5/16 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  It doesn't hurt to ask the grocer if you can still have the sale a day after it ends.  Lobster tails were on sale for $5/each.  Today, the price was $7.99 - I asked if I could get them for $5 - sure enough I could - and the lady behind me ask for a couple herself :)  My daughter and I finally have been going to the community gym - part of our HOA fees.  Today, while out and about running errands - I used my sticker card for a free large McCafe - not healthy, but sure yummy for a warm day - and free :)

5/12 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  Happy Mother's Day!  My husband made breakfast - and I have agreed to go to a Chinese Buffet for lunch - w/10% off coupon :)  Otherwise, I will spend the rest of the day painting and do other chores around the house to keep our maintenance/decorating bill low when we move.  DH is going to the Dollar Tree to see if they have painter's tape and sand paper for a $1 a pack.  If not, he will get them at Wal-Mart which is right next door.   I took a vacation day tomorrow.  Although the lady that writes estimates for the granite counter tops for the bathrooms won't be here until Friday morning - I will be checking out the 3 $29/sqft granite at the store.  I just need to keep moving to make sure we get as much stuff that we can done DIY, before starting to fork out cash.  But, I have a plan in place that is reasonable.

5/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I got my hair cut/styled, eye brows waxed and a French manicure at the beauty school.  Then to Aldi - I picked up several things - but the .99 strawberries were the hit of the day.  I just made crepes for dessert - used the recipe in my old Betty Crocker cookbook - and used whipped topping from Aldi also.  I "won" a sticker filled card for a free McCafe at McDonalds, and a $5 Best Buy card on Listia.  Then, I took a few broken pieces of jewelry to be repaired.  I "won" some Mikimoto pearls - necklace was broken - but there were 31 pearls and 1 on the clasp - just in eye balling the pearls - the jeweler stated they were worth about $200.  I am paying $38 to get them re-strung into a bracelet for my daughter.  My husband bought me ruby earrings ages ago - he said he didn't pay more then $100 - one earring needed repair - cost $20 - she estimated the earring by itself was worth $300.  My husband was shocked.  I found a few more items to put into the yardsale.

5/10 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the week:  The rain is not cooperating - but the hedge trimming, house trimming work is suppose to start today.  Since the work is being done/managed by a tenant in another house, my husband was will to pay a higher price - based on his reputation.  However, the other bidder offered to paint the front door - and this one didn't - so, my husband is going to ask if he can throw that in.  I am "off" from my day job today - so, I have an appointment at the beauty school to get my hair cut - $15 plus tip - and a free manicure since I booked in advance.  Not too shabby for a pre-mother's day pampering.  So, since we are probably moving - instead of eating out, I asked if we could just get some work done around the house - and have breakfast in bed :)  This weekend, I will work on getting "stuff" together for the community yard sale next week and go from there.  Lots of stuff to do.  I have already started submitting change of address forms - those freebie postage stamps I get from being a "mail decoy" sure come in handy.

5/5 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  To get ready for a move, I have cleaned out all recycled items out of my kitchen cabinet - like aluminum pie tins, butter tubs, etc.  They are now all in the recycling bin.  I have started cooking out the fridge/freezer/pantry in earnest.  I sold a few items on ebay.  I have slowly started filling out change of address forms.  Freebie for the day:  while at Books-a-Million - I received a sample of the their new Sea Salt Caramel Frappe - yum - and sample size was enough.  So much to do, I just need to keeping putting one foot in front of the other.  I realize I could always pay someone to do some of the things around the house - and we will hire professional help where needed - but being a frugal sort - I'd like to save myself a bit of $.

4/29 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I cut the lawn - and skipped yoga.  Skipping yoga was cheaper than paying someone to mow the lawn.   I also earned $5.89 from ebates - so, I opted for an Amazon e-card.  Tomorrow, I will try to find a good deal on granite sink tops for the bathroom.  If I can get a reasonable price, I will go ahead and have it done since the sinks in this house are the original - about 20 years old - I find them kind of charming - shell sinks in porcelain. 

4/28 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I finally listed some more items on-line.  I am going to finish the sewing machine work on the quilt I am making for my dad - and then taking it to work - to do the quilting by hand during lunch.  I have a better cabinet paint - read about it in Good Housekeeping - use high gloss enamel - and the Lowe's Rep recommended an additive so that paint brush strokes won't be visible.  I got my husband to get the mower ready for me - he wasn't able to cut the grass this weekend - too much rain - still raining - but since we live in a HOA - I will need to do it.  I also got him to get out the pressure washer - I am going to work on the deck next.  Did I mention that I got a nice job offer - not all of the details are worked out yet.  But in any case, I want the house ready to sell.