8/11 Expressions

Not much frugal today - but I wanted to post a picture of my first "Amigurumi" fish - I think making Amigurumi could be a frugal hobby as it takes so little yarn to make various projects - so, scrap yarn is easily used up. In frugal news, I have called BP as I have not received a check - and they tell me that it is "in the mail" :( Last month one rental property had air conditioning problems - fortunately, it was an easy fix and it was a few dollars more than the service charge. Unfortunately today, the property mgmt company called - and another unit is having problems and the estimate to fix the problem is in the $500 range. I guess this heat wave is probably causing units to be over-used and accerlating breakdowns?  P.S. my daughter is the creative photographer of this photo.

8/8 Expressions

Rant for the week: Dividend checks that do not make sense. We received a dividend check from HST (Host Resorts & Hotels) in the amount of .05 - yup, you read it right. I don't know how much it takes to mail a commerical piece of mail - but between handling, etc. - this transaction is a loss for the company - and me. We probably own 1 share - must have spun off from a few shares of some other hotel stock we purchased a few shares of? Anyway, it would make more sense for them to entice me with a buy-out - i.e., buy back my 1 share? fractional share? at the selling price with no transaction fee - I would gladly do it. In better news, I cashed out for another $5 Amazon.com e-gift card from swagbucks. I matched up some coupons for the Kroger buy 8 of certain items, get $4 off deal. My husband and daughter will stop and get those items (mostly yogurt), plus stop at Publix for 2 more quarts of the Lactaid milk with the $2 off Blinkie coupons - after they stop at Staples for a few more school supplies and more printer ink. They will take along the empty cartridge for the reward bucks and there's a coupon for $5/$50 in today's paper. My daughter will also be taking 3 Bic buy 2 get $1 off - hopefully for some cheap pens - we got 1 in the paper today and printed 2 off the internet. I just picked a bit more Basil and Rosemary from the neighbor's garden as my daughter's cat babysitting gig ends today. This afternoon I am boiling eggs, and making a bunch of vegetarian pizzas (w/tortillas for the crust) to take with me for lunch. I have been packing breakfast/lunch/and snacks when I can. Those cheap yogurts from Kroger will be a great addition too.

8/6 Expressions

Here is an idea that could help the Gulf Coast - it is an vying for $250,000 in a grant from Pepsi. If you have a moment, if you could vote for the idea, please do so: http://gulf.refresheverything.com/coastalaffordablehousinginitiative Full disclosure: I do have a rental property on the gulf coast - but am in no way being paid by Pepsi or anyone else to post this. Oh yeah, I do have a few shares of Pepsi stock - but not enough to influence anyone at Pepsi - otherwise, I'd ask them to pick this idea. Thanks a bunch.

8/6 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day: My daughter has gathered her out-grown clothes and we plan to take them to Plato's Closet tomorrow. Apparently they "buy" them on the spot - it is not like a consignment store. Our "trouble" spots in clutter are clothes and books. So, I just looked up used book stores and there is a promising one near by. I am thinking of taking a load of books in also. We have sold many through half.com. Today, my daughter starts her cat babysitting gig. She has also been asked to pick the ripe tomatoes for our use - not a bad chore :) So, I looked up whether tomatoes can be frozen without blanching. Seems people have done it with success using the tomatoes later in stews, etc. Now, I need to read the instructions for the mystery shop my daughter and I will be doing later today. TGIF :)

8j/5 Expressions

Frugal deeds from yeterday: I play the instant win on Kroger.com yesterday and won an "AMP" drink. The neighbor called my daughter for a cat sitting job and also gave her a bag of homegrown tomatoes. Today, my daughter and I are meeting some friends at Cheddar's. I joined the "Cheddar's List" last night and today I was mailed an e-mail/coupon for a free onion ring stack. These friends are pretty frugal too, so, will appreciate this freebie with us. I brought my amigurumi/crochet project home with me - I don't think I will be finishing it this week - maybe next week. I am trying to crochet during lunch and I won't be at work (aka day job) for the rest of the week. We are having homemade smoothies for breakfast today. I have a pineapple I need to cut-up and freeze for future smoothies.

8/4 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day: BP claims they cut a check :) I am "off" the rest of the week. I signed up for a mystery shop at a mall to get a snack - not big money - but it will cover gas and snack. My daughter and I ate at Quizno's with the $2.99 for a sub/drink/chips coupon. We also got a Blockbuster Express to watch tonight for free with code. We went grocery shopping and saved over $20 w/coupons. We did not buy produce - will be getting them at Aldi when we do the mystery shop. The best deal at Publix for us today was - Lactaid milk costs $2.19 a quart - right next to them was a blinkie machine kicking out $2 off any coupon - so, it cost us .19 - we bought 2.

8/2 Expressions

Just a few frugal highlights in my day :) I won a 20 oz Coke on Kroger.com instant win and the stock market was very kind to me today. I have been creative with my pantry - and will not be shopping for another few days. While I have enjoyed the quiet time - I am so looking forward to my family returning tomorrow. School starts next week - so, I have decided to take a few vacation days to spend time with my daughter before life gets hectic again. Her school calendar is out - and I am already thinking of our next vacation - early planning sometimes results in good deals. During lunch today, I tried to crochet an "amigurumi" fish - not sure I am following instructions - but it sure is relaxing :) I hope to finish it this week. If it is not too "bad" looking, I will see if I can get my daughter to take a picture and upload it.