7/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Since I had a $3/$15 coupon for Rite aid and Sunscreen was BOGO1/2 and I have a rebate form for $6 on sunscreen when I spent $10 - I headed out for Rite Aid.  In addition to getting cheap sunscreen, I stopped at McDonald's with the BOGO Smoothie/Frappe/Lemonade coupon and my daughter and I each got one of the Mango/Pineapple Smoothies - yummy :)  Other than that, I am going to attempt to give myself a hair trim.  We purchased thinning scissors for $2 in Canada.  They almost got confiscated at the airport - we forgot to pack them in the check-in bag.  Anyway, they measured the blade and it was just under whatever the size to seize was.  I also purchased a 2.5 year planner for $3 at Wal-Mart a couple of days ago.  I am going to go back to using a planner and making notes.  I think that will help simpify my life.  In my younger years - I used one all the time.  Then I quit because I had a good memory.  Uh, not so much any more and with more activities than my own to track - I think this will give me a peace of mind - and less time wasting calling to find out the time of my appointment, etc.

7/9 Expresssions

Frugal deeds for the day:  we did go to the credit union and got the letters notarized for free and I deposited the few refund checks I received.  I was tempted to have a cup of coffee - but skipped it today.  Then we headed to the consignment store where we had won a gift certificate at a charity event.  The certificate was for $25 and we paid $12.50.  Anyway, we are glad to have found a new place.  My daughter got 2 pairs of shoes, one new, and 2 blouses for the gift certificate and just under $5 in cash.  She also found an alternative to Plato's.  Then we went to the movies to see "Horrible Bosses" - it was a good laugh.  Anyway, there was an advertisement showing discounts one could get using the movie stub.  We went to the restaurant next door and got three free appetizers -with our meal.  We had plenty for another meal - which we brought home in to go boxes.  Sadly in the mail, we got a Homeowner's association "ding" letter - our front flower bed has weeds - my daughter just weeded it yesterday - apparently the "drive-by" must have been earlier in the week - and they think our shrubs need a trimming :(  So, my husband ran to Wal-mart to get a few bags of pine nuggets for the flower bed - and will be trimming the shrubs.  Added:  we also stopped at the Farmer's Market and picket up 2 containers of goat cheese (honey, and plain) - no additional cost out of pocket since we "won" the punch-card at the charity auction - we get 20 containers.  Also got 2 cucumbers for $1- since we got there about 30 minutes before closing - pretty much everything was gone/picked-over.

7/8 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today, I researched forms on line.  My daughter is traveling with her friends family without us.  The travel agent said we need to have a consent form that is notarized and he suggested we visit an attorney.  I found samples on line and they are filled out, tomorrow, we are going to our credit union to have them notarized for free.  We did yardwork and a bit more decluttering - and found a few useful things we can use - so, that was helpful.  Mother nature provided us with free water for the grass and "garden".  I have 1 visible yellow squash out there - about 3 inches long.  My daughter wanted to pick our 3 peaches before a deer or something got them.  I talked her out of it - they are still pretty small and a ways from being ripe.  We got a free blockbuster with code - it was zzzz - so, I am not watching it.

7/7 Expressions

Mailbag - yesterday I got a coupon for a free Suave lotion.  Today, I went to Wal-mart and picked-up a few things.  I should have paid attention - but the cashier did not ring the coupon for the Suave - and a few other items.  It may be cheap - but I went back - talked to customer service - and they pulled the coupons - and sure enough, after everything was said and done - they paid me $6.32.  I think the cashier needs training.  Although I am not feeling 100% better - I decided to get out of the house - and get a few groceries.  I stopped at Kroger and they had a rebate form - buy $25.01 in meat, produce and condiments and get $15 back.  Worked for me.  The form was for Heineken beer - but I am in one of the states where they cannot require a beer purchase.  Although closing went well and the electricity was turned on in our foreclosure - my husband was there early because the water company said they'd turn the water on.  Good thing - because apparently the washer fountain, the one to a fridge w/ice maker was left in the "on" position.  In addition, one of the shower heads was leaking.  So, he took care of those things.  My husband is going to ask the tax assessor to re-look at the assessment value for the property - although we like it, we seriously doubt it is worth $122,000.  In addition, I asked my husband to quiz the insurance company because they placed the replacement value at $140,000.  I am thinking that is a great way to jack-up insurance costs and hope the payer is excited by the "high" value.  I can't imagine it costing us twice as much as we purchased it for to build it.  So, we may be able to save a few bucks questioning those things.  And, I don't want to jink the stock market - but it sure is much brighter than it has been in a while.

7/6 Expressions

Mail bag:  while we were traveling, we got some great mail:  2 rebate checks, fish oil tablets from Natures Bounty, freebie magazines:  Shape, Woman's Day, 10 first class postage stamps (Quad Readers), and a bunch of coupons to local places and Kroger.  More frugal activies while on vacation:  we went shopping.  We stopped at thrift stores - my daughter got a really nice summer dress for $1 and a few other things for a bit more.  I purchased fabric from a store in the Punjabi District - very beautiful and reasonably priced.  We splurged and saved a bit on dog boarding - we bid on 2 gift certicates at 2 different charity auctions and won 2 $150 gift certificates for $40 and $50 respectively.  Our final bill was $40.  So, for $130, the dog got to stay in the "luxury" room for 8 nights and got bathed and groomed.  Pretty good deal because bathing and grooming by itself is between $45-$65 anyway.  Oh, and back to the mail, we processed the mail together - since no one likes to check-out junk mail - but this time we are glad we did.  There was a junk mail looking package from "Root" something - wouldn't you know it - someone filed a class suit against Honda for Sun Visor problems - and if you don't file the form - you get nothing if they recover.  We will be filing.  I am sure I posted months ago about my unhappiness with paying Honda around $90 to fix our drooping Sun Visor - safety hazard for sure - and the car, 08 Civic was not old - wasn't abused - and we always thought Honda had a great record for quality.  We were not happy with with the charge for the visor - and apparently - a whole of other people aren't either.  So hopefully, in a year or two, we will get our $90 back - because it appears to be a defect.  While we were in Canada - while watching cable - there were plenty of US channels.  I saw an ad for Macy's big sale.  We do not have a Macy's in this city - but where we are buying our foreclosed home - small city/town - there is one.  So, when they advertised their big Mattress sale - I paid attention.  This was one thing we decided we would buy new.  So, the lowest price was $39X for a queen sized set.  I got on the computer (free wi-fi) and was excited to be able to order through mypoints.  Well, I found a set that was $298 - internet special - but, I had to call to order.  So, we called toll free - and ordered 2 sets - one for us and one for our daughter and ordered frames and they will be delivered free.  I will eventually make or buy used headboards.  My husband and daughter left late yesterday evening to head to closing today.  We had enough points for them to stay at a hotel last night and tomorrow night too.  Apparently, in the state where this foreclosed property is, I will be on the deed for inheritance (survivorship) purposes - so, I don't need to sign.  Very odd - but I was happy - because I am still feeling tiny and a long drive surely would not help.  I am going to try to get a few thing done around the house - but that is it.  Much to my chagrin, I will miss a free mini Root Beer Float at Maggie Moos today, a free shampoo, style, blow-out at Ulta, and a free Lettuce Wrap at PFChangs today - but if you have one - hope you get to enjoy them.  The ice cream and hair appoints are totally free - I am sure you have to make a purchase at PF Changs.  Oh, and just before I kissed and waved good-bye to my husband and daughter yesterday evening - I asked my husband to check-out the yard-waste pile on the curb across the street.  Our newest neighbors must not know that it is for yard waste only.  It appears they cleaned out their garage.  I could see my old neighbors had a set of shelves in their drive-way - they are recyclers.  I could see planters and a wooden chair.  My husband grabbed 3 planters - but he said the wooden chair had a big crack.  This morning, I noticed the old neighbors put the rest of the planters in their recycle bin.  If I were feeling better, I'd go and see what else is in there - lots of lumber pieces.  But at the moment, we have enough projects going on and I need to declutter myself - hope someone gets to it.

7/5 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Other ways to save money while traveling.  I noticed more people are bringing snacks and food on the plane.  The lady in front of my husband (aisle) brought veggies and a strong smelling dip (limburger? blue cheese?) - the lady in front of my daughter (window) covered her head with her jacket and made all kinds of gestures to indicate that she was not happy with the smell - including pointing her vent toward the lady in the aisle sheet.  To be honest - it was quite smelly - but I don't think I would have made such a big deal.  So, bring healthy food - but skip any malodorous things?  I have noticed most prices for food item are high in the airport - and a sandwich and a bag of chips in flight is $10 - American Airlines doesn't take cash - you must use a credit or debit card.  Of course we don't have cable - so, we watched a bit of trash tv.  My husband mostly watched HLN - the "crime of the century" case - while I watched a few episodes of a Canadian reality show - finance related - really :)  I forget the name of the show - but the host is a tough Cookie - she even used colorful language.  But, the shows I watched mostly included women heavily into debt.  She called them "princesses".  Anyway, she gave them challenges - and of course took their credit and debit cards - and depending on how they did on their 6 weeks challenge - she would reward them with $0, $3K or $5K.  She said their attitude counted too.  Of course, if the subject did really well - she threw in an extra reward.  I was just facinated by the show - I think I would be a great host - minus the colorful language.  She taught people to budget, shop sensibly, and she brought them back to reality by letting them know if they continued on their path - how much in debt (and how much in interest) they would be paying - I saw some outrageous interest rates (19.XX, 20.XX) on some of the credit card debt.  She always asked them to put something (minimum of $50 per month) for savings and emergencies each - ala Dave Ramsey?  She also let them know how long it would take to pay off their current debt - and if they continued to save the amount they used to pay-off their debts and stuck it into savings - how much they could potentially retire with.   I thnk the US would have some contenders for contestants too.  I don't know how many people would air their "dirty laundry" for $5K - but you'd think with this economy - people would be interested in this type of show - I know I was :)  Other things we did to save money - we walked, used the bus/train system, and rode the freebie bike.  We took the cab to and from the airport at a cost of $35 Canadian each way - which included our tip.  What I did notice is - many small stores do not have air conditioning - and I would say we would have browsed longer if they did have it.  Of course, we may be a bit on the spoiled side - and maybe a bit out of shape for walking.  Our splurge was to attend a concert.  It was walking distance from the hotel. Believe me - we researched prices.  The lowest price we could find on line (free wi-fi at the hotel) was $80.  We went to the front desk and asked for the cheapest price and they quoted $120 from their local favorite to buy tickets from.  My husband walked to Rogers Stadium and paid $6X per ticket.  So, while not dirt cheap - we saved $ with a bit of effort. The only freebie I got that I did not enjoy is my cold :(

7/4 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  We just returned from our trip to Vancouver, BC.  We had a great time.   Here are some frugals:  We used air miles for our tickets - we went up on Business Class (first class) - so, we checked in one luggage for free.  Our meal and snacks were "gourmet" - and free :)  Our return flight was on coach/economy.  We paid $25 to have 1 bag return check-in - and no free food or snacks :(  For our hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites - it was fantastic.  The location was central - and they had amenities that saved us a bundle.  We used points to "pay" for our stay.  Included was a lovely breakfast every morning - it was always more that pastries and a drink.  There was always some type of egg and meat available also.  Waffles, different types of breads, yogurts, fresh fruits, etc.  We loved it.  They had coffee and a variety of teas available too :)  We got a free paper everyday.  They left us two bottles of water every day.  We forgot our toothbrushes - they gave us one.  They had bikes to rent for free (we did tip).  Included was a backpack, with a map with the bike trail mapped out, and a bottle of water.  There was a shuttle driver willing to take you where-ever you needed to go - we did not use this service.  We used our feet to get some exercise in.  There was a Costco's within walking distance.  There were many ways to save - even though I would say it was a pricey place to visit - we kept our money in check.  I will add a bit more tomorrow.  The first of July was Canada Day - the fourth - today is our Independence Day!  Happy birthday good ol' US of A :)  Now that the fireworks appear to have stopped - I think I may be able to get in a few winks!