HouseHappy's Personal Finance Blog

Over the weekend, I knocked my laptop over & it broke. My fiancée took it apart and it almost seemed like it was fixed. However, the 'fix' would not stay due to a broken part.

As I use my computer to work from home once a week, and because I am addicted to facebook, candy crush and these blogs, I went out today to buy a new one.

I need a processor that supports my work from home, but other than that, I just needed the basics. Found a REALLY good deal on an HP for $349.99. I paid cash out of the wedding fund (with the fiancée's agreement) and will replenish it when I am paid on Friday.

I would have used my ING checking, but I forgot to transfer funds from my ING savings into it & then was unable to do so from my dilapidated cell phone. Which is an old one that my friend let me borrow after my own cell phone died.

I have been unlucky in electronics. Thank goodness I found a decent deal.

In other news, my refinance is going through nicely. Should close on the 31st. I am paying my medical bills through cashflow and will be able to hit my Wedding Fund goal in no time, despite the set backs!

My employer offers a program through the medical insurance for gym memberships. I pay them $25 start up and $25/month and through their program, I have access to multiple chain gyms for less than what the gym itself charges.

I signed up today and am able to go to any of these chain locations PLUS I can use this membership to sign up with another regional chain which offers classes. I am really excited!

I am also doing Weight Watchers online, which costs less than the meetings. I also am finding that I am eating less, which means less food costs Thanks to the Farmer's Market, I can easily get fresh fruits/veggies/dairy for cheap!

I have a bunch of medical bills rolling in - new deductible to be met - oh joy.

I am doing any extra little thing for extra funds

-Earned $5 from recyclebank
-Been entering in MyCokeRewards. I am working to quit soda, but my fiancée still drinks it and my friends give me their caps/codes from time to time
-I have been slacking on Swagbucks, but am going to get back on the horse with that!
-I signed up for a rewards program through my healthcare provider, earning points towards something that I can use as a Christmas gift
-I am trying to sell my inherited furniture - some interest, but no actual deals so far

My local electric provider is having 2 energy saving programs. Of course, I signed up for both.

One, we are enrolled in Peak savings days. When there is one, they notify you the day before. You can get $1.25 off every kilowatt hour you reduce your energy use below your base line during this period (usually 4 hours).

Two, you can have a programmable thermostat installed and during these days (usually weekday, mid-day) and they will cycle down your air conditioner (I chose 50%). There was a $40 credit for installing it AND its programmable via phone & computer, which I find to be a HUGE perk!

In the last few weeks, I have been putting items on Craigslist and on a Facebook 'Classifieds' group page for my area.

So far, I have earned $65

-$5 Pier 1 Book
-$20 Decorative bed pillows
-$10 old microwave
-$10 very old computer monitor
-$20 set of collectable glasses

I have some furniture, another monitor, and some other items that I have/will be putting online. All proceeds go to the Wedding/Honeymoon fund!

My recent (starting this summer) Craigslist sale proceeds are all going to the wedding/honeymoon fund.

I have sold:
-a Pier 1 book $5
-decorative bed pillows $20
-an old microwave $10
-a very old computer monitor $10
-a set of collectable glasses $20

for a total profit (so far) of $65. I will take it!

Today is the last day of my staycation. I had a huge to-do list in the beginning, most of which I did not get done.

So today, I dedicated to 'getting my house & life in order'. I got a lot accomplished and it's only 2pm. I think a nap is in order. Then, I will be doing a few more things and resting.

I woke up this morning and got started as my fiancee left for work.

put away all clothes - DONE
organized work outfits for Tues-Friday - DONE
cleaned under bed - DONE
cleaned out nightstand drawer - DONE
wipe off fan - DONE
make bed - DONE
clean walk in closet - DONE
organize jewelry - DONE
dust bedroom - DONE
vacuum bedroom - DONE
scrubbed window junk from closet - partial DONE
made breakfast (8:45 am) - DONE

updated cokerewards - DONE
clean kitchen - DONE
wipe table - DONE
care for plants - DONE
scrub counters - DONE
put away dishes - DONE
wipe cabinets - DONE
organize pantry - DONE
wash floor - DONE

caught up on blogs - DONE
meal plan - DONE
went through wedding magazines, tore out tips & pics I want to keep, recycled the rest - DONE (10:45)

In between, movies/tv running, internet time and playing with the kitties

clean downstairs bathroom - DONE
clean downstairs bathroom floor - DONE
wash upstairs bath floor - DONE

call & check in on mom - DONE

make lunch 11:30 - 12:30

clean upstairs bath - DONE
Rewash bathroom floor - DONE
Set up desk in spare room - DONE
dust & vacuum around fiancee's stuff in 2nd room - DONE
put away cleaning supplies - DONE

Listed items on Craigslist - DONE
emailed friends (been trying to stay in touch more) - DONE


EDITED TO ADD:
decluttered living room - DONE
dust living room - DONE
vacuum living room - DONE
organize entryway - DONE
sell collectable glasses to woman from FB group - DONE

Today was a good staycation day! I slept in (until 11am which NEVER happens!). Then met some people for craigslist sales (Total earnings up to $55).

I made lunch at home, took a 2 hour nap, snuggled with kitties & cleaned a little. The fiancée did some grocery shopping on his way home, so the only spending I did was an impulse stop to the little veggie stand by my house for a bag of russet potatoes $2.49.

Tonight, the boy made dinner (YUMM) and we rented a movie (21 and Over). Now relaxing on the couch, with a drink in hand.

Tomorrow, we have some friends coming over for the 4th. Doing hamburgers, hot dogs & pasta salad. One is bringing dessert and one is bringing a veggie tray. We will probably watch Pitch Perfect for the 100th time somewhere in there too!

Since I am off this week, I am putting a bunch of things on craigslist and on a facebook online yardsale group.

So far, I have sold a decorative pier one book ($5), 2 sets of decorative Pillows (20), a microwave ($10).

Now I am attempting to sell some furniture and other nick-nacks as well as some of my fiancée's stuff (extra computer monitors, ect). The more I purge, the better I feel!!

Every bit of the funds of the sales goes towards our wedding/honeymoon fund!

I signed my wedding venue contract today & tried on some wedding dresses. Ended up spending $0 today!

So I have attempted to post several times in the last few days and lost the entry every.single.time. I will be copying before submitting this time! LOL

This week, I am on staycation! I have many things on my to-do list and who knows what I will get done

Saturday, I spent the day with my sister & kids at their pool (FUN!), Saturday night was a lazy night in.

Sunday, it was raining non-stop so I was lazy and in the evening, did Sunday dinner with friends and watched Dexter & True Blood.

Today, I had a doctors appointment, hit the grocery store, cleaned, met with my friend to see her new baby, cleaned some more, met a person to sell from Craigslist, made dinner. Now I have my feet up and am getting some of my online to-do's complete.

Financial stuff:

-I sold a toy for my nephew for $15
-I received my retirement rollover check today and will be submitting to my newly opened Sharebuilder IRA
-I finalized the rollover of my old 401k to an IRA
-consolidated some medical expenses to make them cheaper
-made a meal plan
-put 2 sets of decorative pillows on craigslist (set up a meet tomorrow for $16 total
-put the fiancée's old microwave on craigslist for $10 (old, but working). Meet is set up for tomorrow.
-paid some bills
-sent an email requesting quotes from my mortgage guy for a refinance. I had looked into it last year and was side-tracked by medical issues

I plan on putting more items up on Craigslist (and an online forum on FB). The boyfriend has 2 computer monitors to put out and I have a bunch of furniture as well. Any money made is going to our joint Wedding Fund!

Tomorrow, I am going to sign the contract for the wedding venue, having lunch with my parents and maid of honor after. In the afternoon, the ladies are going wedding dress shopping! SO fun!

Work has been incredibly busy as has my personal life. So VERY little down time. Also, I no longer have the ability (or time) to look at this site during my lunch break. So I have been lax in posting.

My fiancée & I are looking at wedding locations and hope to have something picked and a date finalized in the next week. Then its off to (FRUGAL) planning for the rest of the to-dos

Budget-wise I am doing well, but I still do not know my exact take home pay amount. There were 3 paychecks in May and I had no 401k taken out of one check and then no insurance out of the other (as it was the 3rd check). So I wait for next Friday with bated breath I want to know the take home down to the cent! lol

This upcoming week will be busy, busy, busy as well. Today, I went to a hula class (works the core) then a 2.6 mile walk with a buddy.

This afternoon, we are going to a BBQ (boyfriend is making deviled eggs and we are bringing some beer from the fridge).

Tomorrow is cleaning & yard work.
Monday - dinner with a good friend at Olive Garden
Tuesday - Zumba
Wednesday - Work dinner
Thursday - Zumba and walking with friends
Friday - the Italian Festival
Saturday - looking at anther wedding location (the last option)
Sunday - Taking the nephews to see a movie

I need to schedule more down time. Luckily, I have a week off of work the week of 4th of July.

Good Stuff:
- Going on a work trip to NYC Wednesday/Thursday. Company paying for the bus ride, hotel accommodations, Wednesday's lunch, a Mets game, Wednesday's Dinner, Thursday's breakfast & lunch & the bus ride home after meetings. I can't wait!

- 3 day weekend coming up!

- once I get my at home access, I get to work from home 1 day a week if I choose

- my fiancée and & are starting some wedding planning (and will make it as stress-free as possible.

- I returned some unneeded work clothes and got some $ from my clothing budget back

- received a $25.xx check from Shop at Home...which goes to my Christmas budget

-my toilet handle broke & I was able to replace it MYSELF and for under $5.00

-my reel mower is working great, but I had some really tall weeds. My neighbor offered to weedwack for me in exchange for using my reel mower on his low grass. I was all for that! LOL


Not so good stuff:

- I got a $110 ticket for running a red light. Its in an area that I am unfamiliar with and I turned in a right hand turn lane with no sign indicating that I wouldn't. I am debating fighting it or not (court costs plus day off the new job may not make it worth it).

- the house is a mess and I can't seem to get it organized at all

- some of my illness issues are returning. So I am trying to take better care of myself!

This Friday will be the first full pay period paycheck from the new job. It will also be the first to have medical, ect. taken out.

The check is direct deposited on Friday, but it will show up on line tomorrow. SOOOOO excited so I can make a to the cent budget!!

In other news, I was supposed to have jury duty tomorrow, but it's been cancelled. I may be recalled in a few months.

The new job is going so well! We have a trip to our other office in New York City next week. Train in & out, plus 1 night hotel all paid for! Wednesday, we will have lunch, see a Mets game & then dinner... all paid for by the company! Thursday will be a business meeting during the day & we will be taking the train back home. Normal work Friday, then a 3 day weekend.

I am SO excited! The job has some serious training opportunities that could open a whole knew world of career options. I am hoping to put my best foot forward & get into the training (paid for by the company) as soon as possible!

In other news, the FIANCEE and I are going to be looking at wedding locations on Saturday. We are staying on a budget with the wedding, but are splurging on venue. Only because my parents have had a savings account set aside for my wedding since I was a kid.

I tried to refuse the funds, but it caused some hurt pride/feelings. So we (the couple) talked it over & are accepting letting them pay for the venue. We plan on paying for all else & I DO plan on being frugal with our money & theirs.

Wish me luck!

The new job is going very well. I am excited to be learning new things and having more responsibility.

Some perks with the job are working very close to where I live and having a free to me gym! It's pretty dinky but will do in a pinch!

This weekend, the boyfriend & I stayed in Friday night. I met a friend at a park right after work & did a few miles walking in the park.

Saturday morning, another friend & I walked near my neighborhood. Free is fun!

I went to my nephew's soccer game & hung out with my family. Free again!

Saturday night was date night. We used a living social then went to this 80's arcade bar. Spent about $30 between drinks & games, but we had an absolute blast!

Today, I walked with two friends at a different park. Free again! Then I took my niece to see a children's play for my mom. She was supposed to go, but was ill, so I went in her place. Free tickets and $1 spent on water. Pretty frugal!

Afterwards, I spent some time at my parents & my sister & I gave my parents a gift of a B&B overnight stay in a nearby scenic town. We shopped around and got a great deal for $109 that included breakfast, coupons for local events and a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant. Can't beat that!

Tonight, I skipped Sunday dinner with some friends and stayed in. Made dinner at home & already have lunch packed for tomorrow.

The house is a mess, but I was able to clean the kitchen and get some laundry done.

I am working on rolling over my previous employer's retirement & 401k to an IRA. I don't want to leave them with my previous employer. Gotta love paperwork!

I took a compute hiatus over the last 2 weeks or so during my transition between the 2 jobs. I will fill you all in about that time, but in the mean time, I have to share.

We got engaged! It was a total surprise (which I loved) and I am super happy. We want a smaller wedding and will probably be doing it in Spring 2014. Talks have begun to see what budget we will work with as neither of us wants to go into debt over this wedding.

I am so happy!

I know you all must be sick of hearing about this new job. But I am SUPER excited. I received an email confirming all the background checks, etc. have been completed. I am officially starting the new job on 4/22. I will be giving my notice on Friday.

I don't know what my current employer will do - they will have to decide to either keep me for the 2 weeks or send me home with pay for the 2 weeks for going to a competitor (although the job is not specifically in competition with my current one).

I am hoping for the 2 week 'vacation'. We will see

I can't wait to get my first check on the new job and be able to do a new zero based budget with a strong concentration on paying off my debt!

I had a very good weekend. Friday, I had the day off. I was still sick and other than grabbing lunch with my parents & doing some pre-employment actions. The rest of the day was spent sleeping.

Saturday, we went to see GI Joe. It was what I expected, but enjoyable

Saturday night, we had friends over. I made Buffalo Chicken Lasagna and salad. My friend brought a hostess gift of tulips and some really cute earrings. She totally didn't have to, but I am very appreciative of both.

Easter, the boyfriend & I had dinner at my parents, then dinner at his family's. We usually just do little things for the kids, but for some reason my mom got my BF & I $25 Fandango gift card.

His mom made me a very cute crochet bunny doll. It is soooo adorable. I love his family.

Today would have been a no spender like yesterday, but I spent a few dollars on a sandwich as I'd remembered to pack breakfast, but forgot to pack my lunch.

Tomorrow will be a bit spendy - my work team is doing a lunch out followed by bowling. This was already in my budget, so it will be fun and not stretch my budget at all.

I have been sick all week & worked from home Monday-Wednesday. I went back in office yesterday to handle some month end things that absolutely had to be done. Instead of taking a true sick day, this seems to have lasted longer because I still worked instead of resting.

So today, I took a sick day. I slept most of the day & seem to be feeling better. Rest is really what I needed!

This weekend will be fun - tomorrow friends are coming over for a game night. Frugal and fun - we provide the food & game, they will bring the drinks.

Sunday is Easter dinner at my parents, then another Easter dinner at the boyfriend's parents. Yummy food!

To address some of the comments/questions from the previous post, I figured starting a new one made sense.

I am still super excited about the job change! And the additional money, of course!

Creditcardfree - I see where you are going with the question. Although I know I will likely be asked to leave, the norm is that I am still paid the 2 weeks. I also do not know for sure that I will be asked to leave the day I give notice. To keep a good relationship, I do want to offer them the full 2 weeks notice.

Snafu - the benefits are as good as my current position. Distance is not an issue either as both are within 10 minutes driving distance of my home.

This new position will have a learning curve as any job in my industry, but I am looking foward to every challenge!

As for a holiday, I won't be giving notice until next Friday and I start the new position on April 22nd. I will just have almost 30 days between pay period. I may or may not get some vacation time based on whether they ask me to leave the day I give notice or not (I am hoping yes so that I can take some time, get the house in order, ect).

Patient Saver - no - I am not leaving any money. I have been planning this. I used my personal days already (3) and 2 sick days. Everything else will be paid out, so I used the non-payout options first for days off.

I won't have any flex spending to do as I used more than I contributed already. I will actually end up owing about $100 back to them. This was accounted for in my $900-1000 figure that I think I will get paid out at the end of my employment.

I also have insurance going through the end of April, so I am getting a normal dentists appt in. I also refilled all my maintenance meds so that I have plenty during the transition.

In preparation for the new position, I am currently jumping through the normal hoops. I am also planning on doing a little business clothes shopping as my current work wardrobe is uber-casual and I need to be more of a business casual. I DO plan on sticking to a budget though

After I had the phone interview 2 weeks ago, I had an actual interview last Thursday. I was supposed to interview with 2 people, but one did not come due to a conflict.

The position was a little different than I originally thought it was. The person that I met with and I had a nice conversation but I did not get a 'connection' vibe. When I left, I did not feel that it had gone that well.

However, I received a call from HR on Monday. They offered me the new position. $15k more than what I make now! I know, I was completely under-employed before this.

So now, I have a start date of 4/22. I will give my current position 2 weeks notice, but they will probably have me leave the day I give notice (normal for my industry).

Leaving my current position, I will be paid my normal salary 3/29. Because I give my notice prior to the next payday, that one will be held to account for any other money owed in/out.

-I will get paid out acrued (unused) vacation time
-paid out 16.00 hours of floating holidays
-owe $116.00 to HSA (for prefunded usage)

All in all, I will gross approximately $900. This, plus my last paycheck, will come around 4/30. So essentially, my 4/15 paycheck will be missed (timing-wise).

The new position pays bi-weekly and I think it will take effect to be paid for the first time on 5/3.

Right now, my extra cash flow money is going into a savings fund. As Dave Ramsey calls it, a storm cloud fund. Once the new pay starts, I will be throwing all the extra funds at debt (leaving a $1000 baby efund plus my cashflow catagories).

I still can't believe that I got the job AND negotiated a 15k increase!

I have a steady job, but I really want to get out of the environment that I am in. The job is changing locations and I don't want to drive into town every day.

So I have started job searching. I have been slow with it as there is no urgency and today I had a phone interview with the HR of one of the companies. I feel that it went very well. I enjoyed hearing about the position and I am hoping that I get to the next stage and get a face to face interview. Wish me luck!

In other news, I have tomorrow's food packed. Cereal for breakfast & salad & sandwhich for lunch. Yum!

I have mentioned getting back into debt over the last 2 years. I admitted it a while back and was pretty upset with myself.

NOw I am sharing the #s with you guys. Please be kind. I DO Have a plan to get this paid off. It starts with a $1012 payment being sent to the AMZ cc. ON will be paid off in the next 30days.

ON $122.56
AMZ $1031.56
FRE $2715.50
DIV $3487
DIS $4343.09
ELA $5739.78

TOTAL: $17,439.49

Additional debt:
HELOC: $1892.33
CAR: $6640.85

TOTAL DEBT - $25,752.21

Freebies have been appearing a lot lately. I got a huge mail rush of samples - shampoo, conditioner, lotion, feminine stuff, ect.

I received a free nail file from a friend's 31 party.

My sister moved & 'lent' me her new grill & deck table/chairs. She also decluttered and gave me a magic bullet & small george foreman grill. Woohoo!

My parents are cleaning out my grandmother's house & my mom brought over some never used purses to look at. I ended up taking 2 very nice, still with tags purses.

My friend is lending me the Beautiful Creatures books.

I have been earning swagbucks like crazy. Just cashed in points for 2 more $5 Amazon gift cards. I also have 2 coupons for free 12 packs of coke coming from mycoke rewards.

Yay freebies!

I am trying to knuckle down after a few crazy weeks. I haven't gone overboard with spending, but I also have not been as good with the tracking.

On President's day weekend, the boyfriend & I bought a queen mattress set for $899. Planned & budgeted & cost split in half.

I have been focusing on geting extra funds through mypoints, swagbucks, cashcrate, inbox dollars, ect to go to Christmas.

I keep having tp update my budget for cost increases in things like prescription cat food and gas.

The next few months will be busy, entertainment-wise.
-I am having friends over for dinner one night this week.
-My boyfriend's nephew's birthday party is this weekend.
-Annual beach weekend trip on the 16th. Staying at a friend's place, but dinner, drinks & gas will be somewhat costly
-Late March, we are seeing the comedian Demitri Martin. Tickets already paid for, but dinner out will probably go with it
-Friends are having a game night at the end of the month (will bring an app or side)
-April brings a friends wedding shower & bachelorette party
-The BF & I are heading to New York for a play & weekend (co-Christmas & Birthday gifts)
-We have an overnight at a bed & breakfast (free from last year's missed reservation)
-The end of April is my birthday. We are having a very frugal party at the house!
-And in May, the only obligation I currently have is a good friend's wedding. This will require a room stay, but they were able to get a great discount rate!

Had another heavy day of work and while I really should be getting some work done tonight, I am too mentally drained. I will be looking to catch up tomorrow.

Today, I was able to knock off a lot of my to-do list:

- Ran Swagbucks app on my phone to earn 50 points
- Did Swagbucks searches
- Read mypoints & inbox dollars emails
- Confirmed B&B appointment
- Cleaned the kitchen
- Prepped food for work tomorrow
- Folded & put away laundry
- Listed 10 items on Craigslist/local Facebook yardsale network
- Filed away paperwork that has been sitting around
- Cleared off bed
- Made dinner at home
- Snuggled with the cats
- Watched Pretty Little Liars and Lying Game (guilty pleasure!)

I am working on finding any and all extra money to pay off my lowest balance credit card ASAP. My goal is June. With my current payments to it, the balance will be approximately $1650. So prepare for me to get creative!

Went into work early today (6:35 am). During the day & after, I accomplished quite a bit.

-Printed out my taxes
-Paid $56.44 medical with my MRA account
-Took CVS survey from prescription pick up yesterday
-Noted incorrect information on my prescription & called to have them fix it. However, they were unhelpful so I sent off a nice little letter to corporate as its a semi-serious issue
-Checked account for rewards points reinstatment (still pending)
-Made appointment for bloodwork
-Made appointment for massage (gift certificate)
-Followed up with friend regarding 31 party
-Returned redbox & picked up fixings for dinner. Used a coupon for a free 12 pack of soda & used another code for a free redbox movie
-Organized coupon envelope
-continued completly redoing resume
-redo monthly budget to increase gas catagory
-restocked vitamins and morning mediations for work (have to take some with breakfast, some with lunch)
-hit the gym for the first time in a year
-did 3 loads of laundry
-made dinner at home (well - the boyfriend did!)

Tomorrow's Need to do's:

Confirm B&B reservation (freebie)
Finish resume
Bring work breakfast & lunch
hit the gym again!

The boyfriend & I used a Groupon for brunch today ($10 out of pocket.

Afterwards, I hit up CVS (new to the area) for a prescription transfer. It was $4.39 with my HSA card. I earned a $25 gift card due to their matching a prescription transfer coupon from Walgreens.

I then turned around and used $4.99 for a specific musical Valentine's day card. The rest will be used for toiletries when needed. The $20 I had in my toiletries envelope is going to my ING Savings.

I spent $13.90 on fruits/veggies at the Farmer's market and $3 at the store.

Arriving home, I made lunch, pasta salad for the next 2 days lunches, prepped work breakfasts & am set to not spend at work the next few days. Woot!

My tax refund already deposited & I am transferring to my ING savings. I wanted to put it directly to debt, but since contemplating a job chance, I am holding off and stockpiling money. Once the transiton goes through, I will put all the funds directly at the debt.

Tonight, I watced free Redbox movie, watched some DVR and did some cleaning. Nice & relaxing. Watching the Walking Dead premier now!

Well - less than a month in & my medical stuff is already going crazy. I cannot wait to be 100% healthy again.

After my procedure yesterday, I starte with a nice little stomach bug. My day went from work at home to sick day. Boo.

I have been wanting to look into other work possibilities lately - inside & outside the company, but was sorta stuck last year based on so many health issues. I really want to know at what point, I would be 'stuck' again.

I have my medical, dental & vision - which I would lose when leaving the company.

I have an HSA of $300 - with $120.40 left after eyecare expenses.

I have $400 in an MRA with the potential to have $1000. So far, none has been used, but with the multiple expenses in the last few weeks - it probably will go down about $200 with co-insurance, ect.

I learned today, that if I left the company, I would not have to repay any funds spent for either and would be able to use for any 2013 bills from dates prior to my departure.

I can cash out any unused accrued & unused vacation time (20 days/none used)

I can cash out any Floating Holidays earned & unused (1 earned/none used YTD)

Sick time (6 days minus 1), personal days (3) are not paid when you leave. So my planned day off Friday was a personal day & my unplanned sick day today were used. I will not touch vacation until I absolutely need to.

I am feeling well enough that I will return to work tomorrow. None of these 'plans' or thoughts have been expressed to anyone other than the boyfriend and you buys. But I am attempting to plan the best that I can if I do leave the company altogether.

I have been a little out of control with spending this month. Time to buckle the heck down!

I did some deals that I was not prepared for - but were needed. So I have the cash for it, but am hoping to make up the funds through Craiglist sales so those funds can go towards debt repayment like I wanted it to.

I am having health issues still (UGH) and to help, I am geting back into working out. I have very old sneaks for yardwork and somewhat old sneaks for working out, but I really need a newer pair. I found a groupon for Sketchers $23 for a pair that I have had previously. Even with coupons/sales.... I have not seen this type of sneaker for that price. I ended up buying 2. One for summer & one for working out. Using Shopathome, I will recieve 4% back & amazon rewards will be 2%.

I found a online coupon code for a website & bought a pair of work shoes for $3.99 out of pocket. Thats my kind of deal!

I paid the last of my 2012 medical expenses (woohoo!)

I also treated my family to breakfast out as repayment for help while I was out of comission (being sick). $46 for 4 adults & my nephew.

In other news, I have been organizing at home. I organized all the kitchen cabinets, tupperware, serving dishes, ect.

I called discover to have an inactive account reinstated (it had previously been closed by them). I plan on closing per my request.

I mended 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants, & 3 cardigans.

So lots of things have been accomplished this last week. I have another medical test tomorrow (not fun) and will work from home before & after. I put a little work from home time in today to make up for the time out for the doctors.

This week is cash only - and limited spending under payday on the 31st.

Yesterday, a friend & I went shopping at a semi-local grocery store that specializes in Amish products & close to expiraton date groceries. She goes around once a month. It was my first time & was a great deal, but I don't need to go as often as that.

Still, I spent almost $50 of my grocery money and all the food will good for months! The freezer is packed!

-2 cartons of egg substitute - 99 cents each
-2 light sauce steamer Harvest veggies - 99c each
-1 package Tyson Grilled Honey BBQ chicken - 99c
-2 Smart Ones Steak & Ranch Paninis - 99c each
-2 bags of pretzel bits - 99c each
-2 large bags of Potatoes O'Brien- 99c each
-2 bags grilled Chicken Strips - 1.45c each
-2 10 oz canned chicken in water - 1.79 each
-2 Kraft boxed Ranch pasta salad - 2 for $1
-1 jar of olives 1.39
-1 box 25oz Raisin Bran
-1 red pepper dip mix (at least 10 servings) $3.20
-1 homemade taco seasoning .36 lb - will many TONS of tacos! - $2.34
-1 Celery Seeds .25 pound - $0.98
-1 Orange Peer .04 pound - $0.64
-3 Sizzling salads mixes - 3 for $1
-1 1.5 lb Bulk Steel Cut oats - $1.34
-1 box Townhouse Flatbread crips $1.49
-1 sft taco dinner $1.49
-1 chocolate chip mix 99c
-1 premade braised beef in bourbon sauce (family size) $1.99
-1 pound Pepper Jack cheese cubes - 99c
-1 Baguette chips - Italian Cheese & Herb .69c
-1 18 pack eggs $1.99

Afterwards, we hit 2 different Thrift stores. I am looking to upgrade my work wardrobe. I came home with mostly brand new clothes with tags! $49.25 between both stores and I came away with:

1 $1 game
1 Pair Dress Pants
2 button down tops
4 dresses
1 sleeveless top
2 sweaters
1 cardigan

Just to give you an example, 2 dresses & 1 pair of jeans from Old Navy with coupons would be around $53

Today will be a no spender though! LOL