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Archive for January, 2017

Explanation of the Two Trips on Sidebar

January 31st, 2017 at 02:22 pm

I updated my sidebar. I thought I would explain the two trips. A few weeks ago my daughter decided she was going to drive up to MI in March. My grandma isn't in the best of health, so she wants to see her asap. She was going to do the drive on her own. Her best friend is going, but she doesn't have a license.

Anyhow, we talked, and in the end I decided to join her and help drive. I am paying the difference in gas for her to swing over to the far end of the panhandle to pick me up. Basically, everything figured in, my portion going to run no more than $200. We are driving straight through. We have a place to stay and most, if not all, of our meals are covered. My uncle will be in town from Florida too and insists on covering meals. My parents also tend to want to feed us. We are packing food for the car. I have a refund coming from the cable company (another nightmare story) and will use that money for this trip. In addition to helping my daughter drive and seeing my grandma, I want to look at towns where I am considering living. This takes the burden off sending friends and family to do it for me.

The New Hampshire trip is not set in stone. One of my close friends is getting married Labor Day weekend. I really want to go, but she knows about the major move and totally understands if I cannot make it. I will see how the move all works out and decide in June on that one. I won't do it unless I can cash flow it from regular spending and any potential leftover moving fund money.

I also wanted to note the moving fund is just the cost of moving our stuff. I already have money set aside for first month's rent and a security deposit.

Laptop Fund Etc.

January 30th, 2017 at 01:49 pm

I have started a laptop fund. I am going to purchase a new laptop with what I obtain in Amazon funds over the next few months. Assuming my current laptop lasts, I plan on getting the new one in June after the move. I hope to earn around $400 in Amazon gift cards by then. My current laptop is 3 and half years old and has minor issues. I hope to keep it as a backup.

I will have enough from Cross Media (formerly known as Screenwise Trends) for another $25 later in the week. I just added $20 from my daughter. She gave me an Amazon card for my bday. She insisted even though we normally only do birthday cards. My current total is $51.

On the birthday note, my youngest baked an amazing blueberry muffin cake. It is the best cake I have ever had! I also got a nice card from my oldest son and his family.

I am afraid the aquacise classes weren't so frugal this month. I absolutely need to go today and tomorrow. Even with those visits, it will only be four visits (It's $25 a month for unlimited classes. They are offered M-F) for the month. I was sick earlier in the month, and after that I had a huge work project. I feel so out of shape. I really need to get back to that routine!

Have a great week everyone!


Car Update Etc.

January 17th, 2017 at 03:51 pm

I am slammed with work lately. I am not complaining. It is good for the budget. Today is especially busy. The only reason I am here now is I have 15 minutes before a phone meeting, so I don't want to get into the middle of any work projects at the moment.

I had the two tires replaced on the car on Saturday. I also got an alignment. The total was $306.26. DH agreed to pay $120 toward it.

On a side note, I am proud of my son. His father got him an Auto Zone gift card for Christmas, so my son decided to tackle his own brakes. This is the first time he has done anything on a car. It took most of the day yesterday, but he got it done with no issues. I asked DH to make sure he got the car jacked up safely and to check on him periodically. He asked DH a couple of questions, but he did all the physical work himself. He wants to tackle spark plugs next. He will do his and mine.

I haven't spent any money since Saturday and don't plan on it until Thursday. I wish I could have five day streaks every week! Time to go sign in for my meeting. Have a great day everyone!

I need to diversify my savings!

January 13th, 2017 at 10:25 pm

I keep my savings accounts with Capital One 360. I have separate accounts for an emergency, short term savings and my moving fund. I have a debit I don't use with them that I can transfer the money to if I were to need money immediately.

Earlier this week I had a log in message to call Capital One. They think someone tried to sign into my accounts, so they froze all of them and cancelled the debit card. As luck (or lack of) would have it, I got a slow leak in one tire and a flat on another today. I only keep an extra $100 in my regular checking, and I just paid all the mid month bills a few hours before this happened.

I will use the credit card to cover the tires and pay it off when the money is freed up. But this got me thinking about what to do with all my savings going forward. This money is frozen for up to 10 business days.

To top it off the girl I spoke to in their security department said she would try to free up one of the accounts immediately, and I could go to the ATM. I asked her what I was supposed to do because the debit got cancelled. She said I should just be able to punch in my account without a debit card. I was without words at how crazy it was she thought that could be done. She admitted after a couple of minutes it wouldn't work.

I could kick myself for getting rid of my second credit card (Long story, but I was ticked off with the company). With one card, I am limited in an emergency without access to savings. I am definitely going to start keeping more savings in my main credit union account. I am also seriously reconsidering Capital One altogether at this point.

2017 Goals

January 2nd, 2017 at 02:15 pm

As I said yesterday, with the move in June it is difficult to set some goals for the whole year. However, I want to be able to reflect back next year, so I am going to give it a shot.

Goals before the move:

Declutter: This is pretty easy since I already started. I don't own a lot and may even finish this goal in January.

Continue improving health: I will continue with the aquacise classes, and I am only shopping the outside aisles of the grocery store. The exception are household goods and coffee.

Save for the move: We are putting away $75 per week for the move. I am also contributing bonuses and snowflakes.

Goals from June forward:

Continue the health goal.

Come up with a long term savings plan: Once I know how mystery shopping works out up north (I will still do it, but I am afraid bonuses won't be as plentiful in a more populated area) I can make a plan more easily. I also want to sub, and I need to see how often I am called.

Volunteer: I think I mentioned I am joining my friend and her family in volunteering for Game on Cancer.

Spend a lot of time with family and friends: This won't be an issue being so much closer. It will be nice not to run around and see who I can fit in on a short trip!

Wardrobe: I read so many posts this morning and got this idea from someone else (I am sorry I can't remember who right now, but thank you for the idea!). I really need to start putting more effort into dressing nicer. Since I am losing weight and don't want to drag more than I have to on the move, I will put more effort into this post-move.


I think all of these are very doable. I guess time will tell for sure!

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2017 at 03:02 pm

Happy New Year! After a lot of soul searching this past year, I knew I needed to surround myself with positive people, live life with more purpose and spend more time with family and friends. I was prepared to follow my son (for the most part) to wherever he decided to go to college. I am so glad he chose MSU. I head home for good (a 100 miles give or take) on June 1st after 19 years. And yes, it is for good because I am getting too old for the major moving adventures. I know the year won't be perfect or without challenges and major changes, but overall it should be a great year!

Financially, my son and I are saving aggressively for the move. I will set long term goals later in the year when I am settled in Michigan.

I hope this year brings only the best for my fellow SA'ers.