Wheels

We bought a 2021 certified, preowned Toyota Rav4 SUV at a dealership today. It has under 16,000 miles but just give us a chance. We drive a lot, especially on Maine or Cape Cod trips, plus Dan does many 60-Second Novel gigs out of the area.

We spent more than we wanted to, even with studying prices online, Dan reading Consumer Reports safety ratings and putting down what we considered a lot of savings and negotiating a bit on the MSRP. Then they add all of those ballooning fees at the end, the sales tax (almost $2k), registration, etc. etc. We have not had a monthly car payment in a long time. I hope we take good care of this car and have many safe drives, and can manage the money smoothly. Another reason to work hard and not squander.

It's been a long month of Sundays without wheels. Relief. (I can't tell you how many Uber drivers I have had the pleasure of meeting. But tomorrow night, I can drive myself to restorative yoga class!) Even if we are fretting about the interest we will pay over 75 months, eek. They say we can pay the loan off sooner without a penalty.

Good night.

A $277 Spend But Kept My Eye on the Ball at Whole Foods Market

I did not get a lipstick this time, which saved me about $19 plus tax. Often, I am drawn to the beauty case to buy one....I think it has to do with NOT getting sweets and treats. It is a beauty treat. And the colors (Charming is shown here) are alluring. Photo link from here.

At Whole Foods the other day, I did not waste much money. I still did spend a lot, but these days, groceries seem quite high. We stick mostly to ShopRite for better prices, but I had gotten a writing paycheck and stocked up on (mostly) healthy things, including:

• 1 pack Bell & Evans chicken cutlets (sale*)
• 2 packs ground beef
• 1.5 lb. Alaskan salmon fillet (sale)
• pack of 5 rainbow peppers
• corn tortillas
• everything bagel seasoning
• baby spinach
• pint of heavy cream
• romaine lettuce
• box Annie’s mac and cheese
• Back to Nature woven wheat crackers
• 2 bags excellent organic ground Guatemalan medium roast coffee (Whole Foods brand, one caramel and one mocha). This is good because I have been making my own coffee so much of the time now and spending less on cups of coffee in places other than my home. The cream and organic milk go with this.
• potatoes
• organic blueberries
• 5 nice ripe mangos on sale, for Punchy to eat as is or make smoothies
• bananas 
• a “slicer” tomato
• Parmigiano-Reggiano (big-ticket item)
• Immaculate Baking Company biscuits for young one to bake (I realize now that I could have gotten refrigerated biscuits way cheaper at ShopRite)
• pound of butter
• bottle of Thai peanut coconut sauce 
• gallon of delicious Whole Foods brand organic whole milk ($6.99. Dan gets nonorganic milk at a much lower price at ShopRite but this is so creamy and good)
• 2 frozen pizzas on sale, one with vegs and one with prosciutto (both pies made in Italy!?)
• orange juice, no pulp, four-pack of small bottles
• box of pasta
• jar of pasta sauce
• Spanish rice
• bag of Bob’s Red Mill organic polenta
• refrigerated anchovies (I sometimes want to put them on pizza)
• Honey Nut Cheerios (I see that I could have paid far less for this at ShopRite)
• A single LA FERMIÈRE French yogurt (pressed lemon), true treat in little blue pottery pot
• Calabro ricotta
• Vermont Creamery mascarpone (on sale)
• Amy’s veg burgers
• Frozen pretzel bites
• 2 Nounos glass jar baby yogurts

*When you scan your Amazon Prime in-store code, you get an additional 10 percent off sale items, so I look for sale items.

THE BIG SPEND ALSO INCLUDED THESE EXTRAS:

• A box of six “clean” burning fire logs ($27.99)
• Mini no sugar added/soy ice cream pops on sale
• 2 mini Junior’s no sugar added Little Fella cheesecakes, one for Dan and one for me (pricey, $4.29 each)
• Can of Bon Ami cleanser
• Method bathroom cleaner spray
• Pacifica makeup wipes for Punch (on sale)
• Tom’s of Maine toothpaste (sale)
• Birthday card for Meggy

WHAT I DID NOT GET:

• A tube of lipstick in the beauty aisle, a pop of pretty color. I toyed with it, looked at a few shades, thought of how they would look good. Considered the names, tempted. Pictured myself wearing the lipstick when I come shopping next time, with a skirt. But the thought occurred to me, “You have a lot of lipsticks at home to use up.” I paused long enough, I guess, to listen and hear. Perhaps next time, as this Mineral Fusion formula is stylish and flattering.
• Fancy Hu dark chocolate bar, low sugar but v expensive per ounce
• Cookies
• Good-looking cakes
• Pricey pure vanilla extract ($22 plus for smallish bottle)
• Sushi
• Prepared fruit salad--had it in my cart but with the mangos and blueberries, knew I could do without.
• The Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day (what a great name) scented soy candle in jar. The Honeysuckle smells so good and I knew it would give me and my family and my house a lift, but about $15? plus tax.

So I think all in all, I did okay. I’m curious if other people make close budgets and lists and resist splurges, trigger items at the supermarket? I always remember my friend young MTM posting on my blog that when she goes to Whole Foods, she doesn’t even get a basket or a cart, just the salmon, which she considers so good. She puts on blinders to get to the seafood counter.

3 Reasons I Love This Movie Star’s Fashion Edit

Gwyneth in the original G Label by goop Leah cashmere sweater. 

Now the core collection item comes in lemon drop yellow. 

(Alright, so maybe Gwyneth is a tiny size and doesn’t even need a bra 

because her breasts stand up without an underwire. As my editor used to say,“She would look good in a potato chip bag.” But she still sells the sweater for me.)

It’s a fact. Celebrities extend their brands, making extra millions with product lines. Remember Elizabeth Taylor’s perfume, the Fabletics fitness-wear line co-founded by Kate Hudson and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans?

Who doesn’t want a bottle of beauty worthy of a star or workout pants that flatten the belly and are endorsed by Goldie’s daughter?

But G Label from Goop....from Blythe’s daughter. I love Gwyneth Paltrow’s line and wish I could afford it full-on, but not in this lifetime, not at this moment. The one G Label black ribbed bodysuit I own, snagged on sale, is perfect, and I never want it to fall apart. It is cut so right, slimming, with a neckline to perfectly frame a face...and show off earrings and a necklace.

Take these 3 new "early-access” reasons-I-love pieces. The email just dropped today. 

1. Perfection in a black sweater. Lightweight cashmere to go around the seasons again and again, flattering sleeves, a stylish, feminine belt. Available in XL. $695. Figure I would wear it at least 100 times. That comes out to $6.95 per day to feel and look fashionable no matter what else is going on in my life.

2. Leather jacket lust. The bow at the neckline catches my eye, as does the soft leather (look how it drapes) and the two-way zipper. $1,395. What more can I say. Investment piece.

3. Lemon yellow ribbed cashmere with bracelet-length sleeves. (I don’t like this photo but can’t isolate the other views. Please click on link to truly see the sweater, not behind big coat and bag.) So maybe I don’t always look so great in turtlenecks, because my face is full, or the funnel might feel confining--or dark colors are more slimming, especially if you have a plump pouch. This Italian cashmere is so pretty, the color so lollipop lovely. I would have to work several hours to earn it, get paid on time by the client and then, also, not be able to cover some planned bills. Oops. $595.

Oh well. I think it’s this ability to fall in love with fashion, or recipes, or bedsheets and lamps, that made me so good at my job as a lifestyle writer at women’s magazines. If I’m in love, then it will be easier for me to convince you to fall in love, too, whether with a chocolate cake you have to bake (so moist, and that secret ingredient for a silky frosting, go buy the French cocoa) or a belted cardigan. 

Happy weekend. For now, I guess I’m shopping my closet.

Money Maven?

Above, photo on SoFi.com for “23 Tips on Saving Money Daily."

Greetings from the same woman who, for months, tracked her daily spending out of pocket at the bottom of each blog post. Remember that? Here’s a refresher from 2019. Even I forgot how tedious that was.

Is it ironic for someone who spent $8 on a whim for a mini Magnolia Bakery cheesecake or too much money on a turquoise cashmere sweater (on sale) to be writing financial articles now? Yes, and no. 

Just as I learned to leave pretty floral heirloom china around the house (because why hide that beauty in a cupboard?) when I interviewed Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell, and when I gathered that Italian rainbow cookies are labor-intensive in the course of writing a Good Housekeeping Christmas cookie feature, I now polish my penny with consumer financial writing. I learn about budget tools and savings goals. I write about how much it costs to get a pet and where to resell your clothing. I have done this kind of writing on and off for years; being immersed in it now feels healthy. 

Also, my life has true challenges at this point. I like being able to tune out, even briefly, use my skills, earn money, sit on the dark green sofa or at my parents’ old mahogany dining room table and WRITE, in between meetings, phone calls and appointments, in between bouts of worry, concern and fear.

Here are some new article links. Have a good day.  

Yours truly, 

Smarter Shopper

1. 23 Tips on Saving Money Daily 
2. Guide to Financially Downsizing Your Life and Saving Money 
3. 23 Easy Ideas to Pay It Forward 
4. Does Couponing Save You Money? 

Writing about Christmas Clubs (to Build up Snow Sugar Funds)

I immersed myself in Christmas Club savings accounts for SoFi*, one of my new clients. It’s a strong resource--a modern, flourishing fintech (personal financial technology) platform. An online bank. Read about its interesting history here. 

Over decades of lifestyle and financial writing, in terms of rugged, rigorous fact sourcing, SoFi stands tall--on strapping shoulders--above my consumer pieces for Good Housekeeping Magazine (holiday deals, cutting car costs), ReadersDigest.com (clickable guides to best teen Christmas gifts) and CoastalLiving.com (savings tips for sea-bound travelers). Those latter three brands are thorough and true to their claims, but this money reporting requires me, as the writer, to very carefully document where I found every fact (if it’s not common knowledge).

I’m always careful, but this is super careful. This is a bank, with banking rules and regulations. I like my two editors a lot. Yet even for a seasoned writer (and for a while I did some Citibank writing), this has been a learning curve.

I’m grateful that the work is portable and remote. I can fit it in from my comfy, stuffed living room chair, a hotel business center at the Shore or the Port Authority Bus Terminal--and at any hour, so long as my Rose Gold MacBook is charged. The internet practically never, ever takes a coffee break or goes to sleep. With the stress level at home of late, this flexibility is key. I can do many SoFi assignments per month if I accept many assignments per month.

You may know the name: SoFi Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. I have also seen many TV commercials for SoFi.

My article link below. I enjoyed charting the history of Christmas Clubs. Dan had one as a boy in Teaneck, NJ and I had at least one as a young magazine staffer in NYC (maybe Seventeen Magazine?). But it got to where I had to take out the money before Christmastime to cover other expenses, such as a carburetor. Now I am more learned and becoming more careful. I’m on a road in that direction, anyway.

https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/what-is-a-christmas-club-account/

Speaking of white Christmases and evergreen trees, greetings from Vermont in June. I took the Amtrak "Vermonter" up here to my friends’ home in Stowe for peace and perspective, with Dan’s encouragement.

*Based in San Francisco, SoFI was sparked in 2011 by four graduate students at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. (I want to say by four male grad students, since their names appear to be traditionally assigned to men.)

Bridging the Gap with Groceries--and 2 Luxuries

Images above: Roger and Julia, the husband and wife who own Vesta Chocolate, and the shop itself. They roast their own beans, sourced from the Dominican Republic.

On Saturday, October 3, I spent $255 at Kings, then $35 at 212 Salon & Day Spa (all careful Covid protocols in place) to get my hair blown out by Christina, plus $10 in tips for shampoo lady and stylist. To cap it off, a rare treat these days--the perfect small hot mocha, about 8 ounces, from Vesta Chocolate. I'm steering clear of chocolate, but hope that might be okay once a weekend. It is a carefully crafted treat; the mochas from Starbucks and other places pale in comparison. Cost: about $6.30.

The.perfect.mocha. Figgy also likes it made with oat milk.

I want to list the groceries, since the bill was over $250. As I wrote the other day, we are between payments here. Dan and I made a list of what we needed in one grocery trip to bridge the gap. For example: We have pizza dough in the freezer, and red sauce in jars, but needed mozzarella, both regular and vegan shreds, for a weeknight dinner. Some things here were wanted, not needed. I put those in pink. I also forgot to get one thing--tofu. I think I did pretty well. I got what we needed for a number of meals--raviol, quesadillas, pizza, steak, soup, roasted vegs. I'm curious--how does this look to you, what I got for the money?

1. Shredded mozzarella, BOGO.
2. Shredded mozzarella (second pack free).
3. Vegan mozzarella-style shreds.
4. First jar of artichoke hearts.
5. Second jar of artichoke hearts.
6. Piece of Portherhouse steak, on sale, to stretch through 3 meals for one person.
7. First bag of spinach-ricotta ravioli.
8. Second bag of spinach-ricotta ravioli.
9. Presliced deli provolone.
10. Presliced deli ham.
11. Bread Alone peasant bread, one loaf.
12. Vermont wheat bread, one loaf.
13. Pint organic half and half.
14. Pint organic heavy cream to whip for berry table Sunday. (I usually don't spring for Horizon brand, in the red carton. It was $6.79!! But I have to say it was delicious, whipped to pretty peaks without a pinch of sugar or drop of vanilla. Honestly, it tasted like a sweet treat from the farm and had the palest hint of meadow yellow.)
15. Large Cabot Greek yogurt.
16. Large Friendship cottage cheese.
17. Bag of Lil Snappers Honeycrisp "kid-size" apples, on sale.
18. First bag fresh Brussels sprouts.
19. Second bag fresh Brussels sprouts.
20. Third bag fresh Brussels sprouts.
21. Frozen Ezekiel English muffins.
22. Pound Land O'Lakes butter.
23. EVOO cooking spray.
24. Pack fresh mushrooms
25. Second pack fresh mushrooms.
26. Third pack fresh mushrooms.
27. Berry jam, BOGO.
28. Second berry jam, free.
29. Toothpaste.
30. Pack of 1-oz, 100-calorie Cape Cod potato chip snack bags.
31. Bananas.
32. First can Amy's organic soup.
33. Second can Amy's organic soup.
34. Third can Amy's organic soup.
35. Fourth can Amy's organic soup.
36. Kings hazelnut coffee, deep sale.
37. Huge can Chock full o'Nuts coffee, $2 off.
38. Box of Capri Sun juice pouches.
39. Half-gallon fresh apple cider.
40. Pack of Gotham lettuce leaves for sandwiches.
41. Wet dog food x5.
42. Pack of whole-wheat tortillas.
43. Dozen cage-free eggs.

Have a good day. 

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

That post title--I learned it from my mother when she was juggling family funds around to meet the most pressing needs first. I'm not sure why it refers to apostles, but it definitely gets to the point.

I think my parents always paid their bills on time. They were very organized about money. On one salary, they saved enough to have a second home built on Cape Cod. But please note: We ate out rarely. They usually bought store brands, not Nabisco. We didn't have big dinner portions at home--but that didn't matter. We were used to one chuck steak slipped under the broiler to feed the family; one skillet of meat sauce; broccoli defrosted from a small frozen box. Moey remembers that I brought sandwiches on party rye for lunch at St. Mary's School.

Over here, we have been trying to cook meals at home but we definitely eat out way more than my birth family did and we are two freelance writers landing, once again, between paychecks. 

So our health insurance is newly cancelled. That's happened several times over the years--we owe a couple/few months, over $1,000. As soon as we pay, our Rx and medical coverage kicks back in. But in the meanwhile, we can't pick up most prescriptions. One of mine, without the plan, rings up at $600+ vs. the normal $59. This no-health-insurance phase can be precarious. Once, Figgy had to go into the hospital and I had to call Sis, who gave me her credit card info to pay our insurance premium over the phone. (It was a loan.) Crazy, I know, and thank God for my sister.

Our September mortgage was late, but in before the end of the month. We are up to date, thankfully, with our monthly IRS payment plan. Our State Farm car and home insurance bundle is about to cancel, so we have to call and pay that $404 payment tomorrow morning.

I'm owed a magazine writing check and Dan has been writing constantly for a science publication, Neurology Today. So we will catch up.

Anyway, good night.

TCOY

1. Walked around block with Sug.
2. Sent important writing to S, and talked to her.
3. Healthful foods: Baby potatoes; mixed veggies; Ezekiel English muffin; roast chicken; banana.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET 

Items of interest.

• Vesta Chocolate, a small hot mocha made with oat milk to bring Fig at work; a large iced pumpkin spice latte and one signature brownie for Punch, plus counter tip, $20.64. Thinking of my parents in this post, I see that is indulgent. However, I greatly miss NYC and all of its best-of-everything sophistication. Julia and Roger, at Vesta, were pastry chefs in NYC and are exacting in presentation and handcrafted product. I want them to stay in town. I want to support them and be a part of that glamour and luxury. Also, Punch rode her bike there Wednesday and sat with her laptop til they closed at 7 p.m. She had only $2.60 in her pocket, and lovely Ana took care of her with a little chocolate and a brownie slice.
• Montclair parking meter, 75 cents.
• MEZOCO.COM taco truck coming to our pared-down block party Sunday. You order ahead and pick up the food in your time slot. Preordered for Dan, me, Fig, Punch and two of P's friends, who are coming as guests, plus $5 tip, $64.50. Didn't order extras, like chips, salsa, guacamole or drinks.

A Fork in the Road

Image above from THIS LINK. Please see my PS.

I've been mulling over my very public money tracking here. I have a crisp memory of when I decided to start listing my spends/looking them in the eye--it was the very end of December 2018, after our Christmas trip to Maine. 

I had a separate rental car and stopped in Kennebunkport on my solo drive back--and then discovered all kinds of after-Christmas sales in Montclair. Mainly, luxuries I had eyed during the season but resisted. For example, a soft pink wool Irish throw blanket and 2 adorable, glittery, light-up Christmas cottages (each powered by a tiny bulb). Soon after, I started listing every penny. Here is a link to my first official money tracker post, January 3, 2019.

Now--I have not crunched all the numbers. I have learned a lot about myself. But it takes a LOT of time to track every cent spent (except medical co-pays, etc.).  It can be quite a responsibility. 

I think I'm going to take a break from committing to track daily here. Maybe I will just post $$ here when it's of interest for one reason or another. For instance, today I had a $20 budget and wanted beauty. I spent $18.11 total at Whole Foods and got really good stuff for the money:

• A multi-pack (maybe 9?) of fall pansies--orange, white and yellow.....mood booster for sure. Added to outdoor planters.
• Half-gallon Ronnybrook Farm whole milk in glass bottle. Includes $2 refundable bottle deposit. I love and talk about milk so much, I think I should have a MILK MONEY daily header. LOL.
• Medium box of almond milk.
• 3 chocolate-covered pretzels for Punch, safely wrapped in their own bag. 

TCOY

1. Walked around block w. Sug and down to stream, to take in its beauty from the sidewalk.
2. Important phone call and texting with friend S.
3. Planted the pansies, watered the garden, filled a tall lawn and leaf bag for pickup.
4. Healthy foods eaten: nice berry bowl; cantaloupe wedge; nuts (measured portion); good coffee; Ezekiel English muffin with butter; baby spinach; rosy radishes.
5. About to take bath.
6. Then read the first French memoir/recipe book, Kim. 
7. Listening to peaceful Elvis gospel music.

I'm tired. I rose at 6 am.

Good night.

P.S. A chipmunk has been in our house since yesterday. It's very unsettling. IDK what to do. I laid out a path of pecans leading to the front door but then was afraid that would ATTRACT more chipmunks. We have so many outside this year, building their very efficient tunnels. Ugh.

per Wikipedia: The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, and published by Frederick Warne & Co. in October 1911. Timmy Tiptoes is a squirrel believed to be a nut-thief by his fellows, and imprisoned by them in a hollow tree with the expectation that he will confess under confinement. Timmy is tended by Chippy Hackee, a friendly, mischievous chipmunk who has run away from his wife and is camping-out in the tree. 

Panning for Gold at the Supermarket

I am a sucker for milk, half and half or cream in glass bottles from a farm. I imagine it to be richer, more wholesome and a taste of old times. Photo from THIS LINK.

Yesterday, I masked up and went to Kings, the supermarket down the road, and bought a lot of luxury items. Since the pandemic began, Dan has done most of our in-person shopping at more affordable ShopRite. I Instacarted in between his excursions--from Kings and Stop & Shop. 

Anyway, this jaunt was a rare revisit for me. My choices are more foodie- and brand-based than Dan's. I think it's okay if it's not always, or we would likely go broke. My order also included staples we both buy, like sliced deli turkey, wet dog food, orange juice, clementines and baby spinach.

ALI VS. DAN (KINGS VS. SHOPRITE)

luxe vs. ordinary

Blue brand dog treats vs. Purina Beggin' Strips. Sugar is worth it.

Ronnybrook Farm whole milk from cows in Hudson Valley, New York--presented in retro glass bottle-- vs. Bowl & Basket ShopRite brand gallon (in plastic).

Organic Valley grass-fed half and half vs. ShopRite brand.

Viva paper towels vs. what's on sale. (Viva is best.)

Bouquet of big, rosy, crunchy radishes on stems vs. bag of machine-cut baby carrots.

Horizon organic vanilla and chocolate milk cartons for school lunches (on sale, buy one 12-pack/get one 12-pack free, save $19.99) vs. mini cans of Coke for home. (Soda should be just for parties.)

Fine organic Honeycrisp apples to celebrate the first day of school and deliver with Punch vs. no gifties to brighten day, unless I specify. (I brought a box of 5 reds to the house where Punch is so far "podding" for live schooldays with a brother and sister, her friends. She arrives before the bell at 7:50 am. Two of the apples were for the parents, who work from home. I've offered to do some days here, too.)

Upscale Smash Mallow individually wrapped flavored marshmallows for single Punch treat vs. oh, I don't know, Pop-Tarts, Oreos and garish orange Takis in equally garish purple bag.

American Flatbread vegan and regular frozen pizzas vs. Celeste individual cheese pizzas for 99 cents each. (I can't give Dan a bad rap, though. He does get vegan entrees for Figgy, and he is earnest.)

Prosciutto de Parma, thinly sliced at the deli before my eyes vs. prepackaged.

Frozen Van's Waffles (vegan) vs. Eggos.

Beauty watermelon wedge, ready to slice in neat triangles, vs. huge whole watermelon, which we have no room for, will never eat entirely and makes a mess when you cut it. 

Can of Amy's Thai Curry Sweet Potato Lentil Soup vs. Progresso Italian Wedding.

Juicy, ripe whole cantaloupe vs. early green bananas (sometimes).

Fancy coffee beans from a woman-owned company in Anaheim, CA vs. the biggest can he can get of Chock full o' Nuts. Giant.

Perfect roasted, salted cashews vs. peanuts.

Two sliced artisan loaves from Bread Alone, based in Upstate NY, vs. honest to God, the occasional loaf of soft white Bimbo brand squishy bread because he finds the name and white bear logo cute. It is,  but....sorry I'm being a food snob. I know Bimbo has its fans. He has also bought Wonder Bread.

Balthazar Bakery baguette for the bruschetta.

Kings brioche dinner rolls vs. um, most ordinary burger buns.

Anyway, here is my TCOY LIST:

1. 35-minute walk.
2. About to take pampering shower. 
3. Made colorful dinner: Roasted-tomato bruschetta on small toasted baguette slices, melon with prosciutto, watermelon, fresh mozzarella slices. But nevertheless, bad behavior at dinner table. Sigh. I tried. My family can be a handful. Figgy loves the bruschetta; it's vegan.
4. Other good foods eaten: kale, toasted peasant bread, Ronnybrook milk in coffee, turkey on whole-grain bread. Healthful choices have kept me calmer, fewer mood spikes.

Good night.

The Graduate

Figgy's college graduation ceremony at Montclair State, 9 am Monday morning, sizzling hot weather. Heat advisory in effect. I cried. Sobbed, actually, at one point, pulling my cotton Lilly Pulitzer mask down so I could dry my eyes and blow my nose. I am so proud of her, so proud to be present at these milestones in her life. So thankful that she is well and whole and passionate about science and art. So happy she is blessed with good, true friends, plus wit, wisdom and warmth. For a while there, her climb, and our family climb, was rough and rugged. But she reached the top, with grace and beauty. [Nan and Liz, thanks for the kind wishes.]

TCOY

1. I have been eating healthfully. I know I've said that before but this time is different. For two days, I have not snacked between meals except for a coffee between lunch and dinner. And I feel full. We still don't have a car but hope to find one soon. For groceries, I Instacarted from Stop & Shop for wholesome things: 2.5 lbs. broccoli crowns; chocolate milk for P; big bag dog treats; chicken sausages x2; baby spinach; baby arugula; sliced Swiss cheese; melatonin gummies for Punch; organic lemons; low-fat organic milk; frozen fruit to put on oatmeal; bananas; oat milk; light sour cream; fresh chives; Newman's Own frozen thin-crust pizza [not for me]; veg burgers; and fish x2.
2. Oatmeal w mango, unsweetened coconut, pure cacao nibs, 1 tsp brown sugar for breakfast. Lunch was turkey sandwich with tomato, Dijon mustard and lite mayo on Ezekiel toast; glass of 2 percent milk. Dinner, a lot of sheet-pan lemon broccoli, 4 oz. steak, 4 oz. baked potato. 
3. About to take bath.
4. Dan and I had yet another telehealth meeting re. Punch and our family. We learned some very important things.
5. I went on a webinar with about 13 other moms of children "in the system" and that, too, was encouraging--from 10 am to 11:45. Led by skilled therapist. 

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET, July 18 thru July 22

• Instacart Stop & Shop today, with tip, etc., $140.91.
• Sunday, getting ready for the small-group brunch we had after Figgy's graduation the next morning--it was the four of us, plus Sis, Moey, Laura, and two of Fig's friends, one who also graduated from MSU that morning. And Buttercup came from Connecticut also!!! Instacart Kings, $69.39 and Instacart Stop & Shop, $167.80. This again was steep--and Dan also did an in-person shop, but my bills included canned soft drinks, large OJ for mimosas, smoked salmon, ingredients [pricey chopped pecans for crust and jar of cashew butter for filling] to make Figgy a vegan chocolate espresso tart [served frozen] from Oh She Glows cookbook, raspberries, Fontina for the quiche I made, etc. Parties always cost a lot.
• Sunday, takeout from Cafe Giotto for four of us/dinner, with tip, $89.40, which was crazy, but also included jar of apricot marmalade and bag of mini almond biscotti for the brunch. 
• Sweet Laurel in California, the shipping is steep, $78.36. Decaf coffee beans and 100 percent cacao craft chocolate. No-sugar indulgences.
• Amazon, 2 gently used books. Our book group is reading Song of Solomon and I ordered another book by Shirley Jackson, written when she had four children, called Raising Demons, total, $33.11.
• Ubers! To and from wonderful Bartlett's Saturday to get garden flowers and Sunday to get presentation bouquet for Figgy! I hid it in my neighbor's fridge until Monday. With tips, $9.80 + $9.80 + $16.73. I'm not sure why that last one was so expensive.
• Money I gave Figgy to pick stuff up in town for me, $26.

Total spent out of pocket for 5 days: $631.30.

Ongoing monthly spend as of July 22: $2,170.22.

Avg. daily spend: $98.65.

Finally Catch Up

What I love about taking a breather at my Sis's peaceful sanctuary in Connecticut is that I reset not just my battery but my TCOY meter. As in, I wielded my black Lancôme mascara wand today, and even applied a little sunscreen for the face before we went out to meet friends for brunch outdoors at a pretty golf course.

When Punch left w Mimi Thursday afternoon, Dan and I took deep sighs of relief. We love her so much but she makes it hard, pulling out all the stops and even doing things like removing her sweet school photo from Dan’s wallet and cutting it with scissors...I have to tell him to put in a new one.

I looked at us Thursday and could see Dan and me aging right before my eyes.

He made dinner and we watched a movie for a date night Friday. :)  We will have more time this week.

TCOY

1. Rereading one of Ruth Reichl's wonderful memoirs with recipes, plucked from Sis's cookbook shelves. [I gave it to her for a gift. We each have a copy.]
2. We walked Buttercup by the marina.
3. Good discussion over brunch, and good shrimp cocktail in honor of Sis's husband, Don. We raised a shrimp to the sky. He loved that appetizer.
4. We went to Whole Foods and bought healthy foods--chicken, grilled artichokes, good fresh cherries, organic strawberries, milk, dark chocolate, flatbread crackers, etc.
5. Iced my foot and propped it up--it had swelled up with an infection.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET--end of June

Ongoing monthly spend as of June 30: $3,259.22.

Avg daily spend: $112.39.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET--FOR JULY 1 THROUGH JULY 5

• Uber plus tip, ride to uptown Montclair to meet wonderful Sasha to write about her upcycled fashion business for a magazine assignment, $10.80.
• I was Ubering back home after CVS Minute Clinic last week, so I got a lot of groceries since I was getting a ride, including a large, good frozen Flatbread pizza; graham crackers; snacks, including veggie chips and Cheddar popcorn; pistachios; hummus; icy/hot cream for swelled foot; Reader's Digest; face cleanser; 2 half gallons of milk; 2 canisters organic raisins; and more, $113.
• Ubers to doctor and nutritionist appts and town and back, with tips, $9.80 + $13.29 + $12.63 + $10.33 + $16.27 + $11.48, so $73.80. [We don't have a car now.] Adds up.
• Pink Bungalow, gifts, Lilly Pulitzer cup, pads, clipboard, bday card, $109.72. [Nutritionist told me to get special notebook to track progress, and this store has Lilly! I went right after appt.]
• Cedar Beans Coffee in Cedar Grove, iced latte, two vegan biscotti, $2 tip, about $11.
• CVS, tube of sunscreen for face, snack for Figgy, mouthwash, two deodorants, with $3 coupon, $29.50.
• Williams-Sonoma, sale, $34.48.
• Treated Sis for brunch in CT with tip, $57.55.
• Chipped in for groceries w Sis at Whole Foods, $60.
• Vesta Chocolate, road-trip treats for Punch and Mimi [2-hour drive to Atlantic City], $14.92.
• Dark chocolate, low sugar, $22.23.
• Amazon, new Lilly Pulitzer notebooks and used copy of Shirley Jackson's book Life Among the Savages, about raising her four kids, $37.
• Hulu trial month subscription, $4.99, to watch "Shirley."

Total spend for 5 days: $578.99.

Ongoing monthly spend as of July 5: $578.99.

Avg daily spend: $115.80.

Spendthrift, Clotheshorse, Hostess, Foodie, Helper, Meal Maker, Mother, House Cleaner, Gardener--and Dream Weaver

A trusted friend pointed out to me that if I continued to blog here daily about what I ate, I would not be able to rein it in. Because it was colorful, detailed, entertaining, even--but it was not helping me clean up my act. So I now generally just list good eating steps in my TCOY...fruits or vegs I ate, healthy recipes I made.

Yet I'm hesitant to stop listing my spending here. It, too, is detailed and maybe colorful, but the numbers add up to a flat, concrete, black-and-white sum, a figure to average by day and compare month to month. The moving parts are FACTS, DATA. So for now, what I started on January 3, 2019 [after spending a lot in December 2018] is ongoing. Here is that first $ post.

Here is my spend, my first monthly tally, from February 2019, and it is high: https://insearchoftruthandbeauty.blogspot.com/2019/03/staring-down-spend_4.html

Anyway, June is almost over. Let me catch up on this month. Stores in town are reopening, and I'm reopening my wallet to support them. Even my beauty salon is finally open, with very careful safety protocols in place.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET, TUESDAY, 6/23 THROUGH MONDAY, 6/29

• Slice of pizza and diet Snapple and tip, $7.
• SLA Thai, my brother-in-law Mike stopped by on his drive back to Maine and we treated for Thai pickup. Dinner, appetizers and Thai iced teas for 4 plus big tip, $122.
• 212 Salon, blowout plus tips, $47.
• 212 Salon, pedicure, the first since December, with tip, $45.
• Lunch in town with Fig and Punch at bagel shop, with beverages and big tip, $40.
• Sunday, The General Store, "I choose happy" calendar pad for Punch, plus drink for her, $16.
• Sunday, Falafel Hut lunch to bring Figgy at work, plus 2 diet Snapples and tip, $24.58. [Fig won't always live here; she has her eye on grad school. She had a serious eating disorder. So when I can, I like to drop off lunch or snack.]
• Vesta Chocolate, jar of homemade hazelnut spread [healthier than Nutella, and less sugar] plus treats for Punch and tip, about $36.
• Vesta Chocolate, $10 for Punch treats.
• Java Love, drinks/snacks for me, my friend Sue and Punch, $19.57.
• Moss & More, beautiful flower pot with saucer, reusable floral tote bag, Common Good refillable cleaning spray and dish soap, $88.71.
• Kings in person, $98. Included pink rose to plant in flower pot; 2 half-gallons milk; coffee creamer; chicken; 2 packs sliced cheese; 1 lb. sweet cherries; good rye bread; Enlightened frozen bars; flan cups for Punch; firecracker popper things for her; $17 donation bag of groceries for Montclair Food Pantry; and fancy coffee from Anaheim, CA.
• Kings in person, laundry detergent; fresh broccoli; head of lettuce; dog food x2; 88 percent dark chocolate bar; and more, $38.78.
• Sparo's Deli sandwich with tip, $15.25.
• Williams-Sonoma, two good jarred sauces on deep sale, $13.98.
• Barbara Eclectic, 2 more adult masks and one cute flamingo-patterned youth mask, $29.86. They are made from swimsuit material and breathable--just rinse out with soap and water and they air-dry quickly.
• New Hermès refillable lipstick, I love the mod color and case, with free overnight shipping. The regular shades are $67 but the limited edition ones are $72.  Plus tax, $76.77.
• Uber to hair salon in town Saturday [girls caught a ride with me] plus tip, $13.28.
• Round trip Uber to town Friday morning to pick Punch up when her bike tire popped, plus tip, $12.80. 
• CVS, 2 bags Dr. Teal's lavender Epsom salts, $13.93.
• Nordstrom, Wacoal bra in beautiful lace pattern, used $10 Nordstrom reward note so $28 with free shipping.
• Amazon, stress/fidget toys, pens, journals for Punch to use as she works through this ongoing therapy program, with $8 shipping, $76.
• Kings on bike just now, 1/2 gallon 2 percent milk; bunch of organic bananas; and marshmallows, graham crackers and a milk chocolate bar for s'mores [for others, not me], $19.67.

Total spend for 7 days: $892.08.

Ongoing monthly spend as of June 29: $3,259.22.

Avg daily spend: $112.39.

Put Down the Pot de Crème and Step Away

Punch won't do her schoolwork. If I turn my back, she keeps switching over to YouTube or "Grey's Anatomy" on the borrowed laptop. I tried to bribe her today with the promise of an iced chai latte--her favorite drink--via curbside pickup after 2 if she does her work, but she is out of control with behavior, and defiant. She refuses to sit next to me at the table, and that's about the only way this remote schooling works for us unless she is doing an assignment like writing a short story, where she sat comfortably, and engaged, on an overstuffed chair. 

So, chai is off the table. 

I've also taken the TV remote and will take her laptop later. 

I also bribe myself to sit next to her at the table. Hence, some of my purchases below.

I have been fitting in some job hunting and pitch pursuing, and that feels good.

FOOD I'm beginning to think this food record is too retroactive instead of proactive. Is it helping me?

Wednesday

• 2 coffees w whole milk.
• Lunch, 1/2 cauliflower crust pizza w turkey pepperoni.
• Dinner, roast chicken, roasted lemon potatoes, baby spinach with a few croutons and a little dressing.
• Went awry at bedtime again. Should start meditation or something. Thought I would have a glass of milk but spied red Ritz cracker box, had way too many with a little cream cheese and olives. [My mother loved cream cheese and olives sandwiches.]

Thursday

• 2 coffees w whole milk over course of day.
• Not one, but two homemade Café au Lait Pots de Crème. Spooning up creamy smoothness from heirloom wedding china cups. Groping for an antidote to rough and rocky day.
• The schoolday was a bust and now I am/we are looking for a dr for Punch in this pandemic. Stress. I ate many Ritz crackers, some Cheddar slices, 1/2 cup or more pistachio ice cream and even 1.5 small bowls of Takis, worst and weirdest snack ever. Dan got one bag for the girls. This is just crunching, reaching, biting down on life because things feel so hard. This is not following my 12-step program (OA).
• Dinner, made by Dan, small grass-fed burger w cheese, spinach salad w nice tomato, my roasted lemon cauliflower. Pickle.
• Piece of French bread w butter. 
• AND, while watching Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much," Dan just unveiled at 10:30 pm the big bag of Utz potato chips he bought today at ShopRite. He had a cup of sour cream, too. We ate a lot, then I told him to throw the rest of the chips out. We were grasping for the chips like starved prisoners who had not eaten in days--or maybe like a quarantined couple married for 29 years and stuck in a small house with some problems.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

• Instacart, Kings, hard to resist free, no-contact delivery to doorstep within 2 hours with $35 minimum spend. Also add delivery tip. Of course, they were out of the Lysol wipes that were on sale, and the Method wipes I requested as a replacement. But I got great Balducci's herb-marinated chicken to roast, on sale for $3.59 per lb., plus other groceries. About $38.
• Moss & More, still trying to support Montclair small businesses. I love this dreamy shop, and the beautiful planted ceramic pot I received from my family for Mother's Day. The shop  had a 10 percent coupon for online purchases. Glass bottle of Clean Market dish soap, so we can stop buying dish soap in plastic bottles. Bring glass bottle back for refill. Though pricey, $7.50 for refill, I really would like to stop buying plastic when possible. Contact-free delivery to front stoop. $23.03.
• Also, forgot to add over the last week, bought season 3 of "The Closer," $29.99.
• Plant a Tree in friend's mom's memory/memorial gift, $39.99.
• Macaron Cafe, small business with 2? shops in NYC. Truly has added elegance and grace to NYC life. I remember when it started the macaron trend in the Garment District. I would pass the little shop when walking to and from work. Got email that they are temporarily closing spaces but web orders still on. Have sent gifts people love [Sis and Meggy]. As a sign of support and gratitude, I ordered the owner's book, with shipping, $32.95.
• Instacart grocery order, $45.19.
• eBay, Mugler Angel Hair Mist, cheaper than on Mugler site, with shipping, $30.90. All three ladies in this house will love it, I know.

TOTAL SPEND: $240.05.

Ongoing monthly spend as of May 14: $1,407.04.

Avg daily spend: $100.50. Definitely high, shopping for comfort, to support small businesses and to avoid going to stores.

Keep an eye on/compare to previous months:

April: Total monthly spend: $2,143.19.
Avg daily spend: $71.44.

March--the effect of coronavirus quarantine and not working in NYC for now

Total monthly spend as of March 31: $1,916.15.

Avg daily spend: $61.81.

February

Total monthly spend as of Feb. 29: $2,480.34.
Avg daily spend: $85.53.

Haven't Tracked Money Since March 5!

Yikes. That's a long time without tracking my spends. We left for the Cape Friday and I haven't caught up.

Here goes.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET FRIDAY, MARCH 6 THROUGH TUESDAY, MARCH 10:

• Whole Foods, big bag frozen fish squares, 4 Brown Cow coffee yogurts, gallon organic whole milk, 4 mangos, crackers, freshly ground almond butter x2, beautiful daffodils in planter, on sale for $5.99, smoked mozzarella, a lot of bananas, etc., $67.74.
• CVS, large box Swiffer refills, big jar PB protein powder, and I forget what else, about $40.
• CVS again, twin pack of roll-on gel deodorants and Glide dental floss, $15.29.
• Montclair Bread Company, fresh donut for Punch, vegan donut for Fig, large coffee, $10.20.
• Rest stop on road to Cape, Subway, sandwiches for me and P, bag chips, drink for her, $16.74.
• Dunkin' Donuts, bad iced coffee, $3.54.
• Fairway Restaurant in Eastham on Cape after long drive. Dinner for me, Dan and Punch, but we spent a lot after road hunger, also Dan had beer, and I chose something too pricey, with tip, $99.69.
• Hot Chocolate Sparrow, treat for Punch, $7.74.
• Eastham Superette, 1/2 gallon milk and one bag Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies for P, $7.08.
• Pizza for dinner plus 3 mini cannoli and $2 tip, $25.01.
• Snowy Owl Coffee in Brewster, large latte for me and iced green matcha for Punch plus tip, $10.83.
• Wellfleet Audubon Wellfleet Bay, stuffed raccoon for Punch with 10 percent member discount, about $6.70.
• Nordstrom, small baby gift plus tax, about $16.
• Nordstrom, returned something and bought a pretty Wacoal bra. The difference was $16.
• Java Love, tall decaf coffee plus tip, $3.93.
• Jonathan's Balloons, puppy bday balloon bouquet for Punch and pack of party hats, $15.60.
• Cafe Giotto, 4 servings of Punchy's favorite tiramisu for her bday tomorrow night plus $1 tip, $35.12. [I'm also making small vegan chocolate cake.]
• Parking meters, 75 cents.
• Kings, groceries, $4.29.
• Slice pizza and drink plus $1 tip, $5.25.
• Gasoline, $10.
• Shoe repair, $17.
• Wetzel's pretzel and lemonade, $10. Yikes, pricey.
• Kings, groceries, $41.23.
• Kings, groceries, $18.16.
• Grilled chicken sandwich, $11.08.
• Pulmonologist co-pay, $50.
• Verizon store, phone charger cord, $31.98.
• Wawa store, cheese popcorn and soft pretzel to bring home, about $4.
• Superette, treat to bring Figgy from Cape, $5.
• Tip for hotel maid, $5.

Total spend for 5 days: $610.95.

Ongoing monthly spend as of March 10: $735.10.

Avg daily spend: $73.51.

Good night.

Updating $ for High-Spend Wednesday

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

This doesn't count $25 donation to WNYC Public Radio pledge drive; $140 to sign Punch up for next session of 7 ice skating lessons; and $150 deposit for a week of summer camp for her at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on Cape Cod.

• This happened Tuesday night after I already posted numbers. Two books by beloved Southern writer Julia Reed, of Vogue and New York Times Magazine fame. I bought one of the books used but in very good condition, total for both to be delivered to my door, $29.48.
• Yoga Mechanics, after class I bought a new journal. On the cover: HELLO TO HERE A journal for now, $10.
• Le Salbuen, I went to indulge in my favorite cup of cappuccino in town. I left having spent $24 after breakfast including tip. I see that is way too much.
• Whole Foods, pink tulips and a cannoli to drop off to Rach and her good son; half-gallon whole milk; 2 spring bulb plants [$2 each]; box of Grape-nuts; and organic blueberries, $27.27.
• Punch asked if we could go to her top restaurant, SLA Thai, right near her weekly Wednesday afternoon therapy appointment. This is a big treat. Very good food, and expensive. She loves it all, from appetizer to mango ice cream. I told her we can't go back for a while. She was happy, and we took enough leftovers home for a full meal for one to two people tonight (shrimp fried rice), plus Punch's unfinished mango ice cream with plum seeds and one appetizer order for her to bring for lunch today. With 5 percent discount for paying cash, plus tip, $101. [I told her this made up for the night before, when I served the whole-wheat vegetable ravioli I bought at the shore on Monday. Everyone hated them except me. P did not eat even a bite. And since box said non-dairy, I thought vegan, but they continued an egg, so could not offer to Figgy.]
• Montclair parking meters, about $3.

Total spend: $194.75.

Ongoing monthly spend as of Feb. 26: $2,279.44.

Avg daily spend: $87.67.
3 days left in February, will watch it

compare to January 2020:
Total monthly spend as of Jan 31: $3,063.60.
Avg daily spend: $98.83.

december 2019 [Christmas and all that entails]

total monthly spend as of Dec. 31: $3,998.16. 

avg daily spend: $128.97. 
__________________________________________________________________

Total spend for November (30 days): $2,979.03. 

Average daily spend: $99.30. 

__________________________________________________________________

TOTAL SPEND FOR OCTOBER (31 DAYS): $2,495.36.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $80.49.

_____________________________________________________________________

TOTAL SPEND FOR SEPTEMBER (30 DAYS): $2,214.43.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $73.81.

___________________________________________________________________________

TOTAL SPEND FOR AUGUST (31 DAYS/PLUS VACAY IN HERE): $2,895.06. ⬆️

AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️