SecretarySaving

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!!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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!

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.

Today I took my DD1 to get her wisdom teeth removed. Poor thing she is so out of it. Spent $279 at dentist and $35.26 for 4 perscriptions. It will take a few days for her to get to feeling better. She really wants to eat food REAL food.

I've been sick the past few days. I think it may be a virus. Nasal drip, sore throat and just feeling blah.

I put a whole chicken in the crockpot that we will eat tomorrow. Tonight we are having potatoes, eggs and bacon. Breakfast for dinner!

I read two magazines and started a book that doesn't seem to keep my interest.

Tomorrow we will have family from out of town stop by on thier way to somewhere else. I don't feel like company but I'm sure tomorrow will be a different story.

I love when I type a post and then it doesn't post!

I gained 2.2lbs this week and I'm back to 160. I'm okay with it, I enjoyed my birthday. Atleast I'm still going to the meetings when I started the room was full now we are down to maybe 6 people. Alot of people dropped off during Thanksgiving (including my mother).

Good news!-The company I work for will continue to reimburse employees quarterly for weight watchers for 2013. This means I'm in all year!

What to do with the reimbursement check. It will be $124/qtr or $506/end of year. I'm thinking a shopping spree with new clothes at the end of the year..

First let me start by saying that I did not list my 401K, Roth IRA, House Maintenance, Sponsor Son, Property Taxes, Car Fund/Maintenance and Christmas because I have these budgeted for monthly.

I also budget for vacation but I listed our trips that the girls and I discussed that we would like to take.

My main focus is on items 1-3 everything after that would be nice if it happens. I like to keep things simple.

2013 Goals

1) Bring my weight down from 160 to 135.
Losing 25 pounds by 12/31/2013!

2) Pay down 2nd Mortgage
1 Mortgage $87,798.47
2 Mortgage $22,409.48
Total $110,207.95

3) Back to school $500 (supplies/clothes/fees)

4) Plant 2 fruit trees in my backyard
Plant 5 mini rose bushes in my backyard

5) Flooring labor $2000

6) Beach trip $300
River/Hill Country trip $500
Louisiana trip $600

8) TV/Furniture for Game Room $?

A very sweet male coworker of mine brought me a belated birthday present. Isn't he sweet? I devoured it! Macadamia nut flavored. I don't think my Weight Watchers weigh in in an hour is going to turn out so well.

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a nice day.
A guy at work invited me to go along with his group for Starbucks then he handed out little presents. He got everyone a bracelet from his Kenya mission trip.

The girls and I went and had chinese for dinner and we stopped by Diary Queen for mini blizzards.

This past weekend my mom took me to Cracker Barrel (love that place) then we had Cheesecake Factory. She got me a waffle maker and a dvd player that I need to return.

Today I had a Christmas present on my desk from a co worker. Candy popcorn, notepad and bath salts.

This is how I keep my grocery budget low by using coupons. According to the receipt I saved 59%.

Randalls had a coupon for $25 off $50 when you transfer a perscription. Then, you could load a Just4U coupon off of thier website for an additional $5 off to the $25 coupon. They also have a loadable coupon (this gets loaded on your Randalls Club Card) for $3 off when you purchase $10 or more in produce. I also used $11 in paper coupons. I don't need meat right now. I have a whole chicken, sausage and beef shoulder roast at home. I don't buy paper plates much but these were $1ea with sale and coupon for 50 plates. Coming home late at night who wants to do dishes?

Natures Own Reduced Calorie Bread
Natures Own 100% Wheat Bread
Thomas English Muffins
Pepridge Farm Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Green Pepper
3 Oranges
Celery
2 Banana Bunches
Strawberries
Black Beans
Pinto Beans
Spaghetti Noodles
Saltine Crackers
Cheese Nips
Popcorn
Oatmeal
Brown Sugar
Water
Diet Rootbeer
Diet Sunkist
Fat Free Milk
Salsa
Katsup
Smuckers Sugar Free Preserves
Ranch Dressing
Cottage Cheese
Sour Cream
Weight Watchers String Cheese
Tuna
Bleach
Trashbags
2 50Qty Paper Plates
Deodorant

Friday was payday for me. I am working hard to pay down my 2nd mortgage loan. I paid $208 towards the principal. Balance now is $22,245.

To Do's for the week
-groceries
-read two books
-Goodwill donations
-give my sister my fat pants (haha!)
-vision board
-goals for 2013
-check in with lawyer on child support enforcement
-post my living room tables on Craigslist

I will have to adjust my income and amounts after the first of the year because I don't know how my paycheck will look with the increased insurance and taxes. Maybe I will get a raise to cover everything!

I based this budget on my pay now working 40hrs. I have the giving category paid for till 04/13, assocation fees for 2013 funded and daycare paid until 09/13. Our medical category as of now is zero. We will have our normal check ups and Dr visits and our medicine is preventative.

I'm alloting myself $100 entertainment/blow money to catch any overage on other categories that I fall short.

I should be receiving an additional $1500/mth in child support but since it comes sparatically I do not count that into my budget.

*Envelope Category

This is a value statement that the company I work for puts together for its employees. Thoughts?

I was up .8 today at the weigh in.
That's okay because it wasn't even a full pound.

Date Steps Miles WW Points
12/6/2012 10436 4.44 5
12/7/2012 7558 3.22 3
12/8/2012 3076 1.31 1
12/9/2012 6295 2.68 3
12/10/2012 52 .02 0
12/11/2012 6696 2.85 3

Weight Watchers recently came out with a new gadget its like a BodyBug and it keeps track of all sorts of things. So, I thought I'd put my pedomter to use.

My To Do’s for Tues thru Fri
-File Coupons
-Track Food/Drink Water
-Track Steps on Pedometer
-Read 8 Chapters
What Ever Happened to the American Dream
By Larry Burkett

My birthday is this month (Christmas baby) and so far I’ve gotten..
Famous Footwear $5 off any purchase of $5 or more
Genghis Grill free bowl
Dairy Queen buy one get one free blizzard
Logan Farms send out an email to their VIP customers for a free casserole
Jason’s Deli $5 off any $5 purchase
I also have $16.96 in Jason’s deli dollars
When I’m off during the holidays I will probably use a few of these.

I have so many excuses in the world of why I don’t get out but I would like to socialize more.
I feel like I’ve really left that part of my life unattended to for some time now.
A friend of mine who goes out monthly with a group of girls invited me to join them. They go out once a month to a different restaurant.

Friday - Car Repairs $348.84
I was very thankful for the ride home while they worked on my car then picked me up. Spending this much on my car doesn't hurt now that I have a car maintenance fund and my car is paid for.

Saturday - No spending day. Went to my moms house and my sister and her children were there. We made chocolate mint fudge, peanut butter fudge, sugar cookies and ginger bread men. My sister made luncha and we had the seconds for dinner. The kids had a blast.

Sunday - McDonalds $14.23 and $20 gas.
We have a cold front coming in tonight so I wanted to make sure I have enough gas.

It's back to work tomorrow!

I've been using a pedometer everyday to keep track of my steps. I think I will start to record them on a calendar this week.
I made a list for the grocery store and cut coupons.
Still need to file those coupons.

I had some leftover money from my November budget so I sent my first extra principal payment for my 2nd mortgage today. I have an 80/20 loan.

Balance $22,960.61
Payment $408.57

New Total $22,552.04

Today I did my weekly weigh in. Lost 1.6 pounds for a total loss of 7.6 pounds. My weight is down to 157. My goal is 135.I am hoping that next year I can hit that.

Today I'm having a hard day. First off, my daughter hadn't been to her dads in a month. Each time she'd ask he'd say he's working and then say I'll have lunch with you at school or we'll go to the movies. He was seeing her at my house. This weekend she wanted to stay with me. We were going to a parade and have family in town. When I texted that he was at my door in half an hour. Pick up time is 6pm! He was there at 4:30. She was painting and not ready to leave. Then said well since dad is already here I'll go with him. He's coercing her saying I've got a present for you!

She comes back Sunday night with a new ipad mini. She's 6 years old. My daughter tells me how his wife moved in and my daughter doesn't have her bedroom or bed anymore. She was very upset about this! (this was why he wasn't allowing her over there)

Background on wife-This is the girl he was cheating on me with, knew he had a family didn't care. I ended things and kicked him out. Six months later they get married. No one ever told me but the new wife on Facebook decided to contact me with a wedding picture as her profile. Nice, right? They live together for a year then for the past year and a half they have not lived together.

My daughter was saying that all her sons stuff is in her room. His clothes, shoes and toys and he sleeps in her bed now and her dad had her sleep in the bed with him when she was over there. She said he got a new smart tv to put in that room that used to be hers, his wife has a new ipad mini, he bought her a car, they went to Puerto Rico.

All of this "stuff" is fine and dandy but he is $10K behind in child support! My heart really goes out to my daughter who now got booted from her room there.

I contacted my lawyer and its $200 to file a motion for enforcement on the child support. If he's found guilty then I'll get that reimbursed and he will have to pay the attorney fees. According to the visitation - I would like a suspension until he can get his act together. Well that is a modification and they haven't gotten back to me on how much that is going to cost yet.

Friday I've got to take my car to the shop for $340 worth of work. I just paid $499 for someone hitting me inthe parking garage at work. Insurance hasn't determined yet if its a hit and run then I'll get $250 back and then if its a person who I suspect and they can try to get it from thier insurance.

I'm jumping around but you know I'm sure he feels like #1 dad for giving that ipad mini and I'm sure alot of dads won't do that. But she could use some socks, underwear and night clothes. I clip coupons, everytime we go out to eat its a very cheap place like chic fil a, mcdonalds, chinese. We get water! I never fill the buggy up to the top at the grocery store. I don't do these things! I don't get my kids the latest gadget. I am very frugal. I'm getting mad at the fact that I have to always following through and take the higher road.

Everything for me is like ..money here, money there. Constantly looking at my spreadsheet.

I got so frustrated today ...I went and saw a counselor!

I am tired of having to take him to court. He made over $400K last year! Really?

I think tonight I am going to take a nice hot bath read my book and call it a day.

Sorry for venting. I'm probably just really tired!

I weighed in today and gained the 1.4lbs that I lost last week. I knew that I had a gain. I didn't plan my meals ahead and I ate when and what I pleased on Thanksgiving. I was also on vacation for that week so being out of routine played a role.

My meeting today was helpful. So far today I have followed the plan. Tonight I will go for a walk.

The bad - My car was hit in the parking garage here at work 3 weeks ago. It has taken this long for the parking garage's insurance company to get back with me. Claim denied!

The ugly - Why don't people leave a note on your car with their insurance information anymore?

I submitted a claim through my insurance company. Today I will be taking my car to the service center to have it looked over and get the repairs done. It will be up to the insurance adjuster if the claim is filed as a hit and run and I will need to pay $250 or if I will need to pay the full deductable $1,000.

The good - They have already reserved a nice new rental car for me to use. These things happen and I am glad that I have full coverage insurance on my paid for car. I am also thankful for a emergency fund.

Today I am back to work after my Thanksgiving vacation. I must admit I like being on a schedule and I like things routine.

Over the holiday the exterior of my house was painted. To me, it looks the same just nice and clean with a black front door.

My stepdad surprised me and bought the hardwood looking laminate floors that I wanted. They are a dark color. I will need to save up the money to have them installed and also get some new tile for the bathroom and utility room. That's a project for 2013!

Today while at work - I bought my 4 yr old nephew the Lorax movie and paid $2.48 by using a deal thru Amazon and a $5 Swagbucks Amazon credit I had. This will go well with the two dolls I got him of the cat in the hat and the girl character (her name slips my mind ..sue?). He's been watching The Grinch Stole Christmas alot lately.

I walked over to the food court and bought Chic Fil A for lunch even though I had a frozen SmartOnes in the freezer. I went ahead and spent $20 buying 4 $5 gift cards for my daughters teacher, school nurse and the two YMCA teachers.

I'm really trying to cross things off of my list!