Since we have an extra day off from school, me and the boys plan on doing all laundry tomorrow. We have a birthday party here next Sunday. That leaves us one week to prepare our tiny home for 25 people. I think if I have all the laundry done, the dishes and basic pick up will be less daunting. There won't be any dirty socks to move around. My two closest cousions said that they will come over to help me, so that also takes a little more stress off me.
This will be the second party I have had here at home. My house was a disaster area, when I was a spend-a-holic. I bought stuff just to buy and my house was packed with junk. I had cleaned it up and threw a Super Bowl party for my best friend, her husband, and their new baby. I didn't have to worry about her picking up and eating something dangerous as my floor was clear and empty.
Yeah me!
Now the children are cleaning their room in preporation for next Sunday, and they are being such good helpers for Mommy.
The dishes are not piled in the sink, there are no towels on the bathroom floor, and I am more peaceful.
They have already learned that "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."
I guess this will move me to using all of my laundry soaps up and I will be able to get more. For some reason, I have grown to love to buy things that I know I will use. I think it is because I made a rule about buying things that I do not need.
If it is not needed for living, I can not buy it.
So now I buy three things of laundry soap, new sponges for dish washing, and bathroom cleaners instead of crap.
I know that I will need it, so it is not just blowing money.

I am sure that some people out there hate credit card companies. I do. I hate when they call me 10 times a day, sent threat letters to my house, and if I had a job, try to call my work.
I just called to make a lump sum payment to a credit card that was WAY past due. Four months past due. I asked if I could have the $14.95 check by phone fee waived. She said no problem, but wanted to know if she could look to see if there was something else she could try. They have a payment match program there. I was making a lump sum payment, so she added half of what I was paying. WOW! The check fee was applied, but I will take a $227 credit over $14.95 any day.
Thank you so much, whoever you were.

I used my tax check for good this year. I know I said that I would use most of it for debt pay off, but I decided that I need to save my money rather than just spend it as soon as I get it. I opened a CD at my bank. I got the 6 month, highest intrest rate they had. 3.2% intrest rate with 3.25% APY. August will be a good month. I am glad that I saved. Its like hell froze over and I am in control of my money now.
I have my gas bill paid up until the summer. I over paid about $300. It was an accident, trust me.
I just need to pay up my cable, internet, and phone bills. Then I will be happy.

I have two three mid term tests today. I am feeling the love.
I gave Joe his heart shaped box of candy and he loved it.
I sent my children off with their class valentines. It's gonna be a good day.
I don't plan on spending any money today. We are having pasta tonight, so I do need to buy a loaf of garlic bread. We need milk too.
So I guess I plan on going to the grocery. I won't buy anything that's not on the list though. That is my new rule. If it is junk and we don't need it, it has to be on the list to get it. Ha.

Oh well. I can afford $10 to make dinner romantic for my three men.

My oldest child will be 6 years old in two weeks. We are having the cheapest party in the world. I am also only inviting family members. I would like to have children from school come, as my son is making lots of friends, but my house is too small, and if it is cold outside, I fear the 25 people already coming will have a hard time being comfortable. But they are all family, and want to squeeze in. Am I bad for not inviting my friends with kids? I do have my best friend and her family coming: husband, daughter, and brothers. But that is my best friend, and she must be there. I can't wait for her daughters first birthday. It will be huge.

I don't want to be a cheap skate around my kids birthdays. I never want to, but this year is a little different. The tax refund is going to necessities, and paying off debt. The bigger they get, the bigger the parties they will want. They can wait until they are bigger to plan to their wants. I may have them figure out ways to raise the money to pay for it too.

I won't spend any money today. I helped my neighbor move in their new fridge and that made me want to get a little chest freezer even more than I already want to. So, to get that, and not use my tax refund, I must not spend any money. I have not gone to get my nails done in about three months, that saves $21. I also need to cut down on the cigarettes and tequila. They are killing me. Why do I keep buying them?
We were supposed to get six inches of snow last night. There was no snow. I did not run out and buy all the milk and bread I could find. I knew it wouldn't be as bad as they thought. So I will wait until Sunday, which is my normal grocery day.
I think we will stay home and play games or do a puzzle tomorrow. That might be a free day too.

I am on top of the world. I just had my best friend, and my hubbys best friend, who also happen to be married, come over with their baby. I had a great time, and spent 0! Makes me remember the great times I had as a teenager when we would always hang out and spend no money. We were just happy to be together. That was tonight.