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Archive for January, 2013

Weight Watchers Update

January 24th, 2013 at 06:28 pm

Finally I had a loss after 3 weeks of gaining weight and putting on 5.2 pounds. I could tell the difference in my clothes with the gain. It's not alot but since being on Weight Watchers I am more aware.

This past weekend I gave my sister two bags of clothes and in one of them contained my fat pants. These were the comfy pants that are nice dark denim and stretchy. I loved those pants. My sister texted and said "the pants fit great". I didn't let on that these were my fat pants haha. I am glad she will enjoy them.

In the Weight Watchers meeting I got my first charm. It is a small token award for being on the program for 16 weeks.

Child Support Update- Court Date

January 21st, 2013 at 05:08 pm

I received court papers from my lawyer. My ex was served last week.
He currently owes $12,021.50.
They added on 6% interest to the Child Support and Medical to the tune of $363.00.

There are 3 violations
(a) Child Support
(b) Medical
(c) Failing to open College Fund and pay settlement in a timely manner.

The paper work states very serious requests of the court.
-Jailed up to 180 days for each violation
-Fined up to $500 for each violation
-Confinement until respondent complies with order of the court
-Income withheld
-Reimbursement for Attorney costs and fees

I have a court date at the end of the month. Since my attendance is required, I am guessing that we will meet in a conference room and work out yet another settlement that both parties can agree to and take that to the judge.

Summer School $400

January 21st, 2013 at 01:32 pm

Friday I met with my daughters school counselor. We talked about grades, course selection and college planning.

In 9th grade she did not pass Algebra and therefore had it in the 10th grade, now her Geometry that she was supposed to take in 10th she is now taking in 11th. So she is one math class behind that she will need to take in summer school to be considered a senior. I am REALLY looking forward to her graduating next year 2014!

Did I mention that I'm glad that we had this meeting so that I can prepare and have time to come up with the money? I am using this Friday's paycheck and will take money that I had budgeted for expenses that we can live without to meet this need. (see below)

-Extra Mortgage Principal $161
-House Maintenance $80
-Clothes $45
-Monthly Blow Money for Jan $100
Total $386

Then I will use $14 out of my checking account cushion and be done with summer school money!!!

Free Items

January 20th, 2013 at 03:49 am



Bath and Body Works lotion - coupon on Facebook
Coke Rewards - 4 free 12pks
Walgreens - 4 Quaker bars .50/ea. used (2) $1/2 mf coupon

Financial Peace

January 17th, 2013 at 07:37 pm

Last Saturday I started attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Univeristy classes with DD1.
This is my second time going through the program. I read a few of his books before. Then when I took this job three years ago there was a guy here who taught the class at his church. Every payday he'd come down and ask me if I've signed up. My reply was always no, that I already have read the Total Money Makeover and know what to do. One day, he irritated me and I signed up. Boy, was that the best decision ever! I learned so much from being in a class setting.

Back to this Saturday - The classes are held at the YMCA close to our house. DD1 was laughing at the funny moments in the video, she was taking notes. The homework was to read 4 chapters which she has already completed. After the class DD2 had coins and wanted a snack out of the vending machine (yes there are vending machines inside the YMCA) and DD1 told her to save her money that we are going home to eat. I had a proud mother moment.

Since she needs to build a $500 Emergency Fund and doesn't have a job she is going to have to get creative. I have decided to pay her for book reports.
Reading books that I pick out that will be beneficial to her. She is a heavy reader. She can finish one book in a day.

You know.. this also gives us some bonding time while DD2 plays in the kids class. I like the fact that I'm showing my daughter how to be financially stable. I like learning along side her. The class is going to push me harder to get thing that I want to done.

Tomorrow, I meet with her school counselor to discuss her classes and go over college planning. DD1 has decided to major in English. She loves to write. She also likes photography and animals and to travel. We discussed her dream job working for National Geographic.

Weight Watchers Update-Disappointment

January 17th, 2013 at 06:29 pm

As you can see from my side bar that for the past three weeks I have gained weight. Gained enough to put me over where I was. I'm disapointed in myself. But I must say I knew exactly what I was doing each time I didn't go for a walk and when I was eating things that I shouldn't.

I got this box of weight watchers snack cakes. I swear I can eat the whole box in a day. Instead I settled for three. That's my problem right there!
I shouldn't buy that "junk".

This is a process for me. There will be some weeks with a loss and some with a gain. I can proudly say that I have not missed a meeting. I know what to do. It's my behavior. Like Dave Ramsey says 20% knowledge and 80% behavior.

If I want to make this goal I better get my butt in gear.

Back to School Fund - Completed

January 16th, 2013 at 03:10 pm

My “Back to School Fund” has been completely funded with $500.00. This is what I’ve budgeted for clothes, shoes, supplies and school fees. It won’t be needed until 08/2013 but it’s important for me to think ahead and make sure that my girls have what they need. I’m very proud of myself for meeting this goal so early on.

Today I set up automatic withdrawals in my bank account for my Christmas, Vacation, Car Fund/Maintenance and Property Tax savings accounts. Normally, every two weeks I’d go into my bank account and move the money over. With the bank having a bi-weekly option this was so easy. I just looked at our payroll calendar and set them right up. Took about five minutes. Why didn’t I do this before?

My homework tonight is to file coupons and search online deals to see if there is anything I can get free or close to it from the store that I would need using my coupons. I work half day Fridays so that is when I’d do my run to the store. It helps if I’m prepared and have a list. I also need to read a few chapters from my library books.

My 2012 & 2013 Tax and Insurance Comparison and Raise

January 10th, 2013 at 03:39 pm

Tax increase is $1468.22/yr.
Insurance increase is $804.18/yr.
Total $2,272.40

Raise is $1705.60/yr.

Tax and insurance increase minus my raise is $566.80 less that I will be taking home this year.





Shopping

January 6th, 2013 at 01:24 am

Today was a busy day.
I returned an item at Kohl's $6.24.
Then, took 3 bags of clothes to Plato's Closet and got $22 for 5 items (not bad).
Total $28.64

I took the rest of the items to Goodwill.
Went to the library to return items.

Now the shopping...

Store #1
Target
Dial Soap 8*1.16
Colgate .29
-used (2)$2 mf coupons for the soap
Paid $6.01 using a gift card

Store #2
Kroger
Chips .79
Paid $.79 in change Smile

Store #3
Walgreens
Peppermint Cookies .62
Quaker bars 4*.50/ea
Balance bars 6*$1/ea
-used walgreens .50coupon for balance bars deducted $3
-used (2) $1 mf coupons for Balance bars
-used (2) $1 mf coupons for Quaker bars
Paid $1.62

Store #4
CVS
2 Clean and Clear shampoo FREE using CVS internet coupon
4 Twix bars
1 Always
1 Tampax
-used $1 mf Always
-used $1 mf Tampax
-used (2) .50/2 Twix
-used .75 ECB
Paid $7.88

I've got $18.35 in cash left.






Randalls-Free Soda

January 4th, 2013 at 01:23 pm

Yesterday on my way home from work. I stopped in to Randall's to take advantage of the free soda they were giving away. Aren't these small bottles cute?

Gift Cards

January 2nd, 2013 at 12:37 pm

I cleaned out my purse yesterday and have the following gift cards to use. I will be using the Subway cards for a free 6in sandwich this week for lunch.

- (2) Subway sandwiches
- (2) $25 game cards Dave and Busters
- $50 Target
- $50 Visa
- $4.10 Crate and Barrell
- $.70 Macy's
- Free kids meal at RainForest Cafe

Making Progress on 2013 Goals

January 1st, 2013 at 09:26 pm

I've already made some progress on some of my goals.

Weight - Down 3.4 lbs

Back to School Fund $500- Funded $436 into that account

Beach Trip $300 - Fully Funded

Pretty good start to the New Year!

Weight Watchers Update

January 1st, 2013 at 09:12 pm

I weighed in on 12/28/12 and lost 3.4lbs now bringing my weight to 156.6lbs. I have 21.6 more to go! I'm not sure what contributed to the big loss I didn't do anything out of the norm.