Weekly Money Check-Up

  


This post is part of My Pretty Pennies Weekly Money Check Up. 






1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Rent- 370 (I got $50 off for a referral to my complex!).

2. Today I feel anxious towards money.  Spent more on Black Friday than I really should have. 

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was spend the weekend having laughs and playing games with my family and my friends.

4. I will consider this week a success if I fix all my torn clothes and finish filing my papers.

5. My favorite holiday song is Silver Bells.

--
If you want to join in fill out the questions and link it back to My Pretty Pennies.  

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on _____.
2. Today I feel _______towards money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was_____________.
4. I will consider this week a success if I _____________.
5. My favorite holiday song is____________.

Friday Goal Check-Up- Sunday Edition

Given that it was both Thanksgiving and my birthday weekend, I think I am excused in waiting til Sunday to post this :)

1.  Finish moving stuff out of my parents' house.  This is not getting done by the end of the month.  I've made progress but not much.

2.  Stay in my $250 grocery budget.  I went waaay over.  But I'm counting last nights purchase in my December budget.  Might be cheating a little, but oh well :)

3. Earn 2 Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks.  I don't think I'll make it to the second one.  I'm only about halfway there and only a few days left in the month.

4.  Stay in my $100 eating out budget.  I went over by $2.  :|

5.  Get up to 91 books.  Only up to 76 books.  Finished Harry Potter 7 and I have 2 more in progress. 
 
6.  260 minutes of Pilates/Exercise. I've made serious progress in this.  I bought Just Dance 2, helped someone move, and did a lot of walking the past two days (which I give myself partial credit for) so I'm up to 270 and have completed my goal!!!

7.  Keep up at least weekly posting on my craft blog.  I posted my black friday plans, and I plan to do a review of the experience tomorrow.

Feeling good about my goals and being 24!

Weekly Money Check-Up

This post is part of My Pretty Pennies Weekly Money Check Up.

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Just Dance 2.  I got a great deal at Kmart and only paid $30 for it!  It's definitely worth it!

2. Today I feel worried towards money.  I have expensive Black Friday plans.  I maybe shouldn't be spending the money that I'm planning on spending, but I get a raise in a month that should pay for my 
purchases with less than one paycheck's raise. 

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was put up Christmas Window Clings from Target (only a dollar!). 

4. I will consider this week a success if I meet my Just Dance 2 Just Sweat goals.  

5. My favorite food at Thanksgiving is probably mashed potatoes and gravy although I also love the rolls. 

--
If you want to join in fill out the questions and link it back to My Pretty Pennies.  


1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on _____.
2. Today I feel _______towards money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was_____________.
4. I will consider this week a success if I _____________.
5. My favorite food at Thanksgiving is____________.

Goal-Checkup

Well crap.  Once again I missed doing this on Friday.  But at least I'm doing it bright and early Saturday!


1.  Finish moving stuff out of my parents' house.  I've taken a load of stuff out of the house and some of it to goodwill.  I have to swing by a pawn shop to see what bass guitars are going for so I can offer to sell mine to family before I put it on Ebay.  I'll be doing the more time conscious thing and bringing it to someone else to list it (as well as a few other things) since I just don't feel like doing it myself. 

2.  Stay in my $250 grocery budget. As previously discussed, I'm over budget.  Only by $5 rather than the $10 that I thought.  I'll spend another $10 tonight on some deals I can't pass up but that's it for this month.  I'll be buying some Kohls giftcards at Jewel tomorrow (for my Black Friday shopping) that will earn me $40 in free groceries so I'll probably be able to come in under budget next month.

3. Earn 2 Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks.  I've only earned one so far, but I'm working on it.  I don't think I'll get a second before the month is out but you never know!

4.  Stay in my $100 eating out budget.  I've used 2/3 of it so far, but the only eating out plans I have from here on out this month should be heavily discounted or free. 

5.  Get up to 91 books.  Almost done with the 7th Harry Potter book, but my goal of 100 books this year might be hard to complete.
 
6.  260 minutes of Pilates/Exercise.  It is looking like I got a total of 90 minutes in this month so far.  Maybe if I count Black Friday shopping I'll meet this goal ;) 

7.  Keep up at least weekly posting on my craft blog.  I posted about my fudge recipe like I promised I would which is 3 posts by week 3 of the month.  I'll need to do another one next week.  Maybe I'll post about my Black Friday plans and adventure. 

Ahh the Dentist

I spent last Friday morning at the Dentist's office.  Woooo.  :|


In my entire life, I have been to the dentist once.  It may have actually been twice, but for one issue.  When I was in 4th grade I chipped my 2 front teeth and had to have caps put on.  That was the only time
I've been to the dentist, until last Friday.  Now that I have steady insurance (I didn't for most of my life) I decided it was time to suck it up and see the dreaded dentist.  I made an appointment on Monday and was able to get in at a dentist a few of my co-workers recommended right away.  Friday morning I took a Xanax so I didn't have a panic attack in the chair and ventured to one of my most dreaded experiences. 

I was right to dread it so much.

While the people at the office were super super nice and the facilities were great, I got not so great news.  I have to have all 4 wisdom teeth pulled.  Four.  Thats a LOT of money and a procedure that totally freaks me out!  Obviously I'm sucking it up and dealing with it.  I don't want to mess up my teeth.  But it was not the news I wanted to hear.

On top of the wisdom teeth, I had to have the bottom half of my mouth deep cleaned which was expensive (as mentioned in the weekly money checkup) and I have to go back this Friday to have the same thing done to the top half of my mouth.  AND they told me I need to have my frenlum cut (the piece of tissue that connects my lip to my gum) AND we haven't even discussed cavities yet (which I'm sure I have at least one or two of).

Sigh.  This is what I get for trying to take care of my health :|


 Photo Credit: Flickr user Mattlemmon

Weekly Money Check-Up

 


This post is part of My Pretty Pennies Weekly Money Check Up.







1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on the dentist.  I spent $95 on a deep cleaning of the bottom half of my mouth.  I have to go back this Friday for the top half, but it should be cheaper since I've now met my deductible.

2. Today I feel nervous towards money.  After going to the dentist I discovered I need all 4 wisdom teeth removed which is a huge expense that I'll have to deal with soon.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was make scarves.  Lots of 'em.  :)

4. I will consider this week a success if I get ahead on my homework assignments.  I have two things due on Sunday and I'd like to get a serious start on the rest of my assignments.  

5. I am afraid of tornadoes.  Terrified of them in fact.  I'm not sure exactly why.  I'm also terrified of getting pregnant.  I've never wanted kids, hospitals freak me out, and I've got too much I want for me right now to let having a kid interrupt it.  

--
If you want to join in fill out the questions and link it back to My Pretty Pennies.  


1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on _____.
2. Today I feel _______towards money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was_____________.
4. I will consider this week a success if I _____________.
5. I am afraid of ____________.

Monday Goal Check-up

I don't know how I missed doing this on Friday, I think I was too distracted with my new scarf craft projects :) oh and the dentist!  That was what I was dealing with on Friday.  You'll hear more about my trip to the dentist in a future post.  

1.  Finish moving stuff out of my parents' house.  No more progress on this front.  Tonight's plans include going to my parent's house to do laundry and work on cleaning out my room at the same time. 

2.  Stay in my $250 grocery budget.  I'm over budget.  Again.  I've already gone about $10 over.  But I think that we can survive on what's in the house (and leftovers from Thanksgiving) for the rest of the month.  Hopefully. 

3. Earn 2 Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks.  I should have one earned by today to meet this goal.  But I won't.  I need 100 more points.  I may still be able to get 2 this month though.  We shall see. 

4.  Stay in my $100 eating out budget. I've used half of it.  But hopefully things should slow down from here.  Its my birthday month so I should be getting freebies from restaurants and treated by Wesley and my parents. 

5.  Get up to 91 books.  Still in the middle of the same book.  Sometimes I forget how long Harry Potter is.  :)
 
6.  260 minutes of Pilates/Exercise.  I've lost track.  No where near where I should be.  I keep finding excuses.  I need to make this a priority.

7.  Keep up at least weekly posting on my craft blog.  I've blogged twice this month, but I'm due for a new post.  I've been practicing a simple fudge recipe for Christmas presents and I think I'll post about that. 

Weekly Money Check-Up

This post is part of My Pretty Pennies Weekly Money Check Up.






1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on TV trays- $40.

2. Today I feel okay towards money.  Nothing out of the ordinary either way.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was made a no-knit scarf courtesy of Martha's instructions.

4. I will consider this week a success if I get in 60 minutes of exercise.

5. My go-to recipe is Alton Brown's Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie.  I swear that this is the best chocolate chip cookie you can make!

--
If you want to join in fill out the questions and link it back to My Pretty Pennies.  


1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on _____.
2. Today I feel _______towards money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was_____________.
4. I will consider this week a success if I _____________.
5. My go-to recipe is ____________.

My Battle With Anxiety

I've known for a while I have more problems with anxiety than is normal.  I spend an unordinate amount of timing stressing about things like school, money, and the safety of my family.  I'll leave the house for work in the morning and 5 minutes down the road worry that I left the stove on and the house is going to burn down and the fire department won't be able to save my dog.  When it gets to that point I almost always wind up turning around and driving home to check.  No matter how much I tell myself I'm being ridiculous, it just doesn't seem to make a difference. 

In with this anxiety is a fear of medication.  I rarely take medication or see a doctor when there is something wrong with me.  I'll just tough it out.  I've gotten to the point in recent years where I'm willing to deal with a few select medications, but most still terrify me.  It was a big step for me to go to a psychaitrist back in August and ask to be put on something to resolve my anxiety problems.  I had been thinking about medication for at least 8 months before that and had made another attempt at therapy in April, which only resulted in higher levels of anxiety. 

Talking to the psychaitrist resulted in a preliminary diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.  But she also wanted me to get bloodwork done to make sure that it wasn't my thyroid causing my anxiety problems.  After many months of doctor visits and blood work (insurance switching, doctor switching, etc, etc) I finally have a prescription for Celexa and I couldn't be happier.  It has literally changed my life.  I feel normal, happy, and I don't spend 90% of my day worrying about anything and everything. 

Granted I'm no doctor, but if you are out there and having problems with anxiety talk to your doctor, therapist, or psychaitrist and find out what the right solution is for you.  It's worth it!  Don't keep suffering!

Saturday Goal Check-Up

1.  Finish moving stuff out of my parents' house.  I brought cake decorating supplies to the apartment, but thats it so far.  I may spend some time tomorrow moving stuff.  We'll see.
2.  Stay in my $250 grocery budget.  I've used about half my budget so far.  I also think we're mostly stocked up on stuff.  However I know I'll have to buy baking stuff this month since Christmas and Thanksgiving are coming up.  I think I can stay in budget though.

3. Earn 2 Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks.   I'm about halfway to my first one, but I haven't been swagging as much as I should be.

4.  Stay in my $100 eating out budget.  I've used a third of it so far, but I only have to go down to school one more time this month which is usually when I succumb to the draw of eating out. 
5.  Get up to 91 books.  Haven't added to it yet, but I finished a short story and I'm in the middle of one book. 
6.  260 minutes of Pilates/Exercise.  I've done 30 minutes so far.  I should be at 60, but I'm also hoping to have a long round of Just Dance either tonight or tomorrow

7.  Keep up at least weekly posting on my craft blog.  Well, I haven't posted this week, but I should do it next week.  Maybe twice if I'm lucky. 

Weekly Money Check-up

This post is part of My Pretty Pennies Weekly Money Check Up.






1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on a trip to Target.  I spent $66 on mostly groceries and a much needed new pair of lounge pants.  They have these awesome soft flannel PJ pants for $10 right now.  So worth it that I think I'm going back to stock up!

2. Today I feel positive towards money.  Just a general up day.  I feel positive towards most things.  Maybe my anti anxiety/anti depressants are finally kicking in.  :)

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was I baked for a charity bake sale and made a ton of money to help the animals.

4. I will consider this week a success if I bake another batch of cookies for work and get back into my Pilates.

5. If I could grow one thing, it would be a lilac bush.  I love love love the smell of lilacs and I think its one of the non-people things I'll miss most about living with my parents. 

--
If you want to join in fill out the questions and link it back to My Pretty Pennies. 

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on _____.
2. Today I feel _______towards money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was_____________.
4. I will consider this week a success if I _____________.
5. If I could grow one thing, it would be ____________.