February was not good on our savings and I'm feeling the agony. This is in addition to the montly bills.

Here's the rundown

$1,385.00-- Heating oil bill

$2,800.00 -DOWNPAYMENT FOR MY SON'S CAR
(I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO RECUPERATE THE MONEY ONCE WE SELL HIS "OLD" CAR AND RETURN THE MONEY TO OUR SAVINGS).

$3,210.00 PROPERTY TAXES FOR OUR RENTAL AND PRIMARY HOMES.
(I really should be putting that money aside each month, but I'm not that disciplined and our mortgage company won't escrowed the loan).

We still managed to put 30% of our monthly income in our money market account.

No work for me today, northern NJ has been smacked by a winter snow storm. I came home yesterday to a heating oil bill of a little over $1500 (400 gallons at $3.89 a gallon). Last year we were paying $2.69 a gallon. Needless to say, I'm pretty bummed about this bill and there is nothing I can do about it. We are hoping to be able to abandoned or removed our inground oil tank next year so that we can shop around for better oil prices.

I'm worried about the economy, everything is going up. It also amazes me how people keep spending and strapping themselves to more cc debt for "wants" and not "needs". I get sick to my stomach--really-- when I can't meet our family's savings' goals. Maybe I should learn to be a little more flexible.

Hi friends,

I got my retro check from work yesterday! Retro pay + actual pay= $4,800.00. I paid for our vacation airline tickets= $1200.00, paid $975.24 for quaterly taxes on our rental home and saved 30% of it=$2,123.00 (money market account). Hubby's pay checks (overtime check comes every 15th of the month) and whatever was left of mine went to pay household bills and March's mortgage payment.

Hopefully we won't owe Uncle Sam any money this year!

I am now on week #7 of my weight loss challenge. I've lost 15.4 lbs (and many to go) following the Weight Watchers program. It has not been easy, but I managed to remain focus and take it one day at a time.

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my blogs. You inspire me to be responsible with my family's hard earn money and thanks for listening when I'm confronted with life's unexpected events. Keep blogging!

I'M SO GLAD I FOUND SAVINGADVICE.COM!!!

Hello friends,

Today "SAD" (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER)has hit me very hard. I have been able to deal with it for the most part this winter, but for some reason the month of February is the worst for me.

To make matters worst I stayed home today with my 13 year old son because we are not feeling well. I noticed that he had 4 bruises in his arm, so I asked him what happened. Reluctantly, he told me that a kid punched him several times in the arm because he (my son) cut in line. Mind you, I come to find out that this kid is about 5'11 and my son is not even 5' tall. I am so angry. My husband and I will be going to his school tomorrow to speak to the principal.

Thanks for listening, I needed someone to talk to.

January 2008
$1,628.00