Tag Archives: budget

2016

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Happy New Year 2016 replace 2015 concept on the sea beach

Happy New Year 2016 replace 2015 concept on the sea beach

Happy New Year!!I don’t really do resolutions just goals and ideas. I mean, we all want to eat better, exercise more, live more intentionally. On and on…but we do what we do and usually set our selves up. I just write a list of things I’d like to accomplish and leave it at that.

For now its pretty simple:

  1. keep decluttering, although 90% is done. there’s always more to declutter especially when trying to redecorate or change the purpose of a space.
  2. keep walking of course, but with my new fit bit( needed to return to get the larger size) I hope to add a few miles on each week.
  3. explore 2 new areas we haven’t been to such as Yellowstone or more of the Oregon coast. we’ve been all along highway 1 on the Oregon coast, but I’d like to go back and explore it more.
  4. Get a budget in place that looks like a retirement budget and see how this works for us.
  5. Pay down the car as much as possible. even though my husband gets a reimbursement for his car, we still have the payment and I’d like to be gone.
  6. stay as healthy as possible.
  7. be frugal
  8. embrace minimalism even more!!
  9. I’m sure I’ll think of more!

 

 

November budget and other miscellany!

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So, November is a little tight on the budget. With ynab, i was almost a month ahead ,now its more like 2 weeks. Most of it is the extra medical bills and Invisalign payments of $500. But with this check everythings covered till mid month. Also, we have property taxes due. I had wanted to start overpaying on the Santa Fe, but that will have to wait till December or even January.

I know the medical will be done this month and my one cc that has the last Invisalign payment will be paid. After that the Invisalign will be more like $200 a month or less. It was the first $2000 they wanted fairly quickly.

Also, christmas money will be available and the extra is our property taxes I put in there. It was a great way to budget it since you can’t withdraw from your Santa fund. i will definitely do that next year.

B hopefully will get one more bonus this year but I don’t want to count on anything since his last one paid for the tree removal.

It always seems money is needed for something and honestly its a little scary thinking of retirement. But I shall preserver as always.

On to my doctors appointment. Geez, since I got the Pomalyst much later than I expected and just started yesterday , thats day 1. So the cycle is 21 days. that puts me at November 17 to finish and my appt. is November 18. So that is so not going to work as I won’t even had a blood test yet. So the complication is the following week is thanksgiving and the week after is too long away and my husbands out of town anyway. So, I did the best I could and my appt. is Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. And I need to have the Zometa IV. So, its kinda a drag as sometimes I never know how I will feel from the Zometa. But its the best of all scenarios.

Anyway, Ive been busy washing the couch covers and switched the white for the tan for winter. Plus I did get thru a few magazines to give to the thrift store.Plus there’s a little pile of other stuff to go.

Friday Budget stuff

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I did apply for unemployment from my ‘dismissal ‘ at work. My daughter doesn’t think i’ll get it as I was extra help. Probably not but even a little would help.

I’m redoing our budget as I won’t be bringing in my little checks. They do amount to just under $400 a month , so I need to find that in the budget somewhere. Probably household where Home depot tends to suck money right out. Mostly its summer  stuff and then fall projects. Everything else is set. Water varies and is higher in summer, but cell phone, electric etc are pretty much set amounts.  Im still working on our big fail bills in one savings account, and after this next pay period I should have that done.

Then,I think I want to focus on adding an extra amount on B’s car. He gets a car allowance which we absolutely need, and it pays the car payment and gas. But if we could knock that out in 2 years we would be in better shape , as he’d still get the allowance but we could just save that money.

Food is always variable. I spend too much I think,but it doesn’t seem like a lot goes to waste. So, if I stick to menu planning groceries could go down by maybe a $100.

We did get slammed with the copay on my bone marrow biopsy. I should really complain. No one ever said it’d be 20% ,do thats actually a pretty big bill since the procedure was (get this , and don’t be shocked)..over $10,000. yes, folks, over 10 grand for one procedure. I will not do that again. I’ll suffer through in the doctors office and take atavain.  So I have at least 3 months more of payments on that.

Well, I’m off. Blood test today, so results next week. I can’t say I feel any different, so I’m not sure how my kappa light chains are. But we’ll know next week.

Then my daughter wants to pop in to Kmart or Target for something.

Dinner is tacos.

Friday financials

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This was a pay week, and we did pretty well with the budget. Everything’s paid and I did do some extra, the REI stuff$200, and old navy at $35. It’ll be a little tight because of these but we should be ok. Also, I want my husband to go get a fitbit, so that’ll be an extra $100.

I’ve got plenty of groceries, and we will eat from the freezer and pantry too. I’ll need some fresh vegies next week but not much as our garden is giving us cucumbers, onions, some herbs and a few tomatoes. We need to run to the nursery and get some squah plants as my daughter seems to think she didn’t think she planted any. It’s too late to start from seed and I’m not paying ridiculous prices for zucchini and summer squash. Also, we have our beautiful eggs so that’ll be a frittata night. Plus we had a great crop of potatoes. We all love potatoes. 

All in all good and I put some money over in savings. Next check, I want to finish our Santa fund. I’d like to start paying extra on the new car but saving is higher on the list ,as insurance for the cars will be due in October. 

I actually sold something on eBay. I use to sell every week and at one point had a store for my life magazines. But, I got pretty turned off to eBay s fees etc. But I had some cowboy Tepco ( very popular) and sold them . I might see what else I can put on. I’m thinking those Star Trek 12″ figures . Maybe a lot of 6 and see if I get any interest. 

Off to the library. Bookclub was kinda boring but so were the books( ha, ha!) .

the myeloma beacon is starting an online book club, and I think our first book will be “the Emperor of all Maladies”.

if you’re interested, go the myeloma beacon and check it out. 

Decluttering!

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Well, I’m off to drop a load to the thrift store this morning. I’d like it to be more, buts a good size . Also, B is taking a huge load to the dump. Once a year you get a free pass and he uses it. He’s broken up 2 chairs  and a ton of garbage from the barn and yard. 

I love getting rid of things and I’d love to do more in the house to have more white space. Maybe later in the summer I’ll move more stuff out. I’d rather have space than things. I’m debating about painting this summer. Nothing needs it but the kitchen could be done. It’s a great vintage green now, but I’d definitely go with a shade of white next time. So, I’ll see how it goes.

Then I might go do a little shopping for some basics. I need mayonaise and milk and some other little things. But I could wait till tomorrow too. I’ve already done most of my morning chores. Just need a quick vacumm. 

Figured out the next budget which I think will finally give us something back in savings. Hopefully all the extra bills are over till late summer or fall when car insurance and property taxes are due. 

My knee was bothering me walking so we took it easy. I hope it’s only because we walked extra the other day. Getting old, regardless of having cancer is tough. Overall, I can’t complain, until, like this with me knee, I’m complaining. 

Well, off to finish things up. Dinner tonight is grilled asparagus, and fettucine Alfredo.

Monday updates!

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We are officially in year two of the JKWP. Today is day 370! We’re just going to add days instead of going back to day 1. I think I like seeing the bigger day, it feels like an accomplishment. Walking has done so much for me:

my cholesterol dropped almost 40 points

lost 15 lbs, ( wish it was more) as I know I’ve plateaued

my legs and back are stronger

and it’s just great to move. I still can’t do a 5 k but heck that’s ok.

Today is a dex day, but since I’m down to 16 mg, it seems to be a whole lot easier. Since my my protein is down to .25 ( hurray! Happy dance!!!), I hope dropping the dex by 4 mg doesn’t affect it. I guess we’ll see. 

Worked Friday and Saturday, it was super slow. 

Went with my daughter and bought some shoes. I have very difficult feet, can’t wear any height in shoes and they must have a good arch. Usually I wear keens and they’re great, but I wanted something different for work. I found a pair of Born at famous footwear. I’ll have to see after wearing them to work. I’ll know wether my back goes out( usually it’s L 1).

yesterday was our towns Pioneer Day with parade and a big event in the park. We’ve skipped it now for a few years as it’s really geared to young families. But we walked down and bought a few things( very expense beer). It was nice. 

Today, I’m just tidying a little and working on menus. 

Menus so far

chile relleno casserole with crock pot pintos

pizza on the grill

greek salad

avacado stuffed with shrimp and tofu for the vegies.

bbq chicken

??

??

So that’s all and keep working the budget . I hope with this next check were finally back on track and there’s no extra stuff due.

$300 in AAA and Costco really added up or rather took a bite out of the money.

Sunday updates

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So exciting, there are now only 10 days left in the JKWP (just keep walking project). Still haven’t decided how year 2 will be. I think i will keep it simple though, JKWP year two. We’ve walked through snow, rain, wind, sun, in the dark, and even while on vacation. Pretty cool.

So, I’m off dex this week and revlimid. Nice to have the week off. Tomorrow I have my blood test and then see the doctor Wednesday . Hopefully everything is the same.  It’s always stressful to wait for blood tests. But, even if I go up it’s still in the same range.

Our budget is still pretty thin. Not from camping as that money comes from our combined $5 savings. But extras, AAA due Costco due, fire tax due, so it’s a stretch.

I’m off to clean the refrigerator and do some fly lady stuff. I really wanted to go to ikea today but that would just mean spending money. I have a lot of groceries to get as I’ve cleaned out the pantry and fridge. So, it’s Costco, trader joes, and winco this week.

 

Tuesday stuff!

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I got minestrone in the crock pot for dinner, and I’m trying also a Greek lemon soup. That may or may not work out. I had it years ago and loved it but I’m not sure how this will turn out, thus the minestrone back up. Plus the veggie needs a vegetarian soup:)

it was thundery and lightning last night with lots of rain, but it’s beautiful this morning. 

I’m working the afternoon shift which is ok, not my favorite. I’m a get up early girl and then afternoon nap. But my co worker has a meeting. So…

B, is still trying to figure out the Santa Fe ‘s trailer lights. It’s been a PITA. It seems no one is really sure how to do it. What? Isn’t that what you’re paid to do. Hopefully today he’ll figure it out.

everyones off to work or school, so I can read or tidy things up. I’m also having budget meeting with my son, as he is spending way too much money on crap. I set him out a budget for the week, but now he has school fees and a headlight out in the Prius that needs to be fixed. The headlight is extremely expensive(150). We are paying his car registration, so. Also he seems to have gone thru a lot of his savings and that’s really what I want to know , is where did it go.

Our budget is pretty messed up too. Now we have that once a year fire fee due, AAA is due, Costco is due. It seems like a lot at once. 

Well, one foot in front of the other and just keep going.

Costco, groceries, budget updates

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Costco went well yesterday. Spent @ $200, but that included lots of non food items. Jeans for B, and snacks for the upcoming mini sales for the library. Plus using coupons for laundry detergent and oxo. So not bad, and we even bought a lemon Meyer tree that we’ve been waiting for Costco to get in. We may go back on Sunday to pick up another. 

This is my week off dex, and revlimid, so it’s nice when I can do something extra since I don’t feel so wiped out. 

We also went to Trader joes for wine and tea, and some other misc, and winco for just a few items that are cheaper there. 

I’m hoping to get more seeds planted either today after work or over the weekend. We’re suppose to get rain by next Friday, so it would be good to get them in. Next week is another blood test and my appt with Dr. l and my zometa. Last time I got a fever after zometa so I’ll be sure to extra hydrate, and take some Tylenol. I haven’t had zometa in 6 months and I do worry about bone involvement but since my numbers are low it should be ok. Next month I’m due for my yearly X-rays. So we shall see.

The budget numbers are ok, I put $100 over in Santa, and may do another because, everything else is going to taxes. If I put it in Santa we can’t touch it till November so…everythings paid till Aprils house payment, which is automatic. So that’s all good. Taxes will come out before April 15. I’ll transfer it from extra savings and EF somewhere in the first week of April. 

Rain and Friday budget updates for February

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It’s raining a lot . Walked this morning but got my shoes wet. But still ok. Not too cold. Rain is expected all weekend. It’s okay we really do need it and it’s not a storm…

so I received my revlimid yesterday. Ups showed up at 6 pm. It’s suppose to be before noon. But since we live rurally they don’t guarantee it. So I missed book club . Then I still didn’t get a call from the nurse on my m protein ( SPEp ) test. So I will have to call. 

So February updates. We had 15 no spend days. Pretty good. Food and non food came @ $750. That’s good for us. The unexpected car repairs came out of EF , so I’m slowly adding that back in. I hope March can be another low/ no spend. Also, I will aim for 10 no spend days.