Questions for You 8/1

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Questions for You 8/1
4
Sat, 08-01-2009 - 5:33pm

1.

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 08-01-2009 - 7:17pm

1.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Sat, 08-01-2009 - 7:39pm

1. I noticed the school supplies are back on sale...What are you favorite school/office supplies? If you have to purchase supplies for back-to-school for yourself or family, how much do you think you are going to spend?

***I usually hate spending money on things my children lose, destroy and don't appreciate. But I school supplies are the exception. I happily skip down the isles and fill out the required list and can't wait for them to go back to school so I can work in peace LOL! I will spend probably $200 bucks plus they both need new back packs.

2. Do you have any special plans for the month of August? Any projects? Events? Trips? Will school be starting in August for you or family?

***My kids have swimming lessons and another camp. Swimming lessons are paid for and the deposit on the camp is paid for but I need to pay the balance $280 bucks(it is budgeted). I would love to get away with my bf for a couple of night somewhere and that is still a possibility. (we have a vacation jar on our dresser that has some cash in it so the debt repayment will not be slowed)

3. Based on effort, learning, application, and attitude, (like in school!) what grade would you give yourself on your debt reduction journey report card for the last couple of months? What particular aspect of the effort to reduce your debt do you think you excel in?

***Oh I get an A+. I paid off 30,000 in 14 months. I excel in determination and sacrifice. I could have gone on a vacation, put a down payment on a home or had my business in way better standing, but instead I chose to pay down personal debt.

We all deserve gold stars for being present and/or following this board!

***yes we do deserve gold stars! Go Us!


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2000
Sat, 08-01-2009 - 11:25pm

1.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Mon, 08-03-2009 - 9:51am

Good thread, littlebigs

1. I noticed the school supplies are back on sale...What are you favorite school/office supplies? If you have to purchase supplies for back-to-school for yourself or family, how much do you think you are going to spend?
Back to school always is a budget buster for us, but I am more prepared this year. We go to Target usually to stock up on notebooks and folders, we even get a few sheets of posterboard for projects (because kids have a habit of telling you at 9PM the night before a project is due that they need posterboard.) I also get about 10 extra notebooks for the second term start in January when they are not as cheaply on sale. We get the cheapest stuff, pencils, notebooks, etc. and it is usually $20 per child.
They will also need school fees paid, like parking pass, yearbook fee, and $100 pay to play fee for sports, as DD is in volleyball. I will probably put out $600 this month on clothes, supplies, and fees, but this year it is in my budget.

2. Do you have any special plans for the month of August? Any projects? Events? Trips? Will school be starting in August for you or family?
We are on vacation right now, but it is raining out, again. Yesterday we spent $0, the day before $30 for gas. We have a small 600 sq ft cabin on a lake and the kids are usually boating, fishing or playing paintball on the island. We sit around the bonfire at night and just chat and laugh. We might go to a town 30 miles away today to see a movie or something since it is raining.
School starts September 7, but DD has to have senior pictures, I paid $53 for sitting fees. I don't want to think about the cost of the photos.
We also have to pay for college admissions applications, she will apply to 3-5 colleges and those are between $50 and $100 each.

3. Based on effort, learning, application, and attitude, (like in school!) what grade would you give yourself on your debt reduction journey report card for the last couple of months? What particular aspect of the effort to reduce your debt do you think you excel in?
I have to say I would give myself a B+. I did splurge on a patio set that was on my list of wants, and was on sale, but it was not a need. I do excell at extra income which has been the one thing that has prevented any emergencies from throwing our debt reduction under the bus. I would encourage everyone to think of out of the box ways to find extra income because that could make the difference!

-Marie