This morning I was going through all the stuff I have crammed in my DayTimer and found two AAA cards with different numbers. I called customer service, and sure enough, I've been carrying two memberships, one in NC and one in Chicago. The fee has been charged automatically to my Discover card, and I guess I just didn't notice it was happening twice a year instead of once. So I cancelled the NC membership and a refund is promised. Yippee!

Tomorrow I'm going to a half-day presentation for a new building campaign at work (voluntarily). I won't get paid, but I will get free food. My only role is to be a an extra body in the room, so it looks like lots of people are interested. This is a pretty frequent role in fundraising, and an easy one! We call it "rent-a-body."

My emergency fund is down again. I had to withdraw $300 to pay all the extra expenses I put on Discover last month. I am hoping to build it up again quickly. I am cutting everything to the bone until I do.

It got pretty cold last night, but I still haven't turned on the heat. And it's supposed to warm up again this weekend, so it'll stay off a few more days at least.

Nothing much going on financially. I have been hunkering down, trying to spend little after the excesses of last month. Last night I was extremely vigilant about not using electricity. Found that there is so much light leaking in my windows from the parking lot that I can get around quite well without lights!

During all the wedding hoopla, I got a letter from TIAA-CREF saying that they would start charging a fee if I didn't increase my balance in my money market account. Now I can't find the letter, and I can't remember what the balance is supposed to be. I emailed them yesterday morning, but got no response yet. It isn't anywhere on their website. I guess I'll try to call today and talk to a real person, but that is always so hard in this day of automated voice mail.

I think I don't have enough to raise the balance, which makes me question whether I want to keep the money market account. I don't care to PAY for a savings account. The kicker is that I have an automated deposit to that account, which I would have to stop, and I know from experience it is very hard to make changes stick with TIAA-CREF. Sometimes I think I'd like to just stick my money under the mattress.

My son's wedding was lovely. Picture perfect, but even that doesn't describe it because it was emotional and meaningful as well. There is not one thing I would change about that wonderful day.

However, the week surrounding it -- nightmare! Mostly brought on by my sister, whom I have discussed before on this blog. She wasn't going to come, for financial reasons (even after I gave her money to come -- which disappeared). I should have left it there, but my son wanted his aunt at his wedding. So she came, but her car broke down on the way. To make a long story short, she was broke and had to be rescued, and we all chipped in in various ways to do it. I wish I could say she has learned her lesson, but I don't believe she ever will.

Still, the wedding was so great, my pleasure could not be dimmed!

I just logged in to update my sidebar, so I thought I'd leave a note, too.

I keep track of my net worth, and right now I am projecting that it will have risen $10,000 this year by December. I am really happy about that, but I would like to do better. I wonder if I could raise it $20,000 next year? I am not yet back at the same NW I had before I retired in 2007, but I am getting close.

The wedding is now only five days away. I am ready except for getting a manicure. My sister will arrive tomorrow night and my BFF on Saturday. Many family members will be coming on Saturday and Sunday morning, but they will be staying at a hotel near the church, which is about 45-50 minutes away. I think I might get a room there, too. I really want to have time to see the whole gang. It's a once-in-lifetime thing, and I've already blown so much money, what's the difference now, eh?

Saturday was a day of disasters. I went to the doctor to have a spot on my back checked. She is referring me to a dermatologist to have my whole body checked and she was pretty sure they would want to remove the mole, or whatever it is, "promptly." Well, I'm not going to do that till after the wedding.

Then I had a fender bender in the parking lot. It was an ugly confrontation -- we backed into each other, but the other guy demanded cash from me on the spot. Finally, he changed his mind and left, but it left me shaky. And now I have to replace my spare tire cover, which won't be cheap. (But I'm not going through insurance -- I had an accident last year, and I don't want to push me rates up).

I went to lunch with my kids and ordered what I thought was a "sample" of hot wings. It was a sample of 24! (Four different sauces, 6 wings each). I ate 4 and gave the rest to my kids to take home.

I went to buy a calligraphy pen to use on the place cards for the wedding reception, and had to buy a set with four pens to get what I wanted.

Bleaah, bleaah, and bleeaah. Yucky day. I've already spent too much, and these expenditures were ridiculous. It was raining to beat the band, too.

I spent all day Sunday at home and it was calm and relaxing. I watched two movies, "Up in the Air" and "500 Days of Summer," -- both great in different ways.

September was a huge spending month for me. I SHOULD stay within $1000 for non-fixed expenses to stay on budget, but this month I spent $2400.

There are reasons, of course. I spent more than $1000 on wedding-related expenses -- the clothes, the shower, the travel expense, etc.

I also spent more than $600 on a computer, which I didn't count on.

So other than those two areas, I was well below budget. And I guess that's what the EF is for. Unusual expenses.

I'll be glad when things settle down and I can start saving again.

The London/Paris trip is still hanging. I went to the organizational meeting, and it did look like a lot of fun. But I don't want to go unless my friend does, not only because it would be more fun, but because it would be cheaper. I sent her all the details but she hasn't responded. I'm feeling like for both of us the timing isn't right. Me, because I'm feeling poor, and she, because of health issues in her family.

But you guys have certainly encouraged me that I can do it on my own in the future, perhaps when I have more money socked away and am feeling more in charge of my future.

I rarely post more than once in a day, but I have more news.

I just got the financial info for the London/Paris trip. Here's the deal --

The total cost is $3,299 for a singleton, and $2,699 for each if you travel as a pair.

8 days, 10 meals (6 breakfasts and 4 dinners), round trip airfare, hotel transfers (what does that mean?)

The price includes a tour of Trafalgar Square, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Westminster and a performance of "Blood Brothers" at a theatre in London. A tour of Windsor Castle is $80 extra.

In Paris, it includes a tour of Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs-Elysees, Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome. Also, dinner at Paradis Latin with a cabaret show and a Seine River cruise. For $185 more you can tour Versailles Palace and The Louvre Museum.

The hotels are the Crown Plaza London and Concorde Lafayette, Paris. It doesn't clearly state that the price of the hotels is included, so I will have to check on that.

In each city, you have one day on your own.

What do you think?

Will the saga of the dress never end?

I hope it finally has.

I woke up on Monday morning with a clear head and realized that I didn't have enough time to shrink myself into Analise's dress. Even with my iron maiden underwear, I couldn't cut it.

And another look at the MOB's dress convinced me I couldn't wear the other.

So I went looking again.

I found a long, midnight blue gown that seemed like it might do. I put it on hold. Meanwhile, I bought a pair of black kitten heels to go with it.

When I went back to pick up the dress and have it fitted, I realized that it was really no more comfortable than Analise's dress, so it was ridiculous to buy it.

Starting over again, I found a silvery gray ruffled jacket and a black chiffon tiered skirt (knee length). Ironically, I had tried on this very same outfit in the beginning, but rejected it as too dressy. It fits and feels good, so I bought it. Luckily the kitten heels will look fine with it.

Next day, I'm surfing on the web, and I find the very same skirt, only full length. With a full length skirt I will match all the other key players, so I call Macy's to see if they have it in stock. No, but I can order it from the warehouse if I come in. I ran in during my lunch break, and low and behold, it actually IS there. I bought it.

So now I have two skirts, but I think I will keep the shorter skirt. Since I work in fundraising, I often have to work at events, and I can use a knee-length dressy skirt.

In between all this, I also bought and then returned the iron maiden underwear (they call them body shapers).

Now the only thing I could possibly need is a camisole, in case the jacket gaps.

The financial damage: $310 for the top and two skirts, $43 for the shoes.

Looking good at my son's wedding: priceless!

I'm dogsitting -- and housesitting -- this weekend. You should see the house! Just imagine a big brick stately home in a genteel neighborhood, big open rooms, wood floors throughout, a pool in back and every room furnished with all the best stuff. This is what I was supposed to be born into! I will enjoy it. Oh, the dogs are nice, too.

I am not going to be paid, but have been told to help myself to any food I want. I was glad to see that the house is well stocked with veggies and low-calorie things, because....

I must lose some weight to fit into Analise's dress! It came in the mail today, and it is just lovely. I want to wear it, but it's tight! Can I lose enough weight in just two weeks? Maybe. I'm going to try, and if I can't wear it, I will wear the dress I already bought.

By the way, isn't our Analise wonderful? I hope I don't embarrass her, but she is giving me this dress and even paid for the shipping. That's really above and beyond nice, and I am very, very grateful and quite blown away. I really, really hope I can wear it to the wedding.

In other news, tomorrow is my grandson's first birthday. He doesn't need a thing in the world, but I found some soft Caterpillar bulldozers -- a set of three -- that also talk. Deeply discounted. We have been invited to bring food for the food bank if we'd rather not bring a gift, so I will do that, too. I will have to leave the dogs for a few hours to go to the party, but I have been told it's fine to leave them as long as I feed and walk them on schedule.

My new laptop computer arrived today, too, but I won't have a chance to set it up until I'm home again. It's very small! I didn't quite expect it to be THAT small, but I think I am pleased about it. Just as long as it's comfortable to use. I will certainly like it for travelling.

I have decided that takin Align is going to be a regular thing for me, so I looked into how to get it cheaper. So I'm having it delivered by Amazon -- shipping is free, and the cost is $10 less per month. I'm pleased.

Last night I bought a birthday card for my grandson and a bottle of wine for me on the way home from work, and when I logged them into my spending log, I realized that I had not spent anything since 9/18. And really was not tempted. Ordinarily I would grocery shop on Saturday, but since I'm not home, even that will be postponed. (And since I am crash-dieting, it will be a different kind of shopping). Hopefully, I'm going to save some money.

This is getting long, but I have something else to talk about. I've been thinking about my future, after I retire. My number one priority is to move to the North Shore, but living there will be expensive. It may force me to live a very different kind of lifestyle. It occurred to me that I could try out a leaner lifestyle now -- I could rehearse what it's like to live without a car, without TV, without internet access. (I know it sounds kind of grim, but I would be in an urban area with lots of amenities close by, and my kids and my nephew, and even my ex to give me a ride once in a while.) So I think I will try it -- probably not till after the wedding when things settle down more. I won't cancel any services now, just see how I do not using them -- and I'll use the car for work and to visit my kids but otherwise pretend I don't have one. It will be an interesting experiment. But not yet. I'll keep you posted.

I got some pictures in my email this morning showing the dresses the mother of the bride and the stepmother of the groom will be wearing. They are both full-length, very dressy, very formal. And I was told it was definitely NOT formal. In the reasonable part of my mind, I am pretty sure that they didn't really mean to snooker me, but I feel snookered just the same.

At the same time, I personally do not want to be that gussied up, and I like my plain Jane dress better.

I REALLY don't want to pay for another dress! Or look for one!

But I don't want to feel dowdy at the wedding either, or have my son thinking I don't compare to his mother-in-law ... or stepmother.

GRRRRR!!!!!!

I'm also bummed because I recently had to raid my savings to send my sister money to travel for the wedding. I had already promised to do this, as part of my wedding contribution, but it is so costly. Airfares were more than $350, so we decided to go with car rental, which should be covered by $300. (She'll pay for the gas.)

If I hadn't bought a computer this month, I could have covered the car rental without tapping into savings, but c'est la vie. You can't plan these things.

Suddenly I'm not feeling like it's so important to go to Europe.

Today is payday. On an ordinary payday, I would take whatever is left in checking and transfer it to savings. Today, however, I am not doing that. My Discover bill is unusually large, due to all the pre-wedding expenses, so instead, my goal is to pay all my bills this month without raiding my savings account.

Next month will be much the same, because I just bought a computer. I had to admit my laptop was dying, and I decided to replace it before I lost all my data, like last time. I bought an HP Pavilion online. It was $631 after a $100 instant rebate. Also, I bought it through the MyPoints link, so I ought to get a lot of points soon to turn into gift cards.

So I am really trying not to spend on anything not necessary. That concept was challenged this morning when I looked in the freezer and saw that there were no Lean Cuisines left. I had to quickly pack a sandwich. Tonight I will take stock of the food in my pantry. I'm going to pull a Mike Royko. He was a Chicago columnist who once wrote an article about how he used up ALL the food he had before he went to the grocery store. Not for financial reasons, but because he was batching it, and didn't want to shop. So he had some unusual meals, like popcorn and pickles. Okay, I won't be that bad, but I will try to use things up before I buy.

Two temptations are drifting in my vision -- one, my BFF invited me to come visit her this weekend (about a three-hour drive) and two, the alumni office is offering a tour this March -- 3 days in London, 3 days in Paris. I've never been to Europe, and that is exactly what I would like to do if I ever go. Well, I will pass up the visit to my girlfriend this month -- but should I pass on the trip? I can't afford it, in light of having to save for a place to live after I retire -- but can I afford never to take my dream trip? That's what I have to decide. I will go to the organizational meeting just to find out what the cost will be. That might put on head on straight.

That is, the shower for my DIL-to-be. It was already stressing me out, and then a disagreement between my two DIL's caused a rift that ended with my other DIL not attending. Some others didn't attend as well -- one because of the rift, and some for other reasons. It was a small group, but it did seem that everyone there had fun.

I spent $114 on it this week, and that didn't count what I spent on the gift, or some of the shopping I did ahead of time last month.

When it came time for the gift opening, my gift was the least expensive -- or certainly the least flamboyant, and I felt bad, even though I had already given in the form of food, etc. I suppose people understood that, but I still felt a little embarrassed. It wasn't a bad gift, either -- a place setting that sold for $60. I guess I'm really getting old. In my day, a nice shower gift was a hand mixer or a set of Tupperware. It just seems that people are crazy spenders these days, all trying to top the other. I can't afford to play that game.

I was so exhausted afterward that I couldn't join the group for the evening bachelorette party, which probably made me seem like even more of an old grump, but I was so drained from the preparations and from all of the emotion beforehand, I just had to bow out.

All evening my injured leg ached so much that it spread to my whole body, and I finally went to sleep after taking a pain pill. (I still have a few saved up).

So, yeah, kind of a downer for me, but I do hope the bride-to-be had a good time. If so, mission accomplished.

Here is a link to paste in for a picture:

http://www.jny.com/Paisley-Flare-Dress/25330800,default,pd.html?cgid=25126439&itemNum=17&variantSizeClass=&variantColor=JJZ01XX

(I will not wear the belt.)

Also got a short, chocolate brown jacket with a bit of a sheen and a pair of gold Anne Klein pumps with kitten heels.

You can't tell from the picture, but the dress is very silky in texture, very drapy and flowing.

It is not a traditional MOG dress, but the wedding is not formal -- for instance, my son will wear a suit, not a tux -- so I think it is dressy enough for the occasion. Anyway, I feel good in it, and I will be able to wear it again.

I thoroughly looked at all the "finer" dresses and could not find ANYTHING I liked. I will try to dress it up a bit with jewelry.

The dress was $86, the jacket $120 and the shoes $64. All that combined is less than I paid for my other MOG dress which has only had one wearing. (And it had to be altered, as well).

I found it at Carson Pirie Scott. Because of my purchases, I got two $10 gifts cards to use on a $25 purchase (each) -- so I will try to think of something I can use those for. Gifts, maybe. I have two grandson birthdays coming up.

On the same day, I bought a short lightweight coat (Eddie Bauer) at Goodwill for $7. Now, that's more like what I'm used to paying! But, it's because I get most of my clothes at that price that I can splurge sometimes without feeling bad.

After all that heavy shopping, I couldn't resist driving through Potillo's for lunch. ($9)

I also got my oil changed ($24) -- so what a productive day, huh?

So on Saturday my office went to see a Bears game. It was actually a pretty cheap day. Transportation (in a Bears-decorated bus) was provided and so was the tailgating, as well as the tickets. All paid for by one of our generous donors. I can't even fathom why he did this, but we had a good (though LONG) day. Weather cooperated and all was good, except that the Bears lost.

My person expenditures: I bought a Bears cap to shade myself from the sun ($15) and sunscreen for the same purpose ($9). I paid $10 for a shuttle ride from the parking lot to the stadium -- actually it was a tip. My boss and I convinced the driver that we were handicapped -- she has had back surgery and I have some scary looking scars from my ankle surgery. We tipped him well for being so nice.

In other news, my printer/scanner/copier/FAX arrived (I didn't know it had a fax component -- I don't even have a phone line!) I haven't been able to make it work yet, even after spending an hour on the phone with an Epson rep. I do have hopes, though, that after de-fragging and cleaning up my computer, it will work. It seems that the slow response time of my computer is the snag. It will be quite ironic if I end up getting a new computer -- to make my printer work -- which I got because I didn't want to get a cleaning cartridge for my old one. But as I say, I have hopes that it will work with a little tidying up.

I haven't shopped any more for my MOG dress. I may end up wearing the same one I wore to my other son's wedding. Crass, I know, but I can change the appearance with a different jacket. I actually have a lovely new jacket that might work. It would certainly be the cheapest solution, though I would probably have to get the dress altered since I've lost some weight.

Meanwhile, work is barrelling along. I get more and more assignments -- there is going to be a breaking point somewhere down the line. I've told everyone I can't do everything, but nothing changes. I either have lots of job security -- or I'm in a race to get fired. I don't know which.

Yesterday was the unofficial kickoff of the school year at the college where I work. The whole staff and faculty gathered for a free breakfast AND lunch. Pretty nice.

The staff our our office will be getting together for a Bears game this Saturday. One of our alums is donating the use of his private box. Should be fun, but it will be a long day. We're supposed to meet at 1:30 and the game doesn't even start until 7. I'm not a big sports fan, so I am afraid it will really drag for me. I can't bow out; I've done it too many times!

Anyway, lots of free food this week, as the game will include tailgating, and we have been ordered to bring nothing but sunscreen and our appetites.

Speaking of appetites, I am trying the weight loss technique I heard about on the TODAY show this morning -- 16 oz. of water before each meal. Just did it for lunch, and I feel quite full. A little bloated, even. We'll see how long the feeling lasts. It is certainly the most inexpensive diet plan I've heard of in a while.

This is turning into a spendy month.

My latest splurges:

A new all-in-one printer. My old one was printing blanks. I researched the problem and it was probably clogged heads. The solution to that was more expensive than a new printer. So I decided to get a new one, but also to upgrade, so now I will have a printer/scanner/copier. $80 from Amazon. The savings part -- well, I didn't have to buy new cartridges, and the shipping was free. And it was a pretty good price.

Supplements. I was out of Align and calcium. I couldn't get a deal on Align but I found a two-for-one deal on calcium, so saved $16.79. Total cost for all: $49.87.

Shower gift. I had a 20% off coupon for Bed, Bath & Beyond so I bought my DIL-to-be's shower gift, a place setting, for $50.87. I wrapped it myself at the store. While I was there I picked up two shower cards, one for me and one for my sister (who won't be able to come) and some -- makeup? They have makeup at BB&B? Yes, they do. I got some eyeliner and mascara to carry in my purse. I only wear three items of makeup -- the two above and lipstick, and I've been meaning to get some for my purse, so I won't ever be without!

Shoes Under (containeer that goes under the bed). It was at BB&B, too. I really needed something for my extra shoes. It was $11 and it perfectly held all my extra shoes. Now, do I need those extra shoes? Probably not, but right now I am not ready to decide what I need and what I don't need. My injured ankle is still unpredictable as far as swelling goes, and I am not sure which shoes will be good to wear in, say, a year's time.

Lunch at Portillo's. I was going to go to Mickey D's, but Portillo's looked so good. It was probably twice as much as McD, but a much better meal -- and so fast! I was really impressed at the way they handled the drive-through traffic with personnel actually coming to the car to take orders and then deliver. $8.39 for hamburger, fries and a banana smoothie.

A few groceries -- $11; cat food -- $6; gas -- $26.

I also went to Goodwill this morning and spent $30 on gifts -- shirts for my brother-in-law, clothes & toys for my grandsons, stuff for the shower.

I have spent two days now shopping for my mother-of-the-groom dress. I have thoroughly looked at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Ann Taylor, and Talbot's. So far I cannot find anything. The only outfit I liked was a dark brown dressy suit, but it just didn't look right for a wedding.

I forgot to say I also looked at Neiman-Marcus. That was good for a laugh. One jacket I looked at cost more than $1,300! What? Do people REALLY spend that much on clothes? Even if I were rich I wouldn't do it. That's just obscene.

It's been more than a week since my last entry. Since then I've celebrated my birthday, got paid, and made a big trip to IKEA.

My birthday was awesome. I spent the day with my grandkids and then went out to dinner with the whole family at Chicago's favorite restaurant, Wildfire. I had tenderloin tips (the very same meal I had the last time I went, more than a year ago). It was delicious, and I had enough for lunch the next day. They also gave me some very cool stationery, but the meal was the big gift.

Then on Friday my other son hosted a cookout for me, which was attended by my nephew and his family and my ex-husband and his wife. How many people have their exes at their birthday parties? We have a good relationship. We've been divorced a long time, and now we interact simply as the kids' parents. It wasn't always smooth sailing, but it is now.

On Saturday my sister-in-law (actually my brother's widow, so I guess she is not technically a sister-in-law any more) came to visit and stayed overnight. She took me to an awesome restaurant in Lombard called Praga, where I had a crab cake and a wonderful salad. The next day we went to IKEA.

So, the spending.

My birthday meals were free, but after Wildfire I treated the kids and myself to ice cream, which cost about $8.

I brought two boxes of donut holes to work the day after my birthday -- about $9.

After our IKEA trip I treated my SIL to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes -- $21. Wonderful place!

At IKEA I bought an office chair (I'm sitting on it now) for $80; shower gifts for $28, some decor items for $16, a recycling bin for $10, a dust pan for $2, and two saucepans for $32. I am delighted with all my purchases. Love IKEA. They were all things I wanted to buy, no impulse items, though there was lots of temptation!

I've also spent about $50 on groceries, $15 on Zyrtec, $30 on household stuff (detergent, etc.) and $22 on cat food and kitty litter.

So it's been a little spendy.

I also found a penny.

I put $650 into savings this month.

I still must do an oil change. And I need to start looking for my mother-of-the-groom dress. Also need to buy my DIL's shower present (the shower presents mentioned above were prizes for the shower). So I am not done yet, but overall, feeling good right now.

I was really trying to keep spending down this weekend. I had gone a whole week without spending anything. Well, I needed some groceries so I spent $39 at Jewel for some basic things. I also bought a book of stamps for $8.80 because I had to send out shower invitations. Then I went to Goodwill so I could use my birthday discount card -- 25% off. I spent $20 and for that I got two pairs of winter pants (will be a necessity soon), a sweater, a fall/winter jacket for my grandson, an Upwords board game, and a little whatnot box I will use as a gift. For my own birthday gift I bought an earthenware pitcher -- struggled with that one, because it was not a necessity, but so pretty. It was only $2.29 after the discount, so I don't know what I was worrying about. I will use it as a flower jug.

I babysat for my grandsons on Sunday, and my DS and DIL bought me lunch. They also picked up pillow forms for me at IKEA. I only had $3 in cash on me, so I owe my DIL another $3. The pillow forms were certainly not a necessity either, but it was a good opportunity to get them, as I don't get to IKEA very often. I have some beautiful fabric I bought at a garage sale LAST summer, and it's about time I made pillows out of it.

On the way home I stopped at McDonald's because I had a milkshake craving. That was $4.32, and definitely NOT worth it -- I will try to remember from now on that I don't like their shakes much, and go to Steak & Shake when I get that urge. Or just get over the urge.

On Wednesday my Discover card will "turn over" and I can spend a little more freely. I put all my non-bill spending on the Discover card to get the rewards, but I do have to be careful never to spend more than I can pay off immediately. Hence, my caution this month, as my expenses from my mini-trips have made it high. Of course, I will continue to be careful, but I will soon be over the hump.

Actually, you could call it a gorging day. I knew it was going to happen, and I let it happen, but now I have to get back on wagon.

It started with my soul food lunch, hand delivered to my office for $10. (Fundraiser) Even though I did choose the baked, not fried, chicken, it was pretty caloric, what with the mac & cheese, cornbread and greens dressed in oil -- and the chocolate cake for dessert.

Then we had an ice cream social -- supposed to be on the lawn, but it rained. But the food was still served in the cafeteria. I had TWO dips of chocolate ice cream with all the toppings -- in an edible shell, which I ate, of course. They also served big cookies, and I snagged an oatmeal raisin, which I saved for today's breakfast.

It was all delicious. I had a slice of zucchini bread for supper last night -- I thought I would skip supper entirely, but it seemed I needed something.

Today I'm back on track and I don't think my lapse yesterday will do real harm. Gotta kick up your heels once in a while!

On the financial front, nothing is happening. I did go into my settings and put real goals on my sidebar. I decided to raise my EF to $15,000, since that would cover 6 months of expenses (roughly). I figure a used car would cost about $15K as well. My housing -- well, I would LIKE to have $100K for a down payment, we'll see how it goes. That fund is in stocks and I'm not adding to it right now. It's mostly going into EF, with a $100 automatic payment going into the car fund. When I get those funded, I'll tackle the housing. Long haul, I know.

It's raining cats and dogs for the second day in a row. Sometimes I like rain but this is depressing, for some reason.

I have maintained no spending since Sunday. Today I am getting a "catered" lunch (soul food from the Black Student Union) but I have already paid for it. I'm glad it's coming today -- it will help my glum mood.

Things are not going great at work. I feel I am very dedicated, but I'm not working with a staff who is appreciative, and it gets me down. Wish I weren't so dependent on the opinions of others, but there it is.

I catch myself wondering what I would do if I actually lost this job. I hope it's just sensible emergency planning and not an omen!

Rent: $610 – got a $500 reduction in a raffle

Vacation/Travel: $486 – two short trips

Vet/Pet Supplies: $273 – mostly dental work for my cat

Utilities: $149

Eating Out: $125 – includes a birthday lunch (treating three)

Groceries: $105

Clothing: $89 – includes new hoodie, new bra, lots of garage sale deals

Personal: $86 – haircut and pedicure

Gifts/Charity: $82

Medical/Health: $68

Insurance: $61

Fees & Services: $46

Gas: $28

Entertainment: $14

Furnishings/Equipment: $6

Household Supplies: $5

Some unusual expenses this month -- good thing I won that $500 -- it paid for my mini-vacations!

Hope August will be a little more like normal.

I decided this weekend that I would only buy items which I truly need at this time. Ordinarily, I would have bought more at the grocery store, because I had a list of items I was out of. But I didn't truly need all of them yet. So I circled only the things I would be using this week: mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onion, cat food, eggs, canola oil.

The celery was a problem -- I only needed a little bit, but my choices were a big head of celery (which would go to waste) or ridiculously-expensive cut-up sticks. Then I spotted the "soup mix" -- a container of fresh celery (two sticks), an onion, a turnip, some carrots and some parsley -- for only $2.99, as opposed to 3.99 for the package of sticks. That was great -- I used all the ingredients this weekend (except the turnip, which will go into soup). I'll look for that more often. Getting fresh veggies for a one-person household is a bit of a challenge.

Then I went home and made zucchini bread, salmon patties and tuna salad -- of of which will be used in lunches this week.

I made a stop at Goodwill to look for shower invitations (which I found -- 25 for .49) -- and I also found some decorations for $1 (white "flower" confetti and some fake pearl garlands). I could not pass up two gift finds -- an elegant angel ornament for a friend ($3) and a pair of canvas stretchers for my son ($4).

I found a dime in the parking lot. I've already found .21 this fiscal year, so I thought I'd start keeping track. See how Chicago stacks up against Seattle! .31 so far.

Now that I am back home, I'm keeping spending to a minimum. I peeked at my Discover card online and I see that I racked up $1711 what with the conference/vacation expenses and all. I expect to be reimbursed for about $980, so that's not TOOO bad. I just hope the reimbursement will come before the Discover bill is due. I think it will.

I bought lunch at Subway yesterday for $6.50. I wouldn't have gone out at all, but my boss asked me. We had work issues to talk about. Many work issues, which are ongoing and hard to figure out. Sometimes I really wonder if I'm going to make it to age 66 on this job. It's very technologically oriented, and I am having a harder and harder time keeping up with the technology. When I started in this field, it was more of a research/analytical job. Now it's all data and statistics and metrics. Ugh.

Tonight I have to go to Wal-Mart to fill a prescription and get cat food. I'll forestall the rest of my grocery shopping till the weekend. There isn't a lot I have to get, and I'll try to keep it down.

Two more weeks till pay day, so I just need to keep stretching.

I'm back from my conference/vacation in California. It was partially a vacation, because I stayed one extra day and spent time with my West Coast cousin. Everything I did on that last day, I paid for myself.

My employer shouldered most of the costs for the other days, but there were some I took care of myself (by choice). Since I am a fundraiser, I do like to give back to my institution in little ways. So I paid my own tips and for part of the ground transportation. I also paid for my chocolate martini, because I'm pretty sure booze isn't one of those things that gets reimbursed!

Here's the breakdown:

Ground Transportation: $28
Food & Snacks: $65.63
Drink & tips: $30.50
ATM fee: $4.25
Gifts: $26.05
Hotel Room: $196.08
Hoodie with LA emblem (souvenir AND because I got cold): $36.21

All in all, a bit more than I paid for my five-day vacation to North Carolina, but it was a very different sort of trip.

I got to see some old friends I used to work with, and I learned quite a bit, too! My boss was there as well, and I think we will definitely be implementing some new ideas.

The day with my cousin was nice, too. We mostly just drove around and ate (made one stop to watch birds at an estuary) but it was good catch-up time. He didn't even know I had moved to Chicago, so there was a lot of catching up to do!

And my toenails are shimmering like pearls. Plus, I got a great foot massage, with special care taken for my healing ankle. It was $25 plus $5 tip, and worth it.

Last night I bought cat food and cat litter to tide the critters over while I'm gone ($11).

Got lunch at McDonald's and tried out the smoothie. I like it! Also got a Happy Meal. The portions are right and I get free toy for the grandson. ($4.61)

Tomorrow, bright and early, I fly to California. I did reserve a taxi. It will be a flat fee of $28. I only live 8 miles from the airport, but oh well. You do what you have to do when you live in the big city. It'll still be cheaper than parking the car.

There will be computers at the conference, so I may get the chance to check in. I'm not lugging my laptop. I would if had one of those cute little notebooks, but mine is a golden oldie, and heavy.

I will see some old friends, so I'm pumped for that! Just hope I can sleep tonight....

I picked up my cat on Friday and got a nice surprise -- the cost for her dental work was only $230 as opposed to the $300+ they quoted me. It helped that I already have pain medication for her. And I guess her teeth weren't as bad as they thought.

On Saturday I felt like garage sale shopping. At first it didn't feel like much fun, since I have decided not to buy for the booth any more (I'm going to pull out in December, unless things really turn around). I saw lots of things I might have bought for the booth, but didn't see much for me. Then I went to a place where some ladies were selling nice clothes. I ended up getting a J.G. Hook red pea coat, a Gap velvet blazer, Jones New York white pants, a white turtleneck and two cotton knit tops -- all for $10!

Then I went to Goodwill, because I need some black capris. I found them, as well as a navy pair. They came to $10. I also found a necklace and three pairs of earrings for $4. I'm feeling very well-dressed -- for less!

I also went to Nordstrom's Rack and bought another bra -- I figured out that I needed another to pack for the conference (I don't want to be handwashing in the hotel). That was $24 -- which is just what all of the above cost!

I also got some gas for $24. I tell you, it was a weekend of 24's! What could 24 mean?

I will probably get my pedicure tonight.

I did not get an oil change, but that can be done when I come back.

Now I'm trying to figure out how I will get to the airport on Wednesday. I foolishly bought a 7:30 a.m. ticket, so I'll have to get there at 6:30. If I'd gotten a ticket for mid-day, someone from work could have driven me. I'll have to ask one of my sons (neither of whom live very close) or bite the bullet and hire a taxi.

Got my hair cut last night and with tip it was $56 (I think -- I forgot to write it down and can't find a receipt). So expensive. It's a good haircut, but short. My hairdresser cut it shorter on purpose so I could go longer between cuts. She was really listening to me about my discomfort with the cost. She also told me to come in any time for a complementary bangs trim, so she's really trying to work with me.

I dropped my cat off at the vet this morning for dental work -- she has a cracked tooth, and we don't know what all until they really get in there. It will be at least $300.

This will be an expensive month.

I didn't sleep well at all last night; I think I've been letting money worries get to me, even though there is no crisis right now. I am worried about finding permanent housing in this area. I am willing to make sacrifices, but what really worries me is that I won't get a loan because my income will be low. Maybe I should buy before I retire? That would mean a long, ugly commute, but I could do it. These are the thoughts that thrash around in my head at night. Anyway, it won't happen for several years, and meanwhile, I'll keep saving.

Yep, got paid. Transferred $450 into savings. Paid my rent and Discover.

More upcoming expenses: oil change is due, and I want to get a pedicure before I go to my conference. Yes, I know that's a want, not a need, but I WANT, I WANT! I'll be in California wearing sandals, I must have painted toes!

I'll see how I feel about it on Saturday.

No spending today or yesterday.

I heard that 64% of baby boomers are not ready for retirement -- that they will, on average, run out of money in two years' time.

I don't want to be one of those, so I'm back to serious penny-pinching. On my ride home from work, I didn't even turn on the AC. Then I picked up a book from the library, which will be my entertainment for a few days. Tonight I'm having a salad for dinner, and I will till all the lettuce is used up. No more wasting!

Tomorrow is payday, and I have $416 left in checking to transfer over to savings. I think I'll round it up to $450 when my deposit hits the bank. I think I'll make it a rule to always round up to the nearest $50. I do love my saving games.

I've been saving $5 bills for Christmas, but since I'm not much of a cash spender I only have $105 so far. Maybe I should start saving $10's.

I finally have a date for the shower (for my DIL to be). September 11! Kind of an infamous date, but it works. Now I'll get to work planning. I have enough time to be creative and throw a nice party for not much money.

Sad news from my son -- he had to return his shelter dog. Apparently the dog's life had been so traumatic before they adopted him that he couldn't overcome his fear and consequent aggression. He seriously frightened my DIL -- cornered her with bared teeth and hackles up -- and he is a big dog. I am so sad for all of them, but I know you can't live with a dog you fear.

I guess I was pretty low on stuff. My grocery bill was $130, which generally covers me for a month. However, some of it was non-food, which I will sort out when I do my tracking.

I used a lot of coupons and got $10.50 off that way, but it also encouraged me to buy more than usual. I also got $17 off by using my preferred savings card.

Really, except for perishables, this should last me the month.

We'll see how I do on that.