Future travel planning
- I booked a hotel in Palm Springs for M's upcoming 2027 days off in March. He prefers to line up his time off for the freebie vacation days, which is fine. We had originally discussed Sedona (booked with Hyatt points), but landed on Palm Springs instead, so we can also go to Joshua Tree. I've never been to Palm Springs, so I'm looking forward to it, and it sounds like March will be a great time to visit. I used Chase travel rewards to book a Hyatt hotel, and after the rewards, it came out to $540. I also received a $250 statement credit back for the type of hotel I booked, dropping the price to $290 total, for three nights. The reservation also came with a $100 resort credit, which I'm sure we will use for a drink by the pool, or something like that.
Saving on things we buy
- Used my $10 CVS rewards, plus a few cash back offers to restock some of my travel toiletries, while I was waiting to pick up a prescription.
- Went to the store to pick up a few things, and noticed Ben & Jerry's on sale for $2.99. I also had a $2 off coupon when you buy two, so I bought two containers for a total of $3.99, which is a pretty great deal. Since I was at the store, went ahead & picked up the weekend freebie, which was some sort of gummy candy.
- Uploaded all of my receipts to Fetch.
- Earned a $2 cash back reward on my credit card for gas.
Earning money
- Just the usual around here, but also met with both HR & benefits to understand timing of leaving & impact to end of year type things.
Avoiding spending
- Used a BOGO free entree to buy lunch for myself and Sam at Chipotle, and paid with a gift card. It's been rough coming back with jet lag, and not feeling good. Cooking has been low on the priority list.
- I ordered a new Kindle when mine stopped working. I read A LOT, and it's a daily activity at my house. Luckily, M was able to repair it through a variety of technical workarounds. We were both pretty surprised, as my older edition is no longer supported. I returned the newly purchased Kindle, but it appears I've received a temporary free subscription to Kindle Unlimited, so I will definitely take advantage of that and ensure I cancel again. I really enjoy Kindle Unlimited, as the library doesn't have a tremendous selection of Kindle formatted ebooks. I will binge read in the mean time!
Eating what we have
- My appetite has been a bit low, thanks to the infection, antibiotics + jet lag. As a result, the Chipotle bowl above served as three meals (two lunches, one dinner) for me. Definitely not bad.
- I also made the most of the Costco grain salad + rotisserie chicken, and that was multiple meals as well.
- One night, we had bonus diners, so I added a bag of Trader Joes fried rice to the dinner, which easily stretches things out, even if it wasn't very "on theme" for the rest of the meal.
For others
- Provided meals & a place to shower for one of DS19's friends who is in a bit of a family transition.
What about you? Any wins to share?
This past week was spent with Son1 and granddaughter. If anything I was hemorrhaging money.
ReplyDeleteOh, but it sounds lovely! Are they the Portland side? Sounds like the weather was very hot, if so! - HP
DeleteYes they are the Portland crew.
DeleteIm now saving for a Caribbean cruise in March, which wasn't my first pick for next major travel, but the company will be good. The kids said between the three of them, they can take care of pup. I've got the amount for my portion of the cabin in cash rewards on my Visa and rewards I earn between now and March shoujd cover spending money. Using my Delta card, I'll have free baggage check for my sister and I, plus wuthvthe points already, the additional miles and $$ converted to miles should cover either a domestic trip or at least significantly lower an international. It's not like your magic, but it certainly helps. I still want a 1-2 night fall getaway but where pup can join.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've found something to save for, and a good plan to budget. It does sound like you've found a lot of deals, so well done! - HP
DeleteI feel like I haven't been frugal at all lately. Found two more pieces of art for my collage wall at $4 total yesterday. Bought no groceries and fixed all but 4 meals out of 21 (which, I would rather not cook AT ALL) Paycheck was great this week. Using up all of my toiletries before I buy any new. Got some great sales deals at Kohl's to shore up summer clothes. Using my library card like a fiend.
ReplyDeleteKeeping on with cooking when you don't feel like it has got to be a huge money saver! I'm with you. There are days I don't feel it, and I try to go for a hybrid (e.g. prepared food from a store, etc) vs full on takeout. It's hard. I'm not in a season of life where cooking & meal prep is a top priority, even though I appreciate how much healthier it is, not to mention cheaper. - HP
DeleteYou do so well saving money on traveling! That was a very good deal on the Ben & Jerry’s. That’s great that M was able to fix your old Kindle.
ReplyDeleteBelinda
Well done. My spending habits this month have been kind of crazy. Probably because of the family reunion, and picking up the last minute necessary items for our trip.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I spent £30,000 booking bilateral total knee replacements. I am in pain , and the NHS ( confused by a recent house move of mine ) is struggling to identify a provider and the wait for an initial assessment by the orthopaedic team can be 10 months . So I am living in my new house , which finally completed , unable to use my Athens property as I cannot travel and have the prospect of a two significant surgeries in the next six to nine months ( depending on how I recover from the first surgery , due next week , on the knee which has the most significant damage )
ReplyDeleteA trip to Australia has had to be postponed - was going to the Australian Open tennis next January ), but looking at other options . I know cruises are popular but i would rather not travel than go on a cruise- went once and we found the other holiday makers ghastly !
Good luck with recovery and planning
Siobhan
Sending well wishes for strength and heeling. That is a lot to plan, manage, and recover from; good luck.
DeleteI echo other comments about wishing you well on healing. Also, your leverage skills for travelling and maximizing resources (like on your kindle) are incredible.
ReplyDelete