Nhgirl1970's Personal Finance Blog

I made yet another trip to the Detroit area this weekend. I went to pick up the Chinese college student who my son was going to room with before he decided to commute. He is such a nice young man! I enjoyed the ride with him. I took him on a few errands on the way back too. He was hungry so we went to Wendy's. It was interesting explaining the menu to him. We also went to the TMobile store so he could get a sim card and to Target for supplies. I got him to the dorm at 10pm last night.

I left on Friday morning because I was off from editing. I managed to pick up a few mystery shops with no out-of-pocket expenses and made $60. A friend went with me because she had a few errands, so it was fun. I had a $10 Starbucks card so we used that for free coffee.

I am happy to say the only money I spent was $3 for my dad's newspapers. I have been doing quite a bit of laundry at my parent's house this summer, so I refused his money when he tried to pay me for them.

Now that things are settled as far as celebrations and trips, I am not going back down until October. My grandma is turning 90!

I came home last night and went through my mail. I was elated to see a check from my apartment management company. I knew I was getting a referral check because of my older son moving in. I expected $25 or $50. The check is for $300! It came at the perfect time. August is so tight with child support ending last month and subbing not beginning until next month. It is all going to bills with one exception. I am going to buy a pizza for my son's family. After all, I would not have had this money if it weren't for them.

I spent money on gas, groceries, a duplicate key and two drinks at the mall in the past 11 days. My total spending was $57.79.

I don't anticipate any money being spent in the next several days. I am taking my grandson to the movies tomorrow for an early bday present. It is a mystery shop and includes snacks, so it is free in the end!

I have his party on Saturday, but I bought his gift a couple of weeks ago. I also have a mystery shop for groceries on Sunday.

I think I previously mentioned my son is going to commute to school after all. He got a car today. He put money down and got a three year loan. His payment is $105 a month. I am sure he will pay it off sooner. It is a low mileage 2006 VW Jetta. It is in great shape. The dealer checked it out thoroughly, and we also had a mechanic check it out.

He also got a new job (he starts later this month). He is going to work at CVS right across from campus. He will have a permit for the garage, so he won't have any costs for parking on campus. He will ride his bike around, as his classes are pretty far from where he will be parking.

I went to my substitute teaching orientation this morning. I am all set and just waiting on log in info. I should start working regularly after Labor Day. I can't wait to build back up my savings!

Last Saturday I did the Red Robin mystery shop with my three year old granddaughter and oldest son. It did cost me $5.00 out of pocket, but that was the tip.

I had to go back to the Detroit area to pick my youngest son up from his trip to NH. I went down Monday morning and returned Wednesday afternoon.

I spent $55 this trip (rounded up). I don't feel too guilty because it included gas and my grandson's birthday present. The rest was eating out. I used a lot of gas running around. I spent Monday with a friend and ran errands. Tuesday I visited my cousin and my grandma.

When I got back Wednesday, I needed a few groceries. I spent $21 at Target.

I did manage to make money while I was gone. I did three mystery shops (one in the Detroit area and two on the way home) for a total of $67.00.

I also got freebies. I got a pizza that I was able to redeem from last week' TMobile Tuesday. I also got a beach towel for this week's freebie.

I don't plan on spending anything this weekend other than $12 at Kroger. That will be covered, as it is mystery shop.

Total spending-$81.00

It is a beautiful day today. I already went to the credit union to deposit my paycheck. I have to work, but it is a fairly easy day. I will definitely take a walk and maybe pick up the grandkids and take them to the park. The only issue with that is they never want to leave!

I got off real cheap on the trip down to the Detroit area. My friends insisted on buying my dinner when we went out. I bought a coffee and a cheap lunch while I was there. I also picked up two Meijer shops for $25 each, so I made money that I wasn't counting on.

Since then, I spent another $8.61 at Meijer for coffee creamer and a collander.

Spending breakdown for the week:

$8.61-Meijer
$2.65-Wendy's
$3.71-Biggby Coffee (Ouch!)

Total=$14.97

I am doing a shop for Red Robin shortly with my older son. I may go a little out of pocket for that. If so, I will put it in my next update.

Yesterday, I got my two tires. The total was $219.75, but I found an unused $50 Visa gift card! So, my out-of-pocket was $169.75.

Today we went to the zoo. I only paid for myself. Grand total of $1! I got a free granola bar and popsicle too! I also spent $3.25 on laundry so my grand total is $4.25.

Tomorrow and Thursday should be no-spend days. By Friday, I will need to get a few groceries. I am hoping my only spending between now and my short trip to the Detroit area on Monday afternoon are the groceries and one load of laundry.

I made a decision to stop saving for the laptop with Amazon funds. I was hovering between 100 and 125 the last few months. I never got past that because legitimate purchases would come up (printer ink, grad gifts). My laptop is fine at the moment. My oldest son said he has a cheap spare if I have an issue.

Once I start subbing, I can save to purchase one. I figure I should be able to replace it no later than Black Friday. It also will not limit me to Amazon.

I spent $113.38 Thursday on Amazon which nearly wiped out the funds. However, I purchased a lot of needs. It felt good not to spend actual cash. I got a new pair of sneakers. Mine are over a year old, and I wear them almost every day. I also got a bra. I ordered a Prime Pantry box (I had free shipping) as well. I got enough household goods to last the remainder of the summer. I bought a handful of food items including a cake mix for my son's birthday cake.

I was going to hold off until Prime Day. However, a few of the pantry items and the sneakers were low on stock. I doubt there would have been deals on what I bought anyhow other than free pantry shipping, which I had anyhow.

All of this will help my bottom line a great deal. I usually have $75 per week to spend (gas, groceries, household goods, laundry, fun money). I am going to cut that back to $60 for two months. My gas spending in nearly nil these days. Between mystery shops and Aldi, grocery spending is low as well. I am washing the small stuff in the mini washer. Laundry is $3.25 per load. I am trying to keep it down to two loads a week (for both me and my son).

Friday's spending-$34.43

This was for gas, a birthday card, fixings for taco salad (This was to feed older son's family upon arrival) and dryer sheets. My son was supposed to pick the dryer sheets up (which is why they weren't part of the pantry order), but he never did.


Saturday's Spending -$6.07

I bought milk, juice and shredded cheese. My brain apparently was not working well enough on Friday.

Sunday Spending $0

Unfortunately, today will be major spending. However, it will come out of the Emergency Fund. I have a flat tire. I was due to replace the two back tires in the fall anyhow. I am hoping it will be $250 or less. The roads are terrible in MI. It isn't worth bothering putting on top of the line tires. I was just offered another side project at work, so I should be able to replace this money later next month.

I should have joined the official Uber Frugal Month Challenge, but I did not. I don't believe I have purchased much this month other than groceries. I am going to unofficially join in and keep track the rest of the month. Beyond groceries the only spending I have planned is the following:

-Cake, ice cream and card for my youngest son's birthday next week. Total cost should be no more than $20.

-I am going to the zoo next week. Meijer is sponsoring zoo days for a $1 per person. I will take the grandkids on Tuesday. My oldest son and his wife will be unpacking, so my youngest son will go with me. That means $4 for tickets and whatever parking costs. I will not buy any food, so I am sure the total will be less than $10.

-I am taking my youngest son to the Detroit airport on the 17th. He is going to New Hampshire to visit friends and his half brother for a week. I am off for two days, so I will stay at my parents and visit local friends. My son is paying for the gas, but I am going to allow myself $20 spending money because it is quite likely I will eat out at some point. There is a small chance this trip will not cost me anything if I can find a restaurant mystery shop.

I will do a little spending via mystery shopping this month, but I don't count that as it is fully reimbursed.

I am off today save a couple of leftover edits and two phone shops. It is hot, so I am going to relax and do a bit of housework.

Tomorrow I am going to walk the mall in the morning. Hopefully, I will see you there Merilee!

Other than that, I am trying not to stress over my son and his family on the road. They leave tomorrow morning and will be here by noon on Sunday if all goes as planned. I am super excited!

For Laura (or anyone else who may have been interested): I had the interview with VIP, and I thought it went well. However, the follow up email was I didn't have enough ESL experience, so they were not going to go any further with me. That was fine, but I was not happy with them. I raced home from the Detroit area that day to prep for the interview. They had my resume. They know my lack of ESL experience. I guess my point is, they should not have had me bother with the interview.

Merilee, I saw your comment on my last post. We should meet sometime. Do you do the mall walking?I am going to start Monday! I walk in the park now, but walking in air conditioning with others is appealing.

I went to parent orientation at the university yesterday. I learned a lot. My son had to stay overnight in the dorm. I will go pick him up shortly. I hope he had fun!

Also, he got a summer job at Subway. Final tally on his grad money was just over $1200. He bought a bike, lock and helmet. He is also planning on a laptop. He will put any leftover money toward books.

Next week my older son, wife and kids will be here too! I am so excited they are moving here as well. They both transferred their jobs at CVS.

My daughter is going to Wilmington, NC next week to explore the area. She has an opportunity to almost double her income if she transfers her job there. If anyone knows anything about that area, I would love to hear more (as would she).

On the financial front, I am spending as little as possible. I only have one more child support payment left. I am all set up for subbing in September, but it is that two month gap where I need to be very careful. I am trying to pick up more mystery shops and am also volunteering for some extra editing. Even with two trips to the Detroit area, I have barely used any gas. Everything is so close here, I don't think I have used more than a half tank all month other than those trips.

One of my FB friends posted this home in AZ on 20 acres:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/az/concho/669-county-road-8235-stanford/pid_18337473/

You must see for yourself...

I am starting to settle in at my new place. I finally sold my sectional on FB Maretplace and picked up a new love seat on clearance. It is so much more comfortable than my sectional!

I am trying to pick up a little more work. I started the application process with VIP Kid (Thanks again Laura for mentioning it). I also sent an inquiry to a local tutoring company. The owner is interested and is going to set up a meeting with me next week (He is out of town this week).

Mystery shopping is going well in the area. I am near everything and barely need to use my car. The mall is less than a half mile. Also within a mile are Target, Meijer, Big Lots, Aldi and more. There is also a beautiful park and library right across the street.

One of my bffs and her family drove up Saturday (100 miles) and we went to a HUGE farm market. I love that place, and it is only two miles away. This weekend I am driving down to the Detroit area to see some family and go to the same friend's daughter's grad party.

As far as DH, he pulled what I half expected. He had nowhere to go in NH, so he stayed in MI. He actually told me when I was signing my lease I needed to add him. I was furious and told him it was not happening. In the end, he found a room to rent downtown. I have had to be rude with him this past week because my patience was running out. He was not getting there is no longer a "we" without my being quite blunt. Everything is off the moving truck (He got a storage unit), and it has been returned. I helped him find a mini fridge and microwave on the Marketplace. My son agreed to help him move it in today. The fridge is kind of big, and DH can't lift it. I told him this was the last thing we were assisting him with, and he has to sink or swim on his own now.

I made it to MI with no issues. It was probably the smoothest road trip for me ever. I am pleased with the apartment and the neighborhood. Otherwise, I am sore and exhausted. I will be glad when everything is unpacked and put away. I look forward into settling into a routine.

It's the calm before the storm. My daughter, her bff, bff's daughter, and my son's bff (who lives down by my daughter) area on their way up from south Florida. Tomorrow is my son's graduation. They will stay through Saturday. Then it is the final push for packing before we get the moving truck Tuesday.

At this point I am mush. I am completely mentally and physically exhausted. I spent a ton of time this week selling DH's stuff on FB Marketplace this week. I asked more than he was going to and got full price offers on all but one item. I finally had to say no more. After all, I am working on top of all of this!

Anyhow, I wanted to wish you all a safe holiday weekend. If nothing else I will check in late next week after I "back in the mitten" (MI).

I am being told I have to leave the electricity and water on in my name for 5 business days after I leave. Is this normal? It is not in my lease, but it is on the checkout list I received when I gave my notice. I talked to the property manager and told her I am not comfortable for paying for a place I no longer live in legally after the 31st. She was polite, but she said this is standard and I won't receive my deposit if I turn the utilities off early. This house is owned by an individual not a company. I also have no idea if anyone will be living here in those five days. I know when I moved in, it was one day after the other tenant left.

I never paid attention to FB Marketplace before. I rarely use the FB app, but I ran across the marketplace recently and put stuff up on it this morning. We made $275 dollars today! Within minutes, I had replies for two dressers, and old kitchen table and chairs and a gas grill.

I am waiting on the person to pick up the table and chairs, but the others showed up within an hour. This is so much easier than a garage sale or Craigslist.

This is stuff that my husband owned for years, so it is his money (although he gave me $40 for putting it all up).

Now I need to look around and make sure I don't have anything else I personally need to sell.

I had my regular job this weekend but no mystery shops, so I did some major packing. A lot of my stuff was never unpacked. However, I had went through all the boxes, so I had condensed some boxes into smaller ones and taped them back up.

I got rid of a few more things. DH got rid of a ton of stuff (mostly clothes and books). We also had my son and his friend bring the dressers downstairs to the garage. I am going to put those and the kitchen table up on FB Marketplace. They are antiques that are DH's, and he does not want them. I have always hated the style (very big and bulky). I am hoping someone who loves antiques will want to refinish them. I told DH he might not get much, but I am hoping he gets something, as he needs the money.

We still have three weeks, but we really HAD to get this stuff done. The house is up for rent, and I have to allow potential tenants to walk through.

The big news is my older son, his wife and my grandkids are moving too! They will be in the same apartment complex. I am so excited! I will have to be very careful with the budget with the grandkids so close. They are currently in Florida as well but 600 miles away. They will join us in MI in mid-July.

When you have moved, have you given away or sold what you didn't want/need?

I had my regular job this weekend but no mystery shops, so I did some major packing. A lot of my stuff was never unpacked. However, I had went through all the boxes, so I had condensed some boxes into smaller ones and taped them back up.

I got rid of a few more things. DH got rid of a ton of stuff (mostly clothes and books). We also had my son and his friend bring the dressers downstairs to the garage. I am going to put those and the kitchen table up on FB Marketplace. They are antiques that are DH's, and he does not want them. I have always hated the style (very big and bulky). I am hoping someone who loves antiques will want to refinish them. I told DH he might not get much, but I am hoping he gets something, as he needs the money.

We still have three weeks, but we really HAD to get this stuff done. The house is up for rent, and I have to allow potential tenants to walk through.

The big news is my older son, his wife and my grandkids are moving too! They will be in the same apartment complex. I am so excited! I will have to be very careful with the budget with the grandkids so close. They are currently in Florida as well but 600 miles away. They will join us in MI in mid-July.

When you have moved, have you given away or sold what you didn't want/need?

Last week my check engine light came on. Over 700 dollars later ($722.81 to be exact), it is fixed. I have put over $2000 into my car the last few months. However, a lot of that was regular maintenance. I have replaced two tires, the rear brakes, a control arm, two sensors, a coil, had an oil change and a tune up. I am going to get the transmission fluid flushed before I hit the road, and I hope that is the last of it for awhile. My car is a 2010 Santa Fe, and I hope to have it last at least two more years. I will need to replace the other two tires before winter, but that "should" be it for the year other than oil changes.

This month every little bit extra is going in savings for the move. I have the money for the rent, deposit, truck, gas and one night in a hotel. However, I know I will need to fill my fridge from scratch. I also know other things will likely pop up. I am working extra admin hours this month, so that will help.

Other than that, not much new here. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Happy Easter! Not much happening here. I am working. We were allowed to take the day off, but I saw no reason to do so. I have no plans, and I do not get paid for being off. My son was invited to a cookout at a friend's house. Since our time here is winding down and I had nothing special planned, I encouraged him to go. It is a beautiful day, so I may go for a walk on the beach when he gets home with the car.

My Easter spending was about $30, although $21.98 was Amazon credit. Once again, I dipped into the credit I saved up, but it made more sense than sending gifts to the grandkids from a brick and mortar store. I would have spent cash and had shipping costs. I have Prime, so shipping was free. I also took the slower shipping so I would get $5 credit toward Prime Pantry shipping (usually $5.99). The rest of the cash was candy/Cheezits for my son's Easter bucket. He will be 18 this summer, so I wanted to do one last Easter gift before he is an adult. I also saved money by not getting Easter themed candy. I got him a regular Lindt white chocolate bar and Reese's.

I hope you all enjoy your day.

Some of you have noted interest in the past, so I thought I would share a day of mystery shopping. This isn't everyday, but I could do this type of day at least three times a week. The times include the shop and the report. This is my agenda for tomorrow:

1.) Breakfast at Sonic:

Pay: $10 (Originally $5, Bonus $5)

Reimbursement: Up to $7.80 (It's enough for a complete meal. I will probably take my son to school, and he can eat it beforehand. I am trying to avoid fast food.)

Report Easy, no narrative

Total time for this shop: 30 mins

Time for payment: 30 days

2.) Local Credit Union for a typical transaction:

Pay: $10 (This is low pay for a bank shop, but I need to go there anyhow.)

Report: Easy, one section of narrative

Total time for this shop (Assuming no long lines): 15 minutes

Time for payment: 6 weeks

3.) Ross (Clothing store)

Pay: $24 (Originally $14, Bonus $10)

No reimbursement (purchase and return-I will go to Fed Ex. which is near Ross and then return the item.)

Report: Easy, no narrative

Total time for this shop: 45 minutes

Time for payment: 30 days

4.) Fed Ex

Pay: $25 for a package pick up (No idea if there is actually anything of value in the package. The tracking says it weighs 1 lb.)

Report: Moderate, some narrative

Total time for this shop: 30 minutes

Time for payment: 2 weeks

5.) Hot Head Burritos

Pay: $0

Reimbursement: $15 (It will be enough to cover two burritos and two drinks.)

Report: Moderate, some narrative

Total time for this shop: 45 minutes

Time for payment: 5 weeks

I took this shop because it is my son's favorite place. I rarely do reimbursement only shops.

These shops are all local (5 mile radius).

I will make $69 cash and up to $22.80 in reimbursements. With the shops and driving, I am expecting 4 hours of work at most. I can't do the burrito shop until 5 PM, so I will go home and do the other reports and go back out for that shop.

Since my son isn't getting a car right away, we took part of the check from the accident and fully funded the moving fund.

As far as Amazon savings for the laptop fund, it is down from $127 at the last update. I bought a few needs. I needed printer ink, a new screen protector for my phone and an AP Physics book for my son. I was down to $97 and some change at one point, but have built it back up a bit and now back up to $113.

The weight loss is on track. I was down 11 pounds last check (early this week). I have just under two months to lose another 14, so it can be done.

I ended up with a different apartment than the first I mentioned. This one had more bang for my buck. For $745, the complex has a business center, fitness center, outdoor and indoor pool. The indoor pool was a HUGE draw for me because I like aquacise so much. It is within a few miles of the first place, and it is a good area.

I am so close to so much shopping which is a plus. I hate spending money, but I sure love earning it via mystery shopping! I also figured now that my son is without a car for awhile, it is nice this is on the bus line.

My anxiety level is a lot lower now. I hated the feeling of not knowing where in the heck I was going to live. Now I can relax a bit.

First the bad, my son totaled his car this morning on the way to school. It appears his brake line had some kind of leak. He did not get ticketed although he hit the car in front of him. Since the car is 20 years old they opted to total it already. He is not hurt, and he only took the bumper off the other car. That was odd because he drove a huge Chrysler and the other car was a small Toyota. My son is pretty upset. He loved his car. I reminded him cars can be replaced but people cannot.

Onto the "Good" news....Geico worked fast. They already looked at it and told me they appraised it at $2200 which is more than double what he originally paid for it. However, we put work in it. In the end he just about evened out. I am pleased with the amount. I just wish it never happened.

It is going to be serious pain, but we are going to try and keep one car for the next two months. I will drive him to and from school. He works within walking distance. DH works late afternoons so it can be done. After we get to Michigan we can decide on a car.

The Michigan trip was a success. My grandson got to see snow for the first time (He's four) and LOVED it. Watching him play in it was worth the trip. He was so good on the trip. I miss him terribly already.

I went to the Lansing area with my friend and her husband on Tuesday. We looked in a few areas, and in the end I decided on an apartment in a quaint town just west of Lansing. They had the cutest little main street type of downtown within walking distance. Also within a mile in the other direction was Meijer (in my opinion a better quality Walmart with groceries in the Midwest) and the typical chain fast foods, gas stations, etc. I need to do my taxes since I am self-employed and then officially apply for the apartment. I am going to take care of it all this week. Best of all the rent is $710 with gas, water/trash and sewer all included. The apartment is 2 bedrooms/1 bath.

As I mentioned previously, this was originally my daughter's trip and I tagged along. I gave her $150 from an overpayment for the cable/internet (A long story and hours of calls, but I finally got it) for gas/car wear and tear and the hotel. Other than that, I spent the following:

$12-A cake for my daughter's half birthday (Her card on her real birthday never arrived)

$10-Cracker Barrel for my dinner on the way home

$3-Toy for my grandson on clearance at Kmart going out of business

$3-Wendy's for my grandson

$ 32 gas for my friend for the Lansing trip, and I used my card once on the road for gas ($1.92 in Northern Tennessee!)

$5 Tip at lunch when out one day

$5 (approximate can't find receipt) for coffee on the way to Lansing. I also picked up a soda for friend's hubby.

$15-Arby's for 6 of us before we got on the road. My son gets half off, so it was pretty cheap considering.

Total =$85


Our meals were all covered for the most part with the hotel breakfast and my family members. My dad took us out twice. My uncle was also up from Florida and took care of a meal. Another uncle bought us lunch another day. My grandma also bought lunch one day. My parents also cooked a lasagna one night.

On a side note, my son's trip with his dad got canceled. His dad was supposed to fly in from CT and they were going to drive my son's car to the Gainesville area to see his dads father. The Nor' Easter ruined that. His dad couldn't get another flight out until Friday and they were due back on Sunday anyhow, so he just got a refund instead.

I am incredibly anxious this week. It's not like I haven't been aware for many months I am going through nearly every major life change this year. However, with the trip to MI This week, it really is hitting me hard.

I don't want any regrets. I know when I moved here, it wasn't the best decision. Overall, it worked out but in retrospect it wasn't a great decision.

I KNOW moving to MI is good for us. For one, after research my moving there will get my son in-state tuition this year. This is going to save thousands! I also know it is never a bad thing to be near friends and family.

Part of my anxiety is driving in March. The weather can be a factor. Luckily, I don't see any major storms on the horizon. Please pray and/or keep us in your thoughts the weather is decent for us on the trip there and back.

When I get to MI, I am going out with my cousin house/apt hunting to see if us sharing a place is viable. That may not work because of where she needs to live. It is further from Lansing than I prefer. I am also going to Lansing for a full day to look at places there.

In the end, it isn't like I would ever be homeless if I don't find something before the move. I can put my stuff in storage and stay with my parents for a month or two. However, I would have much more peace of mind if I have a place of my own to move to on June 1st.

On the marriage front, DH is freaking out that he will be homeless. However, he has made no effort or progress. It seems he expects me to take him in if nothing falls in his lap. I can't do it anymore.

Moving fund is up to $700. It would be more, but I needed to put over $400 into the car for a control arm.


The laptop fund is up to $127 (Amazon). I recently cashed out for $25 on Swagbucks.

You might be eligible to get in on this if your car or part qualifies. You must have proof of purchase. The deadline is March 16th.

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/351624-automotive-parts-price-fixing-class-action-settlements/

My car qualifies!

It's funny how much Google knows about us. I was looking at my Google feed and came across an interesting seasonal job opportunity. A testing company is hiring for test scoring. They have remote work and location work available. They are opening a location within walking distance of my parent's house. Since I am moving to MI soon, I applied. I said I was available for the remote and location work. I talked to my parents, and they said I could stay with them during the times I am doing the seasonal work onsite if I am hired.

My editing job is flexible, so it would not affect my regular work at all. I have done some volunteer test scoring before. I really enjoyed it. I will let you know if it pans out.

By the way, my daughter asked my son if we could take my 4 year old grandson on our road trip to MI next month. He and his wife agreed. It will be interesting. However, I am excited to spend the time with him.

I am up to $92 in Amazon credit for the laptop. I accrued the following so far this month:

$5 Mobile Meter
$1 Mplus Rewards
$10 Media Insiders
$25 Cross Media Panel

The moving fund is up to $550 after a small deposit from me and money from my son from his paycheck.

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.

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!