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Archive for February, 2009

Trip to Big Lots on Sale Day

February 23rd, 2009 at 03:04 am

Today there was a big sale at the Big Lots, but you had to take a special 20% off coupon.

I took the opportunity to stock up. I bought dishwasher powder, 14 cans of cat food, a box of tea, dishwashing liquid, 2 foil pouches of tuna, travel size toiletry bottles, and packages of chicken and tuna salad with crackers. I wish I had know about it before I did my regular shopping there on Saturday. I could have delayed that for one day. Oh well. I will watch my email ads closer next time.

Early Christmas Present?, Payday, and Other Stuff

February 21st, 2009 at 07:50 pm

Well, I have had a very interesting week. We received a new billing statement for Hospital Debt #2 which stated that the amount due was $1777.60, not $1927.60. This was certainly news to us, as we were prepared to continued paying until all $1927.60 was paid off, but I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I do remember that when I had to take DH to the hospital, we made a claim to the VA for that visit. Maybe they are finally paying something on that. I don't know, but I am not going to call and ask. To me, it's just a blessing.

In addition, I sent another $75.00 payment on Hospital Debt #2, bringing the balance to $1702.60.

I also sent a $20.00 payment to Hospital Debt #1, bringing the balance to $858.58.

I paid the water and phone bills and will have to pay rent later this month.

I went shopping for groceries. At Big Lots, I bought chicken broth, tomato paste, pasta, trail mix, crushed red peppers, and bread for $12.66.

At Dollar General, I bought shampoo, ketchup, crackers, a Chinese food dinner, peanut butter, an LED nightlight, toilet paper, and dishwasher powder. I used $0.85 in coupons and spent $18.20.

At my regular grocery store, I used $7.26 in coupons and sales, and used my own bags. I spent $50.06.

I was also paid yesterday. More money went into my retirement, bring the balance to $13,492.37. I also automatically deposited money to my savings, bringing the balance to $100.00.

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As an addendum, I wanted to say that I forgot to update my Conference Challenge. Due to dumping some spare change into it recently, it has jumped to $1504.82. As soon as I get something straightened out with my debit card, I will dump $80.00 more into it.

Conference Challenge Addition

February 19th, 2009 at 02:11 am

Well, I had some extra cash laying around, so I put it into my Conference Challenge, bringing my balance to $1492.69. Yea!

This cat is not one of my furbabies, but the look on his face is just priceless.

Conference Challenge Addition

February 14th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

I added a few bucks to my Challenge today, bring my balance to $1490.01. I sometimes feel like this guy, Sisyphus, eternally pushing the bolder uphill only to have it roll back down again. I have to continually remind myself that my bolder will get lighter and lighter and eventually I will not have to push it uphill anymore.



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As an addendum, I logged into my e-poll survey site account last week. I found that I had enough for a $10.00 Starbucks card. As soon as it comes, I will set it aside for attending my conference and add it into my total funds. Getting several of these will help me to substantially reduce my food costs while there.

Conference Challenge Addition

February 11th, 2009 at 03:16 am

Well, I had some change left in my pocket today and decided to add it to the Conference Challenge, bringing my total to $1476.01.

Tomorrow may be a somewhat spendy day. I have to go to the dentist in the morning for a routine cleaning and checkup. My dental insurance pays for routine cleaning and checkup every 6 months, so no problem there.

I am planning on taking the rest of the day off and going to a nearby town for a trip to the health food store. I need flaxseeds, vitamin C, MSM, etc. I live in a tiny little town where stuff like that is hard to find.


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I don't know how it happened, but somehow the update my panel at the left was showing my savings at $0.00. It has been corrected now to $80.00. Slip 'o the finger?

Payday, Bills Paid, and Coupon Savings

February 8th, 2009 at 06:50 pm

Well, I got paid yesterday. $20.00 went directly into my savings without me ever seeing it. Yeah! This brings my balance to $80.00. My employer sent more money to my retirement, bring my balance to $13,695.70.

Today, I went grocery shopping. At Dollar General, I bought crackers, peanut butter, mayo, and tuna fish in foil pouches. I used $0.85 in coupons and spent $11.70.

At Big Lots, I bought cat food, tea bags, and a loaf of bread. I spent $7.19.

At Dillons, I bought numerous things, but the most remarkable was the 18 oz container of Quaker Oatmeal that was on sale 2 for $4.00. I had a coupon for $0.60, which was doubled to $1.00, so I got my oatmeal for $1.00. At that price, I could have bought two, but I also have some other upcoming expenses that I need to budget for. I also bought two Scotch Bright scouring sponges for $1.00 each. I had a $0.75 coupon which was doubled to $1.00, giving me a free sponge. My total savings with coupons, sales, and bringing my own bags at this store came to $8.97.

I also set aside $80.00 for the Conference Challenge, bringing my balance to $1469.76. Oops. I found some change that I added to my Conference Challenge, bringing my balance to $1473.62.

I really love this game. This is fun and it gives me stuff that I need.