What Frugal Thing .....- Part II

[marvholly]

Miles driven on Sun was MUCH less than I expected-only 49 not the 60 anticipated and I added a library stop too. However, the spending on lunch AND praking was MUCH more than I anticipated. Puts a real hit on my eat out budget already this month.

[marvholly]

mon was no drive, no spend
Tue I did drive but no spend
Wed was no drive, no spend

today will be a drive & spend day

fri is a drive day & likely a spend day(Dad moving from rehab to his apt so I will prob need to pick up at least 1 meal out + some routine shopping at places ONLY near him)

[nick__45]

A lot folks put down No Drive/No Spend. Is it due to job loss that you don't have to drive. I carpool but still have to drive a decent distance to the commuter lot. It is really no fun to spend about 10 dollars a day for gas if it's my turn to drive. There is a free commuter plan but they leave early and require driving participating of a van, full of people. I don't like driving strangler, even if it's not my car. I don't want a small accident turns into a financial disaster because of hit&run or someone else manage to lie to put a fault on me. For example, someone ran into the back of my car and rode off in his motorcycle, after making sure his bike is ok. Had it been a big truck hitting the van, there will be whip-lash and I'll be stuck explaining it's not my fault. And I heard these van insurance like to put the blame on the driver to transfer the responsibility to the private insurance. Thanks for the offer but no thanks.

[biff]

There is a free commuter plan but they leave early and require driving participating of a van, full of people. I don't like driving strangler, even if it's not my car. I don't want a small accident turns into a financial disaster because of hit&run or someone else manage to lie to put a fault on me. For example, someone ran into the back of my car and rode off in his motorcycle, after making sure his bike is ok. Had it been a big truck hitting the van, there will be whip-lash and I'll be stuck explaining it's not my fault. And I heard these van insurance like to put the blame on the driver to transfer the responsibility to the private insurance. Thanks for the offer but no thanks

I'm currently unemployed at the moment as I lost my job suddenly. So I'm trying to save as much money possible. No gas, no wear and tear in the meantime...makes sense to me.
The vanpool info was interesting...thanks for sharing!

[marvholly]

Like Biff, I am unemployed and at 64 I MUCH doubt I will find another job. Even b/4 I was riffed I had 1-2 days/week that were no drive which generally result in no spend days. Only store in easy walking distance for me is CVS. Walgreens & an independent fruit/veg market might be possible but NOT carrying a bunch of stuff.

some people are able to telecommute. son in law can do this several times/week if no client meetings. He is a programmer.

Sat was a no drive/no spend day.

today I will visit my Dad, pickup the last items on my grocery list and hit up CVS & Walgreens. That makes it a drive/spend day.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Registered to get a $25 credit on American Express when I buy $25 or more at a small business on Saturday, November 27. Neighborhood Italian market, here I come!

https://enroll.amexnetwork.com/US/sbs/

[Ima saver]

I stocked up on diet sprite today. It is the only soft drink that dh and I use to make mixed drinks. I like to stock up when it is 4-12 packs for $10.

[marvholly]

Ima
I, too, only drink the lemon lime type drinks & ONLY buy if </= $5/cse of 24. Grab a coupon book at your local Safeway affiliated store. There is a $1 manufacturers coupon for sierra mist, 2L. You may have to ask at the customer service desk. I had to BEG for one.

[marvholly]

Tue was a no drive, no spend day. However, the rest of the week is ALL drive & prob spend days. I will visit my Dad today, going to a cousin on thur, Shop on Thur & Fri as I discovered I still need a couple gifts for 2 of the grand kids.

[marvholly]

I went for a manicure Wed afternoon at the local nail tech school ($5 vs. $15). I was running early, so I stopped at a CVS not on my regular travel pattern. They had lunch bags marked 75% off (start of DGD1 July 1 bday present-she will be in school FT fall 2011) and 10 lb cat litter for $0.99. Bought several cat litter as even w/sale+ coupons the price is NEVER that low. Also, I keep a bag in my trunk all winter to help w/traction if I get stuck.

Weather hit got nasty Wed afternoon so I still need to go see my dad.

[marvholly]

it has been 6 days since I posted and NOONE else has posted. I will let this thread die if there is no more interest.

I have had 1 no drive day and 4 no spend days.

It’s been chilly & damp here and while I had planned on cottage & pasta w/ a salad for dinner Tue, I felt in a chili mood. I had everything I need on hand and should really should be making as the bell pepper is near the end of it’s reasonable life. Got hungry so chili will be for Wed. I will eat about 2x this week & freeze the rest in single serve containers.

I got a mani/pedi at the local nail tech school on 10/9 ($12 vs. $30). I got a mani ($5 vs 12-15) on 11/24 and top coated and resealed Tue. Should be good for another 5-7 days.

[lrjohnson]

Weighed in at Weight Watchers in order to maintain my free status as a Lifetime Member. Packed a lunch, as usual. Didn't buy anything. (I am reminded that some frugality is passive.)

[biff]

Got a part time job while waiting for my "real" job...will keep my EF intact much longer.
Packed my lunch for work today, brought my own coffee and water bottle as usual.

[marvholly]

I KNOW I promised myself I would NOT buy any more meat. However, I stopped to check out a newly opened independent market near my Dad on Wed. Who can resist chicken br.easts for $0.69/lb? Not this shopper. Whole birds cost more around here. Bought the limit of 2 pkg-each has 3 pieces and will prob = 4 meals + I will save the bones for a pot of chicken soup. Also got pineapple for 0.99 each, plum tomatoes for 0.29/lb and orzo (only kind of pasta I was out of) for 0.49/lb. Only bought the one pasta because I had just stocked up (actually overstocked) at another sale at the same price. Looking at their non-grand opening/special prices I do NOT think this store will be a regular for me but I will keep checking their sales for a while.

I have 2 new chick recipes I want to try and older one I want to make again. I have 2 new orzo recipes too. Just need a lemon to do them all. This will help reduce my ‘to try’ recipe pile.

Deals like the above are one of the reasons I do not have a hard & fast menu plan each week. I tried that for many months & it worked quite well when I worked FT. Now I just have a general plan that I very loosely follow.

One of the blogs I regularly read noted a ‘hidden’ deal at CVS this week. I can walk to CVS so I will spend 3 EB, get 3 EB and another credit on my green bag tag. I generally am in CVS 2-3x/week between my walking distance one and the 2-3 others I pass in my regular travels. I NEVER see anyone using the bag tag. Are these people NUTS??? It’s FREE $$$!!!. In the 14 months I have had mine I have used it 150 times = 37.5 EB.

Does anyone else NOT have/use the green bag tag at CVS? Why???

[biff]

I planted some orange and peach trees provided by the county free of charge for shade!
Can't wait to eat the fruit!