Saturday, January 31, 2009

February Financial Review

2009 Personal Finance Goals
Debt:
  • Pay off one of adams loans
  • Biweekly Payments plus Principal on house new goal added 2/09

Spending:

  • Eat out no more than once a week--we did this great! sometimes we didnt eat out at all during the week. Let me tell you how hard that is without an oven! We went to portland on a roadtrip and did eat out there. We called that our mini vacation and it was worth it!

  • Use coupons as much as possible

  • Watch our spending when we come home for good

  • Buy a washer and dryer for house on sale with coupons! new goal added 2/09

  • Furnish house with garage sale/thrift store items until we redo the room with no more than $1000 new goal added 2/09

Frugal:

  • Try to get enough CFL lightbulbs to replace all of the lights when we move in..using coupons of course --got 5 so far on sale at walgreens

  • Keep entering giveaways for gift cards to home depot for our house won a $5 starbucks card :) not home depot but still made my day

  • Savings: Save up 6 months of emergency savings currently at: $1791.79

  • Save up a downpayment on a car brand new Hundia accent or Nissina versa(about $10,000) currently at: $1000.00

  • Save some of every paycheck for Roth so I can max out next year($5000) new goal added 2/09
So Here we are in February already! We did okay in January I think! I am currently getting all our tax info together because we have to pay someone to do them this year. With living in 5 states, getting married, buying a house and both having a new job every 3 months I dont know what to deduct! I think that it is gonna cost us more than I want to spend, but if I ever pay someone this is the time. Adam found a job since I last updated! He just got his first paycheck yesterday! YAY! So he can now start really paying down the loans! We have decided to extend here in Seattle and stay here until the end of May. There are no jobs out there and we are in a good situation now. The tenets of our house are moving out in the next 2 weeks so that sucks :( we were hoping they would stay longer, so I hope we can get someone else to move in so its not left vacant. Ok on to the goals!

My Short Term Financial Goals by May
Heres what we got:
Last month= blue
This month= red

Our HouseFund: $1,345--$2,970.50(We made our first house payment 1/22)
My Checkings (high interest): $7,845--$9,493--havent paid the credit card yet...
My Checkings (no interest): $1,171.21--$2,252--dont know why that is so high, gotta transfer some to high interest
CD at huntington (expiring in march) will deposit into checking or house--or car!:$5,884--$5,909(I have decided to deposit this into my car savings so I wont have a car payment when we get home)
Adam Checkings (high interest): $745.00 (he is currently using another account at home to pay his bills)
Bank of America: $79--$79 --I have to close this account when I get the time...
Roth: $7,942--$8,071
Credit Card debt: $2,412--I get my statement on the 5th and will pay this off
401k: $1645--$1518 :(
**NEW 401k--$358-1,294.78--wow I contributed alot!
**NEW Emergency Fund: $792--our short term goal is $1000 WE DID IT!!--$1391 then 6 month of expenses

Ok so heres the goals until February 28(the end of this assignment):

  • Start contributing to my Roth this year and max out by April:$472 for December $674 January for 2008 contribution so I can max out(hopefully!) currently contributed: 2,737.00 for year 2008

  • Make 2 payments to Adams loans (on top of what he pays) : Currently -$9,821 from Direct Loan Service and -$41,317 from First Resource Federal none yet--he told me to max my roth and get the car done first

  • Try to get someone to rent out our house while we are away for extra money for our mortgage. done til Feb 5! Possibly Tim and Kristi...but not sure. Looks like we wont be getting this goal complete...

  • Split paychecks every 2 weeks into Mortgage payment, Roth IRA, Checking Account, and Emergency Fund--working out well so far and trying to build up all those accounts

  • Get $1600 for our apt in Seattle and bank at least $100 each month--Used any extra for the Roth

  • 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.
    Jan 7- $49
    Jan 14- $51
    jan 22- $57
    Jan 31- $91--that was close! but we bought adam new underwear and a serving dish for a potluck at work tonight so it wasnt just groceries.
    I have been making a bunch of recipes that have turned out well. Thanks to allrecipes.com! I only make about one big meal a week and I eat soup at work. Adams new job feeds him at work so thats awesome! I made pastabake in the crockpot this week, turned out good! Next week potato soup! I just found a new site too: www.funnyspoon.com I will have to try some recipes on there!

  • Continue to get the deals at walgreens for a garage sale this summer with my sister!---still doing that! We got some free garnier shampoo that adam likes too! Oh and free chocolate, I love that.

  • I am still going to use as many coupons as possible. Joined new trains and got lots, now we just need cheaper grocery stores.

  • I am also going to try to get $50 or more in Chacha extra money (now $116.30 they have been slow lately but when I got called off work I did some..only made $2 :( ).

  • I signed up at Pinecone Research and got a $3 check for doing a 10 min survery this week! That was exciting!
So theres the update! Any thoughts are helpful. I think this month was a good one, mostly because of this job. Lets hope next month is a good one too!!

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

Monday, January 26, 2009

Giveaways Week of Jan 25th

Here are the giveaways this week! There are a ton because of the Bloggy Giveaway. Keep coming back I am posting alot!!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Giveaways Week of Jan 19th


  • I Never Grew Up is giving away a Indie Bumbleride Stroller retail value $589.99!! This stroller looks pretty awesome!! Ends January 30th

  • Groovy Green is giving away a programmable thermostat. That will help with energy costs in our new home!!

  • STL Mommy is giving away a $25 giftcard to Walgreens. I am there weekly so this would be great!!

  • Thrifty & Chic Mom is giving away a sample of Soap Nuts!! I have been wanting to try these!

  • MomTrends is giving away a Kelty Stroller! My favorite feature is the sun/rain canopy and a fully padded seat and frame. MomTrends is also giving away Colorblock Performance Pant and Performance Top from lands end!

  • Mommieswithcents is giving away Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 along with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Daily Advance Moisturizer!!

  • STLMommy is giving away a Layers Clothing i $50 e-gift card!! She reviewed one of their hoodies, looks really nice!

  • Home Construction Improvement Giveaway is giving away a $50 home depot gift card!! Adam and I will definitely use this for home improvements! Home Construction Improvement has great posts of how to update your home step by step! Go subscribe!


Friday, January 16, 2009

Another great giveaway from One Project Closer

Hey everyone,
One Project Closer is giving away a Skil Cordless Lithium Ion Power Cutter AND a $25 gift card from the home improvement center of their choosing. Of course Adam and I would get a giftcard to Home Depot to continue to save up for the washer and dryer and any home remodels we want to do this year. It looks like a great tool to use when you need to cut through tough carboard or plastic. Great Giveaway!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Recipe Exchange

Mommie with Cents is having people share their recipes for MMM Monday! Heres a great one that Adam and I had the other night:

Ravioli with Sautéed Zucchini
From: "Realsimple.com"


Ready in: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
1 pound cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 small zucchini, sliced into thin half-moons
Kosher salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

Directions:
  1. Cook the ravioli according to the package directions. Drain them and return to the pot.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the zucchini mixture and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan to the ravioli and toss gently to combine. Serve with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan.


    NUTRITION PER SERVING CALORIES 492(39% from fat); FAT 22g (sat 9g); CHOLESTEROL 75mg; CARBOHYDRATE 52g; SODIUM 853mg; PROTEIN 22g; FIBER 4g; SUGAR 5g



Sunday, January 11, 2009

Can someone help me? Adaobe Photoshop coupon?




Hey everyone,
I cant open my adobe photoshop on my computer anymore :( I am not sure if my subscription ran out or what. But I want to scrapbook my life again, I miss it. Heres some of my work, I love sharing it!

FREE at Kmart if they are doubling this week

Kmart Freebies this week (if your store is doubling $2 or more):
Thanks to HotCouponWorld for this:

  • Endust $3.49
    use: Endust Product, Any - 11-09-08 RP $2.00
  • Farmland Sliced Bacon 12 oz $3.99
    use: Farmland Sliced Bacon, Any 12 Or 16 Oz. - 10-26-08 RP $2.00/1
  • Franks Red Hot Sauce $1.99
    use: Franks Red-hot Sauce, Any - 12-14-08 SS $1.00
  • Glade PlugIn Scented Oil Warmer $1.99
    use: $3/1, $2/1, $1/1- Multiple Q's
  • Johnson's Buddy Soap $0.99
    use: Johnson's Baby Product or Johnson's Buddies Product, Any - 01-04-09 RP $1.00/1 3/31/2009 Insert
  • Kleenex 75 ct. anti-viral, 80 ct. with lotion $1.99
    use: $1/1 from K-Mart insert/flyer
  • Kellogg's Special K 12-15.2 oz Selected varieties $2.50
    use: Kellogg's Cereal: Special K, Any 11.4 Oz. + - 12-14-08 RP01/25/2009 $0.50
  • Kotex Liners $1.29
    use: Kotex Product, Any $1.00/1 Home Mailer 03/31/2009
  • not free but good deal: Old Spice Anti-Perspirant Deodorant,
    use: Any (2) or any (1) Pro Strength Product - 12-28-08 PG $1.00/2 total:$1.69
  • Revlon Color Stay Single Eyeshadow $3.79
    use: Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, Any - 01-11-09 SS $2.00/1 2/15/2009
  • Revlon nail clippers or tweezers $1.79
    use: Revlon Beauty Tool, Any - 11-16-08 SS $1.00
  • Suave deodorant- trial size $0.99
    use: Suave Antiperspirant/Deodorant, Any - 11-16-08 RP $0.55
  • Scotch Brand Mailing Tape $1.89
    use: Scotch Packing Tape, any roll $1.00/1 12/31/2009 Tearpad
  • Snapple 20 oz $1.00
    use: Snapple (any size, any flavor) - 12-14-08 SS .75
  • Trident White Gum 3 pack $2.00
    use: Trident Gum, any 3-pack bag, DND - 12-07-08 SS02/01/2009 $0.00
  • Tylenol small bottles (not trial size) $3.99
    use: Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels, Caplets, or Gel Caps, Any Excluding Trial Size - 11-09-08 RP

Saturday, January 10, 2009

New Giveaways this week!

5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a crockpot e-lume. This looks really fancy!! I use my crockpot alot now so this owuld be great to have!!

Feisty, Frugal, and Fabulous is giving away a sample of soap nuts!! I have been wanting to try these!!

Never2Late is giving away a $5 Starbucks giftcard. I try not to "waste" money on starbucks but I do get one drink a week usually because I work nightshift.

Frugal freebies and deals is giving away a $10 Target giftcard!! I love Target, could buy that whole store! Go check it out!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Giveaways this week

  • Giveaways this week!
    Over at April Showers She is giving away a $25 Bath and Body Works giftcard! Check it out!
  • At http://www.kokuboard.com/ and http://www.gograhamgo.com/ there is a giveaway for a koku cutting board. This thing looks awesome!
  • Frugal in Virgina is giving away a book called "Dining on a dime" looks pretty interesting! Check it out!
  • Katydid and Kid is hosting a New Year New You giveaway!
  • Momma in Flipflops is giving away a pretty green bag. These are really cool looking. I love the seaturtle one
  • Blah-Zah is giving away a $50 giftcard to Amazon!! I love Amazon so this is definitely something I am interested in!
  • At Home with Books is giving away the book Sundays at Tiffanys by James Patterson. I have read a few books by him and I love his writing!
  • Frugal Mommy of 2 girls is giving away a Busy Bee Diaper Bag. I have a few friends who are pregnant. This would make a great shower gift!
  • Priscillas Baking Adventures is giving away POM! I love POM and so does Adam!!
  • Green your decor is giving away an organic jersey sheet set! I have jersey sheets now and LOVE them! They are so comfy!
  • 20s money is giving away $250 in GOLD! I have read how this is such a great investment. Go try and win!!
  • Tara Burner is giving away Glimpse face cleanser. It is a GREEN giveaway!!
  • Mom Blogs at MomDot is giving away a $250 amazon card donated by forward on.
  • Momma in FlipFlops2 is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Handbag Heaven she is also giving away A Month of Meals ebook also check out her blog Baby Get Green!
  • If you could see what i see is giving away a Nike Ipod Sport. Adam has one of these and I love it! Go try and win it!!