Still no changes to my finances, so I was taking time to go through and read the blogs. I always learn new things and find new inspiration. Its intersting to see how people are accomplishing their goals or even resetting goals. Just love this place.

While reading, I noticed that I had not read a post from Ima Saver lately, which I thought was unusual. I always look for her posts, so it threw me off.

I wish I could say that I have something great to report, but there really haven't been any changes for me. I have applied for many jobs. Many have told me that I am over-qualified. But they don't understand that its an extra job for me. I have a career, I am just looking for extra money. But I'll keep searching.

I did realize that if I want to get my husband a birthday gift in October, that I need to start saving now. I am hoping to find a really good kayak on Craigslist so hopefully I don't have to go to Cabelas! My mother and sisters are going in on it too, so that should bring the cost down. I also have my Christmas budget planned out. Maybe I will get a Christmas bonus at work again this year and I could use it for something such as debt payments and savings since Christmas will be taken care of.

I also worked on my budget a little bit and found that I will have an extra paycheck in October. So "Lord Willing and the creek don't rise" I will be able to make some extra debt payments.

Well, my budget didn't go exactly as planned. Our vacuum cleaner broke and we had to buy bug bombs. So since I only had $2.00 left, it had to come from the money that was going to savings. (sigh) What can you do?

And I just found out that my student loan was transfered to another company? They didn't call me or email me or anything. At least they haven't yet. But I went to make my payment and I couldn't. They did say they were not counting any payments late for July while they get everything settled.

Its going to be a busy week. Just hoping I can keep my gas use under control.

I can't believe Christmas is in about 5 months. How is this even possible?? To say that I find this a little overwhelming is an understatement. I feel like I have a lot on my financial plate right now, so adding Christmas seems extreme. But I have gone through my budget and trimmed here and there. And I am going to start putting the extra away so I have the cash to spend. Its not very much. If I can ever find a second (or technically 3rd job) then maybe I can use a little of it also. Of course, this is not starting this week, since I will only have 2 dollars. But at least I have come up with a plan. And I think everyone will get homemade shortbread cookies and jams. That should cut down on the gifts.

Well, I didn't do a whole lot this weekend since I was sick. I decided that the best thing to do was organize our closet. It took all day Saturday, and I had to buy some hangers, which only cost $3. I also filled my car up with gas for the week and we went to breakfast on Sunday because I was STARVING by then. So not too bad.

I also figured out that on Friday after I pay everything and take out my cash for the week, I will have 2 whole dollars left. The beautiful thing about this is that I think this means I have finally recovered. It even includes me putting money back in savings. I still need to work back up to some beefier credit card payments, but for right now, this is a victory.

Well, I can't say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But at least I don't feel like the train is about to run me over. I'm going to update my numbers (as sad as they are) so I can be accountable for where I'm at. I've been on a real roller coaster, but I've decided I can only move forward.

I managed to make some small credit card payments while I am figuring out my cash flow. I have to come up with $29 that I'm short this week, but I know I can do that. And I think I have my budget on track, but it will probably take another week for it to be in full effect.

I'm sick....I think I have some sort of stomach bug. So hopefully I can use this to my advantage to stay at home over the weekend.

After hitting my bump in the road a few weeks ago, I thought that I would have recovered by now. Not sure why....but I haven't. I feel stuck on a treadmill....that never stops or slows down. My finances feel completely out of whack. How is this? My slip up wasn't that bad, but somehow it has made me feel lost. I've spent money for no good reason - and I don't do that. My budget is nowhere near balanced. How did that happen? I'm losing sleep over it and lost a lot of focus. I go to sit down and look at it all, but its like my brain has been treated like a slurpee and someone sucked all the matter out. Ugh. Beyond these feelings, I have made the decision that I am going to have to get another job. I did it to pay for our wedding. I did it to help pay for our house. So I am just going to have to do it to pay for our extras (Mainly siding for our fixer upper house). How will it work? I don't know. My goal is to work 3 days at the beginning of the week so I still have time on the weekend to do the accounting and paperwork for our own business, work there if I need to, and keep up with the house. I just need the treadmill to stop.

So I joined Swagbucks. I don't know much...but I figure if I can earn any gift cards out of it, it will be worth it. I joined today and I think I have 48. Anyone that has some words of wisdom, please send them my way.
As for life, I am muddling through. I am trying to be very low key since I had some mis-steps. I am still trying to gather control back over my finances. I am still looking for ways to bring in some extra cash, which is harder than I thought. We had a garage sale before we moved, so I don't have anything to sell. I work full time and I work and do the books for our own business, so I can't really do a part time job. I guess I just need to keep looking. Debt has not gone up, but savings has gone down. I just keep imagining how good recovery will feel.