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Home > Archive: August, 2016

Archive for August, 2016

Onwards

August 30th, 2016 at 02:35 pm

Had a really nice guy come out to take a look at our house Saturday. He is suppose to give us an estimate within the week. Had pretty good feelings about him. Super nice, and he is working on a friend's house with good reviews.

I also have another company coming out this evening to take a look. I couldn't get a hold of anyone all year, and suddenly they finally started agreeing to come. Both companies would not be able to start on the project until November. So that would give us some time to put things in order, figure out a budget, etc.

Trying not to get my hopes up until we get a real figure. Who knows, it might be way out of our league.

Paid a small amount on the LOC and saved for the truck. This weekend we are going to just go window shop for a washer. If we see a deal we can't pass up we will get one, otherwise we will wait a while longer.

Besides that I've been trying to get my house in order. Cleaning, organizing, etc. I am not materialistic, and I hate junk and clutter.Most of my belongings are:
1. Animal medicine/items
2. Tools
3. Paperwork for work

Of course I can't get rid of any of that, so I'm trying to find ways to make things tidier. Our tools are nice and organized thanks to the Christmas toolbox and the workbench I built. But everything else is a disaster. I am a messy worker so my beautiful desk is in a constant state a disarray. Been looking for a paper organizer for a while but I am picky and have not found one I like yet. Might have to be a new building project...


A Much Better Week

August 24th, 2016 at 06:49 pm

Work is busy and I'm tired but so far this week is going much better!

We FINALLY have a construction company coming out to give us an estimate about the addition. We are so excited. Wish we luck that it stays within our budget!

Now that the goat craziness is over I can focus more on continuing home projects, and hopefully relax and spend more time with family and friends.

I sent a test in for the sick goat and am awaiting results. Fingers crossed that it is nothing serious or I will be devastated. Vet was optimistic, but don't want to count on anything until the test comes back clean. May not have results until next Friday unfortunately.

The Long Weekend

August 23rd, 2016 at 07:22 pm

Whew! What a whirlwind weekend.

Thursday - Goats to the vet for health check
Friday - Work a half day then drive all evening to goat show
Saturday & Sunday - At goat show, arrived home after 11.30pm on Sunday
Monday - Drive goat I borrowed 9 hours back home
Tuesday - Wake up and take different goat to the vet

Now I'm back at work, and I'm tired. Have a ton of work from both jobs to do. We did very well at the show.

While I was gone our plumbing backed up, but husband managed to take it all apart and get it going again. Thank goodness.

He also took apart the washer, and worked on his car. And both are working again, for now. What good news!


We will still probably keep saving and purchase a washer or stove soon. Just because I know they are going to go out sooner rather than later. But at least we don't have to rush quite as much. I'll be keeping my eye on the Labor Day sale ads and see if we can get a bargain.

Good Surprise

August 17th, 2016 at 02:44 pm

In a turn of events yesterday, when I opened the mail I received a $200 random bonus from my boss. Smile

So now we have $200 to put towards a new washer. Things always have a way of working out.

Here Comes the Boom

August 16th, 2016 at 03:38 pm

So after the shocking hospital bill yesterday. (Which I think is actually more of receipt and we don't actually owe, thank goodness) Not 100% sure yet.

The washer broke, dead, gone.

The stove has been dying for several months now, but I think it's finally about to the end. I had to wiggle and beat it for several minutes to turn on the oven yesterday. (Stove still works.)

Husband and I had been "arguing" over which to purchase first. A new stove or a new washer. He wanted a new washer because this one had been staining clothes and ruining them. I would have to run it several times to get something clean, and there was always a smell even after cleaning it several times. Well it looks like it is decided for us.

In addition, husband's power steering in his 21 year old vehicle has gone out while driving 3 times in the last two days. Super scary and unsafe. Frown I think it is really time to call it quits and get a new jeep.

So that means we are looking for a new car, a new washer, and a new stove. (I'm hoping I can go without an oven for a bit to delay that purchase.)

Also my timing belt is due to be changed in the next 2,000 miles on my car. Which will be over $500. Yikes!

Really. Yesterday I finally get caught up for the first time in months, and all this happens in one day. It's almost funny... But not quite.

This is on top of my very favorite pet being really sick. So I am stressed and worried to the max. I'm trying to keep calm, but I'm not good at it. I didn't get more than an hour or two of sleep last night.

Ugh. I know it will be okay though. We can cash flow a washer, and will take out a temporary loan for a car. Thankfully we are not living check to check. So while this is an inconvenience, it's not the end of the world.

Finally! And bad news.

August 15th, 2016 at 03:25 pm

Today I managed to pay all my bills and completely pay off the balances on my credit cards. No more playing catch up! It's been months since I was able to see the entire balance at $0 and not just the statement balance.

I have an extra $26.23 left over which I sent to the LOC. Smile

Sadly I'm having some animal issues which I expect will cost around $150 on the safe side, in the next couple weeks.

Horrible weather we are having here. Nonstop rain for days, with the entire 10 day forecast 100% rain. This stinks since I am going to a goat show this weekend, and this weather will really put my poor goaties in bad condition. They eat a lot less when it's raining. My yard is a flood. I stepped in a water filled hole up to my knee yesterday. Oh well. It's out of my control.

Now for the really bad news.

I received a bill from the hospital yesterday. 10 pages of itemized costs. It says I owe $2,000 more for my hospital stay back in early January. Frown Frown How is this even legal? My family already paid $2,000 and I hadn't heard anything in months so I assumed that it was the end of it. How can they just send a huge bill 8 months later!? I swear I've already paid for most of the stuff on the itemized receipt. Are they double dipping? Going to talk with them today or tomorrow and try to find out what the heck is going on. I can't afford $2,000. I HATE the entire medical system. How can they take advantage of sick dying people? They charged me $7 for one Tylenol...

Really furious and upset. This is like the 4th bill from the hospital. Why was it not all at once?

Not Much to Report

August 12th, 2016 at 07:55 pm

Thanks guys for all the encouragement about my burnout!

I just never seem to find time to be able to do the things I want to do or need to do, like clean the house and spend time with my animals. Working gets overwhelming and I feel like I will never be able to get caught up on everything else.

Financial things have been at a stand still. :/ No progress in a month. But it's okay because we didn't lose progress either. Just had to cash flow a lot of expenses like the last of the vet bills, the vacation, another bridal dress, etc. I know it happens. We've got that all weeded through now, so I'm hoping that means we can start moving forward on the big goals.

I'm still torn between if I should finish the Roth first or if I should pay down the LOC. I may just do a little of both. I had planned on doing the Roth first just to make sure it is finished by tax season since we get the savers credit. But that LOC is really starting to bug me and I want it gone.

Burnout Blues

August 3rd, 2016 at 02:12 pm

Still feeling the burnout blues. The more I think about how it will be years before I am able to work less the more depressing it gets. :/

Husband is having a hard time at his job too. In the past week or so nearly everyone he is friends with quit for various reasons. He's suddenly lonely and also feeling like it's a dead end job. It pays pretty good, but it's not fulfilling work. Jobs are so limited where we live though, he can't seem to find anything he is interested in. He says he wants his job to make a difference, or help people.

I know everyone gets tired of working occasionally, but It's hard right now. Especially since it is hitting both of us at the same time. Ugh.

Mortgage payment hit, bringing the total down to $46,593.39.

That seems like a huge amount that will never be paid and I'll be a slave to the work force forever.

How do you guys get through burnout?