You’ll have to forgive my absences in documenting our journey. Some days, I just don’t want to admit to myself that all the spending I have done lately was not really in my best interest. There are some exceptions!
So, the Roommate was recently sent on a short-term assignment to another location. And for the first time in the two years we have lived here, I felt peaceful. My BFF came to visit, and she and I got a TON of things done. She is a carpenter by trade, so her expertise was really helpful in several of our building projects.
Things I accomplished in the 3 weeks the Roommate was gone:
I painted our bedroom, replaced the bedding, and built myself a new dresser and closet from the cube storage things and a curved bar – cost $240.78.
I painted the bathroom with the help of Froggy – cost $0, we used the leftover paint from the kitchen cabinet remodel from last year. Score for reusing colors!
I replaced our front door, which had an insane gap around it. So now we have a secure and weatherproof mudroom. Winters in our area can be quite brutal. So this was something that needed attention. I also replaced the garage door, well because there wasn’t one. There was just a busted screen door, and it was doing nothing to keep the garage warm. My BFF and I also built a wall that split the garage into a storage area and a living/craft room. - Cost $952.94
I reattached and replaced the missing HVAC components, so now our bedroom and garage are getting heat…apparently, we just liked heating the basement for the last two winters! – Cost $29.76
Since we did most of this when my BFF was in town, I, of course, compensated her for her work. The unfair advantage is she doesn’t mind helping friends and getting paid for labor in food…so long as you help out! That was a win-win for me since I got to spend time with my friend, who I have missed since moving, and she taught me how to do a few things. Froggy even helped with the build. Amazing what you can get done when you just go for it! So dinners out to where she wanted to go – Cost $261.22 (while I balk at the cost when I have food at home, she’s 100% worth every penny I spend on her!).
February started off being a wicked expensive month. And realistically, while I had planned for the remodeling projects and have been working side gigs to cover the costs, spending it is still a gut punch. What I am struggling with is that I can easily fritter away $270 at the casino just by pushing a button and hoping to hit big with ease. I have never been a huge gambler, so this doesn’t make much sense to me. I think I will go back to my once-a-month bingo venture because it is pretty much paid for with the frequent player bucks I get. I might even have to stop picking up the mystery shops at the casino to help reduce the amount that I will just spend there.
I am starting to enjoy my garage living room more now. I just need to finish sheetrocking and taping the wall so it can be painted. I think I am going to find some cheap wallpaper and completely do the entire room.
See ya after the next project!
-Chick
The Frugal Chicks 