7/11 Expressions

Mail: We got a notice from the IRS today that said we should be receiving an "Economic Stimulus Check" by today! Ha, ha. We didn't. It said if don't receive it by today, wait 6 weeks before contacting them. Okay, at least now we know we are getting one.

7/10 Expressions

Instant wins: This week, my husband and I both won a free movie ticket playing Subway's "Get Smart" game - more free entertainment.

Freebies: The only freebie I can recall from this week is Seattle's Best Vanilla Coffee ground sample - just brewed it - and it is wonderful. Oh, I gave blood today and was given a t-shirt.

Cheapies: At work a couple of weeks ago, we had a health fair. One of the booths was run by a local college for massage therapist. We could sign-up for a 15 minute theraputic message. I did and it was wonderful. They also gave me a coupon for $5 off a 1 hour massage. I asked how much an hour costs - $25. These theraputic massages are given by students in the program. So, I have an appointment for an hour's massage at $20 plus tip (wasn't suggested - but I am sure appreciated). That's my cheapies/frugal luxury for the week. A nice way to de-stress :)

Garden: After a bunch of blooms (still blooming) we have a pumpkin that's about 3nches in diameter. So there's hope for a home grown one yet. The other one we spotted, has bit the dust :( There's also a strawberry or two there.

Bargains: I went to Kroger today - they seem to have lots of "Manager Specials" - you have to keep your eyes peeled for them - but I found them in every section of the store. But anyway, I needed to fill the car with gas, and asked the cashier if I could use my giftcard - sure enough, you can. So, we may buy a giftcard or two before the end of the month. It is nice to earn points on our credit card to buy the giftcard, to get an additional 10%.

7/8/08 Expressions

what did I do that was frugal today? During lunch break, I drove roundrip, about 5 miles and went to the consignment store a dropped off a load and picked up 2 small $ checks, cashed the checks at the bank for pocket money, stopped at the library to return a few books and renew one, and mailed an oversized envelope.

This evening, my daughter, her friend, and I will be attending the grand opening party of a local bookstore opening.

One last final fix in the property we re-rented/renovated last month. The washer needed a $250 repair and the dryer was kaput! These appliances were atleast 20 years old - so, not much surprise there. The rental agent said the appliance guy would repair my washer for $250 or replace both for $250 with reconditioned appliances - including installation - a reputable dealer that they deal with often. It was a no-brainer for me - almost seemed too good to be true since they are full sized appliances. Of course part of the deal was - he was hauling the old stuff out. I googled copper wire (seems to be a popular item these days) - I read that the old appliance generally have some worth stripping. Plus, I figure the scrap metal. So, perhaps it was a worthwhile deal for the appliance dealer. Sure beats paying more and figuring out how to haul the stuff to the recycler.

7/7 Expressions

I scoured the paper yesterday. I found an entry for a party at a newly opening bookstore. My daughter and I will be attending - sounds like they have lots of fun planned.

In trying to declutter, I notice I have bits and pieces of fabric from my old "crafting" days and sewing projects. I looked up instructions for making yo-yo's. Looks like a good way to use up scraps and making something beautiful - and will be easy to take along for long trips, while waiting in line, etc.

7/6 Expressions

With gas prices moving up, and time being precious, I pretty much quit accepting mystery shopping assignments. Most pay between $7 - $20. Driving to and from a place, plus taking the time to memorize the requirements, then entering a report on-line - well, to me, it just was worth it anymore. I don't accept those types of shops unless I am going to the establishment anyway or am really interested in visiting the establishment. If was a fun gig while for a while. But today, we got accepted for a nice dinner shop, later this month. Of course, being a mystery shopping, I cannot reveal the establishment - but it is one we really wanted to try. If you are interested in mystery shopping, can work "undercover", are fair, can memorize information, and like to write, learn about mystery shopping (get leads on openings - types of establishments, reputable companies to sign-up with, etc.) at www.volition.com.

I shopped Publix this morning, the 1 cent item was a 64 oz bottle of Juicy Juice. I also used my last Planter's $3 off coupon on BOGO Cocktail peanuts that are $3.39 and I printed off 2 $1 off Glen Muir products at coupons.com. To buy the 1 cent item, you must spend $10 - so, I let the cashier ring everything up, hand her the 1 cent item coupon, then the rest. Of course, they had some nice fruit in the produce section - so, I didn't get out of there for as "cheap" as I could have - but I got out of there for $7.74. Of course it is right next door to Rite Aid, and since they had sent me the $10 gift certificate - I also participated in rebate items we can use. With Rite Aid rebates, you can electronically file to get your rebate. CVS had a some nice deals going with the extra bucks too! One item had been cleared off the shelf. It does warm my heart that I am no longer the "odd" coupon user - I see people all over with coupons in their hand :) My daughter and I were talking about coupons. I asked her if she could would rather spend hard earned $ or pieces of paper clipped from the paper, magazines, or printed off the internet. Although she did hesitate a bit, she said coupons.

7/4 Expressions

Happy 4th of July! We had a a nice BBQ - but aren't sure if we'll see any fireworks? It stated raining about an hour ago - so, we shall see. Any way, I wanted to pass along a good deal if you live near a Kroger. I print off several coupons for $3 off Planters nuts over 9 oz. You can print them off at Kraft.com, coupons.com and other sites. Usually they let you print two. Anyway, you have to buy 3 Kraft, Nabisco and Oscar Meyer items with the nuts. The best price we found was $2.99 for Cocktail Peanuts - so free nuts. Many of the additional items are on sale for the 4th - and the best part - a coupon kicks out of the register - Buy 3 Planters and get $X on your next order, Buy 4 . . ., I bought 5 and got $6.50 on my next order. My husband and grandpa love peanuts. And the next time I have an "office function" - my donation will several cans of peanuts.

7/3 Expressions

Happy Independence Day (a bit early)! The picture to the side shows what I got in the mail today. I vaguely remember buying a fairly inexpensive item at CVS and mailing in the receipt to Glamour for a "Bag filled with samples", while supplies last, - or so I thought! Much to my surprise and delight, I got the chic bag with full sized products - the card inclosed was from CVS and Glamour. Very nice.

I also got a $10 Rite Aid gift certificate in the mail. I had to chase them around for this.

We also just signed the paperwork to change our HEL from Citi-mortgage - my opinion, a company with the worst customer service and always trying to rip-off the customer off. Uh, yes - perhaps you made some bad loans - but don't try to get well on the rest of us. My beef - as you know, I am trying to pay-off our beach condo as soon as possible - our last debt. Wouldn't you know it, every additional principle payment I made - they tried to process as an advance payment (warning - interest rip-off!!) - and every month - I would call customer service to ask them to convert it back to a principle payment. I got transferred all over the place, got agents that didn't know what I was talking about, placed on hold for what seemed to be forever - horrible! Wrote two letters with no satisfaction. Yes, I have reported them to the State Attorney General and the Mortgage Institution oversight agency - hope they do something. I did see the "CIT" was or is planning to sell-off it's mortgage lending arm - so, I wonder if this is why they are cranky and looking for ways to earn/rip-off? a few extra bucks? So, if you have a HEL with Citi-mortgage and are making additional principle payments - make sure they post them as principal payments!

At the last minute, we decided to BBQ tomorrow. So, after leaving our local bank - we headed to Kroger and bought a gift card and earned 10% additional spending amount on the gift card. I was going to buy it a couple of weeks ago - but didn't since the offer doesn't end until the end of this month - or close to it. We used our hotel points credit card to stretch it a bit further.

And finally, even though the stock market was up a bit today - last week was horrible! But, I have not checked any holdings - because I keep telling myself - we are dollar cost averaging, we don't need the $ immediately, yada yada.