Layout:
Home > Archive: March, 2008

Archive for March, 2008

Back to basics

March 31st, 2008 at 04:19 pm

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

Um... WOW!

March 29th, 2008 at 11:51 pm

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.

hypermiling results and other odds and ends

March 26th, 2008 at 07:42 pm

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

Getting back into the groove

March 25th, 2008 at 12:36 am

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. Smile This goes to the challenge bringing the total to $1202.00.

Beef Jerky

March 13th, 2008 at 01:23 pm

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? Smile 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

Money woes

March 11th, 2008 at 01:47 pm

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.

Sick kids and adding to the challenge

March 10th, 2008 at 05:07 pm

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

Awesome garage sale find

March 8th, 2008 at 04:09 pm

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 kids amaze me and question

March 5th, 2008 at 11:53 am

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. Smile

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) Smile

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!




Free Sunday

March 3rd, 2008 at 01:17 am

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. Smile

Garage sale season has begun!

March 1st, 2008 at 05:35 pm

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. Smile 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...