http://fairy74.savingadvice.com Learning to live on less, buy it in cash and deep six the credit card info@savingadvice.com fairy74 en-us http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2008/01/30/have-not-been-on-in-forever-_34920/ Between having an almost 7 month old bundle of joy and working about a gazillon hours to make my own firm a success I have not had much time to get on here.<br /> <br /> Financial goals for 2008:<br /> <br /> 1. Get college savings fund set up for Frankie<br /> 2. find better health insurance<br /> 3. finish paying... Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:41:47 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/09/14/updates_30235/ Have been super busy, alas, no entries over here although I try to keep up on everyone else's.<br /> <br /> The little guy is growing like a weed, 12 lbs already and he slept all the way through the night in his own bed last night (WOOOOOHOOOOO!) Cannot tell you how happy that makes mommy (daddy... Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:08:11 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/08/15/hate-my-health-insurance_29318/ Since I work on a contract basis I get to pay for my own health insurance, read high deductible, low benefits, big ugly copays. Within the last week I've gotten to pay the following:<br /> <br /> $2,000.00 to OB for delivery (delivery only, this was my copay)<br /> $800.00 for epidural (they don't... Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:18:34 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/07/17/good-news-on-paycheck_28383/ I work on a contract basis and get a higher hourly wage by doing that, but the trade-off is no benefits. I also don't qualify for FMLA because my employer has under 50 employees. However, in a suprising fit of generosity, my boss paid me for 48 hours of maternity leave on my last... Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:21:59 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/07/12/first-photos-and-updated-totals_28233/ Here are some photos of the little one...<br /> <br /> Updated baby totals: <br /> <br /> Old Total: 1142.00<br /> New Total: 1228.00<br /> <br /> 29.00 for copay for a bloodraw and 57.00 for a picutre package from the hospital since the photos turned out so cute and they will personalize them with name and birthday... Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:15:02 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/07/11/baby-f-is-here_28202/ Haven't been on in awhile, Baby F made his appearance 18 days early on the 5th of July at 12:23 am, 7lbs. 3oz. and a pure delight! will post pictures when time permits...and no his first name is not frugal although I hope he will grow up to be! Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:17:07 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/06/14/new-baby-spending-total-61407_27231/ old total: 1028.00<br /> new total: 1142.00<br /> <br /> had 104.00 in copays for bloodwork and 1 hour GCT and 10.00 copay for bp medicine.<br /> <br /> 5.5 more weeks to go! Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:24:30 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/06/06/why-not-to-buy-too-much-baby-stuff_26936/ DH and I have been trying to keep the baby costs down. I'll admit I've made a few impulse clothing buys (the outfits are so darn cute!). I have a friend and a SIL who are due around the same time as I am, both of whom went out and bought full (and overly full wardrobes for baby).... Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:58:17 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/23/410-from-halfcom_26368/ this will be my most recent deposit. Not a lot but hey every penny counts. All half.com deposits are going towards student loan. I'll be combining last deposit plus this one for an extra payment of $20.00 from half.com payments. I usually try to make a full extra payment of $250.00... Wed, 23 May 2007 11:10:54 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/21/new-baby-total-52107_26276/ Old baby spending total: 840.00<br /> New total: 1,028.00<br /> <br /> 89.00 Copay for second ultrasound, ah the pleasure of paying for your own health insurance and having crummy benefits....<br /> <br /> 84.00 car seat, found for about 15% less than anywhere else at Walmart, with free site to store shipping.... Mon, 21 May 2007 10:11:45 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/19/won-a-door-prize-bad-hostess-manners_26207/ I had to attend a CLE yesterday for my continuing education credits. Actually, it is one that I enjoy so it wasn't too bad, lunch was included and I won one of the door prizes....a bag of groceries from Trader Joe's in a reusable tote! Lots and lots of cool stuff to stock the pantry... Sat, 19 May 2007 17:42:58 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/16/ebates-refund-posted-to-paypal_26093/ Big Fat Refund posted to paypal today ($16.00) which can now be used towards DH's tattoo supplies as he needs more ink. <br /> <br /> Paid $256.00 for next six months car insurance and saved $38.00 over paying monthly.<br /> <br /> Paid $56.00 Verizon phone bill.<br /> <br /> Cancelled stupid Cingular cell phone... Wed, 16 May 2007 11:33:26 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/11/new-baby-total-51107_25925/ Old total: 797.02<br /> New Total: 840.01 (amounts spent detailed in last post)<br /> <br /> I called the health insurance and the baby will be covered for the first month under my insurance policy with no additional premium. After thirty days my premium will go up by $87 per month and then it... Fri, 11 May 2007 09:23:24 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/10/expensive-day-yesterday_25888/ Expensive and busy. Had an appointment with the doctor in the morning. Have to go on a low level blood pressure medicine for the time being. Also my 1 hour GCT was 2 points above the cutoff (just found out about 5 minutes ago) so now I have to go for the 3 hour GTT (ick!).<br /> <br /> After... Thu, 10 May 2007 09:54:04 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/08/doggies-washed-bills-paid_25806/ DH and I washed both doggies (shaved the longer haired one---whew what a job) and clipped toenails, saving ourselves about $150.00 in grooming fees. Have to take the little darlings to the vet later this month for 2 yr rabies shots and one other shot. <br /> <br /> Got direct deposit of $15.27... Tue, 08 May 2007 09:58:24 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/05/04/made-it-through-1-hour-gct_25651/ So the one pregnancy test I absolutely was dreading was the 1 hour Glucose Challenge Test. Unfortunately during high school I worked in a doctor's office and watched a lot of moms to be get really sick taking it. I hate needles and the flat soda taste so I was really dreading this.... Fri, 04 May 2007 10:08:32 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/04/27/partial-bed-rest-halfcom-sales_25383/ Good news first: Just posted a whole slew of books on half.com (cleaned out outside storage) and three sold today.<br /> <br /> Bad news (although not terrible): at doctor's appointment yesterday my BP was up a bit. It's usually low and not high enough to classify as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension,... Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:59:29 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/04/23/dollar-store-birthday-present_25224/ Darling niece was turning 3 this weekend, we got the invitation weeks ago, but apparently my child to be is sucking out all of my brain cells, because this information never made it from the cute Strawberry Shortcake invitation to the calendar. So Friday night DH and I headed out... Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:13:26 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/04/09/updated-baby-spending-4907_24630/ New total: 797.02<br /> Old Total: 633.02<br /> <br /> spent 2.00 at the dollar store on a tube of Desitin and a nasal aspirator<br /> <br /> had to pay 162.00 to birth defects screening program for the state....glad to know no problems but here is my rant. Starting at age 30 the state of CA requires pregnant... Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:05:23 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74) http://fairy74.savingadvice.com/2007/04/06/its-going-to-be-a-_24529/ BOY, had the second ultrasound yesterday and everything looks great! DH and I are thrilled. He's moving around like crazy these days. Everyone told me they thought I was carrying a girl, thankfully most of the clothes I been given have been for a boy! Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:53:55 PST hamis3@hotmail.com (fairy74)