Well, I went a little overboard today. I bought cream cheese to take to work...but I keep leaving it in the fridge at home. So I stopped at Ingles to get cream cheese for my bagels. I haven't stopped for breakfast in a couple of weeks. GO ME! Then I did get lunch at Quiznos...I had never been there and had to go out at lunch. If I don't have to leave work, than I don't get tempted. With tomorrow being my Birthday, my husband and I decided to go out to dinner.

My son had a doctors appointment and I had to prepay for tickets to a band concert this weekend.

Ingles - 3.74
Quiznos - 6.50
Blue Jeans(dinner) - 30.74
Doctor - 40
Tickets - 13

Total - 93.98

Tomorrow will start my not eating out again.

I had to have a CT Scan done a couple of months ago, and since I hadn't met my deductible, I had to pay for it. I paid for 1/2 of it($100) and set up payments for the rest. I failed to set up the payment for November in my bill pay(I LOVE BILL PAY!!!) so I called today to explain what had happened and that I would send a double payment, for November and December. I asked her what the balance was and she said that I didn't have a balance, in fact, I had a credit. I was in shock. She looked at it and it turns out my insurance paid the whole thing!!! I have $100 credit! She is going to request that a check be cut and will call me next week when it is ready! So not only did I gain the $100, but I also gained the $60 that I had in my budget for the payment. Total is $160 "found money". Since I overlooked my husbands son(see previous posts), this will come in handy. I can un-adjust my budget and still stay in line! YEAH!!!

Today was a great day spending wise. I filled up my gas tank and had to get a couple of items at the grocery store.

Gas - 20.50
Groceries - 7.75

Total - 28.25

Oh! And I ordered a couple of books from B&N online. I saw in another post about a book called "debt proof your marriage". It looked like I needed so I ordered it as well as another one by Mary Hunt. - 15.19

Total - 43.44

I have never been one to write down my goals, but I think that posting them will help me keep sight of them.

Goal #1) No "power interruption" notices left on door

Goal #2) Get contacts(because glasses are driving me crazy)

Goal #3) Get Mortgage caught up by February(one payment behind...will use extra check in January)

Goal #4) Pay all household expenses by the due dates

Goal #5) Start making regular payments on all credit cards(haven't been able to do that)

Goal #6) Pay off one credit card by March 31...try to pay off one per quarter

Goal #7) Put $120/month into my savings account

Goal #8) Put $20/month into each of the kids savings accounts

As I was patting myself on the back yesterday for having a plan for Christmas and staying on budget, I realized I had forgotten someone rather important...my husbands son! Let me say that his son is 15 years old and my husband only recently found out about him. My husband spends quite a bit of time with him, but he doesn't frequent our house. This is the first year that we have had him in our lives to buy Christmas presents for. No excuse really...But the situation has been corrected and we are going to get his present next week. Had to make slight modifications to the Christmas budget, but will still be able to stay on track.

A representative from the Power Company showed up at my house this morning. I hit rock bottom last week(as many of you know) and apparently the payment I made to the power company last week was returned by the bank. I thought it had been paid because a check for the same amount went through. But fortunately, my husband was home and the representative was a friend of mine from years ago. I went online and paid it with the debit card. Close call averted! Gotta love small town living!

My mom asked me last month about my mortgage, whether it was on time or how late it was. I told her it was almost 30 days late, but that I wasn't worried. I had reached a point where the stress was literally killing me so I decided that I am doing the best I can and if they decided to take the house, I knew I would be okay. There is a calmness that comes with knowing that you will be okay, as long as you are doing the best you can. She also asked about my property taxes, which I still owe some on last years and this years are due this month. When we stopped this morning, she gave me an envelope with a check for my property taxes. She told me Merry Christmas.

My parents have always been there to help me when I needed it. But up until about 2 years ago, I relied on them too much and almost expected them to help me. Now I am trying to not be dependent on them and it feels really good.

I am rambling, but my point is that my parents see the difference I have made and are now choosing to help instead of me constantly asking them for money. I don't expect it and they know that. It makes a huge difference in my self opinion. They ask me the situation...I honestly tell them but make it clear that it will be fine.

Today has started as a spendy day...I gave my husband $50 for gas and such. He is going to get the tags for our cars, which are due Saturday and I bought a portable car heater that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I stopped and got cigarettes and a coke this morning(yes I am a smoker, but I only allow my self one pack a week). I went to Rite Aid and got a bottle of ibuprofen to keep in my desk to avoid what happened yesterday. I also got a few stocking stuffers while I was there. All before 8:30!

Had to stop at Ingles for laundry soap on the way home(I have to use a special kind that Dollar General doesn't have). I read somewhere that you spend about $20 each time you "run into the store" for something your forgot...that is very true! Spent $19. Went to Roses for ice cube trays...our icemaker broke and I love ice! Have been buying bags of ice...going through 2 a week! So this is really going to save money.



Rebels Pantry - 5.83
Rite Aid - 17.91
Advance Auto - $20.31
Husband - $50
Tags - $117
Ingles - 19.61
Roses - 6.42

Total - $237.08

Well, as I mentioned earlier, one of my sisters and I split the cost of a laptop for my son. His desktop finally died last night so this is perfect timing. We got a super deal and the best part is that I can make 2 payments to her for my portion! YEA!

My other sister found a Wii...last one at Walmart. I will pay her for it on December 19th. By postponing these payments, I am able to stay on the budget I had planned. I wasn't going to have the money for Christmas until the 19th,and by then, these items would have been hard to find.

BONUS= Since my kids wanted such pricey items this year, they are only getting one thing a piece. So I am done! Sure, I have to get some stocking stuffers, but that is easy. Lotion, toothpaste, etc. essentials that I won't have to purchase otherwise.

It will be hard to not have so many presents under the tree,, but that is my obsession, not theirs. They will be extremely happy with their "toys".

Well, today will be a NSD. I went out the door and left my purse at home! I have no way to spend any money. I filled up yesterday and I have bagels and coke at work so I really don't need anything...except some tylenol because my head is killing me!!! But I will get through it.

With the money that my sister is loaning me, my utilities and household expenses will finally be on time! I mean they won't be due for another whole month! WOW! What a feeling!

I also bought my first Christmas present. My other sister and I are getting my son a laptop. We went in together so that I didn't overspend my Christmas budget. I am excited about it. Still on the lookout for a Wii for my daughter.

Today was a spendy day...I filled up the gas tank and went to the grocery store. I had not been in a while, so we were in desperate need. Plus side is that I won't have to go to the store for a while because I didn't buy junk. I bought actual food! I haven't stopped for breakfast in a couple of weeks. My sister found me some cheese and onion bagels at Costco. They are wonderful!

Gas...$26
Groceries(Ingles)...202.19
Groceries(Dollar Gen)...33.75

Total for the day = 261.94