Back to running on autopilot. Bills come in and go out. I messed up on a spending challenege by getting a diet pepesi from a machine the other day. I haven't spent any money since then outside of budgeted bills.

Keeping an eye on the wife's CC card spending. I just have to be responsible for debts that I have agreed to pay already. (Note I am not responsible for any new CC debt she incurs.)It is hard to imagine how she can do this but she is quite creative at running up debt! Well there you have it!

I am sending a jacket and fanny pack back to LL Bean to get them repaired. I figure it is cheaper than buying new stuff!

Just put another 1100 on the DW CC. I hope to be done just after the new year with this debt.

I am in the midst of having a series of no-spend days. This is day four. Hopefully I'll have some more money together for the 20 dollar challenge soon.

The wife and I have settled into a courteous routine. Her birthday is coming up and I'll be taking her out for dinner. She wants a leather jacket and I can swing that if it is not too expensive.

I am feeling very tired. On we go.

Well, the wife and I are being courteous but there is palpable tension. The wife is no longer able to access any accounts in order to get money. None save her own accounts.

I am still trying to figure out how to repair the damage to the account. I have to do it fast. College is upon my DD in just a few years. I really did not need this.

The wife and I are staying in seperate rooms for the time being. It has happened before. I wonder if this is how marriage dies. There is no great blowup it jusr sort of fades away no matter what you do......

I fear that I'll always be in debt. It just sort of eats at me. I hate the feeling. How do you do this to someone you profess to love? I just don't get it!

I spent no money today and I am going to be nuts about spending any in the future.
I'll still be checking the wife's spending and looking out for CC's.

Enough whining on my part. I'm just going to deal with it. On I go.

Well, it happened again. I now know why my wife was not running up CC debt. It seems she dipped into money that we had agreed to put away for my DD's college fund.

I guesstimate I have to make up somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 24 thousand dollars. You'd think I'd be upset by all this but I am not. I guess I am sort of more hurt that she lied more than she spent the money.

I am not divorcing my wife but I am divorcing my finances from hers. We will split the bills but she'll have no access to any savings accounts of any sort. Heck, she doesn't contribute to them anyway.

She kept telling me she wanted to talk it out but I am of the opinion that any talking that needed to be done has already been done. What is there to say when trust is betrayed again and again.

6262.83 is the exact number on what I owe to pay off her CC debt. I still check the mail and she's gone over on her overdraft to the tune of 261.47. While I am concerned, she has generally paid off the overdraft in full. Now I think I know how.

My euphoria of winning a 1000 the other day is gone. I don't think I am mad or sad. I am just kind of numb. I suspect people feel this way when their spouse is on drugs or is alcoholic.

I have been an enabler for my wife. I have covered the debts for years and I am getting burned out and my health is starting to suffer.

Thank God there is no mortgage or car payments. I am so tired of struggling with this insanity. I guess divorcing our finances is the way to go at this time. Funny,I still love my DW.

Well, there you have it folks. I am officially up the creek again due to my own stupidity. Wish me luck as I'll sure as hell ned it!

Just checking in to say I am alive and well and busy as hell! I was able to pay some extra money on my Wife's CC bill and now it is down to 5800 and a bit!

We are still cutting coupons and looking for ways to cut costs. I am still checking the mail looking for any new CCs on my wife's behalf. I have seen none. So far so good!

I hope everyone here is well and doing well! Hope to check in again soon! If everything goes as planned I'll be out of debt in FEB. '07! WOOOO!!! HOOOOOO!!!!

Well, I am a bit ashamed of myself. I have been spying on my wife to make sure there are no new credit cards. The good news is there appear to be no new cards.
Maybe we have turned a corner. I sure hope so!

My daughter is out west with my sister on a free vacation trip. The whole thing was free. My sister is very generous. I could never have afforded the trip for my DD.

The doctors have determined that I am pre-diabetic and have to make a very large lifestyle change. It is so easy to tall but it is much harder to accomplish. I am always eating junk on the run. Now I have to be very concious of diet and exercise.

The wife is still clipping coupons and I have had several no spend days on a regular basis each week.

The DW's CC bill is at the halfway point and I am looking for ways to add more money to pay it off sooner. I hate being in debt to the CC company. I also noticed that they have changed the interest rate so I am looking to see if I can do some sort of balance transfer.

MIL law may have a relapse of her leukemia. I hope she does not as that will be a great stressor on my wife.

Life goes on and I thank God for each day.

Well, I am now officially back. The news though is not so wonderful. The wife and I are fighting over money again.

My DDs room needed to done over but my wife goes crazy with the spending. All new furniture as well as carpeting. THe furniture is from IKEA. The wife has alreay hired a painter.

I don't begrudge my daughter a thing but this is nuts while I am paying off the DWs debt that now exists. Wife says she has the money but I am doubtful. She is now also talking about taking her mom on a cruise as a birthday gift. Her mom is 85 so I don't begrudge her as she may not be here much longer.

The problem is all this happening at the same time. I fear my wife is again spending money behind my back. I slso had a test this week to see if I am diabetic. That is all I need.

Life is otherwise hunky dorey!

It is an interesting life I lead! Sheesh!

Well, I walked the boards. I sat on the beach one or two days. I cycled on the boards. It was sorta relaxing.

I am now back to the grind as it were. I am going to take life one day at a time and not get myself crazy.

The next payment on my wife's CC will take me past the half way mark in terms of repayment. (Doing the happy dance!)
10 more payments left. So May of next year will see me clear of this debt.

I apologize for not posting sooner. Things just get crazy sometimes between home and work obligations.

I am glad I went away on vacation. I soent money I did not want to spend but all work and no play is not conducive to good health.

The gas prices were 3.02 a gallon for the week. Bad as that was it is worse now!Oh well!

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and advice. I am back and will make a point of posting regularly!

Well, I have paid off some unexpected bills and the work is drying up for a while. It seems I never get to spend as much time here as I would like.

The bills are coming down slowly but surely. I have not had to touch the emergency fund though. I am going to wait for a life and death emergency financial wise!

I like the old line from "I Remember Mama". "We do not have to go to the bank!" It has become a mantra for me. I hate to spend the money saved in the bank.

I am so tired of being in debt and it seems to take so long to get out! Sometimes it seems as if I will never get there. I dream of the day when there is no debt whatsoever.

The wife and I are getting along but we still haggle over money. I have not told my wife about the emergency fund that has been set aside. I love my wife but at times I just don't feel very close. It is a rather odd feeling to have as we go through our 18th year of marriage. Maybe it is just a middle age thing that will pass. I sure hope that is the case.

I am just bone tired at this point from the work and the scrimping. I am just plain old tired with everything. Sometimes I wonder what the point of it all will be?

I managed to put aside money for a weeks vacation at the Jersey Shore. Nothing fancy but I need to get away. I think I'll lose it if I don't just get away for a while.

Maybe there should be a feeling of guilt for taking a vacation while in debt. Well guilt is the last thing being felt right now. I am too damned tired to care!

I am too damn tired period!

Well, that is my update and I hope to find some time to spend reading the other blogs here! Hope you are all doing well!

Wow! I have not posted here in so long. Still scrimping. Still trying to save two nickels to rub together.

Most days are no spend days. I broke down today and treated myself to a Latte and a fudge brownie at Starbucks. Let's face it a little cheating is necessary so as to prevent a HUGE blowout of spending.

The Wife's credit card bill is now below 10 thousand. I can see the glimmer of daylight way off in the distance. Life seems so funny at times though. I often think back to life as a kid when the biggest decision was what flavor ice pop I wanted. Oh for those care free days.

So I am doing the best that I can with what I have got. I am trying to enjoy life as that is the most important thing.

Nothing new to report. I just keep hitting it until I reach the goal. God willing that will be sometime next year.

Wishing you all the best!

PRICEPLUS
Paul

Well, the car is making funny noises! Sigh! Oh well.

I have strung 6 no spend days together.
My next payment takes DW card debt below 10 thou. Keep plugging away. My car Insurance was reduced and I paid till the end of the year. One less thing to worry about.

I am trying to cut more spending as extra work has dried up a bit. I just keep om keeping on!

I took a haircut for approximately 1500 so far in the market during the last two weeks. I am in it for the long run though. Nutual funds and ETF index funds.
Gotta hope everything works out.

The Emergency Fund is up to 10 thousand. Now I can sleep at night and not get crazy. If sonmething comes up I'll use it. I continue to add 100 dollars a month to it.

Gas is getting crazy. I don't drive now unless I absoluely haave to do so! 3.19 a gallon is insane! Well what can you do.

I am not spending anything on most days. I hearken back to when I was a kid and had great fun without anything but lint in my pockets.

Nothing terrible has happened yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Well some extra work came through and just at the right time. I have replenished a somewhat depleted Emergency Fund.

The bills are being paid on time and nothing outrageous seems to be on the horizon. Many here know from painful experience that just when things seem to be going gang busters life gives you a smack on the nose. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The wife's credit card payments are coming along. My next payment will take me under the 10,000 mark. I can't wait to be out from under.

I really was good this week and I spent no money. I don't know about next week because the car needs some repairs.

The grass seed I put down came up in a couple of spots. At least I have more grass than I did when I started. It is raining here and so some of the projects I have are on hold. What can you do.

My DW is still clipping coupons God love her. We are saving between 40 and 50 a month according to my wife. WOOO!!! HOOO!!!

As for now things are on an even keel. I hope they stay that way!

This is Happy Mothers Day wish for all the mommies here. Without Mothers the world would cease to work. My hats off to my Mom, my wife who is a great Mom, and all you Moms out there who make life and all good things possible.

May you have a joyous and wonderous Mothers Day! You all deserve it!

Well I pulled all the deck furniture out. I spary painted the set where there was wear and I took out the cushions to air. Tomorrow I'll wash the set and put it up correctly. The set is getting old but I told the wife that until it falls apart I woud like to continue keeping it in use.

The set is the old style where you put the cushions on them. (This is opposed to the new stle where there is a mesh type arrangement.)

We have some old plastic chairs and I told the wife I will wash them and then try Armor All on them. I tried it on one chair and it makes the chair look nicer. I don't want to put out money for new chairs if these are just an aesthetic issue.

I have a few old Redwood pieces that are kind of beat up. We take them out when we have a larger group. I am going to sand and stain them. I did this 7 or 8 years ago. They came out looking good too. I still have the cushions and they are in good shape.

We sealed the deck last year so I will give it another two years until I re-do it again. The boards seem to be in good shape as are the verticals. The deck is 15 years old and made of cedar. I am hoping to get a Trek deck if I can save up the money. Until then it is upkeep which keeps the deck going.

I will be sealing my driveway and walk this year. I used filler and sealer last year. This year I am just sealing. I'll be doing it myself.

I went to Sears and got a new filter for my shop vac. I will be detailing the cars myself.

I have to paint the railing in front of the house this week too! Oh brother!
I hope it turns out okay.

The wife is busily compiling more items for the honey-do list. I just hope I can complete all the items without spending much money!

Well that is all for now.

We had a 21 lb turkey which cost us 12 dollars. Well, we fed 11 people with the turkey at dinner. We sent care packages home with several of our guests.

I have enough turkey here for three to four more meals. We used the turkey carcass to make turkey soup. All in all I am very pleased with the value of this particular turkey. I know it is no biggy but I like the midset of frugality and good value this turkey has manifested.

My wife sent me to her pocket book for stamps and I found several credit cards in there. Most are store cards but here were 3 bank CC's. I have to check to make sure she is not going behind my back with the spending again. I feel really terrible about that but I think it is necessary.

Hopefully they have no serious amounts if any associated with them.

My DD takes viola in school. Today I had to get a new A string put on. It cost me a few dollars. The rental company would have replaced it free but there is the matter of tolls and gas traveling into the next county to get the free string.

I bought my DD a battery operated metronome. It is a new elctronic type and the first thing my DD says is that she wants the old one with the swinging arm. No thank you's just a complaint.
26 dollars for the device. Still have to go get the 9V battery.

Truth be told I would spend my last nickle on my DD. She is frugal with money. She really does not ask for much.

We are having relatives over for the Easter Holiday. I talked the DW into having less snack type stuff before dinner. I figure we'll save money and not ruin peoples appetites. We got a 21 lb Turkey for twelve dollars using a points promo at the local grocery.

I am going to veg out and not think about things financial this weekend. I am just going to sit back and enjpy the holiday. My DD will be playing th piano Sunday for the family. I guess the greatest wealth in the world is family and my daughter makes me feel very wealthy indeed.

Happy Holidays to everyone and God Bless!

Well, the bills continue to be paid. I took the bicycle out for a ride today and boy am I out of shape. I have to figure out a way to carry things on the bike to use for errands.

I still have my twenty in my pocket for the week. I have started to drink more water as a way to cut down on milk and juice consumption.

The wife and I are not arguing the last day or two. Maybe we are making headway. I will keep my fingers crossed. The darn allergy season has me feeling pretty bad though. I hate allergies. Oh well!

Still onthe lookout for extra work. Hopefully something else pans out.

Well, I made a couple of extra bucks and I have not told the wife about it. It makes more sense to save and not let her know about it. I tried the open path and it sure backfired.

We have tried the counseling but it usually degenerates into screaming matches. Enough is enough. I don't care to live in a hovel when I get older so it is up to me to save. I will divorce my finances from my wifes finances if that is necessary. I thought about it before but it is fast becoming a viable option. I intend to consult a lawyer to see how one goes about doing that.

I have the emergency fund up to 5000 again. I have 14 payments to go on my wifes CC debt. I threw some extra money at it last payment.

I printed out info on Debit cards and explained to my wife the dangers of using overdraft protection at 21%. I hope she keeps better control of her checking account. In any case she does not have a credit card and the overdraft is limited to 5000. Crazy stuff this!

Now the wife wants to redo the upstairs and finish the basement. Money grows on trees right? I tried to expalin to the wife that I don't want to incur any more debt as I pay off her last spending spree. I could see where the discussion was going in 30 seconds. I have no money to give until the CC is paid off.

Oddly enough she is still clipping coupons for the grocery store. Talk about about irony. I got my bicycle fixed to use for short trips around town and save wear and tear on the car. It is also good for my health barring getting hit by a car!

I'd like to thank all the folks who have been so kind and free with good advice.
Now it is back to the grindstone and make it happen!

I am totally burned. Some extra work came up but so did some unexpected bills. I don't spend any money on most days.

The bills are being paid and sometime by April/May of next year I'll be out of debt completely, God willing.

The wife ran up a 794 dollar overdraft on her debit card. Sometimes I can understand why some things can make a fella cry. I had to explain to my wife that 21.9% was an obscene amount of interest for her overdrafts. I don't understand this sickness of spending. Truly, I don't. I can really see why it is the number one cause of marital break ups.

In any case I keep plugging away at it. I hate the debt. I hate the constant scrimping and doing without while the wife is oblivious. Why clip coupons if you are running up overdraft bills. My wife even insisted I get her a new credit card. Maybe I will be leaving home in the near future. I am just so tired of this nonsense.

Gosh, I am so tired of this.

I am still hitting those no-money days. I keep the twenty in my pocket and try not to spend it. It appears to be working. I am steadily paying down the bills and I am still keeping up with them.

My DW is still using coupons and she was pleased at punch that she got a large bag of chips for only a quarter. I have to say that she has been good up to this point with the money issues.

My health is still preventing me from working as much as I would like. That sort of puts me in a tighter spot than I wanted to be. What can you do? Things happen.

Less is more! That is my new credo. Hell, it has to be!

Well the extra work I was counting on never materialized so I am tightening the belt a little further. Heres a hope that my face does not turn blue!

I had some health issues as well and that did not help.I really could not have done the extra work even if I had wanted to do so.

My spending is still basically at life support levels and that is pretty much it. I am still looking for any way to save a penny and cut existing costs further. My wife is still clipping coupons and looking for sales. I think the grocery bill of 650 per month is still too high and it is still a bone of contention. Prices have gone up but I believe it is still possible to save money if one really wants to.

The utility bills are running just 37 dollars over last years bill total. I think this is because of a milder winter and our turning down the thermostat a bit more.

I can't wait for the winter to be over! It weighs very heavy on me. Geez! It seems all I do is penny pinch and payt down debt. I can't wait to be out from under!

Back to the grindstone! I hope it all works out in the end!

Well my wife saved about 24 dollars yesterday with coupons and store specials. Why the filters for our coffee maker turned out to cost only 14 cents. It has taken some doing but we are turning the corner on the shopping issue.

The heating and electric bill was only up slightly from last year(about 17 dollars). As best we can figure our lowering of the thermostat saved us. We are wearing sweaters but are getting used to it.

I have 21 payments left on the DW's CC. I am still looking for extra work to help get this paid off sooner. No luck yet.

I have kept spending to in budget items only so far. I am keeping my fingers crossed that no major problem arises.

Today my wife called me on the carpet for not clipping a coupon from the local flyer. The coupon was for an item we use everyday!(Toilet paper). It is good to see my wife really getting into the spirit of things. My DD came to me today to put more of her allowance money into her savings account. DD is really becoming a monster saver instead of a spender. I am so proud of her attitude towards money and material things.

Well it is raining and the new roof is one heck of a blessing. I am still mad at the old contractor. The DW and I will soon be cleaning out the basement. We hope to sell a lot of old stuff and make some bucks while opening up much needed space. I'd like to finish part of the basement and intend to do a good deal of the work myself. The upstairs needs painting but I told the DW we should put it off till the spring.

I have been pretty good about not spending on out of budget items. Life seems pretty okay right now. Hey why not enjoy it for a while!

I am quite worried. Things are going well so far this year. I am spending little if any on most days that is outside the budget. The CC payments are going in on a timely fashion. My wife is not spending on CC's,(at least to the best of my knowledge).

Why worry? It always seems that when things are going along well the other shoe drops. Maybe Jeffreys' dropping off my petition to the Japanese God of Wealth will make things go my way this year. Things are going along as planned at the moment!

I spent no money this week that was not in the budget. No lunches, gadgets, papers, nothing! Frankly I feel very comfortable with no-money days now. It is becoming like a game to me. When I go out I take a thermos of coffee and it is wonderful!

I remember being a kid when I had little if any money. I cannot help but recollect how happy I was. Maybe part of this debt free living thing can be seen as remaining child like without becoming childish! Oh the wonder of those days when a 25 cent Spaldeen could provide endless hours of fun! Life is so much more than possessions!

I intend to laugh and enjoy life. In the end the best things in life truly cannot be bought with money and that is a very comfoting thought!

I went at lunchtime to the local Barnes and Noble to buy a book for my DD. I have a gift card plus I have a 10% discount card. Well, the mall was so packed there were no spaces! I can't take any more of the madness so I will go back when the store first opens.

What are all these people doing at the mall? Can there be that many returns or sales after Christmas! Aggghhhh!
I am back to no money days and serious cost cutting in the budget. My wife still does not have the credit cards and the grocery bills are down to app. 650 a month. I know we can do better but hey it is progress for us. Rome, as they say, was not built in a day!

We now talk about money without screaming and yelling. It takes a lot of work and patience. I can see how marriages can be shattered by this issue. I'd suggest to people thinking about marriage to get on the same page before they tie the knot! The CC bill is now below 14k. I have 21 payments left unless I can scare up some extra money. I am praying some extra work comes along. I will continue to try and cut as that may be my only option to free up extra cash!

Well the New Year is almost here. The family is staying home for New Years Eve. I wish everyone financial success in the coming year!

Well, the shopping, baking, and all the other things needing doing are done. I am just listening to some soft Christmas music and enjoying the evening. I wish peace, joy, and prosperity to everyone here. May your troubles be small and your triumphs many. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Happy Holidays!

I am finished shopping for gifts. I am here to to tell you I spent more than I had planned. My daughter saw something in a store window recently that she liked. She never requested it but I could see that she really liked the darn thing. Well, I being a pushover and a softy, went back today and got it for her.

I know I should be frugal, and most times I am, but seeing my daughter smile is priceless. She is a great student and she is a doll. She is well worth it!

I am exhausted though. Thank God I am finished with shopping.

Just got two free theatre tickets yesterday along with a free meal! It will be a big treat to get out and enjoy life a bit while on this austerity budget. Yessss!