12/3 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Tonight, we ate a sorta free gourmet dinner.  It was our HOA holiday party and the food was catered - and yummy.  Mail was excellent too:  I got a rebate check - and a $5 off Millstone coffee coupon - not sure if I won it or what - but I am trying to spend as little as possible on coffee grounds. 

12/2 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I made cranberry/orange scones today from fresh cranberries and zest from one my oranges.  Not all that pretty - but they were tasty - and the pieces missing were from three people trying them out - not just me.  I sold 1 item on ebay.  Have my half.com and listia.com sales ready to go.  Just waiting for the buyer to pay.  I have two crafts ready for lunch time this week.  One will use 2 of my daughter's childhood t-shirts for an upcycled "scarf".  The other, already crocheted rectangles that I will stitch together to make my daughter an interesting infinity-type scarf.  I changed out the front door wreath.  I now have our holiday wreath out - purchased 4 years ago - I think from Goodwill.  Still looks as good as it did then. 

12/1 Expressions

I can't believe it is December already.  Believe me, I am ready for it.  Anyway, the dog got groomed with a discounted Petsmart Gift Card.  I sold another book on half.com  I am waiting for my auctions to end on ebay tomorrow and my item on listia.  I also hope to list a few more items too.  We shall see, but I am hoping to get this house declutters and in shape to sell by the summer of 2014.  That seems a long ways away, but in reality, it would probably take that long to get everything in order.   Part way through this month, we will have 2 vacancies.  I am hoping they both get filled quickly.  The attorney filing the BP claim keeps sending me e-mails that he is going to call me shortly - uh, stop e-mailing me that you are going to call - and just e-mail me what you want to tell me.  Is that so hard?  I have been playing with the Rule 72T distribution calculator here:  http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/retirement/72-t-distribution-calculator.aspx  Why?  Once the house is sold, I am thinking of taking a "deferred" retirement.  So, I can start drawing down my 401K equivalent until I hit my minimum retirement age.

11/26 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I received a rebate check in the mail.  That was a nice surprise.  I did NO cyber-Monday shopping.  A first for me.  This year I will probably give gift cards from my credit card points.  Oh, we are doing a gift swap at work - and I have the perfect gift in the closet :)  My daughter made an appointment to take a few more items to the consignment store.  Dog's Petsmart appointment has been made.  Only rocky news, 2 tenants have given their 30 day notice - both leases expired.  Hope they fill soon after they vacate.

11/25 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Eventually we plan to sell the house we live in.  We have a lot of stuff.  For some reason, the older I get, the less stuff excites me.  So, I found 5 things and listed them on ebay.  I found something to list on listia also.  When my daughter and I went to the consignment store, we noticed they opened a "home good" section - so, the pictures that are prefectly good from the condo will be cleaned up and taken during the next appointment.  Also, we have used the vet at Petsmart a few times.  She is really good with the dog - albeit a bit busy - but a lot cheaper than our regular vet.  So, the regular vet sent a post with routine stuff that needs to get done.  We have never walked out of her office for under $150.  So, we will give Petsmart a whirl - and hopefully save a few bucks and get great service - at a more convenient location. 

Added:  Speaking of Petsmart, late in the afternoon, ABC Giftcards sent me an e-mail stating they were part of the American Express Small Business Saturday Deal.  I guess I cold have registered both of my Amex cards, but I only registered one, and purchased a Petsmart gift card that was discounted 15% - as close to the $25 as possible - I think I spent $32.XX - and hopefully, I will get a $25 statement credit.  Hows that for saving on pet expenses?

11/24 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  My daughter and I made a quick run to CVS to use a $4 off $20 coupon and the ecbs I had earned earlier in the week.  Black Friday - I did not leave the house; tried to order a freebie on-line - the site was slammed - and I gave-up.  I did sell an item on half.com.  Today, my daugher and I took some items to the consignment store and found articles of clothing that we will upcycle for her.  She and a group of friends did go to some Black Friday sales.  She ended up buying one pair of boots for $19.99.  I am glad she did not get caught up buying things just for the sake of a sale.  We still have leftovers - so, we bought minimal items are Kroger and Aldi to get us through the week. 

Added:  I did stop at Aldi to pick-up a few items to round out the leftovers.  There was a clearance bin and I got a .25 jar of all natural butternut squash pasta sauce and a .25 box of ingredients to make pumpkin whoopie pies.  And, in the spirit of not going overboard, although there was plenty - and a few other pumpkin themed items, I only purchased 1 of each in addition to the items I had on my list.

11/20 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  AMVETS picked up 4 bags of clothes, some stuffed animals, and a cork board.  That's a start toward decluttering and I they left a tax receipt.  My husband received his cookware from the Proctor and Gamble offer I did several months ago.  It was buy $XX worth of P&G products and get the cookware.  I got a rebate check and sold a DVD on half.com - which I will mail out tomorrow.  And to use up some of the first class stamps I earned as a mail decoy, I have placed some stamps on the recycled envelope and will pay the difference with the change in my purse.