Money & Happiness - 3rd week of July

HAPPINESS ROI

Helping to elect Democratic pro-choice women at the Federal and State level. Donated to Emily’s List.

Had a lovely outing with friends. A member of my club’s board invited the board to go out on their sailboat. We motored around Ventura Harbor and some not quite ocean areas, went out to lunch and then to the Chanel Islands National Park visitor’s center. 

Fun with family and puppy play date. Our son and DIL are dog sitting nearby and we’re told the dog would welcome a play date. We went over for a lovely lunch and hours of watching two dogs have a very happy time playing together. Our pup then had the longest afternoon nap we’ve seen yet!

FIXING/MAINTAINING/IMPROVING 

Our replacement upper dishwasher rack arrived and is installed! This means we don't have to deal  with buying a new dishwasher and getting it installed yet. The dishwasher came with the house 5 years ago and might be 7 years old if I’m interpreting the serial number right. The replacement bottom rack is still on back order and a recent email said it would be 2 weeks before the manufacturer supplied it.The total cost for 2 new racks was under $200.

I finally made a plan for power outage preparedness. Bought 2 more plug in emergency lights to replace old ones. We already have many of the things on my essential list but there are quite a few things to make us more comfortable if an outage is prolonged.next to buy is a propane single burned stove to use outdoors and the solar lanterns with one having device charging capability and finally two headlamps.

Mid-July Money & Happiness

IT'S JUST MONEY

Cashed in $50 in credit card rewards applied to next bill

Multigrain store bakery bagels from reduced rack - 6 for $1.99 

Dog training treats - buy 3 get one free

We went out to dinner and really enjoyed it and then got Vietnamese takeout when our son and DIL stayed a couple of night. We took them out for ice cream too.

HAPPINESS ROI

Best puppy toy investment (in June but oh well) - an indestructible teething bone toy. He's working hard at getting all those 42 adult teeth in on schedule. Soon I’ll have to start brushing them but he’s too wiggly right now.

I think we are through with new and larger dog buys - license, larger crate & 2 washable mats, harness, shampoo, toothpaste, poop bags, food, dog proof food storage container, treats, training class, 3 vaccinations and of course his purchase fee. So far he is able to use hand me down collar, leash, bowls, and lots of squeaky toys.

REDUCING/FIXING/MAINTAINING

Being careful to follow electricity lower cost usage times to reduce environmental impact on generation and relieve stress on the system. We have had 3 power outages recently with the most recent lasting 3 hours.

Trying hard to reduce our water use due to drought. We do have a recirculating pump so not as much warm up water time and I am catching what there is for use rinsing dishes.

Ordered replacement racks for dishwasher that came with the house 5 years ago. 

Pruned the few bushes that are our responsibility and cleaned up our patio.

Fixed rip in squeaky toy from previous dog and gave it a wash and then removed an ear from another one after it was basically chewed off.

HEALTH

Free exercise including a brisk 1 mile walk early each morning with the pup plus other shorter ones throughout the day.

Made baked oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries, almonds and vanilla. Eating and enjoying it with plain yogurt for breakfast. Froze half.