PRICEPLUS's Personal Finance Blog

A friend of mine who is in poor health has no money coming in due to certain terrible circumstances.Although we are not rich the wife and I felt we had to help.

We sent 2000 dollars whch is a chunk of change for us. The good Lord blessed us with the ability to help and so we did. I am not looking for a pat on the back or any recognition.

He is a nice man but totally clueless about money. He has lived on the edge for many years. Worked hard but could never get his finances in order.

I told my friend to forget about paying me back. I think sometimes it is good to help when you can. I suppose it means that some luxury things are not going to be there for us now. In the end what is important in life?

I think I have done the right thing. I believe I am obligated to help if I can do so. He is a very good friend and a decent man. My wife and I think the world of him.

MAybe I am looking for someone to say that I did the right thing. In the end I suppose that does not really matter.

I know in my heart I did the right thing and at the end of the day that is all that matters! Someday I might find myself in my friends position. There is a certain karma in the universe that repays in way or another. I guess I'll be content with that thought.

Just musing about this. Just musing.

My heart monitor that I use when when running and my digial watch needed new batteries. I went out and found them at a good price in the local grocery store and replaced them myself. I saved a couple of bucks there.

I am keeping car usage to a minimum as the price of gas is starting to hurt. I expect closee to 4 dollars a gallon in the not too distant future.

The thermostat is as low as comfort will allow. Throws and fleece blakets are in the living room. Sweaters are "de rigeur" for this home.

The light near the street is shot and rotted through near the elctric outlet on it. My brother and a buddy will be helping me replace it when I get the money together. The price of having someone do it is prohibitive!

Trying to string together "no spend" days but I am not always successful. I am also trying to get the Emergency Fund back up to a decently high number again. It is really hard at times due to things that just pop up out of nowhere.

Well, I guess I'll just keep on keeping on!

My wife had surgery on her laeg a few days ago. She has been bed ridden and I am trying to help out as much as possible.

I think though that I am driving my wife insane with the way I do things around the house that she usually does. Oh well!

I had to run her over to the Docs aas she thought there might be some post operative infection. He told her to stay off her feet and keep the leg elevated. He might just as well have been talking to the wall. Arrggghhhhh!!!!

I spent nothing today but a few bills did come in but they are in the budget. I hate days when I have to worry about health issues. It is very stressful. That is why it has been a beast of a day for me.

Tomorrow is another day and so is the day after that and so on. It will get better!

Catalytic converter went on my car and my wife had engine troubles with hers. All told the cost was over 4200 dollars for everything that needed to be done.

Wife ran up some bills but I will not be payin ghtem nor will I get upset by them. Our finances are now seperate and we split the bills. I think she is less than truthful about what is going on but there you have it. I guess some things will never change.

I kust keep keeping on and put one foot in front of the other.

I am still debt free. I have had some good fortune and now I don't have to worry about retirement so much. I was left a sizeable amount of money. So along with the house and our current savings plan the wife and I are set.

The house is free and clear as are our cars at the present time. Debt free is good! Very good! I am enjoying being debt free! Woo! Hoo!!!!

Best of luck and good health to everyone!

No new credit card bills! We have been paying cash for the most part.

The Emergency fund is back up to nearly 7000 dollars and we are aiming for 10000 with a 100 a month additon when we get there.

I have been keeping busy trying to make money wherever and whenever I can. We have some home repairs to make soon. I hope to keep the amounts spent to a minimum.

The water heater and some of the pipes in the basement had to be replaced. The total bill for everything came to 1138.00.
Sheesh! I should have been a plumber.

Thankfully the EF was available and we paid cash! Thank God no need to use the CC's.

Don't get around to the computer much these days. Maybe when I get a little more time but I work when the work is there in order to fatten up our retirement accounts.

Sometimes I wish I'd hit the lottery as I am not as young as I used ot be.

I hope eveyone here is doing well. I will stop in again soon.

Hey gang! Been losing weight, Saving money, and having a grand old time. I just replaced the water heater and the pipes leading to and fro. $1137 with the tax and everything. I paid cash! I love what this place has taught me!

I already have a couple of hundred miles in on my bicycle already and I am loving it. I have not had time to sit on the computer as I would like. Work and exercise are filling up more of my time than ever before.

I have no debt as of this entry and I am hoping to keep it that way! I hope you are all doing well! God Bless!

The bills come in and get paid. I work as much as I can and try to squirrel away as much money as possible.

I am down to 328 and still heaqding south in the weight department.

The wife is still watching the spending and things are humming along.

The snow is all gone and things are just moving along. I like autopilot asit means nothing is amiss that I know of anyway!

That is all there is to report. Autopilot!

It is snowing again here. I really hate the snow! It makes life so difficult! To be sure it is great for those who run ski resorts and the like but I am tired of it.

When I was a kid it was great fun playing in the snow. Now I have to shovel it and drive through it and it is a pain in the neck.

I have been spending very little of late except on bills in the budget. I feel pretty good about that.

My DD is playing in the pit for her school play. She plays the piano and viola and is fairly accomplished. Sorry but I am so proud of her my heart may burst!

Wife's van got hit and we got a few estimates. We are going to use one of the lower estimates and bank the money left over. The insurance adjustor gave my wife about 1100 dollars and we found a really good shop that will do the work for 780.

We are not replacing some parts but they are still in good shape if not aesthetically. The bumper is sound it just does not look pretty. Who cares!

We have noticed that the prices of fresh fruit and veggies is getting a little ridiculous. I have been elected to go to a few grocery stores and the local farm stand with MIL to scope out better prices. I think we can make some serious savings hereif we map things out.

I really can't wait for the warmth of spring. Winter and cold has been hanging around too long for me!

Well the bursitis laid me low for at least three weeks now. I have not been able to do some of the things I need to fill the coffers. I took a financial hit but what can you do?

I also developed tennis elbow because of "guarding" my injured shoulder! Geez I have all the luck!

Some car and home repairs have really hit the emergency fund. Thank God we had the EF or the card bills would have been up again!

We now have only about 2200 in the EF. I am still being frugal and having scads of no spend days. I have to because of the spate of no earn days! I will be looking to make some extra money but I have to be careful not to get injured again as that could really set me back!

DW is still clipping coupons but she runs up the damn overdraft protection. It gets paid but I can't understand what she is doing! Well, at least she isn't running up thousands in credit card bills!

I am trying ot be really frugal and I have tightened the belt about as much as I can at this point. I continue the adventure!

Hi everybody! I hope everyone is well. I apologize for my absence but I have not been feeling well of late.

I injured myself doing some work and I have been in a good bit of pain. Truth be told I injured my shoulder and elbow and the pain has at times been dreadful.

I have been going to physical therapy and I hope to be better soon. The top of my right hand gets numb and sitting at the keyboard becomes uncomfortable. I have set up things so it is not so bad now.

On the financial front things are status quo. I am still putting money away and there have been no major disasters. Thank Heavens!

I have lost about 20 lbs on the diet but now I am stuck at this point until I can exercise more.

Well, that is about all that is going on here. I hope to soon be a full participant here again!

God Bless and see you soon!

Please visit Mjrubes Blog to read up on the 2007 weight loss challenge. Being healthy translates into lower medical and insurance bills. Being healthy means not losing days at work. Being healthy saves us money in the long run!

So I am making a long term goal of losing 80 pounds by Dec. 31, 2007.

I am making a medium term goal of losing 10 % of my present weight.

I am making a short term goal of cutting snack food and junk out of my diet. I also intend to eat moreveggies and fruit.

Please add a new category! Please add a
2007 Weight Loss Challenge category and save your health and money at the same time!

Well, I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. They have put me on Toprol. Oh well!

No major expenses since the washing machine and dryer.

I have been on the forums trying to say a few things here and there but my heart is not in it right now.

Bills are in good shape and wife has not run up any new ones and I have not either.

Hope everyone here is doing well.

Will check back in when my head is in a better frame.

Well, the dryer had beengiving us trouble. It is 11 years old and we had money aside to pay for it.

The problem is that the washer just went. The repair guy quoted us an outrageous price to "maybe" get it fixed. It is 11 years old like the dryer.

So with one fried washer and one dying dryer I took the plunge. I have the money to pay cash for a new washer and dryer. I guess I have 11 to 12 years to save up for new ones again!

In any case they are coming tomorrow. I went with Whirlpool models given high ratings from Consumers Reports. The Consumers Report has not let me down in the past. It cost but I would rather have a quality appliance. I believ that oft times we buy cheap and pay dear!

On a happier note I opened up an Emigrant Savings account for my daugter and deposited 5000 dollars of hers in it. Emigrant has become so much easier to use.

I treated myself today to a cup of coffee and a bagel 4.28. Picked up a loaf of Italian bread 2.29. I also purchased two sheets of .02 cent stamps for .80 cents.

I am still trying to have as many no-spend days as possible. Well, that is my story for this week! I hope everyone here is well and doing well!

Well I got a lot of work done today at home. I was able to sneak and get over to this sites forums today.

Well I sit here listening to Brenda Holloway singing "Every Little Bit Hurts".
I love old Love Songs! I guess that makes me a hopeless romantic. Now Bertha Tillman is singing "Oh My Angel"! They sure don't write songs the way they used to!

I have been good and spent no money today. Not hard since I was working at home today! A productive day is what I would call it!

I have discovered that adding apple juice, the darker juice, to oatmeal is better than adding milk! No sugar. Just cinnamon and a banana! Yummy!!!

20 minutes of aerobic dance today. I want to get to 1/2 hour every day and add walking to that. I also want to add Nordic walking but hey one thing at a time.

I hope to go cycling this Sunday morning.
I don't know maybe 10 or 12 miles!

Well I hope things pick up bit on the extra money side. I keep trying.
Gotta put those no spend days together. Yup! That is what I must do!

Now its Bettye Swann singing "Make Me Yours"! Gosh I love this music. I am waxing nostalgic!

For those whose hearts have been hurt things will get better. Life can be beautiful if you let it be!

God Bless everyone and may all things be golden for you!

Well, it's back to my efforts to make money so as to have two nickels to rub together.

I suppose Holidays are great but it feels good to get out there again. I'd love to blog more but work doth beckon. I guess giving up the boob tube for an hour or so in the evening is appropriate!

I'm going to try and accumulate as manmy no spend days as possible. It is really wild to note the difference in my financial condition as opposed to a year ago. I am hoping to be able to say I am in great shape by this time next year.

See you folks this evening and have a wonderful day!

We ate at a birthday party for my sister early in the day. We were fed at a friends house where we went to watch the ball drop.

At my friend's house we sat and watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"! It is one of my favorite films of all times. Each time I watch it I pick up something new!

It was nice to see Dick Clark back on the TV for the Ball Drop! He has recovered nicely God Bless him!

No alcohol tonight just sparkling apple cider. What a wild man I am these days!
The diet starts tomorrow though! I pigged out folks!

Life is good and everything is on course for now!

Okay! I have taken twenty dollars from my wallet and I have put it in an envelope along with and index card.(I write the deposit amount down and put the money into checking and then over to my new Emigrant Savings Account.)

My challenge is to put twenty dollars a week away for the year 2007 Challenge. I will look to complete the challenge by saving money or raising a little extra cash during the week!.

The 20 dollars will be in addition to my regular savings! So I guess the goal is a minimum of $1040.00 dollars by this time next year!

Cone on gang! Who else will join the 20 dollar challenge for 2007?

Well it is officially the last day of the year! I am feeling pumped as the new year is ready to get started!

I know this year can be a good one not only for me but for everyone else here!

I am pumped and prepped to save!

I am pumped and prepped to lose weight!

I am just psyched up as the new year starts!

It is now a time to get ready for the 2007 20 Dollar Challenge!

It is time to cut costs and keep as much of my money as possible!

Jeff and Nate are making this place into something very special!

You folks are making this place into something special!

Can we save money! YES WE CAN!

Can we get rid of debt? YES WE CAN

Can we accomplish our goals? YES WE CAN!

Let's go team!

Well, I moved 5000 out of my daughters passbook savings account into my checking. I will soon be opening an Emigrant Direct account for her using my checking.

I spent no money today and it felt really good!

We had company over and the DW and I had a lovely time! I really like good conversation!

Just got a gift of 300 dollars in a mall gift card. I'll be using it to buy gifts during the coming year. I also recieved a 100 gift card to my favorite restaurant. With the restaurant card I also got two ten dollar off coupons. Major score for me!

The car insurance got paid today. I have to remember to take the little course that gets me 10% off!

The DW and I are detting along fairly well at present. We still have our moments with spending but she seems to be coming around. One can only hope!

Today was an okay day!

Now that the CCs are gone I have the following goals:

1) On hand cash fund of 2500 for emergencies. You can only take so much out of the ATM at a given time. That presumes the ATM is working(sometimes the electric goes out).

2) Get the EF up to at least 10000 dollars and then add 100 monthly. The amount paid in would rise by the need to keep it at least 10000.

3) Increase the amount of money invested into mutual funds and ETFs. I am looking to see how much I can realistically put into investments.

4) Look to cut spending in as many areas as I can. I have cut quite a bit but I am sure I can be more creative.

5) I need to lose a great deal of weight. What good is money and savings if you are too sick to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

6) Volunteer more in my community. I am thinking about joining the ambulance corps. I would help my community but I also get benefits from tyhe town such as free pool passes and some tax breaks.

Well, those are the basic goals.

Anyone here have any other ideas! What are you folks doing!

Well folks it is now official. The check has been cashed. The account has been credited. My wife's CC debt is no more!

I have started getting myself more organized. I started by cleaning out the garage. My tool chest is now in perfect order and everything is accessable.

I took the hazardous waste to the county facility. I threw out crap that had collected over the years. I was tired at the end but I am organized on that front. I noticed some of my tools are missing. That is what I get for lending things out!

I need to replace a few tools but there is no rush. Oddly enough I find that the more organized I become the more I find that I pretty much have everyting I wanted. Isn't that a hoot!

I have really been blessed. I truly have.

My next project is the basement. I have a ton of stuff to throw out and/or give away. Since the bills are paid I have gone on an organizing kick. I don't really know why but I have!

The Christmas shopping is done and I stayed on budget for the most part. My wife is upset because I keep telling her I pretty much have everything I have ever wanted. I hope I don't get a lump of coal for Christmas!

It feels sort of weird not having a large bill to pay off. In fact I feel a kind of let down truth be told. I know that sounds odd but I guess that is just me. Maybe I expected being out of debt to be some sort of magic thing. While it is nice it is not a lasting rush if you know what I mean.

I am seting up things so that more of my checks are sent into savings and investments. Wish me luck!

WOOOO!!! HOOOOOO!!!! I am now officially doing the happy dance! The Chase Card is paid off! The check has been written and sent off!

The mortgage is paid! The cars are paid. Now the Credit Cards are paid in full!
I am not owing anybody about this time!
I am in debt to no one!!!!

I cannot describe the feeling! I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders! The leeches are no longer draining me financially! Cash and carry is now the order of the day!

I was waiting for this to happen before I blogged again! Now it has happened. Saving and investing will now increase significantly. I have been doing extra work so I have hit the forums but not the blogs. Hafta earn the money when the work is available.

The horror is gone for me. If the wife does it again she can pay for it. Gee whiz I feel good!

Yes, my wife sent me out to pick up a few last minute things at the local supermarket. Oh and the locals were in a festive and jolly mood today!

Have you ever seen two elderly ladies go at it. My goodness! I don't think I have quite heard profanities strung together in such a fashion. Aside from being thoroughly embarassed I was stuck on the line at the checkout. Somehow my image of sweet little old ladies has been damaged in extremus.

Several times I was run into in the aisles whilst standing still. Trust me when I tell you I am hard to miss. I show up on radar. I have felt safer driving my car on the highway. People whiz by with their carts oblivious to everything and everyone as they peruse the shelves in non-stop fashion!

My gratitude goes out to the lovely couple in front of the plum tomatoes for over ten minutes. Why did you inspect EVERY plum tomato when you saw me standing and waiting. Could you not simply have shared the space with me. Hey I showered and shaved. Why I even put cologne on!

When I finally paid for my groceries I had moved my cart forward and was awaiting my bagged groceries. The fellow on line put his material up and pushed his cart forward towards mine. At this exact moment a store worker came in behind me and blocked my egress from the counter area. It seems she was there to pick up items left at the register by customers. I would have bagged the milk myself but I could not reach it at this point. So I wait about 5 minutes and I don't say a word!

Well, I finally have all my goods packed and I head for the door. Oh please miss could you look at your reciept elsewhere and let me pass

I finally make it the parking lot that some shoppers think is a NASCAR track. Thanks for letting this pedestrian have the right of way! No this is not a demolition derby! Then again maybe it is! Someone has pushed a cart up against my car. Why thank you I have always wanted to see what a cart can do to my paint job.

Forget making the left as nobody is cutting anyone any slack during these joyous times. I make the right to avoid the crazies trying to get home a few minutes sooner.

Upon arriving home my wife asks in so pleasant a voice, "what took you so long"! My DW notices that I have forgotten something. It is on the list she says! Where says I? Oh, I must have forgotten to put it down! Would you mind going back to the store to get it!!

AAARRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you read a story about someone beating Mr. Whiffle unconcious with a twelve pack of Charmin it was probably me!

I just pulled out 4300 out of the EF to pay off my wife's Chase CC bill. Those creeps just informed my wife that any adverse info on her credit report would allow them to default her interest rate to 32%. Can you imagine?

Well, I'll go without! I'll walk barefoot in the snow first before I pay 32% interest because any of my wife's bills were a day late! They are fishing to get money out of folks any way they can!

Well, They are getting no more from me! The nerve of those people. I have never been late with any payments on this card that I am paying off for my wife. Those people see the card being paid off and bells and whistles go off! How do we keep this person paying? How do we extract a pound of flesh before they payoff what they owe!

I am as mad as a person can possibly be! In future, if I can't pay cash then I can't have it!

My message to all the CC companies out there is simple, "DROP DEAD"!!! Boy am I annoyed at those people!!!!

My wife's CC sent her a notice of a change in terms. 32% is the new default rate. The penalty fees are up to 39 dollars.

Interest accrues from the time you charge something and your rate can go up due to adverse info on your credit report. This is the final straw with these clowns! I am dipping into the EF and I am paying off the damn CC debt once and for all!

Cash and carry is the order of the day. I have had enough of this crap! Damn!

I hope the picture comes out right!

Other folks were posting so I thought I just may as well. My only problem is that I have to take my own pictures as you can see! The cycling shorts are just a bit less embarassing than the potpourri!

I have stopped watching TV to hang around here and I think that is good to a point. I have been dodging a little work during the day to come here. The lists became very addictive! Dodging work is baaaddd!!

I spent no money today but DW had to travel and so the mini van had to get filled with gas. 43 dollars to fill the tank! Arrgghhh!!! She spent 15 dollars for lunch as well. Well, so it goes! Oh and I forgot 40 dollars for dinner(she took her brother out).

So, I am sitting at the keyboard this evening singing along to Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. As if anyone even remembers them anymore sad to say!
An inexpensive joy to be sure.

I am craving a DR.Pepper and some nachos. It is Friday night and I am a wild and crazy guy!Oh man I am missing Battlestar GAlactica! BYE!!!

Okay since everyone else is doing this I guess I can do so as well!

1) I am the size of of an Offensive tackle in the NFL.6'6" and 330 lbs.

2) I sing tenor and I actually have a very nice voice.

3) I missed being an Eagle Scout by one merit badge.

4) I have worked as a bartender and I was a darn good one. It was the most fun job I ever had.

5) The first great love of my life eloped and married someone else which broke mty heart at the time!

6) I am a notary public.

7) I am a certified firearms instructor.

8) Unbeknownst to all my guy friends I like making potpourri with different scented oils. It just would not go over well with the fellas.

9) I have seen enough death and suffering such that I don't ever want to see any anymore.

10) I like wearing baseball caps.

11) I volunteer with local sheriff's dept. as a reservist.

12) I always found that sitting around a camp fire, roastig marshmallows, singing corny songs, and drinking hot cocoa, is about the funnest thing on the planet to do!

13) My eyes well up when I watch sad movies like Brians Song or The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I am at heart a big mush!

14) I love gadgets and tools. They are my favorite gifts! I love to tinker.

15) I once gave serious thought to being a priest.

16) I am on the executive committee of a local political party.

17) I have been a Chicago Cubs Fan before it was fashiobnable. I have never stepped foot in the state of Illinois.

18) I love singing Doo-Wop music and I do it every chance I get.

19) I am one of nine children!

20) Walks on rainy days followed by hot coaoa, a warm blanket, and a good book in the recliner are like gold!

Dinner is ready so I'll post the next five as soon as I am done!

Okay I am back form dinner and here are the next five.

21) I have been known to fall asleep at services and have my wife give me an elbow to wake me up!

22) I love putting lightsup for all the holidays and Christmas is the biggie!

23) I grew up poor so everything I have I am truly amazed that I have.

24) I have milked a cow and moved them to water with the aid of a dog. I have planted corn and picked apples. I have watched a calf being born. While sheep are cute they are amonst the dumbest of God's creatures!

25) I really love my wife and family. God is good and merciful and life can be beautiful if you look at in the proper perspective.

Well, that was 25 off the top of the head!

What is it all about anyhow? Save money, retire, and try to enjoy what is left. There is more to life than just money and success as the world sees it. Is my material success all encompassing of who I am or how successful as a person?

What is any of these things I own really worth? It will all break, fade, or passs away over time. Nothing of me or mine will remain!

What does,"is it worth it?", mean? Is there anything worth it? Whatever "it" is!
Just musing on a somber day. Just thinking a little too deeply perhaps. Perhasps where ignorance is bliss it truly is folly to be wise!