Here goes:

In September I spent $2859 -- not great, but at least below my monthly average this year of $3001.

I spent $279 on gifts; that includes shower gifts, treating others at restaurants, and charity.

Even though gas is cheaper than it's been for a while, I spent more on it -- $96. I did more driving than usual -- airport runs and a weekend trip, so I guess it's good that gas is cheap (relatively)!

I also spent more than usual on groceries ($166), but I had company.

I had to renew my license plate ($120).

I bought new sheets($34?) and took my dog to the vet($87), and those things all add up.

On the plus side, I was very frugal in terms of clothing, medical, personal and entertainment. In fact, I've spent $0 on entertainment for two months! I've been reading library books and watching borrowed DVD's, and I actually feel quite entertained.

Meals today:

Breakfast: Granola with milk, grapes, coffee
Snack: Pecan Sandies
Lunch: Chicken salad, pretzel snacks
Snack: 2 cookies (freebies at work)
Dinner: Grilled cheese sandwich, Activia yogurt, potato chips

I stayed home all day today, only going out once for a long walk with my dog (while talking to a friend on the cell phone). Talking on the phone really makes the time fly!

Therefore -- I spent nothing today!

I made some headway into filing papers. I still file all my paid bills, including utilities. Sometimes I wonder why I do; I never use them for anything or look at them again, because I have all my budget stuff on the computer. Is it a waste of time?

I also made some awesome chicken salad (leftover sweet & sour chicken, grapes, apples, walnuts, onion & mayonnaise).

I finished reading "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See -- fascinating if you're interested in Chinese culture. And I watched "The Constant Gardener," a DVD on loan from my son.

Meals Today:

Breakfast: Cashew Sweet & Salty Bar, Activia yogurt, grapes, coffee.

Lunch: Chicken salad, Nutty bars, milk.

Dinner: Mashed potato bowl (spuds with carmelized onions, broccoli and cheese),
strawberry ice cream.

Snack: Honey Nut Cheerios and milk

I started my spending log today. It's an Excel spreadsheet with columns for date, item, store, cost, savings and notes. I think it's going to help me get better oversight of my spending habits.

I went to Penney's today and bought some baby shower gifts. I have two showers next weekend (how strange is that?) and I know there is another looming in the future, though I don't know when. I spent $47 on a 3-piece outfit, two sleepers, and six bibs. All at about a 40% savings.

Then I went to the Hostess bread outlet and bought two huge "Pullman" wheat loves for $1.50. It is the bread they make for restaurants. That was 4 lbs. of bread for $1.50. Hope I like it.

Next stop: Kroger, where I bought milk, chicken and grapes for $8.

Then I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought 4 cans of tuna for $2.

Last stop: Marathon station, where I filled up for $21 ($2.02 a gallon!) and got a car wash for $6 to clean off the bird poop.

Had a productive day at home, doing laundry and general cleaning. This evening I watched "Akeelah and the Bee," on loan from my Netflix buddy. It was a great movie; I highly recommend it.

Now I'm going to bed to sleep on freshly-washed new sheets. I love all the little pleasures of life!

Meals today:

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices buttered toast, coffee
Snack: Twinkie (free from the bread store)
Lunch: Chicken & spinach pizza, diet coke, Ding Dong (also free from the bread store), milk
Snack: popcorn
Dinner: Baked chicken in sweet & sour glaze, mashed potatoes & butter, broccoli & cauliflower, Activia yogurt, diet coke.

It was a no-spend day, and pay day. Pay days are strange now. I used to put a stack of stamped envelopes in the mail and feel proud and responsible. Now I pay everything online -- or it is withdrawn from my checking account. It almost feels like I didn't pay anything!

I racked up a huge charge on Visa last month, but paid it off in full (yay!). The bad part is I am again cash-poor.

Even though I keep track of my spending in categories, I think I'm going to start keeping a spreadsheet in which I write down every penny I spend line by line. I still haven't figured out how to keep my outflow under my income. Sometimes I think I just don't make enough, but I know other people are making it on less. Other times I think I have too many obligations I'm locked into. And sometimes I think I just navigate toward a lifetstyle I really can't afford. It's probably a combination of all three.

My "meals" today were out of control. Due to stress at work, I just grazed all day. So here it is.

Breakfast: Peanut Sweet & Salty Bar, coffee.
Snack: Half an 8 oz. bag of potato chips
Snack: 100-calorie bag of Pecan Sandies
Lunch: Peanut butter & pickle sandwich, diet coke, Nutty Bars
Snack: Other half of bag of potato chips
Snack: 4 slices of Pumpkin bread
Dinner: Activia yogurt

I think I even ate some stuff I'm not remembering. Pathetic.

Oh well, tomorrow's a new day!

By the way, I'm not trying to turn this into a diet diary; I'm aware that it's a FINANCIAL blog, but money & diet are all wrapped up together for me. It's a discipline issue. I have to conquer both.

No spending today. And tomorrow's payday, so that's something to celebrate, even though it will all go to bills. I still enjoy the process of paying them off. Kind of a clean sweep feeling.

I finished a HUGE project at work today -- one that's been going on for months - and I started cleaning off my desk in celebration. I just let things pile up while I was working on this, and promised myself I would clean up when I was done. It's surprising how much I am enjoying the process of getting organized. I wish I could say I found money or a coupon or something financially related on my desk, but it was just paper!

I went to the gym after work and I am feeling good.

Meals:
Breakfast: Peanut Sweet & Salty Bar
Snack: Little Debbie Nutty Bars
Lunch: Banana smoothie
Snack: Apple, a few M&M's
Dinner: Peanut butter & pickle sandwich, Activia yogurt, pretzels

Got a free lunch today at a workshop, but spent $4 on a steamer and a coffee. The steamer was a mistake; I thought I was getting coffee, so had to get the real thing later. I had to leave too early in the morning to make coffee at home.

Everyone at work is making a square for a quilt to give to a co-worker who has just finished chemo. I resisted the temptation to buy cute appliques, which would have made it easier and look better. I just finished my square with materials I had on hand already -- mainly scraps of material. It does not look professional, but it doesn't look bad. And I think she will appreciate the sentiment more than anything.

My meals today:
Breakfast: Steamer and Peanut Sweet & Salty bar
Snack: coffee
Lunch: Roast beef & cheese sandwich, tossed salad with Ranch dressing, pasta salad, cranberry nut cookie, lemonade.
Snack: apple
Dinner: Beans & cornbread, diet coke.

Well, I've spent a lot today. I renewed my license plate - $120. Took the dog to the vet -- $78. Answered the door -- $32. Got to stop answering the door. It's always someone selling something! And I don't seem to have the equipment to say no. This time it was an entertainment book, so it may actually save me money if I am wise about using it.

The dog has scratched himself raw -- they say it is an allergic reaction, and I have some steroids to take care of that. The reason the vet bill is so expensive is that he always has to be sedated. He won't let anyone examine him.

A good thing -- I went to the library during lunch and got three new books. I've started keeping a list of recommended books and they are all I look for now. I've always enjoyed reading but now it's even better!

My meals today:

Breakfast: Honey Nut Cheerios and milk.
Snack: Peanut Sweet & Salty bar; banana
Lunch: Chicken Noodle soup, Activia yogurt, 100-calorie pack Pecan Sandies.
Snack: Handful of M&M's
Dinner: Beans and cornbread; broccoli & cauliflower; diet coke.

Wow! All of a sudden the font on this site is tiny! Is it only me?

I had a great weekend with my kids, but I spent a lot of money. Here's the scoop:

$40 - wireless router
$16 - favors for baby shower coming up
$3 - fabric softener
$2 - two of those net poufs you wash with
$19 - supplies to finish the windowsills
$25 - gas
$37 - new sheets
AND ---
$119 - eating out! Omigosh.

I did most of the treating, being the mom. And one meal was at the most expensive restaurant in town -- it's where my other son works, and he wanted to show it off to his brother and sister-in-law. It was an awesome meal, but SHEWWW!!!

I'm back on track now. No spending today. I went to the gym, too.

I've been inspired by Tightwad Kitty posting her meals every day. It occurred to me that if I had to admit to the world what I'm eating, I might be a little more -- er-- restrained.

So this is my intake today:

Breakfast: Activia yogurt, banana
Snack: Cashew Sweet & Salty bar
Lunch: Sliced apple with cheddar cheese, trail mix, diet coke
Snack: Handful of candy corn
Dinner: Tuna salad sandwich, milk, 100-calorie pack of pecan sandies.

Yes, I have a sweet tooth, and I don't like vegetables, but I'll try to improve.

My son and wife (and grandson in utero) arrived from Kansas City last night. Whooppee!

I spent $10 on new bed pillows, $57 on groceries, and $11 on household equipment (new can opener, kitchen shears) and $9 for cat food.

Today my son is going to help me finish my windowsills and get me set up with a wireless router. So more spending will occur. Also, we're going out to lunch at a favorite place.

So nice to have them here!

I did it. I told my boss today that I plan to retire next spring. I wanted to be able to open about my plans and not have to sneak around to visit the retirement counselor etc.

I have so much to do -- the biggest hurdle is getting the house ready to sell. It's in pretty good shape, but I need to catch up on some maintenance things, and I need to pretty it up.

Things I need to do:

Get doors planed (& two replaced)
Replace bathroom fan
Replace four light fixtures
Replace vinyl floors with laminate
Paint kitchen cabinets
Remove wallpaper & paint three rooms
Pull up overgrown shrubs & plant something pretty
Replace molding in several areas
Clean out garage
Hold a big garage sale

Whew. I'm tired.

I'm freezing! The temp dipped today, but I will not turn on my furnace in September. I'll have to dig out the sweatshirts.

This is my third no-spend day in a row. And I went out to lunch! I got treated, because it was my birthday lunch, even though my birthday was a month ago. It takes a while for our whole work group to get together! Two other Leo's were treated as well. I ate half my sandwich and will have the other half for my lunch tomorrow. Breakfast was free, too; leftover muffins from a meeting yesterday -- actually quite good!

And this may not seem like a big deal, but I renewed my library books today! Yay! I put a note in my planner when I checked them out, and today it said "RENEW!" So I did it online. So easy.

Sunday was a no-spend day, and so was today. I was all set to go to Wal-Mart, but I realized there was nothing I truly needed -- it's just a habit to go every weekend. I will need to get a few things later in the week, but it gave me a curiously powerful feeling to realize I could choose NOT to go!

I was updating my net worth spreadsheet today and decided to look up my car's value on Edmunds. I was expecting to have to lower it. To my surprise, the car is still holding its value. It's a 2001 RAV4, and I love it. Wouldn't sell it, but it's nice to know it's worth about $5000 more than I owe on it!

On Friday I took back the items that didn't fit me to Goodwill and got $15 back. Also, Discover entered a $20 cashback into my checking account. So I was feeling pretty good, anyway. Then I got a notice in the mail that my house's assessed value went up $3,500. That might seem like bad news, in terms of taxes, but to me it means I can sell it for more than I thought -- hopefully! Plus, it nicely increases my net worth!

Yesterday I went to my daughter-in-law's mother's house, about a two-hour drive away. My son and daughter-in-law were visiting for her brother's wedding reception. Since they live 9-10 hours away from me, it was a great chance to see them. I went along to the reception, even helped set up, and it was a good day. I spent $25 on a gift card for the newlyweds, and $21 on gas and a capuccino. Gas was only $2.19 a gallon -- how great is that? I also ate free all day, although that wasn't exactly intentional. My DIL's mom treated for lunch at Steak & Shake (she was quicker to grab the check than I was -- honest, I was trying!) And of course the reception offered plenty of food for dinner.

I delivered a bag of clothes I've been collecting for my kids' baby, and they seemed pleased. I figured that I spent about $40 on all the clothes I brought -- a paper grocery bag full. That's less than I spend on three little items at Disney last month!

But they already have a lot of little things, so I am going to have to change gears and look for bigger clothes now. Either that or think of a different way to help them out. I'd like to start collecting books, and I also like the idea of giving the baby a savings bond every year. My in-laws did that for my kids and they came in handy when they were in college.

After two no-spend days this week, I made a noon run to Goodwill yesterday. For $52 I got:

1 fully-lined linen-type jacket
1 velour long-sleeved top
1 rayon shirt
3 bras
2 rolls of gift wrap
big package of tissue paper
2 pot holders
2 pairs trouser socks

And for my grandson-to-be:
2 sweater vests
1 jacket
1 hoodie
2 pairs pajamas
1 onesie
1 shirt

Most of the children's clothing was brand new, donated by Target.

Alas, I have to return two of the bras, and I've also decided to return the velour top and rayon shirt. They don't fit just right. I know, I should have tried them on in the store, but I would so much rather do it at home!

Anyway, since the women's jacket alone would have cost more than $50 retail, I think I did pretty well!

I haven't blogged in a few days -- I think it's because my computer workspace isn't very comfortable -- I've got to get over that, I don't have the money to redecorate!

I got reimbursed for my conference, which is a relief. So good to pay off those credit card bills!

On Friday I had a fun and frugal night with friends. Went to the "big city," Indianapolis, for an art show. My friend is married to an artist, and I try to support him by attending his events (since I sure can't buy art). In addition to touring the gallery, we had dinner at a sidewalk cafe, $16 including tip. When I mentioned to my friend that I needed to buy a coffeemaker, she gave me one she was planning to give to Goodwill! I offered to pay a fair price, but she insisted on giving it to me. It's great -- in excellent condition, and I'm in the brewing business again!

On Saturday I grocery-shopped, spending $59 on food, $9 for a DVD I'll give to a friend for her birthday, $1 for conditioner and $3 for vitamins. I also paid the lawn-mowing guy $60.

Sunday was a no-spend day. I went to a funeral for a colleague's husband; he died young of brain cancer; it was a sad day. But it reminded me to appreciate all the little joys of everyday life.

Today I spent $4 for some ichthammol ointment (I have a nasty splinter that is firmly imbedded). I also spent $2 on vacuum cleaner bags and $4 for two packages of Activia yogurt. I tested some last week and it is very tasty. I am hoping it will relieve some digestive problems that you guys do NOT want to hear about!

I think I have settled on spending a bit more on groceries. Buying food that is healthy and that I really like makes me feel better all round. I came to this conclusion after making (cheapo)shepherd's pie that was pretty much a mess. Good dog food. For me -- not so great.

Knowing that I had to strictly curtail spending this month, I chose not to do anything this Labor Day weekend. I went grocery-shopping on Saturday, and that was it. I haven't been out of the house otherwise. The grocery trip cost $47 -- $40 for food, and $7 for sympathy cards. I mentioned some time ago that my aunt had cancer -- she finally succumbed; she actually hung on longer than anyone expected. Anyway, the cards are for her children, my cousins. I am no longer feeling bad that I cannot go to her funeral, since they are having a simple graveside service and do not seem to expect me to make the trip. Still, I'm sad that she is gone; she was a great lady, and so much like my mother, it's kind of like losing my mother again. I have had to battle some depression this weekend, but I am glad that I've had two no-spending, no-driving days. And I read two books and watched four movies! That's some serious relaxing!

My spending last month was SO big, it put me $300 in the hole this paycheck. A lot of it was vacation, but I also had carpeting installed, windowsills replaced and vents cleaned. I also spent $267 on clothes, which is very unusual for me. And I had to pay my gym dues ($105 3x a year). All in all I spent $4164, compared to $2802 last month.

SO... September will be an NBN month -- nothing but necessities. If I don't really need it, I will not buy it!

It would have been a no-spend day today -- but I got an SOS call from my son, who needed to return a rental truck, and needed a ride back home. Well, my gas tank was hovering near empty, so I stopped and put $10 in the tank.

Tomorrow I may not be spending money but I'll be incurring a bill. I called a cleaning service to come and vacuum out the duct that goes from my bathroom fan to the outdoors. I noticed this weekend that the cover for the vent is gone. It is open to the world! And I think it's been that way a while, because I kept hearing birds when I was in the bathroom but couldn't figure out where it was coming from.

So here is a lesson. When I called the service I asked for someone to clean out my ducts. They quoted a price of $385. I said "oh..... It'll have to wait till I get paid again..." Well, as we talked a little more, I realized that the price quoted was to clean out my furnace ducts. When I described the opening I was concerned about, they said, "Oh, that's just a vent -- we can do that for $85." Shewww! I would have paid all that money for something that didn't even solve the problem!

I really hope the birds have vacated the vent. I don't want them to get hurt!

Tonight I feel like I'm losing the frugal fight. My traveling & vacationing in the past few weeks has knocked me for a loop budget-wise. I did try to prepare ... I also tried to make wise choices while on vacation ... but I have really knocked my budget out of whack.

One problem -- while I was away from home, I was around people who have a lot more money to spend. They started to seem normal to me, while my life seemed abnormal.

Another problem -- while I was away from home, I was also "away" from the nuts and bolts of my money management tools. I couldn't get on the internet for a time, for example. I wasn't paying bills, I wasn't shopping for groceries.

I had time on my hands, and I went shopping. Oh, I had a "reason" but I ended up buying clothes -- great deals I might add, but I probably would not have bought them had I been at home. It just seems like when I get out of my routine I "forget" how strict I have to be.

There were some bloopers, too. I lost my phone charger, and had to buy a new one. I wasted some expensive gas going the wrong way in unfamiliar territory. I neglected to pack jewelry, so I had to buy some to wear to the wedding.

Anyway, I now feel like I've just dug a deeper hole and I can't ever make progress. Why are frugal victories in the pennies range and setbacks in double digits? ARRGGHHH!

Well, I'm finally back from all my wandering. After the conference last week I stayed in Florida an extra week to attend my niece's wedding. It was fun, but I'm so tired, and I spent a lot of money. Looks like it was around $500. But some of it will be reimbursed because it was conference spending.

One comment -- I knew the bride's parents were financially comfortable, but I was so shocked at the level of spending on the wedding and rehearsal dinner -- and I heard rumors they also were financing the honeymoon to Hawaii. Holy cow! I'm glad I'm poor; no one can expect anything like that from me! I'm also glad I have two sons, and one is already married.

AWWHHHGGGGhhhh!

I stayed up late last night, walked 40 minutes in oppressive heat to get back to the hotel, and now I'm up at 7 for a new round of meetings. Ah, conferences.

I spent $31 last night for dinner. I was part of a group from my state who got together for a sort of meet and greet dinner. We went to Disney Downtown and ate at the Fulton Crab House (?) Great food, but expensive. I had a bowl of soup and a crab cake for my $31. But it did fill me up.

I think my per diem for dinner last night was $24-25, so I didn't come in under. Good thing I did so well the day before.

Well, here I am in splendor at the Hyatt. My roommate sprang for internet service and nicely let use her computer. I didn't know that hotels didn't provide free internet access! I thought they were like wireless cafes!

My traveling day was a little spendy -- it cost $26 for ground transportation from the airport to the hotel. I paid $3 in tips for bag-handling, and dinner cost about $13. I had a $1 coffee at the airport, but was able to skip lunch because I had granola bars in my carry-on.
My per diem was $49, so I still came in under. (I had to walk for dinner -- the hotel is somewhat isolated and the restaurants within it are pricey. A colleague and I took the free shuttle to the front gate and walked a couple of blocks to find a very nice Indian restaurant. Worth it, but I did get a blister!)

Yesterday I spent $8 for lunch (once again outside the compound) and skipped supper -- that is skipped paying for it, because there was a reception with heavy hors-d'oevres, so I really had a pretty nice supper. Went to the free gym for my evening entertainment. So out of my $49 per diem, I saved $41!

Today breakfast and lunch are provided, so I have $24 for supper to work with. I should be able to come in under that.

More spending today, as I get ready for my trip. I bought a big jug of cat food, $16, bought gas for $20, bought lunch for $12 -- that was a mistake; I could have run through McDonald's for a lot less -- however, I had a good salad and fresh fruit.

I just packed my big suitcase with clothes and I'm taking a break before I pack the smaller one with "sundries."

I'm taking the laptop and expect to have internet access at least part of the time; so I'll check in if I have time.

Finally, a no-spend day!

Today I worked on getting ready for my trip on Tuesday. I did a lot of laundry and made some dog food to freeze. He eats real food (the Pitcairn diet), which I swear has made him a remarkably healthy 12-year-old.

I asked my son to take care of my dog and my cat while I'm gone. He will move in for a week while I'm at the conference, and then he will have to leave to meet up with me in Florida for his cousin's wedding. So he'll take the dog to the kennel at that time. So my dog doesn't get to avoid the kennel altogether, but this will help a lot with the bill. My payment (i.e. bribe)to my son is that he doesn't have to repay me for his light bill. :-) Works for both of us.

The kitchen floor needed a good scrubbing and while I was down on my hands and knees I discovered that a whole unopened bag of cat food has been infested with some tiny insects. Yuck! I threw the bag away at a remote dumpster; I don't want those critters crawling around in my can. Now I have to make a trip to PetSmart to get more food.

I also went to the gym and got my third workout in for this week. I'm hoping that the hotel will have a nice gym so I don't break my routine.

Have I packed yet? No. But I'm thinking about it. I'm at the stage where I would like to fast-forward and be on the plane with all the work done. Or better yet, checked into the hotel!

Today was a shopping extravaganza. I grabbed my friend at 8 am and talked her into going with me to Kohl's to look for sandals. Well, the deals were great. I ended up buying 5 pairs of shoes (3 pairs of sandals, 1 pair of loafers and 1 pair of heels) for $122. Retail price: $235. I also found a much-needed bathroom rug marked down to $21 from $30. Then we headed to the clothing section, where I found two gauzy blouses, a silky skirt, black gauchos and a red polo shirt for $63. Retail price: $172. Despite the spending, which makes me nervous, I'm happy because I found so many things I really needed. My shoe collection was in bad shape, and my summer wardrobe was nothing to brag about either. I do most of my clothes shopping at Goodwill, which is a great place, but it's hard to find clothing staples there; you just have to get lucky.

My friend, by the way, spent about twice as much as I did.

I also bought a breakfast sandwich at Steak 'n' Shake (~$3) and some groceries for $7.79 (after using a $5 gift card I got for a rebate).

Now I must become a Frugal Monster. With very nice shoes.

Yesterday I said my August goal would be to keep my spending under July's. After looking at things a little more realistically today, I see that was ridiculous. I spent $778 for carpeting, so there is no way I will come out under. So my goal will be to cut spending as much as I can. A little non-specific, I know.

I have not had a no-spend day yet this month. I ate lunch out today and yesterday -- today because it was my regularly scheduled get-together with old friends ($10 at Bistro) -- yesterday because I was running late and didn't have time to pack one ($4 at Arby's -- at least I had coupons!) On the other days I grocery-shopped, and one day I shopped at Goodwill and bought a pair of capris and a blouse.


I am completely out of my routine, what with coming home from vacation and immediately having to strip my bedroom for the new carpeting -- I had to sleep on the couch for two days. Now I have to get ready to fly to a conference on Tuesday. I'm so out of whack. This weekend will be catch-up.

I will get a pretty generous per diem while at the conference, plus a lot of the meals will be provided -- so I hope I will not spend much on food. I am also trying to stick to about 1700-1800 calories a day, so I won't be snacking.

I have to admit I plan to shoe-shop tomorrow. I need a decent pair of sandals to wear to the conference. Kohl's is having a blow-out sale; maybe I'll find a great bargain.

Just have to say, I got new carpeting in my bedroom -- it was the last room, and the biggest, that I had to do. It's wonderful to have it all done! It cost $778, but I did save $$ by pulling up the old carpet myself and taking care of discarding it. Also, I restrained myself from paying someone to move my furniture. I did it all myself! Thank goodness I've been working out. I really think it gave me the strength to get this job done!

Some time ago I was thinking ahead to the wedding I'm going to in August and wondering what to wear. I was thinking I would probably have to buy something new.

Well, I was given a black and white sheer blouse with a matching shell, and I plan to wear it with a white skirt I already have. The skirt was a bit snug the last time I tried it on but I've lost some weight, so I THINK it will do. I already have some silver sandals and a silver purse.

I just think it's pretty cool that the outfit just materialized at no cost!

Well, after my record low spending in June, July was, of course, up. Total spending was $2802, compared to $2274 in June.

Big spending included $400 for credit card payments, $175 for gifts (2 baby showers and wedding) $150 for the dentist, $174 for vacation.

Areas in which I spent less: utilities, vet/pet supplies, home improvement, gas, insurance, furniture/equipment, snacks. Areas in which I spent more: loan repayment, gifts, groceries, medical/health, vacation/travel, eating out, household supplies, entertainment, personal, and clothing.

I believe I had 11 no-spend days -- it's written down somewhere else. In June I had 15 no-spend days.

My net worth went up $3,000, mostly due to some recovery in my retirement account.

So it wasn't a bad month, and I got some things done that I needed to -- the dentist's appointment, the gifts -- and I had a pretty low-cost vacation.

August will have some challenges. I'm going to a conference, a wedding, and I'm taking another vacation. Also, I just spent $778 on new carpeting. So I will set as my main goal not to exceed July's spending, and that will be challenge enough!

Julie, when you suggested bleach for my stained carpet, I thought, "She must have white rugs." But when I came to the conclusion that I was probably going to have to replace the carpet anyway, and therefore it wouldn't HURT to try bleach -- well, the stain came out like magic, and so did the smell. And it didn't change the color at all. I used a 50/50 water-bleach solution.

THANK YOU!!!! You saved me so much money!

In other news, I've been off the computer for a few days while my bedroom carpet was being replaced. I'll catch up tonight with my July totals.