The Weekend in Review

I had a good weekend. I managed to spend a ton of money, but on things like my electric bill, my phone bill, and a huge food shopping (I'm really liking this one big shop a month thing), some much needed new clothes and of course, I picked up two of the gift cards I'm giving away.

I got paid from both jobs on Friday, paid the bills that needed to be paid and then gave myself permission to hit the mall for clothes, within reason. I set both a budget and a numerical limit on clothes (no more than 4 pairs of pants and 3 tops). I ended up at Macy's for two reasons, well three. I had a coupon for an additional 20% off, they were having a great sale, and I know that I can swing in and hit a couple departments for clothes with the least amount of fuss and bother.

I have been pretty good about going to the consignment shops to look for clothes this past year, but the pickings have been very slim. I managed to pick up 4 pairs of pants, suitable for work and two tops. I need 1-2 more winter tops, some winter socks and if my budget permits, one pair of dress boots. My office is on the casual side, but even my casual clothes are looking a bit worn and tired. The last time I did a major clothes shop was just over 2 years ago when I hit the outlet malls and got a bunch of clothes for work. I had picked up two pairs of new pants over the winter, but I managed to destroy one pair. I think I'm pretty well set for brand new clothes. The sale at Macy's was amazing and I just happened to luck out in finding clothes I like that fit well and were in my price range.

I have decided that doing one major food shop a month seems to work well for me. I pick up the pantry staples, meat product (chicken, beef or pork) and freeze most of it, my frozen veg and I do a bit of menu planning so I only have to stop at the grocery store for my fresh dairy items and to replenish the fruits and fresh veg. Since I am a reluctant grocery shopper, this works for me. I find I'm not aimlessly wandering the isles looking for food or dinner inspiraton or buying un needed food items. My initial outlay of cash is a bit high, but then I spend very little the remainder of the month. That is what happened in October and I anticipate that happening for November.

There has been the usual drama at the part time job, the drama with the neighbor and her kids, the frustration with a new project at work-all which do have a PF angle. Look for those posts in the upcoming week!

Contest!

As I posted on Friday, I'm doing a give-away for the month of November

You can win either a $10 Target Gift Card or a $10 Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts Gift Card

Simply send me an e-mail or leave your information in the comment section.

Winnners will be chosen at random.

Good luck!

Update: Fixed!

Still Here and November Contest

Still here, but still having connection issues at home and still busy at work (which is a good thing) where I can't seem to find the time to post or at least pre-schedule posts.  Sigh, it's always something isn't it! 

I'm going to do a little November Give-Away. The contest will run November 2nd until November 15th. I'll randomly draw two winners on the 16th.

I'm giving away a $10 Target gift card and a $10 Starbucks gift Card or a Dunkin Donuts card for those of us who live in Dunkin Donuts land and would prefer that card.

Rules:

Simple enough~ I'll put up a post on Monday (already pre-scheduled !) and either leave a comment on the post or send me an e-mail (bouncingback22008) to my yahoo account STARTING ON MONDAY.

Hope you all are well, now for me to find a costume for my Halloween party on Saturday......

Food Shopping Spree Was A Success

The food shopping spree I had at the beginning of the month was a good thing! As I posted yesterday, I've been a bit crazed and I really dislike grocery shopping. I have been able to make a bunch of meals,complete with lunch leftovers and since the start of the month, have only spent an additional $20 on fresh veg and fruit.

As of now,I've not tired of the food items I bought and have not felt the urge to go out and shop for additional groceries. That is a good thing!

Just a Bit Crazed, No Internet, and I made a top 100 list!

Things have been a bit hairy scary right now, nothing horrible, just life. I also have almost no internet service right now at home,the free WiFi is not working well.

BUT I did find out I made the top 100 female bloggers over at Her Every Cent counts. Click here to see the list.

Some Nice Surprises!

Some upbeat news for a holiday Monday.  Happy thanksgiving to my Canadian readers and Happy Columbus day to all the Italians who celebrate it!

A few positive things that have happend to me these past few weeks.:
1) Taking advantage of my cousins offer to use her New Jersey beach house and finding a nice bottle of whiskey on the table with a card that said, Thanks for all your help with Mom and idiot brother issue. Have a great couple days.  The upside, nice bottle of whiskey to enjoy and three fabulous quiet days on the Jersey Shore. Simply a great mini break for me.

2) A very nice an unexpected note from my weekend boss thanking me for all the things I do at the weekend job and the things I do that are not in the job description. 

3) Going out to brunch yesterday and then someone else picking up the tab out of the blue.

4) Getting to the laudromat and in less than 2 hours, getting 7 loads of laundry, washed,dried and folded AND making it back home in time to crash on the couch and enjoy a glass of whiskey!

The Mortgage Increases

This is the first month that I will be paying my increased mortgage. Yuck. I budgeted for it since I had a low paying August and did not bring in as much money as I though I would on my part time job. I also pre-paid for my 1st winter propane delivery to save some $$$$.  Cash was in short supply a few times because I failed to plan properly.

The good news is the other worker bee at my weekend job will be leaving soon to back on her "medical leave" for at least three months. That will be three months of me working every weekend. I am even giving consideration to working Christmas this year to save up the funds. I don't really celebrate the holiday,despite being of the Christian faith.   I figured out that I was able to survive on my reduced hours schedule (did not make too many financiall goals, but paid all my bills, plus) that I can use the experience of the past 6 months to be more disciplined in my savings.  I have used my e-fund a few times and did not always replenish the full amount I took out.  That simply has to change. I was doing fairly well socking away money to my credit union account, I really slacked off the past few months for no good reason!

How are you doing on your saving goals?