I mean, I am really going to have to be creative getting through this month.

My husband's pay is sporadic, so I mostly don't get anything from him, and it has been like that for a long time.

I am on a fixed income myself and today is my last day at my summer job, so only one more check coming in from that.

I have paid all of my bills, added money to my savings and ING accounts, paid for my son's college this semester, paid for the new foyer's foundation, a full tank of gas, a week's worth of groceries and have almost all of the money for my taxes, which are due on September 14th. I will be transferring all of the money from my Savings (Freedom Account) and combining it with my check from my summer job, I wil get those taxes paid on time.

But, that literally leaves me with about $50.00 in my Checking. Now, here is relying on some of my husband's jobs to pay him, so he can pay me.

Of course, next month, I should have no extremely large bills, like taxes, and will be getting an extra $600 from the Ameriquest Settlement. I will use that money for my wood and finish package for my new foyer.

Then I have to concentrate on Christmas and two birthdays in December. Oh, the fun of financial creativity never ends.

My daughter is coming up on her Sixteenth birthday. I would like to do a surprise birthday party for her. The only problem is that her birthday is in December and we live in Michigan. Too snowy and cold.

When my oldest son turn sixteen (his birthday falls in April), we were able to have his outside with a bonfire. I am not sure that is going to work for my daughter.

So, I need some really cool ideas. There will probably be around 30 people, and, shhh, it is a surprise.

Also, my youngest son will be turning 13 in December. But he is easy. He just wants me to take him and his friends to the Skateboard/BMX park. Usually, over the past years, I have pizza for dinner, load all the kids up to take them to the pool at the local high school. It is only $2.00 per kid, then back to our house for opening presents, cake and ice cream. This year, we will just go to the BMX park.

Thanks in advance for the really cool ideas I know this group will come up with for my daughters "Sweet Sixteen".

So I went to the Jeep dealership to check out what was on their used and new lots. Holy Cow, there were a lot of nice Jeeps, but the prices are astronimical. I felt like I should be living in my car and paying a mortgage.

Well, I own a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee with around 86,000 miles on it, in really good shape physically and mentally, but thought I would upgrade to maybe a 2006, or if I wait until September, all of the 2007s will be on sale, making way for the new 2008's to be unveiled.

But the cost hindered me. I looked at my husband and said, I think I will run mine through the car wash on the way home. He laughed and we both left.

I am not getting a new Jeep anytime soon.

So, I transferred money from my ING and Savings accounts to pay off CC1. I have deleted it from my debt area and have moved everything up.

Since January, I wrote everything down that I pay for and either called and adjusted the amount, changed providers that offered lower costs or eliminated certain things completely, saving myself over $2000 a year.

Along with putting myself on the Rapid Debt Reduction Plan. I have been able to pay my taxes (they are not included in my mortgage) and pay off one loan and two credit cards - all in 7 1/2 months. Not bad.

Hoping to have the next credit card paid off by December/January at the latest and then on to the next in line.

I have also sold or got out of anything that wasn't a good investment or we have outgrown (i.e., property, motorcycles, furniture, small business, etc.) to relieve myself from undue stress and to help pay off debt.

Feeling pretty good about becoming debt free again.