Littlemama's Personal Finance Blog

Last night i had some time to kill and was reviewing some of my old posts. September 4th, 2007 I was hoping to have my car paid off within 9 mos. I think that is actually going to happen. My DH and I have been very diligent with the money situation. Putting some back here and there. Even with the work situation, we're doing okay.

Adding $1.00 to the challenge for no heat/air. New total $320.00

I rolled the change today and came up with $73.00. Not bad for a couple of months. Saved $38.00 with coupons, and also adding $1.00 for incorporating leftovers. New challenge total $319.00.

Yesterday my oldest son had two out-of-town basketball games scheduled six hours apart. Between the games we decided to get a bite to eat. When the ck. came it only had the total and was very high. We inquired about it and they looked shocked that we would even ask. Nothing was said, but the bill total was changed. I thought it was out of the ordinary that the bill wasn't itemized, so i had questions. Anyone else have a similar experience?

saved $40.00 with coupons today bringing my challenge to $207.00.

I got paid for both cakes yesterday to the tune of $64.00.

For the challenge I've decided to add $1.00/day for no air/heat, round up to the nearest dollar on all debits and checks, $1.00/day for eating/incorporating leftovers, coupon savings, and adding all money from cake/cookie sales.

So far this month:
6 days using leftovers $6.00
5 no heat/air days $5.00
rounding up $12.00
cakes $64.00

Old total $80.00
add $87.00
New total $167.00

Now to just have the discipline to actually put it in an ING acct! Or should I put it toward debt?

So much has happened since my last blog. This one is seriously overdue.

Our household income has been temporarily cut. Everything is okay though. I thought it would be a lot harder to adjust to a new budget. We do have an EF which puts me a little more at ease, and we haven't even had to touch that yet. I'm actually putting a little in the saving also. I am kind of dissapointed that we can't pay off my car sooner. We were snowballing the loan, but now only making the regular note.

Approx. 3 weeks ago my daughter fractured her arm in a four wheeler accident. My DH and kids went deer hunting, and her uncle let her drive it without asking her dad. Long story short... four wheeler hit a hole, then a fence. Uncle was very concerned about my daughter's wellbeing, but kept metioning his concern over the four wheeler. How he was going to fix it, pay for it, etc. My DH didn't offer any money because he allowed her to drive without his permission. Now uncle is sour.
Oh' well! What really bothers me is that he hasn't called to see how daughter is doing.

On a lighter note, I have a cake order today. That money will be put to the challenge. Should be around $35.00. I also have $32.00. to add for a cake I did but haven't been paid for yet. I won't add that any of that money until I actually have it in hand. Maybe I'll start another ING acct. for my challenge money. Kids wan't to go to Disney this year, but I just don't think it's in the budget. Maybe this savings can go for a trip next summer.

Until I figure out how to do a ticker, I will list my challenge money at the end of my blog.

Start challenge: $20.00
Coupon savings: $60.00
Total: $80.00

I have been forgetting so much lately. Is it that time of year when everyone just has too much to do? What's bad is I'm a list maker, and still can't keep it all together!
I will be running errands today to try to finish up shopping for my son's camp out this weekend. My DH is going with him on a Boy Scout outing. Should be fun. One on one time is always good. I'm taking the other kids to a movie. Anyting good playing that is appropriate (sp?) for the 10 to 13 y.o. group?

adding $40.00 to the challenge for NSD, No A.C.,and coupons. Total now $3008.00

I was playing on the internet yesterday and ran across a coupon for $5.00 off Polly Pockets. (Google "Polly Pockets coupon" and you'll find it.) There are some that are less than $5.00, so free! This is a good thing for a Toys for Tots or Operation Christmas Child donation. Also found a code for a free one night rental for Redbox. Enter promo code "scary".


Adding to the challenge:

$2921.00......balance
$ 10.00......no AC/heat for 2 days
$ 5.00......NSD yesterday
$ 32.00......cake order
$2968.00......new balance

Woke up this morning and it's a little chilly. Yeah, time to open the windows! I absolutely love this time of year. (Adding $5.00 to the challenge for no air/heat.)
My 6 y.o. decided to wear jeans today, and had only one pr. in his closet that fit him. So off to the store I go today.) Good thing the store I'm going to is supposed to be having a sale today. Not much around here for second hand.
Also my son started boy scouts a few weeks back. He is really enjoying it so far. He got his uniform last week and said "I look good in this". It was sweet. He is going camping with his dad and the troop at the end of the mo. I will stay home with the other kids. Camping is not really my thing anyway.
My kids get their report cards today. I can access theit grades online and thay are all making A's & B's. I'm a little upset about the B's (only a few), and was talking to a friend about it last night, and they asked if I have always been so hard on my kids. I think I take offense to that????!!!! I want my kids to do the best they possibly can is all. And some of those B's are not up to their potential. All this coming from someone whose kids don't put forth any extra effort???!!! Oh' well.
The in-laws are coming in this weekend, so I need to get a menu planned. Think I'll go with some steaks on the grill one night, and chili another night. Yum.
Also saved around $40.00 in coupons since the last time I blogged. Will update total later.
Also made $50.00 in cake sales.

why peoples priorities are so backward. I have some friends (and kin) who spend, spend, spend, and then complain about not having any money. New cars, new big screens, the best of this, and the best of that. I'm sure alot of these people make the equalivant of what my husband does, if not more, and never have any money when needed.
Do these people not know how to put back for a rainy day???? Or do they just feel like they need to keep up with the Jonses. Do they have no self control??? Instant gratification is not good!
I myself have a small amout in my EF, clip coupons, do rebates, etc.
I am also tring to instill in my children that anything worth having is worth waiting for (and working for).
I just want to tell these people that they don't need all the crap that they buy, but it wouldn't do any good. I guess they enjoy the rat race.

I'll take peace of mind any day.

Okay, vent over.

Last night my DH and I were looking over his 401K and changed it up a bit. We are going more agressive. We put most everything in stocks, with 10% in bonds, and 10% in a balanced fund. We'll see how it goes.

Have to run a few errands today. Seems like that's all I've been doing. I want to have only 1 or 2 errand days a wk, but something always comes up.

I rented a movie from Redbox, so should have a quiet night at home tonight.

Challenge update:
$2888.00.............balance
$ 23.00.............coupons
$ 10.00.............rebate
$2921.00.............new balance

Went shopping yesterday and saved 50% with coupons. Will add that to the challenge.
Added $1000.00 to the EF/Christmas fund bringing total to $3000.00. Whatever we have left after Christmas (over $1000.00) will be applied to the car pymt.

Challenge balance.....$2788.00
Added..................$100.00 (coupons)
New balance...........$2888.00

Car balance..........$15,725.00
Paid..................$3,000.00
New balance..........$12,785.00 (with int.)

Had the A/C guy out yesterday. Turned out all it was is a small leak out by the compressor. He fixed that and added 2 lbs. of freon for a total of $105.00. I have never been so happy to write a $100.00 check in all my life! A new unit would run around $4000.00. Since it's so old, i was asking if it would be worth it to replace it soon. He said keep it until it totally goes out.
My DH is extremely happy because we can apply his back pay to the car pymt. as originally planned. Will do that today.

My DH got his back pay last Friday as anticipated. It was a sizable chunk. I was going to apply it to my car payment but my A/C is now acting up.
Last night I had it at 78 degrees, and the temp. in the house was 83. I tried flipping the breaker (that didn't work), I turned the unit off and checked to see if any pipes were frozen over (no). I then just turned it off and turned several fans on. By bedtime it was pretty muggy and hot, so I turned the air back on. It took around an hour to cool back down, and has been working fine ever since.
This hass happened two times before, and our electric bill has jumped $110.00 this past month.
Sounds like it's gonna be expensive! Replacement time for the A/C? More than likely. Will call someone out tomorrow.
So money allocated to the car will be applied to the A/C. The bright side is that we have it.


Adding to the challenge

Balance....$2726.00
Adding.....$ 54.00 (coupons)
Adding.....$ 5.00 (survey)
Adding.....$ 3.00 (rebate)
New total..$2788.00

The kids and I rolled the change today. $162.00 added. Also adding $5.00 for a NSD.

New total....$2726.00

I haven't added to the challenge in quite some time, but I'm only going back a few days.

$2455.00 balance
$ 10.00 2 NSD (Mon & Tues)
$ 80.00 cake and cookie orders
$ 14.00 coupon savings
$2559.00 new total

DH is due some back pay. Hoping to get it Friday. That will be applied to my car payment. Maybe getting it paid off w/i 9 mos. will happen.

Okay, now the question. My 12 yr.old son wants a laptop for his birthday/Christmas combination gift. I have budgeted for this but really don't have a clue what kind to get, memory, brand, etc. Anyone have any suggestions? TIA

(get your mind out of the gutter) I had forgotten my password and had to reset it.

It's been a hectic summer. Now it's time to get back into the groove. DH is adament about paying off my (new to me) vehicle. We owe roughly $16,000. We hope to have it paid off within 9 mos. Is that possible? I don't know.
We sold our van, applied some extra money, and paid off DH truck to the tune of almost $4700.00. Boy, I could have really went to town and spent some of that! But I am trying to be more disiplined.
Any money I get for the challenge I will pay extra to the new car on top of what DH wants to pay.

Hope all had a good Labor Day weekend.

My 10 y.o. dd left for church camp yesterday morning, and I was wondering when did she get old enough to do thigs like this? Against my better judgement I let her go. She has always been the type to get out and do things. Never the one to stay at home. My other two kids are (somewhat) homebodies. Anyway, last night around 11:00 she called and is having a great time. She said everyone had to do some sort of swimming test. Some didn't pass, but she did. **big sigh of relief** The apron strings are now officially cut.

Paid nothing but tax out of pocket. Had lots of coupons. This is what I got...

2 gal. milk
1 12 ct. Cottonelle
3 Pledge
1 Scrubbing Bubbles
1 Windex
1 16 ct. AA batteries
1 Loreal Vive shampoo
1 Loreal Vive conditioner
3 Excederin

Total came to $66.67, but with printabe coupons, Sunday inserts, and $7.00 in ECB, I only paid some change.

To update my challenge money...
bal: 2315.00
add: 70.00 (cvs-rounded up)
add: 70.00 (cakes)
total: 2455.00

Reaaly need to update but will do that later.

Here are some recent cakes I have done.

He has approx. $1200.00 in a savings acct. that he does not touch. He also has another acct. started for a car when he turns 16. This acct. has approx. $700.00. My husband and I are going to match this amount when he goes to purchase his car. Now his question is how should he "invest" his money. He wants to get CD's, but I know there has to be something better out there that earns better intrest. Anybody have any suggestions?

I tried to post two pics, but apparently I have no clue.
These are the cookies that I make on a stick. I can arrange these (and others) in a bouquet or put them in a planter.
My DH thinks I should have a website and do mail orders for the cookies. What do yall think???






Are yall tired of seeing my pics yet???

I did another cake order today. I will add the $$$ to my total later. I have more orders for this weekend, so will update then.

This cake was for a baby shower.

I am having my carpet installed today, so I don't know how much I'll get done around the house. I will just stay out of their way the best that I can.
Booked the cruise yesterday. Hope to pay that in full when the CC bill arrives.
I go this weekend to get my car. I am buying from my brother, so flying there with my son Saturday. I'm a little apprehensive since I haven't flown since '93. Then a 9 plus hr. drive home Sunday.
I haven't blogged in awile so I'm guestimating a $300.00 addition to the challenge, bringing the total to $2315.00.
Oh, I recieved my electric bill yesterday. To my suprise it was only $157.00. WOO-HOO!!! It hasn't been that low in I don't know how long. Won't stay that way with this Texas weather tho.

Carpet guy is coming today to get a 50% deposit. That's putting a big hole in the bank acct. Oh' well, it desperately needs to be done. They are coming March 18 to install.

Paying bills today...
life ins (DH)....$56.00
sattelite........$53.00
water............$18.00
sewer............$32.00
truck..........$1000.00
CC..............$102.00 (pd. in full)
CC................$7.00 (pd. in full)
DH bill..........$59.00
cell phone.......$84.00

Also putting some towards vacation. Don't know how much yet, have to see how much is left.

Adding to the challenge:

$134.00 coupons (for the past few days)
$31.00 cookie order
$2.00 no air cond.
$2015.00 total challenge money. Yea! I broke 2000.

The carpet guy came by yesterday to measure. He will call with an estimate today. He gave me a quote for caret, pad, and installation all together, per sq. yd. Is this normal? I wanted it all broken down...

Carpet...$XX.X
Pad...$XX.XX
Installation...$XX.XX

If I'm spending this much, I want the details.

I saved $40.00 with coupons yesterday at HEB and CVS.

At CVS and got:
(2) tubes of toothpaste
(2) hair gels
(2) toothbrushes
(2) bags of Chex mix
(1) Maalox
(17) Russell Stovers sugar free pecan delights

Between sales, coupons, and extra bucks, I only spent 26 cents! Yea!

Not much on the agenda today, so I hope to get some staining done. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.

We counted our coins in the change basket and am adding $265.00 to the challenge. Also $1.00 for no air. Came close to turning the air on last night, but I didn't. Total challenge money...$1648.00.
Someone is coming today to give an estimate on new carpeting. I wonder if he will do a cash discount? Doesn't hurt to ask, I guess.
I will also do some shopping today. Have all my coupons lined up! Everything at CVS should be free or close to it. Hotcouponworld.com is awesome. Check it out if you haven't already. There is a wealth of information there.
Didn't get to the staining yesterday as I would have liked. Don't think I will get to it today either. Maybe tomorrow.
Did get some decluttering done tho. I can already tell a big difference.
Also have another cookie order for this weekend. I will post that money to the challenge when I get it.

Took my B-12 and doing the Flylady thing today. I need to get this house in order!
Lots of decluttering to do. Too much stuff in too small of a house.
I also have some woodwork that needs to be stained. I'm putting this on here so maybe I will actually "get R done."
Went to CVS yesterday and saved $12.00 with coupons. Sales, coupons, extra bucks...gotta love it. Also putting $4.00 toward challenge for a total of $1413.00

I delivered the cookie order yesterday. She said she loved them, but what else is she going to say? That's $100.00 to the challenge, and she tipped me $10.00! I was very pleasently suprised.
Total challenge money...$1397.00

We have decided to go on a cruise for our summer vacation. We have never really spent this much on a vacation, so I am a little apprehensive. The price gets up there for a family of 5! Does anyone have any tips about saving money on booking, activities, etc? We will be leaving Galveston on a Western Caribbean cruise in mid June.
I have a cookie order to do today. 12 1/2 dozen cookies for a wedding. Will deliver tomorrow.
Hoping to go test drive a 'new to me' car tomorrow also. My current vehicle is 10 years old. I've done alot of research and believe I'm going with a Honda Pilot.
Adding $10.00 to the challenge for no heat/A.C. for the past 10 days. (It's been around 75 degrees here for awile. Just perfect weather.) Also adding $11.00 for coupon savings, bringing my total to $1287.00