9/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Yesterday, we attended local colleges/university night - and picked up some information.  I am hoping my daughter goes to a state college/university since I pre-paid her tuition when she was born.  But she does have her eyes out for an out-of-state university - and that means additional $ out for tuition.  So, I was hoping she got swayed - which would be very frugal for us :)  Wow - I was impressed with Amex - they fed-ex'd my card to me. 

9/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I stayed home today.  My cold is is still as bad as it was and now I have post nasal drip.  Puffs with Vicks seemed like a luxury - although it was on sale, had a coupon, was part of the gas card deal, and possibly part of the rebate - they are great for a stuffy nose.  The picture, I sat outside in the sun, with SPF on my face, and mixed a cheap nail polish (part of a set of 4 that came from the dollar tree - that refuses to dry) that I loved the color - but was not functional as a nail polish.  So, then, the Wet 'n Wild dries fine - but the frost creme/white color was too light - so, now it is a pink - and is on my finger and toe nails.  I also finished my daughter's silk shirt upcycle.  I found an old piece of lace that would work great as a tie-belt.  She loved it - and wants to wear it for picture day - on Wednesday.  She did point out that one sleeve is slightly longer than the other - and I have to agree - so, I will fix it shortly.  I also took care of some administrative matters - contacted the attorney that is handling our sandlot's claim against BP to find out if they can enjoin our other property.  They are checking into it.  I got my free Woman's Day magazine in the mail that I thumbed through while my toe nails were drying - and in it is a gumbo recipe - great use for my "crop" of okra :) 

9/9 Expressions

Yesterday was pretty frugal - but I spent most of the day napping and in a fog.  My husband and daughter earned close to $40 at the yardsale.  They split it between the two of them.  I came down with a cold - so, after doing some cooking, I hit the hay.  The dryer came and I love it.  My husband and daughter did some coupon shopping for me yesterday at Publix - and they got the free after coupon/rebate boxes (2) of copy paper at Staples.  So, now we shouldn't need paper for at least a year - and some of the school teachers periodically request donations of copy paper - so, now we have it.  I called our local tax assessor - about any change in property tax appraisals - she said if I didn't receive a change in April - there is no change - or there willl be a downward adjustment - I won't complain about that.  The only property that is still out-of-line is our foreclosure property - and hopefully in a month or so, we will get a notice of the downward adjustment - with some of $ we already paid refunded back :)  I also re-allocated some of our retirement funds.  The funds were had in the most conservative funding - I moved into the 2nd most conservative indexed fund.  The funds in large and small US cap are still there and the only funds that will any new funding.  What went into the indexed fund is the "high" that we reached in 2007 before the market started tanking. We are too close to retiring to weather such a big roller coaster ride.  Oh, and I purchased a gift for the family on Groupon - 4 hours of deep cleaning by 2 technicians for $150.  That will be our holiday gift to ourselves - start off the new year with a cleaner house.

9/7 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I applied for the AMEX Business card for our renal business last night and was approved.  $500 for spending $5000 in 3 months.   I negotiated a $25 rebate on our dryer from Lowes.  The dryer they delivered today was not operational.  So, for tomorrow's delivery, a floor model that is in perfect condition.  Also, we are suppose to be the first delivery.  We have laundry piled up.  I suppose we could have washed them and hung them outside. I spent $25 at Publix this afternoon and saved $18 with coupons.  Some of my best deals were the Silk protien drink - quart on sale for 2/$4 and there are printable $1 off coupons at coupon.com - of course I went through mypoint.com so I can hopefully earn enough points shortly to get a gift card.  Also a good deal - for less than $1 - I got my daughter a box of that Magnum ice cream (bars) - new flavor mint - it is BOGO at Publix - and coupon.com has $1 off.  Same good deal on Honey Nut Cherios - BOGO at $3.XX - and I printed a $1/2 coupon.  Sour cream - Friendlys was dirt cheap too - BOGO - around $2 and there are .70 blinkies right next to them - so around .30 a tub plus tax.  Now I am making home made pizza - could have used the Kruesteuz Italian bread dough mix that was on clearance for .69 a box - got 2 - but instead - used the quick rise yeast packets I got with a coupon off.  Tonight, we are preparing for the yardsale tomorrow.  Hope we get rid of a lot of stuff - and earn a bit of cash :)  Oh, picked fresh basil and rosemary from my own "garden" box  for the vegetarian pizza. 

9/6 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I am gathering items for our community yardsale this weekend.  Tomorrow, the dog gets groomed with a discounted giftcard.  In addition, I am returning 2 items to the store that I bought last weekend.  I was also surprised to see the amount the condo earned last month (net) - it seems the expenses are lower.  I am printing coupons for more Dollar Tree cheapies - Rinaldi .50 coupon, Solo .50 coupons, etc. I am going to do a bit of stocking up because the holiday season is coming up and that means office parties - plates & cups are always in demand.

9/2 Expressions

Pictured today is half of my edamame "crop" :)  Free seeds through listia.  Seems we have appliance breakdowns near holidays.  I guess that is frugal :(  Anyway, our dryer quit working - and so, since appliances are on sale at Lowes for Labor day - and they are having free delivey and take-away - my husband ran down with a 10% off coupon and my discounted gift card - and paid the rest with the card he needs to spend $ on to get the $400 bonus.  So, we will be dealing with hanging laundry in the garage for the next couple of days as the dryer won't be delivered until Friday.  We are having my dad over for lunch - it has already rained this a.m. - but we think we can get the bbq going in a few minutes.  I am going to bake some red potatoes - 5 lbs/.99 at Aldi and make some pear/spinach salad - before the ingredients goes bad - got a large pear for free at Kroger w/coupon last weekend and 2 small ones from our tree that have finally ripened.  Also, Bushes baked beans will be heated.  Easy for me. 

9/1 Expressions

Pictured is an okra that is growing in a planter on my deck.  The seeds were free from Listia.  Yesterday, I also got a "free" large bottle of CVS brand cocoa buter lotion - when my husband did that get a free gas card shop - at the bottom of the receipt was a coupon for $3 off any CVS brand lotion - I just got the lotion which was $2.XX and after deducting the coupon - the cashier said - "you'er good" :)  Not sure what all I am doing today - but we decided to invite my dad over for a bbq - hope the weather holds up.  So, I will have to some unexpected grocery shopping.  I do plan to stop at Earthfare - the coupon this week is $5 for 5 different condiments - all organic :)