Merry Christmas

All numbers aside for a minute. We all know what this holiday is truly about.
The greatest gift God has given us is family, and I hope everyone has the most wonderful time with theirs today.
I'm sure your gifts are splendid, but the important part is the love you have for those you are giving to.
Cherish these moments, you never know when another will arise.
I am thankful to have found all of you, The support in this community astounds me.
Thank you, to each and every reader.

Have a Blessed Holiday everyone.

Photo 365 - Day 4

Today Auston and I were sitting outside in front of his mom's house, waiting for a package from my mom to arrive. I get so impatient around Christmas time. I LOVE unwrapping things. The gift doesn't have to be some gucci handbag either, I just love the suprise. Anyways, we were sitting outside, on another unseasonably beautiful day when I looked up to the tree in the front yard. All of a sudden I was struck by how beautiful it looked. I don't know why, I've seen the tree a million times before, its not some 100 year old tree in the forest either. Its just a tree, in the front yard of his moms suburban home. Maybe it was just the season, or the fact that I had been having an amazing day. Maybe God just wanted me to take a second to appreciate something natural and unmaterial for a minute. Maybe you won't think its as pretty as I do.  I could be nuts! Either way, it worked. and here is the result.

Photo 365 # 4

Weekly Spending Up-date

If it hadn't been for all of our gift supplies, this would have been a great week! I'm not upset about the amount spent on gifts. I think each person deserved a little something, and I love giving back to those closest to us.

 I wish I hadn't eaten at work this week, but even so, Auston and I still only "ate out" Twice this week. Which is the goal in the new year.

I know you are probably eyeing that late fee down there. I debated whether to put it there or not, it is quite embarassing when you don't get things paid on time, but sometimes that is just the way life goes - especially during the holidays. January will probably bear the same results.

Only $15.00 in gas this week! Not bad eh? I know, I'm impressed too, a lot of it has to do with us mapping our trips out, so we aren't turning around, and going back and fourth, we try and get as much done in one trip as possible. It helps that work is only a couple of miles away.

$5.00 more into the New car fund! every little bit helps right? on top of the $5.00 added every week,
Auston and I also throw any loose pennys in there - Silver change goes into the sealed pot.

What I was most impressed by this week was our grocery bill! I guess we spent enough on those last week, because we have hardly had to go out at all this week.


Click here to see how last week went.


Here it is :

ANIMALS
2011-12-18	Dog Food	$12.00
2011-12-21	cat food	$3.96
2011-12-21	Flea Medication	$15.00
TOTAL FOR ANIMALS		$30.96
CAR SAVINGS
2011-12-19	Car Savings	$5.00
TOTAL FOR CAR SAVINGS		$5.00
EATING OUT
2011-12-18	Shift Meal	$4.27
2011-12-19	McDonalds	$9.61
TOTAL FOR EATING OUT		$13.88
FIXED BILL
2011-12-22	Rent Late Fee	$52.00
TOTAL FOR FIXED BILL		$52.00
GAS
2011-12-18	Gas	$5.00
2011-12-23	Gas	$10.00
TOTAL FOR GAS		$15.00
GIFT
2011-12-18	Gift Supplies	$24.00
2011-12-19	Dollar General	$1.65
2011-12-19	Local Grocery Store	$8.98
2011-12-19	Walmart	$7.98
2011-12-21	Family Christmas Gifts	$17.21
2011-12-21	Molly Gift	$9.62
TOTAL FOR GIFT		$69.44
GROCERIES
2011-12-21	Eggs/Bread	$3.13
2011-12-23	Local Grocery Store	$7.00
TOTAL FOR GROCERIES		$10.13
MISC
2011-12-19	Dollar General	$1.00
TOTAL FOR MISC		$1.00
TOTAL		$197.41

Stay Tuned for Tomorrows Weekly Money Check-Up

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Photo 3 & an unexpected gift.

Today I recieved quite a few Suprises in the mailbox! None of them are what you would call ordinary.

First there were all of these random pieces of paper!

HOW CUTE IS THAT!? I haven't a clue where they came from. They weren't in an envelope, they were just stuck in there. Crazy huh? This put the biggest smile on my face today.


Next was a greeting card from a local pizza place Auston and I like to order from occasionally.
Now, greeting cards are common, I get them from my insurance agency, and all sorts of other miscellaneous places... And they usually say something along the lines of "Merry Christmas, thanks for giving us all your money"

This awesome bad boy was signed by the whole crew!! Thoughtful huh?
But wait.. I haven't reached the best part.



And inside this thoughtful card there was a $10.00 gift certificate for pizza! No "with the purchase of blah blah blah" Just $10 for me - NO STRINGS ATTACHED! I know, I can't believe it either.

This was just the boost I needed to get into the Christmas spirit. They didn't need to give us a certificate, they are doing great business all on there own.  It was just their way of giving back to their patrons, and I think its super sweet. They will have our business from here on out. Sorry Dominoes.

So - I know Its more than one, but there are my pictures for my Photo 365 project.

Decmeber Goal Check in #3

All right Guys, its FRIDAY, and you all know that means its time for my weekly Goal Check in.
Listed below are my goals for December, and the progress I have made.


- No more eating at work.       
       I'm sure I can find a much better way to spend my money than at my own resturaunt. Instead I will start bringing granola bars for when I get hungry.
I'm pretty sure at this point we can just chalk this up to a FAIL. I still have a week left to try and finish strong though!



-Walk atleast once a week      This way I can start getting myself in a routine and I will be able to successfully walk 2.75 miles a week like I have planned for next year. 
12-22-11 : Love, dog, and I, another stroll by the river, on an unseasonably beautiful December day. This last walk was great, Auston came willingly, I didn't have to pull teeth this time. The weather was beautiful, everyone out and about was cheerful and full of Merry Christmases. I only have one more walk left but so far I am passing this challenge with flying colors!


- Put $100 towards my move in march      Most of that funding is coming from my Tax return, but I do need a little bit of a head start.
12-23-11: $10.00
I got paid today, I know, I know, $10 isn't a whole lot, but honestly it's all I could afford to put in this week. I am still trying to figure out how we are going to manage rent.


-Start a "Piggy Bank" that we will not open for one year.      I want to add a little to it each day, it needs to be sealed off and solid in color so we won't know how much is in there, and we wont be tempted to open it!
"the sealed pot challenge"
Boo-ya!  I started this on 12-5-11!
PASS.

-Bake 112 cookies to give away to friends and family for Christmas      We don't have much money to spare, I think this is a great way to show them that we care though.
12-21-11 : Baked 84! Almost there!
Tonight we will be finishing up the rest of the cookies. I am stoked to have all our Christmas gifts done and out of the way with a WHOLE DAY to spare!

To see how I did in weeks past visit  Here
Or Here

To See what I am planning for January Visit Here.

Stay Tuned to see how my spending this week went - Tomorrow.

Also, don't forget to Follow Me on Facebook.

The Bell Ringers.

I just found this article on CNN and thought I'd share.

"NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- This time of year, familiar Salvation Army volunteers don a Santa's hat and stand on the street corner collecting loose change to feed the needy -- and every now and then they strike gold, literally.

So far this Christmas season, the Salvation Army has received a total of about 40 gold coins, left anonymously in their red kettles, among other valuable treasures, the non-profit organization said.

Fourteen Swiss gold francs were dropped in a kettle at the Jewel-Osco grocery store in Libertyville, Ill. Those coins, each containing 0.19 ounces of gold, are worth nearly $3,000 together, given Thursday's spot price.

The coins came with a note that said "enclosed is a second identical donation to assist you in your Godly care of our neediest brothers and sisters. Trust me, these donations are small when compared to the bountiful blessings God has bestowed on us," according to the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division which serves Chicago, northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana.  " Read More Here

Auston and I are always taken in by these volunteers who selflessly stand on the corners in the most brutal weather during December. Usually it is older men and women you see, but this year we have seen families, with children, college students, and well, pretty much everyone! It really warms my heart to see more people helping out. We spend a lot of cash in December, instead of using my card for the sole purpose of giving to these people. However, I always walk away wishing I could have done more. This year, not only did we give to the ringers each time we passed by, but I also made a point to pick up some non-perishables on every grocery trip. Next year, I want to do something truly spectacular. Like pay for some ones groceries, or Pay off someones Layaway, both are things I read about earlier this month and was blown away by.

On a similar note , at my place of employment yesterday a little boy went up to our cashier, he handed her $20 and bought a gift card. He then walked away and went up to one of the servers working. He told her to give this card to one of the people dining in the establishment, any one he didn't care , and wish them a merry Christmas.  I wish I could have been there. Unfourtunately I had the day off.
 I have been completely amazed this season by the generosity of others.

What Miracles have you witnessed?

Breaking down our Big Move.

As I mentioned a little while back my Loveyy and I are moving to New Hampshire in March. I can not believe we are only two months out! Unfourtunately, between Christmas and work cutting back drastically on shifts, I have safed very little towards this trip. Last night, I reserved the truck we are going to need to move with. We saved $300 by going with Budget instead of Uhaul, and we also saved an additional $54 by reserving last night. Thats a big chunk of money we just saved! Today I finally broke down how much we are going to need to move with -

Truck (with a tow for my Honda) - $680
Gas for the Seabring - $200
Gas for the truck - $650
Money for a motel (notice I didn't say hotel? ) - approx $100

That brings us to a rough total of - $1,630!!!
Holy Smokes that's a lot of money.

Currently we have - $90.00 - I know I know!

But hold on just a minute! A big Chunk of this money is going to be coming from my Tax Return. That's why we decided to wait until March. Another big chunk is going to be coming from saving between Jan.-Feb.
Our lease is Up January 31st, and going month to month was not an option, so thanks to a lot of help from My stepmother, we will be staying with her. Also thanks to help from Loveyys mom, we will be storing our stuff there. We are still trying to figure out what to do with the animals in that time.  Here's to praying!

_________________________________________

Also - Here is my Photo for today:

Each day for a year I will post a picture of something that made me happy. This will help us start focusing on the little things in life, that are sometimes easily overlooked.
Want to participate? Let me know, and I will post a link to your site below.

This is from the walk Loveyy, the dog, and I took today. We wen't around five, the weather, and the water were both beautiful. I was actually suprised to see so many people out today, its December for crying out loud, where's the cold?!

Photos 365.

I have decided to start a photo challenge for myself. Each day I will take a picture of something that made me smile and post it here. I will do this everyday for a year.. I just want to spend more time enjoying the little things in life. Sometimes they can be so easy to overlook.
I was going to do this on another site. unfortunately I can't remember what it was called. I have decided that I don't need a million and one different websites though, so I am just goint to share with you, my wonderful readers.

So here it is - Photo Number 1.

This is Doser!

My poor puppy dog hasn't been feeling to well lately, I was starting to worry. However, this is what I came home to tonight! All smiles and love from my little man! I can't believe I have had him almost a year now. I love this little guy to pieces.

What I did - and did NOT do.

What I was SUPPOSED to accomplish today

• Find the perfect scarf for my sister (under $15.00). - This is the last present I have to get, and I am really going to have to shop around for it.

I found her scarf at Rue 21 for $9.62! They had had some really cool ones at Icing too, but they were all in the $18.00 - $25.00 range and I really wanted to stay under $15.00. I think she is going to love the one I found though. Its black, with silver shiny stuff in it, and well, I'm terrible at descriptions, but its EXACTLY what she would want. She loves black, and she loves shiny. WIN WIN.

• Take a walk - So as to stay on track with my December Goals.

BIG FAT FAIL. We were so worn out after shopping, that we decided to put this off until tomorrow. And believe me, we WILL go tomorrow. I have to stay on top of my goals!

• Go to the movies with my Loveyy - Now ordinarily I wouldn't waste the money on the movie theater, but this is my Christmas gift to him. I decided he could have it early.

We did not do this. But its not because we "failed" to do so. It was more like we decided that today was going to be busy enough, I didn't want his gift to feel like just another chore, or thing to check off my list. We have decided to wait until next week, after the Christmas Hooplah has died down.

• Bake half of the cookies.

We made 84 cookies today! WOO. I am proud of how many we made today. I would have finished them all, but... I ran out of butter **Bowing head in shame** and after shopping this morning I didn't feel like going out again.

• Finish making my Christmas Treat Containers. - I REALLY don't want to be doing this on Christmas eve.

I admit, I haven't made a single one today. I took a nap instead, I really didn't sleep well last night. Hopefully I will get a few done tonight.

Two out of five things done isn't exactly good. But hey - things happen.


Things I accomplished that weren't on my list:

I finished my Christmas shopping! Two presents for our Yankee Swap on Christmas eve! Also, an additional movie for my two little sisters. I also went by the humane society and picked up the flea medication for my dog. He has a terrible allergy to them and if he isn't being treated they eat him alive, and he gets a horrible rash, that gets infected, and its all just HORRIBLE!

I was excited to find this medication. Its called Comfortis and its only $15.00 a month!! That easily fits into our budget. If you buy a 6 month supply then it is a little discounted. I swear by this stuff. We put it on him, and in just 30 minutes I could see a huge difference. Its a chewable tablet too, so you don't have to wrestle your dog, and then isolate him, just to keep him flea free!

I also Wrapped ALL of the gifts we have bought!

THINGS TO DO TOMORROW!

• FINISH CHRISTMAS CONTAINERS - NO EXCUSES
• Go on a walk.
• Go to bank to get cashiers check.

Simple, easy. Nothing to it. It better get done. HELLO WILLPOWER!


Oh yeah - I added the Facebook "like" thingy on my side bar. SO don't forget to "like" me on facebook! : ) Please.

Saving, little by little.

Today - No Spend Day :]

Tomorrow's to-do list :

• Find the perfect scarf for my sister (under $15.00). - This is the last present I have to get, and I am really going to have to shop around for it.
• Take a walk - So as to stay on track with my December Goals.
• Go to the movies with my Loveyy - Now ordinarily I wouldn't waste the money on the movie theater, but this is my Christmas gift to him. I decided he could have it early.
• Bake half of the cookies.
• Finish making my Christmas Treat Containers. - I REALLY don't want to be doing this on Christmas eve.

I can not believe Christmas is so close! I am beyond excited! This is my favorite time of year.

We keep adding money daily to our sealed pot. Sometimes its $2.00, and other days its five cents. Next year I am going to put this all towards a small weekend getaway for Auston and I. I am not very good at savings usually, so I really hope that I can stick to this.

Earlier today I was tempted to transfer money out of our savings account, for something that was very unnecessary. I took it out, and quickly put it right back in. I am proud of myself for just saying NO. It's still very much a work in progress with me and saving.

Auston has been very supportive of my goals recently. He was the one to suggest we take a walk tomorrow. I was a little taken aback by the suggestion, the last time we went for a walk it was almost like pulling his teeth. He is also asking for less and less when we go to the store, which makes shopping trips one million times easier!

All in all, it has been a very succesful month so far.