What? My check bounced? Frugal Life

Here are some plans for the New Year!

2009-12-19T15:00:00.000-06:00

All monies made from writing will be saved in my paypal account. These monies will be used for gifts through out the year.

Mom -200 (birthday, Mother's day and Christmas)
2 Sisters - 100 (birthday and Christmas)
2 Nieces -100 (Same)
Son - 300 (Same)
Step Mom 100 (Same)
Brother in law - 50 (Same)

So I will need to earn $850 to cover all the gifts I need for them in the coming year. Of course we all know if I can get the gift I am looking for cheaper than the amount needed goes down.

Points from Bank Account and Mypoints and Coke.com will be saved for gifts also. So the money earned can be lowered if I have enough points to get gift cards with them.

Starting Ponts:

Bank Account 4175
My Points 1139
Coke Rewards 66

So I will let these start racking up.

Once the first of the year gets here or really I should say Dec. 26th. I am going to start writing more for both Ehow and Associated.

Better Blogging in 2010

2009-12-07T13:00:00.000-06:00

I will be back more in 2010. I have been dealing with a bunch of medical problems. After 2 cat scans (3300.00 each) and numerous exams. Looks like things are okay. I will be having surgery in May or June. I have to pick a month. But in the mean time I will be back to blog my heart away in Jan.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T12:40:00.001-06:00

Wishing you all a safe and blessed Thanksgiving Day. I will be sending it with my mom and my son. We are making a 15 pound turkey.

Newest Article

2009-11-12T11:03:00.000-06:00

Save Money on Weight Watchers

Here is my article for Ehow today. I also did a longer version for AC that has not been accepted as of yet.

I am off to the doctor so won't get to check till maybe tomorrow or Sat. I might make my $10 quota for Ehow this month.

Writing again.

2009-11-09T13:55:00.000-06:00

This is going to be short. I have written a few more articles for ehow. I also have written some for Associated Content. I have to wait to see if I get offers on them. I figured out I can type fast enough and get them submitted in the time allowed at the library.

I may have a new monitor soon. FREE!! A friend is getting a new computer and said I can have her old monitor. So we shall see.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

How are you feeling?

2009-11-08T14:55:00.000-06:00

I know my blog posts have been short and sweet. Not much time to post at the library but I want to still be able to let you all know what is going on with me.

How are you feeling? I mean about the upcoming holidays, money issues, work or lack of work?

Honestly I am feeling blessed! Very blessed! I have a job and it may not pay me what I am worth or what I paid for my education. But I am still very happy that I have a job. I am able to take care of things. Sure we don't have a car but you know what that is okay. Since having a car would cause me a mirgraine every day (no money to put gas in it, or fix it) so I would rather take the bus.

I can write to earn extra money. Even if it is only $10 a month. That money can go for something that we need.

We have food! Sure the Government pays for $97.00 of our food each month. But I bet President Obama would be happy to know that we are not wasting them. That I find the deals, cook and even use coupons. I still buy things we like such as soda and chips. But I don't buy it unless I have a sale, coupon or both. I use up all the food we have.

I have clothes to wear. I have a coat this winter. I am sad to think that someone out there will not have a warm coat. You know those cheap little 2 for $1 gloves. I usually but a few extra pair. I carry them in my purse, so if I see a child or anyone with no gloves on when it is cold. I give them a pair. They are not the warmest but they are better than nothing.

We have a home. I am sick of sleeping on the couch but there are others who have no home or even a couch. My mom took us in again...when she did not have to. Granted we are helping each other but still she could have said no.

So these are some of the reasons why I feel blessed.

How are you feeling?

Another Cheap -- Well FREE Christmas Gift

2009-11-08T13:40:00.001-06:00

I finally found time to enter all my Coke points into the Mycokerewards.com. I had enough to get my mom a free subscription to O magazine for 1 year. Plus I got 2 coupons for a free 20oz bottle of Powerade. Which will become stocking stuffers for the kid. It is going to be a Christmas of freebies and things we need. There is only one want gift this year. I did have some points left (under 10) so I used them to enter a few sweepstakes they had. I am hoping that not many people win since they don't want to waste their points on that.

So now I have 2 gifts out of the way.

By the way I just checked my checking account balance. I get back any surcharge that is charged by an ATM that is not my bank. So there is an extra 5 dollars in my account.

Target

2009-11-06T11:45:00.000-06:00

Now that my new Target is finally open. I can use Target Coupons and Man. coupons. You all know I love my coupons.

So yesterday I went over to check out the food section again. I hit the MOHTERLOAD!!!

They had packages of Pork Chops (2 in a pack)
2.99
3.22
2.22
3.11

Each one of those packs had a coupon for $2.00 off of them. So I got some meat pretty darn cheap. I also took advantage of the cereal deal. Buy 3 get 1 free. Plus I had $4 in Target coupons to use. I did get a few other things we needed. After finding the meat coupons I did not feel so bad buying some new make up that I needed.

I also bring my own bag for a 5 cent credit.

The bottom of my receipt said I saved... $19.50. Saving that money paid for my stuff at Goodwill.

I Found a Coat!!!

2009-11-06T11:40:00.002-06:00

I DID IT!!! I found a coat for this winter. I figure if I only wear it this winter it is so worth the price. I also had a coupon for 25% off. It is a black down filled coat...by Liz Clairborne. It is a little big for me but this way if it is not warm enough on those 50 below zero days! Yes it does get that cold here, then I can add a fleece underneath it.

The cost of the coat ...... $7.50 yep that is correct. Mom and I ran to Goodwill on the other side of town and there she was. I wanted a black coat too, so now I have a coat for winter.

I also got a cool (brand new) wide mouth thermos for $5.00. And my mom got a brand new sweater for $2.00.

I still had my 25% off birthday coupon. So we saved 25%!!! on all of the items we bought!

Bought the First Christmas Present today.

2009-11-05T14:42:00.001-06:00

Blockbuster by me is closing. So I stopped and got the kiddo a movie for $3.99. He loves Al Pacino so I got him one of his movies. It is used but still will be new to him. He likes to watch them over and over so I thought I would grab it.

Things are tight this year so I am starting early and going the cheaper route.

The Cell Phone Deposit Part 2

2009-11-05T14:40:00.000-06:00

I still have the check as I have not made it to the bank yet. Now at one time I would have cashed that check and ran an bought the monitor I want so bad. Right now I am thinking that I will hold on to that money till I have a winter coat. I am in desperate need of one. I keep checking the good will but no luck so far.

As much as I want the monitor, it is not going to keep me warm come Jan.

That $100 can be used for so many things that we need right now. I know that I will have a monitor by the end of the year but I keep thinking of NEEDS right now over 1 WANT!

Refunds on deposits

2009-11-04T14:34:00.000-06:00

If you have a cell phone and needed to put down a deposit. Call the company and see how long you need to have service with them for your deposit to be refunded.

I just got back my deposit in the mail today. $100.88 (they paid some interest). So now I have an extra $100.00. Well it is really not extra as it was my money. I was not planning on getting the deposit back till the end of Nov. So it is like I do not have to pay my cell phone bill for a month and 1/2.

So check with yours.

Articles

2009-10-27T14:17:00.000-05:00

I wrote 2 articles today for Ehow. They are in the side bar if you care to read them. Since without a monitor I have not been writing much, I decided that I have to write free hand. That way I can come to the library and type them in quick. This is money that I need to stop letting slip out of my fingers. So each week I am actually making a schedule of what needs to be written and what days I need to get here to get it posted. My goal today was 2 articles for Ehow and then 2 for Associated. The ones for Associated are to be posted tomorrow. So I need to get done writing those.

I am not able to get to the library on Friday or Sunday since my work schedule conflicts with the time. But I will be able to spend time writing.

I am going to set a goal for Nov. Just need to think about it. I will be posting that goal either on Wed. or Thursday.

Letter in the mail

2009-10-27T13:11:00.000-05:00

I have some old CC debt. Not a lot...I would say under $5,000 which to many is not bad. So yesterday I get this letter in the mail.

It is offering that I pay $343.00 in 12 months. Then the rest of my balance which is 273.00 (after a $69.00 rebate) is put on a MC. NO interest the entire time I am paying off the debt. I did some research online about the company and talk to my sister in law. 99% of what I read was on the up and up. So I signed up. I have one year to pay off the $343 (at $29 a month) then will be given the card.

This I am getting rid of some more debt. I am making positive changes to my credit report and I am not being charged any interest.

Has anyone ever worked with one of these companies?

Medical Bills

2009-10-26T13:38:00.000-05:00

Made the monthly payment on the medical bill, will be mailing the dental bill at the end of the week. I figured I will have the dentist paid off by the end of the year. Once I get my taxes back, I will be paying off another medical bill ($274.60) That will leave me with 2 more to pay off. I will have those paid off by Dec. of 2010.

Hours are being cut at work again. Some weeks I only have 30 hours so I need to revamp the budget. That is something I can start working on this week.

Our Target is finally open so I will be able to take advantage of some of the good deals I see there.

This past weekend. I washed all the clothes that we had. I have not been caught up on laundry in months. Since I have to go to the laundry mat and spend so much to get it done. But this past weekend I said enough is enough. I washed everything. It cost me about 15.00 to get it all washed and dried. IT was so worth it. Now that I am caught up, it will not be so hard to stay caught up.

Hello There

2009-10-23T16:03:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would send an update.

Things are going well here. Watching my spending and saving for my monitor. I hope by the end of Nov. I should have a new one. It is not that expensive only 89.00. But I want to continue paying on bills as I should be and not just going out an giving myself instant gratification.

Should also have the dentist bill paid off by the end of the year. I have decided when I get my taxes back I will be wiping out one medical bill. I paid another $20 on one medical bill today. Have to mail off the check for the dentist yet.

I was approved for the IBR plan for my Student Loan. That will start in Dec. So at least I will be paying something on my loans. I do plan on revamping the budget for the new year.

I cashed in my points from Mypoints.com for a $10.00 Target card. Which I am going to save for my monitor. I am waiting for Office Max to have my monitor on sale again and have Target price match. Since I am much closer to a Target and they have the same monitor.

Have been working with my son to get him signed up for Colllege in Jan. We have his financial aid papers finished. So now it is handing in the docuementation and things like that.

That is about it here.

Hello!

2009-10-13T13:54:00.000-05:00

This sucks without my monitor. I can't tell you how hard it is to find time to get to the library to check on my email, write in my blogs, or do any job hunting. I am hoping to have one next week. My birthday is a week from today (Oct. 20) and if I get any money for my birthday it is going right to the monitor. As much as I want to write articles. There is not enough time when you only get 2 hours a day on the computer. I am not able to make it to the library every day.

What is new here:
1. I am doing Weight Watchers - I need to lose weight. So I have the stuff and am doing it at home. On day 2.

2. Saw the Doctor today. Have an appt. with the Ob/Gyn in Nov. Maybe we can finally get this issues solved.

3. Reading what I can find about the recession and making ends meet.

4. Being as frugal as ever.

Now to go see what my followers have been up to.

Meat Deal for October

2009-10-05T14:56:00.000-05:00

October Monthly Meat Deal - ONLY $20.09

Finally I remembered to look up the meat deal for Oct. I am going to pick up 2 of these for sure. The sausage I will have them take out of the casing so I have it for PIZZA!!

2 Chicken Cordon Bleus

1 Oven Ready Meatloaf

3 Homemade Italian Sausage Links

1 Whole or Cut-up Chicken

1 lb Ground Chuck

2 Chicken Patties (pre-cooked)

While I am waiting for a new Monitor

2009-10-03T12:26:00.000-05:00

While I am waiting for the new monitor - okay while I am saving for a new monitor. I am going to be writing for Associated and EHow. I am going to just do it long hand and then take the time I have at the library and type it all in. I am pretty fast at typing so I should get a few done a week. I plan on adding articles on Monday and Wednesday. Checking for offers on Thursday or Friday depending on my work schedule. The money I make from Associated will be saved for the monitor. Then back to the medical bills.

Ehow is werid. I have only made 40 cents but have over 100 views. I would have thought I would have made more by now. I guess they are waiting on more articles. No problem....they will have more soon.

One thing I am writing a lot of holiday articles. Since they are right around the corner and lets face it this year many people are going to be spending even less than last year on the holidays. I know I am.

I will also be here to update on at least 2 or 3 times a week till I get the monitor back. So hang in there I will be back.

Open Enrollment

2009-10-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

This is open enrollment for me at work. So now I have to decide on insurance and flex spending. I have already done my insurance which is the cheapest they offer. Since I have dual coverage, I take the cheapest one.

I have decided to go for the flex spending. I am going to put away money for my eye exam and dental work. I have 3 teeth that need to be filled. I am waiting till Jan. since then my dental will pay 80% compared to 70% and I will then have the money in flex to cover the rest. No dental bills in 2010.

I am also going to push my Doctor to do my surgery. It will have to be done someday and honestly I am tired of having the periods from hell. I will have a hystertomy. Fine by me....no more babies here. Also since I have 2 insurances it will not cost me anything. Since from what I am seeing at work and what my mom is seeing at her work. Insurance is getting even more costly and making out of pocket expenses higher. So I need to have this done.

I will get paid for 6 weeks of full pay while I am off. 4 weeks of 1/2 pay if I am gone longer than 6 weeks. I have to take the first week off without pay but I have 7 sick days to cover that. So I will not be without pay.

So this is what I am doing.

P.S. I only owe the dentist 183.00!!!

It is 100% the Monitor

2009-10-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

After doing some tests with HP it is my monitor. I am looking for one that is under 100.00. I am hoping by the end of October to have a new one.

We are doing well still with food.

Made Split Pea soup the other day. (Had everything at home)
Have chicken for the weekend
Pot Pies
Frozen Dinners

The only thing I have bought is ramen noodles, Milk and will be getting a box of cereal today at work.

So looking forward to grocery shopping on Wed and Friday next week.

Money:
$20 in my wallet
$1.00 in change
$7.51 in paypal
$10.00 in bank

Not bad with 3 days till payday.

Wonderful!!! Just Wonderful!!

2009-09-28T14:57:00.002-05:00

Either my computer monitor is going or there is something wrong with my computer. So I am taking it into Best Buy tomorrow for them to look at it. I will have to come to the library to keep you updated unless I can get it to work at home for a moment. Wonderful!!!

Play the new Dove Game

2009-09-28T12:29:00.001-05:00

http://content.dove.us/dimensions/default.aspx

Play the Dove game for a chance to win a free beauty product. You get 3 spins a day. I did not win today but will be trying again tomorrow.

Think this is on the menu for this week.

2009-09-28T11:54:00.000-05:00

PIZZA-FLAVORED CASSEROLE

8 oz. extra wide noodles

1 lb. ground beef

2 T. olive oil 1/2 c. chopped onion

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 (10 1/2 oz.) can tomato soup or sauce

1/2 c. water

1-2 oz. can mushrooms

3/4 c. sharp cheddar or mozzarella cheese

Butter a casserole. Boil noodles according to package directions, cutting boiling time in half. Place noodles in casserole and cover with soup, water, and mushrooms. Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in olive oil adding herbs at last minute. Add to tomato and noodle mixture and mix in lightly. Cover all with cheese, topping off with a few spoons of tomato soup. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and dots of butter if desired. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned on top. Serves 1-2.

Money Saving Monday

2009-09-28T11:26:00.001-05:00

Monday has arrived again! So today I started out by cashing in my change. $3.07 in my wallet. Returned some pens. $7.88 in my wallet. I should NEVER go to OFFICE MAX. I love pens and they have the best pens. So my purchase on Friday was returned. I don't need pens. I have TONS of pens. I did keep the pencil case (on clearance) and a journal book for my bills.

Meals today will be:
Cereal for breakfast
TV dinners for Dinner
Sandwiches for lunch

I have my chicken and ham slices thawing out. I will be making split pea soup with the ham slices. I only have to pick up some chicken broth (on sale at WAG) and I have a $2.00 register rewards. So will be free.

I will be purchasing a bottle of water at work. On sale for 79 cents. I can then reuse the bottle. It is cheaper than buying a bottle to reuse over an over...as my kid seems to take and lose every frickin one I buy.

If you are looking for a stuffer for something. WAG has their waterbottles on clearance for 49 cents. Most have lotion, tissue, pill holder and crayons in there.

Wrote another article last night. Some how I lost the whole thing. So I will be rewriting that one. Good thing it was an easy one and flowed out of my brain pretty quick.

Working Mon-Wed so will be bringing my food and water to work.