SecretarySaving

I am just now getting around to do a quick update.
I am inundated with news, social media, work, texts, calls. Everyone telling me what I need to do and giving advice. It is hard for me to keep up. People want to help but I don't know how. I don't like asking for help and I like to do things on my own and be independent.

Today is Day 14 for me and I finally got into the house! I opened all of the windows. There is still power even though it was shut off for awhile. It took some time to get the front door open! The refrigerator was toppled over. The water line outside measures 28inches and when I opened the garage it was 54 with the condensation to the ceiling.

In the house the mold is past my shoulders and I'm 5'4". Downstairs consists of living, dining, kitchen, 1/2 bath, garage and hall closet. All appliances.

We are staying at my moms now but I really don't want to be there for 6mths. Her house is in need of repairs and I just overall don't really like the living conditions but how can I swing a mortgage and rent elsewhere, right? Plus we are about 1/2 an hour from my house so I'm driving to three locations because I work downtown, mom lives in Houston and my place with DD1's work, DD2's school is in Katy.

For my 2013 Honda Civic they are giving me $10,443 and its totaled out. I have a few numbers from people at church that I'm going to call to see what they have available.

I have co workers and my stepdad that are coming tomorrow to demuck the house. This is all I have time to write for now but will update everyone later.

Please keep us in your prayers! It's going to be a long process.

I made it in to work today and brought DD2. She's busy watching Hannah Montana on her phone while crocheting. We will only be here until 10:45.

I'm am ready to go home, put on my stretchy pants and hibernate. We have all supplies we need except for a battery powered radio. I have a ton of books to read and movies to watch.

My roof was repaired on Thursday. Since it is 16yrs old and the last time it rained I had a very small leak the size of a quarter but no water actually came down from the ceiling it just bubbled. They came out and did some touch ups and said the roof should be good for another 5 years. The repair guy told me it will be around $7K so now I know the number to save for.

I had my garage repaired yesterday. The chain came off and the rollers and springs needed replacing with some other things. I added a keypad to the outside which is really nice and they added a lock to my other garage door that has a broken handle on the outside. They don't repair the handle but that door is the one that is opened to take out the trash cans and I park on the other side.

I am so impressed with the companies. I found them on Angie's List and both had a worker at my door in less than 24hours after placing my call and the work done was great. Those reviews really help!

Now on to my neighborhood.

The subdivision is located between a watershed (the bayou or drainage channel) on the north side and the levee on the south side. The Barker Reservoir land borders the eastern side of the community.

Keep in mind that when designing Canyon Gate, the engineers made it so if the subdivision SHOULD flood, the streets are considered part of the drainage system would flood before the homes (which are elevated) do. All streets flow to Canyon Gate Blvd. and then to Mason Road to funnel water away.

Here is a YouTube video taken last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rHebkVdorc

I did a little online shopping today and got the following...

White House Black Market
I picked up a cute white t-shirt with ruffle short sleeves. It cost $58 and I used a $50 coupon. Shipping was free. Total out of pocket with tax was $8.66! I got a large but I do not like things tight on my chest or stomach so if it doesn't fit I will save it for a Christmas present for my sister.

Home Depot
I also picked up a 7.5ft led pre lit Christmas tree. Shipped free to the house. Original cost was $149 and it was 75% off with tax I paid $39.95!

Tomorrow is payday and I went ahead and did my budget since the money hit my account today.

I have the evening free tonight as DD1 will be at work until after 8:30 and on Thursdays my mom picks up DD2 and she spends the night then I get her Friday around noon after I get off of work. My mom is keeping my nephew and niece this summer (during the week). They have a good time playing together. Since DD2 is the oldest my mom says she helps to keep the little ones entertained.

With my free time I am trying to fill it with things to do so I don't get sucked into Netflix or Pinterest which can be dangerous for a single gal like me.

I'm going to run some errands..

I have sandals to return to JCP.

I'd like to pick up mulch from Lowe's. It's $2/bag! My yard desperately needs mulched. While there I am going to look for some fruit trees. Some things are 1/2 off right now.

I am also going to swing by Petco. I printed a coupon from their website for free cat food (Whole Earth Farms brand) with any purchase. I'm going to try to see if they will honor it if I get a $2 cat toy. Looking at the fine print there isn't a specific dollar amount that you have to spend.

I might pick some flowerbed weeds and then do laundry and pack for the trip!

I need to pick up trash bags, t-paper and litter but I might order that on Amazon depending on how I feel.

I almost forgot but I need to swing by the bank to pull out cash to fill my envelopes.

To top off the night I will probably watch a movie and relax with a bubble bath.

What is something that you like to do to relax?

DD2 and I are headed to Branson, MO for the single parent family vacation that our church is hosting. Each year they have a trip and this will be our first. Cost is $1204.00

That includes:

Bus transportation
Silver Dollar City Theme Park
Dixie Stampede Dinner Show
White Water Outdoor Water Park (we will visit twice)
Buckets N Boards Show
Moses Show
Ralph Foster Museum
College Of The Ozarks Student Tour
Branson Landing
College Of The Ozarks Honor America Festivities and Fireworks
All Breakfasts
All Dinners
All Lunches except for two

I am responsible for paying for any food or drinks to/from Branson. We will ride the bus overnight and have one or two stops. There is a restroom on the bus. I know they are going to stop for breakfast. Other than that we will pack goodies (gum, pb crackers, trail mix, etc.). At two of the parks I will need to pay for lunch. We are going to the White Water Outdoor park twice but one trip there will be a box lunch provided. At the Honor America Festivities I heard there will be kids activities like face painting and balloon characters so that will be something too.

I am excited to get away and spend some one on one time with DD2. I have a trip with DD1 in November.

If you have been to Branson before please let me know of what you have enjoyed while there.

Has anyone else jumped on the LulaRoe bandwagon? I've been buying pieces here and there for awhile now.

Today, I'm wearing a solid black Perfect T. I love this shirt because it isn't form fitting on my stomach area instead its nice and flowy. It's slightly lower on the backside to cover your business and has slits on the side that you can tie into a knot if you remember the 80's trend.

So I've got that on and some jeans cuffed and my new Tieks that I got for Christmas. $175 shoes that I absolutely love. It did take me about 3 days to break in but now they are my go to shoe. I want another pair.

Last night I bought another LulaRoe dress. It's been on my watch list. It's a solid emerald green. These aren't cheap but some investment pieces and are timeless in my opinion.

I tend to wear the same thing every week and spice it up with accessories. Today I've got on the cutest scarf with foxes on it. When I wear this scarf I like to think ...'I'm foxy'. Bwahahhahaaha

Below are a few pictures that I had on my phone (I'm cleaning out pics!). The 'when pigs fly' leggings are soft material and the band around the stomach is like that of yoga pants. Super stretchy! The TC size fits 12-20 something. These have replaced me wearing yoga pants. By the way, I only wore these out in public once and boy oh boy did I get some stares. LOL! I like them and they are fun. I wear them around the house to lounge in. My girls love it!

I love ordering glasses online!

Weeks ago I had DD1 go into the account and pick out glasses that would fit her and add them to the favorites. She picked out 4pr and from there I picked 2 that I agreed on and ordered. These will be here in time for her birthday this month. Yippee!

I think they are cute and fun for a 21yr old.

I paid $54.23 shipped. I used a 10% code that I found online but after shipping I ended up saving $.50.

Since my last update 6/3/16 my retirement account has gone up $4481.66! Yessssssssssss!!

Current balance is $75,312.51.

I hope that the next $25K comes quickly LOL

DD2 has been taking tumbling classes. I got an email saying that if we swapped out the payment info from being on a debit/credit card and changed it to auto withdrawal from my checking account we could get 2 Parent Night Out passes. This is great! DD2 will be thrilled. Parents Night Out is on Friday from 7:30-10:30. She has been only once before so I know that they charge $2 for half a slice of pizza (they cut them in half) and they sell drinks and candy. The gym is open and she can get in some extra practice.

DD1's 21st birthday is coming up next month. For the past few years now I have been taking her on trips. Last year it was Dubai. This year it is Iceland with a few days in NYC because that is where we are catching our flight. For fun in Iceland we will enjoy the Blue Lagoon, go inside of a dormant volcano and snorkel the Silfra. One day will be driving the Golden Circle. Talk about crossing things off of the bucket list! I am so excited for our adventure. The food there is expensive so I am planning on bringing some things, going to the store and having hot dogs. We will receive some light snacks when doing the volcano and silfra tours. There is also a tomato farm that I want to visit and they have a small café there where we will eat. Other than that we will have one nice dinner. Oh, I almost forgot. We get free breakfast at our hotel.

We have both been to NYC a few times and have done most of the touristy things. I imagine we will sight see and get some exercise. I know for sure she will want to go to Soho and I will want to grab a bite to eat in Little Italy and there is an oddities shop she will want to visit called Obscura. I went there last time I was in town. We will spend time in Central Park and having adult beverages in the RLounge looking out on Time Square. We will probably see a Broadway show.

I saved $100 by cancelling a Viator reservation and booking directly with the tour company. I also saved $31.38 by using Viator on another tour and not booking directly. How silly is that?

I've got my garden ready to replant. I just need dirt and seeds.

DD1 is working on her thesis. She graduated high school just two years ago! She is also working two jobs and helps with her sister. I have great kids!

My sister gave me a $25 code for Blue Apron so I thought I'd try it out. When I typed in the referral link it gave me $30 to use instead of the $25. YAY!

I just ordered. I selected the 2 person 3 meal delivery for $59.94 and I paid $29.94.

The meals are delivered weekly so that is the weekly price. I went ahead and skipped all of the deliveries until end of August. I am only trying out the program and will cancel after the first delivery which arrives on Friday, July 22nd.

Meal #1
Serrano pepper & goat cheese burgers w/ zucchini-cilantro slaw

Meal #2
Lemon chicken & green beans w/ parmesan roasted summer squash and potatoes

Meal #3
Shrimp & squid ink spaghetti with summer vegetables and mint

Here is a picture of my 'new to me' car!

It is a 2013 Honda Civic with 25K miles.
I purchased it for $11,500.

The best part is that I have no car payments. Thanks to the Dave Ramsey plan! Woo hoo

Instapot $25.06 after I used a $50 gift card I was holding on to from Admin Day.

Three months of Audible FREE plus a FREE $10 Amazon gift card. I will cancel after three months so that I do not incur any membership fees. I loaded a book yesterday and I am enjoying it very much on my long commute to/from work.

I rolled that FREE $10 gift card and bought 36 double rolls of Cottonelle toilet paper and paid $4.69

80ct Hefty clean burst scent trash bags $9.55

TWO pairs of Adidas tennis shoes for $48.26 total

120 count multivitamins for kids $5.77

Box of tampons $1.90

$50 Amazon gift card and get $10 Amazon gift card FREE. (I used this Amazon card for the vitamins and tampons. I wish I had received it sooner to put other things on it but that is okay).

Everything will be shipped to my house!! Oh! On a few items I selected the 'no hurry' for delivery in exchange for $5 Amazon Prime Pantry credit.

My retirement contributions are on autopilot.
I currently have $70,830.85.

So close to the $100K mark!!

I haven't tracked the mortgage since March. When I looked at it today, I noticed that I have paid 26%. I still have a long way to go but just getting over the 25% hurdle is a reason to celebrate. I can't wait to get it under $80K!

It's lunch time here at work and I have no posted in awhile.

My retirement savings is $64,962.77.

I hope I can get to $100K soon. It just seems like forever! I've heard CCF mention that once you reach that mark then you see more movement if I remember correctly.

I hope everyone is doing well!

I joined Weight Watchers again! One of my close friends is doing it and she really has been a great motivator because she is doing so well on the program.

Its great for me since the meetings are in the food court connected to my building where I work and they are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I like to go and listen to everyone's tips and success stories.

I already blocked out the time on my calendar each week. I normally quit because I feel quilty spending the money on my self.

I've got this super cute one piece red bathing suit with a skirt that I'd like to wear this summer. My favorite jeans are a size 10 and right now I've got a muffin top on my size 12 pants.

Baby steps ..I know but consistency is key!

Oh I lost my Fitbit too. I've been looking for it and haven't found it yet. Ugh.

Mortgage Balance $88,922.33
Minus $3565
New Total = $85,357.33

I am so thrilled to be wiring $3565 to the mortgage payment! Woo hoo!

I decided to move the $2K that I had in my Vacation Fund over to my Car Fund along with the refund that I received from the Travel Agency for the China trip that they had to cancel.

I've given some thought to the mission trips and the single parents cruise and we are not going.

I'm going to have to channel my love for searching for great travel deals into something else to keep me occupied.

Imagine what I could do with no house payment. That sure would be nice!

I will not be meeting my goal this year for paying down the house mainly due to child support. I have received it twice this year.

It is not a matter of not having the money either.

Thank goodness for the Dave Ramsey plan!

The church announced the mission trips for 2016.

There are three that have caught my eye (listed below).

These are all during the summer. I also found out that the Single Parent's Cruise is also in the summer and at the same time as the Honduras trip but I'm not sure how much that would cost.

I'm not sure on what I would be able to afford just yet. If I go on a mission trip my job will not count that time off and I still get paid. We are allowed one trip a year. The others I would have to use some of my PTO. I think this would be a great way to travel and help others. Check out the descriptions below and let me know which one interests you.

Honduras
This women’s trip will serve teenage girls who have been victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, and trafficking, but are now living at the Casa de Ester shelter. The team will provide assistance with academic, spiritual and life skills as well as eternal truths from God’s Word to prepare them to live independently.

Alaska
This trip is in partnership with Alaska Missions and Retreats to serve food to those who are fishing during the Salmon Frenzy- a time of year when all the residents come together and fish for salmon to stock up for the year before it gets too cold. The team will also do arts and crafts and games with the families to build a relationship and create an opportunity to share the story of Christ's life, death and resurrection.

Mexico
The purpose of this family friendly trip is to serve the 120 orphans of Casa Hogar Allegre in Tuxtla Gutierrez. This team will host VBS for the children, organize special events and provide light maintenance and repair of the orphanage.

Southwest Airlines has a pretty good sale going on right now.

Flight dates are 12/2-12/16 and 1/5-2/10. The only school holiday during that time is 1/18 MLK Day and that is not a company holiday. No Fri or Sat available for the fares.

Here's what I found leaving from Houston (one way).

$49-Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa
$94-Denver
$99-New Jersey, Birmingham, Charleston, Ft. Lauderdale, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Washington
$119-Pittsburgh
$129-New York

I haven't booked anything but I think visiting the Amish that live around Lancaster would be neat. Ofcourse, ice skating in Central Park and seeing a play on Broadway in NYC is wonderful. Washington would also be nice. Tennessee is super cool and during the winter...escape to Florida! lol

I went to Chick Fil A during lunch to pick up a salad and I got back the survey receipt for a free sandwich and when the employee saw that I was happy he gave me another! YAY!

I now have three (I got one last week).

The sandwiches are 11pts on Weight Watchers and the grilled market salad with berry vinaigrette dressing is 8pts.

I love coupons for free stuff!

Yesterday, DD1 and I went to the movies and saw The Maze #2. I wanted to see Martian. Maybe next time.

DD2 has been with my parents. They took her to Fredericksburg for the Columbus holiday since she was out of school. I sent her with a gallon size Ziploc of meds and tons of food.

They were going to climb Enchanted Rock and DD2 took her walking stick. I'm sure when I get her this evening she is going to tell me about all of the fun she has had.

I'm leaving early today for a well women exam. It's in the medical center here close to downtown and I will have to pay for parking. Around $4 not bad since I just go once a year.

Now that I am 36 I have interesting questions. When will I start menopause? What are the symptoms?

My mother has had hot flashes and an attitude for 20yrs!! LOL

I went to Chick Fil A during lunch to pick up a salad and I got back the survey receipt for a free sandwich and when the employee saw that I was happy he gave me another! YAY!

I now have three (I got one last week).

The sandwiches are 11pts on Weight Watchers and the grilled market salad with berry vinaigrette dressing is 8pts.

I love coupons for free stuff!

Yesterday, DD1 and I went to the movies and saw The Maze #2. I wanted to see Martian. Maybe next time.

DD2 has been with my parents. They took her to Fredericksburg for the Columbus holiday since she was out of school. I sent her with a gallon size Ziploc of meds and tons of food.

They were going to climb Enchanted Rock and DD2 took her walking stick. I'm sure when I get her this evening she is going to tell me about all of the fun she has had.

I'm leaving early today for a well women exam. It's in the medical center here close to downtown and I will have to pay for parking. Around $4 not bad since I just go once a year.

Now that I am 36 I have interesting questions. When will I start menopause? What are the symptoms?

My mother has had hot flashes and an attitude for 20yrs!! LOL

Over the weekend I got an email from the travel agency I used to book the China trip that said the trip 'will not materialize'.

I was given three options.
1-Rebook for the Feb trip which is more money.
2-Apply funds towards another trip.
3-Have a refund issued.

I went with option #3. I will be getting back $2,198 and I've set aside an additional $2,000 for the visa's, excursions, spending money, etc.

I'm debating on what to do with the money. I might hold off and see what Cyper Monday deals are available. It would be neat if I could get two international trips out of it. Maybe Iceland and Ireland. I would like to see more of Italy. Or, I could wipe out the money and put it all towards my mortgage.

Yesterday at church they announced that there will be a Single Parents cruise and details would follow soon. I'm assuming it will be Carnival and out of Galveston going to Mexico.

If so, I've done that cruise before but the girls haven't. That's also something to think about.

Over the weekend I got an email from the travel agency I used to book the China trip that said the trip will not materialize.

I was given three options.
1-Rebook for the Feb trip which is more money.
2-Apply funds towards another trip.
3-Have a refund issued.

I went with option #3. I will be getting back $2,198 and I've set aside an additional $2,000 in a vacation fund for the visa's, excursions, spending money, etc.

I'm debating on what to do with the funds. I could just leave the $2,000 in the vacation fund and apply the $2,198 towards the mortgage or just use all of the money $4,198 towards the mortgage. Or hand tight and see what deals will be available for Cyber Monday.

There is a lady in my neighborhood who dresses up as a witch and walks around in the evenings. The other day I spotted her sitting outside on her driveway in a rocking chair.

She dresses up big time even adding these long nails and she has this walking stick too.

There has been a lot of neighborhood Facebook comments about her and photos posted. Some people think its just creepy to do that everyday.

She posted on there yesterday. She just really loves Halloween and used to do children's theatre. She said if anyone wants to bring there kids by for an after dinner story time she's be delighted.

HAHA! I thought this was neat to share.

Weight Watchers has a promo going on. No joining fee and if you lose 10 pounds in two months you get two months free (something like that).

Anyway, I'm back. It's going to cost me about $45/mth. If I can lose enough weight to be Lifetime then I won't have to pay anything.

Oh the struggle with eating healthy and exercising!

I am actually down 3.2 lbs from the last time I was there. Not bad!!

What got me going was ..at the neighborhood garage sale this weekend one of my neighbors asked my daughter if I was pregnant. How embarrassing!

This week I will be treating myself to long walks. Which is akward for me since I have an ex who moved into my neighborhood with his gf and I see them but hey, I lived there first.

Goal for October 173
Week 1
Weight 179.8

Last week I missed a day of work because I had a dead battery. I tried to jump it 4 separate times with DD1's car and it wouldn't hold a charge. I didn't have the tools to pull the batter out. DD2 had work and a exam so I couldn't take her car. I waited all day and my stepdad came to the rescue at 5pm. I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is a busy guy and I sure do appreciate him.

When the car wasn't working I started thinking, I need a new car! I've got 150K miles on my 07 Dodge Nitro. Then I snapped back to reality real quick! Cost of the battery $142.88!

While at home I spent more money on the internet. This was the same day at that the other lady posted about her capsule wardrobe and I was doing the same thing. I spent 4 hours on Pinterest just browsing. It's crazy how much time you can waste on the internet. I went to Everyday Savvy on Pinterest and bought the Fall Target Capsule Wardrobe for 2015. I didn't buy the shoes, dress, or jeans because I have those things that I can substitute and I don't like dresses that have a drawstring around the waist. I used a credit I had and spent about $130.

My neighborhood had a garage sale this weekend and my neighbor had some cute stuff that would fit DD2 including a Halloween costume! Total was $33 but I was short $5 and she took what I had and threw in a free shirt. Woo hoo! DD2 wore her costume all day Saturday and Sunday. Today was picture day at school and instead of wearing a dress she wore her new Monster motocross shirt that is black, neon green, pink and purple. Garage sale $28.

I was sick over the weekend and spent most of my time resting. I took DD2 to a fun night at church on Friday while I window shopped at Target and TJ Maxx. That's about all the excitement we had.

Countdown is on 100 more days until China!

Friday - I took off of work since I only work 4hrs to take DD2 to the Dr for her yearly check up. She is 52lbs and 4'2". The Dr said she is within the 20th percentile for her age group. She is on tract to be 5'2" when she is an adult. I thought that was a neat tidbit of information! She passed her hearing and eyesight test. She had a mark on her forehead where a kid at the YMCA wacked her with a dustpan on accident. She also had two very badly bruised knees where she slipped on water in the school bathroom. The Dr told me that because she is petite and double jointed to be careful and not let coaches make her put too much pressure on her joints. Her arm she can pop her elbow in and out if that makes sense. She's just a cute tiny thing. After I was already to the freeway she left 'Bamboo' her favorite stuffed animal at the Dr's office. I had to turn back around. Dr visit was covered under preventative under my insurance and free.

Later that evening I took her to a school fundraising function. They were playing the movie Epic in the school cafetieria/gym. Adults bring lawn chairs and kids come dressed in their pj's and they bring pillows and blankets. Then spread out on the floor with their friends and enjoy a nice evening. There was pizza available for $2/slice and soda for $.50/can. Candy/cookies and popcorn were 5 Boxtops.
I spent $10 on a pizza and took the left overs home for DD1.

Saturday - I cleaned house! I'm still not done. There is always more! I sold 4 items on the neighborhood FB page and made $20. DD2 and I also went to two libraries that are close by and one was having a sale. DD2 got a Wizard of Waverly Place movie, Judy Moody and the No Bummer Summer movie and a Judy Moody book. Total was $2.50 and they threw in a Harry Potter special effects DVD for free since the movie was missing.

The girls went to my parents Saturday night they wanted to take DD1 to dinner for her birthday. I stayed back knowing that they would want to spend the night. DD2 came back home with SMENCILS aka the new thing for kids smelly pencils.

Sunday - I had the day to myself. I went for an hour walk. It was nice outside but hot after I got to walking. I'm trying to improve my health so that I wont need to be on medication in the future or have a hard time when I am older. I am already pre diabetic and need to lose weight. I went to the grocery store and spent about $70. I walked around Target and picked up pretzels that I forgot to get earlier for DD2's science class project they are going to have this week. Spent $3 on a large bag. Then I watched the Netflix series Zoo which is pretty good. James Patterson book (I think).

Great deal I scored - I bought 2 packs of 36 double rolls of toilet paper for $10 and received a $5 gift card.

...and yes, I am 36yrs old! Last night I was talking to DD1 and telling her to reflect back on her teenage years and just let it soak in that this is the last time she will ever be a teenager. She is entering a new season of life. We talked about goals for the next decade. She told me "mom how do you feel that I'm going to be in my 20's and you'll be in your 30's"?

I just love her so much! I'm very thankful for all of the time I have had with her.

Tonight we will go to The Melting Pot to celebrate with a nice dinner. I was able to snag a Living Social deal for $22 that includes cheese and chocolate fondue. YUM!

My accts took a hit and I'm down about $3K from the last update in July.

Roth IRA $16,853.69
401K $38563.3
Total $55416.99

Association Fees $1011*
Christmas Account $500*
Emergency Fund $10K*
Property Taxes $3638*
Car/Maintenance Fund $404
Vacation/Entertainment $2K*
BacktoSchool $500*
College $2181*
Home/Maintenance Fund $157
Life Insurance $235*
Health Fund $1K*
Checking $30*

These accounts are kept in an online account. (Capital One 360). I like that you can open an account with just $1.

Accounts with an * behind the number mean that I am not contributing to these and they are funded for the year. I'm working on beefing up the Car fund to $10K and the home fund to $2K. The home fund will be complete this year if everything works out according to plan.

The college fund is almost all gone. Then DD1 who has been paying for some things will be paying for all of her college needs.

I keep very little in the checking and then when I need to pay for something I just transfer the money from the savings category. I do have a credit union that I use for everyday things. This is what has worked for me.