MONDAY: Lemon chicken w/pasta, salad
TUESDAY: (work late) Chicken nuggets or fish sticks & fries
WEDNESDAY:(work late) Frozen pizzas
THURSDAY: Pasta
FRIDAY: Burgers & fries
SATURDAY: Beef in gravy over white rice
MONDAY: Lemon chicken w/pasta, salad
TUESDAY: (work late) Chicken nuggets or fish sticks & fries
WEDNESDAY:(work late) Frozen pizzas
THURSDAY: Pasta
FRIDAY: Burgers & fries
SATURDAY: Beef in gravy over white rice
Why it's so important to have a EF!!
Now more than ever I am finally focused on getting out of debt and funding my sinking fund envelopes.
This past week I was sick and I was out of work for the week. This really hit me hard as I only have a few hours of sick time. So the rest of the week will go unpaid. I will have to make this up just so I can pay my 4 walls.
It's a been hard as my child support is not consistent and I can't wait to get to a point where I don't have to rely on it.
If you are following the steps be sure that you get your EF B1 completed as soon as you can. I learned the hard way but I am going to prepare so that it doesn't happen again.
Sue
This past week I was sick and I was out of work for the week. This really hit me hard as I only have a few hours of sick time. So the rest of the week will go unpaid. I will have to make this up just so I can pay my 4 walls.
It's a been hard as my child support is not consistent and I can't wait to get to a point where I don't have to rely on it.
If you are following the steps be sure that you get your EF B1 completed as soon as you can. I learned the hard way but I am going to prepare so that it doesn't happen again.
Sue
It's finally winter here
It's the end of January and finally winter has arrived. They have been predicting snow for the past week to hit us here today. It has gone from 18" to 1-3". It's crazy. I live on the coast so this is a coastal storm so I guess we could have the potential for more snow. I guess we will have to wait and see. I do love a good snowstorm but only if I can stay at home and don't have to drive anywhere. I just hate it when the power goes out. lol It might we will have to see. There will be high wind gusts and blowing snow.
I have homemade soup in the crock pot, preparing for the bad weather.
As I reflect on January for my no spend January, I failed. I do have to say that I was more aware of my money and really did try not overspend.
I got sick the past week so I had some expenses come up for that.
I will have a sinking fund envelope for "sick". I can't wait to fill my envelopes for the first time. It will be exciting.
Off to finish the soup for lunch.
Sue
I have homemade soup in the crock pot, preparing for the bad weather.
As I reflect on January for my no spend January, I failed. I do have to say that I was more aware of my money and really did try not overspend.
I got sick the past week so I had some expenses come up for that.
I will have a sinking fund envelope for "sick". I can't wait to fill my envelopes for the first time. It will be exciting.
Off to finish the soup for lunch.
Sue
New Year! New possibilities!
It's January already. Actually the end of January and I have so many things going on.
I have started a you tube channel to document my life. This is a huge step for me. Especially, suffering from social anxiety. I have watched a bunch of others for about a year now and all them have talked about how wonderful the you tube community has been for them. Yes, there have been a few that have talked about the downsides.
I have started to declutter my home. I am going to get rid of anything that I feel is just taking up valuable space and doesn't really mean anything to me. The girls are on board with this.
The beginning of January I had this head out for donation:
And it felt wonderful. I have a goal that every month I have at least 10 things that are sent for donation. Simply is the one of the words for us this year.
I also have taken part in the no January spend challenge. It has not really gone as planned. I did spend some money. January is a hard month to try not to spend. lol
One of my goals is to take care of myself. Well, because I haven't taken care of myself I got sick. I have cellulitis in my face and it swelled up to the size of a cantaloupe. Last time this happened I ended up in the hospital for 4 days. I caught it early enough that I didn't have to have a hospital stay.
I am patiently waiting for my w2's so that I can do my taxes. From my taxes I will be fully funding my baby EF, paying off quite a bit of debt. I can't wait.
Sue
I have started a you tube channel to document my life. This is a huge step for me. Especially, suffering from social anxiety. I have watched a bunch of others for about a year now and all them have talked about how wonderful the you tube community has been for them. Yes, there have been a few that have talked about the downsides.
I have started to declutter my home. I am going to get rid of anything that I feel is just taking up valuable space and doesn't really mean anything to me. The girls are on board with this.
The beginning of January I had this head out for donation:
I also have taken part in the no January spend challenge. It has not really gone as planned. I did spend some money. January is a hard month to try not to spend. lol
One of my goals is to take care of myself. Well, because I haven't taken care of myself I got sick. I have cellulitis in my face and it swelled up to the size of a cantaloupe. Last time this happened I ended up in the hospital for 4 days. I caught it early enough that I didn't have to have a hospital stay.
I am patiently waiting for my w2's so that I can do my taxes. From my taxes I will be fully funding my baby EF, paying off quite a bit of debt. I can't wait.
Sue
Doing a happy dance
So yes, I am doing a happy dance. Living on a very tight budget can cause some stress. Living in the Northeast so the winter time will be fast approaching. So over the past couple of months I have been taking stock of what I need to supplement my kids outerwear. Of course this year they need it all. A jacket, snow pants and boots. So I have been on the hunt at the local thrift store for these items. One by one I was slowly picking up a piece at a time. This weekend being that it was Columbus day here most of the the thrift stores were have 1/2 off sales. To my dismay my youngest still needed boots but no luck. They didn't have any in the size that I needed. Well today I was going through a tote of winter clothes and i was so happy to see that I already bought the boots a few sales back and put them away.
So we are all set for the upcoming winter weather. My kids can't wait for the snow to start flying. I on the other hand can wait. I love the fall weather.
So I am thankful that I don't have to rob Peter to pay Paul for winter items.
I am working on a better budget and a better plan. I currently have more month than I do money. I waiting to hear about some changes that will hopefully free up some of money so that I can rebuild my emergency fund and get some of my late bills up to date.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me that everything works out and that it will happen soon.
Sue
xoxo
So we are all set for the upcoming winter weather. My kids can't wait for the snow to start flying. I on the other hand can wait. I love the fall weather.
So I am thankful that I don't have to rob Peter to pay Paul for winter items.
I am working on a better budget and a better plan. I currently have more month than I do money. I waiting to hear about some changes that will hopefully free up some of money so that I can rebuild my emergency fund and get some of my late bills up to date.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me that everything works out and that it will happen soon.
Sue
xoxo
Single mom's and assistance
Over the course of my years of being a single mom (13 years to be exact) this topic has come up many of times. So many women are ashamed to ask for help.
Believe me, I know there are people that abuse the system but I feel that if qualify for the assistance then you should take it. Hopefully, you won't need it forever, but if you do it's ok.
When I was first faced with the fact that my ex was leaving us I was terrified. I was a stay at home mom of 2 small children. I made an appointment at the local DTA (Welfare office). I went to the appointment already feeling defeated but when I left there all that was left was that a giant hole opened up and swallowed me to the center of the Earth. The rep was down right nasty as if I had a choice to be a newly single mom with 2 babies. She barked at me that I would only get about $600 in support from the government and they would take all of my child support if I was to get any. My rent at the time was $800. So like I said I left defeated and went home and had myself a very good cry. I then realized that it was me that needed to take charge of my life. So I got a job and it was part time at first. I also applied for government assistance. I applied for food stamps now called SNAP, housing assistance (Section 8), Fuel assistance (Liheap) and daycare assistance.
At the Housing Authority where you apply for section 8, they have many services there. They have a program about home ownership. Once you complete the 5 years then you have to go a class about home ownership and they help you with down payment and financing questions. My HA also had a clothes closet and a program to send your children to summer camp for a session for free.
Some it came through right away other assistance there was a waiting list but in the past several years I have been blessed with the assistance that I received. My children went through head start with a grant for low income families, then when they were in elementary school they went to daycare on assistance program. There are so many programs that are out there and if I never shared my story of being a single mom with others then I would never know about some of these programs. A lot of them are not "advertised" and didn't know that they existed until someone told me about them. I then started my journey on the internet and to this day I still do a lot of research.
There are quite a few food pantries around where I live and around the holiday season they have a program similar to Toys for Tots.
Yes, I have been on assistance but I have also been on the other side as well. I have given back to the food pantries, donated clothes, and given to the holiday toy program.
Please do not feel ashamed if you apply for assistance. I know it's a pride thing but that is what the programs are there for. To help you get back on your feet.
Most people that meet me would never know that I have/had received assistance or shopped at the local thrift store.
Remember you are not alone.
xoxoxo
Sue
Believe me, I know there are people that abuse the system but I feel that if qualify for the assistance then you should take it. Hopefully, you won't need it forever, but if you do it's ok.
When I was first faced with the fact that my ex was leaving us I was terrified. I was a stay at home mom of 2 small children. I made an appointment at the local DTA (Welfare office). I went to the appointment already feeling defeated but when I left there all that was left was that a giant hole opened up and swallowed me to the center of the Earth. The rep was down right nasty as if I had a choice to be a newly single mom with 2 babies. She barked at me that I would only get about $600 in support from the government and they would take all of my child support if I was to get any. My rent at the time was $800. So like I said I left defeated and went home and had myself a very good cry. I then realized that it was me that needed to take charge of my life. So I got a job and it was part time at first. I also applied for government assistance. I applied for food stamps now called SNAP, housing assistance (Section 8), Fuel assistance (Liheap) and daycare assistance.
At the Housing Authority where you apply for section 8, they have many services there. They have a program about home ownership. Once you complete the 5 years then you have to go a class about home ownership and they help you with down payment and financing questions. My HA also had a clothes closet and a program to send your children to summer camp for a session for free.
Some it came through right away other assistance there was a waiting list but in the past several years I have been blessed with the assistance that I received. My children went through head start with a grant for low income families, then when they were in elementary school they went to daycare on assistance program. There are so many programs that are out there and if I never shared my story of being a single mom with others then I would never know about some of these programs. A lot of them are not "advertised" and didn't know that they existed until someone told me about them. I then started my journey on the internet and to this day I still do a lot of research.
There are quite a few food pantries around where I live and around the holiday season they have a program similar to Toys for Tots.
Yes, I have been on assistance but I have also been on the other side as well. I have given back to the food pantries, donated clothes, and given to the holiday toy program.
Please do not feel ashamed if you apply for assistance. I know it's a pride thing but that is what the programs are there for. To help you get back on your feet.
Most people that meet me would never know that I have/had received assistance or shopped at the local thrift store.
Remember you are not alone.
xoxoxo
Sue
A little productive today
So I have been sick for the past 4 days. I have missed 3 days of work which means that I will not get paid for those 3 days and I am already dealing with a super tight budget as it is.
Today I am starting to feel a bit like myself again, so instead of sitting and stressing over money I started cleaning and purging. I have things put aside to try to sell for some extra cash and I have stuff that I will be sending to Goodwill. Not that I am a hoarder to the extreme like on t.v. I do save ALOT of stuff. Stuff that I really don't need. I truly believe it's an emotional thing. I always used to say that I could use that one day or what if I get rid of it now what if I need it? Well I am no longer thinking like that anymore. I get overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that I have. So my kids get scared (lol) when I get in a mood to want to get rid of everything. They know that I mean business.
Today I am starting to feel a bit like myself again, so instead of sitting and stressing over money I started cleaning and purging. I have things put aside to try to sell for some extra cash and I have stuff that I will be sending to Goodwill. Not that I am a hoarder to the extreme like on t.v. I do save ALOT of stuff. Stuff that I really don't need. I truly believe it's an emotional thing. I always used to say that I could use that one day or what if I get rid of it now what if I need it? Well I am no longer thinking like that anymore. I get overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that I have. So my kids get scared (lol) when I get in a mood to want to get rid of everything. They know that I mean business.
So this is just the beginning and I feel wonderful. Like a weight has been lifted. Do you ever feel like that when you start to de-clutter?
It's now the the end of my day and I am going to put my feet up and get a cup of tea and watch a Hallmark movie.
Have a great day/night everyone!