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Home > Archive: August, 2006
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Archive for August, 2006
August 30th, 2006 at 02:30 am
0One of the buddies I got some books for wanted to pay me. The reality is that she would have been uncomfortable if she didn’t pay me, and I didn’t want to push it. So, she gave me a dollar. Sounded really small to her, I’m sure, especially since one of the eight or so books was signed by the author (Zilpha Keatley Snyder! [u]The Velvet Room[/u]! A freakin’ [b]classic![/b]). However, it puts me in the position of making a profit on being “neighborly.” Not only being neighborly, but introducing a young girl to a fabulous author in the incredible world of books. Such is life; I accepted the dollar gracefully.
That dollar gets added back into my gift fund. Add that to a dime I found on the ground, the gas-less walk I took to work, the plums I picked off my tree, and the great meal My Guy cooked, and it’s a positively abundant day. asdf123
One of the buddies I got some books for wanted to pay me. The reality is that she would have been uncomfortable if she didn’t pay me, and I didn’t want to push it. So, she gave me a dollar. Sounded really small to her, I’m sure, especially since one of the eight or so books was signed by the author (Zilpha Keatley Snyder! The Velvet Room! A freakin’ classic!). However, it puts me in the position of making a profit on being “neighborly.” Not only being neighborly, but introducing a young girl to a fabulous author in the incredible world of books. Such is life; I accepted the dollar gracefully.
That dollar gets added back into my gift fund. Add that to a dime I found on the ground, the gas-less walk I took to work, the plums I picked off my tree, and the great meal My Guy cooked, and it’s a positively abundant day.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
$20 Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
1 Comments »
August 29th, 2006 at 01:30 am
0I plan to do some jam making this weekend; we went on another blackberry run, and the plums keep on coming. Jam is always nice to have; it’s a very nice little gift for so many occasions. I’m very apt to spread treats as I am definitely treated in my life. For example, 97 cents from the three dollars at the buck-a-bag book sale was for buddies; some were for capital G Gifts to be Wrapped, but some were just things I know people might be looking for. People have been kind in passing on hand-me-down items, and it makes sense to me to have it be an exchange, not a one way flow.
One woman at work has hooked me up with some beautiful sweaters from garage sales and thrift stores. When I cleaned my closet, and decided to get rid of some nice blazers (too long in the sleeves), including one gorgeous lined very high quality one, she was the first person I asked. She didn’t give me sweaters so that she’d get the blazer (she gave them to her daughter); obviously not. But we’ve demonstrated to each other that we can see a lot of value in quality used items, and are frugal allies. She will get at least a couple jars of jam.
Sometimes a side benefit of leaving something from a garage sale on someone’s desk is that they see that some items can be cheap. I’ve had people say, “I’d really like to repay you,” and I say, “It was 2 for a quarter, so that’s twelve and a half cents.” At that point I can usually get them to not give me the thirteen cents. My payment is their excitement that something that good was so low-priced. I do not proselytize my frugality, but I’m completely unembarrassed by it, and I like to think it rubs off a little. asdf123
I plan to do some jam making this weekend; we went on another blackberry run, and the plums keep on coming. Jam is always nice to have; it’s a very nice little gift for so many occasions. I’m very apt to spread treats as I am definitely treated in my life. For example, 97 cents from the three dollars at the buck-a-bag book sale was for buddies; some were for capital G Gifts to be Wrapped, but some were just things I know people might be looking for. People have been kind in passing on hand-me-down items, and it makes sense to me to have it be an exchange, not a one way flow.
One woman at work has hooked me up with some beautiful sweaters from garage sales and thrift stores. When I cleaned my closet, and decided to get rid of some nice blazers (too long in the sleeves), including one gorgeous lined very high quality one, she was the first person I asked. She didn’t give me sweaters so that she’d get the blazer (she gave them to her daughter); obviously not. But we’ve demonstrated to each other that we can see a lot of value in quality used items, and are frugal allies. She will get at least a couple jars of jam.
Sometimes a side benefit of leaving something from a garage sale on someone’s desk is that they see that some items can be cheap. I’ve had people say, “I’d really like to repay you,” and I say, “It was 2 for a quarter, so that’s twelve and a half cents.” At that point I can usually get them to not give me the thirteen cents. My payment is their excitement that something that good was so low-priced. I do not proselytize my frugality, but I’m completely unembarrassed by it, and I like to think it rubs off a little.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge
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1 Comments »
August 26th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
0I'm wearing my twenty five cent footy jammies. Got out of a night hot bath. Getting ready to drink tea and read my mighty stack of books. Cheap thrills, cheap thrills.
Didn't accomplish much today, except gathering a lot of plums, some minor puttering, and adding more to my Roth IRA. Obviously the Roth is not related to My Challenge, but it is because of the Challenge that I have extra money floating in my checking that I can use for other things.
It's been almost six months, and I'm almost halfway there. I'm a little proud of myself for sticking with the commitment I made. I'm gaining an awful lot.
asdf123
I'm wearing my twenty five cent footy jammies. Got out of a night hot bath. Getting ready to drink tea and read my mighty stack of books. Cheap thrills, cheap thrills.
Didn't accomplish much today, except gathering a lot of plums, some minor puttering, and adding more to my Roth IRA. Obviously the Roth is not related to My Challenge, but it is because of the Challenge that I have extra money floating in my checking that I can use for other things.
It's been almost six months, and I'm almost halfway there. I'm a little proud of myself for sticking with the commitment I made. I'm gaining an awful lot.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
8 Comments »
August 26th, 2006 at 06:19 am
0My freezer is plugged in and humming. I bought a lot of bread that is ready to go in it. It is “The time of Many Plums” so those will be going in there. It’s filling up, and it makes me happy. I went to the Buck a Bag book sale after picking up my freezer and got 107 books for 3 dollars, so that’s less then three cents apiece. Ninety-three cents for buddies, and $2.07 for me.
All my categories that are discretional are up this month. No one single thing I did was bad, but gasoline, household, clothing, and gifts are larger than they could be, and it’s only the 24th. I’m still well within The Challenge, but it’s a reminder than when you are doing well overall, a little extra here and there can sneak up on you. A mango and other large quantities of fresh fruit, in the same month as a Deseret Industries run, in the same month I drive an extra four hours, in the month I do a Clinique bonus, in the month I go to lunch twice? Well it adds up.
Maybe it’s comical that I am spending so much less than I could, but am still so very aware of every dollar. I was glad I had extra recycling money, to add to my gasoline budget! This, in the same month I found out that in “real life” I am getting a raise. However, it’s only awareness of spending, not discomfort. Not regret. Just an increased mindfulness. asdf123
My freezer is plugged in and humming. I bought a lot of bread that is ready to go in it. It is “The time of Many Plums” so those will be going in there. It’s filling up, and it makes me happy. I went to the Buck a Bag book sale after picking up my freezer and got 107 books for 3 dollars, so that’s less then three cents apiece. Ninety-three cents for buddies, and $2.07 for me.
All my categories that are discretional are up this month. No one single thing I did was bad, but gasoline, household, clothing, and gifts are larger than they could be, and it’s only the 24th. I’m still well within The Challenge, but it’s a reminder than when you are doing well overall, a little extra here and there can sneak up on you. A mango and other large quantities of fresh fruit, in the same month as a Deseret Industries run, in the same month I drive an extra four hours, in the month I do a Clinique bonus, in the month I go to lunch twice? Well it adds up.
Maybe it’s comical that I am spending so much less than I could, but am still so very aware of every dollar. I was glad I had extra recycling money, to add to my gasoline budget! This, in the same month I found out that in “real life” I am getting a raise. However, it’s only awareness of spending, not discomfort. Not regret. Just an increased mindfulness.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
$20 Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
2 Comments »
August 24th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
0I came in to work today, and found a huge bag of aluminum cans right by my desk. It was so sweet! There was a picnic event, an Appreciation Luncheon that some supervisors put on for Staff, and they brought me the recycling! How sweet is that? Maybe weird, maybe unusual, but sweet! I did recycling today, and I’m donating back to the annual Luncheon Fund half of what I got for their contribution. So I made an additional $4.14 in recycling.
asdf123
I came in to work today, and found a huge bag of aluminum cans right by my desk. It was so sweet! There was a picnic event, an Appreciation Luncheon that some supervisors put on for Staff, and they brought me the recycling! How sweet is that? Maybe weird, maybe unusual, but sweet! I did recycling today, and I’m donating back to the annual Luncheon Fund half of what I got for their contribution. So I made an additional $4.14 in recycling.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
$20 Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
2 Comments »
August 23rd, 2006 at 07:48 pm
0I bought the freezer. I'm using $60 from my Emergency/Big purchase fund, and $120 from my "savings" from March through July. This almost empties my emergency fund, leaving less than $5 in it. It leaves $76 in "savings. (Edited: later, I realized that including August "savings" I actually have $117!) I'll try to build those back, of course. It is satisfying to be able to make a purchase like this while on My Challenge!
I pick it up at Sear's in 3-5 days. I've got big plans, including the march of the plums, a Ray recipe I'm doing (pork, crock pot, chiles...I've gotta do a search), some frozen lasagna and stew for treat food, bread. Exciting. asdf123
I bought the freezer. I'm using $60 from my Emergency/Big purchase fund, and $120 from my "savings" from March through July. This almost empties my emergency fund, leaving less than $5 in it. It leaves $76 in "savings. (Edited: later, I realized that including August "savings" I actually have $117!) I'll try to build those back, of course. It is satisfying to be able to make a purchase like this while on My Challenge!
I pick it up at Sear's in 3-5 days. I've got big plans, including the march of the plums, a Ray recipe I'm doing (pork, crock pot, chiles...I've gotta do a search), some frozen lasagna and stew for treat food, bread. Exciting.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
$20 Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
1 Comments »
August 23rd, 2006 at 12:54 am
0The Dork of the Day award goes to me, because I took a camera on a flight to another city only to use it to take pictures of my favorite thrift store.
[img width=200 height=250]362[/img]
Deseret Industries is huge, in Sacramento on Auburn. I believe it’s in an old supermarket building.
[img width=200 height=250]366[/img]
Those of you who think thrift stores are small, cluttered, dingy places with ripped out-of-date clothing, think again.
[img width=200 height=250]364[/img]
Even if you are in a small town, you may periodically make Big City runs for certain items. You may want to check out the thrift stores. This one can’t be the only huge, great thrift store in the nation!!!
[img width=200 height=250]363[/img]
The pictures aren’t perfect because I felt like such a goober taking them. I’m hoping you can at least see how big, bright, clean, and organized it is.
[img width=200 height=250]365[/img]
asdf123
The Dork of the Day award goes to me, because I took a camera on a flight to another city only to use it to take pictures of my favorite thrift store.
Deseret Industries is huge, in Sacramento on Auburn. I believe it’s in an old supermarket building.
Those of you who think thrift stores are small, cluttered, dingy places with ripped out-of-date clothing, think again.
Even if you are in a small town, you may periodically make Big City runs for certain items. You may want to check out the thrift stores. This one can’t be the only huge, great thrift store in the nation!!!
The pictures aren’t perfect because I felt like such a goober taking them. I’m hoping you can at least see how big, bright, clean, and organized it is.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
6 Comments »
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:59 pm
0Well, California's minimum wage is going up to $7.50 in January (and later it will be bumped to $8). I just don't know how to handle it. If I stay on The Challenge a year I'll be doing it in January and February only, since I started in March 2006. My inclination is to stay at $6.75 for my Challenge. In the "real world" I wouldn't see the money right away-if it took place the first, depending on how I got paid, I might not see an increase in my check for up to 3 weeks. So my excitement is short lived.
In my Real World, I'm getting a pay raise in October. I was amused that it is the second raise I've had since March 2006 and I won't be able to spend a dime of it. asdf123
Well, California's minimum wage is going up to $7.50 in January (and later it will be bumped to $8). I just don't know how to handle it. If I stay on The Challenge a year I'll be doing it in January and February only, since I started in March 2006. My inclination is to stay at $6.75 for my Challenge. In the "real world" I wouldn't see the money right away-if it took place the first, depending on how I got paid, I might not see an increase in my check for up to 3 weeks. So my excitement is short lived.
In my Real World, I'm getting a pay raise in October. I was amused that it is the second raise I've had since March 2006 and I won't be able to spend a dime of it.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
$20 Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
2 Comments »
August 21st, 2006 at 12:29 am
0I came back to town from the camping trip today, flush with food. I felt like a bit of an oddball, but if two pancakes or a near empty jar of jam are going in that garbage, it’s my natural instinct to rescue them. Other foods that I help rescue include some garden squash, a hot dog, a bit of left over steak, hamburger and chicken; some provolone cheese, and some sautéed mushrooms. I also brought back a bunch of the chopped veggies and some of the potato salad I brought.
I did put in $5 towards a gift for the hostess at the cabin, but that and the extra gas was worth it. I did end up feeling mildly punk, but not miserable. Did nap on Saturday in the tent. I would really like to be headache free for a while but I guess I’ll take mild or medium headaches over doozies.
I’m getting close to needing a freezer. The plums are really coming in, and berries will be coming. I’m looking at a Kenmore 5 cubic foot chest freezer for $169.99 from Sears. Maybe I’ll do it next weekend. A lot of thrifty chores coming up: my favorite thrift store tomorrow in Sacramento, the “buck a bag” book sale at the library next Friday night, and freezer. The “buck a bag” sale is pretty great; I love stocking up on mysteries. If you pack the bags right, the books are around three cents apiece. Most of the gift worthy books sold at the regular sale, for 50 cents or a dollar, but sometimes there are great finds.
Another 17 hour day tomorrow, leave the house at 5 am and get back at 10 pm. asdf123
I came back to town from the camping trip today, flush with food. I felt like a bit of an oddball, but if two pancakes or a near empty jar of jam are going in that garbage, it’s my natural instinct to rescue them. Other foods that I help rescue include some garden squash, a hot dog, a bit of left over steak, hamburger and chicken; some provolone cheese, and some sautéed mushrooms. I also brought back a bunch of the chopped veggies and some of the potato salad I brought.
I did put in $5 towards a gift for the hostess at the cabin, but that and the extra gas was worth it. I did end up feeling mildly punk, but not miserable. Did nap on Saturday in the tent. I would really like to be headache free for a while but I guess I’ll take mild or medium headaches over doozies.
I’m getting close to needing a freezer. The plums are really coming in, and berries will be coming. I’m looking at a Kenmore 5 cubic foot chest freezer for $169.99 from Sears. Maybe I’ll do it next weekend. A lot of thrifty chores coming up: my favorite thrift store tomorrow in Sacramento, the “buck a bag” book sale at the library next Friday night, and freezer. The “buck a bag” sale is pretty great; I love stocking up on mysteries. If you pack the bags right, the books are around three cents apiece. Most of the gift worthy books sold at the regular sale, for 50 cents or a dollar, but sometimes there are great finds.
Another 17 hour day tomorrow, leave the house at 5 am and get back at 10 pm.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
$20 Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
3 Comments »
August 18th, 2006 at 03:57 am
0This morning at work I was putting a roll of toilet paper in my Kleenex box, and didn’t realize it would cause people to stare. They were kind; they found it mildly ingenious, I think, and seemed to think I was coming at it from an environmental angle. I admitted that it was thriftiness too. I’ll see if I see a bunch of tissue boxes with the flaps taped shut and TP poking out. (Tip: take out the cardboard roll in the middle.) At the least I’ll score some of these folks’ empty boxes.
Not exactly sure why so slow and low on posting lately. My spending is fine; nothing exciting and I'm well within My Challenge and all that. Don't think the lack of posts means going off the wagon or guilt about purchases. It’s habit, it really is. I did a very small favor for a friend and picked her up paper plates for a work event; boy, the price of this normal item, generic store brand at the cheap store, just shocked me. I can see how if I spent the $2 here and $10 bucks there on “normal” items it could make a big dent in my budget. As it is I don’t miss paper plates, so that’s fine.
I’m doing a weekend trip with some work friends. It’s my old unit, but as an alumnus I attend every year and have a great time. It’s at a friend’s parent’s cabin a couple hours drive away. Most of us camp in tents outside, and hang out and swim and play games and eat all day. I did buy a bunch of fresh veggies to make a veggie tray, and non-fat sour cream to make a dip, and stuff for potato salad, so I’ll spend a little more on groceries and gas than usual, but I can take the hit. I went camping last month and that cost me $12 (entertainment budget); I’m not going to avoid fun things to save money. asdf123
This morning at work I was putting a roll of toilet paper in my Kleenex box, and didn’t realize it would cause people to stare. They were kind; they found it mildly ingenious, I think, and seemed to think I was coming at it from an environmental angle. I admitted that it was thriftiness too. I’ll see if I see a bunch of tissue boxes with the flaps taped shut and TP poking out. (Tip: take out the cardboard roll in the middle.) At the least I’ll score some of these folks’ empty boxes.
Not exactly sure why so slow and low on posting lately. My spending is fine; nothing exciting and I'm well within My Challenge and all that. Don't think the lack of posts means going off the wagon or guilt about purchases. It’s habit, it really is. I did a very small favor for a friend and picked her up paper plates for a work event; boy, the price of this normal item, generic store brand at the cheap store, just shocked me. I can see how if I spent the $2 here and $10 bucks there on “normal” items it could make a big dent in my budget. As it is I don’t miss paper plates, so that’s fine.
I’m doing a weekend trip with some work friends. It’s my old unit, but as an alumnus I attend every year and have a great time. It’s at a friend’s parent’s cabin a couple hours drive away. Most of us camp in tents outside, and hang out and swim and play games and eat all day. I did buy a bunch of fresh veggies to make a veggie tray, and non-fat sour cream to make a dip, and stuff for potato salad, so I’ll spend a little more on groceries and gas than usual, but I can take the hit. I went camping last month and that cost me $12 (entertainment budget); I’m not going to avoid fun things to save money.
Posted in
Minimum Wage Challenge,
Good Frugal Life
|
3 Comments »
August 15th, 2006 at 02:48 am
0I leave the house at 5 in the morning to go to the airport and get back at 10 at night. It’s a darned long day, and travel seems to be a migraine trigger for me. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that eating lunch at a restaurant somehow compensates for a super long day.
Time to go to bed. asdf123
I leave the house at 5 in the morning to go to the airport and get back at 10 at night. It’s a darned long day, and travel seems to be a migraine trigger for me. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that eating lunch at a restaurant somehow compensates for a super long day.
Time to go to bed.
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0 Comments »
August 14th, 2006 at 02:18 am
0I picked plums from the backyard tree and picked blackberries in town today. The apples on one of out trees are already pretty pick. So it may be a decent jam, apple sauce, and apple butter year.
I may be nuts, but I think a post I made in the Forums was misinterpreted today. What’s funny to me is that it’s renting so much space in my head. It’s such a little thing, one person in the United States thought I was mean, and maybe I am not even reading the situation right. But I am just in a mini-tizzy. I know I have the capability to act childish, but I’d rather have a mellow Sunday night. asdf123
I picked plums from the backyard tree and picked blackberries in town today. The apples on one of out trees are already pretty pick. So it may be a decent jam, apple sauce, and apple butter year.
I may be nuts, but I think a post I made in the Forums was misinterpreted today. What’s funny to me is that it’s renting so much space in my head. It’s such a little thing, one person in the United States thought I was mean, and maybe I am not even reading the situation right. But I am just in a mini-tizzy. I know I have the capability to act childish, but I’d rather have a mellow Sunday night. |