Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Save to Spend

It seems it happens this way at times.  We save and do a good job with our finances - only to HAVE to spend it on things we just don't regularly spend on.
I guess that IS WHY we are FRUGAL!!!!!!  It is always nice to have that savings to fall back on.

This is going to be the summer of spend at our home, I do believe.  NO, it does not make me the least bit happy.  YES, I have been putting it off as long as possible.  Some things just can't be put off any longer.  Maintenance on home and vehicles HAS to happen.  It is an evil necessity!

This year (soon):
Of course, there will be gardening and flower supplies to get.  I am OK with that!
New tires all around on the Blazer
Need some under the hood work done on Blazer as well
One new tire for the truck (and then hopefully selling the truck)
Mower needs  work - so thinking about getting a 2nd one to have for emergencies
Paint and tile the bathroom (have the paint)
Need new outdoor security lights installed (at least 2)
Lots of odds and end jobs indoors and out - that I just can't do myself (we both DO try) - hire helper
I really need a new couch - this one is 16 years old.  It looks nice - but isn't comfy any more

Oh my, I just cringe when I think about spending a lot of money. 
Then I think, what have we been saving for?  We can't take it with us.  We are getting older, might as well get what we want and need.  Why leave it all to someone else - we worked for it!

This is so true!  LIFE and TIME are the a couple of our greatest assets  

We have been frugal most of our married years and tried to do things right, so that we wouldn't have a lot of burdens when we got older.  We planned, knowing G would be probably be disabled at some point.  WE DID GOOD!  I guess now we can afford to play a little.

Now play is good - splurging once in a while is good - we all need to.
It is the MUNDANE expenses that gripe my bum!!!!! 
Tires - that's no fun!!!!!!  Makes me safe, sure - but not a fun expense! 
Taxes - no fun.  We have all our property taxes paid for the year now.
Insurance no fun.  We need it "just in case".
Tags for car - no fun.  Got to stay all legal!
The list goes on and on................

Hopefully, we get all our items taken care off this summer, and can still continue to save.  I am frugal with a purpose!!!!!!!

Hope you have a relatively frugal summer and can avoid the many pitfalls of NOT FUN spending!

24 comments:

  1. so true so true, the not fun spending...our year was last year with the car...

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    1. Evil isn't it?????? LOL
      I guess it is what it is. Better than having a car payment every month for years!

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  2. I know this is all so true. We can't take it with us so we might as well spend it is right. We had to replace the blinds in the living room today The wind just took and ripped some of the slats out last week. They would no longer work no matter how I tried. I like my privacy and even though like you I hated to spend it, I was glad I had it to spend. Not fun but it is better looking. Those blinds were 20 years old! We have the huge picture window next month to put new blinds in. I don't want to even think about it right now! Have a great day!

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    1. Those big sets of blinds are pricey! I had to replace a double wide set a few years back. WOW I was amazed.
      It is always great to have it look nice.

      I can't or shouldn't complain. We wear things out. Shoot our Blazer is 16 years - so repairs are better than car payments.
      And yes, like you - thankful we have it to spend.
      have a good day

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    2. I wonder if using two blinds to bridge the distance on the big picture window would work? We did this at camp and it really was nice, we could block the sun on the right or on the left depending on time of day...gave us more choices to see outside...just saying!

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    3. Oh I had thought of that. It would work as ours is actually two windows about 4" apart. Had I not found the big one, I would have had to change out brackets, which I really didn't want to do.
      Maybe next time. Extra large blinds are hard to find around here.

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  3. I have this theory about money and manure. If you leave manure in a large pile long enough it will self combust and burn starting a fire that can burn everything in its path, if you spread manure around it grows things and so does money.

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    1. There ya go!!!!! I have never heard that one - but it sure is true! Thanks

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  4. Miss Cheryl check out craigs list while searching for a sofa.
    I purchased a beautiful slipcovered pottery barn sofa for 400 dollars. I looked up the sofa on pottery barns website and it retailed for thirty five Hundred dollars. The slip cover alone
    Costs 400 dollars. I also purchased an antique wrought iron bed for 100 dollars. You never know what you will find. Happy hunting! I love your blog, I am a frugal girl too.

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    1. Thank you for your suggestion. I have always been leery of Craig's List - just hear so many horror stories with meeting up with people! I know lots of people use it.

      I used to do Free Cycle any years ago - found some neat stuff.
      you can bet I will hunt for the best deal I can get!

      Us frugal chicks need to stick together!!
      Thank you.

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  5. Hi Cheryl here is a tip for you...last year we got tires on both our vehicles at memorial day time. They had a promotion. ..I signed up for a credit card and the rebates on the tires we got $235 in gift cards! I took the gift cards and used every cent on meat and groceries! You may want to look around for that ...it could be a good windfall! Gail in the NW

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    1. Wow, what a wonderful tip. I surely will keep an eye open for a deal.
      Great shopping!!!!

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  6. Craigslist is great if you're careful. We sold a perfectly good mower a month ago. it was only a year old. We have a guy who mows for us and the mower was just taking up room. We've met nothing but the nicest people so far. Craigslist uses a filter between you and the seller or buyer. You can communicate without any of your personal info being shown. We always arrange to meet in a public place (like at a gas station) if we can, and exchange cash and object after viewing of object is complete. Once we sold a recliner and it was our new neighbor right across the street that we hadn't met.

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    1. That's a good tip. I guess I am old fashioned, and it scares me a little.
      I will give it a look. Thanks

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    2. my problem with sofa and other stuffed furniture is bugs...unless you can freeze them out with subzero for a few weeks I wouldn't risk it

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    3. I have gotten that way too. If I buy linens or clothes at yard sales - I put them in black bags and let them sit in a closed up sun baked car for a couple days - then wash.
      Bed bugs really worry me. that is so hard to rid and very expensive.

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  7. I do hope you can find some great sales on the things that you need to spend on.

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  8. I put new tires on my car last year, so I feel your pain. It is a necessary evil, things like that. It does make me feel good to check those off my list of things to do. I'm glad we had the money to do them thanks to our frugal lifestyles.

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    1. Yes, once done, it won't have to be done again in ages. So that is a plus.
      Being frugal does have a lot of perks!!!

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  9. You have done good!! Saving money for years, so that you can pay for the things you need. Sounds like it will be an expensive month :( Hope you can plan some fun things too.

    It is going to be an expensive summer for us too. Taxes are due next month. I bought some new glasses yesterday, but I'm hoping I can see better. But our big splurge is a cruise to celebrate our 25th anniversary. It is paid for, and I am so excited. It will be a once in a lifetime trip for us.

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    1. Kathy how exciting is that. What a wonderful gift to yourselves. Sounds lovely. I sure hope you enjoy it.

      Glasses, I could use new ones as well. It is way past time to be checked.
      Have a lovely summer!

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  10. The greatest thing is being able to afford those things!! I remember having to put everything on a credit card when we were young. It's so much easier to shop for the best price with cash!

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    1. Many times you can get more of a discount for cash at some places here. Of course there are other places, that think it's a crime if you pay cash, and act like you have committed a crime! Now that is crazy.

      It is nice being able to afford those necessary items.

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