About 8:15 am. Saturday, I rushed to Farmer's Market and bought a fried peach pie for $2. Then, I bought $6 worth of squash and $6 worth of tomatoes. I used the coupons from the program for low-income seniors. I didn't think about it, but I may make the squash fans for Tommy next time he comes up. He hates basil, but I can hide it and then he never complains, or I can tell him it is parsley. Basil is growing right out the side door.
Then, I went to a food bank. I have not seen all that was in the box, but some of it. Potatoes--3 lbs., gallon of milk, eggs, loaf of bread I hate, loaf of rye I love, Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup. can of strawberries, box of generic cereal Tommy will eat, one roll tp, 2 cans green beans, 2 cans mixed vegetables and one of peas--all three he will eat.
I went out later in the day and brought in the rest of the box. Things neither of us will eat--2 cans Spaghettios, Siracha pork and beans, boxed pasta dinner, mac n cheese ,can Great Northern beans. So, I will offer those things to someone else. Usually, I will only use half of what is in the box. This time was exceptional.
At Walgreen's I used almost all of the gift card from return merchandise from a few days ago. CVS is next door, so I went in to raid the coupon machine and got a $2 off anything coupon. I needed nothing so I grabbed two of the packages of the 2/$1 potholders. Then, I remembered I did need something and could have just used the coupon on that. Oh, well.
When I left the house Sat. morning, it was 75F degrees. Sounds nice? The humidity was 89%. Not nice. The least exertion left me sweaty, like going down five steps and walking to the car.
I see a BLT in my future. I may make that for dinner when Tommy comes. He is sooo happy to get a BLT. The squash casserole will go with that just fine. Well, it won't be like squash and creamed corn that I was going to serve the other day. I had cooked all the other squash and will make this ahead so I don't have to heat up the kitchen.
Yes, I comment on heat, but I really do much prefer heat to cold.
I remembered Medicare recipients can get one pair of shoes per year if the doctor prescribes them. I am quite sure sandals are not approved but I can get some closed-toe shoes for winter. By the way, Medicare is for all those 65 years. My friend who had more money than God got her free/reduced shoes from Medicare. Or, maybe they were 80% off. It is still a good deal.
Sunday
As I said earlier, I am getting shabby looking. I needed a purse. I asked Tommy if he had noticed my purse was getting worn looking. He exclaimed, "Yes!" Then, he described how it was looking worn. Now, for a man who just doesn't notice these things, this was a surprise.
Belk was having a back-to-school sale, so I went fearing the crowd. But, I did find the next to last cart to lean on. I described the purse I wanted and the clerk found it. Perfect! It was $220. I passed on that. The only other leather one I liked was a SAK, $169. Now, that was still too high, but it was on sale.
I went to the shoe department to rest and look at shoes and ask if they carried SAS. No, they did not, but I saw $55 Clark "rubber" sandals that would be perfect for house shoes in the hospital. They could be washed off so I do not have to wear germy shoes. They were reduced to $34, still too high. Then, I saw a sign about 15% off and a 20% off coupon.
I asked about this and found out I would get an extra 15% off all purchases today and a 20% off coupon for next week. I also got a percentage off if I updated my cc. I went for all of it. I probably will use the coupons for a bra next week. Maybe I won't use it.
Then, I started thinking none of this information was given to me for the purse. I asked her if she could return it and redo it with the extra percentage off. The other clerk lost that sale. In the end, I paid $22 for the Clark's sandals. The purse was $89. I know those are outrageous prices and I should not put it on a cc. BUT, I did the best I could on the prices. Before I pay it off, the charges will be minimal. Purses were not included in the no tax weekend.
No, I cannot shop at a thrift store. AND, purses that are not leather wear out very quickly. In 1985, I bought a purse for $100 and used it for ten years. Then, I gave it to a friend who cried because she had been praying for a purse because hers had torn up. In church, she showed it off as she testified up front. She used it for at least three more years.
When you cannot walk far, you will see the problems with shopping. In the past I have found clothing, purses, and shoes in yard sales and was not too proud to buy them and wear them. I am selling things, so maybe I can pay this off next week.
Recap:
purse $169, final price $88
sandals $55 final price $22
original prices $224
sale prices $111
Maybe you disapprove my spending so much? Hey, I have cut my hair four times now!
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It is the initial outlay that hurts, but the purse will last for years. If you divide it by years of use, it will end up being cheaper than a lesser quality bag. Clarks is a good brand. I'm hard on shoes, but I get years of years of wear from them.
ReplyDeleteRPS4boys,
DeleteBesides having picky feet, too, am hard on shoes. However, good shoes can take it. I feel better now that I a, not shabby anymore, at least not in the shoe and purse department.
I find zulily to be a great source for shoes.
DeleteI need to try shoes on. Isn't Zulily online only?
DeleteYes. On line only. I buy shoe brands that I'm familiar with so it usually works out. Not everything can be returned so that is a drawback as well.
DeleteRPS4boys,
DeleteThat is why I look but never buy. Some shoes just don't have a last that fits me, no matter what the size.
IT is your money and you can spend it how you want. You tried hard to get things down and did a good job I might say.
ReplyDeleteKim,
DeleteYes, it is my money, but I have so little that I hope people don't think I would have more if I did not buy expensive things. I buy things so few times, but do try to get the best prices and quality.
Pfffht. You do what's best for you. Who cares what others think. Anyway, the cheapest option doesn't always end up being the most frugal. You'll use a nice purse for years!
DeleteRPS4boys,
DeleteThanks, I guess I need permission to do what is best for me. plus, maybe people thing people who use food banks don't need to buy nice or expensive things.
Great deals.
ReplyDeleteR's Rue,
DeleteThanks.
I found the info about Medicare paying for new shoes if Dr writes a prescription. Do you know if one has to get their shoes at a specialty shoe store for Medicare to help pay for them?
ReplyDeletesusie,
DeleteNo, you don't have to get the shoes from a specialty store for Medicare. Some drugstores here have a display but it not allowed to try on a shoe until I order it and pay for it or Medicare is billed and pays for it. No thanks. But, you can google for your area "shoestore with Medicare approved shoes for diabetes" and find store in your area.
Medicare pays 80%. Medicaid will pick up the other 20%. They cannot be shoes you just happen to like. The sandals are not ones Medicare will help with even though the feel like a dream. There are sandals they will pay for but they have covered toes. Good luck.
Thank you for the good info!
DeleteSusie,
DeleteI hope you find what you need.
you did well. I heard some flack from family when at 19 yrs old I bought a little black dress for more money then they felt I should have spent. I still have it, still wear it and it still looks good 41 yrs later. My aunt used to say save for quality not spend for quantity.
ReplyDeleteChef,
DeleteGood story. I try to go for quality. I owned many winter scarve that were expensive and heard about it, store like macy's and such. They were $20 or $30 and I paid $3 or less on sale in the spring.
There are several things I will buy cheaply and several I buy as investment pieces. I have paid a couple of hundred bucks for a purse but kept it 20 years. Not a bad investment at all.
ReplyDeleteAnne,\"Investment" is a good concept. Cost over time is the best way to have nice things you use.
DeleteI liked the notion of the BLT the best
ReplyDeleteUr-spo,
DeleteNow, I really want one!
I think you did great with the purse and shoes. Buying better quality can save you money in the long run.
ReplyDeleteMaking Cents,
DeleteThanks. That is what I try to do.