5/11 Expressions

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! The good deal for today was - my husband did the grocery shopping at Kroger. He used his credit card (saving hotel points) to purchase a $300 Kroger giftcard - which they gave him an additional $30 (10%) on - their current "economic stimulus" program. Then he used the gift card to pay for our groceries - that card should last us a while. He used our credit card - but we pay the full balance off every month - so, it was nice to be able to get some points toward a free hotel room in the process. Although many companies are running marketing campaigns to separate people from their stimulus checks, this was a nice one for us, because we haven't gotten one (yet) - but groceries is a "need" for us, so we would have had to buy them regardless - so, it was a nice savings for us.

5/10 Expressions

I just want to make a public service announcement - wear your seat belt always! My husband and I were heading to eat lunch at a fast food place yesterday afternoon, and a truck hit us on the passenger side (my side) as we were turning in. Most of my very minor injuries were cause by the safety devices - but, I am happy I had them. The air bag deployed and I believe practically knocked the wind out of me and I had ringing in my ears. My shoulder has some brusing - probably from the seat belt - but that is the extent of it. But, another reason to manage your money. Had I had no savings, I might have done things differently. I was unaware that the police now ask if you want to be transported to the hospital - uh - yes. The first thing the ambulance crew asked for - an insurance card. As did the hospital. Seems a bit heartless - but necessary I guess. The passenger in the truck that hit us said her knee hurt - but refused to go to the hospital. I am sure the ambulance ride will be atrocious in cost, and the emergency room treatment - but I am glad I was able to use those services without hesitation. I plan to write about the rest of the experience as it happens. What happens to my car - it was towed since the wheel area was damaged (undrivable) - and we were told by the insurance company to release it to their agent as soon as we can - it won't be until Monday. We were also told to tell the hospital to bill our car insurance and not our health insurance - so, we are working on getting that changed. The driver of the other vehicle called and apologized. Which was a nice gesture. I must say I feel a lot better today - although I still have muscle pain.

5/8 Expressions

Mail was zzz. But, a frugal friend reminded me to register my free Starbucks giftcard that I received yesterday. Sure enough, there are nice bonuses just for registering your card at www.starbucks.com

If you are planning on eating at TGI Fridays, I just got an e-mail from them for a giftcard promotion. Buy a $25 Giftcard and get a $5 Bites Bonus card. Read more about it at http://www.tgifridays.com/giftcards.htm?cid=08_SPRGC

Another thing I did frugal today: at work, they offered free tickets to the local baseball team's game this month. The ticket is for general seating. Last year we took DD and a couple of friends. They gave us baseballs as we walked in. Those sold quickly at a yardsale last year. Of course, parking is $5. But, I got enough tickets for the family and few more - just in case.

5/7 Expressions

Not much mail in the "hold" bin. But, I did get 2 rebate checks and a $5 GC for Starbucks from IZEA. This morning, I ran errands all in one circuituous (sp) route. The Post Office, then to the bank to deposit checks, then to the library to turn in books. I finished "Richistan". I would say I really didn't read much that was surprising. The main themes seemed to be: The "new rich" are different from the "old money". No matter how "rich" one is, they always think they need more - something like double what they already have to be "rich". "Rich" today, is probably around $10M. Yup, you read that right. I got gas and a few groceries at Wal-mart. Yup, every trip to the gas station lately brings a new "high" :( Then to CVS. I had the coupon for a free Adidas Deoderant from the All You magazine. "Paid" for it - tax only. Then used the ECB's ($4.99) toward the $7.49 price of Biore face clenser. With tax, $2.70. I am sending in the receipt for the Glamour offer - I saw it on the web somewhere - in hopes of getting my daughter a purse stuffed with samples - supposedly worth $8X. It is already in the mailbox ready to go. Then I went to Publix for a few more groceries. I had $32 worth of grocies with tax, and after coupons, spent $23. Plus, I will be mailing in a rebate for $9. I am also doing a big "bake" today. Those ripe bananas were starting to take up too much room - so, now they are banana/oat muffins - I used oats in place of the walnuts. I also baked some oatmeal and froze individual portions to take to work. The broccoli/brown rice casserole is for our side dish tonight and probably tomorrow too. A cheesecake, to use up some more of my free cream cheese, and 2 ham and cheese quiches for lunch. One for this week and one for the freezer for another week. Of course I am doing laundry, and other cleaning chores - saving the cost of maid. And later this evening, I will give my bangs a trim, and give myself a mani/pedi. I may even cut a few flowers - roses are blooming, irises have about had it, but a nice arrangement will bring the beautiful outdoors in :)

5/6 Expressions

We just returned from a short trip to Washington, D.C. My daughter won first prize for her age group in a national poster contest. The contest was sponsored by a professional organization to which my husband belongs. So, as it was work-related for my husband, his organization paid for his trip. To turn in into a quick family vacation - my frugal skills were employed :) We drove - so, that should be covered. First night's hotel, we drove until we were tired and I started calling hotels in the gas station coupon book (very reasonably priced and appears cheaper than other rates - AAA, etc.). We stayed in a nice hotel and had a nice hearty free breakfast the next morning. We stopped to see the Natural Bridge - exercise was nice too. Oh, I failed to mention that I brought a re-usable grocery tote filled with fruits, raisin, snacks, granola bars from my pantry - oh, and peanut butter cookies from the freezer that my daughter and I baked earlier. We also took a case of bottled water and my husband's favorite beverage - Diet Pepsi Max. We stopped for a late lunch and on to our next hotel that we used hotel points for. No cash out of our pockets for that one and it was nice and we had a hearty breakfast there too. Then to the National Zoo where the organization sponsored a nice brunch - fruit crepes, made-to-order omelets, fruit, etc. Pictures of the poster contest winners were taken and the winners were presented with a gift bag with snacks and momentos from the zoo - all very nice. Plus, we got to see the animals. Of course parking was $15 - but not bad for brunch and an outing. Then on to our hotel. This is a very expensive time DC. Apparently a heavy convention time. My husband's organization had a limit for the amount we would be reimbursed for a hotel - very prudent. So, weeks before, I got on Priceline.com and made reservations. Good thing, because the hotels were booked and apparently, we paid less than 1/2 of the going rate and barely squeeked under the reimbursable rate. The event was wonderful. We saw many sites. For the event itself, awards were presented at the Capitol Building. A nice surprise, our state Senator sent an aide to get my daughter's name and address and sent his congratulations. We were also presented with nice momentos there and had very nice finger foods sponsored by many companies. Then on to the Art Museum. We were treated to a nice tour and then all of us were invited to make "nature boxes". A very memorable family experience - and we were all treated to lunch at the museum. My daughter was also presented with a very nice totebag of items from the Art Museum. It was a memorable experience and one that will last our lifetime. Back to reality. Although I asked to stop the mail delivery during the entire time - I found a day's worth in my mailbox. Of course it was nice - State Tax refund and a nice bubble envelope of products - Neutrogena Bath Wash and Butter Cream that were of a very generous size, and sample of other products (one-time use). So, I am not sure if I "won" a prize - or if this was a generous sample pack from Johnson & Johnson. Either way, all of it will come in handy. Tomorrow, I will pick-up the rest of the mail, do laundry, etc. I took an extra day off from my day job to catch-up and get things back on track again.

More 5/1 Expressions

My dear husband returned from a business trip today. While on a stop-over at an airport - I believe he said Charlotte, NC, VISA/USAIR had a table set-up for people to sign up for the card. Now, we normally do NOT sign up for cards with fees. This one has an annual fee of $79. But, you get a free roundtrip right off the bat and a voucher for 2 companion tickets at $99 each and a choice of a "gift". He called and asked if he should sign-up? Yes. Our daughter got a nice "bear" out of the deal and we will fly somewhere for a short vacation this summer - and of course, we will cancel the card after the runs out.

5/1 Expressions

Today I had a Dr's appointment. It is slightly out of the way. But, there is an Aldi enroute. On the way home, I stopped and picked up a few items. Our strawberry plants produced a couple of strawberries. Too bad I could only eat one. One had been pecked by a bird and 2 were already over-ripe - so, I hope they go to seed and produce more plants for next year. I guess I will have to keep a close eye on those. I also cut another iris that "tipped-over". So, my vase of flowers started yesterday looks even prettier.