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I thought today would be a free day, but DIL has to work (because of being on vacation next week) so I have to be a grandma!

Yesterday I took GS2 to the pool. He has a pass, but I have to pay for a guest pass, which is $8. And he bought a $4 ice cream treat.

I also spent $4 on fish feeder blocks to use while I'm on vacation.

Variables are up to 50%.

Our jam-making experiment went well, I think. I haven't tasted the result, but all the jars sealed. I sent one home...
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Although I have only the weekly $20 in my wallet for some reason I was feeling flush today. So I spent $3 on frosted fruit buns and $2 on fries. I will regret it when I step on the scale, but for the moment I have a comfortably full tummy. I also bought for Sunday
hummus $2.69
milk $2.39
bananas $1.21
I have tried bringing various plant milks to morning tea. The younger people accept them but the older ones insist on their cow juice.
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I am one of those people that believes that it's a parents job to teach their children about budgeting, shopping, cooking etc...life skills everyone should know growing up.

I understand people are busier these days (I have issues with this as well) so many eat out and just live week by week...do others think that it is up to the parents/families to do this or should they incorporate a budgeting class or life skills into schools?

I know that my hubby and I went without a lot...
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Paid of my iPhone. When I called, they sort of tried to talk me out of it by telling me I would not be eligible for an upgrade if I paid off my loan. The representative actually said, "Are you sure you want to do this?" OMG!!! Crazy.

Anyway, with this payment gone, our debt snowball is now bigger than our next debt, so some will go on the following debt as well. With that in mind, I'm looking for all the extra money I can find to see if we can pay of two debts in August.

Have...
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DH has started his unemployment application, and I'm happy to see he's been going to the health club. He asked if we should cancel it, but it's cheap and keeps his mood up.

I cashed out some Swagbucks, filed for a flex reimbursement for his hearing tests, and did a quick pantry/freezer inventory. I'm going to try to limit grocery spending to $25-35/week while he's unemployed. We have a full-ish freezer and weekly CSA deliveries, so not much to buy. And I may try to sow...
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My BFF's mom passed away yesterday morning. The funeral is planned for the 16th. I will be able to make it, but I will have to leave Michigan Wednesday morning, sleep at home, and then take off early Thursday to go the funeral. BFF says I can stay overnight at her place, as most family will be staying in hotels. But if I'm still standing, I'll drive home. It will be a long day. I live about 3 hours from both my Michigan and Indiana locations, but, of course, in opposite directions.

I...
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Today I volunteered at the Sallies. I came across 2 woolen sweaters which I could have unravelled to make charity items, but decided with the amount I already have it would take me months to get to doing it. Or if I do it right away something else will have to wait. I bought all that yarn with specific projects in mind and I should get around to doing them.
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I've reached the halfway point. Baby is doing well,according to my recent ultrasound. We haven't bought anything yet. However, we now need to start getting organised.

I've still been decluttering,although not as much as before. I need to step up before I add baby stuff.

I need to get started Christmas shopping soon. Luckily for me I have a 6 year old who is happy to tell me what she wants. She is an advertisers dream. I do point out to her that she can't get everything. I've...
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Well I am happy to see our savings grow so much this week, I know we have some specialists coming out of it but hopefully won't put to big a dent in it. We have 1 more payday before the end of the month so I' hoping it stays around the $2000 mark by end of month.

I have ordered 3 christmas presents so halfway done there so that takes some stress off I am a very organised person but being sick this year I have fallen behind on most things so being able to see myself achieving...
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The grocery ads came in the mail today and they were pretty bad again. Mostly processed foods. Though the one store has sirloin steaks for $4.99/lb and the other has London broil for $3.99/lb. I guess that means I will be buying the bulk of my groceries at Winco this Friday, but I will get some of the beef. I will shop at Winco first in case their regular prices on those two meats are better.

I think I am going to make a two week meal plan this week. Since I am getting...
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Husband has been wanting a new used car for a while and we have saved for years but unfortunately it seems like his car fund is the first thing to get raided every time something comes up. We finally decided that he will make some repairs to his old car and continue to drive it as long as possible and hold off on a new car for now.

Since we are hoping to get a couple more years out of it we went ahead and did some minor repairs we have been putting off. Thankfully husband and...
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We just had a 4-day weekend due to Patron Saint Festivities in El Salvador. As Ale went on mission with her church group, I took the opportunity to do some major decluttering! (hoping that I am able to maintan the order that I have achieved in my room)... On to the next challenge: the living room!
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When MO and I were driving home from softball on Monday night we hit a deer on the highway. MO was driving (thankfully) and two deer ran onto the highway right in front of the Jeep. There was also a vehicle passing us on the left lane at the same time, so hitting the deer was the best option over hitting the other vehicle or going into the ditch and possibly rolling the Jeep. Luckily MO was able to hit the breaks and lessen the blow to us, so it wasn't a super severe impact...
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Current Balance $17,385.00
+$60.00 FB Sales
+$50.00 My Payday to Our Savings
+$75.00 My Payday to Mom Loan Savings
Balance $17,570.00

Local Savings $2935.00
GC Savings $1680.00
Capital 360 Savings (US) $5970.00
Capital 360 Savings (Mom Loan Payback Account)$4285.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit Account #1)$1200.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit Account #2)$1500.00
Total Savings = $17,570.00

52 Week Challenge
2018 Total = $970 (Weeks 1-30, 35-39, 41-45, 52-53)
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Last night I did a mystery shop at 9:30 pm. I didn't get home till 10:15 or so (took the wrong route home) and then I had to complete the survey. So I didn't get to bed till 11, which is late for me. Of course my cat woke me up at the usual time, so I'm feeling pretty sleepy. But I can't nap; I have grandma duty today.

I did another load of laundry yesterday for $1.50.

I bought groceries for $7, using a $5 gift card from Target.

Variables are 39%.

I used my Panera...
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Payday. After 10 weeks drinking nothing but water I couldn't stand it any longer and bought 100 teabags for $4.
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Despite many too-long driving days, DD and I enjoyed our road trip, particularly lots of hiking and friend time on the North Shore of Lake Superior. We were not especially frugal, but managed a tour of the University of Minnesota, an overnight with my brother, my aunt's funeral, three days of lovely hiking, West Side Story at the Guthrie Theater before we arrived just in time for me to teach my evening class last night. My DH met us in the parking lot, ready to take the cooler...
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I'm doing well with meeting small goals.

I'm regularly(weekly) transferring $37.50 to the Vanguard money market. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor will my EF. But slow and steady wins the race.

The vacation fund stands at $1,350 cash from DH's side gigs and a dog sitting stint last month. We are actually on our way to vacation paid for in cash.

I am keeping spending down, and actively seeking the best deals when I do need to spend. Tracking spending, however, has fallen...
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I love payday...mostly because I get to go in and budget it. I finished off the Costco and Marriott CC sinking funds since both come up this month. I also went into the next month and reset the goals for next year. Since I started midway through this year, they were higher than they normally would be.

I've also started putting more things on autopay. As I get more comfortable with YNAB, it's easier to simplify all the bills to pay themselves.

DH's bonus comes in tomorrow....
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Spent $1.50 on laundry yesterday after Iggy threw up on his quilt. I threw in the towels to make it a full load.

Otherwise, it was a no-spend day. I took GS2 to a local frozen yogurt shop because I had a coupon for a free serving. I didn't get any yogurt for myself.

I made sandwich filling from cream cheese, walnuts and olives, and GS2 loved it! That was a surprise -- I thought it would be too savory for him. I also added some Trader Joe's Everything seasoning.

I...
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