North Georgia Gal's Financial Awakening

It moved quickly and didn't last that long. But I managed to not spend any money while there! My parents had given me money for gas and they bought dinner. So the only money I spent was the $3 over the $20 they gave me for gas. Enjoyable evening for little money.

One of our older dogs bit our new puppy(Socks) last night. The new puppy was trying to get his food. It was horrible! Socks' eye is swollen shut and he has a gash on his head! Called the vet and they said to watch him, but there really wasn't much they would do.

Went to church this morning for my daughters violin performance. It was the stangest church service I have been to...not strange as in wierd but as in the preacher didn't really preach. He spoke for about 15 minutes about joy and then it was done.

We got the house cleaned up today after church...and my husband is now working on laundry. Feel very productive so far...but I am avoiding our bedroom!

While I should be done with my Christmas shopping for my kids, I have it set in my mind to get my daughter another present. I should be done...she will have quite a few presents because my sister keeps buying things. So I am going to try to resist getting her a gift cert for a perm. I feel good about where I am with the kids and know they will have a good Christmas. Still have a few things to get for a few people, but those will be small items.

Still managing to stick to the budget. Haven't had to deviate too far from it. Might have to take Socks to the walkin in clinic tomorrow, but it is far less than the normal vet and shouldn't throw us too far off budget.

Let me start by saying that I have never been one to appreciate the "arts". My parents and my sister(17 years older than I) tried to instill this is in me, but it never quite go there. We went to plays every year...went to musuems, etc and I was always bored out of my mind!

Well, this sister bought my parents tickets to the symphony for Christmas. Only one problem...my parents are in the thier late 70's and do not feel comfortable driving to Atlanta and bank after dark(about a 2 hour drive). So I volunteered to drive them. My daughter also wants to attend as she has turned into quite the musician lately. So we are all loading up and heading to the big city this evening for a night of culture...except of course for my husband who tactfully declined.

Good news is that I won't have to spend any money. If we eat anything, my parents will buy it and they have already given me money for gas.

I have a standing dinner date on Thursday nights, but that is all the money I spent today! And I got the $100 refund from the doctors office!

Dinner - 9

Total - 9.00

I am not including the Christmas money spent in this blog. I have budgeted for that(and am still under budget!)

We went to pick up a present at Bargain Barn last night. It was late when we left so I succombed to the lure of fast food again. But I don't feel bad about it this time. It feels different when you are out late and get something as opposed to just stopping on the way home because it is easier. I guess that is what I need to realize.

Gas - 21.00
Taco Bell - 13.11

Total - 34.11

I finally got into the Christmas mood last night. We got our tree up(the skimpy little white tree), put the outside decorations up, and put out most of the accumulated decorations(at least the ones we are going to put out). So I am done as far as decorating.

We went tonight and got stepson's present. Picked up 2 things for daughter. So far, still under budget for each kid. My son is done, as he got a more expensive item. Christmas is still looking pretty good as far as the budget is concerned.

SS - 200
Daughter - 48

Total for today - $248.00

Yesterday was a NSD for me! My husband spent $18 on gas...but that filled him up! Gotta love the cheaper gas prices!

Gas - 18.00

Total - 18.00

Last week, I set up the power bill and phone bill through bill pay to be paid this week. I didn't have to change the payments! YEA! For the first time in a long time, the power is not in danger of being cut off. And the phone bill is current...haven't struggled as much with that but it feels good to have these things paid! I have to pay the cell phone bill(which isn't due until the 21st) and get propane(scheduled for the 19th). The power bill is still technically not on time, as it is due on the 1st, but I am within the 10 day grace. Same with the phone bill, due on the 8th. But they are both paid sooner that I have been able to in the past...and this is Christmas. Just imagine if I didn't have these extra expenses this month!! Things will be great from this point forward!!

I was telling my best friend how I ate lunch out on Friday and then how my husband and I went out to dinner on Friday. We also went out to Dinner on Sunday. I spent $66 eating out this weekend. All of this was after almost 2 weeks of not eating out...not one single time! My best friend pointed out to me that I was like an alcholic...that one drink is never enough. I don't mean to offend anyone that suffers with alcholism, (this runs in my family so I know it is a serious issue) but I had never thought of my eating out or spending as an addiction. Both are an addiction, but I guess that I never thought of my spending addiction as being as serious as an alcholic addiction. Spending could end you up in the same place, though...no house, no possessions, and living on the street if you don't learn to curb your spending.

So I am back on the no eating out wagon. Starting today, no more eating out. None. Zero. Zilch.

My husband is coming to get my car...am tempted to go to lunch(as this is my addiction). But no...not going to do it! I refuse!

Yesterday was a NSD! YEA! My husband took the kids to school so I was able to sleep late. Very Nice!

Those who follow my blogs, know that I was tempted to purchase a tree at Lowe's this weekend. I beat that temptation(not going anywhere near lowes helped!) and didn't purchase the tree. I will use my skimpy white tree this year and next year I will be able to purchase a tree.

GO ME! GO ME!!

I seem to have fallen off the wagon as far as eating out goes. My daughter had a band performance yesterday and we went out eat afterward. Starting today, I am back on the wagon! No More Eating Out!

Dollar General 7.75
Mexican - 31.66

Total for the day - 39.41

Happy Birthday to me! Yes today is my birthday and I have done absolutely nothing constructive! Daughter was in parade and then dinner with my parents. Nice day.

Spent $6.69 at Zaxbys for 1 sm Coke, 1 lg coke, lg coffee and 6 cookies while waiting for the parade to start. And while we were there, I filled up because their gas is .20 less than ours. I only had half a tank, but filled up anyway.

Zaxby's - 6.69
Gas - 11.00

Total - 17.69

Okay...so I made the decision today that we wouldn't get a real tree. While I used to love having a real tree in the house...they have lost their appeal to me. I have a white skimpy tree that I will use...but wait...Lowes has marked all of their Christmas stuff down 50%. They have a beautiful tree for $99, normally $199. They only have a few left. I have this much in my savings(barely), but I am torn. I don't want to spend it but at the same time I keep telling myself that this is a great deal that I shouldn't let get by. This is how I get into trouble. I save a few bucks and than a "great deal" comes along...and most of the time it isn't a need, but a want.

So...I am sitting here at home trying to talk myself out of getting this tree tomorrow when we have to go right by Lowes(30 miles from my house). I don't need it. We will be fine without it. But why is it so hard to resist????

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

I have not been posting updates lately. Not feeling up to it. I have felt in a blah mood the last few days. I brokedown today and borrowed a large sum of money from my sister. It makes me feel pretty worthless to be 35(36 next Saturday) and not be financially independent. I took a serious look and realized that i was busy playing catch up and wasn't getting anywhere. Hopefully by borrowing this money I will be able to make progress. I set up a payment schedule with her(in the past, I borrow and never pay back...don't want that). So...hopefully things will get better now.

I curbed my spending today. No breakfast out...lunch at work. Spent 27.50 to fill up my car(down from almost $60 2 months ago to fill up!)

My daughter called at 6:00 and needed a new binder for school tomorrow for notebook check. So I ventured out to Dollar General(which for me to leave once I get home is monumental!). Got her 2 new binders. Went ahead and got butter and eggs(we were completely out!) while there so I wouldn't have to stop tomorrow at the grocery store. Also got french fries for dinner tonight(was going to eat tomatoe soup with the sandwiches, but since they had the french fries, I went ahead and got them.) Son needed headphones for ipod, so picked them up cheap at DG. Grand total at Dollar General was $18.70.

Gas 27.50
Dollar General 18.70

Total for the day = 46.20

So far I have not stopped for breakfast any day this week. That means that I have saved $3.57 per day for 3 days. That comes to 10.71 so far this week that I haven't spent that I normally do.

AND...my daughter wanted to stop at McDonalds yesterday on the way home but since I already knew what we were having for dinner and it was all planned, I told her no. Savings = $12(roughly for the whole family to eat)

BUT...I did stop to get bagels and cream cheese to keep at work. Including my impluse buy of donuts while at Ingles, I spent $12.43. So I am still $1.72 in the hole for breakfast this week, but I don't have to get breakfast for the next two days(or next week since it is a short week), so that should put me over the top. The McDonalds denial last night however puts the total for the week at $10.28 that I have made a concious decision not to spend.

GO ME!

For the second day and night in a row, I have not spent any money on take out! This is a huge deal for me, as my previous posts suggest. I am so excited and proud of myself.

Well, as my info indicates, I am barely keeping my power on. I called yesterday to make arrangements with the bill. I was told that it was already out for disconnect but that she would try to catch him. When I got home, he(the mysterious power man) had been there and disconnected my power...but apparently the office had gotten in touch with him so he turned it back on. The relief I felt was great. I did not enjoy the thought of having to ask my parents for money for the power bill(who would have given it to me, but I am working so hard to try to be independent). This is the closest I have come to having the power turned off. The experience yesterday just makes my realization of last week hit even harder. What was I thinking? $55 a week(which is probably average) would have paid the power bill...but when I was spending that, I didn't think it added up to that much.