Gramma Ray's Blog

I received my $20 CC rewards check and am adding that to my challenge account...which brings the total to: $662.22!! Woo-hoo!!

(Maybe the mail will bring a rebate or two today and I can add even more!!!....fingers crossed)

I did a little Christmas shopping this morning while working...and thanks to My Points it was free! I requested a $25 gift card for our brand new Home Depot that will be opening soon...DS loves all things home center...so this will be a great gift for him!

DHs wood business saw it's first official 'paycheck' yesterday. He delivered his first load of the season and the check was payable to the business!! He has two loads today and then we will be running an ad in the paper next week...Which means we will get really busy!

The money comes at a great time...As Ive blogged before, I am about to take a 1/2 cut in pay with the bug business and I would love to be able to stay on track with my income for the winter.

In addition, Anna's puppies are due in 7 days. She is HUGE, so I am sure we have a good sized litter coming!

Will keep eveyone posted!

One year ago today, my grandaughter (to DD1) was born on my DD2's birthday!!

Our big party for DD2's 21st and GDs 1st is Sunday...but today I am treating the girls to lunch!

Then, my grandson will spend the night tonight so his mom can go out and celebrate her big birthday with friends.

It will be a busy, celebration kindof day and weekend!!! Definately no 'no-spenders' in the immediate future..but this is a special weekend, so thats a-ok!

OK-

It's 4am and I am using the bathroom when DH (who works nights and had just got home) pokes his head in and asks me this question...."What are you doing"

I look down and I have 3 sheets of toilet paper that I am separating (it is a double layer roll). Mind you, my eyes are barely open and my fingers are fumbling...all I really want to do is go back to sleep.

Umm...I am only using 1/2 of the TP so I am separating it to save the rest for next time...

He shakes his head and walks off...so I follow him downstairs and he is complaining about a backache and suggests that his boots are worn and may be the cause of the backpain....

So I suggest (again, this is not the first time weve had this discussion) that he go and buy a new pair....

He replies "Right, Im supposed to buy new boots while your separating toilet paper to save money"...

lol....so I explain to him that I have a budget for clothing and his boots are already paid for...but that I am plugging the small financial holes as I can, so that we can save money...

Im not really sure why I am blogging about this...except to wonder if I am going too far...my poor DH did look at me like I lost a marble or two...All I know is that I am in a mindset...and its keeping our budget from busting...so I will continue on with the funny little frugal things I do---even if my family thinks Ive lost it.

A true no-spender today!!!

I have started doing my parents laundry since DD1 is working a FT and a PT job and wont have the time anymore. I finished 7 loads for them and just have a few more tomorrow...the reason so many is 'cause there was almost two weeks worth to do, plus blankets and throw-rugs. They want to pay me to do this for them, otherwise they will take it to the laundrymat...what is it about parents and their pride???? Cant i just be a good daughter and do this for them???

We ate leftovers for lunch and dinner, so basically FREE meals!!!

I also had some very ripe (pretty much BLACK) bananas...so I looked up a fun recipe for pumpkin banana bread...which included all the yummy 'fall' seasonings...nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar...ummm..YUM. So I made two loaves of bread. It sure made the house smell great today!!! I shared some with my folks and will use the rest this week.

and then just enjoyed the no-spender!!
Not much exciting in the mail...I did get the ABC christmas catalog...but didnt really see anything I liked.

I am expecting several rebates to come in this week and next...looking forward to adding them to my challenge!!!

Have a good one!

We received a notice from the NY DMV today...they finally opened DHs plea of NOT GUILTY and all of the supporting documents. Did they write to appologize for our inconvenience??

NOT EVEN CLOSE:

They have set a court date for October 31 at 2:30pm.

Here is what the notice states:

"If you do not come to this hearing your driver's license or priveledge to drive in NY will be suspended. If suspended, under NY vehicle and traffic law you willhave to pay a $35 suspension termination fee in addition to all other fines and penalties before your license or driving priviledges will be restored, WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF THIS CASE."

In a nutshell, if DH doesnt go to the hearing and he is found NOT GUILTY, we will then have to pay $35 fee to get suspension removed because he failed to appear.

UNREAL. Is New York in such financial trouble that they have to continue to hardarm money from innocent people???

At this point all I can say is NY sucks.

DD3 started HS this morning. Poor thing had a semi-melt down yesterday...I think just a case of pre-HS-jitters. So I gave her the choice of going out to eat at her fav restaurant or having chicken picatta at home...

The ultimate complement is when my family family CHOOSES home cooking over their favorite restaurant!! and that is precisely what DD3 did.

So, we had a nice relaxing night at home and enjoyed DD3s last night of 'freedom' lol...and like many others on the site have mentioned...watched a few of those CSI marathon shows.

Hear that odd sound??

It is my dryer, running for the first time since May....drying clothes that DD3 wanted for her first day of HS, that i didnt know about until it was too late to put them on the line.

Certainly an odd feeling to have to toss them in the dryer...and hopefully one that won't get repeated until our first rain...

Tomorrow, all clothes on the line!!!

DD2 is turning 21 on Friday, so I wanted to get her a little something extra (outside the birthday club gift that we do as a family)

I went to Michaels and got her a scrapbook case/holder and a gift card. She said she wanted to start this hobby, and I though this would make a nice gift for her. I spent $53 for everything.

That comes out of the Birthday Club fund that I have.

My allowance this week was $19- as I took the odd amount from DHs paycheck rather than the normal amount. I had planned on saving it, but ended up spending it all on LUNCH for DD1, GD, DD3 and me..and A BELT for DD3. Whoosh...just like that my $19 was gone.

Then we went to Target and I got 5 items that came to $13.

Most interesting is what I didnt buy.

"mom, can I get a $64 pair of tennis shoes that I will love forever" ....NO

"can I have this stuff from bath and body works"...NO...

"can I get some of this for school..." no

"I need this..." NO.

I honestly saved more than I spent...and my resolve strengthens....now if I can just use that same philosophy for my allowance!!!

I am going to count today as a no-spender, even though DH went golfing...since he used his allowance to go.

I am baking a potato dish for dinner...I got the recipe from Taste of Home, but have used it before in a slightly different version. (Potatoes, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, green onion and butter)...It smells YUMMY and will go nicely with the grilled steaks tonight. (is it dinner yet??)

A friend of my parents (he is about my age) was killed in an accident this morning, so it has been a solemn day for us. I knew this guy. He was one of the techs at my moms dialysis a few years ago...and was the one that never minded wearing a dress on Halloween just to make the patients smile. Such a sad loss....total freak accident.

I did a bunch of laundry today...and it all got hung out on the line. I am also revisiting my Meals on a Dime book...to get remotivated in saving for the smaller paychecks that are forthcoming.

I want to get all the house bedding done before the weather cools too much- so I can use the sun for drying.

I didnt get to the craft room as I had hoped today...but I will work on it this next week.

I did start pulling out my little christmas trees that I decorate with fall foliage during Autumn...I love doing this...Ill try to post a picture next week when I am all done...it seems weird to start when I still have those sheets up everywhere...but fall is coming quick, and I want to get my home in the spirit!!! (When I get up, the house is 50 something...and by night, it has gotten up to almost 90 in here!)

Shaun, farewell to you. I know life wasnt easy for you...but you and your wonderful sense of humor will be sorely missed by those of us that knew you. Nana and papa enjoyed you, thank you for making nana's time at dialysis a little brighter.

Today will hopefully be a quiet, spend free day.

DH wants to work on wood and I have accumulated a stack of laundry.

I havent blogged too much about it, but my shoulder has continued to hurt...almost two months now...It will get better for 2-3 days and then I move it at the wrong angle and I get this electric shock and it hurts for 4-5 days again...so i am thinking pinched nerve...I have done quite a bit of reading and from what I can tell, this darn thing can take a long time to heal. It sure messes with my ability to get stuff done.

Anyhow...today is an almost pain-free day...so I will get some laundry and some baking in today and try to get caught back up.

I also want to get my craft room cleaned and organized so I can start working on fall and winter crafts. We will see how it goes.

Have a good one!

I had to run to town to take DH lunch, so I took advantage of the trip and returned a BB movie that I had gotten for free,went to the library, did some window shopping at a couple of stores and finally stopped for groceries.

I hadnt planned on a full shop, just needed a couple of items...so I didnt take my coupons...Oh Flash, you may want to skip this post...

I found some really good deals, and decided just to bite it and go for it so I wouldnt have to come back...and I did ok...$92 for the week including all the lunch supplies. I only bought sale stuff, and I only bought what we really needed...(uh-oh, I can hear lr johnson from here...ok, maybe there were a couple...ok, a few... things that would have fallen more into the 'want' category like DH and DD3s soda and a couple boxes of cereal)...but again, they were all on sale.

The bill started at $140 something...but after my club card discounts, I only paid the $92...which is not as good as with my coupons, but it was within budget.

And, that was my only spending for the day.

I started $$ tracking at the end of August. What I can see from the little I did, all my money goes to a teenager I loving refer to as DD3. and that pretty much sums it up...

LOL.

Ok, maybe not all of it...but all of my 'allowance' sure did.. I was so careful- not buying mochas or doo-dads or thingamagigs...saved it all, only to have DD3 'borrow' it.

sigh...I suffer from 'soft mom syndrome'...and am a sucker for a sweet smile, a please and a hug.

Well, at least now that I am tracking, I know. Then again, I think I knew before but just didnt admit it.

So there you have it...Im broke, but DD3 sure enjoyed her week.

So, you run to the other end of the valley to take advantage of a great sale on golf balls.

Instead of paying $24.99, they are only $10...what a bargain!!!!

But, I think every other golfer in Southern Oregon must have thought so too...because they were all sold out.

So, using Flash's gentle nudge a few days ago about 'rain checks'...I marched to the front of the store and inquired about a few...(Hey, I didnt drive all this way for NOTHING!)

...so what does the store say...no, no rain checks..

...but we are matching the sale price of the GOLD golf balls with the TITANIUM golf balls!!!

Ok...so this sounded impressive enough to me...gold, titanium...all I cared was they were a nice set of golf balls...so I bought enough to give as gifts to each of the guys for Christmas and a bonus pack as a belated DH b-day gift.

Total spent $50...saved...$75 Ill take it!! and another checklist for the Christmas shopping list! HO HO HO

Lots on the docket today.

DH had to go to the now infamous DMV and renew his license and while he is there he is renewing my car registration. Both will be $110.

Then, I have to shuffle girls to/from color guard practice...so while Im in town Im going to stop by a sporting good sale and pick up a few boxes of golf balls that are on sale for $10 (reg. $24.99) for Christmas gifts for the golfers in the family.

DH requested vanilla ice cream to go with his left over b-day cake...so stopping by the grocery store for that.

Umm...I think thats it. I think I will kill the rest of my time at the library so that i am not tempted to spend anything else.

Otherwise, crockpot green chili pork for dinner...hung all laundry, did my stairs...and nothing exciting in the mail. Have a good one!

Ok y'all...time to do the happy dance...

The Oregon DMV finally reviewed the NY suspension and OVERRODE it!!!

They agreed it was ridiculous and DH will be renewing his license tomorrow.

FINALLY.

geeze.

DH was successful this time at the Oregon DMV...no his license is still not renewed and we are still in limbo with NY DMV...but this lady gave my DH a business card with her name so that if DH gets pulled over he can explain and drop her name...and that should keep him out of too much hot water. (umm, ok...)

She also made a call to Salem and they have promised to finally look into this with NY...but it will take a few more days... (umm, ok...)

But I am not complaining...at least someone was willing to treat us as a victim rather than a criminal.

On a hppier note, my rewards card had enough to cash out $20 today...so the check is in the mail. Lots of expected rebates, payouts etc...which will be most welcome in my challenge account!

Today:

NY DMV....The only way to release the suspension is to pay the fine..If the judge determines that the ticket was not issued to your husband, you will get a refund check...

Me: and when will the judge be reviewing this case?

NY DMV: Well they are currently reviewing items mailed at the beginning of APRIL 2006..(WTF!!)

Me: So, I should pay you $875 for a ticket my husband didnt get and you may pay it back by the end of the year IF the judge agrees with our claim. Do you see the absurdity of all this???

NY DMV: Thats all I can do for you. Would you like to pay the fine maam?

Me: (#)%(*&$#(*#&$*)_(#*$)(*#(*$)(#*

DH: Ok, this is family show, I wont even symbolize what he has to say...but he is headed for the Oregon DMV as I type...

Today is DHs birthday...which means that today is also the day that his drivers license expires.

You might remember that couple of months ago, we received notice from Oregon DMV that NEW YORK DMV had suspended DHs license because someone had gotten pulled over FOUR YEARS AGO, had NO ID, and gave my DHs first, last name (which is as common as John Smith) and date of birth. (why we werent notified 4 years ago is beyond me)

So, because it matched my DHs (who, by the way HAS NEVR BEEN TO NEW YORK), they suspended his license.

DHs job DEPENDS on a current ODL.

So, we mailed off all the proof a little over a month ago....and

DH called Oregon DMV yesterday and we were told they still couldnt/wouldnt do anything until NY releases this suspension, even though they also recieved copies of all the proof, including the statement that DH was AT WORK the night before and would have been impossible to get to NY by ticket time.

So, DH is calling NY DMV this morning...and we will see what they say. Next stop, an attorney....so much for being innocent until proven otherwise...

Happy Birthday DH!

I received $7.80 for the cans I returned and I also deposited the $3.92 rebate check that I received this weekend...which brings my challenge account to $612.20!!!

I did an online survey last night. It was one of those update surveys on our shopping habits.

Have you ate at any of the following places in the past 3 months... NO

Have you flew for business or pleasure in the last 12 months....NO

Have you stayed at any hotels in past 6 months... NO

Do you buy the following products.. NO

Do you plan to buy a car...NO

Do you plan to take a cruise... NO

Remodel... NO

Order Magazines...NO

No, No, No....

It was an enlightening experience to see just how much I dont spend money on...things that I never really even think about. I am sure the survey people put me on the "Is she even still alive list"...lol

DD1 has started her winter job and wont be working out here with me until after the first of the year.

She was our computer trouble shooter (as well as accountant- which she will still do)

On Saturday she came out to do something to the puter and our customer manager program crashed and burned. This is our brain center for our business and we had ZERO access.

So I called the support center and he walked me through and I am very happy to say that we are up and running again!!! I did it!! Who knew!!

Ok, so a big check mark for the day!!!

and no money spent in the process!!

It is day one of tracking of the spending!

We are out of milk, so I know there will be at least a small spend today.

My goal is to go to the little town about 10 minutes away, get the milk, return some soda cans, stop by the bank and drop some books by the library.

Ive been using alot more gas the last couple of weeks with all the shuffling of DD3 to and from her color guard practice...its appx 30 miles round trip each time...and I am making the trip 2X most days...yikes! Anyways, I am hoping to conserve by doing all the errands together today.

Uncle Leon passed away this morning. He was nana's brother, the one who was closest to her. He has been up and down for a while with an illness that runs in nana's family and has claimed almost all her cousins and now 2 of her brothers.

Nana always said that Leon was the 'sister' she never had (no, he wasnt gay, they were just very, very close). (Nana was the oldest and only girl of 4 kids)

Poor nanas heart is broke tonight. I know how she feels, as I lost my only sibling- my older brother 17 years ago.

Yes, we are grateful that Uncle Leon is no longer suffering...but it doesnt make it any easier on those who will forever miss him.

Go in peace Uncle Leon...you were a cherished brother, husband, father, Uncle and friend and you lived a good life. Say hello to Lyn for me.

This week has been full of great freebies.

I received a nice 'sample" from Clean Home Journal- an OFF! mosquito repellant lamp. I do not remember signing up for this one...but it is pretty cool...I got a similarly nice Walmart 'sample' a few weeks ago...which was a 'Woolite Oxy Pod" for spot carpet cleaning. These samples are actual full sized products to try.

Then, this weekend I received the Olay sample and Infusium hair care samples.

Last night I went on one of my survey sights and had enough points to cash out a $6 check...which is on the way now!!

and I am real close to having $35 in my points gift cards!!!

My DH and DS both had a good laugh during coffee this morning over my freebies...but I am pretty happy with the things I am recieving for a few clicks on the computer.

I have tried so many products that I probably would never splurge on...and it is nice to be able to indulge...if only for a sample-sized moment or two. I am actually saving a few of the nicer ones to use for an at home 'spa day' on one of the upcoming 'hunter widow weekends' that I enjoy during the fall.

So they can laugh away at my sample silliness...I on the other hand will continue to enjoy my freebies!

I have my GS today. He and I have had lots of fun and now he is up napping in the big bed.

He and I went to the dollar store this morning and I learned just how fun a mirror and a rack of sunglasses can be when you're 2. Because he was a good boy we came home with a new ball and a truck.

I came home with a 15 month student calendar that starts on Monday Aug. 28th. I thought Id follow Boomeyers footsteps and start the little black book of my spending tracking.

I made beef and barley soup last night for the first time...It turned out pretty good considering 1. Id never made it before and 2. I didnt have a few of the ingredients (including beef stock) to make it. I also made a big batch of chicken breasts for salads this weekend.

Checked on Anna and she is getting such a big tummy...just a few more weeks til those puppies arrive!
Ready or not, here they'll come!

I was thinking...


Each year between Halloween and Christmas, I try to keep a decorated container by the front door that our family deposits change into. Visitors have been known to contribute too.

The amount is always a surprise when we open and count it at the beginning of December...and then we pull a name off the Foster Care tree and 'adopt' a child who is in foster care.

However, Im willing to use the money for any good cause.

Is anyone else wanting to do this as a collective effort?? Not so much that the money is given to the same place...but rather we keep track of how much was accumulated in our individual coin boxes for donations. and then see what the saving advice members grand total was?

We could set up a thread to communicate about it...and then tally up the money on a set day...and then everyone could report where their money went to.

Hmm....Is this against any savings advice rules?? Is this something you already do??

Objections?

Takers?

I received the Advil PM rebate in the mail and will add this to my challenge account.

3.92 + 586-20 = 590.12!!!

We registered DD3 in HS this morning...deposits, yearbooks, color guard, pics, student body card...and I handed over a check for $111.

I passed about 4 coffee stands on the way home...boy did a mocha sound good! But I was good and came home without tossing another $3+ out the window.

I think I have the whole 'no spending' thing down...that is, for me. But what about these two other 'money-sucking-without-thinking' persons who live in my home?

Here is a typical day in our home:

I happily make my coffee in my lil ol years old $9.99 coffee pot. I happily clip coupons, peruse the sales ads, click my points, hang laundry, wear 1990 something fashion, bake from scratch, cook from scratch, dole out laundry soap and ammonia as tho they were gold, use free samples to wash my hair, and read books from the library.

In this midst, the two other occupants (DH and DD3- aka "me and mini me') somehow silently conspire against me in my quest for no spend days...

golf, lunch, uniforms, candy, clothes, socks, beer, soda, downloaded music, overdue fines, hunting and fishing supplies (ok, but where's the beef? he and his buddies go hunting with empty guns...no, just a suspicion, but why do they never come home with anything?? and a case of beer...so why do we need that license?)

and on and on....

I would proudly say that Ive had many, many no spend days...but the emphasis would be "I" not 'we'.

Sigh....

Im not upset. Im not giving up. and I am going to continue on my quest for no spend days in the hopes that my frugalness is rubbing off at least a little on these co-habitants of mine.

In the meantime, I will happily continue my frugal routines and plant frugal seeds in the minds of the non-frugal with the hopes that with enough cultivation we will eventually celebrate a few no- spenders as a family!