I posted a while back I wanted to leave my house. I still want to leave. I live next door to people who seem to think it's okay to let their neurotic, lonely, neglected dog howl. I have lived next to these people for six years. They've been noisy after midnight before, but we've been okay with asking them to turn down the noise, and they've done as we've asked. They have this deck, high fence and other things for "privacy", and let their dog bark at us through the fence because it sees or hears people. They've developed their property and have maybe $75K or 16% equity in their plot. After six years. They have a newborn and seem to think they can manage being first-time parents and two large dogs without much room to exercise or attention to thrive. They've had at least one large dog since they've moved in, just to let you know that I don't hate dogs, nor had it in for the neighbors since day one. They had three dogs at one point, when they had a family renting beneath. That didn't bother me, because the dogs were quiet and happy and got exercise. Now they have two dogs, and the newer/younger one of them is seriously yappy/messed up/neurotic/lonely.
What I can tell you from the time my father lived with a woman who owns dogs -- dogs love exercise. They are happy when they are running, bounding, playing. They are not happy when they are howling at night or all through the weekend while their owners, who already are ignoring them because they have to adjust to parenthood, take off and leave them alone. So the dogs take their frustrations out on us, and I end up wondering if I bayoneted babies in a past life and am suffering torments now.

My spouse works all day at home. I had to work pretty much all yesterday, some of it from home. We have lived here nine years, on this street with other homeowners with dogs we've never had reason to complain about, because the homeowners and dog lovers are responsible, considerate people. I wanna blow my e-fund on fixing the garage door, landscaping, remodeling, and getting out. Having to leave my home of nine years in a bad selling environment because I have inconsiderate or irresponsible neighbors would suck. I'm not sure I can wait for them to go underwater on their house and get foreclosed upon, especially if they are too distracted to do anything about their dog. They've had an anonymous letter sent to them asking nicely to keep the dogs quiet during evening hours--our city has a noise ordinance effective from 10 pm to 7 am.

My spouse's employer's insurer has decided to suspend subsidizing my expensive prescription, which I had filled and refilled by visiting a local drugstore through the insurer for the last three months. I'm using my own insurance for now. I don't understand how it's supposed to be more convenient or cheaper for me to do mail-order. I don't even know how I would do that: do I just arrange something with my doctor and a Canadian pharma website and pay out of my own pocket? How do healthcare consumers compare insurers and HMO programs prior to enrolling in benefits?

On the plus side, we signed for our new, bigger HELOC, at the time when banks are suspending or reducing HELOCs. I was told that the credit union goes by the county assessment value of the property. I would love to pay for these renovations out of pocket, but Murphy's Law being what it is, the moment I do that would be when my car and my husband's grandmother give up the ghosts, lightning hits my roof, and one of us loses a job (not likely for my spouse -- he provides too much value for what he is paid) causing us to liquidate emergency funds. We also received the lowest/best rate possible. I do appreciate the small compensations of beautiful timing and best rates for refinancing/borrowing. If only I could transfer that skill to the schizophrenic securities market.

Job search energy is picking up, including one FT gig in another country.

One other question, not at all money-related: a third-grade girl from my son's school and bus route invited him to a party. He is 1.5 yrs younger. My husband and I are scratching our heads about why the interest despite the supposed development level and age/sex difference. We didn't know anything about her until the invitation arrived in the mail, and our son said "oh, I have a friend." Should he go? I fear it's going to be pink glitter, rainbows, unicorns, and American Girl stuff, but then again, it could be that our son is not the only boy invited. I hope this is the case. I will call the girl's parent and ask.

Only because I hastily showered to keep myself awake without caffeine so I could go to my nocturnal outing. My preferred card was in a jacket I didn't take out with me, I still haven't found the mailer with my debit card PIN, so I had to use the card of evil on a cab (brought a bus pass, but the show ended 80 minutes later than I thought) and dinner. Not normally so extravagant, but a friend who is very happy to be alive and dancing found some excellent well-timed opportunities to celebrate her birthday.

Bought more BEARX with money kicking around in my Roth. Prices of some stocks I own are down 10% from last month. Not worried, because they all have dividends, they all will likely beat the S&P this year, most are international, most are S&P five-stars, and none of them is an automotive company nor a bank.

My 2006-era Ecco shoes are fraying and looking so scuffed my coworkers look to me to provide extensive and trenchant English literature knowledge. All I need is a shabby corduroy jacket and my specs riding high on my head. And so soon after I bought shoes! I'll try saving some money until the rains come so hard that my feet get wet, and then I can buy boots and shoes. Maybe I'll get the lining and a button replaced on my fave wool coat.
What a good thing we don't have to have a real wardrobe at work: just shoes, shirt, garments to cover the bottoms a plus) but no T-shirts with slogans. However, I would like to own more than two dresses.

The 3.03% drop in the market makes me think I'll buy a gold coin and some Yen next week. This week I applied some extra to our mortgage. Wouldn't the first week of July be delightful to declare Baby Step #3 (6 months' emergency fund) accomplished!

I don't want to live where I do anymore. The real estate market outlook is nasty, but I have 63% equity at present and can handle a severe markdown.

OTOH, the economy outlook here is booming and I might be able to rent out the house at 13% more than what I'm currently paying.

Our crib went, with mattress and blankets and hardware. The table I advertised on Freecycle had no takers, but it did prompt my spouse to begin repairs on it. I took the cash and bought a ticket to a midweek cabaret show (part of someone's birthday festivities) and checked out the downtown supermarket, where I actually found everything I wanted. I cannot say that about my larger nearby supermarket.

I might try a yard sale in mid-July. Although I've been donating some stuff, it's not enough stuff. I want to believe that the less stuff I have, the more time I have and the more peace and contentment I have.

Referral bonus is all gone now. It went to Catholic Charities Association of Western Washington, Hopelink, North Helpline and MoveOn.org. It's a little spooky how immediately after I commit some act of generosity, I get phone calls from the ether inviting me to do something fun. It's almost as if my decluttering transmits messages.

I cannot seem to get a quality haircut for under $60 in this city. My debut at an organic salon (with scalp massage) for a hair cut, shampoo and blow dry was $60, before gratuity.

Bought some seafood, as I'd been going without for a few weeks. I stopped at one place two weeks ago but it was offering $35/lb for Copper River salmon, so I passed. I got it for half that today, somewhere else. Bought cheap (under $6.50/bottle) wine and lemons.

Went on a Costco run with boy -- loaded up the cart. $124.58. No meat nor wine nor clothes: just grains, butter, lunch stuff for his day camp, tomatoes, beans, juice, Ziploc(tm) bags, organic sugar.
Bought discount vitamins too.

Also took the car for an oil change, as it reached its 2950 mile interval. $34.08

My car collided with another car (I was trying to get out of its way), but as there was no physical damage to vehicles nor drivers, I thought 'feh!' and after clearly and carefully asking the other driver how he'd care to proceed, departed). Calling it a fenderbender would be an embellishment, terming it a crash would be an outright lie.

Tried to go to coin shop to pick up my Yen, but it was closed as the brothers had a wedding to go to that day. So that's why I've been slow getting Yen for Osaka. But boy! I'm not sure how I want to proceed with the replacement car -- I've been very blessed to not have had physical injuries over the past three accidents; however, I'm not pleased that I've had three accidents within nine months. I have my lights on at all times, when I was driving the vehicle it was during the day... not sure what else I can do to be more visible, nor how to ensure other drivers are being attentive to the traffic situation and conditions.

Driving wasn't all spendspend though: I deposited two cheques, and mailed an envelope with three Roth and Coverdell deposits equalling the total amount of the cheques deposit. A rerouting, if you will.

We have his and hers matching credit scores in the low 800s (out of maximum 850 -- not bad for an immigrant -- Bank of America thinks I suck, but not my credit union! We were offered the very best ever rates, and practically assured the HELOC amount).
We now have a HELOC, subject to approval of satisfactory home value evaluation and presentation of homeowner's insurance. HELOC is for more than I planned to request, but what the hey, I need only keep the debt level to 30% or 33% to avoid being "a credit risk."

No, I am not rushing out to buy a car with the HELOC, in case someone was alarmed or was seeking an opportunity to be righteously indignant. The HELOC is for the kitchen and eventually the roof.

Our local credit union is offering a 3.99% APR auto financing event on the final weekend.
I still think, unless miracles happen (and they have in the past), I will move back home next year, and although our car is 12 yrs old and has 138K miles on it, it still works, we have cheap insurance on it, and at the rate of 5000 miles a year, with regular maintenance and without any dimbulbs in Broncos or Trailblazers smashing into us, we should be able to make do with this car for the next three-four years.
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Miracle #1: the coin shop coughed up my Yen, a mere four weeks after I paid for it. The staff was apologetic.
Miracle #2: Referral bonus of $250, albeit taxed at 40%. Whee.
Miracle #3: Helpful people this week, plus a reopened job req from earlier this spring.
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According to the IRS Tax Withholding Calculator and my budget, it is possible for us to live our current lifestyle and still contribute to retirement on my husband's income. This discovery makes me happy, for my husband earns under the median household income in our city.

This means my salary goes toward more retirement, taxes, goals beyond subsistence, and home remodeling, and vehicle replacement. This also means if one of us were unable to work for a spell, we'd get by for more than six months. Or should I say "his" salary, because I earn more...

I am not posting about emotional attachment. I am posting about announcing on Freecycle and Craigslist. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Couldn't get rid of a television set, can't get rid of a printer. These aren't uncommon nor unusable items: they still work. On Amazon I posted auctions for seven books, and only one sold.

Where are the buyers? Where should I be selling my wedding dress, my scooter, my handmade wood booze cabinet that can be plugged in to light up the glass interior?

Maybe it's possible I'm living where people are so affluent they don't want anything for cheap or for free.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/devouringseattle/archives...

Not meant to be advertisement for personal gain.

June 16: Decide, with help of stimulus check, to buy a printer to replace the one I've had for eleven years (cue the harridans: "OMG! HOW COULD YOU REPLACE AN 11-year-old cheap inkjet PRINTER?!" Enough.)

Go to Staples. They have a display model of our printer, but nothing else. They suggest two other stores, each about 12 miles away. We drive north 65 blocks and go to OfficeMax, which actually beats Staples by $12. So I buy a candy bar and share among the men. Only boy is still in dying stages of Oedipal complex and doesn't want mom to share her candy with dad. So about $12 saved.

I'd been itching for three months to buy a printer, so I don't view this as a grand expense.

$265.52 left to go.

Escrow shortage: $277.52
Goal: make further cuts and changes to absorb that $277.52. For 2008, this'll mean a $137.00 savings over six months. I hope my husband gets a raise/cost of living adjustment in excess of $277.52.

My friend asked me for debt-repayment advice. I gave it to him. A half-hour later he called up my husband asking for help researching airline tickets. I do know how it is to have budget setbacks, and believe me I know how it is to want to reward oneself, and not to want to live a completely austere and penurious lifestyle devoid of any treats. But weekend getaways via air: I'm prudent enough to save those for when I have a healthy emergency fund or when I have a car loan paid off. I guess I must have given good advice, because my friend's not taking it. Why then does he ask me?

HELOC request now in the mail. I'm rationalizing this: the kitchen is 60 years old with no remodeling done whatsoever, and my available is about 66% of what I plan to ask for a credit line, and is 75% of what I plan to pay for the kitchen itself.

Oh yeah, stimulus check came. Whee. Valid for one year only. 10% will go to local hunger initiatives.

Faith formation for little ones discussion. Lunch with debt support group ($15.00 -- kaching!). Shop at Catholic supply store ($51.04 -- kaching!), drop gold coin in safety deposit box, photocopy Saturday NYT Crossword at library, drive home. Walk to drycleaner's to drop off clothes, then to mall to get cards, and Father's day gift. Walk home. Drive to Goodwill to drop off used clothing, then to natural foods store to get ginger, kombucha, yerba mate, rolled oats, and eggs ($9.35 -- kaching!). Combine that trip with the bank for escrow shortage payment ($277.52 -- kaching!), and Ezell's for take-out as it's not all that far from where I was ($23.09 -- kaching!).

I wanted to take the scooter today but its battery died from inactive usage: I just didn't have any reason to take the scooter rather than the bus or the car (toting child) until today.

Not long ago $9.00 would have carried my scoot 150 miles...

1. No worms/flies in the grain.
2. No melted butter dripping on the table.
3. No having to keep the bedroom window open for air and hearing the dimwitted/speshul needs dog next door that must bark past ten o'clock at night because it's neglected, not exercised regularly, and is jealous of the newborn. I used to have a loud cat that kept me up with his yowling too, when I had an infant to deal with, but I knew better than to push him outside so the neighbours could hear him.
4. Better focus on the work. Less tripping out to enjoy the sun.
5. I can order duct heating and buy insulation for pipes and water heater when it's out-of-season AND immediately reap the rewards of comfort!
6. The paramedics that visit the senior living/extended care places nearby aren't doing double duty to serve people with heat exhaustion: just the regular heart attack/respiratory failure/stroke routine.
Meaning less noise, more gas conserved, more seniors waking up to enjoy more cool gloomy days.
7. Better weather to bicycle in.

If you had a big flat screen TV, a satellite dish, and two large cars, and you were out of money, would you think to beg (you'd say "borrow" only you would never pay the money back) from a household on your street that had one old car and no television set?

Thanks to those who cared enough to suggest I see a doctor. I did exactly that, and have emptied my wallet for co-pay, back amounts owing (I didn't know), and prescription cough medicine: $41.43. The cough medicine has gualfenesin, codeine and no high-fructose corn syrup so it's quality stuff. I have bronchitis but chest x-rays show I'm 75% of the way through it. No antibiotics, although it's looks to be a bacterial infection.

Link du Jour -- another hard-core coffee drinker got a bad cold and went without while convalescing. I had regularly taken two cups a day, then one and a half, then one, then 3/4 of a cup, and now I am drinking green tea which has theine. I don't have foot cramps so often, I don't rely so much on melatonin or valerian to spirit me off to dreamland and my energy levels are nearing constancy. I may try some Yerba Mate, the next time I'm in a natural foods store or hip supermarket. To trolls who'd nag that everything is okay in moderation, note that I'd probably still be drinking coffee if I hadn't had this bronchitis. The lingering chest congestion effects have turned me off my Precious Bean Elixir.

I added $150 to my Roth IRA today, as I happened to be a few blocks away from a TD Ameritrade office. I'm 40% through my contribution year.

I read a blog posting elsewhere from someone who took Brent Kessel's archetypes quiz and reported results similar to mine: Guardian, Saver, Empire Builder, in that order.

I know I tweak and freak about my budget here. Sometimes it's hormones kicking me, other times it's too much news pushing my panic buttons. But those who tweak and freak, and those who work their plan, how much of our concern or worry is merited? Wouldn't it be the people who aren't scrutinizing their expenses, their incomes and outgoes, who would be more at risk in an economic downturn? Perhaps the people who never saw this coming? Do people who imagine themselves to be without help (retired and well-off parents with houses big enough to move back into, lots of immediate family nearby) compensate for their weaknesses sufficiently through sustainability and thrift? How much more do we need to do to get through this with our hearts, minds and bodies intact?

Speaking of bodies, I might have bronchitis. Certainly June temperatures of 51F and drizzles, plus the never-ending to-do list at home keeping me up aren't helping my body recover any faster. Anyone in a heatwave wanna trade with me?

People in New York and Chicago are having heat waves. Does 54F count as a cool wave for Washington state in June? I suppose I should be thankful that I don't need any air conditioning. Maybe there's someone in Biloxi, MS who'd love to be in my shoes right now.

Either I am detoxifying or I have a food allergy or I have a lung infection: this is my third bronchial irritation in four months. I am treating it with herbal teas, apple cider vinegar/honey concoctions. Commercial cough syrups either have high fructose corn syrup or aren't to be used if one has persistent excessive mucus or a lingering cough.

Being so congested, I did not touch coffee for four days. I had one cup and the head pressure and cramping foot ailments returned. Yesterday I had a cappuccino from someone who serves up excellent espresso drinks, and even with the honey it tasted bitter. With the cold and the espresso, yes, more foot cramping. Normally I'd be sucking back the java juice big time when it's cool and grey outside like this. I wish I could say "hey, I'm saving $10 a week by not drinking coffee" but the truth is we get Starbucks roast for free at the office, and I haven't cheated by having coffee there either. That too has been noticed, with raised eyebrows. I haven't gone without coffee since a week in 1998. My spouse and son will still have their hot drinks at least weekly.
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To treat myself I bought sea salts, epsom salts and some essential oils to help with eliminating chest congestion. We also paid for my kid's haircut, my debt support breakfast, gold coin.
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A friend called me to vent about his plaguing health issue. I have urged him three times to go see a medical professional (too much bureaucracy) or an alternative healer (they don't work). He says he wants to pay off his debts but at the same time is tempted, as we all are, with vacations to the Caribbean or getaways closer to home. I love that he's close enough to me to share his pains and vents, but I don't know if I'm offering him any advice of value. All I do is remind him that his health is his #1 asset to protect and maintain, and he "yeah buts" me. Maybe I should just shut up and listen in future. This is why I don't say much or offer much advice -- too many reminders I don't know what I'm doing, or am stating what everybody knows. If I knew what I was doing I would be able to make all my goals, live my life on one person's income.

1. My paycheque arrived in the mail. Woohoo! It has been deposited and will enter my account probably Monday.

2. Ed Slott's paperback The Retirement Time Bomb came in the mail today from his company.

3. I picked up Ed Slott and Bernard Baumold books on hold at the library.

4. Late to the party: The IRS gave us a notice we'd be receiving $1200, and not the $1500 we were expecting because some little person with my eyes, legs and hair runs around making messes and calling me "mom." This is apparently because we do not have a child born after December 31, 1990 with a valid SSN. So that means I can toss the little mooching rugrat out to the elements, because hey, according to the IRS he's not my tax credit, and the IRS is always right, right? Just ask Wesley Snipes! Seriously, this is the fault of some tax software tax professionals use. I think maybe my CPA used this software, which doesn't indicate that we're eligible for an additional $300 rebate for the kid.

We also have been treating ourselves to library DVD rentals and very old movies off the 'Net. We did splurge on some tapas and a silent movie on Monday. For a week my favourite film archivist ever is showing early soundies (precursors to music videos) at my favourite cinema ever, so attending two of those shows'll be a hit to the entertainment budget. It's my alternative to the Seattle International Film Festival.

I read yesterday that by June 2009 one in four mortgaged houses will be lost to foreclosure. A third of the homes in the US have no mortgages. For some reason I thought I might be one of the mortgage casualties. Someone at breakfast today said I was an economic hypochondriac, and that what goes wrong with the nation doesn't necessarily hold for my household. If there are 150 million households, and 1/3 are renters, and 1/3 are owned in full, that means 1/3 of us are "mortgagin' riff-raff". 1/4 of us in mortgage crisis = 12.5 million households. I'm not joining the paid-in-full crowd anytime soon, it looks like. Too many other irons in the fire.

I'm rereading The Tightwad Gazette. I found it cutely nostalgic to see someone writing about a time when $75 a month for automotive fuel was excessive. I filled up today and it was $45.74. If I have time today I will walk to the Coin shop and see if I can get my yen and maybe an ounce of gold (I buy an ounce every time the market drops by 300+ points).

Borrow book from library. Note that there are pages missing. Return book to library. E-mail author, ask for missing pages. Author's representative wants to send a new book to me.

Should I accept, read it all the way through, then donate it to the library? Or should I tell them it was a library book I read? I feel it would be stealing if I accepted a replacement book without giving it to the library. It's not the author's fault there were pages missing, but the publisher's.

Gosh!

Back then I had a scooter loan. It was paid off three months later. Income was $5220/net. Now it's larger. The windows are installed. Some goals were neglected, others were replaced. Back then my mortgage payoff-date was 07/2023, now it's 02/2023. I had $1000 in savings for an emergency fund, now I'm nearing $19000.

Back then our outgo was $4957.75, excluding savings, investments, pet expenses, gifts and extra mortgage payments.

Now it is $4943. So the childcare payments get absorbed into smaller childcare expenses, house maintenance, food out, gifts, auto expenses, and taxes. Utilities actually went DOWN 10% from two years ago.

I encourage people, if they're starting their journey from a point of lack, or a disadvantage, perhaps paying off debt or building an emergency fund, to reflect on their progress each year. Granted the gold, housing and equity markets take most of the credit for this, but we're up 25% from two years ago, for the time being.