walked with mom for 55 min

Went to the grocery store this morning. Spent $41.39. $8 on a book and 2 newspapers. Got 3 large tubes of Aquafresh toothpaste for free. Plus each tube gets 3 free music downloads. I'll give them to my niece. I also got 2 free packs of Dentyne Ice Gum.

My goals for April were

1. Walk at least 20 days for 35 min

Done

2. Pre-pay mortgage - $1500

Done

3. Spend $450 or less on household items

Spent $510.37 went way over. Partly on groceries because I did a lot of stocking up and also because I shop on Sundays and it was a 5 Sunday month. I also overspent on gas and I'm not sure why it's $35 more than I expected. I know it went up, but not that much and I didn't drive more than normal. This is a bit of a mystery right now.

4. Get my mutual fund paperwork from last year updated and organized in their binders.

Not done, worked too many overtime hours this month to fit this in. I know it won't get done next month either because of my vacation. Will put it back on the list in June

5. Re-do budget.

Not done. See excuse for goal 4.

Not a great month goal or budget-wise.

Net worth increased by .99% at least it's an increase

Sold a book on half.com it's been over a month and a half since my last sale so that was nice, even if it was only $2

Ordered a miniature camper kit for my niece for her bday. $24.94

Free things this week

Schick Midnight Razor
Glad Flex bag
Wendy's Frescetta sandwich
Dentyne Gum and mints
2 packages of Dentyne Gum
3 tubes of Aquafresh toothpaste
9 music downloads.

Finished reading the library book Lara Croft Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life by Dave Stern. Sci/Fi Adventure. Ok

Went shopping with mom today.

First stop Barnes and Noble. Got 2 books for my niece and 2 for me. Had a 15% off one item coupon that I printed out, one for me and one for my mom. Spent $26.83

Next stop Family Christian bookstore. Mom had a 20% off everything coupon. I found a financial book I'd been looking for for a while called How to Save Money Every Day by Ellie Kay. Spent $5.12

Next stop the bank where I deposited 2 rolls of quarters and several rebate checks. I also got cash and travelers checks for my vacation

We went to Fargo's for lunch. It's an old fashioned pizza parlor. We had a coupon for buy 1 salad get 1 free. We each had a salad and split a small pizza. Yummy! The total was less than $10 and mom paid since I drove.

We went to the mall and I bought nothing.

Next stop Linen's n' things. Found some strawberry glasses my mom wanted so got them for mother's day. Had a $5 off $15 purchase coupon. Spent $23.97 With the book I got her, mother's day is done now.

Went to JoAnn's where I bought nothing.

Went to Target where I bought a lot. I wish there was a super Target close to me, the prices on the groceries were terrific. I get sugar free Log Cabin Syrup, at the grocery store it's $3.50 the same bottle was $2.59 plus there was a $1 off coupon attached. Got 2 bottles. Walnuts are very expensive in the grocery store, got 2 lbs for about half of the grocery price. Got 21 oz of mixed Macadamia, almonds and cashews for $6.94 they sell for $9.99 in the grocery store. It would probably be worth the gas to go there once a month and buy non-refrigerated groceries. I saved $16 on just 3 things that I buy a lot.

I also bought some fun stuff for me, using my extra fund. A small CD player that I can move from room to room while I'm cleaning and listen to CDs. $25. The new Toby Keith CD. $14, a book at 25% off, 2 plastic drinking glasses and a bunch of snacks for the trip. Total spent $91.87

Next stop was Wendy's were I had a coupong to buy 1 get 1 free for their Frescetta sandwiches. Spent $4.18 Had one for dinner and will have the other for lunch tomorrow.

Final stop was Maggie Moo's for ice cream. Mom paid again.

Got my mail when I got home and got a 6.99 rebate from Gillete razors in the mail and Free Dentyne Gum and mints.

Fun day but very tiring.

snowed again today so no walking. Just a light snow, but it lasted most of the day.

Doing some searching for rental cars for our Canada trip. We need one to get from Calgary to Edmonton. It's looking like $200 for the 2 days. It'd be a lot cheaper if we were returning the car to the same pickup. Need to make a decision and make the reservations this weekend. I wanted to go with Enterprise since they pick you up, but they are closed that day. It seems like Monday, May 22 is a holiday in Canada. Victoria Day. Who Knew?

Finished listening to the library book on tape On the Run by Iris Johansen. Mystery/Romance. Very good.

walked with mom for 55 min

mjrube94 I sent you an email.

I decided I was going to start cleaning my house on Thursday nights instead of waiting till the weekend and taking all my weekend time. I worked for 2 1/2 hours tonight cleaning the downstairs and I am really tired. But it feels good knowing it's done and I'll have more free time this weekend.

Got a free Sckick Quattro Midnight razor in the mail today.

Finished reading my book Decision at Doona by anne McCaffrey. Sci/Fi Ok

walked with mom for 55 min

Got the $20 Exxon gas cards from Great Fun in the mail today.

mjrube94, if you still want to swap,
reply to this post and I'll send you an email with my address and you can send me yours.

I also got a free Glad Flex trash bag.

Does anyone know of a good website to buy cheap nuts?

Finished listening to the library book on tape The Body of David Hayes by Ridley Pearson. Mystery. Very good.

walked with mom for 55 min

I got two $50 checks in the mail for my computer rebates. I think there is one more left. I also got a $25 GC to Barnes and Noble from My Points. So $125 total. Very good mail day

The ground was covered with white stuff when i got up this morning, but it quickly melted. It was still chilly when we walked at 5:00 but it was blue skies and gorgeous. We've been seeing some of the first wild flowers on our walks. My parents live in a forest and I love walking there, it's always interesting.

Finished listening to the library book on tape Dark Guardian by Christine Feehan. Supernatural/Romance. Very good.

we had a small snow storm and it was cold today so no walking.

I could not believe this day at work. I feel like I had 50 million interruptions. First one way, then another way, then on to something else and most of it was a total waste of time. I felt so frazzled by the end of the day and don't feel like I got anything accomplished.

But since I didn't walk the evening felt longer and I was able to relax and enjoy it.

Finished reading the library book Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag. Mystery. Very good. Also read two of the Money magazines I picked up at the library.

walked with mom for 55 min

Went to King Soopers for groceries this morning. It just wasn't my day. They were out of radishes, jewish rye bread, and Dove chocolate. I spent $31.93 on food and $12 on books and magazines.

Went to Walgreens and spent 1.07 then to Albertson's were I got the radishes that King Sooper's was out of the onion I forgot. Spent $3.79

Got gas for 2.76/gal spent $15.58, ouch!

Went to TGIF for lunch. We had a $5 off $20 coupons. I spent $8.25

I fixed a big batch of chili, a big batch of oatmeal and chopped up all my veggies for the week.

Parade had a big article about how the American Dream is impossible for most people anymore. It gave examples of people who have too many bills and no savings. I realize that some people have things happen that make it hard for them to get ahead. But a lot of the so called middle class make enough money to live better than they do, they just don't having the knowledge and/or self-discipline towards money. Waiting to save up the money for something before buying it instead of putting it on the credit card and paying for it two or three times.

It's the tone of these articles that get to me. Like this state of affairs was imposed on these people and they have no say in improving thier situations by spending their money better, by going back to school and getting an education in different fields, by getting better jobs or by doing any of the hundreds of things people can do to make a good life for themselves in America. Things that they don't have the luxury of doing in other parts of the world.

Millions of people live the American Dream in America. Millions of people save money. Millions of people have a good life and raise a family on less than $50,000 a year. How come we never see articles about these people? Maybe it's because they aren't victims and have taken charge of their lives instead of going around blaming the government or business or society for their inability to save money.

walked with mom for 55 min

Filled out forms for 3 rebates today. The $25 Great Fun/Buy.com rebate. The 14.95 Kingston USB rebate and the $10 NetMagazine rebate.

Used my new USB to back up my PC. So easy!

Got a $30 rebate in the mail for my computer. Still have 2 outstanding rebates from the original 11.

I got my bill from DirectTv today and it shows they will have a free Total Choice Premier weekend May 19 - 21. Free HBO Starz, Showtime, Cinemax and 3 sports stations. I'm going to be on vacation that week so will miss it.

Went to the library and checked out some back copies of Money and Real Simple. I like the Real Simple magazine, but man do they have a lot of advertising.

Finished reading my book Sharper Than A Sperent's Tooth by Simon R Green. Sci/Fi. Very good series. Smart. I've always like reading about mythology and this series is a modern twist on a world where gods and mythical beings are real. Lot's of references to my past mythological readings.

walked with mom for 55 min

I had a good mail too. I got my other book from Barnes and Noble. Got my free USB and I got the CDs I ordered for my niece's bday.

Need to fill out the rebate forms tomorrow and get them in the mail.

By the way if you have a Discover Card and go to Barnes and Noble through their site you can get a 7% cash back bonus. That could be doubled depending on how you cash in your rebates from them. Probably best reward deal out there for Barnes and Noble.

Finished reading the library book Crazy Cool by Tara Janzen. Romance. Very good.

walked with mom for 55 min

Went to Village Inn for dinner. Spent $7

Was a good day for allergies only had to take the pills once. I'm hoping the 12 doses I got in the Tylenol Severe Allergy pills for .49 cents will last through the whole season for me. I usually only get the allergies for a few days in the spring and then again in the fall.

Got one of the books I ordered from BN today. The one for mother's day.

Also got my flex health payment reimbursment for medical expenses.

Finished listening to the library book on tape Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts. Romance. Very good.

walked with mom for 55 min

The worst thing about allergies is they make my eyes water and then I get sleepy.

Sent for the $20 in Exxon Cards from Great Fun. They replied to my email saying their records say it's Exxon and not Circuit City, even though I printed out the page that shows Circuit City. They want me to call an 800 number. But I'm not going to mess with that since someone offered to swap cards with me. Much easier to do that.

I do feel that it stinks that they do that, especially when I told them there isn't an Exxon Station in Colorado so the cards were worthless here.

Finished reading The Ship Avenged by S.M. Stirling. Sci/Fi. Ok.

went into the office today. Spent 3 1/2 hours in meetings. I'd like to know when they expect me to get any work done.

Went to Staples and got printer ink. Had an old cartridge to recycle so got $3 off. Spent $56.37 This comes out of my maintenance/repair fund.

Went to Barnes and Noble and had a 15% off coupon on top of my 10% off membership. Spent $6.56 on one book. Still using my free GC.

Went to Wendy's on the way home. Spent $6.42 got dinner and chili for lunch tomorrow.

Got an email from Great Fun telling me how to get my $20 in Exxon Cards. The deal was I would get $20 in Circuit City cards. I sent them an email saying I wanted the Circuit City cards since we don't have any Exxon stations in Colorado and they would be worthless to me. We'll see what happens. That stinks changing the deal after the fact.

walked with mom for 55 min

Got my haircut at Great Clips. Spent $11 had a $3 coupon I printed out from the Entertainment website.

Ordered a year of Family Circle from the magazine website where I get $10 back. Spent $11.97 but it's only 1.97 after the rebate. I figure I should get the 1.97 back in coupons.

I have a bunch of rebate forms I need to fill in and send out. Maybe this weekend.

Had my first allergy attack of the season and it was brutal. My eyes were watering so bad I couldn't trust myself to drive to moms to walk. Vicious headache too, but it's cleared up now. I had some free allergy pills to take and they eventually kicked in.

Got groceries this morning. Spent $51.57, saved 39% according to the receipt. Salmon was on sale so I stocked up, which is why it was so high. Got 2 free 3oz bags of Starkist Fresh Pouch tuna.

Canceled the Mypoints insider's club membership today. I don't do enough online shopping where shipping costs are involved to make the monthly cost worthwhile. It nice that you can cancel online and not have to call them.

Had grilled salmon, potato salad and watermelon for dinner, very good. Watermelon was on sale at 49 cents/lb.

Free stuff this week

1 GB USB flash drive
Greeting Card
Swiffer Duster
Aquafresh Extreme Clean toothpaste sample
Degree Ultra Clear deodorant sample
2 3oz bags of Starkist Fresh Pouch tuna

Finished reading the library book Memory in Death by J.D. Robb. Mystery/Romance. Excellent books. Love this series.