I am finally getting some unexpected cash! Pretty exciting. At work we are going to an "on call" schedule for nights and weekends. We will rotate the weeks and carry a pager. If we get called we will get the on call pay and our regular pay for the time it takes us to resolve the issue. If we don't get called on our week than we get paid $18 for each night between M-F and $24 for each Saturday and Sunday night. That's an extra $138 for nothing if I don't get called I spoke with my boss since I am a lead for my area and have been basically on call the last year and haven't been compensated for it. I think they were trying to say it was just part of my job. Now that everyone in my group has to do it I think they are seeing that they had been unfair to me. So, my boss checked my on call time for the past year and I am getting an additional $160. I only got called 8 times in the past year but as we always say, everything little bit helps!

I have $21.00 in my checking account to last me until Friday. That makes me a little nervous but it is also nice to know that all the bills have been paid and I even transferred some money to my savings account. I guess it's good there is only $21 left otherwise I would be tempted to spend it on something stupid!

Can't help the Scooby Doo reference, it's all my kids want to watch these days

I made it home last night without spending a dime. I ate dinner and played with the kids all evening. So, with the exception of the donuts it could have been a no spender.

This morning I had to be at work at 6am. I set the coffee maker to start at 5am and made some toast prior to leaving the house. Made myself a salad last night for lunch today. I got a free coffee at the coffee cart here at the hospital where I work. They have the punch cards and after 10 you get a free one. I took advantage today since it is hard to be functional at 6am.

I am doing well so far today hence the title I am itching to go shopping after work though. I have about 2 hours of free time and want to go to the mall and look around. This could be a bad thing. Perhaps I should think of something else to do?!

So close and yet not exactly a no spender.

I made some coffee at home this morning and drank it prior to leaving the house. Small step for me

We had my niece spend the night last night and I had to drop her and my 2 kids off at Nana and Papa's house this morning so we stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get them some donuts to take over. I got a coffee. Medium step in the wrong direction

I then came to work after having 2 days off and was very busy. Ate the yogurt and granola bar that I packed for snack instead of a donut or other fattening baked good like I normally do. Huge step for me

Ate lunch of left over baked ziti, a banana, and 100 calorie pack of oreos with water that I brought from home. Another big step for me

I have to work until 6pm today and plan on going right home. I will grab something quick to eat and then hopefully take a walk with the family as it is in the mid 60's here and I haven't been to the gym in over a week.

I am very happy with myself and my attempt at a No Spender and can rationalize my spending by thinking I was doing something nice for my family. There I go-queen of rationalizing every cent I spend.

Anyways my goal is to not spend any money between now and Saturday. Might seem like a small goal to some but I am going out Saturday night and it will be an expensive outing so I am trying to reign in the spending prior. At least I know it is going to be expensive and this time I have planned for the expense so I consider myself one step ahead.

Well, this was a fairly expensive weekend. My sister and her son came into town on Friday and just left this morning. Her son is 8 which is the same age as my daughter so it is awesome when they get the chance to play together. They live 5.5 hours away by car which isn't too bad to travel however we rarely do it in the winter b/c she lives in the tippy top of NY state near the Canandian border and you never know when you might get snowed in. So, it was great to spend time with them.

I haven't added up what I spent but will try to summarize it here.

Friday I stopped at the grocery store to get some snacks and stuff for our company and spent about $50.00.

Saturday we went shopping at Kohls and I got a few things I needed and 2 shirts for DS that were on clearance. I spent $80.29. Stopped and got a movie for the kids to watch-$1.00.

Sunday we had a birthday party for DD so I had to go to the grocery store and buy the stuff I needed for dinner. We had baked ziti, meatballs, salad, and bread. Drinks and paper products included $50.42 for 15 people.

Monday we took the kids rollerskating. My sister bought admission for DD as it was part of her birthday present and DS and I didn't skate b/c he is only 3. We played some video games which I spent about $3.00 on. Sister and I went to Friendlys with a mutual friend to chat and remember "old times" and of course to eat icecream I had a coupon for buy one sundae get one free so I only spent $5.00 including tip.

DD and I are home today. She is on Spring Break and I took yesterday and today off from work. I think we are going to lay low and try not to spend any money We have to go to my inlaws for yet another party tonight at 5:00pm. I am toying with the idea of doing some online shopping for DS today. He needs some spring clothes. I am also going to clean some more with the hopes of finding more stuff for the garage sale in May.

I should take a trip out to the consignment shop to drop off more stuff but am not very motivated to do that today. Maybe I will list some things on ebay, haven't done that in a while.

Off to check the checking account balance and see if I have any bills that need to be paid.....

Food budget, take 2! I have done horribly with not buying snacks and coffee so far this month but I am going to try to do better. It's like as soon as I tell myself NOT to do something, I want to do it even more, ARGH! So, here's to a new day

I need to update my sidebar soon. I haven't really made too many updates to it but I know I few account balances went down and a few went up so I should probably reflect that and see if that makes me feel more hopeful about my situation.

My cable bill just went up. I know a lot of you don't have cable and I am thinking about getting rid of it. I just have to get the rest of the family on board with my plan. I pay cable and internet combined as a package and am afraid if I cancel cable the internet price will go up. With summer coming and being outside I am thinking that is the perfect time to ditch it. If need be I can get it turned back on in the fall/winter. Anyone have any ideas on how to approach the family about this one? For digital cable and internet I am now paying $103 a month. How does this relate to any of you who have cable and internet?

Ok, I think I have blown my whole $50 eating out budget already and it is only the 8th day of the month. I am pathetic. I contibute my spending to
a)being lazy
b)having a school girl crush on the donut boy at Dunkin Donuts
c)not being well organized
and
d)preferring any meal or drink I can buy over one that I can make myself.

I tell you, I am my own worst enemy! I was keeping track of my spending on eating out but gave up at the end of last week when I figured it was basically pointless. I will face facts tonight and look at the numbers and see if I can salvage any part of the budget.

My sister and her son are coming in for a visit this coming weekend so I am going to have to tweek the budget to include some extra groceries and fun money.

And yes, shame on me for noticing the Donut Boy.

I practically have no voice left. I do however have a nice barky cough. My throat hurts, my glands feel swollen and I am wondering if I have strep. That would not be good.

I have a full weekend ahead of me so the chances of resting are zilch. It all starts tonight when I get out of work. My in-laws are returning home from a 3 month stay in Florida. My kids are so excited to see them. We will meet there around 6 for pizza and to visit. I have to admit I am excited too! I love my in-laws. They are wonderful people and have such a great relationship with all their grandkids. They have stepped up to the plate since my parents died and have filled the void that was left behind to some degree. I am very thankful to them.

Tomorrow I will go to yoga class to help get me in the zone. Then I have to take DD to her retreat at church. Since I am the snack coordinator I will be there to make sure we have everything, to set up, and to clean up. Then we will stay for mass. All in all it will be about 6 hours at church. Then we will take the kids to Friendly's for dinner as that is the restaurant DD chose for her birthday celebration. Then I have to make cupcakes for DD birthday celebration at religious education.

Sunday is DD actually birthday so we will celebrate at home in the morning and at her religious education class. Then it is off to the niece's birthday party at noon. Then I should be able to squeeze in some laundry and housework. Then maybe I can rest.

The good news is I will be so busy I won't be spending much money Also, it is supposed to be nice here all weekend-in the 60's which is awesome for us! I can't wait to be able to go outside without a jacket.

Today was payday and I don't have any bills that need to be paid! Plus I have money in my checking account left over from last pay period. Blogging has really helped me be mindful of my spending. I have to make it a point to try to check in more often.

I am incredibly challenged by lack of will power. I have the uncanny ability to rationalize everything in my head so the most outrageous seems normal. Guess I have to work on that.

In my challenge to spend only $50 on eating out this month I am doing HORRIBLY! Today I got a fancy coffee and muffin to the tune of $4.35. That leaves me with $38.68 for the 27 days! How am I going to manage that? That comes out to $1.43 a day. That will cover a regular coffee here at work each day but nothing else. No taking the family out to eat, no special treats, nothing I better start stocking up on treats for my desk at work. Well, I am calling this a challenge and it is proving to be just that!

Good news is I went to the mall yesterday looking for some red shoes and didn't find any that I liked. I went to about 10 stores and couldn't find anything. I want them to wear with a black and white dress to a wedding but it won't be the end of the world if I can't find them.

Still searching for a gift idea for my 13 yr old niece. She does want money which I can do but like to purchase something. I want to get that out of the way so I can knock another thing off my to-do list.

DD had Disco Day at school and looked adorable! She wasn't really disco-y but she did look like a hippie! Denim jeans and matching jacket with big embrodered flowers, tie dye shirt, head band. I flat ironed her hair. She looked like the lead singer of the DOORS! Maybe I will post a picture for a short time as I don't like to leave pictures of my kids hanging out over the internet but again I was pleased with my costume!!

I am tackling my enormous to-do list that I posted about previously one thing at a time. Took DD to the Salvation Army store tonight hoping to find something for her costume. We found 3 items that I think will be perfect. Now I just have to figure out how to hem them and take in the waist as they are adult sizes. $6 is not bad for a costume I am pretty pleased with myself. Once I have it together perhaps I will post a picture since I am proud of my finds.

Another thing I accomplished was purchasing DD birthday present. I got her the Nintendo DS Lite she has been dying for, one game, and a carrying case so she has some place to keep everything together and protected from her evil brother I wish I got as lucky as I did at the Salvation Army with my finds. This total came out to $182.00. Yikes! I do believe that is roughly equivilant to what I may have spent on a friend party for her so I guess I broke even.

I have developed this very annoying cough over the past few days. I can't say a word without having to cough up a lung first.

So, I guess I can go to bed feeling good that I got 2 things accomplished on my list! Tomorrow is another day and I think I will tackle my niece's birthday gift then. She wants money which is easy but I am trying to think of a creative way to give it to her. I'll try to get my family's opinion tomorrow on that one.

I am off to make my lunch for tomorrow. Out of my $50 eating out budget challenge of the month I am down to $43.03 and it's only the 2nd. Yikes, better reign that in fast.

March was a pretty good month for me. I managed to put a big dent into my debt with the help of a portion of our federal tax refund. For the month of March I paid $1554.53 towards debt That includes paying off all my store cards. Now I can concentrate exclusively on Mr Visa and Mrs Care Credit (dental card). I am up for the challenge!

Going through the numbers for March I can see that I am still challenged in a number of areas...

Groceries-$261.30 How do I get a family of 4 to eat on less than that? I am hoping the cooking I did for the freezer this week will help as we have several meals in there. I will cut down on the quick stops to the grocery store and try to stick to my once/twice a week shopping.

Eating Out (including coffee and lunch at work, dinner with girlfriends, dinner with family) $220.14 Ugh! I am embarassed to admit I spent that much this month. Thinking back I know I spent about $50 taking my best friend to dinner for her birthday. I also had my niece spend the night and we had gone to dinner and then lunch the next day. Have to stop that! My $50 eating out challenge for the month will be just that-a challenge!

Entertainment-$29.24 Not bad. Took the family to see Horton and also rented a few movies from Red Box

Gas-$192.63 I am trying to cut down on the errands or run them all at once.

Car-$300 car payment;$16.17 for oil change;$587.86 for desperately needed new tires which I was able to pay cash for!!!

Savings account-$187.50 Yeah me!

Other shopping-$597.23 what a waste!!! I am not even sure what I bought. I do know that I am paying cash for a lot more and not charging so that is why this category is so high. Still I think it is unacceptable that I can't remember what I bought.

Note to self-STOP SHOPPING!

So, that's that. Looking forward to making April a better month despite the fact that it is DD's birthday month and her 1st Communion is in the beginning of May so I'll have to shell out some cash to get ready for that.

Ugh! Why does everything seem to happen at once? I currently have a very daunting to-do list posted in my day planner that seems to be never ending. Add to it the fact that I feel like crapola and DH has the flu I am just about ready to fall apart! Luckily I have money in my checking account (which is kind of odd for me), all the bills have been paid, and I get paid this week At least financially I am in good shape.

Most of the things on my list revolve around DD. Second grade seems to be a killer for parents! Anyways, here is a brief summary of what I have to do:

*Buy and wrap DD bday present. She wants a Nintendo DS which I will get since she chose this over having a friend party. She is turning 8 on Sunday which makes me kind of sad.

*Wrap bday present for DD's friend and take her to the bday party (friday night)

*Create a Civil War era costume for DD by 4/9. She is in a class play and has the part of a 8 yr old girl. I have to devise a costume that is basically a long skirt and apron. Doesn't seem like a big deal but is for us non-creative people. I plan on taking her to the Salvation Army/Goodwill store to see if we can find something.

*Find and purchase shoes, stockings, and a head piece for DD's 1st Communion.

*Plan the party taking place after DD's 1st Communion

*Think of and purchasing a gift for my niece who is turning 13 this year and we are celebrating Sunday.

*Coordinate with DD's teacher to bring in special bday treat for DD. 3 kids in the class have peanut allergies so I have to bring in something in addition to the cookie cake she wants.

*Attend and set up snack at DD's all day 1st Communion retreat day.

*Make cupcakes for Sunday.

*Find and purchase/rent a costume for the Ugly Disco.

That is all I have written down but as I think I can come up with a few more things I don't want to forget. Sometimes it just seems like too much. Luckily I have the early shift at work tomorrow (6am-2:30pm)so I am hoping to get a lot of my running around done.

But as I said, my finances appear to be in order so I must be doing something right! I went grocery shopping yesterday and spent the day cooking for the freezer in an attempt to have ready made healthy suppers. I made a big batch of pasta sauce, 4 chicken quesadillas, 24 individual pepperoni or sausage bagel pizzas for lunches, and 7 dijon porkchops. My hope is to be able to just pull these items out of the freezer and cook them quickly allowing me more time with my family.

I am going to review my spending for the month of March tomorrow and summerize it for myself. I hoping I did better than February! I am challenging myself to only spend $50 on food outside of home. This includes taking the family out to eat and what I spend on coffee/lunch while at work. I am hopeful I can make that $50 stretch!