MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Mar 20, 2012 11:35:54 GMT -5
red: Congrats! BTW when my pregnancy sticks showed positive they were ALL right! That is a great plan between the covered time off and the health insurance! I had to save all my sick and vacation time to pay for my time off. Make sure you save for daycare expenses, formula and all that fun stuff.
financial: I hope this was you, many give their spouses an allowance and once it's gone too bad, maybe you can sit down and discuss goals and get him more on board. Seems like many have had problems with spouses sabatoging. Hope you also get pregnant quickly. With me it was tough with my second and third pregnancies since my sister couldn't get pregnant again and only had one (we were pregnant at the same time with my 1st).
mizbear: Stick to you guns on DB, and I am glad that you and DM have come to the same conclusion.
rocky: I am always looking for craft things, so I found two craft kits for the kids. Also found a few clearance items that will come in handy so not too sad that it was more then expected. I normally just get what I want and get out I am not a Walmart fan, I actually prefer Target but I know waffles and yogurt are cheaper there.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Mar 20, 2012 11:37:07 GMT -5
QOTW: Do you sabatoge yourself when things are going well financially or otherwise? Do you have a fear of success?
COTW: Do something good for yourself either for your physical health or your financial health!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 20, 2012 11:51:11 GMT -5
QOTW: I notice myself sabotaging diet efforts more than financial efforts, at least in a more direct way. (see: pregnancy. lol jk). But I do seem to make progress and then backtrack on debt payoff too. But I figure I'm always learning and generally make new mistakes, at least.
COTW: hmmm... well, for physical health I have two zumba classes this week (one yesterday one tomorrow). And I just got new pilates DVDs, although I want to check with my doctor before doing them. Also for financial health, I believe I have to quit WW for the time being, so that'll save me $40 a month!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 20, 2012 11:52:02 GMT -5
oh and mitten, yeah I need to research day care pronto. We might do half days and have DH watch baby in the morning and then just work a bit in the evening (he usually does anyways). And do day care afternoons, if we can. I know it's gotta be expensive where we live.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 20, 2012 12:04:06 GMT -5
QOTW: Do you sabatoge yourself when things are going well financially or otherwise? Do you have a fear of success? COTW: Do something good for yourself either for your physical health or your financial health! QOTW: I don't think I'd call it sabotage, but I do sometimes feel like I've made tons of progress, and then spend or eat more freely, and then realize that I'm not as far along as I'd felt and be annoyed. I'm trying to avoid that tendency as my savings grow this time around. Coming from a poorer background, if I have 4 digits in my bank account, I feel like I'm Richie Rich! ;D COTW: Health: Well, I worked out at the gym last night even though I still have the tail end of a broken toe. I did elliptical and treadmill for 1/2 hr, until my little piggy got sore. Wealth: I'm only $19 from being 50% on my EF, so I'm going to try to find that $19 to bring myself to a nice halfway point!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Mar 20, 2012 17:21:11 GMT -5
just a quick post to share that I had 2 new clients sign on in the last week which means over $2,000 extra this month! it will definitely help with expenses going out of town for 2 weeks and my clients are so awesome. One is already halfway done with her planned hours and we are getting so much accomplished in her business (she's on an intensive plan so 8 hours of my time in a week!).
and yes, just a week now until I get to pick up blue eyes at the airport ;D
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Mar 20, 2012 22:33:10 GMT -5
So I just realized my post in response to Red's big news made it sound like I am TTC. That is not the case even though I would really like it to be. I have baby fever so bad, but it's not really like baby fever this time. I just feel ready. But DH has to decide whether or not he's going back to school. If he is, he will start next year and baby making will be off the table until he's done. If he decides not to, we will probably TTC next year or possibly even the end of this year. He wants a baby, too, but going back to school will make it easier for me to be a SAHM which I would really like to do.
As far as DH being a spender, I did start giving him an allowance (and myself as well) when I started participating here. It worked way better than expected for the first couple months but now once his fun money is gone he just keeps spending on his debit card. It's not huge amounts, just ten bucks here and there at the grocery store and stuff. It annoys me, but I try not to let it because we are doing better financially than we ever have before. We are also still adjusting to being in a big city and not having any friends or family around. I will talk to him about it and maybe we can reach a comprise by increasing his allowance a little if he agrees to stick to it.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2012 8:32:53 GMT -5
just a quick post to share that I had 2 new clients sign on in the last week which means over $2,000 extra this month! it will definitely help with expenses going out of town for 2 weeks and my clients are so awesome. Cheers on the good news and increased income!!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2012 9:16:04 GMT -5
BTW, in response to the COTW, I scrounged up the $19 from my weekly allowance that I needed to bring my EF to a nice, even $1000! 50% of goal, baby!
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Mar 21, 2012 10:02:26 GMT -5
2 more NS's. It has been really rainy here all week and mini-D is bouncing off the walls. I'm hoping it is dry enough to let them go out to play at school today, though the way it looks now that won't happen. His old teacher took them outside for at least 10 mins everyday, but this teacher doesn't.
QOTW: I do it when we have money that isn't earmarked it just tends to get spent. I need to be better about transferring funds to ST savings instead of leaving them in our checking account.
COTW: I'll sit down and figure out if I can TSF some money to ST savings after setting up payments for the rest of the month.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 21, 2012 10:04:55 GMT -5
Yesterday was a spend for DH but not me. I made him buy us dinner out to celebrate. Plus we got a free blooming onion at Outback. Woo! So I guess it was a NS day! Yay! I think I have a whopping 3 so far this month.
FP - I hope it happens quickly whenever you start TTC! DH is doing school part time now and will have at least one semester left after baby comes. We'll see how that goes... hopefully he gets a lot done this year!
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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 Mar 21, 2012 10:54:16 GMT -5
QOTW- I can't say I try to sabotage myself, but I do have a "less stress, less mess" lifestyle. It doesn't matter what area, it seems that the less stress I have the less mess I have.
COTW- I plan on doing a at home mani/pedi with ZBear in exchange for all you can eat Chinese this weekend, Tbear is helping me with some filing projects for the same fee (alleviates mental stress), and DM and I are dying each others hair. I am letting my hair grow back out and already had one box of burgundy left. I will do this one last time and then I will start having it frosted or something for my music competitions so they grey just naturally blends in slowly. Oh yeah- and ZBear and I are having a morning yoga and SB session before I go to a vendor show Saturday.
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ses
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Post by ses on Mar 21, 2012 11:51:48 GMT -5
I need no calendar to know it is Spring. Onyx has brought me my first bird. She very carefully laid it on the mat at the door and patiently guarded it until I came outside to claim it. As soon as I came out she was off leaving me to claim my bird. Dead birds are so icky!!! As soon as she was gone I got my longest kitchen tongs and disposed of the bird. Ugh! I also now have to be very careful to keep all tabletops and shelves cleared. Calleigh has spotted a bug a couple of times and gone after them--straight up a wall it seems--leaving a path of debris and disaster in her wake. I really worry when she used the computer tower as a launching pad. So now whenever the girls come inside I have to check them for feathery smiles or smiles with little tails. I don't need any extra livestock, dead or alive, in my house. Especially no more snakes, please, Calleigh!
QOTW--My biggest saboteur of the budget is books. I'm doing better, I mostly buy used books--or at least I try.
COTW--The first few months of the year are the months I have extra funds to transfer to EF or ST savings. It is nice to see those accounts grow, even if only $5.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 21, 2012 11:52:44 GMT -5
I always love your cat stories, ses!! Happy Spring!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2012 11:56:17 GMT -5
ses: I have a weakness for books, too! I've fallen completely in love with my local library. I can search for all kinds of media & titles at home (even in a database of the whole state!) and the materials are sent right to the library near my house for me to pick up. They email me when things are ready and remind me when things need returned. I love it! I haven't bought a new book, movie, or CD in ages.
Also, have you tried PaperBackSwap? I've swapped about 10 books I don't read any more for 10 credits for other books.
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ses
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Post by ses on Mar 21, 2012 14:51:22 GMT -5
Rocky--I checked out PaperBackSwap. Can you only list 10 books at a time? I'm sure I have thousands! I am going to donate a bunch to the Friends of the Library book sale next month. I need to get a Kindle so I don't use so much space, but I am not sure I can give up the feel and smell of a real book.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Mar 21, 2012 15:01:03 GMT -5
SES- Amazon has tons of free books for the Kindle. I just downloaded 10 Jane Austen books for free. Plus I got Moneyball for $0.25, that is the most I've paid for a book and I have 15 so far on my phone. It is a small screen, but it works for car rides or long lines at a store! I think I'd prefer a full sized Kindle, but since got the phone for Christmas I will wait a while.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2012 15:02:34 GMT -5
Rocky--I checked out PaperBackSwap. Can you only list 10 books at a time? I'm sure I have thousands! I am going to donate a bunch to the Friends of the Library book sale next month. I need to get a Kindle so I don't use so much space, but I am not sure I can give up the feel and smell of a real book. I don't think there's a limit to how many you can post for swapping. I recently received a series of books from someone, so I just posted the 10 of them to see what it was like. I'm down to only 2 left. I've been busy and using the library for a couple of years, so I don't have a lot of books left in my shelves. PBS works best for older books, popular series, and if you aren't particularly picky. I'm pretty specific about what I want to read, and it's not often available. You can create a 'wish list' so that the service will email you if something you want becomes available, or even so that it will automatically 'buy' one as a title becomes available. I have a Kindle app on my iPod that I've downloaded a few books to, and I like that (especially for traveling). The app is free, but the downloads aren't particularly cheap. If you're looking to save space, it's great for that. But if you're looking to save money, you won't. There are many classics you can download for free, though, if you're into those. You know you can sell books back to your local used bookstores, too, right? I used to do that all the time, then buy more books with the store credit they kept on my 'account' on a little index card.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2012 15:04:04 GMT -5
SES- Amazon has tons of free books for the Kindle. I just downloaded 10 Jane Austen books for free. Plus I got Moneyball for $0.25, that is the most I've paid for a book and I have 15 so far on my phone. LOL, you're a better shopper than me! But then again, I don't have a lot of time right now, so I'm very specific about what books I want to buy and read. And of course, they're never on sale.
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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 Mar 21, 2012 17:04:51 GMT -5
I am considering investing in an Ipod and some sort of e-reader since I love to read and the library seems to be getting rid of a lot of the older, quirkier books. So, I buy copies of the older stuff. Then maybe I can download the other stuff on an e-reader.
I love music and there is no way to hold it all in this apartment.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2012 18:25:19 GMT -5
I am considering investing in an Ipod and some sort of e-reader since I love to read and the library seems to be getting rid of a lot of the older, quirkier books. You should be able to get one device that satisfies both your music and reading needs. I researched the various options before I settled on the 32gb iPod primarily because of its small size. I wanted something small and light that was very mobile for travelling and schlepping around town. I also didn't want something that required a monthly contract. I looked at the dedicated e-readers, but they were too limited for my needs. I was looking for something equally good with books, internet, video, and music. Now, the Kindle Fire was very tempting for me! I'm waiting to see how the newest generation of cheaper tablet devices and multi-functional e-readers stands up. For now, I still love my iPod, even if the screen is a bit small.
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ses
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Post by ses on Mar 21, 2012 19:52:45 GMT -5
Rocky I have been selling PBs back to my PB exchange for years until I got over $100 in credit and they wouldn't take anymore. It is 100 miles away and since i retired and have to think harder about using very expensive gasoline so often so I don't get there as much as I would like. When my mother lived with me I would buy the historical romances she loved by the bag full. She would go through 5-6 books a week, so now I have way more than I can ever sell back. So i gradually donate a box every time the library has a book sale, in another decade I might have most of her books out of the house--then I get to start on mine. The space issue is a big reason I think about a Kindle. But I also think i want to wait another generation or so so the kinks are worked out and perhaps the prices will come down. I have thought about one e-device for both books and music but I like the idea of having one for each format. What will be will be.
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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 Mar 21, 2012 20:53:43 GMT -5
Rocky- I thought the same thing about an i-pod- but I am concerned about being able to see the screen (my vision is 50 something/ 50 something without my glasses). Can you download music to a tablet? Hmmm- then the screen would be big enough I could read the stories, but I could store the songs I love....
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Mar 21, 2012 21:16:39 GMT -5
Update 13/15 NSDsQOTW: Do you sabatoge yourself when things are going well financially or otherwise? Do you have a fear of success? I don’t think I really sabotage myself when things are going well, but sometimes when things are going well, I have a harder time saying no to my husband’s wants. That slows down the progress. I also have a tendency to change my goals or shift gears in the middle which means I never really reach my goal because I change it before I get a chance to. I definitely don’t have a fear of success. I fear not succeeding and having a life like my parents. I want better for myself and my future children. COTW: Do something good for yourself either for your physical health or your financial health! I opened an IRA and deposited $1000 into it. I didn’t want to do it because I hate saving money in a place I can’t get to it without penalties if I need it. But we have over $15,000 in savings now. Any emergency that depletes all of that and requires me to pull the IRA money will mean much bigger problems than paying a stupid penalty. I also bought girl scout cookies today which although not healthy, give me a mental boost. I love supporting the girl scouts and the tagalongs are so yummy!!! Red- I don't know if you're still planning a grey and yellow nursery, but I thought of you when I saw this diaper bag www.etsy.com/listing/75982538/monterey-bag-ultimate-diaper-bag-set
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Mar 21, 2012 21:36:20 GMT -5
Update: 13 NS Days and 7 CS Days
Just a quick update. Doing pretty well this week. Catching up on the late work that is slowly coming.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Mar 21, 2012 21:49:31 GMT -5
I had spend days earlier in the week, need to get those in the calendar before I forget. Today was a no spend though!
Excited to see one of my articles published in Women 2.0, up next week is the beginning of a series for US News. Whew, lots of writing on the horizon
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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 Mar 21, 2012 21:55:45 GMT -5
Question for our writers out there-
I have my 2 blogs working... nothing too serious- one on life being bipolar, the other one is my food blog-
But I am trying to get back into writing my music and that tends to be an issue for 2 reasons- one because I don't write happy go lucky bubble gum pop. And 2 because I have no clue how to store it- I can not go through losing an entire case box of lyrics and music again. Any ideas? I heard there is a program that hooks into your computer- I have a MIDI capable keyboard...
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Mar 21, 2012 22:50:00 GMT -5
update; 20 NSD, 1/31 NEO, $300 in savings. I did eat out today but it was under $5.00 so I am not counting it. I bought groceries today and now have enough cat food and litter for the next week or so. I also have enough food for myself for the next 2 weeks. The only thing I have to pay out for the rest of the month is gas. I have 2 more checks coming in this month so I should be able to put more into savings before the 31st. qotw: With as much trouble I have about saying no to DS, I am afraid of success. If I succeed then DS will have more reason to ask for things. Can I still be strong and say NO? I don't know and that scares me. cotw: Having lunch once a month with my DSIL is the only thing I will do for me. I think that is doing something good for me.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 22, 2012 8:06:19 GMT -5
Rocky I have been selling PBs back to my PB exchange for years until I got over $100 in credit and they wouldn't take anymore. It is 100 miles away and since i retired and have to think harder about using very expensive gasoline so often so I don't get there as much as I would like. When my mother lived with me I would buy the historical romances she loved by the bag full. She would go through 5-6 books a week, so now I have way more than I can ever sell back. So i gradually donate a box every time the library has a book sale, in another decade I might have most of her books out of the house--then I get to start on mine. Yeah, I don't have a local used book store that I like any more either. :-( Sounds like you're a great candidate for PaperBackSwap! As long as you have a convenient postal location.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 22, 2012 8:08:03 GMT -5
Rocky- I thought the same thing about an i-pod- but I am concerned about being able to see the screen (my vision is 50 something/ 50 something without my glasses). Can you download music to a tablet? Hmmm- then the screen would be big enough I could read the stories, but I could store the songs I love.... You should be able to download plenty of music to both e-readers and tablets, depending on the memory capacity. The thing about the Kindle Fire now is the addition of internet and video capabilities, I believe. I was looking for something all-purpose, but I'd still like to get a larger screen device at some point (when the budget allows!).
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