countrygirl2
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
Posts: 16,909
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jan 24, 2019 23:06:59 GMT -5
Didn't go anywhere, didn't spend anything.
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catsareme
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 7, 2011 15:03:39 GMT -5
Posts: 678
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Post by catsareme on Jan 28, 2019 19:02:13 GMT -5
Finished tweaking my 2019 Excel spreadsheets. It's a new year of doing the same old frugal things....batching errands, frugal laundry, shopping loss leaders but I'm also looking for new ways to snowflake my way to successfully completing a couple of new financial goals I've set in place. I hope to have both projects well on their way to completion by the end of the year.
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 29, 2024 9:32:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2019 21:48:21 GMT -5
I did a couple of returns. I bought leather gloves from Vera Bradley online, but they were too tight. I also did a smart plug add-on for $5 when I bought a second Dot from Amazon.
The return of the Dot was interesting. I Paid $30 for the bundle, but they prorated that between the two devices. So even paying return postage, I saved on the Dot. I returned it because we don't have a smart phone.
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countrygirl2
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jan 31, 2019 0:21:46 GMT -5
I have been doing good, I guess it just left pent up demands and today I spent the money.
I am continuing to save for all the taxes and insurance both personal and business and see no reason why I won't meet the goals. So guess so far so good. But I spent more then I should have today. I bought containers for my new sewing room and a divider deal to put groceries in for my truck. I could have lived without those items. I bought a few groceries, not many, bananas, steel cut oats, regular oats, my nose strips for night $26 ouch at Sam's. Yogurt for hubs, tomatoes, 2 cheese cake mixes, the little tuna lunch kits. Laundry detergent, cutie oranges, milk, tea, nothing major.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jan 31, 2019 10:50:27 GMT -5
~The bank reversed the fraudulent charge like they said they would. ~Went to the store last night for Super Bowl food and saved 24% buying things on sale and using e-coupons. Among the winners were free items: Store brand tortilla chips, store brand cheese popcorn type snacks, and a frozen item up to $4. Avocados were on sale for .77 each. ~I have a meeting this evening, but instead of driving the 20 min home and back, or going out to dinner beforehand, I brought leftovers. ETA: ~Caught a double charge (my mistake) in my agent sweep account and called to have the company reverse it. ~Apparently I input the incorrect account # when paying my office phone bill and, despite the fact I received confirmation of payment received, it didn't go through. Resolved that, and will call to ask them if they will waive the rather hefty late charge. (I am not having very good luck this month, LOL!)
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jan 31, 2019 12:24:57 GMT -5
Remember you have been sick. I know I make more mistakes when I'm sick.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jan 31, 2019 13:06:58 GMT -5
Remember you have been sick. I know I make more mistakes when I'm sick. Thank you, TheOtherMe. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I've been beating myself up for a myriad of things this week.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jan 31, 2019 17:04:25 GMT -5
Please stop beating yourself up Iggy aka IG As I said, I have learned the hard way not to make major decisions or assume I kept up on things financially or elsewhere when I've been sick. You had pneumonia. You were very sick. Your mind was not working the way it usually does.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jan 31, 2019 17:52:41 GMT -5
Something positive this month: I had a dental issue occur last Saturday and went to the dentist to address it today, thinking it was going to be an expensive, involved fix. Turns out it wasn't. Savings today upwards of $700.
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countrygirl2
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Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jan 31, 2019 18:53:28 GMT -5
Didn't go off the place today so spent nothing.
But paid that last dish/frontier bill $221 yesterday, supposed to get $90 back from Dish, will have to see it to believe it.
But next month bill there is $39.84 and frontier, is $100 for 2 months then about $70, so better.
With this cold our lightbill is going to be huge I think.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Feb 1, 2019 10:56:57 GMT -5
Instead of driving to the office this weekend, I'll study my CE from the home computer. Refrained from ramming a slowpoke in front of me this AM, saving bail money and other legal expenses.
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countrygirl2
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 3, 2019 18:49:15 GMT -5
I am doing good so far in saving for all the ins and taxes for personal and business. I'm pretty positive I will meet our
goals. The only thing that will derail it is a hospital bill if since they didn't admit me and found nothing wrong that we will
get billed for it. After what happened to our son, it worries me.
I did a budget for this month, very close but should be fine, long as something unexpected doesn't happen. I figured $500 for electric
just in case, so far its doing good, but we have till the 9th before its read.
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countrygirl2
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 5, 2019 14:23:36 GMT -5
I had no idea how much money I was spending on groceries, last month I kept track, I was shocked and said no more. Not unless its a stock up on meat from the butcher shop am I spending $800 and probably $900 as I didn't include the last week of last month. So that will be a cut.
Now here is a shocker, very cold here, I don't think geo thermal quit for a week. So far have used 2670 and have 4 days to go. Last month was 2847. It may be the same but still I expected a huge jump, may be the same. Sometimes they read it the 6th, sometimes the 9th. the only difference is I quit turning it up and down at night but a degree and sometimes not at all.
I know its only the 5th but so far $97 on groceries. I think I can do this. I budgeted $800 for groceries and $450 for electric, I think I can come under budget on these.
Paid $221 on the cable/internet/phone. After cutting no landline, cable will be $39.84, internet enchanced $55+ equip lease $10, plus 1/2 of installation fee for another month after this of $25. $90 plus taxes, soon to be $65 AND better FREE programming! I'm happy, later when out from under penalty for cutting service, may drop cable.
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CCL
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Joined: Jan 4, 2011 19:34:47 GMT -5
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Post by CCL on Feb 5, 2019 20:27:04 GMT -5
Why are you paying to lease equipment? Can't you just go buy it and save the monthly fee? I know with Comcast they wanted $10 per month for a modem. I bought one for $60.
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countrygirl2
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Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 5, 2019 20:53:51 GMT -5
I don't know its a new one for fiber optic, I think it might be some special one. The last one was just a plain old modem. The service now is excellent, we could not have used roku without it.
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CCL
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Joined: Jan 4, 2011 19:34:47 GMT -5
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Post by CCL on Feb 5, 2019 22:10:06 GMT -5
Hmmm...well at least you eliminated most of the cable expense. I figured you'd like the Roku and Sling. Everyone I know who has switched is really glad they did. No one has gone back to regular cable.
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countrygirl2
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 5, 2019 22:53:43 GMT -5
Sling is a fee and we haven't found a necessity for it yet. We are paying $5 a month for Starz for 3 months. Outlander is over so not sure if we will pay the $8 or not later. Only thing we are paying for. So far we are finding plenty to watch and its much improved.
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 29, 2024 9:32:18 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 19:34:41 GMT -5
DH had about $2000 worth of car service done at the end of November. It included new tires, but a lot of other stuff. The tires had a $75 rebate so no problem. But there was another rebate listed for service. It looked like either/or, but I submitted to both. They had different names even though the two forms were printed together. A few weeks ago we got the $70 service rebate. Today we got the $75 tire rebate. My husband thinks I work magic, but I don't. I just don't leave $$$ on the table without trying first.
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Iggy aka IG
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Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Feb 7, 2019 14:33:44 GMT -5
I just realized I haven't spent any money, both physically or online, for a week. Last Thursday I treated myself to a $6.25 fast food patty melt (I love those things, I think it's the bread), bought no fries and had my own water. Tonight I'll go out with friends for an early birthday celebration, and it will be inexpensive since I'm on the wagon. I do need to stop by the store for baby spinach, however. Oh, and Valentine's Day chocolate for DH. ETA: I neglected to post about the .50 off per gallon at the pump I saved by using my value card. Less than $2/gallon? Woot!
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 29, 2024 9:32:18 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2019 18:25:16 GMT -5
I went to Costco after giving the ACT this morning, and only bought gas and paper towels. Even the Costco cashier was amazed that I fought the crowds for a single item.
While there, I noticed they had Cosequin for Dogs. Our cocker spaniel is on a variation, Dasuquin, so when I got home, I did some research to see which was better. I immediately stopped researching when I saw that Dasuquin was non-prescription and available from Amazon. When I checked there, they had the same manufacturer and the same formulation for $20 cheaper. We think it really helps her. She is almost 13 years old and runs like a puppy when she's in the mood. Of course, that's also after having her back ACLs repaired to the tune of $2000. So it's a combination of factors . . . as most things are.
Anyway, we just ordered from Amazon. I love our vet, but $60+ a bottle (84 caplets) is a lot of $$$ to us.
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chapeau
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Joined: Jan 17, 2013 10:50:04 GMT -5
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Post by chapeau on Feb 9, 2019 19:42:59 GMT -5
Not sure if this counts, exactly, but I found a bag of red and green m&ms in the pantry. I’m making cookies tomorrow. Half the batch with red ones for Valentine’s Day, the other half with green for St Patrick’s Day.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 9, 2019 21:52:57 GMT -5
We spent $60 at Ollies, about $30 for dinner, and hubs filled my truck up with gas. But we both have been being careful. I have not spent my allowance so far this month, but this will do it.
I am allowing $100 a week for each of us, $800 a month for groceries, I think I can do way better and have so far this month, only $150 so far. And I sat aside a gas allowance for each of us.
Hubs gas when working on houses comes out of business expenses, the rest from regular.
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catsareme
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 7, 2011 15:03:39 GMT -5
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Post by catsareme on Feb 11, 2019 12:11:38 GMT -5
We've received a foot of snow in our area of western Washington state since Friday and there is more snow falling this morning. Staying at home is not only thrifty but smart considering the road conditions. We're eating out of our pantry and freezer and using up the leftovers.
We haven't lost power though many in the area have due to tree limbs falling and taking down power lines. Our back-up generator is fueled up and ready to go in case we're next. Living in a rural area we're usually one of the last to get our power restored.
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Feb 11, 2019 15:38:13 GMT -5
Not sure if this counts, exactly, but I found a bag of red and green m&ms in the pantry. I’m making cookies tomorrow. Half the batch with red ones for Valentine’s Day, the other half with green for St Patrick’s Day. I love this plan!
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Iggy aka IG
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Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Feb 11, 2019 15:41:07 GMT -5
Excellent plan, catsareme! We also live in a rural area, although the power company's hub is just down the mesa the way the crow flies. The power lines are sensitive, and we probably average around 4 outages a year. Not saving money today, that's for sure! $900+ for a medical procedure today and $3+ for a coffee since I didn't have one this morning.
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countrygirl2
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Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 14, 2019 10:05:37 GMT -5
Home in bed sick, so unless I go crazy on the computer will spend nothing.
Yesterday went to doc and got pills for DD and I. They rang up $220, I'm like why that's more then the last time. So we started going through, the Linzess was there, I said doc told me to take no more, so its off. The diclofenac and misoprostol are only on as needed basis, and wasn't being refilled, so not sure why they did, they are off. And I can't take the Zetia, heart doc told me to stop if it bothered me. So knocked over $100 off meds. YES! The antibiotics she prescribed were only $2.
Sent hubs for Thera Flu and Thera Flu PM, that helps me in the short term at least.
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 29, 2024 9:32:18 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2019 15:08:51 GMT -5
I have had glaucoma for probably17 years now. I've been through almost every medication for it that they make. We started a new drop a couple of months ago called Vyzulta. My insurance company won't cover it so it is $95 a bottle after a discount from the drug company. I wanted her to try something less expensive if it wasn't getting super fantastic results.
They had to reschedule my appointment so they gave me a sample bottle to tide me over until my appointment, which was yesterday. The Vyzulta isn't working so it has finally become time to do laser surgery to open up the drainage. We will do that in the summer. Meanwhile, she gave me two more sample bottles to get me to that point without having to spend all that money.
Now I have to figure out if I want to have the surgery before or after I retire. After makes more sense from a timing standpoint, but I am not sure I want to test my new insurance benefits that quickly!
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countrygirl2
Senior Associate
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 16, 2019 0:05:13 GMT -5
My mom had I guess that surgery when it was still in the first stages. Had a wonderful doctor at Baylor. Mom couldn't use the drops, they tore up her stomach so he asked us if we would do this. She had nothing to lose. They did, she was checked but it worked for the rest of her life and she never had high pressures again. I think she tried to hide, from me, the deteriorating condition of her eyes so she could keep driving. She knew I would have taken her to whatever doctors in Houston and did, but likely feared I would stop her from driving. She ended up sabotaging herself, she could have been helped I'm sure. But she waited to long. She blamed the doctor she went too, but he may have told her and she really didn't understand a lot so may have ignored him. He was just an optometrist.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Feb 16, 2019 0:38:59 GMT -5
My cable bill was $12.77, YES! internet was $73, and electric was $328?? I think the geo system ran for a solid week and the bill was only $6 or so different, that makes no sense. I am trying to leave it on 73 and not turn it up and down. From what I read it does better if you don't change it. I'm cold so I have a fleece shirt and a lined fleece jacket that helps me keep my upper body warm.
My cable will settle at $40, the internet at $65, a far cry from the last bill of $250. I will see what I can do with electric. I don't know if turning the furnace down 2 degrees will do anything. I run a little heater in the bathroom to get warm when I take a shower. And now I'm sewing downstairs I have a heater on in the room for about 10 minutes. In an hour I might have to turn it on again or 10 more minutes, so I know that takes electric. Hubs has a furnace vent in there but it helps some but not a ton.
I cut back on the meds about $70 a month less stuff I could not take or the doc told me to stop. But that does not make up for the increased medicare premiums and the surcharge, but I'm doing pretty good. We could take extra money out but I do not want to do that. I have also cut groceries this month, I did not realize I was spending that much so about $350 so far this month, maybe $400. Afar cry from $900 last month. I have plenty of food, stuff was starting to go to waste. After this year and the last rental house in service we will have extra. We had all our houses in Texas in service, and were ready for retirement. Then his mom got dementia and that upended everything so we started over with rentals up here. This is the last one we are going to do, have gotten them ready in 4 years. So all is well.
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Blonde Granny
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Today's Mood: Alone in the world
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Post by Blonde Granny on Feb 16, 2019 8:38:31 GMT -5
I was notified yesterday that my Sirius/XM radio subscription was expiring. New yearly amount (other was a trial) would be $255 for 1 year. I called Sirius and told them I didn't want to renew as I couldn't afford it.
By the time we were done my new yearly subscription was down to $100.56 and that included taxes and royalty amount. I accepted.
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