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Archive for April, 2018

Trying to stay positive

April 30th, 2018 at 06:25 pm

Well, we are now up to 3 ER visits. Multiple prescriptions. Multiple meals out due to sheer exhaustion. My husband hasn't been able to work this last week. And we found out that he may need surgery for an aneurysm that they happened to find while diagnosing his injury. So I need to come up with $650, which is what my account will be negative now at the end of the month. And a good $9K in savings to support us if he has to have surgery. We have to see a specialist and see when and if surgery is necessary.

I'm not looking for pity and I am not giving excuses. I am so exhausted from not sleeping due to stress and worry and my husband. And I have these great ideas to bake and sell items, but I'm so tired. I guess I will just need to power through it some how. I want to fix this. I want to have a savings. I want to be in control. I really do.

Positive Vibes Only.

Another ER visit

April 26th, 2018 at 07:56 pm

Well we had to go to the ER again for DH. The pain is just too much. So honestly, I am not even sure where I am sitting financially right now. I know that we are doing a " keep the change" type thing on your bank account. So it puts change in our savings account each day. We went from $37.00 to $54.00. Its not much, but its a start.

ER Visit

April 23rd, 2018 at 07:43 pm

Well, my weekend didn't go as planned. Unfortunately we had to have a visit to the Emergency Room for my DH. He is ok. But we did have some surprise expenses - Prescriptions, extra gas, items for comfort. I'm going to have to look at our bank account and see what we can do.

This is why we need a savings account.

I have done some looking into the future, and we will be in much better shape after June 22nd. I know its 2 months away but we just need to stay positive and try to stay on track the best we can.

In a fog

April 18th, 2018 at 08:06 pm

I feel like I have been in a fog the last couple of days. Mopey, no sleep, loss of concentration fog. I didn't make a lunch and I didn't have anything at work so I bought my lunch...which I really didn't have the money to do. And now I have this guilt. Just a rough day.

I did get an order for some cookies and other baked goods. I have to buy some supplies but I could make about $30 off the order. I also found some pictures that we used to have in our bedroom that I can sell. Seriously need to find some money. (I think I am feeling more pressure since I spent money on lunch.)

Sodas!

April 16th, 2018 at 03:11 pm

I am a soda drinker. Not the best habit. But I am spending $1.08 on a soda almost every morning. $1.08 doesn't seem bad until you figure it multiplied by 24 days on average. That is $25.92 a month. That's some gas, or some groceries, or almost my vision insurance premium! So I think it will be a lot better for my body and my bank accounts if I can do something about this. I know I can't go cold turkey, so I bought 8 little bottles for $3.33. So that makes them 0.42 each. So I have already saved $5.28. I can drink free water and coffee at work. And we have water and I can make tea at home. Hopefully I can slow the sodas down and keep the money.

I also am spending money on breakfast and/or lunch. I know I don't have the money, but I do it anyway. Frown So I am really trying this week. I know this is why I am not making progress! But I packed my lunch today and I have my meal plans for dinner. I also have 3 English Muffins that I can have for breakfast with some peanut butter this week. I think this will be better for my body also.

I am really trying to look at every dollar we are spending. When you really look at it, it can be really shocking. The change is hard, but I'm trying.

Sodas!

April 16th, 2018 at 03:10 pm

I am a soda drinker. Not the best habit. But I am spending $1.08 on a soda almost every morning. $1.08 doesn't seem bad until you figure it multiplied by 24 days on average. That is $25.92 a month. That's some gas, or some groceries, or almost my vision insurance premium! So I think it will be a lot better for my body and my bank accounts if I can do something about this. I know I can't go cold turkey, so I bought 8 little bottles for $3.33. So that makes them 0.42 each. So I have already saved $5.28. I can drink free water and coffee at work. And we have water and I can make tea at home. Hopefully I can slow the sodas down and keep the money.

I also am spending money on breakfast and/or lunch. I know I don't have the money, but I do it anyway. Frown So I am really trying this week. I know this is why I am not making progress! But I packed my lunch today and I have my meal plans for dinner. I also have 3 English Muffins that I can have for breakfast with some peanut butter this week. I think this will be better for my body also.

I am really trying to look at every dollar we are spending. When you really look at it, it can be really shocking. The change is hard, but I'm trying.

Happy Friday

April 13th, 2018 at 03:46 pm

I have goals for the weekend.
#1 - Finish Taxes (should owe very little)
#2 - Meal prep
#3 - Housework
#4 - Plan garden layout
#5 - Sat and Sun = no spend days

Hopefully I do not have to leave the house after I get home tonight.

Happy Friday!

Evolving

April 12th, 2018 at 08:10 pm

I am finding that my mindset is starting to change. Although my numbers aren't changing a whole lot, it feels successful to be able to pay all of my bills on time this month, including my credit cards. I know I only paid the minimum, but being able to pay the minimum on time is a win this month. I am still in the red as far as my bank account goes. Luckily it doesn't actually go into the negative because of the way things clear (which I am grateful for), but I sure would like to get in the black. I have been able to do small amounts of money and get it down to ($331.85). The changes to my cell phone and Satellite should take effect this month so that will be a little help.

I have 10 dinners and lunches figured out. I have been working to turn off lights and electronics when we aren't using them. I am just trying to be more aware.

For my birthday I got everything to start my garden. Soil, landscape fabric, lots of seeds, and more. I usually have more produce than we can consume, so maybe I can sell the extra? And we will can some for later.

I know it doesn't seem like much, but I feel like I am starting to evolve.

Birthday Freebies

April 3rd, 2018 at 03:43 pm

Tomorrow is my birthday. Since I can't pay for any birthday fun, I am hoping to find some birthday freebies in my email. So far I have found a free package of berries, a free Redbox rental, 10X points at Walgreens for the whole month, $20 off at one of my fav restaurants (that is still too expensive to eat at), and a free item at Starbucks. Hopefully something pops up for a free lunch! Smile But if not, I have one planned so I don't have to buy one. The best gift I can give myself is dedication to getting out of this hole.

Grandmas and Parents

April 2nd, 2018 at 03:08 pm

My Grandmas were very different. Especially when it came to finances. My dad's mom was very frugal. She stockpiled, couponed, had rental homes, and was financially secure. But she lived very modestly, although she did buy cartons of cigarettes. (But she could afford it) She made her clothes. She did not have expensive things. It had to be really hot to run the air conditioner. But she never had to worry. My mom's mom was very different. She struggled, and lived off of social security. She wasn't a spender or a saver, but I wouldn't say she was financially secure either.

My parents were never financially secure. My dad died when I was 12 years old and my parents divorced when I was 5 or 6. But even separately they never had a lot. I received death benefits when my dad died, but it wasn't until I was 16 I realized that my mom did not save any of that benefit. She said it went towards providing for me. $980 a month? I did get an allowance of $20 a week, and I never went without. But I also know that I had to pay for my own class ring and invitations and other graduation expenses and college expenses. And our utility bills were always late or almost turned off. Even with her working full time and my step dad working full time. Maybe I wouldn't have been in debt in my early 20s if I would have started with a little cushion. I received over $52K in benefits by the time I reached 18.

I need to channel my inner Grandma. Smile Learn the difference between wants and needs. Real needs and real wants.

And here is to April being a new Financial Beginning.