My sister called asking to borrow $500. For the first time I said no. I felt bad. I have it, but a goal I have for the new year is not to loan people money. She appreciates the money I loan her but it doesn’t really help her control her finances if she knows, or thinks, she can come and borrow money from me.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
When A Good Thing Goes bad
Thursday, January 01, 2009
How To Keep Your Family Fed Cheaply During a Medical Emergency
My brother is in the hospital and for the past couple of days my family has been living there. I'm cheap and I hate buying (other people) fast food. However, I've been buying fast food for my mom and my brother's wife for the past two days. Unsurprisingly the costs are adding up. So I am going to implement the following in order to save money and ensure my loved ones are getting fed:
1. Now is the time to join the wholesale store in my state (Oklahoma) called Sam's. I've been too cheap to pay the $40 membership fee. Hopefully, I can get someone to split the fee with me.
2. Purchase quick meals like Hamburger Helper; as well as, quick things like burritos, chips, breakfast sandwiches, vegetables and fruit.
3. Purchase a case of bottled water, get a sharpie and put each person's name on them. The kids will still lose the bottles but atleast I tried, right?
4. Purchase plastic silverware and plates.
5. Buy cheap/decent microwavable Tupperware for the home cooked meals and put my name on it. Maybe I can get the dishes back when all is said and done. Most hospitals have plenty of microwaves.
6. Deliver the food as needed in a cooler and restock the essentials (paper plates, water, etc).
7. Keep all receipts so I can deduct it from my emergency fund, if necessary.
Now that I have the plan written down it seems a little expensive, but my brother is going to be in there for a while. My mom is on a limited income and my sister-in-law only gets paid if she works. So yeah It'll be a expensive, but this is why I've been working on my emergency fund. It feels to know that I can take care of my people without worrying about credit card debt or missing out on paying a bill.
Am I missing anything?
1. Now is the time to join the wholesale store in my state (Oklahoma) called Sam's. I've been too cheap to pay the $40 membership fee. Hopefully, I can get someone to split the fee with me.
2. Purchase quick meals like Hamburger Helper; as well as, quick things like burritos, chips, breakfast sandwiches, vegetables and fruit.
3. Purchase a case of bottled water, get a sharpie and put each person's name on them. The kids will still lose the bottles but atleast I tried, right?
4. Purchase plastic silverware and plates.
5. Buy cheap/decent microwavable Tupperware for the home cooked meals and put my name on it. Maybe I can get the dishes back when all is said and done. Most hospitals have plenty of microwaves.
6. Deliver the food as needed in a cooler and restock the essentials (paper plates, water, etc).
7. Keep all receipts so I can deduct it from my emergency fund, if necessary.
Now that I have the plan written down it seems a little expensive, but my brother is going to be in there for a while. My mom is on a limited income and my sister-in-law only gets paid if she works. So yeah It'll be a expensive, but this is why I've been working on my emergency fund. It feels to know that I can take care of my people without worrying about credit card debt or missing out on paying a bill.
Am I missing anything?
Monday, December 29, 2008
Feeling Poor For No Good Reason
I've been feeling really poor. I know I'm not poor. I know I'm well off, but I've had to cut back since I've started paying for school and i was really looking forward to getting a raise once i passed the exam. but i flunked the exam, so no raise. Now I'm beginning to wish that I'd stayed at the stressful consulting job where my raises were not contingent on the test. Sigh. I work for the government and we did have a small market adjustment raise a few months ago, but I put the entire raise in my retirement fund ($120/month). I could stop the retirement withdrawals until I'm finished paying for school, but I'm only missing out on eating out and buying more clothes and eating out. So I'll hold out for a few more months. I'll pass the test next time. The third time is the charm, right? In the mean time, I'll work on making multiple income streams. ::rolls eyes::
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Results
I found out I didn’t pass my PE exam yesterday. I got the same score as last time. Go figure. I worked so hard for this test. I don’t understand how I couldn’t have passed. Talk about a blow to the ego. I just went home yesterday and moped instead of cleaning. What a great way to start Christmas
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas Redux
I am finished Christmas shopping. I have everything except a laptop per Maya’s request. I’ll probably get the laptop in March around her birthday. After cashing in $195 worth of rewards, I only spent $85.99 on presents. How awesome is that! Save up those rewards it’s worth it.
| Price | rewards | Total | |
| MP3 player | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Amazon: Sims games | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| Amazon: mini pot with spatula | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| Am Ex: Mari Kart | 48 | 30 | 18 |
| Amazon: Wii Wheel | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Anthony-Nightmare Before Christmas | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| Am Ex: Cars | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Various Toys | 75 | 80 | -5 |
| Books | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Mom: digital photograph | 39.99 | 0 | 39.99 |
| 280.99 | 195 | 85.99 |
So I I stick iwht my plan I’ll be spening almost no money on Christmas presents this year.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Do Something!
I am slack, slack, slacking. I’m doing everything but what I’m supposed to do, which is nothing. In ten seconds I will start doing something! 1, 2, 3….
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