Happy New Year!!!

I've always been told that what you are doing on New Year's Eve will tell what you will be doing the in the new year.

Here's what's happened so far today, December 31, 2010.

I got my morning walk in today. All of it. With the freezing weather we've been having my daily routine had been severely curtailed.

Richard washed the sheets and made the bed.

Richard did the rest of the laundry.

Richard vacuumed the house and chased a barking Ginger around with the vacuum cleaner. She hates the vacuum cleaner.

I brushed my teeth and took a shower before noon.

We went to Walmart and got the grocery shopping out of the way. We loaded up on spicy chicken wings to eat over bowl games tomorrow.

Richard bought himself a new pair of $9 jeans.

I am blogging.

What do all these things tell me about what is to come in 2011?

I will continue my walking routine helping to keep off the 25 pounds I managed to loose in 2010. That is if we eat all the wings in one sitting so that we get sick and vow never to buy them again. Richard and I will shop in Walmart and continue our frugal ways of saving money on everything we might ever need. I must admit he looks quite cute in his $9 jeans, even cuter than the $32 ones he bought at the department store which we now have to return.

I will be clean. Our clothes will be washed. My house will be clean and neat.

Ginger, the dog however will still be neurotic therefore I'll still have stories to entertain you with.

Here's wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.

A Year of Living Frugally

In the month of December I always find myself reflecting back on the year, its highlights and lowlights. 2010 was again a year of great change and adjustment. Since saving money is crucial in a life without a fat salary, I want to share with you the top ten money saving tips Richard and I have put into place.

10. Refill the water cooler bottle from the tap. The water is crystal clear here so when the 5 gallon bottle runs out we stick it under the faucet saving $6 for the water and another $6 for deposit.

9. We let Ginger's hair grow out saving us grooming expense. We like her better with soft, curly hair and since the weather's been so cold she's warmer too. We save $50 every time she doesn't visit the groomer.

8. Richard's stick deodorant broke in two one day. He called Old Spice to complain and they sent him a coupon for a new one. Savings = $4.

7. We rode our bikes about 3 miles to a new gas station with a pizza parlor inside. We each ordered a slice for lunch. Richard's was kind of burnt on the bottom. He ate half the pizza before showing it to the guy behind the counter. He wolfed down 2 pieces of pizza for the price of one.

6. When our sweet tooth kicks in, we make a trip to the bank. Otis Spunkmeyer cookies are baked fresh there daily. And we don't even have to transact any business for free chocolate chip cookies!

5. Leave it to Richard to find free samples tucked back in the corner of the bakery at Walmart. Cupcakes, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels are there for the taking. I like having something to nibble while I shop.

4. Buy a new energy efficient house and turn down the air conditioning. Last month my electric bill was under $100 dollars.

3. Save the bottle caps from all the 2 liter bottles of Coke that Richard drinks. I got a thousand hotel points and a gift card to Chili's. Mmmm. Fajitas!

2. Buy a membership to Sam's club for $40. Shop, shop, shop and load up the freezer. Cancel the membership to Sam's and renew it in another 6 months when the freezer is finally empty.

1. Clip the $10 off coupon on the purchase of $100 American Express gift card. $100 worth of anything I want for only $90. It's a better return on my money than I can get at the bank.

Here's hoping you have a happy and healthy and frugal New Year!

I Want to Wake Up In the Morning Where the Orange Blossoms Grow

I've lost twenty-five pounds and I've managed to keep it off for a few months partly due to my new fitness regime. I get out of bed at 6:30 am and walk 3 miles every morning unless it's raining.

Snow is not a possibility here in Florida and I wouldn't go out if we were having a once in a lifetime blizzard. That's a given. This morning however, it was around 40 degrees outside. It sure felt like the blizzard was imminent. (For all of you who are now shaking your heads in disbelief, I've lived in Florida for a very long time.)

My usual workout clothes won't due at that temperature so I had to improvise. I left on the pair of socks I'd slept in. First I put on a pair of navy blue leggings of unknown origin. Over those came a pair of ancient black sweat pants. This morning I chose my favorite pink tank top that I wore during my fondly remembered hike out of the Grand Canyon. Next came an ivory turtleneck that I bought in a ski shop here in Florida when I planned a trip to Niagara Falls in March, over which I put on my white Nike running jacket that I picked up in Portland, Oregon. I stuffed my feet into a stretched out pair of sneakers and was ready to face the cold.

I stuck my nose out the front door and came right back in. I grabbed a too big, bulky gray hoodie that says 'Disneyland' on the chest. Several years ago my sister and I were in California and it started raining. We were forced to buy something to keep us warm so we could continue to follow Mickey Mouse around the park.

Barely able to move my arms, I headed out. Half way through I wondered what in the heck I was doing. My toes and fingers freezing, I shivered while I walked. Looking ahead I kept marching. Brilliant orange and pink filled the sky, birds chirped and I waved hello to my other walking buddies who also braved the cold. Sunrise was particularly spectacular this morning.

I walk each morning not just to stay fit, but to see how God has blessed me with a new day right here in Florida. And I thank God I've had the opportunity to travel and collect the clothes I need to stay warm when the temperature drops below a balmy 75!