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Archive for January, 2007

It's been a while...Update

January 27th, 2007 at 07:29 pm

I've been in the middle of an upheaval here at home. DH has been temporarily change to the day shift at work (for 3 weeks so far and counting). This may not seem like a big deal but when you are used to working or setting up your day based on working the 2nd shift for over 29 years, it IS a big deal. Both of us do nothing more than get up, work and sleep.It's kind of like when a baby has days and nights mixed up...remember those days!! So needless to say, DH is working today, I babysat my grandson for 7 hrs and now playing catch-up on housework and writing my blog. I decided this takes precidence.
I'm going to list by date and amount saved, just to save time:
10th -$2.50 combined errands
11th -$1.00 NS (No Spend)
12th - $1.00 NS
13th - $1.00 NS
14th - $1.00 NS
15th - $12.89 Combined errands, purchased only what was on list and saved postage on mail
16th - $1.00 NS
17th - $3.50 combined errands and NS
18th $1.00 NS
19th - $1.00 NS
20th -$1.00 NS
21st - $1.00 NS
22nd - $1.00 NS
23rd - $12.50 Combined errands and only on list purchases
24th - $1.00 NS
25th - $2.50 Combined errands
26th - $1.00 NS
27th - $1.00 NS
So that's been it. For a total of $45.89 Saved since my last update. I want to come up with additional ways of saving money but feel brain dead right now. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to email me or put it in a comment about my blog.

I think that everyone doing this challenge has such inventive ideas, unfortunately I don't have the time to read all of the blogs to read what others are doing.

PREVIOUS TOTAL - $42.42
CURRENT TOTAL - $88.31

What a GREAT Day!!!

January 10th, 2007 at 01:37 am

I really had a great savings day today. First I combined errands, another stop and grocery shopping in one trip. (add 2.50). I also bought what was on my list, actually they were out of stock of a couple of items/brands I wanted so I just skipped them, didn't purchase more expensive just to have it. (add 10.00) I also salvaged a pair of PJ pants and did some fancy sewing to correct a tear and replaced the elastic in the waistband. (add 3.00). I also found 5 pennies in and around the house. (add .05)This was total savings of 15.55 for the day!!! I'm really getting into thinking about what and why I spend and do I REALLY need it.

Previous total-$26.87
Current total-$42.42

Update for 1/8/07

January 9th, 2007 at 01:08 am

Well DH has been off from work for 3 days now...he has gone out each day and spent!! I shouldn't complain to much since he finished the garage with the cabinets he picked up from the side of the road the night before trash day. For under $100 he leveled and installed the cabinets, recycled some old boards for the 1st layer of the counter top and then bought a 4x8 piece of sanded plywood for the top layer, 2 2x4 pieces of pegboard, screws, ass't. hanging pegs for the pegboard he installed on the wall behind the cabinets. The garage really looks great!!

I've had 2 "no spend" days (add $2.00) and have been working on losing weight. Lost 9.5 # so far, just under 3 weeks. I'm cooking less so I figure that I need to work on more ideas when I don't use the stove/oven or other utilities. Will come up with something...any ideas???

PROGRESS:
Last: $24.87
Current: $26.87

1/5/07 Update

January 6th, 2007 at 01:33 am

Well, since life is giving me lemons right now, I decided to make lemonade!! I had my kitchen light go kaput! Tried to rewire a new switch but it was the circuit board so yesterday DH and I picked out a moderately priced replacement ($30.00) and I installed it after he went to work. I "earned $.39 for saving postage and $2.50 for combining 5 errands with 2 other preplanned outings. I did have a "No Spend" day on 1/1 and 1/2 so add another $2.00 so I'm up to $24.89.

I also was thinking about adding amounts that I get from those coupons that the cash register spits out if you purchase certain (unknown) items. I got a $1.00 and $3.00 coupon on 1/4 when I went grocery shopping. They are "savings" on your next purchase, so since my aim it to stick to my list I would actually be spending less or saving the amount of those coupons. What do you think? I'd appreciate any input on this one. I don't think it's "playing fair" if you add $$ from something that you currently do now. The idea is to be creative and find "new" ways of saving $$.

Thanks to all of you who have read and commented on my blog. I really appreciate the input and it's nice to know that others are like minded as far as financial conscienceness goes!!

Hope yoou all have a great weekend !!

OK, here are some ideas for the Challenge

January 5th, 2007 at 12:21 am

I spent a couple of hours challenging myself to come up with some new or novel ways of saving money for the challenge. It was only after I reread the list did I do NOT "feel right" about "paying" myself for those things I [u]should be doing anyway. Here's what I've decided to do:
1)+$.39 for each time I saved postage by using online bill paying or walking/biking around town to pay local bills.
2)+$1.00 for each "NO spend" day
3) +$10.00 when I only buy what is on my grocery list.
4)+$2.50 (approx. cost of a gallon of gas) for combining any/all errands into the day that I need to be somewhere(MD's, Nursing Home,etc)
5) add actual change found around the house or in the cars and any rolled coin.
6)+$3.00/item for repairing usable clothing instead of putting it in DH's "rag bag for use in the garage.
7)Add actual cost of vegetables/fruit in the supermarket, that I grow in my own yard instead.
8) Add actual cost of refurbushing furniture VS buying a replacement. (Cost of materialsused to refurbish subtracted from the cost of a new item = savings into Challenge fund.
9) Prepare our own taxes this year instead of using DH accountant(will use the actual cost of last years preparation minus the cost, if any of doing it online this year).

Well, for now these are the things that I will be doing. I need to add up any amounts since 1/1/07 and will post that amount. I'd like to hear from anyone reading this your thoughts about my ideas.

First day of the $20.00 Challenge

January 4th, 2007 at 12:40 am

Hi all, I've decided to put my brain to work since I am a very lucky woman who's DH prefers to have me home then in the big, cold corporate world. (He saw the cold, ugly side when we were dating 8 years ago!!)

This is my first challenge and I really want to put some serious thought into how I will be increasing the $20.00. Once I have a few ideas I will list them on my blog for people to read and use. I believe that if someone has a good idea for saving money or spending less, that it should be shared, for all to consider if it would work for them. One BIG collective brain trust working for the betterment of all involved.

Well, that's it for now, but I'll be working on ideas. I hope that some of you who read this and have not signed up for the $20.00 Challenge will decide to sign up and be creative, like the rest of us!! Good luck to all!!