... of the knee.

It's worse today. Last night while descending the stairs, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my knee, buckled, and fell on my butt. No harm done to my butt, but my knee is definitely getting worse instead of better.

I did keep my appointment with PT but I seem to be getting nowhere. They can't do anything until the pain calms down. The therapist gave me a knee massage and checked my form on the exercises. But the simple stretching exercises seem to be making it worse. I'm discouraged. The therapist mentioned the possibility of surgery (in the future), which is the last thing I want.

I'm at home today, working remotely. What worries me is, I don't know when I'll be really mobile again. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. I am sure I cannot make the big step onto the train in this condition. Nor could I climb the stairs to the platform. But driving takes a lot of gas, and it's hazardous in this weather.

Remote access to my work computer is not working very well. I keep getting kicked out.

Frustration, frustration.

Anybody else see a Jewel Osco ad on this site? It's a coupon to save $5 on a $50 order. I snagged it, since that is my main store. However, it expires on the 29th. I really don't want to spend $50 before the end of the month -- that's about all I have left in my $300 challenge. And chances are I will have to fill the tank again, at least once, to get to work.

Frustration, frustration.

Against all reason and logic, I drove to work this morning. I should have stayed home. There was a snow dump last night and the roads were horrible, as well as the temperature. But I had no incidents, just a very careful, slow ride.

I went to work because I thought I had to approve the students' time cards, and I didn't want them to lose out on their pay. Turns out I was on the wrong week anyway! Oh well, good intentions.

I'm going to leave early so I don't end up driving in the dark. I have a physical therapy appointment at six anyway.

Had my son's family over for dinner last night. DIL has offered to do laundry tonight, and I will take her up on it.

My everyday spending this month is at $245, so I have $55 left for the month to meet the challenge.

Yes, this is real pain, not financial pain.

I must have overdone my stretching exercises. My knee is worse. I was warned about this so it is my own fault. Guess I didn't know just how gentle the stretch was supposed to be. I seem to have riled up a new pain on the side of my knee. Aleve didn't help yesterday and sleeping was difficult. I think it's a little better today. I did my stretches this morning but really dialed back.

I forgot to mention that when I went to the physical therapist, I walked past an alcove with a door that was unmarked -- hence, not a business, that I could see. The curious thing was that there appeared to be a bag of coins in a blue plastic bag sitting outside the door, but tucked inside the alcove. Because the plastic was blue, I couldn't be sure it was coins, but it sure looked that way. Well, despite the fact that I will stoop to pick up a penny, I walked by. It somehow seemed like stealing -- surely it was there for some purpose? It was very curious. The bag was the size of a large cantaloupe -- I think there was a lot of money in there, as I don't think it was all pennies!

I actually did navigate the stairs yesterday and did a load of laundry. I did the old-lady double-step and never put my whole weight on the bad knee. I have another load to do, but I'm hoping I can talk my son's family into coming over for a meal today and schlepping the laundry for me. Stairs seem to be the worst thing of all.

I am considering working from home tomorrow. Officially we are not supposed to work from home, according to HR, but a lot of people do it -- for lesser reasons than this. However, I think there is a meeting tomorrow that I should attend. Since I DO have to keep this job for another year and seven months, I suppose I should make the effort. I will have to drive, for not only is the walk to the station not a good idea, the steps to the platform and the BIG step onto the train would be suicide. Suicide for my knee, not me!

But driving is expensive, especially when I have already paid for the train pass. Oh well, I have learned that health comes first, even before frugality!

My visit with the physical therapist yesterday was eye-opening. She told me she sees lots of issues, lots to work on, but believes we can make a great deal of progress. My biggest problem right now is the pain in the back of my knee, and she wants me to baby it, which means cutting back on the walking and stair climbing for two weeks.

Well, I can manage to cut back on walking by driving to work, but the stairs are a problem. She suggested that I take baby steps on the stairs, but even that hurts. I started to take my laundry down this morning and quickly changed my mind. I have decided to just stay in my condo for the whole three-day weekend and see if that helps. Maybe I'll do some hand-washing. Maybe I'll even get wild and try doing laundry in the shower!

Anyway, she gave me three different stretching exercises to do, and scheduled me for six weeks of therapy. While this is daunting, I am feeling encouraged that I might really be able to shake some pain that I've suffered with for a long time.

She gave me an exercise band to use for my exercises. She told me I could buy a yoga strap, but actually this freebie seems to work quite well.

She is not a fan of ACE bandages; feels they can hurt as much as help by inhibiting natural movement.

On the way home from the therapist I stopped at the grocery. I spent my $25 gift card and then spent $34 above that. Only 16 items, too, but some were expensive -- I got a big bottle of Advil, and a 4-lb package of boneless chicken breasts.

I hope the groceries will last me a while because I don't want to shop again until my knee is better.

I paid $2 for parking. I hope that the succeeding appointments will be shorter, so I can stay within the one-hour free parking window.

On Friday I picked up my vacuum, which cost $22. I picked up a free book at the used book shop next door. Then I went to Goodwill, where I bought a pair of jeans for $5 and a big pottery bowl for $3. I'm going to give the bowl to my friend whose bowl I broke. It isn't the same bowl, but it's similar in size and color. Since her bowl is no longer in production, I think she'll understand -- especially since she insisted that I didn't need to find a replacement at all. She is a Goodwill fan and will not be offended by a second-hand gift.

Back to the jeans. They are LA Blues and seem brand new. I was down to one pair of jeans and felt I needed a back-up pair.

I also spent $1 on a cutting board.

So it's a quiet weekend for me. Not exactly what I'd planned on, but I'll make the best of it.

I won't log it until I get it, but I just earned a $10 Amazon credit for taking a survey about social media at my business. I don't think this is open to everyone, so, sorry, I can't provide a link!

My board meeting downtown was interesting. My only spending was $2 I gave to a panhandler. This is actually a selfish act on my part -- I feel better if I give a little something than I do when I just walk by!

I got an excellent free box lunch from Cosi at the meeting.

The bad news is, I pulled the sore tendon in my leg again and now it hurts worse than ever. I can barely navigate the stairs -- which is a problem, since I live on the second floor in a building with no elevator! I'm going to physical therapy tomorrow morning for my evaluation, so I'm hopeful I will find some relief.

Last night I went to Osco and picked up my prescription and my $25 gift card, which I can use for groceries at Jewel. And this morning I signed up for e-statements from my credit union and got a $5 credit!

My prescription has gone up from $5 to $7. I don't think that's a result of changing pharmacies, I think it's from changing insurance plans. Anyway, I think I can handle it! The good news about changing my plan is that it puts $55 extra in each paycheck. Every little bit helps!

I dropped off my vacuum, and should hear today how much it will cost.

I had one of my terrible nights when I couldn't sleep. I woke up at 1:30 AM, and I didn't fall back asleep. At four I just got up for the day. I'm okay now, but I will be good and tired tonight. Good thing I'm not driving today.

I made a brief stop at a Goodwill and found a beautiful Christmas mug and an ornament shaped like a violin. .31 for the pair! Their seasonal merchandise was 75% off.

$124 left in the $300 challenge.

Oh, I almost forgot! Today is payday, so I paid off the Discover card and paid my mortgage! Despite the large Discover bill, I didn't have to use the EF, which makes me so happy!

Yesterday I drove to work mainly so I could drop off the vacuum cleaner for repair. Well, the shop was closed. It closes every Monday. Too bad I didn't check that out in advance.

I looked around for another shop I could stop at on the way home. But when I found it, it was shuttered and it looked like there was some kind of legal notice on the door. WTF??? Am I just not destined to get this vacuum fixed?

So I drove again today and will take it to the shop I originally planned to go to. They've worked on the same vacuum before, so maybe it's just as well.

I stopped for gas this morning - $24. And I shipped a package of books to my sister yesterday - $6. I have $132 left in my $300 challenge.

My Florida son called last night with different options for my trip in February. Basically, he has been talking to my cousin, who would like to engineer a family get-together on SuperBowl weekend. While I think that would be really fun, the point of my trip is to help my son with his garage sale. I can't do both. Not quite sure what to do!

On Thursday I have a board meeting in the city. Not sure how it will impact me financially. I hope that the location is near enough the station so that I can walk and won't incur a taxi fare. It also looks like lunch is provided, so I don't have to worry about that. Maybe the meeting will not cost me anything. I do hope the weather cooperates.

I forgot to pick up my prescription yesterday and thus didn't get my $25 gift card yet. Must remember tonight!

Just received another $38.16 in Cash Back rewards from Discover. Also, a new freebie on the sidebar -- a co-worker gave me a half-pound of cheddar cheese that she was going to throw out because she thought it had sat out too long. (It was fine.)

I had to do some catch-up grocery shopping this weekend due to the extreme weather. Still, I only spent $61, and bought only 19 items. So it was kind of like a two-week shopping trip rolled into one.

I also did three loads of laundry ($4.50), exchanged some light bulbs at Home Depot, and transferred a prescription to Osco. I'll get a $25 gift certificate for Jewel when I pick up the prescription tonight. I'll have to keep an eye on my Discover account for the Home Depot transaction -- so far only the new charge has posted, not the credit for returning the bulbs.

My vacuum cleaner tried to eat a blanket (okay, it was my fault). I pulled it out, but now the beater bar is not turning. I took a look, but couldn't figure out how to fix it. So I bundled the vacuum in the car this morning and I'll be taking it in for repair at lunchtime. Since I drove, I also brought a package to mail -- books to my sister. And I may be be getting gas - if the tank went below halfway down, I'll get some cheap gas while I'm in the western suburbs.

Finally got my insurance card, but no Discover It card yet.

My son came over and took down my air conditioners and helped me get the Christmas paraphernalia into the storage unit in the basement. Now I feel like I'm ready for the rest of the winter.

$300 challenge -- I'm $123 down, about halfway through the month.

No further word on whether the $50 late penalty will be reimbursed.

I opened my email this morning and learned that I had been charged a $50.00 late fee because I didn't change the amount of my automatic payment to my property management company. I was aware that the assessment fee was going up, but for some reason didn't realize that I would have to change the automatic payment myself.

That's $50 from my $300 challenge. For nothing! But I will count it, because after retirement life will continue to be full of surprises.

Hoping my new Discover It card will arrive in the mail today. I want to use it to buy an airline ticket to Florida, and also to purchase a year of service on Straight Talk. Those two purchases will go toward the $750 required to get my bonus. (Neither will come out of the challenge. Utilities and phone are already counted in fixed expenses; airline travel will probably come out of savings when I'm retired. If I decide I must fly.)

My new medical insurance card arrived in the mail yesterday. So I'll now get on making those physical therapy appointments.

Yesterday was a no-spend day. In fact, I have had 6 no-spend days this month! Challenging winter weather really puts a kibosh on the spending!

I am tracking my variable spending, too, with the plan of keeping it under $300. So far I have spent $28. I am about 1/3 through the month, so doing great! This includes the doctor bill, a hamburger at the station, and my Netflix bill. Netflix isn't counted in my fixed expenses because it is a want and not a need.

I got my Christmas package from my Florida son yesterday. The reason it was so late was that he had been hoping his father would bring them back for me, but my ex said he had no room in his luggage. Exes! So my son mailed it after Christmas.

Anyway, he and his wife did a great job with little money. The best gift was a photobook they had made with pictures of my granddaughter. The package also included two framed pictures of her, a book, and a package of Keurig cups. I'm pretty sure the Keurig cups were from their kitchen (I had told them I needed some for work), and I'm guessing that the book and frames were secondhand. But they were all in perfect shape and in perfect taste. Somehow, knowing that they had so little to spend made it all the more special to me. He's a chip off the old block!

I got my $30 cash reward from Discover for making a purchase over $1000. It went into my snowflakes.

I paid a doctor bill yesterday for $19. I charged it to my flex-spending card, and I think my balance on it is probably too low, but I'm not sure. So I will let them run it and tell me. I don't think I can apply it to this year's flex spending fund because the appointment was in December.

The temperature continues to hover around zero. I am more than ready for the warm-up. However, I can tell it's warmer than it was by the comfort level in my condo. Much better.

Really need to grocery shop this weekend but I am more determined than ever to stick to 10 items. I was considering making it an Aldi trip, but I want to transfer a prescription to Osco to get a $25 reward. So, Jewel it is! And while I am there, I will buy quarters. This will have to wait until Sunday, the day after my Discover card cycle closes.

I also really need to do laundry! And, I need to get my son's help to take out the air conditioners and get the Christmas stuff stored in the basement. If I can just get those things done I will be satisfied.

My new insurance card has still not arrived. I've been told that the weather has interfered with the distribution -- apparently the cards were being shipped out of Indiana, where a major highway was shut down. I am waiting on that card before I make my physical therapy appointment. Meanwhile, my leg is worse than ever. Navigating over the ice and snow is not helping!

The good news is, it's my second day of work this week and it's already Thursday!

Back to work today! It was a cold walk to the station, but not terrible, and the temperature is starting to climb. All the walks were plowed; the only challenging part was climbing over the mountains of snow at every corner.

I took the train yesterday evening to the parking garage one stop north where I picked up my car. No incidents to report -- the gates were still up, the drive was fine. I let the car warm up for a long time before I started out. I found a parking place on the street that was nicely cleared out. Of course, if it snows again, we start all over again!

Today I have my first freebies to report. The break room is full of food. I took a scone, which I will save for tomorrow's breakfast, and an apple. Then our secretary insisted I try some cookies she brought in.

I just spoke to a Discover agent and learned I was approved for the new card. It should arrive in a few days. That will earn a $150 bonus for $750 in spending -- if memory serves. I also got another card from Chase offering a $125 bonus for opening an account. I might just do it. I'll have to read it over carefully, but it doesn't look like they are asking for direct deposit.

I need to buy a ticket to Florida, but I'm going to try to hold off until the new cycle on the credit card. I can pay it in full IF I don't put anything new on it. I just hope the fares don't jump between now and then.

Well, as much as I enjoyed my days burrowing inside, it's good to be out and about in the world again. My office is definitely warmer than home, too! But home will be warmer once I get those air conditioners out of the windows and stop the draft. What a big mistake that was, to leave them in. I took them down last year, but it's so much work, and I hate to have to ask my son to do it. Lesson learned.

The College is open today, but I am not there. When it is still below zero, I am not walking to the station -- besides, the trains have had all sorts of switching problems, forcing many to wait for hours. I do not want to part of that scenario.

I texted my boss this morning and simply said I would work from home. It appears, from the email I'm getting, that not many others are in the office. Including my boss.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend, when the temperatures rise to the 30's. (Could that be?)

I checked out "Extreme Cheapskates" on Netflix and I'm disappointed that the producers obviously went for the weird and sensational. I would like to pick up some tips, not be grossed out! They make frugal people look like crazies. Seems like there is no middle ground in the media between this and those annoying "tips" about how to save on your next Hawaiian getaway -- or how to save big money by paying your bills on time! Big whoop!

I'm going to work tomorrow, but first I have to get my car out of the downtown garage. And that means I have to take the train one stop north to get there. And I have to do it tonight, or I will have to pay for parking. Who knows how much? Three days worth? I don't know how they will figure it. I just know I have to get it. Thank goodness, the plowing is done and I now have a place to park it!

I say chillin' because it's chilly. I am bundled up, but the cold is seeping in.

Work was cancelled today -- practically everything in this area is closed. The temperature is in the double digits below zero -- and that's not the wind chill. It's real. I do not intend to step outside today.

I would probably be warmer if I had taken out my air conditioners when I should have. Now it's too cold to even mess with it. When the temps come up again, I'll call my son and get it done.

I got my claim code for $50 on Amazon from MyPoints. That's my second snowflake of the year.

I am leaving my oven on all day because the kitchen is freezing. Every once in a while I bake something. This morning I made mushroom rolls; then later on I made corn muffins. In a while I'll make escalloped potatoes. It's kind of like having an Aga! I will have a bigger gas bill this month, but I need the extra heat.

I watched Downton Abbey this morning on Xfinity, having completely forgotten about the new season starting last night. I will really enjoy having that to look forward to again!

I don't know if work will be called off again tomorrow, but even if the college reopens, I won't go back until the temperature normalizes. I can't make a six-block walk in weather like this.

I got my car parked in one of the downtown garages yesterday. That's a relief. I don't have to worry about moving it for the snowplows. It's free until tomorrow night at midnight. Since the snow has stopped, I should be able to park it tomorrow evening with no problem.

I just redeemed a $5 Amazon gift card from Swagbucks, my first snowflake of the year!

We have a lot of new snow on the ground, and the temperature is going down again. I would like to stay in all day, but I may have to move the car. Make that, probably have to move the car. I'm parked on an even side of the street and it's an odd day. It's Sunday, but I don't think that matters.

I have the makings for Hawaiian pork over rice, and I texted my son to let him know I'm offering it for lunch or dinner today. No reply yet. Since he is just a block away, it would be no problem to walk over there and make it, even in a snow emergency!

I think I may bake cookies or something later in the day. There is no radiator in the kitchen, so it's always good to have something in the oven on these cold days! I think I'll make oatmeal cranberry cookies, so they can serve as breakfast cookies.

Everybody stay warm!

Everyone must be tired of hearing about my train adventures, but I had a new one last night. I've seen others do this, but I never have done it before -- I got on the wrong train.

I was at the downtown station, thus, halfway home. My train had been switched to a different track, and was not yet boarding. I went into the lobby to wait in warmth. When I came back out I saw that the train doors were open and I went in.

The WRONG train doors! Since it was dark outside, I didn't even know I was on the wrong train until I heard the next stop announced. I almost said to the passenger next to me, "Did you hear that? Must be the wrong tape." Then I looked out the window and realized that I was actually heading back the same way I had come in.

I got off at the next stop. It was a station I had been at before, and didn't like. I didn't like it again. It is open and unheated. Dirty. Scary.

I saw the train coming in the opposite direction, the train I needed to catch to get me back downtown. But the ramp to go under the tracks was long -- very long. By the time I got back up on the other side, the train was pulling away. And I had an hour to wait.

It was so bitterly cold. I walked over to a shopping center and browed in an Old Navy store just to be warm. I saw nothing at all that interested me. Then I went to Caribou Coffee, to see if they had a sandwich or something. On my way in, a homeless man asked for money. I said, "I'm sorry," and I noticed he had one arm.

I looked around in Caribou, but didn't see anything I wanted to eat, and I didn't want to get coffee. I was feeling pretty dejected and a little frightened. I went back out and handed a five-dollar bill to the homeless man, feeling it was money better spent that way. He looked me in the eyes and warmly thanked me, and I realized he was younger than I'd thought. It was so sad.

I walked back to the station, giving myself plenty of time so I wouldn't miss the train. I got onto the platform and heard an announcement that the train would approach from the other side. So it was back on that long ramp again to get under the tracks. I waited on that platform for probably 10 minutes or so, but the temperature was dive-bombing. Even inside my insulated mittens my fingers were starting to feel numb, and I was beginning to worry about frostbite. The train finally came, and I made my way back to the city. I had another 30-minute wait at the downtown station, so I got a hamburger. And at least there, I could wait in warmth.

Meanwhile, I was texting back and forth with my son, because I had been expected for dinner. He said he would pick me up at my home station, because it was too cold to walk. And he did. And he brought me some soup and crackers. So it was a good ending! But what a night! I got home at 8:30, after having first got on the train at 4:15.

So I haven't been out all day, and don't plan to, unless the kids want me to come over there.

I did do two loads of laundry this morning. The steps were clear and dry. It's cold, but not as cold as it will be on Monday when below-zero temperatures are predicted. I have already told my boss I will work from home.

Now I'm just trying to shake off my laziness. I have much to do, but not much enthusiasm. But I'm really, really glad to be safe at home!

Well, weather-wise, it's a much better day. The sun is shining on our 14 inches of snow. It's COLD out there, but the walk today was so much better than yesterday's, with no flakes in my face, and the walkways cleared.

Next week, below-zero temps are predicted. I will not walk in that weather. I will work from home.

I haven't talked much about my (financial) snowflakes, since I don't earn very many. But I closed out 2013 with almost $800 in snowflakes. Next year, I hope to top that. I just applied for the Discover It card that Ceejay recommended, so that would bring in $150 for a starter. I'm also expecting a $50 Amazon gift card from MyPoints.

My imminent goal is to charge nothing until January 12, when my current Discover bill cycle closes. I have a bit of cash, but I will try not to spend that either. Then I plan to pay the bill in full, without having to go to my EF.

My secondary goal this month is to spend only $300 on variables. However, I do have to buy a plane ticket to Florida for a trip in February, and I just won't count that in the $300, obviously. If I were retired already, I either wouldn't go, or I would pull the money from my EF. But I'm not going to "practice" retirement quite that rigidly.

The Florida trip is to help my son with a garage sale. I'd say a massive garage sale, judging from the number of boxes in their garage! They will probably move at the end of the month, though at this point they don't know whether it will be to another Florida location or back to Chicago. But they know for sure they need to leave this rental which is too expensive for them.

I may choose to drive, and I may bring a friend to help. We'll see. I know in mid-February I'll be ready for some sunshine!

THIS is snow! We are supposed to get 10 inches today, but it looks like we have it already. And it is coming down steadily.

I walked to the station in almost complete isolation. I walked in the street except when I got to the busiest one. (And it wasn't busy, but I didn't want to take a chance.) I expected to be almost alone at work, but it looks like at least half the office has made it. Some have called, saying they tried, but turned around when they couldn't get through.

Of course, being a train rider, I can always get through, as long as I can get to the station.

Nothing financial to report! I spent nothing yesterday, and expect to spend nothing today, unless I do a load of laundry. However, I think the steps will be too treacherous to try that today, so I think I'll just let the laundry build up -- hand wash what I need to until the snow subsides.

I am so pleased with the way my brunch went today. Everybody came, there was enough food, it was good, and everyone seemed to have a good time. It's been a while since I cooked for a crowd, so I was a little nervous. But everyone said we need to do this every year, so I think it was a success.

No spending today.

It's snowing like crazy. It's been coming down steadily all day. I have to go to work tomorrow, even though it seems like the rest of the world doesn't. So I think I will be walking through a lot of snow. My traction coils worked great, but I learned they were very slippery on tile, and the downtown station is mostly tile! So I have to be more careful inside than I am outside.

I bought my January pass yesterday ($105) my last official purchase of the year.

I was all ready to join in the 52-week saving challenge, but my enthusiasm is waning. I already have a saving plan that is working (transferring everything in checking to savings on payday, rounded up to the next $100). I typically save more than the challenge offers. So I'm out.

But I'm going to stick to my plan to spend only $300 this month on variable spending. That should leave me a nice chunk of change to transfer to savings.

My niece offered me her air conditioners, since she has moved into a place with central air. I hope the offer holds; my air conditioners are antiques, and I would rather not have to buy new ones. Apparently hers are a lot newer.

Which reminds me, I think I will keep track of things I get free this year. It seems like a get a lot, but it would be fun to see it in writing.

Because I get to do my monthly recap and YEARLY recap! Woo-hoo!

December was pricey, as expected. Here is the breakdown:

Gifts: 717
Housing: 660
Groceries: 233
Insurance: 215
Entertainment: 110
Fares: 109
Phone: 106
Utilities: 91
Taxes: 75
Vet/Pet Supplies: 40
Vacation/Travel: 37
Gas: 35
Eating Out: 28
Household Supplies: 27
Personal: 24
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: 19
Medical/Health: 19
Laundry: 17
Total: 2562

2013:

Housing: 13,668
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: 5,990
Taxes: 4,124
Gifts/Charity: 2,667
Fares: 1,443
Groceries: 1,414
Vacation/Travel: 1,364
Car Repair/Maintenance: 1,195
Utilities: 1,171
Eating Out: 1,048
Medical/Health: 995
Insurance: 919
Entertainment: 600
Clothing: 543
Phone: 491
Fees/Services: 454
Vet/Pet Supplies: 403
Gas: 367
Home Repair/Maintenance: 235
Household Supplies: 242
Laundry: 222
Personal: 214
Miscellaneous: 18

Total: 39,787

Thoughts:

I seem to be stuck on a gift treadmill. I spend more than I want, but the gifts seem less than I want to give. When I'm retired, I'll have to lay down the law. Token gifts only.

The jump in groceries was due to several different entertaining expenses. And those were driven by my lack of time. When I have time, I can bake from scratch, etc.

The entertainment cost was driven by several Christmas events. They are not necessary, and I can bow out when I have to.

The phone bill was twice the usual. I paid Verizon at the beginning of the month, then paid Straight Talk after I got my new smartphone. I still need to investigate whether I can get a reimbursement from Verizon.

I was lucky this year to have fewer medical bills than usual.

I took two trips to Florida this year, one planned, and one unplanned. I suspect there will be more this year! I'm already planning a trip in February to help the kids with a garage sale and moving.

There are so many ways I'd like to do better! I'm really looking forward to some low-spend months ahead

I mentioned some time ago that my son needed a root canal. Recently I learned that he had decided not to get it because of the cost. He is underemployed right now, and really struggling financially. So I made him make the appointment, because I feel strongly about taking care of your teeth. Especially teeth that I already invested in, with braces! I had him charge the cost on my Discover card, and he will pay me back as he is able.

The dentist would have offered him a payment plan, but I doubt it would be interest-free. Furthermore, I had already signed up for a special Discover cashback bonus for any charge exceeding $1000. Silly me, I thought it was a $300 bonus, but it turns out it is a $30 bonus. Duh! I must have been reading without my glasses! So, at least a $30 break, not a big deal, but at least it's better than paying interest.

I made it clear that I need to have it back in full by the time I retire. I am sure he will pay it back.

So I have a big bill looming on my Discover card, which I can't pay in full from my income. I have the slush fund. My other resource is the emergency fund. I guess I will tap it, though I hate to.

This will make me gazelle-intense about saving!

I bought my groceries yesterday just ahead of the cold front -- in fact, when I took the groceries to the car, the windows had already iced over. It took me three trips to get them all in -- I counted that as my exercise! Three flights up, three flights down, three times -- I call it good enough.

The groceries were $140 -- way more than my usual bill, but a lot of it is for the brunch. And I am assuming there will be leftovers. Also, about $15 was for household supplies, and $12 for pet food.

I've had such a lazy day. I have to get on the ball with my dailies! Yesterday I managed nine. Today, not so much. I think the sudden cold has paralyzed me. Even with the radiators on full blast, it's chilly in here.

Tomorrow I go to work. It will be an easy day, as I will just be helping out with gift processing, and I don't have to put in a full day if I don't want to. But I'll have to walk to the station, and it will be cold. And snow is forecast for tomorrow, too! Oh well, a good chance to really try out my traction coils.

When I come home tomorrow, the grandsons will be coming over for a sleepover. Luckily, my DIL's mother will be here as well, and she'll entertain the boys while I cook. (The brunch is not till 11, so I have all morning, too.) Not sure how we're all going to sleep here, but we'll figure it out!

Glad the brunch is for family -- they'll understand if it's not perfect.

I hate to hear that cold weather is rolling in again, after some really warm weather. It will be cold when I go back to work the day after tomorrow, and it will be cold on New Year's Day when I have my brunch. Then I understand that we will have an extended period of cold, as well as a snowstorm in the following week. Zounds!

I have already decided that I will work from home on the really bad days. Others do it, and I have more of an excuse than they do! Yesterday, while I was filing papers, I found the login for remote access to my work computer. Hallelujah! It's been lost for a while, and I just couldn't remember how to get in.

I generally hate to file papers, but now that I have plenty of space for the papers, it's actually kind of fun. Yesterday I emptied a box of papers that I moved from my old place. Today I will tackle two baskets full which I have collected since I moved here. When I get that done, I will start to incorporate old files from old cabinets. It will feel good to get organized.

I think I will grocery shop for the brunch today, while the weather is still warm. That will give me plenty of time to prepare ahead of time, too.

I saw my niece and she mentioned that she might drive to Florida, so she and her kids might be a no-show. So it might turn out to be a small group, which is okay. This is a small place! It will be a challenge to figure out where to put the food -- and bodies!

After I get the grocery shopping done, I'll start working on my year-end totals. It's always fun to see how I did in black and white.

For some reason, I am excited about the new year! There is nothing really going on, but I always feel such a rush of hopefulness and expectation when the new year rolls around! One of my favorite New Year's activities is to go around the house with a notebook and make note of all the things that need to be addressed/changed/updated/replaced. I don't get everything done, but it gives me focus.

I'm off to shower, and then to the grocery!

Oh, how I hate that this will end! But I will have to go back to work eventually!

Today I made up a list of things I want to do daily. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm going to play some kind of game with myself where I get points for getting these things done. Not sure what I will do with the points yet -- maybe figure out a rewards chart for myself.

Here is my list:

Exercise
Clean cat box
Make bed
Load/Unload dishwasher
Swiffer/Vacuum
Floss
Earn Swagbucks
Do MyPoints
Speak to someone new
Thank someone for something
Drink water (sip all day)
Process mail
Clean the "cat chairs" (where the cats always sit)

Kind of a mixed bag -- health, housework, money, and social interaction. Some of these I do pretty regularly and for some I need a push. I figure I'd better not make the list any bigger, or doing them daily would be impossible!

For rewards, I'm thinking about a fast food meal, a movie, a snack like ice cream or caramel corn, a mani/pedi. Just thinking right now. I don't want to mess up my financial goals with too many rewards. Or rewards that are too easily earned.

I went to get my haircut today. Before hitting the road, I looked for coupons online, and found one for Fantastic Sam's for $10. However, I'm not sure I really saved money, because Sam's was about 7 miles away. Oh well. I needed to practice using my smartphone as a GPS. And it was a pretty day for a ride -- sunny and warm.

I've never been to this shop before, but I like the cut. I'll continue to go wherever I find the coupon, however. I'm planning to be a lot more serious about saving this year.

I love having these days off. I'm not really doing much, just piddling around, but it feels so good! It's going to be a brutal shock when I have to go back to work.

The walk to the station will be nicer, though, because one of my Christmas presents was a set of traction coils to wear on my boots. Why didn't I think of this? It's a whole different feeling, stepping out and knowing that I am so much more surefooted!

It was kind of funny how foot-oriented our Christmas was. I got the traction coils and a pair of miniature wooden shoes for my tree (I'm part Dutch and my hometown is Holland, Michigan). My son got a pair of high-tops and a bag of socks. My DIL got a pair of moccasins. Her mom got slippers. The grandsons each got a pair of shoes for school. Weird! I wonder what our theme will be next year?

Today was the first time I stayed home all day on my Christmas vacation. While I've loved hanging with the fam, I really needed to regroup and relax all by myself. I caught up on laundry -- three loads. I did some housework. And I did fun things, like reading, watching movies, playing computer games. I was intending to go get a haircut, but at some point I decided I was just in for the day. I'll get my haircut tomorrow. My hair is in my eyes and driving me crazy.

I've made a commitment to have the (local) family come over on New Year's Day for brunch. Some have not seen my place yet, so that is the main reason I'm doing it -- also to pay back a little for all the times I've pigged out at the others'. I'm planning on a breakfast casserole, a fruit salad, sausage and bacon, and some kind of roll or pastry. I may also make the family punch, which is one can of pineapple juice, one can of frozen concentrated orange juice, one jar of maraschino cherries, and one liter of 7-Up. Easy and good.

I work on New Year's Eve, and I'm having the grandsons overnight that night, so the timing really isn't good. I'm kind of kicking myself. But I will try to get things done ahead of time as much as possible.

My goals for next year are the usual ones. I want to increase savings and decrease my waistline. I guess a new one is that I want to kick my leg/hip pain by following through on physical therapy. I can't start it, however, until I get my new insurance card.

Not much financial to report. I did have a rather expensive day at Navy Pier - $31, just for food. My other outing with the grandsons -- a visit to Santa at Macy's -- was pretty cheap, but involved a two-and-a-half hour wait. Yikes!

Oops! I'm just learning how to use it, though. I think I'll like it when I get the hang of it.

It was a good Christmas. More materialistic than I would like, but then I am an SAer and a bit out of sync with the rest of the world!

Hope it's been a wonderful day for you and yours!

Well, my net worth has increased modestly this year by about $5,500. I've had some big expenditures this year, too -- furniture, rugs, computer, and a big tax bite. Barring any emergencies, I expect next year to be better.

Starting in January I will challenge myself to limit non-bill spending to $350. I'll try to do it for 3 months. It should give me an idea of how well I will manage in my first four years of retirement.

After last night's party, I stopped on the way home for gas ($34) and at the grocery store, where I shopped not for food but presents. I bought some fortune cookies, gift cards, and a sticker book and spent $68. Tonight I'll spend about $50 on a tin of caramel nut popcorn. Then I'll be ready for tomorrow's gift opening. This is the gift opening among those of us who will not be together for Christmas Day, not the REAL one.

I'm supposed to bring something for tomorrow's dinner, but haven't gotten my assignment yet! So I hope it will be easy!

I learned that one of my gifts to one of my grandsons has been duplicated by his other grandma. I will keep the game at my house, and try to find something else for GS. Just a small gift, but I have no ideas yet. I still have a few days, though, till the REAL gift opening on Christmas morning.

The party last night was mostly fun. Loud. I couldn't hear what most people were saying. There was a ton of food and my apple pie was mostly ignored. So frustrating to pay a lot for something and see it go to waste! I guess it won't really go to waste, since someone will bring it in to put in the break room. But now I wish I'd brought something cheap.

This is my last day of work until the 31st (all hands on deck for end-of-the-year gift processing). I'm really looking forward to some relaxing days at home. I really need a rest!

Well, last night, instead of finishing up my personal shopping, I shopped for our office's joint gift to our boss. I volunteered. I'm not quite sure how the words came out of my mouth, but they did.

I found a pair of hand-made earrings at Art & Artisan that I thought were lovely and that would suit my boss' style. Thank goodness, when I brought them in this morning, the others agreed. So just need to wrap it up tonight to give to her tomorrow. I'm out only $8 when everyone else pays their share.

I also picked up the pie for tonight's party. I settled on an apple pie on the advice of the piemaker. I explained that it would not be served until this evening and that it could not be refrigerated. And there could be no nuts. It's really pretty; the upper crust is decorated in oak leaf patterns. Or maybe they're holly leaves! The pie was $24.

This morning I went to City Hall to pay my wheel tax (city sticker). They did not make me pay the $50 late penalty, since I am a first-timer, so it was $75. That was a relief. I hate the very idea of paying $50 for nothing.

Then I drove to work, since I have the party tonight (in a neighboring suburb). I will have to get some gas before I go home -- and it just may be warm enough to get a car wash, too. On the way back, I'm going to stop at a big Jewel store along the way and buy fortune cookies for the grand-nieces' gift boxes.

I got the okay from my son to buy popcorn for his dad. He thought it was a good idea. I'll take care of that on Friday.

So, just one gift for the older grand-niece. I'd still like to get a scarf in her college colors, but I think getting something at Bath & Body Works will be easier.

Weather prediction for this weekend is either snow, rain, or freezing rain. That may mean icy roads, so I may not see my friend this weekend!

In the past few days I spent $250 more in Christmas gifts for family members, mainly cash and gift cards for the cash-strapped members.

Tonight I have to pick up a pie from a local pie shop for the office Christmas party. It's a bit of a splurge, but I have so often been the recipient of free food at the office I feel I need to do something special.

Tomorrow morning I have to go to City Hall and get my "virtual" city sticker, which is $113. Unless they take pity on me and waive the $50 late penalty. I am a first-time applicant, so they might. I never got any notification that I had to do this.

UPS tried to deliver my new sim card yesterday, but of course I wasn't home to sign for it. I left my signature on their notification sticker, and I hope they will leave it today. Surely it's small enough to stick in my mailbox? Oh, it's probably packaged in a box as big as a breadbox.

Our office received more Christmas gifts from alumni -- yesterday it was chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolates, and a huge box from Wolferman's filled with muffins, scones, breads and jellies. I've tried not to make TOO big of a pig of myself.

I may have a friend visit this weekend. She is watching the weather. But if she decides to come, we will visit Navy Pier on Sunday. She is bringing her grandchildren. I may or may not bring mine, depending on what their parents decide. They want to take the boys to Navy Pier themselves, so they need to decide whether they want them to go twice. And, of course, whether they want me to pre-empt the fun! I'll abide by their decision.

With the gift opening getting so close, I think I may shop for my grand-nieces at the station. There is a Bath & Body Works which ought to yield something. As for my ex and his wife, I think they will get Garrett's popcorn. It's at the station, too! Then I'll be done, done, done.

Yesterday I earned $9 from Pine Cone and $50 from MyPoints. I ordered an claim code from Amazon, but it's too late to use for Christmas. That's okay, I order from Amazon year-round.

I bought a Christmas present in one of the station shops. Generally I don't shop at the station -- high prices plus higher tax in the city. But I found a pair of earrings on sale that will be perfect for my DIL's mom. At least I think so! $14.

I also bought another Mega Millions lottery ticket as part of an office pool.

I managed to miss TWO trains this morning! I got to work an hour later than usual, and I'll make it up at the end of the day.

Our first (of two) family gift openings is this Saturday. I am not ready. Still need a gift for my ex & wife, and for my three grand-nieces. I have cute little fabric boxes shaped like Chinese take-out boxes for two of my grand-nieces, but I need to put something in them. I was thinking maybe fortune cookies and a gift card. As for my college-bound grand-niece, I am clueless. She seems to have pretty much everything. Maybe a scarf in her new school colors?

I am supposed to buy a city sticker for my car, but I keep forgetting. I looked on the city website this morning, just to see if I needed to move my car for plowing, and I see I have missed the deadline for buying the sticker. Now I have to pay a $50 penalty. GRRrrrr! I could do it online, but I don't know my license plate number by heart, so I guess I'll have to do it tomorrow.

The interesting thing is that I won't even get a sticker. It's a stickerless system. Ever heard of that?