I love details.........and organization.........but I'm overwhelmed with the paperwork this week. I've got my annual state inspection for my license this Fri and then Tue & Wed of next week....in addition to my appt on Wed for my taxes. I'm working on the license bit first, since after the first meeting on Friday, the rest are more like exit interviews....so, I'll work on collecting the paperwork/documentation for the tax meeting over the week end.
I didn't get to choose the scheduling for these, which is probably making me a tad more negative.
The tax meeting will be one more hurdle to cross re; the closure of the business last year. Can't wait til all the hurdles are in my past.
Success yesterday.......the largest rent check was in my mailbox.....on the day it was due! My reminder emails/FAX and voice mails worked; I think it was the bcc to the exec dir that actually made the system work. Either way, the money was on time. Nice, finally. I was getting tired of the excuse that they didn't get paid on time, so then their check was late. Too bad, figure out a different system.....
Deposited the 2 checks I had yesterday & did get my haircut. Also forgot to use the Target gift cards, just not a shopping person.....plus I had my autistic young man with me; so I should be glad I got home with the items on my list....(and absolutely nothing else!)
Just forgot to use the free money......I need to remember to write FREE MONEY on the list next time, maybe that would help?

Spending just $15.00 today.....It's helper day here......the young man I've hired to spend 3 hours with my autistic kiddo comes this morning, so I get a little reprieve. Enjoying this, the boys are still pretty shy, there isn't much interaction, but I get a break and that is what the goal was in the first place. Now, I just need to clone this kid and pull someone in a couple days after school too.

Home made clam chowder for dinner tonight.....it's freezing here, so that should be a good choice. We've got everything it takes, (but I never start out to cook something that I am missing parts for....) I'm not one to know how much a recipe costs, but this has got to be pretty darned cheap. I buy the bacon in bulk, use dried milk, have the clams in the freezer and using up potatoes that are at the bottom of my bin..... I'll make a huge pot too, so it will cover us for lunches tomorrow too. Aiming for a soup meal at least weekly here.

Got 2 samples in the mail yesterday; each time I say thank you to those of you who kindly post the addresses here.
Each offer individually, doesn't seem like much, but I've begun to see that I can run my dishwasher this week for free, wash clothes for a couple weeks also free in addition to the benefits that add up from each days new goodies in the mail. ( I should be looking years younger soon too......due to all the creams/lotions I've received )

Enough here, back to collecting documents and organizing paperwork. I'll put on my CD I got from the library yesterday (Dave Ramseys, Total Money Makeover) & maybe it will make the job less of a job.

For someone who isn't a "shopper" by nature, I'm sure racking up the days where the money is flowing OUT rather than IN. Off to run errands today, so using gas and getting my hair cut. (I cut everyone elses hair, but can't do my own....drat)
Decided not to make a bank deposit, since I'll need the cash to pay the guy putting up the chicken coop & clothesline.......lumber delivered today & the job starts on Monday. He will want half that day, so I might as well save out the money & not have to run to town on Monday too.

I am going to use my gift cards at Target(insider pages), to get blank tapes for the VCR. My autistic young man doesn't watch much TV, but what he is hooked on, I tape for him if he is not here. Saves meltdowns, so the tapes are a GREAT investment. I had finally run out of tapes to tape over.....and he isn't willing to let me tape over any of his collection.

The largest rent check is due today, but these tenants have never paid on time, nor have they included the late fees. I did call & email a reminder to them this week, to see if I could get this on track. It's such an odd house, I would have difficulty renting it to normal people.......and I like that the house is being used for autistic kids. But, I would still love to be able to count on the income by a certain day each month. I only have one check that I can really count on, and that isn't a specific date either, but it does arrive the first couple days of the month.

I watched a PBS program by the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Great ideas......has caused me to really think about my home. He puts homes in the liability category, since they TAKE money, not MAKE money. Makes sense to me. I have tried to turn my homes into money makers, and they do add some......but they are also my biggest expense. He advocates making money, not saving money........at least that was my simplistic take on it.

I'm certainly re thinking my negative reaction to all these items. Today I received my gift cards to Target for completing the reviews at InsiderPages. Very nice, quick and uncomplicated enough even for me!
I've continued to sign up for others, as well as checking the free offers daily.

I did sign up for the survey sites, but haven't been contacted yet.....and I can't win that Coke contest either! I don't even drink Coke & this is bothering me........go figure!

I called BOA to request the credit on my CC be sent to me. I actually had to laugh at the guy, he had such a surprised response, said something like "send it to you??" His tone was priceless........ Obviously, not something that comes up frequently for him. Anyway, the checks in the mail.
Also got a rent check today, so adding the bank to my errand list for tomorrow. (anyone else run out of deposit slips way before using up all the checks in a book??........I love that!!)

I've got the van packed full and I'm going to head to the antique booth. With luck, there will be big gaping holes where stuff has sold...... Wishful thinking for the first week I'll bet.

Taking cash from yesterdays funds I was re paid & putting it in the bank. Checked accounts on line this AM, need to stay on top of that. With everything on line, this old dog needs to remember things aren't going to be in actual piles on my desk.

I got a statement from the cc acct. I had paid off last month. Now, there is a credit of $29.50 on it! Does anyone else think this isn't an accident? If I wasn't pig headed and want that money......I'd probably start using the card again for something approx that amount. I'll call today & see about getting that refunded. I'm not going to use the account again (interest way too high, set up by sister for the old business........nasty situation), but as I've learned here, it isn't always best to close the account.

Just the gas used for spending today.......all meals here, per usual habits. Steak, roasted potatoes, green salad & steamed brocolli this evening.

I'm grateful for my organizational skills, as I gather necessary items for the state inspection next Friday. Most everything has been easy to locate, my stacks of things for review are growing here. I should be able to drown these inspectors in paper!! I am grateful this is only an annual deal...I can't wait til it is over. Stuff like this makes me a tad crazy, I'm not happy unless I get a clear inspection. Getting called on something makes me cranky! I've got the eval. form, so there is no good reason I will have anything out of line......unless the state sticks something new in. (they did that last year, requiring barriers for CPR....I've got one now!!)

I just found a small stash of PC games (one new even) that we don't use at all........so started to list them on half.com. Came to a halt, when I keep getting a note to enter the proper UPC code? I'm doing just that........ the number is now etched in my brain, but not coming up as a valid UPC. Anyone have pointers for me on this??

I followed up with my CC company & found out the nasty co. that has been calling for payment had already charged my account. I am going to save their FAX from yesterday demanding the same payment again, by check. I have the record now of closing the account, but I'm paranoid re; things like this. I haven't had anything even close to this in my life for decades. Gave up the husband person and magically, the money difficulties never returned.

Spending like crazy today; it's cleaning day here, so I'll pay for my month of that service, in addition to paying him for cleaning my moms house this month too. The building supplies get delivered today for the chicken coop and clothesline projects ....Yeah! Finally!
So, will need to write checks for that too.

My state inspection has been moved up to the 17th, so I'm working hard on getting all the little details finished up here. There will be expenses for this too; I plan to get one more fire extinguisher prior to the 17th. I will wait & just take notes on what the state needs me to change/add........rather than going overboard on things I might not have to do. First time being licensed as an adult facility, I hear it is different than foster care licensing......so I'll be learning new regs & requirements. The only fun part to this will be watching the 3 inspectors try to get any info from the autistic young man that lives here! I know he won't talk to them, nor will he understand their questions.

Expecting snow here today & tomorrow, so I'm holding off on taking my new load of goodies to the antique booth. Anxious to get more in the space, as well as see if anything sold. I'm hoping people just won't be able to live without the things I'm selling!

Baking a couple loaves of my Friendship Bread this afternoon, first time for this starter. I decided to get better at providing home made snacks here......so it's apple cinnamon and a choc chip for this afternoon. Should smell yummy right about school bus time!

Here it is the 7th already and I'm racking up my first No Spend Day. I usually have a couple in a row, regularly......but not this month. Staying home today, entertaining a string of contractors re; the bids for the remodel. Still only 1 bid in hand.

Added another item to my own TO DO list here; learn how to post pictures onto the web. I've done it a couple times, but so infrequently, it still baffles me. I've got things to sell, all would benefit from a photo.

Got the stack of new books posted on Half. Also shipped my first sold book yesterday. Had to buy a mailer, but found a case of free ones for future sales.

Can't wait til March & April are over.......I seem to have a grouping of large, negative type things on the calendar; annual licensing inspection of the home & all my paperwork, income tax meeting in March, and property taxes due in april. ICK to all of them.
Looking forward to having all these behind me and being able to work on the outside of this house as well as get the garden going.

Painting small pieces of furniture, shelves, etc for the antique booth, my tool to increase the $$$ in the $20.00 Challenge. Hoping to have a van full before the end of the week to make another trip to fill up the booth.
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Collected $300. from my tenant. I had forgotten she owed me. We have our car insurance together & I paid the full premium (to get the cheaper price). The payment was a surprise to me, one that I now have cash and two, she remembered she owes for her insurance. I will do this differently for next year.
I also called, faxed and emailed the 3 different people with the company that is leasing a house from me. They have not been on time with the rent since they moved in there in Oct. Rent is due this week, let's see if my reminders help get it paid on time. I bcc'd the email to the exec. dir. She has been the only person who seems to communicate honestly with me. I hate being a landlord....need to find another way to handle this property long term. This way makes me crazy.
The bill I charged to my credit card yesterday............apparently didn't happen. The nasty company that is owed, faxed me today, asking that I sign their form & return it with my check. I checked the account, it is one of my new ones with zero interest.......and since I have been paying huge extra payments on it, there is no reason the charge shouldn't have gone through. Even when I thought I could make this just GO AWAY, I can't. I will call in the AM. I want this solved, so I can start to forget the entire experience. YUK.

So, there was good & bad today........hate it when it feels like the bad is winning!

I have just assumed some more debt on my cc. Can't think of another way to handle this situation. But, I'm screaming mad; at my sister, at my stupidity, name it, I'm just mad.
I had a business that I stepped out of, leaving it for my sister. She has not been paying her bills. One of them has gone to collection, and she didn't change the name. So, they have been phoning me non stop for a few weeks now. I wrote to them, asking for all communication to be in writing, they didn't honor that. I'm just ticked. It got so I didn't answer the phone, just let the calls go to voice mail.
Anyway, I just put the balance of the bill on my cc, $1300.87 further in the red.
One bit that makes it feel less negative, is the total of the bills I'm paying that are truly hers are coming out of the money that would be hers after our mom dies. Maudlin, but fact. Mom is just as ticked at dtr #2 for this & has changed the will, ammended the trust and has begun to make decisions about properties she was going to have my sister & I divide.
Feeling better having just unloaded here, told mom too, so the total owed by dtr #2 has been adjusted........again.

Also just had finance talk #3 here with tenant. Reminded her of loan, discussed paying me back. Positive outcome. Listing some huge things for her on Craigs list that would more than cover my amount.

Ranting over. Back to normal day here, and looking forward to being able to answer my phone!

By a couple of my kids schedule changes, I ended up with the afternoon & evening off yesterday! This doesn't happen unless all the planets are aligned & I've been living right! I called my mom & headed to her place to check out all the work she has done on her new place. Then, we headed out to dinner, she paid!! Visited until I had to leave to pick up one of the kids at the train station..........but it was great to see her. Since I moved a bit further away, we just haven't connected as much. Talk on the phone more than daily however!

I have all day free today too, the young man that is usually here wasn't able to come this week, so I've actually got alone time! My list of what to do is getting longer, not sure I can accomplish it all today!

One paycheck came in, so banking is on the list........as well as getting my first book that sold mailed off.
Would love some advice from those of you that sell books on Half.com.....how best to package these?? Ideas? Suggestions?

I am inspired by all the posts here re; weight loss.........I'm throwing my hat in the ring and going to begin making some changes in this regard. I picked up a treadmill on freecycle, it's time I began to use it daily. It would definately be cheaper to be able to wear the clothing I have, rather than needing to buy a bigger size.........which is the crossroad I'm at right now.

Gardened this week end, the huge box of strawberry plants are now an organized patch....and I know more plants are coming. (need to clear another patch of ground) Got at least half the trees in the ground, (approx 70) we look like a nursery in some areas outside. One more bucket of little trees to get in the ground.........

Keeping to my plan of sending for at least 2 freebies a day...it is sure starting to pay off. Got a very nice clock on Sat, added it to my care box for my son.

Off to tackle my TO DO list here, as well as get another stack of books listed at half.com. As everyone else is off to their Mondays.........I'm enjoying what is my version of a week end!

Yes, I have had to cross one item off my Feb goals list........I can't do it. The outdoor light fixtures won't take a new energy efficient light bulb. Tried several kinds, they are just too big at the base. I will look for new fixtures; but not soon. This would be a good item to use the Lowes gift card for, when it comes! This has also reminded me to think of these bulbs when picking out fixtures for the upcoming remodel. Again........planning.......the key to saving money I think.

My freecycle fabric I got yesterday is fantastic. Worth at least $20.00 per yard & I've got 2 bolts of it!! Enough to do some sort of decorating project here at the house. Plus another bolt that isn't really fantastic at all; but I don't have a current stash of what I call my ugly fabric. I've got 100+ yards of this, so I can afford to whip something up in this, to see if it works, make changes and then move on to good fabric. Definately worth the trip to pick up~ Freecycle beats a store, any day!

Mail Call: I've noticed a big difference in the mail here lately. We get a free something or other almost every day, as well as an offer of some sort too. Before S/A, I would have tossed them, unread. I've pulled the 2 out and have them on the desk, one for free address labels from the Welcome Wagon Co, since we've moved......and the other for a $10.00 credit to my CC for a trial memb in Privacy Source Service. I wonder how much money I've tossed in the trash??

Plan to list another stack of books on Half.com today. I think they're good, now, let's see if someone else thinks so.

I made a "starter" for Amish friendship bread this week end. I used to have one going all the time so I could whip up a couple loaves of quick bread for desserts/ snacks/ breakfasts as well as gifts. Got out of the habit, but in another couple days, this will be ready to go. An easy way to make cheap goodies, much better than buying muffins, snacks, etc.

Off to my day, looking forward to tomorrow, which is my Friday!!

Exciting little things are beginning to happen from the work I've put in already as well as just being WAY more attentive to my money in general.

I received my first notice a book I listed on half.com SOLD! Too fun. I have an unlimited source of free to me books, although not all are in great shape. The ones I've listed are New!

I applied for another gift card, thinking I have got this canceling thing down pat now.....I hope.

I thought I should update my Paypal account, with the new address, etc.......& was surprised to find $150. in the account. I had forgotten about getting paid for an auction item!!! Requested they put the money in the interest acct, and just left it there.

I will be spending a tad today, I pay a 14yo boy to help with my autistic kiddo on Saturdays........ My guy is on a weekend with his mom, so the 14yo & I are going to plant trees. A good $15.00 spent, since I've got over 100 seedlings to get in the ground.
Also using gas, but I'm picking up a van load of free fabric (freecycle), so it should even itself out eventually.

I got blessed with a huge box of strawberry plants today.... Free things are so exciting! That will make the berries taste even better!!

Paychecks start coming in tomorrow, I'm anxious to get another round of payments on the CC's, being mindful of saving out enough for the property taxes in April....2 months to go to round up enough for this bill. I had thought it was going to come out of the money set aside for the remodel, but with that bid so high........I'm going to need to save more &/or get a lower bid.
Advertised on Craigs list for bids, got one guy to answer & he actually came the same day! Let's hope he gets back to me.

I got my utility bill yesterday, & figured out I'm paying $3.36 per day for electricity. Covers lights & the pump, we don't have elec heat. They won't lower my average payment until I've been here a year & can prove I won't have spikes in my use. Wait til they see the bill next month........I've been hyper careful here.

Finally totalled up the costs here at the new house;

mortgage: 1449.
taxes: 170.
insurance; 62.
electricity: 150.
cleaning; 300.
cable/phone/net 166.
netflix 20.

For a total of 2,317.

I've taken the huge bills (taxes especially) and divided them up so I can be putting money aside monthly.

The income is a tad variable, so I'm using the lowest number I've received since starting this new position in Oct 05
Income monthly: 6,565.

Even with my poor math skills, I can see my way clear to fund the IRA, as well as the other financial goals here. In addition, I will be able to continue making improvements on this place, increasing its' value during my stint as owner.

As I was writing this, the FAX came in with the first bid for the bedroom remodel. Just the labor is 29,000. Yikes. Numbers are funny to me, I can't ever get a good "read" on them. I have this much put away for the project, but I was blown away to see the actual number on the bid. And, since this is labor only, the cost of the fixtures, windows, etc are going to put the number quite a bit higher. I'm insanely jealous of those of you who can do this work on your own. I'm doing as much of this as I can, handling most of the demo and then doing all the painting and making my own window coverings, bedding, etc. I am waiting on another bid, but I expect it to be much higher than this one. Having trouble getting companies to bid this, remodel, small, don't know what the difficulty is. Makes me go off on another tangent; I can't stand to hear of people not being able to work, and I can't find someone TO work. Doesn't seem to make sense.

I did round up my receipts from the last couple days & have a simple filing system here set up. Hoping to keep track of monthly cash expenses.......the uncategorized stuff that I've never tracked.

Returning socks I bought.........not the right kind. I will be getting others, so the dollars should stay even. Then, off to pick up my plants from the annual county conservation plant sale. A great cheap way to add to my yard. Also getting the rain barrel "kit" to hook up to a downspout so I've got water in case the pump is out. All these have been paid for months ago, so no added money out today.

Enough rambling.......I can really tell I have no adults to talk with here at my house. The autistic ramblings around me tend to make me use this journal to get my thoughts collected. Congratulations to any of you who made it all the way to the end!!!

I can see the bulk of any spending I do these days is in the catagory of saving..........if I look at the big picture and long term gains. I got my lightbulbs exchanged today (hopefully, they will fit the fixture) and I ended up buying 3 more bulbs for the rest of the fixtures. Small expense in the scope of things, but money OUT...in any case. But, now I have completed one of my goals (granted it was Jan, then Feb and now it's done......speed isn't my problem here) and have all the outdoor lighting on low energy bulbs. TA DA!!

I started off my morning, joining all commuters as I headed to a meeting for interested folks in my county; Topic: affordable housing for all. Had to pay $10.00 for a mediocre breakfast, but enjoyed the speaker more than $10.00 worth. Much "food" for thought this AM, left me pondering many things including need vs want, Americans need to be the best, have the most and convince everyone else in the world our way is THE WAY.

I've got some uninterrupted hours today, planning on spending them getting another load of items ready for the antique challenge of mine. Since I haven't been in this mall before, it is going to take a few months before I know what sells. The top seller in my previous space was run of the mill little pieces of furniture, painted a neutral beige/pink. Couldn't keep them in there..........as fast as the paint dried, I was hauling a van full to town. Hope that is still the rage, as I've got a little line up of odd tables, etc to paint.

I might try tracking my spending this month, that comes from cash in my pocket. I've not paid much attention to this, but I can keep a pocket full of money longer than most people I think! So, spending isn't the issue, it's a remembering thing, will I take the receipts & record them?? Since I'm only on the 2nd, I might be able to get this going.........Seeing peoples listing of expenses here has triggered an interest in my own day to day out of pocket expenditures. Thanks to those of you who post monthly/daily or weekly totals. You inspire me.

Two more samples to add to my Care Box project. It's actually beginning to take shape! Again, thanks to all of you who post the free offers, I don't understand exactly how this works here, but I see several of you posting regularly.

Hauled a van full of treasures to the antique mall & set my wares up today! I forget how big the spaces are & how much it takes to make it look full. When I've got the things here, cleaning, pricing and packing them, they seem to fill the house! My poor little booth; I spread things out and it is still sparse. I'll work at getting another van load ready at least weekly, hopefully 2X a week for this first month. This mall is smaller than the one I was in a few years ago & further off the highway; so I've not set my hopes too high. I would love to make rent & not be paying for this experience.

I've been here at the new place long enough now, I am going to figure out the monthly expenses so I have a frame of reference. I can see the costs here are definately less than the other home, so I will have extra each month to save & invest. It felt like it, but I'm now getting it in black & white.

I received 2 of the free samples I've begun to send for. One is perishable, so will add to the snack bin, the other will work great in my care box I'm assembling for my son. Since I'm no longer giving money to this young man, the freebies are going to be it. Hopefully, by summer I'll have an interesting collection of things that really will be helpful to someone starting out from scratch with nothing. My mom is now participating in this project with me; she isn't doing the money thing either.........we've both learned our lesson the hard way.

The horses were all out again this AM.....the fencing had been unhooked, obviously by a 2 legged "animal" again. Frustrating since I can't think of anything else to do so this doesn't keep happening. I'm cured, my chihuahua is about all the animal I can handle right now!

Bought stamps and mailed a package to a starving student friend of mine, plus paid the first months rent on the mall space, so it was a spending kind of day. Plus the gas it took to get around today.....

It's Wed, so my house is sparkling clean. While I was gone this AM, my cleaner guy was here & worked his magic with my very dirty house. (getting ready for the antique booth is messy business) I have hired him to clean my moms house too, starting next week. I'm not able to help her as much as I'd like, so this will be good. It truly was a Christmas present, but her move in took longer than expected. Now she can have a sparkling clean house too! It's one of my favorite things these days!
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Just got an email from Insider pages, my reviews had all been approved, so 2 $5.00 gift cards are in the mail they said. Too easy! Too fun!! If there are no exp dates, I can add these to my care box for my son! Thanks to all of you that post the freebie section, I would never have known about this offer otherwise.