I am sure this will shock everyone and leave you wondering if you even know me at all. I am a tight wad. I prefer to call it frugal, but I think it’s a little more severe than that. I try to stretch every dollar as far as I can. I have a projected budget column and an actual budget column on my budget spreadsheet. I check said spreadsheet and update Quicken at least once a week. I enjoy hitting financial goals and beat myself up a little bit if they aren’t hit when I think they should be. I think if I spend money on something that isn’t a NEED (food, housing, utilities, Henry stuff), the next time something breaks unexpectedly or I am otherwise a little short on cash, it’s all my fault and I deserve the consequences.
Which brings me to now.
I was (until Saturday) in severe need of summer clothing. I had a couple pairs of shorts, a couple nice shirt or two and a few t-shirts at varying degrees of worn out. My slippers (aka flip flops) were also looking pretty thrashed (2 years old and a few doggie teeth marks). Saturday I was feeling good about the budget. I’ve been super good the last few months at not wasting money and felt like it was okay to go find me a new pair of slippers and some shirts to supplement my wardrobe. I found all of the above. I even let myself purchase a fancy (expensive-to-me) pair of everyday slippers, which I don’t think I’ve ever really done before. I think I’m pretty much set except I would like a new pair of summer Sunday shoes and maybe another pair of shorts.
I knew I would probably regret spending money. Sure enough, I a little bit regret it.
I spent money on Saturday. On Sunday, our computer died. I’m telling you. I have bad money karma!
I don’t say this to complain about money. Or to woe-is-me. I’m not really complaining at all. There are a lot of people out there that would love their problem of the week to be a broken computer. I am very grateful that that has been our toughest non-trial this week. Naturally, I always feel like we could use a little more money, but who doesn’t? I just think it’s funny. I think it’s funny that me spending money on me almost inevitably leads to something like this. So what do I do about it? Take whatever I spent on myself and put 10x’s that in savings. What else can you do with life besides try your best, plan ahead the best you can, then roll with the punches and find the humor in it all?
~~~~
I wrote this last week when I was frustrated with it all and without a computer to post. Now we have a new computer (HOORAY!). I didn't feel like changing all the timing of it, so pretend you read it last Tuesday. Now I can post Easter pictures, finish planning a baby shower, and make my family room a little more clutter free (hopefully) by clearing out the old desktop. Happy Day!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
February
Yesterday, when I started this, I looked out the door to see where Henry and his Daddy went. They were playing outside, then I noticed it was all kinds of quiet. They're walking on the trail down the road. It was cute.
February was mostly a sick month for us. One of us was sick at almost any given point. And by one of us, I mean Nate. With a few exceptions. I'm glad the month is over and hope that the sickness goes away. Halfway through March has been mostly better. Henry does have some sort of cold or something, but it's just a runny nose and a cough. Nothing we can't handle.
Here are some pictures.
Henry helped his Daddy shovel snow after church one day. They have fun together. Oh! Our car passed emissions. That was big February news. No more Oregon plates. (Mixed feelings about this. Oregons registration is way cheaper and no testing. Oh well.)
His hair got so long that it looked like this pretty much all the time. It only looked decent for a second if I managed to get it totally wet and I got to comb it.
This is a bad picture of what it looked like after I half way cut it. I got a lot of it done, but Henry was done with the hair cut, so it's not that great. His eyes are kind of puffy from all the tears. Had you been listening to the ordeal from outside, you'd think we were torturing the boy. We tried all the tricks. It just didn't go over well.
Henry spilled some water on the carpet so he grabbed the swiffer he uses to help when I mop and mopped it up.
February was mostly a sick month for us. One of us was sick at almost any given point. And by one of us, I mean Nate. With a few exceptions. I'm glad the month is over and hope that the sickness goes away. Halfway through March has been mostly better. Henry does have some sort of cold or something, but it's just a runny nose and a cough. Nothing we can't handle.
Here are some pictures.
Henry helped his Daddy shovel snow after church one day. They have fun together. Oh! Our car passed emissions. That was big February news. No more Oregon plates. (Mixed feelings about this. Oregons registration is way cheaper and no testing. Oh well.)
His hair got so long that it looked like this pretty much all the time. It only looked decent for a second if I managed to get it totally wet and I got to comb it.
This is a bad picture of what it looked like after I half way cut it. I got a lot of it done, but Henry was done with the hair cut, so it's not that great. His eyes are kind of puffy from all the tears. Had you been listening to the ordeal from outside, you'd think we were torturing the boy. We tried all the tricks. It just didn't go over well.
Henry spilled some water on the carpet so he grabbed the swiffer he uses to help when I mop and mopped it up.Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentines Day!
Today was a normal but weird day and certainly not what many people would consider an ideal Valentines Day. I think it's more fun as a kid holiday. Certainly any excuse to go on a date and spend time with my Sweetheart is a good thing, but Valentines isn't usually an excuse we use. Now that Henry is getting older, it is fun to make it a special day for him.
Today my grown up Valentine got drugs to help him get over his strep throat. I didn't take a picture because I wouldn't appreciate the documentation if it were me. I took off work early to take him to the doctor and pick up his prescriptions and sickie needs. Now that he's on an antibiotic and has a super-duper cough syrup, he should start to feel better soon. It's been a couple weeks, so I think we'll all be excited when the healthy days come. Hopefully none of the rest of us will catch it!
I think Henry had a fun Valentines day! He spent the morning having Valentine fun at his Grandmas. He came home with all kinds of fun treats and cards. He got his card from G.G. yesterday and insisted that it go on his wall in his bedroom. His new cards had to join his G.G. card. While I was trying to get him in a picture, he decided he should get in some push ups.
In an attempt to keep Henry busy and let Nate rest, Henry and I made Valentines rice crispy treats. I dyed the marshmallows pink and everything. After supper we cut them into heart shapes and attempted to cover them in sprinkles. We made a treat bag up for Daddy. Henry was very excited to take his Daddy a bag of treats. He gave him his treats and a kiss then we came back downstairs. He is a sweet, considerate little boy.
Today my grown up Valentine got drugs to help him get over his strep throat. I didn't take a picture because I wouldn't appreciate the documentation if it were me. I took off work early to take him to the doctor and pick up his prescriptions and sickie needs. Now that he's on an antibiotic and has a super-duper cough syrup, he should start to feel better soon. It's been a couple weeks, so I think we'll all be excited when the healthy days come. Hopefully none of the rest of us will catch it!
I think Henry had a fun Valentines day! He spent the morning having Valentine fun at his Grandmas. He came home with all kinds of fun treats and cards. He got his card from G.G. yesterday and insisted that it go on his wall in his bedroom. His new cards had to join his G.G. card. While I was trying to get him in a picture, he decided he should get in some push ups.
In an attempt to keep Henry busy and let Nate rest, Henry and I made Valentines rice crispy treats. I dyed the marshmallows pink and everything. After supper we cut them into heart shapes and attempted to cover them in sprinkles. We made a treat bag up for Daddy. Henry was very excited to take his Daddy a bag of treats. He gave him his treats and a kiss then we came back downstairs. He is a sweet, considerate little boy.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Atleast it's over (hopefully)
It is sad how closely you have to watch out for people trying to steal your money.
Please look past the poor grammar and incoherency that is about to come out of my mouth/fingers. I'm venting.
Background: We recently switched insurance companies and banks in an effort to save hassle and money and until now have been pleased with both.
Today: Because of a glitch with my insurance companies website, I ended up with $40 in bank fees. I get ticked when people try to spend/take my money without my permission, so I followed up. When I first told the insurance company about the possible glitch, I was pretty much told that it wasn't their problem because it wasn't an error that had ever been reported before and that I needed to take it up with the bank. I was very irritated and confused with this response but did not push it because I didn't have all my facts yet (ammo) and I was trying to keep my cool.
So, I call my Credit Union.
I was already irritated and probably caused some of the jerkiness that came from the other end of the line, but still. He told me that I had to have not put in the complete account number, which would direct the withdraw to my savings and not my checking. We went back and forth for a while, but the jests is I told him I put in the account number straight from my check and what I heard (implied) was that I was either lying or dumb. I eventually told him off and hung up. The only people I ever hang up on are telemarketers that won't let you hang up on them politely.
I then called my kind husband who let me vent 'til I stopped crying. I was feeling completely defeated. I HATE feeling defeated by my own efforts.
When I got home, where I had access to my check book, insurance information, and everything online that I needed, I decided to go talk to the Credit Union in person. They were amazing. They confirmed that I had used the correct number. They also reversed the fees, even though it was not their fault. They're just amazing like that.
The Credit Union phone experience was the first time I have at all been displeased with them. It was probably just a combo of two people having bad days and ending up on the phone together at just the wrong time. Or maybe it was just me having a bad day and, despite my best efforts to conceal my frustration, taking it out on the guy on the phone and him reacting like I would react to someone yelling at me.
So, I come home and call the insurance company. As it turns out, the website error that caused the whole mess WAS a reported problem. I told the new lady on the phone about the fees and what the first lady on the phone said and she did what she could to make it right.
Now that it's all over, hopefully, I'm not upset with either company and it actually all seems kind of silly. I feel better about my efforts to save hassle and money. I feel much less defeated than I did earlier this morning. I love our selection of bank! And the insurance company at least made an effort to make things right.
I am the only one that stuff like this happens to? Does anyone else feel like they have to keep on top of everything to keep from being taken advantage of? I feel like I'm doing it all the time and it's exhausting.
Please look past the poor grammar and incoherency that is about to come out of my mouth/fingers. I'm venting.
Background: We recently switched insurance companies and banks in an effort to save hassle and money and until now have been pleased with both.
Today: Because of a glitch with my insurance companies website, I ended up with $40 in bank fees. I get ticked when people try to spend/take my money without my permission, so I followed up. When I first told the insurance company about the possible glitch, I was pretty much told that it wasn't their problem because it wasn't an error that had ever been reported before and that I needed to take it up with the bank. I was very irritated and confused with this response but did not push it because I didn't have all my facts yet (ammo) and I was trying to keep my cool.
So, I call my Credit Union.
I was already irritated and probably caused some of the jerkiness that came from the other end of the line, but still. He told me that I had to have not put in the complete account number, which would direct the withdraw to my savings and not my checking. We went back and forth for a while, but the jests is I told him I put in the account number straight from my check and what I heard (implied) was that I was either lying or dumb. I eventually told him off and hung up. The only people I ever hang up on are telemarketers that won't let you hang up on them politely.
I then called my kind husband who let me vent 'til I stopped crying. I was feeling completely defeated. I HATE feeling defeated by my own efforts.
When I got home, where I had access to my check book, insurance information, and everything online that I needed, I decided to go talk to the Credit Union in person. They were amazing. They confirmed that I had used the correct number. They also reversed the fees, even though it was not their fault. They're just amazing like that.
The Credit Union phone experience was the first time I have at all been displeased with them. It was probably just a combo of two people having bad days and ending up on the phone together at just the wrong time. Or maybe it was just me having a bad day and, despite my best efforts to conceal my frustration, taking it out on the guy on the phone and him reacting like I would react to someone yelling at me.
So, I come home and call the insurance company. As it turns out, the website error that caused the whole mess WAS a reported problem. I told the new lady on the phone about the fees and what the first lady on the phone said and she did what she could to make it right.
Now that it's all over, hopefully, I'm not upset with either company and it actually all seems kind of silly. I feel better about my efforts to save hassle and money. I feel much less defeated than I did earlier this morning. I love our selection of bank! And the insurance company at least made an effort to make things right.
I am the only one that stuff like this happens to? Does anyone else feel like they have to keep on top of everything to keep from being taken advantage of? I feel like I'm doing it all the time and it's exhausting.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Working Backwards
As I was uploading pictures, I founds some that I forgot to share. Working backwards:
Last weekend Dibodee (Emily) and Ee-o (Ian) came to visit. Henry loves it when we have company! Ee-o had to go back up north for school on Monday, but the rest of made Valentines cookies after church on Sunday.
Henry especially liked this cookie. It has his name on it and a crude drawing of a "choo choo". He licked his name right off.
We've started watching Merlin. Henry likes the sword fighting scenes. He found this make shift helmet that isn't really a helmet, so he has to hold it up with his lips. It's a lot of work to hold up your helmet with your lips and sword fight (with couch pillows).
Henry made his first Amazon purchase. Catching Fire showed up in our mailbox one day. We knew it was coming. He got caught in the act, but not fast enough to get to him in time to stop it. I'm still not sure if I want to return it or hold on to it for a funny story later.
Henry likes having pictures taken. He found the camera, brought it to me and said "cheese?". This his what we get when he's in the mood to have portraits taken.
Last weekend Dibodee (Emily) and Ee-o (Ian) came to visit. Henry loves it when we have company! Ee-o had to go back up north for school on Monday, but the rest of made Valentines cookies after church on Sunday.
Henry especially liked this cookie. It has his name on it and a crude drawing of a "choo choo". He licked his name right off.
We've started watching Merlin. Henry likes the sword fighting scenes. He found this make shift helmet that isn't really a helmet, so he has to hold it up with his lips. It's a lot of work to hold up your helmet with your lips and sword fight (with couch pillows).
Henry made his first Amazon purchase. Catching Fire showed up in our mailbox one day. We knew it was coming. He got caught in the act, but not fast enough to get to him in time to stop it. I'm still not sure if I want to return it or hold on to it for a funny story later.
Henry likes having pictures taken. He found the camera, brought it to me and said "cheese?". This his what we get when he's in the mood to have portraits taken.
Sickie Weekend
Our weekend was spent with staying home. Nate got all kinds of sick and I've been trying to make trips to the "city" when I need stuff or when any of us are so sick of being home that we need a sanity walk around the mall. Since there was nothing we needed that couldn't wait for February grocery shopping day this week and Henry and I were both doing okay with being home, we just stayed home and watched tv. Excellent parenting, I know. It's pretty rare that Henry will sit for more than a few minutes and actually watch tv. It's becoming more common, but it still doesn't happen very often. I think "The Little Engine That Could" has replaced "Tangled" as his favorite movie. I even put it on today so that I could take a nice long shower. Again with the good parenting. I am very aware.
I got this picture while I was getting ready to mop the kitchen. It really is rare that he will lay down to watch a movie. Especially for the whole movie. Hence the picture taking.
You might note the sheet wrapped on the couch, along with the pillow sitting on the arm. Nate was in bed for all but a few hours this weekend and would fall asleep under a bazillion layers of blankets, right in the middle of the bed. So, I let him sleep. Plus, I REALLY don't want what he has, so I stayed away and slept on the couch. It was actually kind of fun. I felt like I was 10 again, having a sleepover. Only without the friend(s), games, popcorn cheesy powder, and with a lot more sleep. It was lovely.
I got this picture while I was getting ready to mop the kitchen. It really is rare that he will lay down to watch a movie. Especially for the whole movie. Hence the picture taking.
You might note the sheet wrapped on the couch, along with the pillow sitting on the arm. Nate was in bed for all but a few hours this weekend and would fall asleep under a bazillion layers of blankets, right in the middle of the bed. So, I let him sleep. Plus, I REALLY don't want what he has, so I stayed away and slept on the couch. It was actually kind of fun. I felt like I was 10 again, having a sleepover. Only without the friend(s), games, popcorn cheesy powder, and with a lot more sleep. It was lovely.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Thinking Garden
It's January, but I'm already thinking about what I'd like to do with my yard this year. Dreaming of warmer, more outdoor friendly days to come. This year my goal is to remember we are not in a wet climate and create the most lush green space possible given all of my restrictions (budget and climate). Any suggestions?
Totally different subject. Last Sunday we came home from Church and I ran upstairs to quickly put on something that wouldn't get ruined by cooking/dog jumping. We have 1pm church now and I guess Henry was starving by the time we got home because I came back downstairs and this is what I found. Henry had gotten the eggs out of the fridge, pulled his stool over, and cracked an egg. I made it just in time to save egg and mess #2. He did get pretty close to getting his egg in the pan. He just got it a little backwards.
This week I am trying a different strategy for getting the two of us fed and ready in time to make it to choir before church and then not waste away before we get home at 4. Hopefully it'll work.
Happy Sunday!
Totally different subject. Last Sunday we came home from Church and I ran upstairs to quickly put on something that wouldn't get ruined by cooking/dog jumping. We have 1pm church now and I guess Henry was starving by the time we got home because I came back downstairs and this is what I found. Henry had gotten the eggs out of the fridge, pulled his stool over, and cracked an egg. I made it just in time to save egg and mess #2. He did get pretty close to getting his egg in the pan. He just got it a little backwards.
This week I am trying a different strategy for getting the two of us fed and ready in time to make it to choir before church and then not waste away before we get home at 4. Hopefully it'll work.
Happy Sunday!
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