Boomeyers's Digging Out of Debt

Any advice?? Dealing with DD3, who is about to turn 13. She is a SSPENDER!! Give her $10 and she will immediately run to the store and buy $10 in candy!! She begs constantly for fast food. I have no problem saying no, but it is a CONSTANT thing! DD1 is cheap and frugal, DD2 has expensive tastes, but generally uses her own money by saving it and spending for what she wants. DD3 is a train wreck and I am afraid she is on a bad track. I try to be firm about putting some of her money in savings, and she has about $80 in her savings and does not ask to touch or spend it. Out of sight out of mind works with her. I feel bad that she is generally the one that is left at home with dad every day and does not have any friends that live around us. She is bored.
Sooo, besides trying to teach her to cook (so that she feels more enabled to feed herself, lessening the I want fast food pleas) any other suggestions? She is short on patience, she needs some kind of "baby step" program and some kind of mission or project for the rest of the summer.

Did pretty good this weekend. Stayed at home Saturday and Sunday and cooked dinner both nights! Lasagna and chicken kebobs and rice. Gave at church, but I put that in "regular bills" and not "spending".

7/17
QT gas 30.00
Dierbergs $54.60

7/18
Laundermat 4.75 (dog got sick on comforter!)

7/19 No spender!!

Today should be a no spender too!

Well, we just got DD1 back from Germany and DD3 back from my sisters farm, and now we send DD2 off on a mission trip. Man, it is expensive doing charity work! We spent lots on Off, suntan lotion, and other goodies to try to keep her cool. She will be working on an elderly ladies home, clearing the property and sprucing it up. Supposedly it is covered by weeds and bushes. That mixed with 100 temps and bugs is going to be icky!! They also have "Guardian Angels", like secret santas and we had to buy something to give everyday.

Once this trip is over, we can concentrate on back to school. Luckily, since my kids are older, we do not have to buy many.

7/12
McDonalds 23.46 (Took bbsitting kids)
7/13
Dierbergs 21.72 Groceries
7/14
Target 182.83 Trip/home goods
Walgreens 19.12 more trip
Walgreens 30.00 perscriptions
7/15
Arbys 12.87 pay day lunch treat
JINB 4.07 for DD3 (says she will pay me back >( We'll see.

She was tired!! She had a great time and didn't want to come home! So glad she had this experience. She said she did drink when she was over there, but I told her that was okay to do. She did it responsibly, and she didn't like it! Her souvenirs were simple and nice. Going over to my moms tonight for a little welcome home dinner. Glad I don't have to cook!

Worked both days this weekend at the real estate company. SIL that is living with us is out of town and I am taking care of the 12 cats in the basement. One is diabetic and needs shots twice a day, four others have various medical issues that they must be medicated for. Will have to get up 45 mins. early each day to medicate them before work. She watched our pets for us when we were out of town.

Spending:
7/09
Shop n Save: 29.48 (Getting $20 cash back)
Bunko: $5
Church raffle: $10
7/10
Walgreens: 24.26 (Again, getting $20 cash back)
QT: Lunch/lotto tickets: $18.00
QT: Gas 58.95
Parking garage: 2.50
7/11:
QT: Lunch: $10

Michaels: $12.33 bday gift
Hobby Lobby: $12.68
Petco: $36.03
Shop n Save: $24.00 DD1 prescription

So next up to share is my JCPenny credit card. This is only in my name and I use it for clothes for the family. Of course, first I try hand me downs and garage sales, but it is hard to find the right jeans to fit my DD2 and 3. I am in the rewards club, so I get an occasional free $10 reward. (Based on what I spend).
The total on this card is $1200. It has an astronomical interest rate of around 19.99%. I try to pay around $75 per month and do not anticipate having to use it again for another couple of months.

Spending for 7/7
Chuck E Cheese for bbsitting kids $17.40
Doctor co pay $25.00

That we owe. I thought I would list our debt so you could see what we are paying, whether you want to follow along or say "Wow! She has way more debt than me!" Because of the extensive list, I am breaking it down into categories.

Today I will share our most recent debt, medical bills! Our insurance is 80/20, so with the recent surgery, we have lots!!

Hospital 1: $1458.20 (This one is in limbo as I have requested financial assistance. When I last talked to the lady, she said they are working on Aprils request. I turned mine in the beginning of June, so this one is sitting on the back burner.)

Hospital 2: Current $550.00 Made payment arrangements of $50 per month.

Doctor 1: 227.12. Will pay $50 a month til complete.

Doctor 2: $120.00 currently. Will pay $50 per month.

Hospital for surgeon: $170.00. Paying $50 a month.

Orthodontist: 1034.29, paying $67.50 per month.

Total medical debt: $3509.61 Monthly: $267.50

Feel really nickel/dimed by this, but once some of these get paid off, it will really free up some cash!! I think DD2 will have one more doctor bill coming in.

Spending today 7/6:
Dierbergs: $49.28
Saved $4.75 in coupons!

So for the first few months of the year, I reported what I spent and then set some goals.
Now that the surgery is over and life is back to normal, I am back in business!! So I will start counting as of today 7/5!

Went to Aldi to try to save some money! Just thought you might be interested in some random prices:

Hamburger buns: .79
12 pk of double roll tp: 4.69
Whole grain white bread: 1.29
Tomato juice: 1.29
16 oz shredded cheddar: 2.99
iceberg lettuce: .99
Sour cream: .99
32oz ketchup: .99
Pretzel sticks: 1.29
Olive oil 16.9 oz extra virgin: 3.29
Skim milk: 2.35
Vegtable oil: 1.89

How about the cost in your area?

After I finished at Aldi, I went to Walmart. The egg prices were comparable, but I was able to get an 18 count instead of a 12 count. I like that I can use coupons at Walmart too! Saved $5.10 in coupons. I had to buy some big dollar items like dog food, cat litter, a toilet scrubber and some new dish towels.


Aldi: $73.09
Walmart: 109.41

We put DD1 on a plane Saturday bound for Atlanta then to Germany. I am very excited for her! This trip is an exchange student program. We hosted Kathrin in October and her family will now host DD1. The cost is a plane ticket, a passport and spending money. Not too shabby! We were well under our weight limit for her suitcase. We came in at 43.8 on a 50lb limit. I was very impressed as her luggage included gifts for the host family. So all in all, this is a frugal experience for my daughter! Her Papa paid for her plane ticket and various family members "slipped" her a few dollars. She also saved most of her paychecks and now has over $1000 available if she needs it. She laughed and said she would never spend that much money. And it is true! She is a true cheapskate and I couldn't be prouder when I say that! I can't wait to hear all of her stories and see all of her pictures! So far she has gone to a World Cup party. Germany won! She said people were screaming and throwing beer on each other! Haha! There are no smoking restrictions there, so she is having trouble with her allergies. She also said everyone drives crazy. Sounds like so far it has been a blast. Today she goes to school with her host. They have the same climate there as we do here and they do NOT have air conditioning in schools! Yikes!
Sorry, I'm rambling. Not too much about finance, just a little! Will post other things like financial goals later.

I will admit, I joined Facebook and am really enjoying it! Initially it was to hook up with people from high school before our reunion last year, but it is so much more! I have reconnected with "far away" family, some wonderful old friends and some super SA friends!

The best part, besides the updates and pictures, is the FREE games you can play. Not just the time consuming ones (I try to stay away from most of those! I don't need a Farm or a Fish tank! )But fun ones like Family Feud, Scrabble and even Uno! And it is all free and I can play them with my kids online at the same time with some of them! Nice for connecting with them when I have downtime at work! They have lots of fun word puzzle game too.

Going to talk to DH about him getting a second job. (AGAIN!) Wish me luck!

So I eluded in my last entry about a financial mess, so here it is:

The DH went into business with the BIL a little over a year ago. In Nov BIL and SIL decided to divorce. Things still okay with the business, but BIL started to get a little squirrely. In May SIL and her 12 CATS moved in with us while she builds herself a new home to move into. That is all well. DD3 had to give up her room and the cats are very well behaved and live in the basement. But I digress....

In May BIL tells DH the company is out of money and he has no money to pay him or pay for our health insurance. DH was expecting a commission shortly, so he pulled the money from the savings. Commission comes in, we get half. Now what? BIL is the manager of the business. DH does his job and has never asked BIL for the books or accounts of spending. SIL thinks BIL is hiding money and trying to make the business look non profitable because of the divorce. DH still won't confront BIL about the books or a business buyout. So we just keep living off savings.

I can't begin to tell you how frustrated I am. I approach DH logically, I approach him yelling and screaming and still nothing. He will not go out and get a PT job (he works from home for about 4 hours a day)nor confront BIL and do SOMETHING about this. Do I threaten divorce? This puts our home and whole family in jeopardy. I am gone 10 hours a day and work another job most weekends. Savings are dwindling. DH buries his head in the sand.

And yes, perhaps irresponsibly, but we did take SIL's "rent" for May/June and took the kids on a short vacation. I needed it!!

Well, I haven't been living life in luxury in my glorious yacht crusin' the Caribbean! Although that would be nice!!!!

I have been recuperating from that crazy surgery! It seems everyone I personally know, except one, has had some sort of complication from surgeries this year! Long and the short of mine (guys cover your ears!) is that they left one ovary, but it does not want to cooperate, so they put me on the pill, which has given me high blood pressure. Sooo, I have to decide whether to:
1) stop taking the pill and live with the pain
2) take the pill and the high blood pressure meds till I get a little older
3) have them yank the other ovary and possible take replacement therapy.
All I have to say about that is BLAH.

Our finances have taken a HORRIBLE turn as well, but I will save that for another day!

How have you all been???

I can't get my stuff together to report on Feb and I have'nt really been out of the house for most of March, so I will start again in April with my keeping track of my spending.

Like I said, I got the first bill from the hospital, but it is for $1000 and we have a $500 individual deductible and a $1500 for families on in network hospitals. So I am going to investigate that for now.

Woo hoo! Feel like a ping pong ball, I'm in, I'm out, I'm in, I'm out!

I was released on Monday and found a message on the answering machine on Tuesday (from Monday) from the hospital wanting to make payment arrangements from my stay! Geesh! So much for recuperation! Send me a stinkin' bill first. It informed me this current stay will cost us $1000. I have not yet heard from the first hospital for what it will charge from my fun with Mr. Robot.

I am feeling better. The antibiotics must have done their job. No fever, less bleeding. I am definitely going to dump my ob/gyn. He dumped me back on the surgeon for this little episode and I don't think that is very professional.

Anyway, back to healing, just thought I'd let you know I am doing better!

Sorry haven't had much financial news! Just SICK news. Apparently I have an abscess from the surgery and have been in the hospital since Friday (after 13 stinking hours in the ER!!) Have adapted to the hurry up and wait attitude! Not sure what will happen till tomorrow. Lots of intervenous IV's of antibiotics. On a good note, our insurance waives the $200 copay if you are admitted, so we saved some!

Mr. Roboto did his job. They were able to leave me with one ovary and that is all I need. Didn't have too many issues with the incisions yet, most problems I had were from hanging UPSIDE DOWN!! Yes indeed, when the robot operates on you, they put you on the table and then move it vertically so you are head down to the floor. This is supposed to help with bleeding, etc. In this case, what bleeding I did have moves into the rib cage and clots up and until the body absorbs it. What it did to me was make my muscle spasm in excruitatingly painful charley horses right in my right rib cage. Every time I would move a muscle on my right side, the spasm would start. I would have to say it was definately MORE painful than contractions! Wow! I scared the pee out of those poor nurses! I was rather vocal in my painful displeasure. Anyway, everything is better now! Just working on regular recovery!

Won't have time to update! Too much to do! Will catch up on Febs totals when I'm coherent again!
Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes!

(Forgot to tell you, they are going to use a ROBOT!! Wonder what he will charge! Reminds of a song from the 80's!)

Already slacking on my New Years resolution by not posting every day!! I will get back on it!

Not too much going on. Very busy getting everything ready so I can go have my surgery!

Will post Febs. totals on Wednesday since I will be out of action starting on Thursday.

2/14
Deals - 5.00 (donation)

2/15
NSD

2/16
Walmart - 26.86 - tolietries
Walmart - 34.22 - donations to GS event

2/17
ALDI - 44.45 - groceries
McD - 9.98 - dinner
Arbys - 7.76 - lunch
QT - 47.14 - gas

2/18
NSD

2/19
Taco Bell - 16.99 - dinner
Walgreens - 15.93 (daughters passport photo and some other misc junk)

2/20
Bread Co. - 15.47 - lunch with DD2

2/21
QT - 23.19 - gas
QT - 6.51 - lunch

Hope everyone has a terrific day! We have lots of snow!

2/14 - 34.00 Shop n Save meds
- 3.54 Shop n Save
- 35.00 Pizza for girls
- 15.00 Outback (We had a $25 GC too)

Lets just say that now it is something that involved the police, but wasn't her fault. I need a shot of something!!! ;p


2/12 - 10.00 Valentines gift for hubby
2/13 - 5.00 Deals for GS project
- 20.89 Pizza Street

So a week or so ago, I posted that I was thinking. I was thinking about two things the doctor told me. 1) I have high blood pressure. I used to have very low blood pressure. Any way, he put me on meds and we will see what happens. 2) I am finally going to get my hysterectomy. I have needed/wanted this for some time. I have fybroid tumors. But I also have extensive adhesions from previous surgeries. Sooo, on Feb. 25th I will go in for the laporscopic (sp?) surgery and if he is unable to do it that way, he will have to open me up then and there. So I won't know until I wake up, which way it went. If you pray or are into sending good karma, all would be appreciated that day!

Still moving very slowly on the car thing. Letting DD1 get a dose of being at the mercy of others for a while!

2/8 - NSD
2/9 - 136.42 Shop n Save
- 48.20 Dollar General
- 18.03 McD
2/10 - 52.93 Gas
2/11 - 54.52 Shop n Save
2/12 - 7.76 Arbys
- 2.77 Taco Bell

Yes, she and her friend are okay, I on the other hand, need a stiff drink!

She slid on the icy/snowy roads and slid under a Ford F150 with her Toyota Camry. She did everything right, and because I was off today, I was able to get there within minutes. She only has a bruise on her leg where it hit the dash.

We are now on the path to find a replacement car. She is a really good girl, very responsible with good grades and holds a good job, I just think that lesson of "I know everything and I am invincible" is a painful one to learn. We were already looking for my 15 year old, so now we will need to come up with TWO cars. DD1, who had the accident is going to have to pay for something from her going to Germany savings.

Keeping it all in perspective that she is okay and I would ask for nothing more.

Hope everyone has a relaxing fun day whether you are celebrating the Superbowl or not! I decided to take pulled chicken and chicken wing dip. If my vegetarian daughter comes, I will bring rotel dip too. Can't wait to chow down!

Our hotel room only ended up costing $44.61. It was a gorgeous suite and we had an awesome view of the snowstorm! We did'nt really need to go, but it was nice to "get away" and have the whole bed to ourselves minus the pets!!

2/5 - Dierbergs - 11.60
- Arbys - 7.76

2/6 - Gaffneys - 37.61 - DD3 soccer stuff
- Jimmy Johns - 18.68
- Dierbergs - 31.21

2/7 - will be a NSD!!

I made a little over $40 dollars in ebay sales and had my second NSD in a row!

2/4 - NSD!

So I have slacked off the last couple days due to the anniversary!

Now for accountability!

2/1
Walgreens - 3.21 + 20 back for goddaughters bday card and cash to go in it.
Mobil - 53.31 - Gas
Mobil - 11.17 - candy for DH for anniversary
Arbys - 15.24 - lunch after orthodontist

2/2
Walgreens - 9.66 - balloon for DH
Shop n Save - 4.09 + $20 back for casino
Tonys on Main - 60.00 dinner out with DH for anniversary. He put it on his business card, so it did not come out of our account.

2/3 NSD
(I did take daughter to the doctor, but I am not counting in these expenses)

Ready for some pee your pants fun! I am totaling the numbers for January. I have done as instructed by all the money guru's and kept track of all my spending. I have NOT included regular bills, medical (except for medicine) or DH's spending. Here we go:

Eating Out - $262.30
Entertainment - 7.08
Walgreens - 160.75
Gasoline - 158.31 (I drive a lot for my job)
Walmart/Target - 217.56 (This is usually for toilet paper, beauty products, some groceries, pet items, etc.
Misc. - 249.95 (This included stamps, car inspection, lottery, fundraisers, car wash, Petco)
Groceries - 812.63 (Holy crap! That is $203 a week for a family of five!!)

SOOOOOOO...... GOALS
Eating Out - $200
Entertainment - $10
Walgreens - $100
Gasoline - $150
Walmart/Target - $150
Misc. - $150
Groceries - $700

I am not going for miracles here, I am going for accountability and baby steps. Maybe I will beat my goals and maybe I will fail! We have our anniversary and Valentines this month, Superbowl, plus DD3 will start soccer, etc. so misc will be up $100 already! Wish me luck!

running through my head that I still have to chew on before I talk about them!!

So just a report of my spending the last few days. I managed some more NSD's and I have been driving as little as possible to see if I can save on some gas money. Trying to make one tank last two weeks. I don't think I can do it, but I will get as close as I can

1/23 - Pizza 43.36
1/24 - NSD! (Stayed at home!)
1/25 - NSD
1/26 - Arbys 11.85
Walgreens 34.86
1/27 - Walgreens 26.74
1/28 - Dierbergs 159.67
1/29 - Fridays 39.45
- Walmart 61.90
- Taco Bell 7.69

Seems when I have NSD's I don't blog because I don't have to log anything! I had two!

I now have $24.49 to last me till next week, but DH and I both have gas and we have groceries.

My plan is to list a few things on ebay on one day listings to make some quick money.

DH and I have our 20th anniversary coming up. I would like to buy him a gold necklace for it, so I am going to collect up all my old gold and sell the ebay stuff and see what I get.

1/19 NSD
1/20 NSD
1/21 - 12.05 for dinner meeting
66.35 at Walgreens
1/22 - 58.14 gas
120.95 groceries
9.30 book of stamps
5.00 lottery
8.72 McD's

The van passed inspection! Missouri requires safety and emissions and with a ten year old car with well over 100,000, you never know what will happen. We are good for another 2 years!

We bid and won a care car package at the chili dinner the other day. I paid $35 for $100 in car maintenence and a free oil change, plus various other car care items (bucket, sponges, etc.)

1/15 - $35 car care basket
1/16 - $8 gave to girls for pizza
1/17 - $74.31 Petco
$84.23 Shop n Save groceries
1/18 - $10.00 car wash
$36.00 inspection

Whew! Glad that is over. I woke up this morning just wishing I was back in bed and the day was over!

Chili dinner went well, good time had by all. Massive work on my part, all of us busted our booties working it and we made about $150. Don't think I'll do a big food event as a fundraiser again. The trivia nights went well, but again, as the leader, I end up with the major brunt of the work. Our next event will be a Sweetheart Dance the weekend after Valentines Day. For dads or other special guys and their daughters. Since we are getting a DJ hopefully we will have less hassle, just decorations and snacks.

Poor DD3! She was the 6th grade spelling champ and the "bee off" with the 7th and 8th graders was today. She woke up at 3:30am with a headache and 4:00am was getting sick. She was also supposed to go to an overnight sleepover at a hotel with some girlfriends for swimming and movies. (Big thing with the young tweens). She had to miss it all. Not sure if it was the stomach flu or a migraine. Ugh!


1/15
Shop n Save - ice for fundraiser and change $56.37
McD's - 19.49
Gas - 50.00