7/11 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Did I mention we got a .20 dividend check - yup.  Not very frugal to spend postage on it - but I will take it.  Co-worker brought farm fresh tomatoes and cucumbers for the taking today :)  I used a cucmber for tzaziki - our favorite sauce/dip this summer.  I also spent some time during lunch to do some administrative work - call in magazines for the mail decoy program and did a bit of knitting.  It is now raining cats and dogs - and we really appreciate it.  The peaches on our tree are small - but oh, so tasteful.  I have new bell peppers growing, along with a few eda mame and tomatoes of my own.  It is so fun and much tastier to eat fresh from the vine veggies. 

7/9 Expressions

Frugal deeds:  Yesterday, my daughter and I decided NOT to go to the auction.  As much as we really wanted to, it just didn't make sense.  We are trying to declutter - and have many projects we have yet to start or finish - so, why get more stuff - even if it is a great deal.  So, instead, we did some coupon shopping.  We went to Pier 1 Imports with my $5 gift certificate and some coupons - got the last of the 2 Scroll Carved picture frames I have been wanting and buying as I have coupons.  We even saw a gorgeous mosaic, extra-large mirror on clearance which would have been a great bargain - but alas, we couldn't think of a place to put it - so, we admired it in the store and left with our planned purchase picture frames.  Then to CVS.  I had my discounted giftcard, coupons and rolled ecbs twice - 3 register transactions so, I still have money left on my giftcard and ended up with a bunch of Scott TP - something I hate buying with "my money" - but something we refuse to do with out :)  Also got my 2 toothpastes, 5 Garnier hair products, freebie candy, mints, feminine products, and more.  Funny thing is, I thought a lady was stalking us . . . finally, when we went to the register to look for the free after ecb candy - she said, "are you looking for the free after ecb candy too"?  I said yes, then she said, "do you follow any coupon websites"?  I said not really - but I do do look for general money saving deals - and she proceeded to tell me about her website that she and a friend update with current national and local coupons.  So, I plan to check-out her site.  Then on to Kroger - we stocked up on a bunch of Manager Specials on Organic items.  My daughter is taking her lunch everyday this week to her intership program.  I am so proud of my chickadee :)  (And a little sad too - as she will eventually leave the coup).

7/7 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  My husband and I woke a bit early today and walked to the lake and back - he also jogged around it for our exercise before the it got too hot.  I roasted a bunch of vegetables - my daughter seems to like them better that way and baked some potatoes.  I won my daughter a pair of vintage sunglasses from shopgoodwill for her upcoming birthday - to go with her new-to-her car.  I am leaving shortly to for my "free" facial appointment.  When I return, I hope to plant some garden containers.  I hope to produce something from my yard over the next couple of months.  Oh, in the mail today - I got a free Arm & Hammer travel sized toothpaste - so, if I don't find a good deal this weekend for a stock-up - I will surely have enough to get through another sales period.  I am hoping CVS will have a good sale soon so that I can combine coupons, giftcard, ecbs, etc.  I also got a free magazine - Better Homes and Gardens :)

7/6 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I received a Tide Pod and one for a friend in the mail.  Other freebies in the mail - a $5 gift certificate to Pier1 Imports that I plan to partner with a 20% discount coupon I received in the mail.  I also received the 1/2 off dining certificate I "got in on" - limited quantity for 1/2 price - they sold out in less than 10 minutes.  And tonight, my daughter and I are getting our hair washed with a "blow-out" - from ULTA for "free" - we plan to pay tip.  Tomorrow is my "free" facial for buying a Dermalogica anti-aging cleansing/skin rejuvenation kit.  Mail has been pretty dreary.  I printed a coupon for $4 off $20 for CVS and I plan to combine it with my discounted $25 gift card - and see how far I can stretch it.  Sadly, my stash of toothpaste is almost out - I am down to travel sized and cutting them in half to get the last bit out.  I hope I can find a great sale I can combine with ECBs and coupons and stretch that gift card to the max!  My husband took my daughter to guitar lessons today and while she is taking lessons - he will stop and get a few veggies for me from Aldi.  Even though multi-colored peppers and grape tomatoes are on sale - I am skipping those because I have been getting a pepper or two and a handful of cherry tomatoes every day for the last couple of days from my "garden" (boxes).  My mint that I am trying to root still is going strong - although I don't see any roots on the cuttings - yet.  I also picked 3 more small peaches from my peach tree.  I found a nice piece of vintage fabric in my linen auction box - I threw it into the wash.  I think it will be perfect to make a no-pattern vintage style apron.  Also, Sunday afternoon is another auction - my daughter and I plan to go - I need to make a budget and stick to it.  The insurance company refuses to budge on our primary insurance - but has issued a "letter of experience" for us.  So, now, we must find a new carrier for our primary residence.

7/4 Expressions Happy 4th!

Frugal deeds for the day:  We had a nice laid-back cook-out.  Everyone contributed - so, no one person was over-taxed.  We had a nice combination of foods and sent grandpa home with some leftovers.  We also have enough to last for several days.  My husband and daughter will have the day off.  Sadly, I am heading back to my day job.  Other than eating, relaxing and watching a few DVDs, not much is going on in our household.  The weather has cooled just a wee bit.  Hopefully, we will get some rain shortly - before all of the fireworks are set to go off.

7/3 Expressions Garden "Haul"

Frugal deeds for the day:  This is my garden "haul" - I know "haul" is a stretch - but this is a 4 cup measuring cup :)  I got bellpeppers, a few small peaches and you can see them very well - but a few cherry tomatoes too :)  Mail freebies - magazines. For our BBQ tomorrow, my daughter is making Baklava for dessert and tomorrow, she will make a fresh spinach pie.  I will make a salad or two and my husband will grill vegetarian and regular "stuff".  Grampa normally brings a dessert also.  We got off a bit early today for the holiday tomorrow.  I mainly plan to rest - and perhaps try to get a craft or two in.  Happy 4th!

7/1 Expressions - Mint, Mint Everywhere

Frugal deeds for the day:  It is boiling hot here - we are predicted to break a temperature record today also.  Anyway, not wanting all of the free mint to go to waste - I made pesto that we ate part of, with pasta, for lunch.  The rest is in the fridge.  Excuse the photo - it is the pesto freshly made in the blender - of course the picture caught images of my hand, the bottom of the blender, etc.  May not look so good, but it was delicious!

Next, I dried the rest of the mint in the microwave.  Made enough for a small container of dried leaves and I made a facial scrub - just need to add water to make a paste - it contains, dried mint, coffee, and oats.

My daughter made some basic white cake and we are going to make a trifle shortly.  Then to Ulta - we are going to buy some Dermalogica - yes it is a luxury - but the deal is:  spend $60, get a free facial worth $40 and a full sized moisturizer apparently worth $90.  We also plan to stop at Barnes and Noble a few stores down and use a BOGO latte (iced today) and read some magazines.  We should stay really cool in the stores.  I wanted to start some kind of craft this weekend, but between trying to frugally water the plants - the peaches are looking almost ripe to pick - even though they are small - and moving the pepper and tomato plants to a bit shadier area - I really haven't made the time to start anything else.

But in personal financial news - we were going to go through American Airlines shopping link and buy something small since my daughter's account is a couple of months away from going dormant for lack of activity.  Happily, there is a 100 mile freebie - by entering a contest - and I entered for all three of us - so, our accounts should be good for another 18 months!  And, we didn't have to buy anything :)

Read todays paper - nothing caught my eye.  I really need to stock up on toothpaste - but haven't found a really great deal yet.