North Georgia Gal's Financial Awakening

The search is on for 235/70/16 tires. I need four of them. I am looking for used ones that are in good condition. I have called 4 places so far and they have no used ones...well one place had 3 used ones and only 2 were in good condition. All of the places are happy to sell me new ones, for $100 a piece. UGGGG!!! I am in such desperate need of tires. My parents told me last week that they would buy me two tires. I initally refused their offer. I hate accepting stuff from them anymore! But my mom played the mom card and told me that they were getting them because I cart their grand-daughter around so much after dark that they don't want me(and her) stuck on the side of the road somewhere. But come to find out that you can't put just two tires on a 4 wheel drive vehicle...according to my DH. I am not sure about that, but am willing to go with it because honestly, I don't know which two of the tires that are on the truck right now could be kept! So we are looking at $400 for a set of tires! Double UGGGGG!!! I have been in contact with my mom letting her know all of this. She said that she is going to talk to my dad tonight to see what he thinks. I could pay for the other two tires on Friday, but then that would make the next pay period hell...like not even able to make my debts! So I am not sure what to do.

And I have been so slammed at work! We have a conference coming up in November that I am in charge of planning. Getting the materials and making arrangements and dinner reservations and....I am losing my mind!! I have screwed up two things this week...not having enough books to send next week and not sending the cd's off in time to have them copied for next week. These don't sound like huge things, but to my boss, they are.

I am completely empty of motivation today. I just want to go back to bed. I haven't been like this in a about a week. But I figured out why, I think. I have been so consumed with taking my new medication that I forgot to take my thyrod medication the last two nights. And it doesn't help that my littlest dog has taken to yipping in the middle of the night...all night. The first night, I thought she needed to go to the bathroom or something, so I let her out and she just ran around the living room! Very frustrating! And of course, DH hears her, but doesn't do anything! I have to get up and put her in the bathroom, which sstill doesn't block it completely! I have got to get some good sleep tonight! I have got so much I need to do at work today it isn't even funny!

Financially, not much has changed. But it looks like I will be back on track by the end of November. So although I had to push my mortgage payment back this month, I won't have to push next months back. I have tried to plan for everything, dr appt, prescriptions, yearbooks. Crap..forgot about cheer competition. Need to allow for that. But should still be in pretty good shape.

I haven't been able to feed my coupon/sale shopping addiction. It is driving me crazy! There are so many things free at rite aid this week...nothing I NEED>..but stuff I will need as the cold season approaches. And getting it free sure beats having to pay for it!

I have noticed that since I have been sale/coupon shopping I save more money with the sales items. It isn't the coupons that saves all the money. BUt I have also noticed that I have failed to keep items in the house that we usually like to have on hand...like sour cream...nacho chips...etc. So I will have to do a better job of balancing my list.

Just when I start to get things straight...looking at my budget for this payday and it doesn't look pretty. I have to get propane for heat and I am in desperate need of new tires. My parents said that they would pay for 2 new tires, but since my car is 4 wheel drive, I can't put just two tires on it. But my DH suggested last night that he take the tires off of his truck and put them on my explorer. His are almost new. Then he knows someone who has 4 tires that still have about 70% of the tread on them for $125 that he could put on his truck. So for $175(the tires plus having them put on the rims) I think the tire issue is solved...and my parents will pay for that. But since I still have to get propane, I think I am going to have to put the mortage off until next payday. That stinks! I have done really well at keeping it on time. I am really disapointed. DH hasn't been working because of the rain(not that he helps me much anyways). So I am not quite sure what I am going to do.

I set up an automatic payment for my cell phone bill to come out of the secondary account, that we never use. I was supposed to go in and change the date on it, but forgot. So that payment will be coming out of that account in the next couple of days and I don't have the money to cover it. At least there isn't anything else pending on that account so I will only be charged with one fee.

The doctor that I saw last week was supposed to hold my check until this Friday...they do that for patients. Small town. Anyway, they didn't. It cleared my bank on Friday. So that is more money that I need to come up with to put into my primary account...I am not sure how I ended up needing $200 for this account, but I did. And I am not sure where to get that from! I will be charged a massive amount of fees though if I don't come up with it. "mom...dad...I need some more help!" I hate going to them!

I broke down and turned the heat on last night. We left the fire burning, but I was afraid that it would get really cold before morning. SO I turned the heat on but I turned it on to 60. It tried to come on this morning but DH caught it as he was building a fire. I don't know if it ran at all last night. I turned it on 60 when we left just in case so we wouldn't come home to a freezing house. But the automatic thermostat that saves us so much money hit the next setting and went up to 68. So it probaby ran while we were gone. Drats! I built a fire as soon as we got home.

Went to Food Lion last night. Did pretty good. Also went to Rite Aid. There is nothing on sale this week that I need or that is an especially good deal(at least not for things I need.) So I won't make an effort to get by there. Maybe when the food lion sales come out, I will find something.

DD had a parade this morning for the comp cheer team and a game for the middle school team. It was freezing! 46 degrees! I was completely wrapped up in blankets. My own daughter didn't recognize me because I was so bundled up!!

I have to go now...have to track down a 16 year old who called into work today and hasn't called me since last night!

We still have managed to not turn on the heat, but that might change this weekend. It is supposed to be in the 30's Saturday morning and the high is only 46!!! But we will build a fire and try to resist...especially because we need propane and I don't have the money for it! we are at 25%,, which will last a long time without turning the heat on. If we turn the heat on, it will last about 2 weeks!!! But we have lots of firewood ready to burn.

My daughter need jeans desperately since it is rapidly getting cold around here. The last time we got jeans, I took her to the consignment shop down the street that has really nice stuff. They are very picky about what they accept. The other option is to use the credit card that I have been trying to pay off, which has about $70 available on it, to get her two pair of jeans. What would you do?

I borrowed the money from my mom to get her some jeans at the consignment store. I could have used the CC but would have spent more for the same jeans. I am not discplined enough to pay it off next week when I get paid, but I will pay my mom back. So i think I made the wise decision, although I hate borrowing money!

I hadn't stocked up on cat food and I forgot that I used it all last night. So at 9:15 I get a text(yes, I was still out at Violin lessons) to get cat food. By that time, the only place open was a convenience store. So I cursed myself and paid the huge price for a small bag of no-name brand cat food. But when I got home and opened the bag....it had cobwebs in it! yea...it was gross. And then bugs flew out of it! So I had to load up in the car and drive the 4 miles back to the convenience store to swap the cat food! So not only did I get ripped on the price, but it cost me in gas to go back and swap it! Poor planning strikes again!!!

Well, we have resisted the urge to turn the heat on...but we have had about 3 fires to take the chill off. It really makes it nice!

Tahoe, our recent feline addition(someone left him at the foot of our driveway!!) thought he wanted to go outside...was out there about 1 minute and decided he wanted back in...he doesn't like the rain! It is supposed to rain all day. YUCK! The other two cats are stretched out on the couch probably wondering why we are all home today.

I have a dr appt at 2:00 to see about getting my medication adjusted. It just doesn't seem to be working. I quit taking all of my non-prescription pills, thinking that my be affecting me. I know they aren't suppossed to, but I react wierd to stuff...I mean who is allergic to benadryl???? Me thats who!

I have resisted the sales this week. I have been looking, but haven't done it. My fear is that if I resist and don't go this week that I will get out of the habit of doing it. I hope not. I really enjoy it.

I just checked my credit score on creditkarma.com. It has come up 50 points since July! That is about how long I have been able to pay everything on time! That is impressive. I don't know how accurate that is, but it sure makes me feel better!

Today was a sleep late day. I slept until 10:00. It felt good. My ds has a soccer game at 2:00...at home. So that is good.

Not much happening financially. I have still resisted the urge to go to Food Lion. Lets hope I can hold out the rest of the week!

Today is payday. Everything is set up in my bill pay so the only thing I had to do was stop to pay for the po box.

I was thinking about the goals I posted at the beginning of the year and am feeling blue because I haven't accomplished hardly any of them! My main thing was paying of credit cards...and I haven't done that...not a one. So next year, I will have to focus more to get that goal taken care of. I know the year isn't over, but I don't see that changing in the next couple of months.

I am also feeling blue because although it is payday, I am broke! I feel like I am getting no whereeven though most of the bills are current(minus the cell phone). I desperately need new tires, but I can't get them worked into the budget. Every time I drive to work I wonder if today is the day one of the tires will blow out. I just don't know what to do.

I have an appointment Monday to see about adjusting my meds. I just can't seem to get out of bed...well, I get out of bed to take the kids to school and almost fall asleep on the way! So I come home and sleep for another couple of hours before I head to work...if I even leave the house at all. I am also in extreme pain again from the endometriosis. Woke up several times last night. Hopefully they will figure something out.

I requested my rite aid gift certificate today. I have spent $100 and an am elgible for the max certificate, $20. Best part is that I actually only spent $59! The $100 is figured before coupons and discounts. That is awesome! I think Rite Aid has become my favorite store over CVS.

Just looking over my budget. It looks glim. But I am still able to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I always see the light though but I am never able to actually get there! Maybe I can get there this time!

Like I said, I have become addicted to couponing. I have printed out my Food Lion list. But I am trying to resist. There is nothing on that list that I NEED. And the stuff that is on sale will be on sale again. But there are some good deals. I have the money to shop this week, but next payday will be really tight, so I should really save what I would spend. But I can't help it! I get this thought in my head and it won't go away until I do whatever it is. But I am trying to resist.

Here is how I did at Rite Aid tonight

Conair Straightener 17.99
-5.00 SCR
-2.20 first tuesday
total 10.79

Airwick Air Freshner 12.99
Sale price 6.49
- 6.00 coupon
- 2.20 first Tuesday
total (1.71) Made Money!

Colgate Toothpaste .99
- 1.00
- 2.20 first tuesday
total (2.21) Made Money!!

(2) Kotex Pads 3.99
Sale Price 3.00
-2.00 on two
-2.20 first Tuesday
-1.00 SCR
Total 1.40 each

I took the total first Tuesday savings and split it between the number of items purchased. I spent a total of 15.61 and will receive $6 back! Pretty good!

I am looking over my finances for the next couple of weeks. I am going to be broke...but everything will be paid on time!!! The power bill...the dish bill...the car payment...everything except for our cell phone bill. I haven't looked ahead to the end of the month in detail yet...but I am sure it will be depressing.

But...we have a houseful of groceries! I truly believe that I have become addicted to shopping with coupons. Although I don't have the money for shopping, I always find it. It just feels good to save money. We have the greatest variety of food in the house that we have ever had! And I am turning down items that I don't think are a great bargain(Lysol cleaner on sale...had coupon...but still over $2 so I didn't get it!)

I also think I am going through a depression...I find it difficult to leave the house in the morning. It doesn't help that I have the type of job where I can work from home and no one monitors me! I get my work done, but not during traditional hours usually. I take the kids to school and come back home to sleep for a couple of hours. If I go straight to work, I have to literally keep myself awake by rolling down the windows. Then at night, I can't fall asleep, despite the sleeping medicine the doctor prescribed. I have an appointment Monday to see about adjusting my medication.

I stopped by Food Lion today to get bread and milk. I went ahead and picked up some sale items. I got a bottle of snuggle for free! It is on sale for $3 and there was a $3 off coupon in the paper sunday! I got 2 cans of Grands Biscuits for -25! yes that is right! I made money on the biscuits! I didn't realize that Food Lion had a version of Refund Bucks...I got three dollars off the next shopping trip for the biscuits! I saved almost $4 on bread alone! And of course, the dog food was still BOGO free.

Here is the link to my saving spreadsheet...I hope that you are able to open it now.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdDl4eXVTM1dScWlza0J1TkdnekNIRnc&hl=en

So Far this month I have saved $96.34!!!

It is really cold in here this morning! I am turning the heat on though. I am piled under two blankets. DH isn't here to build a fire...so bundled up I am. Working from home today since I have to go to Ellijay this evening. Saving Gas by not making two trips in the same day!

SInce it has been so cold in the mornings, we built a fire last night, closed the doors on it and let it simmer. When we got up this morning, it was comfortable in here. We have the fire going now and it is taking the chill off. It is only supposed to get up to 69 today, which isn't that cold, but the house never seems to warm up. By builing the fire, we haven't had to turn the heat on yet! I am hoping to keep this up for a while! Maybe through October...Would love to not have to turn the heat on!!!

This was the question that my DH asked me last night. He went to feed the dogs and there is half a bag of food and two unopened bags in the pantry. This is quite unusual. We are usually waiting until we are out and then make sure we remember to stop at the store. But since it was on sale, bogo, we have two bags! And I am thinking that I will get 2 more bags before the sale ends!

We also have more food in the house than we have ever had at one time!

Took dd to the consigment shop to get black pants for her band concert tomorrow. When I told her we were going there, she was so upset...like disappointed. But turns out she thought I meant the one that has nothing but run down clothing and nothing good. There is a consigment shop in Ellijay that has really nice clothes. She was impressed. We got her the black pants and a pair of jeans. She only found one pair of jeans that fit, but they said they were putting out more stuff next week. So I will take her there next week sometime. so we got black pants and jeans for Ashlee and I got two shirts for layering and a new purse. Total spent = $34. Sure beats the $49/jeans she wants! And she was happy. Definite difference between consignment and thrift. She is going to gather up her clothes to take there...might get enough credit for her entire wardrobe!

I actually got up in time that there was hot water left this morning! YEA!! It felt so good!

I don't know why the link to the sheet isn't working. BUt here is a link to my blog...there is alink there that should work.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

or you can copy and paste the link in the browser to open the document.

Picked up 10 dozen donuts this morning to sell. I was a little perturbed. I was planning on getting 50 dozen and selling them tomorrow. However, I was told that I could only get what I had actually already sold! So I only ordered 10 dozen. When I got there...some of the others had mentioned that they got extras to sell! UGGHHH!!! I wouldn't have participated if I had known I could only buy what was presold! Then to find out that I could have bought more! Yea...a little perturbed. Sure could have used the extra money for cheer expenses. There is a bunch coming up this month that I will have to pay for!

I did pretty good at Food Lion tonight. The total before MVP and coupons was $121. The total after MVP and coupons was $64. Saved 50%! Awesome! There are three awesome deals....dog food - 17# for 5.00(BOGO) Kraft Cheese - .65 Jif Peanut Butter .50

Here is the link for the spreadsheet...select October on the tab at the bottom.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdG44WXFnMFpHMmpPVDhpWlJTdGE0SlE&hl=en

I have started October off with a bang...can't wait for the paper because I hear there is a $3 coupon for Snuggle and it is on sale for $3 at Food Lion...making it free! Might also get another couple bags of dog food. $5 a bag...can't beat that!

I love saving money!! And we have more groceries in the house than we have ever had before!

I have truly become addicted to couponing! I have made my list for Food Lion and can't wait to go this evening! I am suffering from some sort of illness I believe! I am ahead on the CVS and Rite Aid trips, so until the new ads come out, I don't need to go there. I am just in awe of how much money I have saved! I am sure I will really start to notice a difference once my stockpile is completely done...then I will truly only be buying what is on sale!

It was 46 degrees this morning! Really cold! It was 63 in the house! I am too cheap to turn the heat on so I am all bundled up! It will soon be the kind of weather where we have to turn the heat on at night and the air on during the day!

I took DD and her friend to McDonalds last night. It was funny...I told them if they could find the IHOP coupon in the car, we would go there...so they tore it up. Didn't have one. McDonalds has free french fries on Tuesdays, but it is per order per person. So we each went to the counter and placed individual orders for our value menu food and free fries. We all ate dinner for $5! Thought that was cool!

Nothing else to report yet.

Things are looking up again for the budget. I am so excited about it. I might be a little obsessed...but that is when my budget does the best...when I am obsessed. So...things are looking good through October. Still have to work on the 1st of November, since that last payday in October will have to cover those expenses.

I also found out that the minimum propane delivery is only $225. I had thought it was around $400. So that is good. I will have to fill up sooner, but at least we will have it!

I went to CVS and Rite Aid today. Did pretty good if I do say so myself. Rite Aid owes me $8! I made money there! WOW!! I could have saved an additional $3 though if I had been more organized. I think I might go back and exchange the batteries, and use the coupons...who knows if it will work or not!

Check out the spreadsheet of what I have saved! I have made some changes to it to include more information.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdHhLc1lTVGY0M1QwQWFWYmlzN25zc3c&hl=en

My ex-father-in-law called me yesterday afternoon...I didn't answer because he seems to talk for ever about things I don't have an interest in anymore! I called him back this morning. Remember a while ago he sold me his big screen tv and refridgerator. Well, I have been sending him $30 a month toward it. He told me this morning to not worry about sending it to him anymore...he didn't need the stuff since he is living in his camper(going through divorce) and he didn't want me to pay him either. So cool! That is $30 a month that I don't have to worry about anymore!

I have saved $346 this month! It is just amazing! It has become truly an addiction. I actually went to the store in the pouring rain yesterday because .34 butter wouldn't wait until today!

Here is the link to my blog with the updated information.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

I have attached a spreadsheet to keep track of the savings.

I didn't save as much this week because I had to purchase all of the items that we were out of. Ketchup, fabric Softner, swiffer refills. I had to buy a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't have purchased normally since it wasn't on sale.

The biggest saving this week as the country crock butter for .34 and the Honey Bunchs of Oats for .50.

Here is a link to my blog that I will update with the totals.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

I went to CVS and Rite Aid at lunch today. Here is how I did:

CVS:
Receipt #1
(4) 12 Pk sodas - 12.00
-.25 coupon

(3) Kleenux - .96/each
-.50 coupon

(1) Crest Pro Health toothpaste 2.99
-.75 coupon (2 ECB makes this .24!!)

Total = 18.64
Coupons - 1.50
ECB Received = 5.00

Receipt #2
(2) Cranberry pills - B1G1 50%
6.99 + 3.49

Total = 11.21
Used 9 ECB
Total out of pocket 2.21

Rite Aid
(2) GE light bulbs .50 each
2/4.00-3.00 in add coupon.

1 Duracell 4-pk 9 volt 9.99
11.99-2.00 in add coupon

Bic Soleil Razors 1.99(reg 6.49)
4.99 - 3.00 coupon

(2) Tag Body Spray .25 each
b1g1 50% 4.99 + 2.50
bogo free coupon - 4.99
manuf coupon - 2.00

Total: 34.72
Coupons - 20.99(inc $5 off $25)
Total check = 13.73


Total for the day:
91.19 in merchandise
-26.62 sale prices
-31.49 coupons
33.08 total out of pocket for the day
58.11 Saved!!!

The Tag and the Crest toothpast are definately the best by far. Still have Ingles and Food Lion to go to. I don't know that I will do as good since I have to purchase alot of items that we are out of and I don't have coupons for. Don't think they are on sale.

I have started a new blog to track coupon savings...http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/ check it out...

I went to CVS and Rite Aid at lunch today. Here is how I did:

CVS:
Receipt #1
(4) 12 Pk sodas - 12.00
-.25 coupon

(3) Kleenux - .96/each
-.50 coupon

(1) Crest Pro Health toothpaste 2.99
-.75 coupon (2 ECB makes this .24!!)

Total = 18.64
Coupons - 1.50
ECB Received = 5.00

Receipt #2
(2) Cranberry pills - B1G1 50%
6.99 + 3.49

Total = 11.21
Used 9 ECB
Total out of pocket 2.21

Rite Aid
(2) GE light bulbs .50 each
2/4.00-3.00 in add coupon.

1 Duracell 4-pk 9 volt 9.99
11.99-2.00 in add coupon

Bic Soleil Razors 1.99(reg 6.49)
4.99 - 3.00 coupon

(2) Tag Body Spray .25 each
b1g1 50% 4.99 + 2.50
bogo free coupon - 4.99
manuf coupon - 2.00

Total: 34.72
Coupons - 20.99(inc $5 off $25)
Total check = 13.73


Total for the day:
91.19 in merchandise
-26.62 sale prices
-31.49 coupons
33.08 total out of pocket for the day
58.11 Saved!!!

The Tag and the Crest toothpast are definately the best by far. Still have Ingles and Food Lion to go to. I don't know that I will do as good since I have to purchase alot of items that we are out of and I don't have coupons for. Don't think they are on sale.