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Home > Archive: January, 2007

Archive for January, 2007

One of my stores robbed 2 times in 2 weeks!

January 26th, 2007 at 09:26 am

It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted, alot has happened in that time! I'm doing well as far as staying on budget, although I have nothing new to add to my $20 challenge right now. I did ask my paper lady for any coupons that she throws away, I offered to pay if she would like and she is willing to give me all coupons left out of unsold Sunday newspapers! Any savings I get from this I will add to my challenge.

One of my stores has been robbed twice in two weeks! The first time someone busted in the door with a large brick at three am and took 2 twelve packs of Budweiser.......can you believe that? That's all they took! The second time was night before last and they held my cashier at knife point and demanded the money in the register....pretty scary stuff! Now we are all on edge about being in this particular store alone but hopefully these scared feelings will pass. This is the first time since I've taken over these stores that we've been broken into or robbed.

More to add to challenge.

January 14th, 2007 at 12:07 am

Had a mini sale of sorts today and sold my older big screen tv and an older recliner so will add that 150.00 to the challenge which brings me to 205.50.

De-cluttering going well!

January 14th, 2007 at 12:06 am

I've started my de-cluttering mission. So far I have the kitchen and my bedroom, living room and dining room done. I even had a mini garage sale, sold my big screen tv which has started turning on when it feels like it, what a pain and also sold an older black recliner that was just taking up space. All in all a good day!

Panhandlers on every major intersection!

January 6th, 2007 at 01:14 am

For about three months there have been a group of people on 3 high traffic intersections in town. Just my luck when I go from store to store or even when I go home I have to cross all three lights. They have buckets, there's about 3-4 out at each intersection (one for each way at the lights). They have buckets that only say Money to feed and help women and children. I have given a few times but lately it just pisses me off. You give at one intersection and they are hitting you up at two others. Next time I'm going to ask what organization they are with and what this money is used for. I think I could make alot more money if I just get a big bucket and go car to car (they actually come to your car door). I guess this must be legal or they would have been stopped by now. I guess I shouldnt be annoyed but good grief, how many times do they expect you to give? If I gave a dollar every time I would be spending 10- 15 dollars a day!

Helping others

January 5th, 2007 at 11:15 am

I would like to be able to help someone less fortunate at least every week. I know I can give to charity etc but feel as though it would be so much better to be able to see how your dollars or even time would affect someone that really needs help. I will have to look into this more and try to see what I can do to acheive this.

Hoping for another no spend day!

January 5th, 2007 at 11:12 am

Yesterday was a great day, did not spend a cent. Have my lunch packed today again and hoping for a no spend day again. Yesterday was pay day, I'm aiming not to even cash the check and put it directly into savings. The next two checks are already spent on bills but I should be able to save most of the last check of the month. I might have to keep a little for groceries but cannot think of anything else. Luckily my fuel is paid for by my company, unless I make a personal trip somewhere which happens rarely. When I go out of town to my mom's I make sure that I also have business to take care of in that town, it is where our corporate office is located and that way my gas is comped for that also! So unless tragedy strikes it looks as though this should be a great month for saving!

Emergency Fund

January 4th, 2007 at 11:54 am

I had $240.00 left from last weeks check, will put that towards an emergency fund account. I have a checking and savings in the town that my mother lives in, (we co-own a small business there, we are going into our second year, so hopefully will show some profit this year!) I will put my money there for awhile.

Adding to $20.00 Challenge

January 4th, 2007 at 11:20 am

I started off with 20.00 at the beginning of January. Added to that is my cashed in dollar coins that I save which was 40.00 and my rolled coins for another 45.50 bringing the total to $105.50.

Dental Problems and Unexpected Expense!

January 3rd, 2007 at 10:55 pm

Well, it never fails! Just when I think I might be able to save a little I'm hit with another expense. On the other hand it can always be worse as I could be so in debt that there would be no way to get the money! So I guess I will just say, thank the good Lord I will be able to pay this expense.
I went to the dentist today and and had a tooth pulled. This is the second jaw tooth in about 5 months. I must get a partial for the bottom teeth as I have no more teeth to chew with. This is due to gum disease from not having my teeth cleaned twice a year as everyone should. When I divorced about 6 years ago I lost all insurance and it was hard enough just to be able to pay the normal monthly bills, much less anything else. So I just thought as long as I brushed my teeth as I always have everything would be fine. I've always had very healthy teeth and no cavities until I was in my mid thirties. WRONG!!!! I also have about 7 small cavities to be filled and of course need a cleaning. This will cost around $2000.00! The work will begin on Jan 18th and I will need to at least pay half by the time the dentist makes the partial. So, I guess I have another expense to add to the mix!

Walmart Gift Cards

January 3rd, 2007 at 01:02 pm

I do most of my grocery shopping at super WM. I shop for the reduced meat and breads there and usually do quite well. I recieved two WM gift cards at Christmas totalling $45. I will use these on Saturday and make it my goal not to spend anything else for the entire week. I should have no problem as my freezer and pantry are pretty well stocked. I made beef fajitas and a large roast on Sunday and we still have food to use up. I am also trying not to let leftovers go bad but to use up. I have been freezing small leftover pieces of meats to use in some sort of stew eventually instead of just letting it go bad and wasting it. I've found that I can be such a wasteful person if I don't pay attention!

Selling some of this junk!

January 3rd, 2007 at 12:56 pm

I have decided to work in my storage, bedroom. Its an extra room that I just have stuffed this and that in for over a year now. There are vintage clothing, shoes and purses and many miscellaneous items that I have not really given any thought to in quite awhile. I used to do some serious selling on eBay but when I went back to work at my present company, found that I just didnt have time anymore. That sure didnt stop me from buying though! I love all items vintage and find myself strangely attracted to anything old. I am very nostalgic and will especially buy anything from the 70's, clothing, kitchenware and toys. I also have spent years collecting 20's on up clothing and shoes and even some housewares. I have several old trunks from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. I have no need for this stuff and will see if I cannot get rid of some of it and put the money into the $20 challenge. My goal is to have some sort of sale at the end of February. That should give me plenty of time to sort tag and donate what I dont think will sell. I look forward to this challenge and to reclaiming my space!

Monthly Expenses

January 3rd, 2007 at 01:35 am

Rent: 525.00
Elec: 200.00 (was 650.00 a month almost all summer until I shut down the central AC and installed window units in 2 bedrooms and the living area. It is sweltering hot on the South Texas border, no way to do without AC!)
Water 70.00
Phone 103.00
Auto Ins 180.00 (includes daughter and son's cars, both fairly new drivers and high risk.)
Cable: 105.

These bring the monthly expenses to $1183.00.
I work about 75 hours per week and bring home approx 635.00 a week for a total of $2540.00 per month.
I would like to save two checks per month and live on the other two but this would leave no money for groceries etc. I could sell a few things per month on eBay though and maybe raise food money, something to think on.

$1.00 Per Pack Ciggarette Tax In Texas Jan 1st

January 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 am

I am in the convenience store business in Tex. Today a new $1 per pack tax was implemented on ciggarettes. Do you think this will deter smokers? What is your opinion? I refuse to pay another dollar and on top of that you must pay another .08 cents tax on the $1 tax! I realize smoking is a waste of money and that it is bad for your health etc, but I think this move is ridiculous!