This week went very well.
1/14 - $2.00 soda and candy bar
1/15 - $1.25 soda
1/16 - $2.74 cough drops
1/16 - Committed to Haiti Church Trip
1/16 - $1,000 paid on MC (extra payment)
1/18 - Transferred Ing Money to checking, closed accounts.
1/18 - Returned a Christmas gift that didn't fit, $106.50 back into my checking.
1/18 - $1.25 soda.
Need to stop the soda (bad for you) and the candy (again bad for me)....I could stand to lose about 45 pounds. This does not help.
I was interested in going on a Haiti mission trip with our church this year, starting talking about the possibility last year. Finally decided that I felt the need to go, asked off work, got off, then was planning the budget. I will probably need to contribute $500. My mom feels pretty strongly that I need to go and wants to make a contribution (which in actuality because of her generosity will be $500). Between fundraising and her contribution I don't believe I will need to pull money away from paying off the bills for this trip, if so it will be minimal.
Was a good week, low spending and a lot of organizing, cleaning, planning (other than I missed my first day of work for being sick in three years). Irritating. Obviously I truly was sick.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Yarn Along
I love knitting, and love reading so participate in Small Things Yarn Along. I think knowing that you are going to post something every week gives that little extra push to get with it and not waste time.
This week I have on my to do list to finish a baby bunting that I made for my grandson, who is now 2 years old. Why do I do this? I have a full at least 7 months to prepare, you would think I could get it together but obviously not. As you can see there is a grand total of 6 buttons to sew on, really I can't finish this in time. The knitting part has been done for almost 2 years. So, that is project 1 in the knitting arena that I am working on. Not that you can really see it in the picture but the yarn is a turquoise tweed with little flecks of yellow in it which is why the yellow buttons. The yarn has long ago lost it's band so don't have a clue what it is.
What I am currently knitting is a sock. I always try to keep a pair on hand for a last minute gift, which came in very handy last week for Secret Sisters at church. My secret sister was someone I didn't know, had never met and had to have the pastor's wife point her out. It is really hard to choose a gift for someone you don't know but usually something hand knit is enjoyed so made a gift basket of foods from our area, a kitchen dish towel and a set of hand knit socks. I didn't make the party but everyone thought the socks were pretty cool.
Yarn: Regia - Kaffe Fassett The link is to his yarn but I bought mine so long ago they no longer make the color. Is a nice soft yarn to knit with and I kind of like the stripes, a different background would take a better picture...next time.
The book I am reading real quick is Proof of Heaven. I say real quick because I am having to use my e-reader, I prefer a book. Book club is on Tuesday and I haven't even started it yet. I hate when I forget what is coming up. Anyway I hear it is a quick easy read, lets hope so.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday menu 1/14/2013
Sunday - Lasagna
Monday - Chicken Noodle Soup
Tuesday - Pork Chops
Au gratin potatoes
Wednesday - Roast with vegetables.
Thursday - Spaghetti
Friday - Chicken Stir Fry
Saturday - Ranch burgers
Last week actually went better than I expected. It was nice to not have to run to the grocery store (1-1/2 blocks away - unfortunately a little too convenient) to buy ingredients for supper. What I have on my menu I have almost all of the ingredients for in storage. Things that need to be used up anyway.
The only change last week was my husband was out of town on Tuesday so my grandson and I did our favorite supper, pancakes and bacon.
It is interesting the stress of having to figure out what is for supper when I get home from work is just gone. We did not eat out except for our party on Friday because there was not a question and indecision about what to make.
Monday - Chicken Noodle Soup
Tuesday - Pork Chops
Au gratin potatoes
Wednesday - Roast with vegetables.
Thursday - Spaghetti
Friday - Chicken Stir Fry
Saturday - Ranch burgers
Last week actually went better than I expected. It was nice to not have to run to the grocery store (1-1/2 blocks away - unfortunately a little too convenient) to buy ingredients for supper. What I have on my menu I have almost all of the ingredients for in storage. Things that need to be used up anyway.
The only change last week was my husband was out of town on Tuesday so my grandson and I did our favorite supper, pancakes and bacon.
It is interesting the stress of having to figure out what is for supper when I get home from work is just gone. We did not eat out except for our party on Friday because there was not a question and indecision about what to make.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Financial Friday
This is the post I dread, the confession post. I have a great job, not a job I love but a great job and I make decent enough money for my education level. For the level I spend I should be at a doctorate level. So in that vein I have debt, enough debt that it makes me nervous with the economic conditions as they are, it makes me irritated that I feel I have lost control and every month when I get the bill and look at the interest I get angry at myself. So here goes.
Debts:
American Express - $28,000.00
Mastercard - $9,750.00
Christmas money to deposit - $300 or 350.00
Money available:
Reimbursement credit card - $1.56
Victoria Secret Gift Card - $22.18
Coldwater Creek Gift Card - $42.51
Target Gift Cards - $15 and $50.00
Starbucks Gift Card - $5.00 (So I can use the internet if needed)
CVS Bucks $3.50
Staples Rewards $23.50
Cash - $43.00 (misc)
Cash $40.00 (budgeted)
CU Savings - $15.33
X-mas Club - $150.00
Savings - $213.74
Checking - $381.14
Ally Savings - $376.08
CU Savings - $149.72
Paypal - $51.47
CU Checking - $213.22
ING - $62.65
Money Owed:
Daughter $1,869.50
Son $697.00
Obviously some of the savings accounts need to be consolidated, some of them are used for various purposes. The CU checking is so my mother can transfer money to me. That is how she handles my children's birthday and Christmas gifts, then I just write them a check or get cash. But some of the other accounts I either need to consolidate or withdraw the cash and pay on my credit cards.
Since the start of the year I am giving myself $40.00 monthly spending money. The $43.00 above is misc cash that I had. I am not including it in the budget (I know probably wrong way to go right). So far this month (since the totals were gotten) I have spent $1.50 on a soda. As soon as I put the money in the machine and hit the button for the soda I kicked myself. It was a waste of money plus I am trying to cut out coffee and soda from my diet.
I am realistic enough to know I will not get this all paid off this year, but 50% would be a great start. If anyone leaves a comment please encourage, give advice don't scold or demean, I know it wasn't a smart thing to do, I don't need to be reminded.
In my goals starting next week I am going to start aggressively selling some books on Amazon and other things either through Etsy or E-Bay. There is the possibility of a part-time job I can do from my home also which would make a huge difference.
I will be getting paid today and will probably pay another $750 on the Am Ex and $250 on the MC.
Debts:
American Express - $28,000.00
Mastercard - $9,750.00
Christmas money to deposit - $300 or 350.00
Money available:
Reimbursement credit card - $1.56
Victoria Secret Gift Card - $22.18
Coldwater Creek Gift Card - $42.51
Target Gift Cards - $15 and $50.00
Starbucks Gift Card - $5.00 (So I can use the internet if needed)
CVS Bucks $3.50
Staples Rewards $23.50
Cash - $43.00 (misc)
Cash $40.00 (budgeted)
CU Savings - $15.33
X-mas Club - $150.00
Savings - $213.74
Checking - $381.14
Ally Savings - $376.08
CU Savings - $149.72
Paypal - $51.47
CU Checking - $213.22
ING - $62.65
Money Owed:
Daughter $1,869.50
Son $697.00
Obviously some of the savings accounts need to be consolidated, some of them are used for various purposes. The CU checking is so my mother can transfer money to me. That is how she handles my children's birthday and Christmas gifts, then I just write them a check or get cash. But some of the other accounts I either need to consolidate or withdraw the cash and pay on my credit cards.
Since the start of the year I am giving myself $40.00 monthly spending money. The $43.00 above is misc cash that I had. I am not including it in the budget (I know probably wrong way to go right). So far this month (since the totals were gotten) I have spent $1.50 on a soda. As soon as I put the money in the machine and hit the button for the soda I kicked myself. It was a waste of money plus I am trying to cut out coffee and soda from my diet.
I am realistic enough to know I will not get this all paid off this year, but 50% would be a great start. If anyone leaves a comment please encourage, give advice don't scold or demean, I know it wasn't a smart thing to do, I don't need to be reminded.
In my goals starting next week I am going to start aggressively selling some books on Amazon and other things either through Etsy or E-Bay. There is the possibility of a part-time job I can do from my home also which would make a huge difference.
I will be getting paid today and will probably pay another $750 on the Am Ex and $250 on the MC.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Knitting and Reading
Joining the Yarn Along at Small Things. I love to read and love to knit, honestly don't have enough time to do either.
I am just beginning to read The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, it has gotten good reviews so I truly hope it is good. For a while I read all of Oprah's Book Club selections and then she seemed to go through a dark phase and I lost interest, can only do doom and gloom for so long. The sweater I am knitting is for my grandson's in Florida, I'm not sure which one it will fit, depends if I can keep gauge. It is the Anchor's Away Pullover. Have just started the sweater knit from the top down, my first attempt with this technique. Was able to learn a new skill also the provisional crochet cast on. Super easy and really easy with the video.
Also this week finished a scarf I have been working on forever, super simple but for some reason took me forever.
Ignore the pile of ironing in the picture, I know I do, much rather knit.
Isn't this a fun fabric. It is tecido trico. The link I pulled is actually the least expensive I have found the fabric/yarn.
I am just beginning to read The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, it has gotten good reviews so I truly hope it is good. For a while I read all of Oprah's Book Club selections and then she seemed to go through a dark phase and I lost interest, can only do doom and gloom for so long. The sweater I am knitting is for my grandson's in Florida, I'm not sure which one it will fit, depends if I can keep gauge. It is the Anchor's Away Pullover. Have just started the sweater knit from the top down, my first attempt with this technique. Was able to learn a new skill also the provisional crochet cast on. Super easy and really easy with the video.
Also this week finished a scarf I have been working on forever, super simple but for some reason took me forever.
Isn't this a fun fabric. It is tecido trico. The link I pulled is actually the least expensive I have found the fabric/yarn.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Menu Monday
Monday - Shrimp Scampi
Tuesday - Soup or Stew (left over roast from Sunday evening meal)
Wednesday - Chicken with dumplings
Thursday - Lasagna
Friday - Children left overs. Husband and I have a Christmas party. I hate Christmas parties in January, doesn't feel the same.
Saturday - Husband and I are not home.
It is so much easier and cheaper to function with a menu so am going to try again to have one each week. Also am going to try to go through the file of recipes I have tore out of magazines to see if they are keepers or not. So many sound so good but then I never make them. Time to start.
Beautiful day today in the high 20s. I can live with that.
Yesterday was pretty tough, felt under the weather. Slept for probably 16 hours, today am feeling exhausted. We have the flu going around the community, wonder if I got it, or still have it.
Tuesday - Soup or Stew (left over roast from Sunday evening meal)
Wednesday - Chicken with dumplings
Thursday - Lasagna
Friday - Children left overs. Husband and I have a Christmas party. I hate Christmas parties in January, doesn't feel the same.
Saturday - Husband and I are not home.
It is so much easier and cheaper to function with a menu so am going to try again to have one each week. Also am going to try to go through the file of recipes I have tore out of magazines to see if they are keepers or not. So many sound so good but then I never make them. Time to start.
Beautiful day today in the high 20s. I can live with that.
Yesterday was pretty tough, felt under the weather. Slept for probably 16 hours, today am feeling exhausted. We have the flu going around the community, wonder if I got it, or still have it.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Restart
Okay time to try again. I really need/want to do this....to document my life changes, if only for myself.
The plan is on Sunday post a weekly to-do list, Monday post a menu, Wednesday post knitting, and Friday post finances. My end goal of self sufficient living is still the same, there is much to do before that will ever be a reality, but honestly until you are dead you have the opportunity to make changes to your life, to bring it into the rhythm of what you believe.
My d and s-in-law with their son have moved in with us for probably 6 months. It will be a test of my patience but if we can help them get a good start it will be worth it. They have been married for five years and are still at the bottom. This will work.
The plan is on Sunday post a weekly to-do list, Monday post a menu, Wednesday post knitting, and Friday post finances. My end goal of self sufficient living is still the same, there is much to do before that will ever be a reality, but honestly until you are dead you have the opportunity to make changes to your life, to bring it into the rhythm of what you believe.
My d and s-in-law with their son have moved in with us for probably 6 months. It will be a test of my patience but if we can help them get a good start it will be worth it. They have been married for five years and are still at the bottom. This will work.
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