This holiday season the Girl got several great presents, most of them crafts. She has really developed a flair for creativity and loves to make things, so a lot of her Christmas list was comprised of arts and crafts.
She received several kits to make jewelry. My favorite had to be from my grandma, the kids’ Great Grandma Cat. It contained lots of beads, lots of bling and elastic string. The Girl absolutely adores it and has been busy making bracelets and necklaces for all of her friends and me.
However, one great present sometimes leads to needing more gifts. Currently we are making a list of items she just has to have the next time we go to the store. These items include beads and elastic.
The elastic is pretty cheap, but the beads can be rather expensive. Luckily, Great Grandma Cat has raided her own craft stash and has put together a package for the Girl. We just need to find a time to travel the three hours to pick it up! Or wait until my mom can bring it over spring break.
Did you or your kids receive any gifts that have left you needing something more?
Welcome to a New Year with new goals and challenges! Our Land Repayment goal for 2012 is to earn an additional 10% in equity in our land. At the end of December, 2011 we had achieved 23% equity in our land. We also talked about last month, by adding the payments we no longer will be paying to Discover Card, Kubota, and Best Buy we are hoping to achieve 1% in equity each month! While we have a few other items coming up at the end of 2012 that we will temporarily be diverting extra land payment money to, we think 10% is a doable goal.
Our STRETCH goal for equity is 15%. We are going to work hard on trying to achieve the 15% this year, but we are also planning on trying to take a vacation, which may hinder that growth in equity. Wish us luck as we start our new 2012 journey!
Prior Months Equity Balance: 23%
January 1 payment % to Principal: 71% % to Interest: 29% One Day’s Interest: $19.57 January 20 payment % to Principal: 43% % to Interest: 57% One Day’s Interest: $19.57 Current Months Equity Balance: 24% EDITED: So I noticed today that my January 15th payment was not automatically transferred between my account and the mortgage. Bummer! I guess I’m paying 5 extra days of interest this month- or almost $100!! I will need to check into why this happened this month? The 15th was a Sunday and Monday was a holiday, but I thought it would still be transferred. The payment that was supposed to be made on the 1st was actually withdrawn from my account on the 30th, because the 1st was on the weekend. Very odd… On a positive note: on the 1st about $100 MORE will be applied to principal!Good luck as you start your 2012 year!
Hubby and I had been debating for awhile if we should get the kids pillow pets or not. Those suckers have been around for ages and I can’t believe how expensive they still are. To top it off, you never see them on sale. I had vowed not to spend a lot of money on them for Christmas and $20 for a single present seems like a lot to me.
About a week before Christmas, we decided that it would be their ‘big’ present from Santa.Both kids had been asking for pillow pets for awhile and it seemed like everyone had them but them. Throughout the year we had seen these things everywhere and in no short supply. We thought our trip would be a piece of cake! The Girl was a friends and we thought it would be pretty easy to do our shopping, have Hubby take the Boy to the car while I checked out and grabbed the two presents.
WRONG! And I mean in a pretty big way. We had stopped at a store the night before and they didn’t have either of the pets we were searching for: a pink zebra and the dog. We originally didn’t think this was a big problem since we live relatively close to more big box stores and they were everywhere, right?!
Off we went, and we were so confident we even took the Boy out to lunch, something we rarely do when we only have one kid. We searched everywhere at the first store. We were about to give up when Hubby found the dog at the very bottom of a basket full of happy nappers. One down, one to go.
We proceeded to go to four more stores over the next few hours to no avail. We were finally about ready to call it a day, and start calling stores around the KC Metro area that one of us could possibly pick up during the week, when I suggested we try CVS. They were advertising the pee-wee pets, so maybe they had a zebra pillow pet.
Miraculously after about four hours of searching, I found not only the zebra pillow pet but the dog too. To top it off they were on sale: buy one get one 50% off. I snatched them both up and homebound we were. Now, I did have to return the first dog to the store, but I was much happier spending $30 on two than $40 on two.
Did you have any trouble finding any of your gifts this season? How long would you search for a particular toy your child wanted?
Today is Saturday and I have another short weekend when the majority of my coworkers are excited about a three day weekend. I’m dreading my Sunday work day since I will be in a room with our Board of Trustees. I’m lucky that we hired a replacement Director and I’m not the one presenting the budget information. I’m just the back-up since I am a lot more familiar with how the numbers are put together.
The last month has been busy month for me at work. A big portion of my job revolves around the budget for the entire office. We use a bottom-up method and interview department heads and then compile information. All the numbers and line items have to roll up into three separate company budgets and then finally into a full budget.
I’ve been working a lot of long hours. But the light was at the end of the tunnel: we are heading into board week and the approval of the budgets. But then it was decided I have to go to the board meetings and assist in the presentations. Nerve wracking! These men made decisions within the last year to eliminate 80 positions in my company. We went from 210 employees to 108 in 2011. They are still looking into things that may result in the lay off of more positions, or the entire offices.
At least, I thought, my work load was going to be reduced to a normal size this week and going forward. UNTIL a manager in my small department was laid off on Thursday afternoon. No one really saw it coming. She wasn’t given any time to transition her work load to others in the department.
Friday was an emotionally draining day. We had people asking us a lot of questions and we didn’t have any answers to them. To top it off, the manager was working on some projects that I had to jump into the middle of without knowing what had been done or what was left to do. I feel like the next few weeks are going to be the same. Finding projects that are halfway complete and trying to start over on them.
I think my cushy job I’m used to just disappeared. It’s definitely going to take some getting used to, and I’m definitely going to have to start looking for better time management. Here come the lists of projects and the prioritization. This may be the kick in the pants I need to start looking for a new job. I think our family has proven over the last few weeks that Mom can work more hours and things will still get accomplished (a huge hats off to Daddy in that aspect!) In the winter when Hubby’s work is slow this shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but as it gets toward summer during his busy time we may have issues.
If you don’t see or hear from me much, that’s what I’m doing. Working longer hours, and trying to spend time with my family.
Have their been any major shifts in your work life? Or your families balance?
I am always on the lookout for great deals on presents for the year. Why pay full price on a great present when I could get it cheaper? The problem is, when the birthday’s come up during the year they aren’t always around the time of great sales. So right after Christmas a lot of stores put their holiday merchandise on clearance- some of them cut the price in half immediately. I like to take advantage of that time!
I wish I had been thinking! I had some really great coupons that would have made the half off merchandise a super great deal, but I slept in on the 26th. Yea, to not having to work!
We did get out and about, and found some great half off items. I do not think we went over board on our spending either.
Upcoming celebrations that we wanted to be sure to pick items up for?
1. Easter. Our Easter bunny brings both kids a new toy or two, along with a little candy.
2. Five niece and nephew birthdays for the first half of the year.
3. Countless other birthdays for the kids’ friends.
4. Our present closet was almost empty after the holidays. We were able to donate items to some families in need this holiday.
I think our present closet has been restocked with great items that definitely didn’t cost us a whole lot. We were able to grab items for both girls and boys for a lot less than they regularly sell for. The next time we get invited to a birthday party and only three hours to find something, we’ll definitely be able to find something in the prize closet that is awesome (and won’t cost us any extra money!).
Do you keep a prize closet? Were you able to restock it after the holidays?
Since I’ve been MIA for most of the holiday season, over the next month or so I thought I would share some of the things we did for the holidays.
A moment that sticks our most in my mind is of the Boy’s Christmas Eve at Hubby’s moms house. We traditionally spend Christmas Eve with Hubby’s mom side of the family. Luckily this Christmas Eve was on a Saturday and we were able to get together mid day instead of in the evening so we would have more time together.
With six grandchildren, it is nice to be able to take a moment and watch each child open his or her presents and see the reaction. If they were all tearing into the presents at once, I can’t keep up with everything and it seems like something is lost. (Like Mom not knowing who gave them what!). Instead of setting all the kids loose, we have a bucket with their names in it and the kids take turn opening presents.
The Boy’s name was drawn first. The very first present he opened had two Barbie dolls in it. He immediately gave me the present and declared very loudly, “That is NOT my present!” He repeated this sentiment several times along with “Someone gave me my Sissy’s present.” I tried to set them aside, and give him the next present. But he was pretty embarrassed- can a 4-year-old get embarrassed?
Everyone tried to assure him that no one was going to make fun of him, which probably made matters a little worse. But we did get through his present opening. And on to the next child.
For those of you who don’t know my son, this was a perfect present for him. No one was teasing him or had given him the wrong present. He requested Barbie dolls for Christmas. He showed his Mema the Barbies in a big toy book. At home he loves Barbies. He loves playing with them, and sleeping with them. He just usually has to use his sister’s Barbies.
We had planned on having Santa bring him a Barbie but Mema said she had taken care of it. We were at Target just days before Christmas and he wanted us to buy him a Barbie doll. We had to promise him that if he didn’t get one for Christmas we would buy him his very own afterwards. In front of his cousins, aunts and uncles, his tune changed very quickly. He did not want anyone to know that he wanted those Barbie dolls for Christmas.
Once we arrived home on Christmas eve, the first thing he asked to open was his Barbie dolls. He really does love them. He really did want them. But he just felt like he couldn’t admit it in front of everyone. I’ve noticed this behavior at school as well: he used to take a Barbie and a couple of cars with him every day to preschool. While he rides with her to school, he makes sure I put her in his backpack before he goes to the before-school care. I wonder if the older kids are teasing him about playing with girl toys?
At home, we encourage him to play with what he likes. He has a big sister- they play Barbies a lot. He also plays Barbies alone, and he’ll wake up in the middle of the night to find his Barbie if he accidentally fell asleep without a few in bed with him. He also loves playing with his match box cars, and Lego’s. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy.
Did your child have any weird reaction to a Christmas present like our son?
As the year winds down every year, our family makes plans to take a trip to see my family for the New Year’s Holiday.
The years of working New Year’s Day is far behind us, and we are able to spend the entire evening with my family.
This tradition stemmed from the idea of keeping the ‘kids’ away from parties and off the roads. Alcohol is a huge celebrating tool used by too many people (teens and adults alike in my podunk hometown) and driving home from anywhere is dangerous. The majority of my cousins, and my aunts and uncles all gather at my grandmother’s house between 6 and 7 and we play Bunko’s until midnight.
It’s a great time to see the majority of my extended family and get to spend some quality time with them. It is better than Christmas because we don’t have to worry about presents being fought over after they are opened. I have a few younger first cousins who make wonderful playmates for my two kids, and there is an spare bedroom where they usually spend most of the night.
Some years snow, ice or sleet can make this trip rather horrible for us. This year it was a perfect day for us to make the drive. We even stopped at several stores along the way to check out their clearance merchandise for Easter, and to restock my present closet!
How did you celebrate the new year?
I know this is a day late, but we’ve been busy enjoying the end of the year. December is always a big month, isn’t it? It seems like there is always so much left to squish into the year and get prepped for the new year!
As I’ve been working longer hours this month focusing on creating budgets at work, I’ve also been working at home on deciding what the 2012 goal categories should be, and on creating those goals. We also have talked about Santa, and thankfully most of our items were purchased prior to December though we still had a few things to pick up as the countdown to Christmas got shorter.
We have saved an additional 1% in our House Account! We are at 84% saved!
We have actually been making just over 1% deposits in the House Account, but the extra isn’t enough to tip us into the next percent yet. The strategy going forward will be to hit 1% each month. The rest of the less than a quarter of a percent savings will actually be set aside for our summer vacation! Hopefully, we’ll be able to save enough CASH that we won’t have to ‘borrow’ funds from the House Account.
We paid off an additional 2% of our outstanding debt! We only have 71% of our starting debt left!
Credit Card debt- We paid off an additional 3% of our outstanding debt amount we listed in July, 2010, and we only have 39% to go to be credit card debt free!
A large portion of the December payoff was thanks to paying off the Best Buy credit card this month. As I was putting together this new post I realized that Hubby had charged the new Blue Ray player on the card and we still have a balance. Luckily the promotional balance is 6 months and we can actually make a small payment each month to have this paid off.
Kubota- I left this category on- even though the balance is ZERO! I really just wanted to say zero really big. I am still excited that this payment is gone! I’m also excited that it will be that much more going toward earning equity in our land.
Student debt- We decreased my student debt by 3% in December leaving us at 86% to repay. December was a pretty big tuition reimbursement forgiveness month for us! A quarter of one semester of graduate school, and a little bit of my second bachelor’s is gone! I have really been working a lot this month so I feel like I really deserve this forgiveness.
What is January bringing us? A new beginning and new goals to try to achieve!
I can’t believe the year is over! Today is the last day and we will soon be heading out of town to play games at my families all night long! It is a family tradition (Hubby gets most of the ‘good’ holidays) but I’ll take any time we get to make the 3 hour drive home and see the majority of my extended family all in one place!
Unlike last week, I didn’t win anything. But there are some great giveaways out there for your to enter for the new year! Good luck and have fun! I received the Anna Bellagio Bridal Jewelry from Newly Crunchy Mama of 3, it is gorgeous and I just need to find somewhere to wear it to. If I’m not careful, I think my daughter will end up wearing it to kindergarten!
On to current giveaways you can enter in your free time!
Shop With Me Mama (check out all the great giveaways)
Zoobies giveaway (ends 01/07 ): with two younger kids, I’m always on the lookout for good kids giveaways. These look so soft!
$50 HP Gift Code for Ink (ends 01/09) : Free ink? Awesome, not only can I save on ink for my printer, but I can also print even more coupons that will save me more money at the stores!
$50 AT&T Gift Card (ends 01/17): Hubby loves AT&T and I’m sure he could find something to spend this on in a heartbeat.
Newly Crunchy Mama of 3 (check out all the great giveaways)
Purex Triple Action Detergent (ends 01/05): I’ve never tried this detergent, so why not try to win it, before I buy it? Sounds like a good idea to me.
Zarbee’s All Natural Cough Syrup (ends 01/07): I’m a fan of Zarbee’s, before we discovered it I would give my daughter buckwheat honey to help relieve her cough symptoms. I think this stuff tastes a little better than buckwheat honey (at least that’s what she says).
The Life of Rylie… & Bryce, too! (check out the Weekend Win It Linky)
Do you have a current giveaway? Feel free to link to it in the comments!
Where did 2011 go? And why didn’t it accomplish any of our financial New Year’s Resolutions.
1. Acquire no new Debt in 2011, except tuition reimbursement or a construction loan. FAIL
Check out the Unbudgeted posts:
This was a bad goal to set. I know my Hubby can’t go without spending money. It is just an ingrained part of him. I was overly optimistic that we would be able to pull this one off, and it didn’t take long for us to put MORE money on our credit cards. Those darn 0% promotions are too tempting for us!
2. Pay off 23% MORE debt. Ummm, FAIL!
In December, 2010 we had paid off 11% of our debt, so to reach our goal we would need to be at 34% paid off, so only 66% outstanding. As you can see we didn’t make this goal by about 5%. We were super close, but just couldn’t quite make it the final stretch.
However, IF we had not charged any more money to our credit cards we would have been able to pay off 22 % of our debt in 2011, as it is while we may have actually paid off 22% of debt we accumulated MORE and thus did not reach our goal to eliminate 23% of our starting debt amount.
3. Save an additional 40% in our House Account. FAIL!
In December, 2010 we had 46% saved in our House Account, to achieve our goal we will have to be at 86% by December. Well, we were super close to hitting this goal too. We are only shy by about 1.5%. That is such a small amount! I can’t believe we missed it. Changing our savings and mortgage strategy in September really sunk this goal.
I am excited to say that we have made an incredible dent in our mortgage since September when we altered our strategy. If we had not changed our strategy we would have easily been able to achieve our savings goal, and been very close to the debt elimination goal (or had we not purchased anything additional) as well.
RECAP?
Overall, I’m happy with the progress we made in 2011. While we FAILED at all three of our financial goals, we did get close on the last two. While we did overspend, in earlier years our spending has been a lot more out of control, and the savings side was non existent.
We’ve come a LONG way in 2011 to being more responsible financially. I look forward to becoming even more responsible with our finances in 2012!
