Day 43- Still Working the Plan
Challenge updates:
nickel challenge- slowed down- I need to pick it back up- Computer, computer, computer
Qtr challenge- 12/2000 I AM SO STOKED TO BE ON IT!!
Knee high Challenge- going ok
Decluttering Challenge- I need to get busier on this one
Shoe challenge- going ok- One of the 7 pair may have bit the dust- I am trying to salvage them, We will see. - rember I am trying to make 7 pair last all year, when I normally go through at least one pair a month. These 7 are also left over from last year, so this is going to be interesting. It could also be a significant saving.
I am cooking tonight, so that I and a coworker can eat tomorrow without eating out. I'll save her and me money.
I need to box up a few more boxes. I am going to my sister's house this weekend and I want to take a full car load to store and then sell. Plans for the weekend include going through another storage area and sort for using, selling and dumping. I am hoping to get through 10 more boxes this weekend. We are also going to start loading her van for the following weekends sale.
I funded 3 of my 4 weekly envelopes for gas. Tomorrow is payday and I will fund the rest of the envelopes. I will be set for February. I am going to stick to my envelope system. I will NOT spend out of my gas envelopes for anything but gas. Anything left over will go in the debt repayment fund. I am going to be debt free by the 4th of July.
I have two other envelopes. One is groceries ( $25) and the other is blow money ($25). I know $25 is ridiculously low. I have a FULL and overflowing pantry. I am dedicated to emptying this pantry. The plan is to save as much money as possible eating from the pantry and only buying essential items to fill out meals. Then when I am debt free and the pantry is empty, I will up my grocery allowance and start restocking the pantry from sales, coupons and bargain hunting.
I have also started a cookbook with frugal but tasty recipes. This will also help me accumulate a list of frugal items to stock up my pantry. By this time next year, I will have a great repretiore of tasty frugal recipes, meal plans and a full pantry. My savings for groceries next year is also expected to be significant.
I am considering developing a full month of menues that can be repeated each month. There will be allowances for varience but on the whole, all meals will be planned. I can see several benifits to the plan. I will already have healthy meals planned. I will know what items I need to stock up on when I can get the best price. I will also eliminate a lot of stupid purchases that never get used. I will also know which items are best bought in bulk. I like the idea of streamlining my grocery shopping and meal planning while saving money. Keep in mind that grocery spending is one of the most expensive but also the most controlable expense in your everyday life.
So far I have 9/2000 qtrs. I am glad to be started with this project!!
I need to run. For some reason my car does not want to start. I think it may be the battery. I HOPE it is the battery. Alternator would be mega bucks.
OK, I am back. I am woman hear me roar! I fixed the car all by myself. The ground cable was broken. I bought a new cable AND grounded all on my own. I GO GIRL!
I think I have dome enought today. cioa
2006 End of the year qtr challenge -should be done by this time tomorrow.
I am reallllly looking forward to this new challenge starting up, even if it is 23 days late. You better believe I am going to be intense about this challenge.
Here is the review:
365 days- 23=342
342 days= 1.50 a day
1.50 a day breaks down to 6 qtrs or 6 ways I HAVE to save money each day.
Given savings opportunities=
- 3 times I can make my own food, each day
- Using my work computer vs buying a new one
- Filling up at the least expensive station vs when I am out and what is handy
- not turning on heat or air ( Of course it will be used when needed- but good planning can go a long way- an addition to the challenge would spur me to bundle up or open windows)
- drinking generic soda
I'll add more as they come to mind. Right there are 6 qtrs without any other sacrifices or changes. And there are other opportunities that come up periodically. I am confident that big 'ol canister will be full by the end of the year. It will definitely be interesting to see how fast I meet the challenge and how far I can blow past the goal of $500.
Wouldn't it be cool to surprise myself by adding an entire month of expenses to my LTEF. Ok, I am really getting ahead of my self and setting myself up for failure. I mean could I really save a $1- 6000 times in one year??? LOL or is it??? We shall see. Anyway the first goal is $500 and that equates to 2000 savings opportunities I have to identify and accomplish.
Kneehigh challenge- Going strong. I found two more pair to add to the mix. I am considering dividing the kneehighs up and allowing myself so many pairs per month. Hmm with 36 pairs, that would only be 3 pairs per month. Maybe I can see if I don't lose anymore than 3 pairs per month. That might be more reasonable. Oh, the silly games I play with myself.
2007- 1000 item decluttering challenge- I am only at 23 items- oh well as sale season starts up that will pick up for sure.
Nickel Challenge- Since yesterday, I have been evaluating this challenge. In the spirit of self improvement, I have decided the money is DEFINITELY going toward a new computer. If I was starting from scratch and expecting to find a really good computer for $500 on sale, that would require 10,000 times I will have to resist procrastinating to earn my computer.
This seems like a worthy challenge. Hey after 10,000 times of resisting the temptation to put something off, I should be building some pretty strong and positive habits.
Fun breakdowns: I would have to not procrastinate 30 times a day to get my new computer by the end of the year. I can tell you right now, this is going to be a very long challenge.
I also broke down what the old computer cost me to own. SHEEZE, after getting ripped of on the rebates, I ended up paying over $1 a day just for the computer itself. That is pretty sad. My first computer lasted 5 years and even after paying $1200 cost me les than .65 a day. Neither of these figures count in ISP or interest for charging those computers.
This is real motivation to keep my current job. For those who have been reading a while, you know I also purchased this laptop for work. The big catch is that when I leave it stays with the company. I was replacing one that was loaned by the company but stolen from my car. The cost of computing just keeps going UP and UP. I just ran the numbers and it has cost me 1.25 a day to compute and this is before financing, ink or ISP cost. It is eyeopening but depressing. I have got to find a way to get these computer cost down. That will be another project.
Of course, I am still hoping for an amazing deal on a used computer at the annual church yardsale. All I need is a new tower. I have everything else, including two repair guys that can evaluate them. ::: crossing fingers and wishing on stars::: ( cuz this is an expensive item to be budgeting right now)
I big shout out to me!!! I found enough ways to save $1 ( hey, I write this crap and do chores or stuff at the same time-) and already did them to finalize my 2006 End Of the year challenge. I can now start the 2007 $500 challenge. This just makes my night!!!
I am going to be swimming in change by the end of the year. Maybe I should change the title to "Making Change" LOL
I am most excited about all the positive impact each of those pieces of change represent in my life.
Day 32- Working the Plan
I have done ok lately. Not stupendous but not bad. I keep reminding myself, " baby steps."
here is some of my progress:
2006 end of the year qtr challenge. I am on the last $10. I should be finished by the end of the week, if not sooner. YEAH When I make the deposit, I will have $500 in my LTEF.
I am so ready to start the 2007 $500 Qtr Challenge. I have a little notebook all numbered from 1-2000. I want to record all the ways I saved at least $1. By the end of the year, I will have at least $1000 in my LTEF.
2007 1000 ITEM Decluttering challenge- so far I have 25 items. I am also boxing up stuff and adding it to my sale items. They will be recorded when I actually sell each item.
Nickle Challenge- I put a nickle in the pig every time I spend 15 minutes cleaning or complete a task I am procrastinating about. So far the pig is two years old and a little over half full. I am picking up speed on the progress though. I know I put over a $1 in there this weekend alone. I even had to pick up another roll of nickles. The plan is that when I finish filling both pigs, I will open them up, roll the change and buy myself something I have been wanting but is not in the budget.
Since the change for the Qtr challenge and the nickle challenge come out of my blow money ( and change I get back from purchases), I won't feel guilty at all. I am torn between an I-pod and a computer. Since the computer is a much larger purchase, I am thinking I will just put the two pigs on a shelf and start an additional container. LOL- it will probably take both pigs and a 6 pack of 2 liter bottles to save for the computer.
Then again, I can't use the I-pod until I have a computer of my own. I am currently using a laptop from work ( with permission). Another reason to do well at this job. My two year old computer is fried and there is no budget for replacement. I am hoping to find a cheap replacement this summer at the church's yardsale. It is on my shopping list for that event. I'll be praying about that one.
2007 kneehigh challenge- looking pretty good. While cleaning I found another 4 pair. I am handwashing them now. Currently I have about 30 pair of kneehighs. This breaks down to approximately 8 wears from each pair. This is not counting that in the summer, I will be wearing socks and sneakers or sandles to work. If this works out, I will still have 15 pairs left unopened for 2008. I would like to be able to salvage at least 10 pair from this years challenge to add to next year. It is all about the long haul.
Pantry Challenge: I only went to the store for one needed household item. They had frozen pizza on sale for 2.50 I resisted as hard as it was. That earned me another qtr in the LTEF jar. For what I did buy, I also used a coupon for 1.50 off. Yep, another qtr in the jar. I packed my lunches for the next two days. That will be a good savings and add to my LTEF.
A sickening note: while cleaning today, I found even more checks that I did not cash and have expired. I really need to prioritize getting those replaced. it can't hurt to try.
I sorted laundry today. I have a fair bit and I want to make the most of my loads. Even though I have the cost WAY down, every little bit helps.
I also found a big ziplock bag of miniture size bath washes. I am currently using those for handwashing delicate items. I would have put it in the shower to use but I have at least two years of soap and one year of shampoo left. I felt it was a better use for handwashing items to extend their life. It also gets some more clutter out of my house sooner.
I am also considering hanging more clothes to dry. I don't pay to use a dryer currently. We have free washer and dryers in the laundry room of my apartment building. I have other motivation. I keep reading that the dryer puts a lot of wear and tear on your clothes. Look at the lint filter for evidence.
I want to make what I have last, since my wardrobe budget is nonexistant until I become debt free. It would also help me by not setting stains and keeping the clothes looking nicer so I can resell them when I outgrow them. They won't bring much but it will help. I seem to have a good spot to sell my outgrown clothes, so I am taking advantage of it.
I did well at work again today. I also did not buy anything. I ate a homemade breakfast. I had a free lunch at work. I am eating dinner at home from my pantry. I was able to add a $1.25 to my EF jar. I finished another roll of quarters- just need to find a wrapper. I started on the last roll I need to fill before I can start the the 2007 qtr challenge.
I am stoked about The 2007 qtr challenge. I am dissapointed in myself. I could completed the end f the year challenge on time. As it stands now, I need to save 44.50 each month in qtrs. That is 180 incidences of saving a minimum of $1.
When I break it down to daily, it breaks down to 5 times a day. That is doable but tight. I plan to be intense finishing the 2006 End of the year challenge. Then I am really kicking butt on the 2007 Challenge. for 6 qtrs daily- that includes 3 meals a day ( yes, I know, There will be days when I will buy something to eat). That leaves a minumum of 3 more ways I will have to save money daily.
Some of the ways I can save money:
not turn on the heat- when it is bearable
not turn on AC- when it is bearable
mend clothes, instead of buying new or new to me
buy gas at the cheaper gas stations that are nearby
make my own laundry detergent
be more agressive selling things from my home
cut down and then cut out cigarettes
making my currently large supply of shoes last even longer by cleaning them agressively
do my own repairs at my house
SELL THAT HOUSE
bring home free food when possible
put off buying computer
continue having productive days at work
increase my mileage from work- also untaxed
continue skipping haircuts ( locks of love)
make my shampoo supply last ( should be good for the year)
make my soap last ( should have enough for the year)
turn lights out when not in use
use GCs when I need to buy groceries
make gifts when possible- use gift stash also
make do with what is in my closet- no clothes for special occassions
completing surveys for cash and GC's
Day 35- Did Good
Wednesday at work, I did HUGE! One of my patients needed the city so take care of a situation. From the Mayor's office to the city council, i was told. " Not our problem." I can't go into details but it was definately a situation that put my patient in imminent danger. I even called the state attorney generqals office. Just when I was about to give up hope, I prayed. 5 minutes later the Mayor's office called. They were going to take care of the situation. I asked about the time frame. The said. "TODAY." YEAH!!! Maybe my bosses will appreciate me a little more because basicaly, I accomplished the impossible.... correction, I asked God to accomplish the impossible and HE delivered ASAP.
I also did well on my budget today. I did not eat out or buy anything outside of gas for my car. I even got the gas at the discount gas station YEAH ME!!! I was able to add $1.50 to my qtr challenge EF jar. hopefully by the end of the month I will be able to begin the $500 qtr challenge for 2007.
I need to get back to my paperwork- gotta protect my most lucrative asset (job).
Day 34- muddled
I am ashamed to admit I broke my meal plan for the week. I went to the grocery store and spent $20 on crap for dinner. I have plenty of sufficient food in the house but I am feeling down and I let it get me off track.
I did do one productive thing last night. I pulled my bank for dimes- Gallon sized, cat shaped. cat food container :). Anyway, I have been saving dimes for a few years. Just the ones that come in my change. I have a grand total of 214.50. Judging from how much room these dimes took up, It seems the contaner will hold about $1000in dimes. I've written down the amount, put it in a plastic sleeve and I"ll track my progress. it originally started out as garage sale money for a HUGE yardsale held every two years. Then I changed it to my new clothes fund. I'm open right now as to where it will go.
I am seriously thinking about finishing up my nickle motivation banks and then stepping it up to a dime at a time to motivate me to do chores and other things I tend to procratinate about. That is a bit in the future though. I have two plastic pigggy banks. One is 60 % full and the other just has less than an inch full. I will finish off the first one and then go to the less full one. When they are both full, my plan is to cut them open and roll the money. I want to buy an i-pod, but I am making myself earn it by not being lazy.
Day 33- CC Milestone
Today my $1550 payment is credited to my CC. $50 covers last months interest and then some. The $1500 is directly off the principle. YEAH!! My balance is now $4000 ( a little less). After this months auto pay, the monthly payment is set at $550.
Work is still very touchy at this minute. I am seriously considering looking elsewhere for employment. I have checked the want ads and while my job is not listed, I am keeping options open. I do not want to find myself in such deep doo doo that I have NO job or have to take a serious cut in pay.
Another thing on my mind is the fact that my lease is coming up for renewal. The building also recently sold to new owners. I knew exactly how much my rent was going up before the sale ( 5%). Now the whole thing is up in the air. My rent was scheduled to go up to $617. Now, I have no idea how much to plan for my rent budget. I will probably only get a 30 day notice of the change , if that long. That will not give me long to find a new place if they are ridiculous in the increase. Right now, I am on a wait and see situation.
Day 29- One Direction or the Other
I am either going backwards or forwards. Hmmm... I choose forward. It has been a week from heck. I am in trouble at work and I just found out my apartment building sold but no one told me about it. Everyone else received a notice of propert management change.... EXCEPT ME!
I had some trouble with the lanlord a little while back due to that drunk chic who hit my car. He acted psycho and I remained calm. It appears he may have decided to have me outed from the building. CRAP!! Just what I need moving right now. My lease is up for renewal in March. The new lease is supposed to start in March. Maybe it was just a clerical error. I'll be on the lookout for a new place just in case. maybe a new move would be good for me.
I feel bad
I did receive the punitive damages today. i am on a 60 day probabtion. Shoot. I have no one to blame but myself. I am back on my zoloft because I am stressed to the max. I went back yesterday because I knew I needed to turn my depression around. WHAT?? You did not know? Cuz I try to hide it even from myself. Every one sees a happy confident but not too serious woman. Inside? I am dieing.
The absolute worst part is that I really like my bosses. I hate that they are dissapointed in me. I am dissapointed in me. I feel like I am being sucked under.
Day 27- Reaching for my potential
I get so discouraged and dissapointed in myself at times.
The meeting with my boss went, "ok." At this point I am not in serious trouble. I am at the point where there is potential for trouble though. I was honest and upfront. I laid out where I am and what I had planned to correct it. I also laid out the plan I had in place to add accountability and ensure this is issue does not come up again. He is a great guy. He stayed firm and serious but he did not give me any punitive measures. I think he is aware that I am not bad, just a little overwhelmed. God, help me, I even admitted out loud, " I have trouble asking for help."
Budget watch: I did fair. I only purchased 2 $1 burgers when I went out to check on a client ( on my way home) last night. sigh.... I had food, I just needed comfort food. It is an improvement over my past. I would have gotten a full combo and a milkshake.
A bad note: I did not accumulate any mileage today. I was grounded to the office to work on files. I will be grounded again today. My plan is to get in this morning and knock out the last bit and get moving to clients. I could possibly finish up the ones I was planning to see Wedesday and the ones I planned on visiting today. I would be caught up with a minimum of mileage loss.
I need all the mileage I can honestly get. I use what is left over after auto expenses to pay on my CC.
I did get a good night's sleep last night, it should help.
Day 25- SCREECH!!!
Ok, I admit I have done stupid. I let paperwork slide at work and today I got BUSTED. I owned up to it. I have a strategy and a plan to add accountability to my work. I also have to meet with one of the owners in the morning. At least it is the calm one.
I deposited a check from Best Buy today. It is the refund from the crappy computer I purchased and then returned. It did not even have enough memory to run WIndows, for crying out loud! That should have never been sitting on the shelf.
I have not called Visa and upped this month's payment to $1550. I need to get on that now........... Ok, I am back. That is now done
I am still stoked because I noted June has 3 paydays. That is an extra $1000 for paying off my credit card. According to my paperwork that still leaves an addition $1000 I need to make materialize outside of my regularly scheduled payments from wages/mileage and the extra $1000 I am throwing at it this month from my checking account. This is starting to look doable before the end of July
Budget Watch
I packed my lunch and was doing well until I got busted today. Luckily my out of budget bounds spending was less than $4. I had a soda and a beef jerky. ughhhhh
Baby Steps Monday
Today went ok, I hit my mileage goal for the day. I aim for 100 miles a day or better. I ate out one time. I forgot my lunch bag and had to grab a bite. Not only that but I skipped breakfast. I was starving. I spent a little over $3. That was three dollars I could have sent to debt :( I did refrain from eating anything else until I got home.
I did make it to the bank. I cashed three checks for a total of $1296. $800 came out right away to refund my BEF. $300 came out to pay my car insurance in full in April. I have $196. That will cover gas and cigarettes for the next two weeks. Actually, 2 1/2 weeks. I am just going to make it fit. Sacrifices can be good for the soul.
While I was at the bank, I checked my deposit. It appears I have enough to send an extra $1000 to my CC balance. After depositing my check this Friday. I may even be able to make that $1500. That would be a nice chunk out that debt. It would also free up money that was covering interest so that it can be applied to principle. SWEEEET!
I finally received my refund from Best Buy. Have I mentioned, lately, That I hate that place. Tuesday I need to stop by the bank and deposit that check. Hmmmm.... After depositing that check, I could absolutely handle a one time draft of $1500 from my checking account to put toward my cc bill.
Confession time: I was signed up for an ice skating class that was scheduled to begin 1/8/07. Total cost after ice time, tuition and gas was right at $300. I decided last minute to forgo the class. I am focused gazelle intense on paying this debt off by 4th of July.
I also rescheduled a doctor's appintment. I am going to research further exactly how much out of pocket expense I will have and how to best maximize whatI do have to spend out of pocket.
Day 22- baby steps
Ok, here we go again. I have a $1200 check in my purse plus 2 $40 checks from bank shops. I get paid again on Friday, but I will have a lower mileage check this pay period. :( I am also waiting on a nearly $400 from Best Buy- hate that place!!
With the 1200 uncashed paycheck, I will re-fund my baby EF. That will only take $800. the additional $400 will cover this month's car fuel and maintenance. The $80 will be deposited for cc debt payment.
Fasy forward to Friday January the 12th. That is the next payday. $900 in wages will be put toward budgeted bills. Mileage will be set aside toward car insurance due in April. Ins is $300, mileage is almost $200. That will go toward April insurance. I want to have it in hand because I get a discount for paying in full. I also do not have to remember to pay monthly payments and that is a good thing.
THEN January 28th, I get paid again. That will finish off January's budget and give me Auto expenses for February. Any extra mileage funds will finish off April's insurance bill. If there is any left, the rest goes towrd CC bill.
I am currently decluttering the apartment. Anything I think I can sell is going in boxes to take to my sister's house this weekend. She is working toward a $1500 dental repair she wants completed. I am am getting Gazelle on paying off my CC. I will be debt free by the 4th of July 2007.
We are looking into several venues to hold yardsales. Every little bit helps. I also need to look into completing a few more Mystery shops that pay. I also plan to get serous about doing online surveys. I need to replace my computer and it is NOT in the budget.
After paying off my cc, I will be focusing on two things. A) A fully funded emergency fund- I want a minimum of 3 months in that account. B) All mileage after Auto expenses is to be put in a new to me car fund. Both of my cars are over 10 years old. I am going to need a replacement in the next 1-3 years. Preferably later than sooner. I am on the 100% down payment plan for the next car.
I put a few more quarters in the 2006 $100 goal jar. I am still short ( I have $80 I need $20 more) and whittling away before I start the 2007 $500 qutr challenge. LOL- I am soooo going to fish the 2007 challenge on time. Even if I have to eat 4 cases of Ramen over the year.
I took a little notebook and I am in the process of numbering the lines 1-2000. I want to see all the ways I saved $500 a qtr at a time.
What did I do frugal today?
I worked on laundry- so I will have clothes for work. The more I wear the current ones I have, the less I will feel the need to buy new clothes for a while.
I used less than half the reccomended amount of detergent. I just let them soak a little and they come out just as clean.
I cooked danish ribs I bought on discount. That should be enough meat for the week.
I need to freeze a pork roast for next week's meat. It was also bough on discount.
I packed a lunch bag with snacks for this week at work.
I am soaking rice to eat with the ribs and to make into a stirfry later this week.
I need to make tea. These sodas are killing the budget.
Anyway, I need to go work on 80 more ways to save money this month so I can finish off the 2006 challenge. sigh- will I ever learn???
Day 22- Getting on track
Ok, I did not reach my 2006 goals. I did make progress. That's good. I could have done better than I did but at least I did better than I have before.
I am still $30 shy of my EF goal for 2006. I am going to keep on umtil I reach it and then start my 2007- $500 in quarters goal.
My computer died a terrible death. :::a moment of silence:::
I bought the cheapest one they had at Best Buy. it did not even have enough memory to run Windows. That is a damn shame. I took it back and I am waiting on a refund check now.
When that check arrives it is going back in the bank. I am making do with my work laptop. My employer allows us to use our work laptops for personal use outside of work. I am working on a way to save up for a new computer without touching my savings or my budget. I think I will hold out as long as possible.
I blew my Baby EF on daily expenses because I did not take the time to cash my paycheck- lost my license too. I know it is here somewhere. I just have to find it.
So this week I am cashing my last paycheck and stashing the $800 BACK IN WITH THE $200 i DID NOT BLOW. I'll take the rest for this month's expenses and go forward with my next paycheck on Friday.
I am still aiming to be debt free by this 4th of July. I have started dating again and found I was not focusing on MY PRIORITIES. No more of that. Debt free is my priority and will continue to be so. I will manage with what I have or just do with out or forgo an activity that is not in my budget.
