Love the Life you Live

We (kids and I) are off to the Brookfield Zoo today. I received six guest tickets, so cost to me is $0. I will opt for free parking which isn't our normal convenient spot, but it is nice weather and exercise never hurt anyone. My kids love the $.69 freezie ice things at Speedway, so that will probably be their treat (versus at least $3 for one ice cream bar at the zoo).

My older daughter is taking over cooking one night a week. She and my mom made lasagna for dinner, she assembled at my mom's and baked here. My oldest son baked brownies for dessert. My mom picked up the ingredients so the cost was free. Family and food are two of my favorite things.

We also stopped at the library yesterday for more books and DVDs, etc. I signed oldest son up for a chess lesson next week (Free). Contemplating a yo-yo class for the younger boys, but might opt out of that due to a schedule conflict. Returned unused items from Cub Scout Camping Trip to Walmart for a credit back on debit card of $20.00.

I have $36 remaining until Friday. I've spent $70.25 on a fill up at Sam's Club, groceries and household were right at $100 (I ended up stocking up on snacks at CVS in order to get a $10 gas card - I used $9.50 in coupons toward that purchase), $65 was cash for the boys at the local annual fest in our town. So, it's looking fine on the money front.

How everyone is having a good day!

(1) The tree was removed, the roof was tarped, I have a claim number and the insurance adjustor should be contacting me tomorrow. I've gotten over the stupidity of raising my deductible from $500 to $1,000 two years ago in an effort to save minimal money. I am thankful that I have a fully-funded EF fund.

(2) Vacation Bible School is over and done (this is the one which required a lot of my time. The secondary one is self-sufficient with my overseeing sign-in and sign-out). We managed to raise $151 in change for Catholic Charities. It was quite precious to see the little kids bringing up their change to the collection basket. This was my idea (charitable giving)

(3) Our entertainment schedule remains low-spend this week: library (FREE), pool (MEMBERSHIP WELL-USED), Brookfield Zoo (FREE PASSES FROM FRIEND), Dollar Wendesday Show ($1 per person).

(4) Oldest son and DH had a great time at Cub Scout Camp in Wisconsin. I can return to Walmart unused suntan lotion and fishing line ($20).

(5) Spending is in check ($70 to fill up minivan at Sam's Club) and I've shopped at Aldi's, shaving quite a bit off compared to Jewel or Dominick's.

(6) Hello Virginia! Booked hotel through pricelin for $75 a nite for $375 + tax. Transferred money from savings account to credit card, though they bill upon arrival. Looking forward to time away with family -- August 4th to August 12th!! My mom and stepdad will watch my dog (she's 9 and low-maintenance) so that will save on kennel costs.

All for now -- want to catch up on the blogs.

Answer: With a crane!!

Update: The tree did a lot more damage to the roof than first thought, though I really don't know what I/we were thinking. There are four substantial holes in the roof. Only one punctured through the plaster in the bathroom. It took seven hours and many men to remove the tree. The contractor was out there to tarp and board things up. The estimate is going to my insurance agent tomorrow (should be no problems due to this being a preferred provider) so the whole escapade should be progressing along nicely. I am thankful that no one was hurt and that in the proper perspective this isn't much of a catastrophe. Inconvenience, yes. Catastrophe, no. There is a $1,000 deductible. But I haven't purchased the new replacement vehicle and I have a balance of $33K in the EF.

DH went off to Cub Scout Camp with oldes son this AM. Only two more days of VBS (I struggle to accept the pettiness of adults who are juvenile - but that's just my random interpersonal observation for the day).

I'm looking forward to starting July's budget and have some ideas about specific challenges to motivate me to be better prepared about things. Example: shortage of time lead me to spend $3.00 on a roll of wrapping paper rather than having some on hand from the Dollar Store that would have cost ... a $1. Definitely some wastage going on due to lack of preparedness.

OK, so it looks like I like in a war zone - major winds (+60 mph) whipped through my neighborhood taking trees down left and right.

Sadly one of them was a big old tree in the front yard of my rental property. Thanksfully we're six blocks away and DH and I drove over. Very sad to see huge old tree cracked in half laying on the roof of my little red brick ranch house.

On the phone right now with State Farm waiting to file a claim - 15+ minutes

Will tell more. Everyone is safe though.

In my last post, I mentioned that I should probably revisit the basics ("The Seven Steps to Financial Freedom" by Phil Lenahan and "Debt Proof Your Marriage" by Mary Hunt). I like the previously mentioned two books: the first is more of a money philosophy with a Catholic perspective and the second is the "how to" put philosophy into practice.

A revisit with those and I feel that I'm more back on track. I've had NSDs on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We had my inlaws for a visit, and rightfully so, they did buy pizza one night for dinner (with my coupon) and then another night we had beef sandwiches. They also purchased Dunkin Donuts one morning and a movie rental another night. I did a lot of precooking before they came (big batches of chili and stew) that we'll be eating for the next several days. My trip to Aldi's last Thursday did cost $140, but I was low on quite a lot of stuff and now have slightly-filled cupboards. Had I gone to Sam's Club for a stock up, I would have spent that PLUS a lot more, so my decision to go to Aldi's DID SAVE money in the long-run.

As far as gift giving for Father's Day: my FIL and stepdad got polo shirts from JC Penney's. The MSRP was $25 on each. They were on advertised sale of $9.99 each, and I had a $10 off any purchase coupon. The value of these items for return was $6.66.
We didn't see my MIL for Mother's Day, so her gift was an angel figurine (popular, primitive looking, can't recall the name) for the collection we started for her - $15.99 regular and $4 with 25% off coupon. We bought DH cologne - Joop is his favorite and he's been without for over a year (cheaper alternatives were gifts from kids) - $45 at Walgreens before $10 off, kids each put in $5 so my OOP was $12.50. Feeling like I made a lot of progress here, the gifts LOOKED a lot more than were spent, that is my goal.

The oldest son and DH are off to Boy Scout Camp tomorrow for 4 days/3 nights. We're borrowing most of the supplies from my stepdad who was a Scout Master with my brother. My trip to Walmart today is for things that are needed, like fishing line, batteries, additional sunscreen and bug spray, etc. Since we're still a one-car family, they're driving with friends so I'll pick up a $25 gift card to help with that expense.

Today is 2nd Day of VBS - initial registration is the worst - missing names, group switching, misspelled names, complaints about T-shirt size options, confusion at pick-up, etc. We did manage to survive, so today should be better.

I'll stick to my list at Walmart, and it will be a-OK.

I consider myself progressing because yesterday DH said to me that in his industry there is talk of two of the three main competitors (his is one of them) merging. I didn't have the automatic pit in my stomach of "uh oh" - it was a random "Gee, I'd better follow up on those few money budgt busters tomorrow."

Let's see if this continues.

Seems like every once in a while, a bump in the road (or potential bump) throws me back to that place of worry and concern and isolation (pre-Money Management Seminar with DH two years ago). It happened last night, when DH innocently said he should have his resume updated and ready to go because the future of his industry looks questionable. Now, I have a plan in place IF he loses his job.

I started to look at our situation and these small things threw me for a loop:

(1) Comcast bill is no longer in the 2-year locked in phase and jumped from $130 to $190 (best deal would only drop it $10 and slow the cable speed which seems turtlish at present).
(2) We dried up the employer-funded medical account and are now at $0.00, this means that we are responsible for DD's asthma meds which run $153.00.
(3) Gas prices for the one car are up, this will double when we return to a second car (which is soon because with five kids and their schedules, it has become really taxing with one one vehicle)
(4) Tuition prices have increased 2% and that looks like scholarship funds will be diminished, increasing what we pay monthly.
(5) The dryer broke two months ago and needs to be replaced. I am tired of living without one.

While none of these are earth shattering events, add them up and I wonder where will the money come from?

I will admit to being complacent and lax about things. I track the spending, but have done little to see how accurate the budget category allotments are. Bad, I know.

The remainder of June will be spendy (more so than minimal): Fathers Day gifts, camping trip purchases (though we're borrowing as much as we can), etc.

My first attempt to curtail spending:
(1) Fill gas tank at Sam's Club
(2) Grocery shop at Aldi's
(3) Mother's Day gift for MIL at Family Christian Bookstore - use 25% off
(4) JC Penney's - $10 off coupon for polo shirts for stepdad and FIL

Oh, to return to discipline and leave the place of worry. I need to get back on track. Time to revisit Mary Hunt's Debt Proof Your Marriage and the 7 Steps to Financial Freedom.

Hard to believe it almost June 15 - today is the first day of the second full week of vacation. Last week our frugal fun included: three trips to the pool on the 90+ degree days, a visit to the Morton Arboretum (parents have a membership so that was free), a trip to the Library, and that was about it. I also had a meeting for VBS which is next week, two dr appointments for camp and sports physicals, etc.

This week is shaping up to include: (1) the weekly trip to the library - far cheaper to take out wii games than rent them at the, (2) $1 Movie on Wednesday (to see Yogi Bear and we'll stop at CVS for movie candy tomorrow), and (3) inlaws in town on Friday for Father's Day.

The spending is pretty much quashed for the week, buying only gas and groceries. We paid $2860 this month for the annual prepaid tuition contract for daughters' community college education. We are unsure what the bumper installation on DH's 73 Corvette will be. Might be $800-$1000. We have $550 for it so far and DH is supposed to help stepdad paint/stain the gazebo for $200-$300. So whatever, it is close.

The volunteer commitment is winding down, which I'm very glad of. I've certainly needed to get real with setting boundaries (as in "I am NOT available this day, please contact XX with any issues). We had DH's fraternal organization picnic yesterday and I found that if I don't put pressure on myself to socialize, I'm a lot happier. I did play volleyball with my kids and I did leave for part of the time to drive one child to a birthday party. I still find I prefer my own home and my own family to these types of get-togethers, but I know DH was happy I was there.

Hope all is well with everyone. Oh, by the way, where did summer go? It was 90+ last week and barely 70 now ... we want to go to the pool!

I've taken a few weeks off from blogging here, though I did pop in to catch up and wrote a few lame posts that I quickly deleted. I think I've worked through the problematic spot I found myself in. I was feeling blah about things, not liking that I've gained five pounds, not liking that I was becoming crabby, not liking that I resented the volunteer work that I signed myself up for, etc.

Well, I feel like I am finally back. I am looking forward to summer vacation. The Kindergartner is out for the year and the rest of the kids have Mass and report cards on Friday. We have plans of going out to breakfast with my mom after and then going to the pool for the afternoon.

I thought I had a handle on the finances, but things crept up: $30 for hiking shoes for DH (bought on clearance at Payless Shoesource) so he can break them in before camping trip late June, daughter needed solo dress altered ($50), needed new ghillies because she stretched hers out since she's on toe ($70.05), and we bought her a new tiara because the one that came with her dress flew off in a competition and I couldn't keep it on comfortably ($50). My oldest daughter is taking the summer off from dance to try out other things (she's taking a short Hip Hop/Poms class at a different studio). As much as I'd love her to not take a hiatus, it has been my job as a mother to support her. I think I've done so successfully.

I'm glad that June has started. So of course my goals are to track and be a better planner. We've saved $500 for our trip to Virginia in August (Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown are planned). We've paid the real estate taxes today ($3,440 x 2, and $2,200 x 1) so the savings account balance is looking whimpy. A friend offered six free tickets to Brookfield Zoo which are expiring at the end of June, so I took those (will still need to pay for parking, but at least we'll get to the zoo this year). Tomorrow I'll be heading to the school to trade in some uniform items we've outgrown and to see what I can get for next year (read: no pride here, my one friend whose in a finanical spot shook her head "no" when I suggested it - oh well).

I'm glad to see that FrugalTexan has a NM interview-visit which I hope goes well. I'm sorry to see the passing of AA's sitter and hope that the new situation turs out. I'm glad to see that CB is continuing to walk to work. Hope everyone else is A-OK!

I have a problem. I cannot seem to maintain a blog with any continuity longer than a year. I can blog faithfully, though I realize I meander and meld finances with family life and life experiences. A new blog elsewhere evolved out of my rereading my posts which dealt more with family and friends and frustrations and less about finances.

So I resorted to the delete button. I've done a lot of self-introspection lately (stemming from some depression I've felt nearing the anniversary of last year's miscarriage) and sort of trying to figure out a plan for myself. Should we adopt? Will we ever conceive? Those questions have weighed heavily on my mind. I've had to turn them over to God, being a Catholic, I've needed to learn to live in the present and enjoy my blessings. I've had some depressive reactions to a son's classmate's father having a terminal illness. I've taken to heart too much of the drama associated with school volunteerism. Etc.

So I've decided to reinvent the blog, yet again, to focus more fully on finances.

With that rededication of the blog, I'll give a quick summary:

I've done well the past two weeks containing the variable living expenses. Groceries and gas were right where I want them to be. I've moved away from Sam's Club and have returned to matchingn up coupons with sale ads and frequenting Walgreens and CVS. I've saved an average of $20 per week in coupon savings and have spent at $110 for all groceries/personal care/cleaning and paper products/pet food.

We're managing without a second car. DH is taking the train and we've coordinated our schedule to get everyone where they need to go with minimal frustrations. We were the recipients of a used lawn mower saving us $125 for a used one. We paid cash for DH's replacement bumper. By the end of the month we should have an additional $1,750 toward the replacement car. We paid cash for a pool membership so that will be our activity for the summer.

10% to retirement will increase to 11%. We made the first annual payments for two more kids for community college.

Will post more monetary things in the near future.

I will share with you our favorite Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back;
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
May rains fall soft upon your fields;
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Perhaps not totally applicable here, but heartfelt, nonetheless.

Erin go braugh!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Spending log:

Sam's Club

Milk - 3 gallons - $5.37
Activia (24 ct) - $10.48
Gogurts (32 ct) - $6.98
Fiber One Bars (20 ct)- $6.88
Lucky Charms (2 bags)- $6.68
Brownie mix (4 bags) - $6.58
Animal crackers - $6.38
Bananas 3# - $1.48
Apples 5# - $5.98
Bread (2 loaves) - $3.68
Pair of jeans for DH - $12.98
Tax $2.07

Total $75.54

Gift Card Total: $62.99
Cash $12.55

Also spent

Gas for my minivan $12.01 (Paid for w/Sam's gift card)

Trader Joes

Raisin bran - 2 boxes - $5.99 (Tax $.11) Total $6.10 (Paid for w/debit)

CVS

Colgate 5.82 (2) - GOF and $1 CS = $3.49
Ragu Pasta Sauce 24 oz (4) - $6.67
Free Pasta (2) - $.48 (Free up to $1.25, was $1.49)
Tax $.54

Total Spent: $11.18 (Paid for w/debit)

I'm curious, what do your budgets look like? Share if you care. Here is ours:

Net income $4,673.74 (this is after taxes and health/dental insurance and $500 to 401(k)

Mortgage $1,800 (includes $50 additional principle)
Savings $500
Tuition $400
Student loan $175
Insurance $229.63 (car/property/life)
Utilities $394
YMCA $67
Groceries/Household $500
Gas for cars $275
Extraneous (Major) $260
Extraneous (Minor) $100

Extraneous Major goes for things like minor car and home repairs, classes for kids, etc.

Extraneous Minor goes for things like clothing items, gifts, required school items, etc.

No car payments. Paid for 1973 Corvette valued at $28K, Paid for 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, paying cash for next car $6,500.

Debt paid off monthly with exception of last $1,500 to Kohls which will be gone soon.

EF at $12K presently.

Retirement at $100K, kids education monies at around $20K.

Since the car repair was minimal, we have some money "left". The rental property has a new hot water heater and is in need of a sump pump. The old hot water heater was 14 years old, and the sump pump isn't that old, but is probably at least ten.

With the rainy season coming, we've decided to just go ahead and replace that now, rather than during a storm or after hours or ...

This is called being "proactive". I'm such a "reactive" spender that it is taking a bit of adjustment to move to that mindset.

I know it is smarter in the long run. I just wish I hated to part with our money so ...

$192.50 to replace a valve related to the exhaust system which caused the engine light to come on which prevented me from being elligble to participated in the vehicle emission test which was required for the purchase of the annual license plate sticker.

Got that? Sure is a big run-on sentence to type!

Could have been much worse, or so DH says. I am relieved that these "murphies" seem to be behind us (see my previous post about the hot water tank replacement at the rental property last Friday). My grandmother is gifting us $1,000 to cover that $989. The interesting thing about DH and I is that we never ask for help, and we usually turn down monetary help unless it is especially for something for the kids.

My grandmother said "it is a reward for being responsible," rather than a "hand-out to cover some self-indulgence." I think it comes from the Depression Era, how she and my grandfather forumlated their views on sharing their good fortune with their future generations.

and hello new hot water heater/tank installed at rental property!

I suppose that qualifies as an EF. I put it on the credit card because we were away for the weekend and it was the only way to pay for it. I'll deal with the finances of it at all on the 18th (next payday and rental property income).

My minivan is in need of some repair work to get the engine light off, so it can pass the vehicle emissions test, so I can get my sticker for my license plate which expired on 2/28.

I was down with a cold last week, and can't seem to rebound fully. Money is pretty much staying put for now (speaking of small extraneous expenses).

We're still in the process of looking for a new-to-us car to replace DH's old minivan which has been deemed unsafe.

All will fall into place. Hope everyone is sojourning on!

Today the following are going back:

(1) Awfully cute sweater purchased on clearance from Von Maur ($89 down to $19). While I liked the cut and color, the fabric sort of clung in places I didn't want it to (any say "butt shelf"? Sorry for the visual) So back it goes.

(2) Columbia fleece purchased in December for $20 (again down from $60). Seemed like a good deal for spring weather, and not that spring is around the corner (hopefully!) I'm realizing I don't like it so much.

(3) On Monday, daughter's extra gym shoes will be going back to Sam's Club. They were Nike's purchased for $35 + tax on hte outside chance she needed them. Basketball season is over, she didn't need them, back they go. I'll designate that store credit for produce.

These items were purchased on the credit card (purely for point earning and were promptly paid for). I'll specify these deposits for gas (since I realize with the prices going up per gallon, I have seriously underestimated that budget category).

We do have an overnight away planned on Friday. The hotel is paid for with a gift certificate and we have enough for dinner in the casual restaurant. I'm designating our usual weekend spending money as "for the time away" (I've been stockpiling snacks and soda for the hotel room, so no need to crash an over-priced mini-mart )

I also planning for "Spring Break" on a budget. That is the last week of March and we will be doing some fun things - things like discount movie theatre, bowling with coupons, middle of the day milkshake run to Steak N Shake, trip to Morton Arboretuma nd Museum of Science and Industry where we already have memberships. Also some play dates)

I scored a deal (my very first really proud couponing moment) at CVS this past Sunday. The Oral B motorized tooth brushes were on sale for $6. There was a $3 off coupon in the Sunday paper, as well as a $3 ECB offer (limit 2). I happened to have a BOGO coupon on those exact tooth brushes which expired on 2/28. I was able to get four in different colors for $7.98 (price of one plus tax). That yielded me $6 in ECB which I used for 2 Fiber One Cereals (2/$6) + $3.50 coffee - I had a $1 the cereal. Again, OOP was $2.xx misc and I got another $2 in ECB. The tooth brushes are going in the Easter baskets. The $2 I'll use for Easter candy. Very happy with that deal!

February, while short, was expensive. We stayed on budget for groceries and household, but went way over on extraneous:

$40 for dog grooming (two visits purchased at doubletake.com)
$57 for dog shots
$30 for oil change on car that will be replaced soon
$50 for rotating and balancing tires, good ones from old van put onto new van
$120 for soccer for two kids
$330 for Cub Scout overnight camp 4 days/3 nites for DH and oldes son (doing it this month saved us $50)

I feel that all I am doing is watching the money flow out! The good news is that I've been able to maintain our savings goals and the tax return was deposited. Things are OK, but tight.

I would like for March to be ... easy. No major expenses, etc. I'd like to cook more from scratch, drive less, get some serious de-cluttering done around here. I'm seeing a correlation to my motivation and the sun that is streaming into the sliding doors here.

We have Spring Break at the end of the month, so I'll be tracking coupons and try to come up with some cheap outings (kids love bowling and a movie - at the discount place - plus my parents have a membership to the local Arboretum and we have a membership to the Museum of Science & Industry).

Remember merch? His "plan the work, work the plan" mentality is finally working for us!

The income tax refund was deposited to the checking account overnight, and first thing I transferred the funds to our savings account, which looks really big and fat right now!

Breakdown:

#1) $4,900 toward property tax payment ($1,900 to go)(By 6/1)
#2) $500 toward 2010 IRA Contribution ($1,000 to go)(By 4/18)
#3) $6,253 toward new-to-us car
#4) $10,010.05 EF portion
#5) $1,800 for mortgage payment due on 3/15 (includes $50 additional)(Payment goes into this account for interest earning potential)

$23,463.05 BALANCE

We add $1,150 biweekly to this, so we'll see how fast we can grow this and take care of #1 and #2, plus I'm waiting on a $900 state refund.

(1) Closing in on the sale

of a new-to-us car as DH's has been declared unfit for driving. Our plan for Saturday AM is to have his new tires replace my old tires, and then we'll donate the minivan.

The replacement appears to be an 06 PT Cruiser with low miles that we can pay cash for. Hopefully DH will get the final number and I can pay for it tomorrow.

And then on Friday the federal income tax refund should be credited to the savings account. I'm still trying to squirrel away as much as I can into the savings account, but this month's expenses that I hadn't factored in were:

$1,450 balance for speech therapy (worked out payment plan and just paid the $228 evaluation)
$290 for Boy Scout Camp in June 4 Days/3 Nights

(2) Presents from Grandma and pa

My parents have disposible income, how much, I don't know. I do know that they are very wonderful when it comes to giving their grandchildren experiences. They paid for a drama camp last summer for my girls, and tennis lessons and baseball camp for my boys. Most recently they paid for my daughter Irish dance wigs, and now they are funding my oldest son's art class for quite a bit of money. I should add that my mom found this class for *M*, the sensitive, creative, artistic son who is challenged with dyslexia

He is quite excited about this and I went to Michael's today with my coupon (40% off) to puchase 30 soft pastels. Tomorrow and Friday I head back to get the other items. My mom offered to get his supplies, but I'm trying to fund that portion myself.

Have to love grandparents. Mine paid for piano lessons and car insurance and special outfits, too. Gives me hope that once I move past this day-to-day money struggle to keep afloat, I'll be able to be that type of grandma. And I should also add that my grandma (who is 91 and values teeth) is taking care of my older daughter's braces.

I am very blessed, as are my children.

Kohl's credit card and I are a bad thing ... especially when there are sales like Spend $50 get $10 or a 30% off if you use your charge card. I have a balance (the last one) that I'm paying down and will be happy when it is gone and done and closed (not concerned about how it looks on my credit report since I'm not planning on buying property or financing a car in the near future).

I fell for it again, the 30% off coupon made it my way in the flyer they mailed out.

So, I bought new bedding for our master bedroom which is going to be painted and get new carpeting in the mid spring. I've pined away for this bedding for awhile, the price was $249.99 regular, on sale for $149.99, and with 30% discount and tax I spent $113.39, and I went home and made an online payment to cover the purchase.

I may be under budget for this rennovation!

DH's primary vehicle is a 1998 Ford Windstar which we've owned since 2000. We put a new transmission in it in 2003 and it has 127,000. It is unfortunately on its last leg and is no longer safe to drive.

We had it in for an oil change on Saturday and had our mechanic look it over. It has several exhaust leaks, is in need of break work, and the tie rods are very bad (read as: UNSAFE). So we're going to do our best to share the one good vehicle we have (a 2007 Grand Caravan) but it is difficult with the schedule we maintain.

Time for another car, a used one obviously. We've managed to save $6,253 and the cars do seem nicer than the $4K range. Not looking forward much to the process of finding one. I've looked on line at the local used car dealers and they seem to have nothing under $8,995.

Wish us luck during this process. We've already decided to donate our car to someplace that might be able to do something with it.

Not fun, but at least we're prepared.

Well, at least for the day, and at least in Chicagoland. We actually stand a chance of breaking the record for the warmest day in February. Last one was 60 in 1880. Today we will either meet or surpass that, either way I can say good-bye to dirty snow mounds and hello to brown dead grass, but GRASS nonetheless. And I'm not naive enough to think that this will last, but I am smart enough to get on the boat and enjoy it.

I'll take my dog for a long walk after my shower. Poor Eleanor won't know what to do without snow to frolic in! I'm trying to stay motivated to accomplish things around the house and get a few fun things done, too.

I am going to revisit the money principles we learned when DH and I attended the Financial Freedom 20 months ago (wow, has it been that long?) Things are still going well, but I think we need a tune-up.

If you're residing in a warm weather area, ENJOY!

Nah ... (said half-convincingly) Ha!

Backstory: The agency that provides my youngest son with speech services updated their billing/coding program a few months ago and encountered multiple problems. My DH who receives electronic notification of the EOBs assumed he was secondary rather than primary contact. So no bill and no EOBs showing that payments haven't been made for services rendered to the tune of $1,450 was quite a shock.

A call to BC/BS cleared up the situation as to why they didn't cover services (a $2,400 gap in deductibles already paid and the cap) so now I have a whopping bill for one evaluation and thirteen sessions and this $1,450.

I was proactive and contacted the agency's billing department about a payment plan. I was told to talk to the Clinic Director because I can't pay in three months. So for the next seven months, I'll be paying $200 a month. I am suprised that the Director thanked me for being proactive about the bill. It also helped that the new year bought a fully funded Heath Savings Account and the services they are presently providing are being covered, so we're not inucurring any more new debt. That is a good thing.

So back to the budget drawing board to cover this bill.

Bah!

If a was a techno-savy whiz, I'd share a snapshot of the attendees of the annual Father-Daughter Dance at the kids' school. I think this was just a flash forward of what life will be with teen girls: my bathroom which has a double sink vanity was taken over with teen girl deodorants, lip glosses, hair crimper, hair straightener, eye shadow, etc.

Anyhow, cost of the event:

$42 for tickets ($14 per person)
$13 clearance dress for younger daughter (80% off)
$27 clearance dress for older daughter (50% off)
$40 for shoes at Payless for both (buy one get 50% off)
$30 for black velvet shrugs - quantity 2 - which I found on clearance and happened to have less desireable patterned dresses included in the two piece (we'll donate those and hopefully make someone happy)
$13 for haircut for younger daughter ($2 was tip)
$4 for nylons at Walmart
$4 for nail polish at CVS

$173 total - probably what we spent last year (though the outfits were more, but we only needed one pair of shoes)

My evening is now consisting of wii games (Mario seems to be the game of choice latelY) and mac & cheese - my boys are pretty easy to please.

Hope all have a good night!

I just used www.doubletakedeals.com (capital DTD) for the first time. I found it advertised in my town's promotional flyer that comes out a few times a year. Local vendors advertise for 50% off of their services. I was surprised to see both our dog groomer and our favorite local restaurant in there.

I paid $40 for two groomings for my dog (a shih tzu who is in need of some help despite her weekkly baths she looks a bit sheep-dogish). That is the price I'd usually pay for one. Plus our favorite breakfast place has $20 gift cards for $10, and we're heading there for our Valentine's Day Brunch on Sunday morning (rather than candy and trinkets, we're heading out for a nice meal). So all in all, I'm feeling as though I am stretching our dollars until they scream!

Nice feeling to have, indeed!

Boy, winter is getting to me. It is difficult to raise spirits that sort of just downward spiral for no apparent reason. Things are good: DH has a job, the kids are healthy and reasonably happy (though being cooped up in the house has them grating on one another's nerves more than usual), blogger friend is making progress after massive coma, another blogger friend is apparently winning her battle against anorexia and has hopes for her marriage, my own brother is recovering from another failed relationship with the outlook that he *will* find love eventually, my bff is much less needy and I actually enjoy talking to her (though it only needs to be once or twice a week - not the daily dump sessions).

I'm still finding no motivation to get stuff done. I was really good a bit ago and now all of the sudden I'm back to doing what needs to be done the day before or the day of. I'm looking forward to two weeks when my girls' basketball experience winds down (this has added four practices and a minimum of two, average three games a week). It's too cold to go out after dark or before 9:00 AM to get to games, and neither girl really seems to enjoy the sport. They are dancers at heart.

Don't really know where this ramble is going. I'm actually going to put on the first episode of the old Poldark, and get under my blanket. Yesterday I watched Hitchcock's "Marnie" while my kids were at school. Am I'm indulging myself in more entertainment, at least there aren't many snacks in the house or I'd be gaining weight!

I have struggled in this area of being a people pleaser, wanting people to like me, and saying "Yes" when I really didn't want to.

I am co-room parent for Kindergarten. Not my first choice, I wanted 3rd Grade, but I said OK when asked. My partner is a Type A over achieving mother and this is her oldest child's first school experience (by the time you've done Kindergarten for the 5th time it is like "yeah, whatever ...")

Our annual budget is $200 for the entire year of events: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Field Day (which is year end picnic). Back at the first meeting to plan Halloween I kept saying to this mother "We only have $200, should we be spending $35 on plastic crap from Oriental Trading Company?" (not in those words, but that was the idea behind the queestion). She went ahead with the Oriental Trading Company order.

Well, with V-Day rolling around next Monday she left a message, "I am in need of "x" items" and since I've already shopped and am not planning on being reimbursed, can you just pick these items up? I did send out an email for suppliers, but people haven't gotten back to me."

I said "No, sorry, can't pick those items up. I'm cash-strapped at the moment with many school-related expenses - the Father Daughter Dance's $42 tickets, the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner for $20, etc. I'm more than happy to call the people who offered to provide supplies but haven't returned your emails. I can let them know what we need."

Her response: "Well, I looked at the list of supply contributors and didn't see your name on it and just *thought* you might be happy to contribute. But if you can't, well ... no problem."

I dislike this woman immensely, but managed to be pleasant the entire way through the conversation.

I said "No" and I'm learning to be OK with it.

After Wednesday and Thursday off, the kids are all back to school today. It is Catholic Schools Week and each day had a wacky theme to it: mismatch socks, PJ bottoms, spirit wear - which was all rolled into one. So I quite the odd looking assortment of vagabonds heading out the door today, but they were happy to face the day and return for the remaining day of school.

I opened a IRA-Savings with $750 and will be credited an additional $50 (regarded as 2011 contribution) by 2/28. Free money is free money. If anyone is interested it is retiremyway.com/50 or call 1-877-464-0292.

Since today is payday, I sat down to pay bills and I entered the water bill + late penalty into Quicken, only to realize that I am paying two weeks prior to due date and saving myself $4.77.

Busy weekend ahead: DH and Cub Scout are camping out at the Adler Planetarium in downtown Chicago tonight (I am jealous that I am not going), we have three basketball games, one soccer game, the Fun Fair and our own Superbowl party to plan and execute (we're rooting for the Green Bay Packers here due to loyalty to the FIL).

Off to catch up on all the posts (it has been difficult to get on either computer yesterday given there was a major research paper on Helen Keller written and a smaller expository essay on Amelia Earhart - both WOW women!)

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!

We in the suburban Chicagoland got 19" of snow dumped on us. DH's work was closed, there was no school, and we've all been housebound.

Got the call at 2:30 that there is no school tomorrow too. I love a house full of kids, plus DH is a bonus. Today they played outside, got some fun pictures. DH shoveled twice and was on the roof once. We live off a small cul-de-sac that won't be plowed until tomorrow or Friday.

So glad that I made it to Sam's Club on Monday! We've got stew in the crockpot for dinner tonight, and we had brownie and hot chocolate earlier.

And I should add that the surprise benefit of this NSD was that no one woke me up -- and I slept in until 10:00!