Ima Saver's Personal Finance Blog

Happy Birthday, George Washington. I don't think anyone has remembered that it is your birthday today. We all celebrate president's day.
But my goal is to keep more of your pictures in my wallet and not spend them.

Well, I was ready to stay home and save money last night, by not going out to eat. I think my husband is just so used to going out, that when I mentioned it, he say, oh no, lets go out. So out we went and enjoyed it of course.We went to a friend's house for supper on Monday night. I guess we couldn't not go to the restaurant two nights in a row. The owner calls us her stock holders. She is opening a mexican restaurant right next door, but I don't really like mexican food.

Normally Monday is payday and the day I do my budget. Then banks were closed yesterday so I did the paycheck and the envelope method today.
I budgeted $160 for electricity this month and this month is was under $90. So I have $70 left over to place in my challenge money.
I went and paid $370 for car tags today. I have an envelope that I put in $100 a week. That pays for car tags, car insurance, house insurance and property taxes for the year, so it didn't mess up my budget, I already had the money.
Prev. total $4162.00
Today 70.00
New total $4232.00

I thought of a way to save some money. My dh and I like cocktails in the evening after dinner ( and during) I usually drink white rum and diet sprite.
After cheaning out behind the bar to install our new wine cooler, I have discovered that I have a bottle and a half of dark rum.
Although I don't like dark rum as much as white rum, I have decided to drink it up thus saving some money not buying white rum.
It is a sacrific, but I am willing to do it if it means adding to my $challenge$ money.

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I have had two no spend days and two stay at home days in a row. I decided to take my little Holly for a ride. In case you don't know who Holly is, the is the cutest little black poodle who weighs about 6 lbs. and loves to go riding in the car.
I had a bill that really needed to be paid today, so I rode downtown to pay it. I use to ride around and pay all my bills but now with the price of gas, it is cheaper to mail the bills.
Gas has gone down to $2.33 premium around here.
It is a gloomy cold day here and I am looking forward to being with friends tonight. We built their house and they still like us!! Not many people can say that of their builder, but we have remained friends with all we have built for.

I got a nice surprise this morning, I got a call invited us out for dinner.We had planned on going out anyway, but now I won't have to pay for it.
Well it is raining, what else is new. That is all it seems to do lately. My husband can't work when it rains cause all of this houses are just getting started and the work is all outside work. Rain, rain go away.
Guess i will take that $20 I would have spent tonight and put it in my challenge money.
Prev. total $4142.00
Today 20.00
new total $4162.00

It just dawned on me that we have not been out in the 33 ford in quite a while. It has no heat, so we have not driven it lately,
I really wanted to go and see the basement of the house my husband has just started but it is sooo cold out. Not that I keep it that warm in the house, but it beats 30 degrees.
I was looking around the house for something and I came across a few things under the sink that got me to thinking. I find a plastic box of pins, cost $1.59 at roses, never opened and at least 10 years old. A box with a bottle of Avon purfume never opened, probably purchased in Fla. (22 years ago or more)
What if I had saved all the money on stuff that I have bought and never used or just used a little of. Boy, I could have been rich.
I am much better now, but it shows how much money we fritter away in our lifetime.

Tomorrow will be presidents day so all the banks will be closed. I am excited about putting my challenge money to work earning some interest, especially since I got a big check yesterday.
I went grocery shopping and saved about $6 with my advantage card which I have applied to my challenge money. Most of the money saved was an $8 roast that had $4.00 off. so it is now in the crock pot cooking for supper.
Prev. bal $4136.00
today 6.00
new total $4142.00

Well, I spoke too soon. I mentioned house plans that my dh has been working on for over 3 years and he has not been paid for anything.
Today I opened the mail and the check was there!! (doing the dance of joy)
The weather here is terrible, raining now with sleet predicted for later.
We had planned on staying home because of the weather but now we need to go out and celebrate!!
Poor dh is outside working in this terrible weather right now. It is about 32 outside and wet, but warm inside.
29 years ago I met my dh, so this is sort of an anniversary for us. Happy Day!! Have a wonderful weekend.
Prev. total $2964.00
Today's ck. 1172.00
New total $4136.00

I just watched the Oprah show. this one family spends $100 a day eating out all three meals. She never cooks or does dishes. That makes me feel a little better since I eat out everynight. But they also make double what we do.
Well it has been a no spend day. I never went to town so couldn't spend any money. I should have picked up a few groceries, they are calling for snow and sleet to come in tomorrow. Hopefully, we won't starve.
I go my electric bill today and it went down by $12, to $88. I was happy about that. That means I will have some extra money to put towards my challenge money when I pay that bill and that makes me happy.
I sent a bill out several weeks ago for a set of plans. My husband tends to do a lot of free stuff for people that talk to him about building.
He has worked with one couple for 3 years. They have bought and sold land 3 times and have changed their plans so much. He has drawn and drawn on them. Finally he finished them and I mailed them off and they were pleased.
But when I send a bill, they did not pay. If they won't pay for the plans, they won't pay for their house.
Guess it is a good thing we found that out early.
If I ever get a check, I will put it in my challenge money, but I won't let it upset me now.
At least we won our lawsuit and have not been re sued, so i will do the dance of joy today!!

I mentioned about a month ago, that we were sued by a guy for $7000 for some silt fencing (he says) He really wanted the money to pay for a new drive way. Anyway, we won the case and did not have to pay him anything, but he had 30 days to refile and take us to another court. The 30 days are up, and unless something has been delayed by the mail, I think we are free and clear of this.
My husband said he would go to jail rather than pay the man a penny!!
So, no jail time yet.
we stayed home and cooked on the grill last night. That is a big thing for me, to stay home any night but Sunday. We got to sit in our warm jacuzzi and just talk.
I am really getting motivated in reading all the ways you guys save and spend your money.
I can see my biggest problem is eating out every night and not buying things on sale.
Yesterday, I saved $2.60 with my advantage card, so I have rounded it up (which I am going to do so I don't have to mess with a bunch of change in my challenge money box) to $3 plus I know I saved at least $20 by not eating out last night. So that is $23 for my challenge money.
Prev. total $2941.00
today 23.00
newe total $2964.00

Iknow I could save some grocery money if my husband went to jail, but it is nice having him around!! Have a wonderful day!!

That is what I am going to commit, if people don't quit bothering us while we are having dinner.
The guy I call Mr. Miami showed up again and bugged us during our valentine dinner. I am staying home tonight. I just can't enjoy myself. I guess that will give me some money to add to my challenge.
I asked yesterday, but no one commented. Should I add the interest that I earn on my savings and money market checking to my challenge money? Any thoughts or comments?? Please!!!

Do you all count the interest that you receive in your challenge money? I did count the few dollars I got in my ING account, but I also have a savings that earns interest every 3 months and a money market checking that pays me interest every month. Should I count this?
I know this is not a contest to see who can make the most, but I want to be fair. any suggestions would be appreciated. and thanks.

Just got back from North Carolina. It is so pretty out today, I need to get my puppy and go sit on the deck over the creek in the sunshine. Still lots of snow on the ground.
I had to make a liquor run, plus stop by and pay a bill, so I saved 39cents!
I am really trying to get into saving money. I have never been one to find coupons, the only time I use them is at the grocery store.
I was trying to find a cheaper deodrant so i really checked them out today at Rite Aid. I was surprised to find that most deodrants are not aerosol, they are stick types. They were having a sale on some stick types that were 2/$4 but if you had a coupon they were 2/$2. I went and got a store flyer and cut the coupon out. Then I notice that the hair color I need was $2 off if you had a coupon, so back I went to the flyer. That means I saved $4. I hope the deodrant works for me, but I don't think my husband will try it. The brand is soft n dry.
I hate paying 4-5$ for one can of arrid extra dry, and we have used it for 30 years.
I didn't spend any money on Valentine's day. I gave my husband the free card I gave him last year, and sent a friend an e card over this computer.
My challenge stands at:
Prev. total $2937.00
Today 4.00
New total $2941.00

Come on Holly, let's go sit on the deck and listen to the creek!!!

I just did all of my budget envelopes. I have $60 left after filling them all, so I will add that $60 to my challenge money. This feels good cause my husband has not worked much the past 3 weeks. I hope he can get started back tomorrow, weather permitting.
Prev. total $2877.00
today 60.00
new total $2937.00

Boy it was good to get out today. we were snowed in again this morning, for a while. dh made it almost to work, but entrance to job was full of ice. He has done a lot of work around this house. The bar area is all fixed up now. hardwood floor has been sanded and painted, new trim, cabinet built for wine cooler. Today he started painting all the trim in the kitchen.
Now if Holly (darling dog) and I can just stay away from it.
Today is my budget day and I always look forward to that. Went to the bank and got his paycheck cashed, then to Ingles to pick up a few things and to ace hardware. I used a $2 coupon, so I am adding to my challenge money.
Prev. bal. $2875.00
today 2.00
New bal. $2877.00
and the sun is shining!!!!

It was snowing and sticking to the road this morning. We went out to dinner last night, but we had our usual "visitors" who just show up to eat with us. Very annoying. I ate quickly and left.
DH is working on the bar area today. He has sanded the floor. We decided to fill up the hole where the ice machine was, with a wine cooler. We will never use it, but lots of people love them. (since all we drink is the $3 wine, boone's farm, we never needed a wine cooler.)
The road warmed up, so dh was able to get to his second home, the Home Depot to purchase the cooler and some grout for the new tile he put in.
I am going to make beef strognoff for supper tonight so this would have been a no spend day if he had not bought a $100 wine cooler. He is having to build a base to sit it on so that it will fit in the same space as the old ice maker. I hope we can get the ice maker working and just keep it in the garage, if not, we will sell it cheaply. That thing ran about $900 brand new.
This has been a noisy house today with all of the noisy tools and air compressors going. I am looking forward to dinner ALONE and a nice drink in hand. Maybe we should eat by candlelight in the dining room tonight.

If you don't have an ice machine, dont get one. We have one behind the bar. It was always having to be fixed, so finally g.e. gave me a new one.
About a month ago, we noticed water on the floor, dh turned off ice machine. Today another leak. Now floor is ruined, baseboard has been taken off and will have to be new put on.
Repairman also cracked the tile on the bar, so that is now being chipped off to put new tile down on the bar. Glad my husband can do all this, but it is a mess. If i ever have another one, it will be in the garage!
It has snowed all day, but has not stuck to the ground yet. I have just walked on the treadmill and watched tv, boring, boring. I had hoped to go out to dinner tonight,but it is snowing harder, so I don't know.
On a positive side, I have not spent any money today, but I also have not come up with any new money to put towards my challenge money. My dh is smoking his first turkey on the grill. I don't like smoked turkey but I hope it turns out well for him. My challenge money stands at $2875.

I usually grocery shop on Saturday or Sunday, but I stocked up today because they are predicting snow coming in tonight and tomorrow. Since we eat out almost every night, I never have much on hand. My husband does not like frozen meat, so our freezer is almost always empty.
I stayed home yesterday and spent no money until we went out to eat last night. Then a guy from Miami hung over our table and talked to us the whole time we ate. We call him, Mr. Miami and he bugs us every time he comes to town. I don't know why people bother us so much when we go out to eat. I guess we are just too friendly!!
I am stocking up on sprite cause it has been on sale the past 2 weeks. We have about 12-12 packs stocked up. Good thing we have a big pantry.
Today, I saved almost $12 on my advantage card which I have added to my challenge money.
Prev. total $2863.00
today 12.00
New total $2875.00

Woke up to snow on the ground this morning. A lot of people don't know that there are mountains in Georgia. I didn't till I came here to look at property and fell in love. Our county has the highest peak in Georgia.
My husband went to work for the first time in almost two weeks. He is still waiting on the grading guys, but they made a little progress yesterday, so things are finally moving.
I haven't done a thing today except walk on my treadmill.
I see the money challege has been moved to this site, so I will no longer post in both.
I did send a bill for some house plans that dh drew. He has worked with these people for over 3 years trying to come up with something they want. I did ask for and receive a deposit. I don't really know if they will pay it or not, I am sure they will think it is too much. They should see what an architect would charge.
My husband does not really want to build the house, so I don't think he is worried about the money, but it would be nice.
I have stayed home all day and have not thought of any thing to add to my challenge money, so my balance stands at $2863.00

Ou local restaurant owners almost called us, they were so worried cause we hadn't been there to eat since Friday night. It was good to see everyone again. I have bought valentine's candy for all the girls, so I will start leaving that with the tip tomorrow night.
My husband is still home, waiting for a grading guy on three different jobs. He is drawing house plans to have something to do.
Took a ride today and picked up a check to continue on with a remodel job. The grader was there, so the small job has gotten started again. It is a pretty day today and I am excited about going out again for dinner tonight.
My husband put in a hand rail for a neighbor yesterday and got a check for $75 today. I am adding that to my challenge money, so my new total is $2863.00.
My dh thought I charged them too much money, what do you think? He had to pick up materials, make the hand rail and install it.

My husband installed a hand rail (he made it too) for a neighbor and just came home with a check for $75. My husband never takes these little odd jobs, but I have been incouraging him since I started this challenge.

Prev. total $2788.00
Today 75.00
New total $2863.00

I have been stocking up on toilet paper and sprite the past few weeks. I have coupons for $2 off a 4 roll pack and the sprite is 4-12 can packs for $10. Every time I go to the store I pick some up.
we got snow so we stayed home last night and had dinner in. today my dh had to take the car in for something under warrenty. I could hardly wait for him to get home so I could get outside and go somewhere. Made it to both grocery stores in this town, plus the post office and drug store.
I did good on my challege money today. I saved at least $20 from not eating out last night, I saved $25 at the liquor store in N.C. by not buying my husband's usual whiskey. (His father bought him a bottle last week) and I saved $4 on the toilet paper and sprite, making my new challege total $2788.00!! Not half bad, if I say so myself!

I did well on the challenge today. We stayed home last night instead of eating out (it was snowing) so i saved $20 there. I sent my husband to the liquor store and we did not buy his "usual" bottle. Saved $25 there (his father gave him one) Saved $4 at the grocery store using coupons. I physically take this money and put it into a cash box until I have enough to put in the savings account.

prev. total $2734.00
today 49.00
new total $2788.00

It is snowing right now and we wonder if we will be able to go out to eat tonight. I had another no spend day yesterday, two in a row.
We got invited over to look at house plans and to have dinner with a couple that wants us to build them a house. we were there for 5 1/2 hours and I really got bored. Dinner was good, but I was glad to come home.
So we have not been out to eat since Thursday night, and I am ready. (I don't count last night since I really did not want to go)
I was looking forward to tonight, but it is snowing, so I don't know.
I went to the grocery store and stocked up on sprite which was on sale and got some pork chops (just in case) on sale.
All in all I saved $12, so I added that to my challenge money. The total is now $2,734.00.
I had to draw out money for my husband's pay out of our personal savings and I hated that. He has 3 jobs sitting and they all depend on the grading guy coming out and doing some work before he can proceed.
This weather is not helping either. Oh well, I am just thankful that we have the money in our personal savings to live on!!

It is still snowing so I went to the grocery store, stocked up on sprite on sale, found pork chops on sale and had a $2 coupon. I saved a total of $12 today at the grocery store.

Prev. total $2722.00
today 12.00
newe total $2734.00

I finally had my first no spend day since I joined this forum. I stayed home all day. We got dressed for dinner and started out. About halfway there, it started snowing really hard and laying on the road. We got worried that we might not back it home if we went to eat so we turned around and came home. I don't keep much on hand in the case of an emergency meal, so we had to settle for sausage and eggs.

Instead of turning on the tv, my dh actually sat and read a magazine until about 8 pm. Then he fixed dinner, and by that time the snow had stopped. we would have been ok after all.
Today, we are just piddling around. We are supposed to go over to a couple's house that want my husband to build them a new house. They want us for supper and I am kind of dreading that, because the man once told us that his wife did not cook.

I am a funny eater and can't eat something I just don't like.
Plus they want us at 4 pm. and I am sorry. Yes, my age indicates that I am old, but I don't act or feel old.
I don't eat at 4pm. I eat about 8 or 9 or ten at night.
Can you tell I am not looking forward to this?

These people just turn up at our favorite restaurant once or twice a week to sit with us and I feel that is rude. They never tell us they are coming. He just showed up this past Thurs. night and sat with us all thru our meal.
Oh well, I saved money not eating out last night, so I will add $21 to my challenge money for a new total of $2722.00.

I read the $20 challenge thread all the time and not many are posting to it, I wonder why?

Well I am having a free meal tonight, maybe I should add a few $$ to my challenge money for that? Any thoughts?

I stayed home from town yesterday and when I do that I add $1 to my challenge cause I figure it cost me about $1 or more in gas to go to town and back. Then last night, we did not go out to dinner cause it was snowing so hard. I figure that saved me at least $20, so I will add $21 to my challenge money.

Prev. total $2701.00
addition 21.00
new total $2722.00

Today seems like a slow day. My dh stayed home and is cleaning out his van and the garage. I am trying to think of frugal things to do everyday. I know how some of you all feel. I sit here at 60 degrees with two sweater on, and the heat is running out in the garage while he works. Guess I should go sit in the garage.
Today looks like a no spend day until we go out to supper tonight. We are supposed to get snow showers today and tonight.
Nothing to add to my challenge money today.

Took the vette in today because we had some oil leakage. It is not serious and it covered under warrenty, but I have to take it back next Tuesday morning cause they had to order the parts.
Since we went to Fla., it seems like I am out of everything, so i had to go grocery shopping.
I had looked at boneless chicken yesterday cause I wanted to try that in my crockpot. A package of boneless breasts was about $8 so I did not get it. I have never been a real careful price shopper in the past 10 years because we go out so much and buy so little meat. My husband won't eat meat that has been frozen, so there is not much in our freezer.
Today that same chicken was $3.20 on sale. All together, I saved about $7 in coupons and I added that to my challenge for a new total of #2701.00.
I even found a birthday card at home (for free) to send to my granddaugher for her birthday next week. I always send a check. The kids like money and really don't care if you spent $2.00 for a card. (But I buy my cards at the dollar store for 50 cents)
Have a wonderful weekend!!