A Path to Achieving My Life Dreams

Cash Envelope Systems

(genmed) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:16:49 PST

We've always been good with credit cards, never having a balance that we haven't paid off in full the entire time we use them, but we also tend to eat out a bit more.

I started using a cash envelope system a few months ago and have saved about $200 a month that I can use towards...

No Spend Day

(genmed) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:59:55 PST

Today was another no spend day.

I spent this afternoon writing a study strategy on what to do for the rest of the semester day by day so that I can not worry about it and pace myself. I can't wait until June. It will be a pretty stress free summer.

Savings goals are...

(genmed) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:58:22 PST

on autopilot for the next year and some. I set up individual ING accounts with automatic savings.

We've got a working budget saving enough for retirement, a nice emergency fund, extra money for "the unexpected," to pay school entirely and pay off one of two large student loans...

Adding Health to My Goals; New two week goals

(genmed) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:23:12 PST

The $20 challenge and posting has been great for my finances. Goal is to be out of debt in 5 years or less. As a lot of Americans, I can stand to lose some weight. I am fairly active and in generally good health, but tend to eat in response to stress. With school stress is a way of...

Extra Money Towards Debt

(genmed) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:15:18 PST

As we are done with expenses for the month (Any "surprises" would come out of our emergency fund.) I found an extra $200 to put towards school loans for the month above the $250 we're already paying.

I also have enough cash to pay for the summer session of school and am working...

Another $35 Added to My $20 Fund

(genmed) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:08:51 PST

This was unexpected, but we decided to get dinner out yesterday and bring it home. DH had to wait an hour as they kept giving his order away! The manager came out and refunded our money. So a nice dinner (we ate at home) for free and $35 to the $20 challenge.

Another no spend day and why I OAMC

(genmed) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:12:45 PST

OAMC or once a month cooking. I don't do it every month. I actually love to cook, but when I have months where I am running from 7a-9p or later, I know I am going to go home and pickup something not healthy and expensive for me. If DH goes shopping to make something, it costs half...

OAMC Cooking DONE! and $10 more to savings challenge

(genmed) — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:43:29 PST

Well, it's been a long day but I got the following OAMC done today:

5 days of chili
4 days of taco chicken
2 days of orange chicken
2 days of balsamic chicken
4 days of black bean quesidillas
4 days of whole-wheat lasagna/spinach rolls (vegetarian)
4 days of whole-wheat pizzas
2...

Grocery Shopping Done for the Month

(genmed) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:52:59 PST

So far for the month I have spent about $140 for all my grocery shopping, dining out etc. I have $60 more, but I just bought enough stuff to do a OAMC session here. Getting ready to start working on my thesis after classes are done at school in the evening, leaving me no time to cook....

Getting Motivation

(genmed) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:54:10 PST

Are you ever working on a really hard project, say paying off debt or getting through school, worked really hard for a year and just feel like you have no more motivation? I am there. DH is amazing -- working a lot to help us and finish getting me through school with no debt. I'm...

Added to $20 Challenge

(genmed) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:53:34 PST

Over the last week, I've walked 20 miles -- adding $20 to my $20 challenge.

Another week to go!

No Spend Day and a few New Financial Strategies being Put to the Test in April

(genmed) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:38:25 PST

Well, nothing exciting here except today is another no spend day -- making two in a row. I kinda like the idea of keeping spending to one day a week and only paying bills on that day. Right now I pay bills and deal with all the mail as it comes in.

This is spring break -- hoping...

Summer Tuition and Expensive Trip Saved For

(genmed) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:47:27 PST

We managed to save enough to pay for summer tuition in cash this coming year!

DH decided I should take the tax refund (yes, I know this is a free loan to the government..) and use it to pay for an international rotation next year for school. Something I've always wanted to do, but...

Saved $20 per month on a necessity and getting creative

(genmed) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:40:00 PST

As much as I hate to admit it -- I need the internet.
(1)I research purchases here saving money
(2) I need it to download articles for school/assignments
(3) I need it to read free books from the library
(4) I need it to keep in touch with some family and friends
(5) I need it...

A New Month - New Goals

(genmed) — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 00:39:17 PST

My goals for March:
(1) Total grocery/toiletries/pet food spending under $200.
(2) Walking 3 miles - 6 days a week. Will add $18 to savings/week
(3) At least 50% No Spend Days
(4) Implement a new way to save money every week.

Two days in and:
(1) Groceries Spent $14.27; $185.73...

Falling behind again.

(genmed) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:55:06 PST

Well the last two weeks have been tough with school and I haven't even hit our major midterm tests (3 more weeks). I've fallen behind in trying to make contributions to our Roth accounts. I've fallen behind in the housework. Even worse I am struggling with getting all this information...

Tax Refund, $20 Savings Challenge and Another Student Loan

(genmed) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:33:14 PST

Got my federal refund and paid off my second smallest student loan! Another small, but important milestone. Guess I get to update my totals. February is looking like a great debt month -- maybe I should enjoy tax time more often.

Updates on $20 savings challenge:
$2 for Walking...

Lots More Money for $20 Challenge and 1st Student Loan Paid Off

(genmed) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 13:49:15 PST

Well, the $20 Challenge has really worked well to motivate me towards saving a lot more money. I planned on using rebates that I got from Riteaid, Walgreens and so forth towards the grocery bill. However, since my grocery bill is below $250.. and probably down to $225 this month even...

Unexpected bonus of saving money! and a January update

(genmed) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:13:22 PST

Well, Definately have the grocery/dining out bill below $200 monthly now with no problems and stocking up. Rebates/coupons have been great. I don't want to go any lower, although we probably could. I feel if I can save more money, I will probably use it to buy fish or fresh (vs frozen)...

Walgreens and Rebates

(genmed) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:05:03 PST

I've never tried rebates before, but I couldn't pass up trying Walgreens this month.

I got two boxes of o.b. tampons for $10
Excedrin for $3
And Bought $10 (5boxes of cereal) -$3 in coupons.

For $20 total. Walgreens will give me a $18 rebate +10% =$19.80 as a gift card.

So...