Monday, November 25, 2024

Money Monday: So Many Stupid Things

 Is this the dumbest thing we have bought lately? MAYBE NOT


We didn't mean to decorate so early, but I ordered a bunch of greenery from Minnie's school because they sell it for a fundraiser (3 wreaths and 2 porch pots for TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS, also a contender for dumbest money spent lately), and it came in on Wednesday last week (which was also VERY SNOWY, so it worked out). Ben was in Peoria, so I had to get out a gd LADDER to hang the big wreath on the front of the house. SUCH A PAIN-- I got filthy and had to wash my coat. My car got filthy, and I had to drag out the shop vac to get all the needles out. But! It made us go FULL FESTIVE this past weekend.

I did not track last week or make a ton pf present-buying progress. I did get a few more solid stocking stuffers, though.

We decided to take a trip instead of buying Hanukkah gifts, and I think this is a solid decision and one that really lessens the shopping burden in a way that makes me feel MUCH LESS STRESSED. We are taking Annabel along and renting some kind of giant SUV from Costco. 

Favorite purchases from last week:

Roundtrip bus tickets for Harry for Thanksgiving ($110)

THESE Christmas make-a-face sticker sheets that have delighted Minnie in the car and when she's bored and wants an easy craft. ($5)

Reindeer decorations for Jack's car ($16)

Dumbest thing I bought last week:

12 foot snowman ($100)

Sweetest thing I bought last week:

The latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid because Coop snagged it at his school's book fair. I was like oh you still read those? And he was all I always get this book at the book fair (IT'S TRUE-- since first grade). ($10)


19 comments:

  1. Oooh a trip! Did you decide where? I love the idea of taking a trip over a bunch of presents - especially as you do two big gift holidays.
    Your giant snowman makes me desperately want our outdoor decorations up. I hope this week will be the week! Rob and Jake are busy with the leaves and there are still a lot to come off the trees. They want them all cleaned up before the decorations, BUT I WANT THEM UP NOW.

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    1. I **think** we are taking a trip-- encountered some logistical hurdles...

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  2. Ok, Minnie's school had a fundraiser? I am imagining the outrage if Taco's school had a fundraiser given how much everyone pays in tuition. It must be a non-profit type of school with low tuition? I fear Phil's head would explode if we were asked to buy something for a fundraiser! Ha.

    Your giant snowman is very fun! Our friends have a large snowman in their yard and Taco keeps saying "wish I could have a snowman." Phil is a hard pass on outdoor decor besides our window boxes but there is plenty of fun outdoor decor for him to enjoy in the neighborhood.

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    1. it is not a daycare, just a part-day preschool for 3 and 4 y/o's. So, yes, lower tuition, nonprofit status, etc.

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    2. Ok that makes more sense. From talking to my sister during her search for part-time preschools, I got the sense that even places with part-day programs were quite expensive!

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    3. I think this one is pretty affordable for morning options. If we had her do the 4k afternoon extended session, it would be a TON more-- more than twice the tuition.

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  3. I love that your middle schooler is still buying Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Best money spent this week was about $10 for rides and cotton candy at the town tree lighting event.

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  4. Best money spent... Skate rental $5, diner- $47, groceries... $210 :[

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  5. In our neighborhood, a lot of houses have flat roofs over porches and additions (our house has one, as a matter of fact - you can get to it through a FULL SIZE DOOR in our guest bedroom on the second floor - you just walk out onto the roof). Someone has Santa in a sleigh on their flat roof and I think it's genius and I love it. That's all.

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    1. oooooh yessss! I WISH we could do that

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  6. That's a heck of a large snowman. So fun. I bet it really dwarfs Annabelle. I don't generally do ladders. I wait till Coach is home. Once I had to drag the ladder out to clean out the dryer vent. That's the downside of moving our laundry room upstairs. The dang thing snakes thru the attic or something before getting to actually vent. If laundry needs to be done, I WILL climb a ladder.

    Bus ticket home for Thanksgiving. Def money well spent. Is he 2 hours from home?

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    1. lol I would def climb a ladder for laudry!

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  7. Be proud of the 12 foot snowman!!! And, it seems like everyone is getting their decorations up early, but my son pointed out that it's not REALLY early, because Thanksgiving is so late this year.
    I love that Coop's car will have the reindeer decorations. I would get some for my car but I'm pretty sure my daughter would have strenuous objections.

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    1. Harry is going to DIE OF EMBARRASSMENT when he gets hoe and drives the reindeer car-- i cannot even wait.

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  8. Decorating early is always a good idea. I often try to wait until December 1st, but then it doesn't happen ON december 1st, and then before you know it it's INTO december, and why not have it up for a while after the giant pain in the ass of putting it up?
    PLEASE TAKE PICS OF HARRY IN THE REINDEER CAR

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  9. I realllllllly want to get those reindeer decorations for my car but I don't know if it would be embarrassing for me HA.

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  10. Trips > stuff! Great decision. I chuckled at the 12 foot snowman.

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