mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Nov 30, 2011 22:21:31 GMT -5
The Controlled/No Spend thread is undergoing an overhaul as we get back to the fundamentals of the thread while still maintaining the comraderie that keeps us coming back and makes us successful- even if not initially.
Thanks Mittenkitten for the monthly intro and Reeneejune for organizing the weekly captains.
Here is this month's Controlled/No Spend Thread as promised. Please post your goals for the month if you would like me to include them in the bi-Monthly update. For the new people there are no real set rules here, you set your own. The basic goal most if not all of us have are to keep track of the days we don't spend and hopefully by that work on saving money. Some are looking to put it into savings others to pay down debt. For some they only count the day as a no spend day if they spend nothing at all. Others will count it if they keep their total under $5. Some count all spending others only count a certain part of their budget. For example I personally take $400 out of the the bank in cash for everything that is not related to vehicle expenses (like gas, oil changes, insurance etc) or the house (mortgage, utilities, HOA) If I spend out of the $400 I count it as a spend day (although if it is less then $5 I usually count it as a no spend day.) You set your own rules. Any questions feel free to ask. You can post your no spend days daily or whenever you want, just put it in bold at the top with the first number being the number you want me to record. If you are doing daily then: Today (or yesterday) $0 Spend day More then one day at a time: 4/31 days $0 Spend Which translates into 4 out of 31 days in December have been no spend so far. Some use the bigger number as their goal number so do 4/15 No spend Days which means they have a goal of 15 no spend days this month.
CSD: Controlled Spend Day BFF: Best Friend Forever DH/DS/DD/DSS: Dear Husband, Dear Son Dear Daughter, fiance, boy friend, Dear Step-Son DIL, MIL, BIL, SIL: Daughter in law, Mother In Law, Brother in Law, Sister In Law NKCW: No Killing Co-Worker Day (could also be no kill DH NKDH etc) MOAN: Moving our a$$ Now aka exercising NS or NSD: No Spend or No Spend Day NEO: No eating out HTH: Hope This Helps KWIM: Know What I mean FWIW: For What It's Worth IMHO or IMO: In my Humble Opinion or In My Opinion Getting Nitzed is a now slightly outdated term referring to when you have a long post and MSN cuts you off so its in two posts instead one. Having a Startsmart Day is referring to when you have 20+ things on your must get done in a day and you accomplish them. Sharing the Simple Lifestyle aka Toasty; Single Mom-KY aka Smokey; MittenKitten aka MK; Pt_In_NY aka Pointy; Red2Black aka R2B2. The Boy is Sheila in Cali's son. the boy or Mowgli is Nsinglet's son Blue is Red_Wagon's DH TBear is MizBear's older niece. ZBear is MizBear's younger niece.
Every week we try to have a question of the week (QOTW) and challenge of the week (COTW) related to the question.
Honeylioness had a wonderful answer I think really defines WHAT we are about:
"I will admit that during my first two months of lurking, I wondered just how in the WORLD someone could not spend any money at ALL for 25 days? Did they just pay all their bills one day a month, and that same day do the food shopping for the month? Like many new to the concept I saw it as horribly, and restrictively, black or white – an opinion first based merely on the name of the thread.
But once I came to understand that it was not so totalitarian and was more about finding a way that worked for you to track your spending and any “leaks” in the wallet, it has felt more like a tool and less like a punishment. I wish I could say that I have paid off five extra years from the mortgage, or now have an EF of six months take home – but alas that would not be true.
What I do have however is a better awareness of where my “leaks” are, what are my hot buttons that make me want to spend on things I really don’t need or really cannot afford right now. And an awareness of the fact when I AM spending money. I think that awareness is key to learning a new behavior or paradigm. Just like lumberlady(a member that hasn't been a regular lately but is still a much loved part of our community), some of us have had to look hard in the mirror and acknowledge that we had a problem. Until people can do that, be it an addiction to alcohol or drugs or credit cards ….. they will never really GET it."
Thanks Honeylioness!
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Nov 30, 2011 22:24:39 GMT -5
My goal this month is 28 NS. Mom is moving in. I have to get ZBear and TBear's presents and a couple of Secret Santas. DM says she doesn't want anything, so I'll probably take her to dinner.
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blackcard
Familiar Member
As of April 2013 Mortgage is paid in full :) NO debt of any kind.
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 22:06:57 GMT -5
Posts: 660
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Post by blackcard on Dec 1, 2011 0:41:31 GMT -5
Ok after the Christmas presents and New Years. Guess that leaves me left with a Jan 2012 no spend.
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pointy
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 18:27:35 GMT -5
Posts: 141
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Post by pointy on Dec 1, 2011 6:09:34 GMT -5
Happy December! Goals are 21 NS and 26 No QVC days.
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shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
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Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 1, 2011 11:45:39 GMT -5
December Goals: 14 NS + 14 CS = 28 This is a little more ambitious than I've been lately, but while I have a workable 2012 budget together, I'd like to tighten it a bit. In addition, Junebug is going to have to have surgery sometime this month or early January, and it won't be inexpensive, so we really, really need to be on track with our spending.
I love when Christmas falls on a Saturday or Sunday, because that means the day after Christmas is also a day off and it just makes everything that much more relaxing. My birthday is Dec 21, so I've decided to take the 21-23 off and have 6 whole days to hang out with DH (who will be on break from school between quarters) and just relax and enjoy ourselves.
blackcard: Welcome! Jump right in. Feel free to ask questions. We all set our own rules and definitions here. We believe that life has an effect on our finances, so we talk about everything under the sun (and moon).
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redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
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Post by redwagon on Dec 1, 2011 11:55:48 GMT -5
I guess I should start posting over here, huh? Happy December! I have a busy month ahead (as do we all) so I'm not sure about goals.
10 NS days 10 Workout days Firm up 2012 budget
This weekend is my birthday weekend so it will be a bit spendy unless people pay for me, but that always makes me feel guilty. Next weekend we have a wedding to go to, so we'll be spending on their gift. Weekend after is a christmas party I need a gift for. And I still need to think up gifts for blue's family. Or rather, he does. he knows them best. But that will be spendy, as well.
And this is my month of doctor's appointments, because I hit my deductible and it's all free. Might as well do it now rather than pay copays and such in January, right? My boss is loving all my long lunches, I'm sure...
Question: anyone use Sharebuilder? If I do the auto-invest plan, it's $4 per transaction. I had two funds, so that was $8 a month. Or I can save up and invest less often (maybe every three or four months) and manually do it at $10 per transaction. This all seems crazy, or is it normal? It's all in my Roth IRA, but I still get charged all these fees. I'm used to my 401k where there aren't fees, or my company pays them if there are. advice welcome! Other places cheaper? Share your wisdom! Feeling oddly ignorant here.
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spruby
Established Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 23:35:01 GMT -5
Posts: 255
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Post by spruby on Dec 1, 2011 13:28:05 GMT -5
redwagon - I use sharebuilder - when I researched it their costs were relatively low compared to other but paying transaction fees isstandard. As you say - when you invest in a company's 401(k) those fees are often hidden.
FWIW - we like sharebuilder and it is easy to switch between plans.
The question is how do you intend to fund - monthly? quarterly? Pick a plan that works based on that. The value of many smaller transactions is dolalr cost averaging - but that assumes fees are relatively low. You may also want to consider one investment each month and alternate - i.e. all money in month 1 goes to A, in month 2 it goes to B, in month 3 back to A, etc.
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redwagon
Senior Member
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Post by redwagon on Dec 1, 2011 14:26:08 GMT -5
spruby - thanks for the input. I like your last option... will look stuff over and come up with a plan for 2012
blue can really drive me up the wall. I love when he calls me, starts talking, gets distracted (usually because he calls me from the car) and then goes "Babe I can't talk right now" in an annoyed voice like I'm the one calling HIM. ARGH.
and his car inspection is a November one, and he hasn't done it yet. He has the rest of the day off, and out of his long list of "to do"s he chooses raking and painting around the new window over the car inspection. Umm... smart. He can pay any tickets out of his own pocket if he gets caught driving with it. Or do they give you leeway? He's just irritating me today lol. Sorry for the venting.
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moneysquirrel
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 13:12:39 GMT -5
Posts: 1,909
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Post by moneysquirrel on Dec 1, 2011 22:41:56 GMT -5
Count me in again. With Christmas and all I am just going for my usual goal of 15 NSD and as many CSD as I can get.
Today was a NSD as I came straight home and took a nap before I hit the papers. Only 3 weeks until Christmas break. Sinus problems are improving and I am feeling better. Not 100% but better than earlier this week.
Need to get to bed early tonight so I can get better. Good night all!
Welcome to all our new friends!
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sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
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Post by sheilaincali on Dec 2, 2011 9:30:04 GMT -5
Count me in for 20 NSD. Not sure if I will make that but I have the bulk of my shopping down. If you all will permit me to not count the days I pay on my layaway (since I budgeted a weekly payment amount) then it will help me get closer to my goal.
Supposed to stinking snow here this weekend. Not amused. I hate winter with a passion. I am cold from the minute I get out of bed in the morning until I crawl back in to bed at night.
Oh well- enough whining out of me today. Really hoping to buckle down this month and get some solid budget plans in place for the new year.
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dakota4600
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 10:22:48 GMT -5
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Post by dakota4600 on Dec 2, 2011 9:51:27 GMT -5
I'm here this month. I'm not even going to try and set a goal.
Shelia- I agree with you on the cold. Tomorrow is our Christmas party and they are predicting sleet. YUCK! We already have a low turnout for the event, now it will be even lower. Luckily we love pulled pork so if we have tons left we'll just eat that next week.
Money- Hope your sinuses feel better.
Red- Did the car inspection get done? You are much calmer than I am. I would have told him to get it done no matter what as we don't have the money to pay a stupid tax.
Red & Sapphire- Happy Birthday!!!!!
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redwagon
Senior Member
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Post by redwagon on Dec 2, 2011 9:57:23 GMT -5
Dakota - no, he hasn't done it yet. And the stupid tax would come out of his fun money, which he knows. So it's on him. He'll probably go today at lunch. He better. And the house does look good, which is nice considering our houseguests this weekend. And thank you!! I've decided my bday starts today and ends Monday. It's better than when I was a kid and would somehow stretch out parties all month long haha.
Sheila - I don't hate the cold yet, as long as I have somewhere warm to hide. Talk to me in a month or so, though! Get some cuddle duds for under your clothes! so toasty!
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sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
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Post by sheilaincali on Dec 2, 2011 10:22:58 GMT -5
Cold- it doesn't help that my office is part of a new addition. The heating ducts are all across the hall and none are in my office so it gets pretty cold in here. I have a space heater by my feet and the door 10 feet away is metal and a block of ice when I get here in the mornings. I do have a fireplace in the conference room across the hall so I go and sit next to that for a few minutes several times a day.
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shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
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Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 2, 2011 10:32:31 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, redwagon!
I forgot to mention in my goals post that I have new rules for CS vs NS this month. I'm test driving the 2012 budget, so any spending, as long as it is within the budgeted amount is a CS. The second we go over budget, it will be a spend.
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redwagon
Senior Member
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Post by redwagon on Dec 2, 2011 10:36:37 GMT -5
Real Birthday is Monday, but thank you!! :-)
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MittenKitten
Well-Known Member
Home of the Circus
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:12:58 GMT -5
Posts: 1,070
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Post by MittenKitten on Dec 2, 2011 10:41:38 GMT -5
I am in with 20 cs/ns Muttley: If you are still around Happy Belated Birthday! I was just going over the list and realized I missed yours! Shame on me! This month for Birthdays we have: redwagon December 5th SES December 17th
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startsmart
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:45:52 GMT -5
Posts: 4,438
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Post by startsmart on Dec 2, 2011 12:39:54 GMT -5
I'm in for December, will hopefully make time this afternoon to go through my receipts and tally up Oct and Nov... where does the time go?!
Had a great client call this morning and then connected with a colleague in New York. Found a way to connect two colleagues for a joint venture and that feels great!
Today should be a planned spend, I have a chiro appointment and maybe dinner with the parents. Oh and only six weeks after I lost my debit card I found it! After replacing it of course, but more importantly, I found the cash I'd taken out at the ATM at the same time! Woooo, I feel rich!
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redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
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Post by redwagon on Dec 2, 2011 16:29:56 GMT -5
Have a good weekend, all. I'm off to various shenanigans! Such as a real happy hour!
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financialpeace
Familiar Member
Joined: May 17, 2011 16:10:54 GMT -5
Posts: 554
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Post by financialpeace on Dec 2, 2011 18:45:54 GMT -5
goal: 15 nsd
Hey guys. I'm back and in for December. November was a very crazy and expensive month due to moving to a new state. I only managed two no spend days. I'm hoping for a good month to help make up for it.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Dec 2, 2011 21:37:43 GMT -5
I will be posting the final November numbers for everyone. Things here are a little nutty as a I got some unexpected financial help and physical help with what is going on here. Things should settle down here soon as all of mom's paperwork is done and we can now move her in.
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spruby
Established Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 23:35:01 GMT -5
Posts: 255
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Post by spruby on Dec 2, 2011 21:48:43 GMT -5
December goals: 31 CSD/NSD and 30 restaurant points
So far: 2/31 CSD/NSD and 5/30 restaurant points used
Life is about to get incredibly crazy. I'll be work the new airline bankruptcy for my organization - I'll try to keep up reading but not much posting.
Secret santa question: are we supposed to send it anonymously or reveal who we are?
Happy B-day to red & sapphire (hope I got that right!)
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Dec 3, 2011 11:15:37 GMT -5
sheila- I do not count things that are already budgeted as long as I stay within that budget.
I will have the final stuff posted tonight. I have company right now and can't work without someone under foot.
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muttleynfelix
Junior Associate
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Post by muttleynfelix on Dec 3, 2011 15:06:33 GMT -5
mk - LOL. THank you. I think most of you were awesome enough to tell me happy b-day on facebook.
Thank you guys for all the well wishes on November's thread. It has been hard staying away from you guys while I'm at work since I've spent large chunks of the last half of the week by myself in the office, but oh well. I got a lot of work done the last 2 days and hopefully am on the way to redeeming myself with my boss. We have the company Christmas party tonight and I do not want to go. My MIL is babysitting for us (2nd time this year). But between the boss issues, we also switched to new computers this week at work and a new server. I really want to shoot the guy who switched out our computers. He really did it in such a haphazard way that it has been quite the pain for me personally. My "new" computer has been in the office since August and he's had some issues getting it going because we have to keep my old computer functional for some programs that we no longer have the license numbers for. Anyway, he switched everything to the new computer Thursday morning and then the new server got switched to Friday morning (why we could not do it on Monday, I will never know). Anyway, I wanted to shoot him on Friday and have no desire to be around him tonight, but I'll suck it up. Add to it, that I am so freakin hormonal that I cry at everything today... DH and I tried thinking up excuses that would be easy to explain away on Monday, but lying isn't the answer either. Have a good weekend all and happy no spending.
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spruby
Established Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 23:35:01 GMT -5
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Post by spruby on Dec 3, 2011 15:12:30 GMT -5
muttley - yuck - computer problems at work and small office x-mas parties - no fun at all. I wish I had some good advice but really just good wishes. hugs.
secret santa - I'm a bit of a doofus - reenee - I'm you secret santa and 1/2 your gift is on its way to you. I'm having it shipped directly and I thought for sure it would allow me to designate "gift" and "message" somewhere - but it did not. So you'll get a package from canvas people in the next 2 weeks - you should "open it" whenever you want to unwrap your gift. Please shred any mailing inserts. The other 1/2 your gift will get sent next week and will be wrapped properly. Hope you like it.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Dec 3, 2011 21:22:34 GMT -5
Message deleted by mizbear.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Dec 3, 2011 21:24:00 GMT -5
Name | NSD | NS Goal | CSD | CS Goal | reeneejune | | 18 | | | shanendoah | 11 | 12 | 15 | 14 | pointy | 5 | 21 | | | hootieman | | 22 | | | honeylioness | 23 | 25 | | | spruby | | | 25 | 30 | moneysquirrel | 16 | 15 | 6 | 10 | midwesternjd | 7 | 10 | 12 | 10 | mrslynch | | | 24 | 25 | 3cats | 21 | 25 | 8 | | sheilaincali | 23 | 20 | | | dakota4600 | 2 | 15 | | | fuzzylumpkins | | 20 | | 7 | startsmart | 4 | ? | | | financialpeace | 1 | 15 | | | mittenkitten | | | 26 | 20 | ses | 27 | 30 | | | singlemomky | | | | 12 |
Let me know who I do not have final numbers for.
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midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
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Post by midjd on Dec 3, 2011 21:53:13 GMT -5
Sorry Miz, I was MIA Final - 7 NSD, 12 CSD
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ses
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:18:37 GMT -5
Posts: 654
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Post by ses on Dec 4, 2011 0:03:31 GMT -5
I got the news yesterday that my work hours will be cut in half in two weeks. Just thankful that I don't need the money for living expenses, it was a nice way to beef up my savings, though. I just deposited my paycheck straight to savings and ignored it. I really feel for the examiners who really needed the income for living expenses.
On the other hand, it will be nice to not have to get out in the snow and cold over the next few months.
Hope you all are having a good time during this "silly season"!
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Dec 4, 2011 16:06:47 GMT -5
UPDATE: 3/28 NSDses- mid- Fixed! I took my CPR/First Aid class this morning. YAY! Done. Needed to get certified again for years. Even though the course is good for 2 years, I will probably take the ARC course and/or the NSC course when I have a few extra bucks. Having had multiple certifications over the years, the AHA Heartsaver course is ok, but I have always preferred the American Red Cross course. But I guess I feel that way because my first CPR course was a dual cert and we always did ARC over AHA because ARC was the certifying body at the time over people like private citizines and lifeguards and stuff. Some places still won't accept AHA HS cert. Trying to get apartment ready for furniture delivery tomorrow. Excited- things are going well- other than the jerk down the street stealing trash.
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reeneejune
Established Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 19:49:40 GMT -5
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Post by reeneejune on Dec 4, 2011 17:30:47 GMT -5
I've been sick. Sleeping when I'm not at work, and sometimes wishing I could sleep at work! I'll get my butt in gear tonight and get December organized. Mizbear - I'll set up December spreadsheet, don't worry about it. Not too many posts yet and I was lazy and didn't get you the instructions on time. Spruby - Oooohhh, surprises in my mailbox?! I love those! ;D Would you consider me totally weird if I opened the package then wrapped the present just so I have something to put under my tree?
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