I was looking for a game or puzzle or something and pulled out a few from the closet for ebay or Craigslist.

The main one being Cranium. Someone gave it to me for Chsristmas in 2004, and fankly I hate the game.

Dh got annoyed at me when he saw there was a receipt taped to the bottom. !!!!!

I had to admit that I might have known it was there, but kept it around for friends who love the game. Of course, nice as that gesture was, the game has never been opened.

Dh said Target had a good return policy and he would try to take it there. He cased it out first and said the new boxes look very different and who knows if they would take it.

For whatever reason, he tried today and they gave hime $14.

Not bad...

It retails $20. I think we would be hard pressed to find $14 for it otherwise, much less with so LITTLE effort. So I am really rather pleased with this find.

Dh used the money for Easter stuff and some groceries at Target.

Anyway, he was really peeved at me when he saw the receipt. But he couldn't be peeved for long. I had actually found some nice shirts in a box (from EARLIER than 2004 - indeed). No doubt from his mom, which she buys him clothes every year that he never wears. They looked nice and simple and so I hung them up in the closet. When he saw them he asked where the hell did they come from and he never intended to wear them.

I don't think I brought up the receipt to him, though it did peeve me. Not sure why he didn't just return them then.

So when he brought it up I told him there was a good $30 or more in unreturned goods in his closet. so yeah, be careful who you point that finger at.

I think we will be double checking each other's tossed aside gifts going forward. LOL.

I also redeemed my BK coupon today. Got an entire chicken sandwhich value meal for $2.50 (saved $3.65 since the sandwhich was free). Not bad!

I saved 1/2 the sandwhich for tomorrow. Was WAY too much food. But will stretch out nicely to 2 lunches with a yogurt from home and some water from the tap.

Oh, one final thing. Dh called to redeem our free month from Verizon (by signing up for a year contract). Anyway, I don't remember the last time I called Verizon. I never call them. I leave that stuff to dh. He has called many times to turn on roaming if we went on vacation (to the east coast and such). He was the one who called to change our plan last year. HE totally changed our plan to a new one and signed a one-year contract.

So he calls today and they say they won't even talk to him because he is not on the account.

Go figure.

LOL.

So now I have to waste my time calling them. Bah. I knew we went through this ages ago but I thought we had gotten that squared away, ages ago. Figures.

BM told me yesterday his ear hurt and I told him we'd keep an eye on it. He is 1000% otherwise and has only had one ear infection - we he started preschool. The germs. Well, the germs and all the water play.

Anyway, I noticed tonight though BM seems to have some pretty decent hearing loss. IT took me a while to realize. Likewise, I called dh to tell him and he felt bad. He said he noticed BM was NOT listening well today at all. He thought he was just misbehaving or in a mood. But hearing my thoughts and putting 2 and 2 together, he said he noticed a little bit that his hearing seemed off.

Plus when I asked, well yeah, his ear had hurt earlier today too.

Another trip to the doc!

Yeesh. Will try to get in tomorrow.

IRonically, dh just got an appointment for a follow up hearing test. He had vertigo about a year ago and had some hearing loss. They wanted to follow up in a year. So they just made an appointment for him.

& as far as LM, he clearly does not have pink eye. Just a false alarm. At least we didn't have to pay for a doctor visit - that just worked out. So I am glad we chose not to go with the antibiotics. Not needed.

He's good as new and his mood has improved VASTLY!!!! (Knock on wood). Oh, just being under the weather brought out his nasty side. Likewise, I had been quite worried something more was wrong. But it has seemed to dissipated rather quickly, as he also feels better. Phew.

So yeah, will be shelling out some money for doctors' visits this month. Feels never ending lately... Like something every week.

I have personally been feeling good as new since Monday. I actually felt rather bad over the weekend, and then just woke up monday good as new. But man, it took a while to get past that flu bug. Bah.
--------------------------------------

Today I wrote out $3500 in checks. *choke* $1200 to the IRS and $2300 for property taxes. I got it all ready to go but will mail them in April.

It occured to me that I had heard that stamps were going up. Phew, in May. So I got them all ready to go - will pop in the mail in a month.

But anyway, I think we should have just gotten forever stamps. I have a whole sheet of stamps since we just don't really use them any more. I will have to put a big note on the sheet to add a cent with every stamp. How annoying! Like I will remember next year when I am still using the same sheet.

Yeah, next time? Forever stamps.

I also found out today that tonight is Daylight savings. Huh????? I was rather thrown off by this. I had no idea, and was a little confused. But I was glad someone had told me. LOL.

Then later I brought it up to dh. Oh, he was not happy! He hates it as it is, but TIVO has had a horrid time with this time change thing. They couldn't figure out how to change the time last time, for the longest time (like days). So our TIVO was all screwed up. It had been programmed for regular daylight savings, not this new extended version.

So as dh started on his anti-Daylight Savings tirade, I realized why I had no clue. I forgot it came early this year.

This actually made me VERY happy. I love the early daylight savings. I LOVE it when it stays light out rather late. For now the kids and I have plenty of daylight to get out of the house after I get home from work. In the summer we spend the evenings at the pool. & getting an extra couple of months to do so is just divine if you ask me.

Dh is not pleased, but I told him to just be happy for me.

He said why don't I just work from 7am-4pm in the summers.

He has a point, that would be much easier. Well, Daylight Savings wasn't my idea.

Anyway, it just feels like the lazy hazy days of summer have arrived early with this early time change.

I just wish I had a little more warning that I would lose an hour this weekend.

I had a new client come through this last week.

She owed about $400 between Fed & state. I told her she gets the gold medal for breakeven taxes. We should have a contest. LOL. It seems like most of my clients have WAY overpaid/underpaid this last year. Yeesh.

It's frustrating to see the ones with situations who are struggling but are unwilling to change their withholdings. (The family who went down to one income due to illness or the many people who came through with 2 houses, trying to sell one). Likewise, more frustrating are the clients who make big financial decisions and don't think to run it across their tax profesional. Then they are surprised when they owe $5k. I had a client lose her ROTH contribution because she sold a large chunk of stock and pushed her AGI too high. Someone else took $30k in retirement distributions, and they were surprised they owed. (Had not withheld anything). Etc., etc.

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In other news, CNN had an article on Top 10 foreclosure cities and sacramento was ranked #1. I've seen it at #2 or #3, but not #1 before. Yikes.

OF course #2 was Vegas. Gee, the hot climates are suffering.

That's the thing about Sacramento though. Our home had run up a good 125% at the peak (from when we bought in early 2002 - to the peak in late 2005).

Most of the people I met in the area either moved here from more expensive lands and then moved on to ORegon/Nevada with all that home equity. OR they felt priced out of home ownership and moved to Oregon/Nevada to buy a home. But the first group really were key in running up prices. PArticularly since they either already had equity from more expensive areas, or like us, just found the prices to be dirt cheap in comparison. (Whereas from the locals' perspective it was getting quite expensive in 2001/2002).

Since we enjoy the area so much, I really thought high prices were around to stay, for the most part. & still I think a decent amount of home appreciation is around to stay permanently. (I know too many people longing for $100k houses again, like you could get a decade ago, but I think that's a pipe dream).

But I guess we are unique. It seems like not very many people are tied to the area. Seems like most of the transplants have moved on.

Sacramento has historically been the cheapest area of Cali to live in, and it still is by a mile. I will just never get it. All I can figure is the combo of the weather (very hot in the summer whereas most of the state is rather mild year-round) and also the jobs. The jobs just aren't here. I admit most of the people who came through here the last few years didn't have jobs here. So it was a no brainer to take their insane equity and go to where the jobs were in more affordable states. A majority of the people I have met here had jobs in the Bay Area.

That's really all I Could figure. I saw Stockton (very nearby) has been hitting #1 in foreclosures for a while. But I think, who would want to live there??? & how come no one wants to live in Sac??

IT is a really weird dynamic because there is so much money and jobs in the Bay Area that there are many less nice areas between here and the Bay that have insane house prices and are thriving. Likewise, if you are in Sac and you want to move out to the country, or further out from the hub, it just gets more expensive. Very counter-intuitive. But the reason why is very clear. The further you get from here, the closer you are to a bigger metro hub.

Likewise, Sacramento seems to have location down pat, but it is the least desirable area of the state. I mean 1-2 hours drive to the snow and beautiful lake tahoe. Just over an hour to San Fancisco and the beach. A days' drive from the bauty of Northern Cali, Washington & ORegon. OR likewise, just a few hours to Disneyland/So Cal. Houses are cheap and I have an awesome job. The area itself is very beautiful (as it has been historically much less metro - it is called the city of trees). Likewise, this is our haven. I REALLY miss the 70 degree year-round weather back home. I grew up quite spoiled. But it's not worth the insane cost of housing for that one benefit. IT's really all I miss. So it still boggles my mind somewhat that this is undesirable land. But it really all comes down to the jobs I guess.

Anyway, it's not terribly shocking that home values plunged 20% last year (on average - some areas even more). It was quite obvious the high prices couldn't be sustained for the long haul. I mean, still leaves us with a good $100k equity over our purchase price. Though we've lost $250k in the course of a year. So yeah. The fact that so few really bought at the peak and so many are in trouble is just really mind boggling. Clearly the true problem in the home equity ATM mindset. Indeed.

Likewise, it's funny, but we are working with a mortgage broker highly recommended by a friend. I like him okay, and I think he will be able to help us refi, but he is REALLY into rental real estate. I told him a couple of times we weren't interested in the least. But he is really gung ho and just sent a general newlsetter about how he is going to buy and wants to help his clients get in the market. But since then I keep talking to other people who want to snatch some up with these "low" prices. IT's not just him.

Likewise, all my friends who have been priced out the last few years are excited at the chance to buy a home.

So, they are circling. Likewise, a foreclosure went in our neighborhood for $350k but afterwards one went from $400k.

I read somewhere it will yo yo for a while. Indeed.

It seems like not a lot of lessons have been learned from what I See of the people wanting to buy right now. I mean I met this broker guy once and told him we weren't comfortable with a 15-year mortgage right now, though we may be in a year or 2. We went over all of our finances for loan qualification.

Anyway, so he is trying to get me to buy rental real estate. He seemed really reasonable until he got on this kick.

No thanks, I do NOT need a seond mortgage right now. Frankly, it's the last thing I need. & even if I Was interested, I'd wait it out a bit longer. Indeed. But yeah, I liked him until that. He seemed very reasonable until I clearly saw that he sees no downside to buying a house, for rental, that one could not afford without the rental payment. Not my idea of a good financial move.

But it's just an indicator that cycle may just begin anew. Everyone who didn't get screwed over the first time didn't learn a thing. They are chomping at the bit to jump into the mess. Yikes!! Like they think they have the secret weapon. If nothing else I was bothered that this rental plan depended heavily on renters. Shaky financial ground indeed. I don't even have a dime to put down on a house anyway. Not one worth owning anyway...

So yeah, I watch very interested as all this plays out. I am at a loss to what's next... I can guess another year of losses though as subprime ARMs reset like crazy this next year. & is primarily what makes up the high prices in this area - lots of suprime ARMs that drove up housing prices.

I guess we are officially at ground zero though, according to CNN.

Just busy.

Yesterday was quite spendy.

We finally had a chance to try out that drop-in daycare center and the kids LOVED it. They want to go back, for sure.

I am glad it got such glowing reviews, but maybe a little too good... We figured we'd try once a month for now, and maybe twice a month when BM graduates preschool. But of course they wanted to go back like TODAY! LOL.

Anyway, it was $25 to register (one time, can use any location - which is super nice since they have some locations in the Bay Area where we spend much time and sometimes need a little help).

You know between our parents and dh's sea of family we can usually find family to watch the kids for free, but there's been times we had to scramble or cancel our plans. So this is just really a neat thing about the place. That they have so many locations in the Bay. Plus many locations around here too.

Anyway, we left the kids for 2 hours so it was about $25 for that and another $7 for lunch. We could bring their lunch though which is nice. We would probably plan around lunch/dinner or just bring it for them. But we splurged yesterday. Though that pretty much clears our babysitting fund.

& while they were there dh took me to lunch and we went to pick up his car from the shop.

The car repair was minimal. We spent $250, but that was for oil change and safety check and all that, as well as the repairs they did.

A little big to pay out of budget, but small enough to just take out of short-term savings. I left $150 in there last month that I didn't need, so will probably even out and not hit our vacation part of the savings.

So far so good anyway.

Oh yes, with the rest of our babysitting fund, we splurged on lunch out. Dh took me to all-you-can-eat sushi. It was good. We sure ate A LOT!!

I hesitate to say it, but work is going rather well. I Feel like my boss took a lot off my plate. I am torn if I should just embrace it, or it I should ask for more. It's a tough call. I Am turning out tax returns in a day and I keep thinking maybe I should hold onto them for a few days - my clients are getting spoiled. Don't want them to have high expectations. LOL. This is the complete opposite of last year (our WORST tax season ever).

For example, last year we hired a temp for a few weeks and I gave her a slew of stuff I just had not had time to look at for months. The same stuff has been coming in and I just do it that day. Clearly not busy enough!

I think a lot of my co-workers are feeling the same. I just haven't figured out what's different. Except everything that could have gone wrong last year, went wrong. This year seems to have better karma or something. I don't know!

So I keep thinking, is this the easiest tax season ever OR is just anything a piece of cake after last year? Was prepared for the worst and so feel ahead of the game.

Or perhaps the worst is just yet to come. ??

A LOT of my work was outsourced to a guy back east, middle of last year, so I think that is mostly what is helping me. What a load off. I just had way too much to do and it has been impossible to find employees. So this has really helped keep some level of customer service. I mean I could do all the work by the deadlines, but the clients just weren't happy with the slow turnaround. So that has been good.

If not for that, I can't tell you what my sanity level would be...

Likewise, we are cutting out some audits and reviews and other summer work. I also just churned out some stuff I usually don't get to until summer.

I don't want to get too optimistic, but I think my plan to cut back my summer hours may just work this year. I have an extra week of vacation and had wanted to leave at noon on fridays last summer - for 3 months or whatever it worked out to. Then it just got insane.

This year is looking WAY more promising...

Anyway, lunch with dh was so nice yesterday. We have really had little time together lately. Particularly with the kids no longer napping, and just having in general opposite shcedules (I sleep 8pm-5am and he sleeps 2am-8am or something). He's been so annoyed with my sleep schedule, but I think it goes both ways. IF I thought there was ever chance in hell he would wake up at dawn, I might consider staying up late. But yeesh. Mostly I can't keep my eyes open past 8. NO matter how hard I try.

With new babies and all my sleep was just so interrupted. We used to alternate every other week who could sleep in on Sunday, etc. But since the kids have been sleeping fine I am just in sleep heaven. I no longer have the urge to sleep in. EVER. I've always been more early bird anyway. But never like this before. I guess I find it is the only time I have peace and quite and time for ME which is probably most key - at dawn. Dh finds the same with the late nights. He has always been a night owl.

So anyway, we have been going round and round. I hope setting up a regular date night helps. Even if we can only afford once a month for now. Will get better soon enough...

Also, I have been going home once a week for lunch, while the kids are at school. They go to school near my work and makes the most sense for me to drive them, though I Work a shorter day on those days since I have to pick them up by 5. But during summer it will be no prob to swing the short days and the long lunch. So that will get better too. Work has been a tad hectic to do that every week yet, during tax season.

I had stopped going home for lunch because of insane gas prices. (I used to go home for lunch every day when the kids were babies). But ramping back up to twice a week. A work day when I can go home for an hour? HArdly feels like work. So I guess it is good middle ground to try twice a week - once for dh and once for the kids. Both for me.

Anyway, I knew I came to this site and was like, "I LOVE my job. I have such a flexible job. I hardly work in the summers." Blahblahblah. & then I had the year from hell. LOL. & you all thought I Was crazy.

So, this is a lot more what I am used to. & more my speed.

I have just been embracing it, figuring I had financial catching up to do. Which is funny because I went into my review this year just with the attitude, whatever you want me to do. The money doesn't hurt. (Which is so not me as a whole). But my boss knows me too well. He said he would cut my workload if I like. I didn't exactly see how he could. & I told him I was embracing it. But I think he knew me too well and found opportunity to cut my workload. I can't really complain about that... IT was really a smart move over all. I have a bad habit of taking on too much and I just think he could tell.

Plus, for the long-term I really would like to go part-time, and he is well aware. So, yeah, the less responsibility the better. You know, it is always hard to cut back when you get piled on the responsibility.

Likewise, I have been at this job 6 years and this is my second tax season in more of a management capacity. I think I Am just working faster and know my job better. IT makes a BIG difference.

Well, LM woke up and looked good as new. But like I Said, I wouldn't have noticed anyway. Though he did clearly have gunky eye yesterday, and today he clearly had none.

Anyway, dh had gotten home so late last night that we hadn't started the antibiotics yet. We called back and they said if we hadn't started it and it cleared up, then forget about it. It wasn't bacterial then. Just keep an eye on him. Could be viral or allergies, or who knows.

Well, glad we didn't bother. Though we already shelled out the bucks for the prescription. Figured. At least it doesn't expire for 2 years. In case anyone gets pink eye in the meantime??

& we avoided giving completely unecessary medicine. Which is really a pet peeve of ours anyway. Worked out.

I also went from feeling like a dork for not even noticing to deciding I didn't notice because nothing was wrong. LOL. I mean usually my mommy instinct is right on, so it was a little disconcerting. Turns out my reaction of, "I don't see anything wrong," was right!

In other news today I went to BK for lunch. I put it on the card. I usually don't pay any attention to the receipt, but decided to keep it since it was on the card. So I noticed if you call and do a survey you can get a free sandwhich (when you order any size fries or drinks). Really not a bad deal. So I called and did the automated survey, got a code, and am off to a free sandwhich. Woohoo.

I had just never noticed that before. The receipt says you can take a survey once a month. Sounds good to me. I figure savings of $1-$2 from just ordering the sandwhich, plus would get fries and drink too.

I'll give it a whirl.

Well, Ms. Preschool diagnosed LM with pink eye late yesterday. She called me around 4:00 to let me know. Obvious when he woke up from nap I guess.

But she called so we could get in to the doctor or whatever. I haven't dealt with pink eye in forever, if ever. So I didn't really want to call the Doc without him in front of me to answer all the questions I knew they would ask. But we had just called a couple of weeks ago, later in the evening, to set up an Urgent Care appointment so I knew it would be fine to call in the evening. That we could get him in if it was necessary.

So after dinner, dh called and they just sent a prescription to the pharmacy. The 24/7 pharmacy at the hospital - didn't even know they had a 24/7 pharmacy.

Of course, they said, call back in an hour to make sure it is ready. Dh was a dork and left after 45 minutes. I was like, "aren't you going to call?" Whatever, he is the one that has to sit around for hours. So that was around 7:30. At 9:30 there was no sign of dh so after I put the kids down to bed, I called him. He said it wasn't ready and the line was a MILE long. Guess it was busy there. He got home around 10.

$25 later we have prescription eye drops.

I frankly think his eye looks fine. But I know Ms. Preschool knows her pink eye. Thank goodness for her. I wouldn't have noticed anything. Seriously! It was a little gunky. & that is the reason they just assume it is bacterial and go for the antibiotics.

Since then I have imagined eye itches and think I can NOT miss a day of work for pink eye. Trying to be mindful. They say he will not be contagious after 24 hours and I won't be home all day, to be exposed, so that helps. Likewise we did share a pillow the night before. Great!

OF course the kids were rubbing their faces together all night. LOL. Just hugging and wrestling and such. Trying to tell BM to stay the hell away from LM's eye. He was not listening so well. Yeesh.

Yeah, don't know how I feel about that. I cringe at how easily they prescribe the stuff. Always going for the antibiotics without knowing for sure if they are necessary. But I appreciate not having to pay a copay, and I appreciate MUCH more our insurance companies' attempts to keep highly contagious, sick kids out of the Doctors' offices, if they do not need to be there. I will never understand running to the doctor for every sniffle. Likewise, this is where the kids going to daycare comes in handy. Whenever they are sick I call and ask what is going around. If it's step throat? We go to the doctor. If it is just a cold going around? We stay home. It's nice to get that extra insight because all the other parents do rush to the doctor with every sniffle. So we usually have a pretty good idea what is going around.

-----------------------------------------

In other news, dh has been peeved with me since I have not worn my wedding ring in ages. To be fair, I bought a cute little ring and wear it on my ring finger. My wedding ring just does not fit.

I can't tell you how much I weighed when we were married. Maybe 120? I don't know. I used to be a waif and size 0 was too big on me. Likewise, I have gained a lot of weight over the years, but most of it was well needed. I remember I had surgery when I was 16 and I couldn't gain weight it my life depended on it. I lost 10 pounds and just as I gained most of it back I had mono and lost the 10 pounds again. So my weight hovered around 90-100 for a long time. Yeah, and I couldn't gain weight if my life depended on it.

So from that, to today. Was 134 before kids. 142 before LM. & then I got down to about 147 immediately after I had LM. I gained a lot of weight with both kids but most of it came right off. I mean it was just 6 weeks later and I was back to 147.

Anyway, BUT then my hormones went whacked and I started gaining weight like crazy. I went up to about 165 for a while. I mean for the first time in my life I was DIETING and it hardly seemed to help. I was just trying to slow the weight gain.

Things have settled down. I would say I settled around 155 before I joined the gym last year.

I haven't gone very religiously. But I have been better. I have been toning up, for sure. Likewise, I think I have been losing more weight from my hormones settling. It's just dropping off, very slowly. I have generally been gaining muscle weight, at the gym.

I guess being sick was the kicker. I have settled back to about 147 (lost a good 3 pounds while sick), which is the lowest I have been since my last pregnancy.

Yesterday my ring was practically falling off. I might have bought it closer to 160 - I don't remember.

So anyway, before I had told dh that I really wanted ONE more year - please. & that I promised I would resize my ring on our anniversary in the fall.

So anyway, with my "fake" ring falling off yesterday, I told him maybe it was time.

I looked online to get an idea of what resizing costs. I see in the range of $10 - $50. So I think we will go to the mall and case the jewelers there, for a start. Of course, I also read sizing up costs more than sizing down.

I finally realized that last time I squeezed on the ring it was probably rather tight. My goal weight is probably in the 140 range, and I am pretty much there. I am actually pretty happy with 147. It's a good weight on me.

If I wore my ring from 120 to 145 pounds, well, I think a small resize will be fine, even if I lose more weight. IT is probably LONG overdue. Likewise, it will be nice for the ring to fit even if I gain a few pounds again.

So yay to losing weight and yay to resizing my ring! Dh will be happy.

I haven't said much about it because just as I feel I did little to warrant gaining 20 pounds in a flash, it seems to be dropping off with no effort either. I feel like I am just along for the ride. Ah, hormones!!!!!

Likewise, if my goal weight is a flabby 142 (just a general goal to lose the 2nd pregnancy weight), a fit 147 is about the same size. So I am pretty happy where I am at.

I guess the exciting this is I usually always gain weight during tax season. So the gym has helped to keep the weight steady during my stress time. Well worth the $15/month or so for my membership. That I am pleased with. I expect I will lose a few pounds over the summer when I have much more time to hit the gym and be active.

I haven't been dieting in the least. So, I guess I am also just happy to have my old metabolism back. Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!

With the nice weather, we went on quite a few walks last week.

We walked to the school for the stupid lottery I posted about earlier. It was a nice walk. We have also resumes afternoon walks at work. I would peg it as a very short walk, but after weeks of being sick it felt LONG and winded me a bit. Hadn't made the walk since last fall.

Took the kids for a couple of walks, and yesterday we all went to the NAture Center. Had been there once. It is $5 to park but they have a lot of free programs there. Yesterday we just went to check out the hiking trails. Had not been on the trails before. Not particularly big, but it was also to test LM's ability. He just wasn't much up to hiking last year (when he turned 2). Now he is nearing 3, which is the age we took BM on his first hike and he LOVED it. So we have been telling him we will do more hiking when LM can walk with us.

I have to say BM's first hike was rather intense. We did a hike in Waikiki, and he did so well we took him up to Diamond Head. Anyway, he got a lot of attention being the littlest hiker there. But he had no fear and did very well. I don't think LM would be so keen on such big hikes, but we are warming him up.

Anyway, the landscape was a little blah. A few trees were blooming, but for the most part dry and dead from winter. However, we saw quite a few animals. We have a lot of wild turkeys that hang around my office and I keep telling the kids. Knew they would love to see. So we firstly came across some turkeys in the parking lot. They weren't quite as big and healthy as the ones I am accustomed to. But they got a kick out of that. We looked at the animals & exhibits inside, and the kids had a blast. Then we started on a short hike. We were actually on a time schedule. Dh had to get to some volunteer work.

So we started the smallest trail and immediately came across about 10-15 deer. Now turkey and deer are not an unusual sight at all. I have friends in the area who have deer hang around their yards and I see turkeys all the time in the commercial area where I work. But I don't know if I have seen so many deer at once. There were 2 with antlers duking it out as well. Quite a sight!

We also saw a dry/dead meadow and a pond. Apparently the nature center is bordered by the American River, and there are some trails that get a little closer to the river.

Anyway, dh and the kids really liked it. LM said it was "So fun!" So we vowed to go back in April, when more flowers will be in bloom.

I have a good 2 hour hike to try later this month. I am pleased to say LM will be very up for it. So that will be our next hike.

I forgot this one this morning when linking articles:

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/03/02/3302498.htm

Behind the Meltdown: Equity plunge saps will to spend: Economy suffers as homeowners in area lose $2 billion in wealth in '07.

It's just craziness for one, to see how much home values are affecting spending.

& to see another article about a bunch of people who borrowed $100k - $200k against their homes for STUFF.

I have also noticed a lot of furniture stores going out of business, which I guess is a sign of the local economy.

The paper was quite interesting today - I'll share some articles.

I just had to say first, I stopped for gas on the way to work yesterday and the place was JAM packed. Usually Saturday mornings are pretty quiet. Looked like everyone was heading out to enjoy the nice weather. I am clearly not the only one raring to get out of the house.

Likewise, it had been weeks since I had gotten gas. O.M.G. It jumped like 50 cents a gallon it seems. I was just quite surprised. Of course in the paper I saw $4.25 gas in the Bay Area. (Mental note - fill up on gas BEFORE next trip to Bay Area). I am hoping we don't have to pay $4/gallon when we drive to LA in May, but is why we'll take the subcompact instead of the roomy van. Oh yeah, it will suck, but it will cost considerably less. 20 mpg vs. 35 mpg. Pretty significant. I guess the plus side is we have a free room so we planned 2 full days to drive. (If we were planning night time driving and all that to save hotel costs, then more room would be pretty necessary. There is no leaning back the seats or stretching out the legs. But during a leisurely day drive it won't really be so bad - have certainly done it before.

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Anyway, the first interesting article I saw today was if those "keep the change" programs were really a ruse to add more fees. Interesting. Of course I didn't realize that Wachovia's program was so lucrative (5% interest plus 5% bonus for the money you keep an entire year?)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-perfin24feb24,1,124283...

Another interesting article was on a topic I already saw. Government was questioning private foundation status of some of the big colleges just so FLUSH with endowments. Likewise, Stanford just announced they are offering free tuition to families who make less than $100k/year.

I am not sure what their student demographic is, but I found it interesting most of the other colleges offered significant tuition breaks to families making up to $150k. Yet the college square in the middle of the most expensive area of the entire country caps it at $100k. I had quite a few friends go to Stanford. It would be hard to live in the Bay Area and make less than $100k.

But for me, sounds good. I guess as we approach college age with the kids we will have to study the caps. If we have to cut our income $20k/year to save $50k/year? You know? Something to consider... Definitely something to try to plan around.

Likewise, room and board is waived for families living on less than $60k.

There will definitely be quite an unfair advantage for people coming in from other areas of the country. I mean can you survive in the Bay Area on less than $60k? Hardly. But I guess life isn't exactly fair.

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/753472.html

Sorry, I think you have to register to read that article.

If you aren't registered with sacbee, found this:

http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/1277397/stanford_tilt...

But the sacbee link has some interesting illustrations.

Anyway, I also found this article interesting because it listed current tuition rates.

Annual tuition:

Stanford - $35,000
UC - $8,300 (Berkeley, UCLA, Davis, etc.)
State - $3,500
Community College - $590

I have no idea what private school cost when I went to college in 1994.

State was about $2,500/year so it really has not gone up considerably. (Phew. All I have heard is rates have double, tripled, whatever).

UC used to be in the realm of $6k/year if I remember correctly. It really hasn't gone up too much either. The general rule of thumb was that it cost about twice as much as state. It is also part of the public school system.

Community College - rates have remained steady. I read recently the rates have not risen in decades.

Anyway, California may be expensive as a whole, but when it comes to education you get your money's worth.

I would say my entire education at State (& a class or 2 at community college) was less than $10k - including books and supplies.

I was working on a Masters' and it was $7500 at my alma mater (for a 3-year program, & it was quite affordable to come up with $2500/year). I mean this was for a very excellent, prestigous program. I am considering driving 4 hours round trip once a week to go back and finish my degree. I don't like any of the other options available to me since I moved. I took one class at a private school in San Francisco. IT cost twice as much and I wasn't particularly impressed. It will be worth the gas. But I haven't priced it recently either.

This is why I don't have any student debt. Worked minimum wage jobs and just paid as I Went. Went to school for 5 years. Not that it was exactly easy. But my education did not really cost that much.

Likewise, the illustrations in the article show room and board at $10-$14k at these various colleges.

Yeesh!!!!!

I think room and board is a terrible deal where I went to school, and some of these places. I have to tell you I lived on my own, outside of the school, and didn't pay anything near in that range. Nor would I have to today. & yes I am talking about the most expensive area in the country.

It's certainly a regional thing.

But yeah, you can see why I am not freaking out about college. Stanford could be free, and costs haven't really risen that much from when I went to school almost 15 years ago. & I am not buying the whole room and board thing costs 4 times as much as the education. Plenty of other living options.

Phew!

& beyond all that, 2 generations of our family have gone to college for pennies, and have risen our economic status from poverty to just about upper middle class. So, yeah, if we have to pay a bit more for our kids to go to college. That's okay with us. We know our college degrees were steals. We don't mind giving back now that we have the means.

Of course, there is a flip side to this. I had a client come through who sent their daughter to USC last year. They are retired and paid $50k for her child to attend USC last year. O.M.G.

They said she was in architecture and so I mentioned that my good friend had gone to Cal Poly and majored in architecture, as well as her brother. I just mentioned because it was quite intensive, so I made a comment that it wasn't exactly the kind of degree where you could have a life or a job with (as they could probably use some help paying for this). So they certainly agreed and we discussed how intense the program was. BUT they were quite impressed my friend got in to this particular State school. They said it was probably the best program around and QUITE intense. Their daughter had not gotten in. So they felt this was their only alternative. !!!

They also said there were too many females so it was easier for males to get in. YEah, I remember it being primarily male when my friend was there, so yes, a lot has changed.

But I have to tell you, coming across so many people in love with expensive private schools, usually for no real good reason, and you know my stance on it. At first glance I just thought they were CRAZY. LOL. So it was really eye opening to hear their side of the story. I mean I talk to a lot of wealthy people every day who have to send their children to the "best schools." My opinion is they just buy into the name brand. So this was a really different story than I usually hear.

I came home and told dh I hope that our kids don't want to be architects. LOL. I said, "add architect to the list of insanely expensive educations." I had doctor and lawyer on the list. At least those pay well. (In theory anyway). I know my friend is not making much money in architecture - for sure. I mean if my kid has to be a doctor, we're going to help them. We understand some career paths will be expensive.

Likewise, you have to consider if it is worth the cost. Is it worth shelling out $200k for an architecture degree???? Not entirely convinced. O.M.G.

However, I don't want to squash my kids dreams either; whatever they may be.

So yeah, college may not be as expensive as I have been hearing it is. Locally. BUT it might be 10 times harder to get into state school than it was when I was a college applicant. Yeesh.

likewise, it is really hard to get a feel of what the college situation will be when my kids hit college in 15 years or so. I am sure much will change. All I can do is plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Well, March is starting out quite decent.

Dh is doing a $65 focus group next week (it's actually been a while).

Also, we are very happy with Verizon and have been with them for about a decade. We have been on contract/off contract with them for many years. We shop around every time we need new phones, but I hardly feel it is worth the effort any more. They are just the best for our needs. Plus I have no complaints about the service.

Anyway, we upped our minutes last year and I guess we are on a one-year contract - ??? (I thought they were 2 years - color me confused. I guess 2 years when you upgrade your phones?) We upgraded in 2005 and they are fine.

I didn't even realize our contract epxired next month. So they offered us a free months' service if we signed another 1-year contract.

Sounds good to me.

Save us $80.

So between the 2, an extra $145 for March.

This is good since I think we need to take both cars into the shop.

Dh's engine light came on. I'll have to check the fluid levels (yup, he hasn't a clue to do with the cars, I am the "mechanic" in the family - which is a very scary thought. My brain doesn't do well with mechanical things. But I can change a tire and do basic maintenance on a car). So I will look it over and make sure the fluid levels are okay. But we've had the car about 6 years and it has like never needed anything. It's super car! We were going to drive it to So. Cal in May and take it in for a lookover before the big drive. I figure might as well take it now. Kill 2 birds with one stone. Make sure there is nothing to this engine light thing and make sure nothing needs replacing/fixing before our big drive. It's close enough to May.

To be cleasr, the car has computer issues and we have taken it in a lot to be told it was nothing. So, though we are pretty vigilant about maintaining our cars, well, I have to say we don't get very excited when the engine light comes on, in this particular car. BUT it's been so long we've taken the car in for anything but an oil change, I wouldn't be surprised if there is something to it this time. I mean I think I will be shocked if we take it in and they say "nothing needs replacing." Just isn't possible. I don't remember replacing the brakes or anything. IT has a good 75k miles. If it wasn't my trusted mechanic who takes very good care of us, I'd think they were crazy.

Likewise, last time I had a Ford, it seemed like around 60k miles EVERYTHING needed replacing at once. So I kind of dread that this is where we are heading. No repairs, no repairs, no repairs. & then replace most of the compoments of the entire car at once!!!

I know we've replaced the tires and maybe a belt here and there - but that is all I can remember.

We'll see...

So anyway, I am sure it will need some work.

I mean it's just a little cheapie Ford. So I am extra astonished by that thing. Sper car, I Tell you!

Likewise, I need to take my car into the dealer for a recall thing. However, I have had a lot of problems with the driver side window. So while we're there we'll ask them about it. I assume it would be a quick fix and they would know what it is (my mechanic can fix it temporarily but that seems about it - it is very intermittent - I guess this is when the dealer comes in handy), but might pay a bit to have it fixed. We'll see... I don't really expect it to be much, but you never know.

In other news, I am so peeved with our local elementary school. We found out yesterday BM got in. That part is good. But they had a lottery and they made EVERYONE participate; even though there were quite a few obvious people getting in. Just seemed like a waste of time and resources. We had top priority because we volunteered x hours to FORM the school. IT's a relatively new public charter school.

Anyway, I feel pleased with it because it is right down the street. They have NO spots for 1st-5th grades. Everyone is returning. I've heard GREAT things about the school, but the proof is in the pudding. No one is giving up a coveted spot.

Anyway, the only interesting thing about the pointless lottery was going and seeing how many people were vying to get in. I counted 250 people (they had a list on the wall) for 61 Kindergarten spots. WOW!

I can't even go there, but I will. We were s'posed to have a school in our neighborhood and there was a lot of political BS there. We don't have a school. We have 1000 homes, I'd say our neighborhood runs pretty much 1/2 retirees and 1/2 very young families. So maybe 400 homes with pre-K children. & the school district was just maddening to deal with. So the parents finally had enough and we started our own public school. I give so much kudos to the parents. Likewise, parent participation is very high and that is much of why the school is so successful.

So anyway, to make a long story short, the school district says there is no demand for a new school in our neighborhood (The district is WAY overcrowded and they are building houses faster than you can blink. What the foo?). Instead the land that was reserved for the school was sold to a developer. Rumor was the school district got a large kickback for deciding to build the school elsewhere - like 10 years later on land that hasn't even been studied. In fact, I believe they bought the land in the end, even though like I said, they don't even know if it is buildable land. What a bunch of BS. But they wouldn't buy the land where the need is because it was "too expensive." So they paid twice as much for questionable land. Yeah, makes a lot of sense...

A lot of good it does for families with small kids now. To have an elemantary school in 10 years (maybe 15?).

So anyway, we are "founding parents" and were in the first lottery. They basically pulled out everyone's # and sent us on our way. YEah, what a freaking waste of time. Like they couldn't just do the math and say we have 30 founding parents and 60 spots. Gee, you're all in. !!!!! ??????

Bureacracy!

But I can figure that about 200 people didn't get in. So it feels pretty darn nice to have that all squared away. Phew!!!!! On top of all that, this school is very different than most in the area and is really a perfect fit for BM. So I am really pleased about this.

LM? That will remain to be seen. But I think it will be a good fit for him, for very different reasons.

So we'll see.


After the stupid "lottery" yesterday we went out to dinner. The kids were quite cranky, as were dh and I Really - LOL. So I was kind of nervous if it was a good idea. But the kids were absolutely perfect at dinner. Go figure. Could blow me over with a feather. I think it was just a fun change of pace for them. We spent $40 - yeesh.

But it was a fun splurge. A very once in a blue moon splurge.

The only other thing was I was trying to set up a babysitting night with their preschool. Anyway, Ms. Preschool truned me down. !!!!! LOL. I was shocked. Not often, but she has taken them before in the evenings. She is like our second family and really no one else I really trust to watch the kids; outside of our true family anyway.

Anyway, it leaves you wondering if there is some reason she doesn't want to watch my kids. She just said she had a full daycare lately and wasn't up to it. I think that is really true. She took LM an extra day last week for free. I tried to pay her but she said, "oh - you're family. Don't worry about it." So I think she was being honest. Just threw me for a loop.

Anyway, I have a friend who uses a drop-in care center and is very pleased with it. The upside is it is a little cheaper and a LOT cloer (just down the street). In fact, the place is a chain based in San Jose and so we could also use it in San Jose if we sign up (sometimes, rarely, but sometimes we do need care there when we are visiting family).

The downsides though - the placed had an overwhelming smell of bleach. I am not really into heavy cleaners and I am very sensitive to cleaners and scents. I admit. But I, personally, could not stand to be in there very long. I imagine the kids living in our house with so few chemicals and scents would feel much the same. We're just not used to it. I mean, I Can't even walk down the cleaning aisle or the soap aisle in the store. My eyes burn and my airways constrict. Blech.

So that was REALLY my pet peeve. A little strong on the bleach!

Likewise, they had a 12:1 ratio as far as the adult to kids. For BM who is almost 5? Quite fine. But I think it's a bit much for LM.

Well, we'll see. The kids seemed to really like the place. We may drop them off for an hour as an experiment. If nothing else it would be kind of nice for emergency/last minute kind of stuff.

As far as other babysitting options? I am not really comfortable with a teenaged babysitter for LM yet. & all the good ones either live too far from us or are booked solid. Likewise, I know a lot of people find their babysitters on Craigslist. That just makes me very uncomfortable. I mean, that is where I found this daycare and they are the BEST in the world. But it is different taking your kid to an established/licensed daycare. Just very different than throwing a dart at the yellow pages, essentially. Probably a lot of great babysitters, but I rather get one from referral I guess.

So we'll work on it. But this drop-in center may be good in the interim.

The other nice thing was the price for one kids was QUITE good. $7.50/hour for one. That's about as cheap as it gets, teenager or not. However, for 2 it is $11.50/hour. PRetty avergae. BUT sometimes we need care for just one. & the price is certainly good. Of course they also charge for meals and snacks which are included with Ms. Preschool. So in the end the price is about the same. But there is a huge convenience factor. The hours are also way better/more inclusive.

So we'll see with that. It might work out in the end. I think date night can be much more cheaper and enjoyable not having to drive so far to drop off/pick up the kids. So in a weird way it just may work out, her turning me down. Kind of kicked my butt to look at some other options. She was my first choice, but doesn't necessarily make the most sense.

Then again it is hard to put a price on knowing your kids are WELL cared for...

Well, I worry less and less about BM with time. He doesn't need as much supervision, for one. & you can reason pretty easily with him. LM is still my little baby though. I might need another year to feel comfortable with this babysitting thing. I mean he loves the gym daycare, but they can run out and get me if he has a meltdown, which he did just this week. So, yeah, mommy isn't so sure. The nice thing is mommy worries less with time. IT does get easier with age. Phew!!!

You know, things have been going good, but yesterday was hell.

The good side is, and I hesitate to say it, but this year feels rather CALM. (knock on wood???) 2007 will go down as the tax season from hell for sure. It seems like last year all my clients came in with deaths in the family, brain tumors, and other horrid/complex tax issues. It just never ended. We lost a manager so the workload was insane, and we just didn't have enough management to catch mistakes.

Likewise, I thought most of it had been cleared up but I Was very frustrated yesterday to catch my own mistake. Grrrrr. This is why I work for a firm; why I am not a fan of being out on my own. So a second set of eyes always looks at my work and catches my dumb mistakes before they go out the door. IT's very frustrating to me. Likewise, I am happy the pace is much slower this year. I am not rushing as much; which helps.

So anyway, crisis averted. Life goes on. But I have been a little preoccupied.

On the flip side, this year has been kind of boring and most of my tax returns are done. It isn't even March! Hey, I might have time to care for my Corporations. Those are really our bread and butter, and they really get the short end of the stick this time of year. I keep wondering if I am forgetting something. I think a bulk of my tax appointments ended up in February, and I think that is awesome. Since March/April is a very busy time with our Corps.

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This morning though I did reply in the forums about a question from someone who "had to" pay $130k to go to film school. He has to network after all. I started choking when I read it; particularly knowing a large pool of unworking film students with FANCY degrees. Hehe.

Anyway, I have heard it said many times you can't be an engineer without the fancy degree and the connections. I just roll my eyes. My dad is actually an engineer and he just has a bachelor's from state. It is from him I get most my attitude about money; I must admit. But who can argue with success?

Anyway, I know networking is a huge part of my dad's career. I couldn't tell you how many times he has been laid off. HE is usually hired on for a project and let go. That's the nature of the industry. Maybe he's worked for 30 companies and been laid off 30 times. I honestly would not be surprised. I don't know.

Likewise, with the networks he has made in the WORKING WORLD, I never have known him to be out of work for more than a week or 2. The only exception was back in 2005 I think - he hit 55 and had a hard time finding a job, for about a year. We attributed it to age. However, he thought his current job was in danger and took on a side job recently this year. Now he is working 2 jobs. Sometimes when it rains, it just pours. Now that he's almost 60.

From my experience, networking was really key to helping me land a good job right out of college. I was in the networking clubs and familiar with all the CPA firms in the area. However, I have to say, I don't talk to any of those people today. I run into them here and there; mostly at seminars. I know how to look them up. But my career network is far more solid with the people I have met at various jobs. Once you get to your first job, your college and your college experience suddenly doesn't matter so much. You get your foot in the door and you move on.

Likewise, my husband has a pretty large network of friends in the film industry. He didn't have to go to an expensive school to network with the people who went to the expensive schools.

I just had to cringe when I Read that post though because most of my dh's friends in the film industry work minimum wage jobs. It might be a little different if we lived in LA or NY. But for the most part, seems to be a thankless/volatile career. I would put it akin to the music industry. My dh is lucky he has me, but I ain't shelling out six figures so he can hob nob with the best. LOL. He'll just have to meet them outside of college. His friends are pretty talented and are starting to land jobs. & I think that is awesome for dh. The friends he has will make or break his career. I agree. He just didn't have to meet them at school.

My point is, yes, networking is key. But no, it doesn't have to cost 6 figures to network with the right crowd.

I mean, if you believe that, be my guest. I rather keep that money in my pocket, personally.

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Anyway, that was my rant-y post of the day. Now for something more interesting.

I have totally noticed with a good 18 months of tracking my investments that the market seems to behave similarly on a monthly basis. For example, the market is ALWAYS up on the last day of the month. From what I Can tell anyway. It tells me that the last day of the month is probably a horrible time to invest. Of course that is probably a big chunk of why investments up on the last day of every month. BEcause everyone gets their paycheck and funds their 401ks??????

So I did a web search on best days of the month to invest. Just curious. For now I dollar cost average in on the 10th and the 20th. Not to be different. It's just I get paid on the 1st/16th and it gave me a decent grace period to get my paycheck to the bank. I don't have direct deposit and I don't always rush to the bank on payday. So I had been doing one deposit a month, on the 10th. This year I added another one on the 20th. Just sounded nice I guess. My account is usually pretty flush on the 16th, paycheck or not. So I gave myself less time on the second half of the month.

Anyway, if I read this article correctly, it says about the 27th/28th is the best day to invest.

Of course, it goes on to briefly explain a plan to buy and sell certain days of the month, which reduced volatility by 45% (? I think that is what it said - you can read for yourself). This was an elaborate market timing plan to keep your money in money markets most of the month and jump into an index before the end of the month for the run ups, then sell back to MM. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Don't worry, I am not going to bother doing that. But I found the concept rather intriguing all the same.

Anyway, didn't see much else on the topic. Will have to research more. Maybe I should just put my money in my money market every month until the 27th/28th and then invest. An idea! But more practically, I may invest on the 27th instead of the 20th. Of course, I am not sure that feels very settling. I generally fund my investments from my interest-free checking. So it seems to me I just want to transfer when I get it. & I think in many regards that just makes the most sense.

http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/value/archive/2004/va0525.h...

I have mentioned many times before that we don't use cash for the most part.

Anyway, I roll my eyes at the idea that just because you have a credit card you spend more. Sure, may be true for many. But I find quite the opposite.

I earn 2%, on average, on every credit card purchase I make.

It is easy to track. When I spent more cash, I have to tell you I had NO IDEA where most of my money went. Now with the magic of online banking and Quicken I know where every penny goes. With pretty much no effort on my part. (That's the best part. I don't have to write anything down).

Likewise, we have a budget and we know how much we have to spend. Whether we use credit or cash, doesn't make a difference.

HOWEVER.

There is a BUT here.

I keep cash for my fast food/junk food purchases. My small luxury I guess. We don't have a lot of room for eating out, but I give myself a cash allowance of sorts.

I am just so used to guaging how much I have and how much I Can spend by the cash in my wallet.

Anyway, while we were sick dh ran to BK a few times for dinner/lunch. I saw all these BK charges on the card. I asked if he had paid through the drive thru. The thought had never occured to me, though I usually swipe the card when I go INSIDE a fast food place (generally only to let the kids play).

Anyway, so I tried it today. HAd leftovers all week and was in the mood for something greasy. Went to McDs and swiped the card.

Well, wasn't that easy?

It's just going to take a bit of mind shifting.

I think my best bet is to set up something in the budget. "Burn money" or something. Just limit it to the $20/month or so I usually pull out of the ATM. There's really not much need for cash any more. I could hardly think of anything else we need cash for. The occasional split lunch with friends or gambling money (poker/bunco). That's about it. Dh and I always carry an extra $20 in our wallet for this kind of stuff, or for emergencies.

I really enjoy handling cash less and less. Woohoo!

Plus, heck, I earned a dime of "interest" on my lunch.

P.S. It's 70 degrees here and beautiful. Neener neener (LOL).

Well, I guess I don't have to work saturday, but I generally prefer to work saturday and take sunday off. Though I guess I could rearrange my schedule according to the weather. If I really wanted to.

But I luck out. Weather looks to be 70 degrees/clear this sunday.

I picked out an easy looking hike that isn't too far from hear, to try. There is also the nature center. I have only been once, but they have a lot of activities. The kids loved it. They have a few easy hikes around. I figured that one would be a good warm up for LM. See how he does. Before we go on a 2-hour hike (the other one).

Anyway, one reason we don't frequent the nature center is because it costs $5 to park. There is plenty that abounds around here for FREE. But it looks like it will be a good place for some nature hiking, and I could buy a membership in the $30 range. I think we'll just give it a try. I have never been on the hiking trails. But will probably end up getting a membership if it goes well.

We had also talked about going to Family Camp this summer, and decided against it. I was looking at the cost today. The nice thing is all the food and activities are provided. It really is a good deal, and great with small kids. I have never been, but I guess dh has been before. Many times when he was a kid.

Well, this is through our old city and I just figured out that they charge quite a premium for us not being residents any longer. What a bummer as it is really the best one around. It is right by Yosemite.

Anyway, so I was reconsidering. With LM only being 2 yet, it would have been $125/night (food and everything!). All we need to bring really is sleeping bags.

Our non-resident status puts us at $180/night.

Sacramento has something similar. But it is NOT Yosemite!!!!

I think we can get around this for the most part. We need to plan a big trip with the family. If grandma signs up and pays, I assume she will get the san jose rate. We'll have to see. Of course in that case she would just pay for us anyway.

I think since LM is free though, it might be worth a try this year on our own. It's still a good deal. It will cost in the $600 range for 3 nights. Just that and the gas to get there, really.

I am considering it because we have a free room for our LA trip (wasn't expecting it). & with this whole economic stimulus rebate thing. I am thinking I want to go to Yosemite!!!! I think it would be good to gauge how the kids do though. & heck, take advantage of having a 2-year-old (free). Cost will be more like $210/night once he turns 3.

Anyway, the nice thing is registration opens up in May. Gives us some time. I guess the other thing is planning around my vacation. I have an unused 7 days or so I did not know what I was going to do with. So I don't know if I want to tie it up with another trip. We'll see... I had wanted to just cut back my working hours in the summer. Decisions, decisions.

Oh anyway, I was going to go to the gym last night (it has been weeks, since I first got sick) and dh talked me out of it. Weather was really nice so kids and I went for a walk. I think that was a good start. Though I will probably hit the gym tonight. Just the treadmill; going to take it SLOW. I have lost so much weight but it's not good weight loss. Losing a lot of muscle tone from being sick. Blech.

Likewise, I know hitting the gym will help me fend off future germs. This thing was just so nasty; knocked me off my feet for so long. So it is nice to be building up strength again.

The weather has been gorgeous and the trees are starting to bloom.



Makes me VERY happy. Did I mention I Was so over winter???

I can't believe Easter is in 4 weeks!!! It's always a fun family event. We don't host but it is in OUR city which makes it nice. & I have 2 new baby nieces to enjoy this year.

Dh spent a lot of money this week. He has been a bit depressed. I think I see a pattern. Depressed = spending. Just more crap for the kids. Like the NEED more crap. Ugh, I have to update my list big time.

I had an epithany when it comes to our medical insurance situation. I had totally forgotten that our deductible was $1500 per person. So even if we do get an insane/over blown bill, it will be $1500 max. It's $1500 per person, but $3k for the family. Which is much more reasonable. I had just forgotten about that part. As long as we have a boring week, I'll have a good $1k for the medical bill by march. Going to try to deposit an extra $250 since February is a short month. Our expenses have been low this month. We'll see. No medical bill yet. Buys me time.

Well, my first balance transfer is due back next month. It's due in April, so I am paying it back in March with the March payment. It's the shortest one. IT was 9 months. So at about $50/month interest, we will have earned $400. That was EASY money. This one was in dh's name. We'll pay it back and just have him close the card.

IT leaves 2 outstanding in my name. One I just started and will replace dh's money in our 5.7% CD.

I have a few thousand due back in June/July. It's with WAMU though and they send me my FICO score every month. As long as I get my FICO for "free," I am going to keep the card open. But the other one is due come December and I will close it when I am done.

HAving a good score, we always close old cards. I Don't care how old they are or how big the limits. IT has never made a noticeable difference to our scores. I mean it may have dropped from 800 to 780 or something, when I did close my oldest card because they started charging an annual fee. I think we'll survive. IF nothing else I don't like having old cards opened, rife for theft. Or unnoticed fees. Likewise, since they are old cards I Don't use or pay attention too, I am likely to not notice if there was some weird activity or fees, etc. That makes me nervous. I have always just closed all my cards, but kept open one extra one for backup.

Likewise, though it was easy money, I think we'll take a break from the balance transfer game. IT was very helpful to our emergency fund and all that. But it was a lot of juggling with the 3 cards, and I think it will be nice to give our credit scores a break for a while. Well, dh's score will get a break. My 0% is still good for another year. We'll see how I feel in a year I guess. I admit it was easy money and it will be tempting to keep playing the game...

Isn't winter OVER yet??????? Oh, soon enough...

It didn't help that nice weather taunted us the whole time we were sick. So I looked extra forward to getting out this weekend. Instead, we got big STORMS.

Of course, to be fair, it looks to be 70 most of next week. How nice! We'll see how next weekend is...

Anyway, I had told the kids we would go out this weekend. so with the weather, we went to McDs instead. We drove a good 20 miles to the one I knew LM would enjoy. He's a little on the young side. But there is one over by the preschool that I take BM to, to meet up with his friend monthly. The play structure is a lot bigger and is mostly stairs, instead of those stupid tubes. Easier for LM and easier for us adults if he needed help (which he didn't, phew). So the kids had fun. I expected it to be PACKED. But it wasn't too bad and not a lot of big kids. So LM definitely enjoyed. Of course BM enjoyed.

Anyway, so feeling VERY antsy, I wrote down a list of all the activities I wanted to do this year.

*sigh* The list is huge. Some festivals, a trip to San Francisco and Monterey, the SF zoo, another small amusement park, Disneyland (which we have all booked) as well as quite a few hikes. Hikes - Bay Area, the coast, Tahoe, local... Really, just too many options!

Of course, I am a get up and go person. I always have a list a million miles long of things I Want to do. Dh is happy to stay home and watch TV. Just the way he is. So I think he is very scared. LOL. It has been easier to stay home and watch TV with babies and wee ones and all that. But one main thing I have been wanting to do more of is some serious hiking. & BM LOVES it. (Dh enjoys hiking as well. He must admit). But anyway, we did a couple of small hikes last year with LM; he just was not quit ready. I am hoping this year will be better. Plus he is moving past diapers too (extra plus). So it's not only this winter I guess. Just the last 5 years or so stuck with small babies and toddlers. I am so excited to get PAST that and get back to some of our old habits.

Anyway, on my list were quite a few things I Want dh to do with us. So I think he is scared. But it will be good for him to get out more too.

On the flip side, I feel a little overwhelmed. There are only so many hours in the day; week; month. It's just not ALL going to happen.

But I Am looking forward to a FUN year.

There are a few expensive/pricey things on my list. But most of it will cost little more than the gas to get there. So that I can really appreciate.

I think having such small kids, too much of our own lives have been on hold. So I am a little giddy that they can start doing more things that we want to do with us. & it's just fun to show them the world.

But I totally get this form my dad. I just want to do EVERYTHING. & the list is getting a little too long...

So yes, winter is making me antsy. But so is the last FIVE years of caring for babies. I just want to get OUT there again. WITH the kids. BEcause I Wasn't going to go hiking every weekend without them, when they were too little. (I have big babies - there was no carrying them around on hikes. No way!!!!! LOL).

Beyond all that, I bought a project to work on. Isn't it cute?



It's a latch hook. It is a small one. I am making it for BM. He wants to hang it on his wall. Then I'll go from there. I figure if I could finish a small one; maybe I would tackle something bigger.

I tore the house apart looking for my half finished giant latch hook project and I could NOT find it. Dh offered to run to Michael's to pick up a new hook for me. He saw the model airplanes and all sorts of stuff and ended up spending $15. (I wondered what was taking him so long!!). OF course, not bad for all he made off with.

I'll have to post a picture of my "kool kat" when it is done. I am not much one for pastels, but I kind of liked it.

I think I like cats more than monkeys, truth be told. So had to get the cat. But, yeah, it amazed me all the selection out there in internet-land. How fun!!!! How things have changed. I have no idea what I would pick next. Decisions, decisions. Well I'll start and see if I can finish this one, this century!

Well, I got an e-mail a long time ago my annual summary was ready, but I hadn't looked at it.

Here it is in all its glory.

we try to budget around $1200-$1300/month for regular purchases. But we put so much other stuff on the cards. (Whatever we can anyway). So it really skews the balances. All in all, I think we spent less than the prior year. I can already tell 2008 started out much less spendy.

Misc. - was primarily medical/dental bills

Services - mostly diaper service and utility bills

Merchandise - mostly groceries & all our other purchases

Auto - repairs and Fuel

April - dh spent $2k on video stuff (TV & PSP)

May - We had a $1k car repair

June - we used a new credit card to get some rewards (so spent less than usual on this particular card).

August - I put a good $3000 on my card for our Japan flights. My parents reimbursed me since they paid. But I am the travel agent of the family.

So, the total for the year was $26,000.

Really $23,000 when you take out the flights. Probably a good $1k charged to other cards, so comes out to a pretty even $2k/month.

Some things we spent in 2007:

Travel & Entertainment:
Museums, Aquariums, Amusement Parks
Expenses for Cruise, Japan, Vegas, Florida (mostly dining since most of the rest of these trips were free).

So all that was only $1200.

Dining Out - $1300 Not a ton; mostly take out/fast food

Auto - about $3k gas; $1300 repairs/maint.

Merchandise - was $10k.

I'd peg $6k groceries/household. $2k dh's purchases. & another $2k on other merchandise.

Services - $3400 - gym, utilities, diaper service, ID theft monitoring, blockbuster online, etc.

Misc. - $1600 - was medical/dental, charity. Also DMV renewals and payments to city for programs/classes.

& that sums up 2007!

I always find it interesting to see it all laid out like that.

Which reminds me, I answered on the forums that the most debt we ever had was $6k. (Outside mortgage). I actually borrowed money for 3 of my cars.

Anyway, it just occurred to me that I am the debt one in the family. Which is funny because I am pretty anti-debt. Dh has never had any sort of car loan. $0. I was thinking - hell - he paid cash for all his cars.

To be fair, his first car was GIVEN to him. I borrowed a good $1000 to pay for mine. (Worked an entire summer to pay for it. But bought it before I had the cash because I needed to drive to work).

So on that count I will consider him spoiled.

Likewise, he paid cash for his second car in college because he was living at home and had his college paid for. I can chalk that one up to spoiling too.

Likewise, I wasn't SAVING money in college. I was just trying to survive and get through. My car conveniently died about a month after I graduated. Actually, it really was good timing. I had just tripled my wage. But a few more months would have been nice. (I drove that car a good 7 years - certainly a good deal). So I borrowed around $6k to buy my second car. I paid it off within a few months though. It didn't take long to pay off $6k, with my new paycheck.

We replaced dh's crappy car after we moved here and had like a years' salary in the bank. So that was easy peasy. Paid cash.

When I had BM, I sold my convertible for $3k and bought an interim car for $1k cash. So that is the only car I have ever personally paid cash for. I was in STRONG denial. To be fair, we did not originally plan to have kids so soon. But I was determined to keep my convertible and didn't sell it until BM was 3 months old. I finally gave in that babies and tiny convertibles do not mix!!! But it took me a while. Likewise, if I had known at 22 that I Was going to have kids at 25... The thought hadn't crossed my mind. LOL. Likewise, my denial didn't put a better car in the financial plan. But it worked out.

Then we upgraded the interim car to a minivan 3 years later. We had the cash, but it would have drained most of our cash. So we borrowed $5k for about a year. To keep a nice $5k emergency fund.

So, looking back, I have borrowed on most my cars. Dh has borrowed on none. Just the way it worked out.

You could call him pretty darn spoiled too. I can't imagine I would have ever borrowed money for a car either, if I was GIVEN my first one, and I didn't have to pay for college and living expenses myself. So I guess that is how it goes.

Likewise, I don't mind these debts at all. They were small, manageable and no/low-interest. We always bought very modest cars, so it's not like we were borrowing beyond our means. I seriously expect both these cars to last a good 10 years longer. Plenty of time to save up a wad of cash to pay cash for some nice cars for a change. Plus cars are just getting so much cheaper. Dh would be thrilled with a brand new subcompact Toyota in the $12k range. Probably what our next move will be. If he can bring in some money we'll pay cash for a hybrid. Depends how long his car lasts too. If it lasts another 10 years, we can certainly swing a hybrid. 5 years? Then he'll get another subcompact. HE loves tiny cars and that's good for the pocketbook. We paid $8k for his little used Ford and these days you can get a new Toyota for $12k. That just boggles my mind. So I guess with age we have more means AND cars seem to be getting cheaper. win-win.

--------------------------------------

Well, back to the topic at hand. I paid dh's auto registration renewal.

The California DMV is the only government agency I am aware of that takes credit card payment with No FEE or SERVICE CHARGE. The county and the IRS will definitely charge you for putting things on a credit card. Which is a bummer because I love to pile as much as I can on the card.

I don't know why I checked the DMV last year, but I Saw no fee!!! I think it mentioned on the bill. Sounded too good to be true.

Anyway, it was due in March, but I was just looking at the Feb. budget and we are WAY under. Mostly from being so sick.

So I popped it on the card for this month. Will be able to just pay it out of the budget instead of the escrow account.

We also had a $75 charge for a doctor visit. It "should" come out of our deductible fund. But we have the cash this month for that as well. So I think I will not take it out of the deductible fund. It will end up going to retirement or savings then. An extra $75.

We still have another $80 for a date night too.

I think our auto gas bill will be $100 this month. Being home sicked helped that much. But we have been doing so much DRIVING these past few months. We have been averaging more like $300/month on gas. So that really created a lot of wiggle room in the budget this month.

Yay for February!!!

-------------------------------

ETA: I wish I had my camera with me. The sky was just BEAUTIFUL this morning. Apparently a lot of snow was dumped in the Sierras. They were a brilliant white this morning, from the sun, and the sky above was cloudy and pink and blue. I was driving in at 10am and looked a little sun-setty, though it is clearly not sunrise or sunset at 10am!!! So I really wish I had my camera. I couldn't even find a good picture of the view online, just to give an idea. Bummer.

Gorgeous.

It's the calm before the storm. We are s'posed to have another brutal wind storm this weekend. It had been so nice while we were sick, I had looked forward to going outdoors. But I am guessing we will stay indoors all weekend. Not a weekend to leave the house. IT seems to me these storms are worse than usual. Not the norm...

Anyway, we were going to go to the snow last weekend, but were all too ill. Maybe we can make it up when the storms settle, in another weekend or 2.

Man, this week has really sucked. Blech. I guess yesterday in particular. Just a bad day. & still sick of being sick. LM is doing a little better, but still quite grumpy. He worries me a bit.

I hope one of these days we all feel well again. I don't feel so confident that will be the case. Just hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I also talked about taking BM out this weekend. (We just need out of the house!!!) But all I see is rain rain rain. Blech! It was nice and sunny while we were sick. Of course!

BM and dh seem to be doing well enough. I think I am getting there. Trying to take it easy this week.

Anyway, we will have something else for the purge pile. LM, in his grumpy mood, has refused to use his booster seat at the dinner table.

So dh took it away.

We should probably wash it down. I think it is something we will just donate. I can't see getting more than $5 for it. Likewise, I can't see it is worth the effort of selling it... Though I will peek and see what they are going for.

I still have to sell his crib bedding though. So hopefully we will rid the house of these things by the end of the month. I expect to get some cash for the crib bedding/room decor.

We also trashed the changing pad last weekend. We bought a changing pad for his dresser (didn't see the point of a changing table). Likewise, with baby #2 we rarely used the changing pad either. Anyway, so we took it apart and trashed it this weekend.

Of course all this reminds me LM's room needs some work. Dh said he would paint it but I don't exactly see him taking the reins. The bottom 1/2 of the wall is brown and there is a ripped up wall border around the middle of the room. I am tempted to tear it down, but the 1/2 brown wall isn't exactly pleasant to look at!! So I will have to get on dh's case. I think that is a good project he can work on while the kids are at school! Poor LM in the meantime. Well, he is the one who ripped the wall border in places so his room looks like crap. Maybe I shouldn't feel too sorry for him. It would still be pretty cute otherwise.

I saw a house for sale and looked it up to see if it was foreclosure. (Our neighborhood).

Anyway, I immediately noticed a particular house on the same street had foreclosed. It caught my eye because it was one we were competing with when we tried to sell in 2006.

The story is as the market was dropping we were looking to make a rather lateral move. Take advantage of dropping prices. We carefully crafted an asking price around $500k. Anyway, these 2 houses were asking $600k and the realtors were quite nasty to us. Like WE were bringing down the neighborhood. We were just in reality. Anyway, we only listed a couple of weeks while we had a contingent offer on another home. When they found another buyer we took our home off the market. We found a couple of other nice homes for great deals, but dh and I could not agree on most of them. One of them would not take a contingent offer. So we quickly gave up. We might try again on the down side, but I think we have since decided we don't need to put more money into real estate right now. Though there were other reasons for our move. Likewise, we don't want to move once the kids start school and we are pleased with their school options right now. So, I don't think we'll be moving for the next 20 years. Not in the plans anyway.

Anyway, that's the long and short of it. There were 2 homes asking $600k and their realtors were really obnoxious to us. Well, they eventually sold for $600k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Could blow me over with a feather. I assumed the buyers were idiots. WAY overpaid. I mean I have no idea where the realtors found these people to way overpay. It just makes no sense. (Makes less sense why these home would have appraised for that much. Just way overvalued).

& so this is what the buyers are left with:

Sale History
11/09/2007: $436,455 (foreclosure)
08/15/2006: $600,000
12/24/2002: $308,500

Sale History
11/09/2007: $414,000 (foreclosure)
10/11/2006: $600,000
07/22/2005: $589,500
07/09/2002: $312,500

Extra weird that they both foreclosed the same day???

Maybe we were the idiots. Maybe we should have found some sucker to pay $600k for our house. Yeesh! We'd have a bigger house and a lower mortgage.

So anyway, the biggest foreclosure activity around here are people who didn't do any research when they were buying a house. I would label them as suckers. Indeed. But a lot of people had to conspire against them. The realtors. The appraisers. The mortgage brokers, etc. They were all against them. That much is obvious. I could tell you there is no reason those 2 houses should have appraised anywhere near that price. So it seems rather shady. This was well after the downward slide had begun.

The whole thing was always just weird to me, and now I see how it ended up. No surprise there...

I was having a discussion with my spouse the other day, about why debit cards are so inferior. We don't use them, and apparently he didn't know why not.

So I Was telling him some of the horror stories I had heard about drained bank accounts and little protection from the banks.

(Oh yes, I think the convo came up when I mentioned the foreign arm of a bank that was dropping "deadbeat" credit card users who paid in full every month. Dh said, "who cares, we can switch to debit if they start doing that in the U.S." Which put us off on a debit card tangent).

But of course then dh looked at me and said, "well if you hate debit cards so much, why do you have one?"

We have one for the ATM.

Now ask me how often we go to the ATM. We've always had it "just in case." How often do we ever use it? Since we don't really deal in cash? NEVER!

So, I had never really thought much about it. But he had a point. I did use it much when our bank was far away. But for the last year or 2 we have been banking at a branch down the street. Since I don't have direct deposit, I have found it convenient to just ask for cash when I make deposits. & even then is rare!

So yeah, I think we can live without our debit card. I think I am going to cut them up. Not sure why I didn't think about it sooner. If I have one ripe in my wallet for stealing, well, I am not exactly protected, am I?

------------------------------

In other news, LM went to the doc today. He has just been REALLY out of sorts though he seems fine overall. Anyway, they said it was just the flu. Yikes! That is one GRUMPY little boy. HE hasn't had a fever in a while either. But guess he still isn't feeling well. I understand. I am back at work and my symptoms are mostly gone. But I certainly do not feel 100%. I feel like I could go home and nap the day away. Tired. Icky... I guess LM is much the same.

Anyway, the visit was only $75. Not bad, not bad. Our copay before was $50.

We insure pretty much for catastrophe. & we pay a pretty penny for that. But I always assumed that these services would cost way more. For example, our emergency co-pay was $500 last year. I found a list of procedures and costs (under the deductible plan) and it says emergency physician is only $100. So our emergency bill may only be $100? Holy cow! & I was so resistant to switch to the HDHP for so long. (The reason we switched for '08 is it lowered our out-of-pocket by a good solid $5k. I Worried it was a little too good to be true, but instead I am really pleased now. I Can handle $75 doctor visits and $100 emergency room visits).

I don't see anything about ambulances. So we'll see when we get that big bad bill. But I am starting to not really sweat our medical bills. Hmmm, you mean we might get to keep a chunk of our deductible after all? Maybe!!!! Any given year we pay for doctor visits and minor surgeries. Our bill for BM will hinge on the ambulance, but I am starting to think it might only cost a few hundred dollars, instead of an arm and a leg. ??? We'll see... We were paying pretty large copays for all these things anyway, before. I am liking the HDHP!

Anyway, the only thing I don't like is not knowing what my bill will be. We have only ever paid insurance premiums and co-pays. Never surprises like now. But if this is cheaper in the end; guess I can get used to the it. We'll see.

Well,I am getting really sick of being sick. We are all just miserable here. I've had a good solid 7 sick days which is crazy. I usually take like 7 a year max. Scares the crap out of me. (Not like we're not busy or anything).

I could maybe work today but dh watched the kids all day yesterday. I worked for a bit and crashed when I got home. I am letting him rest today. Going to take a nap after I sign off. Kids just fell asleep. I had some bills to pay. Haven't been on top of anything for well over a week. So had to take care of stuff or otherwise I wouldn't be on the computer - I'd be napping.

Anyway, I got a $80 check in the mail yesterday. I thought that was pretty sweet. It was rebate on disability insurance. I get it every year. Just not something I think about. So it was pretty fun to get unexpected money.

I owe the daycare $35 for taking LM another day this week. (They couldn't take the kids today because the daycare providers are all sick - oh my! But the kids have temperatures today anyway - yikes. I thought they had whipped this). Anyway, dh and I have been talking about having a date night. So the money is spent. Very WELL spent. A treat if we ever feel better.

Likewise no one here has an appetite. Lots of water and juice and jello, but that's about it. No driving. Our credit card bill is going to be nil this month. This is the only plus side. No spending over here. The fridge is full of food and the cars are full of gas. & we are certainly not going to be out living it up this weekend.

Anyway, if I am MIA for a while you know why. Sick, taking care of sick, and catching up at work big time!!!

I have seen similar graphs many times and always find them amazing.

It just awes me every time. PArticularly before 2006. Like, where will this bubble end???

(BTW we bought in 1999).

Anyway, it also shows why I have confidence prices won't go below a certain level. It has always been insanely expensive in this state. But wow, the last decade has really taken it to a new level.

On the flip side I know A LOT of renters house shopping right now. I think a lot of the doomsdayers have kind of lost sight of that. Our neighborhood dropped like a rock and is on an upward trend right now, with people snatching up deals. There are a hell of a lot of people around who could not fathom buying real estate in California for the last decade or so. Now they are considering it.

Well, our area has settled into very 2002-2003 prices. Places like LA and the Bay? Yeah, not much of a downturn yet. So those areas are really skewing this chart. Likewise, that is another save for us. One reason prices have plummeted so much here, so quickly, is that so many people came here from other parts of the state, for more affordable housing. But they didn't really have any ties here and fled with their equity in 2004 - 2006. I mean most of the people I have met here? Weren't from here and didn't stay very long. So we were quick to feel the drop. Likewise, we now have this void where we are very attractive to the more expensive areas, again. IT will be interesting to see that cycle renew again.

As far as places like the Bay? As long as people have their jobs, they will hold on. But with resetting ARMs and an unsure economy? I think they are in for a bumpy ride. Recession will most certainly be the downfall of those high prices. Too many families relying on 2-income households to pay the mortgage. So of course, lost jobs will just spell disaster.

Homes in Bubble Regions Remain Wildly Overvalued

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120276871472760255.html

Well last week was a little busy, but this one takes the cake.

BM was having trouble breathing when he woke up Monday so I called 9-1-1. That was the start to our week.

The night before he was up all night and he was driving me nuts. Sunday night dh went out with some friends. BM crawled into bed and I kicked him out. He woke my up again and went in there, and was pretty much, "If you wake me up one more time!!!!!!!" I was still fighting my cold. Anyway, he was babbling in his room and I started to wonder if he just wasn't feeling well. Just very unusual. So I went in there to tell him to quiet down AGAIN and check his forehead. For some reason I touched his hand and could tell he was burning up. I think he was just a bit on the delirious side. Of course he doesn't tell me he isn't feeling well or anything like that (which he is perfectly capable of). It was 2am and his temperature was almost 104. I called dh and told him he might want to come home and get some sleep since BM would not go to preschool Monday.

He had a horribly raspy cough and I was worried. Sounded like he was getting croup. I checked on him a few times but once he had some Tylenol he conked out for the rest of the night.

Anyway, when he got up he was clearly struggling to breathe and I yelled at dh to take him to the emergency room ASAP. I kept asking if he could breathe okay. He kept saying yes, but he was pretty distressed. Anyway, he then told me his throat was closing up. So I just freaked out at that point. 9-1-1.

So he went to bed totally fine, and woke up like that. Egads!!!!! An ambulance and a fire truck came and like a million firemen. LOL. IT calmed him down real quick though - he was excited by that whole thing.

They drugged him up, gave him cold air and a dose of steroid to help the swelling in his throat.

Anyway, he was home before noon and was pretty much good as new at that point. KIDS! He had a couple of night of high fever but yesterday he was mostly good as new. Today he went to preschool.

Anyway, the one thing I had never thought of since it was morning and the air was cold outside they said we could have taken him outside to expand his airway - the cold air.

They also said he was a bit on the old side for croup. He's had it a couple of times before and it is nasty. I hope this means it is the last time.

LM seems okay. No croup anyway. Thank goodness!!!!

Dh and I have been sick. I haven't been to work all week. I just relapsed into some nasty cold with cough. Maybe got it from BM. LM stayed home today because he is sick now. So we've been quite a fun bunch.

We were going to go to the snow this weekend. I am thinking BM will probably be good as new. Maybe grandma will just have to take him. I don't think dh or I will be up to it. We don't seem to be bouncing back so fast.

Anyway, as if that wasn't enough excitement, my sister went in for a sore on her neck. They ended up doing a CAT Scan on her then and there. I am not sure they really told her what they thought or if she just didn't tell us, but lord knows what that is about. So I am really worried about her too.

Well, I have said a million times I had no illusions that we wouldn't use our deductible this year. Our copay last year for emergency room and ambulance? $1k. So yeah I wouldn't be surprised if we get a $3k bill or something. We switched to a HDHP plan this year (which is fine because we saved $3k annually on our premiums for a $3k deductible with no other out-of-pocket. It is much more favorable than our plan the last year which was more expensive and had a bigger out of pocket). My mom offered to help and thought I was crazy to think I might get a $3k bill. I figure they gouge you for that stuff. If it doesn't cost a whole $3k, we'll hit $3k between that and the kids' annual checkups and everything else.

Anyway, of course I said no, but I get the feeling my mom is going to send a check to help. Anyway, we'll see what the big nasty bill is when it arrives. We have been setting $250/month (saved premiums) for the "deductible fund." Will have to pull it out of the efund for now. Since we have only saved $500 thus far. Figures we would use it up so early in the year.

But I am just glad BM is okay!

Just an excellent blog post I saw this week. I think we have always kind of done this subconsciously. I would say this is much the approach we have always taken to balancing our wants/needs. MMND takes it to a very scientific level. So I was amazed when I saw it - what an awesome idea.

http://millionairemommynextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/01/craft-b...

It also likewise reminds me how annoyed I get when other people's luxuries are put down in the forums and blogs (often). When you go through this exercise you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. I always knew all the luxuries we chose were well worth it. Evidenced by not having any regrets when it comes to what we do splurge our money on. This is often our thought process when we decide where to spend our money.

Funny enough, you know what our biggest WANT is? According to this exercise? Our savings!! We save more than we really need to in hopes of future financial comfort. I would say future (& current) financial comfort is probably one of our biggest values. Everything comes easier after this basic building block though. It's not a "deprivation" thing. (I mean if this is a deprived life, LOL. We all should be so deprived). But it's more a "this makes life a lot easier" thing. It's a "you can have your cake and eat it too if you prioritize and manage your money well" thing.

Likewise, I am not going to retire at 40 on $1 mil like MMND. I value financial security way too much. Sounds very risky to me. LOL. (I might semi-retire at 40; which is really my goal). Comes across loud and clear when I do the spreadsheet. Most of our luxuries and quite minuscle. None of them are long term commitments. But savings was way up there. I just found that eye opening.

Anyway, this is just an excellent, excellent exercise. If you struggle with your wants/needs. Or if you just don't know where to begin. It kind of quantifies much my approach to my own finances.

I had my own post on the topic:

http://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2007/01/19/priorities-fee...

But I think MMND's method is more useful/practical than my post. Mine is more commentary how we apply the same kind of idea in our own life. (I have to add though that I always whip out that calculator and determine how much I have to work to pay for anything we don't "need." ALWAYS).

I already did my tax return, but was waiitng for all the 1099s to pour in - to double check everything.

Anyway, I always do my tax return like 1/31 (in this case I think I started in 12/31/2007 because I had all my data in Quicken). But I usually figure the return, and rush to file in case of refund. Wait to April in case of payment.

E-file changes all that. You can file early but don't have to send in your check until April 15th. Which is sweet since no matter what I always get a state refund. I only withhold $50/paycheck now. Still refund! But I am not going to lower my withholding any further...

So I saw that these rebates will be issued in order 2007 tax returns were filed. Figured I'd better get on the ball. (Got all my 1099s as of last week).

I'll get a $62 state refund, to be exact. But $1182 due to the Feds, to be exact.

I'll get the refund in a couple of weeks.

I'll mail my IRS check April 15th.

& now I have secured my place in line, for rebate. Yay! We'll see if this is true...

Which reminds me, I know they are saying May to start mailing out rebates. But wow, I really wouldn't hold my breath. We'll see but the IRS is SWAMPED!!!!!!! The government sure has put a lot on them the last couple of months, and they were already swamped, as is. Which makes MY life difficult. Blech. I mean it's impossible to resolve anything with them these days without "We'll get back to you in 6 weeks about your simple inquiry - we have a backlog." Anyway, I think Congress and government has been pushing for April rebates. Maybe it was the IRS who said, "are you kidding??? May at the earliest!" So maybe May it is. But we'll see.

Paid a pile of bills today, which did not take very long (online).

Credit card & mortgage.

Auto insurance bill was due.

Finally got water bill.

So paid all February bills and had - $0.02 in checking. I am expecting a $5 auto reimbursement, so sounds good to me. Surplus? It's been a while. Holiday season is just so crazy.

Yes, my whopping $5 surplus!!!

I have auto license renewal here - due in about 6 weeks. Think I'll just throw it on the card in 6 weeks. I think this is the only government bill I have ever seen you could card without a fee. I certainly will take advantage!

Anyway, April is going to be brutal. $1200 due to IRS. $2300 due to county for property taxes. $500 life insurance premiums due April 1. Blech!

Oh we're prepared for it. But it always sucks to fork over all that money. !! April and December are just our sucky months. Some reason we just lumped all the big crap together. That's what we get for buying homes in December. Got steals for buying in the off season, but always have those big bills (home insurance) due with Christmas and property taxes. We have some other life insurance and disability insurance all comes due December too. Figures.

We usually don't owe much to the IRS. (Usually our state refund equals our IRS balance due). So that one was unusual. Just made it more difficult this year.

Well I have been busy. & sick too. Blech. So not much bloggy bloggy.

Yeah, work is insane. Being sick doesn't help.

I just saw the tax rebate news. I am not thrilled with the whole thing, BUT we could use the money I guess.

Anyway, well, we just squeaked by! I assume they are using 2007 income to figure the rebates? Perhaps 2006?

For 2007 my income was like a penny over $75k. But I also had my ROTH conversion to push that way up.

Likewise, if they use 2006, the ROTH conversion will be my savior. Our income wouldn't have made it otherwise. Either way we got it covered. I think that is sweet. Makes the ROTH conversions that much more a SWEET deal. We had decided to do the conversion while we were still in a lower tax bracket.

Which leaves us with $1200 rebate plus $600 for the kids.

Um, I owe the IRS $1200 so that is a wash.

I am getting $250 cash back from the card around May, as well as that will be our vacation. So I am thinking around $850 to our May vacation. Probably plenty. I don't even think we'll spend it all. But sure puts a load off me.

Anyway, I will pay the $1200 IRS tax (I get a $100 state refund) in April from the efund, but guess I will get it back soon after.

This will go a long way to making 2008 easier for us. That tax bill was going to move us backwards a bit.

I was also saving $100-$200/month for stuff like vacation. Some of that might get diverted to ROTHs at year-end, since we don't need it now. We'll see...

P.S. I just saw another foreclosure in our neighborhood, was asking $350k (after one sold for $370k). Well, it just went for $410k. What do I know!?!

Looks like things are looking up a bit. It sold pretty fast too. So, um, yeah, good!!!

I also saw 50% listings in the area were "distressed" listings. It's been steadily climbing. (From 33% in the fall).

We'll see where it settles. I think it's still early in the whole thing, but the uptick is nice.

Also helps our refi prospects. I was worried with it dropping like a rock. $410k puts us 50% equity. I think that will do. (I likewise wouldn't be suprised if it dropped to 25% in like a day, which is apparently the new PMI threshhold for areas like this. I guess lucky for us we don't NEED to refi. Not like that still won't happen. It's just crazy out there).

ETA: I think I read that wrong on the $75k. I am seeing further details emerge. I haven't been at work so I will probably get more thorough details on Monday at work. Everything in the news is vague and conflicting. I am still pretty sure we are getting $1800. But that's about all I am sure of. I think also I will file my return VERY soon to get in front of the line. They say they will issue rebates, based on 2007 returns, in order received. So I better go file!!!!

I can't help but wonder if our auto fuel will go down this month. I filled up 17 gallons for $50 yesterday, which really wasn't horrid. (It's been worse). & I thought I could probably get away filling up once more this month. Dh does not to the preschool drive any more so should save him a tank. Plus no San Jose drives planned which will save 2-3 tanks over the last 2 months. I think he'll fill up twice which will put us at $160 for the month. Maybe $210 for a 3rd fill up at the end (not sure I can really make it to the first on 2 tanks). But we have been spending $300, so this is very preferable.

I also saw that post on driving for better gas mileage. My dh thought I was getting worse gas mileage than him and I rolled my eyes. I said since I drive to preschool and sit at a line of lights to get there, of course I get worse gas mileage. We generally don't do a lot of city driving otherwise. Freeway and little traffic, or just quick jaunts down the street.

Anyway, but I do have a bit of a lead foot in a sense and so I did think about it. I did try to drive really calm yesterday and cruise at 65 on the freeway. I have found setting the cruise at a slightly lower speed helps the gas mileage (in the past). Anyway, I couldn't set it any lower lest I get run over.

I was wary since the drivers around here are SO BAD. Our auto insurance doubled when we moved here and I quickly saw why. We used to pay $200/year each for perfect driving records. Now we both pay $400/year for the same thing. Blech. But god forbid you get in someone's way!!!! I mean I moved from the BIG city and so it was kind of a surprise. There are a lot of traffic issues here, and hence a lot more road rage. So I thought driving calmly might prove to be scary. It was okay, but I did see quite a few people make a point to zoom past me with a red light up ahead. Of course that might have been me last week. LOL. I am not going to do that anymore.

Well, making a bit of a game of it for now. My goal will be to only spend $100 on gas this month. It's pretty aggressive, but I'll try. At least stay as close to that as possible. Of course dh might get through the month with only one fill up of $30 (he has a much smaller tank). He has been getting out more, but most the stuff he does is quite local. Driving to work is what costs us more gas than anything. It's not a long drive; it just adds up, going there every day and all...

I have to add I am not feeling much pinch. I always leave a lot of room in my budget for things like gas and groceries. I was thinking future inflation (or gouging). As far as groceries, we have cut our bills 20% but I still leave the old budget. IT's a big round easy # to remember, and no doubt as the kids grow they will EAT more. My point being, when you do a budget, try to think down the road a bit more. Makes it easier to weather rising prices. We cut out diapers, formula, lots of milk, etc. this last year. But the kids also eat at preschool twice a week. So I leave that old big budget in place for when we have to feed them every meal again. They can eat A LOT now but I understand this will get much worse when they are teens. LOL. Luckily, have a long while to prepare for that.

Of course I have never been too wrapped up in "today" when it comes to my finances. I am always planning ahead, and it really helps. Of course I feel like I am still recovering from our medical insurance premiums. Those came out of left field and I was lucky to get some decent raises to cover them. This is the first year, since kids, that the increase wasn't astronomical (like 20-40%). So I am enjoying that (enjoying that they only went up 7% - how sad), but knowing it is better to prepare for what I know since often there is a lot you just can't foresee. I Feel like we may be getting this under control, but what's next? Likewise, a little gas or grocery increase doesn't scare me. More to the point, that's nothing compared to what we have been dealing with these last few years. Phew.

Which reminds me, they recommend full fat milk the first year, or something, after formula. Then 2%. Anyway, we have been buying less non-fat milk for us and I have just been taking to drinking the kids' milk (easier). Dh refuses to drink it (which is funny because he needs the fat. He is such a stick). & anyway, I was mentioning the other day. I said it probably wouldn't kill us just to switch to all non-fat and bulk up on sale, etc. I said we could add fat to the kids' diets other ways, I think they will survive.

Anyway, the non-fat was on sale for 60 cents cheaper than the 2% so dh switched when he went to the store yesterday. I have the feeling in the interim we'll drink whatever is cheaper. The kids and I really have no preference. I just worried because I resisted to switching to non-fat for SO long. I didn't want to get spoiled by the good stuff. Hehe. So far I think I am okay. I drink so little milk as a whole.

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I was pondering what the average payoff date is on a mortgage. I mean, in reference to age. What is the average age Americans pay off their mortgage? I was kind of curious but google did not shed much light on this question. I guess but show that more and more and more people are paying off their mortgages, well into retirement. (Or likewise, never pay off their mortgage).

My only frame of reference is our parents. They both paid them off when their eldest child turn 28. Interesting. Dh's parents are much older so put them in the 55-60 range for payoff. The funny thing is is we never prepay a dime, our mortgage will be paid when our eldest turns 28. No, we didn't plan it that way!

Which takes me to why I wondered in the first place. I am looking forward to refi-ing for a lower interest rate. I have no urge to stretch my loan out longer though. We would prepay the difference, keeping our old mortgage payment in the end. But enjoying the faster payoff with the lower interest rate. 'Tis the point.

Anyway, on these forums and in real life the reaction to an idea of refi is funny. I guess since the norm is to drag out the loan as long as possible and borrow more against it, those are the assumptions people make when they hear refi. Of course, knowing I am staunchly opposed to prepaying mortgage payments TODAY, I think that is much misunderstood.

Um, my goal is to pay off my mortgage at age 45! Likewise, I don't get the lure of extending it forever. But just because it doesn't make sense for us to send in prepayments right now, in no way shape or form means I am against paying off a mortgage.

So I wondered when the average age is. I figured 45 would be rather on the young side. I am starting to think being on the current track to 55 is most definitely on the young side. I just wanted to be clear I have no desire to have a mortgage in retirement. In fact we intend to pay of our mortgage WELL before retirement. But with youth on our side we really have the luxury to do both. To put the mortgage on the back burner for now, focus on our investments, and still pay it off quite young. So I am not inherently against prepaying a mortgage (not considering all the prepayments we will make in our life - and the ones we made when we had more means). I am also not against putting it on the back burner when it makes sense. As usual I fall rather square in the middle. There are benefits to both. In fact, we discuss dividing dh' future wage 50% to mortgage and 50% to investing. A lot of the benefit of investing is lost in that situation since our tax-deferred investments should all be maxed out on my income, by that point, and the rules change when you talk taxable investments. We could pretty much flip a coin, and decided we'd do both 50/50 for a while. & go from there. See what we were enjoying more, or if we should just hedge our bets by doing both. That's more how we do things. We aren't very "either/or," as a whole.

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I decided my $11500 ROTH conversion cost us $2600 in taxes. Bummer. I also double checked once again, but I think my withholding is really okay. Even with all the balance transfer interest, without the ROTHS, we would have been quite breakeven for the year. So I will leave my withholding as is.

Our effective tax rate in 2007, even with an extra $11,500 in taxable income, was 9% federal and 1% state.

I should look at that again. Honestly, it sounds quite high. I don't think we even paid that much. Now that I think about it I wonder if that rate is calculated before the child tax credit. We got a $2k. I think ROTH conversion and all our taxes were closer to $6k, not $8k. Something for me to check... (I really though the effective rate took into count tax credits though. So I will look that up).

Don't ask me what that rate is once we get the $1600 rebate congress is tossing around. IT will be rather low.

Anyway, our marginal tax rates are 15% & 5%. Even with the ROTH. That's crazy to me. Thank you kids and mortgage. & insane health insurance premiums (not sure I really thank that though. LOL).

I worried about my raise starting to bump us up a bit more to higher tax brackets. But we seen to be nowhere near it. Nowhere near it at all. So I am happy to leave my withholding as is, another year or 2.

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ETA: Well I guess I had to re-educate myself. The effective tax rate was tax divided by taxable income. Our taxable income is WAY below our actual income, so that makes sense.

Our effective rates per my calculation (total tax by TOTAL income) were 5.7% Fed & 1.6% state, with an extra $11,500 taxable income (ROTH conversion).

Which means out effective rate without that was 4% Fed & 0.9% state. Which means, yes, I can keep 90% of my paycheck still.

Actually, I Am keeping 86% of my monthly paycheck, but I have pretty much nothing more withheld when it comes to my overtime bonus in the spring. So it pans out. 8.5% payroll taxes (includes CA SDI) and almost 5% to fed/state means 13.5% of my wages go to tax. Not bad. Or keep 86.5% of it all. That's with all the extra interest we are earning now too.

My federal "effective" rate, ROTH conversion and all, will be 3.6% with this whole rebate thing. My tax return will show almost $90k income and my taxes of $5k will be reduced to $3400 post rebate. Crazy.

Does this seem fair to you? Do you see why it scares the crap out of me what my taxes will rise to down the road??? YIKES. Well, I am enjoying. Usually California does not get the fair end of the stick. Certainly not with AMT. Which I guess worries me more, what our taxes will be down the road. I have tried hard not to get terribly used to this. I am sure the short end of the stick will eventually appear. IT's been like this ever since my spouse stopped working. One year the government paid me to have kids. !! We sure had a knack for timing though. IT has been a tremendous help, the one income years, not paying taxes. We didn't really pay any 2-3 years. With all my raises we are starting to pay a little more. But not much...

I guess this is for a small slice of readers. But if I was in the market for a home, and I Wanted to be frugal, I Would really consider an "Energy Star" home.

I find myself continually defending my big home to the assumptions we must get $500/month utility bills to heat such a monstrosity. I think, you have got to be kidding me!! We had a very small, rather new, well insulated condo in the late 90s and when we moved into a home twice as big our utilities went down. This is extra impressive considering we spent little time in our old condo and did not have laundry. Today there is someone home 24/7, we leave the house rather comfortable for the babies/small kids we've had the last few years, and we cook and do laundry (Washing diapers) daily. & with twice the space, our energy bills have gone DOWN.

We leave the thermostat 68 in the winter, 78 in the summer. Off at night (but it would never go above 80 or below 60 over night. WE also get cool night breezes so no need for air at night, though most of the summer days are 100 degrees +). IT's been into the 20s/30s over night but our house never gets below 60 degrees if we turn the heat off at 6pm and flip it back on the next morning. To be clear, I could live with much colder nights, but that is about where the house settles on the coldest of night. IT is usually 63 when I Wake up in the winter, on a more average morning.

Anyway, for comparison, on budget billing, our gas runs $30/month and our electricity runs $50/month. Our electricity is harder to peg since we were apparently under billed the first 4 years. They came out and fixed our meter and now we are paying more. We are about 10 months into that and are still figuring this out. We always assumed our energy efficient house meant insanely low bills. Whacked meter was part of the equation I guess. However, our gas is a mere $10/month or less (sometimes $5 in the summer, taxes and fees and all). But we get a few bigger bills in the winter. January was $101 (coldest month). So the average is $30).

But yes, the reason is we have an Energy Star home. These days they are putting in solar with these homes. which is really a great deal. I Can't say we paid any more for this house because it was Energy Star. IT was very competitively priced with the other new homes that did not meet the same standards. I would go as far to say as we didn't pay a penny more.

OF course, I forget some of the little details, like exactly what it was about the roof that made it so energy efficient, or the type of insulation they said they used. I should really dig out the old paperwork and refresh my memory. I don't know how they have upped the standards over time.

I think dh and I Were kind of like, "okay, whatever," at the time. We were very pleased with the appliances and dual-paned windows and such. & Sure, extra insulation sounded nice. But I think we chalked a lot of it up to marketing. (In fact we didn't buy the home at all because all of the energy efficient marketing. IT was more other reasons. Dh and I Could barely agree on a home and this is the only one we agreed on).

But 6 years later I have to say we are both very pleased. We have looked at a lot of older homes and an older, more mature neighborhood really appeals to us on many levels. But I am not sure we could ever moved backwards from the construction quality we have gotten used to on this house. WE are so spoiled with what we have.

But I did find this and found it to be VERY true.

http://www.infofaq.com/real-estate-analysis/energy-star-home...

"InfoFAQ: What are Energy Star Homes?

The U.S. Government reports that an Energy Star qualified home uses at least 30% less energy in heating, cooling and hot water, than those built according to the 1993 National Model Energy Code. Energy Star homes may save even more over homes built before 1993.

InfoFAQ: How is an Energy Star home built?

Using energy efficient technology, Energy Star homes are built with energy saving appliances, high performance windows, improved insulation, tightly sealed construction with little air infiltration, upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, efficient ducting, and upgraded water heating equipment.

InfoFAQ: How much money can an Energy Star home save?

Energy Star homes lower monthly utility bills by at least 30 percent. Energy Star homes also have a higher resale value. There are also potential savings by obtaining an energy efficient mortgage from an Energy Star lender.

InfoFAQ: How do Energy Star homes help the environment?

15 percent of U.S. energy use is from home consumption. Home energy use produces 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1995, Energy Star homes have eliminated four million pounds of carbon emissions nationwide and the U.S. Government has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 9 million metric tons through Energy Star qualified homes by the year 2012.

InfoFAQ: Is it healthier to live in an Energy Star home?

Yes. Energy Star homes are built with tight construction standards, including the air sealing of the joints, holes and seams created during construction. Condensation within the wall structure, which is responsible for mold formation, is also lowered or eliminated. This air sealing greatly reduces the penetration of outside air pollution, pollen, car exhaust, dust, radon and pest infestation.

InfoFAQ: But how comfortable is an Energy Star home to live in?

Because the home is air sealed and tightly constructed, cold drafts are virtually eliminated, outside moisture is greatly lowered, and the home is much quieter. Room temperature is equalized in different locations of the home. Air ducting is balanced, producing the same amount of air flow from each grill, even in remote rooms."

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Anyway, everyone keeps asking me how the hell our energy bills are low. So that is pretty much my answer. Our house is VERY quiet and very toasty in the winter and cool in the summer. We find it all to be very true. & we are very spoiled with that and our low energy bills.

Beyond all that, our home also has a lot of water saving measures as well. We pay a flat rate based on the size of our house, but they just recently switched to the ability to choose metered watering. So far we are cutting our water bill in HALF. I think that is much of why. We are quite conservative with water, having grown up in drought country. BUT I think they base their rates on old homes this size. We just don't use as much water with our appliances and low flow toilets, etc. We're also rethinking our landscaping to cut this down even more. IT is ridiculous to keep a bright green lawn in our desert summers. Which is probably where most of our water consumption goes. Hydrating the yard in the long, hot summer. Suburbia doesn't make much sense sometimes.

I thought I remembered this 8-month CD being renewable at 5.7% (if that rate would be preferable in 8 months).

Anyway, then they sent me paperwork and didn't mention this option to renew at 5.7%. This was really key to making my balance transfers REALLY worthwhile. My hedge if rates went down.

Anyway, I pulled out the original paperwork and didn't see anything. I could not beleieve I did not get that in WRITING!!! I started to wonder if I Was crazy.

Anyway, so I just realized my CD matures Monday and I better call. The option now is 3.2 or something for CDs. (non-promotional anyway).

So I Called and inquired and they said yes, I Was right. In fact, I didn't even have to call, it was set to renew at that rate Monday. Woohoo!

I am quite happy with this. I am not crazy after all. & yes next time I Will get it in writing, just in case.

Everything financially seems to be going my way this week. I am enjoying!

(I guess this could be a bit of a neener neener neener post too. LOL. Earning 5.7% for another 8 months on money that is not even mine!).