I joined a group of people over on HCW in a challenge for the month of November. I said I could do it within $50. I actually only spent $31.47 on groceries for the month! Woo-hoo! I think I still have about $48 for December to come in at budget for the year.
I finished making my Christmas baskets for my lawyers, paralegals, and secretaries. I usually pick up baskets at thrift stores and yard sales all through the year and paint them myself in red, green, and gold. I cheated a little this year. Last year, after Christmas, I found some holiday buckets @ 75% off. I think they are usually $1.29 or so. Anyway, I was able to get 25 of them and only needed 22 this year, so, the fact that I hadn't haunted the thrift stores and yard sales didn't come back to bite me. Anyway, there's a pack of gourmet coffee, 2 envies of chocolate w/ flavors, and lots of Christmas wrapped individual chocolate candies. Each has a candy cane or two and a big poinsettia is clipped to the side of the bucket. Some glittery garland is strung across the top and little colored stars and candy cane cut-outs are sprinkled throughout. I figured everything I use to make these, purchased at retail value, comes to about $8 each. Of course, you know I didn't spend anywhere near that much, right? I think I may have spent about $60-$70 for everything.
My dad and I are going out to dinner together tomorrow. I'm performing a secret shop and it's a great excuse to have some private time with him. I think he is quite discouraged by the news he received last week. I can't say that I blame him! It hit me pretty hard, too.
I cancelled my Florida trip for my birthday. I need to be close to home. Dad needs me to drive him to chemo and radiation. I don't think I would enjoy FL too much knowing what's going on at home.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
O.K., I Admit It's Not Grocery Related, But, I'm Still Just As Excited
Today, I received a $30 GC from Office Depot for past purchases and trading in old ink cartridges. I also received a $10 GC to Chili's, etc. The Chili's GC was from points earned doing surveys. No, I don't remember which one!
I don't know if I've shared this before, but, I am a mystery shopper. I pretty much only do hotel shops. I limit it to those kinds of shops due to the points I can earn in the different company's frequent stay programs. I have enough points in one program to stay a week in Hawaii next May. I really can't give more details than that due to the confidentiality agreements. If you have heard of mystery shopping and think you would be interested, my best advice is to go to www.volition.com to check out all the mystery shopping companies in North America. There's nearly 300 of them the last time I checked. You have to sign up with each one individually and that takes a lot of time, but, you will be rewarded with free dinners, free hotel nights, and some, not much, cash. If you see an ad that says you can go shopping at your favorite stores and keep all that you buy and be reimbursed by the mystery shop company, don't believe it. It's pie in the sky. Almost every retail store shop I've ever done requires that you return the purchase in a separate transaction. Fees are usually in the $10 range. I don't really do retail that much. I prefer to stick to my hotel shops. I do them a lot and practice makes perfect. I'm pretty good at it. Just a thought to those who have some time on your hands.
I don't know if I've shared this before, but, I am a mystery shopper. I pretty much only do hotel shops. I limit it to those kinds of shops due to the points I can earn in the different company's frequent stay programs. I have enough points in one program to stay a week in Hawaii next May. I really can't give more details than that due to the confidentiality agreements. If you have heard of mystery shopping and think you would be interested, my best advice is to go to www.volition.com to check out all the mystery shopping companies in North America. There's nearly 300 of them the last time I checked. You have to sign up with each one individually and that takes a lot of time, but, you will be rewarded with free dinners, free hotel nights, and some, not much, cash. If you see an ad that says you can go shopping at your favorite stores and keep all that you buy and be reimbursed by the mystery shop company, don't believe it. It's pie in the sky. Almost every retail store shop I've ever done requires that you return the purchase in a separate transaction. Fees are usually in the $10 range. I don't really do retail that much. I prefer to stick to my hotel shops. I do them a lot and practice makes perfect. I'm pretty good at it. Just a thought to those who have some time on your hands.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving Day. I hope that you are able to spend time with family and friends today. I will spend a few hours with my parents and some of my step-mother's relatives.
I don't have any "grocery" news for you today, but, I did receive a GC for a free order of Bang-Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill in the mail yesterday. Bonefish is very expensive and I have only eaten there a couple of times, but, I think I could drop in to visit the bar and use my GC. It says, "with purchase," but, does not specify any further.
I've noticed quite a bit of this lately; you eat at a casual dining restaurant and get a receipt with a code. You answer their brief survey and give you a validation code to get something off your next order or to get something absolutely free. I have a $4 off an entree Q for O'Charley's that expires Sunday. I understand that they have a pretty good Sunday brunch, so, I may give it a try. It helps that I have a free $10 GC to eat there! In fact, I used a free GC to eat there and then received this Q! That's like hitting a home run, isn't it? I also have a Q for a free appetizer at TGI Fridays. Same deal; I used a free GC to eat there and then got a Q for more free food. Actually, I have two free appetizer at TGIF; I received a Q good for today only for a free one. They open at 4:00pm today. I guess I'll have to go after I recover from our turkey dinner!
Take a moment today to tell someone how they have enriched your life and that you are thankful that they are in your life. You never know; it may be your last chance. There's real power in thankfulness.
I don't have any "grocery" news for you today, but, I did receive a GC for a free order of Bang-Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill in the mail yesterday. Bonefish is very expensive and I have only eaten there a couple of times, but, I think I could drop in to visit the bar and use my GC. It says, "with purchase," but, does not specify any further.
I've noticed quite a bit of this lately; you eat at a casual dining restaurant and get a receipt with a code. You answer their brief survey and give you a validation code to get something off your next order or to get something absolutely free. I have a $4 off an entree Q for O'Charley's that expires Sunday. I understand that they have a pretty good Sunday brunch, so, I may give it a try. It helps that I have a free $10 GC to eat there! In fact, I used a free GC to eat there and then received this Q! That's like hitting a home run, isn't it? I also have a Q for a free appetizer at TGI Fridays. Same deal; I used a free GC to eat there and then got a Q for more free food. Actually, I have two free appetizer at TGIF; I received a Q good for today only for a free one. They open at 4:00pm today. I guess I'll have to go after I recover from our turkey dinner!
Take a moment today to tell someone how they have enriched your life and that you are thankful that they are in your life. You never know; it may be your last chance. There's real power in thankfulness.
Monday, November 23, 2009
News About My Dad
Dad learned today that his cancer has spread to his liver, hip, and ribcage. There are multiple lesions in these different places. Because of his wife, he is pursuing further treatment. The doctor gave him the choice of continuing treatment or letting nature take its course.
Friday, November 20, 2009
I Finally Broke Down & Bought Some Groceries Today
My store was having an incredible sale on apple pie filling, Comstock, I think. I had a Q and it was BOGOF. Who can pass that up? Anyway, I bought a few needed items and some not-so-needed items. You know how it is. Great buy, Qs, you just can't resist.
I received a puny little $1.74 in rebates today. I counted that against the total I bought. I'm expecting about $36 in rebates before the end of the year. That's going to buy a lot of cat food!
I have happened upon a sure-fire way of staying at home in the evening and not going out to a restaurant. I have 1 lb. portions of browned ground beef in the freezer, many envelopes of taco seasoning, sour cream, and tortilla chips. I have an abundance of salsa as well. I keep some ground beef in the fridge and with a jar of cheese or a bag of shredded cheese, I'm well on my way to tacos or nachos. I love that stuff. My cats love to lick the plate after I finish. A little meat, some cheese, they are just in heaven. It's a wonder they ever go back to cat food after I give them stuff like this.
Off-topic and sad; I had to serve papers on a woman today with a restraining order that she cannot have unsupervised visits with her children. The youngest is 3 years old. I don't know the whole back-story, but, a judge was convinced to take her children away and to demand supervised visits. She seemed like such a nice girl, but, there's no way for me to know much about her. My job is kind of crummy sometimes. It's a living; what can I say?
I received a puny little $1.74 in rebates today. I counted that against the total I bought. I'm expecting about $36 in rebates before the end of the year. That's going to buy a lot of cat food!
I have happened upon a sure-fire way of staying at home in the evening and not going out to a restaurant. I have 1 lb. portions of browned ground beef in the freezer, many envelopes of taco seasoning, sour cream, and tortilla chips. I have an abundance of salsa as well. I keep some ground beef in the fridge and with a jar of cheese or a bag of shredded cheese, I'm well on my way to tacos or nachos. I love that stuff. My cats love to lick the plate after I finish. A little meat, some cheese, they are just in heaven. It's a wonder they ever go back to cat food after I give them stuff like this.
Off-topic and sad; I had to serve papers on a woman today with a restraining order that she cannot have unsupervised visits with her children. The youngest is 3 years old. I don't know the whole back-story, but, a judge was convinced to take her children away and to demand supervised visits. She seemed like such a nice girl, but, there's no way for me to know much about her. My job is kind of crummy sometimes. It's a living; what can I say?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
I'm Feeling Pretty Cocky
I'm seriously considering a $1,000 grocery budget for 2010. I know I have a lot of cats to care for, but, I've been digging around the house, taking inventory of all my stuff, and I think I can do it. Just think how long 50 bottles of body wash will last, not to mention the 20+ bottles of shampoo and conditioner. I have so much toothpaste that I haven't even tried to count it. I think I have 40-50 toothbrushes. I have a huge inventory of facial cleanser and moisturizer. I can't think of anything else I could possibly need.
The food? I can eat tuna fish sandwiches until I die! I get free eggs from the flea market, so, making tuna salad is not a problem. The freezer is full. I could give up cokes and start drinking more tea. I have more boxes of tea than I can count. The pantry is still full, even though I've been living off of it for a year and a half. As you can see, I'm trying to talk myself into committing to a $1,000 budget for the year. Maybe I'm way off base, but, I can see a year's worth on the shelf.
How much penance will I have to do if I fail?
The food? I can eat tuna fish sandwiches until I die! I get free eggs from the flea market, so, making tuna salad is not a problem. The freezer is full. I could give up cokes and start drinking more tea. I have more boxes of tea than I can count. The pantry is still full, even though I've been living off of it for a year and a half. As you can see, I'm trying to talk myself into committing to a $1,000 budget for the year. Maybe I'm way off base, but, I can see a year's worth on the shelf.
How much penance will I have to do if I fail?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A Great Shopping Day
I was able to use over $31 in Qs today without spending a dime. I received a rebate last week, so, what little I bought today, I used the rebate money to pay.
I received $125 in GC today for no money. I received $50 CVS, $25 TGI Fridays, $25 Olive Garden, and $25 Chili's. Twenty-five dollars in CVS GC was due to a prescription being filled. The rest I received from a program where I send my junk email and snail mail about insurance offers, financial offers, credit card offers, all that sort of thing. I've mentioned this before, I think. I've been a member about a year and have received about $350 in GC for my participation.
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to continue the challenge for 2010 on $1,000 total out of pocket. I've spent the day going through my non-food stockpile, counting, boxing it up, rearranging, cleaning. Even after selling at the flea market for over 2 months last summer, I still have more than 50 bottles of body wash! I didn't even count the tubes of toothpaste. There was just too much. Something I found while digging around; a large supply of good quality facial cleansers. If I can just ignore the drug store flyers in 2010, I'm going to be in good shape.
My best estimate for cat food and cat litter for a year is $500. There's not much I can do if I go over; I'm not turning away a pretty face. When females are in heat or gestating, they take up under my house. A couple of times a year, I get a glimpse of kittens coming out from under the house. I'm such a sucker for felines. I'd really like to have a Labrador, but, I don't think that would be a good mix for all the cats. If I'm going to have a dog, I'm going to have a "real" dog; something big that can bark like he's going to kill someone.
I received $125 in GC today for no money. I received $50 CVS, $25 TGI Fridays, $25 Olive Garden, and $25 Chili's. Twenty-five dollars in CVS GC was due to a prescription being filled. The rest I received from a program where I send my junk email and snail mail about insurance offers, financial offers, credit card offers, all that sort of thing. I've mentioned this before, I think. I've been a member about a year and have received about $350 in GC for my participation.
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to continue the challenge for 2010 on $1,000 total out of pocket. I've spent the day going through my non-food stockpile, counting, boxing it up, rearranging, cleaning. Even after selling at the flea market for over 2 months last summer, I still have more than 50 bottles of body wash! I didn't even count the tubes of toothpaste. There was just too much. Something I found while digging around; a large supply of good quality facial cleansers. If I can just ignore the drug store flyers in 2010, I'm going to be in good shape.
My best estimate for cat food and cat litter for a year is $500. There's not much I can do if I go over; I'm not turning away a pretty face. When females are in heat or gestating, they take up under my house. A couple of times a year, I get a glimpse of kittens coming out from under the house. I'm such a sucker for felines. I'd really like to have a Labrador, but, I don't think that would be a good mix for all the cats. If I'm going to have a dog, I'm going to have a "real" dog; something big that can bark like he's going to kill someone.
Friday, November 13, 2009
How About Some Feedback On A 2010 Challenge?
I'm thinking of continuing my challenge into next year. I was thinking of making it the same as 2009, but, I think I want to make it more interesting. Now, consider, I've been living off of a lot of stockpile for the past year and a half. I'm also giving away some of it for Christmas gifts. I sold a lot at the flea market during the summer, too.
I'm really seriously considering a $1,000 oop budget for 2010. I think I could do it. Well, I WISH I could do it. What happens if I fall on my face?
I was just looking over my pantry and I find an awful lot of tuna, rice, and boxed and pouch potatoes. There's enough jelly and jam for an army unit. As long as the bakery lady gives me her egg cartons, I'm getting free eggs at the flea market. As far as non-food items, I'm good. Plenty of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Plenty of paper plates (I hate to wash dishes), plenty of dish detergent (when I HAVE to wash dishes), and cleaning supplies. I think I actually have enough aluminum foil for a year or more.
Let me know what you think. If you have any good recipes for stockpile stuff, please send them to me. I've got so many cans of French's French fried onions that I'm actually sick of looking at them! I know about rolling chicken in the crumbs to bake, but, what else can I do with them? I'm still sitting on a few jars of roasted peppers and marinated roasted peppers. Don't have a clue what to do with them. Come on, people! Help me out!
Let me know what you think about my 2010 plans. I need some input.
I'm really seriously considering a $1,000 oop budget for 2010. I think I could do it. Well, I WISH I could do it. What happens if I fall on my face?
I was just looking over my pantry and I find an awful lot of tuna, rice, and boxed and pouch potatoes. There's enough jelly and jam for an army unit. As long as the bakery lady gives me her egg cartons, I'm getting free eggs at the flea market. As far as non-food items, I'm good. Plenty of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Plenty of paper plates (I hate to wash dishes), plenty of dish detergent (when I HAVE to wash dishes), and cleaning supplies. I think I actually have enough aluminum foil for a year or more.
Let me know what you think. If you have any good recipes for stockpile stuff, please send them to me. I've got so many cans of French's French fried onions that I'm actually sick of looking at them! I know about rolling chicken in the crumbs to bake, but, what else can I do with them? I'm still sitting on a few jars of roasted peppers and marinated roasted peppers. Don't have a clue what to do with them. Come on, people! Help me out!
Let me know what you think about my 2010 plans. I need some input.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Finally, Home At Last
My road trip is finally over. I'm back home with my kitties now. I'm too tired to go the the grocery today. I'll have to go first thing tomorrow as I have no milk or bread. Basic stuff, right?
Every hotel where I've stayed since Saturday had a free breakfast. One place had free room service for dinner. The other meals I've eaten on the road I have used GC for which I received for no out-of-pocket. I'm really reaching here, but, also think about all the electricity I've saved by not being at home!
I received a free, full-sized box of Betty Crocker potatoes in the mail yesterday. Not only did I get free potatoes, the box had 3 BTFE on it. And a coupon. Is that like hitting a triple? Free potatoes, some BTFE, and a Q.
I received a $6.99 rebate while I was gone. That's going to help my grocery totals. I guess I'll use it tomorrow for some basics.
Every hotel where I've stayed since Saturday had a free breakfast. One place had free room service for dinner. The other meals I've eaten on the road I have used GC for which I received for no out-of-pocket. I'm really reaching here, but, also think about all the electricity I've saved by not being at home!
I received a free, full-sized box of Betty Crocker potatoes in the mail yesterday. Not only did I get free potatoes, the box had 3 BTFE on it. And a coupon. Is that like hitting a triple? Free potatoes, some BTFE, and a Q.
I received a $6.99 rebate while I was gone. That's going to help my grocery totals. I guess I'll use it tomorrow for some basics.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Still On The Road, Still Not Spending Any Grocery Money
I have spent $20.79 on groceries so far this month. It is the 11th, so, I'm looking good for now. I've been on the road working for the past few days and will get home tomorrow. I stayed in a very expensive hotel last night (on someone else's dime, I have to say!) and was able to order room service for dinner. I also had a complimentary breakfast that would have cost about $18. So, I guess I'm bragging a little when I say that not only am I not spending any grocery money, I'm also not spending any restaurant money, either. I also earned $100 in GC from my involvement with a company that collects junk mail from its members. That's the one for which I have offered referrals to you. If you haven't signed up, you can still do so. Just send me your name, address, and email address and I will get you signed up. You can email me at vickiburtonlives@bigfoot.com.
Please take a moment today to honor our veterans. If you see a soldier in uniform, buy him/her a cup of coffee or a soft drink. Spend a moment to thank them for their service. We are free because of their service to us.
Please take a moment today to honor our veterans. If you see a soldier in uniform, buy him/her a cup of coffee or a soft drink. Spend a moment to thank them for their service. We are free because of their service to us.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Free Eggs, Free Food, Fun Stuff
Well, I found the "egg man" at the flea market Saturday and traded my egg cartons for 3 dozen eggs. I asked him if it was O.K. to do this every 3 or 4 weeks and he agreed. Oh, yeah, he sells roosters, goats, and rabbits there on the weekend. I think I know what happens to the rabbits. I'm not sure what fate awaits the goat. If it was a nanny, I'd suspect someone wanted it for its milk. The billy, though, I'm not sure about.
The wedding on Saturday was beautiful. We were treated to a 5-course, sit-down reception. The food was fabulous and all the wine served was from Chile. The bartender was busy making mojitos and another drink that I can't spell that is considered the "national drink" of Chile. The hotel where we stayed that night had a complimentary breakfast. It was rather complete, not just a continental.
The hotel I'm in now had a manager's reception yesterday evening with free drinks for 2 hours and a full, cooked-to-order breakfast this morning. I was able to get a rock-bottom rate at this hotel, probably 1/2 the regular rate. I just happened upon a good deal here. At any rate, free drinks, free breakfast, it works for me.
The wedding on Saturday was beautiful. We were treated to a 5-course, sit-down reception. The food was fabulous and all the wine served was from Chile. The bartender was busy making mojitos and another drink that I can't spell that is considered the "national drink" of Chile. The hotel where we stayed that night had a complimentary breakfast. It was rather complete, not just a continental.
The hotel I'm in now had a manager's reception yesterday evening with free drinks for 2 hours and a full, cooked-to-order breakfast this morning. I was able to get a rock-bottom rate at this hotel, probably 1/2 the regular rate. I just happened upon a good deal here. At any rate, free drinks, free breakfast, it works for me.
Friday, November 6, 2009
I'm Going To Cash In On Those Free Eggs Tomorrow
The flea market out of town near here goes on only Saturday and Sunday. I'm going to go see the "egg man" and trade in my cartons for free eggs. Later in the day, I'll be traveling to Atlanta to my cousin's wedding. I'll be on the road for 5 nights. I perform mystery shops for several companies at hotels and restaurants. That's what's keeping me busy for the next week. I will still be living "close to the bone" throughout my travels. I don't expect to spend much money while I am gone.
I've spent $20.11 so far this month. I have joined a group on HCW to spend no more than $50 in November. I think I can do it. I'm going to have to! The end of the year is a little ways off for now and I'm closing in on my budgeted amount.
Cheer me on. I need your support. I want to be accountable to you and show you that I can really do this.
I've spent $20.11 so far this month. I have joined a group on HCW to spend no more than $50 in November. I think I can do it. I'm going to have to! The end of the year is a little ways off for now and I'm closing in on my budgeted amount.
Cheer me on. I need your support. I want to be accountable to you and show you that I can really do this.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
November Is A New Month
I have only spent $17.64 so far in November. I realize it's only the 5th, but, I think this is pretty good. I have used $77.55 in Qs so far this month. I'm burning it up! I think I have found a way to post my progress on the blog. Not sure if I've gotten it right. We'll see. Amy was kind enough to encourage me to find a way to show my running totals. Oh, my local grocery store, Bi-Lo, has a survey invitation at the bottom fo each receipt. You can win $250 GC each month. Haven't won, but, they are offering a Q for free potato chips at the end of each survey. Sweet! That's something I don't usually buy, just because of the price. It's nice to have a bag or two around for snacking. Really, 6 oz. or so of potato chips for $3-$4. That's expensive.
Monday, November 2, 2009
A Good Deed Today
There's a spay and neuter clinic in my city that helps low income people have their animals altered. I think it's around $40 for a cat and $8 for a rabies shot. Dogs cost a little more. I have been deluged with the Qs for free Friskies cat treats lately. I took a sackful of 10 packages to the clinic today. Eileen, the director, said, "Why? Where did you get them?" It seemed to me like she's not used to having people donate things to the clinic. I just said, "Oh, I had some coupons." She thanked me warmly. I've had several animals altered there. It's the only way I can afford to have so many kitties.
I'm away from home on business tonight. I stopped off at a grocery, redeemed one of my free Michael Angelo's entree Qs, and took off. Luckily, I have a fridge and micro in the room. I guess I was assuming a lot there, you think? Maybe they wouldn't have that in the rooms. I knew, though, that they offered a continental breakfast and there's always a micro in the lobby with the breakfast area, so, I figured I could fix my dinner somehow. I paid .28 tax for the entree. I'm telling you, tax on food is a killer. Here, it's 7.75% on edibles and 9.25% on non-food items. I guess it's a trade-off. My state does not have an income tax and the property taxes are very reasonable. I was in Boston earlier this year and was told that their property tax rate was so high that they received their tax bills every QUARTER!! EEK! Can you imagine?
I have a bet going with a coupon friend for the World Series. I'm rooting for the Phillies and she's a die-hard Yankees fan. The bet? A 2 ounce envie of Qs to the winner. Ahem. If you've read the sports page lately, you'll understand that I'm working on pulling Qs out of my binder tonight! I have a funny feeling I'm going to lose this bet. Thank goodness it's not for real money. Oh, wait! Coupons ARE real money! What have I done?
I realize that it is only the 2nd day of the month, but, I'm feeling very confident that I can make it through November on $50. Truly, I'm going to have to do it to ever dream of making goal this year.
You know, I've been looking over my stockpile lately and I'm thinking that I may continue my challenge for 2010. I'm even thinking of cutting it from $1,200 to an even $1,000 for the year. That would be for one adult and 6-10 cats per day. Someone told me that if I knew how many cats I actually had, that I didn't have enough. There's no telling how few or how many show up for breakfast every day.
I'm still ticked off about losing that $5 rebate at CVS yesterday. It's a hard feeling to shake. Hopefully, in a few days, I won't be so hard on myself and can get over it. Gee! Five dollars! How could I have been so careless? Take a lesson from me, ladies and gentlemen. Make a list. Make notes. Follow notes. Don't make the same mistake I made. If only one of you learns the lesson, it will be worth telling you that I really messed up.
One rather big purchase on the horizon, but, it's gifts, not groceries. I make baskets for my clients and paralegals at Christmas. I always put in the Millstone coffee packets and hot chocolate envelopes. I'm going to have to spend about $40 on that to get my baskets done this year. Food items, yes, grocery spending, no. They are gifts. Do you agree?
Totally off topic, but, I am going to Orlando for my birthday in December. This year, Disney was giving a free ticket to any park on your birthday if you signed up. My birthday is within a week of Christmas and I've decided to go to Epcot Center. I don't have children, so, I've never had any real reason to go to Disneyworld or any of the other parks. I realize that the "free" ticket is going to cost me $500-$600 for travel, hotel, eating, but, you know, I'm getting old and there's things I should have done years ago that I'm just now getting around to. I'll be staying in a hotel with a full kitchen, so, I'm sure I'll be using free Qs for my dinners while I'm there. I can have a lot of fun on a small amount of money. Never had much money, always wanted to have fun, so, I learned how to do it on a shoestring without feeling deprived.
I'm away from home on business tonight. I stopped off at a grocery, redeemed one of my free Michael Angelo's entree Qs, and took off. Luckily, I have a fridge and micro in the room. I guess I was assuming a lot there, you think? Maybe they wouldn't have that in the rooms. I knew, though, that they offered a continental breakfast and there's always a micro in the lobby with the breakfast area, so, I figured I could fix my dinner somehow. I paid .28 tax for the entree. I'm telling you, tax on food is a killer. Here, it's 7.75% on edibles and 9.25% on non-food items. I guess it's a trade-off. My state does not have an income tax and the property taxes are very reasonable. I was in Boston earlier this year and was told that their property tax rate was so high that they received their tax bills every QUARTER!! EEK! Can you imagine?
I have a bet going with a coupon friend for the World Series. I'm rooting for the Phillies and she's a die-hard Yankees fan. The bet? A 2 ounce envie of Qs to the winner. Ahem. If you've read the sports page lately, you'll understand that I'm working on pulling Qs out of my binder tonight! I have a funny feeling I'm going to lose this bet. Thank goodness it's not for real money. Oh, wait! Coupons ARE real money! What have I done?
I realize that it is only the 2nd day of the month, but, I'm feeling very confident that I can make it through November on $50. Truly, I'm going to have to do it to ever dream of making goal this year.
You know, I've been looking over my stockpile lately and I'm thinking that I may continue my challenge for 2010. I'm even thinking of cutting it from $1,200 to an even $1,000 for the year. That would be for one adult and 6-10 cats per day. Someone told me that if I knew how many cats I actually had, that I didn't have enough. There's no telling how few or how many show up for breakfast every day.
I'm still ticked off about losing that $5 rebate at CVS yesterday. It's a hard feeling to shake. Hopefully, in a few days, I won't be so hard on myself and can get over it. Gee! Five dollars! How could I have been so careless? Take a lesson from me, ladies and gentlemen. Make a list. Make notes. Follow notes. Don't make the same mistake I made. If only one of you learns the lesson, it will be worth telling you that I really messed up.
One rather big purchase on the horizon, but, it's gifts, not groceries. I make baskets for my clients and paralegals at Christmas. I always put in the Millstone coffee packets and hot chocolate envelopes. I'm going to have to spend about $40 on that to get my baskets done this year. Food items, yes, grocery spending, no. They are gifts. Do you agree?
Totally off topic, but, I am going to Orlando for my birthday in December. This year, Disney was giving a free ticket to any park on your birthday if you signed up. My birthday is within a week of Christmas and I've decided to go to Epcot Center. I don't have children, so, I've never had any real reason to go to Disneyworld or any of the other parks. I realize that the "free" ticket is going to cost me $500-$600 for travel, hotel, eating, but, you know, I'm getting old and there's things I should have done years ago that I'm just now getting around to. I'll be staying in a hotel with a full kitchen, so, I'm sure I'll be using free Qs for my dinners while I'm there. I can have a lot of fun on a small amount of money. Never had much money, always wanted to have fun, so, I learned how to do it on a shoestring without feeling deprived.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
First Day Of The Month EEK! Spending Already
I had to pick up a few things from the grocery today. I spent $17, but, used more than $70 in Qs. Quite a %, don't you think?
I found some chicken drumsticks marked down, then, with a store Q, AND a man. Q. Awesome! I got 3 pounds of drumsticks for $1.77 plus tax. Sixty cents a pound sounds awfully good to me.
A funny thing happened to me at Target this morning. I knew I shouldn't have done it, but, I was itching to do the Glade Christmas scents deal again for another $5 Target GC. I ended up buying 10 items for the promo, using lots of really great Qs. At the register, the computer prompted the cashier to only give me (1) GC. I didn't want to argue with her, so, I went to customer service. After a lot of back and forth, even the supervisor said the deal must have ended. How can that be? The cashier gave me (1) $5 GC. She had no clue, so, I said, well, I'll just return 5 of the items. She was happy to oblige. Since I had used so many Qs and really worked at making it a great deal, the credit she put on my CC was actually more than what I had originally paid. I still haven't figured out how it happened. All in all, I came away with 5 Glade candle items, 1 bottle of shaving cream, I recieved $2.35 after all the charges and credits were done, I received a $5 Target GC, and I was able to send off for a $5 cash rebate to my cousin. She saves Coke codes for me. I try to do something for her as often as I can. Now, that is a seriously good deal!
CVS had an ECB deal on the Glade this week. I did one of those and besides using some good Qs, received $3 in ECB for the deal. I also bought the Softsoap hand soap in the designer bottles. Here's where I messed up. There is a $5 rebate on the Glade items and a $4 rebate on the Softsoap. I should have done 2 transactions so that I would have 2 cash tapes, but, messed up and put it all one one. It's not that bad. I've maxed out the $5 Glade rebates, so, I only "lost" a rebate I could have sent to my cousin. She won't know the difference, but, boy, does it nag me to have made that mistake.
I need to take a pledge right now to stay away from further Glade deals. I have a bag full of Glade candles. I don't usually buy stuff like that, but, when it's free or nearly so, with GC and rebates to go along with it, I guess I'm just weak.
I've got about $33 left to spend this month. Let's see if I can do it.
Oh, yeah, another great deal I came across. I know a woman who owns a bakery in town. She's been saving empty egg cartons for me and you can imagine how many she goes through with a bakery. I went to a local flea market today and found a man who sells eggs. I made an agreement with him to exchange 16 empty egg cartons for a dozen of fresh eggs. He didn't have any eggs left when I was there, but, next Saturday, I'm going to get 3 dozen eggs free for just 48 egg cartons. By the time I us all those eggs, I'll certainly have enough egg cartons to do it again. Please, ladies and gentlemen, give me a big hand for putting that deal together!
I found some chicken drumsticks marked down, then, with a store Q, AND a man. Q. Awesome! I got 3 pounds of drumsticks for $1.77 plus tax. Sixty cents a pound sounds awfully good to me.
A funny thing happened to me at Target this morning. I knew I shouldn't have done it, but, I was itching to do the Glade Christmas scents deal again for another $5 Target GC. I ended up buying 10 items for the promo, using lots of really great Qs. At the register, the computer prompted the cashier to only give me (1) GC. I didn't want to argue with her, so, I went to customer service. After a lot of back and forth, even the supervisor said the deal must have ended. How can that be? The cashier gave me (1) $5 GC. She had no clue, so, I said, well, I'll just return 5 of the items. She was happy to oblige. Since I had used so many Qs and really worked at making it a great deal, the credit she put on my CC was actually more than what I had originally paid. I still haven't figured out how it happened. All in all, I came away with 5 Glade candle items, 1 bottle of shaving cream, I recieved $2.35 after all the charges and credits were done, I received a $5 Target GC, and I was able to send off for a $5 cash rebate to my cousin. She saves Coke codes for me. I try to do something for her as often as I can. Now, that is a seriously good deal!
CVS had an ECB deal on the Glade this week. I did one of those and besides using some good Qs, received $3 in ECB for the deal. I also bought the Softsoap hand soap in the designer bottles. Here's where I messed up. There is a $5 rebate on the Glade items and a $4 rebate on the Softsoap. I should have done 2 transactions so that I would have 2 cash tapes, but, messed up and put it all one one. It's not that bad. I've maxed out the $5 Glade rebates, so, I only "lost" a rebate I could have sent to my cousin. She won't know the difference, but, boy, does it nag me to have made that mistake.
I need to take a pledge right now to stay away from further Glade deals. I have a bag full of Glade candles. I don't usually buy stuff like that, but, when it's free or nearly so, with GC and rebates to go along with it, I guess I'm just weak.
I've got about $33 left to spend this month. Let's see if I can do it.
Oh, yeah, another great deal I came across. I know a woman who owns a bakery in town. She's been saving empty egg cartons for me and you can imagine how many she goes through with a bakery. I went to a local flea market today and found a man who sells eggs. I made an agreement with him to exchange 16 empty egg cartons for a dozen of fresh eggs. He didn't have any eggs left when I was there, but, next Saturday, I'm going to get 3 dozen eggs free for just 48 egg cartons. By the time I us all those eggs, I'll certainly have enough egg cartons to do it again. Please, ladies and gentlemen, give me a big hand for putting that deal together!
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