When it comes to technology, most of us are grateful. Computers make everything easier—from researching information to communicating with friends and colleagues—and even once-basic devices like phones and cars are getting high-tech makeovers to do more, faster and better. But at the same time, there are critical drawbacks that occasionally prevent technology from working in our favor. When the Internet goes out, you’re practically helpless. When you do research, it’s easier...
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Electric Blanket – We bought an electric blanket. I was on sale at ALDI from $65 down to $45. DH and I never had an electric blanket before but I used to have one when I was younger. We have been using it for few days now and it has been great. We put it on for about half an hour just before going to bed, we turn it off going to sleep.


Grocery – We did very well with our lastest couple of grocery shopping trips, on the weekend for example we achieved to spend under $20....
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Yesterday I returned the compression sleeve with no problem. Then I went to the library and returned my DVD -- and checked out three more! The Dressmaker, The Skeleton Twins, and Grandma. Haven't watched any of them yet.

Later in the day I washed sheets, so, combined with my errands, I had three trips up and down the steps. And spent $1.50.

The hot water was restored very quickly after they realized it was just a breaker problem.

The outdoor temperatures have dropped...
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I saw a bobcat in my yard! This was yesterday early evening. It had been a rainy, cool and overcast day. I was making dinner in the kitchen around 5:45 pm. I looked out the window and there it was.

It was just 20 feet from my front door and where I often sit outside, near the apple tree, which is a wildlife magnet. It looked to be very healthy with a thick coat of fur. I watched it from behind and could see its little bob tail wagging from one side to the other...almost dog-like,...
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For the financial voyeurs out there I was comparing year to year returns and thought this looks interesting.

2012 - Salary was 34k at the time and contribution was about 10%. I bought my house around July, so it was a stretch to save this much. For all that effort, the return was pathetic.



2013 - Getting a little better




2014 - Ouch



2015 - OMG WTF.....



2016 - Recovery, whewww!



2017 - So far so good



And that's that. Nothing really...
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I just paid the down payment on the bathroom remodel and signed the contract. Yeesh--$8000. And went out to breakfast with a friend, bought various odds and ends for the UK trip, paid DD's $178 school fees, and bought a street map of Paris. All good, most necessary (not the breakfast, but it was delicious). DH and I had a long chat last night about trimming expenses in the UK. We're hoping to eat two meals a day either at the flats or picnic-style. I'm a cheap-o Londoner,...
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Here is our last teeny tiny update before vacation!

Current Balance $19,205.00
+$5.00 FB Sales
+$12.00 Budweiser Rebate
+$3.00 Even Out Amount
Balance $19,225.00

Local Savings $7215.00
GC Savings $4055.00
Capital 360 Savings (US) $3155.00
Capital 360 Savings (Mom Loan Payback Account)$2035.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit Account #1)$1265.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit Account #2)$1500.00
Total Savings = $19,225.00

52 Week Challenge
2017 Total...
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I haven't been posting anything for sale on FB lately since we will be out of town for over a week. I did have one sale picked up though, and may have 1 or 2 more picked up tonight which is the last day I am offering pickup before we leave.

Sales for this week is $10.00.


Sale #711 (JF) $10.00
Curad Bandaids (5) - We paid .53 each
Sold for $1.00 each
Profit = $2.35

Total Girl Fringe Tank - We paid $1.43
Sold for $5.00
Profit = $3.57
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I went out yesterday. I was very strategic. I took my laundry downstairs, then went straight to Walgreens and Jewel, then came home, stopping to tend the laundry before I went back upstairs. When the laundry was dry, I took my garbage down at the same time. That was only two trips up and down the steps.

At Walgreens I bought a knee compression sleeve, but I think I will take it back today. It actually makes my knee feel worse. That was $12. At the grocery, I bought Slide...
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From my original list I posted earlier this month these are the items I still have to use up. I do have other items in the fridge, freezer and cupboard. These are just the items I am targeting for getting used up.

1/2 pound brown rice
1/2 pounds white rice
1/2 box of unsweetened almond milk
1 can tuna
1/2 bottle of Herb & Garlic marinade
1/2 bottle of barbecue sauce
4oz of whole wheat spaghetti
1/4 bottle of poppy seed dressing
nearly full jar of tahini
chia seeds

I've...
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When you think about spoiled kids you think of things like buying fancy toys, clothes, etc. But I'm starting to think there are other ways to spoil a child non-financial but that can lead to financial problems. Mostly it's the fact that it's easy to learn never being told no.

I've been watching a friend's kids a lot recently with her going through a divorce and packing. They enjoy playing with my kids. But watching them this Friday and Saturday it was hard. Friday her mom...
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It has been extremely hot and humid here, with the heat index nearing 105 degrees for the last few days. Yesterday I had a lot of errands to run and I think the heat took a toll. I had a headache most of last night and today was just feeling very tired, so I stayed in and got some chores done around the condo and napped off and on all day.

Yesterday, I spent $49.21 at Walmart on various personal care, cleaning, and food items but used a Walmart gift card earned from Swagbucks...
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So...every month I receive a very small Veterans Benefit of $134.00. Over the years, I have saved it, transferred it into my Operations Account, spent it on "fun stuff" or any number of other activities that required some cash.

One of the updates to my savings plan, now that my car is paid off, is to stash any/all extra monies in preparation for my new car purchase in about 22-24 months. CC cash rewards, loose change, rounding up my other accounts, transferring those small...
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It'd been a while. I'm surprise there are still page views on here

Let see, a bit of update on finance. Still hanging on at my job. Since the last job scare, I was promoted to a senior position, lol, with an increase in salary to 54k and flex work hours. I've moved from the lowest paid to the second lowest paid, while being among the most valuable. Ah well, good thing money isn't everything to me.

The downturn is real and if there is no turnaround in the next 6 months...
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When I was a kid, I remember a commercial showing a man laying bricks. I don't remember what the ad was touting, but i remember the bricklayer at his craft and was fascinated.

As an adult I'm still pretty fascinated at how things are made, both commercially as well as by hand. Growing up with a mother who crocheted I realized the work that went into many of her creations. She was a seamstress for the garment factories of many years and she could sew about anything as well. When...
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This has been a spendy week between paying off one trip, booking another trip, and having to replace my laptop that died on me. And yes, I could kick myself for not having backed up my computer before it finally died on me. Oh well, I will have to get someone to try & recover those files or call them a loss. Nothing is irreplaceable I don't think. Most of my pictures I upload to my FB account or have in my phone.

I ended up buying the Dell Inspiron 11" 3000. It's a 2-in-1, which...
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So we put in the gas line for $700 and water pressure regulator valve for $700. I am feeling like things are crawling along. But slowly.

What we need to do is drywall/sheetrock the garage because it's a fire hazard and not up to code. The garage doors don't open and are also not up to code. The estimate from Costco for the garage doors is $3500.

Then redo the laundry room and put in new cabinets and windows and tear out the paneling.

And redo the bathroom downstairs...
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Yesterday was my day of rest. I did not venture out at all. My knee is getting better, but healing will be a slower process than I would like.

But I think I can manage the stairs today, so I'm going to do some laundry and go to the store. I'm planning to get kitty litter, cat food, and some free MyMixx items, if they're still available.

I looked at knee compression sleeves online. I did not order one, but I may do so after payday on Wednesday.

I got a $2 cash settlement...
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I heard this broadcast on our university radio station this afternoon. I thought it was well worth a listen: http://wuwm.com/post/financial-diaries-profiles-budgeting-struggles-working-families#stream/0

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We are halfway through our crazy week, and AS and I decided to skip the fireworks tonight. The kids didn't even know they were happening; I must have sensed I might not be in the mood, so I didn't tell them our plans. NT's work decided not to host a viewing party this year, and the thought of finding a place out in the crowds was uuuggghhh. NT is at a show tonight so it would've been me and AS. And they don't start till 10 so the kids would have another late night. They've had...
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