We ended October with the possibility of a job loss. Not the stark reality of unemployment, rather the hazy chance of a pink slip. There is an attempt to save DH's job with a title change (removing the word "Financial" prior to analyst), and the accounting manager offered to "take" him should he be available.

I've prepared for this by discontinuing the 401K contribution that isn't matched. Should DH still be employed mid December, those funds will be redirected to my traditional IRA or our HSA for the tax advantage. I'm seeing where we can trim some fat and have come up with some ways to stretch our money: My birthday is in November and rather than a cash gift from my mom, I asked her to pay three months worth of the Y - which is about the cash equivalent of what she and my stepdad give. I've been going through my grandmother's old cookbooks from the 1940s to 1960s seeing what other options there are for cooking from scratch. I feel that if I stockup on things at Sam's club I should be able to stretch the grocery budget.

I'm very carefully going over the Christmas budget. I spent $10 on Friday at JCP to get a gift for brother's GF daughter: a cute warm lounging PJ shirt with matching slippers. On sale for $20 less $10 coupon (for registering at their website). I already have some gifts for best friend and xSIL. I think for Grandparents I'll be coming up with gift baskets of new coffee mugs, coffee purchased from son's BS Pack, homemade cookies, and maybe a grandparents ornament or something. I have a pretty good handle on the kids' gifts.

Between 5 trick or treaters, we have yielded over 1000 pieces of candy. Yikes! Far too much ...

Oldest DD is feeling better, though she only competed in two of her seven dances yesterday at a competition. DH is down with it too and he was happy to take her and the boys home after only 45 minutes. My parents showed up to see youngest DD dance and she did quite well. Only cost me $12 for one medal holder.

Oldest son is now jumping on the sick train with a temperature and a cough. He was one that was at school all week, guess he's the next sick one in the string. I'm not looking forward to more sleepless nights. Given the kids' past history with febrile seizures and midnight nebulizer treatments, I go into PTSD-anxiety mode any time I hear nighttime coughing.

Next post will include concrete goals for the month.