Me and my 2 year old are recovering from a nasty flu virus. Boy, it was a nasty one. I feel terrible, and I know he feels worse and his immune system is getting a workout. It hit us all Thursday, and we are finally starting to get over it-- except for the splitting headaches. Ugh.

Anyway,
Our spending.
April 6-- no spend day. Sick!
April 7-- $27 at Walmart for milk, bubble bath, and two monster trucks for last-minute Easter baskets; $31 @3.55 a gallon to fill up the car
April 8-- no spend day
April 9-- $8.48 at CVS for medication and pedialyte; $58 to the Y for 6 weeks of swim lessons for the boys.

April 5 expenses:
$13 Scholastic book order through school
$62.14 groceries, including stocking up on $22 worth of half-price Easter hams.
$45 Target, on two pairs of kids shoes, tea, and a light bulb for the fridge
$14 at Lowes (Gift card) for mulch and two Easter flowers for mom and sister.

DS1 turned 4 on Sunday. (!!! Where did the time go?) We had a huge party. Honestly, I expected 10 people to show up, but we had closer to 50. It was a babies running in the yard in sunshine extravaganza. It was great. We always say no gifts, but people bring them anyway. Thankfully, some friends know us well enough to contribute to the college savings accounts, so I'm depositing $45 extra today into the college fund. Yay!

I also have a $10.99 Staples refund check that will go to the car loan today. chip chip chip!

I transferred $874 to hubby's Roth Ira for 2011, so we at least contributed 1000 for 2011. I really need to ramp up savings into that account, but with preschool bills and a fat mortgage, it seems impossible.

As for the freelance stuff. If you remember, I'm trying to branch out more to higher-paying pubs. Last month, I did two test assignments. One, I didn't get, but one I did! Just found out I'm not a regular yesterday. Looks like I'll be getting two assignments a quarter from a computer security trade magazine. Yay! The pay for one story is equal to two stories for my regular gig. It's nice to land something new!

My wire service has been using me more as well. Last year, I wrote two stories for them all year, this year I'm on my third so far, and they've asked me for more ideas. This is all good!

Now, I just need to find time to finish that novel. It's really bugging me that it isn't finished.

Now it turns out the littlest, who is 2.5, has a 101 fever and a cold. He doesn't want to leave the sofa, so I've wrapped him up, turned on the humidifier, and put on some cartoons for him. Poor little guy. I can tell he isn't feeling well. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow, off to the doctor he goes.

April 1:
No spend day

April 2:
$11 on lunch
Exercise: 1 mile run, 1 mile walk, half mile run, half mile walk

April 3:
$62.80 groceries
$150 tax prep
$22.97 Atomic Ranch book on Amazon
$15 on lunch with DS2

April 4: $11 on lunch.
$7.99 on birthday present for faux nephew
Exercise: 1 mile run, 1 hour leg and core strength training with personal trainer.

Yep. I eat out too much. I can't help it on Mondays and Wednesdays, mostly because I spend the entire day on the opposite side of town from home, but I could do better on other days, I suppose.

I finally filed the state and federal taxes today. Next I have to file city income taxes -- on paper-- for two cities, since we moved last year. I'm really not looking forward to that. The forms are paper only, and we always have to pay. Boo.

On a brighter note, we will be getting a $4969 federal refund and $433 state refund, although most of that will go to city taxes.

I tracked my gas mileage this week, to see if maybe changing my driving habits would save me money. I averaged between 38 and 41 mpg, so now I'm thinking boosting mileage might not the way to go. I don't think I can do much better!

Now, I'm tracking how many miles I drive in a normal week, then I will set a target to reduce that by some reasonable amount. Some trips for work and the babysitter I can't undo, but every mile helps, right?

I got paid for an extra freelance gig today-- $549. I sent $349 to savings and $200 to my IRA. That felt nice. I'm still awaiting payment for about $1200 more in work as well. Yay!

The credit card bills were also not as high as I was anticipating this pay day, so I still have a decent amount in checking. Yay!

On the weight loss front, I'm treading water with my fat club intensive workouts. I've been yo-yoing within a few pounds. It no longer is helping me lose.
It's frustrating. I am definitely stronger, and faster, but no thinner. Argh!

I guess my body has adjusted, so it's time for a new and money-saving strategy. I'm going to start distance running. It'll save me the long drive to the gym, as I have a park with a running track a block away and I can use my iPod to track and store info on distance, time, route, etc. using Nike Plus. I singed up for my first 5k ever with a couple of friends. It's on May 12, so I better get moving. I'll be saving me the $190 every six weeks for the fat club fee.

I'm going to try to haggle with the cable company again tomorrow, too. Maybe I can knock another $10 a month off the bill. Fingers crossed.

Ham is on sale this week, so I'm going to load the chest freezer up with two or three of them. Hubby keeps making fun of me, pointing out all the loaves of bread and other items that are "manager's specials" that I fished out of the freezer for this or that. Hey. Gotta save, right? The latest find was organic 2 percent milk for 2.50 a gallon, down from 7.19. I loaded up. There is one thawing on the counter now! I think I like the chest freezer. I feel like I'm getting my money's worth!

Nothing too big and exciting has happened lately-- except hubby's friend who borrowed that $5,000 from us two years ago and then proceeded to go on a bunch of exotic vacations sent us an email talking about setting up the "big payoff". We'll see if the money materializes. I'd had some fantasies about paying off the car loan with it if it does show up, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

On that note, I'm chipping away slowly at our car loan and mortgage. I just wish I could pay them off faster! Today, I got paid $80 for a monthly, small freelance gig. I sent the money to the car loan. It's not much, but it will help!

I'm dreading paying the credit cards off this payday. I just feel like we are spending money left and right. Ugh.Oh well, the pain will just strengthen my resolve to clamp down on spending!

On the spending front, my cable bill has been annoying me. We signe dup for the fixed rate $129 a month for internet, phone and cable. Of course, the bill is magically $166. Um yeah. I called about a couple of annoying mystery fees that have popped up. A "turbo-charged" Internet fee of $10 a month, an HD recording service fee of $10, and a DVR service fee of $10. (No one at the cable company could tell me why we pay two fees for DVR service, one regular, and one for HD channels? Anyway, I did cancel the "turbo-charged" fee, which ironically, has not slowed my internet one bit. (scam). And, I'm going to call back and hopefully get someone else on the phone who can explain the DVR fees.

I tried to buy a regular no fee DVR but found none that didn't require a monthly service fee. So frustrating. I hate the idea of paying for TV anyway, so to pay to record tv shows? Ridiculous. I am thinking of just dumping the service, but we do record soccer games and shows like Walking Dead and Madmen. What to do....

Hubby also called to cancel an old credit card (Bank of America). We dumped it almost a year ago because the rewards went from awesome to stingy. We thought we had closed the account when we called before, but they began sending us bills for $1.50 a month to "maintain" the account. (Scam!), and insisted we hadn't cancelled, we had suspended the account. Um no. I know what I mean when I say cancelled. So, we resolved that. These corporations really anger me with this kind of crap.

We'll also soon be cancelling our Chase sapphire card and the SW rewards card we opened only for the rewards. We have reaped said rewards, and now it's time to start shopping for a more rewarding card, so to speak. I'm considering the Kroger mastercard, since we shop there a lot, it will net us an additional 25 cents off gasoline for three months, in addition to a regular 5 cents off a gallon discount in perpetuity. You also get "rewarded" in free groceries. It might be a good back-up rewards card.

And this weekend is -- blech-- taxes weekend. I'm mostly finished, I just need to go through everything and make sure nothing has been missed. Oh, and I need to add the charitable donations. Normally I'd be more on top of this, but I'm just dreading doing the city income taxes. We moved last year, so I have to file for two cities (by hand, on paper!), and our local city tax math system can be needlessly complicated considering my self-employment status and that hubby doesn't work in either of the cities we live in. Head spinning yet? Mine is-- with dread!

Looks like gas is going to stay in the 3.75 to 4 range here, so I've been thinking of trying to save by figuring out all of the ways there are to get discounts on gas.

I'm also doing a driving style mileage test. I'm tracking the mpg on my daily commute, factoring in different ways and speeds of driving. Maybe that will give me a way to shave a little more off of the expense.

I'd love to hear your ideas on how to save. Maybe we can start some sort of reference or list we can post here or in the forums.

My first thoughts were:
--my grocery store gas discount. Everyday spending isn't enough to net much of a discount, but some people I know buy gift cards at the grocery store for places they know they are going to eat/shop to get the extra gas discount. It can add up, but there's also the chance to overspend.

--gas rewards credit cards. I'm getting ready to cancel a few cards and have been looking for a rewards card that is worth it, so maybe this will be a consideration. My regualr grocery store has one that provides a modest gas discount and grocery discounts.

DH took the kids out so I could get some work done. I hear the doorbell, and find a tiny Japanese woman at the door who barely speaks English. Turns out, she is the former owner of our house! She was back from Japan to pick up some of her work papers. She came in and I gave her a tour. She was so excited to see the house and was very nice, and very friendly. It was strange, but nice!

I did get one freelance assignment done so far today, which is a relief. The kids are still gone, so I swept out the garage, put some organic pre-emergent weed inhibitor on the lawn, and posted three items on craigslist-- two free (kids soccer goals and extra piece of tile backerboard from the shower incident), and the kids IKEA high chair for sale for $10. Hopefully I can get rid of all of that.

There was a pile of bricks in the garage as well. I moved them out by the front garden bed, as I plan to use them to build a very short wall/ledge around one side of it. That way, I can add more and better soil for the butterfly garden, and it will stay put.

Well, I was pretty down in the dumps all day about not getting that awesome freelance gig. Today, I'm trying to get over it. I don't feel AS bad, just a little bad. Anyway, I still have a story to write this weekend for a new client, so that's good. Plus, the editor for the missed gig sent me a nice note, so I know it's not that they think I'm a hack.

And, trying to get back to normal. so...

-Mom gave me $40 for my birthday. I know she wants me to buy something "fun" with it, so don't tell her I sent it as an extra payment toward the mortgage today. Hey, to me that's fun! Our little secret.

And, it's March so time to plant the spring cold season crops, although it's 78 today, so not sure how they'll do with this crazy spring weather. The boys and I planted six potato plants, and seeds for spinach, lettuce, mixed salad greens, purple dragon carrots, beets, and broccoli in our cold season garden containers. The pic is them helping me fill them with dirt. Messy fun, huh?




This weekend, the kids and I are going to plant the seedlings of broccoli and red carrots we planted a few weeks ago. Then, fingers crossed!

I am also devising my plans for my summer garden. I have a weed-infested bed surrounded by red brick by the walkway to the front door. I've already solarized the weeds away, under layers of mulch, newspaper and cardboard, so my plan is to add some good soil, build it up, and plant a new butterfly garden there. I had an awesome one at the last house (of course), but I'm starting new here. I think the last owner was clueless about lawn, garden, and tree maintenance, and now I'm paying the price. Anyway, in will go echinacea, bee balm, and one other yet-to-be-determined species.

I got a great book about vertical vegetable and fruit gardening yesterday as well. It gave me some ideas for trellising watermelons so they don't take up as much room. My oldest (soon to be 4), really wants to plant watermelons, so this may be a solution.

Other than that, I don't think I'm going to be able to avoid building at least one more 4 x 8 ft raised bed. I'll need it for the zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes. We have plenty of sunny spots, it's just that DH and I argue about them-- he doesn't want gardens there because he likes to kick soccer balls and run with the kids. We're going to have to work something out. Girl has to grow some food!

Well, I didn't land the gig writing the restaurant guide. They said I was super qualified, but they went with someone else. Needless to say, I am increibdly disappointed, and feeling very trapped in a cycle of never-ending low-paying freelance gigs that are kind of going nowhere bigger and better. I guess that's middle-age! The realization that bigger and better isn't around the corner.

I had the worst weird dream last night. I dreamt I was at the hospital, in labor for my third child (no plans for more than two, so anxiety No.1). I was in the birthing room and they wheeled in an in-labor Sarah Palin. I had to share a birthing room with Sarah Palin (Anxiety No.2), and then, the room was full of TV cameras and media people when all I wanted was to be left alone. It was terrible!! I woke up thinking. What the heck?? Normally my anxiety dreams are more like zombie horror movies. This was a big departure.

Maybe it's heralding in 37. Yep. Today I am 37. Doesn't seem so monumental a birthday-- just means I might have to pluck more facial hair! ; )

Other than the weird dreams, I filed my writing test for the restaurant guide job, and am waiting to hear back. I managed to file all my regular columns. I have one extra story to write this week, for a new publication that is very technical. I'm nervous about that, but will do as much research as I can before typing and interviewing. Only bad part: no reply from one of the essential sources. It's stressful. But, by next week, all should be back to normal.

Our trip to New Orleans for the wedding was fabulous. Saw lots of our friends, ate lots of Louisiana seafood, and stayed up too late. Loved it.

Now back to real life! My youngest had surgery this morning, correcting some incorrect healing from his circumcision. It only took 5 minutes and now he acts like nothing happened. And I was scared to death. Guess that's just being a mom.

I just paid a bunch of credit card bills, mostly for the trip and the rest of hubby's ridiculous $1700 computer. Ugh. Oh well. It renewed my cheapness, and my fortitude to keep the credit card bills low and pay off some debt.

On that front, I sent $400 extra to the car loan this month, and I might actually have a little bit extra to send to the mortgage as well. That feels good at least!

I'm also back to the gym for fat club #4. Ran 2 miles and did abs yesterday. I caved in and committed to running a 10k with a friend in 2013 as well. Paid the entry fee already, so talk about motivation. I've never run 6 miles, but if nothing else, it will be character building.

Remember last year when I said this site was magic? Seemed like every time I put a work-related money goal in the sidebar it magically came true. Well, it happened again! Note the sidebar: It says write more for wire service, and get new clients. Well, as of Monday I will have written my third story in 2012 alone for a wire service, more than all of last year. And, I landed a new client that pays $250 for an 800 word story, and it has the potential to turn into a regular gig. (The newspaper pays me $100 to $150 per story).

AND... the big news. I got a call from one of the internationally-known restaurant guidebooks. They are looking for a restaurant writer for my area, and it pays $5,400. For not too onerous a work load. I have to do a tryout, so keep your fingers crossed that I get it. It's huge!

I feel super busy and overwhelmed, but in a good way. Things seem to be moving along.

Remember DH's "best" friend who magically showed up at our house 2 summers ago asking for $5,000 that he would magically pay us back within 90 days? As you know hubby insisted I give it to him-- a single guy in California.

Well, I'm steamed. OF course, he never paid him back and we've heard from him maybe once since he borrowed the money. Today, he emails me his online photo album of his month-long trip TO BRAZIL! You can't pay back your friends who have two kids to support, but you can go to Brazil??? I am so steamed. This is why I didn't want to give it to him in the first place. He couldn't pay his mortgage and property taxes because he'd rather spend his money on "fun" stuff. He's just like my sister. It makes me so mad. Sorry, I haven't done anything fun in years, stashing away every spare penny for me and my family's future, and you come along and take a huge chunk of it, disappear, and go to f**ing brazil. NEVER AGAIN>

The new chest freezer was just delivered. Time to set my "one day I will be organized and will use the chest freezer to store ingredients for cooking delicious home-cooked meals bought at deep discounts" fantasy. Yeah, That's it, seriously.

The second part of that fantasy was using the fridge/freezer in my kitchen to store premade, ready to heat up frozen meals, hence reducing our dependence on restaurant meals and take out. I am probably living a pipe dream, but it can't hurt to try.

Happy Lent. I decided I'm actually going to observe it this year. First time in a long time! I'm giving up all unnecessary spending-- meaning, no buying anything that isn't absolutely essential. And, giving up booze and sweets. I'm feeling compelled. It's only 40 days, right?

Now the chest freezer. I have two gigantic and growing boys (3 and 2), and they eat a ton already. I have been warned that they will one day view a box of cereal as a single snack. I've also been stocking up on sale meats and discount breads and buns. And, when the growing season gets started I always have a ton of vegetables and fruits to freeze. I'm busting at the seams, so I last night I bought a 7 cu ft chest freezer. Small, but not too small. Big, but not gigantic. I used $200 in Home Depot gift cards I earned as a bonus for signing up for the Southwest airlines credit card. free money! I did pay $49 out of pocket. It cost $229 plus tax.

I still have $300 in free Amazon gift cards from that signing bonus as well, but I am going to try to save as much of that as possible for Christmas.

Now on to goals. One of my big goals was to secure some higher-paying freelance gigs. I think, just like last year, the universe aligned. You put the vibe out there and things start to materialize. I'm working on my second back to back assignment for a national wire service, which pays $500 to $600/story, and yesterday I got a call from a new client (an old coworker recommended me) and landed a $250 gig that could turn into a regular assignment. It's not millions of dollars, but considering the major daily newspaper pays me $100 to $150 each for very involved stories every week, these other gigs are MUCH MUCH more lucrative.

Hopefully all of this new cash can help me pay off that car loan and reach that goal for the year. Fingers crossed!

In the world of freelance work, I've found it's feast or famine: either your phone is ringing off the hook with assignments, or it's a desert and it's like you dropped off the face of the earth. Right now, I'm having a feast.

I'm working on my second in-a-row high-paying story for a news wire service. Both were stories where editors called me to ask if I wanted the work. A very nice change. This place usually is a you come up with an idea, pitch it, and wait forever to hear if they want it or not. I guess I ended up on someone's good list.

And, I just got an email today from a friend's editor. He works on a higher-paying B2B magazine and was looking for a reliable freelancer. We talk tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. I am feeling overwhelmed a bit now, just trying to get ahead before I go to New Orleans in a couple of weeks, but with freelance, you just can't say no when opportunity arises. So, here's to getting everything done by deadline!

Hubby went to the store and spent $1750 after tax on computer parts and is building a new super computer. Ugh. Oh well, it's been 10 years since he asked for anything, so I guess he was overdue!

I had already transferred his bonus to savings, but our insulation rebate check for $900 came in the mail yesterday. (Bummed. Had planned to use it to pay down the car loan). I guess I'll use that to cover some of the cost of the computer, and then I'll try to just skimp until next payday and hope I can pay the rest out of pocket.

I don't want to dip into savings. Can you tell?

Hubby got his annual bonus today. Hazzah! It was $11,200 after taxes. It was funny, because we were in the kitchen together making coffee and breakfast with our 2 year old, and I was on the computer paying bills.

I told him the bonus arrived, he jumped up and down, and immediately began talking about how he wanted $1700 to build a super computer to replace his old one (He's a computer geek by trade, and it's been 10 years since I bought him a computer. But still!)

We both had a laugh because in the five minutes he spent telling me about the computer parts he wanted to buy, I had already "spent" the bonus. I had sent $1000 extra to the mortgage, paid all the normal monthly bills I pay on payday, and transferred the remaining $9,000 to the savings account. It happened in a snap. He was amazed. I said I always have a plan for every dollar.

Of course, now he doesn't think it's funny. He was kind of sad that I wouldn't give him $1700 right away for the computer. I'll cave eventually. I'd just like to revel in the feeling of being ahead and putting big chunks of money to work for us-- at least for a day or two.

it's that time of year again: for the money shuffle! I moved some money from taxable brokerage accounts into my 2011 IRA and Roth IRA, and into hubby's 2011 Roth IRA. My goal is to clear out some of the regular non-retirement brokerage accounts over the years, to make my life less of a headache during tax time. So, into retirement it goes.

I had signed up for a Southwest airlines rewards card last year because they were giving out 50,000 point bonuses. We were going to use that to fly to Las Vegas for my friend's 40th birthday, but they cancelled the vent (they have no money), so I just cashed in the points for a $200 Home Depot Gift card and a $300 Amazon gift card. The HD card will go to buying a small chest freezer we have been planning to get, and the Amazon card will be saved for Christmas. The card will soon be cancelled.

Hooray for shwag!

Things have been quiet lately. Not really, I guess, but no major disasters. In January, we had a lot of work on the house done-- ceiling fans installed in the bedrooms, new bath fans in both bathrooms, and we had the entire house insulated --attic and exterior walls. The utility company paid half the tab for the insulation, through a special energy efficiency project. I certainly loved that!

I also decided (someone should stop me next time I try this) to redo the basement. We bought a sweet 1960s vintage bar right before Christmas, so we had to move furniture around to set it up right. And, of course, I was like "while we're moving bookcases, why don't I refinish them and repair them?" Three weeks later, or painting, sawing, etc later it's finally done. It looks fantastic, Don't get me wrong, but boy, how do I get myself into this? It's like I just make up work for myself!

**

I finally started the taxes last night. The W02 and my 1099s are in. Not all the brokerage forms are in, but I didn't want to wait.

I really didn't know what to expect because we adjusted the withholding last year when we bought this house. We wanted to lower the refund amount and free up more cash every month while we got used to paying a mortgage. Still, no wonder I feel broke!

Half of my self-employment income goes to taxes-- SS and medicare taxes, self-employment penalty etc. The rest goes to IRA and daycare so I can work. I paid $3000 last year (more in reality, but on paper through licensed places) for care for one kid, and got a measly $418 childcare tax credit. Boo. It kind of reminds me that I'm not really making anything. Frustrating.

We also paid about 11,000 combined in real estate taxes and mortgage interest. I hate paying mortgage interest. It's such a racket. It's motivating me even more to once again have a paid-off house as fast as possible. I have other uses for $500 a month!

Moving into a not-paid-for-house has really shown me how spendy financing real estate really is, and that I kind of took for granted the sorts of bills we didn't have when we had a paid-for house .Here's to getting this loan paid off by 2016!

That said, looks like we might be getting some sort of refund, and my plan right now is to send 50 percent to the car loan and 50 percent to the mortgage, just to shave a little bit off the balance.

***
The good news is that hubby will be getting a bonus this year. I'm not sure yet when it's coming or how much it will be, but I'm planning to park it all in savings immediately. It's been harder to save big chunks of money now that we have a mortgage. I've been lucky to stash $300 a month, compared to about $1000 a month without a mortgage. I'm trying though, and with all the work on the house, we've had to take money out of savings to pay for some of the repair. I hate that, knowing how slowly it's going back in.

**
I got wild and crazy today and opened a Roth. Hubby has one, and now I have one, in addition to our other retirement accounts (IRA and 401k). I was hesitant because of my self-employment. I like to contribute the max $5000 every year, and due to the aforementioned self-employment tax issues, I need as much tax relief as possible on that income. I never thought I could afford to put some of it into a Roth, considering I can only put $5000 total into both.

I'm thinking we need to take better advantage of hubby's roth. We can contribute up to 5000 a year to his, because he has a 401k. And, a little into mine.

Why the change of heart? Tax free withdrawals in retirement, and I could use the money to pay for the kids college if I needed to, or keep it for myself for retirement. I was thinking of putting some of the extra money we save for the kids money into a roth, instead of just overloading the 529. I want to preserve financial aid, and I want to have the money for retirement if we don't use all of it for the kids' schooling. Just thinking out loud.

***
I've been hitting the coupons lately, trying to get free stuff and stock up on things at a deep discount. I'm making more of an effort, so to speak. I've been getting a few free things a week, which is nice.

In recent months I've gotten 4 packs of bic pens, 3 12- packs of Shick razors, three bars of Olay soap, dental floss, Kotex minipads, toothpaste, 2 Loreal paris lipsticks, and 16 go packs of Teddy Grahams for free.

The list of things I got for less than 50 cents is humongous. That feels good, and I mostly kept a lid on spending these last couple of weeks (after the big house bills died down), so I'm not feeling as out of control of the cash.

Now, if I can just make it two more weeks.

We're going on a long weekend to New Orleans to the wedding of a friend, and it's going to be great!

We're also doing it on the cheap. We're staying with friends all but two nights, so our hotel bill went from $600to $200, and we're driving, so we'll just need to pay for gas, food and fun. Amazingly, I checked our vacation account and it's enough to cover the hotel. I put 10 a check into it, plus any mail-in rebate checks, and it's already more than $200. Those little bits really do add up.

We're only 19 days into January and it's already been complete madness! Where do I even begin?

My former full-time newspaper job, where I am now a freelancer, asked me if I'd consider going back to full-time. I considered it, but with the kids, it'd be difficult. I'd make about $45,000 a year, but full-time school for the boys would cost $26,000. And then there's spring break, holidays, etc. I asked if they'd consider a more flexible schedule (same hours every week, but just different than the 10 to 7 that is the norm). My editor wants to, but is raising the ire of management just by asking. Because "if they do it for me, they need to do it for everyone."

Of course, I say, you should do it for everyone, because it's 2012 and most parents work and there isn't a wife at home to handle every sick day, doctor visit, etc. But I digress.

I said I didn't think I could swing traditional full-time. Frankly, I don't want to. It'd be a lot of stress for not a lot of profit, once you consider daycare, taxes, commuting, etc. I'm better off freelancing, moneywise. Then, with a straight face, my editor asked if I'd consider hiring a nanny.

I was kind of horrified and exasperated all at once. I'm sorry, nannies are for high-powered executives and people who make 6 figures, not 40k a year reporters! Every dime I'd make would go to pay the nanny! After that comment, I kind of have given up negotiating. They're living in lala land.

So yeah, the plan now is nose to the grindstone until fall, when both kids will finally be old enough for preschool, then seek out more freelance work.

It just kind of irks me that the U.S. has such a jacked up work culture. Why does one partner always have to give up so much once kids arrive? Why are we forced to make these kinds of decisions? Why can't all parents have fulfilling careers, rather than one being stuck at home because the jobs are too inflexible or don't pay enough to cover childcare costs? It's times like this when I wish I was Scandinavian!

***
Just as an addendum, I want to say that all of this back and forth discussion with my former employer sparked a lot of soul searching. I just don't feel like, for the money, a full-time job there is the best use of my time. I've kind of been reminded of why I left the first time. It's not a culture of about what you produce, it's a culture of "I want to see your butt in the chair" and with a 2 year old and a 3 year old, that would be a real hardship for my family right now. Plus, I don't think the money is big enough to justify the added stress and hassle and expenses we'd have to go through to make it happen. I don't love the newspaper business enough, and I don't like the idea of having my kid in dawn to dusk daycare all year long, including school breaks and summer breaks, etc. I know parents do it all the time, but that's not how I grew up, and it really does help us that I have a flexible schedule.

I wish all of us good things for 2012! That we may find happiness, and have enough to sustain us and our loved ones. Oh, and that 2012 isn't the end of the world!

I signed up for Toluna and just did a survey worth 12,000 points. I'm always skeptical of these kinds of sites. Do any of you have any experience with them? Is it worth bothering?

For a long time I've been playing around with a money "Game" that can at the same time boost savings and significantly reduce non-essential spending.

Here it is and let me know if you think it could work. I call it "double or nothing" literally!

If you buy something non-essential-- a splurge, whether it costs a dollar or $300-- if you buy it, you have to put an equal amount immediately into a savings or investment account, or pay it toward debt. It would essentially **double** the cost of any non-essential item. So you'd really have to think about how much you could actually afford it. Or, if you valued it enough to "pay" double.

In the past, DH and I have also played a "game" where we have to donate an amount equal to the purchase to a charity we absolutely hate-- something that completely disagrees with our social and political morals. That has worked. Just thinking the above would still leave room for purchases, while spurring thought about them, and benefitting ourselves.

Any thoughts?

I have an ING saving account that I kind of ignore, but I do auto transfer $35 to $70 a month into. I just checked it and it was at $553. To get a jump on the new year car pay-off, I sent $550 to the car loan balance. I'm amped to wipe out that debt!

I also sold an extra story to a wire service this month, will get paid in early January, to the tune of $525. Yay!

I read this article and thought it kind of reminded me of what we have going on here. A special support group and community that helps us save! Gee, aren't we lucky?

I cannot believe it is going to be 2012 soon. Where have this year and all the years before it gone??? I feel like it's the year 2000 and not 2012!

The New Year is sneaking up on me, but I thought I better put some thought into some goals or else I'll just be floating-- which is never good financially.

So, it's pretty much the same as last year, only maybe not as ambitious. I'm not giving up, I'm just being more realistic. Last year we had a paid off house, this year we have a mortgage of about $1700 a month (thanks public schools!), and this year's goals reflect that. Plus, I have a lot of personal goals this year, that will I think impact our financial lives, but also my mental life, which needs some tending.

I posted the financial goals in the sidebar.

On the other goals front, I REALLY REALLY need to free up time to finish my novel. It just needs a rewrite. I think this is a top priority.

I am also going to do at least one more serious Weight Loss Club at the Y (starts Jan. 7) , in an effort to lose 15 pounds this year. I may do the cheaper option, which is $35 vs $190. It doesn't include personal training, but I still have 3 unused training sessions from last time, so I may use those instead of paying for more. I did lose 14 pounds this year, one short of the goal, but I'm not crying over that last pound! I'm thrilled!

Here are some of my other goals. I hope they don't seem weird.

-Write thank you notes. Kind of gotten away from doing it consistently since the kids were born.

-Socialize more often. Hubby and I dropped off the earth when we had kids, and it's time to give all the people we never see a call. I'm thinking occasional girls' nights, poker nights in the basement, and reviving stitch n bitch craft nights. We used to do all of those, and now we don't.

-Lose 15 more pounds. This would put me in the super thin and healthy zone!

-Cook healthier and more economical meals at home, for us and the kids. And, more variety of food. I'm in a rut.

-Stop buying stupid stuff. If it isn't planned or on the list, skip it. And, don't go to the grocery store without coupons. I frequently pay too much because I lack the time to plan.

-Make fewer trips to the store. I'm putting my foot down. I end up going to the store too frequently because we forgot this or that. Better planning!

-Organize coupons better- to take advantage of unadvertised sales and so I can find what I need even if I don't plan.

- Try to buy used before automatically buying new.

When it rains, it pours.... I feel like I'm making an effort not to spend money, but life is spending it for me!

The bathroom still isn't finished. I'm out of emotional steam. The plumber had to come back twice to redo the stems for the faucet, and after visit number two, it still isn't right! Come on people!

The good news is the tile is up, grouted and caulked. Even if I had a faucet I wouldn't be able to use it, as I opted for epoxy grout which is supposed to be easier to clean. So yeah. Shared shower with the in-laws. Plumber was supposed to come back yesterday to fix stuff and install fixtures, but he was a no call no show. Argh.

So far, the shower has set me back $950. Not including the plumber. Haven't gotten a bill for that fiasco yet.

And, we are trying to get our house insulated, to the tune of another $2000. We are getting a fat rebate from the utility, so we're going to be able to do the attic and the exterior walls plus air sealing for that price. We're getting a 1500 discount up front and will qualify for another 638 dollars when it's done.

We were on the schedule for that but then I heard a scratching in the wall. MICE!! The exterminator is coming next week to set traps and seal up the area where they are getting in. Hooray. Another $250, plus two weeks at least to get the little guys out. So, I don't know when the insulation is going in.

The mice caught me off guard because I've never had anything like that in my house before.


Oh well, right? There's not much I can do except go with the flow and do my best. And hope the bills don't get to be too big.

I'm a snowball of doom rolling down the hill, picking up more craziness along the way!

Y'all know hubby broke the soap dish off the shower wall Sunday night, causing a huge chunk of the wall to collapse. Instead of going to be dearly I had to scour angie's list looking for someone to fix it. I was lucky enough to find a reputable tile company that had had a cancellation. That's about where the good luck stopped.

I spent all my babysitting hours on Monday at the tile store trying to find an in stock tile I could live with. ANd it took forever for the sales people to ring me up and get everything taken care of.

On Tuesday, they started work but discovered that my old plumbing fixtures were corroded to the pipes, and barring a plumber intervention, they'd break the pipes taking them off, and even then the new fixtures won't fit on the old stems. So, I had to scramble to find the one plumber in town who isn't booked, and beg him to squeeze me in.

Plumber shows up, takes off the old fixtures and installs the new stems. He discovers a plumbing leak in the wall, right above an ill-placed working electrical outlet. In the tub wall. Hurray.

Tile people come back Wednesday and do two of the three shower walls, then discover the fixture stems aren't long enough because the plumber did not check to see if they would actually stick out of the wall far enough to connect once the backerboard and tile was on.

Work stops, have to call the plumber again. He can't show up until this morning. He comes, fixes it right this time (presumably, at least as far as I can tell), but while he's here the tile guy calls to tell me he is passing a kidney stone and isn't coming today.

This is turning into a very expensive and drawn out nightmare. Two day job on day four, no end in site, and the in-laws are coming next week. The epoxy grout probably won't even be dry. Meaning I have to share a bathroom with the in-laws. Ugh.

My whole week has been derailed. Two weeks in a row-- first no babystitters, now this. I'm supposed to be getting ahead on all of my freelance work so I can make it through the holidays, but nothing is working out!!!!

Last night I took my mom and sister out for a holiday dinner. I toasted that this week HAD to be better than last! Then I came home to a worried looking hubby.

And he showed me this.



Apparently, he leaned on the soap holder when he was picking up toys, it broke off and a giant chasm broke out of the wall. The soap dish is still in there somewhere! Ugh. So, instead of going to bed early and getting a good night's sleep, I spent the rest of the night trying to find a tiling person who wasn't booked until February. I managed to find a good one on Angie's list who had just had a cancellation.

And today, instead of getting ahead on work, I was meeting contractors and spending an hour in the tile shop picking out new tile (from a very limited supply of in-stock things.). Ugh. It's always something!

I'll be out another $1000 because of this.