1/18 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I am "off" from the day job today - so, I slept in.  Then we headed to the credit union to deposit some checks - including one for .20 (dividend).  To get rid of change - I have started to round the deposit to a dollar amount.  So, that .20 check became 1.00 with change.  My husband and I also got a complimentary cup of coffee at the credit union - it is so yummy.  Then to Wal-mart - mainly to do a bit of coupon shopping.  Free after coupon items included a travel sized pack of Neutrogena face wipes and dental floss.  Cheaper with coupon, 2 Kikoman sauces and 2 tubes of Jenny-o breakfast sausages.  Next door is the Dollar Tree - so, I got a loaf of whole wheat bread, a jar of Jalapeno peppers, some "movie" candy, and some lasagna noodles.  Then to Home Depot to pick-up the rest of the laminate.  We still have some $ left on the discounted giftcard I purchased - so, that should cover any moulding we might need, etc.  Then to Aldi - rounded out groceries there - unfortunately holiday sweets were heavily discounted - so, we got a few.  Then on to Earthfare for a cheap lunch date with my husband.  He still had $10 worth of Tomato bank credit - and they dropped the hot bar down to $5.99 - so, my husband got his lunch, a bottled lemonade, a box of crackers, a free round of brie with coupon, a sample of macaroon for his dessert (we also sampled a few other tasty items while strolling) - unfortunate they were out of the free water and they weren't expected to come in until after the coupon expires.  My husband's total came to under $2.  I got the free brie with my lunch and a few additional groceries items.  Then the cashier reminded us that the meat department was giving out scratch cards.  So, after lunch, we stopped at the meat department and each got 2 pre-made burgers.  The scratch cards yielded 400 points which is the equivalent of $4.  The burgers were $5 plus tax.  And now we have over $4 left on our accounts - so, that will make for another cheap lunch date down the road.   Then, a rarity.  Mail was delivered early.  Today's mail brought another dividend check of .45 - so, that means I will be scroungin .55 in change to go with it.  And Victoria's Secret sent more coupons - free panty was the best of the 3 coupons.  I have lots of things I need to work on - but I am mainly going to work on relaxing today.  I do plan to go to hot yoga - and do some heavy duty cooking - a vegetarian and a meat lasagna for the freezer - and dinner.  That way, I can use up items before they go "bad" - like the second bag of spinach I purchased from Aldi last week.  All bills, big and small got paid today - and no money out of savings  which as a relief.  However, the accounts are very anemic - and not all of the "big" bills have come in - like the one to cut the trees down and there may be a bill for one of the rental properties.  And, as much as I hate to "see" myself get less per paycheck that last year - I guess that is what is going to happen.  Some got offset by cancelling a few optional deductions - but the payroll tax hit, and now I plan to ramp up my 401K equivalent will make the check a bit smaller.  But, in the end , it will be worth it.  I am hoping I am really close to committing to "retiring" from my day job - so, I need to sock away what I can.  I need to re-calculate my deduction - for the catch-up missed for 2 pay periods, and the $500 increase in the "ceiling".

1/17 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Due to bad weather - I only worked 1/2 a day.  Came home and listed 2 DVDs on half.com.  In the mail, my husband and I both got a complimentary night at the Hyatt as an anniversary gift on our cards - not sure if that card has a yearly fee - sure hope not.  Anyway, we are planning a trip to check out some schools for our daughter.  We are hoping to get another free flights/free nights trip scheduled so we have little impact to our savings plan.  This has been a horrible month for expenses.  First half of our property taxes for the out-of-state foreclosure property is due.  Of course the tree cutting bill will be coming.  We are laying laminate.  My savings plan has been de-railed for the month of January.  Hopefully, I will make up for lost time in the next couple of months.  We have reduced/cancelled some services - hopefully, my husband can install the VOIP and we can say good bye to our landline charges.  I cancelled a few optionals from my pay . .  . we are watching food purchases/waste better - and I have 11.5 months to make the goal.

1/15 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I work near Earthfare now - and today, a coupon for 24 bottles of water (my husband and daughter drink these occasionally) for free with the purchase of $10 caught my eye.  So, at lunch today, I purchased some wild caught salmon, natural kettle corn and the water for .54 after my Tomato bank credits and water coupon.  Then after work, I stopped at Rite Aid intent on using my $3 UP reward.  I ended up buying 12 double rolls of TP for just under $2.50 after sale and reward.  Free would have been better - but I will take it :)  So instead of stocking up, I am concentrating on buying what we need.  Since I am in decluttering mode and definitely want to sell our house, if not this summer, next summer, I don't need a stockpile to move.

1/14 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  2 bags of clothing and 1 box of misc. items were picked-up today.  I have made some frugal meals with loss leaders - spinach lasagna, orange cake/orange frosting, shrimp wontons, onion and sweet potato tempura and brown rice.  Made plenty, so, no cooking tomorrow, and easy lunches to pack too.

1/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds and a bust:  Today, I took my daughter for her eye exam - no money out.  But we ordered contacts - and of course I have the receipt to file for under HSA - a small tax saving.  And a "loan" from the HSA account since I haven't paid much in yet.  Anyway, I also asked about my order and lo and behold, it was there - so, I didn't have to make a second trip.  The frugal bust - we went to lunch with the "free" $10 off $20 Restaurant.Com gift certificate.  One of the owners said we could use the certificate - but when we paid the bill - they "forgot" to deduct the $10 - and said use it next time.  I don't think so - the food wasn't great and neither was the service.  So, we are giving that certificate to someone who might like the fare.  Then on to Earthfare  - we picked up some groceries and used the Tomato bank $10 off our order.  Then to Dollar Tree - I picked up 2 packs for Jenny-O Turkey Bacon for tax only after coupon.  Other items I picked-up for $1 each plus tax - Nature's Own bread, 80 count box of green tea, and Jalapeno peppers - $3 plus tax since the bacon was "free".  Then to Aldi.  Then to Starbucks - my daughter and I each got a free tall Vanilla Blonde Coffee - my husband sent me his gift certificate from the facebook offer.  Then we dropped a few items off at the consignment store - and we made a stop at Kroger to pick-up a few things - and a Redbox.  Tomorrow, I hope to declutter a bit more so that I have more for the charitable organization to pick-up on Monday.  I also want to get the loft/hallway ready to lose the carpet so that my husband and I can put down the laminate we purchased.  And yikes - the rental property manager gave us the quotes to remove 6 trees from one of our rental properties - plus to grind the stumps down - one tree fell and narrowly missed the house - knocked-off the shutter - the other 5 are close to house and probably just need to go - since the insurance company is finicky - my husband decided we should not call - so, the best quote from a bonded/licensed tree removal company - $3,200.  Not a good money month for us.  But, it has to be done.  Good thing we have an emergency/savings account - but it hinders my savings progress :(

1/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today, I took 3 coaching sessions on-line from my health insurance company to improve my health and also earn $15 toward deductibles :)  That's the max I can earn during the year.  So, this week, I earned the max of $50.  I also signed up for the Earthfare Tomato Club and now have enough points for a $10 credit.  Mail was good - got 2 coupons from John Frieda.  BOGO hair products - I am almost out of shampoo - if I can find a good price on Shampoo, especially at CVS since I have a giftcard, I may just redeem the coupons.

1/9 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  My work place changed and now I am close to Costco.  So, I decided to set a spending limit and go twice a month.  I went today and was $10 under the spending limit and since Starbucks is in the same parking lot - and always calling my name, I used the facebook coupon for a free tall Vanilla Blonde coffee - and it was quite tasty.  Also, since I got the Nescafe Dolce Gusto pods from Amazon - 3 boxes - I loaded the codes in right away.  Now, 5 more boxes and we get one free.  Then I took a survey from my health insurance company for a $35 debit card toward healthcare deductibles.  Just some small steps to move me closer to our financial goals.