tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84658875513108274562024-03-06T15:02:29.625-05:00Digging Out From Our MessMystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.comBlogger1310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-14959462797680978542017-04-26T09:59:00.000-04:002017-04-26T09:59:08.582-04:00YES, I am alive and we are fineA huge Thank you to those of you who have reached out to check in on me. No worries....we are a-ok!<br />
<br />
To answer the big question.....am I still blogging.....the answer is....I don't know! Obviously 4 months between posts sort of leans toward No. But I really haven't decided. This blog started as out debt journey, and morphed into more of a diary with debt thrown in. I guess it suffers from an identity crisis.<br />
<br />
SO, the debt. If you look at the sidebar, those numbers haven't been updated for quite some time. The quick answer is we still have debt, and it is going to go at a slow pace right now. Both cars are paid off. We saved the car payments for months in case we owed taxes. Fortunately, we surprisingly got a sizable refund, which will 90% go toward CC (other 10% is for upcoming travel expenses for my brother's wedding next month). The car payment money will now go toward living expenses so the CC doesn't get used as a stop gap.<br />
<br />
Income....per our taxes...we made almost 40k less than our all time highest year. G-man's salary cut, plus my 6 months of unemployment and now only working part time all contributed to this. <br />
<br />
Job stuff....G-man is waiting for the next job to open so he can move on. Several managers have encouraged him to move toward management, and he is still thinking it over. He is applying for Senior Team Leader for his field work and has a very good shot at this. My job...I will become the center director at some point, but no idea when. I am keeping my options open.<br />
<br />
Kids.....they have 20 or so days left in school and they will be sophomores!! <br />
<br />
Sassy's grades are terrific, but she is in a very competitive class. She has 5 Honors classes next year, so she will be busy. We had a huge situation with a friend a few months ago (the girls were great....it was the other mother's issue). Unfortunately, the other mom has disallowed the friendship outside of school, which saddens all of us.<br />
<br />
Bossy loves school and his little group. We are working toward more independence. Cooking is on the summer agenda. He is still in scouts, and is almost at his Star rank. Only one more rank and we will be working on his Eagle!! Lots of work to come.<br />
<br />
As for me personally....I started a weight loss journey as of the first of the year. I have lost almost 33 lbs, exercise regularly, and am feeling good. I still don't have a social outlet here....baby steps.<br />
<br />
I still deal with parent drama. Lots of it. I work each day to not let it get to me.<br />
<br />
That's really it.....we finally just have a regular boring life!Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-85157696530668021162016-12-27T09:39:00.000-05:002016-12-27T09:39:56.378-05:00Closing out the holidaysMerry belated Christmas! Hope everyone had a beautiful holiday.<br />
<br />
Ours was low key, as usual. The kids finished the semester on the 21st, and will be on break until Jan 4. Coincidentally, I am also on vacation (without pay...sigh) as is G-man. We haven't done much so far, but plan on seeing a movie later this week.<br />
<br />
Christmas Eve is always full of family traditions....new jammies for the kids, decorating sugar cookies, reindeer dust. Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs. We always watch A Christmas Story. <br />
<br />
Christmas day was quiet. We opened gifts, had breakfast. Most of the day was uneventful. We had a lovely roast beef for dinner, and tiramisu for dessert. G-man got a text from his mom...he tried to call her, and his brother. Neither answered. <br />
<br />
My mom called mid day.....to cancel for the next day. No Happy Holidays, or Happy Hanukkah or anything. Just an excuse why it wasn't a good time. The real reason is they failed to plan for the dinner they invited us to, 3 weeks ago (I spoke to them 3 times this week and they didn't even realize that the grocery store would be closed on Sunday). Also failed to get anything for the kids. So we will just make up an excuse. Typical. She called back 10 minutes later to tell me a distant aunt isn't doing well and will probably not make it. I have seen this person maybe 2x in 20 years and have zero relationship with. But I am expected to be hysterical upset. Mom was mad that I wasn't. <br />
<br />
G-man and I attempted to get some Christmas lights (trying to move toward LED) on clearance yesterday at Walmart....they were pretty picked over by the time we were there. Only short strands left.<br />
<br />
Today will probably be low key as well....G-man wants to go to a large outdoorsy store....about 30 min away. Bye....have fun. We probably have enough leftovers for dinner tonight (especially since we weren't supposed to have dinner at home last night....). If not, we can make a sandwich. Not gonna stress about it.<br />
<br />
My project for vacation is to clean up our office. It has become the dumping ground. I really need a file cabinet, as we got rid of ours when we moved (it was rusted, dented, and warped). Also, I want to see if there is anything we can just purge. In my ideal world, we can just use the closet for storage. But since we lost our attic and basement in the move....stuff has to go somewhere. Alot of the stuff in there is memory stuff. However, this spring we will be getting rid of some outdoor stuff we brought with us and should have sold off before we moved. Oh well.<br />
<br />
New Years.. ..at home....snack foods.....movie marathon. Quiet. We like quiet.<br />
<br />
How about you?Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-50766826470708949912016-12-15T11:08:00.001-05:002016-12-15T11:08:41.297-05:00TWO posts in one week....are you shocked? We got Amazon Prime a little over a year ago as an experiment. I wanted to try and get our household goods through them, vs big box store. So we signed up when it was on special for $67. And now we love Amazon. I order so much through them and it is so much better than having to go to the store. Love it.<br />
<br />
However....today's post is in praise of the small business. There is something to be said for the little guy.<br />
<br />
I ordered G-man something from Amazon. It arrived and I looked at it and said Meh. Just wasn't what I thought it would be. So I went looking for a replacement. I did an actual Google search, vs just looking through Amazon. Found a small place in PA that had a product more in line with my original thought. Plus, they had free shipping on this product. Yay!<br />
<br />
Only one thing....the variety pack I was ordering had 2 things that I was not as happy with. I looked through their site and found 2 other products I preferred ....which were the same price. So I called them to see if I could make a substitution. Worst thing they could say was no....or tell me there was an additional charge. In either case, I would thank them for their time and continue my search.<br />
<br />
Spoke to a lovely woman...I have a feeling it was her shop.....she said no problem! One item I wanted was now out of stock and she offered a comparable item. While we were on the phone, she put my order aside. She asked me to still order through the website so I could get the free shipping and it helps with their metrics. She was going to be the person to ship it, so she now had a note about what I wanted. <br />
<br />
I hung up and placed my order, and referenced our phone call in the note section. My order will be shipped today, with a delivery of Monday. Since it is a Christmas gift....that works.<br />
<br />
Small businesses are able to give that customized service that big box can't always do. I will return my original Amazon gift and am much happier with my new selection. Three cheers for small businesses!Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-34899291928530928812016-12-13T07:52:00.000-05:002016-12-13T07:52:03.237-05:00Still here....pretty quietWell hey....<br />
<br />
Just to clarify....if I really don't have anything to say, I go quiet. So in the past 6 weeks, there hasn't been much to report.<br />
<br />
The flea situation never really was a situation. I woke up that one morning, convinced I was being eaten alive...I now think it was a stress reaction and the rash was probably hives. I spent those first weeks vacuuming and washing everything. and you know what.....I never did find another flea or flea dirt on either cat. At this point, I still wash and vacuum on our regular schedule, apply the topical monthly treatment, and spray everything weekly with flea and tick spray (just in case). <br />
<br />
Thanksgiving was fine. My parents came over and brought someone along (which is a whole other story). I got told by the friend that I don't visit them enough and they want to see us (which translates to mean the kids) more. I said the telephone works two ways, and in the year (yes....it was a year on Dec 1!) we have been here, they have never once had us over. Amazingly...they invited us over for Hanukkah...which is another story. Whatever.<br />
<br />
We are nearing the end of the first semester of school. The kids have 6.5 days of school before Christmas break. Both have done amazing this semester. Very proud. <br />
<br />
Christmas is almost here. I am done shopping with the exception of a few stocking stuffer type items. I got some amazing deals....like boots for Sassy that were originally $120.....and we paid $10. Santa is bringing grown up gifts this year....an electric razor for Bossy (which he is getting close to needing....where did my little boy go?).....and a phone for Sassy (which Santa brought early, so she could get used to it before the school break). So mature.....sigh. Again....amazing deals....the razor was originally $120, and with rebate....final price was $18. Her phone....basically it will be $31 a month to add her to our plan, which is the line charge and insurance....the phone itself was "free". <br />
<br />
It has been wonderful decorating with all our stuff. It has been 3 years since we were able to do everything, and I missed it. I got rid of several things and reorganized. We will be buying LED lights after Christmas for our main tree. As a side note.....the inner light strand of the tree died a week after we got it. At least I got a picture before it died.<br />
<br />
I had a physical in November, and now am on meds for hypertension. I went back for a check a few weeks later, and the meds definitely brought it down. I will have to go back in a few months. I am still seeing the chiropractor weekly.<br />
<br />
The biggest update is still in the works, and is very recent. I was offered a major promotion at work....becoming Center Director. No details yet.....it is still in the works and not sure if it will all work out yet. More to come.<br />
<br />
That's it. Not much of substance to report!Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-21477780400718445922016-11-02T08:26:00.000-04:002016-11-02T08:26:00.371-04:00Spoke to soon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ov2iCeNzyfZLbl7Ft2vcKKvr4IQekldfW7dwXgcgraA-BfMGhpCaCQMsy0eO62kzpSZLYT21yH-_NdJ9UXwzYGF5dZI5d4f28CreJLrvp80gNcBdk3ejSINPiQUXVn3EDB3HEphb7kM/s1600/14780889859191422593501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ov2iCeNzyfZLbl7Ft2vcKKvr4IQekldfW7dwXgcgraA-BfMGhpCaCQMsy0eO62kzpSZLYT21yH-_NdJ9UXwzYGF5dZI5d4f28CreJLrvp80gNcBdk3ejSINPiQUXVn3EDB3HEphb7kM/s320/14780889859191422593501.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
I do have flea bites. I am guessing that from holding the cats yesterday, stripping everything, etc. <br />
<br />
G-man isn't taking this seriously. I found a same day delivery vacuum on Amazon for $26...not super powerful, but it's something. G-man said it won't do anything because it is just a stick vac. Meanwhile, our replacement part won't be here for at least another week. <br />
<br />
The last load of sheets is in the washer. and we need to do it all again tomorrow. <br />
<br />
We have had cats for 16 years.....never dealt with this. So icky.<br />
<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-78452021206029726342016-11-01T12:05:00.000-04:002016-11-01T12:05:12.225-04:00FLEASAre you kidding?<br />
<br />
Had the cats to the vet this morning for annual check up. White kitty has a mild heart murmur that we will keep an eye on. She is 17. Orange kitty is fine....except.....they found fleas!<br />
<br />
I flipped. How did my 100% indoor cats get fleas? Well, here in the south, I guess they run rampant. Add in that we live in a townhouse, and the neighbor has dogs. Vet said they could have come through the wall or hopped on us outside and hitched a ride in. Anyway you slice it....we have a very mild flea issue.<br />
<br />
Vet said we need to wash everything in hot water.....several times. A few times a week to start...then weekly. Furniture needs daily vacuuming. The cats are now on flea prevention meds. May take several months to be sure we are flea free.<br />
<br />
Of course the vacuum just broke last week. Part has been ordered...but not due to come in until next week. Better than spending $250 on a new vacuum (Bissell Pet Eraser).<br />
<br />
My water bill is going to go through the roof. As I found out...water is expensive here, so there goes that. And we just got to the point where our electric bill was coming down from the summer high There goes that.<br />
<br />
Any suggestions to make this easier????Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-25543337960328436542016-10-31T11:03:00.000-04:002016-10-31T11:03:07.926-04:00BOO!!Happy Halloween! Blessed Samhain!<br />
<br />
While my kids are past the costume and trick or treat stage (and not quite to the teenager Halloween festivities stage), we still have the Halloween spirit around here. Our ghost family has been on display since early October (although 2 of the 4 need surgery for ripped sheets). They added a skeleton dog this year to the family.<br />
<br />
I am dressing in purple and black for work, complete with top hat head band, silver glitter spray, stripped tights, and I treated myself to new fake eyelashes.<br />
<br />
There are alot of kids in the neighborhood, so we bought enough candy for about 200. Since I am working tonight, G-man and the kids will hand out candy.<br />
<br />
Our neighborhood also participated in Booing (or Ghosting). For those who don't know, it involves making a little treat basket for the neighbor and then they pay it forward by doing the same for someone else. We left our package and scurried home in time to watch them open the door and find it. Fun! We went with a Fall/apple theme and included some apple cider, caramel apples, candles, 2 scarecrow picks, a small bag of candy, and some doggie treats for their puppy.<br />
<br />
As much as I have enjoyed all of this, I haven't wrapped my head around the temperature here. We are still in the upper 70s to low 80s. Doesn't scream FALL to me. I am kind of ready for one cool day. The leaves are just starting to change. I won't miss raking them.<br />
<br />
And now....Hallmark Channel is running all sorts of Christmas movies. LOL. G-man can't deal with it....he just rolls his eyes. Doesn't he understand we have less than 2 months to go??? I am no where near ready....and for the first time in a very long time....I am ok with it.<br />
<br />
So enjoy your Halloween......back later this week to talk about our TWO paid off cars. Yay....both car payments are gone!!!<br />
<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-86743411669581209002016-10-17T13:41:00.000-04:002016-10-17T13:41:30.975-04:00Bossy's partyUgh...today is a day that everyone and everything is annoying me. Just want to scream. ARGH!!!!!!!! Ok....moving on...<br />
<br />
My Admin Day from last week was mostly successful. I still have one doctor to find and schedule an appointment. But other wise, I did well. Of course I have a whole new Admin list that was created in the past few days.<br />
<br />
We had Bossy's friends over on Saturday (along with 3 parents). As a whole, the kids did well. It was very obvious who is the highest functioning and who was the lowest (all of them have Autism, and being a spectrum disorder, there is a wide range). Bossy definitely was ready for the evening to be over when people left (around 9pm....party was about 3.5 hrs). It was a learning experience for everyone.<br />
<br />
As for the parents we met....we will see how it goes. The ones who stayed were nice enough, but I don't see us really hanging out with them. One mom dropped her son off and we would love to get to know them better, as they seemed more like our type of friends. But at least now we have some names and faces.<br />
<br />
As usual, I over bought for food. Not a huge deal...we are eating the left overs. We froze some of the leftover pizza, and I have a ton of salad to have for lunches. Drinks will get used up. Paper goods are always handy. No biggie.<br />
<br />
Have a good week, y'all!<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-77887626448402540912016-10-12T10:51:00.001-04:002016-10-12T11:28:10.147-04:00Admin DayLong time readers know that while I was raised Jewish, I have been non-practicing for 20+ years. However, there is something about Rosh Hashannah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) that always sparks a rebirth, even now. Today is Yom Kippur...the day where you ask God to forgive your sins and write your name in The Book of Life for another year. I am NOT going to get all religious....but in the spirit of starting a-fresh.....I decided that today would be my Admin Day....to take care of things that I have been putting off or avoiding for one reason or another.<br />
<br />
To Do Today:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Research new doctors x 3 <span style="color: blue;">- 2 completed </span></li>
<li>Schedule new doctor appointments - <span style="color: blue;">2 completed</span></li>
<li><strike><span style="color: #274e13;">Pay off my car - YAY!!!!! DONE!!!!!</span></strike></li>
<li><strike>Call about Eye Dr EOB</strike> <span style="color: blue;">- Called and left voicemail</span><strike><br /></strike></li>
<li>Schedule activities for next weekend when friends are visiting</li>
<li>Draft letter for bank stuff</li>
<li>Walmart stuff</li>
</ol>
I am working on my list....some of these things are taking longer than others. But I am making progress.<br />
<br />
We have Bossy's "party" this weekend....friends coming over for pizza and a movie. Several parents asked to stay (not really surprised) so our party size has grown. Right now there are 5 teenagers (including my 2 kids), and 6-7 adults (including us). Everyone is excited.<br />
<br />
I have lots of lists going this week....between house stuff to take care of, "party" stuff, admin stuff....plus usual work schedule and a doctor's appointment. I do better when I am busy (not overwhelmed busy!!!), so this is good for me. Weather is great....we have the windows open. Fresh air!<br />
<br />
I will try and update my list as I go....hoping that I can get it all done today, although it may spill into tomorrow a bit. Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-65178468273428155562016-09-23T09:21:00.001-04:002016-09-23T09:21:13.029-04:00Happy Fall, Y'allTime flies when you have nothing terribly interesting to say! LOL We are enjoying the fall....I was able to decorate for the first time in
2 years! Feels more home-y. It is still crazy to me that temps are
going to be in the 90's this weekend...and we are just over a week away
from October. We have been here almost 10 months!! <br />
<br />
<b>Finances:</b><br />
<br />
Suffering the typical month after a 3-pay check month woes....none of the paychecks line up to due dates, so it is a little tight at times. But I am closing in on that stuff. I am totally itching to pay off the cars....so close. Need to update the numbers...but we are less than $900 away from paying off BOTH cars. I have a little slush money in that account put aside to make an extra month worth of payment at the end and be done. Looking like November will be THE month!!!<br />
<br />
September was a high kid-centered financial month. School fees! Club fees! Scout fees! This wore out....that broke (nothing major, just a little of this and that). They don't have lockers at school, so we had to get some things to accommodate for that. I am still not sure how this whole locker thing will work when they have to start wearing jackets and coats (it does get cold in the morning at the bus stop!). <br />
<br />
<b>Kids:</b><br />
The kids are FABULOUS. <br />
<br />
Sassy has really settled into high school. For the first time in a VERY long time...when I asked her how school was yesterday, her response was "it was a great day!" accompanied by a big smile. She was talkative and gave the run down of her day (which in a 14 year old's life, was a pretty good day). She joined a club, and met a boy. Oh here we go!!! She likes him, and he likes her, and he wants to "hang out" and in the words of my daughter....this is HIGH SCHOOL, Mom....this is a big deal!!! So we have set some rules and we will see where this goes. Currently....nothing is going on. But I am sure this guy will factor into things in the near future. <br />
<br />
Her grades are OUTSTANDING. We got a very complementary e-mail from her English teacher regarding a recent assignment. The teacher found her work (it was a peer edit thing) mature, and her critique was along the lines of what an instructor would say. So very proud of her. She is diligently working at home on her projects and HW, so right now, I couldn't ask anymore from her.<br />
<br />
Bossy figured out the lay of the land very quickly (the school is HUGE....the campus is 4 buildings!). He settled in beautifully as well. He was happy that some of his friends from last year were in his classes, and they all eat lunch together. He was especially happy when his girl friend (the only girl who was in the class last year) returned to school, after an extended medical absence (since April). We are toying with the idea of facilitating a pizza/movie night for him and his friends as a way of working on socializing outside of school.<br />
<br />
He was awarded Student of the Month for September by the principal. His teacher e-mailed us to say how great he is doing! He even joined the Yoga Club...which shocked us. But he loves it and told us how relaxing it is. His teacher shared with us that he inspired another student to try it out. So as a whole, this has started out as a stellar year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Work:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I am starting to look for a new job. As a reminder, I work afternoon and evenings at a tutoring center. I am very concerned that this business is not going to succeed and don't want to wait until it goes belly up. I am bored out of my mind. The owner, who as a person is great and I really enjoy, is not really putting much effort into the business. He is very laid back (the ironic thing about all of it....he is my "work husband" who is so much like my real husband that it is scary.....and I am exactly like his real wife!). I keep bringing stuff up that needs to followed up on....and he just doesn't want to do it. So I will keep looking.<br />
<br />
The SAT grading thing isn't working out. I submitted 2 dozen sessions for October and November for availability, and did not get selected for any. I have not completed an actual session for them....just all the training. I may have waited to long to put in my availability. Any which way you look at it, it isn't working out.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Health:</b> <br />
<br />
On the health front, my back is FINALLY doing better. The constant pain is just about gone, and my endurance is increasing. I am back to walking and feeling like I can actually live again. <br />
<br />
G-man recently went to for a full physical and he is unhappy about some of the effects of getting older. Hey, aren't we all??? Some tests are being run, just as a precaution. He is starting to exhibit some symptoms that could mean nothing serious....but given some family history....the doctor just wants to rule things out. We aren't worried at this point. However, G-man is finally having to admit he isn't 25 anymore.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hope everyone out there is a-ok!!! <br />
<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-38668202963133937932016-08-23T11:10:00.005-04:002016-08-23T11:10:46.486-04:00A Yearly Big UpdateOh, the numbers. Lest we forget about them. Let's start with some general stuff.<br />
<br />
I am still working part time, so my job really just stopped the "bleeding" from the move. Despite a lower cost of living, we also are making considerably less, but alot of bills stayed the same. My current "hiccup" is electricity. We have been on a budget plan for over 10 years, so paying the ACTUAL bill in the summer is screwing me up a little. We have been running the A/C since May, but it seems that temps are starting to fall, and we are hoping to be open the windows soon. Come January, when we have 12 months of bills behind us, the electric co-op will let us go on a budget plan. Water is more expensive here (we double checked for leaks and the such). Cable is higher, cell phone plan went down a bit. At the end of the day....a lot of it is a wash.<br />
<br />
I will (hopefully) start back with the SAT scoring come October. Of course, now that the essay is no longer required, many students won't take that part. I am hoping that if I can make a few hundred dollars a month from this, it will start to move things in the right direction. This money will most likely go towards upcoming expenses that we haven't been able to save for...like Christmas, cat bills, etc. If I can get those funded in the coming months, then I will feel better about using that money elsewhere in the future.<br />
<br />
****<br />
Alright....here we go. Yes, this next part is confusing for a minute. I have my side bar divided out so I can personally see what categories we have. However, several of these numbers are part of a larger number. Yeah, I know it is confusing for you. I pay the bills as a whole, but I account for the total by dividing it. Yep, it is messy. Just go with me for a few minutes. My numbers won't go entirely in order of the side bar. But I will show you how it is all broken up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Personal Loan - <span style="color: red;">$18,518.00</span></b><br />
As a quick recap....this is the loan we took out last
fall that paid back the retirement loan and gave us cash for our closing
when we sold the house. The total loan is
$435.50 per month. This loan is auto-debited, so unless we purposefully
put money toward it, it will just continue on its way down. We have
just over 4 years left on the total loan as it stands today.<br />
<br />
<i>Part One: <span style="color: blue;">$9,079.84</span></i><br />
This is the section that paid for the house.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Part Two: <span style="color: blue;">$9,438.16</span></i><span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
This is
the remainder of what was left on the retirement loan when we paid that
off , which is under consumer debt on the side bar.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Consumer Debt - <span style="color: red;">$31,638.22</span></b><br />
This is a big mess to write out. It makes sense to me. It makes sense in my little notebook that I track everything. It is nasty looking when I write it out. You will see that I have done some balance transfers, or are contemplating them. We have two Bank of America cards and can't transfer between them. That is where the Discover card comes into play. Still working out all of this. <br />
<br />
<i>BOA - Mysti: <span style="color: red;">$16,640.00</span></i><br />
I previously called this CC by some number, but
this is easier. It is a Bank of America card (or it now....this card
has been sold several times over the years), and I had this card before I
was married, so it is in my name. This balance is what I transferred
from CC4 (Discover). I have 18 months, 0%, with a minimum payment of 1%
(which is currently $166). This is half of what I was paying when it
was on Discover (which is a 2% min payment, and I was paying $324 a month). The transfer fee was $640
total.<br />
<br />
My plan is to continue to pay $300 (I like numbers that end in zero) and chip away at it. When the 0% offer is up, I will probably transfer it again. Yes I incur a transfer fee, but it is less than the interest. <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>BOA - G-man (Previously CC2): <span style="color: red;">$6,560.55</span></i><br />
I
am debating doing a balance transfer to Discover (either 0% for 12 mon, 3% fee OR
3.99% for 18 mon, no transfer fee.....the savings between the options
isn't much, less than $100 over the life of the transfer). Current minimum payment is $126, which will go up to $144 if I do the balance transfer. Of the two, I am thinking of doing the 18 mon offer, mostly so the 18 months pretty much aligns with the other balance transfer I did.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Part One: </i><span style="color: blue;"><i>$2,682.74</i></span><br />
This is what was left from the physical move. I had planned on using our tax refund to pay this off. Then the cat got sick and died, so the money got diverted.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Part Two: <span style="color: blue;">$3,877.81</span></i><br />
So, this was a dirty little secret. But here ya go. Now you know.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Discover (Previously CC4): <span style="color: red;">$471.86</span></i><br />
This is left over loose end that I didn't transfer to BOA - Mysti. I was trying to keep numbers whole, and it just was a stupid decision. This will be gone in about 6 weeks. However, if I do the balance transfer, then this card will continue to have a balance, and BOA - G-man will be zero.<br />
<br />
<i>Mysti's Car: <span style="color: red;">$610.99</span></i><br />
Look at that sexy number....so close to the finish line!!! This will free up $230 a month. As I mentioned, I am thinking of using this money (or at least part) toward family health/exercise class (I did look up the YMCA, which would be $76 a month for the family....which would still leave $154 towards something else). Or I may continue to just save it up toward a new car for when the time comes. Or it may go toward debt. This is a whole other post.<br />
<br />
<i>G-Man's Car: <span style="color: red;">$599.30</span></i><br />
Another sexy, almost gone, number! This was a 5 year loan and we were able to shave 2 years off. Here is the current kicker with this debt though: It doesn't free up any money. Yep. You read that right.<br />
<br />
Prior to the move, my paycheck was paying for this ($127 a month). When we moved, I kept some slush money in the account to buffer us while I was looking for a new job. So for 6 months...I have been just draining the slush. Now we are almost paid off. Since I am not actively using any money to pay this debt, it doesn't do anything for the bottom line right now. I will probably throw a little extra toward this in a few weeks thanks to a 3-pay check month...trying to get this paid off at the same time as my car. It will be nice to just have this gone....one less thing to track.<br />
<br />
<i>Medical/Dental: <span style="color: red;">$724.01</span></i><br />
So, our FSA totally got messed up this year. We are contributing the maximum amount ($2,500). However, when we moved, Bossy's new medical supply company screwed up the billing....which has just recently been resolved. However, the on going screw up resulted in the FSA management company paying out the full $2500 in one shot (it gets deposited into our banking acct). We have this in a Capital One 360 account, and as bills arise, we transfer the money. We are cautious with this money because we have only gotten one bill from the medical supply company, and want to make sure we have enough to cover this.<br />
<br />
I mentioned that I needed some intensive chiropractic care. That whole bill was $1117, based on roughly 30 sessions, x-rays, and mild physical therapy. This was paid out of our FSA money, as we got a discount for paying in full.<br />
<br />
I also mentioned a few weeks ago that I needed some dental
work. Our insurance doesn't cover fillings....so we had to pay the full
"out of pocket" cost. The reported balance is on a CareCredit card, with 0% for 12
months. I am paying $75 a month (one payment so far) so that it will be
gone within the time frame. If we still have money left at the end of the year, we will transfer more of the FSA money toward this.<br />
<br />
And last but not least....<br />
<br />
<i>Student Loan: <span style="color: red;">$19,058.04</span></i><br />
One more payment and we roll down to the next thousand. Yay. Nothing to say on all of this....until other stuff is cleared up, this loan just gets its $229 a month and nothing else.<br />
<br />
<i>Subsidized: <span style="color: blue;">$896.33</span></i><br />
<br />
<i>Unsubsidized: <span style="color: blue;">$18,161.71</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>***** </i><br />
There it is. The dirty secret is added in. New Medical debt. New debt from balance transfer. Putting us at $63,182.85. Removing the house stuff puts us around $51,000....which is around where we were 15 months ago. None the less....the true number is still $63,182.85.<br />
<br />
The positives....the cars are both almost paid off...the medical debt has a potential to be paid off by the end of the year, but certainly before interest comes due....and we aren't paying interest half of the consumer debt.<br />
<br />
The negatives....still have a huge amount of consumer debt.....income still not at a point where we feel comfortable.....not able to save up for expenses we know are coming.<br />
<br />
No need to try and put a positive spin on it if you comment. No need to tell me how crappy of a job we have done either. I know both sides. Just facing it head on....and plodding along. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-40479353108573513662016-08-22T10:02:00.000-04:002016-08-22T10:02:16.780-04:00Being BraveI had a great night sleep last night. Better than I can remember for
at least 6 months. Added bonus....when I woke up 5 minutes before the
alarm, I had a sweet kitty all curled up in the crook between my stomach and thighs. Lovely way to
start the day.<br />
<br />
Got 2 kids and 1 husband off to work and school by 7:40am. I had a chiropractor appt at 9:00, so I quickly paid a bill that I screwed up (ugh....I looked at the calendar wrong!!!), loaded up the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, picked up a few things and hit the shower. I had started laundry as soon as everyone was awake (the washer and dryer are right outside Sassy's room), and had one load in the dryer and another one in the washer before I left for my appointment.<br />
<br />
After going to the chiropractor for a month now (3x a week), I am finally starting to have some progress. I am not in constant pain, but still far from pain-free. However, I am at a point where I can start doing some stretches and strengthening. I came home with a set of exercises to do 3 times a day, so I am hoping that in the coming weeks I will start to feel better.<br />
<br />
So...where is the brave part?<br />
<br />
Here is the brave part:<br />
<br />
1) I weighed myself. We moved the scale into Bossy's bathroom a while back, so I never really had the temptation to check it. But if I am going to move forward, I need to know my starting point. As a pleasant surprise, it wasn't as high as I thought. By no means was it good. But I mentally prepared for a higher number. Ok, so we know the starting point now.<br />
<br />
2) I am working on a numbers update. I roughly know all the numbers without looking. But when you add them together....sigh. <br />
<br />
Also....time to come clean. One credit card is higher than I have admitted to. You will see it tomorrow. So why did I hide it? It was an expense from a very long time ago, and it wasn't a priority. So I just kept throwing a few dollars at it and mentally ignored it. Well, as you will see tomorrow, I moved things around, so it is harder to ignore it now. <br />
<br />
3) Our cars are almost paid off!!! YAY!!! But I am toying with using that freed up money for our family's quality of life. Both G-man and I have had a few come to terms with our age and health talks in the past months. Add in our teenagers who don't struggle with weight or health....but we also don't want them to get to that point. So we are debating using that money towards health and fitness....aka, exercise class. G-man would like to get back into karate (he has a 2nd degree black belt and was a state champion back when we were first married), and maybe that would be a good outlet for Bossy. I would like to go back to yoga (chiropractor and I talked about it today, and he said in a few weeks I may be at a point where I can try a modified class). I know Sassy would love to go with me.<br />
<br />
I know using that money for something other than debt would not be the popular decision. It is still in the thinking stage. But we will discuss the money in more depth tomorrow.<br />
<br />
So....today is a brave day. My delicious smoothie (which I need to get some protein powder for, when I pick up a physioball later today) and I are going to go fold the laundry in the dryer that just beeped, and then finish my money post. I will then do 3 of the 4 exercises (need the ball for #4), and then will see how I am feeling. I work at 3pm, so I still have plenty of time left in my day.<br />
<br />
Brave days are good days.Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-5514217149343559752016-08-17T13:16:00.001-04:002016-08-17T13:16:27.380-04:00Big LeaguesThe kids started high school on Monday. The big leagues. So far so good. They had orientation last week, which I think helped ease their minds about getting around. <br />
<br />
I didn't buy alot of school supplies over the summer. I was hoping that the teachers would post a supply list on their websites, but not so lucky. I just got basic notebooks and folders. Of course they need binders, tabs....stuff I didn't buy. And Walmart looked like a war zone when I went yesterday. Oh well.<br />
<br />
Enjoy a few pictures through the years. In each group, I picked first day of school picture....not all of them are my favorites, but I picked them to show certain differences in each of them over the years. The top row is preschool and kindergarten, and the bottom row is middle school and high school.<br />
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<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-18231526727991810832016-07-29T10:17:00.001-04:002016-07-29T10:17:37.339-04:00Now I pay the priceToday is a rare 2-post day. Please make sure to check out both posts. :)<br />
<br />
**** <br />
<br />
For years....I have put my health needs at the bottom of the list. My children always got what they needed. My husband got what he needed. Me...it ebbed and flowed. Usually it was some crisis situation that would force me to do something....like when my son cracked my tooth during a tantrum (I was trying to give him deep pressure and he threw his head back into my jaw).<br />
<br />
I neglected a lot of things. I only did one dental cleaning a year because our insurance was so poor. I haven't had a physical in at least 5 years (not because of the cost...which would be zero for the exam...but because I didn't want to face up to things and possible incur more charges for labs, test, etc). I saw the eye doctor just so I could get my contact prescription renewed....and I saw the Ob/Gyn because ....well....because.<br />
<br />
All of this has finally caught up to me, and now I am paying the price.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Teeth</b></u><br />
I went for an exam, cleaning and x-rays in March (which ran me $256...thank you lousy dental insurance). I had a cracked filling, and 2 new cavities (between 2 back molars.....because I was terrible at actually flossing). Well terrific. The cost to fix 3 fillings was almost $600 that we didn't have. So I didn't have it done at that time.<br />
<br />
I had it done 2 weeks ago....but now needed an additional filling because I fractured a tooth....biting into an apple. Years of grinding my teeth coupled with skimping on the dental care caught up. No idea why...but the front filling was almost $50 more than the others. So I walked out with $799.01 in charges on our Care Credit card (new numbers forthcoming next week when I do my yearly update). I have 12 months, interest free for this. But it is still $800.<br />
<br />
And I am technically due for a cleaning in September.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Back/Spine</b></u><br />
I injured my back 20+ years ago, and have re-injured it several times over the past 15. It never really healed. I didn't have time to just rest and let it heal. So I would get over the crisis and move on. After our move, my back when out BIG TIME. I have been fighting this most recent injury for the better part of 7 months. Most recently, it REALLY got bad 2 months ago. I am at a point where I can't stand for more than a minute or two. Everything hurts all the time.<br />
<br />
I only get 12 chiropractic visits, and I waited too long to go. I finally went this week. Le Sigh.<br />
<br />
I have some disc degeneration (which isn't a surprise, since I have 2 parents with this issue...coupled with injury). He said it wasn't as bad as he was expecting. I also have cartilage degeneration of my hip....because I have been overcompensating for so long for the injury of my back. I can't get the disc back, but I have to protect what I have left.<br />
<br />
My muscles are in such spasm that it is pulling the spine all out of whack. And this probably has been happening over time for years. The years that I ignored all the pain because I didn't have time or money to deal with it.<br />
<br />
So now...his recommendation is multiple sessions a week to help loosen everything. My insurance only covers 12 visits, so the rest are at a reduced rate for patients who have to pay out of pocket. Total cost just to get to a point where I can start the rehab process (rebuilding the strength in my core and back).....<br />
<br />
$1236 dollars ($300 is co-pay from insurance, and $936 for the rest).<br />
<br />
If I don't do this now, I will continue to be in pain....and I will probably need surgery down the line. So I am at the end of the rope on this one.I can't exercise right now because of the pain, which doesn't help my weight, blood pressure, etc. I am at step 1 and will be for awhile.<br />
<br />
I told myself I didn't have time. I told myself I didn't have the money. Well....now I have no choice. It will probably take me more time and money now than it would have if I had just done what I should have done years ago. Call it the Health Stupid Tax.<br />
<br />
I strongly encourage you to not do what I did. I botched this all up. Take care of yourself NOW!!!!<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-1535578458110583872016-07-29T09:50:00.001-04:002016-07-29T09:50:03.220-04:00Showing some Bloggy LoveGo visit my dear friend, Rhitter...now going by Vicki....over at <a href="http://planetdebtfree.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Destination: Planet Debt Free</a>. There are lots of reasons to do so:<br />
<br />
1) It's her birthday! So make sure you wish her lots of love on her special day.<br />
<br />
2) She is super sweet and a real person....who has real life problems and handles them like a real person....sometimes that means she makes mistakes.<br />
<br />
3) She is going through a rough patch. Yesterday she was ready to cash it all in.....and close her blog. The frustration of her debt, Murphy, etc crept up and she was ready to quit.<br />
<br />
I want to quit too alot of the time. My inability to make progress is embarrassing and frustrating. My situation has just become comical. But I keep trying and someday I will get there.<br />
<br />
So, go show her some love today....because we all need that sometimes.Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-30485751837340901552016-07-25T10:34:00.002-04:002016-07-25T10:34:35.197-04:00A boring updateI know we are still in July....but I am ready for September! Mostly because I want to pull out my Fall decor. In my mind, Fall starts when school starts....which is 3 weeks from today. EEEK. But since that is mid August, it is still too early.<br />
<br />
We are all having a hard time wrapping our heads around school starting in mid August. We haven't bought a thing. Now that they are in High School, there isn't a set supply list. We have miscellaneous standard supplies....pencils, paper, pens. But I am not going crazy buying stuff until I have a better idea of what they need. My goal for Sassy this year is to really work on organization and time management. <br />
<br />
Clothes....we are in the mid to upper 90's every day, so shorts will be the apparel of choice for a while. No sense in buying anything now in that arena. Sassy needed some shirts, so I got a few on sale at Kohl's last week. Bossy has plenty for now...and he is in a growth spurt....so I am certainly not buying pants!!! Both kids will at least get a new first day of school outfit, and we will take it from there.<br />
<br />
Their birthday is just over a month away. They don't want their grandparents there. They are learning. My mom's birthday is 2 weeks before theirs, so I invited my parents over (again) for that, and we will do a combo grandma/kid cake....so my parents will think they are part of stuff. I am sure they won't get anything for the kids "since their birthday is 2 weeks away." And it will fall into the great abyss, like everything else.<br />
<br />
My brother has officially set the wedding date for Memorial Day weekend next year. He has already gone 10 rounds with Mom and Dad over stuff. I am trying to help Bro where I can. He and I have already started talking about the probability that Mom and Dad won't show up. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, this gives me about 10 months to get in better shape. This has been a slow start since my back has been jacked up for about a month and standing is really hard, so walking hasn't been going well. I called a chiropractor, but they don't take insurance. Moving on to another one.....I looked in our provider book and found several, but none of them seem that great when I research them.<br />
<br />
Finances! Almost time for my yearly review. The positive....the cars are so close to being paid off (I actually toyed with pulling some money from EF to do this....but a very odd and random path made me decide against it). August is a 3-paycheck month for G-man, so part of it is going to the cars. The negative....we are just now back to a point with income that I can figure out how to move forward.<br />
<br />
Gosh, I am boring!!!<br />
<br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-61635424057118045312016-07-14T13:05:00.000-04:002016-07-14T16:28:11.647-04:00Ta-Da!How silly that the end result was basically where we started. Short version....we have a new TV!!!<br />
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Ta-Da!<br />
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It is a Samsung, 55" Ultra HD 4k, super sexy TV. These pictures were taken from behind the loveseat....about 14 feet away. It has internet connection, so we can watch Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, etc. We only have Prime, but you get the idea. You can see we have a big blank wall behind the TV and our plan is to put a gallery wall behind/around the TV, using watercolor and quotes. Sort of like this:<br />
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Of course I just missed the frame sale at Michaels. I would like to keep the cost under $60 for the wall.....we have the card stock and I will print everything. Sorry the pictures came out dark. The walls are actually a light yellow, but they have a greenish tint in the pictures. <br />
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I purchased the TV on-line at 8:30am, got the pick up notice by 9:30am. Went to the store around 7:15pm. <br />
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The TV was ready for pick up and just waiting there with my name on it. It took longer to get someone to help me than anything else. Showed them my order number and ID, and we were done. No idea why, but when I asked if someone could help me get it to my car... this threw them off. Whatever. Was home with the TV by 7:40. <br />
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G-man got home from his trip yesterday and set it up. We are still working out some of the settings....such as the ratio is on 16:9 but it is cutting off the edge of the picture, as seen by station logos or names being cut off. We will figure it out.<br />
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As for my promised 5% discount, I took care of that this morning. I already got the email confirmation that it has been processed and it should credit back to my card within 5 days. In the meantime, I finally received the cancel notice from the first TV, so no worries about that anymore.<br />
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I am happy this is over. I am happy with our purchase and the price we paid. I am especially happy we had some bonus money available to do this....even though it wasn't our original intention. I already paid the charge, so no interest will be charged.<br />
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We considered replacing the TV in our bedroom on Prime Day. But we didn't. It was a moment of weakness to even think about it. I am hoping to get at least another year out of the tube TV, and maybe by next summer we will be in a better place to consider it. <br />
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Thanks for following along in this ridiculous story! <br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-92090441726821129012016-07-12T09:57:00.000-04:002016-07-12T09:57:58.200-04:00Seriously? The saga continuesAs of last night, we still hadn't received the confirmation cancelling the tv, only the warranty. Additionally, the tv was now showing out of stock. Never mind that I confirmed that the tv was in stock....<br />
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So here we go again with customer service. This time I got clarification that my "stuck" order actually meant the item was out of stock and that the processing center was looking for one but couldn't find it (I know where they could find one....at the ^#&$@!! Store for crying out loud).<br />
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I asked the guy how I can reorder if it is out of stock....was told I would just have to keep checking back or pick a new item. He even sent me links for refurbished TVs or smaller units in the same price range. SIGH<br />
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I asked what he could do to help me get it at the store where I knew it was in stock using the on line price. He said I could ask but no guarantee of anything.....yeah we already tried. Y'all (gotta be southern....lol) are the ones who messed it up, but will do nothing to fix it.<br />
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Well....this morning the tv is magically back in stock. And available for pick up today at our local store. I still have no answer why this option wasn't available 2 weeks ago. So we went ahead and purchased it again....even though we dont have the official cancellation from the first order. If for some reason we end up getting double charged, I will have them refund the extra charge. I know this is a risk, but I don't want to go another 2 weeks and find out it is out of stock again.<br />
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And amazingly....an hour after I ordered....I got a "your item is ready for pick up" notice. Why couldn't it have just done this 2 weeks ago?????<br />
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So after work, I will pick up this tv. Hopefully we will also get the cancellation notice so I can just be done. But c'mon....we all know what will happen.....lolMystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-5052408031917542132016-07-11T09:48:00.000-04:002016-07-11T09:48:38.461-04:00Because it can never just be simpleWhen Murphy messes with you...he needs to drag it out. Disclaimer: total first world problem ahead.<br />
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We ordered the new TV on 7/1 with a pick up in store date of 7/12. As of 7/10, the tv hadn't shipped so I contacted Walmart.com.<br />
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All they could tell me was that the order was stuck....no idea what that meant and the agent couldn't tell me either. He said the only way to proceed was to cancel the order, which would either totally cancel the order or force the processing center to finish the shipping process.<br />
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Waited almost 2 weeks for the order, and we are over 2 weeks since the tv died, and we are back at the beginning. I was willing to wait to get the tv...but to think you are getting it sooner than later and then it gets hosed up is annoying.<br />
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I received the cancel notice for the warranty last night. Nothing on the actual tv yet. Once it is cancelled we can reorder it. It is still showing the same price, but if it changes, I will have to call. The agent offered a 5% discount for the inconvenience but wasn't clear how to actually get the discount. I did all of this "discussion" as a chat so I have a print out of everything discussed. It seems I have to order and then the<br />
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Per the on line system....it will be another week to get the tv. Actually more....it can take up to 2 days to cancel the order....then the available date will be 1 to 2 weeks from there. We are going to try another Walmart and talk to the store manager to see if they are willing to honor the on line price (first store was the dept mgr who said no), especially since this got so messed up. Worst they will say is no.<br />
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So irritating.Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-51563625427831095322016-07-07T09:36:00.000-04:002016-07-07T09:36:21.404-04:00More job newsI can't believe it, but I am nearing 6 weeks at my job. Based on my average hours, I pretty much know what my paychecks will be now. Since I do not get paid time off, and the office runs on the school holidays schedule, I am planning on saving a bit from each check toward those longer vacations...like 2 weeks at Christmas.<br />
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As I mentioned, it is a new business, owned by a husband/wife team. Both of them are terrific. <br />
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It has already been brought up to me that they plan on raising my salary. As a new business, they aren't able to do it right now. But it is already part of the plan.<br />
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Additionally, they would like me to learn a few other aspects of the business as we go. The reason....they would like to open a second office in a year and half to two years. And they would like me run it.<br />
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Now, all of this is in the future, and nothing is set in stone. But, it is a huge complement that this is something they are already thinking about.<br />
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If this works out, I would get to use my degree, Admin skills, and have management experience. Plus, being that I am part of all of this from the beginning...I am getting to share my input on things.<br />
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For now....I am working part time with a lower rate than I would like. I don't think my SAT gig is going to work out long term so I am trying to find something else to do.<br />
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I really want to get the moving debt off my plate and be back where we were a year ago. I am working on it!Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-84451358268352752752016-07-05T10:58:00.001-04:002016-07-05T10:58:31.797-04:00A Bit of This and ThatTo my American friends...hope you had a lovely 4th of July weekend. Ours was pretty quiet as a whole. Bossy participated in the Color Guard for scouts as part of the festivities, and then we stayed to watch fireworks. Since this was our first year here, we weren't sure how everything worked. We thought the ceremony would be longer, so we didn't bring drinks/snacks for the pre-firework waiting (we did bring camp chairs). Next year we will know. We sat with other "scout" families in an attempt to make some new friends. Bossy played soccer with some kids. Sassy refused to join anything because she was too shy to just go up and introduce herself....however once one of the girls came up to her and invited her to hang out....she was more than happy to go. Oh Sassy....we really need to work on your socialization!<br />
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G-man's car has been making some noise for awhile, and he was sure he could fix it on his own. Nope. So now we are on the hunt for a muffler place. We have a few hundred dollars in our car maintenance account, and I hope it will be enough.<br />
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I am having to jockey money around a little this month. August is our 3-paycheck month, so the month before and after are always a little wonky. Luckily, G-man and I are on opposite week pay schedules, so we have money coming in each week. My plan from back in February (our last 3-paycheck month) to pay all the bills on the first of the month is working well for most of the utilities (electric is higher now due to the A/C and I didn't have enough of a buffer for that....so I had to pay that when it was due, and then again on the 1st to build up the buffer). Each paycheck and I am putting aside money for the bills, and I am hoping to be able to add one more bill into the cycle. I am really trying to get back to the point where we are able to create sinking funds for kid activities and expenses (which are WAY higher here than in CT), Christmas, and the cats.<br />
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G-man is taking a few days to go cabin camping with some guys from work. He is looking forward to a few days off away from home. When he is home and we don't have a formal plan, he feels like he should be doing SOMETHING, so he rarely relaxes.<br />
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School starts 6 weeks from today! Need to start paying attention to back to school supplies that go on sale. Schedules come out on July 29, so orientation should be the first week of August. High school....where did the time go????<br />
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The TV is still scheduled to arrive at the store on July 12. G-man will be out of town until the 13th. Oh well. I am not going to mess with it.<br />
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I have some work news to share later. Need to update my totals.<br />
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But I will leave you with a "funny" from my parents. They called on Friday...July 1. They were going to invite us over for 4th of July....but decided not to. Maybe they will have us over in a few weeks. So I ask you.....why on Earth would they call to tell me that??? If you decided not to invite us over, then you just don't mention it!!! And they wouldn't commit to a future date....mostly because they probably won't ever invite us over. And for the record....we have lived here 7 months and they have never had us over. I invited myself over for a brief visit on Mother's Day, which ended up with my dad annoyed with me because I set boundaries. Sigh.Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-77239822922698549992016-07-01T14:05:00.000-04:002016-07-01T16:31:08.658-04:00More TV newsAlways a story....<br />
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No TV yet. We decided to wait until today to get it so G-man would have more time/light to set it up. As luck has it....Walmart has the TV on sale for another $100 off. Yay!<br />
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I was going to pay for it on line and use the pick up in store option. G-man was going to pick it up on his way home and all would be well.<br />
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Except the on line pick up option says the TV won't be available until July 20. Huh? Tried other stores...one said July 12, but all the rest said July 20.<br />
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Tried calling the store....no one will pick up in the department and no one knows anything. <br />
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The on line system says we can get free shipping to the house...for delivery on July 11. Super. My luck they would deliver it when I wasn't here and just leave it out front. Sure....good idea.<br />
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So G-man is going to stop by the store and double check if we can get it today. If not...we will order it and ship to the store. <br />
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It isn't a huge thing....I already said I would wait. Just disappointing to make a decision and get excited....and then have to wait again.<br />
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We are happy that in total.....it will be $755, including warranty and tax. $100 is $100. Better in our pocket than theirs.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">ETA: G-man went by the store and they refused to honor the on line price, stating that the store and website are considered separate. They had the tv in stock, and we could have bought it for the higher price. They also refused to let us buy it on line and pick it up immediately, even though they have it. Only way to get the cheaper price was order it on line and wait....so we did that and are having it sent to the Walmart 4 miles away since it should be available faster there.....no idea why.</span><br />
<br />Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-79651139160307554102016-06-30T09:32:00.000-04:002016-06-30T09:31:59.998-04:00TV updateWe picked out a TV and will be getting it tonight or tomorrow. It is a 2015 model...55" Samsung 4k UHD. We will also get the extended protection plan....so the final bill will be about $850 ($700 + 106 + tax). Most TVs of this type and quality were $1200- $1400, before the protection plan. <br />
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I really don't want to do this....and I was willing to wait until Black Friday. G-man was not. I lost that discussion. G-man has overtime on his paycheck next Monday (or around there due to the holiday weekend... sometimes it shows up up early). The remainder will come from a recent bonus check. <br />
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We have been using our tube TV from our bedroom in the meantime. <br />
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The picture stinks....but typically we only use it for an hour or so before bed. Using it as our main TV really drives home how old it is. It actually works fine....but it can't handle the digital stream and the screen ratio is wrong for today's viewing.....so part of the picture is cut off. I get why G-man doesn't want to wait.....but I just thought we may be able to get a TV for a little less.<br />
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I suck at spending "real" money.....this seems like alot to spend to me. But we are heavy TV watchers, so it is an investment. Our last TV lasted 9 years....so hopefully we will get similar wear out of this new one.Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-90959487522569394262016-06-27T11:24:00.000-04:002016-06-27T11:24:54.739-04:00Well Hey There, Murphy!My old chum!<br />
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The main TV set has gone to the big electronics store in the sky. Right after we moved, our other TV was giving us problems....but a $20 thingy fixed it and we were back in business. No such luck with this TV.<br />
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In reality, it had been showing signs that it was nearing the end (it is almost 9 yrs old). Nothing we couldn't live with. But last night....one hour before Shark Week....the picture went black, then came back on but pixelated, then normal, and just kept repeating that cycle (each cycle was about 30 sec). We thought it was the cable.....reset boxes, called them. <br />
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They sent someone out this morning to look at it, in case it was a signal issue. Nope....signal was good. He tried to swap out the box.....nope. It was the TV.<br />
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The good news is that G-man just had 12 hours of OT, and he recently got a small bonus at work. We hadn't planned on using this money on a TV, but we will have enough to get it. We will definitely be getting a larger unit...32" ain't what it used to be. Otherwise...not sure. We have really liked our LG, so there is a good chance we will get another.<br />
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The TV lived a relatively long electronics life....9 years. We had been watching this particular model for awhile and bought it on sale.....3 months after we lost our girls. It was part of the Christmas spending spree that year when I was trying to feel better.<br />
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In the meantime....we have our Old Faithful in the bedroom. It will due for a few days.<br />
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We decided against getting one from Craigslist or Offer Up. Mostly because we would have no recourse if it crapped out. If we were getting an extra TV or were desperate....maybe we would feel differently. But we will be getting something new.<br />
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Anyone get a new TV lately????Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465887551310827456.post-21221285789166611162016-06-16T09:12:00.000-04:002016-06-16T09:12:11.741-04:00So...how is the new job?Let's first talk about the non-job. I became certified as a SAT essays rater in early May. Since then, I have done nothing. Most likely this is because it isn't a popular time to take the test. Hopefully this will be better come Fall. Of course, my certification is only good for 6 months, so I will have to renew it in November. By then I will know if this is working or not.<br />
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I started my official part time job a little over 2 weeks ago. The owners are awesome. Love them. Very personable and interesting. The wife is very sweet...she gave us a day pass to a local "park" (it's more than that....hiking, concerts, festivals) so we can try it out. My commute is less than 5 minutes. I got my first paycheck, so I was happy to be able to contribute to the household.<br />
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The hours are rough. It was supposed to be 3pm to 7pm, but that rarely has happened. I end up coming in earlier or staying until 8pm. Part of this is because it is a new business and corporate schedules things...part of this is because it is a husband/wife team so they run into personal conflicts. I am hopeful that this will settle down. Plus, there will be some larger changes in a few weeks which will be interesting. I miss having dinner with my family. And it is weird making (or at least prepping) dinner in the morning before I leave.<br />
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The actual job....sounds way more complicated on paper than it is in reality. One of the great things about it being a new company is that we are all learning things together. Plus, the field rep who oversees things is very relaxed, and basically said any mistakes can be fixed. So far, I haven't had any problems.<br />
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My pay isn't terrific. Purely looking at the base job...it is probably fine. However, it is less than what I would like (and I accidentally found out that I was their 2nd choice....choice #1 only stayed 2 weeks and they paid her a little more....which is actually what I had asked for). Plus, the owners don't have an education background....so I have been "teaching" them about Special Education, best practices, development. So I am actually bringing a lot more to the office than just admin.<br />
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Gee....I sense a theme in my life. It is something I have known for a long time. I am a perpetual under earner based on what I actually bring to the table. <br />
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For now, I am just going to let things settle. I will continue to look for a full time job but will be a little more particular about it. I want to find something that I will be happy with, make what I am worth, and will be a long term relationship. On the flip side, if my current job can be turned into something else....which there is room for down the line.....that is a possibility too (this involves the business owners long term plans....but they are no where close to this right now).<br />
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I bought new clothes for my job...and they all are in the blue family. Need to look out for a few more things....especially shoes! I spent 8 years in sneakers.....I have very few shoes that aren't high heels or overly casual.<br />
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Otherwise, all is well. I am looking forward to tackling some debt soon!!Mystihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17496508600320205581noreply@blogger.com8