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Archive for April, 2015

Beautiful Day

April 30th, 2015 at 02:08 am

Since my car was in the shop, I worked from home today. The windows were open and it was really nice.

After work, we picked up the car, $499.02 out of pocket. Afterwards, my husband & I went and had dinner at a nearby restaurant. Its an old building with wrap around porches on 2 levels. It was nice to sit outside and enjoy the weather. We people watched and had a nice time. The $$ for the dinner came out of my husband's fun money.

I got some house things done today:

-cleared out personal paperwork & filed my 'To file' pile
-cleaned off my china cabinet. I am going to sell it as its an old piece that does not go with the rest of the house and was a hand-me-down. I took pictures & when I am ready for the rest of the furniture in the basement to be sold, I will list them all together
-listed a framed piece of artwork for sale. No bites yet, but it can take a little time
-cleared out personal email

I also worked .5 hours of OT, which is nice as every bit helps!

Expected and Unexpected Expenses

April 29th, 2015 at 03:32 pm

I get paid on Friday & there will be a lot of money flowing out. Its an extra paycheck month and Friday's check will be the 'extra'.

-I am paying off the $399.99 computer (we put it on the card for 5% cash back).

-I am buying a stroller as part of a travel system for $75

-My college friend is selling her car seat that happens to EXACTLY MATCH THE STROLLER I MENTIONED ABOVE!. This is a car seat & 2 bases (one for each car). $100. She is also 'gifting' some gently used items - an activity mat, a bumbo, etc. I am so lucky!

-My car needs brakes and has 2 recalls, so it is in the shop today. $500 for repairs, plus some maintenance.

-I have some maternity wear and doggie purchases on a card I used for the points that will also need to be paid off $181.05

So less than I planned is going to the last credit card with a revolving balance, but it is just a delay on funds going there. We will be paid off by the time the baby is due. Fingers crossed!

So all in all -

$175 Car seat/stroller systerm
$319.99 Crib/Changing table combo
$500 car repairs
$399.99 computer
$181.05 dog and clothing purchases


For the baby expenses, this is all planned cashflow, and even less than planned for the travel system. so Woot!
-We are paying off the crib $319.99

Very relaxed birthday

April 29th, 2015 at 01:36 am

Yesterday was my 36th birthday. I had the day off and did nothing. Watched some tv, lazed around with the animals and had lunch with my folks, who brought my niece over to visit.

Dinner was at Hibachi with my husband, parents, sister, her boyfriend and my nephew and niece. That was a lot of fun and I enjoyed watching my 1.5 year old niece oohing and ahhing over the flames.

My husband gave me a gift card to Barnes & Noble and a Pop Figure from the show Supernatural. I am a huge fan of the show! My mom & dad gave me a Halloween decorated glass to add to my collection and an Alex & Ani bracelet. My niece & nephew (aka my sister) gave me another Alex & Ani bracelet. It was very nice of all of them.

My husband & I ended the evening watching some tv and me taking my pregnant body upstairs to sleep very early LOL

Financial Updates:

April 27th, 2015 at 10:20 pm

My husband & I revisited our budget. We adjusted our household budget to include an increased amount for Pet (to cover dog food, flea/tick meds, heartworm meds, biscuits and toys) and to increase the Slush fund to have for the once a year expense of the vet visit.

We also have increased the grocery budget to account for some increased expenses for the baby (diapers, wipes). I have stockpiled a bit, but not excessively.

As for baby items, the clothes keep coming in. Thanks to my sister & mom for hand-me-downs and like new finds!

We recently purchased a convertible crib/changing table. It converts to a toddler bed then to a full-size bed and nightstand. We paid $319.99 after coupons.

We are splurging on a good glider/ottoman ($399.99 plus $149 before any coupons - don't worry, we use coupons!). We are going with one that looks more like a recliner than a glider to be able to utilize it after the nursery need is completed.

I have picked out a car seat/stroller travel system that retails for $289.99. I found that exact system on a FB gently used site for $75. I am picking it up Saturday! Super excited as it is even in the color that we wanted.

We will still need another car seat/base due to daycares in the area not keeping the car seat with them. We will have many days where my husband drops off & I pick up, so we both need a seat with us. I am hoping to get any other compatible seat online like this before the baby is born. I am so happy on the deal!

We did register for some items as family is throwing us a shower. We put some cute/fun things, but kept it mostly to what we feel we need:

Bibs, towels, wash cloths, a mobile, pack n play, convertible high chair, a crib bedding set, extra crib sheets, waterproof mattress covers, bottles, pacifiers, etc.

We did put some musical toys, cute outfits and a diaper genie on there as well. Keep it simple!




9 Year Blogiversary! Missed the exact date again!

April 24th, 2015 at 12:45 am

April 5th was my 9 year SA anniversary! I love this site and the friends, advice and accountability that I have received. Thanks for everything, guys!

New Laptop

April 23rd, 2015 at 02:05 am

There was a little accident with my current laptop and it is now dead. Luckily, I periodically back up my photos, etc online.

My husband's computer has been slowly dying and we've been cashflowing for a new one. Well, now we 'need' two, so we bought them today. His & Hers laptops lol. We got some good upgrade deals and spent $399 each.

We have the cash for his and the overtime I have coming in next Friday's check will cover mine. This will STILL not derail my goal of having that credit card paid off by August, so I feel like I am not putting my wants in front of my goal.

The only reason we didn't wait on mine was 1. the deal and 2. My dad's 70th birthday is coming up and I have been working on a photography project for a present/party and I need to be able to continue that project, which needs to be complete by mid-May.

I know its a lot of justifications, but if we are not changing my payoff goal and we don't go into debt for the purchase, I can't say that I feel too badly about it.

New Addition to the Family before the New Addition to the Family!

April 20th, 2015 at 06:32 pm

We are adopting a dog. 2 year old Pitt mix. All shots, neutered, has lived in a Foster home with cats and kids and is incredibly family friendly.

The guy's name is Will, but we already refer to him as Tater, because the Foster family described him as a Sweet Potato. He is a slow moving dog, very relaxed and almost 'lazy'. Perfect pace for us.

I know its a not popular decision to add a dog before the baby, but we have discussed and weighed all the options. Given the environment and behavior prior to us adopting him, we are confident in his ability to fit right in.

There is a $200 Adoption cost, but no up front shots/neuter costs with the vet, so that's worth it to me.

We bought a bed, bowls, leash, collar, treats, food some toys. Roughly $98 and from our pets sinking fund.

I already increased our slush fund to account for the extra vet cost of another animal.

We are revisiting our Pet line in the budget to see how to adjust, but we are very good at finding the best deals on pet supplies.

Luckily, these expenses do not affect my Last Credit Card Paydown challenge. So I am very happy!

Investment & Debt Updates

April 20th, 2015 at 01:01 pm

Friday was payday.

My updated Retirment Accts include:

1 $17,547.44
2 $45,623.23
3 $2,158.45
4 $16,608.62
TOTAL $81,937.74

My updated Last Credit Card info:

As of 4/10, the Balance on this last card was $6,535.90.

I put the OT and my snowball to the card from this paycheck ($821.00).

New Balance: $5,714.90

Buy Buy Baby Freebies

April 19th, 2015 at 05:33 pm

Last week, I started a registry at Buy Buy Baby. When we went, they gave me a free bottle of water and a bag full of freebies!

-1 8oz can of Enfamil (Newborn)
-a saple of Boudreaux's Butt Paste and a $1.00 off coupon.
-a measuring tape roll (for a belly band, but can be reused!
-2 Pampers wipes pack with fabric to-go case
-Shutterfly $20 card
-sample Organic Heartburn Tea
-sample of Desitin and coupons
-lotion samples
-baby detergent samples
-facial wipes sample
-Gripe Water sample
-nursing pads samples
-1 breastmilk storage bag and $10 off coupon
-pack of 10 HOnest Wipes sample
-Excema cream sample and coupons
-baby wipes samples
-breastmilk storage bags samples
-miscellaneous coupons
-belly oil & face wash samples for pregnant women
-baby on board sign
-American baby magazine
-$5 off $15 Buy Buy Baby coupon

Yay for freebies!

That day, my mom bought the baby a special outfit for newborn pictures and me a pregnancy belly pillow. Thanks, Mom!

Last CC Payoff Push Update!

April 10th, 2015 at 12:59 pm

Credit Card Debt as of 12-31-14: $16,107.06
Credit Card Debt as of 02-06-15: $14,749.12
Credit Card Debt as of 03-06-15: $12,602.12

On 03-20-15, I paid off my car and my 2nd to last credit card, leaving 1 credit card in the amount of $8,718.47

Today's Balance: $6,535.90.

I am so happy!

New Retirement Accounts Milestone!

April 2nd, 2015 at 05:13 pm

My 401k and IRAS are now totaling $80,109.11 (up from $74,658.54 on 12/31/14).

I am over $75k! Spouse has 36k in his, we are working on increasing his asap.

Baby Freebies/Hand Me Downs - We are lucky!

April 2nd, 2015 at 02:58 pm

My niece will be 2 years old in November. My sister is giving us a LOT of her hand me downs and won't accept any money for them. I plan on getting her a nice gift card at least.

Between her & my mom's yardsale finds and deals, we have gotten a TON of clothes for the baby!

I organized the clothing by sizes/type and will put the bigger clothes in a storage bin in the basement and put away the smaller stuff for when the baby comes. All the below were free given to me!

SIZE: Newborn-3 months
onesies 15
newborn bibs 5
sleepers 4
fleece sleepers 4
jumper outfits 3
dress 1
jean jumper outfit 1
skirt 1
sweater 2
fleece jacket 1
hoodie jacket 2
pink/white striped top/hart pants outfit 1
jeans 1


SIZE: 6 Months
onesies 9
My First Christmas onesie 1
leggings 5
Spring outfit - onesie, sweater & headband 1
Summer sleeveless jumper outfit 1
footie pjs 1
shirts 4
jeans 3
sweatshirts 2
jeans 3
sweaters 2
fleece hoodie 1
shorts 9

SIZE: 9 Months
animal themed jumpers 2
leggings 5
onesies 7
sports track suit 1
nice spring outfit 1
light jacket 1
skirt 1
shirt 1
hoodie 1
sweater 1

SIZE: 12 Months
onesies 7
sleeveless onesies 2
sleeveless tops 5
tops 5
shorts 9
jeans 2
leggings 2
pants 1
hoodie sweater 1
spring formal dress 1
jean shorts 1
watermelon nice outfit 1
winter vest 2
Halloween Shirt 3
bathing suit 1
jumper 1

SIZE: 18 Months
onesie 1
flannel pj 1
Eagles onesie 1
Halloween Shirt 1
Bathing Suit 1
Santa Shirt 1
pj set 1
hoodie jacket 1

MISC Items
Bibs 9
Washcloths 8
Changing pads 2
Bath Towels 6
Receiving Blankets 7
Shoes 9
Hair Bows 3
Hat 1

Toys/Dolls
Stuffed Owl 1
Laugh & Learn Dog toy 1

Vet bill

April 1st, 2015 at 05:26 pm

Today, I had a vet appointment for both the cats (one is 5 and one is less then a few weeks away from 15). They both had a well visit and shots, although I declined some superfluous tests.

Here is the kicker - I had a home visit, so there was a $70 charge for that. It was 1000% worth every penny. The older cat has vision issues and gets very anxious about the carrier and car. THe last 2 times I took her to the vet, she went to the bathroom in the carrier in the car and in the vet and in the car again. It caused 3 extra baths and a lot of smells/clean up at the vet and in the car.

I just couldn't take the idea that I would go through that again. Especially since the cat is 18 lbs and with the carrier, it puts her over the weight limit I am allowed to carry at the moment.

I am happy - all in all, the vet visit cost $358.70 and I have the whole amount in my vet slush fund. No problem there!