The Frugalista Files

Frugalista Files on CNN

Hello,

So I will be on CNN on Friday. I think Gerri Willis and I should become best friends. The Financial Security Watch show starts at noon, est. so please tune in then. This time around, she plans on grilling me about my finances which are...hmmm...in need of help.

Wish me luck!

$4 Gas

The New York Times wrote this story about how gas may be $4 per gallon this spring. This so frightens me. The good thing about doing no-buy month is that I have been more thoughtful about my travels. I walk to the grocery store, if I have time. I walk to the bank. But we all know, South Florida isn't the most pedestrian-friendly place. To fill up my Honda, it's about $45. I haven't moved from my apartment because it's close to my office, and I don't want to waste gas. But if gas goes up to $4 I don't know what I'll do. As a reporter, I must use my car for work. I get reimbursed about $.35 per mile. I am not in the position to buy a hybrid.
I know the end of the no-buy month is near. But clearly, I will have to turn this into a no-buy life.
Does this potential gas increase concern anyone? 

More cutting back

A Frugalista Files fan sent this link about Americans cutting back on the Starbucks runs. You readers know how I've cut back on life's luxuries. How have you cut back?

Natalie

Frugalista Law

Hello. Last night, I had a mini-breakdown because I couldn't cop Erykah Badu's new album. Just chalk it up to the stress of not knowing if the ground beef I left out for dinner was spoiled because of Florida's power outage. For the record, the meat was fine. Being frugal makes you not want to waste anything.

One of my fav readers wondered about my frugalista status. Am I one? Or just one in training? After some soul searching, I realized that I am a frugalista. In celebration, I am creating "The Frugalista Law." I hope readers chime in on what should be some of the rules and regulations. Let's craft some real legislation. Here are some of my thoughts:

1) Thou shalt not pay to get into the club
2)Thou shalt not dine at a sit-down restaurant more than once a month. If work has you too busy to cook, that job will give you a heart attack.
3) Thou shalt turn off the lights.
4)Thou shalt carry traveling fruit (bananas, apples, etc.) for snacks. Vending machines are the devil.

Ok, those are a few to get us started. I crafted these commandments based upon my weak areas. Suggestions? Chime in. First Frugalista Law, next creating world peace.

Please Don't Stop the Music

Today, Erykah Badu's album dropped. But can I get it? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. All because I wanted to be creative and do this no-buy month thing. I am such a Baduist, it's not funny. Mama's Gun? Classic. I saw EBadu in concert last summer and only have those memories to go on. I have been logging on to her myspace page,but it's not enough. I love to muse over my music, experience it. I don't want to  point and click a few samples. But alas, that's what I must do until March 1. Did I mention that the CD player in my Honda doesn't work? Did I mention that my Kanye West, Common and who all else's album got gobbled up in that car CD player? My life has been one of snapping fingers, getting low and shawty you a 10 from listening to the radio. WHY ME?

The Frugalista Files on CNN

I am going to talk about my no-buy challenge today with Gerri Willis on CNN. Please tune in. I'm due on at 12:20 p.m.

This entire month, I've gone without getting my nail/hair done, dining out or clothes shopping. It's been a tough month, but a much needed one. I am still crunching the numbers, but I think I've saved about $400.

Stay tuned to me at CNN today and to my wallet.

Natalie

Back from the City

New York was great. I maintained my frugal lifestyle and still had fun.

Thursday night I got in, and my friend met me at the bus. We took the bus into Harlem then the train to her apartment, $4. To prepare for the munchies, I brought along two bananas as traveling food.
Friday we went to the MOMA. It's free from 4-8 p.m. Talk about a crowd. The great thing about New York is that the Museum of Modern Art is more fun than the night club.

Later, we went to the grocery store, and I bought $20 food/munchies for the weekend. My friend played  chef.

Later that night, we went to an underground house/disco party at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Super fun and sweaty. $4 roundtrip for the subway.

On Saturday, we went for a walk in Central Park. We people watched and played in the snow.
Saturday night, some friends came over to the apartment,and we finished off some wine. 

We hit the streets later, at a Pisces birthday party for Howard grads. Free before midnight. Hook ups for birthday girls. :)

On Sunday, I took the bus to LaGuardia Airport. Another $2.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It's going to be a great year.

Fruga, New York Edition: Free Party tonight

I'll be here tonight. It's at the Bam Cafe. It's FREE!!!!


Brooklyn Next—Soul Summit Music with Special Guests DJ Spinna and Strafe
Fri, Feb 22 at 10pm

Best known for their wildly popular grassroots music parties in Fort Greene Park, Soul Summit Music DJs Jeff, Sadiq, and Tabu come to BAM with a late-night dance party featuring underground hip-hop heavyweight DJ Spinna. Known for his “WONDER-ful” tributes, DJ Spinna’s beats have found their way onto records by Mos Def, De La Soul, Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli, and countless others. Club music legend Strafe, beatmaster behind the dance floor classic “Set It Off” performs live in a rare NYC appearance. BAMfans get two free drinks!

› Listen (DJ Spinna)
› Listen (Strafe)

Fruga, New York Edition, MOMA for free on Fridays

So, I'm going to go to the MOMA in New York. From 4-8 p.m. It's free.
Here is the info.

New Yawk

It's snowing here. I love snow. Snow is free. I'm going to try to post pictures later.

Take that FPL

You all may know, I sleep with the lights on. I refuse to say I'm afraid of the dark, but the fact remains, I keep the light juices going. After some stern talking to by the Frugalista family, I started cutting out my lights more.

This month's power bill: $66.47
Last month: $107.50

YIPPEE!
(I hope the Green Gods and Al Gore have forgiven me.)

Fruga Does New York

Ok, so there's been a change of plans since the Birthday Break Up post. El Ex emailed and said he bought the ticket for me, so it's for me to use as I wish. So there's a silver lining in a dark cloud after all. Yay.

So, I will be in the Big Apple this weekend, updating everyone on my free and frugal lifestyle, New York edition. The friend I will be staying with is Coco. She's an avid poster here and has been doing the no-spend month along with me. She's already tipped me to this article in Time Out New York which has 342 free things to do in the big city.

Things are looking up.

Birthday Break ups, New beginnings

I need something free, fun and great to do on my birthday. Usually, I'm at Lucky Strike on Miami Beach bowling, throwing a party with my good friends. This year, I had planned to be in New York with the guy I was dating. Let's just say that he and I are no longer dating. The break up started on Monday and ended on Tuesday. Last week, I did a V-day post about state of the relationship. I can stand firm in saying today that's it's over. 

So, here I am, not able to splurge on my big day because of the no-buy month. I have only three days to plan. What can a girl do? Please offer suggestions. I'm a big birthday person. God's giving me another year, something I am thankful for. Time to rejoice, boyfriend or not.

Friend Freebies

Since I started no-buy month, I've gotten two friend freebies. My coworker, Mike, bought me (and another coworker) a drink at the bar and my friend B. took me to lunch and to an art festival. When I started this challenge, I knew I had to be careful about the free things I get because it could be perceived as cheating. Some of my other coworkers have offered to pay for lunch when they are getting orders for the office. I always refuse. If it's not a person who treats me normally, I don't accept. I've gotten quite a few emails from readers who have asked me out to drinks, but I decline those.

I decided as a single woman, I would let myself go on dates, even if they are friends. As for friend freebie debts, I don't have any. Mike always pays when we go out and he made it clear (he hit me up on facebook after reading the blog) drinks are on him. As for B., we hadn't seen each other in years, so he sponsored the trip. He made the first call. Now, some of my homegirls have tried to spot me hook ups, but I don't take those. I would most certainly feel obligated to pay them back. I don't consider myself a mooch, just a chick who is blessed to have people who don't mind paying to have her around. (in moderation) lol.

Frugalista Fever: Kathleen Turner edition

Ever since I saw Prizzi's Honor as a small child, I always knew Kathleen Turner was a cool chick.

In this article, Turner talks about how she saves cash by riding the bus. Frugalista fever is catching!

In the Closet

I have not been in a mall or clothing boutique since launching this no-buy thing. Some days, I mourn the mall. I had a "moment" last Friday when Aventura Mall opened a Nordstrom's. I so wanted to be there. But Nordstrom's and Natalie and no-buy challenge just don't mix.

But really, this closet shopping thing has been working out pretty well. I've taken to washing some of my silk clothes because I can't go to the cleaners. I know that's not the best for the fabric, but I felt like the cleaners never got them as fresh as I wanted them any way. And between you and me, I LOVE washing clothes. Good fetish to have.

And for days like today, when I'm really pressed for something to wear, I get creative. I've mentioned before, every holiday, my mother stays with me for a month. For some reason, she always leaves some clothes behind, like a puppy marking her spot.

Today, I'm wearing one of her flowy shirts. So far, I've gotten two compliments from coworkers, and it's not even lunch. I am a closet queen.

Carpet Fishing?

I am frugalizing today. Ok, it may not be a word, but it's something I made up to describe the act of handling my financial business. As I've mentioned before, I just got cable. I got some bundled package with phone, internet and cable. But ever since I wrote a check to the installation guy, there's always a new charge. First, it was the bill for $7.36. I never quite figured out what that was about. Then, I got the big bill for $148.44. When the cable company sold me the bundle, the customer service rep said my monthly bill would only be about $117 per month. WTF? 
One big problem is that the cable company says that there's a $17.60 carpet fishing fee. WTF? I explained on the phone that I barely have carpet. I live in a one bedroom. No one mentioned it would take $17.60 to run a wire underneath the carpet. I only got one TV hooked up. I am waiting for a call back from the cable company. I want that fishing fee off. It's, ahem, fishy to me.

A Sunday Story/Tithing

I went to church today, the first time this year for me. I'm not a tither, but I give pretty decently when I do show up for service. But this time, I just gave the crumpled bills from my purse. Some people believe in tithing, regardless of the financial situation. Others think that tithing should be done when people have enough money to sacrifice.

The church I attend is big on tithing and giving. They also have an offering for the pastor. I can't lie, I checked out the worshiper next to me. She wrote a $25 check, of which $5 went toward a love offering for the pastor. Other times, I've seen folks in the pew write out $100 checks. It's a terrible habit, but I'm a journalist. I look around. I haven't made the leap to tither. One day maybe I will, but I'm just now getting a hold of my finances.

Yesterday, I went for a walk on Sobe sands with a good friend. She knows I'm doing no-buy month, and she's already an accomplished frugalista.  She's on the buy-your-car-with-cash program and have an "eff you" fund for just in case you want to quit work. We found street parking and had a good, healthy, sunny, sandy, sweaty walk. Fun times. My legs hurt.

After that, my friend B. called me. I haven't seen him in years. I was really glad he called because I know I need to reconnect with a lot of my old friends. I scooped him up, he took me to lunch in Coconut Grove and we hit the art fair.  When we hung years ago, we always used to swap paying for things. We met in college and both happened to end up in Miami. He sponsored the day as an olive branch. He says he may get down with the no-buy program. He just moved into a new apartment after a failed relationship. That first month/ last month stuff is draining on a budget. In all, a superior day for me. I deserved it.

Meh

My Valentine's Day was uneventful. These holidays are sent by the devil to put a strain on relationships, I'm sure of it. A great gift from a suitor, and you think you've found gold, when he could be a jerk the very next day. Get ignored by someone who you think is awesome, and then you start second guessing the relationship and "where you stand." Valentine's Day has an odd effect on matters of the heart.

I'm kind of in a zone. The guy I'm seeing and I could not be together. He's working out of town. I had an opportunity to be with him while he's working, but he made it clear he would be working. I backed out of the trip because it didn't seem like there would be room for me while he works. On V-Day I "girled up" and needed more attention than usual. However, that wasn't possible because he was working. Any other month, I could have handled it like a champ. But this month is rather extreme for me. My behavior is matching. V-Day didn't help.

It took everything for me not to say eff it, round up my girls and go for a few rounds at the bar.
But of course, I can't spend loot.
Staying in the house more than usual during this no-buy month has made me feel at peace sometimes but cranky, too. During the times I would normally be out and about, I am at home, crunching numbers and contemplating. Doing such things wreak havoc on your social skills. I need a better outlet. I'm just going to try to keep myself busy the rest of the weekend. I have a morning jog on Saturday and I have a concert on Sunday night. All these things are free and planned. I miss my life of surprises.

No-buy month is a good thing, I suppose.  It can also make you WAY too aware of your relationships with friends, lovers, coworkers. I miss my spend-money malaise.

Got a money question? Shameless Plug

Keith Reed is a business writer, a personal finance blogger and a friend of mine. He writes the blog $1 out of 15 cents and is eager to take questions, especially from young professionals, about mortgages, saving, debt and other topics. Email him your questions here.

I *Heart* Books

Because this is Valentine's Day, the day of love, I've decided to be a ray of sunshine. I'm asking readers to suggest what books about bucks that they love.

One of my favorite books is Girl Get Your Money Straight by Glinda Bridgforth. This book takes a common sense approach to getting your financial house in order. Bridgforth is the first person to make it clear to me that if you want to save money, you have to stop running in the streets. Gas, tolls, cover charges and other expenses add up quickly. This no-buy month, I've stepped out a little bit, but have cut back my worldly ways. My bank account is looking sexier than anything I could see on Sobe.

Another book I like is Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman. Suze doesn't just talk about paying down debt, but also discusses pursuing career dreams to live a life of prosperity.

What are you fav money books? Share the knowledge. Share the love.

Oprah's Valentine's Day Gift

Oprah.com readers can get a free download of Suze Orman's new book, Women & Money.

Scroll down to the middle of the page, and click on the link for the Women & Money book. Offer is good until 8 p.m. eastern standard time on Valentine's Day.

oprahfreebie

Thanks to readers Tianna and Frugalista Fan for keeping this blog current.

What the 5!

It's raining crazy down here in South Florida. The bad thing about rain is that traffic and your hair (yes, that word again) get messed up. The great thing about rain is that you have an excuse to not get your car washed. After going two weeks without a professional wash, my car is rather ashy.

Anyway, I met Toni and J.R., the hosts of What the 5! at 7 a.m. I met other crew members,too. They are all super sweet. On the set, we joked around a bit. I envied Toni's manicured nails. J.R. clued me in on what was going to happen during my time on the show.

I was a little worried about getting a parking ticket on the University of Miami's campus, but luckily, I didn't. This frugal thing brings about a good energy, I think.

When I took the toll road to and from the set of What the 5!, I noticed how I had singles in my purse and pulled them out with ease. Before no-buy  month, I would burn up my singles at the vending machine. I have certain toll booth operators who I consider friends because I always take a long time at their booth, scrounging for spare change because I burned up all my dollar bills by being a spending maniac.

But not anymore. No more angry cars behind me, honking for me to get a move on.

Life is sweet.

Check out the clip,

http://www.miamiherald.com/static/media/whatthe5/index.html

You can blame me for this

I got this story from a reader named Snuggle Bear:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23143863

Cutting Back

The people in this article aren't doing no-buy month, but they are most certainly cutting back. Have any of you cut back in recent months? Or are you always on top of your frugal game?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021103044.html?hpid=topnews

Me on T.V.

Thanks to the CBS4 crew for sending this over and inviting me on the show.

Check it out!

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=50367@wfor.dayport.com

Early Morning Muse

I am getting ready for my My33 appearance today. I am so excited. It's mad early today, but I'm doing a little bit of nesting/grooming. I'm making sure the remnants of my fingernail polish are gone and plucking some outlaw eyebrow hairs. I wiped down the countertops and ran the dishwasher. I know I freaked out about my hair last week, but now, I am just excited for the new opportunity. In the words of singer India.Arie, "I am not my hair."

Wish me luck and I will check in afterward to let  you know how it goes...

Natalie

Don't tell Al Gore or the Green Gods

So I've been blogging here for a while, so I feel like I can share with you a little secret of mine. I sleep with the lights on. I know, it's bad. This habit is costly. For a one-bedroom apartment, my FPL bill is like $80-100 per month. It should be way lower than that.  When I have company over, I turn out the lights, no problem. It's a shame that a grown woman would sleep like this, but it happens.

Also, I have an active lifestyle, so I run in and out of my house a lot. I hate coming home to a dark apartment.

So now, my next phase of frugal living is making sure to cut out the lights. Also, I'm unplugging all appliances that I'm not using such as my paper shredder and toaster.

Please, please, I beg of you, don't tell Al Gore or the Enviro/Green Gods. I promise to do better about conservation. I promise.

Weekend Warrior

I met up with two coworkers Friday night at a bar in the design district. The Miami Herald has a new radio director in town so I invited her out. While I love the life I've carved out for myself here, I know it can be hard moving to a new place with no friends.
At the bar, my friend/coworker Mike said that I just asked him out so he could pay for drinks. But really, every time we go out, he pays for drinks. I only had one.

We had a ball getting to know our new coworker. She's pretty funny, a great trait for the newsroom. The good thing about hanging in the design district and not South Beach is no parking fees. Fun night indeed, but I think I'll be buying Mike a drink in March. I want no hurt feelings over my amaretto sour.

On Saturday, I finally made the spaghetti. I used angel hair pasta because it was on  sale. I used my mom's recipe. And it turned out just like my mom's. I made enough food to feed a family of four, just like my mom. LOL.

Have a great Sunday.

$$$ME NOW And ME THEN$$$$$

So, it's been one week that I've been on the no-buy diet.  These are my expenses from the first week in January compared to the ones made since no-buy month:

January 1-8

Pollo Tropical:$8.47
Gas: $47.71
*Bloomingdale's:$44.36
Three tix to Hollywood Improv to see Tony Rock: $61.56
Gas:$45.60
Journal (gift): $42.45
Pier 1(bought magazine rack) $18.73
Dinner at the Forge: $50

*Bloomies purchases reimbursed in February.

February 1-8

Publix: $19.08
Winn-Dixie:$20
Cleaners (I put the clothes in BEFORE no buy month. They called me to pick them up or else I would be out of two expensive suits):$25
CVS: $20 (prescription fill)

I am too scared to total these up. Seriously. Readers, you can total them. Meanwhile, I will be in the fetal position in my living room. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH CASH I SPENT!

NO BUY FOR LIFE

Fruga on the airwaves

Hello,

Here are some audio clips from an interview I did with reporter Wayne Roustan at WIOD:

http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2008/02/05/12/FRUGALISTA_Intro.source.prod_affiliate.56.mp3

Clip of interview 1

http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2008/02/05/12/FRUGALISTA_Clip_1.source.prod_affiliate.56.mp3

Clip of interview 2

http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2008/02/05/12/FRUGALISTA_Clip_2.source.prod_affiliate.56.mp3

Hairy Situation

My coworker has new hair. She got it cut into a bob. She has a new color job with highlights and low lights. It's adorable. And I'm vexed.

Since starting this no-buy month I have been a kitchen beautician. I hate having a home 'do. I love getting my hair done in a salon. Because I am a good customer at my salon, the owner let me slip in the door New Year's Eve while others got sent away. My hair is thick. I believe my mother mated with a wolf. Thick hair is great, when it's managed properly under professional care. But left to a hack like me, it's, hmm, challenging.

I must confess. I haven't washed my hair yet. I need to block out a morning to try to get it manageable. In the meantime, I beat back the little flakes at the crown so I don't make my lack of maintenance so obvious. I pull out my color my gray stick and touch up the rogue strands. I'm not getting older, my hair is just changing colors. Yes, that's the ticket.

I am especially touchy about my hair because I am going to on television next Tuesday on the local morning show on CBS 4's My33 channel. And I will be on air with a HOME 'DO. I laugh at people who show up on television with BAD HAIR. OTHER PEOPLE DO TOO. And now, I will be joining the ranks. A person who knew they were going to be on television and showed up to the studio with BAD HAIR.

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The pain we must endure to save $70-$120 per month. The pain. 

RESULTS ARE IN

SPAGHETTI WINS! Thanks to all who voted. Who says there's voter apathy?

CHEAP ALERT

Ok, I am a big fan of Michelle Singletary's The Color of Money column that runs in the Washington Post and Miami Herald. On Sunday, she wrote about Jeff Yeager, author of
The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches: A Practical (and Fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less. Yeager is one of those WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY cheap people. Trust.

This is lifted directly from his website, ulimatecheapskate.com :

I only buy my clothes at stores where I can also buy pork chops, in bulk.  I also "recant" (as opposed to "decant") the liquor I serve my guests, pouring cheap brands into empty premium brand bottles that I keep on hand, a practice that has never, ever been questioned by my fawning guests.  I use my salad spinner to quick dry paper towels and plastic bags for reuse, and I even inject leftover jelly into day-old donuts, if the plain ones are the only kind the bakery has on sale.

Yikes. Let's be clear, I won't be going to his house for dinner and most certainly not for drinks. Replacing Patron with a garbage tequila would be cause for a rumble, right there in his living room.  I've sent back many a glass of Riesling when bartenders thought I wouldn't notice they served me Chardonnay. But I digress. I posted about him because his mantra is to spend less but live well, something I think is awesome. If I spent less, I wouldn't worry about having enough saved up for the present/future. Talk about the good life. Yeager is in his 40s and is retired. He works when he wants to. Yeager doesn't work because he HAS to.

How could spending less help you live well? And is Yeager out of control with his tactics?

Super Tuesday

Good morning, my friends in frugality. Last night, I was not a trooper. I got home from work at a decent hour, but I didn't thaw out any meat for dinner. Before no-buy month, I would make a Pollo Tropical or pizza run and be fine. But due to my lack of planning, I became a scavenger last night. My dinner was a mix of celery, peanut butter, salsa and tortilla chips. This is not something I'm sticking my chest out about, but this cooking coordination is a true challenge. I'm doing great bringing my lunch to work and even eating breakfast. But when the night falls, I'm not the best at organizing meals.

So, in honor of Super Tuesday today, where millions cast votes for their party's presidential nominees, I offer you a chance to vote.
I am determined to make a decent dinner this week without the assistance of a master chef. What should I make? This is a non-partisan vote.

What should I make for dinner this week?
a)spaghetti
b)lasagna
c)chicken with teriyaki sauce
d)A great recipe that you will post on Frugalista Files

Please post, er vote, on this blog. My stomach is depending on you.

Weekend Roundup

Well, the first weekend on my spending fast has been, hmm, thoughtful. Locked in the house Friday night, I became a neat freak (SERIOUSLY out of character for me) and discovered a lost check.  Saturday, I went for a morning walk, also not the norm for me. Later that evening, the friend I didn't meet for window shopping scooped me up, and we went to the grocery store to pick up some food to cook.

Many readers suggested having friends over and cooking as an economical way to eat/socialize.
However, a bottle of cheap wine, vinaigrette salad dressing, two sweet potatoes, salad in a bag, a tomato, and crab  "on sale"  ADDS UP.

I'm new to this cooking game. I don't really know how much stuff costs. I know seafood is not cheap, but I figured the $6.99 per pound crab special would be harmless split between two people. But we ended up getting three-and-a-half pounds, so KA-CHING!
My half of the bill was $20. While we had a nice time catching up, I realized a few things:

1) I like baked sweet potatoes
2) On sale means nothing, budget means everything. You have to know how much you want to spend going into the grocery store
3)Being frugal means managing money at all times, even during the good times with friends/loved ones
4) When people say I should have friends over and cook, they must take into account that I have bare cupboards. I use oil and vinegar for salad dressing. When I go shopping for guests, I feel like I have to be more mainstream.

In all, I had a great time. I learned a few tricks by watching my friend work her magic in the kitchen, while I served as bartender. On the great side, I had salad and salad dressing left over to use/eat the next day. That's a feat.

Super Sunday

So, I am having a love affair with George this morning. George Foreman, that is. I am working today, so I need to prepare my lunch before hitting the grind. "George" and I grilled two pieces of chicken breast. He's a good man, making me eat healthy and all that.
I threw the rest of my left over "salad-in-a-bag" in an old, plastic Thai takeout container. I packed an apple, too. I hope this will last me pretty late into the evening. I have a Super Bowl party to go to tonight...I'm worried that I won't have time to eat before the party...

As for the game, I'm not sure who I'm rooting for. And the Dolphins came so close *chortle*.

Morning Money

Last night, I cleaned off my counter tops and threw away/shredded some ancillary papers. In the process of shuffling papers,I discovered a check my mother wrote me for $50 dated January 4.

Every year, my Mom comes to stay with me for at least a month during the Christmas holidays. During a mall run, we spotted some clothes on sale (a dress and a blouse) for $50 total. Because the department store didn't take out-of-state checks, I bought the items, and my mom wrote me a check to reimburse me.
But I lost the check-until last night. It was at my desk, underneath my Newsweek magazine.
This morning, I woke up and walked to the bank near my home and deposited it (walking is free!). Clearly, I need to be more careful with my cash. And I need to toss my floating scraps of paper more. On the good side, I have $50 to let sit in the bank. Yay.

Free and free time

Ok, so I didn't go window shopping with my friend. I played the work card, saying I was busy, so we nixed the outing. I'm at home now. This time last week, I was getting ready for dinner with friends.
Now that I'm back home from work, I've washed dishes, wiped down the counter tops and cleaned the living room. Yay. As for dinner, I ate some salmon that I bought in a bag. I nuked the fish in the microwave. I need to hit the grocery store soon.

Here's my story

If you haven't checked it out already, here's the link to the story that ran in the Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/136/story/401841.html

Lead me not into temptation

Ok, so my good friend, Margaret, wants to meet up today so she can give me free passes to a Super Bowl party. That's all fine and well, but while she's in my 'hood, she wants to look at all the off-price shopping near my home (Ross, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls). I haven't seen her in quite a while, so I want us to hang. And I also want the free passes to the Super Bowl Party. But jeez, I just entered spending rehab. Wish me luck.

The Final Filing

Last night, I rushed to the nail salon to get a final manicure and pedicure. Out of the eight stations for pedicures, only two had customers. Tiffany, my manicurist, said that the salon business was slow this week, just like the rest of the mall.  Bombay (Furniture) Company is out of business and the jewelry store across from her shop is closing.  I told Tiffany about my no-buy experiment. We picked out a nail color that would grow out nicely while I'm away from her services. I told her I'll be back at the salon in March, but if I'm like all the other consumers, I'm not so confident that I can return.