The unpacking from The Mama's estate is done...and two laundry baskets of items taken to the girlies' homes. It's opened up the space wonderfully in the fifth-wheel. I even unpacked Bean and Queen, so they can wobble away and keep me company while I'm working. (Queen Elizabeth has an identical twin, since I brought The Mama's version back...but they don't speak to each other.) Bigfoot (see below) is keeping them company -- I wonder if they talk when we head for bed each night.
This month's dentist bill (see Misses) was a real hit on our budget this month. We also know that a six months' insurance payment, plus a hefty credit card bill, is due early in June. I tried to cut back in other areas, but it was difficult. We got the basics -- generally milk & eggs, and those only when they were on sale. That helped. So did staying out of the thrift shop and library booksale room. (Small economies -- but they made a difference in the long run.)
Yes, these are a bit early...but I had time.
FRUGAL HITS
*Taught at the DAR's Cameo Society luncheon in Broomfield, CO. These ladies are fellow history-lovers! (Sold some books, too.)
*'Rewards voucher' from Michael's for $5 -- on whatever I wanted! I used it for two octopus charms (60% off)...and two birthday presents for the girlies (BOGO 50% off).
*A good healthy slug of money deposited in The Mama's account, from the estate sale. The Mama would have been proud of that.
*The Mama's birth certificate, graduation diploma and some report cards -- returned by kind people who found them in a box of cards and letters they'd purchased at the estate sale. (I was so grateful.)
*Our internet has been going down regularly, late at night. The Brick complained -- turns up they're doing some kind of update, but didn't bother to tell their customers. Result: a $30 credit on our bill.
*The Brick used a hambone to make a pot of (delicious) bean soup -- then I added a can of chili-flavored tomatoes. Result: 4 meals (plus a snack) from a pot of Great Northern beans and a hambone!
I also used a few cups of Taco Stretch (a TVP product) to make a pound of hamburger, well... stretch. Checked our bins and regularly pulled items for meals. If we didn't have it, we generally went without it. (Or I used our dried milk supplies.)
*Read books I'd borrowed -- a LOT of books -- and watched episodes from all three seasons of the original Star Trek. All from the library. (I'd planned to buy Star Trek from Amazon -- but then the price went up. I'll keep looking. My monthly allowance remains unused, except for $2 on a book.) Bought a few videos at both the library's used book room, and the thrift shop. (But not many.) Sent some of the videos to our nieces and nephews.
*We have been gobbling up episodes of Doc Martin -- the GP who goes gaga at the sight of blood. He lives in a village full of odd, quirky characters stuck in funny problems. Between Tubi (seasons 1-5) and library DVDs (seasons 6-9) --all for free.
*Thrift shop buys: a 'new' coffeemaker for $5.99; set of queen sheets for $2; Skecher "Twinkletoes" shoes, $3-5 (resold for $), an appliqued pillow ($3), notes ($1 each), before a 20% discount---and free bread, bagels and English muffins.
*Regifted a few things, including a vintage cup from The Mama's farm.
*Scraped to keep grocery purchases at a minimum -- even milk and eggs. (But only on sale)
*Wrapped some birthday presents, using paper that came round a flower bouquet. Some of the presents were antique cameras from The Mama's estate -- for Daughter #1's partner's collection. Mom would have been thrilled that they went to him. Son #1 got a pair of hunting gloves and a beer brewing book.
*Mother's Day goodies...a lovely mixed bouquet, plus a bunch of magenta carnations. All from the Brick, the thoughtful guy. Daughter #1 also gave me an orchid plant. These will last for weeks. The girlies, Son #1 and Daughter #1's partner sprang for a free supper too, the sweethearts.
*A lovely drinks & nibbles reception for the Denver chapter of ASA (American Society of Appraisers). Many of the appraisers there had different specialties than me; most were in engineering, power or medical areas. But we had a good talk talking, anyways.
*Some appraisals done. Some bits of other work here and there. (Pretty quiet this month...which is nice.)
*Learning all over again to come home for meals, a snack or drink, rather than stop for a quick one. This little economy has made a real difference this month.
*Free online lecture on 18th century workingmen's graffiti, from a British museum.
*A penny found at the back door of El Loro in Boulder. A friend beat me, though -- she scooped up a dime, nickel and penny from her own driveway.
*The Brick made several trailer repairs...and helped our friend fix his vehicle, as well. What a guy.
*Planted greens, onion sets (red and white), basil and cilantro -- beans and zucchini up on the balcony of our friends' house (so the deer wouldn't eat them). Also helped Daughter #1 plant her garden beds. (And yes, I bought seeds for her, too...at Dollar Tree.)
*A cute red plastic piggybank -- courtesy of our local credit union. Thank you!
*A hunting license for the Brick, first part of October. Hopefully it will produce results, especially since we've...
*Started to use more elk meat. It has rather an odd smell when you first take it out of the pkg, and this threw me off a bit. (He was an older bull, after all.) But the cooked meat is absolutely delicious.
FRUGAL MISSES
*Stocks down. Way down. Ouch. Bought more index fund shares, now that it's down, and more Red Robin shares (RRGB) too. (Don't buy Red Robin, unless you're prepared to wait things out -- it's now down about 50%.) The Brick noticed a petroleum gas stock (LPG) that's doing quite well, even in the downturn, and offered a healthy dividend this month -- so I bought some of that, too.
*The Brick needed a physical to renew his CDL license. Ah well...it was important. (He went to the local clinic, which saved a bit.)
*A few hundred $$ spent on various hobbies. Once in a while, it's ok.
*Gas prices are INSANE: $5.29 in our part of Colorado, at Sam's Club. And yes, the lines are long. (A 'hit:' the Brick noticed that the sign said $5.12/gallon, and took pictures of both the sign and the pump. I went to Customer Service a few days later, and argued that we should have been charged $5.12 -- a $3.91 difference. The manager agreed -- and cut me a $5 giftcard, 'for my trouble!' What a nice guy.)
*Buying smaller amounts sometimes -- like the 12 pounds of flour I purchased at Sam's Club that worked out to 42 cents a pound, versus 38 cents, if I'd bought a 25-pound bag. Yes, I know it's not that big a deal -- but when you're devoted to the smallest $$ per pound, it bugs you. (I made up for it by getting yeast much more cheaply at Sam's, than at Walmart or Amazon. I guess.)
*Went to see The Northman on a Friday night, complete with popcorn and a drink (for us to share). Our first movie out, except on discount Tuesdays, in years -- and now I know why. Total: almost $50. Really?!? (I later found out that if we'd gotten there before 5:30 p.m. that night, the bill would have been $6 each. Needless to say, the cinema people did NOT tell us that.)
(If you're in the mood now, check out this list of Ten Vikings Who Terrorized Europe (But You Don't Hear Much About Today).
*Out to lunch with friends -- full price. But we took our time, had ceviche too...and it was lovely. (We did have leftovers to take home.) I am not sorry. Sometimes you just do this, on the spur of the moment.
*Broke a plate -- and a cup. And a bowl started leaking. It goes like this sometimes.
*Lemon curd ordered from Amazon -- four of the six jars were leaking. (Money refunded, as well for an order of Biden stickers that never arrived.)
*Realized we had a $40 credit to spend (through Medicare) in a health products catalog. Free shipping, too, as long as we spent $35. Why was this a 'miss?' Because the Brick is allowed $40 every quarter -- and if you don't spend it, you lose it. We didn't even realize it was possible until this month -- which meant that Quarter #1 had already gone bye-bye. Ergh. Prices are higher than we'd often spend, but we can make it stretch for this quarter, at least. (Note: If you're old enough for Medicare, make sure to check -- you might be eligible for this benefit, too.) P.S. The order arrived -- all things we can use.
*Went to a fundraiser for the local fire and rescue - even bought some raffle tickets! We didn't win anything...darn. But the green chili-topped burritos were delicious.
*Dental bills. By the time I had my teeth cleaned, x-rays done, a crown replaced, a filling, and paid for a maintenance plan, it was up to $750. OUCH, in more ways than one.
April's report is here. Last year's May report is here.
I can't do much to affect the charge of inflation...or our government's decisions. (Effect it either, for that matter. I do write letters and e-mails now and then, which have all been dismissed or ignored. Weird, because I write very good complaining letters.) However, I also author this blog -- and am hoping that it not only helps you-all...it helps you THINK. That's why I read blogs like My Tireless Retirement , One Hundred Dollars A Month and The Prudent Homemaker. If we all THINK together -- maybe things will change!
2 comments:
Just found you! I moved from Arvada in 2017. Too bad I didn’t know you then…we think alike! I was a long time volunteer at the Arvada Food Bank, miss it.
Feel your pain on the S. Market. I hate to see June’s numbers but we are in it for the long haul, right? Right?
Joyce
Sadly, Joyce -- I think you ARE right. This isn't going to go away any time soon.
Thanks for finding me -- and writing!
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