I wish I hadn't answered the door last night. I ended up buying a magazine subscription, and I don't know whether it was a scam or not. One of those "please help me, I'm struggling to make good" sales jobs. Well, he seemed like such a nice young man, and the subscription I got was Parents Magazine for my son and daughter-in-law, who are expecting, so it's not a total waste. I am such a soft touch. Everybody has my number; they probably pass it around!

The subscription was $40. I also spent $3 for library fines yesterday.

I thought I'd start keeping track of the little things I do every day to save.

1. Today I made the conscious decision to stay at home, so this will be a no-spend, no-gas day (unless someone invites me out; then all bets are off!)

2. I got my bathtub drain running more freely with a homemade concoction of baking soda, vinegar and hot water.

3. I pulled weeds while the ground was wet instead of using Roundup.

4. I had a frugal breakfast of corn pancakes (Jiffy corn muffin mix with a little extra milk).

5. I had a frugal lunch of leftover mashed potatoes with gravy made from homemade soup which I pureed and then thickened with cornstarch.

6. I removed the broken underwire (and its mate) from a bra which I might have thrown away in another life.

7. For entertainment AND self-help I'm reading a library book on how not to worry -- a big problem of mine.

I SO dread this evening (speaking of worry) when my neighborhood revs up the fireworks again. I am not a killjoy, but they have been at it for 3-4 days now, shooting things off until almost midnight, and I have lost sleep. They are LOUD, LOUD, LOUD, and my poor dog peed on the floor last night he was so scared. He would not go outside. I don't know who to approach, because it appears to be a big group that gathers for the event. Otherwise, they're quiet neighbors, so I guess I'll just bear it till they finally think the celebratin' is over. What really floors me is the obscene amount of money they must be spending on this! Folks, go to the nice show in the park -- don't turn your neighborhood into a war zone. Grrrr.