Boomeyers's Digging Out of Debt

DD2 and I went out this morning to forage for bargains. I try only to do this every few years. I got my Sis, and SIL's all something and all the teacher gifts for next year. Yee ha! Now I just have to remember I have them! Will put them in a special Christmas box. Also picked up some more Christmas lights. Also got an early morning "doorbuster" set of luggage that I used the JCPenney gift card for so our luggage for the trip is FREE! :-)

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you have been safe and jolly!
What have you all received for the holidays? I got lots of gift cards, which will come in handy for preparing for the cruise! And I got my super, wonderful, neato new camera that DH broke down and bought me! Have already been using the heck out of it!
Did you get what you asked for from Santa???

We were on our way to my SIL's for Christmas eve brunch and I insisted we stop by the grocery and pick up a hostess gift. I BOUGHT a cruddy Stollen for 6.99, a bottle bag for $1 and a bottle of wine for $15.99. What a waste of money. The wine was'nt that good, and it was a screw off cap! Gee classy. Anyway, just one of those little attempts to try to look better for the "snobbery" side of the family. Better planning on my part (homemade goodies, a regift, something...) would have been better. So, I'm a little bummed. Oh well, tomorrow is another day!

Only another 1/2 hour until I am done at work! I can't wait! Then Christmas can officially start! :-) I miss my kids! I won't have to be back here for almost 2 weeks, which is GREAT for me, but not for my pocketbook! Com'on time - fly!

When we purchased our lemon of a washer and dryer from Maytag, I knew it was inevitable that we would have to buy the extended warranty. In the first year it was worked on 7 times including rebuilding it from the "milkstool" up. Of course, nothing we could do would get them to replace it! I had to call them out again because it had leaked onto the floor (apparently it was just off balanced and that is what caused it??) and they replaced the middle part that you can put your fabric softener in. Total came to $156.00 that we don't have to pay! Yeah! So now I have to catch up on 5 days of laundry!

No, not those!! Geeze!
The downer is in actuality we will be living on $1620 less per month starting out our new year. Yikes! We will be bare to the bones! Won't it be fun to follow me on this journey?
The speeder question I had was, I also went on bankrate.com to see how much I would have to put toward my mortgage every month to pay it off early. To pay it off 15 years early, it would take an extra $500 per month! Yikes! Will put that on the back burner for now!
Pay back for taking off from work is that now others are having surgery (why is it always before the holidays?) and are out sick - I get to work extra hours for the holidays. Gee- yeah. I guess it will help for the "downer" part of my blog! ;-)

Well, I ended up taking back the black leather coat and 2 shirts. $100 back on the card that we really need anyway. Of course I went out and picked up a few more Christmas gifts for others and now I swear I'm DONE!! I have one more return I have to take to Wally world (Ray, want me to take the shoes?)

I received a $10 payout from one of the online survey places. What to do, what to do? Frame it? Blow it? Put the down payment on a new car? I will consider all options. There is the $20 challenge too.... Oh you know, I will throw it in the checking account to be absorbed to pay something! Oh well, it's fun to dream! :-)

I am having trouble resisting buying the extra Christmas gifts. Since I was done early, I have paid everything off, so it is easily tempting to pick up "just one more thing". I did buy MYSELF a black leather jacket. I got it 20% off from JCPenney, so it was $63.00. It is just a short black leather one that "everyone" has been wearing for the last couple of years. I thought it was a great price and I will probably wear it till it falls apart. I told DH he could wrap it up for me for Christmas. He was mad at me and I guess I thought if it was a present, it would justify it. I guess it is "Merry Christmas" to me from me. Will have to think about whether it stays or goes.
I have the urge too, to pick up more gifts for the girls. Especially ones I think will keep them busy during the holiday break!! :-)

If you keep up with my blog, you will know that DH changed jobs last year, (new insurance - less money), then the new company was bought out (new insurance), and now they are changing "management companies" (new insurance- less money). We went down $170 per month!
He really wants me to go full time to carry the load, but the insurance I get anywhere will probably be expensive too! Will see about picking up more hours in January to make up for the $170.00.

I did not get something good to pass on at the neighborhood bunko!
I got a funky glass handblown 14 inch PINK Christmas tree , with silver sparkle circles on it. Looks very vintage 50's, but pink? DD1 snatched it and took it to her room. Here I thought I did bad with a gingerbread home interiors Christmas candle, a holiday serving tray and some wine glass charms. Now I have to dig up something. Maybe I will get another gift card I don't like and I can move that along with something. I can seriously say I am not enjoying the gift exchange part, but I love the company and visiting with my friends! I like the idea of an ornament exchange and may suggest that for next year!

Everywhere is the gift exchanges! Yikes! The girls had a gift card exchange at girl scouts. It was only for $5 each, so that was not a bad deal, but we were short a GC, so one of my girls did'nt take one (the leaders daughters always get the short end!), but my DD2 wanted certain earrings from the mall, so I told her I would get them for her and she was happy.
Tonight is the office ladies dinner and gift exchange. Trying to hunt for something from around the house to use. It is supposed to be $15-20 gift (which I think is a little high!) I am hoping I get something decent enough to exchange at the neighborhood bunko next week!
Our regular bunko meets tomorrow and is exchanging $10 gift cards. I had one from my birthday to a store I will never go to, so I will use that one! :-) It has no restrictions on it, so I feel okay about regifting it!
Still recovering and working through the pain of recovery. I have had a certain chronic pain that just can't get away from. The doctor just said to keep taking my vicodin and it will go away. I hope shes right! It makes sleeping diffcult!

I was very excited to get a JCPenney catalog with some good deals on some new clothes for ME!:-) I talked to DH and he said go for it. Then in the mail came an ADDITIONAL 20% off on Sunday. So I thumbed the pages and made my game plan. Then I get online to make the big purchase and yep, you guessed it.... NOT AVAILABLE! Holy cow, everything in the stores must be sold out!! So yes, I picked up a couple things, I will try them on at home and return them if they don't fit, BUT I was really disappointed!
Also, the kids get ANOTHER snow day tomorrow, bringing the grand total of days home in a row to about SIX!! So much for recuperation, although DH has been very helpful!!

Well, still trying to heal and get through the pain. Healing is hard with three kids on hand. They had a half day of school yesterday, got out early today because of snow and will be off tomorrow because of the weather! Then... the weekend. No rest for the weary! My DD1 has been awesome and helpful. You never know what you will get with those teenagers! DD2 is laying low, but DD3 has been a spoiled menace.
It has been sleeting and pouring ice for the last 4 hours here. Glad we still have electricity! The snow is supposed to start after midnight and come down in about a 6 inch amount. Yee haw, no more 70's!!
Paid bills today. Got the check from our old escrow account with the old house loan company, but I have to make sure that someone is paying the real estate taxes! This happened to us once before when we switched loans and I had no idea no one paid till the state came a-knocking! So this time I will cover my rear and find out who needs to pay!
Friends of ours braved the horrible weather and brought us a delicious dinner for the family!! They are so kind! Any ideas for a thank you I can give them?

Can you believe it? I had major sugery this morning, they outpatiented me this afternoon and I sit here gallbladderless and emailing this evening.
Pretty painful, but not uncontrollable. Had extreme naseua from the Vicadan. Will probably stop using it tomorrow and switch to Tylenol.
So far, so good. Pray for good healing!

Hi guys!
Tuesday is the big surgery day! Be sending good thoughts and hopefully I will be home quickly and safely! Bye bye gallbladder!

I was going to come on the blogs and say, "hey, anyone see snow yet?", but then I start reading and I AM SO JEALOUS! How am I going to get in the Christmas spirit with these 70 degree temps? We were sweating on the roof while we put up the lights! The kids have been running around in shorts and flip flops! Yikes! I guess I'll have to say, I'll enjoy it while it lasts! Thursday is supposed to only be in the 30's!

Hello all!
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all cooking - don't forget to take it easy! Our big boy is cooking as we speak!
To all eating - take it easy! Don't forget a nice walk before that nap!!
To all - don't forget to give thanks and have fun! Have a special day!

I was trying to jockey the table around to fit my lovely family (kids will have to go at another table this year!) What makes it challenging, is that most in my family are larger people and we can not cram everyone into such tight quarters. Our dining room table only came with one leaf and despite all attempts, I could never find another leaf to add to it. So I presented this problem to DH who took it upon himself (with gentle nagging) to rig something. Lo and behold, the keyboard shelf from my daughters trash picked desk, happened to fit the spot almost perfectly! A little duct tape, a table cloth and viola! A larger more comfortable table for all - free!

Mission accomplished! I ran out today after I went on a field trip with DD3 and I finished the Christmas shopping!! Woo hoo! Now, DH still has to pick up some things, but my part is done! And wrapped! So I am on target to get "Christmas done" before "s" day! (Surgery!)
I know it sounds pathetic, but I am looking forward to resting! I am one of those people that always has to be moving! (I get it from my mom!) So this will force me to lay back and relax, read and watch TV or even movies!
I am really touched by all the people that have offered help and food! So nice!
So cross your fingers for a quick, easy surgery and a recovery time that can be s t r e t c h e d for relaxing!

Getting ready to go downstairs and wrap as many Christmas presents as I can. I am almost done shopping. With the surgery coming up, I really want to have Christmas done! Still need some more gift cards for people. I think I will make my husband buy for his mother. I am stumped on her. (We have good years and bad years!)Off to work like Santas good little elf!

Okay, I went shopping for the magnificent bird yesterday. I had my additonal $10 off coupon, with an extra $5 off coupon.
How much is a turkey going for in your area? I purchased a Honeysuckle for .67 a pound (with an additional $50 purchase). Anybody else?

I got here late in the game, so you may all be tired of reading these.
Here's my contribution to the cause:

1) Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!
2) I can vibrate my eyes.
3) I am the youngest and spoiled!
4) I do not have one best friend.
5) I HATE cooking dinner every night!
6) I drive better backwards than forwards!
7) I graduated with a 2 year associates degree in 18 years.
8) I went to 4 colleges before completing my degree.
9) My family is my life.
10)I love playing bunko with my friends.
11)I have been on the local news twice (NOT for committing a crime!:-)
12)I got to see Pope John Paul II
13)I was engaged three times before I got married (saved on the divorces!)
14)I can not eat lettuce (hopefully after the surgery I will be able to!)
15)I have been to Canada and Mexico.
16)I love having parties!
17)I do tons of volunteer work.
18)I am basically shy, but you would never know it.
19)They say I saved my husbands life when he had a heart attack.
20)I am basically easy going, but don't ever tell me I CAN'T do something!
Update:
21)I am a recovering neat freak.
22)I would love to go to Hawaii!
23)I get horribly sea sick and can't even sit and look at the water.
24)We are going on our first cruise in March!:-o!
25)My favorite food is mashed potatoes!

Not sure if this gives any insight to myself, but hope you found it interesting?

I called Citicard to beg my case today, of the late payment and charges they gave me. Instead of being 0$ they said I owed 308.00. I begged my case, waited on hold for a long time and finally they came on and said they would take off $175. I took it even though it is still a rip off.
Went Christmas shopping today (trying to get it done before surgery!) I spent $290 at Wallie World. I did have a $25 GC from My points. I did a lot of stocking up too of heavy items (cat litter, dog food, laundry deterg...etc) since I won't be able to lift for a few weeks.
Weather here is miserable, cold and rainy!
DH grumbling again about me getting a FT job. I just don't think I will win this fight.I guess it will be time to quit my dream job (as a SAHM) and contribute to the budget! Will try to put it off till February! Or maybe March after our cruise! :-) Cross your fingers, maybe a miracle will happen!

Yes, we are talking the EVIL credit card demon. As you know we refinanced to consolidate. The title company disbursed the checks to pay off the credits cards, to us, BUT in the CC name, so we had no option, but to send the payment to the credit card instead of using the electronic payment. So the payment to Citibank was late and they immediately slapped us with a 32% interest so instead of ending with 0, we have a $232.00 balance. Will try to call them to beg our case. Very tiring. Will let you know how it goes!

Forgot to mention that - Hooray!! The Cardinals are the World Series Champs! Wooo Hooo! Yippeee! Underdogs Rock!!!:-)
Anyway, just had to celebrate a little! We spent many happy evenings, cheaply! watching our favorite team on TV! Even the girls curled up to watch! Inexpensive family fun with an awesome result!

Oh yeah! Thought I was gone eh? No, just hiding. Okay, not really. I have been sooo busy lately, it is all I can do just to fall into bed each night. That and the fact that DD1 has been using our computer while hers is offline, does not make for quality computer time!
Ummm....highlights;
*Got loan, still waiting for all payments to go thru so I can really plan the budget.
*Took the nice family trip to Chicago - great time!
*Did some redecorating and entertaining already! Holiday season starts early!
*I guess the big thing is my gall bladder tests did not turn out good, so I will be having surgery (look out it looks like it is going around on the blog!!) on November 28th to have it removed. Cross your fingers it can all be done laproscopically as I have lots of scar tissue.
*Trying to get Christmas shopping done before surgery. Outlook on this is good! I think we can get away without too much damage this year!!Waiting for Mypoints Walmart card to come! Every little bit helps!
*The girls are doing great! The older two will be in a show at school next week. Looking forward to a quiet week!
Hope to get back to you soon! :-)

We will be closed and funded on Monday for the loan! Yeah - finally! Now I can pull out the numbers and rework the budget! I can finally set some goals and really start working toward paying everything off! What a load off!

Wow! We had a fantastic time! The hotel was opulent. Too rich for our blood. It was very old, so you had to take character over amenities, but hey - it was free to us! :-)
We did the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum on Friday. The Shedd was INCREDIBLE, the Sponge Bob Show a hoot and a good time was had by all. I have to agree with Elgin that the Field Museum was boring. The King Tut exhibit was extra, so we did'nt go, but everything was a little disorganized and you could'nt tell where the exhibits were and some cost extra, etc, etc, so not a hit on this one. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe Friday night. What a blast! The kids loved it!
Saturday we headed for the Museum of Science and Industry. FABULOUS! It was awesome. Lots to see and a free Ominmax movie because we bought the Citypass (5 Museums one price- saved money). The movie was boring, but the 2 youngest had never been to the Ominimax, so that was a neat experience for them. Then we went to the American Girl Doll Store. That was like being dropped into the pit of hell. Too many spoiled kids shoved into three tiny levels and the cashiers could'nt even begin to keep up with the demand. It was DD2's dream to go their though. She spent $50 on three outfits. Whatever, it's her dream and her money! Saturday night we went up in the Hancock Building at sunset. (Free audio tour with Citypass). It was GORGEOUS! Then we hit Watertower Plaza to go "shopping". We ate at that food court.
Thursday and Saturday dinner were treated by my BIL!
We were sad not to be at home when the CARDINALS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!! We missed all the excitement back home.
Home now safe and sound. I guess the biggest tip I have, is that if you are on a tight time limit, go ahead and take a taxi. They are plentiful and nothing is THAT expensive to get to. They take you right to the door and drop you off. No finding and paying for parking, looking for entrances. It was great!

We are taking the girls on a quick trip to Chicago this week. Hubby has a business trip (free room for us! :-)) and the girls have a couple days off school. DH has to fly, so I will have to drive the girls up and back by myself. Can't say that thrills me. 5 hours. Hope the van is feeling friendly!
Anyone have any tips for free things to see and do? Trying to keep this cheap. DH will be working most of the time, so its just me and the girls. I told them to bring plenty to do and the hotel has a pool too!