Monkey Mama's Monkey Money Blog

January Totals

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:43:43 PST

I am moving slower than usual...

Anyway, January felt pretty ugly, but I suppose the only real ugly was all the medical expenses.

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Anyway, here are my numbers...

AUTO - $340 insurance, $30 service, about $280 gas. Fair...

Frugal Triumphs/Failures Today

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:05:19 PST

What a Day!

Been on go-go-go mode all day, but for an hour of quiet time I demanded from 2-3 pm today.

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This morning I took dh's car with the intent to fill it up with gas. Was going to hit the regular gas station on the way home,...

Bread Outlet Run

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:12:19 PST

Today was a Hallelujah day.

Since no work this weekend, I decided to run to aerobics early in the morning. Dh felt up to giving it a try. (& when I got home, still seemed okay - kids didn't push him too hard). Hallelujah!

Oh - was going to run to the store, but his mom offered....

Sitting Out Another Challenge...

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:48:28 PST

Because it's not challenging? I will eat in 28 days, easy, this month. So again, not really playing along. (Not tracking things that I would do regardless - no real benefit for me).

But I didn't post this just to be snotty. I did want to say that I think Fern's challenges...

Still Recovering...

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:05:07 PST

I suppose it's been a bit busy, though I am still recovering more than anything. No infection. I did tell dh that I have sympathy ear pains (I can't hear out my right ear most days - same as his bad right ear). He doesn't like that though. I suppose since mine is just temporary....

Financial Update

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:36:45 PST

I popped some advil and went back to sleep last night. Wouldn't you know, my ear feels fine now? BUT, I do have a doctor appointment late in the day. Guess they were slammed - lucky to get in at all. Would just figure if it's all cleared up by then. Either that - or should I call...

Dh healing fast; Me not so much

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:29:26 PST

Ugh!

Another pharmacy run for me. I have somehow developed an ear infection. (I don't think I have EVER had one???) The thought would probably never occur to me, but MIL had a horrible ear infection rather recently. I suppose I can sing her praises this round. It was just somewhat...

Some Finances, Some Ranting, Some Updates

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:39:54 PST

You may think I disappeared because life is crazy, but really I am just sicker than a dog. The "life is crazy" part is not helping though. I went into work this morning because I had pressing deadlines. I'm not good at asking for help, generally, but have been good these last weeks....

We're Home!

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:13:03 PST

That's all I have time to say for now. But it feels GOOD to be home!

Enjoying a little peace before the kids and MIL arrive. Any minute...

I already went grocery shopping (for soft food) and made some soup. Getting very domestic!

& the kids have pink eye... I am so sick...

Surgery is OVER!

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:23:32 PST

It felt like this day would never arrive, as we have been anxiously waiting.

Surgery went better than expected. Can we call my dh "miracle boy," or what?

Wednesday was a whirlwind of medical appointments and tests. We met briefly with the surgeon, who told us that he may leave...

Odds & Ends

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:20:42 PST

I am SO procrastinating here.

If you scroll to my last post, I had some thoughts on home ownership. FYI to anyone interested.

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Anyway, dh's family is very dramatic. I heard rumor that a very close relative is convinced he will die!...

The More Things Change, The More they Stay the Same (Housing)

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:35:39 PST

Having graduated college in 1999, it's been interesting. I'd consider myself an adult long before that, but only since 1999 have I been investing in real estate and the stock market. Thus, my only experience in those things is during the "lost decade." & what a decade it was!

I...

Counting Down the Days

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:10:22 PST

**Dh did some serious grocery shopping this week! He bought stuff for 4 meals (mostly non-perishable items) to cook the week after next. 4 big meals + plenty of leftovers. (Most of next week will be out of town for surgery). BEtween that and frozen meals filling our fridge, we...

Call Girls & Turkeys

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:49:54 PST

The turkeys are out in full force today! As are the prostitutes. It's never boring here!

Actually, though I have always heard rumor of the prostitution and drug activity in our neck of the woods, I have never seen much. But 2009 is another story. You could presume that it is...

Ugh!

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:33:40 PST

I am in the midst of a financial firestorm.

When it rains, it pours...

Got news that my compensation is taking a HUGE hit for 2010. Maybe, but who knows. YEah...

So, anyway, I don't think it has a lot to do with the economy (though it could). It has more to do with my boss...

Gearing Up for Some Crazy

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:35:17 PST

I've heard and seen some interesting opinions and attitudes over the years - when it comes to a male stay-at-home-parent.

I can conclude from many a conversation that most people think men are incapable of housework, cooking, and child rearing. EVEN if it has been their full-time...

Quick Updates

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:52:35 PST

**Noticed just yesterday that the hotel never charged our credit card, for our insanely low "advanced purchase" rate.

I called today to verify. Reservation is in the system and they seem surprised I hadn't been charged. BUT, said they would just charge us on checkout. Well,...

The Problem with Cash Gifts...

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:37:25 PST

The problem with cash gifts is they usually tend to come with a condition to spend on x or y. Or to put in the bank, etc., etc. (& to be honest - we tend to put unexpected money 100% to savings, anyway. Since we are usually so planned and forward thinking with our purchases).

Anyway,...

Exhausted, but had fun!

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:33:14 PST

What an exhausting weekend!!

Dh may never take us to the snow again. I would say we planned it perfect, but it was so warm that the unkempt driveways were slushy and the van got stuck. Poor dh. Other than that - perfect trip. (Might bring a shovel next time - to be sure).

Our...

Don't want to jinx it, but...

monkey0mama@gmail.com (Monkey Mama) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 09:25:53 PST

**We are due for another Chase reward ($250 cash). I read about 6 months ago that they were completely phasing out Chase Freedom rewards. I thought I was lucky to redeem my $250 LAST time! Anyway, I have to wait until Februay 4th to redeem it (with next billing cycle). Crossing...