Momsents's Personal Finance Blog

This is ironic ... a few days ago I liquidated our Vanguard money market and moved it to National City where I will be getting 4% for the first 180 days.

I also transferred money from an ING Direct account because the idea of a bank in cyberspace didn't bring me much sense of security.

I checked (compulsively) to see how much more money we lost today. At the Vanguard site I saw the above titled statement in a little box. I wonder how many of their customers have opted out of their money market in favor of FDIC insurance.

My random money thought for the day ...

Things are going well. My expenses are totally in line with what I had budgeted. We are over in the gas category, but that is covered from our Extraneous Cash. Prices are down from $4.20 to $3.60 which will help the rest of the month, should that trend continue.

I purchased DS a pair of school pants on clearance at Target for $8.00. Necessary.

I also purchased same DS his Boy Scout shirt plus the required badges. Total cost for that was $32.00 but the den leaders suggested a bigger size that the kids will be able to wear the next few years. Necessary.

I spent $20.99 on birthday gift for DS4. I used two coupons (40% at Michaels, 30% off at local bookstore) for some coloring books, wood puzzle, felt playset. He has spent a lot of time with these so far, good purchase at good price.

And that is it. Nothing more than what I needed to buy.

I found a place that will give the first dog grooming complimentary. This will save me $40 for the furry pooch to become better groomed.

I found out that our local car repair place charges the flat rate of $22 for an oil change with or without their coupon. I could do better at Jiffy Lube with their coupon offers or Firestone, but I plan on supporting the local busineses especially during these times.

I usually budget $200 for "extraneous" things like the oil changes/dog grooming/general upkeep. I should be under on that (but did spend a lot more in Sept).

I paid the $151 life insurance premium. I paid $215 to Discover, $75 to Capital One, and $66 to Bank of America, all at 1 and 1/3 times the minimum.

I did make $15 dog walking my mother's dog this week.

DH has $600 owed to him from the second job. That will got to the credit cards.

Will report again on the 20th.

Well, I transferred the bulk of my money market from Vanguard ($10,065) to National City which is paying 4% on balances on more than $5,000 for 180 days. At this point, every small bit helps.

And I was somewhat nervous having money in a cyberspace bank so I transferred $1,500 from the ING account. I am using $750 of it as a safety net in the event that the slow-paying tenant's rent of $768 fails to materialize on the 15th when my mortgage payment is due. I am debating using 1/2 for debt. Those funds were earmarked for our family vacation in May/June of '09. $750 will cover transportation by Amtrak to NYC to visit my exSIL. (Thankfully, each paying adult can have three children travel with them for free).

I talked to DH today and coordinated our calendars. He has more work coming up on several weekends, plus another apartment is going to be vacant at the beginning of Nov. Bah! More money but less quality family time.

Despite the drooped shoulders and general depressed demeanor seeing the shrinking college funds for the children, I am picking myself up by the bootstraps and sending in a nominal contribution ($50 per child) to perhaps at least take some minimal advantage of "buying low". I haven't mailed the envelope yet and keep looking at it, thinking "Hmmm, maybe I should pay more on the credit cards." I paid the minimums on those plus 1/3 (less than my desired 1/2) but any rent that comes in on the 14th and then the 30th will go to debt).
I am finding some flexibility from the plans that used to be in concrete (my absolute all-or-nothing mindset that was been an albatross around my neck for some significant time in the past). Forcing the behavior is a challenge though.

as in kids. My son is 4 today and I have marveled at how the littlest thing make him SO happy:
(1) Birthday Fairy visited the house to sprinkle him with well wishes on the EVE of his birthday. He woke up with glitter in his hair.
(2) He got the first breakfast plate. This NEVER happens because he doesn't go to day school and is usually at the end of that line.
(3) He picked out the flavor of his cupcakes/frosting and pizza for dinner as a picnic (tablecloth on the floor)
(4) He will no doubt be delighted with his gifts which cost no more than $20 total thanks to coupons of 40% off and 30% off at Michael's and a local bookstore.
And yes (5) he fed the turtle worms.

So despite what is going on to constitute an economic crisis in the world financial arena, a 4 year old's birthday still goes on.

Thank God for small blessings ...

Well, in addition to the IRAs being down a total of $28K as of today, and our real estate property values are down $200K over this time last year, my children (cumulative) have lost $6K from their 529s. Bah!

I have been guilty of sticking my head in the sand during these turbulent financial times. For whatever reason, the daily details of my small world bring me comfort and security.

SnoopyCool's DH has no job to go to. They have money in the bank and a lawyer. I know that my DH's severence is 2 months and he works for a big company. What about insurance?

I have to remind myself that I have a safety net. I have a plan.

The market isn't doing well today. Tanked, I think is the word. I transfered my money from Vanguard and ING Direct and will open a money market at my bank (National City! Which might be the next to go, though I saw an interview and they have a great Tier 1 Ratio - whatever that is!) which will pay 4% for 180 days.

I did suspend DH's contributions to the 401(k) to help eradicate debt, but my plan went south with the nonpaying tenant. I re-signed him up for 10%. There is an extra paycheck in October which I had planned on totally devoting to debt, but I think I will pay ahead the Nov tuition payment of $530 to the school and then divy up the remaining funds to the various credit cards.

DH is owed $500 (soon to be $600) for work the past two weekends.

I can't really seem to concentrate on the BIG picture of debt given the uncertainty of things. I can just try to maintain something above the minimums and try to make "the next month" easier.

Just my thoughts ...

Target can be my downfall. I can find some cute clothes at reasonable prices for myself and my kids. I went today to get DS some pants for school (on clearance for $6.48). I walked past the women's section and found some cute things - nothing that I really needed (I am still trying to get down to a 6 that fits comfortably rather than snug with spandex paneled undergarments (sorry for the visual). There was a really cute dress for *ONLY* $24.99. Mind you, I was shopping with one $25 gift card (but I did have spare cash if I spent over my limit). I rationalized my dress for a good few minutes ("Oh, it is black and looks comfortable, but can be dressed up with the right hoisery and jewelry for Christmas") Then I remembered that I have a $50 gift certificate to a cool store in a trendy town for some holiday clothing. I might even get to a 4 by that point! (Highly unlikely, but a girl can wish!) So I left the dress, and the cute cable sweater tunics and leggings, and I left with my one old little pair of pants. $8 Spent. I am working well within the constraints of my budget!

Well, I watched Suze Orman last night and her concluding words: People first, then money, next things: sort of resonnated with me.

In an attempt to be a better person this week I:

(1) Brought my brother an office-warming plant to his new office. He has a new job in town and I surprised him. He seemed genuinely happy and said we can go to lunch now that he is local. Normally wouldn't have done this, but he is my only sibling.

(2) Stopped complaining about his love-interest. He was married for 7 years to my Ex SIL whom my family loves dearly. His present girlfriend has asked about getting together a few time (pre-SIL bonding was the term she used) and I smiled and declined. This time she invited me something interesting and I accepted. SHOCK to myself. In my old mind I was being disloyal to my old SIL. Weird, huh?

(3) My DD10 had some misunderstanding with her teacher and while I understood where she was comig from, I pointed out even if her teacher was in the wrong, she still deserved respect. I probably wouldn't have added that a few weeks ago.

I am also trying to spend more quality time with the kids which is SO hard given our schedule where we need to be somewhere most of the time.

This week I do need to:

(1) Connect better with my best friend this week. She has sort of fallen through the cracks. She can be a time-robber (like not letting me get off the phone when I say I need to go).

(2) Thank the 1st Grade teacher for her effort and attention pertaining to my DS's learning style and phonological disorder. I realize it is her job, but I can thank her.

All these things really have nothing to do with money. And I am going to suggest an UNO tournament with my family later on when DH returns home from the second job and the girls get home from dance.

My DH is off working the second job all weekend. In an effort to have two NSDs this weekend (Sat and Sun), I went to the library and took out DVDs and books.

Well, looking at the calendar - it was a soccer game this AM for DS6 (park for the nonplaying kids to play at), then volleyball game for DD10. And it is Homecoming Weekend for our grade school. We go to 5:00 PM Mass, then there is a pep ralley in the gym. Essentially all entertainment is sports related.

Tomorrow there is only one thing on the docket, but I think it shall be a NS Weekend.

In my previous post, I lamented that the tenant who had been paying rent on time has been downgraded to slow-paying.

I have reworked the budget to accomodate the possibility of rent-non-payment (gladly!) and have enough money to
(1) remain solvent
(2) make minimum payment on the credit cards
(3) make the mortgage and tuition payments

I shopped today stringently - no stocking up and shopping for the next five days menu plans. Went to the library for books and DVDs for cheap entertainment. Returned a valance for $8.61. Took DD1 to GS Outing to fish (free!) and will take DD2 to ice skating lessons.

Bonanza: My father paid DH $238.00 ($113 were supplies, $125 labor). I got a check from my grandma in the mail for $100. I remembered that I have $137.50 in additional checking account (transferred $125 to normal account), and I cashed in reward points for a $25 gift card that also arrived today. AND my mom is paying me $5 a day to be a dog walker so I will be getting $20, too. I feel so wealthy with these funds I hadn't counted on!

I plan to bank those and use them at the end of the month for additional credit card payments.

Today's unexpected income total: $468 in money, $25 in Target gift card.

BIG SMILE!

Well, the tenant has been following the new payment plan for the past two months (eight timely payments). She couldn't pay yesterday (which was due on the 30th). We had waived the late payments on what she owes, but since she couldn't pay (and she did talk to my DH and said she'd have the funds). So he gets there and she can't pay. Says she'll be caught up by the end of the month (Hmmm, I have heard that one before ...)

Anyhow, DH came home and crunched the numbers, called her back and said we need the balance of the rent for Sept/Oct by the 15th plus 1/2 late fee. She is still paying to catch up on the missed rent. She did ask if we mind that her boyfriend moves in on the 11th. It will help her out financially. Hell, we thought he already lived there!

So my plan for throwing lots of money on the cc didn't exactly materialize. DH was paid today, so I need to subtract 1/2 mortgage payment and 1/2 tuition payment. We are still solvent with very little breathing room.

I just reworked my shopping list crossing off the extras. I was looking forward to baking again now that it is cooler out. So give me some $1.99 bags of generic chocolate chips and let the baking begin!

And in light of the tenants and the rent not being stable, it is minimum payments on the credit cards. But I am making those early.

October 2nd expenses:

Groceries $3.40
Utilities/Trash Sticker $2.85
Total $6.25

Goal for tomorrow: NSD

Because we entertained this past weekend and my house needed some sprucing up, I purchased some items that I thought we needed (like valances, pillows, dining room chair covers, etc). The chair covers were returned yesterday - but I knew about that because there were two sets purchased with the best one being kept.

I also decided to return a valance for my daughters' room ("Too much pink, Mom" for $7.99) and to exchange seven velour cowboy/girl hats that weren't worn at the party. The policy at the Dollar Store is an even exchange - so I will exchange my hats for Halloween themed paperware for a get together my kids are having.

Bottom line: Better discretion buying items that I *THINK* we need. Also, know where your receipts are!

Gas for minivan 1: $17.50 (balance on gift card)
Groceries (dinner staples): $34.00 (used gift card)
Return of 2nd set of dining room chair slipcovers: +$60.00

In order to return to responsibility, it has to be posted here. At least I can get my act together for the final quarter of 08.

My now 6 yo was diagnosed with a significant phonological impairment back in June. When he learned his phonics, he learned the letter sounds that he made with the letter the word started with. (Example: "five" he said as "bive" and learned to associate the "b" sound with f instead of "f") Anyhow, he is doing great with his speech therapist and is learning to say correctly the right sounds with the right letters for single sounds. However, his ability to read and spell has been greatly impaired.

He attends a Catholic school which has pretty rigorous academics for 1st Grade. I had wanted him to repeat kindergarten, but his test scores didn't support that, despite my fighting with the teachers.

Well, the 1st grade teacher wanted a conference. I was convinced she was going to suggest tutoring which I can't really afford at this point (plus I pay a lot of tuition for my kids to go to their school).

The meeting was today and it went well. We came up with a plan that should help him work independently - which is remedial compared to what the rest of the kids are doing. The good thing is once he masters the basics, he shoul catch up by the end of 2nd grade. He'll have a modified spelling list with two syllable words and I have an additional reading book here at home. He is right on target with science and math and loves school in general.

One money concern down ...

I was admittedly lazy yesterday after the party on Sat. and the overnight guests that we had.

Today I am returning two chafing dishes that I borrowed from my mom and brother. So glad that I didn't have to buy those, and I borrow them frequently (at least once a year).

We have leftover salads and chips and rolls, so I need to get to the deli section of the store and it will be sandwiches tonight and tomorrow.

Strike two days off the menu plan!

Back to the mundane ... general clean up and no non-essential money spending!

DD10 had a volleyball game at 1:30 today, having to be there at 1:00 for pre-game practice. Because this was several suburbs over and parking was scarce in the area, I found a place and we all went in together.

There was a single student desk outside the gym door with the prices stated: Child $1, Adult $2, Family $4. Because we were the only people on time for the 1:00 delivery of players, we went in and found seats near the net line. It was a solid 15 minutes before the rest of the players started straggling in on both sides. We were the AWAY team.

My daughter who is 9 thought that I should have gone over to adult manning the desk who turned up at 1:20 ten minutes prior to playing time to pay our admission. I said that I figured that if admission collecting were that important to the school, they would have had someone there collecting admission when the players needed to be there. This has been the case at all the different schools we have watched games at. Her response: "I guess it always pays to be on time."

And I then pointed out that if the admission collector had walked around and asked for the $4, I would have paid it. I'm not opposed to supporting anyone's booster club, but if someone isn't there to collect the admission, I'll be keeping my four dollars, thank you. What would you have done? I do want to set a good example for my daughter and was kind of stumped as to whether or not I did the right thing.

We hosted a big party yesterday to celebrate a combined birthday for two of my children. The big splurge was the Moon Jump ($150 for eight hours). I was smart and did get two parties out of it - the first grader had a small get together with some school friends earlier in the day and the Moon Jump was a hit. I spent another $60 at The Dollar Store for favors and paper goods and other stuff (silly string, wrapping paper, etc). The menu wasn't too bad as I preshopped and got buy one, get one free on shredded pork for barbecue sandwiches. All the chips and things were get one free as well. I made all of the salads from scratch which saved a lot versus deli prices.

The boys got some badly needed new clothes for the Fall and PJs, plus a fun assortment of games and books. Nothing over the top, just the right amount for a new round of entertainment to last the next few months. They did get money for their college funds as well.

My inlaws were in from their recent move to two states north. They took back one of our dogs with them. This was slightly traumatic to two of my children who are more attached to this furry friend than the other. The nice thing about the dog going with family is we will see her again. Life will be less complicated (this dog has a jumping/climbing penchant and would roam the neighborhood consistently). Mind you that our lifestyle here is hectic (as with most families with multiple kids) and I need a dog that I can count on to go out and do her business and then come inside.

DH is working the side job doing apartment painting today, and I have a volleyball game excursion for DD10.

With the money that I have spent lately on party things and kids activities, I am looking forward to a quiet money month and getting back to the basics and the grindstone by tracking expenses and economizing!

DH and I had an interesting conversation this AM. It boiled down to simply this: being happy with what you have because there will always be someone with something bigger and better.

DH and my father returned from their 36-hour trip to Ft. Lauderdale, FL to look at the yacht - 83 foot Berger yacht available for purchase at the price of 1.6 mil (went up $200,000).

The complete disconnect with this scenariio is I do not live the life of anyone with a silver spoon in my mouth. Rather I am the product of a broken marriage between a working class girl and a spoiled brat boy. Spoiled brat boy kept his silver spoon. I am well aware of the reality of life in old clothes and mac and cheese for dinner.

I have one sib who thinks that he has the proverbial silver spoon. Can't really rely on himself and is counting on an inheritance.

For once, my attitude is one of gratitude, grateful that I have a house over my head (and a plan if I can't afford it), grateful that my children go to a Catholic school where they are learning values that support our lifestyle and academics, glad that I have dependable transportation and the money to pay for such repairs. Yes, I tend to get frustrated having to come up with money for multiple things and I have to prioritize things. I was proud of myself for resisting the want/need for new carpeting. After time and energy, my Bissell and I pulled off some spiffy rennovations.

Above all I am thankful for healthy and happy family members, though the extended family mostly suffer from the "gimmee gimmee want want" monster or are paralyzed by fear of lack of money.

I am happy with what I have.

If my happiness was based on materialism, there would always be someone with something bigger and better and newer. And as the song goes, I would be in pursuit of happiness that was illusive and I would never be satisfied.

I have weathered the fear of the big picture of the financial reality the US is facing. Worse case scenario, I will sell the big house, move to the smaller house used as a rental property. My family will eat mac & cheese, I will have to volunteer all day/every day at the school my kids go to in exchange for free tuition. Bottom line: My family will not starve, be homeless, or be unable to educate our children as we see fit.

What is getting to me is the amount of money going out in dribs and drabs from the extra curricular things:
$4 to Booster Club to see DD play volleyball
$12 for same daughter to attend pizza party for Homecoming and cost for tie dye T-shirts
$35 fee for Tiger Cub scout
$25 Party fee for the school for all kids (missed that one in the original set of papers/checks in August)
$8 annual dues for mother/daughter book club

I understand that there is a cost involved for all these things. Bottom line is my $200 extraneous money for things like oil changes/dog grooming/classes for kids may need to be inflated.

I remain busy, watching the money, looking forward to Monday when there can be a ban on spending (big party here on Saturday, need to shop and decorate, etc).

I decided to stop lamenting about how gross my carpet is and do something about it ...

My first course of action was to seriously contemplate putting in new carpeting in the main living areas of the house (living room, dining room, family room, and stairs/hallway). Because I had the totally unrealistic idea to have it done within a two week period (we are hosting a big party next Sat here). I had planned on $1.50/square foot with $200 installation at Home Depot. There was a three week turn around for that.

That brought us to Olsen Rugs which would install the next day. Price per foot was $3.50. Absolutely cannot afford it - period - zippo - that was double what I planned on spending.

Well, DH suggested we give our gross and disgusting carpet a thorough cleaning using our carpet cleaner (Bissel heat pro x2). I bought two high traffic spot cleaners on sale for $4 and sprayed them - one in the famiy room and one in the dining room. I spent about 1-1/2 hours going over and over and over the high traffic areas and am pleased to report that the dining room and family room are looking better - spiffy and totally not gross!

I still need to tackle the living room which is the cleanest of the rooms. And while I want new carpeting - it isn't really this desperate obsession anymore.

I may have won this battle and might be able to tolerate this carpet a big longer!

The area that needs to be recarpeted is about 1300 square feet - so the amount saved is at least $2,600.

The forwarding order from our previous address expired some time ago. I thought I had updated the address at all pertinent places, apparently not.

Last Saturday my FIL noticed that the license plate sticker/registration on our minivan expired 7/08. I don't pay attention to those stickers - should, but don't.

I took the registration with the old address to the state's DMV and tried to get a new sticker. Apparently I could not renew my plates until my car passed the vehicle emissions test.

The car went to the vehicle emissions place and FAILED! Not surprising - it is a 1998 Ford Windstar and the engine light has been on for eons. It passed last time by some fluke. I am not happy that I am polluting the air, but it isn't one of my high priorities.

There was a print-out with the error codes that should fix the problem.

$688.00 later, my car should be ready for a retest. Mind you, I have expired plates. Granted I am armed with all of my ammunition - proof of test failure - registrations - receipt for work done, etc. Now I am supposed to drive the car another 50 to 60 miles before it is retested. That will take me over a week - my plates are still expired.

Lesson learned: Be diligent about sticker deadlines. Had I been timely, I wouldn't have had to jump through these hoops and I would be $688.01 richer. At least I am living by the law of the land and am no longer contributing to the pollution in my state.

In the midst of the busyness of the school schedule and things in general, I have been off the computer for awhile. A brief update in general:

Still sticking well with the prepaid gift card program through the kids' school. Only negatives thus far: (1) when phone lines are down at a store, gift cards cannot be used. (2) if there is more than one shopper in the family, there will be a handful of cards with unknown balances on them.

I transferred some Rxs for my DD and got two $30 My Way gift cards to be traded in for retailer of my choice (yay!) and one $25 CVS.

DH repaired the dryer at the rental property. Cost of part ws $27 (paid for cash) and two hours of frutration. All in all, happy with the results.

Haven't used the credit cards at all lately. Just finished paying real estate property tax.

I am on the tuition payment plan at school and that is working out with the new budgeted allotments.

Paying cash for extraneous things: $44 car repair, $38 car part (lost key led to replaced lock/ignition).

Parting with one dog due to a multitude of reasons.

Hope all is well with all of yoU!

Well, I have had my share of glitches with things (broken dryer, problems with computer's server, etc). My dryer remains broken (still carting laundry over to my mother's though this is getting very tiring), but after unplugging everything and rebooting the computer I at least fixed that problem!

DH's trip to FL to look at yachts with my father was postponed due to Gustav, Hannah, Ike and Jenna (I think that is the J name I heard). He is crankier than ever because the work just keeps going and going and going. Broken dryer at rental property was a belt that needs to be replaced. There was a problem with the soffit at one of the office buildings that was added to the list. And then there are the showings of the apt available to prospective tenants (and unfortunately the crop of those applying is really suffering - read as, if you are being evicted from your present apartment for nonpayment and you can't come up with security deposit and first rent for this place, my father will not rent to you.)

At least we are settling into a school routine with an early bedtime and waking up easily in the morning. The first grader no longer cries and is always happy when I pop in and spy on him. The 3 year old started the preschool program at the Y (well, one day a week) and he cried on Friday (his first time) but when I spied on him 40 minutes later he was an active participant in the story circle. Yay! The scheduled activities are ridiculous - we now have volleyball games on the schedule in addition to soccer, etc.

Well, we are sticking to the budget A plan so far (OK, one week now). My spending that was extraneous came from the $109 cash in the jar on the fridge:

$32 on used ice skates and blade guards for the skating daughter - cheaper in the long run than renting them at $3 a week)

$5 for wooden bird house for 1st grade son who loves arts and crafts (used a 40% off coupon),

$9 on groceries (my total was $59 and rather than using some of my $25 remaining gift card, I used cash to pay the difference)

$10 at Home Depot to buy a mirror for one of my father's apts - a quick fix to cover a whole in the door

$7 for additional contribution to church basket for kids

Remaining balance is about $35 plus some odd change. We will replenish this today with the laundry profit from the coin operated washer/dryer. And today is the Ice Cream Social two towns over that my dancing daughters are entertaining at. They are each bringing a friend so I will have to buy ice cream for seven children at premium price. Thankfully this isn't that often, and my oldest two offered up their allowances. I told them that it wasn't necessary, and I appreciated the offer.

From the budgeted amount (prepaid gift cards), I spent:
$62/$100 for groceries
$50/$50 for gas

I did redeem bank reward points and received 2 $25 Target Gift Cards. I'm still waiting for 1 $5 Panera card. This week I had a $2 rebate on Sparkle glass cleaner and a free coupon for Rinaldi's pasta sauce.

Summation: Doing well with budgeted amount thanks to surplus and diligent spending. Extraneous/cash spending is holding its own. Need to work on conserving the cash.

The tenant paid her rent early (by several days). I have started my new budget - the weekly grocery and gas expenses will be taken care of with the prepurchased gift cards (see earlier post).

I put $50 cash in our jar on the fridge. We changed things up a bit from our Sunday donut routine and DH ordered ahead and picked up the best apple pancake from a local restaurant. Plus he stopped by the store and bought bacon (on sale) and cooked up a delicious spread before Church. Cost: $15.00.

We are waiting on a check for $1,250 from supplemental job. I am putting all extraneous funds in a separate account and paying things off that way.

A friend is adopting from Ethiopia and taking doantions for school supplies for their orphanage's school. I bought knitting needles yesterday at Michael's for $2.80. There were two more coupons in yesterday's mail for Michael's - I'll take my mom's coupons as well and devote another $15/$20 to that cause. Plus Toys R Us has $1 crayons and markers today and tomorrow. It is funny that things that my children take forgranted are blessings to the less fortunate in Ethiopia! This is a good reminder for all of us on how good we have it in this country.

Off for a free excursion to the Y for Family Swim. DH is off working the remainder of the day.

The tenant paid her rent early (by several days). I have started my new budget - the weekly grocery and gas expenses will be taken care of with the prepurchased gift cards (see earlier post).

I put $50 cash in our jar on the fridge. We changed things up a bit from our Sunday donut routine and DH ordered ahead and picked up the best apple pancake from a local restaurant. Plus he stopped by the store and bought bacon (on sale) and cooked up a delicious spread before Church. Cost: $15.00.

We are waiting on a check for $1,250 from supplemental job. I am putting all extraneous funds in a separate account and paying things off that way.

A friend is adopting from Ethiopia and taking doantions for school supplies for their orphanage's school. I bought knitting needles yesterday at Michael's for $2.80. There were two more coupons in yesterday's mail for Michael's - I'll take my mom's coupons as well and devote another $15/$20 to that cause. Plus Toys R Us has $1 crayons and markers today and tomorrow. It is funny that things that my children take forgranted are blessings to the less fortunate in Ethiopia! This is a good reminder for all of us on how good we have it in this country.

Off for a free excursion to the Y for Family Swim. DH is off working the remainder of the day.

Well, we survived the first week of school. Things were hairy yesterday AM, but by the time everyone got home and "vegged" we were normal again.

We slept late and everyone had two big bowls of CRAP cereal and watched cartoons for an hour. (I hate referring to the food we eat as CRAP food, but sometimes there is a therapeutic value to a big bowl of Apple Jacks or Fruit Loops).

DH is gone all day painting. We will stop by for a visit, go to the park, head to the library, and then go to Michael's so DD can get started on two dioramas due in the next ten days.

Have a good day! Enjoy the 3-Day Weekend.

Admittedly, it is the last day of the first full week of school. The new 1st-Grader has had some issues with the full day. (Tearful little face yesterday at lunch, though he worked through it an played with his friends during indoor recess yesterday). This AM it was blown out war with him. He rejected every suggestion for breakfast (even down to my last of the unhealhty food - White Castle cheeseburgers). I have learned that he will not starve, so when I totally deflected the situation and said he would survive until snack time, he left. Round 1: Mom

Then he went up to his room, still undressed. He opted to not get dressed himself, so I had to dress him. The whole time he was crying, muttering, "Too long a day ... don't wanna go ... miss you ... want kindergarten..." I told him how one of his older sisters missed her ride due to a tantrum and both the principal and teacher told her they expected more of her (and that was 2nd grade, I think). He then protested a little less (being a law and order sort of guy )

We actually had to orchestrate his departure because he wasn't going to go - minivan needed to be started, one sister had his shoes, another had the backpack, and a bag of pretzels should be decide to eat.

DH had to scoop up his semi-combatitve little body and carry him away. His last words as they closed the door, "But I love you ..."

The above refers to the upheavel in the title.

Now, new groove: my summer schedule is now gone, replaced by an awful list of "Be here at 5, Be here at 6, Be here at 7". And the homework routine has been painful to establish as well.

I need to have more meal options made up frozen, single serving size in the freezer for food options. Have been bad at that this week - but I can overcome this and make things far more manageable.

And my dryer is broken. Don't have the funds to have it fixed - if it were the dishwasher, that would be different. I have been taking the clothes out of the washer, throwing them on air fluff (only cycle that works) in the dryer for ten minutes, taking them out and hanging them up. I do cart over a load for my mom's dryer every other day. DH is going to have to rig up some sort of clothes line for me.

My daughters solo dresses are at the seamstress. Only $70 to alter both! I love that! I spent over $150 for one dress at a different place and thought alterations would be $250 or up. So some small money saved here and now.

Gotta go start finding my new groove before my remaining sleepers wake up!

I have been in a quandry regarding the allocation of money for budgeting categories given the inconsistent nature of our income. We have recently remodeled the bathroom and had to deal with some unexpected expenses (solo dance dresses for daughters). With that behind us, I have come up with some concrete categories and numbers for monthly spending.

My children's school has a regular fundraising program where we purchase face value gift cards for grocery stores and gas stations with the school getting anywhere from 2-9% of the face value. We don't lose anything on the transaction (pay full face value) and the school makes a profit.

I have committed to purchasing $100/week in grocery store funds and $50 in gas cards. This is done as a weekly debit from my checking account on a Thursday with the card arriving home with my child on Friday. I can always ammend this and cancel altogether, but it is a good way to keep me on track and our spending in check.

The additional money that comes in from the supplemental income and other venue will go cash into a jar and be doled out accordingly (entertainment, clothing, etc). I am confident that we should be alright for awhile on this program - kids have enough clothing from the BTS shopping and they all have birthdays from Aug to Dec and will get clothing for that.

I also cashed in more points through my debit/credit card program so that is another $150 in Target cards.

This will be an exerice in discipline and cognitive decision making!