November 1st, 2019 at 12:19 pm
Two weeks ago, I finally bought curtains for our vacation home. Long time in the making, but nice curtains and rods are so darn expensive! Anyway, the total spent at Bed Bath and Beyond came to $767.74 including an item that I needed them to ship directly from the store. I gasped, swallowed hard and whipped out my credit card.
I realized then that BBB sometimes puts out 20% on entire purchase. I looked through my stash of coupons and I have none. It occurred to me to put a "ISO" (in search of) post on Facebook that I was looking for this specific coupon. About an hour later, someone responded and said that she has one and that I can have it. I took it back to the store and without question they credit me $151.36. Do you know that BBB takes expired coupons. Mine was from 2017 and no problem! I felt so victorious when I left the store.
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November 1st, 2019 at 02:02 am
Yesterday was payday. Yay for a nice overtime check from husbands extra hours of work.
$2443.00
$700 of $2100 of the quarterly taxes came from our budget; DS#1 helped with $1,400.
$350- Roth IRA ($150 bi-weekly contribution and $200 to the projected short-fall)!
$921.00- credit card payment
$72.00- groceries
200.00- savings
20.00- charity
smallish amount was left in the checking for small bills as they coming.
I'm going away for a few days next week and I have put aside the money I made with my little side hustle to cover food for those days.
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Budgeting
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October 27th, 2019 at 06:08 pm
I made $85 this weekend selling my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I'll use the money to pay for utilities in our second home. I'm hoping to receive more orders in the coming weekends.
Autumn is in full motion in my neck of the woods, although it is rainy and dark. Nonetheless, beautiful. I'm taking a short trip the first week of November and I'm really looking forward to it.
What's your favorite season of the year? What's the least favorite season. For me, Autumn is my favorite and least favorite is winter (hands down; hate it!)
My front yard
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October 25th, 2019 at 12:30 am
A few weeks ago, I was offered a job out of nowhere. It was a per diem job making excellent money. I considered it and at one point I almost accepted the position, but suddenly, just thinking about the high stress levels I knew I would encounter, I decided to turn it down. No amount of money is worth endangering my health. We are paying our bills and I am in a very happy place in my life. I love my part-time job and I feel that I am making a difference.
I will have to readjust how our paychecks are disbursed in the upcoming week. I totally forgot that property taxes are due soon. I also paid the remaining portion of my smartphone in full ($321). We have to replace the decking on our front porch soon but we will use our savings to pay for that. We're in the process of getting estimates.
Remaining grateful and learning how to live a happy and peaceful life.
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October 16th, 2019 at 12:53 am
Both of us got paid today. I had everything written down as to how the money was going to be disbursed. Fortunately, my husband earned a nice paycheck with all the extra hours he worked. I immediately set up an electronic contribution to my Roth IRA. We were also able to add a decent amount to our savings account. I feel so grateful and blessed that we are able to save money even when we are living with a limited income. Prior to this season of our lives, saving money was automatic and effortless. Our new reality has taught me to be less judgmental and thankful. Next pay period I am hoping to be able to contribute an extra $100 to the anticipated shortage on my Roth IRA.
By the way, we might have to replace our washer sooner than later. It's making an awful sound and it's leaking water from the bottom. We are not fixing it as it is old. We are, however, trying to buy a second hand washer or we'll wait until Black Friday to buy a new one.
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October 13th, 2019 at 02:01 am
I took advantage of the Bath and Body Works sale on hand soaps because I had a $25 gift card. I spent 26 cents out of pocket for six hand soaps including shipping and tax. I usually make my own foam hand soap but I love the nice smell of the ones from B&BW. I certainly would not spend $6.95 for a bottle at regular price
Dinner and show (Little Shop of Horrors) were great. This little theater has been in our community for 88 years. I am thinking on making a donation at Christmas time. I am also making a donation to our local children's library at Christmas time. In total, I spend close to $50 and I have no regrets!
It's a three day weekend and payday on Tuesday. I'm especially excited because my husband should be getting a nice overtime check (every little counts).
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October 10th, 2019 at 11:33 pm
I stopped at a thrift store after work (mainly because I spotted a parking spot) and I snagged a nice white winter sweater for $3.99 and a hardcover book of one of my favorite authors for a $1.99. I usually don't spend money on books as of late, but for $2, I decided not to pass it up. Good entertainment for little money.
My husband has been working a lot of overtime hours and I am grateful that we will be adding a more significant amount to our savings account. I am, however spending a little bit of money tomorrow night. I am going to see a local production of Little Shop of Horror and having dinner as well with my girlfriends. This little theater is a town treasure and their productions are amazing.
It's also a three day weekend for us. Looking forward to the extended weekend.
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October 5th, 2019 at 05:35 pm
I currently have $3.450.00 remaining to fully fund my Roth IRA by April. I currently contribute $300 to it every month and I'll have to make some extra contributions because there will be a deficit.
I use DR Every Dollar budget tool (the free one)to keep me in control as I am responsible for keeping track of our finances. My husband is a simple guy and he'd rather that I take care of our financials. I am happy to oblige.
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October 5th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Some of you probably gasped when I mentioned that I took a $60K pay cut recently. This move was years in the making. My husband and I worked hard to get rid of any consumer debt, except for the mortgage. We also establish a two-year emergency fund. In addition, we generate $1,500.00 in rental income. We are now living on $53K gross income (not including the rental income or the occasional overtime pay for my husband). We try to keep our bills low, we eat most of our meals at home and have no consumer debt whatsoever. The rental income is used to pay for a vacation home we bought several years ago. We have no intentions for now to get rid of this property.
As a result, my stress levels are much more manageable and my sleeping patterns have normalized. This is worth every penny I lost in income.
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Personal Finance
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October 4th, 2019 at 10:15 pm
Hi All,
I live in a high cost of living state. I recently took a $60K pay cut; long story, but we are making things happen. Our goal is to continue contributions to retirement accounts, keep ourselves afloat and save a little every pay period. So far, we've met all of it and I am grateful. Eventually, I'll return to full time work, but for now I am enjoying it.
GratefulSaver
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