When we moved to our apt in Quincy last year, we had to give them first and last (no security). They kept the last months rent in an account where it earned interest until we moved out. We got the check for the interest and it was $54.71! Adding that to the EF. This makes me hit my goal of $200 by the end of Feb (a little late, but at least I hit it!), and gives me a start for towards a total of $300 by the end of March.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $184.69
Check from Quincy apt: $54.71
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $239.40

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $184.46
Feb interest: $.23
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $184.69

Old Personal Savings: $110.21
Feb interest: $.18
-------------------------------
New Personal Savings: $110.39

Old House Fund Balance: $16.49
Feb interest: $.02
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $16.51

Got a DD into my checking account today for some sales from earlier in the month on half.com. $34.42.

Haven't been able to put anything aside the last couple weeks, so this is going into my EF. I really want to put it into either personal or couch savings, but I know how important the EF is right now.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $150.04
Half.com DD: $34.42
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $184.46

Stopped by the bank today to deposit some rolled coinage from CITB. Had a full roll of quarters. Adding it to the EF.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $140.04
CITB deposit: $10.00
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $150.04

Whoo-hoo! Halfway through my Feb goal of adding $100 to the EF. If I can keep this up, I'll hit $1K before 2010.

In other money news, I picked up some groceries today. Spent $40. I got:

*lg package of mozzarella cheese (8 cups)
*lg package of Mexican mix cheese (8 cups)
*package pepperoni
*loaf of bread
*pk of 8 large tortillas
*mushrooms
*buffalo chicken lunch meat
*sliced cheese
*2 lbs of pizza dough
*box of pasta

For dinner this week we'll have chicken enchiladas (already have the chicken and sauce), pasta with shrimp, mushrooms, cheese and tomatoes (already have shrimp, and tommys), homemade calzones (which will actually give us 2 meals each, they are so big), and chicken and veggies with rice (have all of it already). I think that $40 for all that is a great deal, considering it is dinner and lunch for 2 all week.

I did great this week with finding money. I found another dime and 3 pennies. Whoo-hoo! New Pennies on the Sidewalk total: $.98

I just got a DD from half.com for $15.05. I also just transferred $15 from my paypal account into my checking. Now, to decide where to out the $30.05. I want to add some to my personal savings. I need to get a move on with my couch fund. But I know I should add more to the EF. So, I guess the best way to figure it out is $10 into each account.

Old Personal Savings: $100.21
Online sales: $10.00
-------------------------------
New Personal Savings: $110.21


Old House Fund Balance: $6.49
Online sales: $10.00
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $16.49

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $129.99
Online sales: $10.05
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $140.04

Wah-hoo! Another half.com sale. I seem to be selling way more DVDs than books lately, but hey, who cares, right? Another DVD went today for $4.51, bringing my Feb Ebay total to $29.07

Brought home $55 today, so that also makes it a Happy Thursday.

I forgot to mention it, but I found a dime on the ground the other day. New Pennies on the Sidewalk total: $.85

I decided to help my EF along I would transfer in 10% of what I made from work this month. That comes out to about $20. The extra $.78 is rounding down to the nearest dollar in my checking.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $109.21
10% of income: $20.78
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $129.99

Little bits, but at least there is something.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $109.09
Jan Interest: $.12
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $109.21


Old Personal Savings: $100.00
Jan Interest: $.21
-------------------------------
New Personal Savings: $100.21


Old House Fund Balance: $6.48
Jan Interest: $.01
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $6.49

Counted up the change in my CITB, and was able to roll $12 worth. Adding it to my EF.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $97.09
CITB Deposit: $12.00
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $109.09

And I managed to hit $100 this month. I would love to hit another hundred in February. But honestly, this first hundred may not even stay in here. Depends on how much I make at work this weekend. I need $48 to pay my LBCC bill, and about another $30 for a second bill. And then there is the matter of having money to survive on for the next week or so.

Let's hope I have a busy night tonight!

Got payment for 2 of mu 3 Ebay items that just sold. Not taking the full amount out of paypal since I need to pay Ebay fees. And not all of what I do take out of paypal will go to the $20 Challenge (have to pay shipping). But, here is what I felt comfortable pulling out from today's sales.

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $74.90
Half.com DD: $22.19
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $97.09

So close to $100. When I get the payment for my other item that sold today ($15) I will hit my mini-goal of $100 in the EF.

I want to hit $1,000 in my EF this year, and I figure over the course of 12 months I can come up with it. Even better would be if I could do it all with Ebay/online sales. My Ebay Challenge is $100 a month, and to get my EF to $1K by 2010, I need an average of $84 a month or so.

I like those numbers.

Got my DD from half.com for $31.20 Yay! I want to put it all in the EF, but I need some of it for basic bills and stuff. So I am going to put half in the EF and keep half in my checking for regular things.


$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $57.80
Half.com DD: $17.10
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $74.90

Just got a DD in my Palpal account for a Pinecone survey. I love that they DD with Paypal now. Saves me a trip to the bank.

Adding it to my EF. I am still waiting for a refund of $59 or so from paypal. A buyer issued a claim saying they never recieved the package I sent (in Mexico). So Paypal debited my account the amount of the sale in case their is a refund. Once that gets refunded all the money I have made in Ebay this month will be there (all the money did was decrease the amount my balance was in the negative) and I can add that to my EF as well.

I was wondering if anyone knew: either the buyer or I can raise the claim to a dispute within 20 days of when the claim was made. Of that doesn't happen, does the buyer get a refund automatically or is it assumed we worked things out/he got his package? Thanks!

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $54.80
Pinecone check: $3.00
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $57.80

I had a good amount of money to deposit today at the bank. There was a check from BF, a check from a survey I did, rolled coins from CITB, and cash from work Sunday night. It came to $105.35

After depositing that, I moved some of it around into my savings accounts.

Old Personal Savings: $94.94
Tally-Up Transfer: $5.06
-------------------------------
New Personal Savings: $100.00 (Goal met!)

Old House Fund Balance: $5.38
Random transfer: $1.10
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $6.48

So, this means that my savings goal of $100 is DONE! YAY!

And I have the first deposit into my $20 Challenge of 2009. All my $20 Challenge Money goes into the EF, so here is the new total:

$20 Challenge/EF Old Balance: $40.09
Survey check (1st deposit of 2009!): $10
------------------------------------------
$20 Challenge/EF New Balance: $50.09
(halfway to 1st EF goal)

While my 2009 EF goal is $1,000 I am aiming for $100 right now (small goals work better for me) so I am halfway through that first mini-goal. Wa-hoo!

Got a few tidbits to add to my $20 Challenge.

Old Personal Savings: $91.74
December Interest: $.20
Pinecone: $3.00
-------------------------------
New Personal Savings: $94.94

Old EF Balance: $40.00
December Interest: $.09
-------------------------------
New EF Balance: $40.09

Old House Fund Balance: $5.37
December Interest: $.01 LOL
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $5.38

Oooh, big numbers, eh? LOL

I am feeling much better today. Thanks to everyone for you kind words and encouragement.

Today is relatively low-key. I have some stuff to get done around the house, then need to take BF to work later tonight. I think I am going to an Overeaters Anon. meeting tonight. I think it will give me a boost to get healthier and loose some of this horrid weight.

I think today will be a low spend day. I have to fax something, which will cost a couple of bucks at most. I also need to hit the grocery store, but I am limiting that to $30.

Last night I stayed up wicked late (3am) but I got some writing done. Also cried a lot and smoked a little to calm down. I feel much calmer today. Still can't find the $10.

Oh, but I did get a $3 payment from Pinecone for a survey I didn't even realize was a paid survey! I'm adding that plus some change to tally up my EF to an even number.

Old EF Balance: $36.14
Pinecone: $3.00
Tayy Up: $.86
-------------------------------
New EF Balance: $40.00

Hee hee hee, I get such a small amount in interest right now. But still, every penny counts! *smile*

Old EF Balance: $36.05
Nov. Interest: $.09
------------------------
New EF Balance: $26.14

Old House Fund Balance: $5.32
Nov. Interest: $.05
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $5.37

Feels good to have something to put into the Challenge! Today I transfered $50 from my paypal account to my Savings. This was from Ebay profits. Yay! *smile*


Old Personal Savings: $93.66
Ebay profits: $50.00
--------------------------------
New Personal Savings: $143.65

Note: EF is at $36.14 (which if I need more, I will use what is in the Personal Savings).

Note: House Fund is a sad and lowley $5.37

I recently added a few bucks to each of my 3 savings account, just to balance them at an even amount. No real reason why, just wanted some nice even numbers.

Old Couch Fund Balance: $186.27
Tally Up: $3.73
------------------------------------
New Couch Fund Balance: $190.00

Old House Fund Balance: $100.96
Tally Up: $4.04
------------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $105.00

Old EF Balance: $33.80
Tally Up: 2.20
------------------------------------
New EF Balance: $36.00

EF
Old EF Balance: $283.00
Interest: $1.28
----------------------------------
New EF Balance: $211.28


House Fund
Old House Fund Balance: $96.01
Interest: $.11
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $96.12


Personal Savings:
Old Savings Balance: $25.41
Interest: $.06
--------------------------------
New Savings Balance: $25.47

Anyone who read my post from yesterday (Low Key) knows I am working on this new positive attitude thing...

And today it is getting tested, already. I had to take another $280+ from my EF to get by. I hate doing this, but I guess it is what the EF is for. I's just so sad to see it going down so quickly...

Old EF Balance: $493.10
Transfer: - $283.10
----------------------------------
New EF Balance: $210.00

I just keep telling myself that when I am working again I can build it back up.

Right?

In other news, I am having another low key day. Need to pick up a few things at the grocery store; going to try to keep it under $25. Before I go, though, I have some coupons to clip, so hopefully that will help.

I think I am going to visit the library today as well. I'll get a library card and sit in the AC reading all the trashy magazines I love but am no longer allowing myself to buy. If I find an article I MUST have, I'll just make a photocopy for my files. Cheaper than buying the whole thing.

Oh, my freelance job gave me another couple hours of work today. Slowly but surely, right? Slow and steady wins the race??

I am the tortoise!!

Someone I sent a referral to for ING opened an account so I got the $10 referral bonus. Yay! Into the EF.

Old EF Balance: $685.10
Referral Bonus: $10.00
----------------------------------
New EF Balance: $493.10

Have to get some groceries and pay a few bills, so I have to dip into the EF. This SUCKS!

I can't wait til I am working again!

I think when our lease is up next March, unless I am making beacoup money, we are moving someplace cheaper and I will start with my career there. This city living is great, but we just can't afford it unless I get a job that paid as much as the last one.

Old EF Balance: $685.10
Transfer to checking: -$202.00
----------------------------------
New EF Balance: $483.10

This weekend was fairly low key. On Saturday we went to an event held by the National MS Society for people newly diagnosed. It was a cookout at the zoo. It was OK. I didn't really get to meet anyone new, which I was hoping for. I'd like someone to talk to who is going through the same things as me. But we spent about 2 hours walking around the zoo and looking at the animals. I love the zoo. And the whole thing was free, which was a bonus.

We almost has a NSD but then Sat. evening I was craving ice cream, so we walked up to the local store to pick up a few things. Not really a need, but not toally frivolous either.

Then Sunday for Fathers Day I went to Mums and Dads for another cookout. Had a great time hanging with the faily. Mums cut my hair for me, so I saved about $20 plus tip. Came home and watched some tv, went to bed. No Spend Day!

Today I need to pick up a few things at the grocery store, go to the post office, the bank, little things like that. Should be a fairly low key spending day. I also need to do a bunch of work as my deadline is Wednesday. Happy Monday!

Old EF Balance: $683.10
NSD: $1.00
Eat at Home: $1.00
--------------------------------
New EF Balance: $685.10

Thursday was a No Spender, and w ate all 3 meals at home. I am proud to say the same thing for yesterday (Saturday).

The Boy napped and was online for most of the day, and I watched some TV and did a bunch of cleaning in the spare bedroom. It's geting better; we can actually walk in there now.

Adding $4 to my $20 Challenge for the 2 NSD/Eat at home days.

Old EF Balance: $674.10
NSD x 2: $2
Eat In x 2: $2
--------------------------------
New EF Balance: $678.10

Since I have to go to the bank today to deposit that $28 from Mums and Dads, I figured I would see what was in CITB and take it with me. Lo and behold: $20! We had a full roll of quarters and $10 in $1 bills. Sweet!

Adding it to the challenge!

Old EF Balance: $654.10
CITB: $20.00
--------------------------------
New EF Balance: $674.10

Last night Mums and Dads came up and we all went out to dinner. It was a lot of fun, and the food was delicious. Before they went home, Mums rooted trough my yard sale stuff and found a big planter she wanted and Dads found a shelving storage unit he wanted. I told them to take them for free, but they insisted on paying me for them. Awww, thanks Mums and Dads!! So, my "pre-yard sale" earned me $28 for my $20 Challenge.

Old EF Balance: $626.10
Pre-yard sale: $28.00
--------------------------------
New EF Balance: $654.10

Not much interest, but hey, at least it is earning something!

EF:
Old EF Balance: $624.53
Interest: $1.57
--------------------------------
New EF Balance: $626.10


House Fund:
Old House Fund Balance: $25
Interest: $.01 (lol)
--------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $25.01


Personal Savings:
Old Savings Balance: $25.00
Interest: $.41
--------------------------------
New Savings Balance: $25.41

Today was a Spender. A big spender. A $250 spender!

First stop was the Dollar Store. I heart the Dollar Store. I got Dads Fathers Day Gift: a matching set of pot holders, oven gloves, and hand towels that all say "Grillin" on them. Very Cute. Got a bag to put them in. Total: $6 I'll add in a bottle of his favorite BBQ sauce as well. I also got my sis' b-day gift. A set of body lotion, body wash, body butter and bath salts and a matching candle in a cute basket; also $6

Then I had an eye doctor appointment for my new contacts. The co-pay was $15 but my cheap-ass health insurance won't cover the exam for the contacts, so that was another $75 on top of it. $90 that came from my EF and will be replaced when I get that stimulus check.

Old EF Balance: $714.53
Eye Doctors: -$90
--------------------------------
New EF balance: $624.53

And finally, I hit the grocery store on the way home. Spent $145, but got a bunch of meats and stocked up for a couple of weeks.

Total spent: $250

Eek!

I read an article that talks about how to materials used to make pennies are non-renewable and are in decline (like so many of our other natural resources). One solution proposed by the article is to stop hoarding all your pennies and cash them in at the bank so they can be put back into circulation.

We save all our change and deposite it when we hav enough, but I also have this big jar with nothing but pennies. I had them all saved separately mostly out of habit. As kids, we would out all our pennies in a big glass jar. Then, when the family played cards, we used pennies to place bets and play poker with. I think it jut becamse a subconscious savings with me.

However, I am all about getting money in our savings, and about being green when I can. So, I sat and rolled up my pennies. The few I had that didn't make a full roll went back into CITB and will be deposited when I have enough. I was able to roll $2.50. It went into the EF.

Also into the EF today was a $3 pincone check. Whoo-hoo!

Old EF Balance: $709.03
Pinecone check: $3.00
Recycled Pennies: $2.50
--------------------------------
New EF balance: $714.53

On Friday we had a great day. We went to this awesome Mexican restaurant for lunch. HUGE portions and wicked good. Total for the 2 of us (plus tip) was $27.

Then, we went to see the new Indy movie. I had some money left on a gift card from X-mas, so we only paid $4.50! $2.25 each for the movies? Nice! And the movie rocked!!!!

On Saturday, Dads came up to help us with some things around the apartment. We went and picked up our new AC, and Dad installed it for us. Then he helped us hang some heavy framed pictures up. It looks a lot nicer now. (Thanks Dad!!) Then Dad and I went out for a nice father-daughter lunch. We are really close and we don't get to hang out too much anymore. It was a great time.

Saturday was a No Spend Day. And even though I had lunch out, Dads treated, so it counts as an all 3 meals at home day as well. And, I had a No Spender one day last week as well. $3 to add to my challenge.

Old EF Balance: $706.03
No Spenders/Eat at Home: $3.00
----------------------------------------
New EF balance: $709.03

Just got my last paycheck from work. Bleh. But at least it is almost a full months worth of pay thanks to the almost 5 days of vacation I had earned and never used.

So, even though I took money out of the EF to live on until I go paid,I got paid a little sooner than I expected. So, adding my monthly deposit to the EF.

Old EF Balance: $681.03
Monthly deposit: $25.00
----------------------------
New EF balance: $706.03