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!!!