I spent 3.19 on a compass today for my DD.  That was it.

Going to try to make it one day at a time.  It seems to be less stressful for me.

Ugh.

Today should be a no spend day for me.  I don't have to run any errands and I can't think of anything that we will need.  After I take DS#2 to school I"ll come home and do some laundry.  Then I'm going to give myself a pedicure.  I also have several projects that I'm in the middle of and will work on those some today. 

I'm doing the same thing as DMC - one day at a time. 

Shellia

Spent a bit on prescriptions Monday, but nothing Tuesday.  Hoping for nothing out today, but we are having dinner out tomorrow.

Last night was a no spend day for our personal checkbook.  I had to buy some more supplies for a community event, but that was their checkbook, He he he!

Today after I fill up with fuel, should continue to be a no spend day.

We had taco's last night for dinner.  I think tonight we'll have scrambled eggs with bacon and toast with sliced oranges.  DS didn't make the brownies last night, so maybe tonight we can get those made.

well didn't spend money monday but tues I did for kfc for dinner.   I made a couple of online credit card payments but that was it.  I need to go to iga today or tomorrow so will see if there is money out.

normally ds and I go for cal.rolls at the food court on wednesdays.

Should be no money out today.  Instead, some money in... I put in my reciepts for FSA at work, so should get those reimbursements soon.  I need to pay off a bill with that money.

I have some side work on Friday, should make another 80.00 and they currently owe me 80, so I will get to invoice them for 160.00 on friday.  Taht is another little bit to put in my savings towards a bill.

I don't want to spend, but I am bringing stuff for DD Halloween party and so I need to buy that this weekend, as well as lettuce and milk.  Have plenty of meat in the freezer to use up.

No Money OUt!  Stretchy day!

Striving1:

Jennylyn, may I be so bold as to ask what you give for bday presents? 

First off  . . . didn't know you have a foster daughter, that's awesome!!  I have always wanted to do that, we hope to become foster parents once our kids are school aged, we'll see what happens.  We have so many foster kids here, I was a CASA advocate for a few years and felt so inspired by parents like you who give so much.

Anyway to answer your question . . . it totally varies!!  It depends on how well we know the kid and the age.  If the invite has a specific theme then I go with something from the theme generally (recent themes were My Little Pony for which I got a My Little Pony and another party recently was Dinosaurs-I got a lego type set that made a dinosaur).  I do give books a lot and Target usually has good prices for them.  Sometimes I'll do an activity/sticker book.  If I'm at a loss completely, I go to what's popular (Transformers, Pixie Hollow Fairies, etc) or classic (Legos, Puzzles, Board games, art stuff).  I think kids love gift cards-I don't often do them though because I think I feel inclined to put more on the card than I spend on the gift.  For kids we don't know well, I keep it to $10 or less, I spend more on kids we know better.  We get invited to A LOT of birthday parties it seems . . .  I always keep an eye out for cheap but good gifts.  We have a 3 yr old boy birthday coming up and I already have the perfect fire rescue toy set in the closet that I got for $4 on clearance awhile back.  Today I got two presents for upcoming birthdays . . . pop beads for a little girl that is my DS good friend ($14 on sale, usually $17) and a Tinkerbell doll for a 3 yr old my DD knows ($9.50-DD picked it, she LOVES Tinkerbell right now!).

I hope that helps, I'm glad you asked!  I remember when we first adopted DS I felt the same way.  He was 2 and got invited to a birthday party that first summer and I had no clue!  One thing it took me a good while to realize is that people don't really expect too much from birthday party gifts, just little toys, books, etc not major gifts.  I was at a loss myself!  I think I overdid it in the beginning till I realized what other people were giving.

Hmmmm . . . money out today.  Let's just not talk about it!  Too many obligations right now.

I am taking it one day at a time too, today was a no go, but tomorrow should be a big YES.

phygar:

 Suellen, YOU Rock!!!!!!  Now come on, we NEED details!!!!!   You know.....like you won the lottery, inherited some money, your boss gave you a $20,000 raise cause he realized that he's been underpaying you, and on and on.........................OR you acually saved all that money by eating nothing but scrambled eggs and toast, and burned all of your furniture in the fireplace for heat??????   We're dying to know.......it sounds sssssooooooooo good.

By the way, however you did it, it's fabulous and you deserve it.  God IS Good.  And you should pat yourself on the back, at least twice.

Phyllis

Laughing my behind off!!! Thanks for the pat on the back!!  No I did not win the lottery, inherit any money, get a huge raise, sell anything.  I just resorted to basic good old fashioned frugalness and applied alot of prayer.  I cut my budget to the core and I minimize all of my expenses.  I started utilizing all of the tips which I gleaned from thrifty/frugal sites (this one and frugal village).I kept my Camry which has over 129,000miles.  I very, very rarely go out to eat and even when I do I got to the all you can eat $7.00 Chineese buffet.  I do not buy clothes, shoes, etc.  I found when I decided that I wanted to get out of debt I had enough of those items.  I already knew how to sew so I update my wardrobe by enhancing what I already have.  I shop thrift stores for appliances. I found a great toaster oven at thrift store which has a ten day money back guarantee on appliances.   I line dry all of my clothes.  I just do all of the little things to save money.   

1.) Baby Step #1: Emergency Fund $1,000 (fully funded 01/25/08)

2.) Baby Step #2: Beginnning Balance 01/01/08 $78,492/Current Balance $23,915

Paid Off $54,577 in debt since January 2008!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!