Didn’t do much spending on the weekend, only had time to go grocery shopping worth $64.75.

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Finally the patio is done! The gate is painted and so is the cement ground. I had no clue about using a sealer 🤦🏽‍♀️🙄, so this weekend I’ll be adding a top coat.

I’m so pleased with this patio, you have no idea. It just feels good to come home to a clean 🧼 space.

I’ve also brought some life to my living room space. I bought a few accent home decor items, and made my throw pillows. Oops my sister also gave me a set as well. Things are looking great...
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Well the job I had a LONG interview with was offered to me I accepted and now it has been almost 3 weeks and the start date is next Monday ( maybe). I can see why this job was open they pay well but if people need a job most can NOT wait week after week until they get IT set up etc. The funny ting was during the interview they acted like HOW soon can you start like they wanted the next day. I can truly see their sense of urgency is NOT the same as most. Since I am...
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Yesterday my kids took me out for my birthday dinner. We went to a local farm-to-table upscale restaurant, and it was really great. They also gave me a board game called "Marrying Mr. Darcy," and we all played it after the meal. What a hoot! I am a big, big Jane Austen fan and I love that there is a game based on Pride & Prejudice. And I own it! (I snagged the identity of Elizabeth Bennet and tried to marry Mr. Darcy, but ended up an old maid with a literary reputation. ...
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If you have a Citi Double Cash card and use iBotta - you can now get 3% back!

This is by using a new feature called iBotta pay. When you get to the checkout and know your total, you put it in the app and it creates a gift card (using Apple Pay.) Then either you or the cashier scans the gift card code, and your receipt prints out.

I used it for the first time today - twice actually. The first time I just did a small purchase because I wanted to be sure it would print out a...
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Well we ran out of paint for the fence, I’ll have to get another two gallon tomorrow to finish the other half and then I’m done. We are now working on the cement ground.

I tell you nothing like a fresh coat of paint that makes a heck of a difference.


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One of the things I enjoy the most is working on my projected budget for the next several months. I really nerd out on this, and it gives me immense joy. Maybe I should have been an accountant. But, I think it's working on MY numbers that brings me joy. I doubt that managing other people's money would make me as happy.

Anyway, now that I have purchased a car, I can more accurately budget out until April to see what's possible. It may not happen exactly like this because of...
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Wow, I really love using the new iPhone. It's amazing how quickly my cellphone use has gone from occasional/sporadic to every day, throughout the day. I just find so many ways to use it, and I still want to explore podcasts and music more. If anyone has any great (free) podcasts to recommend, I'm all ears. I did subscribe to The Moth radio hour.

Luther got through his dental procedure fine, though on one of the car rides home, he was so upset that he peed AND pooped in his carrier,...
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BFF and her family decided to make last night our dinner out. We went to Rainforest Cafe and had a wonderful time. BFF's granddaughter was also celebrating a birthday, so it was great fun all round.

I came home to disappointment, however. The smell hit me like a brick when I opened the door. The mold was back in my kitchen ceiling. I had noticed a smell the last few days, but thought it was the garbage, or maybe even a mouse who had died in the wall, but last night I...
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We have a house to move into...it is costing us more a lot more in rent but the girls being adults will pay the difference as they needed more space so happy to pay. So come wednesday we wil have the packers here to pack up our stuff so next few days will be continuing to sort through and pack things.

I have been selling a few things and have made an extra $280 which we will use for the move, we also have to hire a truck to move our shed stuff ourselves (long story due to mold...
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I bought a double pack of young whole chicken at Costco. I loved roasting these in the oven as they are so very tender (literally fall off the bone). A double pack is a little over $10 and I think I can make 4 or 5 dinners out of each roaster for a family of three. And if you wonder how I seasoned the chicken: I use Goya Adobo, fresh garlic and I put a whole onion in the chicken cavity and marinate for at least 12 hours.

Meal #1:

Husband ate a little bit of the dark meat...
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Checking in- summer has been busy but good! Since my last post I’ve done some work-related travel, which should eventually be reimbursed, and spent some money going to a wedding and on some birthdays. Depending on my account balance by the time travel expenses are reimbursed, may transfer some of that payment to my loan.

Received a pretty large lump-sum payment for overtime from the last 6 months or so, which was a nice boost to my debt pay-down. Made it under $200,000!...
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Hi all,

Sorry I've been MIA around here. Mom had a second stroke - a TIA - but is mostly recovered now. She was diagnosed with encephalitis and at some point will need a shunt - which will probably mean another trip to TX for me.

DH and I have a trip to CA in a few weeks for my grandma's 98th birthday. She's not doing too well, so this may be the last time I see her alive.

In other news, my supervisor is just over 60 days from retirement. Her position should be posted...
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Honestly I’m so thankful that this week is up! It’s been long, slow and frustrating.

I’ve been on the hunt for a few accent pieces for the house, spent money, I probably should not have. I ended up taking a few things back, and have two additional items to return.

I got my sewing machine back, cost was $45, apparently the only thing that was wrong was that the feed dog needed to be adjusted and I did that, so I thought, before taking it in.

I managed to make one...
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My husband uses those off site parking lots and shuttles to the airport when he flies for work. We do the same when we fly, at least at this airport, since it is far cheaper. My husband earned enough rewards with this particular lot to get parking for our next trip free! Our cost would have been $54.

I'm thankful I found a cat sitter. She is charging me $30 for this next trip. If I had to put our cat in a kennel, she would be there six nights (we are only gone four, but the...
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I woke up in the middle of the night last night, thinking "My assessment fees are going to hit twice this month!" And it's true. With my pay day so late in the month, I will have to pay assessment fees again before I get any more income. So this morning I transferred money from savings. The assessment payment is automatic, and I don't want to be surprised by a negative balance.

I spoke with BFF yesterday, and she wants me to join her family for dinner in one of the western...
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I don't really have any major updates. Just thought I would list a few things:

1. Bought a birthday gift for my brother-in-law, and used the $70 gift balance I got from applying for the Amazon Prime card. So, the total came down to $37.14. Nice savings.

2. I got a check from a class action settlement I had joined about 2 years ago. It was a measly $4. But it's something. Maybe that will pay for a coffee someday. Deposited it. I love mobile check deposits. Why didn't they...
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My lunch with B was lovely. We had a wonderful time catching up. The food was great. Even the traffic cooperated.

Unfortunately, I spent quite a bit more than I was planning to. The meal, with tip, was $39. We were so busy talking I wasn't really paying attention. Everything was a la carte, and I ordered a beverage and a dessert in addition to the entree. But at least I did have enough leftovers for lunch today.

I also spent $20 on gas. So variables are at 89% with...
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Supposedly we are to get new neighbors today. The house next to us sold. I will admit, we are apprehensive because a good neighbor or bad neighbor can really turn things one way or another.

The neighbor who sold was an excellent neighbor and although she had been here less than 2 years, she was someone you could visit with. She had been hired by a local corporation and moved down from a neighboring state. Then less than two years later they did lay offs and she was cut. She...
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Before I get to the new way to save money (well save on taxes really), just putting in here I was visiting relatives the past month and got to go to the local food outlet place there. Oh yeah (Think Kool Aid Guy) I love going there. Picked up lots of the protein bars I have after workouts in bags of 12 for $2.00. These are the types that go for $2-$3 in convenience stores, and about $1 each when you buy them in big boxes at the Sams Clubs of the world. Got enough to hold me...
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