My English Castle's Personal Finance Blog

Just when we found out we need to do about $5000 worth of work in the basement, I get a bad case of the "I wants."

I want
a nice vacation
a new dresser/chest of drawers
a nice bed and mattress
Central A/C

Now of course, I could buy all of that with the money we HAVE to spend on the basement, but I need to get inventive about what I want (none of this is particularly necessary) and what's actually affordable.

But we've been living with a mismatched bedroom, pretty badly mismatched at that, since we've been married and DH's bed joined my furniture with an IKEA dresser on the side. The bed is a European king size, which is unbelievably different than an American or British King size, so our sheets don't fit and the mattress is just plain worn out.

Now if I could get my vacation with airmiles, find an estate sale dresser, and some sort of bargain on A/C, well, maybe I could actually do some of this.

So, my last ebay sales have been lousy, so I scrounged up more unnecessary books to sell, and am trying to think of ways to make up the difference.

Man, I feel like I'm a whiny little brat today!

I'm trying to get a mental handle on how much various budgetary items cost.

Any one know the answers to these?

1. How much does an average electric dryer cost to operate for 1 hour?

2. What's the average food budget for a family of three?

3. Do those new tankless hot water heaters pay off?

4. How long does the average GM car last?

5. What's the best place to buy cheap laser printer paper?


I could probably sit down and figure these all out, but it's a quick inventory of what's spinning in my brain. Anyone know the answers to these?

Today is start-over day.
I just found out that my one-week summer class had inadequate enrollment and so has been canceled. And I had to prepay for childcare for that week so I'm out of pocket on that one. Very discouraging, but will have to find ways to make that week work somehow.

But I am slowly dejunking. Someone came to pick up the booster seat I've freecycled, and am getting rid of DD's doll high chair the same way since my Craigslist stuff rarely sells. Three of the five e-bay items from last week sold, and I've listed some more.

I forecast a poorer but less cluttered summer.

I've cleaned out DD's dresser and some things are going right on to ebay while others are bound for freecycle.

The ebay items I have listed are (mostly) selling, and I sold a book this weekend too.

Except for the staggeringly high airline ticket I bought for DH to go to England in August, it's been a NS day. But man, do I miss $500 plane tickets. We're sending him alone since $1300x3 is just too awful to contemplate.

Record rain all around here so we're grateful we're not buying sump pumps or chain saws to cut up the trees that litter the streets.

On Sunday I made a quick jaunt to an estate sale, but went back Monday to buy some things when they went half price. My daughter was thrilled with the 50cent Disney videos, and I bought virtually untouched Penguin classic books--stuff from Aristotle to George Eliot, all for 25 cents each.

Since I already owned most of these, I listed them on Amazon, and three have already sold. So inspired by that little success, I'm doing more ebay listings today.

We'd like to take a little trip to the Pacific NW this summer, and I'd be thrilled to fund a night or two of it with these small sales.


If only I could sell the rainwater that's been pouring down her all morning!

Since school let out, I've been admittedly lazy and spending too much. We had British guests for 10 days who were here as the British economic stimulus package for the US.
Just as we were complaining about $4 gas, they reminded us petrol is about $10 a gallon in the UK. We had lots of fun though, and spent more than we had for months--mostly on eating out and traveling.

So, it's back to reality time.
I've moved all the gift cards to the front of my wallet, hoping to use them instead of cash for a while.
And our local grocery had a great 10% bonus if you bought a gift card with your stimulus check or direct deposit. Plus they topped it off with a reusable bag, eggs, milk, and bread.

Summer resolutions about to be enacted.
Wish me luck!

I haven't blogged in a long time, but am desperately trying to keep up with the impending onset of the semester's end.

But today, except for (ugh) gas, was a NS day. And I'm making a nice cheapo broccoli quiche tonight.

Soon they'll be more time to blog and more time to find ways to save and make some more cash!

I think I'm pretty good about watching what I spend, and trying to increase what I earn. But I'd like to try some new ideas.
I'm setting aside an hour tomorrow morning to brainstorm and think of things I need to do, including saving and spending ideas, before the summer break hits and I just feel like flopping on the couch and reading all day.

If anybody has great ideas, I'd love to hear them.

I think I'll start today's blog with something to be grateful for: A working sump pump. The neighbor's sump pump pipe broke the other day, and what a mess they have.
It's been raining for days here and besides pricing arks, I'm taking a stab at the towering piles of grading, heading to an estate sale, then [W] Al Green's for their $5 off special.

With both of our cars nearing the 100K mile mark, we've been talking about what we need to save to replace them.

Man alive, our first quarter IRA statements arrived yesterday, and while I knew it would be bad, it was ugly. I have to give myself my usual pep talk about long-term investing to stay upbeat about things.

On the savings front, I've been most diligent about walking the six blocks to save the parking money. And another big pot of soup was created today, which should be a nice antidote to all our rain.

My very delightful husband fixed my windshield wiper last night, saving us about $30. I thought the motor had gone from pushing all sorts of snow and sleet this winter, but the arm was just loose from the spindle or something, and in 10 minutes, he had it working. I'm delighted.

Another inexpensive day, and somehow, I resisted the "Carnival of Cakes" special at the local grocery.

My ebay auctions went very well, and with the 1cent listing fee, it was worth it. Sometimes ebay is such a slog, I also freecycled some old kids' videos, so I feel decluttered (about 1%!) and richer.

It remains sunny but cold here. I've been grumpy about my job, but talking about it with my old mentor today made me realize how much I like it, although it doesn't pay very well. Or maybe it's that there's only 5-6 weeks left in my school year!

I again walked my blocks today and avoided paying for parking, and my buddy paid for lunch! Total expenses were $1.43 for the mandatory morning brew.

My ebay auctions are coming along as is tonight's bean soup. A sunny day indeed!

I was mean and sneaky today and gave my classes a fake quiz for April Fool's Day.
I enjoyed the joke more than they did.

I've been good about not paying for parking and walking the 6 blocks.
And tonight is one of those nights where I'm happy for convenience food. I just plain don't feel like cooking, so it's Trader Joe's orange chicken.
I sold a book and returned some stuff to Kohl's so it's been a cheap day.

Remember the old joke?
Define Eternity: two people and a ham. That's how I feel right now. We've been eating ham non-stop since Sunday. I've made lunches, dinners, breakfasts, and we've still got more of that pig than I thought possible. I see bean soup in my future. That's a scary thing when you look in your crystal ball and see bean soup!

Besides my ebay listings for today, I discovered that good ole Walgreen's (aka Al green's) now offers their Easysaver rebates on line! I'm stupidly excited about saving the postage and having their site remember to "send" it for me.

Maybe that's the effect of 5 days of eating ham!

With the super-cheap ebay listings right now, I've decided to list everything I've been considering before it expires on the 31st.

We had such a good time in Florida, I'd like to start funding that for next year with my ebay earnings. I'll bet I can at least get the hotel or condo funded...

My local grocery is pretty mundane; it has a decent enough produce sections, ok meat, and floral, and bakery. The prices are ok, and the specials good. I stay within budget frequently when I'm there.
But put me in the "upscale" grocery store, and my self-control seems to slip away. The bakery is oooh so tempting, the ready-to eat foods look so appealing, the plants, the wine, the beautiful expensive out-of season produce--I become transported to another lifestyle and spend too much.

Am I alone in this horrible temptation? I've got to stay away from there--even their specials!

Our daughter has spring break this week, which unfortunately never coincides with mine. All this means is that she is with me at the university and that all adds up to additional expenses including parking, lunches out (a treat!), and ibuprofen for me.

I'm hoping for a calmer week next week!

I haven't blogged in a long time, so time to get that and my finances back together.

We're back from a too short trip to Florida and enmeshed in another snowstorm!

I cannot believe this winter.
We had another 11" of snow so far today, and more is on the way.
I guess we're saving gas by not going out of town for Easter, so I'd better venture out for Easter groceries tomorrow.

We did pretty well not spending too much in Florida, especially considering Orlando seems to be a big spendfest--especially at Disney and downtown Disney. At no other place in the world would I even consider spending $4 on a ballpoint pen! But our condo was great and having the kitchen and pool made meals easy and relaxing. We loved every minute of it.

No, not the Revd. Al Green, though I do dig him too, but Walgreen's. Years ago, a friend spotted a Walgreen's sign with the W burned out, and we've taken to calling it Al Green's which somehow makes it more fun.

I had a happy shopping trip at Al Green's today, remembering to use my $6 Register Reward before it expired. I got the Garnier skin care and Colgate toothpaste for less than free after rebate since I had coupons (so exciting!) too and will get the 10% bonus for taking the rebate on a Walgreen's gift card.

Love and Happiness, as the real Revd Al would say!

Hey! I just realized I was at meetings all day and didn't spend a dime!
And they were actually fun meetings!
With food!

I'm about 75 percent into my 25K emergency fund, and am hoping to get there in the next couple months (barring emergencies!

Hello March! Let's hope spring is on the way!

My beautiful treasured cup of coffee bit the dust this morning while I was teaching my 8am class. I should know better than to gesture and clutch caffeine at the same time! $1.43 all over the classroom floor!

But my class enjoyed it!

The Eternal February!
At least that's what it feels like around here.
No big financial news to report except we have a snowblower belt to return, and the lovely customer service folks at Thrift books refunded me in total for a book that arrived with a broken binding.

Off to a party tonight, and as much as I'd like to buy an appetizer, I'm hoping I can think of a cheap yet cheerful one.

I sold a book on Amazon, so I'd like to add that to our castle fund, along with a few survey nickels.

if you and your family are struggling with colds and flu right now.

It seems every blog I read we're all saying the same thing, so let's take a tally.

We're at the tail (I hope) end of it, but I'll count us as #1.

Next?

It's been a rough week and a half since I blogged. DD and I have both had the mis-aligned with the flu vaccine flu. And now DH is getting it too. So though we haven't spent much, we haven't done much to actively manage things either. Food has gone bad, rebates gone unsent, returns not made. But there's no point in beating yourself up when you're sick, so we'll aim for better days soon.

I spent some cash on an easy-to-read clock that has time, day, and date for my absent-minded mom. And I finally dealt with an Amazon seller order that arrived in poor condition. It was cheap, but the binding was broken, and it'll be hard to use the book to teach from in that kind of shape.

And it's sub-zero cold again here.
February stinks, me thinks

Ok, I'm unreasonably happy about this, but since retirement savings is one of my anxiety issues, I'm pleased to announce that I've fully funded (finally!) my 2007 Roth.

I invest plenty in my 403b, but my Roth has never gotten the attention it deserves, poor little thing!

I'm thinking of it as a valentine's gift to myself, and probably better for me and a lot more long lasting than chocolates or flowers. Too bad the mutual fund folks won't throw in a card or some chocolate-covered strawberries.

I thought I'd leave it up to all of you to determine a decent metaphor for this winter.

I have the February grumpies again. The Child is ill, so DH and I have been tag-teaming her care. I had to go teach this morning, but came home early, so he could head off to work. Half my students have this same kind of bronchial crud that the Child has.

But the only thing I spend money on lately is parking. It's too cold to walk 6 blocks and then have to pay for frostbite treatment!

I spent the weekend visiting my mom and brought her lots of treats and supplies.
I flew for free with my NWA airmiles, and abstained from the airport food. The plastic-wrapped sandwiches were nearly $7!
Yikes! Someone should do an article on airport food prices. The captive audience thing has gone too far, especially with the no-liquid rule. I usually bring an empty water bottle with me to refill, and boy was I glad. Bottled water was $2.50.
That delicious combo of water and a day-old sandwich would've set me back $10 with the sales tax, Outrageous!

It may be lovely and all that, but another 13" of snow has made me feel less like a princess and a whole lot more like Grumpy.

Child and I shared a snow day off from school, and I got a few things done.
Plus--nothing was open so it was a NS day.

DH got stuck in the driveway, or rather off the driveway tonight, and even the village snow plow ended up in the ditch. It took two front-end loaders to haul it out.

But the mailman got through: apparently neither snow nor sleet not dark of night could keep him from delivering two lovely survey checks totaling an awesome $15.

But where is spring???

Man, we've had a bad ole winter here in the Midwest. And today was supposed to be the start (make that restart) of my walking to and from the free parking.

I rather diligently parked in the free spot, only to leave in a massive downpour. Luckily I'd stashed an extra umbrella in the office, but I was none too happy to walk 6 blocks in a February rain.

Three weeks left of my double dose of teaching evening classes, and except for the hallowed cup of coffee, it was a NS day.

After a brief foray out into the world yesterday for groceries (it always costs double when I bring DD and DH along), gas, and Office Depot, I came home ready to tackle the taxes.

And done they are--with a nice refund to boot! I know it's more sensible to monkey with our withholding, but that nice check is so lovely. I'm eager to get them mailed off. I have to say, Turbotax is a dream for me to use. It truly is tax software for dummies.


My goals for the week are to get the taxes mailed, the returns done, and walk from the free parking to add to both the calorie expenditure and the parking fund.

It continues hectic as heck-tick here, but spring can't be THAT far away, can it?

I'm still busy rooting around on the shelves and in the freezer for dinners. Except for perishables and a few treats, I'm sure I can make it through another few weeks without buying much.

It was indeed a NS day, although I had to order books for next term's classes. Although the university is SUPPOSED to get me desk copies, they never get around to it until it's too late to use them for class planning, so I got them used on Amazon. I had Christmas credit left over, so didn't spend anything there.

I also spent some time moving funds around, and plopping more into my Roth for 2007. But man, it's ugly when I compare my year-end totals to those a mere month later. I keep telling myself it's the share totals in the mutual funds that count, and that I can buy more shares not that they're cheaper, but ouch. I avert my eyes.