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Archive for February, 2011

End of February already???

February 25th, 2011 at 09:58 am

I love February! It's a relief because January is finished (January is always tough on me for some reason). Also February has tons of things to keep us busy. I'm a teacher so it's always fun in class when you can learn about everything from 100 Days of School to Chinese New Year, African American History to the Presidents! I plan on keeping up the momentum the rest of the year,I'm feeling so much better.

It has been a spendy month- vet expenses, car repair, painters, summer plane tickets, but I'm fortunate because I have credit cards to put the expenses on right away and then savings to pay them off with. I don't like to dip into savings, but that's why it's there. It is a secure feeling.

With all of the expenses this month I can't help but think what I would do if I had the new mortgage of the rental property I was considering. I know I would be losing sleep over the expenses while having the responsibility of a rental house as well. I'm glad I decided not to pursue rental property right now. In a few years, when we get new orders, we will turn our current home into a rental and then purchase a new primary residence. That will make much more sense for us.

I also can't forget our long term goal, to be living somewhere tropical in 10 years! No rental house, new car, or fancy dinner tugs at my heart like the thought of settling in the tropics. I lived in one such place for 3 years, We were sorry to go and I know we will get back there in the future if I keep our goal in mind.

Expensive week

February 21st, 2011 at 10:21 am

I did a lot of spending this week. I had an unexpected car repair, to the tune of $780. Ouch! So I had to move money around to cover that repair, really lowered my savings. But I need to keep my vehicle in good repair, better than a car payment.

The painters came and painted the downstairs, so I went out and picked up some curtains and little things to really make the place shine. Those weren't necessary, but the place looks great!

The financial disorganization surrounding the week of spending is what drives me crazy. I've got some money in checking waiting to be sent to my credit card to cover the purchases. Some of my purchases were on debit and others on credit card to get points. It's very hard for me to keep track of. By the end of this week the dust should settle on my transactions and I can move all of my money where it belongs. I know people suggest using credit cards for the rewards, but this is really difficult for me to do for some reason.

I do better if I just stick to debit, but the $780 car repair threw my accounts for a loop. I didn't have that much sitting in my checking account and it takes a couple days to do an online transfer from savings. I really should have more money in the savings account linked to my checking, but that money is too easy to access!

big-ticket purchases

February 12th, 2011 at 12:54 pm

I've taken some money out of long-term savings to pay for the painting job. I just paid $175 for exam and supply of preventative meds for puppy. (I need to find a cheaper way to purchase heartworm, flea and tick meds...) I also have some summer plane tickets I plan on purchasing sometime soon before prices go up. Ah well, it's all for things I think are important.

We have been doing a good job not eating out very much, this is saving us a bunch of money. We used to average eating out about 6-7 times a month (including take out pizza at home!), now it's down to 2-3. It felt weird at first, but now it feels a bit more normal to cook at home on the weekends. It actually feels good enjoying a meal at home on the weekends, because I know that I'm saving time, money, and eating healthier.

TGIF

February 4th, 2011 at 11:34 pm

I spent the last several days miserably sick and lethargic. Ugh, I don't ever want to go through that again. I'm starting to feel better now, but I still need to take it easy this weekend.

On a more fun note, I'm having the downstairs painted soon! The design/color guy is coming over tomorrow to help us pick out colors. Back in 2008 when I first moved back to the area I painted my old house by myself... it took forever and didn't look very professional. I vowed to pay someone else to do it the next time! I'm excited about the prospect of having beautiful colors on the walls, and I'm happy to pay for a professional job.

Met January fitness goals!

February 1st, 2011 at 10:05 am

Early yesterday morning I ran my last 3 miles. I ran 25 miles in January and worked out at least 3 times a week!
It feels good to reach a goal. One of my weaknesses is not following through on my intentions. I have to force myself through the moment where I would usually give up. I hear that following through on intentions gets easier with practice!