The Frugal Friday File 2022, week 4

I struggled this week.  We resorted to take-out several times as my back was giving me fits.  Had some fresh vegetables go bad since I wasn't up to getting them cooked, and I guiltily disposed of them.  I ordered some hobby items from Amazon (like I really need more).  But on the up side...

1.  Carey received his first Social Security benefit payment.

2.  My library e-book time was up, and it was automatically returned to the library from my Amazon account.  But because I have it on my old Kindle, to which I keep the wi-fi turned off, I can continue reading it.  I'm getting so, so close to finishing.  Note to self...no more 700+ page books during this year's contest with boss.  :)

3.  When my physical therapist submitted charges for, my last few December sessions, he was notified that our insurance coverage was discontinued by Carey's former employer early in December (for which we were not warned or even notified--we thought we were covered through the end of the year).  Physical therapist has now twice refused to charge me for those sessions other than the copay I had already remitted.  He said it wasn't something I could have foreseen.  

4.  When the muscle spasms started in my back this week, I was able to turn to my prescription muscle relaxers that I keep on hand for just such situation.  After an expensive ambulance ride and ER visit after an especially bad back episode ten or twelve years ago, my doctor agreed to add it to my annual prescription list for these just-in-case situations.  I almost never take them, but over this week I took three.  I was able to not miss any work.

5.  We are using so much less gasoline since Carey retired.  That is definitely a noticeable line-item change in our monthly budget.

Frugal Friday File 2022, week 3...

1.  I was notified that I have a work bonus coming.

2.  I paused before ordering something, and realized it was a want, but not a need...and not wanted enough to make the cut.

3.  Came home for lunch more often than not.

4.  Cooked at home all but one evening.

5.  Toyed with the idea of coloring my hair again, but came to my senses when I thought of the extra expense and the pain of having to go through the growing-out period again.

What I'm Reading Wednesday...

 

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

After last week's read, I needed some easy escapism.  I spent one day of my three-day weekend reading this one.  There were some tears.

Now I've moved on to...

Barkskins by Annie Proulx

I saw on my previous boss's Facebook page that this is his new favorite author, so I immediately checked out this library ebook.  Thought it would be fitting to read a recommendation by my former boss for my reading contest with current boss.  Working with other readers is the best!

Frugal Friday File 2022, week 2...

Well, it is time to dust off the Frugal Friday File.  Now that Carey is retired, we have to figure out how best to traverse our new financial landscape.  

1.  We are starting by eating down the freezer, fridge, and pantry, as they have all gotten over full.  Last night we had salmon, roasted vegetables, and quinoa.  Yum!

2. After dinner I assembled the leftovers into a 'bowl' and made a little homemade honey mustard dressing to drizzle over it.  Can't wait till lunch time at my desk with my bowl and my book.  :)

3.  This week Carey's 401k was rolled over into his IRA and invested.

4.  The Kindle Daily Deal and BookBub show me books that are on 'special' every day, and there have been a few lately that I want to try.  I immediately went to the library website and reserved them for free.

5.  We emptied our storage unit, so that monthly cost is gone.  Now I just have to empty my parking spot in the garage.  Perchance garage sale time is nigh.  :)

Thankful Thursday...

I am thankful for free minutes and no long distance.  :)  Decades ago my sister and I spent hundreds of dollars each month on long distance calls to each other.  Now she and all of my close friends live hours and hours (if not in different states) away from me.  Lengthy phone conversations are a lifeline for these friendships and my mental health, and the free minutes are a miracle I would never have believed possible.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis

So the boss and I are having an office reading competition this year.  He's already on his third book of the year!  I'm still on my first.  Oh well, slow and steady, and all that.

I loved Sinclair Lewis when Babbitt was assigned reading in high school; and I liked his Elmer Gantry when I read it without it being assigned.  I think I read another of his too, but I can't remember which.  

Choosing this one for the first book of the year seemed kind of topical, what with all the political division and machinations.

Puzzled...

 

In October I cleaned off the dining room table so we could finish assembling this gorgeous autumnal still life jigsaw puzzle.  We started it several years ago, and have had it carefully stored between two pieces of foam core boards ever since.  I guess not carefully enough, however.  When Carey finished it over the weekend there were three pieces missing.  I guess missing three pieces out of one thousand isn't too bad.  But it kind of ruins my plan to make the picture permanent by using puzzle glue so I could frame it to add to our Autumn decorations.

I've looked for the puzzle by company and puzzle name.  I've looked for a print of the original artwork by the artist.  I can find nothing.  Saw a lot of other autumn paintings, but none I like as much as this one.  I love everything about the art: the slightly muted colors, the rough-hewn table, the leaves encircling the group of various pumpkins and squash.

Oh, well.  Wasn't meant to be.  😢

Wishing everyone...