Hi Folks,
Seems like forever since I posted last. I have spent most of my nights gathering up tax information. We went to the account this morning, and we owe a whopping 1374.00. Joy Joy! However after adding up all the medical I now know where all our money is. In the pockets of the doctors and Pharmacy. I am working a budget for the month of April, and am already 445.00 in the red. Month hasn't even started yet. Second job is looking more like a necessity and not just a thought. Got all the paper work into the bank for the modification, crossing my fingers. I did go tot he library. They didn't have the book by David Ramsey, but they are looking to see if they can get it from another library. I did find it used on Amazon for 8 something. So I may do that. Not sure yet, may look on Craigslist and ebay to see if I can find it cheaper. I planted the tomatoes and Green peppers today, indoors not out. Off to the grocery store, my budget this week is about 40.00, keep in mind the mother-in-law buys a lot of the food. So if I can keep it under 40.00 that would be great. I know, I know I should just let her get everything, but I have a problem with doing that. It's just me I guess. So here are my goals this week.
1. GET ORGANIZED (I'm really not at all)
2. Finish up my budget
3. Call Gieco - although I did call my insurance guy and he is going to look around for something cheaper. So I may wait to hear from him.
I think that might be it. It will take at least three night's to get organized -AHHHH
Talk to you soon!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A some what promising day
Well, I talked to the mortgage company today, they are going to try to do a modification for us, temporarily anyway. But that will help for now. However, on the down side, I messed up on a date and auto insurance came out today when I thought it was coming out on the 25th. So I paid something yesterday and now I'm overdrawn. I am getting my expense check tomorrow so I will go right to the bank with it that's (108.00) so I will be back in the good, but arrggg. I am getting a big calendar from work (we have an extra) and put the dates on it so that can't happen again.
Mt. dew by the was was gross, but I drank it anyway. I plan on stopping off at the library tomorrow to see if they have the book Shelliemonster suggested. I live in a small town with a small library so im crossing my fingers. Also gong to start an excel sheet for all the expenses. Budget, Shellie you nailed it! I try very hard not to spend on extras, but the old hubby loves his coffee, and I keep telling him to bring his travel mug. We'll see what the excel sheet says when I enter every thing. Shelli, always looking for ideas, that you so much. Again, how does it get so late? Well I guess after working all day, making sure the 6th grader has all his homework done, then dishes, phone calls well you get the picture.
But before I go, I have to share a funny. As my profile says (I think) I work in a small law firm in Southern NH. At the end of every year we get these books, really nice they have our names on them. They are Law directories. So as the assistant I always take them in Nov. and put in the page tabs for the attorney I work for and then wait until Jan. to give it to her. So come the middle of Jan. She asked for it, well I couldn't find it. Looked everywhere, in all my drawers in her office, ,no where to be found. Finally I had come to the conclusion that I had thrown out the 2010 edition instead of the 2009. So fast forward to today. I decided to move my monitor and what is my monitor sitting on to make it a little higher, the 2010 book. Well I burst out laughing and of course everyone wondered what was so funny. The dam book was in front of me the whole time. Good thing there are things in life that make me laugh. Till tomorrow, just making it as a middle class family.
Mt. dew by the was was gross, but I drank it anyway. I plan on stopping off at the library tomorrow to see if they have the book Shelliemonster suggested. I live in a small town with a small library so im crossing my fingers. Also gong to start an excel sheet for all the expenses. Budget, Shellie you nailed it! I try very hard not to spend on extras, but the old hubby loves his coffee, and I keep telling him to bring his travel mug. We'll see what the excel sheet says when I enter every thing. Shelli, always looking for ideas, that you so much. Again, how does it get so late? Well I guess after working all day, making sure the 6th grader has all his homework done, then dishes, phone calls well you get the picture.
But before I go, I have to share a funny. As my profile says (I think) I work in a small law firm in Southern NH. At the end of every year we get these books, really nice they have our names on them. They are Law directories. So as the assistant I always take them in Nov. and put in the page tabs for the attorney I work for and then wait until Jan. to give it to her. So come the middle of Jan. She asked for it, well I couldn't find it. Looked everywhere, in all my drawers in her office, ,no where to be found. Finally I had come to the conclusion that I had thrown out the 2010 edition instead of the 2009. So fast forward to today. I decided to move my monitor and what is my monitor sitting on to make it a little higher, the 2010 book. Well I burst out laughing and of course everyone wondered what was so funny. The dam book was in front of me the whole time. Good thing there are things in life that make me laugh. Till tomorrow, just making it as a middle class family.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Cutting back
Hi folks,
Well I bought a mt. dew today, at the gas station. I thought about it, do I want to spend the gas going 5 miles out of my way to save 49 cents. So I bought one and drank half of it. I put the cap on as tight as my arthritic hands could and I hope it's not flat tomorrow when I get to work. Well I have a follower Hi J! If anyone else happens upon here you have to read J's blog, she's incredible. From the sounds of it now the front brakes are going, so I will have to get new ones. But we have to do our taxes this weekend, that scares me. I hope we don't owe. I didn't spend anything out of the checking account today. I had three dollars left in my pocket, so now I have 1.50 so If I can stand having just the 1/2 Dew tomorrow I'll be doing good. There is a huge sale at the grocery store. I am just trying to decide if I should take advantage. It's not healthy food, but I could make it last a long time. Doritos are buy one get two free as is Edie's Ice cream. Chicken is but one get one free, but it had bones in it. I am very picky about meat. I want it boneless. Cereal is 1.77 a box for certain brands. But I should just leave the food to the mother-in-law. I'll have to see what the finances look like. I got a notice about refinancing, I think I am going to call the interest rate is much lower than what I'm paying now, if we qualify. Ok this is it for tonight, I am beat and it's way late, hope it all is somewhat coherent. Oh my daughter has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, hopefully she will be good for 6 months. She seems to be doing well on the new med's. Till tomorrow, have a good night
Well I bought a mt. dew today, at the gas station. I thought about it, do I want to spend the gas going 5 miles out of my way to save 49 cents. So I bought one and drank half of it. I put the cap on as tight as my arthritic hands could and I hope it's not flat tomorrow when I get to work. Well I have a follower Hi J! If anyone else happens upon here you have to read J's blog, she's incredible. From the sounds of it now the front brakes are going, so I will have to get new ones. But we have to do our taxes this weekend, that scares me. I hope we don't owe. I didn't spend anything out of the checking account today. I had three dollars left in my pocket, so now I have 1.50 so If I can stand having just the 1/2 Dew tomorrow I'll be doing good. There is a huge sale at the grocery store. I am just trying to decide if I should take advantage. It's not healthy food, but I could make it last a long time. Doritos are buy one get two free as is Edie's Ice cream. Chicken is but one get one free, but it had bones in it. I am very picky about meat. I want it boneless. Cereal is 1.77 a box for certain brands. But I should just leave the food to the mother-in-law. I'll have to see what the finances look like. I got a notice about refinancing, I think I am going to call the interest rate is much lower than what I'm paying now, if we qualify. Ok this is it for tonight, I am beat and it's way late, hope it all is somewhat coherent. Oh my daughter has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, hopefully she will be good for 6 months. She seems to be doing well on the new med's. Till tomorrow, have a good night
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Another week done
Hi Folks,
Well another week is gone, deposited the paychecks and wonder where did it go?? We really have to stop the dunkin donut trips. I am going to vow to have only 3 soda's this week, and I am going to to go the dollar to get them.by doing that I will save $4.45. Dose'nt sound like much but in a month that's $17.80, a year $213.60. WOW I spend that much on soda, Maybe I will give it up all together. By the end of the month thats my goal. I don't want the caffine headache so I will do it slowly. Going to have to start a savings account, and each week I will transfer that money over. That may be the only way I get to save money, and in reality I will be saving 260.00 a year if I bought the soda only at Dollar Tree or 387.40 buying it at the gas station. Gee it will also make it easier to loose weight, there's a positive. Well I guess that is my first goal. I will always be looking to slash bills. I have been trying to sell stuff on Craigslist, but that's not work. I think I will have a big yard sale, maybe I will get enough to pay off of credit card. I will go with the one with the highest insterest rate. I think I will start planning that now. On the bright side Scott (hubby) started working in the cenetery this weekend cleaning up. We mow it, can't wait for that money to come in. We are not going to waist it this year. Although we need a new generator before winter. So I'll let you know how the whole soda thing goes, wish me luck. Till tomorrow, how do you make it as a middle class family?
Well another week is gone, deposited the paychecks and wonder where did it go?? We really have to stop the dunkin donut trips. I am going to vow to have only 3 soda's this week, and I am going to to go the dollar to get them.by doing that I will save $4.45. Dose'nt sound like much but in a month that's $17.80, a year $213.60. WOW I spend that much on soda, Maybe I will give it up all together. By the end of the month thats my goal. I don't want the caffine headache so I will do it slowly. Going to have to start a savings account, and each week I will transfer that money over. That may be the only way I get to save money, and in reality I will be saving 260.00 a year if I bought the soda only at Dollar Tree or 387.40 buying it at the gas station. Gee it will also make it easier to loose weight, there's a positive. Well I guess that is my first goal. I will always be looking to slash bills. I have been trying to sell stuff on Craigslist, but that's not work. I think I will have a big yard sale, maybe I will get enough to pay off of credit card. I will go with the one with the highest insterest rate. I think I will start planning that now. On the bright side Scott (hubby) started working in the cenetery this weekend cleaning up. We mow it, can't wait for that money to come in. We are not going to waist it this year. Although we need a new generator before winter. So I'll let you know how the whole soda thing goes, wish me luck. Till tomorrow, how do you make it as a middle class family?
So heres the layout
Hi everyone! Anyone?
So just when you think you have your weekly finances set, all things go to hell. My husbands company changed his health insurance. He wasn't told and we didn't receive his new card until after we went to the pharmacy to get his insulin. Well come to find out he now has a 100 dollar deductible. We met it! 97.38 OUCH!! Not to mention at the beginning of the week he had to put brakes on the Yukon. We are somewhat lucky there. My brother-in-law works at a parts store so I get cheap parts and Scott is very multi talented, in other words he can fix anything! But still there was 38.00 dollars I wasn't expecting to pay. I had to take a trip for work today 60 dollars in gas, wasn't planning on that either. Oh and the mortgage company would like some money. Well get in line. I think I am giving up my cell phone. Scott doesn't like that idea because I do travel alot for work, but the way I see it, I can buy a pay as you go phone and use it for emergency's. If I didn't still owe on the Yukon I would downsize and get something better on gas. I think it's time to get a real second job. I say real because I do sell Avon, but every two weeks I make anywhere from 40 to 100 dollars. Which is a start but I need an extra 100-150.00 a week. So bills here is where we are at:
Mortgage is 2019.00
Car insur. 279.00
House Insur. 67.00
Fashion Bug 30.00 Bal 560.00
Target 40.00 Bal 750.00
Cell phones 109.00 3 of them contract is up in May
Cable 130.00 Mother in law pays
Care Credit 47.00 Bal. about 800.00 this is for dental
Citi 110.00 Bal 3000.00B
eneficial 233.00 Bal dont dare to look maybe 6000.00
Electric 100.00
Propane 250.00 every two months just paid this month will get one more del. b4 Summer Yukon 286.00 comes out 68.00 a week
I think that is it. Grand total for the month $3087.00 Oh what about gas? There's always something isn't there. About 380.00 a month so 3467.00.
So what do we bring in:
Based on 4 weeks
Scott 2280.00
Me 1840.00
Church Check 324.00 He is janitorTotal 4444.00.
Where in the world does the other 1000.00 go! Food, although MIL buys majority, MEDICAL is the big one!! Scott has Crones disease, and at times when he is put on Prednisone for a flair then he has to take insulin. He seems to have more flairs than not. Poor guy. I have arthritis, and Firbromyalgia. Meds aren't that expensive though. But the co-pays for Scott's doctor's visits are 50.00 each. Some weeks we could spend as much as 100.00 on visits and 70.00 on meds depending how many need to be refilled. My daughter has health issues as well. So it's just a big medical financial mess. I really have to get a hold on money. And on that note I am going to call it a wrap. Just trying to make it living in the middle class...
So just when you think you have your weekly finances set, all things go to hell. My husbands company changed his health insurance. He wasn't told and we didn't receive his new card until after we went to the pharmacy to get his insulin. Well come to find out he now has a 100 dollar deductible. We met it! 97.38 OUCH!! Not to mention at the beginning of the week he had to put brakes on the Yukon. We are somewhat lucky there. My brother-in-law works at a parts store so I get cheap parts and Scott is very multi talented, in other words he can fix anything! But still there was 38.00 dollars I wasn't expecting to pay. I had to take a trip for work today 60 dollars in gas, wasn't planning on that either. Oh and the mortgage company would like some money. Well get in line. I think I am giving up my cell phone. Scott doesn't like that idea because I do travel alot for work, but the way I see it, I can buy a pay as you go phone and use it for emergency's. If I didn't still owe on the Yukon I would downsize and get something better on gas. I think it's time to get a real second job. I say real because I do sell Avon, but every two weeks I make anywhere from 40 to 100 dollars. Which is a start but I need an extra 100-150.00 a week. So bills here is where we are at:
Mortgage is 2019.00
Car insur. 279.00
House Insur. 67.00
Fashion Bug 30.00 Bal 560.00
Target 40.00 Bal 750.00
Cell phones 109.00 3 of them contract is up in May
Cable 130.00 Mother in law pays
Care Credit 47.00 Bal. about 800.00 this is for dental
Citi 110.00 Bal 3000.00B
eneficial 233.00 Bal dont dare to look maybe 6000.00
Electric 100.00
Propane 250.00 every two months just paid this month will get one more del. b4 Summer Yukon 286.00 comes out 68.00 a week
I think that is it. Grand total for the month $3087.00 Oh what about gas? There's always something isn't there. About 380.00 a month so 3467.00.
So what do we bring in:
Based on 4 weeks
Scott 2280.00
Me 1840.00
Church Check 324.00 He is janitorTotal 4444.00.
Where in the world does the other 1000.00 go! Food, although MIL buys majority, MEDICAL is the big one!! Scott has Crones disease, and at times when he is put on Prednisone for a flair then he has to take insulin. He seems to have more flairs than not. Poor guy. I have arthritis, and Firbromyalgia. Meds aren't that expensive though. But the co-pays for Scott's doctor's visits are 50.00 each. Some weeks we could spend as much as 100.00 on visits and 70.00 on meds depending how many need to be refilled. My daughter has health issues as well. So it's just a big medical financial mess. I really have to get a hold on money. And on that note I am going to call it a wrap. Just trying to make it living in the middle class...
Adding my daughter to the Insurance
Hi World,
I wonder if someday there will be a follower of this blog? So my daughter is almost 17. Next month actually. So last April when she got her licence I called the insurance company. I had heard the nightmares, but could it really be that bad? We own three vehicles. My truck, which is actually a 2000 Yukon, my husbands, 2003 Chevy Van, and a 1998 Chevy pick up suitably named "The Farm Truck". So I carefully read our insurance policy and my interpretation was she should be covered because she is a blood relative living in the same house. Well the insurance company didn't see it that way and charged me an extra 127 a month to let her drive the farm truck. So she's covered to drive everything but.... and extra 1524.00 a year. Yeah ok I'll pull that out of the sky. I keep meaning to call Gieco and see what they will charge me. I use to have Gieco but this new company that our Insurance broker found was cheaper. You know I really have to say I hate insurance companies. I think they should give us back a percentage at the end of the year if we don't have to use it. Some weeks I wonder how in the world we will make ends meet. As I said before I am always looking for ways to cut back, but where? My mother in law lives with us, I think I said that in the first blog, she pays for the cable and the groceries. I still buy some stuff because I feel weird having her buy the food. Don't care so much about the cable, I rarely watch tv, and she has it on all day. Of course that does include the Internet. I think the cable company is scam in itself. The bookkeeper went online and got her bill reduced by 52.00 so that I night I did the same thing, and was only able to reduce mine by 10.00. They nickle and dime you to death!
Feed back would be great, ideas on where to cut bills, and how your family makes it as a middle class family.
I wonder if someday there will be a follower of this blog? So my daughter is almost 17. Next month actually. So last April when she got her licence I called the insurance company. I had heard the nightmares, but could it really be that bad? We own three vehicles. My truck, which is actually a 2000 Yukon, my husbands, 2003 Chevy Van, and a 1998 Chevy pick up suitably named "The Farm Truck". So I carefully read our insurance policy and my interpretation was she should be covered because she is a blood relative living in the same house. Well the insurance company didn't see it that way and charged me an extra 127 a month to let her drive the farm truck. So she's covered to drive everything but.... and extra 1524.00 a year. Yeah ok I'll pull that out of the sky. I keep meaning to call Gieco and see what they will charge me. I use to have Gieco but this new company that our Insurance broker found was cheaper. You know I really have to say I hate insurance companies. I think they should give us back a percentage at the end of the year if we don't have to use it. Some weeks I wonder how in the world we will make ends meet. As I said before I am always looking for ways to cut back, but where? My mother in law lives with us, I think I said that in the first blog, she pays for the cable and the groceries. I still buy some stuff because I feel weird having her buy the food. Don't care so much about the cable, I rarely watch tv, and she has it on all day. Of course that does include the Internet. I think the cable company is scam in itself. The bookkeeper went online and got her bill reduced by 52.00 so that I night I did the same thing, and was only able to reduce mine by 10.00. They nickle and dime you to death!
Feed back would be great, ideas on where to cut bills, and how your family makes it as a middle class family.
My First Post
Hello world! You might think this funny but recently during a wind storm here in NH we lost power, and cable for three days. We are fortunate to have a generator so we did have heat. water, all the necessities. We also could watch movies, watched many dvds that weekend. Well one of them was Julie and Julia. I grew up watching Julia Childs after school on PBS. So I got to thinking, I wanted to Blog. I asked my teenager daughter to show me how, but I figured it out on my own. So to the point of the blog. How in the world does a middle class family make it? I am married, we have two kids, my mother-in-law lives with us, and we have a dog. We own a house in southern NH, well us and the bank anyway. I work in a small law office and my husband is in contruction. My daughter is a junoir and my son is in the 6th grade. Dog Bella is almost 3 year old Dalmation, found her free on Craigslist. She's great!! I am always looking for ways to cut the bills and save money. Now that my daughter is drving they insurabce is unreal. Can't save there anymore.
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