I can't think of a god reasonable amount to put aside every month for clothes. With Julie, it's really hard to decide what she needs, how often to buy it, and in what size.

She's small for her age. Some 18 month old clothes don't fit at all ... and some are way too big. Winter is coming up quick, it was cool around here again this morning. It normally doesn't get way too cold until Jan ... but I have a feeling this winter is going to be colder then normal.

Plus, with my grandmother, she always buys WAY to many clothes for her for Christmas and then her birthday that follows a week later. She buys everything up North, and doesn't give a gift reciept. Plus, my grandmother and I are barely on speaking terms, and I wouldn't want to make the relationship anymore rocky buy asking her where I could return the gifts. I'll ask my mother to ask her to buy clothes in different sizes and different seasons ... last year she spent nearly $400 on clothes that Julie had outgrown *or were out of season* within 3 months. I don't want to waste her money.

Tonight, I am going to go through Julie's clothes as soon as she goes to sleep. I plan on making a trip out to the consignment shop early Saturday morning. I want to take at least a box down there with me. Then I'm going to inventory everything that's left and see what we need for winter.

This winter, her coat from last year still fits. This is great news. My doctor was really worried that Julie would get RSV last year, so he didn't want her out much at all last winter. She wore her winter coat like three times, and still ended up getting RSV. She's a lot healthier this year, and at daycare ... so we def need that winter coat. No RSV this year! She was just a day or so away from being hospitalized last year, and that's a fear I wouldn't wish on any mother.

I'm a lot easier. I really need a few more staples for my wardrobe ... but it's nothing that's going to kill me if I don't get it. I have a bit of a "thing" for shoes ... god, I love shoes. I need to "splurge" on two or three more pairs of workpants ... but I'm more worried about getting Julie some clothes.

I've also decided that my move out date from my parents is going to be March 1st, I want to have as much debt paid off as possible, and hopefully have a bit in savings. I really have to start cracking down to get this to happen ...

This morning, bought a piece of turkey sausage from downstairs *with change*. It cost $1.06. How ridculous is that? I couldn't believe it when the lady said it.

I need to start making my breakfast for the week. That's my goal for this weekend. To make lunch and breakfast for work everyday.

I'm thinking about picking up some sourdough bread at work tonight and some of the awesome blueberry syrup and making enough french toast to freeze. I have plenty of egg whites that I could make and freeze and just have to refreeze at work the next day.

The problem comes with lunch. I need to find easy things that could be frozen, but reheated easily enough. I don't want to get stuck eating the same things everyday.

I'm picking up an extra shift tonight at Cracker Barrel, which is good news. Really good news.

Today was almost a no spend day, though yesterday truely was. I'm up to four now.

Today I had to buy breakfast b/c I overslept *this is getting to be to much*, but I spend 4.00 on breakfast. Today I was going to go cheap and buy a double cheeseburger at McD's for lunch .. but when I told my coworkers where I was going ... all of them asked for lunch. LOL. One lady bought my lunch so I got to eat like a pig for free!

This weekend is going to be nice. I'm going to go over on my gas budget more than likely, b/c my parents are going "camping" *they have an RV* and I have to drive out to the campsite before work on Sat and then after on Sunday so they can watch Julie. I guess Monday is a no school day, I miss vacation days.

After I drop Julie off, I'm going to vaccuum out my car. It needs it pretty badly, toddlers are a magnet for trash, dirt and bits of food! Saturday after I drop her off, I'm going to run to the consignment shop as well. The director of her new daycare actually works at the local consignment shop ... it'd be great if she gave me a deal

I also have a "date" for dinner with my ex. We were almost crazy enough to get married four years ago, but both decided we were too young. I'm pretty exicited, which seems silly. When we were dating he was in the airforce out in Utah, so we've never actually gone to dinner. I think he owes me. I'll probably pay though ... it's just the kind of girl I am.

I'm very exicited about this weekend ... I just wish the work week would fly by.

Yesterday was a great day. We woke up late *we always wake up late on Mondays!* and I rushed her to her new daycare. The traffic around our town is awful, but it only took 10 mins to get to daycare. During non rush hour trips, it'll take about 2 minutes to get there from the house.

Julie LOVED her new daycare. She was pretty sad to see me go, but according to her teacher had a wonderful day. The note home said she actually tried to eat everything on her plate during lunch time, which is amazing for my picky eater.

Last night, I had to go out and buy the bug spray *which I forgot at home this morning!*. That was $4, and then I was horrid and bought a snack at McDonald's ... I was so hungry. I bought a soda from the gas station, I rarely drink soda so this was a treat. All in all, I spent $7 yesterday. While at walmart, I forgot completely to look at windshield wipers, I don't think I am ever going to remember to look. I hope it doesn't rain today, which it looks like it's going to.

Today, I bought a piece of toast. That's it so far. I was STARVING for breakfast and the cereal I brought from home just wasn't cutting it, so I picked up a piece of toast from down stairs with some peanut butter. Mmmm ... Today spent .54 from my change jar here at work. I'm pretty sure today should count as a no spend day.

I hate Tuesday, they just drag on. I picked up a shift on Thursday at Cracker Barrel ... so I'm just hoping to make it that far.

There are three months to Christmas ... meaning, three months and one week until Julie is TWO. ACK! Are you serious? I am not ready for this.

Goals for the week:
1. Put together her clothes for the consignment shop. Going Sat morning, with at least one boxful of stuff. 10am, will I be ready?
2. Buy bug spray, possibly another pair of shoes *Julie needs a back up for school* and that's it! I have lunch for this week already.
3. Excel spreadsheet for bills due and when.
4. Pay my dad some more towards the money I owe him.
5. Extra shift Thursday at Cracker Barrel. Need to pick up my check and request off for Kim's bridal shower.
6. Change a few things in budget folder, print new calendar ... other than that everything is done.
7. Pay for lot of things I bought for Julie online.

I should have a pretty good week of non spend days. I didn't spend anything over the weekend, so that's two for this week. Making my grand total for this "month" (half month really) up to three. Hey, you gotta start somewhere.

Amanda

I worked out a potential budget this evening on Quicken. It's not for sure, it doesn't hold my student loans or the fact that I have to call about paying back my credit cards, but it was what I had on me just then.

With the ammount of money I've been paying in overdraft fees, and I think I was short changing the overdrafts, honestly ... I'll be paying the bank nearly [$2000]. Are you kidding me?!!?!? Guess what ... I don't want to line someone else's pocket.

So, and this is just a tentative idea, I think I am going to start paying for my bills with money orders ... at least for the next couple of months. The only ones I have to do this with are my insurance and my car payments. Her daycare I can pay for with cash. Hopefully, this will stop the overdrafting of my account.

I went to walmart tonight ... I meant to buy windshield wipers, and forgot to even look. I got Julie's pillow for school, and picked up the ingredients for broccoli casserole for Monday. This way, I can have two no spend days this weekend ... hopefully.

So, I got $30 in gas and the above mentioned, and spent $43. Woot! My limit was $50. If I had remembered to look at the wipers, I would have gone over.

Going through Julie's clothes, I found another huge tub that are too small. I'm going to piece together the outfits, and take them to the consignment shop early this week.

All in all, a good day. I've got to get back to work before I loose my drive, but I'm happy to say I accomplished something today.

A friend of mine is currently enrolled in Sanford-Brown University, where's she's going to school for medical assistance. Another friend is thinking about enrolling .. so today I went there for a quick chat with one of the admissions counselors.

I currently work 7 days a week ... Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 2-midnight and Sun 8-4. Classes would be Monday- Thursday 6-10pm. So ... Mon-Thur would SUCK, and I would never see Juliette. It's 11 months for the course ... that's a really really long time.

I can't decide if this is the right course for me to take. I know that I have to do something for our future, I can't work two jobs forever.

My parents are moving out of state *going for a year long rv trip is a better way to put it* in two and a half years. I know my mom would watch Juliette, but I'd have to do it before they actually leave.

I'm so frustrated. I really want to do something with my life. I have to do something. I just don't know if this is the answer.

But, I think I have my answer.

I'm going to wait a year. I sound like such a procrastinator. If this is what I really want to do with my life *and put myself even more into debt* .. then I'll give myself a year to pay as much as I can off of my debt. Then, make the choice to go to one job ... and somehow do this.

They do offer a program where I can go just Friday and Saturday .. but I didn't even get into it. I don't know if it's something I am going to be able to do now, and certainly not in the long run.


I've just had a bad day ... I somehow stupidly overdrew my checking account. I'm so frustrated with my self. So tired of bumbling with this.

I keep telling myself that tomorrow is a new day. A brand new wonderful day. Of course, it won't be a no spend day. I spent $68 at Target tonight ... I got my coworkers baby gift (Little Tykes Noah Ark, Binks and a hat *on clearance*) Her theme is Noah's Ark, so this is perfect. Plus, my friend's birthday gift, I bought her a giftcard. I hate giftcards, but I honestly had no idea what to get her. Then, I also had to pick up some new sippy's for Julie's first day at her wonderful new daycare. I have to pick up fried chicken and cake at Publix for tomorrow ... I'm hoping some of my wonderful coworkers will chip in some money. That would be sweet ... but I'm not going to hold my breath. They're cheap.

I work Sat and Sunday waitressing ... I'll probably make about $200 this weekend. Hopefully more. I am going to pay for daycare in cash at least this week ... so I make sure that the check doesn't bounce. Sounds silly, but it'll work I hope.

I have to go to Wal-mart on Sat ... I need to pick up a little pillow and possibly windshield wipers. I might need diapers this week, but I'm pretty sure they'll last until next week. I've got wipes and milk. Funny that these things are important to a mom, but really, those are the most important thing on my list.

She needs clothes. This morning, it was in the 60's down here *67 probably*. That might not sound cold to you, but to Florida at this time of the year we were surprised. Funny story, she has NO winter clothes! I dressed her in a pair of 12 month pants and they fit fine in the waist, but were about an inch to short. I HAVE to go through her clothes this weekend to consign them ... and pick some more up.

Long enough ... I believe. Off to watch my recorded showing of the office. I have to have something to gossip about at work tomorrow.

So a good friend of mine is getting married Novermber 11th. She's actually the fourth marriage so far this year, but the first wedding I'm actually going to attend.

I'm terrified.

First of all, I don't do well at weddings. I'm not big on the whole "OOOHhh, I haven't seen you in YEARS!" thing.

Secondly, I'm not girly. I don't own ANYTHING to wear to this blasted thing. I'm going to have to spend around $200 on a dress, I've already started looking. Then there's shoes ... and possibly having to get my hair done. I wish I could do it myself ... but we'll see. Not to mention shoes. *ok, so I'm girly enough to be exicited to buy new shoes*

Then, there's the bridal shower. I have to get her a present for this as well, don't I?!?! JEESH. She wants me to make her a scrapbook, which is cute ... since she doesn't realize it'll cost around $200 to do the whole thing. Sorry, but I would be reluctant to make my own sister's wedding scrapbook, let alone a friend.

I'm just freaking out. I can't be horrid and not go .. it's just not my style. I'm so very happy for her ... but just worried about the money.

I'm thinking about asking a good guy friend if he'll go with me, and then we could at least go halfsies on the present. Free drinks ... I'll keep reminding myself that it's open bar, and maybe I'll be able to make it to the day.

So, I enrolled Juliette last night at the new daycare.

I was so pleased just walking in there. Have to keep reminding myself that you PULL the front door. LOL.

It's so home like. I can see Julie growing there, and that's what I was looking for.

There are going to be 12 kids in her class, and two teachers. She has to pack her blankie and pillow up after naptime everyday, which is cute. She's very into helping with chores around the house, so this is right up her alley. They eat lunch in a lunchroom, so that will be cute for her. Thursday, the meal is country fried steak, mashed potatoes, peas and peaches ... I don't even eat like that for lunch!

The daycare is on 6 acres, and they have a farm there. They have five cows, a bunch of rabbits, a couple of goats, some pigs ... and the kids get to go down there and actually meet and greet with the animals. They go down about once a week at her age group. This is great, Julie is such an animal lover.

On the budget front, I wasn't expecting to pay the $50 registration fee ... but it's normally $75 and they're running a special, so I'll take that any day. Also, daycare is $130 a week, which is ten dollars less per week than her current daycare. That's awesome. The fourth week is half off, which will be put towards good use on my end.

All in all, I'm thrilled. I dropped her off at her current daycare and she started crying immediately. It hurts my heart to leave her, so I'm thrilled that she's starting her daycare on Monday.

We went for her shots this morning. She was overdue, but my insurance for work just kicked in. She was such a trooper! She had to get FIVE, and didn't even cry for the first two. The doctor said "She might be prissy, but she's tough!" This was after our discussion about Julie's "icky sticky" and wiping her hands and mouth after each bite. He says it's just a phase, that worst case scenario, she'll just have good personal hygeine. LOL. The things mother's worry about. She's still above average for height, but below for weight. She's catching up though, she's only a pound below normal. I was told to not worry if she stops gaining, as her growth is about to come to almost a standstill. The only hard part is trying to determine what size she'll be next summer, she's not even all the way in 18 months at 20 months yet. I'm thinking she'll still be in 2T next summer ... sigh.

To do list:

1. New windshield wipers. Bad. This has to be done this weekend, since they were literally falling apart during the rain storm I had to drive through on the way to work.
2. Oil change. This can probably wait about a week or two, but I would like to get it done as soon as possible. I have had the car for a long while, and haven’t had the oil changed yet. I’m sure it’s do. I’d like to get it done by the end of next week.
3. Pay car insuance. $323.
4. Pay car payment $220
5. Pay hospital bill.
6. Pay bill for doctor at hospital.
7. Pay bill for doctor’s office.
8. Pay bill for after hours clinic.
9. Make list of all bill’s due, and when.
10. Finish budget folder.
11. Fill out paperwork for daycare.
12. Take paper for Julie’s daycare to notary.
13. Clean out car.
14. Vacuum car.
15. Clean Julie’s car seat.
16. Take at least one box of Julie’s clothes down to the consignment shop.
17. Make list for things for Christmas.
18. Pay storage shed.

I think that’s enough to keep me busy for the rest of the week. I really should add “find my cell phone” to that list, but considering I have no idea where on Earth I left it … I don’t want to think about it right now.

I need to also put in my calendar two weeks from now to call about Julie’s flu shot.

Ok, so I wasn't sure it would ever happen, but yesterday was my first official no spend day since starting this lovely little challenge. WOOT! I'm pretty proud of myself, and hope to be able to hit nine more by the end of this month.

I didn't think hitting 10 would be that hard, until I realized how often I have to acutally spend money. It's rather annoying.

I went yesterday to drop my daughter off at daycare, and I was honestly so disgusted at the teacher that I didn't feel comfortable leaving her there. It was the worst feeling ... so I came to work and started looking at daycares.

I found one with ONE opening that I am in LOVE with. I checked it out yesterday, and it is pretty much exactly what I am looking for. They are going to help me with potty training, after her last center told me they don't start till at least two. I don't know why when she was peepeeing on the potty at home ... but whatever.

I am going today to put the $50 down to hold the spot, tomorrow we have a doctor's appointment ... thank goodness are insurance finally kicked in! That'll be nice, to get her caught up on her shots.

I think I am going to talk to the new daycare to see if she can start on Monday. I really don't think I can handle anymore "surprises" from her current daycare.

Amanda

I always deposit my tips after the weekend, all except $20. I think it's better to keep the $20 out, as a just in case. Guess what, I spend it all and normally by Wednesday. I'll need to buy lunch, b/c I don't feel like making it. Well .. this week, I decided to just go ahead and deposit it. I still have my check card, so if there is a just in case ... but I'm hoping that it makes me actually not spend the money. Here's to this week's expierment.

So, today at work I spent $3 on lunch. It was worth it, I split lunch with a guy at work. He makes the best chicken ... mmmm. I work at Cracker Barrel Sat and Sundays, and my favorite thing on the menu is the homestyle chicken. I haven't had it in weeks because it's so horrible for you. Matt today asked if I would split some with him, mmmm.

Yesterday I borrowed $10 from my mom to put some gas in my car, since she neded me to drive my sister to her soccer game. I paid her back, and then put an additional $20 in my tank tongiht. What I can't understand is how come gas dropped .20 cents, but I'm still paying the same amount to fill my tank every week. I need to better track my driving .. and try to cut back somehow.

I bought Julie a pair of shoes and some socks tonight. I also bought some groceries, and the total came to $17.00.

I went shopping for my parent's groceries tonight as well. My mom has this weird thing happening to her leg where she's now in a cast. Don't ask me what it is, I honestly don't know ... just know that the muscles are seperating from the bone. I do the shopping to help out, plus to make sure there is something for me to eat here in the house.

So, all in all .. not a bad day. I put $7 in my new savings account. It's not much, but I need to start saving for Christmas and Julie's birthday. I can't believe that it's only 4 months till Christmas! And then, Juliette's birthday is a week later. ACK!!! I honestly don't know what I am going to do ... I can't even think about the holidays yet.

I made $115 tonght at work. Woot!

Of course, it's all going into my checking account, and actually I owe my mom $10 and my boss $5 for lunch on Friday. PLUS, I have to put gas in my car, so that'll be another $30 taken out. AAARRRGGGHHHH.

So, in reality, I'll be depositing $70. Plus, I'm cashing in my change, plus my $17 dollar check. Not a lot, but not too bad.

I'm not serving tomorrow .. which isn't cool. I have to be a serving assistance, which means I'll only make around $50. BLAH. Sunday's are the best days. Oh well, that check is going to go straight into my saving account anyways. I'll be ok.

I keep telling myself that Thursday is payday, and that it'll all be ok. But, I don't want to be in that state, waiting and hoping for a payday.

Amanda

So, this week I didn't do entirely well. But, I have started getting on track. I'm down to nickles and dimes in my account, and terrified something is going to go through before I work this weekend and make some money.

I'm hoping this weekend is busy, so that I actually make money. And somehow I'm supposed to make it out to the soccer fields tomorrow and back on barely any gas. I haven't figured out how that is going to happen yet.

Have you ever had one of those days where you just weren't sure you were doing the right thing. I wanted to quit my job today b/c my manager literally told me I had to pick the job over my daughter. I've never been so furious in my life.

My daughter is more important than anything in my entire life. Money will never change that. But, I have serious doubts leaving her at her cruddy daycare and going to a job that my boss doesn't seem to care about her.

It just honestly, wasn't a good week.

I just keep having to tell myself that next week is going to be better.

Goals for next week:
Sat - Gas *$40*. Julie needs some more pj's, and some shorts, though I am not sure if I am going to buy them this week or next. I am going to try to do my grocery shopping tonight after work. Clean out car, it really needs to be vacuumed. I need to head over to JoAnne's for some velcro to fix Juliette's careseat if I can't find the velcro I bought a couple of months ago.

Sun - Grocery shopping for my parents after work. Bank trip. Deposit the money so I don't spend it. Sunday I'm also going to start my $20 challenge.

Mon - Finish organizing bills. Go through the rest of Julie's clothes, plan trip to consignment shop for hopefully later in the week.

Tues and Wed, no plans to spend any money at all!

Thursday - Pick up cake for baby shower at work ... I also have to pick up a gift.

Friday - No spend day.

I'd like to keep up with this. I'm off to create a sheet to keep track of my bills.

Amanda

Wow! Let me first say that the words of encouragement were wonderful. Secondly, let me apologize, I literally fell asleep last night while writing that blog. I don't know what happened to me, I woke up and I hadn't finished my post.

Day 2. I knew today I would have to spend some money. Tomorrow is a potluck at work .... I think this one is the fourth in about two months. I've done every possible "cheap" things for potluck; chips, macaroni salad, sodas ... yeah. I had to spend money this time. I went for lasagna, but I honestly didn't feel like making one from scratch. So, Stouffer's got about $11 from me. I also had to buy some diapers. Jeesh! I can't wait until Juliette is out of diapers!!!!!

For a long while, I was buying cases of Pampers. The pampers are great ... they are thin and she doesn't leak - they are $18.88 a case at walmart for 92 diapers. The white cloud diapers are $14.92 for 92, though they are a lot thicker. This kind of works out better for us since she's such a tiny girl her clothes fall off. Right now, we're going through about 6-7 diapers a day, well during the week. I hate to say this, but I think her daycare teacher is either using too many diapers or she's stealing them. Seriously. At home, she goes through about 4-5. Maybe I don't change her enough .. but I have serious doubts about the teacher. Anyways, I bought the diapers ... and we have wipes to last till about the end of the month.

Is it bad that since I have only been taking 7 diapers a day to her daycare, that she went from using 7 a day *plus going through some mysteriously* that she is only changed 4 times a day. I didn't think this would be that hard, taking my child to daycare.

I was also bad and bought myself a shirt, but in my defense I have about five outfits for work. There are five days in a work week, and one of them is a casual day. I'm sure you all can do the math on this, I wear a lot of the same clothes! It's ... bothersome.

I'm working right now on getting Julie's clothes together to take them to the consignment shop. There is a girl at work who's pregnant and due in December who is interested in the highchair, travel system and excersaucer. I'm so exicited! I'm going to take pictures of them this week and take them to work ... hopefully she'll buy them. If not, my mom is planning on having a yard sale near the end of this month, maybe I can get rid of them then.

My best thing of the day ... everyone at work ordered sushi. I almost caved. But, I held out .. and my manager *who always eats with her eyes* ended up having an entire roll extra ... mmmmmmmmm, sushi. And even better, free sushi!

So, no ... today wasn't great. I know that sometimes I have to spend money, but there is this evil place called "Walmart" perhaps you have heard of it. They have everything you could ever possibly want but not need, under the same roof. I literally have an impossible time going in there and not spending $50. Tonight, I spent $45.02. I've learned that it's cheaper and easier to go to CVS for milk, it's $2.99 a gal over there. We go through about a gal of milk a week. At walmart, it's $3.29, plus ... I'll spend an additional $47 on junk. Everytime.

The part that is honestly going to be the hardest for me is actually sticking to a budget. Working out the kinks, the fact that I owe quite a bit of money to a number of people ... it's going to take time. If it means staying out of stores ... that's what it means.

When I was staying home with Julie *I was working nights while my mom watched her* we'd go to the store for fun. Yes, fun. I didn't want to stay in the house all day, so I'd head over to Target to walk around, spend some time. Yeah ... spend about $45, then grab some starbucks. Ack. It's a really good thing I had to get a day job.

Now, even though I'm paying an arm and a leg for day *$140 a week* I'm not spending all the money in the store. So, maybe it's a good thing.

Another goal for September, either decide if I can deal with keeping Julie in the daycare for the next four months *The program I want to get her in doesn't accept until they're two* or switch her now. If I switch her, do I go home daycare or to another facility (that honestly sounds like a horrid word).

Off till next time. Thanks for reading.

Amanda

I really need this to work. To be able to get out of debt, to see the light.

A back story.

My daughter is what some people would call an "accident", but I kindly refer to her as a "SUPRISE!" I didn't want kids until I was thirty, and wellllll ... I'm 22. She came a little early, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

Her father left when she was five months old. I've never seemed a dime from him, and every day I struggle wondering if it will be worth it in the long one. I haven't come to ao decision about it.

Right now, we're living with my parents, which I hate. I've inherited their awful money sense, and I can't stand it anymore. And the sad part is ... I can't get out of debt while living here. I don't understand how this is possible.

My goals for the rest of September are to be able to get all of my bills and debts in ONE location. To be better organzied in this process. To have at least 10 no spend days. I also hope that last week was the last overdraft fee I'll ever pay.

Can I do it?! I honestly hope so.