10/27 Expressions - the late Edition

I received an e-mail from Restaurant.Com earlier today. They provided a code to get 80% off the regular price. The code is: TREATS I was able to get a $10 off gift certificate for .60 and a $25 Gift Certificate for $2. I also went through mypoints - 6 points per dollar. It was a bit slow as I am sure plenty of people are ordering. But the $10 gift certificate is for a local sandwich shop, normally sold-out - so, I was glad to get it.

10/27 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the Day: I have noticed plenty of ways to get the Flu-shot free this season. Not only am I being offered to get it free through work, but I noticed an article in the local newspaper - the County Health Department is also offering it for free this season. My frivolous frugal deed - I polished my nails with free polish at lunch - with the nic 'stick - I believe - it was a freebie from a couple of months ago at Ulta. The other nice thing about the stick - it doesn't have a strong "smell". It is like a marker - easy to paint on and looks pretty good (especially for free). I also spent about 30 minutes today going through closets to find stuff to put into the "donate" box and I also found a few items to consign. Tomorrow, I will will prepare the paperwork for the consignment stuff. I won a hair-cut certificate at a silent auction for charity for $5 earlier this month. I called and made an appointment for my husband to get his hair cut. It would be cheaper if he would let me cut his hair for him, but he did once - and that was it. Not only did he claim it didn't look right (the barber he went to asked him who gave him last hair cut - I told my husband they all say that when they want your business), I nicked his ear. So, that $5 is a bargain in this household and I am sure he will throw in a tip (if the stylist doesn't nick his ear).

10/26 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the Day: This afternoon, we went to Barnes and Noble and each got the free drink with coupon and browsed the books/magazine. My daughter did end up buying a book - but with double discounts. Then off to Bath and Body Works. We each also had a coupon for a free Wallflower with any purchase and were able to match up the $3 handsoap with a wallflower (these will make nice gifts for our mail lady, etc. for the up-coming holiday season. We also stopped to rent a $1 DVD from the vending machine.

10/25 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the Day: In today's mail, I received a pouch of mashed potatoes from Betty Crocker and a .40/1 coupon, a coupon from Bath & Body Works for a free room spray with any purchase (you know you can buy $1 gift bags right?), the DVD I got for "free" with 3 UPCs from Pasta Viola (remember the Publix BOGO sale plus coupons not too long ago?) - which I have promptly listed on half.com, and a free issue of "Traditional Home" magazine. Another thing I learned today: I took my daughter to Sally's Beauty Supplies for her favorite product. They always ask if I have a "Sally's card" - and I always say no - and that's the end of it - because I was always under the impression that you had to be a beautician to get one. This time, I asked - "do I have to be a beautician to get one?" Turns out there are two different cards. One for non-beauticians like me. The cost of the card is $5 - saves you 10-30% on items purchased and costs $5 - but, you get a $5 coupon at the bottom of your receipt that is good off anything the following month - so, now when they ask me if I have a "Sally's card" - I will be saying "yes". We saved more than 10% on the products bought today - almost like a BOGO - we used a store coupon too.

10/24 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the day: For dinner tonight - I shopped in my pantry. I had a small box of spaghetti noodles, large can of Glen Muir Organic crushed tomatoes (bought with $1 off coupons printed from the internet), and a can of Campbell's tomato soup (bought on sale w/coupon). I already had a pack of turkey burger defrosting. Of course I used some spices from the cabinet - and we had a pretty tasty and quick dinner tonight.

10/23 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the Day: Well the season for office parties has started. Our office is having one next week and we were each asked to bring a contribution. I want to bring something good - but not overly expensive. I found a recipe Coffee Punch - who doesn't like Starbucks (okay perhaps not their prices) - and I have an antique punch bowl. I am thinking that will be my contribution because I have most of the ingredients - instant coffee, milk. I will purchase ice cream/cream this weekend. The other frugal deed for the week. My husband was traveling for business this week. Gone are the days when there's extra shampoo, etc. since these days - we really don't take "liquids" in carry-on luggage. But, they usually have shower caps - which he doesn't use :) I asked him to bring them home. I am going to use them for "lids" for things that need to be refrigerated. Oh, and I called my HELOC holder - my rate drops to 3.XX% for next month. I realize the rate will eventually have to go up - but that just means more that I can contribute toward the principle.

10/19 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the Day in Advance: My husband and I just went on a date to Barnes & Noble/Starbucks Coffee Shop for $1.52. I printed 2 coupons for a free Cappuchino and 1 coupon for a Cheesecake Factory dessert for 1/2 price on the internet. No problem at all and we had a nice time browsing the books and magazines. We also went to Walgreens to use the $5/$25 coupon that expires today. I mainly went for the free after rebate items and I plan to file for my return on-line and get 10% extra by asking for my refund on a giftcard. All 3 Free After Rebate items were available - about $18 worth, so my husband was able to get Planter's Cashews on sale BOGO to get us to the $25. Total after coupon, $22.XX. Rebate will be the $18.XX plus 10%. Then to Kroger to gas up the car - gas is down to $2.74 - better than last week. Then we stopped at Wendy's. They had Halloween Coupon books - 10 coupons for Frosty Jr. for $1 and no tax. So, I got 3 books. After I run out of fun sized candy bars I purchased from CVS earlier this month - that's what I will be handing out. Any extras? We will use them for treats since the coupon doesn't expire until 2/09. Oh, and I got two more $10 J C Penney gift cards for purchasing Kraft items a month or so ago (most of the item were free with coupons). Forgot to mention it was a bit brisk this morning. I had been thawing pumpkin puree from last year in the fridge. I finally mixed it up and (I was out of eggs - but substituted 1 tbsp of soy flour/1 tbsp of water for each egg) and made pumpkin muffins. I also substituted oat meal for the walnuts. With the pumpkin butter, they were delicious and warmed the house up just enough.