Pinnypencher00's Personal Finance Blog

This is our pool that we cool off in when it hits the 90's and above.

I'm Baby!



It took a long time to get a really good picture of Thunder(Babygirl)

Seven and Fire are on the top steps, Claw is the one on the 2nd step, while Cloud Warrior and Angus are together on the 3rd step.

Went to local grocery store and spent total of $4.86 on snacks. This brings me down to $76.07 from $80.41. My original balance this month was $90.51.

I am being very firm with the entire family about spending. SO paid all bills, did well getting groceries in bulk so that we didn't run out and I have plenty to cook with until the 15th, spent about $35 for regular dry cat food and litter(he buys both in the 20 lb bags)kitten chow and Whiskas(6 cats, and I wouldn't get rid of any of them)filled up truck(ouch $45 for gas)$78 for truck repairs(ouch again)then turns around and blew rest of his check on more computer parts. He's so pig headed stubborn I gave up a long time ago talking such words such as budget, saving, etc. I guess he will either learn the hard way or he will continue to find himself broke before the month is half over.

It's taken me a long time, and many setbacks, but I am being very firm with myself about spending. Tonight when I was at the grocery store, it was tempting to look at their premade potato salads, sandwiches, etc., but not so tempting that I was willing to spend $3 to $4.

The only expense I did allow for myself was a bottle of Aquifina water. It's coming up on the middle of the month already, and I'm doing well.

Had to go to the store tonight and get grocery supplies to last until the 15th.
I was proud of myself for getting a good supply of ground meat for under $10 which what was left on the Food Stamp card. Had $2.30 left over.

Then I planned for, and stuck to my budget of spending only $10 cash for the rest of the supplies. Actually, I went 10 cents over budget, but considering how I used to not even have a budget, let alone try to stick to one, I feel good about myself tonight.

It took a while, and I had to do another entire registration, but I'm back. See pennypencher50's blog. That's me and the pictures of my adorable kitties.

I have still been posting here under the name of carol, but frankly I missed having my own blog enough that I decided to re register.

So here's my updates: My two boys finished their summer school program(1 month), and received their local Chamberbucks(printed colored cards with different denominations printed on them) that can be used at any of over 400 places of business here in our town.

School was out June 30th, but we waited until the following Monday to go to Wal-mart Super Center. Which was a good idea, because it gave my SO and I plenty of time to decide how to use the boys chamber bucks the most wisely. Plus it helped us to avoid the utter mad rush of everyone else hitting Wal-mart that same day.

It was in the 90's again that day(help, I'm melting), but this is what they came home with.

Youngest son had $75 in chamberbucks to spend and came home with a six pack of new school socks, a new pair of nice school shoes, and 1 nice computer game of his choice.

Older son had perfect attendance and had $100 chamber bucks to spend. He came home with 2 pairs of swimming trunks(for his upcoming swimming lessons), 2 pairs of maroon school gym shorts, 2 six packs of new school socks, 1 nice pair of school athletic shoes, 1 new pillow, 1 nice sleeping bag/comforter, and 1 computer game of his choice.

Two happy boys, two tired, hot parents(mom got into shorts and tee shirt asap and virtually ran to jump into poly stock tank pool).

I have not been doing so well in the savings dept. SO did not do very well with Food Stamps(used up 8 days before next issue)mom had to spend $35 in cash for food to tide us over)grrrrr!

At this point, I am firmly back on track, with $90.50 saved, and will not allow balance to drop below $80. Next month, I have firm plans to add at least $47, more likely $67 to EF. My bottom line balance will be $127, top line balance($147) Wish me well in this endevor please. I seriously want to break the triple digits and keep it there, because if I can do that, I really believe it will get easier to keep the EF growing toward my ultimate goal of $300 by November.