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Archive for July, 2009

New Stuff

July 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am

At least they're new to me...

New position: I started my new job even though I'm in the same building and under the same local boss...I just happen to also have a supervisor that is in another state now. Interesting.

New money: I got a raise! And I feel happy that the tasks of my new job are similar to what I was already doing so I don't have to stress over the learning curve. The plan is to put more into my 401K.

New desk at work: Getting a new desk area (we're in cubicles) creates a need to purge and organize. I'm AMAZED (!) at all the stuff I've accumulated over the years of working at this job. I've been cleaning and organizing at home, too.

New dress: I found a dress at the thrift store for 7.99. It's one of those knit jersy wrap dresses that you can ball up and shake it out and wear it to work without ironing it. I LOVE IT!!

New attitude: The kid has been reading some of the books I've been checking out the library. One was a book on aptitudes and gifts. After reading it and taking the test, he decided to change his major from computer science (which it turned out he doesn't really like--he chose that major because it was business-like, practical and seemed to please other people--like me, my parents, his instructors, his friends). His new major will be English/Communication Arts (Media). I'm supportive and feel like he's making a good decision after reading his test results. This college thing has already been an intersting ride. I'll keep you posted.

New stock market level: Both my 401K/TSP and my IRA are increasing in value. At least a little... yay...

Mid -Year Review of Sidebar Status

July 14th, 2009 at 12:53 am

I wanted to compare current status with my "As of Dec 08--) status:

Mortgage: $56,741 remaining
No credit card debt still (yay!)
Retirement: 27,000 IRA (trad'l)
Retirement: 73,453 401K
Wealth acct (Money Mkt): $10,798
Freedom acct: $6,012
Cushion in checking acct: $1,050 (fluctuates a lot)
Christmas acct: $1,001
House repair acct: $921
Grandkids acct: $380
The Kid (future gift/out-on his own acct): $1,372 (he may use part of this to purchase a car)
Car account: $655

June 2009 Challenge

July 14th, 2009 at 12:38 am

Getting later and later with the wealth account update, but here goes...

For June 2009...

Added:
$130 in paycheck allotments

$180 as my automatic transfer on June 20.

$730 from overtime from both May and June paychecks (!!)

$27 in leftover dollar bills and leftover budget change.

$8.63 interest/dividend deposited

Wealth acct/Money mkt balance, $10,218.37

Savings toward extra mortgage payment June 30, $580

Total in account June 30, $10,798.37

Budget Busters

July 14th, 2009 at 12:37 am

1. Still trying to figure out what to do to replace the home computer. The computer is dead. Dead.

2. Used a rental car to drive out of state to visit my parents. Great ride. I expected the cost to be around $350 to $400. It was $470. Not too bad, but it feels better to project/budget costs then it does to actually PAY costs.

3. The credit union where I have my CD sent a notice that they will no longer pay the 'tier' interest (an additional .01 or .02 depending on the daily balance). It's not a lot, but it was something.

4. The kid lost his scholarship (Spring 2009) due to his GPA falling below (way below) 2.50. Which meant we OWED the school $5,000 before we're able to register for Fall 2009. What!??? I cannot begin to TELL you how disappointed I am with the kid. We had a long LOOONG talk. He seems repentant and apologetic and willing to 'correct the error of his ways' next semester. But there's just one shot to do so (next semester) since money is a lot tighter without the scholarship. I want him to get through college with little or no debt and a decent transcript, but not if I'm the only one doing the work. Of course, I'm trying to avoid having the kid laying around playing Play Station all day, too, so I'd rather see him at college. But I can't do the work for him...he has to do the work. His success depends solely on him. (I must have said this to him about 20 times. It bears repeating.)

Other than all that, all is well.