Best posts made by Dionaea

There is no question food prices are going up quickly, and they won’t be coming down until the cost of energy (which mostly starts with gas) to grow, harvest, and transport raw ingredients and to run the factories which produce the final food products comes down, which isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Even when those costs go down, the manufacturers won’t lower the consumer prices much since they know people have become accustomed to and have resigned themselves to the higher prices, which means the manufacturers will gain even more profit.
My husband and I have adjusted our food budget more and more, switching to store brands and less-known (and less costly) brands, planning purchases to cover more than one meal (leftovers from one or two meals go into another day’s meal), using the website for a couple of grocery stores that are close to each other to load coupons to our store cards and checking the week’s sales, being flexible about what we buy so that if it’s not on sale this week, we buy something else and wait for the item(s) to be on sale (hopefully with load-to-card coupons) another time. The first places I go when entering the store are the marked-down bakery goods, the marked-down produce endcap, the freezer endcap where the store puts marked-down frozen foods on the right on the bottom shelf and at the end of one frozen-foods aisle, the marked-down fresh meat section. The store uses yellow “marked-down” and “clearance” shelftags and product stickers, and I can spot those at a glance down any aisle in the store. LOL I buy extra if something has a really worthwhile markdown (at least 50% or more) and can be frozen or stored, and I know we will use it for future meals. Flexibility is essential. Every couple of months my husband and I go through the pantry shelves and the small upright freezer (bought cheap at an estate sale) and the freezer in the refrigerator. He calls out what’s there and how many. I write it down and then type a list that we keep on the freezer door so we don’t lose track of what’s gotten shoved to the back out of sight.

@sarahb said in Official REDBOX Video Rental Codes Master Thread:

CW684E76

Just used this one. Renting The Hitman’s Bodyguard for tonight. Thanks, SarahB.

Wish they’d offer something useful besides magazine subscriptions.

@mistercheap Thank you! I can’t imagine life without FW and am very happy you started this.

The email also has a link for surveys - I had 2 surveys worth 10 points each.

@connman said in Official REDBOX Video Rental Codes Master Thread:

3HC4R3VF

Thanks, used the second code, 3HC4R3VF

Thanks! I’m always nervous about jumping my car battery as thankfully I don’t have to do it often, and I seem to forget the procedure between times.

I recommend these highly. We bought 2 a few years ago when they were on sale, maybe a BF deal or something, and we use them more often than we thought we would. Unfortunately there’s no Home Depot closer than around 60 miles away, or I’d get another as a present for a friend.

I received an email today entitled “Your 2019 AMC Concession Award” which said this: In 2019 you won a reward for an AMC concession. If you’ve been holding on to it and have not redeemed your concessions item, the expiration date will now be extended to 12/31/20 to account for theatre closures. Please note that this only applies to AMC concessions rewards that cite a 6/30/20 expiration date and that have not been used yet.

Both of those instruction links provide the baby-step detailed information I needed, AngryEyebrows, and thank you as well for providing links to the memory cards on Amazon.

$12 maximum payout without proof of purchase as the limit is $1 per purchase up to 12 purchases. It is unlimited if you have proof of purchase. Thanks, OP.

Code worth 5 Points good until 1 PM PST: Happy2018

If you have 2800 points to spare, you can get a ticket for the opening of the new Black Panther movie at certain cities. Here’s the writeup:

Be among the first to see Marvel Studios’ Black Panther at the Opening Night Fan Event at select Regal Cinemas locations! Your redemption includes a pair of tickets, plus you will be treated with exclusive content, collectibles and a free drink and popcorn combo!
Event begins at 6 p.m. on February 15th. Tickets are available in the following U.S. cities:
Atlanta (ATL) - Atlantic Station
Chicago (CHI) - Webster Place 11
Denver (DEN) - UA Denver Pavilions Stadium 15
Houston (HOU) - Grand Parkway
Los Angeles/Orange County (LA) - Irvine Spectrum
New York City (NYC) - Union Square
Philadelphia (PHI) - Riverview Plaza Stadium
Seattle (SEA) - Barkley Village
Washington, D.C. (DC) - Gallery Place
This reward is in limited supply… don’t miss out!

Just got an email from Kelloggs Rewards that the Chili’s 4-way $5 card is now 6,500 points, a savings of 1,000 points! I had just enough points to get one. It’s an IP print card.

These coupons are available again at the CVS coupons link in the OP’s post

My husband and I are enjoying these free snacks! Coupons are again available through the OP’s link.

First, the lady was right in advising you to get an estimate. In fact, I would advise that you get at least two estimates. If it were me, I’d get 3 estimates. Ask each contractor what they would charge if you decided on changes. Do you have a firm remodeling plan sketched out on paper? What would need to be removed? What needs to be moved to a different location? Are you adding or removing windows or a door? Are you making the kitchen larger? Where the support beams are located makes a huge difference in cost when you are moving all or part of a wall. Will you be moving plumbing? Where do you want the electrical connections? What type of lighting? What materials do you want for the sink and the countertops? Do you want an island? Will the flooring need to be replaced? All of that and more will help the contractor give you a knowledgable and fair estimate. If you just figure you’ll spend up to X and stop, you’ll have to make your choices based on the available amount.
Now, as to the lady’s proposal that you apply for more money than you need…I’d find another lender very quickly. It’s wrong, to begin with, and whatever lender you use will base the amount they lend you on the appraised value of the property. The lender will run through your ability to pay, then have a qualified appraiser give them a current market valuation for the property. That is what the lender will go by, and only a dishonest appraiser will add another $25,000 to the appraisal so you can get more than the property is worth, give the extra along with the purchase price to your grandparents, and then have your grandparents kick back the extra to you.
That said, if your grandparents wish to sell the property to you for X (the purchase price, which should be about the market value or a bit less so it’s not a “sweetheart deal”), and they then decide to gift you with $25,000 because you are their beloved grandchild or they wish to loan you $25,000 at current interest rates or a bit lower because you are their beloved grandchild, that might fly. Depends on whether you have other family members who might get irate that you’re getting $25,000 and they’re not.
The main thing is to be very careful to keep the purchase of the property separate from your grandparents gifting or loaning you the remodel money. The bank is investing in the property, and they expect that their loan will be for less than they could get if they foreclose and sell the property, if necessary.
As far as a remodeling loan, if you are getting a loan for less than the appraised value of the property (i.e., property valued at $200,000, purchase price is $180,00 and loan is for $150,000, somewhere along the line the lender is going to want to know where the other $30,000 of the purchase price is coming from - is it a gift from your grandparents or are they loaning you that money. Or are your grandparents selling you the property for well under market value, and why. The bank will not go along with a property valued at $200,000, purchase price is $225,000, and loan is for $225,000) The bank might easily go along with your grandparents selling you the property for $150,000 although the appraisal is $200,000, and they then loan you an additional $25,000 for remodeling purposes since you would have $50,000 in equity in the property because you paid a lot less than the appraised value.
Talk with an attorney, talk with other lenders. it is entirely possible you could obtain a remodeling loan if you will have some equity in the property after closing, depending on how the initial purchase is structured.
I am not an attorney or a loan officer or involved with any lender. I have worked for title companies as a mobile notary public for some 24 years and have dealt with lenders, title companies and borrowers, talking with loan officers and with borrowers at the table, and I do my best to stay informed about the industry.

The article was based on shopping in one town and at just one store from each chain, clearly not enough of a sample to make any judgment other than which of the 3 stores is better that the other two in that town. For example, here we had 5, now 4 since RiteAid closed it’s doors last Thursday. And there are a couple independent drug stores as well. First, RiteAid was in a small store in a strip mall that is at least 60 years old, no room for expansion although it’s been upgraded several times as much as could be done with the comparatively small space and outdated building. However, the clerks, managers and pharmacy people were always friendly, helpful and caring. The store was always well stocked, neat and clean. Moving on to CVS, one store is on a corner in the heart of town, probably 30 to 40 year old individual building, no expansion ability, could use updating but doesn’t have much potential for growth. It is neat, clean, adequate but limited space for stock, and has friendly, helpful, caring people. The other CVS is around 7 or 8 years old, much larger, carries a lot more than the other location, is modern, uncluttered, nice people. The Walgreens across from the downtown CVS is about 8 to 10 years old, decent amount of space, adequate stock, neat, clean, well lighted, friendly people. The other Walgreens is very new, about 2 years old, big store, bright lighting, wider variety of stock, neat, clean, helpful friendly people. Sooooo where did we choose to shop? RiteAid for the pharmacy because it’ was convenient and very warm-friendly long-term people who knew us and we knew them. CVS for the deals. Walgreens once in a while if there was a hot deal. That article didn’t take into account the “human” factor. LOL

Picked up the table yesterday and am pleased for the price. it’s compact, lightweight, and the height of the legs is adjustable. Thanks again, OP.

Thanks. We don’t have a store here that carries it, but we will be travelling to an area where there’s a Whole Foods store and will be able to use it then since it has a nice long expiration date. Happy Dance

Thanks, CT. I look forward to this every year.

Wow, thanks for babystepping us through the deal. I didn’t know about the $5 Virtual Visa offer. To sweeten the pot:
There 's also 500 points available if you do MyPoints: Purchase any 2 Ziploc® brand containers and earn 100 Points. OR Purchase any 4 Ziploc® brand containers and earn 500 Points.
Purchase must be made In-Store at Walmart. To qualify for Points for offers where multiple products must be purchased, you must purchase all of the products in a single transaction. Single products purchased across multiple transactions are not eligible for Points.
Must spend at least $3.96 on eligible products to earn Points
Points for this offer can only be earned once.
Not all products are available in all Walmart stores.
To be eligible for Points, you must upload your receipt via this page.
Purchase must be made between October 23, 2018 and November 6, 2018. Receipt must be uploaded by 11:30 pm Pacific Time on November 6, 2018. Purchases made outside of the listed dates are not eligible for Points. Your Points will be credited within 30 days of receipt of your upload.

Nice find - reviews are good too.

Nice find for those who have the discount at their Lowes. Mine still has them at full price. I’d love to get some of those metal ones for $1.99

The E-code Reward seems pretty good - turn it in for a GC of your choice. I like the tool set and the North Face jacket and the Yeti Rambler and the chrome ashtray.

@robstrash said in Official REDBOX Video Rental Codes Master Thread:

2TRWS8DJ

Used, thank you!

@robstrash said in Official REDBOX Video Rental Codes Master Thread:

3PYS2KDE

Just used 3PYS2KDE. Thank you!

Thanks! Those put me just 10 points away from getting a 25 lb carton. Happy Dance

Nice find, unfortunately OOS in my area.

Thanks, ct. We get some of these every year when they’re on sale. I would have missed the sale if you hadn’t posted.

The 20% off coupon and the promo code coupon both come off at checkout. This worked perfectly, totally free for me. I ordered a purple short-sleeve crewneck ladies T-shirt. The order also qualifies for the $1 slow shipping credit too.

Thanks for the info and advice, ctujackbauer. I just went into my account again, clicked on the Active Rewards…and it was available! No idea why it was not available yesterday, but doing a Snoopy Happy Dance it was available today. Quickly added it to my Amazon account.

I got a check for .80, ROFLMAO. But that’s .80 more than I had.

Says “Currently unavailable” - wow, must have sold out fast.

Got it! Thanks, ctgolfer

Have you read this, ctgofer? I mostly read mysteries and the occasional good scifi. Thanks.

Good reviews on this one, ct. I’ve “bought” it for the .00 pricetag.

I’ve read several of the Skip Langdon series from the first one through maybe the 5 one, and I like the Skip Langdon character but the Talba character has become more silly and irritating IMHO with each book.