Happy New Year's Eve!

 

Surely I Can't Be the Only One...

 

Not to mention this one...

Frugal Hits & Misses: December Report

     You may have a mental picture of  Colorado looking like this during the holidays -- 

Photo from Forbes.com

     I hate to burst your bubble. It usually looks like this, instead.

Although the ski resorts would love to have you think differently. (They MAKE snow when it isn't coming from the sky.)

    We've been surprisingly lucky with snow this fall-into-winter season. There have been a few 'dumpers,' but they melt off quickly. In general, though, we've kept a scraping of snow. Makes it look very Christmasy, though you couldn't ski on the white stuff to save your life. (We make up for it later in the season -- especially early spring.)

     Usually we have a brown Christmas. This year, it was different, with a skiff of snow. (Areas further up north got considerably more -- so did the mountains we enjoy looking at every day.) The Brick and I celebrated by ourselves, thanks to kid commitments. We'll meet up with them later this week. It happens.

FRUGAL HITS

*No money spent on our usual gifts for orphanage kids -- because I'd already bought them back in January. (We enjoy giving presents to a Mexican orphanage that our Sedalia friends often visit.)

*Paper sacks of goodies given out at church to everyone --each had an  orange, apple, and vintage-style candies. (I asked the Brick, "Did they ever do this for kids in your area, growing up?" He couldn't remember anything like that. Neither could I, though I've read about it plenty of times in my pioneer books. Maybe our generation missed out.) 

*Money spent on mail order health-related items, thanks to our Humana benefits plan. I thought I'd have $75 -- but got $150! I was able to stock up on items, like back patches, ibuprofen and toothpaste. Hey, it helps. (And if you don't use it by year's end -- you lose it.)

*I earned a $5 giftcard for volunteering. One more for exercising regularly, thanks to the Medicare health plan. (Both were slipped into the Brick's Christmas stocking.) I also made $2 for taking a survey.

*I put a wreath on our 'Hawk's Nest' entrance piece -- and called it good for holiday decorating. (The previous owner's name was Hawkins. Get it?) I put up a few dollar store decorations purchased earlier...that was about it. (Most of our decorations, including our Nativity set and a ceramic tree, are in the storage trailer in Michigan.)

Here was last year's version. Note the distinctly un-snowy landscape.

*Other than videos and other presents I'd collected throughout the year, I only got presents that the Brick really needed. I usually saved at least $5 on each (or more), and ordered them all from Amazon, with free shipping. It makes a real difference if you have to travel for a while to get to a store -- although technically we're not going much further than we did on trips to Denver.

    With a few exceptions, I did the same for the kids. We really need to watch our purchases right now.

*Office Depot had a special! 10 reams of paper -- $3.99 each, and free shipping. (We were down to our last 1 or 2 reams.)

*We had the propane tank filled -- the price barely below $2/gallon. (That's considerably less than what we were paying in Sedalia.) Slightly more than $500 to have the tank topped off, but it should last for a long time. 

*Used a free 7-day trial of Fubo to watch the Michigan/Iowa game...then cancelled it a few hours before the trial ended. We weren't impressed, anyways -- $77 monthly for a channel that couldn't get its sound and picture in sync??

    A chance comment to a new friend got us an invite to see the Rose Bowl New Year's Day at his house. Hooray!  (I promised to bring snacks.)

*Sent Christmas cards, a bunch of them -- telling friends and family we love them, while giving out our new address, as well. 

*Held off from making big purchases-- we're still paying off some moving expenses. That's keeping credit card bills in early January lower. (They'll be even lower in early February.) Reading other bloggers' past holiday posts helped, rather than hanging out on Amazon and looking for 'bargains.'

*Finished getting the mailbox in -- it took the Brick quite a while. But it's solidly anchored, and looks good. (Our mailbox is a bit more than 1/2 mile down the road -- but at least we have a mailbox.)

*Supper with new neighbors. (I brought blueberry pie and ice cream.) Other new neighbors gave us a dozen eggs. (Thanks, guys!) We also enjoyed a Christmas lunch at our new church. (Our contribution: mashed potatoes, an apple pie and Davy's Delight brownies. Which turned out to be more fudge than brownie. (See below.)

*Half off autumn-themed napkins and candles at Dollar General. Many of our Christmas cards came from there, as well -- on sale. (Hey, if that's what you've got to choose from 'in town' -- that's what you do.) This Dollar General has a generous array of milk, eggs and frozen items, in addition to the usual stuff. A lot of Mexican-related groceries, which makes sense, given the high Hispanic population in this area. (Reminds me a lot of McNeal's Dollar General.) 

*A Shark vacuum cleaner from Walmart.com -- we spent a little more than $200, but saved $150. (We also got Swagbucks points -- almost enough for a $10 giftcard!) The Brick took it on a spin within an hour of its delivery...and it works great.

*A very nice antique quilt photo -- because I had the courage to offer much less. (Frankly, I didn't think they would take it.) NOTE:  ALWAYS make an offer on 'best price' -- unless you're absolutely sure and/or desperate.

'Try holding my hand, Fred -- and I'll smack you."

*Found money! A dime at the post office parking lot, a quarter in another parking lot --and a penny in the truck. Way more found this month than any since the bonanza. Also: the last bit of money from The Mama's estate: $10.

*Our 'spare coins' piggy bank cashed in at the credit union: $51-plus. Now THAT's a nice 'chunk of change.' And, as Donna Freedman points out, it can be used to help change lives. 

*Some appraisal work -- surprising to have so much this time of year, but I'm grateful for it. Fortunately, it can be worked on into January. But because of it, I was able to pay several bills early, thanks to extra $$ in our account. That always feels wonderful.

*An N.C. Wyeth-look painting via Ebay, after negotiating for less shipping $$. It looks very much like this one, commemorating an Alaskan mailman's fight for life against a wolfpack. (I have a feeling about this painting...if I'm right, will pass on my suspicions.)

*A $30+ mistake from Safeway, corrected at Customer Service. (They mispriced the ham on sale, and I got the wrong milk. Yes, these add up! Otherwise, purchases have been very minimal -- mostly milk and eggs, plus meat that's on sale. (If it is.)

*Cleaned out the underbed area in the fifth-wheel, where I kept presents -- and found a number I'd forgotten about. (No need to go shopping for more!) Gave an Advent calendar to a neighbor; I found two more that went to our pastor and a friend. Oops... found a box of Christmas cards I'd gotten this summer. (What isn't used this season will work for next Christmas.)

         We also moved more items from the fifth-wheel...this is taking longer than we both thought, but it is gradually emptying out. 

*Two books finally cancelled from the Castle Rock library. They thought I had them -- I thought I'd returned them. 

*Cut a Christmas tree from our own property. Ten acres of woods -- we should have been able to find at least one!  Surprisingly, it ended up 8 feet tall -- AFTER the Brick trimmed it. (I asked both the girlies if they wanted one, too... 'Nope, Mom, we have an artificial tree.') 

*We sang a few weeks at church, including special music. I also went out for caroling. We were given a kind thank you gift for our work there, as well.

*Continued to keep the inside temps low, and relied heavily on the woodstove to warm up the house in the morning. We've been getting a nice boost, solar-wise, from the windows, as well. We've kept our electricity use low, as well. The fifth-wheel's heat is down to the bare minimum, and will be turned off completely, as soon as we finish unloading.

*Used a notebook I already had for 2024's appointment calendar. 

*Set up my membership payment for ASA for monthly payments -- and no fees! (This is $650 -- and a lot to come up with if you have to make one large payment.)

*A $12 credit for 'string' issues on Safeway's Three Meat Sicilian Recipe pizzas. (They didn't get rid of the casings when they cut the sausages -- so you ended up with a mouthful of plastic.) I made one phone call -- that's all it took. 

*Wonderful Bigfoot Christmas ornaments. Everyone on our present list got some!

*The Red Green dvd collection, 'Stuffed and Mounted,' for $14.99.   It usually says for four times that price. (I also took advantage to get more, using the Ebay seller's buy 2, get 1 free special.)

*A quiet anniversary. Found out that our area restaurants were closed on Dec. 26 -- the special day. (Forty-two years!) Enjoyed a Mexican buffet on the 27th, instead. (There aren't many fancy places in our neck of the woods.) The food was wonderful -- and we got a dozen tamales for future meals. ($16 -- a bargain around here.) 

     We also visited the Alamosa library (woo hoo!), a new to us thrift shop (nada) -- and took a nice long drive out in the Valley. It may not have been our flashiest year, but going anywhere with the Brick, Ruby in tow, is nice. 

*Grocery buys: cans of kidney beans and imported large chocolate bars, about 86 cents each, plus a second batch for less than $2 each ; bags of coffee beans for up to 55% off. (Amazon Warehouse Deals). $1.97 whole milk (gallon), a free drink and a free dozen eggs, $1.57/lb spiral-cut ham.* (Safeway)

*Although it was slightly higher-priced than the regular ham ($1.27/lb), I really think this is better-processed, and goes further. The next week, they offered spiral-cut for $1.27/lb -- so I bought a second one for the freezer.

FRUGAL MISSES

*We finally got internet...it only took a month! (Ironically, we'd had the optical network installed, all along -- the company just didn't seem to know it.)

*It's harder than ever to get access to one of my favorite places -- the library. The Fort Garland library is a joke, and the Alamosa one closes early on Saturdays and Sundays -- generally the only days we go to town. (sigh) At least I was able to check out a dozen book from the Alamosa library that aren't due for three weeks.

*We both had to pay $34 monthly for the same Medicare supplement plan (free) as in Denver. Don't worry -- we'll get the money back and more, after taking advantage of the benefits. The one thing I can't figure: why is this plan free, when we lived in one of the richest counties (Douglas) in the state...and now that we live in one of the poorest (Costilla County), it costs $34 extra?

*Expenses are coming -- an oil change (about $300) and new tires for the truck. Our stove is doing something odd, as well --it bakes fine at 400 degrees and more, and just doodles around at lower temperatures. (I thought I was doing something wrong, baking brownies at high altitude -- we live at 8600 ft. now. Turns out they just weren't being baked at the proper temperature!)

*My new glasses fell apart. (Lucky I got two pairs.) A missing screw. A trip to America's Best  was fruitless. (A letter to the manager is in the doing.) But still... that meant a trip to Denver.

Last month's post is here.  And last year's December post is here. (2021's version, too -- we were in Michigan, not long before The Mama's death.) 

May there be a very happy New Year in your near-future. 

An Innovative (If Weird) Idea for Baby Showers

 Ummm... so what are you allowed to do, in order to accomplish this??

At least it's better than dressing people in toilet paper diapers.

Bigfoot Celebrates the Holidays

 These have been collected from far and wide, celebrating my favorite cryptid.. Feel free to copy them for your use. The Big Guy (or Girl) won't mind...I think. 

Hey, a girl's gotta dream...

Merry Christmas

 A Child is born... to save our souls. 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Merry Christmas!

 It's finally arrived -- the time many of us look forward to each year. Including...to my surprise... the Brick! He made some grumpy pronouncements yesterday -- then suddenly asked when we were going to watch a Christmas movie. I said, "I thought you didn't want to do this."

    "I was just being a Scrooge," he said.

     Two movies later (Scrooge and The Christmas Cottage),  he's wrapping presents by the fireside, while I'm typing this. What a guy. 

    Guess I'd better go fill his stocking, including a bag of (candy) coal. 

Meanwhile:

One of my favorite Christmas stories ever -- you'll enjoy this pioneer tale of despair and hope from Harvest Lane Cottage.

Cheap (and filling) meals for a large crowd.  (Thanks, Quorans) Including this gem: 50 budget recipes for good food, Australian-style.  Speaking of:

Is THIS what happened to Malaysia Flight MH370?  Did it crash off Australia's southern coast? (That's not where they've been looking.)

A surprisingly delicious-looking Christmas dinner: all from Dollar Tree!

Turns out Harvard's president not only plagiarized, but she did it -- a LOT. That didn't stop Harvard from threatening the newspaper that broke the news. (My work has been plagiarized before. It doesn't feel good.)

Some of the kindest photo memes I've ever seen...including this one:

People taken in by scams. (They must also post on Quora -- I see a LOT there.)

So the murder charges were dropped against this bodega clerk in NYC. So why is the clerk suing? Everything's fine now...right?

A classic on earning vs spending, including the Colonial era poem below.  (Thanks, Legacy of Home.)

 “A Dialogue between a thriving Tradesman and his Wife about the Education of Their Daughter.”

Prithee, good Madam, let her first be able,
To read a Chapter truly, in the Bible,
That she may’nt mispronounce God’s People, Popel,
Nor read Cunstable for Constantinople;
Make her expert and ready at her Prayers,
That God may keep her from the Devil's Snares;
Teach her what’s useful, how to shun deluding,
To roast, to toast, to boil and mix a pudding.
To knit, to spin, to sew, to make or mend,
To scrub, to rub, to earn and not to spend,
I tell thee Wife, once more, I’ll have her bred
To Book’ry, Cook’ry, Thimble, Needle, Thread.

  - Boston Evening - Post, December 10, 1744. 

Petty revenge stories.  But oh, so satisfying...

A Goodwill-purchased vase sells for more than $100,000 at auction. Just goes to show that study and research (and appraising) help! 

On the flip side, an elderly couple who did not think their inherited collection of African artifacts was worth appraising, so sold them to a dealer, including a mask (for 130 pounds), were very pissed off when that dealer sold the mask for millions. They sued -- and lost, because they took no action to find out the real value of their pieces. (Ironically, the dealer didn't know its true value, either. He offered the couple 330,000 pounds to settle the lawsuit -- but the adult children refused. Sounds like they got greedy. Now they get nothing. )

The girl who gave emotional interviews about her family's slaying -- arrested eight years later, along with her husband, for their murders!

Faking indigenous artwork? Five years in JAIL...and he's just the first one. If you enjoyed that...

Another huge art world scandal -- this one involving the Dynamic Art Museum (DART).

An intriguing -- and often confusing -- story about a mother's search for her 12-year-old son, kidnapped decades ago. (And the complicated sex trade ring she says he was dragged into.) FYI -- it's not as straightforward as you would think. 

Princess Diana's 'ballerina' velvet dress sells for $1.1 MILLION...setting a new record. (It was valued at only $100,000 -- oops, that appraiser has a red face now.)

(Can't help but think this one is kinda ugly, Gentle Readers.)

Actors who were roommates talk about each other.  (The mix is truly surprising sometimes.) Plus:

Wild stories about celebrities in other celebrities' memoirs.

A couple that erased a $460,000 debt -- and had a much better Christmas. 

Master cooking hacks. Some good ones here!

Merry Christmas to you, friends. I hope this week is a peaceful and restful one. 

It's STILL Not Too Late...

 ...for meaningful Christmas presents and stocking stuffers that don't cost big bucks. 

This is a rerun of a post that ran some years ago -- see if it helps. 

PRESENTS FOR MUCH LESS

 Unless you're a bazillionaire (or spend like one), it's easy to look at the list of people you want to buy gifts for...
     and feel a little frightened.

How are you going to stretch your budget to cover everybody? 

Sometimes -- you shouldn't. Not every friend expects a lavish present. In fact, most would be happy you didn't -- because they can reciprocate in the same way.

Waltzing onstage: a batch of present ideas priced at $5 -- or less.
    Remember:

Handmade can be best. Many people have neither the time nor talent to stitch a small purse, or embroider something. If you can, and do it well -- do it.

'New' is relative. A basket purchased at Wal-Mart looks no different than one from the thrift shop. Also, look for items there still in the box. (I've found many, with the price tags still on.)

If it's vintage or antique -- highlight that. (Vintage, by the way, is 25 years or more. Appraisers and historians argue about the 'antique' label: some say 50 years or more, others, 100 years.)

Do 'gift basket' groupings. Multiple items look even more impressive, particularly when surrounded with tissue and arranged in a small basket or box. After all:

It's all in the presentation. Plastic giftwrap, ribbon and specialty tags don't cost much -- and make modest presents look like a million bucks.



Note: I'll be mentioning Tuesday Morning a lot -- I just started working there as a seasonal temp, and have noticed a number of interesting items. (Thereafter listed as TM.) But you can find many of these at your local stores. Don't forget thrift shops, dollar stores and the antique mall -- they often have unique items that can't be found in the plastic tzochke bins at other places.


A HELPFUL LIST OF CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS -- 
                     FOR LESS THAN $5 (or even just a buck)

*A nice brandy snifter or crystal wineglass -- accompanied by a sampler bottle of wine, bourbon or brandy. (The bottles are running a buck each at our local Bubbles liquor store -- I'd get the glasses at the thrift shop or antique mall, but you can find them for $2.99 or less at TM.)

*Make your own moonshine. Last year's batch worked out to roughly $1.50 a pint.

*Christmas wreath or swag. Wire forms are cheap -- or make your own with a wire clotheshanger. Use trimmings from your backyard, including firs and evergreens.

 Keep it plain, or add a string of LED tiny lights and a bright red bow.

*Vintage handkerchiefs. (Add a copy of my Hanky Panky method, if they're quilters! Or add a comment with your contact info, and I'll send you a basic handout.)

*A sampler of items. For the scrapbooker: trims, scissors, specialty paper or stickers. For the stitcher: embroidery floss, thread, buttons, fabric squares. For the jewelry-lover: charms, beads, pliers and decorative wire. For the biker (motorcycles, I mean -- but it would work for mountain bikers, too): bandanna, wax or polish, reflective light, sleeve/pants guards. For the pet-lover: treats, a new feeding dish, chew rope or collar. The list can be endless, once you visit the clearance section, discount stores, etc. (Think 'small amounts:' a fat quarter at the fabric store, versus a yard or two, for example.)

*Snowmen pops: frost a package of Oreo cookies and dot on faces with frosting, chips or candies -- stick them on popsicle sticks, then tie with ribbon. Done!



*Giant gingerbread man or lady -- these are also good, made with my grandma's secret sugar cookie recipe.  Add a bowtie of decorative ribbon, then wrap in plastic.

*For kids: The promise of a trip to the dollar store -- and a fast food snack afterwards. Limit purchases to one item of their choice -- or one for every one of their family members. My piano students love this annual 'Christmas present shopping' trip.

*A portable game... plus an offer to play it with them. Add a small pack of nuts and a scorepad.

*Specialty pen with notepad  (TM has small bejeweled pads for $1.99 each)

*A pack of holiday napkins, with a bottle of barbecue or other specialty sauce -- and a recipe.

*Cup and saucer, in their favorite pattern or design.  (Add a teabag and sugar-dipped decorative spoon -- or substitute a small packet of coffee with a chocolate-dipped spoon. Hot chocolate works, too.)

*Package of teabags with a small bag of cookies. Add a paperback or video, for extra oomph. Or:

*Include a package of microwave popcorn with the paperback or video. Or Caramel Corn -- see below.

*Decorative mug -- with a copy of the Cup Cookies recipe below
   (Bonus: Mix the ingredients in a plastic bag. Tie with ribbon and include.)

*Earbuds, in a bright color -- with a CD of Christmas music. (You'll find both of these at the dollar store, for less than you think.)

*Cellphone accessories or tools. A small pack of these is surprisingly affordable -- try TM or other discount stores. The Brick enjoys tinkering with his cellphone, eyeglasses and other items that demand tiny repair tools.

*A $5 giftcard, wrapped in a handkerchief, or a small case you've stitched (or glued) from scrap paper or fabric.

If your time is limited (and for many of us, that's the case), then look for food gifts that can be made quickly, with minimum fuss. One of my old 'keeping food on a budget' posts has some excellent recipes, including Caramel Corn, Cup Cookies (see above), the best brownies ever, and...

these Peanut Butter cookies -- delicious, and no gluten. I made a batch in literally five minutes -- they'll be munched up faster than that.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix together and form into balls (squash with a fork for the traditional look) -- bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 min., until lightly brown. Makes about a dozen. (Yes, this recipe can be doubled and tripled.)

Brandy, over at Prudent Homemaker, has rustic-looking Christmas stockings she sewed from...painters dropcloth! These would make an interesting case for your holiday gift -- and something your recipient could use next season, as well.

If you have a lot of recipients to cover, one of Meredith's classic posts on Like Merchant Ships has a remarkable list of ideas for presents at a DOLLAR -- or less. (And they're good ones. I have plans for Paula Deen's House Blend mix myself. See the link.)

Another post of Meredith's gives more  'shoestring' present ideas, as does Charity Grace's thrifty little Christmas.  Moneysaving Mom has 'tons' of unique and frugal gift ideas...some good ones, but more than $5, generally.

I keep a few generic presents handy year-round for birthdays, as well as Christmas. Thinking ahead keeps your budget lean and active...without the frantic need to rush out at the last minute to Get Something. And that gives you more time for enjoying other parts of the holiday.

Be sure to add a note to the giftee, telling them why they are special to you. They'll like that as much -- or more -- than the present itself.