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Did you know stamp prices are increasing? As of this Sunday, the price of a first class stamp will cost $0.55, which is a 10% increase. Some other package pricing has also increased. Sometime last week I went over to the local credit union and picked up stamps from their ATM. I purchased two sets of 18 stamps for $18.00. I don't send a lot of mail, and likely won't use all 36 before the year is out, but I would expect yearly increases to be common in the foreseeable future.

I...
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Wednesday afternoon I called my dad to try to talk him out of going to NJ for his dentist appointment the next day. I already said I'd drive him (safer, with his vision problems) but they forecast heavy rain all day, and its 3 hours of driving.

As expected, he poo-pooed my concern, so I dropped it. Better I drive than he drive, and that's what he would do if I didn't want to go. He's so stubborn!

Later that night, dad went outside, slipped and fell on the ice.

He had...
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I caved a bit this week on the eating out, but tried to keep it reasonable.

Day 22: Cinnamon Roll ($2.43); Pest Proof - 2nd termite payment ($870.53); CC Payment ($144.48); Boxed ($54.16 for groceries); Gas ($24.95)

Day 23: $5.18 (Burger King); CC Payment ($140.52); Mom Loan Payment ($207.33); Dog License Renewal ($10); Walmart ($54.83 for groceries)

Day 24: Student Loan Payment ($169.70); CC Payment (124.15)

Today's anticipated spending is 1 scrambled egg at the cafe...
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That's the wind chill factor here. But it will get worse. Forecasters say it will get to 14 below in air temperature in the next few days.

I went out yesterday before the big chill began, but even so, my gas door was frozen shut, and I had to go to an auto parts store to get de-icer before I could gas up. The gas, when I got it, was $20. The de-icer was $6.

Then I went to Aldi and I stocked up. I spent $77, but that should pretty much hold me for the month except for...
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I’ve been on a roll kicking butt this month. Dining out less(not at all), no spend days, saving and paying down CC9. I think by the end of the month, I will have paid close to a $1,000 on CC9. Right now I’ve paid close to $800, yay! My goal is to have this credit card paid off by the end of the first quarter.

I figured, between now and March, I know I can do $1,000 and anything extra, I’ll add. Fingers crossed.

Lol, can’t believe I get excited about paying off debt.
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I have started saving for Christmas. I put nzd5.00 into my Christmas Club for groceries, and my spare change into a money tin for gifts. I also found 10 cents so that went into the money tin too.
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So yesterday was my birthday so decided that we would have pizza...thankgod as it was 113 here yesterday the hottest day in recorded history and just hot to do anything but sit in front of the air con...but it was nice...and cheap.

it was also payday yesterday so was able to add to my ice account (will update at end of month) so getting that heading back in the right direction I usually have $2000 but want to try and get it closer to $5000 but that will take time but that what...
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I get paid tomorrow. This is my progress of my 2019 Financial Plan.

1) Transferring $80.00 to car savings, bringing the car savings balance to $6251.73. Woo-Hoo!

2) Payment to cc 1 $20.00. I will be paying an additional $93.81 on February 1.

3) Coupon savings and cash paid to grocery bill $11.00. I transferred this amount to car savings and it is included in #1 above.

4) I am also using the money I normally use to pay for mowing in the summer ($50.00 every 2 weeks)...
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I did not make it to Aldi yesterday. Maybe today. I still have food; I'm just getting really bored with the selection.

I took the boys to music lessons after school yesterday. We made a stop at McDonalds which cost $6.

Today is a gym day, and I need to get gas. Maybe I will pick up a few groceries, since I will be close to Food4Less.

Weather is turning very cold, as well as another heavy snow predicted for the weekend. So disheartening. Makes me wish I could stay...
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Catching up on my emails and the news. I have been e-free for the last few weeks - not even an English newspaper. It was a relaxing experience without having media 24/7.

Best suggestion to end the U.S. govt shutdown - since President Trump is a billionaire, he can advance the money to build the border wall, and Mexico will pay him back.
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Mom went through all the utility bills for the past two years and realized how much she has actually been overcharging us for utilities. She has given us a reduction on the loan of $2500 to make up for it. She has also reduced the amount we need to give her each month from $500 to $400. But $2.5K! That is 10 percent of the remaining loan balance. And we will be making a payment on payday, so January is getting us way ahead of the game on knocking out that loan. I needed this...
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I am starting to feel a little difference on the prednisone, quite a bit more energy, which I am taking advantage of, but I made the mistake of eating takeout last night and woke up with a very sore throat. I think someone has changed their recipes and added MSG or soy. Another restaurant to tick off the list of safe restaurants. And yes, I know I was trying to get through the whole month with no eating out. I made it three weeks.

Today I started back on my diet. I bought...
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Cats sure hide pain well. We started noticing our 14 year old cat Liberty pawing oddly at her mouth off and on. It wasn't regular, but it wasn't going away. So we took her to the vet on Monday, who thought she had a cracked tooth. We scheduled it to be removed the following morning.

Yesterday the vet called while Liberty was under anesthesia and said the tooth wasn't cracked and all teeth looked great, but her lower jaw was fractured right between the two canine teeth! We have...
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L woke up as soon as I signed in. It's like she knew I was planning on updating here.

Anyway, there actually isn't that much to update. We're still surviving here,although it's a teeny bit better now that we're five weeks in. I think I got at least five hours sleep last night -not five hours straight though.

An acquaintance offered me her daughter's baby clothes. It's so nice of her, especially since we don't see each other. She also told me to message her if I ever need...
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This is the first deposit that reflects my "raise" -- which was swallowed up by the raise in my assessment fees, but, oh well, it's something.

I paid the credit cards and my mortgage. I have $131 extra to add to variables from mystery shopping and cash back rewards.

Here is last month's recap:

Housing: $733
Insurance: $643
Medical/Health: $237
Utilities: $182
Phone: $52
Vet/Pet Supplies: $47
Clothing: $46
Eating Out: $33
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: $32
Groceries:...
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I know it's only the first month of the year but it's nice to see all of our accounts have money in them. It's a great to see that our goals are starting off...I know our savings will drop when we bought the tickets for our friend to come over to visit us...but everything else is looking good.

The weather here has been horrendous so have had the aircons and fans on a lot...its 113 here tomorrow...such a hot day its my b-day so just having pizza with a few family members but...
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I'm back. India was wonderful, beautiful, maddening and challenging as always. Full of contrasts, ancient temples by modern highways, incredible riches next door to appalling squalor. I'm torn btween weeping over so much suffering, and rejoicing at the resilience of the human spirit. The children in the villages were very happy to see us and they loved the hats.

I had nzd400 left over which I put in my EF; halfway to my goal. For groceries I bought
bread 2.38
red peppers...
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We got the first check from husband's disability and I paid $849 on the two credit cards! I can't pay anymore until the balance transfer goes through. Hopefully soon.

I may be getting a new car. A relative passed away and my family is offering their car to me. I am test driving it around to see if I like it. It's a much nicer car, that is newer, with fewer miles. But it's a lot bigger and gets bad gas mileage. So I have to decide if the space/luxury is worth paying more for...
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I haven't updated this in a bit. The 2 credit card payments are the card that I use regularly and pay off. The Etsy purchase was a coming home outfit for baby. Since I don't know the gender, I tasked DH with picking something out. Since he was headed somewhere shortly, he went ahead and purchased quickly. I will keep said outfit in the package and bring it to the hospital. There's been some spending today, but not too bad.

Day 15 Update: Student Loan Payments ($386.61, 100.65,...
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I found a dime yesterday, which brought my coin-pick-up total above $100. It's now $100.04. I've been keeping track since 2011. I wonder if it will take another 8 years to get to $200?

I've been dealing with health issues the last couple days. One night I was bothered by pain from what I think is a gallstone moving around. This happens every once in a while. I've gone to the ER twice about it, but the pain always stops before I can get tested. They tell me to come when...
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