That grocery prices have REALLY gone up? I don't mean just a bit, but like alot! I was shocked when I went to the grocery store on Sunday....this is my usual store for most of our groceries (pantry items) and I just couldn't believe the prices on some of the itmes I regularly buy....they have really jumped!

Add in gas prices these days and it's just crazy!

Boo!

In our quest to save money, we decided to cancel our paper. I tried to cancel and only take the Sunday (since that is our main coupon source) but they don't offer Sunday only....has to be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so I cancelled the whole thing. We will just pick up a Sunday paper sometime on Saturday as I usually have some sort of errand to run and can just get it then. It is worth it to us to still get the Sunday for the coupons as I mentioned before. The main grocery store I shop at (Winco) does not take internet coupons so I need that paper for the inserts. Fred Meyer does take internet coupons so I can certainly use them there.

On another note, looks like our auto insurance will go down a bit too with DH's new car....looks like around $10 a month....doesn't seem like a lot but as we all know, sometimes those little amounts sure add up.

Gas for the cars will be interesting. DH's new car will definately get better gas mileage than his one before but with prices going up, up, up, maybe it will even out in the end.

Still doing well with no home phone and just using cell's.

I love saving money!

Portland Metro area: $3.50's to $3.75

How about you?

Ugh! I knew it was coming....

DH has been talking about a new car now for quite a while. His car was 6 years old and had $80,000 miles on it. He drives 40 miles roundtrip to work 5 days a week. With gas prices on the rise, he was wanting something more eficient. He got a Ford Foucus SE.

This weekend he finally did it....I have to admit, he got a great deal, but I am not excited about going back into debt. Luckily (or not?) we are only having to finance about $10,000. Looks like we will be getting a loan at a credit union at about 2.25%...not bad I guess, but I prefer 0% (that's what my loan is at)

The plan is to work at paying these off as quickly as possible. For quite some time now, we have been paying $500/mo on my loan....we are now at $6500....his payment will be around $230 so we decided to pay $300/mo on each car. As funds allow, we may try to send more on my car to get it paid off as soon as possible. These 2 car loans are the only debt other than our mortgage so I want to hit it hard!

I don't wear alot of dresses....just not my "thing". However, I felt like I needed a dress for my grandma's memorial, and I suppose, it is always good to have a "little black dress" on hand.

I found a dress at Fred Meyer's that was originally $70, marked down to $49.97. It was also on the clearance rack which was 40% off the lowest marked price ($49.97). I also had an additional 20% off making the dress a grand total of $24.00.

Not too shabby if I say so myself.

No big plans as it is a weeknight with work and school for dd2. Will probably go out to dinner this weekend for a combo b-day/valentine's celebration.

We will have a family gathering in a few weeks as that was put on hold due to my grandma's passing.

DH got me an i-pod nano for my b-day....I really wanted an I touch, but since I have a Nook Color, it really didn't make sense. This will be great for walking.

All in all, it's been a great day so far!

Just wanted to pop in and say a great big thanks for all of your heartfelt condolences! It really meant alot!

We had the service and celebration of life on Sunday and it was so wonderful to see so many people come out to honor her.

We said our final good-bye's but know she will live in our hearts forever!

Feeling pretty blue this morning

My 93 1/2 year old grandma passed away last night. We knew it was coming and the end was near.

I was fortunate to have been able to spend the entire day with her yesterday, along with my sister, brother, 1 cousin, my mom, and my aunt and various vistitors who came to say their final good-bye's.

DH brought the girls up last evening and all 3 of them were able to say their good-bye's too. About 30 min after we left, she passed. I had a feeling it would happen then. My sister called me right before I got home.

I was going to blog about how she was able to spend her time in her home, even though she had some health issues, but that will have to wait for another post.

I am just too sad.