Yesterday, I got a ticket, which is going to cost me $60 and my SSI will not be in my checking until Monday.

You see, I was trying to get all my errands done and my youngest was out on his bike at the town fair, when it started to downpour while loading my grocerys in the car. So I was hurrying, not speeding, to find my child in the downpour, when the cop pulled me over. He said he was being nice when he gave me a ticket for no seatbelt instead of speeding (I did have my seatbelt on), cause there are no points and it will only cost me $60, not $130. Oh, what, thank you. Can I go now, cause my child is somewhere in the pouring rain, which has now stopped.

Then, it is the Holiday Weekend and I was hoping that my SSI would be deposited today, but nooooooo, not until Monday. Fine, my husband will come home with cash, cause he is sweet and cute and wants me to have a good time this weekend.

But, it is all the little stuff, like my milk breaking and leaking in my car and spilling shredded cheese all over the kitchen floor (no, I don't have a dog) and waiting for it to rain (cause they been saying its gonna) for three days, when I finally decided to water my gardens instead of waiting for it to rain. Then all of a sudden, I am at the grocery store and the sky's open up. Yep, my gardens do need the extra water and everything else, cause my windows were open in my car and at home (you know where this is going). And; to top it all off, my husband had a similar day - locked his keys in his car, slammed the door on his phone and smashed it into 4 pieces (I think he did that on purpose cause he wants a new one) and so on and so on.

So, here I am hoping all of you will do the "Undo Curse Dance" for me so I can have a good weekend and why does every day have to be spend, spend, spend. Thank you in advance for your help.

Happy 4th of July.

My debts and to do list are as follows:

Furnace and C/A payments. APR 23.250%. These need to be combined into one payment on a lower interest card. One that has no annual fees and no transfer or low transfer fees. Needs to be done before the beginning of September. That is when the C/A bill's accumulating interest comes due. Need to find a good credit card to transfer to. Any suggestions?

Dentist CC bill. I owe $800 and will be adding to that this month. APR is 21.98%. I don't pay any interest on this card until November 15, 2007. I should have no problem paying this off beforehand. Not worried about this bill. It was a necessity.

I own an online Christian Book Store that I would like to sell. I bought it for $580. I am taking offers. Maybe I will list it on e-bay. I have named it The Ivory Tablet. http://theivorytablet.spreadtheword.com/ It is under construction for updates until the beginning of July and then it will be back online.

My Mary Kay business. After September, my website runs out. I am not going to renew it, but just go to personal use.

I belong to a vacation club and own 10 weeks of vacation to use anywhere in the world. I am needing to sell one of my weeks cause time is running out for this year. I might try to barter some work to be done on my house in exchange for one vacation week or sell a week for cheap. Great Idea.

I own a piece of property in Presque Isle, Michigan. It costs me around $400/year for association dues, taxes and water bill, combined. I would like to put a log cabin kit on this property to use it as a summer getaway. This is gonna cost me cause I am also still trying to renovate my Cottage.

Cottage renovation. A lot still needs to be done. What was I thinking when I bought a 1930's cottage, but I love it and it love's me. Very quaint.

Got all my bills paid for the month of July and they go in the mail today. This included mortgage, jeep payment, insurance payment, edison, consumers, phone, cell phones, blockbuster online, cable, AOL, dentist bill, furnace, c/a, kids education expenses, sewer bill and ING account.

So I will add the $50 to my ING account to the right under Author Info.

Added $1.78 to the Change Jar after emptying my purse from the week.

Found a lucky penny at the ballfield and it took my 11 yo's team right through 3 games of play-off's to win 1st Place. Got a medal and a trophy.

Baked brownies for the our baseball picnic and supplied some water. The league, itself, provided the hotdogs and the rest of the team brought a dish to pass.

Ate up leftover's on Saturday night and cooked on Sunday night. The kids ate more left overs on Sunday night with our regular dinner.

Did Spend $8.41 at Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream after winning 1st Place on Sunday, but well worth it.

Spent $15.00 on Saturday evening for a 25th Anniversary Party for our friends. They had fireworks and all you can eat and drink goodies.

A little tired from our busy weekend, but oh so much fun and not too expensive.

I was reading Nisha's blog and she mentioned she is getting married. First of all, Congratulations. Secondly, it can be done on a budget. I thought I would tell you of mine and maybe it would give you some ideas. Totally done on a budget, but not lacking quality.

First, we decided what our budget was and whether we wanted to have a big or small wedding. We chose a small wedding. We just didn't feel like we needed to invite extended family and friends. We chose a date and I went to Michaels Craft Store and got the blank wedding cards with envelopes and printed out my own. We chose a date in later July to assure we would have good weather. The weather for our day was spectacular.

We found our rings and only had a Maid-of-Honor and Best Man to witness for us (My husband's brother and his wife - family members). My Maid-of-Honor and I shopped at bridal stores and finer department stores for our dresses. I found a beautiful full-length, sleeveless and backless white cocktail dress at an upscale department store on sale for $99.00 and my maid of honor found a beautiful periwinkle blue flowing dress for $79.00. I took my dress to the local tailor in town and she shortened it to cocktail length and I bought the cutest and most comfortable shoes ever to run around in.

After much searching and calling around to different banquet rooms, our church and other venues, we decided to get married farther from home. Mackinaw Island, Michigan was our destination http://www.mackinac.com/ to get married. We invited our immediate family members and close family friends, which turned out to be a total of 24 people. We did let them know that we couldn't pay for their accommodations, but we could pay for the ferry ride to the Island and the luncheoun after the wedding. A total of 20 guests were able to attend. The other 4 had commitments they couldn't get out of.

I let everyone know which hotel we were staying at so that they could book the same one. We were able to get a group discount which helped a lot. We all left on a Friday morning and met at the hotel we were all staying at. We decided to stay in Mackinaw City and then take the ferry to the Island the next day, Saturday. Saturday was the actual day of our wedding. I gave everyone film for their cameras and asked that they give me their film when they were done. Nothing like not posing for a picture. We had some great ones. Lots of laughs.

We all had dinner in the City together, that me and my fiance were going to pay for, but somehow, someone else picked up that tab (I think it was my father). We had a blast being able to spend quality time with our immediate family. We all parted ways to our own rooms for the evening and got up early the next morning to get ready for the wedding.

The guys in one room, us gals in another. What a riot. The guys boarded a different ferry while us girls boarded the ferry closest to the hotel, so we wouldn't see each other until that special moment. I also just bought simple boutinierres and coursages for me, my fiance, best man, maid of honor, my father, and three mothers. We picked them up before we left and brought them with us. My husband and I split them up and handed them out on Saturday morning while getting ready.

There are many places on Mackinaw Island to get married. We chose Surrey Hills Gazebo (which didn't cost anything, just had to reserve it). Mackinaw Island also provides a list of names of people to officiate the wedding. I contacted all of them beforehand with a little interview over the phone and chose our man. He was awesome.

When we got to the Island, at different times, we all boarded carriages which took us up to Surrey Hill Gazebo, past the Grand Hotel and other beautiful spots. The Island has so many beautiful homes, flowers and trees. Breathtaking.

After the ceremony, we all either walked or boarded different carriages that took us to our eating destination, which I had booked beforehand. The place was awesome. We had decided not to offer their complete menu, but picked 4 main choices. The restaurant had printed us up our own menus which they provided to our guests. It was a great souvenier, at no cost. We had a beautiful luncheoun. After the luncheoun, everybody kind of went their own way in groups to explore the Island. We met up later, changed around a few groups and explored some more. We all eventually met back in the City and had dinner together.

The next morning, Sunday, all our guests headed for home and me and my new husband spent another couple of days in the City and exploring the surrounding areas as the new husband and wife team.

The total costs of everything, including our accommodations, cost us $1600. Most of that was made back by the gifts of money we received from our guests and extended family and friends.

It was one of the most beautiful times in my life, aside from giving birth to my children. But, being able to spend such quality time with treasured family and friends was worth every bit of not having a large wedding for us.

Hope this helps with any ideas and keeping a smaller budget.

Purchase my 9th Grader's first class through the Brigham Young University, costing me $105.00. I am keeping track of my kids Education Expenses under Author Info to the right.

Our High School applies these credits to my daughters transcript and our diploma will be issued from our local high school.

This is good entertainment.

http://shaelaurel.com/schedule_list.php

Both my 14 yo daughter and this group perform at the Renaissance Festival in Holly, Michigan in the fall. My daughter performs in the Children's Dell, doing a Shakespeare number.

The schedule listed above is for Shaelaurel, for all of those who live in other states.

So I went to the Beach/Club to open this morning. It was pouring the rain with lightning and thunder. After an hour and a half, I decided to close up and come home and bake.

I have made chocolate chip cookies and brownies, and yes there is a child over today. Shortly after I got home, she called and said she didn't want to stay home alone, cause there was a plumber guy there fixing some pipes and she was afraid. Now, why would any parent leave their child home alone with someone they don't know.

Of course, I let her come over. She is my 14 yo's friend. My youngest went to someone else's house for a change, so this is a nice break.

These will be the added school expenses to my budget. I am going to keep track of what is spent under Author Info.

Band Instruments:
* Clarinet - Found one in excellent shape for $70
* Trumpet - my oldest found us one, but I am going to give him $50 for it, just to help him out.
* New reeds and oil - not sure how much this costs.

Classes:
* Brigham Young University classes for my 9th Grader. She will take 5 of these per year at $105 per 1/2 credit; along with

Books and extras:
* Reading materials that go with each course. Different amounts. I just found the first book my 9th grader will need at Amazon.com. It originally cost $80, got it for $10.99. Nice savings there.

* New back pack, school supplies, clothing and lunch money. Varies in price.

Good thing I am working at the beach this summer so I can have extra money for all of the above.

That is what I am. I do work up at our Country Club, but that is a half a block away, so my kids are up there using the beach, volleyball courts, ping pong, basketball and horseshoe pits or they can stay home by themselves, cause they are 11 and 14. Perfect, because I like to be with them or they can just hang at home.

The problem is all the other working moms who seem to think I have nothing to do cause I am a stay-at-home mom and I end up with their kids all the time. Although, my youngest (11) does like to play with his friends and I like him playing with his friends, I am the one ending up with them.

Which means, yesterday, my youngest asked for money and ended up spending $13.00 on lunch for him and another boy, because his mom is not home. And today, we ended up with a girl and a different boy, because their mom's are not home, and I fed them lunch and dinner. Then, I tried my hardest for them to understand that we were going to eat dinner and then go out and they should head home. Sure enough, the girl came with us to play tennis and the boy's mom dropped him off at the tennis courts and said "can you bring him home, cause I haven't had dinner yet". This is costing me my food, gas, time and sanity.

I have mentioned in the past to the parents, nicely, that this was my choice to be home with my kids and that I do make sacrafices to stay home. But, the minute school lets out, kids are left alone and all end up at my house.

We have ended up taking down our pool and locking everything up. Kids like riding our bikes better and we have to put the swings up so no-one with play on the play structure when we are gone.

On the positive side, yes I do know where my kids are, but the negative side is, so does every other parent in the neighborhood know where their kid is - at my house.

QUESTION IS:
How do I get it across to everyone that I am not a freebie, day care or playground and would like dinners and quality time alone with my family without sounding mean.

Sincerely, Annoyed and Frustrated.

Had to have my brakes fixed today. Of course it needed front rotors, pads and the rotors turned in the back. Cost me $300. We sold our old beater truck for $500, so my half ($250) went towards my Jeep's brakes.

I did sell my window a/c unit for $60 on Saturday and we used $40 at the mall on Sunday afternoon for some great finds and the other $20.00 I handed to my 11 y.o. son today to get a $5.00 Little Caesar Pizza, he came home with $7.00 left. How do you spend $13.00? Well, he said, I got a crazy bread, sauce and a couple pops with my Pizza. He shared it all with a friend. Nice guy my boy is.

My neighbor still owes me $50 for watching her little girl for a couple long days. I will have to give her a call.

Kind of all adds up to about the same amount made as the same amount spent. At least I was able to clear out some items we didn't need to pay for the things we did need without using my regular income.

We have had so much stress in our life lately, that me and my two youngest just needed some time to relax. We went to the mall, and boy, did we find some sales. For $40, we ended up with 4 shirts and nail polish for my daughter, a wrist band and hackey sack for my son, three pieces of the best white chocolate, three tennis balls for us to play tennis (we got the rackets for 25 cents at a garage sale) and dinner for the three of us.

Plus, we just had a good time together checking out all the stuff at the stores. We very rarely go to the mall, so it was a treat.

Today is my youngest last baseball game before play-offs next weekend. It is supposed to be 91 degrees today. Our game is at 11:30, so hopefully it won't be too hot yet. Then onto coach's treat afterwards, probably ice cream. I can handle that.

Also, a graduation open house in the 90 degree weather today at someone's house. Why couldn't they have it at the beach.

Sunday - Father's Day. Already bought the steaks and cake. We will cook out and tinker around the house on overdue projects.

Then drop my car off at the brake shop so that can get it right in Monday morning to fix my brakes and rotors.

Busy weekend. Should be good to go after all that.

I allow myself $400 a month on grocerys for 5 people. So far, I am up to $385.45 with today spending $121.12. I think I have enough to take me through the rest of the month. Two weeks left before payday.

Nope, I am almost out of butter, paper towels and BBQ sauce. But, I have $14.55 left for the month. I can do it.

We have spent $78.05 on eating out this month, so far. I really don't add this to my grocery budget, but maybe I should. I kind of have this in my fun money account. Don't really have a set budget, we just normally never eat out, but the last two weeks have been out of the norm.

Okay, back to Cheryl's Diner, someone must be hungry.

Thursday and Friday seemed to have been expensive days. I don't really look at the amount spent as much as I look at how many hours it takes me to make the amount spent.

Thursday I helped my oldest (21) fix his tire (well my husband did while I stood by to make sure he was doing it right), added 4 quarts of transmission fluid and 2 quarts of oil. It didn't really costs us anything, just took it from our supply in the shed and sent him on his way.

Cleaned house and then I was too tired to cook dinner, so I loaded up the other two children and we went to big boy ($21.00 dinner), then returned a softball bat to Target, got back $26.00, went on to my youngest's baseball game and then my two youngest children and husband were hungry, so I swung into McDonald's on the way home, $17.00 there.

Friday, worked 4 hours at the beach to make $26.00, went to the grocery store to spend $121.00, then on to watch a friend's child play baseball.

So all in all I guess I ended up spending a total of $107.00. Yuck, in two days. So, I will have to work 4 days at the beach to make that much.

Good thing I am not spending my beach money, just depositing it in my savings account.

I am at home today and thought I would work on my daughter's garden, weed my gardens, clean my house, catch up on laundry, make dinner and go to my youngest's baseball game this evening. That would be a pretty full day in itself.

I also have some freecycle items to set out for those freecyclers to come and get. I have been cleaning out items and if not of great value, freecycling them. And those of great value, either listing them for sale in the local paper or on the cheapcycle. We sold our beater truck, a window a/c unit and some jewelry, all to the tune of $570. Yeah.

Also, on my list today, unexpectantly. When I was moving my oldest's child's car back into the driveway after letting my husband out, his back tire must have been really flat, cause it fell off the rim. Now, I have to wake him up, have him get the tire off and run it to the tire store to be repaired or possibly buy a new one. He is so bad about taking care of his car.

So, it should be a pretty busy day around her, but hopefully productive. I like productive days.

There is an area just outside my daughter, Lexi's bedroom. She is 14 and needs a garden of her own. We are putting in a 6' x 15' patio and potted garden area for her. We are going to put a french door on that side of her bedroom to her garden. So far, just with found items around the house, we have leftover patio stones, a cute stone turtle and lots of pots for flowers. We are going to plant some strawberry pots, a large container for a water garden and some smaller pots with some flowers and herbs. I will need to purchase one length of privacy fence just for defining the area, a french door, a bistro type table with two chairs and possibly a few more patio blocks and of course, the flowers, which we are going today to get after I get home from work.

This has been so much fun for her and I and it has cleaned up around our house and in the shed of wonderful items to use. If I can borrow a digital camera, I will take a picture when it is done.

My 14 yo daughter just came back from Church camp. They had a raffle where somebody would win an ipod. She didn't win, but said that would have been nice.

I said there is always Christmas and to put in on her list. She stated that there really isn't anything she wanted or needed. As my other two children, 21 and 11 chimned in with the same line.

So, nobody wants anything? with my eyebrows raised. Maybe we will just go away for Christmas or I will give them the money I would usually spend on them and let them shop after Christmas.

Who Knows.

Between just the four categories that I list under Author Info, I have saved almost $800 in just one month. This is above and beyond my regular checking, regular savings, grocery stocking and other major areas of investing. Cha Ching to me and a pat on the back also. It just seemed so easy. Happy Dance.

Don't know what to do with your white clothes when summer is over? For the ones that are stained and can't be used next summer, dye them with a couple of the new fall colors. This will make your wardrobe go a long ways. I can't wait to see what the hot new fall colors will be just for that reason. Rit dye here I come.

Watch the Duggar's Vacation on Discovery Health this evening. They drove a motorhome and the van pulling the motorhome, loaded it up with food, clothes and kids and went from Arkansas to California, stopping at a Western store to buy Cowboy Hats for all, stayed at a Dude Ranch, went to the Grand Canyon, flew on a plane, had some field trips and went to Las Vegas. Then on to Disney World and stayed in a Disney World hotel, which Disney World provided. I bet most of it was provided to them just for the show.

Anyhow, I was intrigued and watched every minute. Cowboy Hats off to the Duggar's for great entertainment.

So the dog that I was getting my youngest child really didn't work out. We brought her home, but our cats and her went at it just like "cats and dogs". I ended up with a pretty good scratch trying to break them up. We ended up taking her back to their original owner per my son's request. He didn't feel it was fair to the cats or the dog to put them through so much stress.

So to mend his broken heart, we went to Dunham's and Target. He ended up with a new baseball mit, bat and clothes for a total of around $100. He actually really needed all of the above, so I didn't feel too bad about spending that amount on him.

At least we know that the dog and cat thing will probably not work out unless we start with a puppy, but that is a whole other ballgame, so to speak.

We sold our old beater truck yesterday for $500. We were asking $900, but somehow this guy talked my husband down to $500. Oh well, at least it is sold. We split the cost so that I can get my brakes fixed on my Jeep and he can get the bearings replaced on his Jeep. So that is a good thing cause that is really what the money was going for.

I sold a couple items on e-bay for $39.15 which brings my total to $115.04 for my $20 Challenge. I will update my total to the right under Author Info.

My husband wanted to take me out to dinner last night, but I had already started dinner which he said was better than going out anyway. I did tell him that he could take me to dinner Saturday or Sunday. Wouldn't want to miss out on a free dinner.

He also paid me his rent for this week of $300. Sweet.

I have worked 10 days in a row at the beach. I am taking the weekend off, but today my youngest boy has a baseball game at 2:00. That is always entertainment for free.

Going afterwards to pick up the cute little White Cockapoo dog named Sassy for my youngest boy. My son and her share the same name. They will get along perfect. These people paid $1700 for her, had her spayed, her shots are up to date and all her belongings. They are just not around enough for her, but my Jameson will probably run her legs off. You guessed it they are giving her to us for free.

My daughter (14) was asked by another friend to go with her family to an open house today and hang. It will be a fun filled day at a really nice park with swimming and food, all for free.

So far, it is turning out to be a full, fun and free day. They don't come along to often. I am thankful. Everyone else have a good day and make it free.

First of all, I own a vacation package. Ten weeks total to use over the next five years. So far, I have been unable to use this years two weeks, so I need to sell them. If anyone is interested, please let me know. You can go anywhere in the World anytime you want. Both weeks DO NOT need to be used together, but they need to be used before the end of the year or I just loose them. That would really be a waste of money.

Secondly - I have been working a summer job and watching my neighbors little girl to make some extra money to pay off a new furnace (my furnace went out during my mom's funeral in February) Well, I think I am going to tell my neighbor that I cannot watch her little girl anymore. I can schedule my own hours at the summer job, but I am kind of stuck with the babysitting. Me and my children would like to spend some time together before they head back to school.

Third - I have my Central Air payment(that was put in last summer) which I would like to get paid off. I have been paying extra on it, so hopefully I can tackle it over the next year.

Fourth - My youngest has been begging for a dog. A lady at church is giving away her Cockapoo and Jameson would like to have her. Should I or shouldn't I.

Fifth - My youngest ever growing dentist bill is still rising. Would like to get this paid off as soon as possible. All of my kids need their teeth cleaned though.

Sixth - Would really like to get started adding a garage with a room on top to my home and finishing off the patio so I can set my patio furniture and grill out on it.

Seventh - I own property somewhere else. It costs me around $500 a year to keep it with taxes, water usage and association fees. I think it would be hard to sell, but who knows, maybe I will give it a try. The other suggestion is trying to get a loan to put a log cabin kit on it and then use it as a vacation rental. Then it would pay for itself and then some.

Eighth - I have been selling Mary Kay Cosmetics for the past 10 years and I think I am ready to not do it anymore. Just go to personal use and put in an order once a year. That way I don't have the overhead like mailings, website and deliveries.

I am a simple kind of gal and really go for the less is more kind of attitude. I think that I need less of the above and am going to work really hard to get rid of most of it. I am thinking about getting the dog though. She is very cute and I think that my ds will really enjoy her.

Well, this is all I can think of right now. I will get back with you on how things are going. Any suggestions are always welcome.

I belong to a Catalog Yahoo Group where there is a home business of the month. We are required to buy $25.00 minimum from the business of the month, with my month being September. I have been buying gifts to be used for birthdays, christmas, etc.

I think that after my month (September) is over I am going to stop selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. I have been selling for 10 years and I think I need a change. And, in January, my buying year will be up.

It has been a lot of fun and I have gotton some great items, but enough is enough.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/SavingandDebt/P62572.asp

I liked this article, all except the part of having children. I think children add a lot of richness to one's life, even though they are expensive.

Enjoy.

My new catagory - Weekly Mail Call. In the past week I have received:

*plenty of bills - all paid
*lots of credit card offers
*some tempting catalogs
*more return address stickers (I love these)
*a flyer on Free Concerts at the Flint Institute of Music - I will have to check these out.
*Coupons for Laura's Lean Beef, Bed, Bath and Beyond, different items at Kroger, lots of pizza coupons, Jiffy Lube, but no samples, yet.
*My catalog of the month purchase.
*The catalog for the August purchase of the month.

That is about all this week. We will see what comes in the mail next week.

Why my statistical information is not showing up at the top of my page, but rather at the bottom; and how do you correct this problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Circuit City has designed a plan for you to trade in your old electronics and they issue gift cards to use at a later date.

Trade In Link

I think this is a great idea. What a great way to get rid of items laying around the house that are outdated instead of filling our landfills.