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Over the last few days we got a ton of rain. Just so happen I had a bucket out side and water was collected. I’ve decided to use this to mop my floors. 
 
I’m thinking about getting a rain barrel to catch water. 
 
Anyone have one? 
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The weather cleared up yesterday, so I went to Home Depot and Aldi.  At Home Depot, I spent $5 on foam pipe insulation -- which I used to stuff the open spaces around around my air conditioners. At Aldi, I spent $38 on groceries, and $24 on two frying pans. I hope I will like them; they are the Crofton brand, so cheapies, for sure. But I have liked other Crofton things I have bought.
I was in the market for new frying pans, because I dropped one of mine, bending it out of...
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May is always a very expensive month for us and this year was no exception.
In a normal year, we have two birthdays, mother's day, an anniversary, and the end of the school year. This year we added an out-of-state wedding that included an out-of-state bridal shower the week before, and a high school graduation.
This month showed me more than anything else how we have been living outside of our means! Even with all the added expenses, we were able to decrease our debt and cash...
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OMG we have had rain everyday for 2 weeks and still have another week to go...it is such weird weather...its cold and it down pours for like an hour then it is sunny for a half hour then down pouring again...been 2 weeks like that...we are over it. Although the garlic has been growing well didn't think it would with all the rain but it is..should have some more in this week to plant...and my daughter has grown some seeds from her bell pepper seeds so she wants to start putting...
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Super happy. Though I have some items to complete to ensure that today was productive, for the most part it was a good day. 
 
I went ahead and booked my Photoshoot for my upcoming trip. I noticed that my BoA is offering 20% cash back for booking so that’s a savings of $44. 
 
This trip I took the bull by the horn and made sure that I planned for those things that I want to do. By preplanning, I will save a ton of money. Last time everything was fly...
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Is it really summer?  I'm bundled up in a sweatshirt, jeans and warm socks. 
We had a low-key weekend, which was fine with me.  My Friday pineapple upside down cake came out fine, and my friend's kids LOVED it.  I was so pleased.  The cauliflower soup was also a hit which makes me feel good. 
I spent some time Saturday scanning medical receipts to submit to my FLEX account and organizing papers.  This impending retirement thing is starting to...
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Just curious, anyone pick up a few shares of Amazon (AMZN) after today's split? 
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I went to the bank to buy quarters -- I could only get one roll, which is what happened last time. I guess I'd better start spending cash, if only to get quarters. Some condo-dwellers like me have told me that their housing associations have taken the change appartatus off their machines, making laundry free, but have raised the assessment fees by $20 a month. I like the convenience of that, but I wouldn't like a $20 charge. I pay less than that for laundry.
Anyway, I got my one...
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I found this new podcast and the first episode that I listened to was about financial bullying. I had no idea that, that was even a term or how to describe what I feel when I say no to others, or how others feels about my journey. 
 
The podcaster discussed how others try to make you feel a shame or guilty if you don’t do things a certain way (insert Dave Ramsey) or say no to activities. 
 
I immediately thought about the many times I said...
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Hit step and water goal.  Weight remained the same.  Missed debt payoff amount by around 6.00.
June goals. Net worth up about 700.00 since April 30th.
Step 225,000.
Average 45 ounces of water a day.
Payoff 585.00 of debt.
Lose 2 pounds.
Lowered debt payoff amount because I am cutting back on the extra amount I pay on one of the debts to put those funds towards the new tires I need.
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So much good news, that I forgot to share this! Last fall when we were having a lot of staffing shortages (still do) we were offered shift incentives for picking up extra shifts. Well leadership stepped in & made it difficult for our managers to get the incentives processed so we never got paid...until now!
I got another update to my employee file last week, but I thought it was a duplicate update of my retention incentive so I forgot about it...until another employee contacted...
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The TSP website went down on May 26th to switch to a new management company & upgrade the site. Normally if this has happened on the 6th, rather than the 26th I wouldn't be bothered. But I like to chart my investments at the end of every month as you well know. Some people have been able to get into the new website, but many others including myself, are still having issues. I am trying to be patient & wait for the busyness to subside. Few are able to get through the helpline.
I...
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Wow time flies. Today marks one year since I left my job. I took a leap of faith, I had no plan, and no job, all I knew was I was sick of being emotionally abuse and risking my health. One year later, I know that this was the best decision I’ve made in a long  time. 
 
Over the year I’ve managed to decrease my blood pressure, later getting off high blood pressure meds, pay off two student loans, bump my savings, drastically, because I was literally...
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We've lost $300k on retirement alone and $100k on our taxable accounts.  We were very aggressively invested in our retirement accounts.  Say La Vie.  We have a long time until we retire.
We went to Las Vegas for the weekend and it was a lot of fun.  We had a great time with the kids.  While people don't think Las Vegas is kid friendly we found it to be.  It was a lot of fun.  We also spent a ton of money but that's what we chose to do. I think...
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My DH has to take something to share at his choir social tonight.  I almost bought something yesterday but decided to scour the cupboads.   We're going retro as I have a pineapple upside cake mix that , while still in date, needs to be used. I honestly don't remember buying it.  Wish me luck getting it out of the pan!
It's day three of my summer class, and so far, it's been quiet. Their first assignment is due tonight so tomorrow will be a grading and prep day. ...
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Well gas in my area hit $4.75, I’m not complaining because in other areas it’s way more, I am simply turning this negative into a positive, so I walked to the grocery store, a mile each way. 
 
By doing this I got my cardio in, saved on gas and saved on groceries because I’m limited to what I can pick up. I also took another route which was a little short but more challenging, this helps with preparing for my upcoming trip. I’ll be doing a lot...
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I walked to Walgreens yesterday, intending to buy popcorn (kernels in the jar). They didn't have them last time I went, and they didn't have them this time either! I am missing my popcorn! While I was there, I bought body wash , creamer, and bread, all of which are getting low. I spent $13.  Variables are at 23%.  In just one day!
I didn't move my car yesterday. Today I may have to. I'm taking GS2 to the dentist. I'm going to propose walking there, but I'm prepared to...
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I've been buying stuff online at least twice a week.  It seems to be things I need: clothes (I'm sick of wearing hoodies at home, so I'm buying inexpensive tops from Walmart and other places on sale), bathroom cleaning stuff (Scrubbing Bubbles, extendable scrubbing brush), things for the home (plastic tablecloth protector) ...
Is this normal or have I succumbed to impulse buying? It is starting to bother me, but I can't seem to stop.  What should I do?
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An exciting milestone was reached during the month of May.  I am now vested in the CalPers pension system.  If I stop working right now, at age 62 I am eligible to draw $298.62 per month for the rest of my life.  (Because of the Windfall Elimination Provision, receiving the pension will cost me $149.31 of SS benefits monthly once SS payments begin.)  If I continue working, the pension amount will increase.  If I am successful in moving up to a higher paid...
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When the calendar changed to June, I decided to start the month by purchasing a few things on my Amazon list. I need to be getting ready for my train trip in July. I bought a collapsible water bottle, a portable charger, a pill organizer, and a neck pillow. While I was there, I also bought sandwich bags for household use -- I like the ones that do not have a zip lock. I can close them with clothespins or twisty ties and get a much tighter seal with less air trapped inside. I don't...
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