http://somer.savingadvice.com My journey to financial security. info@savingadvice.com Diana en-us http://somer.savingadvice.com/2008/01/18/stocks_34370/ It is so hard to see the gains plus the hard earned money in my 401 drop away. I am feeling it was all for nothing. Thank heaven I have money in other things not connected to the stock market. But I was putting so much of my check in my 401 in anticipation of retiring. Sad, so sad.... Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:53:27 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2008/01/13/want-or-need_34104/ That is the question. I have decided that this will be my mantra for the year and will only buy if I NEED it. So far it's been saving me a lot of money. I never realize how much I buy because I just want it. Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:20 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2008/01/01/i-wish-i-had-known_33493/ I was taught if you wanted something save for it. I am and always have been a good saver but in my early years I'd save up and spend. I wish I had three savings accounts (back then we had 5 1/4 % interest) I wish I had saved for emergencies and for my future besides my wants. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:36:43 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/04/15/no-spend-day_24916/ We had to get groceries, we have this budgeted and we were within our budget. Is this a no spend day? We didn't get anything we didn't need. If it doesn't count then when ever we pay our bills, even though it's budgeted for, counts as spending. I'll have to think of a new challenge. Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:58:44 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/04/13/still-on-no-spend-days_24853/ We had dinner out with drinks and still spent no money. Gift Cards we found from Christmas!! The streak is still on. Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:40:14 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/04/12/no-spend-day-no2_24808/ At my lunch at home. For dinner we made our own pizza with the stuff we had at home. Day number 2, we are on a roll. Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:23:11 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/04/11/no-spend-day_24750/ I had a no spend day. We are having a late season snow storm so management ordered pizzas so no one would have to go out. Then, we had a power outage. No work and a free lunch. The power never did come back on and we left early, paid for our normal hours. What a no spend day! I am... Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:19:56 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/04/09/blahsville_24658/ I have hit the blahs as far as finances goes. I have much on autopilot as I could. It'great going but kind of boring. So, I want to spice things up. See how long I can go on No Spend Days. See if I can break some of my records using coupons. See how much fun stuff I can do for free.... Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:39:19 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/04/01/its-been-one-year_24291/ My one year anniversary. I have learned so much in this past year. I have been so frugal. Using coupons, set a budget, learned more about my 401k, started investing, learned about On'line Banks. Everyone has been so nice with advice and comments. I am looking forward to reading more... Sun, 01 Apr 2007 16:12:09 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/20/a-planned-spending-day_20955/ I spent today, groceries. But it was budgeted for and we were within budget. Otherwise a quiet day. We're waiting for the snow storm and the Bear's game tomorrow. <br /> Yesterday was payday, the budget was gone over, bills paid and accounts all balanced. We're sitting pretty so far. Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:24:30 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/18/still-on-track_20804/ It's the 18th day of the year and I'm still on track. I have only had one spending day(work pig-out for bosses job promotion). I even found some money (only 7 dollars but hey!) so I think I'm doing all right. Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:40:49 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/13/today_20480/ Today was a no spend day. My husband wanted to go out to lunch when I got home from work, but I talked him into doing a 50's drive up lunch at home. (Hamburges, french fries, pickles in a paper plate and holder, with big dill pickles on the side). When we usually do this type of meal... Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:29:55 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/12/my-no-spend-week_20426/ I was so close to ending the week without spending a dime but.... we had a pig-out at work, there was a sign up sheet. I scanned the list and had nothing at home that fit the list so I had to stop at the grocery store. I really tried to be creative with out spending but being the end... Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:43:57 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/10/no-spend-day_20299/ It's Wednesday, day four in my no spend week. I am convienced I'm addicted to spending and suffering withdrawal. I think that I wouldn't have spent anything normally today anyway so why am I feeling like I need to go out shopping. Thank heaven I had a very busy day at work and am pretty... Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:15:12 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/09/no-spend-day_20228/ I have had three days now, not spending a thing. My dinner came from eating down the freezer and pantry. I'm working on a no spend week, which will be hard since one of my weakness is "Kohl's 15% off if you use your charge". I had a day off today and usually I clean the house, do errands... Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:02:14 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2007/01/07/no-spend-day_20090/ I'm coming to the end of a great "no-spend day". I set up my budget, cleaned out my purse, started up with my coin jar, cleaned out my 2006 files, started gathering the tax stuff, put the rest of our christmas stuff away, cleaned the car, made chili and corn muffins. I did almost run... Sun, 07 Jan 2007 14:49:01 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2006/12/03/its-been-a-while_18314/ I haven't added much lately. I started my journey into Personal Finance in April. I have curbed my spending, invested into stocks , discovered EmigrantDirect and went into auto deposits. I have learned so much and saved a lot. The year is winding down and my looking into new goals.... Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:47:22 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2006/09/29/coin-jar_14960/ I'm taking in my coin jar to the bank today. I did not do that last month. I was saving all coins and singles. Occasionally taking out quarters for parking when I go to a meeting in town. I'm anxious to see how much there is. Also today is the end of 3rd quarter so when I do my books... Fri, 29 Sep 2006 03:53:57 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2006/09/15/slow-but-sure_14328/ Finanically things have been going pretty good for me. Sending a son to college has set me back this month, but happy I wasn't sending him to the Marines like he wanted. <br /> <br /> My budget is working very well, I'm using percentage instead of a set dollar amount. I readjusted my 401K and... Fri, 15 Sep 2006 03:48:22 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana) http://somer.savingadvice.com/2006/07/11/lazy-days_11174/ Coin jar total for June was 89.52, not bad considering how many no spend days I had in June. This is vacation month so I don't plan on much headway. I still put in to savings and investments as on budget but I don't plan on anything extra going in. <br /> We are doing much more planning... Tue, 11 Jul 2006 03:38:26 PST somerlyn@hotmail.com (Diana)