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"I dont like money actually, but it quiets my nerves." - Joe Louis
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All Entries

July '23 Savings

August 19th, 2023 at 01:48 PM by Monkey Mama

Received $122 bank interest 
Received $240 I Bond interest 
 
Snowflakes to Investments:
--Redeemed $30 credit card rewards (cash back) from our grocery card 
--Redeemed $75 cash back on Citi card
--Redeemed $7 cash back on dining out/gas card 
 
Other Snowflakes to Investments:
+ $8 Savings from Target Red Card (grocery purchases)
 
TOTAL: $120 Snowflakes to Investments
 
401k Contributions/Match:
+$795
 
Snowball to...
[ Read More ]

Weird Murphy

August 19th, 2023 at 01:42 PM by Monkey Mama

We've been going through a round of 'weird Murphy'.  Just dumb little stuff.  Which I appreciate, versus the big expensive stuff.  But man, what a pain.
The door handles are breaking off of the kids' car.  Someone on SA has a 2-year newer car (same model) and had mentioned.  I vaguely recalled some weird repair and looked it up when the first door handle broke.  Yes, it was the door handle.  Not just one, but all 4!  I told this to MM and...
[ Read More ]

mumof2

Paying off CC slowly

August 19th, 2023 at 07:19 AM by mumof2

Have only 1 debt which is the dreaded CC...my plan is to pay it off by the end of year so we can start 2024 debt free..I have currently paid off $500 this month with 1 more payday to go..so on track right now..fingers crossed it stays that way
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CB in the City

Surprise Company

August 18th, 2023 at 05:11 PM by CB in the City

I had some surprise company -- friends who took the train into Chicago and needed a place to crash before they continued their trip. A sleeper couch and the floor were not the best accomodations, but they didn't complain. Before they left we had the chance to visit and shop and eat out a few times.
I have spent 90% of my month's variables budget! I can't blame it all on the company. I also bought a new jacket for $38. Unexpected spending, but I'm chalking it up as a late birthday...
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Brunette Getting Out of Debt

Making Slow Progress

August 16th, 2023 at 09:24 PM by Brunette Getting Out of Debt

Hi there… I know it’s been a while, but like happens to everybody, life got busy. My daughter was a senior and graduated last year plus it was her last year of dance, so we had a lot to do. I am also a teacher and the summers are always busy… but in the best possible way!
I am back to work now, so in some ways our life is going to slow down.
The last time I posted our debt we had $19,167.74 in debt. It has decreased, but not by as much as I would have liked....
[ Read More ]

Amber

Line Dry

August 16th, 2023 at 05:40 PM by Amber

Anyone else here line dry their clothes? I was doing this and stopped, but decided to get back at it. I'm not sure how much I  would be saving on my electric bill by doing this though. 
I hung my clothes out to dry and they dried in about a hour. It probably was shorter than that, I was on a work call and forgot about them. 
For those of you who line dry your clothes, is it worth it? And how do you get the outdoor smell out of your clothes ? 
[ Read More ]

Wink

Mid-Month Updates

August 15th, 2023 at 01:28 PM by Wink

It's already been a spendy month. Last week I had a tooth extracted and bone grafting done to prepare for an eventual implant. Everything went well and I'm healing nicely. But, even with dental insurance this is very expensive. So far I am $626.80 out of pocket with more to come. This will be paid from my emergency/savings fund. 
I also went to an orthopedic doctor last week for an evaluation and treatment of my elbow. I've been having a lot of pain in it for a few months...
[ Read More ]

Amber

Student Loan Payment

August 15th, 2023 at 10:27 AM by Amber

I had a few things come up so I couldn't make my semi-monthly payment of $160, towards the student loan. I paid only $100. 
This is one thing that freaks me out, what if I can't make the payment when things kick back up again. I pray all goes well. 
I am making a little less, but I like the new job. Sometimes it's not about the money but our peace. 
Inflation is definitely here, my grocery bill has skyrocketed. I use to budget $200 a month, now it's about $80...
[ Read More ]

CB in the City

A Nice Day

August 14th, 2023 at 02:10 PM by CB in the City

Yesterday I met BFF in the halfway city. We celebrated my recent birthday at a Bob Evans (haven't been there in ages!) and then shopped. I had some birthday coupons to use. I spent $22 at Kohl's for a hoodie and I bought a stocking stuffer for $2 at DSW. That's it! BFF treated for lunch and for ice cream afterwards at Cold Stone Creamery.
Today I'm going grocery shopping. There are three Mondays left in the month and I can only spend $13 on each of them to stay within my limit....
[ Read More ]

Amber

Am I the Only One Preparing for Student Loans

August 12th, 2023 at 12:23 PM by Amber

I’ve been sharing with others that the interest on student loans, and repayments are scheduled to start back up with interest accruing first in September, followed by the  first payment due in October. 
 
Though I can only worry about myself ( I haven’t stopped paying), I’m still anxious about this happening. I’m scared, anxious and  nervous and I don’t know why. Maybe because no one is talking about it. I’m in...
[ Read More ]

On to Better News--Unexpected Raise and Maxing Out Retirement? Maybe

August 11th, 2023 at 06:49 PM by Lucky Robin

DH got a raise!  Neither one of us was expecting it after last year's raise-a-paloosa.  It's more than a cost of living raise of 2% which everyone got at least that much, but somewhere around 3.2%, so a bit higher.  They are trying to create a new position for DH that doesn't exist yet, and that may take until next year, and with that should come another pay bump, but I'm not counting chickens.  This was a nice, unexpected raise of $5200 a year.  I don't...
[ Read More ]

Amber

Maui

August 11th, 2023 at 03:51 AM by Amber

I'm praying for those in Maui, this is so heartbreaking 
[ Read More ]

Stuff going on....

August 10th, 2023 at 07:00 PM by PatientSaver

I got a lot accomplished today and still have a good part of the day left. This morning, I:
1. Worked out at the gym.2. Stopped at the dollar store for 2 items which I refuse to overpay for at Big Y.3. Went to Home Depot and purchased a window well cover for a basement window (found a toad stuck in there once already) and a small bag of grass seed.4. Stopped at Big Y for just a few groceries.5. Filled up the gas tank at BJs.6. When I got home, since I'd spent several days digging...
[ Read More ]

CB in the City

Appointment Outcomes

August 10th, 2023 at 02:41 PM by CB in the City

My eye doctor's appointment was the best. My eyes have not changed appreciably. I do not need glasses for distance vision, my cataract is still very small, and my retinas are in good shape. The appointment did not cost me anything because it was covered by my Medicare Advantage plan.
The next day I went to my GP about the pain in my knee. He referred me to a walk-in sports clinic, and I went there right away. They x-rayed my knee, and the verdict was that my meniscus was fine...
[ Read More ]

Capital One CD Rate Increase

August 10th, 2023 at 11:47 AM by terri77

The 18 month CD rate at Capital One is now 5.15%. I don't know if I want to lock up my cash right now as I think about buying a home, but it's very tempting. I don't quite have the $10k that I like to have as I ladder my CDs. I'm at right about $8k. If they still a have this rate at the end of the year I may consider the longer term. Right now I have two 11 month CDs at 5.0%.
[ Read More ]

Amber

Disappointed

August 10th, 2023 at 03:15 AM by Amber

This isn’t a post about finances but how I’m feeling. I looked in the mirror and I wanted to cry. I have put on so much weight. This is the most I’ve ever been. I’m so disgusted. 
 
My goal is to hit 10k a day, starting today and I did that. It was a struggle and I’m sore but I got it in. I also ordered a few healthy meals. I hope this works 
 
I can't believe how big I've gotten. 
[ Read More ]

Amber

Im

August 10th, 2023 at 03:14 AM by Amber


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She Lives

August 8th, 2023 at 07:10 PM by Lucky Robin

I have tried to write about my experience in the hospital numerous times and one thing or another has led to my draft getting erased, usually be the computer restarting itself.  My computer is falling apart.  It has lost some screws so the hinge isn't working properly which sometimes knocks out the cord and I'm not getting a low battery warning.
Anyway, the angiogram was a horrible experience.  My arm and wrist are not back to normal 4 weeks later.  Driving...
[ Read More ]

Amber

No Dining Out

August 8th, 2023 at 03:08 AM by Amber

Though eating out appears to be less expensive, in some cases, than eating in, I have managed to eat at home since August has started. 
I'm hoping to reduce my food bill this month. I shopped yesterday at Trader Joe's, which is far less than our local grocery store. 
Things have gotten so expensive. It's times like these that I really miss my dad, he grew all sorts of fruits and vegetables, I don't have a yard to do so. I think I'm going to look into a raised garden. 
[ Read More ]

CB in the City

Amazon Order

August 7th, 2023 at 02:39 PM by CB in the City

Yesterday I went ahead and ordered the AC frame from Amazon, also some double-sided tape and weatherstripping. I also bought a professional-grade squeegee.  All because of window-washing and all the juggling around I have to do because of it. The screens and storms are now out, and the AC units sitting on the floor. Thank goodness it is not too hot, because I am sealed in here. And the washers have not even shown up yet.
I also threw in a phone grip, because I keep on accidentally...
[ Read More ]

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