HelpMeFriend's Personal Finance Blog

My mom is giving me a great wedding present: a bachelorette party in Las Vegas! I am going with my best friend, my mom, and my closest aunt. We leave next Monday and will be home on Wednesday. I am looking forward to enjoying the buffets, the sights, and enjoying some girl time. I am taking $100 to gamble, as I think of myself as a lucky person, but most of my money will be spent on food and a couple of chips from casinos that I will bring home as souvenirs.
I am also looking forward to lounging by the pool with the ladies, as I never get to do this in Indy.
It will be in the 80's there then, and here today in town. Gonna be a good week!!!

It's coming fast. I am getting married that day.
We did it all backwards.
We got the car, the kids, the house, the dog, now it is time to get hitched.
I am on the countdown, not looking forward to mixing my debt with his clear history. I am looking forward to fixing my old ways to make sure this doesn't happen to the two of us together.
I am sure that we can work as a pair on our expenses. I will be plastering the bills where he can see them, I will give my bank savings to our savings, and we will grow and learn together.
Looks good on paper anyway.
Wish me luck!

So, since quitting, I have made plans to have a garage sale at the end of this month to keep from going in the red too quickly.
Our wedding is in November, only three months away, and one month ahead of the holidays.
I made a promise to my son that if he received nothing but good remarks from school for the first semester, he would receive an X-Box for Christmas.
I know this seems extreme to some, but if he goes 90 school days without getting in trouble ONCE, then he deserves it!!!
I will be working extra at my security job I have had since 2006, so we aren't in dire straits.
The State Fair is here today and I will be working at my job I quit for one more week.
The people I am training to take over are in awe of the crap that I have been dealing with over the last almost full year and don't know how they will do it.
I said to ask the boss if they didn't know where something went, such as checks written with no reason, and they knew that he would lie or make up a reason before even asking.
That's why I am leaving.
I hope the kids school year does well, that our wedding goes off without a hitch (pun intended), and the year finishes as well as it started.
I bought four dollars in scratch off tickets and won $20. I think I'll be starting up with the challenge again. I find change constantly and never add it up. I will again be doing this.
Great to be back and doing so well!

I quit my job. I was trying to stick it out until I got one year in, but I just couldn't. I quit on principal. I was working for an accountant who did more than fudge the numbers. When it came to lying to the government and doing EXACTLY what they say NOT to do, he was lying about them not doing it, when in fact, they were.
I have issues with writing payroll checks for two thousand dollars when the foster children they work FOR aren't getting their benefits.
I hope you aren't upset with me, quitting in this day and age. Funny, we always call the current strange thing "this" day and age. It was one hundred years ago, and today.
BTW
My fiance is in a stable job he's had for over three years and I do have my security job I've worked at since 2006.
I'm not jobless, just Mon-Fri while kids were in school, don't want a guilty conscience, accounting job.
I don't know why I worked there, I have no degree in that field, no experience, but I am good in an office and that showed.
I know that he is upset I am leaving, but that's because he won't find anyone willing to do this type of thing either.
I feel better about it, so that's life. It goes on, and we push through.

No vacations, working every weekend, and naughty kids have kept us from overspending this summer.
I am looking forward to splurging in Vegas for my bachelorette party! We booked months in advance for savings, get vouchers for food, free tix to shows, and have a limo driver at our disposal for the three day excursion as a gift from my aunt's mom.
I am only going to buy one or two shirts for my kids, as there is a Harley store they don't have a shirt from; and only gamble $50. Once I lose that, or win and gamble $50 of that, then I am done.
I will take any winnings above and over $50 and give it to my mom, who is going and paying for most of it, as payment on my mortgage, as she is my landlord.
Looking good, little adult me!

Over drawn? What!! I am almost thirty years old and can not fathom what happened to my bank account.
I can not understand why after three years of steady work they are trying to pull me under with the current and sweep me away.
And a monthly fee? ARE YOU INSANE!!! ITS FREE CHECKING!!!

Past view of my electric bills from the date I moved in way back in October:
07/06/2011 $221.75
06/03/2011 $147.64
05/04/2011 $158.69
04/05/2011 $80.39
03/04/2011 $130.93
02/03/2011 $249.78
01/03/2011 $160.23
12/02/2010 $74.32
11/04/2010 $29.12
10/05/2010 $177.06
Wonder what's up with that!

I'm going to go minimalist.
I hope this works.
Found an article here:

Tomorrow, I'm going to ask my boss if I can work Monday through Friday again. I have been doing three days for the last month or so and I am anxious about my kids over summer break. I want to take it back down to three days then as my night job will pick up as the warm weather progresses.
I love summer. It brings out the best music!

I started the day thinking that I wasn't going to spend a dime. I didn't need gas, bought cigarettes two days ago and still have almost a full pack, and knew that I went to the store and spent $200 the day before.
Well, after a short trip to take the boys to Grandma's, I stopped in at the Dollar General.
Bought a clearance belt for $3 and some Easter cakes for $1.50.
Why?
Why did I stop?
Do I need that belt? No, but I noticed my fiancée wearing my work belt because it is real leather and his is not.
So I got a new one for me for work.
And the cakes, well, I wanted one. That's why they are put there, to tempt me into purchasing.
I will control my spending!!!!
I will not stop next time!!!
I will be responsible!!
Next time!

I saved over $100 today at the store, and I didn't even use a coupon. I also did not buy a ton of stuff that we didn't need, so who knows how much I really saved.
I am glad that I had my mom cash my check for me. She gave me a couple more bucks than it was for and I sprung for paper plates and cube steaks.
Taco Night is tonight and Manwich is for lunch tomorrow.
Can't wait to try out that new bag of french fries I got on sale. They are Rally's~Checkers brand. They should be yummy!

I know this post isn't going to get great reviews, but I am too excited to not share.
I have huggable hangers in my closet. I bought some from HSN, the Christmas Tree Shoppe, and Target.
I am saving money, as I only buy them when on sale. But I am currently thinking about using them for my children's clothes.
In the process of ridding my closet and my finance's, I am getting rid of the others on Listia.com. I have been getting rid of the "extra" hangers, by which I mean store hangers, dry-cleaners hangers, and donated hangers, from family that lent them to me when we had none.
The reasoning for purchasing such fuzzy and thin, magnetic, wonderful hangers that cost way more than their plastic tube counterparts had nothing to do with money.
I needed to finish putting our clothes away, specifically, mine.
I would wash, dry, fold, and put away their (F, and 2 sons) clothes. But mine, the only person who works in an office and needs neatly hung clothes, would be last and I didn't want to finish the job.
I would hang them on door handles, leave them in the garage on the sorter/hanger and have to go out there to get my clean clothes. I decided that I would need incentive and I wasn't to slip up again. If you spent that much on hangers, you'd make sure that every single one was used and in its proper place.
So, I use blue for mine and silver for his. Black for the kids? but they only get a few, and only on the clothes they won't be wearing often. Just the best for my hangers!
I love them and will be using them soon, as my dryer is full and I will be needing to hang work clothes again!!

And was shocked!
I thought I was getting a good deal, for the channels I get, speedy internet, and all that jazz, it was almost $80!
I had it down to around $69, but I guess my free HBO and Showtime is over. Now those channels are $10 each.
I will have to rethink this, as we are not spending any time watching those channels, but it is nice to use the On Demand part for movies when we have the time and inclination.
I will have to pay $46 for my plates in two weeks. I will also have to get a new license with my new address on it.
Woo Hoo. Then I'll be officially and totally settled in here.
I hope that the tennis ball sized hail we just had didn't damage my roof too much. I wonder what it did to the car. Too late to check. I'll see it in the morning.

I offered to take some tax papers to the bank and have them notarized for free, as I am a customer.
My boss stated that I could take them home and bring them back.
I had no intention of using my personal car, on my own personal time.
I advised him that the bank wasn't far and that I could run it then and there, have it back and we could send it today.
He looked at me like I picked my nose.
Didn't I offer to use my car, use my service, and have it all free for him? Why would I not get paid for working for him?
Needless to say, I left and was back in 30 minutes. I'm a hero, but I didn't think it was such a hard decision.
I will think twice before offering my car next time.

I have recently been purchasing flowers and bulbs for my new home. I have already had a ton of flowers pop up that the former homeowner had planted, and now I am adding my own little pieces of heaven. I will be planting a garden as well, for food and for stress relief.
I have decided that I am not going to spend anymore money on the outdoors. I have purchased enough seed starter cups, dirt, seeds, and tools to last the summer.
I will eventually have food that I can feed my family and friends, cutting on my grocery bill. But I have decided that I can no longer spend any more money on these things, especially the items that are just for looks.
I am thankful to have this 1/2 an acre to plant and grow on, which I will use to its full extent. I plan on harvesting the walnuts in our backyard as well.
I really wanted to purchase a fruit tree, but alas, that must wait till next year!

Well, I took today off for two doctor appointments, but am working tomorrow to make up for it. I also work Willie Nelson this Saturday and another show Sunday.
That is five days of working for me this week. Yeah!
Summer means hours pick up, more concerts, more money!

I have learned that if I am ready to go by the time I awaken the Kraken from their beds, I will yell less, freak out less, can provide food and love more, and the whole house has a better feel to it. This saves our sanity, which saves me money. If I am up early, I can get my caffeine fix and not stop at the gas station on the way in to work.
Breakfast found in the fridge and cabinets will be cheaper than the bar or bag I grab to go with that great big soda at the same station.
I have my kids eat everyday, but making myself do it is another story.
If I get ready early, I can sit and eat with them, instead of putting socks on people who have been capable of that for YEARS. Saving my sanity and some cash one morning at time!

Well, today was the last day for 7 soaps for $20 at Bath and Body Works.
I did get 7 of them, 3 candles for $5, and a free $5 travel size body spray. I also had a 20% coupon off my entire order. So, I ended up paying less than $25 with tax for $50 worth of stuff.
Good deal for me, since we needed soap, I wanted new candles, and the free spray was cool too!
On budget with the bills, with things paid down and off. Only $100 on the credit card and the gym and house payment made. Next is cell phone and cable bill time.
Good deal all around!

I will post my personal profile link here: http://www.listia.com/profile/122450
Its this awesome site where you get things for free!
Not for money, but for credits, that the site generously gives for listing other free items, bidding on auctions, and even just for commenting and posting to facebook or twitter.
I have gotten a lot of great stuff for free from here and wanted to share with you here!

So sorry folks. Life sure does get in the way sometimes.
Also, I have had such a time with a house fiasco I forgot to tell you all about it.
I did not get that house for two reasons, one: it wasn't meant to be, and two: if something is cheap, there is usually a reason.
So, we paid an extra $20,000 for a cute, much smaller, perfect neighborhood ranch.
Plenty of room to grow, plenty of room for now, and we're in the neighborhood we want to be in.
I have made five mortgage payments so far, only 355 to go!
Also, I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!
November 11th of this year!
11*11*11
I can't wait!

I tried to post this in the forum, but I guess I still can't post new threads.

When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I am TRYING to close on a home that was purchased by a bank from a Sheriff's sale. I assumed it was a foreclosure. Now, the title company says that I can not purchase this because they have recorded that there is more land attached to it. Funny thing is that someone else says they own that land. It has the same address, is located directly behind the house, and is legally attached to the house. Why can't I get a clear title. I have to register my children for school by the 28th of this month, due to close for the second time today. This will not happen.
Any suggestions on how to fix my delima?

So, my house is not coming as soon as I had hoped. Why is the housing market not trying to unload those houses they are saturated with sooner?
The mold guy is taking his sweet time in returning his report and the plumber said that he wrote the letter saying my floor drains work. The assessor valued the home at $95k, so that is good, since I am buying it for $89k.
Be patient I tell myself.
I am not a patient person and never have. Since I can't do anything until they do their thing, I will be forced to wait. I guess this gives me more time to pack and get things just right.
Looking forward to getting air and a cool basement by the middle of summer. The house has been about three degrees warmer than outside and the kids are restless. Sprinkler time is not as fun, since it is so hot when we come back inside.
We can tough it out for two more months.
We have to!

So, I should have mentioned this before, but my first ink recycle with them gave me $49.20 towards the $80 worth of ink. I figured I'd get about $10 off or something, but really it was $50!
I recently received my rewards card for $10.68. I figured I had better return my ink and get some new black ink. Had I known the awesomeness that would be given to me, I would have recycled sooner.

Signing the contracts for the insurance on my new crib shows that they will rebuild it for $234,000. I am only paying 89,000 for the house total. personal property protection and replacement is and additional $182,000. I don't think I own that much stuff, but it makes me feel better knowing I could replace the stuff if need be.
Moving up, up, up!!!

So much going on. I forgot spring was so busy.
Little league baseball, official score keeper
Concert season on a roll, official patter-downer
Moving to a new house, new school district, new side of town
About to graduate, but not with the GPA I started with, in a few weeks, kids out of school next week
Indy 500, work, and the holiday of remembrance for all those who died for us to have the freedom to enjoy a bar-b-que or whatever we desire
So much to worry about, not letting stress get to me
Forgetting those who cause more stress in my life will be easier said than done
I will not stop reaching for my dreams and goals.

I see that I did post about my study drug to see if they could make a better fat burning drug.
I lost a total of 25 pounds but did not receive the total $ I was expecting. They clearly laid out what was to be paid, but they canceled the study early. I only lost around $140. I got my last check today for $205 instead of $345.
not bad

In my quest to save the Earth, I turn off my gas guzzler at the pharmacy and go inside to wait for our prescriptions. During the wait, of course I browse for things. I think about what I may be out of at home. I found some cheese dip for $2. At least three times last week someone was looking for cheese dip.
I picked it up.
I carry no basket, push no cart, and carry my heavy purse that prevents me from picking up what I need.
I did not needlessly pick up things that I know I want. This lead me to a form of, carry it around and put it down before you leave. No, I didn't put it back. I paid for it and was upset later.
I will not do this anymore.
I picked up a bag of pita chips with sea salt.
Why do I need these? Don't I have chips and wanted them before but didn't have salsa or cheese to go with it.
I put the item down and backed away. I then sat and waited until my name was called.
I'm proud of myself.
BTW I did buy one more thing, an impulse purchase set on the counter next to the pharmacist's cash register, but I need it. It is a new spray to help my son swallow pills easier. I know it is just sugar water, but the picture on the box of the little boy smiling will work more wonders than the spray to help out my youngest.
Guess that's better than it used to be, with a cart full of items "on sale".

It is amazing what happens when you stay away too long.
I am in the process of buying a house, finishing school, and even thinking hard about getting married.
Since there is no common-law marriage anymore, we will have to do the real deal.
But, more importantly, we are buying a house.
After careful deliberation, we have found a fixer-upper in a good neighborhood for $89,000. This is a great investment, as the last appraisal quoted it as worth $140,000.
My FHA loan is locked with a 30-year fixed rate of 4.8%.
Tell me about lucky, I already know.
Since I am moving into a home that is three times the one I am renting now, I will have some work to do by sticking to a budget for furniture. We are working towards minimization. That sounds like a lie, since we are getting so much room, but I want the home to be better than here, so that means downsizing or crap.
Hopefully this change in status from renting to owning will enhance the pride we have in our stuff.

Well, I guess this is my chance to prove to myself that I am responsible with money now. Since I only have around $1,500 to save and not blow on the holiday season, I think that I should be cautious to stay out of the mall, the stores, and especially the grocery. For some reason every year I always want to be the one to bring the best snacks or treats at a holiday party. This year I bought some pretzel rods and fancied them up with icing and chocolate. I promised myself and family that this was the only thing I was making. Then, I bought cookie mix and marshmellows to make some frosted flake wreaths. I am not very good about making promises to myself. I will keep this promise to my kids that I will have some money when the new year comes around. I already have bills that need to be paid too.
I WILL NOT OVERSPEND!
I WILL NOT OVERSPEND!
I WILL PRETEND THAT I AM AS BROKE AS I ALWAYS AM.
I WILL NOT BUY MYSELF MORE THAN TWO PRESENTS THIS YEAR. I WILL NOT!!!!!!!!!
(thanks for listening)

About two or three weeks ago, I had a weirdo idea. I wanted a dog. My mom told me that I shouldn't get a dog unless I was going to have another baby. A puppy is like a baby. It is expensive, needs diapers, and chews and puts everything in their mouths. Well, she was right. I had to buy puppy pads for it to pee on. I spent about $20 on treats, special food, and a brush with spray to help him not stink. What a great idea.

Two problems: I am not allowed to have a pet, not even temporarily.
I also know that I have to get the dog shots. I think the dog is about three months old and it hasn't had any yet.
I don't want to think about what could happen. I am currently still working on having the boys get dressed and eating breakfast instead of playing with the puppy.

Any ideas about our Christmas pup? 22 days until Christmas. Should I buy him a $10 bed? Should I expect to keep him for more than two more months? I am not worried about my landlords finding out about him, but know my neighbors would be upset, since they can't have a dog either.