I marked that I have started my camping goal, we went to Gales creek in the Tillamok Forrest. It was a really nice place. Bobby and I took his Mom this time which was neat because at the age of 57 this was here first time ever going camping. I am proud to report that she had lots of fun. I enjoyed myself as well. I was a total pain in the ass to find a space though. Out of the 3 main camp sites on hwy 6 in the Tillamok Forrest there were only 2 spaces available when we got there on Saturday and they were right next to each other. This place really made me want to plan a huge camping trip next year though. Lots of Friends and family involved, I learned form my 21st birthday camping trip that those types of trips are really the funnest. So who wants to be part of my plan of campsite domination next year???
I also read a whole book while I was camping called "Baby Proof" by Emily Griffin. Basic chick lit fluff, decent writer. I found it entertaining enough, but if you don't well then ok. If you really want to know what the book is about I can tell you. Or you could read it. Just a thought there.
Ok so next the reusable bag thing, not a particularly exciting topic I guess. I have purchased 4 bags so far and planing on buying 4 more. I don't want to get stuck paying $0.20 a bag if the proposed tax passes. Plus currently Fred Meyers gives you $0.05 off per bag when you bring in your own so eventually they will pay for themselves. The bags also carry more and have thicker handles so I don't get the circulation cut off from my fingers as I am carrying them into the house like the plastic ones do then they are heavy. So this so far is my single contribution to going green. ok... and the once in a blue moon when I unblock drains using baking soda and vinegar, but that is mostly because it works and I have it in the house. Whoo Hooo for going green... or something like that.
Making a budget. I've been off and on about this for about a year now and I was never that serious about it until last month. So I made a budget and well it kinda worked. It still needs a lot of tweaking so until I can get us and it to a realistic compromise this will just stay in the "in progress" category. Either that or I need to will the lottery jackpot, then I really doesn't matter how much I spend on hookers and blow (j/k) life would be grand.
Ok so I cheated a little on the saving $5,000 thing, I counted money I have already put into our emergency fund over the last year. Oh well, I'm ok with it, and my list mean it becomes my rules. Haha 20 double aught, I win. (if you know what that meant, then yes you are a dork, but is ok I am the one making D&D references so guess what that makes me.)
I will also be transfering my whopping $15.00 into savings for the 3 tasks that are compleated when I am done with this post, hey which of course will bring my savings up a bit.
Buy a new washing machine, yes it happened, I bet you are all so giddy for my mundane grown up purchase of a Kenmore 80 sieres washing machine. We got it from a discount appliance store on 104th and Sandy. Whooo Hoooo. We brought it home and it leaked. Just like the one we were replacing. Whooo Hooo. We took it back and got a new one. Whoo hooo. Ok so the old one did sit in our drive way for a week and a half because we didn't really know what to do with it. We considered putting it in the shed with the washer and dryer that my parents gave us out of thier basement when we moved in here, that also had a leaking washing machine ( I swear it is a coincidence). Anyways, I was just about it put it in the shed and call it the laundry room grave yard when a man knocked on my door asking if I wanted to take away the machine sitting in my drive way I jumped on the chance and offered the other ones in the shed to him as well, and he took them. So really whoo hooo no my laundry room grave yard for me, and no more saving quarters and planning my time around doing laundry at my moms house. Plus the guy gave me his number in case I have any more scrap metal laying around. He uses them money from it to drive to his landscaping jobs, way to be creative with the insane gas costs.
Ok so I am obviously writing in my blog. This is proof, you heard it here first.
I gave a sheet set to Dajah for her new bed since our bed is so thick that the only sheet I can find to fit it cost $100+ ( don't get me started on the BS of this, for the amount I paid for that bed....., I probably would have picked a different bed had of known, the bed is sooo comfortable though) and my old ones just don't fit. I plan it give her another set too. Which will mean I got rid of (2/101) thinks I don't need. Wow maybe I should be making a little more effort on this one.
Not too exciting but I am making an effort to pay off the Credit Cards it is part of the new budget plan. I do however hate my CC now though. They raised my APR to 17.99%. I was is shock when I opened my statement. Here is a post I made about it on a money message board I frequent:
"So I just received my statement in the mail today and my interest rate jumped up
8% and is now 17.99%. I am pissed. I called and talked to someone on the phone
who told me that it was because of my FICO score. After trying to get her to
explain why that was since my FICO score has gone up 100 points since I got the
card last year. I also have been paying more then the minimum trying to pay it
off for the last 6 months. I have never been late on a payment and I haven't
opened any other accounts anywhere in 6 months as DH and I have learned the
error of our past MM mistakes and have been in debt pay off mode. After getting
no where with the rep I asked to talk to a manager. Manager gets on the phone
and after explaining my irritation and what the rep told me he tells me the only
thing he can do for me is close the card and he can put the card back to 9.9% so
I have a lower interest rate to pay off the card. I found it crazy that they
would just throw away a customer like that. He also tried to tell me that the
account was reviewed in May and they found that I had become more of a risk
which is why they raised my interest rate. The only way I am more of a risk is
that I may actually pay them off and they won't earn as much interest off of
me."
So as you can see it sucks but I plan to get a new credit card with a 0% or low % APR transfer the balance and cut up the current card or lock it in my safe.
I beat "Champions: Return to Arms" on PS2 with the hubby( I beat "Champions of Norath" a couple of weeks ago as well), while fun it makes me remember why we sold our PS2 and Xbox last year. Video Games are addicting and I spend way too much time playing them when I feel challenge to finish it. So I have only played once since I completed the game, and only for about 15 minutes. The system has been sitting on my floor untouched for the last week now though and I hope my little bro comes around soon so I can give it back to him before I find an new game to obsess over and monopolise what little time I have left in my day. You hear that Trevor, come save me from your PS2!!!
Ok, I stared the free rice thing as well, it is a good filler while you are waiting for a client to show or a conference call. Its a cool and noble idea and kind of like charity.... hmmm wonder if I can write rice off on my taxes.
