then we went to Earthfare - DD pulled up the mobile coupon for 10 grass fed beef burgers for $10 and my husband had enough Tomato Points for $10 - so we got all 10 for free - not even tax :) In the meantime, my daughter had dropped off some items at Plato's Closet for some quick cash - she got a few $ - and the items not bought will go to a charitable organization - I have an appointment for a pick-up in about 2 weeks - that should give us enough time to go through our stuff and decide what we want to donate. All meals cooked at home as I want to use up as much as I can out of our pantry, fridge, freezer.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-481217170879657032013-05-24T13:58:00.000-07:002013-05-24T13:58:00.840-07:005/24 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I finally got my state tax refund :) Did the paperwork to list the house. Still have lots of work to do. My daughter and I got some of it accomplished. A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-2859486894016431472013-05-23T16:04:00.000-07:002013-05-23T16:04:17.375-07:005/23 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I met with a couple of friends and they treated me to lunch :) I in turn, was able to re-home 5 plants. Tomorrow, the realtor will stop by to do some preliminary work before we can list our house. My daughter and I will do some cleaning. So much to do, so little time.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-77009704521471917362013-05-21T15:32:00.001-07:002013-05-21T15:32:39.857-07:005/21 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: At lunch - I went to Home Depot to look for an inexpensive way to touch up my bathroom cabinets - I found a "pen" - hope it works as it was just over $6 with tax. Gave my daughter my Starbucks card and she got a free Venti Frappucino. A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-45223791865619797352013-05-20T15:54:00.002-07:002013-05-20T15:54:16.665-07:005/20 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: We received a small windfall today - it will come in handy for all of the $ that went out the last couple of months. I also got a $5 Best Buy gift card that I won on Listia with credits - and I got a Stouffers blanket (it is really nice) with the Stouffer codes I won on Listia. I deposited the change that we got at the yardsale. A former co-worker is going to take my lemon and orange tree :) I feel like I am making progress.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-44823032578975164332013-05-18T17:06:00.001-07:002013-05-18T17:06:11.579-07:005/18 ExpressionsFrugal 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.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-19753458757607576342013-05-17T17:52:00.000-07:002013-05-17T17:52:14.111-07:005/17 ExpresssionsFrugal 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 :)A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-58653223770570595242013-05-16T17:35:00.000-07:002013-05-16T17:35:09.752-07:005/16 ExpressionsFrugal 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 :)A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-11091690352148119142013-05-12T08:16:00.002-07:002013-05-12T08:16:43.937-07:005/12 ExpressionsFrugal 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.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-6731700493027128972013-05-10T16:43:00.001-07:002013-05-10T16:43:20.579-07:005/10 ExpressionsFrugal 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.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-73928979336588712952013-05-10T05:25:00.000-07:002013-05-10T05:25:24.432-07:005/10 ExpressionsFrugal 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.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-88597755597321632013-05-05T11:09:00.002-07:002013-05-05T11:09:33.426-07:005/5 ExpressionsFrugal 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 $.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-72627936142288283472013-04-29T16:55:00.001-07:002013-04-29T16:55:12.429-07:004/29 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I cut the lawn - and skipped yoga. Skipping yoga was cheaper than paying someone to mow the lawn. I also earned $5.89 from ebates - so, I opted for an Amazon e-card. Tomorrow, I will try to find a good deal on granite sink tops for the bathroom. If I can get a reasonable price, I will go ahead and have it done since the sinks in this house are the original - about 20 years old - I find them kind of charming - shell sinks in porcelain. A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-17711352159419015522013-04-28T09:40:00.002-07:002013-04-28T09:40:18.029-07:004/28 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I finally listed some more items on-line. I am going to finish the sewing machine work on the quilt I am making for my dad - and then taking it to work - to do the quilting by hand during lunch. I have a better cabinet paint - read about it in Good Housekeeping - use high gloss enamel - and the Lowe's Rep recommended an additive so that paint brush strokes won't be visible. I got my husband to get the mower ready for me - he wasn't able to cut the grass this weekend - too much rain - still raining - but since we live in a HOA - I will need to do it. I also got him to get out the pressure washer - I am going to work on the deck next. Did I mention that I got a nice job offer - not all of the details are worked out yet. But in any case, I want the house ready to sell.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-43587978711927838382013-04-26T07:50:00.003-07:002013-04-26T07:50:53.700-07:004/26 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: Today is my day off from my day job - but there's lots to do. My husband took the discounted Lowes gift card and a few items we bought from there they we do not need (wrong sized molding) and he will buy the molding - and finish up the flooring work). I also gave him 2 small checks and some change to cash in at the bank - to take to Aldi - with a list. Today, I have started menu planning so that we can use up what we have in the pantry/fridge/freezer. I am expecting to move within the next two months. I am hoping we can sell our current residence and buy one for 1/2 and bank the rest for education/retirement expenses. Good thing we have a community yard sale coming up in the next few weeks. As much as I hate it, I think I will also utilize craigslist.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-69964870077291932522013-04-25T19:50:00.001-07:002013-04-25T19:50:17.710-07:004/25 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I got a job offer today :) My daughter got a Kindle Fire HD - free from a bank deal.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-40848119441598653072013-04-24T14:23:00.002-07:002013-04-24T17:07:31.782-07:004/24 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: We accepted the proposal of a tenant to paint the trim outside of our house. And, my daughter won another scholarship for full expenses for a three weeks STEM program at another college :) Great experience for her - and my wallet is still intact :) And tomorrow, while running errands - I plan to get 3 free bagels from Brueggar's :)A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-66586969204424256082013-04-19T15:58:00.001-07:002013-04-19T19:15:34.485-07:004/19 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: Received a small dividend check. My daughter won a scholarship to attend STEM related summer camp at a college for 1 week - all expenses paid :) I am proud of her and it is quite frugal. I am going to do some sprucing up/cleaning up this weekend. Our community yard sale is next month. Also, I have applied for a few jobs and hope to move this summer. Mainly, I hope to land in a state where my daughter wants to attend college. That way, hopefully we will have lived in the state long enough to get in-state tuition.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-58830969649240536532013-04-13T20:13:00.000-07:002013-04-13T20:13:10.192-07:004/13 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: Received a rebate check in the mail. My husband finished most of the flooring work (still needs to put the moulding in) - but he had some underlay left - a whole roll - unused. He returned it for almost $70. I listed 2 more items on ebay. It was such a nice day - weather-wise. I convinced myself to do some outdoor work - I polished the brass on our front door. A little elbow grease - and it looks a lot better.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-23006606117270447982013-04-12T16:09:00.001-07:002013-04-12T16:09:42.053-07:004/12 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I listed 3 items on ebay. I won a "free" Bath and Body Work gift card with $4.XX on it on Listia. My husband just ordered a large 3 topping Pizza for dinner - for free using some Papa Johns points. In the mail, received two freebie magazines - In Style and Ladies Home Journal. Not a bad start to the weekend.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-91987418579737477322013-04-11T17:16:00.003-07:002013-04-11T17:18:05.066-07:004/11 ExpresssionsFrugal deeds for the day: Mail call - I got 2 Gevalia K-Cups and a coupon and 10 Spring Daisy postage stamps. I found a few items - and since I am home tomorrow - I will list them on ebay. My husband will hopefully finish up the flooring. We also will be getting 2 estimates to paint the outside of our house. While there are plenty of things that need to get done - I plan to mainly goof off tomorrow. Another month of more money out - not too much money staying in. Anyway, we are still contributing a set amount to our daughter's college fund - good thing the stock market has been nice - otherwise, my husband and I would see very little change in our savings.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-43368884159190194502013-04-07T06:10:00.000-07:002013-04-07T06:10:30.900-07:004/7 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: Silver linings - I volunteered at the concession stand yesterday - but sadly, my daughter's team will not be advancing - therefore - there won't be a "payback" for us. In any case, it was fun - and since I volunteered at the end - clean-up time. While breaking down soft drink boxes - it occurred to me that there were Coke Reward points on some of the boxes - I asked if I could keep the codes - and the answer was yes. I entered the 5 codes - and got a bonus of 20 points - with the points I had - I had enough points to order 2 20oz Coke coupons for the soda-aholic in the family.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-13728282008625994692013-04-06T12:36:00.002-07:002013-04-06T17:02:48.678-07:004/6 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: In between watching my daughter's team compete - and waiting for my volunteering time - I painted a couple of cabinet doors and worked on the quilt for my Dad (birthday present). In the mail today - I got cash for doing a product testing and a $10 TJMaxx gift certificate - I paid the deductible for my daughter's wisdom teeth surgery with this card (have already been reimbursed thru the HSA). I have also cooked "ahead" - pot of brown rice, a large spinach/salmon salad, and chopped/prepped veggies for tempura. Also ordered a Lowes gift card discounted 7 percent - and will get 1 percent rebated back on the credit card - and signed up for a 10% off coupon. We've arranged for a painter to give us a quote - and also the tenant that is currently unemployed - we want to be fair about the price paid - but will buy the paint ourselves at a discount from Lowes.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-77753332665182028622013-04-04T16:59:00.002-07:002013-04-04T16:59:42.801-07:004/5 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: I sold a book on half.com and got my freebie CVS gift card w/credit card point redemption. I will make use of it this weekend buying things I hate to buy - but need. I know I have a few extrabucks waiting for me - and will try to find a few coupons to stretch the $10 card even more. I am volunteering to work concessions this weekend so that if my daughter's team wins a competition - I will be awarded part of the proceeds towards the expense of the competition. I won't get any $ - but my daughter would get a lower bill for her expenses - more like a barter I guess :)A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5242920649251358990.post-81515123294423648852013-04-02T17:43:00.003-07:002013-04-02T17:43:54.095-07:004/2 ExpressionsFrugal deeds for the day: Today's topic is bartering. Last week, one of our property managers called to let us know that the reliable tenant asked if he could use his deposit as rent because he was in between jobs. The property manager said she understood - but if he used his deposit as rent - he should be ready to move out at the end of the month or be evicted. Anyway, the current house we live in needs it trim painted. So, I called the property manager to ask about the tenant - she said he came up with the rent. Even so, I asked if she could ask him if he'd be interested in doing some work on our current house in exchange for rent - and of course we'd still pay the management fee. She said he is a builder by trade and would probably be interested. So, it would be a win, win situation for us. We want to get our current house ready for sale either this or next summer - so, doing maintenance/repairs, etc. as we go will reduce the stress of trying to get it all done in a short span of time.A Frugal Mom's Financial Expressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746644272111475270noreply@blogger.com0