1/7 Expressions

Happy New Year!  My first post of the year.  Also a first - we sold an item off of craigslist - decluttered and made a bit of cash.  Today, I am "off" but had to drive my daughter to school for a club meeting.  Then went to the gym, then Kroger.  I lucked out on "Manager's" specials.  We love hummus - Athenos brand was marked .99 each - and they had a coupon for a free Athenos Greek Yogurt.  Sadly, Kroger doesn't appear to carry the yogurt.  No matter, I believe Wal-mart does - so, next time we buy hummus there - we can get the yogurt.  I am going get in gear in a few minutes and do some house cleaning and some major cooking.  The turkey carcass will become turkey/noodle/veggie soup.  Turkey bits - into a large salad.  Free shrimp from Earthfare, free/cheap pasta from Publix will become a batch of shrimp/garlic pasta . . . cook once - and hopefully no more cooking the rest of the weekend.  My husband doesn't know it - but I have a cheap/frugal date planned for tomorrow.  Pick-up our free Chick-fil-A spicy chicken biscuit tomorrow (we have "reservations"), then to Pilot Travel Center to get a free cup of Cappuccino - and gas up since gas is cheaper there (hello $3/gal is almost here already - and it isn't even summer :(    Then stop at Aldi and pick-up their good deals on staples and produce, then to Panera Bakery for a cheap lunch w/the $10 GC I got from mypoints!  All of this is in a circuituous (sp) route to conserve fuel.

12/30 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  This week I have cleaned up my financial house:  rebalanced retirement portfolios to be much more conservative - although we have "recovered" - I have discovered that I am not the happy risk taker I thought I was.  Secondly, the HELOC was paid off today - we will start the year debt-free.  Minor financial hiccup - the rental agent that manages two of our properties said both tenants gave notice to move out at the end of next month.  She called today - apparently, the one couple had a friend interested in moving in - so, it sounds like we will have a replacement tenant immediately.  Sounds like both couples are buying.  Now I need to clean the "physical" house.  I have made a dent - but have a ways to go.  It is amazing to me how much junk can hide in closets, drawers and cupboards.  I am just tackling one room at a time.  They didn't junk-up in a day, and I certainly won't be able to de-junk in a day.  Good thing I have a few helpers, albeit reluctant ones.  A dirty job - but someone has to do it . . .

12/27 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  We had snow for Christmas - so, we postponed our Christmas lunch until Wednesday (for my dad).  It has been great having this time off and for the most part - after our condo maintenance trip, I have been lounging.  Today, I started deep cleaning - to get ready for the New Year.  Believe me, I still have a long way to go - and I have the family pitching in.  Tomorrow, my daughter and I are having a "Girls' Day Out".  We are going to touch up each other's hair, do our nails, etc.  My daughter has been invited to a NYE party, so, we will be making cranberry scones, raisin scones, and will include a bottle of grape juice sparkling cider.  This Thursday, when we get paid, we plan to pay-off the rest of our HELOC.  We will start the New Year off totally debt-free again - no HELOC, or any other kind of debt.  Last week we got our retirement accounts in order - now, we need to concentrate again on the education fund for our daughter.  My New Year goal is to have the education fund to $XX dollars. 

12/23 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the week:  We just returned from our annual beach condo maintenance trip.  We spent the least this year - and disappointedly, J C Penney did not deliver our sofa.  The claim is:  they could not get it in the elevator - and did not want to carry it up the stairwell.  Of course the delivery guys tried to say the sofa was refused - but that was cleared-up - and we will be getting the full amount credited back by the end of this week.  Another retailer on my list :(  Anyway, we got some painting, cleaning, changed out the bedding, drapes, washed and placed inventory while there.  We also relaxed, ate out a couple of times.  Sadly, one of our restaurant.com gift certificates was refused (no longer accepting them).  Of course, I just got off the phone with restaurant.com and they posted a credit.  Great customer service.  Mail was great:  free bag of dog food, a gift of dried fruits, etc.  My husband and I have discussed the stock market and our retirement accounts.  While we still have faith in the stock market, and don't believe in timing - we have decided now that we have "recovered" - we have decided to rebalance our accounts to be much more conservative - plus, we are close to being able to retire - and would like to take the opportunity to retire "early" if it becomes available.  So, we are going to move the amount we had at our previous high into the conservative government securities fund.  The "leftover" and contributions we be split between the common stock and small-cap stock funds.  Decided to ditch the international fund totally.  When our "leftover" accounts hit a certain $ value, we will sweep (re-balance) into the ultra conservative fund.  That's our plan - as stated on this site - I am not a financial advisor, and nothing in this post should be taken as advice to anyone.

12/16 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I received make-up products to test/comment on.  Also, a Coupon for a free 20oz Coke.  I am "off" starting tomorrow and don't go back to work until January 3, 2011.  (Need to get used to typing/writing 2011).  May list a few items on Craiglist.  Need to get cards ready to mail out . . . haven't paid for a stamp in a long time - since I get 10 each month for being a "mail decoy".  Oh, I donated blood today - and they gave me a re-usable shopping bag, t-shirt, coupons (gave them away), and extra goodies because I was the only one there at the moment.

12/13 Expressions

Frugal Deeds for the Weeks:  Yesterday, I shopped at Publix to round out our groceries.  They have started to become fairly picky with coupons (usage way up?).  Anyway, I had Earthfare's coupon - buy $5, get a Pointsettia Free.  What do you know, the cashier took it into the manager and he approved it!  I had a nice shop - saved $49, spent $27.  I don't want to jinx anyone, but our retirement and personal stock/mutual funds are looking better - we are slightly ahead of where were back in mid '07.  Yes, I realize we have been making contributions since then - but, it feels good.  I found an interesting craft idea to use up old aluminum pie pans - I have a few hanging around - think I may make a few.

12/11 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  I got a call to arrange delivery on the sofa sleeper I ordered about 2 months ago.  It will replace the one in the condo - and the replaced one will go to Habitat for Humanity.  In the mail today, I received notification that USAA sent us a dividend check - a nice one at that - almost $285.  My husband filled the car up at Murphy's - used the $5 Wal-mart giftcard I got for buying printer ink and he got a free 20 oz Diet Pepsi and an energy drink free for being on Murphy's e-mail list.  This evening, we are thinking about renting a DVD from Blockbuster Express with a freebie code, pick up some finger food at a restaurant using one of our 1/2 restaurant gift certificates (expiring this month), and picking up a few items at Earthfare - buy $5 and get a free Pointsetia, bag of Kettle Chips, and 1/4 lb of cheese - not too shabby.  Luminaria event was cancelled because of rain this weekend and apparently it is forecasted to rain next weekend too :(