2/3 Expressions

My husband was offered a job in a small town.  Houses are a lot cheaper and there appears to be a good public school system in the area.  I am wondering if we could sell the house, buy one there and bank the rest for education/emergency/freedom expenses/accounts?  I could spend more time being frugal; crafting; etc.  We will need to give it some thought.  We sold another item on Craigslist - we did have a few people flake out.  We hope to sell one more - and have a looky Lou tomorrow.  In today's mail, I got a rebate.  I will do some coupon shopping tomorrow and try to stay way under the budget.  Also, the insurance adjust will be showing up to see what is causing the leak in the roof (we just had it replaced last year).  I am wondering if the spate of bad weather we have been having had something to do with it.  Not sure what else I will have planned for tomorrow.

2/1 Expressions

Wow - it is February already!  Perhaps next month, I would like to try an experiment.  I would like to see if we can live on our rental income only.  I am hoping I get offered an early retirement soon.  If not, I am thinking about resigning as I can still apply for my retirement pension in just over 6 years.  I am close to my 401K equivalent savings goal.  My big push now is my daughter's education fund.  I planned - purchased pre-paid tuition; set up an education IRA, etc.  But none of them have done very well.  I do have a few more years for them to turn around - get fixed (Pre-paid tuition - I believe there is a class action law suit at the moment), etc.  I believe we have been fairly frugal, but we surely have areas in which we can improve.  But, I am thinking if I don't put any constraints on - it is easier to fritter money away.  Barring big repair bills, 100% vacancy, etc. we should be able to do it.  I am going to give it some thought - of course I will need some cooperation from 2 other people.

1/29 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  We have been getting home mailer coupons for quite a while.  But lately, I have noticed that the coupon deals are really entising.  We have a local diner that sends out coupons for b1g1 free breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I had never considered the place before.  But, my daughter and I went the other day and were pleasantly surprised.  For $5.50 (before tax and no drink), you get a choice of a meat and 2 vegetables and for .25 more, you can add a third veggie.  It also comes with Texas toast.  Even with tip, it is cheaper and healthier than a fast food meal.  The place was clean, and not very busy.  Sure hope they get more customers so the place will thrive.  Today, we are attending a seminar.  Then to Costco for gas and a few groceries.  They have a lot of sampling stations - and they sure are popular.  We hope to stop by Bath & Body Works for their free scented candle for this weekend for Facebook Fans.  I have been visiting the "Y" a little more consistently - and am starting to feel the impact.  Next month I have an appoint with the personal trainer to set-up an exercise program.  This "Y" has gotten popular quite quickly - sure hope they expand as at ":peak" times now - it is tough getting a machine.  Someone said this is the "New Year Resolution Crowd" - give it a month or two and the crowd should dissipate.  I hope not - I hope they expand and the crowd keeps coming for their fitness and the fitness of the center.

1/24 Expressions

Mailbag:  Today I got a coupon for free Yoplait and a rent check.  I was also able to get in on the coupon for a free Nice 'n Easy Foam Hair Color.  I also listed 2 more items on Craigslist.  Hope they sell quickly with very little hassle :)

1/22 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  We are celebrating our wedding anniversary early.  My husband's wish - to eat at Ruth Chris for once in his life.  We went to Costco and got discounted gift cards - $100 for $79 - plus Costco rebate, plus AMEX rebate.  Since we will be taking our daughter, we got 2 card packs (4 $50 cards).  Sure hope that covers it.  And on another note, I have to say I am very happy with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility - they are 110% better than BP ever was.  Oh, we stopped at BBW today and got the facebook freebie (travel sized lotion) and used the coupon for a free travel sized product with any purchase (got a 2 pack of wallflower refills for $5). 

1/20 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  This evening, after work, I stopped at the mall and picked up this Month's freebies for the Bath & Body Works club - I got to pick-out anti-bac soap, anti-bac pack, and anti-bac pack holder.  All would have cost $7 plus tax.  Then to Starbucks at Barnes and Noble - got a B1G1 Tall Latte with coupon, membership discount and a promo gift card - cost me $0 out of pocket.  I forgot to mention earlier this week, our neighbor brought over 1/2 of a small cake (her daughter is getting married) - the cake was yummy - and very bad for anyone on a diet :)  I cut out 4 pairs of underwear out of t-shirts we no longer want.  Tomorrow is my "off" day, so, I plan to sew them.  I think we need a clothes moratorium - while looking for the t-shirts - I found several items of clothing that my daughter bought with tags.  I also found a few things I was looking for too.  Next stop for decluttering - clothes.

1/16 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the weekend:  Today, I was notified that we will come into a small windfall . . . it will all be ear marked for my daughter's education fund.  I had a pretty hefty goal for this year - now we have breathing room - but, I still hope we save the goal amount and the windfall will still truly be a windfall :)  I cashed in Swagbucks for another $5 Amazon GC.  I think I will start "saving" them in my Amazon account for the next time I "need" to order something.  We did a bit of freebie shopping this afternoon with Rite Aid UP rewards and CVS Extra-care coupons plus regular coupons.  I know the Health Saver's Account rules have changed - but I am hoping Saline solution for contacts still qualifies. Tomorrow we are "off" for MLK's birthday.  My dad is treating us to lunch at a new buffet place in town.  Hopefully the frugal me won't overeat as the New Year me would like to lose a few pounds.  I know this sounds crazy - but I looked up ideas to recycle t-shirts - we have plenty of them and I have donated a bunch to Purple Heart, etc.  Just about everytime we donate blood - they give us a t-shirt.  I found an idea to sew underwear.  I think I will sew a few pair for myself.