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Feb 01/12
I am planning on making this a really good frugal month
--had to re do mortgage in my name only and got 3.10% for the next two years and what I have left should be pretty much paid by them....
--got a new blouse sort $10.00 org. $30.00 it is a nice print that can be wore with black, brown or purple pants so I will get a lot of wear..I have lost a few lbs so something new is nice.
--leftover pasta for supper
--stopped for a few things at the grocery store and only spent !0.00
How are you doing, danna? 3.1% sounds like a really good deal! I'm in - I really need a this to be a frugal month!! Dsis bought my dinner and paid my way into an art exhibit, since she wanted someone to go with her. Poor cat was at the vet for 3 days (just needed a urine sample but she was non-compliant, lol)- vet only charged for the urinalysis, no board. (Of course they've received a LOT of my money lately...) Still taking lunch, coffee, water, etc to work. Hung a load of laundry in the house - I've managed to develop some arthritis in my left hand making it difficult to hang things outside when it's cold. Wanted a coffee on the way home, but didn't stop, just had some when I got here -DD almost always has a pot on.
I'm always in though I may not post my doings. My lunch frugality finally rubbed off on Boss who pointed out to me that she brought her lunch and didn't buy coffee out and saved $$. I told her great job! Soup party this weekend at our house. People bringing appetizers and desserts and asst. bevs. We will make 3 soups and 4 loaves of bread. Great frugal party to throw. Selling really well on etsy and saving that money. BTW I saw the most beautiful short animated film about reading and the love of books. Since so many of you know the pleasure of the library, you also may want to see it moonbotstudios.com
I REALLY wanted to buy my lunch today-but I compromised. Made a cheddar and romaine lettuce sandwich on multi-grain bread and bought a small chicken and wild rice soup.
Taking boys to movies tomorrow but we will bring our own snacks (it's allowed)
I am trying to shed my Xmas pounds so have been eating mainly fruits/veggies and a little protein all week so saving some $$ there!
Rather than rushing off to Chapters to buy 2 books I've wanted for a long time I ordered them used on Amazon and will wait a couple of weeks (family books-Family First by Dr. Phil and 'How to talk to your kids so they will listen'. Had recommendations for both of them)
Just trying to be as frugal as we can to save as much as we can!
Got my $50 rebate check from my credit card. Had to buy a new headlight bulb, but got it put in for free (which I can do myself, but my wrist is acting up and I didn't want to drop the danged bulb). Sump pump that moves gray water from washing machine and dishwasher stopped working - but just needed the float guide adjusted, so it's fine, now. The basement floor is pretty wet though - and it hasn't even started raining yet! ;) Picked up more library books, always lots of FFF!
This morning I melted down the deodorant ends I'd been saving and refilled an old container - new, free deodorant! (well, not really free, I paid for those bits that anchor the product into the holder, after all!) DD and I have a ton of errands to do this morning, so we made a list, to be sure we don't forget something important. Hopefully it will keep us on track, lol. I really don't like to run errands on weekends, but some places aren't open on my way home from work, and some things I need help with. I am thinking that tomorrow I won't have to leave the house, yay!
We are taking the kids to Home Depot this morning for their free woodworking workshop. The girls love it and James will have fun hanging with them and Daddy. I am going to take Travis around and look at prices on some stuff.
The coming month or two is not going to be especially cheap as we are going to be doing some home improvement projects and buying some furniture, but we'll do our best to keep costs down. We've gotten a couple of different windfalls in the space of about a month and we're taking a bit of that to do some work on the house, which is just at an age (50 years old) where it needs a little maintenance and TLC.
Zach's dad, who is a carpenter and cabinet maker, is coming next month for spring break and he and Zach want a project to work on together. I need to figure out what would be best for them to do. A week of free labour from a carpenter/cabinet maker and an electrician should be put to good use.
I am thinking of having them do some work on my long-despised pink paneled family room. It's the only room in the house I still really don't like. In addition to the 1960s wood paneling, painted salmon pink by my mother who had either been drinking or temporarily lost her otherwise fabulous sense of style, it has weird outdoor sconces and oddly placed lighting. It also has a strange, unnecessary half wall in a kind of random spot and no closet in spite of the fact that it's right off the back entrance to the house. I have been assured by Zach that this is not as complicated a set of problems to solve as it seems to be. I am thinking of having them drywall, wire in some sane lighting, tear out the extra wall and build a custom closet. Those fixes are more labour intensive than expensive, but they should make a dramatic difference in the space.
As much as possible Zach will involve the girls as a school project. Of course, there are definite times they will not be allowed to help for their own safety, but there are also some good learning opportunities in there.
i am doing a similar thread in the challenges posts; but share your savings wherever you wish; maybe mine will end up being a blog lol
I freaking love my neighborhood. My next door neighbor had a party today to celebrate the birth of another neighbor's baby and the retirement of a different neighbor. The girls and I went there for lunch. Yet another neighbor had made four lovely homemade soups, posole, mushroom barley, white chili and a cold carrot ginger with artisan breads and a veggie plate. It was an excellent free lunch.
We snuggled the new baby and Cheyenne, who is really into anything and everything Japanese struck up a friendship with the retiring neighbor and his wife. He is from Japan. She is from France and is apparently an expert in Japanese (and French) cooking. The Japanese neighbor was teaching her a little Japanese. We have been seriously considering getting Cheyenne Rosetta Stone Japanese for her birthday so this friendship could be an excellent thing for her, as she would have people to have practice conversations with. I may also talk to the wife and see if we could get some Japanese recipes to try.
OT, but I seriously have the coolest neighbors on the planet. Everyone has some kind of interesting, awesome job or hobby. The retired guy was a perfumer for Aveda. Another is a specialist in antiquities. Two of them teach budgeting to high schoolers, college age kids and people who are about to be released from prison and one of them is a spiritual director. The conversations are truly never dull.
Stella, that is awesome - sometimes I envy you your life, lol. But I'm a bit reclusive, an introvert who has to be very extroverted at work - when I'm home, I kinda hole up and am not really sociable. So great neighbors would be mostly wasted on me :|(. And I am sure you add as much to your neighborhood vibe as anyone! Yesterday had a few frugals - managed to buy only one thing that wasn't on my list (apparently my favorite candle scent from Wally's is being discontinued, as it was on clearance-so I bought a 5-pack). DD will probably sell it to DS, though, for my birthday, so I'll get my money back. Fixed a big pot of chicken chili for dinner and for lots of leftovers for lunches. Made potatoes and eggs for lunch, we have about 8 dozen eggs in the fridge, and pass them out to family and friends frequently. These silly chickens are egg-laying fools! Hung another load of laundry in the house. Started making a jacket from a cool sweatshirt I never wear; hopefully I will finish it before summer. I can't stand sweatshirts, they are way too hot. Jackets, I'm ok with! Keeping up with tracking our spending, now if I just kept up with the filing!
I've learned a bit of Japanese from Pimsleur CDs from the library. It's a very orderly, simple language in it's structure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stella
Sold a book on Amazon. I don't have many listed, so I'm pleased with that! I went looking for some moisturizer for my face and was appalled at the prices! I have pretty normal skin but am developing dry patches between my eyes and hairline. DD did some research for me and asked some people on her makeup board. Got some recommendations for a big bottle of Curel for $5.50 - label says it's good as a face lotion. So far, so good! No sunscreen in it though, so that's separate. Still much cheaper than the facial lotions I was looking at.
Feb 06
Thank you for asking EarlyMorning I am okay...just taking it a day at a time
--groceries today and only spent $25.00...canned tomatoes .99 so stocked up and this included some bone in chicken breast for a Birthday dinner for Dsil
--line drying a load of clothes right now.
--Dd and I have been out a couple of times in the last week but just for a quick bite or treat and both times with 2 for 1 coupons
--still only buying specials that will be needed and using up pantry items
--had a pillowcase for a body pillow I was not using and made it into 2 pillow cases
reader99 thanks for the tip! I'll have to check that out.
Early morning, I can understand being more of a homebody in your situation. I'm actually kind of the opposite. I'm an extrovert who's home most of the time, so I need the extra social interaction during the evenings and weekends.
I was looking online at tools for teaching fractions and instead of buying some kind of math manipulative I hosted a playdough fraction party for the kids. We made pizzas and cakes and then I kept changing the guest list and food requirements on them. We'd have eight people, but Grandpa and I wouldn't be having cake, so we'd cut the pizza into eighths and the cake into sixths. Then Daddy would call and he and Travis would be late so we had to set aside 1/4 of the cake for them for later. Then we'd realize that we forgot to invite the next door neighbors and we'd squish it all back together and cut it into tenths. Stuff like that. It was a big hit and they got the concepts very quickly.
We are working on a project for a Valentine's Day treat for their friends that I posted about in the Valentine's Day thread. We're going to make paper hearts and an LED Love Bug ornament from cardboard and some spare LEDs and decorate their friend's door when they aren't home. The mom will be in on it, but the kids won't know who did it. We'll leave a treat and a note telling them they've been hit with the Love Bug and inviting them to pass it on. I got the idea from an old friend of mine who's neighborhood at the University has a similar tradition.
Kudos, all! Stickin' with it!
Here we are doing ok considering we are ramping up for our move. We sold our surplus flooring for $150 just now. Awesome! That ad sat on CL for a month, and then within 1 hour we got 2 inquiries and one panned out.
Making lots of meals from what we have on hand, though ironically, that has meant buying more food - like I wanted to make split pea soup out of some that we had in the cupboard, but had to go buy the ham, carrots, and soup base! LOL! Oh well . . . yummy soup . . .
Other good things in the works, but I'll wait until they come out to post. I don't want to tempt fate.
We had our church women's group potluck brunch today. It was a lot of FFF and the speaker was very inspiring.
Zach and the girls spent the afternoon rebuilding an old computer we had to use as a computer for the girls to use for e-mailing grandparents and basic word processing. The learning experience of rebuilding the computer was great and this will save some wear and tear on my laptop.
Feb 09
--Had an appt downtown so took the bus $3.60 but, no gas or parking...big savings
--shopped for birthday present for Dsis and got it on sale at a really nice story and they wrap up real fancy and ship for free...spent less
then if I had bought something cheaper and paid postage.
--used up yogourt that was due dated and frozen peaches to make 2 days worth of smoothies
--don't remember if I mentioned this one but over a week ago I finished a large container of shampoo with pump and the new large bottle I had
had no pump so I emptied it into the old one....been using the emptied one with water added since to wash hair
--cut bottom off face wash and have been using it for a week
--filled out a survery a couple of weeks ago and received a large envelope of coupons will use a few of them
--got 2 free samples of tissues in the mail
--eating leftovers for lunch that had been frozen in single serving after last weeks suppers.
DB took my Mom-check duty for tonight, saving me a couple hours and about 15 miles. Cut open a bottle of lotion and transferred the remainder into another bottle that would no longer pump. I really like this lotion from the dollar store, it's nice and thick. BUT, when it gets low, it's very hard to make the pump work!
Feb 10
--lunch out and used 2 and dine @Harverys for $9.99 Dd, myself and grandson all ate...my very favourite hamburgers anywhere even if they are considered fastfood.
--stopped at Chapters and read a bit and had a free sample coffee at Starbucks and was given a sample that is enough to make a pot free
--making almond bark using a very large chocolate bar--very good chocolate bought on 50% off after Christmas---going to wrap in little bags for ladies club meeting tomorrow.
--supper was leftovers from yesterday.
Darn it! I had a post almost ready to go, hit the wrong button and good by post!
It has been crazy busy around here. The windows in the basement have been replaced. Had the city DPW here to replace the water meter.
Brought Ian home last weekend & took him back.
Tyler had solo ensemble.
He had his audition for the Alma music program & was accepted. Yay! Got another $1000 scholarship. Double Yay!
There was a family birthday party in there. And a baby shower tomorrow.
Finally got through my colonoscopy. All clear.
Last night we were at the basketball game. At half time the boys XC team was being honored.
Tonight I was supposed to be with Tyler at a gig but we got part way to the show & got a call from the drummer. He'd been in an accident. Fortunately he was alright. His car was totaled though. So I am enjoying being home & relaxing. And I saved the $5 admission fee. However, I may have a house full of boys later.
Had orientation for my part time job. Worked/trained 2 mornings. I really think I'm going to like what I am doing. I've been working 6 -10 am. I really like working when the store is quiet. But I'm not so crazy about the getting up at 4:30 to get there by 6. I get a 10% discount. And I got a Target Red card which gives another 5% off. So to keep this post thread relevant.... I bought dogfood on sale & with my discounts and got it for $5 off. I also got Thomas the Tank Engine & Star Wars t-shirts ( so cute) for my nieces shower.
So the trick here will be not spending my entire paycheck & saving it for upcoming expenses.
I am not a super couponer so I was thrilled that I got $18.35 off my groceries at Meijer yesterday using coupons. Including Toms of Maine mouthwash for $.42.
Took water to work & a tangerine for a snack. Hope to continue doing so.
Partially dried a comforter and have it hanging to finish drying.
Got 2 10 lb bags of chicken thighs & legs at $.49 lb. Divided them into smaller portions. Got 2 packs of sirloin & a pack of stew meat on clearance. All of those are in the freezer. I'm so happy to have discovered that early Saturday mornings are the time to go pick up the discounted meat at the local grocer.
One quart of homemade chicken stock, and one of beef stock, to go into fridge for another day.
I think I’m ready to talk about what’s been going on in my life, and I need to do this if I’m going to continue any meaningful dialogue here. I’ll try to give you the short version! DH was diagnosed with renal cancer on 1/4. MD said it was due to smoking and that the most important thing we could do for his long-term well being was to STOP. His left kidney was removed on 1/19. He is doing very well and the surgeon feels that he is cured, although they will monitor him closely. Surgeon said cancer was early stage and low grade. So we have been smoke-free since 1/8/12. I haven’t really talked about it here, but I’ve been a veritable chimney for the past 38 years, so quitting is a pretty big deal. I’m sorry it cost us a kidney in terms of getting our wake-up call, but I’m hoping we can look back on this someday and say that it saved our lives. DH went “cold turkey” and I’m using Nicorette gum.
So on to frugality! After mentally processing the diagnosis on 1/4, my thoughts immediately turned to the impact this would have on our budget. We are fortunate to have a good health insurance plan through my employer, and we have an annual out-of-pocket maximum of $1500. per person. I quickly realized that we spend over $1600. on cigarettes in the course of 5 months, so covering our medical expenses would not be an issue. Since his testing began in December, we’re looking at about $2000. in out of pocket costs, because we have to cover the 2011 deductible and some out of pocket as well.
Our food costs have been a little higher lately because DH is the cook and I’m a rookie at grocery shopping, etc. Under the circumstances, I think we’ve exercised a lot of restraint. My Mom also bought us dinner a few times and has insisted on paying for my Nicorette and some other misc expenses, so that was a huge help as well. DH seems ready to resume the cooking and shopping now, so we should get back to normal with these costs.
So ultimately, not smoking will be the biggest and most important frugal imaginable for us, and of course, the monetary savings are almost the least of it in terms of benefits.
OMG Rosa what a shock! Glad to hear he's feeling better and that you took the plunge together as a team to quit smoking....I hope that pays you back in health 2,0000 fold. My mom quit smoking because she broke a rib (so she DID inhale) doctors told me 10 years later that that extended her life and the quality of her life even though she had COPD. Hugs to you both.
rosarugosa
Thank goodness for at least it being early stage and low grade....I am glad they will be following up and you need to be aware of any new sypmtoms...there are really good sites to
make yourselves knowledgable about this fairly uncommon cancer.
Under the circumstances you have exercised a lot of restraint. I will keep you both in my thoughts..
Stella, if I remember correctly, you live in Minnesota, right? My brother and SIL live in Minnesota, and you guys do have the coolest people in the world living there. The first time I visited with my mother and my four kids, one of my brother's friends offered to host a party for us!!! And the most amazing thing was, she had just gone through a bad divorce, had an hour each way commute to her new job in Minneapolis, had two young kids and was completely overwhelmed--and she STILL opened her home to us! I never forgot that. And that's just typical of all of the friends of his I've met.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stella
If my kids didn't live here in the NE, I'd consider moving to MN.
(((rosa))) best wishes to you both! tobacco can be a nasty master. On the frugal front we had to buy a new freezer, but we checked around and I'm satisfied that we got the best deal we could. A used freezer was not considered this time, since we can't move one in, and the old one out, ourselves now. This not-doing-it-yourself is hard for me to accept, and makes me feel very insecure, and poor! DH likes not having to do things, but not that he CAN'T do things if he chooses. The trials and tribulations of life in general, lol. Other than that, it's pretty much the same old, same old.
Rosarugosa. You and you husband are in my thoughts and prayers. I was a smoker for 25 (plus) years, and quit about 3 years ago. If you need additional support or someone to talk to, I'm always here. I never tried the patch, just cold-turkey. Several failed attempts. Torture...
Rosarugosa
I forgot to add; first it is great if you both can and are quitting...
But, my understanding is that they do not know all the causes of renal cancer...my DH had never smoked in his enitre life and neither had I so he
had not lived with it in his home in his last 47 years....
They are looking at smoking, drinking, chemicals, processed meats (seem to be really looking at that one and DH would have lived on them).
Thanks for the good thoughts, folks.
Danna, My mom was just telling me something about a link between bacon and pancreatic cancer. Of course, people have been eating bacon forever and many of them lived to a ripe old age, so who knows. We don't eat all that much bacon. I know of three other people who have had a kidney removed for renal cancer, and two never smoked, so it looks like a 50/50 split in my immediate radius. Well, we know the butts weren't doing us any good, and they sure are expensive, so quitting has to be a win either way - we both feel better already and it's only been a month. And I think it was good for us psychologically - in the course of this ordeal it was something positive we could do that was within our direct control.
On the frugal front, I'm about to dissect a rotisserie chicken to have for dinner with a salad I am making, and will prepare some extra for lunch tomorrow. On the not so frugal front, we've gotta start limiting our trips to Trader Joe's, but what a fun place!
((((Rosa))))) What awful news! You and your DH are in my prayers!
Catherine, yes I am in MN and I love it here. I grew up here, so I am probably a bit biased, but I have found a lot more sense of community here than in other places I've lived. What an amazing experience with your brother's friend!
I was needing some grown-up time this weekend and Zach was very kind about accomodating me. Friday night I went to my friend's house and we went to the chapel at our church that is open 24/7 and had some quiet prayer and meditation time. It was fabulous. I love my active life, but once in a while it is so nice to have a place to sit and just be still. It set exactly the right tone for the weekend.
Yesterday the girls had their girls' club at church. We played games and sang songs and they decorated Valentine's Day cookies. It was good girl time for them. They really look forward to that each month.
When we got home a different friend of mine came over we went out for lunch, just the two of us. We went to an ethnic restaurant and each got their signature appetizer and I got a cup of tea. Totally worth the $6. Both of us were nice and full and we had a nice time talking.
I helped her organize and declutter her kitchen, which was fun for me and I know was helpful to her. That and teaching her how to plan meals was my Christmas present to her. Her Christmas present to me is free babysitting.
Zach watched her kid, who has fallen way behind in school and had a ton of work to catch up on. His dad isn't around and he responds much better to male authority figures. She has been having some discipline problems with him lately, but he respects Zach, so Zach was able to keep him on task. He sat at our dining room table for almost 12 hours doing homework breaking only to go to the bathroom and eat. When we got back I helped him with some literature class homework and my friend taught my girls how to knit on one of those round knitting looms. Cheyenne is making a hat for her teddy bear and Bella is making a hat for James. I think this kind of unofficial bartering saves us all a lot of money.
Rosa, I skipped over your post earlier--I just want to send you my hugs, too!! You are so fortunate that the doctor caught it early! Sounds like you have every reason to be optimistic at this point.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Feb 12
--line dried one load of clothes on rack
--cream sauce, frozen veggies, can of mushrooms, frozen shrimp, sour cream, spices and pasta made an amazing supper with lots of leftovers for tomorrow
--sorting all my fabric and trying to use as I go pieces of leftover sheeting is making 4 pillowcases and 12 napkins all in my favourite colour purple and really for free
--made a cover for my cell phone for when it is in the purse...it was starting to get little scatches.
--made a head band (for do facials and such) for Dd and myself from the wide elastic I had cut off an old pair of jogging pants...cut the rest of the pair up into dust cloths
Today is cleaning day. Considering that three members of the family had a stomach bug yesterday, it's going well. I did some pantry cleaning and I am planning to tackle the freezer and fridge this afternoon. I am working on a third trimester/post-partum plan for food to minimize take-out and fast food and I'll need the space.
I am going to confess that I am not going to be quite as Susie Homemaker as I have been in past pregnancies and my plan does not include making a bunch of freezer foods myself. I have enough on my plate with homeschool and Zach's upcoming graduation. I am going to get some reasonable-ish convenience type foods for tired days. I already ordered two dozen handmade Vietnamese eggrolls from a nun at my church. That will be $30 and would make about 3-4 meals for everyone. That's cheaper than eating out.
I am also going to get some stuff from the butcher shop like different kinds of sausages, preformed burger patties, premade meatloaf and meatball mix, roasts I can toss in the crockpot and sliced stir fry and fajita meat. I'll get some frozen stir fry and fajita veggies and some sweet potato fries from the freezer section and indulge in some time savers like cole slaw mix instead of whole cabbage and other already chopped veggies. I'll start getting some shredded cheese versus shredding it myself. Those kinds of foods are not that much more than what I would normally make and way less than take-out. I've found through trial and error that some of that prep stuff makes a big difference when energy is at a premium. We eat better foods when we eat at home, so that is a consideration too.
I had a big bag of dried bread pieces in the pantry today. I'm going to use it up for a special Valentine's Day breakfast of chocolate cinnamon bread pudding. I cannot eat it, but everyone else in the family will love it.
Ummm Stella, chocolate cinnamon bread pudding sounds yummy!
It's looking pretty good too Rosa! I got the inspiration from a recipe from the Alsace region of France, but modified it a bit based on what I have on hand. It's going to be hard not to be able to eat any of it.
Rosa, sorry for the hard times.
On the frugal side since my super shopper neighbor took me shopping and showed me the ropes I have been saving about 40% over what I used to spend at the grocery store. I am getting a pretty complete price book now so can take advantage of real sales. We only have one car, line dry clothes, almost never eat out, use as little paper products as possible etc. etc. so this particular saving will be a big one for me. We don't have much more to cut.
Made a heart shaped Pizza for dinner tonight, dough from scratch. DH will get a good laugh when I take it out of the oven. A cheap way to have fun.
I have been sewing every day and making items to put away to sell on etsy in the fall. I figured it would be worth my time if I had multiple items to sell. So far I made 4 really cute aprons with matching potholders, and sold two of them to friends when they stopped over. I have several orders as well. I don't plan to do a big business but on rainy or cold days when I have no car it is good to have projects to do.
I have wanted to drop cable for a long time and I think I may have convinced DH to do so. I almost never turn it on and he does some watching of sports, but neither of us are interested in the rest of the programming. I am not sure why it is so hard for him to drop but I think he will now.
I'm with Rosa. Yum!Quote:
Originally posted by Stella.
I had a big bag of dried bread pieces in the pantry today. I'm going to use it up for a special Valentine's Day breakfast of chocolate cinnamon bread pudding.
Flowers: That is excellent on the grocery savings. I've been amazed at what we've saved by switching to a less-expensive grocery store, at least 20% with no other alteration in our shopping behavior. We got rid of our cable several years ago. I don't watch TV, so DH is the one who made the decision and called the cable company. He continues to be proud of decision. If I had done it, he might not have had the same degree of buy-in.
I don't get frugality points this week I'm afraid, although I have been bringing my lunch to work. I bought a new suit yesterday (I have a corporate job). I did get a $270. Talbot's suit for $98. because I had some gift cards and they were having a sale. It was a good value and something I'll get plenty of wear from. I'm paying for it from my allowance, so that's always "legal" since it doesn't impact the household budget.
Rosa, so sorry about your DH's diagnosis -- glad they caught it early, though!
Temperatures have gone back up into the -5 C range, so I took the bus this morning. It was cold, but definitely more tolerable than -15 C! Pushing the envelope a bit on the transportation budget, so will be good to cut out that expense.
lhamo