I will start the September Frugals.....

September 2

---spreadsheets all up to date and ready to go for Sept.
---Holiday here today so easy to not spend money
--supper will be leftover homefries from yesterday, zucchini and tomatoes and fried eggs.
--eggs need used bought 4 doz. last month when on sale
--tomatoes bought last week Roma for $6.97 for 25 lbs. ate some fresh and have
frozen the rest for winter
--eating oatmeal last two mornings with a fresh peach....they are Ontario grown for 10 for $2.77
so I am going to freeze some of those in individual servings for later in the winter.

That is all for now....hope everyone has a good month
I have been being super frugal has I am paying down line of credit and need a few big things done around the house soon.

We are putting food up this weekend. Made pickled beets, pickled sweet cherry peppers and DH is vacuum sealing corn. I cut corn off 20 ears this morning. I am going to roast red peppers this afternoon and can those too. DH made marinara sauce last week and I canned 6 pints. He wants to can tomatoes too. We need to buy those from the farmer's market next week. Ours have a disease and we cannot get rid of it. Canning is not always frugal. In the middle of the winter it is nice to open a jar of tomatoes and use our garlic and onions to make lasagna or some other dish. It is a reminder of how hard we worked in the garden all summer.

I start a new job tomorrow. Same company but will be working at home (WAH) full time. I had been WAH 3 days a week. The additional 2 days will save approx. $525 in gas and 3000 miles a year on my car. Auto ins went down because I am not driving to work each day. I won't need new work pants unless I lose a lot of weight. Will be traveling to another state a few times a year for corporate meetings.

OMgosh, I will never remember to find this thread on this forum..... but I will try, lol. Managed to get two loads of laundry dry on the line yesterday. Our sump pump float rod rusted through so the washer couldn't pump out all the way, but DH and I managed to come up with a solution. He had more threaded rods and several floats, but the rod guide clip that attaches to the pump pipe was also cracked (I'd clamped it to the pipe with a zip-tie several years ago) and it broke completely during the repair. We managed to affix it with a piece of plastic coffee-can lid and more zip-ties. It seems to be working fine now! My washer is also having difficulty with the spin cycle, so I often have to unload half of it and spin each half separately. But it beats buying a new machine. Once upon a time, DH would have fixed it, but now he can't and it makes him quite depressed, so I just don't tell him about it, and make do. Cheaper than a new machine, or a repair man, and more angst for DH! Stabilized the binding on several cool throw rugs I bought for re-sale. When we get a nice drying day I'll wash and repair them and hopefully clear a few bucks.

I forgot it was September! Thanks for starting this!

I want to save some extra vacation money that grows from my very frugal choices.
Yesterday, I made multipurpose tomato sauce from my garden tomatoes and my herbs and garlic and froze in portions for many dishes later.
Washed in cold water (I soak undies, socks and handkerchiefs in a bucket of hot water with a 1/2 cup of washing soda), vinegar for softening and dried all my laundry on the outside line.
I half-filled a measuring cup with water, added less than tbsp of bleach and using a soft toothbrush gently brushed some stains away on my white tops before washing them.
A friend told me to take apart a head of romaine or other lettuce, wash thoroughly, wrap in a tea towel and store in a plastic bag in the fridge using as needed - it works very well.
Lunch was 3 cups romaine with homemade dressing, a large tomato and a small pita with 2 tbsp. of peanut butter with an apple and tea.
Needed a few groceries but will wait and get them up tomorrow when I pick up some friends to take to a movie.
Supper will be chili using the fresh sauce and some leftover kidney beans and homegrown grapes.

I must remember this thread to keep myself motivated.

On vaycay in the mountains this week. We rented a small cabin (& decent wifi!) with a kitchen & brought all our own food. We'll have a dinner out to celebrate our anniversary on Wednesday. This is a super on-the-cheap week! And very needed...

It looks like I started this in the wrong forum! Does anyone know if there is a way to move to the usual one?

I got a good offer from one of my credit cards - a credit of up to $12. on my account for purchases at GNC. I buy alcohol-free witch hazel there, which goes for about $10 a bottle. They were running a BOGO deal, so I spent $16 with tax, and I'll get a statement credit for $12. of that. I also just applied for a new card which will give me $200 in gift cards (lots of options from merchants where we shop) if we spend $1500 within three months. This will work out fine with just our usual grocery and gas expenditures.
I'm also implementing an idea I heard from someone on the forums here. I really want to cut back on our food waste, so I'm posting a list on the fridge of leftovers and perishables that need to be consumed. I think this will help keep us from forgetting about what we have.

Danna, I asked on the mod board about how to move it. I should be able to do it once someone explains it to me, or the other mods will see my message and move it.

Ok here is the ONE thing I'm working on: reducing my alcohol bill.

I am allowing myself 2 bottles of wine per week. That's 10 glasses. That's 3 glasses over the medical recommended limit for my gender. hmmm, a risk I am willing to take.

I'm not yet working on dollar cost, but am starting with bottles. Even though I've (sadly) backed away from my old standby Waterstone Cab @$27/bottle, I will be ok using another favorite at $17 mixed in with $11 - $13 bottles.

Iris Lilies: Have you tried any of the Black Box wines? They are not my favorites, but they get decent reviews, and at $20 for the equivalent of four bottles, I can live with them. I also like the little spigots and I enjoy having a chardonnay on tap in the fridge and a shiraz (or sometimes a merlot or a cab) in the cupboard.
Menage a Trois and Clancy are two decent red blends that we get at Costco in the $8 - $12 range. I like to keep a few bottles on hand for times when I want something a little yummier than the Black Box.

I was able to turn off the AC last night - a nice cool breeze here today, for a change. That will save on the electric bill. I'm hoping I can go into the fall without having to turn it on again.

I was able to buy some curtains today for half price and free shipping. I've been eyeing this curtains for quite some time, waiting and hoping I could get a better price. They will look awesome in my bedroom.

Having a good day with my MS today, so have been processing my bounty of ripe tomatoes into salsa, tomato sauce, and spaghetti sauce. Freezing them in portions, and should last me all winter long.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rosarugosa

Iris Lilies: Have you tried any of the Black Box wines? They are not my favorites, but they get decent reviews, and at $20 for the equivalent of four bottles, I can live with them. I also like the little spigots and I enjoy having a chardonnay on tap in the fridge and a shiraz (or sometimes a merlot or a cab) in the cupboard.
Menage a Trois and Clancy are two decent red blends that we get at Costco in the $8 - $12 range. I like to keep a few bottles on hand for times when I want something a little yummier than the Black Box.

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No, I haven't tried them. We don't have a Costco account but we do have a decent liquor warehouse right nearby.

We like the Black Box wines. We're not connoisseurs -- I don't know as we've ever spent more than $30-40 for a bottle -- but, at its price, we find it quite drinkable, and (more importantly for us) we don't have to polish it off in a sitting before it starts oxidizing.

I hope there are some September frugals since it didn't feel like there were many for August!

My men's retreat weekend was essentially free for me this weekend. I cook and the guys chip in for the ingredients (and cleanup). I don't count the odd things I'll bring from our stocks at home (a little kosher salt, a teaspoon of oregano, some onions which should be used up, etc.). But everything else (sans some chicken I bought that went bad before I got to cook it) was reimbursed and then some. I drove up with one of the guys and he offered to pay for the fuel, but it was only four gallons (200 miles) and he's loaned us his camper and pickup before, so I declined the offer, but that could have been free, too. Didn't spend any money at the cabin, either. Just fun.

Rather than run the car today to get groceries, I'm making chicken soup. Frozen chicken trimmings, the limp celery and carrots in the crisper, some leftover raw onion, and so on all will become tasty soup by dinnertime. Always leftovers, always different, always good. Tomorrow I have several errands to run so I can take the car out on a grand tour and be done all at once.

Today I'll be lining up a schedule of things I need to get done before frost: paint some window frames, bring in the garden hose, prep the snowblower, etc.) I suppose it will be frugal in the sense that not doing them will cost more later. I also have rounded up some gift cards which have been just hanging around. Time to declutter those either with use or by re-gifting.

My dh usually does the grocery shopping, but dd and I are taking it over for a while. I hope to see some reductions.

The main issue is that he only like to shop at Costco, and a lot of bulk food ends up going bad, and also too much processed food.
I pass by a Trader Joe's on the way home from work, and will be going to the town farmer's market once a week (he usually gets expensive stuff there, like fancy breads and fish.)
There is also a Mexican market next to dd's guitar lessons where I can get excellent cheese (very cheap!) and a lot of produce, rice, and beans.

I'll still go to Costco for dog food, olive oil, t.p., and a few other items.

I'm saving my receipts - we'll see how it goes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iris lilies

Ok here is the ONE thing I'm working on: reducing my alcohol bill.

I am allowing myself 2 bottles of wine per week. That's 10 glasses. That's 3 glasses over the medical recommended limit for my gender. hmmm, a risk I am willing to take.

I'm not yet working on dollar cost, but am starting with bottles. Even though I've (sadly) backed away from my old standby Waterstone Cab @$27/bottle, I will be ok using another favorite at $17 mixed in with $11 - $13 bottles.

---

This is really something I want to work on myself. Thank you for bringing it up, though I've known I need to manage my money better for years. I budget well enough, and I never overdraw or anything. I always just get paranoid and such until my rent, utility, and internet checks clear.

Maybe tomorrow I'll write up a better budget, and a better post. I'm not feeling too swell today. :( :doh::sick:

Sept 03
--thanks to Mods &/or Stella for getting this thread moved...

--called an old credit card I wasn't using to cancel and found out I had $10.00 worth of points for Sears so they are going to mail me a gift card.
--YES, to the boxed wine it is not high end but, way better then it use to be and a really good price. I still buy whatever is cheapest I am definitely not an expert.
Of course drinking less would also be a good way to save on wine.....lol
--made quinoa and beans (from the freezer already cooked). I had never made this before, used Mexican type flavourings and it was really good for a meatless meal.
And, enough for breakfast with an egg tomorrow.
--cut the bottom off an face soap, added water and have been using it as hand soap all week.

Continuing to purge and use up stuff, part bottles, open packages, stuff that has been put in the freezer as leftovers (eating or tossing)
going through stuff to sell, toss or give to friends, family or charity. Learning it is only people and security that count, NOT stuff.

I would like to have a glass of wine once in a while, and even though I buy some really cheap stuff, I have the one glass and the rest gets tossed when I find it in the back of the refrigerator a few weeks later.

So, to be able to indulge in a nice sunset and glass of wine...once in a while...can anyone share how long the boxed wine lasts?

Iris lilly, do you keep the red wine on the counter after it is opened? Do you know how long it can last? Does it make any difference if it is refrigerated? I could probably only buy the little boxes that have a couple of bottles worth in them, as my fridge is tiny.

You can buy wine in single serving 187 ml bottles

DH's smartphone died, so he did a lot of online research and found a new Chinese one for about $250, that would normally cost close to $800 if he'd bought its name-brand counterpart. In the meantime, he borrowed a smartphone from his friend to use, who had it available to loan because the friend had just upgraded his own phone. DH liked the phone so much, he realized it would be great for me to have, since now all teachers are "expected" to use their personal smartphones for classroom use.

Anyway, he called the friend and asked if we could buy the phone off him. He agreed, and now I'm getting THAT smartphone for 300 NIS, or less than $100 USD. Score! This will come in extremely handy, as the friend already had two apps installed, that will help me when I'm stuck for vocabulary in Hebrew AND in Arabic...nowadays I need both, since I work in an Arabic-speaking school and live in a Hebrew-speaking town.

Where does the time go???!!! I find that I am having a hard time "just being still" lately and having the mental space to ponder things. Don't get me wrong, everything is going quite good but for today (a day off) I would like to re-group and get a sense of what is going on in my life. Things are looking up financially, as my plan for earning extra money is going nicely. In the last month I've made $205 selling my plasma (with no ill effects), got $325 from my housemate for rent, and sold about $195 worth of my jewelry. When I get paid on Friday I feel like I can finally start paying extra on my car loan, and I will be able to pay off my $800+ on my credit card (I finally bought a new computer, the first one in 8 years)!

Big expenditures that are coming up are mainly medical stuff - I have a high deductible (which I am close to meeting). I just cancelled an MRI for my knee after finding out that even after my insurance pays the 80%, I will still be liable for about $700 of it. Then they insisted I have an ocular x-ray before the MRI because I (stupidly) told them that in 1981 I got a metal flake in my art while grinding a bronze sculpture in art school (it got flushed out at Student Health right after it happened). They WILL NOT let me have the MRI without the ocular x-ray, even though I told them I have had two full body MRI's in the past with no ill effect. I'm sure the ocular x-rays will be another several hundred dollars. So I am opting to get some cortisone shots in the knee joints to see if that will alleviate the symptoms I've been having for the last six months - the doctor thinks I may have a torn meniscus. There are still four months left in my insurance plan year; I can always get the MRI later if it is really called for. I also have to have another mammogram in October because they've been watching some calcifications. I sure hope nothing comes of that!

Some ways I am saving money are by grocery shopping more carefully, taking advantage of all the free samples from Whole Body I get from work (I haven't bought shampoo, conditioner and face wash stuff in a long time - I just take all those little sample packets that end up in the employee lunchroom). I got some cheap clothing at Salvation Army (I took advantage of the Labor Day 50% off clothing sale). I find I need less and less clothing these days - all I do is go to work (T-shirts and jeans) or work in my art studio (even grungier T-shirts and jeans). I rarely, if ever, get dressed up for anything. If I go to an open mic I just wear my *best* T-shirt and jeans!

So I plan to keep on keeping on with this track and hopefully watch my savings account start to build back up again.

Am going to try to be better about posting this month! Over the past few days:

--mended a couple of stuffed animals for DD
--resisted the urge to buy some new home decor
--packaged up four items to return via mail
--have a fifth item ready to return to the store
--trying to be more realistic about meal planning. I can only manage simple meals or those made in the crock pot right now...so that is what we are having.
--made some more banana bread
--am trying to make do with DS's summer clothes. He is starting to outgrow them, but I am thinking it will cool off in a few weeks. So we're just putting him in the few things that do fit for now plus a couple of larger-sized onesies
--am trying to do a pantry challenge the month of September
--have been spending my time "nesting"--cleaning/organizing--rather than shopping. I always get the itch to decorate and clean for fall but will do this before I do any shopping. I am positive I do not need anymore fall decorations, but it is my favorite time of year and so hard to resist!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jilly

So, to be able to indulge in a nice sunset and glass of wine...once in a while...can anyone share how long the boxed wine lasts?

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Jilly, our box is kept atop the refrigerator and we've gone up to three weeks (at normal room temperatures) without noticing marked changes in the taste. I suspect the shelf life would be shorter if the room temperature hits the 80s or higher.

Today is DD's birthday and I brought her a piece of cake (from the grocery store) as a little treat - we'll get together for dinner over the weekend. She works just across the street from Paper Source - a shop I have wanted to go to all summer! I ended up spending $11 on a kit to make a paper flower garland (which I have been craving!) but found a book there that had great detailed directions and stencils to make your own paper flowers. No worries - home to look on Barnes and Noble cause a sweet student and his mom gave me a gift card for B & N at year's end. The book is on it's way to me for only $5 out of my pocket. I thought about returning the kit but decided that since I have been lusting over this for several months, it was OK to treat myself.

Also getting ready for a huge garage sale at my sister's house this Friday and Saturday so spending a lot of time marking, sorting, organizing - $$ to be used for a weekend in DC in November.

Ugh! Need to jump back on the bandwagon.

Sept 04
Not much new to add today...just more of the same
--entrainment was a long walk to visit a friend and have coffee...free
not frugal but a friend of hers (she has done lots for me in the past) is having chemo and I made her a couple of turbans (really nice ones) from fabric I had on hand
--finished up a jar of instant coffee I had bought, not sure why before I opened a new pound of ground.

- We renegotiated one of the Internet cable bills today. We have more than one because of the home businesses. That will save $240 over the next year.
- went out to eat for dinner at a Mexican restaurant over the weekend with a buy one get one free meal coupon.
- for my last round of product reviews I got free rechargeable batteries, a back pack and headphones.
- the check came in the mail today for our health care reimbursement account.
- last night I stocked up on freezer food using the the coupons in the Safeway rewards program. I usually get pretty good personalized prices on items, I guess so that they make their profits on other items once you are in the store. Last night I just stuck to buying mainly the sale items on my list.
- we have been pretty good about cooking more from scratch. I've been making up separate ingredients in the morning we can mix and match later on for meals. This past week I have made up two kinds of soup in the crock pots and in the rice cooker / steamer I've been making steady batches of chicken, rice, quinoa and assorted veggies.

I'm working on reducing food waste. It goes slowly, but I'm improving.

I bought a nice jacket for Fall: loden green canvas, fully lined, with rivet buttons and plenty of pockets, excellent like-new condition--$6.40.

So nice of you to make those turbans, danna.

Not much here. Today was no spend/no drive. Requested a bag from an online consignment shop so I can send some stuff in. Some shoes I ordered for DS came. 2 pairs and only paid shipping. I got bigger sizes in white so he'd have some room to grow and they would match everything. DH and I are contemplating getting rid of the internet. It is our only luxury, but it is a stretch for us now that our utilities have risen to the tune of $60 more a month. Sigh.

I don't think I mentioned this yet, but DH was recently talking about wanting new pots and pans, because the set we have is non-stick and the coating is getting scratched up inside. About a week ago, I got an award at work for a project (one of those pick a gift website scenarios). I was able to get an 11-piece Cuisinart stainless cookware set, so that's something we didn't have to go out and buy.

Today we went Fisherman's Wharf and watched the resident sea lions (free), went on a Rocket Boat ride on San Francisco Bay ($7 a ticket through Goldstar) and visited the Aquarium of the Bay (free with library passes).

DH thought ahead and brought candied walnuts and soda, so we didn't spend any extra money on food. It was a fun, cheap date. The rocket boats were a blast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rosarugosa

I don't think I mentioned this yet, but DH was recently talking about wanting new pots and pans, because the set we have is non-stick and the coating is getting scratched up inside. About a week ago, I got an award at work for a project (one of those pick a gift website scenarios). I was able to get an 11-piece Cuisinart stainless cookware set, so that's something we didn't have to go out and buy.

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That is a great frugal. Cuisinart products are usually pretty pricey.

Sept 05
Rosaruga that was some great gift!!

--No spend day
--ate from freezer and fresh produce
--neat thing, last year at the end of season I throw some decorative gourds I bought in a front flower bed...I now have a monster
greenery growing across and the whole length of my boxwood hedge with beauitful yellow blooms. Also, already picked 3 very large gourds
and can see many more coming. Will make great decorations for the fall.

Hope you are having fun cooking in your new pots and pans, rosa!

Took the kiddos to the library this morning. DD had a blast running around choosing books and playing with toys. After we got home, I put DS down for a nap, and DD and I curled up and read through her pile of books. It was lovely.

Dh had a tattoo session yesterday that was mostly touch up on his existing pieces. He thought it would cost $100, but the tattoo artist said it was on the house. So DH tipped him $25. Still came out $75 ahead.

DH and I plan to do some deep fall cleaning this weekend. It won't cost anything but will feel great!

I did some more freezer meals yesterday. I should have the next two weeks totally planned out now. Zach is getting side work like crazy, which is great financially, but can be a little tiring for both of us. This takes meals off my list of things to do.

I have started watching my friend's kids for free on Wednesday mornings. Her dad has offered to help us with some house projects as a way to say thanks. We have been planning on replacing the flooring in the living room for two years now, but other projects have made themselves a priority. I think this coming year we are going to finally get that done and her dad is really good at installing hardwood. I think that will be a big money saver.

Zach is fixing a plumbing problem in the bathroom right now, which will save us money over having a plumber do it.

I talked to my mom today and got some rough news about various family members. I have been feeling down all day, so tonight I am watching stupid, funny YouTube videos and laughing my butt off. It's cheaper than therapy or medication and probably just as effective. :)

Gosh, I've been MIA here for a long time. August was very, very unfrugal and I haven't done real well so far this month :( . In August we: got my rear brakes & rotors fixed; both boys had eye appts., physicals & dental visits; Ty got new glasses & contacts which were badly needed; bought Ian a new sleeping bag & pad & a windbreaker for OZ; 2 trips to Ann Arbor; 2 trips to Alma; a bon voyage party for Ian; first birthday party for great-niece; trip to Chicago to take Ian to get on the plane to OZ; a trip to Detroit for the Hemophilia walk; paid our portion of Ty's tuition. We had a huge scare and a few days of freaking out when we got the tuition bill and realized that Ty's FAFSA had not gone through for some reason and he had to refile. Luckily that worked out ok.

Since Ian is in Australia this term we did not have to pay tuition for him. Just a hold-my-place fee. YEAH!

After that month I did pretty much NOTHING for a week. I was so tired lol

So far in September we have made 2 trips to Alma to bring Ty home for 24 hours over Labor Day & bought DH new work shoes & tennis shoes. We still need to get him some new boots for riding his motorcycle. Work pants for DH. This is also birthday month for me & my DD. Have a wedding shower for my niece on the 21st. And I had the oil changed in my car.

I dropped my Ipod and shattered the screen. :0! I do have a warranty but I am unsure if this will be covered. We will call today or Monday to find out. I sure hope it is or DH will insist on buying me a new one. I have the screen taped together right now & it functions perfectly otherwise.

I seriously need some FRUGAL! On that front so far:

Spent $8.83 at Target for a large box of Snuggle dyer sheets, a 32 load bottle of All small & mighty, a 16 oz bottle of Nivea and something for dinner (don't remember what it was). Between coupons & my work discount & RED card I was very happy! I don't use fabric softener during the summer but it will be nice to have for the colder, dryer months. I'll cut them in half and use them more than once. I will also probably send some of them to college with TY. Oh, that reminds me Ty got ink all over his white dress shirt and I have so far been unable to get it out. He will be needing a new one very soon. darn!

Unplugged the boys PS3 since no one will be here to use it.

Made yogurt out of outdated milk before it went sour.

Turned in $24.01 of coins, mostly pennies, to be added to our anniversary trip fund.

Made Ty replace his own phone since his got wet and started acting up.

And..... I think that is about it

Nice to be hearing from more people again. Sounds like September is a time to regroup for a lot of people.

Not so super many frugals to report here, but DH and I have just talked and worked out that we don't REALLY need to buy a glass pitcher for making juice. We already have one from a garage sale, it just doesn't have a lid. That's not such a big deal. And actually, he had to improvise last time he made juice (we have some cherry juice concentrate in a bottle from Door County) since he couldn't find the plastic pitcher. He used a glass water bottle that we have (we have waaaaay too many water bottles). Funny thing is that the reason he couldn't find the pitcher was because it was in the fridge full of cherry juice. :laff: Long story short, we have plenty of adequate receptacles for juice. :D

Looking at a lazy, hot weekend. Should be nice. We might weed a garden over at the rental if we feel up to it. I would like to mulch it as well to help with the weeds so I'm going to check the local yard waste to see if there are wood chips available. We'll take some contractor bags up there and fill them up if there are.

We are going to return screen making materials to Menards. I only ever got around to making one screen, but had bought materials to make 10. In the meanwhile we ended up unexpectedly with new windows for most of the ones that had previously needed screens, and of course they came with new screens. We'll only be able to get store credit since it's been so long, but that'll be easily used for other needed items.

Looking like a good day to hang laundry. I think we've only run the dryer 3-4 times this summer.

I blanched and froze kale last week from our garden (we can never keep up with eating it fresh; it will be awesome in winter soups). It was a little putzy but not too bad. We have so many zucchinis, they have also been going in the freezer. Have banana peppers to process and most likely need to go to the community garden and pick more tomatoes. They are gorgeous. I'd like to stew some or boil it down for sauce. I like making sauce because I don't have to fuss with peeling them - can just run them through the food mill. And we do use a lot of sauce . . . so still thinking about this.

Hey! I'm feeling better on the frugals front! Thanks for indulging my long entry. Stella, hope things start to look up soon for your rellies, and Azure, hope that now that all those things are taken care of, the money front will settle down a bit.

This doesn't FEEL frugal, but I think it is. DH realized that instead of retiring July 1, 3014, he can stay on at his part time job. I favor this because of the structure the job gives his life and he loves the work itself (medical librarian--mainly does research for doctors). He really fluctuated. We came up with the plan that if he continues at work, we can take about 3 trips a year. He picked Cloudcroft NM for our first trip (with 4 dogs and maybe our parrot). It's about 4 hours south of where we live. There's a motel 6 nearby, where you can keep any number of dogs in your room--the only motel chain we know of where that's true. This will be our first vacation trip in about 15 years. We'll look for places for the dogs to run in the forest. So, it feels wildly frivolous because it's a TRIP, but will in fact probably come to $400 max, which is a little less than 1/4 his monthly pay. And he keeps the job, with that income we need for emergency and savings.

I took advantage of the heat today to hide in the house and do some planning and cleaning. I had bought myself a three ring binder and dividers during the school supply sales so I could make myself an organizer that would actually work for me. I could do something like that on the iPad, but if I'm going to the iPad to do things like check lists and menus, I often end up sucked onto Facebook or surfing the internet. Better to just avoid that temptation during work times. Today I got my menu, chore schedule, recipes for the month of September, celebrations for the month of September, school schedules, event schedules and calendars filled out. I have an envelope in my planner to keep handouts like colouring pages, worksheets, handouts for the Well Read Mom book club I just started and things like that and I am planning to use my three hole puncher for flyers with information I need, or assignments for my own school stuff. I printed off four colouring pages I think will be useful this month for the kids and some recipes I plan to use. I think it's going to help me keep everything sorted during this busy season and it cost me, I think, $5 total plus ink and paper used.

I also inventoried my freezer today and put the list in my new planner. I plan to update it as I go along and reinventory once a month to make sure I am making the best use of my resources. There was some stuff in there I had forgotten about that I will be making an effort to use up.