Layout:
Home > Archive: April, 2007

Archive for April, 2007

Working on spending less

April 28th, 2007 at 02:04 pm

Trying to see where we can cut back. I just changed my cell phone plan. I was paying $40 a month for unlimited nights and weekends and 600 anytime minutes. But in the past few months, I've barely been using those anytime minutes. Maybe about half, at most. So, I just changed my plan to one with unlimited nights and weekends, and 300 anytime minutes.
Savings: $10 a month.


I also downgraded on our Netflix plan. We were paying $17.99 a month for 3 movies at a time, unlimited movies each month. But we just were't watching them. So, we're now at $14.99 a month for 2 movies at a time, unlimited each month. If this is still too much, we'll downgrade again.
Savings: $3.00 a month


I'm looking to see where else I can cut back. We have the cheapest house phone plan we can get. Gas and electric can be paired down, I'm sure. We have the cheapest cable we want. The plan below ours is basic with 10 channels. Considering we mostly watch Discovery channel and History channel, we don't want to lose those. I have the cheapest car insurance I could find.

In about 6 months or so, two of my major debts will be paid off (the fee to the CC debt company and my car). This will give us about $250 more a month. Good deal; I can't wait!

So far, total savings each month: $13.00

Not a lot, but it is a start. Anybody have any other ideas?

Saturday and Sunday

April 22nd, 2007 at 02:52 pm

Went to the Mall w/the Boy yesterday. y job has now introduced a professional dress code (we were jeans and sneaks before) and although I have some nice clothes from my last job, there is a lot that doesn't fit and I don't feel comfy in. So, went to the mall. Didn't find much. Got 2 new tops. Trying not to spend too much money. I also need a sweater since it is always cold where I sit. Still looking for one. Also went to payless shoes and I got 2 new pairs! I love them...one is HOT PINK flats and one is a cute slip on canvas shoe w/bright fowers. I had a gift card for there from Mums for my b-day, and I spend less than half of what was on the card, so that was very cool.

Also spent some time yesterday getting myself set up on MS Money (Like Quicken). Now, if I can just make sure I keep up with using it.

Stopped by the grocery store and picked up some fresh fruit. It just kills me how much more expensive it is to eat healthy. But, as badly as I need to get my finances in order, my weight is more important right now.

Let's see; today: going to do major loads of laundry! We are swimming in dirty clothes over here. Also have some freelance work to do that should take about 2 hours. I really want to get my hair cut but I'm not sure how yet and we really don't have the money until I get paid next week. We have about $100 for another week, and something always comes up.

Spent some time this morning going through my books and pulling out a ton for the yard sale. Made a list and prced them all, so that rocks. I have more in the basement to go through, plus about 4 bags of cloths to go into the sale. Have about 5 boxes of just stuff stored down there to go through as well. PLus still need to sort through my CD's, my closet, and the kitchen dishes. Haven't had a yard sale in years, and god dammnit, this one will rock.

So, all in all, spent money this weekend, but am also doing things to make some.

Happy Sunday all!

$100 to the CC

April 21st, 2007 at 03:32 pm

Had to take $100 out of the EF to put on the CC. *sigh* I really do hate credit cards.

Old $20 Challenge Total: $121.87
Withdrawl for CC payment: -$100
--------------------------------
New $20 Challenge Total: $21.87

Frown

Saved $30!

April 14th, 2007 at 02:27 am

Saved $30.18 at the grocery store tonight! $1.60 was from coupons and the rest was just due to having a frequent shopper card there and pcking items that were on sale. Will add at least that $1.60 to the $20 Challenge account. LOL I should use coupons more often!

Also added to the $20 challenge is $7 I saved at CVS yesterday. I had a coupon for $7 off any purchase from my extra care savings card. Yay for frequent shopper cards!

Old $20 Challenge Total: $113.27
Added April 13, 2007: $8.60
--------------------------------
New $20 Challenge Total: $121.87

CC payment's

April 14th, 2007 at 02:23 am

Really getting anxious about paying off the CC's. It's a struggle when I want to put extra on them each month, but I know that I don't really have the extra. I think the $70 I get from my taxes will go on one. We'll see what else I can come up with. Hopefully some good half.com and e-bay sales. Plus I'm planning a big yard sale with Mums in a few weeks.

One check from the government...

April 14th, 2007 at 02:10 am

So, it worked out I was lucky and I didn't have to pay on my taxes this year. I got a return. A teen tiny one, but hey, at least it's a return.

How much did I get?

$48 from the state
$22 from Feds

Yeah baby! $70!!! LOL Big Grin

Money added

April 11th, 2007 at 08:31 pm

OK, just added $5 in ones to my change bucket. Gotta get back in the saving habit. The Boy said today he thinks maybe the reason we've been so lax w/$$ lately is b/c I have been MIA here. Definately part of it. Posting here and reading others posts does keep me in check.

Smile

New Balance

April 11th, 2007 at 03:17 pm

I had to start over witht eh $20 Challenge. Everything I had saved had to be put toward some bills. *sigh* I feel very defeated. But I will not give up. I'll start again.

The balance I have here is from some ebay sales this last month. Yay for ebay!

$20 Challenge Total: $113.27

Hello from the depths of debt...

April 11th, 2007 at 03:02 pm

Hey everyone. Well, I've been MIA for a few months. Things got really stressful money wise for a bit. I think we are on our way to getting back on track though.

Work was crazy stressful...working later every night, going in on Saturdays, etc. We finally moved into the new building so things should be better now.

I've been sick. Kicked around with a cold for a few weeks, came down w/serious flu. This is the 2nd week I've been out of work sick. Ugh.

Let's see, money front. Had to use all of the ING/EF money for bills. Ick. Back to building that up again. Been selling on ebay a bit, and som books. Looking for freelance work, but things are calm at work right now so there isn't much.

Med CC is maxed out at $3500. I could kick myself upside the fricken head. Gotta get that down.

LB CC isn't doing too bad. Work recently changed to busness attire (from jeans!) so the LB CC will have some stuff on it over the next week or so.

Car will be paid off in September, as will the fee to the CC place. Those will help a lot. That's almost $300 a month extra.

So, there it is. The grand update. It's good to be back! How have you all been? Smile