Yesterday was a no-spend day, and I expect today will be another one -- except for one load of laundry. I have decided to designate Friday as the day to wash sheets and towels.

I've been eating out of the freezer and doing very little cooking. Today I'm going to make tuna salad, though, because I want to use up some celery.

We may have a snowstorm tomorrow, which may mess with my gym schedule. I try to go every three days to do the strength training, and I've been pretty faithful about getting that done.

I have given up on the yoga, but I'm going to look up some simple stretching exercises that I can do on a daily basis. I get cardio from the three-story climb to my condo, and I also try to walk every day (it doesn't always happen). Of course it is more difficult to walk in winter; I really have to force myself to get out there. I could walk on a treadmill at the gym, but I hate it.

I had one happy frugal success yesterday -- I used a plunger on the bathtub drain and pulled up a clog, which was pretty disgusting, but the removal of it got the water draining well again. I was thinking I had to call a plumber, but now it won't be necessary. I got this idea from The Dollar Stretcher, which is emailing me reader's tips.

The good news is that Iggy ate some wet food this morning! In fact, I saw him at the food bowl twice. I have taken away the dry food, so he is forced -- but I was afraid he might choose not to eat at all. With his kidney disease, it is important that he eat wet food. The kidney diet food would be best, but he won't eat that, and dying of malnutrition isn't a good thing, either. I read several articles on the subject, and it appears that a wet food that is 60% protein and 40% fat is acceptable. There are three flavors of Authority which meet those guidelines, and it looks like it is tasty enough that he will eat it!

I forgot to sprinkle the probiotic on it, but I will do that tomorrow. It is supposed to be tasty, as well as good for him.

He does drink a lot, but that is typical for cats with CKD. He also pees a lot.

No more spending since yesterday's entry. I'm going to the gym in a few minutes, but I won't be making any side trips. Looks like it will be a calm and uneventful day.

I've gone over the budget carefully, and it looks like every dollar that comes in on pay day will have a job. I won't be able to save very much for the table. But it occurred to me that I will probably get a tax refund in the $1000 range -- I have in the past, for quite a few years. (Even though I do not claim myself as an exemption.) So that can definitely be earmarked for table repair. As well as the insurance/warranty money, if it ever comes in.

I'm really trying to keep spending down, but I had to go to PetSmart this morning to get some cat food that Iggy might eat (he's rejecting the kidney food) and some probiotics. That was $38. Aldi is right next door, so I went over there and spent $5 on a few items. I also paid a $25 copay for the urgent care I received after the cat bite in November. It just now appeared on my account.

And last night I took the boys to IHOP for dinner, which cost $29. Variables are at 28%.

I don't see how I can get the table done in the near future, but the restoration company is not going away, and I will get it done eventually. Just won't be having any dinner parties! I still have to fulfill my promise to put $300 in each of the boys' college funds, so that will slow things down. I was counting on having the payouts from insurance and the warranty to cover this, but that money just won't appear. I'm so frustrated.

Hard to believe that it won't be long before they are using those college funds. The elder grandson is 13. So not many more years to build it up!

I got an answer from the furniture restoration company yesterday. I had previously called, and was instructed to send in some pictures and a description by email. The guy who called said he believed the table could be brought back to its former glory for about $1800-2000. Of course there will not be a hard estimate until he can see it in person, but he said he has done this a lot and he is usually right.

This was not a surprising estimate to me. And since getting a new table of the same quality would be about twice that, I am leaning strongly toward getting the restoration done. The matching chairs, breakfront, hutch and table legs are all in great condition, it would make sense to bring the tabletop back in line and have a whole set that will serve me for many years. And I could tell that the restorer loves his craft and is very experienced.

So the question is, how to pay for it? I told him I would not be doing this right away. Meanwhile, I need to plan. He did say the payment would be half up front and the second half upon finishing (which would take four to six weeks). So that would help.

It's been a busy day so far, and there is still more to do. I went to the gym, got gas ($17), went to the library to exchange books, and then came home and made chicken fried rice (from scratch, using up leftovers). I still need to do a load of laundry, clean the fish tank, and get the Christmas boxes into the closet. The latter is quite a chore. The closet is long and narrow and the Christmas boxes are big, and of course they go in the back because they won't be used again till next year. So a lot of things have to be pulled out and then put back. But at least it's better than taking them down to the basement, which is what I used to do!

I got a call this morning from the insurance agent who is working on behalf of the other party in the first accident, the one that totaled my car. He just wanted to verify some information, but it makes me hopeful that something is happening there, and that I will get my $500 payout sometime soon.

Variables are at 16%, with three and a half weeks to go till the end of the month. That seems about right.

Last night my kids and their dad and his wife invited me out to dinner. I was treated, and I also got a belated gift of $100! I decided I would use it to pay for everyday things I might otherwise put on a credit card -- groceries and such -- and then down the road I should have some wiggle room in my budget by way of lower credit card bills. (Note to any who don't know me -- I always pay my credit card bills in full each month. I don't pay interest on anything except my mortgage.)

This morning I tried out the beginner session of Yoga with Adrienne. I am so stiff in the lower body; it is clear I really need this. I'm going to do this for five days, as suggested, and see if it gets easier. I am having trouble trying to see the TV screen when I get into some of the positions, but maybe that will get easier, too, as I start to remember the sequence. I am strong from years of strength training at the gym, but my flexibility is poor.

I took all the ornaments off the tree and boxed up everything Christmas except for the tree itself, and the lights. I'll do that today. The worst part will be getting it all back into the closet, since I will have to pull everything out first. It will be good exercise!

I will also be on kitchen duty today. I'm going to make a plan for everything in my fridge. Some things will have to go into the freezer, which will be a tight fit. But I think some consolidation is possible. I'm not going to let anything go to waste. I'm going to maximize efficiency this year.

Yesterday an automatic $25 transfer went into my savings (I've had this forever) so I'm above $1,000 again. Next goal is to get it up to $2,000, even while I am paying off the car.

I went to the gym yesterday and then I spent $37 at Sam's. Only $12 of that was for groceries; the rest was for a BIG box of pads. The ones I usually buy are no longer available, so I switched brands and had to buy this box with 153 pads inside. Well, I'm set for a while and I hope I like the pads!

My gas tank was not quite halfway down, so I did not fill up. I'll probably do that on Monday, when I go back to the gym again. (The gym and Sam's are right next to each other.)

I spent the rest of the day just doing things around the house. I baked some cookies, made a great lunch for myself (soup, sandwich & salad), and also did some reading. And I watched "Marriage Story" on Netflix, which was very good, but annihilating for someone who has been through a divorce. Even though my divorce happened thirty years ago, the movie brought up some old feelings that were very painful and depressing. I texted BFF not to watch it, because I think she dwells on her divorce more than I do. But I do think the performances by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver were amazing and spot-on.

At the end of the day I got a text that my kids got home safely from Florida, and I'll probably see them this weekend.

The day got by me and when it was too late, I realized I had not called the restorer place and had not investigated the yoga class on YouTube. Oh my. This is what it's like to be retired. Time just whizzes by!

Variables are now at 14%. I'm really trying to make this an uber-frugal month. I think I have bought all my necessities. I am still awaiting the $800 refund from the warranty company, and then I can make the college fund donation for my local grandsons. It was supposed to take 60 days. We are past that, but I suppose the holidays were a factor. Any day now.

I went to Aldi yesterday and spent $58. $11 of that was for a snow broom. I've been aware that I needed to get one in order to sweep the roof of my taller car, so when I saw one at Aldi I grabbed it. It is a telescoping broom, which also has a swivel head. I assume it will make snow cleanup a lot easier on my car.

Variables are at 9%. Oh, and I ended up December with my variables at 82%. I don't think I reported that.

I was planning to go to a furniture store, but I changed my mind after I checked out some websites ahead of time. I am reconsidering the idea of getting my table repaired and refinished. I should at least get an estimate. Replacing my table with the quality of the one I already have would cost thousands. Also, there are so many reasons to keep the same table. It fits and matches with the chairs. I have custom pads to cover it. It is solid wood and it fits perfectly in the room. It is both wider and longer than most of the tables available.

There is a furniture restorer here in town, and I will call for an appointment today.

I appreciate the suggestions to look for a used table, but I think it would just be so difficult since I have to match the chairs, and used options are so much more limited. I have been a very faithful Goodwill shopper for years, and I have never seen a decent dining room table there. Not once. But there are some upscale used furniture stores in the area and I should check them out, should I decide to replace the table. And there is Craigslist.

I made cookie dough yesterday, but didn't feel like doing the baking -- nor was I very hungry. So the dough is in the fridge and I will bake the cookies today. I may freeze some of it so I don't have so many cookies all at once -- such a temptation.

I ordered my OTC meds from Healthy Benefit. With my $50 allowance, I bought 120 allergy tablets, 200 acid reducers, and 120 dairy relief tablets. That actually came to $47, but I couldn't find anything in the $3 range to use up the full allowance. All this is free to me.

Today is a gym day, and I will make a stop at Sam's afterwards. That should finish up my shopping for a while.

I left the house only once yesterday, and that was to take a short walk to the mailbox. I was sending in a $2 payment to a Wells Fargo credit card I never use. I think I mistakenly used it for an Amazon purchase without realizing it. (Clicked on the wrong button.) I'm grateful that I got a paper bill, because otherwise I might never have realized I owed some money, and it would have exploded into a much bigger bill eventually, and a ding on my credit report.

I tried to pay online, but my previous sign-in information was expired, and it was so much trouble to sign up again I just gave up and wrote a check. It was so much easier.

Also difficult online -- ordering my free OTC benefit now that UnitedHealth has switched to Walmart as the vendor. The setup is clunky. You have to toggle back and forth between the UH site and the Walmart site. You can't see the price of an item until you are ready to put it in the cart. Prices are higher. (Price is important, because you have to know you will not exceed the $50 limit.) The Walmart site entices you to order things that are not actually approved by UH. Generic versions are difficult to find. Important information (like dosage and number of pills) is hard to see. In frustration, I emptied the cart and closed the site.

I received a hard copy catalog and order sheet in the mail when the new system was announced. I'm going to order using that today. Funny how ordering online used to be considered so easy. Now, with all the layers required by security concerns, and the obvious attempts to confuse the user into buying more than he/she wants -- it is so much easier to just fill out a paper form with a pen.

Now to 2020 resolutions. I'm not making any!

But I do have some changes I want to make. I want to try out yoga, but I don't want to pay for it. (Really expensive classes around here!) I'm going to try Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. She was on the Today Show this morning, and it looks like something I can do -- and at my price -- free.

I want to get the car paid off with $300 payments to AmEx, and then, if my lifestyle doesn't feel too spartan by then, I will direct the $300 to extra principal on my mortgage.

My dining room table literally fell apart yesterday. It was cracking, and a section fell off the end. Yikes! I was going to have it refinished, but now I think its problems are too severe, and it would be too expensive. I'm going to look for a replacement. Not online. I'm going to go look at real live tables and try to find the best value. Won't be easy, as I want to keep the chairs, so the table will have to blend in. I'm going to make this a mission! We have many furniture stores around here, and I have a lot of time.

Ten years ago today –
I reported that I had spent $30,436 in the previous year. So close to what I am spending now! My net worth was $147K. I have gained $56K since then. I reached a high point in 2017, when I had $215K, but since that time I had to buy a car, and I went through my gap year.

I had spent about $5K in moving expenses, after moving from North Carolina to the Chicago area to take up a new job. And I still had some to go. I was expecting to pay it off with a tax return, which I did.

I was spending $215 a month on medical expenses (beyond the premium), and that didn’t even include the cost for a broken ankle, which I was nursing on January 1, 2010. I was wearing a boot and walking with a walker, and just getting ready to go back to work after the accident (which occurred on December 13, 2009). No, it was not a Friday.

I was rejoicing to have health insurance again, having lost it while living in North Carolina. Long story short, I wasn’t working, the premium was going up, and I couldn’t keep up with it.

I was ecstatic about the birth of my second grandson, and the engagement of my other son to a wonderful girl. Now I have two more grandchildren.

Since then I have retired and bought a condo. Life is good!

My spending was so high in December. Here's the recap, since I do not plan to spend anything today:

Gifts/Charity: 1,300
Housing: 775
Car Repair/Maintenance: 749
Insurance: 685
Utilities: 210
Groceries: 185
Fees/Services: 132
Vacation/Travel: 98
Eating Out: 62
Phone: 52
Medical/Health: 46
Gas: 39
Personal: 35
Vet/Pet Supplies: 25
Laundry: 20
Entertainment: 16
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: 15
Household Supplies: 12
Clothing: 8
Fares/Parking: 4

Grand Total: 4,468

Yeah, wow to the gift total. Part of that is donations to grandchildren's college funds, but it is mostly Christmas. I have to do better next year. I blame gap year to some degree -- until September, my income was too low to even think about buying ahead. Then from October to November I was slammed (literally) with car costs, so everything fell on December's budget. I did not find many bargains.

The car repair was the cost of my 30K service. In hindsight, I should have deferred this till January, but, oh well. Didn't know it would be so high.

Insurance (auto)-- paid it early, since I put it on a credit card to avoid withdrawal from my checking account, thus easing the January budget a little. The semi-annual premium is just a little higher than it used to be, which is a reflection of the newer car and not a punishment for the two claims I made this fall.

Groceries -- higher than usual, mostly due to hosting a party.

Fees/Services -- wheel tax, a parking ticket, replenishment of I-Pass.

Everything else is pretty much in line, business as usual.

______________________________

My annual spending was $34,090, just a little bit lower than 2018's $34,752.

Housing: 10,189
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: 5,520
Car Repair/Maintenance: 2,216
Insurance: 2,182
Utilities: 2,174
Medical/Health: 2,040
Gifts/Charity: 2,004
Groceries: 1,339
Taxes: 1087
Vet/Pet Supplies: 825
Eating Out: 717
Phone: 623
Vacation/Travel: 538
Fees/Services: 522
Clothing: 519
Gas: 430
Household Supplies: 268
Personal: 255
Entertainment: 219
Laundry: 175
Home Repair/Maintenance: 170
Fares/Parking: 78

The unusual expenses here are:

The new car (under Equipment), which was about $5,000 more than what I got from insurance after the wreck.

The new hip (under Medical), which was about $1,000 out of pocket.

Car repair -- two months with bills over $500 and two months with bills over $200.

Just a note -- the mystery about the prescription cost doubling is solved. When I looked at the bottle, I saw that I had twice the the usual amount of pills. Duh!

I had terrible sleep last night but I'm going to the gym this morning before I fall apart for the day.

Tomorrow I'll have a few words about how I will try to cut costs in the coming year.

The hot water is being turned off today -- for the whole day -- so I got up early and took my shower and I put a load of laundry in. (I like to wash in warm water.) I don't really have any other plans for the day. Snow is coming down, so it's a good day to stay in. Though I don't think the snow will stick until this evening.

Oh, here is one plan. I will probably finish my last library book today, so I will go to the library to get some more. I cannot go to bed without a book to read.

I walked to the store yesterday, which was about 6,000 steps. I was pretty tired when I got home. I spent $4 on an onion, celery, and two loaves of bakery sourdough bread. I bought the bread because it was a BOGO deal and I really like it. I now have three and a half loaves of bread in the freezer, but it will all get used.

I did more than 8,000 steps altogether yesterday, which exceeds my Fitbit goal. I need to be better about doing that more often.

I did not actually make the pea soup yesterday. I did the first step of sauteing the chopped onion and celery, but then I put the pot in the fridge. I wasn't hungry, because I'd had leftover pizza for lunch. I am getting so I don't really crave a third meal every day. Just breakfast and lunch seem to be fine. I will finish off making the soup today. For lunch!

It dawned on me yesterday that I had not paid the mortgage yet. I had transferred the money to my savings account in the credit union, but I did not then transfer it to the mortgage account. For some reason I have to do it in two steps like that. So I transferred the money, rounding it up with a little extra toward principal. I believe it is due on the first, so that is cutting it close. Whew!

I am anxiously awaiting the beginning of the new year. I am hoping 2020 will be a year in which I can redeem my finances. But you can't control bad luck, which was my bugaboo in 2019, so I'll just concentrate on being the ant, shoring up for the winter. A little bit at a time, and consistently.

I went to the gym yesterday and afterwards went to Food4Less, where I bought split peas and poultry seasoning - $4. I want to use up my leftover ham in split pea soup. I looked up a recipe and it turns out I also need to get an onion and some celery, so I'll go back to the store today. Maybe I will walk, if the rain lets up enough.

Our building is getting a new water heating system on Monday, so there will be no hot water all day. I'm trying to plan for that. It will mean no shower, no laundry, and no running the dishwasher. I'm washing my hair today! And running one load of laundry.

I got a packet from United Healthcare which lays out their new program for free OTC medications and health-related items. (This is for Medicare Advantage clients.) They have apparently contracted with Walmart to provide the goods. The benefit is the same, moneywise -- $50 per quarter. But you have to use a registered ID card and select items from Walmart's website. Looks like it will be more cumbersome, but, it also looks like there may be a larger range of items to choose from. I registered my card, but I am not eligible for anything yet. I assume eligibility will kick in mid-January, like it was on the old system.

Yesterday I went to the vet's and spent $19 on prescription cat food. Then I went to Walgreens and got a prescription refilled. It was $20 -- twice as much as it was last time, and they did not have an explanation. I had them check the GoodRx price and it would have been $71. On the way out of the store I gave $5 to a panhandler. I guess because it's Christmastime, and because I was moved by his simple and dignified request.

Variables are at 75%, but about $2000 in unusual expenses (Christmas gifts and car repairs) was not counted. Sigh. It's going to be a struggle to pay all that off without paying any interest. I called the insurance company yesterday and had them put my semi-annual auto insurance payment on a credit card, so that will at least delay a chunk of what I have to pay this January. February should be easier.

Like others, I am musing about the year end and the year to come. I won't do my recap until the 31st, but I'm pretty sure it will be higher than last year. Next year, as I have stated before in a comment, will be a year of recovery for me. I want to pay off the car, and build up savings. Everything else is on hold -- except I do want to squeeze in a trip to Oregon because it's just been too long since I have seen my son's family.

I can say that it looks like my net worth actually went up by $2,000, so that's a pleasant surprise.

Christmas Day was great! Loved the movie, "Little Women," and we found a Chinese restaurant that was open. I had some lo mein which, even though advertised as "small," was big enough for three meals. Spent $7 at the movie and $11 for dinner.

Another friend joined us and we played games and just had a really good time together.

The following morning we went out for breakfast to a diner that was so cheap! And good, too. I spent $4 for the meal and left $1 for the waitress. Then we went to Goodwill, where I spent $26. Mostly bought gifts, which included jelly jars, and I also found a string of white Christmas lights that worked. I treated myself to three sweaters -- Merry Christmas to me! Before I left town I filled up for $23.

I did not buy any food on the road either on the way there or back. I usually do, so that was restraint on my part.

I listed to a free audiobook that I checked out through "Libby," (having finally figured out how to the use the media feature in my car). So all in all it was a pretty frugal trip.

Now it's back to reality.

I got $250 from the insurance company yesterday. That is half of my deductible for repairing the new car. Apparently the other driver did admit 50% responsibility.

I am still expecting $500 from the accident in October. I was charged the deductible even though my car was totaled, and the other driver is responsible to pay it. Apparently the other insurance company is fighting it, or lagging on it. No wonder, that accident damaged seven cars and totaled four of them.

And I am still awaiting $800 from the warranty company for the portion I did not use. I was told it would take sixty days, which would mean the end of December. Any time now.

I sent $600 to my Oregon DS for the grandkids' college fund. I wasn't able to do that last year, but I am reinstating that tradition this year. I already told my local DS that I would make the contribution for their kids in January. I am hoping the $800 will arrive to help grease the wheels. I am not real hopeful about the $500.

I'm heading down to Indiana tomorrow to celebrate Christmas with BFF. The weather is cooperating. It should be clear sailing through the city. I am only going to stay one night, because I don't like to leave Iggy alone longer than that, now that his health is declining. Today I'm just tooling around, getting little things done, reading, and catching up on Mrs. Maisel!

I had a lot of turkey left over from my Christmas party, so I made turkey noodle soup for lunch. It is smelling so good! It is so simple to make. The meat was already cubed. I just added it to chicken broth, put in some fettucine (broken up so it's not so long) and a bunch of seasonings (basil, bay leaf, parsley, and a combo spice from Penzey called Northwoods). The broth is made from a jarred soup base from Sam's. I noticed that my brother, the retired chef, uses it when he makes soup, and it is so good. And cheap!

I went to the gym this morning and then stopped on the way home to get a haircut. It was $25 because I gave my stylist a Christmas bonus tip. Not much, but I know every little bit helps. She is a young newlywed and can't go home for Christmas, since home is on the west coast, and she and her husband have to work. I know she is feeling it, but I trust that she and her friends will figure out a good way to celebrate.

My neighborhood is so quiet! I think everyone is gone! There are a lot of young people who are in some way involved with the university, and when school is out of session, they all seem to go somewhere else. I look forward to going down to see BFF again, but I'm also enjoying the lovely calm of these few days.

I really wore myself out getting ready for our family Christmas party. And I made way too much food, which I have to deal with now. But overall I think it went very well. I got some lovely gifts, and I think everyone liked my gifts to them, or at least they put on a good act!

Unfortunately, something I ate disagreed with me and I had an awful night of unmentionable distress. I checked with the others, and it was just me, so I'm glad about that. At least I didn't give my guests food poisoning. My digestion is so much more sensitive than it used to be, and I haven't learned my limits yet.

Before the party I spent $24 at the grocery store, and that was my only spending. My plan to keep grocery spending low in this high-spending month hasn't worked out so well. My variables overall are at 61%, but that doesn't count Christmas gifts or car repair. I've got some work to do to get back on an even keel.

Today I'm doing laundry and just generally cleaning up. The dishwasher has already run twice. I was supposed to meet BFF and her family downtown, but I am not feeling well enough, and I will get to see her on Christmas Day, anyway.

I got home last night around 7 but it seemed like midnight. It was a grueling trip on the highway -- so much traffic, and slow going.

I had a nice time at the retirement party and got to talk to some other old friends in addition to my old boss. He seemed really pleased that I had made the effort to come.

The trip was a bit costly. I spent $60 on food and gas, as well as $43 for the pizzas I will serve later today, at our family holiday party. I also spent less than $10 for some little stuff at Goodwill, some of it gifts for next year.

I have lots to do today, and I am so tired! But I knew I would be. Today I have to pull together a meal and clean up the house, as well as pay the bills. I'll get started on that right now!

I'm leaving in just a few moments for my Indiana trip.

Today was payday. I updated my spreadsheet but I will handle the bills and such when I get home. The deposit is still pending -- and anyway, I don't want to take the time, or rush the process.

I took the boys to music lessons last night and we went out for dinner afterwards. They chose Culver's. The total was $18. I introduced them to the game of twenty questions and they loved it! They could hardly wait to teach this "new" game to their parents.

Okay, I'm on my way! Hoping for good roads!

Good heavens, I'm really losing it. This morning I went to the post office to mail a Christmas card to a special friend. It was one of those 3-D cards so it had to go in a padded mailer. I didn't have one, so I picked one up at the post office. I stuck three stamps on it and put it in the letter drop.

When I got home I realized - duh - I hadn't paid for the mailer. I didn't even go to the window. So I went back and told them what I had done and paid for it (1.79). Then I asked how much postage one of those mailer requires. Whoops! Way more than I put on, because it was now a package, not just a Christmas card!

The people at the post office were so nice. They tried to retrieve my "package" but it was already gone. So my friend will have to pay the difference, or, it may be returned to me and I'll have re-mail it -- and it will be late.

I sent him an email to explain. I hope he is amused.

Other spending today was .50 for parking, so it has not been a big-spending day.

Tomorrow I am heading to Indiana for my old boss' retirement party, and I'll be back on Thursday night. Looks like the weather will cooperate, though a cold front is expected. As long as it doesn't snow!

I got the jam made yesterday, though I did not find the original recipe I used last year. This batch is a little thicker and less sweet than last year's -- but it is still good!

Then I grocery-shopped for the food I could buy ahead for our family Christmas party, spending $51.

This morning I went to the gym, and mailed off a rather long form to the insurance company that is handling a claim against me. I can't understand how the woman behind this can believe that I am solely responsible for a backup bump in a parking lot, but there are all kinds. I thought she had agreed to a 50/50 settlement, but still this is dragging on.

I am now on the winter plan for filling up the tank -- that is, I fill up when it gets down to half full. I did that this morning - $20. I remember -- and it was not that long ago -- when I was surprised that I spent $20 on a full tank. Now it's twice as much, and I don't even blink.

Yesterday's big event was my grandsons' recital. It was held in a retirement community, because their teacher always likes to combine performance experience with entertainment for the elderly. They actually had two "shows" yesterday -- one for the regular folks, and one for those in the memory-loss unit. She didn't require the kids to stay for the second show, just those that could and wanted to. My grandsons wanted to, so we were there the whole afternoon. It was very heart-warming; I was so proud that the boys wanted to do this without any prodding. And they both did a very good job performing. GS1 played a Bach concerto and Pachelbel's Canon on the violin. GS2 played a tune called "Evening Song" and the theme from Star Wars on the piano.

Unfortunately, DIL was not able to attend. Their cat had eaten a lot of string and had to go to the vet. The cat is home now. Most of the string has been pooped out and they are on the watch for more. Cats! Why do they do this? Iggy eats toilet paper. I cannot keep a roll (or a box of Kleenex) anywhere in his reach!

Okay, so none of this finance-related. But it did make for a no-spend day.

I haven't gotten around to making the jam yet, so that's my goal today. I have to find the recipe I used last year (for cranberry-orange jam) which is on the internet somewhere. Hope I will recognize it, as it was a good one.

Nothing new to report except that I spent $21 on groceries yesterday at Sam's.

It's supposed to snow today. We've been lucky so far except for that freaky snowstorm on Halloween. Winter is coming, and I don't look forward to it at all!

I ordered sleeping bags for the Oregon crew, and altogether they were $135, after several discounts. (I am trusting they do not know about or read my blog!) They were on their Amazon lists, so it wasn't my idea, but I am very pleased to give them something I am sure they will use for adventures in their new location.

It was another calm day. Today I am heading out to the gym, and then will stop at Sam's.

I am loving having this break in my Christmas preparations. I got started much earlier than usual and it has paid off. My next event is my grandsons' recital on Saturday, and then next Wednesday I will go down to BFF's for a day of fun before I go to my old boss' retirement party on Thursday. Then it's home again to get ready for the Christmas celebration with my local family on the 20th, before they all head to Florida. I am hosting, but I will make it as easy as possible, with pizzas and salads for dinner, and orange rolls and eggnog for treats. I will be bringing the pizzas from the Indiana town where BFF lives -- we all used to live there, and these particular pizzas are a favorite of all from way back.

On the 21st BFF's family is coming to Chicago for the Christkindl market and other holiday fun, and I will meet up with them for the day. Then on Christmas Day I will head down to BFF's again to spend the day, which will include seeing "Little Women" and going out for Chinese food.

This is unusual, since I usually don't see much of BFF during this time of year. It's just worked out this way.

It's a lot of driving, and I am hoping for good weather.

In financial news, my variables are at only 31%! That's because I did not include either the gift category nor the car repair category. Those are too big to cash flow. Hoping January will be a good recovery month, though I will have to pay my semi-annual car insurance. It is a little more than it used to be, what with having a newer car. Very small increase, though.

I had a good day of rest yesterday. The boys made other plans for the afternoon, and I just lolled around and read and watched "The Crown."

Today may be much the same, except that I am feeling better.

Of course, doing nothing usually means no spending, either, so that's a good thing!

Today I'll order the Amazon gifts for my Oregon crew, and then I'll be done.

Just redeemed $31 in rewards from Chase (Amazon Prime card). That makes me feel better about spending $24 last night after music lessons at a local hamburger joint.

Discover is closing today so there will be more rewards to add tomorrow.

Pay day is one week away and I can hardly wait to pay off these credit card bills.

I felt very bad in the night -- woke up freezing at one point and I turned on the radiator -- then I woke up roasting, which was better than freezing, anyway. Lots of stomach discomfort, but I'm feeling better today. I'm going to grab a nap, I hope, but there is a half-day of school today, so I may be on duty this afternoon. I haven't heard yet, so I'm figuring plans are afoot for the boys to have play dates in the afternoon. Even if they do come over after school it will only be a few hours.

I guess I'm really out of it. I did not think that a 30K service would cost $749. There was nothing wrong except that an engine filter needed to be replaced. Wow.

This morning I sent my packages, and bought stamps and a Christmas card at the post office - $53.

I paid $2 for parking because I lost track of time and did not get out of the parking garage before the free hour was up. I was in the library looking at books -- I checked out three. I plan to hole up and read now that Christmas shopping is almost done.

I got an email notice that my insurance company is ready to make a payment, but nothing has appeared in my bank account yet. I assume it will be the $250 we talked about, and it will be most welcome.

The one bright spot in my December finances is that I haven't had to buy much in the way of groceries. I'm eating out of the freezer and pantry. I will have to spend some money on food eventually for the family Christmas party, which is ten days away.

My Kohl's coupon was not yet usable, so I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond for the gifts I still needed. Armed with coupons, of course. I spent $43. That was for two gifts, a card, and some stocking stuffers for the kids. The gifts are wrapped. I'm waiting now for the next and final phase -- ordering Amazon gifts for the Oregon crew, which I will do on the 11th. And that means no more wrapping, yay! My wrapping supplies have held up well. I didn't need to buy anything except tape this year. Picking up gift bags at Goodwill has been a good strategy.

Today I'm scheduled to go to the Kia dealer for my 30,000-mile checkup. I'm determined to take good care of this car. Speaking of Kia, my first payment on the balance is due on January 1. It will come out of my upcoming SS check on the 18th. I'm planning on knocking that out in ten months.

I missed one of the Christmas events I was planning on, a choral concert at the college where I once worked. It was held on Friday, and I was thinking they would do it on Sunday, so it was over before I checked on it. Oh well. Saved a little gas.

I caught up on my wrapping yesterday, and I have two packages ready to mail. One is a little gift that was supposed to be in a package I sent already! I'm going to send it, anyway, since it kind of ties the other gifts together.

I'm done except for ordering some Amazon gifts to be delivered to Oregon. I'm waiting till my Discover card cycle ends, because it's about as high as I want to go right now. Oh, and I also have one more gift to buy for the celebration we will have here on the 20th. It's for my ex's wife -- don't know what to get. I think I'll take my 25% off coupon to Kohl's and look around.

I didn't get started on the food gifts, but maybe today.

This is the calm before the storm. I have plans for the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, and 25th! Not all are set in stone. But it will be a busy season and I'll be happy to rest up afterwards.

Got the news yesterday that assessment fees will rise by 3% in January. I have to remember to change the automatic payment before it is withdrawn, which is usually the 25th of the preceding month. So I'll just go ahead and do it today. My new mantra is "Just get it done!"