Ima Saver's Personal Finance Blog

It was cool when I got up this morning; 46 degrees at 9 am. So, I am wearing a sweater for the first time in a while. I like this type of weather. Nothing is running, no a/c and no heat!
I got a $50 rewards check from my Chase mastercard in the mail yesterday. The stock market went up yesterday and the braves have won 3 games in a row, so that is $54 that I will add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $13,894.00
today 54.00
new total $13,948.00

I hate to remind you all of that, but the time is fast approaching! Three months from today! The braves won their last game and I had a no use gas day today. $3 more to the challenge.
Prev. total $13,891.00
today 3.00
new total $13,894.00

I stopped at Bi Lo today to stock up on steaks for sale. They also had cranberry juice on BOGO. I even got bread for 39 cents! According to my receipt, I spent $16 and saved $13. I guess I will add that $13 to my challenge money!
Prev. total $13,878.00
today 13.00
new total $13,891.00

Well, the rain in North georgia has finally stopped for a while and the sun is out! Dh managed to go back to work today but came home a little early. He is trying to get the grass cut before dark. (We have 2 acres, all grass)
The braves won twice in a row; the stock market went up yesterday; and I had a no use gas day. That is $5. Today, I saved another $5 by using my Ingles advantage card at the grocery store, so that is a total of $10 for the challenge.
Prev. total $13,868.00
today 10.00
new total $13,878.00

We have had rain for over a week now, especially heavy the past two days. The creek is at the top of it's banks and there is a lot of flooding in the Atlanta area.
Because of the rain, my husband has not been able to work very much this past week.
Sunday, he worked outside in the rain all day, cleaning out gutters and sawing off tree limbs. Yesterday, it rained heavy, so he went and did "fix it" jobs for 2 of his friends. (He built their houses and they always call him for everything)
Yesterday afternoon, he got a call to come and look at another house he built. It had just gotten struck by lightening and was a mess!

He never charges for these little "jobs". (which is why he is so popular)
He did come home with a check for $50 for taking out and putting in a new anderson door. He did have to drive 40 miles round trip to do the chore, so I am glad that he took it. I will add it to my challenge money.
Prev. total $13,818.00
today 50.00
new total $13,868.00

That is how much interest I earned on my business checking account this month. I have not been adding to my savings account lately because my dh has not been working a lot. So, I thought I would take that $52 in interest and the normal $583 check that I receive every month and deposit it into my savings this week.
Prev. total $13,183.00
today 635.00
new total $13,818.00

I had a nice mail day yesterday. I got a check for $10 from NFO my survey and another check for $8 from the Wendy's Arby group. My electric bill came, and it was $30 under budget. I love not having to run the air and heat right now. Next month's bill should be even lower, even tho the cost per kwh has gone up. So, I have a grand total of $48 to add to my challenge.
Prev. total $13,135.00
today 48.00
new total $13,183.00

What a pain in the neck that can be. Our county changed everyone's address this week to update their 911 system. Most of us have the same street, but all of the house numbers have changed. I have so many account, mutual funds, individual stocks, etc. and I will have to change the address on all of them.
Oh well, the stock market went up on Wednesday, the braves won on Wednesday (I am a day behind) and I saved $3 using my Ingles advantage card, so $5 more to add to the challenge fund.
Prev. total $13,130.00
today 5.00
new total $13,135.00

Last year, when gas prices were so high, I starting putting $2 into my $20 challenge for every day that I did NOT use gas. At that time, I was spending $4.50 or more per gallon. I drive a corvette, so I have to use premium. (It pings if I don't)
Even tho gas has come down to $2.75 (for me) I am still saving that money.
Town is round trip for me about 10 miles, which is about 1/2 gallon on gas. When I stay home, I just don't use that gasoline.
Now, I probably spend less than $30 a month on gas.
I got another pinecone check for $3 in the mail yesterday;, the braves won, the stock market went up and I had a no use gas day. all totaled, I will add $7 to my 20 challenge.
Also, my little Molly was 6 months old yesterday. She has me pretty well potty trained. I take her out every two hours, she goes and then she gets a treat. (soft dog food that I call a cookie. She licks her lips when I say cookie)

Prev. total $13,123.00
today 7.00
new total $13,130.00

I had to run to the bank this morning to cash dh's paycheck, so I turned in all the change I have saved for the past month. I have $34 to add to the challenge money.
Prev. total $13,089.00
today 34.00
new total $13,123.00

I got a pinecone check for $3 yesterday. I did two surveys in a row, so I should get another check this coming week. The braves won 3 games in a row, so that is $6 more to add to my challenge account.
My dh made it home safely from the car show in Pigeon forge. The best thing was, he did NOT find a car he just has to have. You can tell we have never been apart very long, I really missed him and he was only gone 13 hours!
Prev. total $13,083.00
total 6.00
new total $13,089.00

Yes, I am home alone today. For the first time in over 25 years my dh has gone to the Shades of the Past car show in Pigeon Forge,Tn.
I have a fairly new puppy, so I stayed home with both dogs. In a way, we have saved money, cause we generally spent about $500 for a motel room two nights and many nice meals out.
But it sure felt funny to wish him a good trip at 5 am. this morning. We are almost never apart other than his work.
The braves have won their last two games and since I have no singles, I am adding $5 to my challenge money.
Prev. total $13,078.00
today 5.00
new total $13,083.00

I picked up my older dog from the vets yesterday and paid a $274 vet bill. I had paid $150 on tuesday. This was for teeth cleaning and 2 extractions.
I have figured out what I have spent on the two dogs this year and it comes to $1800. Of course, I am so lucky that my medical bills for the past three years, has come to 0.
I called an made a doctor appt. yesterday. When the receptionist asked me what I was coming in for, I said, I am coming in for nothing. I have not been there for 3 years and I am afraid he will drop me as a patient.
Holly has another ear infection, so that means I have to go back to the vets in 10 days. I am so glad I have the money to keep my babies well.
The stock market went up two days in a row, the braves won a game and I had a no use gas day on Wednesday, so I can add $5 to my challenge money.
prev. total $13,073.00
today 5.00
new total $13,078.00

Sept 9, 2009. You won't see 09-09-09 anytime soon again.
This would be a good day to change your eating habits or your saving habits. Saving small sums of money on a weekly basis really does add up. I had a no use gas day on Monday ($2) and saved $5 on coupons at Ingles yesterday. $7 more to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $13,066.00
today 7.00
new total $13,073.00

I took my older dog to the vet today. She is going to get her teeth cleaned on Thursday and they had to do blood work. The bill today was $150, so I wonder what the total bill will be for teeth cleaning?? Dogs are expensive, but they give back so much happiness that you can not put a price on that!!

Happy labor day! I read about why this holiday was created and it was not a very happy reason. However, my husband has gone to work, to labor, like he has done every labor day that I have known him. I hope his entire crew shows up.
I saved $6 on steaks I bought this weekend, so I will add that to my challenge money.
Prev. total $13,060.00
today 6.00
new total $13,066.00

I got another small check in the mail yesterday for $15 from Tim Horton.
Normally, I reinvest my dividends, but Tim Horton company always mails me a check. As usual, it will be added to my $20 challenge.
On a cute note, I heard a dish rattling in the kitchen. I thought it was my puppy playing with her water bowl. Instead, she was INSIDE the dishwasher, licking the dirty dishes! Too cute!
Prev. total $13,045.00
today 15.00
new total $13,060.00

For the first time that I have lived in this area, (25 years), we have a wal mart. Before this, we had to drive to North Carolina to shop at Wal Mart. I did that a few times a year.
So, I thought I would start doing my grocery shopping at Wal Mart to save money.
That did not work out. They either did not have the brands I wanted or they only carried the brand in a superduper size. We are a family of 2; we do not need a gallon of log cabin syrup.
So back to Ingles I went today. I saved $6 using my advantage card and the bonus 5% off card that came in the mail.
so that is $6 more to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $13,039.00
today 6.00
new total $13,045.00

Gamecock has a blog about a friend that has a money tree. I have tried 4 times to read it, but I can't seem to get into her blog.
So what is her blog about??

I guess August is considered the end of summer. This was a very nice summer, we did not really get very hot weather at all. That helps out with the electric bills. Also, we got a lot of rain. That does not help out with my husband's work (outside construction)but it really helped out with the drought we had all of last year.
Labor day will soon be here and so will the car show in Pigeon Forge. For the first time in 25 years, I won't be going to the show. Dh is going to just drive up for the day. It is just difficult with a new puppy and I hate to board my dogs.
I got a nice check in the mail yesterday (rebate) for $242 and also saved $4 using a coupon for prilosec, so that will be added to the challenge.
Prev. total $12,793.00
today 246.00
today $13,039.00

I had my puppy spayed this week. I was upset all day about it cause I worry about her, but she came thru fine. We picked her up yesterday and have to keep her confined, which is very boring to a 5 month old puppy.
My older dog is getting her teeth cleaned in week and the vet game me an estimate of $360 if she had no teeth extracted; more if teeth had to come out.
So, I was expected a much bigger bill for spaying.
Even with me telling them to do blood work first, the bill was only $202. I was very happy with that.
They don't even do stitches any more; they use surgical glue.
She is such a cutie, I am so happy to have her back home with me!!

I got another Chase credit card rewards check in the mail today for $50. I have gotten one every month for the past year and a half. A really easy way to earn money for the challenge.
My puppy got spayed today. I had an upset stomach all day until I called to find out that she came thru the surgery just fine. I can pick her up at 10 am tomorrow and I can't wait!
Prev. total $12,743.00
today 50.00
new total $12,793.00

We have a deer feeder in our back yard and get a lot of deer coming to feed every night.
We have 3 deer that always come early before it gets dark. We named them Ralph, Alice and Trixie (the Honeymooners)
For the past week, a little spotted deer has come with them, so we assumed that one of the deer was the mother of the new baby. Last night, the baby tried to nurse on it's mother and it was Ralph. (We can always tell Ralph cause Ralph has a big scar on one side)
So now we know that Ralph is a female; guess we have to call her Ralphette!
On the financial side, our electric bill was $40 under budget, so I can add that to my challenge money. I also got my usual $581 check that comes the 4th Friday in the month.
Prev. total $12,122.00
today 621.00
new total $12.743.00

To Fern, or anyone else who posts pictures on this site, could you explain to me how to do it.
My friend took a picture of my two dogs, Holly and Molly, and she will put it up for me if someone can explain how to do it.
thanks in advance!

Oh the braves won, so I will add $1 to the challenge.
Prev. total $12.121.00
today 1.00
new total $12,122.00

Dh is finally going back to work tomorrow. He only worked one day last week. They were suppose to pour concrete on Thursday, but had to pospone because they were calling for rain.
Now the concrete should be poured tomorrow.
He got a lot done around the house and spent most of his time retiling our large back porch. He just finished up an hour ago and is now out cutting grass. He still has the front porch to do, but that can wait a while. Not only did he retile the porch, but he rocked all around the edges too. It looks great!

Boy, my house is looking so good! All of my cabinets have been repainted and now dh is working on laying tile on the front and back porches. The back one is huge and he is working on that right now. Maybe I should put the house up for sale??
My neighbor did, a few months ago and already got a contract! We live in a very nice neighborhood!
Somebody got a very good deal on the really big house that my husband finished in May. Asking price was $799,000 and the bank accepted an offer of $320,000.(house was forecosed on; it was a spec house, not ours)
I was tempted to buy it myself, but we don't need two houses in these unsettling times!
The braves did not win last night, but they did win the 2 games before that and the stock market was up the past 2 days. That is $4 more to add to my challenge.
Prev. total $12,117.00
today 4.00
new total $12,121.00

This has been an expensive summer. First of all, dh finished both houses and really has not had much work this summer. He is starting on a house, but didn't have much to do while the grading and poured basement was done.
So, he has been doing projects around the house and some have been very costly.

Our yard has never looked better. He has bought dozens of bags of mulch. He has planted bushes and flowers. He pressure washed the house. He has washed all the windows since then. Right now, he is repainting all of the white cabinets in the master bedroom and all the bathrooms.
He has ordered some fancy tile and stone to redo the front and back porch decks. That alone came to over $2000!
So, very little money coming in, and lots of money going out!
Well, I did use some coupons at Ingles today and managed to save $10 for the $20 challenge.
Prev. total $21,107.00
today 10.00
new total $21,117.00

On aug. 18, 1984 we moved from hot, sunny florida to the North Georgia mountains. Quite a change since both dh and I had lived in Fla. since our childhood. I don't think I would be that brave today!
We moved up here with no friends, no family and most important, NO JOBS!
Dh had never build a house in his life ( he drew house plans) and he built our Lincoln Log house completely by himself. (Including the plumbing, electrical, tile, cabinets, etc.) He could not hire anyone to even help him lift one log.

We lived in a 16 foot travel trailer with a teenager, a poodle and a doberman for almost a year. It got as cold as 23 degress below zero, and our blankets would freeze to the walls.
Lucky for us, we had always been frugal and managed to live on our saving until I got a job as a waitress making $2.01 an hour.
We were really out in the boondocks with the nearest town over 15 miles away. But we loved being out in the country and on the river!
I am so happy that we made the move!

Today is the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, Aug. 16th, 1977. He died at the young age of 42. What a talented singer he was. In honor of elvis (and the braves winning) I will add $5 to my $20 challenge.
Prev. total $12,102.00
today 5.00
new total $12,107.00

I did my grocery shopping at Ingles today and saved $4 using my advantage card. In the mail, I got coupons from Ingles, offering 5% off of my groceries for the next 4 weeks. That is nice! Thanks Ingles.
Prev. total $12,098.00
today 4.00
new total $12,102.00