North Georgia Gal's Financial Awakening

Each year our small town does a possum drop on new years ever. But given the lawsuit in Brasstown, NC(which is pretty close by), I don't know that we will be doing it. Apparently PETA said it was cruel to the animal. I haven't heard that Blue Ridge has changed what they do but I imagine they are on edge about it. We will probably be the next town to be hit with a lawsuit.

I don't have any plans for tonight. Just staying home watching tv. Pretty boring.

I bought a pizza tonight out of my allowance money. We picked it up again so we saving quite a bit. It was only $8. Delivery is usually triple that because I get sucked into the two pizza deal, the delivery fee and the tip for the driver. I like that I have found an alternative since I love pizza.

I hope everyone stays safe and has a great new years eve.

I don't have many financial goals but here they are.

1. Pay off Hospital Bill by December 31. It is at 2611 right now at $200 per month I will need to come up with an additional $200 during the year.

2. Pay off credit card. The balance is $599 right now. The problem is that when I get some credit I usually use it. So not using the credit card is also part of this item.

3. Pay for a trip to New York in July 2013 with cash. This should be no problem. Plan on using some of my tax return for this.

4. Build my emergency fund to $1000. Since I live paycheck to paycheck, this is going to be the toughest one for me. Sometimes I have to dip into savings just to make my bills. Going to try real hard not to do that.

See...not many but at least I have some goals.

I went ahead and got my prescriptions today so my spending for December should be done. Here are the actuals vs budget. The first column is the actual expenses. The second column is the budgeted numbers and the third column is the difference.





I think I need to up my grocery budget. I went over by $127. Everything else was pretty much in line.

I know it looks like I have a lot of money left over but that is going to January expenses.

DD needed a new bedding set and really so did I. The sheets are close to having a hole in them. So we each found a set at Walmart.com. Mine was $29 and hers was $36. All the ones she liked didn't have full size so she ordered a queen size. I hope it will fit okay. I also order season one of some tv show that DS wanted. DD is going to give me the money for it tonight as that is her Christmas present to him. And my sister gave me a gift card of $25 that I put toward the comforter. So my comforter was only $5. Not too bad. Plus free shipping on all. And I went through ebates so I should get something back.

I spent some of the day planning my budget for the new year. I couldn't update December of 2013 yet until this month is over. Then I can update it with new numbers since December 2013 is a 3 payday month. So is May 2013. LOVE THEM!

We will go to the grocery store tonight and fill the car up and that should be my spending for the month. OOPS...have it get my meds on Monday. That will be all the spending for the month. I have been looking at the numbers and I don't think I did too bad. I drastically reduced the eating out. It is under $100. That is $160 less than November. It really helps that I have my allowance that I can spend on whatever without guilt. I haven't gone over my allowance amount yet.

Starting next week I am going to start eating oatmeal for breakfast and a bagel for lunch. Then I plan on going to the rec center at least three times next week to walk. I would like to lose some weight before we go to New York.

Well...we were backing out of the driveway to go to our family Christmas in Gainesville, about an hour and a half away. We rolled down the windows to see the ditch(we don't usually back out of the driveway but my son't car was parked in the turn around spot). We missed the ditch but then the back window wouldn't roll up. DS and I tried to pull it back up but it just wouldn't come up. So we went to Midas where I get all of my car work done. We sat for nearly an hour and a half before they said it was done. Then they charged be $75! I couldn't believe it. It seem rather high to me but it is my fault for not getting the price before they started. DS was pissed that I paid it but there wasn't really anything I could do about it.

So we finally got on the road and things went smoothly after that. We had no trouble finding the hotel where my sister and mother were. My neice and her family was already there. She has two adorable step children that we have adopted as our own. Of course they got spoiled.

My mother gave me a heated throw blanket. I am sitting under it right now and am toasty warm. So what started as a crappy evening turned out to be pretty good.

When I talked to DS he said that his long time girlfriend was coming with him to Christmas today. We hadn't gotten her anything but didn't want her sitting there with nothing to open. DD and I went to Dollar General and purchased a couple of items for her. Spent $15. Not too bad I don't think. I also had to get my present for the White Elephant my family does every year. I got a yankee candle. Thought it was only 10 but when DD when to pay it was 19. She didn't think to question it.

We are down now until Wednesday night when we do our family Christmas. My mom, brother, sister and I are going to do lunch tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas!

I am not sure what to do now that college football is over. I have a few games recorded so I watched one of them today.

We had to get food for the ferret today and dd needed shampoo and conditioner. I have told her to plan ahead and get it on shopping trips but she doesn't have that down pat yet. I think that we will buy some on our next trip and that way we will be ahead of the game.

Cooked like crazy last night. I made tuna casserole, greenbean casserole, and corn casserole. I know it's a weird combination but it sure was good.

I still have $20 in my allowance left and I don't have to work again until Wednesday.

We've had some trouble planning Christmas with the family this year. My neices two daughters are going to be with their mom on Christmas eve when we usually do it. So instead we are all going to their house on Wednesday night to celebrate Christmas. I will have extra gas expense for that. Probably about 1/2 a tank. But since I don't have to fill up on Tuesday(will not have used enough to fill up) I should have plenty of money left in my gas budget.

I received a check from my ex fil yesterday for $100. I gave each of the kids $25 and kept $50, which will go the hospital bill. DD received a check from her grandmother for $25. Not sure why DS didn't get one, maybe it will come later.

I almost gave in the other night but my laziness won out. I didn't feel like leaving the house to go buy a pack of cigarettes. I guess in some ways my laziness is a good thing!

The internet has been going on and off here at work today. Not sure what is up with that. I has been raining since very early this morning but that shouldn't have anything to do with the internet. But you never know.

I checked my account online this morning and I have no pending transactions. YIPEE! I love it when that happens. Means I haven't been spending money. I am liking have my allowance money that I can spend on anything. It is more practical than trying to eliminate all extra spending.

I took yesterday off to drive my sister to Gainesville for eye surgery. Surgery went well and she filled up my gas tank when we got back. Since Tuesday is the day I usually fill up I didn't have to spend any money filling up. I had $38 left in my gas budget so I rounded it up to $40 and sent it to the hospital. I have sent over $100 extra dollars this month to the hospital bill. I wish I would have these snowflakes all year long but they are likely to dry up after the first of the year.

I am thinking of getting rid my satelitte and opting for a Roku. I have researched it enough to know that the shows I watch are on Hulu the next day. That is fine with me.

The only concern I have is football season. I love to watch as many football games as possible. I can get a subscription to NFL game Rewind but I don't know if I can access it for the Roku. Can you go to specific websites on the roku like you can from a computer?

My took me out to lunch today for my birthday. A little late but he has been out of town. We went to the hibachi place and it was as good as always.

Ordered pizza for dinner last night, but did it on a budget. Instead of 2 pizzas(because you can get two for the price of one), I used an online coupon for one that came with a 2 liter of coke. I also didn't have it delivered. We live within a mile of the pizza place so there really is no reason why we can't go pick it up. That saved the delivery fee and the tip paid to the driver. So what has generally been 24 dollars was only 10. And it was just as good.

Have to take my sister to Gainseville tomorrow to have her cataract surgery done on one eye. Then next week for the other eye. Will be an all day thing.

Today is my 10th day of not smoking. According to Quitnet I have saved over $20 and 66 cigarettes. Impressive. It is weird though...Somewhere in my brain is the thought that I will be able to smoke again some day. Like I am just quitting for now. That is definately not my intentions, but there is this little nagging voice. It needs to shut up.

I woke up to rain this morning and it has been raining ever since. I got up, took my morning medicine, sat in my chair and promptly fell back asleep. I slept for two hours in my chair. I hate it when I do that. It is always a fitful sleep, not a good sleep.

Yesterday was a NSD. Today's spending was only for a package of lightbulbs. The bulb in DD's room burnt out and we didn't have any replacement ones.

I finally got our Christmas tree put up. We also got most of the presents wrapped. Just a couple left to wrap. I have gotten everything that I ordered so I am in good shape.

On Thursday nights we go to my mom's house and pick up her trash to put at our curb. Last night, mom called and asked me to stop at Arby's to pick her up a sandwich. I thought it would be nice if we(dd and I) got something to eat and eat dinner with her. I have a debit card on my mom's account so I didn't have to pay for hers. DD and I each ordered a combo meal. When they told us how much it was I about choked. $16! I couldn't believe it. No wonder they are going out of business. They have already shut down for breakfast. I won't be going there again anytime soon.

Today is payday. Nothing really to do as I set everything up in advance. Stopped and cashed a check this morning for my allowance money. Will go to the grocery store tonight.

Today is going to be a long day as there isn't much that has to be done. I usually leave early on Friday's since I am the only one here. But my co worker is here today so I need to stay all day.

The last of my christmas presents arrived today. Now I just to get busy wrapping. Just can't seem to get in the spirit this year. We haven't even put a tree up yet. Maybe we will get that done this weekend. Have lots of presents to but under the tree.

I got my refund from Weight Watchers today. I transferred it from paypal to my checking account and should be here by Tuesday. I already set up a bill pay to pay that money to the hospital bill. I have paid almost 100 extra this month toward that bill. Not sure that I can continue that but it sure would be nice.

And so far it has been pretty easy. Had my first smoking dream last night. Any time I have quit before I always dream about smoking. Thanks Library Lady for suggesting the quitnet website. It has really helped. It says that so far I have saved 9.10 not buying cigarettes. I think at the end of the month I will transfer the money saved to the hospital bill I am currently paying on.

Throwing anything extra toward the hospital bill. I want it gone. At $2900 it will take me some time to get rid of it. My base payment is $200 per month.

DS called today to tell me that they need their chimney swept. Lovely. So I guess I need to arrange that pretty soon as the fireplace is their only source of heat, beside space heaters, which drive up the power bill.

I received my ebates payment today. $32. I have transferred it from my paypal account to my checking account. When it shows up I will put it toward the hospital bill I am currently paying on.

I am out of my allowance money so no more spending the rest of the week. I have decided to up my allowance to $50 for two weeks. That is probably more realistic. It is nice to eat out or spend money knowing that it isn't coming directly out of my budget money and when the money is gone it's gone.

Today is the 4th day of no smoking. It hasn't been hard at all so far. I haven't had any cravings at all. Hoping it stays this easy but I am sure I will have some weak moments.

It is raining...which always leads to extra time in the mornings. DD overslept so I had to take her all the way to school. And in my rush to get out of the door I forgot my bagels and cream cheese. Fortunately I have enough of my allowance left to cover breakfast today. Don't know that I will eat anything for lunch.

It was very weird this morning to not smoke when I put the dog out. I also am not as thirsty since I am not smoking. I used to drink a full glass of orange juice after smoking at home. Now I only drink enough to take my pills with. That should save me some money on orange juice.

I have had a NS weekend. I went Friday and stocked up on bagels to take to work and for home. The only thing I should have to buy this week is dr pepper to keep at work. I still have 15 in my allowance so this should be fine.

Haven't done much with my finances this weekend. Really haven't been on the computer much.

Today is the second full day of no smoking. So far it has been pretty easy. No super duper cravings or anything. But work will probably be a challenge because I used smoking as an excuse to get up from my desk for a while. Will have to find something else to do.

So far so good. I got up early this morning and went to a friend's DD baskteball game. Then went to their house to hang out for a while. We watched the Army/Navy game. I didn't get to see the end of it but I have it on my DVR to watch later.

Then I took DD to my mom's for her to do her chores. She wanted to go to walmart to get her friend's Christmas present. It is in the next town up so my gas usage will be a little more this period. It is the only thing we have bought at an actual store. Everything else was purchased online. I couldn't convince DD to order her gift online.

So far I have had no real cravings so it has been pretty easy. Hopefully it will continue to be easy. But I know that is not likely.

I went to Food Lion last night to get bagels, cream cheese and orange juice. That leaves me with under a dollar in my checking account after I get gas on Tuesday, but of course it probably won't take all 41 to fill it up. But then again we did have a trip to Blairsville so who knows. I still have 15 left of my allowance so I am in no means hurting for money. Everything is paid and we have groceries.

When I got to my mom's house last night she had arranged a small surprise party. There was food, balloons and ice cream. The cookie cake was delicious. It was a nice surprise.

Today was a NSD. I can't tell you the last time I had a NSD during the week.

Today is the last I am officially in my 30's. I turn 40 tomorrow. I don't feel all that different.

I played around in TurboTax last night and estimated my taxes. If my numbers are even close I will be getting a refund on 2000. I don't get to claim my medical expenses though because I don't have enough to itemize. The interest on the rental property goes to a different line item now. And I don't get to claim DS anymore. It is better than I thought it would be. I don't know what next year holds if the rental property stays rented I won't have a loss on it.

If all goes as planned I will use the money for our New York trip in July.

I just purchased my last pack of cigarettes. They will probably last until Friday. I will purchase no more.

I filled up the car tank today for 28.01. I had 39.99 in the budget. I sent the remaining 11 something to medical bills. Every little bit helps.

I passed right by Burger King this morning. I came to work and ate a bagel with my dr pepper in the fridge.

Still haven't found my office keys. In the process of replacing them. The owners son is supposed to be bringing me a mail key but he is unreliable at best. Don't know when I will actually get it.

I have had the worst afternoon. I went to Ingles to get Dr Pepper and a bag of ice. I went to the bank to deposit the rent. I went to BK and got a drink(out of my allowance).

I got back to work and dropped the drink while picking up the ice. I get to my office and realize that I don't have my office keys. They are nowhere to be found. They probably fell out of my pocket at one of my stops. I went back to Ingles to see if they were in the parking lot. I asked if anyone had turned in any keys. The answer to both is no. So I called the bank and they didn't have them either. Fortunately all the offices in our group use the same key so I was able to get into my office.

There were two keys on the chain. One for the office door and one for the mailbox. I have emailed the building administrator to see about getting another key. They are special keys so we can't just make a copy of it. I emailed my boss's wife for a copy of the mail key. I think I remember giving her one. Hopefully she has one. I just need to make a copy of it.

Oh and I left my cell phone at home this morning. I feel naked without it.

I said I was done with my Christmas shopping last week. But this annoying little voice in my head wanted to get my DD one last present. A hairdyer. So she didn't have to use mine anymore. The little voice was loud and I almost gave in. But in the end I decided that she has enough and it isn't killing her to come upstairs to use my hair dryer.

I have 29 left in my allowance for the next two weeks. It will probably be tight but I can do it.

I just figured out that there is room in the freezer at work to keep a bag of ice. That way I can bring my dr peppers to work instead of stopping for one. That will save me money. I know I should quit them but I just don't have the will power right now.

My birthday is Thursday. I am quitting smoking. I figure 20 years of smoking is enough. It will be hard but I think I can do it.

Here is my December budget. The actual column represents expenses/income that I have already entered into the check register. The big item is of course the medical expenses.

Didn't do much this weekend. Yesterday was a NSD. Only left the house to pick up rent from one of the kids. Today we went to my mom's house so DD could do her chores. We stopped at Ingles on the way home to get some everything bagels. My usual grocery store didn't have any of them. I also got DD burger king for dinner.

Georgia lost to Alabama yesterday. DD was very happy. I will never hear the end of it.

Here is my final budget for November.





The telephone expense includes two months of payments. I can't believe that I spent 1200 on medical expenses this month. I have got to do something to get these medical expenses under control but I don't know what. Its not like any of the spending is voluntary.

I know I say it every month but the eating out has got to stop. It is just so hard for me. I bought bagels at the grocery store for breakfast during the week so that will stop most of that. Plus I have given myself an allowance and will be leaving my debit card at home.

My groceries went over. I just can't seem to keep it under $100 every two weeks even when I go in with a list and don't deviate from it. I need to increase it to $150 a payday.

The Amy category is also high. That is because I didn't cancel the weight watchers correctly and was still charged for it this month. I should be getting a refund for it just not sure when.