Nanamom's thoughts Blog

To all who wrote me a Happy Birthday message, Thank you. It was a neat day until my DH got sick. He stayed home from school today he was so sick. DS2 is thoroughly enjoying his recovery. He's feeling better after sleeping until 1030. Tomorrow is payday and I will be paying bills online for the first time! It is free through my bank and there is no expiration on the free thing. I like it since I was buying a book of stamps every payday! My MIL sent me a check for my birthday this year for the first time, now to figure out where it should go...

I did it! I turned 50 today. My DGS (one of them) sang to me on the phone, my husband took me to pizza buffet for lunch and showed up with 12 red roses, my DDIL called and so did my eldest sister. All in all a great day and there are still cards and packages to open tonight! The lady at the restaurant told me I don't look 50 and I said that is because a 2 year old calls me Mommy! I refuse to think about my weight or my finances until tomorrow (although I did check to see if the IRS came through yet, they didn't)

My ebay sales are about over. Just one more person needs to pay me. I found a couple other things to sell last night when I was putting things away. The half sales have been nil for a week so I don't expect much more there. I think I will put th eothers in a garage sale. (Half didn't recognize them as listable and ebay charges to list) I need to clean out the file cabinet and a couple cupboards. Again if I knew how many or what gender/age child we were getting I'd know what to put away for our first garage sale. The IRS refund is due next week. We plan on paying double payments on our van as that is the most interest we pay. The car will be paid off in 11 months but paying it off early saves only about 175.00 so we're concentrating on the van. Depending on the number of kids we adopt we may need to consider a larger vehicle and would want to pay cash for it or at least not have any other payments at the time.

Got on the IRS check your refund page today and they say ours will be here by next Tuesday. Hurray!!! We have been pretty good about not spending money although my DH did bring home a pizza last night. Only 6 dollars. He had gone out to shovel our Pastors driveway because he is in Russia and his wife can't do it. During Lent we don't eat any meat so an occasional pizza saves our sanity! No I'm not saying vegetarians are insane, I'm just not used to cooking that way and we eat alot of eggs and mac n cheese! The hardest part for us is waiting. We have rearranged the house so that DS2's toys are in the living room because we didn't want to wait until his sibling(s) arrive to do it. He likes it that wasy but now we don't know what to do next. If we knew how many or what gender it would help. Ah well, the Lord knows and we'll wait on him.

Our state tax money came in, only took 5 days and one was a weekend day! WOW. I paid off two fo the credit cards with it. Only three more to go. We put 10% aside for our trip over Easter too. If we haven't had an addition to the family by then we are going to visit some extended family in Pennsylvania.

I am reading the Total Money Makeover and have decided to make some changes. I am going to stop saving for a down payment on a house. That money from what I am selling and what i already have is going to go onto a bill right now. I will keep DS2 college going though. He says we should pay off the medical bills even if there is no interest but I think we will make a payment on them and pay off the high interest stuff first. DH has agreed that we will limit how often we go out to eat to once a pay period unless one of us wants to foot the bill on our allowances. I will continue to have a sharebuilder account but it is funded out of my allowance. I am going to keep the account my down payment money was in but I will add to it only out of my allowance. We are also committed to being more careful to stay in the budget. He refuses to let me get a job (even at night while he is home with DS2) and I don't think health wise he should get a second one so that leaves us with one income. He is looking ofr another job which will raise the income and cut down on travel expenses to see grandchildren.) I am going to keep selling anything I can and look at making some crafts to seel at a show in the summer. Christmas gifts for his family will be homemade as are birthday presents. Our children and grandchildren are the only ones we are buying for. We had a visit from a caseworker yesterday and there is a chance we will be adopting a sibling group instead of a single child (WOW HURRAY!!!!) that means we need to sell the car (first we need to pay it off) and save for an inexpensive large van. So Now the challenge for us is pay off CC (with income tax money), pay off car, pay off medical bills, pay off van. Then we can think about saving for a house. Hope the IRS money comes soon!

The IRS rejected the SS number! HR Block said it takes a year for the SS to contact the IRS to update records. They thought they could solve the problem however. I sold a couple more things on ebay and a couple got paid for so the debt to us for the original deposit is down to under 104. Progress, even slow progress feels good. I am going to check and see if they cleared up the SS problem next.

My DH went to the SS office and discovered they had lost our paperwork for DS2's SS #. However due to a major communications problem (theirs not ours) we now have a SS number in his name. SOOOOOO.......
I spent a great deal of time online the other evening trying to do our taxes. I discovered that no sites, even the ones who want what I considered big money for simple taxes like ours recognized one of the forms we had to use. So I gave up and we went to HR Block. I had a coupon for 25.00 off and it still cost us 127.00. I'm delighted however. you see they "found" $1000.00 that we were told we couldn't claim. It seems we were told wrong and our refund is now much better!
In addition, I had several auctions close today and a couple of them are already paid for. I sold another book too. This means that the original 250.00 we used to start the account is almost paid back (less than 111 to go)then we get to raise the amount for a down payment,and we could get our refund back in a week. Needless to say we are delighted!
They filed our state taxes as well (was around 30 for the fee) and got us a couple more dollars there too. All in all a good return on our investment.

My ebay stuff seems to be doing well. Out of 14 items, 8 will sell. I keep getting emails form people overseas about the fire helmet and stuff. I'm surprised at how low it is going. Oh well, I'll never need a white hat again. Half finally came through with my first payment. I put it towards paying back the 250 we started the ing account with. I had hoped to "overlook" that amount but we need it elsewhere. I've sold several more books and one CD on there as well so the next payment is coming along nicely. I started my sharebuilder account also. I have purchased DS2's wardrobe for winter 2006-7 already. The sales have been great (50 to 75% off) and I've gotton a couple outfits off of ebay. I've spent less than $30 and he's completely outfitted including pants, long sleeved shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts, long underwear, sleepers, and undershirts except for a coat and good suit (and socks and shoes) Still, I am happy with the small amount I spent to get him set. I can make him shorts for the summer (have to purchase a pattern but can get that on sale)

DS2 is finally back to himself, not perfect but neither are we. Thanks to all who commented and gave advice. I don't want another week like that again for awhile. We finally got the SSN and can file taxes. That is our project for the day. I was going to open an ING account for him off of our account but it says we can't refer anyone. Guess I'll have to find out what is up with that before we can proceed.

It is Tuesday. DS2 is still sick. Two more days and it will be a week. He is doing better, eating little bits and drinking alot. Everything seems to go right through him though. I know it's a virus and just has to run it's course but in the meantime I am slowly going nuts. I don't know who this whiny kid is and I want my sunny little boy back!!

I placed several items on ebay , 2 ceramic dragons, a miners lamp, fire helmet, ems overbelt, intubation kit, medic bag and fire boots. So far enough has been bid to cover the placement costs at least. Gave the turnout gear to my niece for her birthday. I think that is the last of stuff I have for ebay. I did find some cd's to put on half later this week. Can't do alot right now as DS2 is still under the weather. I have 6 books to mail out tomorrow. I believe that brings the total to around 100.00 but since it isn't in the bank yet I won't count it.

My DS2 is back to a normal temp (for him) and he is actually playing (as opposed to cuddling in my lap for the entire day) I enjoy holding my son but when he doesn't even have the energy to "play blocks" I worry! Talked to DS1 and he and his family are considering a trip in the spring. It would be wonderful to go with them. I'm going to try to see if DD and her family can go to and then all my grandkids can finally meet my sisters and brother. It would be the best birthday present I can think of (my birthday is the month before as is my DH) Maybe the latest little GS could be dedicated then too. I know they won't let me do it but at least we could be there.

I sold two more and they weren't out of the 10 I put on yesterday! I hope the deposit that they were to make yesterday appears on my statement soon so I can transfer it to my house account. We are starting a fund for his education as soon as the SS number appears in our mailbox. We are having a set amount taken out and put in every month so we don't need any start up money. We looked at all the "socially conscious" funds we could find and ended up with the Timothy fund. I'm going to put more books on now in case I have to log off and remake his bed (again) I checked some of the stuff I have to sell on ebay and found out what similiar things are running. I hope to put them on this weekend. I have to sell my turnout gear including a cairns helmet. I hope I get something close to what it is worth.

I hate it when my kids are sick. There is no feeling worse in the world than helplessly watching a little one suffer through something you can't kiss and make better. My DS2 has some sort of intestinal bug and he is so sweet about it. He lays in my lap or watches veggie tales. I remember holding my first two when they were sick. I hated it just as much then. I'd rather be sick than see them suffer. Doesn't change as they get older my DD has a cold/ear infection and I'd much rather it was me than her. He is napping now (early but I don't blame him since we didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night. I was too busy running the washer and changing his bed and him)

OK, What's a category? I'm going to be brave and try it without help. I figure it will mess this up thoroughly. Today is the 15th. I think that is the day half puts money into my account so I can put it into the house fund. I realize it doesn't clear for awhile so I won't record it till it does. Today should be a no spend day for me but DH has to get paper trainers (We only use them when sleeping. DS2 still isn't dry every morning only 1 out of 4 or 5.) He said he is going to get soda too. We limit consumption of it radically now. It will be interesting to see what he brings home. Usually he has something he is sure we "needed" We are once again losing weight, slowly and practically this time. Today is the 10th business day since DH applied for DS2 SS card. We can hardly wait. I've never checked the mail this often!

I went to the bank today and put the money from selling the furniture and the coins I had rolled in and then came home and transferred it to our ing account.
Original deposit: 250.00
They added: 25.00
Furniture: 200.00
Coins: 9.00
Total: 484.00
We're on the way to a house payment.
I found that the coins I had carefully rolled were opened and dumped into their machine so I don't have to roll coins anymore. I can get rid of the wrappers and coin holders and just go with a jar.
I put 10 more books on half today and one sold from last time. Still waiting for the SS number so we can file. I can hardly wait to pay off the CC cards. I'll still have doctor bills but at least they don't charge interest.

I wasn't sure we'd be solvent after this weekend was over! Saturday we spent lots of money. DH "needed" an expansion card for his palm, OK I realize he really did need it because his work stuff won't load without it and we did get it on sale. We picked up a couple learning things. DS2 is outgrowing everything length wise so we went to a couple thrift type stores and found some clothes and boots for him. I got really good deals on almost new stuff so it isn't as bad as it could have been. The bad part is that we ate out instead of coming home. It was fun though and I am cooking Valentines dinner at home to help make up for it. On the savings side, I opened my ing account and will get the bonus and sold a couple more books. I have 91 on there right now and at least that many waiting to go on. I also sold some of the furniture we don't want to take with us when we move to a local antique store. She's picking it up tomorrow and I will get the money then.It goes straight into out account for the down payment. I dumped change into the can as well. We're still waiting for the SS number so we can file taxes and get the CC debt paid off. I have been wracking my brain to come up with what to do for the $20 challenge and am still dry. It doesn't pay to do books except for the ones I already own and am willing to get rid of. I read some blogs today and am glad to see I am not alone in my frustration. If I could figure out a good way to do that I'd make plans to adopt a set of twins. Right now we can't afford the overseas fees. I'm also reading some things that intrigue me. People really do mystery shopper stuff and it pays? I have tried a couple fo the freebies on the list but it didn't seem to be worth while. Maybe I'll try again. now that I have an account I'll total it every time I add to it. Right now it is still at the $250.00 I started it with.

I put 30 books on half yesterday at nap time. I sold one today. Still waiting for the SS number. The clock is ticking very slowly on that one!
My goals for next week, Finish listing all the books half will let me (some ISBN's aren't on there) 2. List the rest on ebay along with some stuff I have put away for that. 3. Open the ing account 4. Open an account for DS2 for college with money his grandmother gave him.
I found 2 shirts for $1.00 that will be great for him next winter.
We're having the Pastor and his wife over for dinner tonght. DH review is on Monday.

Still waiting for the SS number so we can file. i did the bills today and we are solvent still. Some months are tough. Paying off the CC will help once the tax check comes. I put 18 more books on half. I had 25 in the stack but it doesn't read all my ISBN numbers. I sold 2 more. I hope to get around 50 dollars from them when the middle of the month comes. One of my ebay listings will sell too. I contacted a local antique dealer to come look at some furniture we don't need. I'll have her appraise the piece my DD wants too so she has an idea of it's worth. DH had his interview and we will hear at the end fo the week. Don't know which way to pray! Guess we'll just trust him to work his will and go from there. I make up the grocery list for two weeks today and am not looking forward to it. We've about drained the cupboard this week in an effort to not spend or waste. Tonight I have to make dinner for a couple who had a baby at church and SH will deliver it so we will be having eggs and muffins. Used the zuccini I never remembered was there as well as some old carrots to make the muffin. They were great and saved DH and I from getting a treat at the store. Yesterday I did laundry and as I took stuff out of the dryer I kept thinking I could hang that, not that etc. Approached DH on the idea and he agreed I could but I don't think he realizes how much we could save. He is being tolerant though. We line dried a lot of stuff when we had a 4 room apartment so I don't see why I can't now. I've been turning off lights every day that I used to leave on so I hope our electric bill will go down. Found a sweatsuit (pants and top) for $2.00 per item and appliqued a ram on the front for my grandson for one of his Christmas presents. Then took a denim shirt ($7.00) and appliqued an antelope on it for his Dad for Christmas.

I sold another book. I tried to put 10 on again this morning but only 6 "took" I am going to wait until I have worked through the whole stack and then put the rest on ebay. I tried to list my Left Behind books (I have them all) on half but they are only selling for .75 per hardback so I am going to wait. I'd make more at a garage sale selling the set. I have been turning the lights off all over the house in the hopes that the bill will go down. We are still waiting for the SS number for DS2 so we can file taxes and pay off cards. As soon as I get that I will open an ing account for the down payment on the house someday. Then I can put numbers in this blog.

I thought I wold be efficient and put 10 books on half a day until they are all on. This morning my DH picked out 10 only 6 of them were accepted. I have found that a couple everyday are unnone to them. All but one are from my Pastor's library. I am going to take pictures of a couple antiques we have and offer them to a local shop and see what they say. They are on the list of things we won't be taking when we move so the money would be better in my house fund.

I'm on on a Saturday because DH is cutting down trees. I sold 3 more books on half and a set of magazines on ebay. Hurray. I am going to start a savings account (as soon as I have a minimum amount) for a down payment on a house. We hope to be in a position to buy in 2007.

Today I put several more books on half and a couple auctions on ebay. I am looking forward to seeing how this goes. So far have sold one book. I got more than i would have if I garage saled it. We are anxiously awaiting the SS # for our little one so we can file taxes. We will only have cars to pay after that. Unfortunately we rent so no mortgage. We are talking about moving. DH has an interview locally on Tuesday. WE prayed that God would open this door or close, no unsure stuff so we will know whether to start packing or not.

Yesterday we applied for DS#2's SS # so we can file taxes. Should take about 2 weeks. I did the state taxes and we are getting some back there too. I can hardly wait to file so we can pay off the CC bills. My DH wants to spend some on a "surprise" for me because I have a "big" birthday coming up but I'll talk him out of it. I went through about half the books last night and we are getting rid of about half of those. I listed 5 on half.com today so will see where that goes. I usually use ebay but this sounds like a better deal. I want to start the 20.00 challenge but don't have ideas what to do beside my usual ebay thing. Carefully dumped my change yesterday and then go to Aldi's today and didn't have a quarter for the cart! It's a little hard to shop holding a toddler's hand and carrying groceries.

We had good news yesterday and today. WE are going to get money back, enough that we will be able to pay off the CC. That will be the first time in I don't know how long that we have no unsecured debt. We still have two car payments. One car will be paid off at the end of the year and the other will be four more years. I may try only having one car after this one dies. At the very least we will only have one car payment.We are going to double our emergency fund and still have money to put away for our trip to DC with DD and family. My DH still plans on finding a different job (with a shorter commute to see family right now it is 3200 miles round trip) so I am going to start decluttering my house again. I am getting good at it. I moved from an 8 bedroom house to a 4 room apartment and from there to a 1 room effeciency in the last 3 years. It was fun to move up to a 3 bedroom but I think the next place will be smaller, still 3 bedrooms but not as much open space or as big rooms. Right now we have built in dressers and bookcases that I will miss too. Another saving thing I am doing is making Christmas presents for DH family (mine doesn't exchange) and the few extra's we give to. My sewing machine has been busy, I have two done already! I'm off to sort books and other stuff so I can sell them on ebay or at a garage sale. I need to look into the $20.00 challenge thing also.

Not sure what day to call this. Weekends are not good internet times around here. I hope to read and do some of the financial challenges at nap time today. We also need to get our taxes done. Won't be getting much back but we hope to not owe. That will be the first time in awhile. i want to look into the free electronic filing thing. We are trying to figure ways of saving. We ate peanut butter instead of ordering pizza (big sacrifice for both of us) so that is a start. I have started dumping my change too. Once upon a time I did it and ended up with alot at the end if the year. Right now my DS#2 is getting tired of Mom being on the computer so I'll get back to this at naptime.

Hey, I'm moving up in the world. I'm in first grade now. This is an interesting site. Yesterday was grocery day. I have decided to empty the cupboards (by using the stuff) before we get anything that isn't absolutely vital. We are planning a move in the (hopefully) near future and that means less to pack. It also means more we can pay on the CC. DH is looking for a new position preferable closer to our family.

OK, I understand a bit more of what I'm doing on this site thanks to my DD. And I have stumbled over a few other answers myself. I started my first thread and added a couple posts. I even figured out how to add to my journal/blog. That took the longest. On a down note I somwhow deleted my challenge email that I was sooo looking forward to perusing later.

I've been hearing about this site for quite awhile. So I decided to try it and see if it helped us save. I am looking for a short blurb explaining how the site works. I suppose the best way to find out is just to start. So far it is a bit overwhelming to try to jump in. The savings comments seem great though.