Had NSDs on Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Spent $6 on Sunday at McDonalds. Spent $5 at the gas station today for SOs cheese sticks, $3 at Meijers for Saltine crackers and Diet 7up, $8 at the grocery store for milk, water, tomatoes, and tortilla chips. At Meijers, I also spent 24 on rubbermaid totes for the camper.

We went to the dirt bike track on Saturday and I ate the lunchable that SO brought back from his New York trip. It was about to expire, so I thought I should eat it before that happened and it would be an easy lunch at the track for me. Mistake (I think). We got home around 4 and by 6 I was feeling ooky and laying on the couch. SO went to the movies with a friend and I went to bed early.

Spent most of Sunday on the couch feeling ooky, with a headache. I got up to go to SOs hockey game, then went back to bed. Called in to work and spent the day on the couch, still feeling ooky. I started feeling better around 3, and SO called to ask me if I felt good enough to meet him somewhere with the big van to pick up a generator.

I met him and when we got back home, we started working on the pop up camper. He wants to camp at the dirt bike track this weekend, so he wanted to test out the generator and I wanted to do some cleaning and start stocking the trailer. I still felt a little bit ooky, but not horribly bad.

Went to work today. I feel a little icky still, but I think it's just in my head. I bought crackers and diet 7 up at lunch to hopefully calm my stomach down. I ate frozen egg rolls for dinner, so I think I'm as good as I can be. I was able to run 2 miles without too much trouble, but I did have to hurry home if you know what I mean.

I will be spending money for the next few days. Mostly food stuff for camping. Then I should be back to my thrifty ways this weekend because SO pays all the fees when we go to his dirt bike stuff.

I'm off to go read the other blogs, but I did see CB mention people are updating their sidebar with books they are reading and I want to join in! So I'm going to copy y'all too!

It's a beautiful day outside and it's Friday!!! Yippee!

Yesterday I spent: $11 on Chinese take out for me (planned), $13 on pizza for SO (planned), $20 on fixing the Bug's check engine light, and $13 at the grocery store for bread, butter, carrots, and applesauce.

The Bug only costing $20 was a happy surprise for me. My neighbor works at VW and brought my car into work to get the check engine light checked out. He found out that my catalytic converter caused the light to go on, but that none of the tests said that it failed yet. Eventually, it will fail and I will need to spend $1100 on a new one. I plan on keeping the Bug for at least five more years (it's 10 years old now), so I will have to do this. It will still be cheaper than a new car!

I'm thinking that I won't need to be spending any money today or tomorrow, but will on Sunday. SO and I are going golfing with my Dad and Uncle. I am a horrible, horrible golfer, but I like hanging out with Dad. I only feel bad for the people behind us. We do let people play through us, but if you let everyone play through, you will never finish your 9!

I am hoping for a NSD today to make up for yesterday!

I spent $69 at the vet, like I already said in my last post. Big Kitty was pretty laid back most of yesterday--even more sleeping than usual.

I spent $7 at Meijers on Ant Traps and a Lint Roller.

I spent $100 on my gas card for the month. This should last me the whole month to get back and forth to work.

I spent $40 on groceries. $3 on cheese sticks for SO, $8 on tomatoes and lime juice, $29 on water, ice cream, frozen egg rolls (easy work lunches), yogurt, and milk.

On the positive side, I've made $20 in Amazon gift cards between surveys and swagbucks so far.

Last night was another quiet night. I washed all my bedding and did a lot of reading. And a lot of cuddling with the cat. SO will be away for one more day, returning tomorrow. So one more night of quiet reading is in my future!!

Yesterday was awesome. It was a NSD and was a day to just relax. SO decided he was too tired to go out on the boat, so we just ended up hanging out at home. It was so relaxing. I just did lots of reading and just hanging out with SO and the cats. It was wonderful. Since I just hung out at home, it was a NSD.

Later today, SO and I will be going out to get some groceries and he needs to pick up something he ordered from Best Buy to go with his new TV. All I can say is thank goodness our finances are separate.

So, some grocery shopping today, but I think that's all the spending I have to do.

Have a great rest of the weekend! I hope everyone's weather is as wonderful as it is here!

I managed to have a NSD yesterday. I was tempted to get take out, but I went home and made up a couscous/zucchini thing that is OK. Cleaned the house and read my library books, so it was a quiet night.

SO gets home from his trip today. He wants to go out on his speedboat, so I need to get myself moving. I already went for a run, did swagbucks, and am eating the last of the zucchini bread. Can you tell the zucchini that I got is baseball bat sized? All zucchini; all the time!

I need to jump in the shower and make up lunches for the boat. Not sure what we're eating for dinner, but it is looking like another NSD for me. SO pays for all boat expenses, since it is his toy and his hobby and I just go along.

I anticipate tomorrow to be spending money because SO leaves out for another trip on Monday and I need to pick up a few things from the store for that, like bread and bologna. I hope to have a string of NSDs after that!

Thank goodness.

The internet at our house has been out or spotty at best and we've found out it is because we have an old modem. But our internet company will be glad to have us rent a new one from them for $5/month and that should take care of the problem. We'll see. Something about how our lines are now getting crowded and our old modem is getting kicked off the system first. Gotta upgrade.

Just like my poor phone. Verizon isn't going to update towers on the old system, so eventually, I'm going to have to get a new phone, even if I'm happy with my old phone. Planned obsolescence.

I'm over on my budget in groceries this month, but what really got me is that one of my cats started falling down while just walking around, so off to the vet we went. He is somewhat better now, but still a little off-balance. It is just something that sometimes happens to cats and often happens in the summertime. They don't know what causes it and don't have any way of treating or preventing it. My other cat was fine, but I went ahead and made arrangements for her to get looked over as well. Then, I knew the first kitty has some dental issues, so I'm going to take care of those now too. Boom goes the cat budget.

It is totally worth it though. I was actually sick to my stomach when he was weebling and wobbling around. My cats are pretty much kid-substitutes and I was very worried about him.

I hope to spend no money the next two days and I need to get back on track for August because it already looks to be spendy with cat dental, football tickets, and campground reservations to be made!

I tend to start a new month by going "Yay! New Budget with lots of money in my categories!" By the end of the month, I'm watching my money more closely. Guess I'd better learn to do that at the beginning of the month too. My NSDs are adding up again, now that I have to watch the amounts I spend. I did have to rejigger the budget a little again--needed more in grocery and less in gifts. I'm slowly learning this.

Even with how tight the money seems right now, I have managed to put a little bit in savings. I'm rebuilding after draining all my savings and then some earlier this year. I have paid back the "then some," now I need to rebuild my savings. Baby steps, baby steps. I am so very glad that I had the savings to take care of the problem. It was the first time in my life that I had savings to take care of an issue and it was an awesome feeling. Now to get back to where I was.

I think I might have a chance to breathe this weekend. It looks like SO has some plans that don't include me, so I'm able to get some home-y stuff done. Also, the heat is supposed to break, which makes me very happy. I ran this morning at 6 AM and it was already 80 degrees. Urg. There was a breeze, so it wasn't horrible. I prefer to run in 65-70 degree weather.

On my way to work, I stopped at a house that had a free sign on a table full of squashes. I picked a ginormous zucchini and a small yellow squash. We didn't do veggies in my house growing up, so I'm trying to experiment with new to me veggies. I know that the zucchini will be good for bread, but I'm unsure what to do with the squash. I'm going to look for recipes for what to do with it. I believe I've had it before, just cut up into chunks and sauteed. It was pretty good. I love the price!

I believe I can extend my NSD streak into the weekend. I can't think of anything I need to buy. I will need to go grocery shopping at the beginning of next week and I'm hoping it is the last time to grocery shop for the month of July.

As many others have said--it's HOT! I'm not a fan of the heat, so I'm going to be very glad when this heat breaks this weekend. I'm thankful that I have air conditioning at work and that we have a window air conditioner in the bedroom window. SO goes back and forth on putting in central air in the house and I keep lobbying for not--and use the money elsewhere. We just don't get the oppressive heat to need whole house air. Would it be nice? Of course. But we have a TV in the bedroom and if it gets really bad, we can hang out in there. So far I'm winning!

This week has been productive, even with the heat. Monday and Tuesday I spread grass seed on the yard. We're still trying to grow grass. We do have some, but there are a few bare patches. So we hit those. Not sure if its smart to try to seed in the heat, but we'll give it a shot. Last night I was able to clean the house for the first time in two weeks. Our tub really needed a scrub after all the yard work we've been doing. I'm trying to tell myself that I'm getting the benefits of a sauna when I'm working like I am in the heat. I drink lots of water, so I'm not worried about that.

So far, I've stayed within my budget in all categories. I realize that we're just over 1/2 way through the month, but I'm optimistic that I can do this. I think I have $46 for groceries and $13 for out to eat/entertainment. Luckily I only have to worry about myself. I have lots of food in the pantry, and there is enough money for one more Chinese take out run, if I need it.

Unfortunately, a couple of my goals are not going well this month. I have a standard goal of exercising 20x per month. I'm not going to get that this month. I bruised up my leg pretty good, so haven't been able to run like I like to. Also, I have a goal of a new recipe a week and that's not happening either. Not sure what it up with me, but I'm just not feeling it. Is there such a thing as summer doldrums? I just don't feel inspired to work on those goals. We have been busy, so maybe when I'm not busy, I just don't feel like working on those goals.

Hopefully, I'll get back on the wagon and work on those things. Once this heat wave passes us by, I'll be ready. What can I do? I can figure out a schedule of exercising and get on it. I can create a list of meals to try. Here we go!

With no internet at home and a big project at work, I haven't been able to update my blog. I tried to post something the last week of June, but it was right before the site had some issues and the post was lost.

That's OK, because it was a whiny post anyway.

I pretty much went over on all areas of my budget last month. That's pretty much what my whiny post was about. But July is a new month! So far, it has been a bit of a spendy month, with new running shoes. It was in the budget, but it does something to my stomach to pay $125 for shoes.

I have also been having a hard time having NSDs. Even when I think I'm going to have one, I end up spending money for so's lunch. Big change from last month when I seemed to go days and days without spending. It might only be spending $5, but I'm definitely spending money.

Hopefully, I can get back on track today. I don't forsee any spending today and hopefully tomorrow. I will try to save my spending for Saturday.

I woke up today ready to spend money. Gear up! Let's go!

It started by stopping at the small local grocery store on the way to work. I picked up taco shells, cherries (on sale), Dortitos (so's lunch--also on sale), Tostitos (so's snack food--on sale), and water. $23 just like that.

I got into work and ordered my new brown sandals to wear to work with my skorts. It is starting to get warm here, so I'm really looking forward to wearing my skorts again. I honestly do not have any shoes to wear with the skorts, so I'm glad to replace the sandals I used to wear with them. Just boring brown hiking sandals. Bought them online with my swagbucks gift certificates and spent $24 out of pocket. Hopefully, I will get them early next week.

On my lunch hour, I took the bus to Meijer. I bought 3 cloth bags worth of groceries, but it wasn't too bad. I bought celery, lettuce, blueberries, ice cream treats (now in the work freezer til I go home), oatmeal, dry milk, frozen waffles, frozen green beans, frozen broccoli. SO is going on a trip, so asked me to pick up a few things, so I also got lunchables, cheese for sandwiches, sub buns, Miracle Whip. He'll eat sandwiches while he's on the road to avoid buying out to eat food. Gotta love a man who looks to save money like that.

I was able to get most everything on my list. I know I have to spend some money on Monday for my class, so I may pick up a few grocery things on that day like grape tomatoes. I start my Accounting class on Monday, but it only meets on Mondays, not Mondays and Wednesdays. Thanks snafu for asking what's up next! The class requires a packet of papers for the class, so it isn't something I can get online for cheaper. Darn.

Not sure what the weekend plans are yet. Depends on what the weather does. If it is nice, we may go out on SOs boat. If it is not nice, we might work on the yard. It's all a wait and see. I like having definite plans, so living with SO has been good training for me to learn to go with the flow. I don't always like going with the flow. Know what I mean?

I'm trying to spend money by paying the company that brought us top soil for our yard. They delivered it two weeks ago, but still have not yet charged my card for it. Last year, we ordered fill dirt from them and they charged us for all of it but the last load. I called them a few weeks later to let them know they hadn't charged us and they said they would take care of it. Never got charged.

A few weeks ago, I ordered the top soil and they questioned me about the fill dirt. When I said 'yep, I called you about that and was still never charged.' She said she would add last year's last fill dirt load to the top soil charge. OK, I'm fine with that. It is a good company and the drivers are super-nice and super-responsible about where to put the load of dirt you're ordering.

So I called them yesterday, trying to get them to charge me for the top soil. They said the billing person wasn't there and she would call me back later in the afternoon. No phone call. No phone call today. Guess I'll wait a week to see what happens and then try to call them again. Don't you want to take my money?!?

I started to write a narrative about what I did on Saturday, but I'm just not feeling it. So, I'll list it.

Household: $10 at Kohl's (finally got that tablecloth!); $16 at Verizon (new screen protector for my iphone); $4 at Meijers (cat food). Household budget is now $18 over budget.

Grocery: $13 at Family Fare (water, cherries); $27 at Meijer (celery, mushrooms, strawberries, grape tomatoes, bread, garlic bread, apples)

Entertainment/Out to Eat: $11 at the Chinese restaurant. I was going to go to Noodles for BOGO, but I finished all my errands and Noodles wouldn't open for another 40 minutes. Not worth it. So I went towards home and ended up eating Chinese after I got home and went for a run.

Car Maintenance: $57. I budgeted $100, so this area is now under budget.

Gifts: $22. Bought a pair of PJ pants for boyfriend's birthday that is coming up.

I did all my errands and was home before 11:30. I quickly changed and went for a run. After my run, I cleaned up and went and got myself Chinese. SO was out racing his dirt bike, so I had the house to myself for a while. In the mail I found two checks--one from the ex for his part of the student loan and a $10.15 survey check. Love incoming money!

I'm thinking of taking the extra money from the car, the leftover money from my clothing budget, and my amazon gift certificates to buy myself a pair of brown hiking sandals to wear to work. It looks like they are going to be around $75. I have been looking whenever I go into a store and have not found a pair that I like. I threw out the old ones that were 10 years old and needed to be retired.

Yesterday seemed to be one of those days where you don't really get anything accomplished, but wasn't relaxing either. It just happened. It just was. No spending happened and I went with SO to his hockey game.

Today is work and class. I thought I needed to go to the grocery store for some bananas, but I think I have enough fruits and veggies for my lunches for the week. I'm going to try and see if I can put off going to the grocery store as long as I can.

I'll spend it all tomorrow. (Sorry Scarlett O'Hara for the steal of your line)

I have had a very pretty run of NSDs lately. I have to find something else to fixate on, because it is getting a bit tedious reading it, I'm sure. I think I spent money on Monday and then haven't spent anything since. Today should be another--but tomorrow will definitely be a spend day.

First the Bug goes in for his 140,000 mile service. They said at the dealership when I made the appointment that it shouldn't be too bad. I have budgeted $100, so we'll see where land. Then, onto the grocery store. I'm running out of healthy food to eat, so have to get more. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries--things to eat with no weight watchers points. And cat food. Don't forget the cat food.

After that, I'm heading over to Noodles, where I have a BOGO coupon. I'm going to eat one there and take one to go. I love their Japanese Pan Noodles. I'm going to try their Bangkok Curry as my other dish. Then onto Verizon, where my boyfriend's best friend works and I'm hoping to get him to put a new screen protector on my phone. Mine is peeling up at the corner. It has lasted two years, so I'm not complaining. I'm not getting a new phone and I can turn him down without feeling too bad about it.

On my way home, I'll hit my local grocery store for bottled water (wish our home water didn't taste so bad--even with a Britta pitcher it sucks), and they have cherries on sale. Oh wait, before that I will finally go to Kohl's and get that tablecloth.

While I'm at the dealership, I will work on my homework (very few distractions there). I will bring my coffee from home and will probably eat my bagel on the way. I will bring a Banana to snack on.

Boyfriend is thinking of going dirt bike racing on Saturday, so I might have part of the day at home by myself. It does give me a bit of incentive to get my errands done early so I can go home and watch my DVRed shows! Actually, I only have one show on the DVR right now--an Iron Chef America. I could get a bit of cleaning done and blast my music! Now THAT is something to look forward to!

It's a coincidence, Dad.--The Simpsons

Yesterday ended up being an accidental NSD. I had totally planned to spend money at Kohls, buying that red tablecloth I didn't buy on Monday. I planned on spending about $10 out of pocket. I have a $10 off of $10 card and a 15% off coupon.

I left class around 9 PM and could hear the thunder and see lightning. By the time I was near Kohls, it was pouring rain and thundering like crazy. I figured it was a sign to not go to Kohls and spend money---so I went home! Watched a bit of the hockey game, read a couple pages of my book and went to bed.

Today when I opened up my email, there was a coupon for 20% off at Kohls. I was going to use the coupon for 15% off, so driving right on by worked well for me this time!

On a non-money related issue, I've been back on the Weight Watchers bandwagon for over a week now. I am an online member and it is very easy for me to stop tracking and fall off the wagon. Also, it is very easy for me to get back on. So, I'm back on. Swimsuit weather is here and I just need to drop a few pounds. I know weight watchers works--that's how I lost all the weight in the first place. I just need to buckle down a bit and follow the plan. It does seem to get easier to make good choices and decide that the cupcake just isn't worth it sometimes.

Kind of like finance.....

Only 3 more Economics classes! I like the professor and the information is OK, but I will be so glad to not have homework hanging over my head. By next week Thursday, the class will be over! I may have to celebrate by getting some take out Chinese! ;-)

Last night after class I went to Kohl's, as expected. I just didn't find anything I wanted to buy--even with the $10 gift card. I was wandering around the store, picking things up and putting things down and suddenly thought "this is dumb" and walked out of the store. After mental debate, I just might go back and buy the red tablecloth that I was eyeballing. I've had "red tablecloth" on my wish list for a while, so I think for $10 out of pocket, it's an OK deal. I'll do that Wednesday after class.

Then I went to Meijers and bought milk, bananas, bread, watermelon, tomatoes, butter, grapes, and some Crystal Light drink mixes (coupon). I'm trying to kick the Diet Coke habit and I thought having some flavored something would help. I've also been buying fizzy fruit juice drinks to help with this too. Diet Coke is so hard to resist to me! I spent $22. I still have $132 left out of my $250 food budget.

I am so ready for a vacation--only it isn't going to happen. I do have the 5th of July off, making that weekend a 4 day weekend, but we have no real plans. The only thing from having me throw a fit is the fact that our neighbors talked about a trip to Mexico...and at the Homeowner's meeting we found out that they have never paid their HOA dues since they moved in. Since I want to be fiscally responsible, I know that a vacation isn't in the cards. I would dearly love to go camping in the pop-up, but boyfriend just isn't a camper. He was excited about the pop-up, but only as a vehicle to have at the dirt bike track for race weekends.

Mom is coming to visit me in September and I've taken time off for that, so maybe she and I will go pop up camping! :-)

I was all set for a NSD yesterday. I was on my way home and I stopped by the library to pick up a book they had on hold for me. In the lobby is a basket where people leave old magazines for others to take. I had a small stack of Real Simple magazines to drop off. There wasn't any magazines I was tempted by and I turned around to go into the library and There. It. Was.

A Wysocki puzzle on the Friends of the Library shelf. Our local Friends of the Library will sell books, CDs, and puzzles to raise funds for their various projects. I've purchased a puzzle from there before and I believe they check to make sure all the pieces are there before they will sell it. Anyways, for $1 I could not resist it. I enjoy doing puzzles and Wysocki puzzles are the only ones I own.

There goes my NSD! Oh well, that is the only thing I spent and I still had money in my entertainment category. It was a quiet night at home, just doing some not-for-class reading. It was entirely too hot to sleep. We don't have central air and the window air conditioner hasn't been installed in our room yet. I think it will probably happen this weekend. It should be a NSD today, but tomorrow I anticipate doing quite a bit of spending. Hair, Sams Club, Meijer, maybe even a bit of take out Chinese.

Happy Friday!

It is perfect weather this weekend. I have a long weekend and I'm really enjoying it.

On Friday, I spent $14 on groceries for the weekend after work and then spent $41 on underthings online. There has been no spending since then.

Saturday we went to the dirt bike track. When we go, we pack food and drinks. We just hung out with people and enjoyed the day. Came home, watched some professional dirt bike riders on the TV, then hockey, then went to bed.

This morning we both woke up really early. Too early. I did some house cleaning, then went outside and helped pull the biggest weeds from the yard. We're trying to reseed our yard so we have grass, not a bunch of weeds. A few weeks ago, boyfriend used the tiller and tilled up the whole yard. Then we put down grass seed and starter fertilizer. We do have quite a bit of grass growing, but some of the weeds have arrived too.

After some lunch and showering, we watched the Indy 500 and took a nap somewhere between lap 50 and 20 laps to the end. Boyfriend cooked up some steaks on the grill for dinner and I made up some mac & cheese. Yum. Now to just relax a little longer. I still have a bit of cleaning to do, and I really should study, but for now.....

I managed to have a NSD yesterday! It was much easier once I got home, but until then, it was touch and go.

Today, however, I have spent a little money. I bought a pair of jeans, some velcro, raised bed boxes for a garden, and took myself out to eat for lunch.

Jeans: $32. I own two pair of "good" (aka not paint stained, holey jeans). On Sunday I was crawling on the counter in the bathroom and when I got down, I snagged my jeans on the hook for the hand towel and ripped a hole in the butt.

Velcro: $4. Our new curtains for the living room don't quite stay shut as I would like when we go to close them for privacy.

Raised bed boxes: $56. This is one I kinda had a fit and just bought them. I bought two boxes to start my garden. I could've, should've waited or not even bought them at all. I want to plant some tomatoes and I'm running out of time if I want to have some this year. In the long run, this will be frugal, but I AM still paying off the attorney. Wait. No excuses. I did it and I'm not taking them back.

Out to lunch: $1. I had a Panera gift card, so my out of pocket only ended up being $1 for a salad and an iced chai latte. Yum.

I will probably spend a bit more money on my way home, but I'm looking to a pretty frugal weekend. No plans that I know of, but my boyfriend did buy some good steaks to burn on the grill. That's what I get to look forward to!

I'm still here, but the six week Economics course is really taking up any free time I have. I do want to keep blogging to try to keep myself on the straight and narrow when it comes to finances.

So, just jump in where you are, right?

Yesterday I spent $30 on groceries; $6 on gifts; $3 on out to eat/entertainment. I'm under budget in most of my budget categories--except gifts.

The drama with the ex-husband/old mortgage is now over (for me). I settled with the bank and they dismissed the case against me. Yay! It took all I have in savings and I had to pay the attorney with my Visa. So, my next financial goal is to pay that off. I hope to pay it off by the end of July. It's around $2500, but I think if I can live super frugally, I can get it paid. It does help that July is a 3 paycheck month for me, so that's where the extra paycheck money is gonna go this time.

Darn.

Today I want it to be a NSD, but I am really struggling with it. I didn't get much sleep last night, it is cold and rainy here, and I'm very grouchy. This is when I want to run to McD's and get french fries. Or get take-out chinese on the way home. Something to "treat" myself. I can come up with more excuses to "treat" myself--I'm full of them! I have a packed lunch here at work that I'm hoping will fight off the french fry urge.

What I really want is a nice nap, then a nice walk--preferably outside in sunshine, then to settle into a comfortable chair and read. Unfortunately, I'm at work for another five hours, and I don't see any of that happening. Maybe the book.

Here's to hoping that a good night's sleep will make tomorrow bright!

I have 14 NSDs for the month. Last week was a good week for NSD and I'm working on more this week. I'm really trying to conserve my money, in case a settlement is reached in the dealings with the mortgage crud.

Had my spendy Wednesday. Then didn't spend on Thursday or Friday. Saturday was planned spending of a hair cut and color ($65), small amount of grocery shopping (bread, milk, bananas, frozen greek yogurt, and a 20 oz of soda), and a milkshake from McDonalds.

I was disappointed by my shake at McDs. I just wanted a vanilla shake--the way they used to be. Instead I got a fancy, whipped cream with cherry thing. It was nice, but it wasn't what I thought I was getting when I ordered. McDs is getting all fancy. And it cost me $3 to find that out. Urg.

Sunday I cleaned the house, went for a run, made food for the week, took a nap, finished a book, then went and watched SO play hockey. Another NSD.

Today I think will be yet another NSD. I will be spending some money tomorrow to send out a half.com book and basic groceries to get us through the rest of the week. SO likes soft, fresh bread, so there is a lot of bread buying around our house. Then the next spend day should be Saturday. I need to make a trip to the Apple store to return the cord I bought for my laptop--it isn't the right cord. Sigh.

The NSDs are piling up around here.

I went grocery shopping on Thursday last week and haven't spent anything since. I have been very tempted, but have created a list of things I need to buy during my next spend day. I need a book for my summer class and a new laptop cord.

It does seem like when it rains, it does pour. I was doing so well financially before this whole business with the ex hit. It's sucking my savings away, which makes me sad. But also, the Bug has his check engine light on and last week I went a few days where I couldn't open my trunk(sigh) and the power cord to my laptop bit the dust on Friday night. I had been having problems with it, but had so far been able to make it work. My battery isn't all that, so it died on me while taking a survey.

On the bright side, the Bug isn't making any funny noises, the trunk is now able to be open, and my wonderful boyfriend had an extra laptop I was able to use until I order and get my new cord. I do swagbucks and take surveys, so I really do appreciate having the internet and a way to get on.

I will probably spend some money tomorrow. I really need to order my book before the semester starts and we're out of a few essential groceries at home. I hope to then not spend any money until Saturday when I get my hair done and meet with the ex-in-laws for a late lunch.

I have not been posting because I have no idea what to post. I was thinking I need to get back into this and post my numbers for March--except I can't get to those numbers now. The 2nd mortgage with the ex problem has not been resolved and I just made another payment to the attorney that is handling this for me. My savings rate will be negative for both March and April.

I have been keeping myself from spending any money in case I need it for the 2nd mortgage stuff. So, I've been pretending that money is super-tight and not buying anything that is not strictly needed. Makes for boring money posts. Although I did buy a box of cookies from a Girl Scout. Good thing cookie time only comes once a year!

Things are just going along here. I have been feeling that I need to plan something to look forward to--even if it is just to go and visit my Mom. Just...something. I am feeling that all the days are the same, just rolling and rolling. Maybe once spring finally gets here, I will be inspired again. For now, I'm just hanging in there.

I want to have a garden this year--I have nothing in place. We have bunnies, deer, and turkeys that wander around our neighborhood, so a fence would be nice. Some good dirt. Seeds, plants. I know that in the long-term a garden is a good investment. But with money being tight, is it a good investment now? I know there are some ways to garden on the cheap. But some things (i.e. good dirt) on the cheap require time to do stuff like compost. And do I want to add another thing on my list of stuff I want/need to do?

These are the thoughts that wander through my head.

I'm so glad it's Friday.

Wednesday and Thursday this week were NSDs. I bought my gas card today ($100 for the month) and bf's cheese sticks for his lunch ($5). I plan on hitting the grocery store after work, then getting Chinese for dinner. I have one more full day of no boyfriend tomorrow. He is scheduled to come home early, early Sunday morning.

I plan on cleaning the house while he's gone, getting some exercise, then trying to finish off my DVRed shows. It should be a pretty relaxing day. I'm looking forward to it. Actually, I've been looking forward to it all week. It's almost like a vacation day!

I am a big believer in little bit by little bit. I save change in a jar. I do swagbucks, but my goal is "just get over 10 points per day." I don't spend a lot of time or effort in these little things, but they add up. Same with exercise. I walk on my breaks at work. I try to walk at lunch. Just keep myself moving a little. I'm not going to get rich or skinny overnight, but I can always do a little!

Isn't it just too easy to outspend what you make? I personally struggle with the "I Wants" and could easily spend $1000 without trying too hard. Unlike Monkey Mama, I do have to use willpower.

Wait. That's not quite right. Most days are easy. I'm happy with where I'm at; I'm happy with what I have. But on bad days, I look at new clothes, new pans, a new laptop and want. I want a personal shopper, who tells me what looks good on me and what doesn't. I want Le Cruset and Calphalon pans. I want a Macbook Air. I resist because those things are expensive and I know I don't NEED them.

I read somewhere that it is easy to out eat what you exercise. In 10 minutes you could eat a McDs meal and undo over an hour of running. Same with money. Work all week to make money and it could be gone with one trip to the Apple store.

I think lately I have been having a bit of a pity party because all that is going on. But also, I seem to be hearing a lot about people who just spent money without thinking too much about it. I sometimes feel like I think too much about spending money. Two people who I thought were super-frugal just both raved about going to the Outlet Mall and spending oodles of money. They both seem like they can afford it--this isn't a tale of someone who is overdrawn and spending like crazy. These two people are "bring lunch from home" and "use coupon" people. Finding out that Outlet Mall shopping is a great way to spend the day to them was....surprising.

Not that I want to go to an Outlet Mall. For the most part, I dislike shopping. The idea of driving a few hours to go shopping all day pretty much makes me want to poke my eyes out. Lesson learned by me: people, even frugal seeming people, like to do things I don't like to do!!

Met with the lawyer on Friday about the serving of papers and he is going to see if he can fight it. He's sending out a letter today saying they can't come after me for the debt. We'll see if that works. I'm crossing my fingers. It's going to cost me a chunk of money, so I'm going to be tightening my belt even further. Even then, I'm going to be pulling money out of savings. I keep telling myself that this is exactly what savings is for.

Saturday I helped boyfriend do his taxes and finished my state taxes. I knew I was going to owe $8 to the state, so I wasn't in any hurry to file when I did my federal at the beginning of February. I figured as long as I was doing tax stuff, I would finish my own. Now to just mail it out. Other than writing that check, it was a NSD.

Sunday I had lunch with my friend--we both have birthdays in March, so we went to a free birthday dinner place and caught up. I haven't seen her in a while, so we had a lot to chat about. While I was out and about, I did some shopping. Food, personal, household.

Monday was a NSD and was CRAZY at work. I was very glad to go to spin class, which meant my work day was over.

Today I've gotten more groceries, went to lunch with my boyfriend (something that NEVER has happened before), and spent my birthday money from my friend. Boyfriend is going on a trip with some buddies, so I have almost a week home alone. I'm kinda looking forward to it, but I'm sure in a few days I'm going to be missing him.

Yep, the papers I was served was for the 2nd mortgage. I talked with a co-worker's husband who is a retired attorney and he basically agreed with my thinking. Which is basically that I can't do this without an attorney--there are too many variables involved. Probably I'm going to be out some money. I have to assume the worst, right?

For the first time in a long time, I've felt like I wanted to shed a few frustration tears over this whole divorce/money thing. I didn't, because I'm at work. It's just so....stupid.

In other money news, I've spent $35 on groceries in the past few days and $7 on the cats. I got paid Monday, so put a little into savings, but most of it went towards the student loan and paying the yearly car insurance. I pulled out my spending cash money and that's all I've got for two weeks. It should be more than enough.

After work today I'm going for a run at the indoor track, then to a meditation class at the local yoga studio. I'm looking forward to the class, which goes for three weeks. Maybe it will help calm me down while I deal with the ex.

One final awesome note. My awesome boyfriend surprised me with a belated Valentine's Day present that was back-ordered and just came. You know those days where you totally fall back in love with someone? Yeah, it was one of those days. The present was great, but it was the spending time together that really did it. :-)

Back in 2008, my then-husband and I decided to divorce. In the divorce decree, he was supposed to pay the house payment until the house sold. He made the payment for a few years, but then stopped paying and the house was foreclosed upon. By the time he told me that payments had not been made, foreclosure proceedings had already started and he had to be out of the house in 20 days. It kinda didn't matter, because I didn't have the money to make the mortgage payments anyway.

So, the house was foreclosed. Yucky for my credit. But now the 2nd mortgage, which was not taken care of with the foreclosure process, has been sold to a company that is now suing me for the amount of the 2nd mortgage. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what the person trying to serve me papers is going to give me when she comes back.

I'm frustrated. I'm angry. I probably need to meet with an attorney to see if there is anything I can do to not be on the hook for the full amount. I would like the ex to be on the hook for 1/2. I don't know if that is possible.

I'm also irritated and mad because I feel like I scrimp and save and for what? To pay an attorney to make ex pay his fair share. When we divorced, I took the credit card with the higher amount owed because he was agreeing to pay the mortgage. I scrimped and saved to pay that off, while watching him run the other credit card up.

I know that part of this is my own fault; my own responsibility. I signed those papers. I'm just angry because I feel like I'm paying for the ex's mistakes. Heh. Or maybe my own mistakes, because I did pick him, right? ARG!

It's the weekend!!! It's the little things that make me happy--like being able to sleep until I wake up (with a little help from the cats). I don't sleep in really late, but just not having to wake up to the alarm is nice. Also, to sit, drink my cup of coffee, and play on the internet without having one eye on the clock because I have to go get ready for work. Ahhh!

I'm going to try to make it a NSD, but I'm not sure if I will be successful. Boyfriend is back from his run and wants to go to the boat show. One of his buddies might go with him, but if the buddy doesn't get in touch, I will be called up. I don't really mind, but if he goes, I will get a chance to clean the house and I won't be tempted to spend any money. We'll see how it all works out. I'm not a huge boating person, so I'm not sure what-all I would find to do at a boat show.

I do need to work out today--in fact I'm sitting in my bike clothes right now. I took the last two days off because I had worked out for 10 days straight and could feel my muscles being tired. Didn't quite mean to take two days off. Back on it today.

Yesterday I spent $25 at the grocery store for the last minute things and $3 at the Post Office to mail out the package to Mom. Didn't go to stick and puck, but I think we're planning on going tomorrow.

Day 4 was hanging out at the beach house my parents rented for the week. Very relaxing to sit on the beach and go swimming. We went out for fireworks that night. Spending: $2 for a bag of ice for the cooler.

Day 5 was shed day. It took the whole day to build the shed. We started in the morning (around 9:30) and worked until 9:30 at night. That was even with the man doing some building late the night before and early in the morning to try to get stuff done before the heat.

The guys mostly did the building and us girls did the fetch and carry. Until we got to the shingles, where I jumped in to help. We still have a few more boards to attach, the doors to put on, and painting. But 9:30 is late enough, everyone was dog tired, so we called it a day. Spending: nothing

Days 4 and 5 Numbers:

Spend: $2
Left: $290
In: Nothing