I was really worried about my dh. He has been waking up in the middle of the night, with a sharp chest pain and then throwing up a lot.
I finally got him to the doctor on Wednesday. Before they run expensive tests, his doctor decided to switch his heartburn medicine. He has been taking prilosec for about 10 years.
He is on prevacid now and is taking a double dose every morning. He also had to give up some of the food he likes, especially the millions of tomatoes that he has grown. (We are handing them out to all our friends and neighbors)
What he hates the most is that he is not supposed to have a beer when he gets home from work.

The funny thing is, our county just had a vote on beer and wine; and for the first time in the 26 years I have lived here, it passed and will now be allowed to be sold in this area. It passed the same day he was told not to drink any more beer.
I feel sure that once his stomach is back where it should be; he will be allowed beer again. He only drinks one or two.

This could have been an expensive problem, but so far we have only spent $50 for the doctor visit and $45 for the blood work.

The braves won yesterday, the stock market went up and I got a check from Pinecone, so $5 more to add to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $11,001.00
today 5.00
new total $11,006.00

I did my grocery shopping yesterday and I saved $6 using my advantage card at Ingles. That means my challenge money will hit 11K today.
My dh has been sick the past few days, so sick he was thinking about going to the emergency room. He got into the doctor's office this morning and they are giving him medication before doing any tests. I sure hope this medicine helps.
We do have medical insurance on him, but we have never once used it. It has a $10,000 deductible, so we always just pay the bill in full.

Prev. total $10,995.00
today 6.00
new total $11,001.00

I got my electric bill yesterday and it was the most expensive electric bill that I have received in the 26 years that I have lived here.
I have always budgeted $160 a month and it has always fallen under the budget. (I have a big house)
This month, the bill was $177!!
Now, I know it is hot and I am running the a/c a lot, but this was a shock.
However, the electric company did announce in the paper that they were raising rates this month, so I think that accounts for the high bill.
Time to reset my budget.

I have 7 one dollar bills in my wallet to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $10,988.00
today 7.00
new total $10,995.00

I never did get the Rite Aid rebate check that I was expecting, but I did get two rebate checks from Behr paints. They were having a rebate special on Memorial day weekend; the same weekend my husband was painting. We got two checks, one for $20 and one for $40.
I saved $7 at Ingles yesterday using my Advantage card. I got a great deal on Ruffles potato chip and on toilet paper in a 12 pack.
I have never bought toilet paper in a 12 pack before, but I can see where you can save a lot of money by buying a large pack when it is on sale.
This will all be added to my challenge money!

Prev. total $10,921.00
today 67.00
new total $10,988.00

I have been doing some research on dog food.

When I got my poodle, Holly, she was a very picky eater. I called her breeder and complained that she would not eat. He told me to give her something like, vienna sausages, but in the baby section instead. I hope you know what I am talking about. Finger foods for babies!

Well, that got her hooked on people food and she has not wanted dog food since. She has a very sensitive tummy and gets sick easily. We had to quit giving her people food completely.
She will eat the wet, pouch type of dog food IF she is in the "mood".

When I got the puppy, Molly, I was so happy to see that she will eat any kind of dry food.

I only give her a little of the wet, pouch food once a day. That is because I mix her eye medicine in it. (white dogs sometimes get tear stains under their eyes and I have found something that actually prevents it)

So, since she seems so healthy and eats well, I decided to put her on adult dry food; the best dog food that I could find.

After doing some research, I found a food that is called "Chicken soup for the animal lover's soul"
It's main ingredients are chicken, turkey, duck and vegetables, not chicken by products. It is considered one of the best.

I actually found it for sale at my Ace Hardware store. The smallest bag was 18 pounds for $24, but I think it will last her quite a while. I had a $5 off coupon from Ace, so that helped.
I will add the $5 plus my $3 pinecone check to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $10,913.00
today 8.00
new total $10,921.00

Yesterday, we spent most of the day driving around and looking for residental lots for sale. I can't believe it, but for the 1st time in 26 years, my dh does not have a house lined up to build.
He is NOT the kind that can sit around, so he wants to build a spec house.
I am kind of against it, because nothing is selling here. People only want bargains and I would hate to use our money to build a house, to just give away.
The stock market did go up on Friday; the braves did win on Saturday and I saved $3 using my Ingles advantage card today, for a total of $5 to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $10,908.00
today 5.00
new total $10,913.00

We are invited to a party tomorrow night. It is a Christmas in July party for the humane society. Our shelter is a no kill shelter which I really am proud of. I try to donate money as often as I can. (I plan to put them in my will)
The whole house is decorated for christmas and all the gifts are for the animals and are put under the tree. Since I know that the shelter always needs money, I always write a check and pin it to the tree. What a great idea this party is. This is the 3rd year in a row that this couple has given this party.

Well, the stock market went up two days in a row; the braves won 2 games in a row, so $4 to add to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $10,904.00
today 4.00
new total $10,908.00

When Bi Lo runs a special on steaks, it is usually a good one. Yesterday, I was able to buy 5 steaks, NY strip and rib eye for 2.99 each. I spent $15, but I saved $9 which I will add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $10,895.00
today 9.00
new total $10,904.00

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. I hope you all have fun today. We are invited toa 4th of July cook out tonight, complete with fireworks! I will be wearing my 4th of July shirt and hat tonight.
While looking thru an old purse today, I found a dollar bill, plus the braves won last night, so $2 to add to the challenge today.
Prev. total $10,893.00
today 2.00
new total $10,895.00

Last month I made two personal loans to a couple we have know for about 9 years. I took the money out of savings earning 1.5% interest and loaned it to them at 4% interest, which is still better than they could get at the bank.
I have decided that I am going to add the interest only each month to my $20 challenge.
The two checks came in the mail yesterday and I earned $179 in interest. Also, the braves won, so a total of $180 will be added.
Prev. total $10,713.00
today 180.00
new total $10,893.00

You can vote early at the courthouse. It is so nice because you can be in and out in about 5 minutes. On Sunday, friends are having a big cook out with lots of fire works. I am supposed to bring chip and dip and potato salad.
I stopped and got the chips on sale yesterday, so I saved $3 for the $20 challenge.
Prev. total $10,710.00
today 3.00
new total $10,713.00

A good start to a new month, except for the stock market. I did get two checks in the mail today. One was from Pinecone for $3; the other was for $50 from my Chase rewards credit card. Of course, they go straight to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $10,657.00
today 53.00
new total $10,710.00

Today is the last day of the 2nd quarter of the year. The stock market has not done well, so most of our net worths have gone down.
I did save some money today. Bi Lo has steaks on sale. I bought 5 steaks (n.y. strip and rib eye) and a gallon of ice cream on sale for $15. That is 5 meals and dessert for only $3 each. According to the receipt, I saved over $12 at Bi Lo today. I am adding that money to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $10,645.00
today 12.00
new total $10,657.00

I had a no spend day today and also used no gas. The braves won last night, so I have $3 to add to the $20 challenge. Also, I received 2 prilosec coupons in the mailing from a nice lady here at saving advice, so thank you very much.

Prev. total $10,642.00
today 3.00
new total $10,645.00

I sat down and paid all of the end of the month bills today. My electric bill is the highest it has been since last august, with the air conditioning running all the time. However, the electric bill still came in under the amount I budget each month, so I have $35 to add to the challenge today.
Prev. total $10,607.00
today 35.00
new total $10,642.00

I finally had a no use gas day yesterday and the braves won last night. I have 4 one dollar bills left in my wallet, so I have a total of $7 to add to the challenge money.
Prev. total $10,600.00
today 7.00
new total $10,607.00

Until Christmas!! Can you believe that! Time goes so quickly the older you get. I turned in all my spare change at the bank this morning. I have $35 to add to my $20 challenge fund!
Prev. total $10,565,00
today 35,00
new total $10,600.00

I get a check the 4th Wednesday of every month. It is my social security check and it is for $486. I have never spent the first penny of it. I always add it to the $20 challenge.
This is a little know fact; you can start getting your social security check at age 62. When you turn 70, if you want to start getting the larger sum, you can turn in all the money you have recieved thus far, and receive the larger monthly payment. You get to keep all the interest on the money for the past eight years.

Prev. total $10,079.00
today 486.00
new total $10,565.00

I did my grocery shopping today while my puppy, Molly was at the groomer's, getting even prettier!!
At Ingles, they had some bogo deals on a couple of things that I needed. The nice thing about Ingles is that if you only need one of the item, you get it for half price; so that is what I did. I had a few coupons and my receipt says that I saved $10 on my groceries.
I always take my grocery savings and add it to my $20 challenge, so that is what I will do today.

I spent almost as much on Molly as I did for my groceries for the week, but she looks so pretty!!

Prev. total $10,069.00
today 10.00
new total $10,079.00

And boy, is it hot!! The A/C is working overtime, especially upstairs where the computer is! Today is also the longest day of the year.
I got another dividend check in the mail today from tim Horton for $18, and the braves came from behind to win yesterday; so that is $19 going into the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $10,050.00
today 19.00
new total $10,069.00

We are having a very frugal father's day. I got a free turkey a few months ago and dh has spent all day smoking it on the grill. That will give us dinner tonight and quite a few lunches until we all get sick of turkey.
We stayed home all day, so no money spent on gas either. Braves won last night so I am adding $3 to the challenge, $1 for the braves and $2 for the no use gas day.

Dh is lining up all his cars on the front lawn to take pictures of them. His motto is: Life is too short to drive an ugly car!
He has his red 1933 ford Victoria, then his yellow 2008 corvette, the tu tone blue 1978 corvette and finally my 2010 new red corvette.

Happy father's day!!!!!!!!!


Prev. total $$10,050.00
today 3.00
new total $10,053.00

If you have seen "Keeping it frugal in Texas" new puppy, then you have seen mine. Molly looked exactly like that when I got her, and still looks like that, just bigger. Even tho she was 15 months old this week, she is still a puppy to me. She still wants to get into everything, but she has the sweetest personality and loves to be held.

I have done well on the frugal fast this week, other than the $20 that I spent on steaks on sale, I have not purchased a thing. I also have had 0 lunches out this month and only 1 dinner out. (and we were invited for that.)

The braves won last night, the stock market went up and I got a check in the mail from Wendy's for $8 (dividend) so I am adding that to my challenge.

Prev. total $10,040.00
today 10.00
new total $10,050.00

Day 3 went just great, I did not spend a dime. Three straight days of no spending. I did have to drive to town to cash dh's paycheck, so I could give him his allowance.
But on day 4, I caved! Bi Lo has steak on sale this week and we both love steak. I try and stock up on it whenever it is on sale. (That is the one meat that dh will eat even if I freeze it first.
So, yesterday, I spent $20 and got 2 rib eye steaks, 3 N.Y. strip steak, a large container of Hood low carb chocolate milk and regular milk. (We were all out)

I am back to being good today. According to my receipt, I saved $6 on the steaks; the braves won last night, so $7 goes to my challenge money.

Prev. total $10,033.00
today 7.00
new total $10,040.00

I did ok on day 2 of the frugal fast. Again, I stayed home all day, so I did not spend any money. we played bridge all afternoon and had some great snacks, but they were all purchased in the past few weeks. Plus, often my bridge ladies bring snacks for us to munch on.
I saved $2 by having a no use gas day and i have 3 ones left in my wallet, so a total of $5 to add to my $20 challnge.
Prev. total $$10,028.00
today 5.00
new total $10,033.00

I started this week's frugal challenge yesterday; to spend no money all week long. (thru Saturday) Yesterday went very well since I stayed home all day. It is hard to spend money when you are at home. The Braves won two games in a row and I had a no use gasoline day, so I have $4 to add to my challenge money. (I did however pay my estimated tax bill today)
Prev. total $10,024,00
today 4.00
new total $10,028.00

My little town is really hurting. I live in a small mountain town in North Georgia. Most of the jobs around here use to revolve around construction. Now there is no building going on, at all. The newspaper is filled with foreclosure notices every week.

We have a guy laying rock on a chimney for us this week. He said that he has only worked 11 days so far this year. The year is almost half over.

DH stopped to get some blueprints made at the survey office on Thursday. We have know the owner for over 20 years. He is from a very well know family; his brother is our doctor. He has lost his home and is now living in his office. He has had to lay off all of his workers.

It saddens me to see so many people losing their jobs and their homes.

I got a $3 pinecone check to add to my $20 challenge.
Prev. total $10,021.00
today 3.00
new total $10,024.00

The newest challenge is starting tomorrow. It is to try and go one entire week without spending any money. Of course you can pay bills. (the government would not like it if I did NOT send in my estimated income tax on June 15th.

So, today, I did my grocery shopping several days early. Our payday is Monday, so I usually shop near the beginning of the week.
The hardest part for me is that my dh does not like to eat frozen meat, so I bought no meat.
This started when we first moved here; we lived in a travel trailer for almost a year while he build our house all by himself.
We had a tiny refrigerator with no freezer, so I would drive the long drive to town and back every few days to get more food.

We do have some steaks and chicken that I bought yesterday on sale, but other than that, we will just have to come up with something or spend money! At least I made sure that the dogs will not starve.

I saved $7 at Bi Lo yesterday buying steaks and ice cream on sale, so I will add that to my challenge money.

Prev. total $10,021.00
today 7.00
new total $10,028.00

So far, after the first 10 days of the month, I have not eaten out even one time. I know it is easier for me since I do not work, but believe me, I use to eat lunch out a lot; a cheap lunch, but still lunch. I use to get a small plain burger at Burger King with water for a grand total of about 83 cents.

I have had two 2 use gas days in a row, the stock market went up yesterday (finally) and the braves won yesterday. That plus my extra one's in my wallet, give me a grand total of $14 to add to the challenge money.

Prev. total $10,007.00
today 14.00
new total $10,021.00

( I meant to say NO USE gas days)

As I have mentioned, we have a lot of critters in our back yard. We have had the bear visit twice this month. We have deer every day and evening. We have wild ducks and wild turkeys. (The ducks live in the creek)

We have had a ground hog who lives in tunnel near our deck over the creek. I looked up ground hogs and found out that they hibernate all winter. They have their babies in April or May and within 6 weeks, the babies are out on their own.
A few weeks ago, mama ground hog came out with her baby. Last week, I realized that she had 2 babies. On Saturday, mama showed up with all 3 babies. I think they are so cute but dh thinks they look like rats. (They don't)

I did my grocery shopping yesterday and saved $4 with my advantage card, so I am adding that to the challenge money.

Prev. total $10,003.00
today 4.00
new total $10,007.00

Well, we woke up yesterdday morning to find water sprewing all down our driveway and our front yard. I called the closed water department, but they gave no emergency number. This has happened to us many times, so luckily, I had written down the emergency number in an old phone book.
Last night, the bear came again and again tore down the bird feeders,
So, that was enough excitement for one day. The bear is gone and the water is fixed and back on. The braves won last night and I had a no use gas day yesterday, so that is $3 more to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $10,000.00
today 3.00
new total $10,003.00