Cleaning Gutters

There is a large birch tree in my front yard. Initially, it was one of the elements that made me decide to purchase.

Now that Fall is here, the tree has spewed little leaves through all the gutters and all over the yard. Not so pretty anymore...

I climb onto the roof and scoot along on my butt, shovelling leaves out with my plastic gloved fingers. There are rubber boot like gloves that are great for cold wet projects!

Troy insists I need a leaf blower. I tell him perhaps that would be a good Christmas present.

Natural Gas

Last night I opened the third Natural Gas bill of my life.

The first two bills were in the $50-70 range.

This one is $127. For one month. (((SHOCK)))

It hasn't even started freezing yet!!!

...plus mortgage... plus $60-70 electric... plus garbage... plus sewer... plus phone... plus insurance... plus remodeling expenses... plus groceries... plus ever increasing gas prices....

POOF! Goes the full time+ salary! POOF goes vacation cash! POOF goes entertainment money!

Grocery Shopping

Trader Joe's is great for a 1-2 person quick meal or good cheap wine. The employees are very helpful!

WinCo is a shopping nightmare... aggressive people, upset children, cursing parents. The prices are cheap and the bulk food section is the BEST, especially the bulk spices!

Coupons some out in the Oregonian on Sundays and Tuesdays. Look carefully through the Tuesday newspaper for "$10 off $50" and the like. Many stores accept competitor coupons. With lots of time and patience, take coupons to Winco for stellar deals! Also, try to buy items when they are on sale + a coupon + a coupon doubler.