9/18 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I am running out of weekend wear - so, we stopped at the thriftstore to look for a pair of jeans - my daughter and I got a pair for $1 each.   In today's mail - we got 5 freebie magazines and .12 dividend checks from Wendy's - no rant - I will just deposit it.  The weather cooling down is soooo welcomed!  I bought some yarn and needles - I am going to start knitting slippers for myself and my daughter at lunch time. 

9/17 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I am "off" today - so, I drove my daughter to school for a club activity - and then "cherry picked" on my way home.  I stopped at Wal-mart and got my free Dr. Pepper from Murphy's - boy, gas prices have climbed a bit.  I picked up a few things that I had coupons for.  Also stopped at Kroger and Publix.  Between the three, I have all of the groceries for next week, special request toothpaste, and a few other toiletries for under $50.  Even got a redbox for free.  Other not-so-great financial matters, still waiting for Ken Feinberg to pay our condo claim; IRS found an error in our 2009 taxes - software error??? - anyway, I sent the amount in to stop any interest from accruing, protested the penalty, and am gathering the paper work to back-up our claim; and a couple in one of our rentals is divorcing and will be moving out next month, since neither, on their own salary can afford the rent - so, the rental agent is looking for new tenants.  I am researching traveling to Paris either for spring break or in the summer - at the lowest cost to us.  I believe I can get our airfare for whatever they charge to redeem mileage; we should have enough hotel points to cover that; so, mainly lining up activities.  My husband and I went years ago - before our daughter was born.  So, it will be interesting to see if much has changed.

9/13 Expressions

Frugal Deed for the day:  I just went through mypoints and purchased two restaurant gift certificates at Restaurant.com - using promo code:  touchdown - expires today for 80% off.  We plan to go on a short weekend vacation - and this will allow us to eat a couple of nice meals out for a decent price.  Today's mail:  a rent check and a .21 dividend from Tim Horton's - I will no longer rant about the wastefulness and just deposit it.

9/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds this weekend:  Yesterday, we used our art museum pass and took a nice stroll through it.  It is near a park and we had fun walking through the park duck/geese/people watching.  In the same area, we stopped at Plato's and my daughter sold a few of her clothing items, then to the book store - $60 in credit - and 3 new to us books.  Today, I grocery shopped with a wad of coupons.  I will be making lunch pizza's from what ever bits and pieces I have on whole wheat tortillas.  This will be a busy week as my daughter has lots of after school meetings this week - so, we are trying to get organized now.

9/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week: Last night, I was pitying myself about the lack of "stuff" I had to choose from to make my breakfast, lunch and snacks for today. I had run out of fresh fruit - my tortilla pizzas were gone, yada, yada. Instead of hopping into the car and heading to the grocery - I shopped from my pantry/freezer. I made a nice batch of fruit smoothies with the frozen strawberries, bananas, and melon I had frozen earlier before they went "bad" - also added yogurt which I have plenty of since they have been a great buy lately with a sale and a coupon. So, this morning, I had a smoothie for breakfast. Lunch, I had a few sandwich buns from last weekend that I kept in the fridge. A small bit of chicken. A few decent pieces of field greens from a bag almost gone/going bad. Basil from the neighbors. I made a sub sandwich - cut it in half - and placed it in a clamshell container I had washed and kept from a previous deli purchase. Also, I had a few odds and ends of small tomatoes from my neighbor and my own plants, and a few banana peppers - those were washed and became a snack. I guess what I am trying to say is that sometimes a new perspective, or arrangement of the stuff we have that may not be satisfying by themselves - can lead to lead to fulfillment or satisfaction. The sandwich almost seemed gourmet - as did the smoothie :) As for other financial news, I received a rebate on a razor - it was a "money maker" - after sale, coupon and rebate. I am still waiting for Ken Feinburg to process my claim - it has been in review status now for 15 days - very frustrating :(

9/5 Expressions

We celebrated labor day early and had a bbq today.  We used what we had on hand and dessert was provided by my dad.  I took advantage of Labor Day Sales and ordered a sofa sleeper - for the second time - knock on wood - hope it goes through.  I went through mypoints to JCPenneys and ordered one to be delivered.  A bit disappointed that the free shipping did not apply - but, still, I feel it was a good deal.  It is faux leather, queen, so, I am thinking more durable and it will be easy to match a chair later.  We can hang on to the one we have for now.  I used my American Airlines Business Credit Card - so, I have met the requirements for the 50,000 air miles.  I will make sure all goes well with the order, that the miles get credited and then probably cancel the card.  We have lots of leftovers, so, I don't plan on cooking much this week.  I am going to work on revamping my resume this weekend as job that pays better and probably less stressful has opened up - what could be better than that :)

9/3 Expressions

Time sure is flying - I can't believe it is already September.  I got in on two 1/2 price restaurant gift certificate deals (through local radio/tv stations).  Yesterday, I got a free neti pot - a nice freebie for sure.  Just got my free South Beach meal bars from Kroger and a few other items with coupons.  I plan to take a walk shortly.  Then kick back and relax the rest of the day.  Oh wait, my daughter brought home a progress report - excellent grades - so, we let her pick a place for dinner - she picked a low priced Japanese restaurant.    Nice long weekend for Labor Day.  We may do a bbq and invite my dad.