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Archive for June, 2011

Finally going to turn on the AC

June 30th, 2011 at 11:13 pm

We made it all the way through June without turning on the AC. It has been high 80's - 90's here for over a week so I am sooooo excited to turn on the AC tomorrow! Saves a lot on our utilities bill to stretch out the time between AC and heat.

July 2011 Mortgage Payment

June 27th, 2011 at 01:20 am

July 2011 Mortgage Payment

Balance $130,300.00
+$407.19 Interest
+$307.59 Escrow
-$1311.16 Regular Payment
-$503.62 Principle Payment ($34.45 from recycling and $80.00 in change)
New Balance $129,200.00

YEAH WE ARE INTO THE $120's!!!!!!!!

$129K = 129 months = 10.75 years!

A, B, CD for EF

June 26th, 2011 at 10:21 pm

Before we bought our house in 2007 I had been trying to get a CD Ladder started for our EF, but then most of our funds were used for a downpayment on the house.
If you are not familiar with a CD Ladder it works like this:
Say for example you have $12,000 you want to put in CDs. Each month of the year you would purchase a 1 year CD for $1,000. At the the end of the year you will have 12, $1,000, 1 year CDs, but you won't have to wait a year for them to mature, you will have a 1 year CD maturing every month. Then each month, if you had an emergency or needed the money for something you could cash out that CD, or you could renew it for another year, and you would only have to wait a month till the next CD matured. Also using this you can get longer term CDs, which tend to have better interest rates. Because you already have CDs maturing every month for the next 12 months, the next one you could renew for 16 or 18 months, and keep spacing them out further, depending on your cash flow and when you think you will need the funds.
Another way to set up a CD Ladder would be to open all of the CDs at the same time, but for different terms, for example, a ladder could consist of 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60-month CDs. Or for a less aggressive CD ladder you could choose shorter terms – such as a 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30-month ladder, which will keep your money more readily available.
I was looking into working on this again (on a smaller scale since I don't have $12K to invest in CDs) since our EF is up to $3,000. But CD rates are still in the dumps.....here is what ING is offering now:

6 Month 0.75%
9 Month 0.75%
12 Month 0.75%
18 Month 0.75%
24 Month 1.00%
30 Month 1.25%
36 Month 1.25%
48 Month 1.25%
60 Month 1.50%

Ewwwww! Especially since my regular savings account is making 1.00%.....so anything less then a 24 month CD I would actually be losing money off of our savings account. Of course there are many banks and online institutions where you can get CDs other then ING. But I have used then before, I like the user friendly website, plus you can invest any amount in a CD, it does not have any minimum amount to open a CD.
But if you want to look at rates, bankrate.com is a great site to use if you are looking to open CDs or a CD Ladder and they will help you find the best term/rate for you. I checked it out for 1 year CDs and even the best rates are only 1.26% right now. So I will just be leaving my EF in my ING savings account for now.

Car Insurance

June 26th, 2011 at 09:37 pm

DH and I have had Geico for a little over 4 years now for our car insurance. We have it automatically charged to our Discover Card each month and pay our bill in full each month. I always knew there was a service fee for paying monthly rather then paying every 6 months. So for a long time now I had been planning on "someday" doing a seperate savings account for the car insurance and being able to save money on the installment fee. I am finally ready to get that started. So I am adding it as an additional goal for 2011 since we are doing so good on our other current goals.
Our current monthly installment for full coverage on 2 cars is $66.60 + $5.00 installment fee for paying monthly = $71.60 per month. So if we pay all at once then we will save $60 a year, which is almost a whole month of premiums!
So we need to save $400 to start this, so my goal is to have that saved by December 9th, when the next 6 month payment would be due.

Good-bye Sleeping In!

June 26th, 2011 at 09:23 pm

Here is the final on my to do list. Vacation is over, but I did good and also got a lot of relaxing in!

I played in a softball tournament this weekend and even hit a homerun! YEAH!

(X)1)Dentist Apt
(X)2)Donate Blood
(X)3)Take in recycling
(X)4)Take back library books
(X)5)Clean out car
(X)6)Organize garage
(X)7)Call chiro to check on DH's bill
( )8)Clean out study
(X)9)Wax eyebrows
(X)10)Laundry
(X)11)Clean bedroom
(X)12)Organize Tupperware cupboard
( )13)Clean out kitchen closet
(X)14)Clean out hottub
(X)15)Boys Softball
(X)16)Girls Softball
(X)17)Go to BD lunch with Mom
(X)18)Go through purses for rummage sale
( )19)Work at trailer
(X)20)File
(X)21)Create resume for Dad
(X)22)Clean out new freezer

Very productive week - And my BIRTHDAY!

June 23rd, 2011 at 07:38 pm

I took in our aluminum cans today. We had 53lbs at .65 a lb = $34.45. I will hold on to that check to add to the mortgage payment for July. Doing pretty good on my list, sad that my time off is almost over! This afternoon I am going to clean out the hot tub, I already drained it. Also planning to file and maybe work on the garage.
My Birthday was on Tuesday, my Mom and Dad got me a new softball glove which I really needed and also a new chest freezer since ours died. In the process of moving the new freezer in I found out that we have 4 sets of outlets in our house that do not work. Frown Hoping my brother or a friend we have that is good with electrical can fix them for us.

(X)1)Dentist Apt
(X)2)Donate Blood
(X)3)Take in recycling
(X)4)Take back library books
(X)5)Clean out car
( )6)Organize garage
(X)7)Call chiro to check on DH's bill
( )8)Clean out study
(X)9)Wax eyebrows
(X)10)Laundry
(X)11)Clean bedroom
(X)12)Organize Tupperware cupboard
( )13)Clean out kitchen closet
( )14)Clean out hottub
(X)15)Boys Softball
(X)16)Girls Softball
(X)17)Go to BD lunch with Mom
(X)18)Go through purses for rummage sale
( )19)Work at trailer
( )20)File
(X)21)Create resume for Dad
( )22)Clean out new freezer

$20K Update

June 23rd, 2011 at 07:30 pm

Current Balance $14,050.00
+$20.00 Braves Game Bet Win to HSBC
+$85.00 to retirement hold account
+$10.00 to ING
New Balance $14,165.00

ING $9565.00
Home Improvements(cash) $735.00
HSBC $3865.00
Total = $14,165.00

Finally got the check in the mail from my bet that I placed in Wendover on the Braves game. The check was for $17.35, so I put $20.00 into the HSBC Savings. THat is my next goal to complete, it is at $3865.00 and my goal for the year is $4000, should be met in July!

Good progress already on my To Do list!

June 20th, 2011 at 06:47 pm

I got a few things off my list all ready this morning. Went to the dentist (no cavities again, YEAH!), donated blood, called the chiro office, organized the tupperware cupboard, and went through my bin of purses. I only found 2 to get rid of, thought I would find more. But got those in with the rummage sale box. Also found 3 chapsticks, a nail file and .90 cents. Smile
Should get a few more things done today, including fun items of reading, taking a nap and watching The People's Court (my guilty pleasure!).

(X)1)Dentist Apt
(X)2)Donate Blood
( )3)Take in recycling
(X)4)Take back library books
( )5)Clean out car
( )6)Organize garage
(X)7)Call chiro to check on DH's bill
( )8)Clean out study
(X)9)Wax eyebrows
( )10)Laundry
( )11)Clean bedroom
(X)12)Organize Tupperware cupboard
( )13)Clean out kitchen closet
( )14)Clean out hottub
( )15)Boys Softball
( )16)Girls Softball
( )17)Go to BD lunch with Mom
(X)18)Go through purses for rummage sale
( )19)Work at trailer
( )20)File

Whoooooole Week Off!

June 20th, 2011 at 02:03 am

I have this whole week off from work! YEAH! Normally when I have time off it is always for a trip/vacation, so I am very excited to have some time off to just chill out and get some work done around the house.
Here is my to do list for my week off:
( )1)Dentist Apt
( )2)Donate Blood
( )3)Take in recycling
(X)4)Take back library books
( )5)Clean out car
( )6)Organize garage
( )7)Call chiro to check on DH's bill
( )8)Clean out study
(X)9)Wax eyebrows
( )10)Laundry
( )11)Clean bedroom
( )12)Organize Tupperware cupboard
( )13)Clean out kitchen closet
( )14)Clean out hottub
( )15)Boys Softball
( )16)Girls Softball
( )17)Go to BD lunch with Mom
( )18)Go through purses for rummage sale
( )19)Work at trailer

$20K Update

June 17th, 2011 at 02:53 am

DH got $70 for his last detention pay for the school year. So he kept half for fun money and half went into the Home Improvements account.

Current Balance $14,005.00
+$35.00 to Home Improvements
+$10.00 HSBC Interest
New Balance $14,050.00

ING $9470.00
Home Improvements(cash) $735.00
HSBC $3845.00
Total = $14,050.00

Anniversary!

June 15th, 2011 at 11:08 pm

Today is our 4 year Anniversary! YEAH! I have softball tonight, so nothing special happening. But we did go out to dinner at Red Lobster on Monday to celebrate and it was DELICIOUS! Love my baby so much!

$20K Update

June 15th, 2011 at 05:30 am

Current Balance $13,855.00
+$100.00 to Anniversary Cruise Account
+$25.00 to EF
+$25.00 to Home Improvements
New Balance $14,005.00

ING $9470.00
Home Improvements(cash) $700.00
HSBC $3835.00
Total = $14,005.00

Elbow Grease

June 13th, 2011 at 05:53 am

I have been working hard at my parents rental for the last week. Have taped and primered 2 rooms, painted 3 rooms and primered all the bathroom cupboards. Have 11 1/2 hrs in so far. Not sure what I will do with that extra money yet. I will wait till we are all done to turn my hours in.

$20K Update - Awesome Weekend!

June 13th, 2011 at 05:44 am

DH and I went on a little road trip about 3hrs away to celebrate our 4 year anniversary and my 27th BD which are 6 days apart from each other. We went and stayed the night at a hotel/casino on Friday night and came home Saturday.....almost $1200 ahead!!!!

We put $855 in savings to meet the EF goal, and saved the rest for my actual BD (next week) to go out and party!


Current Balance $13,000.00
+$855.00 Casino win!
New Balance $13,855.00

ING $9420.00
Home Improvements(cash) $700.00
HSBC $3735.00
Total = $13,855.00

$20K Update

June 8th, 2011 at 11:46 pm

Current Balance $12,835.00
+$85.00 to retirement hold account
+$80.00 Even out amount
New Balance $13,000.00

ING $8565.00
Home Improvements(cash) $700.00
HSBC $3735.00
Total = $13,000.00

A little extra income

June 5th, 2011 at 10:45 pm

My parents own several rental properties including a trailer. The current renter in their trailer got freaked about the flooding situation and after 5 years of living there they just up an left and told my parents to keep the deposit. Of course they left it a huge mess, and after 5 years of my Dad not being in there it needs some work done. Most of it is not too hard, lots of cleaning, painting and a few minor repairs. The deck also needs to be removed (it is about 30 years old) and a new deck needs to be put on. So starting 6/10/11 I will be helping and making a little extra cash. My Dad usually pays about $9 an hour for stuff like this, plus free food/drink while I am there. Hoping DH will help as well.

$20K Update

June 4th, 2011 at 08:33 pm

Current Balance $12,940.00
-$112.00 to ROTH IRA
+$7.00 Even Out Amount
New Balance $12,835.00

ING $8400.00
Home Improvements(cash) $700.00
HSBC $3735.00
Total = $12,835.00

Shopping

June 4th, 2011 at 08:13 pm

Went to JCP since the bras I like are on sale for 50% off. We also needed new pillows, DH's neck has been bugging him, so I have been waiting for a good sale on pillows. There was an extra 20% for paying with a JCP card, I haven't had one since I worked there about 8 years ago, so I applied for a new one and was approved with a $2000 limit. Shopping spree time! LOL, J/K!

$35.00 bra, on sale for $16.99, minus $3.40 for using JCP card = $13.59
$35.00 bra, on sale for $16.99, minus $3.40 for using JCP card = $13.59
$35.00 bra, on sale for $16.99, minus $3.40 for using JCP card = $13.59
$19.99 2 Pack Pillows, on sale for $8.99, minus .90 for using JCP card = $8.09
Total Spent = $51.79
Total Saved = $76.13

I also went to Target to get deoderant for DH. While I was there I found a deal on Playtex Tampons. When you bought 2 boxes you got a $5 giftcard for Target. So when I checked out I did 2 seperate transactions. Bought the Playtex and got my $5 giftcard in the first transaction, then got DH 4 deoderants and a bottle of pop on the second transaction and used the $5 giftcard right away.

$20K Update - Interest

June 2nd, 2011 at 04:14 am

Current Balance $12,900.00
+$7.66 Interest
+$32.34 Even Out Amount
New Balance $12,940.00

ING $8505.00
Home Improvements(cash) $700.00
HSBC $3735.00
Total = $12,940.00

June Savings Update

June 2nd, 2011 at 04:10 am

June 2011 Savings update
As of June 1, 2011:

Regular Savings:
Emergency Fund $2060
Anniversary Cruise $3740
Home Maintanence $180
Mortgage Payoff Account $10
Cushion $1510
HSA $4315
New Car $2015 - Complete
New Lawn Mower (cash) $700 - Complete
Laptop $505 - Complete
Vacation - $2550 - Complete
Total Regular Savings = $17,585.00

Retirement Savings:
Retirement Hold Account $1180
Roth IRA $3600
Rollover IRA $1375
401K $14,975
403B $10,000 (est)
Total Retirement Savings = $31,130.00

Total Savings = $48,715

Down $615 from last month. Not too bad considering we went on a trip to Nevada, made it through my friends wedding, and paid off our washer and dryer! The summer in general will not be easy since DH makes $600 less per month at his summer job, but we will try not to go down too much.

Car Repairs.....TEAR!

June 1st, 2011 at 11:19 pm

So I took my car in to get the radio fixed yesterday. I was thinking it would be $100 or less. NOPE. Apparently the "body control computer" was ruined. That is why the radio was not working, and why my car battery was constantly dead. $543.73 later....and my car and radio are fixed.....heavy sigh..... Oh well at least I can stop worrying about when my car will start now. Hoping to not eat out much this month and then we won't have to take any money out of savings to pay for this....we will see I guess.