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Post by SueDonym on May 25, 2008 22:36:29 GMT -5
I guess there's nuthin' like not being able to use something to make you appreciate it again! Since my plumbing repairs were done, I have been loving being able to use my garden sprinkler to water my plants, being able to wash dishes without worrying about leaving the water turned on too long and worrying about the leak upstairs getting worse, and washing clothes that have been piled up and long forgotten.
I even went on and cleaned out the utility room! I hadn't used it in so long because I'd been washing just the necessities at the laundromat while I was worrying about the leak. I had tossed a bunch of stuff in there and closed the door to keep the cats out. But now the stuff was dusty and stale and REALLY needing to be washed! So far tonight I have done three loads, and also threw away one full garbage bag full of old t-shirts, ratty sheets, and other stuff I decided were better off as empty space than being stored.
Once I have the utility room reorganized, I will have one major job left in this house... the "storage room." It's basically my old bedroom, filled with boxes of junk. I really want to clean it out because there is a relatively nice twin bed in there, and it would make a better, more inviting place to have a guest stay, rather than on the couch.
Next week, I will be calling the guy I met who does insulation to get some blown into the attic. It is HOT HOT HOT here this week! In the nineties! Then I have a bunch of smaller things to do over the next couple months, with the goal of being ready for an appraisal so I can refinance again.
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Post by artsygal on May 25, 2008 23:39:29 GMT -5
WTG suedonym!!!!  You've done so much and are appreciating it and yourself plus you have a game plan. I'm very proud of you! artsy |
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Post by SueDonym on May 26, 2008 0:17:22 GMT -5
Thanks, artsygal! I kept going after posting too! One more load of wash done, and I finished clearing out the odds and ends from the utility room and swept the floor. Then I made my bed with freash sheets, pillow cases and a freash blanket! The kitties are enjoying rolling around on it, leaving new hair already!  Manana is for yard work. I need to mow and weed-eat. Oh, I also planted a new round of veggie seedlings today. I haven't had much luck with lettuce, spinach, celery, and broccoli, so I am trying them again, and planting a new crop of tomatoes so I wil have more after the current crop finishes producing. |
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Post by SueDonym on May 26, 2008 20:00:17 GMT -5
Two more loads of wash (sheets and blankets) and two big bags of trash done! I am finally throwing away clothes that need repairs I'll never make, have stains I'll never get rid of, don't quite fit, etc.
I also reorganized one kitchen cabinet. and I have gone back to my lost old habit of trying to pick up at least one piece of trash and one thing that needs a home everytime I get up. It's amazing how quickly that makes a difference withouot really feeling like you're doing any work!
I spent almost $200 at Sam's today. I have spent a total of about $400 there this month. when I got my card, I was afraid it would make me spend too much, BUT I have really only been buying things I use regularly, only if the price is a reasonable discount, and have been keeping close track of what I buy. So I expect to not need to buy razors, garbage bags, facial cleanser, and several pantry items for about a year! Oh, also cleaning supplies!!! I think that $400 was all stuff I would have bought at the regular grocery store, and I am almost certain I have saved between 22 and 28%. For example, my razors are Schick Intuition, which I LOVE. At Kroger, the per cartridge price is about $3.20 each, and at Sam's, it was only $2.18 each. Now granted, the package was enough to last me a year, so it will take me a while to earn that savings, but I figure as the year wears on, all these purchases will eventually be worthwhile. Being a single person, it's not so easy to shop at a warehouse store, but I think it will pay off eventually.
I am trying to save $400 a month by budgeting tightly so I can finish my needed home repairs and buy a new laptop. I also bought Quicken to help with this, but haven't gotten too deep inito it yet. I think I need at least a year and a half of really focused saving to take care of everything I have on my financial to-do list. By that time, hopefully the habits will be firmly entranched anyway.
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