Boomeyers's Digging Out of Debt

I added the handy dandy sidebar ticker (fancy ain't it - and FREE!) for my debt reduction. I was hoping this would challenge me to make it go DOWN instead of keep going up!! So when DH gets paid, I will get some immediate gratification.

Still no job yet. Not much but retail around right now, I am looking for something more lasting. Still working on buying ahead for Christmas, especially with those Gift Cards from doing surveys!! No one has to know thier gift was FREE, right??

Still cooking at home and trying to keep the kids from the "I wannas". Thank goodness they have birthday money!

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!!

Wow do I feel blessed! I told DD3 we would have to go over the hand me downs because it is SUPPOSED to get cold (some day). We pulled out all the hand me down clothes and jeans from her big sis, and all the stuff I bought at my neighbors garage sale. Looked like a good blend, but a little long on the jeans and short on the shirts. Lo and behold my other neighbor sent over some wonderful hand me downs and there were lots of cute shirts! A little small, she will have to wear them right now, but that is okay!

Been having spend free days and cooking at home. Still no job, things are slim around here. Been pointing out to hubby every time he spends. Nudge, nudge, point, point - see! It's not all me!

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!

As discussed before, my main money leak is the kids. I spoil them terribly. So I picked the main culprit, DD2 and told DH he is now in charge of her money needs. If she asks me to buy something, I will tell her she has to ask her dad. It is amazing that she will buy no clothes or anything, but loves to blow money on junk! Hopefully this will plug one of the money holes on our sinking ship!

One of the arguments DH has with me is that I do not keep any money in "my" savings account. (His has the true EF in it). Since I pay the bills, I tend to use every penny to pay them, then buy groceries. So now I am paying myself first. Nothing earth shattering, but I am trying to put a little (or alot) in each pay time. That and trying to only eat at home have been my September goals.

I FINALLY heard from the library last night (mind you two and half weeks after I interviewed). She told me they offered the job to the other applicant. By this time I had pretty much given up any way, so back to the want ads on Sunday.

I went over our budget and if I can follow it, we should be okay till the end of October, new car payment and all. I really hope to pick up something soon though, to help out with Christmas.

DH was getting a bonus on this check. We were using it to pay for the taxes on his new car. With some of it, I stocked up at the meat sale at my favorite local grocery store. They also had good sales I combined with good coupons, plus a coupon for 5 dollars off meat as a competitive coupon savings. I spent about $300 (unheard of for me!!!), but "saved" about $75 to $77 and loaded up on meat and school lunch stuff that will last a month in a half to two months if I stretch it out. Woo hoo.

Still have heard nothing about the library job.

Cashed in $20 from the NFO surveys.

Trying to make it through our birthday "month" (all the kids have birthdays at the same time!!) without breaking the bank. Had DD3's party at the mall today. We did a little scavenger hunt. Loved it cause I did'nt have to clean my house! Good time had by all! Tomorrow we will got to church and take her to her favorite resturant for lunch.

I STILL have'nt heard yet if I got the library job. I called her and asked if they had made up their minds, she said the bosses had been in meetings and she has'nt been able to talk to them yet. Hmmm..... Makes you wonder about the place! Did'nt see anything good in the paper to send in a resume for, but I will check the Sunday paper!

Been looking at other ways to save money. One is making a detailed list of meals. They have another meat sale at my favorite grocery store again!! Want to stock up!

The other is to pull the kids in on the goal. My husband pointed out that they are my worst money drain and that if I plugged it, maybe I would'nt have to go get another job. Still thinking on how to make this one work.

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.

Really we can't. My stay at home career has come to a halt, mostly because the economy stinks!

I told you at the beginning of the year we were taking a salary cut, and we did. We went from $4500 a month to $3000. With some belt tightening and so such, we were okay for the first few months. Then insurance went up again and we went from $3000 a month, to $2780. Add to this fact the cost of living, at least in our little world, has skyrocketed and that we tightened our belts, but did'nt completly quit spending, WE ARE DROWNING!

You also have to remember, I do not have my husbands support in paying the bills. I juggle this on my own with what he gives me. He is not a spendthrift by any means, but he does feel like he deserves golf on the weekends and an occasional resturant meal - and he does. He has our EF at about $19,000. But as you can see on the sidebar our debt has gone to about $30,000!

So hiho, hiho, my stay at home mom career will have to go to the back burner. I am terrified because it is VERY important to me to be the one that raises my own children. So please say a prayer or throw a token of good luck my way that I find a job that can juggle all these things!!! I will join my friend Thrifty Ray on my way back to the workforce. Hopefully it will be gentle on me.

I honestly feel something of a failure, because we are relatively thrifty and besides a couple of trips we took (after 7 years!) we really are NOT extravagant in ANY way. Just people trying to live a nice life. We are not the Jones, nor do we aspire to be them. Anyway, I am sad. I want to thank everyone for their great support and friendship, because I really do learn a lot from you all!

Just got an email from ebay and it has NO LISTING FEES FROM AUG. 29 TO SEPT. 30!! Sell everything and save up for the Christmas rush!! Just use a gallery picture and keep your listing at 9.99 or less and the insertion fee is on them!! I have been waiting for this! I am going to hunt for tons of stuff!

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!

Hi ya!
I was wondering if there is a somewhere to gather up our MOMA's and put them in one place. They are so full of good advice!
Thanks!
Boo

My friend Lynnae in bloggy land has the great website "Being Frugal"

http://beingfrugal.typepad.com/being_frugal/. She keeps track of many financial blogs and always has great links, also while telling her story of trying to be debt free. She tagged me to do a "Money Advice" meme, where you give your best money advice on your blog. She was tagged by Moolanomy at http://www.moolanomy.com/88/my-one-money-advice-meme/. They are trying to make sure that financial bloggers make a difference in each others lives!

So, my advice is, of course, to keep track of every penny you spend!!!Put a notebook in your purse or car and keep track of every penny, from the new outfit to the candy bar or cup of coffee! It is the best way to keep yourself accountable AND keep track of where your money is going!

So my friends, I am tagging all of you who read my blog to give your best MOMA meme. (My Own Money Advice). Just put MOMA meme in your title of your post so we can go read your best MOMA!! C'mon, ya know you wanna! You ALL have so much to share!!

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!

I qualified to do a focus group from a survey company I use. The content was deadly (IRS tax forms!!) but the pay out was great - $75 cash!! Oh, what to do, what to do! Grocery shop? Savings account? Probably Walmart!! (And who said Walmarts numbers were down? They are still getting my money!!)

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!

I went ahead and threw some stuff out for the garage sale today. Hard to squeeze in with having mom in the hospital. My main goal was to sell the range hood that we removed to put in the over the stove microwave. We did sell it, but for a song! Oh well, hopefully it will help out the people that bought it. Sold some of my friends stuff too. She made $60, we made about $57, but it was $21 for ad. I also gave DD2 $10 for helping. Good to get some stuff out of the house!

Mom is still in the hospital. It would be heaven if we could get her out tomorrow, but her liver enzymes are still high. Dad fell in the bathroom today. My brother had left and I was helping DH buy his new car, so I got there to find him lying there. *Sigh* He was okay, but had to call the paramedics to come and get him up.

DH has purchased the his new (used of course!) vehicle. Not sure what he will do with his time now! He has been tire kicking for a year! It is a 05 Chevy Impala. We put down a few thousand and financed a lot of thousands. Ugh. Decided to make payments as opposed to clearing out the EF. DH will look around for a better financing deal on Monday, otherwise we will just lock in with the dealer. One good thing is our FICO's! DH has one in the 800's! I always worry about getting approved for stuff. I guess I should'nt.

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!

I have been having some frustration about a lot of things, so I have just been lurking on your blogs!

Lot of money output.... prices going through the roof on stuff, can't get money to pay stuff off. Ugh.

DH bought me a necklace for my birthday. It is beautiful. I told him not to buy it, we can't afford it. We really can't! But he got it anyway, which means more debt, which more debt is usually (always) MY FAULT, so down the pike, I will pay for the necklace in grief! Ugh!

Kids need to go back to school! Ugh! One down, two to go!

On a better note, bought DH his birthday gift. Just one. Bought on ebay and used money I had in my paypal account from selling stuff! This last week of sales was outstanding and will be able to use some for groceries!

Once you pass 40, don't you stop counting? Or is it, you start going backwards????

Lots to do with finances!! DH bought stuff for me.... well, another story for another time!

No, not a sandwich, the girls hamster Peanut Butter went on to the big hamster cage in the sky. He was a good little hamster who did'nt mind when they forgot to feed him or clean his stinky cage. He did really good, he lasted three years which is quite old in hamster years. They made him a "coffin?" (highly decorated and quite large shoe box), will take me a while to dig that hole! DD1 took it pretty hard. I think pets are an excellent way not only to teach kids about responsibility, compassion and well....life.

This time I managed to do better with my ebay sales! I listed a bunch of GS stuff laying around the house. Being the leader of three troops, I collect a LOT of stuff! Made about $42. I will have to pay fees and etc, then see how it goes. Listed some different stuff this time, ice skates, vintage sewing patterns. Will see how these fly. Still have more Girl Scout stuff to list next week!

My MIL has gifted us an over the stove microwave for our birthdays! She gave me her Lowes card and told me to go pick one out. All I wanted was a white one that had 1000 watts and a turntable. I ca'nt say Lowes had a tremendous selection! DD2 picked one out and that is the one we got. Not very expensive at all in fact it is almost as cheap as the installation!! I did splurge $20 and get an extended warranty. I can truly say this is an impulse purchase! I did no research what so ever! Anybody have any thoughts about a Tappan? Anyway, I have always wanted one of these, so thanks MIL!

I was going to buy us dinner last night at Subway. Instead I went home and made home made chicken strips. And they were good. How's that for resisting temptation???

I am still working on my goal of not over spending by $1000 this month! I have been strict, fallen off the wagon - ONCE, but my biggest challenge is gettin DH on board. Although all the debt is "my fault", it is amazing the amount he spends! Don't worry, when I show him he just gets mad. So I told him NO MORE spending! He is a cheap dude, so now that I have really put it out in front of him... hopefully we can get him!

Okay, I must admit, I have never read the Harry Potter books and have only seen bits and peices to the movies when they have been on TV. But my DD1!! Well, thats another story! She has had a countdown going on for this last book to arrive. It is so bittersweet. She is quite sad it is over. She is the perfect age for this whole Harry Potter craze and reaped the benefits of it and LOVES JK Rowling!

Any whoo, I have been reading the different ways people will be obtaining their books. We did preorder from Borders, but decided the hype there was too much, so DH took DD1 to Walmart about 11:30 last night and they just waited in line there for about a 1/2 an hour and she was home and off to Harry Land for the night! Can't wait till she wakes up to see what she thought. (Hey, its a special occassion! Of course I let her stay up all night to read it!)