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Archive for June, 2009

Random Thoughts in June

June 26th, 2009 at 12:34 am

(1)
I just heard today that my previous boss's brother won 88 million in the lotto. (He's not in the same state we live in.) Haven't verified, but am fantasizing and daydreaming about what that must be like. I don't even play the lotto--neither does my brother!--but that's got to be a head-spinner!!

(2)
We're planning to drive to visit my parents next week...an 8-hour drive...not too bad. Should be fun, but I feel nervous. Me, spouse and the kid. We're renting a vehicle because it seems practical, but I don't know.

(3)
Feel sluggish in this summer weather. Feeling lazy. And tired. Need a break from overtime. And I feel like I've been spending more money than necessary. We wasted $280 (using 'cushion' money) on trying to get our computer fixed. It died, faded to black, and I just wanted it to last through the summer, thinking that I'll feel more like looking for a new computer around September. (I have no plans nor any interest in looking for one now.) The 'fix' lasted for about 3 days and the computer died again! Bad gamble. Bad bad gamble!! I'm at the library's computer as we speak...or write...or whatever....

(4)
Lots of things on my to do list that I'm not to-doing. I appear to be very resistant to getting my will paperwork taken care of. This is high on the list, but not high in my motivation. What's the deal??? I also haven't been motivated to clean house or to write either, though I have lots to do in those areas. Just feeling sluggish. I've been to the doctor and I'm taking my vitamins. Maybe I'm just going through a 'season'.

(5)
Met a new coworker this week who I seem to have a lot in common with. It should be a lot of fun getting to know her.

(6)
Another thing to add to the 'to do' list. Car maintenance--tune-up, radiator flush, air filter changed out, rotate tires, etc. (Got the oil changed already. One down, 105 more items to go...)

Groceries and Household Spending Thru May 09

June 17th, 2009 at 01:16 am

2009 Planned spending for Groceries and
Household Supplies/Toiletries: $3,600

Spending through May 09: $1,675.84

Percentage spent: 46.55% of total Grocery/Household budget

(Confessions: (1) Trying to continue to use coupons, but I've been unorganized lately. (2) Still stockpiling sale items, but I'm worried that it's throwing my budget out of whack, that I might be overdoing it. (3) The kid is eating a lot over the summer. I'm buying more namebrand foods so the storebrands don't get wasted. (4) I'm trying to remain diligent about tracking my spending, though I think I might have missed/misplaced a couple of receipts--no more than $10 or $20, I hope!)

Freedom Account Update - Freedom 09

June 17th, 2009 at 01:02 am


It has taken well over 2 years for me to get my Freedom Account to a level where it almost maintains itself. But I believe I'm there!! I looked at the balance and realize that it's been MONTHS since I've struggled with reconciling and worrying about the usual big outlays and little deposits in this account. I'm amazed.

The sub-accounts are still the same: miscellaneous (I call it a cushion), car insurance, car repairs, home warranty premium/home escrow, medical/dental, and travel. I've noticed this year that between that and the cushion I try to keep in my checking account, somehow, almost like an 'awakening' the current balances have created a lot of ease in paying the irregular and unexpected expenses. (A lot less stress.)

Current balances of subaccounts June 09- Cushion 1: $1500
Cushion 2: $400
Car Insurance: $1004
Car Maintenance: $465
Home Escrow/Warranty: $260
Medical/Dental: $1002
Replace Car: $650
Travel: $105
Total in account: $5,386

Major expenses are coming up but I'm prepared or still preparing. My regular paycheck deposit is still steady at $110 every pay period.

I've spent the better part of this year trying to convince my brother to begin a Freedom Account. (Started working on him on New Year's.) He has shown some interest in it, but not a lot. He says it's too much math and not worth the effort. Maybe it is. I like it, though. I guess everyone has their own method. He manages his money fairly well, so this isn't the magic key for everyone. I'm just glad I stuck this one out. It's been great for me.

May '09 Challenge

June 12th, 2009 at 12:50 am

A little late with the update, but only because I've been too busy.

May 2009 was not as exciting as April's challenge but I'm still plugging away and regaining my focus...

Added:
$115 in paycheck allotments

$180 my automatic transfer on May 20.


Wealth acct/Money mkt balance, $9,322.72

Savings toward extra mortgage payment May 30, $400

Total in account May 30, $9722.74 on May 20

May's total interest: $17.90 deposited

Other activity: I increased the balance in the Certificate of Deposit that I hold in this account from $3,054 to $5,000 even. (It's a 6-month CD: Renewal time falls in May and Nov.) Interest rate is low, but I'm trying every angle to increase deposits and keep things simple.

Work!

June 12th, 2009 at 12:48 am

I'm grateful to have a job. I'm grateful to have a job. I'm grateful to have a job...

My focus has to be on gratitude because my job is re-organizing again (this makes our 6th major re-organization in 10 years) and I'm just a little weary of starting from ground zero every few years with these re-organizations within the same office. (There are over 300 employees...kind of a big "office".) But I'm grateful to have a job. I'm grateful to have a job. I'm GRATEFUL to have a job.

The other news in the re-organization is that I may be moved to a new department within the organization. It's not definite, but it's possible, and it's possible that it will come with a small pay raise. That's good news (especially when I look at my saving goals), but I'm nervous about it. No jobs are being cut, but there'll be a lot of moving around and a lot of workload shifting, which creates an incredible backlog of work in transition and more overtime. (I know, because we've done this many times before.) But let me say it again... I'm grateful for my job. I'm so incredibly grateful for my job. I'll keep you posted.