They say it is supposed to snow in the morning, so I like everyone else in this town, went to the grocery store today. I bought some hamburger on sale, so saved $2 to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $3212.00
today 2.00
New total $3214.00

I haven't eaten at a fast food place in ages. Last night we went to a meeting for builders to discuss changes to the building codes. We did not get out until 9 pm, so it was too late to go to a restaurant. (our little town closes up at 8:30!!
So, dinner at Wendys for us. We only spent $6, so i am adding $10 to my challenge money since I saved on dinner. I also saved $3 on sprite using my advantage card yesterday.
Prev. total $3199.00
today 13.00
new total $3212.00

On the local forum I am on, I started a thread entitled "what frugal thing did you do today?"
On the whole, that group does not want to talk about money at all. They do not believe in saving at all and their come back is, "you can't take it with you"
I don't want to. I just want to be comfortable while I am here.
One of the frugal entries yesterday, was "I got a pair of pants on sale for only $76!!
I know what this group would say to that. To buy clothes you don't really need and to pay $76 for one pair of pants!! Now, I know why they have no savings.
The funny thing is, many of them, dislike me. They dislike me because they think I have to much money!! Hey, I save my money, that is why I have it.
The people on that forum make just as much money as we do.
The thing is, I keep part of my money; they spend all of theirs!

I got a $100 check in the mail from state farm visa. They have a program where you can earn cash back on your visa card. I will add that to my challenge:
Prev. total $3099.00
today 100.00
new total $3199.00

I love Kentucky fried chicken. We don't get it very often cause we know fried food is supposed to be bad for you.
Actually, I never ate it in my life until I married my dh.
I am a very funny eater and always have been. I would not eat anything but boneless chicken cause I don't like to eat chicken with my fingers.
My dh, cuts the chicken off the bone for me.

I had picked up steaks earlier in the day, yesterday, cause they were on sale, but dh was really craving KFC. I will save the steaks for later, cause the snow word is mentioned for two days this week.
I really do think you can buy KFC cheaper than you can make your own fried chicken. First of all, I only like the breast and that is expensive. By the time you buy breasts , legs and wings, go home and use on the grill for over an hour (using 1/2 bag of $5 charcoal) you probably have spent just as much money.
So, for $9 we got a bucket of chicken; enough for dinner and lunch today. I had a coupon, so I got $1 off the chicken to add to my challenge money.
prev. total $3098.00
today 1.00
new total $3099.00

I ran down to bi lo's today. They are so good about putting steak on sale. This week was my favorite, N.Y. strip steaks. I got two very nice steaks for $7 and saved $3 using my bonus card. Of course, that gets added to my challenge money.
Prev. total $3095.00
today 3.00
new total $3098.00

My house is even smelling cleaner, dh is bleaching the carpet and he is using floral scented bleach.
Yesterday I had a no gas day and I walked a mile, so I have $2 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $3093.00
today 2.00
new total $3095.00

Yes, my dh took the day off today. If you know anything about me, you know my dh is a workaholic that usually works 7 days a week. That sure helps out cashwise and we do spend 7 evenings together on "dates"
Today he is staying home. Right now, he is cleaning house and then he plans to clean all the carpets. We have pure white carpet which he bleaches every few months. He is cleaning tubs, mopping, vaccuming, etc.
If I could "clone" my husband, I could make a lot of money!!

They finally finished my windows today and the bill was $802. That is ok, I was expecting a bill around $1000. I really have a lot of windows and they have been here for almost 5 days. I did do 20 flights of stairs yesterday for the tune of $1 plus I had a no gas day for another $1.
prev. total $3091.00
today 2.00
new total $3093.00

Does anyone else feed the birds. I know I spend some money doing it. We buy a 50 pound bag of bird seed (sunflower seed) every month.
I have 4 feeders, 3 are squirrel proof and one I just let the squirrels eat out of. That is one non frugal thing I won't give up, feeding the birds.

I just talked to my window cleaner. He is afraid of heights!! He brought his girlfriend with him today. (they are in business together) She is on the ladder and doing all the upstairs windows.
He has a second job and that is as a tree man. What funny two jobs to have, for a young man afraid of heights.!!
I am scared too, so I am not critizing!

It is another frosty day here in the mountains. My window cleaner just showed up. What a hard worker he is. He is just like my dh and works 7 days a week. He has another job, but does window washing on weekends or whenever he is off. I hope he finishes today so i can pay him what I owe.

Another date night in Georgia!! Hope everyone else is having a good night too.!!

Now, that I have a computer, I love the fact that you can check on your bank accounts, checking, savings, money market, etc.
When i put in that big check last Friday afternoon, I have been checking every day to see what my balance is. My balance has stayed the same. They said they would put a hold on it for 7 business days and I guess they meant it. The banks are only 1 block apart, so I know the check has cleared.
I wonder if they are just doing that to keep me from moving the money.
I do plan to go and open a jumbo CD to get an extra 1/2 % on some of the money.
I love looking at the interest it has earned too, $258.79 for just 4 days.
Well, I did earn a dollar walking a mile and I saved another dollar by buying shampoo and getting conditioner for free. Both for just $1.
Prev. total $3089.00
today 2.00
new total $3091.00

My window washer is back. He has been here for 4 1/2 days so far. I have no idea what the bill will be, but I am sure it will be expensive. I got all my end of the month bills paid yesterday, now I just have to balance all the checkbooks. I think I will grocery shop today too cause I am almost out of diet sprite. I love stockpiling it when it is on sale, but I have run out. Hate to pay regular price!!
Our waitress last night, said she told her boyfriend how we came into her restaurant every night for our "date" Instead of saving, wow, that is romantic, he said, wow, they must be rich!!
My husbands says we can eat out cheaper than we can cook at home. That works for me! (Besides, no one wants to cook)

I had a no spend day today. I was supposed to go to my bridge lesson, but I just didn't feel like it. It is really cold and windy. So, I just stayed home and walked on my treadmill for a while. Now I think I will go and pay my end of the month bills. I got the final electric bill from the spec house to pay also.
So, a no spend, no gas day. I love the fact that it is staying a little lighter every night!

I walked on my treadmill for 2 miles, so that earned me $2 towards my challenge money. I only spent about $12 yesterday but that was for several grocery items that we were out of. We tried a different restauarant last night and it was good, but no cheaper than our regular place.
Prev. total $3087.00
today 2.00
new total $3089.00

Just 11 more months til christmas!!

Well, I checked on my accounts today to see if they have taken the hold off of the big check I deposited Friday. (I was told it was taken off, but it wasn't)
In my checking account was a new deposit, just made this morning, from the U.S. government, in the amount of $538. This is new money to me, so I will add it to my challenge money this month and every month that I save it.
Prev. total $2549.00
today 538.00
new total $3087.00

I want to thank you too for voting for me. I came in 2nd in the $20 challenge. I won $75 and I know you ALL know what I am going to do with it. Of course, put it in my new 2007 $20 challenge. My husband doesn't believe I won anything. I can hardly wait to show him the check. Thanks again!!