December Frugalistas 2020

[popmom]

Ok I know y'all have mentioned this a number of times before... What are the survey sites you use? My dd has been doing some for Eureka??. I think that is what she said. What are y'all using. I'm interested--for me and dd.

[Soror]

9 hours ago, Condessa said:

Dh is getting a raise.  It will come to at least $2000 more per month than he is getting now.  I’m pretty excited, especially since contacting the state insurance program that provides our secondary insurance and learning that our kids will not lose their secondary coverage from the pay increase.  (Dh’s work insurance has a $15,000 family deductible.)

He also learned that the community college isn’t cutting his class after all, so he will be teaching next semester after all.

Wow, that is a big one, congrats!

14 hours ago, hjffkj said:

Neighbor kids.  The mom tested positive, random test for work, but she has no symptoms.  The dad tested negative, also random test for work.  Kids have now been tested once mom had a positive but their tests aren't back.  The mom is retesting with a different test in hope of false positive.  But until we know the results of all those tests we're assuming direct exposure.  They have been pretty responsible with covid precautions and are likely more cautious than we are.  But both parents are teachers and have been back in school with maybe a third of the kids they usually have.

She is actually the first person I personally know who has tested positive.

Fingers crossed for you 😞

[mommyoffive]

9 hours ago, popmom said:

Ok I know y'all have mentioned this a number of times before... What are the survey sites you use? My dd has been doing some for Eureka??. I think that is what she said. What are y'all using. I'm interested--for me and dd.

How old is your dd? Just wondering if you are looking for ones for kids and adults?  I haven't heard of Eureka as a survey site.  

I listed the ones I use in the October Frugalista thread.  I bumped it for you to look at. 

Edited December 10, 2020 by mommyoffive

[mommyoffive]

Up to 40% off of Kohls code in your inbox

Be sure to check your inbox as you may have received an email from Kohl’s that contains a new single-use coupon worth up to 40% off your entire Kohl’s purchase – valid today 12/10 only!

Just look for an email with the subject line: “Your mystery offer is here! Unwrap the savings … ” coming from the email address “kohls@am.kohls.com“.

Please note that your mystery discount code cannot be combined with any storewide %-off discount codes, but it will stack with category offers.

[saraha]

14 hours ago, Condessa said:

Dh is getting a raise.  It will come to at least $2000 more per month than he is getting now.  I’m pretty excited, especially since contacting the state insurance program that provides our secondary insurance and learning that our kids will not lose their secondary coverage from the pay increase.  (Dh’s work insurance has a $15,000 family deductible.)

He also learned that the community college isn’t cutting his class after all, so he will be teaching next semester after all.

That is fantastic!

[popmom]

5 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

How old is your dd? Just wondering if you are looking for ones for kids and adults?  I haven't heard of Eureka as a survey site.  

I listed the ones I use in the October Frugalista thread.  I bumped it for you to look at. 

She is 19--turns 20 this month. And thank you!

[mommyoffive]

We are short $1000 in our escrow account.  Stinks.  It looks like they never adjusted it from last year when we were maybe $500 or $600 short.  And then the value of our house went up.  Our house has never been valued what it is now.

[Soror]

2 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

We are short $1000 in our escrow account.  Stinks.  It looks like they never adjusted it from last year when we were maybe $500 or $600 short.  And then the value of our house went up.  Our house has never been valued what it is now.

Sorry, that stinks 😞

[Soror]

I noticed that the shoes I've been saving up for on Amazon went out of stock and I was so bummed. But I started looking and found one $13 cheaper so I went ahead and ordered as I had already earned that much. I just had to shuffle the Budget. Dh will use my gift card for auto parts. 

I qualified for another survey today, we'll see if I get picked. It is $125 payout. 

Dd had a filling today. She has one more to go as does ds. I did have them scheduled the 28th but dd wants longer in between and I'm nervous ds has already hit his max with the root canal so I moved them to January. The other plus is I'll have money on the HSA card then should cover our portion of the root canal and their 2 fillings. If they would just get the paperwork through at the dentist so I could finish pay for the November visits. 

I've been doing a great job with food waste but left some of my homemade bread out too long and it molded :(.   Usually I freeze part right away and refrigerate the rest. I was so sad. 

Tonight was supposed to be soup but we have oodles of leftovers so I'm not cooking. 

I earned another gift card but am trying to decide what to get. I might get a food card and collect a few of those so ds and I can eat out before his next root canal for a treat. 

Dh finished his 2 classes and got an A and B so 2 more down. He's planning on hitting OT even harde during his winter break to cover the cost of the Calc he has to retake and we've got to start a sinking fund for college costs. At the CC the pell grant covered all if it if anything was left his work covered 75%but they did away with that this summer just as his college costs grew substantially then him having to drop classes really hurt us

[mommyoffive]

2 hours ago, Soror said:

I noticed that the shoes I've been saving up for on Amazon went out of stock and I was so bummed. But I started looking and found one $13 cheaper so I went ahead and ordered as I had already earned that much. I just had to shuffle the Budget. Dh will use my gift card for auto parts. 

I qualified for another survey today, we'll see if I get picked. It is $125 payout. 

Dd had a filling today. She has one more to go as does ds. I did have them scheduled the 28th but dd wants longer in between and I'm nervous ds has already hit his max with the root canal so I moved them to January. The other plus is I'll have money on the HSA card then should cover our portion of the root canal and their 2 fillings. If they would just get the paperwork through at the dentist so I could finish pay for the November visits. 

I've been doing a great job with food waste but left some of my homemade bread out too long and it molded :(.   Usually I freeze part right away and refrigerate the rest. I was so sad. 

Tonight was supposed to be soup but we have oodles of leftovers so I'm not cooking. 

I earned another gift card but am trying to decide what to get. I might get a food card and collect a few of those so ds and I can eat out before his next root canal for a treat. 

Dh finished his 2 classes and got an A and B so 2 more down. He's planning on hitting OT even harde during his winter break to cover the cost of the Calc he has to retake and we've got to start a sinking fund for college costs. At the CC the pell grant covered all if it if anything was left his work covered 75%but they did away with that this summer just as his college costs grew substantially then him having to drop classes really hurt us

Is your Dh's work not paying for any of school now?  How much longer does he have?  Did the college tell you that he has to repay for that class for sure yet?

Yay for hopefully getting into another study.  That would be awesome.  They pay so well.

Score on the shoes. 

[Soror]

8 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

Is your Dh's work not paying for any of school now?  How much longer does he have?  Did the college tell you that he has to repay for that class for sure yet?

Yay for hopefully getting into another study.  That would be awesome.  They pay so well.

Score on the shoes. 

No, they don't pay any at all now. He has probably another 3 yrs as he can't go full time with work and family for that degree (tried this semester and it was way too much). College says he doesn't have to repay the class but he has to pay to retake it and that is all OOP because he is taking it locally to do it in person(which also has free tutoring) and he can't do pell grant to 2 colleges, which lessens how much he can get because it only counts the hours for one school. However, dh looked it up and the due date is not until March 5, so he has plenty of time to get in OT to cover that.

Edited December 11, 2020 by Soror

[mommyoffive]

4 hours ago, Soror said:

No, they don't pay any at all now. He has probably another 3 yrs as he can't go full time with work and family for that degree (tried this semester and it was way too much). College says he doesn't have to repay the class but he has to pay to retake it and that is all OOP because he is taking it locally to do it in person(which also has free tutoring) and he can't do pell grant to 2 colleges, which lessens how much he can get because it only counts the hours for one school. However, dh looked it up and the due date is not until March 5, so he has plenty of time to get in OT to cover that.

Boo, on his work not covering any of his college anymore.  Not really smart on their part to not invest in their employees.  I hope that is a benefit that ends up coming back.  

Good that he doesn't have to pay for that class.  That takes some of the sting out of that situation.  

Is he getting a masters? 

[hjffkj]

our microwave broke 😞  I went years without a microwave and honestly didn't miss it at that time.  But now that I've had it for a few years I don't feel like going back to not having one.  But I also don't think it is a necessity, so it just isn't in the budget for Dec because I've already created that budget.  I'll fit it into January's budget

[mommyoffive]

2 minutes ago, hjffkj said:

our microwave broke 😞  I went years without a microwave and honestly didn't miss it at that time.  But now that I've had it for a few years I don't feel like going back to not having one.  But I also don't think it is a necessity, so it just isn't in the budget for Dec because I've already created that budget.  I'll fit it into January's budget

That stinks.  Was it only a few years old? 

We use our microwave a ton and we have gone through a bunch of them in the last 15 years.  For us it a necessity.  I know not really, but I would want to have one. 

[hjffkj]

1 hour ago, mommyoffive said:

That stinks.  Was it only a few years old? 

We use our microwave a ton and we have gone through a bunch of them in the last 15 years.  For us it a necessity.  I know not really, but I would want to have one. 

It came with the house so I don't know how old it is.

[historically accurate]

I am hoping and crossing my fingers that our medical payment crisis was averted.

College girl has a specialist she sees on occasion who is out of network for ongoing treatment. Our insurance allows her to see the specialist and pays as if specialist was in network but we have to get an agreement renewed every 6 months. With her not going since she's in college and everything going on and her being 18 and having to do it herself, we forgot to renew when it expired in November. Well, she's been home since before Thanksgiving and went to the specialist 2x in December. For some reason I checked our insurance claims today, and saw $240 each appointment. My heart sunk - almost $500, when it should've been only about a fifth of that.

Well, I immediately made her call the insurance company once I realized that her agreement had expired. I think because she is allowed so many appointments within the 6 months, and she didn't use them (as she was away at college), they will be covering the two appointments. That's what the lady made it sound like. I'm waiting for the paperwork before I call them to re-do the two appointments though so I have paperwork in front of me. 

Other frugalista things:

Christmas presents are all ordered; most have arrived. 

Kids had a smoothie for snack yesterday with the canned fruit that was backing up in the fridge from the school lunches. Tonight we're having tacos (some came from the school, and I'll make some). We're doing pretty good on using up leftovers, so I'm happy.

Unfortunately, I realized cats are due for their shots next month, so I'll have to adjust the budget that I was working on. Our cats never ever go outside, so we never got them shots. But last year, the county made it a law that they have to go to the vet and get shots annually.

Edit: Forgot to mention. I weatherproofed the house a little today with the freebie pack sent to me by our heating utility. I put the little foam things behind the outlets & light switches, put some weird little caulking stuff around a few windows, and put a door sweep under the garage/house door. 

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by historically accurate

[hjffkj]

ok I made an instacart order for Aldi for the first time.  With the way things have been going for me I am just going to assume it gets cancelled.  we'll see

[prairiewindmomma]

Best wishes!

Christmas is two weeks from today. I'm trying to pin down menu + grocery list for the holidays. I laid out all of the stocking stuffer stuff to make sure it looked even....and I think I need to do more for a couple of family members. 

[mommyoffive]

1 hour ago, hjffkj said:

ok I made an instacart order for Aldi for the first time.  With the way things have been going for me I am just going to assume it gets cancelled.  we'll see

Fingers crossed.

[mommyoffive]

1 hour ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Best wishes!

Christmas is two weeks from today. I'm trying to pin down menu + grocery list for the holidays. I laid out all of the stocking stuffer stuff to make sure it looked even....and I think I need to do more for a couple of family members. 

I think we are just doing pretty much the same as Thanksgiving for food. 

[mommyoffive]

1 hour ago, historically accurate said:

I am hoping and crossing my fingers that our medical payment crisis was averted.

College girl has a specialist she sees on occasion who is out of network for ongoing treatment. Our insurance allows her to see the specialist and pays as if specialist was in network but we have to get an agreement renewed every 6 months. With her not going since she's in college and everything going on and her being 18 and having to do it herself, we forgot to renew when it expired in November. Well, she's been home since before Thanksgiving and went to the specialist 2x in December. For some reason I checked our insurance claims today, and saw $240 each appointment. My heart sunk - almost $500, when it should've been only about a fifth of that.

Well, I immediately made her call the insurance company once I realized that her agreement had expired. I think because she is allowed so many appointments within the 6 months, and she didn't use them (as she was away at college), they will be covering the two appointments. That's what the lady made it sound like. I'm waiting for the paperwork before I call them to re-do the two appointments though so I have paperwork in front of me. 

Other frugalista things:

Christmas presents are all ordered; most have arrived. 

Kids had a smoothie for snack yesterday with the canned fruit that was backing up in the fridge from the school lunches. Tonight we're having tacos (some came from the school, and I'll make some). We're doing pretty good on using up leftovers, so I'm happy.

Unfortunately, I realized cats are due for their shots next month, so I'll have to adjust the budget that I was working on. Our cats never ever go outside, so we never got them shots. But last year, the county made it a law that they have to go to the vet and get shots annually.

Edit: Forgot to mention. I weatherproofed the house a little today with the freebie pack sent to me by our heating utility. I put the little foam things behind the outlets & light switches, put some weird little caulking stuff around a few windows, and put a door sweep under the garage/house door. 

 

Good catch on the  medical bills.  I hope it works out. 

Awesome using the leftovers. 

Did you just call the utility company to get the weatherproofing kit? 

[historically accurate]

10 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

Good catch on the  medical bills.  I hope it works out. 

Awesome using the leftovers. 

Did you just call the utility company to get the weatherproofing kit? 

I read in the local paper that the utility was doing it, so I spent some time cruising their website and found it. Ours is Nicor; I can find the page by googling Nicor free weatherization kit. That'd be my first try; if that didn't work, I'd call.

https://www.nicorgas.com/residential/ways-to-save/free-products-and-services/weatherization-kits.html

[hjffkj]

i have groceries!!

[mommyoffive]

On 12/4/2020 at 8:40 PM, hjffkj said:

the girls' dance classes have been moved to Zoom so now I have to get a barre.  

Did you buy one already?  A bunch on Amazon have a percent or $ off right now. 

[hjffkj]

12 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

Did you buy one already?  A bunch on Amazon have a percent or $ off right now. 

no, i haven't. thank you!

 

[mommyoffive]

Expensive night.

Registered 3 kids for ballet auditions for intensives

Bought more drop in class passes for ballet from 2 different schools

Bought another ballet barre

Signed up for another Master Class

Signed up for winter ballet intensives

 

The only frugal thing I am doing is having 2 of the kids use some of their charter school funds to get them more days of ballet.  

 

 

Target has weighted blankets 50% off today.  

Tranquility 48″ x 72″ Essentials Weighted Blanket Gray
Only $12.50 (regularly $25)

[Soror]

On 12/11/2020 at 6:38 PM, hjffkj said:

i have groceries!!

Finally!

[Soror]

18 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

Expensive night.

Registered 3 kids for ballet auditions for intensives

Bought more drop in class passes for ballet from 2 different schools

Bought another ballet barre

Signed up for another Master Class

Signed up for winter ballet intensives

 

The only frugal thing I am doing is having 2 of the kids use some of their charter school funds to get them more days of ballet.  

 

 

Target has weighted blankets 50% off today.  

Tranquility 48″ x 72″ Essentials Weighted Blanket Gray
Only $12.50 (regularly $25)

Some days are like that.

Dh bought a bunch of auto parts for truck maintenance planned for next weekend.

I made my grocery list and menu yesterday.

Dh went in yesterday, was just going to do a few hours but ended up being nearly 10 as one thing after another broke and he kept getting called over.

He gets paid on Wednesday and it should be a good one.

I think dh is posting some stuff for sale today on Ebay, could be $100 or more, would be good to go toward college expenses.

[Soror]

On 12/11/2020 at 8:35 AM, mommyoffive said:

Boo, on his work not covering any of his college anymore.  Not really smart on their part to not invest in their employees.  I hope that is a benefit that ends up coming back.  

Good that he doesn't have to pay for that class.  That takes some of the sting out of that situation.  

Is he getting a masters? 

I thought I answered this but don't see it. Dh is working on his Bachelor's he didn't have any degree. He never cared for school and got a well paying job so he stuck with it. He still makes more than I would with my SW degree but he has realized to do what he really wants he has to have a degree, no matter that he is already doing the job, that is the way it works. Any other avenues for promotions do not interest him. He likes theiswork and is good at it, especially robots, he is the plant robot guru. It is very good because he is always needed to fix some robot somewhere, also bad as he is always needed, it is job security.

_______________

Mom just mentioned to me that she wants to buy some paint off of me. I forgot she'd mentioned it before as I figured she wasn't serious but she is and says she wants it next pay day. I think I'll ask about $125, that is a good size discount from new and gives us more money towards that college bill.

When making my grocery list I noticed Aldi's actually has ham 4c cheaper than Kroger's loss leader and no minimum order requirement, woot!

_______________________

Menu:

Monday: Tomato Soup w/ Grilled Cheese (baked eggplant for me-I usually don't eat cheese and have one to use in the frig)

Tuesday: Salsa Chicken w/ black beans and rice - Budget Bytes (I've got salsa to use and rice and beans are always cheap!)

Wednesday: Chicken Alfred and broccoli by request

Thursday: Frozen Pizza

Friday: Chicken legs w/ spiced sweet potatoes, and brussel sprouts (legs are on sale this week)

Saturday: Zoppa Toscana that didn't get made this week because we had leftovers (leftover cooked homemade italian sausage in the freezer)

Sunday: Baked Ham w/ baked beans and green beans (ham on sale)

Edited December 13, 2020 by Soror

[mommyoffive]

Well yesterday got a ton more expensive.   ER visit, testing, CT scan, covid test, and consult with another hospital.  I hate that when you go get medical care all you are thinking about is the bill you will be getting.   😞

[Soror]

1 minute ago, mommyoffive said:

Well yesterday got a ton more expensive.   ER visit, testing, CT scan, covid test, and consult with another hospital.  I hate that when you go get medical care all you are thinking about is the bill you will be getting.   😞

OH no, what is going on?

[hjffkj]

58 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

Well yesterday got a ton more expensive.   ER visit, testing, CT scan, covid test, and consult with another hospital.  I hate that when you go get medical care all you are thinking about is the bill you will be getting.   😞

hope all is good

[hjffkj]

We have gone over budget on our grocery spending but that is ok.  We have been watching baking competitions and our 3 year old declared we were going to have a baking competition ourselves.  So, on Weds. we made gingerbread cookies and decorated them.  It was a lot of fun but decorating stuff is expensive.  Today is round 2 of the baking competition, the cupcake round!  Thankfully, for my sanity, each kid picked a chocolate cupcake so we're going to make enough batter for each kid to make 6 and then they can flavor and decorate their icing however they want.  

I don't think there will actually be a round 3 because I don't know what it would be.

[Soror]

37 minutes ago, hjffkj said:

We have gone over budget on our grocery spending but that is ok.  We have been watching baking competitions and our 3 year old declared we were going to have a baking competition ourselves.  So, on Weds. we made gingerbread cookies and decorated them.  It was a lot of fun but decorating stuff is expensive.  Today is round 2 of the baking competition, the cupcake round!  Thankfully, for my sanity, each kid picked a chocolate cupcake so we're going to make enough batter for each kid to make 6 and then they can flavor and decorate their icing however they want.  

I don't think there will actually be a round 3 because I don't know what it would be.

Fun! My older daughter was really into baking for years. It was a lot good memories and there are so many cute ideas out there.

_____________________

Dh got called into work again. Double time today, cha ching and automatic 4 hrs pay for being called in.

He thinks we should just ask $100 for the paint, I'm inclined to agree, maybe just $80. They did just cut up that deer for us and refused to take money for it. 

[mommyoffive]

5 hours ago, Soror said:

OH no, what is going on?

Not entirely sure yet.  There were some scary symptoms so we had to rule things out. 

[mommyoffive]

4 hours ago, Soror said:

Fun! My older daughter was really into baking for years. It was a lot good memories and there are so many cute ideas out there.

_____________________

Dh got called into work again. Double time today, cha ching and automatic 4 hrs pay for being called in.

He thinks we should just ask $100 for the paint, I'm inclined to agree, maybe just $80. They did just cut up that deer for us and refused to take money for it. 

Wow, he is going to have a nice check.  I so wish my dh got overtime.  And double time!  Nice.

[hjffkj]

oh my! I want to buy all the things.  Something about this year just makes me want Christmas morning to be filled with a million gifts to open.  I have not bought more things but I just want to.

[mommyoffive]

2 hours ago, hjffkj said:

oh my! I want to buy all the things.  Something about this year just makes me want Christmas morning to be filled with a million gifts to open.  I have not bought more things but I just want to.

Me too.  I know why I want to do it.  We normally don't buy kids that much stuff and do more experience presents.  But so far we are not really comfortable with doing that yet.   I hope that we can go on a vacation in the summer.  RV or Airbnb something.  But I just don't know.  And our normal life is we do experience things during the year and don't buy the kids things.  We gifted them a trip to Tokyo last year for Spring Break and of course we didn't go.  So I just want to give them lots of things.  I doubt we are done buying.  

We just went through all the gifts and realized that 2 big orders didn't come.  One looks like it is lost in limbo land.  We will see.  Oh part of our Lego order showed up. 

[hjffkj]

36 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

Me too.  I know why I want to do it.  We normally don't buy kids that much stuff and do more experience presents.  But so far we are not really comfortable with doing that yet.   I hope that we can go on a vacation in the summer.  RV or Airbnb something.  But I just don't know.  And our normal life is we do experience things during the year and don't buy the kids things.  We gifted them a trip to Tokyo last year for Spring Break and of course we didn't go.  So I just want to give them lots of things.  I doubt we are done buying.  

We just went through all the gifts and realized that 2 big orders didn't come.  One looks like it is lost in limbo land.  We will see.  Oh part of our Lego order showed up. 

yeah, we usually don't go big on the gifts.  Usually like 3 gifts each and one or two communal gifts.  And the 3 gifts are usually one really wanted thing, a book, and something small. 

I'm going to do an inventory of the gifts tonight or tomorrow and decide then if i actually want to be done or not.

[Soror]

14 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

Not entirely sure yet.  There were some scary symptoms so we had to rule things out. 

Continued prayers for your family.

14 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

Wow, he is going to have a nice check.  I so wish my dh got overtime.  And double time!  Nice.

It will be a nice check! The reason he gets OT is because his salary is 20-40k smaller than the other engineers, so the OT is a drop in the bucket compared to the nice salaries but he doesn't get that bump without the degree so he has to work many hours to get anything comparable.

[Soror]

Dh went to change the water filter and realized that he had 2 of the same size so he had to order water filters. He made a set up with 2 stages of filters, he only has the more coarse filter. He planned to change it but didn't realize that both were the same microns. He went ahead and got a multi-packs for about 1/3rd the cost per filter. We will have enough of that size now to last over a year. He changes them around every 3 months, depending on how they are doing. 

He has to get some kind of reader for the vehicles- OBDII, his has been missing for months. He uses it to read fault codes when vehicles have issues, It is $21. 

Rescheduled ds AGAIN because he is going to have plenty on insurance max for one more filling so I want to get this in this calendar year. I know he has a root canal and crown next calendar year already. Got him in on the 23rd so he has a little filling then and then his 2nd root canal Jan 4 and he will hopefully be good until his next cleaning in May. Dd has 1 more appt, Jan 18.

[Soror]

Talked to my mom, instead of her paying me for the paint we are taking it off of the cow she is raising (I'm buying 1/2 beef from her). I think that will take care of my portion to her (since she refused to pay the lower price I offered), that leaves the butchering fees yet, that will be the beginning of Feb, then the 1/2 hog will be late March/early April.

[prairiewindmomma]

I'm kind of over 2020. (I know, we all are.)

It looks like some Christmas presents, ordered weeks ago, with a two day delivery promise are likely to not be here in time.

I went to order groceries Friday and the local Walmart did not have about 35/50 items I wanted in stock. I had to switch to a further away store (different town) and I still didn't get basic things like clementines or bread. Where they could substitute, they did, but this kind of thing stresses me out immensely.

I have days where I'm ok with all of the pandemic ordered stress, and days where I am not.  Is this where others are at emotionally? I see no chatter on Facebook from my friends about this aspect of life....but they are almost all in states where schools are open, life is pretty normal, etc.

We did get tuition paid and books ordered for ds.

 

 

[mommyoffive]

18 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

I'm kind of over 2020. (I know, we all are.)

It looks like some Christmas presents, ordered weeks ago, with a two day delivery promise are likely to not be here in time.

I went to order groceries Friday and the local Walmart did not have about 35/50 items I wanted in stock. I had to switch to a further away store (different town) and I still didn't get basic things like clementines or bread. Where they could substitute, they did, but this kind of thing stresses me out immensely.

I have days where I'm ok with all of the pandemic ordered stress, and days where I am not.  Is this where others are at emotionally? I see no chatter on Facebook from my friends about this aspect of life....but they are almost all in states where schools are open, life is pretty normal, etc.

We did get tuition paid and books ordered for ds.

 

 

Are you in the California area?  I am right there with you.  Not in California, but in how you feel about this.  Some days I am crying all day because of the stress.  And then some days I am good with staying at home.   Our state isn't locked down and hasn't  been since May.  Everyone else is out living their lives.  But the numbers in the state have been horrible.  We have been living like it was March in our house, to be safe and do the responsible thing.  Sometimes I hate being home so much and want to be like everyone else.  And then other days I know that I am doing the responsible thing.  I am clinging on to hope that with the vaccine being administered today, that in a few months things are going to be so much better.   I don't know what will be for the kids and a vaccine yet.  But hey if the adults could get it than it will make it safer to be out.  

That is nuts that Walmart was out of that much.  Are you guys under a lockdown?  Is that why?  Or did you have the order being picked on Friday?  Maybe if you did a Monday afternoon or Tuesday.  After the shopping rush of the weekend and the trucks have come in. 

And I am the same with not getting things I ordered.  We have a lot of stuff missing that was ordered in November.  

Hold on, we are almost there.  The vaccine is going to make this better.

[prairiewindmomma]

Yeah, I am on the west coast (don’t want to be more specific than that). We have been essentially closed down since March...a narrow range swinging between lockdown and occasionally having things like gyms and stores open up with limited capacity. We have had much less disease and death than my Midwest relatives but many more social controls. 
 

It was an order for Saturday pickup. I will try Tuesday.

[mommyoffive]

1 minute ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Yeah, I am on the west coast (don’t want to be more specific than that). We have been essentially closed down since March...a narrow range swinging between lockdown and occasionally having things like gyms and stores open up with limited capacity. We have had much less disease and death than my Midwest relatives but many more social controls. 
 

It was an order for Saturday pickup. I will try Tuesday.

Or could you order things online to have shipped to you?  Costco, meal box kits, imperfect foods, amazon.

Sending a gentle hug.  It has been hard to be home this long.   We are almost there.  Hang on a few more months and I hope that your city or state can start easing up on the restrictions.  It has helped me to just get out a bit.  Go on walks or bike rides.  Go to the library to do a pick up.  

[mommyoffive]

So this coupon code for Walgreens

Extra 20% off a pick up order of $25 

EASY20

I am going to give it a try 

[Soror]

17 hours ago, prairiewindmomma said:

I'm kind of over 2020. (I know, we all are.)

It looks like some Christmas presents, ordered weeks ago, with a two day delivery promise are likely to not be here in time.

I went to order groceries Friday and the local Walmart did not have about 35/50 items I wanted in stock. I had to switch to a further away store (different town) and I still didn't get basic things like clementines or bread. Where they could substitute, they did, but this kind of thing stresses me out immensely.

I have days where I'm ok with all of the pandemic ordered stress, and days where I am not.  Is this where others are at emotionally? I see no chatter on Facebook from my friends about this aspect of life....but they are almost all in states where schools are open, life is pretty normal, etc.

We did get tuition paid and books ordered for ds.

Wow, that is terrible. I agree with the above I'd try an early order during the week, I've had much better luck getting things then.

I'm sorry for the stress, this year has been the worst.

[Soror]

Aldi's had boneless skinless chicken thighs half off the sale price, I guess they didn't sell as many as they thought they would. I bought 5 family packs, I left several packs for others to get but didn't see anyone else with any in their carts. I also got 2 of the hams on sale for 95c/.lb. I'm making one this weekend and the other is in the freezer. I went over planned spending but don't really need meat the rest of the month unless I find turkey on super sale after Christmas.

I spent $5 on Christmas items- cards and holiday stuff for dd1 for school.

Ds' car needs a little sensor, $25-$30, dh has to verify which one.

Dh ended up working 14 hours yesterday. He's been so swamped, he has his own department that he looks after but as he is also the 'robot' guy he gets called over to all these other departments when they have issues. 

Cheapo dinner of grilled cheese(baked eggplant for me) and tomato soup was yummy last night.

Tonight is a budget bytes meal, Salsa Chicken, serving with rice.

Reconciling budget this am.

Investigating some cash back accounts, trying to decide what is the most worthwhile.

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Soror

[mommyoffive]

Does anyone need a play kitchen?  This Kid Kraft one is only 69.99

Amazon.com: KidKraft Vintage Play Kitchen - Red: Toys & Games

 

Or this one is only 59.99

Amazon.com: KidKraft Modern White Play Kitchen with Gold Accents & 27Piece Cookware Set - Amazon Exclusive: Toys & Games