Personal Finance Blogs

7252

Steaming Past A Thousand! HIPPI-YIPPIE-YAH!

2006 Challenge $126.11 started late Aug
2007 Challenge $402.50
2008 Challenge $525.15
2009 Challenge +$1005.95 Nov YTD
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Cumulative Total $2059.71

This will be the first year I've been able to put back over $1,000.00 for the year in the $20 Challenge category! A goal has been reached. Perhaps next year I can get to $1500 or more. Watch out Ima Saver I'm picking up steam!


$0005.53 Nov...
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Actually, I do mind.

(warning: rant ahead)

I have worked as a barista and never once commented to a customer on their drink choice. Now, I don't find a lot of things rude but for some reason it just never felt right.

Of course, inwardly I wondered why on earth someone would bother to get the 'skinny-milk' option on a mocha-with-cream-and-marshmallows-plus-two-sugars, but I digress... I would never SAY that to the person who was ordering it.

I'm a strong coffee gal....
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As I was driving to my class this morning in a nearby city, I saw a sign hanging on one of the light poles. "Christmas lights installed, call xxx-xxx-xxxx".

I'm sure it's not a new service, but I don't recall seeing it offered before. It made me wonder if the person offering the service brainstormed different ways to earn income because they are out of work, or if it's something they do every year to make a little extra income for holiday spending. Would they get any calls?...
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I have been wondering lately if I really qualify anymore to be called frugal.

No, I don't have any credit card (or other) debt.

Yes, I got rid of a bunch of extraneous stuff and downsized majorly in terms of living space and monthly rent costs.

But ... even though I went from paying $660/month in rent to $290/mo ... I'm not really sure where that money has been going each month.

Considering the fact that I am having to chip into my savings, and soon my EF to pay...
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Big, big, big news! The dentist bill is a paid in full! That was one fat, furry mole, and he is roadkill! I have been nibbling away at that bill for more than 2 years, I am thrilled to be done with it! (hear the dancing and singing in the background?) Every time we hit a glitch in the budget, that was the one that got skipped, because they were just SO DARNED NICE about it. Too nice, they should have complained once or twice, and gotten paid a lot sooner. Now, on to the family...
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I've always cooked. However, now I'm cooking even more. Food has gotten expensive, so I continuously look for ways to save, cutback, and find better alternative ways to do things. There are three in my family. We spend around $300 a month on groceries, not including supplies. Not a little bit of money, but not a lot either. At this stage in my life I do not eat out much. Restaurant kitchens aren't always clean, neither are people's hands, and the luxury of dining out can add up....
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My running buddy stood me up this morning, got to run solo in the rain. It was early enough and rainy enough to keep people indoors, so no dodging dogs and folks out for a leisurely walk. My week-end routine has changed recently, but did include the usual walk through goodwill (no buying) and grocery outlet. I was too early for the turkey bowling event but the place was hopping. Got out of there quickly after buying more vegetables for turkey dinner #1.
Turkey cost $4.59
dressing...
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I got dragged out of my house this morning to go Christmas shopping with my mom & youngest brother (he's 5).

Mostly, she just wanted me there to pick out the clothes I wanted from her for Christmas, along with DH's and some of my other younger brother's. So now if anybody doesn't like their clothes, it's my fault.

Anyway, I actually found a nice shirt on sale at Aeropostale for DH, but then my mom decided she was getting that for him as well! I ended up with some jeans,...
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Yesterday I met with my student teachers for the last seminar of the semester and led a discussion on interviewing strategies. Over the years as an administrator, I hired about 90-100 teachers, served on countless interview panels for other positions, and recruited for the district teaching pool. It was good to share information from my experience that will hopefully help them land jobs.

In CA, this is possibly one of the worst times to secure a teaching job. Due to state budget...
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Ugh, work has been so ridiculous lately! My employer decided to roll out a very different health plan next year - a high deductible plan with a HSA and a wellness plan. Guess who's been taking all the calls? My boss has been on the road all week doing presentations about the health plan, so the calls are just falling on me. I have two choices: I can do my work OR I can answer calls. Doing both isn't working. If I do my work, I don't have time to call people back. If I take the...
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I really don't have a much financial happening right now. How about a glimpse into our checking account?

Beginning Balance Today: $349.31

We get paid again on December 1st. We will have to buy weekly groceries this Sunday or Monday. We are traveling by car for Thanksgiving, so fuel will be needed. I already have the items to make the pumpkin pie. I also need to bring banana bread for which I also have all the items. We may give cash to my BIL who is hosting Thanksgiving....
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Here is our current retirement contributions:

Me
6% to 401K
3% to 401K (from employer)
6% to ROTH IRA


DH
10% to 403B
10% to 403B (from employer)

Balances
401K $8300
ROTH IRA $1300
Rollover IRA $1700
403B $6400
(403B is estimated balance, we only get statement once a year)

I try to bump my own retirement up 2% per year. It definitely gets harder to move it up as time goes on. Right now I am contributing 12% (plus 3% from my employer). But this next year...
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Up until now I had not felt any direct impact from the economy. Prices here had remained stable, employers always have "help wanted" signs up, and new business and resteraunts are constantly being built and opened. The only thing that I have noticed is that there are a LOT of "for sale" signs on homes. A LOT! But that really does not effect me at this time, we are already home owners, and if the price of our home goes up/down does not matter to me because we have a fixed mortgage...
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I get payments deposited in Paypal yesterday for $100 in reimbursements for 3 restaurant mystery shops + $3 from Pine Cone!

Then I went to Walmart for a few items which included yams $0.25/lb, celery $0.88/stalk, head of cauliflower $1.98, and broccoli $1.25/lb...all pretty good deals in my opinion! I found a penny at the checkout register there.

So I had extra income yesterday of $103.01!!
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We went to a festival last night and I took along $40 in cash. When we were emptying our pockets last night I told my husband I'd like to start putting $1 bills into the coin jar as well as loose change. I had a ten dollar bill and several ones. I asked him to please give me the $3 I knew he had in his pocket and I'd give him the ten dollar bill from the festival. He argued and argued with me that we could put the $10 in the jar because he didn't understand what I was trying...
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I would love some ideas on what to get my six year old DD for Xmas. She is our only child. She already has a kitchen centre and a Disney Princess vanity table.
I have gotten the small gifts already, e.g. books, kids jewelry, lip gloss, etc. I don't know what to get as her big gift. Any ideas?
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Friday
Saving log - $0
Spending log - $1.75 coffee + $32 t-day groceries
Found money - $0

Thursday
Saving log - $4 tip box
Spending log - $1.75 coffee + $4 chocolate coins
Found money - $0.13 (sidewalks)

Rounding the corner on Thanksgiving. As of writing, we are the hosts. As I write, I'm baking 2 pumpkin pies. Its not as if I really want to bake 2 pumpkin pies for the 4 of us, but the recipe made that much filling. I mostly followed the recipe, but added nutmeg. A...
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Today I only spent a few dollars I collected from the change jar on groceries. Brussel sprouts on sale at Top Foods... The refund check is in the bank and ready to pay this month's household bills. Tomorrow I'll pay them and the rest of the month is dedicated to principle payment on the HELOC.
update:
30 minutes of cardio
good dinner from the freezer
good Friday evening time with DH
Tomorrow is another day.

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Yesterday, DH didn't spend money on lunch again (his boss bought lunch for the second day in row... weird but good!). I have been eating at home all week since I've been on vacation from work, so we decided we'd order out for pizza and take it out of the "entertainment" part of the budget.

Ordered the BEST pizza in town and used a $1 off coupon. DH went to pick it up instead of getting it delivered and paying a tip (they are just a short drive from us). It was delicious,...
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Today was a no spender. I have my nephew over tonight and we're watching library movies, eating homemade food and having popcorn fights! Too fun

I did sell some stuff off Craigslist today. $15.00 made. I had another reply for a desk that I have for sale for $10.00. It's a bit banged up and old and I never use it, so I'd rather have the $10

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to hang with a friend. She's a spender and most of our activities together have involved spending. But I...
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