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Totally my fault because of scraping of my car this June 2018. It ended up costing $7000 to repair so I submitted a claim to my insurance company. It was an at fault accident even without anyone else involved. But my renewal rate was $1800 for 6 months. YIKES. So I shopped around and switched from progressive to Safeco. We managed to renew for $2225 for 12 months, seems to me like a great deal. Our home policy was $1000 for 12 months and $247 for Umbrella insurance for the...
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I didn't spend anything at GS2's birthday last night -- the meal was covered. All I spent out of pocket was the $10 that went into the birthday card.

The birthday card was one I found in my stash of unused cards. It featured Ziggy, a cartoon character we don't see any more. My grandson's step-grandmother commented that it must have been something I didn't sell on eBay. Ouch! Not sure whether it was meant in fun or not, but I'm pretty sensitive about my financial situation...
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Does anyone want to play the home heating contest this year? You know, where you try to avoid turning on the heat for as long as possible?


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I like to make frequent contributions to my goals, even if they are small. If a week goes by without some progress I get twitchy. Today I found a dime to put to my Trans Siberian fund; I now have $87.

Also I was walking back home when I passed a house with a box of food at the gate marked FREE. I took a can each of green peas, pineapple and pasta sauce.
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Well we have had a bad winter with a chesty cough and sickness which we have had for 7 weeks..not good for my hubby who has copd...had to spend money on medication and a vapouriser but we had no choice...hopefully it will start working...haven't really been buying a lot of groceries but we have had some chilli and chicken noodle soup in the freezer which has helped us a lot when we need to eat but don't feel like cooking much...

Finally got our dishwasher fixed, it didn't cost...
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I have not written in a LONG time. Have been super busy!

I will now report on our recent money-wasting behavior (I am very ashamed, but in the interest of accountability, here goes):

- We spent sooo much money on groceries this month. I have no idea why; I thought my meals were frugal. I think F is eating a lot now that she's playing in 2-3 soccer games a week and practicing every day except Wednesday and Sunday. I have $65 left for our next grocery shopping (Sunday)....
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We jumped though all the hoops, got DH's degree verified, and waited, waited, waited, but he began the new contract today. He said it went very well, and he's very happy to be back at the company where he worked for 15 years. The atmosphere is so much more his style, very casual and conversational. He saw loads of people he knew--and they started off te day with balloons at his desk, a Starbucks card, and a cookie. I figure it will take us a little over a month to regain our...
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After 3 weeks of being off routine in eating and chores, etc., I'm back on plan today. Yesterday I went to a plant based seminar - no new information, but it did help renew my desire to work towards that lifestyle.

I'm wondering if I'm going to have to do the same thing I did with soda - i.e. say not even a tiny sip, in order to kick the junkfood completely. (I'm at 2 years in 1 week soda free.)

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I also attended a program where my Sabbath School class has been collecting...
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I just packed up two more items I sold on eBay, and I just did another mystery shop. Altogether about $25 in income. I am working hard on these side hustles!

I had my quiet day yesterday. No spending, no driving, just a calm day of relaxation.

Tonight I go to my grandson's family birthday party at Buffalo Wild Wings. That should be my last hoo-rah before pay day. I'll try to order cheaply. But I think I've earned enough this month to make up for the deficits and to give...
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Egress Window for Rental #1 is finally done and we are finishing up some painting and cleaning to get our new renter in there by October 1st. I hate savings being this low, hopefully we can get it moving back up soon!

Current Balance $15,745.00
+$6.00 Mike's Hard Lemonade Rebate
+$19.00 FB Sales
+$30.00 Phone Savings
-$250.00 Return Deposit to Rental #1 (DM)
-$3600.00 Egress Window for Rental #1
Balance $11,950.00

Local Savings $260.00
GC Savings $1185.00
Capital...
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Well, the last two weeks were a complete whirlwind.

I think I’ve got everything reset (paperwork/house/emails) to where it’s not crazy overwhelming. But could definitely use some more time to organize and to do a better reset. I really only put a few hours into that. Bare minimum. But I tend to be organized and on top of things. So though it felt very overwhelming to get behind, it wasn’t as bad as I envisioned.

Best I can tell, the only thing that slipped through...
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Only a few sales picked up this week, but they were decent amounts. Total Sales for the week were $44.00 and I have a lot set up for pickup. We also had a small rummage sale at my Moms so will have that to add to sales too soon.

Sale #962 (LQ) $24.00
Totes Snowboots - We paid $5.33 each
Sold for $20.00
Profit = $14.67

For my Mom - 10 notebooks for $4.00

Sale #963 (RD) $15.00
NDSU Slippers - We paid $6.63 each
Sold for $15.00
Profit = $8.37

Sale #964 (NC) $5.00
For...
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When MH was at the Indian grocery store the other day, the clerk gave him this recipe. MM(15) wanted to make it for lunch. I only had a bite, but *wow*, I don't know if we have ever made such an authentic Indian recipe before. (Beware: It's spicey!)

Egg Bhurgi Recipe

3 Eggs
2 Tbs Oil
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 Large Onion, finely chopped
1 Serrano Pepper, chopped
1/4 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Garlic
1 tsp Garam Masala
3/4 tsp Cayenne Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Turmeric
1/4 cup...
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Winter is having a last little kick so I stayed home and binge watched Dave Ramsey on Youtube. I recommend the debt free screams for anyone who's trying to pay off loans. They made me all tingly and I've been debt free for 15 years. I'm not so impressed by the ones who pay off a huge amount on a big income, but every so often you get a single mom on a low income who's paid off her house.

One thing bugs me, when Dave tells people they should fix their mortgage interest rate,...
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Well, I bit off more than I can chew. I have been working until after 10 PM each night and get back up at 5:30. I even work while eating dinner, and one night I completely forgot about it.

The school is a good school, and the students are good overall. There are no major issues with the kids. However, the expectation seems to be I will come in about an hour before school starts and stay an hour after, for a grand total of $150 per day. I am also the only one without a planning...
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Now it is getting lighter early in the morning I have started going to meditation again. After they provide us with breakfast. I just had a couple slices of toast with peanut butter.

Left in my cash envelopes:
food $6
misc $106
medical $275
change dish $1.20
mta vouchers $40
bus pass $20.03
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I sold the box to my Apple Computer on eBay today. All my listings have sold or I have ended them. No more active listings at this time, and probably not until after the move. Although as I write this I can think of two things I should try to sell before we move. Hmm...

The exciting news is I sold two outdoor table sets today. One was a three piece set...super faded and in need of a makeover which I sold for $30. I would have given it away!! The other was a seven piece set,...
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Today's very big accomplishment was getting the first coat done on my family room floor. Looks great; I picked out a nice dark brown which I would describe as a cocoa color, and let me tell you, using the whole paint roller-on-a-pole routine really makes the job go fast and saved my back.



It will have plenty of time to dry before the next coat; if the weather cooperates, that will take place in a week, but I see rain is forecast, so it may have to wait.

I still have to...
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Yesterday morning I got a mammogram, and I already have the results. No sign of malignancies, but due to density it is recommended that I also start getting sonography. I'll have to check my insurance. Another reason to make a change. I did a little reading on my plan yesterday, and it looks like I would have to pay $295 per day just to be an in-patient in a hospital. That's not even counting rehab. That's terrible! I thought Medicare always covered hospitalization, but maybe...
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stayed at home and did the laundry so a no spend day
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