What a beautiful day it was today. Almost 80 degrees and still some fall leaves to look at. We rode around for a while and spent no money except under $5 at the grocery store for tonight's supper.

I had two no use gas days on Thursday and Friday and the stock market went up, so that is $5 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $15,143.00

today 5.00

new total $15,148.00

It is Thursday morning and I have 5 one dollar bills left in my wallet. So, into the $20 challenge they go!

Prev. total $15,138.00

today 5.00

new total $15,143.00

Except for the $20 challenge, I have not done very well in adding to my savings account this year. It seems like so many things have happened. My vet bill was over $1000; my dh had two eye exams plus new glasses for a cost of over $1000, we got 2 new bedroom chairs and a breakfast table and chairs; ($2500) liability work insurance was $1500, new tires were over $600; it just seems like there has been something every month. My husband has been cutting trees and we need someone to haul them off, but I asked him to put that off for a month or so, so that I can finally put a little something in our savings account.

Gas is almost $3 a gallon here for premium. I had 2 no use gas days this weekend and the stock market went up yesterday, so I can add $5 to my challenge account.

Prev. total $15,133.00

today 5.00

new total $15,138.00

We are going out for a free dinner tonight. About once a week, I receive something in the mail about a free dinner and you have to listen to a presentation after the dinner. It usually has something to do with money, annunities, insurance, etc. (You will start getting these when you get older)

We never attend, but tonight we are going to go. First of all, it is being held at my favorite restaurant, so I know the food is good. Second, the owner, asked us to come. So, free meal, here I come. I think the talk with be about better insulation for our home. (which we don't need)

I had plan to get my grocery shopping all done today, but it has poured rain all day and I did not want to get all wet.

So, I had a no use gas day and another $2 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $14,521.00

today 2.00

new total $14,523.00

Yesterday, we attended a giant party and cook out. What started out as a simple cook out 27 years ago has turned into an outdoor party for over 800 people. I don't really like bar b que, but boy are the desserts good! People come from all over Georgia to attend this party. It is called the Blairsville bash. It was a cool day, but the fall colors look great up here in the mountains.

I did spend money yesterday! We went shopping afterwards at Alexander's, This is a local store that opened in this area in 1947 and over time, it started carrying everything. It was mobbed with tourists yesterday. I got myself some new tennis shoes which I badly needed.

I just checked my wallet and I have 8 one dollar bills to add to the challenge!

Prev. total $14,513.00

today 8.00

new total $14,521.00

If you ever saw the the tv show, perfect strangers, you would know that when ever Balki got happy, he did the"dance of joy"

Well, that is what I am doing right now, because my dh got another new house to build.

There is absolutely nothing going on here in our area. There are hundred of spec homes for sale now, many being foreclosed on and sold by the bank. I am amazed at how many people I know that are listed in the paper under foreclosure.

He was lucky enough to get a new house to build this summer and he is working on it right now. Yesterday, He shook hands (that is our only contract) with a couple planning on retiring next year.

So, he will have two houses to work on, and for that I am so thankful.

(It helps that he builds every house as tho he was going to live in it himself, so it must be perfect.)

This new customer is the head of a building inspection group (he has 58 inspectors working under him) and he said he had never seen a house framed more perfectly than the one my husband is building now!

My electric bill came in $70 under budget and I found $140 extra in my envelopes for the quarter, so I am adding $210 to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $14,303.00

today 210.00

new total $14,513.00

I stopped and got a 5 pound bag of puppy food for my puppy, Molly. She likes Purina puppy food and my local Ace store carries it. I had a $5 Ace rewards card, so the puppy food only cost me 85 cents and will last a month.

I am adding the $5 I saved, plus my ones, $3 to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $14,295,00

today 8.00

new total $14,303.00

Well, I know I will not win the "longest before turning on the heat" contest, so I decided to start "who will be the first to put up your christmas tree" contest?

I know someone in fla. or California will probably win the no heat contest. Heck, I have been to central Florida in January and we had to use the a/c.

It gets cold here. I live in the mountains and my county, Union, has the highest peak in Georgia.

The first winter we lived here (in a travel trailer while building our house) the temp. got down to 22 degrees below zero. that's cold.

So, I am starting a contest to see who will be the first to put up their christmas tree!

You see, when we first moved here, we had a live tree every year.

Now, the granddaughters are all grown up and moved away and there is just the 2 of us. I put up a small tree the past few years, but I really didn't like it.

I decided to order a bigger tree this year, one with the lights already on it. It is just a tree that you pull up from the box and it is already assembled.

Well, the tree came in on Oct. 6th and I wanted to see if I liked it or would I have to send it back. So, dh opened the box and put the tree up.

I like it and I am keeping it, so unless you have your tree up already, I win the contest!!!!!

Let's see who comes in 2nd!

I have 4 one dollar bills left over from yesterday to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $14,268.00

today 4.00

new total $14,272.00

After a day and night of rain, the creek is full to the top. It is so nice to walk outside and hear the rushing water.

I had a no use gas day yesterday and the stock market went up also. That is $3 for the challenge, plus I still have 3 ones left over from yesterday. I didn't go anywhere, so I spent no money.

Prev. total $14,262.00

today 6.00

new total $14,268.00

It is a rainy day in Georgia. Normally, I look forward to Mondays, cause it is pay day and bridge day. Today, the banks are closed and we cannot find a fourth for bridge either.

However, yesterday, I had a no spend day and a no use gas day, so I will add $2 to my challenge account.

Yesterday, I started a "save your dollar bills" challenge, so i will have to use a $5 bill to pay the challenge, getting 3 one's back in change. I hope I don't spend them today; then i can add them to the challenge tomorrow. This could really start to add up.

I keep my $20 challenge money in a metal money box and deposit it about one a month.

Prev. total $14,260.00

today 2.00

new total $14,262.00

I don't seem to be saving as much this year as I usually do. I read here somewhere that one person was saving all their dollar bills.

So, I have decided to do that too. And I challenge anyone else on here, to start setting aside all your dollar bills from at least now til the end of the year.

I already save all my change; now I am going to start saving all my one's!

I just checked my wallet and I have $9 in one's to add to the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $14,251.00

today 9.00

new total $14,260.00

The fall colors are almost here and the leaves are falling. My little Molly puppy is facinated by leaves. She tries to pick up every leaf she sees when I take her out to potty. Now there are leaves everywhere and it is driving her crazy!

The stock market went up yesterday and I bought 2 packs of bacon on sale, so I have $4 to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $14,247.00

today 4.00

new total $14,251.00

I just got back from Wal Mart. I never have said that very often in the last 25 years. You see, the nearest wal mart was 50 miles away, round trip, in another state.

Last month, they opened a new walmart here in our little town, and it is only a little over 2 miles away.

I have been comparing prices, and wal mart is not all the cheapest. I got a great deal on cranberry juice. I am used to paying $3.50 and this was on sale for $2. However, I was looking at diet sprite (we drink it with cocktails at night) and it was more expensive. So, was the dog food that I buy.

I paid my 10th of the month bills yesterday and I have $100 built up in my water/garbage envelope, so I am adding that to the challenge today.

Prev. total $13,968.00

today 100.00

new total $14,068.00

Today is the first tuesday of the month. If you have a rite aid card, they will take 20% off your merchandise that you buy on the first tuesday. I didn't buy much, but today I saved $4 using my rite aid and Ingles advantage card and I will add that to the challenge money.

Prev. total $13,964.00

today 4.00

new total $13,968.00

It is getting quite cold here, especially at night. My older dog was so cold, she got under the covers with me this morning. So, I got out a heating pad that she can sleep on at night. The puppy has a lot of hair, so it does not seem to bother her.

I headed to CVS this morning cause prilosec was on sale for $5 off. I also got a bonus $3 cvs dollars. I will add the $5 to my challange money now and the $3 when/if I use the bonus bucks.

Prev. total $13,948.00

today 5.00

new total $13,953.00

It was cool when I got up this morning; 46 degrees at 9 am. So, I am wearing a sweater for the first time in a while. I like this type of weather. Nothing is running, no a/c and no heat!

I got a $50 rewards check from my Chase mastercard in the mail yesterday. The stock market went up yesterday and the braves have won 3 games in a row, so that is $54 that I will add to my challenge money.

Prev. total $13,894.00

today 54.00

new total $13,948.00

I stopped at Bi Lo today to stock up on steaks for sale. They also had cranberry juice on BOGO. I even got bread for 39 cents! According to my receipt, I spent $16 and saved $13. I guess I will add that $13 to my challenge money!

Prev. total $13,878.00

today 13.00

new total $13,891.00

We have had rain for over a week now, especially heavy the past two days. The creek is at the top of it's banks and there is a lot of flooding in the Atlanta area.

Because of the rain, my husband has not been able to work very much this past week.

Sunday, he worked outside in the rain all day, cleaning out gutters and sawing off tree limbs. Yesterday, it rained heavy, so he went and did "fix it" jobs for 2 of his friends. (He built their houses and they always call him for everything)

Yesterday afternoon, he got a call to come and look at another house he built. It had just gotten struck by lightening and was a mess!

He never charges for these little "jobs". (which is why he is so popular)

He did come home with a check for $50 for taking out and putting in a new anderson door. He did have to drive 40 miles round trip to do the chore, so I am glad that he took it. I will add it to my challenge money.

Prev. total $13,818.00

today 50.00

new total $13,868.00

That is how much interest I earned on my business checking account this month. I have not been adding to my savings account lately because my dh has not been working a lot. So, I thought I would take that $52 in interest and the normal $583 check that I receive every month and deposit it into my savings this week.

Prev. total $13,183.00

today 635.00

new total $13,818.00

I had a nice mail day yesterday. I got a check for $10 from NFO my survey and another check for $8 from the Wendy's Arby group. My electric bill came, and it was $30 under budget. I love not having to run the air and heat right now. Next month's bill should be even lower, even tho the cost per kwh has gone up. So, I have a grand total of $48 to add to my challenge.

Prev. total $13,135.00

today 48.00

new total $13,183.00

Last year, when gas prices were so high, I starting putting $2 into my $20 challenge for every day that I did NOT use gas. At that time, I was spending $4.50 or more per gallon. I drive a corvette, so I have to use premium. (It pings if I don't)

Even tho gas has come down to $2.75 (for me) I am still saving that money.

Town is round trip for me about 10 miles, which is about 1/2 gallon on gas. When I stay home, I just don't use that gasoline.

Now, I probably spend less than $30 a month on gas.

I got another pinecone check for $3 in the mail yesterday;, the braves won, the stock market went up and I had a no use gas day. all totaled, I will add $7 to my 20 challenge.

Also, my little Molly was 6 months old yesterday. She has me pretty well potty trained. I take her out every two hours, she goes and then she gets a treat. (soft dog food that I call a cookie. She licks her lips when I say cookie)

Prev. total $13,123.00

today 7.00

new total $13,130.00

Sept 9, 2009. You won't see 09-09-09 anytime soon again.

This would be a good day to change your eating habits or your saving habits. Saving small sums of money on a weekly basis really does add up. I had a no use gas day on Monday ($2) and saved $5 on coupons at Ingles yesterday. $7 more to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $13,066.00

today 7.00

new total $13,073.00

I got another small check in the mail yesterday for $15 from Tim Horton.

Normally, I reinvest my dividends, but Tim Horton company always mails me a check. As usual, it will be added to my $20 challenge.

On a cute note, I heard a dish rattling in the kitchen. I thought it was my puppy playing with her water bowl. Instead, she was INSIDE the dishwasher, licking the dirty dishes! Too cute!

Prev. total $13,045.00

today 15.00

new total $13,060.00

For the first time that I have lived in this area, (25 years), we have a wal mart. Before this, we had to drive to North Carolina to shop at Wal Mart. I did that a few times a year.

So, I thought I would start doing my grocery shopping at Wal Mart to save money.

That did not work out. They either did not have the brands I wanted or they only carried the brand in a superduper size. We are a family of 2; we do not need a gallon of log cabin syrup.

So back to Ingles I went today. I saved $6 using my advantage card and the bonus 5% off card that came in the mail.

so that is $6 more to add to the challenge.

Prev. total $13,039.00

today 6.00

new total $13,045.00

I got another Chase credit card rewards check in the mail today for $50. I have gotten one every month for the past year and a half. A really easy way to earn money for the challenge.

My puppy got spayed today. I had an upset stomach all day until I called to find out that she came thru the surgery just fine. I can pick her up at 10 am tomorrow and I can't wait!

Prev. total $12,743.00

today 50.00

new total $12,793.00

We have a deer feeder in our back yard and get a lot of deer coming to feed every night.

We have 3 deer that always come early before it gets dark. We named them Ralph, Alice and Trixie (the Honeymooners)

For the past week, a little spotted deer has come with them, so we assumed that one of the deer was the mother of the new baby. Last night, the baby tried to nurse on it's mother and it was Ralph. (We can always tell Ralph cause Ralph has a big scar on one side)

So now we know that Ralph is a female; guess we have to call her Ralphette!

On the financial side, our electric bill was $40 under budget, so I can add that to my challenge money. I also got my usual $581 check that comes the 4th Friday in the month.

Prev. total $12,122.00

today 621.00

new total $12.743.00

To Fern, or anyone else who posts pictures on this site, could you explain to me how to do it.

My friend took a picture of my two dogs, Holly and Molly, and she will put it up for me if someone can explain how to do it.

thanks in advance!

Oh the braves won, so I will add $1 to the challenge.

Prev. total $12.121.00

today 1.00

new total $12,122.00

This has been an expensive summer. First of all, dh finished both houses and really has not had much work this summer. He is starting on a house, but didn't have much to do while the grading and poured basement was done.

So, he has been doing projects around the house and some have been very costly.

Our yard has never looked better. He has bought dozens of bags of mulch. He has planted bushes and flowers. He pressure washed the house. He has washed all the windows since then. Right now, he is repainting all of the white cabinets in the master bedroom and all the bathrooms.

He has ordered some fancy tile and stone to redo the front and back porch decks. That alone came to over $2000!

So, very little money coming in, and lots of money going out!

Well, I did use some coupons at Ingles today and managed to save $10 for the $20 challenge.

Prev. total $21,107.00

today 10.00

new total $21,117.00

Today is the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, Aug. 16th, 1977. He died at the young age of 42. What a talented singer he was. In honor of elvis (and the braves winning) I will add $5 to my $20 challenge.

Prev. total $12,102.00

today 5.00

new total $12,107.00

Not many people are taking the $20 challenge anymore. I enjoy it, cause small sums really do add up after a while.

I bought steaks on sale yesterday and saved $6 plus the braves won last night. That is $7 more to add to my $20 challenge money.

Prev. total $12,091.00

today 7.00

new total $12,098.00