Well, I am starting to read the electric meter and write it down every day. I think it helps me to be more aware of how much electricity I am using. Mainly, the air conditioner. However, I do appreciate that it does not cost nearly as much to cool the house now, as it does to heat the house. It use to be exactly the opposite.
I hope I can stay under my budget amount of $160 a month.

After reading about it, in Debt proof living newsletter, I decided to figure out my gas mileage. So, I filled up last Sunday (10 days ago) and again just now. (wed. afternoon)
I had driven a total of 95 miles. It took 4.94 gallons to fill up my car at a cost of $20.69

95 miles divided by 4.94 gal.=19.23 mpg
$20.69 cost divied by 95 miles = 22cents per mile.

All of my miles are in town driving, so that is not too bad. Too bad so many of our cars need premium gasoline.

Have you figured out how many miles per gallon (mpg) your vehicle is getting??

Do any of you know of anyone that drives a hummer?? I saw on the news yesterday that they may quit making those cars. They use so much gasoline that no one wants to buy them anymore.
In my small town, there are many hummers. A lot of Real estate agents bought them to take their clients out to look for property.
We talked to someone yesterday that bought a great big diesel pick up a few months ago for $50,000. When gas went up, he tried to trade it in for something smaller. All he can get on a trade in for this NEW truck is about $30,000.
Thank goodness, I usually only use 10 gallons of gas a week!!(or less)

I just got back from the net worth site that many of us use. My net worth increased by 1.52 percent in May. Most of my stocks and all of my mutual funds went up in May, for a total increase of over $24,000. I added in some savings also.

The interest I earned in May went down a little even tho I had more in savings than I did in April. I had one c.d. that was paying 5.5% and it rolled over into a new rate of 3.6%, so that made the biggest difference. I made a total of $2,037.17 for the month.

I went grocery shopping yesterday armed with a bunch of coupons. I bought a roast that was $4 off and we are staying home and having that for supper tonight. All in all, I saved $16 using coupons and buying things on sale. The braves FINALLY won and I won 3 games of Mahjong, so I am adding $20 to my challenge money.
Prev. total $13,475.00
today 20.00
new total $13,495.00

I got a chase reward check in the mail today. That makes 7 $50 checks I have received so far this year. That is $350 just for using and paying off my credit card each month.

Prev. total $13,425.00
today 50.00
new total $13,475.00

I took my change jar to the bank this morning. I put all my change except pennies in the jar every day. It adds up. I have $34 to add to my challenge fund.
Prev. total $13,391.00
today 34.00
new total $13,425.00

My end of the month check arrived and, as usual, I am putting it in my challenge fund. You might has guessed by now that it is a social security check that I have gotten since January 2007. I have never spent one penny of it.
I save it so it will earn interest. Someday, I will have to live on that interest. I know I could never live on this social security check.
Prev. total $12,840.00
today 551.00
new total $13,391.00

I also received a check from NFO my survey yesterday. It is an easy way to make extra money to add to my challenge account. If anyone wants to join, just e mail me with your first name and email address and I will sign you up.
Prev. total $12,830.00
today 10.00
new total $12,840.00

I received my stimulus check in the mail yesterday. Since it is extra money, i will add it to my challenge money. That sure helps the balance.
Prev. total $11,630.00
today 1.200.00
new total $12,830.00