walked with mom for 55 min

Bought a Sunday paper for $1. Total spending for month is now $222.88

Read The Autumn Castle by Kim Wilkins. Kind of a modern day fairy tale, rather weird book. Wouldn't recommend it.

I did find a good article about spending on the web. The author gives a good description of what most people on this website do to save money in their everyday lives. I enjoyed this article and several of the other ones on her website too.

http://www.spendingwisely.com/articles/0505/000091.html

Had a lot of errands to do today so left home a little after 9:00 am

First stop was the bank. Deposited my stock checks, a rebate check and a roll of quarters. A little over a year ago I started putting all my unbudgeted for money in a fund I call my extra fund. I put all my rebate checks, loose change (I save quarters and dimes), money for selling things, interest on the checking account, and any other bits and pieces of money that comes my way outside of my paycheck. This money is not budgeted for and I decided I would use it only for wants. Currently the money is earmarked for my vacation to Canada next year. In a little over a year I have over $900 in this fund. It's amazing how much all the little extras add up to.

After the bank I went to Longs to buy HBAs. I used my $5 off $25 purchase coupon from the Entertainment book. Spent $27.28

Next I went to Bed, Bath n Beyond and bought a cordless broom. Spent $25.77 with a gift card. I don't know how the rest of you track this, but I track the money I spend when I make a purchase with the gift card and not when I buy the gift card. It's easier for me to track by categories that way. Especially with cards that might be used for food, clothing or other mixed categories.

Next stop was KMart. Got 6 pairs of underware for $4.78. This was a really good buy, they were on clearance. Also bought two t-shirts for $10 apiece. Total at KMart = $26.59

I stopped at Red Robin to pick up a jar of their seasoning. I love this stuff and use it on most everything I cook. I especially like it on baked potatoes instead of butter. Paid $3.22 for 16 oz jar

Stopped at Wendy's for lunch $5.35

Next was Walgreens where I got 4 12-packs of diet Pepsi for $10.00. I'll get the whole $10.00 back on that for the Pepsi rebate. Also got 4 rolls of papertowels for $2. Total = $12.15 paid for with a gift card.

Albertson's was next where I spent $7.85 mostly produce that was on sale. I did pick up my free loaf of french bread that I got for doing their survey and I also got the Sargento Bistro cheese for which I have a rebate and will get $3.00 back on.

On the way home stopped at King Soopers. Spent $7.99 Saved 23% on the bill. Got a free bottle of Suave shampoo with a doubled coupon.

Finally made it home around 1:00 and put everything away. Then went to mom and dad's to pick up mail and paper and water flowers.

Came back home did a load of laundry and took a nap. Fixed taco salad for supper from the leftover taco meat from last night then cleaned the kitchen. Plan to read and relax for the rest of the night.

We like to play Yahtzee in our family so I printed off Yahtzee score cards from a website.

Total Spent so far this month = $221.88

Went to the library to pick up my holds and return other books.

Went to moms to get the mail, newspaper and water the flowers. It rained for at least an hour before I got off work so their paper was soaked.

Made a list of chores/errands I want to do tomorrow.

Made Tacos for supper.

Opened an account with ING Direct - thanks to another journalist for the link.

Opened an account with PayPal

Opened an account with Treasury Direct

Listened to Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz on tape today. Romance. Good story, made the day go faster.

No walking yesterday. Instead I read a really good book. The invisable Ring by Anne Bishop. Sci/Fi It was so good I read till midnight and then didn't get anything done. Now I'm tired this morning. But it was worth it. We got a good rainstorm around 11:00 pm so that cooled things down some too.

Wednesday walked with mom for 55 min.

It's just too hot to eat in the early evening so I wait till after we walk then eat at 9:00 by which time I'm starving. So gave in to the fast food thing again. Bad! Bad! Bad! Spent $5.15 at McDonalds. I need to figure out a way around this aside from pure willpower

Total spent this month = 121.02

Read Frugal Families by Jonni McCoy. I didn't think it was that good. Boring and the information is just a rehash of the things most people already know.

Also read Into the Looking Glass by John Ringo. Sci/Fi Military. It was ok, not as good as some of his other books.

I've been feeling kind of Blah lately. Not a lot of energy, just sort of drifting through the day. Don't know why, but hope it goes away soon.

Mom and I aren't walking till 7:30 pm now because it's so hot. I don't like to walk right after eating because I find it very uncomfortable, so today instead of eating at 5:30 when I wasn't very hungry I decided to have a snack and eat when I got home from walking. That was a mistake. We walked for 45 min today and by the time I got done I was really hungry. I had to get gas because I was running on fumes so I went to Safeway and got gas. Spent $23.05 gas was 2.22 a gallon - totally ridiculous. And then mom asked me to pick up toll-house cookie dough since she needs to bake for their camping trip this weekend. She'll pay me back so I don't count that money.

Well by then I was really hungry so I stopped at Taco Bell and got dinner. Spent 6.17. Oh well it's only the first time this month which is really good for me.

Total spent this month = $115.87

I'm going to water the plants and pick up the mail for my parents while they go camping this weekend so my mom bought me some address labels for payment. ARGHH! they don't have to pay me to help them. Some of the other kids won't help without pay, but I find it slightly insulting that they even think they need to offer. But she can't use the labels so I might as well take them and use them.

I had told mom I wanted to look for them and print my own so I wouldn't have a ton of them if I moved so she saw them and bought them today. 2000 labels for about $10.00. Maybe when I figure out how to do them I'll make up some for her, since she wants some with just her name on them instead of Mr and Mrs.

I listened to This Time Love by Elizabeth Lowell while working today. Romance. Very good, but very emotional.

I finally gave in and turned the A/C on today. It ran for a couple of hours this afternoon. Can't stand that 90 degree heat. My preferred weather is between 40 and 60. 70 is getting warm to me.

Walked with mom for 58 minutes today, slowed down after yesterday.

Nothing much happening today. Worked, walked, ate, read. Went to the library and got some more books that were on hold.

Finished listening to Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks. I've been listening to this one for a week now, it had 17 tapes. It's a Sci Fi fantasy story similar to Lord of the Rings. Pretty good. Put a hold on the second one from the library.

This is supposed to be a warm week. They are calling for 90 degree + weather all week. May have to finally turn the A/C on.

Walked with mom for 52 min. I think we're getting faster

Got and read the newspaper $1.00
Chopped veggies for the week and cleaned the Kitchen.

My oldest niece came over this afternoon. One of my hobbies is making miniature rooms. She enjoys this hobby also. What little girl doesn't enjoy playing with dollhouses? We worked on a project she's been working on for awhile. It's a ladies dressing room. Then we did a little bit on a project I've been working on for awhile. A deck barbeque. We both enjoyed the time spent together.

I took her to Village Inn for dinner and we got pie to go to eat later. Spent $24.31. Then we came back to my house and watched Grease. She'd never seen the whole movie. It's one of my favorites so I have the video. We ate our pie and then I took her home around 8:30.

Total spent this month so far = $86.65

Walked with mom for 55 min.

Got my check for the stocks I sold on Tuesday. Also got a certificate for $5 off at Media Play.

Cleaned master bath.

Went to grocery store and spent 24.69. Saved 14% buying sell items, not so good. Bought mostly produce, but also splurged on a frozen pizza. Had the pizza for dinner.

Total for month = 61.34

Finished reading Cheap Talk with the Fruagl Friends by Angie Zalewski and Deana Ricks. It was an average saving book. It did have two good ideas though and anytime I learn something new the book is worth reading.

Idea number 1 was to ask places that develop photos from disposable cameras what they do with the AA batteries. They said one place gave them the discarded batteries for free and they bought 10 batteries for a $1 from Wal-Mart. All the batteries were still good. I'll have to ask next time I'm in that kind of store.

Idea number 2 was a recipe to make a dry mix to which you add water to make a cream soup.

2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups dry milk
1/2 cup bouillon posder
2 tbls onion powder
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper

To make soup combine 1/2 c mix with 1 1/2 cups water to make the equivalent of 1 can of cream soup.

I also read Killing Floor by Lee Child. A mystery. It was pretty good - a fast read.

Walked with mom 55 min. Fixed the brats and rice I got from SHARE. Grilled the brats and then added them to the rice. Have to say I'm not fond of the brats, it's a kind of fatty meat and has a strong flavor. Oh well, I have two more meals of it to go since I have leftovers.

Periodically throughout the year I review my finances and investments. Today I updated my financial organizer book. I created this book that contains a snapshot of my finances, my bills, who to contact for utilities, credit cards etc. Anything financial that I want information about in one place. Also good if someone needs the information if I'm incapacitated or dead. I started this a couple of years ago after reading a great book called Organize Your Personal Finances Turn Chaos Into Cash by Jean Ross Peterson. This book is really easy to read and has a great system for tracking all the financial/household pieces of paper that come into your life. It's only a 118 pages but it has a lot of great ideas in it.

I also read The Twelfth Card by Jeffery Deaver. Great Book. A Mystery. Good Characters and good story line.

Walked with mom 55 min. She invited me to dinner because the nieces were there again and it was huge. Steak, baked potatoes, corn, salad and garlicf bread. Ate way too much. Brought a piece of banana cream pie home with me since I didn't have room for it.

Went to the library and picked up some more holds. I really need to get some reading done, the holds are coming in too fast. I did finish reading Rich dad's cashflow quadrant : employee, self-employed, business owner or investor-- which is the best quadrant for you? by Robert Kiyosaki. It was interesting. I don't really buy into his theory that anyone can/should become a real-estate investor or a business owner, but it's always interesting reading about how people change their lives and start making money.

I'm looking for a new dentist since I want to get my teeth cleaned in the next couple months. My old one retired. I've called several dentists in the area and no one will clean my teeth without giving x-rays first. I don't think I need x-rays everytime I have my teeth cleaned and I certainly don't want to pay for them. Last time it was $150.00 what a rip off. I found a website that lists dental schools but unfortunately there aren't any in my area. The site is listed below. I'll keep trying to find a solution, but I'll have to get my teeth cleaned one way or another before the end of the year.

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/FindingDentalCare/DentalSchools.htm

Went into town today to work. Stopped at the Dollar store on the way home and spent $11.57 on food items, mostly spices. I did get 2 8.5oz cans of salted peanuts, which seems like a good deal. I just recently started using peanuts as a snack so I don't have a good idea of prices yet.

Walked with mom for 55 min.

I was very proud of myself for not stopping at the fast food place for dinner on the way home, which I normally do when I go into work. I also fixed and took my lunch into work - Need an icon for a pat on the back here

Total spending for the month $36.65

Thanks to whomever for the pretty stars

After walking with mom last night for 55 min stopped at the grocery store for mayo and eggs. Spent $4.98. I really hate making special trips to buy something especially when I know I can get it cheaper if I could just wait till it's on sale. Oh well, that will teach me to keep on top of my pantry items better.

Total this month is now $25.08

Great fireworks show last night. I could see works from both directions in my house.

Today I sold my stock from my company purchase plan. They started this last Aug and the first offering lasted till December. They allow you to buy stocks at a min of 15% of the list price based on either the starting day or ending day of the offering period, whichever is cheaper. Well we were just coming out of bankruptcy last year and hardly anybody took them up on the offering. I did because it was a guaranteed 15% return on my money. I ended up making 64%.

So this year they offered it again and I signed up again. It was supposed to be for 6 months, but they cut it off at 3 months because a lot of people signed up this time around and the stock was going up so I think it was going to cost too much if they let it go the whole 6 months. So anyways I made 50% this time. I'm extremely happy about that return and just wish I could get that kind of return on all my investments. (Don't we all!)

After work I went to mom's and walked 40 min. My dad mentioned he needed deodorant last time I was there so I gave him the deodorant I got free from Walgreens last month along with the toothbrush. Also when I went grocery shopping on Saturday I got a can of Pork and Beans that they paid me 46 cents to buy so I gave that to them also. Beans were on sale for 34 cents and I had a coupon for 40 cents that was doubled.

Someone stole the birdfeeder that I bought a couple of weeks ago. Boo Hoo So now I have a bag of birdseed that I'm going to give to my parents also. I'm not going to buy another one, since I figure that one would get stolen too.

I finished reading Windwalker by Natasha Mostert. Not sure how to describe this one, I guess romance/thriller. Very hard to read, slow story, unlikable characters. I kept thinking it would get better and it never did.

I just found this site that has a list of frugal books sorted by type - general lifestyle, building & repairs and maintenance, personal finance, housing, gardening & food & cooking, unusual stuff

If you're looking for money saving books you might find something on this list

http://www.frugalcorner.com/frugal-books.txt

I ran out of steam on my cleaning spree so the master bath didn't get done today. Oh well, there is always tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day....

Made shrimp and linguine with garlic bread for dinner, very good. I'm not much of a cook so I tend to pick very quick and easy meals with only a few ingredients.

I don't know what happened since I almost always have duplicates in my pantry, but I totally ran out of mayonnaise today. I wanted to make a tuna salad to take into work on Wednesday. I'm supposed to go walk with mom in a few minutes and I'm debating about stopping in the grocery store and picking some up. It might be on sale this week I don't know. I usually buy it when it's on sale or I have a coupon, but I really want some, so might just get the least expensive jar. Need some eggs too, if I stop.

It's getting cloudy now but hope it clears up so I can see the fireworks tonight.

Got and read the Sunday paper this morning $1.25

Total spent this month so far - $20.10

Chopped up all my veggies for the week.

Cleaned the downstairs master bedroom, dining room, living room and powder room. I have to admit it is nicer when it's clean.

Took a short nap. I love weekends because I can take naps. I don't sleep that well most nights and usually I'm tired all week. Weekends give me a chance to catch up on my sleep.

Read We Few by David Weber and John Ringo. Sci Fi/Fantasy Good book, fourth in a series. Has very good characters and good dialog which is one of my main criteria in judging fiction.

Fixed a salmon fllet and potato salad for dinner. I got the potato salad recipe from the foodnetwork.com and it was really good, very simple also.

Went to a near-by farmer's market this morning. Spent $5.50 on produce (celery, green onions and tomoatoes). Then went to the grocery store and spent $13.38. Mostly on produce again. Between coupons and sales I saved $14.14 or 51%.

Total spent this month so far = $18.88

Went to the library and picked up some more holds. A bunch of stuff came in all at once so I have a lot of reading to do. I estimate the library is saving me $200 - $250 a month. I read 4 - 5 books a week, I listen to at least one book on tape a week. I read 3 - 4 magazines a month and I get CDs and movies on occassion. Plus it's so convenient, I can put things on hold online and pick them up only a mile away.

I cleaned the upstairs - two bedrooms and a bath. I'm pretty satisfied with the choices I've made about my spending overall. I don't miss very much and am content with what I have. But if I were to suddenly have a lot of money there is one area where I would definitely spend more - Cleaning! I had a cleaning lady a few years ago but I decided it wasn't worth $2000 a year so I've been doing it myself and I really, really, really hate it. But for now early retirement is a more pressing goal so I force myself to clean instead of hiring it out. I really loved having a cleaning person and having the whole house clean for a few hours at least. I pretty much clean in shifts since it's just me. One area one week, one area another week, so the whole house is never all clean at the same time, but life's too short to spend all weekend cleaning. Although that's a big part of my plans for this weekend since I went to long between cleanings this time and I can't stand it any longer

I finished Declare Your Financial Independence by Cindy McIntyre. It had some good information but it's a difficult read, kind of boring. It's based on the principles in Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin.

I also read Close to You by Christing Dodd, it's a romance/mystery book. Pretty good, a good popcorn book. That's how I describe a book without a lot of substance but relaxing and entertaining just the same.

Walked with mom for 55 min.

I get paid every two weeks so July is a 3 paycheck month instead of a 2 paycheck month. This paycheck goes towards expenses but next paycheck will go into savings.

I got a letter from SHARE offering a coupon for $3 off my next purchase. Since the monthly deal is only $21 that's almost 15% off.

My goals for the month of July are:

1. Only spend $400 for groceries, gas, entertainment, clothes, household basics and misc. My freezer is full thanks to SHARE and my pantry is full too, so I shouldn't need too many groceries, only produce and whatever is on sale.

2. Walk at least 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time.

3. Only go to fast-food restaurants twice and only eat at regular restaurants three times.

4. Save $1000 above my 401K contribution and on top of my third paycheck.

5. Save all of my third paycheck for the month.

6. Cook meals at least 2 times a week.

Read Medalon by Jennifer Fallon. It's a Sci Fi/Fantasy book. It's the first in a trilogy. Pretty good, will read the other two.

Walked with mom for 55 min.

Went to the library and read this month's Money and Real Simple magazines. Had a bunch of books and books on tape on hold so brought those home.

Need to make a grocery list for the weekend. Should be some good bargains for 4th of July.

I started my beans, ham and sausage dish and then mom called to invite me over to dinner, since my nieces are spending the night there. Steak, baked potatoes, salad and garlic bread. I couldn't pass that up, so I took my beans with me as a side dish. I have enought leftovers for two more meals this week. I might freeze some since I have leftover taco mix too from my taco salad last night.

Mom and I walked for 50 min.

Finished reading Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy. It's ok. The tips are pretty generic and mostly apply to grocery shopping, it's an easy read. There was one tip that I had never heard before. She said you could freeze eggs by taking them out of the shell. She stores them in pairs in baggies. I'll have to try it the next time eggs are a good buy.

Walked with mom for 45 min. Placed my SHARE order online for next month.

Made a taco salad for dinner that turned out very tasty. Have leftovers for later in the week. Fixing a big pot of ham, sausage and beans for tonight.

Read Hex and the City by Simon R. Green. It's a Sci Fi/Fantasy book. It's part of a series and was pretty good.

Still not turning on the AC. It's been getting pretty warm outside - high 80's. But since the interior isn't scorching yet I've been comfortable with just the ceiling fans.

I don't know about anyone else, but I go through highs and lows on savings. Sometimes even though I am saving money because of all the things I've implemented in the past it doesn't feel as if I'm making progress because I haven't learned a new way to save or found a new bargain that saves me money. Especially when I have several no spending days. I know that's saving me money, but that's passive saving. Sometimes I need an aggressive saving day. I need a frugal fix

There are only so many ways that save significant amounts of money and once you've implemented the ones pertinant to you, the little things don't give quite the same rush. I've been saving for 20 years and it's hard to find new ways of saving money other than being vigilant and watching for good sales. That's one of the reasons I reread savings finance books and enjoy reading the journals. I can get some of the thrill of saving through other peoples experiences. So thanks everyone for sharing

Walked with mom for 50 min.

My parents live in a forested area and right now the wild flowers are just spectacular. I don't think I've ever seen so many different flowers in a couple of miles before. We've had a lot of rain for the first time in several years and I think the flowers are taking advantage of it. It makes for a very interesting walk.

Finally a no spend day and no eating out day. I sort of feel that I've been driving and shopping all over creation for the last few days. Should have several days now of no spending. I'm certainly stocked up on food. It seems like there were several really good sales last week. There may be some more this coming week since it's Fourth of July. Hard to pass them up when you know it's things you will use.

Started the day with a load of laundry and chopping up all my veggies/produce for the week. Then made a menu plan to use up some of my SHARE bounty.

Drove to Longs in town and got sunflower seed, (my snack of choice) at 20% off. Spent 5.58
Next met my parents at Zios for lunch. Had a coupon for a free appetizer (worth $8). We ordered the garlic shrimp. Very good. Lunch cost $7.81
On the way home stopped at King Soopers and picked up hamburger that was on sale for .99 lb. Spent $6.70

Came home and read for awhile, took a nap, then went to moms and walked for 55 min.

Came home again and finished my book. Read Sandstorm by James Rollins. It's an action/adventure type book. It was an ok read. Nothing real spectacular - wouldn't read it again.

I love days where I can take my time and there's nothing real pressing to do and I can spend most of it reading, so all in all a very relaxing day for me.

Started early today by picking up my first Share order. In case you don't know SHARE is a non-profit organization that buys food in a co-op arrangement and passes the savings on to you. They say you can save up to 50% on your groceries. They want you to volunteer 2 hours a month in exchange for this, but that can be anything from babysitting to working at your kids school to taking care of relatives.

They have an online ordering service in our area now and I saw the brochure for the organization in the library last month. It looked like a pretty good deal so I ordered the June regular package for 21.00 + 1.50 handling fee for ordering online. You can order in person and save 1.50.

I showed the brochure to my dad and he ended up ordering stuff too. So both of us went to the pick-up place this morning. I have to say I thought the quality was excellent and so did my dad.

This is a list of what I got for $21.00

12 oz Bratwurst
1 1b Teriyaki Chicken breast
11 oz. Boneless Ham steak
8 oz Chicken Nuggets
38 oz Stouffers Italian Lasagna
7 oz Chicken flavored rice
1 lb. frozen corn
1 lb carrots
1 bunch celery
1 head lettuce
1 bunch green onions
6 russet potatoes
4 peaches
1 cantaloupe
1 lb green grapes
2 lb yellow onions

It seems like a lot of food to me and I figure it's at least 20 meals.

After I went back home and put the groceries away I headed into town. First stop Albertson's gas station where I filled up for $20.63. 2.01/gallon after .03 discount with Albertson's card. Since I saw gas all over for 2.16 I thought this was cheap.

Next I met my friend at the theater. $5.25. We saw the Star Wars movie. I wasn't impressed. It almost seemed like a parady of Star Wars movies. I also spent $4.00 on popcorn since I missed breakfast. This was not good.

Next we went to Olive Garden where I treated her to lunch, since she treated me last time. $22.49 I brought 1/2 of mine home though for dinner.

After that we went to Media Play since today is their triple points day. BTW if you're interested in getting their replay card only buy a one year membership since on triple points days they will renew your card for free. I got 3 books for $19.30. I will get a 15% rebate back from Media Play because I have their card and it's a triple points day. I will also get a 4% rebate from my credit card for using it to pay for the purchases.

On my way home I stopped at the Albertson's grocery store to pick up their loss leader items and the Sunday Paper. Spent $11.58. That's the first time I've seen the Sunday paper on sale before Sunday.

When I got home I saw that the Albertson's receipt had a phone in survey for which you get a free loaf of French bread the next time you go to the store. So I did that and now just have to remember to use the reciept.

Put my groceries away for the second time today and then went to moms to walk. We walked for 60 min. Came back home and read the Sunday paper and then ate my leftovers from lunch.

Long day. Had a great time with my friend. We spent most of it catching up. Got some good deals on groceries and 3 new books to read. Life is good. Now I just need to figure out some menus to use up all that food

Walked with mom for 40 min.

I fixed dinner for my parents as payback for the dinners they've given me recently. Made bacon chicken, oven potatoes and green beans with tomatoes and mushrooms. Mom added leftover homemade rolls and ice cream from thier party.

Sent my Walgreens and Longs rebate forms out for June. I'll be getting back $30+ between the two.

Need to make grocery list for the weekend.

Walked with mom and sis today for 40 min. Sis invited herself along which is fine. While we were walking she started complaining about their finances. She's married and has two girls. Between the two of them they make $160,000 base salary. Plus he's a contractor who does side jobs for extra money and she gets several bonuses a year. They've been making over a $100,000 a year for most of their married life.

Anyways, she started saying how they can't get a break. They got a bill for her husband's car registration - @$500 and it wiped them out. So I said something like didn't you know you were going to have to pay that and a good way to handle it would be to put some money aside every month for bills like that. She jumped down my throat and said they haven't had more than $1000 in their checking for over 2 years and blah, blah,blah. Life is tough.

I'm sorry, but I just don't have any sympathy for them anymore. They live in a huge house on 5 acres and both of them bought brand new vehicles last year. They have less than $5000 saved for the girls college funds and the oldest is 14 - she only has 4 years until college. I realize I don't know all of their finances, but give me a break, they're bringing home over $10,000 a month!! Oh well, she's my sister and just has to breathe to push my buttons, but this is a trigger for me and if I offer any suggestions on ways to handle their finances better, I get it shoved back in my face. It's ok to complain about the situation, but god forbid you actually do anything to resolve it.

Ok enough of that subject.

I finished reading Saving on a Shoestring - How to cut expenses, Reduce Debt, Stash More Cash by Barbara O'Neill. I wouldn't recommend this one. I thought it was a boring read and there was nothing new that I hadn't already read before.

Only one more work day till the weekend. Yippee!!

I walked with my mom for the first time in 4 days. We did 50 min.
My parents had a party last night so I came home from the walk with leftover homemade rolls and homemade banana-nut ice cream. YUM!!

I'm very fortunate that my company allows me to telecommute. I go into the office 2 - 4 times a month. I live approximately 30 miles away from the office. Telecommuting has allowed me to save both time and money.

I save at least an hour a day on the commute. I have to drive a very busy freeway to get to work and in bad weather it can take as long as 2 hours to get home.

I save on car insurance since I drive less than 7500 miles a year, my insurance is reduced. I save in gas costs and wear and tear on the car.

I save on clothes. I wear shorts and t-shirts or sweats at home. No shoes except slippers in the winter time - love it

I save on impulse buys. Days when i go into work I drive past tons of fast food restaurants and stores. It's hard to say no every single day, whereas if I don't see them I don't have to re-resolve not to stop at those places.

I save money on food. When I'm working at home all day I just fix whatever I want for lunch or breakfast. I can cook unlike in the office and I'm not tempted by the cafeteria or fast food places while at home. It's too much hassle to get dressed and drive to a fast-food place.

I can listen to books on tape or CDs while working at home. In the office I can do this, but it's not as comfortable with a headset, plus I'm constantly getting spooked when someone comes up behind me.

While at home I can start a load of dishes or laundry and not have to wait till the evening.

I'm more productive at home since I can concentrate better. No background noises to disturb me and no co-workers dropping in to chat for a half-hour at a time.

The only downside to telecommuting is I don't get snow-days

I have two nieces. One is 14 and one is 10. I try to do something with them one-on-one once a week during the summer. Today I took the 10 year old to see Madagascar - $10.25. It was a cute movie. She liked it and she got a free movie poster.

Then we went to Red Robin for dinner and both of us splurged on monster shakes. We should have split one, it was huge. She ended up basically eating the shake and taking her dinner home - $24.74 I spent way too much here.

I stopped at Walgreens on the way to taking her home. I picked up all their free with rebate items and some other sale items. I spent $42.69 all planned and will receive $28 back in rebates. So only spent $14.69 on HBAs.

Every month I get all the free after rebate items that Walgreens offers, even if I don't need them. This is a guaranteed 7.6% return on my money and sometimes more. Walgreens gives an extra 10% rebate when you have them put the rebate on a Walgreens gift card. Our sales tax is 7.4% after the 10% extra I get 2.6% more than I paid for the item. I use a Citi Mastercard that gives 5% back on all Grocery, gas station and drugstore purchases, so I get a 2.6% + 5% = 7.6% guaranteed return. If I have a coupon for the item I make even more. If I can't use the item myself I check to see if anyone in my family can use it. If no one wants it, I donate it to a charity and deduct it from my taxes making 30% more.

I have a free year's supply of deodorant, shampoo, bar soap, body soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes and have supplied my grandparents with several months of these items also. As well as supplying toothbrushes to my neices.

It was a pretty relaxing day. Only spent 1.25 for the newspaper. Cleaned the kitchen and took a nap.

Read Shadows and Light by Anne Bishop. Good book. Second in a trilogy so ordered the third through Inter-library loans since my library system doesn't have it.

Starting to get warm here. Predicting high 80's all week. Still resisting turning the air-conditioner on other than to check it out yesterday. Trying to see how long I can last before I turn it on this year. Last year I only had it on 2 days all summer.

Got going early today. I live in a small town about 15 miles from a medium-large town. So I started by driving into town. Went to Kmart and got a bird feeder, bird seed and a microwave popcorn bowl. All things on my want list. Spent 19.19

Next went to Barnes and Noble and browsed through their books. Wrote down 11 books to check for at the library. I hadn't planned on it, but bought two financial magazines about retiring. I'm a sucker for these things. Spent 11.75 - unplanned and un-needed

Next went to Longs. Planned to buy a battery recharger that was on sale for 19.99. It was a really good deal since it came with 4 rechargeable batteries that were selling for 9.99. They didn't have any so I got a rain check. Will try to check the Longs by my work when I go in on Tuesday. I did buy a set of 4 rechargeable batteries for 10.73 for which I will get a $3 rebate.

Next went to the big library in town and browsed through the finance section. Picked out 4 books to check out.

Then went to Wendy's for lunch - spent 4.69. Planned, but un-needed

After that I went to King Soopers and got grapes @ .88 lb and 2 tomatoes, celery, radishes, popcorn, sunflower seeds and frozen potatoe wedges. Spent 14.35 - saved 5.71 for sale items. I'm trying to clean out my freezer so didn't need much this week.

Next I went to the branch library in my small town to pick up my holds.

Finally made it home. Spent about 3 hours total for errands. By that time I was tired and didn't want to do much. Put the groceries away and filled and hung my bird-feeder. My home office looks out on the back yard and I love watching the birds all day.

Turned the air-conditioner on for two hours this afternoon. The first time this year. Mostly just wanted to make sure it was working.

Then I sat down and read my two magazines. Then took a nap for an hour.

When I got up I chopped up all my veggies for the week and tried out my new popcorn popper. Works great, I actually think the popcorn kernals had more flavor than the microwave popcorn I'm used to. Read for awhile and fixed supper around 8:00. I wasn't hungry because of the afternoon popcorn snack. Had lemon pepper fish fillet and a baked potato.

Read for a while longer then logged on to the library internet site and placed holds on all but one of the books from my list from Barnes and Noble. I'll keep the other book on the list and check later, they may order it in a week or so.

So all in all a pretty mundane day. Only one unplanned expense. But another fast-food day and no walking to offset it. Ah well, beautiful moon out tonight it's almost full. Guess I'll go read for a while longer.