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Received $94 bank interest for the month of January.
Received $246 I Bond interest for the month of January.
 
Snowflakes to Investments:
--Redeemed $36 credit card rewards (cash back) from our grocery card 
--Redeemed $96 cash back on Citi card
--Redeemed $21 cash back on dining out/gas card (& grocery rewards from Q4 2022)
 
Other Snowflakes to Investments:
+ $7 Savings from Target Red Card (grocery purchases)
 
TOTAL: $160 Snowflakes to Investments
 
Snowball...
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I had the estimate done for my master bathroom renovation, and some work on my guest bath. It came in a bit higher then I was expecting, but not crazy high. I have used this contractor before when I had my single family house and they do quality work so everything is set. They can't start until the spring, which is fine with me as it gives me enough time to select all of my materials without feeling rushed. 
Spending is on track this month. All the usual bills are paid. I...
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Hello friends.
2022 was a fairly turbulent year for me.  Medical issues, family hiccups, a new puppy and just life.  I took a break rather than constantly blogging about the blah of the year.
I am happy to say, 2023 is off to a much better start.  Ive already gone on two vacations to Mexico- the first was a Christmas present from my son and DIL, the second a cruise with DD1 and her family.  Both were fantastic, and for me, fairly frugal.  (My final invoice...
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I took my car to the dealership for an oil change after the maintenance light came on at 15%. I try not to delay any scheduled maintenance as I'm hoping my paid off car lasts many more years.  Of course, my routine oil change turned up more problems including brakes, leaking valve cover, and filters needing replacement (listed from most to least expensive). I opted to take care of them all in addition to the oil change. The cost was $1080.
I don't know much about cars...
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In 2021, I had a medical procedure done that I had to pay the deductible for before insurance covered it.  Apparently insurance paid more than they thought because I received a check in the mail today for $844.  It was quite a shock opening that envelope!  I quickly deposited the check.  I also deposited the $30 check I received for Jury Duty.  Those items plus the checking account reward add up to over $1300 this week in found money!  And I'll have...
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I had my mechanic look over the new car. It is sound but there is quite a bit of maintenance to catch up on -- brakes, mainly, but also some belts, filters, alignment, rotation, etc. The cost for the auto inspection was $148. They asked me to come back to have the codes checked out after the computer reset (codes had been wiped), so I'm taking it in on Monday. Then, after I learn what I can from that, I'll schedule the maintenance work. Hope there aren't any new surprises, but...
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This little guy was at the animal Shelter in Atwater, about 3.5 hours away.  I saw this little face on Thursday evening, texted my boss to ask for Friday off, and drove down to Atwater yesterday.  Meet Gilligan, our little buddy.  The shelter estimted his age at 1 year and 1 month, mostly based on his teeth.
So much new for him yesterday, but we were pleased to learn that he is house-broken.  He even woke us up during the night with one sharp, urgent bark...
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I got my first shocking bill re: inflation.  
I presumed that utilities would take about a year, because we do budget billing (just pay a flat amount each month.)  
So I just got an email that our budget billing was going up 33% for the gas bill.  
We've also been much more relaxed with heating over the past year or so.  So I didn't know how much was that we were using more gas, that prices went up, that the balanced billing is just catching...
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Well would you believe it...not that many of you read mine or follow it...but I sent this years and last years taxes where they had to be signed for...not sure it would work but they have received and being processed, both of them...so excited for the saga to finally be over and certainly going to be doing this every year from now on!!...Let's just hope that they deposit it into our US acct and not send a cheque
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NGG here...I had to start a new blog as I lost access to my previous email address.  
I have lots on the financial front to share.  First, I have to say that I am blessed to have found the job I have.  They have been so good to me.  They purchased my glasses for me as a bonus and then this week I was told that I would be getting a profit sharing bonus!  They have treated me like I have been here for years instead of 6 months!
I opened an account...
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So the grocery ads are an abysmal flop this week.  I mean there is a possibility that there is a good sale on Ribeye steaks at Freddy's this week, as it is 50% off, but they don't tell you off of what price.  I hate it when stores do that.  They just want you to go there and find out.  Especially when there is no other reason to go there.  It is on DH's way home from work, so he will stop in and check for me tomorrow.  If it is a good price we will...
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I received the overnight package from Guardian Life for my single payment income annuity, signed everywhere I needed to and fed'exed it back this afternoon.
If all goes smoothly, my first annuity payment will come in March. I will have them deduct federal and state income taxes so no big tax bill at year-end. I will have to tweak my asset allocation afterwards at Vanguard to make sure I'm at about the same place as I am now, but not a biggie since this is all IRA money and can...
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I traded in my Kia Soul yesterday and bought a 2021 Toyota Corolla. My ex came with me and insisted that he was going to help out financially. I was in no position to argue. (Though I did.) In the end, I contributed $6,000 in cash and the $7,200 value of the trade-in. He paid for the rest of it, and I'm embarrassed to say how much that was. I told him I would pay him back, as I was able, and he said he didn't want me to.
Some history here -- when we divorced, he was so besotted...
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Have you ever had one of those mornings where even making toast seems like too much work?  I swear if I don't start getting more than 4 to 6 hours of sleep a night, I'm going to go to become a Mombie zombie.  But life went on and toast was avoided and eggs were made and cucumbers sliced and life was brought back into this tired lady's veins.
The grocery ads came out today and I will sit down with them and see what meals I can plan around them.  I don't need to buy...
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On the post your wins thread it was a nice post by amastewa93 about how far she's come in 6 years!  I'm really impressed.  So I thought a lot as well and it's amazing how fast things can change on a dime.
I'm the mom of a teenager as of last month (DK1 turned 13!!!).  When I started blogging and I on this site I had no children.  I had been with my DH about 6 years and we were married a couple of years.  Those first few years were very, very lean. ...
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It's been a long several days, but we got to come back to our house on Saturday and it was so nice sleeping in our own beds again.  Next time we will definitely spring for the nicer hotel with hopefully better beds, but we did not know how long we were going to have to stay away for and there isn't really any family we can stay for that is set up for more than one person and still be near DH's work, and of course the kids had doctor appointments.  Thankfully, it was not...
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Hello everyone...not a lot happening but thought I would jump online and just update for the last month.
I have sent my US taxes for this last year and the year before (as they still haven't been done) and they were sent over a year ago, I put them in the same packet and then they had tracking and signature so I could at least see if they got them...and I put the date in my phone so I can keep track...So they have arrived and been delivered so guessing they did sign for them and...
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On Thursday night my car was broken into. Someone smashed the rear side window, got inside and somehow dismantled my steering wheel lock, and went through all the nooks and crannies and threw everything around. Nothing was taken; I had nothing of value in the car. But I had to replace the window. It was $367, which I paid out of pocket so I could get it done right away. Tomorrow I will call my insurance agent. I think he told me they would pay whatever was above my $250 deductible,...
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As many of you know, I'm pretty involved in my church. And like all things in our personal lives, prices have gone up for things at church too. The power bill has increased. Insurance increased for the few employees, the cost of materials like paper has gone up. 
A couple of weeks ago we passed a deficit budget. And that is scary since it is often a crapshoot on giving to begin with.
I'm friends with the treasurer and he and I have been brainstorming ideas on ways to "fundraise"...
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Here is yesterday's paycheck and budget:

With yesterday's payment, my car loan is down to $24,739.24.   Still such a huge number, but moving in the right direction.
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