Right Now I am . . .
Today's blog is inspired by Kristen over at The Frugal Girl, whose "Right Now I am" post broke through my writer's block.
Right Now I am . . .
Watching
YouTube videos, includes ones from Bradley on a Budget, who claims that many people are "Willing to become broke to not look broke," which holds more truth than a single sentence deserves. I like Bradley, as he doesn't even try to sugarcoat his extreme cheapness, which means there's a possibility of me learning something new.
Excited
To realize that daylight savings time is a less than two weeks away. This time change will always remind me of when I switched over to a 5 A.M. hospital shift, which was a difficult enough, only to realize that I'd done it a few weeks before daylight savings! Just the memory of it brings on a mild sense of nausea.
Tickled
That my husband and I were able to pick up two bags of groceries without spending money out of pocket, thanks to my Red Cross gift cards. We came home with two bunches of bananas, milk, two bags of tortillas, four apples and a pair of pricey Fage yogurts.
Proud
That I remembered to check in with someone from my Buy Nothing group who borrowed our moving dolly a few weeks ago, but had yet to return it. It was an awkward message to send, but she brought it back within a few hours.
Relieved
To have found my missing favorite pajama pants, that had somehow been hung up in the closet instead of folded in a drawer. Why are they my favorites? Because they aren't that pajama-y looking and I can get away without wearing them outside the house. And I do. Often.
Jealous
That my sister in NYC gets to experience beautiful and interesting snowy weather and all we get here in Portland is "more rainy" and "maybe less rainy."
Pleased
To have made an eBay sale, even if was just for a $12 pair of toddler Vans. I got them at the Goodwill bins, so I probably paid 35¢ for them. That's $10.51 after eBay fees for the Oregon Food Bank!
Furious
That the pedophiles from the Epstein files have been getting away with the most atrocious crimes, but have yet to be arrested. Specifically our morally bankrupt president.
Now your turn, what are you up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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I love this!
Right now I'm itching for a getaway to the Oregon coast, specifically to see Haceta Head Lighthouse, the sea lion caves, and to visit the Hobbit Trail. It would be too much driving to logistically tackle everything in one day trip and a hotel would run us $140 not to mention any admission costs and gas there and back.
We're close enough to Brookings that a day trip would be much more feasible and could scratch our itch. Until we have an income it just isn't in the budget to make the larger commitment.
I'm very relieved that we have a small savings cushion to keep us afloat while my husband searches for a job.
I'm very excited for the second half of Bridgerton to drop tomorrow!
Right now I am -
Feeling relieved that after a my fault collision that totaled our old faithful car (no one hurt!!!), purchased a new car, donated the 2011 old faithful damaged one to charity and are clear what all paperwork we have to do to have the new car on everything care related. Grateful for family support after the accident, our great insurance agent, and for past frugality enabling us to move on to a new vehicle.
Glad yesterday's sick day was just one day long and mild!
Enjoying the sunny and fairly warm weather.
Very glad I didn't waste 2 hours last night listening to more lies, hatred and self aggrandizement.
Oof what a deliciously biting word aggrandizement is!
Isn't it just!
Finishing up February working 24 hrs rather than 12 hrs this week which my pay check in two weeks will reflect
I sold a couple of items on eBay so I’ll get those out in the next couple of days.
We’ve been eating out of freezer for the week. A mishmash of meals.
I’ll make a Costco trip on Saturday for dog food and paper products
I spent a delightful hour yesterday evening reading to my grandson on video chat. Far better than what was happening on TV.
Today I:
Volunteered at the community garden which grows 25,000 lb of organic produce for the food bank each year.
Gleaned broken carrots that were not okay to give away. I'll blanch and freeze them for soup
Finished sewing a second handmade gift, and gave both gifts while at my volunteer gig.
Made two simple cards to send to my grandchildren who love getting mail.
Planted a flower that I received for my birthday.
Ate homemade gluten-free chocolate cake that is the most delicious GF cake I have ever eaten.
Oh yay about the gf cake, in addition to all the other lovely things. Would you be willing to share the recipe?
That's a lot of produce! How nice it's donated to the foodbank. -
My sweet old dog today had her second surgery in two months for tumors on the inside of her eyelids and did her part by being such a good patient that her care came in $100 under the low end of the estimate. We also had an expensive tube of eye ointment leftover from her first surgery, so did not have to pay for that again.
In the past week, I found four pennies outside the dollar store, two dimes in the washer, mended torn hems, split seams and a hole in two clothing items for my husband, and turned various frozen items that needed to be used up into tasty meals. Next month's book club books was not available from the library, but was on sale at the bookstore and I had customer points that covered half the cost.
Thank you for being furious over the Epstein Files/ Trump crime- so very few people are, and even fewer showing up to make any meaningful change which is how the pedophile/ perpetrator (did you see the 2 Bills' photos?) are getting away with abominable crimes. I only found you and another blogger mention it. So thank you!!!
I'm reading Virginia Guiffre's memoir about her life and the time she spent with Epstein and Maxwell. If anyone wants to become even more infuriated about two very predatory pedophiles (aren't they all?), read this book. I have times I'm so mad, I can't sleep!
I am feeling
Exhausted. Out adult daughter with autism has been exhibiting very difficult behavioral issues the last few weeks which have drained DH and myself. Intensive case manager will be increasing supports so hopefully that will help.
Proud. That I’ve tried a few new things in the kitchen. Apple jelly (from free apples) turned out great the naan bread did not. More like hockey pucks! lol. I think I misread the amount of water I was supposed to add.
Excited to attend my great nephew’s second birthday party this Friday night.
I hope things get better with your daughter.
Right now I am...
I am feeling good. My hubby and I went for a 50 minute walk after dinner. The weather hasn't been the best lately, so it's hard to get our daily walks in, plus at the end of the day neither of us are very motivated to do it. Yay us!
I am proud to have made friends with the patrons at the library where I work. Today one sought me out to help her with her hearing aids, another called to see if I could print tax forms for them, and crazily one came to see me because her TV wasn't working. Not all of these were technically a librarian's job, but I love to help.
I am tired of all the sad and negative headlines so I am going to read a book, and escape for awhile.
I am grateful for this blog. No judgement for being crazy frugal, and so many nice comments, suggestions, and ideas.
Johanna, I share your gratefulness for this blog. My family and friends are not frugal so I really appreciate the wonderful, supportive community here as well as on The Frugal Girl blog.
Thrilled… that the sun is out and I got to go on a nice long walk to visit the library and run errands.
Sad… that someone had an outburst at the library and had to be removed by security.
Pleased… that I found 20 redeemable cans when I was walking!
Proud… that the Portland frog brigade is in DC.
Outraged… about how rich people get away with terrible things, as evidenced by the Epstein files. Got enough money? Do whatever the hell you want! (It stinks!)
1. I bought a lunch at the facility where I take my students. It was cheap in price but not good in taste. I took it home & the husband happily ate it for din-din.
2. Got a few food items from my Nextdoor Neighbor friend. Some of the items were Lunchables PB & Jelly. These I can take to work for a simple lunch & avoid the temptation to buy a meal.
3. Some of the clothes I curb picked were too small for me. I washed them & they are going in the donation box.
4. I found a dime in the parking lot at the dr office.
5. I am getting a 58$ refund from the IRS. I used Tax Act to file which was discounted by 30% if I paid for it w/ my AmEx credit card. I also earned 400 AA miles by signing up for their offer. Tax Act is cheaper than Turbo Tax in my experience.
6. I am grateful for my job. I found out today that SS runs a month behind. I will get my 1st check in the middle of March. Fortunately pay day for my job is at the end of Feb. It is not frugal to have overdrawn bank charges.
Hmm, I had to stop all allergy meds for testing next week and I am going through withdrawals giving me severe itching all over my body. And I can't take anything.
On a positive note we had a child choke at school this week and I successfully did the heimlich.
I read a fabulous book last weekend by Emily Henry - Book Lovers. I then requested another of her books from the library.
Great job saving that child's life!
Jennifer, wow, kudos on the Heimlich maneuver!
Wonderful that you were able to successfully use the Heimlich maneuver on the child. I can't imagine the relief of everyone who witnessed it. You were definitely in the right place at the right time.
I have done this exercise on Kristen's blog this morning, but now is a different "right now", so here goes....
Right now I am ...
Finishing up Richard Osman's latest Thursday Murder Club Mystery, and realizing I have missed three books in the series. So I put them on hold at the library.
Feeling kind of nauseous because I ate too much today and it isn't sitting well. This could have been so easily avoided! Why did I do that?
Getting ready to rinse the bra I'm soaking in baby shampoo solution and hang it up in the bathroom. I occasionally throw my bras in the washer, but overall I want to baby them to make them last.
Feeling sorry I didn't take a walk today.
Feeling relieved that after I downloaded the eBay app, it's so much easier to list items.
Feeling kind of stoked that I got a $3.65 payment from a class action suit. Every little bit counts!
Enjoying a cool breeze from the window and distant sounds of traffic -- a peaceful night.
Right now I am…
Happy to have finished this month’s Girl Scout meeting. I did Girl Scouts myself from 1st-12th grades but this is my first time as a troop leader and it’s a lot of work! It’s important to me so I want to do a good job, but i always feel a little relieved when the meeting is over and I don’t need to think about the next meeting for a few weeks. It is getting easier as I gain experience though. Also gives me even more respect for teachers, I sometimes struggle to control my little troop of eight kindergarteners, can’t imagine managing an entire class of 24!
Enjoying a slice of banana bread that I made, with some mixed nut butter spread on it, scratches a dessert itch but doesn’t actually have much added sugar (just a little maple syrup and the sugar that occurs naturally in bananas and applesauce)
Grateful:
Our home is paid for and while modest, currently meets our needs. I too have a vintage, harvest gold, electric mixer that my dear mil bought at an garage sale for us when we were newly married. Seeing it reminds me of her 🙂
Flabbergasted:
At the huge, posh mom-mobiles some of the women around here drive. What for, why so fast, and how many darn kids are you hauling in that behemoth???? Our little family car gets 30 mpg, fits our family, and is paid for. It is always covered in gravel road dust, so I see no need for something more extravagant. My farm truck is a 3/4 ton 4×4. It is awful to drive through crowded parking lots. It turns slow, gets terrible gas milage, is hard to park, etc...Why on earth would you drive what is essentially a half ton truck to haul kids??? I don't get it.
Tired:
Spent the afternoon digging up a waterline by hand for a l.l. and am only marginally closer to having the problem solved, meh.
Tuned out:
Listened to a little npr while driving to a rented farm. I watched pbs rather than the speaches so i shielded myself from the vomiting of lies and bragging. I didn't vote for the tangerine hemorrhoid sex offender but most of my neighbors and both my l.l's surely did. Being hacked off at everyone around me is not a sustainable option. I'm past being mad at the situation. I'm just hoping to slide by until it's time to vote again. Yeah, gas is cheap, big deal. Not willing to sell my soul, democracy, or the ever increasing national debt for cheap gas and tax breaks for the 1%.
Preparing:
For spring and Easter. My denomination uses lent as a time of intentionality and self reflection. I'm trying to quit cussing, but not doing very well.
In reality, it's made me more mindful of how blue my language is. I'm still cursing quite a bit, but I am much more self-aware and steadily cutting back. This will take longer than 40 days to fix!!!!
Choring:
The cows and my friends. Checked in on a friend who just had surgery. Called another who I hadn't heard from in a bit. Both are well or on the mend. Almost finished putting a new top on the feed wagon. Made use of reclaimed lumber and supplies we already had. Waiting for spring calving to begin 🙂
Used some Cajun style fish breading to fry pork tenderloins in. Delightful!!!! The breading had been languishing in our freezer. When my friend is up to a good ol' Midwestern delight, I plan to go over to her house and make it for her. She likes spicey and something homey should fit the bill.
Thanks for being so much of an inspiration to be better and do better in all kinds of ways. I'm especially grateful that you mention that person in the White House and his seemingly endless crimes - my blood pressure will never be the same after the last election.
big Thursday hugs,
Janice
I wasn't sure about Bradley on a Budget but he has grown on me. He seems to be very genuine with his personal experience regarding his finances. And he has a lot of gems in his videos.
I like Bradley and remember being that broke in college and for a number of years afterward. It's brave of him to fly the frugality flag so boldly.
Right now I am...
Happy I found two pennies at the store, one in the parking lot and one inside.
Glad I thought to save the plastic netting from the turkey I have in the oven to use for scrubbing stuck-on food off pots and pans.
Thrilled to hear the sound of our gutters running which means the snow that was dumped on us here in New England has begun to melt and dare I say...Spring is on the way? Well, maybe after the deep freeze predicted for next week. Sigh.
Grateful for the Kiva social group I belong to at the indy bookstore I frequent. We meet for two hours every Thursday. Great group of people and the coffee, tea and snacks are free during those two hours. Also, for the book club I belong to at the same establishment which has introduced me to books I wouldn't ordinarily read but have enjoyed.
Impatient that I can't get out and walk as much as I would like due to the snow and ice. But better days are coming.
I've recently discovered Bradley on a Budget, and he's great fun. Some of his content takes me back to my early 20's when I had to get extremely frugal out of desperation, but it wound up being the best thing that could have happened to me.
I had bought a house I couldn't really afford on my own, and both of my roommates ended up moving out within 2 months to relocate for work. While I was looking for decent replacement roomies, I shut down all spending, got creative to keep up with the important bills, and in the process wound up discovering I could easily live on what I made if I got smart about where my money was going.
Concerts, movie theaters, dinners out, and hanging at the bar with friends turned into hosting game nights at my place, classic movie marathons with what I could find at the library, and scouring the local paper for cheap and free activities. I learned to cook, became the cruise director for my friend group, got out of debt for good, and started making saving a priority. And have continued to be frugal ever since!
Right now I am:
Furious for the same reason as you are. And appalled.
Giggling that the Republican campaign workers kept thanking me for voting when I went to early voting today.For the primary election, held now, every one votes in the same large hall regardless of which party's primary you vote in.I voted Democrat and will also vote blue next November. So I had to suppress a giggle when the bad guys thanked me. Apparently I look like a red voter.
Recovering from my leg injury and hoping the pain is not coming back.
Thankful I have enough $ after paying off the car to pay the roof loan payment. Whew!
I have been following Bradley since you mentioned him weeks ago and every time he says STOOOPID it gives me a little life energy. Thanks for that!
1. I gifted a bag of clothes and three games to two little kiddos who were so happy to receive them. Frugal for them and kept them from being landfill decor.
2. I sold three items on ebay. I even shipped one in an amazon mailer that I turned inside out. I grabbed it from my friends recycling when I saw the suggestion here on the blog. Thanks for that!
3. My teen wanted to eat out so I offered to take him to the store and let him shop with the amount of money we would have spent on overpriced food and tip. He was quite pleased with how many of his favorite meals he shopped.
4. I'm reading an excellent book that was in my latest library haul.
5. I made a collage with junk mail.
Christina, your #3 is a great lesson! Lucky teen!
Fun fact: Bradley was my student!
That's cool!
I share your frustration, and will echo that my word for where we are with that is "Exhausted". Exhausted with the mental gymnastics and the flabbergasting lack of progress.
Right now I am:
Watching: we go back & forth between hiking videos to give us ideas for our next hiking trip, 48 hours crime shows & The Last Thing He Told Me (show on Apple TV).
Frustrated: that DS20 cannot get into a chemistry class. Like, can't even wait-list, due to the wait-lists being full. What's the point of a wait-list? And, why not add more classes?! It's holding up his transfer timing, which makes it even more frustrating.
Pleased: with a ton of progress this work, across a variety of dimensions.
Stressed: about work, as I'm covering for my boss while she recovers from surgery. Lots & lots & lots of balls in the air.
Enjoying: just had a delicious lunch that I cobbled together of an apple and a salad topped with baked chicken. The salad was saved from a bagged salad which is starting to turn.
Ha, glad to have provided a writer's block solution for you!
I enjoy Bradley when he comes across my social media feeds but sometimes I DO wish I could just, you know, buy him a towel that is not a shredded mess. 😉
Right? There's a limit and it's when you can thrift a better one for peanuts.
Katy, THANK YOU for mentioning Bradley! I just checked out his YouTube and immediately subscribed. Most 'budget' proponents are 'eh' and say the obvious. You (and Amy D. and now, Bradley) are people I truly learn from!
How about adding our morally bankrupt ex-President to your list, Katy? His "I did not have sex with that woman" (shades of the Lewinsky affair, where I was forced to explain what oral sex and the significance of a cigar to my young daughters), OR if that didn't work: "Well, I'm just too old to remember." Uh huh. You bet. Clinton tried to laugh this off...but I didn't think he did a good job. (Mrs. Clinton was much better at it. Nor do I think she was directly caught in things -- though she had to have been an idiot not to have some knowledge of what her husband was up to. And she is NOT an idiot.)
So please, be fair about it, and throw You Know Who on your list. (Yes, I think our current President was most probably up to some shenanigans, as well.)
Stepping off the soapbox now.
Let's see -- we finished an extremely frugal 7-night Mexican Caribbean cruise ($661 and change for two people) by driving to Galveston, using the car that got the best mileage -- then parking for free during the cruise at a Motel 6, because we stayed there the night before. Our dogs spent the week at Daughter's house for free -- we take care of their dog gratis, too.
We spent $75 plus tip on a taxi ride tour plus to/from snorkeling beach, and $20 worth of chocolate from the local 'Mayan factory.' (It's delicious, not too sweet.) We also bought cookies and horchata concentrate from a Cozumel department store. That was the extent of our 'extras' the whole week.
Oh yes, and we also caught some terrible flu the past few days -- high temps, plenty of bathroom visits and general ennui and achiness. The bad news: I'm way behind on my work, and was too wiped even to read. (Both Husband and I just slept.) The good news: I've had so little to eat, even on the cruise, that I think I've lost some weight. So I guess there's balance there.