October Frugals - Late Edition!

[rosarugosa]

I can't believe we made it to 10/9 without a Frugals thread - yikes! Well I don't have much, but I have at least a couple of things. Last month was financially challenging and I ended up reluctantly transferring money from savings to make ends meet. This month is shaping up to be equally challenging,at least partly because my FSA is depleted so we have to cover some medical expenses out of pocket. In addition, property tax bill was higher than expected and water bill was higher than expected. I REALLY don't want to tap savings again though, so hopefully we can do a better job of rising to the challenge this month!
We came in way within budget for our monthly Costco trip, even after skipping last month, and groceries were within budget for the week as well (last week too). DH made us yummy dinners this weekend with stuff from the freezer and from the cupboard.
Today was a rainy dreary day, so we stayed in and I mended our summer coverlet before washing/storing it for the winter. I also hemmed a pair of thrift-store jeans I had bought in the spring. I think basic sewing tasks are a good frugal use of time & energy.
That's all I can think of for the moment!

[early morning]

In an effort to look on the bright side: Family Luncheon day at Mom's care center, so free lunch for me. Bought groceries at Aldi, stuck to my list except for remembering some things I didn't have on it, and some unexpected produce. (Aldi produce is sporadic at our particular store...) I stopped to feed Dsis's cats and she had left me a bag of apples! That was nice. I did buy Starbucks for myself and DD - i refrained from getting the large ones - and dropped hers off at work. She was a little busy so I stayed and helped for an hour or so. Off tomorrow for the holiday; hoping that DB will check on Mom so I can have a no-drive, no spend day. If I have to go out, I'll have to get gas, at least. Our vacation is looming, DS hasn't found a job and now his car is overheating - so I really really need to pinch pennies.

[Tybee]

Extremely unfrugal month so far. My son had a crisis which necessitated a 12 hour drive to where he lives last week, along with 4 days in hotels then another day spent driving back. My husband's family is having a potluck to watch the debates tonight and my husband decided to drive back to see them--an eight hour drive today--and I begged off, which did save us a hotel room, as he can stay with his brother, but the budget is shot this month. The two trips are also about 200 hundred in gas money.
It will only get worse as my goddaughter is getting married this month and I had to buy the ticket (450 dollars) and will have to pay for the hotel (300 dollars) and fly out there. I am thrilled and honored to be going, but getting scared that I can no longer say yes to family events as simply cannot seem to afford them anymore.
Christmas is coming and I want to be frugal--well, I don't want to at all, but will have to be, and feeling under the gun from family expectations.
I really don't have any frugal accomplishments for October and it's freaking me out. Since making the transition to part time work I am very stressed at lack of money and all the demands I cannot meet. Yesterday elderly parents requested we come see them--that will be another thousand dollars if we go. I cannot keep this up.

[frugal-one]

Friday went to a yard sale that had Talbot clothing. I found a 3 pieces that I love and fit perfectly for a grand total of $10! They are pieces that I can mix and match. I am thrilled. Was planning on going to shop later in the day to Ross's that just opened in the area. Cleaned out my closet and got rid of almost all fall/winter clothes last year. So, I HAD to replace a few items. Now I am set. Prices even better than if I had gone to the thrift store!

[early morning]

Great score, frugal-one! I managed to get a no drive, no spend day in yesterday. Today, not so much. Termite/powder post beetle spray of house, barn, shed - whew!! DH ran out and picked up fast food before I got home to dissuade him, so I ate with good grace, lol. At least he was horrified enough by the price at the tasteless chicken-shack to move on the cheaper burger bistro. I filled up my gas tank, and am watching the OPEC discussions with trepidation. Thankfully our fuel price for the winter is locked in.

[chrissieq]

Our daughter's wedding was in September and even though planned, those expenses sure added up! My goal for October is to come in at or under budget on every single budget item. So far, so good.

We volunteered at church tonight and brought home a few meals of food. I also worked 2 catering jobs this past weekend and have soup in the freezer from one, ate some wonderful apple crisp and lasagna. I've been working 3 days this week and last so my lunches are provided and I make sure my newly-retired husband knows what is for lunch here so he is not tempted to run out and grab fast food.

Still haven't turned the heat on here in MN though tonight is supposed to be the first freeze - will just add another blanket to the bed.

[bke]

I walked across the street and used some digital coupons at Dollar General for the first time today. I left with a free package of cookies for ds and some cashews for myself. Total spent-1.25 for $5 in groceries.

[Teacher Terry]

Tybee: maybe it is time to create some new xmas traditions that don't involve spending $ on things. Also I would put your parents as priority over others in regard to travel. Can your parents come visit you?

[rosarugosa]

Frugal-one: Great score on the Talbot's stuff. I mostly wear Talbot's stuff that I buy at Talbot's, so that is amazing!
A recent conversation at work gave me the insight that I can pay our medical bills with Amex instead of by check. I would rather not have medical bills of course, but at least we can get the 1% cash back by using Amex. Medical insurance cost is going up by about $25 per month next year and is going to skyrocket in 2018, so we need all the frugal hacks we can get!

[catherine]

Extremely unfrugal month so far. My son had a crisis which necessitated a 12 hour drive to where he lives last week, along with 4 days in hotels then another day spent driving back. My husband's family is having a potluck to watch the debates tonight and my husband decided to drive back to see them--an eight hour drive today--and I begged off, which did save us a hotel room, as he can stay with his brother, but the budget is shot this month. The two trips are also about 200 hundred in gas money.
It will only get worse as my goddaughter is getting married this month and I had to buy the ticket (450 dollars) and will have to pay for the hotel (300 dollars) and fly out there. I am thrilled and honored to be going, but getting scared that I can no longer say yes to family events as simply cannot seem to afford them anymore.
Christmas is coming and I want to be frugal--well, I don't want to at all, but will have to be, and feeling under the gun from family expectations.
I really don't have any frugal accomplishments for October and it's freaking me out. Since making the transition to part time work I am very stressed at lack of money and all the demands I cannot meet. Yesterday elderly parents requested we come see them--that will be another thousand dollars if we go. I cannot keep this up.

Sorry to hear about your emergency trip, Tybee. Hope all is well. Frustrating when we can live day-to-day very frugally and then, as Dave Ramsey would say, Murphy comes to visit. Guess all the more reason to live as frugally as we can when we can.

I had very few little extravagences this week. I shopped for food a little bit at Costco/Target. Almost bought a book online, but I'm trying to do a "wait and see" on purchases these days to cut out my 1-click knee-jerk reaction on Amazon. I feel like books are my "end of the day martini"--almost like I deserve a book for my hard work during the week. And many books on kindle are about the price of an expensive cocktail, so I treat myself.

But haven't bought my Friday night book yet. Since we're going to the library to donate 117 books today, maybe I'll actually borrow a couple instead. I don't do it more often because the library is about a 15 minute drive and it's not near any other places I run errands to, so too often I wind up never getting around to returning books and I run up fines. So the library is not that much of a frugal option for me (from a $ as well as a life energy and community goodwill POV).