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Feeling Good

November 20th, 2008 at 08:40 pm

Got a free 21 lb. turkey today from my supermarket. It was a promotion if you spent 300.00 or more over several weeks you were eligible for a free turkey.
We bought 2 boxes of stove top stuffing and the turkey to our nearest shelter. The shelter was just recently on the news b/c this year donations were far off from previous years due to the economy. They were very appreciative at receivng the turkey. That made hubby and I feel really good.
We also donated 25.00 to our local food bank.
25.00 to our local mission and 25.00 for
ASPCA.
I made some cuts to our budget this past week. I cut off a phone that we hardly use(landline). It was costing us 33.00/mnth. Put the YMCA on freeze for a while(67.00/mnth). This still holds our membership but stops them from automatically taking money from my checking account while I'm not using the gym. I also reduced my amount that I was putting into my sharebuilder account. I stopped putting money into my daughters savings and IRA(500.00).This money will be applied first to my outstanding credit card balances and then when they are finished the money will then go to the Florida mortgage.
Not any great savings at the supermarket this week. I will be making a roast beef tonight with mash potatoes and broccoli.

Pot Roast and Body Puffs

November 14th, 2008 at 06:12 pm

The pot roast was amazing. It was the easiest and most tasty pot roast ever. I served it with carrots and mashed potatoes.

For those of you who use body wash and use the body puffs there is a great deal to be had on the puffs. I priced them at CVS, they were 3.25 at Sephora they were 4.25 at good old Walmart they were 0.94. Big difference for an item that needs to be replaced at least once a month.

I also found a deal on the oil of olay age defying body wash. At CVS it was close to 9.00 at Walmart it was 5.63.

November 12th, 2008 at 07:08 pm

Ok, so I went food shopping yesterday and today and didn't have any coupons. Probably a first. But I did some of the shopping at Costco which doesn't except manufactures coupons. Today I went to Shoprite and bought a few things to supplement what I didn't get yesterday. No savings at all. But with all the food I purchased I know I will not be tempted to eat out this week. I guess I can considered that a savings.
Last night I made a wonderful salmon dish with an herbed crust and served it over a bed of baby spinach with a side of wild rice.
Tonight I am making broiled center cut lamb chops with herb roated potatoes and steamed broccoli. For dessert I have ice cream or Pumpkin pie.
I am also making a pot roast in the crock pot as I am writing this. The pot roast was on sale. I got a huge piece for about 6.00$. I foung a recipe from recipe czarr and it was so simple. a dry packet of brown gravy mix a dry packet of ranch mix and a dry packet of italian dressing meis. Mix all 3 together and add a 1/2cup of water around roast cover crock pot and cook on low for 7-9 hours. It received rave reviews online so I will let you know how it turns out. This will be for tomorrow nights dinner.

Some Good Savings Today

November 6th, 2008 at 10:49 pm

Jeez,another hit on the stockmarket,again today. I think I am just going to give up looking at it on a daily basis. My sharebuilder account is down 35%. I am really considering not putting money into it this month and holding out for a while until it calms down. It seems like every month I put in my 500.00 only to see the total go down 500.00. It really seems like a lose, lose situation right now. Don't even get me started on my annuity IRA which is even worse. The only thing that remained stable was my good old savings account. I know the money in these accounts are for the long haul, that's the only thing that is keeping me sane right now.
On the home front, I have been doing very well with not eating out and doing more cooking. Tonight we are having Garlic Porkchops with yellow rice and pink beans in sauce. The pork chop recipe is from mizznezz on recipezarr.com. It is really good. Last night I made chicken cutlet parm. with pasta and grilled asparagus. I don't really like cooking so this site really helps me out.
Went food shopping today used a bunch of coupons and then to cvs and bought some lipstick and makeup used coupoms for that and saved a bundle. They had the lipsticks for bogo,plus I had a 1.00 coupon and a store coupon for .50. The face make up was buyone get 50% off. Very good savings.

Nearing The End Of The Year

November 1st, 2008 at 01:51 pm

We are nearing the end of the year and I was just reviewing my goals and accomplishments. My goals really strayed from real life. I never thought that I would have purchased a home this year but I have and I am very happy with it. Instead of having put the money that I had wanted to in the stockmarket it went towards the house. What an accidental gift that was. Instead of having lost alot of money it was put towards something that has made us very happy and hasn't lost us a dime. In fact it may turn out over the years to be a very wise investment. That doesn't mean that I haven't lost old money that was in the stock market b/c I certainly have. To me it is a bundle to others maybe not so much. But I try not to think about it and just hope that over the long haul that the market will bounce back and that my retirement investments will once again be secure.
The other unplanned expense that wasn't a goal in the beginning of the year was a large family trip to Mexico.
We took our kids and their significant others and had a great time. It was a once in a life time trip and was totally worth every dime. We reconnected with our kids and their special someones.
There was alot of money spent this year and not nearly as much saved as in the previous years but I feel that it was money well spent and do not regret the choices we made as a family.
Even though we spent rather than saved this year it really was mindful spending. WE still thought long and hard before we spent and look for the best deals. We did not spend above our means and I think that makes a very big difference to our bottom line.

Update 9/08

September 6th, 2008 at 02:49 pm

My debt has increased substantially since the purchase of our home in Florida. I still feel it was the smart thing to do as I don't think that I would be able to afford the house 10 years from now. While both my husband and I still have good incomes and hope to continue to have for the next ten years at least we will aggressively pay down both our primary residence and our Florida home. It's funny the mortgage is not the hard part. It's the everything else that is associated with the house. The utilities are very expensive , even though we are not there using any of it. The taxes insurance and maintenance and etc..
My credit card debt is mainly from the vacation we took in August and buying supplies for the house. I paid cash for the furniture. I also lent my daughter money for this semester. Which she has agreed to pay back in full. I will say, I thought financially it would have been easier than it is right now. I hope it is just a working out the kinks kind of adjustment period right now. I haven't been able to save a thing since March of this year. Which is kind of upsetting. I hope to be able to correct that by the end of this year and have a good grip on expenses and savings going into January.
I'm very excited that the mortgage on our primary house looks like it will be paid off in the next 21/2 - 5 years.
Anyway, everyhting else seems to be going well for which I am very grateful.

July 17th 2008

July 17th, 2008 at 11:37 pm

My DH's eye is doing fantastic. He can see really well. He is going to be fitted for new contacts soon.
I'm glad we stayed open today b/c it was a very busy day at work and it looks like tomorrow will be too.
Not too much going on in the savings department, trying to stay on track. DD is hopefully going to have a job starting Saturday. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Sold a few books on half.com yesterday. Finished reading the book Tail Spin. I thought it was pretty good. An FBI thriller.
Tonight for dinner I am having spanish rice. At least my mothers irish version of it. Chop meat, onions, garlic, rice and tomato sauce.
Heading upstate this weekend. We have people renting for next weekend so I have to go up and prep the place.
Added my new mortgage to the side bar.

Doing Better

July 12th, 2008 at 03:20 pm

My DH's eyes are better. He now has to get refitted for dailey contact lenses. This incident was such a scare I thought he might have lost his eye sight in his right eye. With the type of work he does he would have lost his ability to work. Closing the office for 2 days this week cost alot. I would hate to imagine if it would have been for a much longer period of time. To recoup the loss we canceled our trip to Maine for next week. That will save us on gas, hotel money, meals and etc..We will keep the office open where we would have been closed, hoping to make up the loss of income.
It's been 3 weeks since we have had dinner out. Which is incredible for us.I have been using Recipe Zaar like crazy. I haen't made any new purchases. I have sayed away from all the stores except for the food store.

Life Happens!

July 8th, 2008 at 06:42 pm

Food shopping was kind of expensive this week.$134.00 with coupons. Returned the beer and soda bottles from the weekend. Hubby has been home from work b/c he has an infection in his right eye making it nearly impossible for him to see. We have been to the eye doctor everday this week. I'm hoping that it clears by tomorrow. I am worried about his vision it is already pretty bad. And since we work for ourselves we have had to shut the business down while he is out. Because of this situation we have had to cancel our trip to Maine which was to take place next week. We have to recoup the loss of not being open this week. Oh Well, Life Happens!
Some of the bills have started coming in from Florida, basically the maintenance and the utility bills. Not so bad so far.

Last Night's Dinner

July 7th, 2008 at 02:41 pm

Dinner went well. I stuck to the menu and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The kids were very exited to get their tickets. A lot of plans were made during dinner as to the things they would like to do and see. That's on their own, we will not be paying for the extra's.
Back to work today. It was nice having the long weekend. And having everyone over for dinner made me clean the house really well before hand,so now I have a really clean house to start the week.

A Get Together

July 6th, 2008 at 03:39 pm

Today the family is getting together and the original plan was to meet up at a restaurant with all the kids and their significant others and then hubby and I would pick up the tab. The reason for the dinner is, we are taking a trip together at the end of this month. DH and I are treating, except the kids are all responsible for their own airfare.
After reviewing our budget it was decided that we would have dinner here at the house to save a few dollars. Hopefully we will be able to eat outside if the weather holds up.
Menu:
Appetizers-shrimp and vegetable gyoza
chips and dip, edamame.
Main course=chicken kabobs, ribs, jasmine cocnut rice and corn on the cob.
Dessert-ice cream.
Drinks= beer, wine and soda.
Total outlay of money was 50.00.
Now, hopefully I don't burn the dinner and everyone enjoys themselves.

Free Tomatoes

June 17th, 2008 at 12:26 am

I have tomatoe plants this year and I didn't even plant them. I just kind of forgot. Then I walked outside the other day and in the planters that I used last year, I saw 3 tomatoe plants growing and they seem to be doing quite well. Now that they are there I am caging them and giving them some miracle grow and some more topsoil. What a pleasant surprise. We have some other things growing in some other containers too...I think one might be a pumkin, the leaves are enormous. My husband had a lot of success with his seeds this year. He was able to take the seeds from the plants last year and cultivate them during the spring. At the end of May he transplanted them outside and they are doing great. He planted Dalia's, Marigolds and Impatients. Some of the plants that we brought indoors after they bloomed last year are also doing well. We have geraniums and impatients that are quite a few years old. Very happy with our free plants.

2008 Monetary Goals

December 31st, 2007 at 10:17 pm

1. Cash goal 68,000.
2. Sharebuilder account 12,600.00
3. IRA 4,000.00
4. Stocks 25,000.00
5. Make extra payments toward principal on mortgage.
Happy New Year!

November 25th, 2007 at 04:11 pm

Happy Thanksgiving

November 22nd, 2007 at 01:58 pm

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Started My Christmas Shopping

October 31st, 2007 at 07:05 pm

I started my Christmas shopping online this past weekend. I found quite a few good deals and used some coupons. I love getting a jump on things. I hate waiting until last minute. I already received all of the items and I didn't pay a dime for shipping.

This weekend I will be meeting with the log cabin people to develope a floor plan and cost for the cabin. I'm kind of excited and kind of nervous. It is such a huge obligation for the next 10 years of mortgage payments. As my husband says better to do it now before we get too old. I guess he's right but it doesn't make me feel any less nervous.

I bought more stock this month and I am happy with my purchase.

Happy Halloween!

Nothing New

October 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am

I haven't written much lately b/c there really isn't much to say. i have been doing pretty well with the saving. I haven't been spending too much so that's good. I'm just following the same path, it has become a habit now, so that is what I mean by nothing new.

Ordinary Day

August 10th, 2007 at 06:27 pm

Unable to save anything this week due to paying alot of the regular bills. Sold one of the two books that I had on Half.com. Not much else going on around here. Just working and watching all the rain.

My Weekend

July 16th, 2007 at 06:30 pm

I went back upstate this weekend and took my nephews with me. The weather was great and we all had a good time. Not much money spent either. Just some supermarket buys for meals at home. On Saturday we drove to my cousins home on the lake. Dinner was free and my nephew was able to ride on Quads and jet ski's which he really has never done before. He had such a good time he couldn't stop talking about it all the way home. His memories of this weekend will be priceless.
On the money side of things my IRA was doing well on Friday due to the jump in the stock market but who knows how long that will last. Same with the sharebuilder account. Not such a noticeable difference in the individual stocks.
I'm stil thinking over the property issues and just wondering if it is doable.
It will be one of the largest expenses that we have ever under taken. I guess I have a little bit of cold feet going on.

My Vacation

July 9th, 2007 at 06:48 pm

My vacation was great! Full of activities and site seeing. Montreal was beautiful and we ate at a very delicious restaurant named Gibby's. It was our most expensive meal while we were away but the food was soooo delicious and well worth it.
We spent most of the time in Windham so we didn't have to pay for a hotel. We took a ride over to the log home builders to get quotes on the type of home we are looking to buy for the property. Very, very expensive. We wioll have to consider this very carefully. I hadn't realized just how expensive log homes are. The type of home we are looking at is about 2,700 we already own the property and the cost to build and have the home turn key ready is 400-450 thousand dollars. Yikes!

Anyway, when we spoke to the sales person thye told us that we had to get our land perked before we could go any further. What perking means is that the land has to be check to see how it can handle sewage and then a sewage system then has to be engineered. If this is not possible then the land become useless and not viable for building. She also told that that b/c it was close to the river(not on it) the DEP has made the laws very strict in recent years with regard to buliding near streams, rivers and lakes. So, this testing will be arranged this week and hopefullwe will get good news that our property can be built upon.

The whole trip cost about 500.00. Which is very good for us. Didn't buy any gifts. Which saved us a bundle.

Oh, the hotel that I reserved using hotwire turned out to be fanatastic. It turned out to be the Omni Hotel in downtown Montreal and it was a gorgeous room. It was a four diamond hotel for 103.00/night. I was so pleasantly surprise(not the broom closet that my daughter warned me of).

I hope everyone had a Happy and safe 4th.
Well it is back to work for me

My Weekend

June 25th, 2007 at 02:45 pm

Windham was great the weather couldn't have been more beautiful. At night it got kind of chilly but it was great sleeping weather. The trip didn't cost too much, a couple of dinners out and gas.

Hubby and I went over to the log home builder, which is why we went upstate in the first place but they were closed on Sunday. It figures. Anyway we got to look around at some of their models and we have narrowed it down to two. We would need some modifications on both but now the deciding factors are if the modifactions can be done and how much to have it built and be in turn key condition. We already own the land. Today DH will make a phone call and set up an appointment to speak to someone. We are set to go up there in about two weeks. Someone from the area also told us that if we wanted to start breaking ground for next year now is the time to get the ball rolling. So, we shall see what the next few weeks bring us.

Steamed and Ready to Boil

June 14th, 2007 at 10:54 pm

My husband has me so steamed right now. He is one of those guy's that don't believe in doing too much. Everything is such an effort for him. Mind you he has absolutely no health issues at the present time or has he ever. He does nothing around the house inside or out. That is left for me or outside help. When outside help comes he is never home, he always schedules the appointments on days when he will not be around. But then he has the nerve to complain about everything and anything. I was the one who found the roofers and hired them. I'm the one that made the arrangements to get my deck done. I'm the one that got the trees taken down in the backyard. I was the one that was home yesterday when the pool guys came to check the filter. And today it is my fault that the pool is not up and running. Can you believe it????

My biggest peeve that I have with him right now is that I had purchased a boat for him. A really nice 19 ft. Sea Ray a few years ago b/c he was interested in boating. I got a great deal on a 2 year old. I bought it, he used it a few times and then just let it sit in the boat yard. Now b/c he hasn't kept up the payments on the rental space for the last few years. The people at the boat yard have let the boat deteriorate. There was a cover on the boat(shrink wrapped) but not anymore. There is a hole in the hull. And the whole thing looks like such a mess that I want to cry. When we left it there a few years ago it looked brand new. Anyway, I asked him to please resolve the boat issue. I got a song and a dance b/c he did not want to go down there and speak to the person. Finally he went and when he came home he said that I wouldn't get much for it b/c it was old and it wasn't in such great shape anymore and that it was too small that people are buying bigger boats these days. I went online and checked the book value of the boat and it was valued at 15-18,000.00. So, I don't know who he spoke to b/c he also told me that I would probaly wind up having to give the boat yard about 4,000.00. I got so pissed at him that I told him to just pay the fee and to get the boat out of there and take it home and I will keep it, sell it or give it away. I am so sorry that I ever ask him to do anything...Do any of you have a husband like mine???? LAZY,LAZY,LAZY.

An Annoying Week...

April 21st, 2007 at 02:02 pm

I just lost and incredibly long blog post and now I'm really annoyed. You can't go from page to page with out losing info.

I have been away for awhile due to work. We have had 2 people quit at around the same time, so I have been trying to fill the void myself and trying at the same time to hire someone. It seems that no one wants to work. Or once they start, they leave for greener pastures. We hired someone new On Monday and they quit yesterday. So I ask myself why did they bother applying and coming in for the week, when they were starting at our place but waiting for a better offer to come through. It was a total waste of our time!!! I will be the Jack of all Trades for a while and now that DD's semester is coming to an end she will have to fill in for a while.

I will be using my tax refund to cover the cost of replacing the roof. I think that we got a pretty good deal but time will tell. We got a few estimates and went with the lowest who also through in the gutters for same price. They are coming over Monday to discuss the roof shingles and to collect a down payment.
I had dreams of using that money for the stock account. But it was only a dream. The roof is a reality. Especailly after the rain we experience this past week.

On the money front, the mortgage made a pretty good drop. This is due to the bi weekly payments we make. The is an extra payment that gets applied. 1/2 of the payment gets applied to the principle now and then another 1/2 in July. Credit Cards are doing ok, paying off the entire balance at the end of the billing cycle.

No Spender Today

April 9th, 2007 at 06:19 pm

I had a great Easter as I hope all of you had. Little bit of extra money spent but well worth it. I have a bunch of leftover food that we will be polishig off this week.

I have to get back on board with losing some more weight. Still at 154 but now that the weather is nicer I know that I can and will do better.

Today will be a no spend day as I am at work all day today. Unfortunately DH's car broke down and he needs to have a new altenator put in. That is going to be a large payment. Between his car and mine we have been racking up the bills this past month. Still trying to hold out before getting another car.

DD is back at school today after her spring break. She was not looking forward to going back. She only has to go until May 4th and then her year is finished. I have encouraged her to start looking for a summer job as soon as possible. I hope she listens to me. Otherwise it will be a very rough summer for her.

Shocked

April 1st, 2007 at 05:25 pm

Wow was I shocked by the new layout and the colors. It was not a good shock either. Is this for real? It is very hard on my eyes when I read the text.

Saving and Upcoming Expenses

March 17th, 2007 at 01:39 pm

Yesterday was a no spend day. This week was actually a good week with regards to not spending. All meals were prepared at home and they were very good. Many of the meals were chicken or fish dishes and for lunch it was either left overs or sandwiches. Breakfast is usually the same Cheerios, oatmeal or PBJ's. Many of the dinner recipes, I have been getting off of recipezaar. I really enjoy that site. It has been saving me big bucks by offering delicious recipes and me not going out to eat.

It has also been a good savings week. I find that using my banks bill pay has been so easy and helpful. I wish I thought of using it sooner.

There will be some major expenses coming up. I need a new roof and gutters. The carpet in the family room has to be replaced. I would like to replace that carpet with hardwood floors. I can not replace with carpet b/c the dogs like to tear up carpet and make big holes in it. And when they come in with their wet furr the carpet holds the odor. The living room and dinning room floors also need to be sanded and stained. I can't afford to get the deck replaced this year b/c of the roof, so I will have to replace some of the boards, sand it, stain it and hope that it will last a few more years b/f needing replacement. I would like to be able to get the estimates for these jobs b/f the end of this month so that work can begin asap.

It's Always Something

March 2nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm

Today will be a full day at work, so essentially it will be a no spend day.

It is raining so hard here the streets are flooded and I definitely need a new roof. I have a huge puddle in my hallway right now. I will have to get some estimates this month and have it repaired in the spring or summer. It's always something!!!

On another topic, since this post is anonymous and I know people blog here from all over, I just want to extend my sorrow and well wishes to anyone that was involved with yesterdays devastation in Alabama and Missouri. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

Why Am I A Saver?

February 27th, 2007 at 04:17 pm

Why am I a saver and when did I become one? I think that I have always been a saver no matter what type of situation I have been in i.e. Living pay check to paycheck with a child and no husband. To then having a husband and him and I both not having jobs with plenty of bills. To both of us having jobs and good incomes. In all of these situations I have been a saver. Now after sending all three kids through college and having a few bucks left over we have been saving for ourselves.
Many on this webite are in different places with regards to why they are frugal and why and how they choose to save their money. I am one of the people that now save not out of necessity but more out of security and philosophy.

There is a wonderful post from My Two Dollars entitled Why We Save Our Money. Please feel free to read this article. Archive date is 2/16/07. If you have trouble finding this post just go to Most popular posts and it will be the seventh one down. The link to this blog is on the right side bar under links I frequent "My Two Dollars". I think this is another perspective on frugality and savings. One that I strongly identify with.

Counting My Blessings

February 9th, 2007 at 12:41 am

I took my cousin to lunch today. We had a very good time. My treat.

My cousin will be losing her house (foreclosure)soon and will be moving in with her parents. She is a divorced mom of 3 older children (20,17 and 13). She was never good with money and after the divorce she kept refinancing the house. Her boyfriend at the time, encourage her to do this so that they could go out and have a good time. When the money dried up, he was nowhere to be found. The mortgage is now at a staggering 3,500.00/ month and then she has to pay 12,00.00 a year in taxes and that is just to maintain the house. Next are the utilities and everything else that goes along with owning a house. To think that before she got divorced she only had 16,00 left on the mortgage. SCAREY!. Anyway the appraisal that was done only a couple of months ago was poor. She would wind up still owing if she sold it. It just makes sense for her to go into foreclosure at this point. In addition to all this she just got out of a nursing home after a long illness. The doctors to this day do not have a diagnosis for her. She is trying to get disability and they are giving her such a hard time. And that is b/c of all the idiots out there defrauding the system. I want to help her out but I just don't know how to. If I were in her position right now I think I would be crying but she isn't, she is very matter of fact about her circumstances and is just plowing through. I was actually afraid about meeting up with her today. I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. She was able to laugh and joke and to have a good time. There wasn't any self pity in her at all. What I took away from today's visit is that your monetary belongings can be taken away in a blink of an eye but it is much harder to take away the spirit. I believe that my cousing will be alright... not great. My uncle is going to put an addition on his house and she and the kids will live there until circumstances change. I will be there for her if she needs anything else. As I've said I wish that I could do more but I don't really know how, at this point. This whole situation really makes me count my blessings. This could have been me!

No Spender

February 5th, 2007 at 10:58 pm

Today was a no spend day. Worked all day and decided I didn't want to go out into the frigid air to go to the supermarket(for dinner). I have to think of something to make for dinner. I have frozen chicken cutlets on hand and frozen shrimp. I'm thinking of the options that I have. No money in...no money out,today.


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