So the England trip did convince Darling and me we want to move across the Atlantic in 2009. That, the move into a bigger apartment come February 2008, Christmas, next month's wedding in Virginia, and the possible special December 2008 Mexico vacation, and we have a lot to budget for. This is our current list:
1. October Rent ($700)
2. Electric bill ($160 - why does this bill double every time someone moves into our home?)
3. Phone bill ($65)
4. Loan Company Payment ($250)
5. Plane Tickets ($500) *Edit* Originally $1500 was prioritized for the entire trip. As that would be next to impossible as well as destroy our net worth, we have decided to take a more realistic view and budget only for the largest and most important expense: tickets.
6. College Payment ($350 - This is the last of what I owe this school! Once we make this payment, we'll only have my loan company and family to deal with from here on out!)
7. February 2008 Move ($600)
8. Investments ($150)
9. X-Mas ($100)
10. Eye Doctor Visit For Tread ($200)
11. Family Loan ($50)
12. Charity ($20)
13. Clothing for Darling ($50)
14. Fun Money ($100)
15. Dental Appointment for Darling (?)
16. Dental Appointment for Tread (?)
17. 2009 Move ($50)
18. 2008 Vacation ($50)
19. Clothing For Tread ($50)
The wedding is going to trip us up big time; we'll need to earn $1625 before we cover everything I consider an absolute priority, plust $200 to cover the month's groceries. I know our net worth must be hurting, but that's for another post.
Friday, August 31, 2007
The Cost of Dying
Spent most of yesterday in bed, and finally feel well-rested this morning. Darling and his sister looked at plane tickets yesterday and were appalled by Labor Day weekend prices. After a day of faxing paperwork back and forth (Darling has to sign some things) we'll agree on what we need to do. It's really up to Sister-In-Law, as she is the one loaning us the money to get Darling up there.
It seems wrong to worry about finances in relation to a family death. This is one thing that should be held sacred. And this is only about a plane ticket. How many people face a financial nightmare when it comes to actual funeral prices?
Now I'm wondering if I should add life insurance to our lengthy list of needs and wants. And I want to crawl back into bed.
It seems wrong to worry about finances in relation to a family death. This is one thing that should be held sacred. And this is only about a plane ticket. How many people face a financial nightmare when it comes to actual funeral prices?
Now I'm wondering if I should add life insurance to our lengthy list of needs and wants. And I want to crawl back into bed.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Return And Regret
We left Manchester Airport yesterday at ten in the morning, arrived home safe, sound, and definitely delirious with exhaustion at 4:00 a.m. this morning. We had a wonderful exhausting vacation overall, a summary of which I will probably share later. It was a financial success primarily because Darling accidentally on purpose "lost" a hundred dollars in sterling travelers checks we can now deposit right back into our bank.
Unfortunately we came home to devastating news: Darling's mother passed on while we were away, and no one was able to reach us. We missed the memorial service and everything, but I still desperately wish Darling could be with his family right now. We have yet to recover from yesterday's 22 hours worth of travel, though, so no real decisions have been made about getting up there. We might just have to wait until our October visit, which makes me feel horrible.
Unfortunately we came home to devastating news: Darling's mother passed on while we were away, and no one was able to reach us. We missed the memorial service and everything, but I still desperately wish Darling could be with his family right now. We have yet to recover from yesterday's 22 hours worth of travel, though, so no real decisions have been made about getting up there. We might just have to wait until our October visit, which makes me feel horrible.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Last Day in The U.S.A!!!
Hurray for Best Western and wi-fi.
It's an unfortunately lengthy drive between Austin and Dallas, so friends took time off to drive us up, spend the night in hotel, have dinner and visit The Modern art museum. Darling and I covered gas and dinner, one friend covered museum fees, and another covered the hotel. Exhaustion plus low blood sugar hit me pretty hard at the museum, at which point in an embarassing fit of delirium I came horribly close to tossing my half-full coffee into an exhibit (thinking it was the trash, of course)! Otherwise it was an awesome experience, and by sharing costs the four of us had a reasonably-priced weekend. Now we are enjoying a rare treat for all of us: television.
Why am I so tired? Not only did we stay up all night packing, doing laundry, and generally fretting, but Darling and I woke up really early yesterday to work out the college issue. Remember how Austin Community College told us it would take four to six weeks to refund the money for the class they mistakenly registered him for? Darling signed up for another class which was only $50 more, and is possibly even cooler than the video game design class he wanted. Come September my husband will be attending a course on Solar Electricity, which will teach him how to design, install, and care for solar panels. After the class and an exam, he will be a qualified and certified solar electrician!
It's an unfortunately lengthy drive between Austin and Dallas, so friends took time off to drive us up, spend the night in hotel, have dinner and visit The Modern art museum. Darling and I covered gas and dinner, one friend covered museum fees, and another covered the hotel. Exhaustion plus low blood sugar hit me pretty hard at the museum, at which point in an embarassing fit of delirium I came horribly close to tossing my half-full coffee into an exhibit (thinking it was the trash, of course)! Otherwise it was an awesome experience, and by sharing costs the four of us had a reasonably-priced weekend. Now we are enjoying a rare treat for all of us: television.
Why am I so tired? Not only did we stay up all night packing, doing laundry, and generally fretting, but Darling and I woke up really early yesterday to work out the college issue. Remember how Austin Community College told us it would take four to six weeks to refund the money for the class they mistakenly registered him for? Darling signed up for another class which was only $50 more, and is possibly even cooler than the video game design class he wanted. Come September my husband will be attending a course on Solar Electricity, which will teach him how to design, install, and care for solar panels. After the class and an exam, he will be a qualified and certified solar electrician!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Tidy Purchases
Yesterday an anonymous commenter wondered if I'm worried my family will be making a mess at my home while I'm gone. While I have trust that my sister and dad will be good guests as far as general cleanliness go, Darling and I will be shopping on Monday to make this easier for them.
Because we were dirt poor at the start of our marriage (our net income was less than $800/month), there were certain "necessities" that never made it into our budget. Since our marriage in December or 2004, we have never bought dish washer detergent or trash bags. November of 2005 we bought a roll of paper towels because we had a party, never before and never after.
We've been taking our own recycled bags to the grocery store about half the time, but use them so regularly to hold trash that we restock often. I believe the time has come to invest in another drawstring bag and purchase biodegradable trash bags tomorrow, thereby eliminating the need to bring plastic bags into our home at all and reducing the chance of my dad purchasing "real" trash bags while we're gone.
Darling and I have always washed our dishes by hand and used the dish washer as a drying rack. I'll be purchasing some eco-friendly detergent so Lenore can do dishes with ease while we're gone.
As for paper towels...oh, it hurts. WHY do people buy those things?! I honestly don't understand. How can they be more convenient than a sponge for small spills, or a towel for large? Their production destroys old-growth forest and rain forests, they are practically evil incarnate and totally unnecessary outside a high traffic sterile environment such as a doctor's office. And expensive! Still, my attitude is obviously one many people neither share nor agree with. If I don't want a steady flow of paper garbage cycling through my home over the next week, I'll have to purchase the most environmentally friendly brand I can find.
By making these purchases and refilling our supply of laundry detergent (bought in bulk at Wheatsville) Darling and I can ensure our house will be kept tidy but not too wasteful.
Because we were dirt poor at the start of our marriage (our net income was less than $800/month), there were certain "necessities" that never made it into our budget. Since our marriage in December or 2004, we have never bought dish washer detergent or trash bags. November of 2005 we bought a roll of paper towels because we had a party, never before and never after.
We've been taking our own recycled bags to the grocery store about half the time, but use them so regularly to hold trash that we restock often. I believe the time has come to invest in another drawstring bag and purchase biodegradable trash bags tomorrow, thereby eliminating the need to bring plastic bags into our home at all and reducing the chance of my dad purchasing "real" trash bags while we're gone.
Darling and I have always washed our dishes by hand and used the dish washer as a drying rack. I'll be purchasing some eco-friendly detergent so Lenore can do dishes with ease while we're gone.
As for paper towels...oh, it hurts. WHY do people buy those things?! I honestly don't understand. How can they be more convenient than a sponge for small spills, or a towel for large? Their production destroys old-growth forest and rain forests, they are practically evil incarnate and totally unnecessary outside a high traffic sterile environment such as a doctor's office. And expensive! Still, my attitude is obviously one many people neither share nor agree with. If I don't want a steady flow of paper garbage cycling through my home over the next week, I'll have to purchase the most environmentally friendly brand I can find.
By making these purchases and refilling our supply of laundry detergent (bought in bulk at Wheatsville) Darling and I can ensure our house will be kept tidy but not too wasteful.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Accomplishments At the Hotel Softly
The Hotel Softly is running smoothly enough. So far the biggest annoyance for Darling and me is the junk making it's way into our fridge: lunch meats, six-packs of beer, take-out pizza, chips, and sodas. I'm as eager for a vacation away from our crowded household as I am for time away from work.
Today I paid the electric bill and picked up my prescription, and on my way to work will be dropping a check for $150 in the mail to my old college. Our big list o' priorities is dwindling faster than I expected, but if I don't mark off those last three with tomorrow's wages, I can't say I'll mind horribly. I'll be too busy packing!
Today I paid the electric bill and picked up my prescription, and on my way to work will be dropping a check for $150 in the mail to my old college. Our big list o' priorities is dwindling faster than I expected, but if I don't mark off those last three with tomorrow's wages, I can't say I'll mind horribly. I'll be too busy packing!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Special Add-On
Oh, I forgot to mention: I get a bi-weekly paycheck for days like tomorrow when I'll be earning $8/hour rather than earning tips. This Wednesday's was for a little over $100, putting this month's earnings at $915 rather than $815. Which means I might afford some debt servicing this month after all...
Family Matters
My father has taken up semi-permanent residence on our couch. He carries a key to our townhouse, uses our laundromat, and has already antagonized the neighbors. He has shown no interest in moving into Ob's spare room, which is situated in a comfortably un-crowded, tidy home across town. He would rather stay in our den!
If this keeps up until February we'll be looking to rent a three-bedroom house. Dad and Lenore both would be required to pay a portion of the rent in that scenario, which I think they can handle. Rent will be about a grand a month at least, so we'll budget to have at least 3 grand. Granted that's more than it cost to move here from VA, but housing in this town is expensive.
On another note, I only made $50 today. Still, that puts us at over my primary goal of $800 in 6 days by $15! I wish I could say that this weekend will be as good as my last, but tomorrow I was scheduled to work expo (food prep) rather than waitress, so I won't be taking home any cash. Then Sunday will be my last day to earn before packing up and heading out!
If this keeps up until February we'll be looking to rent a three-bedroom house. Dad and Lenore both would be required to pay a portion of the rent in that scenario, which I think they can handle. Rent will be about a grand a month at least, so we'll budget to have at least 3 grand. Granted that's more than it cost to move here from VA, but housing in this town is expensive.
On another note, I only made $50 today. Still, that puts us at over my primary goal of $800 in 6 days by $15! I wish I could say that this weekend will be as good as my last, but tomorrow I was scheduled to work expo (food prep) rather than waitress, so I won't be taking home any cash. Then Sunday will be my last day to earn before packing up and heading out!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
!@$%^!@*##!!!
This morning I woke up early (for me) made yummy chocolate waffles, and made the hour-long bus trip to the ACC Continuing Education Office. I had to make this trip because, for whatever reason, immigrants are not allowed to register for the first time online. Darling had to work, which is why I made this trip alone.
Once I got to the office, I didn't need Darling's Greencard, passport, or any of the other proof of residency I thought they'd check before letting an immigrant enroll. All I had to do was fill out a form with his birth date and which class he would like. They swiped my card for the $459 fee and I was on my way.
Well, almost. In the elevator I realized the receipt showed Darling registered for the wrong class! Which required prerequisites he doesn't have. I marched back to that office, where I was told that every class Darling qualified for was actually full. The woman at the office said the best she could do was drop Darling for the class she mistakenly registered him and we'd receive a refund in six to eight weeks.
I can not express just how annoyed this makes me. We figured the class might be full by now, and I was secretly looking forward for the extra padding on our vacation budget. Instead it looks like we just involuntarily deposited our funds into a no-interest savings account.
Maybe my Darling can call them up in the morning and talk some sense into him.
Once I got to the office, I didn't need Darling's Greencard, passport, or any of the other proof of residency I thought they'd check before letting an immigrant enroll. All I had to do was fill out a form with his birth date and which class he would like. They swiped my card for the $459 fee and I was on my way.
Well, almost. In the elevator I realized the receipt showed Darling registered for the wrong class! Which required prerequisites he doesn't have. I marched back to that office, where I was told that every class Darling qualified for was actually full. The woman at the office said the best she could do was drop Darling for the class she mistakenly registered him and we'd receive a refund in six to eight weeks.
I can not express just how annoyed this makes me. We figured the class might be full by now, and I was secretly looking forward for the extra padding on our vacation budget. Instead it looks like we just involuntarily deposited our funds into a no-interest savings account.
Maybe my Darling can call them up in the morning and talk some sense into him.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Day 4
After working 14 hours yesterday, I dragged myself home to present Darling with $240. Our tally so far is at $765.
This is our list of things to do today:
This is our list of things to do today:
- Buy bus passes for Darling and Dad
- E-mail my social security # to Darling's workplace HR so we can get our dental insurance
- Pick up my paycheck from work
- Deposit paycheck and cash into bank
- Photocopy necessary travel and identification documents
- Purchase travelers checks
- Pay the electric bill
- Travel to other side of town to register Darling for classes
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Events, Non-Events, Guests, and Goodbyes
"...it is exactly what we've been needing so we could invite my mom, dad, and mother-in-law to stay over more often."
You might remember that from my last post discussing the couch found on the side of the road. Well, as we speak my dad is sleeping on said couch. It looks like he'll be staying with us until my brother's spare room opens up in September.
Other events yesterday: a man came to fix our stove, we shopped and bought groceries, household cleaning supplies, and hygiene products that will make our guests feel more comfortable, didn't have our weekly lunch, purchased a NetSpend card (more on that later), and said goodbye to the kitties whose mommy finally returned from Houston.
Non-Events yesterday: We did not get to the bank, buy my contacts, or register Darling for his classes. And possibly most depressing: I did not catch up on my sleep as I normally do on Mondays.
You might remember that from my last post discussing the couch found on the side of the road. Well, as we speak my dad is sleeping on said couch. It looks like he'll be staying with us until my brother's spare room opens up in September.
Other events yesterday: a man came to fix our stove, we shopped and bought groceries, household cleaning supplies, and hygiene products that will make our guests feel more comfortable, didn't have our weekly lunch, purchased a NetSpend card (more on that later), and said goodbye to the kitties whose mommy finally returned from Houston.
Non-Events yesterday: We did not get to the bank, buy my contacts, or register Darling for his classes. And possibly most depressing: I did not catch up on my sleep as I normally do on Mondays.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Day 3 of 8
Since we don't have a car, it's difficult to drag roadside finds home with us. All of our furniture was free, donated by friends and relatives with trucks. So finding a huge, cushy brown couch with a "Free" sign on the curb just outside our parking lot last night was a most excellent stroke of luck. Even though the fold-out mattress made the thing agonizingly heavy and difficult to squeeze into our narrow entryway, it is exactly what we've been needing so we could invite my mom, dad, and mother-in-law to stay over more often.
This has been a great weekend for us. I came home yesterday with an insane $210, putting the tally at $525. I am officially making more in a single weekend that I did in a two-week period only a couple of months ago. Darling will either be registering for class this morning or tomorrow evening. Not only will we not be dipping into investments to pay bills this month, but we might actually send a debt payment or two.
As for the password panic of yesterday? Darling was the culprit! I'm so relieved. He changed the password while setting up our ING bank account. Which has already earned us $25.02, so I'll count my blessings and try not to feel too stupid when I call the bank tomorrow to reactivate my check card.
This has been a great weekend for us. I came home yesterday with an insane $210, putting the tally at $525. I am officially making more in a single weekend that I did in a two-week period only a couple of months ago. Darling will either be registering for class this morning or tomorrow evening. Not only will we not be dipping into investments to pay bills this month, but we might actually send a debt payment or two.
As for the password panic of yesterday? Darling was the culprit! I'm so relieved. He changed the password while setting up our ING bank account. Which has already earned us $25.02, so I'll count my blessings and try not to feel too stupid when I call the bank tomorrow to reactivate my check card.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
A WHAT Change???!!!
Just checked my e-mail, and am informed that I changed my bank password. Which I don't remember doing at all!
So I tried to log onto my online account, and sure enough the password is not as it was. I can get password help online by providing my pin, and suddenly I can't for the life of me remember it! I remember the first three of six numbers, which are bouncing around my head with sickening redundancy. It was so simple, why can't I remember it?
I called all the numbers available for customer help, none of which have humans available until Monday morning.
This is me panicking.
If someone was draining my bank account as we speak, I would get another confirmation e-mail, even if they changed the e-mail to send information to, right?
I wish I could call Darling at work, but that's not really an option. I'll have to wait until we're both home tonight to get this all sorted out. At least my security questions haven't changed.
*Edit*
I finally managed to remember my pin and got into the account. It looks as though nothing is amiss.
So I tried to log onto my online account, and sure enough the password is not as it was. I can get password help online by providing my pin, and suddenly I can't for the life of me remember it! I remember the first three of six numbers, which are bouncing around my head with sickening redundancy. It was so simple, why can't I remember it?
I called all the numbers available for customer help, none of which have humans available until Monday morning.
This is me panicking.
If someone was draining my bank account as we speak, I would get another confirmation e-mail, even if they changed the e-mail to send information to, right?
I wish I could call Darling at work, but that's not really an option. I'll have to wait until we're both home tonight to get this all sorted out. At least my security questions haven't changed.
*Edit*
I finally managed to remember my pin and got into the account. It looks as though nothing is amiss.
Friday, August 3, 2007
HIgh Wage, High Stress
Oops, I forgot what time of month I decided to stage my 8 Day, $800 Challenge. During the first week of every month most people I work with suddenly remember they have rent and bills to pay. They transform from wealthy hipsters capable of eating out every meal and dropping several hundred dollars at a time on clothes, cars, and tattoos to starving artists begging dimes to buy ramen. Normally I spend this brief period like the smug Dink (Dual-Income-No-Kids) I am, working my regular hours and feeling thankful that rent was put aside a month in advance.
Well, who's smug now? The other servers are keeping a death grip on their shifts and although I picked up an extra section during today, getting a night shift was impossible. I walked home with $125 in my pocket and nothing scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Wow, it's hard to believe I've set myself up to make $125 in a day and feel unaccomplished. Good thing our vacation is only 11 days away, it's definitely time to chill.
Well, who's smug now? The other servers are keeping a death grip on their shifts and although I picked up an extra section during today, getting a night shift was impossible. I walked home with $125 in my pocket and nothing scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Wow, it's hard to believe I've set myself up to make $125 in a day and feel unaccomplished. Good thing our vacation is only 11 days away, it's definitely time to chill.
The 8 Day Challenge: Day 2
I was given an excellent shift last night and came home with $190 at around 3 a.m. I start work this morning, of course, at 10:45. If I keep up that rate of earning, we should reach priority #4 by Monday and even buy some groceries.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
August Priority List (Special Hint: Sleep Is Not A Priority
1. Darling's Bus Pass ($10 by the 5th)
2. Darling's tuition money ($500 by the 13th)
3. Tread's Contacts ($60?)
4. Phone Bill ($140 by the 9th)
5. Electricity Bill ($90 by the 13th)
6. Prescription ($30 by the 13th)
7. College ($150)
8. Loan Company ($50)
9. Clothes for Tread ($50)
10. Family Loan ($50)
11. Charity ($30)
This is scary to behold. We need $770 before we even get on that plane. And I only have 7 more days to work, since I take Monday and Wednesday off and also the 9th for a business meeting. I think even I have to acknowledge that this might not be possible. We may have to take some money out of investments to help pay for Darling's school, and some money out of his paycheck (which is our travel fund) to pay our electricity and/or phone bill.
Then again, I have earned $500 in a weekend. It required me to work 25 hours in two days, but it was done. So in theory I only have to earn $100 a day, and have a very small grocery bill on Monday.
My goal for this weekend? Earn as much money as possible, between $100 and $200 every workday. According to my schedule this week, I'm scheduled for mornings every day except Friday. I'll try and pick up a Saturday morning shift tonight, and pick up an evening shift every other night.
Wish me luck, and send me sanity!
2. Darling's tuition money ($500 by the 13th)
3. Tread's Contacts ($60?)
4. Phone Bill ($140 by the 9th)
5. Electricity Bill ($90 by the 13th)
6. Prescription ($30 by the 13th)
7. College ($150)
8. Loan Company ($50)
9. Clothes for Tread ($50)
10. Family Loan ($50)
11. Charity ($30)
This is scary to behold. We need $770 before we even get on that plane. And I only have 7 more days to work, since I take Monday and Wednesday off and also the 9th for a business meeting. I think even I have to acknowledge that this might not be possible. We may have to take some money out of investments to help pay for Darling's school, and some money out of his paycheck (which is our travel fund) to pay our electricity and/or phone bill.
Then again, I have earned $500 in a weekend. It required me to work 25 hours in two days, but it was done. So in theory I only have to earn $100 a day, and have a very small grocery bill on Monday.
My goal for this weekend? Earn as much money as possible, between $100 and $200 every workday. According to my schedule this week, I'm scheduled for mornings every day except Friday. I'll try and pick up a Saturday morning shift tonight, and pick up an evening shift every other night.
Wish me luck, and send me sanity!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
August 1st Net Worth
Total cash available in three banks, pay pal account, and my pocket: $2,428.62
Total Debt: $16,708.18 (reduced by $486.07 since last month)
Official Net Worth: -$13,793.49!!!
Our net worth has increased by $613.08 this month, and over $2,000 since May when I started this blog. I wish I could say our net worth will continue to rocket upwards, but we are 14 days away from a most expensive and wonderful experience. The plane and train tickets are purchased, the hotel booked, friends warned to clear out their guest rooms (or knock the junk off their couches, at least), we even know where we'll be eating Darling's vegetarian birthday dinner in Paris! Maybe September 1st will not reflect a boost in riches, but I don't think we'll be having many regrets!
Total Debt: $16,708.18 (reduced by $486.07 since last month)
Official Net Worth: -$13,793.49!!!
Our net worth has increased by $613.08 this month, and over $2,000 since May when I started this blog. I wish I could say our net worth will continue to rocket upwards, but we are 14 days away from a most expensive and wonderful experience. The plane and train tickets are purchased, the hotel booked, friends warned to clear out their guest rooms (or knock the junk off their couches, at least), we even know where we'll be eating Darling's vegetarian birthday dinner in Paris! Maybe September 1st will not reflect a boost in riches, but I don't think we'll be having many regrets!
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