I just sent off to Purina enough weight circles to get (3) $6 checks on my next purchases of large bags of cat food. I'm always looking for Purina weight circles, so, if you run across any, let me know and see what we can trade. Heck, if I can figure out how to trade egg cartons for eggs, I surely can figure out how to trade for Purina weight circles!
I have to admit that I didn't eat at home today. I had a Q and a GC for TGI Fridays. Enjoyed a really good meal and spent nothing out of pocket. I had gotten the GC to give as a gift to a friend for Christmas, but, we are "on the outs" and I decided to use the GC for myself. What if we make up before Christmas? Not likely. It's really hurtful as we have been best friends for 40 years, but, things change, people change, it's just gotten too hard to keep the relationship afloat. My therapist insists that she will call and make up before she needs another ride to the airport! That seems to be all she is interested in. Oops! I'm sorry. Too much information.
Just so you don't think I've changed my M.O., I have all the "fixin's" for tacos in the fridge. Once all the components are assembled, it's an easy meal.
I will be out of town Friday-Tuesday. I'll be online, though. I have 4 hotel mystery shops lined up. Dad is taking care of the animals while I am gone. I'm going to be able to see my paramour once or twice during that time. Yes, paramour. Old fashioned word, new age relationship. He is NOT a boyfriend. He doesn't qualify. We have, for 16 years, been sexual partners, nothing else. Well, I take that back. We both like baseball. That's actually the only thing we have in common. Oops! Once again, too much information! Oh, what the heck! I'm an old maid! I deserve a little recreation. Now, wouldn't ya'll just love to have a man who comes to your house, does his job, and leaves? You never have to cook him a meal, pick up his dirty socks or do his laundry. You never have to hear him snore or far*. I think I have a great deal!
Ah, well, good deals coming my way for cat food with the Purina checks I'm going to receive. If I'm lucky, my grocery store will have Purina as a BOGOF deal before long. THAT would be sweet.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A Rebate Received Yesterday
The rebate was only $2.99, but, that's a big deal when you have less than $10 for the rest of the month. I now have about $12 to spend. I also still have $65 in CVS GC and still quite a bit of free Qs to redeem. I have a lot of Freshpet that I was going to redeem for my cousin. He's having a hard time and I wanted to help him feed his dog. I can't find this item in any store around here. I admit that I haven't been to Wal-Mart yet. I really hate spending money at WM. I think I will stop in, though, and see if they have this item. It's a refrigerated item, I think. I also have several Qs for a free box of a new Ronzoni pasta called "garden" something or other. I can't find them anywhere. I've even looked in Atlanta.
I'm in "cooking mode" today. So far, I've made a lemon pound cake (my dad loves mine, or so he says!), I've prepared a pound of taco beef, and boiled 4 eggs for making tuna salad. I've used 6 items out of stockpile in addition to 8 eggs and condiments from the fridge. I realize I've fallen down on my "3 a day" use of stockpile items, but, I'm trying to make up for it all today!
Heads up! My CVS manager just gave me the news that there will be MAJOR FARs on 2/14/09. He didn't go into detail, but, told me that I didn't want to miss it. I'll see if I can squeeze a little more information about it over the next few days.
I'm in "cooking mode" today. So far, I've made a lemon pound cake (my dad loves mine, or so he says!), I've prepared a pound of taco beef, and boiled 4 eggs for making tuna salad. I've used 6 items out of stockpile in addition to 8 eggs and condiments from the fridge. I realize I've fallen down on my "3 a day" use of stockpile items, but, I'm trying to make up for it all today!
Heads up! My CVS manager just gave me the news that there will be MAJOR FARs on 2/14/09. He didn't go into detail, but, told me that I didn't want to miss it. I'll see if I can squeeze a little more information about it over the next few days.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
I Have An Announcement To Make
Even though I haven't made it all the way through the year yet and seeing as how I only have $9 left for the month, you may think I'm crazy, but, here it is.
2010--$1,000 oop!!
Yes, I am going to get through the entire year on $1,000 out of pocket, depending on my stockpile and any free GC I may be able to obtain. I will also use any rebates to reduce my oop. That will be rebates or refunds for grocery and related purchases. If I buy a computer and get a rebate, that wouldn't count for groceries.
Ya'll are going to have to hold my feet to the fire for the next year. I see prices going up on everything, or else, they reduce the ounces and charge the same price. I'm definitely going against the upward trend by reducing my budget, but, you know, that's what makes it a real challenge.
Oh, I didn't get my "free" eggs yesterday. It snowed here yesterday morning and I expected that no one would show up at the flea market in the snow, so, I didn't go. It is several miles away and I just didn't think it worth the possibility of wasting gas to go and find no one there. I still have 2 dozen, so, I plan to go see the egg man next Saturday.
Just for those of you who are used to snow in the winter, I can tell you that it has been many, many years since we had snow in the fall. We don't even get one snow every year, but, when we do, it's usually in February or March.
2010--$1,000 oop!!
Yes, I am going to get through the entire year on $1,000 out of pocket, depending on my stockpile and any free GC I may be able to obtain. I will also use any rebates to reduce my oop. That will be rebates or refunds for grocery and related purchases. If I buy a computer and get a rebate, that wouldn't count for groceries.
Ya'll are going to have to hold my feet to the fire for the next year. I see prices going up on everything, or else, they reduce the ounces and charge the same price. I'm definitely going against the upward trend by reducing my budget, but, you know, that's what makes it a real challenge.
Oh, I didn't get my "free" eggs yesterday. It snowed here yesterday morning and I expected that no one would show up at the flea market in the snow, so, I didn't go. It is several miles away and I just didn't think it worth the possibility of wasting gas to go and find no one there. I still have 2 dozen, so, I plan to go see the egg man next Saturday.
Just for those of you who are used to snow in the winter, I can tell you that it has been many, many years since we had snow in the fall. We don't even get one snow every year, but, when we do, it's usually in February or March.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
$9.21
That's all I have left for the year. I fear I will go over by a bit; however, I have $19.73 in rebates due in December (I hope!). Maybe if all the rebates come in, I wll make it. It's really important to me to be able to pull this off.
I can look back on the year and see where I could have cut back. I didn't have to buy that big bag of Glade products, even though there were great Qs for them and the $5 Target GC deal. I could have just walked away from it. I've bought way too much toothpaste, even though most of the time it has been for pennies, not dollars.
I am still leaning towards a $1,000 challenge for 2010. Tell me why I shouldn't. I'm open to your ideas.
I can look back on the year and see where I could have cut back. I didn't have to buy that big bag of Glade products, even though there were great Qs for them and the $5 Target GC deal. I could have just walked away from it. I've bought way too much toothpaste, even though most of the time it has been for pennies, not dollars.
I am still leaning towards a $1,000 challenge for 2010. Tell me why I shouldn't. I'm open to your ideas.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
I Blew It Today And It's Only December 3
I stopped in to buy some cat food today. Came out with over $32 worth of stuff. I guess I felt like that Stouffer's lasagna family sizes were too good a deal to refuse. I have a whopping $10 left for the year. I have about $10 in rebates due in December, but, boy, am I going to go sliding by the seat of my pants into 2010. For sure, I will be ignoring the Walgreens and CVS deals for the rest of the month.
I got all my Christmas baskets done and most have been delivered. I'm going to get the rest of them delivered tomorrow afternoon. I think my clients appreciate the thought, although they all say, "Oh, no, I can't eat that stuff!" Yeah, so what's a little chocolate in your stocking at Christmas? A moment on the lips, forever on the hips!
I can't believe that I am considering a $1,000 budget for 2010 when I can't even stay within $1,200 this year and I know prices are going up, up, up. Somebody, please, knock some sense into me!
I got all my Christmas baskets done and most have been delivered. I'm going to get the rest of them delivered tomorrow afternoon. I think my clients appreciate the thought, although they all say, "Oh, no, I can't eat that stuff!" Yeah, so what's a little chocolate in your stocking at Christmas? A moment on the lips, forever on the hips!
I can't believe that I am considering a $1,000 budget for 2010 when I can't even stay within $1,200 this year and I know prices are going up, up, up. Somebody, please, knock some sense into me!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
What A Meal!
I took my dad to dinner last night. I was performing a mystery shop. Can't say where we went but he had a beautiful ribeye steak and I had an amazing fillet of salmon. His appetite is good. I'm thankful for that.
I took him to his radiation treatment today. The news is not good, but, we have high hopes. Quite frankly, the radiology oncologist was surprised that my dad was still alive. He had a lot of questions for him about his pain and how he was doing. Dad has committed to 10 radiation treatments for the next 2 weeks. After that, probably more chemo. I'm not sure, but, I think my dad is thinking of dropping out of treatment. The doctor told him today that without the radiation and chemo, he had 90 days or less. He didn't give an estimate of time if he continues with the treatments. I suspect it's not much more than that, although, I guess when you think you're making headway, it doesn't seem so bleak.
For those of you who are believers, I want you to know that my dad is ready to go. He has no fear of what may lie ahead of him after this life. I cannot be sad because I know that he will be walking streets of gold soon. To meet the Lord, to see your loved ones, it all must be so wonderful that our human minds cannot even process the glory. I have miscarried 3 times through the years. My dad will see his grandchildren before I see them!
Please forgive me for getting so off-topic. This blog is all about saving money and living on less. Sometimes, though, there are other things higher on my priority list. I hope you understand.
I took him to his radiation treatment today. The news is not good, but, we have high hopes. Quite frankly, the radiology oncologist was surprised that my dad was still alive. He had a lot of questions for him about his pain and how he was doing. Dad has committed to 10 radiation treatments for the next 2 weeks. After that, probably more chemo. I'm not sure, but, I think my dad is thinking of dropping out of treatment. The doctor told him today that without the radiation and chemo, he had 90 days or less. He didn't give an estimate of time if he continues with the treatments. I suspect it's not much more than that, although, I guess when you think you're making headway, it doesn't seem so bleak.
For those of you who are believers, I want you to know that my dad is ready to go. He has no fear of what may lie ahead of him after this life. I cannot be sad because I know that he will be walking streets of gold soon. To meet the Lord, to see your loved ones, it all must be so wonderful that our human minds cannot even process the glory. I have miscarried 3 times through the years. My dad will see his grandchildren before I see them!
Please forgive me for getting so off-topic. This blog is all about saving money and living on less. Sometimes, though, there are other things higher on my priority list. I hope you understand.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
$47.52
Well, I have $47.52 left for the month of December to stay within my $1,200 budget for the year. I made it through November on $31, so, this should be a cake-walk. I'll have to buy a couple of bags of cat food, but, I think I can keep MY spending to a minimum. Except for a loaf of bread, I can't think of a thing I need right now. Next Saturday, I'm going to the flea market and trade in my egg cartons for 3 dozen eggs. I haven't finished the last 3 dozen I received, but, I'm thinking of baking a couple of cakes this week, so, that should take care of a lot of them.
I'm currently holding onto about $85 in CVS GC. I receive them for pharmacy refills. Oh, yeah, my store finally got a scanner! I haven't gotten anything really good from it yet, but, I'm hopeful. I'm down to $1 in ECB. I know most of you are very good at rolling those ECBs and getting more and more. I'm not really into that too much. I get what I can and use what I want. I really don't see the sense in buying items that I will never use, even if they are FAR. It just chews down my GC and sometimes I can't find something to buy to roll my ECBs before they expire. That kind of forces me to buy stuff I don't need and I don't really like that.
I was taking stock today of all my free coupons for groceries. I have close to $100 worth of them. That's a good feeling. When you get down to nothing, there's free Qs for food!
Well, it's a new month and I see good things ahead. I'm heading out to dinner in a few minutes with my dad. It's important to spend time with him other than in doctors' offices. I will keep you updated on his progress.
I'm currently holding onto about $85 in CVS GC. I receive them for pharmacy refills. Oh, yeah, my store finally got a scanner! I haven't gotten anything really good from it yet, but, I'm hopeful. I'm down to $1 in ECB. I know most of you are very good at rolling those ECBs and getting more and more. I'm not really into that too much. I get what I can and use what I want. I really don't see the sense in buying items that I will never use, even if they are FAR. It just chews down my GC and sometimes I can't find something to buy to roll my ECBs before they expire. That kind of forces me to buy stuff I don't need and I don't really like that.
I was taking stock today of all my free coupons for groceries. I have close to $100 worth of them. That's a good feeling. When you get down to nothing, there's free Qs for food!
Well, it's a new month and I see good things ahead. I'm heading out to dinner in a few minutes with my dad. It's important to spend time with him other than in doctors' offices. I will keep you updated on his progress.
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