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20.00 challenge

February 19th, 2007 at 04:20 am

I bought the power fusion razor with a coupon.I also bought clearance lipstick. Cvs gave me my money back so add 12.99 to my challenge.I held a coupon club meeting for some of the moms.I explained how they could could spend 50.00 at cvs & get it all back plus 11.00 extra cvs bucks.They looked like deer in headlights, I hope I explained it properly.The next meeting Im going to attempt to explain walgreens.

fixing up rental

February 19th, 2007 at 03:55 am

So we went to fix up our rental.New paint, new carpet every 2-3 years.I picked out all white for the bedrooms & hall. An a neutral sagey green for the den . The kitchen & dr or wallpapered.
I have one bathroom that has ugly white with beige splashes on it.I wanted so bad to try the tile paint I saw them use on hgtv. but it takes 4 days to dry & I didnt have the time.We cleaned out all the windows & sills cleaned all the kitchen cabinets & built ins.We are paying someone to patch the drywall & paint. Its costing a thousand dollars.But hes painting 7 rooms, 1 hall & all trim & moulding.Also painting all doors.So I consider it a good deal.
The renters left a mess in the yard.Which my husband called & left them a ugly message--- so they came & cleaned up most of it. They left a boat on a trailer.Asmaller trailer full of junk. A meduim size empty trailer. a out of commisson air compressor. A old dryer, a old toilet, a head board, set of box springs & mattress, a computer desk. A trampoline, & lots of other weird things.
We took the kids fishing (teaching frugal skills)my youngest 6 caught ahuge fish, he was so happy.The kids worked really hard helping clean.They are getting good at measuring spaces.I also taught the girls how the cost is different in the state we were in because the taxes are higher were we live.

Updating on update on dream house

February 19th, 2007 at 03:35 am

Hi so we figured out we could get the loan.But it would take a good deal of work because we were going out of town in five days and it had to be secured before we left.So I decided to let the house go.The location was the only thing that wasnt right.I assume they sold it since they only had two weeks.Someone got a good deal.We just got back in town today.

Update on dream house

January 22nd, 2007 at 06:00 am

Ok so I find out we cant get a loan for 6 months because our credit says foreclosure paid in full.It didnt go into foreclosure but since it was sent to there dept it was put on our credit it was sold before the process started.
The house has to be sold by the 30th or 1st.So the bank guy says apply for a non conforming loan at 8% then reapply for a fha in a yearare so.The good thing about nonconforming loans is no PMI.Which I would have to have with FHA loan.So the loans would probably be the same. Ill run the numbers tonight still even if approved it will be hard to make the deadline.Assuming of course the house hasnt sold .Ive been to scared to look on the mls.Even if its on the mls it might be sold alot of realtors leave houses that have sold to get leeds.Normally I wouldnt go for a 8% loan but this house has so much built in equity I think it would be worth it.
It appraised a year ago for 295,000. & it wasnt even complete.However I have learned not to get emotional about it.
we'll see.

Found the right house --I think

January 17th, 2007 at 05:09 pm

So yeaterday I do my whole routine & about 10:00 I always check mls system to see if any new homes were listed.The market here stinks its a buyers market but people are not listing so now inventory is getting low. So I cant get in touch with my realtor & I cant get anyone in his office to show me the property for him.I realized this house was a very unsual value and would not last long so I call the listing realtor & go see it.I hated it because my realtor is usually very good.But this house was a golden goose.Now people from high priced areas probably wont believe this but-- the house has 5600 sq ft.
built 4years ago, with 10 acres & a big heated & cooled workshop & a carpot & koi pond & a spring on property for 195,000. Yeap I swear.Not only that but alot of extra nice features, hardwood floors, marble entry ways, custom cabinets.They are being foreclosed upon so the house must sell in 2 weeks. I doubt we will beat an investor to it but Im going to try.Wish me luck. If its meant to be my blessing I will get it. If not someone else will be blessed.Just had to blog about it because its on my mind.

anybody read these ?

January 14th, 2007 at 05:46 am

I just reread Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
It makes some interesting points.
Anybody like it or the advice?
My favorite books are the tightwad gazzetes.I also like frugal luxeries by tracy Mcbride.Its not really about saving money its more about living well.
I like to read it because it reminds me that beauty , kindness & memories do not have to cost money.I mean what can beat
sheets dried on the line in the sun.A picnic with the kids.A million little things we all take for granted when we concentrate to hard on spending are on saving.

Do I owe rent ? What do you think?

January 5th, 2007 at 05:22 am

Ok so we were renting a house & the landlord want fix the plumbing --it backs up. Needs major work---- handy man agrees.Landlord does nothing.So we have no choice but to move.Not very much here to move to but we finally find something.
We'll the landlord says--I was hoping you would buy the place & we said we would if we could agree on price & they owner financed it.They said they would for 10,000. down.Now we already told her we would be out Dec 1st. in writing which we were but and heres the tricky part-- None of us could close till Jan 1st.So we said we would buy the house under those terms.
If we could close in January & our payments start in Feb. So that was the
verbal agreement.Well we told them we wanted to get some prices from plumbers etc.. & since we were buying we kept the keys --They never asked for them back.
They call today & say they changed there minds ,They are going to move & need the money so they are going to sell the house outright.An they want Dec.& Jan. rent?! Now I did store items under the the carport & utilities have still been in my name. But from the amounts you can tell no one has lived there.Hubby says she backed outof the agreement so shes not entitled to any money because if we had gone through with everything she wouldnt have gotten rent for those months.An its true if we knew she was going to charge us we wouldnt have stored the items under the carport.We have lived in this place since before Dec 1st.The house was an excellent buy we could have kept it 4 or 5 years & made 50 or 60 thousand. But we would have had to redo the bathrooms to keep it rented.I cant believe they are going to try & sell it.This market is terrible & it will not sell. An one of them is in the realty business so they should no this.By the way they have no rental contract.They were suppose to pick it up a year ago & never did, go figure!

rental problems

January 2nd, 2007 at 06:00 am

Hubby & I have 2 rental properties & a cabin.
A month ago my hubby went to pick up some windows he had stored at one of the houses.We rent this house to a preacher.
He & his congregation were going to build a church on some property they acquired but apparently ran into some problems.So its a Sunday & my hubby was surprised to see all the cars there.Well turns out there having church service in the pool house. Which is for suppose to take place in a commerical building.So after much debate (between us) we call our insurance co and they tell us no we are not covered for this & no we cant get additional cover because the property is being used incorrectly. Furthmore they will cancel our policies unless we evict said tenant.They will not take anyone word that the church services have ceased. So we tell the tenant & send a letter.Now he wont answer the phone. We let him no Dec 1st. he had untill Jan 30th.So not we will have to go back home Ga to see if he is moving.I hated to move him out because its the wrong time of the year to rent this property.April is the best time.
So to get top dollar it will have to set for 2 months, ouch! unless I can rent it for masters which Im going to try & do.
I like realestate and to be honest its really the only way we get any where. Hubby and I are not savers. We try to be money smart with what we have everybody has to work with there personality flaws.
We cant save so we buy realestate when we can.We have no credit cards (no we are not debt free) & we max out hubbys 401k because the co. matches money.Still
we need a emergency fund.

If you have a talent, consider this

July 29th, 2006 at 05:51 am

I talked to a principle of one of the private schools & talked to her about offering science labs for homeschool kids.I was thinking if she got 10 kids at 10.00 a kid thats hundred dollars for 1-1/2 hours.which I think is completely doable.I thought I would mention to many of you that homeschooling is really big now & can be lucrative.One of our moms is looking for a spanish teacher , another for sewing lessons etc..I am trying to find something to trade for piano lessons for my girls. So if you have a talent maybe you can bring in some extra money.There was a lady here last year who had a degree in art. She taught 3 classes twice monthly. About 15 kids in one class, 15x3=45, 45x14=630
So she made 630 dollars a month for 2 days work. The classes were 7.00 a class but you had to pay by month the class was 90 minutes. The children were responsible for there own art supplies.
I think this an excellent 2nd income.

Bad decision either way

July 27th, 2006 at 07:42 pm

Ok hubby & I have put off deciding what school to put ds2 in.We did this because of finances & we were not happy with our choices.Now its down to the wire.
My choices are public school, were chances are he will have to change schools when we purchase a house.
So this will be 3 schools in 2 years which is unexceptable.Are put him in the private school he was in last year.
We were not really happy with it.It is 350.00 a month & still has extra hidden cost.Im so bummed.Ds2 has to be in school he just thrives in a school setting.I hope one day he wants to be homeschooled.I miss him during the day.
Before we moved he had been in the same school for 4 years, all the same friends he loved it & it broke my heart to have to move him.

Empty Pantry???

July 22nd, 2006 at 07:17 am

I joined for a while a groupon yahoo .It was sort of a callenge to see how long you can live off whats in your pantry.
I really joined to get an idea of what a good pantry might include. I get more excited about building a pantry.A wellstocked pantry can see you through some rough times.I remeber when I was 1st married & we went to the grocery store, by the time we got through buying mustard & ketchup -- misc condiments we had no money for meat.As I stated before we have not lived in the state we are in very long & I used down all my stockpile before we moved.I am now slowly rebuilding my pantry.Years ago there was a book called "The only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need" I think Andrew Tobias wrote it. One of the things it brought up was buying items in bulk & on sale therefore beating the price the item is now & buying in bulk to beat inflation.
True you cant do that with everything but it makes sense.
I stock up on cleaner when its free or when its just tax.But really doesnt count because you cant eat it & a gallon jug of vineagar & water will clean alot.
So Im working on buying 2-3 items a week out of my weekly grocery budget to spend on pantry items.This does not include free items that I get with coupons.I always stock up as much as possible on those items.Anybody want to share there top pantry items? One of mine is peanut butter --it is hard to get for less then 1.00 here.

what a sad secret

July 19th, 2006 at 07:07 am

I was laying down with DD2 tonight &she said she had something to tell me but I had to promisenot to tell.It was a secret her best friend from back home had told her.The little girl said I know you'll never tell anyone.Well I wouldnt promise because I was worried it might be a dangerous secret.But I told her I would try my level best not to tell.Then she said, Christina told me that her mommy & daddy are fighting alot because they bought alot of expensive things & now they cant pay for them.Her mother found someone to pay the bills & her daddy is really mad.Christina says it was probably because of the Very expensive lamp her mommy bought.
It broke my heart.I mentioned her mother previously, she always comes bearing gifts & it makes me uncomfortable because she overdose it.I had talked to her mother a few days ago, she had found someone to refinance the house & pay off the credit cards.I advised her against it because her hubby was still filing out credit card applications in her name.
An since not all the cards were tore up I was concerned they would pay them off & run them up again.She told her husband that she had applied for a refinance & someone was coming out for an appraisal.He refuses to sign the refinance papers.My friend is trying to cancel the appraiser but he says only the mortgage company can cancel his appt.
When he comes they will debit my friends account 300.00 She told me if he didnt sign she was filing for divorce.
How sad. You know money problems are seldom about money are they?She buys people things & her child must have the best stuff. Her husband trys to save his siblings by giving them money that never gets paid back.Of course his siblings have much nicer homes& cars then he does.So sad & there poor little girl thinks its about an expensive lamp.

Open houses

July 17th, 2006 at 05:51 am

I love going to open houses.But Im really tired of being in this small space.I always get great & cheap decorating ideas from open houses.
Last week someone had taken old flooring
and put it on the ceiling of there porch.
Another house the person had afixed bamboo blinds (are simmilar material) aound the porch, top & bottom. Except for the porch door.It made it feel like another room but it was still a porch.They had put regular furniture on it & made a tikki bar.It was real cute.
Last night I stayed up & made a list of house that have been on the market for at least a year. The list was 5 pages with 4-5 houses on apage. Im going to see alot of them & keep an eye to see if theres any price drops.I really feel for the people trying to sell now.But Ive been there to.It doesnt have anything to do with is the house worth it.It has to do with the market & location.
When I first moved here a realtor showed me a house & just from looking at the book I thought it was over priced.Well I let them know I thought it was over priced.Oh no they said & stated comps.
Well guess what a year later the price is dropped 50 thousand & its still not selling.I dont like people to treat me like Im stupid.These realtors here are nuts (sorry I mean all realtors except the ones reading this).That house thats still on the market in all that time they havent had one open house.Doesnt it ever occur to sellers to negotiate contracts? Like I want 3 open houses within this amount of time? If it doesnt sell within the first month I want a picture in the realestate section?
Anyway Im going to schedule to see some of the house soI can be ready if the price goes down.Some I need to ride past to view the area.
Another idea when buying a house always ride past the house at a different time from viewing the inside. The next day, a week before is good.The day of or day before really good.I road past a property I was going to view that evening
The neighbors across the street were terrible, beer cans , clothes everywhere.
Yuck! Yuck! Well that evening everything was cleaned up.So as were leaving I ask if the seller is related to the people across the street & she says yes there cousins.So I guess he got the cousins to clean up for our showing.Anybody have any advice for me on house hunting etc..?

Bad parent

July 14th, 2006 at 06:07 am

I was thinking today what a bad parent
I am.Its very depressing.I dont think it would be so bad if all my kids were grown because then I could say well I really messed up.But only one is older & I keep wondering were I went wrong.
He's 21 lives at home.He left school last year.It was a special school for kids ith disabilities & he was lucky to get in.I was so upset he went & moved in with his dad.Now the only thing negative I have ever said about his dad is never & I mean NEVER sign a contract of any sort with him.I told him he could have his car when they showed me proof of insurance.We gave him a car when he was 16, a saturn.He says no he will get his own car him & his dad.So he signs a contract, finances everything even tax, tag & title for 6 yes --6 years.Its like a 2004 truck.His payments are 320.00 a month his insurance is 175.00 a month.
So of course he comes back home to live with this huge truck payment.
He went to work at kmart.He thought if he did a good job they would move him to full time.After he gets there he figures out no one gets full time.They keep scheduling him for 3 hours a day,which is not worth the gas.Somedays he gets 8 it varies.So he quits no 2 week notice no call just doesnt show up.
So he goes & gets a job at the local carwash.They work him everyday but Sundays.But if it gets slow they will send him home & when it rains they close.
I am so disappointed .What good did all the lessons do,the moral lessons.The work ethic? I taught him to be on time, not to badmouth an employer,to give a notice.An if he didnt hear are get any of those lessons how do I know these kids are getting any of them I had alot more time with the firat.

Selling used items

July 13th, 2006 at 07:25 am

Im really bummed that there is no place to sell good used clothes around here.
Ive thought about selling on ebay so many times but mostly books & clothes.
I dont have a camera to put the pics up with & I would buy one if I thought I would do it regularly but I dont think I would use it enough to justify buying one.I wonder if you can sell items with just a description, I mean I know you can but do they really sell?

fun with the kids

July 13th, 2006 at 07:01 am

Today we went to the library which we do every Wednesday because of there summer
reading program. You keep a log & read at least 15 books.Every Wednesday they have a speaker to day was The fable friends they taught fables & rhymes.
I checked out books for the kids & read the paper.I bought two neighbor kids with us but they live on the same street so it didnt cost extra gas.I took sandwiches & we ate at the park but it was kind of warm.When my kids are withe the neighbor they always buy pizza or take them to mcdonalds.She is a single parent so I dont know how she does it.
It makes it awkward because I feel like I should send money with my kids but I wouldnt take my kids to mc'ds that often.
When we go its a treat not a everyday thing.
Tonight the kids went to Vacation Bible School.Its been really nice to have a break every evening.The kids have had a really nice time, the church went to alot of trouble I think I will visit
the church Sunday. We havent joined a church here yet, we try to visit a different one each Sunday.
I dont know where to start with my challenge.Because we saved money by picnicing but I would have done that anyway.It seems maybe you should only
count money that you saved by doing things you normally wouldnt do.

Making a short trip

July 6th, 2006 at 08:14 pm

Well hubby bought a fancy pool table in tennesse so were going tommrow evening to move it into storage unit. Thats 60.00 amonth on top of the other 2 units we are renting.Wasted money.
I feel displaced here renting & sometimes I feel like we will never be settled again.

Update on pool table-- my sister is storing it at her house till we can get it.She had to make room.
It really was a nice table, its a brunswick. It also came with a high bench & 3 stools (all in poolball fabric)
a stand with cues and a poolball clock.

Back home

July 1st, 2006 at 05:35 am

Well we made it home tonight.
My hubby loves getaways.
He went on alot of weekends & vacations
when he was growing up.
My family never went on vacations & we were all very happy.
One thing I dont like about going especially last minute is it always cost.
I think you can do anything & have a wonderful time if its planned.
A huge birthday party, a shower, a wedding and a vacation. But to not spend the money it must be planned!
We spent 70.00 on gas
28.00 eating out (UGH!)
90.00 groceries- hubby did the shopping
We brought back a bout 10.00 worth of food.
I saw a good friend of mine she came up to the cabin so her daughter could see my kids.
I love her to death, but her thinking is so off.She bought me a birthday cake
because she realized she forgot my birthday.She bought 4 new floats,
2 noodles, a folding chair,abeach ball,
a dozen donuts, abox of tin foil, and a new box of tylenol.
Now I know I seem ungrateful.I really do appreciate her bringing me the cake.
But she always does this.She has one daughter.Does she really always have to buy everything to have a good time?
Oh yes she missed all 3 of my kids b'day so she bought them all presents wrapped
etc..An she bought us all cards.
Her & her husband have been having some financial problems (havent we all?)
There overrun with credit card debit.
But she keeps on.Know way did she spend less then a hundred dollars,and why?
Friendship cant be bought.I just dont get it.Why does she feel the need to overdue everthing.Oh she bought the tylenol because I mentioned I had a headache on the phone.Couldnt she just wrap me up a few from her home?
Im really not trying to be judgemental.
Her husband has been applying for credit cards in her name & signing them.
She wanted to borrow against the equity in her home to pay off the bills.I advised her against it uless she was sure all the credit cards were cut up and he wouldnt get any more.
Well we are renting our cabin out for July.They have strict rules & it can only be rented to someone whos a member of the club.I think this will be the only time we rent it.We are getting
400.00 for the month.But if the person who rents it is not frugal with the a/c
our electric bill could be higher then that. We will see.
Hubby got some business taken care of which is why we went.
Hubby is not as frugal as me sorry to say but he has a midas touch when it comes to making money.
I cant tell you how many times hes asked somebody what there going to do with something & they say throw it away and he will ask if he can have it.Then he will turn around & sell it for a good amount.Hes really good at bartering .
Which is a most useful tool.
I am trying to understand the twenty dollar challenge but it seems it will end soon .will there be another challenge?

tonights plan changed

June 28th, 2006 at 05:08 am

Hubby was to tired to go tonight.Which is good.Because I get to play with my blog thingy! I also get to make sandwiches for tommrow & we didnt eat out so hurray!Im making brownies to wrap up too.My kids look innocent enough but they are bottomless pits.
Im leaving cooked hamburgers,hotdogs&
tuna fish,& barbecue for my big boy.
We will be gone 3 days.
I hope he doesnt starve till I get back.If he has to go to McD's I hope he
will use the 1.00 menu.
Going back to the bottomless pits did you know a principal once told me thats one of the reasons she was in favor of year around schooling is some kids dont get a decent meal in the summer?She said she would see them come back to school
skin & bones.The public schools already offer breakfast, lunch & snack.Some schools have after school care so they probably offer an afternoon snack too.
The voice teacher told me today that both my girls will have solo's for the JULY 4 performance at the park.
Which is one reason I had my girls join this dance place because they really do let there kids perform.Theres no work all year have one recital stuff.
Im sure all of you know this snack but its one of my favorites for the kids
I got it from Tracy Mcbrides newsletter
Shes like the Martha Stewart of thrift.
Take a cheap can of biscuits use the cap of a 2-liter to cut out middle & deep fry
in a pan or whatever you have.Top with a glaze of milk & confection sugar (thats our favorite) of course you can use sprinkles ,chocolate etc..

Boring day

June 27th, 2006 at 11:18 pm

Hi everyone wanted to say thanks for the birthday wishes.It warmed my heart.
Today was myday to be on the road. the kids have dance.
When we moved here I signed them up for dance. We never really felt like we could aford it before.
Not long after we joined the owner sent out an email looking for investors.
To make along story short we ended up investing 1500.00.This gives my kids life long lessons.It includes most of there dues for competition & most costumes.
So on tuesdays my kids take lessons from 11:00am starting with private voice.
they get a break at 1:30
then at 2:30 dance starts it goes until 4:30 then at 5:30 they have hiphop.
An today my son started soccer.
Soccer camp was free of charge,but I did have to buy cleats,ball, & shin guard
total 22.00
Im packing now my husband wants to go out of town, back home for a few days.
We have a small cabin we go to. He is able to take off because he works so many weekends.He will probably want to stop & eat out. Nothing I can do about that but we will grill the rest of the time we are there.
The place were our cabin is has a caretaker (other cabins all around)
An he always puts up for me the water toys that are unclaimed.So I never have to buy those expensive floats.
Why does he save them for me? Because he likes me? Nope its because im the only one whos ever asked.We are such a disposable society.Makes me sick.
Im hoping to have a chance to go to walgreens they have there revlon implements 40% off & there are 2.00 coupon out there.There may even be one in there easy saver book.so many items will be free.great for a beauty basket.
the nail files are .89 and the clippers are 1.29 ( I Think)I also would like to go to consignment stores there are none were we are now.Believe it or NOT.
Im going to work on my grocery list & menu for next week.Ive got to plan better.
Anybody have any great cheap recipes that there family eats pretty often?
I really wanted tested recipes.
One of my favorite snacks for the kids is Payday cookies, one cup sugar, 1/2 cup peanutbutter and one egg.
Hey its simple.
Simple is good

First entry

June 27th, 2006 at 06:08 am


I have been reading evryones blog for a few weeks now and I have to admit I found the idea of a personal blog fascinating.At this point Im not sure why but maybe with this blog I will find out.I chose tonight to start because Im feeling alittle down.Today was my birthday & nobody remebered. Ok Im not trying to have a pity party or anything.
My hubby has all his family.My mother & father are passed & I guess I feel like he should put more effort into this kind of thing.Oh Im not missing any presents to be honest Ive never really believed in that much.It seems you can always find things to admire about every race,religion & nationality.For instance Thats one thing I admire about a certain
religion(dare I say the name?) they dont recognize holidays etc..An most holidays are just an attempt to sell stuff.
I found
a kindred spirit today although I have yet to meet her.I was turning in to my neighborhood & there is a hotel.The corner room has a little fence around it.
The yard is teeny tiny.It was starting to rain & I saw a women run out and get her clothes hanging on the fence , thats when I realized the weeds in her yard was a garden.Go Girl!
I recently moved to a different state & my grocery bill has almost tripled & I cant find the leak.Its driving me insane.
I was unable to bring my pantry with me so we widdled it down to nothing before we moved.
I have always been frugal or cheap.
My dad was born in 1919 so my dad & mom saw some hard times & grew up really poor.I had a wonderful child hood they taught me great things. One of those things is that money will not make you
happy.An that is a very true statement.