PNW Mama's Personal Finance Blog

Cancelled the paper

PNW Mama — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:36:17 PST

In our quest to save money, we decided to cancel our paper. I tried to cancel and only take the Sunday (since that is our main coupon source) but they don't offer Sunday only....has to be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so I cancelled the whole thing. We will just pick up a Sunday paper...

How much for gas in your area?

PNW Mama — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:46:21 PST

Portland Metro area: $3.50's to $3.75

How about you?

DH bought a new car

PNW Mama — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:05:53 PST

Ugh! I knew it was coming....

DH has been talking about a new car now for quite a while. His car was 6 years old and had $80,000 miles on it. He drives 40 miles roundtrip to work 5 days a week. With gas prices on the rise, he was wanting something more eficient. He got a Ford...

A $70 dress for $24

PNW Mama — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:30:50 PST

I don't wear alot of dresses....just not my "thing". However, I felt like I needed a dress for my grandma's memorial, and I suppose, it is always good to have a "little black dress" on hand.

I found a dress at Fred Meyer's that was originally $70, marked down to $49.97. It was...

It's my birthday today! :)

PNW Mama — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:12:07 PST

No big plans as it is a weeknight with work and school for dd2. Will probably go out to dinner this weekend for a combo b-day/valentine's celebration.

We will have a family gathering in a few weeks as that was put on hold due to my grandma's passing.

DH got me an i-pod nano...

You all are the best!

PNW Mama — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:39:56 PST

Just wanted to pop in and say a great big thanks for all of your heartfelt condolences! It really meant alot!

We had the service and celebration of life on Sunday and it was so wonderful to see so many people come out to honor her.

We said our final good-bye's but know she will...

My grandma died last night

PNW Mama — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:09:42 PST

Feeling pretty blue this morning

My 93 1/2 year old grandma passed away last night. We knew it was coming and the end was near.

I was fortunate to have been able to spend the entire day with her yesterday, along with my sister, brother, 1 cousin, my mom, and my aunt and various...

Another payment....

PNW Mama — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:20:52 PST

to the SUV loan! $500 to be exact. We are now sitting at $7000.00 and we have only had the vehicle for 1 1/2 years. Yahoo! I checked their automated system this morning, and found, if we had to, a payment wouldn't have to be made until 3/2013 since we are so far ahead....don't...

First time ever......

PNW Mama — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:01:03 PST

I didn't get a raise. I had my annual review a couple of weeks ago and was told for this year, they are putting a freeze on all salaries. Have to admit I was bummed. I have received a raise every year since I started 13 years ago. I do understand why though. Owners of the clinic...

DH is getting 2 bonus's!

PNW Mama — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:27:46 PST

Oh wow am I excited!

He sent me an email this morning regarding a bonus...at first I thought it was the PPA payout (if you have 80 hours in your bank at the end of the year, company pays it back to you...this is sick time not vacation time) Thought that wasn't coming until the end...

Using gift cards to get something back

PNW Mama — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:18:25 PST

DD2 had a soccer tournament last weekend....such as it is....we were out on the "other side" of town last weekend. That necessitated eating lunch and dinner out on Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Lucky for me, I had some gift cards to use!

I buy gift cards through our scip program...

DD2 got her permit and I am mad at myself.....

PNW Mama — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:33:11 PST

The good news....we finally allowed DD2 to get her permit.....DH didn't think she was mature enough and she probably wasn't but she has made great strides so we said yes. She is good kid though, don't get me wrong. Some kids just aren't ready when the time comes. In our house, driving...

Freezer Meals

PNW Mama — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:44:16 PST

Had the first of the freezer meals I made over Christmas break for dinner tonight.

I used my Dream Dinners cookbook to make 4 meals that I froze in heavy duty gallon bags.

I've been in a rut lately making the same old meals and we are all getting rather tired of them!

I thawed...

Receiving a credit

PNW Mama — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:54:41 PST

from Comcast. As soon as DH turns in the DVR's and cable modem, we should receive a check from Comcast for approx $44.00 in 3 to 4 weeks.

It was interesting....they didn't even try to get us to stay when I called to cancel....they did ask the reason why and I just said it's too...

Saving Money!

PNW Mama — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:18:24 PST

It's official! The land line is GONE! Just have to remember now to keep my cell phone on at all times and not throw it in my purse when I get home

DISH network is up and going and so is FIOS for internet....we estimate this will save $30 to $40 each month.

Next up....getting...

Coupon supply is low

PNW Mama — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:43:46 PST

That is the one thing I hate about this time of year. Not nearly as many coupons in the inserts around the holidays. There were some in Sunday's paper, but honestly, there was hardly anything in there I needed or would use. Since I live in the land of no doubles or CVS, coupons are...

2012 Goals

PNW Mama — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:13:35 PST

Just thinking about a few things I would like to see happen in 2012!

Financial:

1) $25,000 to savings account

2) Continue to pay off SUV loan...currently at $7500....still paying $500/mo.

Personal:

1) Lose 10-12 lbs by April 20th (the big cruise)!

2) Continue to eat...

One tired mama tonight....

PNW Mama — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:59:54 PST

Spent the day cleaning and organizing. Started off in the master closet....needed it bad! Got through about 1/2 of it and then had to take dd2 somewhere. Had to hurry as the Frontier guy was coming anytime between 8 and 5 to hook up the FIOS for internet and I figured if I left,...

Does anyone know how

PNW Mama — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:07:13 PST

to get rid of those spammy comments on one's blog? Any help would be appreciated!

Christmas

PNW Mama — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:00:00 PST

was wonderful and blessed. Hubby spoiled me as usual even though I asked him not to. He got me a small diamond necklace, $25 to B&N, perfume, new lunch tote, and a pedometer to replace the one I leftin a bathroom stall at Universal Studios in July of 2009

Received a fun foodie...