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I was scheduled to get the second dose of my vaccine this weekend, but the shipments have been delayed due to weather conditions en route. So, my second dose is delayed by 8 days - I'm still in the window within which it's fine to get the second dose.
I found a really affordable handyperson to work on my front lawn. I considered putting in grass, but didn't want to deal with mowing and watering in the summer, so I am paying her to take out the landscape fabric, use cardboard to...
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The good news is, I filed both my federal and state tax returns today.
The bad news is, I won't be getting that $2200 federal refund as I thought, simply because there was a single figure I failed to carry down to another line (regular taxes owed), so I mistakenly initially calculated only my self-employment taxes! Unfortunately, not carrying over that one figure meant I had to redo much of my return as it related to my self-employment, so it took a good part of today to fix....
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I spent $145.14 at costco last night.  Here's what I bought and the prices.  I'm not sure if it's because of where we live but I also did a FM grocery store. No there is not any aldi, winco, grocery outlets where we live.  YMMV. I'm not sure if this is expensive for the area.  
Lactose free milk 9.99
ghee 18.99
guava juice 5.79
jacks salsa 6.49
1/2 Gallon Cream 7.39
ground beef (not organic) 26.65
carrots 6 lbs 4.79
bella mushrooms 4.99
K/S butter...
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My planned weekend spending went ok.  I spent more on clothing than planned but not by a lot.  I made the mistake of going into the clearance section of the website and a holiday sweater (that I hope I can still wear by then) and a dress (same - I haven't worn a dress in over a year lol) called my name and needed to be mine.  Between the 2 of them, they were $22 more than budgeted so it's ok.  I just adjusted how much of the Rakuten payout was allocated. ...
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I'm in the midwest so this is familar to me. I don't like it but it's the price I'm willing to pay. At least I'm prepared for it. And I've even gone on walks the last three days because it's gotten up to 10 degrees F. I feel really bad for folks south of here who are ill prepared. Their homes aren't built for this and they are running into problems with the power systems and etc. The house I grew up on had electric baseboard heat but only for back up, otherwise we had a woodstove....
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Well still no house but we found out why we weren't getting them...which is frustrating basically we are being punished for an agents inaction, we have done all we can with housing authorities over here and not much they can do, but we have written a letter to each house that we apply for explaining the situation and hope that helps...I also got an email in today from the State Premier and hosing minister today...didn't expect it  to go that far but hopefully they will check...
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I'm embarrassed by our spending, but there is nothing to do but admit it.  We spend a lot of money.  I knew this after 2019.  It was bad then and it's still pretty ugly.  Our baseline budget is terrible because we have a large mortgage.  There is no way we can be that family or couple.  I guess I might as well write this today since DH is starting a new job today.  New job = new salary.  Lucky for us we're on savingadvice and can swing not...
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We had such plans to save money and pay off debt. We still do, but some things have conspired against us.
We have an outside fridge/freezer in our garage. And it's going out. As a family, we go through a lot of milk! We average a gallon a day. We generally buy 10 gallons at a time and that doesn't all fit in our inside fridge, hence the fridge in the garage.
We were given that fridge free over 10 years ago so we more than got "our moneys" worth. Now we need to replace it. For...
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Pay days are generally uneventful anymore, but this time I paid my first installment (of two) of my property tax.  It was $512.  The second installment is generally much less, and it reflects my exemptions -- homestead, senior freeze, and senior citizen.  That payment dramatically altered my checking account balance, but there is still $263 extra to put toward table refinishing, if I don't spend it!
The snow has finally stopped falling, but since we got 18 1/2 inches...
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So we still don't have a house but looked at 3 yesterday and 1 today...we are offering more money than they are worth...but need a roof over our heads.....we looked at one today it was big enough but it had so many issues...its not clean, can't use the shed and they have dropped the price to $500pw and it so isn't worth it...we decided no..just don't feel good walking around the house...so will let that one go...the other 3 we are still waiting to hear back on. 
On top of...
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GameStop has been in the news a lot this last month, leaving many excited, but scratching their heads.  What exactly just happened?  What does it mean to short a stock?  Can I get in on this action?  Well, let me tell you about a time when I accidentally shorted MaryKay lip gloss and how it is related as well as a bonus strategy for SAFELY shorting the market.
What is a “Short”?
Stock market contracts can extremely intimidating.  Everything...
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Had 3 more houses to look at today and 1 tomorrow...so far only rejections...it is getting hard...lucky we were able to get a 2 week extension or we would have to be out of here in 4 days...so tonight we are going to have a discussion on what we will do should we not get a house in the next couple weeks...cause we need a plan!!
Is it hard in the US to get a house...so many people coming back to australia and not enough housing..I have spoken to the housing minister of australia...
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I use to have a good stockpile of groceries etc in the freezer and pantry...but we have used a lot of it up so we didn't have to move it...I miss my stockpile...but have decided not to restock other than a few things that we use all the time until we buy in a year or so..then I will start it again....I am finding this hard but know it will happen again...I guess that when you have a chronic illness you ike to have things on hand for when you are not well and can't leave the house...
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I think this is the worst storm yet.  At least as far as inches go.  It's not wet and heavy like previous snowstorms were, thank goodness. 
I moved my car into the city garage this morning, but before I did, the car was buried in snow -- and it was cleaned off yesterday!  It was a treacherous, slidy drive, once I got on the road.  After parking, I  had to catch a train home, but I was lucky there.  The train came quickly, and it was not very...
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It's cold cold cold.  We were whining abut -4 until I checked my friends in central MN at -26.  My cabin fever comes and goes, but February--ugh.
We had a nice cheap Valentine's Day with lots of good food. I made strawbery pancakes and sausage for breakfast, then jambalaya for dinner with a bakewell tart--my first attempt at those.    I'd ordered some cute penguin earrings for DD, and DH bought a pretty blooming plant for me.  It was a nice day.
I...
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It is sleeting and 25 degrees here this morning. I have canceled both of my appts for today. I am not sure if I will go into work this evening. I am hunkered down & not looking to go anywhere. 
I have read of power outages in other areas. Please stay safe & warm! 
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The girls are adjusting to living together again.  I am glad we planned for each to have her own room and space, as its not been easy nor at times fun for them.  They have been through so much, and triggers are easily pulled, feelings easily hurt.  But for the most part, this past week was a success in my book.  We are still getting initial appointments made for our newest sister - dentist, doctor, therapist, etc.  We celebrated Valentines Day this morning,...
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It's darn cold. And then another four letter word is also in our forecast: snow; they issued a winter storm warning for 6-10 inches.  I'm not a winter person, especially when it is this cold and then snow on top of it. Just hoping everyone stays safe. I'm scheduled to give blood tomorrow and I can predict if we get more than a few inches of snow, I will not be going. I know they need blood, but our road crews have not been good about keeping the roads cleared and I don't want...
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My aquarium filter stopped working today.  This is the second time in the short time I've owned this smaller aquarium.  The company does not reimburse for early failure -- I guess they know they have a bum product.  At least they are cheap.  $18.  While I was out, I topped off the gas tank for $16.
I wasn't happy about having to go out today.  The temperature is hovering around zero.  There was some snow on my car, but at least it was easy to...
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Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you stay warm with your loved ones today. We are expecting a freeze here in south Louisiana in the coming day or so. I have been staying warm inside, doing some laundry & cleaning. Tomorrow is President's Day so I have the day off, other than my initial assessment appointment for physical therapy and a consultation appointment with a painter.
I found a color for my bathroom walls at Sherwin Williams yesterday. It is called Maison Blanche. 
I...
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