I ordered a book on Amazon today, intending to use my credits, but somehow I ended up paying with my Amazon Visa card.  Oh well, the credits will be good for something else.  The book is authored by an acquaintance of mine from the past -- I recently read a review which said it was the best book the reviewer had read this year.  So it will be interesting to read.  The book was $18.

I also went to Aldi and bought some staples as well as all the stuff I need for Saturday's Christmas lunch.  I spent $95, which is unusually high for me, but the Christmas meal is always expensive.  I will probably have lots of leftovers.

My problem with the mortgage lender was resolved this morning.  It was a simple matter of the property management company updating the information on their website, but they had neglected to do it, and I was caught in the middle.  Today I downloaded an up-to-date certificate and uploaded it on the lender's insurance site, and all is well (I think).  Could have been so simple, but it was a nightmare because someone didn't do their job.

Forgot to mention, I got my hair cut - $73 for the cut, and I tipped the stylist $20 because it is the Christmas season.  He does a really good job, but I have to figure out how to get a good cut cheaper.  I've been stretching out appointments to 12 weeks, and that helps some.

Another expenditure, next day.  I bought some plants for my kitchen window - $53.  Well, that includes the cost of decorative pots.  Everything is so expensive!  But the window looks much better, and the kitchen is cozier.  What spurred me on was that I am hosting our local family Christmas get-together tomorrow.  They haven't seen my place in a while and I wanted it to look nice.

Variables are at 73%, with two weeks to go.