I made a short trip to Aldi this morning, where I spent $31.  I stuck to 10 items, even though there were many temptations.  Even 10 items are heavy to carry up three flights.  

I found a nickel in the parking lot!  Since I started counting, way back in 2011, I've picked up $105.48!  It's been very slim pickin's the last year, though.

This afternoon I made lemon "brownies" -- no, they are not brown, it's a deceptive name.  It's really a small one-layer lemon cake.  Delicious. 

I stocked up on library books yesterday and I'm enjoying a pleasant day on the couch!

I had a fun day with BFF yesterday.  We met in the middle for lunch.  Lunch, by the way, was really cheap this time, only $9!  Afterwards, since we are both fully vaccinated, we visited two different Goodwills, and I spent $17 -- mostly kitchen stuff -- ladels, ramekins, drawer organizers, and a pretty red basket.  I spent $21 on gas, and bought a soft drink for the road for $2.  Another unexpected expense -- I bought a phone charger for the car.  I don't know why I didn't realize I would need this when I bought the other.  I got in the car yesterday morning and tried to plug in my phone, and of course it didn't fit.  I did not use my map app to get to my destination -- I knew it well enough -- but I felt more comfortable on the way home with my phone plugged in and my map app directing me.  Anyway, the phone charger was $19.

Variables are now at 63%.

I was thinking of ordering some comfy clothes for my vacation coming up, but since variables are running so high this month -- not to mention I had to buy a windshield -- I decided to make do with what I have.

It was another shopping day.  I went to Panera first and got the Tuesday special -- a baker's dozen of bagels, plus I had a free one coming, so 14 bagels are now in the freezer.  $8.  Then I went to PetSmart and stocked up on the cat food that Iggy likes -- $41.  Best Buy was nearby, so I went in and bought a charger for my new phone - $17.  Then I went to Sam's and spent $43 on groceries, mostly produce.  I also renewed my membership for $40.

Clearly I can't leave the $250 cost of replacing the windshield in variables, so it went on the Big Ticket spreadsheet.  Variables are now at 53%.

GS2 came over for his second lesson on giving Iggy fluids.  He's going to take care of him while I'm in Oregon.  He is still struggling with inserting the needle -- afraid of hurting him.  More lessons coming.

I just arranged -- finally -- to have my table picked up for repair and refinishing.  Because of the shop's workload, it won't happen until May 17, but that's fine.  That will be after I come back from Oregon, and I will be ready!

I just redeemed $14 in cashback rewards from Discover.  I've been keeping track of extra income this year, and so far it's been $3,068.  Most of that is the two stimulus payments.  I don't have much extra income anymore.  I stopped doing mystery shopping, and Pine Cone doesn't send me surveys anymore.  I somehow got off their radar after I tried to use their app.  That's okay; I don't really like doing the surveys, and it's not that much income.

I also took a look at my "big ticket" spending last year and found that I averaged $1K per month in spending that is not part of my variables budget.  Last year it included things like getting my ceiling replaced, getting a lot of electrical work done, some major car repairs, a new computer, Christmas spending, and donations to my grandkids' college funds.  I was surprised it was that high.  I'm okay -- my net worth has continued to slowly rise -- but I do hope that this year won't be quite as costly.  So far I'm averaging $430 per month, which is more where I would like it to be -- but you never know what's going to happen.  Getting the table done, for sure, will push that up.

I got my windshield replaced today.  The plan was for them to come to me, but it rained all day, so the technician and I agreed to meet at the company site.  It was a bit of a drive, but I took the opportunity to stop at Panera and get my free bagel.  I am entitled to a free one every day this month, but since our nearest Panera closed, it's not easy to just pop in.  I'll get a bagel when I am somewhere near a Panera.

I also did a load of laundry.  

BFF and I made plans to meet at the halfway point for lunch next Friday.

My Oregon son and DIL got their COVID vaccines yesterday!  And my local son and DIL are getting theirs tomorrow morning.  Now everyone except the under-16's are vaccinated.  Such a good feeling.

Feeling much better this morning, I headed out to do some grocery shopping.  But when I got in my car, I saw that the windshield was cracked!  I got out and checked all around the car to see if there was any other damage, and there was not.  I don't know what could have happened!  I called my insurance company and someone will come out tomorrow to replace it, but since I have a deductible I will have to pay $250.

I went ahead and drove to Aldi, where I spent $26, PetSmart, where I spent $8, and my vet's office, where I spent $47 on fluids and kidney care cat food.  I had to buy a large bag of food because they were out of the smaller size.

Variables are at 31% only one week in.  I'm going to try to cash flow the cost of the windshield, because I've had to make withdrawals from savings the last two months.  I don't want to do that again.  But it will be tough.

I got my second shingles shot yesterday.  It was a $47 copay.  My reaction to the first shot was pretty bad -- spiking fever, terrible discomfort.  This time it was better, but I was still uncomfortable.  Today I seem to be over the worst of it, but I am tired from lack of sleep.

While I was at Walgreens, I spent $7 on groceries -- vital things like bread, popcorn and creamer!  Variables are at 17%.

I did not buy a new laundry hamper.  I pulled one out of storage which was packed with old sheets and pillows.  I moved the pillows somewhere else and put the sheets in my Goodwill box.  I moved the hamper to my bedroom, and it is just right.  Nothing spent.

I need to do more grocery shopping, but I'm planning on resting today.

My son came home from Florida and I finally got my new phone working.  There are some hurdles -- passwords to remember or reset -- but I'm getting there.

We got takeout yesterday and played a card game together.  It was so much fun.  My son and DIL are scheduled for vaccines next week, and my Oregon son and DIL are going to work on getting appointments today.  This is all so encouraging.

Starting today, I can get my second shingles shot.  (I had to wait a full month after second COVID vaccine.)  I am not sure I will do it today, though.  I was pretty sick after the first one, and today I am working on little sleep, not feeling the greatest.  I'd rather start out feeling good.  People tell me the second one is worse than the first, so I am not looking forward to it.

Not much to report financially.  I may make another Amazon order today.  I need a new laundry hamper, something that fits better in my bedroom.

This morning I took four rolls of quarters down to the laundry room and then foolishly left them out in the open when I left.  Luckily I remembered pretty quickly and went back down.  They were still there.  I locked them away in my storage closet.

I ordered a few things from Amazon this morning - mascara, a silverware tray, and a plastic basket.  Total was $40.  It adds up!  They should arrive tomorrow.

Yesterday I got breakfast and lunch at drive-thru's.  $12 in total.  Reason being: I picked up my son's cat from the sitter in the morning and then spent most of the day with her.  I can't let her stay with me because she picks on Iggy, and she has claws, and he doesn't.  I'll go spend some time with her today, too.

Housing - $801

Medical/Health - $342

Furnishings/Equipment/Decor - $302

Fees/Services - $229

Utilities - $209

Personal - $128

Groceries - $113

Phone - $52

Entertainment - $46

Eating Out/Takeout - $31

Gifts/Charity - $29

Vet/Pet Supplies - $27

Laundry - $16

Gas - $15

Household Supplies - $12

Home Repair/Maintenance - $3

Grand Total - $2355

Variables - 104%

Housing - I paid a bit more toward my mortgage so I could get the balance below $58K.  I love to hit milestones.

Medical/Health - the bulk of this was panoramic x-rays at the dentist.

Furnishings/Equipment/Decor - most of this was the cost of a new smartphone.

Fees/Services - mostly a subscription renewal to Ancestry.com, as well as replenishment of my tollway account.

Utilities - a bit higher than usual because gas payment hit twice this month.

Personal - a haircut and stock-up on hair supplies

Nothing else needs comment, except an update from yesterday on my gift category.  I withdrew $40 from the bank yesterday in order to give $10 to each of my grandkids for Easter.  I mailed off two of them to Oregon, so that's what I counted.  The other $20 will be logged in April, when I give it to my local grandkids.  I bought some candy and cards yesterday, but did not log them because I used a gift card.

I get a small interest-only payout from my retirement fund each month.  This month (and for the coming year) it was reduced by 15%.  I had to make adjustments in my variables plan, but it will be fine.

This will definitely be temporary, because in January I will have to start taking RMD's, which will yield a higher payout.

I was going to do my March recap, but I remembered that I have to get Easter cards and send $$ to the grandchildren, so my spending for this month is not done.  Can't believe Easter snuck up on me like this!  But I believe I say that every year.

With my adjusted variables budget, I have spent 90%, but that does not count the above.

I'll check in with you tomorrow with my March recap.

I took a short walk to Walgreens yesterday and picked up a prescription refill for $3.  I intended to take the long way home and get more exercise, but my toe was bleeding -- irritation from the shoe I was wearing.  I was also feeling some acid reflux, so I just wanted to get home.

Variables are at 83%, with five days to go.  That is good, but my savings have taken a hit, with buying a phone and getting panoramic x-rays at the dentist.

I finally talked with the refinisher.  He had not responded to my email because he is swamped with work, and has no one doing the front office work right now.  He asked me to call again in a couple of weeks, when he hopes he will be more caught up.

Well, yesterday was expensive, as I expected.  Not only did I order a new phone, but at the dentist's office it was time for panoramic x-rays, so the cost for that and cleaning was $254.  Then I got my fancy haircut.  I say fancy, because I went to an upscale salon, and I paid the price - $70 for the haircut and $14 for a tip, because I'm not going to stiff the stylist, who did such a good job.  Yes, I do like the haircut.  I kept my hair longish, but he cut in some long layers, which means I can use my natural wavy hair rather than trying to fight it.  He also reshaped it in general, and advised me to grow out the sides of my bangs, because my bangs are too wide.  Cutting my own bangs for a year has been a bit of a disaster!

The question is -- will I go back?  I feel I can go quite a while without a trim, so I have some time to decide.  It is clear that there is value in getting an expert to do the job, and I look better than I have in a long time.  But that's a big chunk of my budget, so I'm going to have to decide if it's really worth it to me.  I might not feel the pain so much if I hadn't already spent more than $500 that day.

I had a great day yesterday visiting with BFF in a town midway between where we live.  We had lunch and spent several hours sitting outside on a park bench, talking.  My lunch cost $15, a stop at an ice cream shop cost $4, and I spent $15 on gas.  I didn't really need it, but I was in the land of cheaper gas, and I never pass it up.

This morning I bought a new phone!  It's the budget-friendly Moto G5, $283 from Amazon.  It will arrive on Monday.  Hope my old phone holds out till then.  On top of all its other glitchiness, it's now crashing apps.  I wish I didn't have to transfer to a new phone while my son is out of town, but surely I can figure it out.

I have figured out that I must have been using an old email address when I was trying to contact the refinisher.  I never took the time to call, because I have been so busy -- and I continue to be busy today -- but I will call tomorrow.

As for today, I'll be going to the dentist and then to the hairdresser.  I might have to grab a lunch at a drive-through in between; the appointments are only 2 hours apart.

I took a walk yesterday and stopped at Walgreens about mid-way.  I stocked up on shampoo and conditioner (BOGO deals), and I also bought an eyebrow pencil.  I was so thrilled to find one that is gray (my hair is almost white) but it's pretty dark, really looks about the same as the black pencil, so definitely TOO DARK for my face, but maybe I can learn to use a light hand.  The Walgreens purchases totalled $33.  Variables are at 71%.

Tomorrow I'm meeting BFF halfway for lunch.  We are both fully vaccinated now so this is a celebration meal.  Then on Tuesday I'm going to the dentist for a cleaning and getting my hair cut.  So there's probably no way I'll come in under on variables, but maybe I can make it up next month.

Yesterday was the 14th day after my second vaccination, so it was my hug day!  I went over to my son's house and hugged them all, very energetically!  It felt so good.  Afterwards, they took off for their spring break in Florida.  They cleaned out their fridge while I was there and sent me home with two bags of food.  So far I've eaten a chicken-veggie-brown rice casserole, a big salad, and a stir fry courtesy of their gift.  I have added to the freezer: orange chicken, rice, more of the same casserole, and homemade taco sauce.  Later today I will make sausage gravy (for breakfast tomorrow) and broccoli cheese soup for supper.  I have been snacking on blackberries.  There is pepperoni, cottage cheese and deli turkey for later.  I'm probably forgetting things.  I won't have to grocery shop again for a while.

Later in the day, my new hairdresser called and asked for a $25 deposit for my upcoming haircut on Tuesday.  That's something new to me.  Maybe because I'm a new customer?  I had them put it on my Discover card.  It will go toward my haircut.  I'm used to paying less than that, but this isn't Supercuts!  I'm going with a stylist who cut my hair once a couple of years ago (had a gift certificate).  He was exceptionally good.  I figure in order to deal with this mop of unruly pandemic hair, I will need someone good, at least for the first cut.

I also spent $6 to rent "Promising Young Woman."  It was okay.  I probably could have skipped it.

It's my pay day, and I got the stimulus payment today.  So it's like a double pay day.  I paid my bills and I ran a few errands -- grocery shopping at Aldi ($31), and pet supplies at PetSmart ($14) and the vet ($14).  Variables are at 62%, with two more weeks to go.

I sent an email to the guy I was in touch with last year about refinishing my table.  He hasn't responded yet.  If I don't hear by tomorrow, I will call.  I started with email because I could forward the conversation we had before, as well as pictures of the table.  Now that I have the money in hand, I'm really eager to get going on it.

Yesterday was my house call from UnitedHealthcare.  Ironically, it was a snowy day.  That's ironic because I cancelled twice previously due to bad weather.  I guess bad weather just couldn't be avoided.  It didn't affect me, but I hated to be forcing the nurse-practitioner out in such weather.  She didn't seem to mind, though she was glad I was her last patient.

All the tests were good, and I was declared healthy, though it was hinted that I should lose weight.  Yes, I knew that.  I've wanted to lose weight my whole life (except childhood) but at this point in my life I have accepted that I will never be able to do that, and I am just concentrating now on eating healthy.  Dieting makes me physically and mentally miserable.

I will get  a $15 gift card (Visa, I think) in the mail some time in the next six weeks.  She also left me some coasters with UnitedHealthcare plastered on them.  I doubt that I will use them, as I already have more decorative ones, but whatever.  Kind of reminds me of being in fundraising -- we were always giving junk to donors that they didn't want.

I looked it up, and I'm scheduled to get my stimulus payment tomorrow.  Feeling rich, I impulsively ordered a book from Amazon that I saw advertised on Today -- "The Call to Unite."  It looks like it will be the kind of inspirational reading that I like to keep around.  The book was $24.  Variables are at 56%.

My original plan was to go to Aldi today, but I'm going to wait another day in hopes that the snow melts, and I won't have to clean off the car.  I will do some laundry today, though.

No one has posted in a few days, and before that, comments wouldn't stick.  I'm guessing we have technical trouble again on the site.  If I'm right, this won't post!

I haven't spent anything in the past few days and I don't plan to today.  I've checked my bank account every day, but so far no deposit of the stimulus payment.  As soon as it posts, I'll start the process of getting my table refinished.

Two more days to pay day, and four more days to being fully vaccinated (that is, 14 days after my second shot).  On that day, I'm going to hug my grandsons.  Hard.

I returned to my old standby, buying only ten items at the grocery store.  Makes me focus, keeps the bill down, and ten items are manageable to carry up three flights of stairs.  I spent $28.  Biscuists, crescent rolls, shredded cheese, a bath poof, baby carrots, strawberries, raspberries, apples, baked beans and bread.

I ordered a frame from Amazon.  With cash back discount, it was only $8.

Variables are at 51%.

Yesterday my ancestry.com subscription hit my Discover card.  Every year I forget about this!  It's not cheap.  $189.  But I have a huge family tree on the site and I don't know how to disengage without losing that information.

This morning I went to Panera and got the baker's dozen bagel special, along with three containers of cream cheese.  $11 for quite a few breakfasts in the future.

Those two expenditures took variables to 47% quite early in the month.  Yikes!

I walked to the post office on this beautiful, springlike day to buy stamps.  It's now $11 for a book of forever stamps.  I didn't realize that.  It's been a while since I've bought them.  I use stamps rarely now.

I also did another $2 load of laundry.  Variables are now at 20%.

I'm feeling much better today -- back to normal, in fact.  I did a load of laundry ($2), and I made spaghetti sauce with meatballs, and a pot of chili.  I haven't eaten either one yet; I'm letting them sit in the fridge.  They are so much better after sitting a while.  Another kitchen task I need to do, which I haven't done yet, it to cut up two onions and flash freeze them.  They are getting a bit old, and I don't want to waste them.

I decided to wait on my grocery shopping until my Discover card cycle re-ups on the 11th.  With the car repairs last month, the Discover bill is pretty high; no point in adding to it.  There is still plenty of food in the freezer and pantry.  My fresh produce is down to two apples, but I have plenty of frozen vegetables.

I'm glad the stimulus package passed, and I can count on another $1400 in my budget.  I will stimulate the economy by paying a local craftsman to refinish my dining room table.  At least, I hope he is still available.  It was a  year ago that I first spoke to him about it.  So much as happened since then!

It's almost springlike today, yet there are still patches of snow on the ground, like tea leaves in the bottom of a cup.  I won't believe it's really spring until they're all gone!

I got my second COVID vaccine yesterday (Moderna).  It was quite a pinch in my arm, and today my arm is still pretty sore.  I am also feeling just under the weather in general.  I trust that these reactions will go away soon.  I am very glad to be fully vaccinated, and not complaining at all.

Before it was time to go for my shot, I washed my hair, and when I was brushing it, the brush got tangled up in my longish locks.  I mean really tangled.  I mean, I spent two hours trying to extricate it, and in the end, I had to cut it out.  I didn't have to cut a lot of hair and it isn't very noticeable, but when my two weeks of "curing" after the shot are done, I'm going to get a professional cut.  I've had it with this COVID hair.  Not getting cuts is cheap, but my hair is not suited for length; it's too thick and wavy.

After I got my shot I picked up a couple of sympathy cards.  I haven't sent them yet.  I want to include letters, and today I am just not feeling well enough to do a good job of that.  The cards were $8.  Variables are now at 18%.

I am getting low on produce and need to do some shopping, but again, that is for another day.  Today is all about taking it easy.

Yesterday I took a walk to Walgreens and spent $85.  $60 went to OTC drugs, $18 for groceries, and $7 for razors.  While I was there I inquired about making an appointment for my second shingles shot.  I recently got a letter from them saying I should do that.  I was advised by the pharmacist on duty that I did NOT need to make an appointment (????) and that I should just come in 30 days after I get my second COVID shot -- which is tomorrow.  I hope that when I do that, I won't find out that they are completely booked with COVID appointments.  It seems pretty likely, but whatever.

Variables are now at 17%.

So tomorrow is the big day for my second COVID shot.  I'm pretty jazzed.  I know it will be 14 more days before I am fully protected, but just being this far along is so exciting.

I am concerned about the states already throwing off all restrictions.  That is so concerning.  I'm glad I don't live in one of them!

I made a trip to Aldi today.  I intended to go back to my old strategy of only ten items at a time -- especially now that being vaccinated is making me feel less fearful about getting out of the house more often -- but I ended up getting 17 items.  They fit into two bags, which was kind of the idea, anyway.  $39.  Carrying groceries up three flights is one of my least favorite things to do.

I also made a stop at Home Depot and bought a specialty paintbrush so I can finish painting my radiator.  That was $3.

Variables are at 6%.

I won't be spending anything today, so I did my February recap:

Housing: $795

Car Repair/Maintenance: $792

Taxes: $510

Vacation/Travel: $210

Utilities: $154

Groceries: $146

Gifts/Charity: $132

Medical/Health: $84

Phone: $52

Vet/Pet Supplies: $45

Entertainment: $36

Eating Out/Takeout: $17

Gas: $16

Laundry: $14

Home Repair/Maintenance: $13

Household Supplies: $7

Grand Total: $3023

Variables: 97%

Items of note: 

The high cost of car repair involved a new battery, new tie rods, wheel alignment, oil change, new cabin filter, and new wipers.  Plus all the related labor expenses.

Taxes were my property taxes, first semi-annual installment.

Vacation/Travel - my plane ticket to Oregon.  First time I've used this category since 2019!

Utilities were low because my natural gas bill did not hit during this short month.

Groceries were higher than average ($133 last year).  Lots of fresh produce.

Gifts - one birthday, Valentines Day, various small donations

Medical/Health - Medicare Advantage premium, urgent care visit, x-ray, medical masks

Pet Supplies - Aquarium filter, fluids, needles

Entertainment - Streaming, Football Pool

Laundry - I don't know why it's so low!  I hope I counted every load!

My car repair cost $445.  That was after a $30 coupon.  They replaced two tie rods and did a wheel alignment.  I am hoping this will be it for a while.

It's promising to be in the fifties this weekend, and I'm delighted.  It will be a no-spend weekend for me, as I come to the end of the month with variables at 97%.  I plan to get out and walk, maybe even take a walk along the lake, which has been too treacherous lately.

Meals will be easy this weekend.  Yesterday I made green rice and still have plenty left over.  Today I'm going to make smashed potatoes/carrots.  Maybe that's smashed root vegetables?  Anyway, I'm working with what I have on hand that needs to be used up.

Other than that, I'm going to hole up and read!

I don't think I mentioned a few days ago that I got my tax refund.  It is $909.  It will pay for my plane ticket, my car repair, and some left over!

I got the news last night that GS1 has been selected for the baseball travel team this summer.  Last summer, at the end of the season, he was talking about not playing baseball anymore, so this was especially sweet news.  I guess he just needed a break, and to know that he could walk away from it if he chose to.  I was wondering what I would do for entertainment!

Sunny days are continuing -- the ice and snow are melting!  But we have a ton of it, so it will be around for a while.  My biggest concern is that the vaccine delivery process doesn't get interrupted again, and that it will be a clear day when I head out for my second shot.

I bought a plane ticket today.  Finally I will visit my son in Oregon.  I have not seen my DIL or grandchildren for THREE YEARS!!!  The first year I was in my lean, gap year and couldn't afford anything but the most basic things, so I did not do any traveling.  Soon after my finances recovered, my son lost his job.  He did not want me to visit until he found a new one, moved, and got settled.  After a few months, he found this job in Oregon.  Just as I was making plans to go, the stupid pandemic hit.  It has been so, so frustrating.  I have been able to see my son a couple of times when he came to Chicago for conferences.  But to lose that time with the kids, especially -- it's been heartbreaking.

I will be fully vaccinated on March 5.  I got the ticket for May 6, because my son said that would be the best time for them.  I can't wait.  I just can't wait.

The ticket was surprisingly cheap -- only $211 round trip.  Alaska Air, which I've never flown before.

I also bought a 10-pack of N95 face masks for $13 from Groupon.  I'll save those for the trip.  I know there will still be some risk despite my vaccination, but it is an acceptable risk for me.  I will be very careful and take all necessary precautions.

I'm keeping the plane ticket in variables, since it is so low.  Variables are at 96%, but there are only six more days.  I do have the car repair on Friday, but it will have to come out of savings anyway.

Other than that, it was an uneventful day.  We are beginning a slow thaw, so icicles are falling from eaves and gutters.  I have to be careful to use only my front door, where there are no overhangs, so no danger.