I kind of feel just blah today. It is raining here and has been all day. That is probably why I feel like I do.

My computer semi-crashed today. We couldn't get the new printer to print. It kept locking up the whole computer. So the IT guy is going to take it tonight and reformat it. Hopefully it will all go smoothly. I can't afford to be without a computer.

I resisted the urge to go to Starbucks while he was working on my computer. Still want it but not worth going out in the rain for it.

Still struggling with my diet. Can't seem to get my motivation back. Not sure how to get it back. Just not in a good place right now concerning the diet.

I have to get gas tonight. I doubt it will take the $60 I have budgeted for it so I will transfer the difference to my online savings account.

Yesterday was coasting along...hadn't left the house except to take sister to the grocery store, where I sat in the car so I wasn't tempted to purchase something we didn't need. Then about 8:00 last night, DD came upstairs and couldn't stop coughing. The doctor didn't prescribe any cough medicine. So we packed up and went to CVS for cough syrup. We bought the store brand and it was BOGO free so we spent $5.87 for two bottles of cough syrup. Not too bad.

It is amazing how bad habits slip right back in. I have eaten out quite a bit this last week. Probably close to $20 spent. I need to get back in the routine of not eating out. Both for the budget and my diet.

My coworker asked me to go to Papa's Pizza with her for lunch. I brought my lunch and stuck to it. I don't particularly like Papa's Pizza. I never seem to get my money out of the buffet. So it was easy to refuse. I also only have $8 in my account until Friday. That will cover a gallon of milk if we need it before Friday. So I can't really spend any more money.

The guys just came and picked it up. I sold it for $400. It was less that I hoped for but no one else has shown any interest. They had trouble getting it loaded on their truck. It weighed almost 500 pounds. It pushed the guy down the ramps there were using to get it out of the house. Could have been a real bad situation but fortunately he was okay.

This helps tremendously with my budget. Now I am only short $280 for the middle of October. Hopefully the clarinet will sell.

I finished off the dr pepper in the fridge so the no soda challenge will be easier now. It isn't there to tempt me.

Going to a friend's house to watch the Tennessee game. It is at the same time as the Georgia game, but unfortunately the Georgia game is only available on pay per view for $26! I can't believe people pay that much just to watch a football game. I love Georgia but am not willing to pay that much to watch their game.

No Eating out: 11/14
No Soda: 0/5
NSD: 7/14

I have to admit that I am a bit jealous of a few bloggers on this site. Credit Card Free is one of them. Monkey Mama is another one. There are several more, including Ceejay. These bloggers have their financial act together. They have a healthy retirement fund. They have a healthy emergency fund. They can provide for their children without help from a grandparent. For all these reasons and more, I am jealous. I am getting my act together but I don't foresee being able to save any significant amount of money. I don't see my circumstances changing any time soon. I simply don't make enough money to pay all my debts. I have tried to get a second job but no one that I applied to called me back. It would help right about now. All I can do right now is keep on trucking and try to make a dent in my debts. I just get so frustrated sometimes that I let myself get in this position in the first place.

I went to the grocery store this evening and bought more orange juice and bread. Total spent was 12.56. I know have 1.61 left in my account until next Friday. That is assuming that I will spend $60 on gas on Tuesday and that should only be about $30. So I have a little bit of a cushion there.

No Eating Out: 11/13
No Soda: 0/4
NSD: 7/13

DD sent me a text from school asking me to come get her. Her throat is killing her and she just generally doesn't feel well. She asked if she could get taco bell since it is smooth and wouldn't hurt her throat. So I spent $2.65 getting her something that she could eat.

I really hope that the wood burning stove sells because I really need the money. The 5th of October pay day is looking pretty grim. Need to make up quite a bit of money. Not sure how I am going to do that if the stove doesn't sell. Keep your fingers crossed.

No Eating Out: 11/12
No Soda: 0/3
NSD: 7/12

This is hard to admit but I have never lied in these posts and I am not going to start now. Sooo...post what you like...I can take it.

I ordered a pizza tonight. I know that I am the one who suggested the whole month of not eating out but I had a weak moment. I had enough money because my mom gave me an even 100 for the doctor and prescriptions that came to $64. The pizza wasn't even as good as I remembered it being.

I will transfer $100 from my savings account to pay my mom back. I hate to take money out of savings but I guess that is what it is there for.

My DD went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for a tick bite and suspected sinus infection. The doctor gave her one antibiotic for the tick bite and said that if that didn't fix the sinus infection to call her. I thought that she would call in an antibiotic for the sinus infection. But instead she wants to see DD. This is more than annoying since I only have $13.68 in my checking account. I had to call my mom for help. She said that she would cover the co pay plus the prescriptions. She told me that she always has money for things like that. So thankful that I have parents(my dad too when he was alive) that are in a position to help their struggling daughter.

I filled up the tank yesterday for $28.41. That leaves $16.59 to transfer to my Ally savings account. I now have $332 in that account. I think that is the most that I have ever saved over time. I haave $13.68 left until next Friday. Hopefully we won't need anything other than milk and orange juice. We have plenty of food in the house so we should be good.

This quitting soda has been really hard for me. I have failed both days. If I didn't have some in the fridge it wouldn't be so hard. But knowing it is there is really bothering me. I almost feel like if I hurry and drink it I can get along with quitting.

No Eating Out: 11/11
NSD: 7/11
No Soda: FAIL 0/2

My co-worker approached me to go to lunch with her today. I said no, of course! I brought my lunch and I stuck to it.

I emailed the guy that was interested in the wood burning stove for $400. I figured that no one else has really showed interest. And since I am $400 short for the first part of October, I might as well take it. It will get it out of my living room at least. He is going to come look at it next Wednesday. He is out of town until then. Keep your fingers crossed.

I was thinking about how much I spent eating out in July and the amount I spend on groceries. I don't know where I got the money from. I am cutting it close now so I definately don't know how I managed to eat out so much plus spend $400 on groceries. I am now making a list and spending between $200 and $250. I can definately tell a difference in how much cash I have on hand.

DS just called. The faucet at the other house has broken. I had to transfer him some money so that he could go to Home Depot and get a new one. He is going to install it.

No eating Out: 10/10
NSD: 7/10
No Soda: 0/1(totally failed)

I am going to try to go two weeks without any Soda. I know Lucky Robin is trying to but back on the amount of soda she drinks. This is going to be hard for me. Especially since I have Dr Pepper in my fridge at home. I just have to tell myself that it will still be good in two weeks. During the week I am fine. It is during the weekend that I really end up going overboard. This will be good for me.

The entire weekend was a NSD. I barely left home. But we didn't need anything. Today I have to get milk for work to make my oatmeal with.

No Eating Out: 9/9
NSD: 7/9

I had sent the man an email asking if he was still interested. He just replied that he found one in Chattanooga last week. Bummer. It is still listed on craigslist so hopefully it will sell soon. Parents should be looking for instruments for their children. I also have it on a list at the middle school for parents looking for their children.

My DS told me today that he wants to sell his car. He is tired of paying for it. I don't think this is going to end well. I am a co-signer on the car loan and I don't think we can get what the payout is. I certainly can't afford to take over the payment. I am strapped as it is.

I have had alot of interest on this fireplace insert that is listed on craigslist. I have it listed for $600. I got an email this morning asking if I would take $400 for it. I responded that I would take $500 for it. It is worth alot more but at this point I just want to get rid of it. I have listed it before with no interest and it is blocking my fireplace, sitting on the hearth. My sister bought it for me for $100 so what ever I make is pure profit.

I haven't heard from the guy that was asking about the clarinet. He probably isn't going to buy it. Bummer. I hope to be able to sell it soon too. I haven't had as much interest in it.

I also have several books listed on half.com. I wish some of them would sell.

No eating out: 8/8
NSD: 6/8

Today is a NSD. The only time I left the house was to take DD to my mom's to do chores around her house. I then came home and made a garlic chicken frozen meal and garlic bread. Yummy.

DD saved up to replace her iphone. It took her about 1 1/2 months to save up the 200 for the insurance deductible. I am quite proud of her. We deposited the money into my checking account today so she can order the phone. When she called them they have to send me an affadavit to sign. I will send it back on Monday and then her phone will be on the way.

No Eating Out 7/7
NSD: 5/7

DD and I went to the grocery store for our usual shopping trip. I think we did pretty good considering we had to buy a few expensive items like dog food and cat litter, cheese(we buy a big bag of shredded cheese) and laundry soap. We spent $146 and I had budgeted $200. That will give me money for fill in items next week.

I was really surprised at the price of chicken. I admit I don't remember what we paid in the past for boneless skinless breasts but I was in shock to see that for a package of breasts it was over $10. I know that I have never spent that much for chicken. Needless to say we passed on the chicken. I did get tenders so we can make sweet and sour chicken one night. Has anyone else noticed the price of chicken going up? I wonder if this has anything to do with the drought.

I filled up my gas tank today. It was $3.79 per gallon. YIKES! I fully expected it to be $60-70 since I didn't fill up on Tuesday. I always fill up on Tuesdays and Fridays. Friday's fill ups are usually around $45 and Tuesday fills ups are around $28. Today it was $54. I was pleasantly surprised. It is still hard to swallow but it was less than I thought it would be.

I am the only one here today. One person doesn't work on Friday's(must be nice!) and the other two are apparently working from home today. Makes for a pretty boring day. I will probably end up leaving early.

Today is payday. I had to borrow $100 from my mom to get through the next two weeks. I have two large payments coming out of my account on the 10th...DD health insurance and my student loan payment.

I have had lots of interest in the wood burning fireplace insert that I listed on Craiglist. Hopefully someone will buy it. I haven't heard from the guy who was interested in the clarinet since Wednesday. I really thought he was going to buy it. I am really hoping that something sells. I could really use the money.

I was up at WW last night. .8 of a pound. bummer. Soda was really my downfall this week. Will have to curtail that this coming week.

no eating out: 6/6
nsd: 4/6

When I went to pick up DD from school I almost stopped at Starbucks. It was really an internal struggle. But in the end I didn't do it! I really need a pick me up but I guess that will have to wait until I get home!

DD usually is hungry when she gets home and since she is hanging out at my work this afternoon I brought her a frozen meal. She said it really hit the spot. Otherwise she was going to ask me to stop at Chick fil a. So another wise decision.

Usually I have between 3-4 pending transactions in my checking account. But right now there is nothing pending. Could be because there is only $6 in my account so I haven't been able to get anything. Good thing I don't need anything.

I got an inquiry about the wood burning stove that I have on craigslist. Hopefully they will come through. I haven't heard from the guy about the clarinet. I am tempted to email him and tell him I'll take $25 off the price. I really need to sell it. Selling the wood stove would just be great too! Not only would it get it out of my living room but the money would not go to waste!

My dentist called me this morning. They went ahead and verified my insurance information. It seems that the insurance won't pay them directly. The check would be cut to me. So that means that I would have to pay for the visit when I am there. Since I don't have an extra $204 I had to cancel my appointment. This is something that I will need to save up for.

No Eating Out: 5/5
NSD: 3/5

I got an email from someone that is interested n the clarinet that I have for sale. I am hoping that this comes through and he purchases it. It is really a great deal at $550. I would make my mortgage payment with it.

no eating out: 4/4
NSD 2/4

Beginning bal in Checking account is $16.52

Income:
Paycheck - 936.97
From DS: 180.00
Child Support - 340.00
Half.com - 62.00

Total Income: 1518.97

Expenses:

MIL Loan - 100.00
Gas - 200.00
Student Loan - 53.75
DD Tumbling - 55.00
DD Health Ins - 486.46
Student Loan #2 - 269.53
Groceries - 200.00*
Cell PHone - 148.35
School LUnch - 50.00
Weight Watchers - 42.95
Savings Transfer - 59.00(gas under budget)

* plan to try to get out of the store for $100.

All of this adds up to me being $130 short for the pay period. I really want to transfer the $59 to my online savings account. I can make up the $130 by my gas allowances and my grocery allowances. It is just going to make it tight.

We have a meeting at work this morning followed by a lunch outing to celebrate another employee getting a promotion. Not sure where we are going yet, but I am sure that I can deal with where ever we go.

I am having a dilemma. I want to transfer my extra gas money on Friday to my savings account. However, I am short for my expenses this 2 week period. I can make it up with my grocery shopping money. I know the smart thing is to just delete the extra money out of my checking account. But it is nagging at me to transfer the money.

Well I am off to the meeting. Will post my budget for this week's payday later today.

DD cleaned her old bedroom today and came out with a bunch of books she didn't want. I listed them on half.com. I hope some of them sell. I will only let them sit around so long before donating them.

We are having homemade pizza for dinner tonight using hamburger buns and pizza sauce. We also have some pepperoni to put on them. Should be good.

Today is day three of our no eating out month and so far we have managed to eat at home every day. It was really hard Friday night because I really wanted to order pizza. But we didn't!

I transferred $30 to my son for the week. I had $59 left in my gas budget for the week and he was running short on gas money. Since I filled up Friday and haven't gone anywhere since, I probably won't have to fill up until Friday. The tank will be lower than I like, but I will survive.

Today was a holiday. I really like not having to get up so early. Back to work tomorrow. Bummer. I got my bedroom cleaned yesterday so now my whole house has been cleaned up. It looks 100% better. There was so much junk everywhere I was embarrassed to have anyone over. Not any more.

I will post my budget for the payday on Friday tomorrow.

I had my weigh in last night. I lost .8 pounds. Not sure how I did that considering I haven't been tracking my food and had ice cream more than once last week.

My month of not eating out starts tomorrow. I am excited about it. I think it might be hard but I am ready for the challenge.

Have to go buy some hangers tonight so I can get my bedroom clean. It is the only room left in the house that needs to be cleaned.

Not Eating Out: 32/35
Tracking food: 9/30
NSD 9/30

We took 5 pair of jeans and a pair of sweatpants to a local alterations shop. She just called me and told me they were done. I had estimated $75 for the total. I asked her how much it was and she said $36. I am in shock. That will help since I only had $5 left in my account after the 1st until the 5th.

I also sold a book on half.com. It is a textbook and sold for $65. I will ship it out today.

It is funny how when I am sticking to my budget and not spending money something always happens to make me be able to stick to my budget.

I had to take DD to the doctor yesterday. She had a tick bite that was swollen and we were concerned about it. She also has a sinus infection. Cost me $25 for the doctor. I got my prescriptions filled while we were there. I had budgeted $75 for them but they are usually around $55. With her prescriptions it was $85. It could have been a lot worse.

I filled up the car yesterday and transferred the remaining $29 in my gas budget to my ally savings account. I probably shouldn't have done that because that leaves me with $5 until next Friday. But we shouldn't need anything.

Got my cell phone bill. It was over $500. I almost went into cardiac arrest. There was $137 in usage charges. Apparently when I changed the plan back to the 2100 minutes I didn't back date it. I called Verizon and they backdated it and credited me the overage charges. Thank Goodness. The rest of the overage charges belong to Ex DH. I wish I could get him off the plan but there would be a cancellation fee.

I hope to get one more NSD this month. Today should be a NSD.

Not Eating Out: 26/28 (31/33 total)
Tracking Food: NO 9/28
NSD: 8/28

I have decided to make the month of September a no eating out month. Any one want to join me? I am excited because for July I spent $358 eating out and so far for August I have spent $33.00. What a huge difference! I didn't think I had it in me to make such a huge change!

Yesterday was a NSD. My DD wanted some cucumbers but I made her buy them herself. I went to Starbucks yesterday but used a gift card my boss had given me. Today I have to get gas and milk.

I had to give my son $20 yesterday to reimburse him for things at the rental house. I don't count that account in the NSD's. I miscalculated how much i would have for the week. I have $60 left for two weeks. I wanted to buy a new mop but I guess that will have to wait until next payday.

No Eating Out: 25/27 (30/32 total)
tracking food: 9/27
NSD: 8/27

Saturday was spent running my DD around. She got a haircut and then we went to my mom's house so DD could do her chores around there. Didn't get home until 5:00. When I got home I went ahead and cleaned my bathroom so I wouldn't have to do it on Sunday. So far I have gotten the whole house clean except for my bedroom. I will probably tackle it this weekend. Or maybe I will do a little each night this week. We will just have to wait and see what I feel like when I get home. It is nice to have a clean house to come home to.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day. I spent it watching football. Had to take DD to my mom's house so she could clean out my sister's car. She got 5 bags of trash out of her car. I just don't know how she was able to even drive it.

Sunday was also a NSD. I would like to get two more this week, before the end of the month. Today should be one. We need milk but if I wait until tomorrow I will already have to spend money on gas.

Financially I am looking okay. I have about 130 to last until the next payday. I have already taken out money for gas and other expenses. Will probably have to get a few filler items at the store this weekend, but not much.

No Eating Out: 24?26 (29/31 total)
Tracking Food: NO 9/26
NSD: 7/26

My DD is alot stronger than I am. As we were driving home from WW(where I was up .2 pounds) I told her that I thought we were going to get pizza for dinner. She said "are you sure?". I told her we shouldn't but...I didn't feel like eating left overs. She then said " Neither do I but we all have to do things we don't like". That closed the discussion. We went home and had left overs. And by not eating out I had a NSD.

Today is payday. I have already posted what my budget for the next two weeks look like. It is going to be tight but I think we can make it. We will be going to the grocery store tonight with the list we have prepared. Going to try to get out of there for under $100. I have $200 budgeted for the trip.

No eating Out: 22/23 (27/28 total)
Tracking Food: NO 9/23
NSD: 6/23

Well...after a long streak of not eating out DD and I ate Mexican last night. It was quite good. Abstaining from it for so long only made it that much better. Now to build another streak!

We borrowed my mom's vacuum last night since we don't have one. Most of our floors are hardwood so I haven't worked it into the budget to buy one. My mom has a dyson. The suction on that thing is amazing! DD vacuumed the entire house, even the hardwood floors and the stairs. The house is looking so much better. I like coming home to a clean house. I still have the rest of the bathroom and my bedroom to clean. Will tackle the bathroom this weekend. Not sure about the bedroom.

No eating out: 21/22 (26/27 total)
Tracking Food: no 9/22
NSD: 5/22

Yesterday was not a NSD. I filled up my gas tank. I had $59 left in my gas budget and it cost $31 to fill up the tank. I transferred the difference($28) to my online Ally saving account. I also had to go to Dollar General to get bath mats and a few other items. Today I should do better and is looking to be a NSD. I would like to get at least 3 more NSD' before the end of the month.

I listed some books on half.com. I hope they sell. I could really use the money.

No Eating Out: 21/21 (26/26 Total)
Track Fook: NO 9/21
NSD: 5/21