Ok...this is sad but true. I am 44 yrs old and I finally have managed to have a 200.00 cushion in my checking account for end of year. I've maintained this cushion for over 6 months. I am now a grown up.
So...Now that I've reached grown up statis what is the next step?
Well, I've been brainstorming strategy. After much deliberation, I realized I am in the position to pay all of my bills out of the first paycheck of the month. Hmmmm....What to do with the second paycheck? Once a month grocery shopping and a large chunk will go to savings!! WOOOT WOOOT!! I have a plan! AND it is do-able.
Now, I make a modest income. Take home is approximately 1200.00 a month. I was horrified to see that I was litterly blowing 400.00 a month and for the love of Pete (Puma), I couldn't tell you where it went!
So how to accomplish this amazing thing? There is a wonderous invention called....drumroll please... a CALENDAR!!!! In the words of the ancient Pharoah's...."So it is written...So shall it be done!"
My first paycheck of 2011 is on the 4th. That day will be a day of celebration. I will take the cushion and 100.00 from that check and open a savings account. WOOT WOOT!! I've already set back 1/2 of the bill money so there will be a small surplus and enough to purchase groceries until the second paycheck. During the 2 weeks between I will work on a monthly menu plan.
I am all powerful! Mwahahaha I will call this "The Money Plan". Budget is such an ugly word.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Losing weight....
In March the employees where I work took up the Biggest Loser challenge. So far I have lost 13 lbs!! Total Company pounds lost=191!! I've been trying to keep it at a steady rate. I am looking at this as a life style change not a diet. I'm feeling stronger and my confidence in myself and abilities is soaring!
It's amazing what you're capable of when you look at things with a "CAN DO" attitude! I've learned from last year that I have to look at the big picture! If not, I will gain all the weight back and add more to what I lost. Last year I lost 16 lbs. I gained that and 5 back.
I joined the YMCA and have been using their "Technogym"...awesome! I can't wait to go! WoooWHooooo!
It's amazing what you're capable of when you look at things with a "CAN DO" attitude! I've learned from last year that I have to look at the big picture! If not, I will gain all the weight back and add more to what I lost. Last year I lost 16 lbs. I gained that and 5 back.
I joined the YMCA and have been using their "Technogym"...awesome! I can't wait to go! WoooWHooooo!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Meet Petunia
Thursday the dh and I went to a car dealership and purchased an Aveo 5 (Chevy). I am in love! sigh....
It's a small 4 door w/ a hatchback. It looks small from the outside but it doesn't feel small when you're in it. The dh actually gets claustophobic in little tin cans but he was fine in the Aveo. I got a stick cause I love the control it gives you. With a 42 mile round trip 5 days a week, I really need a car that's good on gas and this one gets 35mpg.
We'll see how good she does. I've named her Petunia after my "inner princess". It's her reward for not spending money we needed for the down payment! I guess you could say it's my way of reminding myself that saving money brings good things to us...me and that little child inside that I used to let boss me around. I know that anyone reading this will think I've finally slipped 'round the bend, but hey...if it works who am I to mess with it! ROFLMAO
It's a small 4 door w/ a hatchback. It looks small from the outside but it doesn't feel small when you're in it. The dh actually gets claustophobic in little tin cans but he was fine in the Aveo. I got a stick cause I love the control it gives you. With a 42 mile round trip 5 days a week, I really need a car that's good on gas and this one gets 35mpg.
We'll see how good she does. I've named her Petunia after my "inner princess". It's her reward for not spending money we needed for the down payment! I guess you could say it's my way of reminding myself that saving money brings good things to us...me and that little child inside that I used to let boss me around. I know that anyone reading this will think I've finally slipped 'round the bend, but hey...if it works who am I to mess with it! ROFLMAO
Monday, April 12, 2010
My Work Is Done!
Some things just drive me crazy! One of my favorite things that drives me crazy is my 14 yr old son. I love him to bits. His name is Matthew, which in Hebrew means " Gift from God". He is that and so much more to me.
He's at that age where he "KNOWS" everything. Yeah! My work is done. I can sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labors...ROFLMAO. I can't wait until he hits 18 (literally hits it like a semi doing 70 mph thru a road block) and discovers the "I DON'T KNOW SH*T STAGE", otherwise known as the "I want my Mommy" Stage...giggle
A few days back he decided to make French Fries for lunch. Well, thankfully, I was downstairs and smelled something cooking. I went to the kitchen and discovered the hot grease cooking fries all by itself....simply AMAZING...no cook. Can we say, "NOT HAPPENING"!!!
Matthew got Middle named.... For those of you not familiar with this term, that means both his first and middle name were in play when I called him to the kitchen. Middle naming is a common activity for Mother's round the world. More serious events, such as a kitchen fire, would have resulted in a FULL NAME-ing incedent.
When I asked him why he'd left the hot grease unattended, he replied, "But I just checked on
it." Oh, right! That makes everything OKAY. Truthfully, he is smart. He thinks outside of every box I've tried to put him in. His life experiences just need to catch up to his IQ.
I brought up previous events to remind him that yes, bad things can happen. Like the time his father sat down on the couch to wait for the grease to heat up and fell asleep. Thankfully, he smelled the smoke before the fire got out of control. Or the time his sister poured cold water onto an overheated pan of grease and it splattered all over her hand and wrist causing 2nd and small 3rd degree burns (same sister has hit the "I don't know sh*t stage recently--grin).
Of course, none of this had any relevance to his experience. I have no idea what made me believe any of it would.
Anyone out there have a brick wall I can borrow? I really need to bang my head against it!
This one incedent alone would cause some concern, however, just last night he walked away from the tub while it was filling for his bath. You guessed it....it rained, conveniently, just below the bathroom into my foyer. I have a rug scrubber. Did he think to use it to clean the water up? Nope....all my clean white towels and some buckets to catch the drips.
Do you know what this feels like? Recall Lucy and Charlie Brown...ya know when Lucy pulls the football back at the last second and poor CB lands flat on his back...that's how this feels.
I keep repeating, "this too shall pass". I know, one day I'll look back and laugh. I'll let ya know when that happy day comes. lol For now, I guess I'll pray he doesn't hurt himself and that he learns from these experiences. A mom can only hope.
He's at that age where he "KNOWS" everything. Yeah! My work is done. I can sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labors...ROFLMAO. I can't wait until he hits 18 (literally hits it like a semi doing 70 mph thru a road block) and discovers the "I DON'T KNOW SH*T STAGE", otherwise known as the "I want my Mommy" Stage...giggle
A few days back he decided to make French Fries for lunch. Well, thankfully, I was downstairs and smelled something cooking. I went to the kitchen and discovered the hot grease cooking fries all by itself....simply AMAZING...no cook. Can we say, "NOT HAPPENING"!!!
Matthew got Middle named.... For those of you not familiar with this term, that means both his first and middle name were in play when I called him to the kitchen. Middle naming is a common activity for Mother's round the world. More serious events, such as a kitchen fire, would have resulted in a FULL NAME-ing incedent.
When I asked him why he'd left the hot grease unattended, he replied, "But I just checked on
it." Oh, right! That makes everything OKAY. Truthfully, he is smart. He thinks outside of every box I've tried to put him in. His life experiences just need to catch up to his IQ.
I brought up previous events to remind him that yes, bad things can happen. Like the time his father sat down on the couch to wait for the grease to heat up and fell asleep. Thankfully, he smelled the smoke before the fire got out of control. Or the time his sister poured cold water onto an overheated pan of grease and it splattered all over her hand and wrist causing 2nd and small 3rd degree burns (same sister has hit the "I don't know sh*t stage recently--grin).
Of course, none of this had any relevance to his experience. I have no idea what made me believe any of it would.
Anyone out there have a brick wall I can borrow? I really need to bang my head against it!
This one incedent alone would cause some concern, however, just last night he walked away from the tub while it was filling for his bath. You guessed it....it rained, conveniently, just below the bathroom into my foyer. I have a rug scrubber. Did he think to use it to clean the water up? Nope....all my clean white towels and some buckets to catch the drips.
Do you know what this feels like? Recall Lucy and Charlie Brown...ya know when Lucy pulls the football back at the last second and poor CB lands flat on his back...that's how this feels.
I keep repeating, "this too shall pass". I know, one day I'll look back and laugh. I'll let ya know when that happy day comes. lol For now, I guess I'll pray he doesn't hurt himself and that he learns from these experiences. A mom can only hope.
He's The Most Wonderful Man In The World....
I have the most wonderful dh. He gave me my birthday present 6 months early! What did he get that has put me over the top of the world? A LAPTOP!!!! I am sooooo happy :) Yes, even happy enough to use silly little side-ways smiley faces! So happily ecstatic that I'm doing the lap-top happy dance...nooooo, I did not say lap dance... snicker LAP TOP!!
Now I can blog to my hearts content about life. Could get interesting. I wonder if anyone will ever read it but me? Lots to do...gotta run.
Now I can blog to my hearts content about life. Could get interesting. I wonder if anyone will ever read it but me? Lots to do...gotta run.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Bashing on Scam Artists....disgusting
I have been dealing with the lowest life-form there is for more months than I care to think about...the slug (sorry little slugs) called a Scam or Con-Artist. Why are they called that? As if Lying and Cheating old people on fixed incomes out of their SS checks is some kind of Art Form to be admired.
REALITY CHECK: Con Artists are THIEVES not ARTISTS!
Ex. # 1 May I speak to Fill in the blank? He/She has won a cash prize. We just need you to send a check for Fill in the blank to cover our processing fees.
Ex. #2 May I speak to ? This is about fraudulant activities on her FILL IN THE BLANK account. This one does sound reasonable...that is until you ask for their name and the agency they work for. I will happily forward their info to so and so, but I will not give them so and so's phone number. The slug wouldn't give me his name or the name of his agency-- claiming privacy for so and so. BTW...after agreeing to give me the requested info...name, phone number, etc...the slug hung up on me.
In ex. # 1 It's fairly obvious how they get money from the victim. Ex. # 2 is a bit more complex. They talk to the victim and trick them into "confirming" their bank or savings account information. Next day Granny doesn't have any money left in said account.
Just last night, I was called a Lying F'n B for telling the scummy slug that my MIL doesn't live with us. She doesn't. She moved out last summer.
How professional is that?
I guess I have done my job! I have frustrated him to the point that he resorted to name calling. Darn, that just hurts my feelings. lol
Watch out...they could be after your Granny next.
REALITY CHECK: Con Artists are THIEVES not ARTISTS!
Ex. # 1 May I speak to Fill in the blank? He/She has won a cash prize. We just need you to send a check for Fill in the blank to cover our processing fees.
Ex. #2 May I speak to ? This is about fraudulant activities on her FILL IN THE BLANK account. This one does sound reasonable...that is until you ask for their name and the agency they work for. I will happily forward their info to so and so, but I will not give them so and so's phone number. The slug wouldn't give me his name or the name of his agency-- claiming privacy for so and so. BTW...after agreeing to give me the requested info...name, phone number, etc...the slug hung up on me.
In ex. # 1 It's fairly obvious how they get money from the victim. Ex. # 2 is a bit more complex. They talk to the victim and trick them into "confirming" their bank or savings account information. Next day Granny doesn't have any money left in said account.
Just last night, I was called a Lying F'n B for telling the scummy slug that my MIL doesn't live with us. She doesn't. She moved out last summer.
How professional is that?
I guess I have done my job! I have frustrated him to the point that he resorted to name calling. Darn, that just hurts my feelings. lol
Watch out...they could be after your Granny next.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Forgetting passwords....sigh
Passwords...we all have them. They drive me nuts! I'm constantly having to reset the buggers as I forget them before I'm even done typing in the newest submission. errrrr....
Password roulette....hmmmm.....interesting
Random thoughts...random passwords...I wouldn't know if I were coming or going! Life is confusing enough without adding more to it!
Just my thoughts for the day.
Password roulette....hmmmm.....interesting
Random thoughts...random passwords...I wouldn't know if I were coming or going! Life is confusing enough without adding more to it!
Just my thoughts for the day.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Frugal Thoughts
I am a frugal soul by nature. I thank God for the internet whenever I need to find new ways to save money!! For many pinching pennies has become an artform...Personally, the more ol' Abe screams the happier I am!
So on that thought I would like to list some of my favorite frugal things to do!
1. Use rubber tubs for dish washing, thus using less water than my double sink holds.
2. I then use the clear rinse water to either flush the camode or add it to the laundry.
3. Use old shampoo to swish my toilet...as Marla Cilley say, "Soap is soap."
4. Use a hand pump to dispense dish soap....cuts the usage in half!
5. Take short bathes...about 1 inch of water in tub. If I want to pamper myself, I'll take a
nice hot deep bath...but for a quick get ready for the day, a small bath is all that's needed.
6. Set a timer to remind you to get the clothes from the dryer....saves putting it back on to get
the wrinkles out.
7. Cook double meals and freeze half.
8. Use your left overs.
9. Use a push brush (I have a Bissel) between vacuuming to pick up pet hair....Saves electricity
and ware and tare on your vacuum.
10. Hang clothes to dry when weather permits...or use indoor wood clothes wrack.
Well...that's a good start. I'll add more as I think about them. I know I do way more than these.
Goodnight...
So on that thought I would like to list some of my favorite frugal things to do!
1. Use rubber tubs for dish washing, thus using less water than my double sink holds.
2. I then use the clear rinse water to either flush the camode or add it to the laundry.
3. Use old shampoo to swish my toilet...as Marla Cilley say, "Soap is soap."
4. Use a hand pump to dispense dish soap....cuts the usage in half!
5. Take short bathes...about 1 inch of water in tub. If I want to pamper myself, I'll take a
nice hot deep bath...but for a quick get ready for the day, a small bath is all that's needed.
6. Set a timer to remind you to get the clothes from the dryer....saves putting it back on to get
the wrinkles out.
7. Cook double meals and freeze half.
8. Use your left overs.
9. Use a push brush (I have a Bissel) between vacuuming to pick up pet hair....Saves electricity
and ware and tare on your vacuum.
10. Hang clothes to dry when weather permits...or use indoor wood clothes wrack.
Well...that's a good start. I'll add more as I think about them. I know I do way more than these.
Goodnight...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Rant....errrrrrrrrrr....
I've gone back to work full-time per necessity. After a year and an half, I have finally gotten my home back to "part time employment" cleanliness. It's not Perfect, it's FLYing... If you haven't a clue about FLYing...click the link at the side :) Even Born Organized people may benefit from this wonderful program!!
I have not whined (much), though I have drug my feet a time of two...or three...hehehe
All I have asked my DH to do is make sure DS cleans up the kitchen after dinner when I am on Afternoon or Midnight shift....Shift work sucks! I will happily make sure they have dinner in the oven or crockpot if I don't have to clean the kitchen when I get up or before I go to bed.
It seems to me that they don't care who does it...so long as it's not them.
I'm feeling whiney and I don't care who know's it! They will be cooking their own dinner tonight and I'm not saying a word. Let them figure it out....I quit!
I'm going against every fly principle I've been taught...I'm suppose to FLY for me...well I'm not here for dinner so I'm not cooking!
In the immortal word's of Marion Cunningham as she thunks frozen meat and lettuce on the table..."Here's your roast(dinner)...Here's your salad....LIVE IT UP! Hopefully that's close enough...you get the pic.
I have not whined (much), though I have drug my feet a time of two...or three...hehehe
All I have asked my DH to do is make sure DS cleans up the kitchen after dinner when I am on Afternoon or Midnight shift....Shift work sucks! I will happily make sure they have dinner in the oven or crockpot if I don't have to clean the kitchen when I get up or before I go to bed.
It seems to me that they don't care who does it...so long as it's not them.
I'm feeling whiney and I don't care who know's it! They will be cooking their own dinner tonight and I'm not saying a word. Let them figure it out....I quit!
I'm going against every fly principle I've been taught...I'm suppose to FLY for me...well I'm not here for dinner so I'm not cooking!
In the immortal word's of Marion Cunningham as she thunks frozen meat and lettuce on the table..."Here's your roast(dinner)...Here's your salad....LIVE IT UP! Hopefully that's close enough...you get the pic.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Reguarding Online Dating...
How can "Online Dating" be considered actual dating? When did Bits and Bytes become maps to the soul? You can't gage some one's character by their keystroke. There are no visual or audio cues to help determine some one's honesty and integrity and yet people still try to "DATE" online.
Some would argue that web-cams solve the visual/audio problem, but I say nothing can take the place of actually sitting down with another person--watching their responses and allowing your inner intuity to guide you.
I can be anyone...do anything online and no one knows if what I type is true. Too many individuals take advantage of lonely and naive women because (let's face it) most of us want to see only the good in others. There is nothing wrong with looking for goodness in everyone we meet. However, reality is seldom as wondrous as the fantasies we create for our invisible online-friends.
Preditors count on our taking them at face value...It's human nature.
Some would argue that web-cams solve the visual/audio problem, but I say nothing can take the place of actually sitting down with another person--watching their responses and allowing your inner intuity to guide you.
I can be anyone...do anything online and no one knows if what I type is true. Too many individuals take advantage of lonely and naive women because (let's face it) most of us want to see only the good in others. There is nothing wrong with looking for goodness in everyone we meet. However, reality is seldom as wondrous as the fantasies we create for our invisible online-friends.
Preditors count on our taking them at face value...It's human nature.
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