7/31 Expressions

Freecycle: We had a freecycle group in our area start-up years ago. I signed-up - but never participated in giving or receiving. I was just "lurking". Anyway, all of a sudden it was gone. Last month, I thought about checking it out again, and sure enough, a group had started again. This will be a good way to get rid of stuff too. People ask for moving boxes - uh, we have some that we were slowly dumping when there was room in the trash. Now, when we get a bunch emptied, I know how to get rid of them quickly and put them to good use. But anyways, years ago, we had a small round dining table that was taking up space in the garage. I gave it to a recently divorced co-worker. Fast-forward to today, I just got one from freecycle (well, I pick it up tomorrow). We have a "bonus" room. I want to make it the family "game" room. We can keep board games, etc. in there and now, we'll have a table and chairs too. Last week, I got a Nintendo 64 - believe me, I know nothing about this stuff, but my daughter said - even though it is an old game system, she'd like it to play "Pac-man". So, there's a start to our game - perhaps hobby room. I figure if we give it a purpose - it won't become a junk room.

Coupons: Publix mailed me some nice coupons today. $5 off $30, etc. So, I printed a few coupons from web-sites to coincide with their BOGO sale. Since my husband and daughter will be making a stop at Aldi tomorrow, I probably won't need much. But, I am hoping to combine coupons at Publix and get some good deals and stay within our budget.

Condo Principal Payment: Today, I made a large "principal only" payment toward our condo. I am hoping to have it paid off by next summer.

7/29 Expressions

Rant: Wow - my daughter attends public school. She is now a middle schooler. Yikes, today, I thought I was just picking up her schedule. Good thing I had my checkbook - they don't take credit cards - and ended up paying $180 in registration fees and "donations". Now, not only are the school supply lists a lot longer than when I was in middle school - but, fees are charged. You'd think they'd send "newbie" parents a letter warning them about these types of things. Yup, $20 of those fees were for using a locker, and mailing report cards. I would have gladly paid an additional .42 for an additional letter.

7/28 Expressions

Planning: To save on gas, money and time, we made semi-annual dental cleaning appointments for my husband and daughter. (Entire cleaning is covered by insurance, thank goodness). Our dentist is a bit out of the way, but we really like him. He is an old fashioned dentist. So, on the way, they will drop off the bags of soda cans we have been saving for a few bucks at the recycling center. Aldi is also out of the way for us - but is just down the street from the dentist. So, they will make a stop there and pick up some good deals and a few favorites. And that comes to what I received in the mail today, a durable shopping bag - great to use at Aldi :) Oh, and the dentist always throws in a few freebies, a new toothbrush, but sometimes also sample of toothpaste and dental floss.

7/26 Expressions

Frugal Today: We don't plan to leave the house today or spend any $. We are all cleaning and decluttering. Meals have been created around what we have. Tomorrow's groceries will be just enough to get us through. I want to use up the stuff in the pantry and track what we have so that things don't expire. Decluttered stuff will be consigned, yard saled, given away, thrown away, or repurposed. It is amazing how easy it is to spruce up a room with curtains that were stored in a box, etc.

Gas Card Give Away at Personal Finance at Money Ning: Hop on over to to Money Ning http://moneyning.com/free-stuff/mail-we-love-free-gas-cards-giveaway/ and win yourself a gas card. What could be more frugal?

7/25 Expressions

Financials/Entertainment: Our American Airlines AmEx Cards arrived in the mail. We will be buying Kroger gift cards this weekend to spend our $750 so that we can get 25,000 miles and earn 10% on the Kroger Cards. I also received a survey check in the mail.

Food: Tonight's dinner? Turkey burgers garnished with the last bits of cheese, mushrooms, and garden fresh sauteed zucchini. Yummy. After dinner, banana/yogurt smoothies. We also picked 3 more strawberries out of the garden for garnish.

Frugal Tips: A co-worker shared a local website where we can try to get a gift card for half price to local eateries, etc. I shared information about mystery shopping and getting reimbursed some or all of your expenses.

7/24/08 Expressions

Food: My food bargain of the day - we harvested our first zuchini from our garden.

Gifts: For a family member's birthday, we will take him out to lunch at a nice restaurant. The lunch menu is very affordable and they sent us a $20 gift certificate to join their e-mail club. The gift, Bluberry Jam and Onion/peppers relish from Harry & Davids - both are a favorite and I picked them up months ago at an outlet mall on sale with a coupon. I also saved a gold/tan box from the holidays from Harry & Davids and wrapped the jars in tissue paper and placed them in the box. There was a good deal posted on a blog a few weeks ago. Heavily discounted items from AT Cross and a free shipping code. I got a stylus/pen that was originally $30 for $8. This item came nicely boxed. So, I took 4 strands of gold "curling" ribbon - after holiday's sale at CVS - the roll of 3 colors for less than 30 cents - and tied the 2 boxes together and used the scissors to curl the strands. It looks very elegant. My daughter will make a card. Also at the AT Cross sale, I got my husband a new wallet. His is pretty ratty, and I was hoping it would arrive sooner for his birthday. So, he is getting it for a belated birthday present. But the wallet was originally $60 on sale for $15. It is nicely boxes, in its own fabric pouch, and the leather is as "soft as butter".

7/23 Expressions

Financial: Today, I took 10 more items (the limit) to the consignment - making 30 items for this month. To combine errands, I stopped at the bank. I also called the health saver's plan administrator - I was sure we had spent the limit - nope - I have just over $70 I can submit.