Negative Commenting Isn't Welcome On My Blog

Easily 99.9% of the comments left on my blog are quite lovely and always positive.  Only .1% are negative and I choose to delete them.

Why?

Because it's my blog.

I don't expect everyone to agree with everything I do or say.  However, I do expect comments to be courteous.  My blog is a place for me to share and inspire.  I encourage you all to share as well.  I have found inspiration and learned a lot from my readers.  I appreciate the camaraderie we seem to share as well.  I've made a lot of friends along the way.

Negative, hateful and derogatory comments are not welcome on my blog.  That is just how it is.

Normally, I delete a negative or derogatory comment and that's the end of it.  However, someone has taken a serious dislike to my post My Big Project Is Finally Complete.  I read the comment and figured this person didn't fully read and understand the post.  And that's okay.

When I deleted the comment that was left it was quickly followed by yet another by that same person.  I deleted that one as well and I will continue to do so.

This particular person seems to have taken offense to the fact that I have chosen to purchase a brand new car because Dave Ramsey would not approve.  And that's okay too. But frankly, I don't really care if he would or not.  I personally do not follow Dave Ramsey.  Honestly, I really don't know a whole lot about the guy.  However, I happen to have friends who do and have benefitted greatly from his ideas.  I think that is wonderful.

I bought a brand new car because I can.  And that is what I wanted.  If I had wanted to buy a used car then I would have.  I financed it the way I did because that is what I wanted to do.  I don't have to justify anything to anyone.  I simply decided to share with my readers what I had decided to do.

To my 99.9% I thank you from the depths of my heart.  You are all so wonderful and appreciated.  I look forward to hearing from you again and again.  There will be many more new posts in our future.

To the remaining .1% I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  God Bless.

By the way.  I really love my new car!

My Christmas Goodies List This Year

The girls and I want to make a bunch of yummy stuff this year.  We want to share most of it with our friends and family and are very much looking forward to enjoying some of it too.  The most fun is in the making.

Cocoa Crinkles

Here is what is on our list to make:

Cocoa Crinkle Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Lemon Squares

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Russian Tea Cakes

Sugar Cookies

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Death By Chocolate Cookies

Coconut Macaroons

Chewy Gingersnaps

Brownie Bites

Mini Cheesecakes (Bunco Christmas Party)

Traditional Holiday Fudge

Peanut Brittle

Vanilla Coated Pretzels

English Butter Toffee 

I have a seriously hard time staying out of these.

I like to make small batches of each one.  I also make my cookies rather small so people can enjoy several items without getting a sugar overload.

What fantastic things are you making this holiday season?

Last Week's Thrifty Moves

I finally caved and had to turn the main heat on.  With lows in the teens we pretty much had to.  Brrrrr.

I began my Sunday by ordering my youngest a new winter coat on sale at JCPenney.com for $35.99.  It has a nice fleece lining and cute faux fur trim on the hood.  I used my store credit card to pay for it so I could get an extra 20% off making it only $28.79.  I will pay my bill in full before I accumulate any interest.  I also had it sent to the store for pick up which saved me nearly $9 in shipping charges.

This one only in black.

The oldest and I made up a batch of beef and bean burritos for the freezer while watching the snow fall outside our kitchen window.  She made a small batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Sunday afternoon I watched some crime dramas on Youtube for free.  I'm amazed at how many full episodes there are of various television programs on Youtube.  We would be hard pressed to run out of things to watch.

I have been thrifty with my cell phone use lately, without really trying, and managed to get by an extra month before I needed to renew service.  When I did add service I still had quite a few minutes left and was able to buy less time.  I spent $10 less than I normally do.  Three months of cell phone service for $29.99 is quite a bargain.  My youngest was due for renewal in November and since she still has quite a bit left on her phone we decided to wait until after the Christmas break to renew hers.  My oldest on the other hand….  that girl uses her phone, mostly texting.

I began watching the PBS series Mr. Selfridge online using my Roku and Amazon Prime membership.  So far I am enjoying it very much.

I made a batch of cookies to take to work and share.  There were no leftovers at the end of the day. J

Our poor little chickens did not take well to the snow or the freezing temperatures.  They've laid very few eggs.  Now that it has warmed back up above freezing I'm hopeful it will spur them into action once again.  They only laid three eggs all week.

On the way to the grocery store I stopped at the library and checked out three more books to read.

Then off to Winco to do a sizeable shopping trip.  Most of the year I have been stocking our pantry and freezer with loss leader sales items and other items on sale.  Whenever possible I use a coupon to further my savings.  Last week I made up a list of fill in items I was low or out of in my pantry.

I was able to fill our onion and potato bucket, fill our spice bottles in the cupboard and get the last items I needed for baking and candy making such as nuts, margarine, shortening, vanilla coating for dipping pretzels and lemon juice.  I also picked up crackers, shrimp and summer sausage for our "Horse Doover Nite".

Don't these look like fun?

I picked up other items I like to have on hand at the holidays - eggnog, buttermilk, whipping cream, mini marshmallows for cocoa and a very large jar of green olives.

How thrifty were you last week?

My Uber Thrifty Month In Review - November

For me November has always been a month filled with expenses.  My annual auto insurance premiums are due at the first of the month.  Both girls celebrate their birthdays.  I usually finish up the last of my Christmas shopping.  Thanksgiving is this month.  The weather has changed and we get our first big heating bill of the season.

So how did I do?

Well, as it turns out, I did better this time than I have in a long time.  I paid all of our monthly expenses and the insurance bill, but I did have to use money that was meant for savings in order to do it.  Needless to say, I did not put anything away into regular savings this month.  I did, however contribute to my retirement savings accounts.

I made my final payment to PayPal meaning I officially own every stick of furniture in my home.  Best of all $0 interest owed and paid.  If you choose to finance something it doesn't get much better than that.

I made some substantial payments on the old business debt I am diligently working to eliminate.  Despite the extra expenses this month I was still able to make those payments as planned.  I am super excited, because one of those debts will be paid off in full next month leaving only one more to go.

I kept our grocery expenses to a minimum and I kept our personal expenses low as well.  I bought only one tank of gas this month.  We only dined out for the girl's birthday lunch.

We did not spend any money on entertainment, however we entertained more company at our house this past month than we had any other month this year.  I was able to provide meals and refreshments using items I already had on hand.  It helps immensely that I brew my own beer.

And as you now know I bought a new car in November.  I originally planned to buy it in December so my first payment wouldn't be due until January.  But when a great opportunity presented itself, such as 0% financing for 72 months, no down payment, and no payment due for 90 days, there was no point in putting it off a couple weeks.

Prior to making this purchase I did a lot of calculating to see how it would fit into my budget, including the increase in my insurance premiums and the fees to license another vehicle.  I checked everything out ahead of time.

I am feeling pretty good about how things unfolded in November.  I still want to work on new ways to make the month have less of a financial impact.  I may start paying my insurance in October or work on getting birthday gifts done earlier.  I waited to license the car until this month so I won't have those fees due in November too. 

When it comes to handling finances it sometimes seems more like a balancing act or a juggling act to get everything worked out than simply paying one's bills.  At least I'm always up for the challenge.

Monthly Menu Planner - December

My final meal plan for 2015!  As we prepare to enjoy the holidays I want to make sure we have plenty of healthy meals to combat some of the unhealthier choices we'll be tempted with.

This is what we have planned for our meals next month:

Peanut Noodles, Garden Salad

Chicken & Black Bean Burritos, Lettuce & Tomatoes

Cheese Omelets, Toast & Jam, Orange Slices

Sausage Calzone, Caesar Salad

Savory Pot Roast, Brown Gravy, Potatoes & Carrots

Tuna Casserole, Buttered Peas

Breakfast Burritos, Fresh Fruit

Chicken Ranch Pizza, Caesar Salad

Beef Barley Soup, Biscuits, Tossed Green Salad

Sweet & Sour Pork, Steamed Rice, Garden Salad

Steak Fajitas, Salsa, Sour Cream

Egg Scramble, English Muffins, Fruit Salad

Pork Fried Rice, Stir Fried Veggies

Chicken Noodle Soup, French Bread, Garden Salad

Ground Beef & Mushroom Gravy, Steamed Rice, Green Beans

Gingerbread Pancakes, Bacon, Orange Wedges

Thai Coconut Curry Soup

Pasta Bolognese, Spinach Salad

Three Cheese Quesadillas, Lettuce & Tomatoes, Salsa, Sour Cream

Mini Vegetable Quiche, Toast, Fresh Fruit

I incorporated a lot of use of leftovers again this time.  Not only will this help us make sure to minimize food waste but it will also mean I will have fewer meals to cook and extra time to focus in other areas.

This is our traditional Christmas Eve menu:

Clam Chowder

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Garden Salad

Christmas Cookies

This is our Christmas menu:

Grilled Rib Eye Steaks w/ Au Jus

Yorkshire Pudding

Baked Potatoes w/ Sour Cream & Chives

Caesar Salad

Olives

Cranberry Apple Crisp w/ French Vanilla Ice Cream

Are you a crazy meal planner like me?  What wonderful things do you have planned to eat?

My Big Project Is Finally Complete!

This is probably not at all what you were expecting!

This is the biggest project I have taken on since we moved back into our house and I have been steadily working on it since last spring.  As you have probably already figured out about me, when it comes to doing any kind of major purchase I always do a ton of research, especially when it comes to cars.  I'm also incredibly patient and keep at it until I find exactly what I am looking for at the price I am willing to pay.

I went back and forth multiple times over on exactly what I wanted.  New car or used? How much did I want to spend,  pay cash or finance?  What color, size, the gas mileage, cost of ownership, etc., etc., etc.  I nearly drove myself insane!  Seriously!  Especially this past month.  

I want a "Booger Free Guarantee"

You see, I happen to have this weird little quirk when it comes to buying cars. I seriously prefer to buy my cars brand new.  So that comes with its own set of challenges because I also want to be mindful when it comes to my spending.  New cars are notorious for being poor investments because they rapidly depreciate in the first two years.

But seriously, some people do some nasty things in their cars!

You know what I'm talking about.  They smoke, pick their noses (we've all seen it at the intersection), they eat drive-thru in them and spill stuff, their pets have full range, they don't clean them regularly and quite often they aren't great about the maintenance all while putting a lot of miles on them.  With a brand new car I always know its history.  That gives me piece of mind and a full warranty to boot. J

Recently I tried to go used, I really did.  A couple years ago I bought an inexpensive used car, a 1996 Mercedes with low miles, which is really nice.  We got it detailed so it is clean and it came with its maintenance records, but it is definitely used.  However, it will be perfect for my daughter after she takes drivers ed.  Safe, which is very important and old enough not to cost me a fortune when it comes to insurance.  Plus, as she puts it, not embarrassing to drive around in.

I would say!  I had to drive a metallic gold 1973 Pinto station wagon when I was in high school.  They weren't exactly the safest car on the market and it left me stranded on more than one occasion.  But, it was transportation.

Last Tuesday I was finally able to make it all come together.  I'm so glad I took my time and did my research.  And yes I did nearly drive myself nuts and there were a lot of sleepless nights, especially in the last couple of weeks, but it really has paid off. 

I found a brand new 2015 Nissan Sentra that was priced
$2,000 below Kelly Blue Book. 

Whoo hooooooo!

You know me.  I love a good clearance sale.  And here is why having a high FICO score and being fairly debt free has been so important to me.  I qualified for some incredible financing.

Zero down payment, 0% for 72 months, and 90 days before my first payment is due.

Holy cow!

It was all very straight forward, no hidden fees, no sneaky stuff.  No BS!  But, I give full credit for that to the dealership because they were fantastic.  I'd recommend them to anyone and already have.

So for now, my cash stays in the bank while I use the manufacturers.  They are literally letting me use their money for free.  All my payments go directly to the principal and I can pay it off over time or early.  It is definitely my preferred method of financing.

Now I'm sleeping at night again, I have a reliable source of transportation and my budget remains intact.  Plus she is really, really pretty.  

Oh!  And I get to cross this project off my "To-Do" list too!

30 Things In 30 Days - December

I made myself yet another list of things to do.  My last one for 2015.  Hard as that is to believe!  And as always, if I don't complete everything on this list it is totally okay.

Family Game Nite!

This is what I have planned for this month:

1.          Count my blessings

2.         Go to the $$ Store

3.         Send a letter or card to someone

4.         Family Game Nite!

5.         Invite guests over for a visit or dinner

6.         Make goodie plates to give our friends and neighbors

7.         Sew or craft something

8.         Make a monthly meal plan for January

9.         Make a menu for Valentine's Day

10.       Try a new recipe

11.        Read a book or write

12.        Family Movie Nite!

13.        Family outing

14.       Put away Fall décor

15.        Decorate for Christmas

16.       Repurpose/recycle something

17.        Mail Christmas cards and letters

18.       Finish wrapping Christmas gifts

19.       Shop for stocking stuffers

20.       Bake and decorate cookies with my girls

21.        Make Thank You cards

22.       Rake leaves

23.       Complete a $5 or $10 home improvement project

24.       Clean gutters

25.       Prune a tree

26.       Family Nite Out!

27.       Make a new day planner for 2016

28.       Spring clean my desk and sewing area

29.       Make suet cakes for the chickens

30.       Take some time for myself

This is how I did last month:

1.          Count my blessings

2.         Go to the $$ Store

3.         Send a letter or card to someone

4.         Family Game Nite!

5.         Invite guests over for a visit or dinner

6.         Make a gift  Several J

7.         Sew or craft something  Finally!

8.         Make a monthly meal plan for December

9.         Make a menu for New Years Day

10.       Try a new recipe

11.        Read a book or write

12.        Family Movie Nite!

13.        Family outing  Veteran's Day Parade

14.       Put away Halloween décor

15.        Investment cooking  refried beans and freezer burritos

16.       Repurpose/recycle something  used a Kirkland laundry soap bucket to organize wooden trim in the garage, took our glass in for recycling

17.        Go on a date with my oldest  both girls!

18.       Finish Christmas gifts and shopping

19.       Wrap Christmas gifts

20.       Bake something and share it

21.        Print Christmas cards

22.       Finalize Christmas letter and print

23.       Complete a $5 or $10 home improvement project  installed a new mini blind in my daughter's bedroom

24.       Buy a book of Christmas postage stamps

25.       Prune a tree

26.       Family Nite Out!

27.       List something to sell on eBay, Etsy or Craigslist

28.       Winterize the pond

29.       Spring clean the laundry room  I got it partially done.

30.       Take some time for myself

From prior month's unfinished lists I got these things done:

1.          Make throw pillow for chair in living room  Finally!

2.         Make a menu for Christmas

3.         Get garden ready for winter

4.         Get yard ready for winter

I was really surprised at how much I was able to accomplish in November.  Not too shabby for having a super busy month filled with loads of appointments and activities.