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For the week of 8/1 -8/7 I spent $102.97. I’m posting a day early as I know I won’t be shopping tomorrow. This was a big stock up shop as I was out of almost everything. My goal for August was to spend $20 less for groceries then I did in July. My July total was $198.21, so I have $75.24 left for the month of August. This doesn’t seem like a lot, but I think it's doable. I don’t anticipate needing anything at all next week. This is just for groceries, no pet supplies, cleaning...
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It was another thrilling game last night. Our team did their signature come-from-behind moves for a victory in the last inning. There is another game tonight as they move forward in the tournament.

However, I feel so lousy today I'm not sure I'll be able to go. I couldn't sleep last night, and when I did, I had nightmares. I'm going to try to nap today, and not do any more than I have to. This insomnia/fatigue is a recurring problem for me, and I don't think this pandemic...
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Despite the continuing market volatility, July was a good month for the net worth. It’s up by $39k.

Since I set up my numbers in Excel last month, now I get to see the total picture that reminds me of my overall progress even during months that don’t look so healthy. I like projecting the lines forward on the graph to see when I might expect to hit milestones.


2011-2020
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This week I received two checks, one for my escrow from the previous lender and a refund from my attorney. I had asked her to hold on to the retainer a little longer in case my brother started up. Well the check came and it was almost $2k. I was surprised.

With both of these deposits and my payday savings I’m about $15 away from having 6 months of expenses saved. I guess things work out for a reason. Ii will up the side bar later

I’m pretty certain my escrow account...
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We hit the next mark for our house deposit...although its not a lot we are getting there hoping to up it at least $1000 each month and we have done that plus already this month and we still have a payday to go this moth...so happy and thanks for all the inspiration you guys have given me!!
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I'm spending every morning this week and next in sessions for improving online learning. I've taught online occasionally for more than a decade, but there's a lot of new technology and all sorts of tips and tricks to learn.

I had to laugh at myself today as I was somewhat astounded how many students access so much of their course material through their phones rather than laptops. "Who could use their phone as a primary learning device?" I asked my DH at lunch. He just stared...
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There really is not that much going on this week financially. I am pretty much in a holding pattern waiting for payday, which is Friday, to come. Then the bills get paid, the funds get funded, the groceries get bought, and I settle down to wait for the next payday. Lather, rinse, repeat. I guess that is life for all of us these days. I really just want to go do something and there is nothing we can go do because none of the fun stuff is open. I miss our former world so much...
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Hurricane Isaias came through our area yesterday morning. Heavy rain and high winds. Other than a little water in the basement, we thought we had made out okay. And then around 12:30pm, after the rain had stopped and the sky was actually clearing, the power went out. It's now 7:40pm the next day, so 31 hours later, and the power is still out.

We were able to spend last night at home. Fortunately, it wasn't terribly hot so even without AC, it only got up to about 75 in the house.

Still...
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$7864.62 Beginning Balance
+___2.62 C1-360
+___1.28 CU#1
+___0.03 CU#2
-------------
$7868.55 New Balance
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The retirement accounts have really done well since my last check on the 14th. It is up $1,454.91 in that time, with only $440 of that being our contributions. We are $45 shy of the IRA having recovered completely from pre-Covid19. It is back over $10K. I remember how excited I was the first time it hit that amount. It is really good to see it up there again. And the 401K has jumped nicely even without contributions from the employer. I will be so glad when they go back...
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So far the grocery challenge is going pretty well. I did spend $1 for a box of frozen broccoli cheese bites at the dollar store today to get up to the card minimum. They were a good deal and will get eaten eventually.

Based on how things are going so far, will definitely need to pick up more vegetables this month. The challenge is making me more aware of food waste. Today I found three potatoes had rotted on the bottom half.
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My spending at PetSmart yesterday came to $54. In addition to cat food, I bought fish food, aquarium filters, and Nature's Miracle. Variables are at 7%.

I had four books ready for me at the library! I was only expecting one, so that was a nice surprise.

As for taking my coins to the bank, I learned that they did not have a counting machine, but they gave me wrappers. I came home and wrapped up $9 worth, which I will deposit next time I go. It was mostly pennies. I was...
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First off the great news...hubby is CANCER FREE we got the results from his doc today...he still has the specialist appt next week but all our tests go through his doctor so we are stoked...on the bad side I ended up in hospital this arvo for a few hours (6) as the left side of my body went numb had a cat scan and one with dye and things started to settle down..so they sent me home and will get me an appt with the tia clinic at the hosp..so we will see what they say.

took our...
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I’ve shared before that I track the principal payments for our house debt each month. Well this month something exciting happened – the debt dropped down to 5 digits. I’ve still got a long way to go, but it’s motivating to see that progress milestone.


5 figures!

It’s also about 2 years into my 5-year plan so hopefully I can stay on course. To do that will require a progressively increasing principal payment.


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Yes, I know it’s August! I’ve had a couple of busy weeks and didn’t get around to this.

My 2020 goal #2 is to adopt a permanent health-enhancing habit each month. My new health habit for July was to disconnect one day a week. For me it’ll usually be a Saturday since I work and I’m often getting prepared for the week ahead on Sundays (unfortunately).

On my disconnected day, I will avoid screens. Computer screens, TV screens, ipad mini, and phone.

NEW HEALTH...
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This month's mortgage payments have gone through:

US: $778 to principal
UK1: $191
UK2: $40
UK3: $42

All told that's $1051 to principal this month.

Here are our current household debt totals (although we know they'll shortly be going up since I rolled some of the closing costs into the refi):

US Mortgage $368,029
Loan from friends (duplex) $9,000
UK Mortgage 1 $27,738
UK Mortgage 2 $5,848
UK Mortgage 3 $6,158
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TOTAL DEBT $416,773
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In a few minutes I'll be heading out to run some errands. My first stop will be to pick up books at the library, then I will take coins to the bank, and, hopefully, take away some quarters. Then I'm going to PetSmart to buy cat food.

I tried to give myself beach waves yesterday, following some online directions to twist strands and then twist two together. I secured them with clothespins and let my hair dry naturally. Well, it turned out to be something, but not beach waves....
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On Thursday, I interviewed via Zoom for the job at the local water district. It went pretty well, but of course they have other candidates. They said they will be making a decision "early next week", which is this week. So, we will see what happens. I keep alternating between being excited for a shorter drive and thinking no, making less money would be a mistake.

On Saturday, my mom drove up for the day and brought along a friend of mine who lives in her town. (This is the...
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As you all know I’ve been saving for a bedroom set, I took half of my saving a paid on my student loans, thinking I could save another $700+ by end of the year.

Well I get a call from my sister and her friend is selling a wood bedroom set. Though wood isn’t my first choice, if the price is $500 or less I’ll make it work. I’m going on Wednesday to look at it. Fingers crossed.

Well I looked at the loan docs and I’ll admit, I questioned the amount, it was explained;...
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Thanks for your comments on haircuts! I have decided to let my hair go for a while after all. I'm just not ready for an interaction that close. A haircut isn't an emergency; it's something I can definitely put off.

I stayed in all day yesterday and I will do so today, too. So there won't be any spending.

I signed up this morning to take part in a study of COVID-19 run by my healthcare provider. I will check in on an app every morning, reporting how I am feeling, possible...
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