My husband has to take prilosec every day. I am so glad it is now over the counter. It use to cost us $130 an month, now it is less than $30.
I had a coupon for $4 off, so I went to get some today. The large size was $5 off at Ingles today, so I saved $9 in total. add to the challenge:
Prev. total $1672.00
today 9.00
new total $1681.00

I am having a no spend day today. I am just staying home, watching hubby draw houseplans. Even my little Holly wanted to come upstairs to be with us.
Since I am using no gas, I guess I will add $1 to my challenge money.
Prev. total $1671.00
today 1.00
new total $1672.00

Well, I had a pretty good mail day today. I got two checks in the mail, one was a $10 check for a pinecone survey and the other check was $245 that someone owed me.
I went back and got some more hair coloring while it was on sale. I had a $2 coupon and there was another $1 coupon on the box, so I saved $3 there.
I will add this $258.00 to my challenge money.
prev total $1413.00
today 258.00
new total $1671.00

I just got back from making a bank deposit and picking up a few things. I got two items at Ingles, coupons for both, for a saving of $1.25.
I then got my hair coloring with a coupon for $2 off. Before I started the challenge last year, I always paid full price and never looked in the drug store flyer. Now, I notice that rite aid has the brand I use on sale about once every two months.
I went to Bi Lo to get eggs(the ones my husband likes) and they had n.y. strip steak on sale. I got 4 nice big steaks for $12, enough for 2 meals. That was a savings of $8. all in all, I saved $11 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $1402.00
today 11.00
new total $1413.00

I bought a beautiful piece of property two years ago. It has a drop dead mountian view and we hope to build a house there some day.
I financed $64,000 thru a local bank. I have been making extra payments every month so i have the balance down to under $24,000.
The bank changes the rate and the payment once a year. The rate always gones up and the payment comes down. Ihowever, keep making the original payment plus extra on the principal each month.
I also make the payment every 28 days instead of once a month. They give you a coupon book once a year.
Well, I made a payment in Nov. and my next payment is not til Mar. 2nd and I have run out of coupons.
I have been saving in a special savings account I call "The Ridge" for the past two years (My $20 challenge money went into this) and I know have enough money to pay off the property.
As soon as we close on our spec house, I am going to the bank and pay this property off.
Therefore, I decided to take my payment money I have saved for the last two months and add it to this year's challenge.
It might as well be in the bank earning 5.25% interest.
Prev. total $ 87.00
today 1315.00
new total $1402.00

Well, I have had a no spend and use no gas day. I put $1 in my challenge money when I use no gas to go to town. My bridge game got cancelled at the last minute.
I also had a crummy mail day. everything went in the garbage.I got 6 catalogs today. Who wants to buy anything 10 days after christmas.?
Prev. total $86.00
today 1.00
new total $87.00

I am going to go and play bridge this afternoon. So i should have a no spend day today. The bridge classes start back next week, so that will be good.
I walked a mile yesterday and also did 20 flights of stairs, so there is $2 for my challenge money.
Prev. total $84.00
today 2.00
new total $86.00

I took my change jar to the bank today to see how much I had saved. I save all my coins, except my pennies. I try and use them all up. Anyway, I came home with a little over $40 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $44.00
today 40.00
new total $84.00

Seems like there are lots of new people and new blogs starting in 2007. Lots of people are joining me in the $20 challenge and that is fun! It seems easier to start something like this at the beginning of the new year! Let's all save like crazy!!

It has been a while since I climbed 20 flights of stairs, but I did it yesterday. I also walked a mile on my treadmill. that is $2 more to add to my challenge money. Everyone really seems excited about the $20 challenge and it is so good to see so many people jumping on the band wagon.
Prev. total $42.00
today 2.00
new total $44.00

Well, we are all excited about the new $20 challenge for 2007. I started my new year by eating at home.
One of you asked why i eat out so much instead of saving the money and eating home. Well, number 1, I really don't like to cook and number 2. I hate tv. It seems like the tv is always on when we eat. (dh likes to watch)
But mostly it is because my husband works long hours, 7 days a week. When he comes home in the evening, we like to go out, on a date.
We brown bag our liquor and set ups, so there is no charge for that. We have a long leisurely dinner, for at least 2 hours and we sit and talk the whole time.
I know it is wasting money, but it is our entertainment. We don't go to movies, or bowl, or play poker, etc. etc.
We just enjoy dining out.
We do get inexpensive meals, usually spending $20 or less.
We could not afford this when we were young, but now we can. I don't spend much on groceries, obviously.
Anyway we saved $20 staying home last night, so I will add that to my challenge money.
Prev. total $22.00
today 20.00
new total $42.00

I walked 2 miles yesterday, so I have $2 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $20.00
today 2.00
new total $22.00

Ok, I took a $20 bill out of my misc. envelope and I am ready to start the new $20 challenge for 2007. I don't know if I can hit $20,000 again, but that will be my goal. So here, i go!!
New total $20.00

I am still checking my meter every day and writing down how many kilowatts I have used. I think it helps to keep me frugal. I also still keep the heat set on 60 in the daytime. Yesterday, it did not run at all and has not run yet today. I did forget to turn off my hot water heater last night after the dishwasher was done. So, I wasted some power leaving it on all night.
I budget $160 a month ($40 a week) for my electric bill. Any money I spend that is less than $160, I put into my challenge account!

I just went to the store to pick up some steak for tonight. It is raining and cold, and we have decided to stay home. I saved $2 with my store card, so that will be my last contribution to my challenge money for 2006.
Prev. total $20,023.00
today 2.00
FINAL TOTAL $20,025.00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, the year is almost over and for the most part it has been a good year. i will be so happy when we finally close on that darn house. I still have no date for closing. It seems funny to keep paying the power and water bill and put propane in the tank, for a house that is just sitting!! And it makes me sick to think of all the interest we are losing. We will have a big celebration the day we finally close on that property.
I think I have decided one of my goals for 2007 is to take a real vacation. We have not been on one since 2000. My husband is always too busy to take a week off. We are going to use a little of the profit we make on the house to take a trip. Maybe to the beach!
I went ahead and did my grocery shopping today instead of tomorrow. I saved $3 using my advantage card, so I will add that to my challenge. I am looking forward to starting over on Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2007.
prev. total $20,020.00
today 3.00
new total $20,023.00

We seem to do so much housework on christmas. I think it is because we are bored. We changed sheets, washed rugs, cleaned up the garage, cleaned and washed the car, etc. Then we rode around looking at some of the new subdivisions.
We were all alone for christmas. It looks like everyone in the neighborhood had company, there were so many cars.
We eat our big meal at night, about 8 pm. So, we put on some music and ate by candlelight. Then we got up and danced in the living room.
I do have a few more dollars to add to the challenge. I saved $6 buying sprite on sale on christmas eve.
Prev. total $20,014.00
today 6.00
new total $20,020.00

We went to our last christmas party last night. It was really nice. They set up the bar downstairs in the basement so you had to go downstairs if you wanted a drink. Plus they gave you real small glasses.
I don't know if they were trying to keep us all sober, but we sure got a lot of exercise. I forgot how uncomfortable it is to stand up all evening in high heels.
The food was great. I hate to see how much weight I have gained this month.
They finally got in some diet sprite at Ingles yesterday, so I managed to save another $8 to add to my challenge.
prev. total $20,006.00
today 8.00
new total $20,014.00

Wow, I have been reading all the blogs and you all are sure a bunch of busy people! Everone is either spending time with their families or having families over for christmas!!
We will be all alone for christmas, but thankfully we have each other.
I stayed home yesterday, so I used no gas. I walked a mile, so I have $2 to add to my challenge money.
prev. total $20,004.00
today 2.00
new total $20,006.00

I just got back from Ingles. I went to stock up on diet sprite while it was on sale. Unfortunately, they have been out of it for two days. I did my grocery shopping early for the week.
Between my advantage card and three coupons I had, I saved $5 plus another dollar for walking a mile, for a total of $6. I will add that to my challenge money.
drum roll please....................

Prev. total $19,998.00
today 6.00
new total $20,004.00

I received a check from Pinecone today for a coffee survey I took. I feel a little guilty cause I don't drink coffee. Any way, it is a bit more to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $19,993.00
today 5.00
new total $19,998.00

$2 anyone??

It was a few dollars more than last month, but it was still way under budget at $90. My electric envelope has $200 in it, so i have $110 to add to my challenge account.
prev. total $19,883.00
today 110.00
new total $19,993.00

Getting close!!

I pretty much drink just water, except for in the evening, when we have mixed drinks. We both use diet sprite in our mixed drinks, so when it comes on sale, I really stock up on it.
I ran to Ingles to buy some deli ham and diet sprite was on sale 4 12packs for $10. So I got 4 of them and saved $8 for my challenge. I think I will go back tomorrow and get some more.
prev. total. $19,875.00
today 8.00
new total $19,883.00

I have a question for Jeffrey. Are we going to start a new $20 challenge? I have really enjoyed it and hope we do. There is only 12 more days left in this challenge and I am really trying to hit $20,000 for the year!!
I earned $2 for walking 2 miles yesterday to add to the challenge.
prev. total $19,873.00
today 2.00
new total $19,875.00

We went to another great christmas party last night. This was pretty much a neighborhood party and all the neighbors attended.
We had planned to go out to dinner after the party, but we got full and it got too late. So I am adding the $20 I saved to my challenge money.
I also ran to Bi lo this morning to buy something for supper tonight. I saved $3 using my Bi Lo card. So that is $23 more dollars to add. I am getting close!
prev. total $19,850.00
today 23.00
new total $19,873.00

I can't believe I did that! A complete stranger was talking to his wife on the phone in the grocery store and she was telling him to get sweetened coconut. He picked up a box which cost 40cents more than the same brand in a bag. I noticed the ounces were the same, so I held up the bag to him and said, "this one is 40 cheaper and it is exactly the same thing! He asked his wife if a bag was ok, she said yes and I gave him to him and took away the box.
I feel foolish after that, so I donated to the H.S. band which was outside playing for tips.
If I was ever in a band, I would want to be a drummer!!!
I did manage to save $3 using coupons, so I will add that to my challenge.
prev. total $19,847.00
today 3.00
new total $19,850.00

We took a class to fill out the paperwork we need to get my husband licensed as a builder. We submitted letters from the buyers and the building permits in lieu of certificates of occupancy. We were given the forms to do that at the class. Our county did not give out certificates of occupany until this year and this was for the past 3 years.
We get a letter to day asking us to PROVE that our county does not issue certificates of occupancy.
This is so frustrating. No one we know has gotten licensed yet! This state is certainly not on the ball.
We have been licensed in North Carolina for about 20 years. I guess we should move there, it is only 10 miles away.
On the bright side, I saved $4 with a coupon at CVS today, so I will add that to my challenge money.
prev. total $19,843.00
today 4.00
new total $19,847.00

There is too much money in one of my envelopes. Tht happens sometimes cause I budget for 4 paychecks a month and sometimes there are 5 paychecks in a month.
I just paid the cable bill on the 15th and it was $40. There is now $80 left in the cable envelope, so I will add that to my challenge money.
Prev. total $19,763.00
today 80.00
new total $19,843.00

We are trying so hard to get the spec house done this week,so we can get it appraised and hopefully close before the end of the year.
So, the tile that comes from Michigan is one box short. We can't have tile that comes from Home Depot,no, that would be too easy, it has to be from Michigan.
So, we are waiting on that!
Now, the carpet is being installed. After working on it for almost 2 days, the boss called. They are installing the upstairs carpet downstairs. They don't even have the downstairs carpet, which is most of the carpet being installed. Most of the upstairs in hardwood flooring.
Fortunately the customer has agree to take the wrong carpet at a much lower price!( I am paying a certain amount and she is paying the rest)
The tile will hopefully be overnighted and get it soon, and we will survive. Howwever, I feel sure we will never build a house this big again as a spec house. We have been on the house for 14 months, but it looks good!
I did walk 2 miles today and saved a dollar with a coupon, so that is $3 I have to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $19,760.00
today 3.00
new total $19,763.00

I haven't spent much money this past week, but somehow I have accumulated a lot of single one's. My wallet is full enough from all the store cards and coupons I carry. So I am donating some of my ones to my challenge money.
Prev, total $19,749.00
today 11.00
new total $19,760.00