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First day of the weeklong frugal fast

June 13th, 2010 at 01:11 pm

I nearly forgot. Today's the first day of the weeklong Frugal Fast. Momcents, Ima and Scottish girl, don't forget!

I shouldn't have any trouble complying today. My gas tank is less than half full, but today will be fine.

I put in about 5 hours of work for the Census yesterday, at a higher end apartment complex in small nearby city. for the week, I eeked out 15 hours of work, plus I'll make money from the gas mileage reimbursement. It's better than nothing, for sure.

I'll put in a few hours of Census work today and tomorrow, but not sure how productive I'll be. These apartments, seven separate buildings, all have a locked main door and buzzers for each apartment. If no one happens to be leaving and lets you in, there's no way you can even leave a notice of your visit with your contact info, and I've found people find it easier to blow off the census survey when you're at the other end of the intercom, not face to face.

I canvassed probably 30 or so residences yesterday and was able to complete just 7 surveys. Back again to try today. The census work is getting old (rejection wears thin after a while), but it's money, and shouldn't last much longer anyway. At least I'm in a safe neighborhood.

Yesterday I fell asleep after getting home from census work but woke up and was able to squeeze in some stuff I wanted to do: make more homemade iced tea (I drink it by the gallon and it's a combo of black, green and white tea), change the hummingbird water, trim the 3 shrubs on the back patio and sweep the back patio. I love the look of bricks but I get a lot of weeds between them so it's quite high maintenance, and once the weeds take hold, sweeping is harder. I have lots of poison ivy sprouting up in one area but no sense spraying til Tuesday with all the rain that's forecast.

My mom was all excited after attending an annual big fundraiser for Hospice. As an artist who donated some work for the auction, she got in free; normally tickets are $150 each. She's gone every year for the past 13 years. She was happy because she sold 3 or 4 big pieces, grossing $1,400, but after Hospice gets its cut, she nets about $800. Still great for my mom on a fixed income. Plus the food is always to die for; it's quite the gala event and all her friends go there.

4 Responses to “First day of the weeklong frugal fast”

  1. momcents Says:
    1276445034


    We were a NSD yesterday (Friday was spendy, but in an orchestrated fashion with item specific lists). Today is a NSD as well. Mass, free swim at the Y from 3:20 to 5, board game (Dogopoly). We'll also run in at the library. Rather than the Sunday AM donut run to Safeway/Dominicks we bought Entemann's Pop'ems and a local dairy's chocolate milk (bogo, despite a $1.50 deposit on each bottle on Friday). Will account for today tomorrow. Thanks for encouraginig this!

  2. Ima saver Says:
    1276446951

    I remember. I did my grocery shopping early so I would have some food on hand. Our payday is Monday, so I usually grocery shop on Tuesday (or Monday). I did not fill up on gas, but I think I will be fine with half a tank. So far, I am planning on staying home today!

  3. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1276456747

    I'm going to try to do this .. but can't totally commit. It really depends on whether I get any interviews or not. If I do, I may need to purchase some appropriate clothing that fits .. my other suit doesn't quite fit. Saturday was a no spend day.

  4. scottish girl Says:
    1276462214

    I remembered. Today was a NSD. I am going to try my best and do this Smile

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