mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Jan 6, 2012 23:19:19 GMT -5
HUGS to everyone who needs them. The misadventures of MizBear and Momma Bear start this weekend. Oy vey!
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ners
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Post by ners on Jan 7, 2012 9:59:00 GMT -5
2/10 MOAN 1/5 NSD
QOTW- What really woke me up --when I told my DB that I was proud of the fact that I had 24,000 in retirement and his comment was what will you live on in year 2. It really woke me up to the fact that I better start saving. I was doing okay until June of 2010 when I became unemployed. It took me 5 1/2 months to find a new position but at a much lower rate of pay. I have not added anything to retirement since 2010, but have been reducing debt.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Jan 7, 2012 12:23:06 GMT -5
7 nsd, 0 eod; Other than spending 50 cents for the parking meters here and 20 cents for any copies I make, I am not spending anything until I get a computer. But my car needs an oil change and a front axle so which ever comes first. My mechanic will take payments so I am alright with that. I got the hospital paid off finally. Now I am going to put that payment to my personal loan and get that paid, hopefully this year. honey; I got your email but no matter who calls I use up my minutes. That is the plan that I have on Tracfone. I have to go for now but will be on Tuesday or Wednesday.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Jan 7, 2012 12:28:23 GMT -5
Update Note: If you all post your update by noon (AZ time) on Monday I will post a weekly update by Monday evening. Just put it at the top of your post in bold like so:
Update: 2/10 NSD
Epic fail yesterday and that was before DH decided to take us out to dinner. I decided I was buying paint to finish up the living room I started 6 months ago! It was only $14 but still an unplanned spend, then I stopped and picked me up lunch for no good reason other than I really wanted a soda (I haven't had one in a long time and it is my go too when I am really stressed). I bought the paint because I am tired of our house not feeling like a home. If you walk in it is void of anything that represents us. Plus, DH is gone all the time and if I have to be alone in this house with the kids I might as well enjoy it. The good news is DH received an unexpected bonus check that will cover all of our bills, hence him taking us all to eat. I din't argue. He has been working his tail off and just wanted to spend an evening out as a family.
This year I am working really hard on being content on what we have and/or making what we have work. My housekeeping has slacked incredibly and I find myself wondering if I had the money to spruce things up I would still have to start by cleaning and organizing. SO that is where I am going start and use a little each pay check to make improvements.
SES: You beat me to it. I was going to make a list but I am so glad you did! It's funny how simple basic things make the biggest impact. I think we need to remember that in all aspects of our life. I often feel bad that we can't afford to do certain things with our kids but all they really want is your time and attention, and well that is free!
Money: Glad I could be back more. I really need the accountability (obviously from my fail) The kids are getting bigger and costing more money just in the needs they require which means I need to be even more diligent with our budget.
NERS: Wow! We have been focusing so much on debt repayment and we are finally at a point where we are going to slowly start to build up our savings and then next year tackle retirement with full force. We have one kid at a state university (luckily he is there on an academic scholarship) and three more headed that direction (the next oldest is in 5the grade). Not to mention braces!
Mizbear: good luck with your new living arrangements!
Sorry if I missed anyone. I'll catch up again on Monday. Trying to spend my weekends focused on house cleaning and the kids. Thinking of going to the batting cages later today (we have money put aside from Christmas-we just never made it anywhere)
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pointy
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Post by pointy on Jan 8, 2012 13:31:44 GMT -5
update: 5/23 NS and 7/28 No QVC Hugs to all who need them - sounds like too many of you for such a new year! azmom: I still buy a few things from "the Q" each month, but I've definitely been better about impulse purchases - the main reason I track!
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sbcalimom
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Post by sbcalimom on Jan 8, 2012 14:13:52 GMT -5
Update: 3 NS, 5 CS; 5 NEO, 2 MOAN
QOTW: I think one thing I learned that hasn't already been mentioned is that it's ok to fail as long as you keep trying. This is HUGE for me because I am a bit OCD and type A about things so I often just give up when things don't go right. I've learned through these boards that we all make mistakes and screw up from time to time but what's important is what we do afterwards. I've really embraced that for this year and am revamping my systems to make them easier on me but still workable for what I need to track.
I've been very good about staying on budget for the first week of January. We are totally ok on groceries/rest. and the girls exepsnes for the rest of the month but household spending might be a bit tight. I budget $150 and I wonder if I'm not budgeting enough or if I just buy too much crap. I'm hoping to determine that during the first quarter of the year. DH is also supposed to list a bunch of baby stuff on Craigslist today so if it sells then I'll probably use that for extra household stuff.
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ses
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Post by ses on Jan 8, 2012 14:58:08 GMT -5
Update 8/31 NSD
Sbcalimom--A very good point to remember. We all have roadblocks, but we can all still continue to progress. I added it to the list.
Ners--considering the rate of return on savings right now and the cost of debt, paying down debt is the SMARTEST and most productive thing you can do.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Jan 8, 2012 20:48:06 GMT -5
UPDATE:
8/30 NSD 1/10 MOANS 9/15 Restaurant points 12/10 blog posts - 4 are up and 8 more are all done and scheduled. I'm trying to post more and more regularly this year - so I'm scheduling time on the weekend to write/research. Hoping to blow this goal away this month! New posts every day this week! 1/4 "new job" activities - talked with some folks and narrowed down a few options. I need to talk to someone in NY next - that will determine which path I go. 1/8 new books read - I've got 3 more in process - need to stop playing angry birds and read! ****** I try to read along but didn't have time to comment this week. So I saved them up - in no particular order: muttley - yeah on the raise! mizbear - hope things with momma bear are starting off well mittenkitten - my dentist was pushing for braces too - it is a real money maker for them. Does DSS want them? Money - any chance you have an excel course on pivot tables to recommend? I may need to become a model junkie (yuck) and I am way to weak in that area 3cats - how are you feeling lately? is your computer dead or can it be repaired? shiela - how did your DS' convention go? did he have a great time? do they do model UN as well? shan - how is MIL? and how are you two holding up? honey - how is it going? azmom - sorry to hear about your marathon training - please don't put off seeing the doc for too long start - how are the grandparents? and you - feeling better? sorry if I missed anyone! welcome to everyone new or welcome back! QOTW - I don't think anyone in my "in-person" life has ever given me any good financial advice. My family certainly didn't and my friends don't discuss money (they are either in bad shape or are embarrassed by the topic). Thank goodness for writers and my "online" life - I've gotten tons from you all! Have a good week everyone!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 8, 2012 21:49:36 GMT -5
Still not feeling great, spent most of the day resting on the couch with the puppies. I took a nice hot shower to clear out my head but lots of coughing, sneezing and headaches.
Since I'm not feeling great I haven't gone to visit Grandpa (don't want to get him sick). My great aunt is still at the hospital recovering from her leg amputation.
Today was another NSD - I'll have to check my calendar for totals. Saturday was a spend day, I went to see a band last night and also got groceries and shipped a package.
Looks good for a low key January before I leave on my next trip.
Also, I'm launching a new blog on Tuesday with my photography. I have set up the first month of posts but I'm really excited to continue this project.
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MittenKitten
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Home of the Circus
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Post by MittenKitten on Jan 8, 2012 22:53:26 GMT -5
Update: 6/25 NS/CS
spruby: No he does not. We did put her off for 6 months but when it comes up again we will simply say no we can't afford it. If you feel he needs them YOU may pay for it but we will not. He can always have them as an adult but I honestly don't think he needs them. I agree I think the dentist/ortho just wants the money.
Went to my aunts 75th birthday party. Man her kids are getting old! (She is 13 years older then my mom and my cousins range from 15 years to 1 year older then me, she had 9 kids) Honestly I know my cousins, I know THEIR kids (25 of them) but now the 25 are having kids and I only know around 3 of those..... 2 of which I got to know better tonight. Was fun. When they asked me what I did and I mentioned all I do for DS#2 I could see their eyes glaze over lol.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 8, 2012 23:05:16 GMT -5
Update: 6 NS/CS daysYesterday I didn't leave the house because it took almost the entire time picking up and putting away all the Christmas stuff. I hate doing it because I love how my house looks with all my memories out. I have collected ornaments and other Christmas items as I traveled throughout the years and each year fond memories of great places and things are revisited as they are up. Today was a spend day but not a bad one -- needed gas and groceries, decided to see dragon tattoo (prefer the Swedish version but this one is good), and used a gift card for lunch out. Start -- hope you feel better soon. Sheila -- How did the Boy enjoy his conference? Did you survive without him? Spruby -- Don't forget to check out the help feature of Excel. Often your questions can be answered there. Don't be afraid to try things out -- use a copy of your table or a sample one to play with the features. Also this may help content.customguide.com:8000/pdf/courseware/microsoft-excel-2010-training-10-01.pdf
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 8, 2012 23:19:49 GMT -5
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 9, 2012 11:04:27 GMT -5
Update: 7/20 $0 days We had a goal of not going to a "Mart" all weekend and we made it! (Mart being Target, Walmart, etc). Got groceries and that was it all weekend. Even had a free movie on my account at Blockbuster so that didn't cost me a dime either. ses- They were at the MLPS Downtown Hilton which is attached to the Convention center via skyways. So they only went physically outside for the one group dinner and to take the bus to the Capital. There are a handful of fast food type restaurants attached to the skyways. DS ate his breakfast from the snack stash we sent him up with, didn't purchase any beverages and still spent $80 on just lunches and dinners. I know he tried to be pretty frugal because we told him he could keep any money he has leftover. All- He had a blast! Wants to for sure do it again next year (is thinking he might want to be a lobbyist next year). Went to all the evening events and made some new friends. Had some frustrations with his roommates because they would finish up for the day at 11pm and he would want to go to bed and they would want to watch tv until 1am. That and he felt they should be a few minutes early to their meetings and one roommate felt they should watch tv until the last possible second and arrive exactly on time to everything. But other than that he has a blast. We picked him up at 6:05, he ate dinner and was sound asleep by 7pm. Still tired this am and mad at me because I made him go to school. Figure he will be back to his good old self by tomorrow. spruby- yes they do Model UN as well. They are registering for that soon and he said the other day that he wants to do that as well. I will talk to him tonight and see if that is still his plan.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 9, 2012 11:04:37 GMT -5
3 NSD, 4 CSD, 1 spend
MIL Update - kind of a rant, feel free to skip The yo-yo that is my MIL continues. On Saturday when we saw her, she was alert and complaining. She's scheduled to go back to a rehab facility today. Last night when we saw her, she was much less alert. The knee she had surgery on was swollen to pre-surgery levels and hot to the touch (the other knee was not), and yet the doctors at the hospital insist there's no infection in it. This is getting frustrating for DH and I because just over 2 weeks ago (that's right, Christmas was only 2 weeks ago) the knee was not swollen and she was walking 150ft. 1 week ago she was in the ICU on life support. You're telling us the sepsis was from the UTI and there isn't any infection in the knee. Then WHY is it all swollen? 1 week of inactivity shouldn't do that to a healthy knee almost 3 months after surgery. I swear that if she goes back in to septic shock, I am suing you all for malpractice. The MD called to talk to DH last night, and it was all "this is going to be a long road rehabbing that knee...? WHY? If the knee wasn't ever infected? New insurance wasn't able to find a rehab facility on their plan that could take her, so she's going back to the same place she was. It's convenient for us, so won't complain too much. but we need to have a sit down with them and explain that while it's great she was walking 150ft, it shouldn't take that milestone to trigger her going home. She needs to be able to walk 50ft, get in and out of bed/chairs/shower and on and off the toilet by herself. If she can do those things, she NEEDS to go home. We're all for continuing outpatient rehab. Send her to rehab every day, as far as we're concerned, but she needs to get out of the facility. We're not blaming the facility itself, it is simply the nature of these places that make people a little more sick and are honestly depressing. It's taking a major toll on her. And on us. So to answer spruby, she is better, but we're concerned about backsliding. And DH and I are getting to the end of our ropes. It doesn't help that he starts classes again tomorrow, so we're going to have less time to devote to this, and I had a really stressful week at work last week, so my emotional energy has been really low. spruby & ses: I'm guessing moneysquirrel's links are among the best, but here's the thing, if you think excel can do something, it probably can. Use Google and someone out there will have instructions on how to do it. I can't write macros, but short of that, give me 15 minutes and access to Google, and I can make excel do just about anything. (I have friends who can write macros, and oh do they make nifty spreadsheets.)
There's probably more that should be said, but I didn't take notes and my mind just isn't holding on to things at the moment. So hope everyone has a good week.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Jan 9, 2012 12:43:58 GMT -5
DM got a slap when she sat down to the budget. I have about $100- give or take left at the end of the month as long as I stick to my budget. She spends every penny- so I wrote a budget. She suddenly has lots of money left over.
I am not going to write a long post with everything in it because the computer or PB is eating my posts left and right.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Jan 9, 2012 14:43:11 GMT -5
I'm so unmotivated on every front right now. It in only the 9th and I don't think I can figure out my NS already.
I"m home today DS was sick over the weekend and not quite up to going to school today, so I'm home with him. He threw up all afternoon/evening Saturday. But has kept stuff down since then. So in an attempt to get stuff accomplished here, I have chicken bones in the crockpot trying to make my first batch of stock.
Shan - HUGS!
Miz Bear- Good luck with your mom.
Shelia- Glad the boy enjoyed the conference. Model UN is a lot of fun. Hope he decides to do it.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 9, 2012 15:28:13 GMT -5
Update 6 NSD
Apparently being sick is good for my wallet!
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Jan 9, 2012 17:30:00 GMT -5
Here is the weekly Update: I will give you a for every 5 NS/CS Shanendoa 3 NSD Sheila 3/20 NSD Moneysquirrel 6 NS/CS MittenKitten 6/25 NS/CS Sruby 3/20 NSD SES 8/31 NSD sbcalimom 8 NS/Cs Pointy 5/23 NSD azmom 2/10 NSD 3catslady 7 NSD ners 1/5 NSD dakota 2 NSD startsmart 6 NSD honeylioness financialpeace redwagon mizbear **If I missed anyone or something needs corrected please let me know and I will adjust it. I didn't have time to figure out the table so this will have to work for now!** Question of the Week (QOTW): Inspired by sbcalimom: How do you deal with setbacks or NS failures? What keeps you motivated to continue to track your NS/CS days?
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Jan 9, 2012 17:32:14 GMT -5
QOTW- I stay motivated by knowing that NO setback is permanent.
azmom- Hope you are feeling better. I didn't set a hard goal this month because I knew the budget would be screwy.
Check out the DM/DGM/DB board for an interesting update~
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Jan 9, 2012 18:50:45 GMT -5
So today was parent/teacher conference and one kid is doing excellent (DS 2nd grade) and the other one not so much (DD 5th grade)! So back to the basics at home too. Actually her test scores are nearly at the exceeding mark it's the putting effort into and even doing everyday in school work. Simple stuff that is so silly (like pasting notes into a notebook) but is a big grade and that is what makes me even more angrier because it's not like she is getting a D in social studies because its hard or she doesn't understand-it's because she is simply not trying! I had her write a paper on how she plans on bringing up her grades and what her punishment should be. As a parent the greatest gift to yourself is letting your child choose their punishment because 1.) it lets you off the hook for the guilt and 2.) they are much harder on themselves than you would ever be~at least my kids are. She is going to start tutoring at school. They are offering free for kids who are close to exceeding on the AIMS test she is 7 points shy of the 5th grade excelling mark. Pretty good for a girl who should be in fourth grade, but her work ethic and effort is deplorable. Anyhow, Mrs. Lynch posted an amazing, must read, post on her blog today dailymoneyshot.net/sometimes-one-has-to-be-enough/ I will actually be forwarding it to many moms I know who are in the same situation. I am on the leadership team for our MOMs group and the hush hush and pain associated with the issue of fertility and miscarriages amazes me. My heart always smiles when people are brave enough to share their story because I know there so many who benefit from them. Spruby: I have a friend who is a PT. I am currently NOT running at all and using a TENS machine for therapy, along with ice and stretching. I really think it is just muscle but if at the end of this week if I am still in pain, I will be going to the doctor. I just don't want to go to the doctor and they give me all of these things that I am doing now to do and then have to go back again. Not being able to run stinks more than I realize. FACEBOOK: I started a FB page for my blog. Their is not much content on it now and I am not really sure yet what I intent to use it for or why I have it but I do and if you would like to "like" it. Here is the link www.facebook.com/anotherhousewifeShanen: HUGS Dakota: I hope Mini D is better. I can't get a NS day to save my life. I think (okay, I know) I am overcompensating for DH's long hours by spending a little here and there. Hope you find your groove soon I'll catch whoever I missed and answer the QOTW tomorrow. ~Happy No Spending~
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 10, 2012 10:31:18 GMT -5
azmom: My NSDs are at 3, not 2
Last night was another CSD as we did our grocery shopping. It was almost a no spend, as our CostCo total came out to 100.37 and we had a $100 CostCo gift card and I had change. However, we still had to run to the regular grocery store for a couple items. Still, may favorite thing about January is using the CostCo gift cards and watching my grocery budget recover from the disaster it becomes in November and December (when we host a lot of meals and therefore are the ones to buy the turkey, ham, roast, etc).
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 10, 2012 11:48:57 GMT -5
Update: 8/20 $0 (only one spend day so far this month ) Yesterday was a quiet night- straight home from work, ate leftovers, boy did his homework and that was about it. I could get used to these uneventful days. Weather here is going crazy- I live in MN and it's supposed to be like 54 degrees today! That's insane for MN in January. Now tomorrow it's going to be in the 30's with possible snow then in the teens by Thursday. I hate these weather temp shifts like that- always end up with a head cold. Hoping that if I start on the zinc and vitamin C now I will be able to get ahead of it.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 10, 2012 12:56:26 GMT -5
Still have the wicked head cold. Between sneezing, coughing, and feeling grumpy I am quite a joy to be around draping a burning hot wash cloth over my head seems to help somewhat, in fact I might go to the gym tonight just to sit in the hot tub. Yesterday was a cash spend, I picked up coffee and tacos since I spent all my energy getting dressed. Still drinking a full 8 oz of water or tea every hour and trying to get my head to stop pounding.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Jan 10, 2012 13:01:49 GMT -5
QOTW: I keep my eyes on the long term goal. For me that is to retire by the age of 60 and have the finances to be able to do it and not worry about money. Also making sure my EF is funded for those emergencies. Also learning to be realisitic about life, for example your hotwater heater will last an average of 7 years now so you need to figure in those types of expenses into your life.
When I go to my tax guy he shakes his head and askes me why I have so many accounts. Well to me they are really sub accounts. I have one for Disney which will take years to fund, I have an EF, I have a home fund and the kids each have a fund. They are through ING so I can see them all at once but I know where the money is allocated to. I should probably have a car fund as DF's vehicle will need to be replaced, probably in the next 2-3 years but we also have the truck. So he can always drive that or we can sell it and that will cover a lot of the cost of a used vehicle.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Jan 10, 2012 21:07:35 GMT -5
Current Update:
9 NEO 9 NSD/CSD
SES - Hope your office move goes smoothly shanendoah - Sorry to hear about your MIL and the hard choices facing your family. dakota - I am in a similar position with my mattress. I am hoping that by the time I get my income tax return back this year I will have a job and can get myself a replacement. startsmart - Hope you are feeling better and the sickness is passing. There is a box on it's way to you as well. And thank you for the postcard. Sorry you have to be dealing with your uncle again. Praying for your grandfather. muttley - Congratulations on the raise! azmom - Sorry to hear about your training hiatus. I am not much of an athlete but I know how much you like doing the races. azmom 2 - I completely understand about the WANTING to spend issue - especially when you don't have any money. For me the urge seems to get worse the less money I have. mittenkitten - I am glad you have another option for you son during the renovation. mizbear - Glad to hear you "helped" your mother discover how much money she has each month startsmart - Sorry you are still feeling under the weather. QOTW - When I have a budget set back I beat myself up for a day. Not that I recommend this - it is just my personality. Then when I have settled down I take a look and try and identify why it happened. Was it that I didn't plan correctly? Was it an emergency? Or did I just indulge myself and perhaps it was okay. Then I get back on schedule. Shopping - For Christmas my mother sent me cash to purchase some new skirts for my job search and interviews. However, much to my dismay, most stores don't seem to carry skirts anymore. Now call me old fashioned but I don't wear pants except for once or twice a year. I actually spent over three hours at the local mall and scouted through six stores looking for simple black skirts. The only ones I was able to find that were not clearance party skirts were selling for $45 a piece. And even though it was gift money I just couldn't spend that much on one skirt. I think I may need to start making my own clothes again at this rate. Finally at Sears I did find some skirts that were appropriate for work and they were on the Clearance racks. Three with a flared gore at the knee in a soft micro-suede type material that came with little beaded belts: One in dark brown, one black and one a deep purple. I also found a dark khaki green twill and one denim. I also found on sale a "foundation" garment. So for five skirts and the one foundation piece I paid $80 and change. So I felt pretty good about that deal.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 10, 2012 21:24:47 GMT -5
Another no spend today; I'll probably have a spend day Fri to ship a package and see my chiropractor. honey- now just hoping to get better so I can finally deliver new bedding to Grandpa without getting him sick. Mom is visiting this weekend so I need to pile up the projects for her and hang the quilt she made me for my birthday in October. My head was clear enough this afternoon to clean up my office, vacuum and balance my checkbook and pay bills. Next up I need to go through all the glassware I bought and start growing tulips in the garage. Blog jazz: new post on my favorite thrifty finds last year: myfriendkelly.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/favorite-finds/new blog with my photography and one of my favorite flowers was today's post: theonethousandproject.wordpress.com/
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 10, 2012 23:08:05 GMT -5
Update: 8 NS/CS days
Hope all are doing well! Have to catch up on reading but too tired tonight to do anything but say hello.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 11, 2012 11:30:51 GMT -5
Update: 2/20 $0, 2/6 allowed EO meals
Mini- Victory - was double checking my numbers today and realized that we haven't been to a Mart at all this month! It's only the 11th so I still have to try to make it 20 more days but hey- I will take victories where I can get them. ;D
Yesterday was a spend. We went out for dinner- which is something I am about done doing. The convinence of not having to cook a clean is nice but I am so tired of paying for meals that aren't very good. DH needed to pick up some protein thing or other- funny story about that.
I have DH pretty well trained now thanks to you ladies. He has embraced these threads and is really quite frugal lately. He has been working out and going to the gym and has been buying some supplements and protein things for the past few months now. He has it down to a science. He knows exactly where he gets the best price, has been hoarding coupons and punch cards for frequent purchases, stocks up at the beginning of the month because as a preferred member he gets a discount. He even did the math to ensure that being a preferred member was worth the small annual fee. By George I think he's got it!
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shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
Posts: 10,096
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 11, 2012 13:39:38 GMT -5
Yesterday was an NSD. I'm up to 4.
Good news: Because I feel like such a downer lately, I thought I would share this good news. We went and saw MIL at the facility last night. She was alert, able to focus and able to answer questions. She was also being onery and stubborn as all get out. She had apparently wanted to wallow in her room all day (because of the sepsis, they have her in a single), but the nurses decided she needed to come out and be at least a little social. She didn't want to and fought them on it. It took 4 of them to get her in the wheel chair, and she bit the shift manager (not that she has that many teeth)! Luckily, he's a good guy and was able to joke about it with us and her while we were visiting, though we did make her apologize. (Yes, sometimes it's like dealing with a toddler.) The shift manager talked to us as we were leaving, wanting to make sure that we were okay with them forcing her to be out of bed (patients technically have the right to refuse). Our answer, fight with her as often as possible. It keeps her spirits up, and that's what we need right now. So yeah, one of the best visits we've had in months, mentally and emotionally for her. And while we don't like her biting, if that's what needs to happen, the nurses get that and don't mind.
Bad News: Because the world likes to kick you when you're down. While DH was driving to school yesterday, his car was hit. It was a low speed collision, no injuries. The car is still drivable, so he was able to make it to school and back home. However, it's probably not technically legal to drive- the front license plate was knocked off, the bumper pretty much destroyed, some damage to the hood, and the turn signal is hanging off. Good News: Because I'm trying to look at the bright side of things this week. We have an amazing insurance policy. When I called to report the claim yesterday (because DH's phone was dying and he had to get to class), the woman I talked to looked at our policy and said our policy was like their most premium policy and then some. (We have an amazing agent, and our payment is quite affordable.) So, we're starting the claim through our insurance company. While the woman who hit DH has insurance, I'd rather not have to deal with her company. It's much easier to deal with my company, and then have my company be the one to work on getting money from her's, instead of me trying to get their money. We do have a $500 deductible, but this is exactly what an EF is for, so we can afford to get the work done and then be reimbursed. Our policy also covers a rental so that DH can have something safe to drive to school while we get the work done. The roommie is actually taking time from work today to follow DH to the repair shop where we'll get the insurance estimate, and then will drive him to get the rental.
So yeah, no spending yesterday, but there will probably be spending today (refundable deposit on the rental), possible deductible on the car.
QOTW: In a word, forgiveness. I have to be able to forgive myself for messing up, because none of us are perfect. Like Honey, i do review why the spending happened, but in my case it's often that I was tired and cranky and just wanted a cup of chai. I am much better about that then I used to be, but it still happens. And sometimes, it's just like the entire month of December when it felt like nothing was going according to plan. I have to be able to take a deep breath, determine what I can do to prevent the fail in the future (if there is anything I can do), and then just let it go.
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mrslynch
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 10:58:15 GMT -5
Posts: 176
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Post by mrslynch on Jan 11, 2012 14:17:46 GMT -5
azmom--thank you for sharing that. i'm surprised at the reaction it's gotten. it was just something i threw together in a moment of "oh, crap, what should i write about" but it's made me feel so much better. shanen--i'm sorry to hear about the car accident, but that's good news about your MIL. spruby--do you still have questions about blog design? i never received an email from you. start--pretty cool idea for your new blog! i like it!
i've been spending a bit this month. i bought a case for my ipad, paid a designer to create a logo for my blog, bought a ticket to a one day blogging conference/boot camp this may, i'm doing a $50 giveaway on my blog and tickets to fincon go on sale soon so i will be purchasing one of those as well (with my 25% off coupon, of course). i'm not overly stressed about the expenses because they're all necessary on some level and will pay me back in spades (well, that's the hope anyway).
oh, and did i mention we're going to disney world next week? did i mention that we're paying for the entire trip in cash? i am so proud of that one!
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