Starting from scratch. I had to drain my savings account (Freedom Account) to go towards paying my taxes.

I also had to give my husband all of my change until he gets paid on Friday.

But, at least the bills are paid and I will catch up again.

Paid a little over $400 to my debt area

Prev. Balance Owing $9803.22
Paid $400.54
New Balance Owing: $9402.68

Added $2.78 to the Change Jar
Added $200.00 to my Savings Account
Added $50.00 to my ING Account

All Expenses are PAID, just working on a cash Christmas. So far, so good.

But, Come January, I will reveal my new venture, where I am cutting back and how I am tackling my debt. The PFBlog.com really got me excited about becoming wealthy. I am going to have to arm myself with a sword to keep the kids at bay. Ahh, Matey, look out.

Gave my oldest son $500 from savings.

Paid $20.00 on Piano Lessons for daughter.

Change Jar needs to be recounted, cause we have been using the change for lunches at school.

Electronics Class for youngest son $92.50 for 8 week course.

Got FAFSA (Federal Student Aid for College) finished. Should be receiving reimbursement for college soon.

All reflected to the right under Author Info.

Adding $4.79 to my change jar, bringing my total to $27.39. Wooooweee.

Adding $4.03 to my change jar.

Prev. Total $18.57
Add $4.03
New Total $22.60

Okay, not a real profitable week. Only .43 cents added to the change jar and I really can't remember anything exciting that came in the mail.

But, I did win 2 seperate auctions on e-bay with 100 coupons in each auction. 200 coupons total. I was really low on coupons and we don't buy the newspaper, so I bought some coupons totalling $4.45. I have done this before and ended up with some great coupons.

Well, it is Sunday. Cleaned out my purse and I am adding $4.54 to my Change Jar

Prev. Total $13.60
Add $4.54
New Total $18.14

Found $8.50 from one of those state quarters collector boards. I am going to add that to my change jar, cause every year, my BIL, gets my kids the mint sets and the state quarters mint sets, so we already have the collection.

Prev. total $5.10
Add $8.50
Total $13.60

I used to always throw change in a jar. At the end of the day, I would clean out my purse and throw any change accummulated from daily spending into a large jar in my closet. But then it got to be if you wanted to exchange it at the bank, they wanted it rolled with your name, phone number and bank account written on the rolls; or you could take it to a Coinstar and pay the percentage for it to add it up for you and spit you out a slip to take to customer service. So, I quit doing it.

I thought, we will use the change when we are out instead of saving it. Except for, I think I miss the change jar, so I have restarted this way of saving.

I figure, it is excellent extra money in a time of need for me and my kids for lunch money or whatever comes up.

Do many of you keep a change jar? I have two. An antique tobacco jar right next to my bed and when it gets full, I dump it into a very large pickle jar hidden in my closet. The most I have gotten my change jar up to was around $180. I am off to clean out my purse, counters and laundry room in search of change. It is like a treasure hunt. Exciting.