http://armywife.savingadvice.com My survival tips and tricks of living in NYC with one income (for now). webmaster@savingadvice.com Barb en-us http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2008/06/10/budget-re-start_39995/ As with any journey, one must have the strength come from within in order to achieve. I've been with SavingAdvice for many years and have learned some great Personal finance tips. In the process I've 'fallen off the wagon', 'bumped my head on the way down', and simply attained 'frugal... Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:45:54 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2008/04/26/wow-must-have-fallen-asleep-at-the-wheel_38285/ hello all my frugal friends and savers alike!<br /> <br /> It's been quite a while since I've updated this blog! I'm still supplying found currency into my Changepot (total as of today is $764.43) but I must admit I've fallen off the frugal wagon. The first step to financial recovery is admission... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:30:09 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/10/24/rewards-whoda-thunk_16144/ As I perused the holiday checklist, I've realized that the amount of people I have to shop for has decreased significantly. Hubby and I have racked up points with different reward cards and now it pays off!! We've redeemed over 12K in points- taking care of ten gifts which are being... Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:14:43 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/10/23/bris-anecdotes_16093/ My daughter has taken an interest in saving and making money in order to fund more entrepreneurial activities. I am so proud of her! <br /> <br /> I figured I'd document her ideas on here so other tweenagers would like to undertake the same tasks to make a few extra bucks.<br /> <br /> What do your children... Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:30:00 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/10/23/girlscout-idea-gourmet-coffee-tip-jar-_16092/ Last night my daughter made a "tip jar" similar to those in Dunkin' Donuts. She approached my sad husband (the seahawks lost) and asked him how much coffee he drinks daily. <br /> <br /> "About Three cups a day", he replied. We found out two out of the three cups come from Dunkin' Donuts. The... Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:26:51 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/10/18/time-to-shake-the-cob-webs-out-of-this-w_15878/ I've been bad. <br /> What started off as a good year with lots of excess money and little trips here and there has now become a budgeting nightmare.<br /> <br /> My bad points: <br /> <br /> I have student loans which threaten to report my payments as late (they kinda are)(20+yrs)<br /> <br /> I've got a horrible... Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:17:25 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/10/18/one-year-summary_15875/ <br /> On October 9th, my found money jar celebrated its first birthday. The total amount of money we found and redeemed came out to exactly $365.50. During our inspection of coins we found a few valuable coins that proved to be of some value. Their face values were added into the 365.50... Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:59:34 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/09/27/its-been-awhile_14880/ Hello fellow frugal fans!<br /> <br /> I've been vacationing from this blog-home for a while but I've not forgotten what brought me here in the first place! <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /><br /> <br /> While I've not had enough time to sort out a solid financial plan, I have continued collecting found change and documenting it. Next... Wed, 27 Sep 2006 15:05:24 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/06/13/moving-time_9995/ After much deliberation, DH and I have decided to move into base housing. I am neutral towards moving because of all the complications involved. Financially this move will save us an additional $440 monthly. The hardest part of moving is the psychological impact it has on kids. <br /> <br /> I... Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:04:30 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/06/05/hiatus-of-frugal-fitness-changepot-progr_9571/ Well, at least five days are better than 0 days, right? I have learned to control my spending somewhat and the points system thrives for my two frugal fans. <br /> <br /> Changepot Progress:<br /> It's been 236 days since I began picking up change and tossing it into a jar. The rules are strict:... Mon, 05 Jun 2006 04:00:13 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/31/day-five-of-operation-frugal-fitness_9370/ For the next few days, I am only concentrating on one mission daily. Once I get more time, I will tackle on missions accordingly.<br /> <br /> Special Events/Occasions--<br /> <br /> June is always a budgeting nightmare. Three birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and barbecues. Between the pre-season... Wed, 31 May 2006 17:07:07 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/30/day-four-of-operation-frugal-fitness_9255/ The Gas Guzzler blues--<br /> <br /> Two days ago, I filled up my mid-sized SUV with regular gasoline. It cost me a little over $47 and that's because I went across the bridge to BJ's ($2.76 a gallon). The gas station up the block from me is $3.09 right now (the cheapest on Staten Island). Last... Tue, 30 May 2006 04:10:29 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/29/day-three-of-operation-frugal-fitness_9231/ Memorial Day. Supposedly a day for reflection and meditation of those past and present. In 2006, Memorial Day is more like an opportunity for stores to unleash old merchandise by way of discounted sales and clearances. I am a bit affected by this heat so I won't make any specific missions... Mon, 29 May 2006 14:36:24 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/28/day-two-of-operation-frugal-fitness_9171/ I am so glad I decided to do this now! The first of the month is right around the corner and I've got some serious planning to do. Around this time each year the utility bills get a little smaller due to less consumption; my goal is to help the bills shrink even further by a few small... Sun, 28 May 2006 04:21:25 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/27/back-to-the-basics-day-1-of-23-_9134/ I must confess. I haven't been following my frugal roots for about three weeks now and it is interfering with my goals. While I still have a few money-saving ideas in place (the anti-smoking envelope, the bill shaver envelope), my family has had approximately two out of three meals... Sat, 27 May 2006 03:07:38 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/24/the-wholesaler-war-bjs-versus-costco_8942/ Suburban American packrats like myself often feel the need to buy copious amounts of items as opposed to the standard supermarket portion. Wholesale shopping saves time and money IF done correctly. When I moved to this island ten years ago, I'd never heard of wholesale stores before.... Wed, 24 May 2006 02:50:03 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/20/new-milestone-in-found-change-yay_8795/ My fellow frugal friends and savvy savers alike, I am happy to announce that today we have passed the hundred dollar mark in FOUND MONEY!!!! <br /> <br /> Our current total is $100.32!!!!! <br /> <br /> $100.32 in exactly 223 days! Okay so it's not enough to pay a mortgage or even a car insurance bill... Sat, 20 May 2006 16:46:53 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/16/where-has-that-dollar-been_8565/ Yayy! Quick update on the found money front: Hubby found a dollar yesterday while purchasing sweet nectar at our local Starbucks. He was kind enough to add this buck to our shared $20 challenge jar- bringing our total to $21.00 (for now). I am scouting the terrain for upcoming weekend... Tue, 16 May 2006 03:46:48 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/15/why-i-dont-like-eating-out-anymore_8521/ I've been slacking off a little as far as domestic duties are concerned. I have completed my trips to the grocery store as scheduled but I haven't cooked any meals for at least a week. This is a no-no considering I have such a tight budget. <br /> <br /> The last two restaurants we visited were... Mon, 15 May 2006 04:44:10 PST (Barb) http://armywife.savingadvice.com/2006/05/13/my-20-challenge_8457/ I've got this crispy twenty dollar bill planted right in front of me. After reading so many successful $20 challenge bloggers, I have decided to have another go at it. This time I have a plan!! <br /> <br /> #1. Go out and purchase twenty bucks worth of things that I think will increase in value.<br /> <br /> #2.... Sat, 13 May 2006 04:34:27 PST (Barb)