I drove to my credit union yesterday because I wanted to talk to a mortgage specialist in person. The credit union is about 20 miles away, but the trip was longer than that because traffic was terrible. Lots of construction.

Well, of course I got there, and they don't even have a mortgage person in the office! They gave me a phone number. I should have called in advance, I know.

In order not to waste the trip, I made a stop at a bakery outlet that is in the area. I spent $9 on Texas Toast, mini subs, English muffins, Hawaiian rolls, hot dog buns, mini bagels and ginger snaps. All stuff that will help me feed the boys this summer.

Then I made another stop at Dress Barn. I had a gift card balance to use up. I bought a swimsuit cover-up which cost me nothing, and I still have $4 on the card.

Before the trip, I got my hair cut - $18, and that was with the senior discount. The price is creeping up. But boy, it feels good to get all that hair off my neck!

Variables are now 5%.

We are having severely hot weather. I am running my air conditioners full time. I got a text yesterday that it was a peak savings day, which means if I reduce my electrical usage I get a rebate. Yesterday was just not the day. I didn't want to give the heat a chance to get a toehold. My two AC's are barely keeping up as it is.

It remains very hot today, and GS2 has a baseball game. I wish they would cancel it, but it is his last game, and I think they will carry on.

Tonight I'm going to a local brewery to celebrate DIL's 40th birthday. I think food will be provided. Cake for sure!

Yesterday I took all the leftover stuff out of the freezer that I had tucked away to use later. Broth, milk, chopped zucchini, soup. I needed to make room in the freezer. I'll make stirfry today, and perhaps some peanut soup.

But for now, I'm going to the gym. Happy Saturday, everyone!

The boys definitely know that Thursday is Eat-Out Day! They don't miss a beat.

This time I had a coupon from Corner Bakery offering two full-size entrees for $9.99. That was perfect for them, as one could get mac & cheese and the other could get pancakes, their favorites. I had had a late breakfast so ordered only a muffin. The total bill was $14 and my DIL paid me back for it already. I paid for dessert at McDonald's -- two cones for $1.32.

We also checked out a couple of parks. And there were music lessons in the morning. At the end of the day, there was a baseball game. We lost, but played a good game.

Today I'm going to get a haircut, if I can get scheduled with my stylist, and then I'll go to my credit union to talk about my mortgage. This evening I'm taking care of the boys while my kids go to a fundraiser. That should be pretty easy, as it's after dinner, and they can get themselves to bed now.

Planning on a visit with my brother (in Michigan) next weekend after the 4th.

I'm starting to pull out stuff for a garage sale, and I'm kind of surprised by how much I can declutter. Since I don't live in a good place to have a sale, I'm going to haul the stuff to BFF's in Indiana. That won't happen for a while, but I'm getting ready.

I haven't done much spending yet -- a couple of loads of laundry, and one run to the grocery for peppers and onions. And of course, the ice cream cones. Variables are at 1%.

I've paid my bills, and I still have savings, though quite reduced. At least I can take comfort in knowing I had the money to pay them. And I have a new (to me) car.

Here is my spending last month:

Furnishings/Equipment/Decor - $9244
Fees/Services - $2257
Housing - $1105
Insurance - $687
Medical/Health - $227
Utilities - $164
Vet/Pet Supplies - $91
Groceries - $89
Gas - $89
Eating Out - $77
Gifts/Charity - $73
Phone - $52
Clothing/Accessories - $24
Entertainment - $22
Laundry - $12
Fares/Parking - $5
Personal - $3

Grand Total - $14,221

Of course, the "equipment" in the first category was the car. Most of it, anyway.

And most of the fees and services were related: warranty, license plates, wheel tax.

I had to pay assessment fees twice this month.

My semi-annual insurance came due, and it reflected the expected jump from insuring an old car to insuring a newer one.

I had a dentist's appoint and an eye appointment.

I took Iggy to the vet.

Gas was higher due not only to prices but more driving as I cart the grandsons around.

It was just a killer month.

Gap Year is now in full swing, and my savings have been hit hard. Just what i didn't want to happen. But I am confident that most of my hurdles have been conquered, and the future will be frugal, but fine.

The "cheap" movie cost a little more than expected. Doesn't it always? The admission was $3. But we spent $9 on drinks, $7 on popcorn, and $4 on candy (which we sneaked in.) The boys each had $5 to contribute, so it wasn't TOO bad. But who knew drinks, especially, would cost that much? The boys had big expectations of what their $10 would buy, and the damage was done before I could intervene. Oh well. It was fun. GS1 met up with a friend and we sat together. A good time was had by all.

At my mystery shop this evening, I exceeded the reimbursement limit by .45. Last of the big spenders! I brought home enough for another meal. And I earned $6 for enjoying a free dinner, but I won't see it till next month.

Tomorrow is pay day, and it's going to be a killer. I have BIG credit card bills to pay off -- the aftermath of buying a car. Hope I'm still standing when all is said and done.

Made it through another day without spending. I am not even doing laundry! And it is piling up, but not unmanageable.

Tomorrow is the last day before pay day.

I made bread today with the help of my grandsons. They were truly amazed that such simple ingredients could turn into bread! The loaves turned out very well this time, and after we treated ourselves to warm bread and butter, they took some home.

We also took a pretty long walk, and my older grandson invented a board game! He called it "Speedy Sploshion." He printed out the "cards" and the game board, and it was pretty cute.

There may be minor spending tomorrow if we go to the kids' movie, but it's only $1 apiece.

No spending yesterday despite one real temptation. After last night's baseball game (a big win for GS1's team) we all went to Culver's in celebration. I had to go along, as I had hitched a ride with my son. I did not order anything and sat and watched everyone eat their delicious food.

Otherwise the day was pretty nondescript. I took a walk around the neighborhood in addition to doing strength training at the gym. I repaired the purse I bought at Goodwill. It wasn't zipping up well, kept catching the lining in the zip. I tacked the fabric down, and then stitched down one area where the fabric was too close to the zip. Then I waxed the zipper, and it's now zipping up well. It took me about 40 minutes.

I got a call to do another mystery shop at a burger place -- one I've done several times before. So tomorrow evening I will have a free dinner plus a little folding money. I prefer this kind of shop to the kind where I have to pretend to buy something and and then renege. That's uncomfortable.

I did use some gas, when I drove to the library and then to the two baseball games. I checked out two books which I must finish within one week.

I gave DIL her birthday gifts: a desk organizer, a globe stand, and an Amazon gift card (which I earned with hotel points).

I got a $25 Panera gift card in the mail, which I earned with travel card points. I also got info on my auto warranty, which was a relief. I didn't have any, and I wasn't sure whether it was coming.

I ate leftovers from yesterday's dinner for breakfast, and at 3:30 I ate a second meal of meatballs in marinara sauce with penne, and California blend vegetables. I ate a tiny serving of ice cream -- trying to cut down on sweets, but not cut them out entirely. I feel very satisfied, and I think I'm going to stick with two meals today.

After the games I did some routine housework, and now I am reading and lounging. I'm very sleepy and I may make it an early night.

Overall, a very nice day.

My son got his MS in December, but he went through the graduation ceremony today. It was in one of the vintage theaters downtown, very retro and opulent. The ceremony took most of the afternoon, but it was time well spent. My favorite part was the bagpiper who led the graduates out!

I rode along with them, so I didn't have to worry about downtown parking. But I did end up going out to dinner with them afterwards. I tried to order sparingly, and I only spent $13.

Now I'm very tired. It's been a big day!

Tomorrow I'm going to take my DIL's gift over, as it's her actual birthday. But her birthday celebration is going to be next Saturday, in a bar that is amusingly called "Temperance." Amusing, because our suburb is the birthplace of the temperance movement.

I hope my spending has stopped now, until pay day on Wednesday restarts it!

It rained all day long, and my grandsons' games were cancelled (thank goodness!) I can't imagine what their uniforms would look like after they played on a soaking wet field.

My DIL asked if I would take the boys to see Incredibles 2 today, since they couldn't play outside. I did, and it was $32 for all three of us. It was a DX theater, which I didn't realize when buying the tickets. I also took them out for lunch, since it was Eat Out Day. That was $23 for the three of us.

At the end of the day DIL texted me to ask the cost of the movie and candy. I told her how much the movie cost for the two of them, and the cost of the candy. I think she forgot about Eat Out Day, especially since we had an unexpected one on Beach Day. So I didn't remind her, and I'll absorb the extra cost, unless she asks about it. I kind of follow her lead on the financial part....

I decided to take the dentist visit out of variables -- when something costs more than $100 I try to cash flow it if I can, but this month I can't. So variables are now 93%, with a few more days to get through. I will probably have to park in the city tomorrow, if I cannot hitch a ride to graduation, and that will be expensive.

My deposit to BOA now complete, I changed the funds in my sidebar. Slush Fund has been absorbed into Gap Year Fund. That will be my source to tap when costs exceed income. The Mortgage Fund is held in my credit union, to which I pay the mortgage, and I will just transfer the payment each month. I'll have to add more to that fund to get through the year.

I just got back from the eye doctor. My eyes are dilated and I'm kind of bumbling around in sunglasses. But the good news is, my eye looks healthy, and he didn't see any tears or weak spots. He did advise me to ask my primary physician to set me up with a reference to a retina specialist, just in case. And if I start to see a shadow, or a shade coming down, I am to go to the ER.

The cost was $35.

I bought gas this morning for $30. Variables have now topped out at 101%. And I have six days to go.

I made penne with homemade Alfredo sauce and sauteed mushrooms for my grandsons today, and GS1 said it was the best meal he ever had! They both helped me put it together, and I think their contribution definitely influenced their evaluation!

Tomorrow is Music Lessons Day and Eat Out Day. They will choose the restaurant. My DIL will reimburse me.

I guess the haircut will have to be put off again, until after pay day. It doesn't really look too bad, it's just not holding its shape. I can weather another week with it. I've got enough food and everything else, so I think I can make it without adding to the variables total.

This morning I closed my Chase bank accounts, and I will be moving the funds to BOA and to my credit union. Chase began charging me a $25 monthly fee because my savings balance went too low. They caught me once, but I will not be caught again. I'll update my sidebar when I make the deposits.

I also did a load of laundry, which was my only spending of the day.

Variables are now at 94%, with about a week to go. And I have to get gas tomorrow.

I had a hard day today because of sleep deprivation. I am hoping my aching hip will let me sleep tonight. Meanwhile, a new ailment -- my right eye has suddenly developed floaters and I've had some strange peripheral flashes that may signal retina detachment. So I made an eye appointment for tomorrow. I don't dare let it go.

I still have not managed to get that haircut. Now I have to wait till Friday for my stylist to be back on duty. On Friday afternoon, I'm traveling into the city to watch my son in graduation exercises. He earned his degree in December, but there was no ceremony. He is walking now, mostly to make an impression on his sons, I think. So -- it'll be a good day to have my hair looking nice. I'm even going to wear a dress, which is a rare occasion!

I heard it was 98 degrees today. I certainly felt it. I was at the beach with the boys. Even though I stayed in the shade, it was grueling. I got into the water once, but it was icy-cold and the rocks on the bottom hurt my feet. Oh yes, and the sand was so hot I almost scorched my feet before I put my sandals on.

And the flies were biting!

Complain, complain, complain. The boys, on the other hand, spent a lot of time in the water and had a great time.

My spending today was $1.25 for ice cream cones for the boys, and $3 for deodorant, which I bought at Walgreens before I went to the beach.

I also charged my insurance payment to my new Wells Fargo card. It was $687, because it was retroactive to the day I bought the car, and also covers July-December. According to my records that should push my total charged to Wells Fargo above the $1000 requirement needed for the $200 bonus.

There is supposed to be a baseball game tonight, but I'm waiting to hear that it is cancelled. The heat is excessive, and severe storms are predicted. For either reason, the game should be cancelled.

BFF arrived on Friday, and left a few hours ago. We had a good time together.

I spent no money on eating out. We did a mystery shop lunch, which provided a meal for both of us, and for the rest of the weekend, I served food at home.

BFF was on a shopping kick. She needed summer clothes. With Carson Pirie Scott going out of business, the time was right for her to stock up on things. I accompanied her to the store three different times, but I spent nothing there myself.

We also went to two Goodwill's together and that's where I spent just a little. The total for the two trips was $15. I found a new purse (yay!) and I bought some gift wrap, as well as a pitcher, a plate and a bud vase. I also got a top for my granddaughter to complete an outfit I am putting together for her next birthday.

My favorite find was the bud vase. It was only $1 and is hand-painted multicolor Delft, in perfect condition. I may resell it someday, but I want to enjoy it first. It's probably worth about $40.

That was it! Our main entertainment was the time we spent with each other.

I got a $15 check from mystery shopping this weekend, too, so I guess the weekend was covered!

More spending today. I got a reminder that it was my Florida DIL's birthday. I hadn't forgotten that it was coming up soon, but I lost track of the day. Quel surprise! I sent her a card with a $50 Panera gift card enclosed and texted her my apology for being late.

I also bought a cute desktop organizer for my local DIL's birthday, which is next week. $12. I have another gift in reserve, a globe stand, for which I paid $27, so I need to find another small gift for her.

Next month I'll begin giving token gifts of $10 or less, as gap year goes into full swing. I didn't want to do it this month, as I will still be in gap year mode next June, and the girls would get shortchanged two years in a row.

I took GS1 out to lunch at Noodles & Co., but DIL will reimburse me.

I donated $4 to a fundraiser for a family whose son died in a random act of violence.

Variables are at 72%.

BFF arrives tomorrow, but before she arrives I'll go to the dentist. I'm also planning to close my Chase account, but only if my last payment from the College is processed. And if I have time, I'll get the haircut I've been putting off.

Today's spending was .65 for an ice cream cone at McDonalds, and $22 for a pair of beach sandals. I ordered the sandals from DSW, using a $10 coupon, and I'll pick them up at the store tomorrow. I hope they'll feel okay, but really, they're just for walking on the sand. I didn't own any footwear that wouldn't be ruined by sand and water.

I can't wear ordinary flip-flops -- they cause me pain -- but these are slides with a wide upper band, so I think they will work.

I received a $3 Pine Cone payment. So far this month I've only collected $13 in extra income; it's been slow. But I'm owed $65 in mystery shop wages; I hope some of that comes in soon.

Variables are at 64%. Two weeks until payday.

Kind of a lousy day. I didn't feel good, and the weather is still crummy.

GS1 had an argument with his mom this morning and came over all out of sorts.

I have been wrestling all day with two mystery shop assignments that I can't seem to complete to the satisfaction of the agents. I am beginning to feel like I'm not cut out for it. The assignments are so demanding and sometimes require behavior that I feel is rude or deceptive. And the pay for the time spent is ridiculous.

I know I need the money, but.......

In financial news, I spent only $1.50 today on a load of laundry. And I ordered a $25 Panera gift card using the points earned on my BOA travel card.

I didn't spend anything today. It's cool and rainy, and GS1 didn't pressure me to go anywhere. We played a game of Monopoly in the morning, made lunch together, and went to the (wet) park in the afternoon to shoot hoops.

There is an away game tonight, and I will ride there with my son.

I will have a shorter day with GS1 tomorrow, and afterwards, a mystery shop at the comic book store.

Things are falling apart on me! My purse started flaking so bad I had to throw it away. The handle on my microwave suddenly started dropping chips. I've thrown out a bunch of underwear and socks that gave up the ghost. It's like my stuff knows that Gap Year is here and it's all coming to pieces!

I resurrected an old purse, but it has handle problems and I don't know how long it will hold up. I'm really not in the mood to buy new stuff, I just want to lay low and be super-frugal, just for the coming year. Sigh.

I did a last-minute mystery shop today, which involved checking out a clothing store, trying something on, buying it and then returning it. The top I tried on was $66! So shocking to look at retail prices, when I'm used to buying used clothing.

I would never pay $66 for a top.

I will net $20, which really isn't much for all the time I put into it, but I guess I wasn't doing anything else, anyway.

After GS2 took off on the bus for camp, I went to a local bakery with the rest of the family. Someone picked up my tab for a donut and coffee. Sweet! I thought that once I got home I would just go back to bed, because I had a really rough night, but I'm still going. I hope tonight will be better. I do usually get a good night's sleep after a bad one.

I just got my auto policy declarations for Jane Honda. Quite a jump in price! Not unexpected. But the actual bill has not come yet, though I think it's coming soon. I will put it on my new Wells Fargo card, to go toward earning that $200.

I went to the gym this morning and then stopped at Aldi, where I spent $9 on a few groceries. I also stopped at Sam's and bought gas for $29.

I did a $1.50 load of laundry this afternoon.

Variables are now at 62%. 18 days till payday.

I have a dentist appointment coming up next week which will probably ruin my nicely-laid plans for coming in under budget. Not that I'm having anything special done; it's just a checkup. But without dental insurance, even checkups are expensive.

On the same day, BFF will arrive for her visit. I'm planning on making this one pretty cheap. She knows about my gap year and about my new car, so she's not going to be expecting a lot of frolicking.

Tomorrow I'm seeing GS2 off to camp, and it will be just GS1 and me for the rest of the week. Hope I can keep him entertained!

Well, I didn't do anything I had planned today, because I got panicked about Iggy and took him to the vet. He had a perfectly round bald spot on his belly, and I got on the internet and decided it was ringworm. Which wouldn't have been good, because it's contagious to humans and requires a lot of care, including sequestering the cat and washing everything in hot water.

I took him in for a walk-in appointment (luckily, it wasn't busy.) And I learned I was looking at -- his nipple! Geez. Well, at least it gave me the opportunity to have his ears checked again -- he is prone to earmites -- and I got his nails clipped. The vet also basically did an annual checkup. It cost me $80. But at least I know everything is okay.

I decided my haircut could be put off for another week. And since it was pouring down rain, I didn't feel like going anywhere, especially not to the credit union which is some distance away.

So I had a "kitchen day." I made a chicken pot pie and a strawberry smoothie. I made a new batch of granola. I made apple pinwheels out of puff pastry, chopped apple, mayo and honey. I've run the dishwasher once and it's almost full again!

Otherwise I've spent the day reading, as well as watching a John Cusack/Morgan Freeman movie I had never seen, "The Contract."

Iggy is curled up on the bed, licking his wounds after his morning ordeal. Poor guy. He hates the vet and he gets so wrought up. It was a shame I had to put him through it for no reason, but it's good I got the annual done, anyway.

The boys and I had a pizza picnic today. DIL reimbursed me for that, and for the haircut a few days ago. We set up Zelle to make it easier.

I signed up for another mystery shop next week. Ironically, it's at the same comic book shop where I spent so much time on Tuesday, waiting for the boys to decide on how to spend their gift certificate. I feel like I already know the employees!

I made plans with BFF for a weekend visit (here) next weekend.

Tomorrow I'm planning on getting a haircut.

I may go visit my credit union to see if I can get a lower mortgage payment. My balance is low enough to switch to an equity line of credit -- which I was planning to do when the ARM ran out. It runs out next summer, but if I could get a lower payment by switching now, I'll do it.

My Cap One deposit of $407 appeared in my checking account today. One consolidation done. I'm also planning to close my Chase account as soon as the last College payment is deposited on the 15th. It has served its purpose -- to pocket the College money and to fund my new car. I'll move the remains to my BOA account and my credit union.

I'll be glad to get past next month, when all the remaining car expenses will hit the credit cards. After that, it should be smooth sailing, barring any new big expenses!

The second day of day care went great -- and no spending! I did spend $10 of DIL's money for the boys to work out in the batting cages at a local sports center. Then we made lunch together -- chicken sliders and sauteed spinach and mushrooms. Well, they only ate the sliders, but they loved them! In the afternoon they practiced their instruments and played with Legos.

I have promised them Jet's Pizza tomorrow. I've told them we can eat out once a week, but we will make our own lunch the rest of the week.

GS1 has a baseball game tonight at 7:45 -- at a location 40 minutes away! I may bum a ride with my son. Even though I'll have to be there early, since my grandson has to be there early, it will be better than driving home alone. And trying to find a parking place when I return at 11 or so.

Before going over this morning, I went to the gym and then did a load of laundry. I'm trying to keep up on my regular things even though I am "working" now.

In financial news, I received $10 from mystery shopping. Every little bit helps.

Just finished my first full day with the boys -- actually, it was only from 9:30 to 3:30, so not even a full day. We went to the library in the morning and then went shopping at a comic book store in the afternoon-- they had a gift certificate. GS1 made lunch -- Kraft mac & cheese. The only down side of the day is that I had to pay $4 in parking. I tried to get under the one-hour mark in the parking garages (which is free) but once the hour passes you owe $2. I guess I'll go back to parking meters.

Yesterday I spent $14 at Food4Less.

Variables are at 50%. There were several items I forgot to record in variables, including my license plates and my wheel tax, so it took a jump. This number makes more sense. I was doing so well, it couldn't be right!

Next month I have big credit card bills coming due, mostly related to the purchase of the new car. To help pay them, I closed my Cap One Sharebuilder account, which will net me around $400. I opened that account years ago when they were running a deal where they would match a $75 deposit. I mostly just watched it for fun; I haven't done anything with it. Now I can use the cash.

Just got my Wells Fargo Visa card and set up the account. But when I tried to use it at the parking garage it didn't work. Hope I will not continue to have a problem with it.

Yesterday my big outing was a mystery shop at a burger place, so I had a good dinner -- more than I usually eat, really. On the way home from that, I stopped at Jewel to get the MyMixx freebies -- since I was so late this weekend there was only one left, a squeezable tube of cream cheese. Too bad, I was really looking forward to the pint of ice cream!

Earlier in the day I went to the library and checked out two books.

I also baked two loaves of bread. For a brief moment, I thought -- this is the best batch ever! But it turned out they actually rose a little too much, and they collapsed a little in oven -- so the tops are concave rather than convex. They were hard to slice! But they will taste good.

Today is the last day of school. Tomorrow I'll be on child care duty while DIL works. I'm going to develop a summer "bucket list" with the boys to give us some direction as far as activities go.

Monday is the last day of school, so I will be spending more time on child care soon. And the 15th of this month will see my last payout from the College. Thus, Gap Year will officially begin. Another change -- my nephew and his family are moving out west, much sooner than they thought because their condo sold so quickly. They will be missed.

There were two baseball games yesterday. I bought a hot dog between the two, for $3.

My Planet Fitness annual fee hit my credit card to the tune of $29. I'm glad I'm getting such things out of my way before Gap Year officially begins.

Variables are at 16%.

I found .13 yesterday! Ball parks are really good places for finding stray change!

I did a Pine Cone survey so that will be another $3 coming in. And I have $46 outstanding in mystery shops, not counting reimbursements.

Today I'm going to make a trip to the library to stock up on some reading material, and in the evening I have a mystery shop (restaurant) in a nearby suburb. Stuff to do at home includes making bread, making corn pone pie, and cleaning the fish tank.

GS2 has already requested a trip to the roller rink this summer. Oy! I'll be sitting on the sideline, for sure.

Yesterday I completed a mystery shop at a phone/internet/cable carrier -- not mine. Well, I'm considering switching, because the plan they presented to me would save me $25 a month. But that doesn't count those dreaded added fees, which might easily eat up the bulk of the savings. The downside is that I would probably have to change my phone number, and of course, there is an activation fee and new stuff to learn. But I would get more channels and a new phone (which I don't need).

I'm not naming the carrier because of the terms of the mystery shop.

I'm probably not going to do it. But I might.

Other than that, I had my free lunch at Panera, and on the way home, I got a free donut from Dunkin Donuts -- I did have to buy a cup of coffee there for $1.19. Can't drink coffee that late in the day, but I put it in the fridge and had it this morning cold with creamer.

Then it was off to a baseball game in the evening, but it was so bitterly cold and windy, I ended up taking my younger grandson home before the 4th inning, and I don't even know yet who won.

During the day, I did a $1.50 load of laundry.

It is time to make bread again, but since there's a baseball game today, I probably won't do it today. Tomorrow is pretty free, except for an evening mystery shop at a restaurant.

I applied for a free transit pass for seniors. For the first time, my income is low enough to qualify. It's not approved yet, because they have to check the numbers, but since I took them straight from my most recent tax filing, I don't think there will be any problem. Free transit will be great -- I can use the trains and buses, and that should save me on gas and parking.

Just went to Sam's and spent $7 on a bundle of 8 packages of penne. I think that's going to become my all-purpose pasta! I'm already planning to cook it with marinara, ground beef and zucchini, and then again in an Alfredo sauce with chicken and mushrooms.

Variables are now at 13%.

I bought my younger grandson a kid-size, half-price shake yesterday ($1.65) while his brother played at graduation.

I also went to Aldi and spent $10.

Variables are at 12%.

I filed a class action claim for Bertolli olive oil, but I'm not sure how much I will get, or when.

I got an invitation from Chase to apply for another credit card -- $150 bonus for $500 in three months spending. That's a better deal than the one I already applied for, but I can't handle two bonus cards in the same period. I also got an offer from Citi for a $100 bonus after $500 spending.

I suppose I could just ignore the Wells Fargo card and take up one of the better deals instead, but I hate to mess with my credit rating. Taking out new credit cards to earn bonuses is an easy way to make money, but it also makes me nervous.

Today I have a mystery shop at a phone store. Then I'll get a free lunch at Panera, and at 4, I'll be taking care of the boys. That will involve taking them to baseball practice at 5:30. There will be a game at 7:45.

Not sure why I'm getting a free lunch from Panera, but they sent me an offer for a free "pick 2" lunch this week.

Looking forward to cooler weather today!