12/30 Expressions

Today, we have a frugal-fun filled day planned. My daughter and I will be seeing "Marley & Me" for "free" - used the fandango code from a $25 Home Depot Gift Card. Before arriving at the movies, plan to drop off my husband's beloved Pepsi cans off at the recycler. After the movie, plan to pick-up a few staples/produce at Aldi - hopefully covered by the "recycle" money. Then, later this afternoon, I plan to read lots of magazines while my daughter uses her holiday gift money to get her hair "done". Just wanted to mention that yesterday, I picked-up 2 boxes of Nestle Marshmallow Cocoa for .25 a box - they were on sale for 2/$2 at Wal-mart and I had 2 .75 off coupons I printed off the internet - either coupons.com or smartsource.com - I got those while picking up a bag of potting soil. I finally set-up my indoor "garden". I planted lettuce and basil seeds in a large bowl and in a small cooking pot (both items from the kitchen that I no longer use for various reasons)- I planted Lavender both containers fit on a nice "ocean themed" stand near a large window in my dining room. Hopefully, a few nice salads and a natural nice fragrance are in our near future :)

12/29 Expressions

If you are a fan of Coldwater Creek, here is a promotional code for 70% off: WXH6446 and don't forget to go through your favorite savings site, mine is mypoints. I generally shop the outlet and got a few nice pieces for office wear without breaking the bank. And if you are looking for place to eat on New Year's day, Chick Fil-A just e-mailed me and said if I (and probably you too) make any purchase on the 1st between 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., you will get a free chicken biscuit on your next visit (I am thinking a coupon for a free chicken biscuit). Off to drop off donations and run a few other errands.

12/28 Expressions

If you have a Kroger, this week will be a good one to combine Proctor & Gamble products on sale with a $5 off your order if you purchase $25 in qualifying products with coupons you might have received in the mail, Sunday paper, and coupons you can load onto your Kroger card. Also, if you have receipts for qualifying P&G products, you can send off for $120 in P&G coupons. I did the deal, but the coupons loaded on the card did not deduct - so, I have an e-mail in - hopefully, I won't have to return the items to the store. Also today, finished getting items ready to donate to a local thriftstore and have some clothes ready to take to the dry cleaners with my $2.19 per item coupon. I was invited to a semi-formal milestone birthday extravaganza thrown by a former office-mate. I ordered a black velvet/organza dress off of ebay for $18. The dress is a tad bit too short. Good thing the colors are black/gold/silver - or any combination - so, I stopped at Hancock fabric and was able to find gold fabric with laced edges on both sides - I am cutting off both sides to add to the bottom of the dress and plan to the middle part of the lace to fabric to create a shawl - I am hoping to piece together black velveteen fabric from a pair of pants together for that. So, the fabric for 1.5 yards was around $12. I figured I needed atleast 2 yards of lace - for similar quality size - it was $7.49 a yard - so, I did well, I think :)

SEARS - BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE RANT!

Okay, I posted earlier that we were to have an over-the-range microwave installed at an empty rental unit - to be occupied in a few days. My husband is over there waiting for the installer - who calls 55 minutes after the appointment time to state he is still 30 minutes away. My husband called Sears - and what do they do - apologize and ask if he'd like to schedule another appointment. Then I called the 800 number - I was told they are really sorry and they will notify the store of a complaint - but the store may or may not respond. Okay - I just realized why I don't often shop at Sears - and won't be in the future! I have half a mind to ask my husband to cancel and buy the microwave elsewhere! hrumph! What do I want - Sears to set a standard - if scheduled installer is running late - call the store to have someone else do the installation - or have them call the customer before the scheduled time so the customer can do something else with their time . . .

12/26 Expressions

Last minutes financial tasks to complete for 2008: Pay property taxes - done (except the one that is being protested). Although I was charged a convenience fee, I paid on-line with my frequent flyer miles credit card. I am short the miles needed to fly to Hawaii in 2009. We have pretty much agreed to go this summer to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary and birthday. Also will be paying a big chunk on our HELOC principle. Next month's rate should be in the high 2's (percent). We had one tenant move out on the 8th of Dec and a new one moving in on 1 January - they are paying 1/2 days rent for a few days in December to start moving their stuff in. In any case, we are meeting the installers from Sears to have a new over-the-range microwave installed. Today and through the rest of the weekend, I plan to go through the house and find/itemize items to donate. More clutter gone and a tax deduction. No shopping planned - but we do plan to use the free movie tickets (from purchasing Home Depot gift cards last month) today or sometime this weekend to watch a new release. Lots of leftovers, so not much cooking this weekend either. Booked a few days at our beach condo next week and went through mypoints to order a few 80% off certificates at restaurant.com. (Too bad I didn't wait until today - because the deal is is 80% off - but you get a free $25 certificate if you spend at least $11 - if you do, don't forget to go thru mypoints (6 points per dollar) and use the code: CELEBRATE.

12/24 Expressions

Last night while watching the local news, a reporter was interviewing the local(?) manager of Sears/K-mart and asking about their new strategies - he said something about starting "lay-aways" again at Sears so people won't have to charge things on the credit card . . . then he said something about being frugal was not a desirable trait - but is now.

12/23 Expressions

This year, we definitely won't be needing calendars. We've had 3 different realtors, 2 unknown, 1 our property manager, send us calendars, fridge magnets, pens, holiday cards. Freebies in the mail today: re-usable shopping bag and baseball type cap.