1/31 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  The last day of the month.  Financially we did okay - I met the savings goal for my daughter, we paid all of taxes, etc.  But, I did not make my own personal savings goal (for misc. - another condo?, etc).  So, the "house" owes me a bit of $ - which I hope to re-coup next month - when the only high bill should be the property tax bill on the foreclosure - which we have protested - and hopefully we will get a partial refund on.  I got the silver/silver plated? coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowls from shopgoodwill - needs to be polished - but under $20 including shipping - so not so bad.  I have always wanted one - but never wanted to pay more than $20 :)  Did I mention we sold a book on half.com - well, I need to get it wrapped (recycled mailer) and will stop at the bank at lunch tomorrow with my $5 coins and a few rebate checks and get a nice cup of coffee too.  ADDED:  Pictured above are the clearanced flowers I purchased from Kroger this weekend - $3 for the entire bouquet.  I just an did an hour of cooking/kitchen clean-up.  I made a batch of salad (used up 2 pears/Artisan lettuce/1 apple/dried cranberries/wine vinegar/olive oil), boiled 6 eggs, 1 small batch of brown rice, and Thai Green Curry (from a jarred mix) - it is delicious - used up potatoes, carrots, and onions.  Now we have quick and fairly healthy lunches and dinners for the next couple of days.

1/30 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  At lunch today, I gave myself a French manicure and knitted a few more rows on my rag rug.  Mail was good today - got two refund checks.  Sadly, my listing on ebay was cancelled by ebay because of the manufacturers complaint - so, instead of trying to resolve the issue - I will list it on craigslist this weekend.  Finally had enough dimes to make a $5 roll.  Heard back from the city about the possibility of them buying our beachfront lot - they are very interested - but won't be able to do anything until they settle with BP.  I would rather it be developed.

1/29 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  We picked up the items that did not sell from the consignment and took 2 more items.  Then we used the credit to buy a metal wall hanging.  The rest of the day was not too frugal . . .

1/28 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Today I listed one item on Listia.com - I want to earn more credits so I can bid on more vegetable seeds and I listed one item on ebay.com - to add to our fun money when we travel to Paris.  Other than that, we shopped at TJ Maxx for school shoes for my daughter and some clothes - used up the rest of the gift cards and then some.  But, she got brand new, name brand shoes for $10 and $15 a pair.  We got a bunch of fruits and veggies from Aldi and spent $11 there.  Then to Kroger - and shopped the Manager's Specials in the organic department and stocked up on the specials.  We rented two DVDs and called it a day.  My husband sprayed the weeds in the front yard.  Tomorrow, my daughter and I are going to have lunch and watch a movie with her best friend and her mom.  Nice we all get along :)

1/27 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Mail call:  got my $25 Wal-Mart giftcard from cashing in credit card points and will use it to fill-up the car.  Got a free sample of Crystal Light and a coupon for $1.00 off the product.  Got the vegetable seeds I "won" on Listia.  I also won an auction today on shopgoodwill.com for new, with box baking pans - 5 of them - all nice quality for $20.XX shipped.  My husband and I went out for lunch at Brueggers using a BOGO sandwich coupon (from the coupon book my daughter bought) and we paid for the other and drinks with our giftcard.  My husband picked up coin wrappers for free from the bank.  He also stopped at the Post Office for the set-priced Priority Mailboxes as I want to start selling again.  Oh, and I got the lot of silver/silver plated item from shopgoodwill.com today - all better than I expected.  And I got my hair done for $15 plus tip at the beauty school - just because :)  Oh, and my husband will picked up BOGO take 'n bake pizzas for dinner tonight.

1/26 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I added some roasted peppers to my brocolli/tomato salad.  I have had very little food waste this week.  I even used the brocolli stocks in my salad (peeled the "skin" off).  I am just amazed how fast this week has gone by.  This morning I took my daughter to school - and since I got up at my regular time - washed up the few remaining dishes and made breakfast for the both of us.  Nice to have a little leisurely time in the a.m.  Added:  Whoo hoo - I won a 1 yr subscription to  BETTER HOMES & GARDENS from Purex Insider :)

1/25 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I made progress on my rag rug during lunch today.  I have been thinking about better utilizing my yard to produce food.  This year I am going to make a more concerted effort.  Instead of having my "garden" in the shade - I am going to move it a sunny part of the yard.  I should have some nice compost also.  I saw a neighbor's box garden - I may have to steal that idea :)   Added:  Just checked through my "tracking tickets" on ebates - I did not receive credit for two purchases - almost immediately, ebates credited me the $ for the two purchases - hey, $5.XX is $5.XX.  And not bad for a few minutes worth of work.