George/Pena Family Blog

Life is what happens...

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:58:58 GMT

when you are busy making other plans.

I HAD planned to do grocery shopping after Nick's birthday party.

I HAD planned on buying Thanksgiving food on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

I HAD planned on getting up early the day after Thanksgiving to take advantage of Black Friday sales.

I HAD planned on going to training for my second job, enjoying Val's company when she ws home, putting up the tree, helping Ed get a seasonal job, making Christmas cookies with kids, going to church, etc.

Instead, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the day of Nick's party, November 21st, Ed woke with vomiting and severe stomach pain. To the emergency room we went, where he was taken immediately to the back. The diagnosis: pancreatitis. He's been in the hospital ever since. Valerie came home early from college to help out. The older kids have taken over the running of the house since I spend many days and most nights there. Jenna and Tracie take Nick to school and pick him up. Justin attempts dinner many nights. I run from hospital to work (some days) to home to shower and get fresh clothes.

It has been stressful, to say the least. I really appreciate the support of many of our friends, including Val and Tracie's mom, Patti, who went to the store and bought Thanksgiving dinner for us. My aides at school, Cynthia and Denise, who took over the running of the class and hosted my very first family Thanksgiving dinner, which I coldn't be at. Instead they took pictures and videos, and sent home a bunch of food. My administrators, who graciously gave me as much time off as I required. I ran into Karen Rubin, who offered to do anything I needed. Thanks sweetie. My friend Kathy, who took Nick the first night when we were in the emergency room, so that I didn't have to have Nick there. Our friend Tom from church, who offered us his guidance if Ed has to go to rehab. The many caring nurses at Capital Regional Medical Center, who have taken good care of Ed, especially when I couldn't be around. Ed's brother Wally and his mom Virginia, who drove all the way from Austin, just to make sure he was okay. Then turned around and left the next day since his mom had a doctor's appointment she couldn't miss. And my many other friends who offer support and prayers. Thank you all. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have each of you in our lives. You are priceless.

Do we live what we learn?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:37:02 GMT

Here's the question of the day: How much do parents influence their children's spending styles?

If you are a spendthrift, will your children be also? If you do not directly teach your children how to handle money, will that change the course of their future? Are some people born with "money skills" while others struggle their whole lives to handle money appropriately?

My parents never taught me or my sisters about money. The closest they came was when we heard "I'm not made of money." Duh. I never knew how much my parents made or how much the electric or phone bill was. We never went without, but I remember some really lean times. At the same time, I remember a few indugences, like going to the Ice Capades (remember those?) and going to Disney a time or two. Nevertheless, when I got out on my own, I had NO IDEA what to do with money. I thought only rich money played the stock market, and that retirement would be taken care of by a gold watch I'd get after 30 years of service.

My children have such varied spending habits, I'm amazed that they are related to us at all. Nick is the saver. He wants stuff, but he also wants everyone else to pay for them so that he can keep "his" money. Justin can't keep a dollar without it burning a hole through his pocket. He buys impulsively, and because he feels obligated to get stuff for people. Valerie spends what she has. She, too, doesn't save her money. Of course, she doesn't have much, being in college and all. But she still has a larger wardrobe than most boutique stores. Tracie goes through cycles, but unless she has a specific goal, she will spend what she has. She justifies it by saying that she "needs" her eyebrows waxed, etc. Jenna works as much as she can, and is a saver. She will spend a few dollars for some smaller items she wants, but most of her check goes into her savings each payday.

I hope by going through this financial process, we are demonstrating some better money management skills to our kids. The question, though, is DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? I truly hope so.

Preparing for the holidays

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:31:37 GMT

I am trying to get things as we go along before the holiday rush starts. Because we have so many to buy for just living in our home, I don't want to wait for the last minute to get started. I have been looking for (gasp!) coupons and deals, especially for girl stuff. Clearance, discounted, stuff not ordinarily on sale during the season... You get the idea. Justin is harder to buy for, since he likes big ticket items (computer, new scooter, etc) and those are out of the question. I usually have my kids write a list sometime in November for items they would like to see for Christmas, then pick and choose according to what is on sale. I see no reason to change. I am trying to pay for stuff a little at a time, $10 here, $15 there, so we don't get hit with needing to spend a large chunk of money at once.

We haven't bought gifts for our big extended family in a while. We send stuff only to the kids, usually. And my parents and Ed's mom. With 9 brothers and sisters on Ed's side, and 4 on mine, it got too expensive for everyone, so we discontinued that. I think this year, we'll send gift cards and save on postage too. :)

There are a lot of traditions to continue, though. Cookie decorating, visiting Oven Park too see the lights and take pictures, seeing Santa, are all traditions that we can keep. We also buy for the "angel tree" at our church, with Nick helping to pick the gift. I will be looking for ideas for gifts that Nick can make for his teachers. Send your ideas to me!

Bad habits re-emerge

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:34:54 GMT

Because Ed' s been out work, I got afraid. That's the only way I can describe it.

We have learned so much by being in this program. I better understand my credit score now, for instance. Where our money goes is another example.

But I was afraid, and so I didn't (gasp) pay the mortgage or the car payment last month. I was afraid we would run out of money or have an emergency. This is a prime example of why my credit score is low to begin with. Instead of paying for the "four walls" first, (shelter, food, transportation, clothing), I panicked. There, I said it. I did. Now I'm kicking myself for it. I paid them both up-to-date this month and I feel less stressed and much better. And stupid. Wll I ever learn? I hope so. For now, I want to apologize to my mortgage holder and the leinholder for my car. I have no excuse. So what do I do next time I feel this urge to hold off just-in-case?

It's a girl!

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:40:45 GMT

I'd like everyone to meet the newest member of our family, Jenna. She turns 18 today. Jenna came to us about 2 months ago. A friend of Tracie's, she was staying at different friends' houses each night. She was talking about dropping out of high school (she's a senior) so that she could support herself. Ed and I knew that we were being called to take care of this bright, funny girl, at least until she finished school. We invited her to stay in our home and become a member of our family.

It was both an easy decision and a hard one. It was hard because we knew that it would put an even bigger strain on our finances, but it was easy, because how could we do anything else? Jenna is still in school, finishing her senior year. She works, and will clean houses or wash dogs or anything else she is asked to do to make money. She has saved enough to buy a cheap used car, so we are helping her look for one.

Bringing home a new daughter has had an interesting impact on our family. Our kids seem more appreciative of having parents who are supportive. In other words, they don't seem to take us for granted anymore. Seeing someone who was essentially homeless, someone young and still in school, has opened their eyes to the many blessings they enjoy every day. We may not have the fanciest house or car, we may not go on cruises or travel abroad, but we enjoy a lot of love in our home. No amount of money can buy that.

Valerie, Tracie, and Jenna on Tracie's 18th brithday

Edward, Nick, Jenna, and Donna

Updates! Finally!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:46:31 GMT

I've been rocking busy since the start of school. The first month of school is always a madhouse of activity. So much to get done in the classroom, plus the extra stuff I already do. This year, I am chairperson of the United Way Campaign at my school. I am also popcorn chairperson for Nick's Cub Scout Pack. (Anyone want to buy some popcorn?) Add to that the Coastal Cleanup and the other service work we do, and WHEW!

The injury to my arm has finally healed enough that I don't have constant pain. That in itself is a blessing. I can now return to doing many of the things that I enjoyed before getting my blood drawn that fateful day.

Tracie and Ed are both looking for jobs. Ed's search took a short break when Nicholas got sick and was out of school for a week. It wasn't H1N1, but he was still ill enought to be home.

Edward has been applying and going on interviews around town. Hopefully something will come of it soon.

I have been accepted for a second job. I'll be an afterschool tutor for a private company. As lead teacher, I'll be responsible for paperwork and turning in time cards, but the pay is good, and I'll just have to get over how tired I already feel when I get off work. The extra money will go towards Christmas and keeping our heads afloat while Ed looks for a job.

I don't know what the tax ramifications will be since I am considered an independent contrator, and they don't take out taxes. I want to make sure that I set enough aside to pay for that. I am also looking at getting a SECOND second job, so I can tutor 4 days a week instead of 2. Anything for the cause, right?

p.s. look for an exciting announcement on FRIDAY! Set your calendars and turn your clocks. This is IMPORTANT!

Did someone break a mirror?

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:25:31 GMT

You know how you think that everything can be going wrong, but then it goes wronger? Since we arrived home from Texas, that is exactly what has happened to us. Please cry along with us as I detail the many trials that Murphy has visited upon us lately.

The day after we arrived home, I went in for a routine blood draw and the phlebotomist hit the nerve in my arm. This has resulted in almost constant pain and irritation to my arm as I go about trying to work and live my daily life. The doctor has me on some medication, and if it doesn't improve soon, I'm likely to end up at the neurologist, and possibly have surgery.

The next day, we all went back to work, and Ed was laid off. No reason and no warning. So our budget is going to be very tight, and the small extras will have to go.

A few days later, Valerie went back to college, where the health department was called on the apartments that were assigned to her. She has to move out and get a different place.

Tracie and a friend drove up to Birmingham separately to help Valerie with all her stuff. She has a LOT of stuff. On the way home, outside of Montgomery, her engine blew. Tracie and her friend were stranded on the side of the road. Val drove down to stay with the girls, as Ed drove up there to arrange a mechanic, and drive the girls home. The mechanic says the car needs a new engine. $3000, anyone? Suffice it to say, we will not be footing the bill for this, although we did arrange for Ed to drive up there Monday to tow the car back to Tally. Tracie will have to decide how to handle this. Sell the car as is and buy a beater? Save up enough to have it fixed, and take the bus to school? It will be her decision, with input from the both of us.

Ed's mom was hospitalized for pneumonia, but is now out of the hospital and doing a little better.

Yesterday, Ed called me at work and said he was very ill. Eleven hours, innumerable tests and yucky stuff later, we came home. He is doing better, and is recuperating nicely. He will NOT be going to Mongomery on Monday.

Here's what has been good about all this:

Tracie has learned that she is not such an independent adult after all. She is re-evaluating her goals and desire to move out to attend college. She is much more appreciative of the things provided for her, and sees that she needs to be better prepared before moving out. Justin is working hard at his new job at FSU, and is definitely stepping up to the plate to take care of his adult responsibilities. His is becoming more to making goals, and wants to move out on his own. He is saving money towards that end, and has expressed a desire to get his license and maybe trade his scooter for a car. Edward is searching for a job where he can have more responsibility for what goes on day-to-day. He has already been on several interviews, and we are awaiting call-backs. I have been depending more on the love and friendship of others, especially the pre-planning week when I went back to my classroom. Many of the things that needed to be done, I just couldn't do because of my arm. My friends at school and my family stepped in to fill the need, and for that I am extremely grateful. I could not have done it without them.

Financially? Well, we may not win this contest, but we are learning a lot, getting better all the time, and now will handle anything that comes our way. Our faith is intact and strong, and together, as a family and with our friends, we can do anything.

Tips for travelling on a budget with kids

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:25:58 GMT

1. Plan, plan, plan

A trip with kids is only as good as the plans you make beforehand. While it might be fun the play it by ear, it doesn't work as well when you hve no place to stay the night and the kids are cranky. Or, you are 45 miles to the nearest McDonald's and the children are hungry NOW. Which brings me to my next point.

2. Pack the food and drinks.

To save money, a small cooler with drinks and snacks is a must. You may want to eat meals at quick-serve restaurants, but there may be a child or two who doesn't eat or feel hungry then. Kids are unpredictable, so you have to predict for them. Plus, a well-fed and well-hydrated child is just so much happier. Which brings me to yet another point.

3. Rest areas are your friend.

Unless you absolutely need gas, a stop at a rest area is a much better idea. They are usually cleaner, for one. Everyone can stretch their legs, without going into a convenience store to do so. Therefore no impulse buys or "gimme's" need arise. There are some very interesting rest areas around, but even the less-interesting offer what you need without spending money. The ones near the state lines are the most interesting, as a whole. Which, of course, lead to the fourth point.

4. Set a limit on souvenier spending.

You can either set a specific amount in each place you visit, or (my preferred way for older kids) give each child a specific amount at the beginning of the trip and let them decide when and how and WHETHER to spend that money on trinkets (teachable moments, people). I try to steer my youngest towards items that are either unique or that I know he will get a lot of use from. The older kids can get t-shirts because they have stopped growing, but the younger one will outgrow his quickly, so I try to help him find something else (a mug, a flag he can hang in his room, a hat). Which brings me to...

4a. This is really an addendum to point 4. Here it is: souvenirs are much cheaper off-site. We got University of Texas wear at the local discount shopping place for about half to a third of what we would have paid in the school gift shop.

5. Get the facts beforehand.

This is a little of point 1, but if you can, contact the tourism bureau in the place you are staying. There are probably LOTS of things to do in the area that you had no idea about. That way, even if you spent a gajillion dollars visiting the Mouse, there are still places to go that are free or low-cost. Our big splurge was a water park, but we also did about 8 other things that were very low cost or free. Much of that was natural sights or historic stuff that was interesting. Did you ever see the bats come out from the Congress Street bridge? If you know a local, they can usually give you some pointers, as well. Which brings me to my final point

6. Stay with relatives.

Whether you like them or not. We happen to love ours, so it works out. You will still have expenses. We are staying at Uncle Wally the Saint's house. The invasion of 6 people into his single man's abode meant that we had to stock up on toilet paper, milk, cereal, and the like. There were a few other thing to buy (cold medicine, powder for a rash) but it was still way cheaper than a hotel, especially since with 5 adults and a child we needed to get two rooms or a suite. But Wally is wonderful, allowing us to fill up his home for a week.

Visiting Texas

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:38:33 GMT

We’re having a great time in Austin! We arrived Sunday and have been visiting with family and taking in the sights. The trip here was uneventful, except for a strange shuddering coming from the front of the van. On Tuesday, Ed took the van in and he ended up buying a whole set of new tires or it. We had it checked out by a mechanic before the trip, but nothing was said about the tires. Luckily, we had a bit of a trip emergency fund set aside so it didn’t ruin the trip.

So far, we’ve been to see the Austin State Capitol building (free), the Alamo and Riverwalk (free), an amusement park sort of like Fun Station ($7.95 per person, all you can play and ride), watched the bats come from Congress Streeet Bridge (free), visited a local dam and watched them open the floodgates (free), went to Barton Springs to swim and picnic ($2 per person), and finally went the Schlitterbahn Waterpark yesterday (discounted tickets). We are having a fabulous time, and since we are staying with relatives, costs are pretty low. We are allowing the kids to pick out a few souveniers here and there, but we are limiting them to stuff that is wearable or useful (like a mug) and not just plain trash. There is also a spending limit in each place, so that the “gimmes” don’t take hold.

We are staying with Ed’s brother Wally, who has been a prince taking in a family of 6 to sleep all over his couches and floor, and using up his hot water. Wally lives next door to Ed’s mom and so it’s very easy to see her all the time. Everyone has been preparing authentic Mexican food for us almost every day, and when we get back, I’ll have to go on a diet! Today (Saturday) we are supposed to have a big cookout with all the family (which is HUGE) and that should be a lot of fun.

Not at the top

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:23:11 GMT

So we're not in the top 1, 2 or 3 for this challenge. We are going to have a family meeting.

Topic: what are we going to do now? I want everyone to come up with ideas about how to decrease expenses and increase savings.

We need a firm commitment for change to be able to win this contest. I'm taking a second job once school starts in the fall. I plan on getting a tutoring job after school which I've always resisted since it makes for an extremely long day. But because the legislature has cut part of my bonus for National Board Certification, and since my school lost the funding for an extra 30 minutes in our day, I need to do my part to increase our income. I hope I can get the rest of the family on board to also do some extras.

A full house

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:08:28 GMT

Valerie is home for the summer. That makes our house very full! Plus with the summer activities going on, we always have extra people around. I'm trying to keep low-cost snacks and drinks around for everyone to have (Kool-aid, anyone?)

Justin has NOT started his new job at McDonald's. It's been 3 weeks and they still don't have his uniform in or his name on the schedule. Why do I sense that he is getting the run-around? I've already got him looking for another job. It's just annoying, because he could have applied and been interviewed for other jobs while he was waiting for this one. I wonder if McDonald's has a comment.

Tracie is also looking for another job. She is only getting 15 hours a week right now. Not enough to live on, or move out on.

We had a fun time creating a video for this challenge. We came up with lots of ideas that then had to be voted up or down. Then we had to find a time to get as many of the kids together as possible. We had to create verses and practice and debate location. Everyone in my house has very strong opinions!

We may have a special announcement coming up within the next 2 months or so. Keep watching and reading to see...

Family Trip

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:10:53 GMT

Family Trip: We are trying to coordinate our finances in order to plan a family trip to Texas to spend some time with my mom, for the past year my mom's health has been gradually deteriorating and I feel the need that we should visit instead of waiting for that dreaded phone call when it's an emergency. My Mom has been in and out of the doctors office, visits with specialist, various tests. It's been at least 4 years since we made a trip to see the family and it's about time we did it, but we have to plan our finances to see if it is possible. With Donna having a break from teaching before school starts and arrainging time off from work for me things might come together and we might be able to swing this. On another note, since I took over the check book, I am still finding it difficult to keep track of our money and where it's going, Donna sometimes forgets to give me recietps that I need to balance the check book and I'm having to remind her of the importance of this, At times I feel like im nagging, but all I am doing is trying to help us stay on track with our finances and spending. I could use alittle help with this Donna, hint, hint. :)

Getting into the groove on insurance

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:09:01 GMT

I took another look at our car insurance this weekend. With 4 vehicles, we are paying over $5100 per year to insure cars. I got online and found quotes from about 6 or 7 different agencies. The best one came from State Farm. Bill Reardon Insurance Agency gave us a quote of $4200, almost a thousand dollars a year less. I could not believe my eyes. I actually went to the office yesterday to talk to Justin who works there. Then he suggested that I look at increasing our limits. So that $4200 also includes 5 times the coverage! (Go Bill and Justin!) Instead of the normal 10/20/10 that many people have (it's the minimum), he suggested something a little higher to protect our assets. So we opted for 50/100/50. A thousand dollars less for five times the coverage. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

Did you know that your credit score can impact your car insurance? By having a lower credit score, we were paying higher premiums. Now that our score is inching up, our premiums should start to fall. Another thing that will help is that a ticket that Valerie got will drop off in September, so the rates should drop again.

I'm getting into the hang of this stuff now. I borrowed a book from the library called "Your Credit Score: Your money and What's at Stake" by Liz Pulliam Weston. She explains that using credit scores for insurance decisions is the norm nowadays. There is a link between black marks on credit reports and higher loss ratios for insurers. Although the link is not causal (there is no proof that one causes the other), there is a high eough correlation that insurers use it more often than not. This is a really good book. I highly reccomend it, once I return it to the library.

Thursday was a good day

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:13:05 GMT

Thursday was awesome. It was Ed's birthday. Justin finished his orientation for McDonald's. Tracie was accepted at TCC. Valerie came into town. My school received an "A" for the first time ever (Go Oak Ridge Eagles!) which means a bonus in the fall.

All-in-all, a noteworthy day.

Big wheels keep on rolling.

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:32:10 GMT

Stuff happens. And it keeps happening. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Good - Justin got a job with McDonald's. He had orientation today. I know he can do this job, but he seems very insecure about it. He did want to buy a new scooter before he started paying rent, and I told him that was a no-go. He can walk or take the bus, if necessary. He'll be making enough so that he can save for a scooter, while still riding his older one to work.

Good - I might have found someone to take over the cell-phone plan. That would get us out of it completely, without paying the $200 termination fee.

Good - Ed and I are finally getting the knack of sharing an account. He does the numbers every day to keep us up-to-date on our account balance. I am careful to save receipts to give to him to enter. So far this month, we have been GOOD. We realized that one person needed to be in charge of this, and since he was gung-ho about it, he was elected.

Bad - I forgot that the ISP I use was coming out of my old account with another credit union. So now I have a $25 fee for a $10 automatic payment. Yeah, I fixed it.

Bad - Ed cut his head on a piece of equipment at his job. He ended up at the emergency room and they put in 6 staples. He is still a little woozy, and has headaches, but is getting better. I know we've been discussing health care lately. Workman's Comp will pay for this stuff, and I'm glad about that. Luckily, he has health insurance so that if he did something like this at home, the cost would be minimal, but what if he didn't? Before the state took over his job, he didn't have benefits, including health care. A visit to the emergency room would have been a thousand dollars, not to mention the CT scan at follow-up and lost time from work. We are very lucky he is covered now.

Ugly - We got another car, but you don't hear any cheering. The reason that this is under the "ugly" section is that the car needed $2000 in work. We didn't know that at the time. The mechanic who looked at it before we bought it thought the fix would be about $200 or so. Nope. Needed a rebuilt transmission. So now we have to figure out a way to get $2000. We'll be talking to John at FCCU tomorrow to try to get a short-term loan. With my summer work, we should be able to pay it off in 60 days or less.

I spoke too soon...

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:13:19 GMT

Justin does not have a job. Remember when I posted on May 20th that he was getting hired? Justin came home and said all he needed to do was to pass a background screening and drug test (which should be no problem). Well, for some reason or another, they hired someone else. Now he has to go job-hunting again. Since I have a few days off work, I'm going to help him. I tried to convince him that he needed to continue to look for jobs even when it looked like he was probably going to get the landscaping job, but he didn't.

In other news, graduation went well. The relatives were fun to be around, and everyone had a good time.We ended up buying a grill for the relatives to cook on. We got the least expensive one we could find. Plus, we'll use it 5 nights out of 7 during the summer. That way we don't heat the house cooking dinner each night.

The relatives are here! The relatives are here!

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:42:08 GMT

Tracie is graduating tonight from Life Skills Center. Ed's relatives are in town from Texas now, and the house is rocking! Lots of family, fun, and fellowship. We got her a cell phone for graduation. This is a replacement phone for her cell plan, that she pays for herself monthly. She dropped her phone in water, so she REALLY wanted this as a gift. We were going to give her money, but this is better. Still staying in the budget for the graduation. I did get my hair cut, since I was due in June anyway (my yearly haircut) and I used a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure that my special friends got me for my birthday. Now I look HOT! Well, not hot, maybe, but at least dressy.

We are going to the beach or a lake for entertainment. That should be relatively inexpensive, just gas money. Like I thought, they bought food. Lots of tortillas and jalapenos. Yum!

Updates on recent activities

Tue, 26 May 2009 22:12:35 GMT

It's been a busy, fruitful week here in the Pena/George household.

The Not-Eating-Challenge has been going okay. Not great, but okay. We've slipped twice. Once, Nick was ill and didn't want to eat any of his favorite foods, so we got him a double cheeseburger from McD's. $1.19. Then this weekend, we were out shopping for bathroom towel holders and the like to finish the bathroom and were gone for 4 hours. We ended up getting fast food because we were across town and starving. Other than that, we did great. No nickel-and-diming stuff. I sure miss it, though.

We may have found a good replacement car for Ed. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers going, because we REALLY need this car!

Valerie is home from college for a few days. She and I went down to our friendly neighborhood FCCU and started her an account that we can transfer money into when she needs it! No more $15 wire transfer fees! Yeah! She also may be home for the summer, working, so we won't have to send her living-on money during this time.

The bath is one step away from being done. We just have to put up the towel racks and the first bath can be taken tonight!

Tracie graduates in a little over a week. I expect to spend about $100 in extra food and a cake for the occasion, plus the cost of an awards banquet ($45). Ed's relatives are going to be here from Texas, and boy can they cook! So our meals will be eaten in the whole time.

I was appointed a position as a teacher for extended school year for special ed students for this summer. I'll be working 2 weeks in June and 3 in July. Although it will be tough working, I appreciate the opportunity to increase our savings while we have the chance. I also love my babies and like spending time with them.

Stay tuned for more updates as we muddle through all this stuff.

Justin got a JOB!!!

Thu, 21 May 2009 02:53:41 GMT

It's time to party! Justin got a job! He is going to do maintenance and groundskeeping for an apartment management company. I'm so tickled I could just spit! (Sorry, Mom)

Justin has been out of work since January, when the restaurant he worked at just stopped putting him on the schedule. No notice, or even a formal, "You're fired!" He kept hoping that he would be called back to work for that restaurant, but it never happened. He's been moping around the house ever since.

He goes next week for a drug test and a background check and he'll be good to go. It'll be hard work, but that is one thing that Justin excels at. Than I'll start charging him rent again. Yeah, I'm a mean mom, but the boy is 21, and he needs to pay his way. My mother is aghast that I would charge him rent, but $75 a week for food, clothes, lodging, etc. is a steal. Plus, this is coming from a woman who is NOT charging my 27 year brother rent and yes, he still lives at home. I wonder why.

I'll stick with my plan, and Justin can continue learning about budgeting and all. Not from me, obviously, since I suck at it, but maybe from the coaches at FCCU.

I'm challenging my family!

Sun, 17 May 2009 20:15:44 GMT

I'm challenging my family. Either that, or I am challenge to them. (I forget which.)

This Friday, I issued a challenge to my family. I want us to not eat out for one entire month, until June 18th. No eating out. At all. No trips to convenience stores either.

I am surprised and gladdened that my family responded very favorably to the idea. All of them thought it was doable, except for Tracie who feels that she has her own personal budget with the money she makes and so she is not participating. (Emphasize the "she" when reading that, and you'll see that she is 17.) Even so, we start tomorrow, and end on Ed's birthday! Yeah, just in time!

This is going to really challenge the family. No more iced coffees in the morning for me. No late night junk food runs for Justin. No more icees after clogging for Nick and me. No more stopping by to get a soda and snack on the way home from work for Ed. These little things are eating up our budget dollars fast. Minor stuff, a buck or two here and there, really. Added all together, it sucks us dry.