What Did You Do Frugal Today VIIII

[mom2-4]

awwww, a birthday party for a stuffed animal, that sounds like fun!! Reminds of the other week when DD, had me take individual pictures of her with each of her seven favorite stuffed animals. Luckily it is a digital camera, and I didn't have to pay to have them developed!

I have to laugh about everyone running to the store before the snow starts. We are supposed to get 10"-14" before it is done. But, we bought my sisters four wheel drive from here in the fall. And she stopped over this evening, and DH mentioned to her that we have to go to the store tomorrow morning. She said, "Oh, well just wait until after the snow starts. Than the roads are empty, and the stores are even emptier than the roads. And you(meaning DH) gets to "play" in the snow with his "new" to him four wheel drive.

Thanks for the info. on the envelope system. Now, I just need to come up with a system, so I will remember what the money is designated for that is in the savings account.

Unfrugal, I took DS to the dr. thinking he had strept throat. Only to find out it is just a bad cold. He had the white spots on his tonsils, and was running a fever. Dr. said it is just a bad cold. Somehow, I have this feeling, I will be running back to the Dr. with him next week, and coming home with a prescription for antibiotics for strept throat.

Frugal/unfrugal we dropped our van off for the yearly inspection last night. It cost us $334! But, I really can't complain, because last year all it needed was new tires. And $334 for one year is much better than a car payment that would most likely be $344/month or more! Which the $344 is less than we were paying for payments on the van before we paid if off.

On the store thing, I really do believe some stores do put something in the air to make you buy more. There is a grocery store in our area, that every time we go there we get extremely dry mouths. And they have to die for subs, and macaroni salad that go perfectly together, with a little carton of orange drink.

[jjoj]

I try to stay out of Walmart as much as possible! If I do go, I only take a certain amt. of money with me and leave my checkbook and debit card at home. Otherwise, I KNOW I will overspend.
Mom2four, I think moms know their kids better than anyone else. You should trust your instincts. Hope it won't be strep, though. Definitely NOT fun.
My meatballs turned out to be a disaster. I'm not really sure what happened, but they all broke apart and turned into a congealed mess! Maybe I cooked them too long? Oh, well, tomorrow is another day. Have a good evening everyone!

[Songberries]

jjoj - ooh, what a good idea! I think I might try leaving my checkbook at home!

I did some mending today, ugh, I hate mending. I put a cute patch over a hole in my dd jeans. They look really cute now. I also mended several pairs of her tights.

Well, tata for now!

Carol

[leasmom]

And I've been so busy and tired that I haven't been on the internet nearly at all.

I have alot of frugal things to mention: I got my brakes fixed by my co-worker. It cost me about $40, $20 for him and $20 for supplies. I also got my heat fixed for free because my other co-worker looked at my car and said that I needed to add antifreeze, which I already had in my trunk and so that was good. The bad news is that soon I'll need my struts replaced.

Also, I stripped up the carpet in my bedroom and bought some paint thinner that I hope will work to take up the paint spots left from when they painted the room, whoever knows how many years ago. It's nice wood floors. If it doesn't work, I'll just paint it.

But, I had a gate estimated and the cheapest was $1,850. MY boss/co-worker's told me to save that money and put a down payment on a home. They said for the price that I'm paying for rent I could have a home, so I have an appt. on Monday to see what I qualify for. I hope to have a home by this summer, if not earlier. MY boss had put down $3,200 as the closing cost and had a home in 25 days. I am not sure what side of town I'd like to live on. I'm gonna start investigating. I've lived only on two sides of town. Anyway...still trying to figure out how to keep my grocery bill down especially since I take dd to work with me and therefore I have to buy snacks for her, and though I cook my own food for lunch or make sandwiches, but I have to buy Low carb foods and the foods are higher cost and buying soda's for my lunch.

Any ideals are welcome!!!

[LJsmom]

I have to go into that subliminal trap called Walmart next week too. I now go w/o my dd's if at all possible. At least that way I can look at the extra stuff that I want and not spend hours in front of the fish tank!
All I need is dish washing powder-hmmm wonder what else I'll come out with...?
I have to bring snack for dd2's class next wed. The teacher said they REALLY love popcorn. Good ol' Walmart to the rescue again-their big bag is only $1. The school has so much extra juice, I don't even have to buy that either. Woohoo

A goal for me this year is to 1. be more organized and 2. to really think about purchases before I make them. Maybe I will only get out of the trap with the 2 things. Well, not about to make the trip in our blizzard this weekend anyway.

[ethansamuel]

Well I am SO glad to know I'm not the only one that hears that subliminal message in Wal-Mart! I did a lot better then I usually do today and I think I'll try that idea of only taking cash for what I need next time...surely that's got to help!

Frugal tomorrow will be making beef stew from what I have in the cupboards and baking ds's birthday cake instead of ordering one at the bakery that costs $20 for a 1/4 sheet.

Have a great weekend girls...

Sandra

(good to see you back leasmom! Hope you qualify for purchasing a home...it's been the best move we ever made!)

[redcardinalbird]

Yesterday I got a ton of bluejean and black dickie like material from freecycle. The guy I picked it up from said it was 100 lbs and I believe him. I, and a friend, are going to try and make duffle bags for our scouts.

jjoj - guess I must hit the Meijers just rights as I have been in there all times of the day and found them at different times. This week I was there in the evening. The old management was really good about putting out the bargains. I have noticed with the newer mgmt that not as many are out. I use to be able to get undies and sock for the kids for .25. They were from packs that had been opened. They don't do this anymore.

Anna, I know I will go out and get extra milk and bread when they call for a snow storm as one tiime I didn't believe them and we were stuck at home for a week. I am like you though on the other things we pretty much have a stock.

[barbszy]

We are going to get SNOWED on here this weekend! The kids are

I got a few things out of the garage that didn't belong in it so we could put DH's car in there. This way we'll only have to clear off one car.

Yesterday I did my food shopping. I didn't buy anything extra because of snow, just the usual things I'd be buying anyway. Should have gotten more eggs, though, I think. DH is eating too many of them.

DH is a meteorologist and it always makes us laugh when the TV "weather people" mention SNOW and immediately the entire Philadelphia area hits the supermarkets to buy milk, bread, and eggs. We suspect that there are a lot of people eating French toast during these snowstorms!

Yes, Walmart is bad, bad, bad for me. I was good yesterday. I had a list and only bought 1 pack of clearance price socks that was not on the list.

[jjoj]

Good morning, everyone! Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Leasmom, great job saving on car maintenance. It can be so expensive! Sometimes Firestone does car work also. We kind of discovered this by accident. Dh was talking to the guy who was putting on our tires. He mentioned something (can't remember what it was for sure) that we had to have repaired and the guy offered to do it for us. He said most people don't know that they can do this. Anyway, it was quite a lot cheaper. Who knew? Wish I had some good advice for the food, but I am sure someone here will.
Sandra, thats wonderful that you can make your own cake. Sounds like it will save bunches!
Frugal is we are eating leftovers all weekend. (except for the meatballs) We have free tickets for the U of L game this afternoon. I'm not a really big sports person, but I think it should be fun. Well, you all take care and stay warm!

[jjoj]

Oops,sorry! Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to your ds, Sandra. Is that today? Also Carol, I like the idea of mending tights. I wear them a lot in the winter myself. They are soo expensive, too. Mending them is a really great idea! Okay, I'm getting off now. Have a super weekend, ladies!