Love the Life you Live

I haven't necessarily came to place of "peace of mind" over my finances. I am aware that we should be putting more into retirement and education, and it seems that there are always those extraneous expenses despite being the pro-active in planning. I try to take the least expensive route someplace before taking the more expensive. I'm trying to educate myself about different scenarios in our future and figuring out the monetary upside and downside of these options. But overall, I am satisfied. I give myself (and DH) the grade of a solid B for of efforts and achievement and planning.

But, other people's money ... I can't let it get to me. I haven't quite figured out how to safety distance myself from OTHER PEOPLE'S chaos about THEIR MONEY. The amount of time I can listen isn't open-ended. My advice isn't worth much, because I've tried to offer it in the past. I'm thinking this is going to my strategy and I'm interested in feedback.

I want to go to the used bookstore and pick up Mary Hunt's Debt Proof Living book - two of them. And I want to give them to the two people in my inner circle who need them. BF who makes continued bad choices and is on the brink of disaster herself (hates her job, is probably facing being fired, and her option for employment - in a traveling worker capacity - and key to this is the option of renting her condo out, and that isn't an option for a year as indicated in her refinance papers). Brother will be unemployed in two weeks and the details of his practical life need to be settled, given he has a company car, a company cell phone, a company computer, insurance through the company, and his house was put up as collateral to the business. Quite a complicated endeavor to have himself extrapolated from his employment situation.

So, do I give these books now? Or later? Or never? And I should add that I no longer give unsolicited advice, and both of these people regard me as a good money manager and planner and have asked for money advice in the calendar year of 2012.

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it most likely, probably, is a duck.

Seems that financial unrest and monetary chaos abounds in my inner circle. Brother and unemployment around the corner, and best friend's poor financial decisions, yikes!

Best friend just refinanced her mortgage (this is a good thing) to escrow in her real estate taxes and insurance into the payment. She's another poor, poor money manager, single, no dependents. Her first mortgage payment isn't due for another month, so she went out and bought a new couch from Pottery Barn because they offered her both the regular sale and the moving sale. I just saw her place and there was nothing wrong with her old sofa, looked nice and went well with her new lazy boy. So anoyhow, she bought the totally unneeded, but wanted sofa for a smidge under $1K. (Did I mention her student loans are in deferment because she can't pay them and she makes $80K a year? And she can't pay down her credit card detb because she doesn't make enough.)

Couldn't help biting my tongue and saying that with the career change that DH is considering we'll be faced with significantly less in the monteary realm. To that she laughed and said, "You'll be fine. You're a planner. And if DH has keys to the food pantry, none of us will go hungry."

Me, oh my! Spend $.17 OOP at Walgreens for two 12.5 ounce boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios and a 2L of soda (one is first item for brother's stockpile).

Sad for me I won't be able to sit on my brand new pottery barn sofa pondering my financial concerns!

This is really all in humor this post, making me glad of my mindset and my money management skills, though always room for improvement. I did drop off all the completed paperwork for the $20K scholarship my daughter is applying for. I've got a good feeling that she is a definite for one of the 27, given our commitment to all things Catholic and the glowing letters of recommendation she got.

Done with ramble. Quack!

I talked to my mom this morning and found out that my brother will be unemployed in three weeks. He's a partner is a small law firm and while there's a contract in place, he won't be receiving much/if any compensation. He's lived high on the hog in many years past, but this working for himself has brought in not nearly enough money in the past. I feel sorry for him that he is a poor planner. Of course my father won't let him lose his house (nor would my father let me lose my house if I were in a similar situation), but I'm worried about how much stress this will cause him. As small as my EF is, it is at least in existence and could cover bare bones living expenses for four months. And I have plans, versions A and B, for different scenarios. I'm hoping that he's able to land on his feet soon and I'm going to look through my coupons to see about helping him build a small stockpile of convenience foods (spaghettio's and cereal).

Hopefully the lesson taken away from this situation is "It is best to put something away for a rainy day." You never know when it will rain!

OK, now that the bills and budget seemed to have taken care of themselves and fallen into a logical rhythm (and we're not paycheck to paycheck and a full month ahead on things) and money is on auto-pilot, I'm deciding to be more proactive on steps to maximize the money (and make those dollars scream as I stretch them).

Here are the plans for the week to maximize the money:
(1) Check Goodwill and the resale store for jeans for the youngest child, hoping to spend no more than $5
(2) Transfer Rx from Jewel to Dominick's to take advantage of a $25 coupon off of a $50 shopping trip. There are three Rxs I can transfer prior to the 3/31 end of offer.
(3) Take advantage of Walgreen's Triaminic offer 2/$10 with a future $5 offer (using $3 off) and then using that for cereal. I will do this once and only buy as needed.
(4) Limit local driving to save on gas usage.

I plan on posting Mondays on what I can do to stretch the budget. Any ideas on things for you to do?

That is the only title I could come up with at this moment. It is indeed Monday and dreary, with rain, I think, predicted for the day. Depressing clouds block the non-existent sun and all of the freshly fallen snow from Friday has melted to show patches of brown dead grass. Can you tell that I'm ready for spring?!

In my last post I shared that the federal taxes are filed and accepted and the refund of $4,583 should be direct deposited on 2/1. I'm using those funds to get the property tax monkey off my/our back. This is the first year that our state or county is offering a prepayment option, so I'm exercising that and with my accumulated $1,600, I should be able to pay off $6,000 of the $6,800 by 2/2. While I'm still in paperwork mode my goals for the next two days are to finish up state taxes and scholarship applications/financial aid paperwork, which is really just sitting down and re-entering all the numbers. I'll hopefully have that done and finished by tomorrow with DH faxing the supporting documentation to the Facts Tuition folks on Wednesday morning.

Our weekend was low-key, but we did have our first monthly family outing. I'm one of those people who has recently figured out that the calendar isn't really something to live by. It can be totally overwhelming by activities and things. This Saturday upcoming is an example of great schedule chaos: the Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby is 12:30-3:00. Set up is prior and our den is in charge. I have another child with a basketball game one suburb north at 11:00 and another child with a baskeball game TBD. So that means that I rush from one activitiy to another and worry about being late and/or worry about coordinating with other parents.

Yesterday was one of those rare days with NOTHING on the calendar, a whole blissful Sunday to ourselves. We opted for early Mass at 8:45, came home and spent 1.5 hours on quiet work (homework, projects, reading). After lunch we went to see "The Muppet Movie" - DH and I loved it a lot more than the kids because of its recollections from our youth, but I think they liked it. Cost for outing: $8.37 on movie theatre candy at CVS, and $24 admission. It seems to me that is about what I spend locally for outings with the kids, to bowl for an hour is $32. So anyhow, family time is now on the calendar and I've got a clue to re-aligning our outings so they're in line with priorities (faith/family/friends).

I created a major excel spreadsheet that I think will work for us. No more different sheets with different categories; it is now one long sheet with each of our major umbrellas of expenses: Discretionary (Living), Fixed (Utilities and Mortgage) and Reserve (short-term expenses we call Extraneous). I've increased the % to 401K back to 10, after lowing it to 4 back in Sept when we ran out of HSA funds and had to pay $250 a month for asthma meds.

Passive Income Challenge has $350 in it, and I'm not including the pending $283.

All in all, things are fine, despite the depressing weather!

And refund of $4,583 is expected to be direct deposited on 2/1.

We are snowed in and there wasn't much to do last night, so I sat down and finished the federal. I got a bit bored and will continue with the state in the near future.

The last child was sick with a low-grade temperature of 100.6 on Saturday and Sunday. This allowed us to skip her two basketball games those afternoons in several suburbs over. Nice not to travel, but poor thing was just miserable.

I think that the post-Holiday lull and the snow and cold has set most of the people I know on "blah". I've unfortunately become the sound board to most of these people complaints, and now that I've got some complaints of my own (nothing major, just some gripes over volunteer work and some bad grown-up behavior) the dynamics of some of these relationships is changing, and I'm leaning toward that place of really wanting to be anti-social for the remainder of the month.

Anyhow, today all the kids went back to school and I'm on my own, but feeling somewhat lethargic (seasonal affective disorder most likely.) Trudging on through the day - cleaning, laundry, cooking and then homework and projects galore.

Passive Income Challenge has developed a sub-category of "Gift Card Challenge". I redeemed a $10 Target Gift Card through my regular debit card account at PNC. DH was jsut approved the American Express Gold which will yield us $250 in gift cards with $1000 in charges in three months. I think we'll use that for the living expenses for the next two months and will be able to wrack that up pretty fast (paid off of course). I'm not really counting that as a Monetary Contribution to the Passive Income Challenge, although I can always just make a contribution of that amount, I suppose. Still figuring it out.

another day with a sickling, same sickling as yesterday. He had a temp of 99.9 and had a nose bleed last night, so he's not going to school. This means that I'm housebound again.

Money-wise, not much is going on. By being judicious with the spending, I'm finding that I'll be able to take care of things (small and medium sized expenses) sooner than expected. My inlaws left DH with a $100 check to be deposited on 1/26 (after their next direct deposit) and my grandma sent me a $100 check, too. I'm expecting reimbursement of $69.99 for expenses outlaid for Cub Scouts and the Knights of Columbus. Also still haven't submitted $11 worth of receipts for Room Parent expenses. I did mail in the paperwork for the collection of the found $81.33, so the passive income challenge is alive and well. I also forgot about the $100 that I moved from savings to open the Sharebuilder Account with, so I'm including that in the Passive Income Challenge as well.

Busy weekend around here with high school Entrance Exams and basketball games, plus a sleepover and a small list of To Dos. Hope that healthy days are right around the corner.

Well, not exactly. Same situation, different sick child. This one loves school and when he says "I don't think I feel well enough to go", it means he feels rotten. The thermometer is teetering at 99.3, so something is abuzz. This is the St. Francis reincarnate whose love for animals is endless. I made a comfy bed on the couch and he dragged his blankets down on the floor to lay with our dog. It will be another day of cartoons. Which translates to more stitching time for me. I'm cranking out my small free project, using on hand fabric and floss. It inspired me to clear out and organize my stitching bin and come up with other projects to do that I might have on hand. Thankfully, my pile of unfinished projects isn't that vast. Due to the price of framing (which is high), I am sticking to standard sized frames of 5" x 5" or 6" x 6" or 5" x 7".

I checked the status of my oddities that I have on consignment at the store featured on TLC's "What the Sell". No interest in my partridge lamps or guilded mirror to date. THere is a second consignment store that I am willing to try and the proceeds of the sale are donated to charity. Perhaps some rich person with eccelctic taste woule interested in my items at the next place. I am learning that individual taste for these items is definitely rare.

Worked the budget for the first quarter of 2012 and looks like I can accomplish quite a bit with discipline and determination. Staying out of stores has helped, also having a running excel spreadsheet that I look at DAILY has also helped be a better spender of the funds.

I completely stocked up on Triaminic cold medication for the kids, forgetting the random chance that I, or DH, grown-ups, might get sick along the way, too?

Triaminic was $1 a bottle after all coupons and ECBs (Walgreens equivalent) were applied. My kids have all returned to school and I now have the plugged nose, the sinus head-ache, the odd ear squeal and pop, a sore-sore throat. My grown-up options for medications are limited. I think I'll take an aspirin and tea to begin with.

I did make progress on my thrifty craft project yesterday, so I suppose I'll make major progress today not having to nurse sick people.

Younger daughter is off of crutches and is using a walking cast after her spill last Thursday. We watched the movie "Jig" on Lifetime on Sunday and she's been air dancing since then. I'm not looking forward to her returning to class and possible reinjuring her ankle. Thankfully we've been able to use friends' crutches and air casts.

All the bills for January were paid with the last of December's paycheck and I used monetary gifts to make the mortgage payment, too. So we're starting to pay February's bills as they are coming in. We are skipping taking the girls to the January competition (savings of $120), and we've suprisingly paid cash for some reimbursible expenses ($29.99 for the Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby Scale and $40 for gift certificates for prizes for an essay contest sponsored my DH's fraternal organization) rather than using the credit card. Things are looking fine for the time being. I am enjoying the lull of crazy spending prior to Christmas. I do see the benefit of organizing your finances and To-Do's on paper.

Time to go catch up on everyone's blogs.

Well, sickness has befallen the house of M. I'm home with a sick 8th grader and a sick 1st grader. The younger one responded better to his medication, is fever-free presently sitting on the floor humming and playing with Legos. The 8th grader has not rallied, and is wrapped in a comforter on the couch simply resting. Science Fair presentation is tomorrow and the high school entrance exam is on Saturday so I've decided to dose her with amoxycillan (we keep it on hand and tend to give if she runs a high fever for 24 hours since she can get to pneumonia quickly - or I should say "has" in the past prior to the pneumovax). So I'm housebound, but the cupboards are full.

Only thing I'm missing is a current craft project. I am a cross-stitcher with no current projects in place. I started looking at patterns which are rather expensive, online that cost $7 + shipping for a 5" x 5" pattern. After a little bit of time on line, I found free patterns that I liked every bit as much as the expensive ones. I printed out four (trees during each season) (FREE) and I checked my stash and had fabric and floss. This might be my year of thrifty hobbying! I should add that I am a basic DMC color floss person as opposed to the new hand-dyed silk floss which is available nowadays in brilliant hues and tones. The cost of the DMC is $.39 as opposed to $2.00 for the new ones. I suppose I could argue that I'd be supporting local artisans purchasing the $2 ones rather than the most-likely made in China $.49 ones, but money IS money at this point.

Onto the Passive Income Challenge, I have received (again) the offer of $100 for the TCF Bank Checking Account. I like this one as it doesn't require any driect deposits, only 12 transactions in three months. DH has been offered American Express Gold which rewards $1000 in three months with $250 in gift cards. Considering that one as well.

Off to start my thrifty cross stitch project while listening to science fair project presentation AND playing Clara Barton/Florence Nightingale.

Well, 2012's fiscal year began yesterday with the first paycheck of the year. I'm a bit excited by the whole thing.

My first goal is to track my grocery spending (all items and coupons) to determine which approach offers me the best savings: (1) ads and coupons weekly, (2) Aldi's bare basic necessities budget with other needed items purchased at different stores, (3) Sam's Club. My first go around for month one is: (1) Ads and coupons. I spent an hour on Thursday mapping out coupons with store ads and I think I did fairly well. I spent $130 for the week and will actually probably be able to stretch it ten days, only adding milk and fresh produce. I'm contemplating powdered milk for all the baking I do (muffins, waffles, etc). Trying to cut corners where-ever I can.

Our extranous expenses are high this two week pay period: $35 for high school entrance exam fee, $107 feis registration fee, and $280 for DH's three month exercise session. Had to transfer $150 from small savings account to cover that category, but don't expect major expenses in this category again for awhile.

I upped the 401K from 6% to 10%, I changed it downward when we ran out of HSA funds and needed to cover my daughter's asthma meds. Now that it is a new year, new funds are available.

OK, all for now!

In an effort to be more productive with my time and being a more efficient user of fuel, I turned down an outing today with my mother. We usually travel around town once or twice a week, mostly after Mass, going to the library, local errands, etc. We spent a lot of time together before Christmas and today is the first day my step-dad is back to school (his vacation time started later than ours).

My mom called to see if I wanted to go to Macy's and Ikea. Macy's because I have a $25 gift card that I've had forever and probably should just spend. Also my oldest daughter's new favorite meal is the meatballs out of IKEA. Payday is Friday and I have NO money left. I spent wisely yesterday on sale items and used coupons (biggest savings was NEEDED robe for son (MSRP $38, at 80% off at Kohls, was $8.08 with tax). So that's it for me.

I had to say that I'm tapped out til Friday and I'm not feeling the NEED to get out of the house and kill time. So today I stay home and finish up the laundry, start making some headway in the organization department, and stay warm.

So, the IKEA meatball will still be waiting for me, and I'll use the Macy's giftcard at some point in the future. Discipline and purpose, two things I'm striving towards.

All the kids (including the 5th Grade Science Class' Box Turtle that we hosted this Christmas Vacation) went back to school today. DH should probably be included in this count since he's been home since 12/23, but he did have two days at work last week. It was a delightful time and I'm sad to see it end. Definitely makes me realize the importance of building family time into the schedule just like any other activity. We spent the afternoon at the Museum of Science and Industry, and had a really fun time. Only expense: $14 for discounted parking (savings of $6 due to membership). I packed snacks and drinks from home, so after a late full breakfast and an early big dinner we eliminated the need to lunching out.

We did a major sort of sort and purge in the kids' rooms, and I've got two big bags for donations, another bag of garbage, and a box of things for our friends we "donate" regularly too. I was going to declare January a no-spend month, seeing we're coming off of Christmas where most needs and wants were fulfilled. HOWEVER, I am in need of a pair of winter boots for oldest son, and next son is in need of a robe. Probably Kohl's or Walmart for those should yield some sort of discounted savings. (I will not abandon the pursuit of "saving while spending")

Financial To-Do Tasks:
(1) Make copy of drivers license to mail in paperwork for claiming lost money ($81.33)
(2) Start getting numbers for tax purposes
(3) Submit $11 worth receipts for Room Parent expenses

I'm still working of concrete goals for life in 2012. I hope to earn $1200 (10% of present EF total) in a Passive Income Challenge. I have earned $100 on the Citibank Dividend Credit Card Promotion (spend $500 get $100), I "found" $81.33 in lost money from the state of IL, and I opened the Sharebuilder Account and expect the $75 in 4-6 weeks (I think), I also opened a PerkStreet Debit card Account and made $25. So all in all, the wheels of accomplishment are turning in that direction regarding that concrete goal.

Just popping in to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you! Wishing you all the best for the upcoming year.

I sadly fizzled somewhere on actual goals and tracking progress. So I have nothing to report as far as accomplishments achieved, aside from keeping track of a large generally happy, healthy family and not making majorly poor financial choices along the way.

I'll be giving some thought to concrete goals and will be looking for some serious accountability - any wanna-be accountability buddies out there for the taking? Maybe weekly individual emails? All along the lines of annonymity, of course .

Hope that you all have a wonderful first day to the New Year, relaxing and enjoying family and friends!!

Wishing everyonen all the best!

I had a blessed Christmas with family. It began with Mass on Christmas Eve to herald in the Christ child (the reason for our season) and was followed by quality time with family. Good food, good times, good behavior by all.

My children were gracious recipients of all gifts. There were extravagant items (X-Box and Kinnect from my father) and practical items (slippers from my grandmother) and we're embracing the new custom of photo thank-yous - so we've got fun pictures of kids with the items.

I was thinking a lot about the materialistic aspect of Christmas. We stick to three or four gifts for the kids from "santa" and we pick names from a hat for our "Advent Buddies" and our "Stocking Santa". The children were so thoughtful in their gift-giving, warmed my heart.

I think what inspired me to post this blog was "Hurry - Don't Forget Your Gifts for King Day" (apparently referring to the Epiphany)? Yet another religious holiday used for gift giving? If I am off-base and in my ignorance am showing irreverance to some cultures, I apologize. It just seemed to me ... wrong.

It is so easy to get caught up in the bargain hunting for gifts for next season. I'll admit to buying my box of Christmas card for next year at 50% off, but that's it so far.

My brother dated a woman for several years and my thoughts of her at the time were ... well, not very nice. We are worlds apart as women, and I thought my world was made of better choices. Anyhow, she and my brother parted ways over a year ago, but we still run into her now and then. Her brother was sadly murdered a few months back. A young man, handsome and happy in all the pictures. I never met him, but his family talked affectionately of him. I had a Mass said for him ... tomorrow at 7:00 AM. I arranged it in the beginning of the month and my mother sent the Mass Card to the ex-girlfriend and daughter in her Christmas card.

The ex-girlfriend called today and cried. She managed to express gratitude for remembering her brother and having the Mass said and praying for him. I, of course, cried right along with her. She said it was the best gift. It cost me nothing more than a small donation, and it was the right thing to do. I am glad that I was able to bring her a measure of comfort during this time. Kindness sure goes a long way, doesn't it?

Merry, merry Christmas! May your holidays be filled with love and peace and happiness and joy! May the New Year be everything you hope for!

Disclaimer: I totally get that I am not working smarter, but harder. This is all in the name of saving money when I do have to spend it. I realize that my time IS money in some sense of the word, but I'm truly being guided by the premise that "every dollar counts".

I gave up my Kohl's charge card. Paid it off and closed the account. Whatever savings they offered, the interest was high and I ended up carrying a balance. Gone and done. Good-bye. My mom has a 30% off coupon, and I'm going to go with her to re-buy the shrug, bra(s), and pants that I purchased. I should save $18 on those items (of course I'll return them with my receipt that didn't have a discount). $18 is $18 in my book.

Well, today is the Christmas Show at school for the kids. DH and I go at for the parent show, which has the kids in uniform. Tonight is the show they get all dressed up for, and my parents take them to that.

I made a big batch of brown sugar cookies yesterday. Today is gingerbread cookies. I have a batch of dough in the fridge now, and will make another one early afternoon. Most of the things have fallen into place for the 4th Grade party tomorrow. My take-charge friend is now on board thinking everything through and trouble shooting any potential problem. I'll use my 40% off coupon at Joanne's to pick up the gag gift for the 7th grade's white elephant exchange (Plastic toy animals that poop candy is the new range - ick! But it needs to be gender-neutral). So on my front, all is looking manageable. I've got 45 mintues to start Chrsitmas wrapping.

Hope everyone has joy in their hearts as they go about doing what they do. I'm thinking I won't be on much until the new year with the kids being home and we've got some fun stuff planned as a family: trip to Morton Arboretum, maybe last minute tickets to see "A Christmas Carol" at Drury Lane, a train trip downtown to finally go to Willis/Sears Tower and ice skate, plus the Holiday itself and Mass and meaningful family time, plus inlaws in town, and oh, yeah ... older daughter's belated birthday celebration.

So, with that I'll wish my Christian friends "A Most Blessed Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior." To my non-Christian friends, I wish you "A Holiday Season filled with Peace and Love."

Merry Christmas! Laura

The basking glow of my frugal finds dimmed slightly yesterday. The biggest expense seems to be outfitting my children (5) in new ensembles for their Christmas show at school and Mass on Christmas Eve. With the boys it isn't that hard to hand down, resurrect, and buy filler items. All that remains for that category is a pair of brown dress shoes for oldest.

The girls, on the other hand, are a bit more complicated. Older daughter is wearing her dress from Father-Daughter dance, but needed a new shrug. Found at Kohl's for $25. We happened to come across a very cute clearance dress for an upcoming event (2012 Father-Daughter Formal or Valentine's Day Dance) for $23. Younger daughter found her dress on clearance at Von Maur for $16 (and it's made in the USA!), but she needed a belt $13 to go with it. I felt fine with those purchases/accessories.

It was the shoes that did me in. Taking five kids straights from school to Kohls with only a minimal snack and staying in the store for over 45 minutes is a lethal combination. Both girls found shoes (black heels) for $68 total + tax. I bit the bullet and bought them. Then in the car after the shopping trip, kids rallied when one decided to share a huge Hershey's bar. That was enough to sustain a quick trip to Payless where each girl got black shoes that they liked better than the ones they picked at Kohl's and we picked up a new pair of school shoes. I forgot my coupon for 20% off, and the girl applied the discount (we were just there for gym shoes for younger daughter and I again forgot my coupon Note to self: NOT working smarter, DEFINITELY working harder). So those THREE shoes came to $43.

Item 1 on my To-Do today is to go back to Kohl's and return the $65 shoes. $65 for 2, versus $43 for 3, I'll consider this a small victory of sorts for my money.

I think what I take away from this is: for 2012, I'll try to spend over a more spread out time frame for upcoming events, and my daughters and I will definitely continue to check out the clearance racks for cute dresses.

I had a bit of time yesterday to kill before having to pick kids up at school. I decided to stop at our local domestic violence resale store (all proceeds go to fund the shelter and services in our county) and also Goodwill. The last few times I've been in either of those, I've left empty handed, not quite finding anything that was "right" or "needed". I must admit that I was feeling a bit inadequate in the "item finding department" compared to CB who always manages to score great finds.

My grandpa used to tell me "the tides on the minnies have turned." He was born and raised on a farm in Michigan, and while I never asked the origin of the saying I think it has something to do with minnows swimming upstream to spawn? If anyone reads this and has a different interpretation, please share. This quote applies to the turn of luck that I've experienced in having fruitful resale store excursions.

OK, I have joined the card-carrying club of thrift store scorers with the following two purchases! Here is what I got:

First Store:

Magic Tree House Christmas Book (hardcover) $.94 (all Christmas items were 25% off)

Dept. 56 Christmas figurine: $3.94

New With Tags Talbots Navy Blue Blazer for son: $6.00
(original MSRP $68)

Made in USA Camel colored Wool Blazer for son: $1.63
(Blue tags were 1/2 off trying to reduce inventory)

Two Polo brand Golf shirts for DH: $7.00 (each was $5.00 but 30% off)

Pair of jeans for son: $1.75 (1/2 off)

TOTAL FOR THIS HAUL: $22.95


Second Trip to Goodwill

Gag gift for DH: GB Fauvre Football Jersey: $6.64

Three long-sleeves shirts for DH: $3.79 x 3
One long-sleeve shirt for DH: $4.74
(1 was brand new Lands End with tags, virtually new Brook Brothers plaid shirt, and two RL Polo brand oxfords)

One dress shirt for son: $2.37

TOTAL FOR THIS HAUL: $26.94 (and this was with a discount applied)

Boy do I feel like I hit the Bonanza Jackpot. Six shirts for hubby, my oldest son has a choice on which blazer/sport coat he wants to wear (and both match his Christmas shirt), little guy has a shirt that fits and jeans (we go through pants regularly with knees through holes). My reluctant reader is excited by a book, and I have a new chotchky (or however you spell it).

I'm feeling like a good steward of my husband's money and I'm grateful for these finds.

Struggle

I had to go back re-read my post from Friday, about how grateful I am that my children love service and giving back to the community. After I posted that I turned up to help out at the Senior Sing that the 8th grade was hosting for the seniors of our parish. The agenda was to have the 5th graders sing their songs for the Christmas concert, have the 8th graders sing, and then have the Catholic High School's jazz band and performance choir sing. The students brought in cookies they made and we had coffee and tea. Essentialy the 8th graders were the ones to mix and mingle, but parents were asked to volunteer to come and oversee. I was at the school on Thursday evening, and the coordinator of Friday's event asked if I could bring my camera to take some pictures. I said "sure". I happened to be THE ONLY parent to show up to help out. No other parent out of the other 37 students showed up. Boy, I would have liked to complain about that to someone, but then I had to think about what my kids think - nice to give back. The seniors were very appreciative and friendly and complimented the students. The best was when I talked to an ancient grandma (probably 95+) who was delighted to meet a "mother" (me) who had five wonderful children in a Catholic school, "each one a gift from God." She also said she meets many women today who aren't mothers first. And of course there isn't any debate that nowadays most women need to work (especially where I live to maintain a certain lifestyle). I felt a sort of cameraderie with this woman who herself stayed home and raised a family. It was a bit of a struggle for me though, in those initial minutes of realizing I was the only one, and I started down that, "But I'm a Room parent who has to plan the 4th grade party, and what about the Pinewood Derby Cub Scout Event looming large." Had to tell myself to put a cork in it and move on. I alone had volunteered in one way or another for those capacities.

Challenge

I have declared 2012 my year of passive income. My goal is $1,000 and I am still working on the parameters of it. My first additition will be $81.33 of "found money" located through the post from last week, can't recall OP.

"Stuff". I'm officially done with the Christmas shopping. 4 gifts for each child to open Christmas morning, one of those being a "group" gift for family fun - Smurf movie DVD, 500 piece jigsaw puzzle, Yahtzee Flash, etc. The remaining items are things they want that I wouldn't ordinarily buy (big Lego sets, Pink brand sweat suit for daughter, designer wristlet for other daughter.) Amount on each child: $130-$150. Gifts for parents/inlaws and brother/best friend $20 (dropped down from $30) but I think I did a good job finding items on sale that the individual would like.

"Service". My kids are volunteers at heart, coming from mostly seeing how involved we as a family are in service at our parish. DH and I are actively involved in all the kids' programs our Church offers (he is the Youth Director for the Knights of Columbus and I'm the co-cordinator for the summer programs). My kids love to help out and were just waiting for the sign-up sheet to be a part of the Christmas Eve Mass. It prompted a good conversation with my kids about being active and sharing our joy about the things. My older daughter suggested a family volunteer outing after Christmas at "Feed My Starving Children" the day or two after Christmas, and including the grandparents. I think this is a wonderful tradition and I'm so proud of her for wanting to do this.

Today is payday and rent collection day. This is the boring part of the month were I pay the mortgage, put our living expenses in the checking account and move the remainder to "reserve". I am waiting for a check for $1,950 to clear, for my daughter's solo dress. We bought it used from a family with tons of money. If I had a check for that amount, I'd promptly drive to the bank and deposit it. [I should add that I didn't actually pay that amount because I sold her old dress for $1,300. ]

That's all

I survived last week home with a sick child. Monday was Day #1 with three children. Days #2-#4 were with oldest daughter who has asthma and had a sinus infection. After the second trip to the doctor (the first the Wed before Thanksgiving, the second the Tues after) we finally got her on an anti-biotic. Since we're OOP on the Rxs now until January, I was shocked to find out that Augmentin was $145. I talked to the nurse who called in Amoxycillan for $26. Anyhow, the Amoxycillan has worked just fine and did the trick.

We're busy with a band concert tonight, caroling at the nursing home/senior center on Friday. I've got the 4th Grade Christmas party next Friday and am looking forward to quality time with the kids.

Money-wise, I'm a spending fool. The boys needed clothes, so I had a coupon for $10 off of $50 at Old Navy. I was happy to find a new coat for one of them for $25, plus got some warm pants and pull over for $8. I had a $10 off coupon at Kohl's so I got 18 pairs of socks for the boys for $7. I bought a sweater for my mother for Christmas using a store credit that I had at JCP.

I am looking forward to January and a new budget. I need to take a lot at my spending more realistically.

Hope all are well.

(1) "Yours is the only one"
Referring to my older daughter who recalled in the Traditional Set despite having a 101 temperature and body aches. She had two girls from her dance school in that competition, and neither of them recalled (which means to place in the top 1/2). I felt quite bad that the other two didn't, one of them thought it was her best dance ever and she cried for the next several hours. My daughter placed quite decently given her clearly ill state.

(2) "The wig is on upside down."
OK, that is what the teacher said to me when she saw the corkscrew curl wig on my daughter about 30 minutes prior to the ceili - or 8-hand figures team dance that both my girls were on. Yes, I, a dance mom for the past many years, have never dealt with a wig like and I mistook the hair band at the bottom of the wig as the bangs. Shame on me.

(3) "Mom, it wasn't the best I've danced"
Said my younger daughter who was rumored to qualify for Nationals. She didn't even recall - which left me dismayed, but didn't seem to phase her.

(4) "I don't need an award to know I'm a good dancer." I did thank God for her maturity and outlook. She didn't recall three years ago and was in tears for hours. My MIL asked her what she'll do now, and my daughter looked at her blankly, like it would take one poor performance to break her esteem. That is my girl!! After her treble jig which wasn't her best, she performed her slip jig perfectly, but apparently it wasn't enough to bring her to the top half.

(4) Mouse Fact #137 from oldest son: Mice can wiggle out of traps because they have cartilage and not bones.

(5) Mouse Fact #196 also from oldest son: St. Francis loves ALL animals, including mice.

(6) "We've now officially killed all the Walton kids, plus Liv and John, and Grandpa Zeke and Gran Esther. Anymore casualties, and we'll start pecking off the Duggars one by one."
That quip was DH's as our final mouse kill total was a whopping 11! No more mouse turds in my kitchen. We've been rodent free traps two mornings in a row!

(7) "Rather than go to dinner and spent a lot of money on sub-par food, I've bought an extra pork roast that I'll make for dinner one night when you're still at the competition."
OK, my in-laws do feel the obligation to take us out for a meal when they are here. There are quite a few of us, and the bill is usually a lot more than they are used to spending. MIL said the above and made a wonderful pork roast with onions and mushrooms and it was so nice to come home yesterday to a house filled with the rest of the kids and the in-laws.

(8) Last night, before bed, younger daughter who didn't recall said, "I can't decide if it is easier to be the worst of the best, the best of the worst. You know, it really won't matter tomorrow. And by the way, one side-stage helper complimented me on my manners. She said I was the only one thanked her for holding the curtain open for me. *D* (older daughter) held her own curtain, so she wasn't rude. OK, good night."

I have a quiet minute this AM and wanted to say that I am thankful for this community to help support me in money matters and in life in general.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Gooble Gooble (as written by my first graders)

(1) DH used old-fashioned traps to catch the culprits. He had a $5 off coupon at Ace and got four traps and a beef jerky. He ate the beef jerky and left the wrapper in the bag. Son thought that the beef jerky was bait for the mouse.

(2) Ratatouie is showing with GREAT REGULARITY on the Disney Channel right now. This is not the movie to be watching when one wants to catch a mouse.

(3) I was reminded of the third commandment when my sensitive son (this is the one who became a vegan at four when he realized beef comes from a cow - he's my John Deere Junky who'd be happy with my or husband's distant relatives on the dairy farms in Michigan). "Mom, it is not right to kill God's creatures. I've heard that it might be okay to kill if you're going to eat or if you need to defend. I don't see us eating mouse for dinner or that they're taking over." Good point, Son, tell that to your wife in about 20 years and see what see says. I thanked him for his sensitivity.

(4) Outcome: two casualties with much less evidence of mouse partying in my kitchen.

Off to deal with school volunteer work and more dance To Do's. How are your Thanksgiving plans shaping up?

Hope this finds all SA Friends well and getting ready to enjoy time with family and friends later in the week.

We are well into the week of preparations for the Oireachtas which is the Mid-America Championships for Irish Dance covering a multi-state region. My girls did well last year, "the worst of the best" which was an upgrade from the "worst of the worst" two years earlier. My younger girl is rumored to qualify for Nationals (which are in Chicago this year) based on her progress and performance in class, and my older daughter has come a long way from a gawky sort of kid to someone with great stage presence at 5'7" and 90#. I am quite proud of these two, can you tell?

I was able to return the $58 eye shadow purchase to Sephora since the team dancing make up will be done professinally. Both girls have dark brunette wigs (standard to have all dancers look alike) and we've had good luck with the temporary hair dye for their bangs. We've also had good luck with tanning their legs and will use our normal coppertone tanning lotion. Today older daughter's school dress is coming home (made custom for her) and younger daughter's dance dress will come back from the tailor tomorrow. Shoes to be polished and I'm fairly organized this year.

Christmas shopping is going well. My kids are all done and while I will admit to overbuying for them, I was able to easily remedy the situatino by selling some gifts to my parents and brother.

I used $10 off on a $20 purchase for a gift for my SIL's baby, well my X-Sil who had a beautiful bouncing baby boy at a whopping 9#. My brother's ex-girlfriend's brother was murdered two weeks ago and I've decided to have a Catholic Mass said for him. I know that he was a Protestant but I've gotten over the whole label thing of "catholic" vs "protestant" and have decided that since we're all Christians (speaking here only of my family and his family) it was fitting.

The stirring creature you might be wondering about mentioned in the title of the post refers to a mouse that was spotted in my house - in my kitchen - apparently coming up through the cabinet base where the pipes are. Found a cheese stick wrapper stuffed in the hole and didn't think much about it until I spotted mouse droppings. DH purchased traps so we'll see what we yield. I hate to admit to being skiddish but I am. I am afraid to open my kitchen cabinets though there's been no evidence of anything in the actual cabinets. It was clearly a quiet homework moment that brought the creature out because lately it has been a zoo here with constant Irish dance music and hard shoe pounding and trumpet practice.

Hope everyone enjoys their time off. See you November 28th.

Yesterday I tried my hand again at shopping for Christmas with my coupons and coupon cards. I'm happy to report that I did fairly well saving while I did spend.

This is what I purchased:

Bath & Body Works $6.00 for body lotion and body mist of their new scent (for younger daughter) It was 50% off and I had buy one get one free coupon

Aerpostale $16.00 for a long-sleeve thermal knit top and a t-shirt (for younger daughter) had 40% off total purchase price and both items were on sale

Victoria's Secret $100+ (don't have receipt in front fo me) PINK brand yoga pants and velour for older daughter. To think that I thought that Vicky's Secret was simply thongs panty and bustiers! HA

Family Christian Store $62 and that was MIL's Christmas and Birthday Gift, Goddaughter's Christmas gift and Thomas Kincaide Christmas cards. I had a 30% off coupon (from doing survey on bottom of receipt) and the new receipt says I saved $42. Maybe?

So I'm making progress and feeling like I'm not spending as much as I could be.

Time between now and dance competition is filled with odd times for semi private lessons, extended times for regular classes, and three-hour long practices for the team dancing (ceili and choreography). My brother is hosting Thanksgiving so I am simply bringing some side items (green bean casserole and cornbread casserole). I'm hosting a party on Friday for my girls (my inlaws are in from out of state and I try to capitalize on having them here), but our party is pretty small down from last year's 30+ and I'm keeping it simple with a crockpot filled of ravioli and chicken Parmesan, plus a green salad and garlic bread. Last year I had several more main menu items and it was too much. And then of course Saturday and Sunday are dance, dance, dance!

Hope all are well and tackling your holiday lists and cooking tasks with a happy heart!

This year I have two Cub Scouts who participated in the annual wreath sale which is the Pack's only fundraiser (they opt out of popcorn sales). In our subdivision we have our "regulars" who have bought from oldest son the past 3 three years. This year DH took advantage of having our Scouts sell wreaths in the Narthex of the church following Mass and he got the first weekend after 8:45 and 10:15 which are the most popular.

Last year our sales total for E was $380. This year E sold $425 AND A sold $408. I was quite impressed with their efforts until I heard that places 1 & 2 were $1,100-ish, and even 6th place was $750.

There is a drawing at the November meeting for prizes. Places 1-5 get to pick from the items purchased, and then there is a drawing for prizes 6-11 and your number of chances is based on your sales performance.

Last year E's number was drawn and he brought home a blow up inflatable snow inner tube thing that brought him a lot of joy this past season. I was there for the first half of the Pack meeting because I've been drafted to co-leader for E's den but needed to leave to get my girls from dance.

A's number was chosen and he picked the orange version of the Chicago Bear's jersey (#6-Cutler) and was VERY happy with his selection. I saw that and that thought he was very precious. Apparently E was called as the second to last place and he picked the last remaining "cool" prize which is a RipStick - some sort of aerodynamic skateboard with swivel wheels the bends in the middle. Yikes, not happy with that one, but he is as thrilled as can be and my kitchen has been turned into some sort of rink.

My comment about laziness refers to my own. I have in the closet in our middle bedroom my girls' old solo dresses. DH asked if I was planning on selling those to bring in some money to replenish the EXTRANEOUS DANCE FUND category in our budget. Honest question. He said, "You're not holding onto those for sentimental value, are you?" I had to respond honestly, "No, I'm just lazy." It's bothered me all night that I have probably $1,500 worth of dresses there.

This season I've spent so far:
$380 for three wigs - all brunette - one split curl for younger daughter's solo dress, two tight curl brunettes for ceili/choreography where all dancers look the same
$500 for younger daughter's school dress
$1,950 for younger daughter's new solo dress (in reality I spent $650 because her old solo dress yielded me $1,300)
$10 for shoe repair to younger daughter's hard shoe

I am still looking at
$150 for tailoring of daughter's new dress and
$750 for older daughter's custom school dress (there are apparently no dancers 5'7" and 90 pounds who have dresses to be resold).

The only good thing is after this round of expenses, we're good for Nationals in July.

I was recently asked if oldest son would like to play hockey - and this is the male equivalent of Irish dance with sticks/skates/equipment/etc. I was very relieved when son said he'd rather do Hapkido with his non-skating friend. I don't think my budget or mindset can handle another cult-like activity.

Why is it when I am willing to part with my money, I can't find the right items to make it worth-while?

I think it is my money karma getting me.

ETA: The items that I was looking to buy are birthday and Christmas gifts for my daughters.

Then I forgot my coupon for the Family Christian Store, so I didn't buy my Christmas cards OR my MIL's birthday and Christmas gifts. BAH!