Today I am Thankful For

Normally I write about money on this blog. Usually saving, scrimping and bargains. Today I am writing as I am thankful that I have enough money for an operation on our little hamster Marishka. Usually people think of hamsters as dispensable. They only cost $10-20 and they are replaceable. Not so, just ask any hamster owner. In our family due to allergies and schedules hamsters are the only pets we can have. We own three royally spoiled hamsters. Our littlest hamster Baby Marishka (female vampire from movie Van Helsing as was a biter when she was younger) which is a Russian jumping hampster has a little growth by her hind leg which has grown to critical size.

A visit to a vet and options were:
a) leave it and see her deteriorate
b) pay mucho dollars and have them operate to remove it, hopefully for a healthy natural full life of 1.5 to 2.5 more years

Yes, it is costing me two days worth of pay for this operation - but she means the world to us and I would give up way more than that for her.

So today I am thankful that having the operation is even an option with our finances as would not have been for some.

Fingers and toes crossed...update on Baby Marishka to come.

My New Favorite TV Show

I have long been a fan of the Antique Roadshow but now on the History Channel I have found a new favorite TV Show.

Welcome to American Pickers(free online episode) or Monday nights on the History Channel.

They find some really neat stuff - rubber prop aliens, old signs, juke boxes and pinball machines.

Just makes you want to go garage saling, doesn't it?

August, September Coupon Savings & Brags

Life has been speeding by the past two months and frankly, my grocery budget and coupon savings has suffered as a result. The past month was filled with holidays and illness, both which tend to be budget busters. My monthly grocery bill goal is $450. Results are in:


August:
Saved $59.04 in coupons
Grocery Bill $450.15

September:
Saved $59.68 in coupons
Grocery Bill $536.47

Total coupon savings to date this year $1128.53

This months brags:

10 piece Cuisinart stainless steel pot set $139.99 - regular priced $399.00
purchased at Canadian Tire

I have been looking for several months for a good set to replace my old Lagostina set that is disappointing me. The plastic handles were crumbling from the heat and although they have a lifetime warranty I wanted to get a set that would work well on the gas stove. I got a great deal and they are much nicer than my old set.



1969 Newsweek Magazine .99 valued at $14.99 on EBAY
purchased at Good Will




I was born the summer of 1969 so when I found this at Goodwill I had to have it. Very interesting reading about the Nixon years before Watergate, the black separatist movement, go go outfits and the new Ford Mustang of 1969. This will go into my private collection but if I ever part with it I could easily sell this issue on EBAY.

7(only 3 in photo) x 50 count extra strength Advil 2.49 per box (5.99 - 2.50 coupon) regular price 11.99 per box
purchased at Royal Canadian Superstore

These were a great deal as this box normally sells for 11.99. The expiration date is April 2012 so no chance of us not using seven boxes by that time.





Bring on Fall. I look forward to cheap apples, carrots, potatoes and garlic. A homemade pumpkin pie or two, and hopefully a treasure or two at my local thrift store.