All Entries

Hi! I feel really bad that I haven't written anything in a while. I've been saving money and spending money, still sticking with my budget.

I have developed a spreadsheet that works really well. It's based on YNAB, but I ended up divorcing YNAB for two reasons (that you couldn't carry over a negative balance and that it was expensive!). I still have buckets and every dollar has a job.

The thing I am saving for now is: college. It's not that far off (F is in 9th). So...
[ Read More ]

We are expecting our first 100 degree day tomorrow...have made lots of salads, ice, have put out water in the yards for all the animals that may need it...so heres hoping for no fires...Australia is on fire already don't need any near us...I think its going to be a real hot summer
[ Read More ]

Yes, we finished the FAFSA, the American college apps, and got what I can only describe as a staggering Expected family Contribution number. It was almost equivalent to my salary.


I have little other news as it will take me a while to wrap my head around that number. Here's an interesting take from the NYT on EFCs: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/your-money/fafsa-financial-aid-student-loans.html

Life, cold weather, and November continue.

[ Read More ]

One of the desires of many people is to have the utmost comfort and peace of mind when they retire. Undoubtedly, being in retirement is not a surety that you will be happy. Unless the right approaches and moves are in place, this could remain a mirage. We explore five essential yet frugal tips for retirement living. Read with us!

Off-Peak Deals
While traveling is fun, it is imperative to be quite economical in the process. There are various deals that you could easily take...
[ Read More ]

One of the desires of many people is to have the utmost comfort and peace of mind when they retire. Undoubtedly, being in retirement is not a surety that you will be happy. Unless the right approaches and moves are in place, this could remain a mirage. We explore five essential yet frugal tips for retirement living. Read with us!

Off-Peak Deals
While traveling is fun, it is imperative to be quite economical in the process. There are various deals that you could easily take...
[ Read More ]

One of the desires of many people is to have the utmost comfort and peace of mind when they retire. Undoubtedly, being in retirement is not a surety that you will be happy. Unless the right approaches and moves are in place, this could remain a mirage. We explore five essential yet frugal tips for retirement living. Read with us!
Off-Peak Deals
While traveling is fun, it is imperative to be quite economical in the process. There are various deals that you could easily take advantage...
[ Read More ]

One of the desires of many people is to have the utmost comfort and peace of mind when they retire. Undoubtedly, being in retirement is not a surety that you will be happy. Unless the right approaches and moves are in place, this could remain a mirage. We explore five essential yet frugal tips for retirement living. Read with us!
Off-Peak Deals
While traveling is fun, it is imperative to be quite economical in the process. There are various deals that you could easily take advantage...
[ Read More ]

Yesterday I did a load of laundry, as planned, and then put up the tree. I also put the lights on, but not the ornaments yet. I'm going to do this in stages; I will enjoy it more that way! Today I'll do the ornaments and then tomorrow I'll do the house decorations. I have a huge Santa collection that I'm going to weed this year; I'm running out of places to display them.

I'm also planning to take the train & bus to the library and to the dealer's to pick up my Kia owner's...
[ Read More ]

It was a truly lazy Sunday, which was lovely after an extremely long (not bad, just long) week. I worked every day and had early early meetings the last three days, so being able to wake up without an alarm and not have to leave the house was fantastic. So fantastic, in fact, that it kept me from going out and spending any money.

I had plenty of stuff to snack on, and put together a nice soup for dinner in the crock pot. Caught up on the book I'm reading. Watched some Dr. Who...
[ Read More ]

I have so many friends putting up their christmas trees all around the world...what I find sad is that in our state it never really feels like christmas...electricity is so high here that even businesses don't really get into the spirit as they just can't afford it...everyday people even less...its really sad...hardly anyone puts decorations in their yard as people steal or break them (unless they have a huge fence..even that doesnt deter them at times)...I would love to go to...
[ Read More ]

Looking back on the past few days, it seems like it has been a whirlwind of lots of little things.

We made some more hat deliveries. One is to a school that apparently is often forgotten, but has some high poverty kids. The secretaries and principal couldn't thank us enough. We also gave some hats and scarves to a ladies' homeless shelter and the people working there were thrilled. We have one more school to deliver to and that will be the 2018 hat season finished. We met Thursday...
[ Read More ]

I am in such a different place than I was earlier. Namely because I've cracked the tough nut of budgeting and have a hybrid system that works for me (cash envelopes, budgeting weekly paychecks, etc).

I am finally on top of things and my short term savings is taking care of kid expenses. High school soccer season has ended and we've turned the page to a new season of new sports. It's been expensive, but its all been cash:

1) $150 first payment for DS2's club soccer
2)...
[ Read More ]

Yesterday was a no-spend day.

This morning I am going over to DS' house for breakfast, probably in an hour or so.

After breakfast, I'll have laundry to do. I will also put up the Christmas tree, as I didn't get to it yesterday. I know it's early, but I want to enjoy the season, as the day itself will not be traditional. I hate putting up the tree, but I love it once it's done. My whole house is transformed by Christmas decorations.

I did make my freezer list. If anyone...
[ Read More ]

Sitting here enjoying a hot cup of Assam tea. I was going to rake leaves today, but darn, it's cold.

Well, I finally saw the bear! Not in my own yard, but in the center of town where we have a nice paved walking trail that goes through woods and open meadow, and where our municipal center, senior center, community center and sports complex are, among other things, like a new brewery opening soon.

I got on the trail and ran into my neighbor with her beagle, and we walked...
[ Read More ]

Well, being stuck at home does make it less likely that I will spend! I spent $3 on laundry yesterday, and that's it.

Christmas this year is turning into a problem. My local kids are going to Florida in order to visit some cousins they don't get to see often. I won't be part of that, as it's my ex's family and they are too toxic for me! My Oregon son will be in Oregon, and his wife and kids will fly up for the holiday (as they will still be living in Florida to sell the...
[ Read More ]

Did you know you can sign up with the post office to see the mail that is arriving in your mailbox that day? The email we received shows we are receiving our utility rebate today. It's over $60. I'm a little annoyed because it is supposed to be direct deposited!

We earned a $13 reward on our US Bank credit card. I always pick a credit for this account. I just show the transaction in YNAB as a deposit to our Big Goal.

I'm working on earning more Swagbucks so I can redeem...
[ Read More ]

I love having the ability to track my electric bill daily, it helps me to manage my usage.

Yesterday was closing and I was at $69, I figured by time the bill generated today it would be about $72. Well I logged in and the amount due was $71.84. Yay!

On average I think the bill was about $130 a month. When SO other left, it was August and that bill was $158.67, the bill has consistently decreased since he left. I’ve seen about a 45% decrease. Honestly all my bills have...
[ Read More ]

Do you help with other peoples budgets? I have helped a few family members get their money back under control...most do okay..some do okay for a bit then when they start to get ahead they get off track again.

But I do my moms budget for her, I write up her budget, I pay her bills (she is almost 81 and has no idea with computers) she has a 14 yr old that lives with her (has since birth), she was getting into so much dire straits with her money and stressing herself out I told...
[ Read More ]

Payday today for the both of us.

I contributed $150 to my Roth IRA, $2,900 to fully fund it. I think I might send an additional $100 next week.

Paid two credit card balances.

Saved all of husband's overtime check.

Put cash on three envelopes: $50 for husband's retirement party (to be held in January), $14 for the Thanksgiving Food Drive(charity) and $15 for eat out fund.

I also paid a few small bills: electric bill, phone and cable.

________

On another note,...
[ Read More ]

Last night my son helped me to inventory 3 of our freezers, the mini chest freezer, the spare fridge freezer, and the tall upright we split with my mother. We do have a massive chest freezer in the garage and our main fridge freezer we still need to go through, but the big one is mostly meat and butter and I have a rough idea what is in there, since I have it divided up in compartments, two of chicken, 1 of beef, 1 of pork,1 of lamb, 1 of vegetables, 1 butter, and 1 of fruit....
[ Read More ]