I took my dog into get groomed today. She is a maltipoo and pure white. She looks so pretty and smells so good now. I know it is a luxury, but I love getting her groomed.
I did my grocery shopping while she was being groomed and saved $5 using my advantage card. The braves won both Sat. and Sun., so that is another $2; for a total of $7 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $5476.00
today 7.00
new total $5483.00

I got a pinecone check in the mail today for $3. I had a no usse gas day for $2 and the braves won. That is $6 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $5470.00
today 6.00
new total $5476.00

I got my first mother's day card today. It was from my maltapoo (maltese and poodle) Molly!

I had a no use gas day yesterday, so $2 will be added to the challenge.

Prev. total $5468.00
today 2.00
new total $5470.00

I like May. Usually you don't have to run the heat or air. It is a little warm, so the a/c does run some in the evenings. The braves won Sunday and I had a no use gas day yesterday, $3 for the challenge.

Prev. total $5465.00
today 3.00
new total $5468.00

WE got a nice rebate check from a building supply company today. They have been sending us rebate checks for years, but you just never know when you are going to get one. They never come monthly like I wish they would. I am, as usual, adding this to my challenge money.

Prev. total $4921.00
today 544.00
new total $5465.00

We went to a cinco de mayo party last night. We got there early. Each couple put $5 in the pot and drew a name of a horse that was running in the Ky. derby. Of course, we did not win. I think dh's horse came in last.

Then we played a game that involved toilet plungers and toilet paper. Iwas on the winning team and received a free bottle of toilet cleaner.
I do not like mexican food, so I filled up on dessert instead. (always my favorite)

The braves came from behind to win last night and I had a no use gas day, so $3 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $4918.00
today 3.00
new total $4921.00

DH attended his first ever major league ball game yesterday. I was so excited for him.
He built a house about 10 years ago for a couple that retired to this area from Atlanta. He was the head of trade and tourism for the state of Georgia.
As we do for most couples we build for, we remained good friends with them.
Last summer, my dh turned their ourdoor back deck into a large (500 sq.ft.) family room. They were so thrilled with how the room turned out, they wanted to take him to an Atlanta Braves game!
I was invited to, but I am terrified of traffic; I won't even travel on the interstate at all.

So, the guys took the day off and went to the daytime game yesterday. My husband loved it, even tho he mentioned that you have to drive 75 miles per hour, or get run over. The other guy did the driving. He has lived in Atlanta all his life, so he was use to it.

Dh could not get over all the huge buildings in Atlanta. We have lived all our lives in small towns.
He is ready to go back. He will invite the friend to go to a daytime game next year, if the friend will drive. Even dh didn't like the traffic!

Sadly, the braves did not win. They did, however, come from behind the night before (May2nd) to win. I got a dollar bill in the mail yesterday, so $2 will be added to the challenge..

Prev. total $4916.00
today 2.00
new total $4918.00

I am adding the ING interest I received last month to the $20 challenge. The amount is going down each month cause I am using the money in the ING account to finish up the spec house.

Prev. total $4811.00
today 105.00
new total $4916.00

Today is the first of May, so happy May day! When I was a kid in Virginia, we had a big maypole and aa carnival at my school. I guess they don't celebrate it like that any more.
Yesterday, the stock market went up ($1) and today I took all my change to the bank ($39), so I will add that to my challenge money.

Prev. total $4771.00
today 40.00
new total $4811.00

A few years ago, I decided to sell some stocks so we could use the cash to build spec homes.
When I sold the two stocks, home depot and Merck, they must have just declared a dividend. When I got my checks, it seemed that I still owned a small fractional share of each stock.
I have kept these shares, thinking I might reinvest in the drip programs, but have decided against that.

So, I sent off the forms to sell these small shares. Yesterday in the mail, I got a check from home depot for $102.00 I aso got a $3 check from Pinecone and and $50 rewards check from my Chase mastercard. I get at least $50 from Chase every month. They pay 3% back on home improvement and dh spends a lot at home depot every month. (he is a builder)

So, that is $155 I can add to the challenge today.

Prev. total $4520.00
today 155.00
new total $4675.00

The bear came back last night. We take in our two hanging feeders every night now, so he/she did not get those. However, we do have an old pole feeder and the bear tore it apart.
I had a no use gas day yesterday and the stock market went up, so $3 will be added to the challenge money.

Prev. total $4517.00
today 3.00
new total $4520.00

Today I had a no spend day. Yesterday, I spent about $25 to pick up some groceries.
Today, was also a no use gas day, $2 to the challenge. The braves won their last two games, so another $2 to the challenge for a total of $4.

Prev. total $4513.00
today 4.00
new total $4517.00

I spent $64 at the grocery store today. Yesterday, I spent nothing. I saved $5 using my Ingles advantage card today and yesterday> I had a no use gas day. To, I am adding $7 to my challenge mney.

Prev. total 4506.00
today 7.00
new total $4513.00

I budget $160 a month for the electric bill. When it is under budget, I put the surplus into my $20 challenge. This month has been pretty warm, so neither the heat or a/c has run and the bill is under budget by $70.

Prev. total $4436.00
today 70.00
new total $4506.00

The braves won last night. The game was out west and did not start until 10 pm., so we did not watch it. The braves have won the last three games in a row, so I have $3 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $4433.00
today 3.00
new total $4436.00

I did my grocery shopping today and spent $55. I bought beer for dh, which he is supposed to buy with his weekly allowance. Gas prices are really hurting him cause he has to drive so far.
I used my Ingles advantage card and saved $8 which I am adding to the challenge.

Prev. total $4425.00
today 8.00
new total $4433.00

I saw the first hummingbird to come to our feeder today. We have had the feeder out for two weeks now.Dh really likes feeding all the critters in our yard.
Total spending today, zero!
I had a no use gas day today. The braves won last night and this afternoon, so I am adding $4 to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $4421.00
today 4.00
new total $4425.00

We got up yesterday morning and the bear is back. Both of our feeders were missing. We found them both but all the seed is gone. Dh has been buying expensive seed lately. It is called sunflower meats, with no shell. A bag is $28 dollars and it is NOT a big bag. The birds love it; apparently so does the bear. We will have to take in the feeders every night.
I had a no use gas day yesterday and the braves won, so I have $3 to add to the challenge. My spending today consisted of $16 at the grocery store. Nothing was spent yesterday cause I stayed home.

Prev. total $4418.00
today 3.00
new total $4421.00

I filled up the car today; $52 for gasoline. I can remember when it was 17 cents a gallon! That is the only spending that I did all day.
Braves won last night and stock market went up, so $2 more to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $4416.00
today 2.00
new total $4418.00

I did my grocery shopping yesterday and only spent $52. The bad thing is, I only saved $2 using my Ingles card. I did not find many things on sale, however the $2 will be added to the $20 challenge along with 1nother dollar cause the Braves finally won a game last night.!!!


Prev. total $4413.00
today 3.00
new total $4416.00

I had a good day yesterday; I didn't spend a dime. However, I went out today to CVS and Ingles. I paid $3.50 at CVS for conditioner (on sale) and then I stocked up on sprite again at Ingles, 4/$11.

I find that sprite tends to go on sale around the holidays, so I really stock up on it so I don't ever have to pay $5 for a 12 pack.

So, today I spend $25.04 at Ingles, but using my Ingles card, I saved $10 which I will add to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $4403.00
today 10.00
new total $4413.00

Yesterday, I spent $10.15 at the grocery store but just purchasing the 2 items, I saved $3. Today money spend was zero! And because I had a no use gas day today, I can add $2. So $5 will be added to the challenge.

Prev. total $4398.00
today 5.00
new total $4403.00

I got some great bargains at the grocery store yesterday. They had 12 packs of sprite on sale, 4/$11. Usually they are $5.00 a pack. Ham was on sale for less than half price too. I got one for easter dinner and then we were invited out for easter dinner. That's ok, I will just cook it on Monday!

All in all, I saved $35 on my grocery shopping and that will be added to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $4363.00
today 35.00
new total $4398.00

I got interest credited on my ING account today. It was $112 which I will add to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $4251.00
today 112.00
new total $4363.00

I got another chase rewards check today for $50. Sometimes, I get two of them a month. They pay you back 3% of everything you spend at a Home Improvement store and since dh is a builder, he spends a lot. Of course, we pay it off every month, so we have never paid a dime in interest. I will add that to the challenge money.

Prev. total $4201.00
today 50.00
new total $4251.00

We watched the old movie, "Cape Fear" with Gregory Peck last night. It was made in 1962. Did you know that Polly Bergen was still alive? She is.
I got my usual government check today; the 4th Wednesday of the month. As always, it will be added to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $3697.00
today 504.00
new total $4201.00

I got two small checks in the mail today. One was from pinecone for $3 and the other was from Tim Horton co. for $31. Hey, small sums add up.

Prev. total $3663.00
today 34.00
new total $3697.00

I was under budget on my electric bill this month. I had thought it might be higher than usual. My little Holly was so sick, and I had towels down all around in her pen. I had to do a load of towels and dry them, every day, so I thought the electric bill would be higher. Of course, I would do 10 loads a day and not care a bit, if I could have her back.
I budget $160 a month, but my bill came in at under $110, so I have $50 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $3613.00
today 50.00
new total $3663.00

Spring is officially here. It is nice and warm and all the bradford pear trees are blooming and look so pretty.
I received notice that the special dog food that the vet had ordered for Holly was being shipped next week, so I cancelled that. I still have 22 cans of the food left, so I will donate that at the vet's office. I am also appealing my property taxes on one of the new pieces of land that I bought a few months ago. They tax office has it appraised at $100,000 and I paid $28,000 for it. It is only 1 acre.
I am also trying to get my husband's building license renewed, but I am having a hard time. I don't know how to do it on line and when ever I call the phone number to order the paperwork, it messes up every time. I give them the license number, but they get the letters wrong every time. I give them RBI, but the phone tells me I am punching in ZZZ.
I did do my grocery shopping today, but only managed to save $4 to add to my $20 challenge, but hey, $4 is better than nothing.

Prev. total $3609.00
today 4.00
new total $3613.00

I got a wendy's dividend check in the mail today and I am going to add it to my $20 challenge. I played bridge all afternoon and I ended the day with a grand slam! Good day!

Prev. total $3598.00
today 11.00
new total $3609.00