All Entries

I made a slight error in our 2020 taxes and forgot a few things.  So I'm getting a refund of ~$7k.  That is unusual for us.  Usually we try to owe the government money. I would have preferred the money in our pocked but it is what it is.  Also this year 2021 I know we will get a huge refund more like $10k plus.  I don't know how to fix it either.  DH worked two jobs and with the startup they are just automatically take out the SS so we'll have over...
[ Read More ]

Yesterday the refinisher called and gave me an estimate for the cost of repairing and refinishing my dining room table.  He recommended stripping the whole table, not just the top, and it needs a lot of regluing where boards are separating.  That said, he said it was a wonderful table, and when it is restored it will be amazing.  So, the cost.  He is estimating just over $2K and asked for $1K to begin, the balance upon finishing.  I put the $1K on my Discover...
[ Read More ]

I heard last year that there was some retroactive tax credit for installing car chargers in your home.  We amended our tax return about a year ago and just got the refund check.  With interest, was about $250.
{These retroactive tax changes are driving me crazy!!  Much to my favor, but makes it hard to plan.  Should just be grateful I no longer work in tax and that it's just my own tax returns to worry about and constantly amend.}
We also returned from our...
[ Read More ]

I mailed my taxes over the weekend. 
Our taxes were already completed and filed, but we owed taxes to the federal government so decided to wait until they were actually due to mail the payment. We received a refund from the state that exceeded the amount of what we owed to the federal, so overall, we came out on top.
The Husband has been exceedingly busy at work! On his last paycheck, he had over $400 of overtime. He will have close to three times that on his next paycheck....
[ Read More ]

I'm pretty sure I'm in good company here with other spreadsheet users.  I would be up you-know-where without a paddle if I didn't use them. The most important one shows my actual and projected Cash Flows.  This makes it also my Budget that goes up to 2025. Each column covers two weeks. At the end of each biweekly period I zero out the balance and carry it forward to the next biweekly period.  This process allows me to know how much to put into each Savings,...
[ Read More ]

My cousin in Florida who has been dealing with cancer passed away today. My wife and I had gone down to see him about 3 weeks ago. A few days after we got home, she went back and has been there since helping to take care of him. The past 2-3 days he had 24 hr care from hospice along with the home care aide we had hired. I'm sure it was still exhausting for my wife. She'll be flying home tomorrow evening so that will be good.
His funeral will be here in NJ so probably Wednesday...
[ Read More ]

In 2009, I decided I would retire at age 55, i.e. at the end of 2019.  Are y'all ready for this?
In 2018, I fell sick and stopped working.  I had just started an amazing job with an OMG salary.  Fortunately, for my finances, I was there long enough to collect short-term disability.  Then I received some government support.
Late in 2019 (1 1/2 years later), I started to feel better and decided to start job hunting.  At the end of 2019, I was offered a...
[ Read More ]

I arrived back home yesterday -- tired -- exhausted, really.  But I'm bouncing back today.  My Oregon trip was wonderful and amazing.  Seeing my grandchildren was the high note of the year.  I got so many hugs and kisses it was almost overwhelming!
I spent $463 on vacation costs, which includes the extra fare I had to pay for changing the date.  The rest was baggage fees, eating out, and fun activities.  My son shouldered most of the entertainment...
[ Read More ]

Finally submitted my tax return.  I had a recovery rebate credit based on my 2020 income being less than my 2019 income.  I've heard that having this credit might slow refunds down; hopefully my refund will come in a reasonable amount of time.  The amount of my refund will cover both my new washing machine and my new air conditioner.  Hopefully I will receive the refund before the credit card bill is due.
The new washer and A/C arrived Friday.  The new...
[ Read More ]

 
Happy Sunday everyone!
As promised I wanted to check in and let you all know how things are going. 
 
First, my job is very stressful, our CEO needs to retire, but she refuses. She’s done a great job with getting the business where it is but we can’t move forward under her leadership. I’ve submitted about 85 applications in the last 30 days and nothing. For those saying people don’t want to work, I say think again. It took a friend over...
[ Read More ]

So far in Australia we only have the pfizer and astrazeneca AZ as we call it)...unfortunately the az causes blood clots so many people won't use it and it's the only one that is available to over 50's, the pfizer one is available to under 50's so me and my hubby have decided not to get it...as we don't trust the AZ one...now they have said that they have ordered the moderna one from the US and it should be here sometime this year...so maybe we will get that one...I know there has...
[ Read More ]

This week went pretty well...stayed on track with the budget/groceries/gas etc...although a friend of mine who lives in florida has had major surgery and I hate the we can't be there so I did spend around $200 (aust) on flowers/cookies etc as gifts to her while she is in hospital..I am hoping she gets them okay...so that will come out of my mad money...other than no spending.
Today is the family meeting day, it's where we discuss anything that people have issues with or need help...
[ Read More ]

All 3 of my pay days fell on Friday this pay period. I received enough to cover my bills for the month plus a surplus to save yesterday. When I get paid again in 2 weeks that will be all surplus to savings.
I made my initial savings goal last month ahead of my December timeline, so I'm working on the next $5k benchmark. This will get me to 5 months' expenses. I may achieve that goal next month at current savings rate. I don't see a reason to save beyond $20k with a very stable,...
[ Read More ]

Until today I think I went about two weeks between posting.  I had my colonoscopy/endoscopy on the 3rd and it really threw me for a loop.  They gave me ketamine.  The anesthesiologist says it was the highest dose he had ever given anyone in his career.  I was in a lot of pain and kept waking up.  I don't remember being in pain, but I do remember waking up once and going ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, then nothing.
I think a lot of the pain had to do with...
[ Read More ]

$285.83 Tithe
_500.00 Utilities
_400.00 Grocery Envelope
_300.00 Medical Fund
_100.00 Household Envelope
_118.17 Internet
_280.00 Monthly Chiropractic Family Plan
__65.90 Garbage
_150.00 Car Insurance
_300.00 Gas Money
_100.00 Spending Money for Adults
135.00 Allowances for Kids
_116.93 Citi
-----------------------
2851.83 Total Money Out
[ Read More ]

$15,880.55 Starting Balance
+__,244.67 Amount Added
---------------------------
$16,125.22 New Balance
That means I have $6,107.64 left to save to hit 6 months of expenses, which is my next goal.  That will put the EF at $22,232.86.  I'd like to make that by year's end, but I think it is going to be closer to February unless DH gets quite a bit of overtime or a really good Christmas bonus.
Ultimately, though, I have a goal of 6 month's take home pay, not just 6 month's...
[ Read More ]

I am paid on the 15th and last day of the month, but if one of those days falls on a weekend or holiday, I am paid the business day prior.  Since tomorrow, the 15th, is a Saturday, today was payday.  
Fairly uneventful.  Paid whatever bills are scheduled as part of this check.  Transferred some money around as part of my bank bonus adventures.  I have to make a run to one of the bonus banks to withdraw then deposit into my primary bank this afternoon. ...
[ Read More ]

A couple of days ago, the installation of my ductless heat pump was completed. It's a two-headed Daikin system, and I am delighted with the results. It will be useful both summer and winter, but especially in the winter. It's also more energy efficient and will probably lower my electricity costs. I will also get a $300 tax credit on this year's taxes. The total was $5412 - homeownership is not cheap!
Yesterday, I went out to water my frontyard flowers, and saw that someone had...
[ Read More ]

Disclaimer: This has absolutely nothing to do with saving money. It has more to do with my social life, which has gone from zero to 70 in a very short amount of time.
Who would have thought that on the cusp of true "seniorhood," Wild Blue Yonder would be dating. Yes, I have dipped my toe in the online dating waters after a very long hiatus. I gave up on dating a long time ago, and then when my mother became sick, I dropped everything to take care of her as best I could. After...
[ Read More ]

So I started tracking some stuff in February with our new budget.  I found that in Feburary we spent $1056.29 on groceries and $45.56 eating out.  The kids were at home and DH was at home. Then in March DH transitioned to going into work and the kids went to school 2 days a week each opposite days of course.  They were all eating lunch at work and school for free.  We spent $820.79 on groceries and $112.72 on eating out.  Then in April the kids were off...
[ Read More ]