Received a refund from my old phone company. I apparently overpaid the last bill and received a check today for $35.89. I will add that to my $20 Challenge.

Previous Total $40.00
Add check $35.89
New Total $75.89

So we're back from vacation. Wow, what a beautiful place and awesome hot weather. We did have a very active thunder storm on Saturday night. It went on all night long and then at 6:20 a.m., the biggest lightning bolt struck the pennisula the resort is on and set off the smoke detectors, took out the computers in the main lobby and the t.v. in our room. Woke everybody up in the resort.

Anyways, June is just a few days away and I am going to buckle down and be very frugal, sell some un-needed items in the shed, work my summer beach job, babysit my neighbors little girl and try to save all of my checks. I am going to use my Summer Challenge money to pay off some bills, buy my kids some fall clothes and other needed items. I get paid every other week from the beach.

I am going to post my Summer Challenge Money every time I sell something, get paid from the beach and the neighbor. We will see how much it adds up to.

Glad to be back home.

Me, hubby and my two youngest are headed out on vacation to Portage Point Inn in Onekama, Michigan www.portagepointinn.com My oldest (21) is staying home to hold down the fort.

I packed up the coolers with hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, sub sandwich meats and cheeses, breakfast items, snacks, beverages and all the fixins. Looking to do some good ole grillin and fellowship with friends.

We loaded up my youngest's motorcycle and plan on doing some canoeing and hiking. Our Suzuki Samarai is already at our friends house in that area, so looking forward to hitting the sand dunes, trails and the beach.

The major expense of the trip will be the Inn, itself, and gas there and back. I have already paid for half of the Inn. I have to start my job on Tuesday, so looking forward to some fun and relaxation this weekend.

Everyone have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day.

How many of you have one of these? I have had my account for a couple of years and it is slowly growing. Just in case you didn't know about it, here it is www.upromise.com

Every time you shop, you add money to the account, which can be used for your kid's, grandkid's, nieces, nephews or whoever you delegate as receiving it for college money.

It is a simple way to save.

So I got this dollar bill, can't remember where from, but on it was stamped "See where I've been, track where I go next at www.wheresgeorge.com"

Once you register, you put in the serial number and the series number and up comes where George has been.

What a way to track a dollar. George came to me from Freeland, Michigan (66 miles away). I am going to send George on his way soon, cause I am sure I will be buying something with him.

Anyways, check it out and register your dollar bills. It really is a lot of fun to watch where George goes. Although, it bums me out that George has a better travel life than me.

So I haven't posted for a couple of days and you ask me why. Well, I think my house has virus.

Since February, just about everything that is mechanical and electrical in my house, I have had to repair or replace.

Computer monitor
New Furnace
Fix washing machine
Gas element went out on my oven (needs to be replaced. I have been putting it off because I have been using the grill)
Fix my car
Water conditioner - needed to be re-wired

and the main reason why I was not on the computer for the last couple days.

My CPU unit decided to crash. Thank God I have a really close personal friend who fixed it.

After everything above needing to be replaced or repaired, the one thing I came to realize is that I was most P****d off about not getting on the internet.

I mean, really, who cares if we were warm, or had a car to drive, or the water softened, or clean clothes or if I should even cook us something to eat, I couldn't hardly get on with my day without first getting on-line to check my e-mail, my checking and savings accounts and read blogs. Yesterday, was the longest day ever.

But, I am back and in a better mood.

Have a great day

p.s. I am just kidding about the other stuff, but it did show me that I rely on the internet world to run my life, somewhat.

About a month ago, I came across a great investment (or at least I thought it was). After checking the BBB and the company was in good standing with no complaints, I spent $580 of my hard-earned dollars on an Online Christian Book and Music Store. I named it the Ivory Tablet and was really excited about it.

I woke up this morning to an e-mail from the CEO that all operations have been suspended because they are broke and can't pay anyone.

My money doesn't come directly to me. Items are ordered from my website and the warehouse, packages and ships it for me. Then at the end of every month, I am supposed to receive my check minus any shipping costs involved.

So, no check and I am out $580. I don't know what to do. It is kind of devastating. I am just a regular kind of person trying to make ends meet raising three expensive children.

I am leaving it in the Lord's hands.

My choice is having a Spending Plan over a Budget. A Budget to me sounded to restricting, so I chose to call it a Spending Plan. My Spending Plan includes items like:

Mortgage
Consumers and Edison
Phone, Internet, Cable and Cell phones
Car payment
Taxes, homeowner's and vehicle insurances
A/C and Furnace payment
Jameson's Dental bill
Education for my children
House Restoration fund
Regular Savings deposit
Checking Escrow
Long Term Savings deposit
IRA
ING
Mutual Fund
My other piece of property taxes
Club dues to 2 associations
Groceries, gas and other necessities; and
last but not least
some fun stuff like Museum, zoo and science center memberships.

So, all my money goes somewhere. That is why my $20 Challenge money must go for vacationing. Yeah.

Have a great day.

Well, I decided what I would use my $20 Challenge money for. Me, hubby and my two youngest children do a lot of traveling. Actually, I bought a Vacation Package through Leisures Escapes/Resort Villa Vacations www.eresortvillas.com which consists of 10 weeks of vacation at all-inclusive resorts, to use over the next 5 years. There are places we want to see while the kids are at a perfect age to enjoy it. My oldest child, 21, doesn't really travel with us anymore.

We would like to go to Egypt, Italy, Africa, Alaska, Brazil and see the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore, just to name a few.

We have also planned for this year to go to Chicago to see the King Tut Exhibit at the Field Museum, Washington D.C., the Virginias for the Civil War sites and North Carolina to do some Ruby mining. Hoping to fit it all in now that I am starting my part-time job.

So, I thought I would put forth the Challenge money to help cover the costs. I already have an IRA, ING, Checking, Regular Savings, Mutual Fund and now a Travel fund (the $20 Challenge), UNLESS, you all come up with some other great and innovative ideas for affording what is not included in my vacation package. Things like air-fare to far away places and gas for closer to home places and different cultural foods and maybe some souveniers.

Any ideas?????? Maybe a fundraiser or two for the Creevey family (hmmm).

For the past 7 years, I have been restoring a 1930's Cottage. Because I don't want to make Home Depot rich, I do it on the budget, through Flea Markets, Garage Sales, other homes being demolished, stuff given to me and found objects.

My Cottage started out being 1100 square feet, but I added a Master Bedroom, Bath and Walk-in Closet, which brings it to 1500 square feet. It has Cathedral Ceilings and one of the walls has restored tung and groove wood siding from an old boathouse.

It does, however, have newer vinyl windows, roof, well, A/C and Furnace.

I just recently laid wood floors in my children's bedrooms and I am working on my living room. I have ripped out the carpet to reveal worn tile flooring (but cool) and took out the ceiling which consisted of birdnests and nuts. Boy did I piss off the neighborhood birds and squirrels. Sorry, you will have to move. I am making that a cathedral ceiling also.

Well, that is all for now. I will keep you updated.

So, most of you know that I had an expensive couple of weeks. Not only did I crash my car and I am driving a loaner, but my 11 year old had to have a root canal for a broken tooth and two of my children needed shoes. Add to that groceries, a pitching net, zoo membership, paying the accident ticket (after a week, they decided it was my fault - Michigan laws are different)and my oldest son's car broke down, this is what I am ending up with

Regular Checking $25.00 (approx.)
Regular Savings $515.00 (approx.)
20 Challenge $40.00
Opened an ING account and got a $25.00 bonus.
Can't tell you what's in my long term Savings, IRA and Mutual Fund (?)
I still have money in my Checking Escrow of $50.00
Will start my summer job in a few weeks (After Memorial Day - cause I am on vacation through that weekend - Sweeeet).
Don't know the total of my check yet from my Bookstore http://theivorytablet.spreadtheword.com
(check it out) and
Mary Kay www.marykay.com/ccreevey

I guess I am not looking too bad.

Husband pays me rent on Friday/Saturday and still expecting a $20.00 rebate check from Circuit City soon (that will go to my $20.00 Challenge) And, I have some great coupons for Free Cheesy Bread, $5.00 off at the Dollar Store, A Free Pizza coming to me for my birthday, a Free Entree at the Hamlin Pub and a Bag of Bird Seed - Free.

Have a great day.

Okay, I couldn't resist. I opened an ING account. I mean, afterall, they were giving you a bonus of $25.00 if you opened a new account with $250.00 or more, so I did. I love bonuses.

I was a little worried about not being able to list beneficiaries, but a did a joint account and put my 21 year old son on as the joint holder, just in case something happens to me.

I also am having them deduct a certain amount from my checking every month to add to the ING account.

What a great way to save.

Well today is my birthday. We have family in from Misouri, so my two SIL's are taking me out to lunch at the Tea House. Can't wait. My sons boss called yesterday to wish me Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday. She runs a Jet's Pizza. She wanted to know what I wanted, I said I had already cooked, but I will take a pizza tomorrow (today). So dinner is free also. What more can a gal ask for.

Have a great day

Got a Circuit City Rebate today for $10.00. I am adding that to my challenge in my beautiful tin can.

Prev. Balance $30.00
5/13/06 Add $10.00
New Total $40.00

And, I am also changing my rules. Going to add to the challenge whenever money arrives that doesn't come from my regular sources (i.e., Job money, rent from husband, savings on groceries and from using coupons - cause that just stays in my checking anyways).

I am one of those "got to have it in my hand kind of gals" before I consider it to be real money, which is what I am wanting for my $20 challenge.

Last week, besides just the normal things one has to do, I had added to my list an accident, my 11 year old's broken tooth and new shoes for two kids. Here are my totals.

Deducible on my car was not $1000, but only $500. Yippie, I save $500. This is the only way I can look at it, otherwise I will go insane. I do have to pay that when I pick my car up.

Rental car, $25.00 a day. You can bet on am pressuring the body shop to work quickly but accurately. That starts on Monday.

Jameson's tooth overall has cost me $1050; and

Shoes for two kids totalled $112.25.

The insurance deductible amount is coming from my Regular Savings transferred into my Regular Checking. Jameson's tooth, I have paid $135 out of my Regular Checking and $915 on Dental Credit Card with 18 months of no interest. Shoes came out of my Regular Checking and won't know the total on rental car until I take it back.

Compared to what I raked in. Husbands rent $300, Mary Kay sales $228.59 = $528.59 to my Regular Checking and Book sales $30 to my "20 Challenge".

Cook dinner at home every night, attended 3 baseball games, got my kids to classes, practices and Wednesday night church.

This is hoping next week is a little less expensive, but now I will have to fill up my car.

Well, I got my first $20, well actually it is $30 from selling some used books. That will go into my $20 challenge tin.

Start Date 5/11/06 0.00
5/12/06 - book sale $30.00

Okay, so now that you all know a little bit about me, I am taking on the $20 challenge. It sounds like a lot of fun. So, I am starting at ZERO with a pretty tin box in my arms, ready to fill it with $20 of found money, somewhere.

Just one more question, is this $20 daily, weekly or monthly. I prefer weekly. So because it is Thursday, I need to find $20 before Monday. My weeks are Monday through Sunday.

Balance $.00

I will get back with you.

Just so the group knows, I really do have my crap together, even though, it has been pouring money challenges over the last couple weeks on my life. So, I thought I would give you a lesson. It might be kind of long, but lots of good info.

I do have a Regular Checking (for living expenses and day to day stuff like food) and a Regular Savings that attaches to my Regular Checking, just in case I need more money. I add to the Regular Savings every month. I also do what I call a "Checking Escrow" explained below:

Checking Escrow:
You add together your larger, once a year and twice a year bills. Example: Property taxes $1200., Homeowner's Insurance $600, Vehicle Insurance: $1000, totalling $2800. Divide that amount by 12 (the number of months in a year) and you get - Drum Roll Please..........$234 for a month. You take this amount and deduct it from your checking ledger every month with a RED pen. (Don't actually take it out of your checking, it just looks that way by subtracting it) Every time a big bill comes around, that amount is already there in your checking. You add up what you need in RED, make a pretend Deposit back into your checking and WALLAH, you have the money for the bill. It is best if you keep a ledger somewhere with these amounts also. For those of you who do not have these types of bills, this also works for saving for a vacation or other dream.

I own two businesses in which I make income. Mary Kay Cosmetics and my online Christian Book and Music Store. These are my stay and home mom jobs. Love it.

I was recently re-married and I already had my life established with a house, children, mutual funds, IRA, etc. So, I made a deal with my new husband. When he asked me to marry him, I said yes under certain conditions. That I wouldn't change my last name and that he pays me rent. He laughed and said okay. It works out great. He makes a good amount of money, he pays me $300/week and what he has left over in his paycheck, he uses how he pleases. He pays his own bills and what-ever else he wants to do with his money. This way we never fight over money issues. It is also good when men have money in their pockets, because they buy you things, well at least my husband does.

I also have another Savings in a totally different bank (well actually a credit union) for unexpected money coming my way, say income tax refund, inheritances (because a lot of loved ones have been dying lately - very sad) and other unexpected larger amounts of money. I call this my Retirement Savings. When it gets to a certain amount, I invest it in something that will bring me higher interest. I have bought Mutual Funds, Real Estate, added to my IRA, etc.

Also I have an IRA which I contribute to every year. I have a summer job every year where I am a part-time Guard down at our beach and I also watch my neighbors little girl twice a week which brings in around $2000 for 10 weeks of work. That money usually goes to my IRA.

And I have a certain amount of money deducted from my checking for a Mutual Fund. You can start these with as low at $25.00 a month. Vanguard is usually a good one.

I also try to pay cash for items I think I will need instead of credit cards. But the Dental Credit Card I spoke about earlier, was a win win situation.

Plus, we do everything with a coupon. Grocery Shopping, eating out, vacationing, musuem and zoo passes. You name it, I will find a coupon for it, at least that is what my kids say. My oldest (21) always calls to see if I have a coupon for something he wants. They are all brainwashed, but hey, I consider that to be one of my funner jobs - couponing and brainwashing my kids.

Well got to go. Have a great day.

Back in the day (when I frequented the dentist) that is what we had, a dentist. Nowadays, their is an ortodontist, periodontist, endodontist, and probably more.

Well, because my 11-yo cracked a tooth and an infection set in and ruined the root, he had to have a root canal at an endodontist. (a specialist on root canals) Whew. The total came to $915. Holy Crap. For one little tooth. He's ELEVEN. But, I held back my gasp so my little boy wouldn't feel bad about that amount of money being spent on him and thinking I was dissappointed. Cause, actually his smile is worth a million dollars.

So, the receptionist (actually, before we started the procedure) says, Have I talked to you about fees?) No, I say. Well, turns out their is a Dental Credit Card. I was fully prepared to pay cash, but the Credit Card - hmm - for the dentist. Turns out, if your bill is over $500, you get interest free for 9 months, and if your bill is over $750, you get interest free for 18 months. Sweeeet. Cause, now I can put that cash back into my Regular Savings and pay off the bill like a regular monthly bill over the next few months. Hallalleuha.

What will they think of next.

Now I can get something done on my teeth.

Have a great day.

Okay, Here are my questions?

What did everyone start with and where are you putting it. Let's say, did you start at 0 balance and put your challenge money in an envelope. Or did you just pick up where your savings was and keep adding to that. Any suggestions are appreciated. Not quite sure where to find the challenge, but I would like to take it on.

Well, I have already posted today, but I noticed all I have done is complain. Sorry.

My youngest, 11, got out of bed today and nothing fits. His shirts sleeves are up to his elbows, his pants are above his knees, his shoes are falling apart. He never gains any weight, just gets taller and taller. Cute little lanky thing he is. Guess I will be at the nearest Salvation Army or hitting some garage sales on Thursday. Although, his shoes have to be Skater Shoes (costly).

Well, I will be getting some extra money this week, my Mary Kay Sales total about $228.59, I should be receiving a rebate for $30 and a commission from my book stores sales (not sure what that will be), plus my husband pays me rent on Friday. Cha Ching and good thing, cause I am gonna need it.

Off to the endodontist (specialist for root canals).

Cause, not only did I crash my car last weekend and it's going to cost me my deductible, but you all know my youngest (11-boy) needs a root canal on a cracked back tooth that got an infection (starting that today);

Well

My oldest (21-boy) called saying "he doesn't know what happened, but he has another parking ticket and his vehicle's tail-lights and blinkers won't work, the transmission is going and his brakes went out". At first, I thought he was joking with me, knowing my week, but NOOOOO, it was all true.

Good thing he has me as a parent - I called his Dad who got off work early and went over and fixed everything.

But, because I was unsure as to what all he might need, I took my $200 (it was supposed to go in my savings) and gave it to him. That's okay, cause I love him and sometimes he just needs a little guidance.

Now I have to get the 11 year old out of bed and off to a root canal. Maybe they will give me the laughing gas. Hee Hee.

Have a great day.

Okay, so yesterday I spent all day going over my options for my Jeep. Here they are.

Trade it in on a newer Jeep, take a loss on my Jeep because of the damage and add $200 to my monthly payment; or

Buy the parts from the dealership, cause they are dealership parts only, have my husband install them; which totals more than my deductible; or

Pay my deductible, get my car fixed up back to new and have my insurance go up; even though I have no other claims on my insurance.

Hmm. I think I am choosing Option 3.

For my son's root canal, don't know how much that will cost and I hope it doesn't hurt him.

So, I got a summer job to help pay for some of the mess above, even though my summer job usually funds my IRA.

So, yes I am a little annoyed, but such is life.

Thanks for the comments. It helps to have someone on my side.

Everyone have a great day.

Well here I am a newbie to the blog, but not to finance, frugal ways, saving, spending,couponing and such. Hoping to work my way through some major upsets in my spending plan. My youngest needs a root canal and I crashed my Jeep yesterday. So you can see, I am going to need to work it out without breaking the bank. I will keep you posted.