More 5/11 Expressions

I read on-line that Aldi is building a store in our area.  I love coupons, but so far, no one around here can beat Aldi's sale prices on produce.  And, many years ago, my husband and I lived and worked in Germany.  It is so nice to have access to some European food items! It is months away, but it is something to look forward to.

5/11 Expressions

We decided we really needed to cool the house down last night.    It did not cool down until after dark.  So, I called the heating and cooling company recommended by my rental management agency, and they were prompt.  I wonder if the power cutting off and being out 5 days when the tornados ran through here might have had something to do with it.  The result, the upstairs unit was frozen and needed R-2 - and is cooling.  The downstairs unit, the compressor shorted out - and I need a new one.  So, the repair guy left and said the boss would call when he called in the compressor numbers.  Wouldn't you know it, this is the last year for the warranty on the thing - we just made it in the nick of time.  So, I will have an installation charge and of course whatever R-2 they need to put into the thing.  A little bit of look and good fortune helped me to be a little frugal today :)  Fingers crossed that the compressor arrives asap - latest tomorrow a.m.  But, I am hoping it gets installed today.  I got a rent check today - it was from the house with a lot of trees and where one of the trees broke the railing on the deck and the renter said he'd fix it for free - but we asked him to submit a bill - apparently he didn't.  When my daughter gets home, I think we will head out for a 1/2 priced frappuccini from Starbucks and get our free bagel and cream cheese from Brueggars - and if they have a good selection - buy the baker's dozen since today is the discounted price day - I think $6.

5/10 Expressions

Mailbag:  10 first class postage stamps for being a "mail decoy".  I finally heard from the realtor on the foreclosed property.  The more information I get, the less excited I am about it.  The property is at the beach.  The former owners took all of the furniture and some fixtures (sinks).  The list price is not much lower than the tax appraised price.  The rental history for a similar unit is not very good.  So, back to the drawing board.  I am going to take my time looking.  I keep reading more and more articles about a lower bottom to the real estate market.  The short sale we are trying to buy - I feel confident about - it is more than 1/2 of the zillow value and about 40%  below the tax assessed value.  Not to jinx the stock market - but it looks like a happy day for it today too.  We are having very warm weather right now . . . I was hoping to go to the "Y" - but, probably won't.  Update:  after going through the rest of my mail, I got a coupon for a Free John Freida Precision Foam Colour - cheaper than going to the beauty school and I have a credit on my 1-800-ped-meds order.

More 5/9 Expressions

Mailbag:  I received a coupon in the mail for a free Breve Creamer and some .55/1 coupons to in a very cute package - a "to go" coffee cup and lid - all the courtesy of Vocalpoint, and I received my British Airways CC.   Still waiting for information from the foreclosed property and also, an update from the short-sale realtor.  Nice the stock market ended up a few points.

5/9 Expressions

I am home today.  I finally got around to check on the nagging little things like:  my husband got his British Airways credit card over a week ago, I did not get mine.  I just called, mine was just mailed out a few days ago.  Next, since our phone hadn't been working, and now it does, I didn't want to blame the dentist for not calling me about my crown.  I now have an appointment to get my crown put in.  Also, they sent me several bills - odd because they collect up front.  Turns out they did not wait for the dental insurance company to pay their part . . . finally nice to get some resolve.  This tornado thing definitely was no fun.  We had it a whole lot easier than a lot of people - but it sure was a inconvenience.  Now, I am keeping my eye out on the dog.  She seemed under the weather this weekend, and if it continued, I was going to take her in.  So far, she seems to have gotten her "groove" back and I am thankful because last time we took her in, it was around $330.  Next, I am going to continue to work in the garage and help my daughter along to prepare for the community yard sale.  I also plan to make some snickerdoodles - and bake a spagetti squash and a butternut squash at the same time.  I don't plan to leave the house today.

More 5/8 Expressions

I was looking at some real estate last night.  I found a foreclosure that is really interesting.  My husband and daughter thought it looked interesting too.  At this stage, we would really like to add to a nestegg for our daughter's education.  I wonder if we've become too conservative.  If we got it, we would withdraw money from our HELOC.  I believe the rate is still 2.7% and would pay it back in 24 months or less (if no other surprises came up).   So, I e-mailed the listing agent this afternoon.  I asked several questions.  I am wondering if it is even still available.  Hopefully, I will find out tomorrow.  I need to call the bank and ask if the rate on the HELOC is still 2.7% - it can change monthly - but only went up .1 in the last 3 years or so.  Meanwhile, we are hoping the bank's appraiser on the shortsale comes in around our offer.    I am also going to keep my eyes open on the local market for a foreclosure.  My husband's new job will pay closing/realtor costs of buying the shortsale - and for the sale of our current home.  We have 2 years to sell.  I'd like to put it on the market next year.  As it stands, the educational system here is better than the one in my husband's area.  Plus, there is a possibility that there may be cutbacks in my husband's area in the next 2 years.  So, as much as I would rather move and be a frugal housewife, it looks like I may just tough it out at least until our dauther is out of of high school.  So, once again, if we sold the current house, it could shore up her educational fund.  We could move into a smaller/less expensive house in the same school district.  Convert it to a rental once she is out of high school.  And that should do it, we should have properties paid for and hopefully getting a nice rental income; and have her educational fund.  I am thinking I would "quit" my job a few years early and perhaps withdraw from my 401K equivalent using rule 72T.  Then, when I hit retirement age, I can file for my retirement . . . I guess we shall see what the future holds.

5/8 Expressions

Happy Mother's Day!  Although I asked my husband and daughter to not buy me anything for mother's day, they purchased a "singing card".  It seems the yard weathered the storm fairly well.  We took a few photos:  my Kroger flowers that were pretty cheap - but very pretty, a yellow rose that bloomed in the yard, the clematis vine that is very full and a red rose trying to bloom in the midst, surviving fruit on our peach and pear trees, and the 3 rose bushes I got from Lowes that I need to plant today.  I thought I might have to buy potting soil - I have 2 bags left in the garage.  So, I am going to the "Y" for a work-out - and then start the planting.