A Bowl of Cherries

I am in such a different place than I was earlier. Namely because I've cracked the tough nut of budgeting and have a hybrid system that works for me (cash envelopes, budgeting weekly paychecks, etc).

I am finally on top of things and my short term savings is taking care of kid expenses. High school soccer season has ended and we've turned the page to a new season of new sports. It's been expensive, but its all been cash:

1) $150 first payment for DS2's club soccer
2) $140 for indoor soccer for DS1
3) $143 for DS2's soccer uniform (to be used through 2021)

And I also purchased a new Christmas tree from Michaels for $183. I used my birthday funds for that though.

My EF is at $2,000 too. I thought I'd need to touch that by its still intact. Yay for cashflow.

We can now say the bank isn't broken by these and the train wheel are still on the track.

Just feeling pleased as punch that I managed to get ahead of the 8 ball and I'm no longer reactive, but proactive!

Been awhile since I've posted (March 2019, so this is my longest absence).

Good news is we are very close to getting the house on the market. It isn't that we were unmotivated folks, but life got in the way. Health issue with SO, health issues with SO's parents, traveling in the summer, my return to work, a soccer season, etc.

We are managing financially, though we've no rental property income coming in as we're half moved in over there for when the "FOR SALE" sign goes out here. I no longer worry excessively or lament. I'm still striving for simple living and am getting there one step at a time.

I finally cracked the budget code and figured out what works for me. I like the theory of budgeting per paycheck by thebudgetmom.com but found her workbook difficult to put into practice. A simple free spreadsheet from easy budget solved the problem and took all the angst out of it. One spreadsheet accomodating each paycheck in the month - so its a snapshot and straightforward. We are still at 5% for 401K and I'm paying into the teacher's retirement plan.

2020 appears to be promising with travel to California and Tokyo for older daughter (she is still with BF and they are planning for a future) Younger daughter is contemplating a marriage of her own (she's 20 and still in love with bf from last summer despite him being from another country). We may be going to Brazil to meet with his family. Older son is looking at UWM or MSOE for architectural engineering. Youngest is a freshman now. Thankfully all are healthy and happy.

It's been a rough patch with the loss of a very dear friend; but the lesson from that is move forward toward the life you want. I'm happy to say that I am being far more productive than I was and we are decluttering and simplifying. I've got the money on autopilot and have implemented some household habits and its all good.

Happy to see what's going on here with the SA Friends.

Hard to believe that Q2 is almost here, though as a SADD sufferer Spring is most welcome.

My relationship with the financial has done a total turnaround. I've found a system that finally works for me - the budget mom whose plan involves simply budgeting per paycheck. I was one of those people who couldn't make it work when we're paid on a random Friday for whatever reason. Now random paydates such as 3/8 and 3/22 aren't a big deal. So we are being successful. I have tracked the variable expenses for a long enough time now (three months) to know that my targeted amounts for weekly spending (groceries/gas/other) is $230. On a diligent week with good meal planning and no surprise needs I can do $210. I was able to cash flow the expenses for Confirmation (new dress shirt/tie/gifts for son and neice/and two events a coffee and cake get together and then a brunch). Now on to Graduation in May (only one child this year!)

I also spent $300 cash to have a deadish evergreen tree removed from our front yard. Our house is going on the market around 5/1. I was so happy to have found a small tree removal company who was flexible. Bigger companies quoted $650-$800. Cash under the table is king!

Hope all is well with my fellow SAers.

My grandpa used to say "The tides on the minnies have turned." I think it has something to do with minnows going up or down stream to spawn. Regardless, it's applicabe to our situation now.

The day to day worries of financial life with a minimal or non-existent EF are gone. What's changed?

1) Vanguard Money Market where I deposited 90% of my inheritence. The 10% was used for capital improvements here at the primary residence, a new sectional, getting current on past due bills, and getting one month ahead on the budget.

2) Higher HSA account balance has helped defray some unexpected medical bills (broken hand) and braces payments.

3) Part-time work for my biological father. It has been difficult to find a job that I'm suited for (I'm over or under qualified with a lack of demonstrated employment history). I delayed the job search since I don't know where I will be during the summer. He's difficult and I'm practicing my skills of diplomacy and flexibility. And its practical experience in project management that I can use as a job description.

4) I've discovered The Budget Mom and found a system that actually worked for me. Simply budgeting your paycheck for the period that you have it. And using cash for all of your variable expenses. I tracked diligently and we can live life reasonably on $125/week (gas/groceries/other).

We're using gift cards from Christmas for movie theater outing and eating out. Clothing expenses have run me about $100/month because the 16 year old son and the 14 year old son both decided to grow at the same time. But thankfully there were good deals at places like American Eagle Outfitters and Aeropostale (they both wear uniforms to school).

5) DH's annual 2018 bonus is being deposited tomorrow. The 15th will be the checks from my biological father (he pays DH and me separately). We're dogsitting for my brother for a week at the end of the month too, so that's a few additional thousand that we weren't really counting on. And for once I'm not desperately waiting for it to pay someone or something.

So all is well on the money front, and all other fronts as well. Off to catch up on the blogs. Have a good day!

Well, things were bopping along boringly with only stupid things breaking: like replacing DH's iphone the first week of the month ($250) and then a necessary computer repair and update ($250 the second week of the month).

This, the third week of the month, brought a broken hand. That hand belongs to my third child. Collectively the children that I have birthed have occupied space on this planet for almost 71 years and this is the first broken bone that any one of them has procured.

Scenario for event: 9:30 PM on Monday night. Younger son says something completely annoying to his older brother and there is some type of tussle. Younger child sprints up the stairs to avoid retalliation by his older brother. Older brother runs up the stairs and trips on the top one, falling forward and catching all 120 pounds of his weight on his right hand.

"It's broken," he wails. "I heard a pop,"

"You didn't hear a pop. I don't think it's broken," said I.

Younger brother trots down to get him a bag of ice because Older Brother E is almost crying.

In the space of 15 minutes the pinky on the right hand (medically known as Number Five) swells. A bruise forms on the palm of his hand. I give him motrin and more ice and tell him to go to the bed.

Tuesday morning its worse looking and The Patient is convinced he is indeed correct that it is broken. I, not letting him know that I secretly agree with him, say "Let's get that checked out before you go to school!" Cheerfully, like going into school late is a real treat.

We see the nurse practitioner who has the first available appointment. She looks at it and winces. Son almost cries as she pushes and moves and check for range of motion. "Well, we'll need an xray to have that checked out. Good news is that I think its really only the finger and not the hand."

We got to xray. Son goes to school. I get a call with the results: fracture, growth plate, orthopedic visit required.

I call to make appointment and have to decide: pediatric orthopedic or hand specialist. I pick hand specialist. I email son to let him know he's got a fracture. He informs me via return email that he already knew this. No smugness, just assurance that he was correct on his first guess. And he did hear AND feel the pop, which he now refers to as THE FRACTURE.

Next day we see the orthopedic specialist. Good news: no surgery. Bad news: needs a cast. More bad news: hand is so swollen they can't put the permanent cast on til next week so they put him in a temporary splint. That could seriously hurt someone if Older Son decided to go for their solar plexus. He's dysgraphic to begin with and the cast does nothing to help his handwriting. Good new is he can still type!

So we are off to the orthoped again on Wednesday for an additional xray and the cast. The fracture is on the growth plate of the left pinky. I want him to have normal size hands so I'd do surgery if necessary, but thankfully that isn't required.

The good news is that we received our debit card to access our HSA funds. I'm wondering how fast we'll go through them with this little exercie so early in the year.

And, oh yeah, in my scatterbrainedness, I somehow managed to throw out my oldest daughter's inhaler. That cost me $96. I had to spend an hour with CVS Caremark Pharmacy Folks for a vacation over-ride to get them cover the replacement inhaler. The good new is that inhaler (same thing) only cost me $35. Not sure on the origins of that decrease, maybe my family deductible is already met with the hand fiasco? I'm sure that the mystery of that will be revealed with some EOB's coming my way.

And my 16 year old son is now the consumer of copious amounts of chocolate milk for added calcium. And The Patient fought with me about going to early Friday AM soccer practice. I said No. He said Yes. I did win that one, but only until the real cast is put on.

I lose. Please, just no more broken things from here on out!

I already upped 401K contribution to 10% at the end of December and am expecting that to be in effect on first paycheck 1/11.

1) Save $25/week from variable expenses. Budgeting for $225 but hoping to only spend $200.
2) Save $25-$40 in $5 bills from weekly spending for Christmas 2019
3) Cashflow tub and shower installation from rent
4) Add $150 to retirement funds
5) Coupon and save the difference in cash for fun $
6) Continue with monthly dinner out as a family
7) Continue to socialize with our family and friends (Italian dinner with 10+ people set for Friday the 11th)

UFMC is going well so far. Eating from pantry and only spent $75 on groceries and $30 on gas. I did need to cashflow a replacement iphone for DH ($250 on Amazon, upgrade from a 5 to a 7) and $18 on haircut for youngest son. Frugal win: Using ECB on the most recent round of OTC cold meds for us.

I'm ready for 2019. We've ended in a good place.

The tenant didn't the rent before going to Poland and it didn't wreak havoc on our financial life. The 12/28 paycheck covered everything and a $250 tuition payment for 1/11. The tenant did contact us and will pay on 1/7. And again on 1/20. In our old life this would have caused major headache and heartache and juggling. Now, not so much.

My grandmother passed away in October, and that is still a very sore subject. But I have $90,000 in a money market at Vanguard. We are also awaiting additional funds. We also have $4000 in our vacation fund. Vacation is on the horizon for February/March.

Biggest goal for 2019 is to downsize from current home to a townhome paying cash. We've located the subdivision where we would like to live; its near to train and walking distance to downtown area of the town we've selected. Excited about that. Every step is moving toward simple.

I've filled out the requested preliminary background check for a job that I'm hoping to get. I'll follow up with the recruiting department on Wed.

I've nothing but high hopes for the future. And I wish my fellow SA-ers nothing but the best.

Happy New Year. Bring on 2019!

Every year at my husband's current employer, there is a Halloween event that includes a chilli cook off and a pumpking contest. Two years ago we won the pumpking decorating contest (turned one into cookie monster thanks to pinterest).

Last year we didn't fare very well in either category.

This year I am proud to say that I won the chilli cook off! I found a simple recipe for a creamy chicken chilli in the crockpot.

Here it is:

Place two pounds chicken breasts in the bottom of crockpot.
Add drained can of corn and rinsed and drained black beans.
Add can of diced tomatoes WITH liquid.
Add one yellow onion chopped.
Add one green pepper chopped.
Season with one packed of dry ranch dressing mix.

Cook on high 3 hours.

Remove chicken breasts and shred. Return to crockpot and mix well with vegetable mixtures. Add on brick of cream cheese cut into squares, stirring til well blended.

Cook an additional 15 minutes.

I've never considered myself anything beyond basic in the kitchen. I'm pleased that my simple recipe was recognized and won.

Prize: Engraved ladle with our names on it.
And a $15 gift card to AMC Cinemas. I'm thrilled about that since I've forgotten how much I like seeing movies in the theater. Hello Date Night!

Happy Halloween!

Eight days ago my grandmother died at the age of almost 99. I was able to spend time with her one month before she passed, and I think that she might actually have waited to see my daughter. D arrived on Friday the 5th and had a really great day with G. The chaplain came and they had a wonderful 45 minute visit and my daughter got to pray over her great-grandmother. Saturday my grandmother was tired and they figured it was just the excitement of having D there. Then on Sunday she was tired, but in good spirits, having spent time outdoors in the Cafornia weather which she so enjoyed. They had her favorite dessert at dinner and the next morning my uncle and aunt were notified that my G passed away in her sleep.

My grandmother wasn't in bad health, but was definitely frail and having a hard time maintaining weight and had become more oxygen dependent. So while it wasn't completely unexpected, I had still hoped to see her again.

I am sorry that the other Laura lost her mom. And I hope that Lucky Robin's Dear Girl get a diagnosis and reliable medical treatment so she feels better.

I guess this was really just a lament post. Nothing here has changed one way or the other moneywise; we're still just moving along toward the future.

Prayers for everyone who needs them.

We had a plumbing issue with the toilet in the master bath. Twice it overflowed with tons of water. We were't home the second time and it took Offspring a bit of time to turn off the water valve.

It must've been a lot of water because the ceiling in my family room was stained the first day after and actually fell in the second day following.

And there is currently a gaping hole roughly 4' x 8'. DH removed the wall board and we've got the dehumidifier going, so it's not feeling musty or moldy.

Irony: I agreed to host a law school graduation party on Sunday for my cousin who lives out of state, but whose son lives in Chicago. My house is clean and it's being catered by Portillos. I've collected card tables and chairs from family and friends. I am renting a carpet cleaner on Saturday (we've two dogs, one very old who is having more accidents nowadaays).

My mother (who has strong Martha Stewart tendencies) said, "Oh dear. When are the repair people coming in to fix it before that party?" To which I just laughed. Since we're still running on fumes here and the money we have needs to cover oil changes and pet grooming.

I've my final appointment with the Career Counseling Center on Tuesday (finalize my resume) and we're still in the process of finding renters for the rental property.

At least my good humor was here and I didn't let my mother's aghast look that I'm actually hosting a party with a hole-y ceiling get my knickers twisty!

I had a snafu with the last textbook I purchased online from Amazon. On the cover it clearly stated that it was intended for international students and not those in the US or Canada. Boo. I was so happy to get it at a reasonable price; after all the angst, I was able to use it in class and cannot quite actually determine what the differences in the text books are.

I was on campus at the bookstore today for the textbook for the two-weekend seminar upcoming. They only had new books for $105. While being helped, I said I could probably find it cheaper on Amazon, to which the worker said they price match. I ended up with the text book for $73.00 out the door. I was happy with that.

Who knew that they price match? I also found out that the eye doctor sells the contact lens boxes at warehouse club prices. I suppose it always helps to ask if they price match.

I guess this qualifies as "Saving while spending". I will need to Whack a Mole for this puchase (I am $23 short from the EXTRANEOUS FUND). But its fine. Spending across all other categories is at expected or less.

I was riding high on the thrill of the economical suit purchase for DH.

And I was super proud that I got my required textbook in an earlier version for $35 on Amazon. It arrived today and ... big fail. It's for international students and not intended for use in the United States or Canada.
Topic: Methods of Research in Organizational Behavior. I thought that statistics were universal, but apparently not. The only way to remedy this is to see if I can take out a general methods textbook and try to supplement. It's required for tomorrow, I will limp along.

Also in an effort to corral expenses, I did not renew my Amazon prime today.

I did spend $33 at the grocery store and $25 in gas.

Prayers please for DH's upcoming test. It's a PET scan to confirm that a small nodule on his lung is really the "highly unlikely to be harmful" kind that his doctor thinks it is. DH does have some small nodules of insignificance on his lungs, this is a new one. His other CAT scan results were all fine, he is two years post-cancer diagnosis. I know logically this is probably nothing, but the anxiety and stress is kicking in. Anyhow, he needs to eat a particular diet tomorrow before test on Thurs.

That's all for now. Stay warm; hard to believe its spring out there!

I closed out spending for March. The extraneous spending was higher because we had title/plate/registration/tax on the minivan my parents gifted us, I paid for spring sports for my grade schooler, Easter cost us $170 (that is the dinner and I spent $30 on each child getting them things that they need (summer clothes), I also had to pay for a textbook that I needed for this quarter and couldn't borrow.

I think that the rest of the year is going to fly for us since we are 4th quarter/2nd semester for everyone. I have 9 weeks left of the quarter and I think it should be manageable. The methods of organizational research class requires weekly check-ins with the professor (there are only nine of us in the class), so I won't be stressed at the end of it, and I read the syllabus for the two weekend seminar and I've already started what I can on that (journal article reviews and doing prelim background research on some OD topics).

I am going to attend a Speaker Lecture Series for free; I'm non-degree seeking (16 hour grad certificate) but they agreed to waive the cost. I'm looking forward to it and am glad I accepted the offer. More knowledge is always a good thing.

Looking forward to a low-spend April. It's a short month, I'm fairly organized, and I've been building a stockpile. And collecting easy and economical recipes.

Today we're heading to the Garfield Park Conservatory and eating at Chillis. I spend $50 on gift cards at CVS for Chillis and have $10 ECB. I also spent $50 on groceries at Target and got a $10 gift card. I'm hosting a brunch but it keeps getting smaller and smaller. I don't really mind much; I'm getting less and less accepting of other people's drama.

Enjoy your weekend and see you in April!

The writing is on the wall and DH's official last day is 5/31 with his final check on 6/1. That being said, I need to cast some attention to the budget and spending. I will readily admit to being on money autopilot since I started back to school in January. We aren't over spending and I am tracking, but I am seeing that things can definitely be done smarter to conserve money if I just put forth the energy and plan and commit.

We had two trips to Sam's Club in the past month. One was for $270 (I used $100 of the tax return toward that) and the other was for $230 (I used $100 from DH's bonus for that too). We did stock up on toilet paper, feminine hygiene products x2, batteries, razors, dishwasher pods, and vitamins. Since our local Sam's closed, we did have to drive to suburbs north for the trips and we did fill up on gas while there.

My goal for April is $300 for all consumables. That's $10/day for a family of six. I'm planning on no processed food items and am on the fence about Gatorade since my boys are practicing daily for soccer/track/and volleyball.

I've been spending some time on websites reading about frugal meals and was wondering if anyone has any tried and true economical recipes that their families like?

Our cheapest eats lately have been: curried chickpeas and ground turkey with peppers. I've also made crockpot granola with success, and instead of Belvita bars for my daughter, we found a simple recipe for sweet potato pancakes that are very tasty and economical.

I've found a new recipe for quinoa broccoli bites. And am looking to expand my new recipes for this endeavor.

Thanks in advance!

DH's boss's last day is 4/30 with the final reduction in his current department is 5/31. The office will become a satellite office as the work has migrated to HQ, with a kick-back of some of the more complicated contracts for a final transition.

This means a finite number of paychecks. This thankfully coincides to a completion of my program and I would surmise that I should be able to find a job relatively easily or at least get a paid internship for the summer.

So the plan for April is to do a low-spend, uber frugal month challenge. There isn't much anticipated and it will be a month full of soccer, boys' volleyball and track. I won't need to outfit the boys with summer uniforms because they're set.

I'm going to see about borrowing the text books for the upcoming quarter. I'm using the library for books on tape and videos. I'm thinking that it can definitely be a practice run at economizing.

Definitely giving thoughts to how to contain costs while increasing savings.

Thanks for all the feedback on where your sinking funds are parked. I also found a particularly helpful youtube vid about it at JennPlans. Thanks to Scottish Girl for recommending that. Since forever, I've been lumping all those things together into one EXTRANEOUS/MISCELLANY category (other categories in the budget are mortgage/utilities/consumables (food/household/personal care/pet)/gasoline. So that would be education/clothing/gifts/entertainment/etc. And that has been at around $300 a month.

I've tracked every red cent spent since 1/1/18 and feel that I have a fairly close estimate to what I have spent, yet I need to work some magic and come up with actual amounts for each intended sub-category.

Things that have helped with the money flow:

- I have two daughters who are at home now, and since the use of my car has increased, they contribute to gas and insurane payments. Since they both work (older nannies and models, younger nannies and dog sits), they pretty much cover all of their own expenses.

- Our medical expenses have been lower since we have a Flex Spend account set up and that should cover the next three months of expeses (so 1/2 year). We did not have that last year.

- We are still contributing 10% of DH's pay to 401K. I'd like to save more, but there is still uncertianty in our future.

- I took advantage of a CD (savings certificate) paying 4% (thanks FrugalTexan Laura for recommending the CU!)

- I'm parking the sinking funds into the Reserve Checking Account associated with the PNC Virtual Wallet.

- This is the first time that we aren't anxiously awaiting the check from DH's side job to cover some expense. It's rather nice to not feel the anxiety of Paycheck To Paycheck living. Best thing I ever did was apply the income tax refund to YNAB's income usage concept. I'm actually looking forward to April 1st when I will pay pretty much everything that isn't automated.

- I will declare April a Low-Spend month since I will be back in school (starting up last quarter on 3/26) and am taking one 4 hour course over two weekend seminars. I also plan on incorporating a simple but detailed meal plan for most of the month.

- We are eating healthier and it does cost more.

- I'm feeling desperate about lack of sleeping pill usage, but will ride it out. I've started training for a 5K in April and ran yesterday and today despite it being cold. I've learned that older daughter does not like to run in the cold. I'm hoping to take off another 6-8# this month. No sugar either.

- Today I made homemade granola in the crockpot. Nut-free since older daughter had her allergy testing done and lots of things came up.

- Anyhow, just feeling smarter in general.

I never paid attention to these sorts of conversations before, because I was a financial mess and figured I'd never get to the pro-active point in money management since I was mired down by anxiety and reactivity.

Fast forward to current situation where we are much better and stable (despite uncertainties) and I have started a sinking fund for future car expenses. It's $25.50/month so that we can pay for three car registrations in February 2019.

So my question now is: Do you park your sinking funds in an additional external account that you make transfers to monthly?

Also, opinion on laddering CDs as a safety measure? This is something that my father did with my grandmother's funds years ago. Did Ima Saver do this too?

Any and all opinions appreciated.

Also what other categories do you plan for? All of our insurance premiums are monthly. I am thinking to add for gifts and maybe insurance deductibles in case of a car accident or incident.

Today I uploaded the last of the papers which I needed to write for this past quarter. I've completed 8 graduate hours and am half way done with the certificate in Organizational Development and Change. I am confident that I will have a 4.0. I submitted a partial sample of my writing for this last paper and received positive feedback, so I am cautiously optimistic that this will be considered a success.

I have two weeks off and then will take the final two 4-hour courses, one Tuesday nights and the other in a two-weekend format. Upon completion I will at least have a current skills set that should make me marketable in the public sector.

On the money front, spending is within reason. I took $100 from DH's bonus and put it toward a shopping trip to Sam's Club. I stocked up on quite a few items and feel that everything purchased will be used. We're eating healthier, more fresh produce and less processed food. The athletes are eating more and everyone is back at home.

We are anticipating $115 from DH's side job with my biological father and for once we don't need those funds for necessary expenses. We'll put that in the savings. I am also expecting a $300 refund from an overpayment on my oldest daughter's Hawaii trip back in January. That will go to savings also.

I'm feeling a wave of relief not to have papers hanging over my head and have decided to continue a serious declutter of our house and I'm going to take up running again. It's been awhile and I really do miss the training that I did for a 5K a few years back. I'm a size 4 and may have to buy myself some new clothing items and lots are just getting ridiculously big. I actually fit into one of my daughter's sweaters (size Small) and it looked good and was comfortable.

I think the fog of winter depression is lifting, too, though this year I was really too busy to let it rule my life, though there were spurts of exhaustion and lack of motivation.

Here's to the turning of the corner.

New beginnings with YNAB, and I'm seeing some progress (well, more like small steps) in a positive direction.

1) We transferred 10% of DH's bonus into savings. The balance is going for some car repairs and new doors at the rental property.

2) We established the first sinking fund and deposited $25.25. That's 1/12 of the cost to renew the license plates for three vehicles next February 2019.

3) The paycheck today is earmarked for the first half of April 2018.

4) I am very close to finishing up the third paper for this first quarter. I earned 2 A's so far, and got positive feedback on the draft I submitted for this paper, so I'm feeling that I will end with a 4.0. And I should add that these are real classes at an academic university; my previous academic run was in a seminary where everything was rather "fluff". I am proud of myself for making the decision and sticking with it. One more quarter and I will be done.

I made the decision to use YNAB the way it was intended/recommended by living on last month's salary. I could never actually figure out a way to fund it since our existence is in all reality very paycheck-to-paycheck. I earmarked one month of living expenses from the tax refund to start it, and March's paychecks will be lived on in April.

It's interesting because I'm not "having to rob Peter to pay Paul." I paid an additional $18.50 on the mortgage to bring the balance owed to an even $218,475. All of the utilities for the month are paid. I used the FSA Debit Card to cover this month's medical/prescription costs.

DH's bonus is being deposited on Friday. With those funds we are installing a new front and back door at the rental property, having new garage door installed, and are attempting to reglaze the bathtub with the assistance of our handy man friend. I'm not sure the actual cost of those.

We are going to also to get two new tires and an alignment on our old '07 Dodge Caravan, this has been upgraded with an '07 Honda Odyssey from my parents. Also from this will be license plates renewal for the Dodge and my husband's Corvette. that will be $202.

I am almost officially done with my first half a professional certificate. I'm completing the final paper for the third class (I did receive two A's on two 2-hour graduate seminars). My motivation and enthusiasm are at a good level and I'm feeling proficient (it was a rough haul there with some of the weeks of being with nearing graduation MBA students and I'm a fledgeling).

So, hopefully the trajectory continues upwards in a positive direction!

We've started to plan again for a downsize from our primary residence to something smaller as well as selling the rental property. I know that the Z-estimates from Zillow aren't an exact science, but I'm using them for a quick snap shot.

Value of Rental Property: $250.000
Mortgage on Rental Property: $0.00
Value of Primary Residence: $460,000.00
Mortgage Balance for PR: -$218.000

Total Value: $492,000

The townhomes we are looking at are in the $240,000 range. I'm feeling slightly better about the overall picture of our fiscal health.

I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I have two more weeks of classes and then I am 1/2 done with the Organizational Development and Change Certificate. The paper writing is hefty, and my confidence and motivation ebb and flow, but with the light at the end of the tunnel for completion of 1/2, I'm propelling forward (maybe more like catapulting).
The feeling of drowning has passed, thankfully.

Suprisingly, DH is still hanging on - migration of the work is complete, but they still need some financial analysts for reports through March or June. He will be receiving a partial bonus on 3/9 since company only met 55% of target revenue. Better than nothing.

I've decided to utilize the tax return to full fund a month's living expenses to give YNAB an honest attempt the way it is intended. I've been fairly diligent on tracking expenses since 1/1 and feel that I can move forward with an accurate idea of how each category should be funded. I also look forward to implement sinking funds monthly.

My parents gifted us their '07 Honda Odyssey. They offered us the car with no warranty or $3,500 which would be the trade in. We currently have an '07 Dodge Caravan that is on its last legs, so this is an upgrade. It has all of the bells and whistles and has been lovingly maintained and its actually a huge upgrade to us. We do consider this a huge blessing and are hoping to make this one last for the next several years.

We have remained at 10% contribution for 401K, but I do need to be more future-oriented in putting other funds away. I am hoping to be able to do so upon becoming employed by target date of June.

I hope everyone is moving forward in 2018 and achieving their goals!

The areas that I am targeting for controlled spending are consumables (all grocery/household/pet item), gas, and extraneous (including everything else like clothing/entertainment/household items/books for school, etc).

In January we averaged (for Ist and IInd havles)
Consumables - $321
Extraneous - $192
Gas - $138

The total of extraneous for the month was $380, but that covered hot lunches for both sons, Zumba, textbooks, some witner clothing items, and $78 was from my trip to CA with my younger daughter).

In budgeting for Feb I, here are planned/actual:
Consumables - $225/$236
Extraneous - $110/$80
Gas - $135/$80

Observations: We are higher on consumables because we are doing a smoothie cleanse and I spent on protein powder and more produce, and we hosted a dinner party with eight additional people.

Extraneous: I didn't include my NYC spending money since I had been frittering away cash for that, but I did need to dip $35 into that, the rest was just odd amounts for books, socks, a movie admission, etc.

Gas: This is lower than average, mostly becasue I was gone 4/14 days in NYC, there is snow and we are driving less.

The amounts remain the same for Feb II, and I expect that we will fully utilize the amounts available.

I am plodding along with my classes. I am enjoying them and am excited by the prospect of employment on the flipside, the writing is, however, daunting. Just finished one 30+ page paper, moving on to second 20+ page paper.

Our NYC trip was February 7-10th. Seems like we accomplished a lot in a short period of time; we saw Times Square, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rockefeller Center, an LOL Comedy Show, my daughter had a photo shoot in Fulton Street Station (awesome images!) with a photographer she worked with in Chicago, I was able to hear my friend deliver the keynote speech at the Federal Bar Association's 5th Annual Fashion Law Conference, Chinatown, and the Museum of Modern Art.

What we spent:

Airfare from Chi to LaGuardia: $33 (used miles and had to pay $11/each in fees)
Accommodations at 109th and Broadway in Manhattan: $0 (thank goodness for family!)
Travel on the subway and bus: $50
Dining out: $190 (one major meal a day for four days)
Entertainment (museum admission/comedy show): $120
Miscellaneous (souvenirs, snacks, personal care items forgotten to pack): $84

Total for overall: $475ish.

Cash-flowed every last dime, banked every memory!

I am half way through the ten week quarter and 25% done on my timeline for the organizational behavior and consulting certificate. I'm surprisingly on top of things for school and home. My enthusiasm and energy were keeping me going, but I'm feeling tired and lethargic and just moving toward the end line of this quarter.

I was in California last month and am going to NYC tomorrow for a few days with my daughters. Thank goodness for redeeming miles to fly for free and relatives with an apartment in Manhattan across from Central Park. We were told to bring good walking shoes and are taking a bus from LaGuardia to their place. Sounds like an urban adventure. I'd like to continue to keep on this trend of going places and seeing and doing things. All on a budget of course.

I tracked every red cent spent in January. It wasn't too bad, but could be better. The Miscellaneous category was high due to books (though I did download one on audible for free with a trial membership I cancelled), some needed winter clothing items for sons, and $80 while on vacation (souvenirs and gas for car rental). February is looking MUCH better, though we have everyone living at home now so grocery budget will probably reflect that by month's end.

I did the taxes. Our refunds amount to $6,250. That will be very helpful.

Onward to March.

We participated in a modified UFMC. I did spend money on things: some winter clothes were needed as my boys hit growth spurts, I returned to school and that required textbooks. We are eating healthier, so the cost of food has gone up not by too much. I'm participating in weekly Zumba classes at the cost of $6/week (still cheaper than a gym membership).

Real school is different than Seminary school. I'm at a full-fledged university with classes being taught by leaders in the industry (I'm going into organizational design/behavior). I'm on top of the paper writing and there is a lot of reviews of literature. And the interesting thing about this is its the psychology side of business - and I already have the Masters in Psych. I am leading an organized existence and am surprisingly not feeling the same degree of SADD as in years' past.

We've also had some changes with the status of our college students; the one who went away came back as homesickness got the best of her. It is difficult to step back and let them make their own decisions -- but alas, I guess I'm challenged by the whole "roots and wings" paradox.

I still have no real concrete goals for the year, but we still have DH's paycheck coming in (slowed migration of his department's work down to FL is keeping him employed, though I really do think he is ready for the exit and is having to be accountable for decisions that he didn't make and sometimes there isn't the information provided on why decisions were made, so he's not exactly that happiest of campers.

But onward we go.

Wow, hard to believe that January is going to be half over in only a few days. I made the decision to move forward on the certification in Organizational Behavior. 16 graduate hours of current and contemporary education will yield a marketable skill set. It's been a bit of a culture shock for me, after spending the past few years in a small seminary. But I'm back at a real university being taught by leaders in the industry. It is nice to feel that I am not floundering and wasting my time and money. After a frank analysis of the past few years, I am too liberal for the Catholics and too Catholic for the Protestants and I wonder if I really ever would have fit in anywhere, given the choices that I made.

We are spending far less than we use to. Just because there really isn't that much to spend. I will disclose that I am going off to Southern California for four days next week, a generous gift from my parents. R/T air and car rental for my daughter (who is also coming) and I is $500. And I am taking my daughters to NYC next month for a four-day visit. R/T air was covered by miles (but I did pay $33 fee) and we are staying for free with my cousin in Manhattan. Older daughter is doing agency visits in prep for NYFW 2018. I'm diligently saving my change and have frittered away several hundred dollars for New York. Do I feel bad at travelling given our situation? No, I don't. I'm not amassing debt to do it, and I've concluded that time with family is priceless.

I did find that I am spending more on fresh foods since I am moving away from processed foods. Homemade mac and cheese is about $4 versus the $1 box, but we are at least chemical-free. And we are going through produce a whole lot faster too. And chicken sausage has made its way onto the menu since breakfast items were lacking. Almost no more boxes of sugary crap cereal. But there is a definite increase in time and treasure.

Just checking in. Still here. Still watching the pennies. But moving forward. With purpose. Won't do anybody any good looking backward.

OK, I'm clearing out and have things to sell, but am seriously wondering if it is worth it. I've had a lot of interest on one item and some on several smaller items. People don't show up, or show up and want to pay 50% less than asking, etc.

Any advice on using local selling FB groups or nextdoor.com.

And can you tell me about Swagbucks? At this point, I'm considering any and all ways to bring in extra funds.

Thanks in advance!

My word for 2018 is going to be "Forward" as in direction and momentum.

I'm guilty of stagnation and am just plain tired of feeling that I'm carrying heavy things. I can't even say that I want simple because my attachments, finances, life, and future is complicated.

Truth is that I perseverate, and stagnate, and remuninate. And all the awareness in the world isn't going to change that without action.

I will be able to finish up a graduate certificate in Organizational Behavior in 20 weeks (two ten-week quarters). I offically signed up for two classes and can add the second weekend-seminar for February. I have to move past the regrets that I spent time and money at a religious institution that qualified me to do nothing. A set of circumstances prevented me from petition for a grandfather clause under administration that changed, and in the scheme of things, my life was affected negatively far less than others that I know. And the reality is that I am too liberal some religious settings and not conservative enough for others. Bitter pill to swallow and lesson learned, but according to a career counselor, I should be marketable at the completion of this.

Money-wise, I will just try to continue to make wise financial choices and try to get ahead slowly. Can't do much other than that.

Happy 2018 to everyone.

We've decided to go ahead and re-rent the rental property. We met with the realtor and since our situation is somewhat complicated financially, it makes sense to wait until Spring 2019 to sell based on the numbers. And if we were to put some money into it we could get significantly more. However, at this point having NO money to put into it, nor the money to cover carrying costs. It is mortgage-free but still costs $500 a month in taxes and insurance.

My father called and has a smallish job for my husband to do the week of 12/26. I imagine he'll come up with some odd jobs to keep some money coming in. Thankful for that income stream.

I've finally got around to listing some items for sale on a FB group and on nextdoor.com. Only a handful of items (eight) so we will see if/how they sell before I expend the energy to list more stuff.

My daughter away at college went "thrifting" with a friend from home who attends another Milwaukee school. She was delighted that it was half off at Value Village and she got jeans, two turtle necks, and a sweater for $10. Go M!!

My attitude is somewhat better than yesterday (I have deleted yesterday's I feel sorry for Myself post). I've got plenty to be grateful for. Today I am volunteering while my 7th grader and others spruce up the church before they decorate for Christmas. I've not felt at home at the parish since I've broadened my belief base, but it is his home parish and I will be happy to be there with A.

Have a good day, Friends.