Gramma Ray's Blog

I gathered all my coupons and sales flyers together this afternoon and decided to go to one store and see how well I could do.

We needed a ham for next weekend....but they were on such a great sale I bought two...one for the week and one for the brunch next weekend. Alot of bogo's with coupons in addition....Ended up spending $52 after saving over $78!!!! the receipt said I saved over 58%!!! and I bought only things we will use. In addition, because I spent over $50, I get .06 cents per gallon off of the next gasoline fill-up!!! Woo-hoo!

Nana invited me down for stuffed pork-loin for dinner....yummy! So my two pork roast will be for Monday and Tuesday dinners.

Great day!

SAVINGS:
A recommendation from this site was to try to find out pet meds online....so I went hunting this morning and found generic heartworm meds for my dogs for over 1/2 off of what we pay at the vet!! wow- a huge savings for us!!! (About $50!!for 6 months worth)

FAMILY:
My mom is doing great. The surgery fixed the problem with the fistula and hopefully she will have several years left on this one! She has been up and around this weekend. Next weekend we are celebrating her 69th birthday and GS's 2nd!!

TODAYS PLANS:
DH and DD3 are still sleeping. DH may be going golfing if this sunshine holds. I plan to organize coupons and get a shopping list ready. Need to start getting ready for the Easter Brunch/Birthday party.

DD3 and her friends all wanted to go on a 'date night' tonight. One of the moms always chaperones...(it was one of the boys moms turns this time)...so I took two of them into town...we stopped at walmart on the way.

I had two keys made for my car (so now I have 3!!) Found three cheap key rings so that they will show up well when strategically hidden by GS. lol

They had DHs fav chips on sale (bought 2) some Suave shampoo...and somehow a bag of M&Ms made it into the cart ...hmmm...Total: $11.98 and i still have $1.99 left on my gift card for next time.

Dropped the girls at the show...gave DD3 $5 to spend (her "date" called at the last minute and couldn't make it)...

DH and I ate dinner at home. He is watching Saving Private Ryan...so I am surfin...Had a great day!

I have been reading alot of your posts regarding gift cards and cancelling services...so I decided to try a couple out and see how it goes. I signed up for my points recently and received an offer to join 'Complete home" for $1 and will get a $20 Lowes card....I just have to remember to cancel within a month.

Then, I opened two new accounts (Wells Fargo= $25 GC and BofA = $50)...The Wells account has to be open for 30 days, the BofA is 50 days (I believe)..I'll see what happens...

I am planning to utilize the Complete Home website while I have this one month trial and see what benefits there are.

I'll update on what happens.

My mom called first thing this morning and had just pulled homemade scones from the oven, and had a pot of coffee on.(blueberry, raspberry,chocoalte chip scones)YUM

Went down and visited for a few minutes and had scones and coffee. (Thank you mom!!)

We went to the festival (it didnt rain!!)and saw DD3 march...she looked so cute! Then we met up with her and two friends who were riding home with us...watched the parade, visited the vendor booths (spent $ZERO- a first for us!)

I cooked up another batch of chicken breasts for quick meals this weekend...DH decided to make himself a bacon and egg sandwich.I had a ceasar salad.

The girls are up in DD3s room watching a movie...they have made three trips downstairs for water, soda and 3 bags of popcorn...3 BAGS!!!But they're enjoying themsilves...DH just left to help a friend cut down two trees that are about to fall on his road..so he'll be gone all afternoon.

I was in the mood for coffee (I never make coffee in the afternoon) and decided to indulge...I have some vanilla creamer and found a gourmet tin of mocha mix in the cupboard that I forgot about...so I mixed the three together and now have the creamiest, chocolatey coffee...super YUM...what a treat.

Something simple for dinner...maybe burgers...gotta go lay out the hamburger....but it'll wait til I finish this delightful cup of coffee!

DivaJen has set up a poll in the Discussion Area (General Finances)in regards to property taxes...and it is a real eye opener as to how the cost of property taxes differ GREATLY around the country.

If you haven't had a chance to take part in the poll, take a look.... I was amazed...

You go to the bank to open a business account and the one employee who does that is off today...on a FRIDAY? ...but I can come back between 10 and 2 on Monday.....lol

So, no luck on DHs business account today.

Finished the pizzas...so dinner all set for four families tonight. DD1 ond the grandbabies just left.

Nana is doing good post surgery today...she is such a little trooper!

Woke up with a MIGRANE this am....and am still trying to settle it down...by tonight I will have downed enough drugs to knock an elephant out...see Ray go loopty loop...hopefully it will be gone before the parade in the morning...

So glad to see so many 'new friends' joining up here on the site...

have a good one!

Pizza day got postponed a day because of nana's surgery yesterday...

So DD1 and the grandbabies are coming out this afternoon and we are setting up the pizza production line while the babies nap.

Tomorrow is the Pear Blossom Festival and DD3 is marching with her school's band...which means a couple of the girls are spending the night here tonight...so Pizza works great tonight!

The pear trees are indeed all blossoming right now...Did I ever mention that Harry and David (big catalog company) are here in the Rogue Valley??? This is where all that yummy fruit comes from!!
I have to pass alot of their orchards when I go to town.

Fun day today...and we always have a great time at the festival (hope it doesn't rain!!)

We are going to open a new business account for DHs wood business today. I suggested this to him a couple of days ago and I guess he has gotten pretty excited about it....cause he double checked with me on it last night...(too cute)

DH actually started processing wood about 10 years ago to get us through the winter. He trucked it from the woods himself. (We purchased permits to salvage wood from the forest from trees that have fallen or been cut for safety reasons)

Then, this last year we started buying log-truck loads of wood salvaged from clearings...(most of it is wood that would have been burned on the site...what a waste!) The truck loads are expensive- about $800 each...but we sale enough to pay for the load and make appx $800-1000. Right now we are using any profit to offset my being home to care for my parents.

We are starting to turn a profit now...and by spreading the word, DH now has two jobs set up with private owners to actually go and clear property for their homes...which means FREE wood...to process and sale.

This is very manual labor...he cuts, I split...but it is time spent growing a new business- One that we hope will give us a little more for our retirement years.

The surgery went well...and my mom is home in bed, resting. She had to have a repair on her fistula...(the artery used for dialysis)...Without going into gory details, I will just say it was more complex than we planned, but it will keep her current fistula working a while longer (take good care of your kidneys, this dialysis is no fun!)

I have been trying to have lunch with my former boss for 3 weeks now...and I keep having to cancel (last week I was sick)...and today was supposed to be lunch...but because of the surgery and my dads subsequent surgery consulation..I had to cancel again...so i stopped by the florist and got him a bouquet of spring flowers ($9.95) and went and saw him and cancelled in person. (He was the coolest boss, and is such a wonderful friend- he totally understood and we are going to shoot for next week....(keeping my fingers crossed)

I bought my dad and I a mocha while we waited at the hospital ($6) and I had to get gas ($27)...so today was definately a spend day...but well worth it!

My dad's surgery is on the 28th...so my mom will have tome to heal before it's his turn.

Hope everyone else's day went well!

Tomorrow is my moms surgery, which is the more serious of the two that my parents have to have. We are hoping all goes smoothly and it will just be an outpatient surgery...but this is one of those "we won't know until it happens" surgeries.

My dad has his surgery consultation tomorrow afternoon...so it is going to be a busy day.

I took some more cans in today and turned in some loose change at the bank...these won't be going into my challenge money. Instead, I found a single mom and daughter to send the money to. It is a small amount ($25), but hopefully it will help. (Mailed the check today)

I made soup today and it turned out really yummy...so i took a batch up to my mom and dad so my mom had one less worry tonight...in exchange, I got some chocolate cake from her...now how's that for instant reward!! YUMMY!

I am reading a book that Ima Saver recommended "The Education of Little Tree" and it is turning out to be such a heartwarming little story.

Tonight DD3 and I are going to spend time together, after homework is all done. And that's about it for now.

I love Wednesdays.

When I was working, because we live so far from town, my kids did not get to do much extra-curricular stuff ...So the WEEK (minute?) that I quit, my daughter started a library club with her friends...they all walk to the library after school to do homework...I pick up and deliver any who need rides home and then my daughter and I head home.

About 8 months ago, DD3(14) and I decided that Wednesday nights were mom and manda nights..

This means...no computer, no phones (a BIG commitment to a 14yo)...

We pick out a show or a DVD...she gets her journal (huge journal writer, writes about any and everything) and we make popcorn and go up to my room...I have a big comfy king size bed with lots of pillows and flannel sheets...and we just have time together...sometimes, she is just in the mood to journal...but
we often end up turning off or ignoring the tv because we get to talking about anything and everything...
It keeps us connected, doesn't cost much (popcorn) and is something we both look forward to. And I have to say, I have noticed a more CONFIDENT and HAPPY young lady this past year---a year when most are stuggling with peer-pressure and identity.

I love Wednesdays!

I needed to pick DD3 up from a youth function tonight and decided that it would be a good time to trade in some of my cans....They have those machine thingys here that gobble up the cans one by one...and I had never used one (DH has always been the one to trade them in, but he hasn't wanted to bother for a while)

8:40 at night....and someone else pulls up to trade in cans as I get started. (huh?) I thought Id have the machine all to myself at this hour... as I figured this out....

Oh well, I get the cans going, its not so bad, kinda easy actually...and part way through the machine stops taking my cans and spits out a receipt...(I guess there is a can limit)...so I take the receipt and start again...get all the cans traded in, take the receipts into the store...and the clerk had to get a supervisor override because I had more than $10 (I had $11.50)

Oh well, now I know...I think I will just take a couple bags at a time till I get them all traded in...so...the $11.50 is going to my $20 challenge....which means I have OFFICIALLY gone over the first $100 mark...(cheer and applause here)$105.63 to be exact!!! oh yeah!(doin the victory dance)

The past couple of years has seen my three oldest children turn into self sufficient adults. They have married, become parents, bought homes, gotten new jobs, started careers, been introduced to debt, and begun the next faze of life...
One is married with a daughter, one married no kids & buying own home, and one is a single mom. They are all handling the different twists and turns differently, but all are managing pretty well.

I noticed last year that they would go overboard on birthday gifts...or struggle to find the 'right' gift...or feel bad if they didn't remember, etc...

So I have officially started our Birthday Club. We talked about a monthly amount that is doable for every family...each family contributes this amount at the beginning of the month...then the birthday person knows in advance that they get to pick out a gift for 'X' dollar amount from the family. (so instead of several small gifts, they get a combined gift of choice) A small amount is set aside for the cake and decorations...and we have decided to 'potluck' on the birthday rather than go out to eat.

My mom is the first recipient and she asked me to find her a 'dutch oven'...which is ordered and on it's way...

The family won't be scrambling to come up with the perfect gift, the price was very affordable and money is there for the event!

...and the whole family is happy with the new Birthday Club.

Had a thought. At Christmas, I bought some plain green wreaths at the dollar store.

I also have a whole bunch of those plastic Easter eggs from past years...

And a few cream-colored tall candles...

Since we are having an Easter brunch here this year and also celebrating my moms and GSs birthday...I need decorations.

I think I will spend the evening turning those Christmas wreaths into some cute centerpieces and decorations...for basically free since I have all the stuff... Hmm...I wonder what else I can find that can due double-holiday duty....

Any ideas/suggestions?

The first Monday of each month is usually pretty busy here in the office (which is in my home)DS, DD1 and I are running a pest control business.

I get to call all of our maintenance customers to schedule appointments. Then I start on the billing and wrap up for end of month.

Usually, it takes a few days to get all the calls completed (waiting for all the return calls) But today was a good one, I have heard back from all but one.

I love working at home because I can do laundry, dishes, put dinner in the crockpot, etc. throughout the day/ between calls. We are entering busy season...and I am starting to take several new calls each day (a good thing)

My DS just called to ask me not to schedule anymore appointments today....so he can go golfing!! He is 21...just got married last June and bought a house last summer and started this pest business. (whew) He is naturally frugal by nature and has got a good level head.

So,in honor of his golf request, I decided to set aside the rest of the monthly work for the aftenoon and relax too! (as if I havent putzed on this site off and on all day anyways...lol)

I added another $14 to my challenge for stair climbing last week...so I am up to $94.13 (the .13 was interest this month!)

I have been racking my brain on ways to earn some money to add to this challenge...and remember that we have several bags of soda cans in the garage...so I will be turning those in this week! I also have some change in my piggy bank...I will take that in as well...

I am eager to see my challenge top $100--

A while back, I remember complaining about the cost of gasoline and stumbled across this surefire way to save on gas....

(If you want to save too, try to follow the steps below as closely as possible)

#1- You have to have a GS or other child under the age of two. It is best when they 'babble' rather than speak.

#2 Leave ONE set of your keys on the table, eye level to said child..(my situation also involved a safe deposit box key, not recommended)

#3 Think it is totally adorable when said child 'borrows' your keys to try to lock the front door...'oh, how sweet...he's learning so fast' is what comes to mind...

#4 When the phone rings, forget said child was so cute ...and even that he had your keys...

#5 Allow a one or two day grace period here...(you know, a 'no spend day" when you dont leave the house) you will have no idea where said child was with keys...crawl around on floor to try to figure out all the fun spots at his eye/hand level...

#6 Just for kicks and giggles, ask said child where he put your keys...if nothing else, it is fun to watch his face when he babbles incoherently behind you as you crawl on your hands an knees..(may not be entertaining for you, sure is for him)

#7 Give up, and get your only spare and put it on the table with a note to get new key made and then leave said child alone with DD3 (14) for a couple of hours...minutes may be sufficient...Discover note wadded up on floor and no key in sight...

#8 You have just successfully completed this task and your gas tank will stay at the same level (hense reducing your gas expense) for quite a while...

disclaimer...it helps to have a sense of humor and maybe a glass of wine available..for those added hours on your hands and knees....and a giggling two year old tagging along behind you...


argh....

GS spent the afternoon and night last night...He did really well and slept through the night.

This morning, DH and I took a beautiful drive to meet DH's dad and pick up DD3. On the drive, it was snowing and the roads were pretty icy. Had to go through lots of beautiful pines...and passed my favorite campsite (it's still snowed in!)

We met at a little cafe and had breakfast (Papa insisted on paying so we paid tip $7), then headed home to catch the two free movies on showtime that I wanted to watch...Just finished Hotel Rwanda...(boy, what an intense movie!!)
Waiting for Crash to start. Gas for the trip was the expense today...DH has a diesel pu- almost $30 to get there and back. (ouch)

I cooked 4 lbs of boneless chicken breast last night ($1.79 lb), so we have dinner (chicken ceasar's) practically made when everyone gets hungry. The chicken will be used again for teriyaki rice bowls tomorrow for lunch and then probably chicken taco's for dinner..and then more chicken ceasar's on Tuesday. (I never get tired of chicken!) It is cooked in EVOO, a little seasoned and garlic salt and pepper- until really brown, then I squirt a little lemon or lime on it for an extra layer of flavor...my family loves the spiciness...I love the convenience. I have been making this up each weekend for about 3 weeks now, and it sure makes meal planning a snap for a couple of days.

I am now off to watch Crash...(Don't you love freebies!) Have a nice evening!

I took some time to look back at our finances this past month and realized that my DH had not made any charges to his CC or any debits that were not planned. I usually have at least a couple of surprises...but there weren't any! This makes budgeting so much easier!

When I looked at our checking history, where there used to be pages of activity...there is now just a couple...and they are all planned expenses (DH did decide to pick up his lunch at the grocery store twice)

We have one account set up for weekly expenses (groceries, household stuff) and that is where my small weekly check is deposited.

Then, we have a second checking that DH's paycheck goes and that covers monthly bills and savings.

Each account is starting to read like a book...2-3 grocery debits/checks each month and an allowance draw...from the weekly account. and monthly debits from the bill account.

While I had tried to get this to be the case prior to joining this site...for some reason, this month is our first fully successful month...and I know it is because this site has provided the next level of inspiration and focus.

The other really sweet benefit...is that I have met some pretty darn nice folks here. This is my first adventure into posting and blogging...and it has been such a treat.

Throw us to the wolves for a few extra bucks in your pocket...

I am too upset/busy to do a proper lashing just yet...but tomorrow, you will hear from me.

In the meantime:

)($#*%&*W#&()@$#()$(#_(_)(@_)$(*#&*&@*(

DH left for work early this afternoon.
DD3 is out of town visiting with her Papa.
GS & GD are home with their moms...
The phones have been quiet all day...(generally Fridays are like that)...

So Im thinking....

A fire(free), I have a couple of those bathtub fizzball thingys(stocking stuffers from xmas)... a candle(another stocking gift)...a nice bottle of wine(farewell gift from job last year)...and a good book (checked out from library- The Education of Little Tree)....or a half done knitting project- baby blanket-gift(need to get this done!)....I think I will enjoy a relaxing frugal afternoon.

Hmm...

TaTa

I was thinking...today I opened my 3rd 25 pound bag of flour this year.

I tried to approximate how much flour I had bought in my pre-frugal days...and I think I can honestly say that I have used more flour in the first three months of 2006 as I used in all the other 'mom'years combined!!!

Last year when I started baking, I pulled out my baking powder and dusted off the cobwebs...I noticed a shocking experation date...I won't reveal the exact date, we will just say that baking powder was correctly programed to make it through Y2K.... give or take 8 years...lol

When my new frugal journey began, I remember digging though five different cupboards and drawers to come up with all the ingredients and tools needed to make something. By the time I had, I was out of the mood to bake....and not real eager to have to do it again soon...so i rearranged my kitchen and now have a 'baking center' with everything right where I need it. And I bake all the time and love it!

And my family is loving it...This morning, my DS stopped by and asked if I would 'please' make him waffles...so I made a nice big batch of batter that will last all weekend...my secret ingredients...a pinch of nutmeg, a little cinnamon and a tsp of madagascar bourbon vanilla...throw in some blueberries and we have just duplicated heaven on earth in my kids eyes!!!

I wrote a blog a few days ago about my good friend Jane. She and i try to get together every few months to catch up in person. Usually with a bogo lunch somewhere.

This morning she called and said she had a $50 gc to a really nice restaraunt and wanted to use it tonight...so I offered to 'pay the difference and tip'...

Reservations at 6...so I headed over at 5:30...the drive there is gorgeous...the road follows the river and there is lots of open pasture land...with daffodil season in full bloom, I can simply say..God knew what he was doing when he created them.
Then with spring here...there was an abundance of lambs and calves enjoying their first days of life. I had to slow down when I got near the small town where the restaraunt is becasue there were 7 deer crossing the road.

Dinner was fantastic...a nice glass of wine, salad, soup, breadbowl, and the main course...all while visiting and watching the river...The bill came...$46...so I left $10 more with the gift certificate...$10...for such a lovely, memorable evening with a dear friend.

The drive home was a little unnerving...it was POURING down...I mean buckets and the wipers weren't working fast enough...had to go slow....got home safely.

Such a nice time...

I am not sure if I believe in Karma...but it is the only reasonable explanation for my experiences with socks....Socks??? of all things, why socks??
To explain, let me start with a definition I found for Karma:

Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The effects of those deeds and these deeds actively create present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain in others.

Plainly spoken- cause and effect...what comes around, goes around...

So...in a past life, I must have spent alot of time at the market mixing up socks...putting the reds with the blacks, yellows with greens...because I can NEVER seem to find matching socks...

Or maybe in a past life I mistreated my washer and dryer ....and now they are gobbling up one of each pair to repay me...

Whatever the reason...all I know is that more days than not...I have mismatched socks on. I have a drawer just for socks and it is reasonably full...just not of any two alike...

Where the heck are all the matching socks??? Am I alone in this perplexing situation...or are there others seemingly guilty of past sins as I am???

I am ready to make a public plea and confess my wrongdoings...whatever they may be so that I can finally wear socks without worrying that my pants arent long enough to cover my pink and orange combination for the day....

Yes, when it rains, it pours....found out that both my parents will need surgery in the next week or two...

They do not handle stress well anymore...so keeping them both grounded through this is my new challenge...

Thank God I am home to care for them...

anyone got an umbrella?

I have a code in my node and throat today...sneezing, caughing, watery eyes...GS and I have seemed to pass this one back and forth for several weeks now.

Today will be a no spend day here for us...I think I will start counting the number of these we have each month. DH has to drive to work- but that will be our only expense.

DH didn't get home until 6 this morning...we works nights and usually gets off at 1-2am...but he got called on a job at the last minute that took several hours...so he clocked in yesterday at 3pm and out this morning at5am...a 14 hour day. The overtime will sure come in handy.

DD1 and the grandbabies are coming out for a little while today...should be interesting trying to keep them 'quiet' so DH can sleep...especially with this code...

My life has been blessed by so many wonderful people, I thought I would share another with you.

I worked with Jane for a number of years. For many of them, I did not know her very well, she was just another co-worker. I made good money at my job, so going to lunch with my peers was something I did everyday...but I noticed that, although Jane made the same as I did, she always declined the offer to go with and instead ate leftovers in her office.

As time went on, Jane and I became fast friends and I learned so much about the human spirit.

10 years earlier, Jane's husband had died after a long illness, leaving behind Jane and her 8 year old daughter.

Before he died, his insurance had run out and Jane had put more than $70,000 on her credit cards to cover perscriptions and nursing care.

The easy way out would have been for Jane to file bankruptcy, but instead...she started working three jobs.
Three jobs with an eight year old...doesn't that mean a troubled teen down the road???

On the contrary, Jane and her daughter volunteer weekends at the humane society, Jane was president of her daughters band club, Jane started a community education programs for underpriveledged folks...and Jane and her daughter spent their free time counseling single moms on how to get through...

Aside from her three jobs, an unbeknownst to her daughter, three times each week Jane donated her plasma...which was money that went to her daughter so she never had to feel 'poor' or 'different' from the other kids at school...it bought her clothes and occaisonal school supplies that were above and beyond.

Fast forward 10 years...I have known Jane for about 4 years now. The original $70,000 is down to under $10,000...Jane refinances her house and has one obtainable payment for the first time in her life.

And what became of Jane's daughter??? Well, she graduated with a 3.99 GPA and is currently attending West Point Military Academy. Not bad....

I often think about a saying I once read that when we get to feeling as though do not 'have the time' we have the same number of hours in each of our days as Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein, etc....and my friend Jane.

Jane has truly been a remarkable inspriation in my life.

Hello!

I was sooo baffled all day why I couldn't get onto the site...and I was a little bummed to not be able to read how everyone was doing...so I decided to at least be productive.

I joined one of the coupon trains recently (even though I am not a big coupon user) I thought it would be a fun way to start using them again...so to prepare, I got my moms Sunday paper that she had tossed out and found the coupons and started clipping...then went through all of the magazines lying around and clipped some more.

Then I found the sale ad in the paper for one of our local stores...and there was a $10 off coupon if I spent over $50...which is usually no problem.

So, I looked at all the ads...and started remembering coupons that matched the things on sale...hey, this is kinda exciting...and 99% of the coupons were things I buy...just maybe not the brand.

So, I headed off to town and started shopping....I got a little discouraged to find that the first 3 coupons did not bring the price down to the lowest that I could get...darn, so I just passed those items by...

But then...OH BOY...I het some amazing deals on things I need and use....and I walked out of the store having saved $78.40!!!! off the total...now mind you, some of that is due to the way overpricing the stores do to make you feel like your getting a bargain using the club card....however, I added up all my coupons and the bogo's that I would have purchased anyways....and I saved over $50!!!!!!!

So, in a way, I owe it to the site problems today that I got so motivated....


I am sooo excited about that savings...now I am even more eager for the train to get here!!!

DH is off today since he worked Saturday. He sold a cord of wood that needs to be delivered today so he and his dad are getting it ready.

I suggested that he and his dad deliver it, then go have lunch in town. DH also wants to look for a cover to put over our splitter so we can work when it's raining and when we need shade. I have given him a $200 budget (he had picked one out for $1200)....boy talk about opposite ends of the spectrum on that!!
So he will also look for a $200 cover today.

Was out checking on dogs yesterday and Noticed my little Anna is getting rounder and showing signs of a pregnancy...so we will have a litter of Labs next month!!!! She is a yellow and the dad (Bear) is chocolate. I love whelping time!!! This will bring a little money (about $2000) that I can put away for next winter.

I completed a week of stairs, so will add $14 to my challenge...which brings me to $80!! Sure is fun seeing a little account grow that was non-existent a month ago. (thank you to whoever came up with the challenge idea!!)