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Home > Archive: July, 2017

Archive for July, 2017

Spending 7/22-7/29

July 28th, 2017 at 03:35 pm

Last Saturday I did the Red Robin mystery shop with my three year old granddaughter and oldest son. It did cost me $5.00 out of pocket, but that was the tip.

I had to go back to the Detroit area to pick my youngest son up from his trip to NH. I went down Monday morning and returned Wednesday afternoon.

I spent $55 this trip (rounded up). I don't feel too guilty because it included gas and my grandson's birthday present. The rest was eating out. I used a lot of gas running around. I spent Monday with a friend and ran errands. Tuesday I visited my cousin and my grandma.

When I got back Wednesday, I needed a few groceries. I spent $21 at Target.

I did manage to make money while I was gone. I did three mystery shops (one in the Detroit area and two on the way home) for a total of $67.00.

I also got freebies. I got a pizza that I was able to redeem from last week' TMobile Tuesday. I also got a beach towel for this week's freebie.

I don't plan on spending anything this weekend other than $12 at Kroger. That will be covered, as it is mystery shop.

Total spending-$81.00

It is a beautiful day today. I already went to the credit union to deposit my paycheck. I have to work, but it is a fairly easy day. I will definitely take a walk and maybe pick up the grandkids and take them to the park. The only issue with that is they never want to leave!

This past week's spending

July 22nd, 2017 at 07:22 pm

I got off real cheap on the trip down to the Detroit area. My friends insisted on buying my dinner when we went out. I bought a coffee and a cheap lunch while I was there. I also picked up two Meijer shops for $25 each, so I made money that I wasn't counting on.

Since then, I spent another $8.61 at Meijer for coffee creamer and a collander.

Spending breakdown for the week:

$8.61-Meijer
$2.65-Wendy's
$3.71-Biggby Coffee (Ouch!)

Total=$14.97

I am doing a shop for Red Robin shortly with my older son. I may go a little out of pocket for that. If so, I will put it in my next update.


July 10 and 11 Spending

July 11th, 2017 at 10:50 pm

Yesterday, I got my two tires. The total was $219.75, but I found an unused $50 Visa gift card! So, my out-of-pocket was $169.75.

Today we went to the zoo. I only paid for myself. Grand total of $1! I got a free granola bar and popsicle too! I also spent $3.25 on laundry so my grand total is $4.25.

Tomorrow and Thursday should be no-spend days. By Friday, I will need to get a few groceries. I am hoping my only spending between now and my short trip to the Detroit area on Monday afternoon are the groceries and one load of laundry.

Amazon and Spending July 6-9

July 10th, 2017 at 12:41 pm

I made a decision to stop saving for the laptop with Amazon funds. I was hovering between 100 and 125 the last few months. I never got past that because legitimate purchases would come up (printer ink, grad gifts). My laptop is fine at the moment. My oldest son said he has a cheap spare if I have an issue.

Once I start subbing, I can save to purchase one. I figure I should be able to replace it no later than Black Friday. It also will not limit me to Amazon.

I spent $113.38 Thursday on Amazon which nearly wiped out the funds. However, I purchased a lot of needs. It felt good not to spend actual cash. I got a new pair of sneakers. Mine are over a year old, and I wear them almost every day. I also got a bra. I ordered a Prime Pantry box (I had free shipping) as well. I got enough household goods to last the remainder of the summer. I bought a handful of food items including a cake mix for my son's birthday cake.

I was going to hold off until Prime Day. However, a few of the pantry items and the sneakers were low on stock. I doubt there would have been deals on what I bought anyhow other than free pantry shipping, which I had anyhow.

All of this will help my bottom line a great deal. I usually have $75 per week to spend (gas, groceries, household goods, laundry, fun money). I am going to cut that back to $60 for two months. My gas spending in nearly nil these days. Between mystery shops and Aldi, grocery spending is low as well. I am washing the small stuff in the mini washer. Laundry is $3.25 per load. I am trying to keep it down to two loads a week (for both me and my son).

Friday's spending-$34.43

This was for gas, a birthday card, fixings for taco salad (This was to feed older son's family upon arrival) and dryer sheets. My son was supposed to pick the dryer sheets up (which is why they weren't part of the pantry order), but he never did.


Saturday's Spending -$6.07

I bought milk, juice and shredded cheese. My brain apparently was not working well enough on Friday.

Sunday Spending $0

Unfortunately, today will be major spending. However, it will come out of the Emergency Fund. I have a flat tire. I was due to replace the two back tires in the fall anyhow. I am hoping it will be $250 or less. The roads are terrible in MI. It isn't worth bothering putting on top of the line tires. I was just offered another side project at work, so I should be able to replace this money later next month.

Unofficially Taking a Modified Uber Frugal Challenge

July 6th, 2017 at 03:23 pm

I should have joined the official Uber Frugal Month Challenge, but I did not. I don't believe I have purchased much this month other than groceries. I am going to unofficially join in and keep track the rest of the month. Beyond groceries the only spending I have planned is the following:

-Cake, ice cream and card for my youngest son's birthday next week. Total cost should be no more than $20.

-I am going to the zoo next week. Meijer is sponsoring zoo days for a $1 per person. I will take the grandkids on Tuesday. My oldest son and his wife will be unpacking, so my youngest son will go with me. That means $4 for tickets and whatever parking costs. I will not buy any food, so I am sure the total will be less than $10.

-I am taking my youngest son to the Detroit airport on the 17th. He is going to New Hampshire to visit friends and his half brother for a week. I am off for two days, so I will stay at my parents and visit local friends. My son is paying for the gas, but I am going to allow myself $20 spending money because it is quite likely I will eat out at some point. There is a small chance this trip will not cost me anything if I can find a restaurant mystery shop.

I will do a little spending via mystery shopping this month, but I don't count that as it is fully reimbursed.

I am off today save a couple of leftover edits and two phone shops. It is hot, so I am going to relax and do a bit of housework.

Tomorrow I am going to walk the mall in the morning. Hopefully, I will see you there Merilee!

Other than that, I am trying not to stress over my son and his family on the road. They leave tomorrow morning and will be here by noon on Sunday if all goes as planned. I am super excited!