4/27 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  We got lots of rain today - so, no need to water - for a few days.  The only thing I managed was to mail out the half.com order.

4/26 Expressions

Mail bag:  free mascara from Clinque.  My daughter and I ate out this evening w/a Restaurant.Com gift certificate - food was fantasic - $2 for a $25 off $35 certificate.  We brought home leftovers for tomorrow.  We are expecting bad weather tomorrow - good thing I planted my Hydrangeas in pots - and hadn't taken the other plants out of their pot - they are now all in the garage.  Added - I made a half.com sale and I have a few small checks - so, I will deposit/mail all in one trip at lunch tomorrow.  Another frugal tip - I re-use mailer envelopes and bubblewrap - especially from the freebies - I carefully peel off the previous labels - so, that saves a bit too.  Mailers are pretty expensive.  I have not purchased any in years.

4/25 Expressions

Frugal deed for the day:  One of our rental properties has 52 Mature (the tenant counted) Pine Trees.  We have had some bad storms lately and the tenant is concerned that limbs will fall and smash into the house.  So, last month, my husband and I agreed if the real estate manager would get us 3 quotes, we would be happy to cut any down that were damaged - or could damage the house.  We are tree lovers and do want to cut trees down just to cut them - or for cut them down for money.  We have had a few trees cut down and some limbs removed - and it isn't cheap.  The Manager called me today to tell me the storm we had last week caused a large tree limb to fall and hit the deck of our house and cause damage.  The tenant agreed to repair it himself - the manager told him we would reimburse him for the materials if he would provide the receipts.  Next, he said he saw a logger in the area and asked him some questions.  The logger stated he would cut the trees down, if he could get a "load" 12 of our mature Pine trees - for free.  My husband and I discussed it, and agreed.  So, the trees closest to the house will go.  Our only condition was, that the stumps be ground down so, that we don't have a bunch of stumps in the yard.  The Manager stated that the tenant agreed he would do it himself if the logger didn't.  So, everyone is happy.  We have minimal costs going out.  We do have insurance, but, the deductible is $1,000 - so, the tenant doing the repairs for material cost only will be great - and the Manager said it should just be a few pieces of wood.

More 4/24 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  My daughter and I just came back from Lowes - I wanted to do some yard work and take advantage of the gorgeous day.    Easter lillies are on clearance for $1, got 1, Hydrangea - originally $14.98 were $2 - got 2, bulbs were 1/2 priced - got 1 bag, and a sweet nectarine tree with 5 small nectarines for $29.99 - 1 year guarantee.  They all needed water - but are looking pretty good.  Oh, a Gerbera Daisy in a fancy planter was originally $21 - clearanced to $7 because the pot is cracked.  I also got a few more bags of potting soil and pine nuggets for the flower beds.  Oh, I got a gallon of stain also.  I am going to repurpose an antique chair to the kitchen built in desk.  So, I will restain it - and change out the seat cushion (has a rip) - I am going to find fabric from old clothing we have and re-use the piping.  My daughter also needed school notebooks - so, we stopped at Wal-mart and also looked for a few good deals with coupons.  I got 2 Reach Floss for free, 2 individual sized Skinny Cows for .22 each, 2 bags of Terra Chips for .79 each too.  So, right now, I have the plants soaking in water - and need to get outside and start digging.  I have decided to skip the "Y" today and count the digging as my exercise :)

4/24 Expressions

I am always on the look-out for frequent flyer miles - and saw this deal posted on mymoneyblog:
British Airways 100k Miles Promo – Booking Award Tickets On American Airlines Using British Airways Miles

I signed up my husband and myself.  My daughter is not old enough :(  But, I believe we can get to Europe economically next year anyway.  This is the first "deal" I have signed-up for where the annual fee was not waived - $95 - but it would certainly still be worth it.  The $2,500 spending in 3 months to get the second installment of miles - 50K is steeper too - still definitely worth it to us.  I am not suggesting this deal to anyone, please do your own research and make an informed assessment yourself as YMMV.  And as always, we pay-off our balance each month to avoid interest charges.

More 4/23 Expressions

Such a beautiful day today - thought I'd upload pictures of the lone dwarf iris in the weed patch and freebie irises I received a couple of years ago - very frugal indeed.

4/23 Expressions

Mailbag!  Today, I got my first "Sample Box" - as pictured.  Nice to get useful goodies and coupons.  I also got my two gift cards for $55 in Darden Restaurant shopping and a rebate check.  Mainly ran errands today.  Stopped at the library to read while waiting for my daughter.  That was a frugal as it gets - for today.