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I’m so happy, I hit the send button on a $1,000 payment of my student loans. I used the money I was saving for my bedroom set. I don’t know why but something is telling to get this first loan paid by the end of the year and so I’m trying very hard to do so.

I’ll admit I can’t help but think, what if I was able to invest this money? It depresses me, but I know I’m making progress. By the end of the month, I would have thrown over $2k at this debt.

I’m praying...
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Well we are ready for a new week...last week was a doozy!!

My dad passed away and was cremated on thursday...we have been dealing with it just fine...I knew he wasn't well or happy so glad that he can finally be at rest.

We have mom all moved and pretty settled she is still unpacking her boxes but she wanted to do that herself so she knows where everything is...she went and did a big shop so her pantry/fridge and freezer are all stocked..so can check that off the list...she...
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Hi Friends,

This year is certainly one for the record books.

Currently, our valley is on fire, we have completely lost 2 towns and 2 more are in danger still tonight. It is like an apocalypse here. We don't know the human life toll, but 100s of homes, dozens of businesses, and thousands currently displaced. Our air is hazardous and there is no current end in sight. On top of the pandemic, life is just day to day. THANKFULLY, my family is all safe. Our homes are still...
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I keep running out of kitchen towels, so this morning I decided to order some. I ordered six towels on Amazon for $20. I could have paid less per towel, but it was important to me to get good, thick ones. I hate thin towels.

Variables are at 38%.

Yesterday I went INTO the library stacks for the first time since the pandemic, and I checked out five books. While checking out, I told the clerk about my problem putting books on hold. She tested it with my card, and it worked...
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It’s been over a month since my last entry and what a month it’s been. I’m currently down south helping care for my dad as he deals with serious health issues. I arrived in time to prepare and then narrowly miss two hurricanes. One of my brothers lives here but Dad’s condition worsened to a point that my brother didn’t know what to do.

The good news is that Dad is somewhat stable now. I monitor his meds and diet and I’m proud to say that I’ve gotten him to enjoy...
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I was finally well enough to go in to the doctor for my Wellness visit, which I needed to do by October 1, because if DH and I both do that yearly and turn in the results of our labs to his work, we get $20 a month off our insurance premium, which is a savings of $240 a year. They don't report these to the insurance company, however, it's just a company program to make sure you get your check ups. I had the labs done back in early June, but had to cancel the appointment that...
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On Wednesday DD and I arrived in Edinburgh for our 14-day self-isolation before she can start the university here. Because of the limited flight options we had a circuitous route from Milwaukee to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Edinburgh. I was far more apprehensive than usual about flying, but we seem to have gotten through things ok.

We had long layovers in both Atlanta and Amsterdam--about 10 hours total. In our terminal in Atlanta only one food option--Chinese food--which...
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Since January I’ve been saving for a bedroom set, in June or July I took half the money, about $800 and paid my student loans.

Now I have about $950 saved and I want to take this money and pay down my student loans. If I do this my lowest loan will be about $4,100.

I need a bedroom set desperately, things are falling apart but I want this loan gone. I’m torn.
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LuckyRobin reminded me of some stuff I've bought, will buy, and planning on buying. I bought this summer a new knife and three new frying pans. I got the pans from william sonoma at 50% lowest discounted price from william sonoma clearance so I ended up spending $159 for three frying pans and lids. Very good deal when you consider how that's the price of usually 1 pan. This was a purchase I had been waiting for and mentioned to DH since the beginning of the year it was time...
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Today is 9-11 & we remember all the lives lost that day. I pray that our country returns to the unity we had in the days following that tragic event.

This week has been busy. My employee is out on maternity leave & another employee has also been out this week. I had to cover the lab as well as my everyday supervisory duties, plus cover for my lab manager in some duties as she took a short vacation.

Today I stepped on the scale & I saw a number that I haven't seen in well...
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Spending yesterday -- $40 for a birthday gift, $7 for a book. Both ordered on Amazon. Variables are at 36%.

Unfortunately, the gift I ordered for my grandson will not arrive today, on his birthday. Even though I chose one-day delivery, it is not scheduled to arrive until the 16th. Don't know why. The book I ordered for myself will arrive tomorrow.

I did not make it to the library yesterday, because it started to rain as I was heading out, and I decided to wait. I'll...
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I was going to pay $450 on my student loans but decided to pay enough to bring the balance of the loan to $5000. That $5035 would have drove me crazy.

Next week is pay day and I’ll be able to get it below the $5000 mark. It feels so good to finally be making some traction in this loan. God I hope I can pay this off by December. If so that would leave me wit three loans to go.


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This morning I am thinking over what I have to do today. This has always been part of my routine -- usually I write notes to myself so I remember what to do. These days I have less to do, but I still write notes to myself.

Today it's this:

Wash hair
Wash darks
Breakfast: French toast & bacon
Lunch: Tacos
Dinner: Salad plate
Clean fridge (No, I didn't do it yesterday!)
Order GS3's birthday present
Order book
Sew button on jacket
Put books on hold (or go to library)

The...
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I have had a grain mill in my shopping cart save for later section for months and it was finally back in stock today. It has an attachment for fine grains like millet (sorghum) and one for big beans. So I will be able to grind my own chickpea flour, sorghum flour, and rice flour, finally. We will save so much money making our own. I had more than enough money in my allowance envelope so I bit the bullet and bought it.

Also, I bought a Michaelangelo blue granite non-stick...
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I am way behind on my debt updates so rather than posting the breakdowns of each update I am just going to post the totals and will be back on track with the breakdowns for the 9/11/20 update.

6/05/20 $476,469.96
6/19/20 $475,683.47
7/03/20 $474,654.32
7/17/20 $473,866.33
7/31/20 $473,866.33
8/14/20 $472,370.41
8/28/20 $471,896.77

We are rolling right along and will be out of the $470Ks soon!


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It has turned cool and rainy, and I'm enjoying it. I'd much rather have cool weather than hot.

Yesterday I stayed in all day, except for doing a load of laundry. I'll do another today, I think. I'm not sure yet if I have a full load.

I made some taco seasoning mix this morning, and used half of it on ground beef for taco salad. A taco salad will use up lettuce, tomato, green pepper and a tortilla (sauteed and crumbled for topping). Also cheese. I have shredded cheddar...
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Thankyou everyone for your kind wishes on the passing of my dad...I am doing really well with it considering..he didn't want a funeral or memorial so we didn't bother to travel the 7 hours there...we talked to him the day before he died and to me I was ok with that being my goodbye to him...my oldest went to the beach that night and said her goodbyes..so we are all doing ok...we sent flowers to his wife..its weird he is being creamated on the same day we are moving my mom..that...
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I had to stagger my grocery shopping because of my knee, so Friday I went to Fred Meyer and Joe's Garden and today I went to Haggen. Here's what I bought:

Fred Meyer:
2 bags of Simply Cheetos Crunchy
2 big bags of corn tortillas
15 cans of Stagg Laredo chili
2 containers of onion and chives cream cheese
1 jar tahini
2 jars salsa verde
1 4pk Activia yogurt
4 packets gluten free cheese raviolis (Three Bridges)
1 cream of tartar
1 poultry seasoning
1 gluten free rolled...
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I placed an order with Amazon today for 3 pounds of chickpea flour and 10 pounds of garbanzo beans, Washington grown and everything (Palouse brand). I found out you can make tofu from chickpea flour instead of soy, which opens up so many worlds right now. We used to eat tofu, it was honestly one of the only ways I could tolerate any bean but lima and black (which I can eat in small amounts without texture issues), but we had to give that up when soy allergies were discovered....
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The GIANT credit card bill that has the new AC system on it is due in two weeks, so will be cutting savings down by close to half then. Socking away until then!

Current Balance $25,875.00
+$120.00 FB Sales
+$150.00 MO Payday to Our Savings (8/28)
+$50.00 My Payday to Our Savings (9/4)
+$75.00 My Payday to Mom Loan Savings (9/4)
Balance $26,270.00

Local Savings $4815.00
GC Savings $10,110.00
Capital 360 Savings (US) $4510.00
Capital 360 Savings (Mom Loan Payback...
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