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Home > Archive: January, 2007

Archive for January, 2007

Saved More Than I Thought I Would!

January 30th, 2007 at 05:32 pm

Received most of the money from my Ebay sales yesterday. Deposited them today into the 20.00 challenge account. I was also repayed money owed to me $1,000.00 that is going into the DRIP fund. I didn'think I was going to be able to put anything into this fund this month but as it turns out I was pleasantly surprised. Now that we have some money in the fund hubby and I will have to sit down and decide which stocks we will be placing the money in. Hopefully we will decide on Thursday and I can mail out the payments on Friday.

The car is starting right up now with the new battery. Yesterday I had to bring the car in to the service station anyway b/c it needed an oil change(24.00). Not too bad.

I think I did pretty well in the savings department this month...considering it was the month of January.

New Battery

January 28th, 2007 at 11:40 pm

Well, as mentioned in my previous post, I thought that my car was fixed. A jump start a little water to the battery and good as new, right? Of course not! I was going to go to the movies this afternoon. I got in the car and it would not start. I called my brother and he came over and put a new battery in my car. Good as new! I never new they had a rating. The one that went bad I purchased two years ago( in my mind I thought that it was only this past summer). I purchased the same one today,so in about two years I will go through the same scenario. I'm glad that my brother is mechanically handy like he is and was able to help me out.

Car Trouble Brought On By The Cold

January 28th, 2007 at 06:00 pm

The very cold brought trouble to my car. I couldn't get it started yesterday. I thought that it may have been something serious b/c it was making funny noises a few days prior to it not starting. I was just dreading another repair bill since the last one a few months ago amounted to about $1,200.00. I called my brother before the mechanic and asked him to take a look and give me his thoughts on the car. Right away he jumped started my car and it started and then he filled the battery with water. He said that the water level was very low and the battery didn't have a good charge and that is why it wasn't working, especially in the cold. I never thought to think that the problem was my battery b/c I just got the battery over the summer. Good thinking on my brothers part. Saved me a bunch of cash.

The same day my vacuum cleaner died. It went up in smoke and was making horrible noises. No getting off easy with this problem. This week I will have to go out and purchase a new one.

It has been a very boring weekend for me. Not much to do. Hubby is off doing his guy stuff and DD is off with friends and boyfriend. I think I will go to the movies a little later and see Freedom Writers. Of couse it is the matinee price and I will bring my own drink and treats!

Ebay and Some Other Things

January 25th, 2007 at 10:14 pm

Today was pay day. I was able to save some of it, not all. I figure some is better than none. Went to lunch today with DD and Hubby. It was very, very good. Next stop was the new Walmart that openned on Monday. Spent $60.00 there. Not on things that I needed either. I get so overwhelmed by the low prices that I think that everything is a good deal so I don't think twice about putting it in the basket. Then after the register is finished ringing everything up, I get in the car and think what did I buy that cost so much? Oh well, I know that the things I bought today will be put to good use. It's just that I really didn't need any of it.

I have a few items up on E-bay that are ending in a few hours. No bidders as of yet. I hope that I at least sell something. Even if I don't it won't be to bad b/c I had posted the auctions last Thursday when they were running a sale so it only cost 0.20 to post.
Hubby is posting his auctions for the week as I write. He seems to do pretty well with his auctions but he also has been doing it for quite a while and has learned a few things along the way.

Into Recycling!

January 24th, 2007 at 04:33 pm

Deposited 16.95 for ebay item sold and 81.64 for books sold on half.com. Added that to my January total in the $20.00 challenge.
I recently started to recylce pretty aggressively. I have always kind of recycled by returning bottles and such but now I'm into recycling anything plastic, paper and metal. I'm trying to get my husband and DD onboard as well. I have been visiting the thrift stores more than the department stores in this vein and have become more involved with my local Freecycle program. My DH is involved with Trout Unlimited which is an organization that is invoved with the preservation and conservation of the water ways and aquatic wild life. He volunteers much of his time and energy, cleanning up local streams and rivers. It is really unbelievable what people dump into these natural enviroments. It gets me so mad! Any way we try to do our part whether it is big or small. Evry little bit helps.

Today is grocery day. So, I'm off with my flyers, grocery game sheet and coupons in hand.

Nothing Out Today

January 23rd, 2007 at 12:56 am

A no spender today. Ate leftovers for lunch and dinner.
Received a check from Ebay today$16.95, it will go into the challenge account tomorrow.
Gotta get ready for my shows Prison Break and 24.

School Supplies

January 20th, 2007 at 07:36 pm

Well, we bought the books and all of the supplies. Close to $500.00 that's including notebooks, pens and pencils. That should be it until the fall. Thank goodness.

Lunch was pretty good. Even with the coupon I still felt it was a little expensive. We had two panni sandwiches shared a cup of turkey chilli and shared a bottled water. Total was 24.50, I used the restaurant .com dining certificate... took $10.00 off the total to bring it to 14.50.

I have to run to the dollar store a little later to get some packaging supplies.

Tonight for dinner I will make Roasted Herbed Chicken and Salmon cakes. The salmon cakes are for me. I'm not a big chicken eater.

Jan.19th 2007

January 20th, 2007 at 01:44 am

Today was a good non spending day. After the weeks worth of spending I'm glad that it is calming down. I think that alot of the spending lately has a lot to do with DD being home from college. She is very encouraging to let those bucko's fly right out of my wallet. she is a very helpful spender. When she is at school I don't spend nearly as much as when she is home. It is a little of this and a little of that and it adds up. Tomorrow we have to go and pick up her text books for the upcoming semester and that will be a small fortune. But it is an expected expense verses a non expected. That means I do have the money for it w/o having to go broke. While we are out that way picking up the books we will probably have a nice lunch out. I have a restaurant .com certificate so I will use that. Other than helping DD with getting her books it seems like it will be a prety laid back weekend.

Still haven't received payment on the stuff I sold on Ebay. It is taking quite a while. I'm new to this. I hope it works out. It is a good way in principle to add a couple of extra dollars to the savings. It is also good b/c I am decluttering the house at the same time.
Yesterday was payday and again it came and went with out saving a dime. Hopefully nexts week pay I will be able to save something of it.

Another Spending Day!

January 17th, 2007 at 10:09 pm

Today was a repeat of yesterday. Spend, spend, spend. I had to buy a wireless router for DD. We have a few computers in the house and the router we were using was very temperamental. Sometimes the signal was good and at times it was very weak. DD wasn't able to use her computer upstairs. I opted for the strongest router. The one I purchase looked as though you could send a signal to Mars. I imagine it should last us quite a while. The price was 141.00. Today I had to do more food shopping to the tune of 76.00. I didn't have too many coupons this week with me, so I was a little disappointed. Oh well! Other than those two things I have been pretty good. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were taken care of at home.
Received a rebate check in the mail for $2.00 that will go towards the 20.00 challenge.

Can't Seem to Save ...

January 16th, 2007 at 02:27 pm

I went upstate this weekend with my brother and two nephews. I had to come home early yesterday b/c of the weather. Upstate New York was getting the same ice storm that the south and mid west were. I got an early start towards heading back home yesterday b/c I wanted to get ahead of the storm. Even still the roads were still very icey and slippery. It was very slow going but I made it home with the boys safe and sound.

On the financial aspect of the trip it was very expensive for just two full days.
Gas 45.00
Tolls 25.00
Mc Donalds 13.00
Food Store 56.00
Dinner 2 nights 140.00
Movie tickets 28.00
Total--------------------
$307.00
Thank Goodness I don't do this all the time!
It was very nice spending time with them, so I guess the money was well spent.

Today will be a spend day as well. I have to go food shopping, pet supply shopping and home shopping. This week I will not be able to save my pay again. 100% will be going out to bills. These bills are my fixed expenses not CC or loans.

No Spender!

January 12th, 2007 at 10:33 pm

Today was a no spend day. Again b/c I worked all day. There was also nothing to save today as well. Had breakfast, lunch and dinner at home. Tonights dinner, Salmon, Couscous and broccoli.

Tomorrow I'm planning to go upstate to my condo. I haven't been there since Oct.4th.2006. I'm going to be bringing my brother and his 7 year old son with me for the weekend. It should be fun. Although there is a chance of snow for both Saturday and Sunday. I hope I don't get stuck up there. It will probably be a money spending weekend. Since my brother doesn't have much money, I usually treat them to dinner out. I also pay for all of the supplies we will be needing gas and tolls.

Lost 2lbs. this week, 1 last week. New weight 155lbs.

First Timer with Restaurant .com

January 12th, 2007 at 12:31 am

Today was payday and unfortunately it was applied 100% to the CC. This is a good thing b/c then I will have paid the balance in full and not have incurred a finance charge. Five dollars was deposited to the 20.00 challenge. In a small way I did manage to save a little something this week.

Hubby took me and DD out for dinner this evenning Tex/Mex. We used one of our restaurant.com dining certificates. Spend 35.00 get 25.00 off. I purchased 6 of these certificates to different restaurants a few weeks ago and was able to get 90% off. For the 6 certificates I paid 13.00. Tonights dinner savings more than paid for the cost of the certificates. made dinner that much more enjoyable.

Savings-in the black today!

January 11th, 2007 at 12:12 am

Today was a pretty good savings day. I went to the supermarket loaded with coupons,the store flyer and the grocery game list. I have to tell you I made out like a bandit. I was able to get three regular sized products for free and save a bunch on items that I use regularly in the house.

I was going to go out and buy a new garbage pail for the recycleables. I thought that I would call the town first and see what kind of a container they would advise, lucky for me they said that they would send me a post card and then I could go pick one up for free from one of their local sites.

I listed a few more items on E-bay today. As I have said before this money goes into the 20.00 challenge. So I am hoping that the items go this time around.

I have some pretty big expenses coming up this month. DD's tuition $2800.00 plus books. Condo taxes(550.00) and insurance($250.00). Start my monthly payment into my stocks and pay off my balance on my CC from Christmas. Uggh! Just when you think you are starting to turn a corner in savings. My motto "It's Always Something".

Well gotta go and finish dinner. We are having London Broil, mashed potatoes and Broccoli.

No Spend Day!

January 9th, 2007 at 01:01 am

Sold two books on half.com today and two items on Ebay. When I receive payment on these items I will enter the amounts into the $20.00 challenge total.

Today was a no spend day due to long working hours.

DD did the food shopping and made dinner tonight . What a big helper she was today.

A Walk In The Park

January 7th, 2007 at 09:15 pm

Another great day today. The weather in NY has been gorgeous. Today Hubby, DD and I went for a three mile walk on the Jones Beach Boardwalk. The ocean was so beautiful and calm. It was pretty crowded though. I guess a lot of people had the same idea. Well the cost for that was free.

Tonight we are going out for Sushi. Yummy! That won't be cheap but it will be a great ending to the weekend.

A Very Nice Day

January 7th, 2007 at 12:51 am

Today was such a nice day. The weather in NY was just beautiful. This has been the warmest January that I can remember(70). Went to the park and did a two mile walk with DD. We had a great time(Free). Then we went to the movies to see The Holiday which was a very good love story($14.00). Had some Pizza for lunch($5.75). Next, on to the mall to buy a 2007 calender. 50% off, total= 7.50. Took in Mexican for dinnner 34.00. Not a cheap day but a very good one.

January 5th, 2007

January 5th, 2007 at 10:21 pm

Work picked up a little today, so that was good. Otherwise it was just an average day. No spend day though b/c I had to work all day. Making steak for dinner and then watch a little TV and call it a day. No chance to walk or exercise today...bummer.

Day 4 still on track,Yeah!

January 5th, 2007 at 12:46 am

Work was pretty slow again today. This is not good. I sure hope that things pick up soon. We go through spurts like this but when we did the yearly numbers in Dec. We were down by about 60,000 for 2006.
After work I made the deposit to my 20.00 challenge money to the WAMU account. 100.00 was from the Verizon rebates and 2.00 from the bottle return. I was able to save my paycheck today as well.
DH took DD and me out for a delicious Thai lunch today. Yumee. I am still so full. No one wants dinner tonight.
Walked for about 30 minutes with the dogs. They love going for walks so much. They get so excited when they hear their leashes jingle. Day 4 of the New Year and I am still on track. Yeah!!

January 3, 2007

January 3rd, 2007 at 09:45 pm

Today I didn't feel well so I didn't go to work. Hubby didn't mind b/c it wasn't busy. I have such a bad headache and I feel a little dizzy and nauseous. I took some Tylenol and that took the edge off for a while.

I went to the thrift shop to see if they had anything interesting. I am looking for a nice large oval mirror. I make a visit every week. I didn't find a mirror but for $7.00 I found a gorgeous pair of Barney New York, Brown dress slacks, a Lands End tailored shirt, a maroon turtle neck by August Silk, a beautiful light blue cardigan and a navy blue fleece zippered jacket(when I got home I found a quarter in the pocket). I was supposed to go grocery shopping today but that didn't work out for me b/c when I got to the store and was wondering why my circular's sale items didn't match the prices in the store, I realized I had last weeks flyer with me and the coupons I had to match were also for the old circular. So I put every thing back in its proper place and left. I was just too tired after that to go through it all over again. When I got home I vacuumed for a little and then took a break.

I received my Verizon rebate checks today for the phones I had purchased before Christmas. I am still waiting on one more. The rebates are $50.00 a piece. This money will go into the $20.00 Challenge tomorrow.

I was able to get 45 minutes of walking in today. The weather was so beautiful here in New York. Tonight for dinner will be Crab Cakes, pasta and salad.

Jan. 2, 2007

January 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 pm

Went to Costco today and bought our ususal supplies and renewed our membership. Tomorrow I will be heading to the local grocery store with coupons in hand.
Deposited money from my Ebay sale into WAMU $16.94. Sold another book on Half.com.
Walked the dogs for 30 minutes. Went to the gym for 45 minutes.
Dinner at home. Rented a Red Box movie. Going to relax now.

No Spender

January 2nd, 2007 at 02:36 am

Today was a no spend day. The weather was miserable here, alot of rain. So I didn't go out today. Ordered dinner in, used a gift card. Put up a few items for auction on E-bay. Organized my paper work. Back to work tomorrow. It was a quiet 3 days off.