Have I been waiting for this!! I had planned to have my own garage sale today and use some of the money for snowflaking our debt, but the city department decided to tear up all of our streets and repair them, so I thought I would wait a little bit. The weather was also windy and cold!

But I digress!!!.... I went to an indoor sale and was given a bag to fill with clothes for $5!! Yee Haw! Even if I thought it MIGHT fit someone, I threw it in! I got soccer socks for DD3's practices, socks for DD1, a jacket for DD3, some lounging pants for DD1 (Tommy H, very nice and soft!) and some extra clothes for my neice that my mom can keep at her house for emergencys. I did get DD3 some more shirts and some misc. sports shirts, one for the Cardinals and two for the Rams. Nice to have on hand if we go to a game or sometimes they have spirit days at school. Did'nt get anything in the way of shoes, but I did pick up a pair of jeans for my picky DD2 for .50 and a computer game for whoever for $1. also got 2 cute reindeer decorations for Christmas and 4 cookies from the bake sale (gotta have breakfast!)

All total I spent $7 at the indoor sale and 1.50 at the other sale. Not bad. The season is just starting!!!!!

Gotta love em! Got a Tide sample from Costco in the mail and a Dove sample from Walmart. Love free!

Great dinner with friends tonight. Really enjoyed being with "the girls". What a treat!

I went today to see if I qualified for a Fibromyalgia study. I was very disappointed to find I am not in enough pain to qualify! Ugh! What hurts even more, was that I found out they would have paid $450. I am aggrevated because I have no validation for the fibromyalgia, because I have never been diagnosed formally with it, so I was hoping someone would finally have said, "Yes, we believe what you are feeling is real." Ugh.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun St. Patricks Day!!

YES! I had a no spend day. Woo hoo, happy dance. They are few, they are far between, but soooo appreciated when they are here!

I also have come to realize just how much I LOVE staying at home. I need to make peace with the debt and work hard at not making new debt, but I still don't have that screaming urge to head for the desk and work, work, work. I'm thinking I am going to live in the status quo for now and try to reverse process.

I remember when the kids were smaller and we were in debt. We got out of debt, overcame it and excelled over it. (Much, much thanks to Amy Dacyczyn!!) Grant it, it was'nt this huge overwhelming amount of debt we now have, but I think we can do it again with me still working part time and being a homemaker. I told DH as soon as the kids are independent enough, I will glady hit the grindstone and he can stay at home! I appreciate his hard work and sacrafice for us. Anyway, this is what I have been pondering today. Hopefully DH can hang in at his job, but that is a story for another day!

I have two decisions to make. One is that the library has another position open for a secretary. As you recall, I was passed over the last time. The hours are'nt my favorite, but I guess I could make it work, even keep working my current job if I wanted to. Plus my side jobs. My DH says would'nt it just be easier to hold out for a good full time job instead of juggling all the PT jobs. Thoughts?

We have a $360 rebate from Costco. I know it does'nt go far there! Should I just take it and buy lots of meat and stock up things? DH and I can't think of anything large we need right now, except for things to use to finish the basement. You have to use the whole amount at one time and it must be used by August. I think I am leaning toward stock up. Thoughts?

Today we had 7 inches of snow in 3 hours. Cool! Helped to make today a no spend day! Better yet, the mailman brought me a free Senseo coffee maker that I could return to Walmart for around $63.00! And for lunch DH used a free coupon for a burrito at a local mexican joint. Free is fun!

The girls and I hunkered down to watch the snow fall. I made us some cookies and some yummy chicken chili for dinner! I do hope they go back to school tomorrow!

Here is a link to a $5 off a $15 purchase at Fridays resturant. Enjoy!

http://www.tgifridays.com/Feb2008_5off15_home.htm

For those of us who have a hard time setting and acheiving goals, February is a great month to get moving! (It's short!!!) So, my goals are:

1) Use tax refunds to fund the EF to $1000.
2) Eat out no more than 8 times.
3) Use tax refunds and salary to cut down debt by at least $1000.
4) Assume no more new debt.

Whew!! For a non-goal setter, 4 is the max I am going to try for. Revisit on March 1, to see how I did!!

We received 8 inches last night. Fun to look at , but already melting. Every school in the region was cancelled so the kids are having fun in the snow! We are lucky to have a big hill on the side of our house, so that is where the neighborhood kids gather to sled!

Thats DD3 on the right and the neighbor girl.

I went on my job interview today. I met with the "recruiter" and the "supervisor". They are interviewing another person on Monday and said they would review all the candidates and pull a couple back in to meet with the "head" people. Patience, patience!

The too good to be true part:

1) great salary!
2) health insurance 3x's less than what we are paying from my husbands company.
3) big huge plasma tvs everywhere!
4) flavored "coffee bars" everywhere!
5) Casual fridays - EVERYDAY! Jeans!
6) 15 Vacation days from the start! 5 can roll over to the next year and you can accrue a bunch!
7) Food Fridays - breakfast is served, huge tables full of food, bagels, croissants, fresh fruits, tons!
8) They believe in "happy, healthy employees"
9) full gym with a personal trainer!!!!!!
10) My best friend works there.

The only negatives are the hours: 1 hour travel to and from, 8 hours of work, you have to take an hour lunch, so 10 hours away from home a day. For a recent SAHM that is a lot!!!

Now, most of you know I'm a prayin' kind of girl. I asked the big guy to show me to a full time job, or show me I'm supposed to stay at home. I have had NO calls on ANY of my resumes I sent out, except for 1, and I got the letter today saying they "did'nt have a place in their company for me at this time". If I don't get this one, I would have to say He is saying "stay home and be poor"! My best friend has worked for this company for 16 years, so we will see what kind of "pull" she has!

I did a phone interview today and the lady wants me to come in tomorrow for a face to face. We'll see how it goes!

I did spend today. Our local store had a 10 for $10 sale, so I looked through my coupons and went and spent a little bit. Used a competitive grocer coupon for $10 off my total order too!

Lets see... sent out three more resumes. I got an interview at my best friends work, but the lady said it would be a phone interview. Guess I don't have to get out of my pjs tomorrow after all!!

I am still interested in doing the refi on the house. Just have to have DH agree.

The van did not pass its stupid emissions test. Not sure what to do. Paid $24 for it. Must chew on this. It is a computerized test that said some of the sensors are not working or something. Can't imagine having it fixed, can't imagine not having a car!

Splurged at the knitting store to get a few quick lessons. Bought yarn and new needles and had a hour long class, all for $11.00!! That lady was toooo nice!

DH and I had our date night. $20 at IHop. At least we got to catch up on some things.

Going to list more on ebay tomorrow. Gotta keep the money coming in somehow!

I did get offered a job from a friend at my Bible Study class. She asked if I would come over and help her get organized and do paperwork. This is already what I have done for the guy I work for that sells durable medical equipment. She said she would pay me in gift cards for wherever I want! I think I will definately help her out until I get a full time job!

Went on the job interview at the CPA firm today. I was unsettled to see that she checked my name off a list when I came in, and the list had about 15 names on it!! It was a prelim interview by some of the office staff, so they had no idea of what the salary might be. They also told me I may have to work as late as 9:00 at night during tax season. (About 2 months) I am thinking this may not be the job for me.

My best friend emailed me that there is an opening at her office. It is much farther away than I would like to travel, but it is a good company. I sent her a copy of my resume and told her to scope out the hours/salary. Stay tuned.

I did pull the CC out of hiding, but to SAVE money instead of spend. The camera we bought DD1 for Christmas was'nt working right, so we went in to even exchange it, but the lady accidently returned it instead and had to re ring it and it was cheaper now, so saved $21! Yeah!

Got a call today from the CPA firm that I sent my resume to. They want me to come in for an interview on Thursday. For a while I thought it might have said I looked like a dragon and had monkey breath. Woo hoo! We'll see how it goes. I also sent out another resume today to a real estate agent looking for an assistant. More up my alley, but whoever pays more....

I let DD1 drive to the mall.....ahhhh....she was doing so well, then decided maybe she did'nt have to slow down for curves or turns?? Wondering if she is just doing it to po me??

Any hoo, DD2 has had a lot of school costs, $32 for shop, $2 for an agenda, and now $6 for PE for skating. I paid the $32 with the babysitting money, she paid the $2 and I am going to have her pay the $6, plus she lent her sister $2 which I wanted to cover. So I used a GC at Barnes and Noble to buy the Wicked CD that I will give to her which will cover what she is paying for - plus!

I played Bunko last night and mom generously donated the $5 for me to play. I won $20!! So I went to Aldi and bought some cat litter. Only $3.29 there for the scoopable kind. There was only one left, must have been waiting for me! So kitty is set!

Then I will use some of the money to give at church today.

I also used a GC at Starbucks. I am not much for the fancy stuff, but I have 2 GC for there and I like a decaf when I am going to work. I got some foofy thing I won't get again. I will stop on the way to work tomorrow and get a decaf skinny vanilla latte. I think that will be pretty normal and I will get a low fat blueberry muffin. Breakfast will be served! I will pack some leftover or a can of soup for lunch. Will be looking in the paper for a new job and printing out my resumes on the good printer at work.

I also cashed in my Mypoints for a $10 Red Lobster GC. I have a $10 one from Christmas too and will have enough within the next couple of days to cash in for another $10. Using these for our annivesary dinner coming up in a couple of weeks. Plus we have a $25 movie GC. Woo hoo!

Good Lord, I hate to whine, but I got the F-L-U!! Not the flu, the F-L-U!! OMG! I have never had the FLU like this in my entire life. The body ache, the cough, the fever, the chills. All I could do was cry that I wanted my mommy!!! Anyone have an idea how long this will last? I went to the doc yesterday and he just said take Tylenol/Ibprofin and he gave me prescription for a hydrocodone cough syrup?? I took it twice last night, but I sure felt WORSE when I got up this morning, so I think I will lay off that! We are supposed to have company tomorrow night, this has been going on since Wednesday, I hope and pray I feel better by then.

On a financial note, I had great plans of posting about my great plans! And on getting rid of the CC's and moving forward to being debt free. I may not make it by the 1st, but maybe by next weekend.

(Bebe, our sweet beagle!)
Hope everyone had a super and meaningful holiday. I enjoyed being with family and getting spoiled way beyond what I should! Tomorrow I will start shopping for next year!!

We've shopped, wrapped and baked. I've entertained and cleaned and now I'm DONE! I'm ready for the jolly dude to come and hohoho. Already cutting back on ALL spending. Have had lots of days in a row where I have'nt even left the house - love it!! Looking forward to movies and game playing! This coming year I have to get tae kwon do on our finances. Looking forward to the challenge!

I have still been looking for a full time job, but I AM being picky. I would like it to be in my area and pay over $10 an hour. I found one opening at my daughters high school for a secretary. This would work out wonderfully in so many ways!! But, I am reserving my excitement. After losing the library job, my confidence is low. I thought I wrote an outstanding cover letter (with help from about.com!) and I have the experience.... but will they pick me? I know one teacher at the school as a personal friend, so I put him as a reference. Now I will just hand it over to the Lord and see what he wants to happen.

On a good note, the ungodly monthly payment Citi was charging me went down about $200 for next month. I guess they were just testing to see if I could pay. That will help out in the budget in the long run.

Have a safe and fun Halloween everyone!

My friend Lynnae http://fromundertheclutter.com/category/blogging/ is have a "tip or treat" carnival at her blog. My tip is to make holidays homemade!! Make the costume, make the cards, make the eggs to hide, make the birthday cake. There is nothing like the homemade touch to make a special day more special!

Ugh! I have been fighting this stupid disease for almost 10 years. It sure seems like the older I get, the less frequent the "attacks", but the the more severe and longer in length they are!! I knew I was messing with trouble by scheduling too much for the birthday weeks, but hey, I should be able to handle it. Geeze, like a ton of bricks I have been useless and miserable this entire last couple of weeks. It sure makes saving money harder, I really don't feel like cooking, but I have managed to drag my sorry butt to make something every night (except for this weekend). I have been feeling a bit better since yesterday, I just can't wait to feel normal again!!

I have had many rolls of film lurking around my home since we moved in 4 YEARS AGO!! Since we went digital, I have let the film collect. So we took it into Walmart to be developed. Pictures from 2004 - no kidding!! I'm glad they let you and encourage you to go through and pull out the yucky out of focus pics. Saved a lot of money this way and FINALLY got the job done!

I may have been sad to give up my stay at home status, but I am still out here doing what I can to stop the bleeding. I am waiting to hear if I got the job as a secretary for the library main headquarters. We'll see. It will be a big change, but our lifestyle can't change, cause all that money will have to go to pay down debt. Will keep you posted.

Been really concentrating on family lately. Have really tried cutting most expenses and have made dinner at home most nights. Made the dinner list on a calender, so that has been helpful.

We are still spending more than we are bringing in, despite my efforts. Either from necessity, or lack of discipline, mainly both. So concentrating on just making sure everything gets paid.

Just been concentrating on staying at home and making the house a "home". Like having the kids back to school, but soon enough DD3 will have cycle break (year round school) and she will be home for three weeks. Makes getting a different part time job a little harder.

Speaking of jobs, I applied for a different one at the library, but now have learned the last lady was'nt even in there two weeks before she quit it. Hmmmm....

Check in again later! I am always lurking!

Happy dancin' for me! Mom and Dad seem to be back on their feet, everyone is healthy for now and the kids are back to school full days! Tomorrow I am off work, but much to do! Will try to sneak in a nap. Have set a couple of financial goals I will tell you about later! Have a great weekend!

No, I did not win a contest! I went shopping for my parents (I got to spring mom today!!!) and my mom told me to buy my groceries with her card too. I told her it might get pricey, but she said go for it. I did buy some "extras", but nothing too crazy!

Still will have to deal with some issues with both my parents. Since my dads care seems to be getting more physical and extensive, we are talking about getting help for mom, so something good did come out of moms hospitalization. I just hope she takes it easy!

Well, on the money front, having mom in the hospital has pretty much kept me from spending money. Gas and food. But we have been eating with Dad every day, so he pays for food if we eat out. My mom was diagnosed with ecoli!! Don't know where she got it. The health department is investigating. She is getting better, but holy cow! They took 4 days to diagnose it! NOW she is in isolation (we can see her, we just have to put on the goofy gowns). Still trying to have my garage sale tomorrow. I know, I know, CRAZY! But I had already put the ad in the paper. So I am just throwing some stuff out and seeing if I can make a little money. Hopefully it will be non intrusive to have it 7-11 and then I can care for my dad in the afternoon and give my brother a break. Hope to talk to you soon and if you are a prayful person, toss a couple our way! Thanks!

Totally non financial!

So my week so far with mom in the hospital, DH in the car accident, Oh and the AC went out (hey its only 100!) would'nt it be a topper to my week (and its only Tuesday!!) that I be arrested. I arranged a block party for National Night Out and because of one ignorant neighbor and one jerky police officer I was almost arrested for trespassing. Thank the Lord that my luck turned around and the DH is okay, the AC is fixed for only $75 and I DID'NT get arrested! Now if we can get mom out, my week will really turn around!

I have'nt been posting much lately! We have had birthdays, anniversaries and all kinds of fun. Now we are having the reverse with my mom being in the hospital and DH calling today to say he'd been in an accident (in Cincinnati, in a rental!) I need a giant umbrella to deflect everything pouring on me! Been nuts trying to keep up with the kids and mom and dads household too. Ugh!