contributions to DH's 401(k) to 10%. Feeling good about that, was hovering around 4%

Needing to be realistic about how much money I will actually be able to save now through year end, though. Rethought renting a hotel room at the major dance competition on Thanksgiving Weekend, and decided against that. While it would be convenient, we do only live 30 minutes from the Hyatt Rosemont and I'll be saving over $100.

Have given children #1, #2, and #3 a budget of $150 each for their birthday celebrations. #1 would like to see Wicked with her BFF, which means I'll have to cough up $65 for my ticket (but so totally worth it). #2 wants a pedicure party (her idea of fun) and a pizza party/sleepover. #3 is checking out laser tag for several friends and a stop at Pizza Hut. I'm fine with all of it.

Still couponing diligently, and sadly had to pass on some things I perceive as "good deals" because I've run out money. It is important to watch that bottom line. I am still in the black, but had to use my CVS ECB for a Sunday paper and toilet paper.

Christmas Ideas are looking like this:

Titleist golf balls for FIL and Stepdad $50 ($25 apiece)
African soap carving figures for MIL and Mom (Don't know price, but a fund raiser at Church supporting women working in Africa)
XSIL - flannel PJs ((Purchased) and framed Wedding Sampler (must buy frame and have framed Budget $40)
BFF - ?
Brother - ?

Children #4 and #5 are done. Child #1 would like an I-Pod Touch, Child #2 would like an I-Pod Nano, and I am thinking about an electric/motorized scooter for Child #3. Most of those can be purchased at Target, so I may consider a Red Debit Card (credit cards aren't even an option for me). I will have $170 for the above items. I also have picked up small stuff (clearance long-sleeve shirts from Aeropostle and some other stuff for the girls, plus some odd stuff for the boys) DH and I might be skimping on ourselves this year.

"Plan the work, and work the plan" as the mighty merch once said. Anyone know his whereabouts?

Well, it was a productive day, housework wise. After a week of sicklings, it took a solid day to vacuum and dust, clean one bathroom thoroughly, do three loads of laundry (wash/dry/fold/put away), etc. I also filled in for lunch duty at the kids' school (someone was kind enough to cover for me earlier in the week). It was also a NSD. My daughter had me turn her change in for cash today - she was going ice skating with her best friend and was down to her last singles. She luckily lost a tooth earlier in the week to boost her revenue - she wondered in there was an economic increase in surrending a tooth that was replaced with a 12 year molar. She's still covering her own expenditures, and I gave her a few extra dollars for hot chocolate and a snack.

DH spent $11.00 yesterday - he bought a one day fishing license for $5, rather than a $15 six month one (they apparently run March to February). I spent $11 at my lunch out yesterday. I really like these friends, and we've agreed to a lunch monthly and coffee weekly (my social phobia kicks in and I wonder if I can possibly get together weekly and still have things to talk about - I like to refrain from gossip, but one of them is a true gossipper). Anyhow, I was surprised to find out one of these two friends has MS, has had it for 11 years (I've known her for 6.5 years). The only reason she shared this is all of our three daughters and best friends and her daughter has been asking some questions about the progression of the disease. She disclosed no details, but I was left feeling a bit uneasy. She asked that we not say anything and don't treat her differently. I am glad, again, for my health and my family's, though I'm seeing that there are situations that people deal with and these don't necessarily cause a negative quality of life.

Well, busy weekend ahead, but low-spend. Getting ready for Halloween means we'll do a dress rehearsal and I'll take my pictures, plus we'll carve the pumpkin. I got an awesome one at Aldi's last week for $1.99, plus we've got a small one from the pumpkin patch that is rightfully the smallest one's.

Still have to sit down and get the sale ads matched up with coupons. I'm a bit leary to do, as my funds are rather depleted. But I'm afraid that there might be an awesome deal that I'm missing!

All for my ramblings.

I want to yell "HELLO HEALTH", after having my own bad headache yesterday (mini migraine, I would call it - with me sleeping from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and then going to bed at 8:30). No complaining or moaning or sniffles this AM.

The troops all went to school today - the kindergartner to K-Club (all day) for the first time. He sure was happy to be getting a lunch like everyone else, and will be taking the bus home with all the bigger brothers and sisters.

I have a whole day to myself. I plan on bagging up the pile to go to Amvets, taking a bag of things to friends who get all of our hand-me-downs, returning library books, and lunch with friends. I am not a naturally outgoing person (prefer to be home with a book or needle/thread), BUT I did initiate a lunch outing with my two best parent friends (my younger daughter's two best friends' moms). We did a dinner out in August and had a nice time. We're doing lunch at Egg Harbor.

I spent $80 in groceries yesterday - with $6 in coupons, and $5 ECB from a CVS run. DH is buying a fishing license today $13, my lunch should run $10.
We are still OK with the funds. My older daughter asked if I could go to the bank and turn all her change into cash for a book fair purchase. All the kids have their own money for those purchases as well.

I do believe that after we put gas in the tanks on Sunday, make the donation to Church, and buy dog food/produce, there will be $0 come next Monday. I'm planning on NSDs from Monday-Thursday. Next payday is 10/29. I think we will be fine.

... it isn't mine ... younger daughter is sick again today. DH wasn't feeling well yesterday either, and went in late today and is going to leave early (had something he had to get done).

I am thankful for a collection of books the kids have never read before. DD fell asleep reading "The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler", a really fun read. We also have a Jeanette Oke DVD that we've never seen. Glad I have worthwhile entertainment to keep her occupied.

I am hoping for healthiness tomorrow.

Spent yesterday: $1.08 at Caribou Coffee for a small decaf coffee 7:15 for a meeting about Cub Scouts.

I'm out of coffee and have two lone apples remaining in the produce department. I will have to shop tomorrow.

It is cold out today: high of 50 and possible rain. The Kindergartner (1st sick) and Sick-But-Recovering Husband are off to the Pumpkin Patch today. I am happy that I was organized enough to know where warm skull caps are located. And at last minute I fielded a call from the Picture Mom who won't be on the Field Trip: Will DH who is chaperoning please make sure to take lots of cute photos for the scrapbook project at the end of the year? My thoughts: Um, yeah right, I'm only hoping that he has a few well behaved little girls thrown into his group, so he doesn't lose a few! I am sending him with the camera (new batteries, chalk another one in the Success Column for me!)

Younger daughter is the 3rd child to become sick since Wednesday. The 3rd Grader lasted 1.5 hours at school on Friday. Now she, the 6th Grader, is sick - sleeping on the couch. My thermometer broke yesterday, but I do have fever reducer. Can't win all battles, I guess.

Will the 7th and 1st graders get sick? Will I get sick? I do feel a sinus head-ache coming on.

Money update: Minimal money spent this weekend. Well within tight spending parameters, even included a $10 donation for younger daughter's last minute Crop Walk participation to raise awareness of hunger. Dancing daughters placed well in a competition this past Saturday. Boy Scout son has done well in the annual selling of wreaths - some who didn't buy last year did, and some upgraded their wreaths.

Time to think of the holidays, I guess ...

Hope all are well!

Seems to me that I spent too much the past two weeks. $240 in groceries/household/personal care/pets for 7 people plus one dog/one turtle/two birds/two fish. Coupon savings was $40.

How are your numbers looking?

Against my better judgment I went to Target today. I should add that I am planning on my older daughter's major Christmas purchase at this store. The item is probably $230. I am collecting Target gift cards like mad, and got a $10 card today when I transferred an Rx there. (I have been redeeming points through our bank's credit card reward program as well - and I've got $40 of those thus far).

The register has been spitting out these $1.50 off of three MP grocery items. Today we needed to bake for the Cub Scout Pack meeting tonight. Brownie mix was on sale for $.69 a box (got 3), marshmallows and a box of rice krispy cereal was $2.65, and a 1/2 gallon of light apple juice was $1.75. My OOP after the $3 off was $3.69. And I got another one of those coupons. Might head back for three more boxes of brownie mix for upcoming things.

I won! ;P

The situation making this a NSD is a very sad, sick kindergartner. Temperature of 100, runny nose, pitiful little face with watery eyes. This is my palest child to begin with, and he gets white as a sheet. Anyhow, the fever came on yesterday after school, and it goes away with acetaminophine, only to reappear six to eight hours later. We were "middle of the night friends", having our own personal soiree' from about 3:30 to 5:00. He was able to go back to bed for several hours after that, me ... not so much. I am one tired mother today.

DH overslept, and was kind enough to adjust his schedule to take the 3rd grader to the public school where he receives services. Today was his first week on double the minutes, one full hour of instruction with the new young, energetic Resource Teacher. I only had to leave the house once with the sick one, to pick up the 3rd grader and take him back to school.

It's pasta and garlic bread for dinner. Tomorrow might even be a NSD-er as well, though hopefully the sickling will feel better. Off to watch his birthday movie from last week, featuring the penguins from the movie Madagascar. Should be fun.

We've got the budget in place here at my house, and it is working. Making steady progress on chipping away at the debt, building the savings, and taking care of everything else at is comes without using the credit cards. No longer paycheck to paycheck, smarter spending, etc. I'm liking the direction that we are taking. Do I sleep easy at night because I've got a huge safety net to catch us if there is a problem? No, but I've got a plan that is workable should we have substantial changes in our scenario.

That said, there is another budget I'm dealing with ... that of the Morning Kindergarten Party Fund. Each class has $200 for the Halloween Party, Christmas Party, and Field Day (year end picnic school-wide). The Kindergarten also has a Valentine's Day Party and Graduation Get Together, plus we celebrate the teacher's and aide's birthday. Parents do contribute supplies and snacks for the parties, so that isn't the sole source of supplies, etc. In my experience, I've been a rather no-nonsense room parent, fun parties, movies and snacks, etc. I've incorporated service projects (we are at a Catholic school and I believe it is important to remember the less fortunate). I've also managed to have an $18 surplus one year that we donated to the school. OK, now you kind of have my approach.

Well ... I'm co-room parent to a mother who is a lover of loot bags. At the planning meeting last Thursday for the Halloween party, she wanted to place a $68 order at Oriental Trading Company for plastic crap for "goodies" - and she gushed over each and every item description (colorful bouncy balls, tattoos, erasers, big bendables, etc. etc. etc.). My kids go trick-or-treating and get enough sugary crap, I don't need plastic crap all over as well.

I was reluctant to go along with this and said:
(1) in my experience the $200 doesn't go as far as one might think
(2) we could use some of our surplus at the end of the year to do goodie bags (maybe get squirt guns for the picnic, etc).
(3) if there is a deficit at the end of the year, I won't be contributing to cover it

I also pointed out that for future parties we should plan a service component. The other room mother said, "But oh ... they're still so little, and might not understand." To that I had to say that even in kindergarten they should be aware that they are fortunate and should help out the less fortunate. The other mother had to agree with that. I suggested that she simply be responsible for the budget, and I'd be responsible for correspondence (send out all emails and communicate with the other parents about party details, etc.) She initially agreed.

Until this morning, when I got an email saying she'd like to be jointly responsible for the budget, and she'd be going to the Dollar Tree to see if she could rework the numbers. I don't know this other mother well enough to tell what her motives are, but I said we could talk about it at the planning for the Christmas party. I'm done dealing with Halloween.

Oh, how simple it would be to be the only room parent ...

That is what I learned yesterday.

A run into Target to get a birthday gift (for a last minute party get-together) will lead to a browse past the clearance section, and you will buy things that will be needed in the future. $5.98 a pair for new dance shorts for my girls, $4.98 denim shorts for my sons (one of them did have holes in this year's pair and out they went).

The birthday child (of your own) who has $50 to spend WILL spend $55.

Frozen chicken fillets will be on sale for $5 a bag (we are big poultry eaters here).

The birthday gift will be $15, but then DS will decide that he would like to wrap the gift and would like wrapping paper (and he has kindly offered his services - for a fee - for Christmas, since he likes to wrap). Add on $4 for a roll of wrapping paper and a card.

Thankfully we have all the groceries we need for the week (save a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs ~ $4 at Aldi's), and the gas tanks are full.

STAY AWAY FROM TARGET IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PROTECT A SURPLUS. OR SHOP BY YOURSELF. NOTHING WORSE THAN SIX OTHER INDIVIDUALS SHOPPING IN TARGET POINTING AT THE NEAT THINGS THEY SEE. "NO! OUR DOG ISN'T GETTING A HALLOWEEN COSTUME!!"

Anyhow, on the last money note of the post, I will maintain the EF of $14,000. I will pay $600 to credit card debt this month. I will pay an additional $50 to the mortgage principle. I will pay $1,000 toward the upcoming dance bill (it is quite expensive to compete at a semi-national level). All in all, it is still looking good.

be one mortgage payment ahead, or keep that payment in the EF?

I'm presently at $14,750 (I do move money in and out of it because the interest rate is 1.3%. The $750 to be withdrawn will take care of a $425 tuition payment to school and a $325 payment to the credit card). DH's paycheck will be paid on the 15th, as will be the rental property income. I've worked the budget numbers and I believe that we could remain solvent on the money remaining in the checking account after taking a mortgage payment from the balance.

So, do I leave the EF at $14,000 and remain right on target with the mortgage (making it on the date that is due - I pay online at the mortgage company website, so there isn't a chance of it being late or anything like that - and there isn't a fee for that either), or do I drop the EF to $12,250 and have a leeway of six weeks prior to the next mortgage payment?

I'm feel certain the DH's job is safe, but I'm seeing all of these things in the media about foreclosures and am wondering if I should keep the money in EF.

What say you?

We have a nice, relaxed four-day weekend planned. No school today for the kids as it is a Teacher In-service today. My mom and I are taking the kids to the Arboretum today to see the scarecrow festival, the weather is glorious - 80 and breezy (this IS Indian Summer!)

We are going into low-spend mode, going to see the Silent Parade in town tonight (fire and police vehicles with lights only, no sirens), shakes at Steak N Shake (using BOGO and free certificats), seeing Despicable Me at the bargain matinee on Sunday. My older daughter is debuting in the Teen Choir at church tomorrow. Today the baby is 6 (gasp), where did the time go? He'll get his cake and present after dinner, and has a gift card to spend at Target. My mom and stepdad are coming over for brunch on Sunday (I'll need to do a quick trip to Aldi's to get a few items I am out of).

All for now. The good monetary thing is, even with this planned spending, I'm hoping for a surplus of the $144 remaining (my goal: $27.50 for half of school pictures due next Friday). I think I'll make it!

I just picked up older daughter from town. She's in 7th grade and a good steward of her own money - rarely is frivolous and is always generous. She stopped at my town's local chocolate shoppe and purchased a milk chocolate sucker for her brother who is turning six tomorrow. It cost her $3.50 and she requested they put a 6 on it. (I should add that she only had $4 on her and didn't buy herself anything, though I suspect that her best friend shared some item with her.) It is really cute, and she can barely wait to give it to him tomorrow. It is presently hidden away in the fridge in the garage. I love it when my kids are so kind to one another! Makes it well worth the chaos of sometimes having so many of them!

Spent $29.39 today - $15.01 on gas, $14.38 on groceries (taking advantage of the last day of the $1 Progresso soup - coupons savings was $4.45). [Should add that the last day any money was spent was last Friday!! Might be a record for longest consecutive NSDs in the history of my family!]

Productive, too. Volunteered 1.5 hours in Religious Ed Office. Dropped off letter from son's teacher to school where he receives services. Outcome: no problem increasing his minutes to one hour - same day and time, only 30 additional minutes. Taking middle son to speech in a few minutes.

Another cheap and easy recipe that I'll be trying:

Portabello Stir Fry with Blue Cheese

8 ounce fusilli
1# Portabello mushroom cleaned and cut into 1/2" slices
1/2 cup EVOO
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp pepper and 3/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Cook pasta. Marinate mushrooms in ingredients 3-7 for ten minutes. Heat skillet, cook mushrooms four minutes on each side or until brown. Serve over pasta and cover with cheese.

Can anyone say yum? My hope is I can conceal the fact that these are mushrooms and my kids will eat it. Hell, the first time I ate out with a vegan friend I thought she missed the fact that the waiter brought her a steak, rather than a portabello!

when you refer to learning about the facts of life as "sex ed". This is how the conversation went:

Me: Hi Mrs. R (school secretary). It's Laura M (my last name). I've misplaced the paper stating the start time of the Catholic Sex Ed presentation tonight for M's 6th grade class. Can you tell me what time we need to be there?

Mrs. R: Now, Mrs. M(my last name), we're calling it Catholic Family Life. And the meeting starts at 6:30.

Me: We'll see you then.

To me ... sex ed is sex ed. I like that we'll cover morality and values, but we talk about that all the time at home.


No money spent yesterday. No money anticipated being spent today. Tomorrow I'll need to get some more apples and grapes. Money spending is still looking good.

In my quest for quick and easy meals, staying away from pre-packaged convenience foods like Hamburger Helper, mac and cheese, and canned ravioli, I came across a few recipes that are easy and will appeal and can be readily made with ingredients on hand. Here is one of them:

Vegetarian Stir-Fry

1 - 16 oz. bag frozen mixed veggies
2 tbsp water
1 - 14 oz. can kidney beans, drained
1 - 14 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook the veggies covered for 7-10 minutes. Uncover and add the rest of the ingredients, cooking til warm. Serve over rice or noodles.

This is on the menu for tomorrow.

Anything you've got to share?

October is my month of attempting to squeeze every extra dollar out of our budget and see how much I can save (goal $1,250). I have found that I do not possess a true frugal spirit, and am still sometimes carried away by the thrill of certain purchases. I'll elaborate in the following paragraph.

I reduced the amount available for living for two weeks by $110, bringing us to $440. I should add that I've deposited my "goal" + $110 to the money market account, so I should be on track if I don't need to transfer anything back to checking.

Here is what I've spent thus far:

$440 Start
-$173.75 on groceries/household/pet/personal care
-$70.01 on gas for two minivans
-$15.00 donation
- $32.38 Misc

$156 REMAINS

The $173 on groceries includes a replenishment of staple items that we were out of (milk/coffee/sugar/butter/eggs/flour, etc). I also included dog food for two weeks and turtle food/bird supplies for a month. I also included a purchase of shaving items using great coupon savings. $10 for soccer game snack/water contributions. I have the mean plan in place with main dinners for this week and some of next. I'll need to buy milk and produce next Friday for the week of the 8-14. DH's diet is also running a bit more than usual (he's starting a training program and wanted Activia and Fiber One bars which were on sale and I stocked up).

The $70.01 represents our weekly fill-ups of $35 each vehicle.

The $32.38 Miscellaneous was my "carried away moments". A $10 off coupon at Kohl's yielded me a handy-dandy Rachel Ray plastic food server complete with little compartments and a cover. My Boy Scouts are heading to the woods today and needed to bring fruit/veggies. Seemed the easiest way to send them, plus I wanted one. My daughter was waiting anxiously for the 2nd book by Ingrid Law and she was delighted to find it was available. Sadly for $16.99 in hard cover, but I found a 30% off coupon for our local indie book store and got it for $12 out the door with tax. Well worth it though, books are a luxury I usually indulge! And then my 8 year old got his pictures taken at JC Penney Portrait Studio with a coupon and cost $8.62. OK, shopping dept. is done.

The weather here in the Midwest took a turn for the cold this past weekend (I was at my son's soccer game in a wind breaker with the hood up under a flimsy blanket wishing I had wool or fleece!) This means that it is time to see where there are holes in the kids' wardrobe. I WISH I HAD TAKEN BETTER ADVANTAGE OF THE $10 ITEM SALE AT OLD NAVY! Note to self: plan better next year!

Nothing beats it. I've accomplished quite a bit today thus far:

(1) mowed the lawn (*previously typed as "moved")
(2) washed, dried, put away two loads of laundry
(3) wrote letter requesting increase in service minutes for my son which I will deliver tomorrow to the principal at the public school
(4) marinated chicken which stepdad will grill tonight and we'll have for dinner tomorrow
(5) baked a batch of chocolate chip muffins for tomorrow's breakfast
(6) made phone call about Senior Shared Housing as a possible living situation for my grandma in the spring
(7) found two new recipes to make: portabello stir-fry and a vegetarian stir-fry - added ingredients to my shopping list!

Are you being productive today?

(1) My daughter's blood tests came back and everything is fine. She was to the doctor for a lump on her neck on Monday, and the doc noticed her thyroid seemed enlarged, too. "All is as it should be" said the doctor this AM at 8:15. She knew I was concerned about it, I am grateful for my daughter's health and the doctor's kindness and consideration.

(2) My first son has dyslexia and struggles to read. He is a year behind at this point (3rd grade) but is having a difficult time. I was at a meeting this morning with the District's Superintendent and the funds available for services to private/parochial school students has increased this year from $35K to $80K (federal stimulus money from the government for this one year only). My son will be able to see the Resource Teacher twice a week for 60 minute total (double what he is getting). I am grateful that the resources are being made available now, when he seems to be struggling the most.

Off to more speech and then haircuts for the kids after school. I know this is a non-financial post, but I just wanted to share what I'm grateful for!

whether or not I had enough cash for unplanned purchases. Rewind seven weeks ago, I would have dreaded having to spend money the last four days prior to payday. I would wonder what the balance of the checking account would be if those forgotten checks came through (our school and activities hold checks for long periods of time). It wasn't a big deal to run to the store and buy the $8 bag of frozen ravioli (large) and $25 for pizzas from Pizza Hut when we entertained friends last night. The cash was there, in the wallet. It wasn't a big deal to run through the drive-thru and get my daughter a large chocolate shake after being trooper and having blood drawn.

Last night we had our limbo-Seminarian friend over as well as my best friend. A third guest bailed at short notice. My best friend came bearing a Yahtze game for the kids, as well as a dozen Dunkin Donuts for dessert. We had the best time crammed around our dining room table playing Yahtze in teams. I send our friends home with leftovers and it was a really nice time. I'm embracing Christian Hospitality, which in my translation, means spending quality time with family and friends without worrying about having the best food, the best dishes, the cleanest house, the most well behaved kids. I found that I had a nice time, no pressure. The conversation was good. My kids love to have company that is "family friendly" and wanted to know we'll have another get-together like it.

The bills are paid. Our bank gives the first cashier's check of the month free, I paid the tuition that way. Still paying $500 per month on the credit card (double the minimum). Still able to take care of the extraneous stuff. Still chipping away at the medical bills, spreading them out over four months - most of the places are fine with that. Our state refund balance check came and our EF is at ... $12,250. If you could see me now, you'd see a big ole smile on my face!!

My goal for October is to have $1,250 left over - should be a bit tight, but doable given the third paycheck. I feel that I can be doing a bit better in the grocery department. The crockpot will be out in full force now that it is getting colder here. Still no heat turned on, but close as it was 65 in the house this AM!

I secretly feel a bit re-invented; a $7 box of hair color (dark brown) (DH also cut 4" off and I shortened up my bangs) and shopping in my closet finding skinny clothes I bought at least a year ago (recent weight loss of over five pounds made me feel trim) has given me a bit of energy. When I was out to breakfast today, I was the cat's meow (as my great grandmother used to say) and raised a few eye brows. Funny ... much different than my own self-perception of being a bit of a frump.

Anyhow, I started in my closet and went through some things, getting rid of some well-worn items and size 8s (yay!) I went through my purses (not that I have a lot) and have kept one for summer, one for winter, my obscenely expensive D&B handbag, and an evening bag. Same with the shoes - I had a trend of buying cute but uncomfortable shoes that I have never worn. Away they went.

DH was home early today and I challenged him to get rid of things that are too big, too small, or too old. He yielded several items.

I moved on to the dreaded "middle room" - a catch-all. Still weeding through there and have definite piles of out/donate/repack and move to basement. I have some dolls that were my grandmother's. I am not a doll person. My girls aren't doll people (except for their American Girl dolls and few Madame Alexander Irish dance dolls). I am going to donate those. DH mentioned something about selling them, but I don't think I have the energy or the inclination to do that.

I then tackled the boys' room - I weeded the toys down by about 50%. Old puzzles, books, games with missing pieces, all gone! I separated our collection of hardcover picture books into major holidays and will reintroduce the conept of the book basket in the living room. Then I tackled the learning things - Brainquests, Leapfrog and Books, flashcards. School supply stash. All looking better!

I certainly am having a new appreciation for simple and organized life. I'm still sort of challenged with memorabilia (cards/artwork/pictures/etc). I'd like to be a scrapbooker and will have to get to that one of these days.

All in all, liking my new self, and the less cluttered house!

Rolling right along with cash. DH received his cash until next Friday (payday) and our system seems to be working. I no longer have to worry about when his car will need gas or if he needs a few bucks when he attends his Knights of Columbus meeting (they are always collecting for a cause).

I'm going out this AM with my best friend who has managed to land herself in a serious financial pickle due to persuing a workman's comp claim with her company. She *might* have a herniated disc problem, but the doctors don't want to pay for an MRI. She claims the issue is muscular and PT will help, but they won't see her until the doctor gives them their notes and that hasn't happened. She's been out of work for over a week and had to take three unpaid days before disability kicks in at 67% pay. I said if we go to Panera's for bagles and coffee I'd pick up the tab (have a $5 giftcard). So cheap eats it will be!

We've instituted the $1 Jar - that is where I'm putting my singles up to $15 - the kids can take a dollar when they need it - admission to a school sporting event or for a fine at the library, etc. Takes away my need for singles or trying to break bigger bills. And I've also started a container/bin of "fun snacks" which cost at least $1.50 at the concession stand. I threw in left over Oreos from a snack pack after a soccer game/and some movie candy from a time we didn't go. I feel like by doing this I'm saving more money in the long-run. * I should add that when the kids are heading out the door to a volleyball game for their grade's team or the movie with a friend, they can grab a snack to take with them!

I do feel as though I am getting a bit smarter all the time with handling the little money leaks - aka snacks at the concession stand.

Just had to say it was a wonderful day - weather was warmish (low 80s) and breezy, and I was a chaperone on my daughter's 7th/8th Grade Walking Architectural Tour of Chicago. We had a great dossent, learned tons of things (ten major buildings), the girls asked great questions, I liked my co-chaperone (not being a very social person outside of my small close circle).

The rest of the day worked out well with my mom watching the 6th grader who was back from Outdoor Ed and had no school today, and the kindergartner who gets out at 10:30. DH took a 1/2 vacation day and got some stuff done at the rental property. I called to have the electric company come out and do some trimming - branches growing through wires.

Our new PNC Bank checking account credited my another 3,000 points for first bill-pay, and I was able to redeem for yet another $10 Target gift card (I'm saving up those cards for an I-Pod Touch for my 13 year old - and am up to $30 so far and am waiting on the $100 credit to the new PNC accounts).

NSD-er today, makes it even better!

I followed up with the Illinois Dept. of Revenue and the request for the portion of the refund withheld because I forgot to include the parcel number went to the Comptroller last Friday. The additional amount of $327 should be here by the end of this week.

Our EF account will be back up to $12,000. Big ole' smile on my face right now!

I was balancing my accounts (PNC offers a virtual wallet involving three separate accounts: Spend/Reserve/Growth) and based our living expenses/bill paying on the amount in the "spend" account. Tight, but do-able. I double-checked things today and realized that when the direct deposit went into effect adding to each of the three accounts - I ended up putting an additional $150 in the Growth Account (money market paying 1.13%). Makes me realize the added benefit of being cash only - had I noticed that there was an additional $150 to the savings account, would I have transferred it back to the spending account -- only to fritter it away on non-essentials? Can't really do that with cash!

Today's spending: $35 at Target for birthday gift and groceries.

This AM was hectic, despite my best efforts to be organized and get seven people, awake, dressed, fed and out the door by 7:10. My younger daughter is heading to Outdoor Ed for three days/two nights. In the car she realized she forgot her toothbrush. Thankfully my mom lives near school, we stopped by and my child ended up with the complimentary toothbrush from my stepdad's dentist visit last week. Problem #1, fixed by my mom.

We went in two cars to school. DH parked behind me, left his keys in the car. I handed him my keys and my daughter's lunch. I helped with the sleeping bag, etc. We had to herd kids to different parts of the school - getting there earlier than normal and not wanting them to wander. DH said good-bye to Outdoor Ed girl and went to work with MY keys driving his car. I volunteered in the Business Office and wasn't stuck there, but DH had to reschedule a meeting to drive the keys back to me.

The Teacher's Aide in Kindergarten didn't see my note that the youngest was being picked up today. Thankfully I was able to get him off the bus before it pulled away. Next time I send a note it will be on fluorescent pink paper. I then took this child to speech therapy which happened to be cancelled due to the therapist calling in sick. They forgot to call me to tell me of this cancellation.

I think it is best that I stay home the rest of the day. Got some DVDs from the library (some Inspector Morse and foreign film ones). The youngest one is laying down and is almost asleep. I get the TV to myself!

Money spent: CVS $4.34 for two boxes of granola bars, yielded me $2 ECB.

Got back last night from our overnight to Muskegon, Michigan. The dancing daughters competed there, but we stopped in Holland on Friday during the drive up.

We planned on stopping at the Dutch Village - but it was closed during the week. We ended up taking the kids to the Cappon House and Settlers House Museums - a great comparison of what life was like for the "rich" vs "the poor". The poor was a settlers house from 1871 which cost $500 for land and materials. The rich house was a mini-mansion just up the street built for $10,000 in 1874. It belonged to the first mayor who was married twice and had 16 children in a 45 year span. The mansion held all the original contents of both families. My kids got to see report cards from the 1880s all the way up to the 1930s. People assume we are homeschoolers when we turn up during the week with five kids. The volunteers were quite nice - as we were the only people there, they charged up only for the adults $5 and piece, waiving the fee for four kids at $3 a pop (the youngest one was technically free since he's still 5). Great fun for $10 - and historically interesting.

We then were going to picnic at Windmill Island Park - last time we were there price was per car (if I recall) this time they wanted $7 per adult, $3 per child). All we really wanted was a nice place to throw a blanked at eat our picnic. We forgot that idea and drove back to the park across from the original museums. Had a blast - very nice small boardwalk at Lake Machatawa and a nice playground area.

We got to the Holiday Inn-Muskegon by 3:00 our time. The kids swam for over two hours, while DH used the work out room and sauna. As we were wrapping up our time there, other Irish dancers and moms came in. I'm surprised that I was the only swimming mom - might have to do with the sheer number of kids to keep track of, but even the moms with one child had magazines. Kind of sad to see kids swimming alone.

We had pizza in the room ordered from Dominos. Delivery with tip $22.

The competition was Saturday - we had enough time to check out and not have to rush (making for a nicer attitude for all involved). We were close enough (five minute drive) that the girls could go in full costume (less stuff to carry in). My girls danced well - out of ten individual dances, they placed in nine of them with nothing less than a 4th. One proud momma here! My younger daughter needs a first in her hornpipe, and got a 3rd, but all the practice is good for the Mid-America championships in two months. $1.50 spent on waters here - but came from DH's cash.

We then headed to Grand Haven, Michigan - a bit further south on 31. We ate at Applebees, DH and I had the $20 deal for two entreees and an appetizer. Everyone had mini icecream sundays at $2 a pop. With tip price came to $67. Again, not bad.

We stopped at Lake Michigan, parked in municipal parking and the kids had a blast in the waves. Despite my telling the boys not to get wet, they did. It was a bit breezy and I was afraid of them getting sick. When I was herding them back to the car, I was accused of "robbing the joy" and "letting the dancers have more fun" and "but I'm not cold." Being accused of being a joy robber was just too much - so I sent them back and they maintained their level of water saturation. I got tons of neat pictures - great action shots of the boys running out of the waves - my daughter dancing the slip jig and I managed to get really neat pictures of them doing leap-overs with rolling waves in the back. Free parking in city municipal lot.

Great fun for the following breakdown:

Gas $50.85
Museum admission $10
Hotel $144.90 (taxes included)
Pizza $22.00
Dance comptition entrance fee $16.00 (paid in Aug)
Dinner out $67

Just under $300. I budgeted $350. I'm anticipating a low-spend week. I'm busy driving around kids and volunteering, but the menu is planned and light and I have enough stuff for lunches.

And I have a whole day of doing nothing ahead of me! A few loads of laundry and some homework review with the kids and I'll be calling it a day.

It has been four solid weeks of cash only. The biggest impact has been on our frittering money away on things of trivial nature: the slim jims and coffees when DH fills up his car, the amount of candy the he buys when the random child(ren) is/are with them. For me it has been shopping to buy sale ads just because they are on sale. I would like to work to a place where I am a better planner with coupons and sales and start a stock-pile.

We've been eating better. A 3# bag of apples versus a big bag of chips, of course I'm going for the apples. The kids LIKE cucumbers and carrots with dipping sauce (whether ranch or honey mustard). I haven't stressed about lunches: I have sent diced ham and chunks of cheese, bagels and cream cheese, PB&J muffins, etc. I've moved away from convenience foods - not totally, but I'm making more soups from scratch as well as snacks (brownies, cookies, etc).

I paid for several things in cash (the first tuition of $420, outdoor ed $150, BTS fees for milk/yearbook $176, and $105 for vehicle registration). Next time I might move to checks for ease and simplicity.

I am not a recreational shopper. We shopped with a purpose: birthday gift, pjs, soccer cleats, etc. I didn't have to worry about IF I had enough, we bought these things at the first of the week. I was still able to fund outings for my kids as they popped up (the walk in town, the movie trip -discount at that-, admission to volleyball games, etc.) My children returned to an appreciative nature.

We've talked about economic choice, and the kids are wearing costumes from last year (when we bought new and spent probably $25 on each costume). Littlest gets a new one as he's been a hand-me-downer for years.

We're heading out of town this weekend, and I've got the cash for everything, plus I think I've overestimated. That is a nice feeling!

I finished up two pieces of cross-stitch in my time without the kids. I was pleased about that. I've tackled organizing the "middle" room upstairs which is a catch-all, and it is getting better. My house is clean in an organized fashion and when we hosted our party this weekend I wasn't scrambling to pile, stash and do a fake clean.

I'm better organized with the kids' stuff - sporting items, water bottles, etc. Life is running smoothly.

I went for a walk at the park yesterday with my mom instead of at the mall. Nice weather, nice company, free. And I'm five pounds lighter than when the four weeks started.

My ramble wraps-up here! I will move from cash-only, to cash mostly.

Not exactly sure why I'm feeling very happy today, but I am. Quiet evening with well-behaved kids, evening of AGT, well-rested. No menu complaints despite slim pickings. General happiness. No major money or family-drama woes. Life is good.

Life is also busy: out of town this weekend, second child heading to Outdoor Ed from Mon-Wed that I need to have planned for. Lots of planning, but I'm managing.

Weds are really busy: 3rd child goes to the public school for reading specialist appts, 5th child goes to speech therapy. Flu shots today, pick up 3rd child who stays after school to work with teacher, etc. Lots of driving.

Out of boredom yesterday during down time, I checked the employment opportunities at a place I would like to work one day. Perfect job there waiting for me - the one I want in the location I want. I can get a good reference from someone high up in the organization, and I'm sure I could have the job. I was caught filling it out by my children yesterday. Reality is I probably wouldn't work full-time right now, couldn't if I wanted to without giving up my volunteer commitments at the school.

My 8 year old said to me as we were walking to the car, "You need another job?"

Me: "Just wondering what job your talking about..."

Him: "The other job. The one on the computer yesterday."

Me: "It is a job I would like to have."

Him: "But I like the job you have. Being my mom. Being at school. I don't think I'd like it if you got that other job."

It was an "aw" moment - and I felt appreciated. I should add that my list of volunteering grows longer: I am Co-Room parents for K and 3rd Grade, I volunteer for the school store once a month, I volunteer for the prepaid gift card/fund raising program every three weeks, I also help out the Religious Ed Director though my kids go to the parochial school, etc. etc. And I'm the secretary to the Boy Scout leader for the 3rd Grade Den.

I should add that we have $23 left from our money for the two week period. Will add that to the savings account!

We've had to implement a behavior management program at my house, things have been a little out of control (not beining nice, complaining to complain, lacking any gumption to get one's chores done, etc). I have been flexible in accounting for the "BTS" fall out, but it has been three weeks and enough is enough. The simplest system is the Stoplight One used in Preschool and Kindergarten. Green means you can use the computer, phone, watch TV, and go/have invitations. Yellow means that your privileges will be limited and/or removed. You can also expect to be doing extra things around the house. Red means that you shouldn't bother asking to do anything other than be helpful and read. Still working out the kinks, but I've got one on yellow today.

Money-front - Nothing to say. We're still eating leftovers from the party (which was a big deli spread, salads, etc). We're heading out of town this weekend for a dance competition in Muskegon, MI - we're going up Friday and are stopping in Holland, and our hotel has a pool. It will be nice to be away. The budget has accounted for this - and I'm anticipating that we'll have an excess because I still allowed "weekly expenses" for the week, though I have found I'm spending little to no money mid week.

All for now.

For once I'm ahead of the game as far as entertaining (party tomorrow for sons and inlaws coming for weekend). The house is actually clean in an organized fashion, rather than a pile and shove clean.

I'm happily hosting playdates for the kids afterschool - some of them at least. Nice weather means they can play outside. Some even like walking the dog and I was surprised that 3rd Graders are far more mature than 11 year old girls when it comes to the dreaded poop bag.

Money situation is fine, put money into the savings account (got it up to $11,700) and have enough funds allocated for this week, including big food shopping trip today.

Outlook for October is good. We have an extra paycheck in October, but really 1/2 of the third takes care of the first of November, but I'm expecting to have a surplus of about $1,000. My goal for that is extra $ is: $250 for home maintenance (new sump pump for rental property, funds for lawn refuse bags and stickers for a tree clean up in back of rental property, drive way filler and sealcoating), $350 to son's college savings (in my disorganization I never mailed the deposit in and the funds are gone but this from his First Holy Communion and rightfully his), and the balance toward dance tuition and fees.

We had a great conversation about gratitude at the dinner table two nights ago. Gratitutde versus a sense of entitlement really. I was surprised when my kids all said they'd wear last year's Halloween costumes rather than expect new ones. The smallest one will get a new one because this is his first year in the school Halloween Parade and he has only worn hand-me-downs. It was nice to see that they are learning the value of the dollar, and also being realistic about things.

Have a good Friday!