Frugal Travel

Travelling across the country is always an expense, but how you travel can save lots of money.  By planning wisely and saving where you can, this affords us the opportunity to travel more often. People who spend grandly and impulsively may need to travel less because they can't afford to travel as often.

 

We're planning to go to the NASCAR race this weekend in Bristol, TN, about 700 miles away. Here's how we're being frugal about our travel-

• Hotel - Make hotel reservations a year ahead of time using the government rate ($70/night), even if we aren't sure at the time that we'll be going. A reservation is free and easy to cancel if we decided not to go. While we're there, we'll book a room for next year too at a low govt rate.
• Drive or Fly - Investigate options for both modes of travel, surprisingly sometimes its cheaper to fly. We would have needed a car there to drive back and forth to the track and around town, so for us the cheapest method is to drive. Our 2004 Camry is reliable and has low miles so we don't need to do any maintenance prior to travelling.
• Stockpile drinks - Since we're driving, we can bring almost anything we think we'll consume while we're out of town. That means bringing plenty of water, powerade, sobe water, and of course beer. All these beverages were free or very cheap at Publix using coupons while we shop. The wonderful thing about NASCAR events is that you can bring a cooler of food and drinks into the track, so you are not forced to spend any money inside the event.
• Eating - we plan to bring and make snacks while we're on the road, also picking up a couple free Papa Johns pizzas from the Rays Strikeout contest. We have lots of Fusion Nut snacks and peanuts for the races. While we're in town, we may eat at some restaurants like Chili's, Outback and Olive Garden using our free gift cards that we earned on our credit card.
• Gas - believe it or not, we still have BP gas cards left from the Publix deals back in March. We'll use about $100 in GC that is already a sunk cost, so gas won't seem like that big of an expense.
• Tickets - we hope to score out tickets at the races, by paying someone on the road side cash. The event is not sold out and due to the tough economy, we expect to be able to get tickets easily for less than or equal to face value. The tickets are $57 for Friday night, and $142 for Saturday night. This is really our only big expense.
• Souvenirs - we probably won't get any Tshirts, Hats or trinkets unless they are free. NASCAR fan fest events are notorious for product giveaways so we always end up with a bunch of junk. We also always go to the Sprint booth and play PLINKO to win passes to special events, like pre race concerts, driver introductions, driver meeting or victory lane celebrations. We've been lucky to always win special events from Sprint.
• House sitting - our neighbor is nice enough to watch our house, come over and feed our dog, collect our mail and newspapers while we're gone so we give her a couple Publix gift cards in appreciation. These cards are free for us since we got them with our coupon overages while shopping.

So here are our expenses; $210 hotel, $100 gas (but use the BP GC), $400 tickets, and miscellaneous $100, for a grand total of $810 for the 4 day weekend.

#Rays Get 10 Strikeouts - Free Papa Johns Pizza Again

It wasn't too late a game tonight against the Texas Rangers and once again the Rays got 10 strikeouts - on the final play of the game. They won 6 to 4 and of course we get Free Pizza!

Go to http://www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com/ and fill out the form and print on Tuesday. I'm hoping they'll get 10 strikeouts again Tuesday and/or Wednesday, so hold onto your certificate and turn in a couple at once at your nearest http://www.kanes.com/ within 3 days of the game for a Free 10" cheese pizza at Papa Johns.

These Tampa Bay #Rays are awesome! Only a 1/2 game back from NY Yankees!

Evil Scale Update 4 Weeks

Anyone who has ever dieted can tell you its not terribly hard to lose weight, but the real story is how to keep it off. Well, I've been really successful at losing weight in the last month, but unfortunately the yo-yo effect is more evil than the scale. Over the last 4 weeks, I have lost 11.4 lbs. That seems reasonable considering all the hunger I've endured and sweaty hot outdoor exercise I've done. Unfortunately, all the cool refreshing beers and chilled fruit snacks I've consumed have helped me gain 5.8 lbs, for a net weight loss of 5.6 lbs. Not exactly that rewarding.

 

However, I did make a change in my diet the last week by substituting vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and shredded cabbage in place of bread, rice and pasta. The decrease in carbohydrates from over 150 gms a day, down to about 75 gms has helped me minimize hunger and maintain weight. Its kind of a little like the Atkins diet modified. I try to keep protein and fat around 40 gms per day, carbs 75 gms for about 1400 calories. I burn 2400 calories with my lifestyle and exercise, so a 1000 calorie deficit should give me a 2 lb weight loss per week. Remember 3500 calories equals one pound, so a deficit of 7000 calories per week is the 2 lbs. If I don't bike or walk for an hour each day, I need to cut back calories on that day.

 

So, I'm going on a road trip to the Bristol, TN NASCAR race this weekend and that means restaurant and track food, plus lots of beer. My diet is taking a sabbatical for a week. My hope is that I can just maintain this next week.

Publix Sneak Peek 8/19 -08/25

Lots of cereal and finally some coffee is BOGO. Here's the Publix Sneak Peek posted on Hot Coupon World. Also if you're in Tampa Bay area, I found the Toss 4 Cash booklets at the Plant City Publix just off I4. That stores also accepts Target coupons.

Friday Follow

Welcome to Friday Follow, hosted by Never Growing Old. Look around, leave a comment and I'll follow you back.

Enter To Win Tampa Bay BUCS Tickets

This contest is my only chance this year to attend a home Tampa Bay #BUCS football game, unless I want to work security for $10/hr and stand on the gates touching fat bellies of sweaty football fans, pretending I'm trying to prevent them from sneaking in suicide bombs at RayJay Stadium. But I can't ask them to empty their pockets (wink wink - if you want to sneak in a beer!)

You too, can win tickets Click HERE to enter to win 4 FREE BUCS Tickets!

Cover Girl At Publix

None of the coupon sites, forums or blogs have this matchup and its probably because they haven't updated the Green Advantage Buy Flyer with new coupons. I think its a moneymaker at #Publix for a few days from Thursday 8/12 thru Sat 8/14. So unless I'm really confused (which sometimes I am) here's the deal with Cover Girl makeup. Remember last month when they had the sale for $2 off on CG makeup - nail polish and lip products? Well, that sale stacked with both a Target coupon and a manufacturer coupon to be a good moneymaker. I got a bunch of nail polish for $1.29 and used the $1/1 TQ + $1/1 MQ to make $0.61 on each item. I happened to have the $2/1 Cover Girl MQ home mailer coupons that made even more.

 

So here's the deal now, but I don't have a price on the concealer, powder or blush - I'm hoping they can be had for less than $2.50 during the sale, so its a moneymaker. Its possible the sale may include CG Beauty Tools (file, tweezer, etc) and I know those are cheaper than $2.50, and there is a $1/1 PQ in the GAB that could stack with the MQ. 

 

 CoverGirl Foundation or concealer, pressed powder, or blush, .04 to 1 oz pkg or each, $2 off
-$1/1 CoverGirl Cosmetic Item, excludes trial size TARGET Coupon 6/27/2010 P&G Insert (exp 8/30/2010)

-$1.50/1 CoverGirl or Queen item, PUBLIX Coupon - Green Advantage Flyer (exp 8/14/2010)-$1/1 Covergirl product, any 8/1/2010 P&G Insert (exp 8/31/2010)

Prime Happenings

This week while trying to order a couple different items on #Amazon, I've noticed a change in Prime Shipping. I was trying to order an auto headlight restoration kit to make our lights nice and shiny for our upcoming 12 hour drive to Bristol, TN. But my online shopping cart wouldn't let me select 2 day shipping - which is free if you have prime, and the item is selected for prime (which this item was). The same thing happened yesterday when I tried to order a new tarp to cover our boat. It qualified for prime shipping, but it won't get here for 3 days. According to Amazon, from Tuesday to Friday is 2 day shipping. Go figure.

 

I think they probably are getting killed on shipping costs. I know that I use Amazon more since I get #SwagBucks pretty often, and cash them in for the maximum $25 a month for Amazon gift cards. I wonder if more people are using Amazon for that reason too.

 

Anyway, I think something is going on here and I don't like it.

Publix Sneak Peek 8/12-18

The Publix Sneak Peek for 8/12-8/18 is posted at HCW, so check it out now for next weeks deals.

You Still Haven't Signed Up??

I just cashed in 450 points for another $5 Amazon gift card.

 

Have you cashed in lately?

No?

What the! - you haven't signed up for Swagbucks yet?

What in the world are you waiting for?

A special offer?

Well, here it is!

 

Right now they are are offering an extra 40 Swag Bucks when you enter the code BackToSchool while signing up which means you get 70 bucks just for signing up! Valid all week until 8/15.

Bonus Features of the Week:

• There will be five one-of-a-kind Back-To-School themed Swag Buck bills in varying amounts – collect them all throughout the week and you'll earn yourself a 50 Swag Buck bonus!
• As part of their Back to School promo, you can win five different limited edition back-to-school themed Swag Bucks adding up to 50 more swagbucks! If you follow on Twitter and "Like" them on Facebook, you'll find even more rewarding opportunities.
• On Thursday they are having a Swag Code Extravaganza, no less than 5 Swag Codes!

Click HERE and register for a new account. Then enter BackToSchool (case sensitive) and you will get 70 bucks.

 

If you want to know how to earn lots of points on a regular basis, check out a previous post HERE.

Evil Scale After 3 Weeks

This is getting really old. Talking to my friends they ask why are you denying yourself food you like when you don't lose the weight when you diet. Why not just eat what you want and still not lose the weight? That's a very good question, one I ask myself everytime I drool over chicken wings or when DH is eating Ben and Jerry''s ice cream - half baked. So, I had that extra beer on Saturday night, and the chicken wings using the excuse that I did lawn work, rode my bike 10 miles, walked for an hour and other sweaty outdoor things in Florida. And I paid the price. I was up 1.6 pounds from my lowpoint of week on Sunday morning weighin.

 

More determined than ever on Sunday, I rode my bike more, walked faster, ate less and then it turns out this morning that the evil scale was going to just show me I'm down 1 pound this week, for a total of 4.6 lbs in 3 weeks.

 

I'm not looking forward to many more weeks of this to lose 10 more pounds. I'm thinking it might be worth it to just stop the madness, quit eating ANYTHING fattening, and lose 5 lbs a week. Then in two weeks it would be over and I could do maintenance eating.

Rays 10 Strikouts Coupon Double Day

I don't what the criteria is, but the Kanes Strike Out Contest certificate for last nights game is worth 2 Pizzas!

Thermacare At Publix

For all you Publix shoppers frustrated at not finding Thermacare Wraps (the moneymaker this month), supplies have been limited at the warehouse. As luck would have it, the same $5/2 coupon will be running in the next Green Advantage Flyer valid Aug 14.

Free Museum Weekend Aug 7-8

If you are a Bank of America customer, you are invited to enjoy the Museums on Us program this coming weekend, and every first weekend of the Month. Check Museum Locations here to see where you can go for free. It also includes many botanical gardens, zoos, and science centers in 27 states.

 

In Tampa, the new Tampa Museum of Fine Arts is free with your Bank of America ATM, Debit or Credit card. Its that new building downtown by the new Curtis Hixon Park. We haven't been there yet, but probably will check it out this weekend.

Hurry! Print Your Kanes Strike Out Certificate Now

It was a late game last night against the MN Twins, with the storms causing a power outage - delaying the start. And then all those extra innings to break the tie, but our Rays couldn't quite get the win. But, once again the Rays got 10 strikeouts. And we know what that means - Free Pizza!

 

Go to http://www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com/ and fill out the form and print TODAY before the afternoon game starts! I suspect they'll get 10 strikeouts again this afternoon, so hold onto your certificate and turn in a couple at once at your nearest http://www.kanes.com/ within 3 days of the game for a Free 10" cheese pizza at Papa Johns.

 

The loss to the Twins puts them back into a tie for first place in the standings, those pesky Yankees jst won't go away.

My Publix Plan

I always shop on Thursdays, so here's my plan for tomorrow. I have a couple rain checks that will turn into money makers this week, and of course the $10/$50 Publix coupon from the mail yesterday. The BIC Soleil razors were BOGO a couple weeks ago and of course they were sold out in all the stores I shopped. But the rain check deal is better since there was just a BOGO coupon in 8-1 SS that I can stack with the rain check. I also have some of the $3/1 coupons and will use on the deal to make each pair give me $3 overage. I also have a rain check on the Crest toothpaste 10/$10 from last weeks sale, on these I'll use the $1/1 peelies or the $0.75/1 8-1 PG stacked with the $0.50/1 Target coupon, to give me 0.25 to 0.50 overage each. If there's any Thermacare or Vitamin D, I'll get a bit more overage - except I don't really ever count on that since I haven't had luck getting it lately. So with the overage I'll get a $15 Gift Card for my neighbor who watches the dog when we travel, since we have a long weekend out of town coming up.

 

So, here's my list:

 

5-Aug	34		89.10	14.57	76.48	tax	0.99	39	-98.89%
Product	qty	price	subtl	-B1G1	-Q		total	Q#	Q details
banana	2	0.32	0.64				0.64
mushrooms	1	1.69	1.69				1.69
garlic	1	0.10	0.10				0.10
cucumber	1	0.50	0.50				0.50
avocadoes	2	1.50	3.00		1.75		1.25	2	$0.75/1 PQ+$1/2 MQ print
strawberries	1	2.50	2.50				2.50
peaches	1	0.89	0.89				0.89
Dole Salad Blend BOGO	2	3.59	7.18	3.59	2.00		1.59	2	$1/1 MQ print ( Winn Dixie bogo 2.99)
Bulls Eye BBQ sauce	1	1.50	1.50		1.50		0.00	1	free coupon
Hormel bacon bits	2	1.59	3.18		2.00		1.18	2	$1/1 simply entertaining bklt
Glad cling wrap	1	1.00	1.00		0.75	0.07	0.32	1	$0.75/1 simply entertaining bklt
Publix gift card	1	15.00	15.00				15.00
Bic Soleil razors raincheck	4	5.49	21.96	10.98	16.98	0.77	-5.23	4	raincheck+$3/1 MQ + BIGI MQ 8-1 ss
Sundown vitamin D	2	2.99	5.98		8.00	0.42	-1.60	3	$6/2 PQ+$1/1 MQ peelie or 8-1 RP
Thermacare 2ct	2	6.99	13.98		16.00	0.98	-1.04	4	$5/1 PQ+$3/1 MQ 7-25
crest toothpaste  raincheck	10	1.00	10.00		12.50	0.70	-1.80	18	$1/1peelie, 0.75/1 8-1+ 0.50/1 TQ 8-1
$10/$50		2.79	0.00		10.00	0.00	-10.00	1	$10/$50 PQ x8/17
$/$$ coupon		0.00	0.00		5.00		-5.00	1	$5/$25 competitor x8/12

 

Check Your Mail for Publix Q

In the Tampa Bay area, people have reported receiving a $10 off $50 Publix coupon in Red Plum mailer today. Its in the Publix BOGO ad, so check your mailbox. For coupon matchups to the upcoming ad, check out iheartpublix.com.

 

A Cool Tax Credit

Did you know that your summer daycare expenses may qualify for an income tax credit?  Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation.  Those expenses may help you get a credit on next year's tax return.
Here are five facts the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know about a tax credit available for childcare expenses.  The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses paid during the lazy, hazy days of summer and throughout the rest of the year.

• The cost of day camp may count as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit.
• Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.
• If your childcare provider is a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home, you'll get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit.
• The actual credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending on your income.
• You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual, or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit.

For more information check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This publication is available on the IRS Website, IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).  Please note that Revenue does not guarantee any tax credit and employees should consult a tax specialist if you have questions or concerns about filing your federal taxes.     
Source: Internal Revenue Service web site

Florida Sales Tax Holiday 8/13,14,15

It's back!  Florida's popular "back-to-school" sales tax holiday returns after a two-year break.  From August 13 through August 15, you and all Florida shoppers will not pay state or local sales tax on books, clothing, footwear, and certain accessories priced at $50 or less.  School supplies priced at $10 or less are also tax exempt.  Even if you don't have kids at home, you can also buy any of these items and donate them to schools and other volunteer organizations. 
What's In, What's Out?
A tax-exempt book, priced at $50 or less, is a set of printed sheets bound together and published in a volume.  It doesn't include newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, or audio books.
Tax-exempt clothing, priced at $50 or less, is any article of wearing apparel, including all footwear (except skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates), worn on or about the human body.  However, "clothing" does not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, or sporting equipment.
Tax-exempt school supplies (priced at $10 or less) include:

• pens
• pencils
• erasers
• crayons
• notebooks
• notebook filler paper
• legal pads
• binders
• lunch boxes
• construction paper
• markers
• folders
• poster board
• composition books
• poster paper
• scissors
• cellophane tape
• glue or paste
• rulers
• computer disks
• protractors or compasses
• calculators

Frugal Vacuum

I have this Hoover-U5180-900-Cyclonic-Bagless-Upright Vacuum Cleaner that I purchased over two years ago for forty bucks on Amazon. It has worked pretty good and I'm always amazed at how much dog hair it picks up from just one room. I empty the bagless canister a couple times whenever I vacuum because it just seems gross to have all that dust and hair whirling around. Anyway, its been a pretty good vacuum, but the front wheel carriage broke a short while ago, and its a hassle to have to push the thing around, instead of wheel it around.

 

So I was watching www.slickdeals.net for a deal on vacuum cleaners, but I missed out on a good deal a week ago. So, now I'm going to do the frugal thing. I'm going to just repair the thing by purchasing a wheel carriage part for $3.49 and fix it myself.

 

A lot of times it is really easy to fix things rather than replace them. Google is your friend. Just google your item and part needed and see what comes up. Usually, for a fraction of the cost of the item it can be repaired. 

Evil Scale Update Week 2

It was a disappointing week of dieting. I still managed to burn more than I ate, but only lost 1 pound this week for a total loss of 3.6 lbs. Remember my goal is to lose 15 lbs, but at this rate it will take a while. Its been so hot and steamy, that its hard to get plenty of outdoor exercise without getting fatigued from the heat. I did get a bicycle ride in on Sunday morning and it felt harder to ride my bike with no panniers, than it does with them loaded down on my way to work riding.

 

I did ride my bike to work today despite the 40% chance of rain in the forecast. One of my favorite treats to eat this past week has been a fruit cup. We got pineapple, mango, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, grapes and blueberries mixed into little fruit cups and they are the perfect snack - low calorie and satisfy the thirst and hunger.

Publix Sneak Peek BOGO 8/5-8/11

My favorite cereal, Honey Bunches of Oats is going to be BOGO, but the coupon matchups for it are slim. I didn't see any money makers but who knows what will come up with all the geniuses doing matchups. To see the complete listing of BOGO and grocery specials, check out True Couponing.

 

BOGO's

 

Dole Salad 5-12 oz bag BOGO (surprising low price)

Mott's 100% apple juice or Juice Medleys, Mott's for Tots, or Mott's Plus 46-64oz bott BOGO $2.95

General Mills Cereals: Lucky Charms, Cookie Crisp, Reese's Puffs 11.25-13oz box or Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch 16-17oz box BOGO $3.99

Bantry Bay Mussels assorted varieties 16oz pkg BOGO $4.99

Alouette Crème De Brie Cheese 5 oz pkg BOGO $5.99
Juicy Juice 46oz BOGO $2.65Post cereal Honey Bunches of Oats 13-18oz (excludes family size) BOGO $3.99
Progresso 100% Natural Broth (Chicken or Beef) 32 oz ctn BOGO $2.59
Wish-Bone Dressing 16oz bott BOGO $2.69
Ronzoni  Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat  Blend pasta 12oz – 13.25oz pkg BOGO $1.79
Ragu Pasta Sauce 16-26.3 oz jar (excluding Organic) BOGO $2.27
Betty Crocker premium muffin mix 15.2-18.25 oz box BOGO $2.59
Betty Crocker or Sunkist Fruit Snacks 4.5-9 oz box BOGO $2.49
Crystal Light  8qt canister or On The Go  7-10 ct box  BOGO $2.99
Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive oil 16.9oz bott BOGO $5.99
Vlasic Stackers Dills or Pickles or spears BOGO $2.47
Nabisco Variety snack packs or Kraft Handi Snacks 12-pack BOGO $5.99
Pepperidge Farm Swirl bread 16oz loaf BOGO $3.59
Lance crackers or Cookies or Wafers 6-10oz pkg BOGO $2.89
Blue Diamond Almonds 6 oz can BOGO $2.95
Mentos Pure fresh gum 50 ct BOGO $3.29
Healthy Choice Premium Ice Cream Bars or Sandwiches 15-24 oz carton BOGO $3.99
Klondike Bar or Slim-a-Bear16-27oz box BOGO $3.49
Morey's Fish Creations 10oz box BOGO $6.59
Breyers Ice Cream  48 oz carton BOGO $4.69
Yoplait Trix Yogurt BOGO $2.79
Nestle Toll House refrig cookie Dough 16-16/5oz pkg BOGO $2.79
Arrid XX anti-perspirant deodorant 2.6-2.8oz or Arm&Hammer Deodorant  BOGO $2.99
Chinet Classic White Plates, Lunch, Dinner, Compartment or Platters 24-55 ct pkg BOGO $5.99
Shout stain remover 22 oz bott BOGO $2.99
Scrubbing Bubbles 22 oz can BOGO$3.29
Kraft South Beach Living High Protein Cereal bars 5.88-6.15oz box BOGO $2.99

Kanes Strike Out - Get Your Free Pizza

Sunday the Rays did it again, 10 strikeouts! That means free pizza. Just go to http://www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com/ and print your certificate. I would HURRY and print one for the 7/31 game, and after the game is over in a little bit and they change the date on the certificate then print one for the 8/1 game. That way you can bring in two to your nearest Kanes for a free Papa Johns Pizza.

Rays Get 10 Strikeouts, Free Pizza Again

Well they beat the Yanks Friday night but didn't get the strikeouts, and tonight (Saturday) they got the 12 strikeouts but lost the game 5-4. I hope they win tomorrow!. Anyway, If you're in the Tampa Bay area, that means FREE PIZZA from Papa Johns. Just go to www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com and print your certificate within 24 hours of the game. Then you have 3 days to bring it to a Kanes Furniture store near you to exchange it for a free pizza coupon. The coupons now are valid through 10/25/10.

Now you can bring in your Thursday 7/29 certificate and todays 7/31 certificate, to get 2 pizza coupons in one trip.

Window Shopping

A few weeks ago, the passenger window of the 04' Camry started failing us. The window started to lug and lurch when we tried lowering it or raising it, kind of like the motor was failing. We left it closed and decided we better get it fixed before our racing trip coming up in August. Well, today we're planning on giving blood after work and the location is near the car dealer. It would be an ideal time to both drive and then drop off a car, so I called the dealer to figure out whats involved.

 

Well to my surprise, it costs a bunch of money to make a car window go up and down. First there is the inspection fee to determine if its just the regulator or the motor, or both. And then of course they don't have parts for THAT in stock, so it takes a day to get it from somewhere else, another dealer or supplier. So essentially, it means two trips to the dealer - or leave the car for two days. For us its not that big a deal because we have other wheels to get to work, but for some people this would suck.

 

So I'm wondering what is the value of the having a window go up and down, and what is the urgency to do it. Personally, we do not like to own cars or anything for that matter, that is makeshift or only partially operable. I like everything to work as designed, so we usually fix anything that breaks right away, or we replace it. I hate broken crap, or using stuff that doesn't work. I hate that the back window windshield wiper on the SUV is wacky and only clears 1/2 the window, but I guess I can live with that. But can I live with a window that doesn't go down? Maybe. Is it worth $682 to have the window go down? Maybe.

 

But you know us - the frugal ones, we have to check out our options, call another dealer who might have parts, find a competitor coupon that they would match, or go to the local guy Elmer around the corner who's done good work for us before on the cars. I might even check out youtube to see if there's a video on how to do it myself. Who knows it might be really simple, just to pop out the door molding and pop in a quick connect regulator. Its possible. I could seek advice from my un-frugal brother who is a service manager at a dealer, but he would tell me to quit being so cheap and just bring it to the dealer.

 

We ultimately will get the window fixed because the car only has 64,000 miles on it and is intended to last forever for us. But for now all we'll be doing is some window shopping.

Boost My Blog Friday

hosted by Designitchic

 

Welcome Blog Hoppers -

 

Good Morning, Happy Friday, Payday (once a month for us gov workers)! I'm excited for the Rays to kick Yankee ass in the sold out 3 game series, which means more free pizza if they get 10 strikeouts each game.

 

Leave a comment and I'll come check out your blog too!

Rays Get 10 Strikeouts Again - Free Pizza

Thery're on a roll, first a no-hitter on Monday night, and then Tuesday night the Rays got 10 Strikeouts, and again today, Thursday! If you're in the Tampa Bay area, that means FREE PIZZA from Papa Johns. Just go to www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com and print your certificate within 24 hours of the game. Then you have 3 days to bring it to a Kanes Furniture store near you to exchange it for a free pizza coupon. The coupons now are valid through 10/25/10.

Now you can bring in your Tuesday certificate and todays certificate, to get 2 pizza coupons in one trip.

My Time Is Worth More

Last night we were scheduled to work security at the Dave Matthews concert at the amphitheatre. We've worked that show four times in the past, and every single time there are thunderous storms and heavy blowing wind. This time was no different, except the storms blew in before the show, right as we were getting off work from the boring government work day. I read a great blog post on www.WiseBread.com about replacing a crappy job. The first sentence was about the crappier the job is, the easier it is to replace. Or in my case, just don't go.

 

We ended up calling off the concert gig, blaming it on car problems and we couldn't make it there. I felt terribly guilty about it, but I had been dreading the drama that goes along with working security. First the weather always is a factor, with extreme heat conditions and warnings to limit outdoor exposure. Here we were planning on standing for at least 6 hours straight in the heat. The other unknown is where we'd be deployed. The gates suck because you have to stand in the sun and search peoples bags, and throw away their beverages that they try to sneak in. I hate doing that, so I usually ignore the beverage if I can and not have some other newbie security guy next to me point out that I missed it. Also working the lawn sucks too because the people are so wasted and they just pee everywhere and smoke all kinds of things up there, and generally are loud and drunk and obnoxious. Anyway, there are only a few good positions for security where you can have nice guests who paid too much money for their tickets to get wasted and miss the show up front. These are usually assigned to the regular workers who come to every single event, obviously we don't have the clout anymore.

 

I went for a walk with a friend on our afternoon break, and we were discussing the concert and my dread of going to another job after work. He asked why we were doing it, since he knew we have seen DMB many times, plus we don't particularly care for the music - its kind of sleeper. I guess it helps if you're buzzed which we aren't when we work. He knows its not for the money, a measly fifty bucks each to work a show. I can save more than that in one good grocery shop using coupons! I didn't have a good reason why we worked security. We've done it for six years and have attended hundreds of concerts, so there's rarely a performer that comes along we haven't already seen that we want to see.

 

So, here I have two gnawing coincidences today, the blog post and my conversation with my friend. Both made me question working security. I realized my free time is worth more than they pay me. I didn't want to give up my evening of free time. I'm not sure I can put a price tag on what my free time is worth, but now I know its at least $50.

Rays Get 10 Strikeouts = Free Pizza

Thery're on a roll, first a no-hitter on Monday night, and now Tuesday night the Rays get 10 Strikeouts. If you're in the Tampa Bay area, that means FREE PIZZA from Papa Johns. Just go to www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com and print your certificate within 24 hours of the game tonight. Then you have 3 days to bring it to a Kanes Furniture store near you to exchange it for a free pizza coupon. The coupons now are valid through 10/25/10.

 

They'll probably get 10K on Wednesday and maybe Thursday too, so you could wait to visit Kanes until Friday and turn in 3 certificates at once, saving yourself extra trips to the store.

Evil Scale Update

Well I'm happy to report I've lost 2.4 lbs in my first week dieting and exercising. Last Monday I started documenting everything I eat and all my activities on www.fitday.com and its amazingly hard to cut back on calories. I thought I ate good, but morning snacks are my downfall after riding my bike to work. I get so hungry. Right now its almost lunch time and my stomach just aches with hunger. Its painful losing weight! I also need to give up the alcohol every night, those 2 beers a night add up to 1400 calories a week. When it takes 3500 calories deficit to lose a pound, those drinking calories don't help!

 

So I did pretty good riding my bike 10 miles daily, and walking an hour at least 4 days, but the beer and the chicken wings on Saturday night were a setback. I did see the evil scale tip up slightly. I don't like to see the yo-yo pattern at all, since that's always been my downfall. I lose 3 lbs a week, but then gain a pound on the weekends with my excess consumption. This weekend I rode my bike 10 miles each day to make up for my otherwise lazy ways on the on the weekend, so that was what saved me this week.

 

Here's a chart of my calories eaten vs calories burned and I managed to burn more than eat all days, so that's good.