Worked at the tarot store for a few hours the other night. Made $46, so $4.60 is going into my House Fund.

Old House Fund Balance: $340.10
Tarot earnings: $4.60
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $344.70

I have to admit, there is a part of me that feels wierd having this amount in savings when I am unemployed and not able to pay all my bills. I figure it is only 10% of everything coming in, and if I really need it, I can dip into this account. But it still feels wierd.

Finally got around to filling out and sending off the paperwork for the reimbursement for my meds from last month. Now I just have to wait to get the checks. Shouldn't be too long; the forms say expect it withing 21 days.

Just for my own records, I mailed this today so they will go out tomorrow.

Med = Cost/expected reimbursement amount:

P = $317.99/$277.99
W = $105.99/$80.00
L = $33.99/$29.99

Total expected: $387.98

And it will all go right on the CC!

Made a payment of $250 to my ATTCC (ick). This should have it down enough so that my finance charges don't bump me over the limit. I also sent off for my medical reimbursement today, so when I get that I will ahve a couple hundred dollars to throw onto that CC as well.

Also made a payment to the LBCC. Down to just over $900 left to pay. Yay!

I got my first freelance check from the project I am working on. Yay! $950. Here's the thing: it is tax free. So, I need to start saving for my taxes next year. I will most likely have to pay. However, I need this money to live on right now, so that saving will have to wait until I am working full time and building my EF back up again.

In the meantime, I am taking 10% of this check and putting it in my House Fund. I am also going to replace the $90 or so I needed to take out last week to cover a bill. I can pull it back out again if I need to, but since I was planning on tis check being $750 instead of $950, I think I can spare it.

Old House Fund Balance: $155.70
10% of Freelance check: $95.00
Replacing money: $89.40
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $340.10



And on a side note, found 26 cents when I was out today (1 penny and 1 quarter). New Pennies on the Sidewalk total: $1.65

My two items on ebay sold! Yay! One for $4.99 and one for $9.99. I need to go out and mail them today. I also got a $3 check from Pinecone yesterday. Need to deposit that.

I had to take money out of my house fund to cover something I didn't have the money for. That sucked.

Old House Fund Balance: $227.12
Withdrawl: - $89.40
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $137.72
ebay sales: $14.98
Pinecone: $3.00
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $155.70

I got a call from the place where I was working FT and am now working PT for. They asked me to come in all day today and tomorrow to do some office work. And I might be going in on Thursday, too. Happy, happy!

Working these two days will add 16 hours to the 4 I was already planning on doing, giving me a full 20. And if I go in all day Thursday, that'll give me 28 hours this week. At over $20 an hour, that rocks!

I won't get paid until mid-October for the work I am doing this summer. It kinda bites cuz I need the money now, but I am hoping I will be woking FT when I get that big check. Then, I can treat it as a windfall and throw it on the CC to pay off the debt.

I do, however, have a check for about $750 coming to me this week from previous work I did for this company. Can't wait!

Ok, less interesting part first. Freebies. Dads worked at a golf tourney these past 2 days. At the end of each day, he got a goody bag. Only thing was, they were filled with girly items. Mums took what she wanted, then her and Dads split the rest between me and my sis. Got some great stuff: lots of lotions and some FAB expensive face creams, shampoos and conditioners, hair ties, make-up brushes, etc. It's wonderful!

And now for the Kicking Down a Door to Get My Money story. A few months ago, I had given a "friend" some money to get me some weed. Before the lectures start, my Dr. told me it would help with my MS pain and that some studies have show it can slow the progression of the disease. Unfortunately it is illegal as in Mass (even for medicinal purposes) so I asked my "friend" to get me some.

This is a guy I have know for about 7 years, one of my best friends. But he is still really immature, and he can be very self-involved and selfish. But he said sure, and we had been hanging around a lot so I though, OK, I trust him.

Fast forward 3 months. He has my weed, so he says, but he is never free for me to come pick it up. He is ignoring my phone calls, cancelling everytime we plan to meet up, and flat out ignoring me. (On a side note, when he is single, he calls me 3-4 times a day and I am the most important girl in his life. Then, when he starts dating someone, he ignores me and I become disposable. I know, not a real friend.)

Finally, I left a message telling him I was really pissed and I just wanted my money back. He sends me a text back telling me that I am self-involved and I need to get a life. WTF?????

I lost it. Screamed and yelled, told him to mail my my f***ing money so I don't have to see him ever again. Two weeks later, still haven't heard from him. Since I was going down to near his house, I told him to leave my money in an envelope in his mailbox.

I get there yesterday, no money, but his car is there. Went into the breezeway (doors to the house are always unlocked). Pounded on the door. No answer. Went into the house to his bedroom door and pounded on it. No answer but I could hear in snoring. Opened the door and proceeded to scream his name and kick at the door frame until he got up. We has some unpleasant words, but he gave me my money. Took it, said, Have a nice life, Loser, and left. He had a few parting words as I was walking out the door, told him to F*** Off, and stormed out of the house.

Don't plan on ever seeing or talking to him again, and I feel good about that.

And I got my money back.

Yesterday was just going to be a quiet day for us. And it was. We went to the movies and saw Hellboy 2 (very good), and had a small dinner at TGIF. Then, we went for a walk on the beach. It was great; the sun was setting and there was thunder and lightening. Beautiful!

While we were there, we saw a big pickup truck all decked out in the Monster Energy Drink logo. Turns out they were giving our free full-size cans. BF was VERY excited as he LOVES those but since they run around $3-4 at the store, we don't buy them often. The guy gave us 4! $16 of drinks...FREE!

Then, when we got home, I checked the mail. I had a $10 check from My Survey, and also the $394 refund check from Wertern Union from that money order snafu. Just in time! I was starting to panic on where we were going to get the money for our bills this week!

10% of the Western Union check is going into my $20 Challenge, as well as the $10 survey check.

Old House Fund Balance: $177.72
10% Extra Income: $39.40
Survey check: $10.00
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $227.12

Not much going on. Had a No Spender yesterday. Mostly just becasue it was too hot to go out and do anything. Day before had a Dr. appointment and used my gift card to tock up on books. Other than that, nothing new.

Trying to decide what to do today. We were thinking the beach since it is free, but it is so hot and humid, someplace with AC would be better. We're thinking going to see the new Hellboy movie would be better...AC!

Happy Saturday!

My older sis works at a university and last night I went there and did tarot card readings for some of her staff and students. Payment was dinner at a FAB sushi place (fennel and goat cheese salad...YUM!) and...$100 gift card to Barnes and Noble!! SWEET!! I think I shall be doing a little bookshopping tomorrow...

Other news, I put two things on ebay last night. One is a blue sun and moon music box from The San Francisco Music Box Company and one is a set of 4 new bronze curtains. Hope they sell... And now to steal Thrift-o-rama's idea and post a link to my ebay page...

Got off my butt yesterday and did a few things to make myself feel better. Thanks to everyone for all your advice and caring. I love you guys.

I called the temp agency I used to work with and am going to get set back up with them. I also called one of the places where I interviewed and never heard from to see if they were still looking at canidates.

I got the ball rolling by getting the forms I need to get reimbursement from my meds in June. COBRA is retro-active so I can get reimbursed for the meds I had to get before it kicked in. That will be a good amount I can throw on my CC when I get it.

Two days ago I had a No Spender and I am reminding myself that is a good thing.

As you all said, This too shall pass.

I am really down these last 2 days. I am getting more and more depressed about not working. I am so stressed out. BF is not working yet either and I am getting really mad about it. He isn't even really looking.

My CC is maxed out thanks to medical insurance and rent and groceries, I can't pay all my bills, I have almost no money left in any of my accounts.

And I am never going to be able to afford a house.

I feel like poo.

Found 12 cents on the sidewalk (lucky dimes again!).

New total: $1.39

Didn't earn the $100 I was aiming for last night. It was a really quiet night. But I made $54.

Old House Fund Balance: $172.32
10% Extra Income: $5.40
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $177.72

is working out pretty well. I worked yesterday and am working again today. Made $91 yesterday. Yay! Hopeing I can crack $100 tonight.

My Sis is Director of Women's Studies at a University, and they are doing an event next Wednesday night. She asked me to come down and do readings for the students for 2 hours. Said she can't pay me, but she can give me a $100 gift card to Barnes and Noble!!!!!!!!! I know I need the money, but I LOVE books!! Sounds like a great deal to me.

Old House Fund Balance: $163.22
10% Extra Income: $9.10
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $172.32

So I finally got my stimulus check. Wa-hoo! I really want to use it for some fun things, but I have some bills I need to pay with it, too. Yesterday I made a $344 payment to my CC with some of the money. Ouch! Of the $256 left, I think I am going to try to get another bill or two paid. When over half goes towards one bill, $600 doesn't stretch very far!

Also, since it is "extra" income, 10% is going to my House Fund.

Old House Fund Balance: $103.22
10% Extra Income: $60.00
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $163.22

That leaves $194 left. I need around $160 for my gas and electric bill, so I've got $30 to have fun with. *sigh* Goes so quickly...

I have decided that I will be putting 10% of all my "extra" income into my House Fund. I would normally be putting it all in there or into some other savings (EF until it was full) but since I am still looking for FT work, I need it to pay bills and for necessities. But I still want to throw some to savings. And since I am using the EF to pay for bills and necessities, it seems silly to put it in there and then pull it right back out.

Extra income will be tarot readings, ebay and craigslist sales, etc.

Oh, and I am doing another tarot reading shift Thursday from 12-6.


Old House Fund Balance: $96.12
10% Extra Income: $7.10
----------------------------------
New House Fund Balance: $103.22

Today I worked my first day at the store where I am doing tarot readings. It was a good day; I was fairly busy and I met some great new people. I ended up doing 5 readings, and three were phone readings. I've never done phone readings before, but I think it went well. No complaints from the customers at least.

So, after a 9-5 shift, I came home with $71 cash in my pocket. That includes the money I got paid for doing to readings, as well as tips from the customers. Makes me happy.

And today, FINALLY, I got my stimulus check!! Yay! Mine was for $600, so I am really happy with that. We are going to take a little but to use for a few fun summer activities (aquarium, day in Salem, whale watching). I have to use some of it for regular bills that we need to pay and don't otherwise have cash for with me not working full time right now. And I'd like to put some in the House Fund. Too bad we can't just throw it all in our savings or even plop it all on a CC. We're just too strapped for cash right now. I guess I should just be grateful that we got this to helps us out right now. The trick now, is to see how far we can make it stretch.

Happy 4th everyone. What are you all up to? We are ging to Mums and Dads for the day. Just a cookout and hanging with the family. Their neighbors are away and they said we could use their pool, which is fab. Except it is cloudy and I think it is going to rain today.

We are bringing some chips to the house, so other than that, the 4th will be cheap for us. And really, the chips aren't expensive. Mums and Dads provide everything else. How cool are they?

Yesterdays spendings was for chips, my meds, and some ice cream for the house.

I also checked out a local gym yesterday. $149 to join (my health insurance will reimburse that) and then $19.99 a month. The cheapest I've fund around here. No pool, which sucks because I love swimming, but everything else is nice. Since my weight is such and issue (350 pounds) Mums has said she will cover the membership until I get working again if I want to join. I have the best Mums and Dads ever. I have an appointment on Sunday to sign up.

Happy 4th!

Last week I did an interview and a tarot reading at a new age store in town. They have full time readers already, but I was applying for a fill-in. Whenever someone can't make their shift, I will go and fill-in for them. And I got the job. Yay!

This morning I got a call from the store. They asked if I could work Saturday from 9-1 or 1-5 or, if I wanted to, all day from 9-5. Yes! And I chose the 9-5 hours.

It will be a looong and tiring day, but I've done all day readings before and it will be great money. The store charges $22 for a 15 minute reading. I'm not sure what I will get, but most of the time, stores do a 50/50 split. It could be more, could be less, but at least it is something.

Let's just hope I get my new business cards (for tarot readings) before then.

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

Yesterday was another No Spender. Two in a row...yay! I slept a lot yesterday, wasn't feeling too good. But hey, at least I got a NSD out of it.

Today we're just going to the library and that's about it. BF is craving McDonalds so we might stop there to get somehing off the $1 menu, but that's abou it.

Got some more freelance work from my old job.

And that's about it for now. I know, exciting, huh?

Yesterday me and Mums met up at the mall. Now, I know I have a challenge of not buying any new clothes, shoes, or purses until the end of the year, unless they are business clothes. But when I went out with Mums, SHE bought me a new shirt, new undies, and a new pair of pj bottoms. At each store I told her nope, I am good, I don't need it (well, except the undies and I was going to pay for those myself), but she insisted and would put her debit card on the counter before I had a chance to stop her. Mums really is FAB and spoils me way too much. She says she likes doing things like that and it makes her happy. So, I let her.

I figure since I didn't buy any of then clothes, and I wasn't going to, either (excpet the undies which I really needed), it counts as sticking to my challenge. Thanks Mums!!

After shopping, we went to lunch where she insisted on treating, again. I think she wanted to do it to thank me for all that Yardly Lavender soap. LOL At any rate, it was great fun to spend some one on one time with Mums. We haven't been able to do that a lot lately.

Oh, and it ended up being a No Spender for me. Thanks Mums!

And now here it is, July 1st. And, once again, I am going to try to track all my spending and stick to it for a whole month. And with my new positive attitude, I say...I CAN DO IT!(For one month, at least).


July 1st spendings:
$15 co-pay for Dr. visit

Finally got around to paying some bills today. And the big one, got through to the insurance company about a $400 bill they didn't cover from the Drs office. Turns out it was for blood work and it was billed seperately from the office visit so they thought there was no referal for it, bleh bleh bleh. But at least it is straightened out and it should be all set.

Working on some other bills/issues as well today. Need an address to complete a form so I can get a refund on a $400 money order. I had made it out to the wrong place, so they sent it back and by then I had enough in my checking account to write a check. Now I just have to go through the hassel of getting the money order refunded.

I've been so tired lately. Fell asleep on the couch about an hour after I got up this morning. I could use another nap now, too. I wonder how much is the heat affecting the MS (fatigue) or just in general me being tired. I hope its not MS related, otherwise this will be a looooong summer.