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Today is the last day to file a claim as part of the class action against Equifax for the data breach.


"In September of 2017, Equifax announced it experienced a data breach, which impacted the personal information of approximately 147 million people. A federal court is considering a proposed class action settlement submitted on July 22, 2019, that, if approved by the Court, would resolve lawsuits brought by consumers after the data breach. Equifax denies any wrongdoing, and...
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Do you ever sit and figure out how much your meal cost you? I don't do it by person since it is just the two of us, but I often estimate how much we spent on what we consumed as we sit down to eat.

Last night, for example, was fairly reasonable. It was the leftover pork loin roast, leftover green beans, and I had two sweet potatoes I baked, and then cottage cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, and fruit salad. I always try to divide stuff by the meals, not taking the whole initial...
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I made the final payment on my big student loan today. $16000 finally gone. Considering I've had 0 family support for school and actually started in a really big hole since I was also supporting my family, it feels like a weight lifted. Forecasting with the extra money in my own bank account, I should be able to pay off the smallest of the remaining 6 loans by June. Then, there's a handful of $2k loans, so throwing everything at the highest interest rate one would leave about $180...
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I received dividend 1099s yesterday so was able to complete our taxes. I just am waiting for tax software updates now. (I probably won't finalize until I take my tax update class, probably in another week. Make sure I am not missing anything).

Now I am focusing on the kids. DL(14) didn't have any stock sales last year so I should just be able to report his interest/dividends on my tax return. The taxes on that should be $0.

I tried to pull their 12/31 statements to...
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I like to open up the calendar and see a blank day. Freedom! I love it.

Yesterday I went to the senior center and put $65 onto my transportation account. I can use this debit card for things like Uber -- also, buses and trains, etc., but I will use it for Uber, since my senior benefit card covers local buses and trains. There was already $10 on the card -- not sure why -- maybe it was a benefit for opening the account? Anyway, with my $65 addition, the value is now $140....
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The refinance is finally moving forward. We had to pull a new credit report since it had been so long, and with all of the overspending (including the new car), I was a bit worried. I was pleasantly surprised to find out scores were both well in to the 700s. Doesn't seem like a big deal, but when you've consistently been low to mid-600s for a decade, it feels like nice progress.

We did the appraisal yesterday, so just need to finish getting in all of the paperwork, and will...
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We just received our gas bill and it’s $208.53 this month. Ouch!! I see from the usage chart that it’s about the same as last year so I really shouldn’t have been surprised. What’s more scary is looking at February and March – if this year is like last year, we’ll have another sharp increase next month.

In addition to the central air, we have a gas fireplace, which I love. It heats up the family room and makes it cozy and inviting. So I’m not willing to shut...
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Our gas heater for hot water went out yesterday...our landlord said they would call someone and try to get it fixed...not happy...something is always wrong with this house..they jetset around the world but won't maintain this house...was going to stay here a couple years till we had enough deposit for a house...$30,000 is such a lot to save when you also pay a high rent...but we will get there...but may not stay here longer than august (lease renewal) depends what is around and...
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There hasn’t been much going on so I haven’t blogged for while…. but I did decide to bump up my retirement date to May 1st! I had initially targeted June 1st, but since I meet all the eligibility requirements toward the end of April I just didn’t want to stay any longer the absolutely necessary. The burn out is real! I have had some discussions with a few friends across the college in different departments than mine and I am excited about some potential part time opportunities...
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It recently occurred to me that there might be something wrong with our electric meter. The utility bill shows how much our electricity and gas usage is compared to the same month a year ago. The gas usage is sometimes higher, sometimes lower, but I've realized the electricity usage is always higher, sometimes 10 or 12% but sometimes 50 or 60% higher. This was actually happening last year but I attributed it to DD being back living at home and not away at college.

There's no...
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I have not been good at focusing on much of anything lately, including getting a blog post together. So this is all just random.

I paid our youngest daughter's tuition and housing bill. I had saved $500 a month for the last five months to pay the tuition out of pocket. I used her ESA to pay $5700 to pay for room and board. No loans for her yet!

Our oldest daughter's tuition and housing bill is at about $9,294. She is only taking six credits to finish up this May with her...
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I made two ebay purchases today totaling $102.43. Quite a bit is shipping, but with ceramic and glass that's a given. They have to wrap it thickly and individually. I have a discontinued dinnerware pattern that I have been slowly adding to as I find semi-reasonable prices. They are never going to be completely reasonable since you can't get it anywhere but the used market, but these ones were much better prices than I've been seeing. I have been watching for about two to three...
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In my journey to financial independence, I have followed a bunch of blogs on personal finance, minimalism, and the like, and have read a couple of books from financial experts like Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, etc. Admittedly, I have struggled with my finances almost all of my adult life, particularly consumer/credit card debt. I shopped for all reasons imaginable – celebration, when I’m happy, to temporarily ease sadness, because it’s 20% off, and a lot more.

As I grew...
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Since I’ve gotten my first paycheck of the year, I’m checking the accuracy of my deductions. The company where I work had an enrollment period for our 2020 benefits during November. As typical, health insurance premiums increased some. Most other benefits remained the same. But there was one odd change – the company’s contribution to our HSA accounts DECREASED by 500 bucks. No explanation. That’s like a small pay cut. I don’t like when negative changes are implemented...
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My FSIL found a lot of good deals with Walmart and Target after Christmas clearance.

Target
Chapstick Holiday Collection 3pk (Bought 15)
Regular Price $2.99
We paid + Tax = $.31
(Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale)

Frozen II Snowflake Hairbow (Bought 1)
Regular Price $8.99
We paid + Tax = $.95
(Marked $4.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold for $4.00 on FB on 1/12/20
Profit = $3.05

Hersheys Kisses Flavored Lip Balm 2pks (Bought 5)
Regular Price $4.99
We...
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Added in FB Sales and some interest. Heading to vacation at the end of the week in Laughlin so will be taking out for that, but very happy with where we are at right now!

Current Balance $17,230.00
+$175.00 FB Sales
+$50.00 MO Payday (1/17)
+$11.59 Interest to Local Savings
+$8.41 Even Out Amount
Balance $17,475.00

Local Savings $8550.00
GC Savings $540.00
Capital 360 Savings (US) $2855.00
Capital 360 Savings (Mom Loan Payback Account)$3180.00
Capital 360 Savings...
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Several sales picked up this week and a LOT more waiting to be picked up. I also posted all of my Valentines Day items today and they have been selling great!!

Total sales for the week were $280.00!!


Sale #1613 (PW) $20.00
Sharpie Limited Edition 30ct Set (Joint with my Bro) - We paid $10.70
Sold for $20.00
Profit = $9.30

Sale #1614 (AZ) $83.00
Mainstays Carry All Tote (Joint with my FIL) - We paid $3.22
Sold for $6.00
Profit = $2.78

Bath and Body Foaming...
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I finally pulled the trigger on refinancing my government student loans. My application was approved and the scheduled date for everything to go through is in late January. My current servicer, Great Lakes, takes forever to process payments, so I don’t expect the process to be finished until early Feb. I have one final payment to Great Lakes in process right now for $1,944 (usual monthly amount), then in February I will start paying the new company. This will lower my interest...
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Iggy seems to be feeling pretty good, so the cortisone shot was the right call. Fingers crossed!

Today I was supposed to take GS1 to baseball coaching, but DIL forgot that DS is off work today, so he can do it. That frees me up to get some errands done, provided I can move the car away from the curb. (Mounds of ice to get through!)

I made sugar cookie dough yesterday and I will bake some today and freeze the rest. Otherwise, most of the day was spent reading and watching...
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So far this month I’ve paid off $664 on CC10, things are really moving along in the credit card 💳 front.

I’m also participating in a few saving challenges, word of the month, no dining out and, 52 Week Challenge.

Basically the word of the month, you select a word and the corresponding letter of the word in the alphabet you save. For example your word is save. S is the 19th letter, A is the first, so I’d save $19, and $1.

For each day I do not dine out, I add...
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