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Home > Archive: October, 2008

Archive for October, 2008

Spending update

October 28th, 2008 at 05:30 pm

Yesterday I paid my sister's propane bill. It was overdue and I was afraid they would take the tank away. Having just done her budget, I knew she did not have the funds for it. So that's $112 out of my gift fund.

I went to Goodwill and spent $33 on clothes -- 4 sweatshirts, 2 bras, and 2 pairs of capris. I also bought 2 books for $1.50, which I put up for sale on half.com, a matted photo for $3 and a monkeypod snack tray for $1. The latter two items I will sell in the booth.

I stopped at the booth to put in my Christmas items, and I didn't see any holes. I always look for holes, which means something sold, and I am disappointed when I don't see any -- even if it's only been a day or two since my last stop! Well, I already know some of our bigger things sold this month, so I am excited to see the month's end reckoning.

I took more clothes into the consignment shop, so I am hoping I get a check from there, too.

I received a benefits confirmation statement from my employer, but they didn't provide any info on the cost of the premium for retirees -- only for employees. I sent an email pointing this out -- no answer yet. I would like to change to a different plan than the one I've had, but I'm not going to do it with no financial information!

Selling and spending

October 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 pm

This morning I sent off two books I sold on half.com. That makes four altogether. They are actually my sister's books, but I am having fun helping her. I am finding half.com a much easier market to break than ebay.

Yesterday I combed a thrift shop and bought four books for $1. One I immediately put up for sale, the others I will read first. The one for sale is priced at $7, so it will be a good return if it sells.

I also found a bud vase and a Chinese spoon that I will put in the booth. Spent $2.50 on those items; they will probably be priced at about $7 or $8.

On the negative side, I blew $7 at McDonald's today. Left the house hungry -- that's always a mistake. But I got some more Monopoly pieces, which I will send to my son.

Yesterday I also got my hair cut ($12), and stocked up on pet supplies ($88). Tomorrow I go to the dentist, and that will be all I can spend this month.

Catching up

October 16th, 2008 at 05:28 pm

I've been gone awhile. I've been distracted by my sister's problems. I've spoken of her before -- she has always been a spendaholic in denial. It has finally caught up with her, and she and her husband started to fall behind on their mortgage. They finally had to open up and face the fact that they cannot live on his salary and her social security. They have to sell their house, but they have to do it before they face foreclosure. It's been a nightmare for me, fearing that they will be out on the street.

Thank goodness they have allowed me to intervene and set them up on a budget and spending plan. Things are still really tight for them, and I have to help them in little ways, but now I have more hope that they will get through this. The problem now is selling the house. They have a lot of cleanup and repair to do before they can get it on the market, and once they do, the market is pretty awful here. It may be a long time.

I have been helping my sister sell her stuff -- they will have to downsize, anyway. She sold her entire set of dishes to replacements.com, and has taken her collection of Oriental art to a specialty store that sells on consignment. She is selling her books on half.com and taking her clothes to a consignment shop. I am proud of her, because she has never been able to let go of stuff before.

Our antique booth finally turned a profit last month. I am hoping that the Christmas season will bring higher sales.

As for me, I have given up on the medical premium fund. I will have to pay it monthly (come January), which really won't be all that much more expensive, just more of a nuisance.

I'm planning a trip to see my kids and brother in November. I'll spend a week in Chicago and a week in Michigan. I've bought a ticket for my sister to fly out for the Michigan part of the trip, so she can see her grandchildren. Then she'll ride back with me. I was glad to do this -- she hasn't seen her grandchildren for almost a year, and there is no way she can pay for travel right now.

So -- life is challenging! Isn't it always?