On Friday I went downtown for a one-day conference. I went very early, as I was doing registration, so I bought breakfast in the adjoining cafeteria, assuming it would be a while before the complimentary continental breakfast was set up. Good thing I did, because I didn't get away from the registration desk until after the program started -- two hours after I arrived. Breakfast was $4.49. No other cost that day, as lunch was provided and I used my train pass to get there. (Walked for 50 minutes, though, not counting the walk to and from the station!)

On Saturday my son called and asked if I wanted to go see "Wreck-It Ralph" with the grandkids. I did! I spent $6 on the ticket and $4 for a frozen lemonade -- bad choice, that, I had to eat it with a straw and it never melted. Afterwards, we found we had lost our parking ticket and were charged $13. I paid it, since the kids are struggling on one income and they've been a lot of help to me lately.

On Sunday I went grocery shopping - $41. I bought exactly 20 items, including two little $3 gifts for my grandson (we're celebrating his birthday this evening). I already have his big gift, but I wanted to get a few things just for fun.

There was still a lot to carry up the stairs, so I will have to limit myself more.

Then I ventured over to the big shopping center -- which was jam-packed -- to buy some investment clothing items. I actually intended to buy a pair of black shoes for work, but I ended up buying two pairs of short leather boots, one black, one brown. $186 for both. (Original price $218 for both.) Not a huge deal, but it is difficult to find good boots that fit around my wonky ankle. I decided I'd better get both black and brown when I found a winner.

I was not even looking for a coat, but I ran right into it -- a black Nautica down coat with a fur-trimmed hood. It fits well, looks good, and hits me below the knees. And it's warm. It will be my walk-to-the-train-station coat. I paid $131, marked down from $245.

I do not generally pay this much for clothes (since most of mine are from Goodwill!) but these are investment items that should serve me well for a long time.

While I was close to a Barnes & Noble I dropped in and picked up a Christmas gift for my grandson, using a gift card -- had to pay $18 above the $25 card, so it was not cheap. But I know he'll like it, because he tries to play with it when we shop there!

Two little tricks I discovered this weekend -- one, if I scoop some leftover breakfast casserole into a tortilla, it makes a delicious and portable breakfast. And two, if I empty my recycling bin on the way to the grocery store, I have a ready-made tote for carrying the groceries upstairs!

And I've started keeping a grocery list with categories -- not food categories, but NEED, WANT, RUNNING LOW and HAVE COUPON. I think it will help me with decisions. BTW, I don't use the coupons unless the item is also on sale (unless the item is a NEED.)

MY DIL gave me a little homemade dishwashing detergent, made with citric acid, washing soda, borax and kosher salt. It worked like a charm, so I'm going to start making my own.

Found .02 and brought in $3 from Pine Cone, so, even though I'm spending, I'm rakin' in the money!