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 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.

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!

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.

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".

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)

Spent $10 on two cases of Mt. Dew
Spent $6.15 on a big can of popcorn
Spent $3.16 on bread, some old from the bakery for Italian loaf for dinner tonight.
Made Olive Garden alfredo sauce and Angel hair pasta for dinner and it was delish!
Washed and returned Thanksgiving dishes to rightful owner. They thought I should just take the baking dish.
Total for trip today was $78.97
That's a weeks worth of groceries, including lunches and dinner for tonight and tomorrow. Leftovers will have to be eaten tomorrow!

We went to my kids fall festival today at school. $9 for three plates of spaghetti. $1 for two drinks and 14 pieces of candy from the hallway trick r treat. What really got me, other than me paying for all that, was the pumpkin auction. The different classes painted and decorated at least 20 pumpkins. There was a real auctioneer there getting the price up as high as he could. When the price was $5 to $20, I would bid, but they were getting rather pricey. $60 for a pumpkin painted black with white stripes to look like Darth Vader. A King Tut one went for $65. $105 for a pumpkin with a blonde wig that was meant to look like the principal. I do love my kids, but really. How on earth can you afford to pay that for a painted pumpkin? Yes, I wanted to buy the ones my children helped to do, but there's no way I can pay more than $20 for a piece of fruit I can only have for one season. I guess its a good thing I took pictures of all of them, so that I have the memories forever, and am only out ten bucks. Wish I could do more, but I think some of them were ridiculously high. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

When I don't post, I am irresponsible with money. I did make a good decision with about $100 though. I have purchased an electric heater for our living room to keep the gas heat off for as long as possible. $88 plus tax is $96.14. When I saw the ad in the paper, I was excited. I saved for a while for something in the house that was for all of us, and I think this was a good purchase.

I am currently finishing up a paper due for my Intro to Finance class. DIP financing is not as interesting as is sounds, but I am glad that some institutions are willing to help in these tough times.

My darling children are out of school for three weeks. Their fall break comes after my school semester is just beginning. Thank goodness for moms and best friend's moms!!!
My Smarty pig account is slowly but surely getting bigger. I added a goal to help my saving of daily money and when I roll change that I collect, I add it to those accounts.
Breakfast is over and cartoons are going. I am volunteering at the church for a rummage sale today. I really don't want to buy anything there, but I am taking $5 just in case I see something we need.

I paid $660 to have hot water. I am thankful. I am a little pissed about how ghetto the operators were to me. After I took my dishes to my grandmother's to do them, I told her that I almost felt sorry for making fun of my ex-sister-in-law for trading sexual favors to get her utilities turned back on. Almost.

Lights and gas paid. Water and phone are next. Maybe a credit card will get paid next month.

These next two weeks are going to be outrageous with things that need to be done. I have already started on the laundry from our trip, but other than that I have to schedule my son's eye surgery, we have a family meeting with the school counselor, a lot of bills are due, and work is hounding me to come in early this week. Tomorrow I have to sign up the boys for school and finish getting their school supplies together. What else needs to be on my plate right now. I am starting school in the fall too. I had a six month break and I am ready to go back, get into the grove, and graduate. Hopefully with my degrees I can talk my boss into that raise I've deserved for over a year. I could also talk him into some working while the kids are at school sort of thing. I did that for a while, but he wanted me to do physical work instead of paperwork. I really hated getting dressed in my fancy office clothes to dust and clean on my hands and knees. I had no problem doing the laundry of the company, but really, scrubbing the table legs in a dress didn't work for me and I told him. Since I am deaf on the phone, I wasn't the best message taker for lunch time either.
I am going to be looking for a new job. Wish me luck.

Well, my lease is up in October. I really want to leave this dump, but it's cheap and has a great school for my little n's. Without finding a full time job that pays at least min. wage, I can't afford to go anywhere. I say at least minimum because I could be a waitress and make a few bucks. That won't be enough.
Right now rent is cheap for the good area I'm in, but I think my family needs more. I know that we should be happy for what we have, but my 6-y-o told me that our house is too small to get away from his brother. Two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bath. That is a really tiny place when you write it down. I guess I'm not counting everything. There's a small bathroom, smaller laundry room, and a hallway connecting the four major rooms. I found a place with three bedrooms, fenced in backyard, attached garage, with new windows and insulation. $560 to $875 is quite a jump. DH won't let us move because he is the only one really working. My job is a joke. I work one week and not for two. Since I get paid bi-weekly, it sort of doesn't pay at all. I have to drive 45 miles to get 6 or 7 hours in and then drive home at 1 in the morning, and for what? To get a paycheck for $100 twice a month? Yes. At least I have that. I have to remind myself to be thankful for what I have. Maybe I'll find a cute small house for the same amount of money in November. I'm sure that my landlord will be flexible with me. I am their best tennant.
I am happy we have a house and aren't living off our parents.

I went to the dollar store and spent $21. When did they raise prices from $1 to $5? I can't believe that. I did save an awful lot of money on my cell phone though, so I guess it evens out.

While starting my list for what to buy, don't I first need to write what I need to take first. I have a lot of the stuff that we are taking down with us, but I am worried about camping outside with two young ones and a high maintenance man. I don't need towels. I don't need swim suits or trunks. I don't need I don't need any toys to keep the kids occupied. I really only need food, and I don't want to buy that until I get there. I will take some, but milk and eggs and things don't need to travel since we aren't in the boonies.


I have already spent $85 on this trip. An air mattress and new swim shoes cost me. Sleeping shorts for the men and I still need to buy a small bottle of laundry soap. Grocery shopping is going to cost me the most, because we really don't have the money to eat at restaurants. I can't wait to start our FAMILY VACATION!!!

Four Gal milk:$1.98 each
1 bag Doritos:$2.22
2 lbs. hamburger:$2.98

Not bad, or so I thought.
Did you know that in addition to showing how much you saved, Marsh shows you a percentage of how much of your bill you saved. I saved 34% on that bill. WOW!
I guess I should have been saving at other places all the time.

I am also doing my best to not support China and stopped buying at Walmart as much. Since I have no money, not shopping is easy. But, not going there for groceries is kinda hard. I am a hard-core Kroger girl, but for paper products, you couldn't beat the low, low prices.
Doing my part for the earth and my wallet.

We haven't rented, bought, or even thought about spending any extra money on our gaming systems.
That is good for me.

We tried to use a game system for a reward system for our DS7 who was having accidents. We have since had to come up with another reward, since we can't afford what we set out for him.

He understands about money being tight, and sees what else we have sacrificed for it. It would be hard to say we don't have the money if we were buying other things. It's hard owning up to a little kid, especially if they catch you in a lie.

How come we can't get my game but you can have new (fill in the blank)?
They used to harp about my cigarettes, but I have been slowing down, trying to quit. I made it 4 1/2 days before caving. I am now on little cigars and they have no nicotine in them, being made of mostly natural materials.
Saving money is hard now, but I guess it could be worse. I could be scraping together our change for gas money. I remember those days.
Doing better, but still could use some extra $. I work two nights this week, so that is good.

Starting a new job can be hard. I didn't know that starting a new business would be this hard. I knew it would be hard, and cost money, but not this much.

I have put all my faith into myself to do this and do it well. I just hope that all of my hard work pays off and that I am back in the black again soon.

I guess that you get out of it what you put into it. Since I am putting my all into it, I should have a healthy reward. I also plan on having this business build my credit up enough to buy a house in less than three years. I have one picked out, but if push comes to shove, I have one built on some remote piece of land down south.

Any ideas on what I could do to further my business? I will take all sorts of advice, even if it isn't the best.

I am going to sell my heart out at the Spring Fling tomorrow night, with the help of my best friend. Also, when my Mom gets back in the country, she can help me with networking a home party for her friends. She is so good at getting people with money to come to a party, drink some, and spend whatever they want.
I went to a Mary Kay party that she had for a customer she served in a bar. Why did she help her so much? She liked her shoes. I have to admit, they were awesome shoes, but really, that is where I get my salesmanship prowess from, her.

I think I am stressing to much over this, but I am because I have spent a lot of money on this deal. Money that I didn't really have to begin with. But, if this goes well, guess who will be paying debt down faster than Dave R. can say "snowball".

Anyone who owns their own business that can give me some pointers about getting over the beginning sticker shock of prices and how to maximize my minimal advertising?

This year's birthday parties were a huge success. The money was saved and the fun was had.
Money is a lot tighter now that my surplus of land money is gone. I hope I had fun while it lasted. Bills aren't piling up, so that is a plus.
I may be planning a move soon. That will be interesting.
I am learning to cook nightly and not depend on outside meals that are not planned.
Cheap is good.
I hope that my want of a lifestyle that isn't that great will continue to lessen more and more.
Trying this home business right now may not have been the best idea, but I am rolling with it. Mom will help when she is not so busy. Traveling the globe first class is getting rough on her.
Sorry it took so long to write, just living life!

I have found that it is a little cheaper to have my children's birthday parties at home. I do have the prep and clean up, but I don't have to pay a salary for me to do it. Last year worked out great, this year should be good too.
Right now, I am having a little problem with my tax check. I keep trying to spend it before I get it. The IRS says that 2/24 is the soonest I will receive it. Why do I think that gives me free reign to buy the children's pants at full price? I spent about $80 at Target Monday. I know that my oldest needs bigger pants, but I shouldn't be spending my money that isn't mine yet.
I will go to the Salvation Army today and find some steals for both kids. I am also donating a lot too.
I guess I am just a little on edge about all the people coming to the party. I know that it will be fun, the house will be clean and ready to go by then, and then next month, we will do it all over again.

Today my city's Children's Museum is free. The boys and I are going. I thought about taking them to Chuck E Cheese, but that isn't free!
Bills are paid and I feel good. I just hate that we are going into months of suffering for my buying habits.
We are STOPPING eating fast food. We can't afford it and we are suffering the weight consequences. I guess since I am working more, I will have to freeze meals to bake by themselves so that anyone can do it.
If I fail at this, I am breaking a promise to myself. That won't be cool. I can do this!
I have faith in DH too. He can eat out at lunch at work, but for dinner, or the weekend for the children, we are to stay home and fend for ourselves. They have plenty of places to request foods for that weeks grocery list.
There's where more money will be going. I spent $120 there on Saturday night, and we have gone through about 1/4 of the food. I'll have to par down the consumption and buy only what we really NEED!!!

Why oh why do I always say I will do something good with my money and then always blow it.
I can't say that I always blow it, but I do burn it up quickly.
Fast food:$38 and change at White Castle, $6 for McDonald's for one just a minute ago. $7 and change for McDonald's last night for two.
Gas spent going to these places:$.50 for the White Castle, at least. $.25 for both McDonald's.
Well, that is way to much to be throwing away.
That's only two days and three different stops.
Granted, the kid's nuggets were for quickness, but the laziness for dinner last night was all mine.
I have shamelessly posted my wares for sale on this site, as I have lost resources at my job. My schooling is doing good, but I have put a lot in my lap and now I have to put it away in proper order. My classes are getting harder now and winter is taking it's toll on us by being couped up all day and night. My children need to run. I should take them to a gym somewhere.

I am very proud of myself for not buying alcohol for two weeks straight. My cousin who lives next door wants to drink at night. I already feel guilty for not spending any time with my DS2BH, so to do that, either here or there isn't being with him. I am not going to Girlz Nite this Tuesday either. I am staying here and putting the kids to bed early.

I shall get my effects in order, since it is coming up on tax time and all. I do it as soon as I get it. My refund comes faster and it is done and out of the way.
My credit card should be arriving soon, which is cool, but my interest rate is going up. That is not cool.
To that I bid ado.

I love clearance!!

I bought a ton of stuff for next year. I have added up on my receipt and found out that I only spent $32.75(not including tax) on about $100 worth of stuff. The little line that states you saved this much said that I saved $61.07(not including tax).
That is a lot to me. That is why I wait till now to buy those items. I found 6 rolls of 90 square feet of wrapping paper for $.70 each.
I did have to spend $13 on a new paper holder, but the one I had was too short anyway. I was upset when I got home and the paper I had didn't fit. The new one is almost as tall as me and I think it will be perfect.

I will also have to sort out the gift bags I got so they aren't folded in the cold and heat in my shed. Soon, I will be getting summer stuff out and will have a better idea on how much holiday stuff I really have.

Well, the old man's work is hosting a Christmas party at the local bowling alley. How fun!
I have heard that there will be free drinks and door prizes. There is a 32" flat screen we have our eye on.

I am also hosting some of his favorite friends from work here at home. The original plan was to go to the bar afterwards, but I think we will have more fun here at my house.

I think there will be about six guests. That is an estimate. We will play Wii and have a few drinks here. I will watch who drinks beer and such at the party and stop by and pick something up for them here. I don't want to buy a case of beer and no one drink it. I think I am doing something smart. What do you think?

Girl's Nite was wonderful. It was just me and my two cousins. We talked and listened to Christmas music. Not a dime spent!
We also planned some Christmas Carolling.
I can't wait. I have a research paper to write. Wanted to let you know that I am doing good with saving. I haven't blown any budgets for Christmas yet, except for maybe food. I can make up for the splurge at the grocery by not buying any Mt. Dew next time.

I heard a great saying on a website. I guess I read it really. It said that life is not about having everything you want, but wanting what you have.

I have been thinking about this for a while, way before Thanksgiving. What am I glad that I have in my life?

Family is number one.
A home and vehicles are another.
A job that I can relate my skills that I have now to.
And the urge to go and get everything out of life that I can is another.

What I am trying to write is that you have plenty now, even if you think you have nothing, you have so much more.

I have been thinking about our savings too. I am trying to figure what is going to keep saving.
What am I willing to give up to get what I want? I want savings. I don't want to spend good money on crap anymore. So, I am giving up crap. That is hard to do during the holiays. I can't help but get the cute crap that sits on the shelves. I will do my best and regretfully post anything I buy.

I went online and bought some things at a good deal.
I found an exercise machine for $29.99, a really awesome vacuum for 79.99, a back massager for 19.99, and all the shipping was free.
Way to go for me.

I cleared my savings to pay off credit card debt.
I had it for so long too.
I saved it for almost two months. It was exactly two months, if you want to say it doesn't clear until tomorrow.
I will take this lesson, with all it hurt me, and learn from it.
Never again will I run up a bill and not pay it in full. I won't fall for the catalogues promises of cheap costs.
Right!
I won't buy if I don't have the cash.
I also can't let myself fall for a scam again. I am in some trouble over a $5,000 internet scam.
How foolish!
At least I've learned my lesson, and I am growing up.
And my mom said that it would never happen.