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Home > Archive: October, 2007

Archive for October, 2007

Anyone catch Oprah today?

October 18th, 2007 at 09:49 pm


I was so shocked to see that woman on the show - the saddest part is about the kids with no health care and a mother who spends thousands on murals for the home, silk flower arrangement, and her own weekly upkeep of nails and hair extensions! Ignoring the neurological issues of one of her children is just beyond words - intentional neglect ...

Suze suggested they go to Seattle to start over and get rid of the reputation as big spenders. I'm afraid after appearing on Oprah that reputation will follow them everywhere ...

I am glad about who I am and how I live and how that will never be me!


Where do you keep your EF?

October 9th, 2007 at 09:35 pm


We've had some serious expenses here the past few months:
$690 auto repair in Aug
$690 unexpected electrician bill Oct 1
$340 replace rental unit washing machine

I have been able to keep these purchases off the credit card but have had done serious damage to our savings account (and I just paid tuition for the 07-08 school year for 3 DKs for $3,200.) I figure if I really buckle down on most extraneous expenses I can come up with about $1,000 a month. I'm considering "laddering" three 3-month CDs for an EF knowing that I can access the money in no more than two weeks (14-day grace period) and my parents could always advance me fund til I'd pay them back (no more than two weeks). Does this make sense to anyone? Anyone else do this?

I'm also moving money to Vanguard's money market fund since our bank's intro-rate to new money market accounts dropped to 3 something%. But there is a 10 day hold on all money going into that fund/account so that is where my more significant savings ($10K is going)

where and what do you do with your savings/EFs?

Almost a No Spend Week!! New attitude about spending emerging ...

October 4th, 2007 at 09:49 pm


We had a major unplanned expense of $697 to an electrician to repair the "guts" of our electric meter (at that point I probably would have shelled out $1,000 just to have electricity - it is paramount with 4 DKs) I was happy that we didn't have to use the credit card and could "afford" the repair.

However, I was on a mission to see how much I could NOT spend and I'm happy to report that it was a very cheap week at that.

I did have a $25 Target gift card which I used to purchase a Halloween costume for DD8.

I also had $60 in Albertson gift cards from two RX filling. My grocery bill came to $100 and I had $38.99 in coupons and $60.00 in gift cards, so all told it was under $5. (Most of that was stocking up on two-for-one items.

My entertainment was two outings to the local Arboretum where my mom is a member and it was beautiful weather and nice to get the two younger ones out while the big ones were at school.

I'm very proud of the fact that I have been able to stay out of stores since Monday and I am challenging myself to go to the store once next week shopping with a planned menu/detailed list.

I am realizing how fast those small purchases add up. The $8 to Michael's - the $9 at Panera's - the $13 to Trader Joes! By limiting my number of outings, I won't only save on gas, but the "leaks" as well.

AND we received a 42" flat screen TV for Xmas from dear parents. One of the cells was "defunct" and when DH and D Dad went to take it back, there was a $321 price reduction. We were just happy with a new TV and dad was happy with the credit, so he and DH shopped at Sam's Club and came home with free groceries: bananas, Starbucks frappucino drinks (12 ct), Naked blueberry juice, cereal and canned veggies. Wonder how and why they arrived at these items? Anyhow, almost no money spend this week, except electrician bill!