All Entries

I cashed out my Ibotta account for $35 and got a statement credit on one of my credit cards for $20. That particular credit card is one that I don't use. My mom and brothers were all authorized users on it, and I've slowly taken everyone's away except for my mom's. The last stand help (what I've started calling this final time) should wrap up this month, and we'll be getting her card back too. There's a 3k balance on that card, and it's one of 3 cards remaining that are accruing...
[ Read More ]

One of my favorite foods is avocado on toast. I have been eating a lot of it lately but I shall have to stop. I'm putting on weight again.

If I put nzd100.00 a month into my EF, it will take me 4 years to get to $10,000. I want it fully funded earlier than that, so I transferred $200 from my House account. The new stove can wait till next year. I like to see quick results and get frustrated if it takes a long time to reach my goal, as happens when I am saving for several...
[ Read More ]

Frugal stuff....

1. Spent the weekend playing around on Excel to make sure we have enough to pay for school. I also called the school's financial office to find out what we save if we pay the full tuition by June v. paying monthly. It's $75, and it would be super hard to pay by June, plus we keep the money that we're saving for education in an account that makes interest. So - monthly it is! But good to do the research.

2. We bought our plane tickets to visit my brother...
[ Read More ]

Grocery - we started off this month a bit higher than usual, $92.50. We got some extra stuff like 2 dishwashing power and 3 litres olive oil, and also some toothpaste and toothbrushes.

House Alarm – Our house alarm’s rechargeable battery needed replacement, and that cost us $55.



[ Read More ]

My meal plan is heavily based upon what is in the freezers, at least as far as meat goes, for the next two weeks. I am hoping that I will only need to buy eggs, milk, bread, produce, tortillas, cheese, sausage, and ham, and that I will be able to keep the expenses down doing that. If there is a tremendous sale on something, like .99/lb, then I might buy meat, but I am going to try to avoid it. I just don't like passing up .99/lb pork roast.

I might do it for four weeks. ...
[ Read More ]

We got hit by bitter weather yesterday. Several inches of snow fell and the temperature was 19 degrees. The wind made it worse. The roads might as well have been glass in the places where the sun doesn't really hit them. We had a problem on one hill where I had to stop for someone who ran a stop sign and then couldn't get my car to go forward. I had to back down the hill a bit and move over to get some traction. I did make it up. I couldn't really blame the guy who ran his...
[ Read More ]

It's girl scout cookie time. Funny how fast it goes by time. My kiddos want the prize at 400 boxes each, an inflatable chair. I said they have to work hard. Sell cookies presales and do a lot of booths. Right now we are at 275 each but it's way not enough. I'm curious if we can make it.

As to the trouble in my troop? One kid I said can't come without supervision. Her mom decided to pull her. The second one is on a tight leash. If she gets a call for misbehaving she's...
[ Read More ]

I made $43.00 just on items that I purged from my cupboards during my bathroom cleanout! Total sales for the week were $145.00!

Sale #1129 (DI) $8.00
Foot Spa Set - From my cupboards
Sold for $5.00
Profit = $5.00

McCormick Strawberry Extract - I bought this on Amazon, but I only needed one and it comes in a 6 pack. I paid $2.65.
Sold for $3.00
Profit = $.35

Sale #1130 (JF) $23.00
Travel Toiletries - From my cupboards
Sold for $15.00
Profit = $15.00

Batman...
[ Read More ]

My Mom picked up some clearance Valentines Day clothes for us to sell, and despite the extreme cold here, they are selling quite well!



Valentines Clothes (Bought 23)
Regular Price $4.88 each
Clearance to $1.00 each
Final Price + Tax = $1.07 each
(Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 7 for $3.00 each on FB on 2/3/19
*ETA - Sold 2 for $3.00 each on FB on 2/10/19
*ETA - Sold 3 for $3.00 each on FB on 2/9/20
*ETA - Sold 2 for $3.00 each on FB on 2/23/20

[ Read More ]

Had a quiet no-spending day yesterday. Today I am heading out to the gym, after which I will go to Sam's to get kitty litter. I need to do a load of laundry, and I am committed to doing a mystery shop in the afternoon.

I made an awesome meatloaf yesterday -- I think it is the best I've ever made! Here is the recipe link: https://www.thewholesomedish.com/the-best-classic-meatloaf/

I checked out my football pool and I see that I owe .67. Hmmmm.
[ Read More ]

I haven't done a 'once a month cooking' session in a long time. I want to do a month-long plan next month, but I did a 2-week plan this past weekend. I spent about $320 of our $400 monthly grocery budget, so it's definitely not the most cost efficient, but considering how much less I'll eat out with food in the freezer, it's worth it. When we had previously done these plans, it's worked out really well.

I did the 2-week plan that I'm somewhat familiar with. DH's best friend...
[ Read More ]

was able to make a car payment today to our account, also add to our savings (although this will go down when we buy the plane ticket) and put some into our ice account as well as our regular bills.

Will update our side bar as most of these bills get done once a month have a couple of pays this month but will add to the ice account until its back to where I want it to be.
[ Read More ]

One good thing about the hot weather - it's great for line drying the laundry. I am washing all the contents of the linen cupboard, and if it continues I'll do the curtains.
[ Read More ]

Total for the month was $2,289.32.

Groceries = total for the month was $254.63
Entertainment = $145.99, just under my pre-determined monthly allowable spending. I decided to turn-off Netflix for Feb, and might also do the same in March. I don’t have much time to watch Netflix at the moment. I’m sure I’ll put it back on again soon.
These two items are under my monthly budget. And I was supposed to put get a reward by putting some money into the Challenge but since...
[ Read More ]

Geez! Apparently we had some pent up need to spend! A lot of outflow since Friday, but no regrets.

On Friday we purchased a battery for our truck. Our last visit to the dealer indicated it was going to be replaced very soon. This is something my husband knows how to do. In the we had help from the NAPA shop owner who offered to help swap it out. No extra charge and it saved us a trip back to drop off the old battery. The battery cost $99.81 and has a $10 rebate, which I submitted...
[ Read More ]

Thank goodness for last month's market recovery--for as long as it lasts. As of 1/31, my retirement funds recovered by about 13k, and, compared to year-end, my debts were down by 7k due to the application of bonus and some of my inherited RMD to debt reduction, for a net increase in net worth of about 20k.

As far as 2019 goals: I did ok at work with 12 meeting preps and getting started again on the CFP coursework, which I last tackled in August. Currently 22% done with...
[ Read More ]

Our Sunday morning routine is to do our weekly shopping. Husband and I look at the Publix and Winn Dixie sales fliers, look through the refrigerator and pantry and make a shopping list. It never seems like a long list...and it never seems like an expensive list. We hit four stores (in order - Target, Aldi's, Publix and Winn Dixie) and get 99% of our shopping done. Sometimes, only some times, do we swing by Trader Joes on the way home. We are a fan of some TJ staples...all...
[ Read More ]

There was a fair amount of spending today, mostly on necessities. DD spent the morning at ACT prep, but headed to Target with me for khakis for her new job. They also wanted brown shoes, so DSW had a comfy pair. And then groceries. All in all I think we spent over $200 on the combination. Little bits of savings with red card and coupons, but not much.

I'm headed to brunch with my university friends. I'm eager to see them and catch up. I haven't been AT work since last...
[ Read More ]

Yesterday's spending was $29 for aquarium filters, which I ordered from Amazon. I am going through them more quickly now. My pleco is getting so big, and he poops a lot!

Variables are 37%.

Tomorrow I need to get some kitty litter, probably at Sam's.

No plans for today unless the kids invite me over for the game. They may just be getting together with friends, which is fine -- I am not a football fan.

It's going to get up in the 40's today, and that is so welcome!...
[ Read More ]

I spent 5 hours on my federal tax return yesterday, and I would have been done had it not been for the fact that the ACA/my state healthcare exchange has not mailed me their 1095-A form yet. I should receive it this week.

I completed everything else including a multitude of schedules and forms. I itemized my deductions, which came to "just" $11,200, so I wound up taking the standard $12,000 deduction instead. It looks like I'll be getting about $200 back on the federal, which...
[ Read More ]