What Did You Do Frugal Today VIIII

[LJsmom]

Hey my uncle lives in Mt. Hood !!! I've seen pictures, looks like heaven to me. They have all sorts of animals, live an hour from ocean, mountain is right there etc. Can't get better than that. He says they don't even have an air conditioner. Only gets hot for about 2 weeks a year so it doesn't pay to have one. One day I'll get to visit.

He went flying with a buddy over Mt. St. Helens and took pics. I deleted them but if my mom still has them, I'll post for you all-they were SPECTACULAR.

as for the mortgage pmt ... UGH. Our taxes just jumped severely. My 1400 sf house is over $1000 a month but not quite up to CA standards. Just had a bunch of houses go up nearby that are $700-800,000. so my property value also went up. Hey lucky me. Too bad I don't want to move-we moved in 9 yrs ago and already the price has about doubled (no, my house isn't one of those pricey ones, just a regular kind).

My bil and sil moved way up north suburbs to get away. New construction etc. to get a huge house (thats the way they are...) He works down near us, she has to travel farther to work, and their taxes are upwards of $8000 a year *choke* All so they can have a big pretty house. Secretly we call them and their neighbors "the Jones". You know they have to keep up with each other Me...? I'd rather have my normal house and be happy with what I have, not what I don't.

Oh yeah we are supposed to talk about frugal stuff. Hmmm well I deposited $ IN the bank today instead of OUT for a change.
Going to bed now, see you all tomorrow.

[mom2-4]

I had an 1982 ford Escort for my first car! I had to pay for it and the insurance and registration and inspections. But, my parents did put me on their insurance policy, so that saved me some money. My dad did take out a loan for me though, so that was a big help. But, when we went to look at it, I didn't have any money with me, so my Mom put $10 down for it, and I had to pay that back too. Anyway we bought it in 1986, at that time it had over 100,000 miles on it. DH, and I drove it till its last tire, and traded it in in 1992!

I have to share a cute frugal my Mom did. She works at a bakery, in the discount store. So, she gets all the day old doughnuts and such. She neeeded to get a tire fixed on her car, and thinking that she would get it fixed for cheaper, she gave them two boxes of dougnuts6/box). And the garage did not charge her at all for fixing the tire!

Our trailer payment is high for this area, only because we bought it in less than 7 years after a bankruptcy. We pay $501.71 for mortgage, and $310 for lot rent, which only includes water/sewer, and trash removal. But, since we don't own the land our yearly taxes are only $500, that is both spring, and fall taxes. But, we have a safe neighborhood, where our kids can ride bike, and literally play in the street! (as long as they stay off the street where that uninsured/unlicensed lady lives that hit my DS). All the ones on my street are safe.

Frugal has been accepting all the food from my parents, that Dad can now not eat, due to too much sodium.

Question???? Does anyone use the "envelope" system, but instead of keeping the money in an envelope keep it in a savings account? That is what I am considering doing this year. Budgeting 1/4 per week per bill. And putting each of the 1/4 in an interest bearing account. And having it set up that I can transfer my funds from my savings account into my checking account for when it comes time to make the payment on whatever is to be paid.

Just wondering if anyone else does that. And if so, if it works out good for them.

Okay, well, now that I yapped everyones' ears off, I better go.

[Songberries]

I just got back from my run and I have a few minutes before I have to wake up the kiddo's.

Chauncey (my 9 yr old son) found a big back of fish sticks in the basement freezer last night. Wow, I didn't even remember that I had them, so I think I'll make some tartar sauce and the kids can have fish sticks, steamed broccoli and some refrigerator biscuits for dinner. I'm going to have leftover ham. I love using what I have.

My dh is still out of town, but the good part was, was that there was more work there than he thought, so he'll make more money! He'll be home Sunday night.

Has anyone ever had Catalina Salad? It was popular in the 60's. They made it on a show I watch and tv and boy does it sound yummy! If anyones interested I'll post the recipe. It has pretty basic ingredients in it.

Carol

[jjoj]

Good morning, ladies! Congratulations to you Emma Lee and Ericka. It sounds like you both got fantastic deals! I'm not sure how much our actual house payment is because of all the stuff tied in like, escrow,insurance, taxes, etc. I know that the interest rate is 6% though. I have to say that I love Oregon also. The Multnoma Falls is another beautiful area.
Anna, maybe if your business keeps growing you can retire sooner than 20 years. Ya never know, right?!
Catwoman, those were great deals on the meat. I wonder if our Kroger is having the same sale or if areas have different ones? Dh is low-carbing and I seem to be lacking on variety and creativity on meals lately. Probably because I don't like meat a lot. Has anyone ever tried the Boca sausage links? I wonder if they taste as good as they look in the picture. Well,take care, everyone and have a great day!

[OSI]

Welcome Catwoman and Katieflowers

What cute names and easy to remember.

O.k. I'm convinced... I'm moving to Oregon! Sounds wonderful and I love the ocean and mountains.

Catwoman

Good luck with sticking to your plan you are motivating me to try harder to stick to my list.

Not much frugal to report again today. Dh didn't fill up the truck at lunch yesterday and when we filled up last night, it had jumped 20 cents per gallon

Cooked dinner last night and just watched back to back episodes of CSI... I love that show gorey graphics and all. We have never watched it until recently so we have alot of catching up to do.

It's snowy and cold here today, we didn't get the snow storm yet.. they are saying overnight we should get 6 inches. Dh is talking about working OT tommorw but I'd rather he didn't if the weathers bad.

Anna

[jjoj]

Carol, I would love to have that recipe whenever you get the chance. I love salads.
mom2four, I use the envelope method. It works well for me and keeps me from overspending.
Take care and God bless.

[tamip]

Mom2-4, I do envelopes and I use cash and the savings account. The savings account holds all the stuff that will be there for awhile and using a check when I do need it works great for me. In the bank I save my envelopes for house maintenance, car maintenance, medical, dental, vacation, Christmas, vet.... I think that's it.

Hope that helps!

Tami

[Lee]

I think anyone who has a mortgage under $1,000.00 is lucky! Just about everyone I know pays more! We pay 850.00 with taxes and insurance.

After reading your all the posts about Oregon, I just told dh to start job searching on the internet there! lol. I dont think I am willing to go quite that far yet. Unless of course a perfect job with lots of money came around!

Getting ready to go to Target I need diapers and we need to get a battery for the cordless phone! Will check out the endcaps but unless it is a super steal will stay clear.

Karen,
I use the envelope system for a couple of things. Sure I think your idea sounds fine. It cant hurt to make a few days interest.

Staying in tonight were supposed to start getting a lot of snow here. So dont want to be out for that. I have a feeling we will be waking up a blizzard. Those Alberta Clippers can really throw down some wind!
Leighann

[ldyroper]

does it use that??
Montanaczech- where in MT do you live? We are now looking at property up by Circle. Cant find anything we can afford south of baker area. We now have a hay and cattle hauling business, and circle area would be between the hay and the people who we haul for.
Freezing rain this am. I was a wreck driving the school bus. This is North Dakota, thought they got snow?
My mom told me about the envelope method of bills. I have used it in the past. I need to get better about a budget, Esp if we will be moving.

[czechlady]

Good Morning Everyone. We have rain/ice and high winds today, No school or school buses are running. No travel is advised and lot of accidents are reported on the radio .

Frugal today is doing a load of laundry in cold water, will hang the heavy throw ( which I am washing) down in the basement to dry.
Have a large comforter to wash yet, but will wait until tomorrow as am short on drying space .

Was impressed with the coverage of the inaugural ceremony, but thought Fox did a poor job of coverage on the parade. I taped the whole event, so after hearing from my ds as to the exact location of the grandson who was marching with the Coast Guard , will now replay the video and try to pin point him.

Have been doing a bit of reading , loaded up on library books on tuesday, so that will keep me busy for a bit.

All the comments about Oregon and WA , makes me lonesome for back there. I love the Pacific Northwest. Can't beat it for scenery either.

Keep warm everyone, have a great day
Joy