http://jodi.savingadvice.com Money accountability, ideas, and thoughts webmaster@savingadvice.com Jodi en-us http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/05/03/still-kicking_38553/ Just not writing! I'm gotten very bad at posting here. (slaps own hand) I'll try to do better <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /><br /> <br /> I was just checking out my debt column - $19645. As of today, that number was under $18k. I guess I should get around to updating it. Both of our student loans have gone done about... Sat, 03 May 2008 18:50:25 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/04/13/running-ragged_37774/ My clients have flown in from England and the frenzied search for a house has begun! I've spent the past two days looking at houses with them, traveling over 150 miles each day. We had quite a few disappointments this weekend, looking at houses that didn't quite measure up to their... Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:10:09 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/04/03/yeah-okay-ive-been-gone_37383/ But for good reasons. I'm still exhausted all the time (12 weeks prego - hoping this wears off a bit once I'm solidly in the second trimester - soon!). My youngest son had outpatient surgery today for a hernia. A little nerve-wracking - not really for the operation, which was apparently... Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:11:58 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/03/18/blurbies_36784/ -Still prego <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /> Broke the news at work today and everyone took the news quite well. I'm starting to climb out of this depressing fatigue that I've had for the first trimester as well. It won't be a minute too soon!<br /> -Ds2 does have a hernia, requiring minor surgery. I'm waiting for... Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:49:02 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/03/10/bills-bills-bills_36481/ Ooh, the bills are piling up - luckily none too big.<br /> $35 for hospital outpatient procedure last month<br /> $100 for DH's "driver responsibilty assessment" (btw, in case you don't know - and we didn't - if you get 6 or more points on your license in NY within 18 months, you have to pay... Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:24:55 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/03/03/updates_36236/ -Took ds2 back to the dr. today for swelling in the groin area...doc said possible hernia, possibly nothing...we'll have to keep an eye on it. $18 co-pay.<br /> -Still eating like a crazed pregnant woman (oh wait, I AM a crazed pregnant woman). I did go to the store last week and really... Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:59:21 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/26/blows-to-the-budget_36003/ $18 copay for ds2 (ear infection)<br /> $18 copay for DH (possible strep)<br /> $10 antibiotics for both<br /> Ugh! We were doing so well too. Granted, it's not much, but it's almost $50 that we won't be putting toward our Roth this month.<br /> I am eating like a maniac. If this keeps up, I might... Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:11:30 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/25/still-aroundsomewhat_35976/ Okay, seems that I have gone MIA from my blog again. It's been a busy week - we went to Binghamton again to help my MIL clean out her house to put it on the market. While we were there, she took us to see an adorable little house that she wants to buy, only a few minutes away from... Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:03:55 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/18/involuntary-water-consumption-and-a-hous_35727/ Sound fun? It could be worse, I guess. I don't have to do any housework <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /> DH and I share a house with my parents, and my parents run a farm. There is a problem with the pump (perhaps - they don't yet know the exact cause) for the water source for the barn - and drinking source... Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:19:55 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/16/heading-out-of-town_35635/ I think DH and I are going to take the kids to Binghamton today to help my MIL clean out her house a bit in preparation for selling, many in 3-6 months. I say clean out a bit because there's not much of a dent we can make in two days (we have to be back tomorrow night to bowl). Let's... Sat, 16 Feb 2008 06:54:57 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/14/i-stood-in-the-return-line-at-wal-mart-f_35582/ Am I nuts? Probably! But it's the principle. I used to embarrass DH by going to the return line for any overcharge - even a dime once. But, you know, I just hate getting ripped off, and I figure if they're doing it to me then they are doing it to everyone and making a mint. So,... Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:41:00 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/13/a-few-positives-in-the-budget_35511/ As some of you may know from my forum post, I have a strict budget set out for the next two months in order to attempt to sock away as much as I can for DH's 2007 Roth IRA contribution before I have to dip into my EF for the rest. I had a few nice surprises along the way:<br /> - $61... Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:48:42 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/11/9-things-i-have-learned-from-making-mist_35460/ 1. <b> Buy a used car. </b> <br /> Actually, this was DH's mistake (although he won't admit it because he has always, always wanted to be the first to own a car after years of hand-me-downs). After I figured out the cost in terms of how long I had to work (approximately one year), I decided... Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:05:50 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/09/10-things-i-have-learned-from-my-kids_35391/ 1. <b>Don't be a slave to labels or the Joneses. </b><br /> It doesn't matter whether it's new, used, free, or handed down - if it's an appropriate item of clothing, toy, or book, the child will love it, no matter what it's origin.<br /> 2. <b>Decide what your priorities are. </b><br /> Some things are worth... Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:23:24 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/07/the-highs-and-lows_35307/ Yesterday I found out first that I was pregnant (yeah!!! - just 4 weeks along - too early to get really excited though), and about ten minutes later, the vet called to say that the lump removed from my cat was cancer. Talk about your roller coasters! Basically, there's nothing to... Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:11:43 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/05/leaking-money-left-and-right_35211/ I am getting realy quite frustrated. The bills are mounting here, and there is no way we are going to be able to make our full Roth IRA contributions for 2007. We transferred $2k from our EF to get a start. We haven't had to touch the EF in at least 6 months, so I feel okay about... Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:53:30 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/02/03/my-very-expensive-cat_35100/ Remember that $300-400 surgery I posted about a while back? Wellllll.....<br /> Day 1: Cat had surgery. Paid about $420 for surgery, pain meds, etc. Brought cat home without collar since cat will not keep one on.<br /> Day 2: Cat pulled out her stitches and had a gaping hole in her back.... Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:58:03 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/01/31/the-continued-quest-for-organization_34966/ Closet and clothes: check<br /> Books: check<br /> Junk room (spare bedroom where all the..well, junk is stored): check<br /> Kitchen cabinets: check<br /> Today's goal, which I'm about halfway through - my recipes. I have a huge stack of cooking magazines which I kept because I didn't want to rip out... Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:56:21 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/01/29/too-used-to-thrift-store-prices_34862/ I think I've been spoiled by our Thrifty Shopper store, where I always stop to pick up a few children's books everytime I drop off some donations. However, they are moving their store and were closed today, so I took my donations to the Salvation Army instead. Children's books there... Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:05:34 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi) http://jodi.savingadvice.com/2008/01/26/so-you-dont-have-time-to-cook_34741/ Yes, you do! Yesterday, in about an hour and a half, I made the following:<br /> -one batch of granola, enough for 6-8 breakfasts (original recipe: http://www.recipezaar.com/23108, but I've made some changes)<br /> -one loaf of blueberry oat bread<br /> -chicken supreme, dinner for 6 with leftovers... Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:18:38 PST jodi_mcnally@hotmail.com (Jodi)