The last weekend of Sept.

I can't believe the month of Sept. is almost over. Of course that means that my birthday is almost here. I love birthdays...mine and everyone elses. Birthdays are ment to be celebrated. The gift of life.

This weekend as I am once again at Ed's house. I will be going over my notes for Sept. and breaking down what I spent. Making October goals and updating my resume. I might even be able to put it out there and see if I get any hits.

One goal I have for the next few months...October - April. Is to track how many times I use the dryer. As it gets colder I don't want to hang wash. I have the room to hang it and not have to look at clothes all over the house for once. So this can be a major savings for me.

Still going strong on the laundry soap project. Of course I am doing less wash and also doing my clothes at Ed if I am there longer than the weekend.

I love this time of the year. Fall and Spring always seem like a good time to refresh and go forward.

Freecycle.org

I am sure most of us know what freecycle is. I don't use it much to get items. Just because I don't need anything. I am trying to get things out of here not bring more stuff in here.

Today I did get rid of a big box of stuff. Clothes, Christmas stuff, even a Packer Sleeping bag. (SHHHHH don't tell my son). So that is less stuff that will go in the dump and if someone can use it that is great.


As I continue to go through his room I am going to give away whatever else I can. I figure there maybe someone out there that can use the items. The more I get rid of the less I have to move. Since I may be moving as soon as Dec. 1. - if not then, I will be looking in the spring for a new place.

Update on Rent Money

I went to the bank today and got a money order for 300.00. I have to have some money for food and a few other things. I got what I wanted and still have 38.00 in my wallet.

I called Unemployment and if that check would show up. I would have all my rent money. On Friday I will report it missing and hope they put it back within a week or two.

TV is being picked up tomorrow. Putting that money towards Rent. I have a ton of stuff listed for sale. So I am hoping to have some bites soon. Slow time I noticed in selling items.

Tried out this new site Cash4books They pay money for books. Not a huge amount. But I had about 10.00 worth of books sitting here. The cool thing is they even pay for shipping.

How it works:
1. Go to Cash4Books
2. Register
3. Look up your books by ISBN number
4. They tell you the amount
5. Checkout - print packing slip and mailing label
6. Send off books
7. Money can be sent by check or paypal(you get a 3% bonus for using Paypal)

So on Friday Ed and I will stop at the post office to drop off the books.

Hey 10.00 bucks is 10 bucks.

Rant about my Stockpile

My stockpile is just that....MINE! ALL MINE! Now if I choose to share with you that is one thing, but to think that what is mine is yours. WRONG! I tell you that is just WRONG!!

Example one: Friend comes over on lunch break. Brings her own food, but wants BBQ sauce. I have open pit in my fridge. I told her it was in the fridge. So when I was in the other room. She went in the stockpile took out the baby ray and opened it. Now I have 2 bottles opened in my fridge. GRRRRRRRRRRr

Example two: Same friend..comes over to do her wash. I don't care if she uses the machines. She has to put her money in it. But then does not bring soap. So she uses mine. I don't care if I have 2.5 years worth. You need to ask.

Same friend is moving out on her own. I already said. I will be more than happy to help you start a stockpile by going to the store with you. But you have to have your own coupons. She said but you have so much. Hello yes so when times are tough I don't have to buy when money is tight.

I see this is going to be an issue.

Missing Check Money

I need to call today to find out how much that missing check is for. Then I am going to call my stepmom and ask if I can borrow that amount. Then I can just give her the check when it comes. I am hoping she says yes.

So far I have for rent money.
$370

Will add:
$40 if TV sells today
$32 if another child support payment comes in - I do NOT ever count on this money.

Someone also made and inquiry about a bed I am selling. I have a ton more stuff for sale too. Just need some hits on it. If I can sell that stuff then I will be okay.

Granted this is leaving me nothing for food. But I will eat what I have here and since I am at Ed all weekend and sometimes the whole week. I don't have to buy much food. And I can eat what is here for now.

I feel better that I sat down and made a plan and will be glad when I get through this little hiccup.

Later today I will post my budget plan and expenses.

Just Because

I think this sums it up for a lot of us.

The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer



It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Working on Budget Day

Today I am going to sit down with my spreadsheet and start crunching numbers. I want to get a working budget going for October. I need to get myself down to knowing exactly where every dollar should be going.

Also going to make a list of all the temp agencies in the city and a start looking for Temp work. That should hold me over until I get into school.

Since Walgreens is not giving me more that 4 or 5 hours a week. I am also going to go and apply for some other part time jobs. It is time for me to move on and get out of there. The discount is nice but I need to stop shopping anyways so I have not been using it much.

I hope to report back later on my budget. If not then I will this weekend when I get to Ed's house.

Tracking Spending

The month is almost over and I can say that I really worked hard at tracking my spending. I managed so far to do 23 out of 24 days. Only missing one. I will be finishing off the month. I will review and make a plan for next month.

This morning I did make up a spreadsheet of what I have tracked so far. And will put each item into the catergory and start a spending plan for Oct.

It was not to bad. I made sure to keep a notebook handy all month and record the amounts ASAP!

The one change I need to make for October is to also list my income. I can go back for most of Sept. and look in my checkbook for my deposits. But I need to spend more wisely.

Pay Per Post - I joined

I joined Payper Post. There is a link in the sidebar also on how to join. I found this awhile ago and finally got around to joining. I have heard good things about it so I thought why not join up. I don't remember the exact place I heard about but I believe someone posted a comment on my blog that I should join.

The run down of the idea behind pay per post is that you post about specific ideas. This can include products or services. Each of the post is worth money. After they are approved you are paid either via check or paypal. I personally choose to do paypal since it is safer than having a check mailed. Also it means that I do not have to make a trip to the bank in order to cash it.

My plan is to use the money that I make from PPP to fund my new digital camera. I really miss my camera and even though I know it won’t be a lot of money. It will help to get me closer to my camera.

Also I am looking forward to all the things that PPP has to offer. Not just money wise but as I am writing about these ideas I will learn more and more. Never stop learning that is my motto.

Check out PPP and see if it works for you.
get paid to blog

Can I be a little mad here?

I called Unemployment about the missing check. They wait 14 days from the time of mailing before it can be considered lost or stolen. Okay I can understand that. But I had redid my direct deposit and it became effective Sept. 17.....the SAME DAY they mailed the check. Had I put in my claim on Monday or Tuesday then I would not be in this mess. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

It can take up to 60 days for a replacement to be mailed. GRRRRRRRRRR


But at least I know my next one will be direct deposited into my account as of tomorrow.

YEAH!

And I refuse to borrow money from "Ed" even though he sent me a message this morning asking if I needed cash. Just love that man. Oh "Ed" would be my boyfriend.

Shopping online!

One thing I have noticed is if I am shopping online. Sometimes I don't go ahead and purchase my items. I leave the cart full and move on. Most of the time it is because I really do not need the items or I am thinking should I really buy them.

Well with some places a few days later they will send me an email. This means that I was usually one step away from checking out and submitting my order. These emails always contain some type of deal. Either a % off or free shipping.

I don't do this on purpose to get a bettter deal. Sometimes I take advantage of the offer other times I walk away. But it is a nice perk to know about.

Week of Sept. 24th

Good Morning!

It is 6 AM here and I am awake. Wide awake since I got up at 3:45 AM to come home. Yes I know crazy as it is. Don't know what to call him most days as I still think being almost 40 and Boyfriend is just werid. So my S.O. drops me off before he goes to work at 5:30 AM. He does not want to bring me home the night before so we make the morning trip.

This weeks goals:
1. Get that check remailed.
2. Work hard to sell some stuff here
3. Get house cleaned - Not dirty but still I am sure dusty.
4. Eat all meals out of the house. Already cleaned out fridge and freezer.
5. Get a letter mailed out to my son. I miss him and have not talk to him in a bit.

While I am home I practice Frugality as much as possible. The funny thing is I thought S.O. was frugal too. Nope he throws a ton of food away which just kills me. Even the toothpaste I will squeeze it to the end, not him. But some how I think it is going to take me a LONG time to change his ways. But slow but sure I will.

10 days since my last post

Not much going on for me in the frugal world. Still tracking my spending. It is not been much. I have been spending a lot of time at my boyfriend's house. The word boyfriend seems so funny when you are almost 40.

I would love to stay my electric bill will be lower. But with me leaving lights on and have others on timers. Maybe not so much. After the robbery I would rather pay a bit more than to have my house broken into again.

Things are tight here. My unemployment check is not in my mailbox. Wonder why? It was sent on the 17th and never made it. So I am going to be scrounging to get rent money. GRRRRRRRRRRRRr

Since school seems a long way off I am going to go next week and apply at some Temp Agencies and go back to Corporate America till I find out for sure about school.

Thanks for the where are you message!

Repost - Walgreens Free Ink Refill - IS TODAY

This is a great savings if you need ink cartridges refilled.Only Available in selected stores. To find participating stores visit www.walgreens.com/ink and click on "find a store" or call 800-925-4733. Epson and Canon cartridges excluded. Not all types of cartridges can be refilled. Offer valid only on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, from 12 a.m to 11:59 p.m.

Color refills: $15.00

Black refills: $10.00

Coupon will be in weekly ad. One per customer - per household.


I have been holding out and my black ink is out.

Tracking Spending

Oh I am so excited it is almost the half way mark to the middle of the month. I have tracked my spending every day so far.

That is going to really help when I sit down at the end of the month and make a new budget. I will know where my money is going and where I need to cut back on.

But this is a first for me. I have been trying really hard to make sure I WRITE down everything I spend. Not matter what it is, including bills and laundry. So I have an honest idea of what is going on in this house with money.

I am going to work with Excel to make myself a good spreadsheet.

The Winner of the Starbucks Giftcard is ........

Thanks to everyone who entered my Starbucks giveaway for the $5.00 giftcard.


The winner is HEATHER! I have sent you an email for your mailing address.


Keep watching I will be doing another one to celebrate my 40th Birthday!

Remember that no spend Sunday?

Did not happen....but wrote it all down. I spent 24.00 on Dinner for me and that man in my life again. And then 4.73 at Walgreens for a contact case, soda and card (again for that man in my life)

I do want to get a few things at CVS this week and hope that is the only spending.

The good thing is I am using cash I had in my wallet.

Was not a no spend weekend.

Saturday night my sweetie and I walked to the gas station for ice cream and a few other things. So $10.45 later I came home.

Not bad for me for the weekend. I won't be buying anything today. Might need to get soda but cutting way down as it cause heartburn for now.

Free Ink Refill - Wed. Sept. 12 ONLY! Walgreens

This is a great savings if you need ink cartridges refilled.Only Available in selected stores. To find participating stores visit www.walgreens.com/ink and click on "find a store" or call 800-925-4733. Epson and Canon cartridges excluded. Not all types of cartridges can be refilled. Offer valid only on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, from 12 a.m to 11:59 p.m.

Color refills: $15.00
Black refills: $10.00

Coupon will be in weekly ad. One per customer.

I have been holding out and my black ink is out.

Friday was a no spend day

Did not spend a dime on Friday! Can she do it all weekend? Sure going to try.

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Back to School is now in full effect. All you tired parents from getting up at the crack of down to make sure our kiddos have warm bellies and all the homework is done. For all the future late night baking because you know Johnny and Jenny won't tell you they need 60 cupcakes until the night before.

I am giving away a $5.00 giftcard to Starbucks. Just to provide a little relaxation during a day when you need it the most.

Rules:
Contest ends Sept. 10th
Leave me a comment telling me your favorite Starbucks treat.
I will randomly pick a winner.
I will post the winner here on Sept. 11.

Have fun and now I am going back to my morning coffee (Okay so it is afternoon but I slept till 12 noon.)

Never Forget

Tuesday is 9-11

Never forget and please keep all those families and friends of those effective in your prayers this weekend. As the day gets closer I am sure their hearts get heavier. Missing those they lost in such a horrible attack on America.

Also please keep the military in your prayers. The ones we lost, the ones still fighting and the veterans who paved the way to give us the very FREEDOM we have today.

Weekly update on goals for the month.

Every Friday I will post an update on how I did for the week on my goals:


Cook a meal for me. No more hodge podge meals here.
- made meatballs, have chili in freezer, made beans in the crockpot. All meals for the coming week. Well not the meatballs but I will eat some this weekend.

Do not use the dryer. Now I am great about this in the spring and summer. But start slacking in the fall and winter. I will dry towels come winter.
- hung up all my laundry this week.
Keep my new checking account up to date
- came home from the store and entered everything in my checkbook
Write down EVERYTHING I spend. No matter what it is. 5 days in and doing well.
-right on target with this one. 6 days written in.
Sell 100.00 worth of stuff out of this house.
-nothing done in this area
No stocking up unless 100% free in the HBA area.
- did not buy anything this week. Although I looked at some make up did not buy.
Will do a $5-$10 stock up in the food area. Get ready for winter.
- bought some cornbread mix on sale. 21 cents a box.

Frugal doings for the day

oStarted my day at 6:30 AM yeah...an early day for this one. Babysat for the girl across the hall. She needed to go to school (college) and her DH was not home. So I took the baby. Nice to use those maternal genes again.

Then after he was gone cleaned up a bit and showered. Got the mail and had to run errands. Which you know if you say run errands it includes spending money.

1. 48.93 Grocery Store. Should last a few weeks. Just need bread and milk after this
2. Walgreens - smokes, food and razor blades. Will be returning blades found one here and I only need one. So $4.50 coming my way.
3. $3.50 bus

Finally got my checks. So I added in my deposits took out cash for the next week. Going to try and go week and half with getting more.

Came home and made some meals:
1. Meatballs to take to the man's house for dinner this weekend. I hope he likes them. He is such a picky eater that I am almost scared to cook for him.

2. Had some pinto beans. So I picked up 2 ham hocks. Made beans with one of the ham hocks in the crock pot. Will freeze for later meals next week. Also when I was putting away some groceries I found green peas so I will use the other ham hock to make split pea soup.

3. I have some hamburger left over from the meatballs. I may make a lasgna in the morning or just put the hamburger in the freezer for burgers next week.

I already have chili in the freezer for future meals.

Here is a frugal tip. I wanted a sandwich for dinner. So I got a small amount of meat from the deli. Well I wanted lettuce too. I saw the price of the bags of lettuce. So I remember a tip I read somewhere. I went to the salad bar and got the amount of lettuce I needed for my salad. It cost me 40 cents for lettuce on my sandwich. If I had a bought a whole bag it would have gone to waste.

Tracking 6 out of 30 days so far.

Frugal Goals for Sept.

I love this time of the year. Back to school. Weather is cooling down at night. Nothing like sitting outside on a cool night enjoying the weather. Also time to get ready for those cold days coming ahead. Sept. is usually another expensive month for me. But since my son is now somewhere else well I don't have the back to school shopping.

Frugally for Sept. I am going to work on things that I have moved a bit away from:

1. Cook a meal for me. No more hodge podge meals here.
2. Do not use the dryer. Now I am great about this in the spring and summer. But start slacking in the fall and winter. I will dry towels come winter.
3. Keep my new checking account up to date
4. Write down EVERYTHING I spend. No matter what it is. 5 days in and doing well.
5. Sell 100.00 worth of stuff out of this house.
6. No stocking up unless 100% free in the HBA area.
7. Will do a $5-$10 stock up in the food area. Get ready for winter.

Not huge goals but little things I really need to work on.

Waiting for Ink Day

My black ink is out..or almost out. There must be a tiny bit in there. Every time I need to print something in black. I take out the cartridge shake a bit. Put in and print. So far it is working. I do limit what I print. It has to be something I need, such as a label for mailing or a calendar page for my binder.

There is a Free refill day coming up and I am waiting it out. I will save $10.00 by doing this. So only 6 more days of either not printing or shaking then print.

Another frugal way to save $10.00! Hey $10.00 is 1/2 of my favorite monthly meat deal.

Tuesday Spending and stuff

The man in my life was going to throw away a free sample of Folders Vanilla Biscott coffee. You know I snagged that ASAP! Not only do I love the flavor but I love free ANYTHING!

Spending today was a bit more:
$11.47 on Groceries. I got a few things to add to food here for meals.

Tomorrow I should have my Sept. goals up and running. I think I am getting some bug since I slept almost all day. Got up long enough to shower and come home and go to work.

I was happy to come back from my weekend away with my apartment intact.

Now I wanna go and read the blogs I have missed the last few days.

Zote Soap

This is my newest frugal endeavor. I bought a bar of Zote soap. I have read many things on how this soap is used for a stain removal. Now if I can get stains out of clothes then my clothes will last longer. I also know people who make their own laundry soap using zote. A little more info can be found at Zote (If you are not fluent in spanish - use the english link). This soap is made and used in Mexico for washing clothes. My main use will be for handwashables and stain removal)

I am doing some research online to see what others have used zote for. I got my bar at Big Lots for 66 cents and it is a large bar. I mean almost the size of a brick.

If you have experience with Zote please let me know.

Happy Labor Day!

September is here! Back to school. Weather is changing. I am turning 40 soon, ha don't look it so that works for me. Lots of things change this time of year.

For me so far this month I have spent $4.00. Tongs for the grill, Notebooks for Mike and Zote soap (used for homemade laundry soap, but I also heard it works great as a stain remover)

I need some very hard core frugal goals this month. I really want to get myself in a better frugal position. Somethings I have been slacking on and others I have not done full force. So this Labor Day I am going to make a plan on what I want to accomplish for the month of Sept. and what frugal things will get me there.

Only major spending I need to do is get Mike a birthday present and bake him a chocolate cake. So give me your best recipes...a baker I am not.