Dreaming of (Debt) Freedom

The Rest of My Shopping Deals

2011-01-11T21:28:00.002-05:00

My other transactions went off without a hitch.

2 rounds of buying Pantene 2/$7 at WAGs, with 2 $3 off MQs, got me total 4 RRs.
OOP $9.20 (incl. tax, not deducting RRs)

Took the $4 in RR to buy bacon 2/$8.
OOP $4, got back 1RR.

Took that RR plus another from last week to buy 24ct Zyrtec D and a lock for blue_wagon's gym locker. Used my $4 coupon, but couldn't use MQ because it wasn't for D. Poo. So that purchase was $23.28, so I basically got the $5.79 lock for free.

Then to Rite Aid where the woman was super patient with me. No one was behind me when I started but there was a little line when I was done. I felt kind of bad. I had wanted to grab minute rice, pet food, bread and milk to the tune of $20 because I had a $4/$20 coupon from VV, but alas, no minute rice and no skim milk, so I tabled that coupon for another time. Maybe more Zyrtec D next week. Anyways. Got 10 cans of Fancy Feast for $5, used 1 UP and got another. OOP $4.35 with tax.

Used that UP for Fructis shampoo 2/$6 (usually $4.29 each). Also used two $1/1 coupons so OOP was $3.52. No UP gained there so I'm back at neutral for RA.

But I'm pretty pleased. I got 6 bottles of shampoo and conditioner for $12.72, so a little more than 50% off normal price. I probably won't need shampoo or conditioner for the rest of the year.

Total OOP for Entire Day: $50.90
Actual value of items purchased: $121.27
Including store sales, coupons, and RR/UP, I saved $70.36 between all my transactions today!

Now, to enter everything into my budget spreadsheet...

Grocery Challenge

2011-01-11T14:13:00.004-05:00

So, I've recently joined a "Grocery Challenge" of sorts, where people try to use coupons and rewards at various grocery and drug stores to maximize the items they get for their dollar. Sometimes, the stores even pay them to take goods out! I don't know that I'll ever be that good, since I'm not going to go buy coupons, but I'm trying to do the best I can with store sales, weekly insert coupons, and coupons I can print online. Today was day one.

My plan was to go Rite Aid at lunch for Transaction 1:

Diet coke 6-pk bottles are 2/$6, and you get 1 UP (reward dollar)
Blink $7.99 (will get 7.99 Single Check Rebates (SCR), so converting part of my allergy rewards to cash)
Lady Speed Stick (my fave) is BOGO50% so I believe this will come out to about $4.50 but I am not sure
Ziplock is 2/$4, and will use a $1 manufacturer's coupon
Kleenex is BOGO, need the small boxes for my desk at work, not sure what this costs.

I might pay around $4 OOP.

Then tonight I will go to the RA near my house and use my UP on Transaction 2

Fancy Feast 10/$5. I will then get another UP

for Transaction 3

Fructis is 2/$6, minus 2 $1 coupons, minus the UP, so I will pay 2/$3.

I also have a few transactions planned for Walgreens (WAGs) if I have time before the storm hits:

Transaction 1:
Pantene 2/$7, use $3 coupon, so 2/$4. I also get 2RR (register rewards).

Transaction 2:
repeat #1, so I pay $4 again, and get 2 more RR

Transaction 3:
Oscar meyer bacon is 2/$8, use 4RR, so 2/$4. I then get 1RR

Transaction 4:
Zyrtec D is usually $22.99 or so. I have a $4 WAGS coupon, and will try to talk them into using the $4 MQ (that is for the non-D formula). I will use the RR from #3, and a RR I have from last week. No way to get Zyrtec for free, sadly.

Total OOP WAGS: $24? I will report back on how this goes...

Update:

So Transaction 1 at RA went off without a hitch.

2 6pks of diet coke for $6.60 (usually $3.99 ea, plus deposit)
2 100ct ziplocs for $3 (after using $1/2 coupon)
2 lady speed stick for $6 (BOGO50%)
Blink eye drops at $7.99 (regularly $11.49)
2 100ct kleenex for 2.49.

Normal cost: $39.01 plus tax

I used a $20 allergy rewards coupon and a Video Values coupon for another $1 off, plus the $1 ziploc, and ended up paying OOP $6.55.

Now I get $7.99 in SCR back, and I got $1 UP. Not bad for a newbie!

99 Things Update

2010-12-23T09:26:00.002-05:00

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment	9/25/2009
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment	9/18/2009
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment	9/18/2009
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard	3/10/2010
dig up garden spot	backyard	5/25/10
brick garden-spring	backyard	5/25/10
trim edges of yard	backyard	5/25/10
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard	10/5/2009
buy rocks?	backyard	10/17/2009
research and buy patio furniture	backyard	4/18/10
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard	9/26/2009
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard	10/10/2009
Regrade flower bed	backyard	10/11/2009
Research tulip planting	backyard	10/8/2009
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard	4/18/10
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard	5/25/10
plant bushes along back of house	backyard	5/25/10
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard	10/17/2009
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom	10/9/2009
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	master bedroom
call Windsor	boiler	9/14/2009
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room	10/17/2009
Get rug for dining	dining room	2/5/10
hang pictures in dining room	dining room	10/5/2009
research chandeliers	dining room	5/10/10
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room	10/17/2009
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances	9/15/2009
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard	9/10/10
dig out front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
clean front closet	hallway	10/1/2009
shelves in office closet	My office	10/18/2009
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway	10/1/2009
call Slomins	house	9/25/2009
research STAR tax break	house	9/22/2009
buy plants	house	10/17/2009
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house	NA
buy halloween decorations	house	9/26/2009
get nice nightlights	house	9/29/2009
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house	12/12/09
Pop open the chapagne	house	12/31/09
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming	10/12/2009
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
send invitations (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
Paint kitchen	kitchen	9/20/2009
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
buy organizers	kitchen	9/14/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	NA
clean toaster oven	kitchen	10/1/2009
clean coffee pot	kitchen	9/19/2009
install dishwasher	kitchen	11/6/2009
pick up dishwasher	kitchen	10/30/2009
create meal plan for September	kitchen	9/18/2009
create meal plan for October	kitchen	10/5/2009
research microwaves	kitchen	5/15/10
clean island	kitchen	10/12/2009
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen	9/19/2009
wash all sheets and towels	laundry	9/19/2009
Get rug for living room	living room	10/4/2009
hang pictures in living room	living room	10/31/2009
find couch art	living room	10/18/2009
pick up console	living room	9/19/2009
install surround sound	living room	9/26/2009
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining	10/5/2009
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom	9/20/2009
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom	9/1/10
stain nightstand	master bedroom	10/11/2009
hang Renoir	master bedroom	9/20/2009
find art for bedroom	master bedroom	6/18/10
hang mom's painting	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office	NA
Put up curtains in my office	my office	9/20/2009
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office	NA
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office	11/11/2009
file papers	my office	11/11/2009
clean shelves in office	my office	9/26/2009
clean blinds office	my office	9/20/2009
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet	9/26/2009
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs	5/5/10
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

2011

2010-12-23T09:02:00.003-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since I posted last. Well, actually I can, because it's been a crazy year. Lots of wedding planning, an absolutely AMAZING wedding and honeymoon, getting kittens... you can see where I might have gotten sidetracked from blogging. As 2011 approaches, I am glad to be *thisclose* to being fully vested in our retirement plan at work. I am keeping an eye out for other job opportunities that will give me more challenges and new knowledge, although the benefits here are going to be hard to leave. We are also beginning financial planning for starting a family, which we hope to get started on in a year or two. So my primary goal for 2011 is:

PAY DOWN DEBT.

Our CapOne card is about $12k, and I want to get that down to $6k by this time next year (if not lower). We did pay off both Chase cards this year, and have about $1k on my Citicard. I also want to keep paying a little extra on our car loan.

We did succeed in getting a $5k Emergency Fund, but sadly $1k of that is going to car repairs from a little accident we had recently on an icy day. But building that back up will also be a priority.

There is still time for me to work on my novel this year, and I plan to next week in between holidays. I didn't find a literary agent...maybe in 2011.

I also succeeded in losing weight and working out more, with a total loss so far of 15 pounds. I'd realistically like to lose another 10, but right now I'm just working on maintaining during the holidays. Cooking healthier will become more important the closer we get to starting a family, but we've been doing a fairly good job of it recently. I will never love most veggies, but I'm at least finding new ways to cook them that makes them easier to go down.

So all in all, an amazing year. The only downside was losing my stepmother to complications of lupus back in April. My dad has been doing pretty well, all things considered, but I know this time of year is probably very hard for him. Just wish he lived closer by. Next year we plan on asking him to come visit for the holiday, but with his work schedule he probably won't be able to. Sigh.

Here's to 2011!!

2010

2010-01-08T11:10:00.002-05:00

Wow. Where the heck did 2009 go? It's hard to believe that a year ago I was only starting at this job, the frightened newbie without a clue. I still feel like I haven't got a clue some days, but for the most part, all is well. One more year and I'll be fully vested with the 12% of my income the put in the 401(k)! Definitely incentive to stick around. That and the amazing insurance. But in any event, that is not what my post is to be about.

I have a lot of goals this year. Some are financial, some are not, but I believe they are all tied together in one way or another. Ultimately, they will all make me happier (I hope!).

1. Exercise regularly, thus becoming healthier and dropping 30 pounds (yes, I do have 30lbs to lose. I'm not sure where it's hidden, but it's there and I don't want it anymore!).
2. Be more focused on meal planning. And not just the usual 10 meals I rotate through. I want to find new recipes, explore new foods (even veggies), and cook at home so blue_wagon and I are healthier and happier. And save money on eating out, which we will still do occasionally.
3. I want to pay off the $750 on my Chase card. Buh-bye!
4. I want to pay off the $5000ish on my CapOne card. Some of that will be reimbursed from my freelance project (I paid for shipping, they owe me over $200).
5. I want to save up for the photographer and band for our wedding. If our parents let us pay.
6. I want to get $5000 in the Emergency Fund.
7. I want to save $10000 in other savings funds: clothing, vacation, house/pool, car, medical.
8. I want to actually finish my damned novel. And start the next one. And find a literary agent. I need to stop procrastinating and face the music. Either it gets pubbed or it doesn't. End of story. Beginning of the next one!
9. I want to get into photography again.
10. Not turn into bridezilla.
11. Have a blast at my wedding and on my honeymoon.

I guess that about covers it!

Engaged!

2009-12-16T12:47:00.001-05:00

Twenty-six is already turning out to be a pretty good year for me! Blue_wagon proposed on our five-year anniversary, and now we're trying to plan a wedding for October 2010! Wish us luck!

Reflection on 25

2009-12-04T12:28:00.003-05:00

Last year at this time, well, first of all, I was interviewing for a new job and thought I failed miserably, only to get called back and eventually offered the job. I was also jokingly saying how horrible turning 25 would be, that I was having a quarter-life crisis, and that I was old. As it turns out, being 25 was the best year ever! Here are some things I accomplished (or that just happened to me):

1. I saved a lot of money, and paid off some debt. I'm getting there, and learning along the way!
2. I bought a house with blue, moved in, decorated, and made it ours, all without going into horribly deeper debt (not counting the mortgage, of course)
3. Created a budget for our household and got blue on board
4. Saved for and went on a vacation with blue's family. Survived.
5. Thought really hard about working on my novel again.
6. Lost 18 pounds. Got stressed, then sick, then stressed some more. Gained back 8. Ah well. Can't win 'em all!
7. Started that new job. Trafficked 13 books through the publication process. Managed to not murder too many academics. Apparently impressed bosses enough that they haven't fired me yet.
8. Got 12% of salary put into 401(k) without me putting anything in myself (have I mentioned they have fantastic benefits?), although I do have to stay another year to get vested. I also started contributing 1% of my salary myself last month.
9. Learned the value of coupons, BJ's Warehouse, and planning out the weekly menu.
10. Got all nice and content and happy, for the most part.

Maybe 26 will be better? I'm not sure. All I know is it's not a multiple of 5, and so I'm a little skeptical.

99 Things Update

2009-11-18T12:50:00.002-05:00

We're plugging along on this, although some have become 'NA' as we decided not to do them, or the holiday passed. I think it's more like 100 things now, and I will probably add more as I go along. But progress is being made (and we are LOVING the dishwasher)!!!

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment	9/25/2009
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment	9/18/2009
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment	9/18/2009
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard
dig up garden spot	backyard
brick garden-spring	backyard
trim edges of yard	backyard
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard	10/5/2009
buy rocks?	backyard	10/17/2009
research and buy patio furniture	backyard
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard	9/26/2009
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard	10/10/2009
Regrade flower bed	backyard	10/11/2009
Research tulip planting	backyard	10/8/2009
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard
plant bushes along back of house	backyard
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard	10/17/2009
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom	10/9/2009
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	master bedroom
call Windsor	boiler	9/14/2009
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room	10/17/2009
Get rug for dining	dining room
hang pictures in dining room	dining room	10/5/2009
research chandeliers	dining room
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room	10/17/2009
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances	9/15/2009
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard
dig out front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
clean front closet	hallway	10/1/2009
shelves in office closet	My office	10/18/2009
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway	10/1/2009
call Slomins	house	9/25/2009
research STAR tax break	house	9/22/2009
buy plants	house	10/17/2009
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house	NA
buy halloween decorations	house	9/26/2009
get nice nightlights	house	9/29/2009
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house
Pop open the chapagne	house
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming	10/12/2009
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
send invitations (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
Paint kitchen	kitchen	9/20/2009
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
buy organizers	kitchen	9/14/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	NA
clean toaster oven	kitchen	10/1/2009
clean coffee pot	kitchen	9/19/2009
install dishwasher	kitchen	11/6/2009
pick up dishwasher	kitchen	10/30/2009
create meal plan for September	kitchen	9/18/2009
create meal plan for October	kitchen	10/5/2009
research microwaves	kitchen
clean island	kitchen	10/12/2009
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen	9/19/2009
wash all sheets and towels	laundry	9/19/2009
Get rug for living room	living room	10/4/2009
hang pictures in living room	living room	10/31/2009
find couch art	living room	10/18/2009
pick up console	living room	9/19/2009
install surround sound	living room	9/26/2009
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining	10/5/2009
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom	9/20/2009
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom
stain nightstand	master bedroom	10/11/2009
hang Renoir	master bedroom	9/20/2009
find art for bedroom	master bedroom
hang mom's painting	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office	NA
Put up curtains in my office	my office	9/20/2009
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office	NA
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office	11/11/2009
file papers	my office	11/11/2009
clean shelves in office	my office	9/26/2009
clean blinds office	my office	9/20/2009
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet	9/26/2009
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

Top 5 Worst Gifts for Your Boyfriend!

2009-11-13T12:29:00.002-05:00

Top Five Worst Holiday Gifts for Your Boyfriend
Advice on how NOT to shop for your boyfriend
Read More

An article I wrote for AC.

Some Before and Afters

2009-11-05T20:38:00.008-05:00

Well, things seem to have finally calmed down here a bit. I sent off this round of my freelance project, so I should have a few weeks of evenings to myself. Of course, I have all of my own personal projects I want to get done, such as finally organizing our filing system and updating my blog! So here we go!

As you may recall, our house is a cute little yellow house. As cute as the house itself is, the landscaping is definitely lacking. While not overgrown, it is just...blah. It needed some life. Here is the house before:

After some autumnal decorations (already also shown previously) and some flowers and shrubs, it looks a little more lively. We still have a lot of work to do, but this will keep us happy throughout the winter:

And in the backyard, where once was just divets and dirt, we have some lovely bushes and mums, all 50% off at an end-of-season sale!

They have since been planted into the dirt, but I don't actually have a "done" photo. Oops! I'll get on that when it's nice out again. It's currently raining, yet again.

And just for fun, a shot of a tent we used at our housewarming that, while we were away, the wind decided to send for a joy ride. We borrowed it from my brother, so I'm hoping I can clean it all up! It managed to land in our dirt pile in the driveway (of course!) and crack our fence a little:

Turkey Day Trivia!

2009-11-03T11:42:00.004-05:00

A piece I just put up on Associated Content. It's amazing how popular my trivia pieces have been. I don't know why I don't put up new ones daily!

Thanksgiving Day Trivia!
Test your Turkey Day know-how!
Read More

99 Things Update!!

2009-10-20T09:07:00.003-04:00

I'm at work, so I don't have my pictures with me, but I do have my 99 Things list!! We've gotten quite a bit done, and decided to put off a lot until Spring (yay tax refund!), but we're feeling pretty good about our progress! I'm finally tackling my office and organizing it this week, which is making me feel a whole lot better. Just knowing that project and mess lay before me was stressing me out, I think. It feels good to dive in and get things done! I might not have done things perfectly (see: shelves in closet) but I'm trying!!

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment	9/25/2009
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment	9/18/2009
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment	9/18/2009
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard
dig up garden spot	backyard
brick garden-spring	backyard
trim edges of yard	backyard
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard	10/5/2009
buy rocks?	backyard	10/17/2009
research and buy patio furniture	backyard
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard	9/26/2009
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard	10/10/2009
Regrade flower bed	backyard	10/11/2009
Research tulip planting	backyard	10/8/2009
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard
plant bushes along back of house	backyard
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard	10/17/2009
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom	10/9/2009
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	Blue's office
call Windsor	boiler	9/14/2009
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room	10/17/2009
Get rug for dining	dining room
hang pictures in dining room	dining room	10/5/2009
research chandeliers	dining room
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room	10/17/2009
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances	9/15/2009
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard
dig out front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
clean front closet	hallway	10/1/2009
shelves in office closet	My office	10/18/2009
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway	10/1/2009
call Slomins	house	9/25/2009
research STAR tax break	house	9/22/2009
buy plants	house	10/17/2009
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house
buy halloween decorations	house	9/26/2009
get nice nightlights	house	9/29/2009
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house
Pop open the chapagne	house
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming	10/12/2009
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
send invitations (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
Paint kitchen	kitchen	9/20/2009
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
buy organizers	kitchen	9/14/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	NA
clean toaster oven	kitchen	10/1/2009
clean coffee pot	kitchen	9/19/2009
install dishwasher	kitchen
pick up dishwasher	kitchen
create meal plan for September	kitchen	9/18/2009
create meal plan for October	kitchen	10/5/2009
research microwaves	kitchen
clean island	kitchen	10/12/2009
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen	9/19/2009
wash all sheets and towels	laundry	9/19/2009
Get rug for living room	living room	10/4/2009
hang pictures in living room	living room
find couch art	living room	10/18/2009
pick up console	living room	9/19/2009
install surround sound	living room	9/26/2009
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining	10/5/2009
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom	9/20/2009
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom
stain nightstand	master bedroom	10/11/2009
hang Renoir	master bedroom	9/20/2009
find art for bedroom	master bedroom
hang mom's painting	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office	NA
Put up curtains in my office	my office	9/20/2009
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office	NA
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office
file papers	my office
clean shelves in office	my office	9/26/2009
clean blinds office	my office	9/20/2009
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet	9/26/2009
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

Halloween Decorating Has Begun!

2009-09-27T21:07:00.005-04:00

And so far I've found bargains galore! I think I'm all stocked up on candy too. I'm hoping it will be enough--this seems like the kind of neighborhood to have mobs of little kids roaming the streets in search of the best candy house. I'll have to be good and only give each kid one or two, depending on how busy it is.

Here's a picture!

And a close up!

And now here's a picture of our mystery electric meter. I accept all interpretations of what it says. Then I'll let you know what they said it said ten days ago. If you want a brief tutorial in how to read it, go here! (This will really help me not sound like a jackass when I call, if I have backup.)

99 Things, and a New Blue

2009-09-22T14:11:00.004-04:00

So as you can see below, I've made some progress on my 99 Things list over the weekend. My parents helped a lot: stepdad painted the kitchen and hallway, while my mother helped me shorten and clean the blinds, as well as put up curtains galore.

Since moving in, blue_wagon has surprised me. He's really showing up as an equal partner in household tasks. Sure, I am almost single-handedly in charge of finances, insurance, and any other paperwork, but at least he goes through it and then checks with me to see what needs to be done with it. He's offered to make dinner tonight (pasta aglio e olio, my fave!), and last night he cleaned up and washed dishes without me even hinting at it (I cooked). Also, more than once while I ran out to grab something (I need to stop grocery shopping now), he transferred laundry from the washer to the dryer.

These are all small things, but it is the small things that count, and I've so appreciated it. Of course, I'll need to teach him to read labels to see if things need to be line-dried, but other than that he's been awesome. We haven't fought over the tv yet (yet being the key word... it's bound to happen someday), and it is just wonderful knowing I get to go to sleep next to him every night.

I do wish we had a second car so A) I could sleep in a bit more and B) We weren't travelling together...neither of us is a morning person haha.

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment	9/18/2009
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment	9/18/2009
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard
dig up garden spot	backyard
brick garden-spring	backyard
trim edges of yard	backyard
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard
buy rocks?	backyard
research and buy patio furniture	backyard
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard
Regrade flower bed	backyard
Research tulip planting	backyard
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard
plant bushes along back of house	backyard
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	Blue's office
call Windsor	boiler	9/14/2009
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room
Get rug for dining	dining room
hang pictures in dining room	dining room
research chandeliers	dining room
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances	9/15/2009
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard
dig out front triangles	front yard
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard
clean front closet	hallway
re-line front closet	hallway
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway
call Slomins	house
research STAR tax break	house	9/22/2009
buy plants	house
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house
buy halloween decorations	house
get nice nightlights	house
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house
Pop open the chapagne	house
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
send invitations (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
Paint kitchen	kitchen	9/20/2009
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
buy organizers	kitchen	9/14/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	NA
clean toaster oven	kitchen
clean coffee pot	kitchen	9/19/2009
install dishwasher	kitchen
pick up dishwasher	kitchen
create meal plan for September	kitchen	9/18/2009
create meal plan for October	kitchen
research microwaves	kitchen
clean island	kitchen
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen	9/19/2009
wash all sheets and towels	laundry	9/19/2009
Get rug for living room	living room
hang pictures in living room	living room
find couch art	living room
pick up console	living room	9/19/2009
install surround sound	living room
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom	9/20/2009
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom
stain nightstand	master bedroom
hang Renoir	master bedroom	9/20/2009
find art for bedroom	master bedroom
hang mom's painting	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office
Put up curtains in my office	my office	9/20/2009
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office	NA
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office
file papers	my office
clean shelves in office	my office
clean blinds office	my office	9/20/2009
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

The Month Ahead

2009-09-15T14:40:00.002-04:00

I just laid out all of our October pay checks and what bills would be paid with which, how much money would be allocated out of each for food and fun, etc. It worked out perfectly. I think we can, I think we can!

Honestly, my biggest challenge is the grocery shopping. I really need to work on my meal plans for the next two weeks so I can go shopping this Sunday (after grabbing all the ads to check out best sales and deals). I'm hoping to use a lot of similar ingredients in different meals to cut costs (ground turkey chili, ground turkey shepherd's pie, ground turkey quesadillas, ground turkey tacos with refried beans, etc). Actually, that sounds pretty good for next week...

I also need to work on cooking on weekends, or having Blue BBQ (which is more likely). We have slipped back into the habit of just ordering out on weekends because of all the house craziness. And I need to stock up on lunch stuff also to avoid temptation to order out.

AND I need to get lunch stuff to make blue lunch during the week. The boy doesn't eat! I don't know how he makes it -- he says he just doesn't think about it or have time until 4pm. No breakfast, no lunch. I'm pretty sure his metabolism is shut down. Worries me. So I got fun containers to put his lunch in and some snacks, and I will do the housewife-y thing and make him lunch because its the only way he'll remember to eat. AND he won't be buying lunch on those rare occasions he DOES remember. So victory all around!

Chase is on my sh*tlist again

2009-09-14T21:21:00.003-04:00

Chase is about to get on my bad list again. We added Blue to my "roomie" account two weeks ago, because that will be our joint account. We requested a debit card, which was supposed to arrive in 3 to 5 business days. Has it arrived? No! And I feel bad that he doesn't have access to it, because I'm all about open access and communication even if I am "CFO", and because all of our housewarming money is in there, and especially as a chunk is from his parents, I feel he should be able to go out and buy the grill with a debit card and pay with the money we have instead of using his credit card (wow, run-on sentence!).

So tomorrow he's changing his credit card login so I can go in and pay off the "manly" stuff he's bought in the last week with our housewarming money. Speaking of which, my grandparents truly rock. I knew they'd give us something but they went above and beyond the duty of spoiling-grandchildren-hood. We're able to get a few bigger things like the grill that we'd thought we'd have to save all winter for. AND we got to boost the EF too (I insisted). And we bought the paint supplies with that instead of really tapping into money we already had saved. It feels weird to actually have a good sum of money in the checking account... can't get too used to it haha. But I digress.

So I emailed Chase last week, which usually gets a response ASAP. Nothing yet. What the frak? I'm just afraid the debit card is out there somewhere or something... or maybe my roomies misplaced it? I just need to know if it was sent! and if it was, have it cancelled and reissued. STAT. Joint accounts don't work if only one person can get to the money! So I guess tomorrow I will have to give them a call and find out what's going on.

In better news, Blue did manage to convince his HR to change his direct deposit to that account even though his name wasn't on the check. They took the statement with both our names on it. Phew! All set for complete joined finances on 9/25!

I do dream of having a new dining room set, but that will come later. Nothing like a few plants and a pretty blue tablecloth to spruce up a mostly empty dining room, right!? I'll post a picture when all the painting stuff is out of the room and it's more presentable.

It's really hard to resist my urge to have everything PERFECT immediately. Blue and I both like to have things exactly how we like it from day one -- we both had all our posters up and notebooks away within hours of moving into college, and we both want to go out and get our bedroom set and our dining set now. But we're not.

A) We don't have that money yet, though we hope to be able to buy some of it with our tax refund money and

B) I kind of want to try the more eclectic look. Buy one piece one place, another piece that goes but doesn't match elsewhere. Acquire over time. At least that's what I'm telling myself so I don't get antsy for the gorgeous bed I found... hehe. It's working so far.

And we love our new couch/loveseat set, so I'll just enjoy that and luxuriate in that (and its great sale price) for now. And I'll enjoy watching our savings balance go up every month, and our debt go down. Blue understands those needs, and supports those goals, but doesn't have the same drive I do, so it's good I'm CFO. Savings and debt payments are non-negotiable. With what we have left, we'll buy things as we're able. Patience is a virtue, right?

Some Pictures of our Progress

2009-09-14T14:29:00.007-04:00

I just wanted to share a few more pictures.

Our living room has the basics done, now it's just the little accents (like pillows and art) that make it feel more like home. And there is Blue's dream TV. I have to admit, it's pretty sweet. I just can't wait until we have our TV console it'll look better and be higher. Not sure where the coffee table will go, since it sure as heck won't fit in the room! The furniture was a bit puffier than we remembered!

My office is a bright but calming shade of "Bahama Bay." It went on in one coat, which made my day. I still need to take the blue painter's tape off -- I hope it doesn't rip the paint off! We've had great luck so far but knowing my luck, the one room I do by myself I will screw up.

I can't wait to see the room with all the black and white pieces I have, including a damask valance! I need to find a good black chair, preferably a wingback, but that'll be another day. For now I'll use a folding chair.

This is another corner of my office. This built-in bookcase will probably end up blocked by the daybed/guestbed that will go in this end of the room, so it'll be for long term storage. It took me two coats to paint over the pink walls and purple trim the room had, and I used every last drop of paint to do it. I finally don't see pink when I look at the walls, so I'm happy. It's "Polar Bear White," the brightest, crispest white I could find. It's amazing how many shades of white there are...

So that's it for today. Once we have finished rooms there will be more, although I might put up some pictures from when we paint the kitchen (a few weeks from now) a nice shade of "True Peach." I hope it looks good -- it's probably my riskiest color choice so far!

99 Things Redux

2009-09-14T14:21:00.007-04:00

We got a bunch of stuff done over the weekend, but not as much as we'd have liked. The Verizon Fios guy took almost six hours Saturday, during which we had our hands pretty much tied as far as painting or waxing the hardwood floors. Which might be for the best, as we realized we should wait until after we move in to do the floors -- they will likely get scratched during the move anyways.

Here is my updated 99 Things list. I've realized that not all of this will get done by housewarming (namely all the things we want to buy for the house) but the rest of it I hope to! Columbus Day Weekend is shaping up to be Landscape-a-palooza! Luckily my mom is bringing me TONS of cuts from all of her plants to get us started, so we only need to buy a few tree-like shrubs for certain places, and do a lot of re-grading and filling in ditches with dirt. There was a lot of erosion along the patio and sidewalk edges that are safety hazards we need to deal with.

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard
dig up garden spot	backyard
brick garden-spring	backyard
trim edges of yard	backyard
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard
buy rocks?	backyard
research and buy patio furniture	backyard
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard
Regrade flower bed	backyard
Research tulip planting	backyard
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard
plant bushes along back of house	backyard
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	Blue's office
call Windsor	boiler
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room
Get rug for dining	dining room
hang pictures in dining room	dining room
research chandeliers	dining room
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard
dig out front triangles	front yard
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard
clean front closet	hallway
re-line front closet	hallway
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway
call Slomins	house
research STAR tax break	house
buy plants	house
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house
buy halloween decorations	house
get nice nightlights	house
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house
Pop open the chapagne	house
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming
send invitations (family)	housewarming
Paint kitchen	kitchen
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	9/14/2009
clean toaster oven	kitchen
clean coffee pot	kitchen
install dishwasher	kitchen
pick up dishwasher	kitchen
create meal plan for September	kitchen
create meal plan for October	kitchen
research microwaves	kitchen
clean island	kitchen
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen
wash all sheets and towels	laundry
Get rug for living room	living room
hang pictures in living room	living room
find couch art	living room
pick up console	living room
install surround sound	living room
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom
stain nightstand	master bedroom
hang Renoir	master bedroom
find art for bedroom	master bedroom
hang mom's painting	master bedroom
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office
Put up curtains in my office	my office
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office
file papers	my office
clean shelves in office	my office
clean blinds office	my office
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

99 Things (blatantly ripped off from Kelly)

2009-09-11T14:55:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure if I'll do this in 99 days. Although I'd like most of it done by October 24th, so that's, what, 43 days. Hmmm. We'll see how this goes.

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment
research and buy shed	backyard
dig up garden plot	backyard
brick in the garden	backyard
trim edges of yard	backyard
find place to buy dirt	backyard
schedule dirt delivery	backyard
buy rocks?	backyard
research and buy patio furniture	backyard
Buy firewood, stack nicely	backyard
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard
Regrade flower bed	backyard
Research tulip planting	backyard
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard
plant bushes along back of house	backyard
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom
install hooks for robes	bathroom
clean white couch	Blue's office
call Windsor	boiler
car inspection	car
Get runner	dining room
Get rug for dining	dining room
hang pictures in dining room	dining room
research chandeliers	dining room
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard
dig out front triangles	front yard
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard
clean front closet	hallway
re-line front closet	hallway
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway
call Slomins	house
research STAR tax break	house
buy plants	house
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house
buy halloween decorations	house
get nice nightlights	house
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house
Pop open the chapagne	house
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming
create housewarming invitations	housewarming
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming
send invitations (family)	housewarming
Paint kitchen	kitchen
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen
buy organizers	kitchen
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen
clean toaster oven	kitchen
clean coffee pot	kitchen
install dishwasher	kitchen
pick up dishwasher	kitchen
create meal plan for September	kitchen
create meal plan for October	kitchen
research microwaves	kitchen
clean island	kitchen
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen
wash all sheets and towels	laundry
Get rug for living room	living room
hang pictures in living room	living room
find couch art	living room
pick up console	living room
install surround sound	living room
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom
stain nightstand	master bedroom
hang Renoir	master bedroom
find art for bedroom	master bedroom
hang mom's painting	master bedroom
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom
Paint my office	My office
Get rug for my office	My office
Put up curtains in my office	my office
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
paint office ceiling	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office
file papers	my office
clean shelves in office	my office
clean blinds office	my office
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs

A House at Last!

2009-09-07T21:41:00.004-04:00

On Thursday, September 3, 2009, at roughly 12:42pm, Blue and I became homeowners! My parents arrived that evening, and Paintapalooza began! I'm wiped out and so I'm not going to post a whole ton of photos (plus my mom took most of them and I haven't gotten them from her yet), but here's a before and after of the master bedroom (without furniture and decor).

Before

After

Home Stretch

2009-08-19T12:26:00.003-04:00

I used to think I was a patient person. Lately, though, I feel as if all I can think about is, "Now! I want answers NOW!" Is it so much to ask that a form be returned within two days, and not five? Is it so much to ask that phone calls be returned, and closing dates be scheduled more than two days in advance?

Apparently it is, because the sellers took their sweet time returning a necessary form last week, and now we're waiting for their lawyer to call with a final closing date. It is supposed to be Friday or Monday. But I can hear it now, "The sellers need more time. Blah blah blah. How's next Wednesday?"

Well, if they had responded when we first asked, they would have had PLENTY of time! But no, they took three days and now here we are, waiting for them, AGAIN. I am so sick of it. They were on our case every day about the mortgage and appraisal, which were pretty much out of our hands, and now they are lollygagging (love that word!) when it is all on them. So who's dragging this process out now, sellers? Who's the bigger pain in the ass? YOU ARE! Fork over your damned house. MY house. OUR house. Your time there is done.

At Last (Cue Etta James)

2009-07-29T12:08:00.003-04:00

I am just amazed at this feeling of complete relief that flooded through me the second I saw the message from our realtor:

"appraisal scheduled for friday or monday"

Short, cold, but oh-so-welcome! A few final hiccups, like them needing me to re-send the contract, swiftly led to action on the part of both our new bank and the appraisal company that's been assigned to us.

It is such a stark contrast to Chase, where Steve hemmed and hawed for three weeks, waiting for stuff to happen. It's been less than a week with the new company and here we are, days away from an appraisal and final approval. In three weeks Blue and I might actually be homeowners!

Thank god!

Final July Numbers

2009-07-27T22:07:00.004-04:00

6/12 NS Days (oops)
11/14 NEO days (better)
15.83/15 Hours working out (woohoo! and 3.2 pounds lost this month!)

Not so hot on the NS days, but I think I blew my budget by less this month. Haha. I fail...

August Goals
16 NS Days
18 NEO days
20 Hours

Let's see how I do this month! Hopefully we'll be closing on the house midway through and then who knows what I'll be spending, so I want to keep my other discretionary spending way down if possible. Here goes!

And now for something completely different...

2009-07-27T21:50:00.009-04:00

Meet my cousin's new puppy, Koda!

Giving my cousin a high-five!

A photo I took at the beach in Maine. I'm quite proud of it, actually. It took me a few tries to get the angle and framing right, but here 'tis!

On Getting a Mortgage

2009-07-21T20:02:00.002-04:00

Something is scratching,
itching,
clawing its way up;
tangled in my stomach
throbbing in my throat.
No peace
no rest
for this beast,
this anxiety,
or for me.
Hands tied behind my back,
no way to force a move
no way to tear this monster
from its stronghold.
Desire for pro-action
means nothing to anyone
but us
(and those waiting
for their take
of course).
No action,
it seems,
by anyone at all,
and so perhaps no home
for us.

House Hell Continues

2009-07-15T16:54:00.003-04:00

Still waiting on the appraisal. With the sellers, their agent, and our two agents breathing down my neck for updates, it pretty much makes me want to jump off a cliff. I can't HELP that the government wants a bit more oversight of appraisals and so it's taking a longer time than expected. Sorry, new regulations are NOT my fault. And the sellers KNEW we were doing an FHA loan, so they can just wait like the rest of us.

Want the keys in my hand yesterday. Another month+ to go...

Oh yeah, the cruise was a blast and we didn't go around buying lots of crap this time, so I felt quite accomplished on that front!! I did discover slot machines... but only lost $30 overall, so not too bad, especially when compared with some other people who were playing.

Next summer it's most likely camping for us, which I'm looking forward to. Blue's never gone, and it's pretty much the only kind of vacation I ever took until I hit college. And I haven't gone in at least three years, so I'm ready for a return to campfires and trying to find my way to the bathroom in the dark! Blue is skeptical he'll enjoy himself, to say the least, but is willing to give it a shot!

House Update!

2009-06-17T22:00:00.003-04:00

On Monday, we went up to our lawyer's office and signed the contract! Our lawyer is Blue's cousin, so he was really great explaining everything. I caught a mistake in the contract last-minute but we fixed it, and all is well.

So then I called MG at Chase to discuss our mortgage application. And he threw a baby wrench into it by suggesting a state program and so we held up sending the contract back to the sellers until we figured out which mortgage we wanted (something about seller's concessions). But having 2/3 of our closing costs covered by the state doesn't pay off when we're stuck with a higher interest rate for 30 years, so we're sticking with good old FHA and rolling closing costs into that. The contract's being sent back and we're moving along with our application. YAY!

I hope things are set by the time we go on our cruise next weekend...

And that I don't catch the flu from my coworker's lingering germs...

Inspector Gadget . . . er . . . Frank

2009-06-11T21:01:00.006-04:00

I was really nervous for our inspection on Wednesday. I kept thinking they would find infestations of termites or discover that the house was actually being held up with toothpicks or something else ridiculous and deal-breaking. But, after the termite guy finished hitting on me (in front of Blue, no less...) he told me there were no termites. And after House Inspector Frank finished his two-hour tour, pointing out little things along the way, we came up with a small list of things that would need to be fixed in the next few years.

We left to ponder the results, but not before the owners and their adorable daughters came home. They were so nice. I already knew I liked them after finding Taboo in their closet, baseball stuff in their bedroom, and diet coke in their fridge. The only thing missing was Homestyle Popcorn. They offered to show us how to take care of the pool and close it down for the winter, and gave us a rough idea of utility costs. Apparently the house is quite energy efficient, what with having new windows and a new roof. Their broker was extremely nice, and I almost feel that under different circumstances we would all be friends.

Today we came up with a list of things we want the owners to fix, which we rushed to come up with because our broker instilled the fear of God in us by telling me that the owners were still showing the house, and would until we signed a contract, which we couldn't until we negotiated the fixes. So we came up with:

1. Fix two outlets that aren't grounded properly
2. Fix two outdoor outlets to be GFCI'd (I think that means grounded, too, but whatever. Frank said they should be fixed).
3. Fix the step going from the kitchen to the patio.
4. Provide a $150 credit to patch the cracks in the sidewalk
5. And either provide an extra tile or the name of the store that carried the tiles so we can fix a cracked on in the kitchen (half-under the washer).

They said they'd do everything, and now we're just trying to hunt down Blue's cousin, who is our lawyer. He was communicative this morning, but then once we had things settled and needed to arrange a time to sign the contract, he's MIA. I'm hoping to go tomorrow after work or Saturday morning, but we'll see. Once we have the contract signed I'll be able to calm down, finally. It's been a crazy week. I think I've lost two pounds through sheer stress, because I'm not really trying to keep within my points range...

Today I also had two doctor's appointments. The woman who drew my blood was amazing--she asked me random questions such as "What is your favorite inspirational book?" while doing it even though I reassured her I was a pro and was fine, and she actually responded and asked follow-up questions. I want her next time! Then I went to the dermatologist and had a wart freezed (ew!) and also some injection to flatten a scar on my chest. Lots of fun!

And now we wait. I'm going to try to show Blue some fun things I found for our living room. I think we've come to an agreement: we can put a sci-fi poster in the living room if he lets me do polka dotted accent chairs... we're going for "Eclectic comfort." I like sci-fi as much as he does, but I don't really want it in the living room. But he doesn't want to be "confined" to one room, like in the movie Juno. So we compromise. So far, so good!

So that's the update for today! So close yet so far away...

A New Savings Fund

2009-06-09T13:43:00.006-04:00

It hit me today that we're going to have a house.

And that Halloween will swiftly approach after we move in, and that means I will need to do some serious Halloween decorating! It's probably my favorite holiday, and I've been longing to have a house of my own to decorate and hand out candy from; it just doesn't happen in apartment buildings... My BFF is going to come down in October to help with the Halloween stuff like carving pumpkins. She lives for that holiday (and is probably the reason I love it so much).

I just get filled with such warm fuzzies thinking about making it home for me and Blue.

And then Christmas... I might need to start a Holiday Decorating Fund! Oh my! I wonder how we will do Christmas? I always thought we'd deal with it when we got married, but now that we will be living together are we supposed to do Christmas together? Oy vey! I know I'm spending Thanksgiving with his family, but I think Christmas we might still do apart... my family is too far to do both in one day... hmm... I suppose we have time to figure this part out, huh?

Accidentally Went Shopping Again . . .

2009-06-08T23:14:00.003-04:00

. . . and we bought a house! Within minutes Blue and I both knew it was "home" and dragged his parents back with us to confirm we weren't being crazy. A day later we had negotiated a price and our offer was accepted. A day after that, I was stressed to the max doing what I thought would be easy.

Getting a pre-approval (which we should have had to begin with) for the amount of our offer in time to please the sellers and keep our offer on the table. I filled out an online application at Wells Fargo for an hour and a half, only to be told it would take three business days. SHIT! I had only hours! So I called and spoke to a human, who took some information and said my application would be expedited and I would receive a call by 3 p.m.

While waiting those agonizing hours, instead of doing work (as I was at work) I called a mortgage guy recommended by our broker. I was leary of trusting any broker's advice (kickbacks abound in real estate, I'm sure) but went ahead. The man was extremely informative and gave me a verbal pre-approval. Said he'd have the letter to us within an hour.

Two hours passed. No letter. Meanwhile I call Wells Fargo back to see what's going on there.

Well, their phone system kept booting me back to their welcome menu. I would get transferred to the correct department, then get booted. I was ready to scream from repeating "yes" "no" "financing" to their stupid voice activated menus. I wish I could have just pressed numbers, my coworkers were giving me looks. No way to hide that I wasn't doing work...

Anyways. I finally put my foot down and when someone answered the phone I said, "Before I get kicked off your system for the seventh time (yes seventh) please give me a name and extension of someone in this department" got the info just in case, and then proceeded to talk to the person about my situation. Wouldn't you know it, but now that I had a direct number, their transfer actually worked! I got someone very nice and helpful, but Wells doesn't do closing cost roll-in, so we won't be using them.

So I emailed the second guy for my letter, which was finally sent to me. With my last name spelled wrong. Got that fixed, sent it to my broker to send to the seller's broker to send to the seller to confirm we were 100% seriously going to buy this house (still nothing signed - that comes after inspection). My broker emails that the taxes are listed wrong. I attempt to call my mortgage guy (he's "my" mortgage guy now) but he doesn't answer.

I reluctantly go home, after doing a solid hour's work after hours to try to make up for my waste of a day. When I get home, MG (mortgage guy) calls and we straighten out the taxes situation. He says I can afford taxes several thousand higher, and approves me up to that, "just in case" (God I hope not!!).

Then we tackle the Good Faith Estimate of closing costs he sent me. It is the most confusing spreadsheet known to man. Costs appear in six different sections. Things are added and subtracted seemingly on a whim. I seem to be paying for coffee and muffins for MG's entire company (not really, but it seems like it). So we discuss. Some things can be negotiated a bit, some things not. Having Blue's cousin as our lawyer will help a bit. We hang up, with me feeling like I have a handle on things. Then I look at it again and convince myself that the "Borrower brings to closing" costs ONLY include closing costs, and that we actually owe double what I thought. Freak out. Call mom. She says it's okay to back out of the deal. I start to cry (almost). I say, "No, we will call MG back again and figure this out, I know this isn't right." Then I look again. One of those pesky costs is listed twice, which I remember MG saying is included in mortgage and is NOT paid that day, and thus the numbers all work out to an amount that we expected and currently have in the bank, plus some.

But, long story well, long, we have the pre-approval and are going forward with our inspection Wednesday!

And my mom said we might be able to buy my stepdad's car for $2500, which would be amazing. We could probably work out an arrangement to pay that back out of our tax refund later on. Another weight somewhat lifted. And she also said my grandfather will likely give us a few thousand to "get started." I love my grandfather. He bought me my first car, and let play with the tools in his woodshop when I was small, and built most of my furniture, and I don't tell him often enough how amazing he is.

So onward and upward on the homebuying journey!!!

May is over . . . thank God!

2009-05-29T20:12:00.009-04:00

I'm not quite sure where May went. I know I saw Star Trek . . . twice. And Terminator Salvation. And there was a trip home for Mother's Day, and a shopping spree at the outlets in Long Island. There was some stocking up of items like shampoo and toothpaste at the drugstore. I joined Weight Watchers and began going to meetings. And there was a bit of house-hunting and budget finagling and deciding to try to buy something this year to get the tax credit and just get on with our lives together. There was even some engagement ring shopping (but not buying). And now, suddenly, writing it out like that, I realize where my May went. It went with my money. Out. Gone. Buh bye now.

And here is my problem. I don't exactly regret it. I now feel professional and attractive going to work in my new summer clothes. I have four tubes of toothpaste for the price of two, which will last me a good long while. I'm eating healthier, getting back on track with working out, and have lost 1.6 pounds in my first week counting points, giving me renewed motivation to get back to my "normal" weight and stay there. And I am more in love with Blue_wagon than I ever have been, as we imagine our life together and discuss what we want in our house and in our future. All in all, I cannot complain about these expenditures. That they came all in one month, and that yes, I used credit cards for some of them, is not a good thing. But I have paid off half the clothes already, and the other half will go with the next paycheck.

And June has been determined to be a "cheapskate" month, hopefully filled with playing baseball with friends, poker games, tending my soon-to-exist vegetable garden, and eating primarily only what I already have in my possession. Several weekends will be spent house hunting, which is free (until you buy one), and another will be spent redoing Blue's parents' deck. I will get stronger and healthier, and all for relatively nothing. So that kind of balances May out, right?

All hail red_wagon, the Queen of Justifying! (and banana bread, too, apparently, but that's another story).

I did make some progress in my debt race: my total debt payoff is $724, leaving me $26,600 to deal with (though it's probably gone up due to that shopping spree . . . ). I also have around $1700 in savings now, which feels pretty darned good. I just hope I don't have to be a bridesmaid anytime soon, since I have a whopping $6.34 in that fund . . . most of it is in my Emergency Fund ($1081) and my Medical Fund ($275).

In any case, here are my other final numbers from May:

11/17 No Spend Days
14/19 No Eating Out Days
15.33/20 Working out hours

Epic fail.

Making Progress

2009-03-18T21:41:00.009-04:00

So far this year I've paid off almost $1000 in debt and am $300 down from my starting total from back in July 2007. I feel like it can only keep going down now!!

Okay, truth be told, I don't really feel like talking about money right now. I'm excited and happy about my progress, and my almost $2K in savings, and my awesome new employer contribution for my 403(b), but I sort of just want to share some cool pictures I took at the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade! I may be a mutt, but I'm very proud of my Irish heritage (about 25%, I think) as well as my French Canadian (50%). Not so much the German, probably because I'm not fond of that grandmother. But anyways. I digress.

You'll have to

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T13:47:00.005-05:00

I promise to have a real post one of these days, detailing how I now have just about $1000 in my Emergency Fund, or how I've been working out hard core (and yet still gaining weight...), or how my vacation is going to be way cheaper now (and I have it half saved for!), or how I'm finally paying down debt at an awesome pace! But for now, a card I found in Duane Reade that made me literally crack up.

New Year, New Job

2009-01-07T23:03:00.004-05:00

So today was my first day at my new job as Production Editor for a very highly esteemed research foundation. Things I learned:

1. My capacity to learn new names is minuscule. Name tags, anyone?

2. I could get very, very fat eating what they serve for lunch daily. For free. Or I could go the healthy route and eat the salads and skip the dessert table... decisions, decisions.

3. Bernard Madoff lives down the street. Look for me on the news, as the news vans are many.

4. It's time to get glasses. Eight hours of checking character counts and page numbers will help you realize that real quick.

5. I kind of like dressing up for work. We'll see how long this lasts...

6. My new boss cares enough to send back the desk they ordered for me just because it was the wrong stain of wood. Which means I have a craptastic little table until the end of the month, but hey, at least my desk will eventually match the decor! Now, if only they would replace the ghastly teal carpets... (it is so sad that when I Google "teal carpet" this one, named "ugly carpet" is among the first hits...)

That's my day in a nutshell. I also learned more about my benefits and went over the employee handbook (felt like elementary school).

On a non-work-related note, sometimes I just need to get smacked in the face. Opened a NY&Co credit card for an extra 15% off, which worked out really well. Once I pay off that $40 (for $125 worth of nice clothes!) I will cancel it. Along with my Old Navy card, while I'm thinking of it.

Although, don't they say you should have at least one store credit card? Thoughts?

P.S. I need to stop checking the Web sites for my old company. The person who took over keeps making silly mistakes but it would be kind of condescending of me to point them out, right? Never mind that I could log on and change it myself... I doubt they've changed the password. Hmm... might be interesting just to see if I can log in... teeheehee.

Okay, on that slightly crazy note, off to bed!

New Year's Resolution

2008-12-11T15:27:00.005-05:00

I recently wrote a piece on Associated Content that I'm pretty proud of.

New Year's Resolution: Better Money Management

I'm feeling so motivated. Twenty-five is being very good to me. All of a sudden I am moving towards a better job, more money, an easier time achieving my financial goals, the ability to go to grad school without getting into more debt. It's amazing and uplifting and I feel oh so optimistic about my future again! I was so sick of being stuck in a rut!!

And there you have my birthday reflection post. That's about all I've got for you. If I had written it last week it would have been far more pessimistic and woe is me. Amazing how things change!!

Look Who I Found!

2008-12-08T21:53:00.006-05:00

While walking through Rockefellar Center the other night with a few friends, we happened upon a large, red, furry creature. ELMO!!! In fact, there were three or four of them.

I can't decide if I'm excited or terrified in this photo... all I know is that my hair SERIOUSLY needs some help!

Please note: this was taken with a cell phone so that's why it's poor quality.

And I promise a REAL, financial post is coming. I just couldn't resist sharing my Elmo moment with all of those who love him so much.

My "Nephews"

2008-12-03T14:37:00.015-05:00

This is purely a bragging about my adorable kitty "nephews" post, rather than a financial one or even an "Oh-my-God-I-Turn-25-Friday!" one. Those will come tomorrow, I hope! Sushi is all grey, Moji has the white.

Homestretch

2008-10-19T21:13:00.006-04:00

As I sit here watching the Red Sox try to create miracles (again), I realize I'm not so different from them.

I had ups and downs all year long. There were some months I hit all my targets and hit my debt payoff goals out of the park.

There were some months where I got in a slump and found myself down in the count at every opportunity: going on vacations I couldn't afford, buying clothes I didn't need, and finding unexpected expenses popping up around every corner.

But as I careen into the final innings of the year, I find myself full of confidence. I made some lineup changes, gaining two roommates and thus cutting costs. Goodbye Manny Ramirez (pricey apartment), hello Jason Bay (Two and Three).

Some people had doubts that I'd do the right thing with the extra money, but so far it's been a lot of home runs and stellar plays in the outfield (like sending $300 to savings and paying off $200 in personal loans).

I'm hoping to make it to the next level, the World Series victory of my financial life: $1000 in my Emergency Fund by January 1, 2009 and another $700 in personal loans paid off by then. And, for good measure, I aim to pinch-hit a cash Christmas and maybe bring in a reliever in the last inning and start financing my Medical Fund for next year.

We'll see how it goes, though. Like the Red Sox, I am notorious for screwing things up in the final moments.

And I make no apologies for this horrible, drawn-out metaphor. I have baseball on the brain. So sue me!

Time for the Old Switcheroo

2008-10-08T21:53:00.007-04:00

I received some mail yesterday (snail mail still makes me so happy...simple things in life, eh?) from Citi. Apparently they are no longer doing the Upromise program. If I want to stay with the Upromise program, I can switch the card to evil Bank of America.

Now, I didn't get this card for the Upromise benefits, but for a balance transfer offer that I've yet to use. I have until the end of November to use it. 0% for a year, no fee.

If I don't care about Upromise, I can get switched to another, non-Upromise Citi card. Which is what I am planning on doing. But I figure I need to use this offer before this switch happens, hoping that the new card will carry over my transfer terms, but I can't count on them to carry over the offer itself, if I haven't used it yet. Right? I don't count on BoA sticking to the terms, but another Citi card should. Right?

I really hope so, because I have a promotional rate on my AmEx expiring in December, which was what I was going to transfer to the Upromise card. And there's about $4500 on that card, so I can't exactly afford to pay the interest on it. Hoping hoping hoping that Citi sticks to their word and finds me an "equitable" card and maintains the rate/terms/etc. Sigh.

It says if I use the card before October 31, that means I want to keep the Upromsie and they automatically switch me to BoA. But does a balance transfer count as "using" the card? Maybe I should just do it asap before they can quibble over timing.

I feel like every time I have a solid plan and have begun making progress, something throws a wrench into it. But I guess that's how life is, right? A series of plans and obstacles and finding ways to overcome. Hoping this turns out to be a minor issue, I just need to time the transfer right!

The Red Sox Win the ALDS!

2008-10-06T23:29:00.006-04:00

I can't believe it! They're doing it again!!

As a lifelong Red Sox fan bred on the notion that while we want the Sox to win the World Series they never will, to have lived through 2004 while in Boston, and then last year while in NYC, and now getting that tingly feeling again that has me whispering to myself, "Can we do it again?," it's just been an amazing few years.

Oh, how I wish I was in Boston right now! Moments like this I wonder why I'm here in NYC. I should be with my "people." Might have to watch the next series at a Sox bar. I'll make friend!

But for now I'm mainly just giddy with excitement and anticipation. How I adore my Red Sox, and my Jason Varitek. Whom I have met and who is a wonderful, kind, charitable man who holds that team together.

Who says we need Manny Ramirez to win the World Series? We've got Jason Bay! And he costs the team less (see, it is a financial post after all)!

My New Apartment

2008-10-03T10:54:00.011-04:00

This picture was taken before Hurricane Red took over the living room. You can see my beloved Papa San chair that I can finally use again (my last place was too small) and the doors to two of the bedrooms (yes, curtains will be covering the glass asap).

This is my new room, complete with my favorite painting in the entire world, Renoir's La Danse a Ville. I first saw this in 2001 in the Musee Dorsay en Paris, and just stood in front of it for about a half an hour. I just find it amazing the story that's being told in one simple painting, and hope to someday write a screenplay about the events surrounding this one moment (kind of like "Girl With a Pearl Earring"). I did well on the poster ($18) but the frame cost over $200 (and that was half off!). Ah well, you can't win them all. It's a painting I have treasured for years, and so the framed one will last my lifetime, I'm sure. You can also see Jack Vettriano's Singing Butler on the floor, which will hopefully hang in the stairway.

Our small garden, in which we hope to have a vegetable garden in the summer in order to save on groceries and to keep things as organic as possible. Roomie #3 plans to make our cleaning supplies at home, as well. We're gonna try to be green AND frugal! Wish us luck! I might also plant some tulip bulbs this weekend to border the garden. I love tulips like you wouldn't believe, and hope to someday get to see the fields of them in Holland!

The kitchen, which will be the scene of mass-baking of banana bread and apple butter for blue's family's Christmas gifts this year. And it has a dishwasher! You can't even fathom how exciting that is. I don't know if my sink at my old place was ever free of a dish or two, and most of the time it was piled high. It's just so hard to motivate oneself to wash dishes after a coma-inducing meal.

And so that is my new apartment, which is currently absent my two roommates. It's probably helping me transition, though. Going to a new place WITH roommates might have sent me off the deep end. At least this way I feel good here before I need to start learning how to play well with others again.

And I have admit, I can't stop thinking about how I hope they move out next year and blue moves in. I know he likes it, and I think we'll be ready for that step next fall. It'd be the perfect little first home for us, and I already think of it as ours. Which is probably bad, since there's a whole year to get through, and my roomies might even want to stay longer than that. Ah well. I can dream, right?

The Other Side

2008-10-02T16:41:00.004-04:00

For a while there, I thought I'd never make it. And by "a while" I mean most of last week. Within the space of three very long days, I bid farewell to my ill stepmother, found out the apartment we *thought* we were going to be moving into last weekend would NOT be ready, and had my duties at work readjusted so that I was no longer working on my pet project, due to budget issues. Needless to say, I cried. A lot.

But here I am, a week later, and things are looking better. We managed to find an adorable apartment in a safe, fun neighborhood. I am all moved and and nearly settled, and ready for my roommates to move in next week so we can start the fun (though I may accidentally kill them. Totally accidentally, of course. I'm not used to living with people...). Blue_wagon has a new job that he starts in a week or so, and our relationship is thriving (my cooking him dinner AND dessert last night has nothing to do with it, of course). And I am looking forward to new responsibilities at work and working closer with many of my coworkers. (Also still looking for a new job, as always. My dream job is out there somewhere. Probably on Mars.)

So it seems I somehow survived September. (Did I mention that I was Maid of Honor in a wedding somewhere in there, too?) And not only did I survive, but I just put $200 in my EF and paid back $200 to blue. And I still have money left over! I can tell this whole "extra money" thing is going to be great, as long as it goes to the savings account and not, say, a new shoe collection.

'Cause I could always use more shoes. I was actually having a shoe dilemma this morning. It felt too chilly for "summer shoes" but my winter ones just aren't "cool." I went with my trusty, three-year-old red moccasins. They are bedraggled. They are dirty. They are falling apart and actually, the missing piece of sole on my right shoe causes me to walk with a funny limp. But I don't care. These shoes trucked me across Europe three years ago, and I think I will keep them forever.

That said, it's probably time for new ones. Luckily, moccasins seem to be in this year. So, if I have enough at the end of the month, I might allow myself new shoes. Maybe two pairs if there's a good sale. We'll see. But MOST of what's left goes to savings. I swear. I'm excited to be making progress, and I just pray our company doesn't tank like so many others. Hard being an Internet startup these days...

But at least with my crappy shoes I'd fit right in on line at the soup kitchen!

That's me, always looking on the bright side. Cause that's where I am. I made it to the other side and it is shining brightly for me!

Halfway There (cue Bon Jovi)

2008-09-17T17:15:00.005-04:00

(Because *someone* requested an update!)

As you can tell from my cute little tickers on the side, I'm not doing so badly this month.

I'm on track to meet my NEO goal (or is that NDO goal now?).

I might squeak out another eight workout days to meet that goal (but I've lost two pounds any way! This is what happens when I finally quit Weight Watchers and stop obsessing. My body figures it out for me. For now.)

I might, if the heavens smile upon me and I regain my focus, meet my No Spend goal for the month. I'm honestly not trying too hard on that category, and I've done no "extra" spending. It's been groceries or other necessities, along with a few nights of takeout. As long as I'm not spontaneously renovating my wardrobe, I consider it a success. PLUS I might actually stay within budget.

Granted, I expanded my budget in anticipation of having extra money next month (I usually set aside two weeks of spending money from my "bills" check, along with extra $ to cover my rent. But now that my rent is LESS than one check, instead of OVER one check, I can actually KEEP my "extra" money. Or spend it. Or save it. I'm planning on a little of both. And later . . . debt payment! Savings first, though. I really need to remember that, since I'm so eager to be debt free. But having that cushion . . . ahhhhh . . . it was so nice and soft. And I want it back.

I feel like I was in a (parentheses) and didn't close it. But I'm too tired to go and find the (. Oh well. Can you tell I've been working in HTML today? I need to have open AND close tags! hehe.

On other fronts, my cousin's wedding was a rousing success (I cried like a baby but my hair was AWESOME!), I'm packing slowly (if only I had a lease . . . we're getting down to the wire here, folks!), and there's a sad trip to Florida this weekend. Most likely will be the last time I see my stepmom—she's not doing too well. I've come to terms with it, and we'll try to make it a fun weekend, but given my stress levels from everything else and my recent weeping at the wedding, it's quite possible I'll be an emotional wreck on the way home.

As long as I don't go on a shopping binge to make myself feel better, I'll make it through. And as long as I have a place to live on October 1. 'Cause being homeless would suck. Big time.

And once October 1 gets here, there's nothing. No plans (yet). No parties. No moving. No trips. No nothing. And it will be fantastic.

August is Over

2008-09-05T16:54:00.003-04:00

August Stats

Budget: Blown
5/13 No Spend days
13/22 Workout days
16/13 No Eating Out days

At least I met one goal, right?

Life is hectic, but life is good. I'll make it eventually.

More later.

Hurdles

2008-08-01T11:14:00.003-04:00

When I think about this month I get this strange sense of apprehension. I feel like it's all about to spiral out of control, because I can't plan for every penny when I don't know what's coming. I don't know if we're going to get our apartment next week or September first. I don't know what I'm going to need to buy to make my new room a home. I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm home for my week of "vacation." I just don't know, and it kind of scares me. After about eight months of rather tightly controlled planning and spending (with some relapses of course) it is a frightening thought to be going into a month without my safety net of the perfect budget, because I just don't know. All I can do is to control my spending as much as possible on the days that I can, I guess. And look forward to a month or two from now when my rent will be cut in half (pretty much) and I can FINALLY get my $1000 emergency fund and get a zero on my CitiCard for GOOD. No more using it for this or that "emergency." No, I will have cash for those now. And THAT brings me an incredible sense of relief, if only I can get over this hurdle that is August.

July Stats
Budget: Blown
NEO days: 17/18
No-spend days: 10/13
Workout days: 20/2o YAY success!
New apartments: 1/1 (I hope....)

So, going to try to meet my goals for August as much as I can, and try to stay as close to budget as possible... wish me luck!

Unexpected

2008-07-22T14:12:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I got an invitation in the mail to one of my college roommate's weddings. Considering how she was "polyamorous" and said she'd never get married to just one person, I was surprised. Also surprised because we were never terribly close and haven't talked in almost two years. I have another commitment that day (thank goodness....does that make me a bad person?) so I can't go. But I felt obligated to send something from her registry. Sigh. So goodbye $50. I'm hoping blue_wagon will pay me back for half, since he was on the invitation, too. I figure she'll understand us spending so little, since we're all struggling in similar boats...

Luckily I do have a "gift fund" that will cover it, but I had intended that money mainly for Christmas gifts, and it seems like it will be depleted by then. And this is only the beginning. I'm sure more and more friends and family will be tying the knot in the years to come, and I'll have to set aside even more for the "Gift Fund." But where will that come from? Really hoping to find a job with higher pay in the next six months, and with a cheaper apartment, it might just be possible. Along with all the zillion other financial goals I have... it seems like a never-ending road I'm on, full of unexpected expenses that still knock me for a loop even though I try to plan for them...

Shift in the Optimism Winds

2008-07-18T15:19:00.005-04:00

A photo I found online that epitomizes how I feel . . . it's amazing what making a little progress can do for a person who is struggling.

My debt total is back where it was when I joined WIRR almost exactly a year ago, so I met that monthly goal, if only by 26 cents (I'll take what I can get).

I have 9/18 days of NOT eating out, 6/13 days of NOT spending, and 11/20 days of working out!!! I'm going to do it this month people, I swear!

I have begun apartment hunting with my future roomie, and just seeing the lower rent I'll most likely be paying starting in a month is like a breath of fresh air. I'll have money to send to savings, to grocery shop with without guilt, and to send to my credit card debt. I'm determined to make progress with my savings in rent and utilities (though our talk of getting a kitten might take some of that money . . . we shall see).

So, long story short, I'm optimistic for the future again, much as I was in the Summer of 2007. I have a plan. I have a goal. I am back on track. Things may come along to try to get me to fall off again, and I might stumble, but I will continue to march forward. Huzzah!

Now, if only I could figure out what the hell I'm doing tonight. It's Friday night and I want to hang out with someone, and not be by my frugal self in my apartment. I wonder where blue_wagon is . . .

Such a Slacker

2008-07-04T11:13:00.004-04:00

It's been a while. I was doing so poorly I just couldn't bear to post it up here. I met my revised goal of ten no-spend days in June, garnering 13 by the end of the month. Now, here we are in July and I'm ready to go! I'm still shooting for my ideal off 18 no-spend days, but we'll see how I do.

I really am trying to make July as spend-free as possible, but I'm having another weekend visitor that will want to go experience NYC, which is fine, I just need to keep my spending to that weekend. Wedding gifts are another big expense, but that should be coverd out of my Gifts Fund (but what will I do at Christmas?).

I am so sick of being broke (and of saying that I'm sick of being broke). I know how to handle money now, I just don't have any to handle!! My debt has gone back up, but I am determined to get at least to my total from last July by this July 17th. It's a new year and a new resolve! Or more failure...

Hopefully I'll have another, more inspiring, and optimistic post another day. At least I raised my (401)k to 4% for the maximum company match! Small victories, I guess.

I just wanted to stop in and say Happy Fourth of July!

Don't You Just Love a Bargain?

2008-06-11T21:27:00.003-04:00

It's going to be painful when and if I cease to be an employee of Barnes & Noble. Working for one of their publishing groups and getting the employee discount has honestly been one of the best and yet one of the worst things to happen to me. It's like putting a crack addict in a room full of the stuff and then saying "Don't touch!"

My discount is amazing when it's time for birthdays and Christmas, because everyone could use a new book or a DVD. My discount is slightly less amazing when I could honestly buy half the store. I walk through and just want to take them all home with me. My general rule is to just avoid the store at all costs, as I know I would lose whatever willpower battle I ended up in once I set foot inside.

With an extra 10% discount this week (40% off!), I knew I was in trouble. Blue_wagon wanted to pick up a few things, and I went with him so he could mooch the discount, planning on buying two books. He had strict orders to drag me out of the store if I tried to buy more than the two.

Well, I walked out with seven (Blue is such an enabler!), none of which were the two I'd planned for—they were out of stock. But I consider it $40 well spent for a summer's worth of quality reading (alright, so Janet Evanovich might not be the highest quality, but it's perfect beach reading and I love her, so leave her alone, okay?) Books will always be my weakness, and I honestly am okay with that. I'll space out reading the books and use them as rewards for working out, so they will be extra helpful to me. If I have the willpower to resist them in their pretty green B&N bag.

It could be worse. At least I'm not a crack addict.

See Red. See Red spend. See Red fail.

2008-06-09T19:42:00.004-04:00

I have zero no-spends. And yet I'm not sure I feel too terrible about it, because they were things I needed, and it was a rare super spend weekend . . . I usually am so good.

I had planned to budget for new sneakers and jeans for July, but great deals at the outlets prevailed, and I used the forbidden credit cards (can we say failure?). I also snagged Teva-type sandals, which will be uber-comfy walking around NYC this summer ($70 total).

Speaking of, I don't recommend playing tourist in 95 degree heat. My brother and his wife were visiting, with her aunt (NYC virgin), so I played host. It was a lot of fun, but I completely melted. Oh yeah, and bought lunch for myself, and an iced coffee. Well spent, since I don't see them often, but still . . . a spend day ($25 total).

See Red. See Red spend. See Red try to justify it all.

And then, without thinking, I bought my dad's gift today (a whopping $6, 40% off - I am a bargain shopper!). I could have coordinated it with pub trivia on Wednesday, but completely forgot about my goal. At least I used my debit card, though I should have used the cash in my wallet. I'm now at almost nada in my checking account. Again.

That's the feeling I want to get rid of. I hate living paycheck to paycheck. I hate feeling trapped by my lack of money, whether I want to buy lunch out for once or I need to pay the dentist. My emergency fund is tiny (does $300 count?) and I end each month at $0. I don't spend on frivolous things (anymore) and I track every penny. I plan and adjust and try. What am I doing so wrong? I mean no offense to anyone, because I know I am blessed and doing okay in the long run, but I'm sick of feeling poor.

See Red. See Red fail. See Red want to cry.

Hits and Misses

2008-06-05T16:01:00.004-04:00

Today is the end of my May, a six-week-long budget month where I've definitely struggled to remember, let alone stick to, my financial goals. June will bring better days, I hope. I've been reviewing my budget daily this week in order to psych myself up, and I think it's starting to sink in. I think I'm ready for tomorrow.

Last night I went $10 over my budget at pub trivia, but part of that was over tipping, I think. We have our "usual" waitress who is just awesome, and I'd feel bad sitting there for four hours, getting only an appetizer and a dessert, and not tipping well (at least 18% if not more). She brought me lots of water, too. I probably feel better over tipping than buying too much food, so it could be worse. But still, definitely a miss on the "stick to your budget" goal.

At lunch, I hate to stay in the office for the entire hour, especially in this gorgeous weather. Usually I have an errand to run, like depositing a check (from doing surveys), mailing something (like my rent check), or needing to pick up something at the drug store (like Zyrtec—don't even get me started on the frustrations of having that OTC now). So I get a nice walk in and accomplish a few tasks. Funny how they're usually money-related . . .

Today, I had nowhere to go. I ended up exploring a new section of Broadway and discovered an awesome store called "Fishs Eddy." It's all sorts of dishes, new and vintage. Old restaurant-type dishes, creme brulee pans, just lots of fun stuff (have I mentioned I love anything kitchen-related?). I might have to go back to get four elephant plates. But not today! (Seriously thought about it, though.) A definite "A" for sticking to the plan.

Then I found myself outside the Union Square Barnes & Noble. Now, keep in mind I work for a sub-company of theirs, and so receive a nice 30% discount (guess what everyone gets for Christmas?). The first year or so I'd buy a book a week, at least. And then, when I started realizing how much I was spending, I stopped going. We get advanced copies of books in the office, so I started grabbing those, and they've been pretty good, though limited in selection.

Well, I went inside today, "just to look," and was immediately overwhelmed with the smell of new books, with the sense of undiscovered worlds and people calling to me, with the pull of various covers or titles and just wanting ten books the second I walked in the door. I even found a display entirely for one of my favorite historians, Alison Weir. I picked them all up, read all the jackets, said to myself, "Not today," weeped a little inside, and left. And you have no idea how hard that was, or how happy it made me feel to know that I've got a little strength left in me after a month of pretty freely spending (ah, vacation).

Hits: 2. Misses: 1. I'm winning, I'm winning!

Now, if only I can get back on the working out/healthy eating track. But that's a different blog altogether.

How many new beginnings must a woman make before she can be debt-free?

2008-06-04T14:15:00.003-04:00

It's been almost a year since I began my quest to eliminate my debt. Almost a year of reigning in spending, cutting back on fun nights out with friends, and severe budgeting. Almost a year of failing to stick to the budget, too (but always trying). A year, and I'm right back where I began.

Of course, I kind of knew that was going to happen. Blue_wagon and I went on a cruise a few weeks ago, and while I'd saved $400 up for spending money (major accomplishment!), I went over. We had a great time, and definitely needed to get away, but it still sucks to see my debt numbers back where they started, especially since I'd gotten so excited when they finally went down over the winter.

So June is a new beginning. I'm going to stick to my budget! I'm going to cook at home again (hard to get back into that after eight days of full service dinners). I'm going to focus on my goals and just do it. I know I can.

And at least my debt stopped going up. That's one other major accomplishment of the past year. I'm proud of that. This is the year it starts going down. With a vengeance. Sounds like a Bruce Willis movie. Debt Destroyer: With A Vengeance. Coming soon to a theater near you. I like it.