The Great Road Trip of 2017......Part Twenty Eight/Day Twenty

Part One of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE

Part Two of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Three of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Four of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Five of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Six of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Seven of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Eight of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Nine of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Ten of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Eleven of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twelve of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Thirteen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE  
Part Fourteen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE  
Part Fifteen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE 
Part Sixteen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Seventeen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE 
Part Eighteen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Nineteen of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE 
Part Twenty of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty One of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty Two of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty Three of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty Four of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty Five of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty Six of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE
Part Twenty Seven of the Great Western Road Trip is HERE

So spent the night in Pierre SD.

A yummy breakfast there-oatmeal, yogurt and bacon.

Sluggy looking bright and bushytailed in the morning?

Here is the room towel I used after I showered that morning.  Notice the thread bareness of that towel.  It was a disgrace to still have a towel in this condition in use rotation.

A little friend on the hood of the car when we went to leave.  Looking it up now it was a mayfly.  He/she was probably feeding off the raindrops on the car.

After gassing up(and I found some vape juices for my 2 kids who used vapes then on sale in that convenience store)we hit the road North to North Dakota.

Since it was early, near sunrise we saw this glowing sky as we left.  Notice the white layer in the sky closest to the ground?  I couldn't tell if it was fog burning off or smoke from wildfires.

Driving further along and it became clear that the glow and haze was caused by wildfires in the area.

Trying to find a radio station on the car radio and everything up here was Country Music.

Gee, I thought I was in the South driving out here. lol

Passing an old storefront of some kind out on the Plains north of Miller SD./

A lone tree out in a field.

Yet another field of Sunflowers......

Saw this water tower soon after..........

Signs heading back to Miller and toward other places.

Ahhhh....Now I get why all these fields of Sunflowers around here.  There is a sunflower receiving station nearby.

TThen we went through the little town of Redfield, South Dakota.

Lots of road construction in town.  I guess, given the Winters here all this road work needs to be done in the Summer.

The Redfield water tower.  Notice a piece of a pheasant painted on the left side of it.

We stopped at a gas/convenience store in Redfield and I found more of those Snicker bars with funny stuff on the wrappers......

This one is dedicated to Kim *snicker*

Some alcoholic libations.....peach ale.  Didn't sound very good at least to me.

They had a local message board in the store and we could have bought a purebred puppy by calling a number posted but we didn't.

I did see these interesting bandana/scarves that said, "Big Cock Country" on them.....I think the local high school sports teams are the fighting cocks.  At least I hope so! lolz

Spotted in town was this huge pheasant up on a pedestal, with lights for night illumination along side an American flag.  Redfield bills itself as the "Pheasant Capital of the Worrld" so yeah, it's fitting.

We bypassed all these towns on the sign ahead, moving to the East and then North again, hopscotching our way to North Dakota.

Passed by a field of identical red, rag top old American cars.  Sort of like the "Cadillac Range" down in Amarillo Texas, it looked like a public art installation........

Not long after passing that we saw the "Clark Ringtail Lodging" facility.  I guess folks out here go on Pheasant hunts as a regular thing and hunters stay in group lodgings like this one.

Nearby was the Clark County WWI war memorial.

We passed by a medium sized lake.....

Then hit the town of Henry SD, population 268 back in 2017.

Passed by a farming operation with a tractor on a short billboard advertising some companies farming equipment nearby.

The "big" intersection of Rte. 20 and 212 in Watertown SD.  Silos for days.........

We stopped in Watertown at a liquor store as Hubs likes to peruse regional selections in parts of the country we don't get to go to often and this was our first time in South Dakota

I found half a shelf of Boone's Farm(Sonya's go-to drink)here.

But "Mommy's Time Out" wine made me chuckle. Notice it's sitting next to a selection called, "Mad Housewife" too.  I like a good funny name on an alcoholic beverage. 8-)

And it was no surprise this liquor store had wines labeled Wild Bill and Calamity Jane either.

Along with Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota Rooster Rush and Sturgis branded wines.

Back in the car and 2 hours until our destination for the evening in North Dakota.

More signs about closed interstates in case we forgot about the horrid Winter storms in this part of the country.

And we finally hit North Dakota mid afternoon.

More later on our adventures in ND.

Sluggy

The 5 Worst American Presidents

 

Sluggy

Income & Spending....February 2024

Now that we are living on an annuity, 401K$ withdrawals, personal savings and social security payments, I am still going to keep track of our monthly spending and income, and hopefully we'll still be able to live BELOW our means and I'll have some leftover monies each month to tuck aside.

We went into retirement in June of 2017 with no debt, no mortgage, nor a car payment.

I am trying to be as transparent as I can with how much is coming in and how much is going out.  8-)

On to the February report--

I had 2 goals for February....

The 1st is to actually finish the month in the black and not the red.

The 2nd is to try to have a little cash leftover at the end of the previous month to tuck back into a slush fund.  This slush fund may be applied toward unforeseen bills that are coming due in subsequent months, to spend on "extras/wants" during the year or to just sit there and grow until the end of 2024. 

*  I do not include/report on our retirement accounts here, just the non-retirement ones

 

I'm happy to report that we finished up February in the black.

The amount extra we ended the month of February with?....$1,131.53

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in February---

*  Monthly annuity payment of $2,608.66

*  SS income of $3,828.70

*  Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $729.37

Total "Income" for February....$7,372.61

Expenses in February---

*  Irregular bills in February were $1,279.32

*  Variable Expenses in February came to $4,263.74

*  Medical Premiums in February were $698.02

Total Expenses....$6,241.08

$7,372.61-$6,241.08=$1,131.53

 Slush Fund coming into February of $51,104.06 and the addition of $1,131.53 in February, our end of February 2024 Slush fund comes to $52,235.59

The Slush Fund on it's own page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $1,131.53

Outgo

As for the variable expenses this February here are the good and the bad side of things.....

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  The water bill, the cell phone bill were all the same as in January.

*  We didn't take any WAM last month(used leftover trip money in December for WAM).

*  The electric bill went down in February by $61.96.

*  My Amazon c/c bill was $643.15 lower than last month.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  Hubs Amazon c/c was $1,453.23 higher than last month.

*  The American Airlines c/c was $148.67 higher than last month.

*  We had 2 irregular bills in February--

*  The TJMAXX c/c was $50.14(that's a one off)

*  The BOA c/c went down in February by $3,09.65.  We paid for the cruise in January and the Shore Excursions in February.  There should be no charges in March. Yay!

The Food Budget costs for February are in another post HERE.   Food costs are included in the credit card payments(mainly but sometimes our WAM cash too).

FINAL THOUGHTS for FEBRUARY 2024---This month turned out a bit better than expected, even with the high grocery spending.  Didn't go anywhere but doctors and grocery stores and didn't do anything that cost additional money(except a couple of times eating out).

THOUGHS GOING FORWARD INTO MARCH 2024--Other than doctor appointments and grocery shopping, there is nothing going on in March that will cost money.  The electric bill should go down again in March.  The water, cell and WAM should remain the same as before.  The credit cards are the wild cards in March.  We will have the Long Term Care premiums come in March and will pay those irregular bills.

Here's hoping 2024 treats us all even better financially! 8-))

So how was your February financially?

Did you spend less than the income you had in February?

Did you stay within your budget or not?

What did you do with any money leftover at the end of the month?

Did you pay down/off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or a retirement account?

Or did you blow all your excess monies after bills were paid on a "want"?

If you posted your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check out your progress too and celebrate or commiserate with you!

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table.....March 4th Edition

The "Food Fight!!!" Edition.......

I love how my Walmart has the Gordon Ramsey and the Guy Fieri frozen meals right next to each other.  $5.94 for a dinner for one?  I don't think I'll be having Chef Ramsey gracing my table nor will I be going to "Flavortown" with Mr. Fieri at those prices.  Geez. ;-)

This is day 267 of the new "way of eating".  Down 59 lbs. since the cruise(not counting the 8 I gained on the cruise and then lost again, which would make it 67 lbs.).  

Not actively trying to lose right now, just maintaining.  I plan on kicking the weight loss up again later this week. ;-)

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2. Monday--leftover Beef Pie

3. Tuesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

4  Wednesday--TV dinners(ablation procedure)

5. Thursday--Fish, Asparagus, Baked Potato

6.  Friday--Pork Tenderloin Sammich, Salad

7. Saturday--Liver and Onions, Spinach Soufflè, Mashed Potatoes

And here's what actually happened......

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2. Monday--leftover Beef Pie, no dinner for me

3. Tuesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

4  Wednesday--TV dinners(ablation procedure)

5. Thursday--leftovers(Beef Pie or Spaghetti Meatballs)

6.  Friday--Fend for Yourself

7. Saturday--Steak, Asparagus, Baked Potato

Again the Liver and Pork Sandwich meals didn't happen. sigh.  I usually do my shopping on Friday so usually find something on sale at Kroger, Walmart and now Aldi then and end up having something I pick up there instead.  And days when I am indisposed Hubs will make something instead and it has to be an easy meal(a ready to cook thing out of the freezer)so those days can't be depended on to follow a meal plan.  Life is like that sometimes.

What got taken out of the freezer last week...

*  2 Hamburger Patties

*  10 Meatballs

*  2 TV Dinners

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  2 lb. Ground Beef

*  2 packages of Salmon

*  2 packages of Smoked Sausage

*  3 packages of Pork Loin

Last week we spent $191.35 on grocery shopping fo beginning of March.

Total shopping comes to $191.35 for March.   

There are 27 shopping days left in March. 

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $61.40 on Ibotta in March.

I've earned $5.00 on Shopmium in March.

I've earned $0.00 on Alexa app in March.

I've earned $15.00 on Kroger Cash Back in March.

I've earned $2.04 on TaDa in March.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in March.

I've earned $0.00 on Aisle.

I've earned 110 points on Fetch from food shopping in March.

I've earned 496 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in March.

I've earned 0 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in March.

That is $68.44 in rebates(not counting the Kroger Cash Back/Shop Kick/Fetch/Alexa)on $191.35 of grocery spending so in reality it's $122.91 in food spending after the 4 rebate apps I count(the ones that give me cash back, not the ones that I turn the points into gift cards, or Alexa that gives me Amazon credit, and I count when those points are cashed in).

My savings percentage for the last week was 35.80% and the monthly savings total for March comes in at 35.80% spent so far. 

Leftovers going into this week....I helping of each Pasta(no sauce), Chicken Casserole and Asparagus.  I also have most of a 10 lb. bag of potatoes to use up.  Any ideas to use those up or freeze those?

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Caesar Salad, Veal Parm

2. Monday--Kielbasi, Onions, Beans

3. Tuesday--Chicken Strips, Stir-Fry Veggies

4  Wednesday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, leftover Beans

5. Thursday--Grilled Trout, Roasted Potatoes, Spinach Soufflè

6.  Friday--Get Take-Out(laser zapping day)

7. Saturday--TV Dinners

Pork Sammie goes back on the meal plan.  I've got Chicken Strips and TV Dinners to use up and I know I won't feel like cooking on Friday.  Hubs is excited for the Trout(me, not so much). ;-)

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy    

February Food Spending....2024

Onward to February's Food Spending Report.....

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for February 2024.

I have posted February's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there. 
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in February.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods, Pet Food. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

ALDI

OOP  $47.59

Sales  $27.74

Value  $75.33

Savings  36.82%

CVS

OOP  $1.29

Saving $14.67

Value  $15.96

Savings   91.92%

KROGER

OOP  $267.42

Qs/Gift Cards $245.26

Value $512.68

Savings  47.84%

OLLIE'S

OOP $32.78

Sales  $30.59

Value $63.37

Savings  48.37%

WALMART

OOP  $310.50

Qs/Gift Cards $147.73

Value  $458.23

Savings  32.24%

********************
My best Store Savings Total was at CVS with a savings of 91.92%.  My worse rate was at Walmart with 32.24%.  

I shopped at 5 different stores in FEBRUARY.

TOTAL Spent in February......$659.58

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards....$647.16

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.....$1,306.74

TOTAL Savings of........49.41%

This closes out the FEBRUARY food/toiletries/etc. spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month....Well so much for closing the purse strings in February. lol  Inflation is real folks and hits everyone at the grocery store(as well as in utility bills and at the gas pump).  Our government just ignores all these high prices and doesn't even include them in the Consumer Price Index.  Well what the hell DO they include because last time I looked most folks need to eat, pay for heat and/or ac and need cars to get to work!  *Getting off my soap box now.*

The Monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 3.39% in February to 49.41% compared to January's 52.80% savings average.  Since we have an adequate income and food should be a pleasure in life(no way am I going to eat unseasoned rice and beans for my remaining days like some people-because I don't have to). I will buy quality food and pay the price at the register.  I may not like the price but I will deal with it.

With 2 months accounted for, I have spent a Total of $1,312.52 on groceries/HBA/paper goods/etc. in 2024.

2024 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$1,312.52

2024 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$2,690.09

2024 Grand Total Saved...............................$1,377.57

2024 Yearly Savings Total..............................51.21%

The average per month amount spent is $656.26 in 2024 so far but that's before all the rebate monies are added in.

Remember that I withdraw all my cash rebate monies(Ibotta, Shopmium, TaDa, Checkout 51 and other miscellaneous rebates sent to my Paypal)at the end of the year and add it back into my food budget, so at the end of the year my food spending will go down.  The other savings apps like Fetch, Shop Kick, Kroger Cash Back that let us get free gift cards(or $ off your grocery total-Kroger), those are added back in when I cash those points in along the way.  Alexa app gives me Amazon credit onto my account but I don't buy food on Amazon(sometimes I buy dog food there)so I really don't know how to count that.

LOOKING AHEAD TO MARCH 2024.....

Who the hell knows where prices will be in a month!  I have no crystal ball and the government just keeps printing money willy-nilly which makes our dollars stretch even less further.

I'll keep an eye on what we spend, rebate and coupon like a mad woman when I have to step foot in a grocery store and shop from my pantry when I can.

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share your thoughts with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in February?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just have your receipts and either track it in a notebook or on a spreadsheet.

*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons versus buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?

*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

*  Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?

Sluggy