Monday, May 30, 2011
Sorry for the long absence, but I'm sure regular readers realized we were out-of-state attending our daughter's graduation ceremony and doing some sight-seeing. We had a great visit and are so happy and proud of our oldest daughter for completing her graduate work, not to mention receiving a promotion and raise at her job. It looks like this kid is on her way! Although she has a very middle-class salary, (as it is an entry level job), I'm happy to report that her hours and benefits package are much superior to what her dad has at his current job. And hopefully, this will be a springboard to a much better salary. Onward and upward!
Our trip was a whirlwind of excitement, including the graduation ceremony, the sightseeing tours and getting to see our daughter's home and workplace. We were busy every minute of the day, but had a fabulous trip. As far as expenses go, the jury is still out. I will report on that in a few days, after the bank has posted all of our transactions. (This holiday weekend seems to be slowing things a bit.)
We did have a bit of a problem with our bank. Seems they are not used to us traveling so far afield, and decided to "protect" us by cutting off our debit card, which they must have feared to be stolen! After being declined (on payday, no less) for the second time, we caught on and called the bank. Mr. Struggle spent ten to fifteen long minutes on hold before getting the mess straightened out. When he added that my card needed to be re-activated also, he was told this had to be done in a separate phone call! We decided to pass on that, and I just used the cash we had, my credit card or let Mr. Struggle pay with his debit card. What a pain! The bank will be hearing from me tomorrow...
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
May Madness
Monday, May 09, 2011
As suspected, it was good that I didn’t transfer our extra money into savings. Between the graduation, Mother’s Day, and extra gasoline for travel last week, we have used all of the money left from last week, as well as two-thirds of the most recent part-time paycheck. And unfortunately, we have used the Visa card for several items, including a celebration dinner for our daughter’s graduation, and new eyeglasses for Mr. Struggle.
Here’s the breakdown:
Carry-over: $327.12
Expenses: $8.34 postage
7.52 toiletries
107.66 groceries
125.09 gasoline
52.74 gifts (Mother’s Day)
7.99 haircut (with coupon)
16.16 cell phone re-charge
18.49 fast food
100.00 gift (graduation)
Income: $169.53 part-time earnings
Current balance: $52.67
The kids were all three home over the weekend, and we had a few guests, also, so groceries took a bigger chunk of the budget. We also had to buy gas for travel to the graduation, to an out-of-town airport to fetch and return Miss S1, (who flew home for her sister’s graduation), and to Struggle Jr.’s university to move him out of his dorm and home for the summer. I’m pleased that we haven’t moved into negative territory with the checkbook balance, given the lack of time I have had to keep an eye on the balance.
We took the relatives to a nice Italian restaurant for a late lunch before the graduation ceremony. We were very pleased with the food, décor, service and even the prices. Including tip, lunch for 8 was $132. We got out easy because of the special lunch menu prices. I was pleased that it went so well, especially because we hadn’t been to the restaurant (we weren’t familiar with many places in the town where our daughter went to college). We also gave Miss S2 a pair of pearl earrings to match the necklace we gave her for high school graduation, and a check for $100.
Mr. Struggle had his telephone job interview last week, on his day off. I left the house, as before, because it makes me so nervous to listen. He seems to think it went well, and said the next step would be a face-to-face interview, should they feel the same. He asked about relocation assistance and they did not rule it out. I am feeling much more hopeful about the situation. The new job would be in a touristy and historic area that is doing better economically than our current town, and we both loved the area when we have visited there. Surely, I would be able to find a job there, too. I have just about given up finding anything here.
How is your job hunt going? Do you think the employment market is improving in your town?
Negative Territory
Saturday, April 23, 2011
It looks like I got over-confident and put too much in savings. We would be overdrawn, except that we missed church last week and I haven’t made our monthly contribution yet. I’ll either hold that check until payday or have to transfer money out of savings to cover it. Here’s the breakdown:
Starting balance: $71. 83
Deposits: 27.92 online income
127.14 part-time paycheck
Expenses: 98.89 gasoline
113.77 groceries
6.40 postage
31.80 Easter basket goodies
7.52 clothing
30.09 restaurant meals
50.00 tuxedo deposit
Remaining balance: -111.58
The gasoline is really killing us this week. We filled up one car and topped off the other so we could visit relatives this weekend for Easter. That also included a few gallons of gas for the lawn mower. I’ve been putting off visiting, but I haven’t seen some of my relatives since Christmas. The gas prices only seem to get higher and predictions are they will keep rising through the summer. I guess it’s better to visit now, especially since most of my siblings will be there, too. It’s only a two hour drive. Then I’ll try to stay home for the next two weeks to make up for the money spent on gas.
The other thing I spent money on was to take some family out to lunch. We went hiking together and they drove to the trail, so I felt it was only fair that I buy their lunch. Oh, and then there was the $50 tuxedo rental for Junior’s prom date that I forgot about. The entire rental was over $122, but he will pay the rest of it when he picks it up. By then he will be home from school and able to put in more hours at work. Once we return from our visit tomorrow, I guess I’ll lock myself in the house to keep from spending any more money.
Oh, Mr. Struggle got a call back from one of his job applications this week! They have set up an telephone interview for next week. I don’t hold out much hope, since this job is out-of-state and they are not likely to offer a relocation package. But, who knows, maybe the salary will be enough to make it up. We’ll see.
We’ve lived in the same town since before our children were born. We liked the stability and roots it gave to our family. I’d prefer to stay here another year or two, to make sure the kids are settled in their own homes, not just dormitories, but Mr. Struggle is getting behind at work, in both salary and benefits, and it’s time to do something about it.
How much of a salary increase would it take to make you up-root and leave your home behind?
Auto Insurance
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Payday!
Payday!
Income: $1883.12 (biweekly)
15.56 (miscellaneous income)
Total: $1898.68
Expenses:$ 233.00 power bill
68.24 home phone
397.94 auto insurance
174.00 car payment
1087.25 house payment
Total: $1960.43
You’ll notice there’s a deficit of $61.62 this week, but that’s okay because I set up mortgage to be paid next Friday, March 11th, but went ahead and subtracted it as a reminder to watch our spending. Things will be very tight for the next two weeks. This was the month that the dreaded car insurance bill is due (bimonthly billing) and it always wipes out the checking account. Our youngest is still being charged with exorbitant insurance rates, since he is a teenage driver. We have been paying the kids’ car insurance while they are in college, rather than sending them spending money. They each work and pay for most of their own expenses, and it’s just more practical to pay the insurance for them rather than try to collect it and then turn around and send each of them pocket money.
Do you pay for your children’s car insurance, or do they? What other expenses do you cover for them?
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