Money is here!!

Went online yesterday to check my accounts and found our federal return had been direct deposited!

My plans for the day quickly changed, instead of cleaning I decided to start paying bills.

I had my list all itemized so I just started in.  I was behind in quite a few monthly bills, got those all caught up, owed some on some back property taxes so paid those.  Also owed on a couple of other bills so got those paid.

Now, here is the indecision.  We put money aside to buy a beef, which is what we do every year as we live in the country and raise our own meat.  We decided to not get the beef and pay off another bill, BUT that would leave us nothing in savings.  Since I have been going through our bills before every payday for the past two months and budgeting and anticipating spending, I know I have expenses coming up in the next couple of months.

Our paychecks will not cover these upcoming expenses, so I am afraid if I pay off an extra bill, I will start getting behind on other bills to cover these expenses!

My question is, pay the bill and try to make the budget work or save the money and cover the expenses and try to pay extra on the bill every month to get rid of it?

After seeing this in print, I think I have my answer...

Tax Return Done!!

Went to the accountant today to sign our tax returns.  They will be e-filed today, money in 3 weeks??

I spent yesterday writing out my plan for the return, it basically uses all of it, but that will catch us up plus cover some necessary expenses.

I need to stay strong, so when it is here I just start writing checks and mailing them, before I get weak and want to spend the money on something of little value. 

I am so encouraged by everyone's blogs right now, everyone is doing so great, I am encouraged and motivated, thank you everyone for your words of wisdom I read everyday!  It keeps me going!!

Yesterday I made my menu for two weeks, I have some little cheap goodies for my kids for v-day, hubby and I don't exchange.  I will make a simple but nice dinner on Thursday.  I have been working on my winter cleaning.  Our snow is almost gone, so spring is on its way!!

As of now my plan is to be on budget for March, hope my plan is successful!!

What I have been up to!

Obviously I haven't posted in a bit.  Kids have been  doing sports,  I have been working on my taxes and winter cleaning.  I am so busy spring and summer I have to clean in the winter. 

Nothing exciting has happened except I am on track to catch up on the bills!! With our tax return which should be here in a few weeks I am planning on paying bills.  I worked on that today, I have a outline, so when the money is here I can start writing checks.  Wanting to do that before I get the shopping cravings!!

All of the blogs I follow are doing so well, I want to be able to keep up.  I will keep you posted to how things go. 

I have been able to keep somewhat up with the bills, and only grocery shopping with whats left.

Everyone on their blogs I follow are doing so well, I want to keep up with the bloggers instead of the Jones'!

Quiet & Cold!

So the weather here has been quite cold this week, I haven't wanted to do much except drink tea and read blogs by the woodstove!

But work I must, I've put away some Christmas, still have more to do, my Christmas collection is quite large after 30yrs. and the kids wanted alot put out this year, so now putting it away is on the agenda, hope to finish up this weekend.

Next week I am planning on getting my business receipts together, should take a few days!

I have had 3 no spend days so far, today need to go to town to get some chicken food, but none for us! Still planning on pantry/freezer eating for another week!

Menu so far this year...
1/1  Lasagna, salad and french bread
1/2  Left-overs of above
1/3  Chicken Tacos (leftover chicken from Sunday)
1/4  Sloppy Joe's & Salad
1/5  Homemade Pizza
1/6  Roast
1/7  Chicken Noodle Soup (rest of chicken)
1/8  Spaghetti
1/9  Pork Chops & Rice
1/10 Chili
1/11 BBQ Burgers & Oven Fries
1/12 Chili Dogs
All the food I make is from scratch, I don't buy any freezer or convenience foods.  I need to start baking bread weekly again, I have been a slacker there.

I've made my budget for payday next week, I am hoping things work out the way I have planned!

How is everyone's pantry eating going this month?

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2013 to everyone!!  Spent the morning posting the last of 2012 personal receipts.

I have been really good about keeping track of our expenses for the year, problem is we spent 10K over what DH made.  That $$ came from our tax return, my business and our rental property.

My goal this year is to catch up on bills and live on what DH brings home. I am tired of transfering money all around constantly, it just makes me short somewhere else.

We were invited last night to go have drinks with friends, I declined, we had the kids home and we were having our own party.  Today we were invited to go out to dinner with other friends, said sorry, already have dinner planned and started.

I am planning on no spend days till payday on the 11th.

Sure hoping I can keep up this stamina!!

Beginning of the Goals list!

So my #1 goal for the year is to get caught up on the bills.  I am not setting super unattainable goals this year like I have in the past.  Would just love to be caught up again, that hasn't happened in over a year.  This year it will happen because I am cutting back.  In the past I would talk big, but then eat out or shop for some house stuff that we needed?? Not!! This year I have gotten the family on board, they are supportive because I have never spoiled them.  We live a mostly modest life, DH makes in the 35K range which really isn't alot in the real world.  Unfortunately we have spent a bit more than we make for quite a few years now.  The last part of 2012 has been very eye opening in that I refused to take on any more debt, we have managed with what we have made, which has definately been difficult. I have been juggling bills for quite awhile. 

January will be a no/low spend, we are eating out of the pantry/freezer.  We only have some sports games for the kids that we need to attend so I am budgeting for that.  The rest of the $$ is going towards bills.

After shopping yesterday and fueling up the vehicles I am not planning on doing any shopping for two weeks.  Hope the fuel can last that long but will have some $$ set aside in case we need to gas one up.  I sent all the rest of the paycheck to bills.

I spent about $165.00 for groceries/booze and $105.00 for fuel.  I am planning on making that last...

A good day!

Dh got paid today, his paycheck was 500. more because of OT, was able to get some bills paid, but was really frugal with our regular expenses like food and fuel.  Hoping that we have a quiet two weeks with no crisis like we've had lately.

Got a few goodies for our New Years Eve stay at home evening with the kids, starting the year out with only frugal thoughts!!

Will post my goals soon!!