12/11 Expressions

I have purposely started making extras when cooking. Then I can freeze or refrigerate the extras for fast meals later. Also, a large gallon ziploc of muffins I made earlier this week has been frozen. Just seconds in the microwave and a snack is ready. I have noticed three local tv stations selling 1/2 priced gift certificates on different days of the week. They seem to be selling out faster.

12/10 Expressions

My project for this weekend is to start a small container garden of lettuce and a few herbs. I already have the container and seeds. May pick-up a small bag of potting soil from the Dollar Tree. Should be much cheaper than those kits I've seen advertised.

12/9 Expressions

Above are photos I mentioned earlier: The first photo is of the luminarias - sort of looks like music notes to me. The second photo is of the free flowers from Kroger/greenery from the yard and the muffin gifts my daughter and I made for our neighbors/friends. Frugal today: I picked up 2 small consignment checks and deposited them with a bunch of small rebate checks into my savings account. I also dropped off another 15 items at the consignment store. I also listed one item on ebay. Now to start wrapping gifts and writing a few cards.

More 12/8 Expressions

If you got the $10 Victoria's Secret coupon for any PINK item - yesterday, I was able to get a large tote - priced at $10 and there was an offer for a free pair of underwear with any PINK purchase. Once I handed over the coupon - I owed nothing - not even tax. I also had a $10 off anything coupon - so, I bought a clearanced PINK jacked - although it wasn't free - it was heavily marked down - and of course, I got another free pair of underwear. I also got my 15 items ready for the consignment store. I am hoping to pick up a check to deposit with all of my other rebate/survey/other checks and a roll of dimes :)

12/8 Expressions

Mail was great (mostly) today! I got a rebate check, a survey check and sadly, a dividend check for .15. In today's environment, I can't believe companies do this. Postage is more than the dividend. We only own a few shares of the stock - a spin-off (in our defense) - but can't they make-up a policy like: dividends will accumulate until - or electronic deposit only - or something? Another nice thing I got in the mail - a coupon for a free 1/2 gal of Horizon milk from Mom Central. People have been reporting that JCPenney is sending them $10 Gift Coupons - and they used to send them to me. What did I get today a $10/$25 - is that because they know I will try to spend close to the $10. I am sure it was some sort of marketing demographics thing they did. Also, my photographer (daughter) took pictures of the luminarias and the gifts we baked the other evening. Unfortunately, our Tech Guy - (husband) won't have time to upload the photos until tomorrow.

12/5 Expressions

I had a package at the door last night - my annual nice tin of whole cashew nuts for being a volunteer mail decoy. Today, I stocked up on toilet paper. Hopefully, I won't be buying the stuff for a very long time. I had several $1 off White Cloud and the 4 pack double rolls are $2 at Wal-Mart - so, $1 a pack. But even better, I had a bunch of .25/1 Cottonelle that get doubled at Kroger - and they are the only ones around here that carry the 4 pack single roll - for .99. So, after coupon, .49 a pack. I used a new Kroger Gift Card - which had the extra $30 loaded on it from the "Tax Stimulus Deal" Kroger had months ago. So, I feel like I got all of the TP free :) A very kind friend sent me a coupon to get a bouquet of flowers free from Kroger also - so, while the weather is dreary, the view at our dining table is now very cheerful. I also got several other items free with coupons too. I am trying to motivate myself to list one item on ebay and take another load into the consignment shop. Also, to make one more delivery to thrift store. Also, I am going to search for a recipe to use my fresh cranberries for muffins, and am thinking of doing a banana/nut (lots of frozen bananas in the freezer and got some pecans for baking on sale/coupon) muffins for the friend that's treating us to the ballet tomorrow and my two neighbors. Our neighborhood is having their annual luminaria lighting (every street is lined w/luminarias - so beautiful - they use white lunch bags, anchored with a bit of sand and a tea light). Monday if the community Holiday Party - we have never been - but may make it a point to try and attend this year.

I just searched Recipezaar.com and found a recipe for cranberry/sour cream muffins - very frugal for me. My fresh cranberries were .99 at Aldi and the sour cream was .29 at Kroger after coupon. Off to bake - and warm up the house. I will also be baking the sweet potatoes I got at Aldi - a bag for $1.99 so as not to "waste" space in the oven/electricity.

I also made "stone soup" today - turkey drippings (minus the fat), 1/2 of a Kroger "Manager's Special" rotisserie chicken ($1.75), free after coupon cut green beans - Wal-Mart, leftover mashed sweet potatoes, sample pack of microwavable mac'n cheese, 2 grated carrots (about .20) and spices from the cabinet. It was delicious and warming. Also filling as we also had a nice salad with the soup too. I have enough leftover for several more meals. I also ordered 2 more $25 Staples gift cards. Now I have a total of 4 - and my daughter has 5 teachers. Will have to come-up with something for the 5th.

12/5 Expressions

I have received several small rebate checks in the mail - I remember reading one clearing house is bankrupt - so, I will deposit them in my Credit Union account in case they bounce (my Credit Union doesn't charge me for someone else's bounced check - thank goodness). We have been eating a lot of turkey - turkey fried rice, stir fry, spaghetti, etc. We are officially tired of turkey. We are trying to get rid of clutter - so, it was nice to be able to donate a few gifts for tots. My daughter's class won by contributing the most gifts and they "won" a pizza party. Tomorrow night, our neighborhood association puts out luminarias - simple and beautiful. Sunday, we have been invited to play.