Dwallyfam's Personal Finance Blog

Good morning everyone.

Been reading the news and everyone is writing that we should be spending money and not saving it since that is the only way out of a recession. Okay, isn't that what got us in this mess in the first place. People overspending to have the first, best or greatest item out there.

I will be spending, but only on the necessary items and then I will be looking for sales. I will not be bullied into buying frivolous stuff just to "boost" the economy. I have generally lived within my means. I have taken out a few loans to improve my home, not pay off a credit card or have plastic surgery. Have also gotten a few loans in my time to buy a vehicle. Also not the type of person that has to have the latest/greatest. Everything has always been paid off early because I don't like being a slave to a lender.

This week has been wonderful. Had $ left over from the last payday, so that went into the rainyday fund. Bills are paid but I will be looking into ways to start cutting all expenses just in case something happens. DD has been put on notice that we will watching the spending.

Gathered up all my information for taxes. Just waiting for it to come in from other sources. Made my tax appt for Valentines Day. What a way to tell myself I love me. Also, was very frugal. Wanting some books and instead of going to the bookstore I went to the local library and checked them out. I now have quite a selection of books coming my way.

Well it is the end of August. Time has flown by really fast.

This week got paid for a lot of my mystery shopping and audits. Applied those to a bill and will not see it anymore.

DH has been nagging for a couple of weeks about a new vehicle for me. Ours isn't doing so hot. So I got us preapproved for a loan and found out about the insurance. Now we just need to find it.

Which bring us to September and how we will need to tighten the belt if we get a new vehicle.

Okay I was out doing some audits for my "part-time" job and realized that I needed to do the grocery shopping. Didn't want to have to drive all the way to the grocery store (kinda out of the way). I was 1 block from the big Super Walmart. All I can say is WOW.

Normally I try not to shop there. I feel it does take away from the mom and pop stores.

Well did the shopping and started to notice that things we cheaper. Not like 5 or 10 cents cheaper, but like $1 or more cheaper. Only had $48 to spend and I only went over by .54.

Also found out that there is an Aldi's 1 block away. So I may now have to do my shopping in these two places. It will save me lots of money.

Hi All

It has been a little while since I updated. A lot of things have changed since the last time I was on.

1. I got a new job at work. It is basically a lateral move but it is doing projects. So instead of doing the same thing all the time I will be changing focus every couple of weeks. Avoiding burnout

2. DD started school. That is the expensive part. Since we are in High School now you don't get the supply lists in advance. Thankfully everything but 1 item was in the tub of school supplies.

3. Making a little progress of getting rid of items in my house. I am either freecycling or selling them depending on their condition. It is working out pretty good. Slow process but still better than nothing.

4. DH and I sat down and talked about money and goals. We will probably move in about 4 years. Have a few things to update in the house before then. Starting the savings funds for those items. Hopefully we can get two things off the list this year. Also we will need a newer car soon. Have to start saving for that as well. Which means that the belt will need to be tightened a little more.

Well June has been a very busy month in our household. Trying to go on our little enjoyment weeknd, vehicles being renewed, school fees for the kid and just everything else it has been busy. Did manage to put a few dollars in the bank.
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Our annual canoe trip with friends was a little weird this year. Not as many went and then the water was up so it was a faster, shorter float. But well worth the time being away from kids, work and responsibility.

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Now that I have been looking ahead to July it seems that will be just as busy. Trying to squeeze in b-day parties, cookouts, and extra work time. Just need to put on my big girl panties and suck it up.

Well I decided to see how I was doing on my 2008 goals.

Financial
We are doing great. Almost have the 2nd mortgage paid off. Saving DH's paycheck. Almost $11K in the bank. Need to work on the frugality part a little more. Reducing spending will come with that.

Home

Green wise doing great as well. We have reduced our trash output to one kitchen garbage bag a week. The recycling bin is always full. Savings cans has produced $$ in the bank. Putting off the new dishwasher for now. Have gotten rid of about 150 pounds of stuff via freecycle. The shelves have been put into July to do.
To save on gas DH and I are carpooling and it has been working out great.

Work

Almost have gotten rid of the reports. Hopefully sometime this month. Haven't received anything about audit scores and I am working on some classes to learn the product.

Personal

Calling friends and family at least once a week to see how things are. Have lost 17 pounds so far this year. Faced my fear of going to the dentist. So glad I did because I have a abcess we are working on. Exercise is going great. The community center gym hasn't been working out as well as I hoped. They keep changing hours. All the expos and concerts I want to go to are coming up and I am working on getting in for free. Housekeeping is still a challenge since I have been working OT but will be working on that one.

Overall this year has been going good. Need to pick up the pace on a few things and kickstart the frugality more.

Happy Memorial Day everyone. It has been a very good day here. Went to the cemetary to decorate the graves of relatives and attended the 21 gun salute they have every year.

Been awhile since I have been on. Been trying to do so many things but accomplishing a lot. Since we have been savings so much money I haven't been as frugal as I should. But I will be kicking that up a notch higher starting today. Haven't gone out and spent any money today and prepping meals for later this week so I am not tempted to talk DH into eating out. Later I will go get my CSA and my free bread/goodies from my dad.

HI All

Well I have been keeping track of anything I do frugally. In the month of April my spending of food items has gone up but I have been mostly buying everything on sale and stockpiling a little more than I normally do. There are some financial experts that tell you not to do this. I don't agree. I feel that I am cost-averaging my food purchases. Since I only buy on sale, it makes sense to stock up.

Kellie

Hi All

Well this has been an adventurous week.

DH had to work the dogwatch shift for two nights. It was hard to get used to making no noise at night when he was asleep. Also harder not having him next to me in bed. I just feel safer that way.
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Have been stocking up on many things this week. Walgreens and the grocery store was having some stock up sales so I was all in for that. I will not need laundry detergent or some personal care items for quite awhile.
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Work has been a little weird. One day it is slow and the next nonstop crazyness. Hopefully it will even out soon.
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Working on all my points/rewards programs. Trying to use them to pay for Christmas rather than me. As of now I will be getting quite a few giftcards for Christmas time.
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Got rid of a lot of books this week through paperbackswap and bookmooch. It feels lightening to do this. I don't have as much clutter in my office now.

Hope everyone has a good week

Kellie

Well this week I have been working on decluttering the office. I have gotten rid of so much stuff (mostly through freecycle) that DH thinks he next to be gone.

Went to the farmers market today. Not much available since it was so cold. Didn't spend anything there but went to the bulk spice store and got a few things there.

At work I should be getting rid of the reports I have been trying to get rid of at the end of this month.

Also as of last weight in I have lost 12 pounds. I have been doing the Paul McKenna plan. I really do like it.

DH got a new job where he works. It isn't a increase in pay but now he doesn't have to work any weekends. Love it.

Well it was a gorgeous day Saturday. I did have to work for a few hours but then DH and I spent a little time outside tidying up the yard. Waiting for spring in all her glory to get here. Waiting to be able to plant my gardens

A few of the neighbors came by and chatted. Seems like we will be losing one neighbor to forclosure and 2 are being forced to sell. My little street will be changing quite dramatically. Makes me grateful I am pinching pennies and watching how we spend money. Although we are by no means that bad off to have to sell.

This week I have gotten lots of freebies. Got personal items, trashbags, medicine, and lots more bread, rolls and sweet treats. Putting all to good use so that I don't feel wasteful.

Now that there is all this talk about layoffs, bad economy, recession, depression it makes me feel good that DH and I have jobs. We talked that no matter how bad they get we will be working there. Jobs are to hard to come by and you will have to compete with a lot of people. It is very scary. In talking with my dad he says this was they way he felt in the 70s. He says it will pass but it will scar a lot of people up pretty bad. Just like the depression did.

Well the first three days of April have been going pretty smooth. Been bringing lunch and spending very little. Biggest expense was getting gas for DH truck. It was $65 but not bad considering we are carpooling together.

Was told at work they need help so I will be workinig OT to get lots done for them and fatten up my wallet.

I will get paid tomorrow. since it will be busy I decided to go ahead and pay the bills today. Will hold off on mailing them until I see the deposit in my account. Things are looking good. I also sent DHs paycheck to the savings account and have money set aside to take out for spending for the next two weeks.

It feels so good not to have to worry about if there is enough money to pay for everything.

On the frugality side

Thursday
- carpooled with DH
- Did mycoke rewards
- Inbox dollars
- all food from home
- returned library books
- returned some items to Walmart

Friday
- all food from home
- laundry in cold
- picked up some fabric from a freecycler

Saturday
- picked up some more fabric
- got 8 packages of free dinner rolls
- did mypoints
- all electricity off until possible
- tidied house

Kellie

Well I have started to keep track of the ways I am saving money and becoming more green and publishing them. Instead of just keeping them in my calendar

Tuesday

- all food from home
- carpooled with DH
- picked up some mystery shops
- dumpster dived some office supplies from work.

Wednesday
- carpooled with DH
- Almost everything but a small salad was from home for food
- lights out when possible
- laundry washed in cold.

Well we have been doing great in the dwallyfam household. We have been saving like mad people. Even DH is really on board with this (which is kinda scary). We have made savings goal for this month and well still have a couple of paychecks to go.

I have been freecycling a lot of stuff and getting a few things in return as well.

Well February was a weird month. We did meet our savings goal. It was a more expensive month as we all had to go to the Dr. for various repiratory ills. Meds alone got to us. At least we are feeling better.

This month with the tax refunds and my bonus we are expected to pay off the 2nd mortgage. YEAH. So that is #1 off the goals list for the year.

Working on a few other goals so we should be in good shape (at least for now) on the list. Hopefully will get to whittle that away soon.

Well since we have all been sick we decided not to do a whole lot this weekend. I have gone grocery shopping and personal shopping. Went to the stock up store and shouldn't have to do a whole lot for awhile.

Did take DD to the Dr. today as she was have a super runny nose and watery eyes. The combination of meds she was taking was supposed to dry her up not make her more runny. Well Dr. determined that she was allergic to the combination. Told us to discontinue everything new but her allergy med. He did give us some new meds to counterbalance the reaction and get her better. Yeah more $$ have to spend but hopefully she will feel better soon.

Other than that we will be spending the weekend holed up at home doing not much

My dad will turn 77 this year. Over the past couple of years since my mom died I have learned some valuable lessons

1. Forgive. Our parents were only doing what they thought was right at the time.

2. Forgetfulness - As time goes on they will forget some things but don't remind them of it or they will get really pissy.

3. Farts - as you get older you fart a lot. Including the walking farts. Fact of life.

4. Patience - You have to gain it as they lose it. Patience is definetly a virtue.

5. Memories - This is the time that you need to put their memories to paper. When they talk, listen and then write it down. Once they are gone it could be lost forever.

6. Medical problems - Everything is genetic despite what the Drs. tell you.

7. Love - Your parents do love you even though they may not show it all the time. You need to show that you love them because you never know when it could be the last time you tell them.

8. Understanding - Make sure that you are all in agreement on what their final wishes are. Even though you don't want them to go, you don't want them to come back and haunt you.

9. Laughter - Sometimes in bad situations laughter is a good thing. It can diffuse hostility and make things all better. Even if you have to be the one to make a fool of yourself

10. Rememberance - Take the time to remember all the little things that you did with your parents. The good, bad and ugly. It can make things easier in the end.

Kellie

Well DH is on the mend. But he wanted some chicken noodle soup. Guess who didn't have any in the house. Since we have been having bad weather all day I went to the Panera that is a block from work and picked up some chicken noodle soup for all of us. Wasn't a bad price for not having to cook at all.

Also got our arena football season tickets in the mail. This might be a splurge but we felt that this is some quality time as a family. These tickets are cheaper than regular football and we did pay cash for them.

Well DH spent the day in bed. Kept calling and moaning about how bad he felt. Told him he needed to eat and take a shower and then let me know how he feels. When I get home he says he did all that and feels a little better. Kinda worried about working in the cold air tomorrow. Wants me to get him a mask.AARRGGHH.

I am picking up a bread slicer in a little bit. Going to start making homemade bread. I can't slice it so hopefully this will help.

Hello all

Well I have plodding along in trying to be more frugal. Right now we are saving DHs income and living off of mine.

Had our taxes done today. We are getting back and that will pay for our season tickets to arena football and pay for my new desk.

DH wasn't feeling well today. Went to the dr and he has a bad case of bronchitis. I hate winter. After spending $72 on meds I am more than ready for this to end.

Well it was a good day. Except for my Gift card I did no spending.

On the plus side

1. Did get the tree and decorations down.
2. All food from home
3. no lights/heat on for the daylight hours

Minus side
1. Had to wash DH uniforms in hot.(grease/oil from cars)
2. Had to use dryer for said uniforms

Well with one of my 2008 goals to be more frugal we will be eating from home more often. DH is all behind this just because he doesn't feel we get a lot for the money. So today I went and stocked up at the grocery store.

Spent $140 but did get a lot of things that we use on a regular basis that we are low on. It just feels that I spent way to much. This should last us for about 3-4 months if we do it right. I should only have to buy perishables over the next couple of weeks.

Well hopefully we are doing the $20 challenge next year. I haven't been able to the past couple of years because DH wasn't working and all available money was going to pay off debt.

So how will I be doing this
1. Coupon savings/card savings
2. Exercise - $1
3. declutter something - $1
4. change
5. aluminum cans
6. for every freebie I get - $.25

Kellie

Well as of yesterday I have $1000 more in my savings. Yes I did a transfer on Christmas day. What better day to do it. I had saved money and was a gift giver.

I have also looked a a bill to see if we could reduce costs. We can reduce the insurance by $200 a year by increasing the deductible by $100. so we will be changing that.

Well 4-8 on my personal goals did not copy over

4. Exercise - join community center gym
5. Hobbies
6. Work on housekeeping
7. Go to more expos and concerts for free
8. Organization
9. Pamper myself more

My 2008 goals are

Financial
1. Pay off 2nd mortgage
2. Track all spending
3. Reduce spending
4. Can/Freeze produce
5. Save DH paycheck
6. Track Frugality
7. Be more frugal

HOME
1. Redo shelves in Linen closet
2. New Dishwasher
3. Garden
4. Dejunk/declutter
5. Become more green

Work
1. Get rid of reports
2. Better audit scores
3. Learn the products better

Personal
1. Better communication with family and friends
2. Lose 50 pounds (5 pound goals)
3. Dentist
4. Exercise - join community center gym
5. Hobbies
6. Work on housekeeping
7. Go to more expos and concerts for free
8. Organization
9. Pamper myself more
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Kellie

Well I have been doing my journal for a week now. Love the thought of have a record of not only my spending but what I am doing to save and earn more money.

Went a little overboard on Christmas but I thought I would. This is the first Christmas in 3 years that DH has a job so I went overboard but by only $150. Not to bad (could have been worse).

So overall, I have found that I need to tighten up the spending, and dig back into my frugal roots to save more $.

Well one of 2008 goals is to become more frugal. But how does one justify if they have been MORE frugal? Money in the bank and being debt free? More stuff? We are debt free except for the house so that is something also we will be working on.

I have defined it as getting the most bang for my buck. Have I done everything to squeeze the last penny from my dollar?

So I will be journaling my successes and not so succesful frugality (never failure) to see if I am doing just that.

Well this lovely month of December as been full of excitement.

DH has been on call for the past 15 days because of the weather. So at any moment he could be called in to work. This is besides his regular shift.

Had to put my dad in the hospital for 5 days because of diverticulitis. That was fun as well

The weather has put a big kink into activities and when we can do them.

All that being said I have paid the bills that needed to be paid and put back $800 in savings. Christmas is bought, paid for and wrapped. As well as DD's birthday on the 23rd. I only need to buy a few ingredients for Christmas dinner and we are ready to go.