It is time to pay for parking on campus. It is an annual $100 fee. However, there are other options offered.

One, there is a "free lot" at a church which is about an 8-minute walk away. There is a shuttle to this lot, also, though I don't think it runs real often.

Two, you can opt out of parking from April to November, and get a $25 pass to park on campus from December to March.

It takes me about 35 minutes to walk from my home to work, which is fine in nice weather but would be horrible in the rain or cold or excessive heat. Plus, carrying things is a problem. Sometimes my tote is heavy.

I thought before I decided I would try out the free lot. I parked there this morning. I tried to take a shortcut through the park, and got my shoes very wet in the dew. Not the way to go. Also, my shoes were rubbing me the wrong way by the time I got there, so I must wear walking shoes, even for a short walk like that. Still, I think it is an option with a little tweaking.

On the nice days I can walk all the way, and on the bad ones I can park at the church and wait for the shuttle.

It is only a savings of $8.33 a month, so I don't know if it's really worth it. The downside of not having a car on campus is that I couldn't use it at lunchtime and I couldn't run errands on the way home. I couldn't take home boxes like I do regularly (for hauling my booth items). It would be difficult on the days I had to bring in treats.

I don't know, what would you do?

Rent -- 1132 (new rate)
Vacation/Travel -- 854 (expenses from 2 trips)
Utilities -- 196
Groceries -- 116
Business -- 81
Gifts/Charity -- 67
Insurance -- 66
Furnishings/Equipment -- 54 (mostly for a wall hanging)
Eating Out -- 105 (birthdays)
Entertainment -- 10
Gas -- 0 (the only fill-ups were vacation-related)
Medical/Health -- 88 (vitamins etc.)
Clothing -- 112 (swimsuit, coverup, jewelry, alterations)
Personal -- 18 (haircut)
Fees/Services -- 57 (AAA)
Vet/Pet Supplies -- 45
Household Supplies -- 38
Car Repair/Maintenance -- 0
Miscellaneous -- 0

Total -- $3039

That's more than my take-home pay, so it's a red flag. But it was a pretty crazy month, and I expect this month will be very quiet.

I'm back from my conference. It was awesome. And my extra day with my cousins was fabulous, although I spent a little more than I wanted to. But then, they picked up a lot of the cost, too.

I'm getting back $1128, if my expense report is approved. What I spent above that was ...

$84 for food on Saturday/Sunday
$14 for entertainment (boat ride to see the bats)
$50 for ground transportation (didn't get a receipt -- long story)
$58 for gifts (good finds for Christmas)
$18 for a souvenir necklace for myself
$217 for the extra night in the hotel
$5 tip for the hotel maid

Whew!

What I resisted:

I didn't buy a book, even though my Nook lost its juice.

I didn't spend $$$ to get an earlier flight when I was dropped off at the airport early.

I didn't buy food/water to keep in my room.

I didn't order a movie in my room.

It could have been worse, financially.

Now I'm ready to try my $300 experiment again. It's August 1, and I have spent....

$15 for a Groupon to ride a Tall Ship at Navy Pier. Let me explain. I really, really wanted to do this last year and didn't get the chance. They only come once a year and now's the time. And my birthday is coming up, so this is my present to myself. I'm riding the Tall Ship!

I'm at my conference, just have a few minutes between sessions and they are offering this free internet access (first come first serve on the computers).

I LEFT MY CASH AT HOME! What's even worse, my bank card doesn't work (demagnitzed maybe?) so I can't even get it at an ATM. The financial genies are definitely against me. So far I have done okay paying for everything with my credit card.

Went out to dinner last night with friends at a BBQ bar -- $22 with tip. Not as cheap as I was hoping.

My cookie cutters made it through security just fine, and my friend loved them.

Tonight I am planning to see the bats under the bridge. It's a big Austin thing!

Had a great session this morning -- that's always a bonus at a conference, isn't it? Tee hee.

Oh, and I missed out on the opportunity to earn a $400 voucher at the airport. Volunteered to take a later flight, but I was too late; others beat me to it.

Later!

Today I fly to Austin, TX, for a conference. I'm now at work, with my two carry-on bags. My boss will drive me to the airport in a couple of hours. I will leave my car in free parking in the college lot. I WILL have to get a taxi home on Sunday, because my neither of my sons will be available to give me a lift.

It was tricky getting four days' worth of clothes into a bag that will fit under the seat, but I did it. My other bag has my laptop, my Nook, my wallet, my camera and the various power cords to go with them all. I also packed a couple of gifts for a friend -- a small set of cookie cutters and a banner. I hope they don't confiscate the cookie cutters as a possible weapon.

I'm taking care of my son's betta while his family is at Disney, but for these four days the betta must be on his own. I bought a 7-day food block for him, but he doesn't seem interested in it. I hope he will be okay. My cats are all set with lots of food and water and an extra litter pan. A friend is going to deliver food to my patio for the ferals.

I have cash and few power bars for food emergencies.

I think everything and every critter is covered.

This is the part of traveling that I hate. The pressure of getting ready. I've done everything I can to make it economical. Luckily, a lot of the food will be provided, and whatever isn't will be reimbursed by the college. Still, I will be frugal. It is already very costly for them to send me, and I don't want to make it even more costly.

My earlier entry details how I messed up my $300 challenge. Since I'm going to a conference on Wednesday, I've decided to wait until I come back and then start the challenge again. Spending will not be normal again until then.

Two days to get ready for the conference. Other than setting aside a few outfits, I haven't done much, so the next two days will be busy. After the conference is over, I am staying an extra day to see my Texas cousins. That will probably be spendy, but seeing them is something I don't get to do very often.

I'm operating on very little sleep today (insomnia again), but I have lots to do at work, so I hope I can stay alert enough to do it.

I didn't spend anything yesterday. I should get a haircut and a pedicure before the conference, but I don't know if I'll have time. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I think mainly I'm tired.

No, I'm not kidding. I spent almost the whole wad this weekend.

Here's what happened. My son called and suggested that they come down to my place for his wife's birthday celebration. I was all for it. I had a groupon I could use.

Then he said the kids would love swimming in the pool afterwards. I was for that, too, (and I've suggested it to them many times) but I didn't have a suit. I thought it over. I could have opted to sit on the sidelines in clothes, but I didn't WANT that! I wanted to be in the pool, playing with the kids.

So I stopped at Kohl's on the way home from work and found a suit on sale for $46. But I also bought a cover-up (which will double as a nightshirt) for $31. Then I realized I didn't have a beach towel, so I got one for $7.

When the family arrived, I looked up the restaurant for their hours and realized they didn't open till 5 p.m.! So, we all went through my coupons for ideas, and we settled on Buca di Beppo, where I had a $10 off coupon. The coupon essentially paid for the tip. We got a family-style meal for $68.

We went home for dessert -- ice cream -- and then went to the pool, where we had a wonderful time. When dinnertime rolled around, I was too exhausted to cook, so I offered to get Taco Bell. $15 for that.

Before the family arrived, I squeezed in my grocery shopping. That was $66. My fifteen items were:

Iced tea -- house brand
Milk
Orange juice
Greek yogurt -- on sale
Lemon juice
Cat litter
Detergent
Dishwasher detergent
Generic Zyrtec -- on sale
Aspirin
Can of gravy
Wine -- on sale
Cream cheese -- house brand
Ice cream -- on sale
Applesauce -- on sale

I saved only $6 this time.

While at the grocery, I realized that I had to pick up a pair of pants from the dry cleaners which I'd had altered. I wanted to have them for the conference. That was $10.

So that's the story of how most of my money disappeared in one weekend.

I guess since I still have money I won't declare my experiment a failure quite yet.

But I wasn't willing to pass up a good day for the sake of an experiment. And it was a really good day.

This morning I stopped at a grocery store on the way to work and bought an anniversary card for my aunt & uncle and 2 pounds of blueberries. I went just for the card, but the blueberries were only $5 and looked irresistible. So I spent $8.

Yesterday my feeling of crumminess got overwhelming and I went home sick at noon. Turned out I was running a fever but didn't know it. (I don't seem to get a hot forehead like other people do). I took Aleve and slept on the couch in between watching The Tudors (the later episodes are now on Netflix streaming). Blood, sex, and beautiful costumes. Something for everyone! Anyway, I'm much better today.

The other day I looked at the heyitsfree website and really went through the birthday freebies. My birthday is next month. I signed up for a lot of free food from a lot of restaurants. I won't be able to use it all, especially if I am restricted to one day, but I think I can count on several good free meals. Of course, now I am in all the "clubs" and will get e-mail forever, but some of them sent "welcome" offers at well. I'll have to sort through them tonight.

I used a grill pan that I really like to cook kabobs the other day, and the marinade badly scorched the pan. I've tried everything to get it clean, including using oven cleaner. I guess I'll try one more round of oven cleaner, but after that I'll have to decide whether I want to dump the pan or use it as is. On the same day the bra I was wearing started poking me -- the underwire had worked its way out of the casing. I couldn't figure out how to get it back to its original state -- the wire actually seemed too long, like it grew or something! So I ended up throwing it out. With any luck, my weight loss will continue and I will need smaller bras soon, anyway. AND, on the same day, I decided to put a good pair of Clarks sandals in the Goodwill pile because every time I try to wear them I get a sore on top of my foot. It just rubs me the wrong way, literally. I hate to give up on things that should still have a lot of use in them, but c'est la vie!

I didn't spend anything yesterday after the farmer's market.

I had quite an unusual eating day yesterday, beginning with cake for breakfast (because it was free). Later, I learned that the HR office was distributing free ice cream, so I got a Snickers ice cream bar. Along the way I also consumed 6 Pecan Sandies. Don't know what was the matter with me, but I was craving sugar big time.

In the evening I was tired and queasy and didn't feel well, so I went to bed early and skipped dinner. I skipped exercise as well.

All in all, a day in which I did everything wrong.

I lost two pounds. Go figure.

I spent my first $7 out of the $300 allotted for the next 30 days. I stopped at the farmer's market on the way to work and bought apricots and cherries.

I pictured this as a typical thing I might do as a retiree, but soon realized that, while lovely, the produce was not cheap. Rather upscale farmer's market. But I couldn't resist having something fresh and out of the ordinary.

I shared a few cherries with my boss, who loves them, thus sowing seeds of good will at work!

I recalled that a co-worker had brought in a Tres Leches cake yesterday, so I just had a piece for breakfast. Not very healthy, but free and delicious.

I have some spending challenges ahead. I need a haircut. I need an oil change. I have promised to take my DIL out for her birthday this weekend (yes, I've mentioned it before; it keeps getting put off).

I'm also facing my first dilemma. Last night I had baked chicken thighs for dinner, and soon after I felt some -- hmmm -- gastrointestinal discomfort. The last time I had chicken thighs, last week, I had the same reaction, only somewhat worse. I'm taking them from the freezer, from a big batch I bought on sale and divided into individual servings. I think I have to throw the rest away, if they are going to make me sick. Oh, how I hate that! And just when I want to stretch what I have on hand.

I'm going to "play retirement" for the next month. Austere retirement.

I really need to get a handle on what my variable spending limits need to be in the future when I am dependent on social security and my 403b. My worst-case scenario planning indicates that I might have only $300 to spend monthly on food, clothing, transportation, etc. after I've paid my housing/utilities/insurance/medical. That's pretty low, but I think I could do it if I had to. A brief look at last month's spending indicates that I spent about $482 in all those areas, and I'll bet if I really try I can cut way down.

I have a conference coming up, and I won't count those expenses (they will be reimbursed anyway).

But everything else -- the clock starts now. 30 days.

Birthday card
Fresh raspberries -- on sale
Yellow squash
Green pepper – on sale
Bag of nectarines
4-pack Pillsbury biscuits
Bag of frozen mixed vegetables – on sale
Pecan Sandies – on sale
Cat Food – on sale
2 bottles vitamins – BOGO
2 bottles CoQ10 – BOGO
Shower cap
Bag of mini-pads – house brand

Total: $89.09
Total Savings $47.43

Big cost, but big savings. The main reason is the CoQ10, which is 33.99 a bottle, but I got one free.

I take CoQ10 because I also take a statin. It was recommended by my former doctor that I always take CoQ10, because statins eat it up, or something.

Now I hear rumblings that women don’t even need statins – I’ll have to ask my doctor about that. If I can stop taking statins, I’ll save a lot in CoQ10!

I also went garage-saling this weekend. My best finds were a black turtleneck and a denim shirt for .50 each. Both classic items, both missing in my current wardrobe. I also found some Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Groendahl plates for my booth – 3 for $8. Not the greatest price, but I’ll charge at least $10 for each. I also found a cool weathered, crackled frame that will look great with a Mary Cassatt print I already have, and a ceramic jar that says “Lollypops for Good Children” It looks like it’s from the ‘fifties. The frame was .50 and the jar $1. Both will go in the booth. I also found a wicker shelf for $1 which I will probably use for display, and a $1 Santa for my own collection. I really like this one. Santa is bald and feeding a reindeer. I also found some books and stocking stuffers for my grandson ($2.50) and some snowpants (.50). So, a good day, but no major finds.

I stayed inside all day Sunday – I had a headache and the weather was HOT. It’s hot today, too. I hope a thunderstorm will cool things off, but just a mild one. No more broken trees and power lines, please!

I put my $52 into savings.

Today I'm getting a free tire check at noon (employee benefit). Hope to hit some garage sales tomorrow, but I also have to get up to see my grandkids, and take my DIL out for her belated birthday. And do my grocery shopping. Maybe I'll save Sunday for the family time.

Wish weekends were longer.

The weather was still good today so I walked to work. My scale showed a one-pound loss this morning, so that was a nice reward.

I have a project at work that is driving me crazy. Has to be done fast, fast, fast; it's BIG, and the rules keep changing. Talk about a stress cocktail. At least it will be done tomorrow -- until the powers that be decide it has to be done all over again differently.

Tomorrow is payday and the first day of my new, higher rent payment. It's getting tougher and tougher to save. Even though I have $323 left in my checking account, I can't transfer it to savings, because my Discover card payment is $271 higher than my budget allows. (I pay in full every month). I guess I will put the $52 difference into savings -- it's better than nothing.

I WOULD say I'll be more conservative with the Discover card this month, but I'm going to a conference at the end of the month, and I'll be charging food and hotel and ground transportation. (The airline fare and conference fee are already paid.) I WILL get everything back, but it doesn't happen very quickly. I guess I can console myself that it will all go into savings then.

Just feel like I'm not gettin' anywhere!

After my vacation spending frenzy, I am settling down into frugality again.

Had a no-spend day on Monday. Yesterday I bought cookies at the cafeteria -- mainly because I was freaked at a big assignment and -- and hungry -- and I needed a boost. $2.

Today the weather was cooler, so I walked to work.

I found a nickel on a busy road. I didn't want to pass it up, so I waited for the traffic to clear and then quickly stepped in and got it. I suppose people thought I was nuts.

While on vacation I found a quarter in a CVS parking lot. I updated my sidebar. While my gains are modest, it is still pretty amazing to me that I have picked up a little over $2.50 on the street in about a year!

The booth is now completely set up in Indiana. It was a lot of work, but it looks very nice, and I hope the new location will spur some sales.

I'm home again, and last night I did my grocery shopping (15 items):

Cat Chow – on sale, $1 off coupon
Crackers – house brand on sale
Shredded cheese – on sale
Milk – on sale
2 Loaves Bread – BOGO
Mayonnaise – house brand on sale
Eggs -- $1 off coupon if 2 sausage purchased
2 Breakfast Sausage -- $.55 off coupon on each
Greek yogurt
Spaghetti sauce – on sale
Wine
Peanut Butter – house brand on sale
Coffee

Total: $52.91
Total Savings $10.36


Vacation/Booth-moving Costs:

Food: $134
Pet Sitter: $40
Gas: $200
Lodging: $102
Hired help: $20
New labels, etc.: $14

I paid $44.48 to settle up at the NC booth, but got back $108 from my original deposit, so I came out ahead there.

Incidental expenses: reading glasses, $15; movie, $7, a new print for my bedroom wall $42. I KNEW I packed my reading glasses, but couldn't find them. After I bought a new pair I found them inside a shoe. I don't mind having an extra pair. It can live in my travel bag. The print for my wall is for a space I've been looking to fill for a long time. I found this oriental print in green tones, perfect color, perfect size, and I got the dealer discount since I bought it at the antique mall in NC.

Looks like I won’t be able to deposit extra savings this month – the remainder in my checking account will have to go toward next month’s Discover bill. Still, it’s always a plus when I don’t have to raid savings for unusual spending like this, and so far I'm okay.

My booth, that is.

I got everything in boxes yesterday, labeled A, B, and C. A -- going into the new booth. B -- maybe, if there's room in the car. C-- going to Goodwill.

Well, the B's are going to Goodwill, too, but there will be room in my car, I think, for my sewing rocker, and I won't have to rent a trailer.

Today we deal with the fixtures. The owner will consign our secretary and a nice coffee table. The bookcases have to be delivered to my sister's house -- she's set someone up to do that. We sold a bookcase yesterday as we were packing up.

There are a few occasional tables that we will leave with the owner, to either consign or use as he sees fit.

I have saved receipts, but haven't tracked expenses yet. So far I have spent the gas to get here, a night in a hotel, lunch out, and $44 for my last month's booth rental. I also got back $108 from my deposit.

The new booth will be somewhat smaller and the rent will only be $85 as opposed to $150. And it will be three hours away instead of 17 hours away! Also, my best friend will look after it (dusting, filling spaces) when I can't be there.

I do wish I could have moved it closer to home, but the rents in Chicago are crazy. Granted, I could jack up the prices, but I don't feel right about that. I like to charge what I think the real value is.

I forgot to put my half.com bookstore on vacation, so of course I sold a book! I had to email some friends to pinch-hit for me. One of my them is looking after my cats, so she will find the book, and she will take it to another friend who is also a seller and knows the drill. Sheesh. I sell so rarely anymore, I didn't even think of it.

My cousin and I had a lovely fourth watching fireworks on TV in air-conditioning. Definitely the way to go. It is HOT here in NC!

June totals:

Rent: 1110
Vacation: 426
Gifts: 205
Business: 200
Utilities: 153
Fees/Services: 139
Groceries: 89
Gas: 82
Insurance: 61
Eating Out: 50
Medical/Health: 37
Clothing: 23
Vet/Pet Supplies: 16
Furnishings/Equipment: 8
Car Repair/Maintenance: 7

Vacation was a long weekend in Tennessee. Gifts included a wedding and two birthdays. Business included deposit on new antique booth location. Fees included license plates and I-pass payment.

July will be similar, with high vacation and business costs (I will actually be physically moving the booth items across country as part of my vacation). And my rent will go up.

In other news, I finished my appeal and will drop it in the mail at noon today. If I win it, I will feel like I made $8,000!

I'm getting ready for my trip -- will head out tomorrow and stay one night somewhere along the way. I'm getting too old to drive alone for 12-14 hours. I also plan to have a nice meal along the way, maybe at a Cracker Barrel. And I'm paying a co-worker to look in on my cats, both my pets and my ferals.

I added another line to my personal financial spreadsheet -- my new retirement contribution from my current employer. Yay! It began with a deposit of $170 and today it is up to $174. It will be fun to watch it grow. I think I will redo my sidebar, so that instead of targeted funds I will just show my savings accounts. Which funds I will use for what is kind of a loose concept, anyway.

I was trying to cease spending this week, as I noticed my monthly total was edging too close to my income. But I can't control the automatic charges on my credit card. Today it was a payment to I-Pass, my tollway gadget. Yesterday it was a contribution to my Alma Mater. And today I will probably buy a $1 cheeseburger at McDonald's because I have to run out at lunchtime. So --- must do better next month!

I returned yesterday from a beautiful weekend in Tennessee where I attended my nephew's beautiful wedding. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Isn't it wonderful we have weddings to serve as bright spots in our lives?

It was not a glamorous blow-out wedding, just sweet and simple, in an old-fashioned church, with the reception at the bride's childhood home (which happened to be a lovely 19th century home in a historic district). The only drawback was that it was very hot, and the reception was held on the lawn, so the crowd dispersed sooner rather than later.

The cost of the wedding to ME, the doting aunt, was as follows:

Gift: $108
Gas: $154
Food: $25
Hotel: $248

I also spent $18 because I forgot to pack my Align, and another $8 for a necklace/earring set because I forgot to pack jewelry.

I already had my dress and shoes.

The food was so cheap because so many other family members did things like ordering pizza, subs, etc. I was well-fed. And -- so far -- no weight gain!

On the way back I stopped overnight at my best friend's in Indiana, and we went to see Super8, $7.

I am working hard on building my case for the HMO appeal. I received my medical records, which were very helpful. Tomorrow I will pick up copies of my referrals from my primary care physician. Then I will be able to put my package together and send it. Honestly, I don't see how they could refuse!

Strong storms rolled through our area last night, and, though I lost power temporarily a few times, I had no long-term effects. I did have a neighbor knock on the door and suggest I come out into the hall, but I felt I was just as safe in my bathroom, which is interior, with no windows.

This morning I went to work and found that there is no power on my side of the building. I stayed until 10 -- had a meeting with my boss, read a "best practices" report from another college, and started writing a "best practice" for our department -- longhand. But at 10 my boss said go home. She did suggest strongly that I work on the project at home. I will, but not yet. Coming home gave me the opportunity to do laundry and dishes, and to work on that tasteless soup. I am now happy to say that I have transformed the soup into "chicken tortilla" soup -- found a dwindling bottle of salsa to add to it. Put in quite a bit of chicken soup base and now it tastes pretty good. I'm warming it to let the flavors mix and to reduce it a bit, and then I'll put it in the freezer.

So inspired, I decided also to work on the chicken salad I made recently. It was awfully stiff, because I didn't want to add too much mayonnaise. Today I decided to take the risk of adding vanilla Greek yogurt. I thought the vanilla flavoring wouldn't be too bad, because it's already a bit of a sweet salad, with dried cranberries. I was right -- it tastes pretty good, and I didn't add a lot of calories! That I will eat for lunch today.

I'm really trying to clear out my fridge. I'll be away from Friday through Monday, and then again the following Saturday for a week. I don't want stuff going sour in there. Which reminds me, I need to pour the milk down the drain! Sigh. I'm just going to have to break down and buy only those tiny bottles of milk. I'm lactose-intolerant and shouldn't be drinking it at all, but I love it with cookies and cereal (and I take Lactaid, when I indulge). And don't tell me to buy the special milk, I hate it!

Don't really have any financial news -- I'm still waiting for documentation to arrive before I file my appeal to the insurance company. So I'm on hold right now.

I skipped my regular grocery shopping this week, but last night I needed a couple of things, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and walk to the store. It was only a fifteen-minute walk, something I never realized before! But it was also a buggy walk, most of it on a path that cuts through a wooded area. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice, wide, heavily-used path, not anything scary, but the mosquitoes were out and ready to dine! They got me several times.

Anyway, I bought ant traps and cat food, $13. There are little ants all over my kitchen floor. I've had this before -- they always go away -- but it's an annoyance. The cat food I bought in preparation for my weekend away -- will have to set out extra food for the kids.

I had my refrigerator soup for dinner last night, and it wasn't very good. Edible, but not tasty. I'll have to think of a way to season it. It's mostly milk and chicken broth thickened with roue, with celery and Asian vegetables, all pulverized to make it creamy (thanks to my great new blender). I may just need to add some chicken bouillon powder to bring it around.

I woke up on Sunday as groggy as heck, and I couldn't seem to shake myself out of it.

But as the day wore on I felt more with it. I did laundry and dishwasher loading/unloading, made some soup, and even tackled my mending. I sewed a button on a shirt and hemmed a pair of pants. I have another pair of pants to do, but that pair has a lining, so I may have it done professionally.

I also took a 40-minute walk.

Then I got online and caught up on MyPoints and surveys, and then I went back to the novel I'm writing and spruced up Chapter One and added a few paragraphs to Chapter Two. I'm going to try to add at least a few lines every day. It's better than nothing, and it's a good discipline, even though I'll probably never publish it (or finish it, at this rate!)

Today I got on the phone and talked to the surgical center who's billing me. They were so nice and tried to be helpful, but of course the onus is on the insurance company. After a little bit of buck-passing I found someone at the HMO who would give me the address where I will send my appeal. (Why do they make everything so hard?) I also called the surgeon's office and they will send the medical records which will show the surgery was legitimate. I am keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that someone will see reason and I won't have to pay $8,000.

Just when things seemed to be going so well, I got my final bill from the ankle surgery. $8,000. Insurance has declined to pay.

Since it's the weekend, I can't talk to anyone to find out why it has been denied. I've had trouble since day one, because I had the nerve to get injured outside my HMO area. They have tried to deny everything except the actual surgery and hospital stay. Everything else -- x-rays, followup visits, etc. have been "bones" of contention (haha). But it has all been paid, except this -- this, being the surgery to remove a pin that held my bones together while my leg was healing. $8,000 for about 10 minutes. And the insurance has told the surgery center they will pay $0. I'm so upset. I will contest, when I can get someone on the phone and find out how to do it.

Of course this happened right after I loaned $3,500 to my son! But I imagine the contesting stage will still be going on after he pays me back.

This has certainly made me think about ways I can cut back more. I'm pretty frugal already, but I have been even more mindful about using electricity, gas, water, etc. I have gone through my refrigerator and I'm cooking everything that is perishable -- yes, that means refrigerator soup for dinner! I've decided to skip this week's grocery shopping -- I have enough on hand, and I'm leaving on Friday anyway, for my nephew's wedding (which will be expensive, but I've already made that commitment). Ah me.

Yesterday I worked at a jazz concert -- actually, at the pre-concert festivities, which included a social hour with buffet for the President's Society (our top donors). Although I really didn't want to go, and was praying for rain, I had a great time, and I not only got a free dinner but food to take home as well, which I had for brunch this morning.

Before the concert I went out for pizza with my son's family, and they paid, in thanks for the check I had given them. So I've really been operating on free food for a few days!

My savings account just took a hit. I loaned $3500 to my son for car repairs. He is very reliable and has never asked for money before, so I don't feel there is much risk. He has promised to pay me back in 60 days. He is just slammed with expenses right now and car trouble was the last thing he expected, or needed. It was clear he just hated asking.

Still, it makes me a little nervous. I have never been in a position to loan that much before.

I recorded the difference in my sidebar, even though I expect the change to be short-term.

In other news, I renewed my license plates to the tune of $99 and treated myself to a $1 ice cream cone. Tonight I'm going out to dinner and a movie (the latest "Pirates") with a friend. The movie will be free; we're using a Groupon.

I've decided to cut way back on coffee -- I've done this before, but coffee crept back into my life, and lately I've been guzzling a lot of it. As much as I enjoy it, it affects me in ways I don't like. I've started drinking just a half cup in the morning and then cutting it off. Makes me really savor that half cup! And should save me some $$.

Had a free lunch yesterday; it was our retreat day, which took place at an arboretum. It was a pretty interesting place -- and a beautiful day. I almost fell asleep on the tram ride, it was so calm and relaxing.

Tomorrow night I work registration at a jazz festival. I may or may not get a light dinner, depending on what's left after the crowd goes through. However, if it rains, the show is cancelled, and rain is in the forecast.

It's pay day. I just transferred $150 into savings. Pretty lame, but last month I had nothing to transfer, so it's progress. Summer, with traveling and birthdays, is proving expensive.

I worked till 8 last night, taking payments at a fund-raising golf/dinner event. I did get dinner, but I get no other compensation as I am on salary. It was fun, though very hectic at the end when everyone was paying at once for their auction items. Dinner was great -- I went over my calorie limit by at least 500.

This morning I woke up late, every muscle and joint aching. I rushed through getting ready and arrived at work just barely on time, only to find I was the first one here! I didn't do my hair or makeup and feel kind of crappy, but my hair looks fine and I can do my makeup in a few minutes. All in all, I'm glad I forced myself to do this, because it was very tempting to call in sick.

It was a good weekend. On Saturday I got up and cleaned out my big closet, and took three big bags of donations to Goodwill. I also went through and re-organized my gift stash, and wrapped my DIL's gifts for her upcoming birthday.

I shopped at Goodwill, finding a pair of Coldwater Creek jeans, a Danskin hoodie and a GAP sweater for myself, as well as a Pyrex pie plate (identical to the one I bought a little while ago, so now I have a set). I bought a few toys to have around for the grandsons and a very cool wooden frame which I will put in the booth, when it's resurrected in its new place. And I bought 6 silver serving spoons, which I will give to my DS and DIL, who collect spoons. Probably at Christmas. Altogether it was $35.

Then I grocery shopped. I bought 16 items, because at the last minute I put some skewers in my cart for kabobs. My items:

Sirloin tip roast and bottom round roast (BOGO & $3 off coupon)
Greek yogurt
Cat chow ($1 off coupon)
Wine (on sale)
Crystal Light
Yellow squash (on sale)
Breadsticks
Strawberries (on sale)
Mushroom soup
Can of mushrooms
Skewers
Garbage bags
Chicken thighs (on sale)
Ice cream (on sale)
Nacho sauce

Total: $57.77
Savings: $20.43

I got really good deals on meats, and I spent some time processing them -- I cooked a bunch of chicken thighs in the crock pot, froze the rest in 2-unit batches, froze one roast whole and cut the other up in cubes and froze in 10-12 oz. batches.

On Sunday I went out to lunch with my son ($17) at a local diner.

It was nice weather (though cool) and I did a lot of walking.

I feel a nice sense of accomplishment.

The heat and the rain have ceased my efforts to walk to work for three days now. But on the other hand, I have not turned on my air conditioning, and I am not suffering too badly -- helps to be on the first floor! Today's rain will REALLY cool things off, so now my challenge will be not to turn on the heat. It's that time of year when I shouldn't have to to either.

I did a survey for Folica and got a $10 off reward for any item over $20. I toyed with the idea of getting a mini flat iron, but decided I really didn't need more than one flat iron; the one I have is light and small and quite easy to pack. I ended up buying a jar of hair wax which I will give to one of my sons or my nephew. After the $10 off it was still $17.95 with shipping, so not quite the bargain, but I think it will be appreciated.

Both my DIL's have birthdays this month. One is coming up soon. It's time to get into my gift stash and pick out the gifts. I think for one of them I will have to pad the gift with a gift card. She is VERY hard to buy for, has very strong tastes and opinions, but always appreciates a gift card. The other is easier to please. I think she will really like some of my finds.

Just updated my sidebar to include the nice, shiny quarter I found in the parking lot last night, as I waded home in steamy, hot soupy weather. A nice reward for a pretty grueling walk.

I also stopped in at Dominick's to get reimbursed -- I was charged twice for a greeting card I bought.

I forgot to mention that before my trip, I did my weekly grocery shopping. I bought fifteen items without even counting, so it must be second nature now!

Here is the list:

Ritz crackers -- on sale
2 packages Chips Ahoy -- BOGO
Cat food -- on sale
2 packages frozen vegetables
String cheese -- on sale and .50 off coupon
Greeting card
Hamburger buns, store brand, on sale
Hot dog buns, store brand, on sale
Bread -- on sale
Vidalia onion
Package of celery hearts
Wine -- on sale
Hot dogs -- on sale

Total -- $45.95
Savings -- $11.39

My one error was the celery hearts -- I accidentally bought organic, which cost way more than I usually pay. I will have to make sure to use up all that expensive celery!

I also lost a pound and a half -- after two days of overeating! What gives? I'm glad anyway!

My weekend trip to Michigan was nice, but a series of mishaps, financially. Just little things.

I stopped at McD for breakfast and got an Egg McMuffin, thinking it was on the dollar menu. It was not. It was $4.42 with coffee. I waited until I got to Michigan to buy gas, thinking it would be cheaper. I finally stopped when the tank was getting too low for my comfort and paid $4.15 a gallon ($47 total). But if I had gone a little further, it would have been $4.05. I didn't spend any money there, except for my cash gift to my niece, but on the way home I missed an important exit, and had to wind back over big looping interchanges to get back on track -- wasted gas. When I got home, I found I had left the TV on (not the cable box, which is why I didn't notice) and a closet light. I am usually so careful about electricity! So, no great misfortunes, I just wasn't on my game.

It was a lovely weekend. The weather was perfect, and my niece's open house went perfectly. She got LOTS of gifts -- her main one being an iPad. I was very aware that I was not the least bit interested. I have really been left behind in technology and I don't care at all. I liked it better when things were simpler. I'm showing my age I know! I had to chuckle when I noticed a post-it note on the wall which was a step-by-step explanation from my niece to her parents on how to turn on the TV. I can relate!

I was really tired when I got home, so I didn't do the things I usually do on weekends, like preparing food ahead of time or ironing. I'll tackle that tonight. I just read and lay around. It was nice to reboot after a busy weekend.

I walked to work this morning, although it is pretty muggy. I am guessing that I will catch a ride home, as it will heat up. Found no coins today, but I was on the alert!