Hidden Magnolias

I just thought I would check in and let you know how some of my "projects" are going. First - the Buy No New Clothes I have really been pleased with this one. It is now May and I haven't spent money on clothes at all this year and that is really good for me. I am usually buying something at least once a month. However, when I examined my Spring/Summer clothes, I noticed 2 pairs of  dress pants for work that really cannot go another year; thus I will be replacing them. Also, for full disclosure, my hubby gave me a little money to spend as I want. He often does that and I faithfully squirrel it away but this weekend I visited my favorite boutique and bought a few blouses -- again for work. Even though I didn't hit the mark 100%, I feel good about the progress made. Second - Spend No $$$ Weeks This one I have done surprisingly well. I have had several weeks since the new year where I spent no money at all --None, Zero, Natch, Nada -- with the exceptio...

I am going to try an experiment – a no spend week. The idea is to spend absolutely no money this week. No lunches out, no dinners out, no cokes/junk out of the machine, no splurging. My biggest hurdle is eating out at a night. I am so tired at the end of the day, that just having someone else cook for me (and clean up) is very enticing. Nevertheless, I am going to try this week to  SPEND.  NO.  MONEY.   At all. Nothing, nada, none. Why? I feel as if I may be at the beginning of the dreaded Debt Spiral. Am I in the danger zone? I am getting close – real close. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/stop-spending-budgeting-tool/ Well, yes, we were really bad over the holidays – had several trips and really didn’t hold back. Then car repair expenses – radiator fan and then transmission. URG! One of our income properties became empty – well, we had to evict – after not having 3 months’ rent, along with all the costs, so t...

This will make some of you mad but, please.... The recent decision of the UMC Church to take a more traditionalist approach, is the decision that was made whether you agree with it or not. To those affected, I cannot even begin to fathom your pain over the UMC decision. One person said, people who stay (in the UMC) are staying in an abusive relationship. That really hurt and I am sure hurts those of us who HAD NOTHING TO DO WHAT-SO-EVER WITH THIS DECISION and should not be blamed, slammed, shamed or called names. Each person must make their choice. If you disagree, leave. If you agree, stay. It is as simple as that. Don't stay if you feel unwanted. Is it painful? You bet. Are there many people confused and upset by this decision? Yes. But some of the awful, vehement statements I have read in the past day or two serves absolutely no purpose and do not help.  One person refused to agree to disagree and will only accept all people to see her poi...

Ok, so just a little update.... Just when we are working hard to be frugal, have a little nest egg building, WHAM! Real life kicks in. The transmission needs rebuilding in your almost 20 yr old car. And this is just after we have repaired my husband’s car. One of our tenants had to be evicted. Lost rent, court costs, and probably clean and repair on house. And my poor doggie had a bad tooth and had to have an extraction, plus all her shots, etc And because it is winter and was cold last month, our natural gas bill is enormous – thank goodness we have an energy efficient heat pump. But we survive. We have a warm house, food to eat, water to drink, pets to love, comfy beds, and each other. Happy Valentine's Day

I needed a BASIC manicure. My cuticles were beginning to look at bit ragged and I am very busy right now, so I thought I would just get a manicure.  Remember those? So I picked the nail salon closest to my office and wandered over. Oh my goodness. What an experience!! First woman handed me a basket of sample nails to look through. It was full of these types of nails pasted on little sticks. YAK!! I declined and then none of the women wanted to do my nails once I declined. I explained I had a work event and needed a simple manicure and neutral polish.   It was obviously unless, I wanted something remotely like this... ...no one wanted to wait on me. Finally, a woman came from the back and started my manicure. She looked somewhat put out, (a little huffing and puffing)  but did a good job.  When it came time for the polish, I had picked an OPI polish in a nice neural shade. She tried to up-sale me ...

As someone facing retirement in the not too far future, I am saddened and dismayed by some of the blogs I read. One senior blogger tells of how many food banks and senior food services near her are closed, moved, or redistributed. She depends on a bus service to get her to the food banks and now it is a long walk for her to get any food at all.   She received grocery gift cards for Christmas but is too afraid to use because she might need later since food prices in her area are going up and up. This made me very sad for her and fearful for me and mine. This is a country where people are spending $300,000 on a car and this woman’s grocery budget is $30. Ouch. Don't get me wrong, I AM NOT ADVOCATING SOCIALISM. But I cannot help but feel we have the least prepared group of people fixin' to retire. I don't want to be one of ill-prepared people. What am I going to do about it?  Pull in the reins.  I have always been...