5/25 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/24 Expressions

Frugal 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. 

5/23 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/21 Expressions

Frugal 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. 

5/20 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/18 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/17 Expresssions

Frugal 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 :)

5/16 Expressions

Frugal 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 :)

5/12 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/10 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/10 Expressions

Frugal 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.

5/5 Expressions

Frugal 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 $.

4/29 Expressions

Frugal 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. 

4/28 Expressions

Frugal 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.

4/26 Expressions

Frugal 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.

4/25 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I got a job offer today :)  My daughter got a Kindle Fire HD - free from a bank deal.

4/24 Expressions

Frugal 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 :)

4/19 Expressions

Frugal 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.

4/13 Expressions

Frugal 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.

4/12 Expressions

Frugal 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.