Hi friends,

I am so excited!!! My work contract was ratified yesterday and my income will increase about $350 a month. I will budget as if I never got a raise and SAVE the increase. Retro check will come soon, I'm paying for our family vacation with that (hopefully the whole trip). I'll let you know if it covers the entire trip.

Hola!

Just want to give you an update on my weight loss as part of my goals for 2008. I joined Weight Watchers 3 weeks ago and I've lost 8.4 pounds. First week on the program is very sweet, since for the most part people tend to lose over 4 pounds. Second week I lost 1 lb. and on my weigh-in yesterday I lost 2.4 for the third week. I really want to lose the weight for health reasons. My family has been plagued with hypertension and diabetes problems.

I pre-paid four weeks of the program, which saves me over $3 a week.

HI FRIENDS,

Quarterly property taxes are due at the end of the month! $2200.00 =( probably no money for savings.

Oh by the way, the predicted 4 to 6 inches of snow for NJ never happened. Students went to bed late last night thinking they were getting a day off. They were either off the wall or sleeping through classes.

Greetings from Northern New Jersey==
(Lots of snow coming our way tonight)

Firstable, I want to say that I love this site. I enjoy reading about other folks like me. I especially love that it is a great support system for people who are trying to live below their means or live with what they have.

I finally compiled my Goals for 2008 and would like to share them with you.

GOALS FOR 2008:

Be a better human being, wife, mother and teacher.

PAY FOR OUR FAMILY VACATION CASH. I CALCULATED ABOUT $3,500.00. This would be our first real vacation in three years.

Continue to put 30% (or 35% whenever possible) of our income in savings.

Increase amount contributed to 403B as soon as my new work contract comes through.

Increase the amount of money donated to my church.

Change eating habits. Eat healthy and exercise at least 4 days out of the week.

Wish me luck! By the way my $20 savings challenge has $40.02.

I started my $20 challenge today and added the two cents I found on my way to the teacher's lounge. It's easy to find a few coins in the school cafeteria! My goal is to use this money for our long awaited vacation. My family and I will be going to Puerto Rico this summer.

Wish me luck!

I am new to this site and I keep reading about the $20 savings challenge. Can someone tell me how it works?