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Met with our mentor today to discuss investing. No I’m not at the point where I can invest, but I’m at the point where I want to learn about investing. The man we met with is a multimillionaire, he started when he was young. One thing he honed in on was, save most of your income, don’t buy unnecessary things and read.
It’s myself and two friends, he has agreed to teach us and he’s not charging.

I chuckled when he told us to get the books from the library because...
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I finally sat down and balanced the checking account of my Medical Fund. I quit doing it back in October and then it started to become this insurmountable thing that I just didn't want to deal with. At least that is the way it seemed. It took me all of an hour to do it. Sometimes I think we build these things up in our heads to the size of mountains, when it is really just a foothill. Everything balanced out and I didn't have to hunt down any transpositions or subtraction...
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Another month has passed, just about.

July was fairly calm all around. I was off for most of the first week because I was supposed to be in St. Louis for a conference that didn't happen.

We celebrated our 28th anniversary on the 12th with dinner at a local Italian place we like. They had 2-person tables set up along the sidewalk out front which was nice. Well spaced and the sidewalk is covered. Plus it faces east so by dinner time, it has been in the shade for a while so...
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I was just thinking that I have a net worth category that I never update. Mint tracks this for me so it’s pretty easy to keep an eye on. Today my net worth is $930,056.

I tried another new lean & green recipe: Cheesy Chicken Zucchini casserole. I made a few little adjustments, like using more chicken & zucchini, adding ricotta because I only had 6 oz Greek yogurt instead of 8 oz. I salted the zucchini as the recipe instructions indicated, but it still made a good bit of water....
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Yesterday's game was a win, and cool and breezy to boot! It was the last game in the regular season. Tournaments start next week. That means that baseball could end soon, if our team loses.

I thought it was cool enough last night to leave the air off, but I didn't sleep well. Now it's getting sticky again. I'll turn the air on, but I wish I didn't have to. The units are so noisy. I love the peaceful quiet when they are off.

I used some leftover cheese and mushrooms...
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I decided to do a grocery spending challenge for myself for the month of August. This is a problem area for me, so I want to try and keep myself accountable by posting how I’m doing here. Plus, I think challenges can be fun!

In July I spent $198.21. I am a single person so that is just for me! I’m also not on any kind of special diets and I don’t buy all organic. I do intend to continue to eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and veggies and try and stay away from too much...
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*sigh*

I completely gave up last last weekend (no idea where to begin). Finally decided, Meh, will just dive into the minutiae on Monday.

Then... last week was just completely overwhelming. & so it continues. (Accidents, tragic deaths, medical scares, etc.)

We had the first COVID-19 positive at my job. Not really relevant because it wasn't in my 5-employee office. But... My boss was completely MIA (being super cautious) and it was just a super weird week.

{Employee...
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Please take this virus serious, I lost one of my good friends today
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This summer has been hard trying to figure out ways to enjoy it that still keep us safe. Trauma has been triggered in my household so it's been challenging. We have purchased bikes, inflatable kayaks, a new bedframe (switching out the one at the cabin for better sleep), WNBA league pass to watch the games, more storage shelves, bedroom chairs and a used elliptical). Most of these will be very good for the rest of the summer but the elliptical was purchased for us to continue to...
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What is the best amount to have in savings? $1,000? 3 months worth of expenses? More? Less? I've heard so many different things.

Does anyone do cash? Thoughts on keeping savings at home? Or half and half?

How do you stay motivated? I'm so far from having this all paid off, so that doesn't seem to motivate me.
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I’m so excited, I finally paid off the interest on my student loan (smallest balance). I paid my last amount in interest that was $455 and $45 on the principal.

This month I have paid over $2000 in interest, now I can start paying down the balance. I honestly did not think that I’d see this day, even though years ago I paid off a student loan, nothing compared to what I owe now. It’s such an amazing feeling and I’m so thankful to God for getting me this far even during a pandemic.
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I had to move the car for street sweeping at 9, so I decided to run errands. I went to Panera and used my gift card to buy bread and bagels. I got a great deal on the bagels -- they were selling a baker's dozen for $6.99. I also bought a breakfast sandwich and coffee. I was planning to sit outside to eat, but the tables were not shaded and the view was the parking lot. The restaurant was almost empty, so I ate inside for the first time since March.

Then I went to Sam's,...
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Just wondering what the cut off date for taxes being in is? I called them at beginning of month and they said that the texas office had only been to work for 2 weeks so if it was there they had to work through them..we sent them mid april...we have checked online and they still say that they haven't received them...don't know wether to give them another call, or resend them..it says not to do both on the irs page..but then do we get in trouble if they haven't reached the office..its...
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My last payment of $300 finally hit my student loan account, I’m down to my last $455 in interest before I am able to tackle the principal balance.

I’m both excited and thankful. I’ll have about two months of no interest to pay down the smallest loan, my goal is to pay at least $4,000 by the end of September. The balance is $7085.16.

I honestly thought I’d have these loans forever, but it looks like I’ll be done with them in three years, then it’s the house.
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I apologize in advance for this rant. I'm tired and hot and frustrated.

I enjoy either crocheting, loom knitting, or doing embroidery. Many of the items I make take time and materials. Materials that are not cheap. I try to make individual gifts for people that I think might like them. I also work on hats and scarves and dish cloths for my church's knitting group that we donate to area nonprofits.

My husband took up vegetable gardening late in life. He has always loved gardening,...
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I have found myself in somewhat of a depression. Although I got the news that I do not have a brain tumor, there are some other issues that will have to be checked by a neurologist. I have some stress and anxiety from this. I am having a hard time with the loss of my dog. Even though I knew this day would come, I am incredibly sad. I am just not coping with everything well. So I spent money. Money that I don't have. I'm ashamed. I can convince myself that we need more...
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Yesterday's game was very hot indeed. I found a spot in the shade; then moved about halfway through because the shade had moved. There was a brisk breeze that helped a lot. Still, it was very, very hot. I was exhausted just from sitting in the heat.

After the game was over and our team tromped the other, I treated myself to a lunch from McDonalds' drive-through. A chicken sandwich and a large Sprite were $7. I ate in the car as I was driving home. I really enjoyed it....
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...it's another. Or so I was ruefully thinking yesterday afternoon when at some point I realized my central AC had stopped working.

I changed the batteries in the thermostat. Flipped the switch on the breaker panel. Nothing.

Reluctantly, I called my HVAC guy and this morning when he called me back, he mentioned that the last time he was here, it was a matter of a small $2 fuse at a shut-off switch near the bottom of my basement stairs. I guess it's an emergency feature...
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Had a rough couple days feeling like crap...walk outside today and find that our koala is back...I love that we can walk into our backyard and find wildlife like that...it brightened up my day...
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OMG went and looked at a house yesterday...it said it needed some work done to it, was near the beach where we want to move back to, it was reasonably priced..so we went and had a look...so many people there ro see it..it still had a lot of stuff that need to be removed from the house...it was a mess needed some big upgrades..had water damage inside and out...the yard was so overgrown you couldn't even get to it...the house was so gross, rust everywhere etc...but the smell was...
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