Cecilia's Personal Finance Blog

Job interview did not go as well as I hoped. I was a bit overwhelmed when I walked into the interview conference room with 8 teachers sitting at the table... I have never been quite so nervous. Werid. I am sure I will not be getting any offers anytime soon. Guess that is the answer to my question. I will stay where I am at and pay off some bills. . Just never imagine my life would be sitting behind a computer screen all day without interaction with others, accept for an occasional mad physician.

I happen to have a job interview with the middle school in my town tommorrow, now the pay is less than I currently make, and the hours of course would be school hours. I will have my little one in Kindergarden next year, and would love to be on the same schedule as her. If offered this position, and took it I would be taking a 5.00 hr cut in wage am I crazy to even be thinking about this?

I have been reading Dave Ramsey’s The total money makeover, just finished the chapter on budgeting and baby steps. Goal for the next couple of days is to make a budget and start my emergency fund. Got paid today from the Dentist office 77.70 & will 50.00 will go into the EF, it’s a start! 25.00 For DD1 dental bill and 2.70 into the vacation jar. DD2 birthday is in a couple weeks; she will be 5 and wants a party. Haven’t ever had one for her before, except family. With Christmas being last week and all, I think her gift will be her party, she will not know the difference and I can get away with it now, while she is young.

As I woke up this morning I wondered how I can succeed at saving and paying off these bills, and have a successful debt free life. I figure this is just like anything else in life, commitment! Now I have never felt successful in anything I have ever done. My story seems to be when the tough times come... I bail. Doing just enough to get by (now this may be too much information). It is easy to say this is in a new year and yadda yadda, am I going to change my old habits and watch my spending and sacrifice for the better of my family But more important I have to feel this in my soul, of course today I do, Determination, please stick around.

Tonight we will go out shopping for our Christmas Tree, now I am not much into shopping for a tree, I rather be hiking for that “ just perfect” tree. However, my DH is determined not to go out in the hills, for hours searching. I noticed several tree lots on the way to work the other day, takes me back to memories of Charlie Brown Christmas program when I see drooping Christmas lights, strung across the tops of the trees, I can almost smell hot cocoa. I rather give my dollars to the man that is withstanding the wintry weather, than to a corporate store.
Christmas lighting festival is held each year at a little Bavarian town Leavenworth, not far from my home, this little town has come along way in the past 50 years, both my inlaws and my dad lived in this little place known as the Alps of the Northwest. It truly is one on my favorite places to be, except for all of the tourists, buses and buses of these people will brave the icy passes tomorrow morning to see the spectacular lights of the town be turned on at precisely 4:00. Now if you are lucky enough to find a parking spot and brave the crowds, it truly is a brilliant event, fire pits set up in the streets keep visitors cozy along with street vendors selling warm beverages.
I sound like the chamber of commerce. Anyway, I will be there, watching the illumination of the snow filled treetops and rooftops. Happy December 1.

I was reading Thrifty Ray’s blog this morning; she is a wonderful daughter to her parents! I praise her for the time and love she gives them. As we each have to face the fact that our parents will not always be around. What I miss the most about my parents:

They believed in me
Dads music
Hugs
Christmas dinner & grasshopper drinks
Warm houses
Reminiscing of my childhood
Flowers and lots of yard work
Daddy music
Chore lists
Smiles and hugs for the grandkids
Supportiveness
Deer in my dads’ yard
Friends of my parents
Prayers and church
Giggles
Bad bad jokes
Yahtzee
Phone calls
Unconditional love

Did a bit of Christmas shopping today, I found a store that was having a 1 day only 50% off sale, and off course I found a few items that fit into my budget. Didn't go grocery shopping and the elderly neighbors didn't need anything so I decided to live with what was in the house, and have leftovers. Normally DD2 and I go out for lunch on Wednesdays,we decided to come home,slip a movie in and eat at home, Of course these 12hr work days are catching up with me and I fell asleep. It contiunes to be very cold, tonight it is 14 degree's. BRRRR. I am sure next week we will be having a heat wave, wishing for that White Christmas.

Woke up this morning to 12 degrees, geez, It is almost to cold to go outside to get wood to build a fire. Another Wednesday... I am going to stop by the neighbors house and see if they need anything for the grocery store, they are in there eighties and need every bit of help during this cold snap, and going to the store would be the least I could do.
Yesterday the family mutt was spayed... 230.00 later, I did not charge the cost! I had worked a little over last pay check, and was able to transfer from my EF to cover the rest, even though my frist instinct was to charge it. This was my first empowering moment. With the extra thought that we will not be having any mutt puppies.
My D2D said yesterday we needed to go get a Christmas tree, because without a Tree, we can't have Christmas spirit. goodness, she is 4. So this Friday night we'll have to go in search of our tree. We used to cut one in the forest several years ago, although finding the perfect tree became a bit harder every year, then we went to a Christmas tree farm , which was at least a 2 hr. drive. Last year was the frist time we bought a tree at the local supermarket... pick up milk, eggs and the Christmas tree all at the same time. somehow I don't get the same warm fuzzy feelings when I recall that memory as I do the drives into the mountains.
As far as spending today, I am going to pick up a couple items at the grocey, I have 30 left on my grocery card for the month, ( DH gives me a gift card every month with the alloted grocery $ on it) it works for me. Gymnastics payment due 44. which I have put away. and send off Medical Bill 65.oo. Payment expected from Dr. Dentist on Friday, should be around 95.oo which I can use for my CC1 bill.
Off to build a fire.

It is several days before Thanksgiving, and I find myself, dreaming of being at home, cooking and preparing a feast for my family... maybe next year& without a boatload of debt. With my extra job and my new commitment to debt control, I think this is a doable goal, at least to reduce my hours to parttime when the little one is in school.

• I am adopted, met birthmother & my half brother there is a definite reason why she gave me up for adoption, I am thankful.
• My mom, dad and stepmother died within 6months of each other while I was pregnant @ 41.
• I always wanted to be a elementary teacher just afraid to go back to school
• I used to teach aqua aerobics…good way to stay in shape.
• In first grade, the nun taped my mouth shout for talking during rest time.
• I played Catcher on a girls state champion softball team.
• I love to bake sugar cookies and decorate any time of year
• I once picked apples in high school and it took me all day to pick 1 bin. & $7.00 pay
• I won my husband at golf once and I have never let him forget it.
• My tattoo on my foot is of three ladybugs for each of my children.
• I love to garden
• I once won a coloring contest at 10 years old, although I did not color the picture, my sister did and she had won the same contest the year before.
• I was an abused woman, now I am a survivor.
• The best place to be is in Seattle on a warm summer evening.
• My favorite base ball players are Johnny Bench and Jay Buhner
• I have been to 3 Jimmy Buffet concerts
• There are 20 years difference between my oldest son and my youngest daughter
• I am very very shy
• I dated an astronaut ( where is he now, I ‘ll never know)
• I love to dance.

My oldest daughter spent the night last night and took her little sister to daycare this morning, since she has today off. She will come and bring lunch with me today and bring my paycheck from Dr. Dentist office. Bills: I need to send out today are Medical payment 50.00 balance should be around 55.00. My oldest son just emailed me and said he needs insulin, he has been a diabetic since he was 1year old. He is in College now and has taken very good care of his health, I am very proud of him. His insurance copay is 25.00 for each vial and he needs two, since I work at a hospital I can purchase his insulin at cost +10% ( around 11.00 a vial)Currently, that is my contribution to keeping him healthy. so there is another 22.00. I will payroll deduct this, and try not to miss it to much on the paycheck.

I have been picking up gift cards at various stores each week, for 10.00 each, I figure by Christmas I should have a several hundred dollars for gift giving and purchasing. I started this idea several months ago, I am really excited about this, since I have them purchased in advance and can buy gifts with these without feeling it in my somewhat of a budget. Next year this should even be better if I purchase them throughout the entire year. Yeah!

Wednesdays are my day off to spend with my daughter. Normally I try to get up early 5 or so to clean, catch up on laundry, so the day isn't spent with her watching tv, and me cleaning. Today is gymnastics, it is a bit costly, but I have picked up a job one evening a week at a dentist office@ 21.00hr to pay for the cost, 44.oo a month. so I can justify her having this. Actually tommorrow is pay day there, I worked almost 4hrs this pay period. 84.00 tommorrow. She is in a wedding next month and the dress she is wearing was bought for her by the bride parents, I offered to pay for the dress, and they declined payment, I feel like I should at least pay half... 30.oo. This is the 2nd wedding she is in for this particular family this within 6 months.

This weekend is my MIL birthday, I haven't figured out a gift for her. I may finish a crossstich I have been working on for over a year, if I get totally motivated.

Emailed the local HS today and ordered flower arrangements for Thanksgiving, for the daycare provider, and inlaws. cost should be around 20.oo for both since HS kids are creating these. Good bargin. off to gymnastics

Okay, today after several weeks of reading other blogs, I have taken the step to start my own. I am amazed how much goes out on my morning Mocha's, until recently I was spending at least 5.00 a day on, more of a habit than a treat Obviously, this has to stop!