I have the security deposit in hand and the lease is signed. A single guy in his 30's, works as a civilian at one of the nearby bases. He has been at his current place for 2 years with no issues, but likes that my place is on the beach and has a washer/dryer and dishwasher I feel confident that this will work out for both of us.

SO has been home for the past several days as her new assignment gave her some transitioning leave. She goes back Monday evening. The girls and I will drive up Thursday to spend some of our break up there with her. We plan on driving into DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival, we are all excited about that.

Nothing much saved this month as I had the condo vacant and I diverted some savings to cover that. I will be back on track for next month.

Happy Easter and may everyone have a peaceful, warm day!

I've been a little slack on my condo lately. I haven't been trying too hard to find a new tenant, and I need to get on it. That will be my goal for Spring Break, to get a tenant. My last guy moved out in the beginning of March.

I've had several calls for the place, but I've noticed a pattern. People are really concerned about the security deposit! I've never had anyone blink an eye at it in the past. It is pretty common to expect one month's rent for security deposit, isn't it? Yet lately when people call and ask about the deposit, that seems to be the deal breaker. Can it really be that people don't have one month's rent in reserve somewhere? I don't want to lower the deposit amount, because that money is there for security for taking them on as a tenant, in case of damage or failure to pay. My take is that if the potential tenant has trouble scraping together enough money for a month of rent and a security deposit, they probably aren't going to be dream tenants who pay timely.

Last night I stopped to think about how much time I spend in the kitchen- it's a long time! Now that it is just the kids and me I make simple meals, because as the only adult in the house I don't have the time to make really complex things. But even with simple pasta and vegetables, after prepping, cleaning from dinner, packing lunches, prepping for the next night's dinner, and prepping for breakfast, it's a lot of time spent in the kitchen!

On the weekends I probably spend even more time in the kitchen because that is when I would take more time to cook bigger meals, or a pot of soup for lunches for the week, or a bread, etc.

I'm not complaining, I like to eat and I like to eat healthy foods so you do what you gotta do. I just need to be vigilant about scheduling enough time for cooking and food prepping. I'm glad I like my kitchen!

I think the time is coming. This one is over 5 years old and is starting to really have issues. I also need to look into purchasing a portable hard drive to use between home and work. I've used a thumb drive in the past, but I think I should start saving all of my work on the hard drive. I will need to educate myself on all of this before I take another step.

I need to fill up on gas this morning, as I'm driving to DC tomorrow after work. SO is moving this weekend . I will be up there this weekend to help her move, and then she will come down next weekend for the long Easter weekend. We have our commuting schedule laid out for the next few months.

My next class starts April 1, during Spring Break. At least I should be able to easily find the time for studying that week. It is a 10 week class, it will take me to the summer. I'm paying for that class on a 0% interest credit card, each pay check I pay $100 towards it, so the class should be paid off as part of my budget without having to take out of savings. Just in time for the next class~!

Sunday was sooo chilly and overcast, I just wanted to huddle in my sitting room with a blanket. Which I did, for a few hours. After a nap I got up and did some leisurely chores.

Since the girls were with their dad I took advantage of the time alone and did my Easter shopping. I picked up a couple bags of candy, which I will also use for my students. I spent about $8 per person for additional basket fillers. I picked up little useful things that I thought they would enjoy.

I did some organizing of the kids' bathroom yesterday. I painted it last month and I've been redecorating the room as I find things that would fit. It's looking very cute in there!

Saturday was a whole different story. Although it rained initially it ended up being a beautiful day, where we didn't even need a jacket. I brought DD to the oceanfront for a charity 1 mile Shamrock run, and it was so much fun. A great day to enjoy a run at the beach!

Saturday night we had leftovers for dinner and then met up with friends at a bar we hadn't been to before. We spent $22 on drinks, still cheaper than a dinner out. We had a great night catching up with friends.

All in all, a fine weekend. Very March-ish, with the weather going from one extreme to the other.

The last 2 posts I've attempted to write initially posted but they are now gone. Ugh...

I'm too tired to rewrite. I made it cash only this pay period, pay day is tomorrow, that's it. Happy weekend, to all!

I have $26 left in my checking account for gas but besides that I have been cash only this pay period. I have very little left till payday on Friday but that is how I planned it. I have all of my bills paid, food in the house, and money for gas set aside. I will make it to payday!

Today the weather was beautiful, thank goodness. I took advantage of the nice weather and ran 40 minutes outdoors before dinner. It felt great to be outside again, in just running capris and a tshirt.

My tenant is out of the beach condo and I have been sort of looking for a new tenant. I say "sort of" because I haven't been hard-core searching for a new tenant just yet. I have a lot going on at home and at school, and I guess I'm just getting lazy. Plus the condo doesn't cost too much, so I see it as "forced savings" almost. Of course it would be even better if someone else was paying down my mortgage, so I need to get on the ball with this. The condo association is changing the by-laws to prohibit renting, so that could really change things for me. In the meantime, though, I should be able to get a renter.

After a spendy weekend I managed to keep my wallet closed Monday and Tuesday. The longer I can do that the better, I'm doing cash-only this pay period.

I was planning on spending something tonight because we are not going home until after dinnertime. DD has a school performance so we are hanging out on that side of town to wait for her show. I figure I will work out, catch up on never ending paperwork in the classroom, and pick up dinner for us somewhere. Actually, I will check in the fridge or freezer first and see if there is anything convenient we can pack for dinner. PBJs and fruit, anyone? That would be super, if I can get a third no-spend day in!

My course tuition has posted to my credit card, so I have to pay off the $890. I could take it out of savings, but I plan to just pay it off $100 or $150 a paycheck, since it is a 0% card. Then all I have left to do is pass the course and get the most out of it that I can.

I also received $250 bonus for refinancing my new car with my credit union. That money posted in my savings account, so my refund account is now $314.

I registered for class #3 of my series of 5. $890 that I paid out of pocket. I may get a few hundred of that back next summer in tuition reimbursement from work, but I have to wait and see if the funding will still be there.

I wrote out the cover letter for my job application. I want to keep my options open for other job opportunities that may help me reach my long term professional goals. I think that staying where I am will not help me in the long run. Furthering my education and seeking a more specialized position will help. I don't have to accept anything if I don't want to create too many changes in my life at once, but I do want to see what else is out there.

We had a cold, cold weekend. I got my errands finished and all of the work that I had to do is finished. Next we are heading to my mom's for dinner, and then back home to get to bed early in anticipation for another work week.

I spent money: $49 dinner out for the kids and me, $24 at Walmart for Easter decorating and drinks for my parents' dinner, $2 coffee and apple pies, $30 for gas, $13 for sewing supplies for DDs class. That was easy to spend...need to be very careful with the rest! Just $78 left :0

Although it is still cold outside, I'm seeing the end of the tunnel with warmer days here and there. I know for the next month or so the weather will play tricks on me, but that is all part of the season. I've started to enjoy running outside so whenever the temps are mild enough I grab my mom's puppy and try to tire her out on a good run. My mom appreciates it as much as the puppy, a tired dog is a well behaved dog!

I successfully met my fitness goals last month, and even ran 4 bonus miles and completed a bonus workout. I have started to look forward to my workouts because I feel so good afterwards. Plus, when I workout consistently and feel good, I tend to make better food choices. Which makes my body feel good, and I'm more inclined to workout. A healthy cycle! I need to remember this during the tough moments when I stray from the workouts or good eating, I don't want to break out of the "good" cycle.

Financially, I have to be careful. I took out cash for the next two weeks for spending, so when it is gone, it is gone. I just don't want the added hassle of credit cards and transferring money from account to account. I tend to spend more money that way. Of course if I'm not careful I spend the cash just as easily, there is just a stopping point when it is all gone.

Starting balance: $208

This weekend I plan to work on my website for a couple hours, I'm anxious for it to be up and running. I will also do some work from school that I haven't been able to catch up on during the week. I received a new student and there is a lot of paperwork to transfer over, but you aren't given any additional time to do it all. I should have that completed in a few hours as well. So I guess I should plan on one day this weekend to be lazy at home, so that I can be in front of the computer. Well, at least I won't be spending money!

Cold days are forecasted for the weekend, so I can plan on computer work, grocery shopping, and an indoor workout for Saturday. Then Sunday church with SO and the girls, cooking for the week, and dinner at my parents' house. I'm looking forward to it, easy going weekend!