With taxes done, we will yield $5,800 between the federal and state refunds. We use that for our primary residence real estate taxes, of which I am predicting we will be about $900 short.

I also took advantage of a $1,500 contribution to my retirement and I've only made a partial payment of $750 to that. I will need to make up that shortfall as well.

In looking at the payday schedule and April will yield us the first additional pay check, those funds will cover our $1,650 shortfall within the timeline of due dates.

Since I've reworked the budget and "pay ourselves first" we're keeping to the savings goal and have $6,000 for the replacement vehicle when DH's dies. Seems to me that the year and mileage of used vehicles improves tremendously between the $4K (where we were orignally looking) and $6K. Nice to know that when the time comes, we will be prepared.

The next pay period is tight for extraneous money. Extraneous-major and Extraneous-minor and both taking some serious hits. Looks something like: $105 for dance competition fees for 3/5 feis, $20 for Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner, $42 for Father-Daughter Dance, $40 for dog grooming (this is two cuts since I'm purchasing it through a deal for our area). Oldest daughter needs a dress for the dance, youngest daughter got a very cute dress on clearance at Kohl's for $13. I have a $36 return for Kohl's that I am hoping to use toward that, but my girl is becoming paritcular about things and at 13 she is model tall and model thin and it is hard to find anything to fit her (5'6" and 90 pounds, BMI of 13). Oh the joy of the hunt for the dress (NOT!)

The kids are having to fund their own outing to the school Fun Fair on Saturday. They have an allowance of $10 a piece from their great-grandma and they can use it all, some or none. I just hope they all don't chose to bring home coupons for goldfish like last year!

All for now. Stay warm and safe if you're in a snow-ridden area!