Oh man, we have been spending some cash money of late! Both of our cats have been sick - Bubbles even had to have a $90.00 medication from Rite Aid on Friday. Oh geez. We've been definitely dipping into our Emergency Fund lately and are down to $2,100.
Our new plan is to divert paying extra money on our car every month and build our fund back up, and also to start saving a targeted emergency fund for my cats of $500. As soon as we have that, we'll put an extra $100 towards our car again.
This does bring up a good point though, we've been really bad at managing where our money is going to right now. Thankfully, every month or 6 weeks we have a budget meeting where we look at our spending habits, and rework our budget according to what's going on. It even found us an extra $100 the first time we did it, it was great! I think all couples should do it, young and old, new couples and those married for 60 years. It's important.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Couple Money is Giving Away a Netbook!
Couple Money is giving away a Netbook if you:
Contest Rules
All you have to do to get a chance to win is simply subscribe to Couple Money either withemail updates or through RSS and follow me on twitter (if you win, I’ll contact you by Twitter DM).
If you can receive up to 3 extra entries by:
- Tweeting to all your Twitter followers about the contest by tweeting the following: “@Elle_CM is giving away a netbook and kit for Couple Money readers! http://su.pr/2TalVA #couplemoney” ==> Please include hashtags so I can count your entry
- Posting a link on your Facebook account about the contest
- Post a link on your blog about the contest
This would be a great way to save some money and not dip into the Emergency Fund!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Emergency Fund Comes to the Rescue!
Whew boy, was today a close call.
While playing with our new addition, Jacob, he ingested a catnip toy, mesh with the catnip inside (kicking self in ass).
So, it's a foreign object, and cats have super sensitive stomachs. Their intestines can not handle something that big, either. I'm still in shock that he ate it free and clear. Really, Jake? Really?
Bigger deal than I thought. Like, call Emergency Vet Clinic and they tell me to bring him in right away because it could cause a blockage in his intestine if it passes through his stomach. Oh shit.
Within 25 minutes of the ingestion, we are at the clinic and they are wanting to take X-Rays ($$), give vomit-inducing meds ($$) and see doctor ($$). Well, after X-Rays we can see what appears to be something at the end of the stomach, beginning of the intestine. Oh shit times three. If we can't get him to vomit it up, he has to have surgery to have it removed (BIG $$$$$).
So, he won't vomit. Not at all. Salivating, yes. Vomiting, no. So they give him some sort of dye ($$) to show if he passed it for tomorrow at the vet so we can see where they need to cut him open :( (Again, BIG $$$$$).
We get home, he's totally acting fine. I'm freaking out. But the point is that I'm not freaking out because we have to pay for surgery, I'm freaking out for his LIFE. It was nice that I didn't have to worry about money. Really nice. Thank GOD for our Emergency Fund. Instead of being in credit card debt for saving our cat's life and paying on it every month for a couple months, we just dipped into our EF and will pay it back up over the next few paychecks.
So, what happened to our Jakey Poo? Well, one minute he was lying under the covers, the next second he was puking his guts out all over our carpet. And guess what, it came out! Given, he's still not out of the woods because we think his esophagus might have been scraped, so we're taking him to the vet tomorrow if he pukes again (He's only vomited twice, so we'll see), but still, no debt from this little mishap. Only shame on Mommy for having a toy that small.
He just came out from under the bed so I'm going to spend some quality time with him :)
While playing with our new addition, Jacob, he ingested a catnip toy, mesh with the catnip inside (kicking self in ass).
So, it's a foreign object, and cats have super sensitive stomachs. Their intestines can not handle something that big, either. I'm still in shock that he ate it free and clear. Really, Jake? Really?
Bigger deal than I thought. Like, call Emergency Vet Clinic and they tell me to bring him in right away because it could cause a blockage in his intestine if it passes through his stomach. Oh shit.
Within 25 minutes of the ingestion, we are at the clinic and they are wanting to take X-Rays ($$), give vomit-inducing meds ($$) and see doctor ($$). Well, after X-Rays we can see what appears to be something at the end of the stomach, beginning of the intestine. Oh shit times three. If we can't get him to vomit it up, he has to have surgery to have it removed (BIG $$$$$).
So, he won't vomit. Not at all. Salivating, yes. Vomiting, no. So they give him some sort of dye ($$) to show if he passed it for tomorrow at the vet so we can see where they need to cut him open :( (Again, BIG $$$$$).
We get home, he's totally acting fine. I'm freaking out. But the point is that I'm not freaking out because we have to pay for surgery, I'm freaking out for his LIFE. It was nice that I didn't have to worry about money. Really nice. Thank GOD for our Emergency Fund. Instead of being in credit card debt for saving our cat's life and paying on it every month for a couple months, we just dipped into our EF and will pay it back up over the next few paychecks.
So, what happened to our Jakey Poo? Well, one minute he was lying under the covers, the next second he was puking his guts out all over our carpet. And guess what, it came out! Given, he's still not out of the woods because we think his esophagus might have been scraped, so we're taking him to the vet tomorrow if he pukes again (He's only vomited twice, so we'll see), but still, no debt from this little mishap. Only shame on Mommy for having a toy that small.
He just came out from under the bed so I'm going to spend some quality time with him :)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
61 days down, 301 to go!
Wow, I've really let this blog down, huh (right Sarah?!)
Well, it's officially been 2 months, and let's see where I'm at:
I have:
Created an Emergency Fund of $3,000.00 with my tax returns.
Our marriage is improving every single day. We're not two singles living together, we're finally a couple. A married couple! It's like a full-time job - why didn't anyone tell me this before!?! I love him to death - and that's what counts!
I paid our car insurance in full for 6 months, next payment: August. Next payment for the 'Bu - March 14th (I think - right Madre?)
I am on my second class of my MA program. As of July 30th (if all goes as planned) I'll have 6 classes finished and will finish my last 2 next spring. I got a 4.0 in my first class (go me!)
I will finish my extra endorsement for the K-12 Spanish in June.
We will vacation to Boston this summer, and that just might be it. We also might go on a cruise over Christmas. But, we are planning to go to Europe for 4 - 6 weeks next summer and it is going to be AWESOME! So, that will make up for it... Totally, totally make up for it! Carpe diem, right?
And last but not least, the only thing that I didn't do for a year: I gave up on my sobreity. :( Sorry Mom. We only drink when we go out, and I made it entire month without drinking, which is an accomplishment in itself! I haven't drank in 2 weeks because we haven't gone out, so I feel okay with this deal and am okay that I "failed". Although I'm not making excuses, I think I learned a lot about the experience though, and feel that drinking when we're out and not having alcohol in the house is a great, great thing - especially when we have kids!
Well, it's officially been 2 months, and let's see where I'm at:
I have:
Created an Emergency Fund of $3,000.00 with my tax returns.
Our marriage is improving every single day. We're not two singles living together, we're finally a couple. A married couple! It's like a full-time job - why didn't anyone tell me this before!?! I love him to death - and that's what counts!
I paid our car insurance in full for 6 months, next payment: August. Next payment for the 'Bu - March 14th (I think - right Madre?)
I am on my second class of my MA program. As of July 30th (if all goes as planned) I'll have 6 classes finished and will finish my last 2 next spring. I got a 4.0 in my first class (go me!)
I will finish my extra endorsement for the K-12 Spanish in June.
We will vacation to Boston this summer, and that just might be it. We also might go on a cruise over Christmas. But, we are planning to go to Europe for 4 - 6 weeks next summer and it is going to be AWESOME! So, that will make up for it... Totally, totally make up for it! Carpe diem, right?
And last but not least, the only thing that I didn't do for a year: I gave up on my sobreity. :( Sorry Mom. We only drink when we go out, and I made it entire month without drinking, which is an accomplishment in itself! I haven't drank in 2 weeks because we haven't gone out, so I feel okay with this deal and am okay that I "failed". Although I'm not making excuses, I think I learned a lot about the experience though, and feel that drinking when we're out and not having alcohol in the house is a great, great thing - especially when we have kids!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
17 days down, 348 to go!
Wowza! I can't believe I've not drank anything for 19 days (2 days before New Years). Unbelievable!
Do you think that O'Doul's counts as alcohol? I like hanging out with friends and all but EVERYONE drinks, so if I'm not looking for alcohol but I am looking to 'play along' and still be DD, do you think this is an okay alternative?
We still have $700 in our Emergency Fund and guess what... We'll be paying the car insurance in full for the first time EVER! Woo hoo!
We actually looked at a house today but then we got into a deep discussion on where we'll be in 3 years, and we have decided that we don't know so we might not want to buy a house right now. So, basically we'll be living with good ol' Mom until then (but we've got a good situation right now, so there's absolutely no complaining!)
On a side note: Does anyone want to buy a car? I'm selling a 2008 Saturn Astra, 28k miles, 5-speed manual transmission, heated seats, double sun roof. 35 highway - it's awesome!
Do you think that O'Doul's counts as alcohol? I like hanging out with friends and all but EVERYONE drinks, so if I'm not looking for alcohol but I am looking to 'play along' and still be DD, do you think this is an okay alternative?
We still have $700 in our Emergency Fund and guess what... We'll be paying the car insurance in full for the first time EVER! Woo hoo!
We actually looked at a house today but then we got into a deep discussion on where we'll be in 3 years, and we have decided that we don't know so we might not want to buy a house right now. So, basically we'll be living with good ol' Mom until then (but we've got a good situation right now, so there's absolutely no complaining!)
On a side note: Does anyone want to buy a car? I'm selling a 2008 Saturn Astra, 28k miles, 5-speed manual transmission, heated seats, double sun roof. 35 highway - it's awesome!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
13 days down, 352 to go.
Headed to see the psychologist tomorrow, though I'm not too excited about it. Every time I have talked on the phone to their receptionists, they've been complete idiots. I really hope the psychologist doesn't follow down the same path! I am wasting my money if she is!
Feeling a bit stressed from all of the classes I'm taking, but if I really put it into perspective I am taking one class the entire semester, and then 3 shortened classes all at different times. Kind of nerve wrecking, but I have to do it so I'll survive in the end!
16 days without alcohol, if I've counted correctly. And boy oh boy am I regretting that one! I keep getting the, "Really? Did you take into account you're a first year teacher and starting your MA?" And all I can do is shake my head and say, disappointingly, "Nope, definitely forgot about that." And then the token, "God that sucks."
Derek and I work hard everyday and in the end we are having a good ol' time finding time to spend together. We are seriously considering making a date night like our good friends Mike and Christina do (shout out to both of them!) and they are very committed to it, which I highly respect because it's pretty damn hard to find time when two people are so busy! We've really got to hunker down and get with the being used to being married thing sooner rather than later. It's almost like we're still living two single lives and sleeping in the same bed. I'm ready for him to finish college already and we both be on the same page with this funky thing we call life.
We are trying to find new venues to make some more income so we can pay into the emergency fund a little sooner and start paying off the car a little faster. I am already making bi-weekly payments on it. More on that to come.
And I have been kind of (but not too much) worried about the pay cuts in our district. I have a feeling that I may get cut, but for the first time I really think I'm prepared if it does happen. I have enough extra income coming in on the side that we'll have enough money to make it work until I can find something more permanent.
Anyone have any suggestions on what they do to make a few bucks on the side? Anyone interested in painting houses on the side this summer for some extra cash flow? :) And you think I'm kidding....
Feeling a bit stressed from all of the classes I'm taking, but if I really put it into perspective I am taking one class the entire semester, and then 3 shortened classes all at different times. Kind of nerve wrecking, but I have to do it so I'll survive in the end!
16 days without alcohol, if I've counted correctly. And boy oh boy am I regretting that one! I keep getting the, "Really? Did you take into account you're a first year teacher and starting your MA?" And all I can do is shake my head and say, disappointingly, "Nope, definitely forgot about that." And then the token, "God that sucks."
Derek and I work hard everyday and in the end we are having a good ol' time finding time to spend together. We are seriously considering making a date night like our good friends Mike and Christina do (shout out to both of them!) and they are very committed to it, which I highly respect because it's pretty damn hard to find time when two people are so busy! We've really got to hunker down and get with the being used to being married thing sooner rather than later. It's almost like we're still living two single lives and sleeping in the same bed. I'm ready for him to finish college already and we both be on the same page with this funky thing we call life.
We are trying to find new venues to make some more income so we can pay into the emergency fund a little sooner and start paying off the car a little faster. I am already making bi-weekly payments on it. More on that to come.
And I have been kind of (but not too much) worried about the pay cuts in our district. I have a feeling that I may get cut, but for the first time I really think I'm prepared if it does happen. I have enough extra income coming in on the side that we'll have enough money to make it work until I can find something more permanent.
Anyone have any suggestions on what they do to make a few bucks on the side? Anyone interested in painting houses on the side this summer for some extra cash flow? :) And you think I'm kidding....
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