Saturday, May 24, 2008

An Update

Hello Darlings,

To all of you who personally know me, Thank you, Thank you for all the wonderful get well cards. I will have by now been in touch with most of you, don't worry I will catch up with everyone.

Just an update darlings who have been following me on my "Blog". I am getting better, I can get around now quite well, but I will need to use a cane from time to time and a light weight wheelchair if I have to stand or walk for more than a half an hour.

But I can move around my home again, drive my car again and generally take care of business again.

The Doctors have told me that I injured the tendons around my ankle a bit more than what was first realized, and as with anyone of a 'certain age' it will take me longer to heal, but heal I will.

I know can get around with out the use of my nurse, and I was very sorry to see her leave, but all is not lost. My dear friend Dolly is having her elderly mother live with her instead of those care homes, the dear lady is very alert and in her own way very active, but she does need assistance. So when I told Dolly about my nurse, Dolly immediately interviewed her and since her mother and her are fluent in Spanish and other languages, it worked out very well.

So arrangements were made that as soon as the doctor said that I no longer needed Isabella that she was available to go to Dolly's home. Dolly told me that with having Isabella to watch her mother and take her mother places, she has much less worries while she is at work.

Juanita does miss her, but since she knows where Isabella's new place is they will still be able to visit.

Oh but Darlings it is just so wonderful to finally be able to get out and do things again, even if at this time I'm still a bit limited but to be able to have my spa and beauty treatments again is just so wonderful.

Alright I'm vain, but it does feel so good.

Now to all you Darling Divas, it is good to budget especially during these bad financial times, but on my routine trips to the city (which I'm so glad to be able to do again) I've managed to 'chat up' several young ladies who are in the business world and we manage to get together for lunch once a week.

(side note to Lauren who I know checks this blog every day---don't sell those rings yet---I have a suggestion for you and I'll tell you about it when we meet for Lunch this coming Tuesday)

Any way Darlings, in talking to these bright young ladies, we've come up with suggestions to save some money here and there.

Now this is only a few ideas and there will be more added---

One young lady use to have a weekly mani-pedi but by only having it just once every 6 weeks, and bringing her polish choice from home, she can do touch ups at home and save over $200 every 6 weeks.

Another young lady use to drive her car to work every day, pay for monthly parking, and Fast Track as well as the cost of gasoline, now she leaves her car at home 4 days a week and takes public transportation, she has stopped the monthly parking, lowered her gasoline costs, and dropped fast track. Especially since she found out that the transbay buses have WiFi, so she is able to start on her work sooner.

And in just two months she has been able to save, in her words, "A Bundle". She only drives her car on Thursdays so she can do her grocery shopping straight from her job.

Another young lady brings her coffee and lunch from home instead of buying the 5 dollar coffee's at Starbucks and eating out. With the exception of our weekly lunches, and even she has noticed more money in her checking account.

They are are using coupons, watching sales on products they want, buying store brands, and using the public library to save money, they plan their shopping errands and keep a note book so they will know the times when some shops open and close when they plan their trips.

One of my young ladies has said that in stead of buying a gift she gives a gift card for a certain amount at a store that they know their family member or friend likes to go to. It saves money.

And this is only the start.

Now I do recommend my dear Divas to look for "Money" Magazine for June 2008, in it there is an article for creating a good investment portfolio for each stage of your life towards retirement.

Now there is one thing that all my young ladies have said, getting a spa treatment or a massage every two to 3 months as a treat is a must just to feel good.

But it seems that the adventure of Saving Money seems to be catching up with them, how creative can they be?

One young lady told me that because she has been working on saving money that she has reduced her attendance at some of the hot spots, and when she does go she has found that falling back on the most inexpensive drink (not beer) has been a savings for her as well as not having more than two during the whole of the evening, she told me that she has found it to be more of a 'prop' to have in front of her than as a drink. And she has found more fun and educational things to do that are free. For her she has put her savings into her investment portfolio.

So much to think about---Now to all you Darling Diva's and Diva's in Training---I put the challenge to you. What can you do to save money and still have fun? Time to put your "thinking caps" on.

Until Anon. Kisses Darlings.