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Archive for January, 2014

Plan for the tax $$

January 31st, 2014 at 01:50 am

We are getting back
$2308.00 Federal
$260.00 State
=$2568 Total

$568 will go to savings

$2000 we are going to take on a trip to Deadwood for Valentines Day. Not sure what the plan will be for what we bring home...savings or mortgage. Leaning towards savings right now.

$20K Update

January 31st, 2014 at 01:46 am

Feels like fooooorrreeevvvveeerrr since I got to put any money in savings! Been working lots of OT, and finally done with Christmas bills, so got to make a lil drop in the bucket. Also still doing good on eating out and casinoing!

New Focus = Sept 2014 $1415/$1800

Current Balance $28,210.00
+$350.00 to Escrow Savings
+$150.00 to Sept 2014 Savings
+$100.00 to ING Retirement Hold Account
-$28.00 to Roth IRA
+$3.00 Even Out Amount
New Balance $28,785.00

ING $25,245.00
Home Improvements(cash)$440.00
HSBC $3100.00
Total = $28,785.00

Taxes are filed!

January 30th, 2014 at 02:01 am

Got my taxes filed yesterday! We are getting $2308 for Federal Return and $260 for State Return. Not for sure on what we are going to do with them yet. I am trying to make DH provide some input on this as I do all the money stuff and I want his thoughts as of course it's his $$$ too. Will probably decide by next week what the plan will be.

February 2014 Mortgage Payment

January 25th, 2014 at 08:30 pm

February 2014 Mortgage Payment

Balance $96,945.00
+$222.17 Interest
-$1218.88 Regular Payment
-$318.29 Principle Payment
-$30.00 Mortgage Checking Principle Payment
New Balance $95,600.00

Escrow Savings Account
=$2470.00

Mortgage Checking Deposit - Coin and Debit Card Promo

January 25th, 2014 at 08:22 pm

It's snowing again....what better time to update the mortgage snowflakes!!
Added some change (not as much as usual since we have cut back on going to the casino = win!) and I also earned another $5.00 from a debit card promotion at my bank.

$5.00 Balance
+$5.00 Debit Card Promo
+$25.00 Coin
=$35.00 New Balance

$35.00 Balance
-$30.00 February 2014 Mortgage Principle
=$5.00 New Balance

Softsoap Bodywash Deal at CVS this week

January 22nd, 2014 at 07:16 pm

Got some good deals on Softsoap Bodywash this week at CVS. I have gone through a lot of this at the rummage sale and it really flies off the tables, so glad to have a good deal on it for some money making action!

I did the deal three times, and I had 1 CVS Coupon to use on bodywash, so I listed this twice as once I got the 4 for $1.00 each and then the other two times I got them for $1.50 each since I didn't have a coupon.

Softsoap Bodywash 18oz (Bought 4)
Regular Price $4.79 Each
-$1.79 Sale Price Each
-$2.00 CVS Coupon Machine Coupon
*Received $6.00 EB when you buy 4
Final Price = $1.00 each!! (Free on CVS GC)
(Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 4 for $10.00 on FB on 3/16/14 = $10.00 Profit!

Softsoap Bodywash 18oz (Bought 8)
Regular Price $4.79 Each
-$1.79 Sale Price Each
*Received $6.00 EB when you buy 4
Final Price = $1.50 each!!
($2.73 paid OOP, rest on GC because I had used up my CVS GC in my wallet and didn't have another one with)
(Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 7 for 4 for $10.00 on a FB in a deal with the Mouthwash, so (7 x $2.50 = $17.50) - $2.38 paid OOP = $15.12 Profit on 3/15/14
*ETA - Sold 1 for $2.50 (in a 4 for $10 deal) = $2.16 Profit
Total Profit on the 12 bodywashs = $27.28!!


Possible profit of $32.00!

Here is my CVS shopping for the last 2 weeks to update my $250 CVS GC Challenge

I also got 6 candy bars for free in the last 2 weeks.

Mars Candy Bars (Bought 3)
Regular Price $1.19 Each
-.44 Sale Price Each
-.75 Each CVS Coupon Machine Coupon
Final Price - 3 Free Candy Bars!!

Nestle Candy Bars (Bought 3)
Regular Price $1.19 Each
-.40 Sale Price Each
*Received .79 EB on each
Final Price - 3 Free Candy Bars!!
(THESE ARE ALL FOR DH SINCE I'M DOING THE BIGGEST LOSER!!)

12pk Coke (Bought 6)
Regular Price $5.30 Each
-$1.96 Sale Price Each
*Received $5.00 EB on 6
Final Price - $2.50 per 12pk = .28 per can!!
(Free on CVS GC)

Souper Meal - $1.00

Totals so far on CVS Gift Card Challenge
Cost of merchandise = $143.83
My cost on gift cards = $36.98
Paid OOP = $2.73

Biggest Loser Week 3 (Winter 2014)

January 22nd, 2014 at 07:06 pm

Winter 2014 Biggest Loser

Week Three - Weigh In
Pounds Lost this week = -.8lbs
Total pounds lost = 9.6lbs
% weight loss = 5.25%
Place = 1st out of 7 people
(Total weight loss since highest weight = 16.8lbs)

Went the wrong direction this week, but only by a smidge and am happy with the overall direction. My goal for the week is to make sure I am drinking more water. I just went and filled my bottle to the top!!

$20K Update

January 20th, 2014 at 09:30 pm

New Focus = Sept 2014 $1265/$1800

Current Balance $28,120.00
+$100.00 to Anniversary Cruise
+$100.00 to ING Retirement Hold Account
-$112.00 to Roth IRA
+$2.00 Even Out Amount
New Balance $28,210.00

ING $24,670.00
Home Improvements(cash)$440.00
HSBC $3100.00
Total = $28,210.00

Claire's Deals for rummage sale

January 20th, 2014 at 07:45 pm

Crazy Days at the mall and picked up some items at Claires. It was 10 for $10 and I got 20 items.



Pink Beaded Coin Purse (Bought 3)
Regular Price $9.50 each
My Price $1.00 each
(Marked $3.00 each for the rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 3 at 9/4/14 rummage sale for $3.00 each
Profit = $6.00

Locker Rug (Bought 2)
Regular Price $10.00 each
My Price $1.00 each
(Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 2 for $3.00 each at 9/4/14 rummage sale
Profit = $4.00

Cell Phone Covers (Bought 10)
Regular Price $10.00 each
My Price $1.00 each
(Marked $4.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 1 for $4.00 at 9/4/14 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 3 for $4.00 each at 5/5/17 rummage sale

Sea Glass Manicure Sets (Bought 3)
Regular Price $8.50 each
My Price $1.00 each
(Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 1 to coworker for $2.50 on 4/7/14
*ETA - Sold 2 for $3.00 each at 9/4/14 rummage sale
Profit = $5.50

Pink Crochet Hats (Bought 2)
Regular Price $10.00 each
My Price $1.00 each
(Marked $3.50 each for rummage sale)

Total spent = $20.00
Possible total sales = $71.00
Possible profit = $51.00!!

Everything is marked and boxed up for spring rummage sale time.

Grocery Store Monopoly

January 17th, 2014 at 03:40 pm

The city I live in currently has 3 grocery stores. 2 of them are just one store each, the 3rd has 3 locations and is building a 4th, they also have another location in the next city just 7 miles away. We also have 2 Walmarts that have full grocery areas, as well as a Target that has a good amount of groceries.
The large chain store seems to have more expensive groceries, so we always went to store #1 for our primary shopping, as they seemed to have a lower prices, and then I would scout deals from the other stores. Now the chain store is buying that location. So they will have 6 locations in 2 cities. And that only leaves us with store #2, Walmart and Target. I don't usually ever shop at Walmart or Target, especially not for groceries. It's just too hectic (especially at Walmart), lines are outrageous(Walmart) and I have heard a lot of horror stories about the produce (Walmart again...). Also DH prefers to shop local if at all possible.
So yesterday we went to store #2 for some deals, all items with coupons from their add and some manufacturer coupons. My total was $56, after coupons it was $36. Was happy with the deals, but then yesterday I looked through my receipt and looks like at least 2 of the coupons scanned and then said "items not purchased" so didn't take off the coupons. Took my receipt in and they quickly refunded me $4, taking my total down to $32.

Here is what I got:
Chobani Yogurts 10 @ .88 each
Imperial Margarine Sticks 4pk .99
Apples 5lb bag $2.76
Garlic .22lb at $3.98 p/lb .87
Frozen Broccoli 16oz bag 3 @ .77 each
Hormel Sizzlers Sausage 2 @ .98
Land O Frost Sandwich Meat 2 @ $1.77 each
Canned Mushrooms 6.5oz 2 @ .68
Starkist Tuna 3 @ .68
Ranch Dressing 2 @ $1.88
Cheerios 8.9oz box 4 @ $1.14
Baked Lays 6.25oz bag $1.97
Fiora 12pk TP $1.97

I just bought items that we use and that were good sales for us. Happy with the shopping. Going to need to stay on top of the deals, especially now with more limited options.

Biggest Loser Week 2 (Winter 2014)

January 14th, 2014 at 08:08 pm

Winter 2014 Biggest Loser

Week Two - Weigh In
Pounds Lost this week = 6.4lbs
Total pounds lost = 10.4lbs
% weight loss = 5.69%
Place = 1st out of 7 people
(Total weight loss since highest weight = 17.6lbs)

Doing well on tracking spending, OT, weightloss and cleaning

January 12th, 2014 at 02:43 am

I made up sheets to track our spending on eating out and gambling to help us get a handle on those problem spending areas. We have been doing very well at making sure we get all of our amounts written down. Eye opening to see something written down almost everyday. Frown Well now that we can see how extremely bad we are at eating out we can stop that!! Gambling only has one entry, and DH has been very good at being in charge of that. He also wants us to track grocery spending so we can see that against the eating out spending, so we are doing that as well. And I am trying again to make spending sheets for groceries to get the best price points for the items we buy the most. I have tried to do this before and lost interest, so hoping to stick with it this time.

Work has asked that we "do as much overtime as we can for January". So I am going to do what I can. Life has been hard lately, so it's hard to stay at work when I just want to be at home with DH, but work can also take your mind off of things, so I will try to do some serious OT. Due to the hours we are open, the very most I could do a week would be 12.5 hours. Which would be AWESOME for my paycheck. Smile

Weightloss so far for 2014 has been going great! Have not been doing well with working out cause so busy and the above mentioned OT (did 5 hrs this week), but have been doing good on eating. Down 11 lbs since 1/1/14 as of this morning!

DH and I both got a lot of cleaning done today which was nice so now we can just relax on Sunday. I cleaned off the landing and swept and vacuumed it, cleaned the shower, put away all of my laundry, cleaned up my closet, picked up the bedroom, folded towels and vacuumed the bedroom. DH did all the dishes, washed 4 loads of laundry, put away his laundry, bought a few groceries, went to the gym, cleaned off and scrubbed all the kitchen counters and made dinner! PRODUCTIVE DAY!

Winter 2014 Biggest Loser

January 7th, 2014 at 03:11 pm

I started a new Biggest Loser round at work. I got 7 people total signed up at $10 a piece, winner takes all! We are going till 4/1/14, so have 3 months to lose some weight and make some money! My goal is to be down 15lbs by 4/1/14. We have a couple hard hitters in the race, so not sure that even if I met my goal if I would be able to win, but would be happy just to have the weight off for Spring!

Today was the first check-in.



Winter 2014 Biggest Loser

Week One - Weigh In
Pounds Lost this week = 4lbs
Total pounds lost = 4lbs
% weight loss = 2.19%
Place = 3rd out of 7 people
(Total weight loss since highest weight = 11.2lbs)

CVS Challenge

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:25 am

I have $250 in CVS gift cards from credit card rewards. I am going to track the items I get with those gift cards and see how much I can get for FREE with my gift cards!

I am a little behind on posting my deals, but here are the items I have gotten in the last few weeks on my gift cards.


(Not everything is pictured)

Arizona Teas (Bought 2)
Regular Price .99
-.50 CVS Coupon Machine Coupon
Final Price .49 each!!

CVS 1 Liter Mouthwash
Regular Price $3.19
-$1.20 Sale Price
-$1.00 CVS Coupon Machine Coupon
-$1.00 CVS Coupon Machine Coupon
Final Price - .99!!

Bayer Contour Next USB
Regular Price $29.49
-$19.50 Sale Price
*Received $9.99 EB
Final Price - FREE!!
(Marked $20.00 for rummage sale)
*ETA - This did not sell so I donated on FB

Rolaids 10ct (Bought 3)
Regular Price .99 each
-.99 CVS Coupon Machine Coupon
Final Price - 3 rolls for FREE!!
(Marked .50 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 3 for .50 each at 9/4/14 rummage sale
Profit = $1.50

Special K Bars (Bought 2)
Regular Price $4.39 each
-$1.89 Sale Price each
*Received $1.00 EB for buying 2
Final Price - $2.00 each!!

Totals so far on CVS Gift Card Challenge
Cost of merchandise = $46.41
My cost on gift cards = $4.98

$20k Update - ING Interest

January 1st, 2014 at 08:32 pm

New Focus = Sept 2014 $1265/$1800

Current Balance $27,975.00
+$18.16 ING Interest
+$26.84 Even Out Amount
+$100.00 to ING Retirement Hold Account
New Balance $28,120.00

ING $24,680.00
Home Improvements(cash)$440.00
HSBC $3000.00
Total = $28,120.00

January 2014 Savings Update

January 1st, 2014 at 08:27 pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

January 2014 Savings Update

Regular Savings:
Home Maintenance ING $4670
Cushion $3110
HSA $10,750
New Patio Door (cash) $440
Escrow $2475
September 2014 $1220
Short Term Emergency Fund $205
Long Term Emergency Fund $1155 - Complete
New Car $10,260 - Complete
Vacation $3120 - Complete
Anniversary Cruise $3000
Total Regular Savings = $40,405.00

Retirement Savings:
Retirement Hold Account $1420
Roth IRA $8370
Rollover IRA $815
401K $31,000
403B $24,000 (est)
Total Retirement Savings = $65,605.00

Total Savings $106,010

Up $865 from last month!

Happy with that increase especially with the holidays! Cheers to a prosperous 2014!

Gift Card Inventory

January 1st, 2014 at 08:12 pm

I always find it useful to see what we have for gift cards after Christmas. Helps to plan for using them and not losing/forgetting about them.

$5.00 McDonalds - DH Christmas Gift
$5.00 Scheels - Christmas Gift
$10.00 Ruby Tuesdays - Gift from work
? Target - I believe this had $20 and was used once
$10.00 Target - Bought for a gift and not used
$20.00 Target - Bought for a gift and not used
$20.00 Target - DH Christmas Gift
$20.00 Scheels - Christmas Gift
$20.00 Pro Image - Christmas Gift
$25.00 Buffalo Wild Wings - DH Christmas Gift
$35.00 Wal-Mart - Gift from work
$100.00 ($50.00x2) CVS - Discover Card Rewards
$150.00($25.00x6) CVS - Citi Thank You Rewards