You just never know where and when you will find something where you least expect it. My six year old grandson wanted to visit a museum and there are none in our city so I told him I would take him to a "museum" like place. It was a antique/flea market. Well, he did enjoy himself just seeing lots of old things that I could tell him about their original use. While there, I found a package of adult (Depends) diapers that were $4.00 for 30 of them in the original package. Since I normally pay $20.00 I jumped on this bargain. You just never know..........

Lola

I thought I would start the New Year out by not spending any money but that was not the case. However, not all spending is bad. Dillards had a hugh sale and I got a pair of high heel shoes for $23.70 the great thing about these shoes as they are great quality, originally cost $100.00 were on a half/half sale hence the cost. Black is the color so they will be great with any thing. Also bought a jacket that I have had my eye on for two months. Beginning cost was $49.00 with my cost after waiting for it to go on sale was $15.00. Fossil wallet for me that started out at $44.00 and my cost today was $11.00. Some Sleep wear originally $36.00 down to $8.00. I love a good sale. All the items I purchased were things I needed but I never and I mean never pay full price anymore. Does anyone? No shoppers remorse or me today.

My plan this year is to track every dime that I spend. In the past, I always felt that I had a good understanding of where our money was going. Eating out was Killng us financially and health wise. I did eat out today with a very good friend that I was unable to dine with during the holidays. Even though I ate out, I feel I still made progress. I ordered from the lunch menu - soup and salad, I had water instead of a soft drink and still stayed within my eating guidelines for my health changes. I know how important it is for me to leave a tip and I always do tip but it sure makes me want to eat at home - perhaps serving myself, I should tip me and put that money aside Besides the eating out, I also found a pair of hard soled slippers for my 100 yearold grandmother. I ordered them online from Cabela's and the tota cost was $19.83. I have been looking for a deal on them for a few weeks. I am going to have a no spend day tomorrow for sure.

Yesterday was spent with my DD at the local mall. Yes, I did spend money and yes I did manage not to feel quilty about it. I bought several new work outfits for my job. I had been wearing clothes that no longer fit me well and it was really making me feel not to good about myself. I did research on the internet about building a wardrobe the smart way so when I shopped I looked for quality items but did not pay hugh prices. I now have what I need for a more professional image. I now have a hugh box of items from my closet purge and while I have made some money on E-bay I am thinking more about hosting a clothing swap at my home some others in my circle of friends and family may benefit. I am using some of the funds from work OT and a yearly work bonus.

Yesterday was such a wonderful day. Our grandbaby is 3 1/2 years old and it was our first long car trip with him. We took him to a zoo two hours away. We had all the great plans of taking a picnic lunch and not spending very much money but due to poor planning it did not work out that way. He pretty much has us wrapped around his fingers so we had to take him to McD's for breakfast and was was $11.00 for three of us. We then had to pay a toll for the turnpike which would have been $4.50 total but on the way home my DH took a wrong turn it so it cost us another $1.25 for the toll. The cost to get into the zoo was $16.00 for the three of us. I could have passed him off as a two year old but I am just too honest to do that. Of course there was the money spent at the zoo gift shop $11.00 for rubber animals. Snacks at the zoo were also expensive and of course it took another full tank of gas for the trip. Was it all worth it?? You bet. Sometimes we just have to remember that time spent with the people we love is worth the cost. We could have saved money but I'm not carrying any quilt on this trip. Of really good piece of luck was I had taken my wedding ring off on the way to the zoo to apply some hand lotion and had put it in the seat next to me. After we had parked and gotten inside the zoo I noticed that I had forgotten to put my ring back on. My DH went back to the parking lot to get it for me. As I was getting out of the vehicle it had gotten knocked out of the seat and it finally found it on the ground next to the front tire. Thank God he found it. It was insured but still I did not want to lose it. I will have to be more careful.