GBU - May 5, 2013

I haven't done this in a month!  I am a slacker.  Sorry!!!

• My birthday was wonderful.  My REAL family celebrated with me and the weather was GORGEOUS (you have to understand, that for the majority of my life, it has rained on my birthday).
•  G-man did NOT have to deploy again (yet).
• The kids really did well with decreases screen time (for Screen Off week).  My driveway and sidewalks are filled with chalk masterpieces!
• Water bill arrived, and it was lower than I expected!  It was $190, which for us is good.  The November bill is always higher (last Nov it was $297) because of summer water usage for watering plants and the pool. (I am thinking of making a rain barrel for the plant water, and only using hose water when I spray with Miracle grow).
• I am kicking around the idea of converting the hotwater to gas from oil (and maybe the heat).  This will require a loan.  But I think I have figured out how to have it paid off in 2-3 years, without it costing us any more per month than what we are currently paying.

• Work started off quiet, and revved up over the course of the week. 
• We need new drip pans for the stove.  These are the stupid purchases that annoy me.  Ours have been cleaned and cleaned, and they are just beyond cleaning at this point.
• I think a large number of my perennials are dead.  Of the 10 in one bed, only 3 appear to coming back.  I have no idea what the problem is.

• Figuring out how to spend the overtime pay (which should be paid out on May 13) is hard.  Guilt over doing somethings.  Guilt over not doing other things.  If it was a few hundred dollars, it would be easy.  But we RARELY have this much money to "play" with, and it is hard.  It shouldn't be, but it is.

The GREAT:

• My husband and kids worked so hard to give me a lovely birthday.  G-man made me dinner, including a FROM SCRATCH cake.  I don't know many husbands who would do that.  We went for a walk after dinner, hung out with some friends for a bit.  I did get my lemonade and magazine.  :)  G-man and the kids gave me some crystals for our collection.  They are beautiful.  And my girlfriend gave me earrings and a necklace, in purple!  Love it!  My kids told me all day long "happy birthday" and made me homemade cards.  I really did have a great day.

GBU - January 20, 2013

I realized this morning I haven't done one of these since before Christmas!  Between illness, friends, etc, I just haven't done one.  So here we are....back on schedule (sort of!)

• PTA event went well.
• Snow Day let me catch up on laundry.
• My ING Bonus money for opening a Checking account at Thanksgiving posted (free $125!!!)

• (men, look away)  Had my first mammography, and due to "dense tissue", they want me to come back for an ultrasound (no worries....I was prepared for this to happen.  Just not thrilled with it).
• Bossy's speech teacher is going on maternity leave, so a stranger will be doing all of his testing that is due by late April.
• G-man got hurt at work (he is ok!); barbed wire hit his eye.  It looks terrible...but he says it feels ok.

• My paycheck was REALLY small due to illness, scheduled day off, and holiday.  Even though I have a 3-paycheck month....it doesn't seem like it.
• No idea what kind of job I am looking for.
• Sassy is turning into a pre-teen.  Yesterday was filled with "Sassy" attitude (see why I call her Sassy here????), and the new addition....stomping off!!

The GREAT:

• As stressful as my job situation is, I am ready for a change.  Maybe a change will allow me some of the outlet that I don't have right now.  And if I can find something with a little more money....that wouldn't be so bad!

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week?

GBU - October 21, 2012

The Good:

• Gas prices have dropped some.
• Kitty's bloodwork from the vet came back normal.

 

The Bad:

• New budget system isn't entirely working.  Hoping it will just take a few pay cycles to iron out the problems.
• G-man is having trouble getting my O2 sensors off.  If he can't do it, then we will be forced to bring it to the mechanic. 
• Discovered how few long sleeve shirts Bossy has! 

The Ugly:

• Bought tickets to fly to my parents' house.
• The lack of storage in my house is getting out of control. 

 
The GREAT:

• For 20 seconds....I was caught up at work.  I was so excited.  And then 2 people sent me a bunch of stuff.  But those 20 seconds were fantastic!  I haven't been caught up since July.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - September 9, 2012

Why is it so hard to find a graphic?????  1,000,000 points to someone who finds me a cool graphic!

The Good:

• G-man's car part was still under warranty.
• Briefly spoke to Bossy's teacher at the PTA event and she is very happy with his adjustment to 5th grade.
• Decided to grow my hair long again (it hasn't been long since before the kids were born, and I miss it).
• Decided to research converting from oil to gas boiler system (just in case our boiler dies....and we would prefer gas....so might as well gather information)

The Bad:

• G-man's car broke down (would have been ugly if it cost us anything!!!).
• Hot water boiler acting wanky (yes, it is the technical term).
• Work is crazy busy...no time to catch my breath......PLUS, the air conditioner keeps breaking down, and it is humid and gross in the office.

The Ugly:

• Closet system collapsed (and it will be at least this coming Friday before it is fixed....clothes everywhere!!).
• Got the EOBs for my surgery.....roughly $800.
• Really wanting to finish my office.....and repaint the living room.....PANDORA's BOX!!!
• Keep playing with the budget, and right now.....there isn't alot I can do.  Too many fixed items that eat up way too much of the budget (I figured out that gas for the car, and the oil bill equal 20% of our take home pay!!!!)

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - September 2, 2012

Why is it so hard to find a graphic?????

  

The Good:

• Kids had a great birthday.
• First day of school went off without a hitch.

The Bad:

• Continually disappointed in family.
• Check engine light came on in my car (it goes off sometimes, so I am soooo hoping it is just a bad sensor).

The Ugly:

• $300 from EF to fix washing machine...which won't actually be fixed until Sept. 11
• $500 at Sam's Club for stock-up shopping (included membership renewal)
• Discover Card is higher than I would like.
• Flights went up, so if we go to my parents' house, we would have to drive now.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - August 12, 2012

I need to find a new graphic.....

  

The Good:

• We have limited grocery shopping to $70 this week (mostly milk, fruit, and lunch stuff)
• We earned and extra $0.60 off per gallon on gas at one store, and are up to $1.10 off gas from the other store.
• We got a $1.00 check from some audit on our home owners insurance (we had to laugh...probably cost more to process than the actual $1.00 value).
• Decided against getting the furniture because it just isn't in the budget right now.
• G-man was able to do a few maintenance things on his car himself...total cost was $40, which we had in our car fund.
• G-man found his key to my car (it has been missing for 4 months!  Would have been $250 to replace).

The Bad:

• Once again, the curse of the 3-paycheck month hit and the dates that things are due don't line up with payday.  A bunch of stuff will have to wait until next week to get paid.
• Sassy has decided to live up to her name (but getting sent to bed early for lying seems to have cured it).

The Ugly:

• Discovered just how many items of clothes don't fit the kids anymore!  Who told them they could grow so much??
• Stressing about value of the house....more on this another time.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - July 22, 2012

Another quiet week!

  

The Good:

• The heat broke, and it is so nice out now!
•  I got started working on my craft project, and I am so much happier.
• Manged to re-do the playroom "virtually"
• Have been responsible using our credit card for cashback bonus.
• Oil bill went down a little (very little, but it is something).

The Bad:

• I burned the ever-living CRAP out of my finger with hot glue.
• Jonesin' to actually re-do the playroom (think G-man would notice if I painted???  HAHAHA)
• Need a haircut....no time!

The Ugly:

• Nothing.....it is amazing when you get your stuff in order that the Ugly isn't so Ugly anymore.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - July 15, 2012

Another quiet week!

  

The Good:

• Figured out "Santa" present for Sassy.
• Got my crown, so dental stuff is finally DONE (other than paying for it!)
• Got a "free" zucchini and it is huge!  Debating on zucchini muffins or grilled veggies.
• Since we consolidated our debts....we get less mail, and what we get is mostly junk.

The Bad:

• It has been warm here, so the a/c has been running WAY more than I would like.
• Gas prices seem to on the rise again....should have called to reset the oil budget a few weeks ago, but I was waiting to see if the prices were going to continue to go down.  I was wrong!
• Can't see to just finish Bossy's room (we are at the 90% mark!)

The Ugly:

• Feeling like I want to go shopping.....not for anything in particular, just to go and spend money.
• Realizing that summer is half over.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - July 8, 2012

Quiet week....not much to report!

  

The Good:

• Found out we won't have to pay the oil bill this month.
• Brought in car to shop due to recall notice (which was free).
• Car tax bills came (about $200), but since we have been saving for them, all I had to do was write the check.  No muss, no fuss.

The Bad:

• CLUTTER in my house!
• My sunglasses broke.

The Ugly:

• Nothing!

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - June 24, 2012

Thank GOODNESS this week is OVER.

  

The Good:

Good???  Something GOOD happened this week???  This is a tough one.

• Bossy's room is 90% finished.
• Got to see my brother.

The Bad:

• Work is crazy busy....this was soooo NOT the week for other stuff to fall apart.

The Ugly:

• DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA.
• Several hundred dollars of unplanned expenses.

I PROMISE....I will let you in on the drama tomorrow!!!

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day!

  

The Good: 

• Bossy is back in his own room!
• We finally bought some real food.
• The hospital and insurance company kissed and made up, so Bossy's doctor's are once again covered by our insurance.
• Washing machine "crisis" was averted (don't ask...it involved tape, chopsticks, and swear words).

The Bad:

• We decided to "finish" Bossy's room with the art.  We have a habit of leaving off the final touches, and things never look right.  We have the money in our overtime account, so no credit card.  All in all, it will be about $125 dollars (art, light fixture, storage baskets)
• Additional Bossy room expenses crept up (another quart of paint, shelf board for the closet, brackets).  OH, and G-man didn't listen to me about the closet, and now he has to uninstall everything to fix it, plus spackle and touch up the holes from the screws.
• I forgot to budget Father's Day, so the expense for gifts and dinner (at home, but his choice), is making the bottom line tight.
• I also forgot to budget my registration for my car!  It is once every 2 years.  I paid it, but again, made things tight.  At least it is a reminder to budget for G-man's car registration that is due in July.

The Ugly:

• We still have "stuff" everywhere.  Which now includes Bossy's old dresser in the hallway, and I have hit my hip on the corner a few too many times (usually in the middle of the night when I get up to go to the bathroom).
• The swing set broke.  In half.  Luckily Sassy wasn't hurt.  More on all of this tomorrow.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - June 10, 2012

This is going to be the Bossy's Room Makeover Edition

  

The Good: 

• Ceiling needs to be sanded one more time, and then it can be painted.
• Walls are painted (yes, we did it out of order....had to due to time).
• Carpet will be installed this coming Friday.
• We decided what to do about the closet.

The Bad:

• Not sure about the shades....may need to return them and find something else.
• Bookshelf is out of stock.
• We are holding off on the art work due to budget (this is Bad because it is like the finishing touches that will have to wait).

The Ugly:

• Having Bossy's "stuff" all over the place is driving me nuts!
• Bossy and Sassy are NOT getting along in the same room at bedtime.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - June 3, 2012

Only a few more weeks until the official start of SUMMER!

  

The Good: 

• Bossy's room makeover is in full swing.
• I made up the hours at work after being off for Memorial Day.
• Boss and I worked out the new schedule (will be a separate post).
• I got a bonus at work!
• Got (6) $10 off shopping coupons for the grocery store.
  

The Bad:

• Being sick threw me off my game at home, so I need to really buckle down.
• Bossy's stuff is EVERYWHERE!!!

The Ugly:

• WAY too much take out. 
• Bossy's medical supply EOB came...and the balance will be going up about $600.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - May 6, 2012

Has Spring sprung at your house yet??

  

The Good: 

• All accounts have been paid by retirement loan
• G-man will have MORE OT in the coming weeks....this is so rare to have this much at once.
• I had a very nice birthday.
• Water bill arrive, and it was right where I thought it would be (and we already have the money saved to pay it)
  

The Bad:

• G-man didn't account for a few things when buying birthday stuff, and I had to transfer money from our savings account.
• Forgot about a few phone calls, so I still am not caught up on my scheduling/rescheduling.

The Ugly:

• It was cloudy last night....so I couldn't see the SuperMoon last night.  I was really really bummed.
  

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - April 29, 2012

We are almost 1/3 of the way through the year.  CRAZY, man.  CRAZY.

  

The Good: 

• Loan funded!
• G-man had another 7 hrs of overtime this week, and has more next week.
• I may be increasing my hours at work.
• Gas prices are going down.
  

The Bad:

• FSA wants more documentation for the root canal before they will pay it.
• A few minor changes in schedule will lead to a zillion phone calls that need to be made to fix the fall out from the changes.

The Ugly:

• I think some of my periennials are dead.  I haven't lost all hope, but it isn't looking good.  My flower budget may have to go to replacement instead of addition.
  

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - April 15, 2012

Is it just me, or is April flying by?

  

The Good: 

• Loan papers are submitted.
• Kids enjoyed Spring Break Camp.
• Found a layout for the shade garden.
• Should have enough food in the house for the rest of the month (minus milk).
• G-man had 17.5 hrs of OT this week!!!!
  

The Bad:

• The SNAKE!!!!
• Still waiting on FSA reimbursement for root canal.

The Ugly:

• Nothing to report!!
  

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - April 8, 2012

Happy Easter, to those who celebrate.....Happy Sunday to those who don't.

  

The Good: 

• Loan papers arrived yesterday.
• Root canal is done and now need the crown.
• Tickets for Sesame Place arrived.
  

The Bad:

• After surveying the coming weeks....every weekend is BOOKED until Memorial Day.
• Paid the speeding ticket that G-man got.
• Still waiting on FSA reimbursement for root canal.

The Ugly:

• Boss and I are disagreeing about ALOT of things.
  
• Slip cover on LoveSeat has a few small holes, which Bossy has discovered, and is making larger....may need to replace them sooner than later (hopefully I can just stitch it before it gets too big).

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

How do you define Progress?

***ETA:  I wrote this post last night, and scheduled it to go live today.  Almost no one actually GOT the point of the post.  Everyone is still on the "should we buy tickets" bandwagon....which for the record, I never asked if I should or shouldn't.  

In my GBU yesterday, I mentioned that we were "thinking" about getting concert tickets.  Our last concert was almost 10 years...oops....8 years ago (the kids were ALMOST 2).  Are they pricey?  Yep.  We were thinking about it; no decision made.  We have had 2 big date nights in the past year....and this would be the next one (not counting the wedding we have in May).

Is it the BEST use of money?  Depends on your definition of BEST.  No, it isn't going to debt.  But if you define BEST as "the ability for a couple to have a night out, see a show we both would enjoy, and have a night off from the stress of our life,"  then yes.  We have also considered only having G-man go (as he wants to go more than I do, even though I do want to go).  Then we would only have 1 ticket and parking.  No sitter or anything.

Consuelo made a comment regarding our numbers and our "lack of progress" in the past few months.

I am not going to deny that numbers are ugly.  I never have.  We were making progress, and last year really wrenched that.  No denying that.  But to say "lack of progress" in the past few few months isn't accurate.  I haven't updated our sidebar in the past few days because I know it is all about to change, and decided to wait until the big change to do the update.  But the comment really upset me, so I looked a few things up....a few things that may not be as apparent to you all because I don't share EVERY detail.

Since January 1....

• We have increased our EF by $324.    Prior to my root canal, we had just under $1,300 in there.  We withdrew some to float that money to get a discount.  When our FSA reimburses us, it will go back to the EF, and we will have the $1300 again, and are working toward
• We have saved over $500 towards the kids' camp for the summer, which acts as day care for us while we work.
• We have saved $550 in overtime pay.  Part of this is paying for G-man's speeding ticket and fishing license.  The rest is going toward our weekend trip to Sesame Place for Autism Day (entrance to the park is free, other than a $25 parking fee which goes to charity.  We have a gov't discount for the hotel).
• We have saved enough so far to pay for our water bill, which will come in May.  And we are on track to have the money saved for our personal property taxes in July.
• We paid off our retirement loan (whose numbers were never added into any of the tallies, but at the start of the blog....we had about $7100 left), a few year early.
• We established a "cat fund" that currently has enough for all three cats' check-ups, and have been working on saving per month for food and litter.

Based on the numbers on January 1, as reported in my Financial Goals for 2012:

• The student loan has decreased $456.
• The car has decreased $642.
• Medical has increased $50, but as long as Bossy has medical needs, this bill will always be in flux.  Considering I had a $700 root canal, and the overall bill has only gone up $50, I am happy.

This just leaves the CC bills.  Taking the mattress out of the equation, which we had planned to take a little extra out of the next retirement loan to cover....the CC has gone down about $400.  Now, what this means is that we have basically paid off everything we have charged in the past 3 months, and a little more.  This was considerably more, but as I said, we back slid a little on this in the past month.  Included in this have been a few gifts (baby shower, bridal shower, birthday parties).  Some has been eating out when we have been lazy about cooking.  But NONE of it has been shopping for the sake of shopping.  There has been no clothes, music, home decor (as tempting as it has been!!).

Once we take out the loan, I will update all the numbers.  At that point, all of the debt will be at an interest rate of 3.375% or less.  I know that not everyone will agree with the retirement loan for this purpose.  It is taking money from our future.  But in no more than 4 years, it will be paid off, and we will be just about debt free other than the mortgage (right now we are at 5 years to be debt free....but I think we may be able to shave at least some of that off).

I know this is a long post.  So if you made it this far....good for you!!!  But we HAVE made progress.  It isn't gazelle intense....never has been.  But it IS progress.

So to Consuelo....thank you for reading and spurring me to investigate this further.  I am sorry you don't feel like we are making progress, but in the end, we only have to account to ourselves.

GBU - March 25, 2012

Any one else wondering where March went????

  

The Good: 

• We bought our new mattress, and it will be delivered this week.
• We can apply for our retirement loan anytime now.
• My flowers are starting to sprout!!!
  

The Bad:

• Still have loose ends on paperwork.
• Gas prices are UP.
• We ALMOST bought new furniture yesterday (but we didn't. Impulse shopping!)
• We splurged a little and bought new pillows to go with the mattress. 
• We are considering buying concert tickets....between tickets, babysitter, parking, and probably something for dinner....we are looking at a $500 night.

The Ugly:

• My root canal is still causing problems.
  
• We have to go grocery shopping, and payday isn't until Wednesday.
• My side totals are off.  We used our CC for a few things, plus interest that just hit....UGH. The mattress is throwing it off some, but we were accounting for that in our upcoming loan.  I am just upset looking at the numbers.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week???

GBU - February 26, 2012

How is February almost GONE??? 

  

The Good: 

• Paid the mortgage early.
• I had some Overtime this week.
• My contacts arrived!!!!

The Bad:

• Gas prices going up ($81 for a fill up for G-man, and that will only last 4 days!)
• Found a new coffee table we both love (don't worry...we aren't getting it for awhile)
  
• My "dreaded" challenge isn't going anywhere!

The Ugly:

• Still screwing up our food budget....I use it elsewhere, and then wonder why I don't have money for groceries.
  
•  Not much progress made in February on finances, more treading water.

You know the deal....what are your GBUs this week?????