Keep on chugging...........

$13,365.
D-Free Day Sept. 1, 2012
Seems like I throw a lot at it, but it's just slowly going down.
I started a sub account at ING for house stuff.
Going to try to direct money into this account for house repairs.
It sounds goofy, but the best way for me to save is to earmark money into an account with a purpose, to not touch the money at all until it's time to buy.
Along with paying off cc debt (my number one goal, although student loans are up there), like any house, mine needs work.
I also plan on selling in maybe two years, closer to three, and I need to really amp up the curb appeal.
By November 1st, I need to replace four doors, two exterior and two entry.
Rainman keeps slamming them, and the front entry door has a full glass panel that is one slam away from shattering.
The others have born his stimming and kicks, and the exterior entry door is essentially duct taped in one section.
My goal is to divert $1500 by November 1st for the four doors plus installation, which I think I should be able to manage.
My design options are limited, as the doors are all odd sizes, which is a blessing in that I don;t really have a luxury door option.
Ten weeks, give or take, that I need to put $150 per week in the pot.
With my cc repayment, it's going to be even tighter than usual, but putting it out there for accountability.
MJ

Menu Plan Monday

$14,535.
Sept. 1, 2012. D-Free Day.

I need to get veggies tomorrow.
Monday-Meatball Subs, Caramel Apple Crisp (plus need to make some Blueberry Muffins for snacks and breakfasts while the apple crisp is baking)
Tuesday-Cheesy Chicken Rice Dish
Wednesday-Chicken Broccoli Stir fry
Thursday-Chicken for the Lazy
Friday-Leftovers, most likely just me with maybe a random offspring. Chicken Salad, greens.
Saturday-Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce, salad.

Personal Finance Blogger Rant

$14984.

Although my credit card debt has not gone down, my other debt, such as student loans, have.
Oddly, I'm proud it didn't go up, because the buy out of my former good paying contracting company has been horrendous.
For what little work there is, I've been paid, but there simply isn't enough to feed everyone.
It's extremely frustrating, as I can see what the new people are doing wrong, lots of beginner mistakes, and when I and some of the other more experienced contractors say, hey, this is a big mistake and if you do this, you get the exact opposite of what you want, there's a lot of, WE are in charge.
Yes, you are, and aren't you the ones complaining that you don't understand why profits have tanked?
And when you get sandboxed by Google for doing idiotic shit, for doing shit after you were warned not to do it, you seriously can't understand why this is a problem?
The new middle men are sending some of the other contractors my way for help, which would be fine, if I was getting any sort of income from it.
If anything, showing them how to do things the right way means even less assignments coming my way.
I had a stellar week income wise last week (the best since the merger), and instead of giving me any sort of monetary bonus (which had been customary with the former owner), I get an email with "good job".
O rly?
I had been putting serious feelers out for the last month, and got a lot of, we'll keep you in mind, love your work but not looking for new contractors, etc.
But, one of the places has just decided to contract me!
I have one more hurdle, but a firm start date.
This place has a very good reputation, and is a perfect match for my skills.
It pays slightly more than I make now, just have to see if it's steady enough to make it my main place.
Wish me luck :)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: English Muffin Pizzas/Mac and Cheese
Tuesday: French Toast
Wednesday:Steak Fajitas
Thursday:Chicken Stir Fry
Friday:Just me, something easy.
Saturday: Cheese bread, salad, steak
Sunday: Mashed Potatoes, Chicken wings, not sure.
It's a crazy week, just want to have a blue print.

Menu Plan

Going to try to stay out of the food stores until next Friday.
Thursday: Buffalo chicken rice.
Friday: Should be only me, so leftovers or something light.
Saturday: Chicken for the lazy, roasted veggies.
Sunday: Leftover chicken, mashed potatoes.
Monday: Steak Fajitas with rice.
Tuesday: Beef and Broccoli
Wednesday: Spaghetti with Alfredo sauce, side salad.
Thursday: Steak/Mashed Potatoes
Friday: Food shopping so have to see.
I pretty much always serve some kind of salad on the side, and Rainman always has Mac and Cheese.
Credit Card Debt: $14,952.

Frugal Kitchen Tools

Penny has an interesting post up about frugal kitchen tools.
I cook.
A lot.
Bake, stir fry, roast, whatever you want to call it, I do it.
I am not the most frugal food shopper, and it is something I am working on, but I suppose my costs would be even higher if I didn't have my frugal kitchen tools.
In no particular frugal order, here are my favorite frugal kitchen tools:
KitchenAid Mixer : Man, I love this thing. It makes mixing everything from potatoes to cakes to muffins to cheesecake so easy. I also use it to keep Rainman busy (loves to follow recipes), but this is definitely my toy.
Dutch Oven: I got mine at BJ's Wholesale for under $40, right around the time I became one of Dorie Greenspan's disciples (her chicken for the lazy is amazing), and I use it constantly. Stick in a chicken, vegetables, on a bread bed, forget it, and your kitchen smells mouth watering. The finished product is even better. ;)
I have a few kept out of the way sharp knives, and I agree they are indispensable, but I picked mine up at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, or BJ's.
And I won one at Eat At Home Cooks.
There are two things I am keeping an eye out for, when I see a good sale/price.
One is a pressure cooker.
Not sure where my fear of pressure cooker comes from (almost as irrational as my fear of clowns), but I've always shied away from them.
Ice Cream Maker: This is something I really would like to get before summer. This is a want, not a need obviously, but I see this as fractionally money saving but definitely better nutritionally (I can control what goes in, as well as what doesn't).
I love to get a glimpse into others kitchens, so please comment :)

Back in the saddle.

Been missing in action, but had one of those periods where I put in a ton of effort and am only starting to see results now.
The past few months since my last post where filled with uncertainty, with me not adding debt, but no real income coming in from what had been my steady pay.
I worked on another source, and it helped immensely, but it's still not what I was bringing in.
That needs to change.
Also, between ER visits for two of the offspring (concussion, fractured ribs, deep cut to toe with ear infection) and the fact that everyone has a deep hacking cough that is viral as opposed to bacterial, it sucks to be me right now.
Tomorrow, at least three of the offspring will be home, including Rainman, which makes it next to impossible to get real work done.
And, I definitely see yet another doctor's visit tomorrow, looks like conjunctivitis is in the house.
But, new month and all, and here we go.
I need to get back to meal planning, but right now, it's eat what stays down.

The Saved Quarter Challenge:
Credit card debt: 14952.
Goal by June:13500.
Retirement: $650 (Random, but I have an account that is specifically earmarked, and that's what I made from it and will get a deposit within a week or so).
Goal to be made this month for June:$1000.
I also will attempt $45 toward Xmas, and $50 savings per week.
Feels good to have a goal again :)