Momsfirststep's Personal Finance Blog

My children's school had their last fundraiser of the year. I usually buy something that I don't need just so my kids participate. It was just too much this year for me. I didn't buy one item. Why do they have a fundraiser right after the deadline to pay property and income taxes? I also had to prepay their summer daycare. I feel a little bad.

Maybe they were thinking that when people receive their tax refunds, they might feel rich. I don't know, but it is still ridiculous!

It has been about two years since my last entry. During that time, a parent passed away, I sold my house, moved my family, had a job transfer (same job in a new location), and had some major remodeling done to my new house. The remodeling really took a toll on my savings, but I have finally settled in (although I'm still trying to get used to the weather here) and am ready to work toward my financial goals again. It's good to be back. Merry Christmas!

Almost every Monday I take my kids to their karate class (DH likes to watch Monday Night Football). There is a japanese restaurant a couple of stores away and I love this one dish there. I treat myself there once in a while. The item is delicious but full of calories. I am starting my diet again and wanted to indulge one more time before the diet. I kept looking at the restaurant, but I stopped myself and saved $7. As I have already spent half of my allowance for the week (son went bowling today), I am really happy that I had so much self-control.

Here's to a great week for you all and good luck with your savings goals.

I did it! I colored my own hair tonight and it looks great. The box of color costs me about $7.00 vs. a visit to my hair stylist which costs $125 (which includes hair cut, color, shampoo, blow dry, and tip). I usually get a cut and color three times a year. I figure I could color my own hair and get a hair cut every six months (I have a very simple hair cut) and save at least $200 a year. Woo-hoo! Thanks Amber!

I received my federal tax refund on Friday. The money went directly into my savings to repay the money for my property taxes and my FIL's property taxes. I don't know how long it will take to receive my state tax refund as California is having such financial problems, but hopefully it won't be too much longer.

I didn't save any of my allowance this week. I had to go out of town for work and spent the majority of the money in airports or for meals. My per-diem will cover all of my expenses for the trip and give me an extra $20. I had to fly out to the East Coast for a meeting and made a quick turnaround so I wouldn't have to fly back today. It took a lot out of me with the flights and the time change. I'm glad that I'm home with the family.

I want to thank everyone on the SA Blogs. At the end of this month, I will be about 35% of the way to my first savings goal. I've enjoyed reading everyone's blogs. Your words have inspired me and kept me on track. Again, my thanks.

Hope you have a great week and good luck on your savings goals.

Yes, my DD is finally out of Pull-Ups! She has been potty trained for about a year during the day, but had been wearing Pull-Ups at night. She had been dry during the night for at least three months, but she still wanted to wear the Pull-Ups at night. Everytime I tried to convince her to go without, she would start peeing in her Pull-Up that night. I don't know why but suddenly she does not want her Pull-Ups anymore. She's been without the Pull-Ups at night for a week now and I think I can get rid of them for good. Woo-Hoo! Pull-Ups are expensive!

I went to the Open House for the private school that I'm hoping my son will be attending this fall. All the parents were eyeballing the other parents and their kids. DS is going to test and interview next month for the kindergarten class so I need to work with him on writing and etiquette. The school tests and interviews the kids without the parents so I'm hoping that my son doesn't repeat some of the choice words that my husband and I have accidentally said in front of the kids. It's so sad but I pay so much in daycare that I will actually be saving thousands by sending him to private K-8. The back-up school is the local public elementary that is excellent, but we are going to try this school first.

I didn't save any of my weekly allowance this week b/c I ordered Girl Scout cookies from a co-worker and bought some items for another fundraiser at work. I have replenished my allowance and will hope for the best. I think I can bring lunch four days this week.

I get paid on Monday so I can add another $1,000 to my savings. My savings is slowly getting up there. I'm just trying to remember that the plan is in place and it's a matter of the execution now. Good luck to everyone this week.

This week I saved $27 of my weekly spending allowance! It really helped that I didn't go to work today and yesterday, but still.

Yesterday, my husband and I opened our Christmas presents after we put the kids to bed. I gave my husband about five books. Instead of wrapping them, I told him to close his eyes and I put a book face down in front of him (I did this five times). He thought that I was so cheap for not splurging on wrapping paper for Christmas. I told him he could do a lot worse than finding a woman that wanted to save a little money.

December 23, 2008

Today I made my lunch and forgot it in the refrigerator. Ugghh!! I spent $6.29 for lunch at Kelly's with the AAA discount.