Tag Archives: extra expenses

Midweek Musings

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, home stuff, meal planning by

We’ve had rain, but it’s more of a spring rain with temperatures in the mid-fifties. So kind of nice, really. I even saw a temperature of 70 for later this week. I’ll take it!!!

It’s supposed to rain off and on today, so I’ll see what I get up to. Yesterday was nice. I went to the Mahany gym, library, Costco gas, and Winco. When I got home, I started a split pea soup even though that wasn’t on my menu plan, but I felt like having soup. I added a few shreds of ham I had frozen, so it had a smoky flavor. It was good. I used up the split peas I had and that bit of ham, so I felt good about that.

Tonight I’m planning on the burgers as my daughter is home for dinner. I defrosted some rolls, and I have lettuce and tomato too. I don’t have a side planned but I’ll think of something.

My food budget came in great for February at $300, which is fantastic. Of course, we have been working on eating down the freezer and pantry, so that’s why. I plan on continuing this through March.

I got my ‘rewards’ coupon from my Costco card, so next time I go to Costco, there will be no out-of-pocket money. That’s kind of cool. I might think about whether there’s something special I want to get. I did see lavender plants last time, but those things come and go quickly, and I don’t plan on going to Costco till next week or the week after. They do have lovely orchids, which I’m a sucker for. 🙂

March will have some extra expenses as the VW and the Santa Fe both need smog certificates, so that will cost. Plus, both will need the registrations paid too. I have some $ in an envelope for the smog, but not all of it. Again, I’d like to get back to having fully funded envelopes for this kind of thing, but money is always budgeted and not lots left over. But I will keep trying. Oh, and our property tax needs to get paid. I guess it’s always something, right?

I’ve talked about in the past how I dislike change, right? When I find something that works, I keep it, like pretty much forever. My marriage lasted 55 years because we were a good team, always had fun together, laughed and loved, and were great parents. We’ve lived here almost 31 years, and I love it. After we left our house in Foresthill, which we built, my dream farmhouse, I was devastated that we had to sell because we couldn’t afford the mortgage anymore. So I guess once we moved here, it was like, that’s it for me. Plus, even though the house was pretty crappy, we transformed it into something we love. Barclay did most of that with me on the side, although back then, I did all the painting and yard work.

So, I thought I’d share this picture:

These pot holders were made by my son and me when he was in 4th grade as part of our Waldorf curriculum. Handwork was very encouraged in Waldorf school, and even though we homeschooled, I followed a strict Waldorf curriculum. So, as you can see, I don’t like to change things if they continue to work. For reference, my son is going to be 32 this year!! 🙂

Friday Things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, LLS by

Well, it was pretty bad. I didn’t think it would be that bad for Biden but it was awful. Trump was his asshole self and makeup made him seem tan or orange whichever way you look at it. But Biden just didn’t pull it off. So now, who knows which way it’ll all go. If tRump wins we are really doomed to autocracy or worse. He is a vengeful person.

Anyway, over a good week in the books. B went to Costco to pick up a few more things like coffee, Vitawater, regular water, and other basics. I’m trying to plan that we go to the new Costco more frequently and do smaller shops. I still need some brown rice and sugar and some other bulk items.

I tried to change my doctor appt but he had nothing available till August so I guess I’ll drive down. I hope eastbound traffic isn’t too bad since it’s the day before 4th of July. But it is what it is.

I paid the truck’s registration. Boy, that was steep over $400. I wonder why it’s so high? Anyway, I didn’t have the cash in an envelope so next year I’ll have one for the truck. The other cars plus Rubi, I had cash envelopes for. Overall, cash envelopes are still working well for us. I mean we don’t have much money anyway so maybe that’s why. But I am trying to get a head start with the fall annual bills because that’s when our house insurance is due and it’s not cheap. I just hope it doesn’t go up too much.

I’m still checking LLS daily for Myeloma funding but so far nada. It’s just a waiting game because at some point it’ll come up but it might be 2-3 months. So that won’t be frugal when we’re paying my insurance and Medicare. LLS covers both so that’ll be an extra amount till I get covered again.

Today is low-key, I’m finishing the steam mopping and baking a sourdough boule( it’s in the oven as I write at 6:30.) It’s still not too hot so it might be nice to cook something on the grill. Next week looks brutal with the heat. There goes our PGE bill skyrocketing. That’s not going to be frugal for sure.

I might go into town to the bookstore but I’ll see how I feel. I did finish all my books so…?

The 4th of July looks too hot to BBQ so it’ll need to be done either early in the day or figure something else out. I could do some salads and cook some burgers early and then just reheat later. I guess I’ll think about it later. If my son comes up we could get sandwiches from the store.

I should’ve named this post, Unfrugal Friday. Oh well.