1/14 Expressions

Good today only - 1 per household - register for a free Suave (up to $3) coupon by registering at this website: http://www.suave.com/nomics/index.html Enjoy!

1/12 Expressions

Some interesting things came in the mail today. My bank statement now shows my HELOC rate at 2.6% - okay 0% would be better - but I will take it. A small dividend check arrived in the mail too. I rolled $10 worth of quarters. Still rolling around in my head if now would be the time to buy a vacation home - through an absolute auction? I sold a book on half.com today. I also put together 10 items to take to the consignment shop tomorrow. So, I will pick-up a check/consign/mail book/hit the bank with checks/coins during lunch tomorrow - all on the way to each other. I have my lunch packed too. I am also trying my hand at making yogurt today. Just call me the frugal bee (busy like) today :)

More 1/9 Expressions

I just won $15 worth of Kraft Foods coupons free. If you are interested - here is the url: http://brands.kraftfoods.com/sogoodtogether/ - doesn't take much to excite me :)

1/9 Expressions

Iam thinking ahead about holiday gifts next year. This year, we got gifts out of the gift closet for some last minute gifts my daughter gave to classmates. So far this year, I purchased a kit to make mini gingerbread houses. This kit was just over $5 from Barnes & Noble - free shipping, went thru American Airlines - my husband needs a few more miles for our trip to Hawaii next year - used our preferred customer card and a code. Anyway, my vision is to mass produce these mini houses and package them in those "Chinese food take-out containers". I also looked up a recipe for homemade bath fizzies or bath "bombs" - nicely packaged, they would make a nice gift too. On a sad note, my husband attempted to the test drive today - the local dealership is closed (as in forever). But the one in the next town over is open - so, we are both going - because that is where Aldi is and they have great prices on produces and few other items. They also have a "Habitat for Humanity Re-sale store I want to check out". So, hopefully, we can get it all done tomorrow. I also decided to inquire about taking out a mortgage for a vacation home or rental property. The requirements are very rigid. Anyway, there's going to be an absolute auction and I am researching to see if it would be feasible for us to be involved. As for food deals, my husband was able to purchase 6 boxes of South Beach/Kraft Protien bars with coupons at Walgreens and I already submitted my rebate for $5.50. After taxes, I will have "made" $1 (or should I say broke even since gas was used to get there - although not $1's worth :) This Sunday, I am going to buy Michael Angelo's frozen meals (these are extra-ordinarily yummy - and this is not a paid advertisement :) On their website - you can print buy 1 get 1 free coupons for the meals - a bargain in itself - but they sent me an e-mail with a rebate form - get up to 6 free when I invite friends. What a deal :)

1/8 Expressions

Tomorrow, I am hoping my husband does the truck test drive (sorry, the link has been pulled) for $50. I sure do miss those days of easy money test drives. But, at least we got a chance at one. Funny, I got a check from Citi-mortgage - yup, that company I hate - and quit. They finally figured-out that they did rip me off - a small amount - but had they acknowledged it months ago - they still would have had my business. But good ridance, and thanks for the check! Got a rent check today in the mail.

1/4 Expressions

Tomorrow, I will be going back to my job outside of the home - after a nice vacation. I had to cut back my 401K equivalent deduction - because I was going over the limit - and would have missed out on my employer's contributions. So, as much as I dread it, I will be increasing my deductions again and adjust for the new ceiling. It was nice while it lasted. On our way home from the beach yesterday, I purchased groceries at Aldi - so, no additional grocery shopping necessary. My husband is running errands and is stopping by Wal-mart to pick-up a free Redbox movie - with code 11moms4uA. I read an interesting tidbit that flashed across the bottom of the tv screen - haven't checked it out - but if I remember correctly - it said Wal-Mart and McDonalds were the only DOW companies to show a profit (not sure for the last quarter of '08). I guess people are trying to be a bit more frugal? I looked at my "lettuce garden" - I have some sprouts - nothing yet on my lavender.

1/3 Expressions

We had an absolutely wonderful time at the beach. We used the last of our free movie tickets and purchase one matinee ticket for the three of us to watch ". . . Benjamin Button". I am usually not a big movie 'goer - but I did enjoy this last round of movies. We also ate out twice using the Restaurant.COM gift certificates. We saw some sales, but nothing really drastic at the outlet mall. Our favorite stop was Harry & David's - got the $49 Holiday Pyramid for $12.XX - lots of yummy snacks for us. Also on our drive down, I spilled the beans to the family. I received my two coupons for dtv converters last week. I was able to order them for $9.99 each from Amazon. I have heard wonderful things about these things. My daughter and husband have an attachment to satellite signal tv. Although we aren't on the most expensive package, we have had it for several years. As busy as everyone is, when I got them to discuss that while the monthly bill isn't outrageous - when you multiply by 12 (for 1 year) - it starts to "add" up. So, they are in agreement, if this thing works well, and we will get rid of the satellite signal and divert that $ toward our vacation this summer!