8/24 Expressions

Bargains: To be in the rental program, our condo gets an annual inspection, which should be coming up soon. Let's just say the patio furniture we inherited with the unit made it through last year, but I seriously doubt it will make it through this year's inspection. Also, it is very hard to find patio furniture in December when we plan to make any adjustments to the decor or repairs. So, today, I went through Mypoints to Overstock (10 points per dollar spent) and found just what I was looking for. Next, I googled Overstock Coupons and found a 10 percent off code. Went back to Overstock and bought a nice metal and glass patio table, only 4 left, 6 metal/cushioned chairs, and a metal chaise lounger. I am sure the retail prices were inflated, but if they were true, I would have paid $1,375, plus some hefty shipping charges to spiff up the balcony of our rental condo. With coupon and including the $2.95 shipping to the location, I paid just under $350. Plus, I will be getting close to 3,500 Mypoints, enough for a $25 giftcard and I used my Chase Freedom Card for an additional 1% back in cash to help me get to a rebate of $200, which can be redeemed for a bonus of $250. And of course, since this is a business expense, there will be a deduction involved also.

Rebate Forms: Beer companies are sure generous. A lady at work gave me a form, that is good in limited states for a $20 rebate when you purchase $40 worth of groceries. No beer purchase required. I shopped at Kroger yesterday, using only a few coupons, mainly for a free can of dog food and a few free SOBE drinks. I got all of my veggies, fruits, meat, etc. After coupons, $65, after rebate, $45. Not bad at all as if you keep your eyes peeled at Kroger, there are "close-out" sale prices and "manager specials" that help stretch a buck. My husband also loves those bottled coffee drinks. I found Kroger brand "close-outs" for $2.49 for 4 bottles. So, he got several 4 packs in this shopping trip.

Travel: Fall break is coming up for my daughter. We haven't traveled as much as we used to. So, here is what is brewing: Since my husband and I signed up for the American Airlines card and now we are thinking of slipping our Hawaii trip to next fall break, we can probably redeemed miles for a domestic flight each. My husband will probably have to go to Miami during that week for business - how sad. So, why not turn it in to a fall break vacation? My daughter and I can fly down on "free" tickets, stay 1 night with DH while he conducts business and we can redeem some hotel points for the additional nights we will be there. We think we will probably stay around South Beach. Just getting our thoughts together to try and get this planned. Hopefully, all the stars will align, and it will happen.

Consignment: I called the consignment store's hot line last night and they are only accepting 10 items per customer. So, I have my 10 items ready to taken in next week.

8/23 Expressions

Recycling: I noticed we have 6 empty printer cartridges sitting around. One of my daughter's teachers is asking for donations of color copying paper. Today, we will make a stop at Staples and see what we can do to accommodate that request. She also asked for other supplies. Looking through my stash of office supplies purchased in the last couple of years during sales, I found quite a bit to donate. This contributes to my effort to declutter also.

Fast Cash?: I read on several blogs about ways to make fast cash. The one that pops up occasionally is donating blood plasma. Sure enough, we have a donation center in the area. I called to get some information. I don't know if they all operate this way, or if the current economic situation has anything to do with it, but the person answering the phone said they don't take appointments. She said, "you need to come early because it is first come, first serve" and she said if you don't get in on the first round, you can come back at noon when they open for the next group. Then she said, the first appointment takes 4 hours because you have to go through a physical before you donate. I guess that is a good thing. Then she said, they can't use your plasma unless you donate at least twice a week. She also said the maximum number of times you can donate is three. She said, that is why "we pay you $25 for the first donation and $45 for the second donation". Apparently the whole process takes at least 1.5 hours. How did I find this place? I googled "Plasma Donation Center".

American Airlines Credit Card: It is always great when a business beats your expectations! I just got my first bill for using the credit card. I was told/read that it takes 6-10 weeks after charging $750 for the 25,000 mile bonus to post. Can you believe it, the miles have already posted. Now we just need the few miles for my daughter's account to post. We purchased through an American Airlines Advantage partners link to purchase a winter jacket for her. The jacket got here yesterday, and I am hoping her miles post just as quickly. It will make planning a little less hectic with more time on our side. Funny thing is, my husband and I were thinking of splurging and flying first class by using our miles for the upgrade. If we did that, our daughter has enough miles. But she is the one insisting that it isn't worth the extra money and we might as well fly coach for free. Mind you, my husband and I are frugal, but this trip coincides with the year of our 20th wedding anniversary. So, we shall "see".

8/22 Expressions

Today is another day I am grateful to have health insurance. My daughter had a bump on the bottom of her foot. I thought she stepped on glass or something. She said she didn't remember stepping on anything. Turns out it is a Planter's Wart and will be "burned" off. It will be interesting to see what that "would" have cost. Today in the mail, I finally got the 1/2 price gift certificates to 2 local restaurants that I got from a local radio station's website. Also got a rebate check from Rite Aid. I may get another load to go to the consignment store for next week. It is nice to declutter and I can always add that $ to the condo principle fund. We get paid next week. So, I will make another "principle only" payment on the condo. Want that paid off before both or either of us "retire" next year. My local Publix must not be getting much business. Last weekend was probably be my last trip there. The assistant manager checked my groceries out. He grilled me on just about every coupon I handed him - looking for reasons he didn't have to take them. Good thing I pointed out the information on the coupons to him and he begrudingly took them. The only coupon he refused to take was a competitor's coupon. He said he could refuse to take them at his discretion. Little does he know, I shop at Publix at my discretion and will be shopping at Kroger from now on. I will say, he could probably tell I was a bit disappointed with him, and to make light of things in the end, he did say I was a "smart shopper". Since I didn't have anything nice to say, I didn't say anything at all.

8/21 Expressions

Nothing particularly frugal or financial has happened this week. But, I did sign my daughter and I to attend a make-up class at a local salon on Saturday. Should be a fun girly time. The weather is hot, hot, hot - and tiring.

8/14 Expressions

Groceries: I like to use coupons when I can. But, I must say, even without allowing the use of coupons, Aldi is a great place to shop for items that rarely have coupons. I went to the dentist today to get my teeth cleaned. Aldi is just down the street. Today's 99 cent specials: melons, blueberries, mushrooms, broccoli crowns. Cheaper than my "regular" grocery store: spinach and romaine lettuce. One gallon of milk was the "loss" leader - $1.99 a gallon. I also thought the "Large" dozen of eggs at $1.09 was decent too. I rarely can find my daughter's favorite - "coconut shrimp" - but they had them today - 10 shrimp for $2.99 a box. I also picked up smoked bratwurst $1.99, ground turkey .99 and a few other miscellaneous items. I escaped for just under $25. This weekend, I will just round out my groceries - probably at Publix with lots of coupons.

Entertainment: Things to do this weekend. A local museum is having a picnic with entertainment on Saturday - totally free with membership. The local botanical garden is having a freebie event for members too. Our community is sponsoring a meet-and-greet of a mayoral candidate tomorrow. Lots of things to do this weekend!

8/12 Expressions

Financials: Yup, the company that wanted me to pay $2.XX per share and $25 to claim my new Starwood stock was out to get $. Had I paid a bit better attention, I would have turned in my certificate in 2006. Turns out, I can still turn in my certificate, get a re-issued stock certificate, shares of Marriott, and a check for a few bucks for free. The moral of the story, pay attention and check "fishy" offers out. I did pick-up a check at the consignment store and dropped 13 more items off.

8/11 Expressions

Mailbag: Today was an interesting mail day. I received mail from a company I have never heard of telling me I was suppose to redeem my Starwood Shares for Marriott shares in 2006 - and, they'd do it for $2.XX per share - otherwise I will be going thru paperwork he** to claim it at a later date? Sounds fishy to me. So, I will be calling Starwood tomorrow. I received some nice rental checks which will go toward the condo mortgage asap.

Bargains: Today, at lunch, I took my ecbs and a $2/2 Bath Buddies coupon to CVS. I got 3 packs of 9 double rolls of Charmin TP and 2 Bath Buddies soap bars and paid just over $3. Hopefully, that TP will last us until the end of the year . . .

Decluttering: Since I will be making a trip to the bank to deposit the rent checks, I put together 13 items to take to the consignment store. I am also hoping to add a consignment check to my additional principal payment. I am also taking $10.50 worth of rolled coins - every bit helps! Can you tell, we want that condo paid off as soon as possible so that we can be debt free again!