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Mid-week I suggested to our litter board's exec director that we reschedule the litter cleanup set for Saturday to Sunday instead, on account of expected rain. She agreed.  I don't take doing that lightly because it takes quite a lot of work to reschedule anything and let people know, and since I do all the social media promotions and the PR, this has fallen on me to do.
I had to create and post new Facebook and Instagram flyers, call the first selectman's office, call the...
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Spring is here and DH and I planned our vegetable garden. Last year we planted 3 tomato plants, some green onions, and a cucumber plant and three herbs: Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme. Last fall I planted garlic. 
This year we are expanding our garden a little bit. DH got out the tiller and we measured out the plot based on my plans on graph paper. Yesterday we planted most of the seeds for the cool weather crops. And today it rained so it watered our newly planted seeds. I've...
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I really didn't want to buy a new phone, but the back started coming off my current phone because the battery was bulging.  The only thing holding it together was the phone case.  It was still usable, but not exactly safe.  This is the second Motorola phone I've had of this design that has done this.  My husband has never had this problem with this exact problem, but I play games on my phone a lot more so mine is on a lot more than his so probably gets a lot...
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People are saying keep on buying as it keeps going down.  Great time to buy.  But for the first time I question this sentiment?  Why? Because I think that you have to look deep down and see will you panic?  If the market drops another 10-20% or more will you immediately hit the panic button and sell.  Will you reach out and catch the falling knife as the market starts to drop rapidly? If we go into a depression can you withstand the pain of watching newly...
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Oh this is new.  My anti-virus software now warns me against clicking on anything from SavingAdvice's blog section, mostly because it does not offer HTTPS.  That's never come up before, but it does make sense I guess.
While I'm here, the stock market dropped again today, because our Stable Genius of a President decided that he has the power to fire the Chair of the Federal Reserve and is "considering it". 
Like, seriously, what is wrong with this guy?  Better...
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I figured I better get this up here before the new payday hits on Friday.  I did have it all ready to go, but then Windows did an update and then I had it ready to go again when I accidentally closed the chrome window and it was gone when I brought all my tabs back up again.  I know I should just write it in a Word document, but I don't, because Co-pilot gets in my way all the time and I haven't figured out how to shut it off yet or if I even can.  I hate Co-pilot. ...
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The weeks are so chockful of stuff going on. Tonight a friend is driving over, and then we'll do about a 12-minute walk from my house up to the town flagpole (in the middle of Main St) where we'll attend an outdoor candlight vigil for those who were wrongfully deported and detained in El Salvador.
I started a fundraiser on Swing Left to raise $$ to win back just 3 Democratic seats in the House to take back the House in the mid-term elections next year, which would go a long way...
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In the past I've mentioned my sourdough starter, Sammy. He's around 5 years old. I started sourdough because I wanted something to do during the months we couldn't do anything or go anywhere during the Pandemic. I know I have learned a lot and have more to learn about sourdough bread, but it sure is fun.
The interesting thing is sourdough has become big. I mean, really popular. Just this past couple of weeks I've seen "classes" for showing people how to start a starter. I guess...
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I've always liked the idea of adopting pets, but was too busy before to take care of them.  I had said to myself that, some day, when I retire, perhaps I would finally adopt some.  Well, that day is finally here, but I am still dragging my feet.
The usual concerns would come up.  As a pet novice, would I find the learning curve a bit too much?  Would I find the cost of raising pets too much as well?  I am also concerned about pets that might be too sad...
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Net Worth down about $7,500 from end of 2024.
But in good news, debts are down about $8,000, from around $50k all-in to ~$42k all in.  Q1 is always when I make the biggest progress on debt, since that is when I receive my annual bonus (if one is forthcoming).
I have two trips coming up in Q2 (both planned before the current market mayhem):  Patient Saver will be coming for a visit again and we will go to Gettysburg for a day, and then I'll be going on a hiking and kayaking...
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This isn't the first time I've dropped it, but it's the first time it did any damage. This time it fell on concrete and the screen shattered. I wasn't able to unlock it; basically nothing on the screen was accessible.
I bought it at BestBuy, and I have a service plan with them, so I high-tailed it over there. They are going to replace my phone for $49, but the new phone is on order and will be mailed to me, and I am currently using a temporary phone, which I purchased and will...
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I have wanted to go back to what the "old timers" use to do like grow my own vegies, I can't sew but my hubby and daughter do that, but I always had an excuse, we are renting so we are limited to what we can do etc....and yes housing is so damn expensive here and with the upfront fees it is just hard....so I have done a few things...I said "screw it" it "now or never", so I have been growing things from the seeds we have left over rom our vegies that we have bought so we have bell...
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So on Sunday I did send my husband in to take advantage of the last day of that meat sale and we got both the tri tip and the chuck shoulder roll.  For an 18 pound tri tip and a 25 pound chuck shoulder roll, both black angus, we spent $194.98.  The amounts are rounded, but it is very close.  I haven't cut up the chuck shoulder roll yet as its use or freeze by date is further out, but my son and I spent tonight (Thursday, it'll be Friday by the time this posts) cutting...
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TSP $1,232,064
IRA $363,335
Brokerage $9,492
Savings $10,270
Home Equity $140,000
March 2025 Net Worth $1,755,161
February 2025 Net Worth $1,835,751
Monrhly Loss/Gain -$80,590
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23 days and we will see what party will be running our country....hopefully not Dutton because he likes Trump and wants to do some stuff like him...we dont need that here...it is a little weird though because last election there were posters left on poles etc so they were banned from putting them up this time so we hardly see them unless in a private yard..so they really have to rely on themselves and going out to see people...the good thing is many do it only when elections are...
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So far, I've participated in 2 rallies and 3 protests. The rallies were different in that they were indoors and featured a series of very inspirational speakers making testimonials. One of my favorites was from a local church pastor. I would love to see more faith leaders speak out on what's going on.
At the last demonstration on Saturday, we got about 500 people to turn out in my little town of just 28,000, so that felt pretty good. And of course, there were much larger protests...
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Not panicking.  A can feel the fear in a lot of clients.  Telling them not to panic.  I'm not sure if they are going to listen. I am now 45 years old and for the first time I feel the fear.  I suspect it's age.  It's the fact I worry how long this recession/depression will be.  Yes we have lots of time, but time seems shorter since we want to retire in 10 years.  20 15 20 years ago in 2006/2007 I kept on plowing money into the market.  We...
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It seems like it's just doom and gloom as far as the markets. Here it is Monday, things were up and down, and when I checked my retirement accounts, I lost yet another $10,000. I know we all say to stay in it in the long run, but I'm not a youngster starting out. I've been fortunate that I haven't had to use any of this money so far. But it isn't like I'm going to make it up very quickly. I tend to worry about stuff and now I'm feeling stressed. I'm sure I'm not alone. I think...
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Been having a rough couple weeks.
A storm ripped part of our roof shingles off while I was out of town. Once we got a contractor up there they said we have a ton of hail damage and the entire roof needs replaced. Half of it was put on in 2012 and other half was put on in 2017. So this was not an expense I was expecting. I had to make an insurance claim but it sounds like my area went to ACV storm coverage last year even though I have "replacement" insurance. So I'm guessing the...
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Well if things are scary now hold on. I think a recession is coming.  I hate the fact so many people didn't vote.  I think we are getting what we deserved because more people voted for the guy making the decisions.  I did not.  But i'm holding on for the ride.  But what really pisses me off more is that so many people (they say 90 million americans) didn't vote. It's frustrating.  Why isn't voting on a weekend?  Or over a weekend? But more...
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