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Home > Archive: October, 2014

Archive for October, 2014

So Embarrassed

October 28th, 2014 at 02:40 pm

I'm so embarrassed. Frown

I got so stressed and so busy, that I completely forgot to send the check for my water bill. I have NEVER been late on a bill. I sent the check today along with the 10% late fee. Boo. Luckily it wont show up on my credit report or anything.

The anniversary trip went well. Only spent about $50 in food, and $20 in gas. (Husband paid for it all)

But our shopping trip did use some money. I bought a pair of much needed used jeans, and 2 shirts for a total of $25.

I also bought a shelf for the house and some decor for $75.

But the biggest expense was a bridesmaid dress for my best friends upcoming wedding. $150. Ouch.

Unfortunately I also have to go bridesmaid dress shopping on Saturday for Sister-in-law's upcoming wedding which I am also in. Hopefully I can just pick it out and delay purchasing it for a month or two.

I just want these big ticket expenses over!

Extra Paycheck

October 24th, 2014 at 03:16 pm

Well unfortunately I didn't put a dime of our extra paycheck for savings. Frown

All the recent unexpected expenses were more important at this point. So I just used it to pay down the credit card.

The good news is that I was able to knock out most of the things I listed earlier in the week.

1.) Payment to neighbor for baling my hay. Free
2.) 4 new tires ($300ish)Bought
3.) Repair our furnace which isn't working. (??)
4.) Finish horse shed Most materials purchased
5.) VERY LAST school bill is due Paid

Grandpa who I bought the Neon from felt bad that the tires went bad so quickly. So he purchased my new tires for me, and he says to pay him back whenever. Hoping to pay him in 2 weeks or so.

So in total I have $200 on the credit card not due until December. I will owe $300 to grandpa. I need about $100 to completely finish the horse shed. And I'm hoping the furnace repair is under $100.

$700 will take care of all of it. Sigh. That seems like a lot. One of the goat buyers who was suppose to pick up their goats this month called and wants to wait until Feb now. Gah. Haven't decided if I will cancel their order and resell the goats (I have a very very long waiting list.) Or just charge them extra to feed the goats over the winter. I was really hoping for that extra $500 this month, which would have nearly knocked out my debts.

Hurray For Hay

October 23rd, 2014 at 10:50 pm

Well the neighbor cut my hay and baled it yesterday. I was expecting 2 bales... I got six!

I was able to talk him into accepting half of it for payment, so I still got 3 bales, and didn't have to pay a thing. Smile

He also took my 2 year old round bale that has been stuck in the back of the barn and is too old to feed, and he took the remaining 20 moldy square bales that I have been burning slowly over time, which were just piled in the yard for the last few months. Score!

Cleaned up the yard, put in the front goat house window, started cleaning out the barn, and I have been working on the horse shelter every day. Trying to get it all done before winter, and making pretty good progress!

Furnace repair guy is coming out tomorrow to look and find out why it won't start up. Prayers that it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

New Neon tires are ordered. Cost is right around $250 and they come with a 80k mile guarantee. No bad considering we were looking at used tired for $200.

Can't wait for this weekend, and our anniversary trip.

Out of Control

October 20th, 2014 at 03:13 pm

My spending has been out of control!

I ate out almost every day last week, just because I haven't been home. I'm also scrambling to finish winter projects, and am having to buy materials that I have been putting off.

I'm really hoping the expenses are coming to a close, but I can foresee quite a bit more in the next few weeks.

1.) Payment to neighbor for baling my hay. (No idea $$)
2.) 4 new tires ($350ish)
3.) Repair our furnace which isn't working. (??)
4.) Finish horse shed ($300ish)
5.) VERY LAST school bill is due ($100)


On top of this, our Anniversary is this weekend, and we are going to a bed and breakfast for one night, and going hiking. Husband has already covered the cost of the stay, but I'm sure we will eat out at least once. And also my favorite home store is opening in a location near us, on my anniversary, so instead of presents we are going to go and buy something nice for our house. We are also both in desperate need of some new clothes, mainly jeans. We shop at a used clothing store, but still.

Thankfully our "extra" paycheck is this week. I was planning on sending it all to savings, but it looks like it will be going to cover some of our crazy spending.

Oh well. It's all necessary expenses, except the anniversary, and I could really use the relaxation. Running my self to death with job and school and internship. Which I will update about soon.

Car News, God & Bad

October 16th, 2014 at 03:19 pm

Well the bad news is, my Neon blew a tire yesterday while on the way to the doctor. Like the tire exploded, and was smoking...

So I will be buying new tires sooner rather than later.

The good news is, my Cobalt is sold!

My niece is buying it, and she is going to make payments. I am keeping the car until it is paid off, so I told her just pay what she can. She hopes it have it paid off in 3 months. Until then, I still get to drive it and such, so no skin off my nose. Getting payments is better than it just sitting here.

I will be putting all of her payments straight towards the LOC. Want to get that baby paid down!

Unexpected Money

October 13th, 2014 at 03:04 pm

I had a pleasant surprise today.

On my electric bill there was about 3 different prices and I wasn't sure which one I was suppose to pay. So I called them this morning, and apparently a couple years ago when we bought the house we had to give them a deposit to establish credit. Well I guess our trial period was over, and they just applied the credit to our bill. I had completely forgotten all about the deposit! Big Grin So I don't have to pay anything this month, and there is still $65 remaining to apply towards next month's bill! Yay.

So that means, I was able to use my found income, to pay my credit card almost completely off, and I also put $250 towards our EF. In two weeks we get an "extra" paycheck, and that will really boost things.

I also have 3 goats sold this month, totaling $700. October is going very well so far!

Good News On Internship!

October 10th, 2014 at 04:02 pm

I discussed salary with the Internship employer yesterday. I wanted to make sure I will be able to quit my current job, and still make enough to live, for a couple months until the business takes off.

He has offered to match my current salary! This would only be a guaranteed base pay. (In the case of not getting enough projects for a month, etc) And all the projects would be "extra" money for me.

Whoot whoot! That takes such a huge weight off my shoulders, knowing I will be able to depend on at least making what I am now. With lots of opportunity for growth.

I was planning on picking up a part time job, for a steady source of income, but I think I will hold off on that for now. I don't want to over burden myself.

I still can't put my quit notice in yet. He is giving me a project hopefully next week, and we are going to see how that goes before we make the entire leap.

But things are looking good! I'm anxious to get started.

Car Paid Off!!!!

October 8th, 2014 at 04:10 pm

*flaps arms wildly and runs around screaming*

I just wrote the check for the final car payment. That baby is paid in full!

So eager to move onto new goals. Emergency Fund, I'm looking at you.

Changing Plans

October 7th, 2014 at 05:58 pm

So with the car being paid off tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out what my next plan of attack is.

I had planned on starting to really push to get the EF finished but is that still the wisest thing?

I'm going to be switching from my regular employment into freelance before the new year.

Would it be wiser to stick with the plan and just save, save, save? Or should I divert some funds towards bringing down the LOC, so we have less debt?

If I pay down the LOC, it could be drawn from in an emergency. It's maxed out right now.

If I keep saving for my EF, I will receive the Saver's Credit on my tax refund, because I will be putting it into my Roth IRA. So that still seems like the best choice to me.

Maybe a little bit of both? Put mostly towards EF but maybe allot $50 a week towards paying down the debt?

Just wanting to get in the best position possible before the job change.

First Savings in a Long Time

October 6th, 2014 at 02:06 am

I just sent $50 to my EF for the first time in months! It feels great!

Money should be arriving by tomorrow from freelancing. So I will be able to pay the car in full on Wednesday!

Big Grin

It feels so good to see some progress finally. I also paid $100 towards the credit card.

Now each of my pay checks will be able to go towards our EF and paying down our LOC. Such good news! Want to get debt to a minimum and savings higher before quitting my job this winter.

Mortgage Payment

October 3rd, 2014 at 07:26 pm

I forgot that my Mortgage payment hit a few days ago. It was early because of the way paychecks fell. Bringing my balance down to:

$49,680.37

Spent all of yesterday cleaning, and working on a freelance project, which will hopefully be bringing in a steady cash flow in the following year.

Tonight we are having a get together with friends. Tomorrow we are going to a wedding.

The next two weeks will be crazy! I have a mock interview, 2 doctors appointments, and 1 dentist appointment.

Really beginning to weigh my job options.

Side Income

October 1st, 2014 at 04:03 pm

Picked up some side income, and also someone is finally sending me a check for work that was completed at the beginning of the year. I had just counted it as a loss, but I'm glad to be receiving, even if it's late.

Totals about $400, once the money arrives I will be putting it towards paying off the car! *crosses fingers*

Keep Kuzco in your prayers. Still limping. Trying to decide if he needs to go to the vet tomorrow, or if I should wait until Monday and see if there is any improvement.