September Budget & Climbing

I'm worried. Worried about what will happen when my part time jobs ends. This month started out relaxing. I went camping with a few of my college friends. I had a great time, even though it rained & rained. There was a severe thunderstorm that caused us to sleep in our cars and and a house close by. (It was bad.) Still lots of fun, but that relaxed feeling is gone.

I have two budgets to run under for the month. I am assuming that before the month is out I will need to switch to the minimum budget. My Sweetheart has already agreed to pick up most of my part of the rent. I will only be able to afford 1/3 of what I currently do. My boss told me to expect about two weeks . . . I'm thinking he means the 15th. I was hoping to be able to finish out the month. *fingers crossed*

The Budget (regular)
Bills (Electric) $104
Bunnies $30
Car & Renter Insurance $46 *Forgot to change this last month
Car Repair $100
Cellphone $36
Clothing $20
Cruise 2012 $50 *A trip that's been in the works for about 3 years.
Free Money $40
Gas $120
Groceries $120
Health $20
Rent $310
Student Loans $372

Grand Total: $1368/month (Take home pay.)

*Extra funds to be put into savings as I'm not sure when exactly my job will end. I might need the money to 'cushion' a week to make the switch between pay check cycles.

The Budget - minimized

Bills (Electric) $100
Bunnies $30
Car & Renter Insurance $46
Car Repair $60
Cellphone $36
Clothing $10
Cruise 2012 $0 *Gotta make do with what I got.
Free Money $20
Gas $120
Groceries $120
Health $10
Rent $100 *Sweetheart will take over most of the rent when I'm down to one job.
Student Loans $372

Grand Total: $1024/month (Take home pay.)

*Extra funds, treated the same.

The Climb, I feel as if it is slowing to a crawl. I'm still getting somewhere . . . I'm just not sure how the next month will turn out. I had taken some extra funds this month before I knew for certain I would be losing my job shortly. I was really, really hoping I had until the end of the year. No such luck.

I don't really know where I can come up with extra money. Do I need an alternative to working a second job? (Selling on ebay? Creating something and opening an esty shop?) Should I try and find another part time job? Am I going to find one with such a flexible schedule? Will I have an understanding boss if I need to suddenly change my shift last minute? (That would be a tough one to find.) Will it pay as well as this job? If it doesn't, how many more hours will I need to work? Do I have the energy to work two jobs still?

The last question leaves me to believe I shouldn't jump to find something right away. I'm tired. I know there are other people who work two, three or more jobs to make ends meet. I'm running out of steam and fast. When I've been working too much it starts to affect my health. Headaches, stuffy nose (could be allergies or a cold), upset stomachs and digestive systems . . . I notice I feel better when I have just one extra day off. It's time for a break. So when this job is over I will not look for something else until January. I need to chill out.

Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $40,125.68
New Grand Total: $39,763.80
Amount Paid Off: $361.88

I can get out of debt! I will get out of debt! Just have to do it one small step at a time. My steps might be smaller and slower, but I will do this.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Today years ago my sweetheart was born. I'm very thankful that he was born into this world. The original plan was to take a day trip to New York City and visit the zoo. (A museum if it was raining.) Being that the weather was predicted to be so hot we went some place that would be a lot cooler, 54 degrees of cool to be exact. Happy Birthday Love! ^_^

Before we left on our 'adventure' we stopped at a local pizza place that does New York style pizza. Sweetheart had a spaghetti pizza along with another a broccoli slice. Mine was white broccoli pizza and bruschetta.

It was so hot outside! There was this steep hill to climb to get up to the opening. Now that I think about it I should have grabbed a picture of the climb.




It's so hard to take good pictures inside a cave.


This was on the ground in the middle of the path. I just thought it looked really neat. They had to cut some stalagmites from the floor. ^_^

View from the furthest point back in the cave.

This is in the small museum room. (Yes, it's one room.) It was used to taxi people from town to the caves. I LOVE old things like this. Can't wait to go back!

Private Island

Ever wish you had your own private island? For the weekend that's exactly what my friends and I got. (Private for the most part.) I love Yellow Creek camping grounds. The island just feels so magical & special to me. When I'm there I never want to leave. (Although it's nice to be home to sleep in a real bed.)

Wish I could say this was a super low cost trip for me. It was compared to most other trips people think about taking. I'm not including food as it was money budgeted into groceries, came from spending money or my Sweetheart treating me to a meal out. Time to do up the tally!


Tent $40 (Needed a new one this year)
2 Folding Chairs @ $20 each = $40 (My Sweetheart and I didn't have any for camping.)
Toll Roads $20.00 (It's a long way to travel!)
Gas $60 (about $20 less than I expected)
Camping fees @ $6/person (2)/night (2) = $24
Grand Total: $184

Not bad for a weekend with good friends who I haven't seen in over a year almost. About time for bed.

My Friends tents.	Bridge onto the island.
Fire for roasting marshmallows.	View of the river.
Mushroom I found!	Tank, Tina's dog. ^_^