Savings Summary Saturday - March 31

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:

• minimum shopping this week (hubby just went and got some stuff we needed) - saved 35% ($33.13 in savings)
• used balance of gift card and a $10 birthday coupon when we went out to eat (saved $29.73).

Gas Savings:
Hubby used Exxon credit card, which will have points towards Upromise.
Used Shell SuperSaver card - saved 2 cents per gallon - no Giant points to use this week (couldn't believe it).

Things we got in the mail:

• Entertainment Weekly (Mycokerewards.com)
• free note pad from an animal foundation
• 2 DVDs from swapadvd.com

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 12457 points (12,392 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 3160 points (3160 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 2430 points (2421 points-last week)
Listia - 14147 credits (14,147 credits last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints -2840 points (2810 points last week)
mycokerewards - 4371 points (4322 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $25.21 ($25.11 last week)
Upromise - $14.98 ($14.98 last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 3206 miles (3146 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points
Viggle - 54032 points (53,798 points - last week)
NCP - 38495 points (38260 points last week)

New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts and daily stuff - no action this week
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - no action this week.
• Buy a New Car - BOUGHT IT!
• Set up an Estate - no action this week

Meet Me on Monday

So the Meet Me on Monday that I was doing by Never Growing Old has been put on hold because of life, however, because of The Chronicle of Nani, I found out that Acting Balanced has basically taken over where Never Growning Old has left off!  So - here goes....



1. How do you like your eggs?

      I used to eat my eggs sunny side up.  I haven't had eggs in years and I think it's because I grew up eating eggs like every day.

3. Do you have a place you keep 'junk' in your home?
     Let's see - in the basement storage and I guess you might as well count the guest bedroom too since it's not organized....

4. What is on your 'spring cleaning' list?

     Everything!  I'm starting to get ready for the community yard sale in May.

5. What blog post have you written recently that you'd like more people to know about? (don't forget to link it up)
     I'm going to have to pass on this one since it's been awhile since I've really posted about anything major.  I'm working on a birthday blog that I started on Wednesday (March 21, 2012).  Check back for that one.  BTW - this usually happens, I start an entry and finish it later on.  Trying to get better on that!

2. Who is the last person you spoke to on the phone?     Hubby - we talk on the phone every night since he works evenings.

Savings Summary Saturday - March 24, 2012

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:
No shopping this week (I think that's a first!)
Gas Savings:
Hubby used Exxon credit card, which will have points towards Upromise.

Things we got in the mail:

• Entertainment Weekly (Mycokerewards.com)

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 12,392 (12,322 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) -  3160 points (3085 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 2421 points (2333 points-last week)
Listia -  14,147 credits (14,147 credits last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints -2810 points (2780 points last week)
mycokerewards - 4322 points (4254 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $25.11 ($25.06 last week)
Upromise - $14.98 ($14.98 last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 3146 miles (3031 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points
Viggle - 53,798 (52,332 points - last week)
NCP  - 38260 points (37,775 points last week)

New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts and daily stuff - no action this week
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - no action this week.
• Buy a New Car - BOUGHT IT!
• Set up an Estate - no action this week

Wordless Wednesday



Happy 43rd b-day to me!



Sent from my iPhone

My Authentic (10 year old) Self

I am currently (trying to) read the daily devotions book Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  This has been in my to read pile forever and I have started it before.  I'm not matching the day's reading with the date.  I just read an entry when I can.

Today's entry was about thinking back when you were 10 years old.  That is an age where you are yourself.  This is kind of a hard one.  Can I really remember what I was like at 10 years old?

Things I know/remember:

• I was in 5th grade
• 1st year at the Middle School
• My brother, Brett, graduated that year
• My sister-in-law, Joanne, was introduced to the family that year at Brett's graduation party.  I was the first one of the family she met since I went with Vincent to pick her up. :)
• I know I did well in school & remember quiet a bit (5th grade).
• Favorite/teachers I remember:  Mrs. Crowe, Mr. Quakenbush, Mrs Bellinotti, Mr. LaBarron, Mrs. Muraski, Mrs. Wigger.
• I was in a reading/book report class that I really enjoyed (only select students got to be in this).
• This was my first year in band playing clarinet.
• I don't remember the second half of being 10/6th grade.  I hated school that year and didn't go much.  One of my schoolmates posted a picture of her 6th grade homeroom on facebook - I was in the picture and didn't even remember being in that homeroom.
• I think this was around the time I knew I wanted to work in administrative.  I'm pretty sure by this time in my life, I was playing with my aunt's typewriter and helping her with churck administrative stuff.
• My Aunt Helen picked me up almost everyday from school in her red Ford Comet, "Strawberry" (which I named).

I have a bunch of my school stuff that I eventually want to make a scrapbook out of.  Maybe once I go through my stuff, I'll remember things.

Top News of 1979

Savings Summary Saturday - March 17, 2012

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:
FREE SHOPPING !!  Used the rebate card we got in the mail this week from Verizon ($327) to buy

• yard stuff at Home Depot
• soda at CVS
• a couple of grocery items at Giant

and still have $101.86 left!

Gas Savings:
Saved 30 cents per gallon at Shell by using my Giant card and an additional 2 cents per gallon by using the Shell Supersaver card.  Hubby used Exxon credit card, which will have points towards Upromise.

Things we got in the mail:

• Entertainment Weekly (Mycokerewards.com)
• rebate card from Verizon - $327

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 12,322 points (12232  points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) -  3085 points (2980 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 2333 points (2259 points-last week)
Listia -  14,147 credits (14,142 credits last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints -2780 points (2750  points last week)
mycokerewards - 4254 points (4201  points-last week)
Bondrewards - $25.06 ($25.06 last week)
Upromise - $14.98 ($14.98 last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 3031 miles (2901 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points
Viggle - 52,332 points (48869 points - last week)
NCP  - (37,775 points last week)

New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts and daily stuff - no action this week
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - no action this week.
• Buy a New Car - BOUGHT IT!
• Set up an Estate - no action this week

Come On Early Retirement!

So EVERY TIME I have an extra day off (or in this case, took off because of a medical procedure), it's so hard for me to get up and go to work and I always think - I NEED TO GET THIS HOUSE PAID OFF!

THAT is the goal.  Then I would be able to stay home.  The more I wait, the higher the monthly extra payment will need to be.  TIME TO CONCENTRATE!

Savings Summary Saturday - March 10, 2012

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:

• Hubby did shopping this week and saved 51% (saved $105.32; paid $105.72)
• He did better than me - I did a small trip and saved 44% (saved $24.23; paid $30.08)

Notable savings:

• Keebler cookies - on sale for $2 (usually $4.19); used a $0.55/1 coupon that was doubled - 90 cents each!
• Weight Watchers Smart Ones - on sale for $2; used a $3/10 coupon - $1.70 each
• Milkbone dog biscuits - $3.29 each on sale for bogo; used a coupon of $1.50/2 and a coupon for a free Milkbone chewy when you buy 2 milkbone boxes.

Gas Savings:
Hubby used Exxon credit card, which will have points towards Upromise.

Things we got in the mail:

• Entertainment Weekly (Mycokerewards.com)
• Martha Stewart Living  (rewardsgold)
• 2 coupons for free sandwiches at Potbelly Sandwich Works (just because I let a tenant use my key)

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 12232 points (12,162 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) -  2980 points (2,942 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 2259 points (2232 points-last week)
Listia - 14,14 credits (14,142 credits last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints -2750 points (2,730 points last week)
mycokerewards - 4201 points (4147 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $25.06 ($25.01 -last week)
Upromise - $14.98 ($13.95 last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 2901 miles (2,701 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points
Viggle - 48869 points (43,322 points - last week)
NCP  - 37,775 points

New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts and daily stuff - no action this week
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - no action this week.
• Buy a New Car - BOUGHT IT!
• Set up an Estate - no action this week

The Case of the Missing Collar

Monday night was Zed's bath night so off came the collar and I put it back on afterwards.  Obviously, it didn't click.  Yesterday evening, I was petting him and realized his collar was missing.  GREAT!  It was his new Capitals collar and it has his rabies tag & license on it. 

I was hoping it was in the yard, but called Dan to let him know and he said they walked all over yesterday morning.  EVEN BETTER!  I was upset, but finally thought - oh well, a couple of calls and I'll get new tags and we'll just buy a new collar.

This morning, I figured I'd walk the yard to look for it.  I dropped my stuff off at the car, turned around as just as I was walking out of the garage, Zed was sniffing his collar that was laying in the grass!  WOOHOO!

RELIEVE!  Zed was all excited to get his collar back on and we ran up stairs to let Daddy-o know.

Savings Summary Saturday - March 3, 2012

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:

• no shopping this week because of work travel.

Gas Savings:
Hubby used Exxon credit card, which will have points towards Upromise.

Things we got in the mail:

• Entertainment Weekly (Mycokerewards.com)
• Martha Stewart Living - 3 issues (rewardsgold)
• $5 off coupon from Giant (from Giant Customer Service)

Earlier this week I sent an e-mail to Giant Food regarding:

• Giant brand Tortilla Chips
• Clearance items now 33% off instead of the previous 50% off. 

I love the chips so, I figured I would e-mail Giant and let them know.  I didn't really think anything would come out of it.  Next thing I know, I get an e-mail saying that I would be getting a gift card in the mail - well, no giftcard, but a $5 off your next purchase coupon.  Just as good!

Then, I sent another e-mail regarding their clearance items.  Starting the new year, their clearance items were changed to 33% off when before they were 50%.  So, I put in the e-mail that I could do better on sale items with coupons than buying clearance and that consumers are looking for deals.  I actually got a call and they left a message on our voicemail!  The message said that their clearance policy is for up to 50% and to check with the manager regarding using a coupon with the clearance item.  She said that as long as the coupon doesn't make it free or cash back, I should be able to use the coupon.

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 12,162 points (12,162 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2942 points (2,910 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 2,232 points (2185 points-last week)
Listia - 14,142 credits (14,137 credits last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints -2730 points (2,730 points last week)
mycokerewards - 4147 points (4116 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $25.01 ($25.01 -last week)
Upromise - $13.95 ($13.95 last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 2701 miles (2,666 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points
Viggle - 43,322 points
New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts and daily stuff - no action this week
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - no action this week.
• Buy a New Car - BOUGHT IT!
• Set up an Estate - no action this week

Book Review: Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

This has been on my to read list for awhile.  I read The Glass Castle awhile ago and read the review for this one and figured it would be a good read.

It was.  It's called a novel, but it's really family stories - stories about Jeannette's grandmother life.  Being interested in genealogy, this really touched me because I have stories that were passed on to me that I would like to pass on.  This book was wonderfully done and inspirational.  Now I want to start writing down the stories I know and MY stories.