March 2012 Budget Challenge

[Valiant]

Well, good morning, everyone! It's a beautiful new day; hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying their weekend. Thank-you all for your wonderful emotional support regarding my neighbour-problem issue. She has the whole back and side of her unit to barbecue if she wanted to, but chose to place it in front, where both our units share a wall; her front door and my kitchen window are next to each other, and she chose to place her barbecue on her front step and under my front window, instead of in the backyard where she had it last year. So far, she hasn't lighted it up again, and I haven't taken pictures for the authorities. The only reason I said that is because a person needs to determine a practical course of action in any real problem; emotions and talk only create tremendous stress, and prolong the situation. So, I've made a mental list of things I can do about it, and I'll pursue them if need be, rather than be helpless and overwhelmed by her causing me a life-threatening health problem. I hate having conflict with people, so I try everything else first, and endure for a long time before I ever confront.

Yesterday, I got all my accounts up-to-date, and know exactly how many dollars and cents I have for resources. I also planted seeds into 12 6-packs: scarlet runner beans, morning glories, basil, cucumbers, zuccini, tomatoes (Early Girl, cherry, Tiny Tim, Tumbler patio), so that job is done for now. I've got several different packets of lettuce, and dill, ready to plant in planters on the patio, so when I get a few minutes, I'll seed the first planting. My potato sprouts in the basement are healthy and thriving, so I'm going to spread out the rest of my bag of planting soil, into a pail or two, and just set them in there close together, with the potatoes covered, and let them grow until I can plant them in the garden border.

I also moved my rug-frame down to the basement for now, so my office/den has more space and I can access the spare closet again in order to do more sewing and repurposing of various items. (If you ever think you don't have much, just clean out a closet or two; I found a few items for DS in there as well, which I'd totally forgotten about.)
After that, I watched a couple of VCR movies: Les Miserables and How Green Was My Valley, which helped to restore my perspective about some things.

Today, I want to enjoy the day of rest, bake pound cake and cookies, and after they are cooled, pack up DS's birthday parcel.
Have a great day, people!

[Valiant]

It was a good day; sent off DS's birthday parcel, got mail, bought potatoes and bananas on sale.
Work went well, practised guitar & sang for over an hour with greater ease. Neighbour has moved her barbecue about 6 feet away from my window, which is better than being right against it. Sure hope that's enough space for air flow to take away the gas fumes.
How's everybody?

[bobbiegirl2010]

Today was such a beautiful day in Ontario! I can't believe that it is the last day of winter - feels more like the first day of summer! I had a very peaceful day while the kids were all at school just spending time with DH and our youngest DD. After school I took the kids to the park and then we went back again after supper. We're going to enjoy this beautiful weather while it lasts

I checked my bank account today and EI made 26 deposits into my account (24 x $4.00 and 2 x $2.00) - lol. Then when I checked my mail there were 7 envelopes from EI containing a total of 26 statements. What a waste of paper! They sure like to waste money on top of wasting people's time... Anyways the deposits totalled $100 (I thought they said it would be $200...) Oh well I won't complain and just be thankful I do not have to pay $1850

Valiant: I am glad to hear that your neighbour moved her bbq. I hope that solves everything I am fortunate that I live far enough from all of my neighbours that they don't really bother me except for 3 little boys that live behind me whose parents do not supervise them (all under the age of 7). They constantly wander into our yard and "play" with the outdoor toys I have for the daycare. We can't afford a fence so I'm going to have to get a locked box to keep all of our outdoor toys in so they stop stealing and breaking them

[lekate]

Pictures from my trip to Cuba!

Also tomorrow I'm going to the library to get a library card out! I haven't had one (at least for the public library) for over 8 years! I was thinking about getting some books at Shoppers on a 20X the points day, and then maybe thought about thrifting for them, but then realized I could just get them free from the library! I'm at the point where I don't want to have too many 'things' so it works well for me

[Abby5]

Well, good morning, everyone! It's a beautiful new day; hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying their weekend. Thank-you all for your wonderful emotional support regarding my neighbour-problem issue. She has the whole back and side of her unit to barbecue if she wanted to, but chose to place it in front, where both our units share a wall; her front door and my kitchen window are next to each other, and she chose to place her barbecue on her front step and under my front window, instead of in the backyard where she had it last year. So far, she hasn't lighted it up again, and I haven't taken pictures for the authorities. The only reason I said that is because a person needs to determine a practical course of action in any real problem; emotions and talk only create tremendous stress, and prolong the situation. So, I've made a mental list of things I can do about it, and I'll pursue them if need be, rather than be helpless and overwhelmed by her causing me a life-threatening health problem. I hate having conflict with people, so I try everything else first, and endure for a long time before I ever confront.

Yesterday, I got all my accounts up-to-date, and know exactly how many dollars and cents I have for resources. I also planted seeds into 12 6-packs: scarlet runner beans, morning glories, basil, cucumbers, zuccini, tomatoes (Early Girl, cherry, Tiny Tim, Tumbler patio), so that job is done for now. I've got several different packets of lettuce, and dill, ready to plant in planters on the patio, so when I get a few minutes, I'll seed the first planting. My potato sprouts in the basement are healthy and thriving, so I'm going to spread out the rest of my bag of planting soil, into a pail or two, and just set them in there close together, with the potatoes covered, and let them grow until I can plant them in the garden border.

I also moved my rug-frame down to the basement for now, so my office/den has more space and I can access the spare closet again in order to do more sewing and repurposing of various items. (If you ever think you don't have much, just clean out a closet or two; I found a few items for DS in there as well, which I'd totally forgotten about.)
After that, I watched a couple of VCR movies: Les Miserables and How Green Was My Valley, which helped to restore my perspective about some things.

Today, I want to enjoy the day of rest, bake pound cake and cookies, and after they are cooled, pack up DS's birthday parcel.
Have a great day, people!

How do you plant/ start your potatoes?? I remember my mom leaving them in a the bag---like 10 of them. They all sprouted like crazy then she would cut chunks of potatoes off making sure a sprout was on it. We would dig a hole in the garden and mound up dirt making sure the sprout was sticking out of the mound. How many potatoes do u get...what is your yield??

[Valiant]

I plant potatoes outside the same way as you do.
But right now, I've planted them indoors, side by side in a window box, covered with soft peat moss soil medium, set in front of a big window. When the weater is warm enough, I'll lift them out and replant them outdoors into big planters, or in my vegetable borders.

[Valiant]

Update regarding big shopping trip on Page 1: 1st post.
Finally cancelled my internet and will access free library internet instead, saving me about $500 per year.
Also cancelled phone long distance, which will save me about $40 per year, just for the basic LD charge; purchased long distance phone cards to use instead.
It's going to be hard to get used to these changes, but I simply had to make these decisions in my own best interests. These changes will result in a big money-savings for me, which will make it easier for me to live within my budget, and decrease financial stress.

[sweetproserpina]

We will miss your presence here on the thread Valiant, hopefully you can get to the library often (especially as the weather improves) and keep us updated on how you are doing, and any great tips you can share.

I am a bit disheartened as I went through my credit card balances and student loan balance, and realized that I now owe more on my CCs than my loan. Booo! I know they have been creeping up as DH has had to put some dental work on them, and some business trip stuff. So, as he goes about making some money and growing his business, I am determined to economize as best as I can. My goals are to build a 500$ emergency fund, and then as agressively as possible pay off my highest interest rate card first, then the next.

This month I've tried to work on 'found money' so while DD and I went out for a walkabout, I picked up a few beer cans along the road. I'm going to have a bin in the garage, and will take them in for cash. Same with aluminium (DH already has an aluminium bin to throw these into.) I'm also going to build up my blog, youtube, and add adsense to them. For the next few months, my swagbucks and superpoints I'll redeem for paypal $.

I also intend to bake more, so I won't have to buy muffins/crackers/cookies (though I seldom buy cookies anyway), Just picked up 2- 10kg bags of flour for 8.99$ each at Fortinos, just need to find a skookum butter deal, and I'll be set.

Will keep everyone updated! My goal is to have the CCs paid off by the Sept/Oct.

[Valiant]

Those are good goals, sweetproserpina. Life always has lots of surprises for us, and it's best to keep up to date on where things are headed, so we can make plans and take action as necessary.
I'm going through No-Home-Internet withdrawal, but am at the library right now updating my OP. This morning, I had my first cuppa on the patio; it was wonderful; a thick fog so you could see the mist particles in the air, the birds are coming back to the big Siberian elms in my backyard, a red squirrel was frisking around on the branches, and I could see a few tulips poking their heads out of the ground. My 'ducks and chicks' are growing nicely, and my baby spruce in a flowerpot made it through the winter. Inside, I have more seeds sprouting...tomatoes, basil, morning glories and red runner beans. Sure hope my cucs and zuccs sprout soon.
I miss not being able to click on the 'old wheezer' and get it up and running for a little foray on the net. But I'll be here as often as I can, and also getting things done that need to be done, and saving money.
Take care, everyone; bye for now!

[Abby5]

Page 7 update

[lekate]

Goals for this week:

Finish 'E-learning' at CT, then quit (I need the vacation pay to pay off my bridesmaids dress!)
Keep working on blog
Start to learn to crochet
Finish POG project (yes the kids game from the 90's! turning all my old ones into buttons, hopefully to sell online)

I think it's finally going back to March weather, I'll miss you mini heat wave!

[lekate]

I did an almost no-spend day yesterday! Free coffee from Bridgehead (friends with barista!), my friend paid for my lunch at IKEA (although it would have been around 5$ anyways), another free coffee from Tim's and then dinner at a friends house instead of going out.

I did however buy canned cat food, I'm told they prefer to eat everyday. Silly little beasts. I'm super happy that I didn't buy anything at IKEA, so many nice things, so many nice things that I don't need!

[Abby5]

good for you lekate!!!
I AM REALLY RACKING MY BRAIN to save my family more money!! my dh is sooo stressed!! I have not had a pay check now for over a year! and LTD denied my claim!! My dr is so arrogaint she says she will not do an appeal letter!! What the Hell!! Can they do that!! Well from everyone i talked ... yes! unless i want to hire a lawyer....but I have no money, so that will not be happening!! So I asked my GP for another referrel and this specialist is super nice >>>LTD sent him the huge paper work and he said give me a week and it will be done!! I was like OMG...my last dr had it for 5 months and i called 2x a week asking for it!! And in the end she just gave me the same letter LTD denied me with already!!


So,
1) I decided to make a list of all the foods and products we use and emailled the companies asking for coupons...in a nice way
2) go through the whole house and find things we don"t use/don"t want anymore ...a) sell on Kijiji b) what ever is left- have a yard sale beginning of May
3) hang out all the laundry
4)Costco 2 times a month---I love it---but i always spend to much
5)Keep going with my stock pile...which actually looks like a stock pile now...lol
6)On days that i feel ok I am going to do things that my DH usually does eg. sand and restain the decks and clean the eves
7)keep track of my coupon use and $$ spent on groceries and gifts and fun and clothes---find new ways and more ways to save on these without dh knowing!!
8)
9)
10)

I really wanted to figure out 10 ways but 7 is it for now...if anyone has anymore ideas (I know it is hard because you guys don"t know what I do already)it would be great!!

[Abby5]

[QUOTE=Valiant;4548222]Those are good goals, sweetproserpina. Life always has lots of surprises for us, and it's best to keep up to date on where things are headed, so we can make plans and take action as necessary.
I'm going through No-Home-Internet withdrawal, but am at the library right now updating my OP. This morning, I had my first cuppa on the patio; it was wonderful; a thick fog so you could see the mist particles in the air, the birds are coming back to the big Siberian elms in my backyard, a red squirrel was frisking around on the branches, and I could see a few tulips poking their heads out of the ground. My 'ducks and chicks' are growing nicely, and my baby spruce in a flowerpot made it through the winter. Inside, I have more seeds sprouting...tomatoes, basil, morning glories and red runner beans. Sure hope my cucs and zuccs sprout soon.[QUOTE]

You are so strong !! I think everyone would die in our house!! I don't think they know that a house could not have internet!! I love the summer so spring is great!! Keep me posted on your gardens!! The boys and I planted lettuce, hot peppers, beef steaks, red peppers and basil (5 different types) ....so far just the tomatoes, basil and lettuce have sprouted we also bought all of our seeds! My youngest DS loved finding everything on line what grows well in our region. And then going to the $ store and buying the seeds!! I need to cut out the garden (it is grass now) and get a load of top soil and rent a rototiler (sp) to get it ready...can you tell I am excited!!

[sweetproserpina]

good for you lekate!!!
So,
1) I decided to make a list of all the foods and products we use and emailled the companies asking for coupons...in a nice way
2) go through the whole house and find things we don"t use/don"t want anymore ...a) sell on Kijiji b) what ever is left- have a yard sale beginning of May
3) hang out all the laundry
4)Costco 2 times a month---I love it---but i always spend to much
5)Keep going with my stock pile...which actually looks like a stock pile now...lol
6)On days that i feel ok I am going to do things that my DH usually does eg. sand and restain the decks and clean the eves
7)keep track of my coupon use and $$ spent on groceries and gifts and fun and clothes---find new ways and more ways to save on these without dh knowing!!
8)
9)
10)

I really wanted to figure out 10 ways but 7 is it for now...if anyone has anymore ideas (I know it is hard because you guys don"t know what I do already)it would be great!!

Great list Abby5! I especially like number two- I have a list of things I've been meaning to put on kijiji too (this week, I swear!) and I think I'll see if anyone else in my family needs to have a garage sale and we'll have a big one in the spring. Nice to get rid of the clutter too

Not sure if you are following the "Other Money topic" in the Bragging section, but there are a lot of great ideas to bring in a little extra income on there. Have a look, it's a great thread!

I've decided to get a table at a local craft show/spring bazaar at the end of april and hope to bring in a little extra money selling some book page wreaths, vintage wall art, paper flowers..and a few other odds and ends. Super excited! Will post some pics as I get things done