4/9 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Mail was lovely - notification that condo rental check deposited.  Got my Pier1 card with 20% off coupon - so, where's my $20 gift card - it is coming with my statement.  I took my daughter for a tutoring session - and we had a BOGO Latte . . . and then to get some exercise in, I walked to Bath and Body Works to see if I could find a sheet set for my daughter.  Found a set that was 25% off, used my $5 (expired - but in reality - they never do) coupon, the rest of my gift card and spent just under $5 additional out of my pocket.  Listed another item on Listia.  Lamented the stock market - that's all of the frugal/financial stuff I did today.  (Other than brown bag and fight my temptation to eat dinner out :)

4/8 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  More auction finds.  Pictured above is the picture we got for $20.  It is a nice sized one and we think the scale, color, and theme will go better with the new furniture we added at the end of last year.  Other than that, I took a walk to the lake this afternoon for exercise, and am still trying to motivate myself to do some cooking/salad making to prepare for the coming week.  I can believe how time is flying.  My husband is coming home for an extended stay this week.  Hee, hee - I asked him to bring home 3 quarters and 3 pennies so I can finish those rolls out.  I really need to get outside - it is gorgeous - and plant a few more seeds.  But I think I will wait until my husband can drill a few holes in the planters so I don't end up with root rot.

4/7 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Pictured above are more of my auction winnings.  Forgot what I paid for the art glass off the top of my head - I know it was under $40 for all 4 pieces - but for sure, I know I got the two lamps for $5.  The brass one needs painting and I need to find them some sort of shade.  As far as being frugal this week - all I could do was keep up.  Today, my daughter and I are going to Platos - and hopefully, she will earn some cash.  We also plan to take our Victoria Secret coupons with us and get some free underwear while we wait for Plato's to determine what they would be willing to buy and for what price.  My husband finally finished up the taxes and determined that filing jointly was still the most cost efficient.  Refunds from the States - payment to the Feds.  Other than that, I plan to do some laundry maintenance, auction stuff maintenance, and may be a batch of cooking.  Still trying to get a hold of the cleaning service for my 1 hour of cleaning by 2 people - good way to get some cleaning done - and not by me.  My daughter had the day off yesterday from school - so, she did do a bit of cleaning.

4/4 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today's photo is a picture of the lone Iris that bloomed - but as you can see, plenty more will follow.  Irises are my favorite flower - and I got the bulbs for shipping only.  Such a frugal bargain :)  I took the day off - and for a day off - I kept pretty busy.  Of course I am behind in housework - don't know if I will ever catch-up, but I got some done today.  I also started to do some auction item maintenance - namely, washing the cushion covers for the cushions that fit on the bamboo couch I got at the auction.  I also "sunned" the cushions outside - great weather for that.  I also put the carpet outside and got most of the dust out of it with my swiffer pole.   I listed 4 items on ebay - out with the junque - and in with some cash for the Paris fun money - I hope.  I also listed another item on Listia.  I cooked up a storm - my daughter loved the vegetarian burritos I made, more curry, and brocolli/chicken/rice dish for myself.  Nothing exciting came in the mail - my husband should be happy as he will have purchased shares at a lower price that I did for our retirement funds.  Why did we decide to go a little less conservative - because, we are hoping we have lots of years to live and won't need the money for a long time.  Did I mention I went to CVS to get paper products for my husband with the $10 Gift card I earned and some coupons - hmmm - I got sucked into some coconut M&M's and Russel Stover Coconut creme eggs - there are atleast two people in this family who love coconut .  . . out of pocket was $7.  Then over to Kroger to pick-up a few things and I was going to go to Wal-mart because a few items are a bit cheaper there.  When I saw that gas prices went up another ten cents in less than a week - I didn't think it was worth it to drive to Wal-mart to save a few cents - so, I got my items at Kroger - found a few great manager's specials - like .25 Greek Yogurt, etc. But I also filled up the tank at Kroger since they usually have the same price as Wal-mart - and who knows how much it will go up in the next few days. :(  Okay - I know gas prices are higher outside of the US - but still, this steep climbing is alarming.  Just saw - I think yesterday that the big 3 auto makers made a good profit - hmmm, wonder how this gas climb will affect that?  Oh and yippee - I just brought my cushions and carpet in, and now there is a big thunderstorm - free lawn watering :)

4/3 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today, I rebalanced my retirement funds and my husband gave me the okay to rebalance his too.  I followed his advice earlier this year - but we went waaaay conservative.  We are still conservative - but less so now.  Nothing exciting in the mail :( and the stock market was a disappointment (except my fund transfers at todays prices - so hopefully, I am buying more shares).  My husband promises to mail out any tax returns for refunds by Friday and the protest to the property tax assessment (means you have to face the assessor in person . . . uh, well worth it).  Tax returns in which we have to pay will be postmarked the 16th or 17th . . .

4/2 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Mail was wonderful - I finally got my 2 free knives from Cuisinart for buying the pots and pan set over the holidays.  I also got the organic soybeans I won on Listia to plant.  I watered my plants and the bok choy are realling starting to show-out as are the basil.  Picked up the rest of the auction stuff at lunch and my daughter unloaded them after school.  I can believe it is already April - tax time is just around the corner.  How can I tell - freebie deals for that day are showing up.  Maggie Moos sent me an e-mail - a free scoop of yogurt ice cream on April 17th.  I listed one item on Listia today.  It is fun to get stuff I need for stuff I don't need.  Next month is the community yardsale - I thought it was this month - sure hope we get rid of some junque.

4/1 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  We attended another auction.  This was the "leftover" stuff.  I got the carpet and bamboo couch (cushions are elsewhere in the garage) and a few other goodies.  They need to be washed and cleaned up - but are gorgeous - great for outdoor furniture - the rug will go in the foyer area - I think it will be a better match than the the one I got from Pier 1 Import - that one can go in another room - after I put silicone on the bottom so it won't slip.