Littlemama's Personal Finance Blog

After paying bills , we are only able to put $1000.00 in the emergency fund this month. Total now is $3000.00.

I hate to have a negative attitude, but it doesn't seem like we will make our goal by October. Maybe I'll back up the goal date to the end of the year.

On another note, I went to get my car inspected yesterday, and it did not pass. The tint is too dark! It's weird. It passed last year. So now I have to get my front windows retinted. Bummer, I really liked the darker tint. Very nice to have with this Texas sun. Just another expense to add to the pot.

The cake orders that is.

I have been getting cake and cookie orders hand over fist. Yea! I'm waiting on a check to be cut for an order I did on Monday ($32.00), I have an order today (around $75.00), and several for this weekend ($42.00 & $48.00). This will be added to the challenge. The challenge $ will be funding our vacation. Any $ that is left over will go to the emergency fund.

The emergency fund is kind of depressing. Only $2000.00 right now. I will more that likely put $1000.00 in it after the bills are paid this month. My DH and I want this thig done yesterday so we can fund our Roths and the kids college fund. It just isn't moving along fast enough.

Challenge bal...............$1799.00
cake order (already pd).....$ 32.00
New bal.....................$1831.00

I have a lot to do today, but wanted to update my challenge. Adding $42.00 fo a cake order that I did last Friday.

I have several orders today, but I have to run to the store first because I didn't realize that I am out of several ingredients. Here's another time that disorganization has cost me money! (I really need to get it together!)

Had a gentleman stop by asking for the wood from the trees if we were going to just haul it away. He was very nice. We told him we were planning on selling it. I think I'm going to do as Amber suggested and put a "firewood for sale" sign out.

Oldest son (13) wanted a backpack to carry his gym clothes back and forth to school. I told him I would pay half. Luck had it, a week later we got a coupon in the mail for 1/2 off a $20.00 purchase. We found one for $19.99 and he used his coupon! So he got a $20.00 backpack for $5.00 after I paid half the balance. I guess technically I should pay $10.00. That's half of the retail. His half being the coupon.

Challenge bal.....$1752.00
cake order........$ 42.00
NSD yesterday.....$ 5.00
New bal...........$1799.00

I wrote in an earlier post that we had some trees cut down to the tune of $750.00. They were all Oak trees. We thought we would sell the wood this winter for fire wood to recoupe (sp) some of the cost. We still have to rent a splitter at $40.00/day. The problem is that so many people are asking for the wood (for free) knowing very well our plans for selling it come this fall. I don't want to seem selfish, but I have an emergency fund that I need to build up.
Vent over - sorry.

DH got paid today. After all bills are paid, we should be able to put at least $1500.00 to the emergency fund. I have really tried to watch the spending this month, but I am going to splurge and get my hair done today with some birthday money I got last week from my parents. Hope hope I feel sassy like Thrifty Ray.

I have several cake orders to do between now and the end of the month. That shound bring in about $250.00 total. As I recieve payment, it will be added to the challenge.

That's what I say every month, so I decided to document all money spent in May. This is what it looks like so far...

4/30...gas for mower...$33.00
...cash for DH...$37.00
...cash for me...$30.00
...gas for truck...$51.00
...youth camp dep...$85.00
5/01...trees cut...$750.00
5/02...books from garage sale...$1.00
...diesel to burn branches...$19.00
...gas for SUV...$61.00
...water for kids while out...$2.00
5/03...WalMart (tire, gas cards, etc)...$161
5/04...Sunday papers for coupons...$6.00

We are not even thru the first week and have spent $1236.00, and today I will be running errands and spending more. Everything I have purchased (and plan to purchase) is nessities. Yes, I should have packed a cooler instead of buying water for the kids, but it was an impromptu trip.

Still waiting for my stimulus. Ours is going to the vacation fund and emergency fund.

Hope to have enough time today to bake homemade cinnamon rolls and banana bread. Will take samples to a friend of mines office with some buisness cards.

Adding to the challenge
bal.....$1748.00
ck rdup.$ 21.00
no A/C..$ 3.00
new bal.$1752.00

My DH and myself are considering installing radiant barrier in our attic. From what I have researched, it will help considerably with the cooling cost. I found a distributor online and can get it shipped straight to the house. Cost for supplies....only $400.00. I think it will be well worth it. We will install it ourselves...free.

Does anyone else have this? If so, how do you like it? Does it make a significant difference in cooling costs? Any tips from the DIY'ers?

Challenge update
Bal........$1738.00
Coupons....$ 10.00
New bal....$1748.00

Where do I start? It's been awhile since I've been here.

My computer monitor went out several days ago. Looked to see what the warranty was. Two year warranty states that we are responsible for shipping and labor. They are only responsible for the part. Ended up ordering a new one (different brand), because it probably would have cost more to get the old one fixed.

On Thursday we are having four trees cut down in our yard. They are eaten up with carpenter ants and are a hazard. $750.00. OUCH!

I have been getting a few orders for cakes and cookies lately. I'm kicking around the idea of taking some sample plates around to different buisness and leaving my card.

I have been avoiding eating out, as I am waaaaaaayyy over budget this month. About $700.00 I'm embarassed to say. I really need to get control of this!

Hoping to have another garage sale soon. I really like the minimalist look, and will really have to purge a lot to achieve it. We just have too many things.


Challenge update:
bal............$1672.00
cookie sales...$ 63.00
no A.C.........$ 3.00
new bal........$1738.00

My youngest is in first grade, in GT classes, and is doing very well. My problem is the second grade teacher is just awful! My oldest had her six years ago and her and I didn't see eye to eye to say the least. It's just not me because I have discussed her attitude with many people and they agree. She does not treat the children like they should be treated.

I don't want his school expierence to be bad. At this age it should still be fun.
His current teacher is strict but not mean, and he really likes her.

Everyone has told me to do what I have to do to get him out of there next year. (even school staff)

If I get him out, I think he will be bored with school. "Been there, done that" sort of thing. I could always suppliment his learning at home.

Well, what do yall think?

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Sent in a rebate today. Should be getting $10.00 in 8-10 wks. Sigh...

Adding to the challenge
Balance.....$1648.00
No air......$ 1.00
Coupons.....$ 18.00
NSD.........$ 5.00
New balance.$1672.00

It is 81 degrees in my house right now. I am okay with it, though I'm almost at my breaking point. How hot will you let it get inside before you crank on the air? And what do you set it at? I personally like it around 79 degrees , but the other members would like it lower.

I was pleasently suprised when I got my electric bill yesterday. Only $166.00. Has'nt been that low in a while.

$1638.00...challenge bal.
$4.00...no heat/air for 4 days
$5.00...Pinecone ck.
$1.00...found in dryer
$1648.00...new bal.

We started our emergency fund today with $2000.00. It is going to be tight for the rest of the month, but I believe we can do it. My progress will be noted in my sidebar for my own motivation.

A family member has decided to eat healthier, and has already lost 5 lbs in 11 days. Just making wise food choices and exercising 3-4X a week. I'm charting the weight loss on the sidebar.

NSD are too few and far between, so I decided to stay home today. I have errands to run, but nothing that can't wait.

Eating leftover lasagne tonight as I am trying to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the food budget.

And thanks Lux, my house is so dark! When I got thru reading your blog, I turned off five lights and a ceiling fan in rooms nobody was using. Soon I will go unplug a few things. I will keep count as I go. Should be iteresting...

Adding $5.00 to the challenge for a NSD, and $5.00 for no heat/air the past 5 days. New total, $1638.00

DH uncovered the pool yesterday. The kids were so excided, though they couldn't swim. Still need to super shock and vacuum. I, on the other hand, am not looking forward to the increased electric bill due to running the pump 24/7. It usually goes up about $100.00/mo.
Oh well, the kids really enjoy it.

Only one more day to payday, and we can start our 6 mo. emergency fund. I get excited just thinking about it, though my mind wanders to all the fix-ups that need to be done around the house.

I need to call and get some bids on my kids bathroom. We had a guy out who did a half-ass job, and now has to be redone. This project has been in limbo way too long. My DH would do it but works long hours, and it really wouldn't be cost effective for him to take time off work to do it.

Rolled my change yesterday and have $39.00 to add to the challenge, bringing the total to $1628.00.

I've taken a break from blogging because I felt like maybe I got a little too personal with my last two blogs. I guess I just had to get it off my chest. I will try to keep it strictly financial from here on out.

Now that our only outstanding debt is our mortgage, we have decided to apply an extra principal payment each month. According to the mortgage calculator, this should reduce our payoff time by about 9 years.

Currently working on our emergency fund. We hope to get at least $15,000.00 in it by years end. I will show my progress in my sidebar when I make my first deposit mid-month.

Adding $100.00 to the challenge, bringing the total to $1589.00.

Teenagers....SHEESH! Was I ever that bad? Ask my mom and I'm sure you will get all kinds of stories! When do these kids stop thinking they know it all? 25? Progress reports came out yesterday, and I was not happy. Oldest got a FAILING grade in Advanced English! He just didn't find it neccesary to do an assignment that was a test grade and a daily assignment grade also. This brought his average WAY down. There is no excuse, and I told him this. He said he didn't have time. Baloney! This kid hardly has to put forth any effort and still manages to be on the honor roll. I thought he was diciplined enough to take care of his own buisness. I was wrong.

I feel like I'm at such a loss. Questioning my parenting abilities....

On another note, I saved $192.00 with coupons and gift cards this last week bringing my challenge total to $1489.00

Went to unload the dishwasher this morning and noticed that the bottom wash arm was leaning to one side. All I can see I need is a retainer nut. Went ahead and ordered another part that needed replacing also. Total bill with shipping $25.00. Not bad. Just have to hand wash for a few days.

It's near the beginning of the month, so it's time to change the A/C filter. Once a month I also clean the lint catcher in the dryer. Just get a little dish washing soap and an old toothbrush and give it a little scrub. Rinse, let air dry, good as new.

Anyone else have any once month chores that they do?

Does anyone know who to contact to get the converter box coupon for Feb 2009 when all goes digital? I saw a comercial for it awhile back, but haven't seen one recently.

Rounded up my cks. and debits for March and am adding $10.00 to the challenge. Adding $23.00 for coupon savings.
Total now: $1297.00

Let me start by saying my oldest son (13 yrs.) was invited by a friend to stay at the lake this weekend. I talked it over with his dad and we agreed it would be okay. Well, he got packed and was waiting to be picked up. During this time I talked about being responsible, etc. He agreed. Now let me back up and say this is a good kid. Honor roll and all, takes care of his momma when shes not feeling well...very grown up for his age.

Well, lo and behold, I came around the corner and he had just taken two cigarettes out of my purse! AAAHHH! I asked what he was doing and he said he was getting them for his friends brother (who is 16). He then started freaking out asking me not to tell his friends mom. What? He was more worried about his friend than himself? This all is just so unbelieveable. I told him he was stealing from me, and also there is the trust issue. Don't know what to do. I told him we would discuss it later (when I get it all straight in my mind.)

Sorry about the rant. Just had to get it off my chest.

Okay, so my curiosity got the best of me and I hypermiled with my last tank of gas. My milage per gallon went from 15 to almost 20. Not bad for just letting up on the gas a little. The first day I tried this my 13 y.o. said "why are we going so SLOW???" I just laughed and explained what I was doing. (He already knows I'm crazy.) Several days pass, and he's calculating how much money I've saved! We figure about $12.50 a tank.

I went grocery shopping today . My total was $32.78. After coupons, $18.86. Also saved $35.00 at CVS with coupons and ECB.

New challenge total $1264.00

I've been gone awhile. DH and myself have been sick. Didn't stick to the budget with eating out and all. Neither of us was up to doing much, so money was spent where it shouln't have been.

Ended up making $600.00 at my garage sale. Wow, didn't know I had that much crap. Crap that other people wanted at that! It's good to get cold, hard cash for it though. This goes to the challenge bringing the total to $1202.00.

Since money is going to be tighter than usual, we are trying to eat what is in the pantry/freezer. I have found some pretty good (and simple) recipes. (Interested BA?) I have beef jerky in the oven right now. YUM!

I have a lot to do today since I'm having a garage sale this weekend. Why, oh why, do I procrastinate? All money earned will go to the challenge.

I have taken two surveys in the last week and already have recieved a ck for one. That's $5.00 to the challenge. Adding $5.00 to the challenge for a NSD. These are few and far between. Also adding $2.00 for 2 days of no heat/air. The weather has been cooperating so I can open the windows and let the fresh air in. Total challenge money: $1169.00

I just paid the end-of-the-month bills and came to the realization that money is going to be tight thru the end of May. I'm reaaly going to have to watch the spending. Not that I'm frivilous anyway.

Just my DH speeding ticket was $250.00. He went with deferred judication. Also paid Medco $80.00.

I got the results of my MRI back. They said it is a buldging disk. I did some research on the web and it said that buldging disks usually don't cause much pain. HA! Maybe it's a herniated disk? It also said that this usually happens to older people. (Am I older now??? LOL!) Some days I feel like I am. Anyone else have experience with this sort of thing?

All kids are back at school today. Let's see if I get a call to pick one up.

I'm having a garage sale this weekend to hopefully bring in some money. I'm really trying to simplify. The less you have, the less you have to take care of.

Have 2 of my 3 kids home from school today. My 6 y.o was running fever, and my 13 y.o. went to school, but is now home feeling nauseous. He is also having pains in his chest. Could be the meds he is on. I will keep a close eye on him today.

Adding $60.00 to the challenge for coupon savings, $5.00 for NSD yesterday, and $1.00 for no heat/ air yesterday. Total now is $1157.00

My daughter and I went to a garage sale in a very affluent neighborhood early this morning. We found a Sony Mini DV Digital Handycam. Included are an Infolithium battery, USB cable, AV cable, memory stick, carring bag, and there were even tapes that can be taped over. WOW! The cost was $25.00. (she is paying half.)She is only 11 y.o. and delighted! When we got home my DH said it was better that the one we have (and she wont trade)!

My 13 y.o came to me the other day, handed me $200.00, and asked me to put it in his car savings acct. I was in disbelief as he was saving for an Xbox 360. When asked why, he said he just changed his mind. WOW! So I took it and ran.

He then went to his 11 y.o. sister and told her what he had done, so she had to "one up" him, and she gave me $200.00! $100.00 for her car acct, and $100.00 for her reg. savings acct. This money was mainly birthday money.

Okay, I was now 2 for 2. On to my 6 y.o. I asked him how much cash he had in his wallet. He counted it (very number savvy kid) and had $104.00. I asked him if he would put some into his savings. Immediately he said "half, $52.00." (I talked him up to $72.00)

Some may ask, why do the kids have so much cash? They save. They each have savings accts with ING and are doing quite well. I don't make them deposit their cash, though I try to persuade (sp) them in the right direction.

Now the question...

I have a young friend that is trying to get her financial life in order. She is 22, a single mom, and has a $1000.00 emergency fund. Her 2007 tax refund was $5000.00! (You have got to be kidding!) Anyway, I was telling her she should be investing this money in a Roth IRA.

A little history...She grossed around $16,000 in 2007.

Standard deductions...$7850.00
Exemptions...$6800.00
Taxable income...$1793.00

Fed witholding...$1650.00
EIC...$2680
Add. child tax credit...$704.00


She has since gotten a new job with a better income. Now making about $25,000-$30,000 annually.

How does she figure how many deductions to claim w/o having to pay in at the end? She would prefer to have a small $100.00 tax cushion a mo.

If anyone needs more details, feel free to ask.

Another kicker... She now works for an ins. agency, and someone there is telling her to get whole life. ARGH!

Saved $51.00 shopping today with coupons and a gift card. Also had free coupons for Chili's. Tried their new bacon smokehouse burgers. Pretty good. Almost $35.00 worth of food for F-R-E-E! I love free! Adding these savings to the challenge along with $1.00 for no heat/air and $2.00 for 2 NSD, bringing the total to $1091.00

Oh, also got $25.00 rebate/gift card in the mail yesterday. I will add that to the challenge when I spend it.

Got up early this A.M. to go to a garage sale with a friend. It was at a church where they rented booths. There were several "venders". I only spent $3.25! There were some things I thought about purchasing, but just yesterday I was decluttering my own house for a garage sale. I just kept telling myself that I don't need any more crap! Less is more...Less is more. What I did end up buying was a brand new poker set for my son ($2.50 talked down from $3.50) a ruler with a calculator in it (.25), and a new address book for my daughter (.50). All items that were previously needed or requested.

Now I am off to declutter some more...

Rounded up all my cks. for the mo. of Feb. Came up with $12.00 to add to the challenge. Also adding $40.00 for coupon savings. Brings the total to $1002.00.

Several weeks ago I bought two frozen items at the grocery store. When I went to open the package, the food was freezer burnt. Checked the experation date. Yep, out of date by one month. The people at the store are too lazy to rotate stock??? Called the 800 number on back of package, and recieved coupons for free items. Also let the store know that their stock was out of date. Management wasn't very happy! Got a refund from the store also.
Point is, call the 800 number on the back of products and give them your feedback (good or bad) and they will usually mail you generous coupons.

Counted the change in my cars ashtray. $33.50! Added to the challenge. Total now is $950.00.

I finally broke down and made an appt. for a MRI today. My back and leg is still really bothering me. Hope all goes well.

On another note, my family and I went out of town this last weekend. Returned Monday exhausted. DH got a speeding ticket going 83 in a 70. I'm a little upset (told him several times to slow down...but nooooo!) So this will put a $200.00 damper on my budget. Ouch! No defensive driving either. He's alrerady taken it w/i the last year.

Will have to figure out the budget when we get home. I've kinda let it go lately.

I went grocery shopping the other evening, and upon getting into the car noticed that I didn't get the discount. At this particular store the items ring up regular price with the discount immediately after it. On my forth item of the same thing my discount wasn't applied. The next time I was in that store, I showed "customer service". She gave me every excuse, but finally gave up and refunded my $1.69.

Yesterday we recieved the emergency room physician's bill (daughter fractured her arm on 4-wheeler) for $423.00 after insurance payment! What? Long story short, I made a few phone calls and found out this particular doctor is not in network. Insurance rep. said no problem, all emergency room visits are paid 100% reguardless if in network or not. Yea!!!
So I figure I saved $423.00 in about 15 minutes time! Go me!

Adding $2.00 to the challenge for refund, and $1.00 foe no heat/air bringing my total to $916.00 (Maybe we'll make it to Disney this year after all.)

A few days ago we bought a dining room set off Craigslist. Table, six chairs, and a side buffet table. Both tables have glass tops. On the way home the buffet glass broke. To replace it (1/2" thick with a beveled edge is going to run $328.00!!! I only paid $400.00 for the whole set! (talked him down from $450.00) WOW. Anyway, I believe we will go for 1/4 inch thickness with no bevel for $30.00.

Also today, the trash people called us from the street. Said we owed 70.00 for the quarter, and it's been due since Jan 1. What? I haven't seen a bill. They instructed me to put put the money in a zip lock bag and put it on the trash can and they would get it on their way back up the street. No thanks. We'll just make a run to the dump in the next few days.

DH took DD to the Dr. today. A new script at CVS will net me a $25.00 gift card (with coupon).

Adding $5.00 to the challenge for a rebate I recieved yesterday, and $9.00 for coupon savings. Total is now $913.00