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