Today while I was running errands I went to the bank to add to the $20 challenge savings account. I've been saving a percentage of my paycheck and today I added $60 to my saving account. I was delighted to see that the total is $715.26 saved.

This branch seems to always be slow. It's not the tellers, it's the customers. Today there was the woman, totally ignoring the fact that there were six people waiting in line, asking question after question about saving accounts, certificates of deposit, etc.

Let me tell you that the teller helping her is someone that I like. She said "Why don't you go over to the sit-down area, and someone is ready to help you there with your questions?" The woman said "No, I'm OK", and wanted more information. The teller said "You may be OK, but the people behind you are waiting for us to finish here. It would make more sense for me to assist them, and for someone to help you that can give you the detailed answers that you need."

It was so awesome. She said it in a nice but firm way. I know that anyone that has to deal with customers needs to keep them happy, but a little common sense is a good thing too. Luckily the woman took it the right way and went to be helped where she should have gone in the first place.

I haven't updated the $20 challenge in a kazillion years. Well, a couple of weeks, anyhow. Here are the books that have sold;

Deerproofing Your Yard & Garden - $3.50

The Known World - $4.19

The Dirt On Breaking Up - $2.50

Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing - $10.49

Dark Nights of the Soul - $3.76

Night of the Mary-Kay Commandos - $1.91

Detours, Tow Trucks, and Angels in Disguise - $1.69

The Wedding - $2.18

The Unbearable Lightness of Being - $5.57

I Know This Much Is True - $3.07

Those Pearly Gates - $4.64

Scary Stories 3 - $1.33

That adds up to $44.83 to add to my $20 challenge savings account. I also received a reward for opening a checking account at TCF bank for $50.00. Pretty good incentive! $568.43 + $94.83 is $663.26. I wouldn't have believed it would add up so quickly. I went to the library Tuesday and bought some more books. The total was $8.00, again. So my new challenge total stands at $655.26.

I just noticed that the last few times I've gone to the library I've spent $8.00 on books. Maybe I should play 888 on the lottery.

Today the kids and I ran errands. I picked up a new flag and pole, a rug for inside the front door, and some impatients for the front porch. Tomorrow I'm going to pick up a small container of paint and do the wooden post on the front porch. It's peeling badly. We've lived here for 6 years and the paint the builder put on must have been the cheap stuff.

A couple of days ago I locked myself out of the house. In my pajamas. With the crippled dog and the excited puppy/dog. I had to go to the neighbors' house and call DH. He left work early to let me in. It was great! (NOT)

I told him this would happen! I've been working on the front porch/outside area, and bought a new lock set. It locks the opposite way of what I'm used to. I told DH this wasn't going to work, so when I locked myself out it was all his fault LOL. He just continued to laugh at me.

It's gorgeous outside today! We're off to run some errands and pick up a few things for the house. I need a new door mat, a flag, and some flowers. I've been meaning to take photos of the front - I'll try to do that today.

I really need to update the $20 saving account amount. I'll take care of that later. I went to the library and spent $8.00 on books. Several have sold lately.

SIL and I are planning a garage sale for the 2nd weekend in June. I've decided to put half of the money into the $20 savings/emergency fund account and spend half on things for the house. There are some areas that seriously need a new coat of paint around here.

Just a few minutes ago I caught the year old dog gnawing on the trim. We still need to work on that!

This is hilarious! How many of these have you done?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg&eurl

I have this weekend off, but it's been raining and cold. I need to put a second coat of paint on the front door but it looks like that won't happen until later next week. I'll try to take photos then.

A bunch more books have sold and I'll ship them tomorrow and update then.

For mother's day we got MIL some pistachios (her favorite) and "The Notebook" DVD. For my mom, DH got her "Monster In Law" LOL and I got her a frame and some B&BW shower gel - Magnolia. It's one of her favorite scents. We stayed frugal this year.

The kids gave me some lotion I've been wanting and DS made me a trivet at school. The lotion was on sale for $8.00 and DD made me a card. DH made me breakfast in bed - it was very good except for the eggs. He overcooks things. I tried, but he noticed I didn't eat them all. DD also gave me a rose.

One place I worked, the ladies would compare notes on sweetest day, mother's day, etc. I would feel bad if I got less than others. Now I'm older, wiser, and don't really care what other people do. We don't buy cards too often anymore, because it wastes money. Once you get out of the habit of buying a card for every occasion, it seems silly to ever get one.

I went to the library the other day and found some more books to sell. The total cost was $8.00, and my new $20 challenge total is $568.43.

Here's an update on my recent book sales;


Clean Your Clothes With Cheez Whiz - $1.33 profit

The Extended Phenotype - $7.68 profit

Mutant Message Down Under - $2.08 profit

1916 - $2.49 profit

Actually, I need to update these totals later. My computer isn't working and I'm upstairs using DD's. Her room sure is a mess!

Yesterday I painted the front door and garage door. I'm going to take photos to see the difference. I've been sick with something the past couple of days. I'm not sure if it's stress, lack of sleep, or some kind of flu. My lymph nodes are swollen and I just feel tired and blah. Sometimes I'm hot and then I get the chills.

I've been spending money lately. First on paint, then on a new lock set for the front door. The old one was so junky looking.

Today I need to go into work and get my review. I'm not expecting much in the way of a raise. I work hard, but my attendance has been terrible lately. Today is my day off.

I hope all of you are having a good day today. I feel like taking a nap, and I already slept in. I think I'll rouse myself and try to do something useful.

This post is realy boring.

Do you want to see the "after photo" of the painting?

I finally took the time to edit the $20 total amount - it stands at $576.43 right now.

I never did take a photo of the front before DH put the mulch down. This is the after.

http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=42197118/PictureI...

I don't know if I'm doing this right. Let me know if you can see anything through my link.

Shadow is still in a lot of pain. She has a new Fentanyl pain patch and has been given a prescription for Valium. The muscle relaxers and pain pills weren't doing it, and she would just cry and cry. If this isn't resolved by the end of the week, we will just have to let her go.

I've been taking time off of work to care for her, and the vet bills are adding up.

I stopped by the paint store today. I'm going to paint the front door and garage door today, and keep an eye on the dog. Hopefully she will rest more easily today. None of us have been sleeping well.

The kids know that we may have to have Shadow put to sleep. They just want her to be pain-free. She is only 6 years old.

Well, I'm off to start scraping and painting. Have a good day.

I almost forgot - I deposited $110 from my last couple of paychecks into my $20 challenge savings account. The new total is $562.85 - I need to update some books costs and sales later. It's a big step in the right direction. I haven't saved money in too long.

My savings account is at 5th Third, and also the checking account where my online sales money is direct deposited. The checking account is the one that I used when I had my store. I've been hanging on to it for sentimental reasons, mostly. The debit card has my name and the name of my store - a link to the time when I was the boss.

Yesterday, I left work at 5:40 and raced to the closest 5th Third. I got stuck behind a farm tractor and it was slow going. As I pulled up to the bank, I noticed with dismay that it was 5:58. I raced up to the door as another customer was leaving. A man (employee) grabbed the door from the inside and pulled it closed as I was pushing it open to go in. I asked him what was up and he said "WE"RE CLOSED". I just wanted to deposit some of my paycheck into the $20 challenge account, something I've vowed to do for the last 2 pay periods. Unfortunately, 5th Third is open 9 to 5 M-T and 9-6 Fridays, and I work. It was so rude and I was really angry.

I got to thinking on my disgruntled way home.

1) Why am I even using this bank? The locations are no longer convenient for me.

2) I need to let go of the past. I don't own a store any more. I don't need a business account.

3) TCF bank is just across the parking lot from where I work. It doesn't get any more convenient. Plus, they are open late weekdays and also on Sundays.

My next day off isn't until the middle of next week, but I know what I'll be doing when I run my errands.

5th Third, you suck.

OK, I vented. Whew!

Shadow our dachshund is having another rough day. I think I'm going to take her to the vet and see what they can do. I know the next step is to give her a shot and a prescription for Valium. Yes, dogs take that too!

DH is being a grouch today. He can be such an idiot at times.

Today I worked, and tomorrow the same. The money is nice, but spending time at home on the weekends is nice too.

I asked DS what he ate today and he told me popsicles. Great.

The house is a mess.

Well, I better get going and work on some laundry. I stopped by my first yard sale today and picked up a couple of books. I'm off to check the web to see if they're worth anything. I also found some books at the Salvation Army. Total spent - $2.55, and two other books have sold. I'll update the challenge amount when I have time.

I went to the library the other day and spent $8 on books. My new challenge total is $455.40.

I read constantly, and one nice bonus about selling books is that I have a ready supply of reading material on hand all the time. So many books, so little time...

Shadow, our Dachshund, isn't doing well. She is in a lot of pain from her back troubles. The only position that she can find comfort in is flat on her back. When DH and I are at work we put her in her kennel. I hate doing that. I leave for work as late as possible and he leaves after work as soon as possible. Even so she's in her kennel for almost 7 hours. I know it's what we need to do to help her heal, but I wish I could be with her! The weekend is coming up and I work the late shift Monday, so tomorrow will be her last time to spend that long in the kennel for a few days. We can't risk leaving her out because if the dogs see or hear anything, they bark and run. Shadow can't run right now - she would really mess herself up!

The kennel is nice-sized and I give her a pain pill just before I leave in the morning. I know she will sleep for at least a few hours. She's been sleeping with us every night lately. It seems to give her comfort to know we are near. I know it gives me comfort to be able to watch her sleep.

Anyhow...

Tomorrow is payday! I need to transfer some money into my $20 challenge savings account. I never did do that last payday, so now I'll add just over $100 to the challenge amount on my next day off. It's nice to see that savings account slowly build into something. Right now I plan to have it as an emergengy fund. I cut up my credit card, so I need some source of funds if the car breaks down, unexpected dental bill, or who knows what.

I've sold a few more books;

To Do My Best - $8.51 profit

Sea Of Grey - $3.28 profit

Healing Foods - $9.87 profit

Youth Bible - $6.26 profit

Who Moved My Cheese? - $2.75 profit

Not bad this time. These books were from the Salvation Army. There's another library I want to check out. I also need to find time to hit the yard sales. My new challenge total is $463.40.

If I don't get off of the computer soon this beautiful day will go to waste! I've decided to put this out there and then get out of my chair.

Here goes;

List my books on Half.com and Amazon.

I'll be back...

Done

Next - DD and I have some errands to run. She needs new shoes and I'm going to order mulch for the front yard. I'm also going to the bank to transfer money into my (secret) savings. It's for the $20 challenge.

I'll be back...

Done. I drove out and ordered our mulch - it will be delivered Thursday. Would anyone like to see before/after photos of the house? Mulch always looks so nice when you first lay it down. I went to the bank and transferred money. We went to the mall, where I returned some shoes and got DD some spring/summer clothing. She's been feeling down about a boy lately, so we went out and had some retail therapy. I didn't go crazy - no credit card debt. I used my Paypal card that has some E-Bay money available. I need to make some time and list on E-Bay - I haven't done that in weeks.

OK guys. I read the responses to my last entry and you are right. I have my credit card in my hand. Extra sharp scissors in front of me. Here goes...

I JUST CUT UP my credit card. Oh my gosh! I threw some (tiny) pieces down the toilet and flushed them. The rest is sitting in the garbage. It doesn't expire until 2009 so the won't send me a new one until then.

Even though it's been sitting in a drawer, I feel weird without it.

No more impulsive online purchases. The cabinet is in the same room as my computer.

No more vacation spending. You know, if you're on vacation and having fun it's easy to charge things.

I can't buy things for the house and charge them. My reasoning is that I'm adding value to our biggest investment. The truth is that I just want it.

If one of the dogs gets sick I can no longer charge it. I need to be more serious about having an emergency fund.

No more taking DD to the mall and charging her clothes. She is always so happy and "loves me so much" LOL. But, I am the one left paying off those clothes and the interest charges. The next week I'm back to being "mean" LOL. She is 17.

I've had this credit card for years and years. I feel kind of strange, like a safety net is gone. I guess I need to build my own safety net, out of savings and not borrowing.

Thank you to those that commented on my last post. You are a good influence!

Dad approached us a few weeks ago with an offer to loan us some money in order to pay off our high-interest credit cards. We gratefully accepted and now I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. No more late fees! No more high interest! Now we just make payments to the Bank of Dad. One of my paychecks will go towards paying him back, and the other will be for bills (gas, electric, cable, etc.) and savings. DH will cover the mortgage and groceries. It feels good to get out from under those fees and charges, and have a set plan finally.

Here are the recent titles of books I've sold;

Five Quarters Of The Orange - $5.61 profit

Second Helpings - $3.71 profit

Delivered From Distraction - $9.86 profit

Hank Zipter book - .80 profit

Shopaholic & Sister - $3.07 profit

Magical Thinking - $5.15 profit

Yay, You! - $4.76 profit

Daughters of the Moon - The Sacrifice - $3.89 profit

Hellion - $1.45 profit

Seven Laws of Teaching - $2.76 profit

Dead Man Walking - $2.49 profit

How Men Have Babies - $4.16 profit

Matters of the Heart - $4.62 profit

Pretty good this time. I love it when the books go for a high profit. It balances out the inexpensive ones. Total profit this time comes to $52.33, making my new total for the $20 challenge $432.73.

I had this weekend off and it was fun! Friday we all pitched in and cleaned the house, then Saturday DD had "a few" friends over. I never could have people spend the night or hang out when I was a teen. Dad was always so irritated with noise and activity for some reason. He's still like that. Anyhow, DH and I ended up preparing dinner for 15 people! I don't know how they all fit into DD's room. It's big, but even so...

They are nice kids. We want DD to be happy, but also we know where she is (home) and what she is doing (eating until she is stuffed) and who she is with - Tim, Josh, Ben, Jake, Mike, John, Sarah, Julie, Sara, Michelle, and some that I don't remember.

My husband makes the most outstanding chicken - his own recipies. He made bourbon chicken, chinese style, and BBQ chicken. He got a marriage proposal from one of the kids. LOL it was a guy. We made rice, chinese sesame noodles, fruit salad, brownies, cookies, etc. It was fun.

Sunday was my sister's birthday. We drove out to mom and dad's and had dinner. There was a lot leftover so we brought tons of ham, shrimp, and other goodies home. That was about the only frugal thing I did this weekend!