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Archive for June, 2008

Wonderful evening

June 30th, 2008 at 04:17 pm

We had a wonderful evening last night. we met with several friends out at a pavillion over looking the lake, with the georgia mountains in the background. It was so beautiful!!

We cooked hamburgers and hot dogs over the grill and had lots of desserts. I can't say it was free cause we all kicked in some money, but it was certainly enjoyable and that's what money is for. This should be a great week. I have two more parties to go to, next weekend. Happy Birthday, America!!

Going to a cook out tonight!!

June 29th, 2008 at 06:28 pm

We have a group here in my hometown that all met each other on the computer. About once or twice a year we meet, for a "gathering". We also meet for lunch once in a while.
Tonight we are all meeting at a pavillion and we are going to have a cookout. I think we will have a lot of fun tonight. Everyone is supposed to bring desserts, so I am looking forward to all that chocolate!!

Vet bill

June 28th, 2008 at 08:52 pm

I had to take my little holly to the vets today. She has been scratching her ear a lot and it was all tangled up. I had her groomed yesterday and took her to the vet today.
She does have an ear infection, so that was almost $90 for the visit and medicine.
Sometimes it seems to me like doggie visits cost more than people visits. I am just glad that she is feeling better.

The braves won yesterday and I won 4 games of mah jong, so that is $5 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $15,677.00
today 5.00
new total $15,683.00

Look out Interest, here I come!!

June 27th, 2008 at 04:52 pm

My bank has a great offer this week, a checking account that pays 3.1% interest and the balance only has to be $1000.

I have 2 money markets there, currently paying 2% (use to be 5.25%) with a minimum of $50,000.

So, I just converted my 2 money markets into 1 checking paying 3.1%

I also have a business checking for dh's business that I have had for over 13 years. Sometimes it has a lot of money in it, and sometimes it doesn't. For 13 years, I have been getting 3/4 of 1% in interest on that account.

I just switched that to the 3.1% so I will start earning decent interest on my business account for the first time ever.

Best part of all, the bank guarantees this rate for 1 full year and you can still use your old checks and account numbers!!

Took a tour of Sav A Lot.

June 26th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

We have a store in our town, called, sav a lot. It is a bargain grocery store, but I had never been in the new store. I was very surprised at how nice and clean it is kept.
The meat looks great and is cut right on the premises. The prices on the meat are very good.
The store does not carry a lot of brands that I buy, but I am going to try it out for other things that I need.
The braves won yesterday, the stock market went up slightly and I saved $2 in gas by staying home all day. So that is $4 I will add to my challenge. (I also found 2 pennies on the store floor)
Prev. total $15,673.00
today 4.00
new total $15,677.00

Just 6 more months!!

June 25th, 2008 at 05:16 pm

Til Christmas. You didn't want to hear that, did you? I already have my christmas money saved up. Actually, I spent so little money last christmas, that I still have about $1400 in my christmas savings account.

Yesterday, I stayed home all day and used no gasoline. That saved $2, plus I walked a mile and won 5 games of mah jong, so that is $8 more to add to my challenge money.

Prev. total $15,665.00
today 8.00
new total $15,673.00

Thanks Merch

June 24th, 2008 at 09:21 pm

In his blog today, Merch was reminding us that 1/2 of this year is almost over and are we on track for this years goals??
My goals were to pay off my vette, save $20,000 in the $20 challenge and to earn $20,000 in interest.

So far, I HAVE made one goal, I paid off the vette.
I am now 3/4 of the way to saving $20,000 for the $2 challenge.
The only goal I am worried a little about, is making $20,000 in interest. Rates are down for the year (bank rates), but I am over half way there right now.

The stock market and the braves did not cooperate with me yesterday, so I can only add $2 to my challenge money for winning 2 games in mah jong.

Prev. total $15,663.00
today 2.00
new total $15,665.00

ordered 2 checks!!

June 23rd, 2008 at 03:47 pm

I went on line yesterday to order 2 checks from my Chase mastercard rewards card. We charged enough this past month to get 2 $50 checks mailed to us. Of course, most of the charges were for building materials, so the card gets paid off every month.
That is a free $100 I can add to the challenge when it comes in.
In the meantime, the braves won their last two games and I walked over a mile, so that is $3 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $15,660.00
today 3.00
new total $15,663.00

Filled up for $9.

June 22nd, 2008 at 04:48 pm

I filled my gas tank yesterday and only spent $9. However, I only got 2.1 gallons of gasoline. I have decided that if I fill up more often, it will seem less painful.
My dh said he bet the gas station attendant thought that was all I could afford, $9. Now why would I care if the gas station attendant thought I was rich or poor? I guess it does matter to some people. Not to me!!
I won 5 games of mah jong yesterday, so I will add that $5 to my $20 challenge.
Prev. total $15,655.00
today 5.00
new total $15,660.00

Banks do make mistakes!!

June 21st, 2008 at 05:47 pm

My bank statement came yesterday and it was for my business account. (lots of checks written) I had not balanced last months, so I sat down with both of them and got them balanced.
It seems that the bank debited our account for the same check twice. Thank goodness it was not for a large sum, only $65.

They found the mistake and I should be credited back on Monday. I can't add that to my challenge, but I can add the $2 I saved in coupons this morning.
Prev. total $15,653.00
today 2.00
new total $15,655.00

The dance of Joy!!

June 20th, 2008 at 05:19 pm

I am doing a happy dance right now!! I got my car back from the body shop!! It looks good as new! Everyone needs a red corvette. (at least I do)!!

So, it is a happy day for me!!!!!!!!

Electric bill went up!

June 19th, 2008 at 06:33 pm

I got the electric bill yesterday. It went up to $103. Still not too bad since it has been so hot and I run the a/c a lot.
Yesterday I went to Bi Lo to pick up a few things. I got steak on sale and using my store card, I saved $5. I will add that to my challenge money.
Prev. total $15,648.00
today 5.00
new total $15,653.00

zostavax

June 18th, 2008 at 06:13 pm

Ever heard of it? It is a shot you get that can prevent shingles. I just took an online survey about it. I don't go to the doctor very much, but I think I will ask him about it next time. Anyway, I earned 50 cents and learned something at the same time.
I got a dividend check in the mail yesterday from Tim Horton for $15. I will add that to my challenge money.
Prev. total $15,633.00
today 15.00
new total $15,648.00

picking out the tile

June 17th, 2008 at 11:00 pm

I have spent my time the past two days picking out the tile at the tile shop. Gosh there is so much to chose from! I think we got everything all picked out. I did manage to win 4 games of mah jong and the braves won last night, so that is $5 for my challenge.
Prev. total $15,628.00
today 5.00
new total $15,633.00

Driving "ole yeller"

June 16th, 2008 at 07:06 pm

I have to drive "ole yeller" this week while Big Red gets fixed at the auto body shop.
This car is so weird. It has no keys. It has no door handles. It has a fob that you carry. The door automatically locks itself when you get inside. You push a button to start the car and push a button to get the door to open. The car automatically unlocks itself if you and the fob get within 100 feet.
Well, I stopped at the grocery store to get some crackers and they were BOGO, so I saved $4 to add to my challenge.
Prev. total $15,624.00
today 4.00
New total $15.628.00

Happy father's day!!

June 15th, 2008 at 06:59 pm

To anyone that is lucky enough to have a father or grandfather, give them a kiss for me!! I haven't had a father in 54 years, but I still miss him.
I had a stay home day yesterday, so spent no money and used no gas. That is worth $3 plus $2 more cause the braves won their last 2 games.
Prev. total $15,619.00
today 5.00
new total $15,624.00

red, yellow and blue!!

June 14th, 2008 at 05:11 pm

Amber asked me when I got a new car. I certainly did not mean to hide it. My husband is a "car" guy. He works 7 days a week to pay for his "toys"
We have a blue corvette that we bought new in 1978. I drive a 2004 red corvette.
Dh wanted a new car, so this time he chose a 2008 yellow corvette.
All of the cars are paid for except the one that I call "ole yeller".
Oh, we also have a 1933 ford victoria that is a hot rod.
Two work vans round out the picture!!

That is us, just your typical 6 vehicle, 2 people family!!

Happy Friday the 13th!!

June 13th, 2008 at 06:27 pm

I love friday the 13th. On June 13. 1995, I moved to where I now live. That was 13 years ago today!!
I got married on Friday the 13th, 31 years ago. (31=13 turned around)
My p.o box number is 13. My phone number starts with 13!!
I bet you will never guess the last two numbers in dh's social security number??

I had a no spend, no use gas day yesterday and won 2 games of mah jong. That is $5 to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $15,614.00
today 5.00
new total $15,619.00

To Ron

June 12th, 2008 at 05:43 pm

I had a comment on my blog yesterday from Ron. He said, he wondered if I was a shut in because I never seemed to do anything.
This is for Ron. No, I am not a shut in. When I moved to this area, the only job I could get (because I was not local) was as a waitress. I waitressed for many years for very little money. I was the head waitress which means I had to fill in when someone could not work. Most days, I worked from 9 am. til 10 pm.

After many years, my dh asks me to quit so that he would not have to be alone every night. Since I had saved so hard for so many years, I was able to "retire". That is something that everyone on the forum is striving for, retirement!!

I am an active healthy woman in my 60's. I keep busy. I do all the bookwork for my husband's business and take care of all the finances.

I walk on my treadmill every day, read, play bridge and mahjong, dance, go to parties, enjoy the creek and my little Holly.

Every night, I go out on a date with my wonderful husband of 31 years!!

No, Ron, I am not a shut in!!

car payment

June 12th, 2008 at 05:28 pm

I made a payment on the new car today. The payment on the new vette (yellow) is quite a bit less than on the old vette (red) but I continued putting away the same amount in the car payment envelope. So I have $250 left over to put into my challenge fund.
Prev. total $15,364.00
today 250.00
new total $15,614.00

A frugal day

June 11th, 2008 at 08:40 pm

I had a very frugal day yesterday. I spent no money. I used no gasoline. I did not even go out for supper last night, instead, we had breakfast for dinner. So, I figured i saved at least $20 by staying home and I will add that to my challenge.
Prev. total $15,344.00
today 20.00
new total $15,364.00

$4.30 a gallon

June 11th, 2008 at 04:52 pm

I just paid $4.30 a gallon to fill up. I am starting to keep track of my milage and gas usage by writing everything down. I get almost 19 mpg and the cost to me is almost 23 cents a gallon.
The best way to save money is to just stay home. I only drove 55 miles this past week.
Too bad my dh cannot control his driving milage. He has 3 houses going, all in different directions. One house is in another state about 25 miles away.
I am giving him $120 a week for gas now and I think I will have to increase this very shortly.
So, I only spent $12.82 for gas this week. That doesn't sound too bad until you think about it. I bought less than 3 gallons of gas today.

More checks!

June 10th, 2008 at 03:33 pm

I got two more checks in the mail yesterday. Now one check was only for 40 cents.
Years ago, I bought some stock in Food Lion. I held for a while and then sold. Somehow, I must still have one share left cause every once in a while I get a tiny check.
Then, the building supply store that my husband uses for all his purchases, send me a rebate check. They said they are going to do this monthly instead of just a few times a year.
So, these two checks total over $1,015.00. A nice addition to my challenge money.
Prev. total $14,329.00
today 1,015.00
new total $15,344.00

000399

June 9th, 2008 at 04:12 pm

Well, hubby just dropped by to show me the two new magnetic signs he had made for his van. The new signs have both of his license numbers. He is licensed to build now, in both North Carolia and in Georgia.
In Georgia, he was the 399th person to get his license. All in all, about 15,000 people have gotten licensed in this state.
That does not seem like a lot of people for an entire state? I would think there would be more licensed builders than that just in the city of Atlanta!!

Well, today should be a no spend day cause I am playing bridge all day. Boy, it sure is hot and both a/c's are plugging away today!!

My little piglet!!

June 8th, 2008 at 06:57 pm

My little dog Holly is turning into a little piglet. She has always been a picky eater and prefers people food. My vet told me I could no longer give her people food cause she has a sensitive tummy.
For over 3 weeks now, she has had nothing but dog food and she has NEVER eaten dry food. She likes cesar canine cuisine in the little tubs. Those things cost almost $1 and she eats a full one every time I feed her. She only weighs 6 pounds, but it cost a fortune to feed her!!
Well, the braves and the stock market have both let me down lately, but I did win 5 games of mah jong, so I will add that money to my challenge.

Prev. total $14,324.00
today 5.00
new total $14,329.00

06-07-08

June 7th, 2008 at 06:45 pm

Yep, that is today's date, June 7th, 2008. I am thru being upset with myself for the silly accident I had with the car yesterday. Over 50 years of driving without one ticket or accident is pretty good. So, I will just concentrate on saving money instead.
Today my husband took his hot rod, (1933 ford victoria) to the car show, so he is having a hot day sitting outside. I have been to so many car shows, I chose not to go.
I am staying home and having a no spend, no use gasoline day, so I will pay myself $3 fo that.
Prev. total $14,321.00
today 3.00
new total $14,324.00

What a crummy day!!

June 6th, 2008 at 09:45 pm

This has been a terrible day. The stock market went down almost 400 points, oil shot up to almost $140 a barrel and I had an accident with my shiny red vette.

This was my very first accident since I got hit by someone running a stop sign when I was 18.
It was my fault. I turned too sharply next to planter and the planter tore a big hole in the fiberglass. I have always been so careful with my cars and never had a scratch on one, so this just looks terrible to me!! I am glad it was NOT the new car or I would have run away from home!!

Another check

June 6th, 2008 at 02:00 pm

I received another check in the mail. It was for a small job that my husband did last month. Since it did not go into his paycheck, I will just add it to the challenge money.
prev. total $14,065.00
today 256.00
new total $14,321.00

$20,000, Here I come!!

Cleaning out the envelopes.

June 5th, 2008 at 04:06 pm

I am paying some normal bills today and have cleaned out some of my envelopes; ie, term insurance, ridge money, elec, christmas, etc. I mention christmas cause I already have my christmas fund fully funded. I did not spend much last year, so I will put the money from the christmas envelope into the challenge money for the rest of the year.
I have a total of $570 extra that I can add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $13,495.00
today 570.00
new total $14,065.00

Starting to read the meter

June 5th, 2008 at 02:26 pm

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.


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