Sunday, December 27, 2009
Giveaways this week!
Here are some giveaways this week that I entered. Check them out:
-Smart Money Babe- CVS Gift Card
-Frugal Shopping with Julie- Save a lot Giftcard
-Saving Money For a Wedding- $25 Macys Gift Card
-Becca's Backyard- $10 Whole Foods Giftcard
-Piece of Me- Epson 710 all in one printer
-Lets Just Give it away- $10 Walmart Giftcard
-Sage and Savy- $30 Walmart Gift Card for Holiday Meals
-Simply Being Mommy- $100 JCPenny Giftcard
-The Not so Blog - $40 Walmart Giftcard
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Goals
Debt
Frugal
Budget
$200 mo groceries
$280 mo gas
$600 year auto repair
$50 mo electricity
$50 mo clothing
$100 fast food/dining
$40 mo HSA fund
- Pay off Adams Small Loan by March
- Get Emergency Fund Back to $5000
- Pay all medical bills etc with HSA Fund
- Continue to contribute the max to my Roth $5000
- Use Thank You rewards for Adams Loans
- Save at least $300 for Sean and Mandys wedding in Disney
- Consider refinancing in 2010
- Start Boiler Fund and buy a boiler this year with tax credit Save $2000
- Get Baby Fund up to $5500 at least
- Get Vacation fund to $1000
Frugal
- No More than $200/mo on groceries
- Free/Cheap stockups at drugstores
- Paint upstairs bathroom orange
- Put in new toilet
- Get window treatments for bedrooms
- Get closet doors
- Redo downstairs plumbing ($1100)
- Install toilet and sink and fan
- Paint downstairs bathroom
- Install bathroom floor
- Paint computer room
- Install Floor in computer room
- Move 401k from Principal to Fidelity in may 2010
- Close Huntington and move money to northwest savings
- Pay off Credit Card biweekly
Budget
$200 mo groceries
$280 mo gas
$600 year auto repair
$50 mo electricity
$50 mo clothing
$100 fast food/dining
$40 mo HSA fund
Accomplished Goals From 2009
- Eat out no more than once a week
- Use coupons as much as possible
- Furnish house with garage sale/thrift store items until we redo the room with no more than $1000 new goal 2/09
- Research water heaters new goal added 5/09
- Research Cable/Internet packages...possibly AT&T new goal 6/09
- Move 401k to Fidelity new goal 6/09
Frugal:
- Try to get enough CFL lightbulbs to replace all of the lights when we move in..using coupons of course
- Keep entering giveaways for gift cards to home depot for our house
- Savings: Save up 6 months of emergency savings
- Max out Roth by April 2010 new goal added 2/09 continuing to contribute...
- Adam to get a full time job by August
- Save $2000 for washer and dryer fund...maybe less I dont know new goal added 5/09
- Biweekly Payments plus Principal on house
- Sending our taxes away to get done by professionals
- Applying for the New Home Buyer Credit $7500 to repay in the next 2 years
Completed Goals
- Pay off scooter by February balance=done January 10
- Pay off Jeep done! 2/1/09
- $1000 in Emergency Fund done January 16
- Emergency Fund $5000 done March 27
- Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) done March 27
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April done March 13
- Buy a washer and dryer for house on sale with coupons! Got it from Sears Outlet 30% off $1400 total done June 5
- Buy a bed when we get home We got it from Levin furniture outlet good deal done June 10
- Continuing Job searching and have something set up by early may hopefully June 15th I start my new job!
- Save up a downpayment on a car brand new Hyundia accent
- Make a budget list
- $208 at Roth every 2 weeks to max out by April
- Have Adams loan down to $4000 by Sept
- Pay off Credit Card Each Month (do biweekly payment)
- Build a stockpile of food, try to spend no more than $50/week on groceries
- Get only free stuff and essentials at the drugstores
- Continue to use Swagbucks, Surveys and Youdata for extra money
- Buy furniture
Monday, October 26, 2009
Focus Friday
Ok heres the recap from last week:
THIS WEEK!
Sunday- Run 5 mile race, work hillcrest 7p-7a, make tilipia
Monday- work rainbow 7-8
Tuesday- dr guerreri at 2:30, interview for new job, clean out freezer, buy a hamper
Wednesday- Logan 7-3pm, meme surgery, grocery shopping
Thursday- Rainbow 7-8
Friday- Rainbow 7-8
Saturday- Rainbow 7-8
Lots of work this week!
THIS WEEK!
- Sunday- Work Rainbow 7p-8am---worked it.
- Monday-Dentist at 9am, Paint bedroom closet, Adam to put down floor, plumber?, Call insurance co about my eye exam not being covered??, Do laundry, pick up some deals at target and giant eagle Went to the Dentist, adam and I both have cavities to get filled...yay. Adam wasnt able to get to the floor yet. The plumber is coming on Wednesday and our bathroom will be done! Adam did laundry that was awesome. Didnt get to paint the closet, got busy at night.
- Tuesday- Watch Logan 7-2ish, plumber? Clean out fridge, find water heater receipt for taxes, Adam Cavs game, buy dads iPod touch I am watching Logan Wednesday instead. Cleanned out the fridge, raked leaves for 2 hours, and didnt finish before dark! Plumber coming tomorrow. Found the Water Heater Reciept! Got Dads ipod. went to giant eagle...chicken, soup, icecream and eggs were on sale, thats all i got haha
- Wednesday- Trish and Rob? Maybe Hillcrest? Maybe pickup treadmill. Logan, Hillcrest 11p-7a, Trish and Rob had to reschedule. Pick up treadmill Thursday or Friday.
- Thursday-Rainbow 7p-8a worked it!
- Friday- Mentor skating Party with zachary--it was so much fun! We also went to dinner with friends
- Saturaday- Halloween! Hungout with Sarah at her party
Sunday- Run 5 mile race, work hillcrest 7p-7a, make tilipia
Monday- work rainbow 7-8
Tuesday- dr guerreri at 2:30, interview for new job, clean out freezer, buy a hamper
Wednesday- Logan 7-3pm, meme surgery, grocery shopping
Thursday- Rainbow 7-8
Friday- Rainbow 7-8
Saturday- Rainbow 7-8
Lots of work this week!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Focus Friday--on saturday?
Ok heres the recap from last week:
- Sunday- Hillcrest 7p-7a, catch up on my thursday shows while scrapbooking, Look up a dentist and eye doctor, figuring out my HSA plan to pay my urgent care bill---I scrapbooked my page at the top! I paid my urgent care bill with HSA fund and found doctors!
- Monday- after work buy some pumpkin spice and make applesauce, Make appointments for dentist and eye doctor for adam and I.---AppleSauce was good and pumpkin lattes were a nice treat for the night. Made appointments too!
- Tuesday- Make applecrisp or applesauce for mom dad and meme, have trish and rob over for dinner possibly...Clean out upstairs closet, clean bathrooms--Sent applecrisp to my parents and meme, Trish and Rob never responded, went to the eye doctor!, planted my mums outside, the green room is done being painted! Our bathroom is also done being painted!
- Wednesday- Watch Logan 7a-2p work rainbow Got "flu-like" symptoms so i did not watch Logan but did work at rainbow
- Thursday- Work Hillcrest yep! It was good
- Friday- Work Rainbow, Adam out of town Worked...
- Saturday- Work Rainbow and go to Veterans park, Adam out of town, all the fixures are now in our bathroom! Went to get our new CFL lightbulbs today and going to work in a little bit!
The Plumber did nto stop by this week because the bathroom wasnt done yet and we didnt grocery shop!
- Sunday- Work Rainbow 7p-8am
- Monday-Dentist at 9am, Paint bedroom closet, Adam to put down floor, plumber?, Call insurance co about my eye exam not being covered??, Do laundry, pick up some deals at target and giant eagle
- Tuesday- Watch Logan 7-2ish, plumber? Clean out fridge, find water heater receipt for taxes, Adam Cavs game, buy dads iPod touch
- Wednesday- Trish and Rob? Maybe Hillcrest? Maybe pickup treadmill
- Thursday-Rainbow 7p-8a
- Friday- Mentor skating Party with zachary
- Saturaday- Halloween!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Focus Friday---on sunday?
I am getting back into this...
THIS WEEK!
- Sunday- Hillcrest 7p-7a, catch up on my thursday shows while scrapbooking, Look up a dentist and eye doctor, figuring out my HSA plan to pay my urgent care bill
- Monday- after work buy some pumpkin spice and make applesauce, Make appointments for dentist and eye doctor for adam and I.
- Tuesday- Make applecrisp or applesauce for mom dad and meme, have trish and rob over for dinner possibly...,Clean out upstairs closet, clean bathrooms
- Wednesday- Watch Logan 7a-2p work rainbow
- Thursday- Work Hillcrest
- Friday- Work Rainbow, Adam out of town
- Saturday- Work Rainbow and go to Veterans park, Adam out of town
We will also be working on painting and putting the floor in the bedroom and finishing up our bathroom. The plumber should also be by this week. Busy busy busy! Also, we are gonna try not to go grocery shopping this week so no new meals!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Meals for this week
I just prepared a meal by $5 dollar dinners called apple-cranberry french toast bake! I have never tried it but it sounds so good! Also going to make Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot this week. I have made this in the past and its sooo good! With the weather getting so cold now it cant sound any better!
Last week the Easy Baked Tilipia came out as good as always :) and also the Foil Packet chicken was really good! We still have leftovers because i made 6 of them :)
Giveaways this week!
Here are some giveaways I found this week on the web! Enjoy!
- Mommy has to work Resnackit bags
- The Bargain Jargon $20 Walmart Giftcard
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Meals for this week
Hey everyone,
I am back! We are finally moved back home and kinda settled into our new home in Ohio. Here are the meals I am making this week. We still have leftovers to eat too! I am shopping at Giant Eagle this week. They have Tilipia for $4.99/lb, thats a good deal! I might stock up a bit. Also I have left over frozen chicken so heres what ill make:
Easy Baked Tilipia I dont have Old Bay Seasoning, so I will substitute for a little basil and garlic salt. We have a couple bags of various assorted veggies that I will use. I have made this before and its so good!
I am also going to make Foil Packet Chicken & Broccoli dinner This is Adams request. Its so good!
I am back! We are finally moved back home and kinda settled into our new home in Ohio. Here are the meals I am making this week. We still have leftovers to eat too! I am shopping at Giant Eagle this week. They have Tilipia for $4.99/lb, thats a good deal! I might stock up a bit. Also I have left over frozen chicken so heres what ill make:
Easy Baked Tilipia I dont have Old Bay Seasoning, so I will substitute for a little basil and garlic salt. We have a couple bags of various assorted veggies that I will use. I have made this before and its so good!
I am also going to make Foil Packet Chicken & Broccoli dinner This is Adams request. Its so good!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Financial Review For July
Financial Review For July
2009 Personal Finance Goals
This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
Debt:
- Pay off one of adams loans We would just like to make sure it is paid at this point...
Spending:
- Eat out no more than once a week--We have done pretty well, the only thing we eat out is icecream with friends...
- Use coupons as much as possible-- Its workin out well, i want to get a printer for our house so I can print more coupons. We need internet fist...
- Furnish house with garage sale/thrift store items until we redo the room with no more than $1000 new goal 2/09 We have not bought any furniture. We are going to an antique barn tomorrow!
- Research water heaters new goal added 5/09 Got it as cheap as we could, couldnt get a tankless one, but it was just installed yesterday!
- Research Cable/Internet packages...possibly AT&T new goal 6/09 We are going to get AT&T but I would like Adam to have a fulltime job first...we will see
- Move 401k to Fidelity new goal 6/09 Still gotta do that...havent had a chance
- Contribute 6% of my paycheck to my 401k new goal 6/09 I cant contribute to it like a IRA, so I am contributing that to our FSA until I get enough built up for healthcare expenses
Frugal:
- Try to get enough CFL lightbulbs to replace all of the lights when we move in..using coupons of course --no sales on these lately, still lookin!--thanks for the tip jeannie
- Keep entering giveaways for gift cards to home depot for our house have not done this yet...no time since we got home :(---ditto once we get internet i will get on that again
- Savings: Save up 6 months of emergency savings currently at: $5,316.49--not contributing now...not enough money
- Max out Roth by April 2010 new goal added 2/09 continuing to contribute...
- Adam to get a full time job by August--currently getting some work here and there and working on our house!---no changes yet...is getting alot of hours though, no paycheck yet
- Save $2000 for washer and dryer fund...maybe less I dont know new goal added 5/09 our fund is now at: $901.36 -- pay off by December!
So Here we are in July. I have saved NO money this past month, it really sucks. I am not used to having such a small paycheck! I am making the best of it though. I am still able to pay the bills thanks to our savings, but thats going down fast! I hope Adam can help contribute soon!
My Short Term Financial Goals by June
Heres what we got:
Last month= blue
This month= red
Our HouseFund: $12,389.26--$10,678,68(this month we finished our bedroom, paint, wood floors. Got our water heater installed and a thousand other things!)
My Checkings (high interest): $6183.27--$2,735.43(i want to cry..)
My Short Term Financial Goals by June
Heres what we got:
Last month= blue
This month= red
Our HouseFund: $12,389.26--$10,678,68(this month we finished our bedroom, paint, wood floors. Got our water heater installed and a thousand other things!)
My Checkings (high interest): $6183.27--$2,735.43(i want to cry..)
My Checkings (no interest):$3104.67--$1047.84(I hope adam gets a job soon... )
Roth: 13,524.65--$13,389.22(so i contributed to it...you cant tell though)
Credit Card debt:-$1,532.76 I just paid that...
Roth: 13,524.65--$13,389.22(so i contributed to it...you cant tell though)
Credit Card debt:-$1,532.76 I just paid that...
401k: $1765.43--1,661.53---i guess the stock market isnt doing well...
other 401k--$3,504.32-- 4,567.29--I will stop contributing at the end of this assignment :( then I will just have my Roth to contribute to until I get matching at my job
other 401k--$3,504.32-- 4,567.29--I will stop contributing at the end of this assignment :( then I will just have my Roth to contribute to until I get matching at my job
Goals Initiated this year
- Biweekly Payments plus Principal on house
- Sending our taxes away to get done by professionals
- Applying for the New Home Buyer Credit $7500 to repay in the next 2 years
Completed Goals
- Pay off scooter by February balance=done January 10
- Pay off Jeep done! 2/1/09
- $1000 in Emergency Fund done January 16
- Emergency Fund $5000 done March 27
- Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) done March 27
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April done March 13
- Buy a washer and dryer for house on sale with coupons! Got it from Sears Outlet 30% off $1400 total done June 5
- Buy a bed when we get home We got it from Levin furniture outlet good deal done June 10
- Continuing Job searching and have something set up by early may hopefully June 15th I start my new job!
- Save up a downpayment on a car brand new Hyundia accent
Looking Ahead:
Goals for the next 3 months until September:
Goals for the next 3 months until September:
- Make a budget list
- $208 at Roth every 2 weeks to max out by April
- Have Adams loan down to $4000 by Sept
- Pay off Credit Card Each Month (do biweekly payment)
- Build a stockpile of food, try to spend no more than $50/week on groceries ---spending more than that right now because we started off with no food...
- Get only free stuff and essentials at the drugstores
- Try to get $25 in Chacha money
- Continue to use Swagbucks, Surveys and Youdata for extra money
- Buy furniture
Friday, June 12, 2009
Financial Review For June
2009 Personal Finance Goals
This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
Debt:This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
- Pay off one of adams loans Up to date with payments...
Spending:
- Eat out no more than once a week--this month sucks, we have no food at our house. Just went shopping yesterday
- Use coupons as much as possible--Jeannie and I are getting together to do this now
- Furnish house with garage sale/thrift store items until we redo the room with no more than $1000 new goal 2/09 Havent bought funiture yet...we got a free loveseat from a friend
- Research water heaters new goal added 5/09 we havent bought it yet...by next month we will because ours is leaking
- Research Cable/Internet packages...possibly AT&T new goal 6/09
- Move 401k to Fidelity new goal 6/09
- Contribute 6% of my paycheck to my 401k new goal 6/09
Frugal:
- Try to get enough CFL lightbulbs to replace all of the lights when we move in..using coupons of course --no sales on these lately, still lookin!
- Keep entering giveaways for gift cards to home depot for our house have not done this yet...no time since we got home :(
- Savings: Save up 6 months of emergency savings currently at: $5,316.49--not contributing now...
- Save up a downpayment on a car brand new Hyundia accent have $12,700 saved, I am gonna go get a car tomorrow possibly...I might have a small payment to make.
- Max out Roth by April 2010 new goal added 2/09
- Adam to get a full time job by August--currently getting some work here and there and working on our house!
- Save $2000 for washer and dryer fund...maybe less I dont know new goal added 5/09 our fund is now at: $901.36 --we have 6 months to pay $1400 off
My Short Term Financial Goals by June
Heres what we got:
Last month= blue
This month= red
Our HouseFund: $15898.08--$12,389.26(bought a washer, dryer, hardwood floor, carpet etc...and still have to get gutters)
My Checkings (high interest): $4914.77--$6,183.27(that will be down soon...to pay the credit card)
My Checkings (no interest):$3211.11--3,104.67
Roth: 12,042.96--$13,524.65
Credit Card debt: 2,607.25 will be paid off by the end of this month
401k: $1624--1,765.43
**NEW 401k--$3,504.32-- 4,567.29--I will stop contributing at the end of this assignment :( then I will just have my Roth to contribute to until I get matching at my job
Goals Initiated this year
- Biweekly Payments plus Principal on house
- Sending our taxes away to get done by professionals
- Applying for the New Home Buyer Credit $7500 to repay in the next 2 years
Completed Goals
- Pay off scooter by February balance=done January 10
- Pay off Jeep done! 2/1/09
- $1000 in Emergency Fund done January 16
- Emergency Fund $5000 done March 27
- Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) done March 27
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April done March 13
- Buy a washer and dryer for house on sale with coupons! Got it from Sears Outlet 30% off $1400 total done June 5
- Buy a bed when we get home We got it from Levin furniture outlet good deal done June 10
- Continuing Job searching and have something set up by early may hopefully June 15th I start my new job!
Goals for the next 3 months until September:
- Make a budget list
- $208 at Roth every 2 weeks to max out by April
- Have Adams loan down to $4000 by Sept
- Pay off Credit Card Each Month (do biweekly payment)
- Build a stockpile of food, try to spend no more than $50/week on groceries
- Get only free stuff and essentials at the drugstores
- Try to get $25 in Chacha money
- Continue to use Swagbucks, Surveys and Youdata for extra money
- Buy a washer and dryer
- Buy a bed
- Buy a hot water heater
- Buy furniture
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Focus Friday
Last Weeks Goals:
- find an animal shelter to donate our animal food to--doing that today!
- Make Lemon Basil Pasta with Summer Squash and cut up strawberries--it was good!
- Scrapbook a page for me and jeannie-check them out
- Go out to eat with uncle dan--did that, good food!
- Read some of my magazines so i dont have to pack them :)--read 2 of 4!
- Follow up with Rainbow about my job--meeting with the manager on the 26th when I get home
- Talk to Megan about doing homecare with Logan--it seems like a long process but we are working on it!
- Chacha $1.50!--2--154.37 currently $155.41--made $1.04
- Hopefully work some overtime before we leave!!--was able to get 16 hours last week..nothin this week though
THIS WEEK! - Finish reading magazines
- PACK PACK PACK!
- Leave on Wednesday morning to go back to Ohio
- Stop in Yellowstone National Park
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Giveaways this week!
Here are some giveaways for you!
- Lisas Reviews- Bright Green Giveaway
- Saving Money for a Wedding- $25 Outback steakhouse Giftcard
- One Project Closer- SKIL Lithium Ion Combo Kit (This would be great for our new home projects!!)
- Mamas Review- Simple Green Giveaway
- Pajama Mommy- Scotts Natural
- What Mommies Need- Maybelline Pulse Mascara
- The Last Blog on Earth- Ecostore Giveaway and Skoy Cloth Giveaway
- STL Mommy- Scotts Natural
- Your Mama Reviews- Ice Cream and Sorbet Maker for Food Allergy Awareness week!
My first Blog award!
I received my first blog award From Saving the Family Money!! Thanks you! How exciting! Now I want to share it!
Here are the rules:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
I love to save money so those are most of my blogs I read!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Financial Review For May
2009 Personal Finance Goals
This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
Debt:This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
- Pay off one of adams loans Adam is doing great with this!
Spending:
- Eat out no more than once a week--we went over our restaurant "budget" AGAIN! We had our friend come out and visit so we ate out more often :(
- Use coupons as much as possible-- walgreens no more rebates :( and rite aid $1.00 rebate--free gum, cheap diapers and wipes and binkis for vickys baby shower, free body wash, shaving cream, chapstick, mouthwash...lots of freebies.
- Watch our spending when we come home for good--we have to watch our bills and also reevaluate our cell phone plan when we get home
- Buy a washer and dryer for house on sale with coupons! new goal 2/09
- Furnish house with garage sale/thrift store items until we redo the room with no more than $1000 new goal 2/09 We will be buying a bed and start using garage sales/craigslist for furniture
- Research water heaters new goal added 5/09
- Buy a bed when we get home...have to research this too new goal added 5/09
Frugal:
- Try to get enough CFL lightbulbs to replace all of the lights when we move in..using coupons of course --no sales on these lately, still lookin!
- Keep entering giveaways for gift cards to home depot for our house won some green cleaners for the house! Some more BBQ sauce and $20 Target Giftcard! entered some more...
- Savings: Save up 6 months of emergency savings currently at: $5,309.77
- Save up a downpayment on a car brand new Hundia accent or Nissina versa(about $10,000) currently at: $11,624! want to save about $3000 more, if possible...
- Max out Roth by April 2010 new goal added 2/09
- Continuing Job searching and have something set up by early may hopefully(!) new goal 4/1 ---I got a job! Back home at Rainbow. I will also be talking to one of my former patients who is talking about me being his home care nurse...we will see where that goes. Now Adam has to get a job!
- Save $2000 for washer and dryer fund...maybe less I dont know new goal added 5/09 our fund is now at: $700.38
My Short Term Financial Goals by May
Heres what we got:
Last month= blue
This month= red
Our HouseFund: $16,318.17--$15898.08(had to pay $720 for bee spraying our house and possible mouse killing...and water and gas bills..and the mortgage too!)
My Checkings (high interest): $5631.45--$4914.77
My Checkings (no interest):$1911.66--$3211.11--just got paid today
Roth: $10,957.64--12,042.96 (thats finally up!)
Credit Card debt: $292 will be paid off this week
401k: $1462.64 --$1624 yay!
**NEW 401k--$2703.32--$3,504.32--I will stop contributing at the end of this assignment :( then I will just have my Roth to contribute to until I get matching at my job
Ok so heres the goals until May 19(the end of this assignment):
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April:: 5000.00 for year 2008!! $833.00 for 2009 so far
- Make 2 payments to Adams loans (on top of what he pays) : Currently -$7001.87--now $5903.00! from Direct Loan Service and -$40,538.50--$40,268.15 from First Resource Federal I did not contribute this month because we paid for our house stuff (spraying for bees and bombing possible mice)
- Split paychecks every 2 weeks into Mortgage payment, Roth IRA, Checking Account, and Emergency Fund and Washer and Dryer Fund
- Get $1750 for our apt in Seattle and bank at least $100 each month--I have just used this in with my paychecks
- Continue to pay off credit card each month doing well with this
- My meal plans have worked out pretty well. We go shopping once a week and have not spent over $100.
April 1 $50
April 8 $41
April 16 $26
April 23 $35
Stayed under $50 a week! - Continue to get the deals at walgreens for a garage sale this summer with my sister!---got lots of free gum, shaving cream and chapsticks. Also got Vicky some diapers and wipes for her shower
- I am still going to use as many coupons as possible. Still tryin!
- I am also going to try to get $50 or more in Chacha extra money Currently at $154.37
- I have done a bunch of surveys with pinecone research. Current total at $29.08. Also got another $5 amazon card from Swagbucks. If you havent signed up you should! I bought 3 sports bras off amazon and just paid shipping! I also signed up for 4 gift cards worth over $100 for $4 and received them all!
Goals Initiated this year
- Biweekly Payments plus Principal on house
- Sending our taxes away to get done by professionals
- Applying for the New Home Buyer Credit $7500 to repay in the next 2 years
Completed Goals
- Pay off scooter by February balance=done January 10
- Pay off Jeep done! 2/1/09
- $1000 in Emergency Fund done January 16
- Emergency Fund $5000 done March 27
- Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) done March 27
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April done March 13
Goals at the end of this assignment until September:
- Make a budget list
- $208 at Roth every 2 weeks to max out by April
- Have Adams loan down to $4000 by Sept
- Pay off Credit Card Each Month (do biweekly payment)
- Build a stockpile of food, try to spend no more than $50/week on groceries
- Get only free stuff and essentials at the drugstores
- Try to get $25 in Chacha money
- Continue to use Swagbucks, Surveys and Youdata for extra money
- Buy a washer and dryer
- Buy a bed
- Buy a hot water heater
- Buy furniture
Friday, May 1, 2009
Focus Friday
So I missed last week oops heres a recap
Last Weeks Goals:
- Do one ceu for California Nursing License--did a 0.25 CEU credit...better than nothing
- Finish the lucky one book--finished twilight this past week!--finished it!
- Make asaparagas pasta--it was good!
- Pack up ebay items and send out--did it!
- Look for a new sports bra--anyone have a good old navy coupon for me???--got 3 for $10 off amazon, waiting for them in the mail!!
- Work out everyday!--got sick took a few days off but ran 3.6 miles wed and 3.72 yesterday
- Shop for a gift for brittys bday--any ideas jeannie?--she wants me to help pay for her dress for the wedding
- Call my cleveland ohio nicu manager on monday to figure out my life--did it! I am coming home and starting work in June
- Go to a seattle mariners game thursday and go out with our friend--it was fun!
- Get hoh rainforest pictures on facebook--did it!
- Scrapbook one page--here it is:
- Watch the office--did not do it...but watched the new one anyway :)
- Chacha $2!154.37 total ($2.19!)
THIS WEEK! - Do another CEU
- See if I can pick up overtime...
- Scrapbook a page for Jeannie
- Chacha $2
- Talk to Human resources about my job
- Continue reading Long Lost and be done by 5/8
- Make Chicken and Dumplings
- Post Financial Review
- Save Beckys Pictures to my computer!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Whats for Dinner Wednesday.
Crunchy Zucchini Boats
Whats for Dinner Wednesday
Thrifty and Chic mom does a topic every wednesday to plan your meals, I am going to participate.- INGREDIENTS
- 2 medium zucchini (6 to 8 inch each), parboiled
- 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped tomato
- 2 tsp. oil
- 20 PREMIUM Unsalted Tops Saltine Crackers, finely crushed, divided
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp. margarine or butter, melted
- PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out centers, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Place shells in 9-inch square baking dish; set aside.
- CHOP zucchini pulp; mix with mushrooms, onion and tomato. Heat oil in small skillet on medium heat. Add vegetable mixture; cook and stir 3 min. or until onions are crisp-tender. Remove from heat; stir in 1/3 cup of the cracker crumbs and the seasonings. Spoon evenly into zucchini shells; sprinkle with combined remaining cracker crumbs and margarine.
- BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until heated through.
How to Parboil Zucchini: Bring 2 qt. unsalted water to boil in large saucepan. Add zucchini; cook 4 to 5 min. or until fork-tender. Drain. Make it Easy Save time by purchasing the vegetables already chopped from the salad bar of your local supermarket.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Giveaways this week!
These are some of the flowers at pikes place market right now, so pretty!!
Hey Everyone,Sorry I have been MIA this past week, we had a friend come visit and didnt get to get on the computer at all. Heres giveaways for this week!
- Mommies with Cents- Skoy Cloth Giveaway
- Jolly Mom- Mystic Wonders Giveaway
- to save a penny- $20 Starbucks Giftcard
- Melissas Bargain Blog- $10 Target Giftcard
- Green Mama's Pad- Ecostore USA Giveaway
- Your Mama Reviews- Bumkins all-in-one Diaper Giveaway
- Bargain Briana- Expectant Parent Giveaway
- Your Mama Reviews- Drybees AIO Diaper Giveaway
- Confessions of a Psychotic housewife- $25 Fred Meyer Giftcard
- Sweeps4Bloggers- Ted Dekker's The BoneMan's Daughters Book Giveaway
- Tricias Dish- Melt Bar giveaway
- The Household Helper- $50 HomeDepot Giftcard
- Goodies for Mom- Lands End Giveaway
- STL Mommy- Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues and $50 Visa Gift
- Sandier Pastures- Rolling Luggages valued at $150 or less!
- One Day One Dollar at a Time- $10 Giftcard
- I Never Grew Up- Baby Sling Giveaway
- Is it Monday Already?- $20 Starbucks Card
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Whats for Dinner Wednesday.
Whats for Dinner Wednesday
Thrifty and Chic mom does a topic every wednesday to plan your meals, I am going to participate.Campbell's(R) Turkey and Broccoli Alfredo
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 (16 ounce) package linguine*
- 1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups cubed cooked turkey
- Cook the linguine according to the package directions. Add the broccoli for the last 4 minutes of the cooking time. Drain the linguine and broccoli well in a colander.
- Stir the soup, milk, cheese and black pepper in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey and linguine mixture and cook until it's hot and bubbling. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Giveaways this week!
- Fiesty Frugal and Fabulous-Rain Co. and Abby Roo
- Sage and Savy- Grow Green Baby
- STL Mommy- Mary Kay
- Mamas Money Savers- Simple Green
- Alternative Consumer- Black and Decker Hedge Trimmer
- Green Your Decor- Ecoflow ShowerHead and Great Green Giveaway
- Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls- Preserve Giveaway
- Sweeps4Bloggers- Natures Path Organic Giveaway
- Mom Fuse- Motorola GPS
- MomMostTraveled.com is a family travel blog with great giveaways and product reviews!
- Melinda Joy- Starbucks Giftcard
- MomDot.com- Cloth Diaper Outlet Giveaway
- Chefdruck Musins- Seventh Generation
- 5 Dollar Dinners- $50 Home Depot Gift Card
- DkMommy- POM giveaway
- Go Graham Go and Mom Central- Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump
Focus Friday--on saturday?
Last Weeks Goals:
- Clean out purse--done!
- Send out Ebay items-done!
- Clean out the filebox-done!
- Look to see when our car insurance needs paid again-done May 26!
- Coupons-done!
- Watch office and Greys from this week-Greys was not new and STILL have not watched the office!
- Go to the Olympia national park rain forest-done--it was awesome!!
- Chacha 5 dollars-done! $152.18 total!
- Scrapbook one page for me and one for jeannie-done--hope you like them!!
- Buy bra for wedding-done, finally! I got one from target. An adhesive bra and i used a giftcard!
THIS WEEK
- Do one ceu for California Nursing License
- Finish the lucky one book--finished twilight this past week!
- Make asaparagas pasta
- Pack up ebay items and send out
- Look for a new sports bra--anyone have a good old navy coupon for me???
- Work out everyday!
- Shop for a gift for brittys bday--any ideas jeannie?
- Call my cleveland ohio nicu manager on monday to figure out my life
- Go to a seattle mariners game thursday and go out with our friend
- Get hoh rainforest pictures on facebook
- Scrapbook one page
- Watch the office
- Chacha $2!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Whats for Dinner Wednesdat
Whats for Dinner Wednesday
Thrifty and Chic mom does a topic every wednesday to plan your meals, I am going to participate.Foil-Pack Chicken & Broccoli Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.), 1/2 inch thick
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 cup OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits
- 1/2 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing
Directions
- PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Combine stuffing mix and water; spoon evenly onto centers of six large sheets of heavy-duty foil. Top each with one chicken breast and 2/3 cup broccoli. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and bacon bits, then drizzle evenly with dressing.
- BRING up foil sides. Double fold top and both ends to seal each packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place foil packets in single layer in 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
- BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until chicken is cooked through (170°F). Remove packets from oven; let stand 5 min. Place one packet on each of six dinner plates. Cut slits in foil with sharp knife to release steam before opening.
Footnote
To prevent stuffing from sticking to foil, spray foil with cooking spray or use nonstick foil.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Giveaways this week!
This is a picture from Tiger Mountain in Seattle. Its so pretty! Heres the giveaways this week!
- MudBug Hoover Vacuum
- Eco-Office Prize Pack worth $400!
- Babes and Kids Ipod Shuffle
- The Island Life $25 Outback Steakhouse Giftcard
- Alternative Consumer Cordless Lawnmower and Sweeper
Friday, April 10, 2009
Focus Friday
Last Weeks Goals:
- Got new makeup this week, gotta clean out the old stuff--done!
- Move money back to account from smarty pig--done!
- Get financial review updated--should be up tomorrow!--did it, read it! :)
- Buy a bra--i just gotta do it.--ok still didnt haha, i am saving up my swagbucks!
- Renew Ohio license--need the paperwork for it, Jeannie, did you get anything in the mail yet??
- Look into California license renewal--I need 5 more CEUs...i just did one this week
- Fix up the scrapbook page from last week, here it is
- And I made this for Jeannie
- Coupons!-done
- Make a grocery list with meals!--chicken and broccoli foil bake mmm, spinach lasagna and pasta and asparagus!
THIS WEEK! - Clean out purse
- send out Ebay items
- clean out the filebox
- look to see when our car insurance needs paid again
- coupons
- watch office and Greys from this week
- go to the Olympia national park rain forest
- chacha 5 dollars
- scrapbook one page for me and one for jeannie
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Whats for Dinner Wednesday-Lemon-Chicken Rigatoni with Broccoli
Whats for Dinner Wednesday
Thrifty and Chic mom does a topic every wednesday to plan your meals, I am going to participate. Lemon-Chicken Rigatoni with Broccoli
Lemon-Chicken Rigatoni with Broccoli
INGREDIENTS
2 | tablespoons butter or margarine |
2 | cloves garlic, finely chopped |
2 | cups uncooked rigatoni pasta (6 oz) |
2 | cups Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) |
2 | cups Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen broccoli cuts |
2 | cups chopped deli rotisserie chicken (from 2- to 2 1/2-lb chicken) |
1 1/2 | teaspoons grated lemon peel |
1/4 | cup shredded Parmesan cheese |
DIRECTIONS
1. | In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic; cook about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until softened. |
2. | Stir in uncooked pasta and broth. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer 11 minutes. Stir well. |
3. | Spread broccoli and chicken over pasta. Cover; cook 12 to 14 minutes longer or until pasta is tender. |
4. | Stir in lemon peel. Top with cheese. |
Home Depot Tool Rental Giveaway!
The guys over at One Project Closer are giving away a $200 Gift Card to Home Depot for Tool Rental. With all the projects Adam has lined up for our house, he could really use the 12″ Compound Miter Saw. One Project Closer is a great blog to follow! Great tips daily!!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Financial Review For April
2009 Personal Finance Goals
This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
Debt:This first part I got the idea from Green Panda Treehouse check them out!
- Pay off one of adams loans Adam is doing great with this!
- Emergency Fund $5000 (new goal 3/09)--thanks to our tax refund we made our goal!!!!
Spending:
- Eat out no more than once a week--we went over our restaurant "budget" AGAIN! Its so hard and its getting harder living downtown with no oven. One more month...
- Use coupons as much as possible--we haven't spent more than 60. March- $49
March 24- $55 walgreens $5.99 rebate and rite aid $2.00 rebate--free deodorant and free body wash - Watch our spending when we come home for good--well our gas bill from feb was really high, and we arent living there. We are already starting to think of ways to improve that, but wont know anything for sure til we get home
- Buy a washer and dryer for house on sale with coupons! new goal 2/09 going to start saving in the housefund for this...have not started researching yet because things will change--same as last month, we know we want a front loader!
- Furnish house with garage sale/thrift store items until we redo the room with no more than $1000 new goal 2/09 We will be buying a bed and start using garage sales/craigslist for furniture
- Sending our taxes away to get done by professionals ($250) but I couldnt do them on my own this year, too complicated! Lets hope we dont owe anything! it costed more than we thought ($390) but it was definitely worth it!
- Applying for the New Home Buyer Credit $7500 to repay in the next 2 years Got our tax refund!
Frugal:
- Try to get enough CFL lightbulbs to replace all of the lights when we move in..using coupons of course --no sales on these lately, still lookin!
- Keep entering giveaways for gift cards to home depot for our house won a $5 barnes and nobles card, thats about it! but still entering giveaways!
- Savings: Save up 6 months of emergency savings currently at: $5000! Gonna cut back on depositing money into here so we can save for a washer and dryer
- Save up a downpayment on a car brand new Hundia accent or Nissina versa(about $10,000) currently at: $10,000! want to save about $4000 more...
- Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) new goal added 2/09 2008 is done! finally :) now for 2009 currently i have: 208.00
- Continuing Job searching and have something set up by early may hopefully(!) new goal 4/1
My Short Term Financial Goals by May
Heres what we got:
Last month= blue
This month= red
Our HouseFund: $6642.39--$16,318.17(We got our tax return! I put our $7500 credit in there)
My Checkings (high interest): $3907.50--$5631.45
My Checkings (no interest):$993.06--$1911.66
CD at huntington (EXPIRED) will deposit into checking or house--or car!:$5,935(I deposited this into my car savings
Bank of America: $0 --I HAVE FINALLY CLOSED THIS ACCOUNT :)
Roth: $9230.30--10,957.64
Credit Card debt: $280--will pay this on friday when i get paid
401k: $1325.90 :(--$1462.64
**NEW 401k--$1,838.61--$2,703.32
Ok so heres the goals until May 19(the end of this assignment):
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April:: 5000.00 for year 2008!! $208 for 2009
- Make 2 payments to Adams loans (on top of what he pays) : Currently -$7001.87 from Direct Loan Service and -$40,538.50 from First Resource Federal I put $200 and $145 from 2 of my paychecks and we have enough thank you rewards to get $250 again!
- Split paychecks every 2 weeks into Mortgage payment, Roth IRA, Checking Account, and Emergency Fund and now adding, a washer and dryer fund!
- Get $1750 for our apt in Seattle and bank at least $100 each month--I have just used this in with my paychecks
- Continue to pay off credit card each month doing well with this
- My meal plans have worked out pretty well. We go shopping once a week and have not spent over $100.
March- $49
March 24- $55
I wanted to stay under $50 oh well haha. Oh and good news, i havent blown any fuses this month. Oh and i bought chicken to make those foil wraps jean! - Continue to get the deals at walgreens for a garage sale this summer with my sister!---got free gum, shaving cream and some glade candles!
- I am still going to use as many coupons as possible. Still tryin!
- I am also going to try to get $50 or more in Chacha extra money (went up $$142.50--$11 this month!) I am actually chachaing right now...we are at
- I have done a bunch of surveys with pinecone research. Also got a $5 amazon card from Swagbucks. If you havent signed up you should! I also signed up for 4 gift cards worth over $100 for $4!
Goals Initiated this year
- Biweekly Payments plus Principal on house
- Sending our taxes away to get done by professionals
- Applying for the New Home Buyer Credit $7500 to repay in the next 2 years
Completed Goals
- Pay off scooter by February balance=done January 10
- Pay off Jeep done! 2/1/09
- $1000 in Emergency Fund done January 16
- Emergency Fund $5000 done March 27
- Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) done March 27
- Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April done March 13
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