I have achieved a No Spend Day (NSD)!!

I'm sure I've had others but today I noticed we didn't go anywhere and we didn't spend any money. Love it!!

Working on packing for our Olympic trip by getting laundry done and making last minute lists. We are only going to be gone one night, so luckily it won't take to much to get it all together. We will be at home for lunch and then will pack a picnic at my Mom's for dinner prior to seeing the races!

All other food will also be provided by Mom and Dad on the 4th! We even get steak!! Other than gas and a couple on the road snacks we won't spend much until Saturday.

Saturday, is my daughter's birthday. She will be picking out her first pet...expected to be a hamster. Those are about $15. She will get to pick out the pet, the wheel and it's food dish...all the other items have been bought or we already have on hand.

It has become tradition to see a movie on our birthdays, too. We will go to an afternoon showing of WALL E. That will be about $25 for the tickets and then we'll tack on a soda for a several dollars more. We might also fit in a dinner out. What does she like that is cheap...I'll have to see! Then, I hope to be done spending for the weekend.

Around here, we look forward to the first of the month! It's payday.

We spent the weekend trying not to spend money. We did okay...but we did spend. It seems when DH is around I give in to his wants. This weekend it was Chinese food and long island ice tea mix. See why I say...wants? We did not need either of these. We had other food in the house and we didn't need to drink.

So, tomorrow is payday, we will stock up on groceries for the week and pay our regular bills. Life won't feel so tight again.

I need to pay the mortgage, flute rental, phone bill (includes cell phones & internet), send in college contributions, add money to our own escrow account and add money to our savings. The water bill will arrive soon and I'll need to pay that, too.

Also, need to pay off DH government travel card. Yuck...don't like when he overspends and doesn't get reimbursed!

The remainder of our day has involved some home repairs. The nice thing about it is that we had all the supplies we needed! We handled two paint projects and our patio screen door.

The first paint project was to repaint the wood window frame behind the kitchen sink. I only painted the lower portion, where the paint was peeling off. The glossy white paint came with the house!! I just mixed for about 10 minutes and it was ready to paint with. I even had a sponge brush to put it on with.

The second paint project was outside. The trim around our garage door began peeling this winter. Not so sure about the quality of the paint job the last owners did. I think the whole thing may need to be painted again before we move. DH pulled out paint I used on the front porch railing last year and touched up around the front door and garage door. Again...free for today!

The screen door project did involve an exchange. For some reason, the original one I bought a few weeks ago just didn't fit. We returned it and went to another hardware store. It was actually about $1 less! So, with new patio screen door we are letting in all the cool breezes tonight for no additional cost!!

Oh, just remembered that I also caulked outside in a few areas that were in need. This was done with caulk leftover from another project. Did you know you can insert a screw into an opened tube of caulk until the next use?

It's fun to see what projects can be done around home with items one already has on hand. We feel like we've been productive and frugal all at the same time! Unfortunately, not all home repairs can be done frugally.

I did read in our local paper about the Habitat Restore. I assume many areas may have these as they had one in my last state, too. The store accepts donations of used building materials and fixtures, including opened cans of paint. These are then resold to the public for their own frugal home repairs. Apparently, ours actually gets new items in, from contractors and building supply places. Great resource, if you are short on money for these projects.

Now...time for a glass of wine with my hubby!

I received our Lowe's paint rebate for $5 yesterday. That was fast!! Because of the $5 coupon I used at purchase and this rebate, the paint cost me about $13 for the gallon. I think I used only half for the bathroom, too! Paint really is a cheap makeover.

Goodwill Industries is building a new facility about 2.5 blocks from my house! The other one that is close is being replaced by this one. The new ones are always much nicer. So, easy place for shopping and dropping off donations. Can't wait until it opens. I really do see myself going there more often...it's on the way to Target, too. So, I just might tend to make a pit stop at Goodwill before I go pay full price at Target. Such a deal!

My friend bought me lunch today since I helped her do some organizing at her office. We had brown rice and veggies with teryaki sauce. It was really good.

My girls school offered lemonade and cookies to volunteers today. I didn't go because I was with my friend.

It is nice to be recognized for the giving of my time, but that isn't why I do it. I enjoy spending time with my kids at school and knowing the people they spend their day with.

I really like getting out of the house to help others. Sometimes the mundane chores at home just aren't enough.

If you read my last post, you know that we were going van shopping on Friday. In the end we didn't make a purchase. The Honda dealership had zero used Odyssey's. The Toyota dealership had one, but was high on miles.

The three Sienna's we looked at were pretty good deals, but in the end, we just weren't able to committ.

At this point, we most likely won't be looking again for another month because of DH's travel schedule. This gives me more time to save up some more cash towards taxes, registration and a down payment! So there is some good news.

So, awhile back I declared that we would use all extra funds to pay down our home equity loan. I have yet to send in any extra funds. I have over $3k that I could send in. Why the hesitation?

I'm not sure. I do know that we have spent the better part of a year waiting for my husband's raise and promotion, which he did get. The plan had been to get a new to us, Honda or Toyota van. We have spent a year looking at ads, watching prices, wishing and wanting and waiting.

Now the cash is there for a down payment. The cash flow is there for a monthly payment. There is even $800-900 extra per month...even with a car payment.

Is the decision really either or? Can we buy a newer van and work on the home equity? Would we feel too squeezed to do both at the same time. Would it be better to focus on one rather than the other? I'm really indecisive.

Haven't really let my husband know that I'm hesitating. He's pretty busy and stressed with work. So for now, the plan hasn't changed. We don't even have time to go new car shopping...not even for at least another 6 weeks!

The van and car we have just feel like they are both on their last legs. If we trade in the one with the best value, we would still need to put in money on the other one. The lowest value one gets the better gas mileage and my husband drives it to work.

We could probably pay off the home equity in about 6 or 7 months...just in time for tax time next year and cold weather van shopping.

I'm feeling impatient, hesitant and stuck all at the same time. I want it all and I want it now. I don't want to wait, I don't want to have MORE debt added to the home equity debt.

I just had to blog about this...I don't know if there is an easy answer.

Additional Note: We have an EF, the $3K is extra.

I checked irs.gov and it looks like we are on schedule to receive our stimulus money of $1800 on Friday. Most it will go back in to savings to reimburse us for the major car repair we had a couple weeks ago.

By Friday, I should have some cash from the garage sale and Ebay to start sending in extra payments to the home equity loan. Can't wait to see how much damage I can do to it in the next week.

My husband has been traveling so much we are spending a bit less on the home front. He spent less than his allotted travel money, so that means a little extra in our pocket, too.

I may not be blogging for a few days because of the garage sale...just hope that I'm bringing in lots of cash!

I put a couch up for sale on craigslist on a few days ago. I have only received one inquiry as to the brand. It is a custom made couch, built in the early 90's.

How much do you think I should sell it for? It is actually a love seat measuring 79" across...so almost the size of a couch! I will be including a moss green Land's End slip cover. Both items are free of rips and stains.

Here's the picture:

Wow, I don't know if I'm the first to have caught on to this! Hereis the article.

I guess for those first on the list by ss number will get their payments 4 days earlier. So instead of Friday, May 2, you will receive your rebate direct deposited this Monday, April 28th. The schedule is bumped up for everyone including those set to receive checks!

Here's to a happy robust economy to come! Cheers!!

I'm beginning to question whether I should continue to buy fuel for my vehicle that contains ethanol. In the past, I have always purchased the cheapest fuel. And it has been for a long time, made with ethanol.

From my understanding, farmers receive cash or subsidies to encourage and help support them in growing corn. These subsidies are our tax dollars. Without these subsidies we the cost to produce the corn that is turned into fuel would be higher...those costs would be passed on to the consumer at the gas pump. More than likely, this would make the ethanol fuel more expensive than regular unleaded fuel.

So, I just wonder if it would be worth my money to demand a different, more expensive grade of fuel at the pump. And if everyone did this, would the decrease in demand, cause the government to stop spending money to subsidize corn production for fuel? How else would it effect the economy...for better or worse?

Hmmm...I wonder.

Army items are hot on ebay!!

As you know I've been selling items on ebay this month with the goal to net over $100. My husband has old uniforms and other miscellaneous items that are outdated now that they changed the uniform. So, this week 5 items went up for sale. They just end a little while ago.

I netted $127.60 on those five items!!

Check out my page to the left to see where I am in my goal...obviously I exceeded it! But by how much?

Can you tell I'm just a bit excited. It is so nice to clear things out. I'm always doing it but never profited so nicely!

I have put 5 more items this week to round out the month of April. Then it is on to the garage sale.

My daughter received a $25 Visa Gift card in the mail from her aunt as a birthday gift. My daughter would rather have cash, so I'm giving her $25 and will use the gift card when I buy groceries.

While we appreciate the gift, I can't believe anyone would pay the $3.95 activation fee...especially for only $25.00. The fee is over 15% of the value of the card. That's quite a bit. In other words, her aunt could have saved 15%!!! This is one aunt who should be watching every penny she has...but, of course, doesn't.

I'm sure most of us, that are a bit frugal, would realize it would be better to write a check, send cash, get a gift card to a store without a fee. I might even just make a homemade card to send with the cash, especially for a child, to save myself a few extra dollars.

Thanks for reading my gripe!!

...Bed Bath and Beyond. I get mailers all the time from that store for 20% off one item. Sometimes there is the occasional $5 off a purchase of $15 or more. The secret is that you can use one coupon per item. They don't care that you are buying 10 items at once and have 10 coupons. They will accept all 10 during one transaction. They can even be expired!!

Effectively, everything in their store is 20% off...you just need to bring a coupon. Save them and carry them with you. I think I have 6 or 7 in my purse right now!

There will be wedding and graduation gifts, and dorm room supplies to buy...so stock up on the coupons now! If you don't get them in the mail, ask a friend or buy them on ebay.

Have fun saving while you spend!

Yes, I'm a little partial to Dave Ramsey. I don't listen to him on the radio as often as I once did. I think he has some valid points as far as getting out of debt and having an emergency fund.

We would be on Baby Step 6, which means we should be paying our house off early. We have our 3-6 months EF, we contribute 15% to retirement and are funding our kids college. So we should be using all our extra dollars to pay off our house. But we are not.

Right now our extra dollars are going to save for a down payment on a van that we will finance. Dave Ramsey wouldn't like that would he? Technically, we don't need a new van, but we will soon. I guess we are tired of driving older vehicles. DR would say I'm being a baby, right?

As far as paying off the house...since we are now full time Army we have the potential of moving every three to five years. How do you pay off a house that way? My goal is just to always have enough cash to put down 20% and pay the realtor if necessary. Even then...maybe we shouldn't be buying a house. Maybe we should rent. I don't like that idea either, but it may be worth a shot next time.

So, I'm on step 5.75!! Not quite to Baby Step 6 on the Dave Ramsey Makeover.

P.S. The van would be used...but new to us. Maybe a Honda or Toyota...2005 or later.

Has anyone else read the book by Eckhart Tolle called A New Earth? Oprah is doing weekly webcasts with the author. We just finished week six, a discussion of Chapter 6.

I've been enjoying it. Not everyone is ready for the info...so I won't get into it here. Feel free to check it out for yourself. It sure has put me in a place of acceptance for everything...financial, too!

Here's wishing everyone peace and acceptance of where you are now.

That's the total of my gross ebay sales for the week! I am shocked. I was amazed at how much people bid for some of my things. People love children's books and brand name clothes. The brand name clothes I sold were only Old Navy and one outfit from Children's Place.

I sold 12 out of my 16 items. One of those has been relisted on behalf of my sister. I also added another 9 items, mostly army gear, for this week. My goal was to profit at least $100 on ebay this month. I think I just might make it!!

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Update on my cat Liberty: She is doing much better. The vet doesn't know with certainty what she had, but probably got it from our new cat, Riley. Just a couple more days of antibiotic. She eating and drinking like a good kitty, now! Thanks again for your good wishes.

Last Saturday, my family went out van shopping with no intention of making a purchase just yet. We test drove two late model vans, the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. Now we drove the higher end of the Honda and the lower end of the Toyota...big price differences. Hard to compare. Both drove great. The Honda seems to have more room. They have similar features.

We have spent the last year looking at Honda Odyssey prices online and in the newspaper. It finally dawned on me that we weren't looking at anything else. It seemed kind of silly not to consider other vans. We have a 1997 Dodge Caravan with over 120K miles on it. It is going to have transmission problems soon. We aren't interested in getting a new Caravan, because of long term quality issues and resale values.

I haven't had a car payment for several years now and we are looking to finance a portion of our purchase. So, I'm taking my sweet time (procrastinating) picking our next van. We looking for at least a 2005 in the $20,000 range. It seems I might get more options with a Toyota for a similar price. Any opinions...Honda or Toyota?

Thanks!!

The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we stand, but in what direction we are going.

I see this quote every day that I go to the gym. I usually see it in terms of exercise, but today I realized it can apply to most anything. Even our goals with money!!

I'm hoping to come up with $100 worth of sales on ebay during the month of April. Instead of just hoping, I have taken action. I have 16 items listed now with bids on 9 of them. I have a pile of several items that can be listed and put up on Sunday. By Sunday, when the auctions end, I should be inspired to go looking in the house for more items. I just keep moving forward.

As long as you are moving forward, regardless of the pace, you will reach your goal!!

I read another blog recently about the Bank of Universal Goodwill. You can read about it here.

I recently started an account at this bank, since I now live over 150 miles from all my family and friends. In order to add to this account, I now have several neighbors that I help out. I have watched the children in the early morning hours, fed a rabbit for a week, picked up mail, set out trash, invited neighbor children over to play with my kids and more. I've made a couple of withdrawals in the form of pet care and had one woman on call for my daughter,s bus pickup.

I'm sure this new bank account will come in handy should an emergency arrive while my DH is away on duty. Along the way, I'm making new friends!!

Do you have this bank?

taxed here in Iowa. The Governor signed into law today that the tax rebate checks we are receiving will not be taxed by the state of Iowa in 2008. Nice to know now!!

Anyone else know how their state will handle the stimulus checks for tax purposes?

At the urging of Thrifty Ray, I, creditcardfree, do hereby release myself as a "lurker" and commit myself to blogging!

We started our marriage with credit card debt from a failed business. That's where we began our journey with spending less than we earned. We continue to do the same today. We are debt free except our home at the present!

I look forward to seeing what topics I write about...at the moment I feel clueless.