I would have $980 to send to the home equity loan today. Oh, that would be so nice!! It would have put me less than $20 away from the under $6K mark.

However, we ARE going on a vacation. Today, I paid myself back for the airline tickets to the tune of $900. The other $80 will be saved for other vacation expenses.

Although, I'm really looking forward to going on this Disney World trip with my family, it is hard not to see what the money could have done to our home equity payoff. I hope to make this my last post about this because....

I need to maintain my focus on cash accumulation for the car rental, hotel, theme park tickets, food and clothing. I will most likely start a little ticker on the cash I've accumulated for this. Look for it sometime this month!

hassle with your child? Oh, boy! My youngest was a little more than irritated today getting ready for dance pictures this morning. It worked out in the end, but she sure didn't like the fuss I made with her hair or her costume.

It doesn't help that she doesn't like her costume either. She's in a hip hop class and will dance to 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun.' The Miley Cyrus version. So the costume is layers...like from the 80's!! Think Cindy Lauper and Madonna. She has two tops, two skirts, and leggings on top of tights. Ugh...it looks hot and uncomfortable!!

So, this year I opted for the least dollars out of pocket. I chose a 5x7 with 4 wallets. One pose. Eleven dollars for each daughter. Last year I spent a dollar more and received a 5x7 of the whole class and a 4x6 of my child. I decided it didn't really make a difference to have the whole class and bigger in size at that!! I'd rather have the the larger pic of my child and a few extras for grandparents. I think they will appreciate that.

Turns out both girls may be done with dance and tumbling. They don't seem interested in continuing this next year. Fine with me, more free time, less money...unless they find something else they want to do!

Yep, I'm still working the details for Disney World. It isn't necessary to rent a vehicle when one goes to Disney, but it is our preferrence since we like to do a few things outside of the World.

Last week I booked our 8 day rental car with Alamo at a rate, including taxes of $258.88. It was the best I could find at the time. I used a Walmart discount code that gave 20% off.

Today, I went looking again. I decided to peruse military discounts. I ended up at the Armed Forces Vacation site, which linked me up with a code at Budget. My rate now is $196.20!! So, much better!

Just the few minutes that it took to look saved me $62.68!! ~~Happy Dancing~~

I will still keep my eyes peeled for discounts. Sometimes there are last minute deals.

Our mini one-night vacation with the kids was under budget!! Gotta love that.

We spent $450.59 on the trip. Expenses included hotel, 2 lunches, a sit down dinner, snacks, and two forms of entertainment. There were also two clothing purchases.

The budget was $500, so we saved $49.41. I will probably use this money towards paying school registration for one of my daughter's.

We could have saved another $50+ if we had skipped one of the activities. It really wasn't worth the money. And you know what? My gut told me this prior to going! I need to remember to listen to this. Oh well, it was paid with cash and not on credit with interest! Yes!

My DH and I are celebrating our 13th anniversary today! We feel very bleesed to have been able to enjoy each others' love and companionship for this long.

Here's for many more to come!!

My parents sent us $100 as a gift. They send us the same gift every year. This year it is going to the home equity loan payoff. I've got to get that balance down under $7000.

Yes, we are celebrating...we are on a mini vacation right now that we already set cash aside for. Those kinds of trips are the best kind!

Wow! Yesterday was quite the day. In addition to the wonderful state tax withholding news, we have made the decision to go to Disney World this summer for vacation. Yippee!!

I know! This wasn't planned. Well, we've been planning to make a plan for vacation. We have been undecided about where to go. Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Texas, Arizona were all possibilities. Until yesterday Disney World wasn't something we were considering. We've been there. We've done that. Of course, now it's been almost 4 years since we went.

Somewhere between my ecstatic high about tax withholding and a batch of cookies, I went looking for deals. Unfortunately, there are so many deals for military families in Disney World. Or should I say...fortunately!! It means we are going to Disney World. Yipee!

Want to hear the deals? DH can get free admission to enter the DW parks for FIVE days! He can purchase tickets for the three of us for $99 each...to be in the parks for FIVE days! That's $297 for all four of us to be the parks for FIVE days. That is unheard of. We can add on park hopper ticket for another $25 each for the three of us (additional $75). And if we want to go to the water parks...just tack on another $75!

Military members and three family members can get in FREE for one day to Sea World or Busch Gardens. FREE. We didn't do this last time we went. It would be fun to go this time, too! Oh, I'd pick Sea World over Busch Gardens, but that is me!

We'll be visiting on my daughter's 9th birthday. She can get in FREE one day to the park, but since we have great tickets, we can elect to get $$$$ equal to a ticket for spending in the park. FREE money.

There is more. I know, I'm making you delirious reading this, huh? Hold on though...it's GOOD! Military members can get upt to 40% off nights at the Disney Resorts. Wow! We went to Disney's Port Orleans Riverside last time and LOVED it! I'd stay there again. It was very nice. So, that is a huge savings. We are looking at 7 nights for about $900. If we paid full price it would be nearly $1500!

I was also perusing airline tickets.
The lowest price I found for four people with taxes was $815!! Isn't that amazing? Of course, today it is a different price. A higher price of $955. I will keep trying to get that lower price. I think it may have something to do with the day of the week!

I couldn't buy the tickets last night anyway. I do need to make sure DH can take the time off!! Right now, I'm waiting for him to call me any time now. Honey...please call. PLEASE!!

Okay...I've got to lay down. I'm delirious with excitement. Yipee!!

We're cutting back on our wine spending. Yes, my husband is fighting me on this one a bit. It's not about the money, it's this weight I've put on. I really need to cut back on some calories.

Each glass is 100 calories, so every bit helps. But, in secret, I love that we are saving some money by skipping the wine. It's been two weeks in a row now!

Sunday is our anniversary, so I expect I might break down and buy a bottle. After that one, I hope we can keep our wine spending down.

at the beginning of the month.

All the bills are paid until next pay period. The water bill was $6.25 under budget! I always love that!

Just tonight, I bought socks for DD2. I also took both girls to get their hair cut. Tomorrow I need to find a pair of jeans for DD2. The last two pairs seem to have simultaneously developed holes in the knees. How often does that happen?

I also received school registration papers today. I'll need to write a couple of checks to our public school system by the end of the month in preparation for the next school year. Joy.

Make it a great weekend!

Do you want to hear more about my communicating about money with my DH? Sure you do!

It reared it's ugly head last night, when I brought up the piano lessons that he and my youngest daughter want to take. I was reading the information about make up lessons and that each individual teacher set their own policies. This is something he needs to make sure he's clear on since, he will likely miss quite a few lessons because of his travels.

He's says...I thought you said we couldn't afford lessons! What? Really!? When did I ever say those words...ever? No, I did not. I'd love for them to take lessons. My youngest daughter would probably be taking them already, but he wants to go with her. Since he is the adult in this situation, I waiting for him to handle it. We have the money...sure a little less to the home equity loan, but we CAN afford it.

I proceed to tell him that a few days ago when I was overwhelmed was NOT the same as putting the brakes on all the spending. Which is apparently what he decided I had said. Did he ever say this to me? Did he ever ask questions or communicate in any way? No...only listening and interpreting what he THOUGHT I said.

In hind sight, I should have been a little more proactive in getting him to communicate with me. But I was the one breaking down, crying....letting all the overwhelming feelings out. I wasn't exactly in the best state to do so. I'm sure I scared him. Yes, I scared him into silence. The complete opposite of what I was looking for.

We make more money than we ever have, our income is doubled and it seems that the decisions are much much harder. You would think after almost 13 years of marriage we would have some of this down. I guess we are still growing in this department.

I told him about sending in the $145 to the home equity loan yesterday. He says, is that all?

Read with sarcasm: Yes, dear, that is all. On my own I decided with the money I normally send in to the home equity loan some needed to be set aside for our mini vacation taking place BEFORE the next pay day. Sorry, you weren't available last time I checked to discuss it!!!

Thanks for letting me vent. You know that I don't usually have these issues. He and I did talk right before bed last night that we should talk through some our upcoming spending plans...so that we are on the same page!

Finally, we are making progress...I think.

This week is my husband's turn to have the week off for vacation. He couldn't get it to coincide with my daughter's spring break last week. So far, we have spent money everyday. It's hard to say no to the person who works so hard to make the cash that makes our world go round.

My oldest turned 12 today! Next year she'll be a teenager. We bought her a digital camera that she has wanted for a couple of years. It was less than $80, but better than mine that is now over 4 years old. She will have a slumber party on Friday...more money to be spent on feeding the group.

Since DH is off, we are going to install a new kitchen sink and faucet. Price will be about $400. Although it isn't a need now, it will be a necessity when we move. This sink stains everytime you put something in it. It's awful. We'd like to enjoy the new sink for the little while longer that we live here. The funny thing is...we have picked out the same style sink that we put in our last home!! I think I'll try to sell the old one on craigslist or on the garage sale in May.

So, if you don't hear much from this week...you know I'm either spending money, helping to install the kitchen sink or fighting off the pre teens at the slumber party!!

Make it a great week!

There's no heat or air conditioning running. Yippee!!

A couple of days ago, I closed the gas line to our gas fireplace. Why keep that pilot light running through the warm months, right?

It's also time for spring clothes! The girls are growing, so we will head to Old Navy today to pick up a few items. I plan to spend around $50. I have a coupon, too!!

We have already taken advantage of the warm weather with a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood. There were lots of signs of spring. Enjoy the day!!

So far I have only completed my oldest daughter's room. She did great! I was mostly there for support and guidance. We took pictures of clothing she was still attached to, but has outgrown. She did a great job of letting go of some of her possessions. She still has a ton of stuff, but it is getting better. I'm sooo proud. I'm almost happier about that than the cleaning.

It turns out she needs an entire new wardrobe! Everything is way too small. So, ebay will be hopping with that stuff in a few days!

I ran out and bought a shelf for her books. She's wanted one for so long. I told her that she can only keep books that fit on the shelf. Price of shelf: $20. I was disappointed that when you buy assembled furniture now you don't even get real screws...plastic the whole way. Now, I have little plastic pieces to throw away that attached them all together. Ugh! I HATE plastic.

Okay...here are the before pictures:










Here are the after pictures:








Much better don't you think. Wow, we got a lot done, too! Here's one last picture: of our cat Riley. She wanted to help hang up clothes!



Now, I have another room to do!

I have decided to stop some medication I'm taking with the consent of my doctor. I'm thrilled, since there have been a few unpleasant side effects.

Savings: $22/month

Just so you know and don't worry...this was entirely a health decision, not a financial one! The savings are just a bonus. I hope to pass this on to that home equity loan payoff!!

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I took my mother out to lunch yesterday for a wonderful mediterranean meal. We spent $28. Yummy!! She treated me to a new organic cotton shirt from the Life is Good line. It will be a great shirt for spring. I will wear it today since it will be about 70 degrees!

Make it a great day everybody!

I just got a peek at the bill for our auto insurance premium. It is increasing. That's always a little disappointing.

Okay, it's only going up by $26.84. That's equals an increase of $4.48 per month, since it is a 6 month policy.

This will require me to adjust our escrow payments we make each pay period. If I don't make this adjustment, eventually there won't be enough money in our account to cover these expected bills!

I think I'll increase the escrow amount to an even $5/month, or $2.50 per pay period. Easy enough!

I used Turbo Lister yesterday to prepare 9 items for ebay listing. I will load them up this evening to start things off for March.

I found two spring dresses, two pairs of jeans, a windbreaker, a jean jacket, two spring sweaters and a pair of capris to sell. It's kind of nice that the kids grow, so that I can sell on ebay. Of course, I buy them newer clothes when this happens! It is just a cycle.

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DH and I will measure our living room window today so we can order faux wood blinds. They are on sale at justblinds dot com. The bamboo blinds that came with the house just don't work for me. They will be sold at our garage sale in the spring. The blinds will cost about $150 because it is a large window!! I have set aside money this month for this purpose.

We spent $66.67 on groceries this week. That is really good. That is for all four of us, too! We had several things in the cupboards and freezer that we can make for dinner.

I made the girls friendship bread from a starter I had in the freezer. This is a replacement for prepackaged preservative laden sweets. They will take a slice in their lunch each day this week.

Only 5 more days until payday! We have about $60 left. I will need to use a bit of it for a haircut! It just can't be put off any longer.

I'm going to use the rest of the week to start looking ahead to March. We have a birthday, school spring break, and a small out of town trip planned. I may also be purchasing some living room blinds since they are now on sale. These things will effect how much I send in to the home equity loan at the beginning of March. I'm sure I can get the balance under $9K!!!

There were only three things in the mail yesterday. No junk mail. I love that!

Item I ordered online arrived (Quick)
$3 Pinecone Check
TSP Year End Statement

The TSP statement showed a 45% decline so that is not exactly good news. Oh well, we are still young enough to make it through this! And we are buying tons of shares at rock bottom prices. Can't beat that!

Pinecone check will go in savings account for now. Eventually, I will put this money towards the home equity loan.

Today, we need to get groceries for the week and buy bedding for our pet mice and hamster. This is the most expensive part of having these types of pets.

I wrote a check for DD2 yearbook. It was $16! She's only in 3rd grade. I don't think that younger kids really need yearbooks, but it becomes an emotional issue if they feel left out by not having them. I found that out last year when I didn't buy them. We can afford it...so it will be purchased.

That's the news from here. Make it a great day!

I was talking to my sister today about how I budget and pay bills and find money to send towards our home equity loan.

We get two paychecks a month on the 1st and the 15th. They are virtually equal.

I first pay all bills and investments that are due during that time frame. Many of these are automatic, but I record them all in the checkbook.

Second, I mentally pull $700 from the remaining checkbook balance. This $700 is for auto fuel and groceries. We use it to pay clothing, kids lunches...whatever comes up during that pay period. Sometimes this isn't enough. I'll explain that later.

Finally, the remaining amount after bills, investments and our $700 is the amount I should have available to send in to our home equity loan.

This is the basic plan each pay period. We have a second checking account that holds our escrow funds (see my page on the right about that) and a small cushion of cash. This small cushion is not more than $500. Right now it is actually $250!

So, if the $700 runs out we attempt to curb spending or dip into the cushion in our 2nd checking account. We also can dip further into our emergency fund for large car repairs, ect. If we do borrow from the EF it gets paid back with the extra funds we get the following pay period, or as many pay periods as it takes.

If we know of expenses in the future, we simply put the cash aside ahead of time. For example, I expect to purchase a new sink for our kitchen at some point. When the time comes I will reduce the extra principal payment to the home equity loan by the amount I need for the sink.

So, clear as mud? Does that make sense? I hope it helps someone out there. It works for us. I already have a handle on most of our spending so that helps keeps things working smoothly.

Feel free to ask questions!

I received the annual bill in the mail for my life insurance. Same amount as expected!

I think it may revise sometime in the next year or two. It was a 10 year term policy. I kind of wish I bought a 20 year policy, the premium is pretty reasonable.

I pay money towards the premium each paycheck and put it in our own personal escrow account. So, the money is alreay to go. I decided to pay through bill pay to save the stamp and a trip to the post office to purchase one. I so rarely use postage stamps anymore.

Life Insurance: PAID

My buying habits for just about everything are changing. In the past, I have based many purchases on price. The lowest price. It has served us well in the past. And, it will still factor into my purchasing decisions.

I will now factor in the ingredients, looking for natural, rather than chemical and synthetic. I will also factor in the packaging. The less packaging the better, the less plastic the better.

I'm doing this for my family's health, as well as the earth. I would like us to generate less waste. I already use reusable bags when I grocery shop. It has cut done on the usage of plastic bags significantly.

I'm not worried about global warming. Maybe I should be, but for now I'm making the changes because I can. I can afford to spend an extra dollar or two on something with natural ingredients that is better for our bodies.

From now on you won't see any posts from my on Walgreen's savings. Unless, the purchase is a product that meets my new buying criteria. Right now I can only think of a few things I've purchased in the past at Walgreen's that qualify. Sure, I can get makeup for free, but it has so many chemicals that are bad for my skin that it is no longer worth it to me.

In the future, you might find a few posts about the changes we are making and what the financial impact is as we start buying in a new way.

Any one else making these types of changes?

I went grocery shopping today with the girls. We spent $65 for a weeks worth of groceries!!

This is lower than our regular $110+ we usually spend. So, why the drop? DH will be out of town this week. No chips to buy, no excess diet coke, less meat. I also bought some of our regular items on sale and shopped the cabinets before making our list.

I've already planned our Valentine's Day dinner: manicotti, cresent rolls, broccoli and pound cake with strawberries (and a little cool whip on the side). I may break down and buy some wine later.

Monday and Tuesday were no spend days for me. I expect today to be the same. It sure helps to just stay home and out of the stores!

Today, I will clean and keep my eyes peeled for ebay items to sell. After the girls are home from school we will decorate for Valentines Day. They also need to address their valentines for their classmates. We are making our own and using leftovers from other years!! It should be a fun and frugal time.

Here's to a day of no spending!! Do you have the same plan? I'd like to know I'm not alone.

Payday was just two days ago!! We have spent $113 on groceries, $25 on a museum membership, $19 on allowances, $45 on gas, $25 on eating out at convenience stores!!

DH is on his way to buy more diet coke (yes, he's addicted) and floor mats for both vehicles. I'm expecting over $50!

Wow, that's a lot of spending. We went out of town to celebrate two birthdays of relatives, so that is where some of the extra spending comes in. Our admission to the museum would have been $24, but for a $1 more we could get a one year military membership and a free box of chocolates! We went to see a chocolate exhibit at this particular museum. Very educational! We will be back to the museum at least at Christmas to see their large Christmas tree decorated. My kids miss seeing it since we moved.

Almost time, to start watching the super bowl commercials! Yep...that's all I'm interested in.

It's true. We can't refinance. Would I like to? Yes. But we can't. We can't because we would lose money.

We have lived here for a little over two years. The Army could move us anytime between now and 2 1/2 years from now. DH thinks the latter.

Our primary mortgage is at 6%. That is still a pretty good rate. In order to get the lowest rates possible, we would need to pay points. But paying points or any closing costs is a couple thousand dollars. We would only save about $100 a month. It would take awhile to recover the costs associated with refinancing.

We just can't refinance. So, we will continue our home equity payoff. That loan is at a crazy 7.25% rate! Ugh. Once that is paid off we will have increased the equity we have to put towards the next house.

What do some of you other military families do? Rent, or buy? Fixed rate or adjustable?

just a little sharing...about finances in our house!!

All the bills are paid and next Friday is payday for us. Our checking account has $222 left in it.

I will have to get groceries for the week, which will cut out $100. DH will need fuel, approx $25. Another $15 towards a birthday gift.

So, $82 left for miscellaneous needs/wants. It would nice to have some of that left...but I don't hold my breath. Last paycheck, it came down to $4.

In our budget, this is actually good. It means I'm keeping our spending to about $1400 per month for food, fuel, toiletry items, pet food, bedding and litter. Often it includes fundraisers or donations to school, too.

If we can't keep the spending within the $1400, then the money gets pulled from our 2nd checking account where we have a few hundred dollar cushion. We haven't touched that account since gas prices began falling!!

Both of my daughters are girl scouts. Do you know what that means at this time of year? Cookies. Sales begin tomorrow in our area. Now the problem: I didn't budget for these. Did you? Do you even buy them?

They EACH have a goal of 100 boxes. Each box is $3.50. Of course, I won't be buying all 200 boxes. We have neighbors, co-workers, family and friends we will be hitting up. I'm sure they all want a little more sugar in their diet, right?

So, I'm curious what is your favorite girl scout cookie? I am partial to the Thin Mints, with Shortbread a close second.

It's bound to come up. There are different names for the same cookie in different parts of the country. Check it out

I tend to cut things close with our budget. I have $47.41 to last thru Wednesday. DH may need fuel for his car, but otherwise I think we will have enough money to make it. Thursday is payday!!

We will be stuck at home tonight, so I expect a no spend day. We have blizzard winds on there way for the evening and overnight. Brr!

I made it to the gym today despite the snow. I burned 510 calories on the elliptical and lifted weights. I weighed myself this morning and lost 1 pound since last week!! I'll take it.

We have a 2002 Ford Taurus. We bought it used a few years back for $8,000...I think. It was a quick purchase, because of an unexpected car accident. It has been a very disappointing car. My gut knew better, too!

In 2008, we spent $2K on car repairs. Yesterday, we started a new total for 2009. We had to have the rear wheel bearings replaced on ONE side. Total cost $239.

This is going to eat into the cash I can send into the home equity loan. Darn American car!!

Tomorrow is payday and we seem to have made it though the pay period with $100 left in the checking account! I think it will go to the HEL, but I'll report that when it actually gets done!

We went to a movie yesterday on a $30 Visa gift card we received from friends. We still spent an additional $12.50 out of our own pocket at the concession stand for the four of us! I don't usually do this, but we splurged since the tickets were paid for!

While we were at the mall, I found some candle pillar holders and a large picture for our family room. I used my birthday money to puchase these. The candle holders I've been looking for and I got three for $15. The picture is large,about 3' x 3'. According to the tag it was marked down to $50 from $70. It rang up for $39.98!! We have already put it on the wall and it looks great. Now I need a new couch!!

So, maybe you have already sneaked a peak at our 2009 financial goals on the sidebar...but here's the official blog entry of our goals!

1) Save 15% of gross income for retirement.
We max out our Roths at $5000 each, in addition to 4% to my husbands TSP.

2) Save $2000 x 2 for college
We send in $166 for each daughter monthly.

3) Pay down HEL loan by $7000. Beginning balance $13,999.
This will require an average of $533/mo in extra principal payments. Regular payments are $118.01. Total per month $651.

4) Take a vacation with cash, location and amount to be determined.
Approximately $1500-$2000. May use tax refund towards this goal.

We will need to be the most disciplined with the last two. I plan to send in $266 on the 1st and $267 on the 15th of each month to the HE loan to get the $533 extra accomplished. Since we will most likely use tax refund money for vacation, we will need to pick our destination and spending according to the available cash!

The first two are already part of our financial goals from this past year...so those will simply be continued. How are your goals coming along?