Money Saving Monday Week 32 Of The Saved Quarter Challenge

The recent change in  my job status (  currently unemployed)  has definitely affected my budget.  In fact for the first week of my unemployment, I did not even want to look at my budget.   You know, kinda like an ostrich with her head in the sand.  But, that way of thinking will not get our bills paid.

Here is a breakdown of our new temporary  budget. 

BASIC INCOME

ME:                   MONTHLY INCOME:  1100.00 unemployment (estimated)

HIM:                 MONTHLY INCOME  2000.00

                                                                  3100.00

MONTHLY BILLS

TITHE:   310.00

HOUSE:  775.00.

ELEC:     200..00

CELL:     209.00 (4 PHONES)

CABLE:  120.00

CAR IN  126.00

               1740.00.

The Following ING Saving Accounts  (auto deposit from our checking accounts) Have been temporarily suspended until I become employed again.

ING SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
 

FSA          100.00

XMAS       80.00

TAXES      84.00 

INS          100.00

AUTO      200.00 

PETS         50.00 
GIFTS       50.00

                 664.00  Suspended for now.

   

OTHER MONTHLY EXPENSES

TOLLS              80.00

personal             85.00

SAVINGS         50.00

GYM                 50.00

                         265.00

                         215.00  These expenses are still the same.

GAS                   120.00

GROCERY        600.00

EAT OUT            50.00

ENTERTAIN       50.00 

                           700.00

             

CC PAY:          270.00 minimum payment.
 

                       3100.00 monthly income

                       2925.00
                         175.00  left over.  This will be part of our cushion in our checking account.  Just in case.
This is my new reality.  Watching the pennies very closely and submitting resumes daily. It will all work out.

This is our current debt

Linked to Penny at the Saved Quarter

Money Saving Monday Week 31 Of The Saved Quarter Challenge

Today, Penny at the Saved Quarter is  asking have you made extra money towards your savings goal?  I recently began selling books on Half.com and Amazon.  I have about thirty books listed, and so far I have only sold one book for a profit of $7.41. It is not much, but it is a start.  My priorities have changed, since the change in my job status.  Now between looking for new employment, I have a little more time to devote ( now more out of necessity) to earning extra money.

Goals:

•   Search the local Thrift Stores for more books to list on Amazon and Half.com. 

My open schedule will allow for this.

•    Look for a local Antique Store that rents Space to individuals to sell their items.

By nature, I like to acquire collectible and vintage items.  So this week I will be looking for a place to sell them, (at a profit, of course.  Who knows, this could be the start of a whole new business for me!

I am also using My Coke Rewards in my $500 Holiday Challenge

Money Saving Monday Week 12 The Saved Quarter Challenge

 

It is already week 12 of the Saved Quarter Challenge!  Where does the time and the money go? I did much better this week with my grocery shopping.  Last week I went a little crazy and spent$ 170.00.  This week, we only needed a few things, like milk, bread and dog food.  Did I mention how expensive dog food is?  Anyway, I only spent 45.00 dollars.

't think

There is no major changes in our saving this week.  We still have money taken out of both of our checking accounts that go in to our different saving accounts that we have at ING.  These accounts are necessary to cover expenses that happen once in awhile like property taxes and auto repairs. 

This week is a spendy week.  Today we have inspections on the Short Sale House:

295.00 for the house structure

85.00 termite inspection

300.00 septic tank inspection

And if all goes as planned, we will have moving expenses too, but I will be happy to pay those as well.

Next week, I will be redeeming my monthly limit ($25)  of Swagbucks in Amazon Gift cards.This will go towards Christmas Gifts and my $500 Holiday Challenge.  

Swag Bucks To Date: 2800
How I am using my Swag Bucks

Money Saving Monday Week 11 The Saved Quarter Challenge

It is actually Monday and I am posting my weekly update on time.  Barely.  So what is new for week 11 of the  Saved Quarter Challenge?  

We are holding our own financially.  My husband has not had as much overtime as we have hoped for.  In fact, due to the almost perfect weather, he barely gets his forty hours.  No service calls, no work.  But, the heat of summer will be here soon enough and it is great to be able to enjoy this perfect weather.  There has been an adjustment in my hours as well.  I have gone from 40 hours to about 37 hours per week. It will be fine..... I would prefer the 40 hours, but you take what you can get these days.

Our Credit Card Balance last week was 12,883
Our Credit Card Balance this week is    12,866  (+27.00 dollars)

There is no news regarding the Short Sale house.  Several words come to mind when I even think of this subject.  Most are not ones I use often.  But this ordeal has been going on since Dec 2010...... and my vocabulary has grown exponentially, even if only in my mind.  I should probably work on having more positive thoughts about this experience.

I have blown my grocery budget for the month.  The only reason for that is I was not monitoring my spending.  I am going to make all attempts to use what I have on hand until the end of the month.  Which is not that far away, so it should be fine.  Next month, I will have to be more vigilant with my grocery money.  

I am still looking for part time employment to supplement my full time job.  If in the process of looking for part time employment I am able to find a wonderful super duper full time job, I would not hesitate to take it.  But for now, I will be happy to find a part time job.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

Swag Bucks To Date: 2439
How I am using my Swag Bucks

Money Saving Monday Week 10 The Saved Quarter Challenge

  

Happy Tuesday! I ( Yes, I know I am a day behind as I should be posting this on Mondays)   It is already week 10 of the  Saved Quarter Challenge.  It has been a hectic, busy weekend that carried over to the beginning of the week.   Saturday, my husband and my son put in the new central AC unit into our current home.  The picture is of my son working on the inside part of the unit.  He is an electrician so he was in charge of the wiring in of the new unit.  My husband was outside replacing the outside part... you know.... the part with the fan.  I know nothing of AC, so my input about what actually was done is going to be limited. 

The unit was bought and paid for last year, and my husband has been waiting for mild weather to replace the old one.  The unit was bought at wholesale price, around 1300.00 dollars.  We saved a huge amount on the labor to install the unit.  I think we estimated that we saved close to 3000.00 dollars (this includes the discount for the wholesale price).

Last week we did receive our tax refund.  After applying most of the balance to our credit cards, we are about 186.00 less in debt this week.

Credit Card Balance 12,883

The job interview went well.  But....... It is a night position.  From 1PM to 11PM.  My husband and I talked about it, and we both decided that this is not the position for me.  I am a morning person.  I get so much more done in the morning than the evenings.  And I would never see my husband, except for weekends.  The job is just not a good fit for me. 

My friend's mother that was in hospice, did pass away last week.  It was a very sad time for her family.  The memorial was this weekend, with the church service yesterday.  My friend did get out of the hospital on Friday, and her heart is fine.  It was the stress that triggered her heart to beat so fast that she had to be hospitalized.

So, yep, this was a busy weekend.  I am hoping that the rest of the week will be a little more manageable.

Swag Bucks To Date: 1989
How I am using my Swag Bucks

Money Saving Monday Week 9 The Saved Quarter Challenge

I am a day late (again) in posting my weekly update for the Saved Quarter Challenge.  Better late than never!!  Since the weather has warmed up, my husband has been able to get his 40 hours per week, plus a little overtime.  This will be reflected in next week's check.  Until we hear about the Short Sale house, we are getting this house ready to be a rental.  The  leaky bathtub is now repaired, with just the drywall to finish. We did have to spend about 200 dollars to repair the tub, but at least it is now in good working order.  This coming weekend, my husband will be installing a new AC system into this house.  We already have the unit, but no doubt, there will be a few more expenses when all is said and done.

That being said, I have not been as successful as I wanted to be with reducing out debt.  In fact, the debt level has increased about 1000.00 dollars when compared to January 2011.
After the dust settles when and if the Short Sale house actually becomes ours, we can be more diligent with our debt repayment.  My husband's hours will increase and the overtime will definitely come in handy.

Swag Bucks To Date: 1683
How I am using my Swag Bucks 

CC debt  13,069

Money Saving Monday week 8 The Saved Quarter Challenge

Happy Monday!  It is week eight of The Saved Quarter Challenge, and time for an update.
It seems we are still treading water until my husband's work gets busier.  The weather is warming up quite a bit, I am sure that the AC service calls will be picking up very soon.  I can't wait, because I am missing his overtime to pay down some of the debt.

We have had to put some money back into this house, the tub in the hall bathroom  that was leaking at the drain pipe was successfully fixed by my husband.  He is very handy and I know that we did save a ton of money on labor charges. The next project is installing the new AC into this house.  Again, no labor charges, and the unit is already paid for.  But you know when a project gets going there are always other things that need to be purchased. Always.

We have kept our Credit Cards at pretty much the same level.  Until we are approved the the Short Sale bank, I am keeping all my cash in the bank.  Until we find out our exact costs associated with closing and inspections, we are probably going to stay at the same level debt wise.  Or, when my husband's hours pick up... then we can start hacking at the debt again. 

	Here are a list of my current Savings Accounts at ING.  Both my Husband and I have scheduled withdrawals according to our pay schedule.

This is a great way to have money already put aside for those expenses that come up once  in awhile.  Right now, there is 764.00 dollars that is transferred to ING on a regular basis.
I still need to fund a couple of more accounts, HOME REPAIR, CLOTHING and VACATION.

				Monthly Deposits
	WEEKLY GAS/AUTO MONEY			200.00
	LONG TERM SAVINGS			120 .00
	CHRISTMAS CLUB			80.00
	HOUSE INS 100 DOLLARS			100.00
	FSA ACCOUNT 50.00 BIWEEK			100.00
	HOUSE TAXES 84 DOLLARS			84.00
	SHOWER GIFTS,BIRTHDAY,ETC			40.00
	PET CARE ACCOUNT			40.00

Money Saving Monday Week 7 The Saved Quarter Challenge

This is week seven of Penny's Saved Quarter Challenge.   This month was going along fairly smooth, until last week.  You know how Murphy's Law works..... well Murphy is visiting our house this week and it may be a little expensive.  Our recently installed bathtub has developed a leak. You can read about it here.
I am fortunate that my husband is very handy and can do all the work himself.  Labor is very costly so our expense is in the parts.  

My husband's work is still slow.  The weather is Chamber of Commerce perfect, so no one is really having issues with their AC units.   But as it gets hotter..... he will get busier. 

I will be making payments on my credit cards this week, so I will be able to share the amount paid next week.  The balance of my husbands card has gone up a bit, because we had to charge some of the parts for the bathroom repair.  My current savings are on a self imposed hold until we find out if we get the Short Sale house or not.

I have been a little bit busy with some early Christmas Shopping, you can check out my $500 Christmas Challenge for an update.  Some of the items I found at Target today, I am hoping to find some cheaper prices at another Target, so the totals may change.

I hope your week is going to be great!


 

Money Saving Monday Week 6 The Saved Quarter Challenge

Happy Tuesday!  This is the sixth week of The Saved Quarter Challenge.  If you didn't notice, I am a day late in posting.  Yesterday was Valentine's Day and my husband's birthday.  We celebrated at home with an evening on the porch enjoying the sunset with a glass of wine.  Dinner... Take-out Pizza.  Later on this week, I will take him out for his  birthday dinner at his favorite Italian Restaurant, Carrabbas.

This week (and it is only Tuesday) has been a "spendy" week.  Yesterday we went to Petco to get the flea and tick drops for the dogs.  We buy Advantix in four packs ( enough for four months of treatments), so for about 60 dollars per pack. That, dog food (40 pound bag) chew toys, and carpet treatment for a couple of doggy stains we spent close to 170.00 dollars........ on the dogs.   This is part of our yearly budget.  I  have automatic withdrawals from both of our checking accounts to ING.  At ING we have a sub account for dog expenses.  A simple online  transfer will cover most of the expense.  I only started the dog account this year, so I do not yet quite have enough. 

Again, the weather is still mild and my husband's work is not yet that busy.  Debt repayment/savings is at a standstill.  Hopefully in the next week or so, he will be getting his 40 hours and we can get ahead of the debt again.

Oh, this month I did acquire $25 in Amazon gift cards through SwagBucks for a total of $50 to date.  This will definitely help with my $500 Christmas Challenge.  I do have a sub account at ING for Christmas too, so I won't be unprepared like I was last year.  It's not like I didn't know Christmas came every year, because we all know it does!  Duh!!   I just never planned for it in my budget.  But this year is different.  I am going to be ready!

Hope you all have a beautiful Tuesday!

Money Saving Monday Week 4 The Saved Quarter Challenge

It is week 4 of Penny's "Saved Quarter Challenge" and time for me to tally up the month of savings/debt repayment.   Two weeks ago, I paid a substantial amount towards our credit card debt.  At that time, our Credit Card balance was 10891.00.  Today the balance is 11357.00.  The increase is due to interest 127.00, and approximately 289.00 in charges for small repairs to our current home.  If you recall, we will be renting our current home when we get approved for our new home which is a short sale.  (Short sales tend to take forever).

My husband's hours have been cut due to the great weather we are experiencing.  He is an HVAC tech and if the weather is great, people don't tend to use there Heat or AC.  If they are not using them, then they don't have to repair them if they were broken in the first place.  As the weather gets hotter or if we experience another extended cold snap, he will get busier and will have overtime.  Then we can't put more to the credit card debt.Right now... we are being a wee bit conservative in our debt repayment.

My monthly addition to my 401k is 200.00, Long term savings is 60.00 for the month.  I typically have 60.00 taken out every paycheck, but my employer switched to a new payroll company and our first check is a LIVE check, not direct deposit.  The paycheck on Friday was direct deposit as promised and things are back on track.

This month we had added to our Christmas Account: 115.00 dollars
                                    Auto Repair/Tires Account:  312.00 dollars
                                   Pet Care/Vet Bills Account:    30.00 dollars
                       Shower/Birthday/Annivers.Account:    25.00 dollars
                                 Long Term Savings Account:    60.00 dollars
                           Medical/Dental Savings Account:   210.00 dollars
            Property Tax (no escrow) Savings Account:   100.00 dollars
  Property Insurance (no escrow) Savings Account:      84.00 dollars

These accounts are kept at ING, an online bank.  If you are interested in opening an ING account, I would love to refer you.  If you open the account with a minimum of 250.00, you can receive a bonus of $25.00 for doing so!!  I will receive a 10.00 bonus for referring you. Email me your name (first and last) and I will send you the link.  my Email is WayRich14 @ aol.com

  I still have to fund a clothes account and vacation account.  Have not yet worked out the budget for that yet. But the expenses listed above always seem to happen when I least expect it.  By having these accounts, I feel less stress knowing I have some of the expenses covered. 

Hope you all have a great week!!