[shchmo]

Still doing all the same.

Keeping heat off almost all the time. Except its little cool today, but off upstairs
Not shopping this week at all
Keeping lights out
computer off
Still hanging out laundry
Have Been struggling with the quitting smoking but still trying
I am on vacation this week. Gonna read, relax and hang out with the family

[princesslexirae]

Walked three subway stops instead of buying a metro card.
Didn't turn on any lights.
Ate from home all day.

[paulsonja]

Perused the free books on Kindle and added a few for my reading pleasure . . .

Entering Coke Rewards from my mom.

Worked 8 hours OT last week and 16 this week.

windows open, heat off finally.

[mforward]

Ah Sundays....a day that we usually try to stay home and not go out. We opted not to go out to use a coupon I had - I will instead stop tomorrow and Tuesday before it expires.

Started with breakfast of scrambled fresh eggs with some veggie cream cheese for a little kick and sausage patties.

Did two loads of laundry. While emptying all the trash cans I found a skate (a funky lizard salamander looking thing here in SC) in my bathroom Longaberger trash basket - OMG I screamed! DH had to escort it back outside. I think I scared it too!

We ate leftovers for lunch. Printed some coupons off our desktop computer here at the house. Hand washed a shirt I wore to work on Thursday and a bra - hung them both to dry.

(5) eggs from the happy hens. Gave them some treats today - meal worms, fresh apple, carrots and some lettuce from the garden. It's been rainy here today so we didn't take the chicks out in the yard.

Went through my supply of painrelievers and vitamin/supplements. Restocked the bathroom and organized my bins by date - always try to keep using the oldest first. I was happy to see all of my vitamin D had exp. dates in 2015. I take this daily and have been fortunate enough to get it free or cheap at Publix.

Our neighbor invited us over for a drink, we went over for a little while before it started to thunder and we high tailed it home! For dinner I made a 1/2 chuck roast simmered in salsa verde, mexican rice (I tried a new recipe), homemade refried beans and an avocado salad. For the rice I used tomato sauce I put up in the freezer from my garden last year along with homemade stock and cilantro from my back porch - it turned out yummy. That was the last container of pintos I made in the crockpot and froze in 16oz ball freezer containers. I need to do another batch and restock the freezer. The avocado salad was made with a free avocado and tomato from Foodlion.

DH and I will separate later this evening and foodsaver the meat we found yesterday on mark down with the Foodlion coupon. I am expecting to make (8) packages.

[arlina77]

Originally Posted by RachelArsenal

Yep! In the case of their college funds, I'm trying to reach at least 100k saved, in 4-6 years, to qualify for their savings account to be bumped up to 9% interest at my bank. Once I reach 100k, I will stop paying in. It will continue to accrue interest, and pay for itself. That first year of 100k, it will accrue 9k in interest, the second year, the 109k will accrue $9810 in interest, and so on... Doing it this way, I will only pay in 4-6 years, and the amount will more than quadruple within the eighteen-year time frame, whereas if I'd paid in the same amount (100k) over an eighteen year timeframe, it'd only be 100k. Doing it this way, being proactive and paying in more monthly, in the early years, I can reach my goal of 500k saved in eighteen years, and only pay 100k OOP.

RachelArsenal, do you mind sharing which bank this is? I'd love to do the same for my child. Somehow all the banks around me offer a measly 1.5% interest even for high amount deposits. It's ridiculous.

On our frugality:

I was supposed to have a nice relaxing Sunday but a bird decided to get itself trapped in the microwave vent. Helped DH get the microwave off the wall and set the bird free instead of calling a handyman. I was freaked out initially because I thought it was a rat! *cringe*

Wanted to get KFC carry out but decided to just cook instead. Turned off heat and opened windows, nice and cool today.

[RachelArsenal]

Originally Posted by arlina77

RachelArsenal, do you mind sharing which bank this is? I'd love to do the same for my child. Somehow all the banks around me offer a measly 1.5% interest even for high amount deposits. It's ridiculous.

On our frugality:

I was supposed to have a nice relaxing Sunday but a bird decided to get itself trapped in the microwave vent. Helped DH get the microwave off the wall and set the bird free instead of calling a handyman. I was freaked out initially because I thought it was a rat! *cringe*

Wanted to get KFC carry out but decided to just cook instead. Turned off heat and opened windows, nice and cool today.

It's TD Bank. You'll start with a regular savings account until you reach 25k, then your account will be upgraded to 3% interest, and so on..once you reach 100k minimum, you'll be eligible for the 9% interest return. Once THAT account reaches 200k, split into two separate accounts...where each are receiving 9% interest. Continue splitting every few years as the interest return accrues to 100k.

Hope that helps! It means sacrifices in lifestyle in the early years, but well worth it. In fifteen years, I plan on taking back my original 100k, and having the interest pay the college, LOL. Basically getting my original investment back.

On the KFC thing, if you're still craving it, there's a BOGO coupon in today's Sunday paper. It's stuck in the Parade newsletter.

[arlina77]

Originally Posted by RachelArsenal

It's TD Bank. You'll start with a regular savings account until you reach 25k, then your account will be upgraded to 3% interest, and so on..once you reach 100k minimum, you'll be eligible for the 9% interest return. Once THAT account reaches 200k, split into two separate accounts...where each are receiving 9% interest. Continue splitting every few years as the interest return accrues to 100k.

Hope that helps! It means sacrifices in lifestyle in the early years, but well worth it. In fifteen years, I plan on taking back my original 100k, and having the interest pay the college, LOL. Basically getting my original investment back.

On the KFC thing, if you're still craving it, there's a BOGO coupon in today's Sunday paper. It's stuck in the Parade newsletter.

Thank you!!! I will look into this ASAP. Oh you cannot believe how excited I was when I read your first post on this. I thought I had it good with Ally LOL.

Oh yeah, I saw that coupon after we had dinner and I finally got to read the Sunday paper. Good thing DH wanted to eat something else ha.

[RachelArsenal]

Originally Posted by arlina77

Thank you!!! I will look into this ASAP. Oh you cannot believe how excited I was when I read your first post on this. I thought I had it good with Ally LOL.

Oh yeah, I saw that coupon after we had dinner and I finally got to read the Sunday paper. Good thing DH wanted to eat something else ha.

I don't know if this will interest you, but have you looked into uPromise? I have my uPromise account tied to that savings account. When you make purchases, it will round your total up to the nearest denomination that you choose (I have mine set for increments of $5. You can choose as low as the nearest 50 cents)... Example, for me, an $11.76 purchase totals up to $15, and throws the difference straight into the account. You also get extra 5% for shopping at hundreds of places, online and in-store, and an additional % back (varies) on lots of brands, products, etc....

Like, when shopping @ Walgreen's, getting Dove body wash, when it's on sale and free, with Q... the total before Q counts. So say I bought $100 worth of body wash total that week, not only will I get 5% (so, $5) back for purchasing at Walgreen's, I'll get an additional % for purchasing one of the featured products, the body wash, for as many times as I purchase it. I always max out my Q's when things are free, that are included in the current uPromise selection, or are at stores included, like Walgreen's. I have seriously "bought" tens of thousands dollar's worth of products sine having my account set up, paid nothing (because I paid with Q, or a combination of Q and rolling RR)... and they ALL count towards adding to the fund.

Also, as long as you pay off your monthly balance when due, not just the minimum... there's 0 interest. Which is easy because I can "buy" 3k worth of products in a month, earning the 5% back (so, $150) and an additional % back if it's a current qualifying product (so, earning more back) and have my monthly balance less than $60 or so... since I'm paying with Q's, mostly.

It's a great way to save for college, paying very little on things you already use.

[pmr]

. Finally was able to get some cooking done this weekend and was able to get 9 extra meals into the freezer. Went through the fridge and incorporated odds and ends into meals. Been so busy working since the beginning of the year, we have not been eating very well. Hope to get back on track.

. Ate leftovers for lunch. Trying to avoid as much waste as possible.

. A friend has a birthday coming up and loves to get a Nordstrom G.C. I have one in my stash, so I'll avoid extra oop for her gift.

. Been getting $10/$10 coupons from DSW. Using them to buy small stocking stuffer items for Christmas.

[arlina77]

Originally Posted by RachelArsenal

I don't know if this will interest you, but have you looked into uPromise? I have my uPromise account tied to that savings account. When you make purchases, it will round your total up to the nearest denomination that you choose (I have mine set for increments of $5. You can choose as low as the nearest 50 cents)... Example, for me, an $11.76 purchase totals up to $15, and throws the difference straight into the account. You also get extra 5% for shopping at hundreds of places, online and in-store, and an additional % back (varies) on lots of brands, products, etc....

Like, when shopping @ Walgreen's, getting Dove body wash, when it's on sale and free, with Q... the total before Q counts. So say I bought $100 worth of body wash total that week, not only will I get 5% (so, $5) back for purchasing at Walgreen's, I'll get an additional % for purchasing one of the featured products, the body wash, for as many times as I purchase it. I always max out my Q's when things are free, that are included in the current uPromise selection, or are at stores included, like Walgreen's. I have seriously "bought" tens of thousands dollar's worth of products sine having my account set up, paid nothing (because I paid with Q, or a combination of Q and rolling RR)... and they ALL count towards adding to the fund.

Also, as long as you pay off your monthly balance when due, not just the minimum... there's 0 interest. Which is easy because I can "buy" 3k worth of products in a month, earning the 5% back (so, $150) and an additional % back if it's a current qualifying product (so, earning more back) and have my monthly balance less than $60 or so... since I'm paying with Q's, mostly.

It's a great way to save for college, paying very little on things you already use.

Oh wow. so I can use the credit cards I already have and just link it to the account and the % back goes to the Upromise account automatically? That's awesome. Especially since my current cards earn points too for purchases - double dip!

I need to go check the list of merchants. I'm a CVS shopper, but I can learn Wags.

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your taking time to explain these to me

[hotrodswife]

Assisted at the church garage sale 5 hours means first dibs already saw a SS dishwasher

[martha8994]

Yesterday:

Made meatloaf, mac and cheese and green beans...$4.75 and got enough for 4 meals for me. meat 4.15, salsa .34, 2 cans green beans .40, mac and cheese free. Made the plates up and will eat those today for lunch and dinner and then will eat it again tomorrow for lunch. I dont mind it several times in a row.

ate cereal for 2 meals today. Not that hungry today. box of cereal was .67. Still have lots left.

heat and air off

earned $3.xx on swagbucks

sorted coupons and printed some for future cvs sales. I can get a lot free wk of 5/5. Looking forward to reselling the items to make extra money. Worked up scenerios for this wk and the next 2.

Working on May budget to see where I need to be on everything.

Decided not to take a trip for pleasure. Saving about $100.

Havent been to my sisters since Thursday. Saved lots of gas. Going tomorrow, maybe. I miss her.

[msprissysmom]

Out of vacuum cleaner bags,so I cut the top out and emptied the full one
and sprayed w/scented cleaner lightly and let dry, stapled it back up and placed back in vacuum, worked like a new one!

[lili2oo6]

Originally Posted by RachelArsenal

It's TD Bank. You'll start with a regular savings account until you reach 25k, then your account will be upgraded to 3% interest, and so on..once you reach 100k minimum, you'll be eligible for the 9% interest return. Once THAT account reaches 200k, split into two separate accounts...where each are receiving 9% interest. Continue splitting every few years as the interest return accrues to 100k.

Hope that helps! It means sacrifices in lifestyle in the early years, but well worth it. In fifteen years, I plan on taking back my original 100k, and having the interest pay the college, LOL. Basically getting my original investment back.

On the KFC thing, if you're still craving it, there's a BOGO coupon in today's Sunday paper. It's stuck in the Parade newsletter.

How old are your kids?

[RachelArsenal]

Originally Posted by lili2oo6

How old are your kids?

2 1/2, and 9 months.

[mforward]

Upromise is a great way to earn money for your kids college. It started about 10yrs ago and many other companies followed. It is similar to other websites where if you access online retailors and make a purchase you get a % back - in this case it goes into your kids' accounts.

I have not used Upromise to it's fullest potential but have managed over $1,000.00 that has helped.

All I can say is please save for your kid's college expenses. They are more than anyone realizes and most people end up paying OOP or taking out private loans - especially if your kid's are average students. The higher the GPA the more is given and we all know not everyone is brilliant. I wish I had saved more for my kids to avoid student loans.

I plan on keeping my Upromise after our (3) are out of college. The funds still can be used to pay towards a student loan and I can always help my grandkids should we have any.

[RachelArsenal]

Originally Posted by mforward

Upromise is a great way to earn money for your kids college. It started about 10yrs ago and many other companies followed. It is similar to other websites where if you access online retailors and make a purchase you get a % back - in this case it goes into your kids' accounts.

I have not used Upromise to it's fullest potential but have managed over $1,000.00 that has helped.

All I can say is please save for your kid's college expenses. They are more than anyone realizes and most people end up paying OOP or taking out private loans - especially if your kid's are average students. The higher the GPA the more is given and we all know not everyone is brilliant. I wish I had saved more for my kids to avoid student loans.

I plan on keeping my Upromise after our (3) are out of college. The funds still can be used to pay towards a student loan and I can always help my grandkids should we have any.

Yep, this is why I try to be WAGs loyal! April was Bonus Month, shopping at ANY of the participating retailers got you 8% this month rather than the normal 5%. WAGs seems to always gets put on the bonus list every month, and when they have a Dove sale, I'm all over it, because Dove gets put on the bonus product list often too.

I don't think it's a matter of saving more, I think it's more a matter of being proactive and starting to save for it earlier. I started once I reached the "safe" stage of each pregnancy, six months. A headstart will always be more beneficial than a late start, no matter what it is.

[mforward]

"I don't think it's a matter of saving more, I think it's more a matter of being proactive and starting to save for it earlier. I started once I reached the "safe" stage of each pregnancy, six months. A headstart will always be more beneficial than a late start, no matter what it is."

I understand where you're coming from but not everyone is able to start that early for a miriad of circumstances. It's great that you can do this for your children but not everyone will be able to accomplish your plan. Once I was at a certain stage of my life, I wished that I had saved more for my kids education.

Back to Upromise....I definitely was able to take advantage of the bonus savings in April with purchases from Lands End, LL Bean and Best Buy online - a savings of over $19 this month through those purchases. We also fill up at Exxon/Mobil when possible - this is another revenue stream within the Upromise network.

Going to stop by Foodlion on my way home today to purchase either mark down meat or produce with the $2 off $5 fresh FLIP. DS asked for meat so I will see if I get lucky, otherwise it will be more produce. Going to attempt to hit two different stores....depends on whether I have the strength after a very long Monday at work.

We have ordered a supplement for our chickens to hopefully get the feather picking under control before we put the new chicks in the coop. Went on a website and searched the threads because I have a bald butt chicken (whom we affectionately call chicken butt) and now two more are starting to get that way. Observed the behaviour and discovered I have a few that peck - this could be a protein/vitamin diet thing, we shall see.

I planted a few more carrot seeds in the bald spots of my raised bed. I think squirrels and dogs caused a bit of the problem and then probably poor germination for the rest. Will see if I can get some to fill in.

[RachelArsenal]

Originally Posted by mforward

"I don't think it's a matter of saving more, I think it's more a matter of being proactive and starting to save for it earlier. I started once I reached the "safe" stage of each pregnancy, six months. A headstart will always be more beneficial than a late start, no matter what it is."

I understand where you're coming from but not everyone is able to start that early for a miriad of circumstances. It's great that you can do this for your children but not everyone will be able to accomplish your plan. Once I was at a certain stage of my life, I wished that I had saved more for my kids education.

I only mean that in the long run, saving a little every month in the early years is worth more than trying to play catch-up in the later years. My father died when I was fifteen...it wasn't until then that I realized I had no college fund or provisions for continuing education. He'd prepared for nothing... I'm assuming because he thought he'd still be around and could take out a loan when the time came, but....that did not happen. I joined the military in order to be able to go to school. I work alongside the military now, in my current position... I have zero confidence that the GI Bill will still be around by the time my girls graduate high school.

I hope I am still around when my girls go to college, but if not...at least I have taken steps to provide for their educations. That's my only concern...it's the only reason I coupon.

I realize that not everyone can save for college in the manner that I do, but if all excess expense is cut, by coupons, stockpiling, etc...and there's $50 extra at the end of the week, throw that into college fund. Paying in only $50 is better than paying in $0.

[williern]

Cleaned off the deck of leaves by hand didnt use blower do saved gas. Took back and seats off wrought iron chairs will look for waterproof fabric on line. Called around and found a place that would sandblast the table and 4 chairs for $100 estimated. .. I'm good with that, paint stripper, sand paper and time consuming lots if scroll work and leaves would cost more.
DH suggested having it painted at an auto body shop and then clear coated then it would take longer to rust.
Looked up on the internet the table's manufacturer is (was,)in Fla but now gone. Out of bisness/ law suit in 1977.
Does that mean its an antique? Lol. I can chip off 3 separate colors and we never painted it mom found it at a garage sale in 1990's.
I told her tonight my plans to do this for Mothers day for her,shes excited.
I dont have to bbsit tomorrow its the first Tuesday in over a year
After deck was done we did the bogo DQ Blizzard...Heath is my fave.
Opened up windows for fresh air as it cooled down closed up the house , no heat past few days.
Keeping errands together save gas.

[courtney3636]

Coffee and tea at home. Leftovers for lunch.

Bought poligrip at Walmart for my dad and grandma in law. Gave me about 70¢ overage on each one. With my overage I bought ice trays to save on buying ice. And used coupons and overage to buy garden supplies. No a/c until I got home from work.

Sandwiches for dinner. Priced chicks at the feed store, but I'm not convinced I can care for them. Plus my mom said 'Courtney, are you going to eat them?' I said, 'well no mom they are going to be my pets' she said, 'well then what happens when they stop laying?' Ugh thanks mom for bursting my bubble. Now I'm rethinking it.

Same ole same ole going on this way.

[hotrodswife]

Found a SS dishwasher at the church garage sale at the preview sale if its priced right It's mine

[nwfrugalista]

Today's frugal efforts:

1. Packed kids' lunches today for school (do this everyday--kids haven't bought school lunch a day this year) using groceries bought at 50% off (or more) with sales/coupons.

2. Have not run AC/heat for last two weeks, thanks to daily temps in the 60s. Looks like more of the same this week.

3. After work ran into CVS for free Zyrtec and cheap Thermacare with 2/1 MQ, 2 ECB and 25% coupon. Was going to plan a bigger trip with the 25% Q, but decided that I need to stick with only freebies from the drugstores this week since I am broke for the rest of the month.

4. Stayed in tonight and threw together a quick dinner from the fridge/pantry.

5. Planning for DS' birthday on Thursday---I took the day off so I can have lunch with him at school, will also take treats for his class.

6. Renewed my prepaid cell phone with a card I bought during the last 4x fuel points promo at Kroger (also bought GCs for the kids' teachers for Teacher Appreciation next week).

[RachelArsenal]

Originally Posted by courtney3636

Coffee and tea at home. Leftovers for lunch.

Bought poligrip at Walmart for my dad and grandma in law. Gave me about 70¢ overage on each one. With my overage I bought ice trays to save on buying ice. And used coupons and overage to buy garden supplies. No a/c until I got home from work.

Sandwiches for dinner. Priced chicks at the feed store, but I'm not convinced I can care for them. Plus my mom said 'Courtney, are you going to eat them?' I said, 'well no mom they are going to be my pets' she said, 'well then what happens when they stop laying?' Ugh thanks mom for bursting my bubble. Now I'm rethinking it.

Same ole same ole going on this way.

It's kinda like a dear old friend at that point...they've been useful and productive until then, you'll still appreciate them when they're older and not laying any longer, for all the years they gave you eggs. They don't live long after stopping laying anyhow.

You can plant seedy plants so that you don't have to buy feed.

[RachelArsenal]

Bought a bag of layer crumble and scratch for free today. Stacked a Tractor Supply Q with a MFQ Q. We just got five new twelve-weekers who don't know how to forage yet.

Considering buying a goat and selling my lawnmower. Looked at a few today.

Bought a baby swing at Goodwill in perfect condition the other day, for $7...music was playing off even with new batteries. Washed the cover, bleached the straps, took the housing apart and cleaned inside with an alcohol-soaked Q-Tip...works like a charm now. Sold this evening for $65 on our local sell/swap site.