9/30 Farewell September Issue

Time sure has flown.  Early this morning, I went to McD's to redeem my free breakfast sandwich coupon - and I wanted a strong coffee (I know, coffee always seems to taste better when it is made by someone else) and 1 hashbrown - I will admit it - I wanted a game piece.  Much to my surprise - when I went to pay - the lady in front of me paid my bill.  I yelled out thank-you to her - and she just smiled and waved.  Of course my hashbrowns did not have a game piece on it - but, it didn't bother me a bit.  Much to my surprise - I got a code for a free Redbox rental from McD's from entering my codes last night - must have been one of those times I thought there was a glitch :)  My house is smelling so "fallish" - I made that word up.  I peeled some potatoes, carrots, and chopped some onions, and added some green beans previously cooked in lemon and olive oil and a mystery pack of seasoning - I think it came from an Enchilada kit - and placed them in the crockpot.  I am going to puree the veggies shortly - I hope my vegetarian daughter will love the soup as much as I love the smell.  I think I will have a bowl or two myself :)  Not that I really want to rant after such nice things have happened to me - but, I just got notified that the inspection team completed their inspection of our condo.  The condo evaluation has not been uploaded yet - but the "inventory" list has been - this is the third year in a row that sticky fingers has run off with oven broiler pan :(  Fortunately, the list is shorter - 3 wine glasses, measuring cup, one steak knife, and a cooking spoon.  So, I will be stopping at Homegoods with my discounted giftcard and getting what I can there - and my $5 P&G Visa Card to use at the Dollar Tree to get the measuring cups, cooking spoon and 3 wine glasses - and will pay taxes with the change in my wallet.  I am glad I called to ask them to make our condo inspection a priority.  It looks like the condo is open this weekend - although the rest of the month is pretty much booked - so, it may be a great opportunity to make a quick run down and make any repairs noted in the inspection (hopefully none :) - and replace the inventory  - while taking in the waves ourselves.

9/30 Expressions

The early addition:  two free codes to play the on-line version of McDonald's Monopoly are:  GOPLAYATMCD and CODEFORMORE.  Sadly, at our McD's, hashbrowns are no longer 2 for $1 - so, the most cost effective way for me to get game pieces is to send in a SASE for 4 game pieces.  "Stamps" generally do not cost me money - just a bit of my time - as I am a mail decoy and get at least 10 first class postage stamps per month.  Also, starting today - the new Cooking Up Early Detection rebate is out - spend $30 of qualifying P&G products and get approximately $50 value of cooking products - including a frying pan.  I am really enjoying the set I got last year - the measuring cups, etc.

9/29 Expressions

Frugal deed for the day:  Did I mention I found another rebate form yesterday - this one was get $5 back when you spend $50 on groceries.  So, it was a double play for me yesterday at Publix.  I used my $6 off $60 from Kroger, plus other coupons, and mailed in for a $5 rebate on top of that.  Today, I got a $5 prepaid Visa from Proctor & Gamble for the rebate I submitted approximately a month ago.  I also found some elastic in one of my sewing bins and now, my favorite velour sweat pants - no tears - just bad elastic - are as good as new.  Got another property tax bill for another rental.  Due now, considered late after the last day of the year - so, we pay them all at the end of December.  My husband called the tax assessor for our foreclosure property - they still have not made a determination as to what the final valuation will be.  Too bad they don't pay interest :(  I just called and paid the balance of our insurance (auto/property) on my new AMEX card - have til almost the end of the year to earn the $500.  My husband is working on earning $400 on his Visa card.

9/28 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  I plan to go to yoga tomorrow and then, use my on-line coupon for a spa mani-pedi - two hours of luxurious relaxation :)  My daughter is giving herself a mani/pedi for an event tomorrow - and I found a $10 smart-phone coupon for her to use at Sephora for her polish.  I got my discounted gift cards and plan to some shopping this weekend.  I have one for Lowes - I want to start purchasing wood floor laminate or engineered wood for the rest of the second floor.  I also want to buy some blueberry bushes - have not had luck with the ones I purchased previously - one died and we got our $ back - the other one just did not produce fruit - so, I thought maybe if I added a few more plants - perhaps I could start my own blueberry patch :)  My dream is to have a varied orchard in my back yard. 

9/25 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I am home today - so, I decided to do some "cooking ahead" to save some time and money.  I made 2 zucchini casseroles for the freezer since they are a hit with the vegetarian - and they should freeze well.  I got the recipe on www.recipezaar.com  Then I made 2 vegetarian pizzas.  One for dinner and one is already in the freezer.  It has grape tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions - feta & mozzarella too.  I also picked most of my soy beans and they are in the freezer.  I picked 1 okra as it was pulling the plant toward the deck. 

9/24 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Mail call - Kroger sent some nice coupons.  One for a free pound of shredded cheese, $1.50 off $7 in the frozen food department and $6 off $60 X 2.  I also picked all of my lettuce - for the chicken salad last night and have enough for 3 meals.  I am contemplating picking soy beans and okra to put in the freezer.  The weather is much cooler - so, I should bring in the cactus plants the neighbor gave us. 

More 9/23 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I made my savings goal for this month - although I will have to transfer a few $ into savings from checking to make the exact goal.  Wow - just 3 more months - and it will be a new year.  I am hoping to make my annual savings goal.  I already pre-made some lunches - chicken salad.  I asked my daughter to concentrate to use up what we have in the fridge.  So, I made another batch of tzakiki - now I am down to 1 cucumber for the .20 Aldi sale.  My daughter also picked up 2 12 packs of Rite Aid brand toilet paper - they are on sale for $5.99 with a $2 up reward - limit 2.  I tried to get her do multiple transactions - use the $2 up reward on the second one.  Well, that doesn't work any more :(  The UP rewards, apparently are electronic now, and don't post to your account til after 6 a.m. the next day - double sad face.