mjrube94's Blog

Challenge Update

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:27:19 PST

I received 2 of the payments from Powells. Unfortunately it was $6.25 less than I thought (didn't meet the conditions, my bad), but it did total $22.75, which will be added to my challenge along with the $.03 I found on the street .

I also went to the post office and mailed the...

$1000 error - crazy credit card story

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:05:30 PST

I made a HUGE mistake paying one of my credit cards last month. The balance was about $3000 (we charge everything and pay off each month). I tried to make an on-line payment, but I have a new computer from work, and they won't let me install the ActiveX thing (I'm no techie), so...

Busy Weekend

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:34:42 PST

Wow, did I have a busy weekend! Friday night we had an impromptu get-together at a friend's house. I sprung for the pizza (~$25) and had a great time. Saturday we had a friend's son's confirmation, then a soccer game on Sunday. I was beat, but had a great time.

I now have to...

2 Days worth of stuff

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:42 PST

Wednesday:

Felt well enough to run a bunch of errands including:
1) Went to library to pay for lost cd ($20-grrr). I've searched high and low, but if I'll try again because if I find it within 30 days I'll get $15 back.

2) Went to Staples and bought some stuff for hubby using...

Challenge Update

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:42:24 PST

Feeling a little perkier today. Still tired, but was able to get up and around. Went to dad's house for a few hours to go through his mail, pay the bills, etc.

On the way home I stopped by the library to return the video we borrowed. While I was there, I inventoried the used...

Down and Out

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:17:32 PST

I caught DD's bronchitis this weekend and have been knocked out. Sunday and today I barely had energy to get out of bed. Thank goodness for the great deal on the box of tea last week, because I've been drinking about 5 cups/day!

We rented a dvd from a local library on Saturday....

Finally!

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:35:54 PST

I FINALLY got out of the house today and got something accomplished!

I went back to the library to pick up the rest of those books from the book sale. The bad news is that of the 18 I was looking for, I could only find 13, and in the week and a half that passed since I initially...

Lost week / Good read

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:13:21 PST

Not a lost week financially, but health wise. I had both kids home Monday with what I thought was strep. Turns out only DS had strep. Doctor said DD's strep test came back negative, and it's just a cough. So DD went to school yesterday, and was home today after being up from 1-5am...

Successful Day

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:36:16 PST

Today was successful because I had both kids home sick and still managed to be productive!

Took DD to the doctor and he said her strep test came back negative - it's just a cold. They told DS the same thing before the overnight strep test came back positive, so we're waiting to...

Now it's strep

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:16:49 PST

DS's doctor called this morning. They gave him a quick strep test in the office on Friday and it came back negative. She called today to say the "real strep test" (when they send it out to the lab) came back positive, and she called in an antibiotic (only $5). The good news is that...

Down for the Count

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:20:53 PST

Well, almost. DS came down with a terrible cough Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Anytime he gets sick this happens - a barking cough like a seal. We give him the nebulizer, but other than that, there's not much to do but wait for it to pass. No fever, no aches (thank goodness),...

Back to the Well

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:43:55 PST

On Monday, I blogged about hitting a local library's used book sale. I found 7 books that I could sell for $16.61 (-$3 to buy them) and I was quite pleased with myself.

Last night, while surfing the forums, I came across a post about selling used books to Powells Books online....

Feels like a Monday

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:22:44 PST

What a crummy day. 50 degrees, damp, rainy. I would have done anything to stay in bed for a few more hours, but I had to get the kids to school and me to work. Blah...

I had a terrific day yesterday. Ran all my errands. I closed out a checking account I had at Citibank and...

Prepping for the week

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:29:58 PST

Well, Monday at least. Hubby is travelling for a few days, so I'm working from home tomorrow. I'm REALLY looking forward to not commuting!

I have a number of things to get done:
1) Go to dad's bank and deposit checks for him.
2) Go to my bank and cash check
3) Close citibank...

Challenge Update

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:24:50 PST

I received the full credit of $13.38 from Cash4books. It was deposited into my Paypal account today. Not bad. Took just over 2 weeks. So that's $13.38 more for the challenge, bringing me up to a whopping $49.39. I may have to scrounge around the house for some change to get it...

Another $11.75 for Challenge

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:28:08 PST

I was pretty productive today. Here goes:

(X) Sign kids up for Basketball and Indoor Soccer ($350 ouch).
(X) Update credit cards / budget spreadsheet.
(X) Contact Caregivers Marketplace re rebate
(X) Contact Staples re Easy Rewards
(X) Mail dad's credit card bill

I emailed...

Health Plans & Dentist

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:25:14 PST

I managed to do everything on my list yesterday, except for 2 small things: 1) I deposited the checks at the bank but didn't schedule the xfer to the emergency fund. 2) I picked up the grocery gift cards, but didn't drop them off to the person who needs them. I'll take care of...

Class Trips, To-Dos and $11

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:08:51 PST

I'm inspired by everyone cranking through their "to-do" lists, so I'm going to try posting my top 5 to-dos on my blog to keep me accountable. So here they are:

1) Complete the paperwork to be reimbursed for my kids' dentist visits.

2) Deposit check at the bank and set up transfer...

Good deals at the store

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:35:04 PST

I went grocery shopping today and scored a few good deals: Pert shampoo on sale for $1.99. I bought 3, and had $3.50 in coupons, so I got 3 for $2.50. I bought a 2-pack of Hot Pockets on sale for $1.99 with a $.75 coupon doubled = $.50. 12-pack of Rayovac AA batteries for $.99...

More books gone

mjrube94@hotmail.com (mjrube) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:38:29 PST

I had 4 more books claimed on paperback swap so I have to get them to the post office.

We're going to a concert tonight. Bought the tickets before I got back on the frugal bandwagon. We're having dinner at home before we go so it should be an inexpensive evening. The weekend...