The envelope system

The business of budgeting: This week we paid off three bills altogether. So there cuts out those three debts. Now to take those three monthly payments and put them toward a credit card bill.

Grocery envelopes: Starting the envelope system for the month of February. A month is a really long time when you are seriously watching every cent. The money does run out before the month.

Miscellaneous envelopes: This will be a little easier to control, because we don't HAVE to go see a movie, or at that movie buy drinks or popcorn. We almost never do, just because they scalp you at the register.

Emergency fund: Well, my power steering has gone out and needs a new pump I think, I need a new windshield since there is a crack all along the front horizontally, and I need a new windshield wiper. Hopefull our Son-in-law can fix the power steering, I'm going to make an appointment to get the windshield fixed and I'll go to Auto Zone and have them put on a windshield wiper. The windshield wiper fluid just piddles out and doesn't hit the windshield, maybe that will change when the temperature warms up a little. Empty water bottles littered the front seat of the car til last week. I'm going to do my own detailing and get my PT Cruiser back to as good of shape as I can. It still bears scars from the run-in with the semi.

General: I've noticed that it is much easier to write out a check than it is to spend dollar bills. That is why I think the envelope system will work, we'll have to really THINK about our purchases, because when it is gone, it's gone.

Still haven't shut off the Dish satellite, but will do so this week.

My new glasses are in. I hope I don't look stupid in them. They are red. "Normally" I am a pretty happy person, but when I am depressed I'm afraid they will look out of place on my face. I'm excited. The frames were only $89. Well within the insurance limit. I pick them up tomorrow.

We are going to join netflix again and I am going to rent some workout videos to have here when I can't go to the Y or as supplements to that. That way I can cut down on my gas mileage. Pinching pennies may not be the most exciting thing to blog about but getting out of debt is a huge deal. I have met many people doing the same things that we are. I like to listen to Dave Ramsey and hear people yell out, 3, 2, 1, "We're debt FREEEE!" I want to be one of them.

I am sending off my book to Boyds Mills Press for them to consider for publication. I sincerely hope they accept it. I have heard from a "vanity press" that will produce my book for $1,000 and advertise it on Amazon.com and other places. For my money I will get that, And a whopping one hardcover version of my book and five soft cover books. Whew..what a deal! I'm thinking I'm going to go the traditional route for a while. I know that rejections are on my way, unless Boyds Mills press, the first I send it to accepts it but the odds are highly against that, especially since they receive literally thousands of books from unsolicited authors and illustrators.

In the mean time, I will be watching my debt go down. Do you think a spoonful of sugar will help?