I went to two parties today. One was at work for our secretary who has finished a long round of chemo. The other was an evening home party, the purpose of which was selling clothes. Both involved lots of free food. The clothing party was something I should have skipped (although I had fun). Naturally, the clothing is very expensive -- yes, beautiful and coordinated and well-made and all that -- but expensive and I am so very poor. My friend liked the party so much she wants to hold another at work, so it looks like I'll be going again.... I am way too easy-going.

I spent $1.50 for hot chocolate at the coffee shop where we held our first party. I stopped myself from buying a vanilla latte for $3.50.

Oh, and I gave in and turned the air conditioner back on. It's so hot, my dog is panting.

Meals today:

Breakfast: Blueberry muffin, granola bar, hot chocolate
Snack: grapes
Lunch: Chicken & spinach pizza, cake
Snack: more cake
Dinner: Cheese & onion omelet, toast, milk
Party fare: Fruit & dip, chips & salsa, shrimp & cocktail sauce, wine.

Way too much partying for this old girl....

Here goes:

In September I spent $2859 -- not great, but at least below my monthly average this year of $3001.

I spent $279 on gifts; that includes shower gifts, treating others at restaurants, and charity.

Even though gas is cheaper than it's been for a while, I spent more on it -- $96. I did more driving than usual -- airport runs and a weekend trip, so I guess it's good that gas is cheap (relatively)!

I also spent more than usual on groceries ($166), but I had company.

I had to renew my license plate ($120).

I bought new sheets($34?) and took my dog to the vet($87), and those things all add up.

On the plus side, I was very frugal in terms of clothing, medical, personal and entertainment. In fact, I've spent $0 on entertainment for two months! I've been reading library books and watching borrowed DVD's, and I actually feel quite entertained.

Meals today:

Breakfast: Granola with milk, grapes, coffee
Snack: Pecan Sandies
Lunch: Chicken salad, pretzel snacks
Snack: 2 cookies (freebies at work)
Dinner: Grilled cheese sandwich, Activia yogurt, potato chips

I stayed home all day today, only going out once for a long walk with my dog (while talking to a friend on the cell phone). Talking on the phone really makes the time fly!

Therefore -- I spent nothing today!

I made some headway into filing papers. I still file all my paid bills, including utilities. Sometimes I wonder why I do; I never use them for anything or look at them again, because I have all my budget stuff on the computer. Is it a waste of time?

I also made some awesome chicken salad (leftover sweet & sour chicken, grapes, apples, walnuts, onion & mayonnaise).

I finished reading "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See -- fascinating if you're interested in Chinese culture. And I watched "The Constant Gardener," a DVD on loan from my son.

Meals Today:

Breakfast: Cashew Sweet & Salty Bar, Activia yogurt, grapes, coffee.

Lunch: Chicken salad, Nutty bars, milk.

Dinner: Mashed potato bowl (spuds with carmelized onions, broccoli and cheese),
strawberry ice cream.

Snack: Honey Nut Cheerios and milk