(1) Surprise, surprise! All of the volunteer work that I do as Co-coordinator for Vacation Bible School 1 and Vacation Bible School 2 has paid off. I work with the Director of Religious Ed (who is a paid professional of the parish). She attempted to get me money (a stipend) but couldn't due to budget cuts and her paid secretary is 86 and has been there forever. However, I was given a grant/scholarship for tuition bringing us down to $1,300 (last year we were happy for $2,000 which left us paying $4,200). This is a WONDERFUL thing for us. Having to pay $130 a month versus $420 leaves us with breathing room.

(2) There appears to be a $25/month coupon that I can use six times a year toward my daughter's Veramyst Rx.


(3) We have decided to purchase a car at the beginning of October. DH will ride the train for Aug and Sept and come October the weather gets colder here, the kids' schedules get more hectic and at that point we will have been one-car for six months. However much money we have at the time is what we will spend - presently have $19K, may have as much as $21-$22K cash for purchase.

(4) My grandmother has offered to pay for academic therapy for oldest son. He's had the Dx of dyslexia for some time and while he has made progress, he continues to struggle with reading. We took for a consult at a place highly recommended for individualized instruction. The Director who has a doctorate in education looked over his most recent testing (IQ) and zero-ed right in on the discrepancy between his Perceptual Reasoning (130) and working memory (100), too much of a span. So with specific learning strategies and individualized attention, we should be able to narrow that gap significantly, making his academic struggles less. He is presently on a service plan and his minutes will decrease to 30 with the resource teacher because a state grant from the government has not been renewed. This is a very generous thing and all I can do is say "thank you" and continue to be a good steward of our resources.

(5) Looks like August and September will continue to be months of budget basics - trying to do back to school shopping on the cheap - buying only loss leaders.

(6) I did spend $123.66 at Kohl's on my mother's card (I paid it off and closed the account that was mine) buying three pairs of athletic shoes (49.99, 41.99 and 44.99) plus three pairs of sunglasses (5.00, 5.00, and 10.99) and one pair of shorts (6.00) - she had a 30% off coupon saving me $49.19. Those were all needed items.

(7) Back to couponing in a major way!!