6/6 Expressions

Frugal busts for the day:  We withdrew our counter-offer on the short-sale.  It was the worst experience we have ever had.  It is true, the banks are not negotiating in good faith.  I honestly think the person handling the short-sale wanted us to pay for the bank's mistake - loaning waaay too much money to the owner.  And being out-of-state, not realizing that the market has fallen and sometimes it is better to cut one's losses.  So, my husband looked at a foreclosure.  Unfortunately, this one had visible mold.  So, back to the drawing board.  Another bust, my daughter and quickly stitched a dress by cutting my old dress skirt and sewing it to a newly purchased shirt on sale for $5.  It looked fine - but my daughter wanted the skirt portion shorter.  I thought if we could shorten the waist portion, it would be fine.  I came home and shortened the waste - big mistake.  Now the dress just fits poorly.  So, back to the drawing board.  We are going to look for a replacement top.  Not sure what I will do with the cut-up shirt.  Mailbag:  I got a free Woman's Day and 10 first class postage stamps - my "payment" for being a mail "decoy".  All-in-all, I just want to hit the hay and re-group for a new day.

More 6/5 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  My daughter and I went to exchange a shirt she had already purchased for one size larger.  We stopped at Victoria's Secret because for the month of June, I have a buy anything, get a free pair of panties coupon.  So, I got some 75% body wash for $2.50 plus tax and my freebie.  I also had a 30% off anything coupon, so, my daughter found a hoodie marked down from $50 to $25 - so, she got the jacket for just over $18 with tax.  Then we headed to Ulta, she had a $3.50 off $10 coupon and got a few make-up items, which ended up being $10 with tax.  The cashier gave us both a sample of their "Pink Sugar" cologne vials for free.  We stopped in Anthropologie - and they had some items on a clearance table.  I got a rose quartz and another big plain quartz voitive holders for $12 including tax.  They are so neat looking.  Regular retail would have been over $80 plus tax. 

6/5 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Actually yesterday.  My husband sent a text to the realtor regarding the short-sale - he gave the bank until noon tomorrow to respond - as that is the time we want to withdraw our offer.  She told my husband the bank would respond ASAP on Thursday morning.  I told my husband, this bank has not been negotiating in good faith - and I really don't want to buy from them.  We also found a foreclosure just 2 streets over - 1/2 the size and 1/2 the price.  The lot appears to be the same size.  Seems to be a better deal to me.  Less cash out, less risk.  Also, the points to his new hotel account have not posted - so, another week in which we have to pay out of pocket.  He is going to call Monday and see if he can get the points posted.  We are hoping if he still needs temporary housing for another week, he can pay for it in points instead of cash.  Hopefully, he can buy this second property quickly and be done with this whole temporary housing thing.  Since we went to Costco's yesterday, I do not want to do anymore household good shopping.  So, we are going to get creative and use stuff around the house.  Unfortunately, we don't have any more extra rolls of toilet paper.  I am frugal, but one thing I don't want people to skimp on is TP.  But, I also have 2 tubs of those Cottonelle flushable wipes that I got for free.  So, if we run out, we will be using those up.  Oh, and the dog got a good bill of health from the Banfield vet yesterday.  That exam was worth just under $40.  My daughter and I went through some of my clothing.  She is not interested in the clothes as they are, but is interested in upcycling them or altering them.  Today's dresses seem pretty simple - from a pattern standpoint, so, it will be a good way to teach her without the fear of "ruining" something.  Cheaper to fill-in with upcycled stuff too :)  And, I spent a few minutes on ebay - I bid on  a few items to spruce up my summer work wear.  It is unbearably hot, and my summer shoes are pretty worn out.  So, hopefully, I will "win" a few items soon.  I also looked for sleeveless shells - OMG on what some of it is priced at $7X . . . I bid on two that are under $10 plus shipping.  I also got a button-down white shirt - for $16 shipped.  It is hard to find plain button down shirts - I am glad to have found one. 

6/4 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  We got up late and went to the estate sale.  We did not buy a thing.  We did sell 1 item at Plato's closet.  Saw the new exhibit at the art museum and went to the Italian cafe.  My husband and I shared a meal.  Then to Costco's - gas was 3 cents cheaper then elsewhere - plus all the other rebates.  Mailbag:  I got a quart of paint from Gliddens - it is a nice light grey - a starter for my daughter's room.  We will have to buy a bit more - the paint came by Fed-ex.  In the USPS - I got 4 small facial products samples from DHC.  The dog will be getting her free exam at the Petsmart Vet this afternoon.

6/3 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  DSW is great :)  They did credit back the $20 plus taxes on my husband's sneakers for the coupon we received a day after his purchase.  My daughter got a pack of socks with $5 birthday coupon - plus a few dollars out of her pocket.  For dinner, we used an 80% off Restaurant.Com gift certificate - and have leftovers for today.  Mailbag:  Free Gillette Proglide Razor and a birthday certificate for a free Aveda product.  Oh, yesterday, my daughter made an appointment for herself and I to get a free style and blow-out at the ULTA salon - using Fekkai products.  It is for new salon customers only and on 8 and 9 July only.  I hit the hay early - and now I am up too early - it is really 6/4.  But today's agenda - take in an estate sale - all prices are marked down 50% from Thursday on anything left.  I am looking for outdoor/lawn furniture to replace some of the stuff in our condo - mainly the chairs seem to not be holding up well in the elements.  Since it is in the same area as Plato's closet - my daughter plans to drop a few things off.  Then we plan to see the new exhibit at the Art Museum with our membership.  They have a nice and fairly inexpensive Italian theme cafe - we will probably eat there for lunch.

6/2 Expressions

Short-sale madness:  The bank countered with their original list price - mind you, this property has been on the market for 179 days with no offer except ours?  So, we up our offer - called it our final, and said we will give them until Tuesday to respond.  Freebies today:  2 packages of "veggie" noodles from Kroger - I printed off 2 $1 coupons from their facebook page and they were on sale for $1 - so technically, I paid tax.  So glad tomorrow is Friday.

6/1 Expressions

Mailbag:  Folgers sample.  Short-sale:  the realtor thinks the bank is going to counter-offer without an appraisal in the next day or so.  So, we shall see.  Not so frugal:  I needed to fill-up today - gas was cheaper - but my Murphy's Gas coupon for $2 off $25 expired yesterday :(  My husband and daughter will be running errands on Friday - I need to get my return contact ready to be shipped back.  There's going to be an estate sale starting tomorrow.  Mostly sports memorabilia, some antiques, and great outdoor furniture.  Everything is priced.  Friday, the price goes down 25% and Saturday, the price goes down 50%.  My daughter and I are going Saturday.  We are hoping the outdoor furniture (several sets) - will still be available.  I want a set for the condo - that salt water is very harsh - on metals.  If the price is right, I might get a set for our deck - and eventually take it to the home I hope my husband gets in the short sale as it has a sun room.  The house is in a smaller town - I e-mailed the Chamber of Commerce yesterday asking if it is against the city ordinance to raise a few chickens and a goat.  My husband laughed his head off - but I was serious.  If I "retire" - I would love to have a couple of fresh eggs every day and make my own goat cheese - have a natural lawn mower, free fertilizer, pest control, etc. :)  I haven't heard back from the Chamber - I sure hope they don't think I am joking.