Pennies on the Sidewalk

I've had a fairly busy month, so I haven't been blogging like I like to. Finances were OK, but I went on a shopping binge at Wal-Mart the other day and spent a bit. $16 on new sneakers (as opposed to the $80s I spent the last time I bought sneakers three years ago), $15 on 2 new cute t-shirts (first time I have bought clothes for me in months, and I couldn't pass these up) $7 for a new Brita filter, $2 for black spray paint to repaint the bookcase in our bedroom, and a few toiletries. Not too amd, since a few years ago my splurges tended to be a couple hundred bucks, but still more than I could afford.

Today I hit the library. I got a pass for discount tix to the aquarium next week, plus a new book on MS. I ended up paying $1.70 in late fees from last time I was there, but I also found a quarter on the ground.

I'm hoping the rest of the month is low spending (no spending would be better!). I want to pick up a few binders from Staples for a project I am working on, and I need some refills on my meds, but other than that, it should be low finances.

Put $200 on my LBCC, bringing the total down to $841.65

And put $300 on the ATTCC, bringing the total down to $4,665.72


Slowly but surely sinking...

I recieved my freelance check for the work I did this past month. It was a good amount, so I was able to pay bills and throw some extra on the CCs.

However, a big check means a big 10% deposit.

Old House Fund Balance: $375.94
10% Freelance check: $217.00
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New House Fund Balance: $592.94

Whoo-hoo!!!

It seems like everybody except me has had issues with their computers. Well, now it is my turn. I think my laptop is sick.

Lately it has been getting really overheated really fast, and I've noticed the screen flickering. Ugh.

Granted, it is about 6 years old, but it still stinks. I love my laptop. And I use it to do freelance work from home. And I so cannot afford another one right now.

The problem is that with the screen flickering, it could be just the screen going. But they can't just replace the screen on a laptop (I asked). So I would need to buy a new one.

I actually found one at Staples for a great deal, and it has just about everything I want/need. But again, no money.

Mums and Dads said that if mine holds out long enough, they will get me a new one for Christmas! THANKS MUMS AND DADS!!! I am, of course, worried that it will konk out before then, though.

And then I wonder, if it doesn't die, do I take the chance that it still has a few good years left in her and wait it out, or do I get a new one when they are all on sale at great prices for X-mas? The one I found yesterday was under $450, was a compaq (my fave), and had a huge hard drive and RAM capacity. I would love to find one under $350, but I don't know if holiday sales will be that good.

Anyways, I am backing up my had drive and everything important to me today, and hoping my poor baby has at least a few more months in her.

I haven't beena round much this month. I think part of it is because money is so tight, and I don't have a lot to blog about. I do notice, however, that when I blog close-to-daily, I am better at staying on track.

I'm kinda bummed I missed my blog-o-versatry here. I missed it last year, too.

I had a job interview this past week. Seemed to go pretty well. She even told me during the interview that she had another position in mind for me. Whoo-hoo! And, after stating that they never did this in interviews, she asked what my availability was. Sounds promising!

Not much else has been going on. I sold a few items on ebay the last two weeks. Most were small $5) items, but I did sell a Mickey Mouse pen I had for almost $30. It's a pen I was given years ago (like 15 years ago) when I was big into Mickey stuff. I've never even used it; it just sat in its box all these years. So I listed it, thinking I'd get maybe $10 at the most for it. But the winning bid was for $27.55. Not too shabby!

As a result of the ebaying, I've made $50.78. It's a nice little chunk of change for barely any work. I wish I could add it all the the Challenge, but I am STILL not working full time yet, so I am going to follow the 10% rule.

And when I checked my balance in this account the other day, it was $3 higher than my records say it should have been. Somewhere along the line I added in an extra $3 and I didn't note it, so I am adding in to the total now.

Old House Fund Balance: $367.86
10% Ebay Income: $5.08
Extra surprise: $3.00
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New House Fund Balance: $375.94

Another 10% to go into the Challenge.

Old House Fund Balance: $365.66
10% Tarot Income: $2.20
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New House Fund Balance: $367.86

A little for the chalenge:

Old House Fund Balance: $355.66
10% Tarot Income Yesterday: $3.00
10% Tarot Income this morning: $4.80
10% CITB: $2.20
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New House Fund Balance: $365.66

CITB is the spare change I rolled up this month. Had a total of $22 in change..whoo-hoo! I wish I could have thrown it all in the challenge, but with little income, we need all we can get. So, for now, it is the 10% rule.

And although I worked at the tarot store this morning (made $48) I am going back for another shift tonigh from 6-10. Another $50 would be nice!!

$7 for lunch with friend
$9 for dinner with sister
$8 subway for me and sis
$4 bottle of water at concert

Well, made some money at the tarot store today, but I also spent some.

$5.65 for DnD Breaky
$3.00 for afternoon coffee
$10 for new tarot bag (mine was ripped and my cards fell out of it twice; couldn't be repaired)
$15 b-day gift for best friend A

I wish I hadn't spent so much today, but at least I made some money today, as well.

I worked at the tarot shop today from 9-5. Long day, but it was fun and I made some decent money. I made $76, so 10% is going into my Challenge.

Old House Fund Balance: $348.06
10% Tarot Income: $7.60
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New House Fund Balance: $355.66

Walgreens $3.15 for T.P.
DnD $5.65 Coffee

Got a $3 check from Pinecone today. Adding to my Challenge.

Old House Fund Balance: $345.06
Pinecone: $3.00
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New House Fund Balance: $348.06

August 4th

$3 for subway
$5 for parking
$15 for Therapist co-pay

Daily Spendings

August 1st
Dunkin Donuts $10.40
Quizno's $22.00

August 2nd
Groceries $107.37
Bottle of Water at concert $4

August 3rd
No Spend Day

Old House Fund Balance: $344.70
Interest: $.36
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New House Fund Balance: $345.06

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
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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
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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
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New House Fund Balance: $137.72
ebay sales: $14.98
Pinecone: $3.00
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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
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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
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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
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New House Fund Balance: $172.32