Is this really going to work?

UGH.

Today was SUPPOSED to be a $0 spend day. I was pretty excited about it.

Then, when I get in the car, my oil light came on. My friend is fixing my brakes, and doing an oil change next week or so, but I have an oil leak and knew I couldn't make it that long. So, I spent $5 on oil.

$5 blew my $0 day.

Then, driving away from the auto store ... my check engine light came on. UGH! Good thing Matt is looking at the car next weekend ... so he can tell me what else needs to be fixed.

I am hoping and praying that we can get things fixed for cheap. Since my friend is doing the work on it ... I won't have to pay the insane amount to get it fixed at the shop. I am also able to buy the parts from a coworkers husband who owns an auto part store. I think I am going to buy used tires this year, probably with my tax refund. I need two new tires for sure, but I think buying 4 used, should get me through for awhile. I don't want to buy a new car anytime soon ... but I don't want to invest in new tires if the car is going to need a lot of money to keep it running.

I figured after the cost of parts at cost ... and then buying Matt and his wife a $25 giftcard for him working on my car, and probably something for their baby due in May, I'm still coming in a LOT cheaper than taking it to an auto shop, especially since I don't have a "trusted" mechanic. I could just see the blood in their eyes when a single mom who barely knows how to check her oil walks into the shop ... thank goodness I have great friends.

I have been participating in a No Buy Jan ... and haven't been doing really well. I am going to post it here to actually keep track of it better. Maybe it will help me be better with a No Buy Feb.

1/1 - $0
1/2 - $37 (birthday!)
1/3 - $66
1/4 - $0!
1/5 - $30 ( completely unplanned)
1/6 - $0
1/7 - $23
1/8 - 183 - WOW! Putting a total on it hurt. But, this is money for clothes (for me, I actually bought something for myself!), groceries for the month, and toilitries. I don't think it's too bad honestly)
1/9 - $32 My fourth stop at Target for things I had forgotten, (I really need to get better at this list taking thing) and McDs for dinner b/c I wasn't feeling well.
1/10 - $0!
1/11 - $0!
1/12 - $30 for drinks at Applebee's (Completely needed) and $10 in my mom's tank for being so awesome and letting me drive her car
1/13 - $10 at Taco Bell for the fam ...
1/14 - $0!
1/15 - $60 at walmart, including $20 for gas. Some of it was also groceries. $5 at McD's for breakfast
1/16 - $40 at Publix for dinner ingredients b/c nothing sounded good or was defrosted.
1/17 - $0!
1/18 - $40 on disneyshopping. I finally caved, but for things Juliette really needed.
1/19 - $40 out for drinks and food after work. I also got $50 worth of free drinks since our server likes me. I told him I can't come back for at least a month ... I've blown a TON of money out this month.
1/20 - $0!
1/21 - $0
1/22 - $20 take out food for sister's birthday
1/23 - $15 gas. $30 groceries.

I think this will really help me keep better track on what and when I spend my money.

Not much went on this weekend, the best thing there was no spending!

Of course, it was DEAD at work. SIGH. I really hope things start to pick up soon. I don't remember it being this slow last year, but ... it's really honestly hard to remember that long ago.

Supposedly we'll pick up soon ... that's what they always say. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I am just trying to hold out, as long as I make the min. ... I guess I am doing a lot better than most. And, at least I have a job, that's always a perk.

I have to buy pullups, chicken breast and gas tomorrow ... such odd things. Then, I am going to cross my fingers and hold my breath that we get more zero spend days. Those are always my favorites.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

First, let me start out by stating that I do most of my grocery shopping alone. My daughter feels left out by this, but I usually do it either after getting off of work, or right after dropping her off at school if I have the day off.

Yesterday I brought her to the last store with me. This is not the normal plan, and I wasn't prepared for it.

We're walking through the aisles ... and Julie spots Dora ice cream. "Mom, I've got to have that!" "Umm, why?!" "B/c it's Dora. Dora ice cream." "Ok, and can you tell me what kind of ice cream it is." Blank stare. Yeah, didn't think so.

On to the cereal aisle ... Princess Cereal. "Mom, look ... princess rella cereal!" "Yeah, it's frosted flakes. You can have a box of this that's the same thing, but cheaper. Cheaper is always good." "But mom, it's Princess RELLA cereal."

I don't know how women bring their children to the grocery store with them. I literally wanted to pull my hair out.

Tonight, as we were watching the news, they showed a commercial for Healthy Choice frozen meals "Mom, I want Santa Clause to bring me that!" Yeah, I think I'm creating a monster.

I planned out my budget, and this is what I need to make a day. This is for living on my OWN, well, with the kid of course, but no roomies.

I can totally do this! Right now, I have a goal of $50 ... which I often hit. The "extra" goes into a savings account. $70 won't leave as much "savings", but there will still be some.

So, even though I am not moving until April or May, I am starting my goal of $70 a day now.

Today was $74, so the "extra" $4 went into my challenge money. I will update that total on Thursday or Friday, when I stop at the credit union to deposit my paycheck.

So, I've been thinking about getting Juliette a really "nice" doll. Possibly for her half birthday ... something that will get a lot of love and attention put towards it.

I want something soft, but that's able to withstand a three year old's love. I want something that she can carry around, change it's clothes and dote upon it.

I don't want anything that can pee, poop, burp or do anything gross that I will probably have to clean up.

I was looking at the Bitty Baby by American Girl. They run about $50, and I've heard some amazing things about them.

But, then I noticed it was really quite in here ... where's Juliette. She's sitting behind me, playing with a doll I bought her for around $15, taking her clothes off and putting them back on. Giving this baby all the love she could ever need. It doesn't eat, or have any sort of bodily functions. For some reason, I am looking for the "perfect" doll, and yep, we already have it.

I think this counts as $50 savings!

And, no, I don't mean on my personal budget.

Working in the food service industry, and talking to people ... it amazes me how they are able to survive. I've been worried for awhile, thinking about a possible job change, b/c when the economy starts to go, food industry is the first hit. Sorry, but if people don't have money to pay their rent, more and likely they aren't going to come out to dinner. And, if they do ... well, they probably aren't going to be as generous as last month when it was crazy holiday spending.

Yesterday was pretty slow ... really slow. We're in the middle of playoff season ... and last nights game was huge. Today, we started off slow, but I ended up making the "usual" for my Sunday shift. Most of my tips were pretty good, but talking to people ... they are really hurting right now.

I'm hoping the economy can make a turn around, and soon. It's starting to hurt my budget.

HAHA! That's what I heard coming from the back seat of the car on the way home tonight. Because of our busy day on her birthday, yesterday I gave her a Princess coloring thing (it's really big, and I got it for 1/2off at walmart clearance) and Happy Feet (bought for $10 at Target on 12/26) I didn't wrap them b/c she refused to unwrap my mom's gift for her (6 pairs of dress up shoes) ... and she was thrilled with these new presents.

So, on the way home today, she politely informed me that she can't get anymore presents b/c her birthday is DONE! Fine with me ... I'll keep the stickers and Mickey book I picked up at the $1 Spot on 12/26 for a rainy day, child. I'm trying to raise her frugal, maybe it's working.

Today was payday! WOOT! The first payday of the new year. And, it was a grandtotal of $103! This is double what I usually get ... they pay us 8 hours on Christmas, even though we are closed.

I also stopped at the bank today and cashed in my change. I only go inside th credit union once a month or so, to cash in my change, and one of the ladies had passed away. I was so shocked. She was there last month and took care of me. She loved that I rubberband my ones. They had a memorial on her counter, and I am still in shock that she's gone.

$119.27 - challenge
103.00 - paycheck
+031.00 - change jar total
--------
$253.27 - Challenge total 1/3/07

I have had one no spend day this month so far, and have written one check, but I am not going to add that to the challenge until I deposit the money next week at the credit union. Just writing it down for my reference.

I can't believe it's been three years ... but it's true. My little girl will be three today!

At work, everyone was asking me when her birthday party was. I looked at them all and laughed ... she's not having one. "What, you're not letting her have a birthday party?!?!!?!" She's three, she's never had a "real" party ... and I probably won't start with one until she's in school.

Apprently, I'm not the "norm" in this thought. Don't get me wrong, we celebrate her birthday. We tried to have a first birthday, but she was sick that week, and I was sick the week after. We just had neighborhood people over for cake and goodies. Then, last year, I had my sister invite all the kids over for cake, and they were upset that they hadn't brought her a gift. I thought that was cute, but told them all it didn't really matter. My mom got her some ride on Dora jeep thing ... yeah, I was so thrilled (my daughter has pratically ran me over with that thing) and I got her a box of dress up clothes (they were supposed to be her Santa gift that got caught in the Colorado blizzard that year). All in all, after buying the cake from Publix for around $30 (which is absurd!) I spent, maybe $60 on her birthday. And you know what, she was thrilled.

This year, is a little different. Yesterday was my grandmother's birthday, and it turns out today is my only day off work for the week, so we are going to go and visit her. So, I bought a cake at Publix ($30, but they are amazing cakes), a few new things (it was hard to choose, she got sooooo much stuff at Christmas) and we're going to go visit Grandma. I'd like to take her out to dinner ... but since we're going with family, it depends on them. And you know what, even *gasp!* without the party, she'll have a fantastic birthday.

There's a small chance the shuttle will go off today as well, when it was postponed last time, NASA said the next possible day to launch was 1/2. My grandmother lives about 20miles away from Kennedy Space Center, so I'm crossing my fingers that the shuttle goes off. I think that will make the best birthday memory.

Seriously, so long. You've been a really rough year. I've seen too many deaths this year, and not enough births. You've had my brother over in Iraq for nearly nine months, we'd really like him home please. You've dealt me job losses and gains. You've made my daugther grow up waaaaay to fast. It's time for you to move on.

I like even numbers better any how ...I believe 2008 is going to truely be a better year.

This year, I am really going to try to not buy anything I don't truely need. I don't know a better way to term this, but I am really going to try to cut back.

I know it's nearly impossible for us to go straight to "No eating out" so I am leaving it in the budget to have a little fun. I also LOVE to buy DVD's and such, especially since next year with no roomies, I won't have to throw money away by buying cable. YAY! However, it's a pure want to buy a dvd ... and thus shouldn't be done this year. I don't think this is something I can manage.

So, in my new budget for this year, I am going to allow myself some "fun" money. Not to mention, a few trips to Disney. This year, I didn't buy a season pass though ... gasp! My daughter has been asking to go to Disney since October, poor girl. What are we going to do?!?! I am thinking we might go to a few of the special parties, one in the spring, one for Halloween, and then for Christmas. I could never quit Disney cold turkey.

Also, I found out my friend is getting married in Vegas sometime this year. I have never been to Vegas as an adult ... so this is going to be in a "need" category.

Maybe I should label the categories "Need" "Want" and "Sanity". I think that might actually work.

Occasionally, like every other month, I stop at Goodwill on my way home, and browse their movie selection. See, we have this old contraption called a VHS player ... and Goodwill sells tapes for $1. I saved some for Christmas ... but now we have nearly every Disney (Princess)classic.

Do you want to know what my daughter is doing right now ... yep, she's downstairs watching something I paid $1.07 on (silly taxes). And she's quiet, and leaving me alone for a minute so I can input my money spent today and have this silly thing called "a moments peace."

My neighbor came over on Christmas and saw Julie's box of "new" movies (I think I bought her eight) and told me how her boyfriend's daughter hadn't appreciated the gift of used movies. She actually said "What, it's used. This isn't even rewound." Juliette proudly told her all about her new movies, and my neighbor promised to keep an eye out for any I don't have.

The best part, other than the few minutes I can spend alone, is that these things are "classic". We have "Snow White" in it's first release on VHS, with Roy Disney in the beginning, talking about how this was such a change, to be able to view your favorite movie at home. I'm a Disney nerd, so watching these old interviews with Imagineers gets me a bit giddy, remembering when I was younger and my only dream was to work for the Mouse himself.

I'm off to go join my little one ... she wants to watch the Jungle Book tonight.

That's right - it's that time of year, to start thinking about NEXT year.

But first, have we really learned anything this year? I mean, seriously, what hve I gained?

Well, for starters, I'm a bit of a shopping addict. I'm the kind of person to buy something I probably shouldn't, agonize about it for a couple of days and then return to the store. I've also learned that if I spend too much time away from recreational shopping, I find myself at the grocery store. Every. Single. Day. NOT good! When you're spending $50 a day at the grocery store ... you probably have a serious problem. SO, this is something I have worked really hard on this year, and it's starting to get better. Well, a little bit.

So ... onto my goals.

1. Put aside $30 for Christmas, every month. This probably isn't a lot of money to most people, but this will cover our Christmas expenses. Gifts for everyone, a few new ornaments, and I'll need a wreath next year.

2. Stick to my budget Obviously, since I have a bit of a shopping problem, I really need to stick to my budget. This is something I am going to get serious about this year. There is no reason why I am not able to make it, other than complete laziness.

3. No impulse buys This is explainedin my opening paragraph. It's completely nutty to buy something at the store only to be racked with buyer's guiltfor the next three days. It's not worth it!

4. Grocery shopping with list and coupons I've gotte pretty good at doing once amonth shopping. Sometimes I have to make an additional run for things I've forgotten. I am trying to be better to combine these runs when I need bread/milk. This is something I am going to stick to next year. Also, I am going to try very hard to do all of my shopping on Wednesday only. I really think this can be done.

5. Potty train Juliette. She's 90% there. She's doing so well. I'm not however. I forget to remind her. I shouldn't have to remind her every 20 minutes, she's past that stage ... but I forget and she has accidents This year will be the year we get out of pullups. Those things are ridculous!

6. Pay half of my debt away Sometimes I think this is a lofty goal, but it isseriousy something I want to accomplish. It's something I truely think I can do if I stick to my guns and work with my plan that I have written up. I will NOT be in debt forever!

7. Save $1,000 into my EF My EF was pretty much depleted this year. My goal is to make up for that this year and save, save save! I want to have over $1,000 in this bad boy before years end!

8. Loose 40 pounds This is something I WILL accomplish. The best part of this goal will be buying new clothes afterwards!

9. Start college in August I don't care if it's one class. I will be enrolling in the local community college this August. I just need to start saving so I can afford to do this

10. Track where my money goes I hate being at the ed of the month and wondering where I spent all of my money at. This year, I am going to work harder at actually writing down where and when I spend my money.

Here's to a new great year!

I was really good this year when buying presents for Juliette. I knew she would get overwhelmed with too many presents. I also knew that buying her things from the $1 store or from the thrift store would be fine.

However, my mother didn't learn. JEESH! I walked into pesent overload. It was a wee bit terrifying. We almost couldn't fit Julie into the car to bring her home yesterday!

And sure enough, wth 10 or so presents left, my daughter refused to open anything else. She wanted to play with her blue kitchen, and she wanted to play with it NOW.

My mom promises she's scaling back next year. Let's see. Julie's birthday is less than a week away, and I still haven't bought anything for her yet!

My grandfather always "slips" me money for Christmas. Ever since having my daughter, my grandmother refuses to get me anything, let alone wish me a merry Christmas.

This year, my grandfather slipped a card into his back pocket and waited until my grandmother left the room to make herself a plate for dinner, when he thrust it into my hand. It tickles me that he does this on the sly, and saddens me so much that he has to do this. She has no idea that he does this. I don't know where he gets the money from, I know he has some since he still rises before the sun to go to yard sales and such ... so it's "his" money.

$69.27 - $20 Challenge
+50.00 - Wonderful Gramps
- - - -
$119.27 - 12/25 total!

The money will go into the "$20 challenge" and this month my brakes will get fixed! WOOT! I also may get an oil change with the money, and POSSIBLY new tires if I can stretch the budget.

Gosh, I am still tired from last night. So tired! Next year, I will wrap BEFORE Christmas Eve. I swear.

$20.00 - beginning balance
+49.27 - paycheck 2/20
_ _ _ _
$69.27 - $20 challange


Most of my paychecks go straight into my 401k, however two weeks ago I realized I am making the same amount of money as new servers. At Cracker Barrel, you get a .05 raise for every "par level" you reach. When we got bumped up the the new server min. wage, they never bumped up my raises. I really wish I had noticed this ... I don't know, a year ago. However, my paycheck went up like $15.

Sweet!

On an interesting note, I have somehow managed to make even numbers in tips the past two nights. Weird.

A coworker and I were talking tonight, and she offered to watch Juliette for me for free. Seriously.

I almost passed out. I told her I would watch her four year old at night if she could watch Juliette during the day. She said that would work out fine.

If I didn't have to pay for daycare, I could afford to live on my own. No roommates, just my lovely daughter and I. This would be what I want/need. Living with roommates is hard, add having a child into the mix ...and it's really hard.

She just left her husband, so I know she really needs the emotional support as well. She's a great friend, and we laugh b/c we have a lot in common.

The only fear I have is taking Juliette out of school. She loves her school, and I love that she is so happy there. It makes me happy to know how much she is growing. But, I pay $540 a month to send my daughter to school, and it's honestly too much money for myself alone.

I am thinking that when more money becomes available in the "Title 20" program that I might sign her up for daycare. Title 20 supplements daycare for low income families ... but they don't have anymore funding right now. I'll need to call next week sometime to see when they will be getting funding.

I'd really love to live on my own ... sigh. I think I will be able to do this. I don't know if you all can tell how happy I really am.

HAHAHA ... So I am trying to learn how to cook, a little at a time. Luckily, I know how to do a few things, like boil water and chop veggies. I don't know much more, but one of my goals this past year has been to try a new recipe every other week. It's worked pretty well, and has helped keep us out of the boring rut of the same ol same ol.

Tonight, I wanted broccoli and cheese soup. We've both had a bit of a cold here the past couple of days, the weather is starting to get better, but it was pretty icky. It seemed like a soup night, didn't it people.

Well, apprently not. I got through 95% of the recipe when I messed it up. I had just put the broccoli in, I could taste my broccoli and cheese soup. It looked good. I tried a tiny tast, but it was missing something. I decided to add a bit of garlic salt, and *POP* off comes the lid and in goes the ENTIRE bottle of garlic salt.

So, I calmly put the pot into the sink, waiting for it to cool down. Juliette had been sitting on the counter helping me cook, but I gave her some bubbles before the last "simmer for 15 minutes" part. When I told her to sit down, and handed her a cut up hot turkey dog, sliced green apples and a cheese stick, she was a bit confused. "What happened to the soup, mom?" Umm, momma messed it up "It was my fault mom?" Nope, not your fault. "Ok, I like hot dogs." Glad she's neither a food critic or the fashion police, since I've been making her wear sweats this entire week.

And no, the turkey hot dog wasn't nearly as yummy as the soup woud have been.

I forgot all about the gift exchange they do at Julie's school. I think I mentioned it in a previous post, where each child brings in a wrapped toy that they open, but the toy is donated to the school.

So yeah, forgot all about it. And yeah, honesty it wasn't in the budget this month to go out and buy a gift for her school, but it needed to be done.

I stopped by Target two days ago and picked up the cutest twin sets of babies. I thought the sign said $7.67, but it said $17.67 (not including tax). At first, I was just going to deal with it, b/c I knew that I was probably wrong and that I couldn't find a doll for much cheaper. Plus, I like the brand and they are something my daughter owns. I know nothing will withstand 18 three year olds playing with it all day, but these dolls have a chance of lasting, maybe 6 months.

Well, that night a Kohl's commercial came on that all of their Fisher Price toys are 50-60% off. Hmm ... maybe I can go and check them out. It couldn't hurt.

Scored the same set of babies for $10.67 (including taxes) I saved over $7 by driving .5 miles away. Of course I returned the other babies to Target, which was on my way home.

I feel accomplished. AND, I won't look too cheap since Kohl's prints the prices directly on the box, so the daycare will think I spent $19.99 plus tax on the silly dolls. I really don't know who would spend that kind of money on a set of dolls, but they were the last pair, so somebody did.

I would REALLY love to get out of debt. This is something that is most definately in the foreseeable future, and I know I have to take a good long look at my expenses to be able to accomplish this. SO, I decided to slightly twist the $20 challenge a lot of you all do to fit my needs.

I know a lot of people are going to start on Jan 1st, but ... I am taking a leaping head start of a week and a half. From now until Jan 3rd, I'm booked. Completely booked. Since this is my last day off for about two weeks, I picked today to sit down wit myhandy dandy budget and work everything out.

My second savings account is where I am going to be keeping all of this money. It is at a local credit union, and it really won't be hard at all to make a weekly pit stop here to donate funds.

I know this money is supposed to "grow" but lets be honest, the amount I am being charged in interest on my debt will make any grown man cry. These debts need to be tackled as quickly as possible. So, my take on the challenge will be that every month, I will withdraw this money from said savings account and pay extra to my creditors. I am going to start throwing money at the so quickly there silly little heads will spend. YAY!

My rules of the challenge are:
$1 will be put into the challenge:
* I have a no spend day
* Whenever I write a check
* I bring my lunch to work
* When I hit 10,000 steps on the pedometer
* When I loose one pound.

Each week, when I go to the local credit union, a check will be written out to hit these totals. I will keep track of this in my little calendar I bring with me everywhere. I figure if I do this weekly, the money will seem less to me, than if I did it once a month.

Also included in the challenge are:
*all change collected over the course of a month
*any "extra" dollars. This might not make sense to some, but what I do with my tips is round them down to the nearest tenth, so any "extra" dollar is shoved into my change jar. This money adds up QUICK.
*any grocery savings. I know this is debated by some people as actual savings, but when I see what I "saved" after coupons and special deals, it's usually a bit of money. I am going to pay myelf back with it.
*any rebates
*all survery money and any mney from paid sites
*anything that I sell on ebay, or in garage sales or at the consinment shop
* and the BIG one ... all of my paychecks from Cracker Barrel are going to be funneled into this account. I pick up my check every Thursday (they don't have direct deposit) So every Thursday I will be making a nice hefty deposit into my credit union.

Can it be done?!!? I think so. I really hope it can be done. I need for it to happen. So, I am going to make it happen.

Tonight was one of the busiest nights we've had in a LONG time. WOW. My feet and my bones and everything ... hurt. Sigh. I made $150 tonight, which is the most I think I have ever made in a single shift.

And, since I was so tired, I didn't stop at the store for gas. Finally, a $0 day! I need a lot more of these this month, but I don't see it happening. Sometime this week, I have to get a doll or something for Juliette's school. They don't exchage gifts, but each child brings in a toy for the classroom. I think this is a good idea to get new and exciting things for the kids to play with. I also need gas, probably tommorrow .. and I really really need to order Juliette's birthday present. I am leaning towards Princess dresses, but they aren't on sale right now. Sigh.

I have a day off on Wednesday ... I wish it was tomorrow.

My mom is a very loving person. She has complained for years about how Christmas Eve dinner is always done at my grandmother's house. She complains mostly to my father and I ... but she would never take a step up and do anything about it.

My dad is a firefighter, and this year is his turn working Christmas Day. With my brother in Iraq for the second Christmas, my mom has been having a hard time with the holidays. Adding into the fact that my dad won't be home ... well, she was on the verge of loosing it a little.

She came up with the grand scheme of having Christmas Eve dinner at her house, and inviting my grandparents and my cousin over *we're the only ones left in the state*. This is the same grandmother who hasn't spoken to me since I had Juliette ... she's a real doll. At first, she said no, she wouldn't be coming. My mom, who never would have done this in the past put her foot down and said "Fine, see you after Christmas." My grandmother, having her bluff called, back down and agreed to come over.

I just got a frantic call from my mom, who now has to have the house clean and fixed up in 9 days. LOL. My dad's "honey do" list is over a mile long, but she's happy. I'm happy I don't have to drive over to Lakeland and I'm really happy that my mom gets to spend Christmas the way she wants to. But seriously, be careful what you wish for.

Juliette and I were discussing things last night, how fun it was to see Santa, how she's gotten tummy aches a couple of times this month ... normal silly stuff we actually talk about now, when it hit me ...the poor child hadn't gone #2 since Saturday.

So, I panic a little. I sent her to school today hoping there would be some sort of activity ... feeling like a bad mom that it took me so long to realize that there hadn't. After work today I picked her up, and no poop. Off to the store, for some juice. I laughed after we spent 1/2 an hour there, buying more junk we don't need. After checking out, she unbuckled herself from the cart and ran off towards the bathroom "You stay here mom!" I waited, but she was playing around ... so I went in after her. She was embarrassed, b/c she had finely gone, but in her panties. Oh, how I wish she had gone 30 minutes before ... you know, before stopping at the grocery store "for just one thing!" and walking out with $50 of junk. Luckily, most of it is things we'll use, and makes up for what my roommates took. Of course, cookies were on sale BoGo, which we didn't need, but were a nice treat.

At least we don't have to go to the doctors tomorrow! Tonight going to bed she looked at me and said "Tomorrow I'm sleeping in my bed without you." Cross your fingers everyone, I would love to sprawl out in bed by myself for one night. I can't believe she'll be three in less than three weeks.

I knew living with roommates wasn't going to easy, and I can safely say I will no longer be friends with this person after I move out. That's sad to say, but it's true.

First, lately they have been giving me a majority of the money for the bills that I pay. They were short $10 for rent and $4 for cable. Both of these bills came out of my account on the same day, luckily I budget my bills to have "extra" or I would have been really short. I asked three times for the money from rent and just had to ask my roommate for the second time for the $4 for cable. I know, it's "only" $4, but if I hadn't had enough money in the account, we all know that my bank would have charged an overdraft fee. I put my foot down and told her that I will not be accepting partial payments from her or her boyfriend. He also tried to say that he didn't order any movies this month, but they were on the bill. I refuse to pay for these and they want me to fight it with the cable company. No, the cable company even says it was ordered on their box, they will pay.

ARRRGGHH!

Also, her boyfriend has been eating my food. I don't make a lot of money. I shop once a month, other than for milk and fruit, and I shop with coupons and sales. My daughter is almost three, if you have never had the fun of having a three year old, they can be ... picky. Her boyfriend ate all of the ravioli and spaghetti o's that I had bought for my daughter. These are "treats" for her, b/c most of our food is cooked homemade. This really angers me ... but ... I only have until Feb, and then I am moving in with a different set of friends. This is something I am up in the air about b/c of my not so good roommates, but Margaret and I had a long talk today about what we expected of our roommates. Plus, they have a child, so they know what to expect with a child in the house.

So, my mom was right ... again. Don't live with people ... unless you don't mind them shortening you money and eating all of your food.

This month is pretty simple ... don't spend money! There are a fewthings I need to buy for Christmas ... but nothing serious. I think I might buy Juliette some art supplies and possibly some dance clothes ... plus py off the bike at layaway. The rest of my family is uber lame when buying gifts ... so they all get giftcards. We aren't your typical "Oh, I'm so happy to see you!" type, it's more like an obligation. Gosh, that sounds horrible, but it's really how my grandmother makes me feel, so I don't put a lot of thought into her gift (I should add that my grandmother is my dad's stepmom who decided that when I got pregnant *and wasn't married, gasp!* that she didn't approve and won't speak to me.).

Also, I am going to be better here with tracking no spend days.

I'm very proud that I have mostly completed my 2008 goals, and will post them in the next week or so.

I am nearly done with Christmas for Juliette. I am very happy that I came in WAY under budget. I thought I would spend $300 for both Christmas and birthday and right now I am at $150 for Christmas. This includes a new bike with matching helmet, a play kitchen, a play washing machine, play food to go in the kitchen, about five VHS tapes, pots and pans for the kitchen, an apron, new crayons, markers and construction paper. Seriously, it's a REALLY GOOD Christmas for her. Most everything were things I stumbled on, I was planning on spending $110 on a play kitchen, but my mom found a really nice *made in America* plastic kitchen for $20. So, I was able to get the laundry center *also plastic and made in America* for $20. That's a savings of $70! I'm not really worried about the made in America thing as much as I am happy about the fact that it's not made in China. When my mom told me she found these things, I asked her where it was made right away. Since I "saved" that money, I spent it on the new bike with matching helmet. She has seriously been asking for both of these things, so I know it's something she is really really going to enjoy. Much more than the baby sister she keeps asking me for! I also found a bunch of toy food for the kitchen in the Target dollar spot.

My sister is getting a refurbished ipod that I bought for myself and then didn't want. I bought it last Spring, so it's really no money out of my pocket. It was "blow" money at the time that I didn't think through. I am also giving her a bunch of books I have from when I was her age. She is reading "Moby Dick" right now, she is just like me. I was reading "The Old Man and the Sea" when I was her age. Some of the books are in amazing condition, but they aren't selling for anything on half.com, so I know it will make her day.

My mom and dad, grandparents, and my cousins are the only people I haven't bought for yet. And honestly, I don't know what to get them. My parents are going on a cruise in March, so I might be able to not buy there presents until then. Is that horrible? I am looking for really god awful cruise shirts for them. Matching. My dad has this disgusting shirt (it's covered in huge marlins, and he doesn't fish) he wears whenever he invites me out for dinner ... so I figured buying him and my mom a shirt would make there day. My grandparents and cousin could be satisfied with a $25 giftcard, though I would like to get my cousin daughter something. She'll be two, so the possibilities are endless.

I finally qualify for health insurance through my job. The open enrollment period is this month. I was thrilled, until I saw how much it is going to cost.

Right now, my daughter is on state paid health insurance. I pay $15/month. I don't have health insurance.

The new plan will be $75/week for her and I. OMFG, are you kidding me?!?!? For me alone, it's $21/week. My mom used to work in insurance, so I will have her help me pick out what plan I should get and what all it will really mean, but I honestly feel like a horrible person b/c I canNOT afford to add my daughter to the plan.

As it stands right now, I have half my paycheck deducted into my 401k. My paychecks are usually $40/wk (remember I'm a server). This money would be automatically deducted for insuance, so I would still owe them $35/week. At an extra $140/month, I just can't afford that right now. I'm barely squeaking by as it is.

I just ... ARGH! I am so frustrated. Honestly, everytime I think I am getting things together ... something new comes up. I'm really getting tired of this "game".

Sigh.

Over the past couple of months, with everything that has come up, I've managed to wipe out my savings.

So, of course, my brakes aren't working right on my car now.

This is the scariest place I have ever been in financially. EVER.

So, after a good scared cry, I looked at my budget. Looked at what I could trim, and what I couldn't. Asked my mom if she would be willing to watch Julie a few nights per week so I can look for a part time job. Maybe just something to get me through the holidays. Maybe something a little more permanent *but, hopefully no more than 6 months* I don't have a problem working, infact, since my daughter has been born, I have consistently worked two jobs, w/o much complaining. I don't WANT to work 7 dyas a week, but I will if I have to.

On the car front, my coworker is going to look at it for me on Sunday. Then, another coworker's husband is pretty high up in the discount autoparts world, so I am going to give him a call to see how much everything is for my car, with his discount of course. Sometimes, I feel fortunate for all my stupidity. At least I have people who are willing to help when they can.

Then, after everything is said and done, I am going to start busting my rump to get my finances in place. To me, a good mother is someone who sets an example for her child ... and I am not leading by example right now. In fact, I would be pretty ashamed if my daughter could comprehend our financial state at all.

Sigh. I don't know what is going on with me, but I keep falling off the wagon. AND, I am really getting tired of it. I'm also exhausted from working so much, and don't know when I would be able to get a second job, but it would be great to have the extra income in my hands.

So, for the next two months, I am going to tighten my belt, BIG TIME! If I am still struggling, I am going to start looking for a second job.

I really plan on writing down all I spend. Really. I need to see the big picture.

Yesterday I made $82, but after going out for a going away party after work and splurging for doughnuts this morning, I only have $55 left. UGH! Then tonight, I made $97. So, I am going to deposit that into the bank account. It is hard, b/c so much of my money goes towards daycare, but her daycare is so amazing, I feel like it is worth it.

I also have a $67 portion of my electric bill to pay this week, ugh. I can't believe how expensive our electric bill is. We do everything to keep it low, including having the therm set at 78 degrees most of the time ... but it was still $200 this month. $200!!!! UGH!

I need to pay $150 to my friend for her furniture I am buying from her, I need to pay my storage shed, car payment and rent. AAAHHH!!!

I am giving myself a $25 allowance for the week, for things like fastfood when I am being lazy *which I shouldn't get anywyas* or when I forget to pick something up at the grocery store that I need. Anything left over is going to go into my savings account.

Also, right now, anything and everything I make is going to go into my checking account. Having all this cash is KILLING me! I spend and spend, b/c I have the cash there to do it. Not good! Hence the allowance. Since the atm is on my way to Julie's school, each day after work, depositing the money won't be a hard thing for me to do.

After this month, or should I say when October starts, I am going to deposit $50 a day into the account. Usually I make a lot more than that, but $50 is the number I have worked my budget out to. After that $50, I have an envelope system set up for everything "extra". If I make $80 one day, $30 will go into the envelope. I have all of my bills divded by week, and in order of "importance". When the money is in there, and the envelope is full, it will be sealed and marked off the list. Yes, I made a list of EVERYTHING! I also really inflated most of my bills, like saying $100 for electric. If our electric bill is every $300, I'll have a heart attack. However, I know next year I'll be on my own, so I might as well start budgeting now for a bigger electric bill.

Also, something that I have done is gradually increased my rent over the next couple of months. That way, by the time I am ready to move into my own apartment, I will be paying the rent already. Rent for the townhouse is $365, and rent for the apartment will be $690 ... For October, I have my rent as $400, the "extra" money is going to be put into my internet savings account, so it can grow.

I feel like I am trying to trick myself into saving, and maybe I am. But, maybe this is how I have to do it.

I'm exhausted and have to be at work really early tomorrow ... so I don't even know if this makes sense.