Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

I must admit, it is the strangest thing coming into work once a year with a urine sample cup waiting for you on your desk. For me, this was last week! As much as I hate the invasion of privacy, our annual medical monitoring at work has a lot of upsides. Once a year a medical facility in a trailer comes to our job and takes our blood to test for cholesterol, diabetes, etc., and gives us a full physical (including hearing, vision, EKG, etc.). If we need vaccinations of some kind (Tetanus, Hepatitis A/B, etc.), we can have these administered on site. We are given results by a doctor about five weeks afterwards.

And the entire thing is for free. No co-pays, no costs for any vaccinations, or for the follow-up with the doctor. So, while it may feel a little intrusive, I am thankful for having such a great service at no cost to me and consider it a perk of my job.

Are you in a field of work that requires an annual physical and testing?

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

Ever since my early twenties I have turned to acupuncture for overall health and stress reduction. Acupuncture can be semi-expensive, but the benefits for many people are wonderful.

Fortunately for me, a friend of a friend found a great resource here in Houston: a non-profit health center (St. Theresa’s) that offers acupuncture, among other natural remedies. I have been working with the acupuncturist for a month now, and the sessions only cost $35 each. Typically, you pay $60+ per session. Thank you Helen!

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it.

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is our frugal confession of the week:

I mentioned briefly a few weeks ago that we are taking a cruise to Alaska this year. So exciting! We were not planning on purchasing the cruise tickets until several months into the new year, but my mother found a wonderful sale on the cruise ship we were planning to use anyway. The company we will be using is Holland America, and we will be taking an 11-day trip together with my mother and stepfather. The total savings for purchasing early was close to $600. Woohoo!! We can now use this money towards the airfare to Vancouver.

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it.

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers and Happy New Year!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

We traveled to PA to spend Christmas with my family and needed someone to check in on our cats (Danny Boy and Lyla) while we were gone. At the same time, Paul decided that he no longer wants to have a fish tank. Before we could pull the plug we needed to find a home for the few that are left.  At our Christmas party we found out that our previous neighbor Derek was hoping to add to his fish tank and was looking for the exact fish that we possessed (2 Gourami)!  So, we made a trade that was advantageous for both of us. Derek cat-sat for us and in return we gave him the fish (and some yummy chocolate truffles).

Thank you again Derek!

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

I have mentioned here before one awful consequence of the severe drought in Houston this year: foundation problems. We were quoted a staggering $7500-$9000 in order to fix our foundation from several different companies.

Well, for the last two months our area has received a decent amount of rain. We called out one more reputable company to do a quote (Olshan Foundation), and thankfully our home had risen a bit from the rain! The representative recommended that we only fix the dining room, which at the height of the drought had sunk 2″ (but with the rains was now only 1.3″ down). We were quoted a price of $3,690, and I successfully negotiated the price to $3,400.

On top of saving us $290 just for asking, the company also let us take the first appointment that someone had cancelled on. This meant that our foundation was fixed a month ago instead of us having to wait until February! What a relief to us. Also, the service comes with a lifetime, transferable warranty (whew!).

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

Remember a few weeks ago when I scored 40 free digital prints for my grandmother from Walgreens? Well, I found a coupon from RitzPix in the Sunday paper that week for a free picture book (typically $19.99). I was able to take photos from both of my grandmother’s trips to Houston (2010-2011) and make a beautiful photobook for her to enjoy forever. It made me so happy! Thank you, RitzPix.

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it.

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

It was my birthday last month. Do you remember my post about signing up for birthday freebies from a year ago? Well, I am happy to report that several of the companies pulled through with a birthday surprise for me. I scored a total of about $20 in free food: A free mushroom and swiss cheeseburger at Fuddrucker’s, a free broccoli cheddar soup and peach tea at Jason’s Deli (I combined both company’s deal for one lunch during the workweek), and a free venti soy chai from Starbuck’s. Hurrah!

Here is another exciting update: in that article from a year ago, I signed up to Helzberg Diamonds on a rumor that you received a free pair of pearl earrings for your birthday. This did not happen on my birthday…it happened as a holiday gift to me this year! How exciting is that? The pearl earrings (cultured) are valued at $35. My first pair of pearls–free! I would definitely sign up with them if I were you and hope for your very own set next year.

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

I am a big fan of off-season shopping. I even start to purchase holiday gifts and holiday decorations the day after for the following year. Over this past summer I had two “scores” on holiday items that Paul and I now get to enjoy. Last week Target had a “sale” on Susan Boyle’s holiday soundtrack for $11.99; however, I scored it in hot July at one of those grocery store clearance bins for $2.99. I also scored the Charlie Brown Deluxe Holiday DVD Collection (including “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”) for $7.99 instead of $39.99 during Border’s going-out-of-business sale. Woohoo!

Hopefully this will inspire you to purchase some decorations and themed items after the holiday this year for 60-90% off to enjoy them for next year.

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

When I was traveling to Austin for work two weeks ago, I got a flat tire. My friend Helen had signed us onto her Triple AAA membership for this year, so I was able to call them to put my spare tire on (Paul says he will teach me how for the future). Also, I was able to find a Discount Tire place just a few miles from the flat where they fixed my flat for free. It was a nail I had picked up, towards the center of the tire. All in all, my situation cost me three hours and $0. What a great feeling. Thanks again, Helen!

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!

Hello Frugal Confessions Readers!

Here is my frugal confession of the week:

When my family came to visit in late September we toured the George Ranch Historical Park. My grandmother was unable to climb the stairs to the top of the buildings, so I promised her to take photos and send them to her. Walgreens was having a free deal on digital prints a week ago, so I was able to score 40 free prints and pick them up at our local Walgreens for $0!!! I’ll be sending all of our trip’s photos to Mom-mom this week.

What is your confession of the week? I’d love to hear it!