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I had 4 very ripe bananas yesterday. I spent the day finishing the kitchen declutter/organize and it was 7 o'clock- I decided to go ahead and make some banana bread even though I was tired.

OMG - that was the quickest baking I have ever done. Why? Because EVERYTHING was in its place, and was an easy reach. I didnt have to dig through anything. Within about 10 minutes, the loaf was in the oven and the dishes were all in the dishwasher. And all the ingredients went right back...
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I'm doing a couple of loads of laundry today. Later I'll make some mac & cheese. No other plans.

Rain is predicted for this afternoon, and for tomorrow. I really hope it does not rain tomorrow, because that will cancel the window washers. Until their job is done, I have to keep the windows shut (no screens). Thank goodness it won't be hot, at least.

I'm finally coming toward the end of "Turn" on Netflix. After that's done, I plan on checking out "Enola Holmes," "Away,"...
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Hell froze over and I got a week of peace and calm. There's probably a million things I could/should have done. But... Treated the week as a long overdue staycation and didn't do much of anything productive. I felt like I was figuratively gulping in the fresh air but I guess it was also quite literal. I had to pinch myself that our staycation destinations all had clean air on the days we planned. Was trying to keep it flexible, but locked in reservations one day and it still worked...
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During this next 6 months, I plan to downsize STUFF very intentionally. I started with my kitchen this weekend.

To get motivated, I have been watching you tube videos and researching various degrees and methods. I decided to start with tupperware. That drawer and a cupboard were scary and seemed overwhelming. However, once I got started, it got easier. Containers without lids and lids without containers were the first to go...and there were many of each. Then, I selected...
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Getting out a large Halloween haul that my FIL got for us and will be starting to post it this week. I did sell a few items already in the last year. I had it all logged on paper and ready to go, just never got it logged here or on my sales spreadsheet yet.



Animal Halloween Bags (Bought 9)
Regular Price $1.74 each
We paid $.46 each
(Marked $1.00 each for rummage sale)

Boo Bunny + This Book is Haunted + Hotel Translvania Books (Bought 4)
Regular Price $5.68 each...
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I got this super cute hats back in March and am working to get my fall and winter items posted so I guess I better get these accounted for!



Unicorn Hat Sets (Bought 6)
Regular Price $37.00 each
My Price + Tax = $4.78 each
(Marked $14.00 each for rummage sale)
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Yesterday, which I thought was going to be so calm and tranquil, turned suddenly busy when I got late word that window washers will come on Monday. That means taking down the AC units and taking out the screens and storms. I have nine windows, and most of them have two or three storms, and all have a screen. My son came over and helped me get down the ones that were too stubborn. When it comes time to put them back, I am only putting back two storms per window, one each for...
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I went to the library yesterday and picked up my book on hold, plus three more from the stacks. Thank goodness for the library! I'm so glad it's open again.

GS2's family birthday party will take place when the grands from the other side of the family are available -- they are traveling -- but I had him come over and pick up his gift, anyway. I know he wants to count his money for whatever it is he's saving for. Something video-related.

Looks like this will be a calm and...
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Well it is almost october and we still haven't heard about our taxes..they haven't been done...or they didn't receive them...who knows...we can't find out..before long it will be time to do them again and just wondering if the same thing will happen next year...just wish they would answer a phone or if there was someway we could find out if they had them...just want it done and dusted!!
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It has been a while since my last debt update. Student loan balance is listed below- the next regular payment is $2,388 which is scheduled to automatically deduct on Oct 3. I will also be making an extra payment after getting paid at the end of the month, barring any emergencies, so hoping to see the total drop below $70K.

Current principal: 73,087.15
Current interest balance: 102.74
Current total balance: 73,189.89
Daily interest: 6.42
Interest rate: 3.2 %

I worked some...
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$18 was added to the student loan, I like to call this my snowflake ❄️. I spent money dining out, about $17. I vowed that god every dollar spent, on unnecessary items I had to match.

Every little bit helps.
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A couple of years ago we tried something new for Christmas with the family...and it was such a hit, the grand kids requested it again this year!

Instead of gifts, we took our kids and grand kids on a vacation to a nearby resort. We rented a house large enough for everyone (8 bdrm, 8.5 baths) and spent 5 days together sharing experiences. Ice skating, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, building snowmen, swimming, puzzles, games,Christmas movies, shared meals and just lots of time...
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Today is GS2's 11th birthday. I am giving him $50 in cash in a $4 card. Variables are at 69%; very good for this late in the month.

The shoes I bought at Goodwill are a little larger than I thought. I couldn't try them on in the store, because I wasn't wearing socks. However, with my orthotics and heavy socks, they fit well. I will just have to remember to always wear my heavy socks with them. Actually, I needed something that would accommodate my thick socks, so this...
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Paid $500 towards my student loan yesterday, the balance once cleared will be $3173. I’m so excited about this. Why? One, I’m paying this sucker off, and two) next week is pay day and I’ll be dropping another $400 on the balance that will bring my total below $3000. My goal is to have this loan paid off by December.

Though, this has been a tough year, it’s also been a good year for me. For years I’ve been wanting to work from home, now I have that opportunity. Secondly,...
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i have had the opportunity to change jobs as i usually take temp assignments that end and i can find a spot in a different industry or setting.
I was talking with a friend recently and we spoke of changing jobs she never has spending many years working at the same company sure at different levels but basically the same place.
I did that early on and I was so glad to leave and found far more fascinating work.

I am just curious as to what is the decision to leave for many...
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I spent some time this past week working on personal capital looking at our spending. Okay it's out of control. This pandemic probably helps but it's interesting. We have been spending less on things you would expect like groceries and eating out but more on stuff like home renovations, school/office stuff.

2019 Spending
$22149 Travel
$20713 Groceries ($1727/month)
$10759 Pet (dog surgery)
$9358 Eating out ($780/month)

2020 Spending thus far
$17550 Travel
$12467...
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My examination was free -- covered by my insurance -- and my eyes are well and healthy. I did spend $2.40 for a pair of prescription reading glasses. The drugstore variety are not performing as well and with the insurance coverage, it's cheaper to get prescription lenses.

I still don't need glasses for distance vision. It is a little less clear than it was last time, but only a little.

Dentist on Saturday. I wish that appointment would be this cheap!
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I have to admit, while we have been hitting our financial goals, I have definitely moved away from many of my old frugal ways- some I had forgotten about. I am rereading my older blog posts and getting some GREAT ideas how to stretch our resources even further and it is reigniting my desire to do better.

I am so thankful to have this blog, going back FOURTEEN YEARS, to help remind me what has worked historically. The hits and misses, and most of all- how good it felt when...
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The past two weeks have been a bit topsy-turvy for us. First with the planned power outage, then with the Fork fire starting during the outage, about 26 miles from our home. The mandatory evacuation line was about a mile past our place, but we chose to voluntarily evacuate.

The evacuation order has since been lifted and the fire is fairly well under control. It is expected to be out soon. We are safe and fine.

We had some extra expenses during the evacuation which SB and...
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A few years ago, when I was looking for condos there were several things that I knew I wanted and were really must haves. I wanted this to be my forever home, where I could safely age in place for as long as possible.

A top floor, one level, unit (I didn’t want to hear people above me walking around)

An elevator building

A dedicated parking space

A full sized, side by side, washer and dryer in the unit

Central air and heat (owner controlled)

At least...
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