My church has been working for months to organize their fund-raising auction that was supposed to be TONIGHT. But instead we are in the middle of the massive spring storm that is scrubbing the nation from Oklahoma to I don’t know where next. The wind is howling; rain is sleeting into snow over a glaze of ice.
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April 2, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
Mindful Chickens? We are frugal so that our retirement savings will last as long as we do. At the same time we try to consume responsibly so that our choices have the least negative impact on our fellow humans and on our earth and its creatures. Cheep, Cheap!
…
March 30, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
I regularly read blogs about being frugal. I like them because they are about people taking as much control of the quality of their life as they can within the many different circumstances in which people live. I especially love the letters people write listing what they did in the past few days to be careful and thoughtful about what they spend and how they save.
March 22, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
Two things I have been thinking about lately. Both are related to retirement income and retirement adventure.
1. Last week Len and I went to our Social Security office to sign me up for Spousal Benefits. It took me several run-throughs to understand what “spousal benefits” are. Since then I have talked to several other people who were also unclear on the concept.
February 24, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
1. We did it! We called, explained what we thought we needed to do, made appts, were home for the appts, rec’d the estimates about - fixing the gutters and getting the house painted. I think one of the reasons we usually do it ourselves is because this process is so daunting and time consuming.
February 9, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
1. When we were sick in January (with flu and cold) Len used the CVS card that I had signed up for last year and then barely used. He bought several OTC medicines plus a cool-mist vaporizer using that card, which saved us 20%. That was helpful.
January 22, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
1. I donated blood Friday morning. This is a free mini-checkup every two months; they take your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and check your hemoglobin levels (iron). They send your blood to be checked for various diseases such as Lyme disease, West Nile, and Zika.
January 11, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth
1. We bought a car!! We bought our (former) 2006 Mercury Milan and 2004 Ford Ranger around 2006-2007. Len is a very good vehicle dad – they lasted this long. The truck is still reliably chugging along; we sold it to a neighbor. However it became apparent a few weeks ago that the Milan could no longer take care of itself. Sigh.
December 27, 2017
Posted by Mary Beth
1. Update: Only giving and receiving food items with our (adult) kids on Christmas was as fun as anything. (http://www.marybethdanielson.com/content/not-buying-presents-christmas-what-fresh-hell) Receiving MY OWN PERSONAL BUTTERSCOTCH PIE was astounding!
December 11, 2017
Posted by Mary Beth
1. We either squandered $60 this year or saved $30 today – depends on how you look at it. (Ahhh, the prism of life metaphor…)
Len’s lost his job last spring but soon enough he found his next job (he’s a serial worker); he now works mostly from home.