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I have been doing a no spend challenge where I don't spend any money for 4 days and then have 2 days to spend for things I need. That has been working well for me and has stopped me from spending on things I don't need. I did have to spend yesterday that wasn't expected. I had to go to the Dr for a sinus infection. But due to my no spend challenges, I had to cash to pay for the visit and the prescription. I still have one more day before I can go to the grocery store.

I...
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I bought some B12 today, from my medical envelope as it is essential to vegan health. I can't get B12 in the supermarket so went to the pharmacy. 100 tablets for $22. I don't know why vitamins are so expensive here, but I have heard the cheap ones don't always contain the amount they should.

Also I put another $20 on my bus card. With the frost and drizzle we've been having I've been catching the bus more than usual. Roll on spring so I can walk in the sunshine.

And...
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I am still sick. I went into work for a couple of hours then left to come home.

I did a quick grocery shop since I had nothing for lunches for work this week or breakfast. Also bought 2 bottles of vodka to make vanilla for Christmas gifts this year. I ordered grade b vanilla beans (better to make vanilla than grade a) and am waiting for them to arrive. A quick slice down the middle drop into the vodka and let sit for 5 months a viola yummy vanilla for baking. I already have...
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Found some fun items for resell on clearance at CVS! They have been selling quickly!





Formula 10.0.6 BE Face Mask (Bought 3)
Regular Price $6.99 each
-$5.25 Clearance Price each
Final Price + Tax = $1.86 each
(Marked $4.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 1 for $4.00 on FB on 7/30/18
*ETA - Sold 1 for $4.00 on FB on 8/5/18
*ETA - Sold 1 for $4.00 on FB on 12/2/18
Profit = $6.42

Nugg Face Mask (Bought 12)
Regular Price $3.99 each
-$3.00 Clearance Price...
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Just a little drop in the bucket!

Current Balance $17,310.00
+$15.00 FB Sales
+$7.72 Local Savings Interest
+$2.28 Local Savings Even Out Amount
Balance $17,335.00

Local Savings $2875.00
GC Savings $1680.00
Capital 360 Savings (US) $5870.00
Capital 360 Savings (Mom Loan Payback Account)$4210.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit Account #1)$1200.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit Account #2)$1500.00
Total Savings = $17,335.00

52 Week Challenge
2018...
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FB Sales for the week were $28.00!! I was happy to get rid of some older inventory this week too!

Sale #923 (SMB) $8.00
OGX Shampoo/Conditioner (2) - We paid $1.52 each
Sold for $4.00 each
Profit = $4.96

Sale #924 (MF) $4.00
Kids Golf Set 7pc - We paid $1.58
Sold for $4.00
Profit = $2.42

Sale #925 (NS) $4.00
Kids Golf Set 7pc - We paid $1.58
Sold for $4.00
Profit = $2.42

Sale #926 (My Brothers) $6.00
Irish Spring Body Wash - We paid $1.54...
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Well, I was longing for a road trip for the summer, but be careful what you wish for? We got the news Thursday that my 100-year-old aunt had died. We were very close when I was kid, and I took the train to visit them in Montana a couple of times. We saw her last fall for her 100th birthday party in Fargo, ND. This is also the week that DD and I were headed to northeastern MN with my Minneapolis girlfriends to spend time on the North Shore of Lake Superior. DD and I were...
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I'm experiencing the YNAB poor phenomenon. There's currently over 5k in my checking account, and yet I have no money. That probably doesn't seem like much by most people's standards, but that's far more than I normally keep in there. It's usually a toss up as to whether I'll hit the $1500 daily balance minimum needed to avoid checking account fees.

For the first time in a long time, I can afford rent on the first rather than using our first paychecks from the new month.

These...
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...for our youngest daughter has hit her account.

There were a few extras that I didn't expect. A one time records charge of $130. And some small dues for the residence hall, broken down into two charges of $15 and $22 respectively. There is also a charge of $25 for her German class. This is not really a surprise, but also didn't know ahead of time.

Other fees that I did know about.

$60 Honors Program (they actually go on a field trip this fall).

$350 for a Chemistry...
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Did my mystery shop last night, spending .78 over the amount I will be reimbursed. But I'll also get an $8 payment. Not till next month, of course. I brought home a bag of leftover fries, which I will turn into home fries.

Afterwards I went to son's house and played a new board game with him and GS2, who is already lonely for his brother.

I need to get a few groceries today. I may have time to do that after the gym. But I have to be on Grandma duty at 9:30.

Variables are at 9%.


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I got given some rhubarb today, but I'm running short of sugar. I bought a kilo of brown sugar for $1.99, and also a loaf of bread for $1, which I've half eaten already. 30 cents left in my change dish to last me till Wednesday.

The dentist sent me an appointment for a checkup, but I don't have quite enough in my medical envelope, so I cancelled it. I should be able to go in September.
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Grocery = $42.75. DH did the grocery shopping, I had a headache. I just have to give him a detailed shopping list and a budget. He did very well. He got everything that was in the list, even the extras ‘if there was any money left’.

Items he got:
- 4 litres Milk
- 1 doz Eggs
- 1 loaf of Bread
- 2 Frozen Slow Cooked Beef Pie
- 1 bag of Rolled Oats
- 1 bottle Passata
- 1 whole Chicken
- 2 Frozen Salmon Fillets
- 1 big Beef Rump (almost a kilo??)
- 1.5 kilo of...
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I didn't have many plans this weekend - just cleaning up the garage, the pantry, and organizing several kitchen cabinets to make space for the renter.

Unfortunately I've picked up a cold someplace and feel horrible. Summer colds are the worst especially when it is over 100 degrees. Today it was only 89 but I suspect that is partly because of the smoke in the air from the two fires closest to me the Redding Carr fire and the Yosemite Ferguson fire. Air quality is bad.

I...
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Grocery shopping again - must be Sunday!

I shop on Sundays because there are no alcohol sales before noon on Sundays so the store is quiet. I go to two stores - Sprouts and Trader Joe's. At Sprouts, I check my receipt in the car before I head home, and 1 out of 3 times there is a mistake! Today I bought ginger, and it was like 39 cents, but then there was another charge for ginger right below it for something like 1.8 POUNDS of ginger for $5.59!!! I went back in the store...
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I can't believe that the month is almost over. It never stops amazing me how fast the time flies.

I've been in my new position for two weeks now and it's been more than a little stressful - to the point where I managed to get myself sick. heh. Thankfully that has calmed down and I'm trying to cut some other things out of my life to give myself some breathing room.

Went to Nashville both this weekend and last for events and doing headshots - $750 in extra income for the...
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I haven't blogged for awhile because I really haven't too much exciting going on.

I have kept busy knitting hats. Our total as of last Thursday was 745. Not bad for a small group of ladies. We are getting close to our goal of 1000 hats this year. I have also been busy making different things for gifts. I embroidered a canvas bag. I bought the bag at a thrift shop for 99 cents. It was new -- no one had started it and it still had the starchy feel to it. I had the embroidery...
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Yesterday was a nice day. We went to a crab boil at DH's boss's house. DH went out on the boat with them in the morning to help catch crab. They had two boats out with 5 people per boat so they were able to catch 50 crab. The shellfish and seaweed harvesting license was $27 and it paid for itself, since all four of us went to the party. Plus, DH will likely go out again with either his boss or his cousin's husband. If he gets invited to go regular fishing again he'll get...
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Total Spending $930.79

Here is a breakdown of July spending. My goal was to stay under $1000 for the month.

Fixed Expenses
Verizon Bundle: 146.47 (Internet, home phone, cable)
Monthly Condo Fee: 185.00
Cell Phone: 59.29
HVAC and water heater maintenance contract: 27.95
Pocket money: 40

Variables:
Utilities: 94.77
Gasoline: 37.03
Groceries: 226.65
Health: 0 (scripts and co-pays)
Dining Out: 67.56
Shopping: 46.07

I had a credit this month on my Verizon Bundle....
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Hi Everyone...I know I haven't posted in FOREVER! I am going to try to get better at that. I need accountability.

I have gotten myself into a pickle again. I have rented out the basement of my home and am still about $300 short a month, if I want to pay them off in 22 months. I could pay less and be okay, but it would take longer to pay them off. I am also selling stuff off that I don't need anymore. I have made about $200 this month doing that.

I have been making very...
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I helped send GS1 off to camp this morning, and afterwards we all went out for breakfast. GS's grandpa and uncle picked up the tab -- so nice! This evening I have a mystery shop to do at a hamburger place. I don't think I'll need to eat anything else all day.

My contract with Spark Energy ended and I chose not to renew. I'm going back to ComEd as the supplier. I thought I would have a hard time cancelling, as SE was very aggressive in signing me up in the first place. ...
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